[001]

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . Oh, this. This. Is. Gorgeous.

No, really, I mean it. I've seen a lot of things -- more things that you'd think I ever would, given my youthful and altogether handsome appearance, -- but this place. Brilliant! So flash! So shiny! Well, they're stars, how could they not be shiny? Although, strictly speaking, stars are more luminous than shiny. But you can't use luminous in an interjection. Too many syllables. Can't be spouting off exclamations of surprise if it takes more than a second. Wouldn't really be surprised, then -- it'd sound too premeditated to be genuine.

So! The shop's the gateway, yeah? Never seen it before today, and I'd figured I'd gotten used to this version of London by now. Still, always did like a little shop, but it feels a bit wrong that it'd be used for sinister purposes like this -- after all, I can't really see this as being positive, the whole kidnapping and displacing thing. I guess you really can't ever trust a salesman. Or a saleswoman. Or a salestwin, as the case might be.

But right, anyway! Sinister little shop leading to a mysterious planetarium taken to an extreme scale? I might be new to this universe, still, but I'm reasonably sure this wouldn't be considered normal.

Now, who wants to offer an explanation before I call for back-up? And you might want to be quick about it -- I like calling for back-up.

Comments

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Oh, tell me about it.

No! I do-- I mean, well, they're familiar, but-- It's not like that. I'm just--

. . . But you're-- you don't look like yourself.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[blinks] Do you really want me to?

Ah, these projections. I have learned to harnass them since being infected with anti-time. It makes communication easier, especially in this place. If you prefer, I can come here as I truly am. It makes no real difference to me.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

No, no, no, not really. Just an expression!

Do as you like, though! Far be it from me to make you do otherwise, 'specially when I'm always pushing you to the edge, yeah?

Or a version of me, at least.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

You, of all people, should know that I rarely do anything I do not want to do, pushing or no. [smiles] I am quite temperamental, after all. It has given your Eighth something to complain about any number of times, as well as Charlotte.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Oh, you're with that me, now? Well, I should've guessed, what with the anti-time, but-- oh, that's brilliant. Not causing you too much trouble yet, am I?

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

You are always causing me trouble, Doctor, though it's more Charlotte who concerns me. She's still horribly cheeky. One would think she'd learn to appreciate me more after having been without me for so long.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Well, you know humans. Hardly appreciate what they've got. Quick to acclimatize.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

And are you speaking from experience, then?

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Oi! It's only been a few weeks.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[laughs softly] Of course, Doctor. Forgive me; that was uncalled for.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . Nah, 's my fault, I think. Didn't mean to get shirty on you.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[pets his cheek] You are forgiven, of course. You are always forgiven.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

[Grinning.] Oh, you say that now. Wait till a version of me is running about, drawing on the walls with markers.

-- Not that I'm planning on it, mind.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Good. If you did, I would not be responsible for having every hallway lead to the garbage disposal area. Nor would I be responsible if, at such a time, the mechanism to dispose of all waste happened to 'malfunction.'

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

. . . Well, that seems a fair enough punishment. I certainly feel sorry for the bloke that ever attempts it, in that case.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

As do I, Doctor. I've dallied with the idea of just tossing offenders out the air lock, but your other selves have made it abundantly clear they would disapprove of such an action, so I will refrain from hoisting my annoyances into deep space. For you, of course.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Yeah, don't-- don't do that. It'd be a bit harsh, don't you think?

. . . Or, er, I guess you don't, considering you just suggested it. Well, maybe it depends on the circumstances.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

I have swallowed the Master whole into the Eye of Harmony, Doctor. Tossing an unwanted companion into deep space is not so much different. I am certain this incarnation of yours will have companions whom I will dislike. It's only natural, after all.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah, but the Master's a bit like a cockroach, anyway. Can't keep the bloke down. 'Sides, I haven't had many companions since--

Well. I just haven't had many companions recently. And I won't. Not me-me, anyway. Who knows about the other-me.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

No companions? How very strange for you. Though I should like that -- but wait, what do you mean? You always have companions I dislike.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

I'm not with you, where I am. That is, this me, me-me, isn't with you, but someone else is, who's also me.

If that makes sense, which, on second thought, it probably doesn't. Although whether or not you dislike the ones I've already had before, you've been pretty mum about it.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Not ... with me? Then another TARDIS? You have found another in your time? And the other Doctor, the other Ten, he is with me? [furrows her brow] And I have made it clear on several occasions. It is not my fault you never listen.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

I haven't got a TARDIS where I am, but my other self, he's still with you. Slow path, that's where I am right now. Not that it's a bad thing, but, well, you know. No planet hopping for me.

. . . Really? Well, I appreciate you not chucking them out of the airlock, even if you're not their biggest fans.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

[looks absolutely horrified, then takes his hands in hers, squeezing gently] I am sorry, Doctor. I can think of no life more terrible than one where I could not move, could not travel. Where there was no freedom. I would that I could save you from it.

[ducks her head] Yes, well ... I did try once, admittedly. But it was only Charlotte so I hardly see any reason to apologise for that.

[doctorate.livejournal.com]

[Squeezing back, and finding this sort of strange, but still brilliant, so he'll be giving her a soft sort of smile.] Oh, it's not so bad, really. I'm doing some good where I am, I think. It's doing some good for me, too. Puts things in perspective, you see.

[he frowns at that last part] . . . Ah. I see. You-- d'you really think she was so bad?