Like fire! Hellfire! [this fire in my skin]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[the Master skids to a halt when he appears on the Astral Plane, having apparently come in running. He immediately straightens out his clothing before addressing the Plane]

Right, so! Pompeii: very lacking in Super Soaker outlets. Anyone have a water gun handy?

Comments

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess I'm unique, then. I like being unique, I think.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Is 'unique' synonymous for 'lonely,' now?

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

You're not the end-all and be-all of my happiness, Master.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

That doesn't answer the question.

[The Doctor is the center of a tight circle which the Master walks, deliberate paces with his eyes focussed on the Doctor as he moves]

You are lonely. It is an undeniable fact. You don't run around getting yourself called 'the Lonely God' if you're quite overwhelmed with company. Companions, yes, but never the companionship that will heal the wound.

The question, then, is not 'are you lonely?' but 'will you ever not be?' Is there anything that can keep it away? Or is it the inevitable truth that you must return to, time and time again?

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[circles to face the Master as he walks, but stays in the center]

What does it matter? We all have wounds, Master. I have to face mine. And I'm fine.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

No, you're not. Wounds can be healed. I thought that's what doctors did.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

Doctors also know when it's a lost cause.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

And when it isn't.

[stops]

I could help you.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[not the first time he's heard this offer, but definitely the first time he's considered it]

How?

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

What is it you want?

[the question echoes, the refrain of all their battles, repeated now under guise of openness, but still wrapped in veils]

What is you want, Doctor? Gallifrey back? The Time Lords? One person who understands? It's not settling down, I know that much.

I can give you anything, if you let me.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[mostly confused, but certainly pained]

But you can't. I'm sorry, Master, but not even the Eternals could bring back Gallifrey now. Can't even un-write the Valiant to bring you back to my universe.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

A new Gallifrey could be built. New Time Lords could be created. It's not difficult.

I've told you before, Doctor. Denying possibilities doesn't bring happiness. Act to have what you desire.

But decide what is your desire, first.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[oh, but he really shouldn't be saying this to the Master]

I don't want to be alone.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

You don't have to be. But you have to let me help you.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[looks as if he wants to, but he sets his jaw]

What do you want from me?

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

I want what I have always wanted, Doctor.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

I won't be subservient to you.

[smirk]

Imagine I'd be boring that way, anyway.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

You would, actually. As dull as you are dead.

I haven't always wanted you to serve me. And I haven't always wanted you dead.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

Go on, then. Spell it out for me.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

What do you think it is?

['What do you want to think it is?']

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm at the point where I'd probably heavily consider working with you. Buuuut, since you clearly don't want whatever it is enough to stop playing games with me, well, then I guess I'll go.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[a small laugh]

You can leave if you like, but you'll come back. You always do.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[oh, he hates it when the Master's right]

You want to help me but you won't tell me what you want in return?

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

An accurate assessment of the situation, very well done.

[smiles]

You could look, if you like. Of course, I don't know if you want to trust me in that; your psychic shields have never been particularly strong, so it would be easy work to do something to you while you looked. But it's an offer.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

You could just tell me.