realityshifted | (no subject)

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doctor who (d5) tardis

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[have the TARDIS walking about with a glass of some sort of wine. she's so taking advantage of having prolonged, physical projections to finally try things she couldn't before]

I will never understand the fascination with imbibing alcohol. This is the fourth one I've had and I am as unimpressed with this one as the last three. I must wonder why the Doctor insists on keeping it around.

[in other news!]

I've noticed a great deal more people arriving in this place. If we could calculate when a new being in being drawn into this nexus, perhaps we could harness that energy as a means of escape for ourselves. Has anyone tried such a thing, yet?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He hurts people because he wants to and he doesn't care about them. You hurt people because you're ignorant and you don't care about us enough to learn. Say the Doctor makes you angry - say you want revenge. Would you have any qualms with hurting innocent people to get to him? Only that the Doctor'd be mad at you, I'm sure. That is one step away from the Master.

The Doctor would not be angry with me. [narrows her eyes] And he and I have gotten into enough spats over the years that neither of us are afraid to voice our opinion to the other.

[pauses, frowning] I have done my fair share of things to him that I regret, but I have never harmed a companion of his, nor any other living being save the Master. I have shielded those I care nothing for with my body, taken innumerable damages and wounds, and sacrificed myself so that the universe might still exist. I have followed him into another universe to stay beside him as he explores the unknown. And yet you still insist I am anything like the Master, who will rip me apart and rape my very being in order to bend the rules of space and time so he can kill your kind?

[softly] You don't care about people. You hurt them out of your ignorance and you still don't care. That's how the worst murderers are made, I've seen it. They don't kill out of -- out of passion, out of rage or jealousy or fear... they kill because they don't see any reason not to. Because they just... don't care.

[still does not understand because, well...she really wouldn't hurt anyone, can't fathom doing so, but just turns away from him, voice quiet] I do not believe either one of us can come to understand the other, boy. Believe me when I say I would not hurt anyone. Not as I am now, not as I ever will be.

[a short pause] Adric. Turlough. The Brigadier. Nyssa. Susan. I have cared for others, you know. I am not without compassion.

You hurt me just now and I hurt you back.

Why do you care enough to tell me about them?

[frowns] Words are such wretched things. Double-edged swords, all of them. [looks away] I have never had to deal with this before. Only the Doctor ever heard my voice.

[and looks back at him, eyes sharp] I don't. I simply want you to understand. I do not care for the majority, but it does not mean I am incapable of it all together. Just as you wish for me to understand that you are as unalike to the Master as I am.

You'll have to learn to deal with it if you want to keep living like this.

[a long pause] Very well. How would you suggest I start, as you're so...well-learned in this matter?

Was that sarcasm?

[smiles]

Look, why don't we... sit down and talk a bit. I don't think I ever got your name? [holds his hand out] Sam Tyler.

[stares at his hand a long moment, as if unsure what to do, then takes it in her own] I am the TARDIS. And very well. [releases his hand and takes a seat, watching him] We shall talk.

[sits beside her]

The guiding principle that you have to hold to is... I guess, 'treat people how you want them to treat you.' 's what my mum always told me, anyway. A kind of template until you work out social nuances. But I don't know how well that would work for you.

I have treated others as I am treated. As a thing, as a means of transport, as an object. Only the Doctor and a handful of his companions ever treated me as anything other than a means to an end. Even his own people, those all mighty Time Lords, who grew me in their fields and bred me for what I am...we are but mules to them. [frowns] It would be...nice...to be treated with more dignity than that. I suppose that is what I should focus on when addressing others like you?

[tentively, lifts a hand, and then places it over hers] I'm sorry.

That's a good place to start, though, yeah. If you treat people with respect, consideration, and compassion, they tend to respond in turn.

[all of this hand holding from him is confusing. only the Doctor is touchy-feely] Why?

[tilts her head, watching him] In that case, I...apologise. For what I said about you and the Master. It was uncalled for.

It's not right that you were treated like a thing, is it? Not when you're... sentient, I guess is the word for it.

[smiles slightly, because she's learning!] And I'm sorry for what I said. I was hurt and angry. You're better than that.

Perhaps. It does not explain your sorrow.

[blinks, then laughs lightly] Of course I am, boy. Was there every any doubt?

It doesn't?

[puts his hand over his mouth, repressing a laugh. When he speaks, it's rather muffled] 'course not, no.

I have found that sorrow generally involves a personal or intimate knowledge of the person or subject one is feeling sorry for. You do not know me, so how can you feel sorrow?

[blinks rapidly, then grins] You learn quickly, boy. Ah...Sam Tyler. I think I could grow to like you.

[shakes his head] I wouldn't want to be treated that way, so I... feel bad that you had to suffer it, guess it is. And I... guess it's that I want to show compassion, to ease your suffering. --I don't really think about that very often. This's very... meta.

You're not a slow study yourself, TARDIS. ...Is that really what you want me to call you, 'TARDIS'?

'Meta?' At any rate, I...thank you. For your concern. It is few and far between who can extend that to a being that isn't their own.

[blinks] I should hope not. My processing functions are well beyond the capability of a normal human's brain. And I am the TARDIS. It is my name. What else would you call me?

I don't think that's true. People care more than you give them credit for. Or I hope they do, anyway.

Never mind. Just forget it.

I should like it if that were true.

[frowns] Did I offend you again? It wasn't my intention.

I think it is.

No! No, I just... forget it. [scratches the back of his head]

Then I shall keep it in mind.

...if you insist. [obviously is not happy with this]

[erm...]

So! Uh, care to tell me a bit about where you are, back home?