Constellation 04

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

[A big tree can be seen on the Plane, it's roots seeming to dig into the 'floor' itself. Arthur is currently sitting under it, his bike a few feet away. He had a run in with the tree a few minutes ago when a sudden car horn startled him, and it's pretty clear who won.

He looks more than a little bruised, and is currently trying to wipe at a particularly nasty-looking cut, mumbling under his breath about reckless drivers]

Comments

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[Rubs his eye.] No, that's all right. Don't worry about it. There will always be more dramatic moments.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Not at the rate you go.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

Oh, hang on a second! What's that mean?

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

[Quietly sitting by, because this doesn't seem like a discussion that is meant for him to join]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Not in front of the child, dear.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't that be a bit strange, since he looks like me?

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

I'm not a child. Relative age shouldn't count.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Not that strange, Doctor.

[ruffles Arthur's hair in a condescending manner]

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

Well, he wouldn't even be a clone-child, though. Different species.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

[He's blushing, because the Master just ruffled his hair and now the Doctor is implying he really is a child.

He reaches up and begins tidying his hair again]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

You need to give our son a brush, Doctor. ...Not that I think you've ever seen one.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with my hair. [Glances to check Arthur's.] Though Arthur's hair is a bit of a mess.

[A thoughtful pause. He's going to start speaking out loud mid thought, so it's best to note the thought here. 'Not that Arthur is our son. We don't have sons. Or daughters. Or children. Not that we couldn't, actually.'] Mind you, it is a bit unusual for a species to only have members of the same sex left and technically not have lost the ability to reproduce. Oh, sure, there's clones but even in future time eras that's dodgy in terms of a stable reproductive cycle. I remember this very old Erter they tried cloning in the 40th century. They created a male and female, assuming they could mate. The offspring was sterile. Bit of a let down, I imagine. Though they did discover an Erter population nesting on Zeratox, so that worked out for the best. And clone races! That's an entirely different sort of reproduction. Can Sontarans reproduce any other way than growing clones? I can't remember... I do think they used to. It seems to make sense, biologically speaking, since there are females... Actually, early Sontaran culture was much different. Lovely talent for painting...

[Yes, he rambled that out of nowhere. Now he's lost in thought.]

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

[Arthur is bright red at this point. He's 'finished' tydyin up his hair, though it still looks like quite a mess. He doesn't even say anything, just ducks his head and presses back against the tree and away from the Master and Doctor]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

So you're telling me that you remember how to make Looms?

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[Snaps to.] Hm? Oh, no, I don't. I don't think anyone does anymore. But I don't think it's impossible in theory. We're both brilliant after all. [He gives a half shrug.] It wouldn't be too difficult...

[He happens to glance at Arthur and grins.] Your hair looks more like mine that way.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

....Does it? [And he is back to trying to fix it]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[watches Arthur with amusement]

It is slightly more complicated than clone progenitor technology.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[Makes a face.] Clones. That's so terribly basic in comparison, isn't it? And I always thought 'clone' was a misnomer anyway.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

I've never understood why you would want to clone yourself. Other people, perhaps, but that comes down more to the nature versus nurture debate.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

It is a misnomer. Well done, human race.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

They never do name things properly, even by their own definitions. It's endearing, really.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

[Arthur has gone back trying to tidy his hair up again, removing his glasses and placing them by his side. He's still paying attention to the conversation, though, and it probably shows]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Endearing in your mind, perhaps. Idiotic in mine. Really, the progenitor tech is more like our own Looms than anything. Not half so sophisticated, of course.

[glances at the Doctor] Something to start with, though, perhaps.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[Raises an eyebrow.] Mm, it's something, yes.

[And then he pokes Arthur's hair, lest the Master prod at him seriously over their discussion.] Your hair looks fine.

[scienceandgod.livejournal.com]

...oh, thank you. [He reaches for his glasses, looking a bit embarrassed as he reaches for his glasses again]