005 [The Pity of War]

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

[The First World War is not one of Susan's favourite time periods. She's still young, for a Time Lord, but she has seen enough wars to last her a lifetime. Although she didn't stay on Earth after the Dalek Invasion, and although she didn't assist David in the rebuilding, she will never forget what she saw there. The devastation.

In a strange - strange and terrible - way, this is even worse.]

The war to end all wars, that's what grandfather called it.

[She is currently sitting in a crude cell, part of which has come to the Plane with her, waiting for their trial to begin. The Doctor is confident that he can smooth over any misunderstandings - and convince the soldiers that he and his companions certainly aren't German spies - so she isn't unduly worried, but she can't wait to return to the TARDIS and leave this acursed place.]

How can humans do something like this? To each other? It's ... [She struggles to find a word to truly convey her feelings.] ... barbaric!

[She's always been fond of the human race. Even after seeing their occasional cruelty and frequent selfishness. This is the first time she's really wondered why. Why are they worth liking?]

I do hope General Smythe will arrive soon. I don't think I can bear to stay here for much longer.

[Little did she know that the adventure - if it could be called that - was beginning rather than ending. Little did she knew that it would change her life, and the Doctor's, forever.]

OOC: 'The War Games', and Susan's canon update, begins.

Comments

[oldoldghost.livejournal.com]

[Brigitta is looking a little worried] ...What war is this?

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

I think they call it the first world war. On Earth, that is.

[oldoldghost.livejournal.com]

[Frown] ...Oh, that one; Kirilli told me about that.

[She doesn't quite know what to say beyond that- While on principle she supports most wars the two world wars shock even her; she never dreamed that fighting could be that widely spread]

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

I'd read about it, but that's very different to seeing it.

[oldoldghost.livejournal.com]

I suppose so... I wasn't exactly alive when it happened [She was aware, but nobody entered her cave when WW1 was going on so she had no clue]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Which War to End All Wars? I only ask because I've seen a few.

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

Earth's first world war. [Although it doesn't really cover the whole world, for which Susan is extremely grateful.]

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

[Susan nods. Since she travels through time, that is never really a problem for her, but she is aware that it is for other people.]

I don't think that's a bad thing.

[Not that Earth's future, in any world, is wonderful either.]

[oldoldghost.livejournal.com]

...Probably not; are you there now?

[Mm, demons and daleks- I take my holiday to either reality any day of the week!]

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[his voice is grim but tender as he studies her with concern] They do tend to be. Barbaric, I mean.

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

Yes. We've just been arrested, but Grandfather is confident that the soldiers will understand when he has a chance to explain things.

[Then again, the Doctor always seems to think like that. It's rarely the case, but he has too much faith in the universe for his own good.]

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

Have you ... have you seen a lot of them?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[Speaking of a war to end all wars...have a Nine staring at you] ....Susan?

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

[She looks up at the sound of her name.] Hello?

Have we ..? [She looks at him more closely.] Oh! Hello.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[grins and waves] Hello! Haven't met this me before, have you?

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

No, I haven't. [She slides off her seat and moves towards him.] Which incarnation are you? I know you can't be your tenth, or your first or second.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

Nope! Ninth. [curiously] You've met my Tenth?

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

Ninth! [She frowns slightly. That's a terribly big number, especially when you only have thirteen bodies to go through. He mustn't be traveling with her in his world. She'd take better care of him.]

There are two versions of your tenth self here, and two of the Master, I think. We're all from different universes. It can be a little confusing.

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

Early 1900s? [because there was that other war that was the first world war in HIS opinion, but no one listens to him]

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

Not too confusing, once you get the hang of it. I've been here for a bit already. [smiles] Met three versions of my Tenth, one of the Master, an alternate version of my Fifth, Omega, Straxus, and a few companions. And now you! [which he is really very thrilled about!] Oh, and the TARDIS, too.

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

Omega? The Omega? [Her eyes light up, just as a human child's do when they think they're going to get to meet Father Christmas.]

I don't think I've met many of your companions here. [Which is a good thing, since Susan often isn't very fond of them. Some of them ... cling too much.] Are any of them traveling with you now? In your universe? I've been coming here for quite a few months, and I haven't met anyone else from mine.

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

Yes. 1917, I think. At least, that's what the Lieutenant told us.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[laughs at her expression] Yes, the Omega. Although he's er, not too pleased with me, at the mo'.

[and he goes quiet at that for a few long moments] ...Haven't got anybody in my universe. Just been traveling on my own since my last regeneration. [pauses] Well...sort of. I've got a cat named Mortimer!

[unearthlysusan.livejournal.com]

[She smiles at that.] What did you do to upset him?

[And then she frowns, because that sounds rather strange. Her grandfather always seems to be so fond of his human companions. Which is a strange thought, really, given how he first reacted to Barbara and Ian.] Oh... [Without thinking, and without the faintest trace of self consciousness, she slides her hand into his.] Mortimer? What sort of cat is he?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[the gesture startles him, but he gives her hand a grateful squeeze, smiling again] Oh, he's just your average Earth housecat. Furry, black, etc. Picked him up in London a couple of weeks ago. [and yes, he is avoiding that first question there]