realityshifted | (no subject)

[The Doctor is in a relatively good mood, and it may have something to do with the fact that he's got one of his companions with him. This companion is a fluffy black cat named Mortimer, who is currently lapping up a saucer of milk. The Doctor shakes his head as he watches him.]

Dunno how you can stand the stuff. All the species in all the universe and it has to come out of a cow.

Suppose it's a good thing we restocked the kitchen, though. 'Course, it's gonna have to be restocked every couple of weeks now that we've got so many mouths to feed. [He doesn't sound overly frustrated by this, however. Quite the opposite, in fact.] Remember when it was just you and me? Blimey, seems like forever ago... [he trails off, brooding for a moment. Then he turns his attention to Mortimer again, since the cat is demanding it by plopping down onto Nine's lap.]

Speaking of new companions, d'you think we ought to get another cat? Seems like you could use a feline friend, and maybe one who's mum won't try to claw me to death. No more domestics for me, thanks!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[frowns] No, van Statten's still alive. The Dalek killed 200 of his people, but...he's still around somewhere. Think his own personal assistant chucked him out and gave him a memory wipe.

Took another assistant of his as a companion, actually, after I'd killed the Dalek. Adam. Wasn't the brightest bloke, but I...needed someone. And then he betrayed me.

[As mild as before, careful not to reveal what he might or might not want the Doctor to have done.] And what did you do to this traitor?

[the Doctor grins, and it's a bit dangerous] Nothing at all! Just dumped him off back home. He's living the quiet life now, keeping to himself.

'Cause if he doesn't, someone's gonna find out he's got a chip in his head. Bet he's been found out already, considering all you've got to do is snap your fingers, and his head opens up. [he had fun with that, yes he did :|]

How cruel of you.

[But his tone passes no judgement.]

[shrugs] He did it to himself, far as I'm concerned.

Just desserts?

He said he wanted to stay behind. "Absorb the culture." I believed him. Then he went and got a chip in his head. And d'you know what he did next? Downloaded information. Only the stupid ape hadn't realised it could be uploaded from him.

Adam's brain told the Editor every bit of information about me I'd given him. Including information about the TARDIS, and he nearly stole her from me. Took the key right out of Adam's pocket.

That would count as absorbing the culture, from a certain point of view.

[dryly] The one time I haven't appreciated a good pun. Adam set new records all over the place.

He wasn't one of the ones you kidnapped, I hope.

Oi, I didn't kidnap him. He just insisted on coming along, and -- like I said. Needed someone. Hadn't had a companion since...before I regenerated. Before the War.

And he was your first? Let the record show my surprise. Usually you have at least one lady in your timeship.

[quietly] There were two I would've taken with me. One decided she'd rather stay at home, and the other died. Sacrificed herself for me. [the intense guilt is back, and so is another drink. The Doctor's lost count of them by now.]

It would have been her choice to do so. [It's the only consolation he can give.]

She was a Tree, and knew me, Brax. Or knew of the Time Lords, anyway. She knew about the War. Barely told Rose anything, but Jabe...she knew, when she scanned me. Said it was a miracle I even existed. [his expression shows just how much he disagrees]

And if she believed that, would she have appreciated you burdening yourself with the guilt of her death?

No, but that's not gonna stop me.

Points for honesty, I suppose.

[smiles a bit] 'Sides, I might meet her here, if I'm lucky. Met Rose, after all. One who'd travelled with me, even. Actually, I think there were three of them at some point...just as popular as my Tenth.

Oh, good. Then she can punch you herself. Tell me if it happens; I want to watch.

[D:] Oi, there'd better not be punching! I'd get splinters!

No more than you would deserve.