θ 3

[bit_impossible]

[currently, the Doctor is crawling on the floor in the entrance of the ballroom, occasionally stopping to look and feel under the couches for something. he doesn't show it, but he's been rather shaken up--and he certainly is not happy]

Come on out! I know you're here somewhere. You've got to be! I felt you before you--[he pauses, his hand suddenly darting under a plush chair]--did whatever you did a few moments ago.


[ooc: The Doctor had to make a choice! When you tag in, I'll leave you a little message in his reply back so you know what's up~]

Comments

[polarization]

[ Takes a quick step back. ] No.

[ ... which was a reply to his question, actually, but Sefton realizes it could work for an actual refusal of the offer, so he keeps his mouth shut. ]

[bit_impossible]

Why not? Nothing's going to hurt you there. I checked already, like I said.

[polarization]

'Cause I'd rather leave 'n let you be annoyed or confused or whatever than let you try 'n care instead. 'Cause then I'd probably stay 'n neither've us'd win. [ The increase of apostrophes means he realizes what's happening the longer he keeps talking and his words just mesh themselves together thanks to nerves.

He pauses, then takes another, careful step back. ]

... I-I didn't—

[bit_impossible]

[his eyebrow is still arched pretty high on his face] You're a very interesting young man... [frowns] Why wouldn't you want anyone to care? This isn't a competition.

[polarization]

'Cause then my power makes you care even if you don't wanna care, but you would anyway, and I don't wanna do that anymore.

[ He gives a slight gasp, eyes widening, and takes several more steps back. ]

Stop.

[bit_impossible]

[holds up a hand] Please just wait there. I didn't mean to scare you. Can you tell me your name?

[polarization]

[ Wraps his arms around himself and hunches his shoulders. Poor kid looks spooked. ] I can, but I don't wanna.

[bit_impossible]

[arches an eyebrow] Why not? If it's the whole "not telling your name to strangers" thing--though by my estimation, you seem a bit old for that--then that's easy to solve! I'm the Doctor. [smiles encouragingly] What's your name?

[polarization]

Telling people my name just means they'll wanna get closer 'n be friends 'n it makes 'em feel like we know each other better'n we actually do. My name's Sefton Lowell, and—[ he takes another step back, glaring at the Doctor in fright ]—you need to stop that!

[bit_impossible]

[he stays right where he is, looking pityingly at him] Sorry, I'm trying to understand. That's a terribly lonely way to look at things. You can't go through life without friends! Who would you have fun with? Besides, just because you know someone's name doesn't mean you're friends with them straight away.

[polarization]

I-I dunno, Chivy, I guess. It doesn't mean we're friends, but it doesn't help at all, either. People feel like they've got the right t' know you more if you're open 'bout it. [ He shakes his head, looking away from Ten. ] Stop it. Just... stop asking questions.

[bit_impossible]

[he highly doubts that, Sefton] All right. [shoves his hands into his pockets] To make it a bit more fair, go ahead and ask me anything.

[polarization]

[ Sefton turns back to look at him. There's plenty of things to ask, he just doesn't want to get into the personal like Ten just did. (Okay, maybe part of him does, but he won't.) ] ... what're you looking for?

[bit_impossible]

[he sounds vaguely disappointed--but! that means it's easier to answer and he won't have to dance around certain subjects.]

Oh, that's easy! I'm looking for these hands. [he grips his right arm just above the wrist with his left hand and wiggles his fingers] They're a bit like this, but the flesh is rotting and, well, trust me, you really don't want to be grabbed by one.

[polarization]

[ ... ew. ]

Why?

[bit_impossible]

[can't help himself] Why what? Why look for them, or why wouldn't you want to be grabbed by one?

[polarization]

[ That is a glare, Ten. You should probably get used to seeing it. ] Both.

[bit_impossible]

[glare, what glare? he's pretty ignorant of it, actually!] Well, you wouldn't want to be grabbed by one because if you are, you'll feel like you're falling forever, the sensation evoking any sort of nightmare you've ever had--until you turn up back at the entrance of whatever building you were in when you were grabbed. Or that's how it was here. I was grabbed by one and that's why I'm looking for it. I want to see how such a thing could possibly do that.

[polarization]

... that's nuts. If it happens again, you're just wasting your time.

[bit_impossible]

I'm not going to let it happen again. That's why I'm looking for one so I can prevent it.

[polarization]

[ Sefton rolls his eyes to himself and moves to turn and walk out. ] Have fun with that.

[bit_impossible]

[makes a slight face himself] Well, it was very interesting to meet you, Sefton. I won't say--[but what he won't say he doesn't get to say. his eyes widen when he spots a hand descending towards Sefton's head, and he reaches for Sefton's arm, but grabs his sleeve instead to pull him away from it]

[polarization]

Wh—hey!

[ Sefton doesn't realize what Ten is doing until after he's pulled off balance, enough to send him falling onto his back, out of the way of the wallmaster. He spares only a second to stare at the thing before he tries to quickly scoot away. ] Wh-wh—is that—?

[bit_impossible]

[once Sefton is out of the way, the Doctor practically leaps towards the hand, but it runs out of his reach] No, come back! [he scrambles forward again and misses it as it ascends back up towards the ceiling. a little groan of frustration escapes his lips before he turns around to check on Sefton]

That--[he points up]--was what I was telling you about.

Are you all right?

[polarization]

No, are you kidding? This whole place is insane, even after being here for a year, s'—it keeps getting worse. [ Different circumstances get a different answer from before, and he just gives Ten another glare. ] You're doing it 'gain.