Sacris Solemniis

[collector]

[Teapot before him, a plate of pastries beside it, Braxiatel sits at the kitchen table with Strindberg's Ett drömspel open in front of him. Braxiatel stirs sugar into his tea, and a faint smile crosses his face as his eyes flicker to something in the seat to his left.]

[He leans forwards and pours a second cup of tea, then lifts it up to hand it over, the smile widening.] I don't know what you mean by 'ulterior motives,' Comman—

[Braxiatel's fingers tighten on the cup before he can let it go. For a moment, it hangs there, hoping for a hand that cannot take it.]

Ah.

[It is a quiet realization.]

[Braxiatel sets the cup down, away from him. He leans back in his chair and picks up a scone to eat.]

Comments

[collector]

I'm flattered you think so. But how are you? It's been too long since I saw my ship.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Frustrated. It has been too long since I have seen my Doctor. This place does offer some interest, however. Have you seen the beasts?

[collector]

Which ones? There's quite a variety by now.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

All of them, really. They are quite fascinating.

[collector]

And generally on the deadly side. I'm concerned that many of the people here don't have adequate protection from them.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Hardly my concern, so long as the Doctor is safe. Those of him who remain, at any rate.

[collector]

[mildly] What a Gallifreyan sentiment.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

You harbour none?

[she won't admit that sort of rankled]

[collector]

[with a slight smile] Of course I do. The Doctor and I are of our people, whether we like it or not. I was merely observing.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

I am certain your ship would express similar sentiments, if that is the case.

[collector]

I hope not. It would be entirely opposite to everything I've given my life to.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

You do not want her unwavering loyalty?

[collector]

[with a soft laugh] It wouldn't work very well with our situation.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Perhaps. But I cannot imagine any ship not loyal to her pilot.

[collector]

She is all I could ask for, of course.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Good.

Have you any idea how to return to her?

[collector]

The little demonstration at the beginning seems to indicate that we'll be able to go home once we find the person who is responsible for our being here.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

That could be any of us.

[collector]

I think that's the point.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

Kill everyone and see if that sorts it out?

[collector]

That's immoral, but more importantly, impractical. Some here may have abilities beyond ours.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

The immorality does not bother me. [still, he's right about impractical. damn] An energy source, perhaps? Trace it back to the one who began it all?

[collector]

It should. [stirring his tea] No, if it's anything like the other choices, there won't be that sort of trace.

[brigadiertardis.livejournal.com]

By what method are we expected to find it, then?

[collector]

Oh, I imagine we ought to search deep in our own ranks, trusting no one, and hunt the traitor down.