05; I came in the ring like a dog on a chain [I found out the underbelly is sicker than it seems]

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[A month, or thereabouts, have passed here on the plane. That number means nothing in a place where time passes completely differently, not to mention it being a span punctuated by constant torture. Though he knows he has been gone, the Master does not remember for precisely how long. His memories of events before his ..absence are muddled and incomplete.]

The scenery hasn't changed very much.

[His voice is rough, hoarse from overuse, but that will not last long. He looks down at himself, hands scrubbing together momentarily as if to wipe a phantom memory away. He knows there has been an inordinate amount of pain he's been subjected to but what memories he does have are fleeting. In a way that bothers him, and in another way the slight, momentary, shake in his hands tells him that perhaps he does not need to know all that has happened to him in the interim. He banishes the thought away; the shaking stops.]

Choices. I remember those. [His eyes narrow as he looks around him.] The votes I remember as well.

[A twitch and he rolls his shoulders, impatience beginning to show.] Well, isn't anyone going to tell me if it was worth it? Did you lot choose the right person?

[His voice takes on a much colder and darker tone. His smile is utterly devoid of mirth.] I'd hate to think I spent all that time lying around with nothing to show for it but a few lousy votes for the wrong person.

[At the mention of all that, his jaw clenches, head twitching just slightly to the side as he reigns himself in under very careful control. He breathes in, then out.]

No takers? Well, how about I pop off and get myself sorted and you all can work out just what you'd like to inform me of.

[A Fortress that may look familiar to some has reappeared with his return and the Master doesn't wait for any replies to his questions. At the present moment he feels that he has been long removed from any sense of control, something he needs back. He disappears into the Fortress for an hour or so.

When he finally emerges, he is dressed in an immaculate black suit, clean shaven, hair returned to it's original brown color and neatly trimmed. He buttons the suit and adjust his cuffs as he walks out and stops, taking a look around once more.]

Now, where were we?

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[unfortunately he missed that entrance, but it's with some curiosity that he has approached the newly reappeared fortress. his eyes widen in surprise when he sees the Master]

[softly] You... Is that really you? I thought you were--[he cuts off, thinking of the reply he got that's still in his pocket] Or are you a different one?

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[He wasn't exactly expecting the Doctor to make his way over so quickly. He thinks for a few long moments, chin tilted upwards as he watches him and goes through what he does remember.]

Unless there was someone else terrorizing you in the library while you were crawling around shouting at things. [He scoffs and finishes adjusting his sleeve before taking a step closer to the Doctor to peer at him momentarily.]

You aren't going to do anything idiotic like faint, are you?

[bit_impossible]

[for a moment there, he almost thinks this Master really is a different one, possibly one who had never met this particular incarnation of his, but nope.]

Well, unless you were incorporeal while I was in the library recently, I believe you mean the ballroom, correct?

And no, I'm not going to faint! [looks offended at the notion he would do] Why would I? Probably would shoot--nah, never mind. So! [shoves his hands into his pockets, rocking back and forth on his feet] Changed your hair colour, huh? [under his breath:] Still no beard... Interesting.

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[Damn. A momentary frown crosses his features before he manages to school them back to impassiveness.] Right, the ballroom.

[He smiles at that reaction, giving a somewhat forced chuckle.] Still so easy to rile up. I see nothing has changed much while I've been-[his jaw clenches]-indisposed.

Mmm, well, I don't think what I had was very flattering. It was getting a bit boring anyways.

[collector]

[Braxiatel looks at the Master, no expression. He has a couple of red folders tucked under his arm, and a cup of tea in his other hand (the saucer balanced on top of the cup). He seems neither pleased nor distressed to see the Master back. Sympathy isn't in high supply, apparently.]

Oh. You've come back to us. And all the better for a shave and a wash, I see.

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

You noticed. I'm so very touched. [He would never expect to receive it or accept it at any rate. He just watches him carefully.]

It's amazing what such a small thing can do for one's health.

[collector]

I don't suppose you managed to learn anything useful while you were, how shall I put this, out for the count?

[The irony lacing Braxiatel's tone suggests that he knows just how unlikely it was that the Master got much rest in his absence.]

It would be something of a waste otherwise.

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[He manages a serene if not sincere smile.] I suppose I should share with the rest of the class if I have?

I was a bit preoccupied though. [flippantly] You'll have to forgive me if I've forgotten a number of the details.

[bonnypiperlad]

[Where Jamie happens to be at the moment is pressed up against the side of the Fortress, having appeared suddenly from off the Plane just after the Master's come back outside. Judging by the large greenish-yellow crystal he has in one hand and the way he's peering off to the side as if he's expecting someone to be after him, chances are good he came here on purpose.] Och, that was a close one.

[The strange voice causes him to step away from the building and peer over at the man, who looks familiar...but he's not sure from where. Come to think about it, Jamie's also not sure why the man's asking that question.]

Hey?

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

Bit out of sorts, are we? [Because he's really one to talk.] I was just wondering what I'd missed here, I've been gone for just a little while.

[bonnypiperlad]

No, I'm fine. [He shoves the crystal into his pocket. It doesn't quite fit, but Jamie doesn't really seem to mind.]

Gone...? [Interesting. Jamie's eyes narrow a little as he studies the other man for a moment. There's a dawning suspicion there about who he might be talking to, but he's still not entirely certain just yet.]

Aye, well, that depends on how long you've been gone, exactly. Maybe if I knew when it was when ye left I could tell ye what's happened since.

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

Of course. [A tight smile.] From here? Well, for all of you, I've been told the rough equivalent of a month.

[oliverplus]

[is regarding the fortress curiously, trying to figure out if he recognises it or not through the amnesia] Hey, did you bring this whole building here?

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

Was it here before I arrived?

[oliverplus]

[blinks] I...don't think so. This place is hard to track. Was it?

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

I've been gone, so I would hardly know.

[onehundredbeers]

[Nathan misses the bulk first half of the post due to the nature of being him, and the fact he was busy riding the Murdercycle around the Plane for the past hour or two.

But he does eventually notice the gigantic fortress, and comes to a skidding stop.]

Whoa.

[He stares at it for a few moments before- oh my god, is that that guy? Holy shit, it is! He dismounts off the Murdercycle, stares at the Master for a minute or two, then grins just a bit. Nathan is possibly the only person happy to see the Master, I swear.]

Holy fucking shit. I th- I thought you, uh, you died. I saw, uhm, a video. Of you. And... yeah.

[Clearly the video was a lie. Yes, that must've been it. Man, and he totally fell for it too, lame.]

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[Oh, look, it's probably one of the only humans around that the Master can stand!]

They were showing video feeds? Oh, that must have been entertaining. I hope everyone had snacks. [He smooths his hands over his jacket before, clasping his hands together in front of him. He smiles.]

Well, I didn't die, obviously. It wasn't exactly a vacation though. A few things did turn out in my favor, despite the lack of proper accommodations.

[onehundredbeers]

[His smile is still a bit unsure, but he's pleased nonetheless.]

Nah, I think people were- they were more, uh, horrified? Disgusted too. It was, uh, kind of a mess, you know?

I mean fuck, man. But no, no, I'm glad you're okay. You're cool. It'd suck if you were dead and stuff.

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[His smile is cold.]I'm so very touched. I never expected an outpouring of anything of that sort.

But I don't see how anyone expected anything different to happen, you only ask someone to choose who they think is the architect of woe for them if they are going to come under some sort of retribution for it.

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

Do you remember everything they did?

[Leela doesn't know who the Master is. All she knows is that the video - the video and Lucy's palpable distress - had filled her with anger. The injustice could not be allowed to go unpunished.]

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[He smiles widely at seeing her. His tone is mocking.]

Worried about little old me? Sweet.

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

[Her own reply was a little sharp. After everything he had been through, he was allowed to be unfriendly, but she did not like being treated like a fool.]

We are on the same side in the fight against those who control the Plane.

hohoho. I have been waiting for this~

[semantating.livejournal.com]

[ Break, unlike most, was not in the least concerned about him. And it shows, his annoying smile on his face and he waves a floppy sleeve in the Master's direction. ]

My, my! And so, the great entertainer is no longer indisposed! The show you put on was very enlightening, I must say.

[ And it was.

So yes. there is a clownish sort of man, white hair falling over one side of his face, floppy sleeves and Victorian-era looking clothes, with a doll on his shoulders smiling ever so pleasantly at you. He is QUITE amused, for you see, unlike most, he does not presume much. Oh, no. He did not think they would kill you.

... And if they did, well--then he was still alive, hm? Just alive once more. ]

heeeeee~

[best-served-hot.livejournal.com]

[He takes in all of that, even the annoying flopping of the sleeve at him, and smiles pleasantly. If there is a baringshow of teeth, well that is of course on accident.]

Ah, yes, I'm feeling much better. I do hope I didn't worry you. Though you-[peers at him]-I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting yet.