definitely not going to dramadramaduck ever.

[espy]

Yes, that's enough, the giggling is quite unnecessary.

Don't even know if you're going to follow through with it yet, do we? Oh, but that's the fun part, we do, you've got a record. Boring, terribly boring, there's only two possible outcomes, but judging by your record, if you do follow through, it's not going to end well. The other one? Well, you'll say you will and then you won't, of course. It's all right there in your history. No, I didn't do my fancy detective trick - don't call it a trick, it cheapens me - because I didn't need to because it's obvious.

Now either do something useful or don't do anything at all. Ah, you've already got the latter covered. Excellent.

—Kind? Don't be ridiculous, why would I be kind?

Comments

what even is this

[pinkishgray]

Would that be such a terrible thing?

i lost track of what even this is when i made this post weeps

[espy]

The kindness? Yes. Absolutely it would.

s o b s

[pinkishgray]

I suppose it takes effort for you, then?

[espy]

Entirely too much. Not worth it at all. When it starts to sound easier and it looks like it might actually have a point to it, I'll consider it.

[pinkishgray]

What would you consider a point? Some people are kind just for the sake of kind, after all.

[espy]

That's not a point, that's pathetic. If I could see some clear way in which it might benefit me at all, that could be a point.

[pinkishgray]

So you can fake kindness if it suits you? Supposing you had no other options, of course.

[espy]

Oh, of course. Done that plenty of times, but that's not really kindness at all, is it? No, that's unkind, pretending to be kind just to get something out of something, that's just wrong. I'm not seeing a whole lot of benefit from being genuinely kind so far, though.

[pinkishgray]

Well, it's a bit difficult to argue that, what with having to dissect a feeling and explain its value. But, I'd think that care is a much better motivator than apathy. Among other things, of course. What's the benefit of being so detached?

[espy]

It removes bias. It would be a terrible flaw for a scientist or a detective to go throwing their feelings about into things. I think you'd find things are much more efficient without care.

[pinkishgray]

That's a point. But things can be so much more meaningful with it. I'd think it'd get isolating very quickly, regardless of your feelings on the matter.

[espy]

[SCOFF.] Oh, meaning, who needs that, rubbish is what it is, it's sentiment. As long as I'm right it doesn't matter, and if it's not going to help me be right, I don't see why it should matter. Gets in the way, all that.

[pinkishgray]

And what if you're wrong? It must be somewhere in the realm of possibilities, however unlikely you make it sound.

[espy]

Doesn't happen. I'm never wrong.

sorry

[pinkishgray]

Nothing's ever a zero percent chance, near as I can tell. Don't mark me wrong, I don't doubt your skills in the slightest. But there's always a chance things'll go worse than expected, just as much as they'll go better. The world doesn't much like laboratory conditions, after all.

♥♥♥

[espy]

Yes, and I'm not a static specimen, I will adapt.

[pinkishgray]

Tell me about it?

No, really, I'm curious, tell me about it, if you like.

[espy]

[well, his name has already gotten him a reaction once, so he may as well try it again.]

Sherlock Holmes. Is that enough of an explanation for you?

1/2

[pinkishgray]

[...]

[pinkishgray]

Yes, quite! Let me guess, some sort of alternate universe is at play? You don't just wander into those every day, you know. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Holmes, I greatly admire your work.

I'm the Doctor.

[espy]

[pause. he was going to say something about the compliment, but okay then, that's.

something. that sure is a thing.

and a handful of possibilities present themselves almost immediately, so he sorts through them and he looks and he gets it.]

I seem to be a magnet for you today. I'd almost think you were lying, or possibly that it's a common title, but you're the same man, aren't you? Last of the Time Lords. Your clothes always give you away; mostly an Edwardian style, apart from the shoes which are distinctly otherwise, and again, too old for a man who appears to be that young, too spotless, in an absolute perfect state, it is a dead give away, Doctor. Not to mention the way you speak, the mannerisms you share with your counterpart - so, the secret to your longevity is reincarnation, is it? Standard for your species, I'd suppose, since your... later self implied that it was a species with a long lifespan. Masters of time and all, of course.

Do you keep track of it? All that regeneration. Got a number?

oop

[pinkishgray]

Hardly the last, I'm afraid. [Oh, he knows that all too well.] But yes, you've certainly hit the bullseye with the rest. I'm surprised you didn't mention the celery stalk. Most people do, if they notice at all.

Wouldn't do to go around forgetting myself, would it? I'm the fifth of me.