And days like crazy paving...

[darkened_doctor]

You know, I've always enjoyed the rain. Not that I get to see it much under your stewardship. A minor complaint as to your activity, these past few months. Granted, anything is better than a visit from the Daleks. Or the Master. Or any of the ten thousand villains I've defeated over the centuries.

But the rain is something special, you see. It's filled with possibility, with the chance for new life, new paths and patterns. There's the splay of colours upon the water to consider, for instance. Or perhaps the sound of droplets on a metal roof. The sound of it, just on its own, like mother nature's very own applause. It's been some time since I've been in the rain.

Do be a good chap and arrange something for me, would you?

Comments

[10th_doctor]

[Have your future visiting you.]

I prefer the snow myself these days.

[darkened_doctor]

[Looks up at him with a smile]

Even at your higher elevation. How very like us, eh?

[He extends his hand]

A pleasure to meet you, Doctor.

[10th_doctor]

Ah brilliant!

[He takes the hand and shakes it warmly, if a bit excitedly.]

I forget how I rarely saw other mes when I was you. So when am I in your timeline?

[darkened_doctor]

[He chuckled to himself]

Oh, very true - but I know one of me when I see them. Something in the eyes. And Ace and I just made our escape from Colditz Castle, as you may recall - I'd ask you, but I hate spoilers.

[ofdrumsthesound]

Anything is better than me? I'm hurt.

But then, you always were the meanest version.

[notthedoctor]

[My oh my. It's been a long time.]

Well. Hello there! How is Ace?

[darkened_doctor]

[He looks at him for a moment, tilting his head]

How very interesting. Me but not me. And she's quite well. Spent the day Nazi-taunting in Colditz. In other words, being Ace.

[notthedoctor]

[Theta would usually wave with his right hand, but that would mean little to this past version of himself. Not even himself really, is it? No.]

Sort of and not. Was you or us but now I'm not.

[Time Lord Tactic for Distraction #54: Change the subject!]

I miss her. She was usually good company. I'd ask how you've been but I think I know.

[darkened_doctor]

[With a nod and a note of pride]

I doubt greatly you've encountered better before...at any rate - biological metacrisis, I'd suppose. A bit of madness wrapped in an energy explosion. How'd you manage it? I also imagine the feedback was tremendous.

[There's a look of sympathy at that. Seldom do things happen in his - their - lives without consequences]

Human, by the smell of it. How very fascinating. Have you taken on a new name?

[troublewithtenses]

There is also, of course, the scent of the earth just after.

[darkened_doctor]

Isn't there just? Perhaps that's one reason you take me back there so frequently. Other than saving it.

You remember that time, my dear? When was it. A hurricane in the South Pacific. We landed in the eye...

[nitro_9]

Still mucking about, Professor? Thought you would have found something better to do by now.

[darkened_doctor]

[The smile is that of a father for a daughter, of infinite pride, seldom spoken]

Come now, Ace, you know me - always willing to seek things out in the muck.

[nitro_9]

Yeah, an then I'll come 'round pulling you out and helping to save the day. [She sighed heavily and very theatrically, but it was all given away by the grin and hug that he was going to have to suffer through]

I wouldn't have it any other way!

[first_in_time]

Have you always been so eloquent with your metaphors, Doctor?

(And yes, rain is wonderful in many ways)

[darkened_doctor]

[He smiled, fondly]

Not always, my dear Barbara. But you met me at my youngest. I've learned much since then, though you always lose something with each regeneration. I am somewhat more philosophical, perhaps.

[first_in_time]

[A face is pulled, the one she often uses when she doesn't quite understand what the Doctor is getting at]

Each of your regenerations tends to tell me something along those lines. I choose to believe it, despite evidence telling me otherwise.

[A silly grin took the place of the confuzzled face just to show how non-serious she was.]

[sandwormie]

...You make it sound really good.

[darkened_doctor]

Oh, it is. It can be hot, or cold, or light, or driving - so many variations. You'll quite enjoy it when you experience it, young man.

[sandwormie]

I hope so! I mean, it doesn't rain on Tatooine. Or... well it does, but it mostly evaporates before it can hit the ground, so it's just this kind of mist in the evening, and only a couple times a year.

[justthedoctor]

Oh, rain! Miss Mun has been enjoying a nice spell of that herself the past week or so, so I've been getting to enjoy it by proxy. She's from Texas, so she tends to act like a plant when it comes and wallow in it and soak it all up!

She also tells me my southern-American accent is rubbish, but it makes her giggle all the same, so I count that as a victory for me.

[darkened_doctor]

I've always enjoyed Texas. Then again, the accent is hardly our strongest suit. We always tend to the North, don't we?

[comeonthensexy]

You'd think rain wouldn't be that difficult for them to give you, but it depends. How stubborn is yours?

[darkened_doctor]

[He smiles, looking this new one over]

Intrrractable on occasion. And oh, I must say. Very smart.

[comeonthensexy]

Oh? I like smart people.