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

[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?

[notthedoctor]

[Surprise is quick and ugly, a flare of heat that would be Donna before smoothing out. No one has flat out brought up that creeping process in his being so far although the Doctor has skirted the edges a few times.]

I'm not mad, no matter how many people think I'm the Doctor's insane little brother. Rory started that rumour. I'm sure of it.

[That there rumour might be becoming less and less funny.]

My name is Theta Sigma.

[darkened_doctor]

[Sometimes, he can be blunt. It's unexpected when he is. One of his many tactics. But more to the point, this is a variant of him, regardless of specificity - that warranted honesty.]

Oh, certainly not, much as we might act it. Perhaps a little bit mad, all of us. In the most elegant of ways, naturally. Theta Sigma, well. [He grins] How exceptionally appropriate.

[notthedoctor]

[He's not used to it, to having the Doctor speak to him without rolling over the words to search for a barb or mocking bit. But he does remember being Seven, so smart and sly. Faced with the grin and acceptance of what he's claimed as his name, Theta isn't sure how to act at first.]

I- I thought it was.

[a tenative smile, a shift away from the earlier.]

I'm glad you think so. Even if I know, how have you been, Doctor?

[darkened_doctor]

Oh, the usual. Crazy old days. The usual enemies, and some new. New friends, old ones. A good old life, as always.

[notthedoctor]

[a nod, a small grin. Those were better days in some ways, dark ones in others.]

Still bearing up all right? Or wandering around looking for the next adventure?

[darkened_doctor]

[A metaphor for all of their incarnations, really]

Oh, both. Both as always. And what of you? Or...perhaps it would be easier to just share telepathically? You'll forgive me if I'm wrong, but there is something dread to your aspect. If that ability remains to you, of course.

[notthedoctor]

[perhaps for the whole of all their lives.]

I-

[a small hesitation and a shrug]

I don't have it any longer. I doubt it would tell you much if it did.

I've been wandering about a haunted ship. Not much to tell there. Spoilers and all.

[darkened_doctor]

[He nodded, slowly]

There is a sadness to you, if you don't mind my saying. I'd say it was memories.

[He reached out a hand, putting it on his shoulder]

You may not be a Time Lord, but you'll still carry the burden of one. I'm sorry.

[notthedoctor]

[a grin as the hand touches on his shoulder, Theta scrubbing a hand through his hair in a Tennish gesture]

Don't be sorry! I'm the first new thing in the universe in a long time. I'm unique. That's enough, isn't it?

[darkened_doctor]

[He smiles]

It most definitely is.