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.

[ofdrumsthesound]

Anything is better than me? I'm hurt.

But then, you always were the meanest version.

[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?

[notthedoctor]

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

Well. Hello there! How is Ace?

[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.

[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?

[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?

[10th_doctor]

[He crosses his heart like the boy he is.]

Promise. How is Ace?

[It's been too long for him. Even if the knowledge is old, it doesn't hurt to have it refreshed.]

[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?

[troublewithtenses]

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

[nitro_9]

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

[first_in_time]

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

(And yes, rain is wonderful in many ways)

[sandwormie]

...You make it sound really good.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.