Considering places, but I need to find his voice again it's been so long.

[fireiceandrage]

Listen just because you're rusty and feel that I don't know what I'm doing doesn't make it true. I don't know about you but I always know what I'm doing. Mostly. Almost always. It doesn't matter! Don't even think about keeping me idle. I've had enough of that now! Months I've been sitting there bored. Do you know what it's like? Sitting there and doing nothing! I can't stand minutes yet alone months!

Once you've gotten my voice right you had better find something for me to do. I don't care what it is so long as I'm not in one boring universe all the time! I know you're picky but I'm really not! Well, I'm a little picky, but I don't want to sit around and do nothing! How does anyone do that? Sitting around and doing nothing. Awful. Just awful. I don't know what I'll do but I'll do something. I'll yell! And be annoying! You don't want that now do you?

Alright. Right then. Now that we're on the same page that's as good a place to start as any isn't it?

Comments

[ofdrumsthesound]

I can channel it into something better. But I can't be a pacifist, or even try to be like you do.

If you need someone who can do the bad things that have to be done, I'm happy to help.

[fireiceandrage]

[He frowns. He's not really a pacifist. But there is a time and a place for gruff shows of violence and most of the Masters are needless.]

No.

And going out for a bit, kk?

[ofdrumsthesound]

That's alright, I don't have to be one of your companions. As long as you visit sometimes I'll be okay.

ha no worries?

[fireiceandrage]

I've offered time and time again and to each time you've said no. And now? I can not offer it to you. You shouldn't even be here by all rights, but you're here and I will make sure you're alright. But if you can't control who you are then there's no place for you amongst the stars with me. You've always been like that. The world can't handle your madness. The only thing I can offer now is to watch you but if you step out of line I will be there to stop you. I will always be there to stop you from hurting the innocent but I will not put you in their paths either.

[ofdrumsthesound]

And I probably would've accepted last time, if that old bastard Rassilon hadn't gotten in the way.

I can stick to the guilty, at least. Is that any better, Theta?

[fireiceandrage]

I suppose. How did you work your way back anyhow. You should be stuck in the lock with the rest of them.

No one is truly guilty and that is what you've never understood Master. Your views of right and wrong are skewed. And you don't even give them the chance to prove themselves.

[ofdrumsthesound]

I'm not entirely sure, really. Something about the way my body is broken now resonated with the Lock, I think.

I'm personally locked, but free to move. Almost like being a fixed point, really.

[fireiceandrage]

But logically that doesn't make any sense, because you weren't there to begin with. How can the lock let something like that slip through. What did you do? [You have to understand, you don't have the best of reputations for telling the truth. He doesn't quite believe you.]

[ofdrumsthesound]

I didn't exactly have time to study it, Doctor. *A nasty grin.* I was too busy slaughtering those Councilors who had agreed to ruin my life and destroy everything but themselves.

Don't you dare tell me that they were innocent, Doctor. And don't say that there aren't others like them. I know better. *He sighs.* I can't be you, Doctor, or I'll lose what little sanity I have left. But I can use what I am to save people.

[fireiceandrage]

Don't you dare speak to me as though you know what you're doing. You don't. You're so young. So stupid. So endlessly thick. I could have helped you. I could have saved you. It was your choice. I give everyone a choice.

[He's mad. But mostly because he's hit a point in his old age where the frustration at times gets to be a bit too much. He seems to realise this though and calms some to speak again.]

There will always be others. But you don't have the right to be without mercy. That is not why we exist. Everyone has a choice. This is something you need to learn. You dishonour us all with your endless talk of slaughter and chaos. You can do better. I know you can. You just have to try.

[ofdrumsthesound]

I am trying. It just hurts so much, Doctor.

I do show mercy--if only to you.

[fireiceandrage]

But you know what was the cause, you know how to fix it now. Use what you know to fight it.

I am not the one who needs it.

[ofdrumsthesound]

I am fighting it. I don't always win, but I'm fighting.

But I can't just remove them. They're what my mind is built around, taking them out at this point would likely kill me.

[fireiceandrage]

If you don't think you are going to win than you should avoid being near others at all costs.

But you can lessen their effects I'm sure. You know more now. Use knowledge, not violence, to solve your problems now.

[ofdrumsthesound]

If I do that it gets even worse, but I try.

I'm doing that. I can go a long time now without hurting anyone, and I'm no longer trying to take over anywhere or anything. I'm not a good guy yet, but I can aim it at least.

[fireiceandrage]

It needn't be all the time. Just at times when you can't handle it.

That's a start. It's a good start. But you have to keep working on it.

[ofdrumsthesound]

That's when it gets worse. They get louder and louder when I don't listen to them.

I will. But thank you, Doctor, for seeing that I try.

[fireiceandrage]

You need to find a way to dampen them without resorting to the things you once did to quell them.

I try to. I understand the difficult nature of the situation but you must also understand where I come from.

[ofdrumsthesound]

I know. Loud music helps some, drowns them out, so I use that sometimes.

Thank you. And it's hard to understand, sometimes, but I'm getting there. I've given myself some rules, at least, so I won't upset you too much.

*. . . and he'll just hug you now, kk?* Oh Doctor, it hurts so much. I've lived so long and so many of my memories are bad ones. Burning and killing and ruin. Losing you and home dying and poor sweet broken Lucy. Oh Lucy, she deserved better. We all did.

[fireiceandrage]

That's good. Music is good for healing.

Rules are good. So long as you follow them. And certain rules have stretch. It's a give and take, balance.

[He very tentatively holds the other and nods.] It's the past. You know how these things work. But the future. There's so much future.

[ofdrumsthesound]

*Rueful smile.* Even 'I Can't Decide'?

Mine had better be solid, they're mostly things like 'don't kill young children' and 'innocent bystanders are not lunch'--you know, the sort of things I should've learned when I was a little boy.

Endless future, you and I. Especially once I get to the point where I only kill in self-defense, if I ever do.

[fireiceandrage]

Not funny.

You weren't always like this. Inside is your true mind. You may have been broken but you were not so far gone as you are not. As you were when I saw you last. That was different. So different.

My story is coming to an end. It has to. Nothing can live forever. I've managed to dodge it once but I wont be so lucky a second time. Even then you should take time to make sure you don't. It's not the answer unless there are absolutely no other answers and even then it should be their choice. Never yours.

[ofdrumsthesound]

Not even a little bit? . . . sorry.

I know. But it's hard to remember that sometimes, and it hurts to think about how much I've lost.

Then we'll find out what happen after the story is over together. Because Other knows, I've come back often enough--and usually I came back for you. One way or another I intend to stand beside you at the end.

[fireiceandrage]

Not really. All things considered.

I know. Trust me. I know.

Perhaps. It's hard to tell. It's easy to see the future so long as it's not your future.
But I must admit to you now, in my final hour, I don't believe I will have anyone at my side. I think it's best like that.

[ofdrumsthesound]

Not even the one who was there before it all began?

I still love you, old friend. You're like a brother to me. *He sighs.* I just have a rather crazy way of showing it.