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]

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.

[fireiceandrage]

It all depends on who's steering the ship.

Perhaps. It's a bit of a complicated relationship, yours and mine. That's certainly the truth. Though next time? Do leave my friends out of it.

[ofdrumsthesound]

It is, yes. Complicated and strange. *He smiles.* But I wouldn't give it up for anything. What's the point in owning the universe without anyone to show it off to?

Alright. *Wince.* I'm sorry about Jack, old friend. He keeps the drums at bay, that's all. Without him I would've been so much worse, I honestly should thank him.