Sometimes he hates it when he's right

[madmaninabox]

See? Told you so. Couldn't stay away long. Few months' time, up I turn. Bad penny, all that...

[And yet there's a significant lack of enthusiasm. When he made his promise, he hadn't considered when in his own timeline he'd be returning.]

I sincerely hope you've thought of something we can do. If you're going to bring me out of isolation, crack the seal on your Toy Doctor box, there'd better be a reason. I won't come out for nothing.

Or most things. What I'm saying is, make it good.

...or potentially very, very bad.

Comments

[rpondicus]

And I just gave away your room, too.

[madmaninabox]

[...Rory.

HOLD IT TOGETHER. DON'T HAVE AN EMOTION.]

Oh, that, no. No problem... no, I don't think I'll be returning to the black beastie anytime soon. He can have it. Keep the old place from feeling too big.

[rpondicus]

We'll see. I don't think he has your flair.

[Oh Rory, doesn't know him yet.]

[madmaninabox]

Well, he's half-human. Although really, that's the half you'll wanna watch out for.

[rpondicus]

I know what to watch out for.

It's Reinette I'm concerned for.

[wingcadet]

Are you asking your mundane for a disaster?

[madmaninabox]

I'm asking for them to do more than to keep me locked away like some idle, ancient artefact. Nobody's allowed to do that to me -- 'cept for me.

[wingcadet]

Idleness is usually better than the things they're capable of. What you're doing is... I believe the expression is "tempting Fate".

But you, you're - old. [Scrutinising look.] You know this already.

[madmaninabox]

[He gives a little commiserating nod at that. So are you.]

And Fate's a funny old thing. Likes to be tempted a bit too much. What I'm talking about is the difference between a choice and a cage. Self-imposed exile versus a prison. If the mun's thinking of trying the latter on me, we're going to have words.

[wingcadet]

I can understand that much. [He's been in the same place.]

You seem like you're used to trouble. But inviting it has never seemed like a good idea. I'd advise you to be careful what you say when your mundane is listening.

[madmaninabox]

Oh, they're not so bad. ...all right, there was the Huon implosion, but that's no worse than anything the universe in general's thrown at me. Trust them at least to get me out the other side alive.

[lost_thegame]

... And if it gets hard, they say "When life takes the wind out of your sails, it is to test you at the oars." That might help. Good luck, mister!

[madmaninabox]

Or perhaps they mean for you to drift a while. Enjoy the breeze. Watch the clouds...

Just saying.

[lost_thegame]

[Oh this strange man seems so sad..]

...Well, you can do that if you want to. But isn't every moment supposed to be precious? If you live every day as if it's your last, won't you enjoy it much more?

...Um, I'm sorry, mister.
If you want to tell me to mind my own business, I understand where you're coming from...

[madmaninabox]

[He tries a smile. It's easy to see this kid's trying to help, and he doesn't want to seem ungrateful.]

You're right. Obviously. Every moment should be savoured.

Especially when you have so little time.

[lost_thegame]

"So little time"..?

...Whoever you are, I hope you'll have reason to be happy again soon.
It's kind of forward of me, since I'm a complete stranger and all, but you're the worst fake-smiler I've ever seen. Sorry...

[madmaninabox]

[Nnnope, not gonna explain the time thing, at least not this moment.

And he's doing perfectly well with the sad-smile, self-pitying act until that last bit, at which point it all falls away. He's wounded.]

Oi! Who told you you could talk that way to grown-ups?

[1/2]

[lost_thegame]

[Someone as perceptive as Rhyme, despite the fact she looks like she's pushing 11 tops can see he's unhappy. Even though she's got no idea she's speaking to a 900-and-something year old alien, she's a cut above most people with power of observation.

Maybe it's the frown lines. Maybe it's the grim look in the Doctor's eyes. Maybe it's his resigned voice. But it's there. And even though she doesn't even know this guy's name, and probably won't see him again, she wants to do something, anything, to help. Even if she can't. And pushing the subject won't help him, so...]

[2/2]

[lost_thegame]

[A small giggle at the Doctor's tone!]

Oh, I'm sorry. I just don't really think that smile-
I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to offend you, mister. I guess I sort of forgot about boundaries. I haven't spoken to any grown-ups in...

...well, a pretty long time. Sorry!

[madmaninabox]

[As she apologizes, he relaxes somewhat. It's not as if he's always been the biggest proponent of respect for authority, anyhow.

When he speaks again his tone is still firm, yet somehow more playful.]

That's all right. Call it like you see it. Only take care when you let the truth out. It's a dangerous weapon.

[lost_thegame]

Gotcha!

[And thanks to the more playful edge to the Doctor's voice, she keeps the smile.]

Well... I think you're unhappy. It's pretty obvious that you're unhappy, what with being away from everyone you already care or potential people you could care about, and things which are interesting. ...And I also think you're a little weird. Not bad weird though, good weird. And... yeah. I think you're also a really kind man. Not many people give me the time of day anyway, so yeah. You're kind. So! Here's something, mister.

[Rhyme holds up her pendant. It's simple, small. Just a metal bell on a metal chain. Not even valuable. But!]

...My brother gave me this before something happened and I couldn't see him again. It's kind of like... a good luck charm. Kind of. It's strength. When I felt unhappy I used to look at it, and know that if I did everything I could, I'd see him again. Then that became impossible... but it's not exactly useless. Either way, I know that someone cared about me enough to give me it. And that the intention was there.

[A small, sad smile. And she removes a small brooch, a skull brooch, from her cap.]

Um, anyway! Mister, I want you to have this. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to, just keeping it around to look at when you're down is okay. I can't give you my pendant because it's still important to me... and my brother really wouldn't be happy if I did, but this works too. Keep it. It's a good luck charm for you. If things don't work out with whatever your mun or you plan, you're more than welcome to come along to where I'm going. I don't mind being a fallback even though honestly, some random kid is probably a plan Z on a good day to you. It's way better than you going into isolation again, right?

[the_ninth_doctor]

Well there's always the option of gathering all of us together for a non-Time War Lock-breaking adventure of fantastic proportions!

[madmaninabox]

Due for one of those, aren't we? Only I hear the upcoming reunion's going to be rather scant.

[the_ninth_doctor]

...don't remind me. I'm quite unhappy that I was not even invited. It'll probably be the idiot in the suit and trainers, our favorite Celery-man, and maybe even our scarved self. Something tells me the meddler and the one-shot wonder will be sorely absent.

[madmaninabox]

Ghastly shame. It's a pity the ones telling our story couldn't carve out a few extra contracts. It's not exactly quantum mechanics.

Then again, that's what this meta-space is for, eh? The laws of this universe are so much more malleable. Play-Doh on the atomic level.

[parallels]

Total isolation for months?

Guess not even you can break out of the back of mun headspaces.

[madmaninabox]

[Was that someone suggesting he can't do something?]

What? No! 'Course I can. Two years in the same headspace got stuffy; popped out for a holiday.

[parallels]

Best make the most of the holiday before you go back in there with all the plot bunnies and feelings in the dark corners of headspace.

[she just enjoys teasing, really.]

[madmaninabox]

Bit late for holiday-making-most-ofs now I'm here, although the bunnies have yet to start breeding. And that is precisely the problem.

[parallels]

So basically, you got lonely and decided to pop out for some company.

[riverborntorun]

Did somebody say bad?

[Surely one's favorite bad girl has to count for something.]

[madmaninabox]

Like a siren song to you, isn't it? Can't resist turning up at the mention of the word.

[riverborntorun]

Only when you're involved, sweetie.

[Well, that's not quite true. Especially when it's him? Of course. But 'only'? Where was the fun in that? Or, to be more precise, the independence.]

You know that I so look forward to our adventures, dear. Goodness knows you need somebody to play off of when you're being....well, you.