Well, so there's going to be Twelve of me, are there?

[of_totters_lane]

Though I can't say I care for everything my current self is doing.

[Note look of disapproval, as hands rest at his lapels]

Still, apparently quite a few of us are having a get-together, so it is said. I look forward to that. Even the dandy and the clown, yes. [Why? Because Big Finish still knows how to write Doctor Who. Unlike some show-runners a mun could mention]

But it gets a Time Lord thinking. About pasts, and presents. People long gone, people yet to come. I've moved about this old universe for a long time - and a very long time to come. And the one constant is that there is always more to learn, more to see; with good friends and terrible enemies rising and passing. I have no regrets, no remorse - but there is indeed sadness. You miss where you began, but there is also so much to look forward to.

So both one thing and the other. I believe the people of Earth refer to it as 'cognitive dissonance'. [A small chuckle] What lovely terminology.

Still. Much to see. Much to do. Time to go forth.

Comments

[first_in_time]

Learning connects us all, Doctor. I learnt a lot from you and I'm sure that you learnt something from Ian and myself. Also we learnt together. One thing I haven't ever learnt is where you started. Why did you want to go out and explore the universe?

[of_totters_lane]

[He affects an air of disdain]

I'm sorry, my dear, I learned nothing from either of you whatsoever. [But cue an impish smile.]

And it was stuffy. Hidebound, traditional. A bit authoritarian. Too many rules, the biggest of which was: do not interfere. My people believed - believe - in letting events take their course. They forget the moral imperative to do good in this universe, and they remain indolent.

[A smile]

So I chose a beautiful TARDIS - or perhaps she chose me - and I haven't looked back. Nor shall I ever.

[first_in_time]

I seem to recall your insistence that events run their course. Even seemingly unnecessary rituals which do nothing for a civilisation other than promote brutality and give other civilisations the wrong idea.

Of all the Time Lords, I don't understand what she saw in you. [Have a return of your impish smile, Doctor]

[of_totters_lane]

Hmph. [A suppressed laugh at her last]

That is the general rule. But every now and again, one has to know when the exceptions are. The trick, my dear Barbara, is to know when one can interfere and when one cannot. It's all down to fixed points in time, you see.

There are moments - stains or scars, sometimes - in the timeline that cannot be altered. Other times, however... But yes, respect the culture but know when to bend the rules.

[first_in_time]

I take it that Ian and I aren't a fixed point, then? Not that I'm complaining, of course, but you certainly interfered there.

[of_totters_lane]

[He'd put a lot of work into you two.]

Did I? Goodness me, so I did. [Doctor, you awful liar you.] But no, no you aren't. The sinking of the Titanic, for instance - that will always happen. I cannot prevent that. Or the Lusitania. Generally large events that alter the course of the timeline in some way.

[first_in_time]

Human sacrifice isn't that large an event.

[of_totters_lane]

Taken as a whole, it might be. It's...well, it's a bit tricky, my dear. And a Time Lord walks in time, we can see these things. It's an instinct, a gift. And a curse.

[first_in_time]

Of course it is.

Series 7 Finale Guy here

[abandonedone]

It's been a long life, hasn't it?

Haven't watched because Moffat, so the ignorance isn't feigned :P

[of_totters_lane]

[He turns]

Ah, hello. And yes, it has. And a long way to go yet.

It was... an experience. Care about spoilers? Cause it'll no doubt be part of the anniversary.

[abandonedone]

We shall have to see, Doctor.

[Little bit of bitterness there.]

[of_totters_lane]

((OOC: I don't care about spoilers. I was hoping Hurt would be the Valeyard, because that would be amazing. But the day Steven Moffat writes something that turns out that well for Doctor Who will be the day you can call me the Tsar of all the Russias.))

[He gives him a bit of a look]

Do I know you, sir?

[abandonedone]

((ooc: Oh boy... First, they mentioned the Valeyard in the finale, so I hope to hell and back they actually do something with that. But Hurt? He did something so awful he lost the right to call himself the Doctor. Like, the other locked away his regeneration and crap.

So yeah. That's a thing now.))

I would hope. But maybe not right now.

[of_totters_lane]

((OOC: Dammit, Moffat. I mean, technically, the Valeyard *is* the Doctor, but...yeah. Well, at least it's John Hurt, which means at least the garbage Moffat writes will be expertly performed. Still gonna hope for things to go Valeyard. So yeah. Until Moffat's gone I'm retreating into Classic and Big Finish. Looking *so forward* to the BFA for the anniversary.))

Hmph. The downside of time travel. Things get a bit out of order, sometimes. But you seem to know me, so at least half of the introductions are unnecessary.

[abandonedone]

((ooc: Honestly, I like the twist, it's interesting and whatnot, but I'm sure I would enjoy the Anniversary a lot more if any of the classic Doctors showed up. Like, I understand what he's saying in the interviews "wanting to keep things moving and not pat ourselves on the back too much" but the 50th anniversary is when I think it's safe to be a little content with looking at the past. DO YOU KNOW HOW BADLY COLIN BAKER AND PAUL MCGANN WANT TO BE IN YOUR SPECIAL MOFFAT?!))

Very true.

[Nope, not introducing himself since he doesn't have a name anymore.]

[of_totters_lane]

((OOC: I just wish he'd give us substance with the twists! Moffat, I find, is all about *his* stuff. The rest of the series officially doesn't really matter. Which is why his companions are all OMG THE MOST SPECIAL EVER and why River is HOLY CRAP THE BIGGEST DEAL. I have to hope that given the dismal viewing figures they at least ensure he's edited now. And I would do a lot to have Paul McGann show up. We need McGann on screen again. I mean, I heard "Zagreus" early on in getting to know Who and...yeah. Him meeting his future selves...gah.))

[Well, that's suspicious, and there's a slight hint of that in his look.
]

Well, it appears I'll have a mystery on my hands.

[abandonedone]

((ooc: God, if you thought River was bad, this new companion UGHHHH. We're supposed to care about her and think she's a normal girl when she has no personality. Fantastic actors forced to work with such insubstantial scripts. Sometimes they pull it off, sometimes they don't. Not their fault.

If Moffat has any sort of common sense, he would at least pull a twist with them showing up for the second half of the anniversary. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.))

You'll figure it out eventually.

[of_totters_lane]

OOC: Ok, phasing out the rp part for now - sorry, cannot think of a good response to that and it's a good line to end a short thing on. But yes. I'm with you on this. I mean, they reintroduce the Great Intelligence. Which could have been awesome. But, nope, Moffat's Doctor runs around waving his magic wand at things and magically fixing it. Insubstantial is the perfect word for it.

And I miss companions with *personalities* and these things. Lives. Rose at least had a family, and her own things. Ditto for Donna and Martha. The classic companions, well. I imagine that Ace would not look kindly on either Clara or River, put it that way :P

Oh gosh, we can only hope, right? But so far...see, Who was my gateway drug. I'd been a Star Wars fan but had wandered away from Sci-Fi. And then there was Who, and suddenly it was a love affair. And now I've Trekked it up, I've loved my FarScape. Sanctuary I adored, Stargate is an old and faithful friend. All of this because of a British Show That Could. And seeing Moffat at the helm...it's like watching someone deface a priceless work of art over *ego*.

If he isn't in the 50th, I do imagine Colin Baker calling up Moffat. "Who's killing the show now?!" and slamming down the receiver, entirely pleased that his work will be looked upon more kindly. (Though his audios are just lovely, wonderful things.

[ofdrumsthesound]

You're close to the last. It's a scary thought.

[justthedoctor]

Oh, don't worry, Mun isn't particularly happy about the way things are going with me lately, either, and up here in her head, it definitely gives me a chance to reevaluate things from her perspective. [:|]

[No, he's not going to outright admit he's been a bit of a wanker. Just that some things should have happened differently.]

[of_totters_lane]

[He harumphs]

Well. You seem to have turned out well enough. Come now, stand up straight, let me have a look at you, hmm?

[He looks him up and down, hands going to his lapels. Finally, there is a nod]

An excellent choice of attire, my dear fellow. Not a dandy or a clown at all.

[justthedoctor]

[He looks a little surprised, and then almost seems to puff up with pride at the approval.]

See??? No one ever likes the bow-tie, but it's cool. Very fashionable, and sensible at the same time! And certainly better then that technicolor dreamcoat we wore as our Sixth.

[of_totters_lane]

[A bit modern looking for him, yes. But still. A bit young, perhaps, yes - but still. He has the proper bearing. Not like the Hobo that replaced him, or the Dandy that replaced the replacement.]

Bow ties are elegant indeed, old fellow. Or 'cool' as you put it, hmm. And good gracious. Mid lives crisis, was it?