InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I don't believe in love."

The Master (notsodead) wrote in whoville,
@ 2009-09-12 22:10:00

Entry tags:

notsodead, romanathesecond

Lis's Romana
Perhaps the most disorienting part of his TARDIS materializing in the nexus was not the memories of being there before, but the memories of regenerating when he was quite sure he hadn't. Though it was, mercifully, a briefly lived regeneration, apparently. He really did rather enjoy his current body, and wasn't at all done with it.

Checking the monitors of the TARDIS, he raised an eyebrow with amusement at the outside surroundings. Apparently the place had changed - likely expanded, as well, considering the streets looked rather like those of a city more than a small town. Perhaps with further inhabitants, or prisoners, depending on how you viewed the matter. Adaptive, certainly.

Carefully locking the controls, he stepped outside, reaching out with his mind to prod at the nexus, one corner of his mouth curling up slightly in amusement at the resistance he met. It would be more a challenge to mold the place, but with his TARDIS here, he wouldn't have as much a need to do so. Nor did he feel quite as trapped, despite the changes, and the knowledge he wouldn't be able to leave the nexus until it decided to let him leave.

Locking the door of his TARDIS, he started down the street, intent on exploring the new environment for now. And perhaps finding a decent coffee shop while he was at it, and some company to keep. Preferably willing, in his current frame of mind. Such people were ever so much more entertaining as a general rule.

He finally settled at an outdoor cafe where a handful of other people were sitting. Most of whom seemed to be human, or something similar. And one woman he was certain was a Time Lord, and one he recognized.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

He gave her a genial smile, his hands in the pockets of his trousers. Utterly relaxed, despite the nagging memory of Romana's previous regeneration being involved in the aftermath of the regeneration that didn't stick. He would have to explore that later, but it wasn't as curious at the moment as Romana's regeneration.

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	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 03:03 am UTC (link)
	Romana looked up and tightened her grip on her tea cup. She had been managing to avoid anyone who knew her, especially other Time Lords for days. "The last I encountered one of your alternates, Master, it's not end well for him," she said tightly. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 03:12 am UTC (link)
	"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, his smile turning amused. "I suppose you would expect me to be concerned then, Lady Romana?" He wasn't particularly concerned, and he had no intention of leaving her alone at the moment. Especially after a tidbit of information like that, even if he could be patient in finding out what he wanted to know. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 07:55 pm UTC (link)
	"Concerned for him, possibly not. For yourself, yes." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 08:04 pm UTC (link)
	"I'm afraid I must disappoint you, then." He drew out the chair across from her, settling into it. "Unless, of course, you caused my alternate to regenerate, in which case I shall perhaps be concerned." If only because the last time he was here, he had been forced to regenerate himself. Regardless of how well it held in the long run. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 08:21 pm UTC (link)
	"Really. I'd think you'd know that regeneration is hardly the worst thing that could happen to a Time Lord," she said flatly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 08:30 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh, indeed. I think, however, you can understand why I would be concerned about regenerating." He steepled his fingers, watching her over the tips. Not bothering to hide the calculating curiosity in his expression. "Other concerns are secondary, Romana." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 10:03 pm UTC (link)
	"Actually, no. Explain it to me?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 10:29 pm UTC (link)
	"Are you saying you don't recall my previous visit to this nexus?" He gave her an amused smile. "Let me refresh your memory. I was murdered as a consequence of a less then well-plotted game, forced to regenerate. And while it appears that a regeneration here will not translate to the outside world, it does make it a bit of a concern of mine while I am here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 10:32 pm UTC (link)
	Her face set further, if that that was possible. "As I recall you were the one who fired the first shot. And curiously the man you murdered has retained his new regeneration." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

notsodead
2009-09-13 10:47 pm UTC (link)

"I did say it was less than well-plotted." The Master shrugged. "I can only say I was bored and frustrated, and make my apologies. I can promise that no one would have been killed if the game had been played."

Injured, probably, but he hadn't designed any of the booby traps to be lethal.

He paused, watching her for a moment, turning over the idea that the alternate who'd saved Romana from his shot had retained his regeneration where he hadn't.

"Curious. Something to keep me occupied later, I suppose, prodding at that puzzle. At least for a time."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 10:54 pm UTC (link)
	She gave him a look of disbelieve. "Jack had already died and nearly taken your alternate down with him when they tried to remove the trigger. That is more serious than a game." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 11:01 pm UTC (link)
	"A game with high stakes for breaking the rules." He gave her a steady look. "Played against a Doctor who didn't understand the rules. A mistake on my part, not being more careful in my choice of opponent." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 11:04 pm UTC (link)
	"I see. What rules would that be." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 11:07 pm UTC (link)
	"Don't dismantle my work, and don't bring company." He smiled, cold and humorless. "It's very simple." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 11:11 pm UTC (link)
	"Telling the Doctor - any Doctor - to not bring company seems rather. A sign of a fundamental misunderstanding of him," she noted. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 11:15 pm UTC (link)
	"Not entirely. Certainly my Doctor understands those rules well enough." He paused, a flash of amusement crossing his face. "Of course, I never did count his companions as company so much as window-dressing and props." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 11:18 pm UTC (link)
	"How many times have they been instrumental in foiling you?" she asked dryly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 11:22 pm UTC (link)
	"All part of the game, Romana. It's not fun if I win all the time." Depending on his regeneration, at least. He could remember some regenerations where he feared losing more than anything else. Sometimes with rather embarrassing results in retrospect. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 11:25 pm UTC (link)
	She gave him a dryly amused look. "The Doctor always plays by his own rules anyway. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 11:30 pm UTC (link)
	"Rules that merely increase the stakes if he loses." The Master smiled, leaning back in his chair comfortably. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 11:32 pm UTC (link)
	"Yet that generally works in this favor. Funny that," she shot back. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 11:36 pm UTC (link)
	His smile widened slightly, a soft chuckle escaping him. "You must think you know all the stories then, Romana. Perhaps even in your own universe, you do." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 11:38 pm UTC (link)
	She just rolled her eyes. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	notsodead 2009-09-13 11:45 pm UTC (link)
	He shrugged, his smile colder now, the amusement fading from his eyes. "What are you hoping to accomplish with your mocking, Romana? It is an interesting little game, I will admit, but it is curious that you wish to play such." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	romanathesecond 2009-09-13 11:56 pm UTC (link)
	"I am not playing a game," she said sharply. "I was having my tea in peace." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)