"He thinks me manipulative but he controls his dear friends as much as I ever did" he said somewhat bitterly. "He has always warded them from me. And as for my kind, well..." he smirked a touch. But there was a sadness in his eyes. "The Doctors past, younger and younger... each less understanding than the last. No... they've made me this way" he said, his smirk fading. Would she really stick around? Would she really come back and see him? Maybe he didn't have to be alone.
The words the followed changed things. That look in his eyes darkened, and for a brief moment, his grip loosened. But it wouldn't last long. Something sparked within him, to the beat of those drums, it came to life. The Masters face cracked into a manic smile and he laughed. "Have I forgiven myself?!" he asked. "I haven't. I can't!" His grip was tightening a little, becoming more personal. He hadn't realised he was doing it. "I have been forgiven and forgotten, don't you see? Why should I forgive myself? My work isn't over."