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Fic: A Good Day (or: The War in the Medusa Cascade). Chapter 7
Fresh from my beta's careful nit-picking, here is chapter 7!
Previous parts here for anyone who is wanting to catch up:
Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6
And Master post for the whole 'verse here.
Summary: "Why is it only ever the bad guys who have a proper plan?" The Master's son finally meets the Daleks. And he thought it a good day. (TSE/JE rewrite with Eleven and Clara and a host of extras.)
Setting: Future AU TSE/JE. (Set between Name of the Doctor and Day of the Doctor)
Spoilers: The Name of the Doctor (S7.13)
Rating: PG-13.
Characters: The Seeker (OC, the Master's son), Eleventh Doctor, Clara, the Master, Jack, River, Roda (OC), Davros, others.
Beta: The always lovely![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kathyh. (Any mistakes mine!)
Thank yous: Tothe_redjay for the loan of Roda.
Feedback: I am not too proud to beg...
Chapter 7
‘Well’, River thought, ‘best buckle up. Unless I’m mistaken, here comes hell in a handbasket.’
They were facing each other, the Doctor and the Seeker, and she could feel her heart sink. Unstoppable force, meet immovable obstacle.
Casting a swift glance over the rest of the company, she saw that the Master still looked fit to burst with gloating, and Roda had ‘What did I say?’ written all over her face, as well as something that might be disappointment or dread. Oddly enough the Clara girl bore a not dissimilar expression, as if she’d somehow been expecting this… River filed this away for future reference and focussed on Jack.
Where the Doctor was incredulous, Jack looked... stricken in a way that she couldn’t help but notice. And Jack had been the first to speak. What had he said?
‘Please tell me this isn’t what I think it is.’ Her eyes narrowed. He knew. Of all of them, Jack was the only one forewarned, and possibly forearmed. The Toclafane had been a shock, but this - this he knew.
Davros was still in his silent holding cell, but she could see him cackling. Dalek Caan - after its star turn - was waving its tentacles around, making odd little noises that were indecipherable to River’s ears.
Then the Doctor spoke, coldly serious (and oh, he was old this one, old and weary in ways she had not seen previously - they’d mangled the time lines thoroughly this time that was for sure):
“‘Why not?’ That’s seriously your best argument?”
The Seeker, still smiling, took a slow drag of his cigar.
“No, my best argument is that it’s my birthright.”
“How so?” the Doctor asked, cool eyes calculating and hands quietly clasped together. He was usually so animated - hands a-flutter, body moving; the current stillness spoke volumes for those who could read him.
’You’re doing it wrong’, she thought. She knew this - the shutting down, the deliberate distancing in order to do what needed to be done. But it wasn’t going to work…
She’d mostly kept to the background, watching and observing as they spoke (as her poor Doctor’s hearts broke), unable to help. And then she’d stepped in to help fight the war - a perfectly logical thing to do, and killing Daleks was only ever going to be a pleasure - but he had probably been further hurt by it. Some days there was no winning, no way to stop the pain.
She studied him now, trying to work out how late it might be.
The purple coat made him look not unlike Willy Wonka, yet somehow... faded. When had he lost her parents, she wondered. She could see the ache in his eyes - had thought it first because everything had been hopeless, but it hadn’t let up. He looked at her as if all he wanted was to hold her close - yet the distance between them kept growing. They’d been closer when locked up in the holding cells than after they’d been let out.
It was as if she was… Not real to him. She might as well be a ghost or a mirage for all the attention he was paying her...
(‘I died’, she realised, with sudden understanding. ‘I died, and everything is too late.’)
Then the Seeker spoke again, self-assured and head held high, breaking through her thoughts.
“I’m a Time Lord. I was born to rule.”
The Doctor shook his head almost imperceptibly, face like stone.
“Half. You’re half.”
The Seeker’s face registered no emotion, apart from his brows drawing together a fraction, but the Master’s silent smugness erupted into sudden fury:
“How dare you?”
Before he could get any further the Seeker held out his hand.
“Stop Dad. I’ve got this.”
A pause as he studied the Doctor, the Master silently fuming in the background. (But the Master did as he was told… They both, the Doctor and the Master, seemed to take it as immediate gospel that the Seeker had thrown his lot in with his father. But was that really the case?)
The Seeker shook his head.
“That was low Doctor. Below the belt. Although I suppose I should be pleased you give as good as you get, I can feel less guilty now. But... you’re right. I am the Child of Two Worlds. I was born under a blue sky, to a human mother, and I played in green grass in the light of a single sun. My childhood was filled with balloons and ice cream and fairgrounds and camping trips. And even though I left a long time ago I still have a home. I have a people. I have family, their descendants live on Earth below us. Even the Toclafane-” he held up a hand, and one of them settled on his fingertips, “-although diluted to infinitesimal small amounts, are my bloodkin. I am a part of the universe; living, breathing. It’s mine.”
River saw Clara’s eyes widen, saw the girl instinctively step forward as if to shield her Doctor.
Hers, not River’s…
('Deep breath. Deep breath, you can do this. Whatever happens, don't let him see how much this hurts you. The girl knows you, you will meet...')
The Seeker was brutal in his argument, yet River knew he was only speaking in shades of half-truths, the reality far more complex. The Child of Two Worlds. But neither truly his…
There had been a day, many years ago now, when she’d arrived earlier than anticipated and found the rooster-haired Doctor in a mildly frustrated state. She’d learned to identify it as ‘parenting issues’ and generally made her excuses (children were not really her forte), but that day she’d asked what the matter was. Apparently the boy had been upset about something, and was now sulking. ‘Rooster’ Doctor didn’t really know her very well at all, but he’d looked cute and helpless, so she’d volunteered to talk to the kid, telling herself to stay away from the brown puppydog eyes as much as she could from then on.
She’d found Alex in his bedroom in the TARDIS - a simple functional space - sitting on the bed, arms wrapped around his legs and his gloomy little face following the aerial acrobatics of his small pteranodon, name of Princess Leia. He’d been around ten, she thought. Not more, certainly. Watching him sitting there, still in his school uniform, she had a sudden and serious case of deja-vu, and almost shuddered.
“What is it?” she asked with more sympathy than she’d had just seconds previously.
He didn’t take his eyes off Leia, but after a moment he replied.
“I’m tired of lying. Tired of never being allowed to be myself. Tired of pretending to be normal and human. I just- I just want to be me.”
The sense of recognition made her feel almost hollow. No wonder he was frustrated. And no wonder the Doctor didn’t know what to do with him - the Doctor had no idea what this felt like.
She smiled gently.
“At least your parents know who you are.”
A ‘normal’ child would have been deeply puzzled, because of course his parents knew him. But Alex had sent her a long searching look, guessing at a story behind her words.
“What do you mean?”
She studied him for a moment.
“Can you keep a secret?”
He smiled bitterly.
“All I ever do is keep secrets.”
“Even from the Doctor?”
At this the smile turned sly, with a hint of excitement.
“I keep secrets from the Doctor, yes. Are you going to tell me spoilers?”
She nodded.
“I’m going to tell you who I am.” A small smile. “I like to be me too.”
The look in his eyes had been more than worth the risk - to give the gift of being understood… She could think of nothing more precious. Ever since she’d always had a soft spot for him, knowing that they had battled a lot of the same issues.
Watching him now, she could see the same thing. He was an adult now, self-assured and strong (and a damn good fighter - shame he’d probably not come adventuring with her), and not likely to back down. Yet in his words she still heard ‘I just want to be me’... He had revelled in his power today, in being able to stretch his wings properly, reaching out and claiming what he saw as rightfully his.
But the Doctor only saw the dark shadow of the wing span and balked...
She wished there was something she could say or do. Yet she knew that any attempt at intervening would be greeted with claims that she was trying to defend the younger Time Lord - and wanting to rule the universe wasn’t something that was easy to defend. For now, she’d have to let him speak for himself - and he certainly had the gift of the gab:
“Doctor - listen to me. I first heard this prophecy when I was nineteen. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought of it since. A lot. Worrying and wondering. Never thought it’d come true like this… Hell, it’s been more like a recurring nightmare until now, having to be forever vigilant against dad trying to manipulate me into something-”
“You think he isn’t?” this was Roda, almost exploding. “By the Skaro degradations, Seeker, just take one look at him!”
He turned to look at his father, who feigned innocence with such irony that River almost felt like laughing. (She needed a laugh more than air - and given how close the atmosphere was growing, that was saying something. The Vault was shades of dark reds, the wall lights like red honeycomb embers… So much red metal. She shuddered and tried to focus on the conversation.)
After a long moment, the Seeker turned and looked over them.
“I think... you’re all projecting. You don’t have a clue what’s in my head, but you’re all presuming the worst.”
“Why shouldn’t we?” Jack now, and River pricked up her ears. “You told me that if this day ever came, I had to stop you - remember?”
Studying his friend with great care, the Seeker shook his head softly.
“I was in shock and terrified. Just a child. I never knew it’d be like... this.”
“And what is ‘this’?” Jack asked, as they all waited.
The Seeker thought.
“Purpose,” he finally said. “Something worth, and befitting, my talents, knowledge and abilities.”
River nodded to herself. Purpose. She still remembered the day she had found her own, a sudden decision sweeping away everything she had previously believed and adhered to. (‘Just tell me - the Doctor. Is he worth it?’) She could see the same brightness shining in his eyes, and wanted to shake the Doctor - she knew he was already turning this over, working out his next attack. ‘You’ll be attacking his strongest point! You can’t win this way, why can’t you see that?’
(Because he is exhausted, her mind filled in. Hearts-broken too, but it was more than that. So old. So weary. What happened to you, my Love, she wondered.)
A beat, then the Seeker tilted his head, the smile back - only a small one in the corner of his mouth, yet definitely there, as he watched Jack.
“Also - my actual words were, that if I started creating Legions of Terror, you were to stop me. That still holds.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed.
“And what do you call the Toclafane?”
The Seeker did not as much as blink.
“The saviours of worlds.”
At this point the Doctor cut in, addressing Jack.
“You knew. And you never said…”
Jack never had a chance to reply, as the Seeker spoke immediately:
“You leave Jack out of this. He’s mine.”
“Yours?” the Doctor asked slowly, and the Seeker nodded.
“Mine. For always. Because I love him best. Please - don’t make him choose.”
The Doctor turned, studying Jack with disbelief, and the conflict on Jack’s face was easy to read.
“I’m sorry,” he said, eventually. “But I made a promise. A long, long time ago…”
This was no good. River wanted to slap them all. Hard. All they were doing was highlighting all their differences, and it was leading nowhere good. She took a step forward:
“Before we end up at each other’s throats, can we try to focus on our actual enemies? Seeker - what will you do with Davros?”
The Seeker shot her a grateful look, and then scratched his head thoughtfully.
“I’m not sure, to be honest. I’d thought to take him to the Shadow Proclamation - they’d like a bit of the pie I’m sure and would be delighted to put him on public trial… But that would undoubtedly draw every dalek in the universe to come and save him.”
He tilted his head.
“Besides execution seems like a waste… That sort of mind, I’d rather like to take a closer look.”
Flicking a switch, Davros’ holding cell vanished.
“Davros - what do you want? Would you agree to be my prisoner? Don’t think you could escape, I have multiple holding places for a genius madman-”
He didn’t get any further, nor did Davros get a chance to reply.
A shot rang out, and Davros collapsed, blood spilling from his already disintegrated chest.
Turning, her hand halfway to her gun, River saw Roda, revolver still clutched in both hands. Her face pale, eyes determined - the feathers in her hair like flickering glints of blood.
“Oh Ro-Ro,” the Seeker said, voice soft and resigned. “I suppose it couldn’t be helped.”
He lifted his eyes to look at Roda, and River saw the wordless communication. ‘Ro-Ro’ - a term of endearment she had never heard, one clearly meant for the gentle intimacy of lovers, not places of murder and war. But Roda didn't take her eyes off Davros, or lower her weapon.
River knew Roda had fought in the Time War, knew first-hand how old traumas could rear their heads. Davros’ death, to her, mostly meant good riddance to bad rubbish, but then her own battles had been very different…
The Seeker took a step forwards towards Roda, then seemed to catch himself, obviously unsure how the terms of their tentative friendship fitted with who they had been.
‘This is costing him,’ she thought, ‘and costing him dearly.’ And yet he did not shrink from the price. She almost nodded to herself - she, too, had paid for her choices, given her lives and given her freedom - yet the first time she had felt truly free, she had been in a prison cell. She had made her choice, and would not change it for all the world. If only she could find the words to explain this to the Doctor - without him throwing ‘Wanting to rule the universe is not the same as sacrificing yourself!’ back at her. (She didn’t have an answer for that.)
Although the Doctor wouldn’t be saying much right now - he was staring at Davros, slowly moving forward towards Roda, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Roda?” he asked, reaching out to take the gun off her - but in an instant she turned, now aiming straight for the Master.
“No! Roda, have you gone mad?” the Doctor cried, stepping back in shock, even as the Master held up a hand, looking borderline alarmed:
“Hey - careful with that thing. Toclafane - a little protection would be nice!”
But Roda didn’t so much as flinch.
“Master, I promised the Seeker I wouldn't kill you, but Rassilon damn it, I could.”
Her finger was slowly moving on the trigger, and the Master (for the first time River had seen) appeared to be on the edge of actual panic.
“Hello? Someone stop the madwoman? Seeker, where the hell are those Toclafane?”
The Doctor stepped forward again, but Roda shook her head. River realised that her arm was starting to shudder, and it wasn't just from strain. (River calculated that she could shoot the gun out of Roda’s hand - except the Doctor would be in her line of fire...)
“Stay out of this Doctor,” Roda said. “Come nearer, and I shoot.”
Jack now joined in, almost by her elbow, voice cautious and sympathetic.
“Not that I don’t hate him, Roda, but…” He pulled a face. “Seeker, your father might have a point…”
River turned to look at the young Time Lord, and saw that his eyes had gone dark, face drawn and unreadable as he leaned on a control panel, his eyes travelling over them, coolly studying the standoff that could very easily cost his father his life…
Then-
“Go.” he said. “Go. All of you. Roda, if you want to kill Dad, fine. But no one touch Dalek Caan or I will not answer for the consequences. Just - go!”
“Seeker-” the Doctor said, but green eyes flashed and hands gripped the sides of the control panel so hard they turned white.
“I said leave! Here, the planets are going back where they belong-” he let action follow words, touching buttons on the control panels, so swift his hands almost blurred, “-go kill each other, look after your pet humans, whatever. Just leave. me. alone!”
The Toclafane hung in the air above him, silently menacing, and for the longest moment there was a silent standoff; broken when Roda seemed to collapse in on herself with some sort of adrenaline crash. Jack stepped forward, expertly removing her revolver from loose fingers and slipping it into his own belt. She stood there, looking... so very lost. Resigned. With one last look at the Seeker, her expression unreadable and her shoulders shaking, she lowered her head. River wished she could help her somehow - but they didn’t really know each other all that well.
The Master aimed for a flip smile, not quite succeeding.
“The old James Bond trick, eh boy? Well it worked a treat.”
The Seeker glared at him briefly, eyes cold.
“It wasn’t a trick.”
Then he turned to Jack.
“I’ll come to Torchwood, after.”
Whatever messages his eyes carried, Jack understood, and nodded. Gently he took Roda’s hand, and a second later his vortex manipulator spirited them away.
The Doctor had watched the outburst as if stuck in a dream.
“Seeker?” he asked, slowly, but the Seeker didn’t move, just shook his head.
“I need to clear up. It’s been a long day already, and it’s only going to get longer. Like you said - the spoils of war are mine. So go, and leave me my due.”
A beat, then he turned to look at River.
“River, would you mind…?”
He nodded in his father’s direction, and she chuckled. She could guess how he felt, and if she could help, or keep the mood light, she would happily comply. If they wanted to argue, let it be later, when nerves were less frayed.
“Not at all,” she said, and - before the Master knew what had happened - she’d slammed the cuffs on him, before guiding him into the TARDIS.
“How the hell do you have handcuffs, woman?” he asked, and she laughed, the pleasure genuine. But the laughter almost caught in her throat as she saw the new desktop theme. Oh she was so very late. She would have to leave. And soon. Nothing good could come from this. Noticing that the Doctor wasn’t following, she poked her head out to see him - surely he couldn’t be arguing still?
(Whom was she trying to fool? Of course he’d still be arguing.)
The two of them - ‘uncle’ and ‘nephew’ as they had once been - were watching each other like before, but the mood had changed drastically, the Seeker’s initial joyful mien now cold, carefully controlled anger:
“I meant it. Go. If you stay I honestly can’t guarantee your safety.”
The glaring contest was - unexpectedly - interrupted by Dalek Caan, its voice a cackling madness. The Doctor froze, his hand on Clara’s shoulder.
“The Doctor and the Impossible Girl… As ever it was, so it shall be. Your day will come Doctor - your day will come, and soon. Twice it has come already, and once more you will see it. And the world will be the same no more. No more. No more.”
“...What did you say?” the Doctor asked, face going pale and voice barely above a breath, but River pressed her lips together and dragged him into the TARDIS. Clara followed silently and the doors closed of their own accord, as River made them take off - her glare silencing even the Master. Seeing the clouds and the newly formed shades of worry on the Doctor’s face, she took a deep breath.
“Give him some space,” she eventually said. “And don’t listen to prophecies. They’re bad for you.”
He didn’t reply for a long moment. Then he merely said: “Take us to Torchwood,” and she sighed.
This was clearly far from over.
Chapter 8.
Previous parts here for anyone who is wanting to catch up:
Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6
And Master post for the whole 'verse here.
Summary: "Why is it only ever the bad guys who have a proper plan?" The Master's son finally meets the Daleks. And he thought it a good day. (TSE/JE rewrite with Eleven and Clara and a host of extras.)
Setting: Future AU TSE/JE. (Set between Name of the Doctor and Day of the Doctor)
Spoilers: The Name of the Doctor (S7.13)
Rating: PG-13.
Characters: The Seeker (OC, the Master's son), Eleventh Doctor, Clara, the Master, Jack, River, Roda (OC), Davros, others.
Beta: The always lovely
kathyh. (Any mistakes mine!)Thank yous: To
the_redjay for the loan of Roda.Feedback: I am not too proud to beg...
Chapter 7
‘Well’, River thought, ‘best buckle up. Unless I’m mistaken, here comes hell in a handbasket.’
They were facing each other, the Doctor and the Seeker, and she could feel her heart sink. Unstoppable force, meet immovable obstacle.
Casting a swift glance over the rest of the company, she saw that the Master still looked fit to burst with gloating, and Roda had ‘What did I say?’ written all over her face, as well as something that might be disappointment or dread. Oddly enough the Clara girl bore a not dissimilar expression, as if she’d somehow been expecting this… River filed this away for future reference and focussed on Jack.
Where the Doctor was incredulous, Jack looked... stricken in a way that she couldn’t help but notice. And Jack had been the first to speak. What had he said?
‘Please tell me this isn’t what I think it is.’ Her eyes narrowed. He knew. Of all of them, Jack was the only one forewarned, and possibly forearmed. The Toclafane had been a shock, but this - this he knew.
Davros was still in his silent holding cell, but she could see him cackling. Dalek Caan - after its star turn - was waving its tentacles around, making odd little noises that were indecipherable to River’s ears.
Then the Doctor spoke, coldly serious (and oh, he was old this one, old and weary in ways she had not seen previously - they’d mangled the time lines thoroughly this time that was for sure):
“‘Why not?’ That’s seriously your best argument?”
The Seeker, still smiling, took a slow drag of his cigar.
“No, my best argument is that it’s my birthright.”
“How so?” the Doctor asked, cool eyes calculating and hands quietly clasped together. He was usually so animated - hands a-flutter, body moving; the current stillness spoke volumes for those who could read him.
’You’re doing it wrong’, she thought. She knew this - the shutting down, the deliberate distancing in order to do what needed to be done. But it wasn’t going to work…
She’d mostly kept to the background, watching and observing as they spoke (as her poor Doctor’s hearts broke), unable to help. And then she’d stepped in to help fight the war - a perfectly logical thing to do, and killing Daleks was only ever going to be a pleasure - but he had probably been further hurt by it. Some days there was no winning, no way to stop the pain.
She studied him now, trying to work out how late it might be.
The purple coat made him look not unlike Willy Wonka, yet somehow... faded. When had he lost her parents, she wondered. She could see the ache in his eyes - had thought it first because everything had been hopeless, but it hadn’t let up. He looked at her as if all he wanted was to hold her close - yet the distance between them kept growing. They’d been closer when locked up in the holding cells than after they’d been let out.
It was as if she was… Not real to him. She might as well be a ghost or a mirage for all the attention he was paying her...
(‘I died’, she realised, with sudden understanding. ‘I died, and everything is too late.’)
Then the Seeker spoke again, self-assured and head held high, breaking through her thoughts.
“I’m a Time Lord. I was born to rule.”
The Doctor shook his head almost imperceptibly, face like stone.
“Half. You’re half.”
The Seeker’s face registered no emotion, apart from his brows drawing together a fraction, but the Master’s silent smugness erupted into sudden fury:
“How dare you?”
Before he could get any further the Seeker held out his hand.
“Stop Dad. I’ve got this.”
A pause as he studied the Doctor, the Master silently fuming in the background. (But the Master did as he was told… They both, the Doctor and the Master, seemed to take it as immediate gospel that the Seeker had thrown his lot in with his father. But was that really the case?)
The Seeker shook his head.
“That was low Doctor. Below the belt. Although I suppose I should be pleased you give as good as you get, I can feel less guilty now. But... you’re right. I am the Child of Two Worlds. I was born under a blue sky, to a human mother, and I played in green grass in the light of a single sun. My childhood was filled with balloons and ice cream and fairgrounds and camping trips. And even though I left a long time ago I still have a home. I have a people. I have family, their descendants live on Earth below us. Even the Toclafane-” he held up a hand, and one of them settled on his fingertips, “-although diluted to infinitesimal small amounts, are my bloodkin. I am a part of the universe; living, breathing. It’s mine.”
River saw Clara’s eyes widen, saw the girl instinctively step forward as if to shield her Doctor.
Hers, not River’s…
('Deep breath. Deep breath, you can do this. Whatever happens, don't let him see how much this hurts you. The girl knows you, you will meet...')
The Seeker was brutal in his argument, yet River knew he was only speaking in shades of half-truths, the reality far more complex. The Child of Two Worlds. But neither truly his…
There had been a day, many years ago now, when she’d arrived earlier than anticipated and found the rooster-haired Doctor in a mildly frustrated state. She’d learned to identify it as ‘parenting issues’ and generally made her excuses (children were not really her forte), but that day she’d asked what the matter was. Apparently the boy had been upset about something, and was now sulking. ‘Rooster’ Doctor didn’t really know her very well at all, but he’d looked cute and helpless, so she’d volunteered to talk to the kid, telling herself to stay away from the brown puppydog eyes as much as she could from then on.
She’d found Alex in his bedroom in the TARDIS - a simple functional space - sitting on the bed, arms wrapped around his legs and his gloomy little face following the aerial acrobatics of his small pteranodon, name of Princess Leia. He’d been around ten, she thought. Not more, certainly. Watching him sitting there, still in his school uniform, she had a sudden and serious case of deja-vu, and almost shuddered.
“What is it?” she asked with more sympathy than she’d had just seconds previously.
He didn’t take his eyes off Leia, but after a moment he replied.
“I’m tired of lying. Tired of never being allowed to be myself. Tired of pretending to be normal and human. I just- I just want to be me.”
The sense of recognition made her feel almost hollow. No wonder he was frustrated. And no wonder the Doctor didn’t know what to do with him - the Doctor had no idea what this felt like.
She smiled gently.
“At least your parents know who you are.”
A ‘normal’ child would have been deeply puzzled, because of course his parents knew him. But Alex had sent her a long searching look, guessing at a story behind her words.
“What do you mean?”
She studied him for a moment.
“Can you keep a secret?”
He smiled bitterly.
“All I ever do is keep secrets.”
“Even from the Doctor?”
At this the smile turned sly, with a hint of excitement.
“I keep secrets from the Doctor, yes. Are you going to tell me spoilers?”
She nodded.
“I’m going to tell you who I am.” A small smile. “I like to be me too.”
The look in his eyes had been more than worth the risk - to give the gift of being understood… She could think of nothing more precious. Ever since she’d always had a soft spot for him, knowing that they had battled a lot of the same issues.
Watching him now, she could see the same thing. He was an adult now, self-assured and strong (and a damn good fighter - shame he’d probably not come adventuring with her), and not likely to back down. Yet in his words she still heard ‘I just want to be me’... He had revelled in his power today, in being able to stretch his wings properly, reaching out and claiming what he saw as rightfully his.
But the Doctor only saw the dark shadow of the wing span and balked...
She wished there was something she could say or do. Yet she knew that any attempt at intervening would be greeted with claims that she was trying to defend the younger Time Lord - and wanting to rule the universe wasn’t something that was easy to defend. For now, she’d have to let him speak for himself - and he certainly had the gift of the gab:
“Doctor - listen to me. I first heard this prophecy when I was nineteen. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought of it since. A lot. Worrying and wondering. Never thought it’d come true like this… Hell, it’s been more like a recurring nightmare until now, having to be forever vigilant against dad trying to manipulate me into something-”
“You think he isn’t?” this was Roda, almost exploding. “By the Skaro degradations, Seeker, just take one look at him!”
He turned to look at his father, who feigned innocence with such irony that River almost felt like laughing. (She needed a laugh more than air - and given how close the atmosphere was growing, that was saying something. The Vault was shades of dark reds, the wall lights like red honeycomb embers… So much red metal. She shuddered and tried to focus on the conversation.)
After a long moment, the Seeker turned and looked over them.
“I think... you’re all projecting. You don’t have a clue what’s in my head, but you’re all presuming the worst.”
“Why shouldn’t we?” Jack now, and River pricked up her ears. “You told me that if this day ever came, I had to stop you - remember?”
Studying his friend with great care, the Seeker shook his head softly.
“I was in shock and terrified. Just a child. I never knew it’d be like... this.”
“And what is ‘this’?” Jack asked, as they all waited.
The Seeker thought.
“Purpose,” he finally said. “Something worth, and befitting, my talents, knowledge and abilities.”
River nodded to herself. Purpose. She still remembered the day she had found her own, a sudden decision sweeping away everything she had previously believed and adhered to. (‘Just tell me - the Doctor. Is he worth it?’) She could see the same brightness shining in his eyes, and wanted to shake the Doctor - she knew he was already turning this over, working out his next attack. ‘You’ll be attacking his strongest point! You can’t win this way, why can’t you see that?’
(Because he is exhausted, her mind filled in. Hearts-broken too, but it was more than that. So old. So weary. What happened to you, my Love, she wondered.)
A beat, then the Seeker tilted his head, the smile back - only a small one in the corner of his mouth, yet definitely there, as he watched Jack.
“Also - my actual words were, that if I started creating Legions of Terror, you were to stop me. That still holds.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed.
“And what do you call the Toclafane?”
The Seeker did not as much as blink.
“The saviours of worlds.”
At this point the Doctor cut in, addressing Jack.
“You knew. And you never said…”
Jack never had a chance to reply, as the Seeker spoke immediately:
“You leave Jack out of this. He’s mine.”
“Yours?” the Doctor asked slowly, and the Seeker nodded.
“Mine. For always. Because I love him best. Please - don’t make him choose.”
The Doctor turned, studying Jack with disbelief, and the conflict on Jack’s face was easy to read.
“I’m sorry,” he said, eventually. “But I made a promise. A long, long time ago…”
This was no good. River wanted to slap them all. Hard. All they were doing was highlighting all their differences, and it was leading nowhere good. She took a step forward:
“Before we end up at each other’s throats, can we try to focus on our actual enemies? Seeker - what will you do with Davros?”
The Seeker shot her a grateful look, and then scratched his head thoughtfully.
“I’m not sure, to be honest. I’d thought to take him to the Shadow Proclamation - they’d like a bit of the pie I’m sure and would be delighted to put him on public trial… But that would undoubtedly draw every dalek in the universe to come and save him.”
He tilted his head.
“Besides execution seems like a waste… That sort of mind, I’d rather like to take a closer look.”
Flicking a switch, Davros’ holding cell vanished.
“Davros - what do you want? Would you agree to be my prisoner? Don’t think you could escape, I have multiple holding places for a genius madman-”
He didn’t get any further, nor did Davros get a chance to reply.
A shot rang out, and Davros collapsed, blood spilling from his already disintegrated chest.
Turning, her hand halfway to her gun, River saw Roda, revolver still clutched in both hands. Her face pale, eyes determined - the feathers in her hair like flickering glints of blood.
“Oh Ro-Ro,” the Seeker said, voice soft and resigned. “I suppose it couldn’t be helped.”
He lifted his eyes to look at Roda, and River saw the wordless communication. ‘Ro-Ro’ - a term of endearment she had never heard, one clearly meant for the gentle intimacy of lovers, not places of murder and war. But Roda didn't take her eyes off Davros, or lower her weapon.
River knew Roda had fought in the Time War, knew first-hand how old traumas could rear their heads. Davros’ death, to her, mostly meant good riddance to bad rubbish, but then her own battles had been very different…
The Seeker took a step forwards towards Roda, then seemed to catch himself, obviously unsure how the terms of their tentative friendship fitted with who they had been.
‘This is costing him,’ she thought, ‘and costing him dearly.’ And yet he did not shrink from the price. She almost nodded to herself - she, too, had paid for her choices, given her lives and given her freedom - yet the first time she had felt truly free, she had been in a prison cell. She had made her choice, and would not change it for all the world. If only she could find the words to explain this to the Doctor - without him throwing ‘Wanting to rule the universe is not the same as sacrificing yourself!’ back at her. (She didn’t have an answer for that.)
Although the Doctor wouldn’t be saying much right now - he was staring at Davros, slowly moving forward towards Roda, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Roda?” he asked, reaching out to take the gun off her - but in an instant she turned, now aiming straight for the Master.
“No! Roda, have you gone mad?” the Doctor cried, stepping back in shock, even as the Master held up a hand, looking borderline alarmed:
“Hey - careful with that thing. Toclafane - a little protection would be nice!”
But Roda didn’t so much as flinch.
“Master, I promised the Seeker I wouldn't kill you, but Rassilon damn it, I could.”
Her finger was slowly moving on the trigger, and the Master (for the first time River had seen) appeared to be on the edge of actual panic.
“Hello? Someone stop the madwoman? Seeker, where the hell are those Toclafane?”
The Doctor stepped forward again, but Roda shook her head. River realised that her arm was starting to shudder, and it wasn't just from strain. (River calculated that she could shoot the gun out of Roda’s hand - except the Doctor would be in her line of fire...)
“Stay out of this Doctor,” Roda said. “Come nearer, and I shoot.”
Jack now joined in, almost by her elbow, voice cautious and sympathetic.
“Not that I don’t hate him, Roda, but…” He pulled a face. “Seeker, your father might have a point…”
River turned to look at the young Time Lord, and saw that his eyes had gone dark, face drawn and unreadable as he leaned on a control panel, his eyes travelling over them, coolly studying the standoff that could very easily cost his father his life…
Then-
“Go.” he said. “Go. All of you. Roda, if you want to kill Dad, fine. But no one touch Dalek Caan or I will not answer for the consequences. Just - go!”
“Seeker-” the Doctor said, but green eyes flashed and hands gripped the sides of the control panel so hard they turned white.
“I said leave! Here, the planets are going back where they belong-” he let action follow words, touching buttons on the control panels, so swift his hands almost blurred, “-go kill each other, look after your pet humans, whatever. Just leave. me. alone!”
The Toclafane hung in the air above him, silently menacing, and for the longest moment there was a silent standoff; broken when Roda seemed to collapse in on herself with some sort of adrenaline crash. Jack stepped forward, expertly removing her revolver from loose fingers and slipping it into his own belt. She stood there, looking... so very lost. Resigned. With one last look at the Seeker, her expression unreadable and her shoulders shaking, she lowered her head. River wished she could help her somehow - but they didn’t really know each other all that well.
The Master aimed for a flip smile, not quite succeeding.
“The old James Bond trick, eh boy? Well it worked a treat.”
The Seeker glared at him briefly, eyes cold.
“It wasn’t a trick.”
Then he turned to Jack.
“I’ll come to Torchwood, after.”
Whatever messages his eyes carried, Jack understood, and nodded. Gently he took Roda’s hand, and a second later his vortex manipulator spirited them away.
The Doctor had watched the outburst as if stuck in a dream.
“Seeker?” he asked, slowly, but the Seeker didn’t move, just shook his head.
“I need to clear up. It’s been a long day already, and it’s only going to get longer. Like you said - the spoils of war are mine. So go, and leave me my due.”
A beat, then he turned to look at River.
“River, would you mind…?”
He nodded in his father’s direction, and she chuckled. She could guess how he felt, and if she could help, or keep the mood light, she would happily comply. If they wanted to argue, let it be later, when nerves were less frayed.
“Not at all,” she said, and - before the Master knew what had happened - she’d slammed the cuffs on him, before guiding him into the TARDIS.
“How the hell do you have handcuffs, woman?” he asked, and she laughed, the pleasure genuine. But the laughter almost caught in her throat as she saw the new desktop theme. Oh she was so very late. She would have to leave. And soon. Nothing good could come from this. Noticing that the Doctor wasn’t following, she poked her head out to see him - surely he couldn’t be arguing still?
(Whom was she trying to fool? Of course he’d still be arguing.)
The two of them - ‘uncle’ and ‘nephew’ as they had once been - were watching each other like before, but the mood had changed drastically, the Seeker’s initial joyful mien now cold, carefully controlled anger:
“I meant it. Go. If you stay I honestly can’t guarantee your safety.”
The glaring contest was - unexpectedly - interrupted by Dalek Caan, its voice a cackling madness. The Doctor froze, his hand on Clara’s shoulder.
“The Doctor and the Impossible Girl… As ever it was, so it shall be. Your day will come Doctor - your day will come, and soon. Twice it has come already, and once more you will see it. And the world will be the same no more. No more. No more.”
“...What did you say?” the Doctor asked, face going pale and voice barely above a breath, but River pressed her lips together and dragged him into the TARDIS. Clara followed silently and the doors closed of their own accord, as River made them take off - her glare silencing even the Master. Seeing the clouds and the newly formed shades of worry on the Doctor’s face, she took a deep breath.
“Give him some space,” she eventually said. “And don’t listen to prophecies. They’re bad for you.”
He didn’t reply for a long moment. Then he merely said: “Take us to Torchwood,” and she sighed.
This was clearly far from over.
Chapter 8.
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Oh, honey, this is beautiful...
Poor River. Ye gods.
Poor ELEVEN.
*HUGS*
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*HUGS*
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Then I meant to comment after the previous chapter of A Good Day, because I saw it the day after the RSC Henry IV part one was beamed into movie theatres and it felt so much more natural and likable an assumption of greatness than Prince Hal's sun and base contagious clouds speech.
Then you post this, and not commenting simply ceases to be an option. Commenting intelligibly might not be either, mind you. River's POV and figuring out where they are and coping with it and understanding the Seeker and the Master being actually panicked possibly for the first time in a thousand years and Roda and Jack and an unexpected but much-needed lighter moment or two (the rooster-haired doctor!) and ... and ... and ... thank you for all the fic and all the meta down the years. This feels like the best thing ever. Going back to re-read (again).
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I meant to comment after The Smartest Boy in the World chapter when Alex put down the hecklers in the Senate House in Latin.
I don't think anyone ever commented on that! Thank you, I had far too much fun with that. ETA: Oh my god. Just had a quick look at your LJ, and you quoted Gaudy Night! My latin knowledge (& put down) comes from that book!
Then I meant to comment after the previous chapter of A Good Day, because I saw it the day after the RSC Henry IV part one was beamed into movie theatres and it felt so much more natural and likable an assumption of greatness than Prince Hal's sun and base contagious clouds speech.
Well, there's praise that I don't know what to do with... But I shall humbly thank you all the same. *makes note to watch Henry IV*
Then you post this, and not commenting simply ceases to be an option. Commenting intelligibly might not be either, mind you.
Ditto intelligent replies. ::flails:: (Why this chapter? /rhetorical question. I was so unsure when I posted it... But then I can usually not see the forest for the trees. *g*)
River's POV and figuring out where they are and coping with it and understanding the Seeker
I love writing River any day, but her perspective was important here. She is good at being objective, and - of all of them - would be the one to appreciate the Seeker not having lost all his marbles... Of course placing the story where I did, the Doctor is completely unable to deal with her, but thankfully she is smart enough to figure out why.
and the Master being actually panicked possibly for the first time in a thousand years and Roda and Jack
Oh, all the history bound up in that... I had Roda's creator help me with that part.
and an unexpected but much-needed lighter moment or two (the rooster-haired doctor!) and ... and ... and ...
It sorely needed humour, goodness. And River is good at - deliberately - looking at the lighter side of things, when need be. (Plus inserting little!Alex was irresistible...)
hank you for all the fic and all the meta down the years. This feels like the best thing ever. Going back to re-read (again).
Thank YOU for this comment. I'm not even sure I'm really awake - when I come home from work I shall have to re-read it twenty more times just to make sure I'm not dreaming...
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I may have helped, but I jokingly made the suggestion and you found the way to execute it - no pun intended - properly.
Also listen to enevarim. You deserve all the praise and more.
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And now I am well late for work, but just: the bit with the First Doctor inadvertently marrying Cameca in the Aztecs, the bit where the Second Doctor is talking to Victoria (?) about how he lets the memories of his family sleep in his mind, the bit from the NAs where they are back in France at the time of the Cathars and Bernice is falling for Guy and the Seventh Doctor tells her, while fingering an Aztec brooch, that visiting the past is the hardest thing to do. (Or Sarah Jane in School Reunion, or Eleven in A Christmas Carol.) It's all buried in there, arguably, but you clean and polish it and present it for our inspection upon a silver salver. And that is wonderful.
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1/3
I agree with other readers, River POV is fantastic. She's so much less opinionated than the rest of them, and she ~understands.
Of all of them, Jack was the only one forewarned, and possibly forearmed.
Oh, poor Jack. Torn between loving the Seeker and wanting to protect him, and not wanting to 'betray' him by breaking his promises.
was waving its tentacles around, making odd little noises that were indecipherable to River’s ears.
WHY IS HE SO CUTE.
He was usually so animated - hands a-flutter, body moving; the current stillness spoke volumes for those who could read him.
Show, don't tell, emotions. You've done this very well.
a perfectly logical thing to do, and killing Daleks was only ever going to be a pleasure
Makes me wonder - how do you think River feels about the War? Also, this is good. Reminds us that River /is a weapon. It's easy to remember sometimes, when we see her playing nice, but it's like... only for the Doctor. Bit of military respect, in with the romance?
The purple coat made him look not unlike Willy Wonka
*giggle*
He looked at her as if all he wanted was to hold her close
*lip wibbles*
(‘I died’, she realised, with sudden understanding. ‘I died, and everything is too late.’)
I assume she IS alive at this point, right? This isn't a projection of River, kissing the air kind of thing?
“I’m a Time Lord. I was born to rule.”
Roda: DID I STUTTER?!
“Half. You’re half.”
Oof. Now, Doctor, that was cruel.
A pause as he studied the Doctor, the Master silently fuming in the background. (But the Master did as he was told… They both, the Doctor and the Master, seemed to take it as immediate gospel that the Seeker had thrown his lot in with his father. But was that really the case?)
The Master must really know something is up if he listens to the Seeker. He and the Doctor, always fighting over him. I meant it when I said this felt like a game-changer.
Although I suppose I should be pleased you give as good as you get, I can feel less guilty now.
And the gloves are off.
And even though I left a long time ago I still have a home. I have a people. I have family, their descendants live on Earth below us.
Oh no. Now I see what you mean when you said the argument between Eleven and Roda was really going to strike a nerve, especially when I mentioned the Seeker.
('Deep breath. Deep breath, you can do this. Whatever happens, don't let him see how much this hurts you. The girl knows you, you will meet...')
*wibbles* And Clara doesn't really know River, doesn't know the full extent of the intricateness of their relationship.
The Child of Two Worlds. But neither truly his…
Just like River. Gosh, I hadn't thought to include her in Roda's "list of people who Gallifrey won't like".
the rooster-haired Doctor in a mildly frustrated state
So you mean... most episodes featuring Ten?
but he’d looked cute and helpless
River is not immune to puppy dog eyes, either?
his gloomy little face following the aerial acrobatics of his small pteranodon, name of Princess Leia.
I remember Leia :D
“I’m tired of lying. Tired of never being allowed to be myself. Tired of pretending to be normal and human. I just- I just want to be me.”
Oh, if Alex had met Melody...
“I’m going to tell you who I am.” A small smile. “I like to be me too.”
I love that the Seeker knew first. That's just... *hands* a brilliant way to have someone trust you, show that you trust them.
Roda/Seeker.and a damn good fighter - shame he’d probably not come adventuring with her
This is what AUs are for... *cough*
But the Doctor only saw the dark shadow of the wing span and balked...
Imagery <3
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This really needed a more-or-less objective POV, and River was perfect. Plus, she's slightly removed anyway because of the timey-wimey.
Oh, poor Jack. Torn between loving the Seeker and wanting to protect him, and not wanting to 'betray' him by breaking his promises.
And the Seeker sees this very clearly, and tries to stop the Doctor before it's even an issue... (Shades of his 18th - 'Leave Jack out of it, focus on me!')
WHY IS HE SO CUTE.
I don't know! He just is.
Show, don't tell, emotions. You've done this very well.
Thank you. :)
Makes me wonder - how do you think River feels about the War?
Time War, or this war?
Also, this is good. Reminds us that River /is a weapon. It's easy to remember sometimes, when we see her playing nice, but it's like... only for the Doctor. Bit of military respect, in with the romance?
Yes, she likes the Seeker's thoroughness. (Not that she doesn't revel in the Doctor's on-the-spot plans, she's good at that, but a clear enemy, that you can just get on with and kill - she ain't gonna pass that up.)
*giggle*
The Master called him 'Willy Wonka' when he first saw him...
*lip wibbles*
Oh I kept the angst to the absolute minimum.
I assume she IS alive at this point, right? This isn't a projection of River, kissing the air kind of thing?
Very much alive. She'd have had problems with the handcuffs otherwise. *g*
Roda: DID I STUTTER?!
Heh. (Although he's conflating 'being a Time Lord' and 'being his father's son', here. Like the Master does.)
Oof. Now, Doctor, that was cruel.
His priorities have shifted - he's no longer concerned about the Seeker, but the universe.
The Master must really know something is up if he listens to the Seeker. He and the Doctor, always fighting over him. I meant it when I said this felt like a game-changer.
Yes, after this things can definitely not go back to how they were. And they all know it.
And the gloves are off.
Ooooh yes.
Oh no. Now I see what you mean when you said the argument between Eleven and Roda was really going to strike a nerve, especially when I mentioned the Seeker.
I was, specifically, thinking of the Doctor saying the Seeker was 'half' - if he can throw that accusation, how much more will the Time Lords? But re. the Seeker's statement, you can also see how he might not welcome Gallifrey with open arms - it's *his* universe, and he's not good at sharing.
*wibbles* And Clara doesn't really know River, doesn't know the full extent of the intricateness of their relationship.
Yes, it's all several shades of difficult.
Just like River. Gosh, I hadn't thought to include her in Roda's "list of people who Gallifrey won't like".
Technically she's dead by the time DotD happens, but you're right - a human Time Lord. Whatever will they make of that?
So you mean... most episodes featuring Ten?
*snerk* (Yes, but River doesn't know that's his default mode.)
River is not immune to puppy dog eyes, either?
'Pretty Boy'?
I remember Leia :D
And he's not allowed to show her to anyone...
Oh, if Alex had met Melody...
I... had not considered that. Oh goodness me. It would most definitely have led to badness. Of all kinds.
I love that the Seeker knew first. That's just... *hands* a brilliant way to have someone trust you, show that you trust them.
They have an awful lot in common, and a childhood filled with lies is one of the main things. She trusts him, because she's been there - she knows what it's like, knows that she could keep secrets, so he can too.
This is what AUs are for... *cough*
Don't.
Imagery <3
I felt like there was hardly any in this chapter, but that one I was very pleased with! :)
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Well you're no fun at all :P
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2/3
The Doctor might listen to her, but it would drive a wedge between them, too.
“You think he isn’t?” this was Roda, almost exploding. “By the Skaro degradations, Seeker, just take one look at him!”
Very powerful line, especially a person with PTSD about daleks swearing on Skaro.
He turned to look at his father, who feigned innocence with such irony that River almost felt like laughing.
XD Oh, Master. I can just see the ruffled feathers. Especially because it's Roda who's accusing him.
“I think... you’re all projecting. You don’t have a clue what’s in my head, but you’re all presuming the worst.”
Some praying against it, others like Roda and Jack trying to find an alternative, or assuming the worst of others.
Because he is exhausted, her mind filled in. Hearts-broken too, but it was more than that. So old. So weary.
River knows him, but she can't let herself know this Doctor too much...
“Also - my actual words were, that if I started creating Legions of Terror, you were to stop me. That still holds.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed.
“And what do you call the Toclafane?”
Touché. I think. It's really hard to work out whose side exactly that I'm on, at this point. You've written the kind of story where you really want there not to be sides and for everyone to finish the big group sing, get their kumbaya yas out.
Couldn't resist.“You leave Jack out of this. He’s mine.”
The unspoken 'you never truly warmed to Jack, you have no right to judge him when he has always trusted you'.
Also Roda says "Ours, excuse you".
River wanted to slap them all. Hard. All they were doing was highlighting all their differences, and it was leading nowhere good.
There was a line in Guardians of the Galaxy:
Rocket Raccoon: Fine, but I can't promise when all of this is over I'm not going to kill every last one of you jerks.
Peter Quill: See, this is exactly why none of you have any friends!
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And she knows that she is too late in the time line...
Very powerful line, especially a person with PTSD about daleks swearing on Skaro.
Also I wanted to show that she is REALLY not taking this very well, so her violence later on doesn't seem to come out of nowhere.
XD Oh, Master. I can just see the ruffled feathers. Especially because it's Roda who's accusing him.
He can't really deny it, yet he won't admit it.
Some praying against it, others like Roda and Jack trying to find an alternative, or assuming the worst of others.
Yup, everyone is projecting, in their own different ways. (As they have ALWAYS done. He really, really hates that. Which is one reason he gets so grumpy.)
River knows him, but she can't let herself know this Doctor too much...
M-hm.
Touché. I think. It's really hard to work out whose side exactly that I'm on, at this point. You've written the kind of story where you really want there not to be sides and for everyone to finish the big group sing, get their kumbaya yas out.
I love complex stories where there's no clear right or wrong... I'm having a field day.
The unspoken 'you never truly warmed to Jack, you have no right to judge him when he has always trusted you'.
This.
Also Roda says "Ours, excuse you".
But the Seeker asked. And Jack said yes. (Chapter... 25 of Dating?)
There was a line in Guardians of the Galaxy:
Ha. Perfect. :D
3/3
I do find Davros fascinating. He was normal, at one point. Driven to extreme means to an end... it's interesting, and trust the Seeker to be the only one to think that way.
Turning, her hand halfway to her gun, River saw Roda, revolver still clutched in both hands. Her face pale, eyes determined - the feathers in her hair like flickering glints of blood.
Beautifully worded. *bites knuckles*
River knew Roda had fought in the Time War, knew first-hand how old traumas could rear their heads. Davros’ death, to her, mostly meant good riddance to bad rubbish,
Good riddance to bad rubbish, or 'that's for Arcadia'.
“Roda?” he asked, reaching out to take the gun off her - but in an instant she turned, now aiming straight for the Master.
I know we've been over this scene so many times, but having Roda respond like this when the Doctor tried to approach her is brilliant.
“Hey - careful with that thing. Toclafane - a little protection would be nice!”
But they're not his to command any more.
River calculated that she could shoot the gun out of Roda’s hand
I'm not going to lie, that would have been pretty epic.
Jack now joined in, almost by her elbow, voice cautious and sympathetic.
It would have to be Jack.
Roda, if you want to kill Dad, fine.
And the Seeker's been through this before. Neither of them want to kill each other... they'd just never admit it.
River wished she could help her somehow - but they didn’t really know each other all that well.
S'a shame they never got to talk...
“How the hell do you have handcuffs, woman?” he asked, and she laughed, the pleasure genuine.
She knows very well how to diffuse a situation.
“The Doctor and the Impossible Girl… As ever it was, so it shall be. Your day will come Doctor - your day will come, and soon. Twice it has come already, and once more you will see it. And the world will be the same no more. No more. No more.”
Gallifrey falls...
“And don’t listen to prophecies. They’re bad for you.”
*nods sagely*
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There is an audio series, I think? Called something like 'I, Davros'. Excellent from what I've heard.
Beautifully worded. *bites knuckles*
Thank you. <3
Good riddance to bad rubbish, or 'that's for Arcadia'.
Oooh I like that.
I know we've been over this scene so many times, but having Roda respond like this when the Doctor tried to approach her is brilliant.
That part was actually slightly re-written. My beta pointed out that there was no real reaction from the Doctor when Davros was shot, so I shifted some parts around & gave Jack's part to the Doctor.
But they're not his to command any more.
Indeed they are not. And you will notice that they didn't move. (Ooooh, like the Unsullied! *g*)
I'm not going to lie, that would have been pretty epic.
There was only room for so much...
It would have to be Jack.
Oh yes.
And the Seeker's been through this before. Neither of them want to kill each other... they'd just never admit it.
I'm not even sure he thinks of that? At that point in time, he's just had enough. If killing his father will make Roda happy, then fine. As long as she then goes away, along with everyone else. This is *him* snapping.
S'a shame they never got to talk...
You'd painted such a heartbreaking picture, yet I needed to show why River didn't do anything.
She knows very well how to diffuse a situation.
It is a skill she possess in abundance.
Gallifrey falls...
I absolutely couldn't help myself. Also I wanted to point out that even though I kicked the Doctor a lot, he had something good in store.
*nods sagely*
And yet, they are so delicious. Like cream buns.
Re: 3/3
Oh, I mostly just meant that I don't think he'd think she'd really do it.
yet I needed to show why River didn't do anything.
In general, really. It wouldn't have worked in-fic but they've never REALLY met. Probably just through the Seeker's chat system, to be honest.
Also I wanted to point out that even though I kicked the Doctor a lot, he had something good in store.
He's the amazing bouncing Time Lord.
Re: 3/3
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Though I'm still waiting to find out what his bloody plan is! You are a tease.
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This is the problem with posting as I write - there's about a month between chapters. Looking forward to your thoughts whenever you have the time! ETA: New Doctor Who in 2 days... Will see you back here in October?
Though I'm still waiting to find out what his bloody plan is! You are a tease.
He's going to take over the universe. I thought that was perfectly clear...
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And it's not, like, plot-y stuff that I might skim. It's a lot of nuance. Which is good! But.
Looking forward to your thoughts whenever you have the time! ETA: New Doctor Who in 2 days... Will see you back here in October?
Lol! I'm on chapter 4, but I've gotta go to work now, so yeah . . . realistically we may have to say October. I liked it, though! Or I probably do. Once you tell us what the Seeker is doing . . .
He's going to take over the universe. I thought that was perfectly clear...
Yes, well, the details rather matter, don't they?
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The confrontation between the Doctor and the Seeker was very interesting—the Doctor's low blow, and the Seeker's comment on how he was making it easier for him, trying to fight that way; the idea that people were getting it wrong, and the Seeker was not being manipulated that the Master. It was easier for them to think that, of course, easier to face, but the Seeker was very much making his own choice, he was in control—and he got his father to shut up and let him handle things… I loved how the Seeker claimed that he was born of two worlds, and the universe was his—but River knew that it wasn't that simple, that being in-between meant he had never truly belonged. That flashback scene between them was great: I giggled at the "rooster-haired Doctor" and River generally ducking away from parenting issues, and I loved her sudden and staggering empathy for the child, knowing exactly what he felt like. Love Alex's sharp mind and perceptiveness as he sensed what she was implying instead of just being puzzled, his bitter line about secrets, his asking if she was doing to tell him spoilers :) And the parallels carried on into adulthood—the need to be themselves, the craving a purpose. The way you developed her own situations, and how they led her to understand his feelings, was really nice. Yet she couldn't speak up—the others wouldn't have understood her point as she just understood his thinking, whereas they only saw the consequences…
As I mentioned, Roda was still blaming it on the Master—with her personal history on top of the rest, no wonder… Loved River being so oppressed by their surroundings and longing for a good laugh. The Seeker's line about their projecting their fears on him was rather clever insight, quite right—and he also highlighted that he used to be terrified by the prospect of such a thing, to the point of asking Jack to stop him if such an event should ever arise, but this was only a fear and now he understood what it truly was… I just loved the interaction between the Seeker and Jack to bits there—and most of all, the Seeker claiming Jack as his because he loved him best, asking the Doctor not to make him choose. Dear god, this is perfect—a bit heart-wrenching, with all the emotional turmoil regarding Jack, but the fierce possessiveness from the Seeker just made me go ♥♥♥ I love their dynamic. (And I will see more of that in your previous fics… one day :D) But River was absolutely correct in pointing out that they were highlighting their differences—and in wanting to slap them, too, I guess :D
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Yes, I needed someone... detached.
I liked her swift assessment of everyone's reactions—the fact that Clara had been expecting this (perceptive, INFJ Clara…), and the fact that Jack had known something like this might happen.
Well, Clara also had a prophecy to warn her...
And of course, there was her reading the Doctor. I loved her noticing how very still and calculating he was being, and very aware that he was doing it wrong
She understands him, but is also aware of his failings. The fact she sees him clearly is one of my favourite things about her.
also aware of how much he had been hurt, and that her own actions hadn't helped, but she had only done what had to be done. And the very personal River/Eleven thoughts, her realizing that she was already dead and lost to him, so very fast… Clara's Doctor, not hers. Having to keep inside how much all of this hurt her. ‘I died, and everything is too late.’ Oh god, my heart ♥
This was mostly as a byproduct of her appearing so late in his timeline - yet, I couldn't ignore it, so thought I could make it a feature!
The confrontation between the Doctor and the Seeker was very interesting—the Doctor's low blow, and the Seeker's comment on how he was making it easier for him, trying to fight that way
He accidentally upset him earlier, but if they're fighting dirty - well, he doesn't need to worry. (Hello pragmatism.)
the idea that people were getting it wrong, and the Seeker was not being manipulated that the Master. It was easier for them to think that, of course, easier to face, but the Seeker was very much making his own choice, he was in control—and he got his father to shut up and let him handle things…
The problem of course being that this plays on every fear the Doctor has ever had about him...
I loved how the Seeker claimed that he was born of two worlds, and the universe was his—but River knew that it wasn't that simple, that being in-between meant he had never truly belonged.
He didn't create his own planet just because he wanted more space... He wanted somewhere that was just *his*.
That flashback scene between them was great: I giggled at the "rooster-haired Doctor" and River generally ducking away from parenting issues, and I loved her sudden and staggering empathy for the child, knowing exactly what he felt like.
His childhood was in many ways a lot happier than hers, yet he had two father figures constantly fighting over him. A little snippet from Dating, just for you (he's 23 at the time):
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I love bitty!Alex. <3
And the parallels carried on into adulthood—the need to be themselves, the craving a purpose. The way you developed her own situations, and how they led her to understand his feelings, was really nice.
They are very similar, and I liked having her perspective.
Yet she couldn't speak up—the others wouldn't have understood her point as she just understood his thinking, whereas they only saw the consequences…
Oh my god, that is the perfect summary!
As I mentioned, Roda was still blaming it on the Master—with her personal history on top of the rest, no wonder…
And he's not exactly innocence.
Loved River being so oppressed by their surroundings and longing for a good laugh.
She doesn't like conflict.
The Seeker's line about their projecting their fears on him was rather clever insight, quite right—and he also highlighted that he used to be terrified by the prospect of such a thing, to the point of asking Jack to stop him if such an event should ever arise, but this was only a fear and now he understood what it truly was…
This is one of the things that I love the most - because (believe it or not) it was surprise to me too. I've had this planned out for years, but with a different ending. And then suddenly this whole new vista opened up and it was like magic!
I just loved the interaction between the Seeker and Jack to bits there—and most of all, the Seeker claiming Jack as his because he loved him best, asking the Doctor not to make him choose. Dear god, this is perfect—a bit heart-wrenching, with all the emotional turmoil regarding Jack, but the fierce possessiveness from the Seeker just made me go ♥♥♥ I love their dynamic.
I'm going to play with this in the next chapter also. Because it's complex and beautiful. :)
(And I will see more of that in your previous fics… one day :D)
Well it's not going anywhere.
But River was absolutely correct in pointing out that they were highlighting their differences—and in wanting to slap them, too, I guess :D
Heh.
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(Also: music choice = ♥)
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And yes, Elisi is... *waves hands* amazing. She knows Roda so well she may as well be her character as well as mine.
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I had help with that! :) But yes, it's all been building and it just gets too much. She showed up, expecting to die, but take her enemies with her. Combined with everything else...
Loved the Seeker's line and word of endearment, and River noticing the look they exchanged.
When they woke up that morning, they were still lovers. (Not that they woke up together, but you know what I mean.) And now... they don't know.
And River knowing what it was like to make your choices and pay the price, and recognizing that in the Seeker's attitude… ♥ But knowing the Doctor wouldn't have understood the parallel.
He might do, but not at that moment, or in those circumstances.
Roda aiming her gun at the Master was a really striking moment too, the tension and strain were so visible on her, everyone shocked and a bit at a loss.
I think Roda, more than anyone else, was shocked & unhappy when he reappeared. They have truce of sorts (for the Seeker's sake), but now? Roda is a very volatile character.
And the Seeker's outburst… ♥ There was really such tension at that point—the Seeker's dark and distanced look, the tension draining from Roda, leaving her looking lost and helpless.
Speaking of volatile, then the Seeker isn't/i> - but even he can have enough. He's not snapping in the same way, but knows when he's had more than he can deal with. These are old, old issues. (See quote above.) And poor Roda just sort of gets stuck in the middle of it all.
Everyone's departure was nicely handled, with that impression of hovering, retreating and knowing it was best, yet leaving things incomplete, everyone still rather lost—Jack gently taking Roda away, River dragging the Master off at the Seeker's request after the latter's cold rebuke to his father.
Yes, I needed them all to go in 'fitting' ways. The Master's exit (with River's help) was by far the easiest. >:) And yes, everything's still up in the air.
And of course the Doctor didn't want to go, stubborn man ♥
Of course! ♥
His reaction to Caan's words was also rather striking.
Dalek Caan is the best thing ever. Every fic should have a prophetic dalek.
Whoa… still a mess everywhere. Things at Torchwood should be quite interesting. Well done! :D
Thank you. And yes, the arguments have only been delayed...
(Also: music choice = ♥)
I love the original, but the_redjay pointed me towards this version, and I've listened to the extended version on a loop for days and days whilst writing this chapter. Mmmmmm.
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