[Audio]

[championoftime]

[Public]

My inmate seems to be missing.

[This is surprisingly light and curt. He's doing that thing that he does when he's unsure of where people have gone, or he feels left behind.]

He's still on my item, so I'm sure he'll be returning.

[He hopes he'll be returning....I never really thought about how sometimes I find myself measuring my age

Comments

[very very late] [private audio]

[young_idealist]

Doctor, they do come back. Like we do when we're called away.

[Private | Audio]

[championoftime]

Yes.

But I'm left now with the lingering feeling I'm starting to do more harm than good.

[Private | Audio]

[young_idealist]

Don't we all feel that from time to time?

[Private | Audio]

[championoftime]

Yes, but here... Not being appropriate for someone is the difference between death and salvation. Between a warlord, and leader.

[Private | Audio]

[young_idealist]

I don't know what to say. I feel the same quite often, especially with Dracula lately. Has he been unhappy with you?

[Private | Audio]

[championoftime]

No, he seems pleased enough. But I don't want my unhappiness to exacerbate his. I've been doing my best to keep him separated from it.

[Private | Audio]

[young_idealist]

I have been off the ship part of the last month, but I have noticed how quiet you were. Do you have anyone you feel able to talk to for your own peace of mind?

[Private | Audio]

[championoftime]

A few. Though I've found I've grown increasingly intolerant of other things. [Rassilon] Perhaps when tolerance might be the thing they need, but I simply can no longer provide. Not when I know what I know now.

[Private | Audio]

[young_idealist]

I don't know what to suggest. You shouldn't be expected to carry your worries alone, not in a crowded place like this, but you need someone you can tolerate to talk with.

I wish I could understand most of what you might say. If I could, I'd offer.

[Private | Audio]

[championoftime]

It's not really all that complicated, or steeped in science. Though we as a race tend to bumble about our own feelings. I'm much better navigating those of others.

[Private | Audio]

[young_idealist]

If you think it would help, I'd be happy to listen. You've listened to me before... I am beginning to wonder if most races with emotions tend to the same thing.

[Private | Audio]

[championoftime]

I know, Armand. You listening now is quite kind, even.

Benny used to ridicule me for it especially. She abhored my disconnect from human emotions- how all my responses seemed inappropriate.

[Private | Audio]

[young_idealist]

I like you. Why wouldn't I want to be kind when you seem so troubled?

That was wrong of her, cruel even. You aren't human. While I know perfectly well that you Time Lords seem to have the full run of emotions that humans do, your values must vary greatly, so what provokes emotion must be different. I would guess seeming sympathetic to a human you don't know very well might well be a frustrating intellectual exercise. Am I very far off the mark? I do try to learn, even if it is slow sometimes.

[Private | Audio]

[championoftime]

Both yes and no, I suppose. She was right to be upset with me. Cultural differences don't entitle me to cruelty once I've been made aware that something makes me uncomfortable.

I can understand becoming exhausted with that sense of entitlement.

[Private | Audio]

[young_idealist]

That's kind of you, but you know her and the situation, and I don't.

I simply think it behooves someone who is your friend or even acquaintance to give you the benefit of the doubt and a chance to explain.