[25] awfully tough lately

[coolbowtie]

[Tuesday-Thursday]

[voice]

[The Doctor's voice comes over the line, weak and hoarse, and very much lacking in his usual pep.]I hate milk

Comments

Tuesday; outside 951 Beulah

[destinyrests]

[Merlin's gotten the poisoned milk as well, so he's also feeling miserably sick. It doesn't stop him from staggering around outside, trying to see if there's anyone he can help; he has his magic back in a land where he can actually use it out in the open, he's not just going to lay around uselessly feeling sorry for himself when he could be helping people.

He spots the Doctor in the garage and rushes over as fast as he can.]

Hey! Hey, are you all right?

[coolbowtie]

[Nearly vomits on Merlin before he grabs a bucket. After he's finished, he emits an extremely grumpy "No."]

[destinyrests]

[The Doctor vomiting almost sets Merlin off too, but luckily he manages to hold it down.]

Haha, guess that was kind of a stupid question, huh? Come on, up you go, you can't stay here all day.

[He tries to hoist Eleven partially onto his back so he can support the guy and help him get into the house. As scrawny as Merlin is, he's actually pretty used to lugging around knights in full armor, so an equally scrawny alien won't be that much trouble for him even when he's sick.]

[coolbowtie]

Oi! Let go!

[The Doctor tries his best to jerk away and when he manages, he stumbles back into the wall. The last thing he wants is help from some kid he doesn't even know.]

I'm fine. Just a bit ill. Everyone's been ill before. It's a normal... and disgustingly human thing.

[destinyrests]

Hey!

[Merlin stumbles back too when the Doctor pushes him away, swaying and having to prop himself up with a hand on the other wall as a wave of dizziness crashes through him. He rolls his eyes - great, another prat with too much pride for his own good. Luckily, he's more than used to dealing with this.]

Yeah, I can see you're just a bit ill. The thing is, when we humans lie around outside like a blithering arse while we're a bit ill, we tend to reach a stage that I like to call a bit dead. And I don't know what type of creature you're supposed to be, but judging by your state, it works the same for you as it does for us. Are you going to get inside or not?

[coolbowtie]

Oh, shut up.

First of all, I liked lying down. It was nice. Felt a lot better than having to stand. Second of all, it doesn't matter either way. Died here plenty of times before, and even if I don't, I'll have to drink more tomorrow. Believe me, I'm quite aware of what's going on.

[destinyrests]

Right, well, you might have given up, but I haven't. I don't really like dying, but what I don't like even more is seeing other people die, and neither of those things are going to happen as long as I can help it. Being a bit ill isn't even the worst thing that can happen to you, so I can't see why you're being such a whiny prat about it when you can use that energy to lie down on a bed instead of on a floor outside.

[He breaks into a coughing fit, but waves it away after a few moments.] You're going to be miserable either way, but I can bet that sleeping on the cold floor outdoors is going to make you feel a lot worse than in a cozy bed indoors, especially without the smell of vomit everywhere. Easier to get to the loo, too.

[coolbowtie]

[Goddamit Merlin, why can't you understand that he just wants to be alone in his pathetic sick shame. So he scowls and tries to scoot himself into a corner, looking much more like a sick child than a 900 year old Time Lord.]

Given up? No, I haven't given up. You'll know when I've given up. But I am plenty fine just living here in my nice garage with my nice sick bucket on the nice cold floor and being nicely alone. Not to mention, I don't even know who you are. I don't even care.

You're not well yourself, go home.

[destinyrests]

[because Merlin is resolutely friends with everyone until they try to kill him]

Does it matter whether we know each other or not? Everyone in this town's been put into the same situation, the least we can do is try to stick together and help each other out. Things aren't quite as terrible as they seem if you're not alone.

And trust me, this isn't the worst poison I've ever had. I'd feel worse if I was stuck at home doing nothing.

[coolbowtie]

Right then.

Go somewhere else and do something. Go find someone who actually needs your help. I'm sure there's someone who needs a pep talk.

[destinyrests]

...you really are an incredible arse, aren't you? I don't think even Arthur's this bad. All right, have fun lollygagging around in your own misery, I'm sure it'll be lots of fun since it's probably the only thing that can stand being around you.

[He turns to go, then sighs and gestures towards the Doctor's sick bucket.] Leccan gecuman gedrye waeter.

[Merlin's eyes go gold and after a few seconds, the vomit inside the bucket turns into clear water.] There. At least you can clean yourself up a bit and wash out your mouth, if you're really that dead set against going inside.

[coolbowtie]

[The Doctor blinks and looks at his sick bucket. Only to find that it's water now.]

How did you do that...?

[Instead of cleaning himself up he's going to dip his hand in the water and watch it flow through his fingers.]