Comments | hearts_andminds: Breakdown on the Street (Closed)

empirical_data in hearts_andminds

Breakdown on the Street (Closed)

Oct 18, 2008 18:57

The EMH was gone. The village's ability to bring people in and dismiss them was one that usually only sparked curiosity with his positronic brain. Perhaps being of some familiarity with an individual, even if they weren't personally acquainted, had inspired a completely different reaction than he had previously encountered in Haurvatat ( Read more... )

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smith_drsmith October 19 2008, 12:04:34 UTC

"Data?"

The Doctor was walking past, trying to decide when he should start training with Molly Carpenter, when he saw the android, well, crying.

empirical_data October 19 2008, 12:20:23 UTC

"Doctor?"

Data rubbed beneath his eyes as he looked up to the Time Lord, gold eyes glassy until he clenched them and wiped them dry. "Are you feeling more at ease concerning the incident with the transmitter?"

He jumped to addressing the Doctor first, since typically his own concerns were secondary unless he was asked.

smith_drsmith October 19 2008, 12:59:14 UTC

The Doctor looked at Data for a long minute. "No, but then I never will feel at ease about it." Just like all the other incidents. "What's the matter?" he asked, leaning against the shop front.

empirical_data October 19 2008, 23:49:41 UTC

"I am sorry." Not that he felt responsible, but it was an unenviable situation that the Doctor found himself in. "I am... afraid. An artificial intelligence from my universe, the emergency medical hologram, has left the village. If this place were to feel necessary to dispatch me, then I will be destroyed in the explosion of the Scimitar."

smith_drsmith October 20 2008, 07:42:13 UTC

The Doctor waved off Data's apology. "The EMH has gone? That's a shame. I didn't get a chance to know him better." He looked at Data. "I'm sorry. I can't take away that fear, nor promise it will get better. But I can try to help you through it."

empirical_data October 20 2008, 08:43:34 UTC

Swallowing down a wash of emotion, he fussed with his hair to make sure all of it laid back properly. It wasn't a necessary action. Just something automated that he wasn't even quite aware that he was doing. He dropped his hand down to wipe at his eyes, digging at them with the heel of his palm before nodding to the Doctor.

"I suppose I should be more satisfied that I am experiencing a very human fear. Survival instinct is a mark of sentience, whether as a group or an individual."

There he nearly choked on the words, a sob threatening. "I would not be so affected if the risk was a tangible or justified one."

smith_drsmith October 20 2008, 13:30:29 UTC

"There is no doubt of your sentience," the Doctor said quietly. "And fear is a natural response, especially to a danger which threatens your life. What you are feeling is perfectly normal Data, no matter the risk you are taking."

empirical_data October 21 2008, 05:11:48 UTC

"I suppose then that I should come to some sort of... acceptance. That I should use this impressing fate to motivate myself." He swallowed a little roughly.

"Unfortunately, the most hope that I have acquired here has been in the form of the act of villainy by your former nemesis. He was able to find a way out. Perhaps I can as well, eventually."

smith_drsmith October 21 2008, 15:16:03 UTC

The Doctor sighed. "He has given a few people hope that there might be a way out, but I don't know. He may have succeeded but at what cost? I have the feeling the village will not allow it again."

empirical_data October 22 2008, 00:00:59 UTC

"I find it extraordinarily difficult to resign myself to a position of limitations such as the ones this village provides. Perhaps I have acquired this mindset from my Captain... even if I am found to be incapable of leaving. I can not give up."

smith_drsmith October 22 2008, 07:13:29 UTC

"There are others trying to leave to other universes with friends, family. Perhaps if they succeed, there is something to be learned from them. After all, there is no proof that you will be leaving the village tomorrow. Look at myself with my younger version. He has been here for years."

empirical_data October 22 2008, 07:49:02 UTC

"That is actually promising." He nodded, quirking a brow. "...If you should find a way to leave, would you give me the opportunity to accompany you? I have passed as human before, and there are other time periods it might be feasible for me to interfuse."

smith_drsmith October 22 2008, 12:21:40 UTC

The Doctor looked at Data, thinking of the request Rose had made, so similar in it's nature. But Rose had her place in the other dimension... whereas Data had nothing. He nodded slowly. "If I can, I will try. I can't promise anything though, we know how the village works."

empirical_data October 23 2008, 01:42:38 UTC

"I do," he nodded. "That alone seems to help my mood significantly. Perhaps that its having someone that would be willing to help."

He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, making sure they were dry. "Sometimes my emotions still get the better of me."

smith_drsmith October 23 2008, 07:58:07 UTC

The Doctor smiled. "I've been around humanity a lot. They are my favourite race in the whole universe. They often let emotions rule them. That one phrase means a lot, Data, and you didn't even think about it. It proves you are much much more than a machine." The Doctor was beaming.

empirical_data October 23 2008, 08:21:01 UTC

"I am flattered you would consider me that close to humanity." He looked at his pale gold hands, turning them over to eye the palms and the smooth fingertips. "It has always been important to me that I am more human. My brother believed himself to be superior to them. I am glad that I am much closer to my goal... or as close as I can get without actually being consisted of biological material."

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