Open RP - Midnight snacks

[theregothedrums]

Well, things had been going acceptably. Even the fairly drastic situation with the truth-compelling chocolates and the Hogwarts intranet had been salvageable.

Therefore, he sauntered through the halls of Hogwarts at what might safely be considered an ungodly, singing a jaunty song with gusto. The kitchen was his planned destination, a snack was

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[fantastic_nine]

Time Lords rarely ever slept. On the average, they only needed a few hours evert few days to remain alert and active. As a result, the Doctor tended to get rather bored most nights.

He sat in a dimly lit corner of the kitchen, as still as a statue. Blue eyes were distant, unfocused as he did a bit of psychic rearranging. After over nine hundred years, a periodic tidying up was in order. The only indication that he was even aware of his surroundings was the steaming mug that he would sometimes raise to his lips.

[theregothedrums]

"Too much of that tea and you won't get any sleep," the Master told him a bit testily, by way of greeting.

[fantastic_nine]

He blinked slowly, his mind returning to the outside world. "It's just mint. And I don't really feel like sleeping just yet."

"Feeling better?"

[theregothedrums]

It was an innocent-seeming question, but the Master certainly didn't think it was all that subtle.

"I'm in full control over my own tongue," he said, trying not to clench his jaw. "And no one else has used my mind for a playground for days. It makes me feel almost neglected."

[fantastic_nine]

A brief smile flickered across his features. "The truth was a.. change for you. I rather liked it. And you could never be neglected, not by me."

[theregothedrums]

"Oh, but honesty can be so useful." It nettled him a bit that his comments had been met with such cheerful calm. "It can be used so precisely. As for your perceived neglect or lack thereof, I'll merely remind you that I've spent more time over the many years we've danced this little dance getting your attention than vice versa."

[fantastic_nine]

The Doctor shook his head, letting out a breath. "You never had to try and get my attention. Didn't that shard of quartz tell you anything? Didn't it show you anything?"

[theregothedrums]

"Oh, yes. It showed me how much you treasure the past. Your memories. When you were innocent and neither of us had committed genocide. That certainty in the goodness of the universe." He said it matter-of-factly, but his eyes glittered.

[fantastic_nine]

"Yes. But it wasn't just me in those memories. It was us. You were never far from my thoughts. Even when all there was was hate and anger."

He rose, setting his cup on the heavy marble counter. "That's why I kept it with me."

[theregothedrums]

"But it's been so very long since you've really known me. And it's not like I properly know you now. You might let your pets think it's only a little cosmetic alteration when you regenerate, but I know how deeply it runs. Whatever may be the deepest truth in your hearts, you have new layers, things I'd need to learn."

[fantastic_nine]

His brows rose a fraction. "I won't disagree with that. It's been far too long since we knew each other's minds the way that we used to."

There was a brief pause as he recalled the distressed, wordless presence in the depths of the Master's mind. "At least on a complete level. But why now? You could have gone with my future self. He would have done it gladly."

[theregothedrums]

"So many things about me you need to learn," the Master said with a chuckle. "Memories will only take you so far. But you have to face me to know me. How I am now, who I am. And no fair blinking."

[fantastic_nine]

"All those years you spent pushing me away, now you're standing here saying 'know me and let me know you'. All right. You'll forgive me if I'm the tiniest bit suspicious."

He rested one elbow on the counter. "How exactly do you propose to do that?"

[theregothedrums]

"No. You're not getting it. This isn't about you trying to piece together what shriveled remains exist of the child you knew. This isn't about the things you feel in spite of the blood on my hands. This is you welcoming me whole." He laughed, half closing his eyes. "In return, I won't try to dig up any information on your little pets when I touch your brain."

[fantastic_nine]

"Welcome you fully into my mind. No barriers, no telepathic guards or defenses," he said slowly. "Did you think I took complete and utter leave of my senses when I unpopped?"

"Would I welcome you in? Yes. Without defenses? Absolutely not. We've spent too many lifetimes trying to hurt or kill each other for me to not keep up some basic protections."