(Untitled)

[notjustastory]

John Smith has been keeping to himself, for the most part

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[timelord_lastof]

The Doctor is leaning against a nearby wall, frowning at him a little.

He's finally figured out what his next regeneration looks like, and has been kind of curious to meet him. Unfortunately, he hadn't factored in the idea that perhaps someone who looks like his next regeneration... isn't his next regeneration.

[notjustastory]

It is a given fact that if someone stares at you long enough, you will notice the fact. (Even if you are occasionally obtuse.)

He's seen that face before, sketched it at least once.... If only he had-
He winces.

"Y'alright?"

"I doubt I will ever become accustomed to this." Carefully picking up the leather-bound journal that has just appeared on the table.

[timelord_lastof]

"Accustomed to what?" He decides, now that he's been noticed, he might as well saunter over, with a bright smile. "Not like I haven't done it a time or two."

Meet himself, that is. Though not since the Time War...

Really, he ought to be able to tell that this person is not a Time Lord, but Nine is occasionally... very obtuse. And oblivious. He doesn't notice some things unless pressed.

[notjustastory]

"Think he meant th' whole havin' th' Inn make whatever you're thinkin' 'bout show up right in front of ya," the boy offers.

Quite right, of course, though he's too busy turning through pages to comment.

I am different
I am lots of people
I am lots of different people

There. Two pages, covered with writing and ten small portraits - two on the left, eight on the right.

...I can see myself clearly in so many different faces....

[timelord_lastof]

"Ahhh," the Doctor says, sounding enlightened. "Well, I can see how that would be a bit difficult. Still, not like you haven't been here before. I'm here, after all."

Nope, still not getting it.

[notjustastory]

He finally looks up from the journal.

"Perhaps. However, it seems he didn't remember this place very well when he was gone. Therefore, neither did I."

[timelord_lastof]

Now the Doctor blinks, looking a little baffled. "I'm sorry? He?"

[notjustastory]

"The Doctor."

[timelord_lastof]

The Doctor brightens again, though his smile is a somewhat confused one. "Yes, that's me. And... you. Isn't it?"

[notjustastory]

He shakes his head.

"I'm John Smith."

[timelord_lastof]

The Doctor frowns. Yes, he's used the name John Smith before, many times. But...

"I'm sorry?"

[notjustastory]

His only response is to place a fob watch, covered in strange designs, on the table.

[timelord_lastof]

The Doctor may be rather dense on occasion, but he gets it now. "Ah," he says simply, and walks over to pick up the fob watch, turning it over in his hands. "That is fantastic! You're a construct, right here in front of me! And I'm not even in here anymore!"

He's far too pleased by this. He'll get around to the "minding other people's feelings" in a bit - it's just harder when Rose isn't around to remind him.

[notjustastory]

"...fantastic." The tone of his voice would suggest otherwise. "Quite."

[timelord_lastof]

He hands back the fob watch. "You know about me, then? That's not exactly usual for a construct, is it? Kind of defeats the purpose."

[notjustastory]

"Apparently, I wasn't as well... constructed as he'd hoped. They found him, after all."

The boy has been listening to this conversation and seems to have reached at least one conclusion. End result?

He reaches over to smack the bloke with the ears upside the head.

Hard.