The Hosts

[realitymods]

Comments

Doesn't matter which one!

[bit_impossible]

[the Doctor enters the shop, a small envelope in one hand, and he isn't looking amused]

Yes, hello? A little service? [looks around for a bell he can begin hitting incessantly...]

[realitymods]

[Bad luck - he doesn't get the twins or Meredith. Instead, he's got a man built in a way that would give Rider a run for his money. He is robed in in black sable and gold, he is imperious and cold, and he is eating a chocolate-dipped candy strawberries.]

What do you want?

[It is a very odd language that could be vaguely related to the Semetic languages, if the Doctor is paying attention.]

[bit_impossible]

[for once, he is paying attention and almost considers switching to Arabic or even Hebrew--but he's not feeling so kind, so he sticks with English.]

Oh, hello big fella. I, erm, couldn't find that one post box that's supposed to be around--[a lie]--so I figured I'd hand-deliver my message to make sure it at least got to the right place. Or, well, I'm assuming it's the right place.

Might I ask your name?

[realitymods]

No. [Succinct: this guy can do it. Sometimes.] For whom is your message meant?

[bit_impossible]

Oh well, can't fault a guy for trying. [in his mind, he's calling him "Big'un"]

A man named Shay. Do you know him? [wiggles his envelope a bit, a soft crinkly noise coming from it as it moves]

[realitymods]

[That is a totally apt description.] Elonen? Yes. We have done deals together in the past.

[bit_impossible]

Ah yes, him! Have you, really? Like what?

[realitymods]

[He looks at Ten like he's stupid for asking that, then holds his hand out] You are here to deliver a letter, are you not?

[bit_impossible]

[feigns a sigh. the stupid act sometimes works.] Yes, here you are. But, just to warn you...I'll know if someone other than him opens it. [holds the envelope out tentatively]

[realitymods]

[Big'un takes the envelope from the Doctor, draws a dagger from somewhere on his person, and slits it open to read. As he does, he silently offers the Doctor one of the chocolate-covered candied fruits he has on a plate in front of him.]

[bit_impossible]

[he takes one really quickly before it's pulled away; urgently] You really don't want to open that. Really. Seriously. You won't like it if you do. Just seal it up with a bit of tape.

[because inside is a dye pack that somehow evaded the dagger, and once it's opened, it will explode, spraying Big'un with bright blue dye.]

[realitymods]

[Big'un looks at the Doctor for a moment.] If you are attempting to assassinate Elonen, it will come to nothing. [What? It's a perfectly logical assumption to him.] He will recover from any injury done to him.

[bit_impossible]

Assassinate?! I'd never kill someone--let alone someone I've never met!

[realitymods]

What would I know of your moral code? You are a stranger to me and could well be another's messenger.

[bit_impossible]

The handwriting is mine. [taps the back of the envelope very carefully] I'll prove it if you want me to.

[realitymods]

I only care for proof that this is a message and not a trick.