[32] time after time

[coolbowtie]

[Voice.]

[The Doctor comes on the line and it's almost hard to recognize that it's him. The usual cheery arrogance is completely gone, replaced by a maniac fear. He seems to be unsure of where he is or whom he is speaking to.]Hello! Is anyone there?! Don't just stand around, answer the bloody phone

Comments

[Phone]

[puzzlerprince]

[Even though he hasn't known the guy for very long, this is the first time Edward's heard the Doctor as anything but completely composed.]

What are you going on about, Doctor? Slow down.

[puzzlerprince]

Eleven. [A pause, then to try and lighten the mood:] You know, I have a friend back home who claims to have nine lives. [A pause.] Figuratively, of course. [Yet it doesn't stop him from wondering.

Honestly, though, an admission like the Doctor's is surprising but not completely unheard of. Considering the sorts of resurrections that would happen back home (thanks to wacky comic-book life), it's not the most outlandish thing he's ever heard. The Man of Steel was brought back to life. As was Wonder Woman.

...and of course, Batman was thought to be dead as well. A heavy sigh.]

The future is a riddle, Doctor. As is the past. As is life itself. They're meant to be riddles. But unfortunately, no matter how many lives you've been able to lead, the final answer will always be death. It's inescapable. But that shouldn't dictate the way we live. Not when there are more questions for us to answer.

[coolbowtie]

Not for me. Time isn't the boss of me. I've escaped death more times than I can count, and I've seen the future, all of it. Time works for me, I make time work, I fix all of it's little problems. I don't submit to it.

[Sharp inhale.]

I won't die.

[puzzlerprince]

...

You won't. Not now, at least.

[coolbowtie]

Not until I return to my world.

This place, it's a lovely detour, really.