Log: The Master and Donna Noble (the Verse Without a Name)

[isitthesmile]

OOC: Log with starletfallen. First of... many, I'm not sure right now. Post season four. Warning for violence, character death (they get better) and a bit of a mindfuck. And length -- 5317 words (with character tags), 15 pages in Microsoft Office.

Donna> *is sitting in the park, all upset because she's been fired from yet ANOTHER job*

Master> *just happens to be in that park! And very annoyed, which is the usual state of affairs lately, because being stuck on Earth is annoying.* *And happens to be passing by and -- stops. Because something about Donna is Wrong. Not quite in the way Jack is WRONG, but it causes a similar niggling sensation. Just this one drawing the eye instead of repelling it.*

Donna> *is muttering to herself about how her mum's going to be all gentle and kind about it and how she hates that worse than the nagging and it's not HER fault the supervisor was a misogynistic boor* *and also texting*

Master> *just keeps staring for a moment, and then approaches her, demandingly* Who are you?

Donna> *blinks and looks up* *aggressively, almost argumentative* Donna Noble, who are YOU?

Master> Oh, don't play games with me. I want a real answer. *scowl*

Donna> What the bloody hell are you on about? Look, you bugger off, or I'll have you in for harassment!

Master> You are testing my patience. WHAT are you, then, if you're going to be particular about the question?

Donna> *looks at him like he's insane* You're a lunatic. Get help.

Master> *stalks closer until he's leaning over her, far too close for a complete stranger* I warned you. *presses his fingertips to her temple and presses his way into her mind*

Donna> *gasps, because... the HELL???* *a little uncertain and slightly shaky* Oi. Back off, mate.

Master> *growling, not breaking the connection* What are you hiding?

Donna> Look, I had an accident, couple years back, had a lot of memory loss. If I did something to you, I'm sorry, but just BACK THE BLOODY HELL OFF. *shoves*

Master> *unfortunately, at the awkward angle, it's either let go to grab her hands or let the shove stumble him backwards, so he ends up with the connection broken either way -- it's difficult to maintain a connection against resistance without touching* Memory loss? No, it's not lost. Just locked. Amateur job. Probably did it on yourself. *this is driving him CRAZY and even the normal insanity in his eyes is less sane than normal*

Donna> *confused and a little frightened, but... well, actually, it's showing more than it would've, because she doesn't remember being brilliant* Look, sunshine, I don't know what you're on about, but it's NOT ME. So just... go bother someone else, right?

Master> But there is no one else. I've never felt this before, this is something new. *with sudden realization* The Doctor. Of course. New and annoying is his specialty, after all.

Donna> Yeah, go bother your doctor about it. *grabs her bag and is completely intending to get away from him*

Master> *grabs her arm, tightly* Oh, but you aren't lying about that, are you? You don't recognize the name?

Donna> *tries to jerk her arm back* What are you TALKING about? That's not a NAME, why would I recognize it?

Master> *won't allow her to pull away quite yet* Of course. Must be locked up with whatever else you wanted to forget. Perhaps I should help you remember? *suddenly gleeful at the prospect. Even a little too gleeful. Poking in somebody's mind is fun!*

Donna> What are you TALKING about? I didn't WANT to forget anything, I TOLD you, I had an ACCIDENT! Let GO!

Master> This will be much easier if you don't struggle, you know. *pressing himself into her mind again, with a little more difficulty, as this time it's not nearly as non-invasive as before. Normally it would be slightly more fine-tuned, like a lockpick, but he's annoyed and hasn't had a toy to play with in ages, so it's more like... attacking the lock with a dull axe and a hammer*

Donna> *cries out, because... well, that's not exactly a NICE feeling* Stop! Stop it!

Master> Stop resisting! *hack, hack, hack -- it may have been a quick fix and the Doctor may not be as good at this at him, but he did put up a pretty strong barrier. Besides, she's struggling. It makes it difficult.*

Donna> No, STOP! *and SHOVES with her mind without knowing she's doing it, rather strongly. Aaaaah, latent psychic abilities thanks to a metacrisis...*

Master> *maybe not enough to push him all the way out -- he's still hanging on by the mental tips of his fingertips to the outermost layers -- but it's enough.* *and if anything, it just makes him grin wider* Oh, very nice! Bravo! *and is just going to push harder, now that there's something to push against*

Donna> *falters a bit, and then sort of... well, it's the psychic equivalent of burning gold, basically. And just SHOVES, with all her might*

Master> *and between the strength itself and the desperation behind it, is pushed out far enough that he's physically stumbling as he leaves her mind* *the grips on her arm tightens* Now that was unexpected. *and more with the sudden mood swings, very quiet and -- well, scary* If you're that strong with the locks in place, perhaps I should simply eliminate you now.

Donna> *is shaking quite a bit, and is scared as shit, because she doesn't know what just happened, and things are slipping through. Little things, nothing important, but... things. And there's that gold burn just on the edges* I... I don't... I didn't mean to... please, just leave me ALONE.

Master> And why, exactly, would I do that, hmm? You're far too interesting. And could potentially be far too dangerous. Who knows what's locked up in there? *sudden, frightening smile* What sort of person would I be if I left you unwatched to wreak havoc, after all?

Donna> I'm not gonna cause trouble, I'm just a TEMP!

Master> No, Donna Noble, you're much more than that, I believe. And I'm not leaving until I find out how much more.

Donna> Look, my mum's expecting me home, she'll call the police if I'm not home tonight. *for once, glad for her mother being insane*

Master> *rolls his eyes* You have a phone, don't you? Isn't that what those things are good for?

Donna> Yeah, well I'm not gonna CALL her to tell her I'm alright if you're HARASSING me, now am I?

Master> *tone of total innocence* Well, I could always go there and take care of the problem myself.... But then I'll have to track you down again. More trouble than it's worth.

Donna> ......What do you mean take care of the problem?

Master> *smiiile* I'm sure you know.

Donna> You LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE. *RAWR*

Master> Well, you're not leaving me many choices, are you?

Donna> What did I ever do to you?

Master> Absolutely nothing. It's what was done to you that I care about.

Donna> I had a car crash. Got banged up something fierce. Lot of short term memory problems. They're getting better, but-- *deep breaths* Look, if I come with you, you'll leave my family alone? *oh, look - THERE'S a hint of the Doctor's Donna. Brave and more than a little selfless when she has to be*

Master> *glee!* Absolutely. They'll have nothing to fear from me. *unless he changes his mind or needs to keep her in line, but that's the best you'll get from the Master, really*

Donna> *chin up, Donna. Keep Gramps safe. And Mum, if she must. Kidding, she wants to keep mum safe.* Fine.

Master> *this is a happy Master! You may also recognize it as "totally insane Master".* *letting go of her arm, trusting she won't run with her family on the line* Then we should move to somewhere more private, don't you agree? Can't have everybody listening in.

Donna> I'll have you know that this is so many levels of illegal. You're gonna get nicked and locked away GOOD and long, and I'll be GLAD. *but following*

Master> *snorts derisively* As though they had a cell on this planet that could hold me more than an hour. And even that's only if I cooperate.

Donna> *condescendingly* OH, so you're an ALIEN, are you? Well, then, Martian Boy, I hope they've got some sort of GALACTIC police on your tail right now.

Master> Gallifreyan, actually. Though I think you should call me Master. It's only polite to call friends by their name, isn't it?

Donna> That's not a name and you're NOT my friend, sunshine.

Master> It's my name and you will address me by it. Or have you forgotten who makes the rules here already?

Donna> *scowls* It's not a name.

Master> It's a very accurate name. Especially in this case.

Donna> *grrrrrrrr* Yeah, fine, whatever you say, sunshine.

Master> Master. It's not that difficult to say. Or do you need some persuasion?

Donna> I just don't do NAMES, how about that?

Master> *scowl* Oh, you are lucky you're interesting. You'll learn to stop resisting soon, my dear Donna.

Donna> *SCOWL*

Master> *is content enough with his stance as the victor not to continue taunting her at the moment, simply smirks and continues to lead the way towards the flat he's probably not actually paying for, but has been staying in, because even Time Lords prefer a roof over their heads and a bed when they actually sleep*

Donna> What do you want with me, anyway?

Master> Simply to know what's hidden behind that lock in your head. *although depending on what he finds.... Yeah, it's not going to be that simple*

Donna> I keep tellin' you, there's no LOCK. It was just a bang on the head.

Master> *shrug* Keep your delusion for now. We'll fix it soon enough.

Donna> *grumbles under her breath about lunatics in parks who won't take no for an answer, and he will NOT have his way with her in THAT way if he's expecting that, and on and on*

Master> *rolls his eyes and lets her babble. He's used to ignoring things he's hearing, or the drums would have killed him long ago.*

Donna> So where are we GOING, anyway?

Master> My lair. Flat, actually, but lair sounds so much better, don't you think? *smile*

Donna> *glower* Makes you sound bloody ridiculous, that's what I think.

Master> *scoffs* Well, it's not my fault if you have no appreciation for dramatic convention.

Donna> *snort* You gonna grow a great black moustache now? To go with the "lair"?

Master> *rolls his eyes* Not in this body.

Donna> ...What's that supposed to mean?

Master> Oh, you'll find out soon enough, I'm sure.

Donna> *returns to glowering*

Master> *that's alright, because we're here! It's actually a rather normal little flat. Even Time Lords have to sleep somewhere, y'know. On the occasion they actually sleep.*

Donna> *Stands just inside the doorway and continues glowering.*

Master> Oh, come in, sit down. Rassilion, at least I'm pretending to enjoy your company.

Donna> Right, 'cause I'm BLACKMAILED into coming to some LUNATIC MAN's flat. I should pretend to enjoy your company.

Master> I am many things, but I am not a lunatic. Anyway, I can't do anything until I make some preparations, so you might as well make yourself comfortable.

Donna> *glowers for a moment, then stalks over to a chair and pretty much THROWS herself in it. She is... occasionally a teenager in a woman's body* Fine. Happy?

Master> *dryly* Absolutely ecstatic. Don't you have a phone call to make?

Donna> *makes a face and pulls her phone out. And skips, as always, past the first number on the phone: TARDIS. It's almost like she doesn't see it* *waits for someone to answer, still glowering* Granddad? It's Donna. Yeah, listen, I'm goin' out with some of the girls tonight. Probably won't be back until late. Or tomorrow. Yeah. Just let mum know, alright? Thanks, Granddad. Yeah, love you, too. *hangs up* I hate you so much.

Master> You seem to think that should bother me. *beams* I can trust you to be a good girl while I get things set up, can't I? *because if she isn't, She Knows What Will Happen is not said, but very evident*

Donna> *says nothing. Just crosses her arms and glares*

Master> That's what I thought. *goes to Prepare, then, which will only take about an hour, maybe less, but*

Donna> *counting the stripes on the chair or something at this point*

Master> *gleefully returns!* *and raises an eyebrow* Have you even eaten?

Donna> *sarcastically* Was I supposed to? I had no idea. Of course, I'll get on that RIGHT away.

Master> Well, you could go without it, but this will take a while and it will be much easier if you've eaten.

Donna> *just crosses her arms again and stares.*

Master> If you're going to be stubborn about it, though, I'm happy to leave you to your hunger pains.

Donna> *glare*

Master> Come along, then. *gestures towards the doorway he just came out of* Or are you enjoying your sulk so much you want to stay here?

Donna> *gets up and follows* I still think you're bloody mad.

Master> You aren't the first and you probably won't be the last. *room: is basically white walls and two chairs.* Sit down.

Donna> *a bit unnerved by this, but doesn't say anything, and sits*

Master> *sits across from her* *cheerfully* This may hurt a little.... Oh, who am I kidding? This will hurt quite a bit! *he could probably make it hurt less, but he doesn't like her enough to. And it would take longer.*

Donna> *muttered* Oh, yeah, I wouldn't mind if I'd AGREED to this...

Master> *sing-song* No talking. *touching his fingers to her temples* Just relax. It will be much easier.

Donna> *tries, because... well, she doesn't want it to hurt. But doesn't quite manage*

Master> *eases himself into her mind and, without much thought for her level of comfort, barrels straight down to that locked door*

Donna> *bites her tongue, HARD, because... it doesn't hurt TOO much, but it's extremely uncomfortable. And she really wants to shove him out, but what the hell is she supposed to do if he goes after her family?*

Master> *well, there won't be much to do, except... mourn.* *and basically ATTACKS the door. With the mental equivalent of a handsaw and a hammer. Y'ever think about how a lock feels when it's being broken off, Donna?*

Donna> *cries out and doubles over, and it HURTS so much so VERY VERY VERY MUCH, and out loud she's whimpering and sobbing and mentally she's screaming, and part of her mind is FIGHTING, because it knows that THE DOOR IS MEANT TO STAY SHUT*

aster> *and he fights back, hard, with absolutely no care for how much it's going to hurt -- just brute force because in this case, finesse... won't really help.*

Donna> *sobbing* Stop please just stop I'm sorry stop stop stop...

Master> *snarling inside her head* No talking. *not letting up, even for a second -- desperation counts for a lot in these things, as does the fact that the part of the Doctor in her that's locked away is fighting to keep the walls up*

Donna> *gasping and... there's gold, starting to shine through the edges, the cracks. It shines and it BURNS, it burns hot and alien and powerful. And that... that overcomes her pain and her tears and she's just... in AWE. Because what IS that?*

Master> *gleefully continues to push and shove until it starts to give way properly, getting a vague shape of what's there -- it doesn't feel like so long in here, although it has been, in the outside world*

Donna> *and the Doctorness swells up, trying to force him out on its own, almost separate from Donna, all rage and fire and the Oncoming Storm, because you don't mess with the Doctor's girls*

Master> *clawing his way in around the Doctor's consciousness, projecting -- not even words, just emotion, scorn and triumph and it's taking a lot to continue to push, but he hangs on, using the Doctor's shoving back to his advantage*

Donna> *it holds, tenuously, for just a moment longer, and then... it all rushes back. Everything, from Christmas, to the Adipose, to Agatha Christie, to the metacrisis, to losing everything. And Donna's eyes FLY open at all that* Oh my god...

Master> *almost forced out by the rush of everything returning, but isn't trying to hold on any longer, so lets himself get pushed out* *looking rather satisfied with himself* A half-breed. That's what he was hiding behind his locks. You're a half-breed! *delighted laugh*

Donna> *is shaking, and her mind is racingracingburning, and... this is BAD* *shaky* He hid it because it was burning me up. It's gonna KILL me!

Master> *dismissively* Well, of course it is.

Donna> *gripping the edges of her chair, trying so hard to fight it down, hold it back. Maybe if she concentrates, she can... keep it in check, at least, until she can... get to Torchwood, they have a cryostasis chamber, they can freeze her until the Doctor can fix it* *through gritted teeth* Please. Help me.

Master> *Raises an eyebrow* And what do you expect me to do? Your saintly Doctor couldn't cure you, why should I. No, the mystery is solved and I have no reason to do anything for you.

Donna> *keeps fighting, but... it's too much, and collapses, sliding off her chair and crumpling to the floor* *and then starts that hint of gold glowing that signifies an impending regeneration. If, y'know, the Master would like to influence that a bit. So he could have a pet*

Master> *--oooh, now THAT's interesting! not one to waste an opportunity, kneels down in front of her and touches his fingers to her temples. Not a lot of mucking about, because he wasn't prepared enough to do major brain surgery, and he can always make her regenerate again if he wants to do more! (So sayeth the Master's mind.) Dragging a little bit of the Doctor in her forward (because he'd never admit it, but he likes the Doctor). Maybe pushing some memories back*
Master> *But mostly? Well, Donna might hear a bit of an unfamiliar rhythm as the regeneration fades... almost like a drumbeat, you might say....*

Donna> *and we regenerate! Into Lucy Silvas. Still... very Donnaish-looking. But younger. A bit thinner and shorter. Blonde.* *and groans. 'Cause two hearts. Drums. The whole pain before-regeneration thing. Y'know, the works*

Master> *sits back and looks rather pleased with the whole thing. Which he is.* It shouldn't take long to adjust. I always find I get a headache after a body's first regeneration, but it never lasts. Then again, who know? You're a new breed, after all.

Donna> *deep breaths, eyes squeezed tightly closed* What... god, my head.

Master> I suppose I ought to offer you something to help with that. Of course, they don't have anything that can help a Time Lord on this planet. *shrugs* Oh well.

Donna> *short laugh* 'Course. Completely useless. *grimaces, pushes her hair back, and starts to get up* ...I'm blonde.

Master> *standing* Yes, I noticed. Not a bad look, actually.

Donna> Never wanted to be blonde. Mum tried to convince me to bleach it when I was in school. Never wanted to. *pause* God, my head is POUNDING. I can't THINK.

Master> Well, that isn't much of a loss. *leans back against a nearby table, tapping absently on the surface of it*

Donna> *looks up sharply, staring at his fingers* *growls* Stop that.

Master> *raising his eyebrows and very deliberately continuing* Why?

Donna> *curls her lip* Because it BOTHERS me.

Master> And that matters because...? *taptaptaptap*

Donna> *moves like she might lash out, then... clamps down on that. HARD. It's very Doctor-ish, altogether* What did you do.

Master> *smiles, slowly, enjoying the show* Nothing that you won't get used to.

Donna> *and... well, she has all of the Doctor's memories. All of the Doctor's memories from the year that never was, and after* You're supposed to be dead.

Master> *shrugs* I was. Minor setback, all better now.

Donna> How?

Master> Ah-ah-ah, that would be telling. *grins. It makes him look even crazier than it used to* I had a back-up plan, of course. Don't tell me he didn't realize that.

Donna> *clenches her jaw and doesn't say anything. Because he HADN'T. He's... too naive sometimes. And she knows it.*

Master> *laughs* He didn't! *pure glee*

Donna> What did you /do/ to me?

Master> I gave you a gift. Be grateful.

Donna> *glowers* Grateful. Grateful that you /did/ something to me. Right.

Master> It's not that bad. You'll get used to it. Even come to embrace it, perhaps. I did.

Donna> I'm. Not. You.

Master> No. So perhaps they'll devour you instead. *shrugs* Who's to say? Should be interesting to watch, either way!

Donna> Well, you won't get to. *pushes herself to her feet, despite the fact that her chest feels like it's going to explode (two hearts, and all), and her head's pounding, and she feels like she's gonna fall over.*

Master> *sudden total personality change to serious!Master!* *quiet and dangerous* You won't be going anywhere.

Donna> *looks at him, her eyes flashing almost equally dangerous* You're going to stop me?

Master> Oh, no. You can walk out that door right now and I won't stand in your way. I will, however, track down and destroy everything that you -- both of you -- love on this planet. Everyone.

Donna> *Gets in his face, VERY Ten-ish* Don't you TOUCH them!

Master> And how are you going to stop me? Going to kill me? I doubt you could manage it. Hide them? I'll find them, and you know I will, no matter where you go.

Donna> *grits her teeth* They have NOTHING to do with this. Leave them ALONE.

Master> *smiles* Such a brave girl. All show, though, isn't it? You know everything I do. You couldn't go back to them. Strange woman shows up claiming some madman is after them? They'd never listen to you.
Master> *leaning in towards her, dropping his voice as though he's telling her a secret* And even if they did.... Even if, somehow, you managed to hide them from me.... You'd destroy them yourself before long. Blood to keep the drums quiet for a day, an hour. You won't hold out long. All we'd be doing is racing to see who got to them first.

Donna> *clenches her jaw, and don't mind how her hearts feel like they're being crushed. Because... the first part's true. And the pounding that rises up, telling her to kill him, kill him, end him... well, that makes the second one seem pretty true, too* Shut up.

Master> *touches her cheek, "sympathetically"* Poor Donna. It's me or nobody. No one else stands a chance once the drums want them. And since you can't be trusted alone, I guess the only choice left is to stay here.

Donna> *jerks back, and slaps him, HARD* You /bastard/. You bleeding BASTARD.

Master> *surprised, but doesn't really show it -- just laughs* Of course! I pride myself on it.

Donna> *stalks out of the room. And then there is some crashing, shattering sounds. Because if she can't leave, she can at least take some frustration out on... the dishes.*

Master> *ah, well, he only has them for show, really.* *and lounges on the couch and basically glees to himself over his new pet/experiment/Doctor-lite*

Donna> *glowers, and throws a glass at him for good measure*

Master> *catches it and sets it aside with a grin, just watching her amusedly*

Donna> *screams and just sort of... spills everything else onto the floor. And rests against the counter, close to tears*

Master> *approaches her and presses into her mind, just lightly, even from the distance -- after the regeneration, he's imprinted himself enough on her that it's possible now* *speaking softly out loud, but it might not seem that way because he's speaking mind-to-mind at the same time* The more you fight, the more it will hurt. *whether he's talking about staying with him or the drums or both... isn't quite clear*

Donna> *takes a couple of deep breaths* *faintly* I hate you. I DESPISE you.

Master> *smiling rather unpleasantly* I wouldn't ask for anything less.

Donna> *growls and lunges at him. Not really sure what she's planning on doing, short of throttling him, but, y'know. Whatever. She's pissed.*

Master> *neatly side-steps the attack, as he'd been expecting it* *dripping with concern* Careful, Donna, you'll hurt yourself.

Donna> I don't particularly CARE. *GLARES, and that glare is... very dark* Anything to try to get out of this... MESS you've dragged me into.

Master> What, planning to... kill yourself till everything's all better? Tell me, how many lives do you think you'll get through before I lock you up so you can't continue? I would say four, I'm not a patient man this time around, but you never know, if you make it amusing enough, you might get to ten.

Donna> *and here, Master, have a slap*

Master> *well, he's going to hit back, if she's going to keep doing that. So Donna gets a backhand*

Donna> *is... not used to that. So will take a moment to process that, and the blood on her lip. And then will attempt a punch - whether or not it lands...*

Master> *grabs her wrist before it lands and, with great reluctance, shoves her away with all his force* *nearly growling* Do not fight me. You won't win.

Donna> How do you know? Never fought me before. *lunge*

Master> *steps back and to the side, just barely missing getting hit* I know. Stop this, now, or you'll regret it.

Donna> *growls* Yeah? Well LUCKY me.

Master> You have no idea what you're up against, you silly, stupid girl. I gave you the benefit of believing you'd come to realize what's best for you. I can still change things.

Donna> Oh, I'm REALLY scared now.

Master> You should be. I can make it so your entire world revolves around me, Donna. I can remove every thought of resistance and every trace of free will and it wouldn't even take much effort, untrained and young as you are. Would you prefer I did that? It would be much easier for both of us.

Donna> *narrows her eyes, a little freaked but trying not to show it* I don't believe you.

Master> Should I try it, then? *steps towards her*

Donna> ...You're going to anyway.

Master> You've shown me that I have to. Unfortunately. Despite what you probably think, I don't enjoy surrounding myself with puppets, not for those I keep closest, anyway. But when I have no choice....

Donna> *lifts her chin a bit* Why would I stay here and play along with you if I had a choice in it?

Master> I can be kind. When there's any incentive to be. Pity you'll never really find out.

Donna> *shaky laugh* You blackmailed me into coming with you, forced your way into my head, broke down the barriers the Doctor had put in place, and when I regenerated due to that, you... DID something. I'm supposed to trust you? Believe you can be a good guy?

Master> I never said I was good. It's not as simple as heroes and villains. I conducted an experiment. It succeeded. I'm no worse than your precious Doctor, destroying lives and pretending to be a god. At least I don't pretend I have any interest beyond myself.

Donna> *bristles* Shut up. Don't say that about him, it's not true.

Master> It isn't? I may destroy planets, but he destroys everyone who cares for him. Even those that get home intact don't stand a chance for a happy life.

Donna> *shouts* He was trying to SAVE me!

Master> If he hadn't tried to save you, you would have regenerated and hopped happily around the galaxy together. And if he hadn't picked you up in the first place, there'd be nothing to save you from, would there?

Donna> *shakes her head* I was better, after I met him. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Master> Not even to keep your family?

Donna> ...What do you mean?

Master> If it wasn't for this thing he did to you, changed you, you could still go back to them.

Donna> And be useless. With my mother NAGGING me day in and day out, being completely MISERABLE.

Master> And your grandfather, does he make you miserable, too? *--well, he WAS in her head. He picked up some things.*

Donna> *pause* *soft and sad* No. He was... my only real friend, for a long time. But he wanted me to be /happy/.

Master> And how long has it been since you've been happy, hmm?

Donna> *Since the Doctor repressed her memories, but she won't say it. So she says nothing*

Master> I thought so. *reaches out to touch her temple, drumming against it* I'd be doing you a favor, really, taking everything away.

Donna> ...which everything? *'cause there's two different "everything"s he could mean. Everything as in EVERYTHING, or everything as in the Doctor, or everything as in her family.*

Master> All of it.

Donna> *shakes her head, a little afraid now* No.

Master> What good would it do to keep it? You can never go back. Not to them, not to him. I could wipe the slate clean. You'd start over.

Donna> I don't /want/ to forget them. I don't WANT to start over.

Master> I don't care what you want.

Donna> *shakes her head again, vehemently, almost starting to panic, 'cause what can she really do to stop him?* No. Please.

Master> You haven't given me any reason not to. *not so much sliding into her mind as -- dipping, just enough that she can feel his presence*

Donna> *squeezes her eyes shut, still shaking her head* /No/...

Master> *speaking inside her head* Do you think you deserve another chance, Donna? Can you keep yourself in line?

Donna> *doesn't want to. OH, how she doesn't want to, but... losing EVERYTHING? Sure, she wouldn't know it was missing, but... she doesn't want to lose that* *quietly, echoed in her mind and out loud* Yes. Please, don't...

Master> *still in her head* Alright. One final chance. *moving his hand down to caress her cheek* Don't disappoint me, Donna.

Donna> *squeezes her eyes shut, and wills herself not to pull away.*

Master> *smiles brightly, like she's a toddler who learned to say her name or something, and steps back*

Donna> *feels dirty. And those DAMN DRUMS are just POUNDING in her head, making her want to hurt something*

Master> *kind of out of nowhere (though yes, there IS a reason) and maniacally cheerful* Music!

Donna> *opens her eyes and looks at him with a very "WTF?" expression*

Master> *grins and moves to the stereo he has set up* It's a neccessity for us, my dear Donna. *and she'll see what he means as soon as he turns it on -- apparently, loud music? Keeps the drums at bay. For a couple of hours. Thank you, Lucy, for discovering this.*

Donna> ...What are you ON abou-- *stops when he turns it on, because she can tell the difference almost instantly. And then glares at him*

Master> *raises his eyebrows* What? I don't want to hear them right now.

Donna> Yeah, well I don't want to hear them EVER.

Master> You don't have a say in it. Just like I didn't. *what, annoyed or angry about that? Not at aaaaall.*

Donna> *scowlmutter, but is sekkritly grateful for the brief pause in OMGPOUNDINGWTF*

Master> *rolls his eyes and then... pretty much ignores her for the time being*

Donna> *just sort of... curls up and is a bit broken, since he's ignoring her*