Log: The Master and Donna Noble (the Verse Without a Name)
OOC: Log with (surprise) starletfallen. Warning for ow, and that's about it. Takes place ... probably not long after the last one.
Donna> *so... they're out getting groceries or... maybe just being outside. Who knows, who cares*
Master> *for whatever reason. Outside. And... quiet, apparently. Or at least he is?*
Donna> *Yep. They're just... strolling. Until Donna hears a very familiar voice and sees a very familiar face passing out "Missing Person" fliers*
Wilf> *comes up to them* Please, have you seen this woman? Her name's Donna Noble, she's my granddaughter.
Donna> *freezes, just sort of... staring at the paper* I...
Master> *--oh, bloody hell.* No, we haven't. *takes hold of her shoulder to steer her away*
Donna> *faintly, as he pulls her away* I'm sorry. *locks eyes with Wilf for just a moment, and he must see SOMETHING because he starts to step after her... but then there are people between them and the Master leading her away* *shaky breath* I don't... want to be out right now. *the drums are pounding and her heart is breaking, and being out around people is just BAD*
Master> *as soothing as he can manage while rushing her out of there* It's all right, we're not far, won't take ten minutes.
Donna> *clenches her fists and grits her teeth. Those drums are growing deafening* Quickly.
Master> I'm doing all I can. Can you make it?
Donna> *snaps, much more forcefully than she generally would* No, I'm going to curl up and cry in the middle of the bloody STREET.
Master> *rolls his eyes* Well, I was going to say you could duck in there and get your bearings. *"there" being an unoccupied house, apparently. Property is relative in the Master's universe. Possession is blah blah blah.*
Donna> Don't have time. I can't... *gets drawn off track by the drums for a moment* Bearings are going to be a long time coming, I think.
Master> Right. We're almost there.
Donna> *clutching at his arm* I can't... they're too much.
Master> Just hold on. Try to focus. Listen to me. Focus on that, if you can. *and echoes the sentiment directly into her mind*
Donna> *barely manages to do that, but... if they can get to the flat within a couple minutes, she might make it*
Master> *lucky for them, then, that they didn't go far, because it's only a minute or two away. And keeps talking to her on the way, mind-to-mind if not out loud.* *finally gets her there and steers her inside*
Donna> *pretty much collapses onto the couch, holding her head and just... the drums are roaring, and now that she's not fighting so hard to keep it together, she literally can't hear anything else. The drums are all there is, and she feels like she's screaming in her mind, but she can't even hear it*
Master> *sits on the edge, close enough that he can reach out and touch her -- it makes the connection stronger. TRYING to damp them down, but it's -- just about impossible, at this point. So trying to get to her instead, to calm her down. Not even words, exactly, just -- presence.*
Donna> *feels, eventually, the tiniest thread of that, and tries to reach out to grasp at it, at him, not quite making it. She's never lost herself so COMPLETELY, and she doesn't know how to fight through it They want her to kill, destroy, hurt, conquer. She almost thinks it would be easier to give in to that*
Master> *and the response to that is -- basically the pure-emotion equivalant of the words 'fight it'. And it's hard to get to her through the drums, but fights his way down towards her*
Donna> *reaches out, just trying to keep her head above water, in a way of speaking* help me
Master> Donna, I'm trying. Just focus. Focus, alright? Try to stay here with me. *doing his best to help keep her -- mentally surfaced, I suppose? Kinda like an.... anchor in reverse. And that's enough water metaphors, they've stopped making sense.*
Donna> *growls, a little dangerously, and the world's not drowned out anymore, exactly, but she's having a lot of trouble not being controlled by them* You're trying? You're WEAK.
Master> *scowls and, oh, it's hard not to respond to that, but he bites it back, because that's just going to make it worse* Don't let them have control. You can stop them.
Donna> Should I want to? All fighting them does is make things harder. Makes me less able to concentrate on other things. Building my power. I could be so STRONG if I didn't have that distraction.
Master> *firmly* It won't help if they have you. You'd be nothing more than their tool. Absolutely powerless.
Donna> And I could be strong? Victorious? *sneer* Like YOU? You've sunk to kidnapping the Doctor's old companions and playthings. His cast-offs. Hiding on Earth, because you can't escape on your own and you're afraid to confront him. Disgusting.
Master> *clenches his jaw and takes a moment to keep himself in check. Ends up yelling at her anyway, but at least it's more productive yelling* FIGHT, Donna, I know you're in there somewhere. Don't let them use you. Bloody hell, are you even TRYING? *insert swearing in Gallifreyan right about here*
Donna> *gasps and doubles over again, as she's regrouped herself and is fighting again* *Then, after a moment, growls, but in a much more Donna-ish tone* I was regrouping, you big dumbo.
Master> *twitches and manages, with supreme effort, not to smack her* Much longer and you probably wouldn't have been able to come back.
Donna> Well forgive me for not being well-practised at this. *groans and curls in on herself* Bloody hell, my head.
Master> Practice doesn't help. Are you alright now, though? *and a little bit of actual concern manages to show through*
Donna> *trying to breathe deep* I don't... I think... *grimaces* *softly* Did you see his face? God, it'd be better if they could at least think for certain I was dead.
Master> *quietly* We could arrange that. If you want.
Donna> *bites her lip* I... I can't just let them... *closes her eyes, because this is breaking her heart, but somehow it's even dampening the drums down a bit* Yes. Please.
Master> *strokes her hair, comfortingly* I'll take care of it.
Donna> *groans a little* God, that... I didn't mean... why did that HAPPEN?
Master> Which part? The lapse of control, or the chance meeting?
Donna> The... the first. I figured we'd run into them eventually, just...
Master> It happens. Sometimes. Emotional overstimulation, that's all. Doesn't matter why, it's better now.
Donna> *swallows hard and nods silently. She... really scared herself just then.*
Master> *almost- gently* It's alright. If you can make it back the first time, you'll be fine.
Donna> *shaky smile* Thanks. For... helping me back.
Master> *small smile* You're welcome. How about a drink? Tea? Or there's still lemonade?
Donna> Tea, I think, yeah. *pulls her knees up to her chest and tries to not... freak out again*
Master> *pats her shoulder lightly and gets up to make tea, then, keeping a careful eye on her from the kitchen*
Donna> *closes her eyes and tries to focus on... calm. Quiet. Smoothing out her ruffled feathers and trying to quiet the drums a bit*
Master> *and look! Here comes tea!*
Donna> *is currently focused on inner things that are much more literal than they ever were before she was psychic and Time Lordy. He'll have to catch her attention*
Master> *will probably wait a little while, watching and just sitting by, before he tries to, quietly calling her name mind-to-mind*
Donna> *stirs out and blinks, looking wearier than ever, from the sheer effort of EVERYTHING, but sort of half-smiles* Oh. Thanks. *reaches out for the cup*
Master> *studies her quietly for a moment* Would it help if I took some of it away for a while? *it being...Time Lord consciousness* It must be a strain for you, with so much of your mind still human. And it was easier to help you with the drums before.
Donna> *drinks deeply of the tea. Tea is good.* *thinks about it seriously, for a moment* No. I... I have to learn. Just... no more of it, for a while. Until I'm... *she's not sure what she has to be, so she just doesn't finish the sentence*
Master> *nod* Of course. Though we ought to continue the psychic training. It should help you.
Donna> *nods* Of course. *not tonight, though, she's about to collapse*
Master> *well, duh* *smiles slightly, and quietly drinks his tea.*
Donna> *and here are droopy eyes* *murmurs* Maybe I should go to sleep...
Master> Yes. *pauses* *with amusement* Can you get to the bed, or should I move?
Donna> I'm fine. *which doesn't answer the question, but that's how tired she is, all the sudden, resting her head on the arm of the couch*
Master> Move it is, then. *takes her cup from her and does just that*
Donna> *hardly even registers it, just sort of... falling asleep*
Donna> *so... they're out getting groceries or... maybe just being outside. Who knows, who cares*
Master> *for whatever reason. Outside. And... quiet, apparently. Or at least he is?*
Donna> *Yep. They're just... strolling. Until Donna hears a very familiar voice and sees a very familiar face passing out "Missing Person" fliers*
Wilf> *comes up to them* Please, have you seen this woman? Her name's Donna Noble, she's my granddaughter.
Donna> *freezes, just sort of... staring at the paper* I...
Master> *--oh, bloody hell.* No, we haven't. *takes hold of her shoulder to steer her away*
Donna> *faintly, as he pulls her away* I'm sorry. *locks eyes with Wilf for just a moment, and he must see SOMETHING because he starts to step after her... but then there are people between them and the Master leading her away* *shaky breath* I don't... want to be out right now. *the drums are pounding and her heart is breaking, and being out around people is just BAD*
Master> *as soothing as he can manage while rushing her out of there* It's all right, we're not far, won't take ten minutes.
Donna> *clenches her fists and grits her teeth. Those drums are growing deafening* Quickly.
Master> I'm doing all I can. Can you make it?
Donna> *snaps, much more forcefully than she generally would* No, I'm going to curl up and cry in the middle of the bloody STREET.
Master> *rolls his eyes* Well, I was going to say you could duck in there and get your bearings. *"there" being an unoccupied house, apparently. Property is relative in the Master's universe. Possession is blah blah blah.*
Donna> Don't have time. I can't... *gets drawn off track by the drums for a moment* Bearings are going to be a long time coming, I think.
Master> Right. We're almost there.
Donna> *clutching at his arm* I can't... they're too much.
Master> Just hold on. Try to focus. Listen to me. Focus on that, if you can. *and echoes the sentiment directly into her mind*
Donna> *barely manages to do that, but... if they can get to the flat within a couple minutes, she might make it*
Master> *lucky for them, then, that they didn't go far, because it's only a minute or two away. And keeps talking to her on the way, mind-to-mind if not out loud.* *finally gets her there and steers her inside*
Donna> *pretty much collapses onto the couch, holding her head and just... the drums are roaring, and now that she's not fighting so hard to keep it together, she literally can't hear anything else. The drums are all there is, and she feels like she's screaming in her mind, but she can't even hear it*
Master> *sits on the edge, close enough that he can reach out and touch her -- it makes the connection stronger. TRYING to damp them down, but it's -- just about impossible, at this point. So trying to get to her instead, to calm her down. Not even words, exactly, just -- presence.*
Donna> *feels, eventually, the tiniest thread of that, and tries to reach out to grasp at it, at him, not quite making it. She's never lost herself so COMPLETELY, and she doesn't know how to fight through it They want her to kill, destroy, hurt, conquer. She almost thinks it would be easier to give in to that*
Master> *and the response to that is -- basically the pure-emotion equivalant of the words 'fight it'. And it's hard to get to her through the drums, but fights his way down towards her*
Donna> *reaches out, just trying to keep her head above water, in a way of speaking* help me
Master> Donna, I'm trying. Just focus. Focus, alright? Try to stay here with me. *doing his best to help keep her -- mentally surfaced, I suppose? Kinda like an.... anchor in reverse. And that's enough water metaphors, they've stopped making sense.*
Donna> *growls, a little dangerously, and the world's not drowned out anymore, exactly, but she's having a lot of trouble not being controlled by them* You're trying? You're WEAK.
Master> *scowls and, oh, it's hard not to respond to that, but he bites it back, because that's just going to make it worse* Don't let them have control. You can stop them.
Donna> Should I want to? All fighting them does is make things harder. Makes me less able to concentrate on other things. Building my power. I could be so STRONG if I didn't have that distraction.
Master> *firmly* It won't help if they have you. You'd be nothing more than their tool. Absolutely powerless.
Donna> And I could be strong? Victorious? *sneer* Like YOU? You've sunk to kidnapping the Doctor's old companions and playthings. His cast-offs. Hiding on Earth, because you can't escape on your own and you're afraid to confront him. Disgusting.
Master> *clenches his jaw and takes a moment to keep himself in check. Ends up yelling at her anyway, but at least it's more productive yelling* FIGHT, Donna, I know you're in there somewhere. Don't let them use you. Bloody hell, are you even TRYING? *insert swearing in Gallifreyan right about here*
Donna> *gasps and doubles over again, as she's regrouped herself and is fighting again* *Then, after a moment, growls, but in a much more Donna-ish tone* I was regrouping, you big dumbo.
Master> *twitches and manages, with supreme effort, not to smack her* Much longer and you probably wouldn't have been able to come back.
Donna> Well forgive me for not being well-practised at this. *groans and curls in on herself* Bloody hell, my head.
Master> Practice doesn't help. Are you alright now, though? *and a little bit of actual concern manages to show through*
Donna> *trying to breathe deep* I don't... I think... *grimaces* *softly* Did you see his face? God, it'd be better if they could at least think for certain I was dead.
Master> *quietly* We could arrange that. If you want.
Donna> *bites her lip* I... I can't just let them... *closes her eyes, because this is breaking her heart, but somehow it's even dampening the drums down a bit* Yes. Please.
Master> *strokes her hair, comfortingly* I'll take care of it.
Donna> *groans a little* God, that... I didn't mean... why did that HAPPEN?
Master> Which part? The lapse of control, or the chance meeting?
Donna> The... the first. I figured we'd run into them eventually, just...
Master> It happens. Sometimes. Emotional overstimulation, that's all. Doesn't matter why, it's better now.
Donna> *swallows hard and nods silently. She... really scared herself just then.*
Master> *almost- gently* It's alright. If you can make it back the first time, you'll be fine.
Donna> *shaky smile* Thanks. For... helping me back.
Master> *small smile* You're welcome. How about a drink? Tea? Or there's still lemonade?
Donna> Tea, I think, yeah. *pulls her knees up to her chest and tries to not... freak out again*
Master> *pats her shoulder lightly and gets up to make tea, then, keeping a careful eye on her from the kitchen*
Donna> *closes her eyes and tries to focus on... calm. Quiet. Smoothing out her ruffled feathers and trying to quiet the drums a bit*
Master> *and look! Here comes tea!*
Donna> *is currently focused on inner things that are much more literal than they ever were before she was psychic and Time Lordy. He'll have to catch her attention*
Master> *will probably wait a little while, watching and just sitting by, before he tries to, quietly calling her name mind-to-mind*
Donna> *stirs out and blinks, looking wearier than ever, from the sheer effort of EVERYTHING, but sort of half-smiles* Oh. Thanks. *reaches out for the cup*
Master> *studies her quietly for a moment* Would it help if I took some of it away for a while? *it being...Time Lord consciousness* It must be a strain for you, with so much of your mind still human. And it was easier to help you with the drums before.
Donna> *drinks deeply of the tea. Tea is good.* *thinks about it seriously, for a moment* No. I... I have to learn. Just... no more of it, for a while. Until I'm... *she's not sure what she has to be, so she just doesn't finish the sentence*
Master> *nod* Of course. Though we ought to continue the psychic training. It should help you.
Donna> *nods* Of course. *not tonight, though, she's about to collapse*
Master> *well, duh* *smiles slightly, and quietly drinks his tea.*
Donna> *and here are droopy eyes* *murmurs* Maybe I should go to sleep...
Master> Yes. *pauses* *with amusement* Can you get to the bed, or should I move?
Donna> I'm fine. *which doesn't answer the question, but that's how tired she is, all the sudden, resting her head on the arm of the couch*
Master> Move it is, then. *takes her cup from her and does just that*
Donna> *hardly even registers it, just sort of... falling asleep*