06; I'm taking it slow [feeding my flame]

[best_served_hot]

[The Master appears on the plane looking rather displeased, of course, that is quite a timid way to put it after the time he's had here since being so graciously released by their hosts (torture, the Valeyard and monkeys, oh my!). He looks around, jaw clenching and unclenching as he pulls the hoodie he is wearing over his suit off and puts it over

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[bit_impossible]

[the Doctor spots the Master from a ways away, but doesn't say anything yet. just...follows him to the bar and quietly closes the door behind him, then spots the hoodie. he speaks softly, calmly, in Ceressian]

You really should leave the hoodie out of the ensemble. Doesn't do you any justice. [which is so not what he wants to talk about, but hey, small talk works for a reason]

[best_served_hot]

[he glances over at him briefly, pouring his drink and taking a long swallow from the glass as he regards him coolly. he is still speaking in Valdemarian--call it an experiment.]

I am so very grateful that you've decided to tell me that. It shows you care.

[sarcasm, we're sure, translates well in any language.]

[bit_impossible]

[yeah, he definitely gets that tone... he sighs and comes over to the bar, sitting down on one of the stools]

Listen, I know we didn't get a chance to talk in the library, but there's something you really need to hear.

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[he refuses to speak what the Doctor can obviously understand.]

Because we have oh-so-much to discuss. We've had busy schedules lately, you and I.

[and pointedly begins to walk away from him to the opposite end of the bar.]

[bit_impossible]

[he frowns and switches to Binary] Oh yes, that's it. Ignore me. [he scowls, rolling his eyes, but then switches back to Ceressian] That's just--I mean, yes, the Valeyard did some very awful things to you, but I, I would never! You should know that!

[best_served_hot]

[there is the slightest tensing of his shoulders at hearing that name and the sound of the glass in his hand under tremendous pressure a moment. he finishes it and sets it away, grabbing a bottle by the neck and smashing it easily on the bar. his voice is Very Calm as he switches back to Ceressian and regards him coldly.]

Don't you say that name again.

[bit_impossible]

[he jumps back slightly, but more from the bits of glass than the Master's threats. he carries on, keeping his own voice calm as well, as if he didn't have a broken bottle being pointed at him]

You won't need that. Just sit down so we can talk.

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Letting you speak is such a great mistake. [he hasn't relinquished his hold on the broken bottle, nor does he intend to.]

I'll stand. Go ahead before I change my mind.

[bit_impossible]

[well, he figures that's as close as he's going to get, so he starts talking, leaning forward carefully on the bar]

You remember what he was said before, about those drums in your head? He was on to something there! I think I can help you make sense of it.

[best_served_hot]

Oh, joy. And how do you propose to help me sort it out? There's obviously something both of you know, that I've missed, and that's a bit annoying to say the very least.

[bit_impossible]

[nice and evenly, his voice still calm] Well, if he hadn't--[he stops that thought right there, knowing a retort really won't do any good] All right, the thing is, did you ever think about why they were in that rhythm? The same beating, over and over? Think about that and tell me, have they always beat in that same tempo? In the same sort of timbre or with the same amount of pain--and has it ever gotten worse?

[best_served_hot]

[his eyes narrow and he almost dares him to continue that line]

Four beats? Like a heartsbeat, yes. It was bearable for a long time, after the War it was worse but I could still deal with it. My resurrection that went wrong is the worst they have ever been.

[bit_impossible]

Even if it had gone right, I wonder if it would have mattered. Now this is very, very important: when exactly did they start? And don't just give me that line about you having them all your life. There had to be something that started it. Something like that just doesn't happen without a reason.

[and if it's when he thinks it is (and when the Valeyard thought it was), then he's so very sorry]

[best_served_hot]

[part of him wants to be angry at him for all the questions. another part of him thinks about what the Valeyard had said about it being some game he had played since they were children, just a way to hurt the other. and yet still another part of him is utterly exhausted.

he sets the broken bottle away, letting out a long, soft breath.]

Since Initiation. Since I looked into the Untempered Schism.

[bit_impossible]

[he closes his eyes for a second and when he opens them, there's only an immense sadness there] That's right. When you looked into Time itself. And since then, you had them, but why? Why would they grow stronger, those drums calling to you all those years? Come on, I know how absolutely brilliant you are. There is no such thing as coincidence.

[best_served_hot]

[he sees it and looks away, he didn't ask for that. he never would.]

I've thought-it's almost tangible. Perhaps it could be triangulated, find out if there is a source.