[Oh, wonderful, now the fool can't even recognize him. Rassilon is not amused. At all.] I am your Lord President. Rassilon, if you have already forgotten. [What? No, he doesn't care about looking completely different. His advisor should know him despite that.]

[So different!]

I've not forgotten. I simply didn't expect you to have ah...

shaved.

[Flatly. He tucks his hands behind his back as he regards Rassilon.] You have just passed an amendment on non-interference. I should inform you so you won't disturb any timelines. [It's actually not too long before he does throw himself into the looms, for him.]

That was a billion years ago for me. And I've no interest in it any more. I've better things to do than worry about the timeline. [Rassilon looks at him. If he just passed that amendment, it shouldn't be too long before...]

I thought worrying about the timeline should be the first thing that we did when we achieved access to it?

[That's a perplexing statement. Rassilon's rulings had been increasingly problematic, but he hadn't completely disregarded their original ideals

Behind his back he squeezes his fingers as he considers.]

When Gallifrey is about to be destroyed with our people on it, worrying about the timeline is the least of our problems.

[He somehow manages to stare at him accusingly. Which makes no sense, but that has never stopped Rassilon.]

[That accusing stare is met with the most confusing one.]

The Web of Time holds together the integrity of the universe. When we stepped into it, we took on a great responsibility. We weren't just Gallifreyans anymore. We had a duty to prove to the people that feared science before us that we could protect it- So in a billion years, our world is going to be threatened?

[Actually, how did Rassilon even get that old.] Why are you looking at me like that?

[He's just that awesome. Billion years and as lively as ever.] ...You're planning to leave, aren't you?

And yes, our world is in danger. Well, currently destroyed, though I do have my plans to change that.

[That catches him off guard. He's not spoken of his thoughts to- well, he hadn't been decided on them for a while.

He supposes he must mean that he went through with it.] I'm surprised you even recall me, then, if it's been the lifetime of a planet. [And he wrings his hands behind his back even tighter.] You're not new here, are you?

...No. It's been, almost a year. [He wants to ask why. but isn't actually sure if he wants to know. His theory of "He was just trying to piss me off" is probably a lot more comfortable.]

Edited 2011-12-09 07:32 pm (UTC)

[He has his reasons for considering it, but he doesn't bring them up. He's actually a little disappointed to know that he will.] And why are you here? Because if you're a prisoner I've already had someone attempt to fool me into TARDIS theft once today. [This ship seems entirely too eventful.]

I don't want to leave right now, anyway. Omega is here and until he has graduated an inmate [or two], we're not leaving.

[But he wants. And doesn't. And does. Stupid advisor and your loom jumping ways.]

Edited 2011-12-10 12:12 am (UTC)

Omega's here?

[His old science buddy is alive again? Musing on impending doom is gone. Have that advisor suddenly brightening.] Where is he? ...He's not- he's not from your distant past, is he?

[Not the same way as Rassilon's advisor here anyway.]

No, he isn't. And unfortunately for you, he's his father right now. Just like you've replaced another Gallifreyan.

[...Wait. There's not many of the here. Even less possessing a TARDIS. ...Oh, Pazithi Gallifreya.]

How many Gallifreyans are on board? [He taps his fingertips together. He's disappointed that he can't speak to Omega, but-]

It doesn't matter. Just tell him that I- [apologize? No... that's not quite right.] Tell him that I always missed his company.

Five. ...And I will. [No harm done there. Though he does feel the urge to ask "And what about my company?".]

[Relief in the disappointment. He strolls away from Rassilon, still steepling his fingers. Not walking away so much as pacing in thought.] I saw the deck. It was incredible. The stars, the lights, the plants in their cube. [What? It's not a dome. And it protects the plants from the elements. Obviously it's a cube, so that's what he calls it. Not like Gallifreyans have all that much green for greenhouses.]

[His expression softens just a little bit.] It is. It's one of the best places on the entire ship.
[Beaten only by Omega's cabin. ...He'd count the kitchen as second place if Omega hadn't his own. With far tastier food.]|/i>

Is there anywhere else that I could go to experience other cultures? I'm not likely to have this chance again. So I'm determined to make the most of it while I'm here. [He turns on his heel to face Rassilon, standing up straight.]

...I'm actually glad you did remember me. [Because a billion years is a REALLY LONG TIME!] It seems everyone else has forgotten my name. Perhaps it's for the better. I'd rather people that really knew me be the ones to remember it.

The whole ship is full of aliens. [He turns away, but even for the moment his face was still visible it's clear he's upset.]

And I remember many things. [For a second it looks like he's about to leave. Then:] Why did you do it?

Why did I do what? [Oh, he means... what he hasn't done yet. He looks down at his hands. Fingers twine together, and he focuses on his knuckles.]

When we became Time Lords, all three of us, we were dreamers. We took the old world order, and I knew that we could show them that we could exist as part of the world even if we headed science over nature and psychic mysticism. That we could be rational, and take control of Time and when the universe was ours we would treat it just as well. But it was never the same after he was gone. The discovery was gone. We missed him in two different ways, and I never could shake the feeling that business had been left unfinished. Believe me, I've been trying to move on for some time.

But then your rules began changing, and the rumors started about what you'd done to Omega to vie for power [disdain in his voice] The laws of time have became more and more about what you wanted with rather than what the universe needed, the amendments you wanted, and I have no one to back me when I disagree. I'm inconsequential and my name is signed to ideologies I don't always find myself in agreement with.

But I still have my dignity, and I'm still a Time Lord. I may live without interference but I refuse to live uselessly either. I won't abandon my world because I have an example to set. There's so much out there that I would like to see, but you're correct. It's not as important as our people and the responsibility for the universe they're a part of. My post has practically become trivial. As useless as authority was before the revolution. So I've picked my Death Day. I thought about telling you, but I assume I won't. I suppose you would have talked me out of it. You're always quite convincing when you want to be.

[Rassilon listens quietly. By the time the other has finished, there's the slightest tremor of his shoulders visible, though without being able to see his face it's hard to tell if it's anger or something else.]

My rules were always about what's best for Gallifrey. I simply became... wiser. It's no surprise they would change. And you didn't need anyone to back you up, you would just have to give me one good reason why I should have listened to you! What was supposed to convince me that you were right? Cryptic remarks? Your stupid jokes about my best friend's death? Really?

Any reason why I shouldn't have attacked a temple full of traitors? Any reason why I shouldn't have done any of the things you objected to? It's your fault! Don't complain about the... triviality of your post when you're the one who made it trivial! When you're- [He abruptly stops, taking a few deep breaths. When he turns, his expression is a mix of anger and hurt.] They don't remember your name because I erased it from history. See it as my revenge.

Edited 2011-12-10 01:58 pm (UTC)

He was my friend, too. And there were always reasons. But you ignored them. You always ignored them.

[Ahhh...] I see.

And I even decided on the one way to die where I wouldn't even really leave you. And you killed me anyway. [He bunches up his robes and turns his back and starts walking. It's depressing, but he might as well enjoy his time here.

It's rather fortunate for him that he won't go back knowing this.]

[Oh no, you don't- Wait, what?] How was it not leaving me?

[He only slows for half a step.] I chose the Looms. I would always be a part of the people. Unless you took the time to scrub my DNA out of them.

Or, I suppose, if the world's gone. [He has a feeling this won't feel good at all. But he can't think of a place he'd rather go. Not even the Matrix.] Please excuse me, Lord President. I need some time to myself. [He's taking being erased from history surprisingly well. Or rather, perhaps it's a serence sense of detachment.]

That still means you're gone. [Rassilon does not appreciate being symbolic when it comes to things like these.]

There's a celebration on your death day. [He's not sure if the other heard that, but he doesn't feel like repeating it. He's got things to think about.]

Edited 2011-12-10 03:14 pm (UTC)