oncoming | this is the fate au our parents warned us about

Well, no, not at all, I’m just curious! If I’m going to be stranded here for a while, might as well learn the differences between this universe’s Earth and the one I come from.

[ jeez professor, no need to get so annoyed. he’s a simple alien! ]

Is this a common thing your people do? Swear fealty to old clans from the early days of Europe?

...it isn't, no.

[Sighing, Waver looked to be weighing his options; not like the weird space alien was going to go around parroting his secrets to anyone that mattered.]

I had a friend some time ago who imparted the concept on me. It's a long and complex story.

And I have all the time in the world.

[ start yapping. ]

And why, exactly, should I encourage you?

Because you haven’t left yet.

[ is there a smug smile on his face? no…

(yes) ]

...Alright, well, see you.

[is he joking? probably. but he's also turning around to leave with a million questions utterly unanswered]

W-what!?

[ he stares at waver, mouth agape in mild shock. ]

You’re just leaving!?

Hm? What, you just reminded me I was hanging about for no reason. Lot of things to get back to and all that.

You're...not even remotely interested?

[ look at The Doctor trying to be casual. he doesn't care that he's being left alone, no siree. ]

I mean... alien spaceship and all. You've never seen something like this before, have you?

...Seen weirder, honestly. Parallel worlds is Zelretch's department, that's a matter of what amounts to scientific fact. Extraterrestrial life's known to exist as well.

[ort is nappin]

So?

And all of this is still part of your... Magecraft?

[ listen, he told Martha all about how witchcraft is just a different type of science, but he didn't think that it would ever be so common that the man in front of him is inside the TARDIS and barely batting an eyelash— even in a parallel world!

but if the concept of parallel worlds is something that's already been proven in this world, then... ]

How knowledgeable are you on that?

...Neither one of those specific fields are my department, but I would say I'm knowledgeable enough across the board. Don't get to my position by being clueless, after all.

[For all the sarcasm, Waver had the air of someone who had, to be blunt, Seen Some Shit.] Why do you ask?

Ohhh, nothing big, I just... well,

[ he pats the console of the TARDIS. ]

Might need some slight help in jumping from this parallel world to the other.

[ translation: he absolutely needs help but he's not going to outright ask for it. ]

And...that comes with how much risk of me being launched into a parallel universe never to return?

Uhhh...

[ he's going to try to ignore that pang of guilt in his hearts and focus on trying to get Waver to help him, by... trying to be as vague as possible. ]

How about mild? I mean, when I make the jump, it should just be me, so really, it shouldn't be anything at all! I just need access to the materials and...well...

[ Waver did just say that The Doctor was prime vivisection material. ]

You know I speak fluent bullshit, right? It's a skill any mage needs to possess in order to survive.

...What do you need?

Oh, anything at all! Books, scrolls, recorded lectures, even any student essays! In fact, I don't just need a library's worth of information, I need a library!

[ a beat. wait. WAIT. ]

Your school. You must have a library! I need access to it.

...You have got to be joking. Did we not just get you out of the Clock Tower?

Yes, yes, yes we did, but we need to go back! There's no other library that has that sort of information, is there?! Ergo, we have to go there!

[ he's nodding his head wildly, pacing around the TARDIS impatiently, thoughts racing faster than he can make them into spoken words. ]

There's got to be a way to come back but without me being vivisected. Come on Professor, think! You have pull and influence in this place, do you not!? Then help me think of a way to get myself in there without ending up like a specimen in a jar! Think!

Well...sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones. We could just wait until nightfall and sneak back in. Anyone looking to come in late would probably turn right back around if they thought I was working late.

Oooh, like an infiltration! I like the sound of that.

[ he looks far too excited. ]

Then you'll be my partner in crime, won't you, Professor?

...Done worse, I suppose. Sounds like a plan.

Have you now!?

[ there's a spark of curiosity in the doctor's voice as he hears that, leaning against the console with his arms crossed. ]

Well come on, we have lots of time. What kind of adventures have you been up to, Professor El-Melloi?

The second.

[He answered sharply, frowning as he took a moment to collect himself and put his sunglasses back over his eyes.]

It's not abnormal for a mage to act with some measure of amorality. The degree tends to vary, but rules tend to be more like suggestions around here.

I think I got that loud and clear the moment you talked about vivisection.

[ hm. ]

I'm quite the opposite in the sense that I have many rules that I make myself follow. So let's hope that this doesn't break into any type of fight. All I want is knowledge.

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fionnuisce - 2024-07-02 03:33 (UTC) - Expand

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oncoming - 2024-07-04 03:28 (UTC) - Expand