I must think of a new life [closed]

[trustme]

Who: Vastra and The Doctor
What: Doctor's friend helps him out with his head problems
When: backdated to April 14th, soon after Doctor escaped Virgo and underwent the chip surgery
Where: An abandoned underground subway station
Warnings: Mental manipulation-drama


Doctor had undergone multiple odd experiences related to his head in the last forty eight hours but that hadn't kept him from asking Sailor Moon repeatedly to reunite him with the person who had come to Vista City looking for him.

"It's difficult constantly fighting the programming. If I knew more about myself then I'd know what I'm fighting to uncover in my subconscious. Anything to distract me from the sound of Blanche making threats and calling me back. The sooner I meet Vastra the better."

The surgery had been a success and thanks to Sailor Moon's healing the cut left behind was little more than a sore spot on the side of his head now. It was the voice of the programming that made his head ache still. In the moment however, his excitement over meeting someone from his other life has him pacing excitedly up and down the dimly lit old subway platform where their meeting will take place.

"Vastra." He's trying to put a face to the name and he keeps repeating it to himself, hoping his memory will kick in. "It's a nice name. I know that much."

Comments

[eversohungry]

Vastra wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Doctor was struggling to put a face to her name. Even without brainwashing, it would be hard for anyone to create the face of an 'alien' when casting about in the cut strands of what used to be a very complex web of life. Vastra isn't certain she can put together literally hundreds of years of the Time Lord's life, but if she can't, no one will be able to.

When she approaches him on the platform she's entirely covered in a long coat and a scarf wrapped around her frill and face. If she startles him, it will only be harder to get him to listen to her.

"I am pleased to see you seem to be recovering well. Walking a bit soon, but even before you were brought here you were like that."

[trustme]

Her hidden face has him curious of course and he immediately looks at her like he's trying to see past all that fabric. She might have her reasons, he notes, if she's his own "space lady" of sorts (he had been calling the women Rei remembered "space ladies" and surprise, surprise, they had come for her) then there were endless possible reasons why she's secretive about her appearance. The Doctor being The Doctor though, he can't help himself. He wants to know and learn about it all.

"Vastra, I presume. I was told you're a friend from my 'real life.' You know who I am... Are you something other than human, like me?" He waves his hands, "An alien?" He holds up a finger, "Wait. Re-introductions first! Hello. I'm "Doctor" or "Ruairidh Smith" and I don't remember my proper name yet, I apologize. I also apologize for any important missing memories that make me difficult for the time being. But it's nice to meet you again Vastra."

It seems The Doctor has taken on a name pronounced hilariously similar to Rory.

"And thank you for coming all this way to find me. I remember faces, some names, of people I care about but... I didn't dare to get my hopes up that any of them would find me."

[eversohungry]

Vastra waits patiently as the Doctor goes on and on about how he's confused and doesn't remember who or what he is. It's patently obvious when he apologizes for not remembering his name that he has no idea who she is or who he is-- the Doctor had never revealed his name. Not to her, not to many of his companions. And calling himself an 'alien' was simplifying it all a bit, isn't it?

"You found me, once. I would say I owed you a favor, but this is about the fourth favor I've done for you since then. You're lucky I'm soft in my blissfully wed life."

She reaches back behind her head and slowly unwraps her scarf, first revealing her crest, then the rest of her scaled face. "It is good to see you again, old friend. You are correct-- I am Madame Vastra of Paternoster Row, and I am not human."

[trustme]

He remembers just enough quick glimpses of other intelligent species that her appearance doesn't come as a shock. Thankfully. He muses. It would be unfortunate to greet a friend with wide eyes and a dumbfounded expression.

"Paternoster," he repeats. "Now that you say that and I see your face I feel like... I'm expecting someone else to be here with you. Yes, I'm getting something but it's difficult to make out with all the noise from the label in my head right now. I would have thought remembering would be easier after I left Virgo but it's more like an alarm sounded in my head and hasn't stopped."

[eversohungry]

The lack of outright shock is a good sign, Vastra thinks as she watches him for any other signs of disbelief or recognition. There's traces of it, he's trying, that much is obvious. But he's still under a terribly strong sway if he can't remember the Sontaran who would wage war with the moon.

"Yes, I imagine whatever they've done to you, it is quite strong. It's blocking out hundreds of years of travel, things you've seen and done, people you've met.

"I can help, if you trust me to do so. My species has an innate third eye, I can perceive some of what could be happening in your mind. Perhaps exploit a weakness in it."

[trustme]

Exhale, listen. Then a sharp inhale as questions sprout by the tens and hundreds in his head. "Well that's more to the root of the problem than I imagined. Sailor Moon was right when she said you could help. I appreciate any attempt you make though of course we must proceed with caution. Blanche's mind manipulation is something else. I know I have more telepathic defense than a lot of people and the fact he caught me and changed me says it all. But of course that's obvious." He throws his hands up towards his forehead and waves them instead of slapping it. "Do stop taking up time saying the obvious Doctor, of whatever your name is. What else was I going to say, warnings aside?"

"Oh! Yes. Just a minute ago you said 'hundreds of years of travel'. It occurred to me that I'm old but do you know how old I am? And what I am?" He puts a hand over his mouth and goes quiet again, rocking a little nervously as he waits for her answer.