016 [video, backdated to Saturday]

[soundsofdrums]

[The Master isn't quite looking at the PCD when it turns on. Currently, he's laid up in a bed in the clinic, bandages wrapped around his head and various parts of his body, including his neck. Cuts and bruises litter his skin, and he's looking incredibly worse from the wear. His eyes are hardly focused, as well, and when he speaks, he doesn't even look at the screen yet. His voice is quiet, hoarse even.]

Whoever decided it would be...a funny idea to attack me? ...Big mistake.

[With that, he looks at the screen, gaze hardening for just a brief moment.]

I will find out who you are.

[He goes silent as he looks away and gets that far-off look again. It's fairly obvious that his body wasn't the only thing just recently damaged. After several moments, he reaches over, fumbling for the PCD and turning it off.]

Comments

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

[To say that Juliet is horrified would be an understatement. She has tears in her eyes when she turns on the feed.]

Lord Saxon! Why - who would do such a thing to you? Have you need of anything?

[Was this retaliation for the way he'd helped her before? Had her mysterious attacker found an opportunity for revenge at being interrupted in his work? The thought of that makes her feel ill.]

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

...No. I'll be fine.

[He...still isn't quite looking at the screen.]

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

With all due respect, Lord Saxon, you do not seem such. Someone has attacked you?

[Why are bad things happening to the men she respects this week?]

Re: [Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

No, I just tripped and fell down a flight of stairs. Several of them.

[His voice is bitter, but he forces himself to calm down.]

...my apologies.

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

[She is used to hearing such things from some of her male cousins.]

You are in pain and have been through a terrible ordeal, Lord Saxon. You have nothing for which you need apologize to me. I asked a silly question. Your reaction is perfectly valid.

This city has devolved into madness. I am sorry that you have become a victim of it as well. You - you do not think your attacker and mine are one and the same, do you?

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

[He snorted, just...trying not to laugh.]

Who knows? Who even cares? Whoever it is, they're--tch. It doesn't matter. I'll find them.

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

[She misinterprets that sound as being derisive of the situation in general.]

It could be very important, Lord Saxon. If such is the case, this person has harmed too many people about whom I care. And he or she should be brought to justice.

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

Justice. [He rolled his eyes.] There's no such thing.

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

There can be, if we insist upon it. Whoever has harmed you must be made to pay for the crime. There must be a system of law and punishment, else this place will be worse than Verona.

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

A system? In a place like this? Oh, they're going to pay, but there's no system. It's alllll vigilante here.

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

Then it will escalate until the madness overwhelms everyone. If the wronged party takes revenge upon his attacker, the attacker, or the attacker's friends, will retaliate. And then the victim's friends will do the same, for ever. It is a horrible cycle, Lord Saxon. I have seen it firsthand.

I understand a desire for vengeance better than many humans. The Capulets live for it. But I have seen what happens in the end, and it is only grief. Perhaps it is different for the Lords of Time. But I pray you, be careful. You have such a generous heart, Lord Saxon. You can offer a hand of friendship to one who has wronged you more thoroughly than anyone here is able to wrong you.

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

[To that last part, he just---twitches. And then? He can't help but just start ranting. He can't take it anymore.]

For what purpose? To be trapped in a time loop? Imprisoned? Left to the flames of Sarn? Bloody eaten by a TARDIS' Eye of Harmony? Oh, yes, "generous". All the offers. A half share in the damned universe, but no, no, that's not enough. "See it, not rule it" my arse, that hypocritical son of a-- No, I'm tired of offering that hand. There's already too many bites on it.

[A pause, and then he just laughs oddly.]

And I'm still going to do it, because I can't not.

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

[He has only hinted at the things the Doctor has done to him before. To hear it all now, his voice full of raw emotion, Juliet wonders how he has been so good as to offer it as many times as he had.]

Lord Saxon....

You have suffered more than anyone's fair share of evils. And you still - you say you can't not offer your hand to him even after all of this, and of all you have spoken before. Truly, you are one of the best, most kind gentlemen. A lesser man would not keep trying, as you do, to help a friend so earnestly. If there is any way in which I might help you - you have done so much to help me, after all.

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

[If she only knew. He chuckles lowly.]

You flatter me, my dear Juliet. You truly do. But I think it's far too late for anything to change now. And I'm not going to change, either.

[Even if deep down in his hearts, he still partially thinks otherwise. Once in a very rare while, he wonders if he made the right choice back on the Valiant.]

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

Of course you will not. You will continue to be good and helpful, as it is your nature. But your friend, the Doctor, surely he can change? He can become better? All men, be they humans or Lords of Time or - or - Keronians like Kururu - all are capable of change for the better. This I believe most strongly.

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

My nature-- You don't know the half of--

[No. He can't say everything, of course.]

Change never sticks in the end. Even if we both change, it'll all end up to hell, whoever's fault it was that time around.

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

You are correct, Lord Saxon, I do not. I know what I have seen and experienced of it in this place, and I know what you have told me. But you have said you are nine hundred years old, and a few months' time is so little compared to that. But from what little I have been privileged to see of your character, I think I have the right of it.

[She smiles at him.]

I do not believe that. If there is an error on either side, it can be mended. Tempers flare and die. There are things said in anger that are not true. But such things can be made right. You would not keep trying as you do if you did not believe that as well.

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

You are... quite the person, Juliet, you know that?

[He really isn't used to anyone talking to him like this, anyone being this kind and sweet and all that. Of course, it's only because he's been lying to her this whole time. Not about everything, but obviously about his whole...being a murderous psychopathic genocidal bastard thing.]

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

That is most kind of you to say, Lord Saxon.

[She curtsies.]

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

I ought to consider myself lucky.

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

[She smiles at his words.]

I feel much the same.

Have you need of anything, Lord Saxon? I - I will bring you something, if I can. A bit of paper, a bit of fruit? I would offer books, but you have read many of the ones in the library, if I recall.

[You are one of about four people she'll venture out alone for right now.]

[Video]

[soundsofdrums.livejournal.com]

[He waves his hand.]

Better if you stay indoors right now.

[Video]

[capuletnomore]

If you think it best. Sango has told me much the same. But I shall come and see you when the madness falls away, and you are recovered somewhat.