You Never Understood Me; You Never Really Tried. (for <lj site="livejournal.com" user="defyingprophe

[syncopath]

"Couldn't you have brought us anywhere a bit more interesting?"

By 'more interesting', the Master really meant a planet with anything at all he could use to hide or escape from the Doctor. This one, with fields of purple grass as far even a Time Lord eye could see, did not fit that criteria. There was also the larger problem that the planet's atmosphere was not breathable. The two of them were lying in that grass in an atmosphere created by the TARDIS' extending its defense shields, although the Master had insisted on keeping a considerable distance from the Doctor. They were supposed to be cloudgazing-- Kelboros-5 was famous for its semi-sentient cloud formations manifesting a low-level psychic field, which would metamorphose them in response to faint psychic cues from the minds of visitors. Those with a bit of telepathic skill could control these clouds, to some extent, and it was considered an art in some cultures.

But the Master's eyes were continually drawn to the TARDIS. It was locked up, of course; else-wise the Master would have been long gone from this planet by now, and the Doctor would be asphyxiating slowly. The idea thrilled him.

Above their heads, the clouds morphed into a cruel-beaked bird swooping down on a snake, catching it in its talons and shaking fiercely.

Comments

[syncopath]

He listened to the Doctor babble at him for a while, faintly, before he deigned to turn around, a look of contempt on his face. Of course the Doctor would come after him. Couldn't even let him face the end with a scrap of dignity.

When he caught sight of the Doctor's expression, though, he burst out laughing. And when he was unable to pull in any air to sustain that any longer, he just stood there, arms folded, watching to see what he'd try next.

He estimated he could last another five minutes while the Doctor attempted to negotiate. This should be entertaining, at the very least.

[defyingprophecy.livejournal.com]

"You can't, you don't want to die like this." The Doctor looked at him, his eyes still wide and he hovered around the edge of the shield, "Do you really want to die like this?"

He didn't know what else to do or say, the only other thing he could do would be to step out of the shield and probably get them both killed. And how his self preservation kicked in.

[syncopath]

The Master stared at him evenly, shaking his head with disdain. Is that it? That's your solution? Perhaps you'd rather have me die in your arms again? Would that be a fitting death?

Three minutes to go. What would the Doctor do about it? Would he try to save him? Or would he put his own survival first, as he had before? He raised his arm and tapped his wrist, smiling a little, though he was beginning to feel a little faint, his body panicking due to its rapidly depleting oxygen stores.

[defyingprophecy.livejournal.com]

Oh, what to do, what to do. The Doctor stood there watching him, rolling back and forth on his feet. What could he do to persuade him to come back?

With a sigh, the Doctor took a deep breath before heading out of the shield in hopes to grab the Master and drag him back.

[syncopath]

The Master's smile was gone in a flash as the Doctor did act, finally. He took several steps backward, and then several more, preparing to run. Despite his intentions when he'd first stepped outside the shields, it was still something of a surprise when his feet fell out from under him, the ground suddenly far too close.

Perhaps five minutes hadn't been conservative enough an estimate.

[defyingprophecy.livejournal.com]

"Woah," And the Doctor was at his side, arm going around him as he tugged him up to his feet, "Not exactly a clever move there, was it."

He reached over and dragged the Master back into the shielded area,

[syncopath]

He fought with all he had, but it simply wasn't enough, and it wasn't long until he was on his hands and knees, gulping in huge breaths of air not far from the TARDIS.

The currently left open door of the TARDIS.

The Master went still for a moment, grinning, before he clambered to his feet and bolted for the ship.

[defyingprophecy.livejournal.com]

Sighing softly the Doctor held up his hand and clicked his fingers, the door to the TARDIS swinging closed before the Master could get inside.

Sighing softly he shook his head, "Nice try, but not fast enough."

[syncopath]

The Master thudded against the closed doors, unable to stop himself. He began pummeling them out of pure frustration before sagging against them, panting. The Doctor couldn't have... He whipped himself around, his back to the TARDIS doors, a look of defeat mixed with horror on his face. There was something very familiar about all of this, but it didn't surprise him. Their altercations always seemed to end similarly.

"I see you've picked up some new tricks," he said acidly, once he'd gotten his breath back.

[defyingprophecy.livejournal.com]

"What? That old thing?" He looked at the Master and shrugged his shoulders, "That's nothing really, just a fun little thing I can do."

Slowly the Doctor walked towards him, a slightly smug smile upon his face. He moved to the door and held it open, waiting for the Master to join them inside the TARDIS.

[syncopath]

He considered, briefly, remaining where he was. But he didn't much want a repeat of what had occurred last time he'd refused to go in the TARDIS. So the Master got up, grumbling, and trudged over the threshold.

"This isn't going to last, you realize." He'd escape, sooner or later. The Doctor had to know that.

[defyingprophecy.livejournal.com]

With a sigh the Doctor nodded. Of course he knew that this wouldn't last, but he could hope that it would, couldn't he? With a soft sigh he followed the Master into the TARDIS, closing the door behind them.

"Right, well I need to get milk, we've run out." So Earth bound they were.