Delayed exploration

[traken_master]

Who: The Master, Open
What: Exploring the castle properly
When: A day or so after being released from the Valentine's Day event
Where: Starting with the kitchen
Rating: G-PG

The Master knew the importance of being familiar with his surroundings. Normally, he would do extensive research on any planet that he intended to visit. Before landing, he would know where the safest shelters were, who was currently in power, who was seeking to take power, and who could be either bribed or coerced most easily. The Master always made sure to place his TARDIS somewhere that he could get to easily, for a quick escape.

Now, however, his TARDIS was completely out of reach and the Doctor himself had assured the Master that escape was impossible. No one seemed to be in power and few people seemed willing to change that fact. Bribery and coercion were still useful tools, should he need them, but only once he got to know the residents better. Likewise, his knowledge of the Castle, outside his bedroom, was almost nil! Other than lacking his TARDIS, this lack was the most unacceptable situation and, fortunately, the easiest to fix.

On his arrival, the Master had been told more than once that the kitchen was on the first floor. That seemed a reasonable place to begin his explorations. The Master wasn't particularly hungry, but decided he might as well examine things closely. This was a Castle with deep secrets and the Master intended to dig them out, one by one.

Comments

[romana2]

"It is more than your reputation that precedes you," Romana replied.

Of course, her being linked to the Matrix had gone a long way in telling her about the Master, then there was the trial by the Daleks, but that is yet to come for this Master.

[traken_master]

"Is it? If we meet in the future, you really shouldn't tell me, my dear," the Master lectured, with mock severity.

[romana2]

The Master's attitude annoyed Romana, "Don't presume to lecture me, Lord Master. You do not know to whom you speak."

[traken_master]

The Master grinned, giving a small bow, but his eyes hardened.

"I don't care who you are, my dear. I'm sure you're very impressive, in your own way, but I am the Master."

[romana2]

The renegades think they're so impressive. Her tone took on the clipped tone of one who is not to be messed with, "I am Romanadvoratrelundar, President of the Supreme Council of Gallifrey and all her Dominions. Holder of the Wisdom of Rassilon. Preserver of the Matrix. Guardian of the Legacy of Omega. Keeper of the Rod and Sash of Rassilon."

In other words, she is impressive, not in her own way, but in an official capacity.

[traken_master]

The Master listened to her list the titles of the office of president with some astonishment, but at the end, he laughed. He laughed, loud, long, and madly, finally leaning back against the wall to support himself.

"Oh, that's very good, my dear, very official and formal," the Master assured her. "Congratulations on your election, if that pleases you. Still, I'm a renegade. What do I care for your list of pretty titles?"

[romana2]

She just stared at him for the longest time, "You are a Time Lord. That should afford enough reason."

[traken_master]

The Master shrugged.

"If I wanted to follow the traditions and laws of our people, I would have stayed home. As it is, 'should' is whatever I decide. Part of the freedom of being a renegade is that I follow no one's rules, save my own. Your title is meaningless here."

[romana2]

Romana's tone is clipped, "It is unfortunate that you do not know me. Or you would know that I too, am a renegade."

[traken_master]

"No, my dear," the Master contradicted, smiling smugly. "You are Lady President and silly enough to expect to me care."

[romana2]

"Oh I wish I were still 'silly,' as you put it. The Time Lord race may be coming to an end."

And suddenly, Romana looks, nearly ancient. She has no qualms about telling the Master this. As it is after his extermination, there is no timeline for her to threaten.

[traken_master]

"Coming to an end? I'm tempted to accuse you of melodrama, Lady President. Our civilization is a billion years old. What can the Time Lords have done to endanger themselves?"

The Master wasn't really surprised to hear the Time Lords were in danger. Their indolence, yet fanatic hording of power, was bound to cause the problems eventually.

[romana2]

Romana nods simply, "Indeed. And it was nothing we did, not exactly anyway. The Free Time Virus began to take affect among our kind."

[traken_master]

"You're ahead of me in the time lines, my dear. I've never heard of a 'free time' virus. Still, it's not unusual for new diseases to evolve. Surely, Time Lord technology can cope?"

[romana2]

"That had been our hope. Which is why I have been going to Alternate Gallifreys to find a solution."

Her expression makes it obvious that it is not going well.

[traken_master]

"Only, now you've become trapped in Paradisa," the Master reminded her. "How unpleasant. I hope you aren't contagious."

He gives her a bland smile that shows his complete lack of concern with the entire issue.

[romana2]

"Your concern for the future of your people is... overwhelming." Though Romana hadn't expected him to care entirely, she had expected, something.

[traken_master]

The Master glowered.

"My people are those who choose to obey me," the Master informed her, coldly. "Gallifrey accepts only those who embrace it's stagnant nature. I choose to live, not merely exist. In any case, displays of sentimentality will not save it."

[romana2]

"Gallifrey has changed," her tone became equally cold, "There were things I learned from my travels with the Doctor."

Well, she has changed it a bit... She tries.

[traken_master]

"Has it, indeed?" the Master asked, skeptically. "Well, may you have a long reign, Lady President. Nevertheless, there is precious little to tie me to that world."

[romana2]

Romana knows what happens to the Master and her tone as the edge colored with that knowledge, "But the little that ties to you it is what is most important to you."

She said it as a statement of fact, because it is. The part that ties him to Gallifrey is the part that makes him a Time Lord.

[traken_master]

"What's most important to me is to rule and never be ruled," the Master countered. He knew he could never fully escape Gallifrey and the meaning of being a Time Lord, but he would fight tooth and claw for his autonomy.

OMG sorry for all the typos in that last comment, I knew what I was talking about :P

[romana2]

She sighs, "Some things never change... Has it ever occurred to you that you might be the greatest Time Lord of your generation? But with that sort of greatness comes responsibility."

:D S'okay.

[traken_master]

"I thought popular opinion gave that title to the Doctor," the Master observed, amused, but secretly flattered. "In order to fulfill responsibilities, one must be allowed the power to carry them out, something I've been continually denied. Even if I wasn't, my dear, we're trapped here. I can hardly save Gallifrey from anything, while in Paradisa."

[romana2]

"Nor can I. And I'm her president."

She smiles a bit fondly at the mention of the Doctor, "Popularity on Earth? Perhaps. But on Gallifrey? You know as well as I do he is less than popular. Besides, while he might be able to impress other species, you and I both know the man is an idiot."

Okay, so now she's using her diplomacy to get the Master on her side, there are reasons why she's President, after all.