rude_not_ginger: (terror)
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for [livejournal.com profile] on_thecouch: Justify your actions.

Justify yourself.

Your words aren't your own.

It makes them less powerful.

So much less powerful, because suddenly you're being confronted as if what you've done and are doing is wrong. Why? Because when you speak your explanations, they're spoken at the same time as you by Skye, or whatever that thing is that's taken over her. Even your nonsense words are predicted and spoken.

It makes you sound scripted, fake.

Justify yourself.

They want to kill her. It's worse than self-defense because it's not really defense, she's not attacking, she's not provoking, she's just talking with them, terrifying them. She's terrifying you, too, but that's not the point.

You could tell them the things you've seen, the significantly scarier things that you've survived, but that's just going to scare them more and really you don't want this thing learning about the Daleks or the Cybermen or the Terrible Zodin, and you certainly don't want to be talking as much as you are.

She's learning, which means she's intelligent and that's fascinating but they can't see that, all they can see is their fear.

Justify yourself.

But that's the way with panicking people, isn't it? Stuff them in a scary situation and give them something they don't understand and they just turn. Turn on each other and turn on their friends and oh, well, what do you know? They just turned on you.

What's your name? Just the Doctor. Where are you from? Just a traveler. Like an immigrant? Who are you? Tell us your name! Who are you?

They've started repeating themselves and you find yourself slowly backing away. They need you, you say. They need you and they need to keep you alive. Usually this works so well, but they're just so scared and you're just not what they expect or think they need.

Justify yourself.

You're alone and because your words are only half of what they were, they just don't believe you. You're clever and somehow that's an insult.

Stupid stupid humans.

Okay, maybe it is an insult.

But they're not thinking rationally, they're panicking and their words are being stolen and somehow that makes it all right to panic more. Everyone's scared and you're usually just so good with scared people but right now they think you're too gleeful or too calm or whatever. You're not part of the panicked mob like they are so you're clearly not one of them and really you're just not but that's not the point! It's not the point!

Justify yourself.

And then she goes quiet.

Silent.

Gives them back their words. Their words, not yours. Words are power and she leaves the mob stronger and you at only half your strength. You lean down to try to reason with her and the mob gets louder. They're in it together. They've been in it together from the start.

You want to believe that this thing, this new and strange and so very fascinating thing just needs your help. But those eyes. Those aren't Mrs. Silvestry's eyes.

What does it want, Doctor? What does that mean?

They're finally asking you the questions.

And you can't reply.

No, no, that's all you can do. All you can do is reply.

Justify yourself.

Oh, look at that, I'm ahead of you.

(Oh, look at that, I'm ahead of you.)

I think it's moved.

(I think it's moved.)

I think it's letting me go.

(I think it's letting me go.)

Look at me, I can move, I can feel again. I'm coming back to life.

(Look at me, I can move, I can feel again. I'm coming back to life.)

And look at him, he can't move.

(And look at him, he can't move.)

Justify yourself.

There's silence and stillness and you're in pain and struggling and every muscle in your face and throat is tight but you can't make your head shift or your eyes look anywhere but the blue screen in front of you. The effect is something similar to anesthetic awareness, you think; your eyes are open and you're in pain but you can't cry out.

Your eyes tear and you want to move and you want to be silent silent or scream for help or Donna or help but your words aren't yours.

They aren't yours.

You can't face them. Can't fight against them. Can't possibly stand up for yourself, now. It's too late. Too late to prove anything. Too late to justify your actions and get them to see it your way.

You're helpless.

Completely helpless.

Somehow, the Daleks seem less terrifying.

Help me.

(Help me.)

Muse: The Doctor (Ten)
Fandom: Doctor Who
Word Count: 700 not including dialogue from 4.10 'Midnight'

From: [identity profile] clever-wanderer.livejournal.com

ooc


This was absolutely brilliant! I always love your "Anatomy of a scene" responses, the way you can take a moment and put it to words so perfectly. I loved the way you used repetition, with the repeated "Justify yourself" plus the entire theme of repetition through the episode, and through this. I loved the moment you have him realizing what's happening, the

"They're finally asking you the questions. And you can't reply. No, no, that's all you can do. All you can do is reply."

This was perfect, amazingly, awesomely brilliant =D
Edited Date: 2008-06-16 01:28 am (UTC)

From: [identity profile] rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com

Re: ooc


Thank you so much, darlin'. I just <3ed that episode. Best of RTD's reign, I think.

From: [identity profile] otherdoctor.livejournal.com

OOC


Somehow this has made me refeel just how terrified I was watching the episode. Bravissimo.

From: [identity profile] rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com

Re: OOC


Thank you so much!

That episode was brilliant, I think. I haven't felt a good scare like that in a while!

From: [identity profile] susan-who.livejournal.com


Chilling.

didn't read this till after I watched the ep. As I am trying to be unspoilered.
So glad I did.

This is just as breath-catching as the episode. Well done.

From: [identity profile] rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com


I'm doing my verybest to keep the spoilers under wraps cause I don't want anyone to have it ruined!

That ep was so scary, mostly because I wasn't expecting it.

From: [identity profile] savagestime.livejournal.com

ooc;


Very nicely done. You wrote the subtext of that scene back into it wonderfully.

From: [identity profile] rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com

Re: ooc;


Thank you so much!

I've been trying to find you in R/S chat all week to compliment YOU on your Master. I fear you.

From: [identity profile] savagestime.livejournal.com

ooc;


Wow, thank you very much! (You would pick the week that I've forced myself into a partial haitus, wouldn't you?)

From: [identity profile] rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com

Re: ooc;


It's entirely to torture you, I'm certain.

Dude, the thread we had in R/S had my Doctor STUMPED. Not to mention frustrated! He's brilliant! *fangirls!*

From: [identity profile] savagestime.livejournal.com

Re: ooc;


You're an evil, evil person.

Oh, so that's why he was so cranky! ♥ But that's... really, really nice to hear, thank you very much so. And a Master can only be as good as the Doctor he's playing with, so thank you kindly for providing an equally capable Doctor.

From: [identity profile] seraphsariel.livejournal.com

OOC


I have read this journal for quite a time and never quite could bring myself to comment until now.

Silly self conscious thing over, I think the real beauty of this piece is that there is a certain lyrical quality due to the repetition that echoes the creepiness of the episode itself.

Would you mind if I added this journal to my flist?
.

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