thoughtformed | [Video message]

[The Doctor is sitting on the chair next to the TARDIS control console, bouncing a rubber ball against the floor and catching it again and again. He glances sideways at the camera, making a noise between his lips and his teeth.]

It's hard to know what to say, isn't it? After something like that. A lot of people hurt, or scared. A lot of people out of work because the buildings they work in were wrecked. Even school's down to half-days while they repair the damage.

But I can tell you this. Whatever kind of trouble we go through, we can all go on. Every last one of you. You are all -- we are all -- amazing people. Trolls, humans, Time Lords, assorted other species... we're resilient. Got depth nobody can guess at, not even ourselves. I've seen you all do it before, and it has been... incredible. A privilege, really.

And I think, right now, that might be what you all need to hear. We're going to make it. We're going to make it because you are all so strong, so astounding... such brilliant people.

I might not always be happy to be here, but I'm always proud to be one of you.

[The camera shuts off. Then, after a moment, it turns on again, with him crouching in front of it, squinting into the lens.]

And because of that, by the way. When the school does go back to a full day and my classes start again. Because you are such fantastic people... all the homework I assigned for Monday is still going to be due.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I get that you're trying to help, but stop. You don't know.

You can never know anyone else's war. Only your own.

All right.

Humans are almost extinct, they killed ninety percent of us almost right away. And they take the children, use them as slaves.

There's nothing exciting about the unknown.

I'm not going to convince you by talking to you.

But if you're ever curious about why I think you're wrong, just let me know.

That's fine, it's good that you have hope. My dad would like you.

And my daughter would like you.

... that's kinda creepy. Dad was a History teacher— American History. Before everything went to hell.

Strange coincidence. Funny old world like that, though.

I'm the Doctor.

I'm Ben.

Is that a codename? "Doctor"?

Nope! Just my name. The Doctor, Doctor if you're addressing me directly I suppose, but if you don't stick the definite article in front everyone just goes around asking 'Doctor Who?'

Gets old after a bit.

...

...

Right. Okay. I was gonna say that "Doctor" isn't a real name, but I'm in some other world and everyone's fictional, so your name's a stupid thing to question.

As a teacher, I think I'm supposed to tell you that there are no stupid questions.

[ that gets a real smile from him ]

Who named you?

Named myself, actually. Sort of a tradition among my people. Well, my circle of friends. Well, actually there was just the one, and then the rest of us did the same.