[Video message]

[allons_y_alonso]

[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.

Comments

[razorback]

Or super villains. But I'm guessing you don't wanna be compared to the Joker.

[allons_y_alonso]

Not so much, no.

[razorback]

You look more like the hero type.

[allons_y_alonso]

Now you're just flattering me!

[razorback]

It's not a good thing. Heroes get killed.

[allons_y_alonso]

Done that a bit. It doesn't stick.

[allons_y_alonso]

So no worries!

[razorback]

Do you not die or did you die but showed up here?

[allons_y_alonso]

Oh, I definitely died. It's just different, for my species.

[razorback]

Species?

[ it's clear from the shift in his tone and the way he tenses up that he's not cool with this ]

[allons_y_alonso]

Yes, that's right. Didn't I mention? I'm an alien. A Time Lord, to be exact.

[razorback]

Why do you look human? Some kind of skin suit?

[allons_y_alonso]

What? No, that's disgusting! I'm not a Slitheen!

This is really, honestly what I look like. Rather a popular shape out there.

[razorback]

[ he might have cursed under his breath ]

Right. Sure, whatever. Alien species about six feet tall, two arms, six legs, something between bug and reptile, they sleep upside down and communicate using radio waves. Does it sound familiar at all?

[allons_y_alonso]

Bit like a Zarbi. A Racnoss, maybe. Or a Metebelis arachnoid, an Eight-Legs, they call themselves. Not much imagination on Metebelis Three, you know.

Honestly, could be five or six other species. Or a mutant offshoto or forgotten branch of about three dozen more.

Big old universe.

[razorback]

Do any of those attach harnesses to kids' spines to control them?

[allons_y_alonso]

An Eight-Legs might. Very interested in mind control, human slave labor, that sort of thing. But they're not quite six feet. And normally, they use crystals.

[razorback]

Not the same, then. This goes beyond slave labor.

[allons_y_alonso]

How far beyond?

[razorback]

... I think it's recruitment. If the harnesses aren't removed soon enough they contaminate them.

[allons_y_alonso]

Well. That's alarming.

It might be reversible but without a sample to examine firsthand there's no way to tell.

[razorback]

...

[razorback]

I'm a sample.

[allons_y_alonso]

Ah.

I can have a look, if you'd like. I'm not called the Doctor for nothing, after all.

[razorback]

Right.

Sure. It's not like I have anything to lose.