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

[Ben tried to keep up, but he got completely lost at some point between sauerkraut and chocolate. He still made a valiant effort to note everything down, which results in a barely legible grocery list with the word 'banana' scribbled at the bottom.

By the time the Doctor is done talking, Ben looks confused and even a little dizzy.]

... uh.

Sort of?

[The Doctor peera over his shoulder, makes a 'hmmm' sound, and swipea the list for a few additional revisions.

Unfortunately, his own handwriting is something of a mess as well.]

There we are. So. Every day, at least two items from each list, one pot of tea, one banana; one acne scrub. More of each wouldn't hurt, but I want to see if that level has any effect. If the acne medication doesn't do anything -- or if the yoghurt does too much -- we'll fiddle with it. I'll check back in two weeks, unless you notice a change between now and then.

... okay. I guess... A diet seems too simple— not that I'm not thankful, because I am. I just.

I guess this is hard to take in? Unexpected.

Well, I don't exactly have a license to practice here on the island. No point in prescribing anything when a chemist wouldn't fill the order. Besides, nobody likes taking pills. Easier this way. This

[He taps Ben's arm]

This right here is your best weapon. Your own body. And there's nothing wrong with it, strictly speaking. Just have to get it running a higher octane than the invade-y bits.

[He glances down for a moment.]

Mind you, I can't make any guarantees. And it's not likely to reverse the change. Just slow down the spread. I'll keep doing tests, see if I can find anything better. Not that there's much out there better than black tea and Vietnamese cuisine, but I can try.

[Ben nods, doing his best to be totally okay with everything]

Right, okay. I'll do this, like I said it's not like I got anything to lose, and this is better than what I got back home. Doctor Glass couldn't do anything but give me a puzzled look and hope it went away— not her fault, though. She's doing her best, no one was prepared for any of this. It's even more insane when I look at it from here and—

[he seems to realize he's babbling and stops himself]

Sorry. Anyway, thank you.

You're welcome. Least I can do, really.

[He tucks away glasses, stethoscope, and screwdriver in quick succession.]

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