bodilesswarrior | 24 - Backdated to the Day after the Flood

[Barbara is sitting at her desk, fingers curled under her chin. Her brain is buzzing, still; it remembers feeling the universe tick.

There are notes scattered in front of her. It's her handwriting, but it's not; it's crafted by centuries and worlds she could never dream of, penned in alien ink.

When she finally speaks, her voice is quietly pensive.]

How much of this do you think stays with us? The people we become, the lives we never lived.

[She settles back in her chair.]

I was a Time Lord for three days. She was bound to her TARDIS, and she saw things, understood things that I could never grasp, not really. She was hundreds of years old, and she'd seen hundreds of worlds, and she knew the rhythm of the universe like it was her own heart beat.

[She raises her hand, taps her temple.] How is my mind supposed to process that, now that it's gone? How the hell does it work? [She tries not to get frustrated, any more, at how the Barge functions, at how much she doesn't understand. She failed, today.]

[Private to Iris]

[It's still easy, though, to smile for Iris. It's faint and it's wistful but it's real.]

You were a witch, right? I could - I'm not sure, but I was aware, of what happened in the corridors.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Aye.

I didn't think it were going to be like a literal egg, but it is. Dodo's sitting on it. I think that's 'is idea of appropriate.

...now I know it can be done.

[She can do it twice.]

[Well, she can't help grinning at that mental image.] Hey, whatever works.

[And then Iris' words sink in, and she just stares, for a second.]

...It can be repeated.

Well. Assuming this doesn't go wrong. You're supposed to 'ave a null-space hyperloom and - luckily Dodo can do the block-transfer work and the Barge is close enough to null-space.

[She is not crossing her fingers.]

We'll 'ave to see 'ow the little one turns out.

Of course. [But she's beaming.] But, well - if anyone can do it.

That's what I told meself.

I wish Narvin was 'ere. I don't know a better technician. 'Course, the little 'un might be flying free by the time 'e stopped spluttering about unorthodox procedures, but 'e'd 'ave 'elped set me mind at rest.

...You know, there might be something here that could help. [She gestures at the notes.] Most of it is English, and I've got some of the Gallifreyan, but - I think some of these words just don't have any counterparts on Earth.

No. No, a lot of 'em wouldn't. I'd love to come and look - or d'you want to come 'ere? Dodo's not keen on visitors but 'e'd love to see you.

I'd love to. [That word's getting thrown around a lot. She loves it.] Just give me a few minutes to pack everything up.

I always remember flood realities. I mean, they're not quite like me own lived memories; but I think it's just the different selves colouring 'em.

She 'ad two sons. Walter and Zane. Walter were a Watchman.

24 - Backdated to the Day after the Flood

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