Discovery of Loss

[traken_master]

[The Master doesn't generally celebrate Earth holidays, but there are one or two he finds acceptable. Today, he has decided to honor April Fool's Day and play a prank on the Doctor...a harmless one this time. Naturally, this requires a disguise! The Master is very talented at disguises...or he used to be. He's tried several on, but, looking in the mirror, he notices that all of them...fail, somehow. No matter what he does, he is clearly recognizable! At first he is puzzled, but then, to his horror, he remembers what he has been told about all residents experiencing a "loss." Horror turns to rage. His journal is open, since he finds the background chatter of the castle both entertaining and informative, but that doesn't matter to him, as he begins yelling.]

YOU PERNICIOUS PILE OF ROCK! I'LL TEAR YOU DOWN PIECE BY PIECE FOR THIS!

Comments

[squartatore]

It's only rain.

[sorry, not getting what the big deal is. Why so agitated?]

[traken_master]

What? I don't care about the weather! This blasted castle has stolen my ability to disguise myself. I'm master of disguise and it's just gone!

[squartatore]

Broadcasting it so everyone can know your weakness isn't going to help.

[there's a good reason why she's kept her own loss under wraps -- well, nobody from her world is left, which makes it better]

[traken_master]

It's not a weakness! I can manage perfectly well without it. That is not the point! I enjoyed my disguises; they were a trademark, of sorts. This "loss" is unacceptable and I've been told irreversible.

[squartatore]

[so, she translates internally, it is a weakness]

Then get another trademark.

[traken_master]

[That or the disguises themselves were a weakness. It's hard to tell with the Master.]

I have other, notable talents, of course, but the disguises gave things a sense of fun.

[squartatore]

[fun for who, she wonders]

Throwing a fit won't help, though.

[traken_master]

That wasn't a fit. It was a promise. I wanted to make sure I had the castle's attention.

[squartatore]

Huh. I dunno about the castle, but you'll certainly be drawing attention.

[read: "that was loud"]

[cricketycricket]

[that tirade can only mean one thing...]

Well, whatever you've lost, it certainly isn't your knack for alliteration.

[traken_master]

No, Doctor, my eloquence is perfectly intact.

[cricketycricket]

So I hear. ... What isn't, then? Since you're obviously quite broken up about it.

[traken_master]

I've lost my ability to disguise myself. Why? What use could this idiotic castle have for that?

[cricketycricket]

[the fact that he has to fight off the instinct to laugh is answer enough for him] I've one word for you: schadenfreude.

[traken_master]

Are you referring to the castle or to yourself?

[cricketycricket]

[somewhat grumpily, because really, you try and explain something and get banter. ugh. no, this is not the way he likes having serious conversations. get with it, man]

The castle. It likes seeing its residents agitated.

Likely why you're here in the first place.

[traken_master]

[The Master grins at the grumpy tone, but then considers what the Doctor is saying.]

You know, Mr. Henshaw and I made a similar observation. The personality of the castle is rather childish. There doesn't seem to be any rational reason behind its actions, only a playful sort of spite.

[hulloeverything]

What's it done this time? [he chuckles.]

[traken_master]

It's stolen my ability to disguise myself. [He's sulking, though he'd never admit it.]

[hulloeverything]

[There's a pause as Eleven tries to keep his composure... and fails miserably. He laughs] It did what? Oh that's just poetic.

[traken_master]

Poetic? It's nothing of the sort. If we're going to gloat at each other, why don't you tell me what your loss is!

[hulloeverything]

[His laughter subsides and he clears his throat softly] Me? I can't remember how I regenerated. At least, not the most recent time.

[traken_master]

I suppose that could pose an inconvenience. [He feels a bit cheated, now.]

[hulloeverything]

Yes, well, after so many centuries to have a memory forcibly taken, especially one as important as that one. [He sighs] It's all rather annoying, really.

[traken_master]

I'd rather have a memory taken, than a talent.