Big Guy in the sky, He lied too

[not_the_question]

WHO: Doctor and Open (Some locked options in Comments)
WHAT: Doctor’s slower than usual recovery and other needs-must before the shift to Kirkwall
WHEN: From TTT return to Drakonis 30
WHERE: All around Skyhold and nearby outside
WARNINGS: The Doctor's story is sad and depressing and might come out a bit these days.
NOTES: Feel free to use these as starters, or make your own. If you have an idea and want me to write up a starer, send a PM.

Healing Tents
The little TTT group had made sure the Doctor got this far. He was fairly disappointed that he hadn’t healed as quickly as he was used to. On the other hand, given the bit of road-rash on his face from when he fell, it was probably for the best. If that healed too quickly, the game would be up for him. Now he was here, in one of the tents trying to ward off anyone trying to heal him with magic. Mostly, he just wanted to slip back to the cubby that he shared with Jamie and be done with it. He just needed to slip into his Time Lord healing coma and he’d be fine.

"Look, can you possibly do any of this without touching me?"


Herald’s Rest
The Doctor drinks wine now. He can’t stand anything else for now. He’s spending more and more time here. Partly to escape everyone and partly to watch everyone. Mostly, because he’s trying to ignore his feelings about River and his TARDIS. He hates that he feels so alien here. Oh he’s an alien everywhere but on Gallifrey, but here? He actually feels alien. So, he drinks and watches people. He might even be drawn into conversation, if the person is interesting enough.

"You're right, that wasn't a good story."


Griffons
The Doctor felt a special connection to the Griffons. Not only because he could talk to them, but they were a bit like his TARDIS. Glorious creatures. While he knew Potatoes was quite fond of him. Well, story of his life when it came to companions. Today, he was spending time with Little White Monster. Mostly because while none of the griffons were neglected, he had noticed that she had a personality that very few had the patience for. His ability to speak Griffon helped with that. In some ways she reminded him of River. Which he found oddly comforting.

"All right, girl, let's see what we have for you today."

Comments

[killedwithlove]

"I- just know." He doesn't 'speak' their language, but he understands. And he can communicate. "I care, so I understand?"

He strokes a finger lightly over the beetle's carapace; the insect seemed completely unbothered by Cole's attention, oddly calm and trusting of the boy's hand. "I- don't remember choosing. It was just what I did. I was scared but, Rhys needed me."

[not_the_question]

The Doctor smiled again. "That's usually how understanding works."

If Cole was anything, he was hypnotic. He was as enigmatic as the Doctor and mysteries have always been the one thing he could never resist.

"I'm not talking about the past. I'm talking about right now. You don't want to Despair. You want to remain Compassion. That is a choice. I told you that every single creature has the potential for despair or compassion. You have been both, so you understand the importance more than most. Yet, you choose compassion. And that is why you're brave."

He's repeating himself, which is rare, but for some reason, he feels it is important for Cole to understand this.

[killedwithlove]

"Usually, but no always. Rhys didn't understand, but he cared anyway. That was enough."

After a long moment, Cole lifts the beetle up to his neck, letting it climb up to his jaw, where it would get a little warmth. "I don't want to hurt people. I kill sometimes, when I have to. But I just want to help. I never thought of that as making me brave. I thought it was just what I am but-"

But he does choose. He's just never thought about it.

"I need to go put the beetle with the outgoing caravan to Orlais."

[not_the_question]

"Oh! Yes, yes, yes. By all means. Make sure the smallest creature is cared for."

Because, again, that's not making a choice at all(!) But the Doctor knew he had given Cole a lot to think about. And Cole had done the same for him.

He slid his hands in his pockets.

"I'm sure I'll see you around again, Cole."

[killedwithlove]

"Probably," Cole agreed, but it was absent. He was focused on the insect now; it needed his help.

He stood up and took a step and was gone in a curl of smoke.

[not_the_question]

Which the Doctor just stared at for some long moments. Realising how foggy his memory was, he pulled out his diary and made a few notes. Something he hadn't done the first time. Cole was a great deal like the Silence, but the Doctor didn't want to forget him again.