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[Oh Rassilon save him, it's this one. Sometimes, the Maestro wonders how he even managed to survive the diminutive manipulator.]

Ah, yes. I suppose it's not always easy.

Fear isn't one size fits all, though.

[ The Doctor is standing in front of a fossilized Tyrannosaurus at the Natural History Museum, with his hands clasping the handle of his umbrella and he stares at the long dead beast.

The thing still is impressive even if it stood in the 20th century as nothing more than a replica of its bones. The Doctor took in a deep breath, and he seems perfectly at ease this day. ]

No, I suppose not. And, I'm sure it depends on the fear and how far deep it resonates within the individuals. But! That does not mean it is impossible to overcome those fears.

[ The Doctor turns his attention away from the dinosaur to look at Maestro. ] But, there is always going to be something else to take its place.

Of course it isn't. It still doesn't mean that with a little work, that fear can be met with triumph.

[Time, and time, and time. The beast is over sixty-five million years old, one of the most deadly predators of its age. And here it is now, bleached replicas of bones, the rest of its kind long dead.

Hah. How appropriate for him, then. Though the Maestro had never gone by 'Sue' before.]

Darkness, Fire, Monsters. Public speaking. Have you heard that old joke? Most people would rather be in a casket than giving the eulogy?

[He barely glances over at the Doctor, choosing to stick with looking at the skeleton. Only one of them terrifies him.]

That still sounds too broad. Most fear, maybe.

(ooc: pardon the different journal, this one was deemed better.)

Of course, I heard that joke! [ The Doctor looks away from the stranger; sure, he can tell Maestro is a Time Lord and a very peculiar one at that. With his hands tapping at the handle of his umbrella, he looks back to old Rex with a blithe look on his face. ]

So, you'd rather stare down this beastie in the flesh than give a speech in front of a large crowd, eh? Then again the most Sue would do is eat you, instead of mock you for stammering like a fool. [ The Doctor finally shoots him a dirty look. ]

Alright, fess up and come clean already! What has the CIA sent you here to have me do? I bet it is some of their dirty work that they won't dare soil their hands with, hmm?

I, for your information, am perfectly fine with public speaking. [It's not quite a snarl, but there's something definitely frosty about his tone. He's never quite known how to handle this particular incarnation of the Doctor. Manipulative, clever, diabolical, long-reaching plans while he stays out of the way.

Hmph.]

Oh, paranoid as ever, Doctor. I like museums. I like Chicago. I was thinking of getting a hot dog, but now, it seems, I get to follow you around and stop whatever nastiness you're doing.

ooc: I kinda like the other one. :)

[ The Doctor, ahs. ] Of course, I didn't forget phobias. [ With a fatherly smile on his face, he rests his hand on the table behind him. ] And, even those are quite broad, but still one can even overcome those.

[ooc: I keep getting that. Jenn it is. *shuffles feet*]

I'm inclined to agree with you, to a point. [ She watches him thoughtfully, arms folded across her chest out of habit. ] The probability exists that all fear can be overcome. Stating it unequivocally, without a way to test it, doesn't feel right.

Edited (i can html) 2014-05-01 04:03 (UTC)

[ The chummy conversation ends, with The Doctor looking bewildered. Sure, this chap can very well be trouble, and The Doctor steps back taking a defensive posture between himself and The Maestro. ]

Wha?! Wha?! What! Eh, gah, no! I don't think there needs to be any followings of myself, that much I can assure you. [ His brow slopes, with the look of confusion being replaced with one of annoyance. ] And, I can assure you there will be no nastiness from myself. You however, look to be nothing but trouble.

[ The Doctor knows he can't leave this one alone, sure it was to be a nice day in the Windy City, but such is his life. ] And, I cannot have that now can I.

[The Maestro scoffs. Well, 'nothing but trouble' might be an apt summary of him--at least for the movers and shakers, those in power who feed on the innocent. He doesn't run around and plant charges or help revolutionaries; he lets the dictators and oppressors expose themselves. Or helps with peaceful transitions of power. Things like that.

And sometimes, he chases after madmen. The Maestro tilts his head to the side--left, and then right.]

Your words, of course, always hold such truth. [He's not exactly a tall man by nature, right now, but he's got a few inches up over the Doctor.]

[ Of course this regeneration might be the closest one might get to resemble a proper Master, but there are still things that keep him grounded.

The Doctor scowled at Maestro, and he hefted his umbrella up to take a mock stab at the other Time Lord. ] I'm sure the same could be said of yours! Now what is it you came here to do? Hmm? You're wasting my time, and I've got things to do!

[ Finding Ace and Hex is one of those things so they may attend a hockey match. ] Of course, I can't tend to my other plans with you showing your face. Now why don't you tell the Director of the CIA, I'm not interested in fixing up whatever mess they've gotten themselves into!

[ The Doctor rocks back on his feet, the warm smile still there on his face. ] Of all the things I've seen, dealt for thousands of years, I'm surprised I'm not a whimpering mess.

Now if you want to test a theory of mine, I'd be willing to make amends. [ The Doctor nods his head in the direction of the TARDIS. ] And, I'm sure there is something out there that can even make me cower in horror.

[The Maestro’s Doctor rarely had companions. Brainwashed kidnapping victims, maybe. Nothing to keep him from going off what deep ends he could find. This one--all question marks and Scottish burrs--was one of the worst, along with the scarfed loony with a fondness for poisoned candy.

He almost rolls his eyes at the faux umbrella thrust--but it’s probably got something inside of it, doesn’t it? Taser? Hidden blade?]

I’m not here for the fucking CIA! [Damn the Web of Time. Damn keeping secrets.] I wanted a nice day, and here I am, arguing with a bloody ghost. Do you know, Doctor, I still can’t believe I miss you.

[ The Doctor gives him a look of disbelief. ] A nice quiet day?! Do you expect me to believe you! I hardly believe a word you're sayi--- [ It follows up nicely with a look of surprise at the word ghost. ] --- Wha?! Wha! What do you mean ghost?

[ The whole conversation seems weird, and he is still blind to the possible obvious. With a scowl resting on his face, The Doctor becomes confused. ] Miss me how? If you aren't with the CIA and somehow you seem to know me, just exactly who are you?

Well, I was planning on going to a concert later. Beyonce, or maybe Gaga. Can hardly call that quiet. [But now he’s being difficult--splitting hairs and all that.]

Look at me. [He crosses his arms tight against his chest and gives the Doctor a steely, cold glare.] Look at me, and see for yourself.

Thousands of years. [ Betty eyes him with a twinge of visible uncertainty. After the things she's been through, stating anything is impossible is just plain stupid. After all, a scientist transforming into a big, green rage monster should be impossible.

.. This guy sounds pretty sure of himself, though. So she's willing to listen, if not outright believe. ]

What theory?

[ Of course, he hasn't been exposed much to neither of the two due to Ace's taste in punk rock. So, he just shrugs his shoulders and relaxes his stance just a bit.

With the umbrella lowering back to rest on the marble floor below his feet, The Doctor returns the glare. There's something off, as if something were different -- very different.

It then hits him, and there is a long look on his face. ] The Master! I should have known it was you, but there is something off about you.

We've de-synced. [It's a simple way of putting it. Blunt. He's crossing over his timeline, yes, but it wasn't intentional. Still, the Maestro best not linger for too much longer.] I'm quite a ways ahead of you.

Ooooh, have we now? [ The Doctor is leery of The Maestro, and sure he shouldn't just leave the other Time Lord on his own or out of his sight. ] Then you of all people should know you're risking your very own timeline.