Christmas Trollery in the Compy Lab!

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

Oh, you humans. So much fuss over a basic feature of your own planet's orbit. A simple little solstice and everyone has a gaudy holiday full of enormous meals, family drama, and decorations everywhere.

Pssst: Spring will come even if you don't throw endless parties. And that won't be a gift from some magical sky fairy either.

I found a fun tradition, though. Somewhere in the school I've hidden a life-size caganer. It's got a few enchantments that might make it easier to find.

There might be a prize involved.

Comments

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

"...every day."

He didn't need to say who for.

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

He wouldn't have expected less; he'd been in the same position himself.

"You've probably recognized a few names, then."

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

"A few, yeah." Some he'd been told about, but not known himself... and multiple versions of the Doctor, unsurprisingly.

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"And have you ever seen a Dalek, Rory?" It was a bit of a challenge keeping up his usual bantering tone when his last memory of Daleks was from the depths of the Time War.

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

"...no." Oh. He'd thought that might be where this was going. "I've - I've heard about them."

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"So you'll have noticed there's one on the plaque. Watch that name closely... they're a lot tougher than drunken Vikings."

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

He could tell the mask was beginning to slip. Rory had seen trauma. He could also tell that the Master really wouldn't appreciate having attention drawn to it.

He nodded. "That is - that is what I've heard. Yes."

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"If you see that name come off the plaque... you might want to make sure your combat skills are fresh in your memory after all."

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

"I understand." His voice was quiet. "I'll look out for it."

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"I imagine they'd go quite mad here," the Master mused distantly. "Somewhere without killing. "

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

Rory swallowed. "Yeah, that - wouldn't help, would it."

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"I imagine it would make them more aggressive. "

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

"That - seems likely. Yes. Definitely making combat skills a priority, then."

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"I imagine, " the Master said quietly, "That knowing places they couldn't get into would be most effective."

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

He didn't say anything for a moment.

"...I know there's - there are secret passages, right? And hidden rooms... protected by magic, so I'd imagine just blasting a way in wouldn't work..."

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"Strategy." He grinned tightly, eyes partially unfocused. "It's not just for swordplay. "

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

"...no, it's not. Aand I should've been thinking about this already."

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"Of course, you only have a few scraps of information. He isn't very forthcoming, is he?"

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

Normally he'd say something like 'is that a trick question?'. But this might not be the best time.

"...no, he's not."

[theregothedrums.livejournal.com]

"You just keep watching that plaque, " he murmured.

[thefuturemrpond.livejournal.com]

He nodded, solemn.

"I'll do that."