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[thecricketer]

[he starts off with an assuring smile, even as the fog rolls around him]

Hello. I'm the Doctor; I've met quite a few people already. I don't seem to be affected by the fog, so I wanted to offer my -

[he stops abruptly, brow furrowing]

Did anyone hear that?

[he turns, then, focusing off-camera - and then the colour drains from his face, the strength from his voice]

Adric?

Comments

[truth_is_cold]

[And someone is back from the Southern City- and not suffering any ill effects thus far.]

All I hear is you, Doctor, and my ears are keen though that doesn't say much for your comm's receptors.

Affected by the fog? What's happening? [What's an Adric.]

[thecricketer]

[slowly, he tears his eyes away from the sight - a child, battered and bloody, with an accusing stare]

I - it - yes, it must - it must be, I -

[he closes his eyes, pressing a hand to his head]

I shouldn't have taken my immunity for granted, I suppose.

[truth_is_cold]

I'll certainly take it as a reminder not to take any for granted. [He's not exactly in uniform- he's wearing a worn leather jacket, black turtleneck, and a scarf and it's that scarf that he uses to pull up over his nose and mouth, some jostling of his view to be had as he does. And for a man who claims he doubts true altruism exists, he makes a funny... it's sort of an offer but it's also a command.]

Where are you? I'm coming out there to find you. I suspect if two people are going to be afflicted with delusions and have some of their sense, then one will at least see through the others.

[Though, thus far, he's not been affected at all.]

[thecricketer]

Yes, that - [a sudden wince; he never heard Adric scream, but he's imagined it enough]

That sounds sensible. I'm in the outskirts of the city. Not awfully far from the ship, I think.

[a sudden, strained laugh] I crashed mine, you know. My oldest friend and I can't even treat her right. I can't seem to repair the damage.

[truth_is_cold]

[He didn't hear anything, or see anything- so he has to assume it's from something imagined. He doesn't ask what. But ships he's been around enough...] Ships are resilient. They love their captains and crews. I've seen temperamental warships capable of forgiveness [even if Rommie may never forgive him for even thinking about what he planned to do], so I can't imagine yours would have difficulty once you figure out how.

[And he turns off the feed. He'll work his way through the fog until he finds where the Doctor's at, hoping that the Authorities won't use the opportunity to attack.]

[thecricketer]

[a strained but warm smile] She's forgiven me worse, that's true enough. Most loyal companion in the universe.

[he lowers the device as the picture fades, slipping it into his pocket; with a hard swallow, he turns to face his ghosts]

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[His ears are keen, but his nose is currently useless thanks to the fog. It doesn't smell right, not to mention he still has his scarf in the way. Which he has to pull down to call out to him once he's in sight of the ship.]

Doctor!

[He hopes he can hear him over the hallucinations. Or whatever it is that's happening to him. Some have it worse than others.]

[Spam]

[thecricketer]

[the Doctor doesn't, at first; his gaze keeps snapping to people who aren't there, people long dead, as their last words twist and turn in his head, aching echoes of the past

i came to help you

you show so many mysteries; with you i know i'm safe

the best must die!

looks like i just didn't make it, doc]

I'm so very sorry...

[it's a hoarse, anguished whisper as he eyes finally focus on Rhode]

You - you're not -

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[Even with the scarf down, he's still not noticing anything. Not unless the distracted Doctor here isn't real, and he very much seems to be. And to remind him that he is too he reaches out to take his elbow.] Come on, we should get inside one of the buildings.

[Wait.]

I'm not what?

[Spam]

[thecricketer]

[the Doctor offers a strained shadow of a smile as he steps forward]

Dead. At least I certainly hope not.

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[That observation gives him pause. According to Dylan, in one timeline, he very much is dead. He doesn't know the circumstances, but he has guesses.]

Not yet.

[And with no intention of being if he can help it.]

That's what you're seeing, then? I don't see anyone. But if I do, I'll ask you if they're there. [He won't take his own immunity for granted now, he shouldn't.]

[Spam]

[thecricketer]

[an earnest nod as he keeps his eyes firmly fixed on Rhade] That's a fine idea. Unless, of course, we hallucinate the same thing. It would be quite unlikely, but I rather think this entire situation fits that description.

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[He starts to pull off his scarf as he starts heading in the direction of the settlement.] The planet or the alien ship or the fog? I wonder why the new people didn't warn us about this. [He doesn't think they accidentally forgot. But he tends toward suspicion.

And then offers the Doctor his scarf. It's not a bright pretty one, but-] You might be able to put this over your mouth and block out some of the fog. See if it lessens the effect. [He saw enough of the local residents in gas masks, maybe it'll work after a bit.]

[tailless]

Fog? What's wrong with the fog?

[thecricketer]

[he takes a deep, steadying breath for answering] I can't be certain. It's - clearly interfering with peoples' minds. Even mine, so it must be particularly -

[a sudden shudder]

Particularly strong.

[tailless]

[It's hard to tell, but he's actually rather confused and a little alarmed.]

I... never sensed anything.

[thecricketer]

No. No, not did I, that's what makes it so insidious.

[his eyes suddenly snap to the left, before he forces himself to focus on the screen] You're sensitive to such things, then?

[tailless]

To some extent.

[thecricketer]

[his nod is a bit desperate as he tries to focus his attention on the conversation] Is that common on your world, or are you an exception? If you don't mind my asking.

[tailless]

Common. I'd assume.

This might be more of a lack of... lack of my powers. Damn this thing.

[Or rather, him overestimating his powers, even without the collar.]

[thecricketer]

[the Doctor scowls slightly as his eyes are drawn to it] I can only imagine. There does seem to be a method of removal -

[his head whips to the side, eyes wide]

[tailless]

I've heard, that it inv-

[He watches him. There's mild alarm in his eyes, but he does his best to mask it.]

What is it?!

[thecricketer]

It can't be -

[and he promptly jerks his head away]

No, it can't. It's not here. [his words are firm, if only to convince himself]

[he supposes he owes an explanation, however, and he says ruefully]

I thought I saw...old enemies. [Cybermen, not quite fully converted, their minds already lost to programming]

[tailless]

We should have people stay indoors. Away from the fog.

[thecricketer]

[he nods rapidly, trying to stop his eyes from ticking to something he knows isn't there] If at all possible, yes. I'd hoped to help anyone caught in it, but - well. [his laugh is strained] My plans do tend to go awry.