[It's meant to come out as a question, but instead it comes out rather flat and surprised-sounding. The Doctor clears his throat a little, trying to regain his composure--though he's still sticking to voice, it's much easier to deal with this that way.]
[...this would be so much easier if Bruce hated him. He doesn't want forgiveness, not this easily. But he also knows that most people will look at him funny if he says that out loud, so he takes a minute to compose himself here before he responds.]
I'm... aware that it isn't my fault. And I suppose I will be alright, eventually.
My offer still stands, and will continue to do so.
[He won't feel right about this until he's done something for Bruce. He just has no idea what.]
It's... the Doctor. Just the Doctor. [In that moment of hesitation he'd considered giving his name as 'Six' but... well. No matter what he's done, his name is still the Doctor. Even if he doesn't feel like it fits just now.] And I see.
[No wonder Bruce is so willing to forgive him, if something similar happened to him.]
You... does it still haunt you?
[Maybe he shouldn't ask, he already knows this kind of thing doesn't go away... but he's curious all the same, to see what Bruce will say.]
Yes, but there's a difference there; my becoming... compromised, was the result of a lab accident during my own research. I should have known better. It was my hubris that put others at risk.
You didn't invite or cause what happened to you, and the damage wasn't lasting.
[Perhaps he didn't, but he can't let go of the sense that the corruption found some answering darkness inside himself. He wasn't always so peaceful in this incarnation...]
Tell that to the natives I killed.
[He's trying not to sound too bitter, but those people will never come back. That's lasting damage for you.]
I arrived right on the tail of the last- when we were all iced into the castle. So it was difficult to imagine what people were making so much fuss about. I'd never really seen it.
You lot were lucky to arrive then--that was a rather nasty battle. And if they use ice again, do be careful; my hands took days to heal from the frostbite, defying all attempts to accelerate their healing.
I'm not certain; it may make you a tad more resistant, but I wouldn't rely on it. The enemy has powers of its own that rival the powers of the Gods we're attached to; best not to try taking them on, magically speaking, in my opinion. Physical attacks combined with the powers we were given seem to be much more effective.
I should think that's rather a good idea. It's... not something that will help everyone learn how to use their new skills, but it should help most of the people here.
[He's not about to let people hurt him just so he can practice healing himself.]
[He's deeply touched, yet again, by Bruce's generosity in forgiving him. If this was video he would have been able to get away with just nodding his thanks, but since it isn't... he just manages to force out a rather croaky,]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-01 09:38 pm (UTC)[It's meant to come out as a question, but instead it comes out rather flat and surprised-sounding. The Doctor clears his throat a little, trying to regain his composure--though he's still sticking to voice, it's much easier to deal with this that way.]
Oh. Good. That... is good, I take it?
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-01 09:44 pm (UTC)[Agreeing, clearing his throat as well. This is awkward. But he knows what he wants to say.]
What happened wasn't your fault. I hope you're all right, but I know you probably aren't.
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-01 09:51 pm (UTC)I'm... aware that it isn't my fault. And I suppose I will be alright, eventually.
My offer still stands, and will continue to do so.
[He won't feel right about this until he's done something for Bruce. He just has no idea what.]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-01 09:57 pm (UTC)[He explains, shortly.]
There were a few fatalities, more than a few actually, and in a world where they don't come back. So.
I don't think I ever got your name?
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-03 04:04 am (UTC)[No wonder Bruce is so willing to forgive him, if something similar happened to him.]
You... does it still haunt you?
[Maybe he shouldn't ask, he already knows this kind of thing doesn't go away... but he's curious all the same, to see what Bruce will say.]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-03 05:18 am (UTC)You didn't invite or cause what happened to you, and the damage wasn't lasting.
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-03 09:10 pm (UTC)[Perhaps he didn't, but he can't let go of the sense that the corruption found some answering darkness inside himself. He wasn't always so peaceful in this incarnation...]
Tell that to the natives I killed.
[He's trying not to sound too bitter, but those people will never come back. That's lasting damage for you.]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-04 12:47 am (UTC)[Because there's nothing much he can say about that, except that he does understand.]
If you ever need a cup of tea-
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-04 08:17 pm (UTC)[It still feels odd to be forgiven so easily, but at the same time he can't keep beating himself up about something that he really couldn't help.]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-04 09:24 pm (UTC)[A short laugh.]
But the intention.
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-04 09:26 pm (UTC)Thank you all the same, Bruce. The offer really is most kind.
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-04 10:43 pm (UTC)[He instructs him, smile touching his voice.]
If only because I'm new here, and I need more friends.
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-05 04:02 am (UTC)[He debates saying 'thank you' again, but it might be redundant at this point.]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-05 05:15 am (UTC)[Shaking his head.]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-06 05:09 am (UTC)[He manages to sound faintly amused.]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-06 06:34 am (UTC)[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-07 04:17 am (UTC)[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-07 04:58 pm (UTC)[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-08 08:22 am (UTC)[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-09 01:07 am (UTC)[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-09 06:25 pm (UTC)[He's not about to let people hurt him just so he can practice healing himself.]
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-10 03:14 pm (UTC)[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-10 08:48 pm (UTC)If you do start this group up, drop me a line. I may wish to come by and I may even participate.
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-11 12:00 am (UTC)Take care of yourself in the mean time. Let me know if anyone gives you grief.
[Voice]
Date: 2013-10-11 06:11 am (UTC)Thank you, and I shall.
[before he ends the call.]