He looks back at the blank door, thinking about the Doctor's question. It would make sense... doors usually work both ways. As for meeting himself... "I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get along."
He doesn't exactly like himself as it is and he doubts that would be any better given the raw feelings at the time. Seeing the look on the Doctor's face would be interesting, but again the whole situation... it wouldn't be worth it.
"I'll pass."
Maybe one of the next doors will have something more interesting? No harm in looking right? He starts walking further down the path.
The Doctor sighs in relief at first. But then looks less than impressed at Vader's next suggestion. "Seriously? You want to keep trying? Do you know how much damage can be done if we choose the wrong door? Clearly this is at the very least a time machine of some kind."
The Doctor looks completely offended when Vader says 'no machine could do this.' "The TARDIS does all the time."
It's less spoken and more grumbled. He considers the last question. "Maybe. If I can hear voices like the last time. This isn't my universe. So who knows what of my abilities will or won't work?"
He doesn't need to see the look, or even hear the tone of his voice, to know the Doctor is offended. But on whose behalf is he offended, the TARDIS or himself?
"She is not a machine."
Mechanical in a large part, but she's a living being. And he doesn't think of her as any less alive than he did his own Jabitha. Or himself for that matter.
"A ship, yes... but not a machine."
Not that he doesn't like machines, some of his best friends have been machines. They just have no Forciness.
Vader gives a small nod as the Doctor voices his concers.
"Then we work with what we can."
The next doors in the line with voices aren't any more promising... the Doctor handing over his glasses to him. Another awkward reminder of the lost trust that he had no desire to reminisce over... His botched attempt to get Luke to join him. That plan went way better on paper. Not his finest moment... fixing up that stupid droid of the Doctor's... the destruction of Alderaan.
"Why would it show some things and not others? Wouldn't it be easier to just have one door or some kind of a continuous playback?"
The Doctor is liking this less and less. "It's kind of like a Confession Dial. Only not."
Did he ever tell Vader all about what Confession Dials were? He doesn't remember. But the point isn't lost on him. This is going to be all about forgiveness somehow. Maybe it would be good for the Emperor.
"Question is: is it yours or mine. I don't recognise everything, so I'm assuming it's you're."
The Doctor shrugs. "Clearly this place thinks otherwise. You always walk a bit stiffly, but it's gotten worse the longer we've spent here. I'd say this place is way more about you than me."
Besides, it's not even his universe, why would it be about him?
Ugh. He realizes that's a truly lame excuse as soon as he says it. "Something about this place gives me the creeps. You don't like it here either, so..."
Not a confession by the way. Just an admission... totally different. He glances back down the direction they had just been walking.
"Anyway, if this place were meant solely for me, then there would be no reason for you to be here."
These vergence thingies can be very picky about who they interact with.
"I meant here here not out there here. It could have stopped you from passing through, but it didn't."
He's not buying the 'only him' thing. But the having to face something is pretty much par for the course. He was hoping it would be something cool for once though.
"Fine. Let's find whatever it is this place wants us to find."
It's not like he hasn't done this dozens of times before... just not with anyone else around.
"But for the record... I want you to be wrong about this place."
He makes a quiet scoffing sound but doesn't argue otherwise.
"Stay if you insist."
Even he had pointed out that the Doctor needed to find someone else to hang out with... during one of his particularly morose early drunken text chats. That was ages ago, before that first visit.
"It makes no difference to me."
Nope. None. Current circumstances aside, he doesn't anyone. He's nothing like the Doctor.
He's basically ignoring the doors now... if this place wants his attention then it'll have to try harder. Something like that glowing one up ahead would do it.
Unlike the others they can actually see what's on the other side... it's him and Palpatine opening the rift to the multiverse. Sideous reminding him that nothing is heresy for a Sith... even this. Only power matters and what greater power is there than to reach into other realities...
The Doctor rolls his eyes. Why does Vader have to be so difficult? He follows and he sees the door that Vader is likely heading towards. "Erm... Ever hear of the quote 'all that glitters is not gold'?"
"Did you ever hear the one 'it seemed like a good idea at the time'..."
Not that he was exactly thrilled to be doing it at the time. He's not thrilled to be seeing it now either knowing what he does now.
"I wasn't kidding when I said there's no such thing as 'too much power' for the Emperor."
Still, he couldn't have done it without his help. And after his opinion on the matter was summarily dismissed he did as he was instructed.
A big part of any Sith ritual is channeling your power into the thing you want, in this case a special bowl shaped alter... but he can't use Force lightning like his Master. With the lack of hands and all he needs to do something very different. Frankly, looking at it from here, it looks a little silly... he gradually focuses his energy into a glowy blue ball of concentrated Dark Side power and sends that into the bowl. It's slow and inelegant compared to lightning that follows it, but he's given enough time to build it up so it's enough to accomplish what they need. Sideous adds his to the mix and with a lot of chanting in a language Vader doesn't understand, he directs it to open the gap in reality.
Honestly, back then he was too exhausted to really appreciate what they had done, and now he's just glad they didn't accidentally pop their universe like a balloon. Sideous thinks it's one of the most beautiful things he's ever seen.
"You're an idiot. They're doors. They let you in, but also let others out."
Because seriously? Why does he have to explain this? It's pretty basic stuff here.
"The question is: can what's on the other side see directly into this side. That's a bit harder to know. Every door is different, well, unless you're continually going back and forth through the same door, then it's obviously the same."
He crosses his arms and scowls to himself. The thought of just tossing the Doctor through just to see what would happen flits through his mind... but he dismisses it. Annoyed as he by the insult and despite his attempts to convince both of them otherwise, he has genuinely missed the Doctor's company. Rudeness and all.
"That was what I meant. We can see out, but can he see in?"
That seems like the more immediate question than 'how do doors work'... and if he can't see, can he sense that someone is watching him?
"Should we wave to him?"
Just a little wave... that seems like it would be the quickest way to find out. If he were alone, he'd just do it, but he'd best get the Doctor's opinion first.
Honestly, he doesn't expect the Doctor to 'understand'... Force-knows Vader doesn't understand half the time either. But the Doctor's got his lauded billions of years of experience and whatever... so maybe he noticed something without the Force that Vader missed. He's not always the most observant guy.
"I block the connection between he and I when we're together."
Had he mentioned that before? He can't remember... and then it would depend on how sauced the Doctor was at the time.
"If I use it now and it does work, not only would he definitely find me, but he could find you as well."
He looks at the Doctor and shrugs.
"That isn't a risk I'm willing to take."
So he's just going to have to observe instead. Which is tricky in its own way... Palpatine can keep his body language very cryptic. All the robes certainly don't help.
"I'm pretty sure he knows something is there. But, I don't think he can see through?"
Different universes. And the Doctor's knowledge is limited to a movie and his brief visits here. Not the same understanding.
"And find the TARDIS. I don't want anyone here finding the TARDIS."
The Doctor has priorities. He considers the last statement and hums thoughtfully.
"But you're not sure how well you have masked yourself. So, I think it's best we leave well enough alone and move along. There's gotta be a better door to use..."
The Doctor has limits to the dangers he will face and giving over the TARDIS to this universe is too high a price.
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ninetydegrees
no subject
on 2019-09-13 06:38 pm (UTC)He looks back at the blank door, thinking about the Doctor's question. It would make sense... doors usually work both ways. As for meeting himself... "I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get along."
He doesn't exactly like himself as it is and he doubts that would be any better given the raw feelings at the time. Seeing the look on the Doctor's face would be interesting, but again the whole situation... it wouldn't be worth it.
"I'll pass."
Maybe one of the next doors will have something more interesting? No harm in looking right? He starts walking further down the path.
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on 2019-09-13 07:33 pm (UTC)And that makes the Doctor very nervous.
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on 2019-09-14 12:36 am (UTC)He's just curious. Sheesh. What harm is there in looking. He starts walking again, looking past the doors to the stars that aren't stars.
"This place is practically alive with the Force. No machine could do this."
He only gives the next few doors a cursory look. Mostly out of distraction.
"Anyway, you wouldn't let us choose the wrong door. You'd be able to tell..."
Vader turns, he could swear he saw one of the constellations move. Weird.
"...right?"
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on 2019-09-14 03:59 am (UTC)It's less spoken and more grumbled. He considers the last question. "Maybe. If I can hear voices like the last time. This isn't my universe. So who knows what of my abilities will or won't work?"
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on 2019-09-14 05:54 pm (UTC)"She is not a machine."
Mechanical in a large part, but she's a living being. And he doesn't think of her as any less alive than he did his own Jabitha. Or himself for that matter.
"A ship, yes... but not a machine."
Not that he doesn't like machines, some of his best friends have been machines. They just have no Forciness.
Vader gives a small nod as the Doctor voices his concers.
"Then we work with what we can."
The next doors in the line with voices aren't any more promising... the Doctor handing over his glasses to him. Another awkward reminder of the lost trust that he had no desire to reminisce over... His botched attempt to get Luke to join him. That plan went way better on paper. Not his finest moment... fixing up that stupid droid of the Doctor's... the destruction of Alderaan.
"Why would it show some things and not others? Wouldn't it be easier to just have one door or some kind of a continuous playback?"
no subject
on 2019-09-14 10:17 pm (UTC)Did he ever tell Vader all about what Confession Dials were? He doesn't remember. But the point isn't lost on him. This is going to be all about forgiveness somehow. Maybe it would be good for the Emperor.
"Question is: is it yours or mine. I don't recognise everything, so I'm assuming it's you're."
no subject
on 2019-09-14 11:45 pm (UTC)"I have nothing to confess."
And forgiveness is right out.
"If that's what this place wants then we might as well leave now."
He turns on his heel and starts to walk away. There's no way he wants anything to do with that sort of thing.
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on 2019-09-15 01:13 am (UTC)Besides, it's not even his universe, why would it be about him?
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on 2019-09-15 02:26 am (UTC)Ugh. He realizes that's a truly lame excuse as soon as he says it. "Something about this place gives me the creeps. You don't like it here either, so..."
Not a confession by the way. Just an admission... totally different. He glances back down the direction they had just been walking.
"Anyway, if this place were meant solely for me, then there would be no reason for you to be here."
These vergence thingies can be very picky about who they interact with.
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on 2019-09-15 02:53 am (UTC)He has no problem with confessions now. In this case, it's more about forgiveness, but he's pretty sure Vader would completely reject that idea.
"There's something here you need to face. Not sure what I can do to help."
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on 2019-09-15 03:17 pm (UTC)He's not buying the 'only him' thing. But the having to face something is pretty much par for the course. He was hoping it would be something cool for once though.
"Fine. Let's find whatever it is this place wants us to find."
It's not like he hasn't done this dozens of times before... just not with anyone else around.
"But for the record... I want you to be wrong about this place."
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on 2019-09-15 03:32 pm (UTC)Which sucks for various reasons on many levels.
"You keep using this word, 'us'. I don't think it's about us. I'm thinking I'm meant to be a companion, but this is all really about you."
Still, he follows. Because it's not like he's going to leave people. He's the Doctor, after all.
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on 2019-09-15 04:31 pm (UTC)He looks at the Doctor. "Unless you would rather stay behind. I don't need a companion."
He is capable of handling things on his own. Especially if it's some sort of awkward lesson.
"You could... go connect to the Timeyness of this place or something. Whatever it is you Time Lords do."
Not that he expects it to happen... the Doctor is too invested in the whole 'Doctor' thing. Worth a shot though.
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on 2019-09-15 04:45 pm (UTC)Someone had once said the Doctor travels with an entourage. It's not by choice so much as necessity. It goes bad when he is alone...
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on 2019-09-16 12:53 am (UTC)"Stay if you insist."
Even he had pointed out that the Doctor needed to find someone else to hang out with... during one of his particularly morose early drunken text chats. That was ages ago, before that first visit.
"It makes no difference to me."
Nope. None. Current circumstances aside, he doesn't anyone. He's nothing like the Doctor.
He's basically ignoring the doors now... if this place wants his attention then it'll have to try harder. Something like that glowing one up ahead would do it.
Unlike the others they can actually see what's on the other side... it's him and Palpatine opening the rift to the multiverse. Sideous reminding him that nothing is heresy for a Sith... even this. Only power matters and what greater power is there than to reach into other realities...
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on 2019-09-16 12:58 am (UTC)Because that's like an open invitation to danger.
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on 2019-09-16 04:53 am (UTC)Not that he was exactly thrilled to be doing it at the time. He's not thrilled to be seeing it now either knowing what he does now.
"I wasn't kidding when I said there's no such thing as 'too much power' for the Emperor."
Still, he couldn't have done it without his help. And after his opinion on the matter was summarily dismissed he did as he was instructed.
A big part of any Sith ritual is channeling your power into the thing you want, in this case a special bowl shaped alter... but he can't use Force lightning like his Master. With the lack of hands and all he needs to do something very different.
Frankly, looking at it from here, it looks a little silly... he gradually focuses his energy into a glowy blue ball of concentrated Dark Side power and sends that into the bowl. It's slow and inelegant compared to lightning that follows it, but he's given enough time to build it up so it's enough to accomplish what they need. Sideous adds his to the mix and with a lot of chanting in a language Vader doesn't understand, he directs it to open the gap in reality.
Honestly, back then he was too exhausted to really appreciate what they had done, and now he's just glad they didn't accidentally pop their universe like a balloon. Sideous thinks it's one of the most beautiful things he's ever seen.
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on 2019-09-16 12:54 pm (UTC)Which is really all he can say. This isn't fun. He doesn't mind exploring things, but it should at least be fun.
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on 2019-09-16 02:32 pm (UTC)"Yeah, I know." He takes a drink.
"I got Muggy out of the deal... so that's a plus."
Not everything that has come from this was bad. He wouldn't do it again, but he doesn't completely regret it either.
Vader pauses. "Um... do you think these things are two way?"
Because Palpatine is basically looking right at them.
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on 2019-09-17 11:25 am (UTC)Because seriously? Why does he have to explain this? It's pretty basic stuff here.
"The question is: can what's on the other side see directly into this side. That's a bit harder to know. Every door is different, well, unless you're continually going back and forth through the same door, then it's obviously the same."
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on 2019-09-17 01:42 pm (UTC)He crosses his arms and scowls to himself. The thought of just tossing the Doctor through just to see what would happen flits through his mind... but he dismisses it. Annoyed as he by the insult and despite his attempts to convince both of them otherwise, he has genuinely missed the Doctor's company. Rudeness and all.
"That was what I meant. We can see out, but can he see in?"
That seems like the more immediate question than 'how do doors work'... and if he can't see, can he sense that someone is watching him?
"Should we wave to him?"
Just a little wave... that seems like it would be the quickest way to find out. If he were alone, he'd just do it, but he'd best get the Doctor's opinion first.
Rather than be called an idiot yet again.
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on 2019-09-18 02:21 am (UTC)He waves off any reply Vader might be formulating.
"This is your universe, you're the one with the Force connection, and he's your Master, you tell me."
Because honestly? Why does he think the Doctor would understand this kind of depth about his universe?
At the last question The Doctor just gives him an 'are you kidding me?' look.
no subject
on 2019-09-18 02:12 pm (UTC)But the Doctor's got his lauded billions of years of experience and whatever... so maybe he noticed something without the Force that Vader missed. He's not always the most observant guy.
"I block the connection between he and I when we're together."
Had he mentioned that before? He can't remember... and then it would depend on how sauced the Doctor was at the time.
"If I use it now and it does work, not only would he definitely find me, but he could find you as well."
He looks at the Doctor and shrugs.
"That isn't a risk I'm willing to take."
So he's just going to have to observe instead. Which is tricky in its own way... Palpatine can keep his body language very cryptic. All the robes certainly don't help.
"I'm pretty sure he knows something is there. But, I don't think he can see through?"
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on 2019-09-18 09:13 pm (UTC)"And find the TARDIS. I don't want anyone here finding the TARDIS."
The Doctor has priorities. He considers the last statement and hums thoughtfully.
"But you're not sure how well you have masked yourself. So, I think it's best we leave well enough alone and move along. There's gotta be a better door to use..."
The Doctor has limits to the dangers he will face and giving over the TARDIS to this universe is too high a price.