who_contest | Arkytior

Title: Arkytior
Rating: G
Genre: Character Introspection
Word Count: 319
Pairings or Characters: AU! Susan (at least I think it's AU!)
Spoilers: none
Warnings:none
Summary: Occasionally, she lets the mask slip.

This story is somewhat experimental, so reviews and constructive criticism is welcome as always. Enjoy!

The appearance of a young girl. A mask over the truth of me. He's blinded by it, though every now and then I show him. No, not Grandfather. The other one. He's strong—they both are. They had to be, in order to survive for this long.

She sees behind the mask, occasionally. I called her hawk-eyes among my colleagues, when I was her student (in some ways, I still am.). Not as a insult. She can see farther than even she knows, and when in danger, I can see her mind calculating everything, and still ignoring the odds against her with a single-minded desire to protect. Make no mistake, no power in this universe can save you if you hurt someone she loves.

But they're still human. And so they cannot comprehend how much of me they will never know. I have seen stars burn to dust. I heard how our first universe burnt to cinders as a bed time story. But when they look at me, all they see is an unearthly child. I am so much more.

But I love them both, and help them in so many ways, though they'll never see it. How I always get hurt just enough so they're forced to get involved, but not enough that they end up dying, or somehow “accidentally” led them to the TARDIS, when I had kept her secret for years.

And Grandfather's a great man, but he cannot grow into his true potential with me around. Loves me too much. So I will have to make him leave me. He'll probably think it was his decision. I'll come back one day.

I enjoyed this interrogation,. but now it's over, so look into my eyes.

Slip your key-card into Grandfather's cell. I will “sprain” my ankle, and he'll think he saved the day by himself, as always.

Forget these orders on 1, 2, 3:

FORGET

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com

WHOA. Just...this is epic and completely mind-blowing! WOW!!

*HUGS*

gallif-migrant.livejournal.com

Thank you! Any specific details you liked?

The idea of her deliberately leading Ian and Barbara to the TARDIS. The wisdom that drove her to that. The love of her Grandfather and her 'vision' of what he could (and should) be. Catering to what everyone sees and expects - to get the unexpected. Just brilliant!

flowsoffire.livejournal.com

Oh, wow! This was an astonishing and just perfect portrayal of Susan, playing wonderfully on all the potential of the character, the sharp intelligence and capability of a young Time Lady. PLaying naive, but subtly guiding others, all the while letting them think their evolutions were their own work or that of hazard when in fact she had set the way for them. The insight on Ian and Barbara was wonderful, Barbara especially and her perceptiveness and protectiveness—how much she valued and trusted them, yet her also knowing that they couldn't truly comprehend who she was and all that she had seen, so she let them see only what they were comfortable with and expected to see in her, what they could understand. How she cared so much for them, and for her grandfather, yet knew they had to separate for his sake, and set that up too, always making sure he thought he was in control. It's fascinating and so thought-provoking, the mix of deep care and entirely analytical thinking, the way she pushed buttons and triggered events to unfold as she wanted, without anyone ever suspecting anything. And perfectly fitting with the way you set up and concluded the story—the interrogation, but her subtly taking control and turning the tables once more, using her mind powers and making sure her interrogator would never know what had happened. Very striking ending :D It's just wonderful! So unique! Thank you for this, it's an amazing interpretation of Susan.