Museum Piece ('Label' entry)

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Title: 'Museum Piece'
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Horror/Angst
Word Count: 516
Pairings or Characters: Eleventh Doctor, original characters
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Mildly disturbing imagery

Summary: "And now for the pride of our collection, our only live exhibit, acquired at great personal risk by one of our donors...I must ask that you keep well back from the enclosure, please..."

"Come on," Daamen had told me. "This'll be fun. They'll only be here for a week; we can't miss out."

The Underground Artefacts Collection was a traveling museum exhibit devoted to...rather unscrupulously-acquired items from across the galaxy. They claimed to possess pieces that had been "liberated" from the caches of the wealthy, along with others that had been taken in ways best not contemplated by more honest individuals.

The Collection was what Daamen had his heart set on seeing--it had been his personal dream for years. How could he pass up a chance like this?

Now, walking through the abandoned building that temporarily served as a museum, I could understand his enthusiasm. We, along with a small cluster of other viewers, were being shown treasures that we would only have been able to read about. Fragments of ships that had flown beyond our galaxy's edges, jewels hoarded by royalty, sacred texts from long-dead civilizations...

Daamen and I were wearing identical smiles as our guide led us into one last chamber.

"And now for the pride of our collection, our only live exhibit, acquired at great personal risk by one of our donors...I must ask that you keep well back from the enclosure, please..."

Before us stood what looked like an antique music stand, a large label resting on it. Behind the stand was a cage. Within the cage...

"Behold," our guide announced, "the last remaining Time Lord!"

My stomach churned at the sight. His wrists and ankles were securely fettered, and a series of leather straps held his jaw shut. Haunted green eyes stared at us beseechingly. A tattered bow tie hung untied from an open collar. The coat he wore must have been a lovely shade of purple when it was new. Now it was faded and stained.

Over the curious murmurs of the crowd, I thought I could hear muffled pleas. My eyes tore away from that haggard, sorrowful face just long enough to read the label. Ornate script flowed across the page:

The Doctor
Last of the Time Lords
Gifted by an Anonymous Donor

The next thing I knew, we were all filing out of the building. Around me, people were laughing, chattering about the wonders they'd seen.

"I wonder how long before they're raided," Daamen mused as we strolled homeward. "Wandering across the sector like vagabonds, with all that contraband in tow. It's only a matter of time before the authorities catch up and shut them down."

"It better happen soon," I answered, shuddering. "That poor, poor man...

"You've really got a soft heart, haven't you?" He laughed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry. Their only live exhibit...they probably treat him like a king. Couldn't afford not to. If he died on them, no taxidermist would risk his job to help that lot, with their reputation."

"I guess you're right," I shrugged, letting him lead me away.

All the same, I couldn't stop thinking of those shackled limbs, or the anguish in those eyes.

If that was how the museum staff treated a king, then I'd rather be a pauper.

Comments

[gallif-migrant.livejournal.com]

Wow. You really have a penchant for torturing Eleven, huh? Anyway, good, spooky work.

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Yyyyyyeah, 'fraid so. *grins sheepishly*

Thanks! ♥

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

*blushes and grins* Thanks, sweetheart! The poor boy, trapped and gawked at...I'm hoping to eventually rescue him, but I'm not sure if that will happen.

*huggggggggggggggggggggg* ♥

[roseglade.livejournal.com]

I liked how you portrayed your story as if you were watching him through your eyes (it was a new perspective I never really thought about). Wow, how could the Doctor ever live through that? All the people that came to see him would only turned their back to him as they left ... The Doctor must have been in a lot of pain.

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

I like to try looking at him now and then through another's eyes, to figure him out from that angle. It's fun, and interesting to get an outsider's perspective. ^.^

I'm hoping that I'll be able to get him out of this eventually. Not sure how yet.

Thanks! :)

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Poor, poor Doctor! And really, they should be treating him like a king!

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

No one is more deserving of royal treatment, that's for sure. The poor man. I don't know why I do these terrible things to him--especially a version I completely adore!

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

You always hurt the one you love? ;)

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

*giggles* I suppose it's true. Boy, do I feel guilty sometimes, though!

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, when you involve the Master, then at least one of them is happy. ;)

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Very true, lol! (I do kinda think that he had a hand in this museum "donation"...)

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

Very likely... :)

[chinesebakery.livejournal.com]

Wow that was great. Really haunting imagery.

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Thanks very much. :)

[angelus2hot]

Disturbing but wonderfully written!

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Thanks very much! :)

[paynesgrey.livejournal.com]

Oh, poor Eleven! But wow, really creative use of the theme. Great work.

[but_can_i_be_trusted]

Thanks so much! :D ♥