Chapter Text
One undamaged column stood out from the rest of the ruin. The Doctor rapped confidently on its side, and soon a door opened to let them in.
A single lamp provided so little light that the Doctor at first wondered if they’d entered a trap. The Master’s TARDIS must have reconfigured itself; instead of the standard control room, it presented a tastefully austere but almost ordinary parlor.
“My dear Doctor, what a surprise!” The Master’s usual mellifluous voice had gone all hoarse; he must not have much chance for conversation out here.
“And you, old chap? I trust you’ve been well?”
“I thought perhaps… I’d seen the last of you.” The Master advanced on them, eyebrow raised and hands outstretched.
The Doctor stood at the ready, fingertips tingling with the prospect of attack-- Strangulation? Fisticuffs? They had missed this.
Instead, the Master only gripped their hand in both his gloves, holding on so firmly that they thought he might not let go.
“Let’s have a better look at you!”
The Master dressed impeccably as always, but his suit, a bit wrinkled and ever so slightly worn at the hems, draped too loosely from his slim frame. Absent his usual healthy tan, his face had grown sallow, with deep shadows under those clever eyes.
The Master looked the Doctor up and down as well, his glance wary.
Of course each sought any sign of weakness in the other. But it’d only been a few months-- half a year at most! Surely the Master’s changed appearance hinted at some calculated ruse.