immortaljackal

Send a symbol and I’ll answer the question about my muse. (Or answer in character. Whatever works for you!)

👻 – Does your muse believe in an afterlife? What do they think it’s like?

He legitimately doesn’t care, as long as he gets to be with the person he loves most, no longer separated in physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual form from that person, able to commune with them in peace forever. He is more a romantic at hearts than he will ever admit. Sometimes it honestly kills me how much more he needs every single one of his partners in every single one of his verses than they need him. It’s just a simple tragic fact.

💋

Send a symbol and I’ll answer the question about my muse. (Or answer in character. Whatever works for you!)

💋 – How does your muse feel about people who cheat? Do they see a reason for it, or is it completely immoral?

This one’s simple: don’t cheat on Koschei. Do it once and you’re through. For good.

It’s not even a moral matter so much as he is tremendously, pathologically possessive. Even in his healthier relationships, he is extremely sensitive to being abandoned in even the remotest sense (this is 100% the Doctor’s fault, tbh LOL, Koschei was always on the clingy side but the Doctor’s abandonment has augmented the issue exponentially). Oddly, this doesn’t apply to friendships, or place him in the profile of the abusive spouse: he does not seek to isolate his partner from the outside world or from other relationships. They can socialize, go out, etc normally with others: it’s more that he’s eager to come with, and be shown off as his partner’s “favorite.” All reasons why he’s an impenitent flirt with his partner in public, and loves pda.

Have friends, hobbies, activities, interests entirely outside of your relationship with him, that’s fine. In fact, he prefers some alone time to obsess over his own intellectual projects. But a rival romance, however, he won’t tolerate.

People reading this will invariably point to his brief relationship with his human wife Lucy. And to that, I say, perhaps indelicately, Koschei was never in love with Lucy. Lucy was (very badly) used as a prop. Lucy was a revenge relationship on the Doctor. Lucy was the Master showing the Doctor, quite cruelly, that he can imitate everything about the Doctor’s usual operation (youthful and energetic, charismatic, a human companion to travel with him) and yet be unrepentantly evil and past “savin,” a perverse act of defiance of everything the Doctor, who “makes people better,” stands for, down to the point of suicide in order to resist the Doctor’s promise to “care for” him ( “how about that? I win”). The Master therefore shows no interest in fidelity to Lucy. He does not consider her a true partner, romantic or otherwise. Quite awfully, he thinks of her as part of a disguise, a tool, necessary collateral, just like his pseudonym, his election, and a tenth of earth’s population.

👶 and 🚼

Send a symbol and I’ll answer the question about my muse. (Or answer in character. Whatever works for you!)

👶 – If they have any, what is your muse’s relationship like with their children?

Koschei has children in nearly all of my verses on this blog. The notion intrigues me deeply, because one of the great paradoxes of personhood is that someone can be wonderful to their children and appalling to others, and vice versa. I see Koschei as the sort of parent who vehemently, viciously protects his own offspring from outside threats, and from things that caused him to suffer when he, too, was a child.

He’s a surprisingly fussy parent. In two separate verses he is a lincensed midwife because he wanted to learn everything about the process of womb births, and he even spent two months away from the Thirteenth Doctor in his mainverse (careful to return to her only a few hours after he left, in his TARDIS) to take courses in obstetrics. He painted his children’s bedrooms in various verses, and he is a little bit neurotically overly protective; it’s usually the other parent who has to get him to loosen up about their child’s safety.

With his children, he is relaxed, warm, physically affectionate and conversational, curious about their day and interests, and extremely aversive to ever being intellectually condescending or “talking down” to them.

He is very proud of the title “daddy.”

🚼 – How would your muse react to losing a child? How would they cope?

He wouldn’t. I’m not sure that’s a place I can visit as a writer, because it’s so dark and so fathomlessly hopeless. He would be tempted to resort to measures that are appalling in order to seek vengeance on the parties he believed were responsible for causing his child’s death, even if there were, in reality, no one to blame. After vengeance was slaked, he would become directionless, regressing to a state of inconsolable madness. With time, if he had a significant other (at least one of the partners he has on this blog), he might be persuaded to partially heal on their behalf. But he would become a shut-in who required incessant, repetitive intellectual distractions to protect him from his own obsessions and hysterias. Like I said, not something I think I can ever explore. Just too sad.

modernwizard:

I think of the Master as a character who was emotionally permeable in childhood. All his psychic powers allowed him to feel others’ feelings and know others’ thoughts, but this knowledge came at a cost. He was so susceptible to others’ thoughts and feelings that he didn’t know his own. He never grew up with the peace and quiet and privacy of his own thoughts; he has only attained mental impregnability later, at great cost.

He names himself the Master because he has struggled for self-mastery all his life. For him, self-mastery means making others submit to his will because then there will be no foreign thoughts violating his mind. There will only be his, and he will finally have certainty, calm, and peace.

I have two observations about the Master’s use of power. First, he always tries to get power by controlling people who will then confer great power upon him.

Second, it’s always a shortcut. I mean, have we ever seen him build up power by legitimately cultivating loyalty? No, it’s all shortcuts based on magic and fear.

His view of “power = controlling others” makes sense if he’s trying to make them SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP so that he can have the mental peace and quiet he’s always craved; Also his chronic use of shortcuts also makes sense if he’s trying to make everyone else SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP as quickly as possible.

Finally, the Master seems to have two settings: INTENSE and…off. This concept of relationships as unilateral control goes along with his fire-hose personality. I really doubt he has any experience with mutual relationships.

So his constant attempts at shortcuts and control as means to power do not make logical sense because he keeps making the same damn mistakes again and again. But they make all the emotional and characterological sense in the world.

I still, however, reserve the right to scream at him for his stubborn wrongheadedness. >:p What a dingus he is.

@natalunasans @assigned-timelord-at-birth @drabriel @fuckyeahmaster @yellowbessie @queen-of-meows @masterfulxrhythm

YES.

Thank you for articulating this in ways I have been unable!

I feel that this is what makes him so incredibly hostile later in life to the Doctor’s return to his social orbit. As children they were so emotionally enmeshed that when the Doctor left, this caused him almost insurmountable psychological and affective distress. And now because of all the effort it’s taken to obtain what you call “self-mastery,” –and God, I love you reasoning for his moniker, it’s similar to my own but somehow better articulated–he (wrongly?) equates allowing the Doctor to resume friendship (or more) with him with a breech in his emotional (and psychological) impermeability, and, by extension, a dangerous state of vulnerability akin to that of his childhood.

So he reacts, he overcompensates, with extreme antagonism, with rage and hatred, to try and mute his longing for that regained connection.

Which is why they are essentially “best enemies,” to coin a popular DW fandom term.

It’s tempting to characterize what you’re talking about as symptomatic of Borderline Personality Disorder, but that’s always tricky and has ableist pitfalls, but what you describe as “intense or off” is connected to an unstable sense of self versus other.

“His view of “power = controlling others” makes sense if he’s trying to make them SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP so that he can have the mental peace and quiet he’s always craved; Also his chronic use of shortcuts also makes sense if he’s trying to make everyone else SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP as quickly as possible.“ <–this I’ve already covered in trying to explain to other people why exactly the Drums are more than just “a noise that made him cray cray.”

And I guess he’s a dingus but. If I cease to feel sympathy and compassion for him then I’ll cease to be able to write him adequately.

Okay but how can you be (or call yourself) THE Master of Death when the incarnation of Death exists in your universe, and she obviously should get the title because she’s the one who controls it? I mean, Death controls YOU! Like, literally!

“Controlling death, and outsmarting her, are two different things. Either way, I’m still breathing, and I maintain claim over my title. The secret is finding the angle from which you can weaponize anything.”

NGL that headcanon made me cry a little. As a neurodivergent with a head that is LITERALLY NEVER silent, ever, I can relate so hard and it can be excruciating and basically I WILL HUG YOU, KOSCHEI @_@

//It’s funny because I’ve had people who are nd approach me before about how I write Koschei’s canonical tendency to get overwhelmed and overstimulated as specifically a facet of being nd, and thanked me for it and how they could relate to it, and it’s a huge honor to hear, because if I am nd myself then it’s only margically with some pretty bad PTSD, but honestly? What I base it on in my own life? Is twofold:

A) Chronic illness
and
B) the migraines that I have daily, that every neurologist has told me I basically have to just live with, because they’ve tried every fucking prophylactic med and procedure including the botox shots and I still get them. And they make everything too much. Too bright too coarse too loud too strong smelling too MUCH.

This is actually exactly why I was drawn to Simm’s Master over any other Master, even Missy, who is also fabulous, because of all the Masters, Simm’s is the LEAST in control of himself and specifically in the sense of just being constantly overstimulated and bewildered and angry about it.

Anyway he needs the hugs even if he won’t admit it lmao ❤ And I give you hugs too for your hardships bestie.

Headcanon:

Thanks to @trionrevolutionary for articulating this and returning it to the forefront of my mind. I’ve always implied this in my threads but never outright stated it:

Koschei was, and is, as the Master, a massively powerful psychic. His capacity for telepathic communication, and control, is beyond prodigal, beyond that of any ordinary Time Lord; why this is has always been the subject both of trepidation and intense study on the part of House Oakdown and the highest tiers of the Time Council, who have secretly been trying to craft ways to control him since before his (provisional) acceptance into the Prydonian Chapter of the Time Academy.

On his own, he has learned that he can use his psychic abilities to control people even without touch-telepathy being required, especially if they are members of a “lesser” and more mentally vulnerable race (such as the human race). Only the Ood, ironically, have ever been fully immune to his abilities, which seem to be better primed when he uses self-focusing mantras ( “you will obey me” is the one you see in canon).

Fully unlocked, these abilities could effect brain damage to his victims on a massive scale, and already can, at the very least, have affective (emotional) and hypnotic influence. They also seem to be loosely connected to his mental discipline, which he can use to electively stave off regeneration (seen in The Last of the Time Lords) or control the appearance and even the gender of a regeneration to an unusual extent (see the youth of Simm!Master and the gender of Missy).

The downside of being a psychic prodigy is that he is never fully certain when anyone is doing something around him fully of their own volition. Arguably worse, being a psychic livewire to every signal in a vicinity exacerbates Koschei’s existing Sensory Processing Disorder, which is a component of his neurodivergency. This is in fact what made “The Drums” so excruciating, and it is also largely why he is constantly overstimulated, aggressive, and agitated.

He is completely unfamiliar with the luxury of a silent mind.

trion-revolutionary: “I also have him at least unconsciously suppress his own abilities. The timelords see psychic abilities outside of telepathy as primitive and backwards. And if people are better at them they are primitive and dangerous.”

//Another thing I like about Strangers from strictly a Doctor Who muse vantage point: I have always played the Simm!Master as a snugglebug with the few people he loves and trusts. And scenes in Strangers gave me GREAT fodder for cuddler!Koschei images, lol.

See what he does, is he doesn’t just “snuggle,” he TUCKS IN to his romantic partner. He whispers in the ear, nuzzles, spoons like a pro: burrows into to all of his lover’s nooks and crannies and lays physical claim to them, making himself as close to them as he possibly can get without merging by like, osmosis or reverse mitosis.

He has a strange capacity to be invasive of another’s space, but for it to feel comforting, to feel safely entitled to their affection, to be not even remotely shy about clinging on.

This face of the Master is uniquely, extremely physical. Think about it, it’s one thing that makes him unique from Missy and all other Masters. He looms large, he glues himself on, he grabs and shoves and embraces and bunts. Probably the most famous scene of his entire run is when he grabs the Tenth Doctor’s face and shoves their foreheads together. He is not shy about physical demonstrations, hostile or affectionate.

Like it’s more than being physical, he makes that physicality meaningful and sometimes overwhelmingly intimate.

What’s Your Muse’s Hogwarts House Percentage?

You Are 39% Slytherin, 26% Ravenclaw, 23% Gryffindor, and 12% Hufflepuff!

Your Slytherin ambition combined with a typically Ravenclaw-esque thirst for wisdom means you are destined to go far in life. People often consider you to be aloof and unapproachable – and they may actually be right – as your passion for knowledge and success far outweighs your need for close relationships. For you, true friendships are rare, but you are smart enough to hold onto those you deem worthy of your affection.

Your slight compatibility with Gryffindor house hints at an underlying desire for adventure that may manifest itself in a love of travel or trying new things.

tagged: @canspotatimeagent

tagging: steal it!

✨ element.

LINK.

✨You are Lava! (Fire/Earth)

Tagged by: @canspotatimeagent

Tagging: Steal it!

The Volcanic element combines the will-power, courage, and brilliant vision of Fire with the diligence, stability, and common sense of earth. That is an excellent recipe for success. Lava combines the abstract, big-picture vision of Fire and the detailed precision of Earth to get things done. Lava enjoys setting bold, daring, nearly impossible goals, then slowly but surely making it happen – all perfectly according to plan. Everything in Lava’s life goes to serve The Plan: an extremely complex life-long plan for success that incorporates every foreseeable variable and contingency. Often, Lava begins making The Plan while still a small child and continues to refine it and re-work it across his or her life. Their ability to predict the future is mysterious and can be either inspiring or terrifying depending on whether Lava is a friend or enemy. In some, this predictive power is based on a deep, abstract understanding of the universe and its patterns and meanings. In others, it is due to a keen memory, concrete reasoning, and an ability to predict the future by analyzing past behavior. Lava is also family-oriented; it uses its tremendous energy and consistent devotion to serve and love friends and family. Beneath the fierce, stubborn exterior is a real, genuine, human warmth and a loyal love that will never die. Those lucky enough to be in Lava’s inner circle are blessed indeed. They are fiercely protective of those they love and would do absolutely anything for them. Respect, honor, integrity, and courage matter a great deal to Lava. Such respect is earned, never given.

Since this Mixed Element combines the two dry elements (Fire and Earth), Lava will tend to be very dry. Here, “dryness” refers to being resistant to change or outside forces – i.e. being decisive, consistent, logical, and stubborn.

Core Strengths: Lava is brave, bold, ambitious, strong-willed, energetic, charismatic, honest, loyal, just, honorable, dedicated, stable, practical, orderly, structured, fair-minded, patient, rational, respectful, and dependable.

Possible Weaknesses: When immature, Lava might be arrogant, angry, harsh, bitter, jealous, greedy, stiff, callous, have judgmental tendencies, bossy, excessively competitive, and too focused.

Lava can be made by Fire and Earth in many ways.
INTJ can be thought of as a cool Fire – just as ambitious, bold, visionary, abstract, and driven, but with a calmer, more patient, more introverted nature. In the alternative, INTJs can be thought of as a more ambitious and much more abstract version of Earth. INTJ may occasionally show up as Ice if the INTJ in question is introverted enough.

ESTJ can be thought of as Earth heated up – just as practical, diligent, stubborn, and stable, but with much more ambition, drive, and extroversion. In the alternative, ESTJ can be thought of as a much more concrete, practical, and methodical version of Fire.

ENTJs and ISTJs may occasionally show up as Lava, though they are normally pure Fire and pure Earth respectively.

Functions: Extroverted Thinking, Introverted Sensing, Introverted Intuition, and introverted feeling

Enneagram Types: 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8

Platonic Solid: Pyramid (Tetrahedron) and Cube (Hexahedron)

Aristotelian Environment: Dry (Either Hot or Cool)

Temperament: Choleric/Melancholic or Melancholic/Choleric

Cardinal Virtue: Courage (Fortitudo)

Yin-Yang: Full Yang and New Yin

Opposite Element: Mist/Cloud/Rain (Air/Water) – While Lava is the element of law, order, stability, practicality, diligence, tradition, bravery, willpower, liveliness, and long-term vision, Mist is spontaneous, free, adaptable, idealistic, cosmopolitan, caution, compassion, calm, and artistic.

Fire Summary:
Fire is the element of will-power, courage, and vision. Fire is an active, focused, goal-oriented element. It is courageous, bold, strong-willed, passionate, ambitious, and fiercely dedicated. Fire insists on always moving onward and upward, always boldly going somewhere. It needs a goal, a direction, a dream to pursue. When given a noble goal, nothing is more majestic than Fire as it breaks through all obstacles, transcends all boundaries, and forges ahead through all hardships to make dreams into reality. Fire has a strong sense of justice, honor, and integrity. Fire is the spark of inspiration, flashes of deep insight, and bold visions for the future. It is creativity, plans, goals, intuition, patterns, archetypes, and the sense of a cosmic driving purpose. Fire is passion, so apathy is a foreign concept to it. Fire has strong opinions and beliefs about pretty much everything. This passion carries over into all areas of life, whether it is work, school, hobbies or personal relations. There is no more fiercely dedicated friend, lover, or enemy than Fire. Fire can be the warm-hearted fireplace to give warmth to the weary, the torch to give light and direction in darkness, the Sun that brings life and light to the world, the Promethean Fire that inspires invention and science, the forge that drives industry onward, or the raging fire that annihilates every enemy in its path. It has such tremendous mental and emotional energy that other elements often feel overwhelmed. However, just like physical fire without fuel turns to ash, so Fiery people sink into deep, restless depression when they lose their drive and have no dream and no goal to pursue. Also, Fire’s single-minded zeal can at times turn into arrogance and a tendency to belittle and devalue anything or anyone that stands in the way of Fire’s Goal. Immature Fire can also have issues with anger, harshness, being judgmental, bossiness, hasty decisions, and being excessively competitive.

Earth Summary:
Earth is the element of stability, law, and order. It is the most closely tied to the physical reality. It is also the most enduring. Earth people are known for their steady, patient strength – enduring all hardship, weathering all change. They are strong and stable, honest and loyal, fair-minded and rational, orderly and reliable. Under stress and pressure that would break anyone else, Earth still stands. It can be the tall, strong, majestic mountain; the nurturing soil that makes things grow; the stone wall that withstands the enemy’s fire; the castle that protects those within; the cave that shelters from the storm; the precise, organized, and beautiful gemstone; the deep canyon; the brick and stone that make up mighty towers and humble homes alike; or the caverns of the deep that guard the earth’s riches. Earth is a practical element and enjoys building things and helping things grow. Earth is common sense, memory, organization, details, patience, maturity, and perceptiveness. It is also known as the most family-oriented of the elements and frequently takes on a parental or big sibling role when dealing with younger people. Connected with that is a deep respect for the elderly, for tradition, and for anything that has withstood the test of time. Earning respect is key to earth. Because of its stability and desire for permanence, a close relationship with an Earthen person is likely to last a lifetime. Earth’s greatest strength and weakness lies in its inertia: it changes very slowly and resists all outside influences. This gives it its great strength, stability, and calm, but it also makes it rigid, inflexible, and extremely stubborn. For good or ill, Earth is what it is and that is unlikely to change.