abraxaslogs | ( catch-all) the definite article, you might say

[ It's not uncommon for the Doctor to find people who think as he does about learning, exploring, leading with an open mind and wanting to understand more about everything out there and beyond. The friends he's traveled with, by their nature, have been explorers. Well, usually. Tegan had sort of...wandered into his TARDIS accidentally. But, generally speaking!

Still, it is rare for him to find another who thinks as he does, on a deeper level, more immediately. Enough to carry on a conversation of such depth. It has him intrigued even more about the other man. He's also amused at how well he takes the mention of his age. ]

Everyone should. The pursuit of knowledge should be a lifelong endeavor, though between you and I, we both know there's a vast difference between should and is. Aspirational goals versus reality. The best we can do, or what I've tried to do wherever I go, is impart a bit of wisdom along the way. People like that! Particularly if you say it nicely and pair it with a jelly baby or two. Whether they listen, well — only time can tell us.

[ The Doctor reaches out now, offering his hand. ]

I'm the Doctor, by the way. And you, my not-dull friend?

[This man is wordier than Altaïr tends to be — a lot wordier — but none of it seems anything but worthwhile. He agrees entirely, even if it's said with a spirit of optimism he can't match on his best days.]

Sometimes I think I've been ruined by curiosity. Other times, I think I'm exactly where I need to be to sate that curiosity.

[If such a thing is possible. He returns the handshake, offering a firm grip and a smile.]

I am Altaïr. Just 'the Doctor'?

[Doctor who?]

[ It's so close to being the perfect question. So close. ]

Altaïr! Excellent, very glad to meet you. You know, you're the first Altaïr I've ever known and now all others will be measured by you. And I'd reason that I'm the first just Doctor you've ever known.

[ Cheeky, because of course he's the first and the only. ]

And yes, just. Nothing after Doctor apart from a lifetime of infinite possibilities, though people get clever and creative at times. I do love that!

[ As quickly as the Doctor's wild meandering ramps up, it transitions to something softer again and he leans in a bit, hands folded behind his back, focused on Altaïr. ]

Ruined by curiosity? Well, there's a story, and I'm a big fan of those, as we've established. I prefer when stories are the 'I'll tell you now' variety, but I'll accept, 'I'll tell you later over tea and cake, Doctor.'

[Fair enough. He doesn't doubt that there's a real name somewhere beneath the title, but everyone is entitled to their privacy if they wish. And it's not like he would know a false one given in place of a true name — just 'Doctor' is more honest, in that sense.]

Perhaps, but only if the tea and cake are worth a very good story.

[Is the story of how he came to value the learning he once took for granted that good? Maybe, maybe not, but he's sufficiently accustomed to staying quiet about his past that the cake would have to be absolutely excellent.]

[ Somewhere beneath it all — Doctor who — there is a truth, a secret he holds close. That he isn't pressed to explain further is something he appreciates; not that he would be anything but flippant and coy if pressed, though. ]

Well, I do love a challenge. That's a promise now! [ He actually means this seriously. Tea and cake at some indeterminate time in the future. ] There's something to be said for the company, too, of course.

[ He likes to think, for instance, that his company is stellar. By the same token, he's equally enjoying Altaïr's company. ]

Have you been in this world long?

[More and more they have in common, though he suspects they appreciate very different challenges. Then again, maybe not.]

Over a year now. Looking back, it seems like a long time and a short time — at the same time.

[A paradox, but still true somehow.]

[ The Doctor speaks paradox, so they're golden. ]

Time is relative, of course, and multi-faceted. Wibbly-wobbly. We could have the same five minutes, you and I, and I might feel it was the longest five minutes of my life and you might feel it was the shortest of yours.

And when you travel through it like I do, well, it all gets muddled.

[ And since his thoughts go around in strange loops, random segues are rather his thing. ]

Do you stay at the inn?

[An apt way of putting it. Altaïr can recall minutes that felt like months.]

Sometimes, yes. Other times, elsewhere. I tend to move around.

[And he's never fully comfortable with others knowing where he sleeps.]

It's surprisingly good to have the inn as a gathering place for our community, though. Such as it is.

Good of them to offer it as an option at all. I do always love the helpers, wherever they may be!

[ So much in the way of the universe depends on the doers, the helpers, those who take action where they could simply sit idly by. ]

I have a spot there, but I don't stay often myself.

[ His room could only loosely be called that, really. A few books and odds and ends, otherwise he's too restless to stay in one place himself. And doesn't need much sleep. Though, he suspects being restless isn't the reason for the other man's tendency to move around. ]

[Another wanderer, he notes, wondering if it's for the same reasons. Probably not.]

There's too much to experience and observe in the Free Cities to stay in one place for long.

[He says it as though he approves of and share in a desire to take in all of what this world has to offer, and he does, but also...]

And I think it's better to avoid behaving too predictably.

We're in agreement on there being too much to experience. I've always thought that, about the universe in general. Speaking broadly!

[ The Doctor always appreciates someone who seems to get it as he does. Though it's quite clear quickly that their respective reasons for movement aren't entirely the same. ]

Well, as a general rule I'm never predictable. Variety, that keeps life interesting! Though that's entirely different from avoiding predictable behavior for the sake of — well, do tell?

[He could share his true reasons, but well. That would either make him seem very paranoid or reveal more of himself than he wants to.

~~Or both.~~]

Ah, but it would be very predictable of me to explain myself.

[He raises an eyebrow and grins at the Doctor.]

Oh, you're trouble, I can already tell!

[ Not that he minds in the slightest. He can give back as good as he gets. Now this will fester, this little mystery, and the Doctor loves a good mystery. Certainly, he likes answers just as much and he's not the patient sort either, but this is a mystery that can sit. He'd rather work his way into the answer as he learns more about the other man.

He does grin back at him, though. ]

Lucky I like you already.

I'll take what luck I can get.

[And it goes both ways — he likes this newcomer, from what he's learned about him — but that's not something he'll just come out and say.]

And now I should take my leave. But I'm sure we'll meet again.

( catch-all) the definite article, you might say

happy to keep going!

C:

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