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Theta… I hardly know what to say at times. We both know there’s nothing left of me because of what they do to all of us. I don’t mean to do the things I do, but the others… It’s lonely. There’s not a single Timelord who would dare to allow me to… Our minds were linked and now they’re not, the world is silent except for madness. Please forgive me my sins.
Yours, Koschei
The Doctor didn't really except a letter from the Master, create a real surprise of his face...with an inner feeling of delight. After all, since the beginning, the idea of a 'truce' - he had thinking about it during a long times before give up, won't actually the future between them - was an opportunity for the Doctor for change things in a better way. And he planned to stick to this line overriding policy. He re-read the short letter several times, trying to find the right words that would fit into an answer.
Dear Koschei,
Repentance of your sins was a great and pleasant surprise, I must admit. I dare not imagine all the effort it had to get you to express the pain of the soul on paper. Some words say more, like novels that opened in the eyes of the person in front; and the word 'sin' is well the gravity of this kingdom filled with inner turmoil, blood, corpses as souvenirs, forgotten names.
I understand by his word you wanted to be forgiven, with the terrible fact, indeed, any Time Lord will could easily forgive you. Why should them after all, with all the terrible things we know with them?
And I remind you, Koschei, your mind is more than just silence and madness inside. Like you just express it now. I heard your desire to be forgiven.
Except, understand if I have to forgive you, if I say it, I would expect the past we already know and the future I know; the future we won't wish to have anyway. Without real word, I can say I won't that future, and the time between us, the time we can't usually have, is a form of forgiveness.
Yours,
Theta