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[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Guess who's been wandering the plane since he woke up after the fight with Ryotarou, trying to find a place where people aren't? Okay, more like staggering, but you get the point.

In any case, after several attempted refuges--each abandoned in turn after someone appeared at a distance--Firo has settled on the old theater. He's sitting with his back to the stage under the projector, his feet against the first row of chairs. Healthy he is not. He's shivering non-stop now, his skin unnaturally hot to the touch, his eyes completely unfocused. There's still a massive slash in his clothing where Ryotarou's sword-thing cut him.]

I can't... I won't... not goin' back... don't want to hurt....

Comments

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[he's still not happy his friend was bleeding everywhere] What's happened, Firo? Tell me about it.

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Convulsive shiver.] Don't remember. I didn't mean to. I keep...

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

You're still a danger to yourself and others. I can't leave you like this.

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Have a bleary, sort of scared but mostly dizzy face.] What're you gonna do to me?

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

Look inside you. [then he presses his fingers to Firo's temples and makes Contact]

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Welcome to the jungle, Doctor. There's a hundred lives, at least, bouncing around in his head, memories of love, violence, loss. Memories of brushing teeth and going for a walk on Sunday morning. Innocuous. Dramatic. Hopelessly confused. Burning him up from the inside. And over all of them, the shadow of Szilard and the knowledge that every memory inside Firo's head is there because Szilard killed them. Nothing in its proper place, everything swamping the little flicker that is Firo's own eighteen years.

Firo screams and throws himself backwards, crashing onto the floor. He tries to get up, tries to get away, move, do something, but it's mostly just an effort to stay conscious. He puts his own hand up between himself and the Doctor, not even able to lift his head off the floor of the theater.]

Don't... don't touch me... I won't let you do it... I don't want to die.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[keeps his hands up, shutting his eyes for a second to get his own mind back in order from what he just saw]

I'm not going to hurt you, Firo. Just keep calm.

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Lets his hand drop and just lays there, panting and staring up at nothing.]

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[crouches down beside him] What happened to your mind?

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[His breathing is starting to even out, and the shivering's back, along with the glazed and feverish expression.] Don't know... always just headaches. Just the... memories. Then... then started leaking little phrases. Things... And they were in the mirrors. Couldn't see myself...

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[nods a little, leaning closer, though he doesn't make Contact again] Your past?

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

Not mine. 's not mine. I never--[WOW IT'S COLD IN HERE.]

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[frowns, blinking back] Then who?

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Shudder.] Him. Killed 'em all... Never knew how many. So many. [He rolls onto his side, facing away from the Doctor and clutching at his head.]

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[still confused] And you have their memories...?

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

Had to save Ennis...

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

Your friend, wasn't it?

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

...can't even go near her. Don't want him to... if he comes out...

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

You shouldn't be near anyone right now, you know. You should lock yourself up somewhere safe.

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Bitter little laugh.] Tried. Break myself out.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

Then someone else should lock you up.

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[AND GUESS WHO YOU GET, DOCTOR? WHY, A SERIAL KILLER WHO WORKED FOR SZILARD, OF COURSE. Firo would be grabbing you by the throat now, his eyes blank.] No way in hell, son.

[salvagestime.livejournal.com]

[This would be the moment the Doctor goes, "...NOT AGAIN" but instead just freezes before struggling] Firo! Firo, no, come back.

[immortalmistake.livejournal.com]

[Both hands on his throat and applying pressure all out of proportion to his size. He drags the Doctor's head down and whispers in his ear.] I like you. Maybe I'll save you for a bit, hmm? Keep your head for a while 'fore I dump it in the river.

[And he gives a quiet, insane little laugh.]

[savagestime.livejournal.com]

[you know, the Master doesn't really know what Firo looks like. The fear is what gives this situation away. But he walks in, arms folded, laser screwdriver in hands but hidden, looking undisturbed]

Oh, Doctor, I thought we were forever. And here you are with another man.