[005]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is sitting by his favourite tree in the forest, staring down at a letter that his grip is spectacularly creasing. he looks very upset, which is strange, as Oliver's experiment had kept him from independent emotion for more than a week. luckily for him, the experiment is finally over. which should, of course, be a very happy thing indeed!]

[unfortunately, while he's super-excited to be able to see colour again, that excitement has been rather demolished by the emotional impact of just what he's been up to recently--especially in terms of what he's shared with people. not to mention things he agreed to without thinking. he's not sure what to say to some people after all that. and then to compound it all, he had to receive this letter...]

[Oliver sighs, lost in thought. too lost in thought to notice anyone approaching him, in fact. clearly, this means that's exactly what someone should do]

Comments

[bit_impossible]

And of course, they can't share like two good little boys. [sighs, resting his chin in his hands] I wonder if I can run into him somehow if I go to that shop... Or try to pass along a message to him.

[oliverplus]

I asked about that, too. Weber said he'd pass a message, but I figured that'd be a bad idea. But he did say I could use the postal system to contact him.

[bit_impossible]

You can get post here?

[oliverplus]

Yeah. You just write the name of whoever you want on the letter, and there's a post box on the Plane you can drop it in. Don't ask me how it works, but Weber thought it could get to Shay.

[bit_impossible]

If Weber was so helpful with you, why didn't he just try it himself? The man sounded as though there were no way to stop it--unless he was having me on.

[oliverplus]

Oh, Weber didn't tell me to contact Shay! I just sorta...pieced the idea together from what he said. Actually, he seemed to think I'd rather shoo--[stops himself. that's really not an apt analogy right now. it's too close to the possible truth]--do anything than talk to Shay. I don't know if it'll work. But I'm not sure Weber's willing to try anything himself anyway. He seemed more concerned about his orders than anything.

[bit_impossible]

[frowns] No, he seemed convinced this mysterious "he" wouldn't listen anyway.

But if there is some way we can contact that Shay person, we've got to try.

[oliverplus]

I don't think he liked what "he's" up to, though. Maybe that's why he answered me when I asked about contacting Shay.

[nods] I think it's our best chance.

[bit_impossible]

[he got that impression too]

As do I! So. I'll head over there now. To the shop, I mean.

[oliverplus]

[blinks, confused] What, you think the Twins 'll help?

[bit_impossible]

I might be able to convince someone there to deliver something for me. Of course, I'll try sending something in the post as well, but just in case.

[oliverplus]

Oh, good idea! All right, we'll give that a go and see what happens.

[bit_impossible]

Actually, hold on, Oliver. I just remembered something else. If...there is no way I can stop this, you've got to remember to not allow the hourglass to run out. Find some way to keep it so there is always something running in it.

[oliverplus]

[raises an eyebrow at that. isn't it obvious that the fight will be over long before?] Don't worry, I'll talk to Robespierre. We'll make sure it doesn't even get close to that. If it ran out, we'd both die anyway.

[bit_impossible]

Oliver, don't you remember your history books? Don't you remember who Robespierre is?! I met a version of him several centuries ago, and the man was ruthless, a tyrant! He didn't care who or many people died so long as the deaths kept coming!

He's not--! [puts his hands on Oliver's shoulders looking him straight in the eye] He's not going to hesitate.

[oliverplus]

This isn't the same one. He's got magic.

[looks him right back in the eye, confused and saddened at the Doctor's protest] I know. So don't worry about the hourglass. It won't run out.

[bit_impossible]

[softly, his hands tightening their grip] Oliver...

[oliverplus]

[puts a hand on top of one of the Doctor's] Don't worry, Doctor. I'll...be right back. [tries for a reassuring smile]

[bit_impossible]

[pulls him in for a hug, not wanting Oliver to see that the smile didn't work one bit]

[oliverplus]

[hugs him back, wishing there were something he could do to make this easier for his friends]

[bit_impossible]

[hasn't let him go] Do you want me there--if I'm unable to stop it, that is?

[oliverplus]

[hesitates. it would be comforting to know the Doctor was there, but...] No. You don't...you don't have to see that.

[bit_impossible]

I take it you've already got something planned. And, knowing you, it's probably going to be something that I won't like.

[oliverplus]

Does it matter? I'm...[going to die]...not gonna fight him. So...

[bit_impossible]

[he shouldn't have asked]

So you're just planning on dying anyway...

[he turns away, furious under the surface. his tone is far crueler than he might mean it to be] No, you're right, I shouldn't go. I can't sit by and watch someone just give up like that.