[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

[collector]

You don't, I think, mean the thing itself. You could have all the best psionics check your head to see you're clear of it and you still would not be content. Am I right?

[oliverplus]

[he's a bit startled by that. he hasn't known Braxiatel for long, but it's like he knows Oliver--really knows him--already] I...yeah. It... [hesitates, but considering how much Braxiatel knows already, there's no reason not to explain, is there?] It changed me. There's darkness inside me, and I won't risk it getting out. I'd rather...[he'd rather die]...I'd rather not fight.

[collector]

[Braxiatel is watching him closely, all that analysing power focused on Oliver, on who and what he is.] You can't let the fear of it rule you, or you will make a prison for yourself and not that darkness.

[oliverplus]

[frowns, not meeting his gaze. it's not a new argument--he's heard it from the Doctor before, although never put quite like that. the Doctor has always seemed more set on convincing him that the darkness isn't as strong as he thinks it is, but Braxiatel didn't even mention that. Oliver is...relieved, to think that maybe Brax really does understand] I think it'd be a prison for both of us.

[collector]

Yes, I suppose it would be. [Perhaps realizing that he might be disconcerting Oliver, he looks away, into the woods.] But to take our analogy a bit further, if you'll forgive me for it, a warden who locks himself up with his prisoner may miss out on a chance to do so much more good than just keep an eye on something that may do evil.

[oliverplus]

[frowns, knowing exactly what he means by that. after all, it's what he did when he refused to go with the Doctor--when he gave up on his home. what sort of life could an Oliver who went back home to Earth have lived? what could he have done for his family? for Chloe?]

[glances at Braxiatel, feeling a lump growing in his throat as his emotions and uncertainties get to be almost too much] Wh-what do you think I should do?

[collector]

Oh, that's not anything I'm good at. I'm an arch-rationalist, according to Bernice, and it wasn't intended as a compliment. I would weigh the costs against the gains, the risks against the profits. It's how I work.

[And he has before now, twice and too late. He keeps that out of his expression, trying only to reflect something that would help Oliver feel at ease.] You should think about it. You have options here, and you have time to make your choice. And even if you do make your choice - if you decide to go back home, to stay where you are, to again travel the stars, to come to the Collection - there is no reason it should be your final decision.

[oliverplus]

[blinks, surprised by that. in some ways, he's grateful that Braxiatel isn't questioning his decision for how to handle the deathmatch. he also can't help feeling hopeful, hearing all those possibilities laid out before him--as if they are all real, actually possible, possibilities]

You're right. It's not over. I...know I made a mistake, when I decided that...well, that I had to stay on Gondovan. And now that I'm on the Plane, I have another chance.

[turns to him, more grateful than he can say] Thanks, Irving. Really.

[collector]

Not at all, Oliver. [looking at him closely] Is there anything I can do for you? Before or after your fight. I'd like to try to stop it, but I know the chances of that aren't high. But it's a terrible thing to walk into. To wake up after. And if there's anything I can do to ease that...

[oliverplus]

[shakes his head] You already have. For after, I think... [gives him a weak smile] I just want to see my friends once I'm back.

[collector]

For Bernice, I imagine I'd be offering my best brandy.

[oliverplus]

[is grateful for the chance to focus on something more mundane] Brandy, really? Well, how about this--after I come back, we'll get a pint at the Astral Bar. Or, whatever you like. How's that sound?

[collector]

I couldn't possible risk getting you something from the Bar. What if it wasn't any good? You'll have a bottle from my personal collection.

[oliverplus]

[can't help a wry smile at that. it sounds unnecessarily fancy--just any old beer would be fine by him--but he gets the impression that most things are extravagant where Braxiatel is concerned. and it's the sentiment, really, that counts] Deal!

[collector]

Excellent! [Braxiatel seems to brighten up at the idea of sharing some of his Stuff with people. Really, he's a very simple guy on certain issues.] What's your pick of poisons? Whisky? Brandy? Rum? Vermouth?

[oliverplus]

[he'd say beer, but he wouldn't want to ruin Brax's chance to show off] Whisky. Got any good ones?

[collector]

Certainly. In fact, there's a particular bottle I think you'd quite like. But I'll wait until later to tell you what it is.

[oliverplus]

[grins] Then I'll be looking forward to it.