[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]

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.