[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

[oliverplus]

Oh. Well, now you have done! Trust me, if somebody on the Plane starts acting really weird all of a sudden, that's probably why.

Huh? [he's trying to sound casual, but he looks like a deer-in-headlights at the moment] Oh. Nothing. [averts his gaze]

[bonnypiperlad]

[Huh. The Doctor was right about that deer-in-headlights look. Jamie is now looking rather skeptical.]

Oh, aye, nothing. Look, ye don't have to tell me about it if ye don't want, but if it's something you're having a problem with...

[Maybe he can help, somehow.]

[oliverplus]

[can't help a grateful--but sad--smile at that] It's just...not something I think we could solve in time.

And I've already gone on way too much about my problems to you! Sorry about that. I promise I'm not usually so...I dunno, fatalistic? [smiles sheepishly]

[bonnypiperlad]

What do ye mean "in time"? [He doesn't actually use air quotes, but he stresses the words enough that they're fairly implicit.]

And ye don't have to apologize about that, ye know. Ye weren't yourself at the time.

[oliverplus]

[sighs, getting the impression he's going to end up sharing it with Jamie sooner or later. reluctantly, he pulls the crumpled letter out of his pocket, offering it to him. it states that he and Robespierre will be fighting to the death in the Coliseum on the day after tomorrow and is signed C. Weber]

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie takes the letter and smooths it out so he can read it. The name Robespierre doesn't ring any bells, being after his time. However, the fact that Oliver is going to have to fight in the first place is upsetting, and it's very plain to see that on Jamie's face when he looks back up.]

Oliver, I...ye shouldn't have to do this.

[oliverplus]

I know. [sighs, resigned, and reaches out a hand for the letter] But like it says, if we don't go, they'll teleport us there. And if neither of us dies, they kill us both. I...I haven't got a choice.

[bonnypiperlad]

[He hands it back, his expression still unhappy.] Aye.

[Abruptly, he gets to his feet.] All right then, we don't have much time. I think I can teach ye a few wee tricks that might give ye a chance during the fight, though. Come on.

[oliverplus]

[blinks because he's Oliver and, therefore, daft enough that he wasn't expecting that] Huh? Oh, no. [smiles gratefully] Thanks, but that's all right.

[bonnypiperlad]

Aye, but... [He'd already been halfway to taking off when he spoke, but stops himself and turns back to Oliver. Unlike before (when he had sat down at some point), he remains standing.]

Look, I don't know who this Rob's Peer person is, but I do know that I don't want him to kill ye. If I can help ye with the fighting, at least...

[Yes, Jamie just did mangle that name horrendously, in case you were wondering.]

[oliverplus]

[a Jamieism! yay!]

[Oliver stands as well, looking at Jamie nervously and trying to decide what to say. he really appreciates that Jamie wants to help him, but he's already decided what he's going to do, and it doesn't involve fighting] Look, thanks, Jamie. Really. You're a mate. But if I don't die, he dies, so... [takes a deep breath] So I'm not gonna fight.

[bonnypiperlad]

[You know that deer-in-headlights look that Oliver did earlier? Apparently Jamie is capable of them as well, as he stares at Oliver for a moment, completely stunned.]

Ye...what?

[oliverplus]

[lowers his gaze, uncomfortable about admitting this] I can't--I won't kill him. So there's no need to fight. Either one of us dies or we both do, and I won't kill him, so...at least it's an easy choice. [looks up, trying for a reassuring smile, but it's weak]

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie looks like he wants to protest, but stops himself. It's not in his nature to give up without a fight, but he knows that doesn't hold true for everyone else.] You've made up your mind, then.

[He rubs at his forehead for a moment, then looks Oliver straight in the eyes - well, if he can get the other man to meet his gaze.] Somehow I don't think I can talk ye out of it, but I still wish ye would reconsider. [He suspects, though, that Oliver won't.]

Do you have someone yet that'll be there for ye when...when it happens?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver does meet his gaze, his smile turning sad] Yeah, I've made up my mind. You...probably know why more than most people. [looks down again, ashamed. Jamie knows he tried to kill the Doctor, after all]

[but he looks back up at that, surprised] I...no. I mean...I thought it'd be better if nobody saw. [way to fluster him, Jamie]

[bonnypiperlad]

[softly] Aye.

[He had suspected that was the case, but those words confirm it. He doesn't pursue the topic as all it would do is cause more pain. Jamie thinks that there's quite enough of that at the moment anyway.] I do.

[Unfortunately, it seems he hasn't quite managed to completely avoid upsetting Oliver anyway, and he feels a little guilty about that.] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...och. Look, are ye sure that's what ye want?

[oliverplus]

[smiles, glad he understands]

[frowns] Sorry for what? I mean, you just offered to...watch...so I won't be there alone. It...means a lot. Really. But I just don't want anybody to have to remember--I mean. I'll be back after! [smiles reassuringly] So...you shouldn't have to see that.

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie isn't quite buying the reassuring smile - and still isn't completely convinced that Oliver will actually come back. He'll have to see that to believe it. At the same time, though, he does think that Oliver is being truthful in that he'd prefer not to have people there, whether it be to spare them from watching him die or for some other reason.]

All right, I'll not go. Could I not do...something to help ye, though?

[oliverplus]

[keeps that smile on, a bit relieved--but also a bit sad inside--that Jamie won't be there] Well...we could go out for a pint when I get back!

[bonnypiperlad]

Hey, that's an idea! I've not actually been to the bar here yet. [If that's what Oliver would like, he can certainly do at least that much. Jamie's got an idea of something else he might do as well, but it's not yet to the point where he's comfortable saying what out loud. He'll just stick to the current suggestion for now.]

Aye, I'll go.

[oliverplus]

Then we'll have to do something about that!

[smiles gratefully] Thanks. That's settled, then.