[002].

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie is walking along the beach after Benny's match with a largish rectangular case that is hanging from a strap slung over one of his shoulders. He seems to be looking for something in particular and not finding it, and he sighs. It's somewhat annoying, he thinks, to have an entire beach and not one place he can actually use. He could continue to try and search for what he wants, he supposes, or...hey, that's an idea! He disappears from the Plane for a few moments. When he returns, he's carrying a decent sized rock in his arms, and grunting a little - although it's not from the weight. The rock's not so much heavy, as it is awkward and unwieldy, and it's slipping. Before he drops it altogether, he takes a moment to shift his grip to a better one, then resumes his journey. Moving away from the area where the trees have been cut down, he finds a open, windswept-looking spot.]

Aye, that'll do.

[With relief, he drops the rock and lets it fall where it may. Not coincidentally, he jumps back out of the way, as he would much prefer not to have to deal with a broken toe right at the moment. Peering at the angle, he nods, satisfied that it's fallen the way he wants it to. Removing the case from his shoulder, he sets it down on top of the rock, then flexes his fingers to loosen them up. He doesn't open it right away, however, instead kneeling down and scooping up a handful of sand. Moving his fingers apart ever so slightly, he lets the grains trickle down much like they would if they were in oh, say, an hourglass.]

There has to be some way to stop this.

Comments

[oliverplus]

Well, that and...you know. [fidgets uncomfortably] What happens to people after they die on the Plane.

[nods] He told us about what the black hole's for--and how to make it bigger. None of it's pleasant, though.

[bonnypiperlad]

Like the Doctor. Aye. And...ye too, I suppose. [Jamie realizes he maybe shouldn't have said that out loud and gives Oliver an apologetic look.] Sorry.

But why would ye want to make the black hole bigger? What's it for, anyway?

[oliverplus]

[smiles weakly] It's all right. [it's really not, but he'd rather not go into that]

According to Shay, if it gets big enough, somebody can go inside and take control of the Machine--of the Plane. Of everything.

[bonnypiperlad]

Oh, aye. If ye say so. [He's rather skeptical about it being all right, and if Oliver happens to be looking he might very well pick up on the emotion. Although, judging by Jamie's expression, you wouldn't have to be an empath to tell what he's feeling right now.]

Ye can? [thoughtfully] Ye said he told ye how, too. [He's got a suspicion about that, but isn't completely sure if he's right.] What do ye need to do, then?

[oliverplus]

[Jamie is very easy to read in that way. but Oliver doesn't want to pursue the subject, so he tries not to show his own worry]

[looks down, not really eager to share this] Death makes it stronger. Or the black blood. Or both. I don't know exactly, but either way, it makes the black hole grow when people die.

[bonnypiperlad]

[thoughtfully, not really picking up on Oliver's lack of eagerness] Is that what Weber meant by the blood being able to open doorways, then?

[oliverplus]

[frowns] Probably. According to Shay, there are at least two groups of people wanting to take control of the Plane--him and somebody else. And it sounds like one of us is supposed to enter the black hole once it's big enough. But I don't think that's actually a good idea, whatever Shay says.

[bonnypiperlad]

One of us? Aye, I think I'd have to agree there.

[disgusted] A fine lot they are. Why go in yourself when ye can send someone expendable to do the work for ye?

[oliverplus]

[makes a face] I think that's the idea exactly.

[optimistically] But at least that means we have a say in what happens.

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie isn't nearly so optimistic about that. In fact, at the moment, he's downright pessimistic as he looks over at Oliver.]

Aye. Like we do with these deathmatches.

[oliverplus]

[frowns; determined] We'll have a say in that, too. We just need a bit more time.

[bonnypiperlad]

[He's quiet for a moment, then nods in agreement.] Aye, you're right. The Doctor will come up with a plan, and then we'll stop these matches for good.

[Jamie realizes Oliver's still hanging on the bagpipes, then.] Oh, I should probably take those back, unless ye really want me to show ye how to play them.

[oliverplus]

Oh! [laughs when he realises he's still holding them] Here. Maybe some other time. [carefully offers the pipes back to him]

Just watch for a message from the Doctor for now. He'll make sure the matches end soon.

[bonnypiperlad]

I will. [He starts to break the pipes down so he can put them back in the case, but after a moment, he looks back up and over at Oliver.]

I'm glad you're back.

[oliverplus]

[smiles at that sentiment] Yeah. Yeah, me too. Guess the Plane can't rid of me that easy!