θ 3

[bit_impossible]

[currently, the Doctor is crawling on the floor in the entrance of the ballroom, occasionally stopping to look and feel under the couches for something. he doesn't show it, but he's been rather shaken up--and he certainly is not happy]

Come on out! I know you're here somewhere. You've got to be! I felt you before you--[he pauses, his hand suddenly darting under a plush chair]--did whatever you did a few moments ago.


[ooc: The Doctor had to make a choice! When you tag in, I'll leave you a little message in his reply back so you know what's up~]

Comments

[bit_impossible]

No, you answered me point-blank. About your health. [frowns severely] You never do that.

[oliverplus]

I don't like to.

[something really weird is going on, but he's afraid to even make a comment about it because it seems like something totally different might come out of his mouth instead. that scares him. a lot]

...how are you?

[bit_impossible]

What, talk about your health or give a straight answer?

[but his shoulders sag a bit; he doesn't mean to be so hard on him] I'm fine, Ollie. Well, as well as I can be after being sent back to the entrance of this building just like that. [snaps his fingers]

[oliverplus]

Talk about my health. Depends what it's an answer about. [blinks; he didn't mean to say that either. he's starting to think he should stick to questions for now]

You mean getting brought to the Plane all of a sudden?

[bit_impossible]

[frowns] Well, not that I didn't already have an idea that's what you did--hard not to notice, really--but I can't help but wonder why.

Actually no, although, you could include that in the "strange occurrences" column.

[oliverplus]

I don't want people to worry about me. I'd rather think about other people, and I want them to, too. [his eyes widen, dismayed, as he says that]

I...I mean...no, that's what I meant. But! But what else has happened now?

[bit_impossible]

If you didn't mean that, why did you--[his eyes widen as he spots a hand descending towards Oliver's head]--watch out! [he yanks Oliver towards him, the hand snatching nothing but air before it skitters away]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver just barely chokes back a cry of shock because HE JUST GOT GRABBED BY A STORM. he can feel the Doctor holding him, but he can't see him, and that is really disturbing. still, he tries not to think about it, instead turning to see what the fuss is about--which is even more disturbing]

What the hell is that!?

[bit_impossible]

That is the thing--well, one of; I've heard a couple skittering about--that grabbed me and sent me back here a few moments ago.

[a short pause] Why did you cry out like that? I mean, asides from the fact that a rotting hand almost landed on your head.

[oliverplus]

[stares at...well, at the storm] You got grabbed by a flying hand?

B-because you grabbed me, but I only see the storm.

[bit_impossible]

No, it doesn't fly. Have you ever heard of a flying hand?

[frowns. the storm thing again...] What kind of storm?

[oliverplus]

Yeah, Thing. [at least that response sounded halfway normal? but now that he's given his compulsive answer, he feels the need to add:] It was in the air!

Depends. It was ice, but it's fire now. But I don't feel it--I just see it.

[bit_impossible]

Yes, very observant of you, but not everything in the air can fly--just like if I catch sight of you falling off of something, I'm not going to think, "Oh! That man can fly!"

[arches an eyebrow] Really? [pokes Oliver in the shoulder]

[oliverplus]

But I only saw it in the air! I didn't know it was falling!

Yea--hey!

[bit_impossible]

Exactly why I pulled you out of the way! We just need to be on the lookout for them. Could be anywhere in here...

So, you didn't feel anything then? No burning or freezing sensation?

[oliverplus]

Okay, that's not good... [glances around him nervously]

[pouting] I felt you poke me!

But I didn't feel anything else. The storm isn't real--it's just what you look like. [sighs. he really wishes he weren't explaining all this, but he's becoming resigned to the fact that he can't help it]

[bit_impossible]

No, it's a very good example of what's not good around here at the mo'.

[steps very close to him, eyes glancing up and down] This is certainly something new, or else you might have flinched away from me before. Do other people look like storms? How long have you been able to see this?

[adds as an afterthought, his brow creasing as he frowns:] You didn't die again, did you?

[oliverplus]

Have you seen anything else yet?

[flinches when he does so. hello, storm. but then he makes a face] Don't talk about me like I'm not here.

No, just you. It's your true self. [he looks terribly dismayed as he blurts that out, but he can't seem to stop himself there, either] I've only been seeing people like this since I made a choice.

No! [gives him a look. it's not like he makes a habit of it, after all. and the Doctor's one to talk!]

[bit_impossible]

Oh, I had a look outside a moment before I began my search. I want you to be very careful when and if you go out there.

[frowns] I'm talking to you. Not talking around you or talking like you're not right in front of me. Why would you even assume I wasn't? [granted, he does do that sometimes, but not then...]

[he doesn't comment on the true self part] You had to make a choice as well? Was it a small, dark room? I mean, I'm glad to hear you didn't die again. Very relieved, in fact! But you've got to understand why I asked. At least this makes a lot more sense!

[oliverplus]

I know that. And you always want me to be careful, anyway. [it's an afterthought he didn't mean to add, but he still can't work out any way to stop himself]

Because you were analysing what I'm doing like you're not talking to me! You know, you could ask if it's new or not, instead of just theorising like I'm some experiment. But I don't really want you to ask me things right now, either. I keep answering you. [makes a face, frustrated]

[his eyes widen in surprise] Yeah, and yeah, it was just like that. [and now that he's answered the Doctor, he's finally able to get his own question in] That happened to you, too?

[bit_impossible]

Really, shouldn't you be used to that by now? [pats him on the shoulder, disregarding the whole storm thing...as well as the not asking questions thing.]

Yes, it did happen to me as well. I couldn't see--and my eyes are normally pretty good in the dark. What were you asked to choose from?

[oliverplus]

Well, yeah, but you don't have to make me feel as stupid as I am to you.

[now that he definitely didn't mean to say, and his look of horror shows it. it's almost a relief to switch topics to his choice]

Whether I wanted to see people for what they really are or who I believe them to be. Wait...you couldn't see in your room? No sort of computer?

[bit_impossible]

[honestly looks shocked] Why would you even think that? I never thought you were stupid, not even for a moment. And not even back when I first met you, either. I don't invite just anyone to travel with me.

[absently; sorry, he's still reeling a bit from what Oliver said] And you chose...what to see people for who they really are, huh? No, I saw that as well. The screen wasn't lit up at the time.

[oliverplus]

[oh, he wishes you hadn't asked that. he feels terrible enough already for saying what he did] I'm just human, and you've made it clear plenty of times that you're way smarter than we are. I'm sure I'm stupid to you. Or...I was sure. And I don't know why you wanted me to go with you. I think you thought I could become something I didn't.

[he averts his gaze, not wanting to see how the Doctor reacts to that and wishing, desperately, that he could stop, but he can't] Yeah. I was afraid I wouldn't really see people if I made the other choice, but now I don't see people physically like normal. I think I got it wrong...

But what did the room ask you, Doctor? [and, he can't keep himself from adding:] Are you doing this to me?

[bit_impossible]

How smart I am doesn't matter. [besides, he knows he's an absolute genius, but for once, it's not the time or place to reiterate that fact.] I did say just now that I didn't ever think you were stupid. The day I met you... [softly] Do you want to know what I saw?

No, I don't think you got it wrong. You said you see me as a storm, correct? [he looks away for a moment before returning his gaze back to Oliver, even if his friend isn't looking at him] I don't think I ever told you, but in some parts of the universe, to some of my worst enemies, that's what I'm known as. "The Oncoming Storm".

But my room asked whether I wanted the truth or if I wanted lies. [frowns] ...I might be--or I might not. It could be this building. I was nosing around elsewhere in the ballroom when I was snatched.