Sacris Solemniis

[collector]

[Teapot before him, a plate of pastries beside it, Braxiatel sits at the kitchen table with Strindberg's Ett drömspel open in front of him. Braxiatel stirs sugar into his tea, and a faint smile crosses his face as his eyes flicker to something in the seat to his left.]

[He leans forwards and pours a second cup of tea, then lifts it up to hand it over, the smile widening.] I don't know what you mean by 'ulterior motives,' Comman—

[Braxiatel's fingers tighten on the cup before he can let it go. For a moment, it hangs there, hoping for a hand that cannot take it.]

Ah.

[It is a quiet realization.]

[Braxiatel sets the cup down, away from him. He leans back in his chair and picks up a scone to eat.]

Comments

[oliverplus]

Then we've gotta find a way to stop this as soon as we can!

[collector]

It's not a certainty, though. I don't want you leaping into anything dangerous just because it might be a motivation.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver, leap into danger without thinking? never!] Well, yeah, but the Plane's getting worse all the time even if it isn't. If these hallucinations get worse...or the monsters...!

[collector]

Then getting yourself killed will be even more likely and even less helpful.

[oliverplus]

I'm not gonna get myself killed! We've just...we've gotta find out more about these choices. That's not that dangerous!

[collector]

If at all possible, I'd like a chart of who has been asked what - and when. I'd also like to know who has gotten pies or other odd occurrences without choices. Hallucinations like ours count, of course.

[oliverplus]

[nods, relieved to have a purpose] Okay, I'll do that! And uh... [thinks about this for a moment] Hey, the post is working, right? Once I've got the list, I'll pass it to you that way.

[collector]

[Oliver would be such an excellent addition to the Collection.] Oh, good. Thank you, Oliver.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver just loves feeling Important and Helpful] Yeah, sure!

Could you add to it and pass it back, then?

[collector]

[And that makes him easy to manipulate.] Of course. I'm more than happy to contribute. I'm just . . . [he waves a hand] wary of possible consequences.

[oliverplus]

Oh. [determined] Well, I don't mind starting it. I'll send it to you soon! And I'll try to talk to some more people first, too.

[collector]

[with a smile] I look forward to it.