great minds against themselves conspire

[collector]

[Sometimes, it won't all stay locked away. Sometimes the seal can't take the pressure. Sometimes the maze won't keep the monster in. Sometimes the jar cracks apart and all the evils come pouring out into the universe.

Sometimes, you just can't hide the pain you're in.

And Irving Braxiatel can't, though he tries to make it to the forest before he cracks, because that pain is written all over him. Oh, his clothing is as immaculate as ever, his skin is unblemished, not a single hair is out of place. But his bones are all jagged angles, his muscles constricted, and his mouth is sealed tight to try to contain any expression suffering.

Braxiatel covers his face with his hands, presses at his head with his fingertips. He staggers in his walk—sinks to his knees, shaking. His mouth opens—not to scream, but to soundlessly recite ancient equations, one last incantation against something terrible and old. Because if he holds on just a little longer, he can overcome this, he can take back control, he can draw it all in. If he holds it together just a little longer, he can win.]

[And then Braxiatel goes perfectly still. He closes his mouth and, slowly, draws his hands away from his face. He gets one foot out from under him, pulls himself up, stands for a moment in silence. Then he straightens out his suit and looks himself over without a reflection. Braxiatel sighs a breath of relief, for victory and for hard-won control. Slow, steady, his eyes rake over the Plane. No monsters drawn by his faltering. Good.]

Well. That was more trouble than it ought to have been, wasn't it? I'll have to get something for these migraines.

Comments

[collector]

[Braxiatel laughs at that] I won't be dying. Death takes up so much time, and I'm otherwise occupied. Now, why don't we step into the forest? I'd hate for a monster to come our way just now. You wouldn't be able to defend yourself.

[oliverplus]

You're the one who's bleeding!

I don't care about that. I'll defend you! [but he follows him into the forest, looking around for monsters]

[collector]

Am I? [He glances over himself briefly, but as he seems to be in tiptop condition, he brushes the thought of way] Hallucinations have been going around, Oliver. You shouldn't trust what you see.

[oliverplus]

No. [shakes his head and, oddly, starts to smile] I'm seeing the real you. You know I am. And you're falling to pieces.

You need someone to fix it.

[collector]

[Braxiatel looks at Oliver with lifted eyebrows] I hope you aren't going to suggest that what I really need, right now, is a Doctor.

[oliverplus]

[laughs] Like he ever really fixes anything.

No. I'll find a way. I've just gotta figure out how. What's changed? Why did seeing things put the pieces together? I'll make it happen again.

[collector]

Hm? Oh, you mean when I saw Skutloid, I suppose. Heavens, but we are getting a bit heavy on the metaphor lately, aren't we?

[Braxiatel walks further into the woods.] You realize, of course, that just presently, you aren't in control of your own mind.

[oliverplus]

Yeah, then! The cracks disappeared. And after, it got worse. You cried. But it's even worse now. I've gotta do something, gotta find a way--

[but his gaze snaps to Braxiatel at that, and he hurries after him] What!? I don't know what you're talking about!

[collector]

[with a wave of his hand] I mean you're clearly not all you usually are. Your behaviour is . . . not as it always is. And the difference is apparent. [with a slight laugh] I mean, you usually try for a little more subtlety in this sort of thing, don't you? It's hardly this desperately obvious.

[oliverplus]

I haven't done anything to help for weeks! Of course I'm desperate.

Or... [pauses, but it's not out of fear or any of the expected emotions. in fact, his expression turns curious--with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips] You think I'm finally going mad.

[collector]

Clearly you think I think so. Go on. Enlighten me.

[oliverplus]

You know about the Puppeteer. It's just been a matter of time--or it was a matter of time. Maybe I am mad. [laughs] You know, I think it'd be a relief. I wouldn't have to be afraid of it anymore if it'd happened.

But has it? Or is it you, Irving? Do you think someone has to be mad to want to help you?

Why are you shattering?

[collector]

I think someone has to be a little skewed of perspective to think I need help, yes. And a little off in their game to assume automatically that their . . . distortions come from within. The Plane has been having quite a lot of fun twisting things and people of late.

[And still he walks deeper into the woods.]

[oliverplus]

[follows him, eager--even slightly amused. snorts at that] You're in pain and bleeding and shattering, and you don't think you need help! Whose perspective is skewed?

So what do you think it is, then? If it's your true self, how could it be anything that isn't from within?

[collector]

How can you be certain it's anyone's true self? Just think of how easy it would be to twist people's perceptions of each other with something like this. Make their 'true self' a little different from what they are, close enough to be comprehended but wrong enough to change things. Show someone with blood on their hands and, regardless of the truth, you'll have seeded doubt.

[oliverplus]

[snaps] Don't even start! Some things are the truth, sometimes. I refuse to doubt everything.

And Sawako saw me. It's very real. Every bit of it. [his expression darkens] Your locks and your mask and the breaking. You need help, Irving.

[collector]

[They're far enough in, now. Braxiatel stops. Quietly,] And how do you intend to do that?

[oliverplus]

[angrily, frustrated] I'll find a way! I have to!

[collector]

I think, Oliver, you'd feel much better if you just let it go.

[oliverplus]

[shakes his head] No. Ohhh, no. I have to help people, Irving! I can't just sit back in the library and...and hope things fix themselves. I will do something about this! All of it!

And I'm gonna start by finding a way to help you, whether you want me to or not.

[collector]

Dear me. I had hoped it wouldn't come to this.

[Braxiatel looks Oliver in the eyes and starts speaking.] Listen to me, Oliver. Listen to me very carefully. You are not worried about me. You to not see me as masks and mirrors. You see me as I physically am: a normal humanoid, no cracks, no blood, no reflections. Not my 'true self' but the physical reality. And you trust that. You know that I am safe, and fine, and in control. You know I don't need any help. Any thoughts about my weaknesses or my fragility will simply . . . fade away as you think them. And when you wake, you will be put put at peace by the normalcy and calm I provide.

On three.

One . . .

Two . . .

Three.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver, still being very close to a regular human being, is pulled in immediately by the hypnotic effect and listens intently, locked on Brax's words. he blinks when Brax ends the count, then looks around briefly, confused. turns back to Brax]

Sorry... What were we talking about?

[collector]

You were telling me about what you learned from Nathan, Arthur, and Luke, weren't you?

[oliverplus]

Oh, yeah. [clearly he must have been. sighs] Or what I didn't learn. Well, maybe one thing--Damon can go home. And he hasn't made any choices--not that he knows of, at least. But I don't know how that helps. [begins to get riled again--but not like before. his attention is on a different subject, for one] I don't know how any of it does! I'm making a list, but what good is it doing?

[collector]

You mean he hasn't made any choices that he'll admit to.