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]

I realize it was considered not unethical by historical standards, but I'd prefer not to impregnate her while she's sleeping and wait for her children to suck the flax out of her fingertips. It seems rather dubious.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

You didn't have to take it that far. Maybe just start with a kiss? The worst that can happen is we are where we are now.

[she leans against the forcefield, looking down at Romana like a kid looking at fish through a fish tank] If you're shy, I can have a go at it first.

[collector]

Who says I haven't already tried?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[she looks up at Brax]

Have you?

[collector]

[Braxiatel smiles] No.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[she pushes off of the forcefield and takes Brax's arm]

Well, go on then, Prince Charming. Your Princess is waiting.

[collector]

[Braxiatel laughs] Don't you find this a little inappropriate?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Is it?

I know if it were me, I'd like to know everything that could be done was being done to wake me up.

If you want, I can go first. Romana did bring me wine after all and I believe the rules do say something about romance and love having something to do with the waking effect.

[collector]

Only in certain versions of the fairytale.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

I bet this version is like that. Really, what better way to toy with a Time Lord than to trap them in a human fairytale about romance?

[collector]

[This makes Braxiatel pause] Then it would stand to reason that we should fetch the Doctor. Or Leela, I always wondered—[he stops himself from getting into that sort of speculation]

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Or Narvin! Your Madame President and the Coordinator do seem to be strangely close. I suppose war can do that to people.

Shall we go fetch him?

[collector]

No. If it doesn't work, I'm not risking Narvin knowing where she is.

[Braxiatel looks down on Romana for one moment—and then, with a thought, he deactivates the shield.]

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[she lets go of his arm immediately and smiles up at Brax]

So you want me to try, right? Wine and all, it is rather meaningful.

[collector]

My President isn't a kissing booth, Professor Summerfield.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[she raises her hands in the air] Goddess forbid.

[collector]

[Braxiatel ignores Benny. He kneels at Romana's side, hands resting on the edges of the stone. For a moment, he just observes Romana.]

[This is really very ridiculous. There is, though, a certain logic to it. And it may be better if Romana were to wake. For everyone.]

[Very carefully, Braxiatel leans over to place a kiss on her lips.]

[tastefulfashion.livejournal.com]

[And it's rather humorous when one really thought about it. Fairytales being logical? Well, it could happen. And here is one shining example of such strange turn of events.]

[For having been unconscious for so long, the time that had passed had not registered as the sleeping President slowly came to. At first only the barest of sounds could heard as her fingers twitched once, twice, three times. Then, after a few moments, her eyes slowly drifted open.]

... Hmm?

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[Benny blinks, leaning on Brax's shoulders as she bends over to get a look at Romana]

That was...unexpected. I didn't really think it would work.

[she pats Brax on the head]

Well done, Prince Charming. That must have been some kiss.

[collector]

[Braxiatel is very, very surprised by this.] Madame President. I'm pleased to see you're awake.

Bernice, I am not an armrest. Do get off me.

[tastefulfashion.livejournal.com]

[Forgive the Lady President for she is still waking up. As she lifted a weighted hand to her head Romana looked from Bernice to Braxiatel, and then back to Bernice, puzzled for the time being.]

I do believe I seem to have missed something rather important.

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

[she's just ignoring Brax]

It seems you were in a coma. Nothing to get too worried about, I promise.

[and head patting turns to a hair ruffle, because you're so gosh darn cute, Brax~]

Braxiatel did a very nice job of curing you of that problem.

[collector]

It was under the Professor Summerfield's sage advice. Remarkable what a degree in archaeology can teach you. Apparently.

[tastefulfashion.livejournal.com]

[And this is Romana remaining perfectly still, without expression, before letting out a sigh in her attempts to pick herself up in order to sit up right. Her movements are shaky but she manages.]

I suppose I owe the two of you my gratitude, although I haven't the faintest idea as to how this all came about to begin with.

[She massages the back of her neck as she looks down at the stone slab she was currently residing upon, muttering to herself.]

But that would explain this insistent crick in my neck...

[brandyhabit.livejournal.com]

Something to do with fairy tales, I'm sure. Brax is very fond of them.

[she finally removes herself from Brax and gives him a nudge.]

Go on then. This is the bit where you offer her your hand and say, [she does her Braxiatel accent, but this time there's something more manly and rugged in it] "Allow me to help you, my Lady."