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

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

[Damon smirks, probably for the first time in 600 years] I didn't kill him, I simply reminded him of his responsibilities as a Commander, and spoke with the Castellan. Neither of them took it particularly well, of course, but they couldn't argue with the law.

...And don't tell me you don't need anything now, when you said you did a few moments ago.

[collector]

Clearly they haven't been in politics for very long. [Cardinal Braxiatel can always argue the law. Bitches don't mess with him! Except when they do. Go to Hell, Darkel.]

[Moving on:]

[Braxiatel smiles] Ah, yes. Well, if you can find anything to mute a migraine, I would be very grateful.

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

Or they're not particularly clever. [did he really just say that? Yes, yes he did.] Public opinion is important to the Castellan...manipulating him wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it might be.

[Damon nods] Of course. I'll be back in a moment. [and he drops off the Plane, returning with your typical Gallifreyan painkillers and a glass of water] These should help. Is there anything else I can do?

[collector]

No, that's fine. Thank you. [Braxiatel 'takes' the painkillers by rather deftly making them disappear. The last thing he wants to do is cloud his mind with medication, not now when it's clearer than it has been in so long. But he does enjoy the water] I take it you've encountered someone displeased with your new ability?

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

[scowls] I did, yes. He insists on hitting me for it, even though I haven't done anything wrong. I really ought to introduce him to Commander Maxil, I think they would get along along splendidly.

[collector]

One of the most interesting things about observing two new cultures interact is the conflicts in their sense of justice when an individual of one group requires reparations from the other group.

[It is an absent sort of observation, masked in academia and a diplomat's neutrality. When Braxiatel drinks the water, he keeps it very still.]

[doctorsfanboy.livejournal.com]

Hurting or even killing someone is a ridiculously primitive method of justice.

[sarcastically] Unless the person is innocent of any crimes, of course, in which case it's even respectable enough for the High Council.

[collector]

That's a rather closed-minded view of justice and a rather misguided view of the High Council's tendencies. Oh, would you be able to pick up any healing products from back home? It's a concern of mine that we'll be in need of them.