θ 4

[bit_impossible]

[the Doctor stands outside the library, Meredith's words of caution from the projection surfacing in one of his many passing thoughts:

"Be careful in the library."

for the Doctor, that's like slapping a big ol' "DO NOT ENTER" sign on it and expecting him to stay out. of course, it's a sign that he'll brazenly ignore and continue on his merry way just like he's always done.

but he has another reason for heading for the library besides some not-quite-so-amateur sleuthing...]

[to no one in particular:] Well, let's hope the bookworms haven't decided to revolt!

[he pushes the doors open with a flourish and heads in]

Comments

[bit_impossible]

Very true!

[spins around to face Oliver] Well, to be fair, I've already been in here. Explored it and everything. I think Meredith was taking the mickey out of us. I came out not too long ago figuring I'd run into you.

[oliverplus]

Really? Mu and I were gonna explore, too, but...I wanted to find out more about the voting first.

Did you find anything?

[bit_impossible]

Oh? How'd you do there?

Nope! Only dust, books, and couches. Well, and some magazines as well, but that's par for the course.

[oliverplus]

[makes a face] All I've got is a list of people who all got voted for once.

Well...I guess that's a good thing, really.

[bit_impossible]

[arches an eyebrow; curiously] Really? Anyone vote for me?

Yes, well, it does make you wonder if she might have meant that as a warning for future events, not for something that had to happen straight away.

[oliverplus]

[blinks] Not that I know of. Why? Did you?

Come on, Doctor, you don't have to ruin it!

[bit_impossible]

[aghast] Vote for myself? Why would I vote for myself? I like myself!

I didn't ruin anything. You were guessing about it being a good thing, so I gave you a reason so you could feel good about your guess.

[oliverplus]

You'd be surprised how many people did...

You just made it sound like a bad thing in disguise!

[bit_impossible]

[he frowns] Well, I certainly didn't. Why would anyone vote for himself--or herself--in a situation like that? A general election for prime minister or president, sure, but to take the blame for something they didn't do...? [he lets out a breath, running a hand through his hair. honestly, he doesn't understand humans sometimes.]

Oh, Ollie, think nothing of it. [slings an arm around his shoulders, leading him toward a row of tall shelves] It's a good thing you're here in any case. I had something to tell you.

[oliverplus]

[frowns] Because they think any choice they've made could've been the choice.

[turns to him, letting him lead the way] Really? What's up?

[bit_impossible]

Well, I'm betting if they made a choice sometime after being stuck here, chances are they weren't the ones at fault.

Yes! I spoke to the person I wanted to speak to. [he smiles faintly, continuing the walk between the shelves]

[oliverplus]

That's the thing, though--people are always making choices. How do we know which one was it?

Oh! [turns to him, eager] How did that go? Can you fix it?

[bit_impossible]

We don't. The situation could be just like the story of the boy who wished everyday was Christmas. It was great for the first couple of days, but soon the novelty of it all dulled and became boring--and then there are versions of the story where the boy relived the same Christmas day every single day and had to be surprised when he opened up the same gift over and over. Basically, even the most innocent of statements or desires could have been twisted around. I believe we shouldn't blame the person who made it, but blame the person who twisted it in the first place and that wouldn't be any of us. We don't have that sort of power here.

[he stops, looking at Oliver] Well, it went all right, actually. [considering what they spoke about] But I'm not going to be the one to fix it. If I could do before, you would've been right as rain already.

[oliverplus]

No... You're right. [sighs] I just don't know what to do about that.

[frowns] Then who's going to fix it?

[bit_impossible]

The only thing you can do is move on. Face the future and learn from the past! It doesn't do you any good to dwell on things you can't change.

Someone I trust. You and I both know him. Oh go on, take a guess!

[oliverplus]

But if I could've worked out who did it... [sighs again, letting himself trail off]

[blinks] Doctor, we both know a lot of people. But uh...well, you said he, so it's not Sirkka. Mu, maybe?

[bit_impossible]

[he chooses not to comment further on the subject]

Nope! I spoke to Brax.

[oliverplus]

[surprised] And he can fix it?

[bit_impossible]

[nods] Yes. He gave me his word. Why, who do you think I'd speak to?

[oliverplus]

I dunno. Just...you couldn't do it.

Okay, then I'll find him.

[bit_impossible]

No, I couldn't personally do it. My skills aren't well skilled enough.

Yes, do. [he puts on a smile and starts to walk away, then stops] And--nah, never mind.

[oliverplus]

Oh. [is still a bit surprised. he didn't realise Brax was better at that sort of thing]

[frowns at that] What is it?

[bit_impossible]

[and as he had started to walk away, he stops again] Hmm? Oh... [rubs the back of his neck] Well, I just wanted to warn you. You know, not to be upset or anything.

[oliverplus]

[frowns, confused] Oh...when I find out who did it, you mean?

[bit_impossible]

[he sighs, really just wanting to get away now] Something like that. Well, possibly. Well, maybe. Just in general, you know?