[021]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver has not been having a happy time of it on the Plane recently. first he got pulled to it only to be trapped in the dark, then the blood was utterly traumatising, and then he witnessed others with god powers--not to mention that awful hologram showing everyone about his empathy. the hologram in particular was troubling because he's afraid to face some of his friends after it]

[so instead, he's in the theatre, trying to distract himself from everything that's been happening while simultaneously avoiding people. unfortunately, he hasn't managed to find many films on the TARDIS. he has a feeling the Doctor has most of them stored in a room he hasn't found the way to. so he's watching Star Wars: Episode I, but anyone can see from his expression that it's not what he wants to be watching. in fact, he wants to be watching Episode IV. and though he doesn't know it yet, Oliver has just become a god. so suddenly, the film cuts out, and Star Wars: Episode IV cues up on the screen instead]

[Oliver jumps] What? How...? [he frowns at the familiar scrolling words, his shock quickly shifting into dread. he knows the sorts of things he's seen other people doing lately, but he's the only one here] No. I... [he shakes his head] I can't.

[and then a hat appears--one that might be familiar to some, as it used to be worn by the Doctor. it is upside-down in the seat beside him, and brimming with popcorn, just like a certain time with Gravkrom-Vey that the Doctor might remember]

[Oliver stares at the hat in absolute horror. he stands, backing away from it a little] No. Nonono! I can't! Not me!

Comments

[collector]

[EYEBROW RAISE god he must have taken lessons in that or something.] Protestations at causes yet unknown are usually futile on the best of days and dangerous on the worst.

[oliverplus]

[whirls on Brax, still looking rather akin to a frightened animal, but he relaxes a little when he sees who it is] Irving!

I... You don't know what this is, either? [he gestures helplessly at the hat. if anyone knows anything about what's really happening, surely Brax does!]

[collector]

It's a hat. With popcorn in it.

[THIS IS WHY BENNY HATES HIM SOMETIMES.]

[oliverplus]

[gives Brax an icredulous look] I know! But...but it... [sputters] It shouldn't be here! Not this hat!

[collector]

You could try making a different one.

[oliverplus]

[his look is incredulous for a different reason now because obviously Brax knows exactly what he's talking about, and Oliver can't understand how he can be so blithe about it. he shakes his head slowly] No. I'm...I'm not supposed to... I'm human!

[collector]

[He will be polite enough not to point out that this isn't quite accurate any longer, between his empathy eyes and his Plane blood.] And why would this exclude you from being granted powers beyond your birth-given capacity? Being Time Lord hasn't saved the Master or the Doctor from it.

[oliverplus]

[oh, that just scares him even more] The Master!?

[his gaze is desperate, almost pleading. he wants answers, and he knows Brax is his best hope for getting them] Why is this happening...?

[collector]

Oliver. [His voice is calm, as it always is. It is level and smooth and unbreakable.] What are you afraid of?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver has seen and been through too much this week to be calm. he can't help his immediate outburst] I don't want this!! Nobody should be able to...! [trails off, biting his lip] They--we--we can do anything, Irving. Anything!

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[Hahah... look who has the worst luck? Asch comes here when the library is being paTROLLED by Jade or Peony, and he's been trying to avoid them lately, so that only leaves the ballroom-- which stings of things he'd rather not remember-- or the theater, which has popcorn and some projections to watch.

He wouldn't admit to being fond of this place. But nevertheless, he finds himself here in the theater with Oliver. He's actually been here for a couple minutes just trying to figure out how to approach him about things. Not that Asch is one to solve problems like this. But he's curious. He... has a few questions, even.

It's almost worth the risk of having his emotions exposed.

From Asch's point of view, Oliver is freaking out about nothing. Maybe going crazy is a part of the Plane suddenly gaining a mountain, a shitload of blood, a red field, and other things. He steps forward, keeps his voice low. One hand rests on his sword hilt in case he has to defend himself.]

What's going on?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver jumps at the voice, spinning on Asch. he relaxes slightly when he sees who it is, but all he can manage then is to wave vaguely at the hat full of popcorn]

I... It's gone wrong...

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[Asch's eyes slide to the popcorn.]

... It's food. It's not going to kill you.

[You're gonna have to be more specific than that.]

[sosweet]

[Because he's just trying not to face certain people by going to the most uncommon places of the Plane (at least for him), now he sees a Oli panicking. Oh please...!]

Oliver... what is wrong?

[oliverplus]

No. No, not... [squeezes his eyes shut for a moment, trying to calm down so he can explain] I...I made it, Asch. I made it appear out of nowhere.

[oliverplus]

Saga! [Oliver turns hopefully at the voice, looking like a frightened animal] Did you...did you see what I... [he gestures at the hat full of popcorn, too upset to explain]

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[He shifts uncomfortably.] So? There's weird things popping up all over the Plane right now. If you really did do that, you're not the only one who can.

Everything is going to break down again at this rate. [He considers, then adds:] Maybe you can do something useful before that happens.

[oliverplus]

[snaps, more out of fear than anger] That doesn't make it better!

[surprised] ...what do you mean?

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[Asch snaps back, more of an unconscious reaction than anything else.] You're not the only one with a power they don't want!

[... er. He turns away suddenly.]

Forget it. I'll find someone else.

[oliverplus]

[is taken aback by that. he's quiet for a moment, looking at Asch wide-eyed] Asch...what's happened?

No, wait! What is it?

[the theatre seats by Asch slide to block his exit. oops]

[promisedsomeone.livejournal.com]

[Fine, so Oliver doesn't want him to leave. He still doesn't turn around.]

Are you done?

[Throwing a fit, he means.]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is staring in shock at the seats] Sorry! Sorry. I didn't mean... [he shakes his head, and the seats move back where they belong]

[Oliver takes a deep breath and asks, as calmly as he can manage] What did you mean?

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

Will you try and keep this power hidden from your friends as well?

[oliverplus]

[ohhh, Leela, so harsh! Oliver turns at her voice, his eyes still filled with fear] Leela! [he stares at her, but at her harsh words, he can't bring himself to say anything else]

[anoblesavage.livejournal.com]

Now you are afraid of me? You should know me better than that.