[010].

[bonnypiperlad]

[It's been some time, hasn't it, Plane? Jamie's been off with his Doctor, having adventures, fighting beasties and creeping down corridors. But the Plane has a habit of drawing you back, sometimes when you least expect it. And today just so happens to be one of those days.

Although...something seems a bit different. The man who is looking around is doing so in a decidedly reserved manner, a hint of disdain on his features. It only grows more as he walks along, taking in the destruction wrought by the other denizens of the Plane, and as he sets eyes on the new inhabitants of the forest, he makes a derisive noise in the back of his throat - something not at all like his usual 'Och'.]

Creatures again? And here I thought there might be something original this time. But...perhaps there's a 'wee bit' more to it. Would someone care to fill me in? That is, if you're not all too busy setting things on fire or destroying windows at the moment. I'd not wish to interrupt ye if ye are.

(( OOC: Jamie has also eaten a candy, and for it, he is now someone who is much more arrogant and willing to manipulate the situation to his benefit. He may or may not choose to tamper with another characters mind, given the circumstances (ie if you would like to have anything done or not), but he will certainly not hesitate to try and do so if provoked or attacked. ))

Comments

[bonnypiperlad]

[There's an almost amused-sounding noise that comes from him at that.]

Surely ye know the answer to that question, already. Oh, wait. [He moves a little closer to Oliver, looking at him almost as if sizing him up in some way.] You've not been placed under an experiment yourself, have ye? One that's made you forget who it is I'm traveling with?

Or, should I say, who I was traveling with. He's a wee bit...shall we say...indisposed, currently. But never mind that. I think I'd much rather know why you're interested in finding out if I've had a sweet lately.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver resists the urge to take a step back when Jamie comes up to him. it's terrifying, the way he's acting, but he's still Jamie. Oliver knows he has to face whatever is happening to him--for his sake. Jamie needs his help]

No. But you have been, Jamie. Can't you tell?

...what!? [he can't hide his alarm. he swallows hard. Jamie is talking about the Doctor, and since it's the Doctor, Oliver is sure he must be okay. but if he had any hope left in his mind that this is still Jamie, it's gone now. he struggles to keep his voice calm] B-because you did. Because it's changed you!

[bonnypiperlad]

Have I, now? [Oh, now he is amused. His mouth curls into a smile that, while it is on Jamie's face, bears very little resemblance to any smile he normally would have.]

My my. So alarmed-sounding, Oliver. Ye would almost think something's happened to him, from that reaction. [The smile stretches, just a tiny amount.] No, he's playing a very intense game of infinite chess on Halemat Station at the moment. They've decided to try the four dimensional variant, and I got a wee bit bored watching them.

[He reaches out to clap a hand onto his shoulder in a seemingly friendly gesture.] Now, how, exactly, would ye say I've changed?

[oliverplus]

[as firmly as he can manage] Yes.

[he's surprised--but relieved--by Jamie's explanation of where the Doctor is. he only hopes it's the truth. when Jamie touches him, he fights the urge to move away. instead, he looks his friend in the eyes, steeling himself for whatever his empathy might cause him to feel in response]

You're not like this, Jamie. You're kind--one of my best friends.

[bonnypiperlad]

Tsk, using your powers on me so soon. What's the matter, Oliver? Don't ye trust your best friend? [He's actually not lying about what the Doctor is doing - just about why he had left. He doesn't want the Doctor to find out how he's changed...not just yet, until he's had time to plan some things more properly.

But now Oliver's gone and meddled, like he usually does, and Jamie's face twists into a rather unpleasant expression. For a moment, there's displeasure that can be felt there, backed by a coldness that lacks any hint of kindness to it. Then, quite deliberately, he snaps a shield into place, blocking the attempt to probe any deeper. His grip tightens on Oliver's shoulder, and his other hand snakes around to grab the back of his former friend's neck in an attempt to prevent him from backing away.]

Hasn't anyone told ye that someday you'll do that to someone who'll return the favor by using their powers on ye?

[oliverplus]

I--I didn't for that! [which is true; he only meant to make eye contact to show Jamie he was serious. but he was also hoping the empathy might tell him more about what's happened to his friend. he shudders at what he does feel, but perhaps even more alarming is when those feelings suddenly disappear. Oliver blinks, startled. he stares at Jamie. they're certainly maintaining eye contact, but...there's nothing there. it's like being around Irving--or the Doctor with his shield up. it takes Oliver a second to think of what this might mean, or more importantly what to do. he does try to pull away from Jamie, but his friend is not only in a better position but also stronger. and at that statement, Oliver's blood runs cold] ...what?

[bonnypiperlad]

Don't pretend as if ye didn't understand the question. You're oh so willing to use that empathy of yours when it's convenient. Surely you're not afraid of the consequences for going where you're not wanted?

Jamie, the fool, may not have minded having his emotions being known by his 'best friend', but I do not share those...heh. Feelings.

[He wraps his fingers in Oliver's hair, tightly enough that if Oliver continues to struggle it'll be rather painful for him. The hand that was on his shoulder moves to the side of Oliver's face.]

You're lucky that I'm not a more vindictive person now, or I'd let ye experience some of the more...painful things Jamie's been through over the years. After all, ye did want to know what he's feeling, did ye not?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver can do nothing but stare in horror] You--you know you're not Jamie? [desperate, he tries to think of something he can say to help the situation. he knows he's in danger, but he can't drop from the Plane--not when Jamie's holding him] Look, I'm sorry. Just, if you don't want me to--ack! [as Jamie wraps his fingers into his hair, Oliver makes a last attempt to pull away. but it's too late. he cries out] Stop!

[and at those words, his blood runs cold. he stops struggling] Wh-what? What are you doing!? I don't understand!

[bonnypiperlad]

My name is James, and you'll do well to remember that. [All he does at the cry is smirk, having no intentions on letting go.]

Now, hold still, otherwise I'll not promise be able to promise ye this won't hurt. Well, any more than it might already. Don't worry, though. I'm just going to give ye a wee taste of what it's like to have powers used on ye.

[He shifts his fingers just so, starting to comb through Oliver's memories to see what he wants to use. While he's not going out of his way to actually hurt Oliver, he's also not bothering to take any steps to be gentle, or mask the feeling of what he's doing. How much pain it causes depends solely on how well Oliver can deal with the sensation.]

[oliverplus]

What--what powers? Jamie--James, what-

[but he cuts off at that as he feels Jamie reach inside his mind. he starts to struggle again, but that just makes the experience even more painful than it would be otherwise. Oliver cries out at the pain of it, terrified and desperate. this is his mind! having it tampered with is, to him, one of the most frightening things in the universe] Stop it! Stop! Please!

[bonnypiperlad]

Why, is something wrong, Oliver? [For a moment, it looks as if he is, in fact going to pull back. But then he simply continues with what he's doing.] Oh, aye, that's right. This isn't exactly new to ye, is it? Don't worry, I'll not be doing what the Puppeteer did to ye. I'm just looking for a wee memory to share.

Ah, Skara Brae. That'll do. You'll remember that cheese sandwich that ye were so excited to have, of course?

[Really, Oliver doesn't have much of a say in regards to that right now - but it's so much easier if he chooses to do so on his own.]

[oliverplus]

[either way, it's nearly impossible to not think of something when you don't want to think about it. so whether from Jamie's prodding or his own mind's incentive, that memory does surface. Oliver squeezes his eyes shut, still gasping in pain. if anything, it's made even worse by this vivid reminder of who his friend should be]

[softly, desperate] Jamie... I remember. Don't you remember you?

[bonnypiperlad]

[That's really not the best thing to do when someone's in your head, Oliver, and he narrows his eyes at the nickname.] I've told ye, it's James.

[However, he doesn't try to cause any additional pain, because what he has in mind should do the trick very nicely.]

Ah yes. Poor Jamie, so confused by all these strange things he's experienced, but still willing to do what it takes to protect his friends. Pathetic, really. But never ye fear, Oliver. I still remember. The question is, will you?

[oliverplus]

[quietly, still feeling quite enough pain as it is] It isn't...

[but at that, he gasps, fighting even harder against the presence in his mind] What? What do you mean!? Jamie!

[bonnypiperlad]

Oh, nothing much. Now, where was I? Oh, yes. The sandwich. [That cheese and onion sandwich on two mismatched slices of bread. The one Oliver was so happy to have as it was real cheese. From Earth.]

Do ye realise that memories are such a fleeting thing? Ye may think ye can hold on to them, but eventually they shift, just a little, so they're not quite the same...no matter how fond of them ye are. Now, imagine what happens when someone goes in and does that to ye. Takes them away, or...

[With a mental flick, he nudges it. Instead of that wonderful cheese and tasty onion, now the memory is that of tongue and mustard. But rather than blur it so Oliver thinks that is what he actually had, James leaves the knowledge that it was something else before.]

Or changes things up, just a wee bit.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver, utterly terrified, is still trying to fight, which is achieving nothing but making the experience more painful] No! No, don't! What are you doing!? [he doesn't know yet what Jamie changed, only that he must be changing something. but Oliver is too terrified to even think straight] Please...please stop!

[bonnypiperlad]

Oh, ye want me to stop? Well, since ye asked so nicely...

[He smiles unpleasantly for a moment, then shifts his fingers back, breaking the mental contact. He doesn't yet let go of Oliver completely, however, hand still on the side of Oliver's head and ready to go back in his mind if need be.]

Now, then. Care to tell me what sandwich ye had back on Skara Brae?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver gives a faint cry when Jamie breaks the contact. even without it, his head is still pounding after his struggle. he doesn't even have the presence of mind to pull away]

Wh-what? [Jamie's prompt pulls the memory to the surface, and Oliver's eyes widen] No. No, that's... [he looks up at Jamie in horror] What did you do!?

[bonnypiperlad]

[Now that is a result that is, well, just about perfect, and the unpleasant smile comes back.]

Simply adjusted one wee memory of yours, Oliver. Nothing substantial. You'll hardly miss what had been there before, anyway.

I trust I've made my point?

[oliverplus]

Y-yeah...

[assuming Jamie's point was to terrify him half-to-death and give him a headache--or to prove that he's not Oliver's dear friend anymore. Oliver tries to pull away now, stumbling as he does so. he's still dazed, and his head is pounding]

[bonnypiperlad]

[And this time, Jamie - James - lets him. He looks just the slightest bit pleased with himself over the outcome.]

Maybe next time you'll think before messing with things that are best left alone.

[With that, he turns on his heel, fully intending on leaving Oliver and his adjusted memory behind.]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver nearly overbalances, as he wasn't expecting Jamie to let go, but he does manage to stay standing--at least long enough to abruptly sit down on the Plane floor. he can't even say anything; he just stares after Jamie as he turns to leave. Oliver is in too much shock to even respond]

[bonnypiperlad]

[He doesn't look back, but part of him is well aware of Oliver's reaction - well, insomuch as there isn't one. It's not too hard to guess that there's some staring going on here, and that pleased expression becomes much more visible. Not that Oliver should be able to see it from this angle, unless he actually gets up to follow.

Barring that, Jamie is just casually going to head towards the bar and see what he can find by ways of a drink. He could drop from the plane, but he's curious to see what his former friend will do if he stays.]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver doesn't get up to follow; he just keeps watching him]

[softly] Jamie... I'll...I'll fix this somehow. I will...

[holding his head, he closes his eyes and drops from the Plane. he can't stand to be there anymore]