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[bit_impossible]

[when the Sphere turns on, it shows him sitting in an office somewhere on Level 12, hands covering his face and muffling his mutterings. his knuckles are bloody and the two fingers on his left hand still move with an odd detachment like they're simply along for the ride and not being controlled by him. he's not showing it, but those nerve endings in his burnt hand have started to come back--something he hoped wouldn't come around until much later.]

[when he finally does remove his hands, he doesn't look all that different than he did a few days ago. no dark circles, yawning, or even hand tremors even with his recent assault on the wall behind him; his hands are as steady as ever. it's the dark, acerbic look in his eyes that tell a different story. he might not need the sleep, but that doesn't mean he isn't frustrated as hell.]

There has to be a way of helping them. I'm just not finding it. Medications, hypnosis, meditation, not even--! None of it! And if they don't get some sleep soon, they'll... [he trails off, not wishing to think of the people he knows and cares for dying from something so easily preventable.]

If only there were some way to get to that man! [he's aware of the Sphere being on now.] Say what you will, Orion. You talk of saving "them", well my friend, talk can only get you so far! And that's saying nothing about the riddles and endless games you and Ganymede force us to play! For all your talk about him and blaming the man for what's happened, you two are terribly alike. Perhaps his madness had grabbed hold of you before you evacuated the ship, I wonder.

[laughs bitterly] How foolish of me. It's not like you're going to respond to this or anything else we say to you, is there Orion? If I could only get to you...

Comments

[oliverplus]

I know. I know it's not real, but...it's still there. [shudders, wrapping his arms around himself as though cold]

[bit_impossible]

Let's get out of here, all right? It can't leave the library.

[oliverplus]

[glances at him, trying weakly for a smile] So you come up with rules for hallucinations now, too?

[bit_impossible]

No, I'm breaking the rules of sleep deprivation a little here. Come on.

[oliverplus]

[glances at the books strewn about on the floor. normally he'd be appalled at the thought of... no. much too tired. he drags himself to his feet] So where can we go that's hallucination free, Doctor?

[bit_impossible]

[puts an arm around his shoulder, leading him away from there.] Well, I'm not going to say it. You'll just have to trust me.

[oliverplus]

[glances at him] You always come back to that, don't you? How many times do I have to say that I... [pauses, yawning widely] ...am always gonna trust you.

[bit_impossible]

I'll have you know I haven't said anything of the kind in a few months. I'd say I was doing pretty good.

[oliverplus]

No, you said that to me just a bit ago! I think...maybe... [frowns] I don't remember what about. But I'm sure I trusted you.

[bit_impossible]

Let's not think of technicalities here. You do and you always have.

[oliverplus]

Yeah, that's putting it simply. So you don't have to ask. We'll just go...wherever you're taking me. [yawns, stumbling as he does so, using the Doctor to save his balance]

[bit_impossible]

[is glad he still has his arm around Oliver's shoulder and helps him out of the library, eventually leading him back to the office where he just was.] Here, now it won't get you in here. Have a seat, Ollie.

[oliverplus]

[is very, very glad that this was a short trip. slumps obediently into a chair, yawning again]

[bit_impossible]

[shuts the door behind him, takes his own seat, and resumes bandaging his hand.] How's that? Much better, huh?

[oliverplus]

[studies the Doctor's hand for a moment] Yeah, that's good. Just don't forget to change it later.

[bit_impossible]

Oi, you're one to talk. There's enough here for your hand as well, Ollie boy.

[oliverplus]

Huh? Oh... [lifts his bandaged hand and sets it on the table. his bandages are awkwardly wrapped, as though he did it himself while fighting a lack of coordination, and they're beginning to peel and come loose. they haven't been changed recently] Guess I should do that... [looks blearily at his hand for a moment, narrowing his eyes as though he can't quite figure out how it got in that state]

[bit_impossible]

[sighs] I'll do it. Just get the old bandages off and I'll wrap it up good and proper.

[oliverplus]

[nods and starts picking at the current bandages] Do you have scissors?

[bit_impossible]

I do, but I wonder if I should let you use them or not...

[oliverplus]

[glances up, quirking an eyebrow at him] What's that supposed to mean?

[bit_impossible]

These are sharp, you're tired, and you might hurt yourself more.

[oliverplus]

[gives him a flat look] Doctor, I am not going to cut myself on your scissors.

[bit_impossible]

[shrugs and lightly hits them across the desk towards Oliver.] Don't say I didn't warn you.

[oliverplus]

[rolls his eyes--lack of sleep has done nothing for his temper--and picks up the scissors, cutting at the bandages. mutters] You're the one who said I wouldn't be completely useless...