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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]

[looks at him blearily] So what does that mean? What's going to happen?

[bit_impossible]

Ultimately, you have three options. One, you're finally able to fall asleep--which is what we're going for. Two, you lot go mad because your brains just can't process the over-abundant amount of chemicals that it shouldn't have.

And three...well, we're not going to think about three.

[oliverplus]

[is quiet for a long moment before he grabs a pretzel, munching on it idly] One is definitely best. But three is better than two.

[bit_impossible]

[is silent for a moment. when he does speak, his voice is quiet and calm, but his face has darkened once more.]

Do you really think I want to spend my final days before we go into that black hole watching every one of you dying one by one?

[oliverplus]

[doesn't look at him; fights to keep his tone casual instead of sad] Hey, that's why we're hoping for option one.

[bit_impossible]

Yes... I know that everybody will come back to life no matter what happens, but it doesn't make it any easier.

[oliverplus]

I know... [is quiet for a moment before he speaks again, softly] But Doctor...what if option two doesn't reset?

[bit_impossible]

It will. Any injuries we've incurred while on the ship have always gone away--and that'll include anything that physically harms the brain. It has to.

[oliverplus]

[frowns; that's not enough of a guarantee] Doctor, if I... [hesitates] If the things I'm seeing...if it gets worse... [trails off, not sure how to say this]

[bit_impossible]

No. Absolutely not. We're not going to think that. [clenches his hands]

[oliverplus]

You said yourself that I'm going to reach a breaking point!

[bit_impossible]

And do you think I want to kill someone I care about?!

[oliverplus]

No! I... [sighs, frustrated] I know that. I don't want to ask you for that. You could get me something so I could do it myself, maybe? [puts a hand to his head] I know you don't want to do that either, but I just...I'm useless like this, Doctor! I can't help anyone, and if I started doing anything that could hurt them...

[bit_impossible]

[a dark look flickers across his features for a brief second and he grabs the scissors and stores them safely away in his pocket.] I will not be a part of that! And I will not see you do such a thing to yourself! I've seen far too many people die--and seeing you die once already is enough!

I've told you many, many times before that you are not useless. Just when are you going to believe me?

[oliverplus]

[his expression crumples; he hates having this conversation, and he knew the Doctor wouldn't agree to it, but...he has to know that someone will do something to keep him from hurting people] [desperately] What use could I possibly be to anyone if I'm mad?

[bit_impossible]

You'd still be alive!

[oliverplus]

And what about the people I get near?

Doctor, madness might not reset.

[bit_impossible]

We've gone mad before and it's stopped. And if I have to, I'll make sure you're not a danger to anyone or yourself. But I will not kill you.

[oliverplus]

[is quiet for a moment, considering that. looks up at the Doctor] Just as long as you'll make sure I don't hurt anyone? Especially not you! [he has a feeling that might be a loophole otherwise]

[bit_impossible]

I won't allow that to happen either. [though really, he's more concerned about Oliver hurting himself.]

[oliverplus]

[nods, lying his head in his arms on the table. that discussion took a lot out of him] Thank you.

[bit_impossible]

[he doesn't smile as he pats the back of Oliver's head and resumes his seat opposite him. that conversation stole a lot more of his energy than he thought it would.]

[oliverplus]

[just lies for a moment, not sure what to say, before he reaches out and grabs the bag of pretzels, beginning to eat them without bothering to get up]

[bit_impossible]

[opens the drawer again and sets down a bottle of water near the pretzels] There's a loo a few offices down to the left. If anything, you might want to splash a bit of water on your face.

[oliverplus]

[mumbles] Nah, I don't need it. [drags himself at least to a sitting position, grabbing the water bottle and taking a drink]