[SOS] θ 18

[bit_impossible]

[his fire burns low, partially from the rain and partially because he's neglected it even though he specifically lit it to make tea. instead, he's spent a good deal of time after the mysterious message played pacing back and forth in the rain--if the mud trail he's blazed in front of his shelter is anything to be judged--but he pays it no mind and doesn't care that his sphere is recording--not that he notices. he's too busy muttering to himself.]

What'd that voice mean about the locals? The way it was said...sounded like the frog hybrids aren't the only life around here. But...if they're not, where have the real locals been this entire time? [he runs a hand through his drenched hair, clearly disturbed by this]

No, no, no, we shouldn't stay around to find out. [glances to the sky] There must be a way to signal that ship! But they mentioned a potential danger...are we that danger? We shouldn't shoot anything at it then. Not even my sonic screwdriver, even if it wasn't damaged in that fall, will help this time; can't risk scaring them off or worse.

[he pauses, looking around him. he can see a handful of smouldering fires coming up from various places around the field and wherever else his fellow passengers have set up camp. this gives him an idea]

The fires...the fires! All we have to do is burn--no, no, hang on a mo'. The question is what should we burn? Shouldn't burn that awful, awful fruit [pulls a face, remembering their taste] because some people actually like them. And burning the nuts and the other food stuffs is unwise as well, and no burning the fore--

The flowers. Ohhhh, of course, stupid Doctor, why didn't you think of that sooner? Those cheeky little flowers gave off that green pollen before! Perhaps it'll even turn the smoke green too! [he dashes out towards the field, skidding and sliding in the mud, and unceremoniously plucks a handful of flowers out of the ground before running back to his camp.]

Here goes nothing! [tosses the flowers onto the fire]

Comments

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

Never mind. Just glad we have that out of the way.

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

[very relieved] Me too.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

So, you never completely answered my other question. We got a little...distracted.

Do you still want to come with me? See the universe again?

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

[is surprised by the question; way to put him on the spot!] [frowns] Of course I want to, Doctor. But...I haven't had a chance to really think about the answer for myself.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

[sighs, shaking his head. can't help letting a bit of the annoyance he feels into his voice] I think you know my position on the matter by now, Oliver.

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

[winces at his tone] I do. And it's not that I'm not grateful, Doctor. Really, I am! I never thought...I mean, I'd always just assumed I'd never be able to again. So the fact that you're even asking means a lot.

But it's a big question, you know! I can't just...say yes and run off without a second thought. Not anymore.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

[is caught somewhat off-guard by the 'not anymore' part.] Oh? Did...you start a family with Anna? [begins to smile]

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

[eyes widen] What!? No! I... [realizes for one very startling instant that he can't actually say anything with certainty, as he doesn't remember. but he couldn't have!] No. It's not that. I mean...I think I might be dating her, but I can't even remember that, really...

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

[smiles anyway] I see. But she'll be there, you know. That's the beauty of time travel.

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

I know. [shifts uncomfortably, not meeting his gaze] But...that's what I was counting on last time.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

[his face falls. he really hoped he wouldn't have to have this conversation, but...he owes his friend this.]

Ollie... I...

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

[eyes widen as he realizes what he's said] Doctor...I didn't mean it was your fault! You were always going to bring me home. I know that. And I know you'd mean it if you said it again.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

I was. And I should've listened to all those times you asked to go home, but...

But we had so much lost time to make up for! I had to cram it all in, going place to place to place and then...we got caught up in the Puppeteer nonsense and there was no way I could dissuade you to keep your nose out of it, not when there were people to help...

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

[blinks, staring at him for a moment; then, quietly] That was why you waited? Because of the accident?

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

I was selfish Ollie! I couldn't let you go like that!

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

[a little sharply; deep down, he's still upset about this] I didn't want to go. I just wanted to see her!

[surprises himself with that; is quiet for a moment, forcing his emotions under control] [forces his voice to be calm; the last thing he wants to do is hurt the Doctor] But...I never thought you'd see it that way. I guess I never really understood.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

Then why do you humans never say that?! Saying "I want to go home" has so many implications! And to me, it always means the final good-bye. That's the way it always has been for me.

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

So it was all a misunderstanding? [his tone makes it clear he's really not sure what to think about this]

Anyway, that doesn't matter. [topic switch to avoid the awkward! he doesn't want to be upset with the Doctor] It's not Anna that would keep me back, Doctor. It's me. I've told you--I'd be more of a liability than a companion.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

[oh, he's not easily deterred from the subject] Of course it matters. If I hadn't--if I'd only listened--! [he sighs heavily, losing all the wind in his sails] We might not have gotten into the whole mess if I'd understood you better. I may be able to read you like a book, but I can't tell what's going on in your heart.

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

But it's not your fault! Doctor, I doubted you. There wouldn't have been any mess if I hadn't done that.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

But it did happen. I refuse to let it happen again.

And don't you dare start saying you're a liability! How many times must I say it before it gets through that thick skull of yours?

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

[sighs] Doctor, I'd never forgive myself if I got you hurt. I can't risk that. Not when I can't be trusted. I know you want me to go with you, but...that's only half the question now.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

You're not going to get me hurt! How many time do I have to say that too? You had ample enough opportunities to do so when that pollen was in full effect! And what'd you do? You kissed Lara! And then me, later on, but that's it!

Re: filter;

[oliverplus]

I...what? [blinks] Doctor, why would I have hurt you then? The pollen didn't change me that much.

Re: filter;

[bit_impossible]

[grumbles into his hands] Oliver, you told people about the Puppeteer incident! Would you casually mention such a thing now? No, you wouldn't because all of us were under the influence. Our tongues were loosened and we spilled secrets we never would have if we were in our own right minds.

And according to you, if you thought yourself as this potential killer, wouldn't having no inhibitions, no moral or mental filter on your actions let that killer loose? That's what I mean. You could have killed me over and over and I would've taken it too because I wouldn't have fought.