[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

Comments

[oliverplus]

Jamie! [Oliver is too glad to see his friend to mind much how Jamie's acting. he hurries over to him, catching only the end of his monologue] You saw the people doing that, huh? You okay?

[bonnypiperlad]

Oliver. [There's no glad thumpings by way of greeting like there would normally be, even though it's been quite some time since Jamie's seen him last. Instead, he gives his 'friend' a rather scornful look.]

If I'd seen what happened, I'd not be asking about it, now would I? [He's not even going to bother to answer the second question. Of course he's perfectly fine.]

Although I can't say that I'm surprised that ye seem to know a bit more about it.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver stops in his tracks at that; it's obvious there's something wrong now. he shakes his head, horrified] Not you, too...

[uncertainly] What do you mean?

[bonnypiperlad]

[Jamie's eyebrows arch upwards.] "Not me, too?"

Ah, but that's my point, isn't it? Ye obviously know something what's been going on. You're always in the thick of things, aren't ye, Oliver? Affected by these experiments in some way or another. Almost as if ye were some great magnet for trouble.

Does it bother you?

[oliverplus]

[he's taken aback by the comment. yes, it does--very much. but Jamie already knows that]

[trying to sound firm] That's not important right now. Jamie...did you find any candy recently?

[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.]