Fantasiestucke VI. Fabel

[collector]

[The CAT turns on without warning as Brax is trying to open his front door. He is fine, his half-amused smile settled easily. He doesn't show a sign of having lost to any of the questions, and he's holding two coins in one of his hands.]

[Then the hologram pops up, and Braxiatel loses all expression. If there is one word to describe him now, it's cold.]

[It is asking him this: What is inside your head?]

[Very, very quietly, Braxiatel speaks.] I'll take the penalty.

[He steps into the house. There is the mechanical click of joints as his hands close into fists, then open again. He drops his coins and a silver pen on the table, then sinks into a chair.]

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[he doesn't need the CAT's transmission to see that Brax is home. he's been waiting in the neighbourhood to speak to Brax in person, so as soon as Brax is inside, he makes his way over to townhome and reaches for the doorknob to barge in as is expected of him--only he's stopped by a question too.

if Brax is listening, he might hear an indignant groan followed by a loud protest that cuts itself off once the question is asked. the door opens a moment later and in steps the Doctor, his face as neutral as he can make it be. and aside from a patch of synthetic hair that still styles just as easily--and really, who can tell it's that different under all that product?--nothing else is different. it looks like he might have answered truthfully]

Hello Brax. Are you busy?

[collector]

[He smiles at the Doctor] Not at all. What do you need?

[bit_impossible]

[he just barely steps into the living room.] Oh, nothing much, really. [starts to rub the back of his neck and frowns very slightly when he feels the difference in hair texture there]

I wondered if you'd seen that other incarnation of mine. There are a few words I wanted to have with him, but I can't seem to find him anywhere. [of course, this is just putting off his real question. he can't feel his other self there any longer...]

[collector]

[He observes that particular demonstration with bland interest.] Not recently, and it concerns me. But I can't confirm his absence with my psionic condition as it is.

[bit_impossible]

No. No, I can't feel him either... [he debates for a moment then comes into the room, having a seat near Brax]

Listen. About what he said...

[collector]

[Brax seems very calm about this. He may be genuinely calm, but perhaps it's that these doors keep prying at truths, and he is so very tired of secrecy.]

I don't hold you to blame. Thete. I doubt my absolution will count for much, but I know that you wouldn't make such a decision lightly. It was for the best. And I'm very sorry that you will carry the responsibility of that decision for the rest of your lives.

[bit_impossible]

[he looks away, that neutral expression of his threatening to crumble] How much did he tell you?

[collector]

More than enough. And I already had quite some idea about what is on the horizon for our people.

[bit_impossible]

Which you shouldn't have. I know I hinted earlier on--bit hard not to when I haven't seen you in person since--no, when doesn't matter. I wanted to keep you from knowing particulars. It's not fair to you.

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

Invasive piece of shit, isn't it?

[audio only!

seeing as his hair is felt and he's about four feet tall]

[collector]

I think it needs to read the Debrett's guide to etiquette. [Not that Grimmjow is a stunning example of manners, but Brax smiles anyway] And how are you today, Grimmjow?

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

Fine.

[of course, of course] Do you know why it's asking all the questions?

[collector]

It wants to know how much we know, it wants to learn from us, it wants to force us to rely on each other, it wants to incapacitate and distract us as well as those who might help us, it wants to punish someone for something, or it's doing it for the kicks. Those are my best theories. Oh, and it could be some sort of program run wild, but that sort of thing generally isn't this spiteful. Still, best not to discount it until we have proof to the contrary.

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

[...an oddly contemplative silence] You sure about any of that, or it's it all just your best guess?

[collector]

Unfortunately, I don't have much to support any theories. And a theory is completely useless if you haven't anything to prove.

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

[call him crazy, but Brax sounds a little...bothered]

And you're not happy about it?

[collector]

[The last time he didn't have facts with which to prove his theories, he tried to pull off a murder-suicide to find out the truth, so Grimmjow wouldn't be far off there.]

I don't like playing when I don't have complete information. If you don't know the strategies or payoffs of the other players, you can't predict what they'll do. Or to take it out of game theory: it's hell trying to outplay someone when you don't know what they want or how they'll go about getting it.

[Some humour, though, is hard to completely get rid of.] I take it you've been having trouble with the doors?

so late

[fortune_sought]

Mr Braxiatel, are you all right?

I laugh in the face of punctuality!

[collector]

[He creates his usual smile for her.] Of course. It's just the joints, I believe. [He wiggles his fingers, making the noise again.] That puts me at an advantage to most, I think.

[fortune_sought]

[concerned] Is it painful?

[collector]

Not in the slightest. Actually, it's a bit fun. [This time when he wiggles his fingers, he deliberately creates the opening bars of 'Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing)'] Something like tap-dancing.

[fortune_sought]

[can't help a smile, shaking her head] You make it sound like a talent!

[but there is another reason she's been wanting to contact him...] Not to intrude, but might I come visit? For tea, perhaps?

[collector]

Yes, of course. Shall we have it outside?

[A gentleman does not allow a lady to walk through more crazy cursed thresholds than necessary.]

[fortune_sought]

[considers that] [absently] No, this might be easier in your home...

I'll be there shortly, if you don't mind?

[collector]

If you insist.