Holograms 5 & 6

[realitymods]

[The hologram snaps on when Mu asks what Oliver was wondering about Saga and stops on Mu's slip-up over his own telepathy.]

[Almost half a day later, on comes the Doctor and Braxiatel about sins of the past and hopes for the futures.]

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[he's silently watching Oliver react to the second hologram, a neutral expression on his face. he's thought of stopping them, but the hologram played on. so once it's done, he slowly steps towards Oliver, his voice soft when he speaks] Ollie, that was in the past. When I went to Brax for help, remember?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver jumps at the voice, turning a little shakily to face the Doctor] It... [he shakes his head, taking a deep breath and trying to look calm when he feels anything but] I know. I remember.

[bit_impossible]

[still in that same tone of voice] Well, that'd be a bit hard to forget, even for you. But go on, finish that first thought of yours.

[oliverplus]

[shakes his head] It's nothing. It's...like you said. All in the past.

[bit_impossible]

[a touch quieter] Then why don't I believe you?

[oliverplus]

[just as softly] I didn't realise you never did.

[bit_impossible]

No, you misunderstood me. I mean that I don't believe that you think this is nothing. [points at where the holograms just were]

[oliverplus]

[shakes his head, knowing the Doctor didn't understand him either] You think I'm...scarred.

[bit_impossible]

[he doesn't pause or think about his answer] I do--or else you wouldn't have had such a hard time recently, or, well, ever since Gondovan.

[oliverplus]

[defensively] I'm doing better!

[bit_impossible]

[he sighs] Oh, Ollie, I know you're trying--but you didn't see your face just now.

[oliverplus]

[vehemently--but also desperately, as though he's fighting to convince himself as much as the Doctor] That's because it's not true!

[bit_impossible]

[arches an eyebrow, completely unconvinced] What, your face wasn't stricken with a look of horror at what you were hearing me tell Brax? Must've been my eyes playing tricks on me. [rubs them]

[oliverplus]

[scowls; stubbornly] I'm not scarred. Okay!?

[bit_impossible]

[softly, stepping towards him] I've been in your mind, Ollie. I've seen it--and even if I hadn't, I'd know. I know that sort of pain and the marks it leaves on your heart and mind. They can heal. You can patch them over, but they won't ever leave you. Not completely.

[oliverplus]

[lowers his gaze, not meeting the Doctor's] But I'm not...I'm not weak.

[looks back up, his tone stubborn] I'm okay! I'm getting better all the time. I can handle things.