One increasingly restless physicist in three settings [22/??? artefacts collected]

[sadfreezingbrit_archive]

[ Philip's been in Wonderland for almost a year now. He's dedicated some time to the idea of meeting a romantic partner here, but that time was extremely limited to say the least. Fleeting thoughts that don't compare...

Fleeting thoughts that don't compare to this nagging feeling, that increasing restlessness he's been trying to ignore since yesterday. Talking to Dean and remembering what a good friend he's found in him somehow made things better, if only temporarily. Very temporarily. There is still-- ]

Christ, I look like a shoddy James Bond villain knock-off.

[ There is still so much missing, which is why this accidental video has been showing him trying on various outfits and muttering to himself for well over an hour now. Granted, having one arm still in a sling slows the process down considerably, but there's also the fact that he really isn't too sure which occasion he's so frantically trying to find an appropriate outfit for.

He tentatively holds two ties up to his (currently) white shirt. ]

That's not... not really saying hate me, more ignore me or bad Christmas present.

[ He groans and disappears from view, reappearing in outfit #491 some time later. ]

Okay. [ Adjusting dark blue trousers. ] Right. [ Straightening dark blue shirt. ] Good, that's-- [ Checking light blue tie. ] That's... [ Deep sigh. ] That's nonsense.

[ Ripping light blue tie off and tossing it away before plonking down on the bed. ]

It's complete and utter nonsense.

{ Don't beat yourself up, it's only marginally more ridiculous than the other human mating rituals I remember.

But um, if you wanna kick back and let old Clarence show you how it's done, I've got someone in mind already. Best plan too, trust me here, 'cause you ain't gonna score and we both know it... }

Look, just this once don't--

[ Whatever passionate statement Philip was about to make to "himself" is lost on his audience as the video feed cuts off at last. ]

- - - -

[ Philip's voice is heard again soon after that, though his final decision on what to wear will remain a mystery, at least during this brief (yet deliberate) audio transmission. ]

Um, is there-- We haven't got... someone like a barber here by any chance, do we?

[ Click! And that's it! ]

- - - -

[ ...Until later that day when Philip takes his troubling thoughts out for a walk on the beach for accidental and deliberate action encounters alike. ]

Comments

[accidentaliberate action]

[usskickass.livejournal.com]

[Understandably, Beiste's restless. She's been on dates, sure, but she's never had a boyfriend or anything, so these feelings aren't exactly new. They're certainly sharper and stronger, though.

Which is probably why she is compelled to greet the handsome Brit when she spots him on the beach.]

Uh, hey there. You uh, lookin' for quadrant fillers too?

[Awkward smile?]

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ AH!!! No, er, I mean-- ]

Hey, I--

[ WELL. That is a frightfully forward and terrifying greeting from somebody towering over Philip both horizontally and vertically. ]

Yes. I mean, no. I-- I don't know.

{ The hell you do, monkey! Stop blabbering and dig up some of your British charm for the lady! }

[usskickass.livejournal.com]

[Oh...well. She already screwed up.]

S...sorry. I didn't mean to freak you out any. Was just...sayin' hi.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

No. [ Damn it. ] No, you-- You didn't. [ Much. *cough* ] It's just that...

[ He takes a deep breath. ]

Remember hitting your twenties and realising that you're finally past the worst? Only now we're suddenly back where we started, except it seems... four times as awkward as those hormonal years.

{Less talkin', more wooing! }

[ Philip rubs his temple and turns to look at the sea. ]

I... really don't think I should be looking for someone.

[usskickass.livejournal.com]

[She relaxes a little. Oh. Yeah. She gets all that.]

It is a little...silly. Feelin' this way again. But it's not as if we can...help it.

[Then or now.]

But, uh, why're you so against it? At least this one isn't likely to kill anybody. 'sall in good fun, really.

[Yup. Casual as fudge here.]

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ Funny how that is exactly what Philip thinks will happen to people he cares about. He's silent for just a moment longer than he should. ]

...I'm not so sure about that. I can't exactly see... some people here in a healthy relationship.

[usskickass.livejournal.com]

True. There's some weirdos here.

[Pause.]

And yet I kinda fit in here better than I did back home. Guess I'm a weirdo too.

[She glances at him, trying to surreptitiously give him a once over, but mostly getting side-tracked by the eyepatch.]

Pirate or Bond villain?

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

{ Whichever one you like~ }

[ Philip grits his teeth a little. He's over the worst, but it's still not exactly a happy subject. ]

Just... a clumsy bookstore owner, I'm afraid. During the last event.

[ He drags one foot across the sand. ]

...Though I did almost put on a white suit this morning.

[usskickass.livejournal.com]

[She laughs, a hand coming up over her mouth. Oh wow, that's an image.]

Well, I hope it gets better, but frankly the villain look could probably work for you.

[...Snort. A white suit, really?]

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

{ And I could pull it off too, if you'd just let me out. }

I think I'd prefer something that says good guy.

[ Mocking the white suit is understood, but bringing up the subject of his villainy leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, no matter how much he tries to focus on the all humourous and unintentional aspects of the remark. ]

[usskickass.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I've never been one to root for the bad guy.

[She smiles weakly. Gosh, she is bad at this.]

So I guess the white suit was a new thing, hm?

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

{ You just haven't met the right guy to root for yet. }

Only as recent as the event. I thought it would help if I looked--

[ What? Like an ad for fabric softener? On second thought, that thought process is best left unexplained. Maybe some other time. Once he makes sense of it himself. ]

I have a good friend here. That should be enough.

[ Screw the other quadrants. Honestly. ]

[usskickass.livejournal.com]

[Well, that was a pretty obvious subject change. She frowns a little.]

Yeah. I just wish I'd have gotten as far as that since I got here.

[She looks away, feeling pathetic and small, which doesn't happen often for her.]

You're lucky to have them.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

I am, but...

[ Now that gives Philip reason to pause. The romances, black, red or rainbow pinstripe are completely and utterly not up for discussion with anyone ever, at least that's what he will keep telling himself until his urges prove him otherwise. But friendship? The only thing keeping what's left of his sanity in place? ]

Nobody? But I've- I've seen you with the children- teenagers, I mean. The, um... glee kids? [ He thinks he heard somebody call them that once. ] You're they're teacher, aren't you? They- they've got to be really glad to have you here.

[ Please say yes, otherwise he will end up feeling guilty for something that doesn't even involve cannibalism. ]

[usskickass.livejournal.com]

I...guess they might. I dunno. They'd rather have...someone else here. [Will.] Their parents.

I'm not the type of person people get close to, I guess. It's my lot, you know/ I'm used to it.