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

[ 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think the more you stress over what to wear, the worse you'll end up looking.

Edited 2011-08-07 01:24 (UTC)

[ There will come a day when Philip is capable of compartmentalising to the point of no longer being freaked the flying hell out by the mere sight of Elaine. But guess which day that isn't?

Hint: The answer starts with "today" and ends with Philip backing painfully into the wall in an attempt at putting additional distance between himself and one very unpleasant transmission. ]

[ On the plus side, a little sharp pain does wonders when it comes to helping Philip pull himself together and do something productive, such as taking a deep breath and making an attempt at not treating people horribly for somebody they are not. ]

...You've probably got a point there. Just wish the clothes would understand that and stop being a poor fit.

[ Weak attempt at smile? ]

Edited 2011-08-07 01:46 (UTC)

[She smiles back, although it's more a smile of confusion. She did notice him backing away.]

...You always act like that toward me.

Are you going out on a date?

I wasn't planning to. But-- [ Well, this is just going to sound ridiculous if it turns out not to be a Wonderland issue, but here goes: ] But I feel like I should, do... Do you know what I mean?

[ Casually ignoring that first sente-- No, you know what? If he can't stop himself from acting weird~~er than usual~~ around the girl then the least he can do is pull himself together and be honest about the reason. ]

...Look, I'm-- I'm sorry. It's just... your mirror isn't exactly somebody I look forward to seeing and... the resemblance- physical resemblance is a bit... too close for comfort.

[ You'd think it would be easy, especially for Philip, to act on the differences that matter, but on the one hand there's knowing that one body can be occupied by different personalities and on the other hand there's the shaking he suppresses only so, and the knot in his stomach that's tightening while he expects her smile to turn into a smirking grimace any second. ]

[She opens her mouth to answer, but closes it again and only nods in understanding. Memories came forward of what it was like to see herself- her Mirror- and the wrenching fear in her gut when she did.] It makes me nervous sometimes to see myself in a mirror. [She offers an sheepish smile.] You don't have to apologize for that. If anything, I... [She makes a gesture as though waving something away, and looks aside, in thought.]

[She turns back to him, glad to have something else to talk about, her tone making it clear that she was willing to drop the first subject if he wanted to.] I feel like I should too. Which is strange, because I've never felt the need to.

[ Philip? Avoid an unpleasant subject? Not in a million years, what gave you that ide--oh thank God, moving on! ]

I've thought about it before. But I didn't obsess. And I'm sure it was more... straightforward.

[ And less structured at the same time. This new set of social guidelines he suddenly feels compelled to follow really doesn't sit well with the old set he's been practicing for years. ]

Mm.

I'm familiar with the framework. It has something to do with the trolls. [The entire situation can only really be described as awkward. But it could be fun, too- for the people who knew what they were doing, which she didn't.] I hope you have a good time.

Yeah, you too--

...Although, honestly? I hope I don't; I think my idea of a good time might be a little skewed right now.

{ Are you still talkin' to the cheap knock-off? }

You- you said trolls, um... Are they the ones who always type in colours and sort of... [ He trails off, looking to put various levels of WTF into a better word. ]

I better not ask. [She grins at him, completely unaware of Clarence. Unlike her mirror, she doesn't poke around in other people's heads without permission.]

Yeah. They're sort of hard to miss.

[ Unfortunately Clarence never really saw not being heard as a reason to keep his metaphorical mouth shut, although for a brief moment Philip finds himself surprised that the comment goes unnoticed now. Then he remembers why and embraces that realisation not without relief. ]

What... are they like? I never really... One of them recommended that I should get stabbed by somebody, so he could get it out of his system.

Yeah, they're like that. I don't think they mean a lot of what they say. It's just for fun.

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