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

Oh darling, I would wait forever for you.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ At first glance this is quite curious and more than just a little troubling. But on second glance there's the Sorrow and suddenly everything seems annoyingly obvious. ]

You again.

Haha. Great icon there btw >D appropriate face

[spirit-cobra.livejournal.com]

*Sorrow slowly lowers himself to the ground, walking closer to the other*

You say that with such disdain.

/equally happy twin icon

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

As opposed to what? Am I supposed to be happy to see you?

[ Philip takes a step back. It's clear he's not exactly terrified into silence, but he'd still rather not have that guy any closer than necessary, thank you very much. ]

Lol oh Phil you poor bastard

[spirit-cobra.livejournal.com]

Perhaps, perhaps not. Though I suppose there would be great irony in anyone being pleased to see me.

*He doesn't pursue him, lowering his head a little and just watching him over the top of his glasses*

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ And without pursuit Philip has no reason to back away further. He stands still, wishing his injury didn't prevent him from properly crossing his arms. ]

I can't imagine why.

[spirit-cobra.livejournal.com]

Because my presence invokes sadness and reminders of death. Anyone pleased to have such things around them would have to be mad.

Or be me.

*He raises his head, yellow eyes the only thing really distinct under the shadow of his hood*

But I didn't come here to remind you of such things. This is...a more personal matter.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ Sadness and reminders of death. What a coincidence. Those are Philip's most favouritestest things ever.

...But sarcasm is obviously getting him nowhere fast and Philip has to admit that those eyes combined with that announcement just now are doing a good job of replacing some of that caustic annoyance with wary dread. ]

...What do you mean?

Oh Philip I exist to make you squirm

[spirit-cobra.livejournal.com]

*Below those eyes remains his placid smile, unchanging, deep creases in his aged face evidence that it was an expression he wore quite often. He knows he's making the other uneasy. And honestly, he doesn't care*

I'm sure you've felt it, as many seem to. A strange urge. To me it's foreign yet...invigorating. It's almost like being alive again.

/all the squirming /all of it /twice

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ Uneasy is a lovely understatement here. Alive again? ...No, you know what? Never mind. Not even going there. Yellow-eyed guy talking about his invigorating urges is just about enough for the moment. Or forever. Really. ]

Why are you telling that to me? Last time you were the guidance counselor.

[ (An encounter that still makes Philip cringe in retrospect.) ]

That pleases me

[spirit-cobra.livejournal.com]

That is not my natural state..At any rate, I felt compelled to seek you out, and I can only assume it's because of that. I rarely get urges of any kind. They are very significant when I do.

*He tilts his head, well past what a person might do in an inquisitive manner. He flinches and straightens again, looking completely unfazed. Slowly, he raises a hand, holding it out to him*

I know you feel nothing at all akin to love or affection to me...but there is room for hatred I believe. They're really the same to me, of course.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ Cue TCHing sound. ]

If it's all the same to you I'd rather you find someone else for your urges.

[ Philip stares, not moving an inch. A compromise reached after being pulled in two directions.

He usually hates quietly while the subject of his dislike is merely treated to avoidance. Flight over fight and conflict of any kind (be it physical or verbal) is not to be sought out. Retreat seems such an obvious answer now...

...And yet there's something unusually combative stirring, something that wants to take all that discomfort, annoyance and apprehension and take it to a far, far more active level. ]

lol i see you outlining penumbra's gameplay strat

[spirit-cobra.livejournal.com]

Despite your words, you remain unmoved. I can only assume you feel the same, at least in some facet.

*He rolls his shoulders, head twitching to one side a moment. those eyes never move off of Philip though. Its too easy for him to see that the other man is uncomfortable. Well...in such a case, good.*

I can only assume this...nonsense has something to do with that mansion. So, for the time being, what is the harm in giving in? Within a short time it will be gone and most likely none of us will ever speak of it again.

*tries to distract the Sorrow with beef jerky*

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ Philip quickly jerks his head back up as he feels it sinking into a nod, an obnoxious urge in the back of his mind to agree with the Sorrow's arguments. ]

I can dislike you just fine on my own. I don't actually need you around for it.

[ His foot draws a circle in the sand, but the movement is merely stationary. Philip is not about to leave. ]

That would work. If he weren't already dead.

[spirit-cobra.livejournal.com]

*Sorrow is actually rather amused by this. The willingness to leave, but the inability to follow through with it. As though he couldn't follow anyway. He moves closer, invading the other's personal bubble without much worry. What can he do to a ghost, after all?*

And yet you cannot bring yourself to leave.

Hey, the zombie dogs liked it just fine.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ Curses. ]

I--

[ An excuse for why he's still here would come in very handy right about now. So would actually being able to leave.

The sinking realisation that Philip is a lot more desperate for this hate scenario than he thought? Not so welcome.

He stands and stares and eventually lets go of the hope he had that prolonged silent glaring would be strong enough a weapon. ]

...What now?

True true. Also enjoy some extreme creep.

[spirit-cobra.livejournal.com]

*Ah, defeat, that moment where you can tell someone's given in. He's very familiar, both in seeing them in the living and relived in infinite loops in the dead. He chuckles at the question, pushing his glasses up as he closes his eyes, a blood red tear sliding down his cheek*

Honestly, I'm unsure. For now, we can leave it at that, I believe.

*He fades from view slowly, his eyes and the gleam of his glasses the last thing to vanish*

Just remember that I will always be with you.

Oh my, my favourite kind.

[sadfreezingbrit.livejournal.com]

[ Well. That was lovely and normal.

No, wait. The other thing.

- *SCREAMS INTERNALLY* - ]

{ Wait, after all that you're not even gonna kiss and hold hands? }

[ That comment aside Philip remains frozen in place for another moment before deciding that a walk on the beach is really not so soothing after all.

He returns to his room soon and for the rest of the day watches every shadowy corner with a lot more paranoid attention than he did this morning. ]