1.1.01.01.033: flowers must not be picked.

[needshumility]

[Eddie is sat in the colour garden. The colours of the flowers should be enough to give normal people headaches. He's got a book open. He's picking through the red flowers, though, and vaguely humming Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific.]

When I look at Univisual Red - that's the artificial stuff - it's not just looking at Red. It's memories of a musical, of [slight pause] your parents. Of a family pet.

[He stops looking at them, because that's driving him nuts.] Sensory overload in a way.

Other colours produced are similar, you hear classical music when you take Green. It makes looking at a piece of art produced in Univisual paint... something to be experienced.

Someone recently told me that this is... unusual for the Previous. It's called, um, synesthesia. It's quite fascinating to read about, actually. I was wondering if anyone here had experienced this.

[Private to Jane]

I forgot to tell you two things. If you're not busy.

[Infirmary filter]

Hi. Just a quick note to say that Victor's said he'd much prefer to work in the engine room. I said he could, so... if they want him, I'm going to have to pull him from your staff. Hope this isn't a problem.

[Engine room wardens.]

My inmate - Victor Frankenstein - expressed an interest in working in the engine room. I know he's not, ah, got a great track record with machines, but I presume you teach him safety and all these things, so it might do him some good. More than anything, he's very interested in doing it and quite trustworthy.

[Private to Victor]

I contacted both the infirmary and engine room about you wanting to change work. I'll let you know what they say.

I also had a favour to ask.

Comments

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

[He raised an eyebrow - it would have been at her, if he could see her,]

Yes, I'm fine. Just fine. Just don't let go.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to, Eddie. [She kicked up a few leaves, gripping his hand tighter as she did so, just to reassure him.] Are we really doing any good here, Eddie?

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

[He paused and thought for a minute,] I think so.

Victor... he treats people better because of me. That has to be worth something.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

It is. And you've done very well with him. [She reached over and put his hand against a tree with her fingers on top of his still.] But it's hard to remember that these are not real. This place isn't real. And our real fight hasn't even really started yet.

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

[He frowned a little, but kept his hand firmly against the tree,]

It is hard, yes.

But it's worth getting... it's worth making that real fight easier.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She took his hand in hers again and began to walk.] Is it? We had planned for that fight before we even knew about this place.

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

[He kept walking with her,] Of course we did. And we'd have still done it, but anything that can help us in it... is surely a good thing.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She shrugged.] I suppose so. I just find it interesting that we were both offered this. At the same time.

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

[He frowned,]

It is... a little unusual. Or maybe it isn't. There's other people who know each other, maybe it's more common than we'd think.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

We came here with the same deal. [She knew that he was right. There were more people. But she didn't want to admit that right now.]

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

And then I changed mine without much trouble. [He shrugged,] I see your point, though.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She continued to walk in silence for a few moments.]

But you shouldn't have been forced into that.

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

No, but now I have, I know something good will come of being here. Something else good.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

What will you do when he graduates? [Because, at this point, she had little hope for Sexby.]

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

I... I can stay. Because there's no point in going home without you. Without those paints.

[He shrugged,] I don't know.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

You can? I'm not asking you to stay for me, Eddie. [She shook her head, even though she knew that he couldn't see it in the dark.] That's a stupid reason for doing anything. [Even though she wanted it.]

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

One selfish act, then, Jane. One selfish act. Let me have it.

[It was dark and he was nervous. He was only staying here for her.]

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[Though she didn't say it, she was already leading him back around.]

Just one?

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

At least just this one. If no others, this one.

[Damn, he really wanted to go back, and was holding the end of his tie tightly.]

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

[She stopped a few paces from the door and turned to him.] Eddie, you can't get into the habit of that. When we're back, it can't be like that.

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

I know. But maybe I want to make the most of it. I'm not going to take it for granted.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

I know you aren't. [She leaned forward, put a kiss to his cheek, and then reached over to move his hand on the door.] There.

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

[He smiled and put his hand on the door firmly,] That... that wasn't so bad.

Re: Spam!

[thebestnose.livejournal.com]

No, it wasn't. It's not scary at all. [She took her hand from his and moved a few steps away.] I'll see you later, Eddie.

Re: Spam!

[needshumility.livejournal.com]

[He blinked a little into the light, getting used to it again,]

It isn't. I'll... I'll see you. If you're sure you're alright.