(no subject)

[makingsouffles]

[She hadn't known what dying was going to feel like.

Probably not like much, considering the body she was...inhabiting. Oswin refuses to believe it's hers, because it's not. No properly, anyway. And if sinking back into the dream that she'd maintained for a year was the only way to keep herself sane and human, even in her last moments, then so be it. She'd rather die that way than in the state she'd been in before the Doctor had disappeared down the hallway outside her cell.

Tapping her fingers idly on the keyboard, Oswin exhales softly, her eyes sliding shut as she waits. And she's scared, she's so scared, but there wasn't much else to do but wait for the Dalek bombardment to reach the heart of the asylum.

And so she waits.

But instead of an explosion, a loud clatter sounds behind her and Oswin jumps, opening her eyes to find that the screen in front of her has gone completely dark. Looking over
her shoulder towards the source of the noise, she finds that the wooden boards that she had believed would keep the Daleks out have fallen uselessly to the ground. For a moment, it makes her blood run cold, but then the door slides open to reveal a corridor beyond.

Hesitantly, she rises, as if getting out of her chair might trigger the explosion that will surely kill her, but other than a faint shudder, there isn't any response from her environment. With a little more purpose in her step, Oswin walks towards the door, peering down the corridor. It's the asylum, lying beyond her little dream world. Or is it part of it?

Her heartbeat racing in her chest, she looks back towards the pod that had been her home for a year. Well. Staying in there wasn't going to do anything, if she was getting a chance to do something other than sitting there and waiting to die. With both caution and determination, she heads down the corridor, stopping only when something flickers out of the corner of her eye.

Oswin freezes, her entire body tensed.]

Who's there? [Oh good, her voice isn't shaking. Brilliant.]

Comments

sorry for short fail tag sob i'll give you better ones later i promise

[mrcool]

[Don't worry too much. He puts his hands up in a gesture of surrender, stepping out to where she can see him and giving him a tiny smile.]

It's just me, the Doctor. Hello, Oswin.

shh shh you're fiiine /pets

[makingsouffles]

[She stares at him for a moment, wide-eyed and just a little slack-jawed. Of all the things that might have been there, the Doctor was the last one Oswin was excepting.]

...Doctor? [It's so weird, to have another person just standing there in front of her.] How'd you...what the hell're you doing here?

[mrcool]

Ah yes, about that. [He glances around and claps his hands together, rubbing them for a few moments.]

...Do you know where we are?

[makingsouffles]

Not really, I just-

[Oswin looks over her shoulder, but the door to her pod that she just stepped through a minute ago is gone.

Okay. That's weird.

She turns back to the Doctor.] What, and you know? How d'you know that and not me? [Crossing her arms now. Answers. She needs them.]

[mrcool]

[He smiles apologetically.] We're in your mind, Oswin Oswald. I'm not really here, I'm afraid. But the TARDIS dragged me in to help.

[His smile turns dangerous, serious. Edgy.]

You've got to fight for your humanity.

[makingsouffles]

[Something in her chest constricts at that. Trapped in a dream still, she should've known. But Oswin is very, very good at hiding what she's feeling. For the most part.

And the fact that he's not really there sort of hurts. She's still alone, like she has been for ages.

However good Oswin was at hiding her emotions, she wasn't prepared at all for what came next.]

What d'you mean fight? Fight with what? [She's already fought, she's already won.] What's the point if I'm already dead?

[Pause. Oswin looks up at him with an uncharacteristic uncertainty. SHe doesn't want to get her hopes up but...] I am dead...yeah?

[mrcool]

[He hesitates slightly and reaches out to take her hand gently. Look Oswin, you can touch him. He's here, just...partially.]

You aren't dead. Not yet. I found you, the real you. Your body is in my TARDIS right now. But the Daleks still have a hold on you.

[makingsouffles]

[Her hand tightens around his the instant that contact is made, and after just a moment of hesitation, Oswin steps closer. Maybe not so alone as she thought. After all, if this is her mind, she's not really here either.

There's a brief moment of horror, but it's quickly swallowed up by a weird sort of determination. She looks up at him, and there's something dangerous in the smirk that twitches her lips up.]

Well, then. Better change that, hadn't we?

[mrcool]

[He squeezes her hand lightly and grins just as fiercely back at her. There we go, that's just what he wants to see.]

Good girl. Let's go show them what you're made of.

[makingsouffles]

[Her hand lingers in his for a moment more before she turns, looking down the corridor again. If she's going to be fighting, there's got to be something for her to fight with, or at least hopefully. Going up against Daleks with her bare hands isn't really on Oswin's agenda, even if it's all only in her head.

Confidently, she starts off down the hall.]

So. M'guessing you haven't got any idea where to start either. [There's a door on her left and, carefully, Oswin opens it, only to find an anti-chamber beyond.

An anti-chamber full of catatonic Daleks.

She freezes, her fingers tightening around the door's edge.] Though. [Her voice is tight and quiet now.] Good a place to start as any.

[mrcool]

This is your world. There's not much I can do here except give you moral support. [He smiles sheepishly.

The Daleks make him stiffen, swallowing back an involuntary wave of fear. He hates them. These are the things that killed his people.

But Oswin is at least partly one of them. It's a sobering thought and he wishes he could at least do something here but it's all up to Oswin to find herself again.]

[makingsouffles]

[She nods faintly, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. But, they're quiet and practically dead as it is, for now, so Oswin steps quietly into the room, careful not to make any noise.

The Doctor's hatred and revulsion are nearly palpable, even if both of them are quiet, and the wounds made by his shattering of her dream world are still raw. Oswin tries not to think about that look in his eyes, all of that emotion focused on her.

No. Distractions are bad. Offing Daleks sounds much better. And she's going to need something to do that with.

She balks for just a moment at the thought of properly killing something, even a Dalek. But then again, they're not real. And if mental Daleks are what's standing between her and her life... Well. A little well-deserved punishment would hurt them a hell of a lot more than her.]

There's got to be more than this. [She's whispering now, careful not to wake them. Best to catch them off guard when she had a way to do so.] S'just one part, this place, yeah?

[mrcool]

[He stays just behind her, close at her heels. He almost wishes he didn't have to be here, but the TARDIS brought him into Oswin's consciousness for a reason and if he can help save her, he will.

He gives her a short little nod and when he replies, he's whispering as well.]

If not Daleks, then something else just as bad.

[makingsouffles]

[Well, that's reassuring. Oswin briefly glances over her shoulder to convey that in a look before a glint of silver catches her eye.

A shining pole-arm hangs on the wall nearby, standing stark against the rust and decay of the asylum in Oswin's mind. Her eyebrows briefly raise, but regardless, she quietly pads her way over.]

Something a bit more subtle would've been nicer. [Her voice is still a murmur as she eyes the weapon skeptically. It's not exactly big, but that doesn't mean it's not heavy, and Oswin hasn't such much as touched a blaster, much less the medieval-looking mace on the wall in front of her.

She glances back at the Doctor, uncertainty in her eyes.]

[mrcool]

[The Doctor glances around, shifting from foot to foot. Even with comatose Daleks, he doesn't like being here. Helping Oswin is something he wants to do, but...

He watches her, gaze meeting hers as he nods steadily.]

You can do this.

[makingsouffles]

[She gives him a tiny nod in return, turning back to the wall and carefully taking hold of one end of what's obviously supposed to be her weapon.

As it comes away, Oswin's relieved at how light it is, enough so that she can easily swing it one-handed. Two's a bit more comfortable, though, but it's just...weird. Having something like this in her hands.

Her gaze turns back to the Daleks and a shiver runs down her spine. She doesn't look at him when she speaks next.]

So. S'either them or me, then. [Part of her, the part of her that still remembered the look in his eyes when he first saw her, is quailing at the thought of him having to watch her kill, even if it's just Daleks.]

[mrcool]

Oswin, if you don't do this, they'll do even worse to you. [His voice is surprisingly steady and level. Cold. Unattached.

He touches her shoulder, but that's as much comfort as he can offer her right now.]

This is your battle.

[makingsouffles]

[Her response to touch isn't so immediate as the last one. If anything, Oswin stiffens just a little before drawing herself up. Her grip tightens.]

Well. That's that, then. [She's refusing to let that part quail again. Holding back now's going to cost her everything. Oswin's jaw sets and her gaze finally settles on the nearest Dalek.]

...Stay with me.

[They'll all wake up, no matter which one she strikes first. Fine, then. Let them. Striding purposefully forward, Oswin hefts her weapon, and brings it slamming down on the casing, the Dalekanium crumpling like tin foil. It's satisfying, she finds as she whirls somewhat clumsily to take out another one nearby. And with each Dalek that's destroyed, something clears up in her chest that she never knew was there.

She tenses, though, as the other Daleks begin to awaken. Oh, this is going to be a problem.]

[mrcool]

Always. [He promises her softly and lets go, stepping back a few paces.

His smile is grim as he watches the metal crumple beneath Oswin's weapon. He wants to join with her almost, fight with her, but he's honestly not sure if he can. This is her fight, after all.]

We've got to move, come on.

[makingsouffles]

What, and leave the rest of them?

[He's right though, there's got to be some other way. Something a little more effective. Shouldering her mace, Oswin runs for the door, making sure the Doctor's behind her.]

[mrcool]

[Once they're both through, he slams the door, leaning his body weight against it and reaching to catch Oswin just beneath the elbow.]

We need a plan. This is your mind, your fight. Concentrate, Oswin.

[makingsouffles]

[Oswin skids slightly as he grabs her, careful not to let her cargo slip out of her hands.]

Just using this won't work? [No, okay. Something to get rid of a load of them.

As if on cue, there's something sudden glowing on the wall nearby and as Oswin looks over, she grins with relief. A computer screen. Perfect.

Lightly tugging herself out of his grip, she heads over as a keyboard pops out of the wall.] That's more like it! Just give us a mo'.

[Her fingers are suddenly flying across the screen.] Security's not too tight in my mind. Better fix that somehow, but for now...ha! [Her grin widens.] Bit of overload couldn't hurt, so long as it clears that out.

[Oswin offers her hand with a reckless gleam in her eyes.] Run? [Before the explosion takes them out, yes.]

[mrcool]

Thatta girl! [He grins, holding the door closed as best he can with his not-too-substantial frame. It rattles and he looks back at it worriedly.]

It wouldn't hurt to go a bit faster!

[She doesn't seem to hear him but he's not too troubled. She's got this, he knows she does.

When she reaches for his hand, he takes it and grins right back.] Run. [He agrees, and off they go, down a hallway that most certainly wasn't there before.]

[makingsouffles]

[Even if it's not actually real, it feels right, the two of them running hand in hand down the corridor. Behind them, the construct shakes violently and Oswin suddenly feels that much more free.

Forgetting herself, Oswin laughs, pulling him along.]

Come on! [Someone's eager for a girl that's got to fight her own mind.]

[mrcool]

[Just because it's in her mind hardly means it isn't real. The Doctor lets her lead, honestly rather surprised at how well she's keeping up (because no he'll never admit she's actually running faster than him).]

I'm right here, I'm coming!

[They keep running, and he has to laugh as well. He loves this sort of thing.]

[makingsouffles]

[She is and he knows it.

Just as they turn a corner, the door to the room they'd just been in goes flying by, blown off whatever was keeping it in place. Oswin skids to a halt, giving the Doctor a slightly exhilarated grin. It's pretty safe to say she hasn't had a rush like this in ages.]

M'guessing there's loads more than them. [She doesn't care now, though. She's ready for them.]

[mrcool]

[Well, that was close. He glances back before giving her a matching grin and nodding.]

No doubt. We've got to find how to stop them, how to get them out of your head [he taps her forehead] forever.

[makingsouffles]

[She giggles as he taps her forehead, still a little high on adrenaline.]

What, smashing them to bits won't work? [Oswin hefts her mace a little.] I've got to have this for a reason, yeah?

[mrcool]

[Oh Oswin. He smiles slightly.] You have a lot of smashing to do, then.

[makingsouffles]

[She smirks in reply, tossing her head a little.]

Are you doubting my smashing abilities? [And off down the hall she goes, only slightly tempered with caution now.]

[mrcool]

[The Doctor laughs and follows after her, still rather amused but hoping at least that she's going to be a bit more strategic about this.]

Your smashing abilities are profound, I have no doubt in them.

[makingsouffles]

[She gives him an impish grin, slinging the mace over her shoulder. Strategy isn't really the name of her game, but when it comes to freeing her mind, she'll try and be a little more careful.]

Good. Handing this over to you's not on my agenda.

[As they continue down the hall, Oswin glances around.] So, this is it, then? My mind's just... [She trails off, leaving an unspoken 'the Asylum' hanging in the air.]

[mrcool]

[He grins a bit at her, giving her hand a squeeze again.]

No, no. This is just part of your mind. [Hopefully that's helpful?] This is the part of your mind that the Daleks have control over. So we're taking it back.

[makingsouffles]

[Helpful enough! She grips his hand a little more tightly, still unused to actually having someone there, not just behind a screen or...on the outside of her shell.]

Well, then. Spares us the trouble of getting them out of all of it. [Oswin doesn't mention that she has a sinking suspicion there's more Dalek-infested mind than there is human. Pausing as they come out of the corridor, she frowns, looking down the one they've emerged into.]

...Have we already been here? [She could have sworn they'd passed that door before.]

[mrcool]

Ah...yes, something I didn't mention before. The corrupted part of you doesn't want to die. It'll try to stop you.

[Sorry. He gives her hand a squeeze.] It'll be alright.

[makingsouffles]

Always did like a challenge. Genius vs genius, should keep us occupied for a bit.

[Her grip tightens, though. If there's one thing Oswin doesn't want to do, it's lose him and be all alone again.

Looking down the identical hallway, she hums thoughtfully.] So, I've got to fool it, yeah? Be unpredictable or something like that. [Hmm. Well, if the hallways don't want to cooperate, Oswin will make her own hallways.]