[Oscar hasn't been intruding much during this time. Although he knew he could take over use of the hands and voice at any point, he didn't. Such acts would do irreparable damage in this delicate situation.
He had been on the receiving side of that kind of act before. ]
It was acting alone that got us into this, Paul. We're gonna have to work together and with others to fix it.
[One of the most difficult parts of this has been having nowhere to hide when he answers. He can lie, if he wants to, but he's never had to lie internally before. He doesn't know how to mask the tells.
(Or is that what he tells himself to explain why he barely ever tries?)]
He's Palamedes' partner. He doesn't want to hear any of this from me.
If he's Palamedes' partner, then he's already involved.
[So was Ruby. So was Dipper. So was anyone affiliated with himself, Willow, and Faith. As discreet as he was trying to be, the harrowing recollection of Oz's simple, tired explanation of 'they're OUR thoughts, now' never left his awareness. There was only so much he could do without spilling over into Paul-- both with his identity quandaries, the responsibilities he carried, and his own worries for his 'House.'
All he could do was try to keep his cool. No matter how tenuous that hold seemed.]
He's going to hear about everything at some point. You're not sparing him anything. You're just delaying what's gonna happen anyway.
[Oscar is right, and the trick of it is that underneath his denial, Paul knows that. His defensiveness has all the forcefulness of a half-blind boxer weaving on his feet, the last one left who can't see that he's beaten.
Exhaustion rolls through him in a slow wave. He slumps where he sits, rubbing the heel of his hand against the socket of his eye.]
[He could feel that exhaustion. Oscar could feel everything-- and it was all he could do in many ways to keep himself afloat within it. There wasn't much comfort be could offer as a disembodied voice... ]
I understand that better than you think.
[How much of his efforts in the last couple years had been an effort to 'spare himself'? ]
Let him try, Paul. There's nothing to lose anymore.
You need a chance to rest. If you'll allow it, there's something I want to show you to help with that.
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Not here | Paul
[Oscar hasn't been intruding much during this time. Although he knew he could take over use of the hands and voice at any point, he didn't. Such acts would do irreparable damage in this delicate situation.
He had been on the receiving side of that kind of act before. ]
It was acting alone that got us into this, Paul. We're gonna have to work together and with others to fix it.
I think.
... We'll get Gideon back, too.
no subject
[One of the most difficult parts of this has been having nowhere to hide when he answers. He can lie, if he wants to, but he's never had to lie internally before. He doesn't know how to mask the tells.
(Or is that what he tells himself to explain why he barely ever tries?)]
He's Palamedes' partner. He doesn't want to hear any of this from me.
no subject
[So was Ruby. So was Dipper. So was anyone affiliated with himself, Willow, and Faith. As discreet as he was trying to be, the harrowing recollection of Oz's simple, tired explanation of 'they're OUR thoughts, now' never left his awareness. There was only so much he could do without spilling over into Paul-- both with his identity quandaries, the responsibilities he carried, and his own worries for his 'House.'
All he could do was try to keep his cool. No matter how tenuous that hold seemed.]
He's going to hear about everything at some point. You're not sparing him anything. You're just delaying what's gonna happen anyway.
no subject
Exhaustion rolls through him in a slow wave. He slumps where he sits, rubbing the heel of his hand against the socket of his eye.]
Maybe I'm the one trying to spare myself.
no subject
I understand that better than you think.
[How much of his efforts in the last couple years had been an effort to 'spare himself'? ]
Let him try, Paul. There's nothing to lose anymore.
You need a chance to rest. If you'll allow it, there's something I want to show you to help with that.