Walk A Mile: Epilogue (Nexus LOL Conclusion)

[workthroughit]

While these meetings would perhaps suggest the formality of his desk, Dr. Hill instead is strolling through the Nexus, smiling as he watches the snowflakes drift down from the sky. A take-away cup is held in both his hands, the drink gently steaming.

He seems content to just wander for a time, more interested in his coffee and the falling snow than addressing anyone just yet. The psychoanalyst seems perfectly unaware how bizarre his previous appearance ended up being, or that his prolonged absence since then was also sorely noted. Unaware or uncaring.

Finally, after one last sip of coffee, he simply asks, tone light and conversational: "Well? What did we learn?"

((The conclusion post for the bodyswap event! Get yer details here before tagging in! Also, feel free to tag in if your character just wants to talk to/yell at the doctor in general. And don't hesitate to comment on the OOC post or send me a PM if you have any concerns or questions!))

Comments

[emboldsursicklyspirit]

She gawked at Dr. Hill's vanishing. It was odd to be on the other side of things, consciously knowing what he did but being unable to comprehend it in this body of mortality and flesh.

She did, in fact, yelp as he reappeared, startled out of her mind. And as he went on, her face became more and more serious, more graven. "Of course. Lead the way, Doctor."

[tatteredlace]

The doctor doesn't seem to take the time to acknowledge that he'd startled the other person; he gets that reaction a lot. Instead, he just waves for her to follow and walks quickly off in the direction he'd apparently come from.

It's a short ways further into the forums' grounds before they come upon a familiar figure, seated on the edge of an ornamental fountain. The Doll's body is slumped, hands flopped uselessly on either side of her. Chin dipped forward, resting on her chest, eyes only half-open. Dr. Hill bends down to try and get a look at those eyes before turning back to Dolldrey with a shrug.

"I'm certain she is still in there. But there's no response."

[emboldsursicklyspirit]

Audrey's face would pale as she looked upon her form. Something niggled at the back of her consciousness, something telling her 'this is bad' in words that were not words, in symbols echoing across lakes of blood. She presses her hand of flesh against the Doll's brow of porcelain-like material, gingerly lifting the lids to look into her eyes.

"Oh dear.....is she looking...within?" she whispers with horror uncurling from her bowels. It was not a nice sensation, this total resounding fear. Was this what Audrey was trying to feel when they swapped and she found out...?

She turns to Doctor Alan J Hill and quickly yammers panicked, "I think she might be...looking at things her mind shouldn't be. I....I'm...I don't know...! I don't know what to do now; this isn't supposed to be possible!"

[workthroughit]

He watches the Doll inspect her own body, head tilted to one side in curiosity. "That seems likely," he responds lowly to the Doll's suspicions. "I could try and switch you two back right this instant, but would that be only additional shock to her mind?"

[emboldsursicklyspirit]

Her hands wring nervously as she looks over her body. "I-I don't know. This has never happened before.....possibly? It might depend on how many eyes upon her brain she would grow from learning the Truth of things...."

[workthroughit]

"You do realize that eyes aren't normally found on or in the human brain, right?" Just making sure; Dr. Hill doesn't expect the poor woman to fully understand human anatomy in the span of just a week or so.

He experimentally pinches one porcelain wrist between fingers and thumb, lifting it a few inches before releasing it. Predictably, it flops back down, limp and useless.

[emboldsursicklyspirit]

"They are not, but the Truth gives it to them, to look within and without..." she murmurs softly as she waves her hand ineffectually in front of the Doll-body's eyes, poking at her and even dropping her arm a couple of times herself.

"It is a side effect that is the lesser of the two," she states with finality as she comes to thinking, with her actions having no effect. "Perhaps....drat, if only I could see the Little Ones like this..."

[workthroughit]

"It seems more and more like our only option is to proceed with the swap back into your proper bodies," the doctor concedes with a sigh. He gives an apologetic look towards Dolldrey.

"Assuming you're ready to end your time as a living, breathing person." He's not going to fault her if she wants to take one last moment to herself. Not like Audrey's going anywhere.

[emboldsursicklyspirit]

She takes one last deep breath and nods. "Of course." She remains silent for a time, simply basking in the sensation of sensation, of feeling, of being. To truly feel, free of her sheel. But she knew this was only a temporary reprieve, a vacation. She had a duty and she could not remain as this forever. No matter how long she longed for it.

Her hand gripped the worked material of the Doll's hand and she shuts her eyes, waiting for the transition to happen in silent darkness.

[tatteredlace]

The doctor nods as well and just like that, there's a chill, a swimming of vision, perhaps a weakening of the knees...

And then that jarring switch of perspective. And the moment Audrey's back in her own skin, there's a sharp gasp and a tottering of her balance. She would have fallen, nearly boneless and senseless, had Dr. Hill not stepped behind her and swiftly caught her by the armpits.

Then she just shudders and stammers. The rush back to her own body, back to feeling and breathing and no longer confronted by that-...By whatever was IN that doll...It's a complete overload. Tears run down her face, unfelt and freely.

[emboldsursicklyspirit]

Awareness returns. Senses fade and others replace it. Emotions dull and become blunted. And with a human crying, she acted naturally, moving closer to Audrey, to comfort her without thought.

[tatteredlace]

Audrey's eyes, still brimming with tears, widen as she lashes out with her feet at the Doll. She can't at least grab for her pick or swing a punch on account of the man holding her arms being all that's keeping her upright. "Nnnn! N-Nno! No! Away! Away from me!"

[emboldsursicklyspirit]

The Doll recoils, the visceral reaction of Audrey being something she was wasn't really used to. She steps away, giving Audrey her space but yet can't bring herself to truly leave her. She was not a hunter but she needed succor. She needed to help her. Needed to serve.


"I...am sorry..." she whispers, voice tinged with pity.

[workthroughit]

Dr. Hill frowns sadly at this turn of events. "It's...likely just shock. Give her time to adjust back to being herself and maybe things can be made right.

"But in the meantime, perhaps distance is what's needed..." Likely a kind a way as possible to indicate the Doll should make herself scarce. He says so apologetically.