@InevitableSun [The world spirals and fades from her eyes before suddenly reappearing as a quaint country cottage with simple provisions in the Gallifreyan countryside. Alkaid can be seen outside through the window, working in the field under the orange sky. He waves to her. --
@InevitableSun "There is only one way to be certain. I'm sorry." [From behind Helias, a robotic arm activates a hypospray injection at the base of her neck.] "You're going to sleep now. I will find Lee."
@InevitableSun "You have to listen to me. Your mind is being invaded by an outside force. I am working to track the origin." [She moves closer.] "I do not want you to harm yourself any further."
@InevitableSun -- Alex is in attendance, trying to repair the wound.] "There's a psychic signal being broadcast into your brain. I have temporarily locked it out, but the pattern keeps shifting. I can't stop it for long."
@InevitableSun Because I am part of you, Merak! [His features shift, becoming the Matel that she knows and loathes.] I'm in your mind! And there's nothing you can do to be rid of me! [He lunges at her with the knife, but suddenly vanishes. She is as she was before "Lethe" came in, but now --
@InevitableSun [He bounds back up from the cot, a familiar smile on his suddenly unfamiliar face. It looks like Lethe, but the eyes belong to Matel. He produces the knife from the kitchen, her blood still staining it.] You need to finish the job, Merak. Set yourself free of your pain!
@InevitableSun [He examines the wound, frowning.] "It's not terribly deep." [There's something strange in his eyes now as he looks into hers.] "Maybe you feel guilty for having killed him."
@InevitableSun "It's alright. I'm here now. You're safe." [His strong, comforting arms envelop her, and he places the tenderest of kisses on her forehead. His attention turns to the wound.] "How did you cut yourself like this?"
@InevitableSun [As she treats herself in the medical bay, Lethe rushes in to the room, a worried look in his beautiful, soulful eyes.] "Merak! I saw blood in the kitchen! Are you alright?!"
@InevitableSun -- Matel's grinning visage as blood rushes from the wound. It pools and cascades off of the edge of the table as the mannequin audience clack their wooden mouths in a sort of laughter.]
You don't get to die, Merak. Not yet. We have so much more to do..
@InevitableSun [In a sudden, swift motion, he plunges the dagger into her chest, the pain all too real as the point pierces skin, cracks bone, and drives the cold steel into the beating thrum of her left heart. Blood fills her throat, a sudden cold washing over her. Specks of red paint --
@InevitableSun [The marionettes look on with empty eyes and wooden smiles as Matel brings the dagger down to trace a line slowly over the middle of her chest, leaving the skin unbroken.] Such a pity to ruin such beautiful skin..
@InevitableSun [The napkin bonds pull her down onto the table, swapping positions to turn her on her back. Matel looms darkly over her.] Why must you be so difficult?
@InevitableSun And you have entirely too much. [The napkins on the table take on a life of their own, wrapping around her wrists and holding her fast to the table. He reaches for a knife, which has become more like a dagger.]
Perhaps I should take one of yours.