oo2 | Commentlog

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

[A change in scenary is no excuse for a change in routine. Bruce has had a lot to think about and come to grips with since he came here. That isn't to say he believes everything he's been told. But it doesn't seem...impossible. Not much of anything seems impossible, he supposes.

But anyway, Bruce is up bright and early and looking for a nice quiet spot to meditate. He may have to work just a little harder to keep his cool in this place. So when he finds the Green, he spreads the blanket and sits with his legs folded. He gives the area a quick once over, just to make sure. He's not entirely sure Blonsky and his men didn't follow him here. But it seems clear.

After checking his heart moniter, he finally closed his eyes and took a deep breath. So there is a strange man meditating in the middle of the Green. This is a clearly a reason to come bother him.]

Comments

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

Everything. Just close your eyes.

[Yes. Bruce is a nice huge green wizard.]

Anything. Anyone. It doesn't matter.

[yolonceler]

Uh, alright.

[Eyes closed. Sure is dark in here. What's a nice thing to think about? Music? Rapunzel? Cigars? He's gonna go with Rapunzel. He could think about her all day.]

Okay.

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

Okay. Focus. And slowly cast that thought away.

[Like you're tossing away a ratty old tissue.]

[yolonceler]

[Stop thinking about Rapunzel? Is that a thing? Well, alright. He's gonna... stop... Alright... He... Okay, let's... Uh... Alright, let's... Um... He... Fuck!]

It isn't working.

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

That's okay. You won't get it the first few tries. It's okay to focus on it. But try to let it come and go.

[His eyes are still closed.]

Eventually your mind will be clear and will be able to stay clear.

[He focuses on Rage. And had to learn to let it go.]

[yolonceler]

[The Once-ler pulls a face and tries again. Cigars, let's focus on cigars. God damn does he love cigars, but they're not something he can think about forever. Go away, cigars. Shh. No more. Fade away.

Faaaaade away.

... It isn't working. Thinking about one thing just leads to more things. He swallows a frustrated sigh.]

Didn't you say this wasn't hard?

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

[Bruce finally opens his eyes and looks at the Once-ler with a smile.]

It's not. It just requires a lot of patience and practice. You won't get it right away. Give it time.

[yolonceler]

[Once upon a time, he was extremely patient. Then instant gratification became the norm.]

Patience is not a virtue of mine.

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

If you want to meditate, you'll have to learn it.

[yolonceler]

[Ugh. The Once-ler hates when he's not immediately good at something. It's so rare.]

How can anyone be that patient?

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

Some people have no choice.

[Patience is the key to not Hulking out on people]

[yolonceler]

I guess so.

[He pouts, as if complaining enough will make him more patient. Sorry, that only works at home.]

Okay, just... gonna try again, gonna try until I get it. Intense meditation going on right here. ... I'll stop talking.

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

Just close your eyes and focus.

[And don't think Bruce didn't notice that pout. He's not sure what he's gotten himself into by agreeing to help this guy.]

[yolonceler]

[He's a handful, but he's a lovable kind of handful.]

Fooocus. Right.

[Eyes closed. Focusing. Okay, apparently he can't let go of cigars. What about... money? He can definitely let go of that. It's not like he needs it anymore, or ever. Money. Fuck money, it's just paper and wire transfers (but billions of them).

... Money seems to be working, actually! Wow, all this silence sure is nice.]

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

[Oh hey, he seems to getting it. Excellent. Bruce will just go back to his own meditating then. It's been about 152 days without incident. He's counting himself lucky. But it's best to kill that train of thought before it gets out of hand.]

[yolonceler]

[Yeah, man, don't wanna jinx it.

So, money. That's gone. He doesn't need it and really doesn't need to think about it. So... what now? Absolute silence in his head. Darkness. He doesn't feel much of anything. Is that what being truly calm feels like? His life was just so urgent until he came to the Keep. He could only relax through chainsmoking. This is nicer. Less effort.

It's not very nice for long. He's suddenly thinking about his crippling loneliness and the lies he's told and the people he's fucked over and - Yeah, no, he's done here. No more quiet time. The Once-ler opens his eyes and stands up abruptly.]

Y-yeah, uh, I'm done. Great times, thinking and stuff. Meditation, iiit's not for me. But thanks. For helping, and all.

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

[that's a little sudden and abrupt and Bruce opens his eyes when the Once-ler stands. This day just getting weirder. But Bruce isn't going to stop him. If he says he's done, then he's done.]

You're right, it's not for everyone.

[He is glad he got to share this experience with someone else though. It's nice to have a little company, since he's been alone for so long.]

But if you want to give it another go, I'll be out here every morning.

[Unless something changes.]

[yolonceler]

You do this every day? Mmmaybe I'll stop by.

[Every day. How? Just... how? Meditating is tedious and terrifying. Once a millennium is good enough for the Once-ler. He takes a few backwards steps towards the bower.]

Later, man. Have... fun?

[He turns around, only to turn again and face Bruce.]

You're Bruce, right?

[keepcalmanddontgetmad]

[Bruce just smiles. And he hopes the Once-ler never finds out why he has to do this everyday. Meditating is tedious but it helps keep the Hulk at bay and that's exactly what Bruce wants. So as long as it works, he'll keep doing it.]

Bye.

[He's about to go back to his meditation when he catches the Once-ler turning around to speak to him again.]

Yeah that's me.

[yolonceler]

Cool, I'm the Once-ler. Nice to meet you face to face. See you later, man.

[With those belated pleasantries aside, the Once-ler once again heads for the bower. Maybe a little music will help him completely ignore all these horrible thoughts. Let's be real, though - it won't.]