[open] october nightmare/fog catchall & overflow

[reticence]

WHO: Faolan and YOU?
WHERE: Dreamscapes and around the city
WHEN: Spanning the month of October
WHAT: Catch all/overflow for the October nightmare/fog events
WARNINGS: Violence, death, references to sexual behavior and threats; will updated as needed

ii. nightmares

a) dubhan cw: death
[The nightmare starts as it's always done. The street is narrow and dark, and though it's difficult to identify for certain, they're definitely in Ireland. Faolan's home-town. The streets old and well-worn with the feet of many a traveler like those who have dared to brave the damp, chilly night.

Faolan stumbles from a nearby pub. It's where he'd been, the night Dubhan had died. Drinking with his friends, celebrating their upcoming year at University, while his brother had bled out in the alleyway where his attackers had left him for dead. Well not this time. This time he won't fail him. His brother. His hero.

Dubhan.]

Hey!!!

[Faolan calls out, lunging at the closest passerby, reaching to grab them by the lapels. He probably looks like a mad drunk but he doesn't care. He needs to find him. Before it's too late.] Where is he? You need to help me find him!

b) laurent
[This time, the nightmare is different. This time, there are no damp, narrow streets of Ireland. This time, his brother is nowhere to be found. This time, he is not forced to watch his boyhood hero killed before his eyes while he stands aside, unable to do nothing.

This time they have Laurent.

Faolan fights against his compulsion. He fights against whatever it is that has him frozen in this spot, with everything he has, until finally a scream bursts forth. He doesn't care what happens to him, he doesn't care if their attention turns from Laurent onto himself, he needs to make them stop, he needs someone to help him make them stop.]

Help!!

iii. the fog

[Faolan doesn't know what to make of it at first, this fog that creeps its way across the city. He's used to living his life on edge, constantly on watch from the fear of attack, given his position of bodyguard. But whatever it is that has brought this fog has only doubled that sensation. That feeling as though someone is watching from the shadows. It's unnerving, and coupled with the nightmares he's been experiencing each night, Faolan feels as though he's losing his mind.

Leaving Laurent safely at home (with the promise that he would call him should even the whisper of trouble come knocking, because yes he really is that paranoid, the lack of decent sleep is really starting to get to him), Faolan decides that it's worth going out for coffee and trying to get himself to relax and take a breath.

At least that had been the idea, up until the arrow comes hurtling through the fog in his direction, to wedge itself in the grass of the curb before him. Faolan whips his head around in the direction that the projectile had come from and reaches for the weapon at his side, but how does he protect himself from arrows, especially ones that are shot from an enemy in the fogs that he cannot yet see...]

Comments

[reticence]

[ continued from here ]

Faolan reaches to brace Laurent as he stands. Gazing up at him before moving to push up and stand himself. An arm on his waist to hold him steady -- he can't help the contact, he needs the reassurance himself just now. To have been on the other side of those bars, to have to watch such things happen, he needs this contact just now. The solid warmth of Laurent's body under his hands, whole and alive and safe, thank god he's safe.

His eyes never once leave Laurent's as he gazes down at him and tries to figure out how hard to push. He hadn't answered Faolan's question, after all, but they've been over this before. Laurent will tell him everything he needs to know, when he's ready. As shaky as he is, he supposes that when isn't now.

Of course, Faolan can't say that he blames him. How can he put into words anything he feels himself? To say that he'd had a bad dream and had to check on him, it sounds ridiculous. And yet. With a barely perceptible shake of his head, Faolan steps forward to wrap his arms around the other man, and though Laurent had once refused such a gesture before Faolan begs him internally to please accept it now.

[anguinous]

Laurent wobbles for a second before steadying himself, eyes dropped to the ground as he smooths his t-shirt flat. He's in the process of collecting himself and lifting his eyes to study Faolan once more when the man steps into his space and wraps his arms about him.

It isn't unpleasant, exactly, but it's still something Laurent is only used to from his brother. His heart beats faster, both at the proximity of the other man and at the thought: his brother, who in his dreams he had thought --

With a degree of hesitance Laurent begins to wrap arms around Faolan in turn, movements stiff and uncertain.

"Faolan?" he prompts.

[reticence]

Well, it isn't an enthusiastic return of his embrace but it's a start. Besides, it isn't enthusiasm that Faolan's after just this moment anyway. Faolan tightens his arms around Laurent slightly and moves to press his face against his shoulder for a long moment, breathing in the scent of him through the shirt that he'd been wearing to bed, before he forces himself to pick his head up again and look at him. Laurent has so far responded better to Faolan offering something of himself first, before allowing himself to open up in turn. And if that's the case...

"I dreamed I'd failed you," he replies, after a long moment's pause, studying Laurent's face for whatever it is that's there in his eyes. "It was... Only a dream I know, but it felt so real that I..." He shakes his head again, pressing his lips together tightly. He doesn't need to bother Laurent with specifics, not when he can feel how stiff he stands in his arms.

"I didn't know that you were awake, I didn't mean to startle you. I only meant to check in and see that you were alright." He pauses for a breath, before asking quietly, "Are you alright?"

[anguinous]

Is he?

Laurent isn't sure he knows. He finds the press of Faolan into his arms calming, the warmth of his muscles, but Faolan inevitably has to let go and draw back. He doesn't want to lie to the man, but neither does he quite feel ready tackle all the questions that talking about this will provoke.

"Tired," he says instead. "It's not even light out yet. I was going to make some tea, would you like something?"

He moves to slip out of Faolan's arms, aiming to turn and cross away from him toward the door and out into the kitchen.

[reticence]

[ continued from here ]

[The man hadn't been anticipating a girl to launch such an attack like that against him and so it is that he goes down easily, knocked out right away with the powerful kick that sends him sprawling head-first into the wall beyond.

Unfortunately there is only one element of surprise and it has been taken. And there are three other men left now for her to take on, one of whom has his arm around Laurent's neck.]

Pathetic. [He murmurs, and gestures one of the other men forward. This next one of course producing a switch-blade knife from the back pocket of his jeans.]

Come here, little miss. Why don't you try me on for size.

[complementing]

[A switchblade. Minako doesn't let her face betray any fear, but her adrenaline spikes upon seeing it. Any hit with that could have her bleeding out and worse off than Laurent, completely useless to both him and Faolan. If only she had a moment to search the downed thug for a similar weapon! But no, she'll have to improvise.

She pats her pajama pockets, and in a distinctly Muran moment, produces something from within that she wasn't expecting to be there. But her earphones have never failed her before. Wrapping one end around her fist, she prays they don't fail her now.]

Come and get some.

[Need to draw them out one by one, can't let them take advantage of their numbers, need to stay closer to Faolan in case he snaps out of whatever is holding him and can run in to help--

All of that logic slips away, and then she's winding up her earphones like a lasso, whipping it out at the thug's wrist to try and snap the switchblade from his hand.]

[reticence]

[Luckily, there aren't enough of them so that they're rushing her in a mob. The one who has Laurent needs to keep him in his grasp. Which means there are only two left. One of whom is coming at her, one of whom is backup.

The one with the knife has a knife because he's a thug. But he isn't an expert. When she comes at him with earphones, he isn't expecting that, and as such the knife is caught in the chord of the earphones and goes flying.

Unfortunately for Minako, that just leaves him unarmed and angry about it. With a snarl of rage he winds up for a punch instead. If he can't cut her, he'll just punch her. No qualms for hitting girls here. He'll make her pay for besting him like that...]

[complementing]

[She wasn't actually expecting that to work, and her half second of trying to kick the knife out of reach behind her is all the advantage her attacker needs to get the upper hand on her. Minako gets hit squarely across the face, and god it stings, she can feel her teeth rattling in her mouth, and she hisses as she stumbles to the side, thrown painfully right into the wall.]

Tch!

[But this puts her in a perfect position to try the arm triangle choke that Eren had taught her last month. Pushing off from the wall, she lunges for him, wrapping her forearm around his neck mid-jump and using her momentum to try and bring him onto his back to complete the choke hold. She can't be sure she's using it correctly, but she does know she has to take care of this guy before his backup comes, and desperately tries to cut off his air supply quickly enough for him to pass out.]

cw: violence and mortal injury

[reticence]

[ continued from here ]

[ooc: WELL him not being alive would be a bigger regain i think since no one else has gotten dead!dubhan alas...]

Three.

[Faolan pushes himself forward and around the corner where he knows the men will be. He's prepared himself for a fight, he's even summoned help. But the fight's already done with, and the decision has already been made. In retrospect, he probably should have known better than to try and change fate. But all he'd ever wanted was to have his brother back.

They turn the corner and Faolan levels his gun at the man he knows will be there. The man with his knife to Dubhan's jugular. And the man takes one look at Faolan and his backup companion in Dave and draws it across his throat.

Faolan feels the gesture as though it were to his own throat, for in some ways he almost wishes that it were.]

[parodeity]

[ it's sad that this isn't the first time dave's seen a blade cut through someone's throat. it's worse that this is better than that time in some twisted way, except it is far, far worse as well. a brother watching a brother's life fade -

anything of use he could say chokes in his throat and he knows he can't change this, because it is happening in front of his eyes which means he doesn't.

- he moves forward even as his mind locks up, planing to disarm the assailant even if it is already too late. ]

[reticence]

[Faolan stands frozen for a moment, as though he can't quite believe what he's seeing before him

late he's too late they've come too late even now even when he's had his second chance

before he's running forward and firing his gun at the man who killed his brother. Firing until he's out of bullets, not bothering to watch where he's hitting before he's running forward to his brother. Running to put pressure on the wound even though he knows it's too late, there's no stopping this. Dubhan seems to know this too, his hand coming up to close around Faolan's hand, shaking his head as he does.]

[reticence]

[ continued from here ]

[Faolan is at least armed, which is something. Not that he knows whether that will protect either of them from whatever it is they are being threatened by. Which is part of the reason that he isn't terribly keen on rushing forward into the fog to have it out with them, all things considered. He'll take his chances running away with this new man as opposed the alternatives, if it's all the same to anyone else.

Of course, there is the solution to the locked door problem right there. Faolan's got a gun, and while it may not help against their pursuants, it will certainly work against a lock. Shooting it out will mean that they can't lock the door behind them either, but if given the choice between being locked out or not being able to lock the door behind them, he'll take it.]

It's locked, isn't it.

[reticence]

[ continued from here ]

[Faolan looks around at their surroundings, taking them in in response to the explanation. It's -- a lot to take in, really. The idea that a blind man might receive the memory of sight, and thus be able to see? But only in a dream. He's heard of Retrospec taking things away from people, and giving them abilities, but this again is new.

He glances aside at the other man again.]

I was not in this memory as the buildings around you were. Can you see me?

[ooc: continued here since capcha struck -- lmk if you'd rather continue somewhere else!!]

[blessmefather]

Yes, actually I can. The shape of you that is.

[ Matt turns and points down the street toward where strangers in the dream-memory are walking, flickering strokes and shapes that move and form something human. ]

The same way I see the other people. You're a bit more detailed since you're closer but I can't make out your facial features.

[reticence]

[Faolan isn't certain what to make of that, and so his brow furrows slightly as he tries.]

The same way you see other people? I'm sorry. I don't know that I understand.

[This would help if they had known each other before meeting in this odd dream world with its odd red and orange dream vision. He gestures to the buildings around them.]

Do you mean... Like this?

[reticence]

[ continued from here ]

[Us both? In his moment of shock, of sorrow and loss, Faolan isn't certain that he quite understands how Ardyn could possibly hurt as much as he does in this moment. He isn't certain he knows how much more he could hurt beyond how much he does now.

He feels the crackle of electricity starting to buzz against his skin and he starts to realize that Laurent is gone. He's gone, and what's left in his place is--

Releasing the creature in his hands -- even though he knows it isn't Laurent anymore -- it still feels as though he is giving up a piece of his soul as he finally allows himself to let go and pull free. Allows Ardyn to pull him back just before his contact with whatever Laurent has become becomes dangerous.]

Please. [He whispers to the other man, desperately. Ardyn needs to take over for him here, he -- he can't. Whatever that might be, it used to be Laurent, and he can't.]

[ooc: continued here since capcha struck, lmk if you'd rather continue somewhere else!!]

this works fine! ty c:

[daemonized]

[He grasps at Faolan's arm as the creature balloons up and crackles with electricity. That thing, that daemon now, which used to be human. Which used to be Laurent himself.

Ardyn feels his failing in this moment, scraping at the inside of his mind. His inability to save everyone, all these people clustered around them, has never felt so prevalent. That sad, sorry truth, that no matter how hard he tries, there will always be pain that he cannot stop.]

Step back.

[That desperate sound in Faolan's voice... it doesn't help him feel any better. Ardyn summons his sword in a flash of magic.]

We... I can fight it, put an end to its misery now.

[reticence]

[Faolan takes a shuddering breath in, before he does as the other man asks. There's no way that he can fight this thing. Not even the abomination that it has turned into. Because the fact of the matter remains that at one point it had been Laurent, and he can't.

He can't. He had sworn to protect him, and now...]

Ardyn...

[His voice is rough and unsteady, even existing hurts because he has failed, he has failed and broken his promise and what is there left for him anymore, but he owes this to Laurent. If not he himself then he by proxy.]

Please. He didn't deserve this. Don't let him...

[End it.]

It's A Disguise!

[anguinous]

"It's about social cloaking," Laurent is saying as he adjusts his tie to be less tidy. "I don't want people to think I stand out, because then they pay more attention. I also need people to not ask too many questions, which is easier if I fit the story. That I'm there for a reason. Everything else just adds verisimilitude. Fits the narrative."

He shrugs on the loose, grey jacket and squints at himself in the mirror. He's tamed some of the waves from his hair to make it flatter and is wearing a tiny pair of clear spectacles, which he practices fussing with a few times. His white shirt is ruffled, rather than ironed, and overall rather than a fashionably casual look that Laurent is more used to its somewhere between overworked receptionist and tired librarian.

"Not that I think Retrospec won't find out, more that I'm unsure if alarms might be raised while I'm there and I'll need a cover story if the staff ask why I'm looking this up. They're unlikely to know or believe anything I have to say."

[reticence]

"Verisimilitude," Faolan repeats, because it's quite a long and complicated word and he isn't certain he even understands the context here -- he wonders where Laurent has picked it up himself, though he dares not ask him now. He doesn't want to appear as though he is questioning Laurent's English, not in the way he's certain to take it if he asks.

Instead he focuses on the 'disguise' the younger man has put on instead. The little spectacles, the rumpled shirt. He's still fashionable, of course, it's just now he looks more... Scholarly. Harried. It makes Faolan's stomach tighten in new and exciting ways and he forces himself to breathe in deeply, quelling that flicker of desire lest it spread.

"And just what is this cover story then?" he asks, his eyes flickering from where they've been roving his appearance to the man himself. "And how do you propose to explain my accompanying you there?" Because he is going with him. He's not about about to let him do this on his own, not like this. Suddenly, however, he wonders madly if Laurent is building up to ask him to dress up as well.

[anguinous]

"I'm writing a paper which is specifically on Recollé history and need access to some primary sources, which the museum will have. I've left it somewhat last minute. You are my long suffering friend, there to assist me. You don't even have to lie."

Laurent turns away from the mirror and lofts an eyebrow at Faolan.

"Does this work? I've never tried to look less handsome before, I can't tell if it's working."

His face still looks mostly the same, after all, although the glasses add something of an intellectual air in his opinion.

[reticence]

[ continued from here ]

[Faolan isn't certain just what kind of a scene he had expected to come upon here, given the message, but he didn't know that it would be a live fire fight. Still, he's a bodyguard and while Recolle is its own particular brand of awful, this isn't his first rodeo. He hones in on where the soldiers seem to be focusing their attention -- it must be where Prompto has holed himself up -- and fires off another text to confirm his whereabouts.

Which, of course, goes unanswered. Faolan swears under his breath and clutches his gun closer to him. He's not certain how much it will do against something like -- well, whatever those things are. And he needs to divert their attention away from the younger man if they want to stand any chance of escaping this mess...

So Faolan opts for Plan B. Which is to say, ditch the careful subtlety and make a quick distraction to hopefully allow the younger man to flee. Ducking out from behind the cover he's taken, he fires several good rounds off at the soldiers.]

Wild backtag: The 4th of October // Recollé woods

[anguinous]

When Laurent finally, finally escapes the Retrospec building's insane labyrinth he comes to realise two things quickly.

The first is that he appears to be in a woodland.

The second is that he's now alone.

The third, after Laurent has paced around in the quiet area full of paranoia, is that he's beside a little building with the Retrospec logo and, after a quick check, it appears to be terribly dusty and empty.

Laurent weighs up his chances and sends a quick text --

You've been in the Recollé woods before, yes? I appear to be in them now. Don't ask. I'm a good way out from the city according to my GPS. If I send you a screencap of where I am on a map can you start heading my way and meet me?

[reticence]

The text more than anything has Faolan dropping everything that he's doing and running towards the first street corner he can find in the hopes of catching a taxi to get across town to him as quickly as possible. Honestly, at this rate its becoming rather difficult for him to trust any of the locally hired guards handle Laurent's protection. If only the time off awarded to him weren't so necessary, for his attention towards Laurent's safety as much as anything else.

Don't ask, he says. Like that's going to happen.

Send me the location. I'll be there as soon as I can. What happened? I thought you were only just running errands.

[anguinous]

Well I was, but the fog had me losing my sense of direction. It's a long story.

Either way, he's sending a link to Faolan which marks him on google maps -- indeed, he's miles out from Tisse. However he managed to get so far is a mystery only Retrospec can answer.

There's an old building here but I think it's empty.