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[Outside York's room there is a very tiny, anxious whining sound and a pair of very small paw-hands tapping at his door as loud as they can.
Priiiiii... Priiiiiiiiiiii...!!!]
Priiiiii... Priiiiiiiiiiii...!!!]
Edited 2015-09-26 04:42 (UTC)
Nnh...
[Weirdly, it's not the whining or the tapping that wakes him so much as the terrified urgency of it all, like the Togepi's need resonates with something trapped inside him for years. His eyes slide open, and he lies there in the dark for half a second before he hears the noise at his door and lurches to open it.]
Rascal...?
[Weirdly, it's not the whining or the tapping that wakes him so much as the terrified urgency of it all, like the Togepi's need resonates with something trapped inside him for years. His eyes slide open, and he lies there in the dark for half a second before he hears the noise at his door and lurches to open it.]
Rascal...?
[OKAY WE'RE AT DEFCON 1 THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
York scoops North's Togepi up into his arms and, in the same motion, swoops straight to Carolina's door, because when the shit hits the fan you get your field leader. Four sharp knocks, that's it, and then he's pushing North's door open because of course it's open if the little rascal got out and if the door is open then North needs them now.]
York scoops North's Togepi up into his arms and, in the same motion, swoops straight to Carolina's door, because when the shit hits the fan you get your field leader. Four sharp knocks, that's it, and then he's pushing North's door open because of course it's open if the little rascal got out and if the door is open then North needs them now.]
[North's door is cracked open by the green fabric of his overalls, and there's a restless sound from inside the first time York passes.
Before York can circle back and push the door open, however, there's a blood-curdling scream from inside the room.]
Before York can circle back and push the door open, however, there's a blood-curdling scream from inside the room.]
[Caroina doesn't take long to wake up-- nor to know something is wrong. Four knocks, no call-- and as she gets up from her bed, a scream.
Without getting her shoes, sloppily clad in her track suit pants and tank top, she hurries out of her room and meets up with York at North's door, reaching aimlessly for a gun that isn't there. Stripes hurries after her, alarmed by Carolina's urgency. She arrived shortly after York.]
Without getting her shoes, sloppily clad in her track suit pants and tank top, she hurries out of her room and meets up with York at North's door, reaching aimlessly for a gun that isn't there. Stripes hurries after her, alarmed by Carolina's urgency. She arrived shortly after York.]
[It's like getting sucked out of airlock, that scream. Through the shock of it, York doesn't even recognize it as North's for a second, even though he knows that voice as well as he knows his own, even now. He rushes in, presses himself to the wall by instinct.]
Delta, visuals, I need--
[Delta isn't there.
But Delta-Two is at Carolina's heels, nervous and familiar enough, and she sends York exactly what he needs: a series of impressions of the room. No visible targets.
York strides to the side of the bed, still holding Rascal close.]
North. North.
Delta, visuals, I need--
[Delta isn't there.
But Delta-Two is at Carolina's heels, nervous and familiar enough, and she sends York exactly what he needs: a series of impressions of the room. No visible targets.
York strides to the side of the bed, still holding Rascal close.]
North. North.
[North is not a small man in the slightest. 6'4" and broadly muscled from years of training and fighting, there's not much to make him seem like anything less than a giant.
But as he is, in nothing more than his boxers with the sheets tangled around his legs, curled in on himself and trembling like a leaf in the wind, he seems downright tiny even in the small inn room.
Rascal is frozen in York's less familiar arms, trembling so hard he might scramble himself at the sight of his trainer so terrified.
North lets out a pained sound that's halfway between a cry and a whimper, and in the dim moonlight his big pale hands come up to protectively cover his head.]
But as he is, in nothing more than his boxers with the sheets tangled around his legs, curled in on himself and trembling like a leaf in the wind, he seems downright tiny even in the small inn room.
Rascal is frozen in York's less familiar arms, trembling so hard he might scramble himself at the sight of his trainer so terrified.
North lets out a pained sound that's halfway between a cry and a whimper, and in the dim moonlight his big pale hands come up to protectively cover his head.]
[Without a small Pokemon in her arms, Carolina can't be prevented from going over and grasping North's shoulders, passing York.]
North-- I need you to wake up.
[Carolina hasn't gotten the memo that you probably shouldn't touch people who are having nightmares. Stripes, however, takes a place behind York and Carolina both, unsure and concerned.]
North-- I need you to wake up.
[Carolina hasn't gotten the memo that you probably shouldn't touch people who are having nightmares. Stripes, however, takes a place behind York and Carolina both, unsure and concerned.]
Carolina--
[York isn't totally up to date on nightmare protocol, but given what his own reactions coming out of sleep can be like sometimes--
--Well, there she goes anyway. Without a second's hesitation, he reaches back in his own mind to nudge Delta Two, warn her to get ready should something go wrong here. He trusts that she can handle it.
D-2 nods and readies herself to reach out to North if she has to.]
[York isn't totally up to date on nightmare protocol, but given what his own reactions coming out of sleep can be like sometimes--
--Well, there she goes anyway. Without a second's hesitation, he reaches back in his own mind to nudge Delta Two, warn her to get ready should something go wrong here. He trusts that she can handle it.
D-2 nods and readies herself to reach out to North if she has to.]
[North jerks violently like he's been shot the second Carolina touches him, one of the hands in his hair protectively covering the back of his neck. His fingers curl like rigor mortis and the tension in his body doesn't fade.
But finally, one pale blue eye cracks open. And when he's met with darkness and silver light instead of daylight and a wall of white armor, when he realizes the hands on his shoulders are smaller and more delicate than the hungry, grasping hands that had picked him up like he weighed nothing, taken what they wanted, and left him for dead; that's when he slowly starts to come around. He looks at Carolina's hands and follows the line of her arm up to her face, his expression still disoriented and a little scared.]
...Carolina? York? Wh-
But finally, one pale blue eye cracks open. And when he's met with darkness and silver light instead of daylight and a wall of white armor, when he realizes the hands on his shoulders are smaller and more delicate than the hungry, grasping hands that had picked him up like he weighed nothing, taken what they wanted, and left him for dead; that's when he slowly starts to come around. He looks at Carolina's hands and follows the line of her arm up to her face, his expression still disoriented and a little scared.]
...Carolina? York? Wh-
[Score one for impulse moves.]
North. You're alright.
[Her voice is less gentle and more authoritative, like she's updating him on his status on a mission.]
You were-- dreaming.
[She looks at York, troubled, as if he'll know what to say.]
North. You're alright.
[Her voice is less gentle and more authoritative, like she's updating him on his status on a mission.]
You were-- dreaming.
[She looks at York, troubled, as if he'll know what to say.]
[God, Carolina. Well, at least that military beside manner is expected. York breathes out and sits on the edge of North's bed, lets Rascal down gently on the mattress.]
There, little guy. He's okay, see? We're all okay.
[He's lying to a baby. How the mighty have fallen.
York watches Rascal for a moment, silent, then looks up at North. He sits so he can face him better, one leg off the bed, his other knee laid flat and bumping North's shin.]
We're here, man. Me and Carolina. Just take your time, we're not going anywhere.
There, little guy. He's okay, see? We're all okay.
[He's lying to a baby. How the mighty have fallen.
York watches Rascal for a moment, silent, then looks up at North. He sits so he can face him better, one leg off the bed, his other knee laid flat and bumping North's shin.]
We're here, man. Me and Carolina. Just take your time, we're not going anywhere.
[Slowly, his fingers curl against the scar on the back of his neck and he brings his empty hand around again.
He's forced to come around faster when York sets Rascal on the bed next to him and his little baby pokemon toddles toward him with a whimper and big teary eyes, throwing his little self against North's chest with hiccuping little sobs. Immediately North's cradling the little shell with one hand, sitting up a little.]
...It was just a...dream.
[That wasn't "just a" anything.]
I'm sorry, I woke you up.
He's forced to come around faster when York sets Rascal on the bed next to him and his little baby pokemon toddles toward him with a whimper and big teary eyes, throwing his little self against North's chest with hiccuping little sobs. Immediately North's cradling the little shell with one hand, sitting up a little.]
...It was just a...dream.
[That wasn't "just a" anything.]
I'm sorry, I woke you up.
[Carolina hesitates, pulling back and looking to York again. She rubs at her wrists, missing the security of being able to shoot at all her problems.]
North...
[It was more than just a dream. She's never heard him scream like that, even-- even--
Fuck. What is she supposed to do? What can any of them do? She joins them on the bed, sitting opposite York so that she can face North, too.]
You don't have to apologise.
North...
[It was more than just a dream. She's never heard him scream like that, even-- even--
Fuck. What is she supposed to do? What can any of them do? She joins them on the bed, sitting opposite York so that she can face North, too.]
You don't have to apologise.
[York meets Carolina's gaze, but he only holds it for a moment before he looks down, masking his expression in the darkness. His own hands he presses firmly against the bed to keep them from reaching up, from covering the back of his own neck. Delta isn't here to steady him, to give him advice he can pretend to ignore, and York needs him now more than ever.
Delta Two comes over and he picks her up, sets her down next to him, rubs the back of her head when she leans into his shirt.]
You been getting dreams like that a lot?
Delta Two comes over and he picks her up, sets her down next to him, rubs the back of her head when she leans into his shirt.]
You been getting dreams like that a lot?
[North swallows, feels like he's in an intervention. He feels exposed, like he's under a spotlight instead of just in a dark room.
North, I'm scared. Your shield-
It'll hold, Theta. Just a little longer. Just keep looking for an ope-
NORTH! Get up, please get up!
He bows his head to hide the tears welling up in his eyes, holds Rascal that much tighter.
It was their first night in real beds, the first night he'd really let himself sleep since they got here. But the little voice that he can't hear anymore but remembers all too well has been haunting him nonetheless.]
... I... can't say that I have.
North, I'm scared. Your shield-
It'll hold, Theta. Just a little longer. Just keep looking for an ope-
NORTH! Get up, please get up!
He bows his head to hide the tears welling up in his eyes, holds Rascal that much tighter.
It was their first night in real beds, the first night he'd really let himself sleep since they got here. But the little voice that he can't hear anymore but remembers all too well has been haunting him nonetheless.]
... I... can't say that I have.
Edited 2015-09-28 04:13 (UTC)
[Carolina moves her hand up to the back of her neck, into her hair, and looks toward the ceiling. There isn't much to see in the dark, but it keeps her from having to look at North, from being that much more frustrated about how powerless she feels. She lets York continue, not yet ready to interrupt.]
[York still feels shaken on the inside, like North's scream really did freeze his blood and it's only slowly turning back into something that works, but he's a locksmith. His hand is steady when he places it on North's leg, solid and gentle.
They're his team, they're not going to let him drop because he's scared and they don't know what to do.
They're here, dude.]
Lights? Coffee?
[York wouldn't want to go back to sleep after that.]
They're his team, they're not going to let him drop because he's scared and they don't know what to do.
They're here, dude.]
Lights? Coffee?
[York wouldn't want to go back to sleep after that.]
...Yeah. Coffee sounds good.
[His voice is a little steadier now, still quiet and sad.]
Don't think I'll be going back to sleep tonight.
You both can go back to bed. I'll be fine.
[His voice is a little steadier now, still quiet and sad.]
Don't think I'll be going back to sleep tonight.
You both can go back to bed. I'll be fine.
I think we'd rather not.
[She regards North with a concerned look, leaning over so her elbows are on her knees.]
I don't know about York, but I'm not too interested in sleeping right now, either.
[It's gentle, but assertive; they're not leaving him. Not just yet.]
I could go for some coffee, too.
[She regards North with a concerned look, leaning over so her elbows are on her knees.]
I don't know about York, but I'm not too interested in sleeping right now, either.
[It's gentle, but assertive; they're not leaving him. Not just yet.]
I could go for some coffee, too.
Sleep? Who needs sleep?
[He pats North's leg, grips it for a moment to reassure him, then disentangles Delta Two from his shirt and stands.]
I'll start that coffee. Be right back.
[Delta Two stays behind as he goes to get the percolator. One of the percolators. Does York have an electric one and one for camping? Maybe. Shut up, you don't know him.
He's not gone long, just enough time to get the percolator and the coffee and the two guest mugs the inn set out in his room. He sets up and plugs the percolator into the wall of North's room before he finds some space to flop down on North's bed and grunt into the mattress. The room is going to smell like coffee, and that's good. The adrenaline spike is still draining out of him.]
Ten, fifteen minutes till it's ready. [So North is stuck with them at least that long. York changes the subject.] How's Rascal?
[He pats North's leg, grips it for a moment to reassure him, then disentangles Delta Two from his shirt and stands.]
I'll start that coffee. Be right back.
[Delta Two stays behind as he goes to get the percolator. One of the percolators. Does York have an electric one and one for camping? Maybe. Shut up, you don't know him.
He's not gone long, just enough time to get the percolator and the coffee and the two guest mugs the inn set out in his room. He sets up and plugs the percolator into the wall of North's room before he finds some space to flop down on North's bed and grunt into the mattress. The room is going to smell like coffee, and that's good. The adrenaline spike is still draining out of him.]
Ten, fifteen minutes till it's ready. [So North is stuck with them at least that long. York changes the subject.] How's Rascal?
[With everyone taking up evening jobs, it seems like the best time to get someone's attention long enough to talk is around sunrise and just before sunset. So here Carolina is, at the door of York's room, Stripes at her feet.]
York. You free?
[More of an invitation than a demand, this time.]
York. You free?
[More of an invitation than a demand, this time.]
For you? I'm always free, Carolina.
[Delta Two is the one to open the door. Looks like she and York were practicing a little telekinesis control, judging from the random objects from York's bag that have not quite made it back to where they belong around the room.
York smiles up at Carolina from where he's lying on his stomach on the bed facing D-2, arms folded under his chin.]
Hey there.
[Delta Two is the one to open the door. Looks like she and York were practicing a little telekinesis control, judging from the random objects from York's bag that have not quite made it back to where they belong around the room.
York smiles up at Carolina from where he's lying on his stomach on the bed facing D-2, arms folded under his chin.]
Hey there.
Hello, D.
[She smiles gently down at D-2, watching Stripes give the little alien a 'wuffed' greeting, and steps inside, hands in the pockets of her track suit.]
I was thinking of taking Stripes on a walk. You up for a go around the perimeter?
[She smiles gently down at D-2, watching Stripes give the little alien a 'wuffed' greeting, and steps inside, hands in the pockets of her track suit.]
I was thinking of taking Stripes on a walk. You up for a go around the perimeter?
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