Sequence three Ѽ Slipping through my fingers like sand

[failssassin]

Warnings: Blood, self mutilation, stabbing.  Vague game spoilers?
Effects: Confusion, exertion and lots and lots of physical pain (Optional)

Comments

[video]

[inbedatsix]

[There's a lot Lucy could say, a lot she probably should say but she's too busy trying to make sense of that and to not think about watching Subject 16 slip away.

Because this? This is what she worries about.

But she doesn't have time to think about that right this second and she's maybe a little in shock and more than a little in denial about things ever reaching this stage when she finally clears her throat and speaks quietly.]

Desmond?

[She's just testing the waters, seeing if this has followed him into the waking world too.]

[video]

[failssassin]

[It takes a moment before Desmond even moves from his position. He's heard Lucy's quiet inquiry, but he's angry, too angry at this world for showing this one nightmare right when she gets in. Because there's been many before but none that showed on the network and it seems that his luck has finally ran up and that bad timing pisses him off to no end.

He tries to calm himself down, because the blond doesn't need to be snapped at. All he wanted for her was to never see these dreams. Why can't he has nice dreams like anyone else?

The novice moves and grabs his phone as he swings his legs on the side of the bed, sitting up with a small sheepish smile. He knows this is not going to work, he knows Lucy too well to even count on pity to not raise any question, but still he tries.]

Hey. I hope I didn't wake you up?

[video]

[inbedatsix]

Waking me up isn't the point of any of this.

[Desmond might be able to talk his way out of things with any of his friends who saw that dream but Lucy? Yeah, Lucy's seen his ancestral memories right from when he was brought to Abstergo and she remembers Subject 16.

Her face is in business mode now as she sits up to make herself more comfortable.]

Is everything okay?

[Clearly it's not but depending on his answer, she'll decide where to take her own line of questioning.]

[video]

[failssassin]

Yeah, I know. [His answer is a quiet one: he knows there's no evading anything Lucy is going to ask, lest he wants her to get over to his apartment to beat some sense (and some training too at the same time) out of him.]

Yeah, everything's fine, Lucy. I think I'll just stay away from Mexican food for a while though.

[Desmond knows how she hates when he makes light of these kind of situations, but he can't help himself. It's some sort of defense mechanism, just like denial, because the novice is afraid if he lets himself take this too seriously, then he'll really turn out like Sixteen. It's stupid and juvenile and naive, but what else can he do? No one likes to think that they are eventually turning crazy, after all.]

[nolessthanseven]

[each physical blow that Desmond experiences in the dream seems to transfer over, though exactly how isn't something Isabelle is worrying about; she's been stabbed before, and while it's not precisely pleasant, it's something she can deal with. Biting her lip slightly to contain the quiet noises of pain she would never voice as she watches the dream, seemingly riveted to the constant stream of images, she almost doesn't know what to say when it all ends, her throat tight before she finally manages to force out something:]

H-hey.

[failssassin]

[There's a small sigh of defeat that can heard before Desmond grabs his phone. There's an acted shrug of carelessness before he gives her a small smirk that is far from reaching his eyes. It's obvious he's lying here.]

Hey. Remind me to never eat Mexican food before going to bed. I obviously can't handle it well.

[nolessthanseven]

[too bad Isabelle lives with Jace; she can smell bs a mile away, and when it comes to things like this, she's willing to call it, too. Her voice is shaking slightly for the first few words, steadying as she continues; her brows are knitted in pure concern.]

You're kidding, right? There- [a pause, to calm herself; she's worried, dammit.] There's no way that was just Mexican food.

[failssassin]

[His heart sinks in his chest, because he can hear the concern in Isabelle's voice and as much as his team mates always tiptoe around his mental health issues, it reminds him of how Becca used to look at him in the morning. Of all the Modern Day Assassin, she's the only one that never takes his bullshit either.

Desmond chuckles dryly, knowing he can't evade this with Izzy any longer]

Well, I'm sure it didn't help. [He shrugs another time] Fine, I'll admit it. I'm mentally unstable and have frequent violent nightmares that involves past lives.

[While he sounds like he's jesting, this is the utter truth]

[video]

[assworthsaving]

[Drake here has no idea what to make of all that. At all. He's got one eyebrow raised and is just slowly shaking his head.]

Well... that was intense.

So, uh, what'd you do to piss off the Pope?

[video]

[failssassin]

[Not realizing at first why the voice sounds so familiar, Desmond just shrugs at the stranger on the screen]

You're telling me.

[The question takes him by surprise and he frowns slightly, trying to sort out the fresh images in his mind. They are all jumbled with memories of his ancestors after all]

Huh? That wasn't m-....The Pope....I, hum, probably looked at his daughter wrong?

[He can't really tell you that they were fighting over a secret, awesome device that can control people, sorry pal. Though....why does he feel he's heard you before?]

[video]

[assworthsaving]

[Oh man, it's like hearing an echo. This guy sounded exactly like him? Maybe that's not too impossible... right?]

You okay, chief?

[Really. Totally not sure if he saw just some really random and screwed up dream or if there was any truth to that. But he does not envy you that dream.

Also this guy was a sucky liar, but Drake won't call him on it.]

Ah, right. Checking out the Pope's daughter. Well that doesn't seem very benevolent of him.

[video]

[failssassin]

[Chief? It's been a long while since he's been called something like that.]

Hum...yeah. Nothing I haven't had before. You know...nightmares.

[Now Desmond is going to be looking at you very carefully. You look nothing like him. Nor like Altaïr nor Ezio, so you can't be an ancestor, right? Still....you stole his voice. Not cool, dude.

Actually, there's a portion of truth in his words. But thanks for not calling him out. Desmond smirks ever-so slightly]

Yeah, the Pope's daughter. Rodrigo Borgia, also known as Pope Alexander VI, had many illegitimate children actually. [See, Shaun? He did listen to your historical ramblings. Once in a while. Okay, not that often but still...] He wasn't a very benevolent Pope in general, I can tell you that.

[foundaprincess]

[This is the first time Flynn is experiencing the effects that dreams in Somarium sometimes have. Wonderful, huh? Totally having the time of his life. In fact, if you can bring yourself out of your head for a bit, Desmond, maybe you might notice that someone else shouted along with you.

This is what he gets for being curious. 'Hey, looks like Des is having a dream! Let's check it out!'

NEVER. AGAIN.

...

But okay. He's a little concerned.]

Desmond? What was all that?

[failssassin]

[Hey, if Somarium is in luck, maybe next time Desmond dreams about Ezio's time at the Venetian brothel, it'll show in the network. Then you should really watch, Flynn. You wouldn't believe what Italian women can do to please a man.

It's kinda of touching that so many people shows concern for him and deep inside, Desmond is content to see Flynn amongst them. Bro forever, dude. Still, the bartender can't seem to bring himself to be honest with the other man, and he shrugs, trying to make light of the dream]

Nothing, 'Gene. Just bad Mexican food before I got to bed.

[Feel free to call him on his bullshit]

[foundaprincess]

[calling on bullshit go]

Hey. No amount of bad food puts that amount of nightmare fuel into a single dream. This will probably keep me up a few nights, Des. What kind of place do you come from?

[Well, part of it is a lie because Gene is a big boy and can handle his shit, but it is true that some of those images bothered him enough to pose the question. He knows a little something about the darkness that stems from working outside of the law and he'd sensed it, a kindred spirit sort of feel, in Desmond. But if that dream was any indication, the other man was likely into something way more serious than what Flynn was used to.

Talking always helps with these sorts of things. Indulge him?]

[failssassin]

Sorry 'Gene.

[If Desmond is apologizing for lying there or for scaring the hell out of Flynn, it's up to the thief to decide.

The bartender shrugs lightly]

Oh, you know. The normal kind of place. The usual struggle between good and evil and the secret war over ruling mankind. That sort of place.

[Sorry buddy. He's not used to open up to people. You'll have to get him to trust you more before he starts spilling stories here.]

[ischarming]

Zero points for the Pleasant Dream score.

[Oh hey, I bet you so wanted to hear from this one, Desmond.]

[failssassin]

[Yes, it's always fun to wake up screaming from a nightmare and then have to hear your irritating voice, Jace. Desmond cringes visibly. He'll deal with the kid but his patience is very very thin. Thread carefully here.]

You want a gold start for your oh-so eloquent conclusion?

[ischarming]

Depends. Would anyone get one or am I special?

[failssassin]

Anyone can get one, for all I care.

[He's never going to say that you're special, Jace. Unless he means with 'special needs'.]