☘ 041; [text; dated 10/14]

[solas_ion]

[Lancer never, ever, ever dismissed dreams as nothing. Few understood as well as Cú Chulainn just how real dreams and nightmares could be. They could hurt, and not just emotionally. Once had seemed a warning, and now twice was striking him as a blaring sign of Bad Things To Come.]

[Scowling, he'd left his room at the breeding center and made his way to the roof--never mind how he got up there. (Trees were involved.) It was easier to think when he was off the ground, for whatever reason. Some holdover from his scouting duty as a Servant, maybe. Who cared? The point was that his head was a jumbled mess of things and he couldn't determine the cause or reasoning. When was the last time he'd even had a nightmare to begin with?]

[Even at this ungodly hour, he knew full well somebody was likely to still be awake. Johto and its inhabitants were weird like that. Sitting on the edge of the roof with no thought to the height, Lancer took his Pokegear from his pocket and typed a quick message.]

I'm starting to think some weird shit might be going on around here. Anyone else get that feeling?

Comments

[islandshore]

Now more than ever.

[First the dream about Slacker, now another nightmare... It's hard to dismiss it now. He's even spoken to others who've had nightmares. Can it really be considered a coincidence now?]

This got anything to do with the nightmares going around? I'm starting to get the feeling that there's more to it.

[Come to think of it, he vaguely remembers widespread nightmares when he first arrived, but nothing like this...]

[doitrockapella]

"Flying in the form of a crow overhead, the Morrígan, the Phantom Queen."

Paid you a visit, has she?

[solas_ion]

Chuckle about it all you want, but you'd sure as hell know if it was her. I'd be out of Goldenrod faster than you could say 'oh fuck it's a Murkrow'.

[solas_ion]

Something like that, yeah. You having them too?

[doitrockapella]

No chuckling intended. I agree that there's something strange going on — it's working out what it is that's the real conundrum.

[solas_ion]

It's not her, at least. No possible way. If it was I'd bet you everything I own she'd be targeting just me like a goddamn Lancer-seeking missile.

[doitrockapella]

Not one to let an insult go, is she?

[solas_ion]

The fact that I'm genuinely doubting it isn't her should be a sufficient answer to that.

In my defense, I was a little goddamned busy when she decided she wanted in my armor right that second. Fuck me for trying to be responsible, right?

[doitrockapella]

No comment.

How many bad nights have you had so far?

[solas_ion]

I'm pretty sure that was the second. I'm already having trouble remembering the details, which is...unusual, for me.

[doitrockapella]

The second? Then when was the first?

[solas_ion]

Hard to say--sometime last week, I think. I kept my mouth shut about it and thought I'd just keep an eye out for a while, but twice is blowing past 'caution' and into 'oh shit' territory.

[doitrockapella]

In the words of an eloquent man, "Once is happenstance; twice is coincidence." I don't know if I'm quite to the level of concern you are, yet.

But that is a "yet".

[solas_ion]

I don't screw around when it comes to dreams. Even less so concerning nightmares. Call it a matter of once bitten and all that, but when this kind of thing happens I don't like to take chances.

[doitrockapella]

So what are you planning to do?

[solas_ion]

Guess there's a couple options. I could just keep closer watch on everyone and everything in the general vicinity, but hell of a lot that'll do when I don't know what to look out for.

Or I could flat-out give up sleeping for a while, which is sounding pretty damn appealing right now.

( text )

[stressed]

It is that time of year, isn't it? I assume you've also been experiencing those horrible nightmares. What do you believe might be the cause of it?

[doitrockapella]

Bear in mind that beyond a certain point of sleep deprivation, people have been known to suffer problems with concentration, loss of memory, and occasionally hallucinations.

I've pulled a fair amount of sleepless nights myself, but it's not something I'd encourage for long periods of time.

[solas_ion]

Yeah, yeah, I'm used to being human by now. I think I got a handle on all the limitations that come with it. Despite that, I think I'm willing to risk it.

I am not putting up with magic nightmare bullshit, especially not around here.

[Shame he can't remember how that whole mess with horrible nightmares and deathly illness ended last time. Ah, well. He must've just gotten over it, huh?]

[Magic amnesia's a pain, man. And for that matter so are faeries.]

( text )

[solas_ion]

My money's on some ghost Pokemon bullshit this time. I could probably live with that. Actually I'd take just about anything, as long as it's not those soul-stealing bugs.

[doitrockapella]

Under normal circumstances, I'd wish you sweet dreams. But I suppose this time it's more fitting to wish you luck in avoiding them altogether.

[solas_ion]

Hell, let's just hope it's not Shedinja Soul Buffet the Second. I like my soul right where it is, thanks.

( text )

[stressed]

It's possible. I've heard that the number of ghost Pokemon increase as Halloween draws closer. Has anyone really had their soul stolen by those "soul-stealing" Pokemon, though?

( text )

[solas_ion]

That wasn't an exaggeration.

There were actual bugs that actually stole people's souls. It was a whole huge mess and frankly, the idea still unnerves me just a little.

( text )

[stressed]

How strange.. you would think that there would be more defensive action taken against harmful Pokemon like that to protect the people. The only thing we can really look forward to is the inevitable end of Halloween as well as the end to all of this nightmare business, then.