when I lived alone, is there a ghost in my house?

[mylawn]

WHO? 76 (mylawn) and YOU
WHAT? fabulous dream adventures
WHEN? dream time
ANYTHING ELSE? violence, the robot war, you know.

i. dad punches you in the face for the low, low price of free (this one is not a dream)

[76 knows, on some level, that something is wrong. He’s fairly certain he’s dozed off here and there, but he can’t remember exactly where or when or for how long—only that he was left with a strange, unsettling feeling each time. For someone as paranoid as he is, he knows it doesn’t bode well, but being unable to pinpoint the problem means there’s little for him to do.

As always, he hits the recreation area to take his mind off things. It seems wailing on a punching bag is one of few ways he knows how to blow off steam, and he’s easily found doing just that. He doesn’t seem to mind being interrupted, at least, knowing full well that he offered hand-to-hand pointers over the network. He certainly recognizes the cathartic value of beating the crap out of something or someone, even if it’s not the healthiest of coping mechanisms.

Perhaps that’s what you’re looking for. 76 isn’t going to judge.]

Need something?

[Or, you might find him asleep, slumped over in a chair, gloves and water bottle discarded nearby, like he only meant to take a short break. Probably you should wake him up???]

ii. the humans are dead (this one is a dream)

[Everything is on fire.

It’s difficult to tell just what, exactly, is burning, because the scene seems to shift between a few different locals that blur together and separate and merge again, cityscapes and building interiors and battlefields, but the overall effect is the same. Harsh red emergency lighting cuts through the dark and smoke, and there’s the very distinct feeling of being trapped. The shadows of mechanical soldiers close in, punctuated by the sounds of gunfire and explosions and collapsing rebar. As if that wasn’t threatening enough, metallic groans in the distance give the impression that the whole place (if one can even call it that) is about to come crashing down.

The one voice that cuts through it all might sound familiar, even if it’s coming from someone who you definitely haven’t seen before (unless you squint).]

—respond. Do you read me, Reyes?

[He keeps going, barking more names into what seems to be some kind of communicator, but there’s no response. Given the current state of things, it takes him a moment to realize he isn’t alone, but as soon as he notices the intrusion, he’s closing the distance, apparently to usher you away as quickly as possible, despite his own obvious distress.]

It’s not safe here, come on. [You’re a civilian! You shouldn’t be in the middle of a war zone!] You need to evacuate.

iii. sad ghost hoots then scoots (this one is also a dream)

[You’re interrupting a fight.

A fairly explosive one, if the surroundings are any indication. 76, in full tactical gear, is currently throwing down with a figure in a black robe, though it’s difficult to tell just what the figure is, exactly, especially when it only seems to have a form some of the time, dissolving and re-forming constantly as and 76 scrabble at each other. Sharp silver claws reach out of the black smog to try and strangle him, and the whole thing devolves into a visceral struggle.

There’s a gunshot, and another outburst of smoke as 76’s opponent loses shape entirely and rushes away as a formless miasma. 76 tries to right himself.]

Don’t just stand there—

[He barks it out, the tone that of someone used to giving orders under duress, but there’s something desperate in it too. When he stands, it’s easy to see why—there’s blood on the ground, but despite the sway in his stance, he’s making a concentrated effort to take off in pursuit, not particularly caring that you’re in the way. If you aren’t going to help, he’s just going to push his way past.

iv. wildcard

[I’ll do whatever you want. You write a thing. I’ll write a thing. Hit me up at whitticus.]

Comments

i'll pay u not to punch me in the face please

[handsomefoil]

[ Best way to avoid falling into sleep traps is to keep active, right? Seems not even the capsules are safe from the looks of it. Once he enters the rec room though, he sees a familiar man slumped over on the bench. Uh oh...

His first thought is: He looks dead. He looks older than he lets on when he's awake like this. But immediately thinks he's asleep due to the hot spots. Taking care to stay out of prime punching and/or kicking distance, he nudges him with the end of his beam saber handle. It has a protruding hook sticking out of it so if anything, the sensation should be unpleasant enough to stir him awake. Hopefully. ]

Oy.

[mylawn]

[Truthfully, he'd only intended to sit down for a minute, but the hotspots are creeping larger and catching people off-guard. 76 barely had any time to register the growing warmth of the area before he fell asleep--most certainly a sign that they're getting worse, not that he knows this, or even has the ability to protest.

Henry's first few nudges don't seem to do anything. 76 doesn't even shift in his seat, though he does seem to be snoring quietly (you know, like a dad).

It appears that more forward measures should be taken.]

[handsomefoil]

[ Hoo boy, OK, you can do this Henry. He definitely doesn't want to be smacked by a sleeping soldier who can really pack a wallop, but now he feels like he has to finish what he started here. Even if nobody is watching him or judging him should he have just walked away.

Reaching out a hand, he shakes 76 by the shoulder relatively hard. Not enough to knock anyone out of his seat, but enough to make them look pretty silly wobbling about. ]

[mylawn]

[Don't worry, Henry. This is only someone who might react violently to being jarred out of a very strange dream. In fact, that's exactly what happens. Henry's good shake manages to wake 76, who of course responds with a jolt, swinging his arm at the offender.

If Henry doesn't get out of the way within the speed of 76's surprisingly good reflexes, he is definitely about to get beaned in the face.]

[handsomefoil]

[ He really is expecting something to happen. The only thing is when and how fast and could he avoid it in time? ]

Shit—!

[ Saved from at least getting socked in the face, he still gets clubbed on the shoulder when he suddenly turns to jerk away or at least avoid getting hit in the face. The force of it is way stronger than one would expect from a human being and it nearly bowls him over. He'll probably bruise there too, and he's not one to bruise easily. He doesn't curse anymore than that but he holds his shoulder and rubs at it, while stepping backwards. ]

[mylawn]

[Don't worry, it's just a reflexive flailing, immediately followed by the slow realization that he is awake now, and his surroundings are different than they were a second ago. 76 immediately takes stock of himself, so it's another moment before he takes notice that he's not alone, and yet another one before he recognizes the man he's apparently smacked around in his jolting awake.]

Oh.

[He gives the room another cursory glance, looking a little bewildered. He certainly hadn't meant to fall asleep.]

It's you.

[handsomefoil]

Yep.

[ He sighs, rolling his shoulder a little. Although 76 didn't purposely intend to strike him, he still keeps his distance. ]

It's me. Sweet dreams?

[mylawn]

[He looks a little surprised by the question, as if he has to recall what he was dreaming about--though it's not out of the ordinary for him to forget upon waking. It's usually all the same, anyway.]

Not particularly.

[Something feels off, and perhaps it's his own self-preservation instincts (what's left of them, anyway) that prompt him to get to his feet, moving out of the warmth, as much as it invites him to stay. That's enough to make him suspicious on its own.]

You need something?

[handsomefoil]

[ An airy sort of laugh, though a bit strained with how he's still working his shoulder a bit. But he soon shakes it off and just huffs. ]

Not me, no, was just wandering in here to let off some steam and thought I'd jostle you a bit. Being in my way and all.

[ And just trying to help knock a person out of their wacky dreams, too, but he figures that's a given. ]

[mylawn]

Right.

[He looks back at the chair he'd been slumped in, considering that he doesn't remember when he fell asleep. 76 takes a moment to bend over, collecting his gloves and water bottle off the floor, giving them a cursory inspection as if they might somehow be responsible.]

Out of your way.

[76 gestures right at the chair. It's all Henry's, if he wants it.]

[handsomefoil]

[ Looks at the chair, then back at 76, pointedly not sitting down. He seems more interested in looking for hand wraps again in the general area. Repetition and practice make perfect. ]

That a warm spot, too? Can feel it from here.

[mylawn]

You want to give it a shot?

[He doesn't know what the hell they are, and he's not terribly interested in sticking around to learn more, but perhaps Henry has something of a better idea.]

[handsomefoil]

No, thanks. I've had my fair share of sleeping and listless dreams today.

[ He shakes his head, starting to wrap his hands. One of these days he'll have to find something better than clothe or tape. ]

This has got to do something with that bloody coolant shortage that's been going on, but I can't remember the last time something so innocuous and quite frankly, trivial, had such an effect on one's subconscious.

[mylawn]

[76 raises an eyebrow, like he's not quite sure what Henry is getting at. His dreams have been strange recently, sure, but they've never been particularly pleasant, and he's long since learned not to think much about them. They exist, and he can compartmentalize them like he does with everything else.

Henry, however, seems to be on about something entirely different.]

What do you mean?

[handsomefoil]

[ Henry looks over at 76, expression a little incredulous. ]

Don't tell me... I can't be the only one being jostled about in my own subconscious here.

[ He's aware he sounds a little nuts, but he's been through overly realistic lucid dreams before that he doesn't think too hard on it. ]

[mylawn]

I dunno. Are you?

[But the look on his face is more than a little suspicious--of both what Henry is saying and of the fact that he seemed to fall asleep not of his own accord. That in itself sets off alarm bells.]

All I can tell you is that I didn't mean to fall asleep.

[handsomefoil]

[ He breathes heavily out his nose, rubbing his hand against his neck. ]

I've had some history with falling asleep and experiencing some insane lucid dreams, so I suppose I can say with some confidence that I am. Don't intend on falling asleep but doing it anyway— [ He gestures towards the general direction of the mess hall.]

Fell asleep against a partition in the cafeteria. Definitely didn't mean to fall asleep there, either. [ After a beat. ] Nothing particularly unusual or alarming about your dreams?

[mylawn]

[76 is still a little loath to admit that he was caught off guard, even if it seems that this is a widespread problem. It's difficult for him to confess to weakness, especially the kind that implies he was taken unawares.

He makes a sort of hm noise in the back of his throat, considering.]

Don't usually remember them.

[They're always the same thing, anyway, but 76 manages to look increasingly uncomfortable about these revelations.]

[handsomefoil]

Aye, that's a shame.

[ With a tone that says it's not a shame at all. He'd certainly feel just Fine without having to remember such a bizarre thing from his sleep. ]

Guess you got off lucky. You still using this?

[ He gestures to the punching bag, balling his fists up and ready to begin venting his frustrations on it regardless of 76's answer. ]

[mylawn]

[He seems to consider that for a moment, trying to decide whether or not it's a good idea to physically exert himself after experiencing involuntary slumber, and possibly supernatural dreams. Loath as he is to do it, he should probably give himself a moment.]

All yours.

[What he isn't going to do is stay in the warm spot, no matter how tempting it is. 76 picks himself up with a grunt, then makes for his water bottle, left discarded nearby.]

[handsomefoil]

[ His fist connects with the bag the moment 'yours' leaves 76's mouth. It's a solid hit and he seems to taken most of 76's pointers to heart. While not exactly fighting a live opponent, his stance and posture certainly looks better. Seems someone had been training on his own in between that time.

As he focuses on his sets and gets into the rhythm of it, he lets 76's presence blend in with the background but not entirely forgotten. After a few minutes when he finally breaks away for a rest, he breathes out. ]

So, what do you think?

[mylawn]

Of what?

[It's clear that despite Henry's display, 76 has drifted off in thought and wasn't exactly paying attention--perhaps he just didn't realize that he was meant to. He manages to look a little apologetic when he realizes what Henry is talking about.]

You wanted me to watch you.

[handsomefoil]

[ He laughs, a little out of breath, as he starts up another set. Slower than the last, he allows himself some room to converse. ]

Nah, not really. Just in case you were, though, thought I'd ask.

[ After a couple punches, he breathes in deeply, pausing his punches. He winds up for a combo that he normally executes with ease while wielding a saber. It's not too different without it, just using well-placed punches in place of swings, and darts over and around the bag with that same high-speed he'd displayed during their training. Nothing a trained eye (like a super soldier's) couldn't follow, but still too fast to be considered normal. ]

[mylawn]

[It's still a little awkward, and 76 knows he should leave, but he's still feeling a little groggy from his unplanned nap. Perhaps he should make sure Henry doesn't succumb as well--being alone right now seems like a bad idea.

So this time he does pay attention, taking note of the way Henry seems to have adjusted since 76 gave him some pointers. Again, he sees him move much faster than an ordinary human should be able to. This time, he speaks up.]

You got something going on, or are you just fast?

[handsomefoil]

[ He slows down, considering the answer. That's sort of a strange one to consider, actually, so he hums thoughtfully before replying. ]

I think I might just be fast— [ Then he demonstrates a shadow step, which from a distance is easier to see than for a person up close (as 76 had been when they sparred). But it's still Henry being in one spot one second and in a completely different spot the next like he'd teleported a very short distance. ]

Or might be something going on. I'm actually not too sure. What exactly do you mean by 'going on'?