Half My Life's In Books, Written Pages

[steadypulse]

Who: Soldier: 76 &anyone
Which: Open Interactive Dream; Quest #0901(Baby Tapirs) || Open Log
Where: Dream || Edge of forest and fields
What: The task of feeding baby tapirs within a dream || Recovering after a run in with some red caps, but also there's a fairy cow covered in blackberries.
Warnings: Weirdness that dreams can take on, especially ones edging bad. || Injury.

A.Tapirs

A rich orange sky with yellow clouds and streaks of blue as if it couldn't decide if it was daylight or sunset, fields and corn stalks well over six feet high. Went on for miles, stretched out as far as the eye could see. An old barn, farmhouse- all too far apart to be normal. Smoke rising in the distance but whatever fires they had to be coming from out of sight.

Quiet, with a man standing near some fencing just beside what looked like the start of a corn maze. A scowl on his face, one that didn't fit the young face just by the look of him- "Of course it's one of these," muttered, aware of what was happening to some extent. These were the types that could pull him in, but something had interrupted that.

There was a baby tapir by his foot, gnawing on an ear of corn that looked as if it was glitching between yellow and multicolored. Another wandering a little.

Sounds of groaning machinery was keeping it's distance, at least.

"How many of you got in here?" Little punks.

notice; replies for this prompt will be coming from statued

B. Blackberry Bramble

Had it been the smartest idea to take up the redcap iron hunt from the board alone? Possibly not, but he'd needed to do something, and why not take up one that would have had him fighting? Didn't imagine it would have been like stepping on a fire ant nest the moment he'd gone in to the ruins and brushed against some vines within. Gotten out, gotten some of the farm tools back along with some scrap he'd stashed away.

Currently? 76 was seated on a fallen over log, jacket set aside and already patched up, instead checking over bandaging on his arms. Not alone, however.

Grazing just beside him was one of those Fairy Cows, green leaves and ripe blackberries adoring it. He'd found it on his trip back-

"The moment this is re-wrapped?" A grunt, winding a bit of fabric around his forearm, talking to the cow, "You're going back. Probably safer for you back in your field with your friends." Hell of a day, really.

(ooc: feel free to tag in brackets, I'll match! Want something different? Just shoot me a PM or something and we'll discuss it.)

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[steadypulse]

[He let go, wrist slipping from his hand and eyes arrowed. Not out of anger, but more adjusting his sight, catching the shadows gathering from within the house. Okay.

76 glanced back at the tapirs before he was moving again, pulling a pillow casing off one of the throw pillows within reach. Fully expecting a bad reaction as he caught Kazuma by the back of his shirt and hauled him backwards, other hand pulling the fabric over his head. Some buffer for sound while still letting his breathe but-

Well. Make it dark, unable to see anything from beyond the pillow case. Crude, but 76 had an idea of what was wrong once things had started to pick up. Still held Kazuma against his chest.]

Keep your ears covered. Breathe. Kick if you have to. Keep screaming, whatever you feel you gotta do.

[... Well, there was a bit of that golden sheen and warmth to the pillowcase fabric, too. The hell even was that? He really wanted out of this nightmare.]

[chippedsoul]

[Catching Kazuma like that was like grabbing a wild animal. He tries to resists initially, not knowing what was happening. His claws grip and dig into the arm holding onto him, kicking to free himself. The familiar old man's voice reaches him and the struggling lessens.

He can't see anything, the voices are still screaming in his head. He grits his teeth, shutting his eyes. 76 said do whatever he felt he needed to do. Biting his arm through the pillow case is what he's going to do.]

[steadypulse]

That's it.

[The fighting was something 76 could take, didn't lessen his hold on Kazuma, holding him against his chest, remaining right where he was. Had an idea of the panic, what it was like to go through it, and even if this was his own nightmare? After everything there was just too much there to leave it alone.]

You're okay, kid. You're going to be okay. It'll pass, you can survive this shit.

[For once 76's voice was low, not as much of a growl; much comfort as he could give that way, something to latch on to if it could be managed. Did cut a glance back towards the baby tapirs, and even with their worries they seemed safe. He closed his own eyes tightly then, letting out a slow breath-]

Just have to wake the fuck up. [More to himself, but it was to Kazuma as well even if he was awake when he wandered in here.

Could feel things around them shifting, dizzying and like falling but not. Couldn't help that his arm tightened around Kazuma out of habit, as if ready to absorb some impact that never came.

What he did wake up to was a baby tapir nudging the top of his head, letting out a huff.]

Well that was terrible.

[chippedsoul]

[He expected some retaliation from 76. Onstead there were just words of encouragement from the old man. He won't let go then. He's sorry. He's so sorry. He's suppose to keep his cool in any situation. He hates this so much. A small part of him suddenly didn't want this to stop, knowing he'll have to deal with this ugliness afterwards.

But it did. His eyes were still closed, but he could feel the weight of the world suddenly lift around him. It seems he had been transported along with 76 to where he had been in the waking world as well. His grip was still so tight on 76, eventhough the nightmare had finally ended, his head now clear.

He'll eventually remember how to move his body, loosening his hold, releasing 76 from his bite. He still pretty shaken up to do much else.]

[steadypulse]

[Slow, deep breaths-]

Breathe- count to four, in and out.

[With the bite loosened, an arm still kept around Kazuma just to help steady him in that hold. Let him pull back at whatever pace as 76 took those slow and deep breaths himself. It wouldn't take the images or memories of what was seen away, but it could help fortify in a way.

A hand set against the top of Kazuma's head lightly, another grounding being offered. The ugliness not stopping him from offering it. And at least they were alone- save for some baby tapir that still had that golden glow around them, the blanket shape fading along with it slowly.]

It's okay.

[chippedsoul]

[He's breathing heavily, counting in his head. He also wanted to run. Grateful as he is that 76 is here to help him calm down, he still wanted to go somewhere else, away from people. Never has he felt this vulnerable and exposed.]

Dammit. [He breathlessly gets out a word, hands balling up into fists. He needs to calm down. The sooner he does, the sooner he can leave. A hand is suddenly resting on his head, the face of a father he hadn't seen since he was just a boy pops into his mind. Eventually his body becomes less tense, his breathing less erratic and more even.] Let me go. [His voice was soft, but steady.]

[steadypulse]

[Hell of a thing.

There was a slight movement of fingers, a pat that wasn't a pat, before 76 removed his hand from Kazuma's head an let his arm drop. A had still nearby just in case, but he was doing as asked. It was something he'd seen before, and experienced himself. Different reasons, but it was what it was.]

Take a minute or two. [Rough as 76's voice always was, there wasn't any judgement in his words.] Feel like you need a drink?

[chippedsoul]

[He moves so he wasn't sitting on top of 76 anymore. He could feel his surroundings again, and the cold sweat from his body. His back is to the man, unable to face him while he's like this. And that wasn't even his nightmare to be having such a reaction to. And now he's offering him a drink. Hah.]

I...thank you for offering, but I would like some time to myself. [He moves to try and stand, finding his legs weren't responding as they should. It's like trying to stand on noodles as he staggers.]

[steadypulse]

[A hand pressed against Kazuma's back after 76 hauled himself up to sit, one leg crossed under the other. More to act as a brace for him to stand on his own once he go his legs under him.]

Got it. [He did, but it didn't stop 76 from glancing around- and noticing his bag. Letting out a huff before he was pulling out something like a canteen that he'd bartered for around here. Setting that just within reach.]

Get some water in you, then try again. [Pushing himself up to his feet once it seemed like Kazuma was stable enough. Outside, where he had settled for a moment. Far away from people as he could get safely and still manage the baby tapir task from the board.] Be out of you hair once I'm sure you've got your feet under you.

[Give him that time to himself.]

[chippedsoul]

[He sees the canteen being offered, taking it without a second thought to down some water. Not the most elegant as he spills a bit of water, but he manages to get some into him. Back on his feet, he slowly walks over to 76 to return the canteen.]

Thanks. [His hand was shaking.]

[steadypulse]

[76 took the canteen back, and placed his other hand on Kazuma's shoulder with a light squeeze before pulling it back.]

... Anytime. Drink offer's still open, after you take some time. Got something tucked away, so don't have to go to a bar. [Keep away from crowds and noise, because this place likely had some nightlife with all the things and people around.

Took a step back, checking the canteen was closed tightly before tucking it in to his bag, hauling that up over a shoulder.]

You're not alone. Got it? [76 understood, even if in a different way.]

[chippedsoul]

Hah. Is it more of that moonshine stuff...? [He's tries to make light of the situation, but his quiet voice isn't very convincing.

He hear 76's assurance that he isn't alone, but it still feels like he is. He doesn't remember what it's like to really be in the company of others, to believe again. Well, perhaps Hyde did. All of his time and energy has been spent on completing one mission. These worlds have completely turned his upside down, and revealing all the holes inside him.]

I'll take a raincheck on that. [It's not an outright no. Maybe he's just paranoid that 76 knows. Definitely not because he yearns company, to feel normal for once. Did he even deserve it...? Either way, he'll take his leave now, returning to the refuge of his own home.]

[steadypulse]

That, and a bottle of whiskey I've got on hand. [Made with some very strange honey, but it added a good taste; honey whiskey of a different sort.

He was watching Kazuma closely, the mask at least hiding the intensity of it and concern that would be on his face. That bit of comfort for him not showing too much; wasn't unaffected by what was seen. He'd definitely be settling down with a bottle of it himself-

There was a slow exhale.] Know what it's like to need some time alone. Can cash in that raincheck whenever.

[There was a moment, strap shifted over his shoulder as 76 was moving to head to another area.]

In private, name's Jack. If it's easier than 76, at least.

[Then he would leave, just that be of an extended offer of- something he wouldn't put more words to than that.]