[ Is the nightmare getting worse? Maybe it's emboldened by his own conscious unease? Sholmes takes a deep inhale, focuses on Mikotoba's eyes, and releases it. Just a silly nightmare. ]

If you hadn't noticed-- [ Low along the floor, a rope of darkness lunges like a snake and Sholmes jerks himself around to block its trajectory. A cold, burning sensation twines around his ankle, and he yanks his leg free with a sudden chassé into the darkened kitchen. ] --this is a dream. And we're both in a nasty bit of trouble, my dear fellow.

[ Sholmes forces a wincing smile as he shakes off the lingering corruption in his leg. ] If you don't wake of your own accord, you leave me no choice but to get creative.