19. - Dream a little dream - Video.

[intersected]

[Oh my God, it's Chuck! But he doesn't look too good. He seems panicked, and he's clearly wearing a hospital gown (which does in fact close in the back). If anyone remembers his curly mop? Yeah, that's gone now, and in its place is a rather professional-looking haircut. If he were wearing a suit, he'd look like a different guy entirely - but the terror on his face is pure Bartowski.]

Wh-- no, I'm dreaming. I'm still dreaming, I can't be--

[He looks down at his hands. He's not wearing what he was in his dream - but they've already pulled the 'make him think he's awake' trick before, so he's being wary. He turns towards his door, opening it, intending to go back down the hallway in his house - and freezes.]

They can't know about this place, they can't, most of the time I don't know about this place, but I can't be back here, not yet--

I saw Sarah. I saw her. I saw her in here and now she's not and now I'm back here.

I have to be dreaming still. I have to. I can't go yet. She's looking for me, she has to be.

[And he sits back in his chair, looking at his hands again.]

Comments

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Sweetie, are you all right there? Can you look at the camera for me?

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Huh? I-- [oh whoops he's been recording.] --I guess I was talking to myself. Didn't realize I had this thing on...

[He looks at the camera. This girl's unfamiliar, which is good, probably - he read once that your brain can't make up people when you're dreaming. Maybe he's wrong. Being on the Barge is better than the alternative - and the lack of things exploding around him is beginning to make him think he's safe. Safe-ish, anyway.]

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

There we go. Hullo there! I'm Arkady, and you're on the Barge! We have something strange going on, again I suppose. I'm rather new here. You sounded like you were having a terrible time of it. Do you need anything?

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

[He blinks.] A flood? So the Admiral picked me back at the worst possible time...in the middle of a flood. [Sounds about right.]

I think...I think I'm going to be okay, it was just a real shock coming back like this. I'm Chuck, by the way. [He glances at his clothes.] And since I'm broadcasting right now, I think I'd better put something normal on before anyone else sees me.

[And you're on hold for about two minutes while he finds a geeky t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He returns, looking a little better off but still on edge.]

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, everyone's compelled to talk about their sex lives or something like that. It's very silly. Fortunately I don't really have a sex life right this second, so there's nothing to talk about.

Anyway, I am a Warden. I'll be helping out here and there too. Do you like tailgate party food?

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Oh, that...does sound pretty silly. [Floods. He did not miss the floods. Then again...better than the alternative.]

Uh, sure, I guess. Hot dogs and potato salad and stuff, right?

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

I just want to get you focused on the here and now and the future in this place, because you showed up acting like you took a side trip to Hell or something. It made me a bit sad. Are you sure you're all right, then?

We'll be doing a tailgate party soon as I can sort out the details. Also a spa day. You know, little things to make the craziness about seem less crazy.

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Side trip to hell? Yeah...that sounds pretty accurate, actually. And I'm all right for now, I think.

That's a pretty good idea.

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

That's good.

Would you like some tea and sandwiches?

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Um...yeah! That sounds great. [And you get a big goofy Bartowski grin!]

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

You're so cute! All right then, let's head down to the lunchroom and get you fed. Should I 'port something up from the pub?

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Ha ha, stop it, you're going to make me blush.

Um, sure? What...uh, what is 'porting?

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

Hee hee hee! [Yay, she's manage to distract him from whatever the horrors were.]

Teleporting! I'm a psychonaut!

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Psychonaut? Wasn't that a PlayStation game a few years back?

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

A psychonaut is a person with psychic abilities who is exploring the limits of both her abilities and the mind in general.

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[Pause. WAIT A SECOND.]

You're not reading my mind, are you?

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

No, luv, that would be rude! We have rules about such things. Freakangels Law.

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

[Freakangels...now that sounds vaguely familiar. For some reason. He's still not thinking right - it's been a rough few days for him and he's trying to make sure all of his brain is where it should be.]

That's good. Wouldn't want that kind of stuff happening without rules...

[Oh man this is going to bother him all day. Or at least until he figures it out.]

[can-has-vodka.livejournal.com]

I solemnly promise to wait for permission unless you're actually in danger.

[betrayalswager.livejournal.com]

A new arrival, this late in the month? Interesting.

[He doesn't sound particularly concerned about Chuck's agitation. That would be because he's not.]

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

New...? No, I'm a warden here. How long have I been gone?

[Aaanddd he checks the date.]

Three months?!

[betrayalswager.livejournal.com]

... You didn't know how long you were gone?

[Curiouser and curiouser.]

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

It was just supposed to be for a few days. Or a week at most. Man, I hate this ship sometimes.

[betrayalswager.livejournal.com]

I take it three months did not pass in the world you returned to? Time passes differently here, then. That's good to know.

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Actually, they did...

Like I said, I was only supposed to be gone for a few days. I just wanted to go home, see my friends and family for a little while. Then I guess I got sucked into other things... [Like looking for his mom, fighting Timothy Dalton, getting kidnapped, etc.]

[betrayalswager.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite sure what would compel you to return. You would do well to tread lightly for the next few days - there's a rather curious phenomenon that's affecting denizens of this ship.

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

Guess I'm a glutton for punishment...

Yeah, Arkady warned me about it. I guess I'm not affected since I returned in the middle of the flood. She said it was something about oversharing?

[betrayalswager.livejournal.com]

It's removed the inhibitions of those affected, yes.

Who is Arkady?

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

The nice...bald...British...lady.

[betrayalswager.livejournal.com]

Ah, her. I don't believe I've yet had the pleasure. I'm sure I will soon enough.

[VOICE]

[terminatefate]

We all wish we were dreaming. I've woken up too many times to realize that I'm not.

[she pauses to light a cigarette]

And it's fucking annoying.

[VOICE]

[scruffynerdhrdr.livejournal.com]

[Wat.]

...mom?

Re: [VOICE]

[terminatefate]

Probably not. [That said not unkindly] Not unless your name is John. You look like crap. Anything I can do?