[022]

[grip_on_reality]

[in the library, Menzies is sitting in a chair with a book in her lap, but that is everything about her appearance today that could be considered somewhat normal. at the moment, she isn't reading the book. in fact, what she is doing right now is staring at the floor as though she expects something on it to be staring back at her. she's even pulled her legs up to curl them underneath her in the chair, like she's in the middle of one of those jokes about the floor being lava]

[anyone who takes a closer look at her will notice a number of other strange factors in her normally-neat appearance, too. she's dressed casually in jeans and a blouse, her hair pulled back, but it's partially falling out of the hair tie, her clothing is rumpled, and her expression is one of weariness mixed with frustration. there are dark circles under her eyes, too. she obviously hasn't been sleeping well, and she looks suspiciously like she might have been napping in those clothes recently]

Damnit, what is that? What the hell are you!?

[also, she is shouting at the floor. because she is quite possibly at her wit's end at this point and has apparently ceased to care whether someone might overhear. either that or she's just assuming no one is around--incorrectly, as it turns out. still, from the state of her, wise characters might not approach her today...but then again, is wisdom really a strong suit for most residents of the Plane?]

Comments

[betrayedtwin]

[By now, finding Patricia has changed from a game of "where on the Plane is she?" to "in which section of the library can she be found?". Things have been busy back home, so it's been a few days since he last spent any time with her. He remembers she didn't exactly have the most pleasant 'night' sleeping; he himself wasn't sleeping well either, but for a different reason. Theta's been thinking of the Alpha a lot and gets scared... The most he can do is calm him down and remind him he's safe. He won't let anything happen to him. Or anyone else he cares for.

He's a couple stacks away when he hears her shout that last time and he runs towards her voice. When he finally finds her, she'll see he's in his civvies and carrying a thermos with an old, gray pullover hoodie slung over the same arm. Worry is practically knitted into his expression as he closes the distance between them. He almost wishes he was in his armor so he and Theta can track what she's yelling at.]

Trisha, what's wrong? What did you see?

[grip_on_reality]

[she jumps when she hears North's voice since she was too focused on the floor to see him coming] North!

[she can't help looking startled to see him. she really did think she was alone, and she can't help feeling embarrassed about how worried she's obviously just made him. after all, people don't come barreling through the stacks like that for nothing]

[so she straightens, reaching to smooth her hair as if in an attempt to hide how disheveled she really is] Nothing. [a bit tentatively, she untucks her legs, sitting properly in the chair now] Just...the damn thing in the floor. I keep hearing it, but I 'aven't actually seen it. [she sighs, frowning in frustration] Have you?

[betrayedtwin]

That didn't sound like nothing. [He sets the things he's carrying down on a small table near her before he kneels down in front of her. Gently, if she'll let him, he takes her hands in his. He doesn't speak immediately; he's trying to hear whatever it is she's hearing.]

I...don't hear anything. [His voice is soft; he doesn't want to admit that. Just what kind of implications could that have?] What is it? Maybe my ears are just plugged.

[Theta kindly reminds him that they aren't.]

[grip_on_reality]

[she lets him take her hands, and she holds her breath as he kneels there silently; she knows that he must be listening. but that reaction, that need to listen, scares her. it isn't what she was expecting. mentally, she's now desperately trying to work out exactly what is going on. because she can't understand why he's acting like he hasn't heard the...thing...already. she's been hearing it--them--for days and in buildings all over the Plane. he has to have heard them before--doesn't he?]

[as they listen now, she doesn't hear anything at first either--until right in the middle of him speaking. she flinches reflexively, her hands tensing in his grip, but she can't miss the fact that he doesn't react at all. she swallows hard]

It's that. But if you didn't hear it...scuttling...just now, maybe we should restart this conversation.

[she doesn't know what else to say. what do you say when someone close to you has just gently pointed out that you're apparently hearing things? because while she doesn't know what hearing invisible creatures in the floor might mean, she's sure it can't be anything good]

[betrayedtwin]

Scuttling? [He frowns but starts to rub his thumbs back and forth on the backs of her hands.] No, we don't have to start over again, but...here.

[He reaches for the thermos. The hoodie can wait for a little later.] I brought you some coffee. Figured you might want some. [There's a small smile on his face. He's not saying she looks like she could use something to keep her awake, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that something is up. At least "scuttling" doesn't sound like vampires or anything else they've recently encountered.]

How about instead of a restart, we take a few steps back. Maybe something's preventing me from hearing or seeing what's bothering you.

[grip_on_reality]

[she accepts the thermos numbly] Cheers. [she tries to give him a smile, but the expression is weak. so she opens the thermos, taking a grateful drink, before she says anything else]

[but at his rather generous comment, she frowns at him] I'm betting you've got it backwards. And I bet you know it, too. [she pauses, considering what to tell him. and then, taking a deep breath, she steels herself and says:] Put an ear to the floor. I mean--not to listen for the creature. Something else. Tell me if you hear it.

[she sincerely hopes he does. that sound, at least, is constant, if faint]

[betrayedtwin]

[He looks away slightly. She's made him. He wants to believe what he said is the case, but lately, the Plane has had it out for her.]

Okay.

[Lying down on his stomach near her feet, he does as she asks him to do and presses his ear to the ground. And stays there for a good minute. He wants to hear it--for her sake--but ultimately, he lets out a small, disheartened sigh.] I'm sorry, I don't hear it. [He sits up, still resting at her feet.] Is it just here that you're hearing it? How long has this been going on?

[grip_on_reality]

[she waits hopefully, saying nothing. she doesn't want to tip him off to what he's listening for--he might lie and claim to hear it just to comfort her. but when he gets back up, admitting defeat, she sighs. and then she slides forward, leaving the chair to kneel beside him] My turn. [and she leans down, putting an ear to the floor. immediately and distinctly, she hears the sound of gears turning in the distance. and so she sits back up beside him, a little shaky] Right. Just me, then. That's...not what I was expecting.

[which is putting it lightly. she crosses her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling cold. refusing to give in to fear, though, she starts to answer his questions--but as she does so, she looks straight forward instead of toward him. she doesn't want to see the worry in his eyes] If by "here" you mean the Plane, yeah. But it's anywhere on the Plane. Not as loud if it's the floor of a building instead of the Plane floor itself, but...still there.

How long, well... [she sighs] Since about the last time I saw you. Since... [she hesitates] Since the nightmare started. And that does happen everywhere--here or Manchester. Any time I try to sleep. [she swallows hard, still refusing to look his way. despite her exhaustion, her expression is steely. but if anything, her refusal to show her emotions is a sign of just how scared she is right now]

[betrayedtwin]

[Quietly, he listens to her talk, and he definitely looks worried the more she goes on. He moves closer to her, putting an arm around her shoulders to pull her in close in an attempt to comfort her.] That...explains the last time I saw you.

["Concerned" doesn't begin to cover how he feels about what she's going through. He wonders why the noise and nightmares are torturing her the way they are. He has nightmares from time to time, too, and after he got Theta, he didn't realize how often he did, though he's never been able to really remember them.] Do you want to try my reality? I...have some paperwork I need to do, and I can do that in my room while you have a nap.

[grip_on_reality]

[she lets him, using their new position as an excuse to avoid seeing his face--and to keep her expression from him. she's had nightmares regularly for a long time, too--ever since she started coming to the Plane. but she never remembered them before now. and though he probably doesn't realise it, she meant what she said literally: the nightmare. a single one, over and over again. meaning that for the past several days, she's had three things haunting her together: a frightening nightmare, the sound of gears, and creatures in the floor. she wishes they weren't torturing her either, but as hard as she's been trying not to let them get to her, she can't help it]

[and at his offer, she stiffens, immediately shaking her head] I...no. I don't think that's gonna make a difference. [really, she doesn't want him to see her wake. because it's always the same, and in the end, she's struggling for breath, suffocating in her own mind]

Besides, we'd be wasting a whole thermos of coffee! [she tries for a light tone, glancing back at him with a wan attempt at a teasing smirk]

[betrayedtwin]

You're welcome to try, though. [He smiles back at her, hoping that will encourage her more than a thermos of coffee.] Everything worked out pretty well the last time you stayed with me. And I can always reheat the coffee when you wake up. Or we can do try it later when the caffeine's worn off.

[Gently, he presses a kiss to her head.] I can't stop the nightmares, but I can be there for you at the end of them. [He pauses slightly, listening, then he adds with a soft chuckle:] And Theta too.

[grip_on_reality]

[she frowns at him and sighs, knowing just from the expression he's making that she's going to end up defeated. managing a wry smile, she says:] You know, most people in a situation like this would probably send a person to a therapist. But not you! I'm...hallucinating...and having a recurring nightmare, and what's your suggestion? Sneak onto a secret military base. Points for originality at least.

[but her expression drops and a shiver runs through her as she hears that scuttling noise again, like whatever it is is right underneath them. she has to force herself not to look, taking a deep breath as she tries to stay calm. it's the proof she needs that leaving is the best option, leading her to burst out:] All right! Fine. We'll try it. [she scowls, glad at least that he's planning to work rather than try to sleep while she is. if it weren't for that, she might still be protesting]

[with that said, she pauses, considering what exactly to plan. but it doesn't take her long to decide] Well, since I've got a feeling if I say later, you won't leave me alone in the meantime, why not now? I 'aven't 'ad much caffeine yet. We'll go when you're ready. [and she turns, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before she pulls herself free of his embrace, standing and closing up the thermos] I'll be right 'ere waiting. [gesturing at the hoodie, she adds:] Don't forget your shirt.

[despite her brusque manner, the kiss was her way of showing how much she appreciates this. because, though she won't admit as much, the sounds in the floor have her scared, and she can't simply escape to Manchester because she knows she's in no state to work. being able to get off the Plane for a while is a relief--even if she is still reluctant to let North see any more clearly how badly this is affecting her]

[betrayedtwin]

Hey, why break something that works? Think of it as an invitation. [He gives her hand a reassuring squeeze before starts extracting herself from him, though. He doesn't think she's hallucinating. After all, he's just one person... Someone else may be able to hear the things she's hearing. The kiss, however, speaks volumes for her, and that means far more to him than anyone will ever realize.]

I'm ready now. [He climbs to his feet but looks a little sheepish when she mentions the hoodie.] Oh, uh... That's actually for you.

[He hands it to her as he touches her shoulder, dropping them to his reality before he continues his explanation. It's a good thing he had been in his room when he dropped. Random passerbys are more likely during this time, but they know he and Theta have work to do. The class about AI has homework, a fact that amuses him since he can't remember the last time he actually had to do homework.

The little AI pops up on his desk, but there are no skateboards or anything this time. Just him floating on the edge and saying nothing for now. North gives him a little nod and turns to Menzies as he holds the hoodie out to her.] I wanted you to have this. There...are times where I won't always be able to come and see you. But I want you to have something of mine that you can turn to and hopefully find some comfort in when you're upset or scared. [He's sure it's going to seem way too coincidental, but after they parted, the way she was had just been niggling at his mind and now it's been a few days...]

[A beat.] And if you want, you can borrow one of my shirts to sleep in. Just for a change of clothes. [A small, teasing smile plays on his lips. He doubts she'd want to sleep in those clothes.]

[fallbythesword]

[Jacqli likes to think she's plenty wise, especially compared to quite a handful of others here on the Plane. But all of that is going to get tossed right out the window once she sees the state of Menzies.

She'd come to the library to read for pleasure. Instead, she enters just in time to hear her snapping at the otherwise empty library, and finds her just in time to see her curled up in her chair, glaring down at the floor like it's intending to swallow her up.]

... Menzies.

[She makes her way over, firmly, fearlessly.]

What's going on?

[grip_on_reality]

...Miwa? [Jacqli may never have seen Menzies look as startled as she does to see Jacqli approaching her now]

I... [but she shakes her head, at a loss for words] Honestly? I don't know. [she's too embarrassed to have been caught out looking so vulnerable to think of anything else to say. and so she straightens in the chair, tentatively untucking her legs, slightly torn between staying away from...whatever it is...and trying to look more composed]

[but keeping her tone carefully calm, she attempts to describe what Jacqli just saw in as logical a manner as she can do, particularly after that mad display] Just...the damn things in the floor. I keep hearing 'em, but even out on the Plane, I 'aven't managed to spot a single one.

[this is, of course, working on the mistaken assumption that everyone else is also hearing things in the floor]

Have you seen what it is?

[fallbythesword]

Seen what?

[Not only is she incredibly puzzled by 1) how frazzled and startled Menzies was before as well as 2) the fact that she's trying to cover that up now like there's any reason for it (or use in it, in all honesty), she's also more than a little bit baffled that Menzies is implying that she should be seeing something at all. What is going on here?

... Did she miss something ??

She shakes her head, looks to the floor, then back up to Menzies with a shrug.]

I haven't seen anything - in the floor, or anywhere, really.

[grip_on_reality]

[well, that reaction is another surprise. Menzies frowns] Wait. You mean you 'aven't even heard 'em? [there's a sinking feeling in her stomach at that thought. because she's been hearing the noises in the floor for days and in different places all over the Plane. she can't understand why Jacqli wouldn't already know what she's talking about--unless they're not audible to everyone]

[or...not real]

[but before she starts to contemplate what that might mean, she decides to check the logical explanation first. so she asks, a bit nervously:] You've been on the Plane recently, right?

[fallbythesword]

I haven't heard anything, no.

[She watches Menzies very carefully for a moment, wondering just where she's going to go with this next. Jacqli's already coming to the conclusion that this must be some kind of experiment. It seems the most likely explanation, at least.]

Yes. I've been spending quite a lot of time here.

[grip_on_reality]

[her expression hardens. that wasn't the answer she was hoping for] Just me, then. Suppose I shouldn't be sur--prised. [she flinches when she hears the noise again, causing a hitch in the middle of the word. and she can't miss the fact that Jacqli doesn't react to the sound at all, confirming her suspicions even more]

Damnit, how is that not real!? [she scowls, running a hand across her face in a gesture that shows her exhaustion more than she'd like. with a sigh, she says:] Sorry, Miwa. Not my best week. This place never gets tired of its tricks, does it?

[fallbythesword]

[Jacqli's only reaction is to blink when Menzies flinches, her eyes narrows all over again. You know, she really, really hates this place. A lot. Damn it.]

You don't owe me an apology. [She shakes her head.] Just do what you can to remember that none of it is real. [A pause.] Would it do any good to tell me exactly what you keep hearing?

[grip_on_reality]

[her annoyance at the Plane is still clear in her tone] Yeah. You know, I would 'ave done that from the start if I'd known it was fake. [she frowns] Well, that bit, at least...

Ah...not sure. [she shifts, fiddling with the book in her hands a bit in nervous agitation. with most people, her response would be a fervent no, but she trusts Jacqli. and there's something about her--something Menzies wouldn't be able to articulate. but Jacqli doesn't judge like regular people. she's more logical than that and, in an odd way, more accepting. it makes Menzies feel safer being open about an issue that could bring her mental stability into question]

[so after a moment's thought, she sighs and gives her a wan smile] All right, don't think you're gonna call me mad, so there's that. And I suppose it can't 'urt--in case I'm not the only lucky recipient of this one. [a remote possibility, maybe, but it's easier for her to think of this in terms of how she might help others than to think of helping herself]

So to start, there's...a sound like something's in the floor. An animal or something. [she pauses, struggling for the right word to describe the sound] I hear it sort of...scuttling. Not all the time, but enough that it's like it's always around. I mean, I was assuming there was more than one since it doesn't seem to matter where I am on the Plane, but maybe that's just because it's...in my 'ead.

[she moves on brusquely from that admission, though] Okay, second. Trying to investigate that, I found out that if I put an ear to the floor, I can 'ear...gears turning. Like a literal machine. Not sure if that's been going on for the same amount of time as the scuttling since I don't normally 'ave an occasion to put an ear to the ground, but it seems likely. And that is constant.

And... [her expression darkens] Well, just to put some icing on the cake, I'm sure, I've also been 'aving...a nightmare. [she hesitates, trying to think of what to say. of the three, this is the hardest for her to talk about, being purely in her mind as it is] I mean...not that that's so strange? But I actually remember it. And more than that, that one's not just restricted to the Plane. It 'appens in Manchester, too. [she pauses for a beat, swallowing hard before she adds:] For days now. Every time I try to sleep. The same nightmare.

[that said, she looks up at Jacqli now, her gaze steady and jaw set, resolutely hiding how scared she is to see the other woman's reaction] That's all of it.

[fallbythesword]

[She takes in all of that before she even speaks up. And, well, first things first - some confirmation.]

Gears... That isn't a new sound. Anyone with incredibly sensitive hearing can pick up on a grinding, mechanical noise while they're here.

[She's heard it herself, for one - but only because she was pointedly paying attention, after having read about a previous case, someone who used to be here but doesn't seem to be anymore.] So, no. It isn't entirely hallucination, even if I haven't heard any of the... scuttling you've mentioned.

[She crosses her arms. She really is remaining entirely neutral about this. No, she doesn't think Menzies is off of her rocker. She could probably stand to be a little more sympathetic, though, but she's also working under the assumption that Menzies will be okay if she just pulls herself together and focuses. But... maybe that is positive reinforcement after all - because she actually believes Menzies is capable of doing so, unlike other humans.]

Nightmares are always troublesome. Is there anything in your world that can give you sleep without dreams? Medicine, herbs, rituals...?

[grip_on_reality]

It's not? [she frowns, not sure what to make of that news] Well, I 'aven't got special hearing, and I didn't used to hear it, but...all right, so that one's real. That's...interesting. [she can't decide if it's good or bad news, really, but either way she's grateful to know a bit more about it] 'ave you 'eard it, then?

[Menzies is only hoping that she can live up to that sort of opinion and be okay despite these challenges. because she'd like to think that she can handle this, but it's surprising how hard focus can be when you're sleep-deprived. still, she certainly doesn't plan to give in to blind fear either, so she continues trying to be logical, dealing in facts rather than emotional responses. and if anything, Jacqli's response is encouraging to her--it keeps that focus going]

Ah, tried that--medicine, I mean. I still 'ad the nightmare, and it meant after it woke me up, I fell asleep again and...it repeated. [she makes a face; she'd really been hoping that would solve the problem] I mean, I did sleep longer, so it's not a bad idea. But it was just as interrupted. [she sighs] Really, I wouldn't mind any of this so much if I could sleep for more than a couple hours at a time. [her expression tightens into a scowl] But apparently this place 'as other ideas for me right now.

[fallbythesword]

[She shakes her head.] My hearing isn't particularly sensitive or advanced. I tried listening closely once, and I might have heard it. I don't know if I feel comfortable saying for sure that I did.

[She hates uncertainty. It's why she didn't volunteer the information right out. But Menzies asked, and she's not exactly going to not answer. That would be stupid.

She makes a face as well at the thought of longer sleep, but more instances of the nightmare. She'd been afraid of that.]

I'd offer other suggestions if I had any, but I don't. ... I'm sorry, Menzies.

[grip_on_reality]

[that frown stays right where it is] But it's distinct for me anyway... [she nods, as if Jacqli has just confirmed something for her, and files that information away. she hates uncertainty, too, which is exactly why she's eagerly taking note of anything she can learn about this] Thanks.

[but at Jacqli's apology, she looks back up at her in surprise. and then she gives her an actual wry smile--the first smile of any sort that she's properly managed all conversation--and throws her own words back at her] You know, you don't owe me an apology either. [though she appreciates the sentiment, especially coming from Jacqli as it is]

Just... [she pauses, trying to think of what a next step could even be in a situation like this] Keep an eye out for anybody else with similar...symptoms, would you?

[she knows full well that an experiment like this could be affecting her alone, but treating it more like a case than some sort of Plane vendetta against her makes it easier. still, thinking just of her own plans, she sighs and says resignedly:] Otherwise...I guess I'll just 'ave to see 'ow long it lasts. [trying for optimism, she adds:] You know this place--it's bound to get bored eventually. [her attempt at a smile now, however, is much less successful, and instead just looks strained and weary]