video. open to all lockets.

[cerebral]

I need help. [Charles looks more like how he'd been when he arrived in the Drabworld nearly two years ago - longer hair, a full beard, only this time he was dealing with piecing his mind together bit by bit rather than recuperating from years of substance abuse. While he talks, he continually looks off at something at the corner of his eye, blinks, before refocusing on the locket again.]

Not with getting anywhere, or anything like that. Look - I can't be the only one who was wounded during the battle. I was before then. I'd gone through something some weeks before, but... I don't know. I don't know if everything made it worse, or if it kept it from getting better. [He runs a hand through his hair out of nervous habit. Wherever he is, there's not a lot of people surrounding him and with good reason. There are times when his telepathy threatens to overwhelm him again and it's better to be away from large crowds right now.]

It's my head. My mind. [There's a deep sigh, before he pushes forward because fuck his career as a spy - ] You remember when you shared memories with one another? I can do that naturally. And because of everything - I can't sleep very well, not very well at all.

[There's more to it than that but doesn't want to get into the nitty gritty; he's sure people can infer. Mumbling - ] Where can any of us even go right now? [A moment later and he clears his throat.]

I would also...I'd like to know who's still here. Even if we haven't met in person before. Fuck, even if we hated each other. It's a wild new world and, God - [He smiles for the first time, bright and abrupt, in spite of everything that happened.] There was mention of a party? I need a party. A week's worth.

Comments

video;

[desperate_times]

I find a shot of whiskey helps me sleep at night, but I'm guessing you'd need something a lot stronger than that.

[It was a bit of a joke, maybe. It's her way of being sympathetic.]

[cerebral]

Whiskey and I probably shouldn't be on speaking terms when it comes to this particular matter. [He smiles, though, not in the least offended.] Maybe once this has been sorted.

[desperate_times]

You don't speak with whiskey. You let it do all the talking, gorgeous.

[She smiles.]

Especially at a party.

video.

[scinlae]

[ Concern bubbles up like blood to a newly opened wound, spreading across her face without cause to stop. He reminds her of the days she could not sleep, of the days of dreams that never seemed to stop, visions of futures that she could do nothing to stop. Visions of Arthur's death when she wanted nothing other to keep him breathing.

Morgana inhales sharply and decides she cares little for who else saw the look upon her face. ]

Charles.

[cerebral]

[Charles looks back from whatever is distracting him from focusing on the locket proper and gives a rich, pleased smile for all the exhaustion around the edges.]

What is it, dear? [He has a similar disregard these days. In fact he's struck with a sudden urge to find her and be there in her company, wherever that may be, just because he can.]

[scinlae]

You look terrible. [ There is little point in pointing out the obvious, but she does it regardless. Small talk to fill the space of silence, of sharp green eyes trying to fathom where he could be. ] Have you been eating?

[Video]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid doesn't know this man, but he is asking for help and never has Diarmuid been able to resist helping those in need. Especially when he has something in his possession that might very easily offer that assistance.]

I know we have not met before Good Sir, but I was once given some incense that was charmed to provide deep and nightmareless sleep. I do not need to sleep, so have not used it myself. However, if there is a chance it might help you get some of the sleep you seem to so desperately need, I will be more than happy to have it sent to you.

[He might not be able to help with the odd 'memory sharing' abilities the man speaks of, but that doesn't mean he won't help in the ways that he can.]

[cerebral]

That's very kind of you, although if it's booned - [He tilts his head. He'd feel guilty, even for all that he's going through.] I wouldn't let the favour go unreturned. I can say that much.

[Between his strange abilities and his few resources here (and who knows what might come), he could repay the favour in some way.]

Then we're meeting now, in a fashion. I'm Charles. Formerly Seelie Court.

[oathshackledbird]

It was not booned. It was merely a gift I was given for a job well done. I have no problem gifting it to one who needs it more than I do in return.

[He shakes his head.]

I ask for nothing in return other than perhaps a lessening of the difficulties you face. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have the abilities you describe.

[Diarmuid is a kind enough person that he doesn't worry about being repaid for everything he does. Indeed, knowing he has helped another is more than enough.]

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, also formerly of the Seelie Court. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Charles.

video

[notavirtue]

Explain how sharing memories has affected your sleep.

[Javik hesitated, then decided to be slightly less demanding.]

My kind share thoughts, memories and emotions naturally as well. It is not a talent we shared with humans.

[cerebral]

[A flash of relief crossed Charles' face in spite of Javik's manner. Finally, someone who's encountered something similar.] I'm not human. I'm a member of an evolving sub-species. And by the sounds of it, I can do what your kind can do - I'm a telepath.

[He does his utmost best to focus and keep his speech ordered.]

I think - I was exposed to something several weeks before the battle. I lost control of my abilities in a disastrous way and then there was the entire...everything, in the gem. [Overwhelming, to say the least.] And now - it's like the volume in my head is wrong. One minute things will be silent, the next I'm getting everything at once. The things I saw well up in my mind like they're happening in front of me. When I do sleep, I have nightmares. But I don't think they're mine.

[notavirtue]

[At this point, Javik didn't have it in him to be annoyed that someone looked human, but claimed otherwise. Most of them weren't telepaths, though.]

You will need to be more specific. Exposed to what?

[Magic, probably. Still, having delusions or hallucinations when your mind was so sensitive was never a good thing. Too bad Javik wasn't a doctor.]

If they are not yours, then find a way to remove them. My people could do this - store memories to preserve them, or be rid of them. If, because of your telepathy, these nightmares are from an outside source... then I do not know the solution.

video;

[babbylon]

[Oh, dear. Gilgamesh feels almost compelled to respond, this poor soul is so miserable. Not even he can find any amusement in it.]

Peace, man. You do yourself no favors when in such a panic.

[cerebral]

[One of them can. Charles smiles crookedly at Gilgamesh's treaty.] Panic? This is an improvement.

[babbylon]

I would hardly say so. You appear on the verge of implosion.

[Nice, Gilgamesh. Way to exercise that nonexistent tact.]

Have you need no comfort to seek in another's arms? A magical draught that might ease you, a kindly fairy that might cure you? There must be something that would soothe your ails. I've no powers of mollification, but perhaps...

voice;

[arla]

[ She frowns at her locket, uncertain what to say. He doesn't look well. How can one stop other memories and voices from filtering through if that is natural to them? ]

I sometimes drink a certain tea before bed but...I don't think that will help you here.

[ She isn't certain there's anything to be done. ]

Do you have any ideas of how we can assist you without making things worse?

[cerebral]

No - tea is nice, though. And a friend of mine gave me a potion a long time ago, but it's best not to drink it too often.

[Charles shakes his head.]

People who can do what I can are very rare in my world. I met one, once. There were no doctors or healers with any insight. But I thought here, maybe, maybe there was someone or something. It's worth a shot, right?

[arla]

I can find some herbs to help alleviate the pain. Beyond that, there's little else I can do except actual healing and even then... It would be for the physical headache, not for anything happening within you.

[ She wishes Cole was around. Perhaps he could help Charles untangle the knots. ]

Is it an emotional upset? Or is it more...physical, biological?

[ Sorry, Charles, she's not familiar with telepaths. ]

[brainiest]

... Charles?

[ Hermione breathes out a noise, a huff of air and crossed arms. ]

You should come to my house. Soon. We can work this out.

[ He's seen her Pensieve. He knows what she might be able to do. ]

» private

[cerebral]

I'd just thought of it. [Thanks to Javik.] But I think it'd be a lot more complicated than we're used to. And it would take time.

[Forewarned is forearmed.]

And I'd like to keep it between ourselves until we know it can work.

» private

[brainiest]

We can work on it together. There's not just the Pensieve, there's some memory charms and other things I can do with you. It doesn't matter how long it takes, I'll do it.

[ For Charles. ]

I won't tell anyone, I swear.

video.

[metalica]

[ He really, truly cannot help himself. ]

Did you teach your students with that mouth, Charles?

[cerebral]

[Of course he can't. Good thing they're in terrible company.]

I do a lot more with it than that.

video

[cinnamoned]

[There's a frown as she bites her lip. Charles. Asking for help. Instinctively, she wants to ask where he is, if he's hurt. But that doesn't quite seem to be it.]

Help? I'm not sure what Hermione has taught me will help with something like that. Injuries, I might help with enough until someone else more skilled could get there. But this.....you will find someone, won't you?

[Snow, Charles is not a child and you are not his mother. But that still does not stop her fretting all the same. Worrying about her friend, even amid the relief of knowing he's still around at all in all of this. One more familiar face.]

I think we could do with a party, yes. After all this.

[cerebral]

I'm trying, at least. And you mentioned the one person who possibly could. We just spoke.

[It's okay Snow, everyone can use an adult sometimes even if they are one. He looks weary as he tries for a genuine smile - ] God, but I'm glad to see you're alright.