poly_chromatic | Video | Forward dated to the middle of the night

[ Lucy is sitting up in bed, blankets rumpled around her. She's wearing pajamas and she looks exhausted because she hasn't slept well since she saw that cottage. She's twisting a strand of hair that's fallen out of a sleep-mussed ponytail around and around her finger, releasing it and twisting it again. There's a giant ginger cat curled up amidst the pillows. The edge of a sheet covered mirror can be seen not quite out of frame. She presses her lips together, teeth digging into her bottom lip before she releases it with a puff of air. ]

At what point in the whole insomnia cycle do you start seeing hallucinations? I've pretty much decided I'm going crazy because curses don't last this long. And yet...

[ She pauses, rubbing a hand over her face. ]

I'm sorry. I'm just tired and according to Fight Club, you can't die from insomnia so...[ She shrugs. ] I've lost my train of thought. Good night, City. I hope you all sleep better than I am.

[ She leans forward, flicking the recording device off. ]

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[Pavel is awake to see this pop up on the network (and why wouldn't he be? normal sleep cycles are for normal people) and replies promptly. He's outside somewhere; it's impossible to tell from the camera angle just where that somewhere is.]

Seventy-two hours, I think. We were briefed on torture techniques like this at the Academy, but Dr. McCoy would know for certain.

What are you seeing? Would you like company?

Kinda seems like going crazy is the theme around this place.

[ Oh Pavel... he should be careful outside at night.

Of course he knows how long until insomnia starts causing hallucinations. ]

An approximation is good enough.

[ She hesitates ]

Black, like mold or rot creeping up through my veins and spreading until my skin is entirely black. [ She nods enthusiastically.]

Yes. Please. If you're not busy doing something else.

You have no idea. It's practically a mission.

H-Hallucinations?

I guess I'm kinda, uh, learning. Slowly.

[He's careful! He was trained in--well, he didn't do that well with combat training, but he's great at sneaking around and running away.]

Are you seeing this actually, or in mirrors? I have heard of mirrors showing frightening things.

No, I can be there very soon.

In the mirrors. I thought maybe it was a curse at first, you know?

People usually do. You're new?

I'm Lucy, by the way.

Just in the mirrors. Yeah, I thought it was a curse at first and I know other people are seeing things. It just...hasn't gone away.

Thank you. The door is locked, but you've got your key, right?

Um, yeah. I'm Radu. Nice to, uh, meet you!

It will go away in time. These things always do.

I do, yes. Give me five minutes?

You too. HOw long have you been here?

[It's comforting to hear him say that. ] I know; It's just...weird.

[ There's a look of gratitude on her face. ]

Take as long as you need. I'll be here.

The City often is. I will see you soon.

[He hurries to her apartment, concerned. This isn't the first time he's let himself into her apartment at some ungodly hour of the night, but she seemed genuinely upset. That doesn't bode well.

Pavel makes it in under five minutes, lets himself in, and calls for Lucy (which is probably unnecessary, as animals aren't usually bad at announcing company.]

[ Indeed, Masha looks up from the pillow when he opens the door. Bryant ventures out from beneath the table and lets out a couple of deep barks. They know Chekov well enough not to put up much of a fuss though.

For Lucy's part, she gets out of bed and walks barefoot down the stairs to meet Chekov. She still looks mussed and exhausted, but she goes up on her toes to press a brief kiss to his lips before going back down to the flat of her feet to rest her forehead against his shoulder, leaning more of her weight on him than she usually does. She's absorbing all of the safety and security that Chekov generally makes her feel. ]

I made Red Velvet cake eariler and fried chicken if you're hungry.

[Pavel addresses Bryant in hushed Russian until Lucy comes down. She really does look like she could use some sleep.

He envelopes her in a hug and nuzzles the top of her head, trying to protect her from whatever it is that she's seeing in the mirrors and anything else that is troubling her. She must be troubled if she's been making fried chicken.]

Later, maybe. We could talk now, or stay like this.

[ Pavel is one of the people Bryant isn't scared of.

Lucy doesn't look up when she answers him. ]

Can we just stay like this? We can talk too if you want, or go sit on couch. I covered up the mirror in there earlier. [ She winds her arm around his waist. ]

Just stay close.

Who knows? It might be one of those extended curses. It is October.

[ He says this because several people on the Network -- himself included -- are having issues with mirrors. ]

Um, a week? Or so?

Yes, but let's stay like this over here.

[He maneuvers them to the couch, sparing the covered mirror a glance.]

I will.

Okay. Point and maybe I feel a little better.

How screwed up is that? I feel better knowing something is out of my control rather than it.

[ Maybe she's making progress as a control freak or maybe she's just used to the City by now.]

Ooooh. Have you been cursed yet?

[ She's fine with that, fairly pliable as she lets him guide her over to the couch.]

You're way too good to me, Pavel.

[ because this is always something she considers, but with what she's been seeing in the mirror lately, her insecurities are much closer to the surface. She knows Pavel is too good for her, she just choses to ignore it most of the time as he seems happy with her. ]

You keep saying that, Tsaritsa, and I keep not believing you.

[He hasn't used the pet name for a long while, but it feels appropriate given her apparent lack in faith in her worthiness. Pavel moves them into a comfortable semi-reclined position, Lucy's head on his chest, his arms still secure around her.]

What are you afraid of?

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Video | Forward dated to the middle of the night

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