Raleigh Becket (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
righthemisphere) wrote2014-02-16 05:24 pm
righthemisphere) wrote2014-02-16 05:24 pm
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IC CONTACT
You've reached Raleigh Becket, please leave a message.
You've reached Raleigh Becket, please leave a message.
Image Received
[ enjoy this pic texted to you by Chuck while he's on patrol. He took it, saved it, and sent it to you. ]
[ enjoy this pic texted to you by Chuck while he's on patrol. He took it, saved it, and sent it to you. ]
[Good timing. He's been antsy. You're bribing his anxiety with dog pictures and it's working.]
Aw. Deerington's bravest hero.
Aw. Deerington's bravest hero.
Raleigh.
Sanity Check
[She just needs to counter what her head is telling her]
Sanity Check
[She just needs to counter what her head is telling her]
RALEIGH FUCKING BECKET WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU AND WHERE IS MY GODDAMN DOG[OW- he holds the phone away from his ear. It's a miracle the call is even connecting. Jesus Chuck you're going to give him brain bleed.]
First of all, loud. And second of all he had to go out. We're almost back to your place, okay?
First of all, loud. And second of all he had to go out. We're almost back to your place, okay?
Edited 2020-10-19 21:03 (UTC)
Are you a snow person? I don't mean a person made of snow, just... we've got a blanket of snow now. Is that good or bad to you?
This is me checking in on you, if that's not clear.
This is me checking in on you, if that's not clear.
[He hasn't bothered to change his user name from trolling chuck last week. Probably should. oops.
But oh Nile you always make him laugh.]
But oh Nile you always make him laugh.]
Hello to you, too. I'm pretty used to the snow. Alaskan and all. But my fingers are freezing just looking out the window lol.
You good?
If Raleigh didn't know better, he'd probably think Chuck forgot his birthday. When Chuck goes on patrol (he doesn’t, actually, he’s out all day shopping and cooking but patrol is a good excuse), he'll kiss Raleigh goodbye as usual (that's normal now, isn't it?) but he doesn't say happy birthday. He doesn't mention it at all. He just goes to work, sends Raleigh a bunch of pictures of his ‘patrol’, then texts him later in the day:
When Raleigh heads over to Chuck's that night, he'll notice that Chuck's lined the whole sidewalk up to his front door with little luminaries. When he lets himself in, he'll notice the living room is full of soft, flickering candles, and all the lights dimmed. On the kitchen island, the hanging lights are also low, and there's a pretty decent effort at a cheese board and two glasses of wine waiting to be consumed, all framed nicely around a bouquet of sunflowers. Chuck's actually in his kitchen, finishing up dinner.
It actually smells...good in here. Not like burned food, or like Chuck fucked something up. It smells like he actually managed to make a proper dinner.
"It's almost done," he calls over his shoulder, flashing Raleigh a cheerful, dimpled smile. "Now sit your ass down and catch up." Chuck's a glass of wine in, and Raleigh needs to be on his level.
dinner, 7pm, come to mine. When Raleigh heads over to Chuck's that night, he'll notice that Chuck's lined the whole sidewalk up to his front door with little luminaries. When he lets himself in, he'll notice the living room is full of soft, flickering candles, and all the lights dimmed. On the kitchen island, the hanging lights are also low, and there's a pretty decent effort at a cheese board and two glasses of wine waiting to be consumed, all framed nicely around a bouquet of sunflowers. Chuck's actually in his kitchen, finishing up dinner.
It actually smells...good in here. Not like burned food, or like Chuck fucked something up. It smells like he actually managed to make a proper dinner.
"It's almost done," he calls over his shoulder, flashing Raleigh a cheerful, dimpled smile. "Now sit your ass down and catch up." Chuck's a glass of wine in, and Raleigh needs to be on his level.
Edited 2020-12-10 18:37 (UTC)
Raleigh doesn't think much of the absence of birthday wishes, he hasn't had any for a long time and it's kind of stopped mattering without anyone to celebrate. Why bother? So saying something feels a little stupid. He wakes early as always and goes for his run with Sam, but doesn't say anything to him about what day it is. Doesn't matter. He doesn't know Sam well enough to mention it and they don't talk much.
But it's a nice routine and he wakes up so god damn early, even in Chuck's arms, by the time it's 6 he's just.. bored. He knows better than to try to get Chuck up to go with him and when he gets home he showers and gets right back into bed until Chuck wakes up. They kiss, they get dressed, they kiss good bye. It's nice. Domestic. Something Raleigh never thought he'd have for himself.
But it would be a lie to say he didn't at least wonder if Chuck knew it was his birthday.
If he knew he would say something, right?
He tries not to dwell on it but by the end of the day he's a little irritated. And irritated at himself for being irritated. Raleigh nearly texts back that he just isn't up for company today and is gonna spend the night alone to think, but knows that will only get a barrage of questions and he'll get called out for being butt hurt that the only person who could possibly know it's his birthday didn't say anything. It's childish but here we are.
So he comes for dinner. Ten minutes early, even, and stops in his tracks when he sees the lights in the snow lining the drive up to the house. They flicker merrily and the lemon where his heart should be eases in it's pedantic bitterness.
It eases even more when he comes in, and by the time he's got to the kitchen and sees Chuck cooking surrounded with candles and a romantic atmosphere all traces of vitriol are gone.
"What's all this for?" He asks, hopeful but wooed even if it isn't birthday specific, and sits as instructed. The wine is good and warms him immediately. It's the fancy red Chuck brought home for their date that one time.
"Smells good."
But it's a nice routine and he wakes up so god damn early, even in Chuck's arms, by the time it's 6 he's just.. bored. He knows better than to try to get Chuck up to go with him and when he gets home he showers and gets right back into bed until Chuck wakes up. They kiss, they get dressed, they kiss good bye. It's nice. Domestic. Something Raleigh never thought he'd have for himself.
But it would be a lie to say he didn't at least wonder if Chuck knew it was his birthday.
If he knew he would say something, right?
He tries not to dwell on it but by the end of the day he's a little irritated. And irritated at himself for being irritated. Raleigh nearly texts back that he just isn't up for company today and is gonna spend the night alone to think, but knows that will only get a barrage of questions and he'll get called out for being butt hurt that the only person who could possibly know it's his birthday didn't say anything. It's childish but here we are.
So he comes for dinner. Ten minutes early, even, and stops in his tracks when he sees the lights in the snow lining the drive up to the house. They flicker merrily and the lemon where his heart should be eases in it's pedantic bitterness.
It eases even more when he comes in, and by the time he's got to the kitchen and sees Chuck cooking surrounded with candles and a romantic atmosphere all traces of vitriol are gone.
"What's all this for?" He asks, hopeful but wooed even if it isn't birthday specific, and sits as instructed. The wine is good and warms him immediately. It's the fancy red Chuck brought home for their date that one time.
"Smells good."
[ Raleigh is the first friend Wu has made in Deerington, and now it's his birthday, and Raleigh's other friend said he liked beans, so here Wu is with several bags of uncooked beans from Hart Mart, wrapped up smartly in a bag with a bow on top. He also added some chocolate because beans is a weird gift to give someone, no matter how passionate one might be about beans.
He rides Naga over to Raleigh's house in Clark Acres, and knocks on his door.
If Raleigh isn't home, he leaves the gift on his front step with a note that reads: ]
Happy Birthday Raleigh!
I heard you liked beans, so here are some beans.
In the event that your friend was joking about you liking beans, there is also something else for you. I'm sure the beans could be useful for something else, like an art project or for throwing at people.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Your friend,
Wu
He rides Naga over to Raleigh's house in Clark Acres, and knocks on his door.
If Raleigh isn't home, he leaves the gift on his front step with a note that reads: ]
Happy Birthday Raleigh!
I heard you liked beans, so here are some beans.
In the event that your friend was joking about you liking beans, there is also something else for you. I'm sure the beans could be useful for something else, like an art project or for throwing at people.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Your friend,
Wu
[He picks this up later in the day, having been out of the house with the dog. He just.
Beans is.. weird but... Thank you Wu?
He'd send a message but he's gonna see you on Monday so he'll save it for then.]
Beans is.. weird but... Thank you Wu?
He'd send a message but he's gonna see you on Monday so he'll save it for then.]
[ Mako's been coooking.
Mako's been cooking a lot, because no one will let him do anything else, and he's very bored, and he still feels like he has to earn his keep in the home he's in now.
And since apparently today is Raleigh's birthday and Mako has been semi-reliably informed that he likes?? beans??? There is now a gift on Raleigh's doorstep, at the address Mako was given on his invitation: ]
[ Red bean buns! There's a whole steamer basket full of about eight of them, wrapped up in a cloth to keep them warm against the cold.
Included is a small note in blocky handwriting: ]
Raleigh, your friend said you liked beans, and I thought it was kind of weird to just get you beans. These are red bean buns. They have beans in them. The filling part.
If you want to reheat them, you can put this steamer over boiling water and let them steam for five minutes.
Happy birthday. I hope you like them.
-Mako
Mako's been cooking a lot, because no one will let him do anything else, and he's very bored, and he still feels like he has to earn his keep in the home he's in now.
And since apparently today is Raleigh's birthday and Mako has been semi-reliably informed that he likes?? beans??? There is now a gift on Raleigh's doorstep, at the address Mako was given on his invitation: ]
[ Red bean buns! There's a whole steamer basket full of about eight of them, wrapped up in a cloth to keep them warm against the cold.
Included is a small note in blocky handwriting: ]
Raleigh, your friend said you liked beans, and I thought it was kind of weird to just get you beans. These are red bean buns. They have beans in them. The filling part.
If you want to reheat them, you can put this steamer over boiling water and let them steam for five minutes.
Happy birthday. I hope you like them.
-Mako
Edited 2020-12-11 19:14 (UTC)
[Again with the beans??
Who keeps telling people he likes beans???
But hell yeah these look amazing, what a thoughtful gift.]
Who keeps telling people he likes beans???
But hell yeah these look amazing, what a thoughtful gift.]
[Thankfully he's gone, so Nile leaves several cans of baked beans arranged in a HEART shape on his porch, with 12 small bags of different dried beans stacked up in the middle of the pile. On top of that is a folded paper that simply says:]
Beans, beans, they're good for the heart
The more you eat the more you fart
The more you fart the better you feel
So eat beans with every meal!
Happy Birthday!
Beans, beans, they're good for the heart
The more you eat the more you fart
The more you fart the better you feel
So eat beans with every meal!
Happy Birthday!
[WHO KEEPS TELLING PEOPLE HE LIKES BEANS?!!!!]
[A heart shaped bowl is left some time later, this with a plastic cover over it to keep them clean, but it's full of dried beans of all kinds. There is a small bag of Jelly Beans left on top of it all, maybe to make up for the bean rush.]
[A new Poem was left.]
From jelly beans to jumping beans
And Jacks magic beans
Beans on toast and beans in your broth
Black beans and runner beans
Beans are taking over the World
Conspiring together in the supermarket.
Happy Birthday!
[A new Poem was left.]
From jelly beans to jumping beans
And Jacks magic beans
Beans on toast and beans in your broth
Black beans and runner beans
Beans are taking over the World
Conspiring together in the supermarket.
Happy Birthday!
[ It's not fancy. Just a can of beans left on his porch and a post it on top with writing scribbled in Sharpie. ]
HBD
- Sara
HBD
- Sara
[Lance saw Chuck's post, didn't reply but Raleigh's a cool dude so he'll join in on this obvious joke gift train.
Raleigh will be getting a gift basket full of Bush's Baked Beans cans surrounded by some nicely packaged assortments of all kinds of dried beans in plastic baggies wrapped in twine. On top of it is a birthday card, when opened, this song will start playing. And inside is written:
Happy Birthday, man. Don't let anyone tell you loving beans is weird.
-Lance]
Raleigh will be getting a gift basket full of Bush's Baked Beans cans surrounded by some nicely packaged assortments of all kinds of dried beans in plastic baggies wrapped in twine. On top of it is a birthday card, when opened, this song will start playing. And inside is written:
Happy Birthday, man. Don't let anyone tell you loving beans is weird.
-Lance]
[ No, there's no beans here.
Herc's voice is tellingly strained and it sounds like his lungs are about ready to give up on him, but he makes sure his words are clear in the message: ]
Blue-eyed zombie bastards on the streets. Regular weapons don't work on them. I'll be MIA for a bit, so watch Chuck for me. Stay safe.
Herc's voice is tellingly strained and it sounds like his lungs are about ready to give up on him, but he makes sure his words are clear in the message: ]
Blue-eyed zombie bastards on the streets. Regular weapons don't work on them. I'll be MIA for a bit, so watch Chuck for me. Stay safe.
Edited (icon) 2020-12-19 20:53 (UTC)
[Oh what the hell kind of voicemail is that??! Of course he tries calling back when he gets it but if Herc doesn't pick up, MIA like he said, then it is what it is. He'll send a text. Two little words that mean so much more. You can trust me. I won't let you down. I'll protect him. I've got this. I can't believe you trust me with your son. What the fuck zombies. Where are you going?? MIA how?!]
On it.
Edited (Html) 2020-12-22 00:37 (UTC)
[Yep, Maul's been convinced too. He leaves a can of green beans and a bag of fresh ones, cause one can never have too many green beans lying around. With it comes a note signed by Maul.]
I'm guessing this is some sort of strange Earth custom?
I'm guessing this is some sort of strange Earth custom?
[MORE BEANS?? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME??]
What in the world..
Raleigh spends a while looking at the couch, circling around it a few times with cluelessness before it slowly starts to settle in.
There's exactly one other person who has access to Raleigh's house and that person is also privy to Raleigh's recent hatred of said couch and why.
It's a hell of a gesture.
With all the crazy, horrible shit that's been going on lately Chuck went through the trouble.. by himself.. with the snow and the bears and zombies..
It means more than he can articulate. And while he will make a point of finding the words, he decides to answers actions wth action of his own.
Raleigh calls Chuck's name but he isn't there and he smiles to himself before retrieving his axe from the cellar and going right back outside.
Maybe it's stupid but it is almost Christmas. The couch and the meaning behind it is a beautiful gift. So in return he cuts and situates a small evergreen in the corner of the living room to the right of the fire. Between the hearth and front window. He finds the bin of two inch candle stubs he's saved from October and carefully wires each one onto the tree. He makes popcorn and slices oranges very thin before putting them in the oven on low to dry. He gathers ingredients and fills the house with the scent of mulling wine on the stove.
Only then does he sit down on the couch to wait for Chuck so they can decorate the Christmas tree together.
Raleigh spends a while looking at the couch, circling around it a few times with cluelessness before it slowly starts to settle in.
There's exactly one other person who has access to Raleigh's house and that person is also privy to Raleigh's recent hatred of said couch and why.
It's a hell of a gesture.
With all the crazy, horrible shit that's been going on lately Chuck went through the trouble.. by himself.. with the snow and the bears and zombies..
It means more than he can articulate. And while he will make a point of finding the words, he decides to answers actions wth action of his own.
Raleigh calls Chuck's name but he isn't there and he smiles to himself before retrieving his axe from the cellar and going right back outside.
Maybe it's stupid but it is almost Christmas. The couch and the meaning behind it is a beautiful gift. So in return he cuts and situates a small evergreen in the corner of the living room to the right of the fire. Between the hearth and front window. He finds the bin of two inch candle stubs he's saved from October and carefully wires each one onto the tree. He makes popcorn and slices oranges very thin before putting them in the oven on low to dry. He gathers ingredients and fills the house with the scent of mulling wine on the stove.
Only then does he sit down on the couch to wait for Chuck so they can decorate the Christmas tree together.
[ christmas gifts so i don't forget:
an extremely fancy waffle maker
pajamas
silk boxers
film rolls for his camera
slipper socks
an apron ]
an extremely fancy waffle maker
pajamas
silk boxers
film rolls for his camera
slipper socks
an apron ]
If you've got time, I'd appreciate if you could swing by my place one of these days. Got some things to discuss.
[Well Merry Christmas to you too, Herc. He's sort of relieved to hear from you because it means you're not dead, but if you think Chuck kept the details of your fight to himself then you are sorely mistaken. It's out of his loyalty to your son and his fleeting respect for you that he hasn't gotten involved yet.
He leaves the message on read for a bit while he thinks.]
He leaves the message on read for a bit while he thinks.]
Yeah, I think we do.
Are you around now?
He must've nearly talked himself out of this about ten different times. He's still questioning if this is the right move all the way up until he gets to the front porch and knocks. He's got a small bag slung over his shoulders over the layers for the cold and while he seems to be in pretty good shape he definitely seems a little low in spirit.
Doesn't stop him from trying for a smile when the door opens, suddenly feeling incredibly awkward. "Uh, hi. Sorry if I should've called first I was---I was out."
Which isn't untrue. He's spent more time out lately cause he didn't like being in the house without that familiar presence he got used to with Bob there.
Doesn't stop him from trying for a smile when the door opens, suddenly feeling incredibly awkward. "Uh, hi. Sorry if I should've called first I was---I was out."
Which isn't untrue. He's spent more time out lately cause he didn't like being in the house without that familiar presence he got used to with Bob there.
It's just by chance that Raleigh is by the door when Connor gets up onto the porch. He isn't expecting anyone and the movement puts a little trepidation in his stomach but the familiar face sends it off again with a soft whoosh.
"No, hey, I'm glad you stopped by."
He smiles and juggles the firewood he's got in his arms, stepping back and keeping the heavy, newly reinforced door open with his boot.
"Come in, it's cold as balls."
"No, hey, I'm glad you stopped by."
He smiles and juggles the firewood he's got in his arms, stepping back and keeping the heavy, newly reinforced door open with his boot.
"Come in, it's cold as balls."
Raleigh,
Did you and Chuck get back from the hotel alright? Are you both safe?
If you are, I wanted to invite you both over for dinner. Wu got hurt. He's fine now, but I think he's lonely and would appreciate the company. I'll cook.
Let me know.
-Mako
Did you and Chuck get back from the hotel alright? Are you both safe?
If you are, I wanted to invite you both over for dinner. Wu got hurt. He's fine now, but I think he's lonely and would appreciate the company. I'll cook.
Let me know.
-Mako
Hey man, It's good to hear from you too. Last month was pretty wild but we're good.
I'm sorry to hear about Wu but glad he's okay now. What happened?
Dinner sounds good. When? What can we bring?
[Taped to your door there is a BRIGHT pink envelope. And inside is this note.]
[dnjddjfff this is the cutest thing. He looks around once he finds it but there's no Usagi to be seen. So he sends a text]
Hey, there's a note on my door from you, was it meant for me?
Edited 2021-02-10 20:23 (UTC)
annnd...action.
Raleigh and Chuck spend a lot of time at each others places - back and forth, one to the other. There's a lot of attachment to both homes; Raleigh's is small and warm and they've spent a lot of time here, collapsed in October together, spent...most of the month here. Chuck's belonged to his grandparents, kinda - it's a replica, it's sweet but familiar, a reminder of good times past, the days where there was no war, no famine, no fight. Just tractor pulls, four wheelers, good times and good food.
So, they fluctuate - they go between both.
And, you know, Valentine's comes and goes and it's a stupid ass holiday, in Chuck's opinion, because it's commercialized and full of corporate Hallmark cards but it has, eventually, been brought to his attention that maybe his gifts were just...gifts. Maybe he needs to show more of his ass, show that he cares beyond watches and dogtags.
So he cooks.
He cooks, and he burns lasagna, and the salad could be better, but he's cooked and when he texts Raleigh to come over, his surprise is ready, well.
There's hearts. There's flowers. The bedroom is full of balloons. There's arches of hearts down the hall.
Strap in, Becket. This will be a very late Valentines to remember.
Raleigh and Chuck spend a lot of time at each others places - back and forth, one to the other. There's a lot of attachment to both homes; Raleigh's is small and warm and they've spent a lot of time here, collapsed in October together, spent...most of the month here. Chuck's belonged to his grandparents, kinda - it's a replica, it's sweet but familiar, a reminder of good times past, the days where there was no war, no famine, no fight. Just tractor pulls, four wheelers, good times and good food.
So, they fluctuate - they go between both.
And, you know, Valentine's comes and goes and it's a stupid ass holiday, in Chuck's opinion, because it's commercialized and full of corporate Hallmark cards but it has, eventually, been brought to his attention that maybe his gifts were just...gifts. Maybe he needs to show more of his ass, show that he cares beyond watches and dogtags.
So he cooks.
He cooks, and he burns lasagna, and the salad could be better, but he's cooked and when he texts Raleigh to come over, his surprise is ready, well.
There's hearts. There's flowers. The bedroom is full of balloons. There's arches of hearts down the hall.
Strap in, Becket. This will be a very late Valentines to remember.
Sure Valentine's sucks but you got breakfast and nookie and a small furry daughter out of the deal so it can't be that bad, right?
Raleigh's moved on from the holiday. All is well in his world. He's trying to be an adult and not lose his shit teaching self defense, keep the houses clean and stocked, look after five raccoons and max and Chuck.. it's busy but hey, he's happy. He's happy and loved and doing his best to make amends with most people after that rat bite..
This, as he steps through the door into a face full of hearts on strings, is honestly so confusing.
Hearts.. everywhere. Flowers. Balloons. It smells like food. Raleigh clocks it all as he puts down his sword by the door. What in the hell.
"Chuck?" Calling with just a hint of worry. Has something happened to him? Some crazy February madness curse or something? This is all so unexpected and extra.
Raleigh's moved on from the holiday. All is well in his world. He's trying to be an adult and not lose his shit teaching self defense, keep the houses clean and stocked, look after five raccoons and max and Chuck.. it's busy but hey, he's happy. He's happy and loved and doing his best to make amends with most people after that rat bite..
This, as he steps through the door into a face full of hearts on strings, is honestly so confusing.
Hearts.. everywhere. Flowers. Balloons. It smells like food. Raleigh clocks it all as he puts down his sword by the door. What in the hell.
"Chuck?" Calling with just a hint of worry. Has something happened to him? Some crazy February madness curse or something? This is all so unexpected and extra.
[There's a little Japanese girl standing in an alleyway, surrounded by dirt and devastation, crying hysterically to the sounds of encroaching danger. So much noise, so much going on — it feels particularly vivid, though, to be some man's dream. The death and destruction no doubt rippling through this city is practically tangible, if not slightly worn at the edges from being second-hand.
Lucifer doesn't really know a whole lot about drifting, but if he did, he would think it's just a terrible concept for human beings. They're nasty little things, especially when they're so intimately close with another one; they're willing to do anything, become anything.
Regardless, the girl's crying next to him is absolutely grating. He gestures sharply with his hand, and the scene freezes, leaving the space eerily quiet. The girl stares, frozen, up in horror at what danger lurks beyond her false safehaven.
Lucifer sighs, and speaks to a man who isn't aware of his presence yet:]
Much better. How do you handle the sounds of kids crying?
It's like nails on a chalkboard.
Lucifer doesn't really know a whole lot about drifting, but if he did, he would think it's just a terrible concept for human beings. They're nasty little things, especially when they're so intimately close with another one; they're willing to do anything, become anything.
Regardless, the girl's crying next to him is absolutely grating. He gestures sharply with his hand, and the scene freezes, leaving the space eerily quiet. The girl stares, frozen, up in horror at what danger lurks beyond her false safehaven.
Lucifer sighs, and speaks to a man who isn't aware of his presence yet:]
Much better. How do you handle the sounds of kids crying?
It's like nails on a chalkboard.
It's a dream Raleigh has had several times before. Tokyo. Onibaba. Mako.
Just a month or two ago it was a memory he'd relived with the Mako here in Deerington. In The Grady, trapped in a small, dark room until they faced a peephole. Maybe that's why he's dreaming about it again, tonight.
Dreaming of monsters and loss and Mako, any Mako it seems. It all whirls around in his subconscious. Churning over and over and over again.
Raleigh's dreamscape is fragile and flighty. It shifts without warning at any given moment, slipping and dropping through hole after hole. This mind is not a healthy one. This mind is exhausted and broken and desperately trying to keep everything together as it takes blow after mental blow.
The most recent of which is Lucifer's doing. Raleigh found Wu's ghost. He touched it. He was possessed.
And like now, a memory of someone else's memory inside of him, he saw, heard, felt everything.
In this dream of a memory twice removed, Raleigh should be wearing his drive suit, but he isn't. He's wearing the grubby jacket and gloves he's worn most of March, covered in other people's blood as he dutifully shoveled up the remains of the fallen and buried them in graves of his own making.
Here, now, standing in the alley on pause, focus pulls to the dream walker. To the side Mako stands with tears in her eyes, mouth open in a frozen sob. Overhead, debris from Onibaba's advance hovers in the air. Coyote Tango is due any moment. The kaiju slain. Stacker Pentecost's last mission.
Last until it wasn't anymore. Three hours of solo run, burning as he carried Tamsin's ragdoll body across the finish line.
Onibaba isn't a threat anymore, not in the real world and not in this dream. A new kaiju appears in human form but the energy he gives is just as threatening. Raleigh hears him and turns before tensing.
"Sam-"
Just a month or two ago it was a memory he'd relived with the Mako here in Deerington. In The Grady, trapped in a small, dark room until they faced a peephole. Maybe that's why he's dreaming about it again, tonight.
Dreaming of monsters and loss and Mako, any Mako it seems. It all whirls around in his subconscious. Churning over and over and over again.
Raleigh's dreamscape is fragile and flighty. It shifts without warning at any given moment, slipping and dropping through hole after hole. This mind is not a healthy one. This mind is exhausted and broken and desperately trying to keep everything together as it takes blow after mental blow.
The most recent of which is Lucifer's doing. Raleigh found Wu's ghost. He touched it. He was possessed.
And like now, a memory of someone else's memory inside of him, he saw, heard, felt everything.
In this dream of a memory twice removed, Raleigh should be wearing his drive suit, but he isn't. He's wearing the grubby jacket and gloves he's worn most of March, covered in other people's blood as he dutifully shoveled up the remains of the fallen and buried them in graves of his own making.
Here, now, standing in the alley on pause, focus pulls to the dream walker. To the side Mako stands with tears in her eyes, mouth open in a frozen sob. Overhead, debris from Onibaba's advance hovers in the air. Coyote Tango is due any moment. The kaiju slain. Stacker Pentecost's last mission.
Last until it wasn't anymore. Three hours of solo run, burning as he carried Tamsin's ragdoll body across the finish line.
Onibaba isn't a threat anymore, not in the real world and not in this dream. A new kaiju appears in human form but the energy he gives is just as threatening. Raleigh hears him and turns before tensing.
"Sam-"
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