[Open] Turning All His Dreams

[judgemewhole]

WHO: James Norrington and You
WHAT: Phase II Hallucinations
WHEN: What is time when your lyrium addiction is kicking your butt? In the middle of Phase II
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Warnings for Graphic Violence.

You might find him anywhere, honestly. No one is quite sure how he keeps managing to get out of the healer's tents, but there James is. Sitting in the dining hall, blue tinged and wide-eyed. In his office, in his rooms, in the courtyard. Interceptor is always with him, whining with worry until someone comes along to drag him back to the healer tents, and drug him back to sleep once more.

Yet it seems like he has never left his dreams. He has refused to take any lyrium, and so now, he is talking to people who are not there -- and ignoring the ones who are. At least, until they make themselves known, and then he's introducing them to ghosts from the past. Some possibly still living, but most of them dead.

After all, if you are going to go through withdrawl, might as well take the most interesting and horrifying journey, yes?

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Hearing James' voice lures Inessa out of her mental fog, or at least enough that she can focus a little, after moving her arm away. She squints up at James, frowning as she does her best to catch up with what he's saying, only to be just as lost afterward.

"...James? What--who are you talking to?"

[judgemewhole]

James turns to the other side, as Interceptor whined gently, "I have leads. I am still following up on those leads. Of course I am trying! No, I am not going to ask for her help - don't go bleeding all over the floor to make me go into a complicated emotional situation - what?"

He actually turned towards Inessa, and then blinked. "Inessa! When did you get here?"

[circleprodigy]

"This is my office, I've been here since this morning--" She stares at him owlishly while pushing herself up to a seated position on the couch. It's a mistake; the motion has her too lightheaded to speak and for a moment, it's all she can to not to slip back down. But that moment passes, and she lets out a sigh of relief.

"What help do you need? What were talking about, just now?"

[judgemewhole]

"Oh. Well apparently we've gone to the wrong office." Norrington muttered, as Interceptor chuffed at him. He looks at her, with glazed eyes, before he seems to perk in his ill state.

"Ah! Yes, maybe you could help me. I am trying to find the blood mage who murdered my mentors in cold blood."

[circleprodigy]

Garahel makes a questioning noise at that, as Inessa uses him for support in sitting up once more. "I...have no information to begin such a search, but of course I would gladly assist you. You know my feelings on blood mages and blood magic."

Anyone from Kinloch Hold was likely to harbor a strong distaste for it, and with good reason.

[judgemewhole]

Interceptor barks worriedly, because his master has been doing this for Awhile. James, for his part, turns to gesture to Inessa, "See? There you go. Please be polite and stop bleeding from your throats on the floor."

[circleprodigy]

"...right. Um, James? Could you please sit here with me? And tell me when you slept last." She scoots over after throwing her legs over the edge, though she hardly takes up much room in a seated position as it is.

[judgemewhole]

"...well I don't honestly know, Inessa." He sits next to his friend, frowning faintly as he looks back at where people were supposedly bleeding over Inessa's carpet.

"They say I haven't slept in awhile, but honestly, considering I have to start hunting this blood mage down, I really don't have the time for it."

Interceptor comes over and gives Inessa a pathetic look. 'Help me?'

[circleprodigy]

She strokes Interceptor's head, then asks another important question. "James, have you tried sleeping? Would you try? For me, for Interceptor...." Garahel barks; do it for him, too. He cares about you, James.

[judgemewhole]

"... I am trying. To sleep. I have taken the sleeping draughts and that helps but then I wake up again." He sighed, rubbing one hand over his face. "And then I end up talking to dead people. It's very distressing."

[circleprodigy]

Hearing all that has her frown of concern deepening. "I imagine so, even more than it is to see you thus. James, I promise you; there is no one here but us and the mabari. We are alone. If you need someone to help distinguish what is truly there, look to us."

[judgemewhole]

"....Right. Right. So, my mentors are not standing in your office, bleeding all over your floor." His tone almost has a pleading note to it.

[circleprodigy]

"They are not. I swear to you, my floor is unstained. What you're seeing isn't truly there. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and calm yourself. Please, for us."

[judgemewhole]

He put his face into his hands, and breathed and out. Steadying himself, until the images faded back and he was just in Inessa's office.

"... please help me back to the infirmary."

[circleprodigy]

"Of course." Garahel whines a little as Inessa moves to stand, watching her intently, but the dizzy spell hasn't returned and she's able to remain upright. She offers a hand to James, patiently waiting until he's ready to take it.

[judgemewhole]

Interceptor also barked with some concern, before he gets up to support them both with his broad back. James, for his part, wavers as he gets to his feet, but he does manage to get to his feet.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa relaxes as James' effort is met with success, then loops an arm around his, gesturing to the door. "Onward, then. And it's alright if we cannot manage a brisk pace. I'll reach our destination eventually."