005 ✳ day 86 ✳ video

[blackmagus]

[Fortescue doesn't look as tired as she should be, but, then again, she's used to not getting much sleep. Comes practically in her job description. She's perched on the end of her bed — Jazz in her lap and regarding the device with a small amount of interest. And though she's wearing a bath robe and warmly covered, jury's out on whether she's wearing anything else.]

Are you tired, Cape? Because you've been running through my dreams all night.

[She allows herself a tiny, tiny smirk for that one.]

No, but... really. I adore you all, but a lady needs some private time once in a while.

Comments

[thezerothlaw]

I confess it's an unsettling situation, but on the whole I've found it more instructive than not. Of course, I'm not accustomed to dreaming at all.

[blackmagus]

If you've never experienced it before, it would be interesting.

[She quirks a smile.]

Not that it isn't for me, either, but I like to consent to having my... mind stepped into.

[thezerothlaw]

[He nods, gravely.]

Yes, of course. I understand your feelings. Does it make a difference that the breach in privacy is universal? We are all sharing, after all.

[blackmagus]

It's a group discomfort, I know. I'm not suggesting that anyone here is doing it deliberately.

[Fortescue pauses, shrugs. It's hard to say.]

Or, if they are, they're very good at pretending to be confused.

[thezerothlaw]

To do this purposely without permission is, of course, a breach of what is acceptable, and the distress it causes is... regrettable.

[blackmagus]

[She quirks her head to the side, smiling.]

Have you learned anything you weren't aware of before, about dreaming? Aside from how it feels, of course.

[thezerothlaw]

They are unpredictable. It is not possible to prevent them from turning to pleasant to unsettling. I was aware of the existence of nightmares, of course, but to find my own mind suddenly turning to unfortunate memories is... difficult.

[blackmagus]

Some people have very good control over their dreams. I'm not one of them, but a man I once talked to could fly and change things as he wanted.

[thezerothlaw]

I... see.

[Can he do that? Should he do that? Imagining the impossible isn't an easy task for him.]

Perhaps I should attempt this. Do you believe it would be a productive exercise?

[blackmagus]

If you're going to lose the ability to dream again, it's maybe not productive.

[She shrugs.]

But as long as we're stuck in this mess, it's something to do.