Dream ✍ 003

[chose_death]

Warnings: Heavily implicated death. Spoilers for Les Misérables... If, you know, people are concerned with spoilers for 19th century lit.
Dream Effect: [OPTIONAL] Those who choose to feel it will get slammed in the face with a fluctuation of emotions as written. If you opt in for sensation, as well, stick to what's written - there will be a

Comments

[phantomfenton]

*Stares at the screen, looking somewhere between shocked and dazed. After all, sensory overload plus what he just saw? He's barely still dealing with the whirlwind-dream's ride, let alone the content.*

*Puts a hand to the side of his head. The dream is over, but it was so clear. He can almost still feel the phantom impressions of water crowding in, of control being snatched away by the current...*

What... What was that?!

[chose_death]

[Javert's jaw tightens at the sound of Danny's voice. Of all the annoying gutter rats, this teenager had to respond. Though on an average day the Inspector was often vaguely amused by his banter with the boy, this day is not off to a spectacular start. He composes himself and fixes a cold, vaguely musing stare on Danny.

Naturally, he still isn't picking up on Somarium's newest dream feature.]

Paris, apparently.

[It was a flat, simple response.]

Are you ill? I will tell Monsieur Edgeworth to prepare a fresh drink for you.

[phantomfenton]

No, I'm, uh, I think I'm fine. But seriously--what just happened here? There was water, and you--or me, or--And the guardhouse, and...*Pushes his fingers through his hair, accidentally standing some of it straight out.* I--You were drowning?

*Rubs his face.* Dude--was that even a dream? Or did I just hallucinate again?

[chose_death]

[Javert frowns deeply. Why would the boy think he was suffering delusions? The dream, the vision was all the Inspector's.]

You are either ill, or this is a poor attempt at making a fool of me. Was the subject so difficult to swallow? Now, drink! It will clear your head.

[phantomfenton]

I'm not sick and I'm not making fun of you! That thing that just--

*Scowls, mood taking a dip towards waspish-ness at the percieved patronizing.* No! I don't need to drink anything, and I know what I saw! ... Or felt! Whatever! It was almost like a dream, except I was there the whole time.

*Scowl darkens at a thought.* Hey--did you do all that on purpose?

[chose_death]

[Javert's thin lips twist into a ferocious sneer, his face paling with rage. He is stock-still, his eyes growing cold and sharp as the edge of a sword.]

All of what! Cloud-gazing on the Pont-au-Change past midnight? Leaping for a one o'clock swim into the river? On purpose! Apparently I am but a lost romantic! Ridiculous.

[Whatever patience he had is gone.]

The answer to that is evident. Don't sing and dance around your curiosities any longer. Be direct.

[phantomfenton]

*In spite of himself, some of Danny's nerve fades in the face of a furious Inspector, and he almost seems to shrink a little.*

You want direct, huh? *Rubs the back of his neck, talking quietly, and perhaps even sullenly.* Fine. That 'thing' you just broadcasted? The 'cloud gazing', like you said, and the drowning... *Gives him a dark look here, unsure what part of his intuition is telling him.*

Did you mean for people to be able to feel it all?

[chose_death]

[Javert's expression grows deathly cold, his eyes owlish and unblinking, his mouth flat.]

Of course not! What you are proposing. [He moves in to the screen] You felt yourself in the river, then. And everything else with it.

[a pungent pause]

What the Devil are you going on about? Have you taken breakfast?

[phantomfenton]

*Nods, relaxing slightly when it seems as though the Inspector might finally be understanding.*

*... Dammit.* What does breakfast have to do with anything? Yes! Yes, I just felt myself in some river, and--writing that letter, and the carrige.

So you had no idea it would do that? What did you think it was?

[chose_death]

[There's a long silence, and it isn't clear whether Javert hears Danny at all. His large chin sinks into his collar in a pensive reverie, his jaw tight, brow furrowed. Eventually, he sours.]

I do not know. [low snort, mutters,] Ironic selection for that kind of communication. How splendid.

[phantomfenton]

*Sighs irritably, shoulders slumping. After a moment he starts thinking out loud, working it through his head.*

... If you had no idea it was even doing that, then it wasn't on purpose. And if that freaky immersive-thing was the only new feature, then it was probably still just a dream.

*Eyes go to the Inspector. Now that he knows what the confusion was, he's hearing the Inspector's words and seeing the dream in a different light.*

*Eyebrows draw together. Here it comes, Inspector--the moment you were trying to head off from the start.*

... Did you just say all of that actually happened?

[chose_death]

[Javert looks up from his reverie. His eyes search the boy's. He casts Danny such a look of wry, weary irritation, that it was akin to a look that may have been cast by Michelangelo when the Pope demanded a change in the design of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. His tone, however, has lost its sharp edge; it's back to his usual light, composed sarcasm.]

Yes, I recall saying something like that. [arches a brow] It rings a bell.

What else do you want?

[phantomfenton]

*Squirms a little under that look, but forces himself not to break the eye-contact. As outrageous as the man's attitude is, considering the subject, Danny thinks he might understand at least a part of it. After all, how would he feel if his own death were suddenly revealed? ... Ignoring the whole 'only partly dead' and 'ghost powers' situation, of course. But would he want to talk about it?*

*Straightens up a little, seriousness creeping its way into his manner.* I--I don't get everything, but I've got an idea. So--sorry.

[chose_death]

Why the Devil are you apologizing?

[mutters, partially to himself as he shuffles through some notes on his desk absently] Foolish habit, apologizing for an intentional act. Nothing sorry about deliberation.

[phantomfenton]

Sorry. *Withdraws readily. After all--Danny can only understand so much of the Inspector's turmoil. Danny died by accident, but the Inspector killed himself. To not give him distance now, after a dream like that, would make him some kind of jerk, or something.*

I mean--no. Sorry you felt you had to do that, then. That's all.

[chose_death]

I don't want your misplaced pity!

[His tone is a sharp bark. Ferocious. But afterwards, Javert can't help but smirk, quipping coldly,]

It is all... water under the bridge, now. In all respects.