Preparing to rescue Svava

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

Svava has walked out the door.

He immediately heads for the fireplace area, and his voice has the tone of command. "Sir Alanna, take a nap on the couch. I will need you at a second's notice. Yrael, the body if you please. Archie: Go get the medical kit from inside the kitchen door - it's on the counter immediately within and marked with my name.

"Arithon: If you want to help save Svava, please be ready at an instant's notice. I'll be one second away from opening a gate to her and ready to finish casting until I get a signal from the locket I made for her: It's a sense imminent death and beacon, as well as runic protections. With it under her armor, I should know two seconds before she is to die, and be able to open the gate for others to pull her back in through it, and toss out the dead duplicate body we've made."

He sits down in one of the wingbacked chairs and his hands begin making runes rapid-fire, hologrammatic designs flashing in the air behind the fingers, invisible pulses coming fast behind those.

"Lord Dream, I beg you to hear me and answer this plea: Take from me the need for sleep if you will, that Svava might be saved. I will pay the price for sleeplessness gladly after Svava is returned. Please help." A small prayer, sotto voce.

After a time, the spell is all-but-cast, and Hannibal sits, focused. His hand poised, ready to slash out the final rune to rip open the gate between Realities.

Comments

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

There will be a Price.

It won't be pretty.

But Lecter needs not sleep.

[mogget_cat]

*Yrael, as if the click of the door shutting had awakened him from some troubled sleep, nods smartly and heads out towards the lake area to where he hid the body.*

*He comes in carrying something humanshaped, wrapped in a blanket. He sets it nearby.*

[the_lioness]

Pardon?

*It takes a moment for Alanna to realize that Lecter addressed her. She remains standing, staring at the door. Svava is gone. An uncomfortable feeling of futility washes over her, and all Alanna can focus on is the need to release some of this sudden anger. Sword drills, a good gallop around the lake, hours of Shang practice.... something. I have to do something. It's either that or punch a wall.

Flushed, she blinks at Lecter, watching as he takes a seat. Locket? Body? She shakes herself. Sleep is the last thing on her mind, but she swore to help Svava if at all possible. Pull her back? She eyes Lecter again.

If it is possible to do such a thing, she will gladly volunteer. She avoids sparing any more glances for Lecter and sits tensely on the couch, eyes locked on the door.*

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"Watch me, Sir Alanna. I will have a two second warning, and will give you one. Grab the body Yrael kindly supplied and toss it in when the gate opens, then reach through and grab Svava. It should be quick and relatively safe."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

Iris sits on the floor at his feet. She leans her head against his knee and closes her eyes, trying not to disturb him.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

His left hand caresses her hair. "Thank you." He smiles slightly.

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She takes his left hand in hers and squeezes it reassuringly.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"I fear I will not make either the party or Gil's birthday. My apologies, dear lady ..."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head and turns to look at him with her dark red eyes. "Do not appologize, you never have to appologize to me." she replies, shaking her head slightly.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"I know you were wanting to enjoy the parties with me. Spoiling that is what I apologize for."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

"It is nothing." she replies. "You are here. Here is where I shall stay." she says, her eyes glowing like living rubies.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

He smiles slightly. "And if I wanted you to go and have a good time for both of us?"

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head. "Not even then." she replies, her jaw set cutely.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

He smiles wider. "As you will, Milady."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She nods and lays her head on his knee, closing her eyes, still holding his hand.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

As he strokes her hair, he almost wishes (were he the sort to ) that he could actually feel love like the woman at his feet seems to.

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

Iris is is silent, thinking of what Asmodean (http://www.livejournal.com/community/milliways_bar/5771520.html) said...vainly trying to forget.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"What disturbs your heart, Iris?" His voice is gentle and coaxing.

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She opens her eyes. "Just thinking...worried mostly." she says quietly. "About...about when I have to leave."

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"You never have to do anything, Iris. You are the Mistress of your own future."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head. "Mine and so many others as well." she answers softly.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

He gently lifts her chin and Looks into her eyes. "Ultimately, what you do and what you choose affects only one person: You. You are not responsible for everyone else. They are responsible for their own futures and fates."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She looks into his eyes and nods silently, still not entirely convinced of what she should do. She lays her head back down, deeply troubled.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

He strokes her hair. "Tell me of your choices."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

"Stay here, or return when I'm freed." she replies. "If I go back...eventually I have to marry someone who will never love me. If I stay...I do not know what could happen." Asmodean did a damn fine job of making that a bad alternative.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"Have I told you of the infinite universe theory?"

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She nods. "They are all happening, no matter what?" she asks, trying to remember.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"All possible outcomes happen." He nods. "Do not worry about a decision abeyant, my lady. Decide on an instant and be done with it."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She smiles slightly then looks up at him. "I want to stay here." she says quietly, closing her eyes.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

He smiles. "Then do it."

After a moment's thought, he cants his head. "It is not impossible I could not join you on your journey.

"And even if you go, you do not have to go through with your engagement."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She nods silently. "I do not know much about what is going to happen. Only that there is a lot that will not happen without me." she says quietly. "I do not know what is going to happen...perhaps I never want to know..."

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

He strokes her hair gently, comfortingly. "Shh ... stay with me, Iris, and know peace."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She opens her eyes slowly. Her mind quiet for the first time in a while. She smiles and nods slowly, looking at him with her bright eyes. "I will."

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

With one finger under her chin, he draws her into his lap, mindful of his poised right hand, and lightly kisses her.

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She places one hand on his shoulder, steadying herself with the other, kissing him deeply. After a moment she retreats back to the floor, so as to not be in the way.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

He moves to sit slightly diagonally. "Please. Sit with me ..." meaning in his lap.

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She smiles and carefully curls up in the chair with him. She drapes her legs across his and leans against him, her head on his shoulder.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"I will pay for this, when it is over." He looks to her. "I applied to Lord Morpheus of the Endless to take my sleep away. He agreed, but I do not know what form of payment I will owe him for it."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

Iris looks at him, clearly worried. "What could he do?" she asks.

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"Nothing that would cause undue work for his siblings, I am sure. But ... Regarding sleep, or dreams or yearning, I think it is all his. Perhaps there is more, but I have not spoken with him, save the once."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She settles her head back down on his shoulder, thinking. She begins to tremble slightly. "What would he want in return? Surely he wants more than to just take something away."

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"I do not know. But I will pay it gladly, for the chance to save a friend." He pets her hair. "Sleep, if you are comfortable. Or if you prefer, you can take the couch."

[iris-attitude.livejournal.com]

She settles comfortably beside him in the chair, taking care not to interrupt him. "Good night."

[doc-lecter.livejournal.com]

"Good night," he whispered.