genessia | [text] The story can't be finished, 'cause this picture still won't load

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[text] The story can't be finished, 'cause this picture still won't load

I've been dreaming of home more and more as of late. At first I thought they were normal dreams, except I've never dreamt so much about the same few things ever before. I keep seeing Paris -- the graves of Père Lachaise especially. Paris, and the school, and the roof of St. Paul's Cathedral, and yet I could not say why.

And now whenever I try to walk anywhere, my feet carry me towards the dream docks. I can't Apparate to anywhere except here.

There is a nagging in my skull that I am needed elsewhere. I can only guess as to why. But I don't think I can put it off any longer, no matter how much I have tried to drag my feet.

I aim to come back. I don't wish to stay at the docks forever. But if I don't return, please stay safe, all of you. And have a happy Christmas if I do not see you then.

Message sent to Gellert Grindelwald via Patronus:

Gellert,

I'm so sorry. I truly am. I did not mean to leave like this, but I do not seem to have much choice any longer. I wished to Apparate to see you first, but I do not seem to be able to. The docks are the only place I am able to go.

I wished to tell you what has been happening, but I feared that if I did, that it would sidetrack the quest to heal Li before her curse ended her. And, admittedly, I hoped I would be able to fight this off on my own. I know this makes me the most immense of hypocrites, and I am truly, deeply sorry.

I will be back. I feel in my bones that this is not permanent. Please do not let yourself be harmed while I am away, and I will be back as soon as I am able.

Love,
Albus

((OOC: Dumbledore is off to the dream docks to canon update himself through the events of Crimes of Grindelwald, and will be back next week, just in time for Christmas.))

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I'll keep an eye on Gellert while you're gone.

Thank you, Li. I greatly appreciate that.

I figured.

Someone needs to keep him from doing something stupidly destructive while you're away and at least he'll somewhat listen to me.

[Was she joking? She really hoped so. But then again...Knowing Gellert, who knows.]

Just don't be gone too long.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. If you can keep him from harming himself or anyone else, I would appreciate it.

[Because he will, he knows that, if no one stops him.]

I will do my best to. I didn't mean to leave at all. But I don't seem to have much choice in the matter.

[She sighed.]

I'll do my best even if I have to stick him to my coat for however long it takes to calm him down.

[Because Kelpie. Even if she has to trap him and let him rage it out, she'll figure something out.]

I figured as much from your message.

Good. That might be what it takes.

I thought I could resist it without help. I don't think he will be pleased that I didn't tell him. [Which, given Dumbledore's own reaction to the dragon fight, is wildly hypocritical and he knows it.]

If it is, you owe me a meal when you get back.

[Joking, honest. Mostly.]

I'm pretty sure he's going to be pissed you didn't tell him sooner. But, like I said, I'll try to keep him from doing something exceedingly stupid.

I think I can oblige you that.

[Probably of fake meat, but still.]

I know he will, and he has every right. I appreciate your looking after him.

[...Considering how underweight she actually is, she'll take it.]

Wait until you come back to thank me. Lets see just what kind of trouble he gets into first.

[He'll be super generous with it.]

Even if you can't entirely stop him, I still appreciate that he'll have someone with him. ...I do not think he has many close friends here.

[Appreciated]

Hell, I don't have many friends here. So, you're probably right about him too.

[She sighed.]

I'll do my best.

Thank you. Though even if he does lose control, I will understand.

Like I said, don't thank me until you get back.

[He laughs slightly.]

Very well, then.

How can you - [This isn't good enough. He shifts to audio, his voice grating and unhappy to his own ears.] Why didn't you tell me?! Is there time to destroy the damn things?!

[Then, when he isn't satisfied enough by the point he is trying to make, he forces the feed to video. He hasn't recovered completely from breaking the curse and this revelation has left him pale and horrified.]

If you come back and you have reason to hate me...

[When it switches to video, he can see that Albus is already by the docks. His expression is tired and immensely sad as he looks at him.]

I couldn't ever hate you, Gellert.

[He is panicking and that isn't productive for logical thinking.]

I'm... I'm on my way. I'll burn them to the ground. Just... Just stay outside of them!

[He feels heartsick at the way Gellert is panicked, and every inch of him wishes he could erase it away from him.]

I don't think it will work like that, Gellert.

Why can't it? How do you know? [He is turning his home upside down, looking for anything volatile.] I have the Elder wand! This can work.

Gellert...

[He wishes he could calm him, but he knows that he can't, not right now, and he also knows there is a very real chance that there is nothing they can do.

And if he is needed...if his world needs him to be back, he knows it would irresponsible to hide from it entirely.]

I promise you, I will come back.

[Something in Albus's voice clicks, at long last, and Gellert drops what he is holding with an unfortunate crash. Not that he cares.]

...and you got after me for tracking down a dragon. At least I was here.

Edited 2018-12-18 22:46 (UTC)

I know. And you were.

[And truly, he knows he deserves that. Even as he'd begged Gellert to keep him informed, he'd been hiding this the whole time.]

I'm sorry. Truly, I am so sorry, Gellert.

... [There is a long silence and Gellert doesn't move, frozen in a state of fear and confusion. Why is this happening now when they were beginning to grow closer? Why so soon after he had admitted his feelings? Yes, it had been as an angel, but it was...

It was real.] If love is what you have shown me, consider it returned.

[He smiles then, sad and impossibly fond.]

Of course I've loved you. I always have.

And I've always known you felt the same.

[He is filled with an indefinable warmth and then crushing sorrow.]

I will remember. [So if Albus forgets, he won't.] And I will remind you upon your return.

[Albus nods at that, looking at him with incredibly sadness and warmth all at once.]

All right. I know you will not let me forget.

Remind me with kisses if you need to.

As many as it takes. [He touches Albus's image, his fingers unsteady.] Be safe.

[He mirrors the touch, pressing his fingers to wear Gellert's are on the screen.]

I will. And you will see me soon.

I better or the cities will suffer for it.

[He fully blames Genessia for separating them. If Albus doesn't reappear, they will regret their thoughtlessness.]

No one need suffer. Not even us, not for long. I will not abandon you, Gellert.

I will be counting the hours, Albus, until I lose what is left of my patience. I can promise no more.

Then I will return to you as quickly as I can, love.

I will know when you return to me. You will come home with me directly.

I would not go anywhere else first.

I am making my demand early. Keep the necklace if you are able.

I have it with me now. I will not remove it before I go inside.

Then I will know where you are and if you are in danger.

Yes. And I will return to you as quickly as I am able.

[There is a tautness in his face for a moment, before he says:]

I don't think I can stay any longer. But I will be back as soon as I can.

Albus... [He hates this. He hates this so much.] Go. Don't suffer any more than necessary.

[Gritting his teeth, he whispers:] I love you.

[He hates this, too. And he looks at Gellert with an impossible sadness in his eyes.]

And I, you. Do not miss me too terribly, love.

[And with that, he's gone, and the video ends.]

[He doesn't know who this guy is but the tone of the text is unnerving somehow. Eddie can't help but have his curiosity piqued.]

What are the dream docks? What's apparate? Like an apparition?

[Eddie looks away briefly as if he's listening to someone else in the room. Really it's just Venom in his head, wanting to ask his own question.]

...are you a ghost?

The dream docks are how we arrived here. And how we can go back, or look back, if we need to.

[Which he seems to need to, whether he likes it or not.]

Apparition -- it's like teleportation. [With a small smile, he says:] I am no ghost. Merely a wizard.

[You're not getting away that easily Albus! Newt is going to capture you in a hug]

[He looks pained at the sight of Newt, though he accepts the hug easily, returning it in kind.]

Perhaps I will run into you while I visit home, Newt.

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