[ V i d e o ]

[greatestgood]

[It's quite late and all the lights are either dimmed or blown out completely. Someone is fumbling for the communicator, cursing in a colorful variety of German and English. Long, graceful fingers will finally latch onto the object in question and it will soon become apparent that Gellert is...out of sorts. And breathing hard.]

Where's the door? Why is the window there? [Then he falls into his native language, speaking quicker, feverish.] Ich kann nicht einmal eine Wache rufen, um dies auf Rechte zu setzen! Wo würden sie anfangen? Diese Bastarde hätten mich in ein verdammtes Loch werfen sollen! Es wäre besser gewesen.

[Then, suddenly, as if the names occur to him at random.]

Albus? Li?

Comments

[video]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

Gellert, Gellert, love...

[His response is immediate and concerned, his voice as soothing as he can make it over the communicator. He will have to Apparate to him soon, he knows, and wrap his arms around Gellert until it can help him settle himself.]

I am right here, love. You are not imprisoned.

[video]

[greatestgood]

[He is attuned to that voice and his cursing stops altogether so he can hear him. Shakily, he lights a candle with magic and his disheveled appearance comes into view.]

Genessia, right? Do I believe the dream or the nightmare?

[video]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

Believe the dream, Gellert.

[His expression grows pained at the sight of Gellert so disheveled and unruly, but he does his best to stay calm. He imagines he is the one best able to soothe Gellert in this, and his tone remains level and reassuring.]

I am truly here. You are truly safe. I can come to you to show you how real I am, if you like.

[video]

[greatestgood]

[His expression alternates between a look of panic and a wild sort of grin that lacks any happiness behind it.]

You're going to have to show me proof. My imagination is too vivid.

[But he is as powerful as ever. Flames spring to life around the room, burning nothing but glowing brightly.]

[video]->[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[The unkeeled expression worries him, and there is a pang of concern that aches at his heart. He nods immediately, his face serious.]

Wait right there. I will be but an instant.

[And then only a second or two later he appears, standing amidst the flames that do not burn. He looks at Gellert and glances him over immediately, his eyes betraying his worry even as he steps closer.]

[action]

[greatestgood]

[He practically holds his breath, counting the seconds between those words and the sound of Apparation. Seeing Albus standing, so vivid, mere feet from him is too much. Gellert bolts from the window and throws his arms around the other man, shaking, his skin chilled.]

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[The embrace knocks him back slightly, but he does not mind a bit, not when Gellert looks so distressed. His arms wind around him immediately, and Albus leans his face into his neck, feeling the way Gellert trembles cold beneath him.]

My love, my darling, what has happened?

[action]

[greatestgood]

[Albus is warmer than the flames and the deep, desperate fear in him is quieted. Best of all, he knows this isn't an hallucination. There is breathing against his neck and Albus is wonderfully solid, pressed flush to his trembling body.]

Just...a dream...

Thought I was in Nurmengard again.

[action]

[chambermusicandtenpins]

[Albus' arms tighten around him at those words, his face pressing more warmly into the hollow of Gellert's neck.]

It is only a dream and nothing more, love. You are here with me now.

[action]

[greatestgood]

[The trembling dissipates and Gellert exhales, the flames around the room dying down.]

I need you, Albus. Nothing else feels real when you're not around.

[Video]

[aka_shazam]

Hey. You okay?

[Billy is a stranger but he's newly arrived, restless and can't sleep and so was scanning the network, happening upon this. The man looks distressed, so he replies. Maybe he needed some help.]

[Video]

[greatestgood]

Been better. [The way he fluidly shifts from one language to another probably speaks volumes about Gellert's intelligence.] I had a bad dream.

[Video]

[aka_shazam]

Oh. Been there.

[Billy sighs.]

[Video]

[greatestgood]

You seem young for it. [Is this pot calling kettle black?]

[Video]

[aka_shazam]

What? Are you saying I'm too young to have nightmares?

[He sounds a little defensive.]

[Video]

[greatestgood]

No, rather I think you are too young to have experienced much to give you nightmares. Unless you are imaginative?

[Video]

[aka_shazam]

I've got an imagination but I've also been through some stuff, all right?

Look, even just being here is weird enough. One minute I'm in a.... house I know. The next I'm waking up with a strange box and strange messages and this is all weird.

[Now he seems rattled.]

[Video]

[greatestgood]

Alright, calm down... [Says the man thinking he is in a jail cell.] This is a lot to take in, I agree, but you're not in danger.

[Video]

[aka_shazam]

Yeah? Look, I picked up an egg and got stuck to the ground. That's not normal.

[He had a very odd arrival during this event.]

[Video]

[greatestgood]

That'll teach you to pick up random eggs. [He has to tease a little while he pours himself some wine.] Define normal.

[Video]

[li_amaranth]

[It's the sound of his confused voice and the way he was breathing hard that immediately caught Li's attention as she started to settle into bed. ]

Gellert? What's wrong?

[She's already flicking her device to video to reveal her sitting in her little bedded nest in her cave with the only lighting being the ones he made her and an over sized shirt covering her.]

Who am I killing to make sure you're safe?

[Video]

[greatestgood]

[He jerks towards her voice, groping for the curtains that cover the window. Throwing them to the side, he presses his forehead to the glass.]

I thought I was...in a cell. Again. [He licks his lips.] There's no one to kill, Li.

Re: [Video]

[li_amaranth]

[She relaxed a little.]

Nightmare then?

[As relieved as she was that he was safe, she might be a little disappointed there was no one to eat. Pity.]

[Video]

[greatestgood]

More like a memory. A lot of memories.

[He laughs suddenly, sharply.]

I can hear your stomach rumbling!

[No, he can't, but he knows she has a nice appetite.]

Re: [Video]

[li_amaranth]

[She huffs softly and grins.]

Yeah well, A mare's got to eat. Just feed me your enemies and I'll be quite the loyal Kelpie.