CLOSED ♔ don't know what the country's coming to

[behindcloseddoors]

♬ on an evening in roma - dean martin

WHO || Rafael, Des, Buffy, their best pal in the world
WHAT || An unexpected incident
WHERE || Rome
WHEN || June 7th, 2014
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread.

Who knows how long unconsciousness has them all swallowed in its grip. But when it finally allows them to resurface, they'd notice the smooth motion of a car indicating they're... still riding in a vehicle. A wis check of 14+ might recognize it's a different limo, however, and it doesn't take a wisdom check to recognize that they are all crammed together on the same side of the seat now. With... hands cuffed to the seat between their legs.

Across from them, a large figure sits grinning manically... wearing a familiar gray cassock. Oh hi. :)

A single glance out the window at the bustling city outside is enough to recognize that is sure as shit ain't London. And Anderson will be quick to clear that up for y'all, waving one hand at the view.

"Well, now. I hope you all enjoyed your rest. Let me be the first t'bid ye welcome... to Rome."

Comments

[romanticidal]

I think we are all feeling this right now. There will be much time for this when we reach the palazzo.

[nothingsodivine]

[Des's con roll was shot to hell, so he's apparently dozing off back there already.]

[slay]

Seems like somebody beat us to it.

[ she glances into the backseat because she rolled a 16+ whatever mods for what that check would be to notice des sleeping. 20 wis? 34 spot? we just don't know. ]

[romanticidal]

[ he glances back in the rearview mirror to see des drooling all over himself or whatever ] I would hope it is safe for him to get some shut eyes in the car, at least.

[slay]

Uh, shut eye. [ she looks over at rafael, smiling brightly now that she's distracted by his KAWAII ESL LIFE. ] It's ... It's shut-eye. Singular. It's this whole — you know, forget it. [ she waves it off. ] You're right. Lucky him.

[romanticidal]

If you wish to try for some as well, I will wake you when we get there.

[slay]

And pass up on the ever-important grumpy, sleep-deprived bonding time? Naaah. [ despite her sarcasm that's basically exactly true. the brightness of her smile softens out into something more genuine. ] I'm okay. I'm used to the whole ... lacking sleep thing. Whatever world Sehanine yanked me out of, I brought some nasty nightmares with me as a souvenir.

[nothingsodivine]

[Des, meanwhile, seems to be not in the throes of his usual nightmares. He does, however, still talk in his sleep. And is muttering something about idk... penguins. I don't know where penguins fit into the night he's had, but they're in his dream.]

[romanticidal]

[ judgy / endeared look back at des once again and then: ] You have them often?

[slay]

Not all the time, but ... more than enough to keep me on my toes. You ever heard of "Russian Roulette"? Kinda like that. [ she shrugs. ] Sometimes they feel more like ... I don't know. Memories, than dreams, but I know they're not mine. [ she leans back, slumping in the seat. ] Too bad she couldn't stick around the club for a Q & A, huh?

[romanticidal]

Have you tried asking her to keep them at bay?

[slay]

... Asking her?

[ what is prayer. ]

Well, I—I mean, I would, but I didn't exactly get her number, and the long distance bills have gotta be killer. I wonder if you can call the Spaces In Between collect ...

[romanticidal]

[ he gets the tiniest smile at that ] She is a god, carina. You need only say the words and she will hear them.

[slay]

... So, I just talk to air? I think that's how people wind up in institutions. In fact, I'm almost positive.

[romanticidal]

It need not be out loud, Buffy. [ it's his turn to think that you're being adorable ] Though for some, that helps them feel that they are more likely to be heard.

[slay]

Caught choosing between god-like super-hearing or mind-reading, huh? [ bOTH SOUND UNPLEASANT why do people find this comforting. ] That's a toughie.

[romanticidal]

When the communication is only one way, at least there is no chance that you'll hear an answer that will only disappoint.

[slay]

Look, don't take this the wrong way, but ... If no one's answering, what's the point? How do you even know she can hear?

[nothingsodivine]

[Apparently Des's deep penguin dream sleep isn't enough to not hear the tailend of this conversation (listen 27 dayum boy).

He doesn't really need the context, because what he has to say sort of... just applies to anything.]

I think they call that faith, Blondie.

[romanticidal]

[ raf glances back at des for a moment, and doesn't say anything for a tense moment. when he does speak, he sounds tired. ]

... Si. I think that is what they call it.

[slay]

[ buffy turns to look into the backseat, eyebrows raising. ]

Good morning, sunshine.

[nothingsodivine]

[well des is too sleep deprived to catch on to Rafael's sad half-elf in snow shtick. He yawns and stretches.]

Mornin'. Are we there yet?

[romanticidal]

[ rafael is actually pulling to a stop bitches, deal with it. but he's also... staring in horror through the front window, and before they even know what's happening, his door is open and he's numbly stepping out of the car. ]

No...

[ when they look back out front again, they'll see what he's talking about. his once beautiful palazzo is... all but gone, charred to a crisp, a few walls standing and blackened here and there. ]

[nothingsodivine]

[oh

well.

that sucks.

As soon as Rafael gets out, Des clambers out over his seat and steps out behind him, looking stunned as hell. Not having anything to say about the guy mourning his HOME, Des wanders out a bit closer to the wreckage. Doing his detective thing. (Wis 17)]

This looks like it was done awhile ago. Whoever did it probably didn't stick around.

[HE'S BEING REASSURING. As he picks through the rubble.]

[slay]

[ buffy’s brow furrows as they stop, turning back around and settling in her seat just as rafael climbs out of the car. the image before her causes a pit to sink in her stomach, rooting her there for a moment and preventing her from doing anything but staring.

finally, she climbs out of the car numbly, devastated by the sight before her. des’ remarks only sicken her, making her shut her eyes and tune them out. it’s so clinical. detached. he just starts investigating, like it isn’t his best friend’s house that they just found scorched. ]

Oh god.