towerofanimus | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Characters: Waver, Marty, anyone else that stayed topside
Setting: Hidden Floor
Format: Any
Summary: Let's figure out that exhaustion thing!
Warnings: TBA

[The Hidden floor is probably the safest place in the Tower right now, but "safe" is relative when everybody is starting to feel the effects of the new threat.

The infiltration team has a dangerous job, but how well can those who stayed behind prepare for the aftermath when they have their own crisis to deal with?]

[This is a mingly log! Feel free to post your own subthread!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's hard to say what wakes Diarmuid up first: Waver's sudden movement, the choked sounds, or the fear that tears through their bond. Whatever it is, he is awake and reaching for his partner before his eyes are even open. Not that opening his eyes helps much because it is painful to see Waver so scared. He holds out his arms again, gesturing as if he is trying to coax a frightened child back to safety.]

Mo Stór, what is it? What did you see that scared you so?

I d--I don't...

[Stammering, he lowered his hands only to gain a nervous deathgrip on his own arms. Withdrawing further in what was a near instinctual response to panicking, he started forcing himself to take deep breaths in order to stop his heart pounding in his chest.]

...I don't kn-know.

[Diarmuid curses their bond mentally. The one time that they might have benefited from him seeing what Waver had seen and it hadn't shown him anything. Of course...

Not that being upset at their rotten luck helps Waver calm down any. That is why Diarmuid very quickly pushes away that anger and gets up, moving to Waver's side, but not quite touching him just in case that will really make things worse. It's hard, though. Even with all they have been through, Diarmuid doesn't think he has ever seen Waver look this scared before.]

I'm here. You aren't alone. Tell me how I can help you...

I'm...I'll be alright. [Waver shook his head, making an effort to pry his arms apart and pressing a hand to his face. His breathing started to even out, though the feeling of his heart rate skyrocketing was one he was having difficulty losing.]

It was just a n-nightmare. But it...wasn't an ordinary one. God fucking knows I've had plenty of those, right?

I think--I think this could be worse than we already assumed.

Forgive me if I don't believe you.

[Carefully, Diarmuid puts a hand on either of Waver's arms, rubbing them lightly.]

When we are so tired and stressed, it's harder for us to keep our fears tucked away. I wouldn't be surprised if whoever set this up is taking advantage of that. They know by now we are fighters and just making us tired isn't going to be enough to stop us.

[He pauses for a moment and then asks softly.]

Was...it something involving me?

No, it...[He shook his head, leaning against Diarmuid and speaking calmly despite the notable tremble in his shoulders.] No. I can't even accurately describe it, there was nothing concrete or really clear.

[Diarmuid frowns, thinking this over as he wraps his arm around Waver's trembling shoulders.]

So, would you say it was more like some kind of emotional shot? Instead of showing you your fears, you felt them--all of them wrapped up into one?

[The idea of one of the Administrators having a weapon that could make them feel something like that at any time and in any place...]

I don't know, alright?! [He went tense at the sudden outburst before scowling and trying to steady himself.]

Sorry. It's just shaken me a little, that's all.

[Diarmuid almost flinches at the outburst, but manages to hold it back because he knows that Waver doesn't mean it. It also won't help Waver calm down if he thinks that he has upset Diarmuid even accidentally.]

Don't apologize. I am just trying to get a few details so we know what to tell others to look out for. That can wait, though. You need more time to calm down. I'm sorry. Lets talk about something else, okay?

[Deciding it was smarter to keep his mouth shut, Waver put his arms around Diarmuid's shoulders and nodded slightly. He was going to need a moment to phrase some vague and terrible feeling into actual words.]

Take your time.

[Diarmuid rests his head against Waver's, the arm that isn't around Waver's shoulders shifting so that he can stroke Waver's hair. He then is quiet, giving his partner all the time he needs to calm down.]

[After a few minutes, Waver seemed to have returned to normal; he took a deep breath before speaking.]

I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm sorry. I really can't say with any accuracy what I saw--it wasn't so specific as to be any coherent memory or anything similar.

All I can say is that wasn't any sort of nightmare I've ever had before. Something's wrong, more so than anyone's assumed.

It's all right. Don't worry about it.

[Diarmuid presses a quick kiss to the top of Waver's head, before sitting back a little so he can look at his partner.]

So, this goes deeper than just exhaustion. Do you think it's actually draining away our souls and that is why you had such a strong reaction? Something is pulling at the things that are in the deepest parts of your self?

No--maybe not? [Uncertain, Waver frowned as he stumbled through his own thoughts in quiet muttering.] This can't be right. All this happening without an obvious cause like those shadows, it doesn't make logical sense. Unless Riki's....but no, is that possible?

[He glanced to Diarmuid, beginning to look annoyed more than frantic or afraid.]

Hear me out and tell me if you think this sounds crazy. You obviously remember that machine downstairs. What if Riki figured out another way to siphon energy? I don't know if he could have used whatever he gained from that little excursion of ours to reverse-engineer something or if it works remotely, but do you think it could be possible he's still at it with a different method?

[As Diarmuid listens to Waver, his face pales.]

Mo Stór, I don't just think what you are saying is possible, I think that might be exactly what is going on. After all, there is no way we would willingly help him again now that we know he didn't do what he said he was doing with the energy we gave before. No one knows everything that machine can do and Riki knows the Tower better than anyone. If the machines abilities can be directed out, Riki is the one who would be able to figure that out and once he did it would be child's play to find a way to direct...

[He pauses as something suddenly strikes him.]

Those floors. They are entry points, aren't they? Whatever is directing the machine's power is probably hidden on those floors...

Entry points...I hadn't even thought of that. I'd bet anything they must be, you bloody genius.

[In stark contrast to his mood up to that point as well as Diarmuid's own pale expression, a smile broke out on Waver's face.]

We've got him. There must be something on those floors acting as a conduit; unless that machine's fucking psychic, and I'm willing to bet even the machines here aren't that absurd. All we need to do is find what's there drawing energy from us and deal with it accordingly!

[Diarmuid bows his head, a smile slightly raising the corner of his mouth.]

I think you are exaggerating, but thank you. However, it's not going to be easy to find what the conduits are. None of those floors are the best even without the added energy drain and floor 16 is a bottomless pit or void or something like that. Where would you even start looking for something on a floor like--

Whatever it is, it is small. If it is on that floor, it has to be. There isn't a lot of space to put anything. I don't think even Riki can place things in an empty space...

Oh, if it was easy it wouldn't be a challenge. God forbid we get bored in our little life or death game.

As for that, there's a simple solution. Volumen Hydragyrum may not be able to see, but seeking out electrical signals may not be a problem. Of course, I've never tried having it track that specifically, but I could be able to manage with a bit of work. If that's the case, I can send it onto floor sixteen instead. And if whatever could be there needs to be destroyed, it can handle that as well.

And you call me a genius.

[Diarmuid laughs softly.]

That is a perfect way to deal with it. Considering that floor, it almost has to be something that is stuck on or is part of the wall. After all, that is all that floor is--walls and empty space.

I've never measured the distance it can reach, but it's certainly not very limited. However much empty space there is, it should be able to stay rooted on the stairs instead of falling. I'd rather not waste time recreating it again, so I'll need to be cautious.

[Diarmuid nods in agreement and then frowns.]

Here's hoping whatever you find can be destroyed. This is Riki we are talking about. Who knows how strong whatever the conduits are could be...

Certainly, but let's not forget I have far more than brute force in my arsenal.

Of course you do...

[A twinkle suddenly enters Diarmuid's eyes.]

Though, I'm not sure your good looks and charismatic personality will work here...

While I'm flattered, this isn't quite the time for that. I think you are aware I meant that I prefer to solve my problems with logic before blowing things up.

Details, details...

[Diarmuid waves his hand dismissively.]

So...how much longer is logic going to let you rest before you have to go?