#6-Candles

[blue_sniper]

[Bucky's not in the ballroom with everybody else, or whoever decided to go to the ballroom. He's actually sitting in the lobby, with a bunch of candles around him. There's a book of matches next to him, too, since there seems to be a magical draft in here. Thanks, Castle. There also seems to be a wished-up bottle of the worst tasting whiskey in the world and a shot glass.]

Hey, are all of you guys all right? You aren't stuck anywhere, are you? If you want some company [or to keep him company] I'm in the lobby. Can't miss me. There's a ton of candles.

(OOC: You probably know if you're Bucky's friend or not. This is also open to anybody who wants to walk by and see him there.)

Comments

[wizard_redfive]

Huh. Maybe it's just you... or the day. Have you tried wishing up alcohol before?

[blue_sniper]

Not really. Never had a reason here to drink like this before. [He shifts over.] Want to sit down?

[wizard_redfive]

Sure. Someone's gotta make sure you don't set anything on fire.

[Dairine sits down next to him and put out the illumination spell. Might as well save energy.]

So you do have a reason why you're drinking?

[blue_sniper]

I'm drinking to steady my nerves, thanks. The Castle's messing with me. I keep hearing noises, out in the dark. I'm not sure if there's something out there... but I can still hear it. [He has issues with these things.]

[wizard_redfive]

Yeah, I can hear them too. It's messing with everybody today. [Sometimes she sees shadows or movement, but she's not going to mention that. No need getting him more worked up.

Dairine watches Bucky, wondering something but not sure she should ask.]

[blue_sniper]

...What? [She's looking at him funny.]

[wizard_redfive]

...

Can I ask you a question? [Might as well ask first.]

[blue_sniper]

Go ahead. You don't even have to ask, Dair.

[wizard_redfive]

[She was just checking. This might be probably is a sensitive topic.]

Is it because of the war that this bothers you so much? Not being able to see what’s out there?

[blue_sniper]

[He smiles bitterly.] Something like that.

[wizard_redfive]

Would talking to me help?

[blue_sniper]

Dair... [He shakes his head.] I don't want to scare you.

[wizard_redfive]

Bucky. [Dairine gives him a look.] I have been chased across the galaxy by bug-eyed monsters, attacked by a miniature dinosaur, shot at by blasters, nearly burned up by solar fire, and hunted down by living darkness Itself.

You do not need to worry about me.

[blue_sniper]

...I get the picture. [Her life is probably even more traumatic than his.]

...Did I ever tell you I got captured by HYDRA? The guys with the energy weapons?

[wizard_redfive]

[Debatable, but seeing as she’s only 13? That’s probably true.]

No, I don't think so. [She's pretty sure she'd remember something like that.]

[blue_sniper]

...They experimented on me. [And that statement requires a drink because he needs one to get through this.]

[wizard_redfive]

...

Oh. [What do you even say to that?]

[blue_sniper]

[He is surprisingly blunt when it comes to these things. He doesn't want to draw it out.] I don't even know half of what they gave me, or what they were even doing to me. I have a vague idea, though. Half of the time I just slept, trying to ignore it. Other half...I hallucinated a lot. [Hence the Castle getting on her nerves.]

[wizard_redfive]

[Dairine, despite her bravado, looks stricken. She had no idea. Here she thought it was going to be related to the fighting and bloodshed during the war. No knowing where or when the enemy might strike. But this is different.]

So you’re worried that the sounds are just you. That you’re hallucinating again.

[blue_sniper]

Yes. [He pauses here.] I also think I see and hear the dead soldiers, the ones in my company. I'm a Sergeant, you know. And I... I let them die. On the battlefield, in the HYDRA factory... [He takes a deep, steadying breath.]

[wizard_redfive]

Bucky. [She says, trying to get his attention.]

[blue_sniper]

[He looks over at her.] Dairine.

[wizard_redfive]

[Dairine isn't sure she'll say the right thing, but that's never stopped her from trying.]

It's not your fault.

[blue_sniper]

It probably isn't. Doesn't stop me from thinking about it. [Quietly.] Doesn't stop me from thinking about any of it.

[wizard_redfive]

[Alright. Let’s try something different.]

Well then, how about you listen to me for a bit? Maybe it'll take your mind off things.