Well, this is fine. They're both trapped under the net and the police are on the way THIS IS FINE... He'll try to have Eunhyuk face Luke but maybe he's too net-trapped to do anything except vaguely turn in his direction, damn.]
I won't hurt them, I promise! No more nets! Will you please listen...?
[Margaret and Anise will do as Luke says, but Margaret assures Luke that the police are on their way, and he should yell if he needs them for anything. She also makes a point of saying that she wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't do this. She knows you...
I won't hurt them, I promise! No more nets! Will you please listen...?
[Unfortunately, even with.......... interference, the dream goes on. Luke's problems go on! As this happens, he will feel an attack come on—the eternal reminder of what has happened to him and what might one day claim him.]
[I already clicked on this icon once but I still expected it to be gayggles a second time
ANYWAY THANKS LADIES EVEN IF YOU'RE SHADING HIM LIKE THAT!! MARGARET!!! HE'S A (confused static noises) HE CAN HOLD HIS OWN JUST FINE.
Unfortunately for poor french Eunhyuk, too much weirdness has happened, so it's likely that Luke wouldn't believe him either way and he's just focused on, like, trying to pin him to the ground for everyone's safety--but fortunately for Dahyuk, the creeping sensation of pain is an automatic distraction. His breath begins to grow shallow, and unease prickles at the back of his neck.
Already...? Right now?
He doesn't respond to Dahyuk, though his grip on Dahyuk's wrist tightens involuntarily as his attention is pulled inward.]
[THANKS LUKE HE'S ALWAYS WANTED TO EXPERIENCE THE HORRORS OF LIVING WITH TERMINAL POISONING.
It takes him a second to calm himself from the shock of emotion that isn't his. Good thing his memory bank is currently magically CYOA deactivated or it'd have truly crashed like 50 times by now! He takes a deep breath, willing Dahyuk to put his hand on the one holding his wrist.]
...I'm sorry, Monsieur Luke.
[What an unfair thing, for him to keep suffering even after his death. Is there really no reprieve anywhere they go? It's starting to seem more and more likely. How grim.]
Things won't be any kinder to you when you wake up. I'm sorry for that, too.
[This is probably a bit jarring to Luke, because Aki did not say in his tag that the net is disappearing, so Luke and Eunhyuk are both still caught in it.
Though in Eunhyuk's face, Luke will see flickers of someone else—someone familiar, with green hair. And perhaps it's this person, rather than Eunhyuk the insane delivery man, who speaks.]
... I'm sorry, Monsieur Luke. Things won't be any kinder to you when you wake up. I'm sorry for that, too.
[Does Luke want to wake up, even if it means having to face this struggle all over again? At least in a dream, even if his guilt continues to haunt him, he doesn't have to confront the other horrors of his past, present, and future. Perhaps, in a dream, he can even start all over, should he die.
Knowing all that, what does he want from his life?]
[THEY'RE REALLY JUST HERE UNDER THIS NET AND LUKE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HE'S SENSATION-SHARING THIS TIME, GOOD LORD.
There's still a lot happening, but in such a different way from the chaotic insanity of a minute ago. Eunhyuk's face flickers, and both of them seem so strangely familiar, but he doesn't know why. He can't think through the tightness in his chest, the poison slowly robbing him of breath and clarity.
Maybe that's why he falters. Why, instead of ignoring this as the ramblings of an obviously insane person, he curls inward slightly, his grip on Dahyuk finally loosening just a bit.]
When I... wake...?
[He's never been one to lucid dream, but is that what this is...? IT WOULD SURE EXPLAIN THE GIANT NET. Which, actually, is starting to bother him now that he's marginally less focused on going "what the fuck"--he doesn't like feeling trapped, especially when he already feels trapped in his own failing body.
(But people don't really die in dreams, do they? They simply... wake up. So what's the harm in lingering a little longer...?)]
[HE'S REALLY STUCK IN A ONE-WAY EFFECT WEEK SHARE AND HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW IT. NIGHTMARISH!!!
That, too, is something he understands keenly. The feeling of wishing to stay just a little longer, just for one more dream. Letting go hurts. When the reality waiting is so unpleasant, who would want to? When Luke's hold loosens, Dahyuk will reach for his hand so he can hold it between his own. The net is still here.]
I would let you sleep a little longer if I could. I know that it's hard... Waking up is hard. But I reeeally don't think you want me poking around in your head and heart any longer than necessary, right?
[These are private things, he understands. The private thoughts and feelings and life of a very private person. Something he shouldn't be privy to, but is. The least he can do is try to sever it, so more doesn't play out before him.]
Dahyuk repeats real-life Dahut's words, perhaps a bit frenchly, as you probably don't need me to keep copying and pasting them.
It must be tempting to linger, in this dream. But the idea of someone in his mind, seeing all the things he's tried so hard to keep to himself (when he's tried so hard to appear strong)—that likely isn't pleasant either.
[THIS FUCKING NET. ALSO CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE YOUR DOORDASHER GRABBING YOU BY THE SHOULDERS, SHOUTING ABOUT THE POLICE BEING FAKE, AND THEN TENDERLY SAYING ALL THESE THINGS??? PLEASEEEE
Fortunately the idea that this might be a dream offsets some of the weirdness. And it's true that it's a tough choice. Dreams will always be beautiful, and he's a strong proponent of ignorance being bliss. But Luke hates very few things more than he hates being seen--and beyond that, he simply isn't the type to afford himself the kindness of a fantasy.
But he's also too much of a top to just accept all this, so what if he like. Tries to lash out and push Dahyuk out of his dream. Can he do that.]
[Well, Luke can physically push Dahyuk, but all that happens is that Dahyuk stumbles back and falls right onto his butt. He looks like he's in pain now.
Fortunately for real-life Dahut, this does not apply to him. He continues to vibe in Hell, connected to Luke and his dream, and his butt does not hurt.]
[Okay then he does that and is immediately hit with the onset of the attack as karmic retribution for pushing a grass jellybean so meanly, even if he's currently frenchly possessing their local korean]
[RIP sweet Dahyuk, this poor whitewashed Korean in fake China...
Dahut from where he's vibin in Hell is also absolutely not pleased to be dealing with experiencing what Luke's experiencing as he has this attack NO!! GET OUT OF HIS HOUSE.]
Monsieur Luke— [He's fkcin dying... Well, Dahut will finally release the net, at least, reaching out again with poor possessed Eunhyuk to rest his hands on Luke's shoulders.]
[The net finally disappears, as Dahyuk once again places his hands on Luke's shoulders—though at this point, he's more Dahut than Eunhyuk, perhaps. Though both itch at the back of Luke's mind, that these are people he knows.
And again, he asks Luke to wake up, more frenchly than before.]
Unfortunately I rolled an 18... TCH... so I GUESS we won't summon Ichiban and his baguette. (Yet.) Instead--maybe it's the pain, or maybe it's the desperation in Dahyuk's voice, but something is enough to break through, to start splintering the dream.]
--Margaret...? Anise--?
[His mind turns to them even now, ever protective--but there's something different about their names, now. He knows them--but not like this. The person--people--in front of him--he knows them, but not like this.]
[Dahyuk tells Luke that they're not here, and they aren't, having gone upstairs per Luke's request and yet to hear that they can come down now.
But the names ring familiar. He wanted to save them, and he wanted to make sure they returned home. He wasn't able to, though. He's starting to remember—the Eudora, dying in front of the group during lockdown.
There are so many people he wishes he could've helped, aren't there?]
[Can't believe Luke has a meltdown remembering what he did to Charles specifically
I JOKE BUT LIKE ACTUALLY THOUGH. Their names ring in his head, and slowly, others start to trickle in. He remembers Yuri, and Rosamund, and Throné--maybe not everything, but certainly the devastating impact his deterioration had on them. He remembers Isabel and Margaret, staying relatively calm despite it all. And he remembers desperately grabbing for medicine he didn't have, a useless warning ringing in his ears as pain overtook him.
He made so many promises. He always makes so many promises.
He doesn't want to wake up. But how could he possibly hide away in peace, knowing how he'd failed them?
They're not here, Dahyuk says--but they are. And shouldn't he go, before he fails them too?]
He doesn't feel like he needs to say anything else, though, tethered to Luke as he is now, feeling what he feels and knowing that he's on the verge of his return. Dahyuk just keeps his hands on his shoulders, as if that can help in any significant way.
Meanwhile, the Dahut that's in Hell sitting with Luke's shadowy figure reaches out for his hand, waiting for Luke to choose to step away from the softness of even a soured dream and back into the bitter truth of reality.]
[If Luke thinks he should go, then (now that he's been freed from the net) he can step past Dahyuk, past the dropped takeout bags, and head outside his apartment door. Back to the real world.
The real world being Hell, where as you can see I screencapped a better vibe reference image. The exact surroundings will be a place familiar to Luke, whether from back home or in the Eudora. But they shouldn't linger in this area for too long, as they're needed elsewhere.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Well, this is fine. They're both trapped under the net and the police are on the way THIS IS FINE... He'll try to have Eunhyuk face Luke but maybe he's too net-trapped to do anything except vaguely turn in his direction, damn.]
I won't hurt them, I promise! No more nets! Will you please listen...?
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But upstairs they go.
Eunhyuk does his best to look at Luke, very seriously.]
I won't hurt them, I promise! No more nets! Will you please listen...?
[Unfortunately, even with.......... interference, the dream goes on. Luke's problems go on! As this happens, he will feel an attack come on—the eternal reminder of what has happened to him and what might one day claim him.]
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ANYWAY THANKS LADIES EVEN IF YOU'RE SHADING HIM LIKE THAT!! MARGARET!!! HE'S A (confused static noises) HE CAN HOLD HIS OWN JUST FINE.
Unfortunately for poor french Eunhyuk, too much weirdness has happened, so it's likely that Luke wouldn't believe him either way and he's just focused on, like, trying to pin him to the ground for everyone's safety--but fortunately for Dahyuk, the creeping sensation of pain is an automatic distraction. His breath begins to grow shallow, and unease prickles at the back of his neck.
Already...? Right now?
He doesn't respond to Dahyuk, though his grip on Dahyuk's wrist tightens involuntarily as his attention is pulled inward.]
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It takes him a second to calm himself from the shock of emotion that isn't his. Good thing his memory bank is currently magically CYOA deactivated or it'd have truly crashed like 50 times by now! He takes a deep breath, willing Dahyuk to put his hand on the one holding his wrist.]
...I'm sorry, Monsieur Luke.
[What an unfair thing, for him to keep suffering even after his death. Is there really no reprieve anywhere they go? It's starting to seem more and more likely. How grim.]
Things won't be any kinder to you when you wake up. I'm sorry for that, too.
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Though in Eunhyuk's face, Luke will see flickers of someone else—someone familiar, with green hair. And perhaps it's this person, rather than Eunhyuk the insane delivery man, who speaks.]
... I'm sorry, Monsieur Luke. Things won't be any kinder to you when you wake up. I'm sorry for that, too.
[Does Luke want to wake up, even if it means having to face this struggle all over again? At least in a dream, even if his guilt continues to haunt him, he doesn't have to confront the other horrors of his past, present, and future. Perhaps, in a dream, he can even start all over, should he die.
Knowing all that, what does he want from his life?]
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There's still a lot happening, but in such a different way from the chaotic insanity of a minute ago. Eunhyuk's face flickers, and both of them seem so strangely familiar, but he doesn't know why. He can't think through the tightness in his chest, the poison slowly robbing him of breath and clarity.
Maybe that's why he falters. Why, instead of ignoring this as the ramblings of an obviously insane person, he curls inward slightly, his grip on Dahyuk finally loosening just a bit.]
When I... wake...?
[He's never been one to lucid dream, but is that what this is...? IT WOULD SURE EXPLAIN THE GIANT NET. Which, actually, is starting to bother him now that he's marginally less focused on going "what the fuck"--he doesn't like feeling trapped, especially when he already feels trapped in his own failing body.
(But people don't really die in dreams, do they? They simply... wake up. So what's the harm in lingering a little longer...?)]
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That, too, is something he understands keenly. The feeling of wishing to stay just a little longer, just for one more dream. Letting go hurts. When the reality waiting is so unpleasant, who would want to? When Luke's hold loosens, Dahyuk will reach for his hand so he can hold it between his own. The net is still here.]
I would let you sleep a little longer if I could. I know that it's hard... Waking up is hard. But I reeeally don't think you want me poking around in your head and heart any longer than necessary, right?
[These are private things, he understands. The private thoughts and feelings and life of a very private person. Something he shouldn't be privy to, but is. The least he can do is try to sever it, so more doesn't play out before him.]
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Dahyuk repeats real-life Dahut's words, perhaps a bit frenchly, as you probably don't need me to keep copying and pasting them.
It must be tempting to linger, in this dream. But the idea of someone in his mind, seeing all the things he's tried so hard to keep to himself (when he's tried so hard to appear strong)—that likely isn't pleasant either.
What does Luke choose?]
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Fortunately the idea that this might be a dream offsets some of the weirdness. And it's true that it's a tough choice. Dreams will always be beautiful, and he's a strong proponent of ignorance being bliss. But Luke hates very few things more than he hates being seen--and beyond that, he simply isn't the type to afford himself the kindness of a fantasy.
But he's also too much of a top to just accept all this, so what if he like. Tries to lash out and push Dahyuk out of his dream. Can he do that.]
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Fortunately for real-life Dahut, this does not apply to him. He continues to vibe in Hell, connected to Luke and his dream, and his butt does not hurt.]
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Dahut from where he's vibin in Hell is also absolutely not pleased to be dealing with experiencing what Luke's experiencing as he has this attack NO!! GET OUT OF HIS HOUSE.]
Monsieur Luke— [He's fkcin dying... Well, Dahut will finally release the net, at least, reaching out again with poor possessed Eunhyuk to rest his hands on Luke's shoulders.]
--Please wake up!
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And again, he asks Luke to wake up, more frenchly than before.]
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Unfortunately I rolled an 18... TCH... so I GUESS we won't summon Ichiban and his baguette. (Yet.) Instead--maybe it's the pain, or maybe it's the desperation in Dahyuk's voice, but something is enough to break through, to start splintering the dream.]
--Margaret...? Anise--?
[His mind turns to them even now, ever protective--but there's something different about their names, now. He knows them--but not like this. The person--people--in front of him--he knows them, but not like this.]
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He keeps his hands on Luke's shoulders, letting the surge of protectiveness for Margaret and Anise roll through him.]
They're not here.
[Not here in Luke's dream and not here in Hell, where they've both wound up.]
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But the names ring familiar. He wanted to save them, and he wanted to make sure they returned home. He wasn't able to, though. He's starting to remember—the Eudora, dying in front of the group during lockdown.
There are so many people he wishes he could've helped, aren't there?]
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I JOKE BUT LIKE ACTUALLY THOUGH. Their names ring in his head, and slowly, others start to trickle in. He remembers Yuri, and Rosamund, and Throné--maybe not everything, but certainly the devastating impact his deterioration had on them. He remembers Isabel and Margaret, staying relatively calm despite it all. And he remembers desperately grabbing for medicine he didn't have, a useless warning ringing in his ears as pain overtook him.
He made so many promises. He always makes so many promises.
He doesn't want to wake up. But how could he possibly hide away in peace, knowing how he'd failed them?
They're not here, Dahyuk says--but they are. And shouldn't he go, before he fails them too?]
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He doesn't feel like he needs to say anything else, though, tethered to Luke as he is now, feeling what he feels and knowing that he's on the verge of his return. Dahyuk just keeps his hands on his shoulders, as if that can help in any significant way.
Meanwhile, the Dahut that's in Hell sitting with Luke's shadowy figure reaches out for his hand, waiting for Luke to choose to step away from the softness of even a soured dream and back into the bitter truth of reality.]
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The real world being Hell, where as you can see I screencapped a better vibe reference image. The exact surroundings will be a place familiar to Luke, whether from back home or in the Eudora. But they shouldn't linger in this area for too long, as they're needed elsewhere.]