mallowhallow | Rehearsal 6 (6/21): [Video, from Astralfield]

((OOC: Set not long after this nightmare -- the nature of which means that this post may have some triggery or at least unpleasant-to-read elements. You've been warned!))

[When the video feed clicks on, the first thing of note is that Victor Van Dort does not look like he's having a good day. He's paler than normal (which, if you know him, is quite the feat), his breathing is shaky, and his eyes are wide and haunted. He looks like someone who's just gone through hell -- which, in a way, he has. It's also worth nothing that he appears to be sitting in the hallway of the Hotel that dominates Astralfield, rather than his room. After a moment of staring at the camera, he swallows and tries to speak.]

Everyone, I have to -- to -- oh, I'm s-so sorry. . .I tried, I really did. . .

[But the inevitable’s happened, and now he has to warn people. He looks away, gathering himself before continuing.]

To everyone in Astralfield -- if you -- if you s-see a certain man today -- tall, brown hair, white-l-lensed glasses -- no eyes, j-just glasses -- sharp teeth, and a beard made of d-dripping black gunk -– DO NOT GO NEAR HIM. I don't care if he g-greets you kindly, I don't care if he makes any attempt at p-playing nice -- RUN in the other direction. He's -- h-he's from a n-nightmare I just had and -- and --

[Tears well up in his eyes, and he presses a hand to his face in an attempt to hold them back, slumping to the side as he does. He honestly looks like he just wants to fold over and spend the rest of the day curled up on the floor.]

He’s a monster and I unleashed him and now I d-don’t know what I’m going to do. . .I'm so sorry, everyone, I r-really, really -- ow!

[He abruptly jerks upright again, fear and sorrow briefly replaced with confusion.]

What on earth was --

[Victor stops, staring at something off-screen. Slowly, he reaches down and picks it up, bringing it into view. It’s –- a fork. A barbeque fork, to be precise. But one that’s a lot larger than your average barbeque fork -- and one that looks a lot more dangerous. The three tines taper to almost needle-fine points, and the left-most one seems to have an edge to it that extends down to the shaft. Curling vines are etched into the metal, and fluttering butterflies into the wooden handle -- though those are harder to see because of Victor's fingers being curled around it. Victor stares at it for a long while, turning it slowly. Then his face darkens, and he turns back at the screen. When he next speaks, his voice is lower, rougher -- and angry.]

Do excuse me, there’s been a change of plan. If you see that man, tell me where he is –-

[His fingers tighten on the fork.]

And I’ll take care of the bastard.

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[Eventually. He just needs to get over the shock.]

W-win -- don't you talk to me through a pillow?

"Well, yeah! But it looks like a window, doesn’t it? I thought it was one!"

[Pft, technology is an ass, isn't it? Although there are screens in Equestria.]

But it's still in a -- pillow. . .

[It suddenly hits Victor just how ridiculous this all is. A pink talking pony just jumped through a screen in a pillow out of another one in his magical chalkboard to give him a hug. After he had a nightmare about Ruin and Bumby that is now walking around and causing him grief. Almost unwillingly, he starts to laugh.]

Oh -- oh dear. . .I'm in Rutledge, aren't I? I snapped and went to Rutledge. . .I'm probably sitting in some padded corner right now, wrapped in a straitjacket and drooling. . .

[He can't seem to stop laughing, even though it's not really that funny.]

[It really isn't...in fact it's even starting to worry Pinkie. Laughter is her element and she loves it, but this kind of laughter is just...

Creepy.]

"No, no straitjackets or drool...And it's me, Pinkie , your friend."

Edited 2013-10-02 01:16 (UTC)

They -- they have straitjackets where you're from? The pretty colored ponies go mad just like -- like people?

[And with that, the laughter morphs into a sob, and he buries his face in his knees.]

I don't want to be mad I don't I don't and I don't want him running around and I don't want you have to know about him and oh what am I going to do?

[Aww, Victor, Pinkie’s going to start crying! This is just too sad!

She sits down beside him and puts a foreleg across his thin shoulders.]

"We do...not many ponies go mad though. But when they do...look out! It usually happens when we can't do our special talent."

[She gasps.] "Ohmigosh! Is that what's happening to you?"

[Victor wipes his eyes, forcing himself to look up at her.]

N-no, I don't think so. I can still draw here, and I've got that "keyboard" to practice my piano on. . .I'm just broken inside, and some days it's hard to keep myself together.

[After a moment, he slips his arm around whatever passes for shoulders with her.]

I'm sorry you had to see me like that. It's just been a t-tough day, what with that nightmare now running loose. . .and thinking about Alice, and how much I miss her. . .and just everything.

[Awww, Victor, don't apologise! Pinkie can handle it, after all, she may love to smile, but she loves her friends, even when they're sad.

She gives Victor a big squeeze! Not too tight though, he looks rather fragile.]

"It's OK! You aren’t alone here. I’ll help you out no matter what! Maybe we can find a way to contact Alice?"

[Victor appreciates the hug more than you may ever know, Pinkie. He really, really needed that right now.]

I know. I just have trouble remembering sometimes. And I -- I don't know if there is any way to. . .

[His eyes drift down to the fork, currently lying by his feet, dropped as he had his moment of insane laughter.]

Maybe I'll feel better if I put that through whatever passes for an eye socket with that thing I dreamed up.

Rehearsal 6 (6/21): [Video, from Astralfield]

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