Dream ♠ o11

[defector]

Warnings: Spoilers for Anemone and Dominic's backstory, if that even counts as spoilers?
Dream Effects: [Optional] Some pity mixed with a bit of nervousness, which turns into embarrassment and panic, and then mostly warm and fuzzy feelings from then on out.

A small girl sits on a medical bed, hooked to an IV, surrounded by the emptiness of the room. On her face is an emotionless expression, as she stares into nothing.

The silence is broken by the sound of shoes against tiles. Dominic, barely older than her, walks towards her, carrying a tray of food. Today's not going to be like every other day, though, he knows. Admittedly, he's a bit nervous about it, but not necessarily in a bad way.

"... Morning!" he says. Balancing the tray with one hand, he puts the other in his pocket, where he can feel the object sitting in it. "So today, I, um... what I've, um... what I've brought is something I really like. I know you can't go outside, so I thought maybe you hadn't seen..."

He withdraws his hand, revealing a wilted flower that he gives to her. She accepts it.

"Oh."

It's then that he realizes the state of the flower, as he suddenly looks as flustered as he feels. "Oh no, it's all banged up... What can I...? I'll bring you a better one next time, I swear! I'm so sorry! I had it in my pocket, but..."

So much for his gift--he didn't think this through very well, did he? It's too late to take it back now, though, so all he can do is wish that he didn't mess up as badly as he did. In contrast to him, the girl's face hasn't changed at all. She stares at the flower for a few moments, before taking a sniff. And then, she speaks.

"The smell, it's... wonderful." At this, Dominic ceases in his panicking. He can't come up with any words for a second, awed by the sound. Even though he's seen her many times before, she's never spoken to him, any more than a word.

"Oh, wow... so that's how your voice..." he says, his voice trailing off. At least she doesn't seem bothered by the flower's condition. There's a pause, before he continues. "Um... is it okay, from now on, if I just call you 'Anemone?' "

" 'Anemone?' " she repeats.

"Uh-huh," he replies, nodding. "It's the name of that flower, so..."

She finally takes her eyes off the flower and turns to him. "Yes, I... think that's okay."

With her response, he's delighted, and it shows. "You do!? Really? Wow!"

He whirls around, before he runs off. "Okay! So then... just wait a sec!"

It doesn't take him long to reach the door, which he opens and then slams behind him. A few seconds pass before he opens it again, this time smiling brightly. It's nothing more than a name, but after going for so long without having anything to call her by, he's happy with it.

"Morning, Anemone!"

In return, she stares at him, before looking away. At this, Dominic's smile fades--did he do something wrong?

--But then she smiles, her face turning pink, and Dominic can't help but think that it's beautiful.

---

[Dominic's smiling upon waking up, before he notices the pink glowing--and then the message that appears on the Dreamberry screen.]

What...?

Comments

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

[He smiles weakly in return.]

Even so, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't be in any danger at all.

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

[She turns a serious look on Dominic.]

First of all, I'm quite capable of getting into danger on my own, thanks. And secondly...

...well, I doubt anything he could do is any worse than what she did.

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

... The woman in your dream?

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

Yes. Her name is Bellatrix.

[pause]

In my world, there are several spells that are known as Unforgivable Curses, because they are only used for torture or killing. Bellatrix used one of these on me... the... the Cruciatus Curse, which causes the worst pain imaginable.

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

... I see.

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

[She's not sure what to say in reply. She hasn't really spoken to anyone other than Draco about the torture, since Draco is really the only person in this world who would understand, despite having never been put through that curse himself. So, she just stares at Dominic, wondering if he really does understand or is still blaming himself for Vincent. Finally, she sighs.]

Do you have women fighters in your world, Dominic?

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

[Dominic's never been tortured or truly seen it, so perhaps he doesn't fully understand, which he knows. And in a way, it only serves to make him feel guiltier, as he's reminded of Anemone and how he couldn't understand her pain either.

But this is about Hermione--not Anemone, not him.]

Likely not in the sense of the word you're thinking of, but yes.

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

And what "sense" am I thinking about, Dominic?

[She doesn't mean this to sound cross, but she rather doesn't like people making assumptions about what she thinks although she does it all the time.]

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

Something tells me you don't have LFOs in your world.

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

No, I can't say I'm familiar with the term. What does it stand for if I may ask?

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

Light Finding Operation. They're bio-mechanical hybrid humanoid machines, primarily used for combat.

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

[The wheels are turning in her head.]

Are you saying that these LFO's have feminine characteristics?

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

[Sorry to burst your bubble, Hermione.]

Ah... no.

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

No? Then why bring them up?

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

While it's not typical, I know a few female pilots. However, as LFOs and the like don't seem to be common in other worlds, I didn't know if 'fighters' included pilots.

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

I see. Well, I'd include pilots as a type of fighter. It seems a common enough occurrence in science fiction novels in any case.

But, you said this is not typical? Are females not encouraged to fight in your world?

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

No, I just haven't seen many female pilots... There isn't any real discrimination against them, as far as I know. The ace of the military is a girl, after all.

[Aka Anemone.]

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

Well if that's the case, then you really shouldn't worry about me in regards to Vincent. I'm no "ace of the military", but I'm quite capable of handling myself in a fight, despite what you saw when we first met during that sandstorm.

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

... Everyone has their limits, Hermione.

[And Dominic doesn't know where Vincent's are, or that of his allies, so being told this doesn't mean much to him.]

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

Give me some credit, Dominic. I'm not stupid.

[And she's stubborn. Probably another reason she'd gone along with so many of Harry and Ron's rather reckless schemes... stubborn Gryffindor pride made it rather impossible to back down in a fight.]

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

I never said you were. However, that doesn't make you invincible.

[Unfortunately, Dominic can also be stubborn. This might not end well.]

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

[She sighs, suddenly having no desire to fight with probably her only "friend" in this world.]

And I never said I was invincible. Look, why don't we just drop it.

[She's still frustrated, though.]

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

[Vaguely, Dominic wonders if he's doing something wrong. As someone who didn't have real friends for half his life, he doesn't know if there's some kind of etiquette to this.]

Fine.

[bookishlion.livejournal.com]

[She's silent for a moment. Even though Dominic is a friend, she's still not sure how much to say to him.]

...Vincent wasn't cruel to you, was he?

[unfearful.livejournal.com]

What...?