[Open Post] When the Wolves Come Out of the Walls...

[77th_emo_earl]

For the first time since his abortive attempt at escaping back in November, Titus no longer feels so much at home in this place. Something nasty has come out of the woodwork, and he's wondering now if trying to escape was the better course of action. He cannot be alone, not after nearly harming himself, and so he's headed for the kitchen, hoping to find *someone* who hasn't been affected by this madness...

Backdated to the night Morgoth tried to break his mind

Comments

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

Titus blinks, looking worried now. "There have been attacks before this? Do such things happen often in this place?" he asks, wibbling now, and trying to hide it, but for the moment, the mask of nobility has fallen and the scared young man beneath it is showing.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"I don't know, once a year, less, maybe? Though considering who we're talking about, I wouldn't bank on patterns," Robin replies unhappily.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"That it is not a frequent occurrence is a small blessing," he says. "But that it happens without warning is little consolation. Is there some means that a man might arm his mind against him?"

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"There's hypnosis, I guess. Can put up a couple roadblocks that way," Robin says offhandedly.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"And do you know of someone who could perform that ritual?" he asks.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

Robin smirks. "I just miiight."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I would appreciate that, if you could guide me to them, whoever they are," he replies, relieved to hear this.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Heh, I think I can swing that. You busy now?" Robin asks.

He'll help, but he can't resist playing a bit of a trick on Titus.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"Busy? Not this evening. I don't think that there is any chance of sleeping tonight after what transpired," he says, not knowing what he's getting into...

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Alright. Why don't you hang out here, a minute, and I'll go fetch the guy, how's that?"

Robin's plan is to go fetch his pendulum, rather.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

"I can be patient and wait, and after what befell me, there is no risk of me wandering away," he replies, relieved to have someone's assistance.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

A touch later, Robin reappears, looking smug.

"So I'm told you need a hypnotizer?"

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He's a bit puzzled as to who's going to assist him now, but he's willing to go along with this. "Yes, as soon as is humanly possible," he replies. "Before these shadows start to encroach upon my mind once again."

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Alright," Robin drawls. "Taaaaake a seat."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He sits down willingly: at this point, he'd hang from a light fixture like a bat if he thought it would help his situation.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

Robin then takes out the pendulum, and says, "look at it, hm, let your mind fill with nothing, but the pendulum's movement."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He gazes on the pendulum, watching the movement and slowly trying to empty his mind, something much easier said than done with his jangling nerves. But after a moment, he manages to calm his whirling thoughts and simply focus on the moving object.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"On the count of three," Robin says, "you will close your eyes, and sleep."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He dips his head slightly, already consenting, his eyelids already blinking slowly and heavily.

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"Think of a happy place," Robin intones.

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

We're not sure if Titus has one...

Okay, that was a cheap shot at the emo earl. Moving right along...

He thinks of one particular time when he was riding through Gormenghast Forest, through the Twisted Woods and into the forest proper, when the sun shone through the leaves and branches, covering the ground in a patchwork of light and shadow. It's a glorious image he's carried in his heart for a long time, a place he's come back to mentally when he's simply wanted to get away from it all (when he wasn't daydreaming about the Wild Thing).

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"This place is your sanctuary," Robin says softly, though he doesn't know which it is. "No-one can touch you there."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He's breathing easier than he was before, considerably more at peace, relaxed in his chair, his mind far away in the woods, breathing in the scent of earth and leaves...

[rob-fellows.livejournal.com]

"This place is the place where you go when your mind is invaded," Robin says again. "Repeat it after me, this is my safe place."

[77th-earl.livejournal.com]

He draws in a breath, then murmurs, "This is my safe place..."