Video/Action; Sleep with one eye open

[ushahin]

[The video opens up to Ushahin. He's looking a little more ruffled than usual, though only those who know him well will notice the signs. He's breathing hard, like he just finished running, and keeps pushing his hair back with one hand. Every couple of seconds, his eyes dart off to the left. There's a rhythmic banging sound in the background.]

If it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate some assistance. I seem to have found myself trapped by these creatures. Damnable thing aren't affected by my powers.

[It was a move borne of stupidity on his part. He'd known his powers didn't affect the dead and still he'd gone out. Now he was paying the price for it.]

I have found shelter in one of the shops for now, but I don't know how long it will take them to break through. If anyone can arrive in less than twenty minutes-- [There's a loud splintering sound and the video is dropped as he scrambles for something else to barricade the entrance with. He returns shortly, looking decidedly unnerved.] --perhaps it would be best to make that fifteen minutes. I would be greatly appreciative. If not, well...

[Eaten by zombies. What a terrible ending for someone who's lived as long as he.]

Comments

[ushahin]

Yes. Though they remain stubbornly persistent.

[They are going to eventually crash through by sheer force of numbers. The barricade he made out of shelves and chairs won't hold out for too much longer.]

I ran out of food and assumed I would be able to handle them despite their numbers. My mistake.

[pellameno]

Where do you live? I can bring you some supplies when I leave this shop.

[ He's gotten pretty good at sneaking around, and it helps that when they get to be a group, they're highly flammable. ]

[ushahin]

Delight's housing. The second one.

[He's not going to be leaving it for a good long while if he survives this.]

[pellameno]

How do you like it? I'm in a house but my housemates keep... leaving. And it makes the place feel empty.

[ushahin]

I like my solitude. Company is nice, but I need my own space. Otherwise, it gets too noisy in my head.

[pellameno]

Does it make a difference that people are living so near?

[ushahin]

It does. Even having neighbors is troublesome sometimes. Their thoughts keep going around and around, even when they sleep. At least they provide entertainment when things are dull.

[pellameno]

I can't imagine having people in my head constantly like that. I have to turn it on, rather than off... do you ever mix the thoughts up with your own or is it just noise?

[ He wonders if this is how Cobweb felt, always sensing the people around him. ]

[ushahin]

After this long, I have grown used to it. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if it were only me inside my mind.

[It's another form of madness and so it helps to center him, keeping him from falling completely apart.]

It is a little of both. Mostly, it is just a stream of noise. But sometimes, I do catch myself thinking something or knowing something that I should have no knowledge of.

[pellameno]

I'll have to watch what I think around you. Or doesn't it matter?

[ It's said humorously, but he's not entirely joking. There's a lot of dark shit in his life that he wouldn't want to dump on Ushahin. ]

[ushahin]

You should always be careful of what you think. One never knows just who may be listening in.

[Considering all he's seen in the last one thousand years, there's very little that could surprise him now, no matter how dark it is.]

[pellameno]

[ Pell shudders, the memory of Thiede's eyes flashing before him as if it were real. He just nods shakily. ]

You're right.

[ushahin]

[Ushahin grins despite his circumstances. Looks like here is one who has had firsthand experience with having his thoughts read.]

Smart boy.

[pellameno]

[ He does indeed. And experience with being spied upon psychically. ]

Hmm, there's something you haven't picked up yet, I'm surprised. I'm not a boy. Not anymore. My kind is something of both. Maybe something in between. Though this might not be the best time to discuss biology.

[ushahin]

Interesting. [Ushahin doesn't seem all that surprised, but then, when you've lived a thousand years and more, there's not much that can surprise him any longer.] I would ask for more details, but you are right. The circumstances perhaps aren't the best for discussing the difference between species.

[He glances towards the door, which is holding steady for now. At least help is on the way.]

[pellameno]

It's easier to show than tell, anyway. Maybe next time we're in the same place together.

No one's there yet?

[ushahin]

I shall have to invite you over for a meal. It's always best to discuss things over the topic of food.

[He sighs, looking less than alarmed. Ushahin isn't going to die today. He already knows that much. It still doesn't mean some great harm might befall him.]

Someone is coming. They shall be here soon.

[pellameno]

You should. Maybe once we're out of our respective hidings. I can bring some things... I have a garden, that's why I was out.

[ushahin]

Good! We shall make a plan.

[The sound of zombies being slaughtered makes him peek outside the window. Looks like the cavalry has arrived.]

It appears my rescue is at hand. Farewell, Pell.

[pellameno]

I'm glad. I'll talk to you later.

[ And he turns off his device, off to check what's going on outside his own hiding place. ]