[He eyes the canteen but there's a subtle shake of his head. Not right now. Not while he's still fighting himself out of whatever dream he's just had. He's awake. He's awake and he's physically here, but there's a part of him caught up in his nightmare still. His focus on Bellamy and the kitten appear to be what he's choosing to believe is real.
Focusing on Bellamy being alive and his head not spontaneously combusting due to his shard erroring out. Focusing on the still-warm night air. Focusing on the soft fur under Bellona's chin. It's not a bad strategy.]
But what if even then you can't fight it? [He doesn't want to sound defeated. It's the last thing he wants with Bellamy, but he knows it's harder to keep the tone out of his voice.] What if you know for a fact that the dreams are going to become a reality really, really soon? That's where I'm stuck.
[He doesn't have an answer to that, either. What if you can't fight it? What then? He's been there - but at the same time he hasn't, because watching Hiro now and thinking about how he's been for the last month or so leaves Bellamy with the realization that it's far more than just basic nightmares.]
[So, he doesn't answer, not right away. Instead he ducks his head, putting himself on a closer level to the kid, and his face is full of both understanding and concern.]
What dreams, Hiro? What's going on? [The question could be taken to mean just right now, in this moment, but Bellamy means it to expand into - everything. The entirety of why he's had a chronic case of insomnia through this moment.]
[He doesn't shy away the minute Bellamy draws in closer and instead he finally allows himself to really look into the older guy's face, face pinched a bit and teeth gnashing at his lower lip in thought. There are a lot of things he could tell Bellamy right now, but he knows he needs to take one step at a time.
The important thing should be first.]
...remember how I went with Loki right after you and I got back from Parrais? Loki and I did a little breaking and entering right after that, right into Troichean Beinn. And we were hoping that we'd find some answers about the shards but we found something way worse instead. [He shakes his head.] Bellamy? It's happening. The second vision...it's coming true.
[He knows Bellamy will understand what he means. The second vision, the one of fire and mechanical beasts and everything Bellamy had told him about.] I don't know how long we have, a few weeks maybe? Maybe another month or two, but those things are going to be leaving the mountain soon and coming after us.
[He seems mostly unfazed by any breaking and entering, even sort of knew Hiro was going to look into the dwarves further, just not to that extent.]
[But when he drops the fact that the vision is real, Bellamy's expression drops too. On some level, he isn't surprised. The Godswar dreams all came true too, hadn't they? It makes sense that the machines would, especially after he'd gotten it for a second time.]
Shit. [To put it mildly. He runs a hand through his hair and wishes he had more of Waver's whiskey.] I kinda suspected it'd be coming, even if I hoped - [Hope is weird. Right now it feels a little useless. He knows he's a realist, and that tends towards cynicism, but sometimes he liked to imagine things wouldn't be - too shitty.]
You saw them? The machines? How many did they have?
[That definitely puts it mildly. He allows Bellamy to have his small freakout, petting Bellona's ears and staring straight ahead instead of directly at Bellamy. The question draws him back though and he shivers a little as he thinks about it.]
Hundreds? Maybe thousands. They were working on them really fast like they've been doing this for months. [Probably because they have been.] Rings upon rings of 'em just waiting to be brought to life and storm out of the mountain. Loki and I were trying to figure out if we could find a way to stop them but…the magic they're using is ancient. I have no idea what it really is and neither does Loki. We're breaking the news to everyone tomorrow morning.
Is there anything else about the vision that you didn't mention before? Maybe that'll help. [Maybe. But if Bellamy's watching close enough it's obvious that Hiro's already accepting that there might not be anything that can be done. And he hates it.]
[The more Hiro explains, the more it sounds like a "fuck" situation rather than a "shit." Bellamy's face grows grim, and he doesn't say anything immediately in response.]
[And he suddenly feels guilty, like maybe he and Clarke should have gone public with this much, much sooner - it just hadn't felt as pressing as most else at the time. Like Finn's death, like getting into the mountain.]
We covered the hulking mechanical monsters part. [A beat.] Did I mention they had shards for eyes? Did you see anything that might be related to that?
They spread fire too. I'm guessing that's gonna be a problem.
Yeah. Yeah, I actually saw their eyes. Tons of shards, red and green colored irises and pupils and blood smeared everywhere. The shards were basically drinking in the blood to power themselves. They were breathing smoke and steam when Loki and I saw them.
[There's not much that could have happened if Bellamy and Clarke had come forward sooner. There wasn't enough proof and now...] They know how to target shardbearers. We're trying to figure out how to get out of the way. [His free hand pulls on his bangs.] Loki and I are making an announcement in the morning to see what ideas everybody else has.
Fuck. [There it is! He runs a hand through his hair, trying to think about how they might've even gotten the shards and trying not to be overwhelmed by how terrible and unstoppable it sounds.]
Good idea. Once you get through with that, we should probably focus on what we can handle - the safety of shardbearers, putting out fires. Blindly attacking the machines'll just end up with more dead shardbearers till we know what works best against them, but trying to save the destruction behind them seems like a start, especially if the vision is anything to go by.
That's putting it lightly. [He runs his free hand through his hair, shifting and trying not to squish the kitten in his arms.]
I've been trying to think of everything I can but the problem with them is they can find us. There's no hiding from them so it makes safety even harder. How are we supposed to fight or keep people safe if there's no other out?
[His jaw sets hard, trying not to look too cynical about it all, if only for Hiro's sake. Not that he thinks Hiro is blind to how dead-end it all sounds right now either, but Bellamy doesn't want to give up for himself either.]
We play defense. We help people who can't help themselves. There isn't a solution right now, but I refuse to believe that means we can't find one. The more people we have brainstorming this, the better. It could set off a chain reaction of strategy.
You did good, Hiro, figuring out it's coming in the first place. We have a warning now.
That's what I want to do by announcing it with Loki, tomorrow. He was gonna do it himself, but I told him I wanted to be there. If we can get people to start thinking about these things maybe we can outsmart them. [It's still troublesome, even if there's the tiniest of grins.]
And anyway, it's not like I'm doing a ton of sleeping. I can use the time to figure stuff out. Be productive or whatever. I like the idea of a chain reaction, but we need a catalyst to set it off, first.
It's a good idea, and it's good you're involved. You're smart, especially with this kinda tech. [He says it casually, because even if it could be read as complimentary, to Bellamy it's just matter of fact.]
[He does frown over the admittance of no sleep, but it's not like Bellamy's in a place to judge. He hasn't gotten a full night's sleep in weeks.]
Sometimes a catalyst can just fall into your lap. [Look at him, trying to be optimistic. He doesn't quite realize it, but it's probably because Hiro needs some.]
It's tech and magic. [But he appreciates it, judging by the small smile. Thank you for believing in him, Bellamy.] We'll figure something out. We have to.
[That optimism is what he needs, and at the question he pauses again to think.] ...not really. I need to tell you something. Well, about something that happened back in July when I went to Quendi. I didn't exactly tell you the whole story because I thought I could fix things by now but doesn't look like it.
[Bellamy half grins back. It feels a little weird to stretch the muscles.]
[Then he frowns, but the admission isn't exactly a surprise. The last few weeks have been hell on sleep for a lot of people, Hiro included. He's even gone off with the kid in the middle of the night a few times.]
[But Quendi means the Shuck was likely involved, and Bellamy knows he's not going to like the answer to his next question, his tone already concerned.]
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Focusing on Bellamy being alive and his head not spontaneously combusting due to his shard erroring out. Focusing on the still-warm night air. Focusing on the soft fur under Bellona's chin. It's not a bad strategy.]
But what if even then you can't fight it? [He doesn't want to sound defeated. It's the last thing he wants with Bellamy, but he knows it's harder to keep the tone out of his voice.] What if you know for a fact that the dreams are going to become a reality really, really soon? That's where I'm stuck.
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[So, he doesn't answer, not right away. Instead he ducks his head, putting himself on a closer level to the kid, and his face is full of both understanding and concern.]
What dreams, Hiro? What's going on? [The question could be taken to mean just right now, in this moment, but Bellamy means it to expand into - everything. The entirety of why he's had a chronic case of insomnia through this moment.]
no subject
The important thing should be first.]
...remember how I went with Loki right after you and I got back from Parrais? Loki and I did a little breaking and entering right after that, right into Troichean Beinn. And we were hoping that we'd find some answers about the shards but we found something way worse instead. [He shakes his head.] Bellamy? It's happening. The second vision...it's coming true.
[He knows Bellamy will understand what he means. The second vision, the one of fire and mechanical beasts and everything Bellamy had told him about.] I don't know how long we have, a few weeks maybe? Maybe another month or two, but those things are going to be leaving the mountain soon and coming after us.
no subject
[But when he drops the fact that the vision is real, Bellamy's expression drops too. On some level, he isn't surprised. The Godswar dreams all came true too, hadn't they? It makes sense that the machines would, especially after he'd gotten it for a second time.]
Shit. [To put it mildly. He runs a hand through his hair and wishes he had more of Waver's whiskey.] I kinda suspected it'd be coming, even if I hoped - [Hope is weird. Right now it feels a little useless. He knows he's a realist, and that tends towards cynicism, but sometimes he liked to imagine things wouldn't be - too shitty.]
You saw them? The machines? How many did they have?
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Hundreds? Maybe thousands. They were working on them really fast like they've been doing this for months. [Probably because they have been.] Rings upon rings of 'em just waiting to be brought to life and storm out of the mountain. Loki and I were trying to figure out if we could find a way to stop them but…the magic they're using is ancient. I have no idea what it really is and neither does Loki. We're breaking the news to everyone tomorrow morning.
Is there anything else about the vision that you didn't mention before? Maybe that'll help. [Maybe. But if Bellamy's watching close enough it's obvious that Hiro's already accepting that there might not be anything that can be done. And he hates it.]
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[And he suddenly feels guilty, like maybe he and Clarke should have gone public with this much, much sooner - it just hadn't felt as pressing as most else at the time. Like Finn's death, like getting into the mountain.]
We covered the hulking mechanical monsters part. [A beat.] Did I mention they had shards for eyes? Did you see anything that might be related to that?
They spread fire too. I'm guessing that's gonna be a problem.
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[There's not much that could have happened if Bellamy and Clarke had come forward sooner. There wasn't enough proof and now...] They know how to target shardbearers. We're trying to figure out how to get out of the way. [His free hand pulls on his bangs.] Loki and I are making an announcement in the morning to see what ideas everybody else has.
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Good idea. Once you get through with that, we should probably focus on what we can handle - the safety of shardbearers, putting out fires. Blindly attacking the machines'll just end up with more dead shardbearers till we know what works best against them, but trying to save the destruction behind them seems like a start, especially if the vision is anything to go by.
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I've been trying to think of everything I can but the problem with them is they can find us. There's no hiding from them so it makes safety even harder. How are we supposed to fight or keep people safe if there's no other out?
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We play defense. We help people who can't help themselves. There isn't a solution right now, but I refuse to believe that means we can't find one. The more people we have brainstorming this, the better. It could set off a chain reaction of strategy.
You did good, Hiro, figuring out it's coming in the first place. We have a warning now.
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And anyway, it's not like I'm doing a ton of sleeping. I can use the time to figure stuff out. Be productive or whatever. I like the idea of a chain reaction, but we need a catalyst to set it off, first.
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[He does frown over the admittance of no sleep, but it's not like Bellamy's in a place to judge. He hasn't gotten a full night's sleep in weeks.]
Sometimes a catalyst can just fall into your lap. [Look at him, trying to be optimistic. He doesn't quite realize it, but it's probably because Hiro needs some.]
That the only thing keeping you up?
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[That optimism is what he needs, and at the question he pauses again to think.] ...not really. I need to tell you something. Well, about something that happened back in July when I went to Quendi. I didn't exactly tell you the whole story because I thought I could fix things by now but doesn't look like it.
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[Then he frowns, but the admission isn't exactly a surprise. The last few weeks have been hell on sleep for a lot of people, Hiro included. He's even gone off with the kid in the middle of the night a few times.]
[But Quendi means the Shuck was likely involved, and Bellamy knows he's not going to like the answer to his next question, his tone already concerned.]
What happened, Hiro? What's going on?