entrancelogs | If terror falls upon your bed, and sleep no longer comes

Entry tags:

If terror falls upon your bed, and sleep no longer comes

Who: Cami O'Connell and YOU
Where: Wonderland/Genosha
When: All of August
Rating: TBD but probably PG13 max
Summary: A catch all for August, including the Genosha event
The Story:

The Day to Day

Given the chaotic nature of the realm they're in, Cami's found value in the routine. The predictability of her schedule serves as a foundation of sorts, a way to steady herself between events. She wakes up, she goes for a run along the beach or heads to the gym where Faith kicks her ass--oh, sorry, where she learns how to better defend herself against unbelievably powerful creatures. She showers, she heads to her therapy office, and she listens to whomever wants to stop by, be it scheduled or otherwise. The library sees her visit often, Cami seeking to keep abreast on whatever psychological journals may show up, or research some new and fascinating aspect of the supernatural that everyone in Wonderland has to deal with thanks to a new arrival. And then there's the bar, more of a home away from home than even her room on the second floor. Some nights find her pulling shifts, others find her enjoying drinks, because truth be told it's probably her favorite place in Wonderland.

But things are changing, as they so often do in Wonderland; before Cami had been alone, a singular representation from her own world. Now, that couldn't be any less true, and her neighbors are long famliar faces, bringing with them their own troubles and worries. The best part of her wishes they weren't here, that they didn't have to suffer through Wonderland's brand of hell inflicted on a regular basis--but that hardly quells the rest that's relieved, happy to have that circle surrounding her once again. It also prompts her to put herself out there a little more, to check on faces she hasn't seen in awhile, just to make sure they're still around, and still okay. For so long the people in Wonderland have been her friends, her makeshift family. She won't let them fall to the wayside now that she's got people from home here too.

The Event Post

Cami remembers growing up, mastering her power, and for a long time not understanding the intricacies of why causing people to suddenly feel a sense of serenity might not be such a welcome thing. It guided her choices until she went down the path of psychology, the science of understanding mutant and human behavior. In those years of learning, it started to make sense to her why people seemed so confused when she took away their anger and rage, why in truth she had been stealing, albeit temporarily, a vital part of them.

So she became a therapist, to help people truly find what her powers inflicted on them when she didn't keep them restrained. The difficulty lies in that very understanding she's honed over the years, because in her heart she cannot see this divide between humans and mutants as being just. So when she tries to talk about their anti-human sentiments to mutants, pointing out that the sense of superiority and disdain in fact fuel so many of the current problems, well--

Let's just say Cami doesn't exactly have a thriving therapy practice.

A side-gig as a bartender helps make ends meet, but more and more Cami can't help but feel unsettled about the way things are on the island. More humans are speaking out, more mutants looking to silence them in turn. It feels like things are getting ready to explode, and Cami can't help but wonder how many people will be caught up in the crossfire: mutant, human, innocent.

She's not part of the resistance, although she's heard it exists. Who hasn't anymore? She's also not part of the anti-human force. If anything, Cami finds a use for her power if she stumbles upon a conflict, and more than once in the recent past she's put herself between two people, diffusing a bomb before it has the chance to go off. It makes her want to do more, but honestly, she doesn't even know where to start.

So she keeps to herself, to her routine, and just tries to help in what little momentary ways she can.

{{ooc: August catch all plus Genosha event! Hit me up for either; just let me know what you want in the subject line. Any questions or if you want to talk specific starters, I'm on plurk at

tadity}}

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Are they counting the last event as a victory? They broke through Wonderland's illusion, before it could find its own end. Was that their strength, or Wonderland's weakness? Or merely a ruse to make them believe such a feat was possible? He thinks the answer won't come until the next event.

Cullen sits in one of the library's corners, his table littered with books. In front of him he makes a list, neat columns for the days they spent on that island, filled with names of people who remembered. If he can narrow down the names of those who remembered first, perhaps he can find answers sooner. His circle of acquaintances is too small here, he might need to address the network at large if he wants to pursue this line of inquiry with any efficiency.

He sighs, and sets down his quill. A break to clear his mind, that ought to help. He still has other matters to look into, after all. And so Cullen opens one of the books that surround him, the one with the apple on its cover. He does not get very far, before he shakes his head, and very quickly remembers why he meant to put that on the 'to discard' pile.

"Maker, it's bad enough to embarrass Varric. What sort of information is anyone expected to gain from this?"

"That really depends on what book you're looking at."

Cami hasn't been there long; she's honestly just passing by at the right to hear his complaint, carrying the two books she's decided on for herself thus far. She bends down just enough to figure out exactly what he's reading, only to stifle a laugh once she recognizes it.

"That's more for entertainment purposes only." But please, keep on reading it by all means. Cami is in no way going to mention her familiarity with that particular book, or of the series it belongs to, thank you very much.

He hesitates briefly. There's little warmth he expects to carry over from their last and only encounter, but at least he can say that his research on psychiatry has been concluded. At least he can say that she won't potentially turn into a bat anytime soon.

"Even those stories sometimes carry a useful grain of truth." He lets the book fall shut on the table. "I'm not sure this one is worth the time."

A glance at the surrounding selection gives a better clue as to what exactly he was looking for: Some of the volumes are old, leather-bound, tomes of frightful secrets. Others not so much.

"The library was more forthcoming when I asked it for information on your craft. Now that I try to understand a creature from another world I can't tell if accounts of it are meant to differ so wildly, or if Wonderland refuses to aid my efforts on purpose."

(His efforts have since lent themselves to a tally sheet, on which several of the most common myths he's encountered are written down and counted. 'Resentful of holy items' is in the lead. 'Cannot endure sunlight' ought to be, as well, but it has been deliberately crossed out.)

"Vampires they're called. I don't suppose you've heard of them before?"

Edited 2016-08-08 23:18 (UTC)

True, when they'd spoken before, it hadn't exactly been the epitome of trust and openness. But by the end of it, Cullen seemed satisfied enough to accept Cami's intentions as genuine, or at least not nefarious. It's enough for her offer the teasing comment, but it's the array of books themselves that prompt her to stay. She's careful to keep her expression neutral as the man confirms what information he's after—to say Cami's heard of them is a bit of an understatement.

"Sure. There are even some in Wonderland." Angel doesn't really hide his nature, and certain people already know about the Mikaelsons and Damon. Not that Cami plans on mentioning any of them specifically if she can avoid it, but it's not difficult to guess why Cullen might suddenly be interested.

"Do you mind?" She motions to an empty chair, slipping into it and setting her books aside in favor of examining Cullen's. "It's not really surprising that you'd find an insane amount of information. Vampire lore is pretty popular, at least where I come from. There's been dozens of novels and books written about them, fiction--" said as she motions towards Twilight "--and otherwise."

"So why the sudden curiosity?"

He nods absently to her request, 'Help yourself', mumbled quietly as his thoughts are occupied elsewhere.

"Some," he repeats, and tries to weigh the word. Regis said it was him alone. Regis said it was him alone, from his world, to his knowledge. Cullen cannot hold that against him by default.

"Do you know how many? Do you have names?"

Cullen stops himself. An answer first, it's only right.

"They aren't so well-known in my world. I doubt they exist at all, or even have an equivalent." Somewhat close matches, perhaps, depending on which traits you compare. That is another problem. "I met one a while ago. He introduced me to his- kind. I'm still trying to decide whether I was right to let him live or not."

The intensity of his suspicion only clues Cami into the answer Cullen himself confirms a moment later: he wants to understand the threat that might be posed, to know whom he should look out for should they decide to go vicious or rogue. It's not exactly a foreign idea, given that Cami has friends among both the vampires and the supernatural hunters within Wonderland. Still, she hadn't exactly been looking to maintain the peace when she came into the library that day.

But hey. Cullen's already chosen to err on the side of not-murdering before. Maybe this talk won't be a disaster.

"In a general sense, you absolutely were. Nothing stays dead in Wonderland." Cami herself stands as proof of it, although considering her own murder had been at the hands of a vampire? It's probably best not to go into detail. "Even if you had managed it, which isn't at all easy, he would've just revived."

She's pretty sure that's not the brand of reassurance he's after though. He's asked for numbers, names, and it's a fair question. Cami hesitates, however, wanting to focus on Cullen's encounter first. Depending on just which vampire it had been, and how that introduction had gone, this conversation could take a very different turn.

"Did the one you meet tell you who he was?"

Inevitably Cullen glances downward, where the library furniture casts its shadows. As does Cami. He wonders if that is telling enough, because here 'answers' certainly aren't. As if he needed a reminder that atrocities of immortality came in bulk here. He tries to gauge her words, instead.

"He did. He also said he was immortal. That won't stop me from trying, if need be."

She knows more than he does, which is no art when it comes to this subject. But she is evading his questions. For his sake or theirs?

So he's picked up on her avoidance; not exactly hard given his direct questions that have gone unanswered. In turn, it's only fair he does the same, refusing to give a name and instead issuing a warning. Cami knows any more attempts to slowplay this won't end well; Cullen's suspicious anyway, and being evasive won't exactly earn his trust.

"Okay. Cards on the table? Going after this guy would be a huge mistake." Especially if it's Klaus--please don't let it be Klaus--who has a pretty major fondness for making his enemies suffer. "I know the vampires around here. Or at least most of them. A lot of them come from my world."

And because she knows them, it's for everyone's sake that she's going to try and talk Cullen down.

"They aren't looking to hurt anyone. They're just as trapped here as everyone else, and they know it."

Cami's probably not used to seeing a lot of mutants come by. Actually she's probably not used to seeing humans either— point stands; people are a rare sight around her office these days. Bruce has never been here before, has never even thought to visit, though he has heard of her practice, matched with a vague mention of who she is and what she can do.

Bruce isn't a particular fan of that bit, admittedly, but he understands. His own powers aren't too different from hers, he thinks, and he imagines she dislikes using them as much as he does, if not more. Doesn't mean he's not on alert anyway, but he's willing to be at least a little bit trusting.

He knocks on the door first, waiting until he hears someone telling him he can come on in. Briefly he wonders if she'll even recognize him, either by name or face— most of the island seems to, these days.

She isn't expecting anyone, and with the way things have been lately, that's enough to put Cami on edge. Still, she doesn't let those fears work her guard up too much. She's got a job to do, and maybe someone seeking her out might be a good thing for the both of them. As it is, she stands when the door opens, offering a smile to her visitor.

"Hey; come on in." The urge to offer her hand is there, but some powers are based on contact. It's better not to push the issue, she's found, and instead she motions towards herself. "I'm Cami--which you might have already known, since you're here. Right."

Wow. Has she really gotten this rusty?

"Is there something I can help you with, Mr...?"

He kind of expected a mostly empty place, knowing what he did about her practice, so it's not much of a surprise to find her alone there. Nor is it too weird when she rambles a little— in fact it makes him smile a hint, and even helps him relax.

"I was going to go for Dr. O'Connell, but since you insist," he offers lightly, stepping farther inside and walking around the room for a bit. He plans to sit eventually, he just needs a moment to get used to the room. A habit more than anything.

He turns to her when she asks his name, hesitant for a moment. "I'm Bruce Banner."

Then he waits, just to see if that sparks any recognition in her. These days it almost feels like everyone knows him or has heard of him, so he never knows what to expect.

"Good thing I do; I'm not quite that distinguished." She's glad the touch of awkwardness, unintentional though it is, at least has a positive effect. He opts to move around the space, and that suits her well enough. She means to help people be comfortable, at least to enough degree that they feel safe and at ease when it comes to talking about themselves.

Which might be a stretch with this guy; Cami doesn't miss the pause before he offers up his own name, although it takes her a second to place it. She's heard of him as she learns of most island gossip: through her other job. In between their drinks, some mutants have made mention of him, their disdain fueled by jealousy at his talent and hatred of his beliefs.

Well. That helps to answer the question of why he's here, anyway.

"Okay. Then let's get it out into the open: you're pro-equality, and so am I." He seems to be waiting on that recognition, wary of how Cami might take it. But she'd decided a long time ago that political views wouldn't stop her from seeing people, even if they might prevent some from seeking her out. "I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone: whatever you have to say will be kept in confidence, according to the ethics of my profession. I'm not here to pick sides, regardless of my personal beliefs. I just want to help people."

"I know. I know you are," or he figured, anyway, but it's definitely good to get a confirmation on that. He relaxes a little more when she states that clearly, despite him expecting it already. "I knew of you through Hawke. The one with the radiation issue. I was the one who built his room."

Along with a team, obviously, but he was the lead in the project. She may find his name lacking from the final credits because he basically refused to delete the names of the humans involved in that project, so the lead ended up being credited to someone else. His name's not even in a footnote, like that was supposed to be some kind of punishment or means to make him see how wrong his ways were.

But it didn't work then, and it hasn't worked since. It'll never work. Bruce will never tolerate this kind of blatant oppression and discrimination.

Pocketing his hands, he stands near the window, just out of view were someone to peer inside. "Do humans ever come to you? Other mutants?"

Now that earns a true spark of startled recognition, and almost surprise. Really, it had only been because of her rookie status that she got that particular job, venturing down dark corridors to meet the man who couldn't leave his chamber. It's a sad state, particularly because Cami likes Hawke so well. To that end, it earns Bruce a few points that he'd helped create the chamber.

Plus, it's a little flattering that apparently she'd earned a mention. Hopefully it'd been a good one.

"That's pretty impressive, given his abilities." So the rumors about his scientific prowess are probably true. She makes a note of it, then moves to take a seat since it seems like they might actually be getting started. Where Bruce opts to stand doesn't entirely go missed, although Cami can guess at his reasons. It isn't exactly a peaceful time they live in, after all.

"If you're asking if I do enough business to sustain my practice, I'd say I get by." Granted, most of that business comes from her other job, but details. On the surface her smile remains present, although it's more polite than cheerful as she continues. "If you're asking about my patient base itself, then I'm going to decline to answer--much like I'm guessing you'd like me to if anyone asked if you stopped by."

Bruce just smiles at the compliment, a little awkward. He knows his work is impressive, he knows he's unusually brilliant, but he's also not at all comfortable with talking about it, or having it even brought up in conversation. He'd just mentioned Hawke to situate her and let her know how he'd even heard about her. These days, he wouldn't blame her for being suspicious of anyone coming to see her, even people who're supposedly of the same opinion as her.

"No, I— I'm not asking for specific names. Obviously. I was mostly wondering about how many mutants versus how many humans, is all. How... how many out there even believe in equality."

Sometimes, it's a despairing thought. He sees so much hatred, so much intolerance, that at times he nearly forgets that he's not alone.

"I had a visitor last night," he starts, finally making his way to the couch and sinking into one of the cushions. "A young girl. Eighteen. She was human all her life— or she thought she was, anyway. Her powers showed up out of the blue only recently. She was in a panic, she... she was terrified to go home. She didn't know if her family would understand, she was afraid that her friends would turn against her. All it took was a day, an instant. Some minor change in her genetic code, and that's it, she lost everything."

Or she thought she did, anyway. Deep down it's all the same, really. "And she came to me for help, but I didn't... I didn't know what to do." He props his elbow on the armrest, covering his mouth while looking away. "I don't know what to do anymore."

Between the modesty and the explanation for his question, Cami almost feels a little bad for her suspicion. Although it can't be helped in the current social and political climate, Bruce doesn't strike her as anything but genuine--and maybe a little tired, all things considered. It isn't easy to wish for lasting change and true peace.

She doesn't say anything however, choosing to let Bruce continue. He finally seems satisfied enough to reveal why he's there, and truthfully, it's a heartbreaking story--and all too common. Mutations happen both from the so-deemed pure-blood lines, and from those with no history of it. The right set up of DNA and wham. Everything a person thinks they know and can rely on, is suddenly turned on its head.

But then, Cami gets the sense that Bruce isn't just looking for answers for his visitor.

"Having to answer those questions makes the reality of the current situation we're all in very clear. And how do you give someone hope when the truth is, even the best case scenario is full of hardships and trials?" Even if her family understands, if her friends stay by her, the girl is still expected to be pushed into a different world. She would see what Bruce sees, what Cami has seen: the injustice that exists all around them, based on something trivial and out of their control.

"You probably didn't know what to do because your instinct was to try and make it right for this person. But we live in a world where the status quo isn't okay, by any means. There's no way to assuage her fears, as much as you and I both wish you could."

"I know. I know that."

Realistically speaking, rationally speaking, of course he knows. He's not here for some kind of revelation, or to just magically get an answer for his problems. He's not so naïve as to think that's how this works. He's just reached a point of frustration and hopelessness and he is, admittedly, at a loss of what to do, and all the pent-up feelings that have been piling up have to go somewhere.

So he figures, why not someone used to dealing with things like this? At least he wouldn't be unloading on the few friends he has. God knows they have their own problems to handle, and besides Bruce knows whatever he tells Cami will be kept between them, even what he shares about Max.

"I helped her the best I could. But not as much as I wanted, which is... well, impossible, I guess." He sighs. "She shouldn't have to be made to deal with this. There should be no reason for her to be this afraid."

[It's been a long few weeks since her brother's arrival, followed closely after by Rebekah and the event itself, she and Cami haven't had the opportunity to touch base and regroup. It's because of that, she'll make a point to go down to the bar when she knows her brother won't be lingering to talk to Cami over a drink.]

I think we need a lot of tequila.

A Mikaelson asking for a lot of tequila; that doesn't exactly bode well.

[Although Cami can guess at some of the resaons; Freya's not the only memeber of her family hanging around these days, instantly making everything more complicated. Then again, Cami's a little biased, especially given how much Klaus has been hanging around. Most of the shifts she's pulled recently have seen him sitting nearby, sipping scotch.

It'd really be creepy if she didn't already know so much about him.

At the moment, however, Klaus isn't in sight, and Freya needs a drink. So Cami hits up the stash, going for the top shelf brand of tequila and getting a pair of shot glasses.]

So what exactly are we drinking to?

Klaus. And his ability to keep things interesting.

[Not that she's unhappy to see her brother, but she's well aware of his ability to make things complicated when he puts his mind to it.]

Has he paid you a visit yet?

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If terror falls upon your bed, and sleep no longer comes

Library, Week After The Event

Re: Library, Week After The Event

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event, her office

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post-event, let me know if spam isn't okay }

spam is always okay also i fail so much ; ;

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