[At least Paul isn't putting up a fight, or insisting that the rain is the friend as it pools around their ankles and grows, by the second, more difficult to walk through. As thirsty as the sand is, it grows saturated quickly. Little burrows fill, and soon they will be swimming for their lives with all the little lizards and mice.
"Just a dream", after all, isn't only that for a dreamwalker. It's more, and so very fraught.
There's a plateau in view (because where on Lazarus' map wouldn't give him some way to survive?) He leads Paul along like a kite on a string in his sure and ethereal reverie, feeling down-to-earth and grubby in comparison. He's already thinking of where they might go, and what they might do if the rains don't stop before the plateau is covered. Lycka's still nowhere in sight, splintered away from his soul by this ordeal.
Whoever, or whatever, Paul is here, L is committed to scrambling and working and double-covering bases.]
Climb.
[A curt command, and he starts, pressing a hand into the clay-like rock before following shortly with one of the beaten sneakers on his feet. Anything to get away faster from the water and the floating fungus.
Just one step up, he looks back at Paul and hears his wholly earnest claim.
What does one say when he trusts no one, really, believes no one, really, is all right with no one, really?]
I... believe you'd never try to do that.
[Another handhold. Paul can follow; L can find and test, ginger and slipping against the pelting rain.]
no subject
"Just a dream", after all, isn't only that for a dreamwalker. It's more, and so very fraught.
There's a plateau in view (because where on Lazarus' map wouldn't give him some way to survive?) He leads Paul along like a kite on a string in his sure and ethereal reverie, feeling down-to-earth and grubby in comparison. He's already thinking of where they might go, and what they might do if the rains don't stop before the plateau is covered. Lycka's still nowhere in sight, splintered away from his soul by this ordeal.
Whoever, or whatever, Paul is here, L is committed to scrambling and working and double-covering bases.]
Climb.
[A curt command, and he starts, pressing a hand into the clay-like rock before following shortly with one of the beaten sneakers on his feet. Anything to get away faster from the water and the floating fungus.
Just one step up, he looks back at Paul and hears his wholly earnest claim.
What does one say when he trusts no one, really, believes no one, really, is all right with no one, really?]
I... believe you'd never try to do that.
[Another handhold. Paul can follow; L can find and test, ginger and slipping against the pelting rain.]