Down the Rabbit hole (Private)

His day had started normally enough, the Nightmare waking up way before the sun to prepare for a day of study or some other activity to keep his mind engaged. His day passed by normally enough that was until the sun began to set and darkness took over. He had just sat down at his desk by the window in the dorm room and was about to see if he could figure out that Japanese system he had found when unexpectedly his phone started to make strange sounds. What was it called? Ringing?

Well whatever it was called those sounds were enough of a distraction to have the Nightmare searching himself for the phone and after answering it had the oddest conversation. The person on the other line was someone he didn’t know making the Nightmare question how said person got his number anyway. It took a bit of poking, but he eventually found that whoever this was had a connection to Mordred that fancy fellow he had met at that even fancier party a few weeks back.

How odd. The Nightmare had wanted to poke more into said connection, but found himself quickly blocked by this rather odd fellow who didn't seem to be in the mood for such a game. Disappointing really. He much rather know the details of this one, but he supposed he would have to find another way to solve the phone number mystery....and maybe even the thing that happened next. Regardless of the other not wanting to answer his question in the end, the guy ended up asking the Nightmare something that made him both curious and anxious all at once. So there was someone who was asleep that hadn’t woken up for weeks and the caller wanted his help with waking sleeping beauty?

Okay. That was certainly an odd request, but why did they want him specifically to help? Well come to find out they knew what type of creature he was and that made that uncomfortable feeling even worse. He admitted he was odd, but he didn’t ever recall saying anything to Mordred about being what he was so…how did this caller get such private information? Was he being spied on or what? Feeling the most uncomfortable he had ever been with a matter, the Nightmare did the logical thing naturally. He agreed to help. Why?

Well it was mostly curiosity of the case itself. This person that had been sleeping for weeks, so why on earth hadn't they gone to a hospital instead? The fact they specifically were asking for his help made him curious what sort of sleep it was this person was in. So a huge driving factor was research and a puzzle with combined with the small fact he simply liked helping others if he could. The other half or why he was the questions that came up with all this. Who was this person and the people with them? And what connection did they have with Mordred or information for that matter get what they had on him? He wanted to know all of this so he had to go, but not without back up.

While it was true the Nightmare could take care himself if this did go way down hill, he just felt better with someone familiar with him…and someone he knew could actually fight if shit were to get physical. And who was that he aimed for person? Well his roommate – Sharaku of course. So after he hung up the phone, he began texting the guy to find out where he was and then after locating him proceeded to tell him what happen. And after that? He had to spend a few moments to convince the guy to come along. It took a while, but at least the guy finally did bend for whatever reason and agree to come along an end result that Rika was grateful for more than safety reasons.

With all that squared away, he and Sharaku would go to the location where the person was located, a hotel that only brought more questions and unpleasant scenarios to the dreamweaver's mind; however, he would push those away before they got out of hand. They would enter and find the room, the one at the door not exactly pleasant so to speak, but that didn't stop the Dreamweaver from giving his best friendly smile as he nodded.

"That's right," he would confirm playing the part of calm and unafraid well enough on the outside. "Ah yes. This is Sharaku. A friend of mine I brought along. Hope you don't mind." He would say as he eventually moved from the door into the room. His eyes scanning the details briefly before landing on the subject? Or was target a better word? Uh...how did one not describe this in experimental terms?

Was Rika being spied on? The odds were likely. Not only had Rika been in Ozaki’s proximity multiple times, but now he was in Mordred’s radius as well. Regis, Mordred’s right hand man, was a man who liked to know what was going on at all times. Collecting simple information like what species Rika was and what they were capable of was important. Mordred may seem strong, but he wasn’t as invincible as he may think. Regis had seen him end up in a coffin comatose from injuries far too many times to believe that.

This, however, was not Regis. This was just some random goon who upon hearing Sharaku’s name had a flicker of recognition for it. He had heard about this kid. Mordred had been very unhappy to find out that he had not been informed of Sharaku’s existence. Nor of the fact they had simply let the kid vanish. Not that this guy had been in charge of him at any point. It didn’t have anything to do with him. Except now Mordred wanted to be extra sure that Sharaku could feel like he was part of the family.

What was he supposed to do? Act extra smiley or some shit? No. He was just going to stick to business for now. He would hold in consideration that he was to be considered family during this interaction.

“Though I will not necessarily say no to him coming… I should let you know before going in there more details on the exact nature of Antonio’s condition."

“Antonio has a precognition talent, and part if it allows him to see into alternative timelines with crystal clarity. Problem with it is, if he gets too engrossed in it he can’t stop doing it. And falls into a slumber like this. We called RIka because he’s a Dreamweaver and due to that may be more accustomed to the type of environment you’ll be exposed to in there… That and if he stays in there too long there won’t be a threat to his life due to his particular nature. You however… Vampires are able to slip into a coma-like state to preserve their life. We can’t be certain your body will be able to do the same if you end up staying in there too long. Like the last one we sent in there to try and get him out of his own head the last time this happened. She didn’t make it out in time and her body died.”

Now this man didn’t know Sharaku at all. But he had to make clear the dangers of going into Antonio’s mind. Because if they dawdled too long and Sharaku died in there because his hybrid nature did not permit such hibernative states…. Mordred was probably going to go on a bender. And while this man may not particularly know or care for Sharaku, he did of course care for his sire.

“Awww. That is too bad,” the Nightmare would say with a small pout. Not truly hurt by the matter considering the situation and all, but still perhaps a bit of fun would’ve been interesting to take reaction notes on. Ah well, his roommate wasn’t going to play the game and even if he did would this guy before the door play? Maybe…but then again most likely not. This one did seem like the more serious sort. You see that? The guy didn’t even make it assuring if it was indeed fine for Sharaku to be here with him. Ah well. He’d make it fine for now.

Well with fun time officially put the side, it was time to get down to business wasn’t it? And of course questions. Questions about time and gangs? Wait what? Rika would blink at Sharaku’s response giving him a confused look.

“So he was serious about that one…well now. That does explain things.” Kind of interesting one would be so open about that. Wouldn’t you want to keep your status as a gang boss hidden? Anyway. And what was that? The other was confirming that it was true they were watching him? He wasn't sure that he liked that at all. Also... “Multiple members of the family?” Outside of Mordred the only person he had talked to was Ozaki and Sharaku….Ozaki was the most likely suspect of the other member right? Or was Sharaku one too? He seemed to know Mordred well enough no? This was getting confusing and opening more questions.

After a moment he’d shake his head about the matter deciding right now wasn’t the time to pick apart family connection thingies or be worried about just how many eyes were on him. Right now he had a job to do and this was kind of not pressing. Anyway, time limits.

So it would seem that one could be in there for however long they wanted…as long as they could eat. And time flowed differently there from out here. “Hmm I see. Well then, let’s hope we don’t get off track and can get the guy back here in timely matter. We don't want anyone going hungry in there.” The Nightmare was happy that Sharaku was coming, but it was concerning the feeding things and time for various reasons one being he could indeed get off track and lose track of time and two...if they lost too much time and Sharaku got hungry what then? Would he attack? Or saying nothing and starve? And what of the one inside his own head, didn't he have to pay a similar price for being so lost in the clouds.

At multiple members of the family being asked it occurred to the gang member that Yuuki or Sharaku probably hadn’t revealed their connections to the gang, given they weren’t particularly enthused about them. Best to just nod and move on from that.

The man grimaced slightly at Sharaku commented on the subtly part. He wasn’t wrong about that. Mordred could be… Difficult at times given that fact. “Best of luck in there. Try not to get too distracted by the alternate timelines.”

The Nightmare would hear the response and give a light “Huh” of intrigue as he rubbed his chin a bit in thought. Well the other was right about one thing. He did want to dissect this matter and find out more about what the other knew; however…

The Nightmare would snort slightly. “That is why I said later and not now.” While he could launch into questions here and now he was here to perform a task for another and well he was going to do just that. Despite being one to follow curiosity into many rabbit holes, when he had task at hand the Nightmare could focus...even though that focus could always be broken by stronger urges to study or figure out something new along the way. Thankfully, Mordred and connection wasn’t his top interest now. No he wanted to go find the one in the dream and see what was in the rabbit hole of the mind.

With that at the front of his mind, he would open the door into the dream world that would snap close as soon as Sharaku was through.

“Well then you have nothing to worry about if that is the case. I will be good, boss,” he would say with an amused and soft chuckle before becoming serious and looking around the place they were in.

He was not familiar with this location that had windows in it. Windows that lit up with a light that made a part of him uneasy. Not too sure if he liked this or not, he would take a few cautious steps further in listening to the area as his eyes scanned for threats as he took in the layout of the place. “What is this place? And where would our target likely be hiding?”