Desmond Sycamore

Ah- please don’t bite yourself. Would it help if we found you something else to chew on?

(They really ought to get dog toys at the store. He’ll have to make sure to get a bone or too)

Is there anything we can do to help you calm down? Or is your state entirely dependent on Hershel’s mood?

Shhh…

No biting, please calm down. No one is going to hurt you.

Nothing needs to be solved at the moment. You’re being very helpful and very good.

I don’t even…

What do we do from here? Is there even anything to do?

(Once Hershel is down, he huffs and turns to Desirée and the Hound)

Dear lord.

Of course we’re safe. You’re probably just not fully awake.

You can go back to sleep, if you’d like. Isn’t the sun nice?

(Trying to lead the horse(shel) to water, Desmond starts pushing his brother to lay down again)

That, or you might have different sorts of endorphins now. I’m not quite sure.

(Desmond frowns at the wounds, but resists the urge to poke and prod at them)

You haven’t been giving anything, so it’s heads or tails on whether you’re just dissociated enough to not recognize the pain, or if there was some kind of agent in the Hound’s saliva or something.

It did seem to be nipping at you, and I do hope you can’t get infected. Would you let me take a look at your wrist, please?

Does it hurt still? I’m not sure how receptive to pain you are at the moment.

(Desmond grabs onto Hershel’s arms in turn)

I’m afraid that I don’t know the specific date. That’s a rather complicated matter.

I’m from a point in time from before the completion of the journey for the Azran legacy, if that’s helpful…?

Desmond.

I’m Desmond. You’re Hershel Layton, we’re at the aerodrome outside of the Bostonius.

(Desmond also pulls back a bit, letting his arms fall to his sides)

Are you with me, do you think?

It’s okay. Shhhh, it’s alright.

Are you feeling nauseous anymore? Are you all done?

(He sucks in a breath at the clear regression. Here we go again)

Ah. So he’s just thrown up.

(Desmond grimaces and starts rubbing Hershel’s back again)

(Desmond jolts and freezes before hugging Hershel tighter. He seems about to shout but instead half-whispers)

Hound, what the hell is that??

(Desmond rubs Hershel’s back and murmurs some breathing exercises in an attempt at grounding)

(He pulls Hershel into a loose hug and lightly rocks the both of them)

That’s alright. At least you’re still responsive.

We’re safe. You’re safe.

(He watches the chase without trying to interfere, unsure of the best course of action. Upon realizing his brother’s catatonia, however, he moves)

Oh dear!

(Desmond meets them halfway and grabs Hershel by the shoulders)

Oh dear… Hershel, can you hear me?

You’re safe. I’ve got you.

I’m not sure that the other Hounds are.. quite as sentient as ours. Despite your ability to understand and communicate.. I’m not sure it’ll bear much fruit.

Does it want anything, particularly? How did the two of you come in contact?

Is this the same Hound that we encountered earlier?

Ah- er…

(He exchanges a glance with Desirée. What to even say?)

There’s no need to apologize. It must have been loud, yes, but…

(Desmond trails off, clicking his tongue)

Is it safe to grab that thing? The nipping doesn’t look too pleasant.

(He poises to get up, but doesn’t yet move to do so. As the vestiges of sleep leave him, Desmond is getting tense again)

(Desmond pushes himself to sit up and then squints between the Hound and Hershel)

Don’t- what’s going on? The hell..?

(The growling rouses Desmond some more, and he shifts onto his side)

What’s… huh?

(He cracks open his eyes to mumble questioningly at her)

(Desmond was dozing again, but cracks his eyes to mumble something at Hershel before his eyes shut again)

Quiet is nice when you need it.

(Desmond’s mouth quirks up into an amused smile)

I hope that was pleasant for you.

(Desmond is nearly dozing, and he tilts his head a bit to look at them before shutting his eyes again)

All good?

(He hums, petting the Hound as he starts to relax. Desmond gives Desirée a look, hoping she might be able to do something about Hershel’s pacing)

I don’t think it really matters.

(He lays down and looks up at the sky)

Besides, whenever Luke’s ready I need to talk with him, which is easier if I’m already out here. If I go inside, I might just end up crashing and then I won’t be up until night.

I might.

(Desmond reaches over to pet the Hound)

It’s not good to sleep for too long in the sun but it really couldn’t hurt more than everything else I’ve been through here.

I need a drink and a nap, I don’t particularly mind where you are for either.

(He sighs and presses his hands to his face)

Ugh, I have to apologize to Luke. Soon, probably, but I also need to not talk to anyone for a while. I’m not used to company anymore.