[Center][h2]Dakota Rhett[/h2]
[sub]November 29th - Time Unknown - The Velvet Room[/sub]
[hr]
[/Center]

What was turning out to be a peaceful slumber was easily interrupted by the sudden boom of thunder than rang in Dakota's ears, eyes shooting wide open with a gasp. An attempt to move showed he was restrained, the young man grasping the harness as his eyes darted about the area, slowly taking in the details of where he was. The seats, the metallic appearance, and the horrid mixture of engines and explosions that made this place sound like any B-grade war movie he'd watched in his life. He'd been here before, more than once. This dream always played out the same way, and seemed to have no real purpose behind it, which caused his panic to disperse into a bit of annoyance at not getting to sleep peacefully.

But something [i]was[/i] different this time, Dakota discovered. As he undid his harness and pulled himself to his feet, the repeated visits to this dream had made him wonder what was behind that door. Now it was open, and to spice up this repetitive experience, he'd check out this new development. One step at a time, he slowly traveled across the aircraft, wincing at each explosions as if it could be the one that hits his plane. And with the way it shook, it wouldn't surprise him if they [i]were[/i] getting hit.

Panicked by this sudden thought, he was quick to enter through the newly opened door. His mouth opened to speak, but nothing came out. No matter how hard he tried to question the situation, words couldn't escape him. Instead his eyes rested on the source of light in the room, and the sleeping police girl that he didn't recognize in the slightest. His head tilted in confusion, though his attention was quickly snatched by an ominous voice, view shifting to the mysterious figure in the cockpit. 

[i]Finally? I don't even know who you are.[/i]

Eyes widening at the sight of the empty pilot seat, the lack of alarm from the mysterious individual seemed to imply this wasn't a huge deal, but he also hurried him in a calm tone to take a seat. Dakota followed the man's suggestion, sitting down and swiveling back to face the front of the plane. Igor's words pulled him from viewing outside in any regard, his tone carrying some sort of effect that brought the young man's full attention. 

[i]Hell... I feel more lost. It's kind of a purgatory, really.[/i]

An explosion, yet again. The blast was visible from his seat and Dakota couldn't help but stare at the sudden brightness in the dark. Soon, it all twisted to black, leaving the outside of the plane devoid of detail. A void of black that felt like it lead nowhere, to the point he wasn't even sure if they were moving anymore. Despite this being a dream, he felt sick. His stomach was in knots, and he was getting a little anxious from all of this.

[i]So sudden, that my life was thrown off track. I put all my eggs in one basket, and it came back to bite me. Where I thought I was free, I've come to realize life without passion is a boundless cage, still.[/i]

Dakota's view follows Igor's gesture, the young man looking over the plane. Despite how strange it was, it did feel safe. Something inside gave the young man some peace here, like he could just sit and relax with his own thoughts, without hinderance from anyone else.

[i]I feel lighter here. As if there's something truly comforting, even in the carnage surrounding this plane.[/i]

Bringing his view to the console, the rampart wheel being something Dakota attempted to stop: But it torn from his hands in a fashion that nearly made him feel like his wrists would be snapped. A hopeless gaze ventured forth towards an explosion that blew open the void, exposing a sky with many planes, more than the boy could hope to count. 

[b]"Lost souls circling the drain, day by day, until you go down."[/b]

Dakota winced at these words. They sparked fear in his heart, the idea of death being a terrifying one. He didn't want to end up as one of those that the shells finally hit their mark on: He wanted to persevere, and make it through. He wanted to find a road to happiness in his life after feeling like he'd lost it. Were the solutions tied to this huge-nosed individual, somehow?

[i]I don't want to drown. How am I supposed to find my worth, though? I'm just a shell of what I used to be, and a cowardly one at that. Is there really something out there for me to find? I'm just not sure...[/i]

An odd hopefulness gave him warmth, though it faded as negative thoughts clouded his mind, and his view. Igor's nod wasn't directed at him, and it caused Dakota to turn and try to look, noticing an awake but drowsy police woman, the same that had been napping before. His eyes locked onto the lever, and the hand she had upon it. As it was pulled, the young man's eyes widened, attempting to scream as his plummet began. 

The force of the air felt like it could cut his skin, a moment in his fall his view of both the sky and ground were fully obscured by the clouds, leaving him with nothing but the sounds of war, which came back into view as he flew downwards, gaining speed and getting ever closer to the explosions rocking the surface. Fear set in, unable to make a sound, but simply thinking of his demise with two repeated words:

[i]I'm falling!
[center][sub]I'm Falling![/sub][/center]
[right][sub][sub]I'm falling![/sub][/sub][/right][/i]
[indent][sub][sub][b]"Falling asleep in class, man..."[/b][/sub][/sub][/indent]

[Center][h2]. . . . .[/h2][/Center]

[Center][h2]Dakota Rhett[/h2]
[sub]November 29th - Morning[/sub]
[hr]
[/Center]

His eyes shot open, shifting from a slumped position to instead sit straight. His fingers combed through his hair, trying to clean it up a little as he looked for the source of the voice that woke him up. To his left was a guy with a concerned expression, eyebrow raised seeming utterly confused by Dakota's napping. "You're lucky you have that tall dude sitting in front of you, or the prof might've noticed." He remarked in a quiet voice, eyes back to the front as he tried to look involved, himself. Either not expecting a response or he didn't want one, as to not make their interaction obvious.

Rubbing his eyes, Dakota recovered from his sleeping state fairly quickly. Or tried, eyeing the front and trying to listen in. His thoughts blocked out most of that, however. That whole situation with the plane was a dream again, but why were there so many details this time? Who were those people, and why'd the guy in the fighter helmet have a nose longer than most sub sandwiches? Shuddering, he tried to get past that, as he realized details from the dream were disappearing, here and there. Leaving large chunks missing. There were a few words that rang in his head, however, with that same voice of authority.

[center][b][sub]"Soon you will wake up, but whether you face reality -whether you awaken- is up to you. And should you find your worth, we will surely meet again.”[/sub][/b][/center]

Back pressing against his seat, he bit the inside of his cheek with a frown. Dream or not, finding his worth... That was a goal in his life. He had no idea what to do with himself, and while he was blessed with the chance at university, he hadn't been making much use of it thus far. He had no real progress on a path he'd chose when he talked to his parents, who judged him. He could feel it. Looking online just got him more messages of demand for him to work harder, or words of success for The Spark. He was dead weight, now. A fire that burned out before it even really began. This 'worth' was something he wasn't really aware of himself having, but it at least reminded him to not give in too easily. He had a semester at least to try and figure himself out, that'd be enough time. 

If he kept falling asleep like this, though, he wouldn't last. So there was a chance he'd not have the time he was speaking of. Shaking his head, he decided enough was enough when it came to second-guessing, at least for now. As disinterested as he was to begin with to fall asleep, that hadn't really changed now. He just couldn't get motivated about anything, and it was as frustrating as it was saddening. No amount of attempting to hype himself up or getting himself involved lead to him feeling any better. He just wanted to feel comfortable, was that too much to ask? 

With the wolves of doubt nipping at his ankles, he was starting to genuinely think it might be. Despite being willing to still try, he had a lot of doubts that just wouldn't fade. All of it was honestly making him sleepy again, and he felt like he'd be napping again before long. Only thing keeping him awake was the idea of the guilt he'd feel for letting the guy beside him waste his kindness. Looking in his direction, all Dakota got was a small thumbs-up gesture, which caused an honest grin to shine on Dakota's face. He offered the same thumb gesture back, before focusing on the lecture with a little more intent.