#18 - [Accidental Video Post]

[totallyinaband]

[Stephen's device is sitting on the table when it clicks on, so the view is angled and partially obstructed. Stephen is pacing in and out of the frame. Neil the cat is winding around his feet as he paces, mewing worriedly. Stephen is muttering under his breath, his breathing heavy and erratic.]

Shut up! Just shut up! Shutupshutupshutupshutupshutupshutupshutup!

[Stephen's hands fly up into his hair making it stand on end even more than usual. He breathing is speeding up, coming in short, loud huffs. He drops into his living room chair, his head planted firmly in his hands.]

Okay. Staying calm, man. Nothing is trying to get in. You're fine. You're inside. Oh God, I'm stuck inside.

[Stephen jumps up as quickly as he sat down and starts pacing again. He's trembling slightly at this point.]

God dammit it, will you calm the fuck down, man!

[Stephen takes a long, shaking breath. His eyes turn to the device on the table, and he notices the blinking light.]

Oh, you cannot be fucking serious. SHIT! Shitshitshitshit!

[The camera is obscure as Stephen grabs for the device, then a cracking noise that sounds suspicious like something small and electronic hitting a wall. Transmission ends.]

[ooc: Double emotions day! Since Stephen's been worried and freaked out by the carousel and mythical creatures attacks, it has manifested itself today in one of the infamous Stills FREAKING THE FUCK OUT panic attacks. And yes, he did just throw his device at the wall, but rest assured it will be very resilient and up and running for Stephen to respond. :-D]

Comments

[Voice;]

[withloadedguns.livejournal.com]

Lock your door and get your frying pan.

Re: [Voice;]

[totallyinaband]

My door is locked! Jesus man, I'm not an idiot!

[Voice;]

[withloadedguns.livejournal.com]

Then you're all right.

Re: [Voice;]

[totallyinaband]

Yeah, very reassuring, man!

[ooc: Caru! Do you watch Community/did you know they are doing a Dollars Trilogy themed two-part finale? They've aired one part and it's AMAZING!]

[Voice;]

[withloadedguns.livejournal.com]

Better than doing nothing.

Or worrying about it.

Re: [Voice;]

[totallyinaband]

You're saying this like I can just TURN IT OFF!

[ooc: It was amazing! The music was uncannily Ennio Morricone-like! Check it.]

[Voice;]

[withloadedguns.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

I guess you do seem a little too wound up for that.

Voice;

[mghtbconcussed.livejournal.com]

Stephen? Are you okay?

Re: Voice;

[totallyinaband]

YES!

no

I'm fine!

Re: Voice;

[mghtbconcussed.livejournal.com]

Okay...I could stop by if you wanted company.

Re: Voice;

[totallyinaband]

[Stephen makes a strange strangled noise and buries his face in his hands.]

I... don't think I'd be very good company right now.

Re: Voice;

[mghtbconcussed.livejournal.com]

It sounds like maybe that's why you need company though.

Re: Voice;

[totallyinaband]

Okay. Yes! Maybe?



Just... be safe on the way over?

Re: Voice;

[mghtbconcussed.livejournal.com]

I'll be safe. Do you need me to bring anything?

Re: Voice;

[totallyinaband]

No, I'm fine.

See you soonish?

Re: Voice;

[mghtbconcussed.livejournal.com]

OTW [Yeah she says the letters]

[And she'll show up in about half an hour with a tupperware cake pan with half a red velvet cake in it. She's got a cricket bat in the other hand.]

[designedtoparty]

[Nathan is crying and wailing... and, okay, he's totally making fun of you, Stephen.]

Oh, my God! How can you calm down, man? Just... Jesus Christ. Oh, Jesus fucking Christ, how could you ever stay calm?!

[totallyinaband]

Will you shut the fuck up, man! I am so not dealing with your bullshit today!

[designedtoparty]

Oh, come on. Have you seen yourself? You're on some class A shit, man.

If you were me, you'd fine this funny, too.

[totallyinaband]

GO


AWAY!

[Congratulations! You have just made Stephen Stills as angry as he ever gets. That usually only applies to people he's dating.]

[designedtoparty]

[Okay. Wow. He's angry enough Nathan will actually leave him alone now. Albeit after a snicker.]

All right, all right. Jesus...

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

[Oh. Whoa, Stephen, you are totally having a panic attack. Looks like it is time to try Nurse Rory. His voice is loud, but firm, not shouty.]

Stephen.

[totallyinaband]

What?!

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

I need you to stop pacing, and regulate your breathing to a count of four. Can you do that for me?

[totallyinaband]

But sitting totally makes it worse!

[But yes, okay. Maybe Rory is a nurse and probably knows what he's talking about. Stephen takes a deep, shaking breath.]

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

That's...the pacing isn't making it better. It might feel like it, a bit, but it's not. [His voice is calming, and even, and very British, if that helps...] That's good, now breathe out for the same count.

[totallyinaband]

[Stephen lets out his breath slowly. Nurse!Rory is making Stephen feel slightly patronized, but the annoyance is actually helping him get back into his usual frame of mind.]

Okay, what now?

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

[Sob, he's just trying to be calming, and to make sure Stephen actually does keep breathing to the count of four.]

Now...just try to keep your breathing deep and to the count of four. Everything outside only lasted until five yesterday, first of all, and as long as you don't draw attention, they aren't interested. Drawing attention would count as...I don't know, actively seeking them out. Which I doubt you're going to do. [Unlike his wife and her stupid imaginary friend. However. Trying to ease a panic attack here, not start his own.] They show up at one, and leave at five. If you keep an eye on your watch, you're fine. You're not stuck inside.

[totallyinaband]

Yeah, it's not just that, man. It's They City, you know?

[His breathing is still heavy, but it's slowed down slightly.]

I just woke up this morning feeling so trapped.

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

Is there another curse today, then?

[totallyinaband]

I dunno, man. I guess that would make sense. Not that these don't happen to me anyway.

Uh, I'm just going to go... pass out for a while. Maybe a few days.

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

That sounds like....more of a good idea than it should do, probably.

And keep the breathing in mind for any...non-curse sorts of....this thing.

[totallyinaband]

Yeah. Breathing. Thanks for the tip, man.

[Cranky Stephen is cranky. He really doesn't like having panic attacks in front of anyone. Especially the entire network.]

[waitsforever.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. [Nurse Rory is...unfazed. At least Stephen's just cranky and not, say...actively cursing him out, or throwing trays of food at his head.

He just hopes Stephen might ACTUALLY take the breathing regulation into mind. He'd get into more stuff but...probably after whatever this curse is is best.]