-Cursum Perficio-

A Psychonauts Fanfic by Digitaldreamer

Chapter Two: Welcome Back

--

Well, you've made it to chapter two, so I assume that means you don't utterly loathe this fic... or else it's like a car crash and you're too horrified to look away. At any rate, welcome!

Once again, this chapter has been revised for your pleasure... or not, but I'm hoping you'll enjoy it. I've added some details, my beta reader and I fixed up the grammar and I even added some dialogue! It's been a bit busier than last chapter but I'd say for the most part I'm happy with the results. My biggest effort was to try to keep Oleander more in character... when I first started writing I really just did not want to have to write the poor coach, so I generally just tried to shove him out as much as possible. I think this time I've done a bit better with him and I hope you'll agree.

This chapter has always been one of my favorites, it just feels very reminiscent of the game and lacks a lot of the seriousness of the later chapters. While I enjoy the seriousness and drama, it's also nice to write things like this since it helps to balance out everything that comes later... that and I just love writing Raz, really.

Right, on to the chapter!

Suggested listening music is Freshman by The Verve Pipe, Track 2 on the soundtrack.

--

Six years had done little to change Whispering Rock Summer Camp. The birds still chirped brightly as they flitted from tree to tree, making a point of not getting within range of the telekinetic bears that were still lurking just about everywhere. The fish still swam about in the still semi-radioactive Lake Oblongata, though they were no longer quite so frightened of a certain Hulking Lungfish. The rickety doors of the kids cabins banged as the newly arrived campers swarmed in and out of them, haphazardly stowing away suitcases and backpacks with the sort of pent-up energy that comes after spending hours sitting still on a hard, plastic bus seat. Their childish laugher and shouts filled the air, still not quite able to drown out Janitor Cruller's cries of "GIT!"

"Well, there they are. Yet another little platoon of spoonbenders, fresh minds filled with untapped power, ready to learn to use it on the battlefield," Morceau "Morry" Oleander murmured as he gazed out of one of the windows in the counselor's lodge.

"So you say. Most of them will be more concerned with trying to set each other's hair on fire than actually bothering to tap that power," Sasha Nein stated from his spot at the table in the middle of the lounge, a thick book in hand.

"Oh, come now, Sasha darling, you don't know that," Milla Vodello admonished from across the table as she flipped through a fashion magazine.

The pale-faced scientist quirked a brow at her over his square-lensed sunglasses. "After seven years? Yes I do. This may be a government training facility, but most of the children are far more concerned with simply learning how to use their powers to play tricks on each other," His red-tinted nose wrinkled. "Ach, and burning child hair always smells the worst..."

He really wasn't sure why he still kept this job. He didn't really like children all that much, if at all, and they were usually terrified of him so the feeling was pretty mutual. Of course, he didn't really mind teaching them, passing on knowledge to the next generation was important, after all. The problem was most of them didn't really see that knowledge as more than another way to psychically torment their little friends. So why was he still here? He supposed it was because some children actually did show potential, and those that did weren't that hard to get into his lab (as long as Agent Vodello was kept in the dark over the matter), and his discoveries hadproven useful. And some of those children weren't really sobad, but still...

"Sasha, it's a summer camp," Milla pointed out as she brushed a few strands of dark brown hair behind her ear, her dangling earrings swinging back and forth from the motion. "The children are here to have fun and perhaps learn a few things. It's not Harvard!"

"Indeed. Harvard doesn't smell of burnt squirrel."

The Brazilian instructor shook her head, her full pink lips pursed into a pout. "Oh, come now. The smell isn't that bad..."

"Using gaudy incense burners to try to cover it up does not help their case, Milla," Sasha stated as he sipped his coffee using telekinesis.

Milla's green eyes widened, then narrowed."They are not gaudy. You simply have no sense of style." She huffed, crossing her arms. "Honestly, Sasha, you need to understand that there are in fact colors beyond black, gray, and brown."

"There are? I never noticed," Sasha drawled sarcastically, looking back to his book.

"Well, they won't be burning each other this year. Unless they'd rather drop and give me twenty!" Oleander declared, spittle flying from his mouth as he spun around to shout dramatically. The effect was ruined by the stool that he needed to see out the windows in the counselors lounge, but no one was stupid enough to comment on that.

Milla glared at him. "It's not boot camp either, Morry," She stated firmly. "Honestly, couldn't you at least try to be a bit kinder this year? Less yelling? They're only children, after all."

"Less yelling?" Oelander repeated, his brow furrowing. "What, you think the enemy's going to nicely try to talk things out with them? I'm preparing them for war, Agent Vodello! WAR!" He yelled, waving around his baton.

Milla opened her mouth to reply, then thought better of it and shook her head. "Oh, never mind. Honestly, the two of you are both such party killers."

"There is no time for partying in war, soldier!" Oleander declared. Sasha didn't even bother responding, he was too wrapped up in his book.

"It's no use trying, Milla. They're always like that and you know it. You all never change,' A voice suddenly piped up from behind them all with a laugh.

Three sets of eyes darted around the room as the trio tensed, each already almost in position to attack before their sight settled on the far wall. There stood Raz, leaning next to a framed photo of the lake, a smug grin on his face as he pushed his goggles up onto the top of his head.

The three Psychonauts stood there for a moment, slightly dumbfounded. Finally after a moment Sasha found his voice.

"...Razputin?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Razputin?" Milla repeated, allowing her hand to fall to it's side from where she had placed it against her head.

Raz raised a gloved hand in greeting. "Afternoon, Agent's Nein, Oleander, Vodello." He said, nodding to each one in turn. His attempt at sounding official and serious didn't come off quite the way he wanted, given the fact that he couldn't seem to keep the grin off his face. "Long time no see!"

Oleander's shoulders slumped and he slapped his forehead with a gloved palm "Raz," he groaned. "How many times do I have to tell you? You don't have to sneak in here past security every time you come anymore! You can just come in through the gate! You know, like everyone else!?"

"Oh, I know. I just like this way better," Raz said, his smugness over being able to get past the Whispering Rock security system yet again clear in his voice. He placed his hands on his hips as he glanced around. "So this is the counselor's lounge, eh? Don't think I've ever been here before. Interesting," He prodded at one of the little Psitanium carvings set on a bookcase as he spoke.

Milla sighed and shook her head, reaching up to massage her temples. In spite of her oncoming headache, she was smiling. She had seen this boy grow up over the past six years, and even after all this time he certainly didn't seem to have changed all that much. "Razputin, it's good to see you again. But tell us, darling, why are you here?"

"Huh?" Raz glanced up from his inspection of a slightly dusty portrait of a younger Ford Cruller.

"She wants to know why you're here, Raz. You're too old to be a camper anymore, and even then you're already a Psychonaut anyway! So what's with the sudden visit, soldier?" Oleander asked, folding his arms before him as his grizzled face sunk into a frown.

"Oh... um..." The sixteen-year old trailed off, frowning. What was he supposed to say? 'Oh hey guys, I'm here because I keep dreaming about something bad happening to this camp, don't mind me'? Admittedly, now that he was here it did seem a bit crazy...

Raz gave a small, nervous laugh as he scratched the back of his head. "Just visiting? For old times sake?"

Oleander, Sasha, and Milla all just simply stared at him.

The sixteen-year old's laughter trailed off and he gave a sigh. "Right." He said, his back straightening slightly and eyes narrowing as he went into "business mode". "Look, I'm not even sure I can properly explain it. But I came because for the past few weeks I've been having... um... nightmares."

"Nightmares?" Oleander snorted, raising a brow. "Come on soldier, I thought you were tougher than that!"

"Morry!" Milla's voice had a scolding tone.

Raz winced. Jeez, just hearing Oleander say it like that made it seem ever crazier.. So he'd been having nightmares? So what? But his first adventure had already taught him he should never disregard dreams. "Well, yeah, but... these are different..."

"You believe they may be premonitions, then? Such as perhaps with the incident that happened six years ago at Whispering Rock?" Sasha asked, quirking a brow. He was clearly in all business mode, his scientific mind already cranking into gear.

The teen frowned. "Er, well... that is... I don't..."

"Oh, honestly you two!" Milla admonished. "Give him time to relax and tell the story before you start bombarding him with questions!" She moved towards Raz and smiled gently, placing a gloved hand on his shoulder. "Come now darling, why don't you sit down? You must be exhausted after your trip. You can tell us the story then... with no interruptions," She added, shooting her companions a glare. Oleander grumbled whereas Sasha merely quirked a brow at her.

Raz gave a grateful smile as she lead him towards the table. "Thanks, Agent Vodello--"

"Milla, darling. Just Milla, we're not on a mission now, hm?" The woman winked at him.

Raz gave a small chuckle as he took a seat. "Sorry... thanks, Milla."

"Would you like anything to drink?" She asked as she made her way towards the kitchen.

"Uh, coffee, thanks," Raz said as he eyed Sasha's mug with a hint of longing. "With sugar, please."

Sasha quirked a brow at him as he took his original seat back, sipping his now slightly cooled drink. "Coffee? What happened to the tooth rotting soda addiction?" He asked as Milla shuffled around cabinets behind them.

The teen gave a small chuckle as he recalled the years spent desperately seeking out a vending machine "Well, times change... and I really, really have needed the extra caffeine lately." He said, propping an elbow on the table and leaning heavily on a gloved palm.

"Ah. I am not sure if I should be approving this out of the interest of your poor dentist or if I should be saying something about it being a bad habit," Sasha drawled.

"You drink it," Raz pointed out.

"I am in my thirties, drink and smoke. I am allowed to make choices that may be bad for my health," The scientist stated.

Oleander snorted. "Sasha's allowed to make all the stupid decisions he wants. Besides, don't you know that stunts your growth, maggot?" He grunted as he took his own seat. Both Raz and Sasha locked eyes at that, then immediately looked away as they both fought very, very hard not to laugh. The coach scowled as he realized what he had said. "Oh, shut up, both of you!"

"Now, now, no fighting, and that means all of you," Milla said as she returned, pressing a steaming mug into Raz's hands. "There you go, sweetie."

Raz nodded in thanks as he took the cup, taking a sip. Once he was finished he glanced up to see all three older agents gazing at him intently and he flashed a nervous grin. "Er..." He mumbled, feeling a bit like he was under a microscope.

Sasha leaned back in his chair. "Well, now that you have your caffeine... what was this about nightmares?"

"Oh... right," The teen sighed, shoulders slumping as he gazed at his reflection in the steaming liquid. He had almost forgotten. To be honest, he almost didn't want to tell them. He wanted nothing more than to just sit there and laugh like old times... but no, he was here for a reason. Even then, he wished he didn't have to tell them. It wasn't that he didn't trust them... but these dreams gave him a bad feeling, one that said he shouldn't let anyone get involved or they'd get hurt. That meant Oleander, Sasha, Milla... everyone.

Unfortunately, for the moment, he didn't have a choice. He'd just have to tell them and take only as much help as he needed to hurry and get this solved before anyone got hurt.

"Yeah... so... um, I've been having nightmares. The very similar ones, every night. I can't actually remember what's in them, but they never seem to go away no matter what I do. They weren't so bad at first, but lately I can't even close my eyes without having one," The boy explained, raking his fingers through short, reddish brown hair as he spoke. His previous energy seemed to have drained away, leaving him looking exhausted. From far away, when Raz was acting with the energy and excitement he usually did, there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary, but up close the shadows beneath his jade green eyes were clearly visible.

"Oh my... darling, that's terrible," Milla murmured, sounding concerned as she leaned forward. "I thought you were looking a bit pale, but I didn't know--"

Raz shook his head, flashing a smile. "Don't worry Milla, I'm fine. I'm just tired, it's nothing I can't handle," He stated. "Anyway... I can't actually remember what happens in any of the dreams...but something in them seems familiar somehow."

"Familiar?" Sasha repeated, brow furrowing. He seemed to be going into "science" mode again. "Familiar as in?"

"Well actually... it reminds me a bit of... er... you know, the curse." Raz trailed off, biting his lip. Milla and Sasha were two of the few people he had actually told about his family's "problem", and that was because it had come up during a mission. He had quite nearly drowned that time. And of course, Oleander knew better than any of them, having had his mind tangled with Razputin's so many years ago.

Sasha nodded. "I see," He simply said. "Anything else?"

Raz frowned, jade green eyes darkening slightly as he tried to remember. "I'm not sure... but I do know that it seemed familiar. And whatever it was, it was bad. Really, really bad."

Oleander scowled, apparently annoyed at the lack of information. "Okay, okay, whatever, so you can't remember your dreams but you know there's something bad in them! That still doesn't explain why you're here!" He growled.

"Yes it does," Raz said quietly. "Because I may not remember much, but I do remember one thing. They always take place here. And something very, very bad happens."

Silence for a few seconds.

"Here? At Whispering Rock? Darling, are you sure?" Milla finally asked, blinking.

Raz nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. I don't know what happens, but it's something bad," He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment and rubbing his forehead, suddenly appearing as if he had weathered much more than a simple sixteen years. "I'm not sure what it means... but I'm going to find out. I have to. So that's why I'm here, to find out what these nightmares mean and try to stop them."

Raz let his hands fall back to the tabletop, gazing at his former counselors. "So, yeah, that's it." He said with a small, tired smile. "I promise I won't be any trouble or anything, and I'll stay out of you guys' way. I just have to find out what these dreams mean."

"So... can I stay?" He finally asked, his smile turning into a hopeful grin.

Oleander, Sasha, and Milla stared at him for a moment, then all glanced at each other. Finally, Oleander grinned, though it wasn't exactly a nicegrin.

"Sure, kid. You can stay as long as you'd like... however, I've got one condition..."

--

"...And on that note, allow to to introduce our secret, surprise special guest! I'm sure you've read all about him in True Psychic Tales Magazine, and he'll be joining us this summer as your new counselor! So please give a warm welcome to the World's Youngest Psychonaut, Agent Razputin Aquato!" Oleander's voice boomed into the night.

Raz swallowed, trying to ignore the lump in his throat. When he had imagined his return to Whispering Rock, this wasn't what he had been expecting. At all. However, that didn't change the fact that he was stuck in this situation now, and he'd just have to deal with it. He took a quick glance at Sasha and Milla, forced his most charming smile, and stepped up onto the hollowed out tree stump that made the Whispering Rock Podium.

He had been up here purposefully in front of an audience only once before, and that had been six years ago, when, under the awed stares of his fellow campers and the pride-filled gaze of his father, he had been made a Psychonaut. And now as he stood here once again that memory came flooding back, along with his own memorable first night. He remembered sitting up in the trees, watching Sasha, Milla, and Oleander on that podium with barely contained awe, stars shining in his eyes as he hoped for the day when he too may be able to stand up there before the eyes of young psi-cadets.

Well, now here Raz was. And it was everything he dreamed of, and at the same time it was something he had never expected. Sure, he knew he was famous, he had been in True Psychic Tales magazine many times now after all, but to see all those campers sitting there in front of the campfire, their eyes filled with the same awe and admiration that he remembered when he was in their position... well, it was something else. Granted, not all the campers were amazed. Some looked only mildly interested, but even so...

And they were all so tiny! 'Was I really ever that short?' thought as his gaze swept across the campers. The tallest of them would probably only reach his chest if they were lucky, and he was pretty sure that was only because the kid had a rather admirable 'fro.

Raz finally stopped at Oleander's side, glanced at all the campers once more, and then took a deep breath, as if he were about to make some great, dramatic speech. He raised a hand and opened his mouth to speak...

"Hey guys. Um... how's it going?" Raz asked, giving a small wave.

Silence for a few seconds. Crickets chirped.

Finally Oleander elbowed him in the ribs. "Come on maggot, you gotta give 'em more than that!" He hissed out of the corner of his mouth.

"Oh. Right, okay," Raz felt his cheeks go slightly pink and he turned back to the campers, still managing to keep his grin in place. He could handle a crowd just fine, he was a circus performer after all! He looked back to the campers and took a deep breath. "My name... is Razputin! But everyone calls me..." He paused for suspenseful effect, making a point of making eye contact with each camper.

"Raz."

Silence for another few seconds. Then the kids all promptly erupted in cheers. Raz leaned back on his heels and folded his arms before him, giving a satisfied grin. That line was always an instant crowd-pleaser. Or else they were all just very, very happy he didn't take ten minutes like Oleander had. Either way, it worked.

Through the cheering Raz spotted one lone kid who had raised his hand. Raz blinked, then pointed at him. "Yes?"

The cheers died down as the camper took a deep breath, then opened his mouth to speak. "Um, um... Mister Raz, sir... is it true that you got all your merit badges here in one day?" He asked timidly.

The teen blinked, then nodded. "Yup! Got all my merit badges in a full twenty-four hours. That was one heck of an all-nighter!" He said, puffing out his chest.

Another hand flew up. "Is it really true that six years ago you came to this camp and you saved all your friends' brains all by yourself?"

"Yup! Every last one of em." Raz said proudly.

"Oh! Agent Raz! Agent Raz! Did you really become a Psychonaut right here, just like True Psychic Tales says?" Another kid spoke up, waving his arm wildly in the air.

"Mm-hmm!" Raz said with a nod.

"And is it true that you're actually gay and you and Sasha Nein were in a tragic relationship that had to be hidden from the public eye because your love was forbidden?" A girl suddenly piped up.

"Yea--" Raz suddenly blinked as he realized what had been asked. He made a face. "EW! No! Where did you hear that?"

"Um... the internet. And everyone knows it can't lie." The girl said shyly.

"Well, here's news for you, it can lie and that's proof for you right there!"

The other campers all began talking at once, each waving their hands in the air and shouting. Their questions and comments all blurred together into a haze of babble.

"Is it true that you're from the circus?"

"Have you really wrestled twenty telekinetic bears at once and won?"

"Have you really met Truman Zanotto in person? What's he like?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Whoa, whoa!" Raz took step back and waved his hands in an attempt to get them to stop. "Okay, okay, one at a--"

"QUIET!" Oleander suddenly roared, effectively silencing the questions and getting the full attention of the now terrified campers. "Settle down! There will be plenty of time to question Raz here later." He snapped. Raz gave a nervous laugh and scratched his head.

"Eheh... right, sorry Coach. Anyway..." He glanced back to the campers, whom were all watching him again with rapt attention. "You all know why you're here. You were born with a special gift... and now you finally have a chance to use it to be something. That's what I told myself when I came here, anyway. So now here's what I'm going to tell you... there may not be any world crisis right at this second. There's probably not gonna be a situation where all your friends' brains get stolen and you have to save the day. But you know what? That doesn't matter. If you try hard enough here, you can do anything. Even the impossible, like getting all your merit badges in one day and becoming a Psychonaut at the age of ten."

Raz sighed and reached up to adjust his goggles. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... well, here you have a chance to be somebody. So just work hard and someday maybe you could be a Psychonaut too, you know?" He then paused a moment, a heavy silence falling over the campfire.

"But of course, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy why you're all reallyhere, right? You all just wanna learn how to throw things at people and burn stuff!" Raz stated with a grin. A unanimous cheer came from the entire camp, even louder than the first two cheers, and he simply grinned wider.

"Alright, alright, yeah, yeah, burning things, whatever. Your introduction's over!" Oleander said quickly, stepping in front of Raz. He glanced over his shoulder back at the boy, eyes narrowing as if to say 'Damnit kid, every year! Stop stealing my show!' "Let's hear it for Raz, everybody!"

Once again the campers cheered and applauded, which Raz responded to by simply giving a grin and a quick wave before heading off the podium. Sure, this hadn't been what he had been expecting when he came to the camp... but it was pretty cool to be on the other side of things. He could get used to this.

He finally stopped next to Milla and Sasha, and collapsed against a tree trunk with a sigh. "Wow..." He murmured, still a bit giddy from the sudden rush.

Milla giggled. "It is a bit strange when you first see them, hm?" She asked.

Raz laughed. "Yeah. They all looked at me... like I was some sort of hero." He said, a smile spreading across his face as he gazed up through the tree branches at the stars. "It's the sort of thing I only dreamed of when I came here..."

The older Psychonauts shared a glance for a moment, then looked to the campfire as Oleander began speaking again. That was their signal to all take the podium again. Milla chuckled. "He's always so dramatic... come along, darling. That's our cue." She said, glancing back at Raz before heading towards the podium.

Sasha followed suit, patting Raz on the shoulder as he passed. Raz blinked, glancing at the older Psychonaut questioningly, earning a rare smile from the man.

"Welcome back to Whispering Rock, Agent Aquato."

Raz blinked for a moment, then found himself grinning from ear to ear. "Thanks. It's good to be back."

--

"So... he made it there. Took him long enough." A voice murmured in the dark.

A swishing sound, like fingers tracing lightly over the surface of a pool of water.

"Honestly... I would have expected an Aquato to be more perceptive... ah well, it can't be helped, I suppose."

Damp fingers reached up to brush long, blond locks out of frigid, sapphire blue eyes, a few droplets of water flinging into the air with the motion. However, instead of falling, the water droplets hung in midair, simply floating there.

"It did give me more time to work out my preparations anyway... a proper game has to be set up first, after all."

The water droplets combined into a single pristine sphere of water, clear and perfect, which hovered above the small pool.

"But the time for preparations is over now. The board is set, and it is time to start moving my pieces."

The singular droplet slowly began to lose its shape, slowly lengthening as if it were clay being manipulated by a skilled potter's hands. After a few moments the droplet had formed into a chess piece, a queen.

"The game is set, Razputin."

A hand reached out to take the chess piece, pale fingers closing around it gingerly. Though it was made out of water, it retained its shape as though it were glass.

"But I wonder... how long will it take you to figure it out that you're not the one playing?"

The hand that was wrapped around the chess piece suddenly clenched into a fist, causing the figure to lose its shape and become liquid once again. Water shot out of the clenched fist and splashed back into the pool it came from, the sound ringing through the air.

All lapsed into silence once again.

--

"So... where do I sleep?" Raz asked as he followed Sasha and Milla back to the counselors lounge. They had just finished getting all the campers settled into their bunks and making sure none were missing. They left Oleander to do his usual rounds of bursting in and yelling at all the kids who were already nearly asleep by himself.

"Well, each counselor gets their own room, they're all connected to the main lounge. We have a few spares, so you'll be sleeping in one of those." Milla explained as they stepped through the door.

"I get my own room? Awesome!" The teen cheered, punching a fist in the air. He had every right to be excited, he honestly could not remember a time when he hadn't shared sleeping quarters with someone else.

Sasha didn't even bother with saying anything, he simply walked past both of them to the little mini kitchen that made up a corner of the lounge and set to work on making coffee.

"Coffee? At this hour?" Milla asked, hands going to her hips. "Sasha, don't tell me you're planning on spending the night in your lab again."

Sasha glanced back at her, quirking a brow. "I'm only going to be a few hours. There are some things I need to take care of."

Milla huffed. "Sasha darling, whatever they are, they can wait until tomorrow. You need your rest!"

"Oooh, are these somethings top secret experiment type somethings?" Raz asked, eyes widening.

Sasha stared at Raz's excited face for a few moments. Finally, he spoke. "Yes."

"Awesome! Can I help?" Raz asked.

"No, because Sasha is going to get some rest, just like you are." Milla stated, glaring at him. "We all have a big day ahead of us."

Sasha simply rose a brow at her. Raz shook his head. "Milla, come on! I'm not ten anymore!" He cried, crossing his arms as his lower lip stuck out in what looked suspiciously like a pout.

He really didn't want to go to sleep yet. Not only did he really want to see what Sasha had been up to, but he knew the sooner he went to bed, the sooner he was likely to encounter his nightmare again. He may not have been able to remember what was in them, but he knew he definitely didn't want to revisit whatever was in them so soon.

Milla frowned. "Maybe not, but you said so yourself that you haven't been getting much sleep lately. You could use it and you know it, Razputin."

Raz huffed. "I'm fine, really! I'm not t--" He was cut off, however, by a very large, very loud, jaw-cracking yawn. Once it was gone he blinked, then glared at Milla and Sasha's skeptical expressions. "Okay, that didn't mean anything."

Milla shook her head. "Come on now, darling. Time for you to get some rest." She said, motioning towards one of the doors that led to an unused room.

"But..." Raz trailed off, glancing back to Sasha. He really wanted to see what Sasha had been up to lately. 'Come on Sasha, say something!' mentally pleaded.

"I agree with Agent Vodello on this, Razputin. You seem like you could definitely use some sleep." Sasha spoke up as the coffee pot began brewing behind him. A ghost of a smirk came to his face as Raz shot him a betrayed look. 'It's for your own good, Raz. Do not worry, I promise I'll let you see everything tomorrow. But for now we can't have you passing out and breaking anything, now can we?'

The boy blinked, considering this. Finally he sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat. It seemed there was no way he was getting out of this one. "Alright, alright. Sheesh. I'll try and sleep." He flashed the older Psychonauts a tired grin as he raked his fingers through his hair. "Honestly, the two of you..."

Milla smiled warmly. "Good. You can take either the room on the far right or far left, they're both empty. Now off you go, shoo!" She said, giving him a very light push with telekinesis.

Raz stumbled forward a bit, then nodded. He turned and made as if to head for the one on the left, but then paused. "What about you two?" He asked, glancing back at Milla and Sasha.

"Don't worry darling, I'll be going to bed right after you, and Sasha--" Here Milla paused to glare pointedly at the German Psychonaut, who didn't so much as flinch. "--Will be going to bed shortly after, won't you Sasha?"

Sasha frowned. "Agent Vodello, I'm not--"

Milla's glare intensified.

"...Yes, of course. Sleep. Very soon." Sasha said dully, turning back to his coffee.

Milla smiled sweetly, then turned back to Raz. "So don't worry. Now go on, you need your rest, sweetie."

Raz sighed, then nodded and smiled. "Yeah, alright." He said, then turned and headed for his room.

After about five steps he realized he must have been much more exhausted than he thought, as his limbs suddenly felt like lead.

Another step, and he found he was feeling slightly dizzy as well, his stomach feeling like it was doing flip-flops. He blinked, shaking his head in an attempt to clear it, and tried to take another step.

A burst of light flashed before his eyes, and suddenly he was no longer in the counselors lounge. He was under the water again, the cold, slimy hand wrapped around his ankle pulling him under. The frigid liquid closed in around him, crushing him in its mighty fist, coaxing his air from his lungs. He let out a cry, the bubbles that made up his last bit of air escaping from his lips as he was pulled deeper, and--

A second burst of light brought him back to the lounge. Raz blinked, then stumbled. "What the--?" He gasped, jade eyes widening. He clutched at his head with shaking fingers, the entire room spinning.

-Razputin...-

He could feel it, the cold water rushing around him, wrapping him in its frigid embrace, causing his entire skin to erupt in goosebumps

-Razputin...-

"Ah!" Raz shuddered as he sunk to his knees, still clutching at his head. He could see it everywhere, the swirling dark depths, everywhere, his family's grave for all of eternity...

-Foolish boy...-

He only distantly heard Sasha and Milla calling out his name, their voices nearly drowned out by the sound of rushing water filling his ears. It was everywhere, everywhere, crushing him, killing him...

-Stop running from me...-

Finally Raz's body suddenly went completely rigid and he knelt there for a moment, staring sightlessly at the ceiling. Then his jade green eyes fluttered closed and with a groan he collapsed, unconscious.

--

To Be Continued...

Dun dun dun!

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