Leopold watched the tableau unfolding in front of him with an odd detachment, as though the proceedings have nothing to do with him at all. The appearance of a strange man, unknown to him, but clearly familiar to Rose, who appeared shortly afterwards. The duel with the strange dream-creature. Or creatures. Everything is very confusing. He thinks Rose spoke to him at some point, but he’s not certain.

When she comes to crouch near him, he tries to smile for her. “Must we continue to meet under such…unpleasant circumstances, Miss Tyler?”

Her face is out of focus for some reason, but he thinks she smiles at him. He blinks to clear his vision, then tries to sit up. “Stomach wounds are messy,” he tells her, voice faltering as he gives up on the attempt. It just hurts too much. “There’s nothing to be done for it.”

He knows she is from a time far from his own, and his pride needs an answer to a question these dreams have raised in his mind. “I wonder if you might satisfy my curiosity on one point, my dear?” The brilliant purple of her jacket and gold of her hair are all he can make out, so he continues while he still has strength to speak. “Do you know what an elevator is?”