caughtinanetwork | Video (Action if you like roofs)

[Johnny sits on the edge of the Larmline apartment's roof, looking contemplative. His question today isn't as innocnet or light-hearted as usual but he still asks it in that generic 'observer's tone.']

Nightmare: 'A frightening or unpleasant dream.' Or: 'A terrifying or very unpleasant experience or prospect.'

Nightmares are the bane of every child's existence. They consist of monsters under beds or hiding in closets until mommy and daddy are safely gone and the child is vulnerable. Sometimes they consist of our worst fears warped into a seemingly impossible situation that feels real all the while you dream.

But, whether it's a monster in the closet or falling off a building or some mass-murderer come to hack us to pieces in our sleep, they're still just dreams, yes?

There's nothing really to fear from nightmares, is there?

When a child has a nightmare you comfort and sooth them, assure them nothing is going to hurt them, and send them back to bed. But what about an adult? Adults dream. Adults have fears. And adults know better than to believe the age-old promise of 'nothing will hurt you.' So what can you do for an adult whose fears grow out of control?

What if the nightmares are warped memories? What then? Is there truly nothing to fear from a nightmare or do we lie to children to let them get on with their lives until they realize the truth?

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There is the guarantee that He will always be there whether or not adults are.

[Johnny's quiet as he wraps an arm around Katsu, pulling him against Johnny's side.]

I know you'll think of something, Katsu. You're clever. Besides, you've got a lot of friends here who would probably help you come up with something.

[He leans against Johnny, quiet for a few moments.]

I know. I'll think of something. I just don't like seeing the people I care about in pain. I can't stand it...

[He's quiet a moment.]

What do you do when you have nightmares, Maddie?

Edited 2012-04-11 05:47 (UTC)

I understand, most mortals aren't comfortable with heights.

[He sat on the roof and turned his gaze to the ocean beyond the bubble. A little unrealistically, he was hoping Sola didn't ask about the nightmares.

He didn't know if he wanted to share much, if any, of what they'd been about.

I know what you mean; neither do I.

[He's quiet for a long moment. Well, this is uncomfortable.]

Do you want to talk about what you had a nightmare of?

[Let him help you. ;w; ]

[Johnny considers it a moment before nodding.]

...there was someone I knew back home...a demon....a Prince of Hell..

[A sigh.] I've known him almost all my life and...long-story-short he wasn't very pleasant.

My nightmares have been about him.

[That was kind of strange.]

Normally? I go out for air to clear my head. Nothing really but it seems to work.

[ Gracia exhales heavily. Her reaction is imbued with just as much sadness, if not more. ]

Why not? That's not fair! I'm protecting the person I love the most, why won't I succeed?

Hmm. Okay. Thanks.

[Frsh air wasn't helping, but he'd thought he might as well ask.]

[And she kind of hangs her head in shame.]

Sorry I'm not much help.

[He can tell what he did wrong and puts a hand on her shoulder.]

Don't worry about it~ I don't know if I could answer much better should someone ask me.

[He didn't want to risk her asking more details about the dreams so he tried changing the topic.]

You never explained the uniform~

[It's like pulling teeth...sigh.]

...I guess you can call me a superhero back home. It was a dual thing until everyone in town found out about me and my friends.

...and what would you recommend to someone for whom religion is not an option?

[His tone softens, he can understand how she feels.]

There's nothing that says you won't! There's just...nothing that says you will either. Life isn't fair like that.

[... Oh. Well. He reaches up and squeezes Johnny's shoulder.]

As the King of Demons in my world, I officially declare that if he shows up here I'll kick his ass on your behalf.

[He laughed, but inside he was struck with fear at that prospect.]

I appreciate that but...really, Katsu, if he does show up here someday...promise me you'll stay away from him. He's powerful, manipulative, and merciless.

If he thought-

He'll kill anyone he perceives as 'being in his way.'

... I can't do that. I'd be a poor King - and honestly a poor friend - if I let demons run around doing stuff like that. I can take care of myself a lot more than you might think.

Just roofs, not everything. I still like to climb trees.

[Sola plunks down next to Johnny, actively deciding not to push the vampire into talking. He knows how hard it is for him to speak about his own nightmares, even to those who knew what happened. He's certain Johnny doesn't want to, if it's just as bad.

Instead the Hylian slips his hand, ungloved since he'd come from his apartment, into Johnny's and curls their fingers together silently.]

[Johnny's eyes drift to the roof. He gains more comfort from that one gesture than he can say. And it makes him think.]

...You're very kind, Sola. Even to people that don't deserve it. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise.

Edited 2012-04-13 04:42 (UTC)

That it can still be one.

Even for something damned to Hell? For a vampire?

Life isn't fair...?

[ She has to agree to that, at some level. If life was fair, then wouldn't that have meant her father didn't have to lose? And it was Hideyoshi that lost everything instead? ]

If that's the case, then what should I do? [ She holds back a cry of grief. ] I want to protect father forever...

[Sola blushes a bit, glad it's dark and Johnny likely can't see his face.]

Nu-uh, I just don't like it when my friends are sad.

[He curls his fingers just a little bit tighter.]

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