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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[She actually didn't hear his post; instead she was out running around just trying to regain the feeling of being back in uniform. Even with the stupid and pointless murder due to the nurses, it got the ranger thinking about trying to protect the travelers to the bubble city.

So as she passed by the Larmline Apartments, Madison noticed someone sitting on the roof but not who it was. So like any other human, she got curious and went up. That's when she noticed it was Johnny...which is odd, even for him.]

Is this a good place for you or something?

[He shrugged, recognizing her smell as Maddie.]

Not necessarily. It was just here and it offers a decent view.

[He had a small smile on his face, but it was fake. Horrendously so. He was finding it hard to fake convincingly the more tired he got.]

Why are you up here?

[He tries not to be bothered that one of the examples is falling off a building, he really does, but that's exactly his nightmare when he has them. The memory of taking that dive, of seeing pavement careening towards him, and then... nothing.

He can't bring himself to respond with a video, or go up to see Johnny in person even though he recognizes the roof of his own apartment building, but he does want to try and help his friend so he responds in voice only, tone reserved due to the late hour and the effort spent preventing himself from sounding scared.]

Did you have a nightmare, Johnny?

[Voice worked for him. He was tired and faking a smile was getting harder with his fatigue. Still, when he spoke, he tried to keep his tone light and indifferent.]

What makes you think I had a nightmare?

Well you were talking about them and I don't think about nightmares unless I have them so I thought maybe it was the same for you...

....heh...you're clever, Sola.

[Is that what you really do with children? Well, it's not like Serph has any clue.]

Adults can still be comforted and soothed.

[A pause.]

Would you like company?

[Yes. He didn't really want to be left to think about the images still left in his mind...but he didn't want to talk about them, either. Not really.]

I will never turn down your company, Serph.

[He sounds a little embarrassed when he responds, though the worry is still evident in his tone.]

Not really...

Um... hold on.

[There's the quiet noise of fabric rustling as Sola rises before the SFC turns off. Several minutes later the Hylian arrives on the roof and slips his arms around Johnny from behind in a tight hug, his cheek pressed against Johnny's back and hoping the embrace gives as much comfort as he receives when Signless or Ion does this for him.]

Edited 2012-04-02 22:01 (UTC)

Call me curious.

[She shrugged and sits down next to him. Why no, this doesn't look odd at all!]

You look troubled.

...

[Jacob listens to the explanation, and then gives a nod, looking ever so concerned.]

Nightmares aren't real...but that doesn't mean that the feelings made by them aren't, either.

Do you need company, Johnny?

[Johnny tensed for only a second before relaxing again. The contact was surprising, foreign, but it was nice. Comforting.

He'd never tell the boy, but Sola had been in his nightmares before. The fact he was alive, whole, and hugging Johnny was more comfort than any words the vampire could have thought of.]

...thank you.

Me~? Of course not~ What does a vampire have to be troubled about?

[He smirks and gestures to her.]

I like the look, by the way.

[His smile takes a sad turn but he nods.]

Only if you're not busy, Jacob. I don't think I could deny your company if I wanted to~

And I can smell BS.

[She sees that fake front and sighs.]

It's been awhile since I put this on but I can talk about that later. What's really going on?

[...He thinks he recognises that rooftop.]

I'll be there, then.

[ action ! ]

[And so he is! However, because he's no vampire, Serph's gotta take the stairs to the roof. But once he is there, he'll give Johnny a nod in greeting before taking a seat beside him. Not close enough to intrude in Johnny's personal bubble, but close enough for friendly companionship.

He still doesn't know Johnny well enough, so for now, he skirts the talk of nightmares.]

Are children so different from adults?

[He looks away and shrugs.]

I'm just enjoying the view.

...I couldn't sleep.

[Johnny nods back and offers a small smile before returning his gaze to the forest.]

Most of them are. Some are older than their years while most are innocent and ignorant to the dangers of the world.

[Doesn't believe you Johnny. Sorry man.]

I can understand not wanting to spill everything in front of a stranger. Despite you driving me up the wall sometimes, I don't mind listening.

You're not a stranger, Maddie.

[How can you be when you're in his nightmares too? Clearly, that means something, at least.]

I've just...been having nightmares.

Even if you're an adult, that doesn't mean you can't have nightmares, or be scared.

... Do you want company?

True. Though, adults are supposed to act strong. Especially for the younger ones. At least, that was the way I was raised.

[You know, way back when...]

I don't want to bother you. [But he would, yes.]

[He just shakes his head. But -]

I'll be there soon.

[And soon enough, here he comes, climbing up the fire escape.]

Hey.

[She was? Crap man.]

...did they involve the time you were gone from here?

[Children... are a difficult concept for Serph. He's never encountered children prior to Vatheon and he's never experienced being a child before. It's hard to understand how they're different from adults aside from being smaller and 'younger'. But he's aware that most people have been a child before. So he tilts his head.]

Which were you?

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