snowblindrpg | [log] oh my god a sleepover!! [closed]

[All night Sora had tossed and turned. Something had been plaguing his dreams and the murmured name of his best friend would give anyone that knows him a clue as to what was going on. His sleep had been restless because of the dreams and when he did finally wake...

It was with a start, the young man's eyes snapping open as he sucked in a quick breath that didn't feel right. His body didn't feel right and it almost felt as though he was drifting again, just like in the dream. He blinked several times over, trying to clear his hazy vision while sucking in breaths but the air didn't seem like it was doing anything to help him and his eyes just didn't want to adjust. Everything was too bright and he was...he was..

He had died.

The realization hit him like a sack of bricks and Sora scrambled upright, his heart...no. No that wasn't his heart. This wasn't--

His hand gripped at his shirt over his heart as he tried to feel the beat of it but it felt distant; muted even. Every movement felt far too fluid for his liking and as he looked around to try and make sense of where he was, the world seemed to ride on a wave that wasn't really there. It made his..this body's stomach churn and Sora scrambled as best he could to get up, stumbling away from the blanket he'd been using and only managing to get just outside the room before he hit his knees. Dry heaves wracked his--the body he was using/wearing?, his forehead already covered in a sheen of sweat as he stared down at the floor with wide eyes.

He had died.]

[ Okay. One person having a nightmare was normal. More than one? That was a clue that something was up, and Sheena had divided her attention between making sure Leon didn't reopen his wound with his thrashing, and trying to calm the others in distress.

Sheena had just made one last pass of those she had been caring for all night and had just settled down next to Leon when Sora awoke. He looked so lost and confused as he glanced around; Sheena wondered if he had even seen her as he did. Before she could say anything, he was on his feet and out of the room. Concerned, the ninja got to her feet and followed him. Kneeling next to him, she placed a cooling hand on his forehead.

She didn't need to know what was wrong, only that he needed help right now. ]

[He doesn't see her nor does he hear her, everything so muddled and messed up. It wasn't until her hand touched his forehead that Sora even realized he wasn't alone but even then it didn't feel right. There was a cool pressure there but he couldn't feel her hand itself and it was terrifying.

The young man jerked away with a quick gasp, looking at her with wide eyes. This--she traveled with Leon. She was traveling with Leon. Her name was Sheena. She--

No he didn't have time for this. This was all wrong and he needed to..he needed to...

Sora looks around then, trying to find something that he knows won't be there as he starts to try and get back to his feet.]

My body..my..it..

[ Sheena flinched back in surprise when he jerked away, her concern deepening when she saw his expression. ]

Sora? Sora, what's wrong?

[ Why was he looking at her like that? Like he didn't recognize her? They had just met the night before. What exactly had that nightmare done to him? To Leon?

Before she could ask, he was moving again, his words sounding confused. ]

Your body? What is it, Sora? What's wrong with your body?

It--this isn't my body! This isn't--I--I have to find--

[It's all coming out too fast, Sora's head spinning as he swallows against the lump building in his throat.

He had to find his body. He had to find it so he could get back into it and then everything would be okay.]

I--I died. I died and now I have to--

[His voice breaks as he looks at her with wild eyes.]

--I have to find my body.

[ What the...? She grips him by the shoulders. Hard. ]

Sora! Sora, listen to me! You're not dead! This is your body!

[ Oh that look... It tears her heart. Forcing him into a hug, she holds him tightly. ]

This is your body, Sora. You're alive. Please believe me! [ What the hell happened during the night? ]

[The instant her grip is on his shoulders he's struggling to pull away, panic bubbling inside him. She was going to stop him! She was going to keep him from finding his body and--]

No! I am--I died! I know I did! None of this is right!

[His body felt wrong. He felt out of place and he just wanted his body back!

He reaches up to try and pry her hands off while moving backwards, shaking his head frantically.]

Let me go! I need to find my body!

[ She's going to stop him from doing something stupid. She hopes.

And when he starts panicking and moving backwards, she doesn't let go completely.

Instead, she reaches up with one hand and slaps him across the face. Who knew that habit with Zelos would come in handy one day? ]

Sora! STOP!

You have your body! It was a dream! You are alive!

[The slap startles him, Sora looking stunned for a moment before the panic starts to twist into anger. She's trying to keep him from finding his body. She was trying to keep him from--

He moves forward to shove her backwards, his entire body shaking even if he can't really feel it. Can't make sense of it.]

NO! You're lying! You're trying to keep me from finding it!

[ Martel, what is she going to have to do to get through to him? Use logic? That's not her strongest suit, hitting is.

Although that hadn't gone very far.

And neither is she when he pushes her. She keeps her grip on him, bringing him with her if he pushes hard enough. ]

Why would I lie to you about that? Sora, if you were dead, I wouldn't be able to hold you like this! I wouldn't be able to slap you, and YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TOUCH ME OR MOVE OR TALK TO ME!

[ Logic works better when it's louder, right? ]

Edited 2016-05-25 22:21 (UTC)

I can't feel you! I can't feel anything! Nothing is right! I'm not--it's too bright and too loud and I can't--

[He chokes back a pained sound as he shoves at her again, his breaths coming in gasps as he shakes his head. That frantic look is creeping back into place, his eyes a little hazy as his vision swims between dark and light.]

I don't feel right--I don't feel right because I died and my body it's--it's out there somewhere! I have to find it!

Okay, so you can't feel me! That doesn't mean you don't have your body! Numbness can make it possible not to feel something.

[ Turning his face so he can look at her, she lowers her hand to take one of his and hold it between them. ]

Sora, you died in your dream. That's a horrible thing to go through even there, but believe me when I say you're alive, and you have your body.

Look down between us.

[ Hopefully, the sight of his hand in hers will help. ]

No no no--

[It comes out of his mouth in a stream, Sora staring at her, unable to look away even though he can't seem to actually focus on the woman.]

I didn't--I didn't, not in the dream! Riku did--he--he tore himself apart and I couldn't stop him and then I died. I died because I couldn't save him!

[He tries to weakly tug his hand away, shaking his head as he let's out a whimper.]

Please. I need to find it! I can't stay like this!

You didn't die here, Sora. I was awake all night, and you didn't die.

[ Oh, how his words have a familiar ring to them. ]

I don't know what exactly you saw, but believe me when I say you're not dead.

[ Sighing, she takes a different tactic. ]

Besides, where would you go an look for your body? Out there? [ And she points towards the door. ] Would you really abandon Leon to search for something you already have?

This place messes with people, Sora. Don't let it take you away from him.

But I--I know I did! I felt it--

[It was all so disorienting though. Had he died? What had happened after that dream had ended? He'd woken up, hadn't he? Dead people just didn't wake up but then why was he feeling like this?

The mention of Leon is what ultimately snaps his attention back, his breath catching momentarily. Leon. Leon was hurt. He couldn't leave Leon, could he?

But his body.]

I...this... [He's torn now. Torn between fleeing and listening to her. Torn between the impulses and what he actually desires to do.] I..

[Shaking his head, Sora can feel his eyes burning with tears of fear and frustration.]

Why do I feel like this??

No.

[ Her voice is quiet and sure. She had watched him wake up, and her prior experience with those who had died and and had come back told her that this isn't the same.

He thought he had died. But it's a thought so realistic that it's become a memory. Hopefully one that will fade in time, pushed aside by his concern for Leon.

Once more pulling him into a hug, Sheena places a hand on his head comfortingly. ]

Like I said, Sora. This place messes with you. I don't know why it chose to put you--any of you--through this, but you're not alone, okay? I'm here and Leon's here to help you.

[He doesn't resist the hug this time, collapsing against her as the fight momentarily drains out of him. Drowned out by how confused and tired he feels even if it all still feels second hand, in a way.]

I..what if it never goes away?

[Trembling hands lift to clutch at her clothing as he buries his face against her shoulder.]

What if I always feel like this? What if I can't--I can't feel anything like I use to.

[ Sheena continues stroking his hair as she holds him tightly, placing her head gently on top of his.

He may not feel it, but by Martel, she's going to make sure he knows that comfort's there. She begins rocking slowly when he buries his face into her shoulder. ]

I don't know, Sora. I wish I did. But [ She draws back slightly to meet his gaze. ] from what I've seen, things don't last too long around here. But if it does, we'll try to find a way to reverse it, okay?

Edited 2016-05-26 07:43 (UTC)

[It's..a comfort Sora hasn't gotten in a long time, hasn't felt in a long time and despite how out of sorts he feels right now, the concept of it isn't lost on him. He wishes he could feel it properly and there's definitely an added warmth to being so close to another person but..well..

He'll take what he can get for right now as he tries to calm down.]

Does anyone know? [Someone had to have answers. The young man trembles as she pulls back and he manages to meet her gaze--her face so hard to focus on but he tries.] ..Okay. Okay I-- [He sucks in a breath and nods, hands still gripping her clothing tightly.] I'm sorry.

[ There are also the warmths of friendship and caring coming from Sheena in addition to the physical one as she holds him. Hopefully, he can feels those even when the time for her to let go of him comes. Until then, she'll stay right where she is.

At his question, she makes a thoughtful sound. ]

I'm not sure. Luna's a doctor, so she might know. So is House. [ Feeling him tremble, Sheena's grip tightens a little. No, she's definitely not going to let him go right now. Shaking her head, she gives him a reassuring smile. ]

You've done nothing to apologize for, Sora! Nothing at all, okay?

[ Nightmares and their aftereffects should never be apologized for. ]

[Sora nods a bit, pressing closer to her as her grip tightens. It still feels wrong, still feels like he's feeling her embrace through something else but she's trying and that's what matters.

But that doesn't stop the tremble that goes through him as he swallows against the lump building in his throat.]

I can't...I can't help anyone. I'm--I'm useless here.

[Back home he could do things. He had his keyblade. He had his magic. Here? He was just some kid..]

[ And stubborn thing she is, she'll keep on trying. Hopefully, eventually, everything will feel like it should to him.

At his comment, Sheena's brows knit together almost angrily. ]

Who said that? Who said you're useless?

[ Obviously Sheena doesn't think he is. ]

No one told me. [It comes out softly, almost like he's unsure whether to admit that it's himself that's tearing down his own self esteem.] No one had to tell me. I can't...everyone looks at me and all they see is a kid. Because I can't--I'm not...

[Yeah. He's been feeling really out of sorts even before his dreams got the best of him.]

[ Sheena knows all too well the place he's in, but she also knows something else. Something that she needs to share with him. ]

Sora. [ Her voice is gentle. ] Look at me.

Maybe some do. Like some of the older people around here--but to them, everyone is a kid. [ House, of course. Although Leon sees her as a kid, too... ] But that doesn't mean you're helpless. I mean, I don't see you that way, and do you know why?

[ She leans in to whisper in his ear. ]

Because I've seen you fighting, that's why.

[At her request he lifts his head to look at her though it's a struggle. Sora's well aware that his emotions are terribly easy to read and he feels so distraught and so scared right now.

So..not right.

Her words ease him a bit, even if he still hates how useless he is to do anything to save the people stuck here, and her final question has him looking confused. He shakes his head, starting to ask only to pause as she leans in to whisper in his ear.

Blue eyes go wide and he leans back to look at her.]

You have?

[ Sheena does read those emotions there, and she doesn't blame him one bit for feeling that way. Only a fool doesn't get scared or distraught, and Sora is no fool. True bravery comes from facing your fears, not from not acknowledging them.

And from what she's seen, Sora's been facing them.

Smiling at him, she nods. ]

Just now, you were fighting me to get away. I had to hold you pretty tightly. S[ he raises her hand to forestall anything else he may say at the moment. ] But you fought harder than you thought, Sora, when you came out of whatever this place did to you while you slept. You didn't succumb then, and you're not succumbing now.

Granted, there are times when it's better to give up and run away, but you're not doing that. [ She gives him a knowing smile. ] And if a so-called "kid" can prove he's not helpless against this place, then shouldn't the adults take notice and follow his lead?

Hmmm?

[And he does try to say something, does try to object to her point but that lifted hand silences him. Instead he listens and actually soaks in what she's saying, the words helping to ground him a bit even though he still feels so..out of body right now.

She has a point. A good point. He hadn't given up and he was still fighting, even if he was terrified and disoriented right now.

Giving up wasn't an option though and Sora knew that. He was well aware of what would happen to him here if he did give up.]

...Yeah I..I guess they should. [It comes out softly and there's not much conviction to it. Yet.] I just want to help everyone. I want to make sure that we all get out of here...so I can't give up.

[ The entire time she had spoken, she had kept an eye on him, hoping he'd see what she was getting at.

And from the sounds of things, he had--but still isn't quite sure about it yet. Her brows furrow with her own conviction. ]

Damn right they should. [ Her expression eases slightly. ] Have you ever heard the phrase "lead by example"? Because that's what you're doing, Sora. You're helping people just by showing them how hard you're fighting and not giving up. [ She chuckles softly. ]

You might be surprised at how much people start emulating you and sharing your ideas after a while.

...You really think so? [Because so far he wasn't really sure he was making much of a difference. So many people had been here longer than he had and they had dealt with so much more than he could imagine. To them he was probably just a naive kid that didn't understand just how bad it was.

But he did. He really did but he just..he couldn't let it weigh him down. He had to keep moving forward no matter what because he had to get home. They all did.]

Sora, I am one of the worst liars you'll ever meet. Do I look like I'm lying to you? [ Just because they'd been here for a while doesn't mean that they can't get beat down. Seeing someone fighting against this place only encourages them to do so again.

And Sheena will never think he doesn't understand how bad it is here. One night makes that lesson perfectly clear.

And that's the attitude and fight Sheena's talking about. That refusal to give up. All of them in one way or another encourage each other not to do that. And for the same reasons. ]

[Sora was quick to shake his head, giving her a bit of an apologetic look in the process.]

No I--it's just...

[He couldn't help but have his doubts.]

[ She looked at him curiously before speaking to him in a soft, comforting voice. ]

It's just what, Sora? What's wrong?

[Leon had been asleep for most of the prevous day, missing most people's arrival and trying to regain strenght with the few medicines they had running in his system. He dreamwlked, he had fun with a galaxy (?) and spenta generally pleasant dream feeling perfectly fine... and then he woke up with dizziness, barely able to breath and with three monsters surrounding them all. What a great time to be in Snowhell, mh?.

And after looking at Sheena and Sora he did the only sensible thing someone in his condition was supposed to: he offered himself as bait.]

As soon as they break in by my window you have to escape, okay? No, as soon as they move in front of mine, I will keep it close and keep them away, but I need you all to run.

[At least everyone seemed to agree with him, even if it meant leaving another person to die- oh, if only he avoided to stab himself when the others attempted to hack the Admin. He sits on the floor, again, and starts waiting while the others prepare a wall of materials to push against the door that'll separate them. Scared? Yeah, he is terrified, but he's doing his best to actas cool and confident as possible.]

[Sora wasn't okay. He hadn't been okay since he woke up. His body wasn't right and he felt like he was floating and his vision was way too bright to be normal. He felt sick to a stomach that wasn't his--because he had died--and add all of that into the fact that three monsters were about to attack them all? Yeah. He wasn't okay at all.

And then Leon had to go and do that. He had to go and play the hero and Sora's already fragile state of being shattered.]

No!

[It comes out louder than he meant it to but he can't control himself properly right now, the young man shaking his head as he stares pleadingly at Leon.]

No you can't! Leon that's--you can't! I won't let you! [He wasn't about to lose one of the people that meant so much to him. That he had come to see as family since the early days of his journey.] This isn't right!

[He had to expect that from Sora, yet there's nothing that can't be changed: if Leon knew about a way out he would definitely sugges it but how do you escape three anomalies when you can't even walk?]

Life isn't always right, Sora, but I can't leave this building, that's why for me it's important that you do it, understood?

[The man lets out a small moan of pain when he turns to look at Sora, he cares so much about the kid and it hurts to see him like this- at least Sheena understood...]

Sora, you have to be strong, but we have to save as many people as possible and I'd slow you all down. I can't outrun them, we can't fight them, I need you to show me some courage.

[Even as the other is talking Sora's shaking his head, soft "No"s murmured under his breath as he reaches out to Leon then hesitates.]

We can't just..there has to be a way for all of us to get out!

[He's not thinking clearly, can't think clearly. Everything is so wrong right now and he feels second hand dizziness as the feeling of being uncomfortable in the skin he's wearing hits again.]

I won't let you--

[Die. He won't let you die, Leon, you can't die. Sora chokes on his words as scared tears burn his eyes despite how hard he's fighting to try and keep himself together. It's just far easier said than done.]

I can't let you do this, Leon! I can't!

[It wasn't an idea that settled well with her in the least, especially now that Leon had trusted her with his medical care. But given the fact that they were low on options, plus how many of them were currently compromised in some fashion or another, one would have to stay behind for the sake of a distraction.

Luna just hates that it has to be someone at all.

She's still unable to speak well, Leon's words a swimming mess of code in her head. But as the barrier is being pulled together, Luna does pause enough to pull out her prescription pad and scribble something down for Leon - her only way of communicating that won't make her processors overheat in response.]

We're going to come back for you when we can.

[ "Seemed to" being the operative phrase when it came to Sheena. She had heard Sora's reaction to Leon's plan, and it tore through the ninja. And while she had agreed with the man's plan on the surface, as she moved things and built barricades, she had another idea forming.

In between their preparations, Sheena would approach the walls and scream at the monsters. Coherently, incoherently--it didn't matter to her. And as always, at least one came to where she was as they all screamed back at her.

It might have seemed pointless, but the ninja had her reasons.

Another thing she did was check on Leon. Throughout the day, she would make several trips to be by his side, checking on him, or giving him the Amoxicillin, or just to talk with him. He had to be scared--who wouldn't be in this situation?--and she was trying to ease his nerves however she could.

And during one of those visits, she was just going to ninja her tablet away from him hopefully without him noticing. She was going to need it. ]

Here. [ She handed him some water and one of his pills. ] How are you doing?

118

[Getting Quark somewhere safe had been her priority, of course, even if every sound made her feel like she was suddenly moving, thinking, existing in a sea of molasses. It was too much, far too much to process. For the entire evening, she'd been hoping to have at least some manner of quiet.

If only she'd known the pharmacy would be so thoroughly packed.

Leon is the first she attempts to see, just to check up on his wound and make sure he's received his medications. Other than that, she can be found curled up in a corner with her forehead against her knees, a song being played from her direction. It doesn't sound the same this way, to her. It's not a relaxing melody - just varying input, echoing off the walls. Still, she lets it play, hoping that might change.]

[log] oh my god a sleepover!! [closed]

Morning of 119

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Morning 119

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Evening 118