Video:

[reluctantaccessory]

(A woman wrapped in a very warm looking throw blanket and wearing a thicker jacket seems to be sitting outside in the late evening, very early morning darkness.)

Maybe, I should...

No, that won't work... and I really...don't want to force that...

(She is tapping her chin now, deep in thought.)

Oh, right. So, if anyone's awake right now...I need a favor again. (She looks very troubled, she's very worried about something and it shows on her face. ) And don't mind my appearance, I kind of got woken up...and well, it doesn't matter, does it? Okay. Good. (She yawns.)

But seriously... (Marie yawns again and leans back in her seat. It's only now that she truly looks like she is in need of some rest. During the day, she usually appears sunshine and smiles - someone full of energy, almost having too much of it. But, right now? She is in some serious need of rest, preferably a good night's sleep. But, if someone mentioned it to her. She would shrug them off and say that she'll just make sure to drink an extra strong cup of tea and try to nap later on. Or sleep the next night.)

I'm asking this for someone else, a friend... but, what's the best way to handle nightmares?

It can be anything to stop them from happening to even calming down after having one. Anything you can think of...I'm stuck and I need some help thinking of ways to deal with this. Well, in any case, if you don't have any good remedies for how to handle nightmares... would anyone mind talking to me for a bit? I don't think I'll be able to fall back asleep anytime soon...

(A slight shrug.) But, if anyone's out and wants company and doesn't want to talk over this thing...I'm sitting outside of my apartment. I definitely wouldn't mind having some company right now.

Comments

[youfool]

Prayer, I think can handle most things. But I'm available to talk or listen, as you please. Where are you?

[reluctantaccessory]

Prayer? (An eyebrow raise.)

It's really not me having the bad dreams. It's actually someone else. (It's just the bad dreams they have tend to wake her up and she's really become aware that there isn't anything she can really do to help.)

I'm in Attleton... Bixby Place. I can leave and meet you elsewhere if that's easier...and maybe it might be.

Turned to Private

[youfool]

He had to laugh a little. For two reasons: Another who once again likely found any religious suggestion absurd, and a defense against a suspicion he'd never raised. Even though he did think she was talking about herself. But hey, benefit of the doubt.

Normally Ted would judge Attleton to be a sobering place, but with the satanic stuff going on, maybe not so much. "I think it'd be good if we both did some walking. Would you like to meet in the archway between there and Genessia City? Or we could simply continue on the comms, if you prefer."

Re: Turned to Private

[reluctantaccessory]

(Marie kept her eyebrow raised at the mention of the satanic stuff, but then she let it go before glancing away giving the suggestion some thought.)

Maybe, maybe it would do us both good...

(She then glances down, looking just as deep in thought as she had moments ago. It was almost stifling to stay still right now, maybe wandering away for a short time was what just what the doctor ordered and it had been years since she was able to just take off and go somewhere when she wanted to.

She then shakes her head at the mention of the comms.)

No, no...meeting at the archway is fine. I kind of need some air and to not be home for a little bit...

How long do you need to get there? I can start over now, if it's not long...

Re: Turned to Private

[youfool]

As Kierkegaard says, travel is the way to avoid despair. Few problems can't be eased just by walking around a bit.

"Shouldn't take me more than half an hour. I'll be waiting." He tried to be as comforting as he could; indeed, he looked to this as something like a challenge. This was as good a time as any to work on that mysterious 'empathy' thing the women in his life are always saying he needs more of. Even the cold, he thought, would probably do good to help things along. He bundled up and headed out, hoping the brisk evening would smooth things out.

Re: Turned to Private

[reluctantaccessory]

(Marie was used to being around people who weren't so good at being comforting. If she had known that he was at least trying to be comforting, she might have given him an encouraging sign like a slight smile.)

Sure, I'll be there. (A half an hour, give or take. She figures that gives her enough time to pull herself together, maybe even a cup of tea. Or she'll just take her time walking, getting a little bit of extra air.

She stands up, carefully removing the throw blanket from around her.)

See you soon.

( video )

[headmovies]

[If someone asked Rick what he was doing up so early, he wouldn't have a good answer for them. He just happened to be up, and she sounded like she needed a hand.]

A "friend", huh?

Re: ( video )

[reluctantaccessory]

(She was a little surprised to see Rick pop up on the video feed. But, it was relieving to be able to speak to someone she finds "funny" - however, despite that fondness, Marie is going to try her best to sound "deadpan" when she addresses that question.

She also makes it a point to ask him what he's doing up this late, not that she's complaining.

The woman is definitely not going to.)


...Yeah, a friend. (That's what "friend" stuff about, Rick? She can hear the quotation marks.)

...A friend...

(She turns a slight shade of pink and caves, she glances away for a second. She definitely is NOT Jason and being deadpan is not in her skillset.

Also, she is still reeling from a conversation she had a while back with him and part of her extreme worry is caused by guilt from more or less shutting down then.) Alright, my boyfriend...happy?

( video )

[headmovies]

[He shrugs at her question.] I couldn't sleep. [Recently, he's found it more and more difficult to find sleep coming upon him. His mind started to wander back toward home, to the crew, to his family he may never see again.

Yeah, sleeping was hard these days, but she didn't need to know all that. Besides, he was supposed to be the guy who wasn't phased by anything.]

Okay, your boyfriend, then. Does he have problems with nightmares pretty often?

Re: ( video )

[reluctantaccessory]

I think...that's a common thing around here? At least seems that way. (She frowns, it was easy to tell that something was up, though she would have never guessed what was actually bothering him, but she won't force it.

And he seemed the type who was known for not being bothered.)

So, what you don't believe me? (Half joking, half serious and wanting to know. But she nods anyway.) Yeah, it's pretty often. Sometimes it's smooth sailing for a while never that long...

Usually I don't wake up so easily, but this sort of thing always manages to be the exception to the rule. (And then once things are as "said and done" as they can be in her situation, she finally falls asleep and doesn't wake up until the late morning and is late for work.)

Maybe there's nothing I can do... but... (Marie is trying to not feel as defeated as she knows she might be.)

( video )

[headmovies]

Yeah, maybe. [At least Rick isn't one to let something like that get him down for long.] And usually people say "friend" when they actually mean themselves, is all.

...therapy?

[Video]

[venality]

[He doesn't want to talk about his own nightmares. The ones he had after getting his mind back from the grips of Ultemicia's hold. The ones where he had missles directed at Balamb and Trabia Gardens, destroying Trabia's home and all the people within, including children. The fact that he went after Rinoa and almost had her killed. he tries not to think of any of it, but he figures he has a couple solutions that might help this woman.

He watches the video quietly, half asleep himself after staying up half the night and watching television. Once she's done, he decides to speak.]

Fishing is one suggestion. It's pretty peaceful, just you, the ocean and a fishing rod. There's also drinking lavender tea, always seem to calm you down and sooth the nerves.

Getting really fucking tired might do it too, until your exhausted and nightmares won't come. I suggest drinking for that, because normally liquor knocks you right the hell out and your brain can't even function on visuals.

So... friend, eh? I wouldn't judge you too much if it's for yourself, ya know. I doubt anyone would.

Re: [Video]

[reluctantaccessory]

(A slight sigh.)

But, I'm being honest when I say that it's really not me having the problem... it's...well, it's my boyfriend who is...

(She frowns. She supposed she should have been up front about who exactly was having the problem, but she couldn't bring herself to just do it. It was hard knowing that things were different in Genessia, a lot different. Perhaps not exactly safer, but people weren't so willing to hold the past over other's heads and no one knew or cared about it, for the most part.

But, at the same time, she felt like she had betrayed a tremendous amount of trust even mentioning it as vaguely as she had.)

So, fishing, lavender tea, getting really tired but drinking before? You know, I don't think I would have thought of fishing... (She then adds.) I had suggested trying to write the dream down before, but...it didn't ever seem to help.

Re: [Video]

[venality]

[a chuckle, eyebrows raising falling and at her answer.] I see, I see. Like I said, not judging, just wondering. I'm a curious cat, always getting into business I shouldn't.

[He leans back, getting comfortable.] Fishing is the shit of dreams, you might smell funny once you're done, but you've never been more relaxed. You, open waters and peace. Even if it rains, you don't care. That line is in the water and you're just waiting for a little fishy to come to you. Of course, if you're an impatient person it tends to get old real quick.

[he pauses for a moment, then smirks.] I was one of those impatient people. It helped me learn how to be patient. [he nods thoughtfully.] Nah, that wouldn't help too much. If you write them down, they're just there for you to remember them. Which is fucking terrible in the long run. In the end, you gotta find your own outlet and usually that's when things will stop or at least lessen.

Re: [Video]

[reluctantaccessory]

A curious cat? (She might chuckle at that, though it's a very soft chuckle.) I've been told I'm like that too, but I've also been called reckless more often than that. It amounts to the same thing, right?

Fishing is the shit of dreams? (Marie tilts her head, she had never thought of it that way, but she can't help but smile a little bit at how Seifer describes it. She wonders if she should give it a try herself sometime.)

So, it was a bad idea to suggest writing them down, huh? (She frowns, she feels guilty for every suggesting it, but at the time? It really did seem like best idea.) It's only just there for you to remember...

It sounds like you've tried this before. So, he'd have to find an outlet... I suppose running counts? But, maybe I can ask if we can go fishing sometime...and see if that helps. (If nothing else, Marie is positive they could at least laugh about it.)

Audio

[greenmagick]

[The soft voice sounds a little nervous.]

It depends what they are of... I know.. I mean... There are times when they are just what you fear and it's scary but when you wake up they are gone. Other times it's memories of the past, things you think you've forgotten and those don't just feel like dreams.

[She pauses trying to keep her voice steady.]

It's hard to know what to do. I've tried facing what I remember of the past but the nightmares still come. Maybe... it's finding their source?

Re: Audio

[reluctantaccessory]

(Marie gave her a very gentle smile while she listened, then her expression changed to a contemplative one.)

Memories. It's...someone I know, really... who has bad memories, well, what ones he does have...

(She frowns.) Finding their source? I think that makes sense... I had suggested writing the dreams down, maybe something would add up or maybe it'd make more sense, bring something else back...but that didn't work...but that's not actually looking for anything, is it?

(Marie,in that one moment, completely realized that she had no idea of how to not face a serious problem. If that harebrained idea was "finding the source" in her eyes.)

I wonder if that's really a good idea, but...how could we even do that while we're here?

Audio

[greenmagick]

I don't know.

[Terra's voice sounds fragile as if it might break with a gentle breeze.]

Writing won't help... sometimes writing it or talking about it only makes it feel more real. [More so when you want it to go away.] Finding a source might not help... I don't know.

I haven't been able to find a way to get rid of them.

[She just can't accept the memories she dreams of.]

Re: Audio

[reluctantaccessory]

I'm sorry. I...didn't mean to upset you by asking that, if I did. I just...I'm...I just wish I could do something.

(She may not seem like it, but deep down she's starting to feel pretty defeated.)

So, writing...was a bad idea? (She looks down now.) So, something to make it seem more real as a bad idea...why didn't I think of that being the case...

But, finding a source...I don't know, but maybe it might help? At least more than we think? At least, it'd be something...

Audio

[greenmagick]

[Terra tries to gather courage and not being seen helps a little bit.]

Writing doesn't always help but talking does. I don't have anyone to talk to here, I haven't been able to tell my friends. It might seem small to you but having someone close by... not feeling alone. [Her voice trembles slightly before gaining strength again.]

Just don't give up on them? Even if something haunts them... the future can still be bright right?

[It's hard to tell if she's talking about herself or someone else.]

video;

[firefandance]

Nightmares, huh? Well I guess for calming down after having one, I always find that drinking something warm always helps. But not always. I'm sure there is a book somewhere with remedies or something for your friend.

Re: video;

[reluctantaccessory]

Thanks.

Drinking something warm. Someone suggested lavender tea, earlier... is there something in particular you prefer or would recommend?

I'll have to go and look for a book of remedies too. I think I really like that idea - there might be something that no one has thought of yet in one.

video;

[firefandance]

I was going to suggest warm milk, but that is more for kids, I suppose.

Of course, I mean there have probably been many different remedies over the years after all.

Re: video;

[reluctantaccessory]

It might be, but I think there are some adults who would probably swear by it too. And some people don't really care for tea. (She thinks.) I mean, as long as it isn't coffee, I think it should be okay...

Yeah, that's true. And I suppose different places also have different remedies...it's really a good idea. Something has to at least help, even if it's just a little.

video;

[firefandance]

Coffee would probably be the worst thing to drink with the caffeine.

Better than nothing at all.You just gotta start somewhere.