03 - [Action/Video]

[primordial]

[Action- in front of Daemoniac Inc. Cancer District]

[Walk through the Cancer Ward, and you will probably spot the large building in the middle of it, a state-of-the-art structure that reflects the technological wizardry of the area. One might marvel at it, and the locals do seem to be doing so as their eyes wander over it, but there is one person who does not seem to be marveling at it at all.]

[You might look over this young man sitting on a chair outside an internet cafe, with his disheveled appearance and general unkempt hair that scream "possibly homeless or worse", but his gaze, strangely enough, never seems to leave the building. Look closer, and you'll see that the knuckles on his hand grasping the cup of water before him are white, he's grasping the thing so tightly. And his stare holds a level of malice that contrasts harshly with his general harmless appearance...]

[This is not the image of a man who is happy about what he is looking at, at all.]

[Video]

[Sam Erstwhile appears on screen, frowning sadly- while everyone is busy with the hubbub of the tournament coming up, it seems like he'll be the only person who will always be miserable, no matter what.]

Look, um...I hate to ask this, because it's totally unrelated to anything about the tournament, but I felt I really needed a answer to the question as soon as possible.

[He lets out a sigh as he scratches his shaggy head.]

W-what's the best way to get rid of nightmares?

Comments

Video

[not_heavens_adam]

Talk about them. That's always helped in my experience.

Generally, 'talking about it' helps most things, it's just not the easiest.

Video

[primordial]

B--but what if I don't want to talk about them? There are some pretty frightening things in there...

What if people judge me for it?

Video

[not_heavens_adam]

Well, see, that's the key. You have to find someone who's not going to judge you no matter what. I know it might not seem likely, but those kinds of people exist.

I'd suggest talking to a friend, but that can be harder sometimes, you just have to go with what makes you comfortable.


Aaand at the very worst, write about it and burn it. Sounds kind've silly but it can help.

Video

[primordial]

[A long silence.]

I...I don't have any friends. Not really.

The last thing sounds interesting, though...writing and burning it, huh? How does that help?

Video

[not_heavens_adam]

Mmm it's really just a ritual, it's supposed to be like...letting it go, I guess. If you write it all down and then burn it, you're exorcizing your bad dreams. Make sense?

And making friends isn't so hard, you should look into that.

Video

[primordial]

Heh, like a demon, right? I've read about stuff like that in books...

[He actually seems to like the idea, judging by the somewhat happy look in his face. At the second part it falls, though.]

No, it's really hard. Nobody likes me enough to want to be my friend. Believe me, I've tried to make them think differently, but nothing works...

[booyaka_boom]

*Ooh look who's on your video feed, Sam! Selphie smiles slightly, shaking her head slowly*

You gotta smile first, for a start! That's the number one rule!

*She might be smiling, but she holds up a finger and wags it like she means serious business*

[primordial]

A-alright...

[He actually seems to take that seriously, and he does his really pathetic attempt of a smile again, but after a while he drops it, shaking his head.]

It's no use.

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie can't help but look amused ~ this guy can be too funny sometimes*

Okay..or failing that, it's always really useful to talk to people about them. Makes it seem less real.

[primordial]

But what if there are some really personal stuff in there? Like, I don't want people to think of me worse if I share it, and they are pretty scary, so...

[booyaka_boom]

But...they're nightmares, right? It's not like your brain can help it, and they aren't gonna hurt anyone. I'm not easily scared anyway!

[primordial]

Yes, but...

[A defeated sigh, as if he realizes that it's a foolish effort to argue against her.]

Fine. But maybe somewhere private? I mean, I don't want just anyone to hear about it.

video;

[recycleddestiny]

There's always the 'make yourself so exhausted you pass out immediately' route, though I doubt most people would recommend that.

[Masamune wrinkles his nose, though he does actually think about it after his initial remark.]

I dunno - I found venting through games or something else helps out.

video;

[primordial]

That sounds dangerous, really.

[And he tilts his head like a curious bird.]

Venting through games? What, like sharing your feelings through a video game or something?

video;

[recycleddestiny]

Sometimes.

[Though he does laugh at the last part.]

Not exactly - more like play a game to de-stress. Stress usually seems to be the thing that triggers nightmares for me, anyway.

[Usually, but other instances even he hasn't figured out yet.]

video;

[primordial]

Yeah, stress can be bad...but I dunno, I think I'm just getting these nightmares because some things have happened which have reminded me of some really nasty memories.

And now they just keep repeating, and I want to forget them all over again but I can't....

video;

[recycleddestiny]

Actually, I can relate in a sense. In that case, I just do my best to keep my mind occupied. Easier said than done, I know, but won't know until you try.

video;

[primordial]

Basically keep yourself distracted? That's what you're saying?

...And what if that doesn't work? What do I do then?

Video

[acapriciousthing]

[Death has a comforting smile on her face. She's answered just this question before.]

In the long run, talking about what you're dreaming about by daylight and getting to the root of it. Besides that, soothing music to help think about something other than the nightmares before you sleep.

Video

[primordial]

[A small nod.]

Yeah, that's what a lot of people seem to be saying. But I don't know, I'm not the best at talking...

But soothing music sounds good, actually. Classical would be best, I'm guessing?

Re: Video

[acapriciousthing]

Usually.

[She tries to remember what else she went over with Slugger]

Some people like incense, too. Until they can get to the root of the problem. If you ever need an ear, I'm pretty good at listening.

Video

[primordial]

Incense...that's the stuff you burn that smells good, right?

[And he actually seems to withdraw more into his shell at that, gazing at the camera with a wide, unsure gaze.]

But...I don't know you. Are you sure that's okay? I mean, I don't even know your name.

Re: Video

[acapriciousthing]

I'm Death. Some people prefer to call me Didi. So... I'm pretty used to talking to people.

1/??

[primordial]

Death...???

[primordial]

[WAIT WHAT WHAT THE HECK IS THAT POSSIBLE]