Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

nightmares;

[discard]

[Despite the fact that his life has settled somewhat, into this sort of peaceful calm... Leon still has nightmares. For the most part, he's able to keep them to himself, and if he has darker circles under his eyes every now and then...it doesn't have to be mentioned.

But when he has nightmares of the people important to him dying because of things that he did, instead of his own death--then it's a little harder for him to shake off.

He creeps out of bed uncertainly, shuffling over to Otome's room, messy and disheveled hair making him look far more his age than he typically does--and carefully pushes open the door. He just...wants to see if she's okay.

That's all.

But the hinges creak, and he winces.]

[mombastic]

[ It's hard to say how deeply Otome was asleep-- whether she's just a light sleeper, or whether she's merely trained herself to be ready to wake up at a moment's notice. Maybe both. But what really matters is that when the door opens, she's already sleepily propping herself up with one hand and blearily blinking at the figure there. ]

... Leon?

[discard]

[... Oops.

He pauses in the doorway, hesitant--and then he breathes out shakily, uncertainly.]

Ah... did I wake you up?

[He didn't mean to.]

[mombastic]

It's all right. [ yes, but it's really all right, because she's just sitting up further and waiting for her eyes to adjust before she gestures for him to come in. ]

What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?

[discard]

Ah... no...

[She's fine, so... what does it matter? He shouldn't bother her with this.]

I apologize for waking you up. Go back to sleep.

[mombastic]

Leon... I believe we had an agreement that if anything was bothering you, you'd be honest about it.

[ IT'S FINE. ]

[discard]

[.... There...there was that, yes.

He hesitates a moment in the doorway, agonized and uncertain, until finally:]

It was...nothing. Just...a nightmare. Nothing to be concerned about.

[mombastic]

Nightmares tend to be a form of a deeper stress.

[ Get in here already. ]

Would you mind telling me more about it?

[discard]

[He's so reluctant.

So while he answers her... he's still hanging out in the doorway.]

...No, I do not mind. I suppose it was just... a nightmare of what had happened before.

[With his drowning.]

... But it was not just me the waves swept away.

[mombastic]

... Your friends?

[ Drowning was bad enough, but for Leon, who took so long to get attached and cared almost too much when he did... ]

[discard]

[His friends, Otome, Stahn--

Everyone, really, as if some sort of horrible punishment for what he did, and he knows nightmares aren't logical by any means, but...

He just hangs his head in response, sighing out shakily.

Yeah.]

I apologize...for disturbing you over something so trivial.

[mombastic]

...

You know, I still have dreams like that too.

[ When the world had been burning all around her, everyone dying-- only now, Karl was there, and Leon, struggling to reach her. ]

[discard]

[.... Oh.

Otome...]

... I did not realize.

[He doesn't really know how to process that, either. Otome's not weak, but...]

[mombastic]

Well, it's not really something I like to worry people over. Kind of like how you probably didn't want to talk about your dreams, either.

[ And yet here we are. ]

[discard]

[And yet...here we are.

He hesitates a moment longer, and then--]

If I... come in there, is it...acceptable if we do not talk about it?

[He wants to be close to Otome, but he doesn't want to talk about the nightmare.]

[mombastic]

Of course it is. [ She's just going to say that immediately. ] I never mind your company, Leon.

[ And maybe it'll help ease his mind. ]

[discard]

...Very well then.

[Hopefully.

He does shuffle into her room properly then, hair disheveled and dark circles under his eyes, until he's awkwardly standing by her bed.

Um.]

[mombastic]

...

[ Just going to pat the unused side of the bed. ]

Come on up!

[discard]

[He's still really not sure about this!!!

But eventually, he does clamber up onto that side of the bed, sitting there and blinking awkwardly and blearily.

Oh...

(Still, it's kind of comforting--Otome is right there.)]

... Otome.

[mombastic]

Leon. [ She'll just reach out to wrap an arm around his shoulders, coaxing him to lean a little. ]

You really do look exhausted.

[discard]

[thanks mom

He does lean against her then, sighing a little, ducking his head.]

... I was not expecting to be...quite so affected by them, still.

[The nightmares, that is.]

[mombastic]

[ Well, with him so close, it makes all the more easy to rest a hand on his head, gently stroking her fingers through his hair. Whatever helps him relax, really. ]

Our strongest memories never really fade completely. They're the ones that tend to resurface, over and over again, in different forms... likely because the painful memories are the ones we try to consciously suppress. When you're asleep, that consciousness is gone.

It's why it's recommended that you talk with someone you trust about your nightmares.

[discard]

[Just being near to Otome seems to work, so this is all doing a pretty good job of relaxing him, if nothing else. He leans into her touch subtly, sighing softly.]

... I do not wish to even acknowledge them.

[Maybe it's not a healthy way to cope, but he doesn't like the idea of even pretending to acknowledge the nightmares and what he sees there.]

[mombastic]

Leon... [ well, she can't really blame him for that thought. ]

Just saying that you had them is progress. It's obviously affecting your health.

[discard]

[Mom...]

I have...had this problem for some time now. It is not that large of an issue.

[He's had nightmares for a very long time now.]