bakerstreet | what is sleep anyway

what is sleep anyway

the i n s o m n i a meme

It happens to everyone - sometimes, you have nights where you just can't fall asleep, no matter what you do. It could be for a number of reasons, or no reason at all. And this is what's happened now: you've been laying in bed for what feels like hours, just tossing and turning, and nothing seems to help. So what's left to do? Get out of bed and go wake someone else up, of course. If you're not getting any sleep, then why should they?

i n s t r u c t i o n s

• Post with your character (note the name and fandom in the subject).
• Other people reply to you by generating a number from 1 to 10.
• Have fun!

o p t i o n s

01 • FEAR. Maybe you're hearing strange, indeterminable noises; maybe there's a severe storm happening outside; maybe you watched a scary movie before bed? Whatever the reason, you're terrified and it's keeping you awake. You just want to wake someone else up so they can protect you from the monster in your closet.
02 • HUNGER. Your stomach is growling and it just won't stop. Or perhaps your throat is so dry you could cough up a tumbleweed? Well, you've gone to the kitchen to remedy this and hey, that was a pan that just dropped on the floor. It was loud enough to wake the dead! Oops.
03 • PAIN. Your body is completely worn out, be it from exercise, battle, sickness, or what have you. Either way you're in enough pain to keep you from sleeping, so maybe someone else has a home remedy or something, or can at least help you take your mind off of it.
04 • SOLITUDE. For some reason, your bed just feels so empty at the moment. You're feeling terribly lonely and really just want someone to keep you company for a while. Maybe it'd be easier to fall asleep if you're with them...
05 • DISCOMFORT. Your room is an oven. Either that or a freezer. Or maybe this bed is just really uncomfortable? Who knows why you can't get to sleep, it feels like it could be anything. Why even bother trying? Maybe someone else can preoccupy you until you feel tired enough to ignore your discomfort.
06 • PENSIVE. Something's on your mind, and no matter how hard you try to focus elsewhere, it's just not going to work. Your body may be tired, but your mind is incredibly busy and it's virtually impossible to get to sleep. Surely, talking it out with someone else will help?
07 • SADNESS. Something terrible has happened that day, perhaps; or you could just be severely depressed. Either way you're trying your hardest not to cry yourself to sleep, and it's not working at all. Better find a way to get it out of your system somehow; you need a shoulder to cry on.
08 • ANGER. You are just... fuming. Who knows why - that annoying dog is barking again, or maybe the people next door are getting busy and keeping you awake. Whatever the reason for your ire is, you'd better put an end to it so you can get some damn rest already! Go wake up a friend so you can complain to them.
09 • RESTLESS. You're far too energetic to sleep right now. Maybe you're just trying to do so out of necessity - you have to be up early tomorrow! But you just don't think you'll be able to fall asleep for a while now, so why waste the time trying to sleep when you could be doing something else? Namely bothering someone else - you're totally jealous because they're getting more sleep than you.
10 • WILDCARD. Choose one of the options above, or make up your own scenario.

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( ooc: gotcha! :|b the only thing i'd want to note to you is that guy has a phobia of women, so he won't be able to get close. oh, yeah, & feel free to throw in whatever backstory/plot devices you want. )

[They've stopped at a quiet, secluded inn where they could finally rest. It's three days since their unexpected journey began, and a chance for rest has eluded them for quite some time. Turmoil in this world brewing around both Nobodies and replicas has made the roads dangerous for them and their supporters alike.

Guy knew little about the young woman he was escorting. He understood that she was someone important--that much he was briefed on--and that the important bit. Though he was no longer a servant, he was dedicated to seeing the task of escorting her to safety personally. Emperor Peony had entrusted him with that much.

Rest was important, but when he laid down all that he could feel was the aching of his muscles. At last, he sits up with a wince. Maybe the exertion from their close encounter was greater than he'd thought. Guy glances at Naminé's bed to make sure that she was asleep before he gets up. He doesn't want to wake her up.]

(ooc: Alrighty! I seem to recall absorbing that fact via osmosis somewhere along the line. Poor fella. (Lucky him she's not the touchy feely type.) Thanks, and I will do my best! o7)

[Naminé's almost surprised how grateful she is for the isolation.]

[Perhaps she's learned to take it for granted, having lived the life she has. Travelling, regardless of the risks, was and is an exciting prospect after spending most of her time seeing the same few rooms and rarely anything else beyond them. Some people in her position might have gone hog wild with all the new opportunities and sights and sounds.]

[She, however, is a quiet sort, careful and patient and always trying not to make trouble, and that has remained the case throughout their journey. Trouble may have found them, yes, but she wasn't the one to bring it - purposely, anyway.]

[So maybe it's no surprise that when he looks, she's silent on her side of the room, still and making a very convincing picture of someone who's sound asleep. Whether or not she actually is, however, is perhaps a different question. Regardless of the true answer, she sleeps lightly, and rarely well when there's someone else about - and normally if she's woken up she keeps it to herself.]

[But in any case, whether she's awoken from sleep or was already awake in the first place, she soon finds herself conscious enough to open her eyes and consider the opposite wall, listening without immediate reaction as he gets up.]

[Again, normally, she'd not say a thing. But, she remembers well enough the goings on earlier in the day, and it causes her some concern. It's for that reason that she shifts, turning to look past her shoulder at him.]

[What is he up to?]

Edited (Tagging when you're way too tired for the lose. >A< Sorry) 2014-10-31 09:20 (UTC)

[Guy's back is turned to her as he opens a window. Cool night air rushes in and he lets out a loud sigh. The perks of moving to Grand Chokmah was that it sat right on the ocean's shore. Listening to the waves break had always been a surefire way to lull him to sleep. Out here, though, there was only the faint hum of insects and a nervous anxiety lacing the atmosphere.

Leaning against the sill, Guy gazes out at the darkened streets. He's sure that if he took a walk it'll clear his head. But as things were, he wasn't too keen on leaving his charge unattended.

He doesn't notice that she's awake, with how he's lost in his own thoughts. Not yet.]

[The cool air does not reach her immediately. During that span of time, she considers his back.]

[There is obviously something wrong. Not anything serious, perhaps, but after the past few days they've had, it's surprising to see him up and about when they've finally found a chance to rest. They haven't had long to get to know each other, and given the professional nature of their relationship she isn't entirely certain whether she ought to go prying into his business.]

[But he's done a good job looking after her - she's conscious of that. He seems like a nice enough fellow, and she... well, even if it's his job to protect her, she never has been able to leave someone else to their troubles if she can help it, regardless of whether it's counter to the intended dynamic of the situation or not.]

[(Much too tender-hearted for a Nobody, this one.)]

[So it is that after a brief hesitation - ah, there's the cool air - she sits up. She's quiet about it, not so much on purpose as because she's quiet about a lot of things. Still peering at him through the darkness, she says, voice hushed against waking anyone who might have a neighboring room,]

Is everything alright?

[At the sound of her voice Guy visibly starts but relaxes when he turns around. Of course it's just Namine. Rubbing a hand behind his neck, he gives a sheepish smile.]

Oh, sorry. I had some trouble sleeping, that's all. Don't worry too much about me.

[Perhaps some day soon he'll learn that telling her not to worry about someone is a little like telling a bird to stop flying. In any case, she tilts her head, studying him.]

Why?

[She means about the sleeping, of course - and after a beat she adds on an,]

... If you don't mind my asking.

[It's a lesson he'll learn soon, seeing by how it's practically a habit of his to underplay any worries or issues he has. He meets her gaze as he pats the injured part of his arm with a soft laugh.]

I'm just a little bruised. [Quickly, he adds:] But I've had worse. It'll feel better in the morning. Don't keep yourself awake for me.

-- Oh.

[It makes sense, of course. Her eyes follow his hand automatically, lingering a moment on the injured area he indicates before flicking back up to his face. Her hands, already clasped together, curl a little more tightly around each other. Her expression threatens to grow sympathetic until that addition, at which she hesitates before cracking a hint of a smile - possibly on purpose.]

I may not have much choice. [She really does have a difficult time sleeping while someone's up and about, and if she's fretting about them, too-- well, anyway. She doesn't wait long before making her own addition.] Is there anything I can do?

[It seems unlikely, but she can't not ask.]

[It's his turn to study her in return. He genuinely doesn't want to keep her up--it's been rough on both of them--but seeing how she was well awake now he figures that the company might soothe both of them back to sleep. Guy runs his hand through his hair, the smile still on his face.]

Well... I was thinking of taking a walk. You wanna come with?

[She bears his scrutiny without complaint or apparent discomfort, waiting patiently for whatever his answer might prove to be. When she receives it, her brows at first raise slightly in surprise, but soon enough they're relaxing again and the smile lingering on her own lips is widening.]

Yes, please. I think I'd like that.

[More importantly, if he'd find it helpful, that's enough reason for her.]

[Hearing her affirmation gains a nod from him. The door creaks quietly as he holds it open for her, pressing a hand against his chest.]

After you then, miss.

[She doesn't leave him waiting long, and gives him plenty of space as she passes through the door he's been considerate enough to open for her. (Whether that's entirely out of consideration for him or at least partially because of her own appreciation of personal space is unclear.)]

Thank you kindly, sir.

[There's just a hint of a laugh to it.]

Edited 2014-11-01 07:36 (UTC)

[Guy can play the part of a perfect servant at the drop of a hat. It doesn't take much effort for him to shift to a more respectful tone, amused as he sounds.]

It's my pleasure.

[He closes the door carefully behind them. As far as he knows, there isn't anyone else staying at the inn. This town was out of the way, slow in its way of life and with its people. Guy walks after Namine, taking in a deep breath as they step out.]

Not a bad place for a vacation. [Of course, they weren't here for anything of that sort. But it's nice to enjoy the lull.]

[Important though she is purported to be, she doesn't really stand on ceremony. The tone itself is enough to make certain that she's amused as well. It's too weird.]

[He doesn't have to trail after her for long. The moment they're out in open air she's waiting to fall into step next to him instead if he'll allow it, leaving a comfortable cushion of space between them but meaning to keep pace all the same. She's not even conscious of taking a deep breath, herself, but immediately her eyes are raised to take in the view, even if it's only of the street and its attendant buildings.]

Mm. [She hums her agreement, which is wholehearted. As a musing sort of afterthought,] I've never had a vacation before. Not a real one, anyway. It's... nice, getting the chance to see a place like this.

[He matches her pace, tilting his head towards her in curiosity. That sort of remark reminds him of something an old friend would've said long ago.]

Stick around, then. I'll be taking you to all sorts of places, show you all the sights.

[Her head's already tilted, though it's at the view. That changes when he speaks, at which she turns to give him at least a sideways look.]

I didn't think I had much say in whether I stuck around or not. I'd be lost for ages if I wandered off now, wouldn't I? [That may actually be debatable; she's managed to remember clearly enough so far the paths they've passed along. In any case, she says it laughingly enough to make sure it's a clear joke. The rest, however, lapses into a calmer sort of sincerity.] But-- thank you. I'm already looking forward to it.

[She can probably see that Guy's much more relaxed now that they're up and about walking. It's clear in how he smiles, the way his gait is unhurried. At her words he chuckles.]

You know, I don't think I got the chance to ask. Where are you from, Namine?

[She seems to have no problem letting him set the tempo of their walk; if anything, she's becoming more relaxed, too. A win all around, then. The question, though, causes her to hesitate briefly before giving a thoughtful hum - which is a little peculiar, because surely she needn't think about the answer to a question like that.]

Mm... that's a long story. [She turns her head a touch further to consider him more directly, as though she's weighing some internal decision. Then,] How much did they tell you about me, exactly?

[It's relevant to her answer, apparently - because otherwise she would not ask.]

Edited 2014-11-03 06:31 (UTC)

Hmm... [Guy tips his head up as he scours through his memory.] They told me you're a Nobody, but that's a given. I know this isn't your world.

[Wryly:] To them, a bodyguard doesn't need to know too much about his client.

[Ah. Her head raises slightly as he answers, almost but not quite as if in surprise.]

I see. ... You... seem to be taking all of that relatively well.

[As far as his wry statement,] I think I know the mentality.

[Actually, she's a little relieved - there are certain portions of her history that she's reluctant to discuss with people if she can avoid it - for safety reasons, among others - and those are a few of the big ones. But since he's been informed already (as well he should be), she feels more comfortable discussing it further, even if there is a short pause before she speaks again.]

Okay, then. Well... I guess the short version is, I was born in a castle a long, long way from here. If you can say I was ever 'born' at all, that is. There's probably a better word for it.

I had a friend who... well, I wouldn't say he was like you, but he was in a similar position. We've experienced a couple of impossible things together.

[It's part of why he's so willing to take up such a risky task where others were reluctant to. That, and the fact that Guy wasn't the sort to usually turn down the chance at doing a good deed.

--oh, that explanation was pretty simple.]

Ah, I see. [He's grinning again.] Should I be calling you a 'princess,' now?

[Her head tilts at the mention of his friend, something curious and almost appraising in her expression as she studies him. That was unexpected - but it makes a lot of sense. There are a lot of other considerations still going on behind her eyes when she smiles, but it's a warm enough expression all the same.]

Then it seems I'm in luck...! I didn't know you were so prepared.

[Simple enough - but that is the shortest version possible, only available because of what he already knew. The 'princess' comment has her turning her eyes shyly downward, lips curling at the edges despite herself.]

Oh, no - I'm no princess. Just....

[There's one word in particular she could use. She refrains. Instead,]

... just the shadow of one. [In the interest of honesty, perhaps, since he didn't technically guess wrong.] My... Other was. I'm not.

Edited 2014-11-05 04:32 (UTC)

Being a servant of House Fabre has prepared me for almost anything.

[It's half a joke. Regardless of how their little adventures had turned out, he was glad that he'd been place on the path he'd been placed upon. He raises an eyebrow at her, tapping his chin. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say.]

So something closer to nobility, then. Or at least someone of great importance, if you were given the honors of living in a castle.

They chose wisely, then.

[Maybe it was the wrong thing - if how she isn't quite looking at him anymore is any indication. There's still a hint of a smile, but it's a strained thing, more than a little sad, and her voice has grown quieter.]

It wasn't exactly an honor. [There's something almost apologetic about it; for unintentionally saying something that could easily be misconstrued, perhaps?] The castle, it wasn't-- the original owners were no longer there. It was... abandoned. [Or nearly so.] Empty - until a group of people found it and decided to use it for their own purposes.

[One of her hands catches her opposite wrist just to have something to hold on to, and she forces herself to shrug.] I didn't really have a choice about whether I stayed there.

Edited 2014-11-05 19:59 (UTC)

[Guy regards her in silence, listening closely. When she's done he runs his hand through his hair, softening his voice as if to apologize for bringing up this topic.]

I see... it was that sort of life for you, huh? [It's fine to let the conversation taper off here, or to change the subject. He understands not wanting to linger too long on the past all too well, and he isn't the sort to drag these matters out. Still, he has to say:]

I can't make any promises, but I can guarantee you one thing. I'll do my best to see to it that you won't be in that situation again.

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