oh, you look tired.

[stregadoro]

wake up, wake up, it's only a bad dream meme

bad dreams are ordeals, sometimes seemingly endless. when you wake up, your heart pounds, your head hurts, and you end up drenched in sweat. even if you know none of it was real, it takes a while to orient yourself. it is pretty nice to have someone there to wake you up or to soothe you out of it and remind you that... it's only a dream. ••• the usual rules apply. post with your character and preferences and then tag around, have your characters comfort others.

Comments

[lothrat]

[That succeeds in getting Ezra to make a face right there.]

Ugh, please don't tell me I need to meditate. I get enough of that from Kanan already.

[Dodging that subtle nudge to talk? Yes, yes he is. At least he's still accepting the hug.]

[learningcurves]

He is your teacher-- he isn't given that title for the fancy ponytail or anything of the sort.

[and then she's just going to loop her arm around him yup you're going to accept this hug even more. Seras is quiet for a moment, and then:]

You know, when I first changed, I had this awful dream. It wasn't what was happening to me so much as...what I did. The kind of person I was then-- I didn't know what kind except everything was different and I didn't know where it left me....

[lothrat]

Yeah, he is my teacher. [He quirks a small smile, half at her description, half at his own attempt at humor here.] I don't need another one.

[The power of a memory of his mom's hug can only keep Ezra docile for so long, though. No longer feeling quite as vulnerable, embarrassment at being hugged creeps in. He sits up a little straighter, trying to subtly pull away.]

What did you do? Or did you just mean the destroying buildings thing?

[That would be pretty disturbing.

Even more if you didn't mean to.]

[learningcurves]

No, but it doesn't hurt to have a few more friends.

[Seras isn't completely naive; she knows that social cue well enough, and slides her arms from him, taking a step back.]

I hurt the people I cared about in these dreams. I didn't even recognize myself, but this person who had my face...knew things about me. They knew me, they were me.

[lothrat]

Do friends have to lecture me about meditation, too?

[He asks that, almost teasing, even as he relaxes a little bit. Thanks for not making that awkward, Seras.

Of course, the moment of humor fades when she shifts back to the topic of her dream. That description... Ezra shivers. It hits a little too close for him.]

What did you do about... well, about you? Or was that why it was a nightmare? Because you couldn't stop yourself?

[learningcurves]

They absolutely do. At least about talking it over.

[she winks at him, and then softens as her dream comes to light.]

I had to confront myself. Confront the truth, about the changes in my life....and instead of just letting this happen, I took charge. Now don't get me wrong, it was hard.

[lothrat]

How do you even know what's true, though? What if... What if both sides of you are real?

[Despite his resolve not to talk about his dream, it's hard not to dismiss it from his mind either. His gut twists with the memory, even if it was just a dream.]

What if you confront yourself only to realize you are that person? That you could... That you could really do those horrible things?

[learningcurves]

[Seras searches his face for a quiet moment, into those frightened wide eyes of the boy trying so hard not to become that person.]

You don't. You know yourself better than anyone-- and in the case where you don't notice the signs....you have an entire family who will be there for you, to guide you. You're a good man. This won't happen to you.

[lothrat]

[Ezra's quiet for a moment after that, trying, really trying, to absorb that message and what it means for him. Tries to let it reassure him.

He's not sure how much he actually succeeds.

Still, they're enough to remind him that he's not alone, even if he's not sure about himself. He's got Kanan and Hera, Sabine and Zeb and Chopper, and even Seras now. What's family for, if not to catch you when you fall? He manages a smile, fear fading for now.]

Yeah. Yeah, you're right, Seras.

[This time, he's the one initiating a hug, quick and one-armed from the side, but no less heartfelt.]

Thanks. For waking me up and talking.

[learningcurves]

[awwww...! A gentle gloved hand ruffles his hair as she grins at him. She knows, she knows its easier said than done, that Ezra will have to work hard to ensure this doesn't happen. That mistakes happen. But redemption and growing is always there if you listen for it.]

Of course. That's what friends are for! I'll kick anyone's ass who thinks they can take you down the wrong path.

[lothrat]

[The smile that comes to his mouth is more genuine now, even though he does try to duck that hair ruffling. Come on, Seras, isn't he a little old for that?]

Even my own?

[The question's half teasing, half serious.]

[learningcurves]

[NOPE! Never ever. He'll never outgrow these. Even when he's an old man.]

Especially your own! You're too good to be fooled like that.

[lothrat]

[There's gonna be a lot of exasperated huffs in the future, then. Ezra's already grumbling as he cards his fingers through his hair in a haphazard attempt to fix the mess she just made.

It probably ought to be noted that even his attempts to straighten it don't really do that much good.]

Heh. Good. Just don't be surprised if I try to kick yours back.

[learningcurves]

[Seras is proud of herself for messing up his patented do. It's clear in the force of her grin.]

You wouldn't win, not in a million years. But that's alright.

[lothrat]

Hey, don't be so sure of yourself. I'm learning more every day.

[learningcurves]

True, I don't doubt that or underestimate that. But when it comes to some things, I'll always have the upper hand.

[lothrat]

[Come on, Seras, don't crush a boy's ego.]

I might still surprise you. You never know!

[learningcurves]

[its her job sorry man

but she smiles at him and hums.]

You are a young man full of surprises, that's for sure. I'll give you that.

[lothrat]

[Well, that at least sounds like it could be positive. Ezra will take it and assume that's what it is. Pleased, and feeling a little bit better, he stretches and finally lets himself yawn.]

I guess I should try to get some more sleep. Sorry if I woke you up.

[learningcurves]

[yeah the best idea is to just accept it

smiling brighter, she tucks a blanket up to his chin, smooths it over his sides.]

That's alright. I don't need much sleep anyway-- I'll watch over you.

[lothrat]

[Good thing the darkness hides the flush on his face. Really, Seras, he doesn't need to be tucked in.

But he's tired enough not to feel like making a big deal of it now, both physically and emotionally worn out. He limits any rebellion to untucking the blanket from his chin and pulling it to a more comfortable place.]

You don't have to do that. I'm fine now. [He yawns as though to punctuate that point. Then he rolls onto his side, curling up a little.] G'night.

[It won't be long before he falls back asleep.]

[learningcurves]

[she definitely isn't an expert on tucking anyone in so she won't feel offense for that move.

Seras pats the top of his head and then pulls away, the lone wol-- excuse me, vamp watchwoman of the night. She'll protect them, surely.]

I'm happy to. Sweet dreams, now.

[with a smile to his turned back, her gaze cuts to the night sky.]

[lothrat]

[ooc: I think that wraps that up. Thanks! That was fun!]

[learningcurves]

[ooc: I HAD A BLAST TOO thank YOU!]