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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bakerstreet2020-10-01 04:32 pm
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I've been trying to find the girls cellphone. I feel like there's a lot of information there but I can't find the numbers or the provider to hack in. [ While he talked Booker reached around the table to grab bits of dinner. He put them on his plate but he didn't eat right away. ] But I did manage to get in the newspaper's system and reading the reporter's notes another girl went missing five months ago but she was poor and no one gave a shit.
[ He drummed his fingers against the table in annoyance. ] Something's here but no one was paying attention before these girls.
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[Booker had her full attention though. She didn't mind the laptop at the table or the fact this was shop talk at dinner. It was as good of a time as any.]
So that's at least three girls missing in five months? Do any of the girls have traits that match that we can see? Dark hair, skin color? ['Age'. Nicky popped in to help toss ideas out.] Age. [She pointed with her fork in agreement with Nicky] Height. Thin, or over weight? [Something that a person might target. So far there was one poor girl and two public school girls.]
And the Police in Greece don't seem to be investigating at all? [That could go in their favor of not being caught up in shit they don't want to be caught up in.]
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[ He glanced over at each of them. ] They're investigating. They're doing what they can within the bounds of the law but... we could do more. I mean, more outside of the law.
[ Booker had a feeling the girls were dead. Kidnapped, abused, and killed for some asshole's sick pleasure. He didn't want to say that out loud but he had a feeling. This pattern was familiar. ]
As for the poachers. They're taking any ivory they can find and they've killed two wildlife agents. [ A lot simpler of a situation. Just as innocent victims. Booker would keep an eye on Greece if Nile and the others decided that they should hunt the poachers. ] No one's been able to find them in the bush and Interpol hasn't seen the ivory they've taken appear on the market. They've got alerts out for it though.
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[Then there was the Poachers. More concrete facts. Easier to get away with. Take out the scum and save wildlife and it's protectors.]
[Maybe they could split up and take both. Nicky and Joe take the poachers, she and Booker could look into the children. Maybe she wasn't in the best mindset for this because of her own issues with family she's missing. Maybe she wasn't thinking properly too, but she wanted to investigate.]
Honestly, the first case sounds like it's going to take a bit more searching. You're right that we can ask around better than the law. On the other hand the poachers seems point blank. I'm thinking Joe and Nicky; you think you can take that on? Get in contact with Quynh and take her as a third. [Taking Quynh along would be like taking a full team anyhow, and she delighted in killing things.]
Booker and I can go to Greece and start some intel hunting. We keep in contact and if a problem crops up, we'll go from there. Thoughts? [She asked the boys to see what they thought about this idea. She knew Joe and Nicky, with Quynh would be a deadly force, and she and Booker could handle intel things until the others get back.]
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I'll whip up some identities for us. International reporters or something like that. [ He almost turned to do it right now but Joe gently closed his laptop and gave his food a pointed look.
Right, dinner. Booker shrugged. He couldn't be blamed for being ready to work. This could put some good back in the world. What they were supposed to do. ]
And make sure you and Nicky have transportation. If we can get in touch with Quynh I'll get her some as well. [ But he made sure not to touch the laptop and actually ate a few bites of food. ]
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Reporters work. [She said with a nod, and as Joe closed Booker's laptop he mentioned that He and Nicky could handle Botswana. Nicky said he would call Quynh after dinner and get her caught up. It felt like this plan would work out. Which ever team was done first could back up the other if needed, but for now, this should get shit done and covered.]
Okay then, it sounds settled. Get to work on that after dinner. If you need some help, ask. [She took a bite of bread, considering all this, then nodded again. This could work fine. It's not like the team has never split up for a job before.] Can you get all this done by the morning?
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Dinner conversation was a bit more pleasant after that. They roughly planned for Joe and Nicky but also just general conversation about anything and everything. With a little laughter tossed in.
When he was done, though, Booker grabbed his laptop and topped off his wine glass. ] I'll see you all in the morning. With new identities for us and travel arraignments for you two.
[ And he went to find a comfortable chair to do his work which was more staring at a screen and typing and occasional muttering under his breath in various languages. ]
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[She was thoughtful, but trying not to look like she was. Not wanting to drag things down.] I'll get the dishes tonight. You two get ready for tomorrow. [She said to wave off Nicky stacking plates.]
[She did the dishes in peace, thinking about those little girls. Thinking again to her great niece and her former family. She should talk to Booker about it, but now she had him focused on something important. She said if she couldn't sleep, she would talk, but now she was determined to sleep, for her sake but also so she didn't have to talk.]
[As she finished up in the kitchen, slow and casual, she had sat there at the kitchen table with another glass of wine and her phone, reading things. Trying to wind down for the night. She had to pack still. Essentials. Something that looked reporter-y.]
[When she was down winding down she got up and wandered past Booker and his chair. She paused behind it, leaning in a bit to look at his work, a hand softly brushing back his hair as she peeked in on him.]
Try to get some rest tonight, Sebastien. [she spoke softly, looking down at him and not his computer.]
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Mm. I'll be fine. [ He continued to tilt his head back so he could meet her eyes. ] How are you feeling? I could take a break and we could read a little more?
[ If he kept his laptop close when she fell asleep he could simply continue working without bothering her. He hadn't forgotten that she hadn't been able to fall asleep before and they still hadn't talked about it.
The work was important but he had learned the hard way taking care of yourself was also important. Work should be put aside sometimes to deal with it. ]
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I'll be fine. [She repeated what he just said back to him. A faint smile at her lips. She wanted to lean down and kiss his forehead. Something she has done with Nicky or Joe. Forehead or cheek. She wasn't sure why she didn't do that with Booker. Maybe because they started that kind of action with her. Who knows, but she almost did it tonight, then... let his hair go, drawing back to lean on the back of the chair.]
I think after I pack I should be good to rest. I'd rather you get your work done and get some rest too, than read to me tonight. As much as I would like that.
[and she would like that. And if she can't rest, she'd come back out to bother him, or at least sit with him while he finished his work.]
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Alright. I've got Nicky and Joe's transport out of the way. They can leave as soon as they're ready. [ It was the easiest part to handle. Building new identities that would pass background checks and any digging another journalist might do. He hadn't even gotten to making the physical ids and some fake articles.
It would be a long night for him so if she couldn't sleep he would be out here working away. Booker would probably sleep on the plane they took to Greece. They'd have to travel like normal people for awhile just because that fit with the cover. ]
Would you mind packing something for me? Since I'll be doing this? [ He nodded his head towards his laptop. ] Just whatever. You know I don't care that much.
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[She didn't worry about their fifth too much. She came and went like the wind and always managed to stay out of sight.]
[When he asked if she could pack for him she nodded] Sure, of course. I'll pack the brightest things you own and not a single denim shirt. [she teased softly, starting to drift away to the rooms.] I got you. But try and sneak some rest in too? [A finger gun shot and she would duck off to the bedrooms to pack for them both.]
[as for sleep, that was what she attempted. With bags dropped to the floor, packed light for two people pretending to be Journalists, she flopped into her bed and curled up, blanket pulled over her head and trying not to let her mind wander.]
[It wandered.]
[She lay there awake for a few hours. Read on her phone a bit. Tried again. Thought of the case. Of those girls. Of a flight. Of all the things that could go wrong. This was normal for a pre case set up for her. She needed to learn to relax and go with it. Even Andy used to tell her that. It would be fine. But her brain wandered, and she peeked out the door a few times to see if Booker was still working. Of course he was.]
[Letting out a sigh she got to sleep, for a few hours, before waking with a start. Her hand going to her neck as she rolled over onto her back. This again. She shook her head and got up, pulling socks on and silently wandering out to see Booker, still in his chair. She plopped down on the couch, running her hands over her face.]
How's it going?
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[ Booker had a very... complex relationship with Quynh what with her kidnapping him and using him as bait to bring in the others just to get at Andy.
Things were tense. He would help her if the others asked him to but usually he left her alone and she left him alone and it worked for them. ]
Jokes on you, the brightest thing I own is denim. [ He trusted she wouldn't pack him ugly clothes because he really didn't own anything brightly colored. Booker tended to muted colors.
The rest of the group went to bed around him while he continued to work. He bid Joe and Nicky goodnight and then there was just him and the sound of typing until Nile came out and joined him. ]
It's going. We'll be ready. [ He saved his work quickly and then closed the laptop. ] Now you're going to tell me what's been bothering you.
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[His joke about his brightest clothing made her walk off chuckling. She would be sure to make him look good and not look ridiculous, just because she was nice like that.]
[she leaned into the arm of the couch, looking over to him. She wasn't going to come out because of this reason, but there was something about it that she might want to talk about. Maybe. God damn it.]
[She rested her head on a fist, her elbow on the couch arm.] I notice that wasn't a question.
[Stalling]
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They always seemed to end up like this though he knew the others talked with her too. She was the youngest and while also the leader they tended to look after her. ]
What's bothering you? [ There, he put it as a question for her. Not that it would get her out of answering. Booker could be relentless when it came to these things.
Also, patient. He could wait her out simply because he was a stubborn bastard. ]
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[She talked to all of them, naturally, but where Nicky or Joe would let her get away with a vagueness sometimes, Booker always waited it out.]
[she was silent for a long minute, just staring at him. Then softly...]
I did something stupid.
[and for a moment that might have been all she was going to say, but then she shrugged, looking at her hand in her lap now.] Checked in on my relatives. On one of my nieces.
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He gave her a look that was sympathetic. Right now, her family was still so fresh. It would start to disperse and be less tempting as the years went on but right now it was there within reach. ]
You're not part of their lives, Nile. Never have been except as a story. [ He knew the words would hurt. They were meant to. She had to remember the cost before she ended up torn apart like he was. ] You can't go back, even just to pretend you're a stranger and accidentally cross paths.
[ He didn't think she'd be as weak as he had been. Booker had fought so hard to be with his family again and it only destroyed him. Nile was better than that. ]
no subject
[His words did hurt, but she understood why they were spoken. Her hand raised to her eyes and rubbed at them, not crying, but sleepy.]
I promise, I'm not going to make contact. As easy as it would be. Make a facebook profile or something. I don't know. It's stupid. [she hunkered down farther into her couch, legs curling under her more.] And I wont. I know better. But...
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[ Booker understood.
His family was all gone and if anyone traced their roots back to Sebastien le Livre they were so much a stranger that Booker didn't feel that same ache thinking of his sons did.
He could go see his family's graves though. There was no risk of anyone stumbling on him and asking what they were doing there. No temptation to go see living family. ]
And it's hard to stop thinking about them so you can actually sleep.
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[she sighed deeply.] Nilla is going into the Marines. Neema is having a fit about it, and there's nothing I can say to either of them about it, and it's very, very stupid of me to check in on them like this.
[She curled in on herself more, both elbows on her knees, her hands on her head. She's embarrassed for one, and upset for another. It's stupid, she tells herself. It's torture and she shouldn't care but she does.]
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[ Booker held on to his family for much, much longer and it destroyed him. Nile was handling immortality and living family much better than he had. ]
Nile... they're your family. And you have to trust that... they'll keep on living even though you're not there to help them. [ She could watch but never interact. It was not easy but it was what had to be done. ] They've made it this far. Trust they'll keep going.
And delete Facebook. The amount of data that thing tracks is bad anyway. Worse if you have an account. [ Don't make him rant about the evils of social media, Nile. Booker will do it. ]
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[He said to look at her and she pulled her hands tighter over her head a moment, then sighed, relaxed and peeked out at him as he spoke.]
I trust them. I know there's nothing I can do, but the thoughts are still roaming in my head. I miss them. I missed my moms own funeral. My brothers. His kids are so old now. Babies having babies, and I'm missing it all. I don't know any of them.
[She crossed her arms over her knees and peeked over at him from over her arms.] And I don't hold an account anymore. I know better than that. I know social media is evil. [Pre-emptively stopping a rant maybe]
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He got up and went over to her. Kneeling in front of her chair he slid a hand around the back of her neck and pulled her forward until they were forehead to forehead. It was a gesture he did with Andy all the time.
One he had started with her only recently. It was meant to comfort and give strength. ]
And they don't know you. Let them have the legend of Nile Freeman. A woman they admire and mourn and will always be a hero.
[ He squeezed his hand against her neck. ] We've got you.
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I... [She choked a bit on her words, then held a breath, leaning there, eyes closed. Taking the moment as it was. He was right. Leve them alone. They don't know her. It's for the best.]
I've got you. I've got all of you. I don't need more than that. [her hand reached out to his other hand, grasping it.] I'm sorry. I know it's so, so stupid. I wont go back to checking up on them. I'll make that a promise.
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You sure you can keep that promise? [ Because Booker sure as hell hadn't been able to. He didn't want her torturing herself dying to know about her family and trying not to disappoint them by failing on that. ] If you can't, there's no shame in it. We'll be here for you.
[ He thumped her hand against his chest. ] I'll be here. A living reminder of the scars it'll leave.
[ No one needed to carry the grief he did but especially her. ]
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