[Accidental Video Post]

[unknownrival]

[This video, unlike most of the others, has a timestamp in the lower right corner. Right now, it's 8:35 PM, and Issei is lying on his futon in his sleeping yukata, obviously trying to get to sleep.

He closes his eyes. A few seconds after he does so, he lets out a yelp and jolts awake, breathing heavily.

The video skips to a few more times: 10:17, 11:20, 12:30. Each time, the process is repeated: Issei shuts his eyes, clearly tired, but every time he does some nightmare shocks him awake.

At the last one, he sighs and starts to speak.]

This can't go on. I need to find some way to get to sleep. Something to protect me from... from that. But I'm far too old to sleep in the room of any of the other monks, or even my family. I don't have a dog to curl up with, I won't call Haruto at this hour and for this reason, and I can't think of any other way to make my consciousness relax-

[He lifts his head, and stops. He's staring at his Christmas present from Kaito: a small Kid plushie. Blushing slightly, he continues:]

...at this point, I would try anything. If, if he were here, Kid would protect me, wouldn't he? And he shouldn't be able to take offense at that, so...

[Issei stands up and pulls the plushie off the shelf. No sooner does he lie back down and cuddle with it than he's fast asleep. The video continues for a few minutes to prove this, then dissolves into static.]

((All replies will come after he wakes up for the day. ...Which will be quite a bit later than his day should actually start (in two and a half hours).))

Comments

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

...

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Why does everyone use ellipses in their first reply, if they even say anything at all?

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

Because I'm trying to decide to send you some sleeping pills or not.

Do you want to talk about it?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Does it need to be said that I kept dreaming of my death?

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

No. I think most of the people that were in that...place...did at one point. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Even you? You seemed so calm about it.

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

Yes. I've died many times before this though. Well as close a robot can get to dieing. It's why I can be calm.

Exactly, what part are you dreaming of?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I see. This is my first time, so it's a bit rough on me. I hope never to go through this again.

Ah, it depends. The part where she betrayed us and attacked Karen, or the moment before I lost consciousness... seeing that discordant smile and being absolutely terrified.

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

It's unnerving no matter what. No one should. And as long as I'm on the community I'll do what I can to make sure you don't

I see...You should call that Haruto person over then.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I am truly blessed, to have such friends.

You're the second person to say that. It was the middle of the night!

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

That person is a comforting presence to you, so you should at least try to talk to them until the dreams go away. It's fine to be selfish, every once in a while.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

...I see. The next time this happens, I'll have to call him, then.

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

Good!

[stripping.livejournal.com]

It remains a shame that I couldn't have these nightmares at a more reasonable time of day, however.

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

Yes it does, but just let them know in advance that you might need to talk to them to get to sleep.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I'll tell them when he sees this.

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

Good. Have you been eating at least?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Of course. Do you really think I treat myself so poorly as to not eat?

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

Stress has a way of messing with people's minds and making them forget some of the basic things.

But you, no.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your faith in me.

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

Besides the nightmares how are you faring?

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I'm doing better than I was. With each passing day, it becomes easier to face the world again.

[morethanabot.livejournal.com]

That's great.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

It's not perfect, but it will do.