Welcome to my nightmare

[ninjainviolet]

Who: Sheena Fujibayashi and YOU!
What: Nightmare!
When: During the Nightmare Plot (backdated to the 5th)
Where: Her mind
Rating: PG?

[Sheena had planned to go back to Lloyd's house as soon as she could, but that plan was changed without her permission as she succumbed to whatever malevolent force decided to infiltrate the castle and put its residents to sleep.

Like many others, she now sleeps deeply, no movement or sound except the occasional protest as her slumber is interrupted by memories and nightmares she had long ago buried.

Memories that are now alive and well and waiting to share themselves with whoever crosses their paths.

Sleep well.]

Sections: Corrine's Replacement || Friendly Advice? || Left Behind

Comments

[ninjainviolet]

[No, they stay right where they are, but they say nothing to him--no greeting, no invitation.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Maybe they haven't seen him... He attempts to approach a little more.]

[ninjainviolet]

[They've seen him, but they're ignoring him--even when he steps closer.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[This hurts more than he's showing, but he can deal with it, right? It wasn't the first time he was ignored like this, and it wouldn't be the last.

How long does it pass before he starts moving away? He's not sure.]

[ninjainviolet]

[And suddenly, the scene changes, becoming a strange mix of Paradisa and a small village filled with what looks like ninjas.

Children run by, happily playing and chattering, but a feeling of longing fills the air around him.

He may have better luck this time approaching.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Was he dreaming? Because that sudden scene change isn't normal. Or maybe it's just the castle messing with them.

He does approach to the children.]

Hey... Where is this place? [Maybe it's one of those worlds changes, yet it wouldn't explain the feelings he's experiencing...]

[ninjainviolet]

[Welcome to Sheena's dream, Cloud--a nightmare of loneliness and abandonment.

The children look up from their play--which resembles combat training. One looks angry as he replies.]

This is Mizuho, dummy! Geez!

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Kids, somehow, had always had a soft spot on Cloud's heart, so he doesn't really get any kind of offense from the angry reply.]

Heh, sorry, should've known. What are you doing?

[ninjainviolet]

[The one who replied looks at Cloud in shock.]

Whatcha do? Hit your head at the temple and forget? We're practicing the Ig- Iga--

The Chief's style!

[shrugs_a_lot]

I'm new around here, I guess. It looks pretty cool. [ it was a little sad, he was so used to people talking to him that was that he truly didn't feel mad anymore. ]

Who's the Chief?

[ninjainviolet]

Geez, you musta hit your head! You ain't new around here, stupid!

And the Chief? [The boy's face twists into one of rage.]

He's the one who broughtcha here, and the one you hurt!

[A shove.]

Now, do ya remember?

[shrugs_a_lot]

[All right, that was weird... And hew as finally getting confused. Where in the world...?]

... Me? Sorry, kid, you got the wrong person.

[ninjainviolet]

[If he looks, he'll see a familiar figure watching the scene with a sad expression, but does nothing to interfere, having lived through it far too many times. Cloud has taken the part of seven-year-old Sheena, and that's all anyone will see until he somehow breaks the spell.

Maybe by approaching her?]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Sheena? Yes, that's Sheena! At last, someone familiar. He doesn't quite run to her, but approaches quickly, hoping she's not as lost as he is right now.]

Hey! [He had never been so glad to see her before.]

[ninjainviolet]

[She turns, her expression blank for a second before her brows knit in confusion.]

Cloud? What are you doing here?

[shrugs_a_lot]

I have no idea.

[ninjainviolet]

[She looks from him to the children, who are scowling at him. Obviously, they still see young Sheena.]

This is the village where I grew up.

[shrugs_a_lot]

[He remembers her mentioning something. In fact the remembers it very well, she wasn't happy about it.]

Wanna leave?

[ninjainviolet]

[She looks at him, her eyes slightly haunted.]

I can't.

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Looks at her for a moment. His gaze softening for a second before he extends his hand at her.]

Yes, you can.

[ninjainviolet]

[She looks at him a moment, the debate on what to do visible in her eyes before she finally takes his hand.

And things change. This time, Cloud is with adult Sheena, watching the scene he had just experienced with child Sheena in her proper place.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[The puzzle is starting to get shape at last. While he is not sure of how is it that he's seeing this, but he can finally understanding what is going on. Squeezes the hand of adult Sheena a little. It is a disheartening scene, but it's not the only thing that's making him hurt. Ah, because he is. The desire of being loved, of being part of something. Though he's not fully aware of it. For all he knows, he might be sharing Sheena's pain too. And maybe he is.]

C'mon... You've watched enough. [And pulls her some.]

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena's not sure how he's here, either. It's got to be some trick of the castle, but how and why, she's not sure. She returns the squeeze, but doesn't ease up on it. This is the first time that anyone's ever supported her in this dream, and she doesn't want to lose it.]

Grandpa... [It's softly spoken as she takes a step, the scene now becoming that of a forest.]

[shrugs_a_lot]

[Gives her a puzzled stare.]

What now...? [Those changes were pretty weird.]

[ninjainviolet]

[There's the sound of a baby crying nearby, and Sheena gravitates to it--almost running. A sense of longing fills the air as she draws closer. Maybe. Maybe this time. Maybe this time she'll see her parents.]