Plagued (Adaryn)

[Adaryn Breslin]

He's been... thinking about her nightmare?

Adaryn wasn't going to say that the people around her didn't care about her, because that wasn't true. Her father still cared, her teachers cared, and there were the few friends she had left at home that still wanted to try and talk to her. Sort of. Addie had maybe gotten a text from one or two of them, but they usually became awkward conversations. But when the going got tough, everybody ran. Because what was someone supposed to do for a girl who could make them want to kill themselves? She hated the fact that she had her power, because it made her fear every day. What if she got mad and went too far again?

"Am I.. alright?"

Well, she wasn't. Not really. Every night since that nightmare had occurred, she had another nightmare about it. There were a few times where the thing had visited her again, but each time, she'd have to do the same thing to it that she had done the first time. But it was draining her emotionally, physically, and mentally. If someone says something to you enough times, you start to believe it. And that was what was happening.

"Uh, I'm fine..." Adaryn spoke quietly and looked down at her shoes. No need to worry him anymore than he already was. But the problem with Adaryn was the fact that, even after all these years, she was a terrible liar. Her mum had always told her she was like an open book. And because of that, she just wanted to hide away. But there was also another part of her that didn't want to leave. Someone actually came to her rescue, and she was tired of being so alone.

[Thomas "Monroe" Montgomery]

Monroe waited as she seemed to ponder the question after reciting it back to him a lot. He knew that she wasn't completely alright just judging by that. Finally when she said, "Uh, I'm fine..." he still knew that fine usually meant you weren't fine at all. His mother said she was fine whenever Monroe asked about his father and why he left. She never really answered why or talked about it all, just said that she was fine with what happened. Monroe knew enough about women to know that was bullshit. Maybe that was the only thing he knew about them.

"Look..." he began awkwardly, sighing. "I know that this dream was personal to you and that you don't want to explain things to me. I don't expect you to. But what I do want you to know is that....my power...it makes dreams feel really real for me. Even though it's not my dream...I feel a part of it. It's hard to explain. But it's a subjective experience..." It sounded so technical, how he was speaking.

[Adaryn Breslin]

The awkwardness between the two was a given, but it also made it hard for her to actually talk to him. At least in the dream he was straightforward and demanding, trying to get her to realize that the dream was not real. But here he was very shy, and very afraid of her getting upset at him. Oh the irony of that statement. She was always so terrified of someone getting upset at her, and at this point, she was tired of it. That didnt stop her from being awkward though, which was awful.

"Look, im.. Im not going to tell you to screw off. Im just... It was really personal.. What you heard. You have to understand that I just can't talk about it to someone I barely know. But... Im really grateful you helped me. Nobody ever does... I really only have one friend now..." Adaryn trailed off as she realized she was rambling, and she doubted he cared much about her social issues. Or actually, he probably did... He cared about the dream, right?

"But, uh... I dont mind.. Talking to you, Monroe. Just not about that."

[Thomas "Monroe" Montgomery]

While Monroe appreciated the fact that Adaryn hadn't told him to screw off, he still felt like he needed to know. Maybe it was just because the dream also felt like it was his own as well. He got so attached to some dreams and it bothered him. He knew he needed to back off and give Adaryn some room to breathe. Not to mention, he didn't need to scare her off. "I didn't mind helping you. I know what it's like to be in a dream and how to help others recognize that's where they are," he said with a shrug.

"Well then, let's talk." He didn't know what it was, but he had to know her. Even if she wasn't going to answer his questions, he felt like he needed to keep an eye on her, no matter how creepy that seemed.

[Adaryn Breslin]

Simply listening to the boy as he explained his feelings towards the dream was causing her anxiety to spike. Her thoughts and fears were her own, and she didn’t want anyone to share in the misery caused by being in her mind. She hoped he would leave it alone, but it was obvious just by the look in his eyes, that Monroe was not content with just leaving his questions unanswered. But as he agreed to just talking, the anxiety began to ebb, and she sighed in relief.

Adaryn had originally came to the courtyard for peace and quiet, but obviously that was not going to happen. And for once, she really didn’t mind. Now that she was in the presence of someone who actually wanted to be around her, she found she craved the company. Even as an introvert, Adaryn still found herself getting lonely every now and then. Every human needed some sort of social interaction at some point, even her.

“Okay…” Addie gave him a slight, half smile before focusing her gaze back to the area she just left. Should they go back and just sit down? Or would it be more convenient to go somewhere else? It wasn’t the coolest outside, considering they were at the very end of summer. Fall’s crisp air had yet to grace the world with it’s presence. But she wasn’t in direct line of the sun, so they should be fine, right?

“So… Monroe? Do you want to go sit down in the grass. You’re much taller than me...and I don’t think my neck will appreciate the time spent looking up.” It was her first attempt at loosening up with him. Adaryn wasn’t always awkward, it was just the first few times she spoke to that person, she found it difficult to form words. What she was, though, was quiet.

“Plus, it’s shaded over there, and I’m getting a bit hot…” She fanned the back of her sweater gently, trying to get some air to circulate and cool her down before she began to sweat. Adaryn looked up at him with expectant eyes, though she never made contact with his. Such is life for the introvert who wished to be something more, but couldn’t build the courage to become more.

[Thomas "Monroe" Montgomery]

Monroe knew that he was failing at communicating to this girl how he felt and why he felt that way. He'd always had trouble with that and often resorted to crazy hand gestures or just shrugging because he really didn't know, but there was something so strong keeping him there standing in front of her. Mostly because he felt so tied to her nightmare. It was weird. He'd even found himself sketching the maze that had been in her dream in a zoned out state and only realized what it was when somebody asked.

"Yeah, that seems fine," he replied with yet another shrug. At least she wasn't running off, right? She was inviting him to sit. And honestly, he could use the shade as well. He always wore dark colors and jeans. And while it wasn't conducive for warm weather, it was just how he was. He was sweating in his combat boots. "Could be because you're wearing a sweater," he commented, although he knew he wasn't dressed for the weather either.

He slowly began to trot over towards the shaded area under a tree where he'd originally found her.

[Adaryn Breslin]

"And you're wearing all black," She commented softly, slightly nervous about his comment on her sweater. But her voice really didn't give that away, shockingly. It just sounded like sarcasm, much to her relief. Addie took her time getting to the tree, even though 'taking her time' usually consisted of speed walking. Her mind was hard-wired to go as quickly as she could to avoid major traffic areas in the school, or any other places. She was surprisingly quick on her feet mainly because she was so light, which suited Adaryn just fine.

The shade was very much welcomed, as her back had, indeed, began to sweat a bit. Normally, Adaryn may have taken off her sweater and just draped the fabric over her arms as a means of hiding. But today, she decided against it, because she had the feeling that this boy would be paying very close attention to her. Which in all honesty, Adaryn had no clue how to feel about it.

"So... you look absolutely exhausted." Addie commented as adjusted herself to sit against the tree trunk, her arms still wrapped around her book in a protective manner. "Do you not get any sleep, even since you are technically dreaming as well?" It was an odd power in her mind, but did he even know what her power was? Well, she supposed she'd find out.

[Thomas "Monroe" Montgomery]

Monroe shrugged at her response. "That I am. Guess we're both not really dressed for the weather." He didn't like this awkward small talk when he was so in touch with who she was from being in her dream. It honestly scared him each time this happened. Being in such an intense, personal dream of someone's gave him a very weird and strong connection to the person. He wasn't really sure how to explain it.

He plopped down in the grass, stretching his legs out in front of him and his arms behind him on the grass. "Thanks, I hadn't noticed," he said a bit sarcastically. "And when I'm using my power while I'm sleeping, the sleep isn't very restful. I don't know exactly how it works. Just that dream-walking takes energy and because it's sorta involuntary, I can't really stop it from happening. I think it's because I feel like when I'm in a dream that it's all very real."

[Adaryn Breslin]

“I’m never dressed for the appropriate weather unless that weather is bitter cold.” She added, looking down at her hands and twiddling with her thumb. He wasn’t annoyed anymore as he didn’t really seem to be glowing with it. But she could feel something like disappointment radiating off of him. There were times like this where she wished she didn’t care, because then she would have no real problems with telling him the meaning of the dream, nor would she care if he thought she was a freak afterwards. But Adaryn cared, probably too much for her own good, and so she wasn’t going to budge.

Adaryn listened quietly, her teeth finding her lower lip. So his power wasn’t much easier than her’s, and it could probably be viewed as worse. He lacked sleep almost entirely leaving him physically and also mentally exhausted, whereas Adaryn was simply mentally exhausted. The emotions could be suffocating at times, but at least she could get away from them (sometimes) when she fell asleep. It wasn’t the case recently, but usually they would leave her alone.

“But I understand exhaustion, since half the time I’m so mentally exhausted I don’t know how I don’t shut down…” Adaryn realized she was rambling, and swerved back onto the track she was intending to go on. “My power isn’t physically demanding, but emotionally and mentally draining. I’m an Empathetic Manipulator. I can feel, and well, control emotions to a certain extent.”

For the longest time, her eyes kept wandering, trying to stare at anything but his face. But this time, she managed to pull her eyes up and make brief eye contact. A small, shy smile tugged at her lips as she caught a glimpse of his brown eyes. For some reason, they mesmerized her. They weren’t a unique color. They were just a simple, common brown. And yet, every time she saw them, she thought of her dream and how he was looking at her with such concern. She could see the dull, translucent dark blue pulse coming from his form. “And for the record, I can see your disappointment. I-I’m sorry I can’t tell you. I just don’t know you, and well, If you want to…” Her eyes fell once more, her cheeks turning a bright red. “Maybe you can get to know me and piece it all together someday.”

[Thomas "Monroe" Montgomery]

"I like bitter cold. Mostly because I like to pile on layers and layers. And then I'm not sweating in my combat boots," Monroe pointed out. He was used to Vermont winters by now, although they weren't entirely different from those in Maine. He hadn't moved too far, but he still felt really far away from home. And his mother.

He raised an eyebrow as the went on about her power. Yeah, he definitely knew what it was like to be exhausted. "The only time I can feel what people are feeling is when they're extremely angry at me for lurking in their dreams, which isn't really something I can entirely control." At first he thought his power wouldn't be too bad. So, he'd have weird dreams that weren't his own, but he'd stay out of people's way so that they never connected a person in their dream with somebody that they saw around, but then he realized the side-effects, how he didn't wake up well rested when he knew he'd slept a good amount of time and how people became upset with him. He was exhausted physically and mentally. It was more as if his mental exhaustion caused him not to sleep which physically exhausted him. It was a ridiculous chain reaction.

"Man, think you could manipulate me to not feel tired?" he asked her, a little too eagerly. His eyes lit up at the idea. Was tired really an emotion? Or a state of being? The lines blurred, especially when he was so out of it. "And I feel drained almost all the time...so don't get offended if I appear to zone out. You're not boring me."

She didn't seem to want to really look at him and Monroe noticed that she avoided looking him in the face, something he really didn't pay too much mind to because she was probably shy and people were people. What she said wasn't what he expected. "Wait, you can see my emotions?" He was under the impression that empaths felt them. But she could see his emotion? "What does it look like? A dark blue rain cloud?" He wondered if it was sort of artistic.

"And....you don't want to tell me. I get that. I'm not saying I have the right to know or anything because that's just an asshat thing to say. I just...others' dreams are very intense for me. An experience I can't explain." He was looking at her, into deep blue eyes. And then she'd glanced down again. "But I might have to take you up on that offer." It was going to drive him crazy and he already felt committed to helping her...in a weird way.

[Adaryn Breslin]

"Afraid not. Exhaustion is not an emotion... it's just a state of being. The only cure for that is to get a good night's rest. I'm sorry." There were some things Addie could and couldn't do, and sometimes she wished that if she had to live this way, she should be able to do it all. Life would be just as difficult, if not easier, if there were no limitations. But obviously that would be going against everything in the story books. Even the superhero's had a weakness. Nobody was perfect, no matter how hard they tried.

His sudden enthusiasm for her ability made her cover her mouth as a smile reached her face. She hated showing her teeth, and smiling in general, since she was always teased about it. Her teeth weren't yellowed at all, in fact she brushed about three times a day if she could. Floss was a must for her as well, which dentists seemed to love, so her teeth were always quite white. That whole 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?' motto was a bunch of bull. They hurt Addie, more than people ever knew. "Well, it just looks like a sort of like... a dull wave radiating from your body, that happens to be a dark-ish blue. But the color is pretty translucent, so it isn't overwhelming. Imagine what it looks like when heat is radiating off of concrete, and just add a blue tone to it, and that is basically what I see." Adaryn felt a strange sense of relief to be talking about herself and her power. Even when she said this to Travis, she felt the same way. Addie wasn't too used to having people listen to her about... herself. It was a nice change.

But I might have to take you up on that offer

How was she supposed to respond to that? Well, she sure as hell had no clue, but that didn't stop her face from heating up. "Oh... uh... Yeah. Well... That's nice I suppose." Of course, Adaryn was kind of stuttering at that point because she was a no good, awkward introverted hormonal teenager. Plus she didn't know how to act around older guys, or guys that took an interest in her at all. Well, Travis took an interest in her, but then again, she didn't feel too strange around him. They had things to talk about that made things incredibly easy. But him... It was odd having a guy so keen on getting to know her.

Adaryn felt she might as well get used to it though, since he didn't seem to be going anywhere. But in the back of her mind, she really didn't mind.

"So I'm sure you had your share of... uh... awkward dreams... but has there been any funny ones?" Crappy question, but she couldn't seem to think of anything better.

[Thomas "Monroe" Montgomery]

"Ah, damnit. A cure I can't seem to come by," Monroe said. He was rather disappointed, but then again, he shouldn't expect someone to fix things for him. Although it would be nice to get some good sleep. "I suppose if you could do that, you'd manipulate your exhaustion into oblivion." Wait, could she manipulate her own emotions? He had to so many questions.

"Interesting," he commented on the description of what the emotion looked like. It really was. Although he imagined emotions could be way too much for one person to handle when they weren't just your own. "So if I was angry...which doesn't happen often, is that red? Or...?" Was he annoying her? Probably.

He pushed aside her stuttering reaction at him wanting to get to know her. She had extended the invitation after all and it wasn't as if he was a pushy person. "I don't want to talk about what I've seen in that aspect," Monroe told her with a shake of his head. "Teenagers' dreams are rarely pleasant to view. Although there has been a few that have been highly entertaining...." He trailed off, trying to think of a specific example. "And old roommate of mine used to repeatedly have the same dream. He was a fish, just sitting in a fishbowl. And I mean, that's all that happened. It was so utterly boring it was funny." A smile formed on his lips.

[Adaryn Breslin]

"Believe me, If I had that much control over my power, I probably wouldn't be this shy. I can only barely grasp onto my own emotions. They always seem like they are just a fingertip away when I try to reach for them. I have to be really desperate to be able to do it, I guess." Adaryn was rambling now, staring off into space as she spoke. Her eyes were wide and her hands were at her sides. This was probably the first time she was completely relaxed since they had first started talking, and that was mainly because she wasn't actually paying attention to him. That was sad, yes. But the sheer fact that Adaryn even managed to relax near him was a big accomplishment.

She was brought back to reality when he asked her about anger, and if it was red. "Exactly. Depending on how strong it is, it can be the color of....blood. Or it can be a faint pink. Like I said, it all depends on the intensity."

Monroe seemed to take notice to her stuttering, but thank goodness he didn't comment on it. It seemed like he actually realized that she was more comfortable when he didn't push, and that he respected her wishes. It was nice of him just to let it go. But she knew that eventually she would have to tell him what happened. Addie was barely paying attention when he told her the fish story, but she caught it, and for some reason, she found it to be hilarious. At first, her laugh was nothing more than a sharp breath out of her nose, but then it turned to soft giggles. Who knew fish could be so amusing? Especially when they didn't do anything.

"That's.... cool." She said, smiling. Her face was pointed away from Monroe, and towards the ground as her hand still cupped around her mouth. "I-I'm sorry. I don't know why I find that so funny." She said again, followed by another few giggles, before she fully calmed down.

"I wouldn't mind having that dream, though. Probably would be nice to give my mind a rest."

[Thomas "Monroe" Montgomery]

"So shy is considered an emotion?" Monroe asked curiously. She did seem quite shy, but he was sure a lot of that had to do with her power and altering the emotions with others. Besides, he'd rather hang out around shy people than someone who was ridiculously loud and obnoxious. Well, Monroe could really tolerate anybody, but this was a lot easier to tolerate.

"Hmm," he thought about what she said. "So the intensity changes the shade of the color?" He was asking so many questions. He hoped he wasn't making her uncomfortable. "Let me know if I'm asking too much. Sometimes I'm too tired to realize I'm being annoying." It was an honest thing to say.

He smiled a little when she began to laugh. "No, laugh all you want. It was really funny. Mostly because it was so simple. And just...nothing was going on. Just an ordinary gold fish floating in a fish bowl. Man that guy was boring." Her giggle was rather girl-ish, an amusing sound. She looked down shyly, putting her hand over her mouth, as if she was insecure about her laugh or the way her mouth looked. "Don't be sorry. It's funny. And you have a nice laugh." It suited her.

"I wouldn't mind everybody I know having that dream," he agreed.

[Adaryn Breslin]

Adaryn shook her head, knowing that she didn't get her point across as well as she should have. Shy was not an emotion, it was a state of being. A personality trait. But specific emotions tended to come along with being shy, and if she could control her nervousness, then she probably wouldn't be so scared to be around others.

"No." Adaryn started. "No, I mean. Shy is not an emotion. It's strictly personality. But it's like certain traits cause certain emotions. Like social anxiety is nervousness, and if I can keep that at bay, I'd probably be a lot more outgoing... I mean... I wish I could be." Adaryn had always wanted to be the girl everyone could talk to and asked out on dates. She always wanted to be the girl who felt good in her own skin and didn't have to hide from the world. Adaryn never wanted to be the freak. But because of this stupid power, that is what she has become.

"Uh, yeah. The shade and opacity of it changes. That's how I know when to approach people and when not to... even though I barely approach anybody in the first place. I guess it's a nice skill to have." A part of Adaryn was really enjoying this, while the other was kicking herself for giving so much away. Her face was slightly pained from her last set of thoughts, so she was sure he was going to see it. "And you're fine. I promise. It's not often I get asked about myself. I'm usually... overlooked."

Why did she have to be so awkward? It wasn't like he was teasing her in any way. And yet, when he commented on her laugh, she felt her already reddened cheeks heat up even more. Compliments were very hard to take from other kids her age. Addie just didn't believe them. Her mindset was "If you say this, then why did so and so say this ten other times." or "I don't feel that was, so therefore, it isn't true."

"No, I think I'll stop... It's fine." She said, and quickly responded to the fish topic "You'd probably have some good sleep, then."