Alicia's Nightmare Fuel

was trying to sleep, but she couldn't. Her head hurt, and her mind was wondering. She started to think, since she had free time.
 * Alicia

Not a good thing.

She knew she should've tried to distract herself, but she finally had free time to relax! Now that she was here!

She thought about how everyone was a monster. Monsters...

She knew it was going to happen.

Voices, soft at first. They got louder. She covered her ears, tearing up. They got louder, and louder, and she knew what was next. She shut her eyes right as she felt them coming.* No, no... I was doing so well... not now... *she hadn't had an attack since the twins were born... she didn't want to have one now!* no, no, no...!

Decipherer: Artemis had been returning from a semi-regular sneak into the kitchen when his ears caught the sounds of softened sobs. He didn't mind that he didn't know who was making the noise, or why, though he figured that both would be revealed in time as he slipped past the door. His gaze settled on the crying woman, and his heart wrenched; he rushed to her side, placing a gentle hand on her back. Gently, sweetly, he cooes, "Alicia, miss, what's the matter?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  No, no, no... *she sobbed softly, hugging him.* help me, th-they...!

Decipherer:  He rubs her back soothingly, holding her close. "Of course I'll help you. What's the matter?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Th-the Creatures, th-they...! *the girl sobbed, hugging him tighter* it's so loud...

Decipherer:  He keeps his arms wrapped close around the girl, his voice inflected with kindness and calmness. "The Creatures can't hurt you, now, I promise you. I'm here."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she slowly calmed down, sniffling and focusing on his warmth and his voice, which was distraction enough to make "The Creatures" go away.*

Decipherer:  As she begins to calm down, Artemis slowly loosens his grasp, but he continues to rest his hands on her back. "I promise you, that for the moment, you are completely safe."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Thank you... *she rubbed her eyes, blushing* I-I'm sorry, Artemis...

Decipherer:  He reluctantly lets go of her, offering a small smile. "Oh, hon, don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she frowned* I... I was freaking out about stuff that isn't real... you probably think I'm crazy...

Decipherer:  "It was outside of your control. I will never, ever judge that. It's not my place to."

Alicia Ghast: *she smiled faintly* thank you...

Decipherer:  He nods firmly, and pauses, gnawing on his lower lip in intense thought. After a moment, he asks tentatively, "Hon, if you'd let me, we can talk about it."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  We could talk about it... but it makes them come back. I could try, but you have to help me, okay?

Decipherer:  He offers a warm grin. "Of course."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Okay... um... just talk about it?

Decipherer:  He nods. "Only say as much as you're comfortable. I have no intention to pry."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Okay... if I'm not thinking about anything my mind will wander to scary things, then I'll hear voices... saying nonsense and it's scary... then these monsters that're all glow-y, I guess, come out and stand around me and they scare me... sometimes when it's bad they hurt me...

Decipherer:  He listens rather intently to her words. "What kind of nonsense? Gibberish?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Random words... put together... they sound threatening but I don't know why... Decipherer:  "Are any of them... familiar, sort of? Like, do the phrases ever repeat, or is it a different experience every time?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I... I don't know. I'm always trying to think of other stuff, to try to make it go away. I think it repeats sometimes...

Decipherer:  He tilts his head slightly. "... Hm." "Answer if willing, of course, but what do the Creatures do to you?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  They just... Sometimes they just trap me in one area, but other times they hurt me. I-I don't know how, though... *she shut her eyes, feeling like she was going to freak out again*

Decipherer:  "Alicia, we can stop," he says softly, lightly placing a hand on her shoulder.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Th-thank you... *she shut her eyes tighter, trying to think of her kids. She missed them... what if she ever saw them again? What if they got taken by- she whimpered, hugging him again*

Decipherer:  "No need to thank me, miss."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  O-okay...

Decipherer:  "When did these issues begin to occur?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  For as long as I can remember... but I can only remember so far back...

Decipherer:  "How do you mean?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  When I was little, I think about 3 or 4, I lost all my memories. I don't know how... it was awful, though. I didn't know where I was, I just knew I was scared. Someone said my name, and I ran...

Decipherer:  ".. Oh. Goodness, that's a real shame." A small frown appears on his face, a generally unfamiliar expression on such a spirited man. "So, aside from thinking of something else, d'you have any coping methods in place?" '''Alicia Ghast:'''  Yeah... * she sighed, realizing she was still hugging him but making no move to stop* My kids... but, obviously, they're not here...

Decipherer:  "... Er, well, do you have anything else that comforts you?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Um... people, I guess... I don't know...

Decipherer:  "Being around people?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Yeah, because people are always doing something! So I don't think about the scary things!

Decipherer:  He hums thoughtfully, eventually facing her again. It seems he has forgotten she's still hugging him entirely. "It's .. a hard step to take, and I understand that you want to go home, but have you considered getting a job somewhere? Maybe a baker's assistant, or something, anything to ease your mind?

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I... guess I could do that... I'm... yeah. Okay, I'll do that. *she let go of him* I'll try. *she thought for a moment, then smiled* Until them, I could make sweets for everyone! I've noticed people look sad here, maybe cake could help them be happy!

Decipherer:  He brightens up significantly at this. "That's wonderful, miss!"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I think everybody needs to stop being so sad.

Decipherer:  "That's a very productive way to handle it, too!" He grins down at her, hands clasped together excitedly.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  It is? Okay, then!

Decipherer:  "It is, and I'm very proud of you!"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she smiled* yay!

Decipherer:  He pulls her into a quick hug. "Can't wait to see how it goes, hon!"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she hugged him back almost instantly. She liked his hugs. She liked a lot of things about him. She smiled happily* neither can I!

Decipherer:  "So! What now, then, hmm?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  You wanna come help me bake? I'd feel a lot better if I wasn't alone, just in case. (You lying little... I know what you really want!~) * Alicia uses ignore!* (Hey, listen to my teasing!) * it wasn't very affective.*

Decipherer:  He straightens up, his eyes wide and awestruck, "Of course! I love watching you work, it's real fascinating."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she giggled and made her way downstairs*

Decipherer:  He bounds after with a bright grin.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she glanced back at him every once in a while as she walked to the kitchen. She liked his smile, how he was so happy all the time...*

Decipherer:  Oblivious as he was, he never notices.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *they made their way to the kitchen! Cue the Dora song. Just kidding.* Okay, can you help me get the ingredients for a chocolate cake?

Decipherer:  He scurries off to retrieve said items, excited simply to be assisting her.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *She smiled faintly, watching him and almost forgetting about what she was supposed to do. She blinked and got bowls and things, glancing at Artemis every once in a while with a smile.*

Decipherer:  He returns to her side with a huff, head tilted curiously at her distracted demeanor. "Are you alright, miss?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Oh, yeah! I'm fine. I'm wonderful. I can't wait to see everyone happy... *she blushed and giggled. She liked him. A lot.* Decipherer:  He takes nothing of it, flashing a warm smile before glancing to the materials.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Could you put them on the counter for me, please? *she got the bowls and put them on the counter*

Decipherer:  He lays them out and begins to ... carefully organize them.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she watched him, giggling softly*

Decipherer:  He barely looks back towards her in his distracted state. "Hm?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  What? Nothing. *goes back to stirring*

Decipherer:  He chuckles, shrugging it off and resuming his organizing. After a moment, he pokes his head over her shoulder with a chuckle, "You, uh, sure you don't have somethin' on your mind, hon? You're staring at the bowl like it's personally offended you."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *blinks and blushes* I am? Oh, sorry. I dunno, I guess I'm just... out of it, right now.

Decipherer:  "Eh? Why's that?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I dunno. Maybe I'm just tired.

Decipherer:  He makes a small, 'oh' sound, patting her on the back with a snicker. "Well, it's real important that you get some rest, okay?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I will, after I bake this cake.

Decipherer:  He glances down to her bowl and laughs, "I think you can be done stirring now."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Oh? * she looked at it and blushed harder* you're right...

Decipherer:  He snorts at her strange behavior. "Hon, you're a bit off focus."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Look, focusing! *she stared intently at the batter*

Decipherer:  Giggles are interspersed with his words, "Why are you just staring at it, then?" He gestures to a prepared cake pan.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  ... I dunno. *she smiled sheepishly, putting the batter in the cake pan and putting it in the oven. The sugar was on the counter, untouched.*

Decipherer:  Artemis doesn't take notice until she actually places it in the oven, blinking and quirking an eyebrow. "Miss, the.. sugar.."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she blinked, then turned bright red, covering her face and groaning* ughhhh... I'm sorry, I'm sorry! *she quickly took it back out, adding the sugar and stirring it, then put it back in*

Decipherer:  He bursts into bubbling laughter.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she looked humiliated, covering her face with her hands, giggling nervously* stop laughing at me! *she laughed while saying it, to hide the fact that she was crazy embarrassed and wished she was not there*

Decipherer:  "I'm laughing with you, hon!"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she frowned* oh. Um...

Decipherer:  "... Hm?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Nothing. * she uncovered her face, looking down silently*

Decipherer:  "Miss, what's the matter?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I don't know. I just don't know what to say, I guess...

Decipherer:  "Hmm. Well, that's not too bad, is it?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I guess not.

Decipherer:  "We've got company. And cake! Two outta three isn't too bad."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Yeah... okay! *she smiled*

Decipherer:  He flashes a bright smile. "Mm-hm!" '''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she blushed* Decipherer:  "Your face's getting redder by the second, hon, you well?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she nodded* y-yeah... Decipherer:  "... Why's that?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I-I dunno. 'Guess I'm just really blush-ey...

Decipherer:  "New word for the book!" He laughs, nudging her playfully.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she giggled softly* yeah.

Decipherer:  His expression, however warm, melts into concern. Absently, he twists the ring on his finger as he asks, "Really, though, are you sure you're alright? You're real quiet."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she noticed his concern and looked surprised* oh, no, really! I'm fine, don't worry about me!

Decipherer:  He furrows his brow, eyes flicking over her with an unreadable emotion. "Of course I'm going to worry about you, hon, we're friends. What's on your mind?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Um... nothing. I'm just sleepy.

Decipherer:  Artemis flashes that ever-familiar smile, filled with all the warmth and reassurance he could possibly offer. "You're alright, miss; please, tell me."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I... don't actually know, really. Decipherer:  "You don't know?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I just... uh... you... you're distracting... *she blushes*

Decipherer:  He tilts his head, a curiosity of sorts lighting his face. "Hmm? Oh, how so?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I... um... *she thought*

Decipherer:  "Oh, dear, I don't bite," he reassures.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I think I... *she suddenly realized what she was feeling and giggled, embarrassed and scared*

Decipherer:  His expression shifts to the familiar worry, the corner of his lips turning in a frown. "I won't pry if you don't wish, but I'm real concerned. If you'll tell me, maybe I can help!"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Don't be concerned, Artemis... really, I'm fine! I promise, I would tell you, but, I...

Decipherer:  ".. Yes?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  It's a secret! It's a surprise. Oh, the cake! *she took it out of the oven*

Decipherer:  He remains close at her side, chuckling out, "Surprises don't stress people out!"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I'm not stressed!

Decipherer:  "I'm a psychologist, I'd like to think I can see when you're doing alright. More so, we're friends! I care deeply for you, Alicia. Please," he asks, his voice filled with a gentle but urgent inflection.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she blushes faintly, wishing he meant that a different way. She looked at the cake and her shoulders sagged. The cake looked awful. It was lopsided and sagging.*

Decipherer:  He follows her gaze, and as he looks at the cake, he bursts into laughter.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she blushes and looked devastated*

Decipherer:  Artemis begins to look at her with a smile, but it absolutely dissipates when he sees her face. "Oh, hon, we all slip up sometimes. I didn't mean any harm by laughing, I'm real sorry!"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  It, it's okay. I've just... I haven't messed up so bad since I started baking. I didn't expect to see such an awful cake, even after messing up a few things...

Decipherer:  "Well, that was your slip-up pass for the next year! Now, you can't mess up," he adds jokingly. His expression grows serious, however. "But really, it's not to be worried about. Musicians make bad songs sometimes, and artists paint ugly paintings, and even Alicias-" he jabs his finger in the direction of the cake -"have the capacity to make a horrendous cake once in a while. It happens to the best of us."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  *she smiled at his joke, but only a little one.* yeah... * she sighed, throwing the cake away* I'll try again tomorrow. *she leaned against the counter, thinking silently*

Decipherer:  He looks frankly alarmed that the joke drew little more than a weak smile, and he eyes her with worry once more.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Wh... what?

Decipherer:  "A-.. nevermind. If you say you're fine, then I trust you."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Really? Took you long enough...

Decipherer:  He looks somewhat hurt by the statement. "Pardon my worry, gee."

Alicia Ghast:  *she realized how mean she sounded and looked surprised* oh, I didn't mean to sound mean! I'm sorry... I guess I'm just tired...

Decipherer:  "It's alright, I was surprised is all." He pauses, before adding questioningly, "I thought you were working on getting more sleep?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I am, uh... it might not be going so well.

Decipherer:  "But if you don't get enough rest then you won't make good cake!," he pouts. '''Alicia Ghast:'''... I'm trying, though... I promise... Decipherer:  "Is there anything more I can do for you?" '''Alicia Ghast:'''  I don't know. Maybe I just.. usually don't sleep. I've never noticed, but... I don't think I've slept, really, in a while.

Decipherer:  "Well, you need to.. I'm urging you to get some real rest, hon, what you're doing right now is hardly healthy!" He sighs. rubbing his temples before asking, "What can I do to help you?"

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  I know, I know. It's just hard to sleep... the only time I do, really, I'm with someone...

Decipherer:  "... Oh."

'''Alicia Ghast:'''  Yeah..

Obtained From
Alicia's Nightmare Fuel