Alicia's Nightmare Fuel

*Alicia
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.
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..
Decipherer:  "W-..hrm..."
His eyes light up not a moment later. "What if I did?"
Alicia
Ghast:  You...
*she blushed hard* I... g-guess... *she played with her hair, not looking him
in the eyes*
Decipherer:  He
doesn't seem to draw upon the action in the slightest. "Of course, if
you're comfortable with it!"
Alicia
Ghast:  I
guess so... um... okay... 
Decipherer:  "...
So, I'll see you tonight?"
Alicia
Ghast:  Y-yeah!
Decipherer:  "Right!
Uh... Well, have a good day!"
With a nervous chuckle, he darts out the door.
Alicia
Ghast:  Oh,
okay... bye...
Decipherer:  Later
in the day, by the time the sun's well past set, there's a ginger knock on
Alicia's door. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *Alicia
looked up, and went to the door. She opened it. Obviously. Because that's what
you do with doors.* 
Decipherer:  Artemis
looms over her in the doorway, a bright, albeit nervous, smile on his face.
"Hello there." 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
looked up at him and blushed. She forced her hair up into a ponytail, looking
down* you don't have to... erm... do this. If it makes you uncomfortable. 
Decipherer:  Artemis
lets out a deep laugh, resting himself against the doorframe. "I'm fine -
only thing that makes me uncomfortable is your lack of sleep! I'm real
concerned about you, Alicia." 
Alicia
Ghast:  Oh,
I... *she sighed* alright. I don't know why, you just met me... 
Decipherer:  He
rolls his eyes. "I'm happy to help anyone who needs it. Especially a
friend!" 
Alicia
Ghast:  Oh.
Okay... *she awkwardly sat on her bed, tightening her ponytail* 
Decipherer:  He
sits down aside her, eyeing her poofy ponytail and snorting. He points at his
own curly bun and chuckles, "Matching styles." 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
giggled softly* I guess so.
Decipherer:  "So,
er, should we just... lay down, then?" 
Alicia
Ghast:  I...
yeah. Sure... 
Decipherer:  He
flashes an encouraging smile, rolling onto his side and laying back on the bed. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
laid down, pretending this wasn't weird, and curled up under some blankets* 
Decipherer:  "Are
you.. sure you're comfortable with this?" 
Alicia
Ghast: Y-yeah! It'll help me get sleep for once... 
Decipherer:  He
nods, averting his gaze to his feet in silence. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
messed with her ponytail* 
Decipherer:  Artemis
already looks half-asleep. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *Alicia
glanced at him and hesitantly moved closer, closing her eyes and sighing*
Decipherer:  His
eyes are half-lidded, his breathing slow. He looks mere moments from falling
asleep. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
looked at him, unsure what to do.*
Decipherer:  "Close
your eyes and go to sleep," he mumbles. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
jumped, startled. She didn't think he would say anything. She closed her eyes
and relaxed, trying to sleep*
Decipherer:  He
chuckles softly, burying his face in a pillow. Shifting, he huffed, pulling his
hair out of the ponytail. The dark corkscrews surrounding his head make him
look like, for lack of a better word, a puffball.
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
opened her eyes, smiling when she saw him. She knew she liked him, but it felt
different then how she liked boys before. She didn't know why* 
Decipherer:  "G'night,
Lish," his tired voice rises from the pillow. He'd had the full intent of
pronouncing her name properly, but his sleep-induced slur had created the
shortening. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
giggled softly* goodnight, Artemis. 
Decipherer:  With
that, he nuzzles his face into the pillow, falling fast asleep. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
stared at him for a few minutes, then moved closer to him, falling asleep
easily now* 
Decipherer:  The
morning comes, and Artemis is still well asleep. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *Alicia
woke up, rubbing her eyes. She moved away from Artemis, glad he was still
asleep, since he wouldn't know how close she had gotten to him.* 
Decipherer:  His
legs are curled up, tangled into the blanket, and his face is still buried in
the pillow. He's not waking up of his own accord. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *Alicia
stood up and giggled, brushing her hair (painfully) and debating whether she
should wake him up* 
Decipherer:  Artemis
shifts, waving a hand in the air, his muffled voice emanating from the pillow:
"Mnnnmooorning." 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
looked at him* oh, good morning! 
Decipherer:  "Did'ja
sleep well?" 
Alicia
Ghast:  Yeah,
I did! *a bright smile appeared on her face, and she giggled* are you going to
get up, or stay in my bed for the rest of forever? 
Decipherer:  "Well,
if you're giving me the option..." His voice trails, and he laughs,
sitting upright and pulling the many stray curls of his hair from his face. 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
laughed, sitting on the bed* did you sleep well? You fell asleep pretty fast. 
Decipherer:  He
yawns and stretches, rolling his shoulders. "What can I say? I'm real on
top of my sleeping schedule," he says proudly as he pulls his hair back
into a tight ponytail.
Alicia
Ghast:  Lucky...
*she laughed softly* 
Decipherer:  Artemis
snorts. "Somethin' like that, I guess. Glad I could help you,
though!" 
Alicia
Ghast:  Yeah!
I feel a lot better, now. Thank you... 
Decipherer:  He
offers a bright smile. "Of course! We're friends, Alicia." 
Alicia
Ghast:  *She
smiled at him* yeah, we are. 
Decipherer:  "Do
you, er... Want to do this again sometime?" 
Alicia
Ghast:  Probably.
It seems like it'll be the only way I can sleep...
(Dang it you little chump admit your love for him you brat I hate that you
can't say you love him arggggggggg) 
Decipherer:  He
lights up at the words, obviously happy at her answer. "Alright!"
(( Artemis is an oblivious bean who doesn't know any better ;____; )) 
Alicia
Ghast:  (The
struggles of a narrator.)
*Alicia was basically done with her narrator by now and wanted to yell at her
to shut up, but she didn't want Artemis to look at her weird. She looked a
little distracted.*
Decipherer:  ((
Artemis can't hear me ;; ))
He stands, glancing to the door before noting her distractedness. "..
Alicia?" 
Alicia
Ghast:  *she
blinked and smiled at him* hm?
(He's about to leave, say it. Sayyyy it.
It's not fair) 
Decipherer:  "You
seem distracted. Something on your mind?" 
Alicia
Ghast:  (Just
me ;3)
*she shook her head* nope! I'm fine. 
Decipherer:  ((
... Can she hear me, too? Because, in that case: *dances around, waving a
banner reading "JUST DO IT"* ))
He chuckles, "If you say so." 
Alicia
Ghast:  (Yes,
she can hear you too.)
What? You don't believe me? *she cringed slightly*
(She's 200% done with us now.) 
Decipherer:  His
eyes widen. "Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that!" 
Alicia
Ghast:  Okay!
That's okay! *she laughed* don't freak out, it's fine. 
Decipherer:  His
down grows defensive, "I'm not freaking out! I j--.." He pauses,
clearing his throat with a dry laugh. "I'm sorry."
Alicia
Ghast:  *Alicia
blinked. She didn't expect him to react the way he did. Okay then.* uh, yeah.
It's fine. I'm okay, though. 
Decipherer:  "Good!
I should get going, eheh..." He glances to the door again, starting for it
with a small smile. "I'll see you soon, Alicia." 
Alicia Ghast:  (Tell
himmmmmmmm)
*Alicia waved goodbye and muttered something under her breath, directed at the
narrator* I can't, just shut up! •
Decipherer:  He
stiffens up. "W- what?" 
Alicia
Ghast: *she looked at him* something wrong?
(You little brat, you're so deceptive.) 
Decipherer:  ((
Smooth, Alicia! Now he doesn't want you to think he's crazy. You made him think
he's crazy! ))
"Oh, uh, nothin'! Have a good day," he says quickly, about to walk
out the door. 
Alicia
Ghast:  You
too! *she sighed* dang it. *she mumbled*
(It's really hard to say how someone is talking when you use the asterisk type
of roleplaying but I can't exactly change how I roleplay) 
Decipherer:  Just
like that, he's gone, the door closed gently behind him. 
Alicia
Ghast:  Well
dang it.
(Look what you've done. You missed your chance. WHY DO YOU HATE ME
I GAVE YOU LIFE
I GAVE YOU HAPPINESS) 
== Obtained From ==
Alicia's Nightmare Fuel
Role-playing page for pg. 69!
Category:Main Plot
Category:Potential