Colin's posts

Jaden sniffed the air, and smiled.

"Mmmm, smells good." he mumbled.

"I really feel like I could eat it all." he admitted.

"Well... less what YOU want to eat, of course." he then added.

"Thank you." he said to her.

Jaden nodded.

"Yes." he replied.

"Famished." he told her.

"I feel like I could eat an entire bear." he then said.

"....but that's probably not a good idea..." he mumbled.

"Regardless, yeah. Yeah, I'm hungry." he reiterated.

"I feel pretty darn good." Jaden replied.

"I feel well-rested, and I feel refreshed, and I feel... just... overall? Better than I've ever been." he told her.

"I also feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders." he then said.

"And that the blade is finally starting to... accept me? I guess?" he went on.

"Really not sure if it's starting to like me." he admitted further.

Jaden laid down in the bed, and sighed.

He looked over towards the sword that was leaning against the wall.

"...guess I should thank you." he said.

"After I sleep." he said further.

With that, his eyes closed, and he fell into another deep sleep. However, this one was far more restful, and nightmare free.

Sure enough, he woke the next morning, feeling refreshed and energized.

"Been a while since I felt like this." he said, getting out of bed and checking to see if anyone else was awake and about.

"Seems that's what all those nightmares and visions were about." Jaden responded.

"Now... mentally and emotionally, I feel great." he told her.

"Physically, not so much." he said.

"In fact... feeling kind of faint. And tired." he admitted, wobbling a bit.

"...and this patch of dirt is looking mighty comfortable." he added, looking at the ground at his feet.

"I feel better than even that." Jaden replied.

"I'm not human." he told her. "I'm not a vampire." he said. "And I'm not some wretched outcast." he then told her further.

"I am a DHAMPIR." he announced.

"And damn it all, I'm PROUD of it." he said.

"What those hunters carved into my back will forever remind me of what I am, and NOBODY can take that away from me!" he declared further.

"Once I realized that, this thing stopped cutting me." he then added, gesturing to the sword.

Jaden continued to walk, determination in his step, until he disappeared out of their sight.

And about an hour and a half later, he returned.

He had no shirt on, and he was covered in cuts and slashes.

But his look was one of serenity and acceptance.

Jaden paused for a moment, and looked at her.

"Yes." he replied.

"Yes, I am." he told her.

"I daresay that this is something extremely drastic, and it's long overdue." he went on.

"Something I needed to do to myself a LONG time ago." he then said.

"It's about time I give this blade what it wants."

The hours passed, and sure enough, around midday, Jaden woke up.

And the entire house heard it.

Both Racquel and Demitra heard Jaden scream. And it was a scream of pure shock and terror.

But before they could go and check on him, he opened the door to his room, and walked through the house, purpose in his step, the blade in his hand.

"Hello." he greeted Racquel and Demitra when he saw them.

"I must go for a walk." he told them, as he continued to move.

"Good night." Jaden replied.

After some time, Demitra and Racquel awoke, and the former told the latter about what had happened. When they checked on him, they saw he was still asleep.

And he did NOT look happy.

His expression was twisted into one of fear and desperation, and he was shifting about and squirming.

It was a nightmare... and he was trapped in it.

Jaden smiled, and accepted the tea when it was offered.

"Thank you." he said.

"I really hope this helps." he mumbled.

He then took a small drink of it, and smiled again.

"Tastes really good." he told her.

"Really soothing and warm." he said.

"I can see why this is meant to get one to go to sleep."

Jaden just nodded in response.

"All right." he replied.

"Then hit me with the full blend." he told her.

"If Racquel will understand, then all right then." he said further, before sighing.

"..." he was then silent, and sighed.

"Yeah. Yeah, let's do this." he finished.

"Nightmares or no... let's do this."

"......hm." Jaden muttered.

"I... hm." he repeated.

"That's... that might be an issue." he said.

"Racquel wanted me awake early to do more training." he commented.

"Damn." he cursed, thinking about it.

"I may need to go for the weakened option, and if I don't get sleep, I don't get sleep." he told her.

"I don't really need as much sleep as others, considering... what... I am..."

"I know." Jaden replied.

"I'll take that risk." he said.

"I NEED sleep right now." he told her. "Nightmare or not, I need to try and get some solid sleep. It's been a while since I got any." he went on.

"So give me the strong stuff." he continued.

"How long will I be out for, anyway?" he then asked.