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Post by flameh on Oct 30, 2012 19:30:24 GMT -5
A small shape lay shaking underneath the blankets of the bed. Sobs could be heard coming from the frightened shape. A small black tail could be seen hanging from the side of the bed.
Tails was trapped in another nightmare. He was surrounded by metal bars being poked and prodded at. He felt the familar cool pressure on his neck and screamed, jolting awake. He curled in on himself, shaking and crying. He hated when the nightmares came.
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Post by Shadow on Oct 31, 2012 18:40:34 GMT -5
Daman hung in his hammock, one arm draped over the side. Even in sleep he wore a long-sleeve black T-shirt and gloves--a precaution, since Tails slept in the same room as he did. If he were being honest with himself, he probably preferred the feeling of cloth on his skin to the cold feeling of leaving it bare. But a coldness still lingered inside as he slept, the sort of coldness one feels when one is thinking of loneliness or sadness.
Daman started awake when he heard a cry somewhere below. He flopped over, a feat that would have sent most people onto the floor in a hammock like his. But his long, sturdy wings stretched out immediately, helping to balance him so that he didn't fall. Daman saw Tails thrashing in his little bed on the other side of the room. In an instant, Daman was out of bed at beside the boy. He checked that his hands were gloved before gently shaking Tails' shoulders, hoping to get him out of whatever bad dream Daman knew he must be having--most mutants had bad dreams, that much had proven true over the course of Daman's life.
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Post by flameh on Oct 31, 2012 18:50:37 GMT -5
Tails curled tighter in on himself when someone touched him. He whimpered in fear. "Don't hurt me, please don't" he begged "I can change, just stop." He screamed when the pressure didn't release, terrified and confused. He just wanted to be left alone, why would they never leave him alone?
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Post by Shadow on Oct 31, 2012 21:09:25 GMT -5
When shaking him didn't work, Daman darted over to his dresser and fished out a small cymbal. He had once kept it dangling by his arm when he slept so that it made noise whenever he tossed and turned during the night. It had helped to keep most of the bad dreams away, until Daman stopped dreaming altogether. He ran back over to Tails' bed and put the cymbal just beside the boy's ear. Then he hit it and it made a resounding duuunnnnn noise that filled the air and probably woke up most of the people in the rooms around theirs.
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Post by flameh on Oct 31, 2012 21:27:52 GMT -5
Tails jerked awake at the loud noise in his ear. He immediatley covered his ears with his hands, the ears on his head lying flat. He slowly turned his head and looked at Daman standing beside his bed. He felt his cheeks heat, realizing he had woken him up yet again with a nightmare. "Sorry" he mumbled quietly.
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Post by Shadow on Oct 31, 2012 22:17:31 GMT -5
Daman was sorry to see his friend look so startled, but he knew better than most that nightmares were worse than unpleasant surprises in the middle of the night. Usually.
"Hey, nothing to be sorry about," Daman said very quietly, gently touching Tails' shoulder with his gloved hand. "You're okay now, you're safe." The older boy looked at his friend with sad, dark eyes. Even in the dim light of the room he could make out Tails' scared face. He knew the expression that would be there, the look of terror. Pity and anger rose up in Daman's stomach. The monsters that had done this to Tails deserved to suffer for what they did. But Daman smothered his feelings, knowing that right now Tails needed him to be calm and encouraging. This was the hardest part of a mutant's life, and it always helped to have a friend. Daman had not had anyone to confide in, really. He was glad he could be that person for Tails.
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Post by flameh on Oct 31, 2012 22:39:35 GMT -5
Tails smiled weakly at Daman, thankful for his presence. He was always there when Tails woke up from a nightmare, and it helped. It helped him realize he wasn't stuck in the cage anymore, he was free and at the Order. "Thank you" he said, softly. Wishing for a moment that he could hug Daman, but it always hurt him when he did.
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Post by Shadow on Oct 31, 2012 22:43:26 GMT -5
Daman stretched out a wing and tucked it around Tails' shoulder. It was the closest he could get to a hug, since he was not dressed in his usual thick coat. I should start going to bed with that on, too, he thought, knowing that the flimsy shirt he was wearing now was probably not thick enough. Sometimes his powers worked through clothing, which was always unfortunate. One of the inventors was trying to find a way to create clothing that would regulate his powers, but it was an unpredictable process.
"Hey, little man, how about we go for another picnic in the morning? Then you can sit in the sunlight and not have to do anything but relax, just the two of us. Okay?" Daman stroked the boy's hair reassuringly with his gloved hand. He had once done the same--only with his real hand, no gloves involved--when he was in the orphanage.
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Post by flameh on Oct 31, 2012 22:57:15 GMT -5
Tails leaned into Daman's wing, feeling more calm now. He was glad Daman was being close to him, it helped calm his racing heart.
He perked up at the idea of a picnic outside. He loved outside, but didn't leave much unless he was with Daman. "Could we leave really early?" Tails asked. He didn't really want to see any other mutants, especially not after tonight. He couldn't handle it.
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Post by Shadow on Nov 1, 2012 12:48:44 GMT -5
Daman smiled, glad to see that his proposal had cheered the young boy up considerably. It pained him to see anyone, let alone a friend, in distress.
"You bet," he said, "As soon as the sun comes up and I've had a chance to get the food." Daman didn't say anything about having to find his commanding officer and explaining why he wouldn't be able to make it to scouting duty. Many of the higher ups were actually quite lenient because they understand Tails' situation. He would have to see if Falling Star was around. She usually gave him permission quite readily.
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Post by flameh on Nov 1, 2012 18:41:30 GMT -5
"Great" Tails said, a smile replacing the fearful look on his face. "Thanks again" he said "and I'm sorry again for waking you up." He knew that Daman didn't mind but he always felt horrible for waking the mutant up. He was glad he chose to room with Daman though, he didn't think he would've been able to be alone.
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Post by Shadow on Nov 1, 2012 22:12:31 GMT -5
Daman withdrew his wing and smiled at the boy.
"Hey, anytime. What are roommates for?" He looked at Tails' face and was glad to see no trace of the fear left there. He knew how shaken his friend had been, and to be able to calm him made Daman feel that he was being helpful to someone for the first time in years.
"Why don't you lie down and just relax, okay?" Daman said, pulling the comforters off the side of the bed, where they had been shoved with Tails' squirming, and he tucked them back around the boy, being careful not to let his arms brush the boy's skin.
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Post by flameh on Nov 2, 2012 9:43:18 GMT -5
"Okay" Tails said. He snuggled back up underneath the comforters. He hoped that he could get some more sleep without having another nightmare. Well even if I do. Daman will be there he reminded himself.
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Post by Shadow on Nov 2, 2012 13:24:43 GMT -5
Daman crouched next to the bed and wrapped his wings around himself to keep warm. If he had to, he'd sit there all night to give some comfort to his friend. As it was, he was determined to sit still until Tails could go to sleep. Being trained to keep himself awake and to wake up at any hour he preferred, Daman wasn't worried about dozing off or missing the early picnic. He merely sat with his arms tucked around his knees, which rested against his chest. He looked younger that way, closer to the age he actually was. Experience made many an adult out of a young person. And Daman was one of the many casualties in the war of humans against the forces in the world they did not understand.
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Post by flameh on Nov 2, 2012 13:40:08 GMT -5
"Night" he mumbled. Tails' breath slowly evened out as he gave into sleep. He knew he was safe with Daman by his side. He always protected him from the things inside and outside of his mind. Instead of cages, his dreams were filled with trees and water, and peace.
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