7. [Action and Audio]

[brodakota]

[Despite all he's done to try, North is still not getting enough sleep. Luna's visit helped, but Theta is still anxious, and North can't get to the end of the dream where things start to fix themselves. Theta gets stuck at the breaking apart, with memories of how he was created from the Alpha still very fresh for him. It's painful to go through, even if North is just getting the memory of the experience, and he would rather not put both of them through that.

So no sleep for Freelancer or AI.

He's hid it well enough for the past while he thinks. He's stumbled a few places, but otherwise, he's still functioning. He made it through the mansion alright after all.

Now, however. Now he'd not so sure.

He'd just wanted to go out for a walk, get some air and try and calm Theta down. It's really annoying how these streets can't be walked without encountering nightmares. It's worse that he didn't sleep at all last night because Theta had a particularly bad time. Cactus and Winnie are doing what they can, but it's hard for North to break away and put some distance between them to use his rifle effectively. Just bashing the nightmares on the head isn't doing much.

Still, he'd holding his own for the most part, until he finds himself surrounded by a few Kooma pandas and no way out. He tries to activate his shield but they're too close for it to be effective. Turns out the nightmare versions of Kooma pandas hit really hard, and North goes down. Immediately Cactus and Winnie are there and Theta's activated the shield. He's panicking, and scared because North being knocked out is not a good thing and he can't be in control. He knows he needs help so he goes to the communicator.

To his credit, he manages to sound somewhat in control.]

North's been knocked out by some nightmares. I've got the shield up but he needs help. Like, really soon.

[He can keep the shield going for as long as North's suit has power, which is a while, but he's worried about Cactus and Winnie, since he can't give them potions or anything like that]

We're in the backstreets of Traverse Town.


[ooc: Okay, so, to keep things organized, the first person to respond to this post will be the person rescuing North. Other people can respond, but Theta will tell them someone is on the way to avoid 20 people showing up to rescue North. It's a giant game of first, so have at it.]

Comments

[4letters4ninja]

[Ziva had plopped herself on a chair nearby, intending on staying at least until he woke up, to make sure he was ok. She was watching Fluffy and Abby play a game of keep away when she heard Theta say something. Turning, she noticed he was awake.]

I would ask how you are feeling, but I am sure I know the answer. [She knows the feeling, trust me.]

[brodakota]

Yeah, I've been better.

[He says, trying to shift again to make himself more comfortable since he's starting to feel better. But that's hard to do when a pricklemane's on your chest and growls anytime you move.]

Theta said you helped him out. Thanks. I guess I owe you one.

[4letters4ninja]

[She chuckles at the spirit. Slightly protective, are you?]

I...would not try to move much. It seems someone does not want you moving at all. [Reminds her of a certain spirit of her own, actually]

I am here to help. I am just glad I was close by.

[brodakota]

[Just a tad. Someone has to look after him since his person has proven he can't.]

It does make things a bit difficult, to be honest.

[Theta appears, tentatively.]

Me to. It was a really big help. Otherwise we might have been stuck there.

[4letters4ninja]

[You are a good spirit, in Ziva's opinion. Keep at it.]

Then listen to him. They are more of a pain when they are stubborn and have a point.

[She looks at Theta when he appears.]

Maybe. But, you seem inventive. I am sure you would have found a way out. I just...hastened the process.

[brodakota]

I'm planning to. Especially since he's a lot heavier than I remember him being.

[He's joking, but he is going to listen to his spirit.]

I can't really give out potions though. That's kind of tough.

[4letters4ninja]

Ah, the magical trait of something that may be part cat. Becoming at least ten times their original weight when they do not want to move.

[She looks back at the AI]

Ah, true.

Now, am I allowed to ask why you two were out and about?

[brodakota]

[Theta dims again, so it's North that answers.]

Theta...gets anxious. Going for walks tends to help calm him down, and I was getting a little tired of just walking around the hotel. In hindsight it wasn't the smartest idea I've ever had.

[4letters4ninja]

[She narrows her eyes for a moment, just thinking, but not in an aggressive manner.]

I see.

I will agree, not nearly the smartest idea, but, you did what you thought would help at the time. [There's a quirk of the lips there. She's done something like that before.] Now, if you decide to do something like this again? Let me know, I will come keep you company. And keep the pandas away.

[brodakota]

[North flinches minimally, a reflex from his conversations with South. Narrowed eyes generally weren't a good thing, but he relaxes when Ziva starts speaking again.]

It usually works, when you don't have fight nightmares along the way.

[He nods.]

I will, if Cactus will let me. Thanks for the offer.

[4letters4ninja]

[Nah, not her. She'll just Gibbslap you when you're not expecting it. Ask York, he knows.]

I am sure he will. Probably with a lot of bribing and treats along the way. And sleep.

[brodakota]

Somehow, I don't think he'll go for them.

[Cactus looks very serious, as serious as a pricklemane can look. You're getting better before he gets treats, mister.]

[4letters4ninja]

[She chuckles, because srs pricklemane is srs.]

Well, start with the sleep. Then maybe bribery or compromise. I am sure at some point he will stop holding you prisoner.

[brodakota]

I hope so. But I was planning on sleeping a bit, or at least trying.