[Open Log and Network] Chow Bell

[doubled_speed]

WHO: Tommy Shepherd and You
WHERE: Network, The Diner
WHAT: Network Request, and Powers Slightly On the Fritz at Diner
WHEN: January
WARNINGS:

Network | Video

Well guys, seems I've fun into a little problem…

[The camera pans from where it started, on Tommy's face, to a table. Those familiar with the diner might recognize the kitchen of it if they've helped out there, either in Tommy's time or back with Eli Vanto was running the place. There's no denying the bit of chaos going on here, given the table he'd been using for prep was on the floor. In several pieces. Which a different angle of view of is soon available as Tommy curses off screen and the phone clearly falls. When it hits the ground it looks briefly at the table before falling flat, looking just up at the ceiling where there is clearly some… Is that stew sticking to the ceiling?]

Shit! Okay. Um, that's…

[He scoops up the device again and looks at it.]

Anyone willing to run by the Space Ikea and get me a new work table. And maybe help put it together? Oh, and some stools. And a bench. Uh… And some sleeping pills or something? If I don't get some proper rest soon, I'm worried I'm accidentally vibrate the building down. Which would be bad.

Thanks.

Sit On Your Hands | Open Log

Lunch.

Tommy sets out a selection of bowls for people to fill for themselves from a big pot of stew next to where he put down the larger bin of salad. Granted it didn't look much like salad given the 'greens' were actually faintly blue, but hey, he even put cumatoes and diced bacon mushrooms on it for flavor. Plus was it a meal without access to the side of meat Tommy had roasted up for people over a literal fire. Sure, it was slightly charred, but it was something.

Once it was all put down Tommy took a seat near the door and did something that he wasn't really happy with doing. Tommy tucked his hands under his arms and pinned them there, afraid to touch just about anything. Unfortunately his legs were bouncing as well, and the speed of it was making the table he was near start to vibrate as well.

That made Tommy curse and he freed his hands just long enough to pull his legs up to cross them under himself before tucking his hands away again.

"Dammit, David. If you were here you'd know what to do."

Comments

[wearingthestars]

[It's not entirely unusual not to see Tommy around, or see him go to bed, he's got a whole different schedule, and tends to need less sleep. But Billy had no idea it had been so long.]

That's...not good. Is it can't sleep, can't stay asleep or...won't sleep?

[doubled_speed]

Can't. I try, man. I try. And it's not that I'm not tired. If I wasn't tired, I'd have control.

[wearingthestars]

Okay. We can work with that. I'll be there in a second, hang on.

[It's a little more than a second, but Tommy's probably used to waiting for his brother by now.]

You should have told me sooner. As both doctor and brother, I want to help.

[doubled_speed]

[So beyond used to waiting. And if he's waiting for Billy, counting the minutes, he might not shake so bad.]

We both know medicine doesn't work on me normally.

[wearingthestars]

And we both know I'm magic. So...I'm sure we can find a way.

[doubled_speed]

[Yeah, he hopes so. Tommy just shakes more.]

I need to sleep, B. If I don't sleep, I'm dangerous. Worse than the rage bugs.

[wearingthestars]

We'll figure it out. I promise.

[He reaches to try and give him a reassuring squeeze.]

I've got...two thoughts to start off with. Not sure you'll love either of them...but- I could try and want you to sleep. Or...I...could take your powers for a bit...long enough that we could medicine or more natural remedies...

[doubled_speed]

[Billy HAD to feel the way his twin was shaking under his hand. The idea of losing his powers was not okay.]

Let's try the sleeping.

[wearingthestars]

Let's get you out of here first.

[If Tommy does some how lose control, Billy doesn't want it happening in here. Tommy'll never forgive himself.

He ports them back to Tommy's room, nodding for him to lay down.]

You'll be okay. I'll stay here with you.

[He takes his brother's hand to try and calm him as he starts chanting, trying to use the words to help his focus.]

IwantTommytosleep.IwantTommytosleep.IwantTommytosleep.IwantTommytosleep-

[doubled_speed]

[Wow, okay, Tommy STILL feels weird over teleporting. It's still unnerving and the nearby table in his room rattles from the vibrations he's putting out.]

But I could hurt you. B, I-

[He's already nodding off with the magic]

I could hur-

[And his eyes close at last. He sleeps. For all of a minute before he's awake again, fully awake and shaking.]

[wearingthestars]

[Billy gives the table a quick nervous glance, but he's not about to leave. He can protect himself. And keep Tommy's powers from doing too much damage if they trigger.

He just shakes his head gently, continuing his chanting, and for a moment it seems to work. He starts in surprise when Tommy awakes, biting his lip and trying to think fast.]

...Maybe I just didn't word it right-

[doubled_speed]

[This isn't easy. And Tommy doesn't know how to deal with this.]

Didn't work, right? Strange, I thought you were talking.

[wearingthestars]

Let me...um...let me try again.

IwantTommytosleep.IwantTommytostayasleep.IwantTommytosleepforareasonableamountoftime...

[doubled_speed]

[Reasonable for who? Who knows. But the words wash over him again, and it felt so good. A blanket of warmth wrapping around him.

Five minutes this time. Five minutes that Tommy sleeps before he comes back to consciousness.]

Billy? I don't... I don't feel like I slept.

[wearingthestars]

[Damn it. Billy had been really hopeful that time.]

You did. For a few minutes.

[He curses under his breath, not sure what to do.]

I don't know why it's not working...

[doubled_speed]

[If only he knew. Tommy just wants to cry.]

I don't know, B. I really don't. It just won't stop. I wish I did. I feel like...

[He shakes his head and yeah, the walls quiver a bit.]

One more time, B. please? Please try.

[wearingthestars]

I'll try- I'll try, I'm sorry.

[Billy nods quickly, trying to keep his focus.]

IwantTommytosleep.IwantTommytosleep.Alongrestfulsleep.Iwanthimtosleep.Sleep.Alongrestfulsleep.-

[doubled_speed]

[This time the words settle in, and they take hold. This time Tommy sleeps. For a full half hour before he wakes up screaming in fear, his body covered in a cold sweat, his hand flailing out and a small pot on the table nearby explodes from a stray rush of his power.]

[wearingthestars]

[Billy's settled close by, finally relaxed enough to believe it's really worked when it all comes tumbling down again. He flinches and throws up a magic shield to protect them from any debris, and hurries to crawl closer.]

Hey- hey- you're all right. I'm here. You're fine. It was a dream. You're okay.

[doubled_speed]

Just a dream?

[The words seem impossible. Tommy's hands scrabble for his arms, pullign up his shirt sleeves. Yeah. No marks. That... that follows?]

Shit. I... I was back there. In 'Juvie'.

[It was a dream that happened sometimes, but never as real as that.]

[wearingthestars]

[Billy moves to try and pull him into a hug.]

Is that why you haven't been sleeping? Bad dreams?

[doubled_speed]

Sometimes I can't sleep. Sometimes it's really bad dreams.

[He doesn't push Billy away, at all.]

It wasn't so bad, back home. It's... I thought it was better. But it's new, I guess.

[wearingthestars]

[Billy rubs his back soothingly.]

...When I had nightmares and stuff, sometimes just sleeping somewhere else helped. Come on, let's set you up downstairs, see if that helps.

[doubled_speed]

Sleeping somewhere else?

[Did somewhere else have more comfort? Tommy sighs and stands.]

Yeah, okay. Sure.

[wearingthestars]

Yeah, like on the couch, or with...my parents, or...where ever. Just a different space...

[He helps Tommy downstairs and clears a space, magicking up a couch that looks a lot like the one from the Kaplan's house.]

Here, lay down, try to relax.