The Day of Thunder

[Doji Hikaru]

Having trouble sleeping was not entirely new to Hikaru. Normally, he kept to a routine to help him sleep. Carefully, he cleaned all of his gear, stowing it away with perfect precision. And then, carefully, he took out a rolled up scroll from his gear. He sat as he studied it, smiling gently, before putting it away just as carefully. And with that done, he laid back in his bed to sleep.

Only he didn't.

Hikaru woke with a start, gasping, one hand clutching at his chest. He'd felt himself falling... losing himself... losing everyone... swallowing, he laid back down. But there was no sleeping yet. Shaking his head, he rose, pouring himself some tea. The familiar act, and the familiar ritual, helped to clear his mind. It took some time, but finally, Hikaru was ready to sleep.

Only he wasn't.

Once more, he sat up, gasping, breath coming through grit teeth. How could emptiness have so much weight? How could nothingness be so full of horrors? Hikaru lay there, eyes wide open, hands clenching and unclenching.

Was this what his Lady faced?

It was that thought that helped. If she could fight the darkness, well, it did not stand to reason that he could. But he would certainly try. It took some time, but Hikaru finally managed to sleep, by sheer force of determination.

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D1 Insomnia, LE, , VP spent, unskilled | 5k5 ⇒ 21 (TN: 25)
D1 Insomnia, LE, refreshing tea | 5k4 ⇒ 23 (TN: 15)
D1 Insomnia, EN, sleep attempt, VP spent | 5k5 ⇒ 20 (TN: 25)
D1 Insomnia, MN, sleep attempt, VP spent | 5k5 ⇒ 34 (TN: 25)

Hikaru begins sleep MN