Insomnia - Open

[Rose Amick//Valerie Jade]

Giving a dark sigh, Rose hugged herself tightly around the arms and made her way down toward the Black Lake. Her dark raven locks were tied up in a loose, wispy bun - dark tendrils falling around her pale face and framing it delicately. Blowing the small tendril out of her face, she kept on her path toward the lake, glancing about in a slightly curious manner. It was somewhere in the late evening, she wasn't sure when....Somewhere before midnight, she supposed.

The grounds were abandoned, completely empty and twinkling in the tell-tale moonlight. Dark navy and indigo painted the sky, bursts of starry white flying across the sky in a rare display of beauty. She smiled to herself and tucked her arms under one another. She hadn't been able to sleep much, and as a result she was out here, heading toward the lake at somewhere before midnight, possibly ten or eleven. Who knew, really.

In somewhat of a rush to get away from the confines of her dormitory, she had thrown on a pair of snow-washed, stretched and distressed jeans under her nightgown. Said nightgown was a deep emerald color, trimmed with black lace and thin spaghetti straps. The gown fell to her high-mid thigh and hugged her waist in a comfortable position. Her dark raven locks fell around her pale shoulders in loose curls, and her black sneakers were thrown on carelessly. Her face was devoid of makeup except for a lip soother she had put on before trying to sleep.

The Black Lake came into view and she situated herself on an enormous rock near the twinkling water, glaring in an annoyed manner at the water, as if it was all the water's fault she couldn't sleep tonight. Lately, Rose hadn't been able to sleep much at all. There was that night in the common room with Infinity, and now tonight. She needed sleep, but it rarely came. Shrugging indifferently to herself, she bit the inside of her lips stared into the water.

[Calista]

<sup>It was a hard thing to accomplish; with the stresses of the school billowing onto his chest and the need and want of being in some sort of relationship seeing it was not available for him in Durmstrang; Chris was one of the night owls in his house that could not get himself to go to the world of dreams.

He had lay awake for several hours; listening to the others in his dorm snore or mummer in their dreams… even his brother was happily sleeping the time away. But he knew what his brother was dreaming of… he had seen that Baisley Twin not to long ago and hit it off like a bad bunch of bricks… so he rolled over away from it and tired to meditate through all of the noises and problems but it was impossible. He would get to the point of relaxation before a loud snort was heard from the back his head.

“Blood Hell…” he said with a fit as he threw his cover off and placed himself in common clothing of a pair of black slacks, unlaced boots that had not been laced since the Halloween ball and black hoodie seeing it was always cold in and outside of the house.

Making his way out of the house without a sound or disturbance he had first walked around the grounds of the cement school at first; listening to his soft foot pats and lace clap when they hit the stone but it was still too much; he was thinking of the pressure of graduating, so it was time to get out of the school.

Only two places close enough to the school and that was either the Forbidden Forest or the Black lake… good or bad? Not wanting anymore time for getting in trouble with his teachers then he already was for talking back or not doing the assignments without much help; Chris took the path towards the Black Lake for the sake of his own mind.

It did not take long through his flatted spike hair and green eyes to see he was not the only one without a mind wanting to sleep; another dark figure only known to him as a girl through her stature and hair, he kept his distance as he approached.

“Can’t sleep either?” he asked softly towards her.</sup>

[Rose Amick//Valerie Jade]

The rough, calculating crunch signaled someone else's arrival, and it was solidified by a soft greeting - “Can’t sleep either?” The voice sounded familiar, she thought idly as she turned her head to the side, slightly relieved as her eyes took in the sight of Christian. As long as it wasn't someone annoying, like a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff - besides, the fact that it was Christian made it even better, considering she was good friend with the Calista twin. She nodded softly, sniffing in the midnight air and she glanced around. "Not even a little..." Her voice was somewhat rough, with a slightly blank tone to it.

She turned her head back toward the lake, expecting him to stay. She stared intently up at the twinkling stars, finding them rather fascinating at the moment. This was not good. There was a tell-tale feeling in her stomach and a sudden loss for words that rarely overcame one Rose Amick. And yet, here it was, in all it's nervous glory. Was she actually getting nervous around Christian? That was not good. She was Rose Amick, d**n it all, and she never got nervous. Even around guys. Even around Christian. Especially around Christian.

Swallowing lightly, she forced a seamless smile and turned slightly toward him again. "So...Why can't you sleep?" 'What the hell kind of question was that? Why can't he sleep? 'Cause he can't sleep, obviously. Oh god, This isn't happening. There no way...' Since when did she start questioning herself? That was not right. She was Rose, and she was unendingly confident and gutsy, not nervous and insecure. Well, most of the time, anyway. Grimacing mentally, she turned back toward the lake, not daring to look at the older boy again. She'd probably end up performing a lovely word vomit.

[Calista]

<sup>As the voice came and a face projected into his viewing eyes; he was as happy as she was to see another house member within the grounds. Though at this time of hour (that the evening star was pointing towards midnight), he would not care whom it was seeing he could not see very well within dark times.

Taking his seat on the same rock; he kept his boots firmly on the grassy grounds with only his one right hand leaning his weight on to it. He gave the girl space as she would probably do to him… it was out of curtsy and habit. Space was everything even to an identical twin.

As she asked him the question that he would have asked her; he pondered for several moments on why he could not sleep. His emerald eyes glaring to the water in its silent slumber; he wished it was warmer for he would have jumped in to get some of his energy body drained to sleep better.

“Many things; school, graduating, finding…” he stopped on his last word; he was not a man to show a soft side. Correcting his tone he continued talking as if he had never stopped.

“Something... who knows what” Chris told to Rose without a flicker in change of mind or day.</sup>

[Rose Amick//Valerie Jade]

As he approached the rock, Rose found herself marveling at the stars, again. He took a seat on the rock, but a decent space away from herself, and she made a note that he got quite a few respect points for that. The dark haired elemental was very possessive of her own personal space, especially when she was uncomfortable. Then again, Rose tended to be possessive of everything. Period. She was just a possessive girl, she supposed...Which was not very good, she realized with a frown. Lots of possessive people were certifiably insane....

The pause in his words and sudden change of sentence didn't go unnoticed by Rose, for she was an extremely observant girl, and she arched a delicate eyebrow, replying quite simply, "Smooth cover up, Christian. Don't worry, I'm not going to ask. If you weren't going to tell in the first place there's no point in asking again." She gave his a dismissive smile and then changed the subject rather quickly, although she wasn't sure whether it was for his comfort or her own. Staring at the water still, her voice was casual and light, anything to change the subject that Christian obviously wasn't very comfortable about.

"So how do you like Hogwarts?" It was a lame question, she knew, but it was late at night and she was running rather low on creativity. Well, extremely low. So she'd have to settle for lame questions and cheap excuses for conversation instead of something clever. Her brain stopped working after 10, thanks. Silenty awaiting the seventh year's answer, her eyes turned back toward the stars - it was a pretty sight, really, and it was also rather rare to see them arranged so...perfectly. Besides, it made the silence a tad less awkward.

[ Er. Hope that's right. If you didn't want her to notice his change in subject then I'll fix it. ;D]

[Calista]

<sup>As the observant words came from her mouth; he did not blush nor became obsessively arrogant or any other emotion… but his words and meanings were slow and blunt. “Meh… It’s just more crap floating in my brain I cannot piece together.” He said with nothing more to say to it. Sure, he could have told Rose that he was looking for the future of what he could be as a male but it was impossible to get him to warm up to someone even as a friend… even his own sister he despised but only person he ever trusted was his brother and that was soon disappearing with his taste in girls.

As she asked him a question that many students never asked him but Damien seeing he was more of the talkative type he was silent for a few moments in time wondering of what it was like really.

“I miss Durmstrang. I had more competition” he said plainly for the only thing he liked about Hogwarts was it was co-ed. He was a manly man that liked his sports and rough house… Hogwarts seemed more of a school that made their students weak. Luckily the ‘sorting’ hat placed them in a house not full of wusses. “But can’t say much… need to graduate somehow with liking so I’ve adapted.”

His mind kept jumping from place to place, moment to moment and still he could not think of why he could not just sleep it off. It was his way of forgetting things; by falling asleep and knowing by the next day it was a clean slate. Most of the time it was…</sup>

_{[[Its no problem]]}

[Rose Amick//Valerie Jade]

Christian spoke and Rose listened idly, silently. His words were as plain as his tone and the conversation was casual. She wondered vaguely where the other Calista twin was - maybe he was actually getting some sleep. Lucky bastard. It wasn't that the elemental wasn't tired. Oh, she most certainly was. That, however, wasn't enough to keep her asleep at night, for whatever reason. She still woke up within fifteen minutes of knocking out - if she even managed to fall out in the first place, which was now becoming somewhat of a rarity. A distinct feeling of anger washed over her as she thought of all the sleeping staff and students within the large castle.

Frowning to herself, she shifted her position and pulled her knees to her chin and sat there in the more comfortable position with her long arms draped carelessly around her knees, pulling her legs closer to her form. Silence fell and she didn't break it this time, casual conversation was getting to be pointless and she'd rather just sit in the silence. In her own restlessness, the wind picked up a bit and blew lightly at her hair, forming a shield of dark curls that obscured her face from view. Being an elemental really did have it's disadvantages. It was cold outside, d**n it, and she didn't need the wind making it worse. She inwardly mumbled to herself and shut her eyes, calming down the wind, trying to relax herself.

It was no use. She doubted she'd stop feeling restless until she actually got some sleep, which wasn't going to happen. Thankfully, the breeze was light and not at all threatening. Still somewhat annoyed at her own inability to find rest, she opened her eyes and pouted to herself, eyes fixed on the icy cold lake in which her reflection pouted as well, staring back at her. The only thing that could be heard was the slight whistle of the breeze and the erratic noise of nature, the rustle of leaves or the ripple of water. Altogether, it was a rather peaceful scene, as long as you kept out of the girl's restless mind.

[Calista]

<sup>The silence between them was as definitely correct to the word… silence. It was something he always remembered but silence was never to be true to Chris world. Through all of the noises his body made or the world around him, it was impossible to make that sound. But at that time; when the wind calmed down that seemed odd; he could only hear… well nothing.

The water was cooing to him; asking to be swam in. It was something he had done long ago that was stupid but boy was it fun. Heck why not… he said as within his mind as he took off his sweater showing nothing but pail skin that glowed in the dark. Slipping off his boots he set them next to the rock and looked to Rose with a small manic smile.

“Be right back…” he said with a quick jump to a sprint that could be similar to the speed of a slow broom. Hitting the edge of the water with his toes he felt the first shock wave hit and he held in his deep scream but did a nose dive like a duck would to get food. Feeling the black water engulf his body he froze in agony but started to laugh as insane person would under the water before popping his head back out from the stilled waters.

Seeing he did a good seven foot clear jump from the edge of the lake to where he was; he took his time in pain swimming back to the edge and getting out; shivering but giggling as he got out.

“It made me do it,” as he made is way back to the rock feeling his pants drip cold water droplets on his feet. “But it was worth it for some reason…” he whispered to Rose as he placed his sweater back over his dripping body and started to wringe out his jeans.</sup>

[Rose Amick//Valerie Jade]

The silence continued and Rose was still watching the water, her mind elsewhere.. The breeze still continued on, nipping playfully at the nape of her neck as Rose pouted into the darkness. She wasn't one for self-pity, but the concept was pretty tempting right now. She was so tired, mentally at least. Physically, however, her body just refused to shut down for a few hours and recuperate. So she continued droning on through the day, resembling a zombie too much for her own liking.

The dark haired beauty was ripped away from her own thoughts at the sound of rustling, and she looked to her side to see a shirtless Christian pulling off his boots. What in the seven hells...? Opening her mouth to question his slightly questionable antics, he turned and spoke first, motioning that he'd be right back - and then he was off. Sprinting away, and then jumping into....Alright, he was insane. It was freezing, and he was vaulting himself into the Black Lake, shirtless. Christian had lost what little mind he had left.

Rose stared, open-mouthed at the rippling water, still somewhat shocked. Had he really just thrown himself into the ice cold lake? Her question was answered as he appeared above the water, soaking wet, and....giggling? Was she hallucinating? Soon enough, her open mouth formed an amused grin, and then she was laughing - whether at him or her own shock, she wasn't sure. He made his way back to the rock, and at his words, she shook her head, trying to calm down the laughter. "You, sir, are absolutely insane." There was a pause, and he put back on his shirt, she was now calm enough to speak coherently without laughing again. "You're probably going to get so sick for that..."

[Calista]

<sup>He continued his idle burst of manic laughter with a matching smirk that curled around his lips; he only nodded to the girl in accepting his fate was of a mad-man.

“Why yes M’dear… I am absolutely, positively and delightfully insane to the bone and beyond” he replied with an assertive tone and a nod to his head. Keeping the hood of his sweater tightly around his matted down hair; he curled up in a little ball to protect what little sanity reminded him that wet clothes and cold weather do not mix.

“I probably will… but it was worth it. I like shocking myself as like to shock others,” he said through his muffled sleeve that he kept close to his face that still small droplets of water came from under his hood and down his face into his sleeve.

“Have you ever done something as insane or out of the blue like that?” he asked in wondering seeing that they were still in the motion of the subject. “It is the best way to get a shock in people… as well as keep you a part of that insanity!”</sup>

[Rose Amick//Valerie Jade]

There was a still amused grin present on the girl's face, and she nodded to his last question, "Hah. Of course I have, which is why I really shouldn't be talking about being insane..." In most aspects, Rose was practically the reigning queen of insanity. With her wild antics during the summer - as well as at the school, she was well known as a bit of a mischief maker. Hell, that was how she had met one of her friends, Matthias. She'd been laughing in a corner at the mischief she had caused during one of parents social events, and he had been rather amused as well. The beginning of a beautiful partnership, she mused lightly.

The pale girl's eyes twinkled with mirth at the thought, and her grin widened slightly as she spoke, "My last tryst with insanity involved an explosion at one of my parents vacation homes. They weren't too happy with me, to say the least." Oh, she could remember the looks on their faces, the shock, the rage, the disbelief. It had been so amusing. Some would consider Rose disgustingly evil for her antics - but none of those people knew her dear, dear family and their terribly kind ways. Although, she supposed her antics weren't all that out of the blue anymore, her parents had probably already fire-proofed the next vacation house, expecting her to try and do something.

At the school, however, she found she could always shock teachers with her next crazy little plot - and possibly shock them with her intelligence. Some of them had been convinced the girl was a moron. Needless to say, they were proved horribly wrong, and Rose walked away laughing maniacally. Oh, she remembered those days. Now, the teachers kept in mind that despite the mischievous glint in her eyes and her ever twisting plots, she was an exceedingly intelligent girl. Her dark green-brown eyes twinkled brightly at the memory of the explosion at her parents summer home - that had been fun.

[Calista]

<sup>Chris laughed timidly to himself as she talked of insanity. Insanity was a loose word for those that thought differently to others. Looking to the girl that spoke of her past tyrant success of the destruction of her parent’s vacation home; he smiled deeply with a operatic clap with his head held up high and sitting straight up.

“Bravo Rose, Bravo. That takes much to take down a vacation home. Closest thing I got to that is taking down a part of my parents wing… got in fight with my sister.” He said with a huff to the end. She had started the fight for what he knew but he did not want to go with it.

“But I am impressed. We must get together and see what havoc would be reined upon the school!” he said with a joking smile but deep down he meant it. Chaos was always welcomed during peace…</sup>

[Rose Amick//Valerie Jade]

Christian congratulated her on her grand display of pyromaniac tendencies, and she laughed along with his antics, listening to him as he mentioned only getting as far as taking down part of his parent's wing. Adhara was mentioned and there was a tinge of annoyance in Christian's voice, she could tell. The Ravenclaw had never sat well with her. She didn't necessarily hate her, or anything extreme like that, but they had clashing personalities. Or maybe it was just because they had never actually tried at a positive relationship.

He opened an invitation for mischief making, and she nodded in agreement. "I'll keep that in mind next time I feel like causing mischief and chaos, as well as just general discord." She grinned at the thought of McGonnagal's panic-stricken face, but she couldn't help the mental frown at what she knew would be the disappointed face of one Remus Lupin. He was, although she would never quite admit it, her favorite adult at the school, and she had been working with him more often, because of her elemental abilities. He, unlike McGonnagal, would not be angry, no. Lupin would be disappointed.

That was much, much worse than anger. Shaking her head mentally, Rose smiled on the outside, pushing the guilty thoughts from her head. She hadn't done anything yet, so there was no reason to be guilty. Besides, how would people be kept on their toes without the occasional chaos courtesy of yours truly? Exactly, she reasoned with herself, grinning into the night. She was completely right....right? Oh, whatever, now was not the time or place to be pondering her own correctness.

[Calista]

Sitting within the silence he smiled back to the girl at her words of acknowledge; he was happy that there were others like him that do the same thing he did.

During the silence; he looked to the silencing water rippled here or there from the small fish or the giant squid tentacles but every second he looked to the water and every drop the cold water come from his hair; he grew tired and weary.

Leaning back he laid himself on the rock the two sat on with a phase of void between them. With all of the cold air and ground around them; Chris was quite comfortable for where he was at the time of moment.

Seconds became minutes and his slumbering mind and ridged body awoke him completely making him sit straight up.

“I think my jump did it… Hard to stay up now…” he said not really wanting to leave the girl outside. It was no time for a female to be outside within the darkness. Sure she could take care of herself but still…

[Rose Amick//Valerie Jade]

Rose had never been an obedient girl. From disgusting her sister's snobbish friends with her taste in blood flavored lollipops to setting the beach house on fire, listening to other's was not her favorite past time. Especially now, before the war. She was well aware that, by the time the war came rolling around she would need to tone it down and obey the orders given to her. So she was going to be an unruly mischief maker up until the last battle, and she was going to have some fun. 'Fun' used to be terrorizing her parents and causing general chaos, but now it tended to be simply pranks. She couldn't risk being found out, being captured or causing too much trouble.

Christian seemed to slowly grow weary, his head lolling up and down in a steady rhythm that suggested he was finally sleepy. Rose, however, was still very much awake. He finally spoke in a weary voice, quite as she had predicted, and Rose nodded lightly, but had no intent to move from her spot on the rock. "Go on then, at least one of us will get some sleep. I'm still wide awake, and I've been moping around the dormitory for hours. No way I'm going back up there." Her mouth was set in a stubborn line. She could tell by the reluctant look he gave her that he didn't want to leave her outside by herself, but she was capable of taking care of herself and the fact that he didn't think she should be outside alone made her want to stay out even more.

Ever the rebel, right? She had always been like that - stubborn, headstrong and competitive. If someone told her to wear yellow, she'd come in wearing blue. If someone told her she should listen to them and go that way, she would purposely go the other way. Lately, she had calmed down with her disobedience because of her abilities and the approaching war, but she still found herself disobeying small request and suggestions whenever she could. It gave her some sense of normalcy, which was pretty rare for her. Extremely rare.