InsaneJournal

By the time the darkness finally began to leech out of the sky, Aurora's tiredness had become light, soft around the edges, the kind that would leave her drifting through the day rather than attempt to drag her down into sleep. It was a lonely, melancholy sort of tiredness that suited her mood well. It was content to simply wait, to exist without any need to draw large amounts of attention to itself, not impatient or demanding.

Only when the room had lightened enough to easily see by did she stir from her position, sitting up on her bed and leaning against the wall. She didn't like the harsh artificial light put out by electricity or the way it stained everything with a displeasing shade of yellow, and - no matter how fast-paced life in Portland could often be - she usually found that there was very little urgent enough that could not simply wait until morning. In this case, it was a wish for a cup of hot chocolate, and though the shadows clung a little more persistently in the kitchen she somehow managed not to clatter any pots or spoons as she followed the ritual of carefully heating it on the stove top.

As she worked she tried to think, probing the bottom of her own mind in an attempt to find the source of her current state of utter discontent. Yes, Caroline was gone, but it wasn't as though they'd spent so much of their time together. The invasion had definitely left her shaken, but it was over now, and she'd done good work at the Bar Fly helping with first aid and keeping the place running for people trying to keep off the city streets. By all rights she should have been, at the very least, satisfied with her efforts, if not completely happy. It was as much a mystery when she poured the chocolate into a mug as when she'd left her room; all she knew right now was that all was not well, and while she didn't want to drag down anyone's mood, nor could she affect the easy relief that seemed to be permeating conversation on the network.

Retreating to where she'd sat her overnight vigil, she wrapped both hands around her mug to soak up the warmth and let her eyes close. She wouldn't fall asleep, she knew, but it was a kind of rest, a break from sensory input at least. Maybe all she needed was time and a little recreation. When daytime fully appeared, she decided, she'd go out somewhere. Probably not very much would be open, but at the least she could visit a park and get out of the confines of protective walls and safe places. Surely she'd feel the better for that.