Need a reason for a character:

So, I have two characters duking it out, outside of a caravan. Inside the caravan, we have a character who is sleeping, and wants to avoid all the noise being made, before stopping the nonsense in a dramatic fashion.

There is one problem.

My sleeping character is an insomniac. For plot reasons, he can't sleep, and if he does, all of his development will seem pointless.

So, I need something to replace sleeping as a way to want him to stay in the caravan.

Advice?

Maybe he just wants peace and quiet; not necessarily sleep. Maybe he has a migraine, and wants to be left alone. Maybe he's not feeling well, and doesn't feel like dealing with people at the moment.

edited 26th Apr '11 5:49:30 AM by CrystalGlacia

Maybe he uses meditation to "rest" his body, but is having a hard time focusing on it due to all of the racket outside.

I struggle with insomnia, it is sort of "off-and on." Even when I was having trouble for a few months, there were still some nights when I could get to sleep. You could either give him a reason like Crystal Glacia and Eldritch Blue Rose said, or just put him to sleep and write that this was the first time he was able to do it in months

edited 26th Apr '11 6:03:12 AM by BetsyandtheFiveAvengers

He's watching the game?

You could go with any number of things, really. Depending on the tone of the scene.

What do you mean, game? If you mean TV, there is none.

Can't. I'm saving that moment for a bit farther down the line. A more...special moment, basically.

and those could work, will have to ponder. I dunno if sickness could work, for design related reasons, but it's definitely food for though, thanks!

Somewhat off topic: You can't actually stay awake for months on end, unless you have fatal familial insomnia.

You could have it be the first time the character has managed to fall asleep in days. After all insomniacs do sleep sometimes. It's just that what little sleep they get isn't quality sleep.

It would also give him an extremely good reason for being ticked and intervening with the fight. He'd finally managed to fall asleep and those two idiots woke him up.

Well, just because you have insomnia doesn't mean you don't try to sleep. Maybe he's really pissed because he was about to have a breakthrough before those lousy kids on his lawn starting making such a ruckus.

Human stamina doesn't matter. He's got magicky stuff. Hasn't slept for years.

No. No sleep. No sleep at all. I can't make this any clearer

He avoids sleeping. He does not want to sleep.

Maybe someone else convinced him to sleep? Or poisoned him? Or accidentally ate something sleep-inducing by accident?

edited 26th Apr '11 11:38:42 AM by Fancolors

No sleep. He can't sleep. I can't stress this enough. No sleep at all. If he sleeps, then him sleeping down the line becomes meaningless. No sleep.

No sleep at all? That makes it harder. Would he be the type to be into meditation? Or possibly just kicking back and relaxing?

Or you could have the fight interrupt whatever he was doing (thinking, reading, seducing an attractive stranger, etc.).

I could see him doing meditation, but not presently. He's a little ball of anger and angst, at the moment.

By what process has this character managed across the ability to not sleep at all?

you allude to "magicky stuff"

perhaps expanding in a way that provides justification for him to be in the cave?

hmmm.

So...how about a puzzle then? A rubik cube equivalent in your world?

He regenerates via bug powers. Long story, but it's a mental thing. His body is constantly in a state of fluctuation between flesh and bones, and little creepy crawlies. As a result, he's effectively immortal. Even though he's not sleeping, his brain tissue is constantly being rejuvanated and what else have you.

But no. No sleeping. I've got...symbolic shit...and stuff...

And it's a caravan, not a cave.

Eh...I can't see that as being something that would make him want to avoid all the ruckus happening outside.

edited 26th Apr '11 11:53:17 AM by MrAHR

There's plenty of motivation for a person who can't sleep to be in a cave, just have to find the right one pertaining to this character of yours.

Let's see, hmmm, If your character's ability is public knowledge, then perhaps he was chased, and had to take refuge from people after the secret to his ability.

Another example, perhaps he likes to do his work in secret, after all, if the people fighting outside were oblivious to his presence inside, then he's probably done good in the finding a suitable location.

perhaps the "regenerating bugs" just prefer caverns, subconsciously moving him to dark places for their own comfort.

Edit: Well it's not a cave, but it still works... sort of. whatever, just replace where needed.

~starts hitting self for misreading~ If you'll excuse me, I'll be awhile.

Editted on December 25.

edited 26th Apr '11 12:50:37 PM by Counterclock

Reading a book. Making time with one of the other sex. Shaving. Taking a bath. Pulling out a splinter. Putting a ship in a bottle.

1. No books.
2. Asexual. Also alone in a caravan.
3. Doesn't grow body hair much.
4. It's a caravan. No indoor plumbing.
5. I don't think that would take very long.
6. This isn't his caravan, he's a guest, so I don't think he'd have that liberty

edited 27th Apr '11 3:06:24 AM by MrAHR

hes changing clothes

hes doing somethign private like picking his nose

hes doing bad magicy things he cant be seen doing

hes making a potion

hes gettign high

Or maybe he just wants some quiet time.

Make him suffer an accident with powder? I remember not being able to hear well for about 15 minutes because of a single sparkle and a small punch containing it.

You said he was a "little ball of anger and angst". Maybe he wants to stew in peace, and then finally gets fed up with all the noise outside before bursting out? I know that when I'm in a bad mood, I generally like to be left alone, and I like it quiet.

Well, have you asked your character what he wants to do?