Writing for Un-roleplayed plot arcs:
Violet took a shuddering breath, looking across the lab at Billy. He was holding a vial filled with sand. It was... it was more dream sand than nightmare sand; a sickly sort of silvery gold that was paler than true dream sand.
"Listen," He said, pushing up his goggles and regarding her. "You don't have to try this, we can run more tests."
Her jaw tightened, tired eyes shutting for a moment. "I can't sleep, I can't dream, Billy... I can't do this much longer. I have to try this." She curled her fingers around the dark gauntlet on her wrist, nails dragging viciously across the protective surface.
She caught a flicker of concern in his blue eyes. "Alright, but if it hurts, you have to tell me alright?" He leveled a serious gaze on her. "I mean it Violet. I'm not going to help you punish yourself."
Her hair swayed slightly from the coiling emotions inside her, and she locked it down, waiting until it laid flat and straight again before nodding. "I understand Billy."
"Good." He regarded the vial for a moment, before making his way across the lab and gently grabbing her hand, turning it palm up.
She resisted the urge to pull away, feeling her pulse spike as she watched him tilt the vial. A small amount of the sand shook out into her outstretched hand. No pain came, no burn marring the pale skin.
Still, she hardly dared breath, rubbing the coarse grains between her fingers. A feeling, a sense of contentment, she hadn't felt in.... months washed over her. Tears pricked at her eyes, relief washing over her as she looked up at the scientist.
At the concern in his eyes, she smiled shakily, assuring him, "It doesn't hurt, Billy, I... I actually feel, okay for once..."
"I'm glad," his expression softened, before he started drawing the vial back. "We should really do a bit more analysis before we do more exposure though."
Violet grabbed his retreating wrist, an imploring look in her eyes. "Please... I'm tired, Billy."
He swallowed, glancing between her and the vial, before gently removing her hand from his wrist. She felt anxious electricity flicker around her form, unsure what he was thinking, before he said in a low voice. "Okay."
He shook most of the contents of the vial out into his gloved palm. "Close your eyes." She did as she was told, feeling the weight of exhaustion. "And sleep." He blew the substance off of his palm and into her face, and she felt the world melt away.