Not terribly. But you ought to walk with me anyway. You'll feel better that way, I'm certain -- and not to worry, you've nothing to fear from me.
[ Others may beg to differ, others that Sandry herself may have heard about, but Claude's being truthful. For all of his nonsense, he's never laid a finger on someone else in his life. Or, rather, he's never laid a finger on anyone who wasn't begging for it. Helping disperse a bar fight or two is all part of the job.
Once they arrive at the bar, Claude flicks the lights on. A bar with all the lights on is always a bit eerie, he thinks; it's easier to see how bare and unpleasant and empty it is after everyone else has cleared out, the tables pushed to the sides and the chairs stacked in towers, floors properly cleaned only to be made tacky with drink again in a matter of hours. ]
I know it's behind the bar somewhere... hold on. [ As he goes digging through the equipment box, his head pops back up again over the bar to look at Sandry. ] Have you always disliked the dark? I'm surprised you don't carry a flashlight on you already.
[ Sandry is a big believer in "innocent until proven guilty" so she's not worried walking with Claude. Sure she's heard rumors but she really doesn't put stock in rumors. Plus he's going to help her with a flashlight!
She's happy when he turns on the lights in the bar. It might be just a matter of convenience but it helps her relax. Sandry shakes her head in response to his question. ]
No, it only happened very recently. I... [ picked up something weird? She can't say that. ] had a bad dream. And then after that I was afraid of the dark.
[ That sounds familiar. Claude pauses behind the bar, flashlight in his hand. He knows this doesn't look very good, and if she's a smart girl, she'll say no... but he needs to get to the bottom of this. He tosses the flashlight from hand to hand like a baton. ]
Well, you're here anyway. Care for a soda and a listening ear? It must have been a pretty bad one for it to spook you well into your waking life.
[ Sandry gives her first smile, even though it's a little weak. It's much easier to shake off her fear under the lights. ]
I'd appreciate that. It'll be nice to have a break from being out in the dark, though I'm not sure how much there is to say. I simply... dozed off the other day, right in the middle of doing something, and had this dream. [ She frowns at the memory. ] It just seemed so... real.
That's probably pretty unusual for a young thing like you too, isn't it? It's old fogeys like us who are supposed to doze off in the middle of the day, [ Claude says, making a show of stretching out his back and letting out a dramatic groan of pain, though he jumps right back into the bar immediately afterwards. He's fresh into his twenties, though to hear the teens talk about him, he's nearing his death bed.
He's just trying to make her laugh. With others, he'll delve into some of his darker conspiracies. But she's just a kid. Does she really need to hear someone's paranoid spiraling about past lives and hidden memories? It seems cruel that she's afflicted by them as well. He pours a few different elixirs into his shaker with ice, the rattle of the cubes against the metal echoing loudly around the empty bar before he pours it into a long-stemmed glass, tops it with seltzer, and delicately places a twist of lemon on top. He pours one for himself too, though he doesn't bother making it look nearly as nice. ]
Here. It's not often I get to mix up something non-alcoholic. It's a black cherry lavender soda -- they say it helps you sleep, and it tastes as pretty as it looks.
[ He's not sure how he knows that. That's not his usual go-to. ]
But if you don't mind going back a bit... maybe talking about it will help you shake those heebie jeebies of yours. Do you remember what it is you dreamed about? Or was it just the feeling?
[ His antics do get a giggle out of Sandry. Here, in the light, with some company, her fears shrink away into a little corner of her heart. He's probably doing all of this for her benefit but she really does appreciate it. Later Sandry will write him a thank you note and maybe send some cookies along as well.
She accepts the soda and takes a few sips, then perks up with a bright smile. ]
It's delicious! Thank you! As for my dream...
[ She trails off, thinking about how to explain it. In the end she settles for telling the whole truth. ]
I was in somewhere small and dark. There was a braid of light, but then it went out and there was no light at all. I think I was trapped. And then I started hearing voices, like I was going crazy. And then I woke up.
[ That's different from Claude's own visions as well. It's strange, he thinks. He thought at first, that when everyone was suffering from these visions, that they'd suffer from similar ones. They're all from the same town, after all, their fates intertwined. But from what he's heard, it's almost as though their visions are from different timelines, different worlds, different realities.
Maybe that's taking it too far. Perhaps they're just at disparate points in time, disparate points of their lives, disparate places in this big world of theirs. ]
That does sound pretty scary. I don't blame you for still feeling spooked, after all this time. [ He rubs his hands together, trying to sort out his thoughts. ]
A lot of people have been talking about nightmares, these days. There must be a full moon coming up. [ He hums pensively. ] These voices you heard -- were they your own voices, like in your own head? What were they saying?
No, it was other people talking, but I didn't recognize them. I couldn't see anything since it was dark so I don't know if they were real people or not. But I was worried that I was going crazy.
[ Sandry takes another sip of her soda. It really is good. ]
I didn't know other people have been having nightmares too. Maybe there's something in the water?
[ It's somewhat of a joke and she gives a smile when she says it. ]
[ Okay, Claude, think. Sandry had a vision of some sort of past life, the same as him. She was kept somewhere in the dark - deliberately? as punishment? as cruelty? - as others, those responsible, perhaps... berated her? Maybe it was a punishment. Saying that out loud seems like it would just frighten her. ]
Maybe. Or maybe everyone's just a little on edge, right now. The pranks that the fairies have been playing have gotten out of hand, these days.
[ He leans forward, resting his forearms against the bar. ]
I wouldn't worry about going crazy. That's the way dreams are! Big, nonsensical, and sometimes they feel terribly, terribly real. Why, once I dreamed I was back in my school days, only my boss was my teacher, and he chewed me out in front of the entire class! Boy, was it hard to get back to work after that.
[ He smiles, though there's a crease in his forehead. He's not able to entirely conceal his worry. ]
You haven't heard anything like it since, have you? No spooky voices coming out of nowhere? Nothing but the usual night?
[ That's not entirely true, there's her problem with thread... but that's too strange to bring up. And seems very unrelated to her fear of the dark. ]
And you're right, I'm sure it was just a dream. Dreams can be silly like that! I'm certainly not going crazy. Eventually it'll fade away and I'll go back to normal.
[ She nods, feeling reassured with Claude's demeanor, her special soda, and the lights. ]
[ No more prying from him, he decides. It would be a cruelty to allow her access to his private fears, his quiet suspicions. If her past life is as tumultuous, as terrifying as his own, then it's best for her to remain in cheerful ignorance as long as possible. Claude himself got a blissful childhood, after all, and there's plenty time left for grim realizations. ]
Whenever you're ready, I'll escort you home. And while I'm sure a young girl like you has plenty of people looking out for her... if you have any other odd dreams, or need another one of those nightcaps, I'm as much a night owl as you are. [ He winks at her. ] So don't be shy, all right... [ He searches for the name. ] Sandry, right?
[ Sandry is busy drinking the last of her soda before leaving when he says her name. She didn't think he knew her. Certainly she's friendly with people, but their lives are fairly divorced, what with her still being in school and she doesn't remember seeing him in the tea shop. Maybe he's been there when she's not working. But, Aldrip is small enough, so it shouldn't surprise her too much. Still, she has to swallow both her surprise and her drink before she chokes on the latter. ]
Yep, that's me! And thank you for the offer, Claude. I'll keep it in mind.
[ She looks down at the empty glass in front of her. ]
Can I wash this before we go? You've cleaned up for the night but I've dirtied the glass again.
Absolutely not! In fact, I forbid it! You're already out well past your bedtime, and I should be getting you home as soon as I can, lest people accuse me of corrupting the youth with tardiness and an overconsumption of cherry juice.
[ He swipes the glass and sets it in the sink. That will be a job for him tomorrow, and probably the easiest of the bunch; he knows that he has a few meetings set up that he's not altogether looking forward to.
Instead, he simply places the flashlight into her hand and hops back over the counter. ]
[ Sandry has to smile again at his antics. She's not sure who he is around other people to generate such rumors, but he's been nothing but kind to her this whole time. Once again she reaffirms her belief that rumors are just that.
Upon receiving the flashlight she gives turns it on experimentally. Nice and bright. She looks back up at Claude and nods, turning towards the door and heading out. ]
Then, I shall make sure to deny your part in such accusations!
You don't need to defend my honour too vehemently, [ Claude says, turning to lock the doors behind him. ] They're not wholly wrong, after all. I certainly wasn't supposed to let a wet-behind-the-ears maiden such as yourself into the bar, [ Claude says with a grin. ]
You can assure everyone that I am simply up to medium levels of no good.
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expiationlogs2024-03-09 08:37 am
no subject
[ Others may beg to differ, others that Sandry herself may have heard about, but Claude's being truthful. For all of his nonsense, he's never laid a finger on someone else in his life. Or, rather, he's never laid a finger on anyone who wasn't begging for it. Helping disperse a bar fight or two is all part of the job.
Once they arrive at the bar, Claude flicks the lights on. A bar with all the lights on is always a bit eerie, he thinks; it's easier to see how bare and unpleasant and empty it is after everyone else has cleared out, the tables pushed to the sides and the chairs stacked in towers, floors properly cleaned only to be made tacky with drink again in a matter of hours. ]
I know it's behind the bar somewhere... hold on. [ As he goes digging through the equipment box, his head pops back up again over the bar to look at Sandry. ] Have you always disliked the dark? I'm surprised you don't carry a flashlight on you already.
no subject
She's happy when he turns on the lights in the bar. It might be just a matter of convenience but it helps her relax. Sandry shakes her head in response to his question. ]
No, it only happened very recently. I... [ picked up something weird? She can't say that. ] had a bad dream. And then after that I was afraid of the dark.
no subject
[ That sounds familiar. Claude pauses behind the bar, flashlight in his hand. He knows this doesn't look very good, and if she's a smart girl, she'll say no... but he needs to get to the bottom of this. He tosses the flashlight from hand to hand like a baton. ]
Well, you're here anyway. Care for a soda and a listening ear? It must have been a pretty bad one for it to spook you well into your waking life.
no subject
I'd appreciate that. It'll be nice to have a break from being out in the dark, though I'm not sure how much there is to say. I simply... dozed off the other day, right in the middle of doing something, and had this dream. [ She frowns at the memory. ] It just seemed so... real.
no subject
He's just trying to make her laugh. With others, he'll delve into some of his darker conspiracies. But she's just a kid. Does she really need to hear someone's paranoid spiraling about past lives and hidden memories? It seems cruel that she's afflicted by them as well. He pours a few different elixirs into his shaker with ice, the rattle of the cubes against the metal echoing loudly around the empty bar before he pours it into a long-stemmed glass, tops it with seltzer, and delicately places a twist of lemon on top. He pours one for himself too, though he doesn't bother making it look nearly as nice. ]
Here. It's not often I get to mix up something non-alcoholic. It's a black cherry lavender soda -- they say it helps you sleep, and it tastes as pretty as it looks.
[ He's not sure how he knows that. That's not his usual go-to. ]
But if you don't mind going back a bit... maybe talking about it will help you shake those heebie jeebies of yours. Do you remember what it is you dreamed about? Or was it just the feeling?
no subject
She accepts the soda and takes a few sips, then perks up with a bright smile. ]
It's delicious! Thank you! As for my dream...
[ She trails off, thinking about how to explain it. In the end she settles for telling the whole truth. ]
I was in somewhere small and dark. There was a braid of light, but then it went out and there was no light at all. I think I was trapped. And then I started hearing voices, like I was going crazy. And then I woke up.
[ Sandry shakes her head. ]
It was just a dream but it felt so real.
no subject
Maybe that's taking it too far. Perhaps they're just at disparate points in time, disparate points of their lives, disparate places in this big world of theirs. ]
That does sound pretty scary. I don't blame you for still feeling spooked, after all this time. [ He rubs his hands together, trying to sort out his thoughts. ]
A lot of people have been talking about nightmares, these days. There must be a full moon coming up. [ He hums pensively. ] These voices you heard -- were they your own voices, like in your own head? What were they saying?
no subject
No, it was other people talking, but I didn't recognize them. I couldn't see anything since it was dark so I don't know if they were real people or not. But I was worried that I was going crazy.
[ Sandry takes another sip of her soda. It really is good. ]
I didn't know other people have been having nightmares too. Maybe there's something in the water?
[ It's somewhat of a joke and she gives a smile when she says it. ]
no subject
Maybe. Or maybe everyone's just a little on edge, right now. The pranks that the fairies have been playing have gotten out of hand, these days.
[ He leans forward, resting his forearms against the bar. ]
I wouldn't worry about going crazy. That's the way dreams are! Big, nonsensical, and sometimes they feel terribly, terribly real. Why, once I dreamed I was back in my school days, only my boss was my teacher, and he chewed me out in front of the entire class! Boy, was it hard to get back to work after that.
[ He smiles, though there's a crease in his forehead. He's not able to entirely conceal his worry. ]
You haven't heard anything like it since, have you? No spooky voices coming out of nowhere? Nothing but the usual night?
no subject
Nothing else strange.
[ That's not entirely true, there's her problem with thread... but that's too strange to bring up. And seems very unrelated to her fear of the dark. ]
And you're right, I'm sure it was just a dream. Dreams can be silly like that! I'm certainly not going crazy. Eventually it'll fade away and I'll go back to normal.
[ She nods, feeling reassured with Claude's demeanor, her special soda, and the lights. ]
no subject
[ No more prying from him, he decides. It would be a cruelty to allow her access to his private fears, his quiet suspicions. If her past life is as tumultuous, as terrifying as his own, then it's best for her to remain in cheerful ignorance as long as possible. Claude himself got a blissful childhood, after all, and there's plenty time left for grim realizations. ]
Whenever you're ready, I'll escort you home. And while I'm sure a young girl like you has plenty of people looking out for her... if you have any other odd dreams, or need another one of those nightcaps, I'm as much a night owl as you are. [ He winks at her. ] So don't be shy, all right... [ He searches for the name. ] Sandry, right?
no subject
Yep, that's me! And thank you for the offer, Claude. I'll keep it in mind.
[ She looks down at the empty glass in front of her. ]
Can I wash this before we go? You've cleaned up for the night but I've dirtied the glass again.
no subject
[ He swipes the glass and sets it in the sink. That will be a job for him tomorrow, and probably the easiest of the bunch; he knows that he has a few meetings set up that he's not altogether looking forward to.
Instead, he simply places the flashlight into her hand and hops back over the counter. ]
Lead the way, Princess.
no subject
Upon receiving the flashlight she gives turns it on experimentally. Nice and bright. She looks back up at Claude and nods, turning towards the door and heading out. ]
Then, I shall make sure to deny your part in such accusations!
no subject
You can assure everyone that I am simply up to medium levels of no good.
no subject
Okay, I won't mention the bar part. And maybe you don't want people to think you're too nice, even if you are.