[ 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
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.