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[monolike]

I love it when new books show up in the library...it's not very often, but every once in a while there's a new book to look at. I found this really neat one, it was a fairy tale about a girl whose mother casts a spell on so she sleeps until the wars of her land are over.

And then she wakes up and she explores the new world, and she makes new friends and she finds her mother as an old, old woman and tells her all of her adventures. It's a little bittersweet at the end, but it's really good, if anybody would like to borrow it.

Does anybody have any legends or stories like that? People going to sleep and waking up new places, or traveling to new worlds? I'd like to hear 'em.

Comments

[privateeyed]

It sounds more like I'm burdening others with the mess that my life's become, dude.

[monolike]

[-already shaking his head,] That's not it at all. What burdens people the most is thinking they can't do anything for their family and friends. Not knowing what's troubling them, knowing that they're suffering but can't share, that's what weighs on people. It's the worry.

[privateeyed]

[...]

You're asking me to talk about shit I haven't talked about with anyone - not the real story, at least. This is the shit that wakes me up in the middle of the night, you know.

[monolike]

I thought it might. [Sorey lets his expression twist, brow furrowing as he gazes at- something around Ben, something Ben clearly can't see. It's thick and cloying, a mist that's become like smog.] Ben, I know you're hurting...I can't force you to tell me anything, but I truly believe it'll help. Maybe make you wake up just a little less often.

[privateeyed]

It won't. [he runs a hand through his hair again, then lets his hand drop back to his face, rubbing at his eyes] Make me wake up less, I mean. Not how it works.

[he shifts from foot to foot] I'll think about it. Not now. [he lets his hand drop] Catch me when I'm in a better mood and remind me, and then maybe.

[monolike]

Okay. I won't push it, [Sorey says softly, moving aside for Ben to leave. He pulls the book down to run a gloved hand over the cover, a lovely girl asleep on a slab of stone before calling after Ben,] I wanted to hear stories like this because I- I like to think that when I wake up, everything will be okay. [Sorey doesn't look up from the cover.]

...maybe you're right. I don't feel very different, either.

[privateeyed]

[Ben doesn't make an escape right away, even if he wants to. He stops and listens and kind of winces, because Sorey had avoided a subject too, and maybe he should have been the one pushing, but - well, he isn't the kind to push] No one from your world knows if it will be or not? Like - no future spoilers?

[he blows out a sigh and runs a hand through his hair] What, you mean after talking about shit? Maybe you're not talking to the right people.

[monolike]

Maybe not. [Oh well. Sorey tucks the book against his side and casts a half-smile over at Ben.] I sincerely do hope you can find some peace somewhere, Ben. If you have any trouble...maybe consider stopping by the Interfaith Center? I'm not gonna preach anything, but I'll listen. And Mikleo makes really good sweets.

[privateeyed]

[he makes a face] You don't want me in the Interfaith Center, dude. You gotta be like, respectful in those places and I'm really bad at that.

[he scratches at his cheek] I'm bad at advice and all that, but - you know, offer goes both ways. If you want someone who'll at least listen. I'm good for that much. No like, judgement either.

[monolike]

Oh Ben, I know. [Sorey's half-smile gets a little wider, a little warmer.] Detective, right? Listening must be a pretty valuable skill.

[privateeyed]

I guess. I mean, I'm not much of a - I'm just good at listening. [a shrug, his nose wrinkling] Listening to people, listening to orders. Used to be kind of a quiet guy, so that's what I did. I'm not good at people, but I'm good at that.