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[not_heavens_adam]

[Johnny sits on the edge of the Larmline apartment's roof, looking contemplative. His question today isn't as innocnet or light-hearted as usual but he still asks it in that generic 'observer's tone.']

Nightmare: 'A frightening or unpleasant dream.' Or: 'A terrifying or very unpleasant experience or prospect.'

Nightmares are the bane of every child's existence. They consist of monsters under beds or hiding in closets until mommy and daddy are safely gone and the child is vulnerable. Sometimes they consist of our worst fears warped into a seemingly impossible situation that feels real all the while you dream.

But, whether it's a monster in the closet or falling off a building or some mass-murderer come to hack us to pieces in our sleep, they're still just dreams, yes?

There's nothing really to fear from nightmares, is there?

When a child has a nightmare you comfort and sooth them, assure them nothing is going to hurt them, and send them back to bed. But what about an adult? Adults dream. Adults have fears. And adults know better than to believe the age-old promise of 'nothing will hurt you.' So what can you do for an adult whose fears grow out of control?

What if the nightmares are warped memories? What then? Is there truly nothing to fear from a nightmare or do we lie to children to let them get on with their lives until they realize the truth?

Comments

[not_heavens_adam]

[He smirks, looking away.]

Oh, older than my years, certainly. It's too bad, really, I think I would have liked to have been innocent. At least for a little while.

[bufudine]

[Is that so... He won't press the matter. But he will ask.]

What does it mean, to be innocent?

[His voice is quiet, curious.]

[not_heavens_adam]

[His mind goes to Charley as a child and his smirk turns into a real smile.]

It means the world is infinitely less scary, full of wonders and possibilities, and that the troubles out there seem too far off to worry about.

It means you can be a child and find the simplest things fascinating...at least for a little while.

[bufudine]

[Serph tilts his head.]

Can you not do that as an adult?

[He's never considered himself to be a child, but Vatheon has never failed to fascinate him. It still does, every day.]

[not_heavens_adam]

[Johnny considers that a moment and shrugs.]

I suppose. If an adult hasn't lost their innocence along the way. Heh...I imagine such a life would be pleasant.

Although, such people would always have the threat of having that innocence ripped away looming over them.

[bufudine]

[Serph's response mirrors Johnny's earlier words, a small hint of amusement in his voice.]

That threat would be too far off for them to worry about.

[not_heavens_adam]

Aah~ True. They probably wouldn't even consider it.

[bufudine]

[Serph lets silence linger between them for a moment, before he asks another question.]

Did you know many children in your world?

[not_heavens_adam]

There were plenty of children in my world...how many I knew?

....only a few.