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CrispyWonderMint Vice Captain
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 Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:10 pm
The shop Granny Spiderlegs owned looked exactly as it had since it had first opened; quaint and a little creepy, a piece of a place that might be home in a less than pleasant neighborhood. The woman who ran the shop looked exactly as she had, as well, her pale eyes watching the world outside her window as snow continued to fall. It was only a light dusting for now, but that didn't mean there weren't already patches of ice on the concrete.
She wondered who her visitor would be tonight.
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 7:57 pm
It was so cold. In an attempt to get warmer, the small child pushed his hands further into his pockets. In his small hands was a Hot Hands. He squeezed it and rolled it around between his fingers. Because of the cold weather, he always had them in his pockets now. The cold still scared him, especially when it's dark. Which it is.
A shiver shook the small frame of Aiden. He exhaled and watched the air as his breath danced in the wind currents. It didn't matter though, he couldn't hear the wind as it howled through the trees or the crunch of snow under his boots. In his ears he listened to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Although their Christmas song is the only song people know, it's the one song he refuses to listen to anymore. It was the song he requested when the accident happened. This time the shiver that stumbled him wasn't from the cold, but from the pain. The memory.
Just as he didn't think he could take the trek to his destination, he saw it. The apartment building he had visited once before. Just as a light made it to his eyes, he stepped on a patch of ice. Like most people, he slid and didn't catch himself in time. The air rushed out of his lungs as he fell flat on his butt. Like that night he gasped until he could breathe again, tears in his eyes he almost gave up. This woman couldn't help him. Why was he trying so hard to get rid of the nightmare?
He didn't hear anything over his headphones, but he felt it. What sounded like a dark chuckle and harsh blow of wind around him. He knew it wasn't there but the dreams always felt real and seemed to linger. No, it had to stop. They're gone and they're not coming back. Aiden pushed himself up and sniffled, rubbing his nose and then his eyes. With a deep breath he finished the trek and eventually stopped at a door step.
"Please be here, I don't want to be left behind again.." He thought as he pushed his headphones around his neck and knocked on the door.
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CrispyWonderMint Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 8:47 pm
The shop itself wasn't open, but there was light pouring through the window and the apartment above was dark. Aiden would be able to see Granny's familiar figure as he neared the shop. The door swung open, so quiet that it would put a whisper to shame. The scent of warm bread wafted out like a pleasant memory of home, or perhaps days gone by.
"Welcome, Aiden," the familiar voice said. It, too, had the cool and light touches of the winter, but it was more like a chilly breeze than the piercing sound he heard before.
"It would seem the winter is less kind to some than others," she observed once he would enter. Her gaze as almost understanding - almost. Either way, it was a look that was warmer than the world outside the shop.
"What brings you to my shop?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 11:18 pm
As he waited in the cold, Aiden reached into his pockets again. Before squeezing the hand warmers he swiftly unplugged his headphones and then reclicked them into place. It was much easier than pulling his Zune out and having to turn the music off from the screen itself. Although the light was a welcome brightness, he didn't want to blind himself in the dark.
The scent of bread wafted into his nose before he even realized the door had opened. Aiden inhaled the smell and smiled gently, it smelled like a home. Before he could really miss the feeling of a home, Granny was there. The small smile on his lips from the smell widened a little before he gave a polite nod. "Good evening Granny." Not one to forget his manners, he waited for her permission to enter before stepping in to allow her to close the door.
Her statement wiped the smile from his lips as he looked down to his feet. "The winter would never be kind again," he thought. Instead of dwelling on it, he took a breath of the bread in the air and exhaled slowly. The weight on his shoulders lifted a little bit, "She can help."
Aiden looked up to her again before nodding again. "I brought the dream catcher back, like you said." The boy reached into the bag near his waist, after a minute of digging he produced the catcher. "But how will this make the nightmares stop?" He asked, though he never sounded doubtful. It's just hard for Aiden to believe things without seeing them.
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CrispyWonderMint Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 1:05 am
Granny gingerly took the dream catcher from Aiden, nodding for him to have a seat as she examined the catcher. Her gaze was scrutinizing, her lips pulling down into a thoughtful frown that lined her face. Among the other lines etched into her skin, this seemed a more common expression for the older woman as she tutted and shook her head. Aiden himself had done nothing wrong, but she could empathize with the situation he was in.
"You're particular nightmare is a vicious one, I'm afraid," she mused. Looking over to Aiden, she nodded once to herself and retreated to a desk nearby, immediately pulling out supplies to cut the weave and make a new one, complete with beads.
"A rather unpleasant one, or at least one who fully embraces what they feed off of. This catcher will help contain him, but it cannot be rid of him. It can only ease your suffering until he grows strong enough to become part of this world. After that, he can leave and you never have to see each other again, if you so wish."
Several beads were lined up, her hand hovering in epty air over the worn wood of the desk as she considered. She almost seemed to be listening to the catcher, perceiving something from it that Aiden could not.
"The Oneiroi, the spirit in this dream of yours, needs your dreams as much as you do. You, as a human, need to dream. You sort out life and emotions in your subconcious on a level you cannot in teh waking world. It, in turn, neesd those emotions and strong feelings to grow strong enough to leave on its own. You could almost call it a parasite, or a slug. One with which you must find vigorous amounts of salt form in order ot be rid of it."
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Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 10:39 am
Aiden glanced to where the woman nodded and proceeded to sit. He didn't lounge in the chair, but sat politely with his hands in his lap. Unfortunately that allowed him to pick at his fingers and nails. It's a terrible habit he picked up recently. He stopped though as Granny said it was a vicious nightmare. He could have told her that, he was afraid to sleep because of it.
As she moved behind the desk, Aiden couldn't help but get up and stand at the side of the desk. He didn't want to hover but he wanted to watch as she went to work. It was amazing, she moved so smooth and without mistakes. Unable to help himself, his mouth hung open in awe. As she spoke again, he quickly closed his mouth and glanced between her mouth, hands, and eyes.
"Salt..." It wasn't loud, but the idea was curious. Maybe if he had salt at night the nightmares would stop. Maybe not, since she said it was just a dream. "Why is it in my dreams though? They're not good ones." Aiden frowned and looked back to her eyes. What happens after this? Does it stop, or does he have to continue to help this nightmare become a person. Why would he want to do that? It's not nice and obviously doesn't like him, so why should Aiden help it?
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CrispyWonderMint Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 11:25 am
Granny glanced at Aiden when he mentioned salt, sympathy in her eyes for a moment before she turned her focus back to the dream catcher. Her hands had never stilled or slowed, allowing her to alter her focus as needed.
"Salt will not help, Aiden," she informed him softly. Pursing her lips, the old woman lost herself in thought for a moment, trying to think of how best explain the situation to the boy.
"Not all spirits are good, I'm afraid. Dreams with strong emotions or memories are what draws them - something that is very human and strong. They need it to grow and develop an identity, a sense of who they are.
"Your spirit is a nightmare. To be free of it, it must grow strong enough to seperate you without hurting itself. This catcher will help you stay strong and lessen the fear, but it is a nightmare. You will not be able to be free of it until the Oneiroi can do the same. I'm sorry, but at least this can help." She had picked the small dagger up and carefully wound it within the threads, frowning as she looked at Aiden once more. She really didn't feel like giving a child a weapon, but the nightmare that bound Aiden to his spirit was very distinct and painful.
"The blade will not fall out," she formed him as she wound another length of cord to make sure it wouldn't fall or loosen. "Be careful when you hold on to it, please."
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 3:01 pm
Aiden frowned, looking a little disappointed at the information. Oh well, it was worth a shot. If salt wouldn't help, Granny seemed sure this dream catcher would. As she spoke he watched her hands, taking it all in. Memories. He had plenty of those, but of course the recent events in his life are what plague many of his thoughts and memories. Why couldn't he ever remember the good and happy times anymore? It all just hurt because they're gone.
As she continued to explain to him, Aiden wrapped an arm around his waist. It seemed to help, especially as his hand fisted his jacket. The boy took a breath and let it out before nodding. He dropped his hand to his side again. This will definitely help. Curious as she wound a small object into the dream catcher, he leaned more to get a better look at it.
"A sword?" He questioned, looking back to Granny's face. No, it wasn't a sword. Obviously it was too small to be that. But it's the only word he could think to describe it. Then, like a brick it hit him. A harsh, whispering brick. "Dagger." A small smile graced his lips for a second as she warned him. It was nice to see that she cared for him, even if only a small amount.
With a nod, Aiden held out his hand. While he was excited to get the catcher back, he reminded himself not to seem too eager. Always one to be polite. "I will be very careful. My bag has two sides. I will keep it in one and everything in the other, so I don't hurt myself finding something." Although he was skeptical, Aiden was excited to have the dream catcher in his possession again. He couldn't help but believe it would work, it was the only thing he had to count on to make the dreams stop now.
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CrispyWonderMint Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:03 pm
Granny wasn't oblivious to Aiden's enthusiasm, though the fact that it came from one so young and dealing with a Nightmare was unusual. It was a hopeful feeling from a boy who had a shadow hanging over him. He seemed mature for his age and self aware, which was well since he would likely need it in the days to come.
"I am here if you have further questions," she promised as she handed the catcher back to Aiden, nodding at his assurance that he knew how to be careful.
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:20 pm
Aiden grinned as he got it back, though it quickly fell back into a neutral look as he examined the catcher. He tilted it this way and that, getting a good look at it. The beads were different now, but they all matched and fit together. Although the object was dark and Aiden knew what it held, it was still beautiful. He looked back to Granny, a small smile on his lips. "Thank you Granny." The boy proceeded to set the catcher back on the desk.
Aiden held up a finger to show he wasn't leaving it there. Quietly he flipped his bag open. He made quick work of organizing his bag; two note books, an astrology book, his wallet (although, no money or anything of real importance was in it), an "older" flip phone, and finally a small bag filled with pens and pencils. All of it went into the pocket closest to his side when he wore it, the one with the zipper pocket hidden on the inside. Aiden tried bag on for comfort as it rested on his side. Once he knew everything was organized in comfortable positions, he took the dream catcher in hand again. He set it in his bag and finally flipped the bag closed. Aiden put it back on, the strap crossing from his left shoulder to his right hip. He thought he was ready, but he did have questions for her.
Aiden always had questions, but there was only one that really mattered now. "What happens now? When do I need to come see you again, if at all? Why a dagger? Will it hurt the nightmare?" Well, it was supposed to be one question. He couldn't help himself, there were actually a lot of questions he had for her. "Does the nightmare become worse before it gets better?" Before his mind got away from him again, he shut his mouth. "Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ask so many questions.." The boy looked down to his feet apologetically. Not many people liked how many questions he asked.
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CrispyWonderMint Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:26 pm
Granny smiled openly as she watched Aiden rearrange his bag, good as his word about being safe. If he kept the catcher away from adults, they shouldn't be a problem, even if she herself felt somewhat reluctant to do so. But the spirit of the nightmare was strong and it demanded nothing less.
"Your nightmare may become worse, yes, but that is also what this catcher is for - to help keep that blanace so you are not overwhelmed, though you may feel more tired as the spirit grows stronger.
"You can see me whenever you like," she assured him, her sympathy for children showing. "Not only about the catcher, but as you wish."
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:46 pm
Aiden looked up to the woman as she began to answer a few of his questions. Though the answers only created more questions. What happens when the nightmare is strong enough? Is it just going to torture him everyday? The boy gave a sigh and the questions. Granny answered most of them, and that was good enough. Her last sentence surprised him.
"W-what? Are you sure?" Aiden stumbled, unsure how to react. So he just grinned and hurried to her side. He wanted to give her a hug, because nobody had really said they would be there whenever he needed them. He struggled with himself for a few seconds until he stuck out his hand. "Thank you! I'll try not to bother you too much." He didn't bother hiding his smile as he waited for her to shake his hand.
Once she did, if she did at all, he would look out the window. It was still snowing, though it didn't seem to be falling much harder than when he first arrived. The longer he stayed, no matter how much it smelled like a home here, the more slick it would get outside. He really should be going, maybe just a couple more minutes. "Can I ask one, no, two more questions?" He looked back to the woman, curiosity again in his eyes.
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CrispyWonderMint Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:51 pm
Aiden's dramatic response warmed the smile on Granny's face as she nodded, eventually taking his hand in hers in a handshake. The boy was struggling with himself so much that there was no way he comfortable, but he was a good boy from what she could tell. She had a feeling he would make it out in the end even stronger.
She raised a brow as the boy's demeanor shifted, nodding at his question. "Of course you may."
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:03 pm
Given the okay to ask, he nodded. "Is the window okay? You know, to hang it? And are there other people with dream catchers?" He didn't mind if other's did, in fact it might help him get through it. It's one of the hardest parts about what happened. Everybody else he knows has their parents. They haven't lost them. They can sympathize with him, but they don't know what it's like. They can only imagine. The only reason he wanted to know if other's had them is so it wouldn't take him by surprise.
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CrispyWonderMint Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:09 pm
"I would suggest the place you first hung the catcher, but a window is acceptable." Granny was glad Aiden had so many questions, even if the boy was self conscious about it.
"There are others in this city with special catchers like yours, yes," she agreed with a small smile. "You may have already met soe of them. Now that you are an awakened Dreamer, you will be able to tell them apart from regular catchers if you try hard enough."
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