Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was one of those evenings where even Granny couldn't rest in peace. Every joint in her body ached from the biter cold that knifed through her body, her fingers swelling with the arthritis that had finally set in. The shop was open for a while more yet, though no one usually came in at this hour. Not for the first time, she mulled over the influx of dreamers that had found their way to her door.

The shop was brightly lit both to help ease the strain on her eyes as well as make any customers feel welcome. Wooden chimes clattered with a music of their own outside the window, a faded sign declaring her shop open for one and all as she began sorting beads and items into separate drawers. The faint sound of a steady voice humming a jaunty tune would greet anyone who came to her door, the old woman's voice strong despite her apparent frailty.

Granny stopped humming the moment the door opened, looking up with a smile to find a young man standing in her shop as if it were a normal occurance. She nodded and gestured for him to come inside with a friendly wave of her hand.

“It's good to see you again, Scheel. Have a seat, if you like.” The old woman already had an idea of what this young man's visit would be about, but she always let her clients put their troubles in their own words when they spoke with her. Stepping out from behind the desk, she nodded towards a seat in the shop, one of two that was near a small heater that was made to look like a wood stove. Thankfully it never overheated, or she woudlnt' have it in the shop with so many valuable items within.

“What can I do for you?”

Granny sat with her ankles crossed and her hands folded in her lap, a relaxed feminine pose as Scheel voiced his concerns. They were all things hse had heard before and would likely continue to hear for some time to come. She struggled to recall the details of Scheel's dream, but once she was able, they came back in a rush. It fascinated her to see what spirits were attracted to which Dreamer, and the bonds that were formed as both of them grew.

“It is difficult to do something 'wrong' in this case, Scheel,” the old woman assured him as she shifted in her seat. “Your repetitive dreams are what brought you here before, and that they remain is a sign.” She chuckled, knowing she must sound simple or senile to most these days, especially the younger generations. Yet her expression was quite certain.

“They repeat because your dreams are special. In this case, special enough to get the attention of a dream spirit, which is why you are unable ot have different dreams and remain so tired. They need your dream to grow strong enough to have a life of their own . Something in your dream was a beacon, and they answered the call.”

Granny chuckled, a warm and knowing sound as Scheel leaned forward. His doubt was not the first she had come across, nor would it be the last.

“You are not alone in wondering, Scheel. It is wise not to blindly trust what another person says, but dreams as as varied as those in the waking world, if not more.” She gently wrapped her fingers around the catcher, feeling a sense of warmth from it that intensified as she held it.

“Do you not think your dreams – your hopes and ambitions – are powerful enough to draw others?” She took the catcher to the desk in the center of the room, stepping behind the smooth wood barrier as she examined the catcher. “Sometimes we are not even aware of what it is that draws them to us, but they need us as much as we need our dreams – and our nightmares.” She looked up at Scheel again as she spoke, the serious tone of the conversation weighing on her thin shoulders for a moment before she smiled again.

“You are fortunate to have a dream spirit, Scheel. It can be dangerous, as well, but we tend to thrive on positive dreams more than the negative. Perhaps your dreams are a beacon. Perhaps the spirit – an Oneiroi – is a messenger, either for your subconscious or something else entirely. Whatever the reason, you will discover it in time.” She began selecting new beads as she spoke, counting out several of various sizes that matched the catcher's colors.

Granny chuckled, enjoying the young man's honesty. “There's more than just a little of the fantastic in daily life, Scheel. You just have to know where to look.” Though her hands were busy at work, she was listening to him list off all of the others whom he had sought for help in the past. Many turned to books, but even that was a risky subject. Her expression softened as he continued to list various people, pausing from her work to look at Scheel.

“You did the right thing in seeking me out, Scheel. Those methods could work for some, but they are not for dreams like yours. They are for those that come from yourself and your mind – those that are without an extra presence. With them, you are unable to stay to such methods, but they are good practice if you feel your dream is getting extreme. You should see me if that happens, however, though it may help you.” She reached down into another drawer and carefully pulled out a single snow-white feather, placing it on the desk and reaching first for a tiny pair of silver scissors, snipping the thread that once was woven in the catcher.

It was then that Scheel brought his bag with the mysterious contents to her attention. Though Granny had seen it when he had first pulled it out, she hadn't thought much of it. Many Dreamers stopped by her shop in the midst of errands or other daily tasks, so she had assumed he had removed it so that the glass wouldn't break. She stopped, her eyes widening slightly at the offered gift as the young man explained what it was. That it was a family recipe he was giving her in turn just made it more special. She barely knew him, yet he was still looking out for her.

“Thank you, Scheel. That is very kind of you.” Her smile returned, softer now as she carefully lifted the bag and removed it to reveal the glass jar he had mentioned. She didn't expect anything in return from her special clients, yet some found ways to look after her or thank her regardless.

Sensing the young man's interest, Granny shifted her position as she began to order the beads in a line and measure the cord she would need to reweave the catcher and its precious feather. Where she found her supplies was a family secret, though she was glad ot see him so enthusiastic about what was to come.

“I appreciate your kindness, Scheel,” she assured him with a smile. The jar was carefully set aside so it would be safe without interfering with her work. She chuckled and nodded to the feather as she began stringing the beads along the cord.

“What I am doing is reweaving your catcher so that you will not feel the fatigue and other effects of your spirit companion as strongly as you would on your own. As they feed on your dream, you will be giving them some of your own energy, in a sense. This feather allows them to be bound to the catcher instead of just your dreams, and is a representation of them.”

Granny chuckled, the irony of the statement not lost on her. A dream catcher to catch your dreams. She nodded, noticing the young man's far-away gaze as she glanced up from her work. Once Scheel was done amusing himself, she continued.

“Dream catchers are known today for their ability to catch disturbing dreams before they enter your mind. It is what most people expect of them, and in some ways that is right. But your dream, as others have experienced, is more than that. So are those who suffer nightmares.” Her usual smile saddened, eventually shifting into a frown as she mused over the thought. But then there were more questions, turning the old woman's mind back to the present as she wound the cord around the stem of the feather.

“For a time, they will remain with you. The catcher will, as well, so be prepared for that. In time, they will have enough energy of their own to separate from you completely. They will be their own person with their own form and identity, and you will finally have the rest you will be craving for.”

Granny chuckled, a bit dismayed and bewildered at Shceel's questions. Young people today were always in such a rush! It wasn't that she didn't understand; Oneiroi were passengers to someone else's life, and those lives needed to be lived. Scheel was at the cusp of his life, the age where school would end and the rest of the world would take over; it was hardly a time to be dragged down by exhuastion when one needed to be at their best.

“It depends on you and your companion,” she admitted, setting the catcher down to look Scheel strait on without distraction. “Your relationship will matter greatly and affect how they grow. They will learn from you, so the more they are deprived, the longer they will stay in order to grow stronger without your help. Or at least, as little as possible.” Her smile returned, softer, like an adult who wanted to lessen the severity of a scolding.

“I do not think you will be plagued for years by your companion, Scheel. Unfortunately, there is no way to consistently track the length of time it takes for an Oneiroi to be ready to join us in the waking world. Like us, they adapt and grow at their own pace.”