the space materialized quickly. an instant connection, from the second her head hit the pillow to the moment her body materialized --- she was dreaming. and while immediate connections were often harbingers of chaos, her first thought was that it smelled like cinnamon. it was nice. serene in a way she couldn't quite put her finger on and comfortable in a way that was familiar. the walls were lined with books --- like a library, but smaller and clearly personal, with certain, well-worn books scattered sporadically around, and other proofs of life tossed with the same reckless care. a folded blanket over the sofa. a sun catcher hanging from the window --- scattering brilliant bursts of light all around the room. a tired hoodie, soft and purple and actually looking just like --- OH. that explains it.
" i think this technically classifies as trespassing. "
talia turned on her heel, surprised despite the revelation. CLARA. she looked good. older, reasonably, than the last time she'd seen her, and with a short haircut that suited her much better than those pigtails ever did. she had streaks of color in her hair, yellows and oranges braided in and out of her dark hair and a flowered dress that made it hard to tell if this was what her sister actually looked like these days or only her perception of self in her dreams. but she was different. calm, in a way her excited babble could never have tamed to naturally. calculated, in a way talia couldn't decipher. it took an extra minute to realize she was waiting for talia to respond. another minute after that to figure out what the hell to say.
" nice place. " she decided on, noncommittal fingers ghosting over the jacket in question. clara traced the movement with her eyes, but made no move to get closer. " homey. "
" you shouldn't be here. " clara said.
" well, you did leave the door open. " it was petty, but well, it's embarrassing to show up to your sister's imaginative palace uninvited.
clara clearly only got the 'petty' part. her eyes narrowed, a sharp gaze assessing her. judging. unimpressed. " it wasn't opened. " she pouted, clearly frustrated. " i just---"
clara fumbled then, clearly rethinking whatever she was going to say next. she just what? went for a dream-moonlight? was on a commercial break, was starting an extreme dream home make over? NO, it was something she specifically didn't want TALIA to know. No. it had to be . . . " oh my god. " talia said the next part through her sigh. " you're still looking for them. "
her sisters lips thinned. you can't close your own space unless you're awake, and the only way talia would connect automatically is if she was invited or it was so wildly unprotected. so if clara's dream was open and uninhabited that meant she was out, looking for someone else's. and just like when they were ten, talia knew EXACTLY where she was. she sighed again, bringing her hands up to her face to rub at tired eyes.
" you're still looking for them. i can't --- clara, please, we've been through this. do you really want to be stuck in that cycle again? to go through all of that again? you could get hurt, you could --- "
clara's frown turned to rage and the room dimmed. an uncharacteristic chill blew through the space, and all the colors suddenly muted. " WHAT if they're still out there? what if they're LOOKING for us? what if they--- they need our help? i can find THEM, i can navigate better --- "
" it's been FIFTEEN YEARS. if they wanted to, THEY'D BE HERE. " talia screamed. chest heaving like they were taking actual, angry breaths. never mind all the simple answers like buses and planes and trains; they were navigators of the DREAMS, and unless their parents were medical miracles who never dozed off, THEN THEY HAD THEIR ANSWER. the room stilled. no yelling, no breeze, no vindication. clara frowned, and the room shifted once again. but this time, only the clock changed. I WAS LEFT BEHIND TOO, talia wants to say. it wasn't easy for her to admit, either. but this time, being right felt like shit. " they're not coming back. "
clara's face cycled through several emotions --- anger, surprise, deep thought, until finally, finally settling to a resolve. talia's last view was warped. shadowed in the drag of being ejected from a dream space too quickly, but the words were crystal clear. " should've known you'd give up. " her sister's voice echoed.
🕰️ BRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!!
