02-21-2019, 04:43 PM
“Your nightmares?”
He'd mentioned them in passing before, kind of offhand. She shifted to pull the sketchbook away, though only as much as was needed for her to see the image that had affected him. A man with a flaming sword. The shadow of dogs. A bleeding girl. Sure there was a resemblance, but the dark silhouette could have been anyone. It didn’t explain his visceral reaction, though.
Looking at him now made Thalia realise how young he really was. She hated to be the conduit to that pain, opened like a floodgate by a few lines on a page. Too late to unsee now, though. She didn’t even remember drawing it.
“I know some of the people in there are real. I’ve always kind of avoided it.” (oh, understatement) “So if I’d known… Well, I wouldn’t have brought that book.” Her brows knit into a soft frown. The confusion was evident. “I don't even know what that is. I don’t dream.” Her thoughts tripped over something Calvin had said, but she didn’t pause to really think. She didn't even really press for answers, like the whole thing pressed against some old wound. Instead she watched him take a weary sip of coffee. “Do you want me to get rid of it?” Thalia wasn’t precious about the work, that was clear. It was a compulsion, not a hobby, and if it made him feel any better she was earnest in the offer.
She offered a small smile. “Though if this is the part where you tell me I’m some kind of demon you're supposed to, uh, you know, can I at least have my cake first?"
He'd mentioned them in passing before, kind of offhand. She shifted to pull the sketchbook away, though only as much as was needed for her to see the image that had affected him. A man with a flaming sword. The shadow of dogs. A bleeding girl. Sure there was a resemblance, but the dark silhouette could have been anyone. It didn’t explain his visceral reaction, though.
Looking at him now made Thalia realise how young he really was. She hated to be the conduit to that pain, opened like a floodgate by a few lines on a page. Too late to unsee now, though. She didn’t even remember drawing it.
“I know some of the people in there are real. I’ve always kind of avoided it.” (oh, understatement) “So if I’d known… Well, I wouldn’t have brought that book.” Her brows knit into a soft frown. The confusion was evident. “I don't even know what that is. I don’t dream.” Her thoughts tripped over something Calvin had said, but she didn’t pause to really think. She didn't even really press for answers, like the whole thing pressed against some old wound. Instead she watched him take a weary sip of coffee. “Do you want me to get rid of it?” Thalia wasn’t precious about the work, that was clear. It was a compulsion, not a hobby, and if it made him feel any better she was earnest in the offer.
She offered a small smile. “Though if this is the part where you tell me I’m some kind of demon you're supposed to, uh, you know, can I at least have my cake first?"