Field of Dreams (open)

[semper]

Johnny gave a sheepish grin as he noticed her blushing, which caused him to drop his gaze to the dozing lamb on his lap.

"Compared to my house? My house is a rundown shack that my Pa never bothered to fix up. I figure it's a good thing I don't live here more than a few nights a week."

The boy emitted a light chuckle. The house his parents currently occupied certainly could be considered a rundown shack; there were too many problems with the water pipes, no heating or air conditioning, a fire stove -- and his father never bothered to do anything about it, claiming that he was "saving money by not fixing things professionally", though the whole family knew he was just saving money to buy more alcohol, and yet no one ever tried to stop him.

"I've been having the weirdest dreams lately..."

The boy shook his head free of his family ordeals.

"Like nightmares, or just strange dreams?"

He asked, turning to look at her briefly before picking up the sleeping Thunder and cradling him in his arms. Johnny then stood up himself, turning so that he was facing Senalia.

"So would you like to come now? If you did, we could have lunch there."

"I'd really like that, actually. It'd save me an afternoon of dealing with my parents."

The boy smiled sincerely. He wasn't quite sure when he'd go back to herd his flock of sheep over towards the fields near her house, but whenever it was time to, he was already planning on getting into the house quick and running back out so he wouldn't have to deal with his parents.



(( *le gasp-eth* I've never had this much muse for Johnny before. x3 ))

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[Stare]

I smile gladly. I needed to get the cotton back to my house as soon as possible.
I stand up and stretch my arms in an arc, enjoying the comfortable pull of my muscels.
"I'll lead the way," I say, begginning to walk forward.
The way there is rough at first, through the large and unkind crowd of the market. But then you reach the peaceful dirt road that leads off into the fields, with it's calm feeling. That's my favorite part of the walk everyday, sonce of to one side is the cotton trees, the warm breeze blowing small bits of cotton through the air. On the other side is a beautiful green valley dotted with a few trees, and around now, beautful scarlet flowers.
The crowd is rough and noisy, allowing no conversation to be possible, but after we've gotten out of the worst part of the crowd, I begin to speak.
"It's not too far away, but we'll have time to talk," I say. "And about my dreams... I don't know if they're scary or not. THey're very farmiliar though, like I've dreamt them before, even though I haven't."

(OOC: I'll make it look nice later, since I have to go now. I'll add a little more too, but nothing that would change Johnny's response.)

[semper]

(( *is shot a lot for being so late* ))







When she stood up, Johnny fallowed suite, though at a slower pace so he could pick up Thunder and cradle him in his arms. The sleepy little lamb nuzzled its snout between the boy's torso and elbow, continuing its slumber.

Fallowing the girl through the crowd, though, was a lot harder. He was short, and most of the other people were taller, and not to mention all packed together. He felt guilty for having to push and shove his way through to keep up with her, but he figured it was worth it.

"It's not too far away, but we'll have time to talk. And about my dreams... I don't know if they're scary or not. They're very familiar though, like I've dreamt them before, even though I haven't."

"Is it like...... like deja vu, maybe?"

He asked, and though his tone was still timid, he had raised his voice enough to where it was audible above the crowd's dull roar.

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[Stare]

(OOC: It's fine!)

"I... I don't know. I'm running through I feild of cotton trees, and I feel very, very small compared to all the big trees. I don't think I'm running from something, even though I keep on hearing things behind me. And I'm lost. I don't know where I am, since all the trees look the same."
A sudden flash of a memory comes back to me, a piece of the dream that my mind never seemed to process until now. "One time I heard someone call my name."
For some reason, that sentence brings a great wash of sadness over me, and I immediately shake it off.
We've reached the edge of the crowd, and I begin walking down the dust road. Not many come down this way, and that's a shame. At first, there's not much to see.
I tilt my head to the side slightly, listening for the chirp of a bird somewhere, but hear nothing. I feel a bit of disappointment stir inside of me. That's too bad. I was looking forward to seeing her today.
"Usually, in this area, there's a gray bird," I say quietly. "She's friendly, and will come close if you have some seeds of crumbs for her. But she's not here today. I wonder..."
I trail off, never finishing the sentence, my eyes loosing their life and staring off into the distance, not really seeing what's ahead. Almost automatically, I stop when I know the valley comes into view. "Isn't it pretty? I get to see this every day."

[semper]

As she began to describe her dreams, Johnny listened silently, picturing it in his head. He could see how scary it would be to run through a maze of identical trees, hearing things chasing him.

"I don't know much about dreams, but I'd guess that somethin's botherin' you if you keep dreamin' about somethin' chasin' you but you can't see it..... and maybe that goes for the similar trees, too; maybe you feel like you can't escape whatever's botherin' you?"

He didn't know if what he was saying even meant anything, but that was what he figured it to be. Even if he was completely and utterly wrong, he didn't mind; he had no idea what he was talking about anyway.

As they came to the dirt road next to the valley, Johnny paused, listening. He didn't hear the said bird, which saddened him a little. Along with the sounds of lambs and sheep, bird songs were a comforting melody. To not hear the harmonies just made the day a little less bright. But the valley, on the other hand, was gorgeous.

"It's very pretty."

The boy said, smiling as he looked at the valley.

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[Stare]

I hear him, and I nod slightly, my eyes focusing on the beautiful sight. It brings back memories now, memories that are wrapped in a warm orange glow. Memories that have stayed at the corner of my mind until now.
"My papa and I used to go down there all the time," I say softly, a trace of pain just barely noticable in my voice.
But I don't continue. Because, as the world begins to come back into focus at alarming speed, I find I don't want to share these memories that have hidden from me for so long, yet secretly kept me warm on the colder days. Like how we used to go down at sunset as catch the fireflies. Or roll down the hills together, which would make me even more dazed than the usual. Or, on warmer nights, we'd stargaze.
And I definately don't want to tell him about how, when we got home, I'd find a warm dinner waiting. How then my father would tell me a story, and I'd ask him why magic could be so mean, and he'd respond, "Magic isn't anchored down by human greed or pain. Magic does what it wants. That's why it's magic."
And so, shoving the memories back where they belong, I continue to walk forward. But they come back again, and I can't help but wonder about them and try to sort through the emotions that come with them.

[semper]

"My papa and I used to go down there all the time,"

Johnny nodded as he listened to her, though the mention of her father tugged at his heart. What about his own father? The drunkard was probably out cold somewhere in the wretched house, empty beer bottle in hand. The man had never done anything with his son besides ordering him around -- like what he was doing right now by trying to sell Thunder -- and he really didn't like it. However, Johnny knew he couldn't retaliate in any way, seeing as the man was much taller and stronger than him. The boy looked down at the sleeping lamb in his arms, feeling lost and uncertain about himself.

As she began to continue walking, the boy fallowed.

"My Pa's just a drunk, lazy bastard...."

He admitted in a matter-of-fact tone, beginning to feel indifferent about the man. His Pa had brought it upon himself to always be in such a horrid state.

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[Stare]

Lost in thought, I begin to count the roads that appear on the side of the road.
1... 2... 3...
I feel relief fill me as I notice my mind clouding... the reality that had hit me just moments before slowly starting to fade away. Slowly, slowly, I begin to enter the world I'm used to, the real world, the world of half fantasy, half reality. I'm too busy enjoying it that I when I hear Johnny's voice, I don't catch the words.
4... 5...
"Hm?" I turn towards him, a small smile on my face as I walk backwards. "Oh, that's nice..."
I see another road pass by, and spin back around.
6...
"This one's my house," I say, pointing to the road up ahead.
My house is small, and it's not the most fancy, but it's clean. Stationed at the top of a little hill, it's got a grand total of three rooms; the kitchen/living room, my bedroom, and my library. On the ouside, it's a small little white house with a large wooden porch of the front. On the porch is a single rocking chair. The yard has two trees in it, on by the road, and one right next to the porch. The kitchen/living room has a counter that divides the cramped space, and old fashoined oven, I tiny refridgerater, and on the other side, a fireplace, a lamp, and a couch. My room, as I recal, is a total mess. It's such a small space that it can barely fit my bed and dresser inside, and the bed is unmade with clothes on the floor. The library has a big red chair for me to sit in, and one wall that's completely shelves with books.
I wince, thinking of him seeing the mess as we begin to walk up the dusty path that leads to the screened front door.

[semper]

Passing by the rows of houses, Johnny couldn't help but try to imagine what it must be like to live where there are plenty of people nearby. They were nice looking houses, also -- to Johnny, at least. Much better than where he lived, making him wish he had moved here.

Holding onto the sleeping lamb, the boy fallowed Senalia up towards her house.

"It's a nice house,"

Johnny said, smiling as he examined the exterior. Feeling Thunder shifting in his arms, the boy set the little lamb on the ground so he could stretch his little legs, sniffing at the dusty ground and sneezing, sending up a plume of dust.



((I'm sorry it's so short and ugly. D: I'm not feeling too well today...))

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[Stare]

"It's not much, but I can't really afford anything else. I don't really think I'd have the heart to leave, anyways. My parents certainly didn't," I say, continuing to walk without even looking back, afraid he'll see my embarrassed face.
It's actually a rather nice place to live, if you don't mind the eerie silence at night. I like to read in my bed late into the night, or on warm, summer nights, go out to visit the valley.
Sometimes, when I tell people this, they ask me if I'm scared. Why would I be scared? Robbers?
Like they'd attack an innocent little girl for money. I don't think there's a single person in all of Panem who would do that.
When I reach the prch, I wince as it creaks. I've been meaning to fix that, but haven't really found the time.
In other words, I'm always forgetting when I do have extra time on my hands.

(OOC: Mine's short too. A million apologies.)

[semper]

Even though he kept his eyes on the little lamb as it investigated the yard, Johnny listening to everything Senalia had to say.

"It's like being a shepherd. I don't have the heart to ever leave my herd, even if it means bringing one of them with me."

The boy gave a small, light-hearted chuckle, surprising even himself at such a lame attempt at a joke.

Hearing the squeaking board of the porch, Johnny turned his gaze upwards, noticing that she was already up at the house. He went over to the little lamb, gently scooping him up into his arms before starting up the stairs. Thunder gazed around himself curiously, reaching out to sniff the girl's arm as Johnny stopped next to her.




((Tis alright. x3 Mine's fairly short, too.... D: ))

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[Stare]

Once I'm on the porch, I laugh slightly as I feel Thunder's warm breath against my skin.
"He's so... curious," I comment with a smile.
I'm about to reach out and open the door when a little light floats in front of me. I watch it for a moment, noting it's soft pink color. So far, that's the only one I've seen today. I wonder where they all are, and why they're staying away today.
However, for some reason, I don't want them right now. I gently move my hand by it, silently willing it to go away. It hovers in the air for a moment before slowly fading away. I smile in relief and reach out to open the door. With a slight whine, it swings open, and I step through the door into my living room/kitchen.
"You can leave on your shoes," I say to him. "The house is already a mess."
Then I frown slightly, and my eyes become distant for a moment. Something's not right. I search the room with my eyes, but everything is in it's place. For a moment, the image of the trees flashes before me, and then I'm back in my house, and everything is fine.
Regaining my half smile, I walk over to the kitchen area. "So... lunch. Any special requests?"I open the cabinets. I take down two plates. I see what food I have. I do everything as I normally would, as if nothing has changed.
But something has. I just can't put my finger on it.

(OOC: Just in case you didn't understand, Senalia sees lights. That's one of the ways she's insane. But sometimes, on her more sane days, she doesn't.)

[semper]

((Not quite sure what seeing lights is, but okay. x3 ))



Johnny managed a small smile, watching the little lamb as it sniffed her.

"Yeah, he's always snoopin' around and gettin' into trouble."

He said, bending down to pick up Thunder. He held the little creature in his arms, caressing it as Senalia seemed to pause. Even though it seemed that pausing momentarily was a natural thing, the look in her eyes didn't quite seem right. Johnny opened his mouth to ask if she was alright, but she had already begun to move again, opening the door and going inside.

"You can leave on your shoes. The house is already a mess."

He nodded, carrying in Thunder after her. Despite what she had said, the house looked fine to him. It was also larger than the one he lived in, which made it all the more grander. Thunder's dark eyes scanned the room, taking in the strange surroundings. He gave a quiet, nervous little "beh-eh-eh", long ears flopping as he turned to look up at his human boy. Johnny, in return, softly stroked the lamb's head reassuringly, easing the little creature's nerves.

"So... lunch. Any special requests?"

"Mmm... anything would be fine, thank you."

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[Stare]

I raise my eyebrows and shake my head slightly. "Okay, but you asked for it."

I bring down the bread and lay out two slices on each plate. My eyes still wander the house, though, searching for something. I bite the inside of my cheek in frustration. It's like an itch I just can't scratch. Why can't I figure it out?

I destractedly take down the peanut butter and spread it out slowly on one slice of bread, then the other.

"So... what's your house like?" I ask curiously, not sure what else to say. But I have to say something, or whatever is out of place will drive me crazy.

With that, I take down some mayonaise and begin to spread it on top of my sandwich. Most people would call it gross, but they've never tried it.

I look up at him. "Would you like some on yours?"


(OOC: Super low on muse. A million apologies.)

[semper]

"My house...?"

He wasn't quite sure how to answer the question. Looking down at the lamb in his arms, he pondered possible answers. It no way was it peaceful; each room had a feel of tension in the air and the smell of alchohol.


"It's, uhh..... not always quiet. Smells like alchohol all the time, too."

He lightly stroked Thunder's fur, voice small and timid. Hearing her question, he looked up. Mayonaise? On peanut butter? He wasn't qute sure how that would taste, but he nodded anyway. Might as well try something new.

"What's it like in your house on a normal day?"





((No worries. :3 My post is a mega!fail because my mood down spiraled after I had started typing this. Dx ))

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