Once Upon A Dream

“Oh dear… This is not good. This is not good at all. He’s supposed to be right here.” 

“Do you need help locating your grown-up?”

“Well, what can I say? When I see a man down on his luck I do whatever I can to make sure he gets home safe. So we are getting you home now.”

“Hey! Turn that disgusting music off, I’m dancing here and you just threw me off my rhythm.” Daria called out as she pulled a headphone out of her ear.

“Normally, I would, but I really need it for my relax-time,” Aurora explained quickly. “If I don’t do my routine....bad things happen.”

“See, I don’t rightly know! It could be any-” Winnie was cut off as her stomach let loose a low rumbling noise, and her face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh, that’s right! I needed to get something to eat! Would you like to join me? I’d love the company. My name’s Winnie, by the way. I don’t believe I’ve introduced myself rightly yet, so here I am, doing it now!”

“I’d love to get food with you, Winnie! I’m Aurora, it’s very nice to meet you. Are you hungry for anything specific? Because I’ll eat anything, really.”

“What’s your purpose in disturbing me? This better be important, I specifically requested to be left alone today.”

“I’m sorry, I can stop by another time.”

“Oh, if only you could! I am indeed. I forgotten what it is that I needn’t forget, but I’ve gotten and forgotten it and…Oh bother…”

“Hmmm....Can I have a hint? Was it about a person, place, or thing?”

Rob almost jumped as Aurora answered him. But instead, he smiled back to her and handed out his phone. It rang again, and Rob groaned loudly as he thought about the stalker girl. He wondered whether he could just hide from her. It had worked before.

“I’ve never been called a knight before,” Aurora says with a chuckle. The phone rings again before Aurora can even tinker with it, and so she answers it, smiling sweetly into the phone. “Hello? Oh, this is his girlfriend. Yes, we’ve just became exclusive! Exciting right? Well, if you ring one more time I am going to have to report you to the authorities. Please stop ringing.”

“Honey, as much as I would love to see that side of you, I think you’re so hype aware of everything you do and the consequences that could come of it that you wouldn’t possibly let it control you. But if you want something to help with the nightmares and bad thoughts, something to help you get them under control, I’d suggest you ask one of the witches here to whip something up for you.” He finished his glass of wine, getting up to place it beside the bottle in case he wanted some later. Settling back down into his seat, he thought about her question a little before replying. “There’s more bad in this world than there is good. I’m sure if more people could find it in them to love and be happy and not let the anger or the sadness or fear take over, the happy and good feelings would have more power. People are naturally drawn to negativity. That’s why this place thrives so well. They want to see if they can be stronger than their fear or they secretly love the feeling. It’s just how we’re built.” 

“I try really hard to be.” When he mentions the witches she bites her lip, looking up at him. “I’m not so sure I’m comfortable asking them. They are bust women and normally asking for something like that comes with a price. I’m not sure if I’d be willing to pay it, honestly.” She sips her wine some more, taking her sweet time with it. “People are so complex, aren’t they? What do you prefer? The darkness or the light? I don’t like to assume someone goes for one thing versus the other, so I’m curious. I personally wish more people saw the light...It’s harder to do sometimes, but I promise it is worth it.”