The Destiny of the Dreamer

Dreams, Desires, and Dread

"Pretty, right?" Ben asked, an excited tone apparent in his voice.  Shane remained silent for a little longer before sighing, shoulders sagging a little.

"It's...not bad."

Ben couldn't help but beam at that, immediately returning the gem to the satchel as he continued to speak.

"I'll have to refine it and shape it, of course.  But I was thinking we could use a new centerpiece for our dining room table! It would pair nicely with the shimmering pebbles you found on a whim all those months ago."

Shane hummed agreeably, gazing at Ben absentmindedly.  After a moment, he reached over, a smooth hand gently caressing his ivory mask as he brushed some dust off of Ben's cheek.  Ben turned over to Shane, curious.

"Well...let's head inside," Shane suggested.  "I've kept the stew simmering on the stove for long enough.  Any longer and the whole thing will be burnt."

Ben nodded, his frame relaxing with comfort and relief.

. . . . .

"That's a new one."

Ben glanced over from his shelves, looking over to see Shane staring up at his newest drawing.  His figure seemed strangely ethereal, the orange glow of the candles on the desk reflecting off the numerous glass jars crowding the wooden shelves and floors, creating flickers of light that cast him in tangerine and cobalt blue hues.  Shane was remarkably still, his chest slowly rising and falling as he gazed up at the tapestry, eyes wandering over the cryptic image.

"You like it?" Ben asked, walking over to glance at his own work.

"I think, but...what is it?"

"I'm not entirely sure.  It's one of the visions I had in a dream."

Shane fell silent at that.  Ben hesitated before continuing, forcing some chipperness in his voice.

"...I call them stars.  The bright things against the black.  They were so beautiful and vivid in my dreams.  I wish I could've shown you.  They shimmered like gems.  You would've loved it-"

"Did you call them that?"

"What?"

"Did you call them that? 'Stars?' Or was it that stupid being?"

There was a pause.

"...It was the being, yes."

Silence fell over them again.  Ben fidgeted with his hands, words stuck in his throat.  After a long moment, Shane spoke again.

"You have a lot of faith in a being without a name."

Ben glanced over at Shane.  Shane refused to look back.

"I...I don't have faith in them.  I just...think they're interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Yes.  They make me...curious.  I mean, I'm always curious, but you know...They make me reconsider the world through a different lens.  They make me eager to find more things the next day.  More relics.  More secrets."

"Yeah, well...not like you ever needed more motivation there."

"...I journal more now, thanks to them.  I'm noticing things.  Patterns in items and relics and creatures that I never used to notice before.  It's fascinating.  It makes me want to learn more."

"Mm."

"...You...you don't mind too much, do you?  I still make sure to keep my things out of your space.  Especially your reading nook.  I know to never mess with that-"