This week's subject is "Dream-catcher," and the theme is "Race." While the idea for this one is definitely easy for me, I think I'll add a little twist to the prompt by adding a stylistic challenge as well: write a conversation that is entirely silent, wherein the character communicate using body language, rather than words.
Inspiration for the stylistic challenge to The 3 AM Epiphany, "Body English."
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Resistance.
No so much cold as chill, like a sheet of water.
Then he was through, into the warm dark on the other side.
This was like to be a nightmare, from the feel of it. He made a face, but began his work, soothing the fear, bringing little lights into being here and there, showing the darkness for that of night, not a prelude to captivity. When the dreamer brought footsteps, he added the cheerful chatter of excited voices, like those going to a game or a feast. The lights grew brighter.
He added smells. Warm dust. Aftershave. Barbecue.
The dreamer added more scents, some familiar, some indescribable. One was very distinct: horse.
Thundering hooves passed nearby, and the chatter rose to an excited roar. The lights solidified into a doorway opening into a concrete hallway, where the dreamer wandered, indistinct in form, but present in mind.
He sensed the presence of the other, and turned to find them standing in the dream. He was forced to materialize as well, gesturing for them to leave. She was thin and pale, but had an impish smile that made her seem mischievous, rather than sickly. She raised her eyebrows at him, then, without a word, started toward the illuminated door, toward which the dreamer was drifting.
Following quickly, and trying to stay away from the dreamer at the same time, he reached for her arm to stop her, to push her out of the dream, but she skipped out of reach, grinning even more widely than before. He gestured furiously for her to come away, to stay clear of the door, but rather than obeying, she stuck her tongue out at him, dodging through the doorway and into the bright light beyond just as the dreamer decided to go through the door as well.
Frustrated and worried that this would ruin the dream, he followed. If he spoke, if he drew attention to himself, the dreamer might realize the dream had been altered, and either descend into a nightmare once more or wake suddenly. Either way, it wouldn't end well.
*laughs to self* I've literally had this tab open on my work pc for about a week now, intending to actually slow down enough to read it, ponder, and comment on it, then sit down and write a counter-article using the same two words. Sadly, this hasn't happened yet. I'll settle for reading it, and commenting, but my own blog may have to go on a continued haitus for a little while. *reads post* *brain distracted because of hunger* Okay, I'll grab my lunch! *wanders off* *comes back with lunch* Okay, for real, I'm gonna read this! Hmm, that teacher called about the battery. I'd better set one aside for her the next time I walk over. *finds battery* Okay, reading post! Hmm, I'm missing a fork for my lunch. Be right back! Okay! Back now. :) 5 minutes answering questions in the teachers lounge. All for a plastic fork. It's very much a "if you give a mouse a cookie" routine around here! *begins to read post*
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I would enjoy having a dream catcher type person correcting dreams. I think the feeling I hate worst of all is the vulnerability in a dream, and/or blind panic. That's the sort of bad dreams that tend to stick around the longest, but a dream catcher who can alter dreams to pleasant ones sound awesome!
The character informs me that it's an exhausting job. I believe him.
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