Les falls asleep, but there is something different here. Something less dreamlike, more… tangible. It feels like the ‘dreams’ they’ve had when they see sg!peace. They’ve been here before. They don’t wish to be back.
They examine the building, the gold blocks, the cascading water, the lights… it’s old, a place that once held excitement but now only contempt.
“What do you want?” Les’ expression is dark, almost annoyed. It has been too long since they have been here. And the last time was not pleasant.
A low voice chuckles goodnaturedly. “What I’ve always wanted to do _____, help.”
They run a finger over the old buttons, that have been there forever but will never wear down. “Last time you… you’ve only made my life worse. Your help was a scam.”
The voice speaks again. “Don’t sulk because I was right. If you had just…”
It’s cut off by Les, snapping. “Left everything I love? Is that what you’re going to tell me again? To cut myself off, don’t let myself stay, my power shouldn’t manifest in this way?”
There are repressed feelings here, ones of anger and betrayal. Maybe Les believes his words to be true. Maybe they resent that they didn’t leave in time… that they didn’t listen…
Les shakes their head. “You don’t get to tell me you’re here to help. Not when you don’t. You don’t help to decode anything, your advice is always the worst thing for me to do, I- why am I back here?”
“You needed some help.” The voice is calm, despite the tension radiating all over the building. “There seems to be much happening as of late. You should take some guidance.”
“Tell me what’s wrong then. Stop being cryptic and just tell me the answers.” There is a sadness to Les’ voice. They just want to be able to help and ?????? wasn’t allowing them to.
“I am doing all that I can. But you alone must decode Your Gift.”
Les looks defeated. They know this. They have always known this.
“How can you help me if I have nothing to start with?”
“You have been gifted with so much knowledge. Use it.” The voice is stern, but kind. “Do not wallow in self pity, it will not help.”
“I know that.” Les sounds frustrated, voice getting softer as they continue. “It’s not so easy, especially when everything is in front of you, inevitable but also never set in stone. I just want something to be easy again.”
The voice softens as well. “You’re doing your best.” A pause “You know who you are… that will always allow you to find what is needed.”
Les sits on the floor, cross legged like the first time they were here. The soft rush of memories they can only describe with positive words come over them. The first time… the last… all in perfect detail.
“How do you know? You claim to know me but I barely even know who, or what, you are.”
The voice admits a low chuckle. “I am simply the narrator to your story, the conductor to your symphony. I do not act any scenes or pull any strings, that is for you, instead I simply document it. And give you aid if I must.”
A beat.
“I know you dear _____. I have watched you grow up. You were Chosen for a reason, I believe in you.”
“I’m glad one of us does.” Insecurity has settled in, Les feeling unable to do anything. They haven’t for a while.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve already done so much. And you will do so much more.”
Les wants so desperately to agree with him, to just say that he is right and continue on with their conversation, but they keep getting stuck. This is a place of solace, it should be anyways, but it doesn’t sooth them now.
Don't run, I was wrong. [The voice sounds remorseful] The next time you see me, I can tell something would have changed, something big.
As Les wakes up, the mindscape fades into their room and the weirdly unfinished conversation plays on their mind. They don’t write it down, they don’t need to.
These kinds of dreams never fade