Squinting at thewake

[in_the_night]

Are you sure that you have time for a game? Or even time to write the application? It's cutting it extremely close, after all. I wouldn't want to impose on you. Perhaps take some time to make sure everything is in order. I would hate to be an inconvenience to you.

Besides, my creator needs me. I can't imagine leaving her behind; who would look after her while I was away? She's only eight, Mundane. She really can't be unsupervised. Remember the time she tried to bake a cake and it took us an hour to clean up? The waffle in the DVD player - admittedly, she was younger then, but still, the point I wish to make is that things tend to happen when she's left to her own devices. Many good things, many creative things, but she has moments understood only by her. And perhaps even she wonders.

At least get your school work done before working on an application. And eat something that's not junk food! You need to take care of yourself.

Comments

[dimeliora]

Not sure if this is gonna make you feel better or not, but time freezes in your world while you're away at Mindscrewopolis.

[in_the_night]

Oh. Thank you for telling me, Miss. That's a great relief. My creator can be a bit of a handful; I love her, don't get me wrong, I just worry for her sometimes.

[dimeliora]

Creator, hm?

[A curious look.]

And who exactly's your creator?

[in_the_night]

She's a sweetheart; I used to be her imaginary friend before she made me real. Addy is a lovely girl. A bit energetic, but most children are.

[dimeliora]

[Huh. That actually gives Irene a bit of pause in surprise - it's an intriguing case she's never heard of, before.]

Made you real, huh? Rewind a bit for me here, Slick - how does that work, exactly?

[in_the_night]

She believed absolutely that I was real. She never doubted me and she wanted other people to see me. So I became real. At first I couldn't touch anything, but as more people saw me and talked to me, I became solid and stronger.

[dimeliora]

Ah, so you're like a thoughtform, then. That's actually pretty interesting; she must have really loved you a lot.

[in_the_night]

She does. Addy is my best friend; she's the closest thing to family I have. Her mother took a while to get used to me, and I think the neighbors still just think I'm an oddly dressed babysitter, but life is good.

[dimeliora]

I can imagine. But is that a normal thing that goes on in your world? Where imaginary friends just kinda spring to life from a kid's noggin?

[in_the_night]

No. No, as far as we can tell, this hasn't happened before. Which is why it took a while for people to get used to my presence. Thankfully, people have just accepted me as an eccentric of sorts. And I mostly watch after Addy and keep the house clean, anyway; it's not as if I need the world's approval.

[dimeliora]

Well, long as no one's locking the kid up for science or calling for a witch hunt, then I guess it all worked out.

You'll probably fit right in at the city if you end up going there.

[in_the_night]

No one's ever going to lock Addy up again. That's why I exist. I protect her. She's my precious little girl.

My mun may not have time to get my application in on time; life can be rather busy for those college types. But I thank you for the encouragement, Miss...?

[dimeliora]

...I'm glad she got out of that situation. Probably a good thing she has you around to protect her.

[Irene gives a nod.]

Yeah, not sure whether to tell you to count your blessings or not, but I'll take the thanks just the same.

Name's Irene.

[in_the_night]

I keep her safe now. The past is relegated to the occasion nightmare that can be solved with cookies, milk and some hugs.

Nice to meet you, Irene. Are you not happy being in the game?

[dimeliora]

[Irene chuckles at that.]

Universal cure for all that ails a kid, usually.

[At that, she pauses.]

That depends on the aspect. City, I couldn't give a damn less about. Some of the people there, though, they make it worth it.

[in_the_night]

Watch you language- sorry. Habit from working with children.

Would you say the good outweighs the bad, ultimately?

[dimeliora]

[That just gets a wry half-smile from Irene.]

[At the question, she pauses.]

I'd say it's... confusing. My mun's hoping that it'll lean that way, but a life with normal friendships and doing normal things is kind of a new one for me.

[in_the_night]

Everyone should have friends. Normal is a relative term. It's living happily that matters.

[dimeliora]

Aha, that might not be so simple as you think, chief.

[Or at least in her mind, it's simple enough only for those who deserve it.]

But I think the people there do make it... bearable.

[in_the_night]

I was made by a six year old. Sometimes I look at things simply. But sometimes, that's a good thing.

[dimeliora]

Point taken, but some things just take... time, I guess.

[in_the_night]

Would you like a hug?

[dimeliora]

...what.

[Someone's not used to hugs, oops.]

[in_the_night]

You just seem like you might need one. That's all.

[dimeliora]

I'm all right on that venue, sweetheart.