6 The Dreamscape (1/2)
She lays on the bed and tries to relax so sleep can overtake her. It takes a while. Hey! You try falling asleep in a creepy, crumbling mansion.
When she opens her eyes again she feels hazy.
This is definitely a dream. It's always weird when you're aware you're dreaming…
She tries to sit up and the first thing she notices is how much more different the room looks! It's a lot more lively for one thing. There's working lights and lots of fancy and elegant furniture. She recognizes some of it from Eve Gardenia's furniture catalog. Unfortunately, those stopped being in style over 10 years ago, a shame! Sophia once bought a nice dresser from this catalog… Anyways!
What stands out the most is the figure standing by the window.
She gets up from the bed and approaches them. ”Are you Darmae Farona?” Sophia asks.
The figure turns around and they seem to be young maid. She seems to be an elf or half-elf. This person's eyes are a very dark brown but they look slightly glassy. The bangs are messy and the hair is in a low ponytail. The uniform looks plain but neat. She is frowning slightly.
”Yes? I think so. No one's called me that in ages, but that sure does sound like my name.”
”Why did you answer my call?” she asks.
The ghost maid responds calmly with her own questions, ”Why did you make that call? Why did you pay attention to me? Why do you want to help me?” She sounds genuinely curious and confused.
Sophia doesn't heistate, ”I just want to help you because it's the right thing to do. I'm not someone who runs away from injustices!”
”...”
The ghost smiles. It's not creepy as it should be.
The smile is warm.
”You, remind me so much of her. Your heart is pure. I can feel that. I'm part elf you know? We're good at reading hearts. But I was never good at reading my own heart.”
Sophia doesn't really know what to say to that.
”Ahem- yes well. I am a pure-hearted, good person. Please, let me help you by telling me what you know.”
The ghost hums. Sophia takes that as an approval and continues with, ”What do you remember from your time here? Were the Johnsons good people? Did they treat you well?”
”Madame Johnson treated me well. She helped me greatly. I owe her so much... Sir, was distant and didn't care for me. I was just another maid to pay. I... must do a good job. I don't want to leave... I still need the money...”
”Huh? Money? For what exactly?” Sophia was really curious now.
”Money to live. My bakery needs money. Madame paid me well, she didn't want me to give up on my dream. I dream a lot of nothingness but I wanted to keep my bakery I wanted to keep making bread. I love bread, it's so heartwarming. It's home. I wanted...home... Madame was home...”
Sophia is starting to lose her so she asks something else. It's kind of insensitive and rash of her but extremely important!
”How did you die?”
”I'm dead? Of course, that makes sense. Why am I dead? I can't remember? Madame... where is she? She would know. She has to know! Where are they?!”
She's starting to panic!
Sophia is panicking too!
How is she supposed to tell her that the Johnsons' are dead?! That her beloved Madame died under circumstances she isn't even clear on! The only survivor of the Johnson family is the baby, who isn't a baby anymore. Bradley is the person who claims this, a man she barely trusts! How could Sophia possibly tell her all of this.
How could she break a broken soul even more?
Her hesitation is a bad mistake because the ghost maid grabs her shoulders and begins shaking her, trying to get an answer. ”Tell me what happened! Help me!”
Sophia tries to struggle but she has a surprisingly strong grip! So she decides to tell the truth.
”They... passed away. I am so very sorry. I truly am.”
The ghost lets go of Sophia after hearing that. She falls to her knees and starts sobbing and shaking uncontrollably! ”No!! No!!! Impossible! They can't be dead… she can't be gone! No no no. I won't.. believe this… She's… still here… I can't… reach you… Not gone… without you… I can't… here… you are… I feel it…”