vinodejerez | (no subject)

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I had another nightmare last night... One of those ones where you wake up right before you die.

I've had a lot of nightmares since ~~making friends with assassins and terrorists~~ ~~finding out my family is made of terrible people~~ joining the community. I wonder if that's normal.

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Well... I tend to sleep easier when I'm sharing a bed with someone close to me...

Aside from that, I try to spend my days keeping my mind constantly occupied, so that when I do fall asleep, I'll be too mentally exhausted to remember my dreams.

I'm too old to sneak in with Dad or Mom. That second one sounds good, though.

There's also valerian tea. It's a mild sedative with very few side effects. Sometimes it's enough to grant a dreamless sleep.

I'm certain the bad dreams will pass, in time. It might be a good idea to visit with friends and participate in activities which you enjoy, too.

I don't know when that's ever a bad idea.

Thanks. I'm Sherry Birkin.

It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. My name is Naoto Shirogane. I've heard a little bit about you from your father...

He talks about me? ...What'd he say?

[This is a bit awkward, actually...]

Sometimes, yes. I remember him saying that he... regrets not having been a better father to you...

He could start changing that, if he wanted to. I'm not gone anymore.

People can be slow to change. Mostly because change can be frightening... We get so comfortable with the current situation, that when presented with a new way of living, we often shy away from it.

I hope that he's come to realize that there's no reason to be afraid of changing. It's not too late for him to be a better parent...

I really hope so too. I mean, I'm used to him being what he is, but some change would be nice.

I think he's changed a little, since facing his Shadow. At least now he's aware of the feelings he's kept suppressed for so long...

Shadow?

It's, um... something unique to my world. A Shadow is a representation of all the thoughts, feelings, and desires that one keeps suppressed. The more one suppresses these feelings, the stronger the Shadow becomes. If the person from which the Shadow was born refuses to accept their Shadow... then the Shadow will seek to devour their host.

About half a year ago, the community transformed many members of the community into Shadows. Your father was one such victim.

But he's okay now, so he must have accepted it.

Exactly. As far as I know, everyone managed to conquer and accept their Shadows. And most people learned something from their experience, too...

Still, I would have preferred it if he hadn't had to risk his life to learn that.

It's not as though he wanted to... It's something the community inflicted on everyone...

Does he have to be here? If he weren't a part of the community, he'd be safe, wouldn't he?

Well... most people didn't join the community on purpose. They were sort of... drawn here, I suppose. And no one can ever truly leave unless the community decides to let you go...

They don't have to write stuff if they don't want to.

That's very true... But the community has ways of broadcasting videos of members without their knowledge. It's rather inconvenient.

I think I've seen that. It sounds like it's hard to deal with.

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