Haven't you seen a spindle before?

[paradisamods]

And haven't you seen how dull and dreary the castle seems of late? The white walls seem almost grey and the marble floors have lost their shine. Even the chandeliers seem made of grimy glass. Perhaps that drowsy spell has even the mighty castle in its grasp. What a thought!

But today the sleepers have risen, all of them feeling an indelible call to shuffle and stumble toward the Insolitus. There is something most precious to them hiding behind that named door, and they would do all they can to protect it. Their eyes may be closed shut, their movements hindered by sleep, but they are keenly aware of anyone seeking to harm their most beloved treasure.

Voices of many sleepers, all of them monotonous, speak in unison:

“ You should have let sleeping dogs lie. ”
LINKS: OUTSIDE THE DOOR | TALK TO THE ENEMY | FIGHT THE ENEMY (Keep this to one thread!) | Start your own as you please!

Comments

[paradisamods]

"Pretty things, ugly things," it laughs some more, lowering its voice to tell him a secret. "Gross things too!"

[lightbranded]

"That is the pattern, I suppose," Will says vaguely. "The pretty and the ugly and the gross. The good and the noble and the cruel. All mixed up together, it is."

[paradisamods]

"Yours wasn't so bad," it shrugs, tugging at the strings wound about its spindle. "Yours wasn't gross."

[lightbranded]

"What of mine wasn't bad?"

Will tucks his hands into his pockets as he waits for the answer. Really, this was one of the more curious encounters he had had in the castle.

[paradisamods]

"Why do you want to be told what you already know?"

But when it smiles this time, its eyes seem much older than it looks. There's understanding in its gaze, but little sympathy. "You look too old for your age. I could show you how to grow young."

[lightbranded]

"Sometimes, I think it is best that some things be said."

Will straightens up at the change, and looks at the child with old eyes.

"I am the Youngest of the Old. This is how I was always meant to be, and I would not change it. But you already knew what my answer would be, I expect."

[paradisamods]

It shakes its head, then its age disappears. Only a child with cryptic words.

"I was old once, but not anymore. Look!"

[lightbranded]

"I can see. Will you always be like this now?"

And if so, Will wondered what that meant for all of the people here.

[paradisamods]

"As long as they sleep," though speaking of. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

[lightbranded]

"Perhaps I have already slept enough."

Will was slightly alarmed by the direction the conversation had taken.

"The others? Will they wake?"

[paradisamods]

"Why would you want them to wake up? Sleep is better."

[lightbranded]

"Sleep and dreams are well enough," Will says solemnly. "But one cannot dream one's life away. In the end a dream is nothing but a dream. It is waiting and patience and never truly experiencing the world. I think to sleep ones life away would be a truly terrible thing."

[paradisamods]

"Oh, they won't die. They won't even grow older."

It rises to its feet and starts pacing the room, poking the walls with the tip of its spindle. "A little sleep hurts no one."

[lightbranded]

"It is still not truly living." Will remembered the sadness of the Sleepers, and he remembered the pain of the Walker. He'd seen the pain and grief such a situation would bring.

"But they will not live."

Will stands and watches the child warily.

"What are you doing now?"

[paradisamods]

It shrugs, drawing random patterns on the wall with the spindle.

"I'm only borrowing. I'll put them all back where they belong. Promise."

[lightbranded]

"Why are you borrowing them?"

Will was having a difficult time understanding.

[paradisamods]

"I needed time and you have it in plenty."

It pats its face like an old woman examining her lack of wrinkles for once. "Just a little more time."

[lightbranded]

And when that time ends?

[paradisamods]

"There's no end, silly. That's the beauty of it here!"