#💤 once upon a dream ; threads

[sleeplessrose]

who: aurora & @dreamyphillip where: echo island hospital

Perhaps this had been why her fairies had kept her inside for so long. For how long she wanted to believe that people were good, that the dangers they'd warned her of were simply falsities to keep her content with what had already been decided of her, it had unfortunately been all along true. It was how she'd wound up in the hospital, alone, after being nearly trampled while people had begun to flee from the boardwalk and to safety. With her limbs scraped, and a cut on her head that had thankfully been stitched, Aurora quietly slipped out of her bed, hoping that the nurses wouldn't notice her absence while she simply wanted to take a stroll down the hall, just to get out of the room she'd been cooped up in for hours.

If anyone were to find her, she would be in trouble, but Aurora could hardly care. There were far too many people in the hospital for anyone to be worried about one missing patient with minor wounds when there were bigger problems to take care of. She'd nearly made it to the desk near the elevator when she saw him--Phillip, speaking to the nurse behind it. Her socks suddenly glued to the floor, she could hardly believe the sight of him: he was clearly fine, thankfully, but she couldn't imagine what he'd be doing here, now, if he didn't need to be. She met his eyes for what felt like an eternity, but could only hope was a split second, not long enough for him to recognize her. Perhaps this was all a dream, and that was all Aurora could hope as she spun on her heel, deciding that leaving her room was a terrible idea after all.

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora had heard of the people who'd hunted those who were magical before, though she hadn't been aware of just how that would translate into action. This had been brutal--it must've been one of their more deadly attacks, from what the older woman had said. Of course, she knew her fairies were on the list of those who could be hunted, though Aurora couldn't quite tell herself what had been wrong with her for years, the hyper-realistic nightmares that had plagued her. "I've heard of them," she commented, though Aurora guessed she would probably know more if it hadn't been for her life of confinement. "You think the borders will open?" The blonde sat up a bit, suddenly more interested in their conversation than ever. It had been off the Isle that Aurora had been able to sleep, to feel like she could wander without being forced to stay within her four walls. She'd never thought of herself as the kind of person to run away, but it certainly wasn't out of the question, depending on who her parents were going to make her marry. "I used to live off the island, with my aunts," she explained, "I'd enjoyed it, but when we'd heard about the borders closing, I'd wanted to come back. I don't see my parents a lot, but it was the option of having them close --not being able to even be near them had been unimaginable, so I'd asked to come back, but ... as they say, the grass is always greener elsewhere."

༝༝༝ ⚰ ༝༝༝

Her positivity was something Mal admired in her, wondering how long she could have that outlook on life until the harsh realities of the world soured it. The fae herself had once experienced a life where she saw the world as her oyster and that everything had a reasonable purpose. That mindset was ripped from her as was her mother's wings. While it was Aurora's father that Maleficent had to thank for that, this wasn't the time to start revealing her own tragic backstory. "Doesn't mean they shouldn't also be making sure you're alright." It was a job she'd taken on herself, plotting herself beside the bed with her eggroll still in hand. "Of course, my treat." There was a lot more coming but she reserved her thoughts for after the blonde had eaten something. Instead, the conversation shifted to the very thing that had brought Aurora into harm's way which the raven-haired woman knew more about than she let on at first. It was time she knew the truth or at least, that part of it and the reality many of the Isle residences faced. "Not the individuals but the group behind it is that of hunters," she began, finishing the snack she'd snagged. "This isn't the first time and it won't be the last. They usually only want those who are different, who are... magically inclined, if you will." That was one way of putting it but from the very same curse she'd placed, she knew Aurora would understand. "This is the first time I've seen them take so many risks by opening fire with so many humans around but it shows promise for the borders opening. Something good to come of this unnecessary slaughter, I suppose." Though Mal didn't see it as quite an even trade, they needed the breakthrough.

[abeerohome]

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[sleeplessrose]

who: aurora & @princefinnick where: finnick's gallery

There weren't many places that she was allowed to go while she was back on the island, out of fear of running into her parents, but Aurora had convinced her fairies that a local art gallery was safe enough. Though she didn't know her parents very well, she hadn't ever picked up on an interest in the arts. It was nice to be out and about without having to keep her eyes on who was around her at all times. Aurora wasn't a very talented artist herself, but she could appreciate looking at the portraits and landscapes that lined the walls. She'd been to this particular gallery before, but it seemed that they'd changed out some of the pieces since she'd last visited. "Excuse me," she said carefully, approaching a man who held a clipboard in his hand. He looked rather official, and Aurora thought she'd seen him around the gallery before; perhaps he worked there. "Would you mind directing me toward the sculpture garden? I've been here before, but I memorized my way by the old pieces that used to be here," Aurora explained with an embarrassed laugh.

[sleeplessrose]

who: aurora & @morrigandiaval where: the farmer's market

With a basket of flowers in tow, Aurora was headed home from her day at the farmer's market. It had taken a few trials with Flora before she was allowed to go alone, the threat of seeing anyone who might know who she was considered eliminated. As much as she loved them, it was nice to get out by herself, to take her time and sift through just which booths she wanted to buy from, to make a menu for the week in her head before deciding what to make. Content with her choices, Aurora was on her way back to begin making dinner for herself and the other three women whom she lived with before she recognized a familiar head of hair off to her side. There was something only slightly off-putting about the boy who seemed to find her whenever she was out and about, but Aurora craved the company too much to pay much mind to it. "You again?" she greeted with a grin, nudging his shoulder as she brought her path closer to his. "Were you just at the market, too? The selection was beautiful today, the last of the summer before everyone shifts to fall."

[sleeplessrose]

He was cryptic, but Aurora could tell from his answer that he was friends with Phillip. It hurt her heart a bit to know that he was in as much pain as she had been, but she knew, deep down, it was for the best. Cutting things where they had was for the benefit of them both, leaving neither of them in a mess with their respective fiances, whoever they may be. But if Phillip hadn't offered up that information himself to his friend, then was it really her place to tell? "It's a long story," she replied simply, keeping things as surfaced-level as he had been giving her. "Is he doing alright now? I haven't, um--we haven't spoken, in a while."

She wondered whether he was the same type of hunter her family was, or if he truly was just here to catch his dinner. Either way, Aurora didn't particularly like the way he disturbed the woods that had become her home so much. "Well, I'm sorry if I distracted you. I was just out here getting these for my aunts," she explained, "I live with them, just on the edge of the forest."

"No, you don't," he shook his head, followed by a slight smirk. "But I know you," he chuckled. At this point, Ronno felt like he knew her somehow, especially since Philip talked to him about her frequently. Between the two friends, Philip was more traditional—the type of guy who'd ask a girl for a date and bring flowers to her doorstep. Meanwhile, Ronno was the type to bring the girl to his bed, a form of devotion, as he was never one to trust easily. "You see, a few days ago, I saw him quite devastated," he began, trying to find some answers that his friend refused to give him. "Why so?" he continued to ask her, hoping to gain some clarity and perhaps find a solution to wake his friend up from his own misery. The Hunters weren't quite the same because of his energy, and everyone somehow felt that.

"I hunt," he explained nonchalantly, as if it were the most normal thing to do. For the most part, that explanation was sufficient. He was a hunter, anyway; as for what was being hunted, that was a topic for another conversation. "Oh, yeah, well, I like venison," he admitted, though that was a complete lie. He found deer quite charming. "Figured I'd have some for dinner."

[sleeplessrose]

who: aurora & @dreamyphillip where: phillip's house

To ring in a new year with other people was truly one of the most exciting things Aurora could think of. Each person hoping for a new beginning once the clock struck midnight, brought together by the prayer that the year would be spent with the people who surrounded them. Her parents used to throw little parties for it when she lived with them, but ever since she'd been sent away, there had been truly only one thing she'd ever wanted for the new year: to spend it somewhere dancing, laughing, and loving without a single care in the world. It'd finally come true with the announcement that a large party would be thrown, to which Phillip insisted she would come with him. It had taken an unprecedented amount of convincing, but she got her fairies to agree to accompany her in human size to keep watch so that she could have one last, final night with her dream boy.

She still hadn't told him that it was supposed to be their final time together, on the account of the unnamed fiance that she was supposedly to meet sometime in the next year. Aurora had tried to ignore the sadness that had been eating her alive the first half of the evening, but once Phillip had suggested that they end the night somewhere more quiet, the grief was nearly all-consuming. She attempted to hold it in the entire car ride to his house, an offer that would've been accepted with unmatched joy if he was truly hers. Instead, she was silent nearly the entire way, about to burst at the seams with her secret the moment they settled in.

"This is beautiful," she commented, taking in the sight of where he lived for the first time. It would be rude to start on such a somber note, she thought. Plus, she was desperate to shove it all back into her heart and never have to tell him the truth. "Phillip, I--there's something I have to tell you, that you should know. But, I want to preface with saying how deeply sorry I am that I haven't told you sooner. I don't even want to say it now, but my aunts told me I have to. I suppose I just ... I didn't want to lose all of this," Aurora started, offering a small, sad smile.

[sleeplessrose]

who: aurora & @dreamyphillip

where: near a pond, the enchanted forest

Ever since the one afternoon when she'd met the stranger on a walk in the woods, Aurora had found herself going back every few days since. It'd only been a few weeks ago, but she'd yet to stumble upon him again, the man whose name she hadn't even gotten the first time. The path was just off the pond not too far from the house where she lived with the fairies, accessible from their yard. Every few days, she'd bring a book along with her and hope to perhaps cross paths again with him.

She hadn't told her caretakers about him yet, in part due to the fear that he was just a dream, someone who she'd met once who would now exist solely in her head. Except, as she hummed to herself and flipped through the pages whilst sitting on her favorite bench, something shifted in her surroundings, someone's footsteps approaching. For a moment, Aurora couldn't tell if he was real, but upon taking another look down at her book and back up again, it was clear as day: it was him, the person she'd been waiting for. Instinctively, she shut her book without even putting in its mark, and stood for a moment, only to take her seat once she realized he was walking over. "It's you," she blurted, stating the obvious as he reached her. "I thought I'd never see you again. Hello, stranger," Aurora greeted with a grin she didn't even attempt to suppress.

[sleeplessrose]

tag dump!

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora nodded her head at the girl, glad that it seemed like she had her trust for now. From what it seemed, she'd been through hell and back; to trust a stranger on the path was a brave choice. "Okay, I can certainly get you there. I know the way from where I live, if you wouldn't mind passing by that way so we can get back into town." Aurora still hadn't mastered the art of getting around the back roads into town since she didn't see the reason to go in public all too much, especially when it was so highly discouraged for her to do just that. She tipped her head in the other direction, beginning to walk the correct way--past her cottage and down the path she knew best.

It looked like the girl had been through quite a bit, from the way she was dressed to the emotional response from even just seeing the blonde. "I'm Aurora, it's lovely to meet you. I'm sure it would've been even better under different circumstances, but I'm simply glad I found you, to help." The brunette was so focused on getting back. to her sister, so much so that it seemed to bypass the thought of any parents. Though Aurora didn't have siblings, she did see the way her aunts interacted, and she could tell the bond they shared was a unique one. "Your sister, of course. I'm so sorry, I wish we could call her, but I prefer to leave my phone at home while on a walk. We'll get you there as soon as we can, though."

Though the woman was a stranger, her face was the best thing Dot may have ever seen in her life. This was real, this was happening. Someone was here to help her. She was going to get out of this damn forest and back to her sister. What happened after that, she had no clue. A small part of her brain was more than aware that there would likely be repercussions from Hopper for her escaping, but she ignored that little voice. No way was she about to allow herself to remain kidnapped for who knows how much longer when the opportunity to be free had presented itself. As the blonde places her hand onto Dot’s shoulder, the brunette’s eyes begin to tear up. It was such a simple move of comfort, but after the past few days she’s had, it meant the world.

Nodding her head, Dot sniffled a bit and tried to calm herself down, but it was hard. She’d just been held against her will for half a week and now she was finally hopefully on her way to freedom - it was justifiable to be a bit emotional. “I’m fine. Really, I’ll be alright. I just need my sister. I have to get to my sister,” she answers, fully focused on just getting to Atta and nothing else. “I know my way around town - I just, I don’t know how to get there. I feel like I’ve been running through these trees for hours.” Which she potentially actually had, though she had no way of knowing since her phone had been taken from her long ago.

[sleeplessrose]

This was real, and Aurora wasn't in a dream. She could at least breathe a bit of a sigh of relief knowing that much. The two hadn't interacted much when the other girl came into her sleep, whenever she was able to find some, but her face was awfully familiar. The girl had been merely a spectator to what was happening around her, the atrocities that kept her from ever really getting any rest. It had been difficult to describe just how tumultuous they were to anyone who had never truly been inside her head, but the girl here now knew just what that looked like.

"No, it's quite alright, thank you for coming to introduce yourself. I'm Aurora," she replied, returning the light pulse on her hand. "All of them are like that, I'm afraid. I don't sleep very much, as I'm sure you can understand. I don't quite know how to calm them down. Instead, I just try to avoid it, or make sure one of my aunts who I live with will wake me before they can get too violent."

“I’m real,” Alice quickly assured the other woman, feeling apologetic for causing her to doubt her sense of reality; she knew firsthand how discombobulating such a thing could be. It might have been wiser not to even approach Aurora outside of her dreams, but this was a new experience for Alice as well. Her self-preservation instinct had always been outweighed by her curiosity; she couldn’t resist revealing her magical affiliation to a stranger with the trade-off of getting the chance to meet someone she had first encountered in a dream. This was simply too intriguing.

“I have this curious little ability to wander into other dreams when I sleep, you see,” she explained the how in short, rushing to add, “I’m sorry for bothering you, and—I don’t usually interfere in any of the dreams I find myself in, but yours was so…it was a nightmare. It was just unbearable. Are you all right?” She reached for Aurora’s hand, seeking a reassuring squeeze.

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora hadn’t meant to cause it stir at the bookshop. There had been few places her fairies had told her were safe to be at, and this had been one of them. It was quite nice, to wander around the aisles anonymously, like she hadn’t a care in the world while she scanned the spines. Asking them to go search for titles had been irritating in the past, but now, she could at least handle herself to stop in the one shop and come back home. That was what they’d expected of her, and what she'd planned for herself until now. Nothing had happened before on a simple stop at Rose's that was notable as this. But, when she heard her future title, Aurora couldn’t help but spin around and hope the man was wrong.

“I’m sorry?” Aurora asked, praying this wasn’t truly him. She’d hoped for someone more kind looking, perhaps like Phillip. Someone who could take care of her through the years, and wouldn’t approach her out of the blue to ruin her parents’ plan. “No, you—I’m sorry, you can’t be. Did my parents send you? Nor that … if you’re telling the truth, I’m so sorry, but I just have to verify, that you know who I am, and you're telling the truth."

//closed starter @sleeplessrose

Gaston had his usual flowers at hand, ones LeFou had picked because he couldn't be bothered to drop by a flower shop to buy such delicate items of waste anyway. He didn't understand why flowers had to be something women considered romantic, but perhaps he'd play the game as long as Belle found it charming. Despite his antics with many women, he was still set on marrying Belle, and he didn't care how long it took. After all, he was also taking his time enjoying his experience as a bachelor anyway.

Upon opening the door, the front desk was empty, so he looked around for the brunette beauty until he stumbled upon someone familiar instead. With his flower in hand, he figured he'd mess with her. She was too gullible for her own good, and he wanted to have some fun.

"Hey, fiancée," he teased, offering the flowers to Aurora. Though she wasn't the one he was going to marry, Gaston assumed she would believe it if he said she was. Was it a sick prank? Definitely. Did he enjoy it? More than ever. "What's that look on your face? Aren't you happy to see me?" he chuckled slightly.

[sleeplessrose]

Something had changed over the time in which Aurora had been let out of her cottage, and she couldn’t pretend like the boy who seemed to pop out of every corner didn’t exist. Morie was good company; regardless of where he came from, and even if he made her feel a tad uneasy, she was starting to think perhaps that was her own fault. Maybe her was simply better at being social than she was, and it was about time that she caught up. She didn't have many friends, though Aurora desperately wished to begin to change that--who was she to deny a friend who had practically fallen into her lap?

“Morie,” she greeted with a grin, her walk barely taking her out of the forest before he could suggest that they find their way somewhere else. Aurora had read quite a few books in her time in the cottage, including some things about the stars, though she hadn’t found enough significant to warrant needing someone examining her own readings. “I could come with you to see your readings,” she offered. “I’d love to know your make-believe, yes. Sounds rather exciting to me.” With little control over her future to begin with, Aurora didn't know if she wanted to meddle with someone who could predict it for her. "Where's this festival being held?"

//closed starter @sleeplessrose

Morie had been unusually upbeat lately. Suffice to say, he was infatuated—delighted—and it felt as if his heart was now truly alive, even after all these years. While tasked with checking up on Aurora, he figured he wouldn’t bother hiding this time. Morie set out to greet her during her random walks, completely unbothered by his spontaneous presence.

"Hi, Aurora," he greeted, nonchalant yet still exuding positivity. Aurora, as usual, returned his greeting and began to ask questions. "You know what? I heard there’s a festival in town. They’re talking about magic stones and tarot cards," Morie said, sounding oddly excited, but he was simply trying to make his job easier for himself. If he was to watch over her, he might as well spend some time with her. "I've always been curious. Do you want to know your make-believe fate with me?" he asked, smiling slightly.

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora didn't have many friends, not beyond the women who she lived with, though she wasn't even sure that she could call them that. Finding company wasn't easy when she'd spent so much time by herself; she'd been rendered a bit shier than she had been as a child. Trying to find new ones wasn't easy, either, when there were so few opportunities to get. out of her house, though Aurora was hoping today's stop at the bookstore might be met with at least a bit of casual conversation. In the back of the store, she found just that, in the form of the blonde in the back corner. "Ella! Oh, how lovely to see you," she gushed, genuinely excited to see the girl who she considered an acquaintance now. "I've only been here a few times, though it's such a lovely little spot. I'll sit with you, if you'd like," Aurora offered, pulling her book out of her bag. "I was just here to see if any new arrivals caught my eye to bring home."

who: @sleeplessrose where: rose's books

She'd tucked herself into a corner so that she'd be able to read to herself, enjoying her day off the best way she could imagine. This was where she usually felt the closest to her father was when she had a hardback book in her hand and the scent of crisp paper surrounding her. Even as she switched pages in her novel her eyes would creep up to those passing by, curious as to where they were find themselves wandering that day. Normally it was a stranger or someone she'd seen around there a few times but today it was the curls of a beautiful blonde hue that caught her eye. These were familiar. She'd only met Aurora in a few passings at events though after having a delightful conversation about baking, Ella even offered to make her a birthday cake that year after hearing about the lopsided one her aunt had made her one year. Something about the idea was kind of beautiful to her, so much so that Ella wanted to attempt a version of her own. "Aurora? Don't tell me you're also a bookworm," she asked, smiling while getting to her feet and holding up her book for the blonde to see. "This is where I come sometimes on days off to read in the back, I am surprised I haven't seen you around before."

[sleeplessrose]

There were few people who Aurora considered friends out there, the fault of unfortunate circumstance. But, there was one person who she knew could both cheer her up and hopefully empathize with her current situation. In truth, she didn't quite know whether Finnick truly wanted to get engaged to Pacifica Northwest or not, but at least he might understand the pressure of a public engagement. Either way, it was nice to know that there was someone out there who might care about her wellbeing beyond her fairies and her parents--though she hadn't seen them in the past ten years to confirm whether even that was still true.

"You've been at this one quite a while," she greeted quietly, though it took a moment for Finnick to turn around and register her presence. Aurora stepped forward to where he was, returning the grin before it faltered with his hopefully rhetorical question. She offered him a shrug, turning the topic toward him before she could comment on her own struggle. "Well, I hope not too much for you. I should be congratulating you, shouldn't I?"

//closed starter @sleeplessrose

To be spoken for meant a life guided by a script—this was Finnick's reality, much like that of most wealthy bachelors on Echo Isle who needed to safeguard their substantial wealth. He had understood this responsibility early on, but when the moment arrived, it proved as challenging as anticipated. Pacifica appeared to be a perfectly pleasant girl—well-educated, with good style, hailing from a reputable family with strong ties to his own. On the surface, he had nothing to complain about. Nevertheless, she was still a stranger, and he felt as though he was ensnaring her in a charade—a marriage where she would inevitably tolerate him, perhaps leaving someday, a idea he secretly hoped for.

As Finnick stared at a canvas adorned with blues and greys, a lone dandelion amid the gray caught his attention, leaving him intrigued. How could something so delicate and beautiful emerge in the midst of the mundane? His gaze remained fixed on it, hands in his pockets, lost in his thoughts until another voice joined him, accompanied by the soft, familiar smile he recognized. "It's nice to see you again," he acknowledged with a slight bow, returning her smile. "I suppose it's been a challenging few weeks for both of us, hasn't it?"

[sleeplessrose]

To think that she was here with the boy of her dreams, quite literally, was unbelievable. Aurora had doubted whether she would even find him again in the forest, nevermind be invited to the ball with him. When she'd told her fairies about him, though, they'd desperately tried to keep her away, revealing that she was, in fact, betrothed. Aurora was to marry someone when she reconnected with her family, once the borders re-opened. The news had been devastating, leaving her feeling like she had everything in reach, yet it moved further away by the minute.

It was against her better judgement that she accepted Phillip's invitation. Aurora wasn't even supposed to be seen in public at all, but she had her aunts fashion her an elaborate mask that would cover all but her signature blonde curls that Flora had insisted was pulled up in a bun. She could live out her happy ending for a night, they'd agreed, and then, she would leave it as just that: the end. It devastated her to think that this could be the last time she saw him besides just in passing at their spot in the woods. There had to be another way to keep her dream boy in her life, if only Aurora could figure that out for herself tonight.

Her last name uttered from behind her, Aurora turned to the only person who called her as such. "Hello, Phillip," she replied, taking his hand with her empty one, as the other held a nearly empty glass of punch. It was the first time she had anything with alcohol in it, and Aurora was left feeling suddenly overwhelmed with the excitement of seeing him that she immediately laced her fingers in his. "A wonderful idea, I think. I could use the air. I don't think I've ever been in a room with quite so many people before, have you?"

It was hard to articulate exactly what it felt like when the person you’ve been thinking about for the past month exceeds the interpretation one has had of them in their mind. Phillip wasn’t even sure that was possible, and yet here Rose was, doing exactly that. He’d assumed his idea of her was so grand that it was easier to be let down whenever they met once again so that he could be fine with letting her go. But just then, that continuing of quotes left him with an insane hypothesis, an idea so unsound but felt right to him, that Rose could be his soulmate. The whole falling in love at first sight theory he tried to convince himself was untrue, may have been entirely possible in this case.

-timeskip to masquerade-

Phillip had been keeping secrets from Rose and that didn’t sit right with him, not only had he been keeping his family’s name undisclosed but the matter of his arranged marriage weighed on him with every passing moment he shared with her. He still didn’t want to believe that would be happening but with the plans for betrothal coming into more immediate effect, he’d have to face the truth sooner or later, and later wasn’t really a suitable option for him. He'd expected the drink he'd gotten from the punch bowl would've helped alleviate some stress but it only worsened the burden to the point he felt he had to confess a truth even if it meant the loss of something that, for once, felt impossibly perfect.

Relocating his date wasn't a problem for him, he could spot her out in a crowd of thousands. The real trick was finding an excuse to take her away from the fun she looked like she was having. "Rose," Her beauty entranced him every time she glanced his way. Even with some of her face concealed with a mask, it was hard not to get lost in her eyes. Yet he had to. "Would you mind taking a walk outside with me?" He held out his hand, almost hoping she'd say no so that he wouldn't have to ruin her night with the truth.