Age 10
Trucy realizes that she can't sleep. It's about 1AM, and she can't do anything about it. Waking up Phoenix is a terrible idea, and Trucy knows it. So, she rolls over, and lies on her stomach, face pressed into her pillow.
Trucy tries lying completely still. It doesn't work. It never does. But she's exhausted, and just wants to sleep. She changes her position, sticks a leg out from under the quilt, but she can't fall back asleep.
Eventually, she gives up, and she wordlessly stands, making her way to the kitchen. As Trucy creeps by Phoenix's room, she listens for his telltale snore, before darting past into the kitchen.
There, she turns on a light, and makes a glass of warm milk. She drinks the whole thing, and somehow, feels much sleepier. Pleased, Trucy makes her way back to her room.
This time, when she lies down, it's different. She's floating softly, and is promptly whisked away from hardships. She falls asleep.
When Trucy opens her eyes, she is in a beautiful place. The skies are blue, the meadow is green, and the air is fresh. There are whispers in the wind that blows gently through her hair, and she likes it.
The voice in the wind asks her to walk. Trucy is a little nervous, but the voice is calm, and ever so soothing. She can't help but trust whoever is speaking to her. The gentleness of the voice is tempting.
And so she walks, in a dreamscape beyond imagination. The voice is beautiful, and it surrounds her. She feels happy, listening to the soft words from the air. It is peaceful, and she lets herself rest.
The voice is decidedly female, and Trucy listens to her speak sweet nothings, as she lets the warm sunlight wash over her body.
Trucy is pleased, and that is enough for her at the moment. She sits down on the warm, soft grass, and watches the butterflies that float around in the air. There's nobody around her, yet she doesn't feel alone. Her setting is far too enchanting to invoke loneliness.
Suddenly, a figure appears in the distance. Curious, Trucy walks towards them, hoping to catch a better view. As she gets closer, Trucy comes close to a girl.
The girl turns, and Trucy can't help but gasp. This is the most beautiful girl she has ever seen. An angelic face greets her, and Trucy smiles out of reflex.
The girl smiles too, a beautiful smile, and when she speaks, Trucy swears that spirits have descended upon the world to sing.
"Hello, dear Trucy. I see you have sought me out."
Trucy blinks, "I'm not sure what you mean."
The girl's laugh sounds like the tinkling of bells, "Well, you have found me now. I am proud. Many shy away. Clearly, you are brave."
Trucy realizes that this is the voice that has been singing to her in the wind, "I'm not brave…" She says, "I just… saw you."
The girl smiles again, tilting her head, "I haven't seen anyone in ages. I've been lonely."
"Well, I'm here now! I'll be your friend!" She pauses, before asking, "What's your name?"
The girl looks away, "I have a name… but it's been used too much. I suppose, you can call me Jiřina, if you must."
Trucy runs the name over in her mouth, "That's lovely."
Jiřina reaches out, and delicately caresses Trucy's face, "Come find me tomorrow night, when you sleep? I'll be waiting."
The world appears to ripple, as if a stone has been tossed across its smooth surface. Then suddenly, everything fades to darkness.
Trucy wakes, and feels well rested for the first time in ages. The sun is streaming in through her window, and she slowly gets up, moving into the kitchen.
Phoenix is sitting at the table when she walks into the kitchen.
"Morning, Truce." Phoenix yawns, "How'd you sleep?"
Trucy smiles, "Pretty good, actually."
Phoenix chuckles, "That's good."
Trucy wants to tell Phoenix about her dream, but something in her head is holding her back. Something tells her not to say anything.
'It will mess things up. Your daddy won't want you to see me. Please keep quiet.'
As much as Trucy wants to speak, she doesn't. She doesn't want to lose Jiřina. Though they've only just met, Trucy can feel the strong potential for a friendship. Sure, Nicole isn't a bad friend, but she doesn't understand her. And cousin Pearl lives in Kurain, and Trucy almost never gets to see her.
So, despite her wants, Trucy remains silent.
Age 13
Trucy laughs, her head shaking, "Jiřina, that is not funny!" But her laughter gives her away, and Jiřina chuckles lightly.
"Don't worry, Trucy. It's not too bad. Okay, your turn. Tell me a story." Jiřina says.
Trucy thinks for a moment, "So today, Daddy was off investigating something. He won't tell me what, but I bet it's important."
Jiřina stiffens, "Your… daddy. Off again, is he? Let me guess, trying to clear his name?"
Trucy shrugs, "Probably. He's so secretive about it, and how he lost his badge and all. He'd never do anything bad, but…"
Jiřina puts a hand on Trucy's shoulder, "This is upsetting you. Let's talk about something else. I can tell you some interesting stories."
Trucy nods, and Jiřina launches into a story about a young woman, who committed a diamond heist when she was 14. Instantly, Trucy is enamoured.
"Her sister shot at her, and then, in a moment of panic, the girl jumped into the river, taking the diamond with her."
"No way!" Trucy gasps.
Jiřina nods, "Most people die in that river, but she swam downstream, where she was aided to safety."
"Who helped her?" Trucy asks, "A doctor?"
"Someone she had long since forgotten. But that is a tale for another night."
Jiřina falls silent. It's hardly what Trucy expects; before she knows it, Jiřina is holding hands with her. A warm feeling spreads through Trucy's body, and her face flushes. Jiřina smiles at her, stroking Trucy's red face.
"I-"
"Hush." Jiřina whispers, her brown eyes warm, "Just enjoy it."
Trucy swallows. She tries to assure herself that there are butterflies in her stomach because she's excited, but something doesn't feel right, and she's not sure what that is.
Still, Jiřina's calm smile is enough to ease Trucy for the time being.
The dream progresses from the hand holding. This whole situation has come from nowhere, but Jiřina continues as if nothing is wrong. Trucy's heart is beating fast, but she says nothing.
The butterflies in her stomach push upwards, and get caught in her throat. She feels helpless, as Jiřina pushes farther and farther.
Nothing bad is going to happen. Jiřina would never hurt me… right?
When Trucy wakes, she is coated in sweat.
"No…" She whispers. Trucy clutches her sheets, and scans the room, "She… that didn't happen. It was just a dream."
Lucky for her, Trucy doesn't have to lie in bed and think about it. It's almost 7am; not too early. Her feet brush her slippers, and she pushes her feet in, shuffling to the kitchen.
Phoenix is already sitting at the table, sipping grape juice.
"You're up early." He says gently, "Something on your mind?"
Trucy swallows, "I… Daddy… I had a…"
'Don't speak. He will not understand.'
"Trucy?" Phoenix prompts, "Are you okay?"
Trucy mutters, "Um… I want to call Aunt Maya. D-Do you mind?"
Phoenix blinks, narrowing his eyes, as though he might be suspicious, but he just says, "Not at all. Feel free."
Trucy takes the phone on the table, and goes back into her room, selecting the first number on speed dial. Usually, a call up to Maya meant sharing exciting news, or planning a trip to Kurain. Not this time.
"Master Maya of Kurain speaking." Maya speaks in a cheery tone. Trucy holds her breath.
I… Do I tell her everything?
"Aunt Maya? T-Trucy here." Trucy asks carefully, "Can I talk to you? If you're not busy."
Maya's tone changes, "Trucy? Er, are you sure you don't want to talk to Pearly?"
"No… I need help."
She can almost hear Maya frowning on the other end of the line, "Is Nick being a dummy about it? Of course I can help you. What is it?"
Trucy swallows, "Um… I had a dream."
From there, she carefully describes the dream. She leaves out Jiřina herself, and the fact that she's been dreaming of her since she was little. All she talks about is what happened after Jiřina took hold on her hand, and leads into the less than pure outcome that followed.
When she finishes, her face is flushed, and she can hear Maya's awkward mumbles on the other end.
Eventually, Maya breaks the silence, and says, "Well, Truce… I'm pretty sure that you're um… entering puberty. Some kids have dreams like this.. Look, don't be afraid to talk to Nick about it. He's an old fuddy-duddy, but I know that he can do some things right."
Trucy mutters, "But… what does it mean? The girl… she…"
"There's nothing wrong." Maya assures her, "Some girls like other girls. There's nothing wrong with that."
"O-Okay."
"You want to talk to Pearly? You don't have to mention any of this." Maya adds, just as Trucy is about to cut her off.
And so, Trucy talks to Pearl. She doesn't say anything about the dream, instead content to catch up with her friend.
When Trucy hangs up, she remembers something.
She didn't explain to Maya that she didn't enjoy Jiřina's advances.
When Trucy dreams again that night, Jiřina doesn't bring up her actions from the previous night. With Trucy too afraid to ask, it's almost as if the whole thing never happened in the first place.