5 min read
Learning to Feed
June 12, 2017
Meeting LuLu made Ryder think. Was he so wrong to wish to feast upon Reuben's dreams? He felt it weird considering it wasn't something he could physically touch and bring to his mouth like the molding and expired food he'd become accustomed to eating every day.
"I can't see it, I can feel it ... Warm and heavy. Right here."
That scene played out in his imagination time and time again. He imagined LuLu hovering her hand over her chest with a look of desire on her face as she chomped down on the creativity over her GramGram knitting. It brought a smile to the frei's face, but he wished he knew what it was that drew him to Reuben's dreams, his mind, and even the minds of others.
Reuben's dream was just the first time he had ever felt a twinge of hunger that deep all those months ago. Of course, he didn't ever do anything, for he wasn't sure what that twinge was. But, looking back, it was definitely hunger. Since then, he'd become accustomed to this twinge whenever someone nearby had a sudden "eureka" moment, a new idea, or was day (or night) dreaming. He just never knew what to do with these small twinges. Should he actually accept it, would he feel that warm and heavy fuzzy feeling in his chest too? It was food for thought.
Ryder vowed that the next time he felt this ache in his chest, he'd accept it, he'd voluntarily take whatever this ache was and allow it to envelop him; he always knew it was calling to him, but never once did he think to take it in. What Ryder didn't know is, the twinge was coming soon.
"I can't see it, I can feel it ... Warm and heavy. Right here."
That scene played out in his imagination time and time again. He imagined LuLu hovering her hand over her chest with a look of desire on her face as she chomped down on the creativity over her GramGram knitting. It brought a smile to the frei's face, but he wished he knew what it was that drew him to Reuben's dreams, his mind, and even the minds of others.
Reuben's dream was just the first time he had ever felt a twinge of hunger that deep all those months ago. Of course, he didn't ever do anything, for he wasn't sure what that twinge was. But, looking back, it was definitely hunger. Since then, he'd become accustomed to this twinge whenever someone nearby had a sudden "eureka" moment, a new idea, or was day (or night) dreaming. He just never knew what to do with these small twinges. Should he actually accept it, would he feel that warm and heavy fuzzy feeling in his chest too? It was food for thought.
Ryder vowed that the next time he felt this ache in his chest, he'd accept it, he'd voluntarily take whatever this ache was and allow it to envelop him; he always knew it was calling to him, but never once did he think to take it in. What Ryder didn't know is, the twinge was coming soon.
"Ryder, I'll be in the shop if you need me!" Reuben called from his own bedroom as he made his way out the door to his workshop.
Oftentimes, Reuben would just yell to him, alerting him of his absence in the house. It was during these times that Ryder found himself at peace. Not because he didn't care for Reuben or the company, but just simply because he liked being alone with his muses and books. And if Reuben was out and about, Ryder had full reign over the house, the books, the trash can, everything.
Though, it was at this point that Ryder felt called to go outside in the back yard and spend some time under the gazebo. He liked going out there just to get away from it all, even if it was for only a few moments a day. He'd take his book and go relax and just enjoy the freedom given to him by Reuben. It was under the gazebo that many wonderful images came to him. It was a different world out there and he garnered so much inspiration from that place.
Draping his ribbon gingerly across the small outdoor wicker sofa that sat underneath the gazebo, the toadstool opened the book he was currently reading back up to where he had left off. His imagination roamed with the stories of dragons, sorceresses, elves, heroes, villains, and even the common folk within the book. Every sentence meant something to the frei.
Whilst he read, however, he felt that twinge from deep down in his chest. The one he promised himself he'd allow in. But how?
He quickly sat up and closed his book, setting it on the sofa before floating up into the air and following this feeling of longing that he desired. It strengthened with every flap of his wings towards Reuben's workshop.
As he neared the shop, he saw Reuben sitting at his desk, looking off into the distance with a smile on his face as though he wasn't fully present. Upon closer inspection, Ryder could sense the man's thoughts roaming. He couldn't see them, but he could definitely feel them turning like cogs in a clock. The ache he felt in his chest just grew stronger. Ryder floated right up to the window and gazed deeply at Reuben's daydreaming face and suddenly, the ache was gone, it was replaced by a feeling of warmth, satisfaction, and fullness; things he'd never experienced before.
Reuben shook his head, as if he was snapped back to reality and he laughed and knocked on the window when he noticed Ryder sitting near the garden outside with a goofy smile on his face.
Ryder's head snapped in the direction of the clinking glass. With a smile on his face he quickly waved and floated off back towards the gazebo while Reuben chuckled and sat back down in his seat.
Upon arriving back at the gazebo, Ryder couldn't help but feel completely satisfied. "I totally get it. That was amazing. I feel so energized," he said, looking down at his hands. His freckles almost seemed to glow their faint colors, and his rune sparked a brighter shade of red. He was full. This feeling was full. This was wonderful.
"I'll never deprive myself again!"
Oftentimes, Reuben would just yell to him, alerting him of his absence in the house. It was during these times that Ryder found himself at peace. Not because he didn't care for Reuben or the company, but just simply because he liked being alone with his muses and books. And if Reuben was out and about, Ryder had full reign over the house, the books, the trash can, everything.
Though, it was at this point that Ryder felt called to go outside in the back yard and spend some time under the gazebo. He liked going out there just to get away from it all, even if it was for only a few moments a day. He'd take his book and go relax and just enjoy the freedom given to him by Reuben. It was under the gazebo that many wonderful images came to him. It was a different world out there and he garnered so much inspiration from that place.
Draping his ribbon gingerly across the small outdoor wicker sofa that sat underneath the gazebo, the toadstool opened the book he was currently reading back up to where he had left off. His imagination roamed with the stories of dragons, sorceresses, elves, heroes, villains, and even the common folk within the book. Every sentence meant something to the frei.
Whilst he read, however, he felt that twinge from deep down in his chest. The one he promised himself he'd allow in. But how?
He quickly sat up and closed his book, setting it on the sofa before floating up into the air and following this feeling of longing that he desired. It strengthened with every flap of his wings towards Reuben's workshop.
As he neared the shop, he saw Reuben sitting at his desk, looking off into the distance with a smile on his face as though he wasn't fully present. Upon closer inspection, Ryder could sense the man's thoughts roaming. He couldn't see them, but he could definitely feel them turning like cogs in a clock. The ache he felt in his chest just grew stronger. Ryder floated right up to the window and gazed deeply at Reuben's daydreaming face and suddenly, the ache was gone, it was replaced by a feeling of warmth, satisfaction, and fullness; things he'd never experienced before.
Reuben shook his head, as if he was snapped back to reality and he laughed and knocked on the window when he noticed Ryder sitting near the garden outside with a goofy smile on his face.
Ryder's head snapped in the direction of the clinking glass. With a smile on his face he quickly waved and floated off back towards the gazebo while Reuben chuckled and sat back down in his seat.
Upon arriving back at the gazebo, Ryder couldn't help but feel completely satisfied. "I totally get it. That was amazing. I feel so energized," he said, looking down at his hands. His freckles almost seemed to glow their faint colors, and his rune sparked a brighter shade of red. He was full. This feeling was full. This was wonderful.
"I'll never deprive myself again!"