(Hello) Morning came with a headache and a queasy feeling. It also came with other people's thoughts floating through her head; everyone, from her guest to the people in the city were thinking. And Joan felt like reality was smashing her skull in. What's for breakfast? Is she kidding me? When is this going to be over? Stop telling me what to do woman! The thoughts went on and on, until she couldn't take it and flew to her cottage.
(I thought she had to touch the person to hear their thoughts?)
Nathaniel awoke alone in Joan's room. He looked around, confused until he realized that he had fallen asleep in here while reading. He picked up the book again and continued, not knowing that Joan had actually come back and then left yet again.
(She does. This is her own thoughts over the years. Its overwhelming her before she even tries someone else's) One thought struck her as odd, 'Who is this fallen? '. It was the first thing she thought when she saw Will. These must be my thoughts, Joan echoed. Soon the revie was over and she could think again. Soaring back to her room, she walked over to Nash.
"Joan?" Nathaniel looked up from the book when she came in. "S-sorry, I think I fell asleep in here last night… I couldn't sleep in my room, since my mind was so cluttered with everything that's happened these past few days. And some events before then as well…"
"It's okay," Joan said, grabbing his shoulder. (Pick up what she sees)
(So can she see his thoughts as well? Or just sort of 'hear' them?)
(I'll just assume she can see them too)
Nathaniel was reliving the moment when Lloyd died. It had happened before he had injured his wings, many years before. The younger Nathaniel watched his brother flying off to battle, and followed a minute later so he wouldn't be detected. Soon, he lost sight of Lloyd, and was separated from him. He got caught up in a battle, falling to the ground and using his sword to try and keep an enemy's from slitting his throat. Suddenly, Lloyd came out of nowhere and fought off the enemies around Nathaniel. After he had either killed or scared them off, he turned towards Nathaniel, asking whether he was okay. Nathaniel screamed for Lloyd to turn around, there was an enemy behind him, but it was too late. Lloyd was stabbed and the enemy ran away, leaving a screaming, crying Nathaniel with his dead brother. After this, Nathaniel's mind flicked between memories of him and Lloyd, fighting, flying together, just seeing him every day, but that was all gone. The Nathaniel in front of Joan did his best to not react to his memories, but his eyes were full of pain and sorrow. He looked up at her silently.
(Sorry wall of text aa)
Joan saw it all, and reached over to hug him. She felt the sadness and pain. "Tell me about the happy things," She whispered.
"W-what?" Nathaniel looked confused. "What are you talking about, Joan?" He hugged her back, still upset from the memories, but not sure what Joan was talking about.
Not ready to tell him of her betrayal, "You looked upset. Tell me about the happy things, stuff you enjoyed."
"Enjoyed about what? My life in general?" Joan nodded. "Um… I used to fly with my brother, there's a picture of us in his old room… Every night, I watch the sun set, but I got kidnapped while doing that last time… I-I dunno, mostly I enjoyed flying before… w-well, before I injured my wings." His memory turned the when he injured his wings now. Young Nathaniel, who seemed sad since this was somewhat soon after Lloyd's death, was flying alone. Suddenly, white hot pain blazed through his left wing, and he plummeted to the ground. He had been shot by a duck hunter who thought he was a bird. His wings were crushed beneath him when he fell, and a few other bones were cracked or broken as well. He was unconscious, and the hunter inspected him. Realizing his mistake, the hunter left Nathaniel there, leaving without a trace.
Joan saw the memory, and tried to project one as well. A fabricated memory of him flying again, with healed wings. After learning, and trying again and again. (Gtg sorry, bye. I might be back later)
Nathaniel saw the memory, but didn't think much of it. Just one of his dreams portrayed again, something he felt was impossible to achieve. He looked away, his eyes sparkling with tears.
Joan hugged him tighter. "You will fly again, I know you will." She whispered. "Until then, what's your favorite dessert?"
"Um… Most desserts are good. Cookies, ice cream, et cetera." He folded his wings behind him, his mind turning to other times with Lloyd, while they were eating desserts while watching the sunset together. It had always been something that he would do with his brother, and he continued doing it as a way of remembering him.
"But I asked your favorite." Joan asked unhelpfully.
"What? I-I guess cookies? I don't know…" He looked away, a bit embarrassed. He felt like Joan knew more than she was letting on, but he didn't question it.
Joan nudged Nash's side carefully, "Cookies it is then. Lets go make some?"
"O-okay…" Nathaniel pulled himself to his feet and followed Joan to the kitchen, waiting for instruction.
"Pull out the cookie sheet, and get out the eggs and milk," Joan ordered, going to get the batter and chips.
Nathaniel did so, carefully laying out the ingredients on the counter and trying to forget about his past for a while. Whenever a memory came to him, he shook his head to clear it, mumbling under his breath in frustration.
Joan and Nash worked silently for hours making batch after batch of cookies. "Done," She said with a last wipe of her hair. "That should shut off on its own and all of this can cool overnight. Now, how about sleep?" Joan noticed the sun had set quite a long time ago.
He nodded, clearly exhausted. "Er, what are we supposed to do with ten batches of cookies?" He looked over at all the trays on the counter.