Livandura Rock: Restless Together

The air is cold, the eyes feel blind….. it’s dark….. quiet….too quiet…. Is this a trap? What is-….oh god…..

LJ: *Looks around more and realizes why he’s blind* Oh no… not again….

For LJ, he’s not one to panic easily, especially with a complex life like his. It’s only when he’s blind, will he panic. You see, LJ lives in the town of Livandura Rock, a made up fantasy land with anthropomorphic animal characters created by indie creators for the intention of success. “The creators” as everyone refers to them, created their own website and put their passion project inside. All concepts, scripts, the created world, EVERYTHING! But once they left to leave their passion behind for unknown reasons, it all became public domain. Everything in Livandura Rock that was created digitally for their characters, was in the hands of every single person in the real world. The fans are the controllers now, and LJ didn’t like that. He felt blind with the unexpected and disgusting sense of the fans. He never saw the bright side of the fan base for this unfinished passion project, only the weird part which he didn’t find pleasing to his nature. However, that’s his everyday life, he’s adapted to his new goddamn life. He’s seen it all. But now…. this….. is all new. He’s dreaming…. At least he thinks he is…. He used to sleep easy but now he’s blind… every dream leads to darkness, and then fire…. And then- *SNAP*

LJ: *Turns to his side into his fighting stance, he’s firm but nervous in his tone* Listen here! If it’s you again, I don’t want to hear it!! Okay?! We’ve done your little dance for about a year now! Just tell me what you want!! *Looks around and stands still in his stance*

A whisper, a little light comes down. It’s an interesting look, like a tiny star that came from the darkness. The light is like a burned orange color in a ball with some shards around the light. The shards laced with cyan blue as it floats around the ball of light. LJ just gets more pissed off. Here we go again…. The light comes back, like always.

Light: LJ….LJ….

LJ: *To self* ‘That damn whisper… It’s like I don’t know my stupid name already.’ 

Light: *Moves to the side, where a fire starts to slowly merge in the darkness* 

LJ: *Sees the fire, faintly a village of some come shows up* I know about this already! *Looks up at the light and shows an annoyed face with sarcastic tone* Yes I get it! It’s a village on fire! Boo-hoo! I’ve seen worse shit done by the fans! So what’s the deal with this particular one?! 

Light: *Comes up to LJ quickly with words flowing as the light blinks* Past…..Fire….. Can’t save-

*BANG* LJ wakes up in a cold sweat, he pants and rubs his face to try and soothe his stress. 

LJ: *Pants and wipes his sweat, opening his eyes frustrated* Another night wasted by that ambiguous dream… vision? Whatever! *Swiftly lifts the sheets and jumps out of bed, strolling out of his room he shared with his two brothers.* I’m sick of waking up in the middle of the night… it’s a pain my ass is what it is…. *Looks out the window and sees there’s a blizzard going* Oh right… There's snow coming around… so that means…. The holidays… *Looks down thinking* Hmm… *Walks quietly past each of the dorms in the hallway*

It’s the same old as usual. Whenever there’s some kind of nightmare LJ had, he would lay there for the rest of the night, or walk past his neighbors quietly in their dorms. Schools or Colleges were always hidden in Livandura, and LJ’s community was lucky to find one college unscathed by the fans. So they took refuge there when the fan invasion came. There hasn’t been confirmation of other communities but that wasn’t part of LJ’s priorities at this moment. He knew whenever their website was intelligent enough to know the month, day and year of the real world. So whenever it’s December, Livandura automatically programs to start snowing. It’s been snowing for about a week now, so the holidays are definitely coming up. LJ figured, maybe some lights wouldn’t hurt. Normally you shouldn’t really decorate with really bright lights as it’s a hazard for possibly being spotted outside but LJ didn’t really give a crap, he’s just gonna decorate for his sake. He’ll take them down later. He went to the community center on his floor and grabbed some lights in a small closet room where they normally put cleaning supplies when college campus was normal. He grabbed the lights and started to hang them up carefully around the window in the community’s study area. He also takes out a wreath, a small decorative tree on the window, some fake mistletoe for the mood and lights a candle for fun.

LJ: *Comes up to the candle and feels the glass around the little flame going* ……

??????: I should have known you’d break the rules one day.

LJ: *Startled and jumps a little, then turning around* *Sighs in relief* Zod, don’t do that, you scare the absolute crap out of me. *Pouts some*

Zodiak: *Sits down and looks at LJ upset* I thought I told you to stop calling me that.

LJ: What? Too soon for nicknames Zodiak?

Zodiak: *Looks at the window angry* We’re not friends LJ, if that’s what you’re “implying”.

LJ: *A little disappointed by his response* Okay so… what are you?

Zodiak: *Looks at LJ, tired of the questions* The guy who saved your ass, that’s who! 

LJ: Hey, I came to you for answers and to look for you. Which did succeed in the end right? *Looks at Zodiak smiling*

Zodiak: Does it matter? Does decorating this hellhole even matter?

LJ: *Stands up firm in his tone* It does matter to me okay?! 

Zodiak: *Unemotional as he watches LJ*

LJ: Do you know what snow means in our world?

Zodiak: *Scoffs* No duh, it's that time of the year for all the plants to die and rest my ass off.

LJ: *Pouts annoyed* No! The holidays! *Smiles and thinks cheerfully* It’s the time to celebrate and have some fun! Open gifts and extra stuff included! Whatever holiday you celebrate! It’s the time for joy and happiness or whatever happy phrases!

Zodiak: *Frowns, not impressed* You sound like a lost kid with useless hopes and dreams. It all sounds like bullshit. 

LJ: *Looks at Zodiak firm and sits back down* It’s not okay?

Zodiak: *Firm to LJ and serious with a frown* Well it is to me…. Do you see me as jolly and happy at this time? It all feels useless with wrapping gifts, opening gifts, lighting candles, whatever! It’s a waste of time that no one will remember except the people who join you. *Sarcastic tone and snarky* Which I see, you lack significantly!

LJ: *Frowns upset* I’ve got you right?

Zodiak: Unintentionally… *Looks at LJ firm and keeps frowning* You don’t think I notice you leaving your dorm almost every 2 weeks or so? I know you’re up to something! Something not good! *Points at LJ angrily and defensively*

LJ: *Angrily looks at him and is emotional* You have serious trust issues don’t ya?! 

Zodiak: *Grips LJ’s shirt and pulls him close with an angry tone* And you don’t?! We both know for an absolute FACT! We don’t like the fans! We don’t trust them! So, I can justify not trusting you either as I don’t trust ANYONE! You’re not my friend or my goddamn sidekick or a stupid amigo! Alright?! I don’t need any of that!

LJ: *Angrily stands up and grips onto Zodiak’s shirt too having a serious and angry tone* Alright you know what?!! You want the answer?! FINE! I’m not sleeping well!! And every few times I get a bad sleep, I sneak out of my dorm off hours to take my mind off things! I see my brothers all the time! I don’t need them to comfort me or YOU! I can handle myself my own way! And that way, is by believing in something more hopeful!

Zodiak and LJ look at each for a long ass time. Like LONGG! It’s quiet but then a sigh comes from Zodiak, as he lets go of LJ’s shirt and LJ does the same to him.

Zodiak: *Serious and looks at LJ a little more emotional but still unamused* I gave up hope a long time ago. It’s nothing but blind blissfulness of a child in a world where you can’t blind yourself to that nature of true innocence.

LJ: *Looks at Zodiak worried but still firm*.......Yes but… it’s more than that. I’m not looking to blind myself entirely. Just for….this moment. I remember back when… the creators made our world, I understood the means of holidays. *Smiles with happiness as he thinks* It’s not about the gifts or believing something that could not be real but it’s about the people you care about. And celebrate with them to spread love…. That’s…. How hope can be made… you know? By having others join you willingly with compassion….

Zodiak: *Looks at LJ unamused and frowning* Still cringe as hell but…. Fair…. *Looks at the window* So what’s the point of the snow?

LJ: *Looks at the window smiling happily as he sees the blizzard calming down some to be something more peaceful* I don’t know…. Mood based? I always think of snow during the winter holidays. Hanging up lights to brighten this dark study area. Getting all cozy inside with a sight to be seen as snowflakes fall.

Zodiak: *Gets a little silly with his tone but still firm and a neutral expression* Now don’t go rhythming like a poem here with me.

LJ: *Chuckles a little* Don’t worry, I won’t….much….

Zodiak: *Looks down*................ So if that’s all true…. Then why come out here shitbird?

LJ: *Looks at Zodiak unphased but neutral expression* “LJ” is fine… but yeah…. I had a bad dream or something and uh…. I wanted to cheer myself up by decorating….. It gets me in the mood for happy times…. I didn’t want to wake everyone up this early….. *Looks at Zodiak curious* Why are you up now?

Zodiak: Couldn’t sleep either…. Not really one of my strengths to stay asleep…

LJ: *Smirks a little, liking they have something in common* Oh good, so we’ll both be sleeping on the job tomorrow.

Zodiak: *Looks at LJ* No need… it’s not too hard to stay awake….

LJ: *Smiles and looks at Zodiak* Yeah… not for me…. I’m passing out tomorrow…. It’s not like I really care…..

Zodiak: *Looks down at the tiny tree and mistletoe with a neutral face but little emotional with some sincere tone added* Alright…. Well I’m gonna call you weird for doing all of this fancy stuff for “not really a good reason”….. But it’s not really a bother to me. Don’t push this shit on me though.

LJ: *Still smiling* Don’t worry I won’t Zodiak…. *Picks up the mistletoe* But thanks…. For at least respecting what I do…..

Zodiak: *Looks away to smile a tiny bit without LJ noticing* Yeah, sure… *Looks back at LJ again then seeing the mistletoe he had, lifted up in front* *Confused* Uh… the hell?

LJ: *Smirks for fun* Do you know what this is? *Smirking more, being annoying to get on Zodiak’s nerves* It’s that moment where we get close for a great end to this conversation! *Points at Zodiak still smirking*

Zodiak: *Unimpressed but caught off guard* *Pushes LJ’s face harshly and stands up to walk away annoyed* In your dreams ****.(Use your imagination to fill in the goddamn box you crazy ***************************!).

THE END!(Or is it? lol)

(Thank you for reading this quick story!)