[Rumors Are Never Exactly True] ---+---+--- Ten years had passed since the refugees and others had moved into Cherrywood. Neko made small towns, the city, a bay and ocean, and many other things since then. Nightmare and Dream moved in together and tried to catch up with things. I mean, it has been a little over five-hundred years since things between them were normal. Of course, Nightmare forgot that. He thought things were always this way ever since Neko cured him. Despite the fact things seemed normal now, the old "tradition" of picking on Nightmare never passed. This time, though, Dream was there to protect him. Ink and Neko started to put on these small "shows" together. Neko called it "Things To Warm Up On." Neko never believed in depression, or any other negative emotion, so she made this show to remind people life should always be positive. Ink felt strange being there, though. His feelings were artificial. You should know that, though. Core was still upset about the OMEGA timeline. Even years later. Of course, Outer, one of their close friends, was there to comfort him. Outer was always the one to get in on news and latest gossip. Gossip he'd only tell Core. Nobody else. He also had an issue with salt. He was addicted to soy sauce. One day, Nightmare decided to go to the local library in the city. Dream decided tagging along was best. "Brother?" Dream said, putting his coat on. "You've seemed stressed lately. Are you doing okay?" Nightmare turned to look at him. He smiled. "I'm fine, Dream. You don't need to worry about me so much." "Neko has been. She wants you to be happy, Nightmare." Nightmare looked upset when Neko was mentioned. Sure, they were friends, but she could be annoying at times. She was sixteen now. She attended Cherrywood High School in the town. Nightmare heard she was going to the city's boba shop after school the same time he and Dream were leaving, so he made sure to be careful. "Right. Let's go." Nightmare said, putting on his bag. Dream looked excited, but also worried. *He needs to take better care of himself,* he thought. --- The city was like any other. Loud, obnoxious, somewhat comforting... But it was also, somehow, bright all the time. No matter how late it was. Not like the brightness in New York, or LA. Like, very VERY bright. It was like it was still daytime. Whispering flower fields could be seen for miles on end. In the center of the main field stood a tree with a sign on it saying [*I'LL PUT SOMETHING HERE SOON :)]. Nightmare assumed Neko put that there. They arrived at the library. The library was Nightmare's favorite place. "Before we go in," Nightmare said, putting a hand on Dream's shoulder. "Did you take your ADHD medication?" Dream thought for a moment. "Yup!" Nightmare sighed. "Good. And NO. Before you ask, Mr. Bentley's owl isn't here today." Dream sighed of relief. He was awfully afraid of owls. They stepped inside, Nightmare returned a couple of books, then went to the tables to read a couple more he would pick out. Then he saw Neko across from him. Quickly, he hid his face, but it was too late. "Nighty!" Neko said happily skipping towards him, holding a book about fairies and princesses. It looked like it was for five-year olds. "I- slightly- knew you were gonna be here!" Nightmare groaned. "Neko, be quiet. It's a library. You're meant to be whispering." Neko nodded. "Oh. Okay. Sorry. So, whatcha doin'?" Nightmare put a hand on his face. "Is that NOT obvious?" He held up his book. "I'm reading, Neko. Reading." Neko inspected the book. "Oh! That's the book Toriel has!" Nightmare tilted his head. "The original?" "Not the original, silly! The....OuterTale one! The originals don't live here, remember?" Nightmare stared for a second. "Right. Anyways, go hang out with Dream or something. I'd like to be left alone right now." Neko tilted her head, then smiled. "RIGHT! Bye, Nighty!" Nightmare hadn't looked up. Neko skipped away. Then it was silent again. Nightmare finally got time with his thoughts. Recently, he heard some rumors about himself. Nothing new. The whole "evil" this and "stupid" that... Neko told him a while ago, "rumors are never exactly true." After that, the people who started them up stopped. Then new people started them up again. Nightmare found it strange... But he decided not to think too hard about it. He has too much to think about nowadays.
