The Blue Hour

Part 16

Prompt
I like the suggestion of #2 and #3. I think Julian would indeed turn to workaholism to distract himself from his torment, and I do believe with those Scorpio placements that he is probably obsessive, although we would never see that in the surface. He protects those thoughts voraciously. How might we see his obsessive side?

Response
Julian's obsessive side, shaped by his Scorpio placements, would manifest in subtle yet powerful ways, carefully guarded from those around him. Here are some signs of his obsession, kept under wraps but still affecting his behavior:

1. **Replaying Memories:** In private moments, Julian might replay his encounter with Vivi at the Blue Hour or their college days over and over in his mind. It would be like a loop he can't escape, analyzing every glance, every missed opportunity. He could become fixated on the "what-ifs," wondering what life could have been if things had gone differently.

2. **Private Rituals:** He might engage in small, personal rituals that are linked to Vivi. This could be as simple as wearing the same shirt he wore the night of their encounter, frequenting places that remind him of her, or listening to music that recalls his feelings from the past. These actions would be for his own comfort, ways to maintain a sense of connection to her, however fleeting or distant.

3. **Compulsive Checking or Recalling:** Even though he doesn't live in the same city as Vivi, Julian might compulsively check her social media (or ask mutual friends about her), even if it's only to see small glimpses of her life. He might be meticulous about not liking or commenting, keeping this obsession hidden. He could also fixate on looking at any old photos or objects linked to their past.

4. **Work as a Cover for Obsession:** He throws himself into work as a way to suppress his fixation on Vivi, but his mind is constantly distracted by thoughts of her. He might become hyper-focused on details, meticulous to the point of perfectionism in his work, as a form of sublimation for his deeper emotional yearnings. His colleagues might even comment on his increased intensity, but to them, it would just seem like Julian is driven, not necessarily tortured.

5. **Subtle Changes in Behavior:** Though outwardly Julian remains composed, his obsession might subtly alter his interactions. He could become more distant with Amelia, avoiding deeper emotional conversations. Alternatively, he might overcompensate by being overly attentive or controlling in aspects of his life to maintain order—something that is elusive in his mind where Vivi lives rent-free.

6. **Dreams and Sleep Patterns:** Julian may begin dreaming about Vivi frequently. This could disturb his sleep, leading to sleepless nights, which he might hide by working late or attributing it to stress. His dreams might blend with reality, making it difficult for him to discern the line between fantasy and the everyday.

7. **Anxiety Over Future Encounters:** He might develop anxiety around the possibility of encountering Vivi again, vacillating between longing for it and fearing the upheaval it could cause. This might lead him to subtly orchestrate his life to either increase the chances of a future encounter or avoid it completely, depending on how his obsession evolves.

Julian's obsessive nature would stay just under the surface—intensely private and almost invisible to everyone around him. But internally, it would be consuming, shaping his thoughts and actions in ways he would never openly admit.