The Blue Hour

Part 23

Prompt:
Poor Julian. This might torture him in his waking life as these dreams present such contrast to the physical life he is currently living, but they also likely fulfill him on a deep ethereal level that is unattainable in his current situation. Would you say that is realistic? How conflicting that must be. How might these dreams and this knowing affect his waking life? I guess it depends on how I make his character (ie more active vs passive). Based on his astrology and the type of man Julian is, what are some suggestions of how he might react to these dreams in his waking life? Let's also heighten the tension by adding to the plot that the note that Vivi sent came along with a friend request on a popular social media platform.

Response:
Yes, Julian would likely feel profoundly conflicted after receiving Vivi's note and experiencing such vivid dreams about her. These dreams would feed into the yearning he already feels, giving him a sense of what he deeply craves yet cannot have. Given his astrology and character traits, Julian would react to these dreams and their impact on his waking life in a way that mirrors his internal conflict:

1. **Emotional Torment**: The dreams would leave him both fulfilled and frustrated. On one level, they give him emotional and spiritual satisfaction, providing an outlet for the desires he cannot act on in his waking life. However, upon waking, he would likely feel even more isolated in his real-world relationships, particularly with Amelia. The contrast between his dream life and reality would drive him deeper into his feelings of disconnection and dissatisfaction.

2. **Increased Detachment**: Given his tendency to hide emotions, Julian might become even more withdrawn from Amelia, throwing himself into work or hobbies to avoid confronting these feelings. He may feel guilt or shame over his dreams and the desires they stir, especially since they conflict with his loyalty to his marriage.

3. **Subtle Obsession**: The social media friend request adds another layer of tension. He might obsessively check Vivi's profile, looking at photos, trying to piece together what her life is like now, and imagining what could have been. He would do this secretly, never discussing his growing preoccupation with anyone. He might feel compelled to draft responses to her, but each time, he would pull back, unsure of how to navigate this situation without betraying his values.

4. **Physical Manifestations of Stress**: These emotions might manifest in physical ways—insomnia, headaches, or a sudden urge to work out more or find other intense physical outlets to release his pent-up energy. He might also struggle with maintaining focus on tasks at work or find himself drifting into daydreams about Vivi throughout the day.

5. **Dreams Fuel Longing**: If his dreams alternate between fulfilling and frustrating, this contrast would make him feel like he's caught in a loop of yearning. In some dreams, Vivi might be tender, whispering things that make him feel seen and understood, while in others, he may find himself reaching for her but never quite being able to touch her. These highs and lows would make waking life feel all the more stark and hollow by comparison.

Julian's response to the friend request would heighten the tension. He would likely delay responding, considering the weight of every potential interaction, afraid that accepting it might be an emotional betrayal to Amelia. Yet he wouldn't want to sever the connection, as it may be the only tangible link he has to Vivi. This friend request could become a focal point for his growing internal struggle, a symbol of what he desires but cannot have.