Anxious is to Anxiety

//4\\

"Hey, Microsoft Nerd?" asked Roman once the two sides appeared at the princely trait's door.

"Hm?"

"Why do you even need to go to the Imagination? I mean, you've never expressed interest in it before."

"Ah," Logan furrowed his eyebrows, seeming to realize something, "I suppose I should explain. The library in the Imagination has an expanse of books that I don't own. It should also have a section on switching from Dark to Light - or vice versa - and the effects of it." He'd said that all in one breath, and took a deep breath afterwards. "So?"

"Right, of course." Roman opened the door to his room, silently inviting the other side in. Logan stepped into the room and was immediately blinded by the sheer brightness of it all. Along one wall was shelves filled with every badge, medal, and trophy that Thomas had ever won. Another was covered with Broadway theater posters, among them being Hamilton (Logan's personal favorite), Dear Evan Hansen, and Be More Chill. The wall opposite to the door had glass doors tinted red, which opened to a magnificent balcony over the Imagination. Leafy green vines twirled around the railing in an almost magical way, giving the balcony an enchanted feel.

Logan went over to look over the balcony, only to see that he was suddenly high above the ground, the walls on either side of the balcony being part of a magnificent castle. The logical side turned back to Roman, who had a smirk on his face. "Like it?" asked the princely side, smiling wide. "I made everything myself. Look over on the horizon, that's where the village with the library is." Logan leaned towards the edge of the balcony just enough to get a good enough look at the large, baby-blue building with white trims. The bottom of it was covered by the trees, but even from this distance, Logan could tell that it was magnificent.

"This leads to the forest," grinned Roman, gesturing to... a wardrobe?

Logan rolled his eyes. Roman was a fairytale fanatic, but Narnia? Seriously? Regardless, Logan always enjoyed a reference to a good work of literature. He followed after the princely side, wondering where in the forest they would appear.

At first, there was a bright light. Then, as the brightness faded, Logan was faced with the most beautiful forest he'd ever seen. The sunlight filtered through the trees creating a sparkling light show, birds of every color darting through the leaves. There was the sound of a waterfall in the distance, and the logical side could imagine the sparkling river running through the rocks, fish leaping out of the water. Logan felt like he could stay here for days, maybe even forever, and-

"Logan!" Roman's voice snapped Logan out of his trance of childlike wonder. "I forgot, this realm has that effect on the other sides. I brought Patton here once when we were younger, it had that effect on him, too. It's why I usually don't bring anyone on my grand adventures."

"What effect?" asked the logical side, though he was sure he knew. It was as if the Imagination was pulling him into a trance, highlighting the features that would captivate Logan the most, and calling to him. When Roman explained it similarly, Logan knew he had been right.

It was a little frightening, knowing that he could be pulled into a sort of trance any time he let his guard down. But as Logan was thinking that, Roman reassured, "You'll be fine, I've already pulled you out of it." That was partially reassuring. "Now, the library is just down there, about a ten minute walk or so."

"Can't we teleport?" Logan questioned.

"Not in my realm, you can't. Makes it more fun." Logan knew better than to question Roman's reasoning behind that and followed the prince down a trail that was barely visible through all the tall grass and brush.

~~~

Back in Thomas's apartment in the real world, Virgil was trying to convince Patton and Janus to let him go back.