Sleeping Beauty

Earnest was soaring high above misty white clouds, clad in gleaming silver armor that reflected the bright sunlight. He glided smoothly on sparkling golden wings that were attached to his arms, occasionally flapping them as he glided through the air in leisure. He dove into a cloud, entering a dark haze of mist before emerging on the other side, greeted by the sight of lush green fields and pastures bathing in the warmth of the sun.

Earnest slowly descended, performing twists, turns, and flips as he pleased. He flew between a grove of leafy trees, sticking his hand out to pick a delicious jewel of a fruit as he passed by. Before he had a chance to take a bite, he heard a voice echoing through the wind.

“Earnest… Earnest…”

It was Rosalind’s voice, calling out for him in longing. He smiled to himself, and began flying towards the source of the sound. In the distance, he saw her, standing in the middle of a grassy field clad in a long flowing white dress, covered by a transparent veil. She watched Earnest as he flew in, smiling before he kissed her through the veil as his feet met the ground.

Earnest lifted Rosalind’s veil and brought the fruit between them, gripping it with two hands and splitting it into halves. He offered her one and she graciously accepted, both of them taking a seat on the grass to enjoy the delicious treat. The sunlight warmed them as a slight breeze blew through the field, rustling the grass and making the trees dance. The fruit was refreshing and sweet, with each bite releasing a burst of succulent juice into Earnest’s mouth.

After a particularly big bite, a drop of juice escaped Earnest’s mouth and began to trail down his chin. Before he could do anything himself, he saw Rosalind move closer and reach out. She caught the runaway droplet with a single finger as she wiped upwards from his chin to his lips. Her fingers stayed on his lips for a brief second before they moved back to her own lips and she licked the juice off of them.

Earnest smiled at her and Rosalind smiled back, before both of them moved closer to each other and shared another kiss, flavored by the fruit. They returned to eating their fruit halves, and after finishing their respective portions, both of them felt energized, almost restless. As they sat next to each other, they shared a knowing, issuing and accepting a challenge without speaking a single word. Both of them stood up and took off at the same time, running at full speed through the fields like children.

As Earnest and Rosalind continued to run besides each other, their strides lengthened and they pushed higher and higher off the ground with every step. Eventually, their movements no longer resembled running, and were closer to leaping and bounding. The green grass blurred underneath them as they flew past in mere seconds. They felt so light, yet powerful as every push against the ground propelled them forwards through the wind.

Earnest was enthralled in the moment, basking in pure enjoyment, until he felt his consciousness begin to dull. It felt like the world was fading into darkness around him, or rather that he was being pulled out of the world himself. He only had a brief moment to feel a strong yearning to stay, before he felt nothing at all.

…

Earnest’s neck hurt. His shoulders and upper back did too. Earnest slowly awoke and raised his head from his arms, trying his best against the stiffness and soreness that had set in overnight. He was sitting in a chair, slumped forwards onto a bed with the sleeping figure of Rosalind laying in front of him. Earnest took a few moments to sort through his memories and situate himself. He felt like he had dreamed of something last night, but couldn’t remember what it was. As he tried to recall what it was, it felt like he was trying to grasp smoke. There was only a lingering feeling remaining, a sort of bittersweetness. He only thought about it for a short time before he gave up and focussed on reality.

Earnest stretched his neck and rolled his shoulders to loosen up. Judging by how bright the weak sunlight coming through the window was, it was still early morning. He looked back at his sleeping roommate, and checked on her, just to make sure everything was okay. She was still ****, taking slow, deep breaths, which was all that Earnest could expect.

Yesterday, Coltia said that Rosalind might “take a while” to wake up, but how long was a while? It was clear that Coltia was telling Earnest not to expect Rosalind to wake up immediately, but what about after one night? Would it be one day? A few days? He would have to ask Coltia for a more specific time later, now was still too early and she was probably sleeping. For now, it was probably safe to assume that it would take more than one night of sleep for Rosalind’s mind to recover.

Earnest considered returning to his memories to train the mind slime again, but he felt like he wouldn't be able to focus well at the moment. He had just woken up and didn’t sleep as much as he would have liked, so maybe it would be best to start the day slowly, he had to be mindful of his own condition and not just Rosalind’s after all. An early breakfast and some light exercise would probably help him wake up, then he could get back on task.

Earnest left Rosalind’s bedside and exited his room, bringing his room key to lock the door behind him. He met the innkeeper downstairs, who was still preparing ingredients for breakfast. She offered to make him something, so he ate a quick meal of eggs and toast, which he didn’t mind since his appetite still hadn’t fully woken up either. Earnest finished it quickly and thanked the innkeeper, before leaving for some light exercise.

The sun had only been out for only a short time, so the air still held a lingering chill from the night. Earnest started a light jog along the village paths, passing by various houses and the villagers sleeping inside them. Moving around in his own body felt a little weird, since he had just finished spending time in Rosalind’s after all, but as he continued to jog everything came back naturally enough. This was the physique that he had tempered and mastered for most of his life, but during his time as Rosalind, Earnest got used to hers surprisingly quickly. The weight on her chest, wider hips, longer legs…

Earnest couldn’t help an intrusive thought entering his mind. He would miss that physique. Rosalind’s body was not only strong, but quite beautiful in Earnest’s eyes. Sure some others would prefer a more delicate, lady-like figure, but Earnest preferred Rosalind’s, which showed the results of her hard work and training. And being in control of it… experiencing it first hand… it certainly was… unforgettable.

Earnest found a nice spot beside the road to stop jogging, and began to stretch. If he was still in Rosalind’s body, he would be fighting a battle of self-control by now, struggling to keep her increased libido in check. But now, back in his own self, he was having no problem. Earnest finished his stretches and started to jog back to the inn. The light exercise woke his body up, and it was hungry for a more substantial breakfast.

The sunlight was shining brightly now, slowly warming the land. On his way back, he saw some villagers getting a start on their own day’s work, with some of them greeting him as he passed by, and some complimenting him for working hard in the morning. Back at the inn, he saw that some patrons were seated and eating breakfast, with Coltia and Alesia sharing a table. Earnest joined them and ordered a full meal. Alesia questioned Earnest about his whereabouts.

“Earnest, where were you? Your room was locked and I was a little worried. Well, not that worried really. I assumed you were asleep, but you know… What if Rosalind woke up and did something to you?”

“I woke up early and went out to exercise a little. Rosalind was still asleep when I woke up, and I remember Coltia said that it would take a while for her to wake up. By the way, Coltia, how long is a while? I assumed more than one night, but is it going to be multiple days?”

Coltia put a hand to her chin, making a gesture to indicate she was thinking, but it seemed more theatrical than genuine. She paused for a moment before giving an answer.

“It’s up to her mind really. As I said, she will wake up when she reasserts control of her own body, but with how long she has been under the control of other minds… it may take some time before that happens, if it ever does. I don’t want to worry you Earnest, but there is a possibility that Rosalind never wakes up.”

Earnest felt his heart drop as he heard Coltia say this. Last night, while he was spending time by her side, the possibility did cross his mind. What if Rosalind never woke up? But hearing it from Coltia… hearing her confirm that his fears could happen… it wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

The group finished their meal and adjourned for the day. Earnest returned to Rosalind’s side, while Alesia sold her potions to the villagers and Coltia entertained their children. There really wasn’t much to do other than finish training the slime and wait for Rosalind to wake up. Coltia let Earnest know that the slime would probably only take another day before it would be ready.

After a few hours of recalling memories, Earnest couldn’t help but get distracted by his own thoughts. What if Rosalind never woke up? What if Earnest never heard Rosalind’s voice ever again, or saw her smile, or… anything. Earnest took Rosalind’s hands into his own, gripping them tight.

“Rosalind. Rosalind Shields… If you can hear me… You can do this. I know you can. You’re strong, and tough, and never give up, and I love you for it. Please don’t leave me. Please, please come back.”

Earnest let go of her hands as a few tears streaked down his cheeks. He wiped them off and tried to recompose himself. He mentally repeated his own words to himself. Rosalind was strong. She was tough. She was a hell of a fighter. There was no way that she would just… end like this…

Earnest stayed with Rosalind for another hour before Alesia came knocking, and took over the watch duty. Earnest was still a bit wary of Alesia given what she did while controlling his body, but at this point he didn’t want to bring it up. She was probably just having fun, just taking a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn what being the opposite sex was like. Earnest didn’t need to confront her about it, so he decided that he wouldn’t for now.

Earnest ate a late lunch, then found various ways to spend his time, ranging from more light exercise to casual chatting with villagers until evening arrived. After filling up on dinner, he returned to watching Rosalind and freed Alesia from her duty. The whole time, Earnest hoped that Rosalind would open her eyes, even just roll over, anything to show that she was there… but she didn’t move. She just lay there in the same spot, in the same position, slowly breathing in and out.

Another night passed, and in the morning it was more of the same. Earnest and Alesia alternated shifts again, with Earnest watching Rosalind in the morning and Alesia watching her in the afternoon. However, in the evening, another part of Rosalind’s recovery plan was completed. The black mind slime that had been working away in Earnest’s head, reading his memories of Rosalind and constructing an artificial version of her had finished its task to the best of its abilities.

The group convened in Earnest’s room and Coltia held her hand out, just under Earnest’s forehead. Much to his discomfort, a black slimy tendril emerged from his forehead, phasing through it and gradually pouring itself out into Coltia’s awaiting hands. The slime finally finished exiting and detached from Earnest’s forehead, and jiggled a little. To Earnest, it felt like the slime was jiggling to him, but he couldn't be sure.

Coltia moved the slime over to Rosalind’s body, and placed her hands in a funnel shape over her forehead. Earnest watched as the dark goop seemed to recede, getting lower and lower in her hands until it fully disappeared. Coltia raised her hands and Earnest looked at Rosalind’s face with anticipation. He almost expected her eyes to flutter open, for the nightmare to finally end… but no, nothing happened. Rosalind laid there, just as inert as before. It hurt a little when his miniscule hopes were dashed, but it wasn’t like this outcome was a surprise. The slime would be able to help her once she woke up, but it couldn’t wake her up itself. He would just have to endure the **** of waiting.

Coltia addressed Earnest and Alesia.

“My summon can communicate with me to a certain degree. I’ll know when Rosalind awakens, so neither of you need to keep constant watch.”

After a short discussion, it was decided that it would be best to move Rosalind back to her own room for now, since she didn’t need to be watched anymore. Alesia and Coltia stood outside Earnest’s room as lookouts while Earnest himself put his arms under Rosalind’s knees and behind her back, hoisting her up and lifting her out of his room and into hers next door. He carefully laid her down on her back and pulled a blanket over her. He left the room, locking the door behind him and keeping the key.

There wasn’t anything particular that anyone needed to do anymore in regards to Rosalind, so Coltia returned to her room, as did Alesia. Now that Earnest had finished training the slime and now that Rosalind no longer required him by her side, there was nothing for him to do.

After thinking of something to do with the rest of the night, it dawned on him that the knight’s exhibition match was fast approaching. He had completely forgotten about it until now, in fact if he didn’t start heading back to the capital in a few days, he wouldn’t make it in time and commander Roland… Earnest didn’t even want to imagine what his commander would do to him. He grabbed his sword and borrowed a lantern from the innkeeper. He went outside, to the back of the inn and started practicing in the night, illuminated by the lantern flame and weak moonlight.

Just like his jog in the morning, his movements felt clumsy and unnatural. Not only had his mind been getting used to Rosalind’s body until yesterday, but Alesia couldn’t possibly keep Earnest’s body in peak condition when she was controlling it. As Earnest continued to swing his sword and exercise his footwork, it slowly came back to him, but there would need to be a lot more work before he could return to form for the exhibition duels.

Earnest continued training with his sword until his body was exhausted and his lantern’s flame was dying. He would have to leave it here for tonight and resume tomorrow. Earnest returned to the inn, finding the dining room empty of patrons, with only the innkeeper cleaning up. He returned to his room and collapsed into his bed, instantly falling into a dreamless sleep.

…

The next morning, Earnest woke with some soreness in his muscles from last night’s training. He got out of bed and did some quick stretches to help alleviate it, before exiting his room with Rosalind’s room key in hand. Even though Coltia said that she would tell him when Rosalind woke up, Earnest still wanted to see her, to make sure that she was still okay.

Earnest gently opened the door. Inside, he saw Rosalind on the bed, laying on her side. A quick spike of confusion cleared away any sleepiness that was lingering in Earnest. Didn’t he lay her down on her back yesterday? Did someone enter Rosalind’s room? No, Earnest had the only key.

Earnest noticed that the blanket covering her was lopsided. It looked like she must have turned over during her sleep. He quickly walked to her side and put a hand on her shoulder, gently shaking her.

“Rosalind! Rosalind! Wake up! Rosalind!”

Earnest watched with wide eyes as Rosalind took a deep inhale and her eyes slowly blinked open.