Home Plot: Benne Seed

[polly_okeefe]

On one random night in Tabula Rasa, random things began to happen once again. At precisely midnight, Zell Dincht, Polly O'Keefe and Calvin O'Keefe began dreaming much deeper. They no longer responded to the outside world. Their dream took them to a world far away. Eventually others would come to make sure their sleeping bodies were okay, but none

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[polly_okeefe]

When the change hit, I snuggled closer to Zell. The bed was warmer and strangely familiar, and the combination of that and being close to the man I loved allowed me to doze happily, without realizing what was going on.

It was when the light started to come through from the wrong direction that I opened my eyes. It was an odd feeling, seeing something that was so familiar and yet so unfamiliar at the same time. Was this... This was, wasn't it?

My bedroom!

I sat upright, discovering that I hadn't worn a shirt to bed. Pulling up the covers against the sudden chill, I immediately felt beside me. To my relief, Zell was there, but with that came all sorts of questions. Was I really home? Was this an Island trick?

And Island trick or not, how was I going to explain this to my parents?

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

Oh, of all the times... I pulled away with some effort. "Zell, wake up. I'm serious, you need to see this."

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

I gnawed my lip, already anticipating the awkwardness ahead, but at the same time feeling excited. This was home. My parents were here! I could see them again.

And I'd have to introduce them to Zell.

But I've wanted to do that, haven't I?

"It's my bedroom," I said. "On my world. It's my turn, I guess."

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

I smiled at his enthusiasm, even though that smile was tempered by my own nerves. "My room. In my parent's house."

And morning. I couldn't hear any noise; the house was still asleep...

No, there was the sound of running footsteps. And Johnny and Rosy laughing--

Rosy laughing. Oh! How I'd missed that!

Sitting up dislodged the sheet, which slipped down my chest. Looking down, I realized that I was still undressed. Come to that, so was Zell. "Um... I think we need to get dressed..."

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

"Um..." This was going to be a problem. I dismissed the first idea that came to mind out of hand. No way was Zell going to agree to wear my clothes, even if I supplied him with a pair of my jeans and a t-shirt. No. The plan would have to involve my getting dressed, sneaking out of the bedroom, confiding in Charles, and getting some of his clothes.

But before I could even act on this plan, there was a knock at the door. "Polly?" Xan's voice. "Rosy wants your help in the kitchen." He knocked again. "Pol? Are you there?" He was always so impatient.

I shot out of bed and ran to my dresser, frantically waving Zell in the direction of my closet. "coming!"

Then, to my horror, Xan entered. Turns out, I wasn't wearing panties, either. I screamed. "What the heck are you doing!" I shrieked.

Xan desperately covered his eyes. "You said 'come in'!"

"I said 'Coming'!"

Xan didn't know where to look, and serve him right. But as he turned his eyes away from me, things got worse, because Xan's gaze immediately fell upon Zell.

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

I had mixed feelings about how Zell took charge of the situation. It sounded a bit like Zell was prepared to beat Xan up. I knew he wouldn't do it, and a part of me wouldn't have minded if he had done it. Indeed, for the first second there, I was thinking seriously about bundling Xan into my closet and putting a chair in front of it. Zell's approach might have ended up being less violent.

And, to Zell's credit, Xan took a step backwards towards my door. But it was too late, because he bumped into Johnny and Rosy, who scrambled in to see what the scream was. And then it was a tumble of voices. "Polly! Polly! Are you okay? Why did you scream? Why don't you have any clothes on? Who's this man?"

And Charles was right behind them. His jaw dropped open as he took in the whole situation. "Pol--"

I closed my eyes and I shouted. "Anybody who is not my boyfriend, get out of my room, right nowThat worked. They stumbled back, then scrambled to leave

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

I ran my hand through my hair and shook my head. In another time and place, I'd laugh. I might even laugh about this here and now, but if I did, it would probably be tinged with hysteria. Why couldn't I have normal relationships like other people

[spirited_hero]

[polly_okeefe]

"Come in," I called. And the door opened quietly and Charles stepped inside, shutting it behind him.

I watched him as he placed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt at the foot of my bed. Oh, how I'd missed him. I wanted to rush over and hug him right away, but the awkwardness of the whole scene held me back. It was clear that they hadn't known I was missing.

He smiled at me, and he smiled at Zell. He was everything he needed to be in this situation: calm, and attentive. "Hey," he said to us, but mostly to Zell. "I'm Charles, Polly's brother. And you are?"

[spirited_hero]