Solanne grabbed the chair that was near the table. She scanned the books that were placed there. She can feel her excitment rising through her as She read a few titles.
"Mythology of gods."
"Fables of those who walked on earth."
"The one who observed the cosmos."
"Those who bend the rules."
"Those who traveled into the different worlds and those who witness the secrets of gods."
As Solanne read more and more titles, it was getting more and more confusing now. Still, despite of the confusion, Solanne was eager to know more. She was eager to unravel and that perhaps, in the back of her mind, the stories are related to the dreams that they were experiencing.
She wanted to laugh at that thought. It was too much of a coincidences if she'll consider that and yet, they have been dreaming for a few days already, more than a week.
Each dream were different and that they were constantly on the train. Beings, the clown, and the words he had spoken still lingers on her mind.
Vincent fold his apron and tried to removed the remaining flour that was on his clothes. He smelled like freshed bake bread. Solanne held herself to even smell him. She just can't help but respect him more and more the more she get to know him.
For her, he seemed to be the older brother he never had.
He grabbed a few books and gave it Solanne. She stared at his back.
"Do you believe in different worlds? The gods and their tales? The stories they have and the legends that surrounding this province?" Vincent asked. His eyes glinted with a hint of mysteriousness.
Solanne scanned the book as she tried to think of an answer. "Well, to be honest, I do not believe like some kind of believer however, if it really exists, I am opened to understand it. Like, my mind is not close for anything or any possibilities. However, worlds, or different worlds just like what you're talking about right now seemed hard to believe since there were no proof about it."
Vincent nodded.
"So, you are opened to the thought of them existing but you don't really firmly believe it?"
Solanne nodded. "The universe is vast and that there are still many scientists and even explores who delve deeper into the mysteries of our world. Such thought fascinates me and it's entertaining."
Vincent smiled. "I also agree with you. This was a hobby of mine. You see after our parents died a few years back, I inherited this place right?"
"That's what you said," Solanne agreed.
"Well, when I went to the basement since I need to clean the house, I found these books." Vincent pointed the books on the shelves and the one on the table that Solanne was holding. "These are my mother's collection."
"Your mother?" Solanne was surprised. She thought that it was his father's hobby.
Vincent nodded. "Although I have my parents dissuaded me about my chosen profession, they were not really limited to the belief of just science. They even believed of different gods and that they even worshiped them. They have those worship tools down the basement. Additional to that, this province also have the same belief as them. Or perhaps it's the other way around as they have influenced my parents into believing. Whatever the stories, those books ended on our basement."
"Of course, as someone who has an unquenchable thirst of curiosity, just like you," Vincent winked at Solanne. She laughed. "I started to read these books as a part of my daily routine. My days consisting of learning how to bake through my parents recipie book, make some coffee, clean, take care of the house, attend the customers, and when night comes, I read them."
Solanne was even more curious. "I haven't read them all but the books I gave you were the most interesting."
"Can you tell me more about the stories you have read?"
Vincent tried to think for a moment. His silence was making Solanne far more curious. "I read many gods on those books who fall in love with mortals."
Solanne gasped. Her eyes twinkling of excitement. "Ha! Forbidden love!" She was even more excited than ever. "I have a very fond curiosity about this. There's so many possibilities. Forbidden love! Fate and sacrifice! It's romantic to even talk and think about!" She was so excited she looks like she was talking like a child.
Vincent laughed at her childlike reaction. "Yes. However, they are gods. They are not restricted to the laws of the world just like in those familiar books people—humans, wrote about them. Gods are arrogant and they get everything they want. They have endless power and that they are rules as the absolute. It's understandable, they were all powerful and they have lived for so long. That's why they are lonely."
"Then, what will happen to those who feel in love?" Solanne pressed.
"They live a normal life. Mask themselves as humans, they grow old too with the use of their powers, and treasure each moment they have with their love. The only one thing they cannot touch is death. That's why, when a god falls in love, they travel to those different worlds."
"What do you mean?" Solanne tilted her head. She frowned.
"Gods are all powerful and all knowing, they travel, they learned, and the books that I have gave you are the world that one god had wrote after traveling for so long. According to those books, Gods also believe in reincarnation. Hence, they live, and travel those worlds in search for their long-lost love."
Solanne's heart ached the moment she heard that. Suddenly, she imagined a god who had felt so lonely they tried to mask everything and occupied their thoughts. She wasn't a stranger to loneliness, that's why she even pitied those gods even more.
Was love that worth it?
"There was this one quote I still remember on those books," Vincent grabbed Solanne's attention again. "The thought of love was an absurd variable me. I mocked it down to the last core of my great being. And yet, the moment it hits me, I feel so vulnerable, desperate, and pathetic. I mocked those humans who had died, sacrificing their lives for their love and yet, I search you in every universe, just to see if you'll smile back to me again."
Solanne's gaze waved. "I just wondered," she smiled. "I haven't fallen in love ever since. I feel like I was fine on my own or was it because of my hyper independence? The trauma?" she mocked herself. "And yet, I wonder what it feels like to be love, to be searched in every room, to be special. I wondered as I watch my friends live their life so happily. I guess I never know."
Vincent smiled at Solanne. "I feel like you'll experience that kind of love soon," He glanced at Yael who has now fallen asleep on the sofa. He can't deny that He's not excited. He chuckled inwardly.
Solanne doubt that. She tried to entertained the thought and she never even viewed herself falling inlove. She feels like she will be alone through her life.
"The tales of the gods who wonders through the universe," Solanne uttered. "Can you tell me about his tales?"
Vincent nodded this time, he grabbed the chair, as he said, "The moment that God who wrote those books had lost his love, he traveled to the different world. Not because she wanted to look for her, but because her love has told her to gather stories he can share once they met."
"There were many different world. Some were far more absurb and doesn't comprehend to the reality we are in. Some were filled with joy and others were filled with horror. The god did not detailed each world he's in, but he wrote every feeling he felt on those times."
Vincent chuckled. " I never even thought that gods are poetic and yet, as they have vast knowledge they express everything so perfect. The stories starts like every other book, the god portrayed himself as a traveler."
"He's like a traveler on the ancient or medieval times using train as transportation. Through a station, he purchased tickets."
Vincent grabbed on book and traveled through pages. Solanne watched him as she can't help but be amazed on how the books looks so old as if there were some hidden history on it.
Vincent continued to flipped each pages until they end up on the page that says, "the first world."
Solanne's eyes traveled through the pages, reading it's words. Vincent smiled at her. "I think it would be best if you read this yourself. If you have questions you can ask me."
"Eh?"
Vincent winked. "It's part of the experience. Well, if you excuse me, i feel like the bread I'm baking are now baked. If you have questions you can ask me."
Solanne watched him walked down and the moment Vincent has disappeared down stairs, she stared at the book. She doesn't know the reason why but she feels nervous.
What are behind these pages?