Nightmare flipped through tome after tome, searching for a way to return. He'd tried to create a portal and to take a shortcut and to goop away from this place, but none of his fast modes of travel seemed to work. There was some sort of spell that kept him here. He had to find it, find a way to break it. His boys were awaiting his return. He had duties to uphold his multiverse. A soft 'knock knock' caught Nightmare's attention. He hadn't realized that anyone had broken out of his influence, but seeing the way this human like creature trembled and his his clothes stuck to him from sweat, it seemed at he was only fighting the nightmares. "We need to talk. I... I won't cause any more trouble." His voice wavered, and Nightmare enjoyed the fear and uncertainty and hate coming off this nonhuman human. "very well. let's talk." Nightmare lifted his negative magic from the blue masked man who finally breathed out in relief. Nightmare permitted him to have a moment before prompting him. "well? speak." A soft growl rumbled in the man's chest. "I know you don't want to be here, but you're stuck right now. So I have a proposition."

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Nightmare listened carefully to this... Eyeless Jack. Naturally, it seemed that he and his companions hated this arrangement as much as he did. They wanted their boss, Slenderman, back. But it would be a while for Nightmare to get through all the tomes, and even then, the magic spell that was used on him might not be there. Hence, as long as Nightmare treated them with respect and let them come and go as they pleased, he would try to find information to break this spell and help them switch back. Nightmare agreed, after all, It couldn't be much different than taking care of his skeletons. Nightmare made breakfast, which Eyeless Jack politely declined since he'd eaten already, before waking the others of his magic. "breakfast is on the table, creatures of darkness. i will be in your boss's study if you need me." The confusion was palpable as Nightmare walked away, but he didn't intend to do anything to break the deal. He would wait until he was sure they'd calmed down before he told them of the deal. It wasn't 15 minutes later when he looked up to see the little girl peeking in.

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The big skeleton, Horror is what he introduced himself as, showed Slenderman to the library. "if ya wanna get answers, this place has them all..." He explained. "nightmare has every known spell in the multiverse, as far as i know... the way to break it will be here." Slenderman already wasn't looking forward to this. It seemed this Nightmare was an avid reader, the books numbering within the thousands. While Slenderman liked himself a good book, he certainly kept them separate from his spell tomes for this very reason. "I thak you, Horror. Tell me, do you eat? I have never met a creature like yourself so my knowledge is... limited." Horror looked up at the tall thing nervously. He wasn't used to having to look up. "course we do... i was 'bout to make breakfast so if i could be dismissed..." He was already so hungry. He hated missing meals here where he could actually eat. "Yes. Of course. And I've taken the liberty of lifting my influence from your friends. They will be shaken, but alright otherwise." Slenderman explained to Horror. The big skeleton dismissed himself immediately to eat.

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Slenderman could feel them watching him as he searched for the spells. They were reasonably weary and suspicious of him, thus they were keeping their distance. One was up in the rafters, one perched on a shelf to the left of him. One in the shadows on the right of him. Horror made no move to hide, openly watching as he picked and scratched at the hole in his head. Slenderman sighed softly as he noticed blood starting to bead from one of the cracks. Horror froze as a tendril caught his arm in a firm grip. "Please, refrain from harming yourself. I would like for your boss to return to you skeletons in good health." Horror made a soft startled noise as the Slenderman was suddenly... there. It wasn't like a shortcut. He was just... there. Slender looked over the wound carefully with his no eyes before pulling a bandage from his pocket to stop the little cracks and chips from bleeding. Usually the bandages were for little Sally so she wouldn't get blood on her dress up clothes, but he was sure she wouldn't mind. "Here we are, now. Please try to keep your hands away."

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Sally Williams was an interesting little dead human. She was scared, at first, to approach Nightmare. He called her out though. "there is no point in hiding. i know you are there so just come in, child." Blood trailed down her forehead and dripped down onto her pink skirt. Her green eyes were fearful and curious at the same time. Nightmare liked that about children. "you wished to speak, little girl?" Sally nodded, hesitated, then nodded again. "I, uh... do... you like to play... dress-up?" Nightmare blinked and turned to her in confusion. "excuse me?" Sally shrunk away. "S-Slendy... he plays dress-up with me... so would you..." Nightmare sighed and looked longingly at the tomes. He really didn't like interruptions. He would rather stay here and find his escape. But he knew children were persistent. If he didn't play along, she would return and keep returning. Thus, he had no choice. "very well. but we should take care of that injury first." He pulled a bandage meant for Horror out of his pocket. It was usually for when he was stressed or nervous and picking at his skull, but it would have to work for Sally for now.