"you're thinking too quickly," adrianus murmured.

"yeah, i guess i am..." shark said, realizing how much their thoughts were racing.

"you just need to slow down..." he said, slowing his own words. "i know you're capable of thinking very quickly... but you're also capable... of thinking slowly... aren't you?"

they liked that way of framing it.

"and since you need a break right now... since you've been using so much energy... you should be thinking very, very slowly... your mind becoming slow... and soft... and gentle... fully relaxing... fully letting go... only focusing on gentle things... gentle, sleepy thoughts... drowsy and dreamy..."

shark's breathing slowed. adrianus' slow, droning voice was nice, especially when they were eager to be lulled like that to begin with. they knew that they needed it.

"that's it... you can take it nice and easy for a while... it's alright... if everything becomes monotonous... and repetitive... and slow... and sleepy... if you're not thinking or saying anything of substance at all, for a while... it can be so nice... to be this way... to enjoy this tiredness..."

he was petting their head now, gently stroking their hair with his fingers. they leaned into the touch, like a cat.

"you need this, sometimes... you need a break... you'll feel much better... much more alert... if you take the time to relax, every now and then... and it's a good opportunity to practice being hypnotized... to practice sinking into a nice trance... to become more and more responsive... more and more susceptible... such a good subject..."

nothing really even mattered, besides the relief and relaxation.

well, maybe it helped to know how much he was enjoying it. it was a little easier to appreciate the tiredness, instead of just being uncomfortable with it, since he liked it.