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[shadowtruths]

@ shadowtruths

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[sisterimperator]

[ She had met a Lucifer who decided to simply pack up his things and leave; unbeknownst to her, this was the same Lucifer from Morpheus' world.

If anyone would grow tired of anything, she suspected it would be an immortal. Even one of the Endless. They dealt with the same bullshit day in and day out. ]

Do you not find yourself tired sometimes?

Brief moments to myself. I'm always thinking of the Clergy and of my son. If for but a brief moment I can just breathe, I am grateful for it.

@aspolyhymnia

[shadowtruths]

[OOC: Continued from here.]

Oh, there have been many jokes at my expense for that. 'Keeping it in the family' has also been heard, though only Constantine dared make that one.

A moment.

[With a swirl of sand he appears in her living room, in the requested black toga and feet bare. He holds his arms to the side, looking at her with an expression that asks 'well?']

[shadowtruths]

I know weariness. I also know that bearing it is no excuse to abandon one's duties.

Though you are correct in making the most of small moments. To find worth in the while. It is not an endeavor I always embrace, though humanity does well enough in reminding me.

[aspolyhymnia]

[She gives him an appraising once over. It's bringing back memories of the times he had come to visit Calliope.]

It does suit you. But makes me think of when I last saw you in a toga.

[Though she is crossing the room to reach and touch his arms, a little grin playing at her lips.]

@aspolyhymnia

[shadowtruths]

[It started as Death's idea. She'd visited her brother's realm to find him obsessing over his latest dream projects, worried about problems he refused to share, his tone terse and clipped and moody. It took some convincing, from her and Stella, that a change of scenery and perspective might not only be good for him, but good for his realm and duties. Duty is Dream's magic word, and the two women coupled with Lucienne and Matthew finally got Dream to cave.

The women might suspect that a part of Dream is also curious to embody that which he hasn't in all his millennia. That even he can be curious, and want to stretch boundaries, and know what another life might be like.

Matthew is with them, and they perform the ritual at Stella's apartment. He still has his pouch of sand, he can still ensure his dreamers' safety and connect to the Dreaming. Death is but a call away to end the experience short if she has to. These failsafe measures make him feel better. Sitting on Stella's sofa, his posture perfect and hands folded on his knees, he holds a breath he doesn't even need to take as Death does it.

Then, suddenly...

He very much does have to breathe.

Morpheus lets out the air from his lungs in a surprised gasp, leaning forward. His clothes feel like they're on him rather than a manifested part of him. The air around him is pleasantly warm, rather than a state which would need much greater extremities for him to really notice. His eyes widen in surprise as he looks at Stella, fingers of skin reaching up to touch his own face.]

Did it work? [Matthew looks questioningly between Stella and Death.] Should we peck him to check? That's what people do when someone's in shock, right? Pinch them? ... maybe you should do it, Stel.

[shadowtruths]

It has been quite a long time. A shame they went out of fashion. You're correct that they are quite comfortable.

[He lets her run her fingers up his arms before he folds them around her and leans down for a kiss in greeting.]

Hopefully the memory doesn't mar the present too much.

[aspolyhymnia]

Very open and free.

[She chuckles and leans into the kiss.]

It doesn't. You're here to see me, and we've both grown.

[shadowtruths]

Two words so often associated with me.

[The wry look on his face says he knows he's joking with that one. If anything, Dream is known for being stiff and uptight, bound by his duties and traditions to where he doesn't bend easily. He's trying to be more flexible these days though and make up for his past actions. His efforts seem to be paying off, not only in his friendships but in a newfound relationship with Stella.]

We have. Who know it would only take a thousand years or so. Are you ready to depart for the Dreaming or shall we stay here longer?

[aspolyhymnia]

[That makes her snort a little laugh. She loves when he makes little jokes.]

Let's go. I'm quite eager to see what Matthew had orchestrated for the throne room.

[aspolyhymnia]

[Stella trusts Death to know what she's doing. And even if something went terrible wrong while Morpheus is in human form, he would simply die and return to the Dreaming.

Still she is a little nervous, but once he gasps she knows he's human. He needs to breathe.

Instead of a pinch, she reaches out to graze her fingertips along his jawline.]

Hello, Morpheus. How do you feel?

[He feels warm under her fingers, very human.]

[shadowtruths]

I feel... strange.

Nothing hurts, does it?

No, nothing hurts.

What about tingles?

No.

Itches?

Matthew... [Morpheus blows out a breath, a little impatient but clearly trying to hide it as best he can for his familiar's sake.] I'm fine. [He looks over at Stella, feeling the warmth of her fingers on his face. He gives her a nod, too.] I'm well. Everything just feels more... real in a way.

Think my work here is done, then. [Death gives him a smile, and Stella she leans over to kiss her cheek goodbye.] Have fun. Call me if you run into any trouble. Don't do most of the things I would do. [With a wink she vanishes unless Stella stops her.]

[aspolyhymnia]

[Stella gives Matthew a little look. She will take good care of Morpheus while he's a human.]

I guess I've just had the time to adjust to human sensations.

I'll make sure he only he only gets in good trouble. Thank you.

[Stella likes Death. They've starting have the occasional girls coffee date.]

[shadowtruths]

[With a nod and some sand, Morpheus transports them to the Dreaming's throne room. The large, winding staircase the leads up to the throne has red ribbons and white ornaments along the sides. There's a tree, with blinking, multi-colored lights that blink in time to Christmas music smack in the center. On one side is a blown up snowman, on the other side is Rudolph. The windows are frosted and show candies and presents.

Then, on the throne seat itself, is a wrapped garland of chili pepper lights and a Santa hat dangling off one corner.

None of the decorations match each other. Dream looks ruefully around the space.]

He said it was a 'vibe.'

[shadowtruths]

I absolutely trust you. [Death gives Stella a smile. She's known the woman a long time, though they've gotten closer since she started dating Morpheus. Death likes her, too. Anyone who is kind and nice and good to others, especially her brother, Death approves of. With a snap she leaves them be, as Morpheus replies to Stella's remark on sensations.]

I'm used to sensing humanity's emotions through their experiences. This is... quite different.

[Though not necessarily bad.

He gets to his feet, his body feeling a little more weighted in the space it takes up. On a curious whim he tries to change his form into a cat, but can't manage it.

He sits again, seeing what that's like.]

These pants are rather tight.

[They never really feel tight when he merely imagines them.]

[aspolyhymnia]

[She nods. The experience of being human must be quite different for him. She's never fully understood the nuances of what it's like to be one of the Endless, but she can help him with being human.]

The way your clothes sit looks different.

[Though she laughs about his pants.]

Your pants are always impressively tight, but I guess they don't normally feel that way.

[shadowtruths]

[It's true. Normally his clothes perfectly fall and fit him, as if a stylist spent hours making him look like rumpled chic. The only times he ever looks truly disordered is when he's extremely frazzled, which is rare. Now though because his clothing doesn't respond to his command his shirt rides up a little in the back to let a peak of skin through, there's the risk of a wrinkle in the front, and he does tug a little on his pantleg in the hopeless endeavor to stretch it out a bit.]

No, normally my clothing is nothing more than thought. A part of my anthropomorphized representation. It feels like a part of me, rather than something I wear.

... what is it that humans do, then? Not about the pants, I meant... what should we do this afternoon?

[aspolyhymnia]

[The little struggle with clothes is very endearing. It's the sort of thing Stella does nearly every day.]

We eat, we go to our jobs. Feed birds on our lunch breaks.

[shadowtruths]

I do not have a job. I am the embodiment of purpose.

[Yeah, not even being human can take the pompous out of him entirely. He means it sincerely, though. He's taking her words and advice very seriously.]

... I am not against feeding birds, however. I suppose I shall have to eat, as well.

[He says that in a musing way. Morpheus is capable of getting hungry as one of the Endless. His diet though is dream energy that he simply often transforms into plates of food in the Dreaming because it's more enjoyable that way. Sans eating he can't be killed but he can starve. Now, though, in a human body, the need to eat is more immediate and the consequences more dire without it.

There's a look of concentration as he tries to ascertain the current state of his stomach.]

I do not think I require eating right this moment.

[aspolyhymnia]

I know. But you asked what us humans do all day.

[She reaches out to take one of his hands to twine their fingers together.]

I promise you'll enjoy the food.

[She's decided she would take him to her favorite little Greek Cafe.]

Shall we go for a little walk? You can get the full city experience.

[shadowtruths]

Trying your food as a human is an experience I welcome. It has improved a good deal over the centuries even as I've known it.

[Which has mostly been through Hob, and now Matthew and Stella. He gives her hand a squeeze, the experience warmer with him having a human body temperature.

Rising to his feet, he gives her a nod. He lets go of her hand only long enough to hold her jacket open for her. His own is still on him. It used to be mostly for show, but now he'll actually need it.]

Yes. I'd like to see the city how you might see it. Though try not to steer me into oncoming traffic to see what happens.

[He's teasing her.]

[aspolyhymnia]

I have some very nice food in mind.

[She slips into her coat and then takes one of his hands again.]

You feel really nice at human temperature.

[She snorts a little laugh]

I'd try to avoid putting you through pain, and then your sister would be summoned right back to come take you home. Embarrassing if I can't keep you alive one day.

[shadowtruths]

I shall trust your taste. You have not steered me wrong, unlike certain diner food has on the recommendation of others.

[Hearing her mention the warmth, he gives her hand a squeeze.]

Perhaps when I change back, I can use hand warmers before touching you.

[A thought which makes him wonder what it'll be like to kiss her. He's tempted to do so now, but Morpheus is a romantic. A part of him wants to wait and kiss and bed her later, with candles and wine and flowers.]

Not only that, but Matthew would never stop cawing about it. He really didn't like leaving me in the waking world, he never does but especially now. He's probably following us at a distance to ensure we don't need help.

[When ready he steps out onto the streets with her. He inhales a little in surprise.]

It's bracing.

[aspolyhymnia]

You don't need to. You're never cold exactly, just not warm.

[It is a unique experience to touch him normally, he just is. Not quite cold, not quite warm.]

I am sure we will have a raven following us all day. I'll keep you safe, I've managed as a human for a while now without dying.

[It is cold outside, but that's typical of winter. She nods.]

It's the wind that makes it really cold today.

[shadowtruths]

Good to know that I do not chill you with my touch. I would hate to give you cause to turn away.

I trust you implicitly, Polyhymnia. Matthew cannot help his nature to protect us, though I've no doubt his services won't be needed.

[He folds an arm around her shoulders, holding her close to him for the shared warmth.]

If we find a stand along the way I shall get us something warm to drink as walk.

[Oh. Wait. He can't manifest money.]

... I may have to pay you back.

[aspolyhymnia]

I seem to have the opposite problem from turning away, I can't stop touching you instead.

[They fell into touch easily and now are usually touching in some way when they're together]

I know you do. And I would be grumpy with Matthew if he wasn't keeping an eye on you.

[She fits neatly under his arm against his side. And she laughs that his usual trick to have money on hand won't work.]

I did expect to pay today. You don't have the same skills as you normally do.