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[shadowtruths]

@ shadowtruths

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[aspolyhymnia]

“I mean that the Dreaming itself is more important than a singular Muse.” She doesn’t discount the life she’s had, but to maintain the Dreaming is more important than her singular life.

She looks up to meet those pools of nighttime; there is a singular beauty in them that always strikes her.

“I go with awareness of the dangers. I will not have you sacrificing yourself for me.” She is firm on that point. “And I don’t know if I will wish to return, perhaps I wish to finally stay with you. If you’ll have me.”

Have yourself a queen of the Dreaming if you wish it, Morpheus.

[shadowtruths]

"The Dreaming will survive, whether I do or not. I hope to ensure that none come to harm beyond that for mine or its sake. Your willingness to sacrifice yourself though is noted." Lifting her hand to his lips he brushes a small kiss against the back of her knuckles. Dreams are, after all, a large part of how inspiration works. Her powers are intimately linked to his, and vice versa. Perhaps that is why both of them have been so drawn to artists and inventors over the years. To stories of all kinds. "I do not take your commitment or your passion lightly. However, if I am to accept your commitment to protect what is mine, then you must accept my commitment to protect what is yours."

He lets the back of his hand graze down her side, to define her form. That he loves her, and that he protects what he loves.

"The Dreaming would be honored to have you as its Lady." For some years now, though years are not long for either of them, she has split her time. Morpheus has seen how the realm responds to her. How his citizens welcome her presence. He has acted rashly in the past when falling in love, but it hasn't felt as such with Stella. Perhaps now is the right time to make this advancement. He does believe they are stronger together.

Leaning down he kisses her lips. He tastes of old parchment and haunting tales, of ocean surf off the coast of Greece and bountiful deep beneath the waves.

When they part he murmurs against her lips, "We should go, then. To the Dreaming. To prepare for our guests. They will be... impatient, no doubt."

@hawk_shot

[shadowtruths]

Kate was dreaming.

There wasn't time to search her out in the waking world. No, when Dream set his mind to something, very little could delay or deter him. After that family gathering, after the wrongness of his actions against Nada became abundantly clear, there was only one choice that could be done. A simple matter, really. Descent into Hell and free one soul. Face off against the First of the Fallen, against the hordes of Hades, against the demons and the damned. Face them all, even when in the back of Dream's mind, he knew that 10,000 years of pain could not be undone. What was that proverb? Let no good deed go unpunished?

No. He cannot blame any of this on his actions to free Nada. This was all from old wounds of pride, having been left to fester too long. His. Lucifer's. God's. Who knows how many others.

Dream was making the rounds, in case he didn't return from Hell. The Dreaming will survive, he'd made preparations for that. Still. He was afraid of what might come. Surely it wasn't stalling to say farewell, though? He owed it to his... friends.

He practically glides into Kate's current dream. He's perhaps influenced it to ensure this is a nice dream, so that her possible last memory of him was not an unpleasant one. He waited in the corner a moment, observing her with hands folded, before he spoke quietly. "Forgive the intrusion."

[hawk_shot]

The sun was bright above the world, even though Kate didn't even question why it didn't kiss her skin.

Her apartment? She recognized the loft about Herman's Hearty Slice, how could she not? But there was something different about it. It was more spacious, a little less grungier than how she had liked it when she first moved in. Were those the windows at the penthouse?

She didn't even question how New York's landscape, with it's usual blue sky and the top of the skyscrapers, they were gone. The blue sky was still there, but it competed with the bright green of fields that were familiar. Kate leaned into her father as he gave her a sideways hug, kissing the top of her head before he let her go. Kate didn't need to look back or hear the voices, but he knew her mom and dad were discussing something ordinary. Life simply went on.

As she finally opened one of the doors that led to one of the many balconies, Lucky shot out of the apartment, running freely through the fields. And yet something shook her to the core.

Suddenly, things made sense. Kate searched into her pocket for her phone, but even though she unlocked the lockscreen, she couldn't recognise words or numbers. It was then when he spoke up.

"Morph?"

Had her phone disappeared from her hand? Kate forgot about it and suddenly her hands were free of holding onto anything. There he was, after how long?

"I haven't seen you in ages!"

Cutting down the distance between them, Kate ran to meet him. She didn't hesitate, wrapping her arms around the King of Dreams himself.

"Where have you been?!"

[shadowtruths]

It was such a simple thing, to stand witness to that of which dreams were made. Morpheus had done it countless times, and still many countless more went on without needing his direct presence. He simply created the matter, molded possibility into make believe actualities. He set the stage for people to then hold whatever plays their minds wanted. He was the set architect, the costume designer, the props master. His dreamers were the stars and directors. He had sent the subtle tidings of a pleasant night Kate's way, and let her mind determine what form that took.

We do not manipulate them. If anything, they manipulate us.

He knew her father, of course. He knew Eleanor too, and Lucky. He held their dreams as well, past and present. Often they had dreamed of Kate, too. He would never know what that was like to have a family member dream about him. The Endless did not enter his realm in that capacity. Oh, they had day dreams, wants, hopes, and desires. They each intersected and overlapped in different ways, but it was never anything like this.

He was happy for her, to experience something of this nature.

Only humans could surprise him like this. When Kate barreled into him he hesitated, a little startled, before he slowly let his arms fold around her. It was awkward, clearly a gesture he did not do often nor well. "I have been busy." He said it as fact rather than apology. "There has been much to rebuild." A small pause. "And much still that needs mending. I have kept tabs on you, though. In my way." Surely that wasn't creepy at all. "I am pleased you remain whole in the waking world."

Who knew if she'd still be among the living by the time he returned.

His jaw worked, a faint haunted expression found in his ancient eyes before he kindly glazed them over once more. Musingly he said, "These are your homes combined, are they not? The penthouse, the apartment, the farm. Three in one."

The one who are three.

No.

Morpheus took a step forward to where the balcony set upon the open field and breathed in the air. It was crisp and sweet, a memory taken from real life. "You have lovely homes."

[hawk_shot]

It wasn't a shock, how stiff Dream had been as she held onto him. But, as always, Kate didn't allow that to deter her. Morpheus? His robes felt so much more solid than even the ground on her feet, she could even feel the texture on his clothes, even if the black swallowed them from any chance of being visible.

And yet, like his very presence, Kate knew they were there. For as long as she dreamt, Kate knew he was there. It was a comforting thing to know, even if he didn't always make himself known as he did right now.

"I know you're a busy guy," she granted him as she finally let go. "But it's really nice that you came by."

Almost as if she was noticing the weight of their surroundings for the first time, Kate nodded. She moved, walking towards what would have been the edges of the balcony, now stone raillings that divided the apartment from this green sea of grass she was stepping on.

"It's like time has blended." Her mom. Her dad. And in the distance with Lucky...

"You would know about it, since you helped creating it." Well, with a lot of help from her memory, probably. Kate still was unaware of how Morpheus' creative process worked. "Do you wanna come in? Or we could go for another walk in New York if you want to."

[shadowtruths]

"Little is linear in the Dreaming. Except, perhaps, the experiences of those who reside here permanently." Dinosaurs and i-Phones could co-exist peacefully, but neither Lucienne nor Matthew nor even Dream could unwind an unkind word said between them with a mere flick of time's table. There were limits on even what the Dream King could do, or else... or else what? If he tugged at a past mistake to make it appear as though it never happened, it would be to undo reality in such a way that might unravel them all. No. There were limits, and the cosmos were wife to enforce them. At times.

"I do know about it." Still, it was rude to talk for her about her dream. "Though it would not exist without your part in the exchange, either." The dream was only as meaningful, as exuberant, as the unconscious hopes and wants were behind it. "I am but a function, given form when needed." Though his all-black aesthetic when he did appear, that was admittedly because he liked it. A function of the universe could still have a personality, apparently.

"It is your dream. We may go where you wish." He hesitated a moment. "Though I'm afraid I don't have much time. I wanted to see you before... I am going away, and it may be for quite some time."

[hawk_shot]

"Dreaming is a team effort, huh?" That made sense. Because, even though he was an an ancient, all-powerful form, even Kate figured that anyone would go insane if they had to come up with all kinds of dreams, at the very same time, for every breathing thing, for all of the eternity.

Suddenly, having finals overlapping with archery nationals didn't seem all that daunting anymore. Even taking over Bishop Security sounded like a piece of cake in comparison.

Freedom. That was enough to make a person wonder. When you could dream about anything in the universe and you were aware that you had the option instead of simply wandering into a scenario... What to choose? Of course, Kate didn't have enough time to wonder, when Dream's confession about his visit mader her heart give a painful skip.

"What - What'd you mean you're going away?" And why did that sound so final?

She hated those stories. Well, she loved them, but hated the endings. Someone meets a magical being at a time of need. They walk into their ordinary but troubled lives and, after fixing helping them figure things out and give them a lesson, they have to go away.

Why did this feel like a goodbye?

"For how long?" Surely Dream couldn't simply disappear again, could he? How would the world continue dreaming without him?

Both suspicion and fear started creeping up upon her.


"Am I seeing you again?"

[shadowtruths]

He heard the fear in her voice. The concern. She cared about him deeply. That was how most humans did things. So passionately unrestrained. Even those who were reserved were often roiling with emotion beneath the surface. He would miss it. Them. Her. He'd miss Hob, and even Matthew, who was still so terribly human. All of this to free another person, who had been kept from her loved ones because of him. Who had lost more that he would, even if he did end up gone.

Very slowly, Dream reached out to touch Kate's cheek. His hand felt like smooth skin, but it was the same temperature as the air around them. There was no actual heart pumping blood through veins. It was all a manifestation, a form that was for her benefit. People tended to perceive him as the same species as they were. "I promise you, the Dreaming will always be here for you. That will never change, and always survive."

There was a momentary sadness in his eyes, but it cleared away and he gave her a faint smile. Which, for Morpheus, was often as good as he could manage at any time. "I would grant you a boon though, before I go. One of your choosing, so long as it is within reason and capable of me to give."

[hawk_shot]

It spoke more than words could.

Had Dream ever touched her like that? Kate had never held back and had shamelessly hold onto his arm while walking together, that had never been an issue. But, painfully, she realized this might have been the very first and last time she'd feel his hand. His touch. Unrequested, given freely. It was a strange sensation. Like being a child again and climbing on a statue made or marble. Pretending it was alive and talking to it.

This time, it spoke back to her, Kate realized as a sad little smile spread on her lips. She leaned into Dream's hand before he took it away.

Not all would be lost. But she would still miss him.

"Any dream?" That meant, something she could no create on her own, perhaps. Of course, her thoughts wandered towards asking him to spend another day in the waking world, like they had in the past. If this was their last time meeting each other, shouldn't they both enjoy it to it's fullest?

No. This couldn't be a real goodbye. Perhaps he simply didn't know how long he'd be gone.

Kate braced herself, looking away in the distance. Lucky.

Matt.

...

It was the one, unique thing she would never be able to do on her own.

"Is it...?" God, was this even allowed? Maybe she was crossing boundaries. But then, would he hold her against it? They had joked about it before, Kate had a vague memory of it. "Can a living being walk into someone else's dream?"

[shadowtruths]

He felt her lean against his hand. Tender and affectionate. It was Kate's way. Her language. It was not Dream's, but he understood it. He was able to, in small ways, offer and receive it. Everyone kept telling him how much he'd changed these days. Would he have done this small act of kindness, of speaking on her level, in her manner of expression, before? He didn't think he had changed that much, but he also couldn't say he knew the answer to that question. Perhaps he had changed more than he'd thought. Which begged the question, how much could one change before there was nothing left of the old?

What did any of that mean, for the Endless?

He was going to Hell, but at least the Dreaming would live on.

His back was now to the open balcony facing the fields. A setting sun was felt upon his back, and he heard the dog barking in the distance. He'd always liked Lucky, though he didn't imagine it was a dog whose dreams Kate hoped to share.

"Yes," he said slowly, with careful deliberation eons in the making. "Though it is not to be done often, nor without the permission of both parties." Crossing of dreams also sometimes happened other ways, when there was something wrong going on in the Dreaming, but he knew she meant a purposeful collusion. Something that he could facilitate. "If that is your request, I can grant it. You will receive two amulets. When worn, you will find one another in slumber that night. It will work only once, and both hearts must want it, or else it will not end well." His head tipped towards her. "Is this what you want? To use your boon to find another in the Dreaming?"

Do you want to give up the boon of the Endless, so that another might share in it?

[hawk_shot]

Guilt crept up upon her as Kate wondered if she was making the wrong choice. Maybe she should request more time. Or answers on how to eventually find him, once the time came for his sister to finally meet Kate. All that, as natural as it seemed, felt morbid at a time when she returned home covered in bruises and thankful to be laying back in her bed.

These days, even at the darkest of hours, Kate had found new reasons for the world to feel brighter.

This request of hers? It wasn't purely selfish. He was there, too. In a way. That figure, at the distance? Him, who Lucky had gone to greet like it was the most natural thing in the world? Lately, he was a comforting presence. Both during the waking hours and sometimes, even in Kate's dreams.

"Would a person, someone who cannot walk in my world," Kate licked her lips, considering how to word her question. "I know it's probably a dumb question, but, can they walk in the Dreaming?"

She remembered flying in her dreams once. She had been a child back then.

Maybe even the blind were able to see in their dreams.

[shadowtruths]

If anything, Morpheus thought her request was remarkably unselfish. Most he offered a boon to focused only on their own wants and needs. They either wanted something too grand for him to permit, or something that would only benefit themselves. Often at another's expense. It was why he offered them rarely, because most of the galaxy could not be trusted with such power. Even Constantine had opted for a payment that just let them get a good night's rest. Not that Dream would have expected anything else, from a Constantine.

Still. Sometimes, humanity surprised him. Like now, with Kate wanting to share her gift.

"Yes. Those who cannot walk can dream of running. Those who are old can imagine themselves as young. Those who have lost love may experience a shard of what it once was, a moment of memory that they've held onto for a lifetime. That is, in part, what the Dreaming is. A place to rest and unravel. To revisit and reclaim. To mourn losses and find new purpose." If Morpheus sounded like there was nothing more precious to him in the galaxy than the Dreaming, well that was because it is how he felt. "The Dreaming is whatever the heart and mind need at that moment, to get through the night, and face the coming day."

[hawk_shot]

Reaching blindly towards the stone railings Kate knew would be within her touch, she moved to lean with her backside against it. The sunset was beautiful but, it was Dream's words that finally brought a much needed comfort.

"Does that mean that, even if that's not the real you, I might still meet you in my dreams?" It was a tricky question, she knew. "A Schrödinger's dream," she chuckled, finally meeting that hope in the horizon.

Sucking in her lips, she looked down at her own feet, those combat boots that suddenly it wasn't too hot to wear.

"Yeah, I think I'll take that amulet then, if you're cool with giving it to me." There was nothing broken with Matt, nothing that needed to be fixed. But she would be lying, if she never admitted that sometimes she wondered how he'd react if he could actually see her face with his own very eyes. Maybe in his dreams, would she be able to be surprised by seeing the world the way he does?

There was too many questions. And perhaps this was a little selfish on her behalf. But she wouldn't forgive herself if she wasted this chance.

Speaking of Matts...

"Do you think that Matthew can come and say hi from time to time? And what about Lucienne?" God, that one would probably be harder. "Look, someone needs to remind Lu to take a break from time to time."

[shadowtruths]

He said nothing when she went on about seeing him again in her dreams. Dream did not lie, although sometimes the truths he spoke were shrouded in layers to be unraveled. Most often he simply said nothing, and that was what he did now. He simply waited, until she said that she wanted the amulets. With a small nod of his head, he held out his hands. He concentrated for a moment before two silver necklaces appeared, one in each hand. At the end of each of the simple chains held a silver amulet in the shape of a narrow hexagon. Pointed metal edges with grooved stars gave way to a clear crystal center in which were filled with grains of sand. Dream offered them to Kate. "When you waken they will be in your hand. Put them on the night you intend to share slumber. There is enough sand for one night's passing."

One night was all he could, or would, give her.

As she continued on with her requests, wanting to stay in touch with Matthew and Lucienne, Dream gave her a small, exasperated smile. "You do like to push boundaries, don't you." She had barreled into his life, certainly. He would miss it. "It is for the best that those of the Dreaming don't have too much contact with the waking world. With that said... Matthew has not yet forsaken his love for real pancakes." Would the bird at least visit? Possibly. Ravens, at least, were meant to travel between realms.

"I should go." His shoulders, if possible, straightened even further. As though he was steeling himself. "If possible, I shall let you know of my return. If not... have a wonderful dream, Kate. May it be all your mind hopes it can be, and may it help in whatever you face next."

[hawk_shot]

Like a marble statue. Sometimes, getting answers out of dream was a request met with incredible kindness, patience and riddles full of ancient wisdom. Other times? It was like trying to squeeze answers out of a rock.

Still, that was part of his charm.

Kate watched with fascination as Dream held out his hand and fabricated the necklaces. With her mouth agap, she almost forgot to thank him as she carefully brought the necklaces towards herself, pinching one by it's silver chain and holding it up for a closer inspection. The sand, it shifted inside. It blew her mind, to think something so simple could, at the same time, be so powerful.

Will she get to keep the necklaces once her wish was granted? It was a silly question, wanting a keepsake, and so she did keep that to herself.

She did, however, grin smugly as he called her out for her will to still hold onto this bond they shared. And he, once again, granted her with another little gift. At least, hope that her feathery friend would stop by. Would Kate keep an eye open whenever a raven crossed her path in the park? It wouldn't be the first time that she'd a bird if they had met before or if they were being shy.

"Have a safe journey, Morph." Blinking a couple of times, Kate realized her gaze was slightly watery. This had been so unexpected, after all. Young and distant as Dream looked, there was something that had always felt primal and familiar about him. Unsettling, but in an alluring way. Like speaking to a long, lost relative and then finding out that your great grandfather actually looks like a cousin.

She was going to miss him.

"Please take care of yourself."

[aspolyhymnia]

“If it’s all the same, I would prefer you survive.” Can the Endless even die, really? She doesn’t like that it seems they must be able to, if he has gone through preparations to prepare. It worries her more than anything else about this. She would take the key to Hell herself if that’s what needs to be done.

“I shall accept your protection.”

The graze along her form is met by one of her hands moving to rest lightly on his hip. Their love was unexpected; but Stella would argue it was not rushed or foolhardy.

Stella tastes of vintage wine, fresh picked blackberries and the late edge of summer, just before a harvest.

“I would not be surprised if my Father graces your gates.” One more tiny kiss. “Let’s go then, you can tell me your plan for this gathering.”

[shadowtruths]

An aspect of Dream had died before, not that he ever talked about it. When the last Dream Vortex happened. Dream had felt it happen, though feeling one aspect of himself die was admittedly not the same as ceasing to exist as this aspect. He was merely setting everything up with Daniel as a precaution. A contingency. He could not risk the Dreaming, it was merely that. Or was he just telling himself that?

He had changed so much, he kept hearing people say. How long until there was nothing of his old self left?

Or was there enough to survive whatever shape he needed to take now?

Questions for which he didn't have any easy answers. Reaching down he slid the key to Hell into his pocket. He moved to hold Stella close, cradling her head against his shoulder. "Then I suppose we are protecting one another." A faint hint of amusement came to his melodious tone. "Though Matthew will say that he is the one protecting us all."

A swirl of sand took them to the Dreaming's castle gates. His three mammoth guards bowed respectfully as he and Stella entered. Right now the castle held an Italian Renaissance style to it, though with Stella arriving, Dream's loving doting automatically made a few Greek tweaks to the design, and some sunflowers suddenly furnished inside the halls. "Oh, I would not doubt if your father did come, or some representative from his Pantheon."

Not awkward at all, to have the arrival of both his ex-father in law and his potential future father in law all in one. Although it could be worse. It could be his actual father.

"I tried to give the key to Death, but she refused. Wisely, I'm sure, on her part. So we will hear the petitioners, and see who among them is fit to rule." If any.

Time Jump - Post Finding Hell a New Ruler

[shadowtruths]

It had been nothing but torrential rain in the Dreaming since Nada left. Hell had a new ruler, the key given back to the Creator. Whether God had found another angel to take Lucifer's place, Dream neither knew yet nor cared. It was no longer his problem. He had gotten Susano-o-no-Mikoto out from the eternal torment meant for Loki, as was his duty as a proper host. He'd ensured the Dreaming was standing well in the stead of so many gods and beings of power being on the premises. He'd arranged for rooms so Nuala could reside in the Dreaming as her choice. Then? He'd moped. Brooding as he got drenched, letting himself feel cold to add to his self-inflicted misery. The Dreaming responded to his emotions, and the entire realm sighed as boots squelched under the storm.

Lucienne had, delicately, reminded Dream that he had another obligation to fulfill. A promise to Kate to let her know he was alive. It was possible she was entirely trying to get him out of his funk, and to give the Dreaming a small break from his gloominess. Somewhere she said a silent sorry to Kate about it, but really, maybe a change of scenery would do Dream well. Dream had given her a sour look, but she had hit upon one of his weak spots. He had to uphold a promise. It would not be honorable not to.

So he appeared, with Matthew, in the waking world. The woman at the front desk of Bishop Security looked up, surprised, at the sudden tall, pale figure dressed in a long, ornate black coat in front of her. His hair was perfectly disheveled, and his eyes... no, she was mistaken. They were just a lovely blue. She blinked, trying to figure out how to tell him that the bird on his shoulder wasn't allowed. Was it? "May I help you?"

"I seek an audience with she who bears the company name." His voice was low and melodious, politely requesting an audience. He could have just appeared in Kate's office, but that would be rude. At the confused look on the woman's face he added, "Kate Bishop. She is expecting me."

"Of... course. One moment." Clearing her throat, the woman buzzed up to Kate's office. She turned around a little and said in a low voice, hoping the man couldn't hear. "Ms. Bishop? I think one of your cosplay friends are here. A Mr..." She turned around and said louder, "I'm sorry sir, your name is?"

"You may say Morpheus." A long pause stretched until she realized he was not giving a surname.

"Right. Of course." Into the phone. "A Mr. Morpheus?"

[hawk_shot]

It had been nothing but torrential rain these last three days in New York City and honestly? Kate felt like few torments in Hell could compete to the absolute boredom she was enduring. She wasn't even looking forward to patrolling tonight. Because sure, she wanted to see Matt already and possibly meet with Peter too. But unless there was a sudden change of weather? The forecast promised they would spend a few hours looking stoic while they shivered the fuck out of their costumes.

And there was something just sad about being a wet superhero. Out there in public, pretending you were wet down to your underwear when even bad guys knew better than to be commiting crimes in nights like these ones.

With her folded arms over the desk working as a pillow of sorts, Kate sulked as she tried to come up with an excuse to go home early. She still had a meeting later in the afternoon, some urgent paperwork that needed to be signed (everything was deemed urgent when it came to paperwork) and--

"Yeah?" Normally, Kate didn't always pick up the phone this quick. But this was further proof of just how bored and sleepy she was feeling today. Not even playing games in her phone was working as they were making her feel a little drowsy. A total backfire.

However, picking up the phone had turned to be possinbly the best decision she'd made all week.

"WHAT???!!"

Her voice echoed through the office, heads turning towards her door before Kate slammed it open and ran down the hallway and between cublices, apologizing on her way as she almost tackled down a few workers. Soon, she was standing by the reception, her eyes growing wide.

"Morph?!"

If Dream had been caught by surprise the last time Kate hugged him, this time he sure would have left wondering if the way the young woman crashed against him would have left him out of breath. If he breathed, of course.

"Matthew! Morph! It's so good to see you guys!"

[shadowtruths]

Matthew let out a caw, wisely flapping upwards and lifting himself off of Dream's shoulder just moments before Kate careened into him. One would think that Dream would get used to Kate's welcoming embraces, but he clearly had not. Even with attempting to brace himself he still staggered back a step or two, more out of surprise than anything else at the emotion. He'd figured Kate would be pleased to see him, but even he hadn't anticipated this much exuberance. He let out a small, "Oof," and, once he regained his bearings, awkwardly patted her on the back. "I told you I would keep my promise, if possible." That he would see her should he return while she was still alive.

Would someone incapable of love do that? The question sounded petty even inside his own mind.

Matthew flew to settle on Kate's shoulder instead this time. He cawed again, not using his regular speech among the staff, and nuzzled his head against her cheek.

The bird was clearly more capable of affection than Dream was, at least outwardly. "Matthew insisted on coming along for this reunion," Dream noted wryly. "He does not like me being in this realm unattended."

Matthew muttered lowly against Kate's ear, "Fat lot of good that did with you running off to hell. If he thinks this makes up for it - I mean, caw. Caw?"

Dream turned his head and inclined it at the receptionist. "Thank you for your aid in my endeavor. It showed great hospitality." The woman mostly looked confused but nodded back, wondering why this odd man her boss was hugging felt both so utterly weird - and yet weirdly? Also familiar.

[hawk_shot]

Realizing she almost knocks Dream down, Kate stepped back to allow him stand more upright. To give the all-powerful entity a little more dignity. It was the least she could do, she realized, excited as she was to see him again.

At least Matthew was so much more open to affection. As he perched himself on her shoulder, she beamed as the bird gave her some nuzzles. Wasting no time, Kate's fingers threaded carefully through those pitch black feathers as she caressed the raven.

That is, until the bird so casually mentioned Hell.

"Wait, what?"

It was Dream who, ironically, drew her back to reality and the current state of the office. Because even though everyone was still pretending to be working, there was no doubt that most of the eyes surrounding them were set on the trio. Honestly, Kate could not blame them. After all, their boss had just ran across the office, yelling and meeting some emo guy and had a raven on her shoulder.

If they were on the streets there would already be a bunch of cellphones aimed their way.

"Uh, yeah, thanks Maddie." She addressed the receptionist before turning to the crowd. Holding her hands up, Kate cleared her throat. "Sorry, everyone! I didn't mean to distract you! Humm. I know you work very hard and, speaking in the name of the company? I really -- We really appreciate what you're doing. Every single day. But today? Lunch is on me."

She turned to face Maddie again. "Hey, could you take down everybody's order for me? And if you want dessert too, let me know. You totally deserve it. You're a life savior, I swear!"

Dumbfounded, Maddie could do little but stare as Kate, who had given her no time to reply, guided Dream and Matthew towards her office.

"If you want something, just let me know." She told the pair, "I have snacks in my office, anyway. Matthew, do you like peanuts?"

Can ravens be allergic to peanuts?

[aspolyhymnia]

She fits easily alongside him, she has her own questions and worries. She will eventually ask for the wrong he was righting, but she trusts that it must be worthy of the trouble.

Stella takes in the changes to the castle, she quite likes the new look.

“What if I represent my pantheon?” He would not need to choose her, but she could be the representative.

“Your sister has plenty of work without a whole other realm. Though she would have been first on my list to ask as well.”

[ooc-finished episode 3]

[shadowtruths]

"Love peanuts. I swear food still tastes different down here. Tastes better. More real. Everyone in the Dreaming says that's phooey, but I know what I know. They're all the ones in denial. Not that I'm telling Taramis that of course, I don't wanna be a dick - oh hey, you got one of those little fridges in here." Matthew happily prattled once they reached Kate's office, like it was difficult for him to have held it in for so long.

Dream entered behind them, standing in front of her desk with his hands folded. "I don't require anything."

"No hey, give him something. Man hasn't eaten in weeks. I know, he technically feeds off dream stuff, but he hasn't even been eating that and a full belly goes a long way," Matthew interjected, settling himself on Kate's desk.

"I thought I employed a raven, not a hen," Dream said dryly, to which Matthew ruffled his feathers.

Muttering something about ungrateful bosses, Matthew turned to Kate. "So uh, it's okay we stopped by, right? Seems like pretty cool digs you've got here. Bet people like working where they get free lunch."

[hawk_shot]

"I'm ordering lunch for us too, don't worry about it." Matthew's babbling was often underappreciated by those around them, Kate knew. Dream's passive-aggresive lack of patience was proof of it. But if you asked her? It was often one of the most reliable sources to figure OUT the King of the Realm of Dreams.

Circling her desk, Kate pulled the second drawer to her left, already knowing that an assortment of snacks in different sizes of packets would be waiting there. Pulling out a small bag of peanuts, she teared it open and, after pouring a few on her palm, she held it out for Matthew to have a go at them.

"Are you kidding me? You totally made my day with this visit!" Even though her gaze had landed on Dream, she quickly cocked her head and leaned a little closer to the raven, her tone full of warmth. "The both of you. I missed you guys so bad and, I swear. If you had come here an hour later? You would have found me in the Dreaming instead."

Gesturing at Dream to take down a seat if he wished, Kate rolled her own chair towards herself as she continued holding her hand out for Matthew to eat from it.

"So, what's this thing Matthew mentioned about you going to freaking Hell?"