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"Yeah, that's what I thought." There was lost to be said about someone like Morpheus, but the one thing that Kate could guess was that he had strong work ethics. Maybe not infallible? But then, even Gods were very human in some ways.
"Well, I wouldn't ask for details," she started after swallowing a big bite of her burger. Even as she reached for a fry she did a good job at pretending she couldn't see what Matthew was doing. "But I was wondering if you could tell me if my mom is having good dreams."
"Well, I wouldn't ask for details," she started after swallowing a big bite of her burger. Even as she reached for a fry she did a good job at pretending she couldn't see what Matthew was doing. "But I was wondering if you could tell me if my mom is having good dreams."
Morpheus studied Kate for a long moment, the tea and food once again forgotten in front of him. There wasn't a lack of compassion on his face, but it was accompanied by a reserved wall. He couldn't let his empathy for her situation bleed out into making deals and cracks in his rules. He liked Kate, he truly did, he even considered her a friend. Yet he could not give her special treatment in a manner that compromised how he ran the Dreaming. A one time boon was one thing, details on another dreamer was another. He knew why she asked, and he knew Kate liked to push boundaries, but he had to hold firm this time.
"I cannot talk about another's dreams, Kate." His tone was final, though soft. Frost cresting over the sharp tip of a mountain, to soften the edge with its coldness. There was a momentary pause before he added, "Perhaps it is something you might ask her yourself, though. If you are wondering about her, this is not likely to abate the more you don't seek answers. At least if you face her again you will know whether it was the right or wrong decision." Until then, it would remain an eternal What If, which was the domain of dreams and not meant to be a way to get through days of the living.
"I cannot talk about another's dreams, Kate." His tone was final, though soft. Frost cresting over the sharp tip of a mountain, to soften the edge with its coldness. There was a momentary pause before he added, "Perhaps it is something you might ask her yourself, though. If you are wondering about her, this is not likely to abate the more you don't seek answers. At least if you face her again you will know whether it was the right or wrong decision." Until then, it would remain an eternal What If, which was the domain of dreams and not meant to be a way to get through days of the living.
Edited 2025-07-09 23:27 (UTC)
Dream's answer wasn't much of a shocker. In fact, it was what Kate had pretty much expected it would be. This was, after all, the same Dream that only granted her the gift to walk into her (lover? Boyfriend?) -- Into her partner's dream only if she had his explicit consent to do so.
Honestly, she could only hope that every being as powerful as Morpheus is shares also his work ethics.
"It's okay, I get it." She told him as soon as he reminded her of his rules. But, it was after Dream reminded her that there was other ways to find the answers that she could do little but stare at him in surprise. Well, that was her own words, her own point, all shoved right back to her face. Sometimes, when there's distance between you and an issue, you can give the best kind of advice. And Dream just did that.
"That's true. I've... Sort of heard this before. But I keep delaying seeing my mom. Telling myself I'm too busy to do it or to even think about it." Avoiding it is so much easier.
Honestly, she could only hope that every being as powerful as Morpheus is shares also his work ethics.
"It's okay, I get it." She told him as soon as he reminded her of his rules. But, it was after Dream reminded her that there was other ways to find the answers that she could do little but stare at him in surprise. Well, that was her own words, her own point, all shoved right back to her face. Sometimes, when there's distance between you and an issue, you can give the best kind of advice. And Dream just did that.
"That's true. I've... Sort of heard this before. But I keep delaying seeing my mom. Telling myself I'm too busy to do it or to even think about it." Avoiding it is so much easier.
Many who met Dream for the first time did not welcome him. Oh, he was far more loved than Death by mortals, but still. There were many who held animosity over what their dreams told them. Nightmares that people fled from rather than facing. Dream didn't know what the interactions between Kate and her mother in the waking world had comprised of entirely, but he did know some truths about the situation from the nights she spent trying harder and harder to run away from unseen troubles. That Kate didn't push him for answers showed that she was indeed a friend, and not merely a desperate person looking to a higher power for help. He appreciated it, as he genuinely didn't like disappointing people. Some of his siblings could perhaps be bargained with, but he wouldn't say the world was better off for it.
"It would appear that you are not too busy to think about it." He said it simply and plainly, pointing out the obvious. Slowly he took another bite of the sandwich and a sip of tea. "What are you afraid of facing when you see her once more?" It was perhaps not a question most of polite society might boldly ask, but Dream didn't always play by normal society rules.
Matthew hopped closer to Kate, laying a wing on her arm for a moment. "Listen, as someone who died randomly before getting any of his shit together, don't delay things too long. 'cause now I get to help fix other people's problems but not everything I wanted to get fixed, you know?" He felt Dream's eyes on him as he said that. Dream had been very clear that Matthew had to severe all his past ties to the waking world, and Matthew had done that. It didn't make it any easier, though.
"It would appear that you are not too busy to think about it." He said it simply and plainly, pointing out the obvious. Slowly he took another bite of the sandwich and a sip of tea. "What are you afraid of facing when you see her once more?" It was perhaps not a question most of polite society might boldly ask, but Dream didn't always play by normal society rules.
Matthew hopped closer to Kate, laying a wing on her arm for a moment. "Listen, as someone who died randomly before getting any of his shit together, don't delay things too long. 'cause now I get to help fix other people's problems but not everything I wanted to get fixed, you know?" He felt Dream's eyes on him as he said that. Dream had been very clear that Matthew had to severe all his past ties to the waking world, and Matthew had done that. It didn't make it any easier, though.
Even though Kate seemed content with Dream's answer, his questions were a completely different story. Grabbing her soda, she had just taken a sip and almost choken on it, spitting it back into her glass before she was caught in a coughing fit.
"Shit, Morph, you really don't hold back your punches," she groaned as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Matthew took the chance to approach her and, while he was being nothing but kind with his advice, it was still a tough pill to swallow.
"I..." Kate took a deep breath, for once avoiding Dream's dark and profound gaze. "I know. I know what you guys are saying." At least, what the raven did. Morpheus seemed to be genuinelly asking, wondering about Kate's reasoning to avoid her mom. "I know I should live life at the fullest and I shouldn't waste my time. I already lost my dad." And back when Fisk wanted to blackmail her mother, the possibility of losing Eleanor had become a terrifying reality.
But how to explain what was holding her back right now?
"I know I'm not too busy, but I'm busy enough to convince myself that there's other things I should be worrying about first." Even though she did some basic work on the fundraiser and the office, unless there was an unavoidable meeting then Kate could get away with sneaking back home whenever she pleased. Of course, she tried to do the basic hours almost every day, even if sometimes she did arrive a little later if her night had been specially rough.
Fisk and the task force, she told herself, was something she should be worrying about first.
Her relationship with Matt too, that had been her light at the end of the tunnel. A distraction that was all too sweet to ignore, luring her away from her latest worries.
Anything was easier than thinking about her mother.
"I guess -- I guess it's easier telling myself that at some point I'm gonna reach out, but that it's never the right moment to do it." Would there ever be a right moment? "It's kinda tough to think of facing her. I do miss her. I do miss who my mom used to be before I figured out that she'd done all those horrible things."
"Shit, Morph, you really don't hold back your punches," she groaned as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Matthew took the chance to approach her and, while he was being nothing but kind with his advice, it was still a tough pill to swallow.
"I..." Kate took a deep breath, for once avoiding Dream's dark and profound gaze. "I know. I know what you guys are saying." At least, what the raven did. Morpheus seemed to be genuinelly asking, wondering about Kate's reasoning to avoid her mom. "I know I should live life at the fullest and I shouldn't waste my time. I already lost my dad." And back when Fisk wanted to blackmail her mother, the possibility of losing Eleanor had become a terrifying reality.
But how to explain what was holding her back right now?
"I know I'm not too busy, but I'm busy enough to convince myself that there's other things I should be worrying about first." Even though she did some basic work on the fundraiser and the office, unless there was an unavoidable meeting then Kate could get away with sneaking back home whenever she pleased. Of course, she tried to do the basic hours almost every day, even if sometimes she did arrive a little later if her night had been specially rough.
Fisk and the task force, she told herself, was something she should be worrying about first.
Her relationship with Matt too, that had been her light at the end of the tunnel. A distraction that was all too sweet to ignore, luring her away from her latest worries.
Anything was easier than thinking about her mother.
"I guess -- I guess it's easier telling myself that at some point I'm gonna reach out, but that it's never the right moment to do it." Would there ever be a right moment? "It's kinda tough to think of facing her. I do miss her. I do miss who my mom used to be before I figured out that she'd done all those horrible things."
"There are no right moments. There are merely moments, for you to do with them what is wished. It sounds like you have told these excuses many times by now then, to yourself and others. It will do little good for you to keep repeating them." He didn't say it with the intention to be unkind, merely pointing out the obvious from what Kate has stated. Dream was what his function was, and that meant having little patience for people attempting to lie to themselves. "If it is easier for you to avoid her, then that is your choice. The waffling though does no favors, and you already know the risk." That putting it off for so long might mean there won't be time left. "I would think you want the choice to be up to you and on your terms, rather than the choice being taken from you." He gave a small shrug. "I merely wish for you not to have regrets."
Like leaving a lover in Hell for 10,000 years, or leaving an estranged son wanting to die for several millennia.
He could empathize with Kate's avoidance, but he couldn't say it would end happily because of it. In his experience, the longer the delay, the worse off the situation became. Although, Eleanor was the one who'd hurt Kate, unlike Dream who'd inflicted the pain of his estranged loved ones. That added an extra layer of guilt into the mix on his end that he was trying not to let influence his talk with her.
What if he'd dealt with Orpheus sooner, before that tragic night where his body had been torn apart? Pride and fear had caused the torment of the being he loved more than anyone.
His gaze was no longer on her. It was somewhere far past both of them.
"Time may heal some wounds, but other times, it causes them."
Like leaving a lover in Hell for 10,000 years, or leaving an estranged son wanting to die for several millennia.
He could empathize with Kate's avoidance, but he couldn't say it would end happily because of it. In his experience, the longer the delay, the worse off the situation became. Although, Eleanor was the one who'd hurt Kate, unlike Dream who'd inflicted the pain of his estranged loved ones. That added an extra layer of guilt into the mix on his end that he was trying not to let influence his talk with her.
What if he'd dealt with Orpheus sooner, before that tragic night where his body had been torn apart? Pride and fear had caused the torment of the being he loved more than anyone.
His gaze was no longer on her. It was somewhere far past both of them.
"Time may heal some wounds, but other times, it causes them."
Kate listened to what Dream had to say. How, even though he most times he seemed to be quiet and distant, he now became patient as he talked away. Kate, picking a fry, stirred the ketchup in the little container that had come with her meal. But, despite of her silence, she didn't feel as if she was being called out. Honestly, the more she heard Morpheus talk? The more that sensation he fed to her heart, fooled her into imagining a very young kind of grandfather that was merely looking out for her through sharing his experiences.
He didn't want her to have regrets.
"Yeah, I get it," she was quick to point out, after she finally dared to give that fry a bite. "I know I need to listen. That you've seen it all and you know better." That she looked a little moody herself, that she seemed to have captured a little of his normal vibe by falling quite quiet herself. But in all honesty? She knew this was out of love.
Grabbing a fry, she reminded herself of how Matthew had attempted to steal one while she wasn't supposed to be looking. This time she openly offered it.
"I already have someone who offered me to be there for me if I can't do it on my own. I know I need to get my shit together and go for it. With him or on my own." Kate had the strenght. As much as she wanted Matt to be there. "I know mom may have changed, but I also know she still wants to look after me. That everyone deserves a second chance."
He didn't want her to have regrets.
"Yeah, I get it," she was quick to point out, after she finally dared to give that fry a bite. "I know I need to listen. That you've seen it all and you know better." That she looked a little moody herself, that she seemed to have captured a little of his normal vibe by falling quite quiet herself. But in all honesty? She knew this was out of love.
Grabbing a fry, she reminded herself of how Matthew had attempted to steal one while she wasn't supposed to be looking. This time she openly offered it.
"I already have someone who offered me to be there for me if I can't do it on my own. I know I need to get my shit together and go for it. With him or on my own." Kate had the strenght. As much as she wanted Matt to be there. "I know mom may have changed, but I also know she still wants to look after me. That everyone deserves a second chance."
"I have seen a good deal. Not everything." As powerful as he was, Morpheus always was quick to state his limits, or if someone else was more powerful than he was. That sort of precision and boundaries mattered to him. "And I know a good deal." A beat. "In part because of mistakes of my own." Perhaps he should let humanity think the Endless were infallible. Was it kinder to keep that lie, than to let them know that these powerful beings sometimes made mistakes? Perhaps. He wasn't a very good liar, though. "Some of these mistakes are ones I have yet to rectify myself. So I can say with the wisdom of that experience that yes, waiting does not help. In many cases, it makes it worse."
Matthew took the fry and held it in one of his feet while he started to chomp on it from the other end. How a bird with just a beak managed to eat all that Matthew did was indeed some magic of the Dreaming.
"We're big on second chances, yeah. I mean hey, I guess you could even call ending up a raven as a second chance." That was at least a positive way to approach it.
Matthew took the fry and held it in one of his feet while he started to chomp on it from the other end. How a bird with just a beak managed to eat all that Matthew did was indeed some magic of the Dreaming.
"We're big on second chances, yeah. I mean hey, I guess you could even call ending up a raven as a second chance." That was at least a positive way to approach it.
[OOC: Continued from here.]
She wishes to locate our prodigal sibling. Our first attempt at the searching did not go well.
When was the last time you sought something? Person or otherwise.
She wishes to locate our prodigal sibling. Our first attempt at the searching did not go well.
When was the last time you sought something? Person or otherwise.
[OOC: Continued from here.]
Most loathe and fear me for their nightmares, rather than finding purpose in them. I understand the distaste, even if nightmares are not born out of malice.
I know my dreamers well, yes. Though I keep their counsel private. Even for the Endless there are rules, and for good reason.
If you can say the cost was worth the endeavor, then you are ahead of many. Though I do not wish hardship upon you for it.
Most loathe and fear me for their nightmares, rather than finding purpose in them. I understand the distaste, even if nightmares are not born out of malice.
I know my dreamers well, yes. Though I keep their counsel private. Even for the Endless there are rules, and for good reason.
If you can say the cost was worth the endeavor, then you are ahead of many. Though I do not wish hardship upon you for it.
I take it this sibling doesn't want to be found, then?
I get a little stir crazy when I'm bored and lonely. Not too terribly long. Cats chase mice, birds, and pretty little distractions.
I get a little stir crazy when I'm bored and lonely. Not too terribly long. Cats chase mice, birds, and pretty little distractions.
No, he very much does not.
Tell me what distracts you of late in the waking realm. I can account for those in dreams.
Tell me what distracts you of late in the waking realm. I can account for those in dreams.
Oof. Yeah, that explains why she seemed so sad. I could swear I've seen her somewhere before, probably from around the time I was doing waaaaay too much Molly.
This and that. Sometimes the little ghost detective boy drops in for a visit. I've managed to completely refurbish the witch's den into a cat sanctuary.
You're not in need of a new crow familiar, are you? Or is it a raven you use? I get them mixed up.
[They're all just birds from a cat's pov]
This and that. Sometimes the little ghost detective boy drops in for a visit. I've managed to completely refurbish the witch's den into a cat sanctuary.
You're not in need of a new crow familiar, are you? Or is it a raven you use? I get them mixed up.
[They're all just birds from a cat's pov]
It is possible you have spent time in her realm. You are fortunate to have then left it as intact as you are. ... she has been through a great deal in her existence. More than her share.
Have you? Perhaps I shall see it sometime in person. It has been some time since I have visited a cat sanctuary.
Raven. I still have Matthew, why? Did you try out a familiar of your own?
Have you? Perhaps I shall see it sometime in person. It has been some time since I have visited a cat sanctuary.
Raven. I still have Matthew, why? Did you try out a familiar of your own?
You're welcome to come and take a tour. It's a nice little alternative spot to the old canning factory. Especially in the winter months.
Just trying to offload the witch's familiar. Birds and cats, as you can imagine, don't get along very well. He pops up every so often and in such a state that even I'm starting to feel sorry for him.
Just trying to offload the witch's familiar. Birds and cats, as you can imagine, don't get along very well. He pops up every so often and in such a state that even I'm starting to feel sorry for him.
Edited 2025-07-12 22:29 (UTC)
Less drafty? Thank you for the hospitality, I shall take you up on your offer. I have been attempting to spend a bit more time in the waking world. To experience dreamers more on their terms.
I see. It is difficult when one's purpose is taken from them. There are other ravens in the Dreaming, even if they are not my direct companion. I shall speak with him. My sister is better at helping others make transitions, but we shall see.
I won't tell anyone you have the capacity for empathy, don't worry.
I see. It is difficult when one's purpose is taken from them. There are other ravens in the Dreaming, even if they are not my direct companion. I shall speak with him. My sister is better at helping others make transitions, but we shall see.
I won't tell anyone you have the capacity for empathy, don't worry.
I get the feeling he didn't consent to the transformation from crow to familiar, and she probably abused him heavily. But you didn't hear that from me.
You'd better not. I've got a reputation as a mercurial magical creature to maintain.
You'd better not. I've got a reputation as a mercurial magical creature to maintain.
Heard what? I will take such nothingness under consideration, though. There is enough abuse of power in this world.
Reputations are stories in and of themselves, Night Prowler. There is always room to tell them as you wish.
[OOC: Heya, any interest in writing out Dream dropping by the new sanctuary? Totally cool if not, I enjoy the texting. Just wanted to ask. :)]
Reputations are stories in and of themselves, Night Prowler. There is always room to tell them as you wish.
[OOC: Heya, any interest in writing out Dream dropping by the new sanctuary? Totally cool if not, I enjoy the texting. Just wanted to ask. :)]
Edited 2025-07-12 22:53 (UTC)
Even though Kate wasn't exactly known for listening and following advice, it was obvious that she wasn't taking Dream's or Matthew's advice for granted. In fact, listening to her friends did ease some worries away.
Sure, it's not like her situation with her mother was now any easier. But it was easier to accept that she did miss Elanor. And that, even though there was no wrongs or rights here? At least reaching out wouldn't bring her the worst of regrets. This advice, coming from someone as old as Morpheus and that has seen as much as him? That, oddly enough, gave Kate some comfort. Because, as independant as she claimed to be, sometimes it was nice to be told which is the best road to take. To stop worrying about those worries themselves.
"I'll reach out," she finally told the pair. "Thank you, guys. I kinda... Was just set on avoiding this." And even though things wouldn't be any easier between her and Eleanor, now at least she did have the drive to swallow this bitter pill. "But your opinons matter to me. A whole deal, I promise you."
Grabbing a fry of her own, Kate ate half of it in a bite.
"Like, no offense, but advice doesn't get any better than when it comes from someone as old as you are, Morph." A beat. Kate couldn't help but sharing a look with his raven. "Unless we are talking about fashion advice."
Sure, it's not like her situation with her mother was now any easier. But it was easier to accept that she did miss Elanor. And that, even though there was no wrongs or rights here? At least reaching out wouldn't bring her the worst of regrets. This advice, coming from someone as old as Morpheus and that has seen as much as him? That, oddly enough, gave Kate some comfort. Because, as independant as she claimed to be, sometimes it was nice to be told which is the best road to take. To stop worrying about those worries themselves.
"I'll reach out," she finally told the pair. "Thank you, guys. I kinda... Was just set on avoiding this." And even though things wouldn't be any easier between her and Eleanor, now at least she did have the drive to swallow this bitter pill. "But your opinons matter to me. A whole deal, I promise you."
Grabbing a fry of her own, Kate ate half of it in a bite.
"Like, no offense, but advice doesn't get any better than when it comes from someone as old as you are, Morph." A beat. Kate couldn't help but sharing a look with his raven. "Unless we are talking about fashion advice."
"You're much more gracious accepting advice than many others." Including him. Dream knew he was notoriously bad at accepting advice, though he'd gotten better about it from Death and Lucienne. Sometimes even Matthew. A wry look came to his face as she noted his age. "I wish I could say that with age always comes wisdom, but that is not always the case. I have tried to be more... adaptable... of late. There are many gods and immortals though who do not see past their own pettiness." Dream considered at least one of his siblings like that, if not both the twins. "When one doesn't die easily, then learning from one's mistakes can at times become more difficult." With all the time in the world, some beings became lackadaisical about actually making improvements.
He took a small sip of tea, an eyebrow raised over the cup at what else Kate said. Glancing down at his long black coat, black pants, and black boots, he questioned, "What is wrong with my attire?" Surely everything still went with black. It was a style choice he hadn't changed in all the eons he'd been around in existence.
He took a small sip of tea, an eyebrow raised over the cup at what else Kate said. Glancing down at his long black coat, black pants, and black boots, he questioned, "What is wrong with my attire?" Surely everything still went with black. It was a style choice he hadn't changed in all the eons he'd been around in existence.
I've often found meaning in my dreams. They are telling of our lives and every one reminds me that I am still here to breathe through another day.
I appreciate that. I imagine that is partly why I sought your counsel above all others. I don't have any true friends left. When you were raised with assassins who can all be bought, it isn't easy to find anyone loyal.
You are kind. I will either live through this or not. I will fight, for that's what I do, and there are the lives of young children at stake as well. Their futures aren't set yet, and maybe they can escape the life I have.
I appreciate that. I imagine that is partly why I sought your counsel above all others. I don't have any true friends left. When you were raised with assassins who can all be bought, it isn't easy to find anyone loyal.
You are kind. I will either live through this or not. I will fight, for that's what I do, and there are the lives of young children at stake as well. Their futures aren't set yet, and maybe they can escape the life I have.
Indeed. I would not exist if dreaming did not serve a purpose. Once there are none left who dream, I will have completed my function.
Loyalty is hard to come by in many places, I am sorry to say. I am glad though that you have found respite in the Dreaming. I have tried to do right by those who enter my realm.
Even knowing Destiny well, I can say that the future is not always clear nor what we think will unfold. No one person must walk the path of those that came before them.
Loyalty is hard to come by in many places, I am sorry to say. I am glad though that you have found respite in the Dreaming. I have tried to do right by those who enter my realm.
Even knowing Destiny well, I can say that the future is not always clear nor what we think will unfold. No one person must walk the path of those that came before them.
Do you think there will ever come a day when there are none who dream? I can't imagine it, maybe if artificial life takes over.
You're a source of comfort in a world where I've found very little. Thank you for that. You also have a very unique perspective on the world that I would never think about without you. I'm always in need of broadening my horizons.
No more truthful words have been spoken. We can't walk in any other footprints other than our own. Life is unique to each of us.
You're a source of comfort in a world where I've found very little. Thank you for that. You also have a very unique perspective on the world that I would never think about without you. I'm always in need of broadening my horizons.
No more truthful words have been spoken. We can't walk in any other footprints other than our own. Life is unique to each of us.
All things must end, even the Endless. Though I do not know the details of it, that is for Destiny's purview, I do know that the day shall come. My sister shall lock the universe up behind her as the last of us. Perhaps my time will come before even that, be it from A.I. or otherwise.
Life is indeed unique. Though you are not alone in wanting better for those that come after. I hope that you find likeminded souls in the waking world, too.
Life is indeed unique. Though you are not alone in wanting better for those that come after. I hope that you find likeminded souls in the waking world, too.
As Kate took a sip of her soda, she could have sworn that somehow, in Ohio, Clint was having a laugh. "Maybe. Maybe sometimes." Did she always follow advice? Definitely not always. She certainly didn't always follow advice or the rules. "Maybe sometimes." When it cames to emotions, rather than actions perhaps?
Was she changing for the better?
Again, Clint was probably instinctively laughing.
"Are you guys actually capable of dying?" It was hard not to be curious over that fact, since that last encounter they shared had Kate worrying and wonderin about Morpheus. Late at night or early in the morning, whenever she finally made it to be and she wasn't too tired to simply pass out, sometimes she thought about Dream. And even though knowing that the Dreaming was still alive and thriving, she couldnt' help but wonder about him.
At the question, she couldn't help but share another conspiratory look with Matthew. "Oh, there's nothing wrong. But... Black for a whole eternity?"
Was she changing for the better?
Again, Clint was probably instinctively laughing.
"Are you guys actually capable of dying?" It was hard not to be curious over that fact, since that last encounter they shared had Kate worrying and wonderin about Morpheus. Late at night or early in the morning, whenever she finally made it to be and she wasn't too tired to simply pass out, sometimes she thought about Dream. And even though knowing that the Dreaming was still alive and thriving, she couldnt' help but wonder about him.
At the question, she couldn't help but share another conspiratory look with Matthew. "Oh, there's nothing wrong. But... Black for a whole eternity?"
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