No. She is not unkind by nature. Time and experience have also given us all much chance to change of late, too. To temper what might otherwise have boiled over. I include myself in that observation, too.
I thought you should know, though. That she and I spoke.
[Dream can be found where he's promised himself to be. Fiddler's Green is in fall bloom, the ground a little cold and hard to the touch, the leaves brilliant colors only dampened by an overcast sky. The Dreaming responds to its master's moods. There isn't the downpour of grief, no lightening bolts of rage. Just a quiet, contemplative and steady drizzle of misty rain. Dream himself is sitting on the ground, cross legged, feet bare. He doesn't seem to mind or care that he's getting wet. He's in just a t-shirt and jeans, staring ahead though not really looking at anything. It's only when she arrives that his gaze focuses on her. Slowly he gets to his feet, enjoying the feeling of steady earth beneath them.
One tree limb bends to Stella, offering itself to shake in greeting. The leaves quiver and the remaining flowers release sweet scents, insects buzzing and fish in the water rippling their greeting. It seems Fiddler's Green and its inhabitants love when she visits.]
[When she arrives she is initially a hint concerned by the weather, but it's not strong enough to be tied to an especially negative emotion.
She does love the greeting that she receives, shaking the offered branch and waving at the fish. It is lovely to always feel so welcomed by the Dreaming.]
[He gives a small nod, watching as the greeting she warmly receives slowly dies down to give them some privacy. Or as much as the Dreaming ever gives the matters that involve its lord.]
Seeing her, it always reminds me of... him.
[Orpheus. Dream can't even bring himself to say his son's name. Stella is one of the few who even knows about him still around. He gives a little shake of his head.]
It's no matter. I'm merely tired. It was a talk we needed to have, about you and I, and I'm glad that it is done. We can move forward now without feeling that weight.
[He reaches out to brush back her hair from her face.]
It did. Feelings can never run smoothly, it would seem. At least not in our cases. Though I can't regret them from existing.
[Given his history, falling for his ex wife's sister is about on track for Morpheus. No doubt Desire would have a field day with it should they become aware.]
This is true. The Dreaming would not bring you such an ailment. And I rather like the feeling of rain.
[After a moment he relaxes into her touch, wrapping his arms around her in turn. One hand rises to bury itself in her hair. His head bends down to rest against her neck, breathing in deep as though he can drawn in comfort from her.]
I can see you doing that. What did you enjoy about them, back then?
I did not take in pleasures of the flesh like that for a very long time. I still fail to remember to do so most often. Though you and others have reminded me of them.
[He makes a small gesture towards his bare feet.]
I am making up for lost time, although granted doing so in my realm.
Death did try precisely that, I'll have you know. I did not partake.
[Big sisters, amirite? Though Dream does love her dearly. His hair is indeed wet and dripping, though oddly, it does not lose its wild shape no matter how sodden.]
I find Fiddler's Green to be quite peaceful, though. Even if it grows weary of me sometimes.
[Tree branches shake vehemently as if to say, 'NO. Us? What? Never' in a way that's a little too emphatic to not actually be true. Dream gives a knowingly wry look around, he knows he can be a lot for even his subjects sometimes.]
She is absolutely incorrigible, as only family can be.
[He gives a fond look around the space that is both an extension of him as well as home to so many outside of just him. It's an intricate organism of sorts all its own, yet one that vibrates to the very center of his being.]
It is my purpose, and sanctuary. I shall never let it fall into disarray again.
[The rain is slowly dissipating, leaving a brilliant black sky in its wake. Midnight creatures flock and fly above every so often against a moon that shifts in phases.]
She is by far my most agreeable sibling. Though I feel somewhat protective over others of my younger siblings. Some of them.
[He offers her his arm so they can stroll, heading vaguely in the direction back to his castle.]
I have allowed Matthew to decorate the entrance area of the castle for Halloween. He and some of the other castle staff have taken to it with... let us call it gusto.
I don't know most of them well enough to say. I never took the time to get to know your family as well as I likely should have.
Matthew is largely spearheading the decorating, but I have crafted what he's asked for in order to complete it. I think his death is still new enough that he misses his human traditions. It is a little thing to give him his holidays.
... though I found spiders and cobwebs on my throne. I did have a talk to him about that.
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[Her eldest sister is a reasonable person and Stella is confident Calliope knows that this isn't some intentional act for either Stella or Morpheus.]
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I thought you should know, though. That she and I spoke.
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Shall I seek you out tonight?
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[It's his manifested safety blanket. Or rather... it's his second choice for that.]
Actually... I think I shall depart for Fiddler's Green, if you'd like to meet me there.
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[She just has to go fall asleep real quick.]
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One tree limb bends to Stella, offering itself to shake in greeting. The leaves quiver and the remaining flowers release sweet scents, insects buzzing and fish in the water rippling their greeting. It seems Fiddler's Green and its inhabitants love when she visits.]
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She does love the greeting that she receives, shaking the offered branch and waving at the fish. It is lovely to always feel so welcomed by the Dreaming.]
It's moody weather, are you doing alright?
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Seeing her, it always reminds me of... him.
[Orpheus. Dream can't even bring himself to say his son's name. Stella is one of the few who even knows about him still around. He gives a little shake of his head.]
It's no matter. I'm merely tired. It was a talk we needed to have, about you and I, and I'm glad that it is done. We can move forward now without feeling that weight.
[He reaches out to brush back her hair from her face.]
You're getting wet.
[As though that isn't his fault.]
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I'm glad it seems to have gone as well as it could.
[She gives a little shrug about getting wet.]
I can't catch a cold here, so it doesn't bother me.
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[Given his history, falling for his ex wife's sister is about on track for Morpheus. No doubt Desire would have a field day with it should they become aware.]
This is true. The Dreaming would not bring you such an ailment. And I rather like the feeling of rain.
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[She steps close to drape her arms around his neck. The rain feels cool and it is rather pleasant.]
It reminds me of standing outside during summer thunderstorms when I was little.
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I can see you doing that. What did you enjoy about them, back then?
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The cool of the rain on my skin after a hot day. It was always refreshing.
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[He makes a small gesture towards his bare feet.]
I am making up for lost time, although granted doing so in my realm.
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It would be very strange to see you frolicking in a city park.
[a hand moves to his face, to caress his cheek and brush away droplets of rain as they drip from his hair.]
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[Big sisters, amirite? Though Dream does love her dearly. His hair is indeed wet and dripping, though oddly, it does not lose its wild shape no matter how sodden.]
I find Fiddler's Green to be quite peaceful, though. Even if it grows weary of me sometimes.
[Tree branches shake vehemently as if to say, 'NO. Us? What? Never' in a way that's a little too emphatic to not actually be true. Dream gives a knowingly wry look around, he knows he can be a lot for even his subjects sometimes.]
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[Which sounds absolutely adorable. Stella could imagine Morpheus sat on a bench looking sullen instead.]
I never grow tired of watching the Dreaming react to you. Even when it seems a little overly enthusiastic.
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[He gives a fond look around the space that is both an extension of him as well as home to so many outside of just him. It's an intricate organism of sorts all its own, yet one that vibrates to the very center of his being.]
It is my purpose, and sanctuary. I shall never let it fall into disarray again.
[The rain is slowly dissipating, leaving a brilliant black sky in its wake. Midnight creatures flock and fly above every so often against a moon that shifts in phases.]
Would you care to walk, or shall we sit?
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[The Dreaming is endlessly fascinating in a way nothing else she's ever seen is.
His mood must be lifting if the rain is subsiding.]
Let's go for a little walk.
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[He offers her his arm so they can stroll, heading vaguely in the direction back to his castle.]
I have allowed Matthew to decorate the entrance area of the castle for Halloween. He and some of the other castle staff have taken to it with... let us call it gusto.
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[She doesn't think they really do. She slips her hand into his arm.]
You're decorating? I love everything about Halloween in the Dreaming as a whole concept.
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Matthew is largely spearheading the decorating, but I have crafted what he's asked for in order to complete it. I think his death is still new enough that he misses his human traditions. It is a little thing to give him his holidays.
... though I found spiders and cobwebs on my throne. I did have a talk to him about that.
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That is very kind of you, Matthew still holds a lot of humanity in him.
Your throne has a very halloween vibe to it. I honestly can't blame Matthew on that.
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That he does. I would say he is by far the most human of all the ravens I've had.
It is more comfortable to sit in than the appearance may seem.
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[Since Matthew has also taken to visiting Stella from time to time.]
I don't believe that. It does not look comfortable at all.
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