"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."
"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?"
"Oh damn, honey roasted? K, you're my kinda woman." Matthew happily hopped over to Kate's hand and began to chow down on the peanuts. Even Dream had the barest flicker of amusement on his face at how effortlessly Matthew thought nothing about literally eating out of someone else's hand. "And why were you about to snooze? This place is that boring? Or is it the weather?" Matthew craned his head to look at Dream. "I thought we'd leave the thunderstorms behind us!"
"Well, this isn't my realm's doing," Dream reminded him as he took a seat, his back still remaining perfectly straight. "I don't actually have control over the weather in the waking world."
"What if a storm nightmare got lose?" Matthew questioned. "I almost sorta thought I saw a face in one of those clouds on the way in."
Silence.
"Eat your peanuts, Matthew."
"Yes, boss."
Dream turned his gaze to Kate then, another silence stretching before he answered. "It came to my attention that I had committed a great wrong long ago. Once realized, I had to return to hell to fix it. Things did not go according to plan."
"That's because there was no plan." At Dream's look, Matthew retorted, "Yeah, yeah, you had a contingency plan for the Dreaming. We still worried about you." Dream didn't go anywhere without his raven. That was the job. That was the deal. It hurt Matthew that he'd been left behind.
That took Dream back. "I did not mean for any to worry." To Kate, "Anyway. The matter is settled. We must take accountability, must we not? Whatever the cost."
"I'm sorry, storm nightmares?" She asked as both Dream and his feathery companion continued, ironically, brainstorming about what was going on.
At the very least, Kate had grown used to some of Morpheus' moods. His so very expressive face. Right now? That stoic look was probably a good sign. One in which he was in no hurry to get a job done and instead he could encourage his bird to have a snack instead.
"Oh, so a quick visit to hell, nice. To fix a mistake." What kind of mistake could someone like Dream do? Kate's attention fell again down on Matthew as she dropped a few more peanuts from the packet straight to her hand for the raven to enjoy. "What did he do? Forced the devil to dream about Jojo Siwa's songs in repeat?"
Whatever it was, it sounded like Kate had not been mistaken when she worried for his life. His existence. Whatever it was that tied an Endless to the universe. Even Matthew had clearly been hurt as they were left behind.
"Everyone cared," Kate spoke more firmly. "Dream, taking accountability is awesome. I mean, shit, I wish more people in the world would understand that. But leaving everyone? You don't have to do things alone." What could she do for him in Hell though? It pained her, knowing she had no place in his fights. But surely someone, out there, among his siblings or other powerful beings, must be there for him.
In the Dreaming or in Hell's Kitchen, some fights were all the same.
"Shit, Dream. I woke up with freaking tears in my eyes. You know how worried I've been about you?" She knew it might be something, he must feel something. They were friends. Close enough for him to watch over her. Close enough for him to come say goodbye. And now, close enough for him to be true to his word. "Please, don't ever leave on your own again. You? You look after a whole sleeping universe. Let at least one person look after you, too."
"He is having a jest," Dream assured Kate at the proposal of a storm nightmare. Not that they didn't exist, but he'd know if one escaped and was currently wrecking havoc above them. "I am afraid I cannot be blamed for the current climate in this realm." In the Dreaming? That downpour was, admittedly, his fault. It wasn't like it was always conscious, though. The Dreaming was him, he was the Dreaming. His inner turmoil sometimes bled out and affected the climate. Though he had reveled in letting himself get drenched.
"Uh." Matthew looked at Dream when Kate asked what wrong Dream had wanted to right. He wasn't sure saying Nada's name was really the right thing to do right now. "Not sure if now's the right time to dwell on that."
There was a deep look of pain in Dream's eyes before he let the night sky in his gaze swallow it. Nada had every right to walk out on him, of course. To not forgive him. To say his kind couldn't really love. What hurt the most was wondering if she'd been right about that.
"I am sorry for the pain I have caused. However, it was my mistake alone to rectify. It would not have been right to put that burden on another." Dragging someone else to Hell, especially when thinking he'd be facing hordes of demons? No. He couldn't risk either his friends from the Dreaming or those on earth. "It is kind of you, though. That you care."
A pause. "Do you think all of your kind are capable of love?"
She had to give it to Dream. Considering that gods were not known for taking criticism all too well in many stories? Not only he had taken Kate's words like a champ, but he did genuinelly seemed apologetic.
This wasn't the time to guilt trip him, was it? If anything, he'd gone to Hell itself to fix some mistake. That? It was huge, Kate reminded herself as she briefly focused on stroking Matthew's feathers. "Of course I care. We're friends. Just like I know you do. You wouldn't be here if you didn't."
Dream's question, however, surprised Kate.
"Humans? Well, I do know that even monsters can love." Fisk came instantly to mind. Matt had told Kate about Vanessa, his wife. The lenghts Fisk had gone to, to marry the woman and to make their marriage work. She was his everything. But was that love?
"Or maybe it's their twisted perception of love," she mused outloud. "I don't know if everyone is. Like, I know there's narcissists who lack empathy and their relationships tend to be pretty messy." Were they not capable of any kind of love, though? "Why?"
"Yes. I suppose I do care." He rarely sat around and dissected his feelings, though the past few days it had certainly taken precedence. It bothered him that Kate had been distressed. That he had upset Matthew and the rest of his staff. A necessary evil perhaps, but still. Or was that just more excuses?
Her answer was nothing that surprised him. Nothing he hadn't sensed from humanity itself, though it confirmed what he figured from a human.
His jaw worked for a moment, debating how much to share. He was the Lord of Dreams, after all. Stepping down to rely on others was immensely difficult for him. It was stripping something back, something bare, to talk about his own troubles and doubts. "Someone once close to me has called into question whether the Endless are capable of it ourselves." The possibility that he could only feel what his siblings embodied, that it was all desire and love was outside their grasp, distressed him.
With Matthew now apparently satisfied over that snack, Kate patted her own hands clean of any pieces of peanuts before leaning forward on her desk. Over her folded arms she watched Dream as he clearly went through one of those internal debates of his. Kate could tell. She had grown used to him going silent before dropping a big philosophical bomb.
"I don't think you'd be here if you were not capable of love." Sure, maybe duty had taken him down to Hell, Kate didn't have any details. Perhaps, the same thing could be said about this visit. Dream had, after all, promised he'd let her know if he was fine.
"You wouldn't have come to me to say goodbye, last time you visited." He wouldn't have offered a parting gift either. Or put up with Kate pushing for more, unwilling to let go of him and everything he represented in her life.
Well, aside of the Dreaming itself.
"What you did for me? I think that was an act of love." Of friendship. "Love is not reduced to romance, I'm pretty sure you know that."
"No. Love is not relegated to mere romance." He knew he cared about others. He wanted to think he knew how to show compassion and empathy. Was it all love? Perhaps there wasn't an easy answer. "Some clear answers evade even eons of time. Or perhaps become less clear over time. Either way, thank you for your insight. I shall take it under consideration."
Matthew shook his head and relayed to Kate, "It's been a long few days in the Dreaming. Getting out here and stretching our wings is probably the best idea. Literally and figuratively speaking. Though... I guess with the weather we probably can't go very far."
"There is always an update on your life to share." Dream carefully slid the topic away from him. "How are you, Kate?"
[OOC: Sorry for the short replies, I'm mobile for most of the day.]
"Hey, personally I think that following your instinct usualy can lead you the right way. Or maybe even thinking about the most obvious answer to that question." It shocked her a little, to realize that Dream perhaps wondered about his own capability to love. Or that he'd even come to her, trusting her with that question.
But in all honesty, the answer seemed too simple. He cared too much about others not to be able to love.
And speaking of love.
"Good, actually. Pretty good." Kate's whole demeanor became suddenly very optimistic, as her thoughts drifted towards someone that always made her days brighter. In a way, he made her glow.
"I'm, well, getting to know someone." Was that the best way to put it, though? They did know each other pretty well. Perhaps, it was more accurate to say she was getting to know him in other ways. "I guess you know about it if you've kept track of my dreams." Oh, God, spoiler culture is getting everywhere, isn't it? "His name is, hummm," her attention shifted briefly towards the raven. "He is a Matthew, too."
[ooc: No worries! It's all good! Thank you for taking time to tag back. <3]
"What is obvious to one is not always evidence to another. Though I am pleased if such clarity is bestowed upon you." He meant it sincerely, if she could trust her instincts with conviction. He'd come to realize, especially of late, that sometimes what he'd thought were acts of logic and reason were in fact not. That he had changed over the years, even if a part of him kept wanting to deny it, and that was making him question parts of his past.
He noticed her brighten when the question was turned around towards her.
"I know what has been unveiled in your dreams, yes." He knew everyone's unconscious mind in that capacity. It did not mean he followed their every thought and feeling in the waking world, but day dreams and night dreams? They were his domain. He had to know them to help set a stage for them, and to protect them. "Though what words one puts to sentiments in my realm are not always identical to those one might use when woken."
"It's a good name," Matthew assured her. "And he better be a good guy, or else he's got a pecking coming towards him."
Dream didn't have to wonder if this was the man Kate had destined for the amulet, though he didn't press her on that. He merely said, "I am glad you have someone to stand by your side, and to find comfort in at night. Existence is a lonely road to walk alone."
Looks could be deceiving. In Dream's case though, there was something about him that left people hanging on uncertainty. Because he did look young and inexperienced, but then there was an aura about him that spoke of something ancient, something out of this world.
It was something Kate had never experienced before with another living being.
It was his words that often reminded her of unreachable wisdow. So much knowledge that he instantly accepted that there was always room to learn. "Yeah, you have a point. It's always easier to think we understand things when there's certain distance." She only hoped that, whatever it is that worried him, he would soon found answers to it. And that it would grant him peace.
At least now Kate could do little but smile at both her friends, eager to share with them more of what was going on with her life. "I don't always remember my dreams, but I'm pretty sure I've had a couple that match what's going on in this world." Her attention turned to Matthew then. "And trust me, he is a great guy."
Of course the raven would approve of the name, Kate was expecting that already.
"I hope I can introduce you guys to him sometime," Kate offered. "He... he was very thankful for the gift you gave us, Morph. It meant the world to us."
"Distance is sometimes helpful. Other times I wonder if so much stretching cannot skew things." He didn't find answers in his words so much as what if's, so he couldn't help but wonder what value his words had. He certainly didn't feel wise in this moment. "Unless you meant distance as in answers for someone else's problems and not our own." That he could see, although he thought his older sister Death still gave far better advice than he did.
"I am glad the gift was well-received. If I cannot tread down love's path myself, it is good to know that I can play my part in it happening for others." He could only presume that Kate's act had been one out of love. It was what he was meant to do, anyway. To act as a function for humanity, to serve their purpose. "May the world you share be full."
Matthew pecked at his hand, lest he get maudlin again, before turning to Kate. "So, what's on the lunch menu? Is it pancakes?"
"Oh, I meant distance from someone else's problems," Kate was quick to clarify. And yet, Dreams words lingered with an unexpected truth. He did, as he did often, have a point there. Taking distance from our own hardships wasn't always the best of answers.
Was that why sometimes in her dreams Kate's legs felt so heavy and running, escaping, became a real challenge? What was she running away from? She didn't dare to ask Dream, tempting as it was. After all, she knew he would have the answer.
And, as she learned from what happened with her mother, truth is the one thing you can't ever run or hide from once it's revealed.
"It was a wonderful gift," Kate's gratefulness was something she wasn't shy to share. "It was so unique and--" Her hand found her chest, almost as if to stop her heart from swelling too much. "No pun intended but, something we could have only dreamed of."
Her attention turned to Matthew, as she remembered her promise to her staff. "Oh, right! Lunch! Humm, we can have anything you want, really. So, pancakes?" She looked at both the bird and his master. "I was gonna say, I know this place that makes the best sandwiches. Of course, we could always order pizza. And you can have pancakes too if you want, Matthew."
Dream gave a single nod, satisfied with her answer. That was what the Dreaming was for, wasn't it? To fill in the cracks of one's conscious mind. To let bleed out what cannot be, and use it to transform the world into possibilities. He hadn't kept a personal tab on how that night had gone for Kate and her consort, outside of his general awareness that his dreamers were fine, but the sense of fulfillment from the experiment hadn't gone unnoticed. "I am pleased the boon was well-received."
Matthew cocked his head then, studying Dream. "What would you want your boon to be, boss? If you weren't the King of Dreams."
"I am the King of Dreams."
Matthew rolled his eyes at Kate. "Then you outta all of us should be able to play pretend. If someone else was gonna give you a dream boon, what would you want yours to be? Me, I'd wanna be back in my old body. Win a really good round of poker, eat some good food, meet a lady and-" His gaze went back to Kate and he quickly ended with, "And do gentlemanly things together with her." Hopping over he lightly pecked at Dream's sleeve. "C'mon, humor me. Where would you want a dream to send you?"
Dream gave him a look, was silent for a long moment, then finally said, "To Greece."
"Huh." Matthew looked at Kate, then shrugged. "Why Greece?"
Ignoring that question, Dream said to Kate, "Anything you wish to order for lunch is fine."
"Get him a fried chicken sandwich," Matthew added, then at Dream's look he replied, "Like I haven't seen you maw down a bucket of fried chicken alone in your throne room?" Smirking as Dream had no comeback, Matthew added, "And if it's not too much trouble... yeah, I want pancakes. And updates on all our shows. Unless you haven't had a chance to watch since you're now a Boss Lady. Hey, are you hiring?" What? He's just asking!
"Wait, what'd you mean your old body?" Kate's attention was stolen by Matthew even though at the same time it remained divided and on Morpheus. Knowing Dream? He'd drop soemthing shocking in a blink and you'll miss it kind of moment. But what was that the raven said? Original body? She always thought she was happy to cuddle a talking bird! Not that she was petting some middle-aged man in feathers!
Of course, Dream did not disappoint. Greece of all places? "You mean the Greece from the Dreaming or the ancient Greece? Maybe the Olympus?" She wouldn't be shocked to hear those gods were real too and that they were old buds to him. "Because if the modern Greece works for you, we are one flight away from making that a reality."
It was a dumb offering, probably. She knew Morpheus could appear himself anywhere. But, as always, it felt natural to offer a hand to a friend.
Speaking of offering...
"Chicken sandwich?" Kate couldn't help but scrunch up her nose in amusement as she imagined Dream sprawled in that imposing throne and with a KFC bucket on his lap. Damn, if she could rule anywhere, that sure would be the way to go. "And pancakes. And updates," she agreed. "Let me check out there if they have the list of what they wanna order. Drinks?"
Kate, of course, wasn't gone for long. And even though New York continuned pouring itself and tapping the windows of the building with rain, everyone's moods seems to have improven. Kate could tell that people were curious, though.
Soon, as she made it back to the office, Kate handed Morpheus a packet of Skittles. "All ready now, lunch shouldn't take long. Trust my Boss Lady word," she teased Matthew. "So, how's Lucienne? And the Dreaming? Trust me, if you want my feedback, everything seems to be running smoothly."
"Oh, uh..." Matthew preened a few of his feathers, suddenly feeling the awkwardness in the air. "I, uh, used to be human. Until a few years ago. I died in the Dreaming, and instead of becoming worm food, I became this." He spread his wings wide, indicating his raven form. "It's not all bad. I mean, immortality doesn't always suck. And I'm not being a kiss ass to say I like the gig. I still remember what it's like to be human though, you know? I miss it sometimes." As always, Matthew spoke from the heart and off his sleeve. A part of Morpheus wondered when the time would come when that veneer of humanity, that longing for what once was, would slip away. It always did, for the ravens. Yet that inherent loyalty, that truthful center, that would remain. "Dream had another raven before me, but nobody talks about them."
"It is the past, Matthew." Dream's voice rolled out like soft thunder. Striking, but not with the singular intent to harm. If anything, he was trying to be kind. To close Matthew off from questions with answers he might not truly want. "It does not do to dwell on it. For your sake."
If only Dream would take his own advice.
His hands remained clasped on the desk, but they tightened a little at the following questions about Greece. "The Greece I once knew. I have not been there in a very long time. There is no reason now to visit." Not now that his son was wishing for death, and he was no longer married. He supposed in his answer he'd let slip that it was therefore someone, or someones, there that had been the draw, rather than the country itself. "It is a pointless game. I cannot grant myself a boon, anyway." Or rather, he would never use his power in that manner.
"Wine," was Dream's immediate answer to what should be drunk.
"You don't drink wine in an office, boss," Matthew stage whispered to him. "Fried chicken and wine nights are just a throne room thing." He was admittedly playing it up a little for Kate's amusement. Dream was so tightly wound he did not let himself indulge in lounging in his throne room with chicken and wine often. It was just when he was completely exhausted and in desperate need of refueling that those nights happened. Still, secretly, Matthew loved those moments. Not to see Dream depleted or upset, but because they made him seem... well. Almost human. Who didn't want to eat shit and get drunk after a rough day?
Dream was exactly as Kate had left him when she returned, like a statute that hadn't moved. Matthew was hopping around her desk inspecting everything on it. Dream gave Kate a perplexed look when she handled him the Skittles. He stared at the package like he was almost unsure what to even do with it. "Lucienne is well. The Dreaming is functioning adequately. We recently had many visitors, so everyone is a bit worn out from that experience."
Oh, okay. It wasn't like it was creepy. It certainly made way more sense than magical ravens that could talk like humans and knew the rules of poker. This was Matthew. Her friend Matthew. Human in mind still, not creepy because he sometimes rode on her shoulder.
"Well, if it helps, we can still play cards digitally?" Without hands holding cards certainly sounded tricky. "Maybe I'll get you a stylus to hold. I doubt the beak and a touchscreen will go together well." It didn't even agree with gloves at times.
Once Kate walked out of the office, Dream's words echoed in her head. There was something he clearly longed for. Something that, unlike mortal beings or those who could indulge in dreams, he would not be able to experience. Hell, there had to be a reason why he got so broody and enjoyed his friend chiken and wine. Dream claimed he did not want to dwell on what was lost. He could not grant himself a boon to head to the past, but then, would he dare to look forward and into the future?
She hoped those Skittles would allow him to have more colorful thoughts for now, at least.
"Yeah, I don't have any wine in here, sorry." In all honesty, Kate wasn't all that big into wine herself. It was only recently and thanks to Matt, that she agreed to taste it while paired with certain meals, following her partner's suggestions. "But you can have soda or water or sparkly water. Tea or coffee?"
At least, she was glad to hear Lucienne and the other friends she'd made at the Dreaming were doing good. "You mean this experience you had. When you went away?" She teased him a little, but didn't push too much for anwswers.
"So," claiming her seat again, Kate rested her chin on her palm, her elbow on the desk. "We established you can't grant yourself a boon. Or travel in time to the Greece you loved." Or to meet the people she figured he'd once loved, back in the day. "But if you could have a human experience these days? Go to the theater or watch a game maybe? Get shitfaced at a KFC?" Her attention fell on Matthew, the raven who had once been a man. "The Balloon Museum?"
"Who taught you how to play poker? If you're suggesting we find ways to fuel my gambling itch, I'm not gonna say no." Matthew paused, then looked at Dream. "I don't have to say no, right? I mean, I know I don't actually get a paycheck in the Dreaming, so it would all be betting in good fun..." Hey, he had a better shot of getting Dream to agree to a probabilities game than he did Destiny. "I know you don't really know what the word fun means, but think of it like... whatever doesn't totally suck for you. It's like that. You should try it sometime."
"Tea will be fine," Dream replied, ignoring the rest of the rambling from Matthew. Curiously he opened the package of Skittles and poured some out into his hand. He knew what they were via unconscious osmosis, but he'd never personally eaten one. He examined them thoroughly before selecting a single yellow one and eating it. He then held his hand out to Kate and Matthew. The bird quickly grabbed a red and a green in each of his feet.
"Yes. I came into possession of something a great many wanted. Gods and immortals from all over came to lay their claim." Dream sounded tired just remembering all that mess. "It has been dealt with, but it has been a long time since I played host to so many."
"It was a pretty impressive shindig," Matthew cut in. "I mean, until the whole demon fight thing. But hey. All's well that ends well, right? Plus, we got a cool new person staying at the castle. Lady Nuala. You'll love her, Kate. She's from Faerie. Yeah, fucking Faerie, pardon my French. That place is real." His attention then shifted back to Kate. "Wait, Balloon Museum? What's that? ... can I pop them?"
"Totally just in good fun. I mean, if you wanna bet? We can always bet peanuts," Kate offered, her chin still in her hand as she nodded to each one of Matthew's points. Nobody could claim she wasn't a supportive friend. However, at the slandering of Dream's fun? For once Kate needed to stand up for him, too. "But in Morph's defense? Anyone who has a dragon, a gryphon and an unicorn at his door does know of a bit of fun. Specially if they get shitfaced at their own throne."
At Dream's request, Kate got up, heading for the area in her office where she kept a mini fridge and an electric kettle on the counter. She only stopped to grab a couple of skittles, before she wondered if she had re-stcoked her tea or not.
She could always check at the office's kitchenette.
Thankfully, her secretary was a life-savior. Not only the sweetest girl ever, but always ten steps ahead of anything Kate might need.
Of course, worries about tea blends were forgotten as Dream and Matt shared more about how things had gone in the Dreaming since they had last seen each other. Grabbing a bottle of mineral water, Kate opened the lid of the kettle and started pouring it all in.
That is, until the bottle itself slipped off her hold and was dunked straight into it.
Kate didn't even notice. "I'm sorry, you're talking about faeries? Real fucking faeries like freaking Tinkerbell?" Honestly, this should be getting old by now. Because being shocked around these two? Kate should be used to never know what to expect.
"I do not..." Dream shot Matthew an exasperated look because the bird had started this. Looking back at Kate, Dream explained firmly, "I do not get drunk on my throne. I would have to choose to let myself feel intoxication for it to happen." He just liked the taste of wine. Alcohol didn't by nature have any affect on him, unless he decided he wanted to feel the facsimile of such effects. Which, of course, he never chose to feel. That would veer too closely to not being absolutely in control at every given moment. "The castle guards, however, do perform their jobs admirably." They also greatly enjoyed Kate's visits.
"We should all get dream drunk sometime," Matthew mused. "You know. Really cut lose. No, that's not a bad word," he added, seeing the look on Dream's face at the prospect of cutting lose.
Noticing the bottle slip, Dream thought nothing of finally moving. Rising up, he moved to the kettle and reached in to help remove the bottle. His sleeve was wet when he pulled it back, but a moment later, utterly dry. He set the bottle aside and studied the kettle, trying to figure out how to turn it on. Just the on button, surely? He pressed it.
"Not precisely like Tinkerbelle, but yes. Faeries. The Lady Nuala has chosen to remain in the Dreaming, after it was revealed she may not return to her homeland." Honestly, Dream felt terribly for her. He'd never liked the thought of slavery, had always found it cruel. That Titania had given away one of her subjects was... unthinkable to Dream. No doubt worse for Nuala. "... she could use a friend, actually. Another friend," he was quick to add, before Matthew objected. "She is a young woman, for her species, betrayed by Queen and kin. She saved her people, and they thought nothing of doing this."
Matthew looked at Kate and whispered, "You know that meme about having a pet one day and you'd already kill everyone if something happened to it? That's Dream when someone fucks with someone in the Dreaming." He was teasing, but also, this was what he actually liked about his boss. Sure, Dream was proud and stiff and sometimes cold, but he was already doing all he could for a woman who'd faced heartbreak under his roof but days ago.
"And you never choose for it to happen?" It seemed like the most natural question. Because sure, Dream was clearly no longer young and probably didn't find amusement in getting totally wrecked for the sake of it and then feeling like crap in the morning. Hey, neither did Kate! She was now a mature young woman in a mature relationship with a mature man. But she understood what it was like to really enjoy the taste of something. Sugar, in her case, was an addiction she struggled to get rid of. " And you have the classiest and nicest of guards, that's for sure. Send them love for me on your way back."
Kate never wasted time that could be spent befriending those around them. And people in the Dreaming were no exception. Who didn't want a dragon for a friend anyway? Dream was living proof of that. Or he would be, if he was alive. Existing proof perhaps? Either way, Kate watched in delight as he came over to give her a hand, always enjoying watching him as he did the most domestic of tasks. She doubted that many had her luck.
And yet, that was only a brief distraction as Dream now gave her a little more context on this new guest in the Dreaming. "It's crazy, because I heard so many stories about faeries being either these cute little things or totally terrible monsters." Doing unspeakable things to those who dared to wander into their territory. Sort of like going to a game and realizing you're celebrating at the wrong side of the stadium. "But hey, if you say she's cool and she needs a distraction from whatever it is going on with her, you know she's always welcome to come hang here. We can do touristy things if she's new to New York." Hanging with a nice faery? It was the sort of experience Kate would be super happy to try.
Then, without thinking, she added. "Besides, my Matt? He is the best cook ever, I'm sure he'll be able to impress you guys." Grabbing the box of tea out of the cabinet, she was quick to take out a little bag, placing it in a white mug with Bishop Security's logo on it. "If he knew you were coming I'm sure he would have been happy to thank you for what you did for us, Dream."
"Of course I do not choose to intoxicate myself. It would be putting myself, and thus my duties, at a disadvantage." He'd wondered about it sometimes. Seen some of his siblings indulge in letting it happen. He'd had nights with Hob where the other man got tipsy. He could feel the dreams of the inebriated. That though was the closest he'd ever gotten in his existence. "I dislike the possibility of not being in control."
He accepted the mug with a nod of thanks, waiting for the water to heat up. Unlike Matt, Dream gave no indication right away that he cared what the particular blend was. He had his preferences, but he was too polite a guest to do anything but accept whatever was offered. Since knowing Matt though, the tea supply stocked in Kate's office was only of the highest quality. Dream knew this tea when he smelled it. With a small frown he reached out to read the tiny package. "Earl Grey Bella Luna." A small smile came to his lips. "Your proprietor has good taste." It was a blend that marketed itself as tied to the beautiful moon, sold on full moon days. It had the familiar Earl Grey bergamot notes, but softened with the addition of coconut and cream flavors. Matt had gotten it both for the coconut and as an in-joke for Kate, since they talked about being werewolves. Dream found a different meaning in it, with the association of night and the sky.
"The Fae are... what they are." He knew that was unhelpful. "They can be fickle and mercurial, spiteful and mischievous. They can also be glorious and curious, playful and passionate. I was very close with them, once upon a time. They have left this realm a number of centuries ago now. As for your consort, I am not opposed to meeting him. He need not thank me for the boon granted, though. That was yours to do with as you wish." Taking a sip of the tea he added, "You never did say what a balloon museum is, either."
"Can you un-inebriate yourself with magic?" Kate asked, turning around and leaning with her ass against the counter as she seriously considered things. "I mean, you could always ask Lucienne to watch out and BOOM!" She snapped her fingers. This time that was not a Blip reference. "Sober as ever! Back to being the respectable Lord of Dreams."
As Dream most probably took this suggestion very seriously, Kate turned her attention back on Matthew. "Hey, do you want some water or something? Soda?" She was already turning to open her minifridge and take a can of Coke out. "Orange and pineapple juice?"
But it was Dream who got her attention back. "Oh, yeah, Matt is the real expert when it comes to tea and always brings a new blend when he comes to the office." Something that was happening more and more often lately. Plenty of times he had come over, specially now that he had moved into her apartment and stopping at the office was right on the way home. Of course, he'd memorized so many names and befrieneded almost everyone at Bishop Security.
Kate had also noticed some looks. Maggie, who Kate refuesed to address as her secretary, definitely had the same dreamy look sure Kate had developed since she had fallen for his charm.
Dream's deep voice, ironically, brought her back from her own daydreams. "Huh? Oh, yeah! I know it's not needed, that's not how gifts work. But I'm sure Matt would be happy to meet you. Just as I'd love to meet this Lady Nuala." Because if Kate had learned something that was for sure to never turn down a supernatural opportunity. "Oh, the Balloon Museum! Right." Matthew had been curious about it. Surprisingly, so was Dream? "Well, it's kind of what it says on the lid. An exhibition full of inflatable things to mess around with. To bounce on or take pictures with. I don't know, it's silly and fun."
"Yes. I could un-inebriate myself as needed. However, what if I decided to do something foolish while inebriated?" What if he decided it was a brilliant idea to do the Dreaming version of drunk dialing an ex? Squabble with Desire? What if he influenced something he shouldn't, said or did the wrong action, and suddenly another world was destroyed? Dramatic and extreme, yes, but with his power he was fearful to put anything to chance.
... plus he really, really could not exist for eternity if he drunk dialed Thessaly. Nada at least he couldn't find so far, so small favors in her not being a possibility for this?
"Orange juice, I'll stick with a breakfast theme," Matthew decided.
"And do you bring new things to him to try?" Dream questioned regarding Matt bringing tea for Kate. He took his mug back to the desk, sitting down and setting the drink in front of him. His posture was once again perfect and he watched the steam faintly curl upwards in tendrils.
"We will make introductions then." A beat. "Not at a balloon museum." It sounded a little too undignified for his taste. "I do not mind theatre shows and musical performances. Or visiting parks. When I can spare the time." He did often lock himself away in the Dreaming, though per Death's urging, he'd do a better job if he interacted with people more. That had been one reason he'd gotten to know Kate.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2025-07-05 11:02 pm (UTC)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."
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Date: 2025-07-05 11:18 pm (UTC)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?"
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Date: 2025-07-05 11:40 pm (UTC)"Well, this isn't my realm's doing," Dream reminded him as he took a seat, his back still remaining perfectly straight. "I don't actually have control over the weather in the waking world."
"What if a storm nightmare got lose?" Matthew questioned. "I almost sorta thought I saw a face in one of those clouds on the way in."
Silence.
"Eat your peanuts, Matthew."
"Yes, boss."
Dream turned his gaze to Kate then, another silence stretching before he answered. "It came to my attention that I had committed a great wrong long ago. Once realized, I had to return to hell to fix it. Things did not go according to plan."
"That's because there was no plan." At Dream's look, Matthew retorted, "Yeah, yeah, you had a contingency plan for the Dreaming. We still worried about you." Dream didn't go anywhere without his raven. That was the job. That was the deal. It hurt Matthew that he'd been left behind.
That took Dream back. "I did not mean for any to worry." To Kate, "Anyway. The matter is settled. We must take accountability, must we not? Whatever the cost."
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Date: 2025-07-06 08:06 am (UTC)At the very least, Kate had grown used to some of Morpheus' moods. His so very expressive face. Right now? That stoic look was probably a good sign. One in which he was in no hurry to get a job done and instead he could encourage his bird to have a snack instead.
"Oh, so a quick visit to hell, nice. To fix a mistake." What kind of mistake could someone like Dream do? Kate's attention fell again down on Matthew as she dropped a few more peanuts from the packet straight to her hand for the raven to enjoy. "What did he do? Forced the devil to dream about Jojo Siwa's songs in repeat?"
Whatever it was, it sounded like Kate had not been mistaken when she worried for his life. His existence. Whatever it was that tied an Endless to the universe. Even Matthew had clearly been hurt as they were left behind.
"Everyone cared," Kate spoke more firmly. "Dream, taking accountability is awesome. I mean, shit, I wish more people in the world would understand that. But leaving everyone? You don't have to do things alone." What could she do for him in Hell though? It pained her, knowing she had no place in his fights. But surely someone, out there, among his siblings or other powerful beings, must be there for him.
In the Dreaming or in Hell's Kitchen, some fights were all the same.
"Shit, Dream. I woke up with freaking tears in my eyes. You know how worried I've been about you?" She knew it might be something, he must feel something. They were friends. Close enough for him to watch over her. Close enough for him to come say goodbye. And now, close enough for him to be true to his word. "Please, don't ever leave on your own again. You? You look after a whole sleeping universe. Let at least one person look after you, too."
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Date: 2025-07-06 01:06 pm (UTC)"Uh." Matthew looked at Dream when Kate asked what wrong Dream had wanted to right. He wasn't sure saying Nada's name was really the right thing to do right now. "Not sure if now's the right time to dwell on that."
There was a deep look of pain in Dream's eyes before he let the night sky in his gaze swallow it. Nada had every right to walk out on him, of course. To not forgive him. To say his kind couldn't really love. What hurt the most was wondering if she'd been right about that.
"I am sorry for the pain I have caused. However, it was my mistake alone to rectify. It would not have been right to put that burden on another." Dragging someone else to Hell, especially when thinking he'd be facing hordes of demons? No. He couldn't risk either his friends from the Dreaming or those on earth. "It is kind of you, though. That you care."
A pause. "Do you think all of your kind are capable of love?"
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Date: 2025-07-06 03:49 pm (UTC)This wasn't the time to guilt trip him, was it? If anything, he'd gone to Hell itself to fix some mistake. That? It was huge, Kate reminded herself as she briefly focused on stroking Matthew's feathers. "Of course I care. We're friends. Just like I know you do. You wouldn't be here if you didn't."
Dream's question, however, surprised Kate.
"Humans? Well, I do know that even monsters can love." Fisk came instantly to mind. Matt had told Kate about Vanessa, his wife. The lenghts Fisk had gone to, to marry the woman and to make their marriage work. She was his everything. But was that love?
"Or maybe it's their twisted perception of love," she mused outloud. "I don't know if everyone is. Like, I know there's narcissists who lack empathy and their relationships tend to be pretty messy." Were they not capable of any kind of love, though? "Why?"
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Date: 2025-07-06 04:29 pm (UTC)Her answer was nothing that surprised him. Nothing he hadn't sensed from humanity itself, though it confirmed what he figured from a human.
His jaw worked for a moment, debating how much to share. He was the Lord of Dreams, after all. Stepping down to rely on others was immensely difficult for him. It was stripping something back, something bare, to talk about his own troubles and doubts. "Someone once close to me has called into question whether the Endless are capable of it ourselves." The possibility that he could only feel what his siblings embodied, that it was all desire and love was outside their grasp, distressed him.
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Date: 2025-07-06 04:41 pm (UTC)"I don't think you'd be here if you were not capable of love." Sure, maybe duty had taken him down to Hell, Kate didn't have any details. Perhaps, the same thing could be said about this visit. Dream had, after all, promised he'd let her know if he was fine.
"You wouldn't have come to me to say goodbye, last time you visited." He wouldn't have offered a parting gift either. Or put up with Kate pushing for more, unwilling to let go of him and everything he represented in her life.
Well, aside of the Dreaming itself.
"What you did for me? I think that was an act of love." Of friendship. "Love is not reduced to romance, I'm pretty sure you know that."
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Date: 2025-07-06 05:09 pm (UTC)Matthew shook his head and relayed to Kate, "It's been a long few days in the Dreaming. Getting out here and stretching our wings is probably the best idea. Literally and figuratively speaking. Though... I guess with the weather we probably can't go very far."
"There is always an update on your life to share." Dream carefully slid the topic away from him. "How are you, Kate?"
[OOC: Sorry for the short replies, I'm mobile for most of the day.]
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Date: 2025-07-06 05:24 pm (UTC)But in all honesty, the answer seemed too simple. He cared too much about others not to be able to love.
And speaking of love.
"Good, actually. Pretty good." Kate's whole demeanor became suddenly very optimistic, as her thoughts drifted towards someone that always made her days brighter. In a way, he made her glow.
"I'm, well, getting to know someone." Was that the best way to put it, though? They did know each other pretty well. Perhaps, it was more accurate to say she was getting to know him in other ways. "I guess you know about it if you've kept track of my dreams." Oh, God, spoiler culture is getting everywhere, isn't it? "His name is, hummm," her attention shifted briefly towards the raven. "He is a Matthew, too."
[ooc: No worries! It's all good! Thank you for taking time to tag back. <3]
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Date: 2025-07-06 06:20 pm (UTC)He noticed her brighten when the question was turned around towards her.
"I know what has been unveiled in your dreams, yes." He knew everyone's unconscious mind in that capacity. It did not mean he followed their every thought and feeling in the waking world, but day dreams and night dreams? They were his domain. He had to know them to help set a stage for them, and to protect them. "Though what words one puts to sentiments in my realm are not always identical to those one might use when woken."
"It's a good name," Matthew assured her. "And he better be a good guy, or else he's got a pecking coming towards him."
Dream didn't have to wonder if this was the man Kate had destined for the amulet, though he didn't press her on that. He merely said, "I am glad you have someone to stand by your side, and to find comfort in at night. Existence is a lonely road to walk alone."
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Date: 2025-07-06 06:44 pm (UTC)It was something Kate had never experienced before with another living being.
It was his words that often reminded her of unreachable wisdow. So much knowledge that he instantly accepted that there was always room to learn. "Yeah, you have a point. It's always easier to think we understand things when there's certain distance." She only hoped that, whatever it is that worried him, he would soon found answers to it. And that it would grant him peace.
At least now Kate could do little but smile at both her friends, eager to share with them more of what was going on with her life. "I don't always remember my dreams, but I'm pretty sure I've had a couple that match what's going on in this world." Her attention turned to Matthew then. "And trust me, he is a great guy."
Of course the raven would approve of the name, Kate was expecting that already.
"I hope I can introduce you guys to him sometime," Kate offered. "He... he was very thankful for the gift you gave us, Morph. It meant the world to us."
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Date: 2025-07-06 07:49 pm (UTC)"I am glad the gift was well-received. If I cannot tread down love's path myself, it is good to know that I can play my part in it happening for others." He could only presume that Kate's act had been one out of love. It was what he was meant to do, anyway. To act as a function for humanity, to serve their purpose. "May the world you share be full."
Matthew pecked at his hand, lest he get maudlin again, before turning to Kate. "So, what's on the lunch menu? Is it pancakes?"
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Date: 2025-07-07 08:50 am (UTC)Was that why sometimes in her dreams Kate's legs felt so heavy and running, escaping, became a real challenge? What was she running away from? She didn't dare to ask Dream, tempting as it was. After all, she knew he would have the answer.
And, as she learned from what happened with her mother, truth is the one thing you can't ever run or hide from once it's revealed.
"It was a wonderful gift," Kate's gratefulness was something she wasn't shy to share. "It was so unique and--" Her hand found her chest, almost as if to stop her heart from swelling too much. "No pun intended but, something we could have only dreamed of."
Her attention turned to Matthew, as she remembered her promise to her staff. "Oh, right! Lunch! Humm, we can have anything you want, really. So, pancakes?" She looked at both the bird and his master. "I was gonna say, I know this place that makes the best sandwiches. Of course, we could always order pizza. And you can have pancakes too if you want, Matthew."
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Date: 2025-07-07 01:04 pm (UTC)Matthew cocked his head then, studying Dream. "What would you want your boon to be, boss? If you weren't the King of Dreams."
"I am the King of Dreams."
Matthew rolled his eyes at Kate. "Then you outta all of us should be able to play pretend. If someone else was gonna give you a dream boon, what would you want yours to be? Me, I'd wanna be back in my old body. Win a really good round of poker, eat some good food, meet a lady and-" His gaze went back to Kate and he quickly ended with, "And do gentlemanly things together with her." Hopping over he lightly pecked at Dream's sleeve. "C'mon, humor me. Where would you want a dream to send you?"
Dream gave him a look, was silent for a long moment, then finally said, "To Greece."
"Huh." Matthew looked at Kate, then shrugged. "Why Greece?"
Ignoring that question, Dream said to Kate, "Anything you wish to order for lunch is fine."
"Get him a fried chicken sandwich," Matthew added, then at Dream's look he replied, "Like I haven't seen you maw down a bucket of fried chicken alone in your throne room?" Smirking as Dream had no comeback, Matthew added, "And if it's not too much trouble... yeah, I want pancakes. And updates on all our shows. Unless you haven't had a chance to watch since you're now a Boss Lady. Hey, are you hiring?" What? He's just asking!
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Date: 2025-07-07 03:46 pm (UTC)Of course, Dream did not disappoint. Greece of all places? "You mean the Greece from the Dreaming or the ancient Greece? Maybe the Olympus?" She wouldn't be shocked to hear those gods were real too and that they were old buds to him. "Because if the modern Greece works for you, we are one flight away from making that a reality."
It was a dumb offering, probably. She knew Morpheus could appear himself anywhere. But, as always, it felt natural to offer a hand to a friend.
Speaking of offering...
"Chicken sandwich?" Kate couldn't help but scrunch up her nose in amusement as she imagined Dream sprawled in that imposing throne and with a KFC bucket on his lap. Damn, if she could rule anywhere, that sure would be the way to go. "And pancakes. And updates," she agreed. "Let me check out there if they have the list of what they wanna order. Drinks?"
Kate, of course, wasn't gone for long. And even though New York continuned pouring itself and tapping the windows of the building with rain, everyone's moods seems to have improven. Kate could tell that people were curious, though.
Soon, as she made it back to the office, Kate handed Morpheus a packet of Skittles. "All ready now, lunch shouldn't take long. Trust my Boss Lady word," she teased Matthew. "So, how's Lucienne? And the Dreaming? Trust me, if you want my feedback, everything seems to be running smoothly."
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Date: 2025-07-07 04:18 pm (UTC)"It is the past, Matthew." Dream's voice rolled out like soft thunder. Striking, but not with the singular intent to harm. If anything, he was trying to be kind. To close Matthew off from questions with answers he might not truly want. "It does not do to dwell on it. For your sake."
If only Dream would take his own advice.
His hands remained clasped on the desk, but they tightened a little at the following questions about Greece. "The Greece I once knew. I have not been there in a very long time. There is no reason now to visit." Not now that his son was wishing for death, and he was no longer married. He supposed in his answer he'd let slip that it was therefore someone, or someones, there that had been the draw, rather than the country itself. "It is a pointless game. I cannot grant myself a boon, anyway." Or rather, he would never use his power in that manner.
"Wine," was Dream's immediate answer to what should be drunk.
"You don't drink wine in an office, boss," Matthew stage whispered to him. "Fried chicken and wine nights are just a throne room thing." He was admittedly playing it up a little for Kate's amusement. Dream was so tightly wound he did not let himself indulge in lounging in his throne room with chicken and wine often. It was just when he was completely exhausted and in desperate need of refueling that those nights happened. Still, secretly, Matthew loved those moments. Not to see Dream depleted or upset, but because they made him seem... well. Almost human. Who didn't want to eat shit and get drunk after a rough day?
Dream was exactly as Kate had left him when she returned, like a statute that hadn't moved. Matthew was hopping around her desk inspecting everything on it. Dream gave Kate a perplexed look when she handled him the Skittles. He stared at the package like he was almost unsure what to even do with it. "Lucienne is well. The Dreaming is functioning adequately. We recently had many visitors, so everyone is a bit worn out from that experience."
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Date: 2025-07-07 04:45 pm (UTC)"Well, if it helps, we can still play cards digitally?" Without hands holding cards certainly sounded tricky. "Maybe I'll get you a stylus to hold. I doubt the beak and a touchscreen will go together well." It didn't even agree with gloves at times.
Once Kate walked out of the office, Dream's words echoed in her head. There was something he clearly longed for. Something that, unlike mortal beings or those who could indulge in dreams, he would not be able to experience. Hell, there had to be a reason why he got so broody and enjoyed his friend chiken and wine. Dream claimed he did not want to dwell on what was lost. He could not grant himself a boon to head to the past, but then, would he dare to look forward and into the future?
She hoped those Skittles would allow him to have more colorful thoughts for now, at least.
"Yeah, I don't have any wine in here, sorry." In all honesty, Kate wasn't all that big into wine herself. It was only recently and thanks to Matt, that she agreed to taste it while paired with certain meals, following her partner's suggestions. "But you can have soda or water or sparkly water. Tea or coffee?"
At least, she was glad to hear Lucienne and the other friends she'd made at the Dreaming were doing good. "You mean this experience you had. When you went away?" She teased him a little, but didn't push too much for anwswers.
"So," claiming her seat again, Kate rested her chin on her palm, her elbow on the desk. "We established you can't grant yourself a boon. Or travel in time to the Greece you loved." Or to meet the people she figured he'd once loved, back in the day. "But if you could have a human experience these days? Go to the theater or watch a game maybe? Get shitfaced at a KFC?" Her attention fell on Matthew, the raven who had once been a man. "The Balloon Museum?"
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Date: 2025-07-07 06:56 pm (UTC)"Tea will be fine," Dream replied, ignoring the rest of the rambling from Matthew. Curiously he opened the package of Skittles and poured some out into his hand. He knew what they were via unconscious osmosis, but he'd never personally eaten one. He examined them thoroughly before selecting a single yellow one and eating it. He then held his hand out to Kate and Matthew. The bird quickly grabbed a red and a green in each of his feet.
"Yes. I came into possession of something a great many wanted. Gods and immortals from all over came to lay their claim." Dream sounded tired just remembering all that mess. "It has been dealt with, but it has been a long time since I played host to so many."
"It was a pretty impressive shindig," Matthew cut in. "I mean, until the whole demon fight thing. But hey. All's well that ends well, right? Plus, we got a cool new person staying at the castle. Lady Nuala. You'll love her, Kate. She's from Faerie. Yeah, fucking Faerie, pardon my French. That place is real." His attention then shifted back to Kate. "Wait, Balloon Museum? What's that? ... can I pop them?"
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Date: 2025-07-07 07:45 pm (UTC)At Dream's request, Kate got up, heading for the area in her office where she kept a mini fridge and an electric kettle on the counter. She only stopped to grab a couple of skittles, before she wondered if she had re-stcoked her tea or not.
She could always check at the office's kitchenette.
Thankfully, her secretary was a life-savior. Not only the sweetest girl ever, but always ten steps ahead of anything Kate might need.
Of course, worries about tea blends were forgotten as Dream and Matt shared more about how things had gone in the Dreaming since they had last seen each other. Grabbing a bottle of mineral water, Kate opened the lid of the kettle and started pouring it all in.
That is, until the bottle itself slipped off her hold and was dunked straight into it.
Kate didn't even notice. "I'm sorry, you're talking about faeries? Real fucking faeries like freaking Tinkerbell?" Honestly, this should be getting old by now. Because being shocked around these two? Kate should be used to never know what to expect.
DD would be so disappointed if she hadn't had tea on hand.
Date: 2025-07-07 08:03 pm (UTC)"We should all get dream drunk sometime," Matthew mused. "You know. Really cut lose. No, that's not a bad word," he added, seeing the look on Dream's face at the prospect of cutting lose.
Noticing the bottle slip, Dream thought nothing of finally moving. Rising up, he moved to the kettle and reached in to help remove the bottle. His sleeve was wet when he pulled it back, but a moment later, utterly dry. He set the bottle aside and studied the kettle, trying to figure out how to turn it on. Just the on button, surely? He pressed it.
"Not precisely like Tinkerbelle, but yes. Faeries. The Lady Nuala has chosen to remain in the Dreaming, after it was revealed she may not return to her homeland." Honestly, Dream felt terribly for her. He'd never liked the thought of slavery, had always found it cruel. That Titania had given away one of her subjects was... unthinkable to Dream. No doubt worse for Nuala. "... she could use a friend, actually. Another friend," he was quick to add, before Matthew objected. "She is a young woman, for her species, betrayed by Queen and kin. She saved her people, and they thought nothing of doing this."
Matthew looked at Kate and whispered, "You know that meme about having a pet one day and you'd already kill everyone if something happened to it? That's Dream when someone fucks with someone in the Dreaming." He was teasing, but also, this was what he actually liked about his boss. Sure, Dream was proud and stiff and sometimes cold, but he was already doing all he could for a woman who'd faced heartbreak under his roof but days ago.
If the tea was really gone it would be his own doing/giving Kate the habit of drinking more tea ;P
Date: 2025-07-07 08:54 pm (UTC)Kate never wasted time that could be spent befriending those around them. And people in the Dreaming were no exception. Who didn't want a dragon for a friend anyway? Dream was living proof of that. Or he would be, if he was alive. Existing proof perhaps? Either way, Kate watched in delight as he came over to give her a hand, always enjoying watching him as he did the most domestic of tasks. She doubted that many had her luck.
And yet, that was only a brief distraction as Dream now gave her a little more context on this new guest in the Dreaming. "It's crazy, because I heard so many stories about faeries being either these cute little things or totally terrible monsters." Doing unspeakable things to those who dared to wander into their territory. Sort of like going to a game and realizing you're celebrating at the wrong side of the stadium. "But hey, if you say she's cool and she needs a distraction from whatever it is going on with her, you know she's always welcome to come hang here. We can do touristy things if she's new to New York." Hanging with a nice faery? It was the sort of experience Kate would be super happy to try.
Then, without thinking, she added. "Besides, my Matt? He is the best cook ever, I'm sure he'll be able to impress you guys." Grabbing the box of tea out of the cabinet, she was quick to take out a little bag, placing it in a white mug with Bishop Security's logo on it. "If he knew you were coming I'm sure he would have been happy to thank you for what you did for us, Dream."
He'll petition for a separate tea cabinet. It's a normal thing for a home/office to have.
Date: 2025-07-07 09:22 pm (UTC)He accepted the mug with a nod of thanks, waiting for the water to heat up. Unlike Matt, Dream gave no indication right away that he cared what the particular blend was. He had his preferences, but he was too polite a guest to do anything but accept whatever was offered. Since knowing Matt though, the tea supply stocked in Kate's office was only of the highest quality. Dream knew this tea when he smelled it. With a small frown he reached out to read the tiny package. "Earl Grey Bella Luna." A small smile came to his lips. "Your proprietor has good taste." It was a blend that marketed itself as tied to the beautiful moon, sold on full moon days. It had the familiar Earl Grey bergamot notes, but softened with the addition of coconut and cream flavors. Matt had gotten it both for the coconut and as an in-joke for Kate, since they talked about being werewolves. Dream found a different meaning in it, with the association of night and the sky.
"The Fae are... what they are." He knew that was unhelpful. "They can be fickle and mercurial, spiteful and mischievous. They can also be glorious and curious, playful and passionate. I was very close with them, once upon a time. They have left this realm a number of centuries ago now. As for your consort, I am not opposed to meeting him. He need not thank me for the boon granted, though. That was yours to do with as you wish." Taking a sip of the tea he added, "You never did say what a balloon museum is, either."
There's one in both offices, the penthouse and the apartment. Also, werewolf!tea 😂💜
Date: 2025-07-07 09:58 pm (UTC)As Dream most probably took this suggestion very seriously, Kate turned her attention back on Matthew. "Hey, do you want some water or something? Soda?" She was already turning to open her minifridge and take a can of Coke out. "Orange and pineapple juice?"
But it was Dream who got her attention back. "Oh, yeah, Matt is the real expert when it comes to tea and always brings a new blend when he comes to the office." Something that was happening more and more often lately. Plenty of times he had come over, specially now that he had moved into her apartment and stopping at the office was right on the way home. Of course, he'd memorized so many names and befrieneded almost everyone at Bishop Security.
Kate had also noticed some looks. Maggie, who Kate refuesed to address as her secretary, definitely had the same dreamy look sure Kate had developed since she had fallen for his charm.
Dream's deep voice, ironically, brought her back from her own daydreams. "Huh? Oh, yeah! I know it's not needed, that's not how gifts work. But I'm sure Matt would be happy to meet you. Just as I'd love to meet this Lady Nuala." Because if Kate had learned something that was for sure to never turn down a supernatural opportunity. "Oh, the Balloon Museum! Right." Matthew had been curious about it. Surprisingly, so was Dream? "Well, it's kind of what it says on the lid. An exhibition full of inflatable things to mess around with. To bounce on or take pictures with. I don't know, it's silly and fun."
And probably not crow friendly.
I have both a tea pantry at home and Bella Luna tea so I couldn't resist, LOL.
Date: 2025-07-07 10:40 pm (UTC)... plus he really, really could not exist for eternity if he drunk dialed Thessaly. Nada at least he couldn't find so far, so small favors in her not being a possibility for this?
"Orange juice, I'll stick with a breakfast theme," Matthew decided.
"And do you bring new things to him to try?" Dream questioned regarding Matt bringing tea for Kate. He took his mug back to the desk, sitting down and setting the drink in front of him. His posture was once again perfect and he watched the steam faintly curl upwards in tendrils.
"We will make introductions then." A beat. "Not at a balloon museum." It sounded a little too undignified for his taste. "I do not mind theatre shows and musical performances. Or visiting parks. When I can spare the time." He did often lock himself away in the Dreaming, though per Death's urging, he'd do a better job if he interacted with people more. That had been one reason he'd gotten to know Kate.
with the coconut, how could you resist? XD These perfect little details give me life <3
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