The Clocktower

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

More specifically, the guest room currently occupied by Mar'i Grayson. A familliar raven soars through the open window and lands on the desk
Ah, here you are.

Comments

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"What?" She sits up in the bed, rubbing her eyes. "Matthew? What is it?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

I told Boss you'd be asleep, even though you weren't dreaming. *huff* He don't listen though. He wants to visit.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"He does?" She looks around the bedroom. "He wants to come here? Um, okay." Mar'i fingercombs her hair away from her place and decides to forego any other preparation. "Whenever he's ready, I guess."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

The King of Dreams soars through the window like a white hawk. It doesn't look like he could have fit through it, nor could it be said that he really looked like a bird, or like a man, but he soared in like a hawk just the same.
Good Evening, Mar'i. I am sorry if I am disturbing you.
told ya so, Matthew mutters

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Mar'i nods politely. "I'm at your service, my lord. I'm sorry--I was resting. But I have a new plan in mind, and I'll be carrying it out shortly."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

Did you speak with Destruction?

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Kryll. "Yes, my lord. But I don't think he believed me. It helped to tell him your brother Destiny called me a harbinger, but...." She straightens her back, shoulders squared. "I'll stop Croutex before he can kill your brother, my lord. X'hal take me for a pleasure toy if I fail."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

Dream sighs
He did not believe the seriousness of the situation?
I wonder... perhaps he will not allow himself to see it... for fear of the guilt.
I do not know.
I do not know if we can do this without him.
Without his power, we cannot remove Croutex from Destruction's Realm.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"I won't fail you, my lord. I'm going to walk the dreams of Croutex's disciples, see what kind of weaknesses he has. My father and stepmother are doing their own research. We will find a way. I'll challenge him myself before I let him win."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

Dream smiles slightly as he looks at you
That is an exellet plan, Mar'i.
I am proud of you.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"Thank me when Croutex is defeated, my lord." But she is pleased with the compliment. "Um, my lord? I know what you asked me to do about Ibn, but I, uh, I consulted with his grandfather, and asked how he was doing." She stretches out her hands to Dream, pleading. "Please, my lord--can you tell me what it means, that your sister has taken him as a servant?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

The eyes of Dream of the Endless are two pools of blackness, like a starless night. But as those words sink into the air, they seem to soften, to take on a quality that is somehow more human. Dream sits on the edge of the bed, and takes one of those hands in his own
What does it mean...
It means that he is now tied, in some fashion, to Death.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Her head droops with the weight of her misery.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

But... Death is not what most mortals think it to be.
It is not an evil thing. It is not something to be feared.
It is the natural end of Life.
My sister has two conversations with every mortal thing.
It causes her a great deal of sadness that no one remembers the first.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry, my lord." Her voice is barely audible. "I've always been afraid of her, for as long as I can remember."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

A lot of people are.
That is perhaps one of the great trajedies of the universe.
I think I was afraid of her, once.
I think in the beginning, she was afraid of herself.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"Is ... will Ibn be all right?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

That I cannot say.
I am not my older brother.
I can tell you that his fate will be decided by his own choices.
By how he chooses to persue his dreams.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"I worry about what dreams he is creating to chase, my lord." Her head is still bowed. "But I won't ... I won't let myself be distracted by that. I know my duty. I won't give you a reason to be disappointed in me."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

You have yet to give me such a reason.
You have chosen your path... Ibn will choose his.
I- I have memories that tell me of the pain that occurs when you cannot be with someone you love.
I hope this does not come to pass for you.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

She laughs bitterly, hugging herself. "My lord, I've lived with that pain already. I can bear it a little longer. I just hope it won't be forever."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

Dream nods, and puts a hand on your shoulder
If I could secure love for you, I would.
But that is beyond the powers of any of my siblings, in spite of what Desire might tell you.
It is something only mortals can provide for each other.

But I think I have taken up enough of your time. Thank you for indulging me.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

She looks surprised, flashing a smile at him. "Indulging you? You're my liege lord. Thank you for visiting me."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kingofdreams_/]

Dream nods, turns to Matthew, discovers that the raven left some time ago, and nods at Mar'i again
Pleasent dreams.
and he soars away