Chapter Text
Chapter 1 – Traigo el carrete velado
(verse from the song “Consejo de sabios” by Vetusta Morla)
**
Two months after World Book Day in the Waking a curious phenomena happened in the Dreaming’s Library.
Morpheus was walking along the corridors which the rows of bookcases formed in the different sections, noticing how well ordered everything was thanks to Lucienne’s hard job.
On one of the shelves appeared a brand new book, which for some reason got his attention. The spine was in a tone as similar as an element from a Borges’ work and the title was in a tone as a magic element from Pratchett’s work.
Morpheus obviously knows the works of both authors back and forth.
He wonders if the new book must be inspired more on one or the other author.
For some reason some mortals seem to choose one line of literature or the other, so he is curious how someone seems to find inspiration openly from both academic fantasy and popular fantasy too. He doesn’t make such distinctions.
He holds the books and before he opens the book he is aware of the native’s language of the author, which made him smile.
Lucienne and Matthew observe him from her desk.
“The Waking must be quiet, seems he’s going to read something today” – comments the librarian having not noticed his unusual smile, but looking curiously due to the unusual time he is spending there.
“If I were as powerful I’d just make the novels to be portrayed on his throne’s ceiling, like a movie” – Matthew comments.
Morpheus finally opens the book and begins to read.
At the first line, to his surprise the first text is in ancient Greek, a quote from Aristotle, he nods and keeps reading with a curious smirk that reaches his eyes.
Morpheus produces a rocking chair in the place and sits on it, yet reading.
Both Lucienne and Matthew turn curiously their heads.
Morpheus doesn’t do that. He either reads in his throne or along Fiddler’s Green.
Matthew flies near the row in which Morpheus picked up the book. He rarely goes there. The raven manages to notice the quote.
“Just dreamt section, and an odd gibberish. Lord whispered something like Perí Poiitikís” – Matthew tells Lucienne as soon as he returns to the desk.
“Perí Poiitikís? Aristotle? But that was published over millenia ago. Are you sure about the section?” Lucienne asks him confused. The bird nods.
“Why is he reading new stuff?” – the raven asks unaware about the ancient reference.
“Maybe something happened in the author’s dream he wants to check on their writing” – Lucienne offers.
Something swings on the floor. Morpheus is gently rocking on the chair.
“He never does that” – Lucienne whispers dumbfounded.
“There’s any resume of the book on your notes?” Matthew asks her.
Lucienne hurries to check the notes about the book.
“I can’t access the resume” Lucienne replies.
“How so? Is he reading a forbidden book? I knew it, there must be some of those magazines here somewhere” – Matthew jokes, but the rogue reference goes unnoticed by Lucienne.
“There is not such thing here as forbidden or banned books. Why there should be?” Lucienne replies confused.
“I mean, adult content. You know.” Matthew replies vaguely, hoping she’ll get the meaning.
“Again, not such section here.” Lucienne replies still confused. Humans and their oddness.
“Oh, come on. Have a guess. Long-term single, healthy, in their prime” – Matthew replies as if he were still a human gossiping with his peers in a bar.
Lucienne looks at him curiously trying to figure out what he means.
To their surprise a book closes on the desk.
“I’ll borrow that one. That shelf is going to give you much work in the weeks ahead.” Morpheus tells Lucienne. The librarian nods.
“And no, there is not such book Matthew, humans and your oddness” – Morpheus replies to the raven, to their surprise letting them know he’s been aware of their gossiping about him.
“Excuse me Lord. Is just, you rarely peruse that section. We were wondering if something off had happened in a dream which you had to check on” – Lucienne tries to apology.
“No need to apologize. I’ll be in the gardens today.” Morpheus says and leaves the library.
**
Meanwhile in the Dreaming.
The calendar in front of the desk reads 23rd June.
“Yes, I’ll be there tonight for the bonfire. But now I have work to do.” You reply on your phone.
The desk has already two cups of coffee.
“For once I have my inspiration back. It’s been so long.” You murmur to yourself.
The calendar reads your schedule has been full of exams two weeks prior.
You pick the two empty cups and go to wash them to the kitchen, your mind still thinking about the story. Your smile blooms happier turning into a smirk.
**
The gossip soon spreads along the Dreaming.
Either that or the time and mood in which Morpheus stays in Fiddler’s Green catches everyone’s attention.
He has spent there hours. Apparently chatting on and on about the book with the garden. Book which now lays on Dream’s bedroom. Lord, oblivious about the time.
Far from the garden, the Dreaming’s beings gather curious.
“So, what is the book about?” asks Abel.
“I can’t read it’s resume.” Lucienne replies. Goldie flies playfully to her.
“And he has borrowed the book even when he’s finished it?” asks Cain confused. The librarian and the raven nod in reply. Goldie looks at them curiously.
“Not just that. He told me more will come soon.” Lucienne replies intrigued herself. Goldie looks surprised.
“Has he been in the Waking recently?” asks Abel waving playfully at Goldie.
“No. No such berries, recently” Matthew replies, referring to each time he goes to the Waking with Morpheus he fests on different berries.
“Has he been more busy with some particular dreamer?” asks Cain.
“No. Just the usual” replies the raven again, looking disappointed.
“So, has he just walked in the library looking already for the brand new book? Is there any chance we could peek at the book? See what all the fuss is about?” ask Cain mischievously.
“The book is not where he usually lays them. Sure is not in the throne. Plus I’m afraid for some reason it’ll present as in my resume. Unreadable” Lucienne says.
“Young humans and their awful calligraphy those days” reprimands Mervyn.
“Is not that. Is just, is in a format none of us can understand.” Lucienne tries to explain.
“Like a QR then, pixel to encrypt secret stuff?” Matthew half explains. They all turn to him confused.
“Human stuff. A way to secure a text so only the sender and the receiver can access it.” Matthew explains.
“Is just me or he looks happier?” Mervyn asks curious. All them look at Morpheus’ figure. He is still talking to the garden about something, apparently as interesting as to be ignoring anything else for the day.
“what is his favorite book? Maybe there is just finally the next book from his favorite saga” Matthew offers.
“He has no such thing.” Lucienne replies looks as if the question was the oddest occurrence.
Before they look towards the garden again, Goldie flies to a figure approaching them.
“Everything alright here?” asks Morpheus to the group which suddenly tries to disperse.
“Yes Lord.” Says Lucienne respectfully, half bowing at him.
“So, what it is about?” asks Abel cheerfully as Goldie now sits on his shoulder.
Morpheus looks at him looking confused.
The crowd looks at Abel reprimandly, fearing the question might bother Morpheus.
“The book.” Abel explains as cheerful. “Could I give it a look too?”
“Man, you have no filter” The raven murmurs to Abel.
“I doubt you’d understand” Morpheus begins, but noticing Cain eyeroll as if he’d said something snobbish. “I mean, is in a language unknown to your time. But I’d read it to you one day if you want to know further” Morpheus explains to everyone’s surprise. Goldie now flies to his shoulder.
“He’s definitely oddly cheerful” Mervyn says, seemingly having no filter either.
“Well, thank you.” Morpheus replies giving the pumpkin head a curt nod. Goldie looks at Mervyn curiously. Matthew caws in jealousy of the gargoyle, seemingly dethroning him from his Lord.
“Excuse me Lord, but …” Lucienne begins but is not sure how to elaborate her question.
“Seriously what is all the fuss about that book?” The raven intervenes filterless, trying to distract himself of his own jealoussy of the little gargoyle.
“Oh, is marvelous. Just wonderful. And what is coming up will be even better” Morpheus replies cheerful, a single joyous clapping of his hands, his face glowing gleefully. The gargoyle mimics Dream and claps cheerfully earning a nod from Morpheus, which gets Matthew even more jealous, the bird cawing again.
“How do you know there’s more coming up?” The bird asks intrigued, staring at the gargoyle as if it’ll make the little one to distance from Lord Dream.
“Oh, I sense it.” Morpheus says as if stating the most basic obviousness. The gargoyle nods at the crowd. Matthew caws annoyed, finding the gargoyle’s attitude snobbish.
“He is hyped, like a teenager when their series is renewed” Matthew comments dryly. Hoping to not get reprimanded because surely Dream wouldn’t know what he meant.
“Even better than that” Morpheus replies to their surprise. Matthew caws in surprise. Since when does Lord Dream knows about young humans current lingo and manners?
“So, are you not going to pay the author a visit then?” asks Lucienne curious.
“Not for now.” Morpheus replies still blooming. But the suggestion gets him curious.
“Is it a work from Calliope?” The bird gossips with Abel trying to figure out what has inspired such book which got the whole admiration of Dream himself.
“Not her work either.” Morpheus replies again. Earning a curious look from Lucienne.
“Then who has inspired such brilliant work?” asks Cain in an unclear tone. Is he mocking the work?
“Hope did” Morpheus happily replies and goes back to his palace.
“Wait, did I miss something here folks, isn’t Morpheus Hope?” Asks the bird rhetorically as confused as everyone else.
**
Meanwhile in the Waking.
Is nearly midnight, there’s a group sitting around a fire. They are talking about their lives, updating each other.
A few other people has joined your group, one of the guys has been looking at you, trying to steal glances, get an excuse to break the ice and ask you out. You’ve never met him before.
“So, also single?” the guy boldly asks you, glancing briefly at your hands.
“As proudly, as an ace of diamonds.” You reply drily, showing the black ring on the middle finger of your right hand, the reference apparently unnoticed for the crowd. You are not interested in general, less in his type. You know it won’t work. You are at peace with that.
The guy seems to lose his interested in you and goes to chat with another of your girl friends.
“So, have you written anything new recently?” asks you another usually quiet male friend, you notice his ring and you share a knowing smile.
“Oh, yes. Finally. I’ve been having a lot of ideas recently, as a lot of vivid dreams. I hope to have the first one printed soon.” You reply.
You hadn’t seen him in a long time. He doesn’t look different from high school, still a balanced combination of pale as a marble and dark feather-like hair, your whole demeanor blooms gleefully as your conversation progresses.
Unaware you two spend the rest of the night talking about literature, he suggests several ideas, different authors to read, all in all so refreshing. And in your mind everything gets as colorful as the dancing northern lights, a perfect blend of green and purple.
Is getting late, the bonfire is over, there’s cold ashes and it’s getting chilly, so the group decides to return back to their places so you get ready to go back home.
Your friend offers gently to walk you home like in your younger years. You accept and walk together, this time your conversation goes about your careers and your lack of love life.
“So, how do you manage? I’m sorry he was that bold.” Your friend asks you.
“I could ask you the same, buddy. You know, I could had said yes, he is hot, but I know with his type it won’t ever work.” You explain, and he nods knowingly.
“Last moth meeting, in my group, someone asked if we’ve ever considered it. That got me thinking since then. What about you? You … dated before but now you are not interested, like … in forever?” Your friend suddenly elaborates further.
“I thought about it, even with a fellow A, even double A. I’m not sure I’m dating material. I’m fine as things are, focused on my stuff again. You know I’ve been stuck in the darkest of pits for over a decade and finally with hard work I’m blooming again. But, no, I doubt that’ll happen and I’m fine with that. Is just annoying when someone insists boldly. Just because I attract you, it doesn’t mean I am interested. But who knows.” You explain yourself further.
“Yes, I understand. Now, that I’m back in the city. Is it ok if we meet some other time?” your friend asks you kindly. His cheeks getting rosy and his blue eyes brighten. You’ve missed them.
“Of course, I’d be glad. I’ve missed you a lot. And I’m glad to know you are finally at peace with it all too” you reply. He nods and you finally hug. It’s been a long time, but there were a time you even were one.
You get to your home, he walks back to his. And as you changed to more comfortable clothes, you peek from your window and you notice someone walking by. For some reason you stare and you feel suddenly observed from your back for a second.
You suddenly turn, then you hear the caw of a bird on the street, you look at your window again to notice a raven flying up the sky and you notice a fallen flower of hibiscus where you saw the guy before. Apparently the petals in red, purple and green. Quite unusual.
You put on your playlist and finally get to bed ready to sleep to the last song playing “Consejo de sabios”.
You finally fall into sleep and one more night your dreams fills with vast nature, you swim in a deep natural pool in turquoise, once your favorite color. Then you walk along a sandy beach. To your surprise you see there the administrative from your college. The is playing volley with his friends you guess. Seems he hasn’t seen you, and you observe him interact with other people.
You are not sure if the man is into you, he is suddenly so kind to you, and you still know very few about him to make a clear idea if he’d brave to ask you out, if you’d give him a chance.
Now your dream wanders in your memory, the time you dated your friend. At times you are still sad you didn’t work out, but at least now he’s made peace with that part of him.
The background of your dream covers in a dancing northern light that turns into the hibiscus flower and you wonder who the person walking by was. Who goes around with a raven in tow?
Were you briefly observed? From the street? On your own room?
Must be your imagination is going overdrive lately for some reason. After all, today has been the only day since you finished your exams that you hadn’t spent the whole day writing non-stop.