Dreaming a dream as someone who hates dreams but needs sleep

"Well it is quite simple as all I have to do is make some arrangements with my sibling," he said rather politely, seemingly warming up a bit to answering her many questions. However it surprised him a little that she seemed to need confirmation that he had made all of it. He responded only positively with a few nods, just confirming that he had indeed created this realm from the ground up. Her follow up question could've made him chuckle had he been one for chuckling, but instead he just looked at her with his silvery eyes. "I did," he confessed verbally this time, "this realm is as much a part of me as I am of it .. and my creations here are an extension of me and my powers." He walked closer to her, taking her hand as he nodded for her do bend down to the earth with him, letting her feel how it seemed to buzz with life. "Everything here is because of my will," and as she removed her hand a small flower would grow there, "so I ask you once more; what would you like to see?"

"That's peculiar." she said, looking at him with a unsure look. But from his polite and open answers, did she not see a reason to doubt him; Yet. She was open to the idea but she was maybe a little reluctant to just blindly trust a stranger. He didnt seem so strange though, did he? He nodded at her question, but she needed to hear him say it. The confession made her scoff softly. He spoke of the realm and came closer. She was still processing it all and as he took her hand, she followed. She felt the ground, finding it so odd to touch. "It's impressive." she said in a lowered tone, noticing the flower that appeared as he removed her hand. She was by all means impressed. Her smile at him as she looked up was rather genuine, thankful. What she wanted to see? That was a broad question. She folded her lips thoughtfully, giving it a moment to brew. But she couldnt just settle on one thing. "I want to see what other people dream." she replied. Though there would be no such thing happening for her as she was shortly after woken by her mother gently shaking her back to the real world. She had gotten a bit of sleep, but as her mother said, it wasnt good to not keep a loose schedule. She rubbed her eyes and sighed, feeling a bit better already as she was waking up. "... I was having a really nice dream." she muttered, not that her mother seemed to pay a mind to it. Her mother found her some new clothes that she put on the bed next to her, before letting her know that she would be waiting for her in the kitchen with breakfast. As soon as her mother left, she looked down at the duvet, touching it softly. Had she just imagined him? She couldnt seem to settle on a decision.

While Aiastes rarely if ever smiled, it was clear from his eyes that he was thankful for her comment about his skills. He was ready to show her all of his realm if that would make her just a little bit happy, but he also had a feeling that her dream was about to end. It was like a gut feeling. "And that you shall see," he said gently as she disappeared, leaving him alone in the oasis, "another time." That was the curse of being the Lord of Dreams; he could have anyone he wished enter it, but they all eventually left.

Down in the kitchen her father was cooking up the last pieces for the breakfast to be complete. He was a stern man, mid fifties and with graying hair that made his head looking like salt and pepper mixed in a darkened bowl. He moved the eggs over into a hot tray, placing it on the table before his wife joined him. He gave her a dry, almost expected, kiss against her temple, gesturing for her to sit down. When Mari finally came down he would just nod for her to sit. "It's not good for your depression to sleep in like that," he could've perhaps been more gentle about it, but his generation was a little less understanding and perhaps less forgiving of mental issues. He shook his head, muttering something under his breath. He hadn't said it out loud, but he wasn't a fan of her being pregnant, even less that she hadn't reacted sooner. "No luck on finding the father?"

She had wanted to drift right back into sleep but the last thing she wanted was to be dragged out of bed by her mother as a grown woman. She dressed in the clothes, looking in the mirror, frowning a little. Her mother had a peculiar style that wasnt really leading to anything else than durable. Mari wasnt too bothered with her own style but she would say she was selective of what she wore.
She went to the kitchen, seeing her mother sit down with her coffee and a newspaper. It was odd to see people still read the paper in this time of age. "I wasnt trying to sleep in. I was just finally getting decent sleep." she said which made her mother smile. "That's good news. Let's hope it continues." she said, before her father's question made Mari frown. "I havent... exactly looked." she just said with a small furrow of her brows. She looked down and shrugged. "If I'm not keeping it anyway, then why would he matter?"

It was clear the father wasn't too impressed, placing a piece of toast on his plate, smearing jam on it. Eating it with his morning coffee - two sugars, no cream - he listened to his daughter's excuses. Because that was what they were. Excuses of her laziness. He sighed, shaking his head no, "you are not even sure if you want to keep our grandchild, and yet you feel like you don't have to inform the father of what has transpired?" That seemed very bad indeed. And her father didn't approve - but he had already made that clear a handful of times. "I think you should contact that poor man, tell him of his responsibilities in this and ask of his opinion." And that was that. He had stated what he thought was best. Had he been in this young man's shoes he would've wanted to know. And he would've wanted to have a say as well, but apparently that was too much of a right for men to have these days.
After finishing up breakfast, he went and grabbed his coat, giving his wife a quick peck on the lips, stating he was off to work. He sent Mari a warning gaze, as if to indirectly state that she would have to find this supposed father and inform him before he got home from work.

"I'm in no way suited for a babbling baby." she argued, looking at her father, not really caring that he was disproving of it. She was kind of beyond the need for acceptance. "Let me remind you that the poor man you're talking about could have just done like everyone else who hook up at a bar and worn a condom. It's really not my problem that he made that decision. I'm the one who has to live with it?" she argued, feeling her hunger go away as she found the conversation distasteful. Her mother just hushed it down from the both of them before it could escalate. Mari managed to eat a bit of food, mostly from her mother's insistence that it was good for the baby, and if she didnt, the stomach pains would be endless and excruciating. Very comforting. She ignored her father's warning gaze, lifting her coffee to take a light sip. "You should go for a walk. Clear your head, get the blood flowing." her mother told her. She really didnt feel like doing that when she was feeling this way. But she promised to try. And eventually she did get up and go for a walk. Just wherever that was closest and easiest to get to; Mostly because she wanted to get home as fast as she could... so she could go back to staring at the ceiling?

As she was out for her walk a raven was keeping a watchful eye on her. It was blending in with the surroundings of course, sitting in a tree overlooking the road she was walking. Tilting its head it just studied the human, not grasping why its master was obsessed with her. She wasn't special. Frankly the raven couldn't truly understand, but it did as it was ordered to. What other choices did it truly have?
The weather was slowly turning from summer to autumn and while the leaves hadn't started to change just yet, it was like there was a scent in the air. The wind attributing to that, rustling up in everything. A few people were out on a walk as well that day, a couple who were just having a rest on a blanket in the part; an elderly man who was walking his just as elderly dog; and of course the rogue teens who had skipped class and were up to no good as they should at that age. All in all, looking from an outside perspective, things were starting to get normal again after the scare with the portals earlier this year. Strange how normality could return so fast, but here they were.
"Mari Godfrey?" A young woman about her age said surprised, coming up to her with a bright smile, pulling her in for a hug. They had attended the same high school, even been in a few classes together. "Oh my gods, it has been ages! How have you been?" She smiled, her tan visible as she had clearly been travelling the world it seemed.

Harper smiled brightly, a ray of sunshine as ever, "well that's good; I hope you're not over working yourself, you were always an overachiever," she giggled sweetly, but there had always been that slight undertone of I am better than you-vibe. The question made her smile brightly as she nodded, "as it just so happens we've just returned from our honeymoon in Korinthia; have you been? Oh it's so lovely and the culture there is so rich!" - "Oh, lovie! Come meet my friend!" She yelled at a guy over by one of the statues. The guy was of average height, decent features but nothing really standing out about him besides the fact that he was clearly dressed well and wore an expensive watch. Darling, this is Mari, we went to high school together; oh and Mari this is my husband doctor Howard Camden," clearly bragging about her husbands occupation. Howard just nodded politely, not really a man of many words. "So I am Harper Camden now," she giggled, showing off her incredibly large and almost tacky engagement ring and wedding ring as well. "So sorry dearie, but we gotta run - we're heading over to the in laws to discuss our new design for the house we're having built," she said, pulling her husband with her, "tootles!"

A few walking by was a little disgusted by seeing the young woman throw up, but most of them also thought she might've been drunk from the way she had been staggering. Better keep out of her business they thought as they passed by. The raven landed on a branch close by, taking pity on the human as she seemed to be ignored by those around her. It cawed softly, but not truly loud enough for her to be able to hear it, especially as the wind blew most of the sound away. It followed her home as well, though not a single sound to be heard from it.
Back home her mother would be sitting in the living room with a handsome man, his tall frame and deep voice would be recognizable to Mari. "That is very kind of you, Mrs. Godfrey," he spoke, sipping on a cup of tea. He was wearing relatively normal clothes, a fitted turtleneck with some nice trousers and yet his hair was still wild and black. His face stoic as well, though it was clear he was trying to emote more, his silvery eyes however showing it all.

He watched her with calm eyes, and had sorta expected her to run off. However the discourse between the mother and daughter was strange to say the least. He got up from his seat, giving the mother a reassuring nod. It seemed as though her mother trusted him blindly which made everything rather easy. Knocking on the panel in the archway to the kitchen he kept his gaze at her, "I didn't mean to startle you," he said rather politely, his voice deep and had almost a warmness to it. "Do you wish for me to leave?" He asked, being genuine and actually trying not to be cryptic for once. "I can go away forever if you wish it - say the word and send me away," he gestured with his hand almost elegantly. His hands were big, looking rough but not as rough to touch as they appeared.
The choice however was her choice. A raven peaked in from the kitchen window, looking at its master though it was clear it wasn't meant to be there as Aiastes pulled an almost annoyed expression. Almost being a slight furrow of his brow, his eyes stern as he looked at the bird. It cawed at him, and he gave it another look before it flew off. He sighed, "I deeply apologize," he said turning to leave if she hadn't said anything at all.

A respectable man who was pleasing to the eye was the least of Mrs. Godfrey's concerns. If anything, if he could sway Mari in any way then she would be happy. At least because it would put an end to the feud between Mari and her father rather quickly. So he was free to go check on Mari. The human stood by the sink, drinking some water, cleaning her mouth before spitting it out in the sink. She did wonder if it was all for nothing when she still felt the nausea. She needed food because her stomach was hurting but the smell of fridge was a bit too much. She heard his calming voice in the doorway, turning to look at him like she wasnt sure that she was crazy or simply exhausted. His question made her look away for a bit, though she felt it would be desperate to say no. Especially after meeting Mrs. Living her best life-Harper of all people. He did have an elegance to his every movement but she wasnt exactly looking at him as she thought about her choice.
The raven made her turn her head as it wasnt often animals directly sat in the window like that. It cawed and left before he apologized. "You can stay. I uh... I just need to eat something and not feel so horrible." she said, moving over to the fridge before she pulled out a few things, holding her breath a little so she didnt have to smell it. "Do you know my mother?" she asked, because she couldnt really deduct why he was here? Was it just coincidence? It would explain why he had been in the room she had been sleeping in and yet not really. The dreams, she tried not to think of too much.

Aiastes had expected her to send him away, and yet she didn't. Nodding he thanked her silently, moving further into the kitchen. It was strange. All of his years of existence, and he still found it fascinating how they had evolved so fast. Seemed like yesterday that the living beings on this planet could barely talk. But here he was, and with a human no less. The question made him hum, looking around before his eyes fell on what she was doing, "I suppose I know a lot of people," he just said, being cryptic once more. It wasn't really clear from the way he talked whether he did it on purpose or if it was genuinely just how he spoke. "I know of her; I do not know her much deeper than that." Of course he was aware of her when she entered his world, but not so much how she was in the waking one.
"Are you frightened of me?" He then asked, his silvery eyes studying her closely, almost as if he was memorizing her movements. "I won't be upset if you reply in a positive fashion," he moved over to stand by the window, looking out into the small garden. The trees threatening to start shifting colors as summer was retreating to make way for autumn. It was a rather beautiful thing. Change. He looked back to her. She was going through change as well. "May I make you some tea?" He then asked, perhaps a bit strange, but he wondered.

He hummed nodding to at least give a visible reaction to her question. He knew of her father, but he wasn't a mind reader or really well known in dynamics. He knew names, he knew their dreams. More than that wouldn't really be his territory anymore, and would befall one of his siblings instead. She wasn't afraid of him, but trying to understand him and what was going on. At least that he had gathered so far, but he wondered if she was holding back. In the dream she had seemed more curious, more willing to just speak freely. But he presumed that there was a stark change between the waking and the dreaming world.
He was granted permission to make her tea in a rather roundabout way, and yet he nodded politely, moving over to put the kettle on. He had seen how her mother had done it - not that he knew much of this technology. But it seemed much more efficient than boiling the water in a pot. Perhaps he looked odd, looking through the cabinets until he found what he was looking for, firstly the tea, he picked out one with ginger in it. Then he found some honey and some milk as well. Preparing it he probably looked out of place, but he moved rather calmly. He put in the milk first, putting in the teabag, letting the tea disperse into the milk. Then as the water boiled he poured just a little water in, just to warm up the milk slightly and then he put in the honey before filling the rest with water. Cleaning up after himself he put everything back where he took it, letting the tea steep for a few minutes before removing the teabag. At this point the water had cooled down enough to make it consumable.
He would move over to the kitchen table, putting the tea down in front of her if she was already seated there trying to eat. "Drink it," his voice deep, perhaps a slight demand, but his eyes were kind. He just nodded towards the mug, knowing that she might be skeptical. "Don't you trust me?"

He looked rather indifferent as she spoke honestly to him. He supposed not many people made tea like he did, but maybe they would've if they knew how to. And to be fair he had had quite the time to get it right. Though he hadn't made that sorta tea in many years. Another thing was her worry for not liking it. Well he hoped it at least would be pleasant for her. However in the end she seemed to accept that it was at least decent - two sips had to count for something. "It is fairly easy to make," he just said, his lips almost smiling and yet he looked almost strained to do so, as if his face hadn't ever learnt how to use its muscles to emote with. His silvery eyes watched her as she drank the tea. The ginger would soothe her stomach and the milk and honey would make her body relax. He had seen it work many times. "You must have a lot of questions," a statement that was perhaps pretty obvious, but he wouldn't disregard it either. Gesturing gently with his hand in a way as to signal that she could ask away and that he would answer truthfully.

"It is alright; you can take your time," he assured her calmly. He was rather relaxed, although he perhaps didn't look like it sitting with his back straight and his hands folded in his lap. Her first question was simple, however saying on accident was perhaps a bit too crude. He thought about it for a little bit before he told her the truth, as he had suggested would be the notion of this conversation. "I passed by many dreams before I entered yours," he said in an almost soft tone, just letting her know that it had been unplanned, "and yet there was something different about you that I was intrigued to talk to you." He was being very forward it seemed, or perhaps it was mostly because of how things worked within his realm.
The next question was actually more complicated that it appeared. He had had many names and titles throughout his existence. However a name he had chosen and went by as of late would be; "Aiastes," he just said, "but you may call me whatever you'd like." Which was quite a gesture from a sovereign to give to what could be perceived as a commoner. She had introduced herself as Mari - or maybe that was too much to really call it, as she had just mentioned her name and what it meant. His silvery eyes studied her before the egg timer went off. The pasta was done and he got up without even being asked, checking if the pasta was to her liking before draining the water and placing it on a plate for her. Whatever she picked to put on - in her case mayonnaise - would seem odd to him. But then again eating habits were different for him. He did eat, but he wasn't sure how he would describe the food. Almost like this but different somehow.

Simply nodding in regards to her thanks he made sure to just keep the same calming and soft tone. He knew anger of course, but this was different. Letting her eat he just sat quite relaxed, his posture not changing much as his eyes moved carefully around the kitchen. It was quite nice, well at least from the point of view that he hadn't seen many kitchens like these in the waking world. This world he visited every now and again. Perhaps because he found himself getting inspired. The question about him showing up today made him nod a little as he thought about it. "I suppose you had visited my domain, and it was time I visited yours," that and the fact that he was growing tired of Lucienne's boring reports. That bird was both a blessing and a curse sometimes. "If reality can become dreams then surely dreams can become reality," he said almost cryptically, but maybe it was more of a note to himself than an addition to his answer.
The front door opened, the husky voice of Mari's father was heard, moving through the house quickly. He got out of his coat and shoes, complaining about an incident at work and one of his co-workers. Walking into the kitchen he was almost startled by the dark haired pale man sitting across from his daughter. "And who might you be?" He asked looking from the stranger to his daughter with an expression that clearly demanded an answer. Aiastes got up, quickly towering over the father but he remained calm and polite. "I am the father of the child which is currently growing within Mari," he had almost a deadpan expression on his face and the father opened his mouth in frustration. "So you are the one who have put my daughter in distraught!" He started huffing himself up, his face going red as a tomato, but for some reason his temper seemed to died down, looking almost scared at Aiastes. "I've come to offer that I take her in, give her a place of comfort, as this seems to only provide her with stress." He looked from the father to Mari, his eyes dead serious about this, "she has yet to give an answer, and while I made mistakes, I am here to sort out what I have done." Of course it was a complete lie. Aiastes had never even seen her naked! But he could take this burden easily. What was the father going to do? Report the king of dreams? He thought not.

The father was completely stunned. The usual talkative and husky man now silenced as he looked at his daughter confused and then to the man here. He didn't look bad, it was just a surprise to see that she had actually done as he had asked of her this morning. Aiastes turned to look at her, managing to force forth a minor smile. He was getting better. And he wasn't going to let this place ruin her any longer. "Then it's settled," he said, walking over he leaned down, kissing her forehead rather gently. His lips soft and perhaps a little cold against her forehead, but he was genuine in this. "I will go pack your things then .. finish your tea and your meal," he spoke to her in a gentle tone. Leaning away he looked at her, his silvery eyes calm in nature, but his face stoic as always. Without saying much he went up ahead and packed her belongings. It was fairly easy, and her mother even came to help to make sure he got everything.
When all was done, he moved the bag downstairs, walking to Mari. He moved elegantly, almost as if he was a prince in a fairytale - at least it could almost seem that way. The father was still stunned, and Aiastes helped her into her jacket before offering his arm to her. He easily carried the bag as they walked outside, bidding Mari's parents goodbye. It was perhaps a bit of a cold farewell, but he couldn't seem to care much for the parents. "I would apologize for my behavior, but I felt it was needed," he said in a calm tone, looking ahead as they walked. He tried to slow his speed for her to be able to not push herself.