"Arthur Inkwell here. I've no earthly idea how this thing is supposed to work, but leave me a message if you're so inclined. I'll retrieve it at some point or another!"
[Yes, her name does make itself known in his mind. So much of this place feels normal the longer he is nestled in someone’s dream — as if he is a cat, born on this world, following a stranger home and eying a package of colorful ribbons.
But he is not just a cat. He is Dream, and he intends to test his powers a little more, in a way that suits a feline. He gently influences three of the ribbons to slip out of their packaging with little more than his will. They flutter to the ground and he catches them in his open mouth, gently clamping down as not to crinkle them. And then he turns and slinks off and towards the exit.
[ Ava makes a startled noise as the ribbon falls loose and lands in Dream's waiting mouth. Arthur's ears perk in surprise, and he takes off in a light jog after the retreating feline. ]
[He bounds away, just far enough to slip out of sight — but not terribly far. Whether that is behind the trunk of a tree, or behind a dazzling array of flowers, or perhaps ‘round the bend of the greenhouse, cat-Dream is gone.
But, instead, Arthur will happen upon human-shaped Dream, crouched down with long, colorful ribbons resting in his hands. He lifts his head and rises to his feet, still donned in all black.]
[ Usually Arthur is quite quick on his feet, but this cat manages to keep eluding him somehow. When he comes around to the side of the greenhouse, he finds the cat... is not a cat?? He stops short, startled. ]
That I have. [ SQUINT ] Dream?
[ For some reason, he can't quite get a grasp on what the significance of him being here is. ]
[ It wouldn't be the first time a face from the prison inexplicably showed up in his dreams, and whatever bit of real-world knowledge Arthur was trying to grasp just flits away. ]
Oh, certainly. 'Tis no trouble at all.
[ He takes the ribbons with a smile. ] Would you like me to show you around?
That is the long and short of it, yes. A festival celebrating the women and girls in our lives, and especially for allowing the little ones to feel like princesses for a day.
[ He waves a hand in the direction of the gardens, ribbons fluttering. ]
My mother works with the city every year to provide flowers for use in the decorations. Ah, speaking of, I'd best get these back to her. Come on, I'll introduce you.
Thank you. I'm sure mother would be pleased to hear such an assessment.
[ He leads the way back towards the stable, where Ava is bustling around, setting aside brightly colored wreaths and bouquets in piles, presumably to be shipped off somewhere once they're done. She has the spools of ribbon set out and is comparing the colors to each arrangement.
Her ears swivel in Arthur and Dream's direction as they approach. ]
I've caught your wayward ribbon, and found a friend in the process. This is Dream. Dream, this is my mother--
Ava Rhen-Inkwell, at your service.. [ She offers a hand, apparently not minding that her palms are dirty with soil. ] A pleasure to meet one of Avi's friends.
[Dream takes her hand. The gesture is only a little stiff, a little awkward, but it isn't as though he's unpracticed with meeting new faces; though not always precisely in this way.]
The pleasure is mine. [He does not mind getting a bit of soil on his palms either, it would seem. Handshake completed, he retracts his arm.]
Your son has just informed me about the nature of Little Ladies' Day. You are making decorations for the celebrations? I might assist, if you like.
I won't turn down an extra set of hands! I'll have refreshments sent out and we can get right to work.
[ She grins broadly at Dream, motioning for one of the staff to bring something from the kitchen while they work.
And work they do, as Ava gies the both of them tasks that range from gathering the flowers themselves to sorting the arrangements already made to tying bows of bright ribbon onto the bundles. Ava oversees it all with a gentle hand and a bright smile - it's clear she truly does love her work. Eventually, someone appears with a tray of iced tea and snacks. ]
I think you've more than earned a break. Go on, boys. I have some other business to attend to.
[Dream works with deft hands — he is, at his core, a creator himself, and he can put together bright bundles of flowers with little to no issue. His efforts are well-balanced and imaginative, floral arrangements that are sure to catch the eye. Or at the very least, they do not look out of place amongst the others.
When Ava arrives with iced tea and snacks, he mutters a low thanks. And, after she leaves to attend to her business, Dream sets down a few stems of flowers and remarks to Arthur—]
[ Oh, you know Arthur's mom is absolutely enamored with Dream's ability to make floral arrangements. Arthur doesn't so much help with the creative process, but he is kept quite busy nonetheless. ]
Hm? That I am. For a long time when I was growing up, 'twas just the two of us.
My father never much cared for his children, either. But I suppose your birth father is not your true father, in the end. Certainly not the one who deserves the title.
Morgan is a soldier, a lieutenant in the city's Grand Company, the Immortal Flames. My father is a librarian and archivist. The librarian and archivist, one might say. He oversees all such places in the city.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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But he is not just a cat. He is Dream, and he intends to test his powers a little more, in a way that suits a feline. He gently influences three of the ribbons to slip out of their packaging with little more than his will. They flutter to the ground and he catches them in his open mouth, gently clamping down as not to crinkle them. And then he turns and slinks off and towards the exit.
Follow him, Arthur! Surely you want these back.]
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I'll get it.
[ TIME TO CHASE A CAT ]
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But, instead, Arthur will happen upon human-shaped Dream, crouched down with long, colorful ribbons resting in his hands. He lifts his head and rises to his feet, still donned in all black.]
You have lost something.
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That I have. [ SQUINT ] Dream?
[ For some reason, he can't quite get a grasp on what the significance of him being here is. ]
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Yes. I’ve decided to visit.
[He will not expound further, unless Arthur realizes the purpose of his presence here on his own — which would turn this into quite the lucid dream.]
Is that all right?
[Holds the ribbons out.]
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Oh, certainly. 'Tis no trouble at all.
[ He takes the ribbons with a smile. ] Would you like me to show you around?
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[His eyes cast out towards the gardens, towards the stables, too.]
I hear there is a celebration to be had soon?
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[ He waves a hand in the direction of the gardens, ribbons fluttering. ]
My mother works with the city every year to provide flowers for use in the decorations. Ah, speaking of, I'd best get these back to her. Come on, I'll introduce you.
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A celebration worth having, I am sure. And it will be decorated extraordinarily well, if the flowers here are of any indication.
[But he nods.]
I would be happy to meet her.
[And he will follow accordingly, should Arthur lead the way.]
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[ He leads the way back towards the stable, where Ava is bustling around, setting aside brightly colored wreaths and bouquets in piles, presumably to be shipped off somewhere once they're done. She has the spools of ribbon set out and is comparing the colors to each arrangement.
Her ears swivel in Arthur and Dream's direction as they approach. ]
I've caught your wayward ribbon, and found a friend in the process. This is Dream. Dream, this is my mother--
Ava Rhen-Inkwell, at your service.. [ She offers a hand, apparently not minding that her palms are dirty with soil. ] A pleasure to meet one of Avi's friends.
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The pleasure is mine. [He does not mind getting a bit of soil on his palms either, it would seem. Handshake completed, he retracts his arm.]
Your son has just informed me about the nature of Little Ladies' Day. You are making decorations for the celebrations? I might assist, if you like.
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[ She grins broadly at Dream, motioning for one of the staff to bring something from the kitchen while they work.
And work they do, as Ava gies the both of them tasks that range from gathering the flowers themselves to sorting the arrangements already made to tying bows of bright ribbon onto the bundles. Ava oversees it all with a gentle hand and a bright smile - it's clear she truly does love her work. Eventually, someone appears with a tray of iced tea and snacks. ]
I think you've more than earned a break. Go on, boys. I have some other business to attend to.
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When Ava arrives with iced tea and snacks, he mutters a low thanks. And, after she leaves to attend to her business, Dream sets down a few stems of flowers and remarks to Arthur—]
You are very close to her. Your mother.
[An easy observation.]
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Hm? That I am. For a long time when I was growing up, 'twas just the two of us.
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You have no other family?
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If you mean to ask about my birth father, I've no idea who, or where, he is. I always got the impression that he was never the point. I was.
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My father never much cared for his children, either. But I suppose your birth father is not your true father, in the end. Certainly not the one who deserves the title.
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A shame father and Morgan are both working. I would have liked to introduce you.
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[Arthur’s dreams seem pleasant; he does not mind visiting again, if the man allows it.]
What is it they do?
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