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[hypnagothic]

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[hypnagothic]

I have seen the dreams of the first things that ever dreamed when the universe was new and everything since. There is much that I have seen, Hob.

[100more]

I have no doubt of that.

[ And if that is the case, Hob's dreams are probably pretty bland by comparison. Most humans probably have the same sort of dreams, anyway. The same fears and desires run through them all. ]

Are people not predictable? Boring, even, to someone like you?

[hypnagothic]

There are occasionally those who surprise. Delightfully so.

[ his head tips towards Hob. ]

[100more]

[ Hob smiles a little behind his lifted cup. It's amazing to think back on how Dream was during their first meetings and how he is now. ]

I have been more surprised by things in the last week than I have in the last century.

[ Not all of them good, but surprises, despite it all. ]

[hypnagothic]

Oh? Your arrival here besides?

[100more]

Well, you and Vanessa, of course.

[ Though Dream probably already surmised that much. ]

And hearing about the City.

[ He doesn't remember the city, so Vanessa was more of a surprise since he met her. ]

[hypnagothic]

But nothing before appearing in this plane? Your life was so uneventful?

[100more]

I mean, things happened of course, but nothing as strange as this. Time passes. The world changes. But all of that is to be expected. Meeting you again at the Inn was the most unexpected thing to happen before all this.

[ But he was pleased with that. Another thought, or rather, a question occurs to him. ]

So, if you are Morpheus, are the old stories about you true? The myths, I mean.

[hypnagothic]

[ he gives a slow, single nod. ]

Largely so, though there are many versions told across the ages. Have you one in mind?

[100more]

Well, it's said you have many siblings. I guess that's true of at least one, but Death is not generally mentioned, so maybe they're not quite so accurate.

Have you any other family?

[hypnagothic]

That is indeed one divergence from the common myth. Many such stories have threads of the Truth, but it is rare that all threads are gathered into one truthful whole.

I have six siblings, seven Endless in our family. Destiny is the oldest of us and my eldest brother, followed by Death. My other siblings are then younger than I. Despair and Desire are younger twins that came before Delirium, our youngest sister.

[ curiously, he seems to have forgotten to mention the seventh ... ]

[100more]

[ Hob doesn't think Dream forgets much. ]

That's five. There are six?

[hypnagothic]

[ the reaction is subtle, but Hob might catch it: his jaw clenches, the muscles bunching at his jaw before relaxing again. ]

Destruction, the Prodigal who abandoned his duties, is my younger and our middle brother. He is much like our elder sister in disposition.

[ his tone remains light, but there's something clipped about it. family drama, perhaps? ]

[100more]

[ Hob can tell it's a sensitive subject. ]

Such a thing is possible? I mean, you can't abandon your duty, can you?

[hypnagothic]

I would not. It is our purpose and our function.

[ that's not precisely what Hob asked though. ]

[100more]

[ Not precisely, no. ]

What happens if one does give up their role?

[hypnagothic]

[ for a moment, he looks like he might actually answer that question, the way his lips part to speak a ready movement. but then something gives him pause, considering for a moment before he shakes his head. ]

It is a family matter, and I have already said more than I perhaps should. But you now know the names of my siblings.

[100more]

Of course. Sorry.

[ Hob already knew it was a delicate subject, so having the door figuratively shut on him isn't a surprise. Personal things seem like they're harder for Dream to talk about, or he's just not willing to. Specific details about his family or Vanessa, for instance, appear to be off limits. ]

[hypnagothic]

You need not apologize, Hob. I invited your questioning.

[100more]

[ A gentle smile follows. ]

And I appreciate that.

[ It appears he has no further questions at the moment, though. Much of his curiosity has been satisfied, and he'll probably think over all of Dream's responses again later. ]

[hypnagothic]

That said, you are welcome to ask more, but I would tell you if I do not wish to answer them.

[100more]

What you want to share is your choice, of course. You can keep your secrets, too.

[ No matter how close they might be, Hob doesn't think he's entitled to everything. He wonders if Vanessa knows all the details, but Dream's relationship with her is obviously different. ]

I think I've asked enough questions for now. Thank you.

[hypnagothic]

Truly? Though after six hundred year, I suppose you simply came to accept certain hidden truths and no longer pay them mind.

[ the faint smile might be one of teasing. ]

[100more]

[ Hob feels he's gotten a lot of answers, at least to the big stuff. The small stuff are just details between friends. ]

Hidden truths? Such as?

[ If there's something Dream thinks he's missed, by all means, Dream can share it. ]