Let me tell you a story

[vivatsomnum]

A man was invited to a grand banquet, but was turned away for wearing rags. So home he went to don his most beautiful robe and then return. When the soup was served, he dunked his sleeves into the bowl, and said, "Eat, my robe, eat

Comments

[ruined_jaw]

[Here, have a Jono. He's not wearing his mask (it seems to be random, the times he chooses to wear it or not), and he's looking at Dream with a sort of amused curiosity. He's been listening to your story, and sees the symbolism for exactly what it is.]

{This place often seems t'bite off more'n it can chew. Still, I doubt it woulda brought y'here without some sorta purpose.}

[Supernaturally aware Jono is not, but he's spent enough time around Delirium to recognize something unusual when he sees it.]

[vivatsomnum]

[ Dream turns to look at Jonothan with eyes of endless space. There may or may not have been a twinkle in some far reaches of the universe contained in them. ]

Intent is not the prerogative of all.

[ruined_jaw]

[Never one to dwell upon the details of another appearance, Jono simply shrugs.]

{True, but rarely does Paradisa bring someone 'ere without reason. We jus' don' know what that reason is yet.}

[vivatsomnum]

The Castle is a most curious host.

[ He places a finger on his chin, contemplating one thing or another. ]

It seems to require payment upon our arrival.

[ruined_jaw]

{You don' know th' half of it, mate.}

[Surprised, but only slightly by Dream's awareness of Paradisa, Jono nods.]

{That it does. It takes a memory, a skill, or an object from us that we can't get back. Some're creative, an' find way 'round their losses, while others suffer fer what was taken.}

[vivatsomnum]

[ Dream is quiet for a moment, the stars in his eyes growing slightly dimmer. ]

What did it take from you?

[ruined_jaw]

[Jono thinks on his loss, and the fact that the only reason he knows about it is because of someone who's not here any more. A someone who was his loss.]

{Memories. Someone I'm s'posed t'care about, I don' remember. An' memories o'...me heritage.}

[He'd rather not say "relation of Apocalyse". It's not something he likes to think about.]

[vivatsomnum]

Memories are strange things, whether you gain or lose them.

[ Dreams wonders if he should be glad that what he lost is a material thing, important nonetheless, but of little emotional value. ]

I suppose--you wish to remember those?

[ruined_jaw]

{That they are. Shape us people, they do. Past an' future, all o' that.}

[As blasé as Jono's being about it, he genuinely means it.]

{Sometimes, sure. I've gotten on well enough without 'em, but I do wonder how I might look at things differently if I had 'em.}

[vivatsomnum]

[ Dream nods slowly. This is all new to him and he is still picking apart at the threads to gather their significance in the whole tapestry. ]

I cannot return to you what I did not take. However... perhaps I may...

[ruined_jaw]

[Of course for Jono, this is all pretty much old news. Like a lot of things, he's just learned to live without. When Dream makes his offer though, Jono's eyebrow quirks.]

{I didn' figure y'could. N'matter how powerful a person is, th' castle's always one step ahead.}

{Y'may...what?}

[vivatsomnum]

[ He hesitates. He doesn't quite know the extent of his powers yet, especially with the emerald missing. ]

I am not a person, Jonothan. [ A gentle correction. ]

While I cannot give you the thing itself, I can grant you dreams of acceptance.

[ruined_jaw]

{Didn't figure ya t'be a "person" in the literal sense. Least, not any more'n Delirium is. Y'give me the same feelin' she does.}

[This...honestly surprises Jono. You might even register shock flickering on his face. No one's ever offered him anything like this.]

{Dreams o'...}

[He puts a hand to his head. You managed to hit him in a pretty vulnerable place. A place no one knows about.]

{Yer tellin' me y'could take me nightmares away? Wha's th' catch?}

[vivatsomnum]

[ Dream nods, placing his paper white hands over his chest. He feels a tinge of fear in knowing that a member of his family is here. ]

She is my youngest sister.

[ He watches Jono carefully, as if wanting to dissect his response. ]

I have no liking for contracts. Dreams and nightmares are the same to me, while you ascribe meanings to them.

[ruined_jaw]

{She's th' youngest? That sounds 'bout right.}

[Of course, Jono's gotten to know Delirium over the months he's know her, enough to know she's much more than she appears.]

{I don' doubt your sincerity, mate, an' I appreciate it. Is this a one-time offer, or can I have some time t'think it over?}

[vivatsomnum]

Yes.

[ A simple enough answer, for now. Explaining their nature often becomes tedious for the listener. ]

Take your time, Jonothan. The offer stands.