Artistic Endeavors

[somany_names]

Into that lightless place bled a tiny streak of color, weak and pale. Bit by bit it spread, seeping up into a sky streaked with a few wisps of cloud. Tenuous as it was, the light above began to illuminate the shape of the land below; gradually hills and plains gained definition, gathering color as children gather wildflowers, until the greenery was

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[vicioussweetie]

It had been a long walk, more difficult than usual and with a few detours. Ali had stopped someplace safe to wash up and change her clothes, although she made no attempt to hide the many injuries she still bore. She had no way to do that anyway.

The walk was worth it in the end, however: if for no other reason than to see Dream wearing smudges of paint.

"I thought painters were supposed to wear berets," she remarks teasingly, reaching out to wipe at one of the smudges on his cheek.

[somany_names]

"Are they?" The question is vaguely distracted, and it takes him a moment to turn his attention to her. Once it is on her, though, it focuses quickly. "You are hurt. What happened?"

[vicioussweetie]

"So I've heard."

She lets her hand fall to her side again when he's focused on her.

"I was attacked. Certain portions of the population under my care have decided they want their 'freedom' from 'tyranny'." She can't help but roll her eyes. She's many things, but not a tyrant. "May I stay here until I'm feeling better? I can't go home looking like this without things getting worse, and I can't go anywhere else without the babies continuing to grow, which would lead to questions I don't want to answer."

She's not going to plead. Not yet. But she hopes, oh so much.

[somany_names]

He considers her request, but only briefly. She is his friend, she is in distress, and it is unlikely that her dissident faction would be able to bring war to the Dreaming. That last thought might seem cold, but he is the sovereign of his land as she is of hers. "You may. I welcome you as my guest, Aisling. Consider yourself welcome here, and under my protection. But do not stray from the paths."

[vicioussweetie]

Morning is so subjective in the Dreaming. In any version of it Ali's ever known, at least. But for now, our subject is Ali, and for her it's morning. That means a bath, exploring the wardrobe's offerings, dressing with particular care so as to not offend the Fashion Thing, and a short walk through the jungle in her suite to find flowers for her hair. Her bruises have darkened, now the purple blossoms often called "black and blue", but again she chooses not to try and hide them. They're honest.

Then and only then does she emerge. She moves with a stiff formality that might be the haughty bearing of old nobility, and might be the tell-tale signs that she hasn't taken her painkillers. Either way, she's making her slow way down the path, hoping to find the kitchen.

Breakfast is a morning subject too.

[somany_names]

In the Dreaming, finding what you're looking for is often simply a matter of persistence. Fortunately, in Ali's case, it won't take much to reach the dining room, where a fanged and turbaned gentleman offers her an obsequious bow spoiled by a look of surprised concern. "Ah, honored guest, sainted lady, please be welcome. What may we provide for you today?"

[vicioussweetie]

Such luck! Ali smiles faintly, settling into a chair before she answers.

"Good morning Taramis. I'd like some breakfast, please. I'd like some peppermint tea, and fruit, and I should have a protein or two, but please make whatever you feel like. I love trying new things." She's in a very good mood, despite the pain.

[somany_names]

"It shall be our pleasure," he intones with another bow. "Shall I inform the master that you have risen?"

[vicioussweetie]

Ali's first afternoon (not spent asleep) was, for someone in her condition, busy. Over lunch, she'd asked Taramis if he knew anything about this mysterious girlfriend about which Merv had been complaining. He didn't, and was clearly distracted by concerns over what she'd like and how to best prepare the kitchen. The staff was perfectly able to cater to more whims than two ladies and an Endless, but constant vigilance is key to maintaining quality

[somany_names]

Although he is the monarch of much, and although he has many duties which he cannot ignore, Dream is also a conscientious host, paying Ali a visit before dinner. After asking the doorwardens where she may be found, he wills himself to her door and knocks.

[vicioussweetie]

There's a moment's silence (or actually, a great deal of rustling-of-cloth with a lack of speaking) before she answers the door, giving Dream a warm smile when she sees him.

"Good evening."

[somany_names]

"Good evening," he replies. "Have you felt any improvement?"

[vicioussweetie]

It can be assumed that time passes in the Dreaming.

It is a more difficult task to try and measure it: for Ali especially, time is always fluid, and at present she has almost no means of knowing how much has passed at all. Things have continued to happen, certainly, but the memories are fuzzy around the edges and often blend together into a sea of moments disconnected from their continuity.

But she isn't worrying about that right now. Tonight is Movie Night, she has been informed, and so she is making her slow way to the grand hall, where she hopes somebody will be waiting to help her find her ultimate destination. Quite to the Fashion Thing's eventual dismay, Ali has not dressed up for the occasion. There is no fancy gown or complicated costume; she's wearing jeans, and a large t-shirt, her hair is down and her feet are bare. How shocking!

[somany_names]

The Fashion Thing is indeed distressed. Who knew Ali would come wearing the same outfit? Truly embarrassing!

When Ali reaches the Great Hall, Matthew catches up to her, fluttering down to a landing on her shoulder. "There you are! It's almost curtains-up, kiddo, you don't want to miss the first reel!"

[vicioussweetie]

"Ah, indeed not." Ali reaches up to give Matthew some pettings, because all good birds like pettings. "I'm not sure where we're going. I find myself again in need of your guidance, if you would be so kind?"

[somany_names]

"That's why I came to find you," he answers cheerfully, before supplying the guidance needed. Seriously, everybody should get a Cosmological Positioning Raven.

The a short walk brings Ali to a room that looks to have been hastily expanded recently, the walls and ceiling pushed out and up, the floor sloped to better accommodate the chairs, and a large silver screen mounted at one end of the room. Merv Pumpkinhead and a few of his crew are currently in the process of hanging a white screen in front of it, their foreman muttering and puffing clouds of smoke all the while.

It should be little surprise that Taramis, enlisting help from That Which Waits In Darkness Below, has set up a concession stand along the rear wall, providing typical movie theater fare and far stranger treats.

Lucien is in the process of setting up the projector, and has a smudge of grease on his nose from grappling with its inner workings. How manly.

[vicioussweetie]

Although the passage of time is an idea with which the Dreaming has only a passing acquaintance, there are some signs that time does pass. One of the most obvious is that Ali's bruises have begun to fade, losing their angry blacks and purples for more seasonal greens and yellows. Her walk as begun to recover its usual bounce. And she's starting to get bored.

That last is most obvious by her newest project: music lessons. Singing isn't an activity she particularly enjoys, but when one is faced with days full of nothing to do and a ready supply of talking animals, how can one resist putting one's encyclopedic knowledge of Disney songs to good use?

Let's hope nobody's planning to use the great hall for a while: Ali's got the animals lined up on the staircase, like a choir, and is currently teaching them "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes". And it's a completely random choice, really!

[somany_names]

Dream chances to overhear some of this, and Ali may become aware of his presence behind her when her choir spontaneously scatters at the end of a verse.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali watches them scatter with a sigh, but once she's turned around she's all smiles again. "Hello darling. How are you today?"

[somany_names]

"I am myself. What were you doing?"