Just a bit of dreamweaving... (for the000)

[gardenerofavalon]

There are scarce few things indeed that Merlin doesn't regularly see dreamed of. Whether mundane or fantastic, frightening or sensual, he's seen (and woven, and participated in) more dreams than most people could even imagine.

Still, occasionally there are things that catch him by surprise, or at least stand out for being rather more unusual than most. Such as, for example, a true near lack of dreams from a particular sleeper. That isn't something typical at all, let alone easily accomplished. Clearly, Merlin ought to do something about that!

He'll start out simple and subtle, though. Encourage the dreamer's subconscious to create a pleasant setting, then embellish things from there. Some flowers, perhaps...

Comments

[the000]

Sandalphon says nothing when the images begin to pour, he simply watches quietly and confused. It doesn't look very interesting to him. Despite the speed of changes, he can keep up easily, perhaps because he's ought to pay attention in the "bigger picture" just as Lord Lucifer used to be. Perhaps because he's bored enough to listen to this man babble.

"These aren't yours, though," he says, not knowing why. But he doesn't see him as participant in those dreams. He doesn't look the type to dream about those kinds of things. "I didn't ask about your voyeuristic cheap thrills." Aren't dreams supposed to emerge from one's own mind without their choosing? So he's known from skydwellers.

[gardenerofavalon]

Merlin just shrugs at that.

"If you must know, unless you're speaking of visions, my dreams are those that I choose to visit."

Or cause, for that matter.

"I suppose things are a bit different for me than most, but that doesn't mean I think dreams are any less precious for it."

[the000]

"You know I asked about your dreams, since you're preachy about them to me," Sandalphon says, sitting on air, his wings folded back to his back.

"Unless you're saying you're incapable of dreaming." So why be so obnoxious about this to him? If he's in a similar situation. "I've a lot of things to do, you know. Those primal beasts I show you, protect a certain island, I oversee all of these."

[gardenerofavalon]

"And yet, here you were, sleeping, in the first place."

Merlin states it factually, but he raises an eyebrow at the stranger. Why make such a fuss about having things to do, when he was already sleeping away some of his time to begin with?

[the000]

"I had a reason, I don't feel like divulging to a stranger," Sandalphon answers dryly, without missing a beat. In short, this isn't his business. He switches the topic because it's close to a vulnerable spot.

It makes it about him.

"And you're still here," he points out, "Are you that lonely even someone like me would make desirable company?"

[gardenerofavalon]

"So, since you're sleeping anyway, why not take the chance to dream now?"

Merlin's not going to relent that easily.

Though, that question does make him blink... And then burst into laughter.

"Hardly! I just noticed some poor dreamless soul, and thought I might help out a bit."

[the000]

Sandalphon waves at him, unconcerned about his laughter. "You still linger even after you've been told I don't need or want your help," he insists. Besides, it's pointless to make him dream, his mind is awake and aware, anything he'll show him wouldn't make him truly rest even if he is physically sleeping.

"It makes me wonder if you don't have anyone around to pester."

[gardenerofavalon]

"Perhaps I intend to lend my aid anyway."

He could certainly try submerging the fellow's consciousness back into a non-lucid state, after all, and set up a more finely-tuned dreamscape before going on his way.

"But what should my reasons matter? Do you truly find dreaming so burdensome?"

[the000]

"Do you always force your aid on others? It's annoying to meet someone so presumptuous." He truly must think so high on himself to judge he needs his 'assistance' in this trivial matter.

"I have no interest in it. Haven't I told you already?" And his reasons do matter, especially when that is what distinguishes him from being a threat.

[gardenerofavalon]

"If they seem in need of it, why, of course!"

Said utterly cheerfully.

"Then, you would rather simply close your eyes and make no use of the time until you open then again? Isn't that simply a waste, if you have so much to oversee in the waking world?"

[the000]

What kind of nonsense excuse is that? "Oh, so you think I require this. On what grounds?" he's folding his arms impatiently.

"Tch. This isn't any of your business why I chose to rest for the night," he points out in a hurry, almost touchy. He doesn't need to sleep and it's a waste and yet... Sandalphon has hoped for a memory lost in the lingering warmth of his borrowed wings.

[gardenerofavalon]

Aha, so he is striking a nerve here, is he? Needless to say, Merlin looks positively gleeful as he presses the issue.

"Because everyone ought to be able to enjoy the wonder of dreams once in a while, naturally!"

That, and he's a hopelessly meddlesome troll.

[the000]

He's just a little annoyed this conversation is continuing, and that palpable glee only worsens his mood. He gives him a pointed look, and considers throw him out his head. Surely if he truly wanted, he could probably do it.

"At the moment I don't need your service," he insists, although for the sake of shake him off sooner. Perhaps at another time, it would be different, right now he feels exhausted to deal with him. "Perhaps in the future, how about that, Merlin?"

[gardenerofavalon]

Well, much as Merlin prefers pleasant dreams and emotions, he can't really deny that negative ones can be quite entertaining and worthwhile in their own right, too. Which is probably the best for him, considering his nature.

"Are you quite certain? You've hardly even given it a try, after all!"

Then again, perhaps he ought to try giving Merlin the boot. It might not be nearly so easy as he thinks....

[the000]

"Very certain," Sandalphon stresses the word with a sneer, "Now get out." Leave him be. Why he's pushing him? Other than that pervert fallen angel and that irritating laundry boy with stupid fake wings, most wouldn't press him willingly like this. And this man is a practical stranger.

What a pain.

[gardenerofavalon]

Merlin isn't most people. He quite shamelessly tricked and double-crossed a goddess, after all. So, his only response at first is a skeptical "hmmm" and staring for a moment or two, just long enough to make things start to be uncomfortable or annoying. He makes sure to straighten and speak up again before the other fellow has a chance to, however.

"Well, I suppose youhaven't done too poorly, seeing as it's your first time and all," he says, that smug grin never leaving his face.

[the000]

"What now?" Sandalphon asks, lip twitching in irritation while this Merlin keeps staring at him. He returns his irritating behavior with a quick glare, hoping he'll cease this nonsense soon. His patience has gradually dissipated.

He has yet to leave and now he's started yapping again. If Merlin is trying to make him stammer and be embarrassed, his remark doesn't quite hit the mark. Sandalphon is quite oblivious. One has to be as straightforward shameless as Belial for him to pick up this.

"Should I be thankful for your empty words of flattery? Get out."

[gardenerofavalon]

The more riled this fellow gets, the greater the temptation is to stay and continue needling him. Just so see how far he can press. However, despite certain occasional indiscretions, Merlin isn't stupid, not really, and some of the things mentioned or shown have piqued at least a little bit of his interest for various reasons.

Not that he intends to let that show, oh no, it's much easier to get information out of someone who doesn't realize it's desired, after all. Not to mention, it's far easier when being underestimated by that person, as well.

"Hmm, and aren't you an ungrateful spoilsport," Merlin says with a huff of feigned exasperation, even as he shifts the dream again to bring them both standing on the beach once more. "Though, you really don't know what you're missing, o stranger from the land of sky."

With that, he withdraws from the dream, but not before giving it one last twist before he goes. Rather than the grassy dunes of a temperate seaside in summer, it becomes rich with more lush vegetation. The waves become a calm and vividly-colored lagoon, with reefs glittering like jewels where they act as a breakwater further out. But that isn't all, as the sky itself is changed, the one Merlin knows replaced with something out of the visions the stranger shared, deep blue and home to vast floating islands. A dream of a sheer impossible scenario... Or perhaps simply an unrealized one?

Though, while he's vanished from within the dream himself, he still keeps hold over the stranger's unconsciousness for a few moments longer. Should he decide he has more to say to the half-incubus, well, now's his chance!

happy indigestion merlin!

[the000]

He doesn't understand why he's subjected to mockery. Do they want him to anger? Probably, he reckons Belial wants him to lose control again, but this guy before him is different. He doesn't know anything about the cataclysms or his crimes. That's why, in a way, he's trying not to anger, and not show that ugly side of himself again. Even if it means swallowing his pride and disgust for a while. The man's remark makes him chuckle, blank expression brightening in faintly sadistic glee of amusement.

"That's right, Merlin," Sandalphon says, tugging his lips into a smug grin, "I'm an ungrateful selfish brat. So run along and give your attention to someone more deserving, o flower obsessed stranger." He watches him fade next and the dream to shift, knowing it's his last attempt to soothe him. What a persistent guy! Nonsense, he shakes his head, sighing in dismissal as he stares at the deep blue sky. "Hey Lord Lucifer," he says, to nobody in particular, with a soft, melancholic voice, "If someone among us deserved these dreams, it would have been you." Really this is nonsense. Primal beasts don't dream, and he doesn't deserve them with the sins he's accumulated against the sky. And yet he's the one who has been rewarded these instead of the one who protected and cherished this world for thousands of years.

And so, silently, Sandalphon quietly watches the stunning view, and what burdens his core is millennia's worth of loneliness and regrets.

wow RUDE

[gardenerofavalon]

If Merlin didn't have slightly bigger things in mind now, he'd probably have something to say to that remark. Or do. Perhaps both! But as it happens, doing that right now would just undo what he's worked to set up so far, so he'll have to forbear. For now, at least.

Still, the half-incubus lingers near the sleeping mind a little longer, still grasping it as he has a taste of those emotions. A morose negativity, not his preferred flavor by a long shot, but still better than nothing. So, after a few moments, once he's sure that the dream he wove isn't being immediately rejected, he lets go, and is on his way, his presence vanishing elsewhere in the world of dreams.

The stranger may find himself feeling oddly worn out upon awaking, but then again, perhaps that's just the mental fatigue of having to deal with such an irritating person? Surely it's probably that.