everyone traversed the realm of dreams in their own unique way. some experienced dreams that were utterly perplexing, astonishing, and equally entertaining. others navigated through nightmares that were harrowing from start to finish, leaving them lamenting their inability to continue the enchanting dreams that felt like fairy tales after waking. liv was like a dream encyclopedia, yet even she had been taken aback by dreams that began idyllically and subtly morphed into nightmares.
what she encountered when delving into his dreamworld was precisely one of these experiences. liv became a part of the dreams she entered, and being a part of his was a painful ordeal, much like the nightmares she had about her brother's death. they were akin to being electrocuted, a kind of nightmare that made her feel like all her emotions were ablaze. to comprehend such nightmares better, there was only one way: to merge with them, to get closer.
at that moment, the significance of being behind masks seemed trivial. if liv had previously connected with someone through dreams, the dynamics of her power would immediately shift for her. dream connections elicited emotions that were sharper and clearer. hence, as she approached him, liv's mental turmoil intensified. the lines must have blurred, and they must have reached that point where dreams, nightmares, and reality gave way to harmony since, had he not caught her, her luminous gown might have become the canvas for one of the night's crises. yet, the physical connection, though it might have saved her from this predicament, simultaneously elevated her mental turmoil to its zenith.
having willingly stepped into danger, liv now clung to his elbow, realizing that she could barely stand without his support. "thank you. — believe it or not, i'm not intoxicated, but i feel as if i'm on the verge of fainting."
when liv sought to lift her gaze and make eye contact with the man still supporting her, the first sight that greeted her was a hallucination of her deceased brother, happily raising a glass in the midst of the crowd a bit further away. this vision prompted her to close her eyes, clinging even tighter to the stranger's arm, compelling her to speak. "oh, heavens. could you assist me in sitting down? i doubt i can stand unaided. i apologize for this embarrassment."