Cal ||They/Them || 32 year old creature. Sometimes I make art and stories || 𝔍𝔲𝔰𝔱 𝔳𝔦𝔟𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔬𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔪𝔬𝔯𝔱𝔞𝔩 𝔠𝔬𝔦𝔩 || Header image by the talented assassin1513
Small rant: So I work a corporate job and I’ve come to like really not enjoy it… like I dread going in and lately my hours have been crazy at like 12-14 hour days and I’m feeling like so burnt out, I have like no time to write or draw or work on cosplay and I’m really considering looking for a slower paced job because this is just ugh… might delete later but work life balance has just been nonexistent and I think I really need a change…😔
Hi Loves! Sorry I’ve been gone for so long, the past month has been a struggle bus for free time for me. A combination of the holidays, work and being sick multiple times has not been a good time 😩
I am still alive and will be continuing my Sandman work both art and writing 💕 Thank you all for being so patient and lovely and I hope you all have had a lovely holiday season and continue to have a wonderful holiday season!
I will also be dipping my toes into the House of the Dragon fandom as well so you might see some of that making it’s way into my blog!💕🐉
So I’ve been a huge fan of The Sandman comics ever since I was a teen and now that the show is here I of course am back on my bullshit. One thing I’m very interested in seeing how they handle/approach is Daniel.
As a teen reading Sandman I was really upset with the idea that Morpheus *dies* and I didn’t really understand Daniel as a character.
But as I’ve gotten older I’ve really come to love Daniel and have come to the conclusion that Dream doesn’t truly die. He evolves and changes, he might not be *the* Morpheus we followed throughout the series but rather he becomes something more? Something new.
Like this sounds so silly to be this attached to a character and their story but like I feel like it’s totally valid to mourn for Morpheus but also at the same time celebrate his new beginning as Daniel? He sees the world and his appointment through different eyes and for me it’s almost like how we as humans go through life? Aspects of us die or disappear but we are still the same person and as we change we get to see the world through new discoveries we hadn’t considered before.
Anyway just me talking about my love for Dream and Daniel thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
Just a brief update! I’m still working on my fics for Sandman so those will be updating; I’ve been crazy busy trying to finish up Morpheus’ battle outfit to wear to a con and it’s turning out to be a bigger beast than I thought 🥲
I’ll def have some pics when I’m done tho, and maybe I’ll do a photo shoot! 💕
Just so everyone is clear on where I stand: I love getting @'d in posts. I love it when people want to show me things. I get so happy about the fact that you saw something you thought I might like. I don't care if we aren't mutuals. I don't care if you think I might have already been tagged. Please never be afraid of just showing me shit. Thank u.
Warnings: Slight angst, mentions of loss, minimal descriptions of y/n
Chapter Synopsis: A pause fills the room and you are not quite sure how to respond to the Dream Lord so you duck your head gazing up at him through your lashes, you can feel your face growing a bit hot. What is wrong with you…maybe you’ll borrow Hob's thermometer when you get back to the waking world, perhaps you were coming down with your first cold.
Note: Morpheus calls the Star Astraea which means star-maiden.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
The sheer size of the palace was truly mind boggling and you briefly wonder if it actually has a permanent structure or if it changed based on the needs of the occupants. You wouldn’t be at all surprised based on what you had seen so far.
You trail behind Morpheus as you take in the environment, though he is patient with you and keeps his steps measured as you continue further and further into the maze that was the palace. You try to be mindful to not stop completely, though you can’t help but reach out and touch an ebony column as you pass by. The stone you realize almost looks like it was made from molten obsidian, makeup slowly ebbing and flowing through the structure. You almost expect your fingertips to be wet when you pull your hand away.
This place was truly surreal.
Above you Matthew flies leisurely, gliding back and forth; keeping pace with you and Morpheus…is he humming?
“What are you singing Matthew?” You ask after a moment and you hear him squawk softly in surprise.
“Oh! uhhh I think it’s an Elton John song? Can’t remember the name.” He hums some more, perhaps trying to remember the name through the lyrics. “Damn it’s on the tip of my tongue…”
You hum softly, mimicking his tone and he lands on your shoulder, giving you a bit of a surprise but he urges you to continue humming with his own notes as he bobs his head up and down. You can’t help but laugh a little, quite enjoying the company.
“I’ll have to ask Hob if he knows the song, he seems to know everything.” You laugh and try to commit the tune to memory.
Being so wrapped up in Matthews company you don’t notice that Morpheus has put some space between the both of you, and you certainly don’t notice the small soft smile gracing his lips.
When you arrive at the library you had expected to be somewhat used to the grandeur of the Dreaming and its palace; however you cannot contain the soft gasp that passes your lips as you gaze about the space.
A library is a defined space, a finite concept, even one as grand as the one you had visited in the Asterism had and end; yet this place is infinite, almost like a hall of mirrors and how they make a space appear to go on forever. But this…this is no illusion, at least not that you can tell. Halls lined with books in every shape and color seemingly go on forever becoming hazy points in the distance, singularities of leather and parchment. And not only do they sprawl outwards but the shelves that are not bisected by floors arch up to the cathedral ceilings and look as though they drift off into the twinkling cosmos above. You wonder briefly if your sisters decide to dream again if they could pluck the very tomes of the Dreaming out of the night sky they seem to disappear into.
When you finally manage to get your gawking in check you notice that Morpheus is watching you, head tilted, expression cool but not chilly.
“How…how many are there?” You ask, on your shoulder Matthew laughs.
“Probably only Lucienne knows that.” He says and the Dream Lord fixes him with a hard look, bristling at the light jab.
“You think that I don’t know my own-“ Morpheus starts but is cut off by a measured, polished voice.
“You are being awfully surly today Matthew.” You turn to see a well dressed woman with pointed ears and lovely deep skin making her way down the large ornate stairway that leads up to the second floor of the library. “I’m sure that Lord Morpheus would prefer it if you were on your best behavior for our guest.”
Matthew jumps off your shoulder and sits on a pile of books that lay on a trolly nearby.
“I’ll be nothing but behaved for our guest, scouts honor.” He says bobbing his head, still a bit cheeky.
The woman’s attention is pulled back to you after she gives the raven a curt nod, she gives you a soft smile and the genuineness of it warms you.
“I am Lucienne, head librarian of the Dreaming, it is wonderful to meet you my dear.” She bows her head and you return her action a bit stiffly, a bit unsure of the protocol of a Kingdom you only just entered.
“Lucienne, it’s lovely to meet you as well. I’m Y/n.” You smile back at her, fidgeting slightly suddenly a bit shy with all the attention “Your library is amazing by the way!”
Her smile grows at the praise, her eyes crinkling with genuine pride and delight.
“I’m just the caretaker, but I thank you for your kind words.” She replies, observing you for a moment before speaking again. “Would you like a tour?”
“Really? I don’t want to intrude.” You say trying to keep your curious excitement in check.
“Nonsense, if the Lord has invited you into his palace you are more than welcome in the library.” You cast a quick glance over to Morpheus who nods his head but doesn’t meet your eyes, you wonder if you had somehow over stepped without knowing. Before you can ask, Lucienne gently takes your arm and leads you to the staircase you saw her descend. “I’m sure that you wish to see your book of Dreams.”
“Oh yes!” You perk up at this, attention moving fully back to Lucienne. “Morpheus mentioned that I could see it, if that’s alright with you of course.”
“Did he now? He’s not usually so quick to offer.” The librarian's voice sounds playful, and you hear Morpheus scoff behind you as you climb the steps.
“Then I guess I’m honored?” You weren’t sure what else to say.
Above you Matthew flies over to the second floor landing and lands on the bannister, slowly walking across it, one clawed foot in front of the other.
“You are certainly an honored guest.” The raven comments and your brow furrows as you arrive on the second floor.
Morpheus passes by you and Lucienne, making his way further into the library without a word, Matthew follows him hoping along the banister until he flutters to the ground and continues to hop after his Lord.
Lucienne leads you to follow after Morpheus, passing row after row, section after section of bookshelves. You still marvel at how many there are and you are nearly sure that all of them are unique in some way, you assume to match the dream they contain.
After a short while your mind wanders back to what Matthew said, about being an honored guest.
“Why is that, if you don’t mind my asking?” You inquire.
“Hmm?” Lucienne looks over to you curiously and you realize you sound like a fool.
“Sorry, what Matthew said before…that I’m an honored guest, why is that?”
“You are a Star, an uncommon visitor here as of late. You’ve caused quite a stir here in the Dreaming.” Lucienne says leading you past another row of books, these ones look quite old so old you worry that if one were to pick them up they might crumble.
“I’m sorry, I hope it’s nothing bad.” You reply, you’ve only just started feeling like you weren’t a complete burden to Hob, if you had also caused the Dreaming trouble already…
“Of course not.” You startle a bit and you turn from Lucienne to see that Morpheus had stopped in the middle of the corridor and is looking at you with a slight frown pulling at his brow. Had you eyes in the back of your head you would have been able to see Lucienne shaking her head, trying to hide a knowing little smile.
A pause fills the room and you are not quite sure how to respond to the Dream Lord so you duck your head gazing up at him through your lashes, you can feel your face growing a bit hot. What is wrong with you?…maybe you’ll borrow Hob's thermometer when you get back to the waking world, perhaps you were coming down with your first cold.
Morpheus clears his throat quietly and turns away from you before continuing further into the library, Matthew following close behind and you’re almost sure you can hear him snickering. Next to you Lucienne gives you a soft nudge and you continue walking with her, following after the now very quiet Prince of Stories.
“Stars haven’t entered the Dreaming in some time.” The librarian continues and you listen intently. Before you Morpheus turns down an aisle of books. “ Since your kind is so ancient it tends to become a bit… monotonous to them.” She has you turn down the same row as her Lord and his raven.
Most of the books in this section look just as old as the ones you had seen before, ancient and worn, and now that you see them closely they are quite thick. Down near the end of the row, by a warm glowing candle stands Morpheus gently plucking a tome from the selves. He cradles it gently in his hands as he turns to face you, the book in his hands much newer looking and far less filled.
“However, you aren’t exactly one of the ancient ones are you?” Lucienne says, letting go of your arm and gently nudging you towards Morpheus.
You slowly walk towards the Dream Lord, eyes honed in on the book in his hands until you’re standing before him once again almost as close as you had been out in the palace gardens. The book in his hands is a lovely dusty blue, its cover delicately stamped leather with silver text… the text adorning it is your name.
“New Stars are not a common thing in this day and age.” Morpheus says and you glance up to him. “The Nebula has started to quiet this era and last.”
“More are coming to rest and replenish in the Nebula.” You say and he slowly slips the book into your hands, his fingers brush against yours for a moment and their coolness is a lovely sensation. “There aren’t too many Stars being born anymore, I guess I should consider myself lucky.” You add with a small smile.
Before anymore can be said a loud ca-chunk echoes through the library and the sound of shuffling footsteps and grumbling follow.
“Shoulda known all of ya would be here.” A gruff voice calls out and you look over the banister to the first floor to see what looks to be a man, he’s gangly and tall and…has a pumpkin for a head. And the expression he currently has across it is rather sour.
It’s at this point you notice something very peculiar; well other than the man with a pumpkin for a head. As you gaze down to the first floor you can see the large ornate doorway you had come through as well as the winding grand staircase you had climbed to get to the second floor. However you had been quite sure you had walked past dozens of sections of books in order to get to this one, but as you observed your surroundings it appeared as though you had only traveled four rows down. Your brow furrows as you do a second take and try to recount your steps. Yes you had definitely walked for far longer than just four rows of books.
“Mervyn, I assume that this is something of importance.” Morpheus is coolly observing the newcomer over the banister.
“Well if more cracks and a big freakin’ hole in the east garden is something of importance then yeah.” The pumpkin head replies nonchalantly folding his arms across his chest.
Though the Dream Lord is facing away from you you can see him bristle at this; his shoulders tensing and his posture straightening further.
“It appears that the Vortex is causing more disturbances.” You turn to look at Lucienne perplexed.
“The…Vortex?” You ask.
“A Dream Vortex, yes, we have been…researching how to handle the matter.” She replies, you catch the small look of exasperation in her eyes as Morpheus stalks past you, pinning Lucienne with a hard stare.
“I will take care of this matter.” Morpheus replies, voice biting, cold like the far reaches of the galaxy and you shrink a bit at his tone, but Lucienne merely adjusts her spectacles and nods.
“Of course my Lord.” She says and he breezes past her, rounding the corner of the bookshelf and moving out of sight.
Before you have time to process what has occurred or ask anymore questions on what is going on exactly you hear Morpheus addressing Mervyn and you turn to look over the banister to see him already briskly walking with the other man towards the main doors. He was just here? How did he get down there so fast?
It’s the Dreaming you suppose as you watch him and his companion leave the library…things don’t have to make sense here, or follow the rules of reality. Still it was such a strange thing to wrap your head around as the doors swing shut on their own, their heaviness echoing throughout the space.
“Are you going to open it?” You nearly jump when Matthew speaks, pulling you out of your thoughts.
“Sorry, what?” You finally ask when you gather yourself, looking over to him, he’s perched on a small pile of books.
“Are you going to open your book?” He reiterates and nods to the book still in your hands that you had completely forgotten about.
“Don’t be a bother Matthew.” Lucienne reminds him but you are already sneaking your fingers beneath the cover.
“What? Aren’t you a little bit curious about a Star?” He asks moving to the banister to get closer to you.
“It’s not our place to intrude, don’t be pushy.” She replies a slight chiding evident in her tone.
“It’s okay, I don’t mind.” You say earnestly, looking up at her with a small smile. “I don’t think there will be anything too scandalous.” She chuckles and shakes her head.
“I have some work I must attend to but you are more than welcome to make yourself comfortable.” Lucienne replies before fixing Matthew with a hard stare. “Don’t be afraid to tell him to behave or to leave if he becomes an annoyance.”
“I’m a joy to be around, thank you very much.” The raven says haughtily and ruffles his feathers. You can’t help but laugh at this.
Lucienne rolls her eyes but a slight smile gives her away before she gives you a small bow and leaves you to your reading.
It’s quiet for a moment, almost perfectly quiet, not in an eerie way but a silence that comforts and envelopes you and warms you as it lulls. You look back down to the book, your book. Your forefinger still slipped beneath the soft leather cover, poised to open it.
“Do you want to go to one of the reading nooks?” Matthew’s voice breaks the silence but it’s softer than you’ve ever heard it in your short time knowing him.
“That would be…really nice actually.” You say looking over to him and he ruffles his feathers before taking flight.
“Just follow me!” He calls and you do just that.
____
The little sitting area that he brings you to is cozy, it almost reminds you of the parlor at Hob’s… Hob!
“I’m sorry, how long have I been asleep?” You ask Matthew quickly, suddenly very nervous that you’ve been asleep for days on end.
“Don’t worry, time moves differently here.” He’s perched on the back of the winged armchair. “You’ll start to feel the pull of the waking world when it’s time to wake up.”
This soothes your worries a bit but you wonder if you’ll wake up late for the first time in your life, you’re certain Hob would have a field day teasing you if you did. Slowly you ease down into the chair, it’s quite plush and it smells of pressed parchment and incense. Matthew shuffles closer as you settle to get a better view and you can feel his wing feathers brushing softly against your hair.
You pause for a few moments longer, not quite sure why you’re so nervous about reading about your own life, did the Dreaming form an option for those that entered it? Shaking trepidation from your thoughts you finally press open the cover, oh! You must have been the first or one of the first to open it because the spine crackles like a new book from the store when you open it. You turn to the first pages and you realize it’s about your creation in the Nebula, your first days brought into existence, you angle the book to show your companion.
“All Stars are born in the Nebula.” You say to him with a soft voice. “We don’t need to go through childhood or learn to walk or speak, but we know very little beyond the place of birth or our kin.”
“Must be nice not having to go through growing pains, though I guess you miss the fun of your rebellious teen years.” Matthew comments and you laugh.
“We still have growing pains, and a lot of Stars go through rebellious streaks, ours tend to be longer too since we are immortal.” You reply and flip through the book slowly.
“Man I’d hate to have five hundred years of an angsty teen as a parent… wait…do Stars have parents?” He cocks his head.
“We have parental figures that help teach us and we often have those we consider our brothers and sisters, though I guess we aren’t blood related.” You pause, thinking for a moment. “I never really thought about it before to be honest.”
You continue to read through your book, Matthew observing quietly.
“I miss them you know…” you say after a moment glancing over at Matthew. “My sisters and brothers, I’ve tried to get used to living on earth…but it’s still hard sometimes…”
For awhile the raven doesn’t say anything and then very gently.
“Do you know why you fell?” He asks, his voice careful and soft.
“No…Stars that fall to earth are usually knocked from the sky by something outside of our control. Sometimes they are punished and lead aground but that is very rare from what I’ve heard.” You pause, collecting yourself “I was sleeping when it happened… Believe it or not I was trying to dream.” You let out a sad chuckle at the irony.
Matthew is quiet and stays quiet for sometime, you don’t move from your current spot in your book, too busy reminiscing about your past.
“Maybe it’s in your book?” He says suddenly. “I mean if it has your life’s story in there then it should have that right?”
The feeling that washes over you is a strange combination of excitement and dread…would the reason you fell to earth be in this book? Would you finally know why? Did you really want to know why?
Your fingers tremble as you begin to turn the pages faster, skimming your life’s story, your breath catching in your throat as you near the inevitable. You pause, fingers digging into the parchment as you stare down at the words before you, on the page is the last night in the skies, if you turn to the next surely it will be about your fall from the heavens.
“If… you don’t want to, you don’t have to…” Matthew says gently and you swallow thickly.
“I need to know…if it’s in here I need to know.” You reply adamantly though your voice trembles.
You turn the page, like pulling off a bandage and begin to read, taking in the words and…
Nothing…
Well not exactly nothing, it has how you woke up to find yourself in a farmer's apple orchard and that you had fallen to earth but it doesn’t have anything in it that states how you were pulled from the heavens. You sag in the chair, both relieved and utterly disappointed.
“I’m sorry, I figured since it’s a story about, well, you that maybe it would have it.” Matthew says after a moment, voice genuinely apologetic.
“No…it’s okay, it was a good idea.” You say, fingers brushing over the pages, your body feeling tired even though you were actually asleep.
You decide that you no longer want to dive any further into your book, suddenly feeling emotionally drained. Slowly you close the book and sag into the chair again. Matthew sits with you quietly, and although you certainly don’t mind his chatty nature, the quiet of the library is a welcoming blanket of comfort.
After a while you feel a tingling at the back of your head that creeps down into your fingertips, it’s not a bad feeling, almost like gentle warm waves ebbing in and out of you, lapping at your skin. You look over to Matthew curiously.
“Is this the waking world?” You ask and he cocks his head.
“Do you feel it pulling you?” He asks.
“I think so? It’s strange but not bad, kind of comforting?” You reply it’s getting harder to concentrate as you feel a tug on your consciousness.
“Well, you can always come back tomorrow night!” Matthew says and you smile at him, enjoying his eagerness.
“I’d like that very much.” You feel another pull and you start to ease into the feeling. “I wonder if I’ve slept in longer than Hob.”
“Oh! I meant to ask you earlier do you mean Hob as in the Hob that Morpheus is friends with?” Matthew’s voice is very far away and then for a brief moment everything goes still, a warm darkness enveloping you.
____
You can hear what sounds like birds chirping and there is a soft light warming your face, slowly you open your eyes, lids fluttering as you find yourself in your room in the New Inn. You take a deep breath, the air feels slightly different in the walking world you notice; after spending so much time in the Dreaming it almost feels heavy. You can smell the alluring scent of coffee on the air as well and you know that Hob is already awake.
Sluggishly you step out of bed and begin your morning routine somewhat shocked when you look over to the bedside table and see that it’s already past 8am.
As you get ready your mind wanders back to the Dreaming, still in awe of the realm beyond mortals. You walk down the steps to the kitchen continuing to think about your first real experience dreaming.
“We’ll good morning sleepyhead, someone slept in!” Hob’s cheery voice breaks your train of thought, you blink at him pulling yourself back to the present before laughing sheepishly.
“I’m getting all sorts of new experiences here on earth.” You say and he starts to pour you a cup of coffee as you move to the table.
“Have good dreams?” He asks, handing you the steaming cup of coffee and milk.
You’re quiet for a moment as you hold the mug, letting the warmth seep through to your hands and fingertips.
“I did.”
Thank you so much for being so patient with this story! I’ve been crazy busy lately and haven’t had much time but I’m so glad to be back to writing; and thanks to everyone that has been enjoying this! it really means so much to me!
Thank you to everyone for being so patient! The next chapter of The Star in the Field is almost done! I’m also considering drawing the Star and Morpheus because I’m very soft 💕🥺
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