Topic: Perchance to Dream: Morpheus, Manning a Gate

Morpheus

Date: 2008-06-09 16:36 EST
The two men, though it would require a very broad definition of the term to indeed consider them men, looked much like Morpheus. Where he favored grays and dark purple, one of the two wore reds and black, and the other appeared to have bathed in a rainbow. They stood on a tall and narrow plateau, more a column carved of rock than a great table. The plain stretched out before, and all around, them was unlike any were likely to see in a material realm. The ground was composed of clouds, shifting mists, and rivers of gold and onyx flowed through it. Where they met, multicolored pools formed, surrounded by flora and fauna which betrayed the laws of both biology and physics. The sky was a swirl of green and orange, rain pouring up out of the clouds at various locations. Behind them was a silver door, twice as tall as either man, wide enough to accommodate their wingspans.

Pheus. Methinks we ought speak with our brother. Thus spoke the one of many colors, words heard only in the mind of his companion. His lips moved, but they did not match his words.

Really, Phantasus. It is likely it does not concern him. He is no longer of our pantheon, exactly, and you know the Olympians frown upon professional discussions with the competition. The dark one spoke in a like manner, though his lips moved not at all.

Ickeee.....Who cares what they think" We be naught of their ilk. 'sides, Pheus would want to know about this.

His brother sighed. I wish you would not call me that, Phantasus. Icelus, or Phoebtor if you must, please. As to this matter, I would think Morpheus already knows, if it concerns him.

Phantasus watched an ultraviolet bolt of lightning streak across the sky, igniting one of the pools in flickering indigo flames. Impossible animals flocked closer to the pool, joined by a small boy. Oh, please do not, Phobee. I like him. He hears the colors in his waking hours. I am going to tell Pheus. If you don't wanna see him, do stay here and accept the rules of Zeus and his. That said, the multicolored man turned, rainbow-flecked feathers brushing against the leathery black of his brother's wing.

Icelus shook his head. You can work with him the next time he sleeps. I do what I am here to do. At some unseen signal, the flames turned from indigo to red, and huge red demons strode, crawled, slithered, and flew from within. The boy gave a startled cry, leapt upon a unicorn which had been drinking at the pool, and rode off into the distance at a breakneck pace. The demons followed, howling and gibbering. You don't really mean to ignore my counsel, do you?

Phantasus pulled open the silver door (it appeared to lead nowhere, as though one could reach the same spot by merely walking around it), and paused to look back at his brother. You do what you must. Why shouldn't I, likewise, do what I want? That said, he stepped through the door, and exploded into a cloud of butterflies and bubbles.

Icelus shook his head, looked back to where the unicorn had bucked its rider and the demons converged upon the boy, and sighed. The child would wake any moment, and his terrified screams would wake his parents. Icelus strode through the doorway, and when he vanished a cloud of deep smoke that smelled of brimstone drifted away and dissipated.

Morpheus

Date: 2008-06-09 16:41 EST
Morpheus had, indeed, already realized what was happening. None of the large rifts had connected to his DreamScape, and he'd determined that what damage was being done there would likely be easily repaired over the next several months.

As none of those who claimed stewardship over the realms which had been breached seemed to inclined to undo the rents, he could not be sure that they were not in fact responsible for them. Still, he felt that he must do something about the ongoing invasion. And so he had stationed himself before one of the larger rifts, his form remaining in perfect focus during his vigil.

When a creature stepped (or flew) through from the other side, he found that he was able to catch hold of it and hurl it back into its own realm. Even the sparkling turquoise cloud did not escape his grasp. Most of the creatures seemed to give up after one attempt at crossing over, but some required being returned a number of times before they sought out a different entrance to the waking world. He spent more than a day there, dividing his attention between that task and his ordinary duties, before his brothers arrived.

Oh. Look, Ickee. He does already know. Phantasus leaned against a light pole, which promptly sprouted a dozen tiny hot pink cacti. Hi there, Pheus.

Icelus rolled his red and black marbled eyes, and stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Of course he does. Our brother rarely works with his eyes closed. Greetings, Morpheus.

Morpheus had caught a six-foot long serpent, which flew with four pairs of tiny bat wings. As he turned to regard the others, it wrapped itself around his arm and whined like a distressed dog. 'ello, brothers. If'n you two are 'ere t'lend a hand, I appreciate it. When Morpheus spoke, unlike his brothers, the movement of his mouth matched his words. Letting the serpent remain where it was, he pressed his other hand to the chest of a ten-foot man in thick plate armor, pushing him back through the gateway. With nothing else stepping forward for the moment, he turned his attention to prying the serpent loose.

This is no concern of ours, brother. Phantasus merely felt that we should inform you of a situation of which you are obviously already aware. Once things quiet down, perhaps we—

Of course we're here to help, bro! If Phantasus noticed the look Icelus was giving him, there was no indication. So....We putting them back, or pulling them out" He held out one hand, for a small, brightly colored bird to alight on his finger. He watched as it spread its beak wide, revealing long fangs, and bit down on his wrist. You'll find no blood there, little whatchamawhoosit. Perhaps you should fly on home. The bird lifted its head, tilted it to one side, then took to the air and flew back through the rift.

Back in. 'less'n their ruler tells us t'let 'em by. Morpheus finally unwound the serpent from his arm and tossed it back into Dream. There're two holes much like this one nearby. If'n you two would watch those...

We have our own duties, brother. As do you. We cannot spare our attention on this, when we are not even aware if it is a problem. We shall have to speak when you are less occupied. That said, Icelus turned and walked away, fading to nothing as he went.

Morpheus turned to look after him, then turned marbled violet eyes to Phantasus. 'ow 'as it been, workin' mostly wit' 'im"

Phantasus shrugged, smiling. Ickee's dour and unhappy. Always. Nothing new, and we do not talk much. I do agree. We three should meet more often. I can help you, though, if you like. I don't feel the need to concentrate as much as Ickee.

Morpheus nodded. Tha' does sound like 'im. And we will. F'r now, though... He directed his multihued brother to the nearest large rend in the fabric of reality.

Phantasus nodded, grinning happily. Almost like the old days, this is. Except Ickee is just being obstinate, instead of getting in trouble with the council. Buh-bye, Pheus. He flapped his wings, taking to the air, and drifted off in the direction Morpheus had indicated.

After watching his brother leave, Morpheus turned his attention back to the gateway. A group of young children, wearing school uniforms, was walking out of Dream. Their hair was uniformly blond, and their blue eyes seemed nearly to glow. None o' this. Back inside, wit' you.

The children stopped, and one little girl took one step forward. "You are thinking that you can stop us. You cannot. We will do what we must to survive." She stared up into his eyes, and blinked at his smirk.

Y'r no' in Winshire, child. An' I 'aven't go' the 'uman mind y're used to. Wings spreading to block the children from slipping past, he stepped forward. Now, th' lot o' you. In.