The Empty World | The Empty World Sequence [complete | rewriting]

Sixteen

Dolores looked up at Morpheus. "I will need another drink if I try to stay awake much longer. You might have to carry me...I can feel it."

Morpheus offered his arms and Dolores stepped close. He lifted her, putting an arm against her back, then scooping her knees toward him, as she grasped his shoulder and gave a hop.

Ganymede opened the door. Light shone in from the kitchen, natural and artificial. Dolores hissed. Morpheus looked down and saw Dolores' eyes shift in color from brown irises dilated around wide pupils to red-violet circles surrounding pinpricks of black.

Dolores turned her face toward Morpheus' chest and the white shirt he'd formed. He pressed his wings forward as he walked through the doorway, shielding Dolores from the light either side.

"You have Dolores?" Shio asked, as they stepped out into the kitchen.

"Yeah." Morpheus could feel her grip on his shoulder weakening.

"Let me walk you upstairs."

"You coming G?" Morpheus asked, even as he nodded toward Shio.

"No, I'll see you later." There was a flash of meaning in his gaze, that wasn't quite telepathy; permission to move him again, later.

"You're all right?" Shio asked, as they moved into the grande hall, "to walk with her?"

"She's very light," Morpheus answered truthfully. He would have teleported, if alone, but living in a residence with others who weren't Halfangel, was teaching him others needed some preparation and warning before he pulled them along.

Dolores' head fell heavily against him, her arms went limp and slipped from the space of his embrace. Morpheus manipulated the tip of his right wing to lift Dolores; fallen arm onto her chest.

They reached her new room, and Shio went in first. Morpheus heard her speaking to other staff, "We're done. Leave things as is."

Morpheus carried Dolores inside. The room was decorated in pastel colors, and in process, it seemed, of being hung with heavy gold drapes and framed photos of famous crooners and Old Hollywood actors in military uniform.

The furnishings were ornately curved and painted white and gold. Morpheus walked past, to the canopy bed. He recognized a poster of Elvis, and a print depicting a pretty dancer he thought might be Josephine Baker. He lay Dolores atop a downy duvet, as Shio pulled at the drapes on windows and bed to close them.

Morpheus walked back to the kitchen with Shio. Ganymede was still awake when he got there, and speaking with Steven over coffee and mobile devices. The Vampyre didn't drink the coffee, just held a mug, breathed its scent, and took photos of Steven drinking. "Have you met him?" Ganymede asked.

"Briefly, before we flew out. He and Amber are going to visit this fall."

"Amad's coming here?" Ganymede asked.

Steven nodded.

Morpheus wanted to meet Amadeo, but he worried still he was related to Metro's prophesy, and that his presence would upset Julien.

After some breakfast, Morpheus began his unofficial patrol of the palace, moving through the public spaces, or watching others through mirrors.

He found Ganymede later, asleep in the media room; the monitors displaying "Are you still watching?"

"You want me to move you?" Morpheus whispered.

Ganymede didn't answer. He was asleep, Morpheus knew, and dreaming. He could sense this state without viewing the dream itself. He put his hands on Ganymede to maneuver the Vampyre up into his arms.