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

Twenty

Julien pulled his hand away. "That's not what you should worry about. If there's anyone else that can make you happy...."

"Don't do this, again." Morpheus shook his head, and then he looked pleadingly at Julien, who turned to avoid his gaze. "Jean-Daniel. It was Jean-Daniel that time, and all we did was talk...OK he gave me a massage, but that was it! He's just obligated to give me shelter or hear my petitions because he's Prince of the Sidhe."

"Is he hot?"

"Yes. He's a real life faerie-tale prince, who looks like an some bishy anime guy with Liz-Taylor-Barbie-Doll violet eyes; of course, he's hot! And he's gay, in so many senses of the word. Still not trying to get with him. And you're changing the subject!"

"Nothing left to say." Julien turned his head to regard Morpheus. His eyes seemed sad.

"So, what? You really don't even want to hang out?"

"It's not a matter of wanting. And, it's your choice what you do."

Morpheus slid from the bed and stood beside it, forming a folded cloak about his waist. "This is so you, you know? It's self-sabotaging, and, like, selfishly sacrificing the way you try to save me from yourself, while saving yourself the guilt of cheating!"

"I'm making the right choice, if you can view breaking of vows so lightly."

Morpheus didn't, not really, but they were Julien's vows, and it had seemed he was already intent on breaking them the night before. "I love you, Julien, but, I'm pissed you're telling me this, now. Perhaps it is better that I leave for a while."

He left. Morpheus made a few preparations, first. He teleported into his own suite, where River informed him, "Murph, you got something in your hair, there." Morpheus was so accustomed to feeling how his body looked, that he hadn't realized he was wearing something on his head. He glanced up, into the mirror.

"We were pretty high," he told River, "sorry." Morpheus sat down on his couch and just breathed for a while. He snatched the wreath from his hair; it was like a flower crown woven of variously colored poly-foil condoms. It looked ridiculous and pretty, and like some kind of student work.

River made his way over from the table, "And not putting those to better use? Not smart, Boss."

"Nothing about it was smart." Morpheus tousled his own hair, just to make sure nothing else was stuck. "We need to talk to Dream."

Morpheus got up and packed his things. He did not take everything with him, but closed most of his belongings in the closet, so they would be out of the way should staff visit. He left his collection of flowers on the balcony, but put his three bottled Djinn into a backpack, along with several mirrors, and the queer flower crown. He had one peacoat and a biker cap that were separate from his body, and wore these. His mobile he kept in the right coatpocket.

Morpheus lifted River to his shoulder, formed boots, and then walked from his room.

It was night. Shio was off duty. He did not wish to see Athen. Most of the family would be heading to dinner. Morpheus walked past the grande staircase and into the west hall, where the Vampyres kept their rooms. He could hear the movement of water in the walls, probably indicating at least one of them was showering. Morpheus stopped at Shade's room, and knocked.

Shade called from inside. "Morpheus?"

"Yes."

The reply came silently. Hands are occupied. The door is open. Please enter.

Morpheus opened the door and looked inside. He did not see Shade within view, so he walked further into the suite. He saw Shade then, sitting at a dressing table, styling his hair.