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

Eight (Draft 3 WIP) "Possessions"

"I see."

"Oh, he's not mad at 'sweet and giving' Jules. It's the people who came out of the woodwork claiming to know his sister, offering him all kinds of opportunities."

"Take advantage of him?"

"Probably. Cary couldn't handle them, just got himself sucked in. But Athen."

"A Vampyre might keep lesser predators at bay." Morpheus carefully drew the shopping bag back over the portrait. "It's good Cary has you. Now."

"It is," Pam said firmly. "I don't expect anyone to forget an ex, just remember who's with them now."

The waiter arrived with a tray and asked who had ordered the veggie burger.

"Here." Morpheus lifted his right hand. He removed the bun from the patty once the plate was set before him, so River might share.

River wiped his front feet on a napkin before breaking off his share of the burger.

Morpheus looked up and saw Pam watching them, french fry poised before his lips.

"I have something for you, though it's not a present." Morpheus reached into a pocket then offered the shimmering blue-black rounded triangle to Pam in his fingertips.

"It's a pretty pick." Their fingers touched as Pam took it.

"I made it. If you think of me when you hold it, I'll know."

It was faint, but already there: a spiritual tug in Pam's direction. "Or I could just call your hotel."

"Yeah. That works, too." Morpheus laughed.

"I'll keep it safe, Murph." The pull lessened when Pam put the pick in his coat pocket. Morpheus could still sense it existed but the sense of connection was gone and the sense of direction was all the more slight.

It reminded him of that something they'd felt as Morpheus arrived at the café. Maya had the feather, but she was in the Night Regions. Splendor had the pager and should soon be arriving. River was here.

Morpheus looked to the front windows and into the street. The other three corners of this intersection of Bleeker were also eateries or cafés of some sort. Splendor's pale yellow hair was visible near the window hung with musical instruments and xe wasn't alone.

Maybe he had only sensed Splendor?

The door opened not a minute later and Absinthe entered, followed by Splendor and then Laudanum.

"Splendor brought friends?"

"My family."

Absinthe looked dressed to dance on a refrigerator box with matchy-matchy studded green leather accessories and Laudanum was like a cowboy in an herbal tea ad wearing a duster over satin pajamas, but Morpheus stood and greeted them both with open arms.

They found seats at the table, Absinthe sliding onto the banquette and Laudanum sitting beside Morpheus. Splendor, who appeared to be wearing a yachting outfit this time, pulled a chair from the next table to sit between Morpheus and Pam.

"Sorry we're late," Splendor said, "We focused on the wrong coordinates somehow."

"It's fine. You remember each other?"

"Bartender, right?" Pam asked.

"Bartender, street dancer, muse to rebellious artists everywhere."

"Absinthe's a cousin or an aunt." Morpheus waved the topic away. "Laudy here is my brother."

"I help people sleep."