tampered | Log; Ongoing

Log; Ongoing

When; Dec. 22 (after midnight)
Rating; PG13 (language, violence)
Characters; Elle Driver (

2nd_dream_king)
Summary; a visit from the Dream King to ease the serpent's sleep
Log;

People feared the shadows because they feared the unknown. Just as they feared nightmares and dreams, sleep was an unexplored territory, no matter where, no matter the time. It was in this hour after midnight, under the cover of darkness, the tall white figure entered the woman's consciousness effortlessly, like leaves falling across the still of a lake. Just as silent. For now the dark eyes sunken into starry oblivion watched, observed the machinations of Elle Driver. What motivated her, what frightened her.

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Hm, yes, and you didn't inform me in advance? We could easily come to a negotiation, said the calm and patient Endless. He stroked his chin again then gestured to the one eyed snake, Lady Elle, is this true?

Dream noticed the change in the water, but this did not faze him, as ruler of the Dreaming. Gods were formidable opponents if they knew when and where to stage their fights. The one in white did not wish to fight Odin, neither did he think the old man was looking for a fight himself.

Odin lifted his hand. "There is no need for negotiation. She needs to accept her fate or I shall take the eye."

Blind and defenseless. Elle trembled and thought of Budd's trailer. That was real, wasn't it? "No!" She ran. She had to. What other way could she get out of this? Logic was failing.

Her memory flickered with Bill's drooping grin, "Ms. Driver you can't accomplish anything acting like a scared horse."

Fuck.

Odin was ready to ride again. Elle was far but not far enough to escape.

There is need for negotiation if you are to be conducting your business in this realm, the Dream King declared in a most cool manner. Elle's sudden flight did not faze him either, though his black gaze drifted her way with a hint of concern. He turned to Odin again, this realm is not yours to manipulate. If you wish to continue your business with this dreamer do negotiate or please find another venue.

Dream raised his hand, manipulating the still waters with his fingers so they would rise to cut off Elle's path. The cool liquid threatened to smother her, smother her awake. She was not safe when asleep, she could protect herself when awake.

Odin looked down at Dream from his horse. "What can be done on your part? She is to accept or not. I will not stay long if she will cooperate." He looked in the direction of the deadly viper.

Elle fell onto her ass. She panted and fought to calm herself. There was a way out somewhere. Angry and scared were not contributing emotions to thought process.

The horse stamped four of its legs, itching to run. "What would be your terms, Dream King if I were to agree to comply?"

The realm in which she lives is protection itself, but if you require an actual agreement I offer you this, Dream nodded once, you are not to disturb Lady Elle's sleep, providing that I grant your eye protection in the Dreaming. This does not guarantee my defense for it, but we will hide it to the best of out ability.

He spoke of himself and the realm in the plural because in essence they were one and the same. The Dreaming was also a vast land full of secrets, mysteries, treasures, dreams, nightmares. One could lose their way in it for all eternity or explore it in one second at the expense of their own sanity. It was a good hiding place as any.

The horse snorted and tossed its head. Odin stared for a long while at Dream. "She is to hold the eye. The secrets shall remain here. The maiden must accept, only then shall I leave her be."

Elle shakily stood on her feet and with eyeless sight at Dream. "What is he talking about?"

Odin laughed. "Ready to surrender?"

Barefooted, the California Mountain Snake slowly walked back to them. "Not to you."

Ahh, so this is the source of your intrusion, Dream said in a particular tone that suggested he was considering... You require her permission, and yet the eye is already within her. Is it that you cannot reclaim the eye against her will and that is the control you seek, Odin?

The Dream King's voice had become a song on the wind, thoughtful and cunning, calm and still very solid at the same time.

You only provoke her by belittling her, old god, he noticed, gaze shifting to Elle again briefly, your power is limited here. I will not allow you to continue intruding upon this dreamer's sleep if you do not see the value in a compromise.

"You speak the right," the old god said with a glare. Lying would not be to anyones benefit now. "The eye cannot be removed without permission of the wearer. It is of my body and of my soul but within her not truly mine."

Elle wasn't sure if this was good news or bad news. "I want you to leave me alone."

Odin set his jaw. "I shall compromise with you, Endless."

Just as he thought, but the pale one wasn't the type to rub his acute conclusion in the face of others. Dream simple nodded to Odin, followed Elle's request. Let it be so. Your eye shall be hidden in the Dreaming in sleep, and within her in the waking world. It is your perogative to come to its defense in waking.

The Norse god had to accept. There was no proper way to do anything else. "And if there is a threat within the Dreaming? What then?"

The blonde assassin slowly smiled, the promise of real sleep closer than she ever thought it would be.

I will inform you appropriately, he nodded to Odin once. As he had said, defending the eye was not his job, but he would hide it for the Norse god, keeper of dreams and worlds, keeper of secrets. He would hide it well.

She is to sleep now, Odin, I trust you will keep to your word.

The one-eyed God nodded and turned his monstrousity of a horse away. "I shall." He glanced toward Elle who smuggly smiled. "Lose it and you shall pay dearly, lady." With a lash of his reins Odin thundered away.

Elle Driver wasn't afraid of his threat. Not by a long shot. She had no desire whatsoever to be blind--again or not she didn't want to think of it. An army of thousands could come at her and still her smile would remain. She was going to get her fought for sleep.

She sighed and looked to the strange man. "Um. I owe you I suppose..."

Dream watched Odin depart on his strange steed, though hardly strange for an Endless being. His arms remain folded across his chest, he appeared thoughtful despite the storming stars in his eyes. Such threats from both wearer and owner. He wondered what circumstances had formed to even bring the Norse god and the one eyed snake together. Hn.

No, you do not, Lady Elle, the Dream King shook his head, sleep now, if you will.

Elle blinked and softly cried out in surprise as she felt the tender skin of the inside of her eyelid roll over the smooth surface of an iris. "I-I just don't know what to say. I'm really not good at this sort of thing but thanks a fucking million."

The water around them lightened and slowly drained like a puddle in sunlight. "If you're a dream...weaver? God? Controller what's with the fuzzy bunny dreams?"

Dreams are unique to each and every dreamer, Lady Elle, he nodded to her then gestured to the draining water, everything is molded according to the mind of that who is dreaming. All dreams and nightmares are tailored this way.

Just as you will dream of the past and of gods you will dream of rabbits and hippogriffs, of pain and suffering and perhaps a toaster eager to chase you down a great hall, the Dream King spoke absolutely serious in this case, for all those things were possibilities in dreams.

"It's a pretty nice feature. Better than the movies," Elle wiggled her toes and felt summer blades of grass. She smiled and welcomed the soft downpour of mint leaves and Bailey's. "Lots of weird shit for lots of weird people. I just...Thanks. Thanks a bunch. You don't have to call me lady."

She stuck out her tongue to catch a few drops and sprigs. "Not bad." What could she say now? There was no way to repay the Dream King for this, it was his duty but Elle couldn't have possibly done this on her own.

It is the least I can do, he said to Elle without explaining why. There was much history between the Norse and himself, his old self, as well as the Corinthian. The Dream King did not believe this was a concern for mortals; the less she knew the less likely Odin could use her as a bargaining chip.

Sleep well, Miss Elle, he heeded her preference for not being called 'lady' I will take my leave now. He nodded to her and began to fade with the breeze that swayed the leaves and grass.

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Log; Ongoing

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