Envoy finds herself walking as if in a dream (for, after all, that is what it is) through a recreation of some half-remembered dream from long ago … standing in a featureless plain, hearing the ringing of a gong, and then the cry of "Kujaku!" at midnight … then the forming of the clock tower … walking up the steps … and at last coming up to the top of the tower, here.

But there is no Kujaku here – just Morpheus, the "God of Dreams", a silhouette in the shape of a cross between feline Khatta and bat-like Eeee, adorned in formalwear as black as himself, yet somehow – for it is a dream – distinguishable enough as a suit with a sash tied about the middle. At this point, Envoy "wakes up", in a sense, realizing this for a dream of a dream.

Envoy finds herself in her older, simpler clothing of a tunic and breeches as she smiles to the silhouette. "It's good to see you again, Morpheus. Are you fully recovered from the ritual now?"

"That," Morpheus says, "is something that remains to be seen." He pauses a moment, then looks to Envoy. "And how are you faring, Envoy? I am gladdened to see you again, under more casual circumstances."

The Aeolun's smile falters a bit. "I'm healthy, but feeling empty at the loss of my Aspects. And the loss of my ability to sense and use magic too. I don't suppose you can help me recover any of these?" she asks hopefully.

Morpheus studies Envoy's face. "How did you first find your Aspects?"

"It was an accident," she says. "I was drugged and interfaced to the Rephidim Temple computer, which had virtual people relating to specific functions. The metaphor imprinted itself in my psyche, and I began to splinter my mind into separate Aspects in an effort to control it."

Morpheus says, "Then why do you need Aspects? They are, after all, only representations of parts of you. You have lost these representations, perhaps, these symbols … but what of yourself have you truly lost, that would be gained back by these masks?"

"Focus, I think," Envoy explains, sitting down on a stylized gear. "While they all worked together normally, they each had different strengths. Dragon always helped me control my emotions, while Child gave them meaning. Father made it easier for me to relate to others, and Probe gave me the ability to focus on fine details. Without them, I seem to be thinking more and more like a mortal."

"And this is a bad thing?" Morpheus queries.

Envoy frowns. "Yes, because I can't live like a mortal. I can't forget things like an Aeonian, and I'm just not built to fit in that well. I don't have the same needs or drives as normal people."

"Are you telling me that this is simply because you are afraid of the emotions that will come, the pain that will come, as you outlive others?" Morpheus continues.

"That's part of it, certainly," Envoy says. "But I'm also afraid of what I might turn into over time. I've just finished fighting against a mortal that wanted to become a god. If my mindset becomes mortal, then I might consider using that sort of power as well. It's bad enough that I've killed people already."

"You sound as if you are of two minds at least, as it is," Morpheus comments. "You speak of yourself in a detached manner. How much are you willing to sacrifice of your free will, in order to make certain, by artificial means, that you never make the wrong choices?"

Envoy blinks at this. "It's impossible to never make wrong decisions. I just … I want to be who I was. I was happy with myself, proud of the progress I'd made, and I didn't feel … empty. Is this how mortals always feel? Like there is something missing?"

"I am hardly an expert on the matter," Morpheus admits, "but I have many experiences – not my own – to draw upon, as colored as they may be by emotion and personal perspectives. But, yes, I am certain that mortals always feel that something is lacking. I am certain that is, in large part, what drives them to live – not merely to exist, but to strive for something to fill that emptiness. It is for each mortal to choose just what that 'something' may be."

"I was afraid of that," Envoy says despondently. "What about my magic ability? Can you help me repair that damage at least?"

Morpheus smiles faintly. "That, I can do, but lest I skirt your original question … No, I cannot restore your Aspects. Only you can do that. If you will them to be, they will be … but you have experienced things that cannot be undone, and I will not make you forget them. To do so, even were it possible, would be a terrible crime … or, at the very least, only a falsehood. I can no more make you truly as you once were before, than Inala's magical pools could restore her maidenhood."

"I know what I need to do in order to rekindle what the Aspects gave me," Envoy says. "It may even help me redeem myself in other ways. What can you do to help me regain my magic?" she asks, looking up at the dark figure.

"I can send you on a quest of dreams," Morpheus says. "You are not unfamiliar with the concept, of course."

Envoy smiles. "I was beginning to miss them."

Morpheus raises an eyebrow. "Really." He paces about, then says, "It would be time-consuming, alas, but at least it would not interfere with your business in the material world. Much."

"I understand that you received word of another 'quest' to accomplish much the same thing," he adds.

"That … could be a problem then," Envoy admits. "I don't have easy access to Dream Magic. And my real-world quest is more to heal my soul than to regain my magic, I feel. Other mages would be more willing to help me if I had regained my talent though."

Morpheus smirks faintly. "If only you were trained in the Sphere of Dream. But then, what am I saying? The very predicament you are trying to cure would prevent that from being of any use." He winks. "If you could find a dedicated dream mage, then perhaps you might embark on a quest of dreams. Otherwise, the best I can do is to offer advice upon this other quest, if that is the route you wish to take. You needn't repeat the riddle. I have already heard it."

"I can always come to you directly too," Envoy says. "I don't know if it would make it easier, though. What advice do you have for me? I feel that I need to pursue that quest regardless of what I might accomplish in dreams."

"I could tell you of things that might fulfil the requirements for your quest, but I cannot tell you if by doing so, I may be inadvertently robbing you of something in the process. It might be best if you were to search on your own first, and if your efforts come to naught, then I can attempt to offer you some help," the cat-bat says with a faint frown.

"Do you think I'm on the right track by choosing to look on different worlds?" Envoy asks.

"I am fairly certain you will find something by doing so," Morpheus says. "I do not think I am giving away too much by saying that."

Envoy nods. "That's something at least. I don't suppose you could make a talisman that would let me contact you without needing a dream mage? I can stop by Morpheus to pick it up. You wouldn't even have to sweep up the dust or lay out fresh towels," she says with a grin.

Morpheus smirks at this. "That would take some effort. At the very least, I now have the power to make certain you can actually visit – that is, that you won't find the gateway blocked by a cage of crystal. As it is, making something of that nature would take considerable energy … and I have not yet wholly returned to my strength. But I will not withhold such a thing from you, should it be of benefit. I will begin plans immediately." He executes a short bow.

Envoy stands up and hugs the shadow. "Thank you! It will probably take me a few months to reach you anyway. I have other things I must see to, and at least one part of my quest can be done here on Sinai."

Morpheus seems surprised at first, then slowly warms to it and returns the hug genuinely, if somewhat awkwardly. "I look forward to your visit, Envoy."

"Thank you for being my friend, Morpheus," Envoy says, stepping back out of the hug. "I take a lot of comfort in having one that I don't have to worry about outliving."

"Ah, I shall do my best not to disappoint," Morpheus jests lightly, regarding Envoy's face for a time.

Smiling, Envoy asks, "What do you do with your time, if I may ask? I hope the dream mages aren't bothering you again."

"Oh, every once in a while, they try to find me," Morpheus says. "As a rule of thumb, I generally only give audiences to the children. They ask questions just as embarrassing as any learned mage, but … " He shrugs. "It is different."

Envoy's eyebrows rise up. "Embarrassing questions? I hope mine weren't too bad. I once thought of asking the dream mages if they could teach you how to defend yourself better against magic."

"Oh," Morpheus says, "I have learned quite a bit. Alas, most of it came after it was too late to put it to good use. I think that the next convocation of mages wishing to snare me will find me a much more challenging quarry."

"Well, if there is a next time, please let someone know?" Envoy asks.

"Fair enough," Morpheus says. "I will do so."

Envoy crosses her arms across her chest and nods seriously. "That's right! Don't make have to come save you again, or I won't let you play with mages anymore."

Morpheus puts a hand to his heart, bowing low. "Dearest Envoy, let it not come to that! But, please, feel free to come save me any time you please."

Smiling, Envoy salutes. "And you can rescue me now and then too. I'm sure the young dream mages would really like to play at rescuing you. And one day they'll be the ones in charge of the Sphere."

"Hmm," Morpheus says, pondering. "A good point. It might do good to make certain that they're already amenable to the practice."

"The more mages that see you as a person, the better," Envoy advises. "And you'll get invited to more parties. In theory anyway."

Morpheus smiles. "I'll keep that in mind. Now then … while you are here, I suppose I should be a proper host. Perhaps I can provide some amusing distractions? A change of scenery?"

Envoy blinks and nods. "Sure! I've never really had a proper tour of the place."

The surroundings shimmer and contort, and the clock tower is replaced by a palace ballroom of an unspecific style of architecture that vaguely suggests Nordikan influences, though with exotic touches from plenty of other Sinai nations as well. Morpheus' suit shimmers and changes as well, becoming an even more formal outfit befitting a noble, complete with a split cape hanging off his shoulders just front of the wings. "Shall we dance?" he says, reaching out for Envoy's hand.

Envoy places her hand in Morpheus', and imagines a more appropriate ball gown for herself. "Do people dream about dancing much? I've never had the chance to really try it myself."

"There are quite a few who do," Morpheus says, as he leads Envoy out to the center of the ballroom, which is curiously lacking a floor, though it seems that neither they nor the other couples are in need of such a triviality, as they dance to a performance of the Clockwork Waltz.

"Is this a Chronotopian dance?" the Aeolun asks as she follows the movements of the other dancers.

"As Chronotopian as a key-wound Korv," Morpheus says, holding one of Envoy's hands in his own, and his other hand at the side, as he leads her through a turn. "It seemed appropriate enough of a segue from the previous setting."

Envoy smiles and moves through the turn. "I'll have to visit Chronotopia someday. You are developing a flair for the dramatic, I see. Did you learn that from the Sisters?"

"Let us not give them too much credit," Morpheus says quietly.

"You dance very well," Envoy says to cover her faux pas. "You must learn a lot from dreams."

Morpheus laughs at this. "You're not the first to comment on that. If only I could claim that it is wholly my own. I have an unfair advantage, perhaps, in learning from observation." He glances about. "Furthermore, there is much to be said for presentation."

"If you aren't careful, they students of Dream will all want to have their parties here," Envoy jokes.

Morpheus smiles at the jest. "I'll permit it only if one of them promises to bring you along for the festivities."

Blushing, Envoy says, "I'm sure they won't mind. Although I probably can't top my Inala-influenced New Year's Eve party-Aeolun performance. Unless, that is, you remember to provide some lampshades."