fear is the mind-killer.

‘it always comes down to this, doesn’t it? to us.’

heavy lids slowly fall down the duke's eyes once more, and when he suddenly feels himself dozing off, he forces his eyes to reopen, reaches for her wrist and squeezes tight to ground himself. he suspects it's fear that forces him to keep awake, the reluctance of facing another dawn and scorching day of roaming the deserts in search for power to cultivate when he can let this moment drag on until it exhausts, in the comfort of her arms. ❝  i do agree. dreams got my father killed, we can't let that happen to paul.  ❞

❝   nothing is going to happen to paul.   ❞ she says strongly. the lengths in which she would go to protect him know no bounds. perhaps there are people who view her intentions as construed, indoctrinated by the bene gesserit training school from birth, but regardless of how little or how much of that may come from some version of truth— she is also his mother. it is her job to ensure he sees his worth. most especially when he does not see it within himself. the pads of her thumbs move to slowly caress leto's eyelids, brushing back towards his temple where they create soothing circles. ❝   just as nothing will happen to arrakis while you allow yourself to sleep. i am here. rest now, leto.   ❞

and make sure they know, make sure they all know, that if i could do it all over again.. i'd still give everyone hell. survival is a currency. it rots in my teeth. grows mould over my bones. you win some. you lose some. try to win more. try to lose less. i won a lot. by my own estimation. guess i lost a lot too. by my own estimation. + PLOT - DRIVEN TESS SERVOPOULOS FROM THE LAST OF US. ALIGNED WITH GAME CANON. MINOR HBO INFLUENCES. TWENTY1+ ONLY. BY BRI.

❝  and you look bored.  ❞ a playful glint in the darkness of his irises when he reaches for her arm and gently pulls her to him, guides her to sit on his lap, a hand snaking 'round her waste while the other flies up to her cheek. leto's head tilts backwards to rest against the back of his chair and settles there, a smile stretching the edge of his mouth until realization hits that unwanted intrusion from his advisor may still invade the sanctity of their privacy. single brow arches inquisitively as he requests her confirmation that she ensured they wouldn't be interrupted. ❝  ⎯ thufir .. ?  ❞

between their bodies her hands come to rest on his chest. she toys almost absently, instinctively, with the buttons of his shirt. all the while her eyes never leave his. ones she will never tire of staring into. oh leto how you have only gotten more handsome with age, jessica thinks; finds her smirk shifting toward softness, though her stare remains sultry. ❝   taken care of,   ❞ is all she chooses to say in regards to thufir. surely he only asked because he knows her better than that. she does not act without a carefully laid plan. one of the many skills she was taught and has learned to wield for every kind of occasion, selfishly deceptive or true to the bone. this being the latter— not only for herself but for leto too. ❝   need i remind you that there is ..   ❞ she presses her lips against his this time now that she has the accessibility to, ❝   .. more than one way .. ❞ she murmurs into the kiss. ❝   for time to pass that does not consist of locking yourself away all on your own.   ❞

❝  it took all i had just to stay alive against that monster, but you beat it like it was a straw training dummy.  ❞ ❝  well, i just wanted an excuse to get close to you, you know?   ❞ ❝  i feel like someone should tell you that you have a kind of sulky look about you.  ❞ ❝  you can’t assume to know anything until you experience it for yourself.  ❞ ❝  it’s rare to see your kind around here.  ❞ ❝  try to be a little more sensitive to people you don’t know.  ❞ ❝  unspeakable sorrow surrounds this landscape.  ❞ ❝  please take some time to really admire the flowers. i worked so hard to plant them…  ❞ ❝  you’ll likely face many hardships in your life…but never give up! promise me that.  ❞ ❝  i get a feeling that heading home isn’t an option for you, so take care of yourself out there.  ❞ ❝  courage need not be remembered, for it is never forgotten.  ❞ ❝  for the first time…my heart knows what it means to love.  ❞ ❝  there’s a fine line between courage and recklessness.  ❞ ❝  if you’re free to grab something to eat sometime, keep me in mind.  ❞ ❝  shh! looks like there are still monsters about.  ❞ ❝  it seems you and i may just get along after all.  ❞ ❝  how did you pull that off?! actually, don’t answer that. i ought to be thanking you, not interrogating you.  ❞ ❝  i’ve learned to overcome my grief. you can’t change the past, only the future.  ❞ ❝  are you…following me?  ❞ ❝  this spot is our little secret, ok? just between you and me.  ❞ ❝  i can’t believe i’m actually saying this…but you must avenge me.  ❞ ❝  by the look on your face…i dunno, it just seems like you been through somethin’.  ❞ ❝  do you know how the gossip mongers refer to you? they are out there at this moment, whispering amongst themselves…  ❞ ❝  opening up to others might make you vulnerable, but it’s the only way to give your life any value.  ❞ ❝  it looks like i got hit pretty good back there…  ❞ ❝  what’s wrong? too scared to talk?  ❞ ❝  i’ve got to tell you…when you first showed up,     i thought someone was pulling a prank on me.  ❞ ❝  let’s make one thing clear: i’m not going anywhere.  ❞ ❝  we each have something to hide, i suppose.  ❞ ❝  i don’t know you, and i’m actually pretty busy here. you should probably go.  ❞ ❝  maybe we should just settle this one on one?  ❞ ❝  don’t preen yourself just for doing your job.  ❞ ❝  please. now is not a good time.  ❞ ❝  if you need something, do me a favor. ask someone else.  ❞ ❝  i actually wanted to talk about something a little personal…  ❞ ❝  my apologies…i fear i have said far too much.  ❞ ❝  i used to be a big deal back in my day, but the world moves on fast.  ❞ ❝  you must have seen a battle or two.  ❞ ❝  that memory will haunt me until my dying day…  ❞ ❝  let me ask you once more…when will you stop treating this as some sort of childish game?  ❞ ❝  no! i am not a child anymore.  ❞ ❝  i do suppose you’ve proven your value as a warrior.  ❞ ❝  i advise you to change the subject.  ❞ ❝  welcome to the middle of nowhere. population: us.  ❞ ❝  this area is nice and quiet…  ❞ ❝  dark magic preys upon the land when darkness falls…  ❞ ❝  everything - everything i’ve done up until now…it was all for nothing.  ❞ ❝  i had no idea traveling was so dangerous.  ❞ ❝  you’re quivering like a hatchling…what is the matter?  ❞ ❝  you have proven to possess the resolve of a true hero.  ❞ ❝  if i may be so bold… what is it that you are planning to do next?  ❞ ❝  i hope you get to meet your true love soon.  ❞ ❝  you are the heir to a throne of nothing… nothing but failure.  ❞ ❝  it’s okay, i know. your silence speaks volumes.  ❞ ❝  the only thing that really helps me feel better is walking among the fireflies.  ❞ ❝  just looking at those ruins now…it really gives you an idea of the destruction that went on there.  ❞ ❝  you have a smile like the sun. i would do much to feel its warmth upon me once again.  ❞ ❝  i’ll stay here and chat with you for a bit, if you’d like.  ❞ ❝  you should follow through on what you say you’re going to do.  ❞ ❝  there i go, needing someone to bail me out again.  ❞ ❝  i don’t know why, but my heart won’t stop beating a mile a minute…  ❞ ❝  yeah, you know what really is ‘me’? drinking.  ❞ ❝  i see…black. so much blackness. a deep, dark abyss, drawing you in…  ❞ ❝  save yourself. go! don’t worry about me - run!  ❞ ❝  you sure do know how to keep a woman waiting.  ❞ ❝  overconfidence can be a deadly foe.  ❞ ❝  don’t ask too many questions, and i won’t either.  ❞ ❝  aren’t you tired? aren’t you chilly? have you eaten yet?  ❞ ❝  i want to be clear — whatever treasure is to be had here belongs to me.  ❞ ❝  close calls like this get my stomach all tied up in knots.  ❞ ❝  much as it galls me to thank you for saving us…that is what happened.  ❞ ❝  i don’t see any monsters, but…i can feel their eyes on me.  ❞ ❝  what’s the matter? are you unwell?  ❞ ❝  now that i have gotten a good look at you, it is all too clear who you are.  ❞ ❝  you’re amazing. when you fired your bow, it was like time stopped.  ❞ ❝  you’ve done all you could. feeling sorry for yourself won’t be of any help.  ❞ ❝  oh, no…i can see by the look in your eye…you won’t listen to me.  ❞ ❝  you look like a nice person who likes to help people in need.  ❞ ❝  you look like your everyday traveler, but how can i be sure?  ❞ ❝  what’s your problem? how dare you try to eavesdrop? mind your business!  ❞ ❝  what are you doing skulking around in the dead of night?  ❞ ❝  you seem at home in battle.  ❞ ❝  i was out running an errand when i saw it. it was incredible…and terrifying. it was incredibly terrifying.  ❞ ❝  the afterlife lays claim to all. we never know when it will beckon.  ❞ ❝  that got hairier than i expected. you did pretty good.  ❞ ❝  i’m just pulling your leg. you looked so serious, i couldn’t help but goad you a bit.  ❞ ❝  i don’t get to leave this place too often…  ❞ ❝  i know when someone is lying. my father isn’t good at lying either.  ❞ ❝  i didn’t notice you…i was a bit lost in thought there.  ❞ ❝  i can’t get angry…i won’t get angry…  ❞ ❝  you know, your skin looks super shiny, and you look like you haven’t got a worry in the world…  ❞ ❝  i’ve been watching, and i feel safe saying there’s no one suspicious around here.  ❞ ❝  you are going to be the death of me.  ❞ ❝  is something wrong? do not tell me the steel has slipped from your spine.  ❞ ❝  one would think years upon years of such treatment would have made me mend my ways…one would think wrongly.  ❞ ❝  your path seems to mirror your father’s.  ❞ ❝  i am filled with a strange and terrible certainty that something awful is about to happen.  ❞ ❝  um…were you talking to that statue?  ❞ ❝  you cannot turn back now. follow your heart and seize your destiny!  ❞ ❝  you had me worried there. don’t mess with people like that.  ❞ ❝  forget we ever spoke.  ❞ ❝  you hardly speak anymore, and smile even more rarely. you are still the kind soul i know, but something has changed.  ❞ ❝  a warm fire can do wonders for a weary soul.  ❞ ❝  i hated you with all my heart…but it would seem my anger was misplaced.  ❞ ❝  has anyone ever told you…? you have the most beautiful features.  ❞ ❝  wait a minute! please, think about what you’re doing.  ❞ ❝  i used to really love the night. at night the world sparkles and shines in an almost magical way. it’s beautiful.  ❞ ❝  oh! you’re paying me a visit? that’s sweet of you.  ❞ ❝  what were you praying for? long life? wealth, like so many?  ❞ ❝  teehee…i knew you’d come back.  ❞ ❝  you’ll never guess what i found! wanna see?  ❞ ❝  have you grown so comfortable here that you can’t imagine leaving?  ❞ ❝  you’re needed elsewhere. you must eventually leave. you know this.  ❞ ❝  i may have dismissed you too hastily before. you have many promising qualities.  ❞ ❝  if you need anything, i am ever at your disposal.  ❞ ❝  are you trying to cheer me up?  ❞ ❝  well, if you’ll excuse me, i need to go save the world.  ❞ ❝  do you like this dress? i made it myself.  ❞ ❝  you really shouldn’t mess with things you don’t understand.  ❞ ❝  i don’t want you to come here, anyway!  ❞ ❝  the more i think about it, the more it gives me the creeps.  ❞ ❝  what special brand of loony does it take to go traveling without a map?  ❞ ❝  my heart is drawn to yours. i am doomed.  ❞ ❝  no one who has gone there has ever come back! so you’d best forget about going there.  ❞ ❝  why are you looking at me like that?  ❞ ❝  i was warned about men who throw words like ‘dream girl’ around.  ❞ ❝  you have to come at me harder than that to impress me.  ❞ ❝  on second thought, now is not the time.  ❞ ❝  i can’t explain why…but i trust you for some reason.  ❞ ❝  we meet again! we must have been married in our past lives.  ❞ ❝  you aren’t just a normal lad, are you?  ❞ ❝  i need to stop relying on others to help me and help myself instead.  ❞ ❝  caring for others is an emotional liability.  ❞ ❝  i’ve picked up a few tricks after many, many years in the wild.  ❞ ❝  i firmly believe you and i can withstand any kind of hardship, as long as we are together.  ❞ ❝  there aren’t many heroes in the world like you anymore.  ❞ ❝  why do people equate the unnessecary pursuit of power with some childish dream of adventure?  ❞ ❝  legend has it that if you swear your love before this freshly plucked blossom, you and your partner will live a charmed life.  ❞ ❝  i’m sorry that you came all the way to see me for nothing.  ❞ ❝  you could…always stay here with me forever.  ❞ ❝  should i check my map, or should i go by intuition like the original trailblazers?  ❞ ❝  you must be busy, you know, saving the world and all.  ❞ ❝  at first i thought it was just a bad dream.  ❞ ❝  if you find yourself in some trouble, please promise to run. fast.  ❞ ❝  it’s not like a sword alone makes a hero.  ❞ ❝  the scent of the soil is the smell of life itself.  ❞ ❝  there’s no reward without risk, right?  ❞ ❝  i may not be much use on the battlefield, but there must… there must be something i can do to help.  ❞ ❝  i’m waiting for someone. and it’s not you. can you go away?  ❞ ❝  that sword there is proof enough…you are the hero i’ve been waiting for.  ❞ ❝  you’re wasting your time here; i have nothing worth stealing.  ❞ ❝  looking mighty free there, eh?  ❞ ❝  you have not changed a bit. once a hero, always a hero.  ❞ ❝  you are looking at me as though i am a stranger to you. those eyes…they lack the light of familiarity.  ❞ ❝  things to do, places to seem right? better get on it. time waits for no one.  ❞ ❝  there are some legends about that island, so the village fishermen tend to avoid it whenever possible.  ❞ ❝  okay, that was enough mortal peril for one day.  ❞ ❝  …oh, my. look at that face! you are totally my type. hi.  ❞ ❝  oh, have i mentioned how incredible you are? and how thankful i am?  ❞ ❝  nothing makes me want to not do something more than being asked to do it.  ❞ ❝  i’ll admit it. i’m mighty jealous.  ❞ ❝  there are few who know of such legends anymore.  ❞ ❝  innocent curiosity can cause tragedies that can never be taken back.  ❞ ❝  what’s the matter? are ya worried about me?  ❞ ❝  hm? a voice beckoned you here?  ❞ ❝  you came to the middle of nowhere in this weather just to see me?  ❞ ❝  i want you to know that the path you are walking down is one we should all follow.  ❞ ❝  i thought you had harder bark on you than that.  ❞ ❝  it would be a mistake to judge people on appearances alone.  ❞ ❝  it is woven into your destiny that you prove them wrong. do you understand? ❞ ❝  …oops, someone heard me singing…badly.  ❞ ❝  you look like you’re pretty good with a bow and sword, so you must be pretty strong.  ❞ ❝  i don’t know what it is about men. constantly worrying…  ❞ ❝  yeah, yeah. i’m still alive. it’s fine—don’t worry.  ❞ ❝  what are you doing up so late? monsters roam about at night. it’s way too dangerous to wander around.  ❞ ❝  thinking back on it, it’s a wonder either of us survived the trip…  ❞ ❝  i’ll take any monster in a fair fight. it’s another story when they cheat and catch you by surprise.  ❞ ❝  i wish this rain would take a hint and lay off for a while.  ❞ ❝  if you haven’t slept yet, you really should…staying up late can’t be great for your health.  ❞ ❝  you want to get out of my personal space or what?  ❞ ❝  money and life are all as one to me.  ❞ ❝  what do you think of my lipstick? i think it’ll bring me good luck!  ❞ ❝  i do hope my bluntness has not offended you.  ❞ ❝  i have no right to ask this of you…but i am powerless here.  ❞ ❝  truth is, i just got lucky.  ❞ ❝  i hope that ours will be a long and profitable relationship.  ❞ ❝  i may be somewhat used to seeing bad omens by now, but that…well, let’s just say it’s badder than most.  ❞ ❝  why the long face? i bet i could guess.  ❞ ❝  i’m not about to give this information away for free. i’m no fool.  ❞ ❝  seeing you brings me great joy. i bet you have that effect on everyone.  ❞ ❝  it is a shame us two never had the chance to see what might have been…  ❞ ❝  what does it matter? that’s all in the past.  ❞ ❝  you know what that means, don’t you? the end is here.  ❞ ❝  oh no, there i go again, just talking with no purpose. i get carried away and just don’t know when to quit.  ❞ ❝  i somehow managed to escape into the nearby woods.  ❞ ❝  let’s wish each other good luck, eh? we’ll need it.  ❞ ❝  i was so sure that was the end for me. i was prepared for the worst.  ❞ ❝  take it easy? and let a rumor like this go to waste? nah, i gotta go big…  ❞ ❝  what are you doing, sneaking up on me like that? you scared me!  ❞ ❝  when you get to my age, you start reminiscing about all the memories from your childhood.  ❞ ❝  now that i’ve met you, some of the excitement’s gone.  ❞ ❝  i get the feeling you’re going to end up doing even better in this world. that’s the feeling i get when i look at your face.  ❞ ❝  you seem harmless enough. forgive me, i’ve just been on edge with all these monsters running around.  ❞ ❝  well, that’s life for you, with all its twists and turns. i hope you’ll stick with me through them.  ❞ ❝  nice baby sword, pal. i bet it can’t even keep a flame going.  ❞ ❝  with how peaceful it is around here, it’s sometimes easy to forget that the world almost ended years ago.  ❞ ❝  that doesn’t reflect well on your upbringing at all…  ❞ ❝  even the areas near civilization are full of monsters these days.  ❞ ❝  may the gods smile upon you.  ❞ ❝  i’m sorry, but i seem to have twisted my ankle…  ❞ ❝  that would mean you are…no, it’s not possible. can it be?  ❞ ❝  you’d better remember my name, for it’s not the last you’ll hear of it!  ❞ ❝  i’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot. uh…that’s all…  ❞ ❝  i can tell you’ve trained your body well.  ❞ ❝  who are you?! be on your way, you…suspicious person!  ❞ ❝  i’m so shocked i don’t know if i’ll ever be able to fully recover from this.  ❞ ❝  no matter. i’m just happy you’re still in one piece.  ❞ ❝  ha ha…did you think i’d deceived you?  ❞ ❝  don’t lie. i know just what’s going on. liars like you deserve to be punished!  ❞ ❝  it is finally time for me to tell you everything.  ❞ ❝  s.  ❞ ❝  a dealer in life and power…that was me, once.  ❞ ❝  i’m sorry. that wasn’t very nice of me at all…  ❞ ❝  love…it’s such a sublime, precious thing, you know?  ❞ ❝  ahhhh…so there are some who still pay me homage.  ❞ ❝  it was a real honor to meet you.  ❞ ❝  i know it’s not my business, but i’m rather concerned.  ❞ ❝  be warned. if you go, i cannot guarantee you will survive.  ❞ ❝  isn’t that, like…an incredible thing that only incredible people can have?  ❞ ❝  i’m sorry you had to see me like that.  ❞ ❝  not to be rude, but you don’t look so well.  ❞ ❝  as for me…well…i just do not believe you are guilty of anything.  ❞ ❝  i…i cannot forgive you. not ever.  ❞ ❝  …so? did it move you?  ❞ ❝  the sight of this is going to haunt my dreams for weeks.  ❞ ❝  i apologize. perhaps it was not my place to say as much.  ❞ ❝  i can’t shake the feeling that we were destined to meet.  ❞ ❝  i can see it in your eyes. you’re asking yourself, “why me?”  ❞ ❝  you…did you just try to push me? no, i assume?  ❞ ❝  to be honest, i’ve been watching you.  ❞ ❝  you can’t solve all of people’s problems with power alone.  ❞ ❝  when all this is done…perhaps we can spend some time together.  ❞ ❝  i believe in allowing the mistakes of the past to wash away.  ❞ ❝  it seems you’re a great deal more important than you appear.  ❞ ❝  the only pleasure that gives me comfort is cooking.  ❞ ❝  ah, the smell of the sea.  ❞ ❝  that is NOT an appropriate question to ask a lady you’ve just met.  ❞ ❝  i can assure you that i do not now, nor have i ever, needed help from the likes of you.  ❞ ❝  oh? well, i suppose i changed my mind.  ❞ ❝  now that i think of it…shouldn’t you be dead? sorry. that may be too personal a question.  ❞ ❝  do you not understand the gravity of what you have done?  ❞ ❝  i thought i made it clear that i am not in need of an escort.  ❞ ❝  your face sickens me! i am sickened! get out of my sight!  ❞ ❝  how dare you show your face here after what you did.  ❞ ❝  are you the hero? could it be?  ❞ ❝  words often fall meaningless when we try to describe tragic events of a certain magnitude.  ❞ ❝  you certainly are cute when you’re blushing.  ❞ ❝  there were times when i’d stay out so late, i didn’t realize morning had come.  ❞ ❝  i like watching the river flow by. is that such a crime?  ❞ ❝  as you are now, i cannot say whether you are worthy or not.  ❞ ❝  i heard a terrible rumor that you had fallen in combat.  ❞ ❝  i bet you think this is just a myth, right?  ❞ ❝  oooh, i don’t have time to be drinking right now…  ❞ ❝  please feel free to show your excitement. anyway…  ❞ ❝  a bit early to flirt, isn’t it?  ❞ ❝  it’s been a while since we’ve seen the sun here.  ❞ ❝  nothing’s wrong. just leave me alone.  ❞ ❝  we hardly know each other, and you’ve been so nice.  ❞ ❝  it’s so soothing to stare at, don’t you think?  ❞ ❝  in a world as dangerous as ours, are you seriously asking me to travel alone?  ❞ ❝  well, even someone like you/me has their limits.  ❞ ❝  i wish i could be a kid again and think only of myself.  ❞ ❝  what you did for me is more than i could have ever expected of you.  ❞ ❝  you have grown much recently. you know you will be a worthy heir when the time comes.  ❞ ❝  mark my words, i’ll protect this land of ours to the death.  ❞ ❝  we’ve both been through a lot, i’m sure.  ❞ ❝  such is the way of youth…driven! even reckless, some might say.  ❞ ❝  i can’t stop trembling. i thought i was ready for this.  ❞ ❝  if you don’t mind, i’d love to catch up sometime soon.  ❞ ❝  it seems i’m the only one with a mind of my own.  ❞ ❝  i would be overjoyed if you could find it in your heart to forgive me. if not now, then perhaps one day.  ❞ ❝  speaking of which, can you believe this view?  ❞ ❝  you aren’t trying to tell me you want a reward, are you?  ❞ ❝  you came all the way here, but it was in vain. i have no desire to speak with you.  ❞ ❝  i hope you know…that i will always protect you.  ❞ ❝  i’ve recovered to the point where i can stand.  ❞ ❝  we meet again. it seems that sharing space is our destiny.  ❞ ❝  so how about it? care to hear stories of my glory days while we walk?  ❞ ❝  open your eyes…wake up.  ❞ ❝  if you keep doing everything everyone asks of you without question, you’re gonna get conned eventually.  ❞ ❝  it seems that…i was wrong about you.  ❞ ❝  i simply must admit the truth. you’ve accomplished something that even i could not.  ❞ ❝  what? you look like you’ve got something else to say.  ❞ ❝  go on. there’s nothing to hide.  ❞ ❝  you’re making my cheeks warm looking at me like that.  ❞ ❝  i’ve never been one to question fate.  ❞ ❝  i can tell, just from looking at you…you have a place in my dreams.  ❞ ❝  you…i really owe you for what you did.  ❞ ❝  it saddens me to know i truly am all alone in this world.  ❞ ❝  you cannot fool me with such a fanciful lie.  ❞ ❝  i would never have thought you could have taken down something that big. no offense.  ❞ ❝  know that the only reason you’re not already sliced into pieces is because i am otherwise occupied.  ❞ ❝  that is a special gift from your ancestors…you must never let it go.  ❞ ❝  you were just pitying me, weren’t you?  ❞ ❝  listen, if you wanna get anywhere in this life, you gotta have cash and cachet.  ❞ ❝  this place is so filthy and women free, it might as well be called a manfill.  ❞ ❝  you’ve traveled the world helping folks, but there’s more that need helping. you don’t have the luxury of tarrying here.  ❞ ❝  you were gone for so long, i started to fear the worst.  ❞ ❝  won’t you come see me again? i’ll be waiting.  ❞ ❝  what’s wrong? you’re just staring.  ❞ ❝  as brave as you are, that does not make you immortal.  ❞ ❝  we’ll need to make preparations as soon as possible.  ❞ ❝  …youth. it’s just goam on a wave. gone before you know it.  ❞ ❝  everything’s going hazy…this might be the end…  ❞ ❝  don’t do anything reckless under any circumstances.  ❞ ❝  you think i’m just going to let this stand? do you?  ❞ ❝  i was thinking…this reminds me of the time we first met.  ❞ ❝  crazy times we live in, eh?  ❞ ❝  i hate to think what would’ve happened had you not shown up.  ❞ ❝  you commoners with your notions and assumptions…  ❞ ❝  not to pry, but…i have to ask. who are you supposed to be?  ❞ ❝  i encourage you to slow down for a moment, my courageous friend.  ❞ ❝  once this whole thing is over…maybe things can go back to how they used to be when we were young.  ❞ ❝  villages everywhere were burned. many lives were lost…  ❞

part of him wants to insist she doesn't put ideas into paul's head for the sake of a prophesy she may or may not selfishly misinterpret in the wish that her son be the messiah. after all, didn't she defy her order to give her duke his heir? ❝  my dreams are unexceptional. they don't mean anything beyond my love for you and my desire for peace.  ❞ it's an honest truth: they are insignificant but what he keeps to himself is that he hasn't had any dreams since they settled in arrakeen ⎯ and perhaps this in itself signifies something .. ❝  whatever those visions are, paul gets them from you.  ❞ there is boundless respect and devotion in his voice and in the tenderness of his gaze. immune to faith as he stubbornly remains, duke leto atreides worships his lover with a fierceness he believes unequalled. ❝  have you had any dreams about arrakis?  ❞

at the mention of his father her lips twist only slightly from the twined smile. she imagines the portrait of the past duke where it hangs in the dining hall. instead, she forces herself to focus on the younger version of her duke, and finds her fingers drifting into the tuft of his curls in fond memory. ❝   you grew into these duties and these curls.   ❞ she leans against her own weight to press a gentle kiss between his eyes. ❝   perhaps this is a sign that paul dreams enough for the both of us.   ❞ his, unexceptional and hers, plagued by the thing that kills the mind. the recital of words does very little during slumber. it's as if she forgets it even exists. wakes in a cold sweat instead. ❝   what you and i do while awake holds much more importance than the things we do in our dreams. wouldn't you agree?   ❞ him and her likely, but not paul. leto's right when he calls them visions after all.

for  a  cozy  starter .