#fallen star reader

It was a presence he had felt before, recognizable but not in the sense it held personal familiarity nor common place. No… this was an ancient omnipresence. 

This was not of his creation, nor was it of this world, neither was it a deity worshiped by the mortals he served in sleep. This was a long forgotten nostalgia one that he had chaperoned over a millennia ago, before most of their dreaming became something viewed as tiresome and stale. But this was not the same heavenly dreamers that had once stepped through his realm and now seldom did. This was sharp, keen and born a new… a new being in his realm, a creature of the very heavens. A Star.

He had seen them, only for a moment, standing lonely in the barren fields of his still rebuilding kingdom. The flora that had just started to regrow, sprouting up through the dust of his ruin, curving to meet the soft glow of their skin. And when they spotted him observing from afar they seemed surprised. He had met all the Stars that visited his realm at one time or another, seeing as how some had been around since not longer after the creation of this universe. Their stare of unfamiliarity was returned, for he had never met, nor sensed them once in all his years. 

They were gone before he had time to consider anything more than their surprised gaze. 

He stood for a while, contemplating what this could mean before stalking off to the library, a whirlwind of questions that perhaps Lucienne would be able to help him figure out. 

He wondered if they had always been here, on the tailcoats of the dream threads, maybe he had simply overlooked them? But a Star gracing his realm after so many had grown tired of dreaming for an aeon was something he would have taken notice of. Lucienne would have certainly written their presence down had they visited his kingdom and she certainly would have a book on the catalogs of their lives inside and outside of the Dreaming. 

~

The Librarian had briefly questioned if he was perhaps mistaken, as she had seen no Star dream records, at least none updated since the late 1800s. And of all the dreamers to re-enter the dreaming after his absence, none were beings of heavenly light. 

“They stood before me; shining like all Stars do.” He pulls another book down from the overburdened shelf; behind him Lucienne sighs and cocks her head.

“Sir if I might; the last Star to enter the dreaming was over one hundred years ago. Are you sure you saw a Star?” She reiterates cautiously.

“I know the last Star that entered this realm Lucienne, she has ascended back to the heavens with her husband some time ago or so it would seem.” He replies, placing the book back and pulling another from a lower shelf. “I do not know this one. I have never sensed their presence, inside of the Dreaming or out.”

“Maybe you just didn’t recognize them? You have been gone awhile.” Matthew quips, ruffling his feathers as he suppressed a caw.

“No, and they did not know me, they seemed surprised… perhaps even startled by my observation?” 

“Well you’re not exactly the warmest welcoming committee.” Matthew hops to a stack of books a bit further away after a pointed look from Lucienne. “Who knows, maybe you don’t know them? I’m sure new people come into the Dreaming all the time?” He adds. 

“Not Stars. I’m not even sure that is possible?” Lucienne comments, moving to take one of the books beneath the raven’s new perch. “ The Stars have been around for… well since nearly the beginning, at least the older, more ancient ones.” 

“Then maybe it’s a new one.” Matthew states simply. 

A quiet pause falls over the library for a moment; Matthew beginning to feel uncomfortable in the growing silence, lets out a caw that was meant to be a clearing of the throat.

“I mean would it really be that weird?” He adds, shuffling closer to Morpheus, who has yet to say a word in sometime, back still turned and hand poised over the worn pages of the book he held. “Would it boss?”

A new Star

~

You wake with a gasp, blinking rapidly in the darkness of your room; slowly your breathing mellows and your eyes adjust to the blanketing dark. A pale cast of light runs across the far wall, the sound of wheels splashing through a puddle on the street below; it must have rained while you slept.

Turning over on your side you gaze at the neon light of the alarm clock on your nightstand…4am…a heaviness settles in your heart. 

Carefully you rise up from your bed pulling back the sheets and testing the floor below you. You were already a guest here taking up space, (no matter how much it was insisted that you were an honored guest) you didn’t want to make too much noise prancing around in the wee hours of the morning while most slept. 

On the balls of your feet you creep to the bay window that faced the street, settling down on the pillows that bracketed the inlaid seat. You squint looking out at the street below. You never close the blinds, even though one of the street lamps sat glowing on the corner of the building every night, you couldn’t bring yourself to shut yourself off, not yet.

The light pollution here was heavy, but in these early hours you could make out some of the twinkling beings in the night sky… you wonder if perhaps any of them were ones you knew. 

Sighing you tuck your knees to your chest, wrapping your arms around your legs and resting your temple against your knees, continuing to watch, continuing to think. 

It wasn’t fair, you had decided (it was a decision you had made rather early on in your…unexpected adventure.) You had barely gotten any time to shine within the night sky before you had fallen; a mere seventy years in the heavens. Others had gotten millennia, some aeons; most of your brothers and sisters were still there, glimmering brightly amongst the cosmos. But no, you had been plucked from the sky before you even got to really experience what it really meant to be a Star. 

You grumble softly to yourself, playing with a lock of your hair, observing it as you settle in your self pity. You can still see the fine spun magic glittering writhing the strands; you know you should stop being bitter, Earth and humans weren’t all that bad, quite fascinating in fact.

For seventy years you had looked down upon humans, delighting in their habits and odd quirks, the way they lived so freely. They lived for so short a time and yet they lived with such abandon, you admired that about them, their need to experience, to explore. It really wasn’t so awful to now be amongst them and witness them daily, no longer an observer from afar. Most were kind, at least the ones that you had met. 

You smile softly to yourself; they made such wonderful things too from food to inventions; their minds seemingly never ceasing with imagination. If they could dream it up they could…

You pause in your hair twirling and thoughts…dreams… Even since your birth in the heavens, you had dreamless sleeps; Stars didn’t need to sleep but it was a novelty, a delightfully new thing at first. You had heard when you first came to creation that if you wished it you could enter the Dreaming, the realm of the Dream King, an Endless. However, no matter how many days you rested your head and wished to be swept away, the dreams never came… 

You had asked some of the older Stars, maybe you were doing it wrong? They had shook their heads and told you that no, the dreaming had gone silent, however it was something that grows a bit dull after a few thousand years anyway and to not be too concerned. 

From the stories they had told you didn’t feel that any of it could ever grow old, ever the curious mind and creative heart. So every night for over sixty years you tried to dream, but every time there was nothing... a void as black as the deepest, most barren parts of space. You had stopped trying after a time, coming to the conclusion that perhaps you were not meant to see the Dreaming; and after a while you had stopped sleeping all together, after all why sleep with a hope of something that obviously was no longer there. To you, sleep meant the possibility of dreaming and if that wasn’t there… 

When you had fallen you spent the first few months on Earth not sleeping, but you had come to the conclusion that if you were to live a more human life that you should at least follow some of their patterns. That and, well the nights got pretty dull when no one was around to speak with and the shops and cafes weren’t open.

At first it was certainly strange, sleeping at night when you had always slept during the day when you were a heavenly being. So you had started to follow the pattern of your gracious housemate when it came to sleep, or at least adhere somewhat to his patterns to get used to it. It had taken some time a few weeks but you finally got it down for the most part. And of course when you started sleeping again you had secretly hoped that maybe, just in maybe the Dreaming would open up to you. 

However the Dream Lord’s realm had remained elusive… that was until tonight. Tonight you had traveled, left this realm and gone somewhere you had only heard of…

It was strange, it had felt so real you had almost thought that you were awake, perhaps having somehow slept walked out into a barren farmer’s field. But as you had gazed upon the foreign landscape you could see, a looming castle seemingly ravaged by time in the distance. And as you gazed heavenward you saw a brilliance of night sky you had never seen before.

You were in the Dreaming.

You turned feeling the dust and sand beneath your feet and felt the cool air of the night upon your cheeks. Your eyes caught something, or rather… someone… a man stood, stone still gazing at you from across the field. You startled, for the place that you had found yourself in was completely empty save for him and yourself; his gaze nearly consuming you, the weight of it enough to jar you from from your first ever dream.

You frown, and start to twirl your hair again, thinking back to the man in the field. It was as if he held the cosmos in his eyes, deep and expansive, all knowing and never ceasing. But the thing that weighed heavily in your mind was the sadness that seemed to fill those endless eyes, and you once again felt the heaviness in your heart. 

Humans had said that eyes are the window to the soul, and you wonder…why his soul sang such melancholy... 

You hear the chirping of birds outside your window, your brows furrowing as you look back out to the horizon and find the golden tendrils of the sun beginning to creep along the rooftops. 

Oh

Perhaps your schedule still needed some work, you blink over to the alarm clock that now reads just before 6am. Down the hall you hear your housemate begin to shuffle about his morning routine and decide that you might as well get up; tomorrow night you decide that you would finally get the human schedule down. 

You dress slowly waiting to hear the water shut off in the bathroom and your housemate make his way down the stairs before going about your morning. You decide to take just a little longer in the shower just to enjoy the very human routine. Stars usually bathed in pools of moonlight; and while showering in a porcelain box might seem mundane it was once again a new habit and you greatly enjoy drawing little doodles in the mist that fogged up the glass. 

Finally stepping out of the warmth of the shower you finish up your morning freshen and redress.

As you make your way downstairs you can hear the usual puttering in the kitchen, the sound of the kettle going off and the scrape of a worn pan against the stove top. 

Rounding the corner you catch your gracious housemate pouring a steaming cup of coffee into a mug and then a second. He turns his head as you come in and smiles brightly.

“Ah good morning Y/N! Starting to sleep in a bit I see!” He picks up one of the steaming mugs and holds it out to you.

“Good morning Hob.” You smile back and take the cup from him. “I’m not sure about the sleeping in part.” You chuckle and take a cautious sip, quickly deciding as you have every morning, that yes it is still too hot.

Hob seems to understand and smiles softly as he takes a seat at the small kitchen table, you follow suit. 

“We’ll I’m sure that you’ll be sleeping in till noon in no time and then you learn the joys of lunch for breakfast.” He laughs and you can’t help but laugh as well. “How did you sleep? Is it getting easier?” He asks after a moment, gazing at you over his mug as he takes a sip. 

You stare down at the umber liquid in your cup. 

The next thing you know, Hob has rushed over to you and is picking up the bags you had dropped, luckily you managed to keep a grip on the dessert you had bought him.

“Finally met your match with trying to carry everything in one trip ya?” He says jovially but then he shuffles a bit closer, his nonchalant posture changing subtly so only you can see. “Are you alright? Did something happen?” He whispers in concern.

“I…no nothing, I just…” you give a quick glance over his shoulder to the man, he’s still seated, though he’s observing you cautiously, posture pristine. 

You realize you’re probably making a scene in front of the few customers in the sitting area and your attention quickly snaps back to Hob. He catches your gaze and looks back over his shoulder realizing who you’re staring at. 

“Do you two know each other?” He turns back to you brow furrowed. 

“What?” You’re somewhat still dazed.

“Do you two know each other?” He nods to his companion and then cocks his head at you. 

“Oh… errr no, no we don’t.” You quickly try to salvage the conversation and not sound like a fool. “No we’ve never met, sorry my mind was just spacing out haha.” Wow that was the most convincing thing to ever come out of your mouth… said no one ever.

Hob gives you a pointed look but you wave him off and then hold out the dessert you got for him. 

“Here I got this for you as a thank you for the early paycheck.” You clear your throat and peer around him to face the man. “Sorry if I knew he had company I would have gotten something for you too!” Hoping you can make things less awkward. 

“There is no need to apologize, though I appreciate the thought.” His voice is like warm honey, rich and inviting… soothing and a curious feeling of relaxation falls over you despite your apprehension.

Hob takes the dessert and gives you another look as if to double check that you are indeed okay and you give him a small smile with all the reassurance you can muster. 

“Sorry, how rude of me.” Hob says, turning to walk back over to the table, a quick nod of his head for you to follow. “I should introduce you two.”

You shuffle after him, your gaze down cast as you eye the man through your lashes who watches you approach with a look you can’t quite place. 

Hob places the boxed dessert on the table, pulling up an extra chair beside his own and motioning for you to sit before scooting back into his seat. Gingerly you sit down.

“Y/n this is Morpheus- who so nicely finally told me his name.” He chuckles. “Morpheus this is Y/n.”

You jerkily stick out your hand; the man no Morpheus eyes it curiously for a moment before sliding his palm against yours, his grip is cool and surprisingly soft and you can’t seem to tamp down the crackling energy that zips down your spine as his skin brushes your own. 

“A pleasure to meet you Y/n.” He says, you feel your face flush and you hope that your palm is clammy. 

“Thank you, it’s wonderful to meet you as well…Morpheus.” You know you’ve heard that name somewhere before but your brain is so scrambled that you can’t put your finger on it. You pause to try and think of where… where you know that name from.

Hob suddenly clears his throat and you look at him startled, his lips quirk and his eyes subtly gaze down, you follow and oh! You're still just holding on to Morpheus’ the brief shake long since done. You release him with a small sound and a quick quiet apology; as you duck your head to avoid further embarrassment you catch a very small smile tugging at his lips; you want to sink under the table and disappear.

“Y/n has been helping me out around the Inn, and as you can see, spoiling me.” Hob eases back into conversation, his fingers drumming on top of the to-go box. 

“Have they; how long has that been?” Morpheus asks, his near perfect posture relaxing a bit, looking a bit more at ease.

“Not long, about a month; didn’t really realize I needed all the help I could get until she showed up!” He laughs and opens the box. “Y/n you shouldn’t have” he practically groans at the sight of the decadent slice of cake you had brought back for him.

“I know it’s your favorite.” You say perking up a bit, as he leans over to the table beside you and steals the rolled up cutlery off of it, quickly unwrapping it from the napkin cocoon. 

“Like a gift from the heavens.” Hobs says a look of utter satisfaction when he takes the first bite. You roll your eyes, he can be so dramatic.

Morpheus eyes you both with scrutiny. 

“The two of you are in relations then?” He asks plainly. 

If you weren’t so shocked you would have laughed at the idea, Hob actually chokes on his mouthful of cake.

“No we aren’t.” You reply quickly.

“You can’t just ask people that!” Hob sputters. Finally managing to clear his throat he eyes his companion a smirk growing on his lips. “Why? Would you be jealous if I was?”

“Oh my god Hob shut up!” You whine slumping in your chair.

“I could walk out again; end this conversation .” Morpheus replies, his tone is serious but you catch a small glimmer of playfulness in his eyes.

“Well maybe he’s jealous of me.” You're so used to teasing Hob that the jab just comes out before you even have time to process your thoughts. Though as soon as the words lay bare before you bite your lip and cringe.

You chance a peek over at your guest and he blinks at you in surprise. Why did you have run your mouth in front of the strange man that was somehow in your dreams?

“An empty threat my friend.” Hob smiles, drawing attention back to himself and leaning back looking rather pleased. “You’d be back here again in a century I’m sure.”

You cock your head at that, a century? He notices. 

“We’ve been meeting every hundred years since… what 1389?” Hob says thoughtfully, pushing the cake towards Morpheus, urging him to at least try some, Morpheus pushes it to you instead. 

“1389? I knew you…” you look around the sitting area at the patrons before lowering your voice. “I knew you weren’t exactly human, but that’s over six hundred years.” 

“And what a fascinating six hundred years it’s been.” He smiles. 

“I take it you would like to continue our little meetings then.” Morpheus replies, a small pleased smile tugging at his lips.

“Of course! As if you have to ask.” He nods “I wouldn’t even mind if you came around more often.” 

Morpheus cocks his head. 

“Once a month we have trivia night.” You offer, stealing a quick glance. 

“That is… a kind offer, I shall consider it.” He replies after a moment before standing.

“What? leaving already?” It almost looks like Hob is pouting.

“I’m afraid I have some business to attend to…perhaps I will take you up on your invite to meet sooner.” He replies, his attention falling to you and you feel yourself being pulled into his gaze. “It was a pleasure, perhaps we will meet again as well.” 

It's a certainty rather than concept; you can feel it in his eyes, the inevitability of it. You nod knowingly, and you feel yourself growing excited at the prospect. 

Morpheus bows his head to the two of you before turning; you follow his elegant strides, watching as he leaves the Inn, retreating into the chilly September air of the late afternoon. 

“Taking a gander are we?” your head whips back to Hob who is waggling his eyebrows at you. 

“Excuse me?” you sputter.

“I caught you staring while he strutted away.” he replies, quite enjoying the reaction he’s getting out of you.

“I was not! He’s just …interesting.” that did not sound as convincing as you wanted it to sound.

“Interesting, suuurrree Y/n.” you’ve had quite enough of him; quickly you grab the to-go box which was previously pushed in front of you and you begin shoveling the rest of the cake in your mouth.

“No! That was a giiiffftt!” Hob cries, grabbing the box back half of the cake slice now gone and you looking pleased with yourself as you slowly chew on your pilfered prize, cheeks covered in chocolate crumbs.

“That’s what you get.” you say after you swallow, smiling at him triumphantly. 

“You can be such a gremlin…” he grumbles and tucks in to the rest of the cake. “And you have crumbs all over your face,” he adds.

—

You settle down in your bed, having had your late night tea and biscuits with Hob. The sheets are cool against your skin and you sigh resting your head against the pillow; you wonder if you’ll be seeing Morpheus again tonight. You still really didn’t know who he is or what he is, but the fact that he was in your dream before you even met him…

You roll over onto your side, facing the open window like you do every night; closing your eyes you try to reach out to your sisters.

When you were still in the heavens with them, you could reach across the cosmos with but a thought, but now…like every night since you had landed they were quiet and your calling remained unanswered. 

Letting out a deep sigh you try to relax. Tonight you would sleep and if you were lucky you would dream; and perhaps find out more about the strange company that Hob held for over six hundred years. 

—-

When you open your eyes again you find yourself in a bed of flowers instead of your own; the sound of trickling water a soft melody and the shining warmth of the sun upon your skin. You slowly sit up, observing the world you awoke in. 

It appeared to be a garden, with beauty the likes of which you had never seen before; a few feet from your waking spot was a large intricate fountain who’s water was so clear and silvery you thought it might be starlight. The wind picks up suddenly and you watch as the trees that dot the landscape shiver with jewel-like emerald leaves and the archways of iridescent flowers shed some of their petals in the breeze.

As a Star you had seen some truly beautiful places. You had seen the Silver City in all its glory, The Nebula, the birthplace of all stars, The Asterism Center where stars would congregate and hold court. But this…this place was unlike any other, with a beauty that filled your heart and warmed your soul. 

“Hello again.” you startle at the familiar voice; turning to look over your shoulder you see him…Morpheus.

“Morpheus…” you say softly. “You’re here.”

“I am.” slowly he walks over to you until he’s standing before you. “Meeting sooner rather than later it would seem.” he gives you a slight smile and offers you his hand. 

You pause only for a moment before taking his hand; he's warmer than before but just as soft as he gently pulls you to your feet. This time you release his hold without the awkwardness of before. 

He tilts his head, observing you, he’s so close, closer than he had been at the New Inn, and with no Hob to take the attention away you can’t help but notice how otherworldly he is; but the thing that pulls you in the most is his eyes. They reminded you of home, the place where you were born, the place that you danced before you fell; the endless cosmos of the night sky.

“I am glad to see that you found your way back.” his voice is just above a whisper as he speaks to you. 

“Where is here…exactly?” you finally manage to ask.

“The Dreaming, my realm.” he replies. 

It all falls into place suddenly and it’s then you realize why his name sounded so familiar; you blink at him owlishly.

“You are an Endless…The King of Dreams.” you say in realization.

“I am, and you are a Star.”

You step back from him, surprised that he somehow knows that…you wonder if she had told him? 

“How do you know that?” you glance around, wondering if you had to if you would have to escape. 

“You need not be scared Astraea, no harm will come to you here.” He soothes and you feel your body becoming less tense, you give him a small nod. “ It’s hard not to notice a Star entering the Dreaming, your kind are a unique people, even amongst the otherworldly beings.”

“So I’m like a bull in a china shop.” you huff out a little laugh.

“Nothing so crude.” he reassures you.   

You turn from him then, looking around the garden again.

“I never thought I’d see this, be here.” you spin to face him again. “I tried for so long, since my creation in The Nebula, but…”

There was a pause that filled the air and you couldn’t help but notice the shift in his posture; he ducks his head, jaw drawing tight.

“I was away from the Dreaming…imprisoned.” he says finally looking up at you, you feel your heart clench at his watery gaze. His soul was hurting and it was nearly too much to bear.

“I’m so sorry.” you say, hoping that your eyes will convey even an ounce of the truth in your words, you couldn’t imagine not being free, being someones prisoner. 

“Thank you.” he replies after a moment, before straightening his posture once more. “I have been rebuilding the Dreaming since my return, it has taken some time.”

“Is that why it looked so…sad the first time I dreamed?” you ask hoping to not offend, he nods.

“I had just recovered my tools, I had only started to repair the damage that was done.” 

“Well you’re doing an amazing job! This place…It’s amazing, I’ve never seen anything like it!” you smile at him and he gives you a small smile of his own in return.

“Would you care to join me?” he asks suddenly.

“Join you?” you tilt your head.

“So that I might show you what you have missed all these years.” 

Your heart flutters in your chest, he wanted to show you the Dreaming personally, you had never heard from any of the other Stars that the King of this realm had given them a personal tour. You know it must be a great honor to have his attention, but you can’t help but think…maybe he wanted your attention as well? No stop that.

“I would like that very much.” you reply hoping that your voice sounds steady despite your growing excitement. A genuine smile tugs at his lips, soft and sweet and you feel your cheeks burn, you like seeing him happy.

“Come with me Astraea, you have much to see.” 

—

You had thought the gardens were a wonder but the rest of the Dreaming, it was beyond what you could have ever imagined, a beauty so sublime that you believe it will forever be imprinted on your soul.

The grand palace at its center, cut from ivory-like marble is an imposing structure with golden spires that glitter in the sunlight, you think might rival that of the Silver City. Inside it’s halls gleam like the vastness of space, with soaring pillars of ebony that lead to a ceiling that looked as though it was a portal to The Nebula…it almost…it almost felt like home.

“It’s beautiful…” you know your voice sounds watery and frayed as you take everything in; Morpheus looks at you with a frown.

“Why are you sad?” he asks in a soft, soothing voice.

“I- I don’t know…I don’t think I’m sad? It’s hard to explain?” you wish you could describe the feeling to him. A feeling of nostalgia, home sickness but at the same time. warmth and peacefulness. You look up to the twinkling ceiling above you and smile sadly; he follows your gaze.

“It reminds you of home.” he states simply and you nod. “I could change it if you like, if it hurts your heart so-.”

“No!” you are quick to cut him off. “No…I would like to see it…to be reminded.” 

His eyes are gentle as he watches you and you feel yourself gravitating towards him, until you are standing before him nearly toe to toe, looking up into his eyes.

“Morpheus…Than-” you are cut off by the sudden fluttering of wings and voice calling out in the vast corridor.

“Hey Boss! Lucienne said that-!” a raven comes flying around the corner with such speed you almost worry he’ll collide with one of the pillars. “Oh! Well hello there.” The raven comes to land on the ground not far from you and hops closer, looking at you curiously.

You catch a brief flash of annoyance in Morpheus’ eyes at the interruption.

“Hello, um.” you blink, you know you shouldn’t be surprised to see a talking raven, being a Star and all but you’ve never had the pleasure of meeting one.

“Oh I’m Matthew, at your service.” he bows his feathered head, and you giggle and bow your head in return.

“I’m Y/n.” you reply, at the mention of your name he perks up and then quickly looks at Morpheus.

“Sir! She’s the Star!” Matthew says excitedly and you look at him in surprise.

“How do you know that too?”

“Yes Matthew I am well aware.” Both you and Morpheus end up talking over each other, startling you new companion.

“Uhhh, well a book appeared in the Library with your name on it and Lucienne told me to come find you.” He looks from you and then to Morpheus. “I thought I would bring you the news but it looks like you’re already ahead of it.” you think you hear him add ‘for once.’ under his breath but you can’t be sure.

“There’s a book with my name on it?” you ask, curiosity piqued by the idea that you have a book.

“Anyone that enters the Dreaming has a journal, a story of their dreams, of their thoughts and ideas.” Morpheus replies.

“Can I see it?” you know it’s about your dreams, which has been a grand total of two but the notion is so fascinating that it wouldn’t matter if your book was two pages long or two thousand.

“Sure!” Matthew chimes in but quickly realizes he’s jumping to conclusions when Morpheus gives him a sour expression. “I mean, if the boss man says it’s okay that is.”

You turn to the Lord of the Dreaming, eager for his verdict.

“Of course you may.” he replies with a small bow of his head. “I’m sure Lucienne would be quite interested to meet you as well.”

With that you are being led further into the opulent palace, your excitement and curiosity building with each step that you take.

Thank you so much to everyone that has been enjoying this! it really means so much to me!  

Taglist: @boofy1998​ @gnnnne @deniixlovezelda​ @oo0lady-mad0oo​ @imma-too-many-fandoms​​ @melancholypancakes​

One of the things that you absolutely adored about humans was their markets; from food to odd trinkets, you could spend your whole day wandering the streets of south London. Initially Hob had to guide you through the narrow streets and bustling stalls, assuring you wouldn’t get lost or heckled (which happened only once and ended quick enough when the merchant found out you had no money). But now you move through the throngs of people with ease, finding great joy in experiencing the day to day life of humanity. 

When you had first arrived at the New Inn you had nothing but the dress on your body (having been ruined in the fall), no money and no clue as to what you were going to do now bound to live on Earth. Hob had been more than generous, welcoming you into his home, giving you one of the spare rooms above the Inn and offering you a job of sorts helping him with general management. And considering he had started his adjunct professorship and had to teach two days out of the week he definitely needed an extra set of hands. 

You had been nervous of course at first, cautious of the seemingly overly friendly human, especially after hearing of what the last falling star had to endure during her time on earth. However your companion that had dropped you off ensured you that Hob was nothing but trustworthy, and since he had some experience of what lies beyond the veil of mortality he would be one of the few ‘humans’ that would be able to suspend his disbelief of your origins. 

That had been a month ago nearly to the day, and you found yourself finally beginning to settle in …well aside from your sleep patterns, but it was getting there.

“Getting another peck of apples today y/n?” The fruit stall vendor smiles as you walk up to the table brimming with ripe fruits.

“Yes sir!” You hand him your basket before adjusting your sunhat, the sunlight glinting warmly in the balmy September air. “The apple pies have been a big hit it seems.”

“That’s one thing I think everyone can agree on.” He nods as he carefully selects the ruby red fruits; he always gives you the best ones. 

“What’s that?” You ask as he hands you one to snack on while you shop.

“I don’t think anyone could pass up a good slice of apple pie.” He chuckles.

You grin, apple pie is one of your favorite human treats so you couldn’t agree more. 

“If you stop by the Inn on Friday I’ll be sure to have the cook save you a big slice!” He hands you back your basket, now filled nearly to the brim; you hand him a few notes, to which he returns half of them. “What? No, I know they are worth this much.” You try and hand him back the returned money but he raises his hands up with a soft chuckle.

“I’ll take the rest of that payment in that slice of pie.” He replies smiling. 

You blink at him for a moment, money still in your outstretched hand. Your arm lowers and you smile brightly, tamping down the urge to shine outwardly. 

“I’ll accept that deal good sir.” You put the saved money in the pocket of your dress and do a little half curtsy, he laughs heartily and does a theatrical bow back at you.

“Until next time m’lady.” 

There were a few more stops along the way, and even though your arms were now overburdened with items from the market you still stop on the way back to the New Inn to pick up an earl grey tea with milk for yourself and a black coffee for Hob.

“Whooooaaa! Training for a powerlifting competition now I see!” Hob shuffles around a few patrons as you shoulder the door open with a huff. “I don’t know how you managed to carry all this stuff back here in one trip… is that coffee for me?” He takes a few bags from you arms and grabs the drink tray from you as well.

“There is one important thing that I’ve learned while spending time amongst mortals Hod Galding.” You say, tone serious as you follow him to the small but cozy work kitchen.

He eyes you curiously as he sets the bags in his arms down on the kitchen bench. 

“One must never make two trips with groceries.” You reply matter of factly, setting your own bags down and reaching for your tea in the tray that Hob now held.

He blinks at you and then barks out a peel of laughter so sharp that you are certain the customers in the bar area can hear him. 

You sip your tea looking rather pleased with yourself; knowing that Hob took delight in your humor had become one of your favorite things.

“That I believe is the most important lesson any being, this plane or otherwise could ever learn.” He says wiping his watering eyes when he finally settles down enough to speak without pausing to have a little giggle. 

You laugh at that and start to put some of your purchases away.

“Guenevere comes in in an hour, you don’t have to put anything away; not like you bought anything that would spoil sitting out?” Hob leans against the bench and sips at his coffee watching as you organize your purchases.

“I know but I don’t mind helping.” You shrug and continue on, you know that Guenevere would be more than happy to put away the ingredients you had bought for her but honestly… you still felt like you had so much you had to repay Hob for that you pick up any slack around the Inn. 

He leaves for a moment to check with the bartender ‘something about Mad Hettie stopping by and drinking the last of the thirty year old whiskey scotch.’

You finish up your prep and store the basket and bags away, taking a moment to lean against the bench and enjoy your tea…except… your mind keeps drifting to the man in your dreams. 

You hadn’t told Hob about him just that you had dreamt… it’s not like it meant anything, just a weird figment of your imagination, a creation of your own mind after years and years never dreaming. 

It isn’t until you hear Hob greeting Guenevere from the front of the house that you realize you had drifted off into thought again and your tea was now unpleasantly cool.

-

“So a new Star, huh… I always thought they were like giant balls of gas…” Matthew comments as he watches Lucienne leaf through a few pages from another book. There was a picture of what looked like a sun on the cover so he assumes it must be about space…or something?

“Not all Stars are immortal beings, some are in fact, as you put it…giant balls of gas.” Lucienne replies, examining a line of text with more scrutiny. 

“Ya but most of the ones that aren’t balls of gas are balls of hot air.” Mervyn huffs as he works to clean some melted wax off the book ladened table.

“Mervyn…” Lucienne sighs and eyes him over her spectacles.

“What? Thinking they’re too good for the Dreaming and all that.” 

“Too good for the Dreaming?” Matthew asks, curiosity more than piqued at this point.

Lucienne lowers the book in her hand, careful to keep her spot as she eyes the two men chidingly, before turning her attention to Matthew, gaze softening a bit.

“Most Stars are ancient beings, older than some of the gods themselves. Since they have existed for so long and do not require rest in the same way mortals do, many of them do not visit the Dreaming anymore.” She replies.

“They don’t sleep?“ The raven cocks his head. 

“Oh they sleep.” Merv butts in. 

“Stars can sleep, but they don’t require it.” Lucienne ignores the comment from their pumpkin headed companion. “But when they sleep they often bypass the Dreaming.” 

“Why would they do that?” Matthew questions, why would anyone want to circumvent the Dreaming?

“As I’ve said they’ve been around for a long time I suppose when you live for that long you sometimes…lose interest after a few millennia.” She shrugs. 

Matthew is quiet for a moment, contemplating. Lucienne goes back to her book. 

“I didn’t think anyone would ever get tired of the Dreaming, I don’t think I ever would.” He says matter-of-factly. 

“Oh they come to visit every thousand years or so; have a little vacation.” Merv says having finally gotten the stubborn wax off the table. 

“Merv I’m sure there are other tables that might need your attention.” The Librarian says pointedly and everyone knows it’s her way of telling him ‘that’s enough.’

“Ya, ya …” he waves her off nonplussed, but moves to go about his business. “Maybe you guys should start putting’ I don’t know tea cozies' under your candle fixtures, save me some of the trouble of scrapin’ wax.” He says nonchalantly as he stalks off into another corner of the Library. 

Lucienne sighs and shakes her head, the library now finally quiet again. 

Matthew decides to give the librarian some air and goes to find Morpheus, maybe he had found out something interesting (though he doubts it, Lucienne seems to always be a step ahead when it comes to sleuthing.)

He finds him in the castle gardens, the great stone pillars and statues once again in all their former glory, the plethora of flora which he is fairly certain didn’t exist on earth beginning to flourish once more.

“Making good progress boss.” He comments as he lands on the grand fountain, which still has a few cracks but no longer a ruin and ruffles his feathers from the mist of water it produces.

“Yes… so it would seem.” Morpheus comments without zeal. “The dreams and nightmares are beginning to return as well.”

“It’ll be an interesting place when it’s all full again.” 

“The Dreaming is never full, its expanse is ever growing, shifting.” Morpheus comments, his focus still drawn to the landscape before him.

Matthew watches as the Dream Lord waves his hand and a branching hydra of ivy twists and turns its way up one of the archways that lines the cobblestone path that winds through the garden. A burst of shifting iridescent flowers blooming across its tendrils. Then all of the archways that follow repeat the process until the garden pathway is an ever changing cornucopia of colors. 

“You have a question, do you not Matthew?” The raven is sure he sees a small quirk on his master's lips.

“Well I didn’t want to interrupt your hard work.” He huffs, Morpheus can be so smug with his foresight. 

Morpheus waits, knowing that his patience will out last Matthews need to find answers. 

“Did you find anything out about the Star?” He finally asks, this catches Morpheus’ attention, and he turns towards the raven, a frown drawing his face tight.

“I have not.” he pauses for a moment, weighing if he should ask or not. “Has Lucinenne…” he lets the question hang in the air, hoping Matthew will pick up on it and not make him stoop to asking outright.

“No, not yet.” This causes the frown on Morpheus’ face to deepen. 

The air grows a bit chillier and Matthew is quite certain those rain clouds weren’t there a moment again. Ah his boss is brooding again.

“Hey, have you thought about taking a little break, you’ve had a lot on your plate recently.” Matthew says after a lengthy silence where Morpheus stewed in his thoughts. 

“What?” 

“What if you’re making this whole Star thing into a bigger thing than it is? You just got all your stolen stuff back and the Dreaming isn’t falling apart anymore. Maybe you just need a you day instead of acting like the world is ending.” Matthew shrugs or as best he can with wings.

Morpheus lets out a surprised scoff and looks at the raven with mild amusement. 

“Is that what you think, that I’m making a mountain out of a molehill.” Matthew hops closer and the Dream Lord comes to sit on the edge of the fountain. 

“I mean maybe? Maybe not. All I’m saying is maybe you should take a day to just I don’t know, relax, go for a walk or something?” 

The Endless looks up at the murky skies that had been bright and clear not a few minutes ago.

“Perhaps you are right.”

-

It isn’t quite cold enough for the fire to be lit in the parlor but the small room is cozy nonetheless and it has become one of you favorite places to end the day; when most of the patrons had gone home and Hob had completed his not so subtle nightly flirting with Guenevere before she too had left for the evening.

You gaze up from your book, and give him a smug little smile as he enters the room, a small tray of biscuits and two teacups balanced in his grasp.

“What’s that look for, hmmm?” He questions as he settles down in the armchair across from you, pulling some papers from the messenger bag beside the chair. 

“Oh nothing… How is Guenevere?” You ask, reaching for a biscuit and one of the cups, your nose scrunching up as you catch the scent of coffee wafting from the saucer. “It’s past 10pm, Hob.” But you still take the offered drink anyway. 

He sputters theatrically at your gentle teasing.

“I’ll have you know she is doing very well and I am very charming.” He looks rather pleased with himself as he stuffs a biscuit in his mouth. “And it’s decaf, we are out of the Sleepytime tea.” 

You click your tongue as you examine the biscuit between your fingers, you wonder if it will taste good if you dip it in the coffee like you did your nightly tea. You decide to try. 

“I can stop off at the cafe near the market and pick up some more tomorrow.” You say, trying your new biscuit coffee creation which you decide is acceptable. 

“I don’t mind doing that, you already went out today, I don’t want you making another trip just because I was lazy and didn’t check.” He says, neatly stacking the papers he pulled from his bag and clicking his pen.

You wave him off taking a big gulp from your coffee oh! The sugar from the biscuit was a delightful little surprise. “You know I don’t mind going out at all, I actually wanted to do a little window shopping anyway, I keep hearing about ‘fall fashion’ and I don’t want to miss out on what sounds like such an important human custom.”

Hob laughs before settling down and looking over the paperwork in his lap; papers from his students you presume. You settle back in as well going back to your reading.

It’s quiet for a time, save for the sound of Hobs occasionally scribbling.

“I worry about you sometimes.” You look up frowning. 

“About me?” Your companion gives you a small glance but quickly focuses back on his writing.

“About what you said, with the last…Star that fell to earth. That people tried to cut out her heart?” You still find it hard to fathom that he believed everything that you had told him so far about Stars… but Hob was a strange man and not exactly…human himself.

“I mean that was years ago, well over a century. I doubt I’ll run into anyone like that.” You hum thinking back to the story that was told to you upon the return of Yvaine. “Are there even witches like that anymore?”

Hob looks at you with raised brows.

“If there is one thing I’ve grown certain of over the years is that you can never be sure of what’s out there.”

You sit back in your chair with a sigh. 

“I suppose you’re right…thank you for thinking about me, it means a lot, truly.” You give him a genuine smile which he returns before looking back to his paperwork.

“Just let me know if I have to beat anyone off with a stick.” He chuckles.

You snort and shake your head.

-

You turn over in your bed for what must be the hundredth time that night, the alarm clock glowing mockingly in the dark.

1am

You had told yourself the night before that you would finally be getting your routine down tonight… but every time you close your eyes, your mind drifts off. The brief mention of Yvaine weighing heavily on your mind.

She had been the only other fallen Star that you had ever known… and certainly the only one to ever return to the heavens and with her beloved husband no less. Maybe, maybe you could return? If you could just somehow find a candle.

A Babylonian Candle; the relic that had allowed her to return… an artifact so rare that it was a shock she had found it amongst mortals at all, a very gift from the Presence himself. 

You sign and turn over once again, now facing the window that you had once again refused to curtain. 

-

The next morning you’re up before Hob, well having been up all night you're not sure if it really counts that you ‘got up’ before him. You split a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast with jam with him before letting him know that you planned to stop by the cafe by the market before going window shopping.

“At least buy yourself a few things, warm things, weathers going to be changing here soon.” He comments and hands you some notes.

“You don’t have to give me money.” You frown and push it back over to him across the table.

“You’re getting your ‘paycheck’ on Friday anyway, just take it a little early.” He has been giving you a weekly paycheck of sorts, a stipend really, since you started helping him around the Inn. You had initially told him no but when he asked you how you intended to pay for things you had been stumped…and begrudgingly accepted.

You sigh as he pushes the money back to you and you accept it, though you do hand him back the extra fifty pounds he tried to sneak you; he laughs and rolls his eyes accepting the truce. 

You head out once you are sure the stores would be open and oh Hob was right, there is a chill in the air and you run back inside and ask to borrow a jacket. 

Your first stop is the cafe, they do their own blends of tea there and both you and Hob are quite fond of their ‘Sleepytime’ tea. You’re not sure if it actually makes you sleepy but he swears by it and it tastes delightful. You purchase a bag of freshly blended loose leaf tea along with a charming little teaspoon that has a silver sleeping cat on the handle.

Walking back out into the crisp morning air you make your way down to the historic shopping district; a lovely little area with narrow cobblestone streets and shopfronts in brick buildings that had stood for centuries. 

You decide that you can’t borrow one of Hobs jackets every time the weather has a nip in the air so you pop into a little clothing store you had walked past a few times while out and about. The mannequins in the window display all wearing cute, warm looking clothing and accessories. 

You end up with a darling jacket, one that fits you much better than your borrowed one as well as a push scarf and heavy knit socks with foxes on them. 

You stop in a few more shops but nothing catches your fancy enough to purchase; you decide to grab lunch at a small cafe before heading back.

You notice a dessert menu as you finish up your meal and settle on getting a to-go dessert for Hob as a little thank you for giving you your paycheck early. You select a slice of chocolate cake and thank the waitress for her recommendations and pack up to head back to the Inn.

You didn’t really have anything else planned for the day so you take your time enjoying the weather as you walk, taking the long way back past the park. You avoid what looks like a car accident by the park entrance; though you curiously eye a number of ambulances, before giving a quick once over of the crowd before continuing on. 

It’s 3pm by the time you arrive back at the Inn, fumbling with the door as you try to balance your bags as well as the dessert for Hob. Finally you manage to scoot the door open and you shuffle inside, you can see Hob on the far side of the Inn speaking with a man in all black who’s back is facing you.

Hob spots you over the man’s shoulder and grins waving you over; you return his smile but before you can take a step further his guest slowly turns to look at you…

It feels as though time stands still, or perhaps it’s your heart… you distantly hear the sound of the bags that were once in your hands falling to the floor.

It’s the man from your dream.