𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓭𝓶𝓪𝓷'𝓼 𝓓𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓶

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒑 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏

Twenty Six

1889

Morpheus and I were held back a little the night we were to meet Hob Gadling down the waking world. There was a fuss in the Dreaming and we had to fix it first before we went.

The Corinthian, one of Morpheus's newest nightmare, started a rebellion as it seems he no longer wishes to be a nightmare in our realm and expand the horrors he strives to inflict on others in the waking world as well.

It can't be allowed, so Morpheus dealt with it first. And I had to approach it gently afterward by simply talking to Corinthian whom I won over and become friends with by the end of our conversation. I left him with a promise to have tea with him when I get back.

It kept him at bay to retaliate against Morpheus and put a temporary end on his plan to wreak havoc anywhere.

So, due to all that, we arrived a bit late.

Nonetheless, we have come prepared in terms of our clothing - the usual suit and gown and the additional top hat for Morpheus and tiny barrettes made of ruby on my hair.

Also, we used a means of transportation humans use, a carriage, to blend in after the last century's accusation and encounter with Johanna Constantine.

🎶 The first I met a cornet was
In a regiment of dragoons
I gave him what he didn't like
And stole his silver spoons 🎶

It was the song being sung by a woman who's blocking the door of the pub when Morpheus and I exited the carriage.

He was the first to come out to offer a hand for me for guidance so he was the first the woman saw.

"Oh. You gave us a start, sir," She said, batting her lashes at Morpheus when we faced her as the carriage drove away. "For a second, I thought you was Bloody Jack hisself."

"No." Morpheus said sternly.

"No, I know that, sir. Just joshing ya." She chuckled and winked at me when our eyes met.

We kept our silence while she continued breaking it.

"So, how'd you like to buy a gal a dam of pale?" She said, looking Morpheus up and down. "And maybe a quick bum dance? Give us a hard drive with your cream stick."

"I think not." Morpheus said.

"All right. That's enough." I gently took her hand away from Morpheus's chest as she poke him in it.

She seemed aggravated by it as she pulled her hand away from me. "I bet you ain't got it in you, you skinny chickaleary."

"Lou!" A familiar voice came from the doorway and soon, the owner of it joined us at our spot. Hob, who was dressed in his fancy suit and had his hair neatly combed, tossed a coin to the woman who now tore her attention from Morpheus. "Get yourself a drink."

"Maybe just the one." Lou said, rushing her way in the pub, leaving us without looking back.

"Sorry about Lushing Lou." Hob said, facing us once we were alone.

"She did not do us any harm," I said, smiling at our friend. "But this dashing creature next to me caught her attention."

"Oh, and she failed. Clearly." Hob chuckled along with me.

Morpheus frowned and began making his way in, making Hob and I trail behind him while still snickering as silent as we could.

"Lushing Lou. Is that what they call her?" Morpheus asked when we saw Lou by the counter, ordering that drink Hob gave her the money to buy.