My joints ache that distinctive way informing me I had some wrenching fits in my sleep again. Not too long ago judging by the nail imprints still sore in my palm.
Whatever.
I dreamed… a scenario. Something that really could happen in the Waking. There was nothing to tell me it was a dream. Nothing to tell me I was not captive. Nothing out of place to jar me from the stupor.
Only the dullness that comes with being broken.
Until I looked up, and saw a man leaning against a prop in the scenario. He was leaning back, arms crossed, enjoying seeing me undone. I knew at once who he is, and his smirk lit a focused anger that broke the scene’s enchantment.
Horatio.
I jerked away from the scene’s master and stormed to Horatio, fledging out in the process. When I reached him, he lost the smirk, stood up, formally bowed, and greeted me.
“Master. It is good to see you returned to yourself.”
I turned to look back at the other in the scene. Ke was looking around as to kir, I suddenly disappeared. The world was still very right. There was still nothing out of place to tell me I’m dreaming. Except the trinket-bound spirit was standing next to me with warm flesh & blood.
“Did you come to watch my humiliation, Horatio? To see me leashed as I have leashed you?”
“No, Master. But I did enjoy that.” He had more mirth in his voice than I cared for.
“Then why are you here, Horatio?” I felt lingering tendrils of the now impotent scene. I pulled them off my shoulders as he answered.
Horatio’s voice lost the gaiety it bore a few seconds ago. “Because this bastard will not stop trying. And I couldn’t hear you suddenly. So I came to see if I needed to break things.” He looked at me with a severe face. “Because you are my master, and it is my duty to serve you. And that means fucking with any that would fuck with you.”
He looks back at kir and laughs. “But this guy? I don’t need to do a damn thing. You have to get over your fears yourself, Master.” He leans back against the prop and crosses his arms.
I’m not going to admit to Horatio, just by showing himself visible, he broke the enchantment. But I think he knew he would have that reaction anyway. I put the feathers away and leaned against the prop with him.
“So, what now, Master?”
“Now I leave my fears behind, Horatio. Let’s find something else more fun to do.”
Horatio tried to lead the way out of the scene. But I wasn’t going to let him ride high for long. I grabbed his human form and snapped his body like a towel. I reformed his appearance to the trinket and hung him off my belt.
“Hey! What gives! … Master!”
“Just a reminder, [Horatio]. No matter what my other problems are, or how you help me, you are still my bound servant. I am still your master. I thank you for, and appreciate your ‘interference’ tonight. But do not mistake my weaknesses for areas where you may rule over me. I’m Alpha Bitch here.”
Horatio did not answer right away. “Yes, Master.” But when he did, did I hear a hint of pride?
I left the scene, and my fears, behind. The collapsing darkness brightened into day.
Good morning. Time for coffee.