Who: Setsuna and DREAM What: Date Night Where: Red Pepper When: the other evening Warning: Excessive adorableness. Status: Completed GDoc
Per Death's suggestion, Dream had asked Setsuna out to dinner at the Red Pepper. She had accepted, of course. He was well aware that she enjoyed spending time with him, just as he enjoyed spending time with her. Sure, he wasn't always the one who suggested they go out and do things - something that he was trying to change, even if he wasn't a big fan of change, but he did enjoy spending time with Setsuna. He enjoyed quite a lot, more than he'd like to admit, actually.
It was nearing eight o' clock, which some might consider it to be running late. But since Dream could just simply change his appearance and clothes and teleport, there wasn't no need to be in any rush. He just pictured it and he was in a nice black suit in a second, then he was beside Setsuna a moment later.
"Evening," he greeted her with a small smile. "Are you ready?"
Setsuna had to resist the urge to slow time so she could get ready. Her hair took forever but she'd piled it up into braids tonight. She had on a shorter black dress that made her eyes stand out, among other things. She felt lovely in it.
“I am ready, my dear.” She liked him when he was being different, she liked him anyway really, but this was like new and it was exciting. We didn't say she lived an adventurous life here.
“I'm looking forward to this, you know.”
Dream wasn't a big fan of change. Most of the time, he'd rather things stay the same. But every once in awhile, he decided maybe doing something a little different wouldn't hurt. Especially when it came to Setsuna. There was something about her, something comforting, that made him think maybe change isn't so bad.
"You look beautiful, as always," he told her. She always look beautiful, he couldn't ever remember a time when she wasn't. She could be just waking up, her hair a complete mess, and she'd still look amazing to him. Tonight, though, she was exceptionally stunning.
"As am I," he nodded and held his arm out to her. Once she'd taken it, they were suddenly in front of the Red Pepper.
Setsuna was almost as bad as he was about change but sometimes she found it rather pleasing. She was incredibly thankful for their time in the Old West. It has given her courage to press him a little. It had led to good things.
Maroon eyes glinted as he spoke. She found herself unable to get tired of hearing it. No one had ever told her that she was beautiful before, and she was sure somedays her hair made her look more like a monster in the morning, there was an awful lot. She blushed a little as she took his arm.
“I do enjoy that.” She said with a smirk, fingers resting on his arm, comfortable. She was relaxed with him, it was nice. “Thank you.” Setsuna got the door, grinning.
Dream was glad that she understood his feelings and thoughts towards change. She understood it more than anyone, even Death. But she also understood that sometimes change wasn't always bad. That wonderful things could happen. Dream was still trying to deal with that. It was slow going, but luckily, Setsuna was quite patient with him.
"It is quite more convenient than walking, hm?" He certainly thought so. It was just one of the many perks of being an Endless - instant transportation. "Of course," he smiled as they headed inside. He had made reservations earlier on and the hostess lead the way to their table, where he pulled out the chair for Setsuna before sitting down across from her.
"Have you ever been here before?" he asked as he took the menu and glanced at it.
His sister knew him and was a pain for a good reason. Setsuna pushed far more gently than Death did. She knew how scary it could be to make changes when you never really had to before.
But she shall had the patience of a saint.
“It really is. Not that I mind walking, but this is easier.” She sat down and tucked herself into place, part of her was amused they were eating out, he didn't have to eat and she tended to eat far less than most.
“I haven't, actually. I've been getting most of my meals from the tea shop before work.” She smiled a little.
"Sometimes walking is better. Perhaps we can take a walk after dinner," he suggested. "Or maybe tonight in your dreams." Walking in dreams were always a good time, in his opinion. Also he could make it as amazing as possible since he could manipulate dreams to his liking. But if she'd rather just walk straight after dinner, he didn't mind that either. As long as he was with her, he did not care much what they did or where they did things.
No, they didn't need food like most people. But Death had suggested they go out and while he usually ignored her, this time seemed different somehow. He couldn't quite figure out why, which annoyed him slightly because he liked knowing things, but he trusted his sister. "I haven't either, but I hear good things about this place." At least, Death seemed to think it's a good place to go to.
"I'm curious. What's it like to work?" he asked. Sure, he did have his duties in the Dreaming, but he was sure it wasn't quite the same as having a normal job.
She paused for a moment, then gave him a warm smile, “Oh I think I wouldn't mind a walk after dinner. Have you ever really paid attention to the skies at night - not the ones you can change?” She looked thoughtful.
Somewhere Death was giggling, but Setsuna was happy he'd listened to his sister. This was sweet, and she liked it. “I think if it were bad, people would say so and loudly if some of our fellow refugees are to be paid attention to.”
She looked at her menu, deciding, before she answered, “it is a long day - at the University I help foster the love of science, at the tea shop I teach people about tea types and they both make me feel accomplished with my day. It is not easy work, but I like being busy.”
Dream have to pause for a moment, thinking about her question. "I think I had at one point, a long time ago. But I haven't really paid attention to it since," he told her after a few moments of silence. A long time ago seemed like a few years ago to him, but it was probably way more years than that.
He had a feeling his sister was quite amused, but he decided to just ignore her and focus more on Setsuna. "I suppose you're right. Some of them can be really opinionated." And certainly not afraid of voicing their opinions, no matter how unconventional they are.
He had only skimmed the menu but that was all he needed to do. He had his order ready by the time their waitress came to take them. Once she left, he turned back to Setsuna. "I enjoy being busy too, as I'm sure you already know. Both Death and Delirium have told me I need to relax and have fun, but I'm not even sure if I am able to." He just always preferred working and it was strange for him not to work. He could try take a small break, even just for an hour, but he always ended up doing something.
She nodded, “I figured. Then we’ll take a walk and see the stars. The real ones.” Setsuna liked making him do things he wasn’t used to doing. It made her feel good to know he was really willing to do things for her. With her. It was nice, really.
“Certainly so.” she laughed a little, “I am sometimes melancholy for Pluto where I don’t need to deal with any of that.”
Setsuna smiled, “I know and you do. But we do have fun, and your idea of relaxing is a lot different than theirs. If I can get you to sit back in the Dreaming for a little while and not be actively running around it, I count it as a win.” she smiled.
"After dinner, then," Dream decided. Perhaps she was right, maybe he should see the real stars more often. Being one of the Endless meant sometimes he never paid attention to things and took things like the stars for granted.
"Pluto is definitely nice and quiet." Which meant it was one of his favorite places. Really, any place where it was quiet was his favorite, but Pluto more so now that he had met Setsuna.
"Too bad they don't understand that." Death maybe could a little, but she still tried to get him to relax more. And Delirium? She certainly didn't understand at all. But Setsuna did and that was all that mattered to him. "You have done that a couple times, haven't you?" He hadn't liked it at first, kept getting restless and wanting to get back to his duties, but now he was able to sit back for five minutes or so.
Setsuna had learned to take in all the details but she didn't have much to do beyond mind the border, guard the Time Care, which really no one came to. She watched humanity and space, a lot.
“Being on the edge of the solar systems helps, I think.” Her eyes glittered as she laughed, she liked it though, far from everyone. It was lonely but peaceful.
A mischievous smile curled her lips, “I believe the record rooms was a half hour. I'm terribly proud of that fact.” She said with a gently teasing tone of voice.
"I'm sure it does." Either way, Pluto was a nice and quiet place that he enjoyed visiting once in awhile. Which for him, was like once every thousand years or so.
"As well you should be. That's the longest anyone has ever gotten me to not check on how things are in the Dreaming." Not even Death had been able to do that and Dream trusted her more than anyone in the world. But then Setsuna came along and while he couldn't say he felt completely relaxed around her, he certainly did more than anyone else. "Are you going to try and break that record sometime?" She probably could, though half an hour had been a bit long for him.
She leaned one elbow on the table, cupping her cheek in her fingers, looking at him with a smile. “If I told you that you'll be on guard. “ she teased sitting back as their food arrived.
She offered him a smile far was one part mischievous, one part sweet. “I'm still really proud that I got you to relax that much.” Her lips curled as she had an idea.
Dream was about to respond that no, he wouldn't, but who was he kidding? He'd be on high alert if she told him. Hell, he was kind of on guard now that she mentioned it. But all the same, he wasn't as much as he thought he would be. Not when it was Setsuna. She just have a way of calming him. Not a lot but it was something. Definitely more than anyone had before.
"I suppose so," he replied simply, pausing as the waitress came with the food and set their plates on the table. Dream took a bite and, although he didn't need to eat, the food was quite tasty. "I'm sure you'll be proud of that for a long time." For how long, who knows. Probably until she got him to relax for longer, if he had to guess.
Setsuna only smiled sweetly as she started working on her dinner, she didn’t dignify that with an answer. He was right, of course, she would be proud of that for awhile, including when she best that record. It was almost a goal of hers to get him out of the Dreaming and working for longer than an hour.
She savored the food, happy because it was a nice break. “I am wondering, perhaps, if you have ever thought about hobbies other than working and so on.” she teased gently. She was amused, and liked teasing him.
An hour? Okay, that was way too long to not check up on the Dreaming. Half an hour had been plenty long enough, in his opinion. But if she could manage to do that - and a small part of him wouldn't be too surprised if she did - then it would be nothing short of a miracle.
He sipped his drink and pretty much missed the teasing. "Obviously, I have not," he replied. "I'm not even sure what kind of hobbies there are for someone like me."
Setsuna smiled gently, “I was teasing, but yes, you really should - I know your job is to pay attention to everything, but even I had things to keep me busy while I watched.” she pointed the fork at him. “It’s good to expand especially here. And don’t tell me you can’t be mindful of two things at once because I can almost guarantee you’ve got some sense of what’s going on in the Dreaming right now.”
She arched a brow daring hjim to tell her she was wrong.
Setsuna could be ruthless.
Ah, right. She was only teasing. He should've known that by now, but most of time, Dream just didn't catch those kinds of things. Not even with Death or Setsuna, though he wasn't as bad with them as he was with others. With others, he didn't noticed any joking or teasing at all.
And yes, she was completely right - he could sense what was going on in the Dreaming at this very moment. It was running good, as always, but even so, he kept an eye on it at the same time as he was conversing and having dinner with Setsuna. It wasn't the first time he'd done such a thing.
He didn't say anything, just chewed on his food for a moment. "What sort of hobbies would you suggest then?" he asked after a few moments.
Setsuna didn’t push, of course, but she only smiled knowingly. Knowing that he’d checked himself and she was proven right. It didn’t matter to her, she knew she was. She set her fork down after a moment and sat back in her chair, looking at him from over the top of her glass.
“Painting.” she after a moment, “though knowing you you would be the worst critic of your own work because it wouldn’t match anything you’ve seen in the dreaming.” she said after a moment.
Painting, huh? While he'd been there for the inspiration of some of the world's most renowned paintings in all of history, he'd never really painted anything himself. Why, he wasn't sure. He never really thought about it. Maybe it was for the exact reason that Setsuna had just mentioned, maybe it was for another reason. He felt like she was more right, though, even if he didn't want to admit it.
"I'm beginning to think you know me more than I know myself." Which he usually didn't like, but he found he didn't mind as much if it was her. "I suppose I could at least give it a try."
Setsuna broke into a warm smile - “Why, I would never my dear.” she tried for innocence, smiling a bit more as she laughed gently, “But I do have a good idea about you. I’ve learned just by watching just like you have.” she said as she sipped from her glass.
She knew he had been the inspiration for so many different works but she had a feeling he’d never really created something for himself. “I think it would be good to try, don’t you?” she nodded at him as she set her glass aside.
This time, Dream caught on and didn't believe the innocent act for a minute. He'd been right when she laughed and even if he didn't look amused, he did like hearing her laugh. And seeing her smile. "I see. I guess you're a lot more perceptive than I gave you credit for," he replied as he ate the last few bites of his meal.
"I won't know until I try," he pointed out. There was also a bit of his drink left and he finished that off quickly as well. "I'm done if you are."
She set her silverware down on the empty plate and smiled at him. “I am. It is my job, don’t you know?” she said with a smile as she lifted the napkin to dab at her lips, drying off any residual food.
“No, you won’t but I think it’ll be worth it for you. Who knows, you might be really good at it.” she gave him a supportive smile. “Yes, I am done.” Setsuna enjoyed him being game to try something new, it was an accomplishment.