Cloud Hopping

She fell disoriented for a short while, like the ground had been turned upside down, then corrected once again. Once Cleo caught her bearings, she was staring at the whimsical pouflon once again. This time, without the filters of her mind, she noticed how the other pouflon shimmered like glitter, and the mist surrounding her did, too. Her third eye, perfectly split between her two runic colors, stared at her, unblinking.

Cleo realized she was back in her bedroom. She noticed her bag thrown across her bed, which was weird, because she could swear she’d taken it to class. Then again, Cleo couldn’t even be sure she’d really been to class that day. Everything had felt weird, anyways, and she couldn’t focus. Had that been a dream as well? So many thoughts went across her mind that Cleo almost forgot about the pouflon right in front of her, and slightly shook her head to try and clear it. 

The pouflon, from her part, just patiently waited with a calm expression for Cleo to break the silence. When the awkward moment came where Cleo realized this, she cleared her throat and stared at the other a little self-consciously. 

“Who are you?” She cautiously asked. There were many things she wanted to ask this pouflon, and, to be honest, she was a little afraid she’d just vanish into the air after a few inquiries, just like a djinn disappears after their master’s 3 wishes are spent. 

“My name is Dorothea.” The pouflon answer was simple and short. Her voice was surprisingly soft and jovial, contrary to what her appearance might indicate. Cleo even felt a little ashamed from judging a book by it’s cover, but that thought was easily forgotten once she realized Dorothea wasn’t speaking anymore, nor providing any explanations. She had only explained what she’d been questioned about, nothing more. 

“Um… Why did you appear in my dreams?” She continued. That was very relevant, too. If Cleo’s suspicions were right and her trip to school had, in fact, been a dream, then this Dorothea girl had already appeared in three of her dreams, consecutively. That was a suspicious amount, especially if she regarded the fact that she didn’t even know her in the first place. 

“That explanation is a little longer.” The hybrid chuckled, then calmly sat down. She did the same, sitting in front of Dorothea. It seemed Cleo had asked the right question, then. At this point, the longer the explanation, the better, as long as she could understand what was happening. Having dreams was a constant to her - but not like this, where she felt so real, and so influenced by the circumstances inside her own mind. She could obviously sense something was different, she just wanted to know the whys and the hows.  

“I tend to do this, sometimes.” Dorothea commented, pensive. “When I encounter somelon that I think has potential, I appear in their dreams, or even nightmares. It depends on what I happen to step into.” She explained. While she talked, Cleo noticed her teeth were sharp and serrated, like a shark’s. Then, the lighter pouflon looked like she realized something, and perked up in the middle of the other’s answer.

“Have we met before?!” Cleo asked, her brows furrowed. “I don’t remember seeing you anywhere.” 

“You haven’t the need to.” Dorothea observed. “The subconscious is a wonderful thing. You probably only met me from the corner of your vision, and didn’t even bat an eye. Even still, your mind is able to conserve the memories of the strangers you meet like a charm.” She smiled. 

“...What does that mean?” Cleo deadpanned. Either she was a little bit stupid, or this explanation wasn’t making a lot of sense. Maybe it was a little bit of both. 

Luckily, Dorothea just laughed. Her giggles were a melodical thing. 

“It means that I am not magical. I can only enter the dreams of those who’ve seen me before, even if they merely glanced at me, because their subconscious will keep my appearance.” She explained.

“So you can really get into somelon’s dreams like that?” Cleo inquired, her face full of wondrous curiosity. 

“I can. I can enter people’s dreams because I am a Dreamweaver.” She then made a pause, like she wanted to say something more but decided against it.

“Oh, yes, I’ve heard there’s people like that! How many of you are there?” Cleo beamed. 

 “We digress.” Dorothea decided. “When I appeared in your dream, at the cottage, do you remember what I said?” 

“Well…” Cleo looked at the wooden floor, musing. “I couldn’t understand most of what you said. But near the end, you did tell me to… Oh, yeah! You were telling me to answer the phone!” She recalled. 

“Not quite.” Dorothea shook her head. “I said it was ringing, and asked if you’d answer it’s call.” She corrected. 

“Isn’t that the same thing?” Cleo muttered. 

“No, it isn’t. It was a test, actually.” The hybrid clarified. “Callings come in many forms. What may appear mundane may actually be a test to your subconscious. Since the time when you’re most in touch with your subconsciousness is actually when you’re sleeping, there’s no better way for a calling to present itself. The decisions you make inside your dreams say a lot about you.” 

“What did I decide, then?” The cream-colored pouflon tilted her head. 

“Don’t you realize yet?” Dorothea said gently, with a smile. “You’re a Dreamweaver, Cleo.” She revealed. 

Cleo stood up, shouting “What?!” so loudly she was almost sure her father had heard her from downstairs. 

Dorothea just laughed again, then urged Cleo to sit once again with her hoof. Cleo obeyed, even if she was buzzing with energy. 

“All of these dreams you’ve been having, since the one about the cottage, were all tests. Since you answered your call, I could give you hints to guide you, but what you did and decided inside your own mind were not my doing.” She narrated. “The ursuki, the vespire and the pouflon were just elements that appeared inside your adventure. Your test, specifically, was to defeat them, in a situation where everything was put against you.” 

Cleo’s head was spinning, but she continued to listen.

“You successfully cleared your quest when you managed to stop your own fall and defeat your adversaries. It served to show that you were able to control your own destiny, even inside a dream.” Dorothea explained. “And for that, you were compensated with your affinity, much like my own. 

A few seconds went by in pure silence. Cleo looked deep in thought, her head hung low. Then, she lifted it and sighed loudly. 

“Thank you for your guidance, and for choosing me as well.” She thanked Dorothea, then bowed a little bit. The dark pouflon smiled. It came to Cleo’s mind to ask something else.

“Did you have to do something like this, too, when you became a Dreamweaver?” She asked. 

“Yes, although it was presented in a completely different way to me.” Dorothea nodded. “No other Dreamweaver appeared to guide me, I just traversed the dream on my own. But that’s my own story.” She smiled. “Let’s focus on you.” 

“You are now able to enter others' dreams, just like I am. What you wish to do with your new acquired power is beyond me, but I trust you’ll use it wisely, as it is a rare gift conceded to few.” Dorothea advised. The cream-colored pouflon nodded, a little less agitated now that she’d gotten most of the explanations. She took a few moments to think about her newfound power, and all the possibilities it incurred. Then, something came to her mind. 

“Am I even awake right now?” She questioned, her tone a bit suspicious. After so many successive dreams, it was hard to grasp her own reality. 

Dorothea smirked, unexpectedly looking very mischievous. “Do you wish to be?” 

“I think I’d like to spend a little time awake - for real, this time.” She frowned, but her tone was playful. The dragon pouflon smiled, and suddenly, Cleo was under her covers once more, feeling the light breeze of early morning ruffle her undone hair.