The invader started waving her hands and rearranging the square they stood in. Two thrones, one purple and one chock full of clock, coalesced from the dream stuff. Trey understood that to be a later step in a relationship when one partner moved in with another. Was this Isobel setting up permanent residence inside his Awakened mind? He had never fully considered a tryst with a Living.
A permanent one anyway. Their ways of thinking were just so alien that it probably wouldn't work out. Although rumor had it some were into that sort of thing.
"Sit Trey, I have an offer for you."
Surprised to be given orders in his own sanctum, the Awakened played off the delay as admiring her handiwork of the temporal throne. Trey added a few more springs for comfort before scooching onto it. He then looked to the conjured assortment of confections and fruits. It was possible for him to ingest, and he had done so on a few occasions. His design wasn't well designed for such things. Preserves seemed to, well,...jam...up his works. This was all a dream though, so the automaton could self-actualize and consume without consequence. He plucked a cream puff off a croquembouche tower, visually analyzed the spun sugar coating it, and then put it in his mouth. His face betrayed surprise at the very different experience of eating one here versus one in the Waking World. "Fascinating. I'm used to more of an analytical sense of taste: breaking it down to its fundamental elements and then extrapolating the chemistry involved in its creation and how it would affect the receptors. But now I'm getting an....emotional...connection. I can tell it's not one of mine though."
"As you may not know, the current Head Architect is planning on retiring. As Grand Magus, it is up to me to appoint a new one. I'm sure the Magisters have a list as long as I am tall of candidates they deem worthy of such a role but I am looking for someone with fresh eyes, a new outlook. I am the first Unicorn Grand Magus and I don't see why the firsts should end with me."
"Word has made it down to my office. Rumor also has it that the Head's been grooming Shav'ala to take the reins. I've never met him, but he seems competent. But I take it you're looking for something other than just competent. If you're implying what I think you are, then I must I admit I am curious as to why I'm your short list. Flattered as I am, I'm not interested in being the first Awakened Head just to be a political poster child and pawn."
During this moment of openness, one of the bell strikers approached with a gold serving tray instead of its customary hammer. It bent over to present an antique brass key to the Grand Magus. A counterpart countered to present one to Trey as well. He unbuttoned the top of his shirt to reveal a keyhole where a Living's sternum and heart would be. He placed the key inside and gave it a few turns, but not too much that his dream-self would forget to snap awake. If Isobel followed suit, it would feel as though she had just consumed a cup of coffee.