#herbal scrub

[storialtalks]

OLEHENRIKSEN Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub

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Which skin type is it good for? ✔ Oily ✔ Combination

What it is: A dual-action warming and cooling pore-refining facial scrub with glycolic and lactic acids to deeply purify pores, absorb excess oil, and leave skin soft, smooth, and healthy-looking.

Solutions for: - Oiliness - Pores - Dullness and uneven texture

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[lunasapphire]

What I did over the two day break from my phone/social Media💫

self care at its finest✨

[y2kbeautyandother2000sstuff]

Avon Planet Spa Secrets of India Herbal Body Scrub

2003-2005

Found on Ebay, user steadfastselections

[wallflowerglitter]

Lush Herbalism, Dream Time Bath Oil, Santa Baby Lip Scrub, Mistletoe Bath Bomb, Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb, Golden Wonder Bath Bomb, Autumn Leaf Bath Bomb

[beautycaretips]

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[artofvedasde]

[osheaherbals-blog]

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[skincareproducts850]

 Tan Removal Orange Face Scrub In Pakistan

[goldenskincarenz]

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[naturenova-herbals]

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[dermaorganicsblog]

Investigating Natural Dark Spot Correctors: How Your Skin Can Heal and Renew Itself

A remarkable tissue in our body, the skin has the ability to heal and regenerate on its own. It fights against outside aggressors, sustains scars, and deals with the normal wear and tear of daily activities throughout our lives. However, as part of its defense against ultraviolet rays, pollutants, and other harmful agents, the skin may produce hyperpigmentation or dark spots. Fortunately, nature provides a variety of ingredients that work as natural dark spot correctors. Licorice root, vitamin C, niacinamide, and turmeric all have skin-lightening properties that can help even out skin tone and lessen the visibility of these dark spots. These natural correctors not only deal with the immediate issue but also hydrate and nourish the skin, improving its general health. 

1)Acne-fighting herbal soap:

Herbal soap for acne has grown in appeal due to its all-natural treatment for those suffering from acne. This botanical solution harnesses nature's power to gently combat breakouts and nourish the skin. Acne requires treatment that not only addresses the underlying cause but also does so without raising the condition. Acne tends to come on from an excess of oil, the formation of bacteria, and inflammation in the skin's pores. 

Herbal soaps for acne offer a gentle yet efficient solution as they are infused with the goodness of nature. Acne-causing bacteria can be targeted with ingredients such as tea tree oil, which is well known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem, a highly regarded herb in conventional medicine, has antimicrobial properties that may lessen acne outbreaks. In addition to soothing inflamed skin, lavender's calming properties also give it a relaxing aroma.

2)Use the natural remedy:  

The honey lemon sugar face scrub is a natural, do-it-yourself beauty guide that has gained demand for all of its benefits. First of all, honey draws moisture into the skin naturally, acting as a moisturizer to keep it hydrated and soft. Acne can be lessened, and future outbreaks can be avoided due to its natural antibacterial properties. Lemon, which is high in vitamin C, acts as a natural brightener by reducing the appearance of dark spots, balancing skin tone, and enhancing the production of collagen.

You can hydrate your skin and achieve smooth, clear skin by using lemon, sugar, and honey. It works as a healthy component that is natural. These three ingredients work together to exfoliate and nourish the skin, resulting in supple, radiant skin. These honey lemon sugar face scrub and organic, chemical-free solutions work in concert to lighten dark spots while also nourishing and reviving the skin's overall health.

A skin-sensitive and safe solution to uneven skin tone, a natural dark spot corrector, is becoming ever more well-known. The use of natural remedies in skincare products highlights the essential connection between using these remedies and achieving radiant, general skin health. The skin has a natural ability to renew and restore itself to a more radiant state; all one needs to do is harness the power of these ingredients.

[sidewalkchemistry]

Peony Sugar Scrub

[pinkcharmette]

𝜗𝜚 my extensive morning routine - for the girlies who need their alone time ,, especially before a hectic day ++ free printable !!

drink water

this is an absolute game-changer ! bonus if its warm or room temperature, really gets the metabolism going as well as soothes your throat !!

make your bed

this makes my room look MUCH neater, and gives me peace of mind + incentive not to get back under the covers and doze off again TT

meditation

another thing that calms me down greatly and gets me focused and set for the day, i really recommend lavendaire, her meditations are top-tier and she has several lengths to pick from

morning yoga

debloat yoga or stretching is a must for me, it helps aid my digestion as well as reduce bloating in the morning.

exercise

i like to do either shirlyn kim, april han, chloe ting or momomi workouts in the morning ending with a hinafit's full body stretch that's twenty minutes long. i use chloe ting's workouts as cardio mostly and then a set of targeted hiit from momomi and relaxing pilates from shirlyn kim and april han.

i am also trying to go on walks in the morning as well TT

skincare + dental care

my skincare routine in the morning is cleanser + toner + hydrogel + sunscreen + matte sunstick + lip balm and my dental care routine is herbal toothpaste + fluoride toothpaste + mouthwash. i wash my hands between and before/after steps.

shower routine

i use a pumice stone and sugar scrub in the shower to exfoliate along w baby soap and shower gel to clean up. i apply three layers of moisturizer + coconut oil on getting out !!

reading

in the mornings, i like to either annotate classics or read my weekly self-help book or just read educational nonfiction and take notes in my commonplace journal about them.

journalling

i fill out five affirmations, five things i'm grateful for as well as my intentions for the day. i also write down what would make my day great, as well as habits to focus on (at least three)

planning

i plan w/ my planners, notebook and wall calendar spread as well as notion and a habit app, as well as google sheets.

that wraps up this post, and here is the printable checklist spanning four days

[suntoru]

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ “YOU… CAN’T WALK?” *ੈ✩‧₊˚

summary: after a night of… suspicious activities, you find that your body is rendered useless!! how does your boyfriend react??

feat. diluc ragnvindr, kaeya alberich, childe, kazuha kaedehara, scaramouche, xiao, ayato, al-haitham, kaveh

a/n: blue balled </3

warnings: heavily suggestive however no explicit smut, minors get tf out /lh <33, innuendos, fluff, mentions of “girlie” in childe’s, basically after aftercare

─ ✰ DILUC is highkey embarrassed about not being able to resist his urges, so much so that you’re in pain because of him. he apologizes profusely and is so guilty that he hurt you 😭😭 you’ll have to reassure him that you’re alright, but that you just need some extra help getting around today or for the next week. he’ll be your majestic horse for as long as you need him to. need to go to the bathroom? he’ll carry you to and from, waiting for you to be done outside of the door. hungry? he’s already got adelinde cooking something up for you. thirsty? he just bought thirty different flavours of herbal tea. he treats all the love bites he’s given you and iced the bruises on your legs, looking up for your reaction each time. a friend of yours asked why your legs were so shaky and you couldn’t walk, and his face exploded into a bright shade of red, making it obvious that your… nighttime activities were the cause.

─ ✰ KAEYA’S your knight in shining armour, although sometimes you may want to smack his head. oh, he’ll help you alright, but at the cost of your dignity. he’s carrying you bridal-style in his arms, which may sound wholesome, but the things he’s whispering in your ear are clearly not. turning bright red, you nuzzle your head further in his chest to prevent him from looking at you. cute. he chuckles at your reaction, pressing a soft kiss to your head before gently placing you in the bath. the warm water helps your muscles relax more, easing up the tension from your legs. you sigh in relief, sinking further into the bathtub as he scrubs the soap out of your hair. you shiver when he blows over your hickeys, deliberately trying to rile you up. this time, you won’t give him what he wants, though. you flip over on your side, turning away from him with what little self-respect you have left. but it all leaves your body when he leans in closer. “easy there princess, being a brat is what got you here in the first place.”

─ ✰ CHILDE, quite like his name suggests, is a literal child. you thought kaeya was bad? well, this giant man baby wants you to flaunt off your hickeys and bruises to the whole world, he wants everyone to know you’re his and his alone. his teasing is x10000 times stronger than normal, he has no basic decency 💀💀 will make you ask for his help to inflate his ego, at this point just get up and leave </3 when you try to angrily glare at him, it comes off as more of a sad pout, so he caves and scoops you up in his arms like a kid. “aww, is my favourite baby coochie coo girlie okay? don’t worry, daddy’s here-” please smack the living shit out of him, if you don’t he’ll continue to baby and coo at you for the rest of the day. don’t even try to complain to him about the marks, he’ll just add more until he’s satisfied 😬 oh, and one last piece of advice? don’t let him see you in his shirt unless you’re looking to get wrecked (again), he’ll go absolutely feral.

─ ✰ KAZUHA, let’s be real, would be so soft and loving that you wouldn’t have any bruises and i stand this with my life 😤 but for the purpose of the plot, let’s pretend he did. out of everyone, he’s the most delicate with you. he’s so gentle and careful carrying you like you could break at any moment, whispering one of his poems quietly and humming underneath his breath. if you’re hungry, he makes his specialty dish, spoon feeds you everything, even tipping the water cup up so you can drink from it. he gives you so much love and reassurance it makes your heart absolutely melt 🥺🥺 he kisses each mark he made on your body, whispering “beautiful” each time :,) a tear slips by your eye, never has anyone treated you with such care before him. he wipes it away and pulls you close, making sure not to hurt you accidentally, and utters endless sweet nothings. in his eyes, you are a perfect creation, and he can’t thank the heavens enough that you are his. his muse, his love, forever <3.

─ ✰ SCARAMOUCHE, this bitch, thinks you’re being dramatic when you say in a scratchy voice that you can’t walk. he tells you to just get over it, and when you get pissed and try to walk away from him, your legs fail you and you brace yourself for the impact, but it never comes. his arms are hooked above yours, effectively saving you from crashing down and causing further damage. you angrily yank your arm back, telling him to leave, but he only pulls you up closer into his arms. he wraps your legs around his hips as he holds your waist, cursing something under his breath. he places you onto the couch as you turn away from him in a huff. “are you just going to ignore me?” silence. “fine. be like that then.” silence again. “…i’m …sorry. i didn’t mean it.” you turn back around, and he’s squatting on the ground with his head twisted so you can’t see his face. he moves away quickly, flustered by your gaze, and leaves the room for a minute. when he comes back, he’s holding some warm tea for your throat. needless to say, he pampers you for the rest of the day.

─ ✰ XIAO thinks you’re seriously ill when you almost tumble out of bed and land smack dab on the floor. you’ll have to explain to him why your legs aren’t exactly working, and when he does… flustered beyond relief. when he takes a closer look at you, he notices your body is full of love marks and bruises around your thighs. in the moment, he may have forgotten how fragile humans could be. he thinks he’s broken you, and he’s genuinely concerned for you 💀 you might have to direct him on how to help you, but once he gets the hang of it, he’ll do the best he can. unlike how he wields his spear, he’s delicate and graceful. he might be rough around the edges, but he’s trying, and you don’t have the heart to tell him that you don’t need him to carry you for the rest of your life, not when he cocks his head and looks at you questioningly when you don’t climb on his back. as an apology for temporarily immobilizing you, he brings you a qingxing flower and shares his almond tofu with you. honestly, what more could you ask for 😻?

─ ✰ AYATO is actual husband material <33 he’s already prepared for this for some reason 🤨 as soon as you wake up, any punishments you may have received have been treated and wrapped up carefully. a fresh pitcher of water is there for you, and by the looks of it, a bath is running. but none of it interests you if ayato isn’t there with you. carefully, with the help of thoma, you are able to wobble to the room ayato is in, concentrated on his paperwork. hobbling towards him, he pushes his chair back so you can sit on his lap. pressing a kiss to your cheek, he brushes the hair out of your face, “darling, you should be resting. i ran a bath for you, is everything okay? are you sore anywhere?” “can you come join me? please?” you beg, putting on the cutest pout you can manage. “if you can wait ten minutes until i’m done.” internally, you sigh, but you patiently sit on his lap and wait until he’s finished. ah, but don’t worry, the reward is definitely worth it. he kneads through all the sore spots, applies all your skincare, and changes your clothes. later, you do matching face masks 💗

─ ✰ AL-HAITHAM was probably prepared for this, he read hundreds of books about human reproduction 💀 he notes all the side effects you seem to have: a scratchy throat, unstable legs, exhaustion… he saves it for the next time you have… physical activities. he remembers an article he read on how to take care of your significant other after intercourse, and follows that. he makes homemade soup to soothe your throat, which he watches over you as you drink. he also forces you to take naps, he’ll read “the control politicians have over our daily lives” just to make you fall asleep. he’ll get your groceries, take out your trash, and do your work so you can focus on relaxing, all with a stoic face. if anyone asks him where you are, he’ll just give an obvious lie with a straight face 💀💀 “y/n is out collecting a census right now.” “but they told me they were sick?” normally his lies are flawless, but when it’s about you… his mind doesn’t function properly. but if you absolutely need to get somewhere, you’re going to have to ask him. last time, he locked kaveh out of the dorm for 48 hours for helping you get a book from the library because he fell asleep 💀

─ ✰ KAVEH’S face is the first thing you see when you wake up. jumpscare warning sir he’s hovering over you, observing your face. immediately after he sees that you are awake comes the barrage of questions. “my love, are you all right? i wasn’t too rough, was i?” he’s such a simp i could never see him being rough he dramatically gasps when he sees your shaky legs, pretending to be shocked, but he’s slightly happy that this means you’ll have to cling onto him for the whole day. but oh my, both of you still have work!! whatever shall you do? it seems like the only solution is for him to take you everywhere… he proudly parades you around the akademiya, much to the embarrassment of you. but there’s nothing you can really do, not when you can’t run away, so you bury your head in his back to avoid the judging gazes of the other scholars. kaveh shoots a smug grin to an uncaring al haitham, who probably knows and heard everything from last night💀💀

©hawkssimpsblog 2023. do not copy, repost, or translate any of my works on any platform.

[beautycaretips]

Embrace Luxurious Pampering with Hempz Herbal Body Wash!

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[honeybeezgobzzzzz]

𓅨 How to Unintentionally, Get An Endless To Marry You: Chapter Two

How to Unintentionally, Get An Endless To Marry You: After saving a strange man from a fishbowl cage, you earn yourself a favor. When you cash in said favor, you don’t realize that you and the man aren’t on the same page on what you need from him.

Warnings: None.

To Note: Morpheus x Afab!Reader

Word Count: ~2.7k

Previous | Masterlist | Next

You walk through grand hallways, Matthew perched on your shoulder. The palace staff meet you at the entrance of the baths. Two women in flowing, ethereal gowns greet you with picture perfect smiles. Is everyone in this place inhumanely beautiful? They are making you feel self conscious!

"Welcome," says one, her voice like a soft lullaby. "We are here to help you relax and unwind." Oh really? How are you supposed to unwind when you feel every bit self conscious as you look?

The other gestures toward a large door that opens with a quiet whoosh, revealing a sprawling bathhouse filled with steaming pools, intricate mosaics, and soft, ambient light. The scent of lavender and eucalyptus wafts through the air. Okay, perhaps you can relax, this is a spa on steroids.

"This way," one of the maids says, leading you to a changing area. "We’ve prepared everything for you."

You nod and as Matthew takes off, you follow her, taking in the opulence around you. Slipping into the robe they provide, You run your hands over the softest material you have ever felt, and are then guided to one of the pools. You put on this heavenly robe only to have to take it off? Oh well, you’ll snuggle with it after your bath. So grudgingly removing the heavenly robe, you step into the warm water and instantly feel your muscles relax. You would kill to have your baths feel like this every time.

One of the maids brings over a tray with various oils and scrubs. "Would you like to try our special blend?" she asks, holding up a small vial that sparkles under the soft light. They glimmer with what looks like stardust. Given how this realm seems to run, you don’t doubt that they are stardust.

“Okay,” you respond, you eyes trailing the sparkles within the vial. They begin to massage the oil into your skin as another maid starts humming a tune that makes goosebumps ripple over your skin.

"You must have many questions," a maids asks as she kneads your shoulders. Wowza, free massage? You want to think that this might be a little too much, but at the same time, you are melting into the tub in a puddle of bliss.

"Yeah," you sigh, your mind struggling to keep itself together and not turn into mush like the rest of your body. "I don't really know much about Morpheus and I really don't know anything about this realm. What’s it like working here?" Or just being here in general?

"Oh, it's quite an honor," she responds with a bright smile. "We’re dreams and nightmares given form, serving in Lord Morpheus’ palace is a privilege."

"And everyone here is... happy?" you ask hesitantly.

"Mostly," she says thoughtfully. "There are always challenges, especially since Lord Morpheus returned. There have been many changes to the realm, and our work. But we take pride in what we do.”

"It’s not just work for us; it’s our purpose. Helping dreams take shape or ensuring nightmares don’t go too far." Another maid piped up with an equally glowing smile. So everyone here is annoyingly beautiful…

"So," you say as another maid hands you a cup of herbal tea, "do all dreams serve Morpheus?"

"Some do," one answers while combing your hair gently. "But others wander freely across realms. We prefer to stay close; it’s more stable here. Our jobs are grounded within the Dreaming. Dreams seldom thrive in the Waking.”

“What about nightmares?” You broach, noting that they only seem to speak of dreams. The maids pause and share a brief look before returning to what they are doing.

“Nightmares thrive, however it is not their place to exist within the Waking World.” You can sense an undertone of apprehension and something left unsaid about Nightmares, so you don’t push the topic and sip the tea. It tastes like liquid sunlight, and you have no idea why you think it does so. At the very least, it is everything you need with your mother breathing down your back.

"Thank you," you say quietly. "This has been... amazing. I really needed a time out from my life.”

The maids exchange knowing smiles as they continue their work, creating an experience so luxurious it feels like drifting through a dream within a dream.

A maid begins to comb through your hair with delicate fingers, untangling knots with barely a hint of tugging. The sensation is almost hypnotic, each stroke of the comb sending ripples of relaxation down your spine. Your eyes flutter shut, the warmth of the bathwater lulling you into a state of near-dream. You don’t care about the inception-like vibes this is giving you, you just want to be at peace!

After what feels like an eternity of bliss, the maids help you out of the bath. They wrap you in that heavenly robe once more and you practically melt all over again as it slides against your skin. One of them gathers your now silky-smooth hair and wraps it in another soft towel.

"This way," one of them gestures, leading you through another door. You follow her into a room adorned with mirrors and soft lighting, where an array of elegant gowns awaits. You blink at them an nearly come to a screeching halt in your steps.

"We've selected some outfits for you," she says with sparkling eyes, motioning toward the dresses. "Lord Morpheus thought you might appreciate something special, but close to home."

Close to… home? You’ve never worn anything like that in your entire life! But you want to be a good guest so you keep your mouth shut and walk over to the dresses. When your fingers brush against the luxurious fabrics—silk, velvet, satin—your eye twitches and you wonder how much even one of these dresses cost. Each gown is more stunning than the last!

Another maid steps forward with a smile. "May I help you choose?"

“That would probably be for the best,” you reply, slightly overwhelmed by the choices and the sinking feeling that the gemstones embedded in fabric aren’t costume.

She picks up a gown made of deep blue silk that seems to ripple like water as she holds it up. "This would complement you beautifully."

You nod, entranced by the fabric's fluidity. “Okay, that sounds good.”

They help you into the gown with deft hands, fastening buttons and adjusting seams until it fits perfectly. As you stand before the mirror, you hardly recognize yourself. The dress hugs your curves in all the right places, flowing elegantly to the floor.

One maid steps back to admire their work. “Oh it fits you perfectly! You look stunning."

Another brings over a selection of jewelry—delicate chains adorned with gemstones that sparkle like stars. Oh no.

"Would you like to add some accessories?" she asks, hopefulness glimmering within her eyes. You nod again, dazed by the transformation taking place. Is this all really necessary? It is just dinner… Right?

They drape a necklace around your neck and fasten earrings that catch the light just so. A final touch—a pair of matching shoes—completes the ensemble. You know you are dreaming when the beautiful shoes feel like clouds clinging to your feet.

You needed to stop thinking about how unusual this all is because this isn't the waking world. So you take a calming breath and turned towards the dreams that had tended to you with such exuberance.

"Thank you," you say softly, genuinely grateful for their care and attention. “I appreciate your help and skills.”

You follow the maids through a labyrinth of corridors, each more ornate than the last. The sound of your footsteps echoes softly against marble floors. You can feel the gown flowing around you, a luxurious rippling weight that does little to enforce surreal quality of this place. The Dreaming feels like a dream. Your head hurts just thinking about, so you decide to stop questioning everything that defies physics. Finally, you reach a pair of large, intricately carved doors that swing open effortlessly with a single touch.

Inside, a grand dining room unfolds before you. The ceiling stretches high above, adorned with celestial frescoes that seem to shift and shimmer as you move. The room is lit by chandeliers that twinkle like constellations, casting a soft, ambient glow.

At the center of the room stands a long table draped in an opulent tablecloth. It is set with an array of dishes that look both sumptuous and otherworldly—foods you recognize and some you can't quite identify. Yet, there is only one dining set placed meticulously at one end of the table. Are you… eating alone?

Morpheus stands near the head of the table, his dark presence stark against the light-filled room. His eyes find yours immediately as you enter, and a faint smile tugs at his lips.

"You look radiant," he says, his voice like velvet in the still air.

"Thank you," you reply, feeling a flush creep up your neck. "This is all... incredible."

He gestures toward the lone place setting. "Please, sit."

You walk over to the table and take your seat, smoothing out your gown as you do so. Morpheus remains standing, his gaze never leaving you. The food in front of you looks tantalizing, but there's an odd sense of dissonance—you're here in this lavish setting, but your host won't be joining you in the meal.

"Are you not eating?" you ask, trying to bridge the gap between this reality and your own. Does he even eat?

"I do not partake in mortal sustenance," he responds simply. "But I wished for your comfort."

A servant appears beside you, filling your glass with an effervescent liquid that sparkles like captured starlight. You go to take a sip, it's sweet and refreshing, unlike anything you've ever tasted. Or ever will for that matter.

Morpheus watches intently as you begin to eat, each bite an exploration of flavors both familiar and alien. He seems content just to observe, his presence both comforting and slightly unnerving.

"This is amazing," you say between bites. "But… why go through all this trouble?"

His eyes flicker slightly as he steps closer to the table. "Because your happiness matters," he states as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

You swallow hard, feeling a strange mix of emotions swirling within you. This was supposed to be fake—a ploy to get your mother off your back—but sitting here under his intense gaze makes it all feel unsettlingly real.

As if sensing your turmoil, Morpheus leans down slightly. "Relax," he murmurs softly. "Tonight is for enjoyment and for us to learn of each other." Right. You need to learn how to act with each other if you are going to fool your mother into thinking he really is your husband! This is actually rather smart on his part, your mother is studious and it will take a great act to pull this off.

You pick up your fork again, trying to ignore the way Morpheus' eyes follow your every move. A nearly impossible task.

"So," you say between bites of something that tastes like roasted nectarines but isn't quite. "I suppose we should get to know each other better."

Morpheus inclines his head slightly. "Indeed." He does wish to know his wife after all.

You take another bite, savoring the burst of flavors before continuing. "My mother... she's something else. Very overbearing and pushy. Always has been."

His gaze remains steady. "In what ways?"

"Well," you start, choosing your words carefully, "she's always been obsessed with the idea of me getting married. It's like she can't see me as an individual until I'm someone else's 'better half.' Every conversation circles back to it, no matter what."

Morpheus listens intently, his expression thoughtful. "That must be challenging for you."

You nod vigorously, feeling a rush of relief at his understanding. "It's exhausting. She sets me up on these endless blind dates, each one more disastrous than the last. And when I finally thought I'd had enough and told her I am married..." You trail off, the heat of embarrassment climbing up your neck once more.

His eyes flicker. "You invoked my name."

"Yes," you admit, feeling a bit sheepish. "It seemed like the perfect solution at the time. You seemed... unreachable enough to be convincing."

Morpheus remains silent for a moment, absorbing your words. He is honored that you chose him. Then he speaks softly, "I see why you sought an escape."

You let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding. "Exactly. But now she's even more insistent on meeting my 'husband.' That's why I needed your help."

He nods again, "Your mother seeks control through her demands," he observes.

"Yes," you agree quickly, glad he understands so clearly. "She can't stand not being in control or not knowing everything about my life."

"And this," he says slowly, his eyes never leaving yours, "is your way of reclaiming some autonomy."

"Exactly," you confirm, feeling a strange sense of validation from his words.

He stands closer to the table now, looking down at you with an intensity that makes your heart skip a beat. "Then we shall make sure it is convincing," he declares firmly.

You nod again, feeling more resolute than ever before as you continue to eat the otherworldly meal set before you. Morpheus watches silently but with an air of approval that somehow makes everything feel just a bit more bearable.

You take a delicate sip from your glass, the sparkling liquid dancing on your tongue. You glance up at Morpheus, who remains a stoic figure despite the warm glow of the room. "So," you begin, setting down your glass with a soft clink against the table, "if we're going to be convincing, I should probably know more about you. My mother will ask a million questions."

Morpheus folds his hands behind his back, and for a moment, you wonder if he'll dismiss your request. But then he nods, a cascade of raven hair shifting with the movement. "Very well," he concedes. "Ask what you wish to know."

"Let's start simple," you say. "What do I call you? Morpheus? Dream? Lord Shaper?" You try to keep your tone light, but there's an undercurrent of eagerness to your words. You do actually want to know more about him.

"Morpheus will suffice," he replies. It would be odd for his wife to call him anything but.

You nod and cut into another exotic dish. If only you could have cooking like this everyday. "And what do I say about what you do?" The question hangs in the air like an early morning mist.

"I am the custodian of dreams," Morpheus states simply. "I oversee the realm where humans wander in their sleep."

"That sounds... poetic," you murmur, trying to imagine how to translate that into something your mother would understand without sounding like you've completely lost touch with reality. You'd tell her that he is a sleep doctor or something like that, she'd like that you have married a doctor. That sounded plausible.

He inclines his head slightly. "It is one of my many responsibilities."

"And what should I say about how we met?" Your heart beats a little faster with this question; it's personal and could unravel everything if not handled carefully.

A flicker of something passes through his eyes—amusement perhaps? "Tell her we met in dreams," he suggests. "It is not untrue."

You chuckle softly at that. "Right, because that won't raise any eyebrows."

Morpheus regards you for a moment before continuing. "We can say that our paths crossed during one of my... excursions into the waking world."

"Excursions?" Your curiosity piques as you take another bite, this time from a fruit that bursts with sweetness.

"Yes," he confirms. "I occasionally walk among mortals to better understand them."

"Okay." You let out a slow breath, trying to commit each detail to memory. You met in a park. "Anything else I should know? Any hobbies or interests that might come up?"

Morpheus pauses before answering, as if considering what might be relevant. "I have an affinity for creation," he finally says. "The crafting of things both tangible and ephemeral." You'd tell her that he liked to make sculptures or something. She wouldn't be too interested in the details, just about his skill level and with the way he speaks, well… you would have no problems.

You nod again, it's an answer that gives enough away without revealing too much—a perfect balance for this charade. You look up at him with renewed determination.

"Alright," you say firmly. "Let's make sure we have our story straight."

Date Published: 12/11/24

Last Edit: 12/11/24

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