Summary: After reaching Erebus, Morpheus stops by to check on you. Not that he wants to make sure you're alright or anything--he just wants to make sure you don't destroy the room. As the two of you banter, he finally opens up to you, allowing you to glimpse the softer side he usually keeps locked away behind his heavy sarcasm. After all that he's done for you, you're happy to give him a listening ear. (Assuming, of course, that he'll share his secret stash of mortal candy with you later.)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

CW: curse words; angst; characters having big feelings; discussions of absent fathers/difficult family relationships; contraband candy stashes

Usage:

• OK to record & monetize, as long as you give me credit in the video/audio description as the scriptwriter! I would also love to listen to the recording when it’s done–please send me the link on Reddit! Paywalling is okay; however, if you paywall, you must make it possible for me to listen to the finished product.
• Gender-flipping and small tweaks are okay (e.g., changing pronouns, leaving out/changing curse words), but no large edits are permitted.
• Feel free to use music or insert sound effects if you’d like. Any sound effects given are suggestions–use at your discretion. *Sound effects in bold, set apart by asterisks\*
• Any dialogue or reactions given by the Listener are purely for the benefit of the VA, to help them feel like they have something to respond to while they’re acting. Listener reactions in italics.
• Please let me know if you have any questions!

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SETTING: The Listener’s room, in Hypnos’ palace, in the twilight realm of Erebus. The Listener is looking through the clothes in the wardrobe, taking out different outfits and laying them out, in order to find something to wear to dinner with Hypnos.

Hey, Starlight. How’s it going? Are you settling in okay?

The Listener nods.

Glad to hear it. I mean, I kind of figured, from the looks of this place, but I just wanted to be sure. So you’re not just this messy back home in the mortal realm, huh?

“Shut up. I’m just looking at my options. I’ve never dined with a god before.”

Yeah, about that. I’ve been meaning to ask you: how the f\*** did you pull that off!? I was half-expecting Father to send you back to the mortal realm without even looking at you—either that, or smite you where you stood. And yet, somehow, you walked out of there not only with all your limbs intact, but an invitation to dinner?

“What can I say? I’m charming.”

Yeah, sure, you’re “charming”. If by "charming", you mean childish and irritating.

“Instead of making smart remarks, you could help me figure out what to wear.”

It doesn’t matter what you wear. You’ll look great in anything.

The Listener looks at him, their brows raised.

Uh, I—I just meant, you know—you’re not bad-looking, for a mortal. In the right light, you’re even kind of cute. Though, if you want my advice, maybe stay away from the blue chiton. You don’t want anything that’s gonna accentuate your dark circles.

“Just for that, I’m gonna wear it anyway.”

\chuckle** Fine. Suit yourself. It’s not like I’ll be there to see it.

“Wait—won’t you be there?”

I dunno. You’re the one he invited, not me.

“But you’re his son. Aren’t you automatically invited?”

Things work a little differently when your father is a god. I may be his son, but I’m not exactly in his good graces right now. I’ll show up, but I’m not making any promises. (bitter) Though, to be honest, he might not even notice that I’m at the table.

“It sounds like the two of you have a complicated history.”

Hmph. It’s not that complicated. I do my work, and he ignores me. Except for when I do something wrong, of course, and then he pauses everything to chew me out. Simple.

“Does that bother you?”

(sarcasm) Oh, no; of course it doesn’t bother me. It’s fine. Just peachy. It’s not like there’s anything I can do about it, though, so what’s the point?

“Have you told him how you feel?”

No. Why would he be interested in my feelings?

“Maybe you should at least try?”

Yeah, right. So I should just waltz into his office and start pouring my heart out? Maybe play some sad violin music in the background while I'm at it? Ugh—look, just forget it.

“But—”

I said, forget it! It’s none of your f***ing business, anyway!

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

\sigh** No, I…I’m sorry. You’re just trying to help. You can’t, but…ugh, sh*t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.

“Has it always been this way?”

(genuine; finally letting his hurt show through without too much sarcasm) Yeah. He was never around much, when we were growing up. He’s always had so much sh*t to do, ever since Aunt Athena breathed life into the mortals. I mean, I get it—it’s a lot for me sometimes, and I’m only in charge of dreams…I can’t imagine how much he must have on his plate, being the god of sleep in general. It’s just…I don’t know. It’s not like it takes a ton of time to say “good job.” Would it kill him to do it every once in a while???

“It sounds like you feel invisible.”

(genuine) Yeah, I guess “invisible” is a good way to put it. Ironic, that my job literally requires me to be invisible most of the time. I—I just want him to see me, you know? I tried to help—I did everything I was supposed to, and more. I learned how to use my sand; I offered to take over the dream department, to give him a break; I helped manage the Oneiroi, but…I don’t know. I did everything right, at least up until now, but no matter what I do, it’s never enough. I could kick Zeus off his damned throne at Olympus, and I doubt Father would even look up from his work. I just want to be worth something to him. At the rate I'm going, I'm just a f***ing waste of space.

“Oh, Morph...I’m so sorry. That sounds really hard. No matter what, though, I just want you to know you’re NOT a waste of space."

Well, of course, you'd say that, but—

"I mean it. You’re talented, and dedicated, and if it weren’t for you, I’d still be stuck at Epiales’ mercy. You’ve done so much for me, and for all of us mortals. No matter what Hypnos thinks, that doesn’t change the fact that you’re amazing.”

...Well, thanks. It’s nice to know someone appreciates me, at least.

Brief pause.

I…I guess I could try. Talking to Father, I mean. I doubt he’ll listen, but if he doesn’t, I guess I’m no worse off than I started.

“Good for you! Just tell me how I can support you.”

Uh…sure. Like I said, I don’t think there’s much that you can do, but I—I appreciate it, anyway. Thanks, Starlight.

Pause.

So, um…how are you liking Erebus so far?

“It’s…a lot prettier than I was expecting.”

(sarcastic) \laughs** What, were you expecting it to be all doom-and-gloom? It’s the place where the recently deceased pass through en route to the Underworld, therefore, it must be a hellish wasteland. (regular) Nah, I get it—it is beautiful. The poppy fields, the soft grays of the landscape, the golden rapids of the Lethe. Oh, just F.Y.I., don’t ever drink the water, unless you want to forget literally everything about who you are. You won’t even remember your name. I fell in once as a kid, and even being a god, it took me a month to get all my marbles back. Zero out of five stars, would not recommend.

The Listener giggles. “Why do you talk like that?”

Why do I talk like what?

“You know, all modern and stuff.”

All “modern”? Hey, f*** off! You’re the one who told me I needed to “get with the times.” Why shouldn’t I use modern words?

“I dunno. For someone who claims we’re really annoying, you seem to have embraced mortal lingo pretty fast. How come?”

\sigh** I guess it’s because…I don’t know. Despite the fact that you mortals can be annoying as f*** sometimes, I’ve gotta hand it to you, you’re pretty resilient. The civilizations that worshiped us died out long ago, but even when they crumbled, you humans kept going. No matter what life throws at you—wars, disasters, pandemics—you always somehow pick yourselves back up, and just keep on existing. And some of the sh*t you’ve come up with in the past fifteen hundred years is pretty sweet. Indoor plumbing. Air conditioning. Sour gummy worms.

“Speaking of which…is that what all those bags are?”

What? What bags?

“The bags? You know, stuffed inside the amphora in your room.”

Inside the amphora!? (horrified that his secret guilty pleasure has been discovered) Oh, sh*t! Okay—listen to me. You absolutely can't let anyone know about those, okay? Nothing is supposed to cross from the mortal realm into Erebus, except souls. If Father found out—

“Hmm, I don’t know. What’s it worth to you?”

What?

“I might be willing to forget I saw them. For, say, one or two of the bags.”

…Are you seriously trying to blackmail me??? You little sh*t! You think you don’t count as one of those “mortal goods” yourself? I mean, okay, Father already knows about you, and seems to like you, some-f***ing-how, but still—you never know. He might throw you out along with the gummy worms!

“No way. He likes me too much. Besides, I’ll just say they were in my pockets when I arrived, and I forgot to take them out.”

Aaargh! Fine, fine; you can have some! Just keep quiet! Please.

“Two bags.”

Fine; two bags. Sh*t…you drive a hard bargain, Starlight. I’m almost impressed.

“Thank you!” The Listener grins.

Hey, I said “almost.” I fully expect you to pay me back, once we’re back in the mortal realm.

“When do you think that will be?” says the Listener, their face falling.

…I don’t know. Either when we’ve dealt with Epiales, or when Father’s patience runs out. One of the two.

“What happens if we can’t think of a way to get him off my back?”

We will. I’m trying to think of a plan. Epiales is a sneaky bastard, but he’s not invincible. With any luck, when he can’t find you in the mortal realm, he’ll just pick a new target. If not, though…I dunno. I’ll think of something. Just give me some time.

“Okay. Sorry, I—I’m just scared.”

I know. I can’t blame you for being scared…having a Daemon after you would be enough to make Hercules quake in fear, let alone a regular mortal. But honestly, you’ve been as brave as any hero. The way you fought his power however you could, and then withstood meeting him face-to-face. You even let me whisk you away to a strange realm…though, to be honest, I’m not sure if that part was brave, or just stupid. But still. You’re pretty bada**.

“Thank you, Morph. Without you, I…I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

Oh, come on. Don’t get all mushy on me. Maybe I am going a little bit beyond my job description…but I hate that bastard as much as you do. I’m not about to let him win. We’re gonna get him, I promise.

“Can…can I have another hug?”

Oh, all right. One more hug.

\Sound effect—the Listener hugging Morph\**

Damn, how are you always so warm? You’re like Aunt Hestia’s Sacred Flame. I could get used to this.

Pause.

Oh, shit—I gotta go. If I’m gonna crash your little dinner party, I’ve gotta go get changed. Just remember, anything but the blue chiton.

“F\** you.”*

(laughing, playful) Yeah, yeah. F*** you too. See you later, Starlight.