It was like being a child again. Playing like old times, when life was simpler and they had not yet taken to the duties the Guild gave them. Ashir slipped into it easily, a dream's wonderful amnesia taking hold of his memory. They tumbled together, her ending up on top. At first, Ashir didn't understand what she was deciding, licking her red lips. Then, she bent down, and kissed him.<br/><br/>It changed everything. Suddenly, in the dream, Ashir wasn't thinking about a chase, or about them being twins. Ashir thought about the warmth of her lips on his, the weight of her body on his, the way his mind lost all sense when he closed his eyes. When Isa kissed him, it was like being in a warm, comfortable place. The warmth went into his body in a surge, filling him up, moving his arms. Thought never occurred. He just<em>did</em>. Arms wrapped around his sister's waist, pulling her closer. Then, he stopped kissing, some sense taking hold.<br/><br/>"I..." His mind was muddled. "Isa..." Why was he trying to protest? All was right. All was natural. The warmth coursed through his veins, and his body kept moving, even as his mind raced.<br/><br/>His arms loosened, and his hands went to her hips, and began rubbing. The warmth coursed faster as his hands moved of their own accord.<br/><br/>No. No, no. Something was wrong, he could<em>feel</em>it. His body didn't, but his soul and mind did.<br/><br/>Felt that touch.<br/><br/>That cold pinpoint pressure, somewhere in the dark.<br/><br/>Knew it for what it was.<br/><br/>With an internal snarl, his mind reached out for that little pressure, followed it to its source and seized hold. The warmth disappeared, and the dream melted away leaving only a dark void where he stood, holding a glowing blue thread. He tugged on it, trying to bring whatever had spun the thread closer,<em>closer</em>.<br/><br/>Magic. Of course it was magic. Or this could merely be an extension of the dream he hadn't seen yet. A variation of the same theme. His mind was sluggish because of his sleep, but he felt righteous anger welling up instead of that warmth. If he woke up now, with that shadow ─ yes! He could see it now! ─ with that shadow in his view, he could never be sure. Never be sure if it was a dream, or if someone was manipulating him. If he woke up now ─<br/><br/>-----<br/><br/>Ashir catapulted awake, shaking. Cold sweat covered him, but he didn't tremble because of it. Fear gripped him. "If I wake up now," he finished the dream-thought. "I'll be as confused as when I started," and then he cursed viciously.<br/><br/>Magic. He had dropped most of it to pick up the sword. He was a child before any mage when it came to power in that regard. If he wasn't sure, the clear course of action would be to have someone shield his dreams for him.<br/><br/>But who could he trust? The only one he could trust, despite the content of the dreams. Family.<br/><br/>Ashir dressed himself quickly, and went straight to Isa's door, and knocked. It was a strange hour, but when he explained himself, surely Isa would understand... "Isa, it's important, please."