Len grasped the stars Rin emitted, the physical manifestation of her sweet dreams. He ground them into a powder and stirred it into her liquid nightmare. Soon, the liquid turned from purple to gold. He tested the mixture, and it was the best dream he ever tasted, beating her nightmares from yesterday night by a tenfold. It was so good, it made his head spin. He managed to get a grip of himself before he drank it all. "It's much better now, darling. Have a sip, if you will..."

Rin excitedly took a cup and sipped it, eyes widening in delight. It was warm and sweet, like hot chocolate, instead of the acidic fire from the nightmare, but still unlike anything she ever had before. It was magic and fantasy in liquid form. "Oooh..." Soon, she sighed dreamily, losing concentration as she drifted off into blissful sleep.

The happy aura she gave off was intoxicating. Len carried her with ease, leaving his house. It was situated on a tall cliff, unlike last time, due to the Monochrome World's wonky physics. He gracefully hopped off, his descent slower than if he was at the mortal world. He floated, turning midair and warping with a burst of stars. "Sweet dreams...~"

The process went on. Rin would journey to the Monochrome World with Len, no longer frightened but instead mystified with the landscape. Even if other dream eaters were entranced by her lovely scent (as Len told her), her own dream eater would shoo away the incoming dream stealers with a tap of his cane. "It would be unfair if I had to share my darling with the others..." He could coo, making her giggle and blush.

Time didn't have meaning when she was with him. She always felt at ease in his little home, where he would entertain her with lighthearted conversation. The visit would always end the same way; Len would treat her to a cup of good dreams and carry her back to the mortal world. He never disappointed her when it came to delighting her.

So she was shocked when he stopped by, unwarranted, with a stern face. The waxing moon stared down at her the same way as when her nightmares first woke her up. "My pet, I'm afraid our time together is coming to a close." Len said, perched on the windowsill.

"Huh? What? Why?" Any ounce of sleepiness immediately left her system.

He looked outside, the curtain obscuring his features. "You called me to your room on the full moon to eat your nightmares, haven't you? When the next full moon comes, my job as a dream eater is done."

Rin went up to the window where he sat. She always had it unlocked, ever since Len started coming. "I don't understand... You're leaving me?"

His words gained a cruel tone. "Why do you think the other dream eaters go through all the trouble just to get a whiff of your dreams? Your scent alone allows the other dream eaters to detect you, from any part of the Monochrome World. Why, do you think, I wanted to protect you so badly?"

Rin recoiled in shock, but anger quickly surged through her veins. In the effort to not scream insults, she balled her fists inside her sleeping gown. "So, I'm like a prized hen laying eggs. You don't want anyone to have me, since you want to keep my eggs all to yourself. My only purpose is to give you eggs, huh? You haven't actually cared for me."

Each word she uttered stabbed her heart. But Len only made it worse. "If we go by your description, what happens when you stop having dreams and nightmares– in other words, stop laying eggs? Why should I feed you seeds– take you to the Monochrome World for treats– if you can no longer give me eggs– give me dreams to eat?"

"You're- you're going to kill me?" Rin couldn't help but let hurt and fear creep into her words. Len laughed, the wry and mirthless sound highly contrasting his musical chuckles.

"No, darling." The nickname has long since expired. "If you can't give me any more dreams, I'll have to take something similar. I'll eat your aspirations. Then you'll have nothing, and then you'll have no use to me or the world. That's a fate worse than death."

"N-No...! No way! Len, what are you saying?" Outrage. Disbelief. Feverish emotions spilled out of her in a rush, unstoppable as a waterfall. She backed away from him.

"I told you already. Your dreams are delicious. I wonder how good your aspirations, your future will taste?" He parted the curtain and extended a hand. Rin felt like a burning void was consuming her insides. Her full-length mirror showed what was happening. It didn't seem like much, but she could see her light blue eyes start to dim.

"Len... Please, no..." She begged, her life force fading away. She was desperate, blurting out: "Len, I love you!"

The tugging sensation stopped for a moment. Rin collapsed, her eyes a murky blue, like mud at the bottom of a pond. Len seemed genuinely surprised for a moment. No other victim had fallen for him before. This girl... Who was she? Who was she to give him the best meals yet pierce his heart at the same time? Despite all that, his gaze hardened. He had a job to do. He must collect the final payment.

"Don't resist." He commanded, drawing out her aspirations once more. Like a buffet, meal after meal of the tastiest food flooded into his mind. Everything exploded and filled his mouth with such vivid flavors, he almost collapsed as well.

"Heh heh..." Len's voice was empty. "If it makes you feel any better, your dreams, nightmares, and aspirations are the best I've ever come across."

Rin sucked in one last breath of air to curse him. "You... traitor..." She ceased to move. The full moon shine overhead, illuminating her lifeless body. She actually died, which was rare among his victims.

He watched her for a while. The remnants of his smorgasbord went tumbling over the brim, struggling to get free and return to its original owner. Rin was a helpful, kind person; he knew that much. In fact, he knew everything about her, but yet, as he swung his legs into her room, he didn't know what came over him.

He strode in and lifted her limp body, his elbows hoisting Rin up from under her armpits. He leaped out of the window cleanly, hovering with magic. He 'walked' upwards, carrying her as her legs dangled loosely. He vanished in a burst of stars, reappearing in his home.

Fueling his magic reserve with dream energy, he forced it into her body. She began to animate, her bare feet suddenly covered in pointy ankle boots accessorized with white laces. Her legs shimmered, then was covered in frilly, dark purple stockings that went up to her knees.

From there, the loosely hanging fabric of her sleeping gown morphed into a skirt, which was longer on the back than at the front, the front going to mid thigh and the back to her calves. The inside was white, while the outer layer was black. A fitted orange-yellow bodice snapped over her torso, covering a white dress shirt. Over that was a black top that acted as a coat, sleeves rolled up to expose her lacy gloves. Finally, bright yellow ribbons tied into bows at her dress shirt collar, gloves, and into a headband, the last giving her the appearance of a rabbit.

"I do apologize for overeating tonight, darling. I hope this can make things up." He set her down on her feet, where she stood without help. Gone were her pretty blue eyes, replaced by devious ebony orbs. A cane whipped into her hand, also a pure ivory color like his own.

"You owe me a feast, Trickster." She grabbed his face and kissed him, the timidity and shyness Rin previously exhibited now nonexistent. Soon, however, she would know better than to mess with him. Len chuckled gleefully as he led her out of his house.

"Well said, my pet. Are you enjoying your stay so far~?"

I'm actually very proud of myself for completing this :) I'm so tempted to create a seperate series, but I have no plans for it.