It was the first time they’d met.
They were sure of it.
Naturally, as Maddie’s waking world gave way to the world of dreams, it had once again dug deep into their memory in pursuit of a topic – dragging something forth that they hadn’t considered particularly notable, nor fascinating.
As royalty, the Prince had met many fellow royals from across the myriad principalities and kingdoms of the vast demesnes that comprised posthuman space – but, for some reason, tonight one stood out aboard all others.
At a palatial estate on some forgotten alpine world of mountains and forests, in their dream Maddie was entertaining guests; when and where this was, specifically, they couldn’t say. Faceless courtesans and merchants drifted past, offering platitudinous conversation and weightless chatter – much of their waking life reflected in their sleep, it seemed.
One face, however, stood out.
It was a dog, or at least one of the many canid-adjacent posthuman morphemes that dotted the stars. Their long brown hair was tied back in a tight bun, bangs obscuring one eye, and tailored finely in a very fascinating flowing beige robe-esque suit… yet, despite clearly looking the part, they seemed bored.
A kindred spirit in that, at least.
Maddie stood, brushing by the empty courtesans and their vague protests, and caught the dog as they turned away to head for some other part of the busy room.
“…Pardon me,” The Prince said gently, trying to hide their relief in finding someone else to talk to. Dream logic dictated that they truly didn’t notice that the dog seemed a little more real than most, here – themselves excluded, of course.
“Yes?” Their voice was light, and gentle – warm, and bright.
“I cannot help but notice you seemed… less than enthused,” Maddie began, tail drooping ever so slightly. “Was the gathering not to your liking?”
“Ah.” The dog chuckled, curled tail wagging a little as they sheepishly raised their paws in a placating gesture, palms out. “I meant nothing of the sort! I simply don’t feel as though I fit in, is all. Nothing more.”
“I see,” Maddie offered, trying to figure out when and where they’d met this dog, in particular. The guest lists at these parties had been exclusive, they recalled, hazy through the dream – to be here at all was a sign of some connection or another.
“And who might you be, if you excuse my questions? You seem familiar, but I cannot place the face.”
“None of note, I’m afraid,” The dog bowed their head slightly, bright green eyes mirthful. “I am known as Argyle, of Restria. Arlie to friends. Hardly a prince or a duke, but I am an heir to a small seaside estate?”
“Indeed?”
Maddie smiled, despite themself. Conversation came easily with the stranger – it was as if they’d known each other for years, though this was almost certainly the first time they’d ever set eyes upon one another.
“How was it that you find yourself at this gathering, anyway?” Maddie finally asked after a few more minutes of conversation, tilting their head slightly in a way that implied curiosity.
“A long story, but not an interesting one,” Arlie shrugged, taking a sip from their drink and swishing the remaining liquid around with a swirl. “A mutual acquaintance of ours, it seems, has… shall we say, taken a back seat, for the time being.”
Maddie raised an eyebrow. “I don’t quite follow.”
“Are you, perhaps, familiar with the House Kellen?”
Maddie blinked. The name sounded familiar, but beyond that…
“…Not as such, as far as I’m aware?”
Arlie laughed, giving the slightest of shrugs. There was an earnest sincerity there, a warmth that laid the slight confusion of the response to rest.
“Then I suppose there’s little else I can say, apart from that I am here in another’s stead. They send their warm regards, and wish you well.”
With that, the dog offered their quiet goodbyes, and vanished into the crowd – and, soon after, Maddie awoke.
It was far too early for their usual morning ruminations, still dark outside as it was – but as they rose, gently parting the curtains to gaze out over the rolling forests and distant mountains of their home, they couldn’t stop thinking about the dream.
In another’s place, and they wish you well.
Maddie stood there for a long while, willing memory to come – but it never quite did.