I've said it before and I'll say it again, but I am an idiot. Not in a traditional sense, measured by book or street smarts. I'm actually just above average on both accounts. No, it's really just a way of not admitting to being insane.

I keep doing the same thing, but I'm not expecting a different result. I know the consequences, I just do it anyway. Ergo, I am an idiot. I couldn't plead insanity.

Really playing with definitions there, considering its still impulsive behavior.

The conclusion is that Multiverse Travel isn't something that should be in my hands.

My first instinct was to go home. Try to go back to my old life, where the only meaningful connection I have is to a traumatized sister. It was tempting, we were heavily dependent on each other, and the feeling was still there... somehow. The chaos of Yharnam had kept me from thinking of her, but now, with no threat, it's been on my mind. How I would like to hide under that safety net of familial love, no questions on someone's thoughts toward you or what they may do. My compulsive need to understand others would be alleviated.

I decided against it. I was too different and the risks I provided too many.

Give me some credit, I may be an idiot and impulsive, but even I know it would be a bad idea. Impulses and instincts not my own were already testing my control. Testing the will that powered me through Yharnam. I didn't want my sister involved in it.

My second idea... was something that would be reconsidered later. The wounds too fresh. Multiverse Travel could travel anywhere, after all. Time wasn't a worry.

So, what did I do? I took us to the North in Westeros. In The Song of Ice and Fire. Eighteen years before it started. Smart, right?

A world with guaranteed conflict, suffering all around, and Gods actively playing with mortals. I already knew what would happen. I did it anyway.

Maybe take that credit back?

There was some thought put into it. Elena wouldn't suffer whiplash from technology and the culture, while not exact, would be familiar. She did just get her body of flesh and blood, I wanted to give her some time. Also, nothing could truly threaten us here. The Gods maybe, but my fear of Gods has waned since Bloodborne. It was doubtful any of them could be as terrifying as a Great One.

So, we arrived, found an empty area, and set up base. All with relative ease. Transfiguration helped a lot with this, allowing us to build a log cabin in a short amount of time. Elena was mostly silent while we worked, but I let myself ramble. Speaking of anything and everything. I wanted to give her something to focus on, but by the time I transfigured beds, I had run out of things to say. I don't know if it helped, her replies too soft and short to tell, but she was smiling when we laid down to sleep.

It was... nice. No cries, growls, or screeches interrupted our first night of rest in so, so long. I was further glad I have control of dreams.

I had made separate beds but when I woke in the morning, Elena was cuddled into me. I would have been happy about it if there weren't signs she had been crying.

There were many troubles Elena has shared with me. Troubles she's had even when her emotions were muted. Gehrman was a sort of father figure for her and, even if she couldn't tell, she was hurt when he started to avoid her. When she could finally talk and interact with him. It was a cruel response from someone that could be considered her father, emotions carrying over from her time as an unmoving doll. I still couldn't tell if Gehrman was the one to bring her to life in the Dream or if it was the Moon Presence taking its own initiative. Her wisdom and power suggested the latter, though Gehrman could have made the prayer, even unconsciously. I suppose it didn't matter unless Elena considered it, my emotions settled about the man.

I am not the only Hunter to have favored Elena and she, in turn, loved every single one of us. Even the ones that either feared or hated her. The graves in Hunter's Dream showed the care she held. It wasn't a surprise, the Hunters suffered scorn and hate on every corner they crossed. Elena waited for them, subservient and caring, to empower and 'embolden their sickly spirit.' Was it any wonder they held affection? Was it any wonder the lonely doll returned it? I knew she questioned the last. I didn't have an answer for her and redirecting with the fact some must of loved her didn't change her doubts. Thankfully, telling stories of them seemed to make her 'happy'.

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Over time though, everyone left her. Left her in only the company of a man that ignored her and a false dream.

It made me feel guilty for the body I gave her, allowing hidden emotions to come unrestrained. The only reason I made it human was the particular way she referred to 'the humans.' I would call it wistful but to what aspect is hard to tell. I still think it's better in the long run even if she didn't wish for it. There was potential progress that being a doll wouldn't have allowed her. Maybe it isn't, wasn't my decision, but emotions were high and I was desperate to leave. She was part of the Dream, a change had to be made.

I heard her stomach growl before her eyes actually opened. It was cute, made cuter by the healthy blush on her face when she realized our positions. We laid staring as she opened her mouth, closed it, and repeated the process.

"This is... different, good Hunter." She said, not indicating what exactly she was referring to. I could take a guess, the answer most likely being 'everything'.

I softly nodded instead of replying though, my mind focused more on instincts of the... Sticky variety. It actually caught me off guard, having no idea it worked this way.

My eyes didn't stay on her face, instead tracing every point the Lure told me would be especially effective. My eyes moving were a suggestion itself.

"Good Hunter?"

Her voice broke me from the trance, making me realize more time had passed than I kept track of.

"Ah!" I exclaimed, quickly rising and taking distance. "I'll get started on breakfast. We can talk then... Also, it's Lyle, Elena."

My speech was as rushed as my actions, but still, I didn't miss the expression shown while she rose.

"Very well... Lyle."

"Ah..." My exclamation was softer this time, in realization. I'm an idiot.

"If it would make you happier to address me as good Hunter, go for it, Elena." I said as I closed the distance, bringing her softly into a hug. I was definitely skirting around the issue, though that single expression held promise. I didn't want to rush it.

Elena may be inexperienced but she isn't dumb. There's no way she wouldn't realize what I was thinking as my eyes wandered her figure. The Lure itself told me she enjoyed it. My concerns were not only of her inexperience but mine with this new power. Power used to subjugate. I only now realized the full implication, though the purchase was made innocently enough.

I didn't move until she finally returned the hug. Deepening it, as she did.

Breakfast wasn't quick to make, needing to actually hunt for it, but it did allow the discovery of what happened to my inventory. Both Elena and I were happy to see the little ones, as they handed me my pistol.

Only when they left did I question where they went. The answer wasn't hard to find, they were still connected to a Dream. Just not the Hunter's Dream, but mine. I hadn't even consciously made it.

The Hunt that followed didn't take long, even when I allowed Elena to join. I may have given her a human body but there was no way I wouldn't make it superior to any others. The only thing to note, other than the deer caught, was the castle overlooking a town we saw in the distance. I knew what it was, I did designate where we landed.

We left it, for now, heading back to base. How close we actually were was a cause for concern, though there was little foot traffic where we were, not being close to the roads.

Then I had my first experience with Faerie Feast. I liked it a lot more than Sticky Fingers so far. It operated by request, something as simple as 'not addictive but tasty', and it directed me exactly what to do. Elena seemed to enjoy the food also. Though it was exacerbated by it being the first time she's actually eaten. Watching her try to stay dignified was entertaining though.

I said we would talk during breakfast but the food had distracted. I wasn't surprised she sprung it on me after. She didn't speak but the stare was a good indicator.

"Alright, alright. I will try to explain as best I can." I felt a smile form as I realized how good that felt to say. "I'll also try to not speak in riddles as a mercy since this is the first time you've had to ask me questions."

It wasn't the first time I've teased her use of Old English but it definitely was the most satisfying. I knew it wasn't her fault but it's done the job of making her more clear, to me anyway. Well, when the teasing doesn't go over her head.

The deadpan she gave me told me she actually caught the teasing this time.

"Good hunter, I... do not know where to start... I have not allowed myself to dream of the possibility, but... am I human?"

"You are. I was worried you would resent my decision... Along with me taking you from---"

"No, good hunter, I could never resent you." She interrupted me with a smile. "I can feel now and it is wonderful. I can finally understand... It is truly... a gift humans have been blessed with."

"A gift as it is a curse." I replied with a wry smile.

"I see... Yes, I suppose it is." Her face showed her likely remembering the crying she's done. What she cried for. "I still am thankful... Lyle. The Hunter's Dream... it held my love but it also held..."

The silence stretched as she seemed to think it through. I could see her struggle as her mouth formed a frown.

"It was a prison." She finally settled on, her eyes returning to me. I kept quiet, seeing her thoughts weren't done.

"...I still love you... Is it because you have made me?"

"You once asked me if I would ever think to love you. Do you remember what I said?"

"'I do think to love you because I do.'" She smiled at the memory.

I nodded.

"I love you, Elena. I understand your doubts but I can only hope they clear in time."

"No, if I am having doubts, that is an answer in itself."

She then rose from her chair and walked to a space in front of me. She scrutinized me and I held her gaze, trying to show affection through them. She must have found what she wanted because, though her clothing made it awkward, she straddled my lap. Arms wrapped around my neck as she held herself steady. I tried not to let my surprise show and kept my eyes on her face.

"Earlier this morning... was that your wish to procreate with me?"

I'm sure my gulp was audible.

"Y-yes."

"And why didn't you?"

Wow, ok, aggressive Elena is dangerous. I wish I saw this coming. My Sticky Fingers was giving me a lot of advice but I held out to answer.

"I am worried about inexperience. Not only from you but my own with the power I have."

Instead of answering, she looked at me like I was dumb. Rising, she took a hold of my hand and dragged me. Dragged me to the bedroom.

"The only cure for inexperience is..." She said leadingly, pushing me onto the bed. I was left wondering where the serious discussion I had prepared for had gone. And, two important discoveries.

Sticky Fingers is definitely better than Faerie Feast and Elena's accent is sexier when she's aggressive. Facts.