As Phantasm pushed open the door to Morpheus' Brews, a shower of stardust fell from above.
In the blink of an eye, their appearance shifted.
The once-androgynous figure now looked distinctly feminine, with softer features and short pixie-cut hair.
*Well, that's new,* Phantasm thought, examining their reflection in a nearby mirror. *Guess the dream world's got its own witness protection program.*
They sauntered over to a familiar seat, the same one they'd occupied on their first visit to this otherworldly coffee shop. As they settled in, memories began to surface.
*Alright, folks,* Phantasm thought to their imaginary audience. *Ready for another trip down memory lane? Trust me, this one's a doozy.*
Sipping on a frappuccino that tasted like liquid starlight, Phantasm let the memories wash over them...
---
Innocence stood at the entrance to Oneiropolis, eyes wide with wonder.
The city was a cocktail of impossible architecture and swirling colors.
But what caught their eye was a building that seemed to be made of solid gold and... was that diamond?
A sign above the ornate doors read "Bank of Reveries" in shimmering letters that changed color every few seconds.
*Now that looks interesting,* Innocence thought, a mischievous grin spreading across their face. *I wonder if dream banks have dream money?*
Without really thinking it through (because hey, when in Rome... or rather, when in a dream world where anything's possible), Innocence sauntered up to the bank.
But as they reached for the door handle, they paused.
*Wait a sec,* they thought. *I'm in a world where imagination is everything.
Why use the door like a normal, boring person?*
Innocence took a step back, eyeing the wall of the bank. They remembered all those old cartoons where characters would draw doors and then step through them.
*Well, here goes nothing.*
With a flourish, Innocence traced the outline of a door on the bank's wall with their finger.
To their delight (and slight surprise), the line they drew glowed and then... the wall vanished, leaving a perfectly Innocence-shaped hole.
*Ladies and gentlemen,* Innocence thought, addressing their yet-unknown audience, *I give you the world's first cartoon heist!*
Chuckling at their own cleverness, Innocence stepped through the hole and into the bank.
Inside, it was even more fantastical than the exterior.
The ceiling soared impossibly high, decorated with constellations that moved and twinkled.
Instead of tellers, there were floating orbs of light that zoomed around, carrying what looked like coins made of pure dreaming.
*Jackpot,* Innocence thought, eyeing the dream coins. *Now, how to get my hands on some of those...*
Just then, one of the orbs zoomed by, close enough for Innocence to touch.
Without thinking, they reached out and snagged a handful of coins from the surprised-looking orb.
The coins felt warm in their hand, pulsing with a soft light.
Each one had a different image etched on it - a sleeping face, a crescent moon, a swirling galaxy.
*Dreamcoin,* a voice in Innocence's head supplied. *The currency of the subconscious.*
"Cool," Innocence murmured, pocketing the coins. "I'm officially dream-rich."
But their victory was short-lived.
A loud, honking alarm started blaring, and the orbs began swirling around in a frenzy.
*Oops,* Innocence thought. *Time to make like a dream and fade away!*
They dashed back to their cartoon-door entrance, only to find it had sealed up. *Oh, come on!* Innocence thought, panic starting to set in. *Think, think!*
Then it hit them.
If they could draw a door to get in...
Quick as a flash, Innocence pulled out a pencil they'd found in their pocket (because in dreams, you always have what you need, right?). They scribbled a rough sketch of a door on the wall, complete with a little sign that said "Exit."
To their immense relief, the sketch glowed and became real.
Innocence yanked it open and dove through, finding themselves back on the streets of Oneiropolis.
*And that, folks,* Innocence thought, brushing themselves off, *is how you rob a dream bank.
Don't try this at home.
Or in your actual dreams.
Actually, just don't rob banks, okay?*
Still giddy from their narrow escape, Innocence's nose caught a whiff of something delicious. They turned to see a cozy-looking coffee shop nestled between two buildings that seemed to be having an argument about which one could be taller.
The sign above the door read "Morpheus' Brews" in gently glowing letters. Innocence's stomach growled, reminding them that even dream thieves need sustenance.
*Well,* Innocence thought, *I've got some ill-gotten dream gains burning a hole in my pocket. Might as well treat myself to a victory latte.*
As they pushed open the door, a little bell chimed a melody that sounded like a lullaby.
The interior was warm and inviting, with cushy armchairs that looked like they might swallow you whole if you sat in them too long.
The air was thick with the scent of coffee and something sweeter, like cinnamon mixed with stardust.
Innocence approached the counter, where a barista with hair that changed color like a mood ring was wiping down the already spotless surface.
Her nametag read "Luna" in twinkling letters.
"Welcome to Morpheus' Brews," Luna said, her voice melodious. "What can I get for you?"
But the words that came out of her mouth weren't in any language Innocence recognized. Yet, somehow, they understood perfectly.
*Huh,* Innocence thought. *Dream world perk number 537: instant language skills.*
"Uh, hi," Innocence replied, surprised to hear the same melodious language coming from their own mouth. "What do you recommend for a first-time customer?"
Luna's eyes lit up (literally - they started glowing like little moons). "Oh, a newbie! Well, you simply must try our Starlight Surprise.
Or if you're feeling really adventurous, the Nebula Nectar is to die for."
Innocence grinned. "Why not both? I'm feeling adventurous today."
As Luna busied herself with preparing the drinks, Innocence found themselves captivated by the way she moved.
It was like watching a dance, each motion fluid and graceful.
*Focus,* Innocence chided themselves. *You're a sophisticated dream thief now, remember? Act cool.*
"So," Innocence said, leaning casually against the counter, "come here often?"
Luna laughed, a sound like tinkling wind chimes. "I work here, silly. But I have a feeling you're going to be coming here often from now on."
There was something in her tone, a hint of... knowing?
Innocence felt a shiver run down their spine.
Did she somehow know about the bank heist?
But before they could ponder it further, Luna was placing two glasses in front of them.
One looked like it contained a piece of the night sky, complete with swirling galaxies.
The other glowed softly, little specks of light rising from it like bubbles.
"Enjoy," Luna said with a wink. "And welcome to Oneiropolis, Innocence.
Things are about to get very interesting around here."
As Innocence sipped their cosmic coffee, they couldn't shake the feeling that their adventure in the dream world was only just beginning.
And somehow, they had a hunch that this charming barista was going to play a bigger role in it than they could imagine.
*Tighten your seat bells, friends,* Innocence thought to their future audience. *I think we're in for one wild ride.*