Redefining Expectations-Insomnia Sequel

Chapter 12: A Doomed Interview

"He's certainly going to provide them a challenge at the very least. The viewers will finally get educated for once."Horror says

Killer chuckles with a grin.

"He's going to expose their show's nonsense on live camera. It's perfect."He says

"It's back!"Obscuro says, pointing at the screen.

Nightmare glances at the screen as it shows the title of the show briefly before revealing a group seated at the table. Only one of them seems happy to be there as he can tell that the rest are visibly shaking in their seats. The one happy person is his brother, sitting with a smile in a different outfit with the necklace he gave him hours ago shining in all its glory around his neck. Error's earring for him also twinkles as it hangs from his head. Two symbols disproving their lies worn proudly on camera by Dream. For once, even for a brief moment, Dream looks smugly proud of himself before putting on an innocent look.

"That was so interesting! I didn't realize this show had a weather forecast segment but your record of the different AUs was so engaging! And you didn't even use any data or demonstrations with visuals! I'm already learning so much on this lovely show of yours!"Dream says sweetly

As sweet as it sounds, everyone in the room watching knows better and that this isn't genuine. This is an act. Obscuro knows that this is an act that has fooled many across the multiverse and was used whenever he was working. Nightmare knows that's not his genuine tone when he is happy. Within that sweetness is a bitterness that's poking daggers at them. It's almost sarcastic as he praises them, hiding the sharp truth under his sweetness. The sweet innocent act that Dream seems too skilled at using as despite his well-portrayed image of sweet cluelessness, he is intimidating them. Everyone knows it's only a matter of time until they have to do their usual segments of "information" yet his presence makes them unsettled and he seems perfectly aware. He is even inviting them to go ahead and do it, challenging them. As he asks them about their show and praises them, Nightmare can see that he's really prodding them to see who will crack first. He's letting them dig their own graves, luring them into a trap as he listens intently.

He chuckles, remembering how Dream once told him that he grew skilled using this innocent act after he realized that some AUs have people who refuse to recognize his age. If they want to view him as a clueless, innocent, and "pure" guardian that they can treat like a child instead of recognizing his 500 years of age, then he might as well play along. If they don't listen to him directly speaking to them to get his point across, he might as well twist their beliefs against them by making comments as he acts like the "innocent" image others have of him. He even told Nightmare that he has grown to like the reactions he gets while doing that act as they seemed stunned that "their precious little Dream" could ever say whatever he just said.

"What do you usually report next?"He asks, prompting them.

Anyone can tell that the tone is as mocking as a rhetorical question. Dream knew the answer and was just waiting for them to take the bait. That's when Nightmare decided to watch. His tentacles set papers aside and form a seat for himself. He also decides to call Error.

"Hey, Error. You busy?"

"No. I wAs g0iNg t0 sTaRt cRafTiNg aNd wAtChiNg s0m3tHiNg."

"You might want to tune into The Daily Verse Show."

"ThAt sHiT? WhY?"

"It looks like a good episode. They might get grilled in this one."

"ThEy nEvEr gEt gRiLlEd. JuSt aNoMalIeS wAsTiNg tHeiR tiMe fr0m wHaT 404 saYs."

"Well just see who is their guest speaker now and you'll see. Trust me."

"....PaPs! YoU'rE stiLl hErE, rIghT?"