The boy blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Fate said, and the words felt simple and natural.
They continued through the village. A man repairing a fence nodded to them. A woman hanging laundry paused only long enough to offer a friendly "Good day." A black cat walked up, rubbed against Fate's leg, and kept moving.
Fate looked around slowly. "Everyone is just… living. Doing their own things."
"That's how most of the world works," the Dreamer said. "Small tasks. Simple routines."
Fate smiled a little. "It's nice."
They reached the edge of the village and stopped near a field where crops were growing in straight lines. The sun was higher now. The warmth settled comfortably on their backs.
"Do you want to stay here a bit longer?" the Dreamer asked.
Fate shook their head gently. "No. I think I've seen what I needed to."
"And what was that?"
