Once upon a dream... (4th Wall Event/TDM Combo platter)

[missrecalled_mods]

[((OOC note: This fourth wall is open to any character who would be game legal. If a character who posted here reserves or apps in September, these threads can be considered game canon as long as all involved agree. If a character doesn't app, for those in game already... wow that was a weird dream. Wait, what did you dream about again?))]


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For Jordan, still comatose after the magical mishap that had resulted in the first Misrecalled being summoned, it began with a dream. A dream so strong, that it had her stirring fitfully even in her current state; and eventually caused her to release an uncontrolled burst of magic.

For everyone else, unaware of what was coming, it began with falling asleep. Whether or not someone was tired before hand, whether they even could sleep, they simply fell asleep - or a reasonable facsimile - wherever they happened to be. Maybe they remembered falling asleep, maybe they didn't. But either way they suddenly found themselves in... a very strange place.

First all there was that they could see was a vast featureless plain in shining gold and silken draperies. But that was only a glimpse, for just by existing in this space, each dreamer warps it. Changes it. Not all at once, but bits, constantly changing between them and whomever they encounter. Each person brings with them bits of three places... where they had been last, a familiar place from memory, and whatever place they call home. But this is constantly changing and shifting, more so the more dreamers are present in any space. Before long, Bits of different landscapes, different environments, even different weather conditions will cover the landscape like some crazy patchwork quilt. Here a bit of a sunny, idyllic garden, there a section of shadowy, graffiti covered slum. To one side, a chunk of charming cobblestone streets under sunset tinged skies, to the other, a forest of towering trees, some of which seem to be moving. And glimpsed through the gaps between some of the odd terrain sections, some remainder of the poorly defined golden space, hung with colorful draperies could still be seen.

And the ground itself was not immune to the changes. While the ground on which they stood might seem stable enough, if someone walked more than a few paces in any direction, that could change. Solid ground could become shifting sand. Or water. Or a wall might suddenly appear to block their path. Doors might lead to places they definitely shouldn't or open to the edge of a sheer cliff. And if the complete lack of logic to the landscape wasn't enough of an indication that this was some sort of dream, then the unreadable signs would clinch it. Because any signs - or indeed, anything with writing on it that they didn't have on their person when they arrived - was covered with nothing but unreadable gibberish.

And it got even more surreal when a dreamer spotted anyone else in the dreamspace, or even looked at their own reflection - for each person appears in the dream in whatever way they see themselves. So someone with low self confidence might be short, someone with a huge ego might tower. If someone sees themselves as a horrible criminal who needs to repent, they might be in prison togs. If the change is dramatic enough people who know each other well might still fail to recognize each other within the dreaming.

Now normally such a bizarre dream might have been put down to stress, a meal that disagreed with them, or maybe indulging in some sort of illicit substance, but this clearly was no ordinary dream, if for no other reason than that in this dream, they weren't alone. The other people they encounter are not just figments of their imagination, and they too change the shared dream space.

Those already either on the Isle or in the kingdom of Auradon proper would find themselves all thrown together in the bizarre dreamworld. And that would have been strange enough. But more than the current populations of Auradon and the Isle could be found in this place. Maybe the faces where familiar. Maybe they weren't. But they definitely hadn't turned up in the physical world that was home to Ben and Mal. Yet anyway.

Given the extremely variable geography, exploring the area might be dangerous. At least as dangerous as anything in a dream could be. But investigating might help them find a way back to the physical world faster, for those who realize they are dreaming. Or they could just stand around and talk or complain about the latest bit of magical weirdness to happen to them and hope they woke up soon. Or they could go with it and enjoy the weird. It was their dream, after all. They could pretty much do what they liked. Or at least try to. Either way, they seemed stuck there for the present, for better or worse.

Comments

[logic_in_unity]

He took time before replying. "I think it is simplest to say, I made the offer because I wanted to. Teaching is a large part of what I do."

He would like to help, but in a way providing something else to focus on seemed to have done so already. Admittedly, she was still frustrated and confused, but it seemed to be, in human terms, a step up from the earlier fear.

[professorsong]

"Oh, a few hundred? Nice to know I'm not teasing someone too much younger than me. Then again it is interesting being the cradle robber every now and again. Keeps things fresh." She would have winked if she could.

[nobodys_puppet]

"Teaching...? But... why?"

[under_the_raptors_wings]

And that earned another flush along with a small laugh as Æn'kae shook his head. "Oh. No. I'm only 23.. 24? I don't really know how time works in this place compared to home. Either way..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "So you tease people like this regularly, huh?"

[logic_in_unity]

Skisan arched an eyebrow upwards. "I find merit in helping others learn.

[professorsong]

"Only the ones I find cute. Or interesting. Or both. Guess which you are?"

[nobodys_puppet]

"Merit?"

[logic_in_unity]

"I find it to be worth doing." Perhaps he would have tried to break the 'why loop', but, once again, it seemed to be a distraction from her fears.

[under_the_raptors_wings]

"I uh... interesting?" He rubbed at the back of his neck. "I mean. This is a dream, I could look completely different outside of it." As she well knew.

[windslept]

When you're back, awake, you can come find me. It's okay. But I'll be here. As long as you need.

[He shifts, his head tilting slightly as be gives her a small smile. Ven does at least want to be here for her while he could. Whether he was still around when she wakes up might not be assured but at the least, he was here now. May as well make the most of it, whatever was to come afterwards, he figures.]

[nobodys_puppet]

"Worth... doing?" She looked down, then at him again, though with that cracked glass head it was hard to tell. "Is.. Is that your mission...?"

[professorsong]

A chuckle. "Oh I assure you, cute has nothing to do with the face you're wearing. After all, no matter how I look... I'm always ravishing, aren't I?" she asked.

[aquawayfinder]

She nodded and leaned lightly against him. "I'll always come find you Ven. Even if it takes me a while. And we'll always find Terra. And When I've been lost.. you two have always found me." A warm smile. "Doesn't stop me from missing you between."

Didn't stop her... from always having to say goodbye. From always having to leave. This Ven, she was sure, like all the others... he had an Aqua waiting for him. An Aqua that... wasn't her.

Another tear fell despite her smile.

She stood. "We shouldn't waste what time we have." She summoned her Keyblade. "Have you been practicing?"

When in doubt, a good workout chased away the sad thoughts.

For a little while, at least.

[not_42]

"Kyoko Mogami," he repeated. It was an unusual name, to be sure, but to say so aloud would likely come off as rude, so he refrained. "A pleasure to meet you."

As for any other food or drink he might like, he considered briefly before asking a tad sheepishly, "I... don't suppose you have any candy apples available?"

[not_42]

"A projection?", Hermes said, intrigued. "So you are- or were- a being without physical form? Composed of aether, perhaps? Or something else?"

[not_42]

Hermes had feared it too, which was part of why he'd never formally submitted her design for consideration. Whether or not she was successful in her mission, she was far more likely to be seen as a selfish indulgence of his own curiosity and deemed to have no place on the star. And perhaps they would have even been correct in their assessment of his reasoning. But a creation should not bear the punishment for the recklessness or flawed reasoning of their creator; this he firmly believed. Yet it was a belief shared by no one else, and should his 'pet project' have come fully to light, it would be innocent Meteion held to account for his failings. And this, he could not allow.

But here, amid this dream of Elpis and other, stranger places, they need not fear such censure. Here it was only the two of them. And he would hear the report he'd so long awaited.

Even if that report brought grim tidings. Tidings that pained him to hear. That not all stars would harbor life or even be able to had been something he'd expected. Not all could be as hospitable as Etheirys, and not even all areas of Etheirys were equally so. Yet to hear that this was more the norm than the exception, and that those stars that did harbor life had destroyed themselves... No, no, she'd said it was a long tale. There had to be more. More than the darkness she now described.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm, though if he were being honest it was more for Meteion's sake than his own. Though he couldn't entirely keep the bleakness out of his voice as he replied simply, "Go on."

Paid ran out, sorry

[souls_of_roles]

"I can see what we have in the kitchen!" she said, offering a smile. "Just one moment?"

[windslept]

[Ven lets her lean against him. It isn't like she weighs that much, that he can't support her at least for a little, even if she is taller. He blinks when she stands, summoning her Keyblade. He does the same, in summoning his own and getting to his feet.]

Course.

[He, of course, moves to strike first to start their spar, as he probably almost always does.]

[aquawayfinder]

She laughed as she blocked, jumping back. She had been right. This had been exactly what she needed to shake off the upset.

"That the best you can do now, Ven?" she teased gently.

[queen_butterfly]

Congrats on confusing her so thoroughly! She blinked at him uncomprehendingly for a good moment, and then finally shook her head. "I have no idea what you're talking about. 'Necromancy' and 'Infernomancy'? What is all that about...?"

[queen_butterfly]

She simply watched for a moment, confused, as Kaylin carried on.

"....I'm afraid I don't follow...."

[queen_butterfly]

"I see." A bit more of a smile again at that. "Well, then... I don't suppose you've any ideas, or... if there's anything else you'd like to know about this mess?" A little gesture to the map she'd made, as she set the not-a-mirror aside... to have it hang midair without support. But given that this was a dream of some kind, and that who she was talking to was a literal hourglass... it was probably actually one of the least odd things there in their vicinity, wasn't it.

[queen_butterfly]

Well, she understood at least some of that. Which was a step in the right direction! "I see... Moko sounds like quite a lovely person, then. What other friends do you have?"

[queen_butterfly]

"I didn't! What makes you think I would?" She shifted, opting to sit directly on the ground with her legs folded beside her, rather than sitting on her heels. She'd be a little shorter, then; maybe that would help? She could hope, anyway....

[gregorydeegan]

"You know, Necromancy, like when you go out to make friends,... but you make them out of dead people. And Infernomancy, when you say blast it all and make a bargain with a demon."