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

[mist_the_point]

He was clearly not expecting the flame, but relaxed once it was clear that his companion wasn't alarmed by it. He took the offered flute a bit gingerly at first, examining it more closely for a moment. He's still a bit dubious as to whether the flute will do what she claims but, under the circumstances, sees no reason not to try it.

He considered what tune to play for a moment, before raising the flute to his lips and blowing into the mouthpiece. And as he'd been told it moved his fingers to help him create the notes of one of his father's favorites.

[nobodys_puppet]

She looked up, not that the cracked mirror head made that clear. "Really?" she asked, sounding almost desperate. "And Emporio?"

[soraing]

"Huh?" she asked, looking at her hands, then bending all the way down, grabbing the back of her ankles from the front to see her feet. Then she popped back up. "All things.. Oh! Right, the audience usually can't see this close, huh? Sorry. Everyone I know at Kaleido Stage works harder than this, so this is nothing," she said, waving her hand cheerfully, to show him hit is all fine. "For your smiles, it is all worth it!"

[aquawayfinder]

She chuckled. "Then I'll have to count on the two of you to take care of yourself enough that I don't have to get to that point. And trust you both to have my back."

[ubuntu_programmer]

"You.... you think we're fully trapped here then?" they asked, paling a bit.

[oneahn_ayesh]

It would work, he'd hear the flute playing the song he was used to, though in a slightly different scale. She started playing on a hammer coppered flute after a bit, catching the tune and providing a harmony.

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Emporio?", Lea repeated. The name was familiar, though it took a moment to recall why. "Oh yeah, he was on the train with us. Or a version of him was, anyway."

"But yeah, really. And if he's there on the Isle with you, I don't really see any reason why we wouldn't bring him too. I didn't really talk to him that much back on the Voidtrecker, but he seemed like a good kid."

The tone of her question had been surprising though. "I'm guessing you two have been hanging out together a lot?" Had Xion... actually made a new friend?

[nobodys_puppet]

"H...he was?" she asked, startled. She... had never noticed him.

At his question, though she shrugged. "He keeps finding me to talk to me. I don't know why. But when you come, he can talk to you." She smiled at that thought. Then she didn't have to talk, but Emporio's questions could be answered.

[hermesbird]

As his beloved creation even if it's a selfish indulgence, Meteion would have continued to carry out her mission for his sake unconditionally if only to find and seek the answer to his endless curiosity and research. Dynamis as an element is still unknown territory as opposed to aether and he made her with the exact energy, which is why it was kept a secret away from the council.

Out of compassion, she was spared from the punishment of being destroyed and this was a debt Meteion wishes to repay him selfsame a thousand-fold.

"It was a long report. I'm sure you may appreciate it if I write it down for you to read. There are so many stars and many civilizations that it will take you many days and nights to study." She said. She is hoping to spend as much time with him as possible to keep him company.

Learning much from the warrior of light, with a beat, she has hope. "But none of them can compare to our beautiful home of Etheirys. Our home, our star seems to be one of a few that carries and nurture life especially your favorite, the flowers and the animals you created."

Such a bleakness and despair she was familiar with, and she felt his emotions. Perhaps to ease his loneliness, she reached out to gently hold his hand.

"We can discuss over tea if you like?" Technically she doesn't need to consume food, but she can feel the desire for drink and food to appear for normalcy.

[hermesbird]

[ooc: Hello! Much, much apologies for the lateness! Didn't have much motivation to write at the time. O|-< I'll be happy to thread this out and continue if you wish to!]

The blue bird was simply exploring this new space, this new dimension. Any lifeform or alien beings she stumbled upon, she would like to learn their tale and listen, to study, and to offer support with the intent of curiosity.

While she did sense a heavy aura around her, she won't pry deeper unless the other wishes to speak about it.

"Hello. What is it you're trying show me?" Yes the bird spoke in a human language. She flew closer to have a look. "Such a pretty stone."

[souls_of_roles]

(No worries. I'm always happy to backthread!)

"OH!" she said, delighted when the bird spoke. "Are you a fairy?!" she asked, excited.

[mist_the_point]

"In this world of shades? No," he said. "The world I have been brought to is far too fond of such illusions for my liking, but they have always faded in time. But even should all others who have been transported to this new star be returned from whence they came, I cannot. Naught but death awaits me should I return to Hydelyn and Eorzea."

[mist_the_point]

Her attack hit one of the Treants, cutting a long gash in its woody body, but unfortunately for her, simple physics did not agree with her roll; the Treants were simply too large for her to hit both properly at once, and thus her strike barely grazed the second one.

And though the uninjured one's return strike was clumsy, it connected solidly. A huge, wooded hand slammed into her with a great deal of force, sending her sprawling. Or perhaps flying, if she happened to be standing on some slippery moss. Either way, it was going to hurt.

[mist_the_point]

After an initial moment of surprise, he found himself relaxing into the familiar tune. With the flute doing most of the work, he closed his eyes for a moment, focusing only on providing the breath it needed. And as he did so, the forest around them changed from day to night, the roaming Treants and Ziz vanishing, replaced by several antelope does, browsing the foliage at the edge of the clearing where they stood. The forest was lit by the light of a full moon, and all was calm and peaceful, though there was a tinge of sadness over it all. Of things that had once been, but could never be again.

But one thing the song didn't do was release them from the dreamworld.

[hermesbird]

That certainly caught her by surprise. The bird wings fluttered in the selfsame excitement.

"Faeries?" She knows they do exist in her world. "I'm afraid I am not! I'm a bird and also a girl like you."

In a flash of light, she gathered her mana to transform into a girl with blue hair and a pair of feathered wings on the side of her head and bipedal talons for legs. "See?"

[windslept]

I mean, of course we would. Or at least. We'd try.

[It isn't like he would plan to get hurt or make her worry like that. Neither would Terra. But even so. This isn't something he wants to have to consider. The lengths they would go to for each other and the potential consequences of that protectiveness and recklessness.]

[ubuntu_programmer]

"Naught but.... you're... on death row or something?"

[modified20]

She went flying. "HEY!" she said, shoving herself up, looking rough. "No way tis is gonna TPK me!" she snapped. "You're gonna pay for that! You see these character sheets?! I'm gonna make you into a whole folder of them, buddy!"

[oneahn_ayesh]

Her own memories merged with his adding to the odd environment around them. A mix of different places. A roof appeared over them, without walls to support it. The roof was made of glass or crystal, showering them in fractured rainbows as the moonlight hit it at just the right angle.

The ground under her feet became stone, raised ever so slightly from where he was. A small well off to one side draped in blue and grey cloth over stone. Places gone to her now. But places that have become dear to her heart.

[souls_of_roles]

"Oh! But how can you be both, without being a fairy?" she asked. "Like Mallia and Corn!"

[aquawayfinder]

"Then there is nothing to worry about," she said with a warm smile. Totally not mentioning that this has already happened for her, over and over again.

[hermesbird]

"Hmm, it's a little hard to explain." Especially since it's a type of energy and science that only exists in her world.

"It's like this dreamscape we're in. All of us can shape reality by our will. So whether I want to appear as a bird or a girl it's because I wanted to."

[windslept]

If you say so. As long as we're all okay. That's the main thing. At the least, for now, we're fine and together. We'll figure everything else.

[He says, wanting to reassure her, and maybe himself. That things would work out and wouldn't get to that. Oblivious as he is that she isn't saying that had already happened more than once. That she just doesn't want to worry him. Doesn't want to upset him.]

LOL sokay. X3

[not_42]

He nodded politely, watching as she busied herself in the kitchen while he waited for his tea to cool to a drinkable temperature. As he watched she shifted between several different faces, and he wondered if she was even aware of the fact that her features kept shifting. She certainly didn't seem to be reacting to it at all, though that could be because she was simply used to it as well.

"Forgive me if this is an odd question," he said after a moment, "but have you noticed that your facial features keep changing?" And yet, that shockingly bright attire remained

[not_42]

Hermes titled his own head in return. The idea of someone being unfamiliar with aether of all things was somewhat surprising. It's so basic a concept to him that he's unsure how to begin explaining it. Thus he sticks to Rren's revelation for the moment, trying to understand it. "So... you existed as a concept, of a sort," he said. "But retained your sense of self in such a form? And were able to use the projectors you mentioned to interact with others?"