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

[nobodys_puppet]

She gave a small shrug, looking around again for an escape. She gasped catching the sight of the sky that had once been outside her window. She shrunk away from it, pulling her Keyblade close to her chest. Defensively.

[logic_in_unity]

While Skisan had only been observing up until this point, there was no logic and a great deal of cruelty in just leaving the girl in panic. So he closed his eyes for a moment and focused. Willing the sky to shift to the soft purple hues found on Mol'Rihan. It was entirely likely she'd shift them back, as he had more control of what he brought with him than others, but if he could demonstrate that they could be changed even briefly, perhaps it would aid with that.

When he opened his eyes he looked back to the sky and then to her. "I am uncertain what place you pictured, but you are not there right now. This is more akin to a shared dream than a physical location."

[nobodys_puppet]

"A.... nightmare? I'm... alseep?" That helped, some.

[logic_in_unity]

He arched an eyebrow upwards. "We are all asleep, yes. I would note that knowing this, together we can avoid allowing it to become a nightmare." At least more than it already had been for her.

[nobodys_puppet]

"Dreams.... together....?" She was so confused. And now differently scared. But at least it was less sharp.

[logic_in_unity]

Curious. It seemed as though this was an occurrence she did not know was possible. Which only deepened the mystery here. He was very much intrigued in getting to the bottom of it. "It is not a common occurrence. And I will acknowledge I am uncertain as to the cause of this one, but it is not impossible."

[nobodys_puppet]

"How... how do we... share nightmares?" she asked in a whisper, hunching in a bit.

[logic_in_unity]

"Not everyone's contribution is a nightmare," he noted, keeping his voice even but not letting it become a deadpan entirely. "Nightmares have the most emotional weight, so the subconscious is most likely to bring them to the surface, but none of my contributions thus far have been nightmarish." Though, anyone who knew much about Vulcans would be curious why he saw the need to clarify that. Obviously Vulcans would not have nightmares.

He was quiet for a moment more. "My people are telepathic. Normally a shared mental state like this would be a deliberate act of both parties, and would only accidentally occur between those who are already mentally linked in some fashion. I am uncertain what force could bring multiple strangers into one, but I am intensely curious to learn." He had no intention of admitting that being pulled into one against his will, despite his training, had him unsettled.

[nobodys_puppet]

"Is... is it because I'm broken?" she whispered. "Did I break something to make this happen?" she hunched in on herself as the area around her became a swirl of dark corridors and blue-grey floors and walls.

[logic_in_unity]

Skisan folded to a seat on the ground, or rather, onto a cushion he manifested before sitting. He remained outside of her space, but present. "This was not your doing. Your memories are strong and can influence the area around you, but you did not create this space." He spoke with certainty. He might not know what person or phenomenon had created it, but the overall dream did not have the same impression as the memories she contributed.

[nobodys_puppet]

Her fear was palpable. "My... memories... are making things... worse?" she whispered, shuddering as she tried to become even smaller. A ghostly echo of the sound of boots walking down the hall. The sofas of the grey waiting room forming to one side. The positioning... She was now right where she was when she reported in or got missions. Though her back was to where Saïx usually stood. As she realized that, her fear spiked more and she looked as though she was expecting - and awaiting - a blow of some sort.

[logic_in_unity]

He took in all of this, her reaction included. "Powerful emotions lead to powerful memories, which means you have more places to fear and are more likely to manifest that fear in a dream. It is not something most people can control. These places are neither better nor worse than where I was before because I lack the context that makes them painful. However, I can assist in shifting this memory, if you would allow?"

[nobodys_puppet]

"Y...you want t...to change my memory?!" she asked, horrified. Terrified. She shrunk back away from him.

[logic_in_unity]

Skisan shook his head. "I apologize that it sounded that way. No, I neither would use such an ability, nor could I. It is both unethical and beyond the scope of my abilities." He did not mention that there were Vulcans with that ability, many working where he currently was, but even so, they used that scope of power towards different ends. It was irrelevant and might just add to her worry.

"I can change what manifests around us, but only because I am part of this dreamscape also and my own memories contribute to it. It would not change your memories at all. I would also be willing to teach you an exercise that may allow you to have some more choice in what memories you manifest in this dream."

[nobodys_puppet]

"I... I could choose... my memories....?" she was still confused. Fear made comprehension harder and narrowed what she heard and absorbed to how it related to that fear.

[logic_in_unity]

Skisan shook his head. "That is not accurate either." He stood from the cushion and waved her attention to it. "I manifested this item from my memory of the room where I fell asleep. I can end the manifestation." As he spoke, the cushion faded away. "However, my memories remain unchanged, the only difference is now you cannot see an aspect of them. Allowing you to control what you share in this dream is what I am willing to help teach. But only if you would like to learn."

[nobodys_puppet]

"W...what else will that change...?" she asked stumbling to her feet and back a bit.

[logic_in_unity]

He made no move towards her when she backed up, though he remained on his feet. "Nothing outside of what this dream shows. However, I did not intend to add to your distress, so I will allow this matter to rest."

[nobodys_puppet]

"Why? Why don't you want to hurt me? What... What do you want from me?"

[logic_in_unity]

"I desire nothing, but I will not act callously towards another without cause. You have done me no harm, so I wish you no harm in return."

[nobodys_puppet]

She was so confused. "But you were offering to help... I didn't help you either."

[logic_in_unity]

"While this statement is accurate, it is not in my nature to leave another in distress. Certainly not when I have the tools to assist." What sort of life had she had thus far that this offer had her worried he had ill will?

[nobodys_puppet]

A long pause as she processed and then she seemed to slump a little. "Oh... you think I'm a Somebody... don't you?" she whispered, and then shook her head. "You... don't have to bother with a broken Nobody like me..."

[logic_in_unity]

Skisan arched an eyebrow upwards. He did not need to context to know there was more weight to her words than might seem on the surface. "I assure you, my offer remains, I did not have to make an offer regardless, I chose to make it and whatever intricacies there are to your origin would have no affect on that choice." While he did not quite smile there was a warmth behind his eyes. "I would introduce myself, if belatedly, I am Skisan."

[nobodys_puppet]

"I... I don't understand...."