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?))]


*****************************************************

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

[aquawayfinder]

She hugged him. "Of course I am." Then an impish grin, and she took Terra's role for the moment as she danced back light on her feet. "Think I'd lose to you," she teased, the way Terra would, though her smile and wink probably ruined the effect.

[windslept]

Ah? Good.

[He instinctively returns the hug easily, before she teases him and he grins right back. Of course Ven is aware there would always be some difference between them. He hadn't been training for so long, is younger than they are. At least, they all assume. So it makes sense he might not quite be at the level of her or Terra, in taking the Mastery exam yet and all. He can tell she is just teasing, but it still has him summoning his Keyblade again to leap to strike again, aiming for her chest.]

[aquawayfinder]

She laughed and jumped back and decided to show off a new trick he hadn't seen yet.

Instead of raising her Keyblade, she hit her gem for her armor. But her armor didn't cover her. Instead a shield in the colour and pattern of her armor appeared on her arm, going from her feet to just under her eyes.

She grinned, Keyblade in her other hand. "That the best you got?" she teased, wondering if Ven would want to ask about the shield first... or test himself against it. She was pretty sure she knew which it would be, but he'd surprised her before.

[windslept]

No!

[He replies to her teasing, her taunting. Ven just obviously isn't going all out with them just sparring like this together. He does pause when she hits the gem, as he sees the shield? A barrier? Seem to come up in front of her like that. He tentatively reaches out, with his hand rather than the Keyblade, to see if he could reach through. He isn't sure if he might manage to break through it with his Keyblade or not.]

[aquawayfinder]

She paused to let him touch it. It felt similar to her armor. Hard and protective but also slightly warm. She chuckled. "I may have learned a few new tricks..." she teased lightly.

[windslept]

So this is like a barrier?

[How did she figure that? Of course they already have their armour but this was different. This would help even more with defense. Maybe he and Terra could learn to do that too? He isn't of course sure how it works but if she could do it. There might be a chance? That he and Terra could as well?]

Could I learn this too?

[aquawayfinder]

"Not in the time of this dream, I suspect. But when I find you in the waking, I will be happy to teach you, Ven. The shield is made of something called nanobots, and I can make all sorts of useful things with them." She smiled. "For example..." She twisted her hand and the shield reformed... into a second Keyblade.

[windslept]

Oh. Nanobots? Hm....

[He's not necessarily familiar with such technology. If that is what it is. What he assumes it is. Ven blinks, his eyes widening all the more when she changes these nanobots to become a second keyblade.]

Whoa! It can change like that too? I thought it was just a barrier?

[aquawayfinder]

"They can take nearly any form I need them to, but each form takes practice. The ones I know best are easiest and fastest. Though now I can even do this..." she swept her hand towards him and put the nanobots around him as armor before summoning her own armor. "Now I can keep someone else safe," she whispered.

[windslept]

That's pretty amazing.

[Ven does have to admire how versatile it could be. He shifts and blinks as the nanobots shift to move around him as well as Aqua. She sure was incredible. She would of course be wanting to share that protection to the others. To him, to Terra. To any other friends she might meet. He glances down as the nanobots extend to cover him as well.]

Ah? To me too?

[aquawayfinder]

She nodded. "You too. So if you're ever too hurt to summon your own, or Terra is... I can protect either of you." Or both by not having armor herself, but did the obvious really need stating?

[windslept]

That's useful! I would try be careful so that wouldn't happen, but. That is handy just in case. Is there a limit?

[He figures maybe two people might be covered. But he isn't sure. He doesn't know if she has tested that yet. If there is a limit or not. But Ven figures there might be and that might be important to know before they might encounter a situation where that might be necessary.]

[aquawayfinder]

"I only have enough Nanobots to cover a single person," she said with a small nod. Which meant one of them got her nanobots, one got her armor, and guess who Aqua wouldn't protect if the three of them were in danger?

[windslept]

But then -- ?

[Of course she would. It's Aqua. If she had to take the hit in keeping him and Terra safe. Well, it isn't like Ven could talk that he wouldn't do the same. If it meant his friends were unharmed. If they were alright. Ven frowns, biting his lower lip and lowering his gaze.]

[aquawayfinder]

"But then what, Ven?" she asked with a laugh. Trying to keep him from realizing what happened last time she didn't have enough armor for everything.

[windslept]

Then what about you? I mean. You not having the armor or these nano things.

[Ven is perceptive enough to catch that. He knows Aqua. Knows she would absolutely leave herself open like that if it meant protecting him, protecting Terra. If they needed that support, that defense from her she would prioritize them over herself.]

[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."

[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.]

[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.

[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.]

[aquawayfinder]

She nodded and rested her hand on the back of his head. "I'll do whatever it takes to make it so that you are okay, Ven."

[windslept]

So will I.

[Because of course he cares about her and Terra still. They might not always agree, and they might not always listen right away but eventually things worked out. It has to. They have their Wayfinders after all. That Aqua made for them. So of course they would always figure things, no matter what.]

[aquawayfinder]

"Good, then you'll keep yourself safe?"

[windslept]

I will.

[Not that he necessarily is aware of what she had been through since he had last seen her to know this was such a big deal for her. Ven can at least try to reassure her that he would try be careful though.]

[aquawayfinder]

"Good," she said, hugging him tightly.