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

Leia Organa | Star Wars (CRAU Wake + Voidtrekers) | OTA

[motherofresistance]

Compared to some in this odd dreamspace, Leia looked rather ordinary; a petite older woman in a white gown and hooded cloak combo. Even the gown itself wasn't especially remarkable, though it might well be familiar to some. Those with more awareness of fashion might recognize its quality by its clean, elegant lines and how well it fit and flattered her; clearly something that had been tailored or specially made, rather than gotten off the rack. But she wore no jewelry other than a single ring with two blue stones. Really the only thing that marked her as unusual was the fact that- despite appearing quite solid, she was surrounded by a soft, ethereal blue glow.

The environment she appeared in was far more impressive looking. A huge, elegant bedroom featuring an equally large and elegant four poster bed. The other furniture was similarly elegant. A sitting area with a few comfortable looking couches and chairs surrounding a coffee table. A writing desk and chair in one corner. A vanity table with a cushioned stool in another. A wardrobe that, if opened, would be found to contain a number of elegant gowns and accessories, though also several far simpler and mor practical outfits. A plush, white oval-shaped rug that took up much of the floor space not occupied by furniture. A cushioned window seat and large window that looked out over a beautiful, futuristic city, and in the distance a snow-capped mountain peak.

If one opened the door though, they'd be met with quite a contrast. Instead of the hallway of a palace, they would be met with the interior of a light space freighter, reasonably tidy, but worn, battered, and a bit grimy from much use. There were seating areas here was well, some with retractable safety harnesses, and a round holographic game table, currently inactive. A bit further in, one could find a small galley stocked with some basic provisions, though this wasn't immediately visible. And a bit further still one could make their way to the cockpit for a veiw of the star-speckled blackness of space.

The contrast would be immediately apparent to anyone approaching, as both the bedroom and the freighter arts ended in such a way as to be missing part of their walls. Upon seeing all of this, Leia simply smiled. "Well," she said, "as dreams go, this one is fairly pleasant. Though I have a feeling this is no ordinary dream." Partly because she hadn't planned on taking a nap. Partly because she could sense other presences here with her, some familiar, some not.

Which meant that she should probably investigate. So she set out through the missing wall and into the dream space to find out what- and who- might be waiting for her.

You said whoever....Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (CRAU Wake + Voidtrekers) | OTA

[utauhoshina]

The blond girl in the pigtails would be the first she might meet. Under her feet - daylit sidewalk. Over her head, dark clouded night. And around her on all sides but the left - Where Leia came to her from - tight close in walls. Her wrists glittered with broken shackles, bits of chains around her feet, broken and inert. On her back were two wings. The feathery white wing was high and tight to her back, the small black bat wing was broken and listed, pressed against the wall behind her. There was on either of her shoulders what looked like an angel and a devil the size of her hands. The girl's eyes were closed as she sang a deep and haunting melody. The sing seemed to flow along around her, illuminating her in a soft glow of whiteish gold light.

[motherofresistance]

Leia waited respectfully until the girl finished her song, then applauded politely. "You have a beautiful voice," she commented by way of announcing her presence, smiling warmly.

[utauhoshina]

She tried to turn, but her angel wing caught on the wall. She struggled, but it became clear that as long as she had the wing she couldn't turn to look at Leia.

Which irritated her enough to be snappish.

"Of course I do. I know that! You know anything useful, like how to get me out of here?"

[motherofresistance]

Leia didn't have one immediately, but stepped forward to inspect the girl's situation a bit more closely. "Let's see if I can get a better look and this box," she said, trying to determine if the girl was actually bound to the walls in any way or if there were any forcefields involved.

[utauhoshina]

"You could just get rid of the good nonsense," the little devil creature said, snickering. "Then you can free yourself."

"NO! Utau is a good girl!" the little angel insisted.

"Yeah? So good... she's trapped by it. What fun," the devil taunted.

Utau was pretending to ignore them as she started to beat at and kick at the wall, trying to free herself.

[motherofresistance]

"Don't do that," Leia said as she began striking the walls. "You could hurt yourself." This might be a dream but that didn't man that injuries incurred there wouldn't be painful. "And you're making it more difficult for me to see what might holding you."

"And you two," she added, directing her attention to the little angle and devil creatures, "stop arguing and help. See if there's anything behind her that might be holding her in place, or any kind of device that might be generating a forcefield that I can't see from this angle."

[utauhoshina]

"The space is too small," the devil said. "She just needs to ditch the angel wi... wait. You can see us?!"

Utau tried again to try and see Leia, shock on her face. But she couldn't twist enough. And it really was just that the space was too small. And it seemed to only be getting smaller.

[motherofresistance]

"You're rather difficult to miss when you're shouting like that," she said. "And while I take it that that's not typical, we can discuss that later. What's important is getting your friend out of there safely."

Turning her attention back to the girl, Leia continued. "Utau, wasn't it? I have an idea of how to help you, but I'm going to need you to be calm, however difficult I know that must be. May I take your hand?" She extended her hand so that it was within easy reach of the girl's left one.

[utauhoshina]

"Will I get to keep it after?" she snapped. She was huddling behind her darker persona to keep herself from breaking down.

[motherofresistance]

Leia was taking that as a 'yes' and took the girl's hand, holding it with a steady grip, but not one so strong that she couldn't pull it away if she wished. "Of course," she said gently. "Now all three of you, close your eyes. Breath deeply and listen to my voice."

She projected calm towards the frightened young woman, keeping her voice steady, soothing, almost rhythmic. "This space is a dream, and in dreams, your focus determines your reality. Right now, you're focusing on your fear. I want you to breathe deeply and try to picture that fear gradually flowing out of you with each breath, like water being poured out of a cup."

Re: Leia Organa | Star Wars (CRAU Wake + Voidtrekers) | OTA

[modified20]

Sarah had been cycling through her characters as she moved through the dreams. She didn't even notice Leia at first. "Okay, so manifesting works..." she said, currently blond and more or less human looking. Except for the dice that seemed to encircle her at waist height and the papers that floated around just above her head. "Let's see what I can manifest... Oh! I know!" A flame thrower appeared in her hand. She grinned. then it vanished. "Even better. Let those star dorks see me now," she said. One of the dice started rotating. She reached out and touched it. "Modified twenty, I summon my lightsaber!" and in her hand appeared a lightsaber. Active. A red lightsaber. "Alright! Didn't really get to test this out last time. I wonder if it still has blood on it. Can you even get blood on one of these...?" She seemed like she was talking to someone else, but no one else was there.

[motherofresistance]

Had it not been for her time in Nautilus, Leia might have been rather confused by all of that. As it stood though, she simply took it all in stride with a look exasperation that would be familiar to many who knew her. "A lightsaber cauterizes as it cuts, so there wouldn't be any blood," she said. "And if all you plan to do is wave weapons around and talk to thin air like a drunk Mandalorian, you can do it somewhere other than in my bedroom, thank you."

[modified20]

"Am I supposed to know what that is?" she asked, the flame thrower vanishing so she could put one hand on her hip. "Also what am I supposed to do with an old lady in her bedroom? Are you supposed to be the plot hook or something?"

[motherofresistance]

"Given that you've already made it abundantly clear that you don't have any idea where you really are or what's really going on, no, I don't expect you would," Leia said. "And you could behave like a reasonable being and have a sensible conversation, but frankly I have my doubts about your ability to do that, here or elsewhere. For now though, I'll ask that you at least put the weapons away; I assure you, there's no need for them here."

[modified20]

"I know my DM. There is always a reason to keep my weapon active. Thanks all the same. And I can have a sensible conversation just fine, when it isn't boring. For boring you want Lance. He's the one who is good at talking. I take Charisma as a dump stat unless I'm playing a caster."

[motherofresistance]

"Your 'DM' isn't here," Leia said. "And I don't think much of your charisma either. SO I'm asking you once again, politely, to put your weapons away."

[modified20]

"Oh he's always here. But fine. Just don't think I can't manifest it again," she warned and her lightsaber vanished. "Okay, weapons gone. Now what?"

[motherofresistance]

"You would be surprised," Leia said. "But thank you. Now, where is it that you think you are? Judging by the dice you projected, I'm guessing you think this is some sort of game?"

[modified20]

"I have no clue, all I know is this is VR edition. I put on the headset and here I am. And you're the first NPC I've met.... so What's the hook?"

[jedi_scrapper]

When Cal approached he noticed the room, but the ship interior had his attention and he looked around, eyes lighting up somewhat. No matter how worn the ship was, he recognized quality at the base from years of scrapping ships. It distracted him from anything else, and for a moment, he wasn't Cal Kestis, would be empire's most wanted. He was Cal of the scrapper guild. And in this dream, his appearance reflected that shift in attitude. While he didn't look younger, his poncho made a reappearance, and his lightsaber was no longer strangely lit. "Wow. A Corellian YT-1300? Has some nice mods too, huh BD?" He asked habitually, glancing at his empty shoulder ... Not that he had constantly had the droid around over the past several years or anything.

He looked around for whoever this imagery came from, somewhat startled and no small bit embarrassed when he realized how close she was. Oh he would have heard it for that. Not that he was about to let it show. "Nice ship," he said with a grin, finally taking in the second room, the elegance of her dress and the soft glow about her. He didn't know her, but clearly, she was someone to be respected. Huh. Maybe that was too casual, ah well, he looked like a scrapper or maybe even a smuggler, depending on his attire of the moment, he doubted being too casual would come as a surprise.

[motherofresistance]

Leia smiled at the man, amused. Yes, she'd heard all of that, and seen the shift in appearance to boot. "Yes she is," she said. "I've become quite fond of her over the years; she's saved my life more than once."

[jedi_scrapper]

Was he going to act like he hadn't just acted a little strange? Absolutely. Hey, this was a shared dream, if ever there was a time he could, this was it. "I have similar experience with an S-161 Stinger. You wouldn't think a yacht could move like she does, but with a skilled pilot." He gave a whistle.

He grinned at her then. "I'm Cal Kestis, by the way. It's nice to meet you."

[motherofresistance]

"The right pilot can make all the difference to a ship, yes," she said. "This one's certainly did. Though even the best pilots need a bit of help now and then."

She gave a polite nod of greeting. "Leia Organa. Always nice to meet someone else from a version of our galaxy." Whether or not Cal knew of her personally, her family name would likely be recognizable immediately; a perk and a hazard of being royalty.

[jedi_scrapper]

Cal acknowledged that with a nod. "Oh you aren't wrong there. Still feel like Greez does more for me than I could make up for."

There was no holding back the confusion. At least not as quickly as it happened. He'd heard of the Organas of Alderaan and knew they had a daughter named Leia, who could not have been much older than Kata. Think. Cal. Think. Sure their daughter was young. But them naming her after another family was very likely. And someone who he already had a good impression of to boot. "Huh. Well, I like your taste in ships, ma'am. I guess you could have your pick and I know these are underrated to those who aren't in the know."