004 - Lucid Dreaming

[tabularasa_mods]

Lucid Dreaming Event Info Pt.1 ▲ Event Info Pt.2 ▼ Comments Please see the two info posts linked above for details on the nature of the event, the nightmares within, and the setting it takes place in. You may ask any unanswered questions in either post. If your character dies at any point during the dream event, please leave a comment in the death report thread to notify the mods.

As a final reminder, all characters will fall asleep for the full duration of this event whether you decide to take part or not. You may continue tagging threads that take place before the event, but everyone will fall asleep simultaneously.

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Falling Asleep, Waking Up
The shift happens without warning, much like the first time people appeared in the world. Perhaps you remember what you were doing in the last moments before a strange feeling of exhaustion overwhelmed you - or perhaps you remember nothing at all. Whatever it may be, you've appeared somewhere new. A seemingly ordinary train station, if not for the bizarre walls of flesh blocking the only exits. The only path forward is down into the pulsating depths, a humid breeze pushing at your back.

There may be others here with you, or you may be alone. Could there be more people trapped in this strange place? You won't find them just by standing around.

Nightmares
The screeching of a distant train will echo through the tunnels on occasion, shadows flicking through the translucent flesh of the walls. Sometimes, however, instead of fading away the noise will only grow louder, closer, until it sounds like the train should be upon you. It never appears, but something else always will.

The train is a siren call for nightmares, and you're unfortunate enough to be their victim. The shadows turn alive, twisting and growing as they rise up from the ground and begin to transform. What form they take varies, but the shadows of the mind know the true fears of those who walk among them. Are you prepared to face the darkness?

Volcanic Panic

The shadows congeal at the edges of the floor, and soon after a hot orange glow begins to fill the room - molten lava is pooling in from the other end of the tunnel. It rolls slowly forward, devouring everything it touches with an unquenchable searing hunger, leaving behind only the charred bones of its victims... although, strangely, the tunnels themselves appear to be completely unharmed.

Outrunning the flow of lava shouldn't be a problem, but there seems to be no end to it. How long can you run from something that never stops? Or worse, what happens if you find yourself surrounded? You'll need to find a way to higher ground before that happens.

A Radiant Plague

The shadows rise up into familiar shapes, and at first glance it'd be easy to mistake them for people. They may even share the faces and voices of people you know, stumbling towards you with wide, open arms... and empty, glowing eyes filled with an orange light. Something smells sickly sweet, and it's only once they're close enough to grab you that they begin to attack.

These are not your friends, and they'll do whatever it takes to make you one of them instead. Unfortunately, it's not an experience you'll be able to survive. Your only hope is to fight back before the plague can take hold, lest you become another mindless husk that knows only to further spread the infection.

Trust No One, Not Even Yourself

The shadows stretch and fill the air, choking everything in a thick blanket of darkness... before dispersing just as quickly as they'd appeared. A few moments pass and nothing else seems to be happening. You must've gotten lucky this time!

... Or did you?

Surely it can't be that simple. Nothing else here has been, so something must have happened just now. It's only you and the person you're currently traveling with... but are you sure that's really them right now? How do you know they haven't been possessed by another nightmare, waiting until you let your guard down to stab you in the back? Should you interrogate them to be sure, or start with restraining them and ask questions later? Wouldn't it be better to just kill them before things get out of hand? The sooner you strike, the safer you'll be when their true form emerges.

Yes, that must be the real explanation. It has to be them that's been possessed by a nightmare. What else could it be?

Joker’s Wild

There’s no limit to what form the shadows can take. The world may have its own perception of fear, but your nightmares are something only you could understand. What darkness lurks in the depths of your heart?

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

[forethinking]

(To say he's intrigued by the other is an understatement. Naturally, Ren is not entirely convinced Akechi is truly gone now that his Persona walks his flesh.

There's nothing much he can do but to damage control until that answer becomes clear.)

What is it that you want from me? (Maybe they can strike a deal.)

[simulatio]

[He smiles, and this time, it's all teeth, sharp and pointed. He leans in closer until his nose is almost brushing Ren's, reaches out with one red-clawed hand to take the other boy by the chin in a warm grip.]

Make me an offer, Trickster.

[forethinking]

(Temptation, surely, but Ren doesn't waver on how he's decided to handle it.

It's a part of Akechi. One of his favorite parts nonetheless, but a part. It feels wrong to deny it, but wrong to accept it. He won't engage the way Loki seems to be asking of him, which doesn't mean he's not engaging at all.

His gloved index finger stops any further contact, and he makes that decision known.)

Not like that.

(And finally,)

Unlimited information on exchange for those two.

[simulatio]

[Loki laughs again, another low, rich sound that Akechi's vocal chords shouldn't be capable of producing. His tongue curls briefly around Ren's gloved finger before he lets go of the the other boy's chin and leans back.]

Such loyalty. Such willpower. So much potential to destroy... in another story, perhaps I'd have served you. Helped you tear down the men who sentenced you to ignominy.

What could you possibly tell me that I don't know already, Trickster?

[forethinking]

(Fuck. He shudders again, and if Loki didn't know any better, he could probably assume Ren is angry about his presence.

Unfortunately, Loki probably knows better. It's Ren's turn to give him a smirk, full teeth for his bargaining chip.)

You're inside his head. Not mine.

[simulatio]

Tempting...

[Once again, Loki circles around Ren, allowing himself to soak in every detail in a gaze at once heated and appraising, as if trying to determine the value of the boy in front of him and finding him worthy.

Eventually, he stops in front of Ren once again and spreads his clawed hands, eyes glimmering once again.]

We have a deal, [he hisses, grinning widely.] You wish to know my plans and the whereabouts of my boy?

[He laughs.]

I have none, and I do not know where my boy is. Does that not satisfy your curiosity? [He leans back in, closing the distance between them impossibly fast, as if he'd simply teleported, and shows off his sharp teeth in another grin.] That wasn't part of the deal.

[forethinking]

(Disappointing, to say the least.

There are probably other things he could ask - he might not have plans, but there could be intentions. Loki may not know where Akechi is - but he can tell whether he truly is gone, can't he? At this point, Ren can't believe he is. It's a dream, Loki is here, there's still the underlying hope after the shock that he'll be fine once (because "if" is not a possibility in his mind) they wake up.

Either way, a deal is a deal. Perhaps if he keeps his end of the bargain, Loki's more inclined to answer more questions down the line. It's a gamble and Ren is more than attracted to those, nevermind the discreet smile that forms on his lips.)

Very well. Ask your questions.

(Loki certainly makes a point to be close, he notices, assertive like Akechi is when it's passion that rules the touches. With his head, Ren gestures for them to sit, a hand offered to the other in gentleman-like poise.

He knows Loki means him no harm, after all.)

[simulatio]

[Ren gestures for them to sit, and he's welcome to do so. Loki simply summons Lævateinn and lets it drift a few inches off the ground, tip pointed toward the floor. Impossibly graceful, he leaps atop to perch atop the pliers that serve as a hilt for a blade too hot to touch, grinning his too-wide grin.]

So accommodating. Such a gentleman. [He hisses in amusement, resting his chin in his hand, elbow on his knee.] The Trickster with a noble heart and the best intentions. Why do you hold yourself back, Ren Amamiya? You have the same powerful urge to destroy. To reshape the world to suit your desires.

[His eyes flash as his lips curve.]

Is that not what you want?