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

[simulatio]

[His sight. Eugh. Fuck Joker and all of his talents.

Still, it's reassuring to have his strength beside him, as irritating as it can sometimes be. After all, there's no one he trusts more as a partner.

Akechi doesn't bother to hide his true appearance, though; as he and Joker approach, he's clad in his form-fitting black-and-blue striped body suit, with its dark horned knight's helmet and clawed gauntlets and boots. If the belts adorning the arms and legs of the bodysuit serve any purpose, it's certainly not obvious. Maybe surprisingly, his sword is nowhere to be seen; normally Akechi has it strapped to his waist while walking through the Void, but here, where it seems like he'd need it more than ever? Listen, don't even worry about it. He'll have it if he needs it.]

Damien-san. You're uninjured?

[He doesn't look or sound self-conscious about his appearance, anyway. He might be wearing his normal school uniform for all the care he seems to have.]

[abeautifulgame]

[he's seen Ren, in that ridiculous get-up, in his reflection in the glass in the memory of the casino, so that's not surprising. Akechi, though? well, that's different, and while his eyebrows raise a bit, when he spots him, registers it is him under the helmet, he doesn't comment. he's learning to take this shit in stride]

[that in mind, after a beat, he lowers his eyebrows and nods] So far. [a beat] I take it you are, too? [his eyes dart from Akechi's face to his shoulder (could he fix what Hornet did to him, here? has he already?), then to Ren behind him. the question is a blanket one, for both of them]

[forethinking]

(Damien might notice a shift in much of Ren's demeanor - the softness he carries in the cafe, the gentleness that comes in the deep voice, all are hardly ever-present here. Here's much more decisiveness that punctuates his every word, intensity in his steps and grace in his movements, like one finally sees Ren where he's supposed to be - a natural, like he's never left.

But Damien knows this already.

Joker says nothing, just watching the exchange until he sees the look, a hum, a smile and a nod following.)

[simulatio]

I am.

[He rotates his shoulder to demonstrate.]

Are you familiar with Yoshizawa-san? The young red-haired girl in an outfit similar to his. [He gestures carelessly to Ren with that same hand.] She has a power to heal. I suggest seeking her out via the same method you used to access his phone.

[With that out of the way, he lowers his hand to his waist. There isn't a gun or holster there, but suddenly there is a pistol in his hand, if it can be called that. Honestly? It looks like a plastic toy, if rather detailed and of high quality.]

Don't worry about ammunition. Five shots per encounter, then it needs time to recharge.

[abeautifulgame]

Vaguely.

[he saw her in Ren's memory of the casino (or he thinks it was her, anyway) but he's never met her in person. still, the idea that she's a healer is interesting. maybe she can do something about his leg. he imagines, if nothing else, that's why Akechi brings it up, beyond just maybe the fact that she may have healed him. he's not sure he would have suggested he try and find her otherwise]

[he'll do that later, though -- it shouldn't be too hard to find her phone with his own working. now, he takes the gun from Akechi, eyebrows creeping up again, though whether that's at the way he produces it or the fact that it doesn't look real is anyone's guess, though]

I take it this is another one of your tricks?

[has he mentioned he's jealous of their power? he really needs to sit down, figuratively, and play with his phone and see what he can do here, for more than just finding other people]

[forethinking]

You know her. (He asserts, a hand moving to tug at the edge of his glove and fix it. He has no problem in saying it in front of Akechi, either. His plan is actually to bring Yoshizawa to Damien, ask her to attempt a healing move on him, so finally, he speaks on it.)

I made you a promise. I'll bring her to you. (That part, Akechi wasn't aware, but alas. He thought his Personas would return to him - it makes no sense that Satanael was the only one who made it here with him when he had several masks at his disposal... But it sure is the case. He observes the exchange and it reminds him that Damien, while having knowledge of many Metaverse quirks, probably is even more confused than he shows.

It's not on them, though, blame the Metaverse.)

[simulatio]

[Hm? What? Akechi glances sideways to Ren with a quirked eyebrow. Presumably he's referring to a shared memory, though he was under the impression Damien saw the casino. What on earth was Yoshizawa doing there...? She wasn't a Phantom Thief.

Well, no matter. It's barely visible through his helmet, but Akechi's lip quirks into a smirk as he rests a clawed hand on his hip and returns his attention to Damien.]

That's right. Appearances are key in the Metaverse. If something looks real, your enemy will perceive it as real. I mentioned before that it's quite difficult to acquire real guns in Japan? [He nods to the toy. It's weighted like a real gun, at least, though the deep black color and red lines showing its charge don't look like any modern gun.] Fortunately, we don't have to. After all, what enemy would assume that your gun is a bluff, especially when they can see and hear it fire?

[abeautifulgame]

She was at the casino.

[or so he's guessing that's what that was look about, since while Akechi was at the casino, too, he wasn't there, with Ren, when Yoshizawa showed up. now he knows, even if Damien doesn't realize there's more a disparity there than just the fact that Akechi wasn't there to see her]

[either way, Damien nods to Ren, the gesture grateful, respectful somehow, carrying the weight of a bow, almost. he appreciates the offer, the help. and he's going to be very upset, regardless of whether or not it works, if and when it doesn't translate over to the waking world]

[but anyway]

I thought that might be the case. [he glances down at the gun again] That's -- impressive. [and what makes him think he might have a shot at hacking the setting. hey, if Futaba can do it, why not him, too? and either way, though] Thank you. [he appreciates you, too, favorite boy]

[forethinking]

(He never explained who the 'strange readings' were, so of course, Akechi has never learned who it was.

Surprise?

He simply shrugs, like he's storing that conversation for later. It wasn't like he was hiding it from him whatsoever, but also it just never came up in conversation... Ren may have forgotten to tell the other.

There's some fondness in seeing the other nod, since the respect around it reminds Joker of the fact that he had taught Damien the meaning of those. Joker parrots the action in mutual respect - he did take care of Akechi after all.)

[simulatio]

Is that so...?

[How interesting. Something he'll discuss with Yoshizawa at a later date.

For now, it's not important. He returns his attention to Damien with a huff of almost-amusement, shaking his head.]

I'm afraid that it's simply a matter of beggars not being choosers. When one is whisked into the Metaverse, you either awaken to powers to protect yourself, or you die. But you're welcome. As I said: I'm very aware that I owe you.

[Otherwise he absolutely wouldn't be parting with his gun on a whim. He isn't as self-sacrificing as Ren.]

[abeautifulgame]

Clearly, I'm not so lucky.

[as to awaken to a power. did he mention he's jealous? and grateful that Akechi's willing to let him borrow his gun? and more than willing to let them call that a debt, paid, because it would feel too much like pity otherwise (oh, we have to help the poor, defenseless cripple?) for him to be comfortable?]

[though -- ] Though there's something I'm curious about, speaking of. [ -- he's just going to take out his phone, now, and pull up the toolkit on his phone. his fingers hover over it, his expression hopeful and a little dark] Move away from the walls a minute. If this works, well. [it's going to be messy]

[forethinking]

Or not yet. (Maybe he just needs the good ol' rebellion to kick. Who even knows what is possible here or what isn't? They can't exactly test it when they've already awakened the powers themselves.

For the record, Ren would try to help Damien even if he hadn't had issues with his leg or even if he came bearing a machine gun. Doesn't matter. At the warning, Ren doesn't need to be maskless to show his confusion, head tilting and eyes narrowing. Either way, he complies.)

[simulatio]

True. If your life hasn't yet been threatened directly...

[He brings a thoughtful hand to his lips, undeterred by the clawed gauntlets or the cool metal. His eyes flick to Damien's phone, and oh, now that is interesting.

He steps back as requested, eyes sharpening behind the red-tinted visor. The parallel between Damien and their own hacker, Futaba, isn't something he's about to underestimate.]

Go ahead. [As if Damien needs his permission.]

[abeautifulgame]

I'm sure we'll find out, one way or another, before this is all over.

[he's absolutely going to secretly hold out hope for having some kind of power, though]

[he's going to use what power he does have now, now that everyone's clear of the walls, thumbing at his phone just once, pointedly, like the man hitting the button on a detonator. the end result is the same, too, a swollen part of the wall, full of blood, not unlike a blood blister, explodes in a rain of blood and force. it doesn't do any damage to the wall, fortunately or unfortunately, but it's still impressive, like blowing a junction box, and he smiles, expression matching that darkness behind his eyes almost in spite of himself]

I'm back.

[and god, that's good]

i got a lil graphic, so... i guess cw gore???

[forethinking]

(For a second, Joker wants to tell him about how part of the process is actually having a mask melded to your very skin, that in instinct and overwhelming despair, you rip off. That it's agonizing pain before it heals, as one would expect of having their skin violently peeled all at once.

Eh. If Damien's meant for it, he'll be ready for it. Until then, Joker's attentive eyes rest upon the spot Damien is staring at... And suddenly, blood rains and he can only protect his eyes from the blast.

There are little specks of blood here and there on his outfit and face, but alas. It's not like his Phantom Thief outfit ever needs to be washed.)

Impressive, (He compliments, even if he's wiping some of the blood on his cheek.)