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

II + IIIa

[obscurus_phantasma]

Having been separated from Damien, Melinoë has taken to exploring this strange setting, consistently with ghostly companions and more often than not, as she would appear in the Underworld. When they come across Merlin's playscape, she takes a moment to drink it all in; the scents, sounds, and sights, the display of power, how it feels familiar and yet foreign.

With only one spirit in tow for now, the Goddess seeks out the creator, already assured it's her darling mage. Inky eyes are trained on the floating tower when Matias rasps its discovery, lackadaisically pointing at the seated figure near the water.

Melinoë doesn't bother gathering up the extensive train of he gown as she approaches, and her smile could almost be ghastly were it not so mirthful. "Is this you, caro mio?"

[gardenerofavalon]

At the moment, Merlin is staring intently at several seeds held in the palm of one hand. Seeds that are but one more part of his dream, of course, but within that dream, well, he can decide to let things work more or less 'naturally' from there.

As such, however, he doesn't immediately look up when approached and addressed, instead watching as the seeds sprout and begin to rapidly grow under a magical influence.

"Is there anyone else it might be?" he replies, a tinge of amusement in his voice.

[obscurus_phantasma]

Head shifts to one side as those oily orbs also watch his magic at work, fascinated and feeling a moment of longing for her mother. But she's quick to laugh at Merlin's words, because her response is, "Yes; me!" and it's followed by another trill of chortling. Since it's so clearly not her, and they're the only two capable (at least, that Melinoë is aware of).

[gardenerofavalon]

"Oh? So you dabble in pleasant dreams as well as nightmares?"

There's absolutely no judgment in his tone; for all he prefers the former, he has no real trouble with the latter. It's part of his inherent nature, after all.

Meanwhile, the sprouts in his hand continue to grow, putting out leaves and buds, until finally Merlin crouches down and places them on the ground to continue growing there.

[obscurus_phantasma]

The ghost has begun to drift closer, as curious as a child as its mistress expands upon her statement. "Not at all, but I've been known to make one think themselves safe and content before tearing that illusion away. I'm not the one who commands dreams, after all. Those things are for Nyx and her kin; Morpheus, specifically."

There is respect in her voice when discussing her family.

[gardenerofavalon]

"Of course, the gods all have their own domains. If they didn't, they would constantly be at odds."

A pause.

"Well, more so than they were, at least!"

Although the Age of Gods was already past by the time he came into being, but Merlin does know his legends.

Now that the seedlings are established and growing from the ground--even if it's all just another part of a dream--Merlin rises from his crouch again.

"You've been enjoying yourself, hmm?"

[obscurus_phantasma]

There's a chortle of agreement, her sigh afterwards almost nostalgic for the near-constant disruptions laid out by Gods.

As he rises, the spirit floats around the growing things and Melinoë keeps watch, should it need to be dismissed. But she spares the mage a look of the utmost pride and ecstasy, nodding almost vehemently. "Yes and then some. I haven't felt this powerful in far too long, and I genuinely dread what may or may not come once we've awakened. Without death in the Void, there can be no undead...but I only want to dwell on here, on right now. Drown in everything while we're able.

"Tell me you've been enjoying yourself as well." It's more statement than inquiry, because how the hell could Merlin not?

[gardenerofavalon]

"What do you think?" Merlin replies smugly, broadly gesturing with one hand to the dreamscape about them. The fact that when he's not actively exercising his influence everything reverts to a nightmare? A minor concern, especially for a being like him.

"Though I suspect that the others aren't taking it so well."

Understatement.

[obscurus_phantasma]

Her pout is falsely expressed, a mockery of the emotion. She tuts and even adds a little moan of woe before dismissing it all and giving into a gleeful giggle.

"Yes, well, I did help a fellow patron or two, from those things prowling about? Injuries were minor on my end, but between Noct and myself, the creatures didn't stand a chance." A wistful sigh sounds.

[gardenerofavalon]

"Ah, yes, those are a bit of a bother when they show up."

Which is precisely why he's been exerting his influence to create zones to keep them at bay, whenever he can. He does raise an eyebrow at that sigh, though.

"Were you hoping for more of a challenge?"

[obscurus_phantasma]

Lips gather to one side thoughtfully. "I suppose it's better to say that I was not expecting so much power. You saw and felt the last time I was in my element, however it's just so much more here. I practically feel drunk from it all and I am unwilling to wake up.

"I am, of course, aware that we will have no more choice in that than we did falling asleep or feeling hungry or arriving in the Void, but that doesn't change my trepidation."

Melinoë is comfortable expressing her distress to the mage, knowing he'll likely feel similarly. Because what if, when they awaken, they're right back to their de-powered selves?

[gardenerofavalon]

"Dreams do at times have that effect."

He'd probably know that better than anyone... especially given that some of his powers have always been specific to dreams in the first place.

"Until and unless we can learn to shape the rules of this world to our liking, that will be the case, yes. But for now, why not live in the moment? And then cherish the memories of it later."

Oh Merlin does hate the idea of being so limited again, though possibly for slightly different reasons. But he also didn't live through more than a millennium and a half without learning some degree of patience.

[obscurus_phantasma]

She reaches out to finger the fabric of Merlin's robes, tugging on them once in a tender, familiar manner. "Have you been confining yourself to your utopia? I would be interested in hearing what any visitors thought. Unless you didn't play nice with them. . .?"

The way Mel teases, it's clear she would approve of mischief. She certainly has gotten up to her own with the 'enemies' lurking about.

[gardenerofavalon]

Merlin shrugs a bit.

"I've moved about a little, but really, there's not much point in doing so more than necessary when I can observe so much from here, now is there?"

Did he mention his Clairvoyance before? If not, oh well. Because he's definitely been making use of it now.

"And that would depend on how the visitor behaves."

[obscurus_phantasma]

"I had but three visitors, two pleasant, one...well, it was Parsee and her little trick had a rather fond time with my emotions." A light shrug, then, "It started off roughly, but ended less so. All three found the theatre I created, heard the songs I performed with a cello."

[gardenerofavalon]

"Ah, she'd mentioned something about that."

And then promptly turned to questioning Merlin on his own nature, after finding that her powers weren't exactly effective on him. The halfbreed largely lacks strong desires of his own, after all.

"Of course, if you're regretting not getting up to more mischief now, there's still time to change that, after all."

He's been too caught up in playing with his newly returned abilities, but he does enjoy some good harmless troublemaking.

[obscurus_phantasma]

Eyes sparkling and lips curling into a devilish grin, Mel totes, "I've no regrets, but I wouldn't object to adding more memories from this delightful experience. I'm especially interested in seeing what sort of damage the two of us might cause; what did you have in mind, Merlin?"

[gardenerofavalon]

"Damage? Now, why would you say something like that?" Merlin makes an effort to look surprised by the suggestion, but it's probably pretty obvious he doesn't really take offense.

"Besides, giving a few people some rather... confounding dreams is still an improvement under the circumstances, isn't it?"

You know, those hilariously embarrassing or such dreams. Although part of him--the inhuman part--definitely finds the notion of inciting some nightmares of his own appealing.

[obscurus_phantasma]

"You know, for having incubus blood, you're not always prone to playing into stereotypes," she teases, crossing her arms delicately to mind the talons on her fingers.

"Are you leaning more towards naked scenarios or having them lose their way?"

[gardenerofavalon]

"Is that so?"

He doesn't bother asking which stereotypes those are. He's well aware of his own nature as something of an anomaly.

"And I suppose that depends on just who I happen across, doesn't it?"

[obscurus_phantasma]

"Very much so. You've yet to even comment on how I look." Not that she's seeking approval or fretting over whether or not the mage is attracted or otherwise. Melinoë hasn't seen herself in quite some time and as such is relishing her (mostly) true form for as long as she is able.

Brows creep upwards. "Who you happen across?" Not we? Mel is still giving Merlin a hard time, of course, and fully enjoying it. Even the ghost looks somewhat offended, because Tiki just assumes it'll be tagging along.

[gardenerofavalon]

"Well, I would think you're already well aware of it, aren't you?"

Of course he's going to give a troll response. But then again, can one really blame him for focusing on the things he hasn't been able to do in some months now instead?

"Exactly! For example...." He smirks a little. "What should I do about the latest visitor to my dream?"

[obscurus_phantasma]

To which she rolls her eyes, though there's a tiny smile present as a hand is waved dismissively.

Carefully folding arms about herself, Mel looks on Merlin suspiciously. "Are Tiki and I your latest visitors?"

[gardenerofavalon]

The dreamscape itself doesn't change, not yet, but Merlin's definitely beginning to assert a certain... control over it. Slowly and carefully to avoid detection as long as possible. In his element though he may be, a mind that's aware--lucid--with consciousness near the surface, can still resist his efforts. Especially when the target is particularly powerful.

"Ah, you know, now that you mention it..." His tone is surprised, as though he'd only just realized, but the mischievous look in his eyes belies it. "Though unfortunately, it may be a little late to notice!"

And with that, Merlin makes his move. Not a physical one in any way, but a mental 'attack', so to speak, intending to wrap his target in a new dream of his devising. Assuming he'd been subtle enough to catch her off guard and unable to put up much of a fight, that is.

[obscurus_phantasma]

It works, for all that she's somewhat confused by his elusive behavior, and whatever desire to resist afterwards is dismissed out of curiosity. How many times had Melinoë declared a wish to see Merlin in action, or to have a more 'proper' fuck?

With an air of deviousness herself, she clasps hands before her while Tiki floats closely by, at times phasing through his Goddess. She simply says, "I'm waiting."