tabularasa_rp | 004 - Lucid Dreaming

004 - Lucid Dreaming

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ well, they are two halves of a whole idiot so it's not surprising that he'll be connected to leo by people he barely knows in this world. ]

Ugh, so does that mean it's your fault we were brought in this place? I mean, it kinda matches the technobabble you were spitting out back when we were exchanging memories.

[ he completely forgot the details about that, though. all he knows is that add is a mad scientist kinda guy who makes things, so obviously this world's aesthetic would be traced back to him. ]

Whatever. The faster we can find Leo-kun, the better. Hate that you're being right for once, but he really can't do things without me sometimes.

It's not my fault, I said it's only half from my memories! It's probably the other asshole's fault, whoever they are. Behemoth isn't exactly known for creating illusions or shadows or whatever you want to call them. That shit's got nothing to do with me. [but the tentacles and gross slime everywhere is his fault, definitely.

He should be glad that Izumi is agreeing with him... but it comes with confirmation that yes, Izumi did leave Leo on his own, and yes, he is actively looking for him again. And now this feels awkward. Add did run into Leo earlier, so theoretically it shouldn't be that hard to backtrack and find him again using Dynamo, but... what did they talk about? The details are fuzzy for some reason. All he remembers is that Leo hates him now.

So there's a bit of an awkward pause after Izumi declares their new goal. Should he say something, or...?]

... Right. Can't leave the idiot to fend for himself. We should start with this path, then.

[or... he can just not say anything, and pretend he hasn't seen Leo at all, and not go down that other path since he wouldn't know Leo was down that way earlier. Izumi isn't the worst company he could ask for. It's fine if he lets this drag on just a little longer, right?]

[ behemoth what now? once again, add has completely lost him when it comes to chuuni ass shit. but izumi can't even say anything to that because leo's said weirder things... ]

All right, I'll follow your lead.

[ and down they go this path. izumi isn't sure if he's gone down this way before, but he really can't tell these pathways apart... either his sense of direction has been completely borked since coming here or he's just too stupid to keep track. but really, how is he supposed to know?

mm. maybe some small talk will help him take his mind off of it. he doesn't hate add despite his attitude; he's dealt with a classmate who's painfully hetero before so surely he can deal with a mad scientist simp, so this might not be all bad. maybe. ]

So how did you meet Leo-kun? Did he annoy you to some extent?

[ because... yeah ]

[Here he is, trying his best not to think about Leo... and the first thing Izumi brings up is Leo. Ugh.]

What else would he be doing? He gave me an annoying memory and I went through hell trying to get rid of it... actually, before that he messed up my workspace while I was trying to disassemble something. He's been nothing but a pain from the start.

He's got an annoying voice, and an annoying face... tch, why is it always red-heads, anyway? [he really does know way too many red-haired idiots] Does he even have one redeeming quality? I don't get why bother with him at all.

[ oh one hand - yeah, izumi expected something like that. who is leo if not annoying? but also: ]

You've got some nerve, saying that his voice and face are annoying. That little shit just so happened to be our former leader before, so don't underestimate him.

[ no one in knights is ugly, excuse you........ if he didn't need add's help in this situation so badly, izumi would've throttled him by now. ]

Besides, I'm sure you've heard his songs before. Or at least seen them. [ the musical scores found throughout the world. ] I'd called you blind because you didn't see the appeal of Yuu-kun before, but don't tell me you have a terrible taste in music too. I can't possibly imagine living the life you have.

[That idiot was also their leader?? How??? He almost says that out loud, but instead bites down on his lip and stares at a particularly fascinating bit of wall instead of looking at Izumi.

That idiot... really does remind him of someone else. And now his chest is starting to ache again, and he hates it.]

... they're alright, I guess. [he had to actually sing one of his songs, so yeah, he's intimately familiar. Izumi isn't too bad of a singer either, honestly. Most of the details have faded now, but he can remember that much clearly. Both of them seemed to be enjoying themselves in that memory... they must be pretty good friends, despite Izumi's sass.]

What's he... like? [Add is already muttering the words aloud before he can think about what he's asking, and by then it's too late to stop—welp, this sure is the conversation they're having now!]

[ it's a longass story, one that requires reaching a minimum of like, rank seven of their combined affection stat before you can even hear the half of it.

izumi's sharp ears catches add's mumbling, and his features soften in a somber way as they make their way down this path. like yeah, what the fuck add, why do you want to know more about their sordid tale? izumi's first impulse is to tell him off from prying, but... well, since they're already here. ]

...He's a genius. Like I know he goes off on a million tangents every time you talk to him, but give him a pen and paper and he'll make song after song after song, and they're always going to be hits. I don't know how he does it.

[ and he still doesn't. a boring normie like izumi will never. ]

He's a total pain in the ass, since apparently being a genius in music composition means that you're completely inept at everything else, but... Well, he's my first ever friend so that means there's something wrong with me too.

[ and it's surreal, saying that out loud to someone who he barely knows. but izumi learns his lesson at this point, so no need to hide their relationship status. ]

[It sounds ridiculous to him, that this idiot would not only be any kind of leader but also a charismatic genius... but he doesn't doubt it. He can't. It's the same reason that damn idiot has been haunting him this whole time.

Add sighs, and the machines trailing behind him sink down into a low hover. There's a hint of weariness in his voice.] Sounds just like someone else I know. A hopeless, reckless moron who can trust anyone even while they're stabbing him in the back... people like that piss me off.

[But he doesn't sound angry, not even a little. Just... sad, maybe. He doesn't even have to wonder if Elsword would be worried about him right now. He knows.

Was he wrong about Leo before...? or is he only thinking that because it's so hard not to compare him to Elsword? He's not sure which answer he'd rather hear.]

[ izumi shoots him a sideward glance at that one descriptor. being stabbed at the back, huh... ]

Of course something like that would happen to guys like him - when you irrevocably have so much love to give without putting much thought on how those people really think about you.

[ he can only hope that add's friend didn't have a massive mental breakdown about it. ugh, what is with this place that's trying to make them go back to the past?! he's had enough of this!

his fists clench for a moment before he catches himself. deep breath. ]

Anyway, I bet Leo-kun already likes you in his own way, so don't think hard on it too much. Only I get to be a massive bitch around him, so just be nice to him, got it?

[ and the sassiness comes back, just like that. ]

[That first reply earns him a dry laugh. Yeah, they really are the fucking same, aren't they?] He's a softhearted idiot, but I'm even more of an idiot for sticking with him all this time. That's just how it goes, isn't it?

[After all, Add was planning to betray him from the very start... but that just never happened, in the end. He couldn't possibly betray someone who'd accept him so earnestly.

And it all still comes back to Leo. Leo, who is definitely, truly, not the type of person to look down on him as he'd believed, and now he's getting the confirmation from Izumi himself. Leo probably likes (liked?) him all along, and what Add thought was sarcasm and mockery was actually just... an honest attempt at a conversation. Wow, who knew?

He laughs again, more awkwardly this time, as he wonder what the hell he should be doing now. It's a bit late to be telling Add not to be a massive bitch, unfortunately.]

... Ah, I just remembered something. This tunnel is a dead end, so we should go back the other way.

[and he just... casually turns himself around, like it's totally normal for him to brag about his amazing navigational skills and then immediately pick the only road that doesn't go anywhere. it's fine. don't question it.]

Yeah. Sucks for us.

[ hate how he's seeing a lot of himself in add right now! jesus christ, the last thing he wants is to be compared to a chuuni ass mad scientist guy, but... honestly that just scans. normal profession as a model-slash-idol aside, izumi isn't really Normal in terms of personality. something something about two birds of one feather.

anyway, he does frown at being led to nowhere, and as he catches up to add-- ]

Oi, gimme a ride on your hoverboard thing. My legs are getting tired of all this walking.

Edited 2020-10-31 11:22 (UTC)

[damn, Izumi, you call him a chuuni ass mad scientist and then ask to ride his chunni ass hoverboard? shameless.

but at least they're not talking about their feelings and/or idiots anymore. Add is scowling but deep down he's relieved at this annoying turn of events.]

What? No, first of all, it's called Dynamo, and second, if I did that then I'd be the one walking. Get your own transport.

Oh, sure, let me just make one of fire and brimstone around us.

[ but no, he's also relieved that they're back on their bantery bullshit again. this is so much better than having to deal with their feelings for that orange mfer. ]

Like, it can obviously take on one more person? How did you not think of making a bigger one? Just carry me in your arms if you have to.

[ unfortunately add is right about one thing, and that he's shameless when he wants to be. ]

Tch, why would I care about making it bigger when it's only meant to hold one person at a time? I built it for myself, obviously, not so I could be a taxi service.

Besides, you're probably too heavy. It's not effortless for me to make these machines move, you know. It takes a lot of energy and concentration. [yeah that's right he's calling you FAT what you gonna do about it bitch???]

[ what

the fuck

just so he knows, izumi takes his dieting very seriously?? it's not that apparent due to the concept of BMI being nonexistent in this world yet, but even then izumi doesn't eat anything fatty or laden with calories and only drinks a specific kind of water if he can help it. so of course he can't help but be fucking offended at add's words.

well then, if add won't do it, then izumi will. he runs after the chunni piece of shit and jumps, clambering onto add's back. because ou can't escape a guy that's driven with sheer spite, fucker ]

Edited 2020-11-01 05:12 (UTC)

[Add swerves wildly, nearly falling off his own damn robots when this asshole jumps on his back what the fuck]

What are you doing?! Get off of me!

[He flails, reaching back in an attempt to dislodge the unwanted passenger as he simultaneously tries to steer a telekinetic robot hoverboard without crashing into the walls. Despite his earlier claims, it has not yet collapsed under their combined weight.]

And leave me here to die? I don't think so!

[ hahahahaha. ha. he shifts around add's back, making himself as comfortable as he could. ]

See? I told you it could carry the both of us! Now shut up and steer us the hell out of here.

[Is it too late to change his mind and ditch Izumi somewhere after all...

okay, no, maybe he shouldn't go that far, but this is still unacceptable. He is NOT giving this asshole a piggyback ride. It's tempting to try and drop his coat to get Izumi off him, but that would probably just make him wrap around Add's neck... no, he needs a better plan than that. He needs to ensure Izumi won't have any options.

So for a moment, it seems like Add might have already given up and decided to let Izumi hitch a ride... until they start to float higher. Before long they're at about 8' in the air, still cruising along at a normal pace above the gross, slimy floor.

... and then, in one precise motion, Dynamo flips upsidedown.

Fun Nasod Facts: being a cyborg means you can install magnetic parts in your feet so you don't fall off your cool robot hoverboard. So it doesn't bother Add at all to be flying upsidedown, barely a couple feet between his head and the floor. Too bad Izumi doesn't have the same privilege!!!]

[ god, and to think he's finally saved from all that walking... why can't add be normal. why can't he just fly on his hoverskates like a sane mad scientist. because izumi's tightly holding on to add's back more than ever, his legs going around add's middle as they go up, up, higher. ]

O-Oi, stop playing around! Get me down from here, you--

[ ahhhh he can't finish his sentence, he's too terrified for that. he clams up and squeezes his eyes shut, as add sails them into a new level of hell. ]

Oh? I thought you wanted a ride on my Dynamos, kekekeke.

[He's still cruising along, though it's a bit difficult to steer precisely while he's upsidedown like this and being clung to for dear life... but goddamnit, he's spiteful enough to keep going, so there's no way he's flipping back up again. not until Izumi admits defeat.]

Still hanging on? I could show off a few more of my tricks... for example, Dynamo and I can do quite a lot with electricity! Perhaps you'd like to see what happens when I electrify my entire body? Ah, we could also try Nasod short-range teleportation, but I'll admit I've never attempted such a feat with a passenger before...

[he's like, at least half-kidding. it's fine. probably.]

[ it's fine?????? ]

I don't have time for your chuuni bullshit! How am I going to be impressed with the shit you can do if you're going to electrify me to submission anyway?! So annoying! Just fly normally, will you? Or maybe you're just stalling for time 'cause you actually have no idea where we're at!

[ LEO-KUN, TASUKETE......... ]

Fly normally? Hmm, well I would normally use the Armor configuration, but that might be a bit difficult for you... So? Do you want me to electrocute you or not? You really need to make up your mind, kekekekekekeke! [he still has no idea what a chuuni is but damn, does he sure know how to sound like one]

Stalling! As if I'd have no idea where—

[wait

... he has no idea where they are.

Add slows, not quite stopping yet (and also still upsidedown), as it has just come to his attention that uh. his map is somehow wrong now, apparently?? there should be a turn here but there... isn't...

Someone should really just tell him this is a dream and maps aren't going to be all that reliable, but he's kinda upset about this. He had a flawless plan and an equally-flawless map! Did he take a wrong turn at some point? Did he somehow fuck this up and now there's no way he'll be able to backtrack and reunite Izumi with Leo before the idiot gets killed by something? ah shit ah fuck keep it cool Add]

... ahem, anyway, as I was saying. Dynamo is capable of sensing the energy signatures of lifeforms as well as automatically mapping out their surroundings, so of course I know where we are. It would be impossible for me to get lost in this place! Especially since it is somewhat familiar, so it's not like Behemoth's tricks will be leading us off course. [p...robably]

[ for a while, izumi is silent as they zoom their way through this superhell upside down. maybe the blood getting to his head has finally gotten to him. as always, add's infodump goes in one ear and out the other, and while it only reminded izumi that he and leo are truly one of the most ordinary people in this world right now, only one thing is certain. ]

...We're lost, aren't we.

[ just come the fuck out and say it already you nitwit ]

Pshh, whaaat? Of course not! I know exactly where we are! Who do you take me for, some kind of amateur?! [he's totally lost, they're fucked, they're gonna be lost in this hell forever and Leo is gonna get eaten by tentacles or demons or something...] See, this tunnel is familiar, right? We're backtracking a bit, so it's definitely familiar! We definitely can't be lost!

[this is fine. he just has to stay cool and confident until he can get back on track... maybe Izumi somehow hasn't realized all these damn tunnels look identical anyway.]

[ yeah, no, izumi's not buying that one bit. ]

I'm getting nauseated in this position alone, but even I can tell that we're just going around in circles! Get me down here right now so that I can find my bearings for the both of us! Goddammit!!

[ don't make him steer your hair like in fuckin ratatouille!!! ]

004 - Lucid Dreaming

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