Introduction
Plot
The world of dreams is a world that is glimpsed by very few indeed. It is a world that does not function based on the logic of the rational, waking world and in many ways defies expectations and beliefs. It is a world where morals do no exist and the line of what is right and wrong is very blurred. A single thought can create a very large ripple in dream space and cause creation or destruction.
Many humans who dream have no recollection of their interactions with this world or what they had done during the course of the night. For you see, adults do not bear nearly as much imagination as children do, and the belief in mana has long since faded in their minds. But to a child who has not yet been forced to grow up, there is a bond to their subconscious that allows them to accept and perceive dreams in a different light. These are the few that do remember--the few that can hold on to those brief glimpses of the world beyond reality. And it is those few that possess the greatest threat to the Dream Entity, an organization that rules over the entire space.
It was passed off as a "peaceful death" experienced in in one's sleep, supposedly natural and not worth investigating. However, an increasing number of children seem fell prey to this type of death, baffling authorities around the world. What they didn't know was that the Dream Entity is targeting children, as they are the main supplier of dreams within the other world and without their influence, the Entity can grow more powerful. Children provide mana--the dreamscape's natural life energy. Their colorful imaginations and open minds keep the unreal dimension healthy, but make it impossible for the Entity to hold any influence over the subconscious minds of dreamers.
The world is not as it appears--the state of waking is a thing of the past. Adults, unable to stop the mysterious deaths from piling up, were forced into a state of uselessness, allowing The Entity to gain enough power to force the world into slumber. Things have reversed and unreality has become the new reality; what was once thought impossible has now become a normality. Most of the dreamers are idle and without purpose, mindless drones for the Entity to control. There are a scarce few left that remember lucidity, and who can take control of themselves within dream space; the last obstacle left to be conquered.
You are one of the few that can see and remember this world--and the form you take in it is different. It is the inner self, the form that you are most strong in and the one that communicates your will the greatest. It has turned into a game of survival and perhaps the only way to get by is to find others that are like you--ones that are from reality and ones that can still dream. Time is running out, the longer that you linger in the world, the greater the risk you run of being killed. But even as you fight, there is still one lingering question. Who, ultimately, is the Dream Entity...?
Character Guidelines
"A child" does not specifically relate to an age that one has to have physically, nor does it influence the inner self's age appearance. Though very rare, it is possible for an adult to still have the belief system of a child, one who has only grown physically but mentally, still holds on to that subconscious connection. Thus, it is not unreasonable for an adult in their thirties to exist and be able to have a persona in the dream realm.
The Inner Self
The Inner Self/Persona of a person is reflective of their will and mental state. The limitations and rules that are binding in the waking world have no implications on the inner self whatsoever. Inner selves can range in age, appearance, and can look virtually nothing like their real host body. In addition, they may not necessarily act completely like the original host. Persona's are the true nature of the heart and mind of the individual. This is why there is no correlation to the age or even, to an extent, personality of the conscious mind of the person. These persona's are also capable of having powers, abilities, on the dream plane. These attributes can also vary, some amazingly fantastical indeed. Each ability is unique only to that inner self and no two persona's can have the same power.
Soul Spheres
Soul Spheres are small pulses of energy that represent the mana flow of the individual. Some have stronger pulses than others, and this represents a stronger affinity to the subconscious and dream state. Soul spheres can also channel the mana and change it's form to reflect the power or ability of the individual. It is possible to have multiple energy flows, thus, more than one power; however, everything flows from an origin point in that power tree. So, for example, if someone were to wield fire as an affinity, they could not, in turn, also wield water, as it comes from a different power tree. There are no limitations on soul spheres and as such, powers come in all different forms and varieties.
Skeleton Outline
Name (This can be any type of name you'd prefer, though it may be slightly for the best if they aren't strictly ordinary names like "Bob" and such. This is your personal name--safeguard it and don't give it out freely)
Inner Self's Name (This is the identity your character will go by, so choose wisely! This is also the name put into the "name submission" field)
Age (The physical appearance of the inner self as age is really a subjective issue)
Gender (Female? Male? Or perhaps even an "it"? Just be sure to specify!)
Appearance (An accompanying picture is purely optional, however, if you opt to be without one, be sure to provide a thorough enough description so that the character has a firm appearance)
Personality (Preferably a few sentences to give a better idea into the character's quirks, mannerisms, and general tone)
Equipment (A brief description of the soul sphere your character has and what abilities that entails)
History (The biography and core of your character--their life in the waking and their life in the dreaming; basically to add contrast and comparison between the two)
Spots
As the number of people with an affinity to remember their dreams and have access to their dream persona are limited, likewise, so are the number of people that can participate. I am accepting up to eight participants so things don't get too hectic~ If things proceed well and the roleplay flows, then certainly, I will definitely add more characters, so you are free to still submit and I will add you to a separate list below this one. It is important to note that I only hold reservations for a week's time. Unless otherwise notified via PM, OOC post, etc; I will have to garner that you are not interested and open up the slot for someone who wants to be involved.
One Taken by Igari
Two Taken by Howlkin Stranger
Three Taken by HansenetteHeart
Four Taken by Binsetsu
Five Taken by mrvillamor<--on slight hiatus
Six Taken by peachyme123
Seven Taken by Fabricator
Eight Open
Wait List
As explained above, this is the separate list for those that still wish to be included~ I am definitely considering opening up at least two more slots but I will leave three possible wait list slots.
One Reserved for Natzalia
Two Open
Three Open
Threads
No threads found.
The Story
Erixianti was unsure how she had gotten here, in fact, just several minutes ago, she had been certain she was walking down the large hill of the Expanse Plane. The doll-like girl stood quite alone, moving a little from side-to-side to avoid being buffeted by the bustle of the crowd. No one paid her any mind, the people seemingly more interested in their own activities than on the small figure. She was childishly confused by the turn of events and clutched her bear closer to her chest. The stuffed animal in question turned it's head, peering at her with it's large, beady eyes. She didn't pay it much heed as she stared around, wide, hazel orbs alit with hesitant excitement.
The city of Tinker Tocker was always abuzz with activity but was also host to an array of visitors, many of which were a lot taller than the girl who barely reached five feet. Despite the fact that she was clearly lost, Erixianti was not discouraged. She had traveled much of the dreamscape since The Dreaming had begun, much more than she had ever had a chance to do when restricted to nights. To the residents of the Dream Plane, The Dreaming was the name given to this new time era, when the whole of the waking world seemed to fall into eternal slumber. It was difficult to keep track of time here, in the midst of an ever-changing world. She knew not if it had been mere minutes, perhaps hours, even days or weeks since she had last had contact with her hostess. Still, she lamented to herself, it was not as if there was a lot that had been present in her other life.
In another world, Erixianti was known as Virie Raymbraint, a woman who was far too bookish for her own good. Virie had been similar to her dreamscape counterpart, a small girl whose appearance did not relay her age appropriately. The woman had been a literature fanatic and had been without proper contact, lacking in friendship or close companionship. However, so long as she had her books, this fact didn't effect her and she went about her life without complaint. Perhaps this was why Erixianti was a bit more adventurous and more relaxed about losing her way--it was all part of the grand scheme of the adventure anyway.
Adjusting the bear in her arms so perhaps she wasn't clutching as tightly (as the poor fellow had been making desperate flails of it's arms as if gasping for air), she decided to turn to her right. For Erixianti, there wasn't ever any location in mind, never really a purpose or directive. It was only whatever felt right and one way or another, it had always kept her safe. With that in mind, she tiptoed her way around the various strangers, careful not to be buffeted by the crowd. Her peachy-white hair rippled behind her as she made her way from the outer-lying edges of the city and moved towards the center of it. As she did so, the density of the people began to disperse, as many began breaking off into their own directions.
Truth be told, in all her explorations, she had never once been inside the heart of Tinker Tocker. This was an odd sort of realization for the girl, as she had explored nearly every else... She briefly thought to perhaps mark locations in the city down on her map, but remember she had long since abandoned the messy, crayon drawing the first time she had gotten lost. She didn't need anything like that anyway! She thought rather proudly to herself, her sense had never let her down! It was no sooner that she had thought this that she paused, blinking her wide eyes and taking in her surroundings in detail.
Somewhere between the entrance and the center, she must've taken a wrong turn, for this rather dismal looking, eerie location was not the fountain she had heard about. She observed the broken, cracking buildings, patched with gears and various wires. From what she could tell, this was the engineers spot of the city, a place for those just a little more twisted than friendly. Engineers were never right in their heads, neither were the other people who made sport for the company. Taking a deep breath, Erixianti decided to try taking slow steps backwards. Perhaps if she did so, she'd somehow find her way out of the mechanical maze.
The city of Tinker Tocker was always abuzz with activity but was also host to an array of visitors, many of which were a lot taller than the girl who barely reached five feet. Despite the fact that she was clearly lost, Erixianti was not discouraged. She had traveled much of the dreamscape since The Dreaming had begun, much more than she had ever had a chance to do when restricted to nights. To the residents of the Dream Plane, The Dreaming was the name given to this new time era, when the whole of the waking world seemed to fall into eternal slumber. It was difficult to keep track of time here, in the midst of an ever-changing world. She knew not if it had been mere minutes, perhaps hours, even days or weeks since she had last had contact with her hostess. Still, she lamented to herself, it was not as if there was a lot that had been present in her other life.
In another world, Erixianti was known as Virie Raymbraint, a woman who was far too bookish for her own good. Virie had been similar to her dreamscape counterpart, a small girl whose appearance did not relay her age appropriately. The woman had been a literature fanatic and had been without proper contact, lacking in friendship or close companionship. However, so long as she had her books, this fact didn't effect her and she went about her life without complaint. Perhaps this was why Erixianti was a bit more adventurous and more relaxed about losing her way--it was all part of the grand scheme of the adventure anyway.
Adjusting the bear in her arms so perhaps she wasn't clutching as tightly (as the poor fellow had been making desperate flails of it's arms as if gasping for air), she decided to turn to her right. For Erixianti, there wasn't ever any location in mind, never really a purpose or directive. It was only whatever felt right and one way or another, it had always kept her safe. With that in mind, she tiptoed her way around the various strangers, careful not to be buffeted by the crowd. Her peachy-white hair rippled behind her as she made her way from the outer-lying edges of the city and moved towards the center of it. As she did so, the density of the people began to disperse, as many began breaking off into their own directions.
Truth be told, in all her explorations, she had never once been inside the heart of Tinker Tocker. This was an odd sort of realization for the girl, as she had explored nearly every else... She briefly thought to perhaps mark locations in the city down on her map, but remember she had long since abandoned the messy, crayon drawing the first time she had gotten lost. She didn't need anything like that anyway! She thought rather proudly to herself, her sense had never let her down! It was no sooner that she had thought this that she paused, blinking her wide eyes and taking in her surroundings in detail.
Somewhere between the entrance and the center, she must've taken a wrong turn, for this rather dismal looking, eerie location was not the fountain she had heard about. She observed the broken, cracking buildings, patched with gears and various wires. From what she could tell, this was the engineers spot of the city, a place for those just a little more twisted than friendly. Engineers were never right in their heads, neither were the other people who made sport for the company. Taking a deep breath, Erixianti decided to try taking slow steps backwards. Perhaps if she did so, she'd somehow find her way out of the mechanical maze.
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Dreams/Unreality
Asher sighed as he walked through a long forgotten area. It's not like he doesn't want to be active day and night, but it's extremely wierd how he is still awake. Normally, he would be going back to the Grey Boundary, but something wasn't right. Asher wasn't able to get into the Boundary. Instead, he was forced to turn back. What is the meaning of this? Asher thought. He kept walking, and walking until he found civilization at last. "Finally..." Asher muttered as he traveled to the city. "Now I can ask some questions on what the hell is going on." This is one of the rare moments that Asher was willing to approach another person or thing and socialize with them... Actually, this would be his first time. Of course, Asher felt nervous, but he managed to keep his emotions in and not let them show. Finally, he entered one of the entrances and walked around, observing his surroundings. There were gears, metals, wires, and all kinds of machines and devices everywhere around him. Asher didn't know where he was, nor did he care. He just wanted to know what was going on. Unbeknowest to him, he just ran straight into a wall.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Expanse Plane
The strange apparition known as Razihon watched as a young boy by the name of Nohizar attempted to make a bird. He had been trying for the last hour and had come no closer to giving the bird even a semblance of its own will. And now that clever ideas and well-laid plans had failed, the boy had simply begun pouring his power into the bird and it had grown to obscene proportions because of it.
’Perhaps it is time to stop, you may injure yourself like this…’
Razihon’s oddly high voice came accompanied by the usual soft undercurrent of static as its voice pierced the silence of the flats around them. Nohizar sighed as he reluctantly gave up and the gigantic bird faded back into the nothingness it came from. Nozihar frowned as he thought about his current predicament. Why couldn’t he make another intelligent creature? Why would they never break free from his will like Razihon once did? He looked over at Razihon and studied it. The apparition was oddly tall, with green, ever changing, lines coating its otherwise black body. As Razihon stared with his single eye and unwavering smile he spoke again.
’That last one did become very large… perhaps you could ride the next one you create?’
Nozihar took off his hat before throwing it on the ground and lay down on his back while smiling, yes, maybe he could! He would have to try next time he created a bird. But for now he was tired and hungry. How long had it been since he came here? He wasn’t sure. All he knew was that his other self wouldn’t wake up and that wasn’t all bad. In fact, it was great! He could play outside all he wanted now. Nozihar shook his head. Thinking about it was useless, it was like this now and that was fine. He needed to focus on the important matters, like finding food! Nozihar jumped to his feet as he turned to Razihon.
‘How do we get to Tinker Tocker from here?’
Nozihar asked his question with a mischievous smile. Razihon was barely done pointing out a direction before the boy rushed off. He’d be tired within minutes and they’d have to wait in the middle of the Expanse Plane as he caught his breath, before starting it all over again. The apparition sighed as he picked up the boy's hat and slowly shambled after the boy. Today was going to be a long day.
’Perhaps it is time to stop, you may injure yourself like this…’
Razihon’s oddly high voice came accompanied by the usual soft undercurrent of static as its voice pierced the silence of the flats around them. Nohizar sighed as he reluctantly gave up and the gigantic bird faded back into the nothingness it came from. Nozihar frowned as he thought about his current predicament. Why couldn’t he make another intelligent creature? Why would they never break free from his will like Razihon once did? He looked over at Razihon and studied it. The apparition was oddly tall, with green, ever changing, lines coating its otherwise black body. As Razihon stared with his single eye and unwavering smile he spoke again.
’That last one did become very large… perhaps you could ride the next one you create?’
Nozihar took off his hat before throwing it on the ground and lay down on his back while smiling, yes, maybe he could! He would have to try next time he created a bird. But for now he was tired and hungry. How long had it been since he came here? He wasn’t sure. All he knew was that his other self wouldn’t wake up and that wasn’t all bad. In fact, it was great! He could play outside all he wanted now. Nozihar shook his head. Thinking about it was useless, it was like this now and that was fine. He needed to focus on the important matters, like finding food! Nozihar jumped to his feet as he turned to Razihon.
‘How do we get to Tinker Tocker from here?’
Nozihar asked his question with a mischievous smile. Razihon was barely done pointing out a direction before the boy rushed off. He’d be tired within minutes and they’d have to wait in the middle of the Expanse Plane as he caught his breath, before starting it all over again. The apparition sighed as he picked up the boy's hat and slowly shambled after the boy. Today was going to be a long day.
The setting changes from Expanse Plane to Dreams/Unreality
Quinera sat on the top of a crooked building, eyes taking in the skyline. This was her playground. She knew some people had spotted her hopping from roof to roof but no one cared. So what if a crazy teenager decided to play hopscotch on skyscrapers! The city of inventors and engineers didn't care. They would care more of her trajectory more than her safety. Quinn didn't mind. She didn't care too much about her safety either.
She was leaning against one of the less pointy cogs as she viewed the city from her perch. She was bored and played with her pulse. She created ribbons of light that danced in the wind. She watched as a flying winged horse flew past before making it disappear with a flick of her fingers.
Nah, the horse was getting a bit old. Some of the people didn't even react to it anymore. But she couldn't think of anything better. A flicker of frustration at herself flew through her and her pretty face screwed up into a snarl.
"Stupid! I'm so stupid!" She slapped her left hand in anger as if it had offended her just as a trail of impulse and mischief shot into focus. Her face calmed down back into a look of wonder. She pulled herself up and ran. And leapt. And then she flew. She loved this, this jumping from the rooftops. As she ran, she created a band of phoenixes to fly with her. Her hysterical laughter echoed around the almost silent district. The inhabinants of the area called her a demented spirit, a lost soul gone mad. She ignored them and just kept looking for fun. She didn't mind them thinking she was mad. She thought they were mad. They never showed emotion or anything. They didn't even get angry half the time. It was weird. And roof jumping gave Quinn the most wonderous feeling. Like a bird soaring through the sky. Then she stopped to a halt in the middle of her run and started to pace. She wondered what to do. She couldn't stay up here forever. As nice as it sounded. But she didn't want to go down to ground level either. The people down there made fun of her and called her mean names.
Freak.
Crazy.
Psycho.
But she couldn't stay up here forever. Quinera looked down at her ballet pumped feet. An overwhelming feeling of depression and a deep sadness overtook her. She fell to the ground and curled herself up into a little ball. She felt so lonely sometimes, so lonely. No one wanted to talk to the lost demented soul. She shut out the surrounding world with the illusion of a warm cozy blanket. She reached out to grab hold of the warmth and despaired as her ribboned hand passed through the blanket. Just as she knew it would. She sighed a little. It wasn't fun at all being lonely. Not at all. A sudden rush of anger had Quinera up on her feet again with ire glimmering in her face. She let out a primal scream of rage. How dare everyone push her away? It wasn't her. It was them, they were the ones that treated her wrong, they were the mean ones. The jester felt her hand fly to her side and before she could blink, the dagger was embedded in the nearby wall. The anger drained quickly. Quinn sighed and tugged the knife out of the wall. She had to look after this one. This was a special knife. It kept the secrets safe. She kept throwing it without thinking. She would have to go find some more knives for throwing later. The teenager looked down on the street below her and spotted someone. It was a person. A little person. Quinera watched the person with some wonder. She has a teddy and peachy hair. She looked a bit lost and Quinn could understand. She was lost most of the time too. The girl looked a little funny too. She wasn't walking normal like, she was walking wrong ways, backwards. The jester let out a little giggle and decided to play a game. She liked to play games. They were fun.
She decided to follow this person. Just for a game. She played this game lots. Quinera had followed people before to see if they would spot her. Most of the time they didn't. The ones that did just shouted at her.
Stupid people. She wondered if this person would spot her. She would play nice. She wouldn't even be sneaky and make her skin colour look the buildings around her. Nope, she'd just jump and follow this time. With a mischievious smirk, Quinera the jester flew through the air like a bird, landed on the building opposite, crept down, keeping the person in sight and began her game. Because she just wanted to have some fun.
She decided she would folow this person
She was leaning against one of the less pointy cogs as she viewed the city from her perch. She was bored and played with her pulse. She created ribbons of light that danced in the wind. She watched as a flying winged horse flew past before making it disappear with a flick of her fingers.
Nah, the horse was getting a bit old. Some of the people didn't even react to it anymore. But she couldn't think of anything better. A flicker of frustration at herself flew through her and her pretty face screwed up into a snarl.
"Stupid! I'm so stupid!" She slapped her left hand in anger as if it had offended her just as a trail of impulse and mischief shot into focus. Her face calmed down back into a look of wonder. She pulled herself up and ran. And leapt. And then she flew. She loved this, this jumping from the rooftops. As she ran, she created a band of phoenixes to fly with her. Her hysterical laughter echoed around the almost silent district. The inhabinants of the area called her a demented spirit, a lost soul gone mad. She ignored them and just kept looking for fun. She didn't mind them thinking she was mad. She thought they were mad. They never showed emotion or anything. They didn't even get angry half the time. It was weird. And roof jumping gave Quinn the most wonderous feeling. Like a bird soaring through the sky. Then she stopped to a halt in the middle of her run and started to pace. She wondered what to do. She couldn't stay up here forever. As nice as it sounded. But she didn't want to go down to ground level either. The people down there made fun of her and called her mean names.
Freak.
Crazy.
Psycho.
But she couldn't stay up here forever. Quinera looked down at her ballet pumped feet. An overwhelming feeling of depression and a deep sadness overtook her. She fell to the ground and curled herself up into a little ball. She felt so lonely sometimes, so lonely. No one wanted to talk to the lost demented soul. She shut out the surrounding world with the illusion of a warm cozy blanket. She reached out to grab hold of the warmth and despaired as her ribboned hand passed through the blanket. Just as she knew it would. She sighed a little. It wasn't fun at all being lonely. Not at all. A sudden rush of anger had Quinera up on her feet again with ire glimmering in her face. She let out a primal scream of rage. How dare everyone push her away? It wasn't her. It was them, they were the ones that treated her wrong, they were the mean ones. The jester felt her hand fly to her side and before she could blink, the dagger was embedded in the nearby wall. The anger drained quickly. Quinn sighed and tugged the knife out of the wall. She had to look after this one. This was a special knife. It kept the secrets safe. She kept throwing it without thinking. She would have to go find some more knives for throwing later. The teenager looked down on the street below her and spotted someone. It was a person. A little person. Quinera watched the person with some wonder. She has a teddy and peachy hair. She looked a bit lost and Quinn could understand. She was lost most of the time too. The girl looked a little funny too. She wasn't walking normal like, she was walking wrong ways, backwards. The jester let out a little giggle and decided to play a game. She liked to play games. They were fun.
She decided to follow this person. Just for a game. She played this game lots. Quinera had followed people before to see if they would spot her. Most of the time they didn't. The ones that did just shouted at her.
Stupid people. She wondered if this person would spot her. She would play nice. She wouldn't even be sneaky and make her skin colour look the buildings around her. Nope, she'd just jump and follow this time. With a mischievious smirk, Quinera the jester flew through the air like a bird, landed on the building opposite, crept down, keeping the person in sight and began her game. Because she just wanted to have some fun.
She decided she would folow this person
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Tinker Tocker
A girl with long, flowing blonde hair stood on the corner of a busy avenue. She looked primped and pristine--the girl wore a diamond choker with a string of pearls wrapping around her black, laced gloves. Teal ribbons dotted their way up and down her pink & black corset while her layered skirt clung to her waist, dangling over her knobby knees. Fleur, the annoyed looking lass, was slouching against a brick wall in the city of Tinker Tocker. She watched the people come and go with a hawk like glance. The young lady was looking for anything shiny-- perhaps a locket... Some silver... Anything that struck her fancy, she would go after it without hesitation. However, the day was growing long and Fleur was becoming impatient. She drummed the tips of her pale pink fingernails against the wall, blowing her blonde bangs to the side.
There was nothing to do.Boring, boring, boring.
There was nobody she could play with. How disappointing. Fleur was getting rather lonely & nobody seemed to care. She pouted out her rose lips and curled her finger around a black feather in her hair. It was time to venture to another part of the city. She began to stroll down the street, fanning herself with a silk fan she had pick pocketed off a woman from the day before hand. It was grand being a thief. Fleur didn't have a cent to her name but she always managed to get what she wanted. Well. Almost always.
There was nothing to do.Boring, boring, boring.
There was nobody she could play with. How disappointing. Fleur was getting rather lonely & nobody seemed to care. She pouted out her rose lips and curled her finger around a black feather in her hair. It was time to venture to another part of the city. She began to stroll down the street, fanning herself with a silk fan she had pick pocketed off a woman from the day before hand. It was grand being a thief. Fleur didn't have a cent to her name but she always managed to get what she wanted. Well. Almost always.
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Eludrest City
“To one holding this letter,
I know not who you are, but if you are reading this letter then I believe it right to assist you in discovering my fate and, who knows, perhaps in adding a new page to a strange and ghastly story I have become involved in.
Let me tell you first and foremost that this letter is far from a suicide note, for though I distance myself from the world of the waking and, perhaps, by extension the living – it is not my intention to leave it permanently. Though the chances are slim, I still hope to reawaken with new clarity in my mind. Until this happens I have little to contribute in this regard to you, but I will tell you what I know, starting from the beginning.
My name is Dr. William Connover and I am an oneirologist, in other words someone involved in the study of dreams and the process of dreaming. My research has permeated all aspects of my life up to this moment and, unfortunately, in time it may have also adversely affected my family. Three months ago, my daughter, Tatiana Connover, who had been helping me with my research into the phenomenon of lucid dreaming, unexplainably died in her sleep. As terrible as this tragedy was however, the story that brought me where I am right now, and likely brought you here where I left this letter, is not solely about my daughter’s death.
You may have noticed the increasing frequency of deaths among children, with the circumstances quite baffling yet possessing one common element – all those children died in their sleep. This coincidence was not initially taken by me as part of a greater pattern, yet I began gathering notes on all those cases, their absolute majority discarded due to the supposed “peaceful” nature of the children’s deaths. Having studied the cases I have come to a conclusion, that the last world they had been to prior to their demise was that of dreams. It is based on this assumption that I believe this very dreamworld to be the holding place of the key to what has really been going on.
Thankfully my research enabled me to find a way of inducing a lucid dream in an individual regardless of their innate capabilities to enter one. A combination of sound frequencies and ingested sedatives provides the necessary bio-chemical stimulation. I shall not go into details of this particular discovery, though you may refer to my journal for information if you find it imperative. Suffice to say, I have become the first test subject of the finalized formula. With any luck, I am presently asleep and already exploring the dreamscape, seeking clues to this troubling case.
Losing my beloved daughter was devastating. I may not be able to reverse it, but I know I cannot rest without trying to bring closure to the issue. More children are likely dying and I must make my contribution to putting an end to it. I know not if I will or can be successful, but I enter the lucid dream with resolve, hope and determination. And should I fail, I hope your luck turns out better than mine.
Farewell, and good luck,
Dr. William Connover”
He could remember writing those words. His handwriting was steady, methodical – that of a man who made a decision and was not going to turn from it. He remembered the medicine he took, the cool water washing it down into his throat. Then the headphones he put on his head beginning to emanate the first notes of an infinite loop he’d programmed into his computer. A blend of sounds, some those of a single continuous note, others pulsing and throbbing, slowly sinking into the background before being captured by his sense of hearing again and emerging on the surface. But all of it had sunk into the depth of his mind before sending it far and beyond, where it would be encased in a far different body under a far different name.
Zoen’s awakening was a nostalgic thing, though the feeling of return was not without a subtle hint of change stemming both from prolonged absence of sensations in this vessel and from the changes inevitably brought about by the passing of time. Yet he had obtained control of himself very soon. Perhaps lucid dreaming was like controlling a familiar form of transportation. With some support the skill could be rejuvenated and utilized again without much of a problem. Such was the case of Zoen Leed as well. The young man has been standing outside one of the empty buildings of Eludrest. He had the time to consider various things such as the differences he felt about himself, the position his Inner Self must’ve been in prior to his return here. Had the figure of the man with shimmering golden bangs obscuring his eyes been seated right here all this time as if in silent contemplation? Had he been missing from here altogether until the dreamer returned?
But, all those undoubtedly fascinating thoughts considered the man needed to move along. Lingering in one spot for long was counter-productive, especially one quite as empty. So seeing things around him clearly despite the obfuscating bangs over his eyes he moved along at a steady yet somewhat casual place, heeding all that was happening around him. He chose a direction somewhat on a whim and somewhat on the feeling that the dreamscape tended to present the necessary location to one who took the effort to move. His hands were held in his pockets as he headed onwards, a slight smile on his face. This adventure really did hold quite some endearing nostalgia to it…
I know not who you are, but if you are reading this letter then I believe it right to assist you in discovering my fate and, who knows, perhaps in adding a new page to a strange and ghastly story I have become involved in.
Let me tell you first and foremost that this letter is far from a suicide note, for though I distance myself from the world of the waking and, perhaps, by extension the living – it is not my intention to leave it permanently. Though the chances are slim, I still hope to reawaken with new clarity in my mind. Until this happens I have little to contribute in this regard to you, but I will tell you what I know, starting from the beginning.
My name is Dr. William Connover and I am an oneirologist, in other words someone involved in the study of dreams and the process of dreaming. My research has permeated all aspects of my life up to this moment and, unfortunately, in time it may have also adversely affected my family. Three months ago, my daughter, Tatiana Connover, who had been helping me with my research into the phenomenon of lucid dreaming, unexplainably died in her sleep. As terrible as this tragedy was however, the story that brought me where I am right now, and likely brought you here where I left this letter, is not solely about my daughter’s death.
You may have noticed the increasing frequency of deaths among children, with the circumstances quite baffling yet possessing one common element – all those children died in their sleep. This coincidence was not initially taken by me as part of a greater pattern, yet I began gathering notes on all those cases, their absolute majority discarded due to the supposed “peaceful” nature of the children’s deaths. Having studied the cases I have come to a conclusion, that the last world they had been to prior to their demise was that of dreams. It is based on this assumption that I believe this very dreamworld to be the holding place of the key to what has really been going on.
Thankfully my research enabled me to find a way of inducing a lucid dream in an individual regardless of their innate capabilities to enter one. A combination of sound frequencies and ingested sedatives provides the necessary bio-chemical stimulation. I shall not go into details of this particular discovery, though you may refer to my journal for information if you find it imperative. Suffice to say, I have become the first test subject of the finalized formula. With any luck, I am presently asleep and already exploring the dreamscape, seeking clues to this troubling case.
Losing my beloved daughter was devastating. I may not be able to reverse it, but I know I cannot rest without trying to bring closure to the issue. More children are likely dying and I must make my contribution to putting an end to it. I know not if I will or can be successful, but I enter the lucid dream with resolve, hope and determination. And should I fail, I hope your luck turns out better than mine.
Farewell, and good luck,
Dr. William Connover”
He could remember writing those words. His handwriting was steady, methodical – that of a man who made a decision and was not going to turn from it. He remembered the medicine he took, the cool water washing it down into his throat. Then the headphones he put on his head beginning to emanate the first notes of an infinite loop he’d programmed into his computer. A blend of sounds, some those of a single continuous note, others pulsing and throbbing, slowly sinking into the background before being captured by his sense of hearing again and emerging on the surface. But all of it had sunk into the depth of his mind before sending it far and beyond, where it would be encased in a far different body under a far different name.
Zoen’s awakening was a nostalgic thing, though the feeling of return was not without a subtle hint of change stemming both from prolonged absence of sensations in this vessel and from the changes inevitably brought about by the passing of time. Yet he had obtained control of himself very soon. Perhaps lucid dreaming was like controlling a familiar form of transportation. With some support the skill could be rejuvenated and utilized again without much of a problem. Such was the case of Zoen Leed as well. The young man has been standing outside one of the empty buildings of Eludrest. He had the time to consider various things such as the differences he felt about himself, the position his Inner Self must’ve been in prior to his return here. Had the figure of the man with shimmering golden bangs obscuring his eyes been seated right here all this time as if in silent contemplation? Had he been missing from here altogether until the dreamer returned?
But, all those undoubtedly fascinating thoughts considered the man needed to move along. Lingering in one spot for long was counter-productive, especially one quite as empty. So seeing things around him clearly despite the obfuscating bangs over his eyes he moved along at a steady yet somewhat casual place, heeding all that was happening around him. He chose a direction somewhat on a whim and somewhat on the feeling that the dreamscape tended to present the necessary location to one who took the effort to move. His hands were held in his pockets as he headed onwards, a slight smile on his face. This adventure really did hold quite some endearing nostalgia to it…
The setting changes from Eludrest City to Tinker Tocker
Erixianti remained unaware of the girl that stalked her from the rooftops, her "Mary Jane" shoes clicking on the ground as she slowly walked backwards. She must've looked like an odd girl, to be sure, but no odder than the residents of this part of the city. The bear in her arms quivered, snuggling closer against her as if seeking some type of comfort. She smiled softly down at it, though no words left those lips of hers. The bear seemed to take some amount of relief in that, for it did not quiver any longer and merely settled itself in her arms.
She turned her head to look behind her so at least she could see where she was going, it would not do for her to trip over her own feet! Cautiously, she gripped the side of her dress as she stepped over a rather large crack in the ground. Probably caused by a haywire invention of some engineer. Erixianti did not enjoy her dingy surroundings and took a deep breath. Merely going backwards may not help her, for all she knew, she could be going deeper into this part of the city and she didn't want that. Her indecision must've shown on her face, for she heard a jeer come from a nearby doorway. She looked around, her soft locks hitting the side of her face as she tried to find the source.
She laid her eyes upon a man, whose jacket was far too large for him and the many screws which were embedded into his skin made him look more frightening than friendly. "A little far from the city, aren't you?" The call was taunting and she furrowed her brows, holding up her bear in front of her mouth.
"Not anywhere I can't find my way out of," Contrary to what the man might've thought, it was the bear that spoke for her, the voice it possessed higher-pitched and girlishly childish. The man was caught off-guard by this and blinked several times, staring at the stuffed animal he must've been trying to persuade himself had just spoken. She kept her expression steady and her bear held high, her chin tilted upwards to give the appearance of independence. The shock did not take very long to wear off, for the jeer returned and he put his hands into his pockets.
"Do you need a guide? I can show you how to get back, you know." If the man didn't look like he was contemplating the best way to rid her of her skin and wear it over his shoulders, Erixianti might've taken him up that offer. As it was, she shook her head rather rapidly, denying his offer. She didn't use her bear to speak for her again this time, lowering it back towards her chest. She went to back away gently, not wishing to use any sudden movements. She wasn't sure what this man was capable of or what he might plan to do. She had heard many quirky stories about the people that lived on the "Underside", as it was known, and not a one of them ended nicely.
Tilting her lashes downwards, the girl took another deep breath, trying to figure out the best way out of this situation without having to do anything drastic. For despite her appearance, she was not at all weak or helpless. But she had no desire to harm him, no matter how creepy he was. She could only hope that he would not incite her any further than he already had.
She turned her head to look behind her so at least she could see where she was going, it would not do for her to trip over her own feet! Cautiously, she gripped the side of her dress as she stepped over a rather large crack in the ground. Probably caused by a haywire invention of some engineer. Erixianti did not enjoy her dingy surroundings and took a deep breath. Merely going backwards may not help her, for all she knew, she could be going deeper into this part of the city and she didn't want that. Her indecision must've shown on her face, for she heard a jeer come from a nearby doorway. She looked around, her soft locks hitting the side of her face as she tried to find the source.
She laid her eyes upon a man, whose jacket was far too large for him and the many screws which were embedded into his skin made him look more frightening than friendly. "A little far from the city, aren't you?" The call was taunting and she furrowed her brows, holding up her bear in front of her mouth.
"Not anywhere I can't find my way out of," Contrary to what the man might've thought, it was the bear that spoke for her, the voice it possessed higher-pitched and girlishly childish. The man was caught off-guard by this and blinked several times, staring at the stuffed animal he must've been trying to persuade himself had just spoken. She kept her expression steady and her bear held high, her chin tilted upwards to give the appearance of independence. The shock did not take very long to wear off, for the jeer returned and he put his hands into his pockets.
"Do you need a guide? I can show you how to get back, you know." If the man didn't look like he was contemplating the best way to rid her of her skin and wear it over his shoulders, Erixianti might've taken him up that offer. As it was, she shook her head rather rapidly, denying his offer. She didn't use her bear to speak for her again this time, lowering it back towards her chest. She went to back away gently, not wishing to use any sudden movements. She wasn't sure what this man was capable of or what he might plan to do. She had heard many quirky stories about the people that lived on the "Underside", as it was known, and not a one of them ended nicely.
Tilting her lashes downwards, the girl took another deep breath, trying to figure out the best way out of this situation without having to do anything drastic. For despite her appearance, she was not at all weak or helpless. But she had no desire to harm him, no matter how creepy he was. She could only hope that he would not incite her any further than he already had.
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Eludrest City
They were lost. There was no question about that. Nozihar angrily reflected on how they got here. Rahizon had pointed in the wrong direction! That had to be it. Nozihar spared a moment to glare at the ever grinning face of his companion. That stupid green dumb-ass! Didn’t even know where Tinker Tocker was. ‘Why did you point in this direction anyway if you don’t know where Tinker Tocker is?!’ Nozihar was yelling, unable to hide his frustration from the green apparition any longer.
’It is not my fault you took a wrong turn halfway there.’
The creatures static filled voice drifted off along with the echoes. Nozihar was quiet. He hadn’t taken a wrong turn did he? And if he did, why didn’t Razihon warn him? Hmm? He nodded to himself before vocalizing his thoughts. ’Why didn’t you warn me then?!’ The creature merely shrugged an infuriating shrug in answer. Nozihar wondered for a moment why he was so upset, getting lost was usually an adventure, filled with new places to see and explore. But this particular detour had taken them close to Eludrest City. He hated Eludrest City. Creepy place, filled with the regrets and sadness of those who were once like him. Nozihar shook his head to try and erase the memory of his visit there. He wasn’t even sure if what he saw was real or not and he didn’t particularly care either. It was scary. That was what mattered.
’Someone is approaching.’
Razihon had turned and looked in the direction of a blond man coming in their direction. His hair covered his eyes and he seemed to be smiling. Nozihar frowned as he watched the man. He couldn’t be sure if the man had noticed him from this distance and it didn’t matter. He was coming from Eludrest City, that fact alone was enough to arouse both interest and suspicion. No one would go there if they were a good person, right? Right! And bad people needed to be taught a lesson. Nozihar nodded to himself once more before forming an ethereal snake out of thin air, the artificial creature the same hue and pattern as Razihon before launching it in the direction of the now approaching man. This was sure to scare the man away from Eludrest City from now on. Razihon turned back to Nozihar before adding his opinion to the chaos that was now erupting around the pair.
’I would suggest diplomacy first.’
Nozihar could only shout back at the Appiration, ‘Shut up! I’m only gonna scare him! Now leave me alone!’ A slight shrug was the only answer Razihon had to that particular suggestion.
’It is not my fault you took a wrong turn halfway there.’
The creatures static filled voice drifted off along with the echoes. Nozihar was quiet. He hadn’t taken a wrong turn did he? And if he did, why didn’t Razihon warn him? Hmm? He nodded to himself before vocalizing his thoughts. ’Why didn’t you warn me then?!’ The creature merely shrugged an infuriating shrug in answer. Nozihar wondered for a moment why he was so upset, getting lost was usually an adventure, filled with new places to see and explore. But this particular detour had taken them close to Eludrest City. He hated Eludrest City. Creepy place, filled with the regrets and sadness of those who were once like him. Nozihar shook his head to try and erase the memory of his visit there. He wasn’t even sure if what he saw was real or not and he didn’t particularly care either. It was scary. That was what mattered.
’Someone is approaching.’
Razihon had turned and looked in the direction of a blond man coming in their direction. His hair covered his eyes and he seemed to be smiling. Nozihar frowned as he watched the man. He couldn’t be sure if the man had noticed him from this distance and it didn’t matter. He was coming from Eludrest City, that fact alone was enough to arouse both interest and suspicion. No one would go there if they were a good person, right? Right! And bad people needed to be taught a lesson. Nozihar nodded to himself once more before forming an ethereal snake out of thin air, the artificial creature the same hue and pattern as Razihon before launching it in the direction of the now approaching man. This was sure to scare the man away from Eludrest City from now on. Razihon turned back to Nozihar before adding his opinion to the chaos that was now erupting around the pair.
’I would suggest diplomacy first.’
Nozihar could only shout back at the Appiration, ‘Shut up! I’m only gonna scare him! Now leave me alone!’ A slight shrug was the only answer Razihon had to that particular suggestion.
The setting changes from Eludrest City to Tinker Tocker
An apple lay on top of a bundle of many other apples in an old merchant's stall. Different from all the other apples next to her, this certain apple glowed its lusciousness in the busy Marketplace and beckoned a fifteen-year-old girl to come closer. "I am the best apple in this season's harvest," the apple seemed to tell her. "Look at how shiny I am! How valuable I must look!"
The girl dressed in a top-laced dress and pointed hat took the bait and went over to the merchant's stall, taking the shiny apple. "Ah! You have a good eye, my dear. That apple was picked at exactly midnight during the Midsummer Night's Harvest. Imagine that!" said the merchant. "You know what they say about apples like that...magical powers and whatnot. My own papa told me one bite could make you remember things long forgotten," he added in a low whisper, hoping to coax his customer with the curiosity of the unknown.
But the merchant was unsure if his strategy worked; he couldn't see the girl's face which was hooded by her hat while she looked studied the Midsummer Night's apple in her palm with deep interest. "I know," was all she said.
Coran---for that was the old merchant's name---eyed the girl cautiously. He could swear he's seen this girl somewhere before...Pale skin. White hair with hints of daylight. And the pointed top hat...But his thoughts were interrupted when the girl suddenly took a bite at his apple, considering it sold. Grinning at his first sale after hours of dormancy in his stall, he said, "That'd be ten silver coins, Miss. Miss---"
Coran stopped and his tanned face turned as pale as the girl's. The girl had finally looked up at him, grinning, and he recognized her immediately. The little ball of silver that whirled near her was a dead give away.
She was Flue, the Silver Witch and as such, he will allow her to take the apple no charge in exchange of his life. Coran nodded in agreement although no words were spoken. He had known Flue for years, as a merchant girl much like him who toiled in this very Marketplace a couple years ago and recently as a notorious theif in the Dream Realm as soon as her soul sphere grew enough to harm.
Flue took another bite, teasing Coran how easily she stole his prized item for the day. At least it was just the apple, Coran consoled himself. It could have been worse. He let out a sigh of relief when the Silver Witch left him in one piece and one less apple in his stall.
Flue walked through the buzzing Marketplace with ease. She was once a local in these streets, specifically the Marketplace. Avoiding bumps from strangers going the opposite ways and disregarding the tempting calls of experienced merchants who had nothing worthwhile to offer her were two skills she mastered during her years as a mere merchant.
But that was a few years ago. Now, she was the Silver Witch.
The years gone by has done very little to change the old Marketplace. It still thrived in the long road at the heart of Tinker Tocker, the Dream Realm's very own City of Commerce. The street remained cramped with stalls in both sides of the street and customers in all parts of the Realm flocked in and out causing much traffic.
Last time Flue was here, she was distraught---and thrilled at the same time---for having absolutely nothing left to steal in Tinker Tocker because she has already collected everything worth taking. It was then she decided to move from city to city and hunt for riskier treasures. Now, however, things were different. Flue had noticed the increasing surplus of people in the Realm but she never bothered to wonder why. All she cares about is treasure, and where there's new people, there's bound to be something new to steal.
During her stay in Mechanoid Paranoia, a certain conversation piqued her interest. From what little she heard---for the strangers had been whispering---it seems there is a man walking around in the Dream Realm with an important letter in his person---a letter that contained a valuable secret!
The Silver Witch had jumped at this. Almost always, a valuable secret lead to a valuable item. The secret itself is a treasure find, and from the apprehensive looks of the strangers when she asked about it, it is a very valuable secret, indeed.
When the men couldn't provide her with any other useful information, Flue left Mechanoid Paranoia to look for more clues about the man with the letter. Surely, someone here has met him. Everybody comes by the City of Commerce.
Hence, Flue's return to Tinker Tocker.
The girl dressed in a top-laced dress and pointed hat took the bait and went over to the merchant's stall, taking the shiny apple. "Ah! You have a good eye, my dear. That apple was picked at exactly midnight during the Midsummer Night's Harvest. Imagine that!" said the merchant. "You know what they say about apples like that...magical powers and whatnot. My own papa told me one bite could make you remember things long forgotten," he added in a low whisper, hoping to coax his customer with the curiosity of the unknown.
But the merchant was unsure if his strategy worked; he couldn't see the girl's face which was hooded by her hat while she looked studied the Midsummer Night's apple in her palm with deep interest. "I know," was all she said.
Coran---for that was the old merchant's name---eyed the girl cautiously. He could swear he's seen this girl somewhere before...Pale skin. White hair with hints of daylight. And the pointed top hat...But his thoughts were interrupted when the girl suddenly took a bite at his apple, considering it sold. Grinning at his first sale after hours of dormancy in his stall, he said, "That'd be ten silver coins, Miss. Miss---"
Coran stopped and his tanned face turned as pale as the girl's. The girl had finally looked up at him, grinning, and he recognized her immediately. The little ball of silver that whirled near her was a dead give away.
She was Flue, the Silver Witch and as such, he will allow her to take the apple no charge in exchange of his life. Coran nodded in agreement although no words were spoken. He had known Flue for years, as a merchant girl much like him who toiled in this very Marketplace a couple years ago and recently as a notorious theif in the Dream Realm as soon as her soul sphere grew enough to harm.
Flue took another bite, teasing Coran how easily she stole his prized item for the day. At least it was just the apple, Coran consoled himself. It could have been worse. He let out a sigh of relief when the Silver Witch left him in one piece and one less apple in his stall.
* * * * *
Flue walked through the buzzing Marketplace with ease. She was once a local in these streets, specifically the Marketplace. Avoiding bumps from strangers going the opposite ways and disregarding the tempting calls of experienced merchants who had nothing worthwhile to offer her were two skills she mastered during her years as a mere merchant.
But that was a few years ago. Now, she was the Silver Witch.
The years gone by has done very little to change the old Marketplace. It still thrived in the long road at the heart of Tinker Tocker, the Dream Realm's very own City of Commerce. The street remained cramped with stalls in both sides of the street and customers in all parts of the Realm flocked in and out causing much traffic.
Last time Flue was here, she was distraught---and thrilled at the same time---for having absolutely nothing left to steal in Tinker Tocker because she has already collected everything worth taking. It was then she decided to move from city to city and hunt for riskier treasures. Now, however, things were different. Flue had noticed the increasing surplus of people in the Realm but she never bothered to wonder why. All she cares about is treasure, and where there's new people, there's bound to be something new to steal.
During her stay in Mechanoid Paranoia, a certain conversation piqued her interest. From what little she heard---for the strangers had been whispering---it seems there is a man walking around in the Dream Realm with an important letter in his person---a letter that contained a valuable secret!
The Silver Witch had jumped at this. Almost always, a valuable secret lead to a valuable item. The secret itself is a treasure find, and from the apprehensive looks of the strangers when she asked about it, it is a very valuable secret, indeed.
When the men couldn't provide her with any other useful information, Flue left Mechanoid Paranoia to look for more clues about the man with the letter. Surely, someone here has met him. Everybody comes by the City of Commerce.
Hence, Flue's return to Tinker Tocker.
Quinera stood by a group of discarded stacked gears, watching as the person talked to one of them. The jester looked puzzled. Why would she talk to one of them? Willingly? Quinn hadn't been spotted yet and was having a great time playing her game until he shouted out. Then the person stopped. Quinera stood with her hands clasped in front of her, wringing them over and over again. She wasn't sure what to do. Should she help the person? Or should she just go?
She knew what would happen to the person if she left. She wouldn't come back. She probably wouldn't ever come back. They usually didn't after one of them came around. A flash of fear flew through the young girl and she let out a small whimper as her fingers unconciously grazed a scar on her forearm. One of them tried to get her before. Tried to grab her from a roof top. His knife had flicked out and sliced her arm. Quinn didn't remember much after that, just the anger and then the tiredness afterwards. She didn't see that one of them again either.
Defiance kicked the fear out of the jester's mind. She wasn't going to leave this person. Nope. This girl obviously didn't know what happened in this part of the city. People came, the them found them and then she never saw the people again. She didn't know what happened to them
She didn't really want to know.
"Do you need a guide? I can show you how to get back, you know." No! No, no, no! A flicker of worry sprang up in the jester's chest and her hands fluttered up to her collar bone and she bit her lip harshly. She couldn't go with him! If she went with him then she wouldn't come back! It was what happened. The pang in her chest faded as the head of peachy hair shook violently. No. She wouldn't go with him. That was good. That was very good. But then he took a step forward towards the person. That's when the worry was engulfed in anger and rage.
How dare he? He ruined the game. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. The red hot burning sensation blocked out all reasonable thought processes. Only the biting ire remained. Quinn pulled herself up to her full height of 5"5 and looked down at him, eyes on fire.
"HEY!" And with that she launched herself off the edge of the building. For a second or two, Quinn flew through the air. She was aware of the two sets of eyes that were staring at her but ignored them for the time being. She was concerntrating. The loose wires on the opposite building hung in such a way that made the jester laugh out loud. Her almost hysterical cackles echoed around the alley. Her hands fitted in the gap perfectly, as if they had been moulded to her hands. The teen swing herself around using the wires and let go mid swing, twisting her body through the air. All that time spent leaping across roof tops had served her well.
Quinn landed inbetween the two people with him facing her, her ballet pumps landing silently against the cracked paving. She smirked as his eyes widened as he recognised her. She had a bit of a reputation in this city. She was a real life myth in which most of the details weren't too far off the mark. She was what parents told their children was going to get them if they didn't go to bed or eat their vegetables.
"Y-you...Your...a..." The guy stuttered as Quinn's smirk widened and she tilted her head, examining the man in front of her like a piece of meat. She couldn't be bothered letting this decend into physical fighting -although fighting wasn't too bad, she even enjoyed it sometimes- and she didn't want to lose her throwing knife. Instead she raised her hand, palm facing him and smiled.
Instantly, black smoke and shadows surrounded her, playing the part, while fire sprung up around him. He screamed as his skin started to melt away. Quinn giggled. It wasn't real, it wasn't real. She was only making it look like his skin was melting off. "It's just all in you mind. The pain is in your mind. You see the illusion and your brain does the rest!" She wanted to sing at him but that would break the image she was creating. The euphoria was building beneath her skin as she created the illusion until she just had to laugh. The jester threw back her head, her inky hair splaying out behind her as energy flew out of her finger tips. Making things without the harsh limitations she usually tried imposed on herself was always such a thrill. After a minute or so, Quinera reluctantly pulled back, her energy ebbing as the euphoria of just creating wore off. He looked up at her into her dark eyes and she could see the fear that shot through them. She leaned in close to the man and whispered into his ear, the black mists still surrounding her, just for effect. Her painted black lips curved into a grin before she spoke.
"Boo." The reaction was hilarious. The man backed away, got to his feet and ran screaming about the demon that had attacked him. Quinn laughed until she could laugh no more. Then a snap of anger at herself for getting carried away with her pulse hit her. She was tired now, her pulse draining her energy. The teen snarled loudly at herself, her open palm smacking her over the head.
"You IDIOT! How could you be so STUPID?" Then as suddenly as the anger came, it left leaving a bone crushing sorrow behind.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I was just trying to help. I'm sorry." The jester muttered to herself, as if apologising to her own mind for her mistake. Her long slender arms wrapping around her narrow torso as if keeping herself together physically. Then a little bit of anxiety shot through her as she remembered the person. Quinn's breath caught in her throat. Was she still there? Or had the person ran away like evryone else. With her arms still tightly clutched around her, Quinn looked over her shoulder tentively.
She knew what would happen to the person if she left. She wouldn't come back. She probably wouldn't ever come back. They usually didn't after one of them came around. A flash of fear flew through the young girl and she let out a small whimper as her fingers unconciously grazed a scar on her forearm. One of them tried to get her before. Tried to grab her from a roof top. His knife had flicked out and sliced her arm. Quinn didn't remember much after that, just the anger and then the tiredness afterwards. She didn't see that one of them again either.
Defiance kicked the fear out of the jester's mind. She wasn't going to leave this person. Nope. This girl obviously didn't know what happened in this part of the city. People came, the them found them and then she never saw the people again. She didn't know what happened to them
She didn't really want to know.
"Do you need a guide? I can show you how to get back, you know." No! No, no, no! A flicker of worry sprang up in the jester's chest and her hands fluttered up to her collar bone and she bit her lip harshly. She couldn't go with him! If she went with him then she wouldn't come back! It was what happened. The pang in her chest faded as the head of peachy hair shook violently. No. She wouldn't go with him. That was good. That was very good. But then he took a step forward towards the person. That's when the worry was engulfed in anger and rage.
How dare he? He ruined the game. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. The red hot burning sensation blocked out all reasonable thought processes. Only the biting ire remained. Quinn pulled herself up to her full height of 5"5 and looked down at him, eyes on fire.
"HEY!" And with that she launched herself off the edge of the building. For a second or two, Quinn flew through the air. She was aware of the two sets of eyes that were staring at her but ignored them for the time being. She was concerntrating. The loose wires on the opposite building hung in such a way that made the jester laugh out loud. Her almost hysterical cackles echoed around the alley. Her hands fitted in the gap perfectly, as if they had been moulded to her hands. The teen swing herself around using the wires and let go mid swing, twisting her body through the air. All that time spent leaping across roof tops had served her well.
Quinn landed inbetween the two people with him facing her, her ballet pumps landing silently against the cracked paving. She smirked as his eyes widened as he recognised her. She had a bit of a reputation in this city. She was a real life myth in which most of the details weren't too far off the mark. She was what parents told their children was going to get them if they didn't go to bed or eat their vegetables.
"Y-you...Your...a..." The guy stuttered as Quinn's smirk widened and she tilted her head, examining the man in front of her like a piece of meat. She couldn't be bothered letting this decend into physical fighting -although fighting wasn't too bad, she even enjoyed it sometimes- and she didn't want to lose her throwing knife. Instead she raised her hand, palm facing him and smiled.
Instantly, black smoke and shadows surrounded her, playing the part, while fire sprung up around him. He screamed as his skin started to melt away. Quinn giggled. It wasn't real, it wasn't real. She was only making it look like his skin was melting off. "It's just all in you mind. The pain is in your mind. You see the illusion and your brain does the rest!" She wanted to sing at him but that would break the image she was creating. The euphoria was building beneath her skin as she created the illusion until she just had to laugh. The jester threw back her head, her inky hair splaying out behind her as energy flew out of her finger tips. Making things without the harsh limitations she usually tried imposed on herself was always such a thrill. After a minute or so, Quinera reluctantly pulled back, her energy ebbing as the euphoria of just creating wore off. He looked up at her into her dark eyes and she could see the fear that shot through them. She leaned in close to the man and whispered into his ear, the black mists still surrounding her, just for effect. Her painted black lips curved into a grin before she spoke.
"Boo." The reaction was hilarious. The man backed away, got to his feet and ran screaming about the demon that had attacked him. Quinn laughed until she could laugh no more. Then a snap of anger at herself for getting carried away with her pulse hit her. She was tired now, her pulse draining her energy. The teen snarled loudly at herself, her open palm smacking her over the head.
"You IDIOT! How could you be so STUPID?" Then as suddenly as the anger came, it left leaving a bone crushing sorrow behind.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I was just trying to help. I'm sorry." The jester muttered to herself, as if apologising to her own mind for her mistake. Her long slender arms wrapping around her narrow torso as if keeping herself together physically. Then a little bit of anxiety shot through her as she remembered the person. Quinn's breath caught in her throat. Was she still there? Or had the person ran away like evryone else. With her arms still tightly clutched around her, Quinn looked over her shoulder tentively.
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Dreams/Unreality
The Silver Witch had walked a decent distance from the Marketplace where she overheard no useful snippets of conversation concerning the Letter Man (as Flue had decidedly dubbed him) in the crowded street. Maybe the secret in the letter is too important for common travelers and merchants to know about, Flue had thought. If it's as complicated as I think it is, surely my friends, the engineers, would know a thing or two about it. She giggled at this. Of all the people she had encountered during her hunts, it was the engineers who most willingly gave information on valuable items. Give them a beer or two and they'll happily talk about a rich lady's crown and the measures protecting it.
She was about to exit a narrow alleyway which leads directly to the maze-like neighborhood of the engineers when an incredulous scene played half a block away from where she was. A burly engineer was taunting a little girl who was definitely out of place in the greasy environment with her ribbons and frills. Normally, she would ignore the whole thing and proceed to her merry way, but something wasn't quite right.
First of all, the man couldn't be an engineer; he was missing his tool belt. An engineer would never be caught dead without his tools. Although the screws and oil on his skin made him look convincing, he couldn't fool Flue. So what was an engineer-wannabe doing in this part of the city?
Second of all---and probably the most important---the little girl's teddy bear had talked for her! Flue blinked at this. A vague memory flashed before her eyes: a little redheaded girl in pigtails and emerald green jumpers looked fixedly at a limited edition talking teddy bear as she always did while walking home from school. And then, the shop owner took the display and wrapped it for a mother who had bought the bear for a daughter who didn't have to clean or cook or wash dishes.
The memory faded as suddenly as it came, leaving the Silver Witch a little dazed. It was the first memory of her waking self she had recalled in months. Her time in the Dream Realm was longer compared to the others, since she was one of the firsts who welcomed sleep, and the fantasy that came with it, more willingly. Days, months, and years have passed since her stay in the Dream Realm, and soon, her waking memories have simmered into nothing but blurry visions. She couldn't care less about forgetting, and allowed the passage of time take away the memories that pained her for eight years. There was only one thing she refused to let go and that was her waking name, her real name: Alison Bailey.
It seemed the Midsummer Night's apple was stronger than Flue thought.
She was pulled back to the present time when a woman fell from the sky and somehow froze the engineer-wannabe into place. Insanity danced in the woman's eyes while swirls of darkness whirled around her, and Flue could only imagine the fear in the man's own for his back was the only thing she could see. Moments later, the engineer ran away.
The Silver Witch couldn't help but lean closer to the wall hoping the shadows would render her invisible. She had heard of this woman before. A crazed woman who enjoyed leaping on rooftops and talked to no one but herself. Rumors say she eats the souls of her victims, turning them into mindless puppets. The Jester, Flue recalled the name and as she did, fear crept up on her spine.
"Stop it, Flue!" she told herself. "You're the Silver Witch, for crying out loud!"
Almost immediately, Flue calmed down and managed to think. If anything, this woman has the same power I have---except she controls the shadows rather than silver. I can take her on anytime. Her mind's eye darted back to the image of the little girl with ribbons and frills, and how she clutched her precious teddy bear so protectively. The bear is valuable to the girl, Flue grinned at the thought. Definitely worth taking.
With the thrill of new treasure sedating her fear of the Jester, the Silver Witch looked back at the scene half a block away while she calculated a plan to steal the bear her waking self always wanted to have.
She was about to exit a narrow alleyway which leads directly to the maze-like neighborhood of the engineers when an incredulous scene played half a block away from where she was. A burly engineer was taunting a little girl who was definitely out of place in the greasy environment with her ribbons and frills. Normally, she would ignore the whole thing and proceed to her merry way, but something wasn't quite right.
First of all, the man couldn't be an engineer; he was missing his tool belt. An engineer would never be caught dead without his tools. Although the screws and oil on his skin made him look convincing, he couldn't fool Flue. So what was an engineer-wannabe doing in this part of the city?
Second of all---and probably the most important---the little girl's teddy bear had talked for her! Flue blinked at this. A vague memory flashed before her eyes: a little redheaded girl in pigtails and emerald green jumpers looked fixedly at a limited edition talking teddy bear as she always did while walking home from school. And then, the shop owner took the display and wrapped it for a mother who had bought the bear for a daughter who didn't have to clean or cook or wash dishes.
The memory faded as suddenly as it came, leaving the Silver Witch a little dazed. It was the first memory of her waking self she had recalled in months. Her time in the Dream Realm was longer compared to the others, since she was one of the firsts who welcomed sleep, and the fantasy that came with it, more willingly. Days, months, and years have passed since her stay in the Dream Realm, and soon, her waking memories have simmered into nothing but blurry visions. She couldn't care less about forgetting, and allowed the passage of time take away the memories that pained her for eight years. There was only one thing she refused to let go and that was her waking name, her real name: Alison Bailey.
It seemed the Midsummer Night's apple was stronger than Flue thought.
She was pulled back to the present time when a woman fell from the sky and somehow froze the engineer-wannabe into place. Insanity danced in the woman's eyes while swirls of darkness whirled around her, and Flue could only imagine the fear in the man's own for his back was the only thing she could see. Moments later, the engineer ran away.
The Silver Witch couldn't help but lean closer to the wall hoping the shadows would render her invisible. She had heard of this woman before. A crazed woman who enjoyed leaping on rooftops and talked to no one but herself. Rumors say she eats the souls of her victims, turning them into mindless puppets. The Jester, Flue recalled the name and as she did, fear crept up on her spine.
"Stop it, Flue!" she told herself. "You're the Silver Witch, for crying out loud!"
Almost immediately, Flue calmed down and managed to think. If anything, this woman has the same power I have---except she controls the shadows rather than silver. I can take her on anytime. Her mind's eye darted back to the image of the little girl with ribbons and frills, and how she clutched her precious teddy bear so protectively. The bear is valuable to the girl, Flue grinned at the thought. Definitely worth taking.
With the thrill of new treasure sedating her fear of the Jester, the Silver Witch looked back at the scene half a block away while she calculated a plan to steal the bear her waking self always wanted to have.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Eludrest City
He’s been walking for some time through the city, though not quite doubting the path he had chosen. Dormant memories were awakening one by one, though not in the form of easily envisioned images – rather it was like a gut instinct rising from a long slumber. He welcomed it. With his goals it would be important to regain the proper skills of navigation. He would stop every now and then to talk to one figure or another. The shapes of Inner Selves, forgotten or not, varied wildly. He’d seen a strange feline creature with shifting swirly patterns upon its coat; he’d seen a young male with stag-horns; he’d even seen a being not unlike a crayon drawing, completely flat and moving by shifting across a flat surface. Contemplations concerning their counterparts in the waking world were quite exhilarating yet he had to move on further. Sooner or later, he believed, his feet will end up taking him to a livelier place, where the Inner Selves wouldn’t be quite so dormant. All those he’d encountered so far were responsive to outside stimuli, but seemed to return to a stagnant state as soon as he ceased interaction. That could well explain lack of particularly useful facts to hear from them.
It was no wonder that a sudden “livelier” encounter wasn’t initially noticed by him. The one accompanied by a strange green companion had all the chances to surprise Zoen, the latter having been walking for some time with nothing but the conversations he’d shared with the residents of Eludrest and his own steady (though casual) advance occupying his mind. When an ethereal construct shaped much like a snake suddenly passed through his chest, flying through and behind his back, he stopped, though not quite due to fear but rather a sudden unexpected contact. The angle of his head shifted very slightly, indicating that his eyes were now in front of him and not lowered to the ground. His smile was reduced to half its original size due to the shock, but was still present as he looked ahead at the one who must’ve launched the snake.
“My-my. Wasn’t that a strange greeting? Waving with your hand and saying “hello” is far more universal.” He mused in a casual tone, his reaction wildly playing down the aforementioned “greeting” from the one in front of him. One might have thought such a comment would be due if the stranger had made an eccentric twirl and a bow, then done a backflip, concluded by standing on his hands and clapping his feet enthusiastically. Launching a green snake through someone probably required a far less laid-back response. Nonetheless, Zoen was still looking at him with his smile, his eyes still concealed by his slightly shimmering blonde hair. “Boy, what are you called in this world? Does your friend have a name as well?” He questioned in a friendly manner.
It was no wonder that a sudden “livelier” encounter wasn’t initially noticed by him. The one accompanied by a strange green companion had all the chances to surprise Zoen, the latter having been walking for some time with nothing but the conversations he’d shared with the residents of Eludrest and his own steady (though casual) advance occupying his mind. When an ethereal construct shaped much like a snake suddenly passed through his chest, flying through and behind his back, he stopped, though not quite due to fear but rather a sudden unexpected contact. The angle of his head shifted very slightly, indicating that his eyes were now in front of him and not lowered to the ground. His smile was reduced to half its original size due to the shock, but was still present as he looked ahead at the one who must’ve launched the snake.
“My-my. Wasn’t that a strange greeting? Waving with your hand and saying “hello” is far more universal.” He mused in a casual tone, his reaction wildly playing down the aforementioned “greeting” from the one in front of him. One might have thought such a comment would be due if the stranger had made an eccentric twirl and a bow, then done a backflip, concluded by standing on his hands and clapping his feet enthusiastically. Launching a green snake through someone probably required a far less laid-back response. Nonetheless, Zoen was still looking at him with his smile, his eyes still concealed by his slightly shimmering blonde hair. “Boy, what are you called in this world? Does your friend have a name as well?” He questioned in a friendly manner.
The setting changes from Eludrest City to Tinker Tocker
"HEY!" The cry came from above and Erixianti's gaze was torn away from the man who was attempting to lead her deeper into the maze of this part of the city. She did not have to look very long as a girl with thin, spidery limbs was jumping, grabbing ahold of two wires. The movement was eerie, graceful, chaotic. The girl let go, landing in front of her and looking directly at the man, not remotely turning around to face the one she seemed to be defending. The bear turned in her arms to bury it's face in her chest, radiating a sense of fear from the erratic actions of the girl.
Erixianti watched as the girl simply approached the man, yet he howled, he screamed, as if in true terror--as if in pain. She watched in a horrified sort of wonder, unable to tear her eyes away from the commotion. Very little truly scared the petite adventurer, it merely fascinated her. And so she watched the events unfurl with fixation, hazel orbs following every twitch, every step taken by either party. The man's fear was apparent, his pupil's dilated with the very stench of the emotion. The jester girl leaned closer to him and whispered something Erixianti couldn't make out. Whatever it was, it caused the man to release a louder yell and tumble over himself in his haste to run away from the girl.
Of a sudden, the jester seemed to snarl, hitting herself with her palm. "You IDIOT! How could you be so STUPID?" Before she could think of a proper reaction, the jester was already mumbling something else to herself, not nearly as angrily. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I was just trying to help. I'm sorry." The small girl stood in an amount of proper shock, her wide eyes blinking very slowly as her mind attempted to process what had happened. Her bear remained rather lax within her arms, the small animal puppet not even daring to shift quietly in her grip.
Erixianti saw the timid movement of the girl as she looked over her shoulder, almost as if nervous, contemplative, maybe even a little hesitant. She could not help but feel sympathy--for she only say how lost the girl was acting. Confused, she would even dare to comment. Curling and uncurling her toes within her shoes, the slim child took a few steps forward and raises her bear once more in front of her mouth. The voice that came out this time was quiet yet with an undertone of excitement, deeper than the voice the bear had initially released.
"Thank you... your timing was well-suited." Erixianti smiled from behind her bear, though no words left her lips as the bear continued to talk in her stead."Were you watching from up above...?" Oft were the times that Erixianti defied expectations, for her curiosity did not allow her to process things as perhaps normal passerby would. For her, despite the eccentricity of the action, the whole movement of the jester could only be described as a graceful dance. She had never been able to move her body like that--but her shades, yes, they would be able to dance with this girl, to bend the way she did.
A small albeit shy smile lit upon her lips as her bear pawed at her arms with it's padded limbs. She wasn't quite sure how anyone else would do it, but a heroine always became friends with her savior--even if that savior happened to be a woman and not a man in armor riding upon a white horse. No. She wrinkled her nose, a dragon, that was much cooler. The bear extended out one of it's arms as if to shake the jester's hand and Erixianti peered at her from behind the stuffed animal, hoping that the girl would accept the gesture.
Erixianti watched as the girl simply approached the man, yet he howled, he screamed, as if in true terror--as if in pain. She watched in a horrified sort of wonder, unable to tear her eyes away from the commotion. Very little truly scared the petite adventurer, it merely fascinated her. And so she watched the events unfurl with fixation, hazel orbs following every twitch, every step taken by either party. The man's fear was apparent, his pupil's dilated with the very stench of the emotion. The jester girl leaned closer to him and whispered something Erixianti couldn't make out. Whatever it was, it caused the man to release a louder yell and tumble over himself in his haste to run away from the girl.
Of a sudden, the jester seemed to snarl, hitting herself with her palm. "You IDIOT! How could you be so STUPID?" Before she could think of a proper reaction, the jester was already mumbling something else to herself, not nearly as angrily. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I was just trying to help. I'm sorry." The small girl stood in an amount of proper shock, her wide eyes blinking very slowly as her mind attempted to process what had happened. Her bear remained rather lax within her arms, the small animal puppet not even daring to shift quietly in her grip.
Erixianti saw the timid movement of the girl as she looked over her shoulder, almost as if nervous, contemplative, maybe even a little hesitant. She could not help but feel sympathy--for she only say how lost the girl was acting. Confused, she would even dare to comment. Curling and uncurling her toes within her shoes, the slim child took a few steps forward and raises her bear once more in front of her mouth. The voice that came out this time was quiet yet with an undertone of excitement, deeper than the voice the bear had initially released.
"Thank you... your timing was well-suited." Erixianti smiled from behind her bear, though no words left her lips as the bear continued to talk in her stead."Were you watching from up above...?" Oft were the times that Erixianti defied expectations, for her curiosity did not allow her to process things as perhaps normal passerby would. For her, despite the eccentricity of the action, the whole movement of the jester could only be described as a graceful dance. She had never been able to move her body like that--but her shades, yes, they would be able to dance with this girl, to bend the way she did.
A small albeit shy smile lit upon her lips as her bear pawed at her arms with it's padded limbs. She wasn't quite sure how anyone else would do it, but a heroine always became friends with her savior--even if that savior happened to be a woman and not a man in armor riding upon a white horse. No. She wrinkled her nose, a dragon, that was much cooler. The bear extended out one of it's arms as if to shake the jester's hand and Erixianti peered at her from behind the stuffed animal, hoping that the girl would accept the gesture.
Quinera blinked. She was still there. The person was still there. She hadn't run away when Quinera had shown herself. Most people did. They usually ran away and told great stories of the demented spirit who stole souls and spread madness like a disease. Quinn didn't discourage these stories. They were pretty funny most of the time and a good deal of them true (or with a nugget of truth in there somewhere). But...she was lonely. A lot of the time. Everyone was scared of the jester. But this person...she had stayed. She didn't look too frightened either. A bit shocked really. The jester watched with confusion as the person slowly lifted the bear she had clutched to her front up to her mouth.
"Thank you... your timing was well-suited." Quinn started. The bear...the bear spoke. Not the person. The teen turned about face quickly and watched the person as a sneaking grin slid onto her face. She had been in the city of inventors a good long time. Forever. And she had never, ever seen anything that could do that. She moved forward an inch or two, trying not to scare off this person who didn't look at the jester as if she was a monster. A flicker of irritation shot through the teen and she gave a quiet snarl at the people who called her names. Like monster. Or hell-demon. She wasn't any of those things. Quinera dug her nails deeply into her palms but the ire was thrown away as the person...no, the bear spoke again.
"Were you watching from up above...?" Quinn bit her lip and shied away from the gaze of the person. But then the jester nodded slightly. Well, she hadn't been watching really. She had been playing. Playing cat and mouse. Quinn moved close to the person, her ballet pumped foot resting en pointe as if it was a natural position. The teen moved from en pointe to flat footed and up again as she grinned gently, trying hard, so hard, not to scare this person away. Trying not to scare her away like everyone else.
But then the bear moved its plush arm up towards the jester. Quinera moved away slightly from the gesture, too used to violence. But there was no movement of attack. There was no offensive move. She had seen this before. This was a custom; people shook hands when they met people. The jester moved suddenly, collapsing with an eerie grace to kneel cross legged on the pavement, almost at the same height to look into the bear's eyes. Then the jester slowly moved her ribboned hand to shake the bear's paw. No one had ever greeted her before. They usually just shouted abuse at her. It was nice to be introduced to someone. For someone else to initiate something towards her that wasn't mean.
"It's very nice to meet you, little person. I hope you are OK. I'm pretty glad he didn't get you." Quinera whispered quietly, looking up into the small person's eyes. After a split second, the jester launched herself up into a hop and untangled herself. There was a feeling of doubt plaguing the teen telling her that even though this person hadn't been mean yet, she was going to be later. A defensive anger pushed itself up to the forefront of Quinera's mind.
"Is this a trick? Are you really just a mean person?" The jester questioned before she calmed down a bit. "You couldn't be one of them anyways. I mean, you look nothing like one of them. But you might be playing a game. I like games..." Quinn trailed off, speaking more to herself than to the girl in front of her.
"I don't like it when people are mean to me. Not at all. They call me such horrible things...I am NOT a monster. I am NOT!" With that, the jester twirled to punch the wall behind her with all the force she could muster. The anger faded as the pain from her fist hollered for attention. She ignored it. Injuries were too boring to worry about. Breathing deeply, Quinera felt a twinge of wonder shoot through her.
"And your bear! Where didja get it?! I have never seen anything like it! And I have been here for forever and a couple of days!" Quinn was knelt into front of the girl again as she threw herself towards the ground, her knees complaining, her inky hair swirling as she fell. The young woman examined the soft toy quickly, her fingers brushing the fabric lightly, like raindrops. As quick as a blink, the jester plucked it from the girl's hands and held it herself. She stared at it expectantly, waiting for it to speak. She frowned and the turned away from the person, pacing in confusion.
"Did I break it or something?" She asked without turning around, her right hand flicking out above her she walked and poked the bear's stomach. Another thought occurred to the jester.
"Oh no...I didn't kill it, did I?" Quinera asked, staring at the bear mournfully. She then gently picked the bear up and cradled it to her chest for a minute of two. She whispered apologises to the little plush animal before looking at it and throwing it over her shoulder, back towards the girl. She shrugged and turned on the spot, hands on her hips and eyes gleaming with barely restrained amusement. She didn't know why it was funny but the jester just felt the need to laugh again. She did that sometimes. Some things were just so funny.
"Oh well. It's dead now anyways. Hey! Don't pick that up!" The jester yelled, confusion snapping into focus. "We don't play with dead things and..." A noise just within the jester's range of hearing snapped her to attention, her manic gaze trailing across the streets around her.
"Ohhhh." The demeanour of the girl changed dramatically. Gone was the girl and back was the child's nightmare, Tinker Tocker's real life myth. The jester pulled herself up to en pointe yet again and spread her arms out at her sides, feeling the pulse energy underneath her skin singing out. She was a little drained from her escapades but she has more than enough energy to scare someone else away. Besides. She had someone to protect here too. This person was nicer than the rest. She would scare the them away again if she had to.
The jester flicked her wrists and played her part. The mad gleam was back -and oh, didn't it feel glorious- and the girl hopped with barely restrained energy. Quinera spoke, almost sang the words, in a too sweet voice which was laced with something akin to arsenic. The myth-turned-real was filled with such an energy and anticipation that she felt on fire inside. Because what is life without a little fun?
"Somebody's here...and it's time to come out and play!"
"Thank you... your timing was well-suited." Quinn started. The bear...the bear spoke. Not the person. The teen turned about face quickly and watched the person as a sneaking grin slid onto her face. She had been in the city of inventors a good long time. Forever. And she had never, ever seen anything that could do that. She moved forward an inch or two, trying not to scare off this person who didn't look at the jester as if she was a monster. A flicker of irritation shot through the teen and she gave a quiet snarl at the people who called her names. Like monster. Or hell-demon. She wasn't any of those things. Quinera dug her nails deeply into her palms but the ire was thrown away as the person...no, the bear spoke again.
"Were you watching from up above...?" Quinn bit her lip and shied away from the gaze of the person. But then the jester nodded slightly. Well, she hadn't been watching really. She had been playing. Playing cat and mouse. Quinn moved close to the person, her ballet pumped foot resting en pointe as if it was a natural position. The teen moved from en pointe to flat footed and up again as she grinned gently, trying hard, so hard, not to scare this person away. Trying not to scare her away like everyone else.
But then the bear moved its plush arm up towards the jester. Quinera moved away slightly from the gesture, too used to violence. But there was no movement of attack. There was no offensive move. She had seen this before. This was a custom; people shook hands when they met people. The jester moved suddenly, collapsing with an eerie grace to kneel cross legged on the pavement, almost at the same height to look into the bear's eyes. Then the jester slowly moved her ribboned hand to shake the bear's paw. No one had ever greeted her before. They usually just shouted abuse at her. It was nice to be introduced to someone. For someone else to initiate something towards her that wasn't mean.
"It's very nice to meet you, little person. I hope you are OK. I'm pretty glad he didn't get you." Quinera whispered quietly, looking up into the small person's eyes. After a split second, the jester launched herself up into a hop and untangled herself. There was a feeling of doubt plaguing the teen telling her that even though this person hadn't been mean yet, she was going to be later. A defensive anger pushed itself up to the forefront of Quinera's mind.
"Is this a trick? Are you really just a mean person?" The jester questioned before she calmed down a bit. "You couldn't be one of them anyways. I mean, you look nothing like one of them. But you might be playing a game. I like games..." Quinn trailed off, speaking more to herself than to the girl in front of her.
"I don't like it when people are mean to me. Not at all. They call me such horrible things...I am NOT a monster. I am NOT!" With that, the jester twirled to punch the wall behind her with all the force she could muster. The anger faded as the pain from her fist hollered for attention. She ignored it. Injuries were too boring to worry about. Breathing deeply, Quinera felt a twinge of wonder shoot through her.
"And your bear! Where didja get it?! I have never seen anything like it! And I have been here for forever and a couple of days!" Quinn was knelt into front of the girl again as she threw herself towards the ground, her knees complaining, her inky hair swirling as she fell. The young woman examined the soft toy quickly, her fingers brushing the fabric lightly, like raindrops. As quick as a blink, the jester plucked it from the girl's hands and held it herself. She stared at it expectantly, waiting for it to speak. She frowned and the turned away from the person, pacing in confusion.
"Did I break it or something?" She asked without turning around, her right hand flicking out above her she walked and poked the bear's stomach. Another thought occurred to the jester.
"Oh no...I didn't kill it, did I?" Quinera asked, staring at the bear mournfully. She then gently picked the bear up and cradled it to her chest for a minute of two. She whispered apologises to the little plush animal before looking at it and throwing it over her shoulder, back towards the girl. She shrugged and turned on the spot, hands on her hips and eyes gleaming with barely restrained amusement. She didn't know why it was funny but the jester just felt the need to laugh again. She did that sometimes. Some things were just so funny.
"Oh well. It's dead now anyways. Hey! Don't pick that up!" The jester yelled, confusion snapping into focus. "We don't play with dead things and..." A noise just within the jester's range of hearing snapped her to attention, her manic gaze trailing across the streets around her.
"Ohhhh." The demeanour of the girl changed dramatically. Gone was the girl and back was the child's nightmare, Tinker Tocker's real life myth. The jester pulled herself up to en pointe yet again and spread her arms out at her sides, feeling the pulse energy underneath her skin singing out. She was a little drained from her escapades but she has more than enough energy to scare someone else away. Besides. She had someone to protect here too. This person was nicer than the rest. She would scare the them away again if she had to.
The jester flicked her wrists and played her part. The mad gleam was back -and oh, didn't it feel glorious- and the girl hopped with barely restrained energy. Quinera spoke, almost sang the words, in a too sweet voice which was laced with something akin to arsenic. The myth-turned-real was filled with such an energy and anticipation that she felt on fire inside. Because what is life without a little fun?
"Somebody's here...and it's time to come out and play!"
Erixianti watched with no small amount of wonder as the jester girl shook the bear's hand, the movements uneven and ill-coordinated. With the way she moved, the willowy entertainer did not seem to be one that was used to greeting others at all. "It's very nice to meet you, little person. I hope you are OK. I'm pretty glad he didn't get you." Of a sudden, the face of the jester contorted into something resembling strong doubt. Confusion alit in the hazel orbs belonging to the shorter of the two. But the other continued on, her voice a hiss.
"Is this a trick? Are you really just a mean person?" Erixanti shook her head, but felt it went unnoticed as the young woman muttered something to herself. The tone was faint and trailed off, a mumbling that Erixianti had no hope of hearing properly. She felt out of her element, unsure if she should be answering all of these rather bizarre and impromptu questions or wait for the other to finish speaking. Socialization had never been a strong suit of hers--something that she had always wanted. But her shadows were her only companions and were much unlike other people. Her shades were obedient and their whispers were only just that: whispers.
She was brought out of her reverie by a loud shout from in front of her, the musings of the jester now audible. "I don't like it when people are mean to me. Not at all. They call me such horrible things...I am NOT a monster. I am NOT!" And just like that, a spidery, slender hand curled into a fist and smashed into the wall with a sickening crunch. Erixianti jumped, not having expected such a show of violence. She raised her bear in front of her mouth again, the animal readying itself for speech. Perhaps this movement re-caught the attention of the entertainer, for she whirled on the small girl, eyes wide and curious. "And your bear! Where didja get it?! I have never seen anything like it! And I have been here for forever and a couple of days!"
She knelt down in front of Erixianti, who blushed a little at the new line of questioning. No one had ever really shown an interest in the stuffed animal she carried around, then again, she never really used it to speak to a great deal of other people anyway. And of course, her shades wouldn't question her, why would they? Then, quick as a whip and without warning, her bear was taken out of her hands. The doll-like girl froze on the spot, her mouth opening in protest, her lips instinctively forming out a new word.
"St--" She cut herself off immediately and her hands shot up in front of her mouth. Already she could feel the icy touch of her shades wrapping around her ankles, enticing her to finish her word. 'Say it, Master... we can take it back... just tell us what to do... give us form.' She shook her head furiously, eyebrows furrowed together; biting her bottom lip to prevent any further dialogue from leaving her mouth. She did not know what would happen if she were not careful and blindly saying anything would have hazardous results. She would have no way of knowing what form her shadows would take and if it would really accomplish the goal she had in mind. Her inner turmoil went unheeded as the jester turned the bear over in her hands, observing it closely.
"Did I break it or something? ...Oh no...I didn't kill it, did I?" A pause followed this statement with a sudden cradling of the animal in her arms. Erixianti was trembling, she had never gone a moment without her bear in her arms and without it, she had no true way of talking. The taller squinted at the bear before tossing it over her shoulder, much to the horrified owner. [OOC: Just for you Loki: "The facial expression of horror resembled a "DAFUQ" expression that the petite one rarely made but was appropriate, given the circumstances" :D] The bear went sailing through the air, it's beady eyes blank and lifelessly staring in front of it. Erixianti rushed forwards, arms outstretched, completely ignoring the jester now, but sure she heard a comment along the lines of, "Hey! Don't don't pick that up!"
The bear tumbled into her arms and the instant it touched her, the animal sprung to life, blinking and quivering in the fear of what it had just experienced. Erixianti held it close to her chest, breathing out in relief that her means of communication, as well as a fuzzy companion, had come to no harm. Taking a few more breaths to compose herself, she brushed a strand of her wavy locks out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ear. Her grip on her bear was much tighter than it was before (the poor thing simply looked terribly uncomfortable but she wouldn't let it go for one second, not after what just happened).
She went to straighten and turn to at least tell the girl not to ever do that again. When she did so, however, she noticed that the jester was not focused on her anymore. She was looking oddly down the alley at something... Erixianti squinted a bit in that direction and after a few moments, spotted the tip of what seemed to be a black hat far in the distance. So it wasn't a something... it was a someone... The bear squirmed in her grip, but this time more out of anxiety than anything else. This made twice in a day that someone was spying on her from afar--but at least the first person turned out to be her savior. And the jester may not have had a dragon when she did so, but she seemed protective (at least on a somewhat... questionable level). And the heroine always stayed by her savior... which was precisely what Erixianti planned to do.
"Is this a trick? Are you really just a mean person?" Erixanti shook her head, but felt it went unnoticed as the young woman muttered something to herself. The tone was faint and trailed off, a mumbling that Erixianti had no hope of hearing properly. She felt out of her element, unsure if she should be answering all of these rather bizarre and impromptu questions or wait for the other to finish speaking. Socialization had never been a strong suit of hers--something that she had always wanted. But her shadows were her only companions and were much unlike other people. Her shades were obedient and their whispers were only just that: whispers.
She was brought out of her reverie by a loud shout from in front of her, the musings of the jester now audible. "I don't like it when people are mean to me. Not at all. They call me such horrible things...I am NOT a monster. I am NOT!" And just like that, a spidery, slender hand curled into a fist and smashed into the wall with a sickening crunch. Erixianti jumped, not having expected such a show of violence. She raised her bear in front of her mouth again, the animal readying itself for speech. Perhaps this movement re-caught the attention of the entertainer, for she whirled on the small girl, eyes wide and curious. "And your bear! Where didja get it?! I have never seen anything like it! And I have been here for forever and a couple of days!"
She knelt down in front of Erixianti, who blushed a little at the new line of questioning. No one had ever really shown an interest in the stuffed animal she carried around, then again, she never really used it to speak to a great deal of other people anyway. And of course, her shades wouldn't question her, why would they? Then, quick as a whip and without warning, her bear was taken out of her hands. The doll-like girl froze on the spot, her mouth opening in protest, her lips instinctively forming out a new word.
"St--" She cut herself off immediately and her hands shot up in front of her mouth. Already she could feel the icy touch of her shades wrapping around her ankles, enticing her to finish her word. 'Say it, Master... we can take it back... just tell us what to do... give us form.' She shook her head furiously, eyebrows furrowed together; biting her bottom lip to prevent any further dialogue from leaving her mouth. She did not know what would happen if she were not careful and blindly saying anything would have hazardous results. She would have no way of knowing what form her shadows would take and if it would really accomplish the goal she had in mind. Her inner turmoil went unheeded as the jester turned the bear over in her hands, observing it closely.
"Did I break it or something? ...Oh no...I didn't kill it, did I?" A pause followed this statement with a sudden cradling of the animal in her arms. Erixianti was trembling, she had never gone a moment without her bear in her arms and without it, she had no true way of talking. The taller squinted at the bear before tossing it over her shoulder, much to the horrified owner. [OOC: Just for you Loki: "The facial expression of horror resembled a "DAFUQ" expression that the petite one rarely made but was appropriate, given the circumstances" :D] The bear went sailing through the air, it's beady eyes blank and lifelessly staring in front of it. Erixianti rushed forwards, arms outstretched, completely ignoring the jester now, but sure she heard a comment along the lines of, "Hey! Don't don't pick that up!"
The bear tumbled into her arms and the instant it touched her, the animal sprung to life, blinking and quivering in the fear of what it had just experienced. Erixianti held it close to her chest, breathing out in relief that her means of communication, as well as a fuzzy companion, had come to no harm. Taking a few more breaths to compose herself, she brushed a strand of her wavy locks out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ear. Her grip on her bear was much tighter than it was before (the poor thing simply looked terribly uncomfortable but she wouldn't let it go for one second, not after what just happened).
She went to straighten and turn to at least tell the girl not to ever do that again. When she did so, however, she noticed that the jester was not focused on her anymore. She was looking oddly down the alley at something... Erixianti squinted a bit in that direction and after a few moments, spotted the tip of what seemed to be a black hat far in the distance. So it wasn't a something... it was a someone... The bear squirmed in her grip, but this time more out of anxiety than anything else. This made twice in a day that someone was spying on her from afar--but at least the first person turned out to be her savior. And the jester may not have had a dragon when she did so, but she seemed protective (at least on a somewhat... questionable level). And the heroine always stayed by her savior... which was precisely what Erixianti planned to do.
Flue froze in place as the two figures turned towards her direction. She had taken too long to figure out a plan, sifting through imagined scenario after scenario that might lead Ribbon Girl away from the Jester. But it didn't help how the girl seemed to openly accept the Jester despite her crazy antics. It also didn't help how the mad teenager---for only now did she see that the mad woman was actually just about her age---threw unexpected fits: screaming at one point, punching a wall in another. Her insanity makes her dangerous, Flue kept muttering to herself while she tried to hatch a plan, inhibiting her concentration.
But now it was too late. "Somebody's here...and it's time to come out and play!" Flue cringed at the sing-song voice of the Jester. Her first impulse was to run away as waking memories of things that went bump in the night filled her with dread. I shouldn't have eaten that apple, Flue regretted. She was about to bolt when she absently focused on the bear who was squirming in the little girl's grip. No, Flue thought. If Ribbon Girl ain't afraid of her, I won't be either. That bear will be mine.
So, resigning herself to a hunt without a plan in effect, she took a deep breath and walked towards them. Leaving the shadows of the alleyway she had been hiding was unnerving, but treasure beckoned.
"I'm sorry," she called out as she neared them. "But I couldn't help but wonder, is something going on here?" The Silver Witch looked directly at the little girl, making sure that a genuine look of concern was plastered on her face. "Little girl, is this person bothering you?" she pointed at the Jester. Flue refused to take a glance at the mad teenager's way. Somehow she knew one look could make her stop dead in her tracks.
But the sight of Ribbon Girl up close gave the Silver Witch a renewed determination to steal the bear, making her forget all her fears. She looked so innocent, and somehow this made Flue so angry inside. How dare she grew up so...so...unscathed? Flue thought. It's about time someone teaches her what real life is about, and I'm going to start with taking away her precious bear. She could feel the silver boiling inside her vial necklace hidden underneath her dress. Her own soul sphere was just as passionate as she was and almost immediately, the Silver Witch felt her confidence return.
But now it was too late. "Somebody's here...and it's time to come out and play!" Flue cringed at the sing-song voice of the Jester. Her first impulse was to run away as waking memories of things that went bump in the night filled her with dread. I shouldn't have eaten that apple, Flue regretted. She was about to bolt when she absently focused on the bear who was squirming in the little girl's grip. No, Flue thought. If Ribbon Girl ain't afraid of her, I won't be either. That bear will be mine.
So, resigning herself to a hunt without a plan in effect, she took a deep breath and walked towards them. Leaving the shadows of the alleyway she had been hiding was unnerving, but treasure beckoned.
"I'm sorry," she called out as she neared them. "But I couldn't help but wonder, is something going on here?" The Silver Witch looked directly at the little girl, making sure that a genuine look of concern was plastered on her face. "Little girl, is this person bothering you?" she pointed at the Jester. Flue refused to take a glance at the mad teenager's way. Somehow she knew one look could make her stop dead in her tracks.
But the sight of Ribbon Girl up close gave the Silver Witch a renewed determination to steal the bear, making her forget all her fears. She looked so innocent, and somehow this made Flue so angry inside. How dare she grew up so...so...unscathed? Flue thought. It's about time someone teaches her what real life is about, and I'm going to start with taking away her precious bear. She could feel the silver boiling inside her vial necklace hidden underneath her dress. Her own soul sphere was just as passionate as she was and almost immediately, the Silver Witch felt her confidence return.
Quinera watched as the girl walked out of the shadows, her long hair swishing around her shoulders. The jester felt wariness well up in her chest and subtly moved in front of the person. This person didn't feel like the other person, the one with the teddy. Quinn watched as the person came forward, only looking at the girl with the teddy. She hissed through her teeth at this newcomer, her eyes shining with distrust. The jester did not like this at all. No, no, no. She didn't feel in control and stared at the newcomer, willing her to stay away. But she kept coming towards them.
"I'm sorry," the new person called as she regarded them. Well, she wouldn't even look at Quinn who was taking everything in with her dark, dark eyes. The jester's body language was defensive and aggressive but this person never took this into account, never looked. That annoyed Quinn even more. She wanted this person to see her anger and to stay away. But no. This person didn't look at her, only at the girl. An odd feeling started to well up in the jester's chest. She didn’t want this person near her person.
"But I couldn't help but wonder, is something going on here?" The jester bristled with anger, her pulse swirling underneath her skin aching to be used. Who does this person think she is? How dare she? Quinera growled softly under her breath. She heard the person behind her move uncomfortably. She felt a bit off herself. There was something...off. Quinn felt her angry and agitation rise in her and her eyes glimmered darkly in the shady light. There was a few dark little swirls of darkness circling her wrists as her pulse tried to protect herself and her new friend (of sorts).
"Little girl, is this person bothering you?" Quinera could not restrain the deep snarl that tore it's way past her pursed lips. A fire ignited in the jester's eyes and suddenly, all rationale was gone. All the threads of sanity that the teen desperate tried to hang onto were gone. The small shadows burst into black firey shapes that took up most of the alleyway. The jester lost all essence of normality and just let her pure rage at almost everyone in the city out. Onto this person who DARED to even imply that she was being nasty to her new friend. A peal of hysterical laughter that trail off to dark mumblings filled the space around them. The person tried to back away, her silvery hair flying as she tried to escape. The jester of nightmares extended a lanky arm and sealed off the exit with a large shadow in the shape of a hound. The monster's eyes were a blood red as was it's long jagged teeth. The person turned to look at the jester but did not meet her eye.
The jester was enraged by this. "LOOK AT ME!" She screamed, the shadows around her flaring up in anger and swirling around the target of her ire, feeding off the fear. The deranged teen leapt forward, graceful as a gazelle with the black shadows surrounding her body, almost caressing her face.
"None of the people here look. They see but they don't look. They think they know everything here but they don't know anything!" The jester thrust a willowy arm out and the shadow hounds circled their prey. "They see me, they see me fly but they don't LOOK!" An ugly snarl worked it's way onto the jester's face, making a mask of anger and ire. Quinera was not currently in control. Her emotions just raged. She didn't mind. It was rather funny.
"If they looked, they would see what they did to me. They would see that I'm always so ANGRY!" The jester screamed at the young girl, no longer seeing a person but a group of people. Everyone who had tried to hurt her. There was no shortage of them.
"Always so ALONE!" Another spike in the shadow activity and the hounds gave a snarl and howled in anticipation. The embodiment of her anger thirsted for blood, the mental anguish of someone who tried to take her friend, her only friend away from her. She thought she was treating her bad. She would never treat her bad, not like they treated the jester.
"And it's all. Their. Fault!" With that, the jester raised her arms above her head and allowed the shadows to have their fun. The screams mingled with the jester's deranged laughter.
Quinera watched from the comfort of her mind, allowing her emotions to wreck havoc. She didn't mind. She couldn't even remember why she was so angry anyways.
"I'm sorry," the new person called as she regarded them. Well, she wouldn't even look at Quinn who was taking everything in with her dark, dark eyes. The jester's body language was defensive and aggressive but this person never took this into account, never looked. That annoyed Quinn even more. She wanted this person to see her anger and to stay away. But no. This person didn't look at her, only at the girl. An odd feeling started to well up in the jester's chest. She didn’t want this person near her person.
"But I couldn't help but wonder, is something going on here?" The jester bristled with anger, her pulse swirling underneath her skin aching to be used. Who does this person think she is? How dare she? Quinera growled softly under her breath. She heard the person behind her move uncomfortably. She felt a bit off herself. There was something...off. Quinn felt her angry and agitation rise in her and her eyes glimmered darkly in the shady light. There was a few dark little swirls of darkness circling her wrists as her pulse tried to protect herself and her new friend (of sorts).
"Little girl, is this person bothering you?" Quinera could not restrain the deep snarl that tore it's way past her pursed lips. A fire ignited in the jester's eyes and suddenly, all rationale was gone. All the threads of sanity that the teen desperate tried to hang onto were gone. The small shadows burst into black firey shapes that took up most of the alleyway. The jester lost all essence of normality and just let her pure rage at almost everyone in the city out. Onto this person who DARED to even imply that she was being nasty to her new friend. A peal of hysterical laughter that trail off to dark mumblings filled the space around them. The person tried to back away, her silvery hair flying as she tried to escape. The jester of nightmares extended a lanky arm and sealed off the exit with a large shadow in the shape of a hound. The monster's eyes were a blood red as was it's long jagged teeth. The person turned to look at the jester but did not meet her eye.
The jester was enraged by this. "LOOK AT ME!" She screamed, the shadows around her flaring up in anger and swirling around the target of her ire, feeding off the fear. The deranged teen leapt forward, graceful as a gazelle with the black shadows surrounding her body, almost caressing her face.
"None of the people here look. They see but they don't look. They think they know everything here but they don't know anything!" The jester thrust a willowy arm out and the shadow hounds circled their prey. "They see me, they see me fly but they don't LOOK!" An ugly snarl worked it's way onto the jester's face, making a mask of anger and ire. Quinera was not currently in control. Her emotions just raged. She didn't mind. It was rather funny.
"If they looked, they would see what they did to me. They would see that I'm always so ANGRY!" The jester screamed at the young girl, no longer seeing a person but a group of people. Everyone who had tried to hurt her. There was no shortage of them.
"Always so ALONE!" Another spike in the shadow activity and the hounds gave a snarl and howled in anticipation. The embodiment of her anger thirsted for blood, the mental anguish of someone who tried to take her friend, her only friend away from her. She thought she was treating her bad. She would never treat her bad, not like they treated the jester.
"And it's all. Their. Fault!" With that, the jester raised her arms above her head and allowed the shadows to have their fun. The screams mingled with the jester's deranged laughter.
Quinera watched from the comfort of her mind, allowing her emotions to wreck havoc. She didn't mind. She couldn't even remember why she was so angry anyways.
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Eludrest City
Nohizar frowned before bringing his thumb up to his mouth to softly chew on the nail. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t right. This man barely seemed startled and that was a stretch of the imagination on Nohizar’s part. No this wasn’t right at all. Slight fear suddenly showed in Nohizar’s eyes, what if he was like him, only far more powerful? What if he had signed his own death warrant just now? What if…
’My-my. Wasn’t that a strange greeting? Waving with your hand and saying “hello” is far more universal.’
Nohizar blinked at the man’s reaction. Was it just him or was he still smiling? Yes, he was most definitely smiling. But why? It had to be a trick. To lure Nohizar into a false sense of security. That’s what adults always did. Talk and talk to get him to do things that they wanted, but never caring about what he wanted. Nohizar shook his head. He wouldn’t nod and smile as the adults tricked him. He’d show him. He’d show…
’Boy, what are you called in this world? Does your friend have a name as well?’
Nohizar blinked once more, his mouth slightly open in surprise. ’Very charming.’ Razihon’s voice cut through the slowly lengthening silence between the three like a knife would cut a particularly soft butter. Nohizar nodded to himself once more. Razihon was right. It wouldn’t do to let the adult keep the initiative. He had to seize control. With only a slight pause after Razihon’s words Nohizar stood up straight. His mouth once more contorted into a smirk of confidence that was only slightly marred by the discomfort he felt. His voice came out loud but slightly higher in pitch than it would usually be as he addressed the man.
’M-my name is Nohizar!’ Yes good, don’t show him your discomfort. Instead make him fear you. Nohizar nodded to himself once again, as his confidence grew. 'And I am the king of the expanse plain! Ruler of the city you are trespassing in!’ He gestured towards Razihon, as the rest of his discomfort disappeared the more he talked himself up to the stranger. ’And this is Razihon, first of my creations and one of the greatest warriors in this land’ Razihon could only chuckle at the introduction, but kept his silence. ’And what is your name, stranger?’ Nohizar finally added, puffing up his chest in a way that would only be considered a sign of confidence in cartoons.
’My-my. Wasn’t that a strange greeting? Waving with your hand and saying “hello” is far more universal.’
Nohizar blinked at the man’s reaction. Was it just him or was he still smiling? Yes, he was most definitely smiling. But why? It had to be a trick. To lure Nohizar into a false sense of security. That’s what adults always did. Talk and talk to get him to do things that they wanted, but never caring about what he wanted. Nohizar shook his head. He wouldn’t nod and smile as the adults tricked him. He’d show him. He’d show…
’Boy, what are you called in this world? Does your friend have a name as well?’
Nohizar blinked once more, his mouth slightly open in surprise. ’Very charming.’ Razihon’s voice cut through the slowly lengthening silence between the three like a knife would cut a particularly soft butter. Nohizar nodded to himself once more. Razihon was right. It wouldn’t do to let the adult keep the initiative. He had to seize control. With only a slight pause after Razihon’s words Nohizar stood up straight. His mouth once more contorted into a smirk of confidence that was only slightly marred by the discomfort he felt. His voice came out loud but slightly higher in pitch than it would usually be as he addressed the man.
’M-my name is Nohizar!’ Yes good, don’t show him your discomfort. Instead make him fear you. Nohizar nodded to himself once again, as his confidence grew. 'And I am the king of the expanse plain! Ruler of the city you are trespassing in!’ He gestured towards Razihon, as the rest of his discomfort disappeared the more he talked himself up to the stranger. ’And this is Razihon, first of my creations and one of the greatest warriors in this land’ Razihon could only chuckle at the introduction, but kept his silence. ’And what is your name, stranger?’ Nohizar finally added, puffing up his chest in a way that would only be considered a sign of confidence in cartoons.
“Oh?” There was a slight pause after Nohizar voiced his introduction of both himself and his companion. And while the blonde-haired man was certainly pleased that he managed to find out their names, something was quite obviously off. It has been a long time since he’d been here in this world, that is for sure, but he was still certain that this abandoned city had no conceivable sovereign among the Inner Selves dwelling it. “Hmmm… You say that, but from what I remember, this area doesn’t really have a ruler, or a king…” He murmured thoughtfully with his hand brought up to his chin. For a mere moment he seemed to be in contemplation over the fact he’d just voiced, though perhaps discreetly observing Nohizar’s reaction, but soon he laughed softly.
“I see, I see. Well of course, it is only fitting that this place would have found its sovereign, isn’t it? My name is Zoen Leed. Feel free to call me Zoen and I hope you will accept my apologies for trespassing.” So he spoke with an elegant bow in the direction of the “king” and his “great warrior”. As he stood straight again his smile was, as before, the only obvious feature on his face. After taking in the response of those two he’d encountered, whether verbal or otherwise, Zoen continued to speak. “To be honest, I wasn’t counting on remaining here in this city much longer. I was in fact heading somewhere with more people where I could hunt on clues about a certain something. Surely one of you must know the quickest way to get there?” He tilted his head slightly, though this still didn’t make his bangs obscure his eyes any less.
With all that said, Zoen had his reasons to assume that those two could prove somewhat helpful as companions if anything else. In retrospect the object that had passed through him was likely a construct born of this boy’s Sphere. Under different circumstances letting his guard down while walking would’ve probably been a very bad idea, so Zoen was secretly glad that he took no damage as the attack wasn’t intended to do him harm. For now perhaps playing along with the game of a trespasser and a self-proclaimed king with his warrior would be a much better idea. After all, do games not end up teaching children valuable lessons every now and then?
“Of course if it is bothersome I can go and find my own way to Tinker Tocker.” He concluded, shrugging his shoulders slightly and looking straight ahead at the boy. It was his move now – would he keep up his self-proclaimed title now? Furthermore, would he remain here or would he head onwards? Did he just find a potential ally heading in the same direction, or…? The answers hinged on Nohizar’s response…
“I see, I see. Well of course, it is only fitting that this place would have found its sovereign, isn’t it? My name is Zoen Leed. Feel free to call me Zoen and I hope you will accept my apologies for trespassing.” So he spoke with an elegant bow in the direction of the “king” and his “great warrior”. As he stood straight again his smile was, as before, the only obvious feature on his face. After taking in the response of those two he’d encountered, whether verbal or otherwise, Zoen continued to speak. “To be honest, I wasn’t counting on remaining here in this city much longer. I was in fact heading somewhere with more people where I could hunt on clues about a certain something. Surely one of you must know the quickest way to get there?” He tilted his head slightly, though this still didn’t make his bangs obscure his eyes any less.
With all that said, Zoen had his reasons to assume that those two could prove somewhat helpful as companions if anything else. In retrospect the object that had passed through him was likely a construct born of this boy’s Sphere. Under different circumstances letting his guard down while walking would’ve probably been a very bad idea, so Zoen was secretly glad that he took no damage as the attack wasn’t intended to do him harm. For now perhaps playing along with the game of a trespasser and a self-proclaimed king with his warrior would be a much better idea. After all, do games not end up teaching children valuable lessons every now and then?
“Of course if it is bothersome I can go and find my own way to Tinker Tocker.” He concluded, shrugging his shoulders slightly and looking straight ahead at the boy. It was his move now – would he keep up his self-proclaimed title now? Furthermore, would he remain here or would he head onwards? Did he just find a potential ally heading in the same direction, or…? The answers hinged on Nohizar’s response…
The setting changes from Eludrest City to Dreams/Unreality
The boy screamed, his throat tearing to burning shreds from the sheer force behind the pained cry. He writhed, twisting and twisting, but was held down somehow. They had to get him under control. He was too loud, too crazy. He was disturbing the other patients, and would probably hurt himself. They had to inject him with the sedative, with their gleaming needles and gloved hands. He was sick, but not physically. The rest would help him, they said. But as that boy’s screams slowly died out, and his body became limp, he knew that he wouldn’t wake up again. He was right.
Walking, walking, walking, walking.
Some would say that such a lack of purpose was strange for any sort of being. For Siran, however, that was all he knew. There was nothing for him, just a constant, restless part of him that urged him to continue, to move forward. He had no interests, and although the world of dreams was brimming with many, many strange things, none of them appealed to him.
He drifted, a ghostly background figure. Silent, always silent, and with him he carried nothing. Not even a presence. His mind was still, but his body was always moving, always moving.
Soon, though, Siran began to seek something. He knew not what he looked for, but it was precious. Predictably, he did not find it, as he couldn’t find what he didn’t know, but that changed quickly.
Life.
He had found it in a city, in two, no, three figures. The others were lifeless. These were different, these pulsed. There was a boy, with green hair. And a man, a clever man. And then there was another being, Siran didn’t know what it was. This made him curious. Curiosity had always been a strong driving factor.
As he drifted closer, Siran hesitated. Would he, a lifeless creature, be permitted to speak these bright beings? Was he even allowed to do something like that? To talk, to communicate, was that even within the realm of his abilities? Was he even capable of interacting with another life form? Exchanging thoughts and feelings in such a way as to further each other’s understanding?
Ah. The pale boy stopped in his tracks. He wanted to understand, he wanted it where he had never wanted anything otherwise. But he knew it wasn’t possible; he would have nothing to contribute, to give to these blessed people. Siran’s face became carefully blank, moreso than usual, as he turned around, away from the life he had sought.
Walking, walking, walking, walking.
Walking, walking, walking, walking.
Some would say that such a lack of purpose was strange for any sort of being. For Siran, however, that was all he knew. There was nothing for him, just a constant, restless part of him that urged him to continue, to move forward. He had no interests, and although the world of dreams was brimming with many, many strange things, none of them appealed to him.
He drifted, a ghostly background figure. Silent, always silent, and with him he carried nothing. Not even a presence. His mind was still, but his body was always moving, always moving.
Soon, though, Siran began to seek something. He knew not what he looked for, but it was precious. Predictably, he did not find it, as he couldn’t find what he didn’t know, but that changed quickly.
Life.
He had found it in a city, in two, no, three figures. The others were lifeless. These were different, these pulsed. There was a boy, with green hair. And a man, a clever man. And then there was another being, Siran didn’t know what it was. This made him curious. Curiosity had always been a strong driving factor.
As he drifted closer, Siran hesitated. Would he, a lifeless creature, be permitted to speak these bright beings? Was he even allowed to do something like that? To talk, to communicate, was that even within the realm of his abilities? Was he even capable of interacting with another life form? Exchanging thoughts and feelings in such a way as to further each other’s understanding?
Ah. The pale boy stopped in his tracks. He wanted to understand, he wanted it where he had never wanted anything otherwise. But he knew it wasn’t possible; he would have nothing to contribute, to give to these blessed people. Siran’s face became carefully blank, moreso than usual, as he turned around, away from the life he had sought.
Walking, walking, walking, walking.
“Hmmm… You say that, but from what I remember, this area doesn’t really have a ruler, or a king…”
Nozihar’s heart was beating in his chest loud as thunder. So loud that he felt it might just jump straight out and take a hike. Nozihar couldn’t even remember the last time his heart drowned out all other sound. In fact, he was sure it had never happened to him in this world. This man wasn’t buying it. He wasn’t going to believe what he said. Nozihar looked to Rahizon for support, only to find the apparition was focused on something in the distance.
“I see, I see. Well of course, it is only fitting that this place would have found its sovereign, isn’t it? My name is Zoen Leed. Feel free to call me Zoen and I hope you will accept my apologies for trespassing.”
He bought it. Of course he did. Nozihar’s regal appearance could only elicit a response like this. He nodded to as much to himself as to Zoen in recognition of his introduction. With a slightly more confident smirk than before he continued to listen, as any good king would, to the man as he explained his current predicament while Razihon seemed more focused on something in the far distance.
“Of course if it is bothersome I can go and find my own way to Tinker Tocker.”
Nozihar nearly jumped at this suggestion. He liked this man. He wasn’t just going to let him walk off. With his confidence now at maximum Nozihar stuck out his chest and said in his most regal voice: ”N-no! It’s not bothersome at all, in fact, it just so happens that we were heading towards Tinker Tocker ourselves.” ”Before you got lost, that is.” Rahizon added, whatever had demanded his attention in the distance seemed to have moved off. ”I know what way to go… though I suggest we move fast, we may not be alone here anymore.” He added, his static filled voice sounding more startled and lower in pitch than usual. ”Y-yeah! So, if you’d like, you can come along with us.” Nozihar added, his royal lineage as quickly forgotten as it was adopted as he prepared to set off in the direction of Tinker Tocker.
Nozihar’s heart was beating in his chest loud as thunder. So loud that he felt it might just jump straight out and take a hike. Nozihar couldn’t even remember the last time his heart drowned out all other sound. In fact, he was sure it had never happened to him in this world. This man wasn’t buying it. He wasn’t going to believe what he said. Nozihar looked to Rahizon for support, only to find the apparition was focused on something in the distance.
“I see, I see. Well of course, it is only fitting that this place would have found its sovereign, isn’t it? My name is Zoen Leed. Feel free to call me Zoen and I hope you will accept my apologies for trespassing.”
He bought it. Of course he did. Nozihar’s regal appearance could only elicit a response like this. He nodded to as much to himself as to Zoen in recognition of his introduction. With a slightly more confident smirk than before he continued to listen, as any good king would, to the man as he explained his current predicament while Razihon seemed more focused on something in the far distance.
“Of course if it is bothersome I can go and find my own way to Tinker Tocker.”
Nozihar nearly jumped at this suggestion. He liked this man. He wasn’t just going to let him walk off. With his confidence now at maximum Nozihar stuck out his chest and said in his most regal voice: ”N-no! It’s not bothersome at all, in fact, it just so happens that we were heading towards Tinker Tocker ourselves.” ”Before you got lost, that is.” Rahizon added, whatever had demanded his attention in the distance seemed to have moved off. ”I know what way to go… though I suggest we move fast, we may not be alone here anymore.” He added, his static filled voice sounding more startled and lower in pitch than usual. ”Y-yeah! So, if you’d like, you can come along with us.” Nozihar added, his royal lineage as quickly forgotten as it was adopted as he prepared to set off in the direction of Tinker Tocker.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Tinker Tocker
OOC: My dear sweet daddy Zeus and Odin above--the past week has been just... terrible in terms of illness. /dying So. Now time for that post that is a week late--hnnnnn.
Erixianti was frozen behind the jester, whose features were spread in a wide and somewhat malicious grin. The woman with the strange hat adorning her head drew closer, but she seemed to only have eyes for the smallest of the three. Erixianti looked between the jester and the witch-type woman before taking a step closer to her savior, ducking behind her much how a child hides behind a mother.
"I'm sorry." The comment was coolly said and the young girl clutched her teddy closer to her body, nervous around this strange newcomer. The witch did not seem to sense the hesitance as she continued in her lilting voice."But I couldn't help but wonder, is something going on here?" Erixianti chanced a glance over at the jester, still remaining just as silent as ever. The other girl was shaking, was that with rage? The way her face was contorted was a clear indication that the witch was heartily disliked. She shifted more behind her rescuer, lashes tilted downwards as she daren't respond. The girl was relentless and still continued to talk--whether she was impervious to the atmosphere or just ignoring it, Erixianti was unsure.
"Little girl, is this person bothering you?" The petite doll went to go give a shake of her head but a peel of hysterical laughter tore her gaze away from the witch and to the jester. Her savior was breathing heavily, soft pants of what sounded to be anger leaving her body.
"LOOK AT ME!" Erixianti gave a start, raising her bear in front of her mouth in an effort to calm the woman down. The tone the bear had now was simpering and quiet, like a child fearful of dark and terrible things.
"C-calm down... there is no need to get so upset..." The jester completely ignored her, dark shadows licking around her body. The coolness was a familiar presence to her companion and the silver-haired girl shivered. Whatever was happening was going to be fairly unpleasant and by the looks of things, the witch was immobilized with fear. The willowy teen's voice had become hysterical as she rambled on, not even aware of the protestings made by the small girl.
"None of the people here look. They see but they don't look. They think they know everything here but they don't know anything! They see me, they see me fly but they don't LOOK!" The jester extended out her arm and the shadows were given form, hounds that circled around the witch. The strange woman's eyes were wide with terror and Erixianti tried again, now physically tugging on the hem of the jester's skirt.
"Please don't harm her... she didn't mean any trouble." Her bear protested weakly in her stead but the jester was already so far gone, her mad, demented smile alighting on her features.
"If they looked, they would see what they did to me. They would see that I'm always so ANGRY! Always so ALONE! "And it's all. Their. Fault!"" A flick of the wrist and the hounds were released from their pacing, charging at the witch who released an unearthly scream. Erixianti was trembling--this was wrong, this was all very wrong. The jester wouldn't listen to her and the hounds seemed content to prowl around the witch, as if deciding how best to tear into their prey. The small girl looked down at her shoes before her eyebrows knit together, her worried expression replaced by one of determination.
Sometimes, the savior was too erratic when attempting to protect the heroine and would often over-react if even the slightest being got into contact with their charge. Erixianti wasn't surprised her storybook rescuer was lashing out in such a fashion. But as the lady--the tiny, petite heroine--she couldn't allow the witch to come to harm when there was no need to. The hounds were made of shadow, after all--she would be able to control them. Grinding her teeth together, the doll took a deep breath, her bear falling limp within her arms the instant she did so. The sound was but a whisper and not audible over the shrieks and howls of the witch. But for Erixianti, all of that was being drowned out by the excited chatter of her shadows, who seemed jubilant at the chance to be given form.
"Yes Master, it's been so long... so very long, let us speak, let us touch, let us feel..." She released her breath and spoke very slowly, the syllables making the air tingle.
"Do not attack her, you are noble creatures who protect, not harm. Release her from your petty whims." The shadow hounds looked up at her and it was as they did so, the whispers she had heard in her ear registered. Erixianti had just made a mistake. An awful. Awful mistake. The hounds had not been real, they were an illusion, but now that she had spoken, she could not retract her words. Her shadows leaped into action, their glee apparent in the rush of cold that flew by her. The hounds filled out, becoming actual shadow creatures with beady eyes and a leering smile.
It happened so fast, Erixianti was unable to process it. The hounds snapped up the witch in their mouths and before the screams could continue, they were silenced--the beasts running off with her in the opposite direction. The girl stood there dumbfounded, her breath hitching in her throat as she tried to process what just happened. Her teddy returned to it's former state of consciousness now that the shadows were out of her vicinity and Erixianti fell to her knees in shock. What had she done? What had she done?
Erixianti was frozen behind the jester, whose features were spread in a wide and somewhat malicious grin. The woman with the strange hat adorning her head drew closer, but she seemed to only have eyes for the smallest of the three. Erixianti looked between the jester and the witch-type woman before taking a step closer to her savior, ducking behind her much how a child hides behind a mother.
"I'm sorry." The comment was coolly said and the young girl clutched her teddy closer to her body, nervous around this strange newcomer. The witch did not seem to sense the hesitance as she continued in her lilting voice."But I couldn't help but wonder, is something going on here?" Erixianti chanced a glance over at the jester, still remaining just as silent as ever. The other girl was shaking, was that with rage? The way her face was contorted was a clear indication that the witch was heartily disliked. She shifted more behind her rescuer, lashes tilted downwards as she daren't respond. The girl was relentless and still continued to talk--whether she was impervious to the atmosphere or just ignoring it, Erixianti was unsure.
"Little girl, is this person bothering you?" The petite doll went to go give a shake of her head but a peel of hysterical laughter tore her gaze away from the witch and to the jester. Her savior was breathing heavily, soft pants of what sounded to be anger leaving her body.
"LOOK AT ME!" Erixianti gave a start, raising her bear in front of her mouth in an effort to calm the woman down. The tone the bear had now was simpering and quiet, like a child fearful of dark and terrible things.
"C-calm down... there is no need to get so upset..." The jester completely ignored her, dark shadows licking around her body. The coolness was a familiar presence to her companion and the silver-haired girl shivered. Whatever was happening was going to be fairly unpleasant and by the looks of things, the witch was immobilized with fear. The willowy teen's voice had become hysterical as she rambled on, not even aware of the protestings made by the small girl.
"None of the people here look. They see but they don't look. They think they know everything here but they don't know anything! They see me, they see me fly but they don't LOOK!" The jester extended out her arm and the shadows were given form, hounds that circled around the witch. The strange woman's eyes were wide with terror and Erixianti tried again, now physically tugging on the hem of the jester's skirt.
"Please don't harm her... she didn't mean any trouble." Her bear protested weakly in her stead but the jester was already so far gone, her mad, demented smile alighting on her features.
"If they looked, they would see what they did to me. They would see that I'm always so ANGRY! Always so ALONE! "And it's all. Their. Fault!"" A flick of the wrist and the hounds were released from their pacing, charging at the witch who released an unearthly scream. Erixianti was trembling--this was wrong, this was all very wrong. The jester wouldn't listen to her and the hounds seemed content to prowl around the witch, as if deciding how best to tear into their prey. The small girl looked down at her shoes before her eyebrows knit together, her worried expression replaced by one of determination.
Sometimes, the savior was too erratic when attempting to protect the heroine and would often over-react if even the slightest being got into contact with their charge. Erixianti wasn't surprised her storybook rescuer was lashing out in such a fashion. But as the lady--the tiny, petite heroine--she couldn't allow the witch to come to harm when there was no need to. The hounds were made of shadow, after all--she would be able to control them. Grinding her teeth together, the doll took a deep breath, her bear falling limp within her arms the instant she did so. The sound was but a whisper and not audible over the shrieks and howls of the witch. But for Erixianti, all of that was being drowned out by the excited chatter of her shadows, who seemed jubilant at the chance to be given form.
"Yes Master, it's been so long... so very long, let us speak, let us touch, let us feel..." She released her breath and spoke very slowly, the syllables making the air tingle.
"Do not attack her, you are noble creatures who protect, not harm. Release her from your petty whims." The shadow hounds looked up at her and it was as they did so, the whispers she had heard in her ear registered. Erixianti had just made a mistake. An awful. Awful mistake. The hounds had not been real, they were an illusion, but now that she had spoken, she could not retract her words. Her shadows leaped into action, their glee apparent in the rush of cold that flew by her. The hounds filled out, becoming actual shadow creatures with beady eyes and a leering smile.
It happened so fast, Erixianti was unable to process it. The hounds snapped up the witch in their mouths and before the screams could continue, they were silenced--the beasts running off with her in the opposite direction. The girl stood there dumbfounded, her breath hitching in her throat as she tried to process what just happened. Her teddy returned to it's former state of consciousness now that the shadows were out of her vicinity and Erixianti fell to her knees in shock. What had she done? What had she done?
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Dreams/Unreality
Zoen’s smile grew a bit as he realized that things were going smoothly with this newly encountered monarch, who was somewhat likely to actually be a boy looking for some company. Incidentially Zoen’s own thoughts on the matter went along with the principle of “the more – the merrier”, a fact that he didn’t hesitate to voice without losing a respectful tone. “I thank you sincerely, King Nohizar. I shall gladly accompany you and make myself as useful as I can be.” Such was his response. “I imagine your valiant knight knows the way?” He began walking towards the two of them, though at a slow enough pace to let one of them take point and lead ahead. Despite the Dreamworld’s tendency to guide travellers where they intended to go, someone knowing the way was no less acceptable under the circumstances.
“I know what way to go… though I suggest we move fast, we may not be alone here anymore.” The green-haired boy’s companion had warned in a somewhat wary tone. Zoen turned his head a bit, as if trying to sight whatever had caused Rahizon to sound so alarmed. Was there another non-dormant lucid dreamer around here? Was he or she hostile? The snake that had gone through him earlier was a mercifully peaceful reminder of the need to pay more attention and Zoen wasn’t about to prove unable to learn from his mistakes. Following a mere minute of looking around he shrugged his shoulders as it seemed nothing was going to prevent them from moving along. “Well, unless there’s malevolent intent behind it, I doubt we should be overly troubled. Even though the more of us there are the more fun the company. A king should have many subjects after all, isn’t that right?” The way his smile looked it was almost as though he had winked at Nohizar when he said it, but of course due to his bangs it was left unseen.
He put a hand in his pocket, his fingertips brushing against an object with the familiar texture of a paper envelope. It was an object that had formed unexpectedly upon his awakening in the world. Though he could clearly remember having written it prior to falling asleep and leaving it on the desk in his study over in the world of the waking, the fact that a direct copy of it had emerged in the Dreamworld came as a surprise. But then again, with the way his lucid dream started it was probably to be expected that any number of anomalies would be encountered here. The presence of this unexpected symbol of his commitment and his goal was a somewhat reassuring thing and it caused him to laugh to himself softly, even though if one was to see his eyes they would realize the laugh was in fact at least slightly bittersweet.
He would continue walking by Nohizar’s and Rahizon’s side, taking in his surroundings and going far less deep into his thoughts this time around. In fact with his hand conveniently hidden in his pocket he would make slight movements with his fingertips, causing a barely visible golden string to stretch itself between some of the buildings across the street behind their backs, forming a tripwire of sorts around the height of a person’s ankles. Such use of his Soul Sphere was used without an announcement, though he expected that anyone tripping over the string would alert their party well enough. If anything, it would serve as an early warning as Zoen wasn’t truly planning to dismiss the warnings of Nohizar’s mysterious companion. Not bothering to maintain those subtle traps for long however he would simply allow them to vanish as soon as they distanced from them and would form another one somewhat nearer.
Far from being a silent operator however the man also didn’t avoid making conversation. “Have you been here long? And, if I may ask, what might you be looking for in Tinker Tocker?” Came the “conversation-starter” from him some five minutes into their trek through the deserted streets of Eludrest. It was worth noting that he was addressing both Nohizar and Razihon equally, seemingly making no distinction between the dreamer and the dreamer's construct, whether due to not knowing of their position or due to having an even interest in them both.
“I know what way to go… though I suggest we move fast, we may not be alone here anymore.” The green-haired boy’s companion had warned in a somewhat wary tone. Zoen turned his head a bit, as if trying to sight whatever had caused Rahizon to sound so alarmed. Was there another non-dormant lucid dreamer around here? Was he or she hostile? The snake that had gone through him earlier was a mercifully peaceful reminder of the need to pay more attention and Zoen wasn’t about to prove unable to learn from his mistakes. Following a mere minute of looking around he shrugged his shoulders as it seemed nothing was going to prevent them from moving along. “Well, unless there’s malevolent intent behind it, I doubt we should be overly troubled. Even though the more of us there are the more fun the company. A king should have many subjects after all, isn’t that right?” The way his smile looked it was almost as though he had winked at Nohizar when he said it, but of course due to his bangs it was left unseen.
He put a hand in his pocket, his fingertips brushing against an object with the familiar texture of a paper envelope. It was an object that had formed unexpectedly upon his awakening in the world. Though he could clearly remember having written it prior to falling asleep and leaving it on the desk in his study over in the world of the waking, the fact that a direct copy of it had emerged in the Dreamworld came as a surprise. But then again, with the way his lucid dream started it was probably to be expected that any number of anomalies would be encountered here. The presence of this unexpected symbol of his commitment and his goal was a somewhat reassuring thing and it caused him to laugh to himself softly, even though if one was to see his eyes they would realize the laugh was in fact at least slightly bittersweet.
He would continue walking by Nohizar’s and Rahizon’s side, taking in his surroundings and going far less deep into his thoughts this time around. In fact with his hand conveniently hidden in his pocket he would make slight movements with his fingertips, causing a barely visible golden string to stretch itself between some of the buildings across the street behind their backs, forming a tripwire of sorts around the height of a person’s ankles. Such use of his Soul Sphere was used without an announcement, though he expected that anyone tripping over the string would alert their party well enough. If anything, it would serve as an early warning as Zoen wasn’t truly planning to dismiss the warnings of Nohizar’s mysterious companion. Not bothering to maintain those subtle traps for long however he would simply allow them to vanish as soon as they distanced from them and would form another one somewhat nearer.
Far from being a silent operator however the man also didn’t avoid making conversation. “Have you been here long? And, if I may ask, what might you be looking for in Tinker Tocker?” Came the “conversation-starter” from him some five minutes into their trek through the deserted streets of Eludrest. It was worth noting that he was addressing both Nohizar and Razihon equally, seemingly making no distinction between the dreamer and the dreamer's construct, whether due to not knowing of their position or due to having an even interest in them both.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Tinker Tocker
A chilling cold feeling shot through Quinera as she projected her hounds. A cold that turned her stomach to ice. The jester let out a gasp as her hounds were snatched away from her and she dropped like a stone. There the jester knelt, staring, unseeing. She was like a puppet with the strings cut. She stayed there for a few minutes before she started to come back, her conciousness taking over once again. She felt an odd ache in her chest from where the hounds were snatched away from her. The jester then suddenly leapt to her feet.
Where was her person?
She noticed that the not good person had gone. She didn't know where. She didn't care all too much either. Her person was much more important. Quinn found the person behind her, kneeling on the ground. The jester cocked her head and made a face. What was she doing down there? Surely she'd get her pretty dress all ruined. Quinn sank to the ground in front of her.
"Whatcha doing?" Quinera asked, drumming her fingers on her knees in a little pattern. She liked patterns. Two, nine, four, seven, five and six together.
"Don't you know the floor is all dirty?" The jester asked, carrying on her pattern. She looked at the person's face with a frown. She didn't look happy. Quinera made a face. She wasn't good at making other people happy. She usually made them scared and sad. She reached out and let her fingers brush against the bear.
"I apologise, Mister Bear. I didn't know taking you from your person would make you die." She put on a falsetto, feigning embarrassment.
"That's OK, Quinn. You didn't know. Just don't do it again!" Quinera deepened her voice and made the bear shake its hand at her with a giggle. The jester almost peeked at the person's face before she leapt to her feet and started walking around the alley.
"Did you see where that other person went? I didn't like her. She was mean and nasty. Most people are to me. It's sad." Quinn's shoulders slumped and she looked a little depressed. Why did people have to be so mean? She tried to be nice all the time but they didn't ever seem to care or see. It was just easier to be Quinera than it was to play nice.
But then a spark of excitement shot through the young girl.
"But you're not mean! Sure, a little quiet and a bit funny. But that's OK cos I'm a bit funny too. In my head. That's what the tell me anyways." The jester giggled as she turned to face her new friend. Still, the person looked sad. It was not good. More that a little not good. Quinn thought about how to cheer her friend up. They usually laughed when she hurt herself, like that time she didn't quite make it across to the other roof. It made those guys laugh for days when she slipped and fell off the building. She was fine, she caught herself but she had to rest for a few days afterwards. Quinn shivered violently. She remembered that. She remembered how hungry she was those few days, starving. She couldn't go get herself food, she hurt so much and no one was going to get it for her. Because who would help the crazy jester who ate souls and stole away children?
The negative thoughts suddenly disappeared in a flash of light as she realised that her friend didn't know her name yet. Well, that just wouldn't do. It wouldn't do at all. She imagined her Mr Bear voice telling her off for not introducing them. That set off a little peal of giggles, not the hysterical terrifying laugh from before. These giggles were innocent, sweet and sounded like a little girl's laugh. The jester spun around until she was in front the person and bowed deeply.
"By the way, my name is Quinera the jester. You can call me Quinn if you like! Or not...I know you don't speak much. But Mr Bear can call me Quinn!" She smiled and spun around, throwing her long willow arms up in the air. She felt tired as anything but she still felt...happy. Happy that she had a friend. Someone who wouldn't run away when she talked to them, someone who would listen to her, someone who wouldn't laugh if she got hurt. Quinn stood in front of her new friend and out stretched her hand.
"So. What's your name then?"
Where was her person?
She noticed that the not good person had gone. She didn't know where. She didn't care all too much either. Her person was much more important. Quinn found the person behind her, kneeling on the ground. The jester cocked her head and made a face. What was she doing down there? Surely she'd get her pretty dress all ruined. Quinn sank to the ground in front of her.
"Whatcha doing?" Quinera asked, drumming her fingers on her knees in a little pattern. She liked patterns. Two, nine, four, seven, five and six together.
"Don't you know the floor is all dirty?" The jester asked, carrying on her pattern. She looked at the person's face with a frown. She didn't look happy. Quinera made a face. She wasn't good at making other people happy. She usually made them scared and sad. She reached out and let her fingers brush against the bear.
"I apologise, Mister Bear. I didn't know taking you from your person would make you die." She put on a falsetto, feigning embarrassment.
"That's OK, Quinn. You didn't know. Just don't do it again!" Quinera deepened her voice and made the bear shake its hand at her with a giggle. The jester almost peeked at the person's face before she leapt to her feet and started walking around the alley.
"Did you see where that other person went? I didn't like her. She was mean and nasty. Most people are to me. It's sad." Quinn's shoulders slumped and she looked a little depressed. Why did people have to be so mean? She tried to be nice all the time but they didn't ever seem to care or see. It was just easier to be Quinera than it was to play nice.
But then a spark of excitement shot through the young girl.
"But you're not mean! Sure, a little quiet and a bit funny. But that's OK cos I'm a bit funny too. In my head. That's what the tell me anyways." The jester giggled as she turned to face her new friend. Still, the person looked sad. It was not good. More that a little not good. Quinn thought about how to cheer her friend up. They usually laughed when she hurt herself, like that time she didn't quite make it across to the other roof. It made those guys laugh for days when she slipped and fell off the building. She was fine, she caught herself but she had to rest for a few days afterwards. Quinn shivered violently. She remembered that. She remembered how hungry she was those few days, starving. She couldn't go get herself food, she hurt so much and no one was going to get it for her. Because who would help the crazy jester who ate souls and stole away children?
The negative thoughts suddenly disappeared in a flash of light as she realised that her friend didn't know her name yet. Well, that just wouldn't do. It wouldn't do at all. She imagined her Mr Bear voice telling her off for not introducing them. That set off a little peal of giggles, not the hysterical terrifying laugh from before. These giggles were innocent, sweet and sounded like a little girl's laugh. The jester spun around until she was in front the person and bowed deeply.
"By the way, my name is Quinera the jester. You can call me Quinn if you like! Or not...I know you don't speak much. But Mr Bear can call me Quinn!" She smiled and spun around, throwing her long willow arms up in the air. She felt tired as anything but she still felt...happy. Happy that she had a friend. Someone who wouldn't run away when she talked to them, someone who would listen to her, someone who wouldn't laugh if she got hurt. Quinn stood in front of her new friend and out stretched her hand.
"So. What's your name then?"
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Dreams/Unreality
Nohizar smiled brightly when Zoen agreed to accompany them to Tinker Tocker. This meant he finally had someone to talk to! Razihon made a terrible conversationalist after all. "Razihon does know the way! Of course, I do too, but it’s fine for him to take the lead here, so we can talk!” Nohizar kept smiling as he walked, looking at Zoen with more than a little wonder and adoration in his eyes. He noticed quickly how Zoen walked, hands in his pockets. That was so cool! Nohizar lowered his hat in an incredibly unsubtle attempt to mimic Zoen’s hair as he put his own hands in his pockets as he walked. He already had a thousand questions coursing in his mind, all of which he would be sure to try and ask during their journey to Tinker Tocker… but which one to ask first? So many options, so many things to learn.
But before Nohizar could get to his own questions, Zoen asked one of his own. “Have you been here long? And, if I may ask, what might you be looking for in Tinker Tocker?” Nohizar was caught a little off guard when Zoen showed interest in him, but the feeling only lasted a moment before he smiled once more, relishing the opportunity to talk about himself. ”Oh, I’ve been here for such a long time you wouldn’t believe it!” In his excitement Nohizar forgot about emulating Zoen and moved his hands from his pockets to run a little ahead and spread his arms. ”I’ve been here so long I’ve seen almost everything and know almost every rock personally!” He was laying it on a little thick, but Zoen didn’t know that did he? ”And we’re headed to Tinker Tocker because Razihon says he some business there, but he says its private, so I can’t say much.” He looked a little apologetically, hoping Zoen wouldn’t get angry at him for keeping a secret.
Having answered Zoen’s questions, it was finally time for Nohizar to ask some of his own. As he launched his barrage of questions (which he would keep up until they reached Tinker Tocker) he barely gave Zoen time to respond to each one. ”So where are you from?”, ”How old are you?”, ”Can you make cool things with your powers too?” He asked, even as he created a little bird that flew off and disappeared but a few moments later. As they moved closer and closer to Tinker Tocker his line of questioning changed. "Have you ever seen the engineers of Tinker Tocker? They're so creepy!", "What about those moving gear things? I heard they all move together to move something even bigger! Have you ever seen what they move?"
Meanwhile, Razihon remained quiet, silently thankful for Nohizar’s sudden onset of motor mouth and kept his distance from the other two, making sure Nohizar was between himself and Zoen at all times, while still remaining in sight and capable of leading the pair. Only when they arrived at Tinker Tocker did the strange being approach them once again, his static voice somewhat impatient as he spoke. ”We have arrived. I’m sorry for the suddenness of our departure, but we have other, private, business to take care off here… so we will take our leave.”
Razihon’s voice startled Nohizar a little, and he looked more than a little sad that they had to leave their new friend already. ”I’m sorry too… but if you’re staying here for a while we should hang out again! It’s been really fun!” An innocent smile spread across his features as he and Razihon walked into the city and then one of the side streets and quickly disappeared from view.
But before Nohizar could get to his own questions, Zoen asked one of his own. “Have you been here long? And, if I may ask, what might you be looking for in Tinker Tocker?” Nohizar was caught a little off guard when Zoen showed interest in him, but the feeling only lasted a moment before he smiled once more, relishing the opportunity to talk about himself. ”Oh, I’ve been here for such a long time you wouldn’t believe it!” In his excitement Nohizar forgot about emulating Zoen and moved his hands from his pockets to run a little ahead and spread his arms. ”I’ve been here so long I’ve seen almost everything and know almost every rock personally!” He was laying it on a little thick, but Zoen didn’t know that did he? ”And we’re headed to Tinker Tocker because Razihon says he some business there, but he says its private, so I can’t say much.” He looked a little apologetically, hoping Zoen wouldn’t get angry at him for keeping a secret.
Having answered Zoen’s questions, it was finally time for Nohizar to ask some of his own. As he launched his barrage of questions (which he would keep up until they reached Tinker Tocker) he barely gave Zoen time to respond to each one. ”So where are you from?”, ”How old are you?”, ”Can you make cool things with your powers too?” He asked, even as he created a little bird that flew off and disappeared but a few moments later. As they moved closer and closer to Tinker Tocker his line of questioning changed. "Have you ever seen the engineers of Tinker Tocker? They're so creepy!", "What about those moving gear things? I heard they all move together to move something even bigger! Have you ever seen what they move?"
Meanwhile, Razihon remained quiet, silently thankful for Nohizar’s sudden onset of motor mouth and kept his distance from the other two, making sure Nohizar was between himself and Zoen at all times, while still remaining in sight and capable of leading the pair. Only when they arrived at Tinker Tocker did the strange being approach them once again, his static voice somewhat impatient as he spoke. ”We have arrived. I’m sorry for the suddenness of our departure, but we have other, private, business to take care off here… so we will take our leave.”
Razihon’s voice startled Nohizar a little, and he looked more than a little sad that they had to leave their new friend already. ”I’m sorry too… but if you’re staying here for a while we should hang out again! It’s been really fun!” An innocent smile spread across his features as he and Razihon walked into the city and then one of the side streets and quickly disappeared from view.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Tinker Tocker
Erixianti was huddled on the ground, silently wondering if there was a way to rectify what she had just done. The hounds had taken off with the witch and there was no way of knowing which way they had gone, or if they would be able to find her. The doll-like figure clutched at her sides, the bear held against her chest as she did so. A murmur of a voice brought her attentions to her side as the voice of the jester reached her ears.
"... doing? Don't you know the floor is all dirty?" She didn't move, still looking sullenly at the ground. The jester continued in a lighter voice, as if trying to perk up the mood of conversation. She didn't seem to be directing her comments at Erixianti anymore, choosing to talk to the stuffed animal nestled against her torso. "I apologise, Mister Bear. I didn't know taking you from your person would make you die. That's OK, Quinn. You didn't know. Just don't do it again!" The jester walked a bit of a ways from her, down the ally. Though she was still talking, the small girl couldn't really hear her that well with the way she was wandering.
She could not hear the whispers of her shadows at the moment, which meant that the hounds must've still been carrying that poor girl away somewhere. But in the hustle of Tinker Tocker... Erixianti shook her head. In a way, she should be considering the fact that she was lucky. The hounds could've turned on her or her savior and it was fortunate that they took away the strange girl that had been protruding into their business. And in a sense, she was also lucky that the willowy girl hadn't noticed Erixianti's voice whatsoever. Whatever had been effecting the masked figure, it seemed to have loosened it's grip and was now a memory.
The jester was wandering back over towards her and her comments once again became audible. "But you're not mean! Sure, a little quiet and a bit funny. But that's OK cos I'm a bit funny too. In my head. That's what the tell me anyways." The comments were awkwardly placed, as if a mere rambling of the mind than really any sort of conversation. Erixianti sighed, at last tilting up her eyes to look at her savior. Oddly enough, whether it was because of this action or the timing of it all, the girl broke out in delighted giggles, a genuine smile on her face.
"By the way, my name is Quinera the jester. You can call me Quinn if you like! Or not...I know you don't speak much. But Mr Bear can call me Quinn!" The bear in her arms squirmed a bit at this, looking up at it's master before looking back at the girl smiling from ear to ear. "So. What's your name then?" An outstretched hand met the distance between them halfway, raised eyebrows as if encouraging Erixianti to take it. Timidly and with a bit of a blush coating her cheeks, she released the grip she had on her arm with one hand and took the offered one shyly.
"My name is Erixianti." The bear said, the voice sort of melancholic and dazed, as if lost in thought. Gripping the hand a bit more tightly, she used it to help her stand properly. Though, to be fair, she was still a full head or two below the height of her new friend. "I... am worried about the girl, though... Perhaps we could explore, just a bit?" The suggestion of exploring, even if it came from herself, cheered her spirit a bit. The adventurous side of her was already becoming excited at this. Wandering around would ease her of her doubt and eventually, her shadows would have to return to her. They always did.
She walked a few steps in front of Quinn, shoes clicking on the pavement as she did so. She held her bear in front of her mouth again as she looked over her shoulder at her companion. "Could you take us back into the center of the city? Maybe that would be a good place to start." A tremulous smile came upon her lips, a bit shaky due to the events. But there was a sense of happiness from finally finding someone to interact with besides her own creatures. Her savior may be a bit odd but there was something incredibly good-natured about her. Erixianti could tell--after all, saviors were noble and completely loyal to the heroine. Always. She waited until Quinn had assessed her words, already reaching out to grip the hem of the jester's skirt for when they walked.
"... doing? Don't you know the floor is all dirty?" She didn't move, still looking sullenly at the ground. The jester continued in a lighter voice, as if trying to perk up the mood of conversation. She didn't seem to be directing her comments at Erixianti anymore, choosing to talk to the stuffed animal nestled against her torso. "I apologise, Mister Bear. I didn't know taking you from your person would make you die. That's OK, Quinn. You didn't know. Just don't do it again!" The jester walked a bit of a ways from her, down the ally. Though she was still talking, the small girl couldn't really hear her that well with the way she was wandering.
She could not hear the whispers of her shadows at the moment, which meant that the hounds must've still been carrying that poor girl away somewhere. But in the hustle of Tinker Tocker... Erixianti shook her head. In a way, she should be considering the fact that she was lucky. The hounds could've turned on her or her savior and it was fortunate that they took away the strange girl that had been protruding into their business. And in a sense, she was also lucky that the willowy girl hadn't noticed Erixianti's voice whatsoever. Whatever had been effecting the masked figure, it seemed to have loosened it's grip and was now a memory.
The jester was wandering back over towards her and her comments once again became audible. "But you're not mean! Sure, a little quiet and a bit funny. But that's OK cos I'm a bit funny too. In my head. That's what the tell me anyways." The comments were awkwardly placed, as if a mere rambling of the mind than really any sort of conversation. Erixianti sighed, at last tilting up her eyes to look at her savior. Oddly enough, whether it was because of this action or the timing of it all, the girl broke out in delighted giggles, a genuine smile on her face.
"By the way, my name is Quinera the jester. You can call me Quinn if you like! Or not...I know you don't speak much. But Mr Bear can call me Quinn!" The bear in her arms squirmed a bit at this, looking up at it's master before looking back at the girl smiling from ear to ear. "So. What's your name then?" An outstretched hand met the distance between them halfway, raised eyebrows as if encouraging Erixianti to take it. Timidly and with a bit of a blush coating her cheeks, she released the grip she had on her arm with one hand and took the offered one shyly.
"My name is Erixianti." The bear said, the voice sort of melancholic and dazed, as if lost in thought. Gripping the hand a bit more tightly, she used it to help her stand properly. Though, to be fair, she was still a full head or two below the height of her new friend. "I... am worried about the girl, though... Perhaps we could explore, just a bit?" The suggestion of exploring, even if it came from herself, cheered her spirit a bit. The adventurous side of her was already becoming excited at this. Wandering around would ease her of her doubt and eventually, her shadows would have to return to her. They always did.
She walked a few steps in front of Quinn, shoes clicking on the pavement as she did so. She held her bear in front of her mouth again as she looked over her shoulder at her companion. "Could you take us back into the center of the city? Maybe that would be a good place to start." A tremulous smile came upon her lips, a bit shaky due to the events. But there was a sense of happiness from finally finding someone to interact with besides her own creatures. Her savior may be a bit odd but there was something incredibly good-natured about her. Erixianti could tell--after all, saviors were noble and completely loyal to the heroine. Always. She waited until Quinn had assessed her words, already reaching out to grip the hem of the jester's skirt for when they walked.
“Oh? Fascinating. Perhaps you could share some of your great knowledge then?” Whether or not such a question would inadvertently corner Nohizar, or at least put the true extent of what he knew to the test, Zoen did ask something more precise the next moment. “For instance, have you been noticing something different about their dwellers? Their movement? Their numbers?” Though asked in a casual tone there was a somewhat greater urgency embedded into the questions and Zoen listened very carefully to the answers, though not without an understanding of the need to separate the exaggerations from what could be valuable truths or at least rumors which could be used to get closer to the aforementioned truths.
Regardless of the response, the older man was by no means interrogating Nohizar and took the time to properly answer the green-haired boy’s questions in turn. One had to admit that the boy’s curiosity seemed to provide nigh-infinite fuel for conversation as they walked. “Where I am from… Hmmm… Let’s see… Well, I actually started off right here, so you could say I’m from Eludrest based on that. I’m a bit over twenty years of age…” Their stroll was fairly calm with nothing triggering Zoen’s tripwires along the way. Incidentally, the blonde man’s response to Nohizar’s question pertaining to what his powers could make was to point behind them at one of the faintly glimmering string stretching across the street some distance behind them. Even with Zoen directly pointing it out it wasn’t easy to spot. Perhaps in part due to realizing this he proceeded to clap his hands together then spread his palms. “I’m not certain, but would you consider this cool?” He suggested with a smile, shimmering golden strings suspended between his fingers as he moved his hands apart. It was much like something that could be tied into a string figure with some motions of one’s digits, but he merely kept them the way they were. At the end of this brief demonstration he moved his palms back together, the strings disappearing as if they were never there in the first place.
Just as Nohizar began mentioning the engineers of Tinker Tocker and other things peculiar about their destination, said destination seemingly began manifesting all around them. Zoen’s hunch about the dreamworld responding to one’s intention to get somewhere, rather than one’s exact knowledge of the layout and topography was apparently correct. With that in mind, perhaps what had stopped Nohizar from reaching Tinker Tocker was a less clear understanding of his destination than what was required? Or perhaps their unified desire to get there was stronger than that of a single boy. One way or other, the streets around them gradually grew more bustling, the architecture changed to incorporate those weird cogs and ticking gears that Nohizar had mentioned. Zoen, unbeknownst to his new acquaintance, was watching everything from beneath his bangs and commented upon the changing landscape as they proceeded. “Truth be told, it’s been a long time since I’ve been here. So I don’t remember what it’s supposed to be like…”
But one way or other they were beyond a doubt in Tinker Tocker for no other place upon the dreamscape sported the complex machinery embedded into their very surroundings. It must’ve taken the inhabitants some time to get used to the ticking, but it sounded surprisingly unified and even somewhat melodious. To Zoen the machine seemed well-oiled enough to cause no concern… Though perhaps the mechanical city would reveal some errors in the way the Dreamworld has been operating recently after all. “Perhaps looking into their motions is a good idea. Thank you, King Nohizar.” He commented with a smile. Unfortunately at that point Nohizar’s ghostly companion informed that they had to take care of their business now, meaning that for some time they would part ways. “I understand. Hopefully you will be successful in your endeavors. Until we meet again, both of you.” He waved as the two ran off before turning his head towards the bustling city. He would likely be able to do a lot of things here should he so desire. The Inner Selves here likely weren’t dormant, meaning he could count on more individuals to interact with.
Placing his hands in his pocket, once again touching upon the reassuringly tangible letter in one of them, Zoen proceeded to walk through the city no longer accompanied, for now listening to his surroundings. Places did tend to change as one walked the dreamworld with an intention to go somewhere. Now do people with information you can use show up quite so easily, he wondered to himself…?
Regardless of the response, the older man was by no means interrogating Nohizar and took the time to properly answer the green-haired boy’s questions in turn. One had to admit that the boy’s curiosity seemed to provide nigh-infinite fuel for conversation as they walked. “Where I am from… Hmmm… Let’s see… Well, I actually started off right here, so you could say I’m from Eludrest based on that. I’m a bit over twenty years of age…” Their stroll was fairly calm with nothing triggering Zoen’s tripwires along the way. Incidentally, the blonde man’s response to Nohizar’s question pertaining to what his powers could make was to point behind them at one of the faintly glimmering string stretching across the street some distance behind them. Even with Zoen directly pointing it out it wasn’t easy to spot. Perhaps in part due to realizing this he proceeded to clap his hands together then spread his palms. “I’m not certain, but would you consider this cool?” He suggested with a smile, shimmering golden strings suspended between his fingers as he moved his hands apart. It was much like something that could be tied into a string figure with some motions of one’s digits, but he merely kept them the way they were. At the end of this brief demonstration he moved his palms back together, the strings disappearing as if they were never there in the first place.
Just as Nohizar began mentioning the engineers of Tinker Tocker and other things peculiar about their destination, said destination seemingly began manifesting all around them. Zoen’s hunch about the dreamworld responding to one’s intention to get somewhere, rather than one’s exact knowledge of the layout and topography was apparently correct. With that in mind, perhaps what had stopped Nohizar from reaching Tinker Tocker was a less clear understanding of his destination than what was required? Or perhaps their unified desire to get there was stronger than that of a single boy. One way or other, the streets around them gradually grew more bustling, the architecture changed to incorporate those weird cogs and ticking gears that Nohizar had mentioned. Zoen, unbeknownst to his new acquaintance, was watching everything from beneath his bangs and commented upon the changing landscape as they proceeded. “Truth be told, it’s been a long time since I’ve been here. So I don’t remember what it’s supposed to be like…”
But one way or other they were beyond a doubt in Tinker Tocker for no other place upon the dreamscape sported the complex machinery embedded into their very surroundings. It must’ve taken the inhabitants some time to get used to the ticking, but it sounded surprisingly unified and even somewhat melodious. To Zoen the machine seemed well-oiled enough to cause no concern… Though perhaps the mechanical city would reveal some errors in the way the Dreamworld has been operating recently after all. “Perhaps looking into their motions is a good idea. Thank you, King Nohizar.” He commented with a smile. Unfortunately at that point Nohizar’s ghostly companion informed that they had to take care of their business now, meaning that for some time they would part ways. “I understand. Hopefully you will be successful in your endeavors. Until we meet again, both of you.” He waved as the two ran off before turning his head towards the bustling city. He would likely be able to do a lot of things here should he so desire. The Inner Selves here likely weren’t dormant, meaning he could count on more individuals to interact with.
Placing his hands in his pocket, once again touching upon the reassuringly tangible letter in one of them, Zoen proceeded to walk through the city no longer accompanied, for now listening to his surroundings. Places did tend to change as one walked the dreamworld with an intention to go somewhere. Now do people with information you can use show up quite so easily, he wondered to himself…?
Quinera grinned as the girl took a hold of her hand. She helped her new friend get to her feet and smiled as she lifted Mr Bear to her mouth.
"My name is Erixianti." Quinn couldn't help but pull a face at that name. That was confusing. She couldn't pronounce that! She had difficulty pronouncing the word 'hospital' for goodness sake! The jester mused about it for two minutes before coming up with a solution. Eri. She could say that, no problem! She smiled to herself before her new friend...Eri carried on speaking through her marvellous teddy.
"I... am worried about the girl, though... Perhaps we could explore, just a bit?" Quinera grinned at the idea of exploring. She loved to explore and find new things that hid in the city. Just the other day she'd found an abandoned work place full of toy rockets that actually went! She had a lot of fun setting them off and watching the toys whizz round the room. And the other time she'd found the room that was lit with only fairy lights! That was amazing, she felt like she was surrounded by fireflies or magic. Or even firefly magic! She was distracted from her memories by the dazed bear speaking up again.
"Could you take us back into the center of the city? Maybe that would be a good place to start." The jester mulled that over, crossing her long arms. Erixianti might be able to go through the city fine but Quinn definitely could not. People already had stories about her but if she started walking round the streets in broad daylight? Uh oh. That would not work out well. She went to tell her friend this but saw she had walked a bit further along. Quinn watched as the girl turned to reach out for her. The jester grinned and skipped forward, spotting her new friend grab onto the material of her skirt. Good. Now she wouldn't get lost.
"I can take you to the centre but we'll have to go the secret way. Nobody knows my way round!" Quinn spoke quickly in rushed whispers and her eyes gleamed brightly. She hopped over to the edge of the alley way and took off round the corner, quickly, lightly. She felt Eri pull on her skirt as she moved too fast too quickly. Quinera winced. She would slow down the next time. The jester slipped her hand into the girl's grip. At the questioning look she shrugged.
"Easier to move around this way." The taller replied, not needing words to understand the question. She turned to see if anyone was about before going down a dark alleyway. She led Eri down the space, calling out behind her.
"Don't worry! I know where I'm going. Been down here tons of times. I can't believe no one's noticed it though..." She let her grip on the girl's hand go for a second to jump up and grab the first step of a ladder. The ladder slid down from the shadows above them and the jester turned and gestured with a grin.
"Going up!" She took a spring leap before scaling up the ladder with ease. When she reached the top of the landing, she knelt down to help Eri up. After they were both on their feet again, the jester turned to the view with a giggle.
"Say help to my Tinker Tocker. No one ever comes up here. They think I'm scary and evil." Quinn accented this by pretending to be a monsterish demon before decending into giggles.
"But that's OK for me since it means that I can use all of the roofs!" Quinera finished, gesturing to the expanses of cement and tiling.
"So, it was the centre you wanted to go to, right?"
"My name is Erixianti." Quinn couldn't help but pull a face at that name. That was confusing. She couldn't pronounce that! She had difficulty pronouncing the word 'hospital' for goodness sake! The jester mused about it for two minutes before coming up with a solution. Eri. She could say that, no problem! She smiled to herself before her new friend...Eri carried on speaking through her marvellous teddy.
"I... am worried about the girl, though... Perhaps we could explore, just a bit?" Quinera grinned at the idea of exploring. She loved to explore and find new things that hid in the city. Just the other day she'd found an abandoned work place full of toy rockets that actually went! She had a lot of fun setting them off and watching the toys whizz round the room. And the other time she'd found the room that was lit with only fairy lights! That was amazing, she felt like she was surrounded by fireflies or magic. Or even firefly magic! She was distracted from her memories by the dazed bear speaking up again.
"Could you take us back into the center of the city? Maybe that would be a good place to start." The jester mulled that over, crossing her long arms. Erixianti might be able to go through the city fine but Quinn definitely could not. People already had stories about her but if she started walking round the streets in broad daylight? Uh oh. That would not work out well. She went to tell her friend this but saw she had walked a bit further along. Quinn watched as the girl turned to reach out for her. The jester grinned and skipped forward, spotting her new friend grab onto the material of her skirt. Good. Now she wouldn't get lost.
"I can take you to the centre but we'll have to go the secret way. Nobody knows my way round!" Quinn spoke quickly in rushed whispers and her eyes gleamed brightly. She hopped over to the edge of the alley way and took off round the corner, quickly, lightly. She felt Eri pull on her skirt as she moved too fast too quickly. Quinera winced. She would slow down the next time. The jester slipped her hand into the girl's grip. At the questioning look she shrugged.
"Easier to move around this way." The taller replied, not needing words to understand the question. She turned to see if anyone was about before going down a dark alleyway. She led Eri down the space, calling out behind her.
"Don't worry! I know where I'm going. Been down here tons of times. I can't believe no one's noticed it though..." She let her grip on the girl's hand go for a second to jump up and grab the first step of a ladder. The ladder slid down from the shadows above them and the jester turned and gestured with a grin.
"Going up!" She took a spring leap before scaling up the ladder with ease. When she reached the top of the landing, she knelt down to help Eri up. After they were both on their feet again, the jester turned to the view with a giggle.
"Say help to my Tinker Tocker. No one ever comes up here. They think I'm scary and evil." Quinn accented this by pretending to be a monsterish demon before decending into giggles.
"But that's OK for me since it means that I can use all of the roofs!" Quinera finished, gesturing to the expanses of cement and tiling.
"So, it was the centre you wanted to go to, right?"
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Dreams/Unreality
The towering spires and mechanisms of Tinker Tocker were a majestic sight. Or at least He had always thought so, but how another would view it could be quite different. Being different had once been something he had treasured but there was always the possibilities he had never been different, yet these days standing out from the crowd was rare since the Dreamscape had become a lifeless purgatory for the sleepers.
He stood in the shadows of one of these towers, having taken to hiding in the shade of a slightly declining structure with a fine view of the surrounding area in case of approach. He had become increasingly paranoid that the darker creatures sought him since his encounter with them beyond the city walls. But he liked it here, it was a secure place where he could rest when needed and it helped keep him out of the sun. The ball of flame was little more than a creative bi-product of the shared conciousness of the waking world, but knowing that didn't chance the fact that he hated the touch of its rays against his skin, or armour for that matter. It felt somehow against the natural order of things, whereas the touch of moonlight seemed to cleanse him and renew his sense of self.
I love the creativity of this town but why they can't do so in eternal moonlight is beyond me he thought to himself, flexing his fingers and feeling the metal writhe as he toyed with the substance; carefully shaping it into the liquid form of a hawk, perched upon his wrist for a moment before he let it melt back into the suit.
"The higher places are so pleasantly deserted." He mumbled to himself as he stood at the very edge of the old tower, though as the building was just a little above the second roof level of the town it could only just be called that.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Tinker Tocker
The jester seemed ecstatic, her wide grin taking over her features genuinely. Gone from her companion's mind was the incident that had just transpired and Erixianti tried to force herself to feel the same obliviousness. Yet she couldn't shake this terrible feeling settling in the pit of her stomach...
"I can take you to the centre but we'll have to go the secret way. Nobody knows my way round!" Erixianti tilted her head? The secret way? Well, that did sound like an adventure in the works! She let a small smile come upon her lips but was a bit surprised by the enthusiasm that her friend possessed. Quinn moved rather quickly, the smaller unable to keep up with the fast pace. She pulled at the skirts. the jester turning to lay her eyes on her. For a second, a frown flitted across her face before it was replaced by that same smile. She grabbed Erixianti's hand, the feeling of the spidery fingers encircling around her palm odd but comforting. She still sent her companion a questioning look--she may look the part of the child but she wasn't exactly one.
Quinn shrugged, "Easier to move around this way." She looked around the ally before tugging Erixianti behind her, pulling her a bit as she spoke in a chipper voice. "Don't worry! I know where I'm going. Been down here tons of times. I can't believe no one's noticed it though..." Trailing off, the jester let go of the doll's hand, jumping up into the shadows and pulling down a ladder. Erixianti's eyebrows shot upwards and submerged in her bangs out of surprise. Ah! She hadn't known that such things were hidden in the city! It made her wonder what else was laying about...
"Going up!" The voice of her friend made her look up as the girl scaled the ladder with ease. For the petite figure, it was a bit more difficult, as she had to adjust the frills of her dress and somehow balance her bear along with her. She did not need to struggle for long as Quinn happily reached down and pulled her up with her without much trouble. Erixianti was rather light-weight by default and her delicate frame hardly imposed upon anyone at all. She stumbled a bit as she straightened herself, the jester spreading her arms out in front of her.
Erixianti's eyes widened. She had never been up this high before! From up here, one could see for miles and miles into the city. The people that were involved, the bustling activity, and the wide array of uneven buildings. It was truly a sight to behold. Quinera didn't waste any time in addressing it, her voice booming with bravado. "Say help to my Tinker Tocker. No one ever comes up here. They think I'm scary and evil. But that's OK for me since it means that I can use all of the roofs!"
Taking a deep breath, the jester turned so that she could see her friend. "So, it was the centre you wanted to go to, right?" Erixianti nodded slowly, reaching out to once more clasp the jester's hand with her petite digits. She held up her bear with her other hand, the creature's voice breathless with excitement.
"Yes, the center! I've never been but it seems to be where all the activity happens..." Her bear's voice trailed off a bit as she finished the sentence in her mind. 'And perhaps that's where my shadows brought the witch...' There was no way she could express that to Quinn, sensing that her savior did not seem to pursue things that she did not like. And considering the way in which she had so flippantly dismissed the witch's kidnapping, it was apparent to Erixianti that the other would just as quickly shut down going to the center if she knew it was for the witch. Not waiting for Quinera to lead her this time, she pulled her companion as she rushed ahead, clumsily walking along the rooftops to get to the heart of the city.
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Unbeknownst to the pair, there was another figure that had been following them since they had made contact. The figure was tall, akin to a shadow, facial features hidden behind a curtain of hair over it's eyes. The figure grinned slowly as it watched the progress over the rooftops, eyes taking in every movement. It brought it's hand closer to it's mouth and spoke in a raspy voice, barely audible and just a mere whisper.
"The pieces are nearly all assembled... Perhaps these strays may offer more purpose than merely..." The wind picked up, blotting out the next words spoken by the figure. Though perhaps the appearance of the strays was deviating from the plan, the figure did not seem to be concerned. It turned, stalking after the two quietly with a smirk on it's face.
"I can take you to the centre but we'll have to go the secret way. Nobody knows my way round!" Erixianti tilted her head? The secret way? Well, that did sound like an adventure in the works! She let a small smile come upon her lips but was a bit surprised by the enthusiasm that her friend possessed. Quinn moved rather quickly, the smaller unable to keep up with the fast pace. She pulled at the skirts. the jester turning to lay her eyes on her. For a second, a frown flitted across her face before it was replaced by that same smile. She grabbed Erixianti's hand, the feeling of the spidery fingers encircling around her palm odd but comforting. She still sent her companion a questioning look--she may look the part of the child but she wasn't exactly one.
Quinn shrugged, "Easier to move around this way." She looked around the ally before tugging Erixianti behind her, pulling her a bit as she spoke in a chipper voice. "Don't worry! I know where I'm going. Been down here tons of times. I can't believe no one's noticed it though..." Trailing off, the jester let go of the doll's hand, jumping up into the shadows and pulling down a ladder. Erixianti's eyebrows shot upwards and submerged in her bangs out of surprise. Ah! She hadn't known that such things were hidden in the city! It made her wonder what else was laying about...
"Going up!" The voice of her friend made her look up as the girl scaled the ladder with ease. For the petite figure, it was a bit more difficult, as she had to adjust the frills of her dress and somehow balance her bear along with her. She did not need to struggle for long as Quinn happily reached down and pulled her up with her without much trouble. Erixianti was rather light-weight by default and her delicate frame hardly imposed upon anyone at all. She stumbled a bit as she straightened herself, the jester spreading her arms out in front of her.
Erixianti's eyes widened. She had never been up this high before! From up here, one could see for miles and miles into the city. The people that were involved, the bustling activity, and the wide array of uneven buildings. It was truly a sight to behold. Quinera didn't waste any time in addressing it, her voice booming with bravado. "Say help to my Tinker Tocker. No one ever comes up here. They think I'm scary and evil. But that's OK for me since it means that I can use all of the roofs!"
Taking a deep breath, the jester turned so that she could see her friend. "So, it was the centre you wanted to go to, right?" Erixianti nodded slowly, reaching out to once more clasp the jester's hand with her petite digits. She held up her bear with her other hand, the creature's voice breathless with excitement.
"Yes, the center! I've never been but it seems to be where all the activity happens..." Her bear's voice trailed off a bit as she finished the sentence in her mind. 'And perhaps that's where my shadows brought the witch...' There was no way she could express that to Quinn, sensing that her savior did not seem to pursue things that she did not like. And considering the way in which she had so flippantly dismissed the witch's kidnapping, it was apparent to Erixianti that the other would just as quickly shut down going to the center if she knew it was for the witch. Not waiting for Quinera to lead her this time, she pulled her companion as she rushed ahead, clumsily walking along the rooftops to get to the heart of the city.
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Unbeknownst to the pair, there was another figure that had been following them since they had made contact. The figure was tall, akin to a shadow, facial features hidden behind a curtain of hair over it's eyes. The figure grinned slowly as it watched the progress over the rooftops, eyes taking in every movement. It brought it's hand closer to it's mouth and spoke in a raspy voice, barely audible and just a mere whisper.
"The pieces are nearly all assembled... Perhaps these strays may offer more purpose than merely..." The wind picked up, blotting out the next words spoken by the figure. Though perhaps the appearance of the strays was deviating from the plan, the figure did not seem to be concerned. It turned, stalking after the two quietly with a smirk on it's face.
Nohizar sat on the steps of a home in the back alley of Tinker Tocker. He had been doing that a lot ever since he and Razihon arrived here. Whatever ‘business’ Razihon was up to, he didn’t want Nohizar knowing about it. Instead, they had been going to houses and Razihon would enter, leaving Nohizar to sit on his hands until his companion came back. Nohizar bit on the nail of his thumb. This was getting boring. At first he had thought to sneak inside to see what was going on, but the chilling screams that emerged from the house just before he was about to enter had scared him off. Now he just waited, waited for those horrible screams to erupt once more. But they never did.
Razihon was scrounging through the now empty house. He hadn’t expected Nohizar to try and sneak in the last time, so he was more careful of eliminating those that stood in his way now. No sounds. No signs. No nothing. It was easier if Nohizar remained unaware of what he was doing. He looked around the bedchambers of the engineer living in this house. One that was somewhat famed for his creations, said to possess mystical powers. That wouldn’t do. Razihon was almost certain that there was no such thing as an engineer who could create items that would possess any kind of power, not like the power Nohizar and Zoen had anyway. But that didn’t make the possibility of such a thing any less of a threat to Razihon. So he had taken it upon himself to search out this engineer and eliminate him and all his works. The search throughout the city had been messy, not many of the engineers were willing to sell out one of their own to a creature like Razihon. Not at first anyway. His eye spied a strange orb lying on top of a small desk. His eye narrowed as he approached it, it was almost as if the orb was glowing, illuminating the desk and the blueprints that were scattered there. Could this be the mystical item? It didn’t seem to have any detectable power, but that could be a trick. After all, how could such a tiny orb glow so brightly? His grin grew slightly wider as he lifted his arm above his head, his hand slowly turning into an axe blade, before he used it to smash the orb to pieces. As the light suddenly disappeared by his violent action he looked around one last time before leaving the room and heading back outside.
Nohizar shot a suspicious look at Razihon as he left the dwelling of the engineer. ”What were you doing in there?” He said to his green companion, suspicion clear in his voice. The appiration titled his head slightly, looking at Nohizar with something that bordered on confused amusement before answering. ”Just visiting an old friend.” Nohizar jumped up from where he was sitting and stomped towards Razihon, fire in his eyes. ”Than why couldn’t I come in as well?!" Nohizar shouted at his companion, even as his pulse sprung to life and began forming strangely coloured swords all around him. If Razihon was worried in any way, he didn’t show it. Instead he merely shrugged and walked past Nohizar and the levitating swords. ”He hates children. Now let’s go, I’ll get you some ice cream once we reach the shopping district.” Razihon said, without bothering to look back as he headed further into the back alleys of Tinker Tocker. With a confused blink the swords created by Nohizar’s pulse faded, even as the pulse itself went back to sleep, leaving no traces it had ever awoken in the first place. Nohizar merely stared at the back of his companion, dumbfounded as he was that the appiration would show so little concern for Nohizar’s opinion. But before long he shook his head and ran after his friend. ”W-wait for me! Nohizar shouted, as he struggled to follow his friend down the twisted alley ways of Tinker Tocker.
Razihon was scrounging through the now empty house. He hadn’t expected Nohizar to try and sneak in the last time, so he was more careful of eliminating those that stood in his way now. No sounds. No signs. No nothing. It was easier if Nohizar remained unaware of what he was doing. He looked around the bedchambers of the engineer living in this house. One that was somewhat famed for his creations, said to possess mystical powers. That wouldn’t do. Razihon was almost certain that there was no such thing as an engineer who could create items that would possess any kind of power, not like the power Nohizar and Zoen had anyway. But that didn’t make the possibility of such a thing any less of a threat to Razihon. So he had taken it upon himself to search out this engineer and eliminate him and all his works. The search throughout the city had been messy, not many of the engineers were willing to sell out one of their own to a creature like Razihon. Not at first anyway. His eye spied a strange orb lying on top of a small desk. His eye narrowed as he approached it, it was almost as if the orb was glowing, illuminating the desk and the blueprints that were scattered there. Could this be the mystical item? It didn’t seem to have any detectable power, but that could be a trick. After all, how could such a tiny orb glow so brightly? His grin grew slightly wider as he lifted his arm above his head, his hand slowly turning into an axe blade, before he used it to smash the orb to pieces. As the light suddenly disappeared by his violent action he looked around one last time before leaving the room and heading back outside.
Nohizar shot a suspicious look at Razihon as he left the dwelling of the engineer. ”What were you doing in there?” He said to his green companion, suspicion clear in his voice. The appiration titled his head slightly, looking at Nohizar with something that bordered on confused amusement before answering. ”Just visiting an old friend.” Nohizar jumped up from where he was sitting and stomped towards Razihon, fire in his eyes. ”Than why couldn’t I come in as well?!" Nohizar shouted at his companion, even as his pulse sprung to life and began forming strangely coloured swords all around him. If Razihon was worried in any way, he didn’t show it. Instead he merely shrugged and walked past Nohizar and the levitating swords. ”He hates children. Now let’s go, I’ll get you some ice cream once we reach the shopping district.” Razihon said, without bothering to look back as he headed further into the back alleys of Tinker Tocker. With a confused blink the swords created by Nohizar’s pulse faded, even as the pulse itself went back to sleep, leaving no traces it had ever awoken in the first place. Nohizar merely stared at the back of his companion, dumbfounded as he was that the appiration would show so little concern for Nohizar’s opinion. But before long he shook his head and ran after his friend. ”W-wait for me! Nohizar shouted, as he struggled to follow his friend down the twisted alley ways of Tinker Tocker.
"Yes, the center! I've never been but it seems to be where all the activity happens..." Erixianti exclaimed through the bear before half dragging the jester forward to walk the roof tops. The older laughed and slipped out of the younger's grip before twirling across the roof. When she finished spinning, she caught her new friend's hand quickly, wary of the edges.
Sure, she could jump off the sides and stuff but she didn't want the little girl to fall off. It was rather high up in the roofs. The young woman turned to smile at her companion.
"You'd be right! That's were the inventer's market is and the museums and all the other cool stuff. And the secrets! I gots to show you all the secrets that hide in Tinker Tocker! The little places down alleys that no one goes down and stuff. It's cool!"
They carried on like this, making their way through the city skyline when one of the most annoying things happened. It was exactly what Quinn was dreading. Someone was spotted them. Or more accurately, they spotted her. The jester rolled her eyes at the woman's scream as she leapt to the opposite roof. The woman pulled her child away from the window, exclaiming about how the jester was stealing away a child. The hysterical woman shouted curses at the young woman. Quinera could not help herself.
This oppertunity was unmissable.
The young woman slowly slid her face into a demonic smile, winking quickly at Eri. The jester slowly moved forward, her head cocked and her movements jerky and broken. Slowly she raised her hand to face the woman and let black shadows encircle her outstretched hand.
The scream in response was hilarious.
Quinera broke the illusion by laughing good naturedly and spinning to face her companion.
"Ya see, the locals? They're scared of me." Her grin darkened and Quinn snarled. "Stupid people, think I'm evil. They are just STUPID!" The anger melted away as excitement came over the young teenager.
"Come on! Let's go to the centre!" Before too long, other people had started to notice the two traversing the roofs and were concerned for Quinn's new friend. They tried to scare the jester away and coax the young girl to safety.
Quinera would have laughed if she wasn't so angry with them.
How dare they?
How could they?
But the jester forced herself to keep calm. However she could not subdue the shivers of angry that ran underneath her skin. Quinn shook her head, clasping it tightly. The last thing she needed was to fade again. When she faded, Quinn saw what she was doing...she just couldn't control it. She was just so angry. And people got hurt. She didn't want to hurt her new friend. So the jester took a deep breath and launched herself across a particularly large gap. By Quinn's standard, it wasn't too bad but she wondered if her new friend could make the leap.
She was rather short after all and didn't have the long legs the older of the two did.
The jester hopped back over the gap and turned to her companion. The jester blushed a little and felt a sudden flash of embarrassment. She blushed a little more. Embarrassment? She was never embarrassed. Although, she never talked to someone else this much either. Even if the person couldn't really talk back. Her teddy could though!
"Um, that jump is pretty big...do you need some help or something? I mean, I could give ya a piggy back over or...not. I don't really mind actually. I guess you'd be kinda light anyways. No offence! You just look not heavy. It wouldn't be as easy if you were heavy but..." The jester blinked and shook her heand.
"So, do you need any help there?"
Sure, she could jump off the sides and stuff but she didn't want the little girl to fall off. It was rather high up in the roofs. The young woman turned to smile at her companion.
"You'd be right! That's were the inventer's market is and the museums and all the other cool stuff. And the secrets! I gots to show you all the secrets that hide in Tinker Tocker! The little places down alleys that no one goes down and stuff. It's cool!"
They carried on like this, making their way through the city skyline when one of the most annoying things happened. It was exactly what Quinn was dreading. Someone was spotted them. Or more accurately, they spotted her. The jester rolled her eyes at the woman's scream as she leapt to the opposite roof. The woman pulled her child away from the window, exclaiming about how the jester was stealing away a child. The hysterical woman shouted curses at the young woman. Quinera could not help herself.
This oppertunity was unmissable.
The young woman slowly slid her face into a demonic smile, winking quickly at Eri. The jester slowly moved forward, her head cocked and her movements jerky and broken. Slowly she raised her hand to face the woman and let black shadows encircle her outstretched hand.
The scream in response was hilarious.
Quinera broke the illusion by laughing good naturedly and spinning to face her companion.
"Ya see, the locals? They're scared of me." Her grin darkened and Quinn snarled. "Stupid people, think I'm evil. They are just STUPID!" The anger melted away as excitement came over the young teenager.
"Come on! Let's go to the centre!" Before too long, other people had started to notice the two traversing the roofs and were concerned for Quinn's new friend. They tried to scare the jester away and coax the young girl to safety.
Quinera would have laughed if she wasn't so angry with them.
How dare they?
How could they?
But the jester forced herself to keep calm. However she could not subdue the shivers of angry that ran underneath her skin. Quinn shook her head, clasping it tightly. The last thing she needed was to fade again. When she faded, Quinn saw what she was doing...she just couldn't control it. She was just so angry. And people got hurt. She didn't want to hurt her new friend. So the jester took a deep breath and launched herself across a particularly large gap. By Quinn's standard, it wasn't too bad but she wondered if her new friend could make the leap.
She was rather short after all and didn't have the long legs the older of the two did.
The jester hopped back over the gap and turned to her companion. The jester blushed a little and felt a sudden flash of embarrassment. She blushed a little more. Embarrassment? She was never embarrassed. Although, she never talked to someone else this much either. Even if the person couldn't really talk back. Her teddy could though!
"Um, that jump is pretty big...do you need some help or something? I mean, I could give ya a piggy back over or...not. I don't really mind actually. I guess you'd be kinda light anyways. No offence! You just look not heavy. It wouldn't be as easy if you were heavy but..." The jester blinked and shook her heand.
"So, do you need any help there?"
Even given his reasons for having entered a lucid dream, Zoen wasn’t beyond making the most of finally being in a place incomparably more dynamic than the quiet, near-deserted streets of Eludrest. The dream was still co-operating with his intentions – there was no shortage of individuals to whom he could speak. One more vivid than the other, guided by minds of dreamers and whatever laws stood behind dreaming beyond the control of dreamers, they had vastly different reactions and things to tell the blonde-haired man with the golden sash and he listened. The value of the rumors they shared… that was already another story. Most seemed to be far more focused on whatever preoccupied their own minds from places they’ve been to, to how outrageous the prices in the market were. Zoen tapped his chin in contemplation concerning the latter – what could determine one’s riches in a world of dreams?
As he asked more and more beings capable of speech, he gradually moved closer to the center of Tinker Tocker, somewhat melodious ticking surrounding him along with the less organized murmur of those presently in the city. Having been given food for thought and an opportunity to socialize with a varying degree of success, it was no less than an entire hour later, at least if an estimation based on his sense of time was to be believed, that Zoen stopped for a bit to weight the amount of new information he’d received… But no, he was quite certain that nothing new had been told to him and in terms of his investigation he was mostly where he had begun. Unfortunate, but not enough to discourage him. At least not yet.
He thought for a bit – perhaps it would pay to reconsider the wording of his questions? “Have you seen anything strange happen lately?” That was one of the questions he had tried asking. In response to it he would mostly receive answers far too different to make any useful information out of them. The world of dreams shifts and accommodates strange things by nature – a hundred different people would see a hundred different things, figuratively or literally. Alternatively he would occasionally ask if they had seen a certain Persona. To this question the answer was always the same short "No".
After the curious but inconclusive investigation Zoen paused somewhere in the city-center, observing the crowd from beneath the slightly glowing bangs. Unbeknownst to those around him and, in fact, to Zoen himself as he hadn’t bothered to look into a mirror, underneath the strands of hair in his eyes gradually shifted a golden pattern of lines forming an ornament not unlike a gilded kaleidoscope. Perhaps the pattern shifted following the rhythm of his thoughts, perhaps it was slowly synching with the ticking of the town’s cogs and gears.
Taking the opportunity granted by his pause, he leaned his back against one of the buildings overlooking the city center and reached out his hand, his fingers tracing lines in the air until they became tangible – he once again created a quartet of his golden strings, their ends unseen yet tethered somewhere as the strings were ajangle. He slid his fingers down the visible length of the strings and produced a musical sound akin to a mixture of a violin and a singing voice. The ticking resonating through the city was like a metronome as he began to play the strings, new musical notes escaping from under the caress of his hands. He had noticed this subtle change to his Pulse back when he had awoken in Eludrest for the first time after so long. But only now he took his time to explore its capabilities some more. There was no rush at the moment. Why not support the rampant thoughts with a soothing melody? Besides, who knows, perhaps the dream would work with him a bit more and bring to him someone who could tell him what he wanted to hear, much as the unexpected encounter with the King and his brave Warrior before. Thus he reasoned to himself with a half-smile as he played…
As he asked more and more beings capable of speech, he gradually moved closer to the center of Tinker Tocker, somewhat melodious ticking surrounding him along with the less organized murmur of those presently in the city. Having been given food for thought and an opportunity to socialize with a varying degree of success, it was no less than an entire hour later, at least if an estimation based on his sense of time was to be believed, that Zoen stopped for a bit to weight the amount of new information he’d received… But no, he was quite certain that nothing new had been told to him and in terms of his investigation he was mostly where he had begun. Unfortunate, but not enough to discourage him. At least not yet.
He thought for a bit – perhaps it would pay to reconsider the wording of his questions? “Have you seen anything strange happen lately?” That was one of the questions he had tried asking. In response to it he would mostly receive answers far too different to make any useful information out of them. The world of dreams shifts and accommodates strange things by nature – a hundred different people would see a hundred different things, figuratively or literally. Alternatively he would occasionally ask if they had seen a certain Persona. To this question the answer was always the same short "No".
After the curious but inconclusive investigation Zoen paused somewhere in the city-center, observing the crowd from beneath the slightly glowing bangs. Unbeknownst to those around him and, in fact, to Zoen himself as he hadn’t bothered to look into a mirror, underneath the strands of hair in his eyes gradually shifted a golden pattern of lines forming an ornament not unlike a gilded kaleidoscope. Perhaps the pattern shifted following the rhythm of his thoughts, perhaps it was slowly synching with the ticking of the town’s cogs and gears.
Taking the opportunity granted by his pause, he leaned his back against one of the buildings overlooking the city center and reached out his hand, his fingers tracing lines in the air until they became tangible – he once again created a quartet of his golden strings, their ends unseen yet tethered somewhere as the strings were ajangle. He slid his fingers down the visible length of the strings and produced a musical sound akin to a mixture of a violin and a singing voice. The ticking resonating through the city was like a metronome as he began to play the strings, new musical notes escaping from under the caress of his hands. He had noticed this subtle change to his Pulse back when he had awoken in Eludrest for the first time after so long. But only now he took his time to explore its capabilities some more. There was no rush at the moment. Why not support the rampant thoughts with a soothing melody? Besides, who knows, perhaps the dream would work with him a bit more and bring to him someone who could tell him what he wanted to hear, much as the unexpected encounter with the King and his brave Warrior before. Thus he reasoned to himself with a half-smile as he played…
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Dreams/Unreality
Nohizar
Nohizar chased his strange companion through the alleys of Tinker Tocker until he ran out of breath and couldn’t run anymore. Razihon either didn’t notice, or didn’t care enough to wait for him. Nohizar frowned, he had been yelling at the apparition for a while now, but it simply kept moving and disappeared. Nohizar stood up straight, trying to catch his breath. Maybe Razihon’s hearing was simply bad. He had no ears after all. Yeah! That had to be it, there was no way he would just leave him alone in the back alleys like this… right? No, Razihon was his friend. He wouldn’t abandon him like this. As soon as he realizes he had left Nohizar behind he’d come back and apologize, you’ll see! Nohizar fought away his fear of being left alone with a confident smile and a walk that bordered on a strut as he headed into a random alleyway.
As he walked through the alleyways he slowly reached a different part of town, with more towers and less dilapidated buildings. As Nohizar looked at his new surroundings a childlike smile of joy spread across his features. He did enjoy exploring new places and this would give him something to do until Razihon returned. With renewed energy he began looking into little shops, peering quizzically through shuttered windows and climbing steps to see what the view would look like from up top. During his curiosity driven exploration of this particular district he came upon something one might call a tower, if that person were feeling generous. But that was not what drew Nohizar’s attention. Instead, his attention was drawn to a strange figure in an even stranger style of fashion. Since when was closing oneself into a suit of metal considered fashionable? Nohizar rubbed his head as he pondered about this strange person. When no answer came to him he did the next best thing. He waved at the strange figure and yelled at him. ”Hello! Why do you wear a metal suit?” He asked with childlike curiosity and innocence.
Razihon
Razihon had finally shaken Nohizar off his trail. Persistence was a good quality in any person, but stubbornness was simply unbecoming. Razihon shook his head even as he reached the shopping district. There was still one last engineer to take care off. The one that had him started on this idiotic rumour of powerful items created by the engineers. It was baseless, Razihon knew that. But the mind of the creative was a strange thing. What was once insanity in the eyes of others could become reality in another. Especially in this world where insanity becoming real was so commonplace. No reason to have some creature putting ideas into the heads of those who could make these things become real. No, better to get them out of the way quickly and leave Nohizar running around Tinker Tocker blind to his activities. The last thing he needed was some judgemental child getting suspicious. His grin grew slightly wider as he reached the house of the Engineer he was looking for. Better to find out who he told this rumour to and eliminate them as well.
”It is going to be a long day.”
Nohizar chased his strange companion through the alleys of Tinker Tocker until he ran out of breath and couldn’t run anymore. Razihon either didn’t notice, or didn’t care enough to wait for him. Nohizar frowned, he had been yelling at the apparition for a while now, but it simply kept moving and disappeared. Nohizar stood up straight, trying to catch his breath. Maybe Razihon’s hearing was simply bad. He had no ears after all. Yeah! That had to be it, there was no way he would just leave him alone in the back alleys like this… right? No, Razihon was his friend. He wouldn’t abandon him like this. As soon as he realizes he had left Nohizar behind he’d come back and apologize, you’ll see! Nohizar fought away his fear of being left alone with a confident smile and a walk that bordered on a strut as he headed into a random alleyway.
As he walked through the alleyways he slowly reached a different part of town, with more towers and less dilapidated buildings. As Nohizar looked at his new surroundings a childlike smile of joy spread across his features. He did enjoy exploring new places and this would give him something to do until Razihon returned. With renewed energy he began looking into little shops, peering quizzically through shuttered windows and climbing steps to see what the view would look like from up top. During his curiosity driven exploration of this particular district he came upon something one might call a tower, if that person were feeling generous. But that was not what drew Nohizar’s attention. Instead, his attention was drawn to a strange figure in an even stranger style of fashion. Since when was closing oneself into a suit of metal considered fashionable? Nohizar rubbed his head as he pondered about this strange person. When no answer came to him he did the next best thing. He waved at the strange figure and yelled at him. ”Hello! Why do you wear a metal suit?” He asked with childlike curiosity and innocence.
Razihon
Razihon had finally shaken Nohizar off his trail. Persistence was a good quality in any person, but stubbornness was simply unbecoming. Razihon shook his head even as he reached the shopping district. There was still one last engineer to take care off. The one that had him started on this idiotic rumour of powerful items created by the engineers. It was baseless, Razihon knew that. But the mind of the creative was a strange thing. What was once insanity in the eyes of others could become reality in another. Especially in this world where insanity becoming real was so commonplace. No reason to have some creature putting ideas into the heads of those who could make these things become real. No, better to get them out of the way quickly and leave Nohizar running around Tinker Tocker blind to his activities. The last thing he needed was some judgemental child getting suspicious. His grin grew slightly wider as he reached the house of the Engineer he was looking for. Better to find out who he told this rumour to and eliminate them as well.
”It is going to be a long day.”
”Hello! Why do you wear a metal suit?” The childlike voice seemed to rattle against his armour for a moment while he pondered the words. He turned and looked down into the alleyway below, noting with a peculiar interest that the figure was flailing its arms about in some desperation. The slits of his eyes flared bright blue and a thin wave of energy swept across his armoured surface, blowing fragments of dust and rubble from the tower away as he slowly moved towards the edge of the structure.
His gauntleted hands reached out to the old masonry either side of him and he tested its substance with hist fingers, sadly discovering it was weaker than it had been the night before, and it was brushing away at his touch. Sighing to himself he used them to pull himself forward, smiling softly as it held his momentum for just long enough before it crumbled completely. He enjoyed a fraction of a heart's thrumming beat as he fell to the ground by the quizitive boy, his body resting with one foot flat and the other with the knee for support and his hand palm down. He slowly lifted his head staring directly into the boys face, their eyes almost level.
"Perhaps, A better question would be; why is it you do not?" Martellus said softly, his words edged with a faint tang of static "The Dreaming is not the safe haven some have said it once was, but truth be told even the perceived guise he held then was much better than what it is now."
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Tinker Tocker
The two were doing some odd sort of dance on the rooftops to keep balanced. Every time Erixianti shifted even one inch to the side, Quinn would dart forward, drag her close by tugging on the girl's hand, and the process would continue. It reminded Erixianti of this dance she had read about, a tango, she believed it was called. Still! The appearance of the city from so high up was quite the sight to behold--breathing taking, even. Quinera kept a firm hold on Erixianti's hand as she smiled while taking the lead on the rooftops.
"You'd be right! That's were the inventer's market is and the museums and all the other cool stuff. And the secrets! I gots to show you all the secrets that hide in Tinker Tocker! The little places down alleys that no one goes down and stuff. It's cool!" The doll-like one blushed a bit; she wasn't aware there was quite so much to see in the city but looking at it from up here... She had only seen just one, tiny fragment of it. She smiled at her companion, holding her bear up with her free hand and allowing it to speak in her place.
"It sure looks that way; I'm glad you were the one who turned out to be my--" The bear's voice, which had been breathless with awe and amazement, was cut off as a shrill scream pierced the air. Erixianti looked around to try and find it's source and discovered a woman who had seen them wandering about above them. The woman seemed to be in a rightful tizzy, screaming at the jester. Though to Erixianti, who had always had delicate hearing and did not prefer loud noises, much of what she was saying couldn't be perceived. Quinn had heard it just fine and an amused sort of dark grin flitted on to her face as she waggled her fingers in front of her. Whatever her savior did, it was enough to scare the woman off and back behind her door. The petite of the two tilted her head in confusion, her bear's tones more muffled as the animal raised a paw to stroke it's chin.
"What was all that about?" Quinera laughed playfully, the darkness of the smile gone and replaced with some semblance of playfulness.
"Ya see, the locals? They're scared of me. Stupid people, think I'm evil. They are just STUPID!" For a moment, it seemed the anger had returned but it was gone in an instant and Erixianti was unsure she had even seen it to begin with. "Come on! Let's go to the centre!" She nodded and let her partner lead her over the rooftops once more. It must've looked odd, the willowy wisp of a girl leading the smaller, doll-like one. But then again, all heroines looked the part of the damsel, and their saviors, well, more colorful in appearance, to say the least. She giggled at the thought, imagining Quinera in some sort of noble attire. She couldn't quite see the other getting rid of her jester hat and the resulting image was an entertaining one.
As they progressed, they approached a gap between roofs, Quinn letting go of Erixianti's hand and easily bounding the jump. She turned around as if in thought and then held out her hand, a goofy sort of apologetic expression on her face. "Um, that jump is pretty big...do you need some help or something? I mean, I could give ya a piggy back over or...not. I don't really mind actually. I guess you'd be kinda light anyways. No offence! You just look not heavy. It wouldn't be as easy if you were heavy but... Do you need any help there?" The smaller girl shook her head, tucking her bear beneath her arm and lifted up the hems of her dress. She could most certainly make the jump on her own! She wasn't the helpless princess after all, she was a heroine and there was definitely a difference.
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The figure watched as the small girl readied herself in an attempt to make the jump. Oh, this wouldn't do at all, no no, it would not do. For the pieces were still scattered about and not yet joined altogether. And there would be no way of testing out the theory if they did not all gather... Perhaps a speed-up process was in order. The figure smirked as it snapped it's fingers and right as the girl went to run at the edge, the corners of the roof crumbled. She looked confused, eyes widening as she must've processed what was going on. There was a brief second of eye contact between the bizarre jester and the doll before the latter went tumbling downwards towards the city streets.
The figure took it's eyes off the scene, turning it's gaze more to the distance where a heavily armored figure was talking to the energetic, young boy. How to get them involved... decisions, decisions... Perhaps it would be best to bring their attention to the young girl's plight, after all, boys always did have a need to be show-offish. It waved it's hand casually, a nearby building instantly formed cracks and the walls of which began to cave in on themselves. The activity as well as the screams would be sure to get the attention of all the toys... And soon... yes soon... the gears would spin into motion at last.
"You'd be right! That's were the inventer's market is and the museums and all the other cool stuff. And the secrets! I gots to show you all the secrets that hide in Tinker Tocker! The little places down alleys that no one goes down and stuff. It's cool!" The doll-like one blushed a bit; she wasn't aware there was quite so much to see in the city but looking at it from up here... She had only seen just one, tiny fragment of it. She smiled at her companion, holding her bear up with her free hand and allowing it to speak in her place.
"It sure looks that way; I'm glad you were the one who turned out to be my--" The bear's voice, which had been breathless with awe and amazement, was cut off as a shrill scream pierced the air. Erixianti looked around to try and find it's source and discovered a woman who had seen them wandering about above them. The woman seemed to be in a rightful tizzy, screaming at the jester. Though to Erixianti, who had always had delicate hearing and did not prefer loud noises, much of what she was saying couldn't be perceived. Quinn had heard it just fine and an amused sort of dark grin flitted on to her face as she waggled her fingers in front of her. Whatever her savior did, it was enough to scare the woman off and back behind her door. The petite of the two tilted her head in confusion, her bear's tones more muffled as the animal raised a paw to stroke it's chin.
"What was all that about?" Quinera laughed playfully, the darkness of the smile gone and replaced with some semblance of playfulness.
"Ya see, the locals? They're scared of me. Stupid people, think I'm evil. They are just STUPID!" For a moment, it seemed the anger had returned but it was gone in an instant and Erixianti was unsure she had even seen it to begin with. "Come on! Let's go to the centre!" She nodded and let her partner lead her over the rooftops once more. It must've looked odd, the willowy wisp of a girl leading the smaller, doll-like one. But then again, all heroines looked the part of the damsel, and their saviors, well, more colorful in appearance, to say the least. She giggled at the thought, imagining Quinera in some sort of noble attire. She couldn't quite see the other getting rid of her jester hat and the resulting image was an entertaining one.
As they progressed, they approached a gap between roofs, Quinn letting go of Erixianti's hand and easily bounding the jump. She turned around as if in thought and then held out her hand, a goofy sort of apologetic expression on her face. "Um, that jump is pretty big...do you need some help or something? I mean, I could give ya a piggy back over or...not. I don't really mind actually. I guess you'd be kinda light anyways. No offence! You just look not heavy. It wouldn't be as easy if you were heavy but... Do you need any help there?" The smaller girl shook her head, tucking her bear beneath her arm and lifted up the hems of her dress. She could most certainly make the jump on her own! She wasn't the helpless princess after all, she was a heroine and there was definitely a difference.
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The figure watched as the small girl readied herself in an attempt to make the jump. Oh, this wouldn't do at all, no no, it would not do. For the pieces were still scattered about and not yet joined altogether. And there would be no way of testing out the theory if they did not all gather... Perhaps a speed-up process was in order. The figure smirked as it snapped it's fingers and right as the girl went to run at the edge, the corners of the roof crumbled. She looked confused, eyes widening as she must've processed what was going on. There was a brief second of eye contact between the bizarre jester and the doll before the latter went tumbling downwards towards the city streets.
The figure took it's eyes off the scene, turning it's gaze more to the distance where a heavily armored figure was talking to the energetic, young boy. How to get them involved... decisions, decisions... Perhaps it would be best to bring their attention to the young girl's plight, after all, boys always did have a need to be show-offish. It waved it's hand casually, a nearby building instantly formed cracks and the walls of which began to cave in on themselves. The activity as well as the screams would be sure to get the attention of all the toys... And soon... yes soon... the gears would spin into motion at last.
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Dreams/Unreality
Nohizar
As the large armoured man jumped down from the ledge upon which he had been standing before, and landed on the ground, Nohizar nearly stumbled back. He was a lot bigger than he had expected. Even as the figure kneeled, he eyes were level with Nohizar’s. He bit his lower lip slightly as he tried to still his beating heart. For a moment there he was sure the man was going to jump on him, not in front of him.
“ Perhaps, A better question would be; why is it you do not? The Dreaming is not the safe haven some have said it once was, but truth be told even the perceived guise he held then was much better than what it is now."
Nohizar blinked. What did that even mean? Also, he didn’t answer his question! That was so rude. Nohizar frowned as he looked at the larger man, seeming quite peeved by the man’s rebuttal to his question. ”Because it looks heavy… also, what does that even me-“ Nohizar was interrupted by the sudden cracking and subsequent crumbling of multiple buildings. His eyes grew wide as he looked around, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. It took him a few moments before he noticed, amidst the falling rubble a small form falling, clearly not made of the materials the buildings were made from. It looked like a girl. Girls wore dresses right? Wait, no, Princesses wore dresses. Yeah, that's it! A sudden glint appeared in his eyes, even as he turned to the metal man, hoping he had seen her too. His voice seemed far too excited for the danger of the situation as he spoke. ”Quick, we have to help her!” He said, even as he turned and rushed off into the falling girls direction. His pulse sprang to life, it’s power slowly pouring out of him in the form of nearly ethereal black and green smoke. In his mind’s eye he fashioned a hand, big and strong, yet gentle, reaching up from the ground beneath the girl to catch her. And as he imagined, it became real and all he could hope for was that it would be enough to catch her.
Razihon
A quiet stroll through the abandoned street had taken a sudden turn as Razihon heard the sudden low grumble that was made when the buildings collapsed. He looked up, his eye scanning the environment but finding nothing of interest. Instead, he extended his senses and saw beyond his eye what his eye could see. What he saw was a boy, wearing a suit, rushing off to somewhere. Nohizar’s location was in the same directions as the sweet sounds of collapse. Couldn’t the boy be left alone for a few minutes before he went off and started destroying buildings. For a single fleeting moment, his grin disappeared. A moment so fleeting that, once it was past, it was as if it had never existed at all. Rahizon turned and walked, moving towards the sound of collapse and where he knew he would find the boy.
As the large armoured man jumped down from the ledge upon which he had been standing before, and landed on the ground, Nohizar nearly stumbled back. He was a lot bigger than he had expected. Even as the figure kneeled, he eyes were level with Nohizar’s. He bit his lower lip slightly as he tried to still his beating heart. For a moment there he was sure the man was going to jump on him, not in front of him.
“ Perhaps, A better question would be; why is it you do not? The Dreaming is not the safe haven some have said it once was, but truth be told even the perceived guise he held then was much better than what it is now."
Nohizar blinked. What did that even mean? Also, he didn’t answer his question! That was so rude. Nohizar frowned as he looked at the larger man, seeming quite peeved by the man’s rebuttal to his question. ”Because it looks heavy… also, what does that even me-“ Nohizar was interrupted by the sudden cracking and subsequent crumbling of multiple buildings. His eyes grew wide as he looked around, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. It took him a few moments before he noticed, amidst the falling rubble a small form falling, clearly not made of the materials the buildings were made from. It looked like a girl. Girls wore dresses right? Wait, no, Princesses wore dresses. Yeah, that's it! A sudden glint appeared in his eyes, even as he turned to the metal man, hoping he had seen her too. His voice seemed far too excited for the danger of the situation as he spoke. ”Quick, we have to help her!” He said, even as he turned and rushed off into the falling girls direction. His pulse sprang to life, it’s power slowly pouring out of him in the form of nearly ethereal black and green smoke. In his mind’s eye he fashioned a hand, big and strong, yet gentle, reaching up from the ground beneath the girl to catch her. And as he imagined, it became real and all he could hope for was that it would be enough to catch her.
Razihon
A quiet stroll through the abandoned street had taken a sudden turn as Razihon heard the sudden low grumble that was made when the buildings collapsed. He looked up, his eye scanning the environment but finding nothing of interest. Instead, he extended his senses and saw beyond his eye what his eye could see. What he saw was a boy, wearing a suit, rushing off to somewhere. Nohizar’s location was in the same directions as the sweet sounds of collapse. Couldn’t the boy be left alone for a few minutes before he went off and started destroying buildings. For a single fleeting moment, his grin disappeared. A moment so fleeting that, once it was past, it was as if it had never existed at all. Rahizon turned and walked, moving towards the sound of collapse and where he knew he would find the boy.
This ability was certainly something he could get used to. He played for some time, a somewhat idle use of his ability, but if a Dreamer couldn’t choose how to use their power, what good would it be? Changing the tune and switching between melodies, trying things from improvising with his mind alone to replicating some of the songs he’d heard in the waking world. For a bit he probably turned into something like a background figure and those who would walk past him had a chance to take him for merely another part of the dream brought forth by someone’s whimsical fantasies and placed right there at the square to entertain those around him with music. It gave some interesting opportunities to study those around him without directly calling upon them with speech. In a way he enjoyed the new perspective.
Though proceeding merely with his quiet contemplation and the indulgence of a sudden creative vibe was tempting, he wouldn’t let it go for too long. And by sheer coincidence no sooner had he considered tending to other business that the aforementioned business manifested itself quite prominently in relative vicinity. Even in the world of dreams the sudden destruction of a building produced an appropriate amount of fear from those closer to the place of the incident and bewilderment from those further away, rendering them ever eager to discover the source of the commotion. He was no different from the latter and so he let the strings vanish and walked swiftly towards one of the side streets from which the rumbling seemed to have come.
While certainly not indifferent to the plight of others, Zoen wasn’t exactly a hero and so he showed up only in time to witness the aftermath of what must’ve happened here. Stone rubble, debris and several dislodged cogs from the walls of a collapsed building, and a veil of slowly settling dust partially obscuring one’s view. There were certainly onlookers expressing various degrees of concern, curiosity and from some – even excitement. Some were asking if anyone was wounded, some were asking if anyone had seen the building collapse. Zoen peered past the gawking and murmuring residents of Tinker Tocker then finally moved forward, gently shifting some of those in his way aside. The crowd wasn’t particularly dense despite the loud collapse of the building.
And so it happened that while Zoen Leed didn’t see this event unfold from the very beginning, he did, upon closer examination, notice at least one familiar silhouette before his eyes obscurred by the blonde bangs – and that was one of the self-proclaimed King of the Realm he’d first found himself in. “King Nohizar? Are you alright?” He called out upon recognizing the young Persona, not yet able to verify his exact condition or that of those near him just from looking ahead due to all the dust, but gradually moving further along and beginning to make out more details of the “scene”. As he proceeded he would also look upwards every now and then to be sure that no more debris would rain down from any adjacent buildings. Was it him, or was there an observer on the roof of one of the buildings...? Regardless, for now he ignored this other onlooker and simply continued onwards. Nohizar and whoever else might've gotten caught up in this incident could require some aid.
Though proceeding merely with his quiet contemplation and the indulgence of a sudden creative vibe was tempting, he wouldn’t let it go for too long. And by sheer coincidence no sooner had he considered tending to other business that the aforementioned business manifested itself quite prominently in relative vicinity. Even in the world of dreams the sudden destruction of a building produced an appropriate amount of fear from those closer to the place of the incident and bewilderment from those further away, rendering them ever eager to discover the source of the commotion. He was no different from the latter and so he let the strings vanish and walked swiftly towards one of the side streets from which the rumbling seemed to have come.
While certainly not indifferent to the plight of others, Zoen wasn’t exactly a hero and so he showed up only in time to witness the aftermath of what must’ve happened here. Stone rubble, debris and several dislodged cogs from the walls of a collapsed building, and a veil of slowly settling dust partially obscuring one’s view. There were certainly onlookers expressing various degrees of concern, curiosity and from some – even excitement. Some were asking if anyone was wounded, some were asking if anyone had seen the building collapse. Zoen peered past the gawking and murmuring residents of Tinker Tocker then finally moved forward, gently shifting some of those in his way aside. The crowd wasn’t particularly dense despite the loud collapse of the building.
And so it happened that while Zoen Leed didn’t see this event unfold from the very beginning, he did, upon closer examination, notice at least one familiar silhouette before his eyes obscurred by the blonde bangs – and that was one of the self-proclaimed King of the Realm he’d first found himself in. “King Nohizar? Are you alright?” He called out upon recognizing the young Persona, not yet able to verify his exact condition or that of those near him just from looking ahead due to all the dust, but gradually moving further along and beginning to make out more details of the “scene”. As he proceeded he would also look upwards every now and then to be sure that no more debris would rain down from any adjacent buildings. Was it him, or was there an observer on the roof of one of the buildings...? Regardless, for now he ignored this other onlooker and simply continued onwards. Nohizar and whoever else might've gotten caught up in this incident could require some aid.
He was busy attempting to process the boy's comment about the armour being heavy, which he couldn't understand as it had never occurred to him that it could be heavy, when they were disrupted by loud crumbling caused by one of the nearby towers breaking away from its structure. ”Quick, we have to help her!” he heard the boy say as he ran in the direction of the falling figure amidst the rumble. Martellus stared up at the brickwork trailing alongside the, he assumed, girl for a fraction of a heartbeat before his heavy footfalls cracked the cobbled street beneath him as he ran after the boy.
He saw green and black wisps of smoke billowing outward before the boy, and shaping themselves into a great hand that reached up towards the girl in an attempt to slow her decent. As he'd been moving towards the destruction he'd gently let his pulse build in his right hand till he broke the potential energy forming it into a flail which he struck out with as hard as he could. Its barbed end was thrown high above him with the chain rippling out as it made to shape its length to his desires, the brickwork nearest the girl becoming faint powder as the metal ripped through it like a hot knife through butter.
He pulling the weapon back till the head of the fail was gripped tightly in his other hand before absorbing the weapon back into himself, and reforming it into a large oval tower shield. He looked at the girl slowly falling above, the boy next to him and back to the shield before growling slightly "Hopefully, this won't get us killed." He grumbled to himself as he began to charge as much of his pulse into the shield as he could, causing it to expand over him and the two others in order to deflect any stray rubble as the girl almost reached the ground.
His vision became slightly obscured as bricks and stone piled up around him, hiding the boy from his side though he was presumably still under the relative safety shield. Though he could just about make out a voice coming from beyond the wreckage he wasn't able to discern the words.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Tinker Tocker
Quinera was not happy. Her new friend had just fallen from the building. Or the building had fallen away from her. Buildings didn't do that. Someone must've done it to her buildings and that is not allowed. Nope, nope, nope. The jester went onto high alert, growling loudly, making sure that anyone who was listening knew of her annoyance and her anger. Her eyes scanned the surrounding buildings for the idiot who had decided to mess with her Tinker Tocker. No one she could see right now. But those two had gone after Eri...Those two had to be dealt with. They could hurt her and that was NOT allowed. Quinn was the one who had to look after her little friend. It was her job now. The jester had tried to grab her friend when she had fallen but just missed. Just be a tiny amount. And then those two turn up and play hero? No. No, that was not allowed. They were doing very well until the building had crumbled.
The jester stood on a nearby building, observing the group of people gathered there. Huh, people. They were so annoying. Just so...urgh. A little flare of frustration buold up inside the young woman and she snarled loudly, causing a few people to look up in confusion. The jester blended into the grayish buildings with a quick thought and change back once those curious people had looked away. Good.
Eri was still down there. She needed to go find her before something happened. But that would mean having to go down and be around all those people. All those people who probably wouldn't be too happy to see her. Quinn bit her lip hard and tasted a tang of copper as she bit down too hard. What was she going to do? She couldn't stay up here forever, that much was obvious. But really, she didn't want to go down. She just wanted her new friend back up here. Decisions, decisions. Quinera started to wring her hands, eyes flitting from place to place. She had to make her move, she had to do something quickly. Quick, quick, quick. Another stab of frustation shot through her already tense mind and the young woman threw up her hands with a scream. Why couldn't she just decide? It wasn't hard, not at all. But she was scared to go down. Just too scared of the new people and the changes and different. She didn't like different. Not at all. But then the frustration and fear disappeared as a thread of confidence and mischief played its game with her mind.
She wouldn't be scared. She would be scary.
The jester readied herself, confident. She had done this before. There was just more people this time. Most of which would run once they had seen her. No problem. Quinera threw herself off the building, seeping in the shoked gasps, whispers and fear that started to come off the crowd once they had noticed her. She was The Jester and she was not playing games. The young woman gripped onto a ridge on the building opposite and flew off, reading herself to land beside her friend. However, she never got the chance to land as a bright light suddenly filled her vision.
The jester stood on a nearby building, observing the group of people gathered there. Huh, people. They were so annoying. Just so...urgh. A little flare of frustration buold up inside the young woman and she snarled loudly, causing a few people to look up in confusion. The jester blended into the grayish buildings with a quick thought and change back once those curious people had looked away. Good.
Eri was still down there. She needed to go find her before something happened. But that would mean having to go down and be around all those people. All those people who probably wouldn't be too happy to see her. Quinn bit her lip hard and tasted a tang of copper as she bit down too hard. What was she going to do? She couldn't stay up here forever, that much was obvious. But really, she didn't want to go down. She just wanted her new friend back up here. Decisions, decisions. Quinera started to wring her hands, eyes flitting from place to place. She had to make her move, she had to do something quickly. Quick, quick, quick. Another stab of frustation shot through her already tense mind and the young woman threw up her hands with a scream. Why couldn't she just decide? It wasn't hard, not at all. But she was scared to go down. Just too scared of the new people and the changes and different. She didn't like different. Not at all. But then the frustration and fear disappeared as a thread of confidence and mischief played its game with her mind.
She wouldn't be scared. She would be scary.
The jester readied herself, confident. She had done this before. There was just more people this time. Most of which would run once they had seen her. No problem. Quinera threw herself off the building, seeping in the shoked gasps, whispers and fear that started to come off the crowd once they had noticed her. She was The Jester and she was not playing games. The young woman gripped onto a ridge on the building opposite and flew off, reading herself to land beside her friend. However, she never got the chance to land as a bright light suddenly filled her vision.
The setting changes from Tinker Tocker to Dreams/Unreality
Erixianti's eyes widened as she slowly processed what was happening. The roof crumbled beneath her feet and she was barely able to catch sight of Quinn, whose face was twisted in an expression of pure horror and shock. The small girl's locks tumbled after her as her frame fell through the gap between the buildings and gravity took over. Her mind was racing, yet not one of the thoughts were coherent or made sense. Indeed, for the tiny, petite doll was overtaken with fear and the terrifying emotion made it impossible for her to think properly. Her bear gripped her arms tightly as the two of them descended at an increasingly rapid pace.
She squeezed her eyes shut, not even able to release a single scream on her way down. Yet before she felt the impact of the harsh ground, something soft wove around her body. Trembling from head to toe, she could not bring herself to open her eyes. Whatever was beneath her had cushioned her fall but the shock of what had transpired was still racking through her body. She heard a yell from up above her, the screech definitely sounded of the jester, who seemed to be readying herself to follow Erixianti down.
She felt her bear pat her cheeks and one of her eyes was forced open as a padded paw tugged at her eyelid. Her vision was a bit blurry at first, but she caught a whisper of green, a blurry figure of a young looking, green-haired youth visible out of the corner of her eye. There was also a glint of something metallic and shiny but it seemed she would not have time to look around to better observe. She was barely able to register that as her bear frantically put its paws beneath her chin and forced her face upwards so that she caught sight of Quinera leaping off the edge of the roof downwards.
Something was very wrong.
The ground beneath her form seemed to heave as her surroundings began to distort and the flying debris even became blurry around the edges. With a sickening jolt, her mind began to register what was happening and Erixianti tried to stand in an effort to stop it. But it was futile, she was still too weak from her fall, and she would not be able to say anything in time. A blinding light began to fill the area as the jester nearly reached the intended target--and then the landscape was filled with a stark whiteness. A shockwave coursed through her body, shooting up her limbs and causing an uncomfortable feeling to settle in her gut. Her body felt like lead and it was difficult to move, to even remotely take a single step forwards.
The world around her was like a blank canvas and, as if being sketched by a child, wobbly lines shot out above her. They began to carve out the hesitant shapes, all misshapen and ghastly thin. She clutched at her bear tighter, yes, she knew what was happening. The dream world was reconstructing itself, as it was prone to do when a strong pulse of energy from a mind shot out. The question was, where were they going? In the rush of all the events, Erixianti wasn't sure if the figures she had seen before had been taken with them--but she was sure, at least, that Quinn was here with her. After all, her knight had to be! A guardian never left the side of the heroine, not when the adventure came along.
Her bear was fidgeting in her grasp--clearly discontent at what was transpiring. She tried to make silent, hushing gestures to calm it but it was to no avail. The structures continued to build themselves, much like scattered pieces of debris fitting together like disfigured pieces of a puzzle. What had been Tinker Tocker had all but faded and the visage of the landscape was constructing itself. As the blank space began to disappear and the setting warped into a more firm one, she made out the large shapes of torn, ripped teddy bears. Ah, that was why her bear was ill at ease.
She frowned as a grayish tinge took over the sky and broken, rotted objects appeared one-by-one. Each object resembled a disheveled toy, as if it had been carelessly tossed around and worn down to the absolute last threads. Dread filled her as she processed where the dream world had altered to.
'Mechanoid Paranoia...' The thought stole across her quickly and immediately, Erixianti tried to adjust herself. As soon as the name of the place crossed her, everything in the appearance finalized--disjointed robots and bits lying about.l Some meters from her lay Quinn, who was unconscious and sprawled about. She immediately ran over to her guardian, not paying attention to anyone else that might've been around her. Quinera had saved her, so she would stay and watch over her until the jester woke up. It was the least she could do. And honestly, she felt kind of lonely now that her first friend wasn't coherent. So the little doll curled up right on the ground next to her companion, staring into her face until the other woke up.
She squeezed her eyes shut, not even able to release a single scream on her way down. Yet before she felt the impact of the harsh ground, something soft wove around her body. Trembling from head to toe, she could not bring herself to open her eyes. Whatever was beneath her had cushioned her fall but the shock of what had transpired was still racking through her body. She heard a yell from up above her, the screech definitely sounded of the jester, who seemed to be readying herself to follow Erixianti down.
She felt her bear pat her cheeks and one of her eyes was forced open as a padded paw tugged at her eyelid. Her vision was a bit blurry at first, but she caught a whisper of green, a blurry figure of a young looking, green-haired youth visible out of the corner of her eye. There was also a glint of something metallic and shiny but it seemed she would not have time to look around to better observe. She was barely able to register that as her bear frantically put its paws beneath her chin and forced her face upwards so that she caught sight of Quinera leaping off the edge of the roof downwards.
Something was very wrong.
The ground beneath her form seemed to heave as her surroundings began to distort and the flying debris even became blurry around the edges. With a sickening jolt, her mind began to register what was happening and Erixianti tried to stand in an effort to stop it. But it was futile, she was still too weak from her fall, and she would not be able to say anything in time. A blinding light began to fill the area as the jester nearly reached the intended target--and then the landscape was filled with a stark whiteness. A shockwave coursed through her body, shooting up her limbs and causing an uncomfortable feeling to settle in her gut. Her body felt like lead and it was difficult to move, to even remotely take a single step forwards.
The world around her was like a blank canvas and, as if being sketched by a child, wobbly lines shot out above her. They began to carve out the hesitant shapes, all misshapen and ghastly thin. She clutched at her bear tighter, yes, she knew what was happening. The dream world was reconstructing itself, as it was prone to do when a strong pulse of energy from a mind shot out. The question was, where were they going? In the rush of all the events, Erixianti wasn't sure if the figures she had seen before had been taken with them--but she was sure, at least, that Quinn was here with her. After all, her knight had to be! A guardian never left the side of the heroine, not when the adventure came along.
Her bear was fidgeting in her grasp--clearly discontent at what was transpiring. She tried to make silent, hushing gestures to calm it but it was to no avail. The structures continued to build themselves, much like scattered pieces of debris fitting together like disfigured pieces of a puzzle. What had been Tinker Tocker had all but faded and the visage of the landscape was constructing itself. As the blank space began to disappear and the setting warped into a more firm one, she made out the large shapes of torn, ripped teddy bears. Ah, that was why her bear was ill at ease.
She frowned as a grayish tinge took over the sky and broken, rotted objects appeared one-by-one. Each object resembled a disheveled toy, as if it had been carelessly tossed around and worn down to the absolute last threads. Dread filled her as she processed where the dream world had altered to.
'Mechanoid Paranoia...' The thought stole across her quickly and immediately, Erixianti tried to adjust herself. As soon as the name of the place crossed her, everything in the appearance finalized--disjointed robots and bits lying about.l Some meters from her lay Quinn, who was unconscious and sprawled about. She immediately ran over to her guardian, not paying attention to anyone else that might've been around her. Quinera had saved her, so she would stay and watch over her until the jester woke up. It was the least she could do. And honestly, she felt kind of lonely now that her first friend wasn't coherent. So the little doll curled up right on the ground next to her companion, staring into her face until the other woke up.
Nohizar
A nervous laugh erupted from Nohizar as the hand he had created reached up and caught the falling girl. I did it! ”I did it!” A simple exclamation. It erupted from his mouth, unbidden, as if they were not his own words but put there by another. Yet they were what he felt deep down nonetheless. A sudden surge of accomplishment that found being in those three simple words. Unfortunately, this feeling was not a feeling that was meant to last. As now that the task of rescuing the girl was no longer taking up his full attention, he realised he had ran in the middle of the deluge of rocks. His eyes widened as the loud clunks of stone meeting metal reached his ears from above. He jerked his head upwards, only to find a shield there. True to its name, the shield was shielding Nohizar from the rocks.
Nohizar turned to the metal man, eyes still wide with shock and fear. ”Thank y-“ Those were the only words he could form before the sudden white light arrived, seemingly swallowing Nohizar up whole, like some hungry beast that managed to get the drop on unsuspecting prey. In this white world, Nohizar stared, with a sinking feeling in his stomach. He had heard of this, oh yes he had. This was what happened when you died. You were whisked away to a tunnel, with a bright light at the end. Approaching that white light meant only one thing: death. Nohizar was dumbfounded by the cruel injustice of it all. They had skipped a step! Where was the tunnel?! Where was the fair maiden telling him not to go towards it, that he was still needed?! This was so unfair.
Razihon
Razihon was moving towards the scene of collapse, his grin wide, a skip in his step and a glint in his eye. Something was clearly going on and he was not going to miss out on it. Couldn’t miss out. With such strong feelings forming a clear trail towards his goal, the sudden ensnarement of his body in the white light came as a quite the unwanted surprise. ”Oh, bother.” Where the only words that escaped him before he was brought to that white world, where the very dreamscape itself could rearrange as it pleased, caring nothing for the wishes of those who dwelled within it.
Nohizar caught Razihon just standing there in the corner of his eye. With the youthful gusto only a young man feeling immense relief could muster, he turned towards him. He wanted to raise his hand and wave, wanted to yell out Razihon’s name, wanted to tell him he forgave him for leaving him all alone in the alleys, that he was happy to see him. But his limb was heavy, unresponsive. The mere act of turning had tired him. So all he could do was look at the faraway form of Razihon even as strange squiggly lines were forming all around him. Squiggly lines that took shape, sketching out childhood toys. Only the outlines at first, but with fearsome speed details became visible, before long even the most minute tears could be seen on the bodies of the huge stuffed bears.
Nohizar fell to his knees as the new world had formed around him. What was that?! Why did that happen?! Where are we? Many questions flung themselves at the currently low walls of the fortress that was Nohizar’s mind. The sudden excitement, followed by the sudden dread, which was then followed by a strange new location had left Nohizar exhausted, mentally and physically. To the point he didn’t even notice the strange jester girl, or the girl he had attempted to rescue just moments earlier. Razihon turned to Nohizar, approaching casually, a grin on his face and his eye as monotone and utterly detached as ever. With a what would be considered a casual voice, were it not for all the static disturbing it, he called out. ”Ah. There you are, I was looking for you.”Nohizar could only look at his companion, flabbergasted. In a few moments he got up from his knees and subsequently dropped down on his behind, a wide and happy smile on his face. ”Listen to this! I saved a princess today!” He happily said, even as Razihon cocked his head to the right, giving Nohizar something that approached a surprised stare.
A nervous laugh erupted from Nohizar as the hand he had created reached up and caught the falling girl. I did it! ”I did it!” A simple exclamation. It erupted from his mouth, unbidden, as if they were not his own words but put there by another. Yet they were what he felt deep down nonetheless. A sudden surge of accomplishment that found being in those three simple words. Unfortunately, this feeling was not a feeling that was meant to last. As now that the task of rescuing the girl was no longer taking up his full attention, he realised he had ran in the middle of the deluge of rocks. His eyes widened as the loud clunks of stone meeting metal reached his ears from above. He jerked his head upwards, only to find a shield there. True to its name, the shield was shielding Nohizar from the rocks.
Nohizar turned to the metal man, eyes still wide with shock and fear. ”Thank y-“ Those were the only words he could form before the sudden white light arrived, seemingly swallowing Nohizar up whole, like some hungry beast that managed to get the drop on unsuspecting prey. In this white world, Nohizar stared, with a sinking feeling in his stomach. He had heard of this, oh yes he had. This was what happened when you died. You were whisked away to a tunnel, with a bright light at the end. Approaching that white light meant only one thing: death. Nohizar was dumbfounded by the cruel injustice of it all. They had skipped a step! Where was the tunnel?! Where was the fair maiden telling him not to go towards it, that he was still needed?! This was so unfair.
Razihon
Razihon was moving towards the scene of collapse, his grin wide, a skip in his step and a glint in his eye. Something was clearly going on and he was not going to miss out on it. Couldn’t miss out. With such strong feelings forming a clear trail towards his goal, the sudden ensnarement of his body in the white light came as a quite the unwanted surprise. ”Oh, bother.” Where the only words that escaped him before he was brought to that white world, where the very dreamscape itself could rearrange as it pleased, caring nothing for the wishes of those who dwelled within it.
Nohizar caught Razihon just standing there in the corner of his eye. With the youthful gusto only a young man feeling immense relief could muster, he turned towards him. He wanted to raise his hand and wave, wanted to yell out Razihon’s name, wanted to tell him he forgave him for leaving him all alone in the alleys, that he was happy to see him. But his limb was heavy, unresponsive. The mere act of turning had tired him. So all he could do was look at the faraway form of Razihon even as strange squiggly lines were forming all around him. Squiggly lines that took shape, sketching out childhood toys. Only the outlines at first, but with fearsome speed details became visible, before long even the most minute tears could be seen on the bodies of the huge stuffed bears.
Nohizar fell to his knees as the new world had formed around him. What was that?! Why did that happen?! Where are we? Many questions flung themselves at the currently low walls of the fortress that was Nohizar’s mind. The sudden excitement, followed by the sudden dread, which was then followed by a strange new location had left Nohizar exhausted, mentally and physically. To the point he didn’t even notice the strange jester girl, or the girl he had attempted to rescue just moments earlier. Razihon turned to Nohizar, approaching casually, a grin on his face and his eye as monotone and utterly detached as ever. With a what would be considered a casual voice, were it not for all the static disturbing it, he called out. ”Ah. There you are, I was looking for you.”Nohizar could only look at his companion, flabbergasted. In a few moments he got up from his knees and subsequently dropped down on his behind, a wide and happy smile on his face. ”Listen to this! I saved a princess today!” He happily said, even as Razihon cocked his head to the right, giving Nohizar something that approached a surprised stare.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Mechanoid Paranoia
Quinera didn't open her eyes immediately after she awoke. Her chest ached painfully, wheezing with each breath. She must have done something not good. Like fallen off a tall building again. But when Quinn searched her memory she couldn't remember any sudden impacts. She usually remembered those. It was rather hard to forget when your body makes friends with the concrete below. So the jester lay still and concentrated on breathing through what felt like broken lungs. Her mouth quirked at the corner. Heh, broken lungs, how silly! She lay there on the ground for a few minutes, taking inventory of her limbs, making sure nothing was too broken up. But to her surprise, her chest was the only owie she had. Not too bad. The young woman then supposed she better get up. It did nobody any good to lie on the ground all day. It was hard and dirty and very not good. But opening her eyes was a little beyond the jester right now. That would take so much effort. Instead the young woman flexed each finger, one at a time. Pins and needles had set it and she wanted the horrible feeling gone. Everything felt all cloudy and Quinn felt all relaxed and calm. After the feeling had come back in her hands, she tried to move them onto her chest slowly but surely. Baby steps, baby steps. She was half way there when a sharp yell echoing round her head pushed her into action.
The jester reared up as if someone had shocked her, eyes darting about and chest heaving as she tried to control her breathing. She looked around for the source of the scream and found only Erixianti looking up at her with big wide eyes. Couldn't have been her, silly jester. Eri doesn't speak. Quinera sat up, chest heaving for a few seconds before the adrenaline wore away and she let herself drop back down onto the ground.
"Well. That was weird." Quinera gasped out through giggles. Really, it was rather funny. She had jumped out of her skin at the loud noise. The young woman laughed until the hysteria had died away.
"Did you hear anything there? A really loud shout?" Quinera asked her new friend, eyes fixed upon the younger's face. But before she could answer, Quinn's gaze shifted to her surroundings.
"Hey! This ain't Tinker Tocker!" The jester exclaimed, her large eyes roaming the area. Torn up teddies and other fun stuff just lying about the place. The jester beamed like a small child in a sweet shop.
"What is this place? It's so fun!" She exclaimed, twirling round and round, watching the faded colours spin. She let out a peal of laughter as she stopped and the world carried on its spinning. A bolt of confusion and wariness spread through the young woman and she turned back to look at Erixianti.
"How did we get here? I don't 'member much at all..." Quinera spoke quietly, still addressing Eri but also herself. She didn't have much time to wonder though as she spotted the presence of other people. The young woman quickly got over to her friend and planted herself in front, snarling. They better be good people or Quinn was gonna hurt them. This was her new friend and she was going to look after her. The jester's eyes flickered as she took in the people around her. She felt Erixianti behind her and outstretched the hand behind her back. An illusion of a little dragon sat in the jester's hand. A small plump dragon with large wings. The jester turned to the younger of the two and winked. But as she remembered the other people around her, Quinera growled. She didn't need any shadows to make herself seem scary. She knew that baring her teeth and snarling at the people would warn them she wasn't happy just fine.
Nobody would hurt her friend.
The jester reared up as if someone had shocked her, eyes darting about and chest heaving as she tried to control her breathing. She looked around for the source of the scream and found only Erixianti looking up at her with big wide eyes. Couldn't have been her, silly jester. Eri doesn't speak. Quinera sat up, chest heaving for a few seconds before the adrenaline wore away and she let herself drop back down onto the ground.
"Well. That was weird." Quinera gasped out through giggles. Really, it was rather funny. She had jumped out of her skin at the loud noise. The young woman laughed until the hysteria had died away.
"Did you hear anything there? A really loud shout?" Quinera asked her new friend, eyes fixed upon the younger's face. But before she could answer, Quinn's gaze shifted to her surroundings.
"Hey! This ain't Tinker Tocker!" The jester exclaimed, her large eyes roaming the area. Torn up teddies and other fun stuff just lying about the place. The jester beamed like a small child in a sweet shop.
"What is this place? It's so fun!" She exclaimed, twirling round and round, watching the faded colours spin. She let out a peal of laughter as she stopped and the world carried on its spinning. A bolt of confusion and wariness spread through the young woman and she turned back to look at Erixianti.
"How did we get here? I don't 'member much at all..." Quinera spoke quietly, still addressing Eri but also herself. She didn't have much time to wonder though as she spotted the presence of other people. The young woman quickly got over to her friend and planted herself in front, snarling. They better be good people or Quinn was gonna hurt them. This was her new friend and she was going to look after her. The jester's eyes flickered as she took in the people around her. She felt Erixianti behind her and outstretched the hand behind her back. An illusion of a little dragon sat in the jester's hand. A small plump dragon with large wings. The jester turned to the younger of the two and winked. But as she remembered the other people around her, Quinera growled. She didn't need any shadows to make herself seem scary. She knew that baring her teeth and snarling at the people would warn them she wasn't happy just fine.
Nobody would hurt her friend.
The reunion with his recent royal acquaintance was apparently delayed as today’s cataclysms of the dreamworld didn’t limit themselves to merely the collapse of a single building. Before Nohizar could respond to him, the light enveloped them all, Zoen only managing to cover up his eyes. Suddenly robbed of any stable patterns which he could perceive, he felt quite disoriented and imbalanced, stumbling with his hands outstretched to regain his stance or perhaps find some manner of solid surface on which he could lean. Surely enough, such surfaces were in the process of being created, as if scribbled from the white nothingness before him and the few who appeared to remain in the middle of the dreamscape as well. There seemed to be some individuals before him, but distance between them was hard to estimate. No space, no form, no shape – an unnatural state for a human mind, nauseating, discomforting and, on some level, intimidating. Finding himself unable to analyze what was happening at this moment, Zoen found that the only solution was to wait for the sudden changes to cease.
As they did, he stumbled to the side, the ground rushing beneath his feet almost painfully to his senses that were put through sudden unnatural stress. He didn’t fall for there was something solid in the direction he stumbled in, like a wall. Turning his head he saw his own hand pressed into its surface covered with an aged pattern the color of which was lost to decay. As he looked upwards he saw something somewhat startling. Over his head was looming a grotesque face with an elongated chin, a broad grin and squinted eyes. It appeared to be a jack-in-a-box. While the traditional toy was already a rather bizarre thing the gigantic broken equivalent staring down on him with its cracked porcelain grin and faded colors looked downright dreadful. It was enough in fact to cause him to take a few steps back on legs that were only beginning to grow steadier.
He looked around and saw that the broken jack-in-a-box was only part of a gallery of decorations that all seemed to be broken toys, ranging from terrifying to tragic looking – some horrific distortions of objects of playful imaginings, others mangled remains of that which may have brought children comfort at some point or perhaps was even a dear friend to some. This was surely a sad shift to go to from Tinker Tocker. What kind of tortured mind could have created this area in the dreamscape? Or was it a whole gathering of saddness...?
- Fascinating… - he murmured, though more thoughtfully than with excitement. This was no doubt a fascinating phenomenon, but his evaluation of it for the time being painted only a fairly bleak perspective. He didn’t seem to be on his own in this situation however, for still ahead of him was a group of individuals. Aside from the two he already knew, being the self-proclaimed royal and his loyal familiar, he saw several more. A large figure clad in armor, its silhouette had loomed over Nohizar’s even back when he approached the scene of the impending disaster. And then there were two girls, one in a jester’s suit and another holding a fidgeting bear in her arms.
- I’m sorry, but would anyone happen to know simply what happened just now and where we are now? – He asked as he began to step ahead casually, his hands raised and palms open just in case, mostly keeping in mind the defensiveness of the jester girl who seemed just about likely to snarl and throw herself at anyone she would consider a threat.
As they did, he stumbled to the side, the ground rushing beneath his feet almost painfully to his senses that were put through sudden unnatural stress. He didn’t fall for there was something solid in the direction he stumbled in, like a wall. Turning his head he saw his own hand pressed into its surface covered with an aged pattern the color of which was lost to decay. As he looked upwards he saw something somewhat startling. Over his head was looming a grotesque face with an elongated chin, a broad grin and squinted eyes. It appeared to be a jack-in-a-box. While the traditional toy was already a rather bizarre thing the gigantic broken equivalent staring down on him with its cracked porcelain grin and faded colors looked downright dreadful. It was enough in fact to cause him to take a few steps back on legs that were only beginning to grow steadier.
He looked around and saw that the broken jack-in-a-box was only part of a gallery of decorations that all seemed to be broken toys, ranging from terrifying to tragic looking – some horrific distortions of objects of playful imaginings, others mangled remains of that which may have brought children comfort at some point or perhaps was even a dear friend to some. This was surely a sad shift to go to from Tinker Tocker. What kind of tortured mind could have created this area in the dreamscape? Or was it a whole gathering of saddness...?
- Fascinating… - he murmured, though more thoughtfully than with excitement. This was no doubt a fascinating phenomenon, but his evaluation of it for the time being painted only a fairly bleak perspective. He didn’t seem to be on his own in this situation however, for still ahead of him was a group of individuals. Aside from the two he already knew, being the self-proclaimed royal and his loyal familiar, he saw several more. A large figure clad in armor, its silhouette had loomed over Nohizar’s even back when he approached the scene of the impending disaster. And then there were two girls, one in a jester’s suit and another holding a fidgeting bear in her arms.
- I’m sorry, but would anyone happen to know simply what happened just now and where we are now? – He asked as he began to step ahead casually, his hands raised and palms open just in case, mostly keeping in mind the defensiveness of the jester girl who seemed just about likely to snarl and throw herself at anyone she would consider a threat.
The setting changes from Dreams/Unreality to Mechanoid Paranoia
Erixianti was shivering, holding her arms around herself as Quinera bolted upwards, ever peppy. Even with that haziness of just having awoken, the jester was so full of energy as she bounced around, casting her eyes around the place curiously. The doll-like girl remained rooted on the spot, however, as she had chosen a more observational stance and was probably the first of the two to realize that there were others lingering around nearby. Others that she did not even remotely recognize. Erixianti clutched her bear closer against her, the object wrestling now in her grip as she near suffocated it against her chest. Quinn paused in her actions as she looked around as she too noticed the other parties nearby.
The woman snarled threateningly and that same, foamy mist that accompanied the illusions back at Tinker Tocker began to form in the shape of a purple dragon. The smaller of the two watched as her savior stepped defensively in front of her and growled at the others who looked just as confused as she felt. From her position behind Quinera, she was able to get a good look at the strangers. One looked to be around her age with striking green hair, but a companion nearby to him had a rather disturbing smile upon its' face. She glanced away from the odd sight to the older man with the blond hair that covered over his eyes, arms held up in a non-offensive gesturing. She blinked, somehow feeling a little reassured that at least he was not going to make any sudden movements. The last one nearby was completely clad in armor and was most certainly the tallest of everyone. Not only that, but he looked to be the most fierce given his height and large build.
She felt a bit intimidated by all the oddities that had been gathered in one place and cast her eyes downwards. She heard a lilting voice from up above, judging by the tone, it was mature and controlled, so it could've only belonged to the older gentleman. "I’m sorry, but would anyone happen to know simply what happened just now and where we are now?" Her eyebrows furrowed, even she in all her explorations was unsure of where they were. Another snarl and very vicious, guttural noise from Quinn must've prompted another to speak and Erixianti peaked out from beneath her bangs to see who it was.
"I think it would be a good idea for us all to take a step back." It was the armor-clad figure, the fearsome one. "I for one mean none of you harm unless you wish me it, and from his act to save the girl neither does the young fellow with his green compatriot. And I would say that he has no desire to harm you as well. So let us talk." The tall one had gestured both to the boy and the man, Erixianti tilting her head in surprise. The soft weight that had cushioned her fall had been produced to the green-haired one? A blush coated her cheeks, privately, she felt more like a damsel in distress at this point than a proper princess. At least she wasn't adorning a pink dress or had blond hair, then she really would've fit the image.
Her bear had finally been able to struggle out of her tight hold and panted out loudly in relief, wriggling up to her shoulder instead and speaking the words that were on her mind. This voice was much the same breathlessness she had portrayed when first meeting Quinera. Hesitant yet faintly excited. "I-I think that would be a wise idea... but I don't have an idea either as to what has come to pass..." The bear trailed off, with it, the girl slumped with a vaguely defeated look. She had always prided herself on knowledge of the dream world and had certainly adventured around, but... Then it hit her slowly. That was right! She knew the places she had been so all she had to do was narrow it down to the places she hadn't and that would give her the answer!
Thrilled with her thought-process, her head shot up as a glint entered into her eyes, mind racing with thoughts. This couldn't have been the deserted area where inner selves went after being abandoned, she was pretty sure that place was a giant, decayed city. This place looked more like a children's nightmare... Her bottom lip jutted out a bit as she thought it over and then her bear spoke in jittery voice. "T-Though, perhaps, we may just be in..." The name was eluding her, she couldn't quite place it. What was it called again? She noticed the blank looks and hurried to finish her sentence so she wouldn't leave them hanging. "That is to say, I'm not exactly sure the name but I do know where we are. And it's not the safest of... places." She ended hesitantly as she took in what she was communicating. If they were indeed where she thought, then they would have to leave. Immediately.
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The Compendium sat alone in her cage, as she had grown accustomed to, as her life had become. Her face was blank as she focused on nothing in particular, mind racing with the many jumbled images of the dream plane and it's residents. She blinked slowly though was not even aware of the breath she inhaled as she did so. She was not really attentive of much of what she did anymore, so used to just reciting off facts and that was how her days progressed. The hope of leaving this mundane existence was just a barely lit ember in her chest now, much dimmed by the constant reminder that she couldn't ever leave. That she wouldn't escape.
As if in sync with her thoughts, that unsettling feeling came into her stomach and she jolted to attention, eyes wide and fear lighting up into her face. That discomfort, that terrible awful wrenching sensation in her gut whenever it... whenever her master approached her. The billowing hair behind the figure fanned out like pools of darkness behind the figure as it's faceless visage directed it's observations at her.
"Tell me, pet," The voice was dangerously smooth and sly and The Compendium flinched at it, as she always did. "Is all well in my world?" She trembled furiously as she immediately tensed, curling up into a ball in the farthest corner of her cage. She nodded her head as hastily as she could, hoping the thing would just leave her alone.
"Y-Yes, Master, the guardians are doing as you ordered and no Inner Selves are... acting out of sorts." The pause lasted only for a millisecond, only a breath, yet The Entity caught it and it seemed as if displeasure descended upon her.
"None? Then you will have nothing to fear when The Enforcer reports back to me later with news of his exploits?" A ghastly feeling knotted into her stomach and she swallowed. Intentionally, she had been trying to keep the news of what had just occurred in Tinker Tocker from her master but even in this short span of time after it had transpired, The Entity was already catching on to her lie. Still she forced a twist of a smile on her face, hoping the sheer panic did not show in her face.
"N-Not at all. As I said, nothing, nothing has happened--to my knowledge," The Entity seemed to ripple at her words but said nothing as it turned, leaving from her vicinity. All at once, she she collapsed in her ball in the corner. She hoped, oh she hoped she had just made the right decision.
The woman snarled threateningly and that same, foamy mist that accompanied the illusions back at Tinker Tocker began to form in the shape of a purple dragon. The smaller of the two watched as her savior stepped defensively in front of her and growled at the others who looked just as confused as she felt. From her position behind Quinera, she was able to get a good look at the strangers. One looked to be around her age with striking green hair, but a companion nearby to him had a rather disturbing smile upon its' face. She glanced away from the odd sight to the older man with the blond hair that covered over his eyes, arms held up in a non-offensive gesturing. She blinked, somehow feeling a little reassured that at least he was not going to make any sudden movements. The last one nearby was completely clad in armor and was most certainly the tallest of everyone. Not only that, but he looked to be the most fierce given his height and large build.
She felt a bit intimidated by all the oddities that had been gathered in one place and cast her eyes downwards. She heard a lilting voice from up above, judging by the tone, it was mature and controlled, so it could've only belonged to the older gentleman. "I’m sorry, but would anyone happen to know simply what happened just now and where we are now?" Her eyebrows furrowed, even she in all her explorations was unsure of where they were. Another snarl and very vicious, guttural noise from Quinn must've prompted another to speak and Erixianti peaked out from beneath her bangs to see who it was.
"I think it would be a good idea for us all to take a step back." It was the armor-clad figure, the fearsome one. "I for one mean none of you harm unless you wish me it, and from his act to save the girl neither does the young fellow with his green compatriot. And I would say that he has no desire to harm you as well. So let us talk." The tall one had gestured both to the boy and the man, Erixianti tilting her head in surprise. The soft weight that had cushioned her fall had been produced to the green-haired one? A blush coated her cheeks, privately, she felt more like a damsel in distress at this point than a proper princess. At least she wasn't adorning a pink dress or had blond hair, then she really would've fit the image.
Her bear had finally been able to struggle out of her tight hold and panted out loudly in relief, wriggling up to her shoulder instead and speaking the words that were on her mind. This voice was much the same breathlessness she had portrayed when first meeting Quinera. Hesitant yet faintly excited. "I-I think that would be a wise idea... but I don't have an idea either as to what has come to pass..." The bear trailed off, with it, the girl slumped with a vaguely defeated look. She had always prided herself on knowledge of the dream world and had certainly adventured around, but... Then it hit her slowly. That was right! She knew the places she had been so all she had to do was narrow it down to the places she hadn't and that would give her the answer!
Thrilled with her thought-process, her head shot up as a glint entered into her eyes, mind racing with thoughts. This couldn't have been the deserted area where inner selves went after being abandoned, she was pretty sure that place was a giant, decayed city. This place looked more like a children's nightmare... Her bottom lip jutted out a bit as she thought it over and then her bear spoke in jittery voice. "T-Though, perhaps, we may just be in..." The name was eluding her, she couldn't quite place it. What was it called again? She noticed the blank looks and hurried to finish her sentence so she wouldn't leave them hanging. "That is to say, I'm not exactly sure the name but I do know where we are. And it's not the safest of... places." She ended hesitantly as she took in what she was communicating. If they were indeed where she thought, then they would have to leave. Immediately.
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The Compendium sat alone in her cage, as she had grown accustomed to, as her life had become. Her face was blank as she focused on nothing in particular, mind racing with the many jumbled images of the dream plane and it's residents. She blinked slowly though was not even aware of the breath she inhaled as she did so. She was not really attentive of much of what she did anymore, so used to just reciting off facts and that was how her days progressed. The hope of leaving this mundane existence was just a barely lit ember in her chest now, much dimmed by the constant reminder that she couldn't ever leave. That she wouldn't escape.
As if in sync with her thoughts, that unsettling feeling came into her stomach and she jolted to attention, eyes wide and fear lighting up into her face. That discomfort, that terrible awful wrenching sensation in her gut whenever it... whenever her master approached her. The billowing hair behind the figure fanned out like pools of darkness behind the figure as it's faceless visage directed it's observations at her.
"Tell me, pet," The voice was dangerously smooth and sly and The Compendium flinched at it, as she always did. "Is all well in my world?" She trembled furiously as she immediately tensed, curling up into a ball in the farthest corner of her cage. She nodded her head as hastily as she could, hoping the thing would just leave her alone.
"Y-Yes, Master, the guardians are doing as you ordered and no Inner Selves are... acting out of sorts." The pause lasted only for a millisecond, only a breath, yet The Entity caught it and it seemed as if displeasure descended upon her.
"None? Then you will have nothing to fear when The Enforcer reports back to me later with news of his exploits?" A ghastly feeling knotted into her stomach and she swallowed. Intentionally, she had been trying to keep the news of what had just occurred in Tinker Tocker from her master but even in this short span of time after it had transpired, The Entity was already catching on to her lie. Still she forced a twist of a smile on her face, hoping the sheer panic did not show in her face.
"N-Not at all. As I said, nothing, nothing has happened--to my knowledge," The Entity seemed to ripple at her words but said nothing as it turned, leaving from her vicinity. All at once, she she collapsed in her ball in the corner. She hoped, oh she hoped she had just made the right decision.
The Enforcer woke up leaning against a building, dazed and with a pounding head. He saw his pink highlighted boots in front of him, followed by his dark pants, and then saw his cross pendant hanging out of his pocket. Rubbing his head, he stood and looked around. This place wasn't familiar at all, and was much different from where he remembered being when he could last remember. There were gigantic stuffed animals and toys everywhere, all of which were demented in some way, shape or form and seemed to make up the terrain of the surrounding area. Nothing like the city of Tinker-Tocker he remembered being in. Tinker-Tocker... He remembered collapsing the roof of a building back there for some reason, but he couldn't remember why. Did he hit his head? Was he attacked? Maybe he took a long nap? Ah, well, it probably wasn't important. What he needed to do now was find out where he was and report back to the giant alien snake from Trip Town. That was how he had started to see the Dream Entity. A snake from Trip Town. This thought painted a grin on his face as he started to mentally map his surroundings as well as the location of the snake.
The image of the snake from Trip Town was a truly unforgettable sight - something too exotic to completely erase from his mind. Part of him was disgusted by it's form, though another part of him felt sympathy for it's... Uniqueness? That word didn't even cover the meaning. But his short description of it fit the bill just fine. It was a large snake-like being wearing a mask and holding a staff with a scorpion-shaped metal slab on the end. It (maybe she?) had long midnight-blue hair and arms. A snake with arms. Ugh. He couldn't tell if that disturbed him or fascinated him. As he started to see the location of the Entity, he found that it was quite far off. He would need to do quite a bit of running to get there, quite a bit of running indeed. He liked the idea though, since it gave him some quite time alone to himself. He would figure out why he was talking to the giant snake as he got there. He was about to take off from where he stood, but realized he was forgetting something. Ah, crap, what was it?! It was something important, something he knew he couldn't let go of. It was his companion, his best friend, and by far the most important thing to his existence in the Dream Realm. He saw it a few seconds later, sitting against the building where he was woken up. It was his... Fly... Doll... Thing... Yes, a fly-doll! But not just any fly-doll, this was the KING of fly-dolls. It's dark colors and pink highlights matched his strange style of clothing perfectly, which is why he has taken such a liking to it. At least he wasn't the only freak wearing black and pink.
He frowned. No. He was not a freak, and neither was the King of Fly-Dolls. With this in mind, he gave a mental push and catapulted himself into the air and over the toy-box-like lands below. He grinned. They were the freaks. They couldn't soar the skies like he could. They didn't understand. The Dream Entity wasn't any different, though. It couldn't fly either, at least he didn't think it could. That thing's a freaking ten ton monster with a staff that probably weighs half a ton alone. And that was it's weapon? The Enforcer didn't need a stick to defend himself with, he had his Pulses. The snake from Trip Town seemed to be nothing compared to the Enforcer's abilities, yet somehow it's mere presence felt as if it dominated him. Speaking of the snake from Trip Town, why was he going to it anyway? Was he reporting back on something? That felt like the answer he was looking for, but he couldn't be too certain. He'd been knocked out for awhile now, and couldn't even remember what he had went to Tinker Tocker for.
He had landed on the ground, and with a push, propelled himself back up into the air. The feeling was a euphoric rush, being able to just jump to wherever he wanted by just thinking a thought. As he landed his next jump, he felt like he was being watched. Oh, that feeling. It disgusted him. He was the stalker, not... Whoever. He had heard rumors here and there that the Dream Entity (more commonly referred to as "giant-snake" or "snake girl from trip town") had some sort of underling who lived in a tower, who's pulse allowed him or her to see everything. He couldn't stand this fact. It was his job to track down and destroy his targets, not someone else's. He was the finder, the hunter, the killer. Not some dog in the snake's tower. He gripped the King of Fly-Dolls tighter as he made his next jump. He was getting close. What would he tell the snake? "Yea, everything went according to plan, what's next"? From what he could remember now, he had only managed to disrupt whatever it is a person was doing... Which was at the time jumping off a building...
He shook his head and continued on his way, passing a flock of the residing Wraiths and a pile of bloody teddy bears. He was definitely getting close. He could see a tower from where he was now. Hopefully the snake from Trip Town wasn't as creepy as he thinks he remembers it being. He might just throw up just because of how it would look. Now that would be a first.
The image of the snake from Trip Town was a truly unforgettable sight - something too exotic to completely erase from his mind. Part of him was disgusted by it's form, though another part of him felt sympathy for it's... Uniqueness? That word didn't even cover the meaning. But his short description of it fit the bill just fine. It was a large snake-like being wearing a mask and holding a staff with a scorpion-shaped metal slab on the end. It (maybe she?) had long midnight-blue hair and arms. A snake with arms. Ugh. He couldn't tell if that disturbed him or fascinated him. As he started to see the location of the Entity, he found that it was quite far off. He would need to do quite a bit of running to get there, quite a bit of running indeed. He liked the idea though, since it gave him some quite time alone to himself. He would figure out why he was talking to the giant snake as he got there. He was about to take off from where he stood, but realized he was forgetting something. Ah, crap, what was it?! It was something important, something he knew he couldn't let go of. It was his companion, his best friend, and by far the most important thing to his existence in the Dream Realm. He saw it a few seconds later, sitting against the building where he was woken up. It was his... Fly... Doll... Thing... Yes, a fly-doll! But not just any fly-doll, this was the KING of fly-dolls. It's dark colors and pink highlights matched his strange style of clothing perfectly, which is why he has taken such a liking to it. At least he wasn't the only freak wearing black and pink.
He frowned. No. He was not a freak, and neither was the King of Fly-Dolls. With this in mind, he gave a mental push and catapulted himself into the air and over the toy-box-like lands below. He grinned. They were the freaks. They couldn't soar the skies like he could. They didn't understand. The Dream Entity wasn't any different, though. It couldn't fly either, at least he didn't think it could. That thing's a freaking ten ton monster with a staff that probably weighs half a ton alone. And that was it's weapon? The Enforcer didn't need a stick to defend himself with, he had his Pulses. The snake from Trip Town seemed to be nothing compared to the Enforcer's abilities, yet somehow it's mere presence felt as if it dominated him. Speaking of the snake from Trip Town, why was he going to it anyway? Was he reporting back on something? That felt like the answer he was looking for, but he couldn't be too certain. He'd been knocked out for awhile now, and couldn't even remember what he had went to Tinker Tocker for.
He had landed on the ground, and with a push, propelled himself back up into the air. The feeling was a euphoric rush, being able to just jump to wherever he wanted by just thinking a thought. As he landed his next jump, he felt like he was being watched. Oh, that feeling. It disgusted him. He was the stalker, not... Whoever. He had heard rumors here and there that the Dream Entity (more commonly referred to as "giant-snake" or "snake girl from trip town") had some sort of underling who lived in a tower, who's pulse allowed him or her to see everything. He couldn't stand this fact. It was his job to track down and destroy his targets, not someone else's. He was the finder, the hunter, the killer. Not some dog in the snake's tower. He gripped the King of Fly-Dolls tighter as he made his next jump. He was getting close. What would he tell the snake? "Yea, everything went according to plan, what's next"? From what he could remember now, he had only managed to disrupt whatever it is a person was doing... Which was at the time jumping off a building...
He shook his head and continued on his way, passing a flock of the residing Wraiths and a pile of bloody teddy bears. He was definitely getting close. He could see a tower from where he was now. Hopefully the snake from Trip Town wasn't as creepy as he thinks he remembers it being. He might just throw up just because of how it would look. Now that would be a first.
"I think it would be a good idea for us all to take a step back." Spoke a dreamer whose Persona was clad in heavy armor that made it tower over the rest of them. "I for one mean none of you harm unless you wish me it, and from his act to save the girl neither does the young fellow with his green compatriot. And I would say that he has no desire to harm you as well. So let us talk."
It would appear that despite the imposing appearance the one beneath this armored shell was still quite reasonable. Zoen used this wonderful opportunity to mentally add credibility to the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.
“Fair enough.” He uttered, fully supporting the suggestion and lacking hostile intent. The blonde-haired man halted his advance, though still keeping his arms in sight, ready for the aforementioned talk.
Before he could make an input of his own, the young girl with the bear spoke up, though curiously this was done through her bear. With a slight smile Zoen noted to himself that the similarity between the detached familiars presented by this animated toy and Nohizar’s brave spectral knight might be worth looking into later on. She made comments concerning their whereabouts though proving to be as clueless in regards to the specifics of what brought them here.
“…I'm not exactly sure the name but I do know where we are. And it's not the safest of... places.” Such were her words and considering the threatening atmosphere of this location the blonde-haired man was inclined to agree, nodding thoughtfully.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t add much about the area. Although, thanks to the input of little Tatiana, Dr. Connover had made attempts to take notes of certain stable locations within the world of Dreams, his lasting inability to traverse it as a Persona left him without much information. Places this nightmarish weren’t often discussed between them however and he was quite certain that no sane person would deliberately make an attempt to go to such a place. Exploration was risky despite the additional information it could provide and he wasn’t about to dismiss the comment made by the girl with the teddy-bear. Her warning of the place being far from safe would not fall on deaf ears, so the thoughtful male spoke soon taking her evaluation in consideration.
“It would appear that even though we may not know where or why we are, we should only seek to discover this in the process of trying to leave this place. It may be risky to remain here.” He spoke in a soft though confident tone, observing each of those present despite his eyes being concealed. “The Dreamscape tends to shift when one intends to go somewhere. Therefore if we begin walking in the same direction with a similar intent we may have a much better chance of swiftly escaping the area. At least provided normal laws of the Dreamworld still apply…”
He paused. The thought of the common principle being unable to help them here was certainly unsettling, but he dismissed the faint concerns from the forefront of his thoughts. Harboring more doubts for the Dreamscape to potentially manifest wasn’t a good idea here at all.
“Now. I am certain we should all at least know each other’s names so long as we’re going to head out of here together, but unless anyone has any objections the introductions can be done while walking.”
This was his suggestion to those present. He paused to take in their reaction and give them a chance to comment. After all, his words were by no means a demand for authority or immediate compliance – merely the statement of his opinion backed by certain reasoning. The man with the golden sash looked to the two girls, or at least it would appear so by the direction in which his head was turned as the near-even curtain of slightly shimmering hair didn’t betray even a fraction of his glance.
“Are you hurt anywhere? Will you be able to proceed?” He asked politely. Considering their position during the incident there was a chance that some of them would require support.
It would appear that despite the imposing appearance the one beneath this armored shell was still quite reasonable. Zoen used this wonderful opportunity to mentally add credibility to the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.
“Fair enough.” He uttered, fully supporting the suggestion and lacking hostile intent. The blonde-haired man halted his advance, though still keeping his arms in sight, ready for the aforementioned talk.
Before he could make an input of his own, the young girl with the bear spoke up, though curiously this was done through her bear. With a slight smile Zoen noted to himself that the similarity between the detached familiars presented by this animated toy and Nohizar’s brave spectral knight might be worth looking into later on. She made comments concerning their whereabouts though proving to be as clueless in regards to the specifics of what brought them here.
“…I'm not exactly sure the name but I do know where we are. And it's not the safest of... places.” Such were her words and considering the threatening atmosphere of this location the blonde-haired man was inclined to agree, nodding thoughtfully.
Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t add much about the area. Although, thanks to the input of little Tatiana, Dr. Connover had made attempts to take notes of certain stable locations within the world of Dreams, his lasting inability to traverse it as a Persona left him without much information. Places this nightmarish weren’t often discussed between them however and he was quite certain that no sane person would deliberately make an attempt to go to such a place. Exploration was risky despite the additional information it could provide and he wasn’t about to dismiss the comment made by the girl with the teddy-bear. Her warning of the place being far from safe would not fall on deaf ears, so the thoughtful male spoke soon taking her evaluation in consideration.
“It would appear that even though we may not know where or why we are, we should only seek to discover this in the process of trying to leave this place. It may be risky to remain here.” He spoke in a soft though confident tone, observing each of those present despite his eyes being concealed. “The Dreamscape tends to shift when one intends to go somewhere. Therefore if we begin walking in the same direction with a similar intent we may have a much better chance of swiftly escaping the area. At least provided normal laws of the Dreamworld still apply…”
He paused. The thought of the common principle being unable to help them here was certainly unsettling, but he dismissed the faint concerns from the forefront of his thoughts. Harboring more doubts for the Dreamscape to potentially manifest wasn’t a good idea here at all.
“Now. I am certain we should all at least know each other’s names so long as we’re going to head out of here together, but unless anyone has any objections the introductions can be done while walking.”
This was his suggestion to those present. He paused to take in their reaction and give them a chance to comment. After all, his words were by no means a demand for authority or immediate compliance – merely the statement of his opinion backed by certain reasoning. The man with the golden sash looked to the two girls, or at least it would appear so by the direction in which his head was turned as the near-even curtain of slightly shimmering hair didn’t betray even a fraction of his glance.
“Are you hurt anywhere? Will you be able to proceed?” He asked politely. Considering their position during the incident there was a chance that some of them would require support.
Quinera pouted and placed her hands on her hips. She did not like this. Irritation shot through the jester who still stood in a protective stance. These people were too close. Too suffocating. They were talking and there were way too many of them. Eri on her own (and Mister Bear of course) were ok. She could handle that amount of social interaction. Also, the fact Eri herself didn't talk may have helped things along there. But there was blondie, mister armour, greenie and greenie's creepy smiley friend. And Erixianti, Mister Bear, Quinn and the voice.
Wait. What?
The jester cocked her head to the side in confusion. Yes, there was a whisper. She could hear a whisper. Someone or something whispering in her head. She couldn't make it out but the hissing sibilance was still there. She looked around at the people congregated.
"Who's whispering? What are you saying?" The jester demanded, a little desperation dripping into her voice. The whispers, they were grating on her nerves. The jester shook her head viciously but still they maintained their hissing. With an angry cry, the jester slammed her hands over her ears. The pain eliminated the whispers, killed them.
Good.
Hearing whispers was no fun anyways. But still the matter remained. These people wanted Quinn and Eri to go with them. She didn't trust them. Any of them. Not blondie or the two greenies or Mister armour. She and her new friend were fine here in this fun looking place. I mean, look at that bear! It was so cute! Sure, it was missing its head...and limbs might have...fallen off but still. It was so fluffy!
But her friend wanted to leave...and she did not want to be left behind. Nope, no matter how fun this place looked. A little bout of depression hit the jester and her shoulders slumped a little.
"I don't wanna go, but OK..." She muttered, looking back to see what Erixianti would do. It seemed the smaller of the two knew a little more about this place than she did and so Quinera decided she must know best.
Even if they didn't understand just how much fun this place looked.
The guy with the blonde hair turned to look at the duo. Well, Quinn assumed he was looking at them. His hair was all in the way. A flicker of irritation shot across her mind and almost on cue, a little whisper sounded. Quinera winced and dug her nails into her palms. There. Take that, stupid voices.
“Are you hurt anywhere? Will you be able to proceed?” Quinera looked down at herself and made a little face. She looked kinda dusty from her previous ground hugging and her clothes looked a tiny bit...tattered. But apart from the sore chest and now bleeding palms, she was relatively OK. The jester tried to meet the blonde's gaze but settled for just staring at the place she thought his eyes might be.
"I think we're good. I can take care of myself. And of Eri. And Mister Bear." The jester added thoughtfully, flashing a grin to her friend behind her. Quinera dropped her protective stance and took a few steps forward, eye darting around, taking every little thing in.
"And the name is Quinera or Quinn or The Jester. I don't reeeeally care which you use. And is the person whispering could knock it off, that would be fantastic." She growled, black inky shadows flickering around her wrist as she stamped her foot, glaring darkly.
The whispers replied.
"Who? Me?" Quinera's eyes bugged out and she replied by biting her lip. Hard. It hurt, yes, but the voice drained away.
So.
No talking to the voice. As apparently, the voice can talk back.
If Quinn was a normal person, she may have worried about this for a while. She may have even considered medical help. But the jester was not a normal person and neither of these options sprang to mind. Instead she grinned brightly; all previous worry, hostility and anger draining in the blink of an eye.
"So! What's everyone else called?"
Wait. What?
The jester cocked her head to the side in confusion. Yes, there was a whisper. She could hear a whisper. Someone or something whispering in her head. She couldn't make it out but the hissing sibilance was still there. She looked around at the people congregated.
"Who's whispering? What are you saying?" The jester demanded, a little desperation dripping into her voice. The whispers, they were grating on her nerves. The jester shook her head viciously but still they maintained their hissing. With an angry cry, the jester slammed her hands over her ears. The pain eliminated the whispers, killed them.
Good.
Hearing whispers was no fun anyways. But still the matter remained. These people wanted Quinn and Eri to go with them. She didn't trust them. Any of them. Not blondie or the two greenies or Mister armour. She and her new friend were fine here in this fun looking place. I mean, look at that bear! It was so cute! Sure, it was missing its head...and limbs might have...fallen off but still. It was so fluffy!
But her friend wanted to leave...and she did not want to be left behind. Nope, no matter how fun this place looked. A little bout of depression hit the jester and her shoulders slumped a little.
"I don't wanna go, but OK..." She muttered, looking back to see what Erixianti would do. It seemed the smaller of the two knew a little more about this place than she did and so Quinera decided she must know best.
Even if they didn't understand just how much fun this place looked.
The guy with the blonde hair turned to look at the duo. Well, Quinn assumed he was looking at them. His hair was all in the way. A flicker of irritation shot across her mind and almost on cue, a little whisper sounded. Quinera winced and dug her nails into her palms. There. Take that, stupid voices.
“Are you hurt anywhere? Will you be able to proceed?” Quinera looked down at herself and made a little face. She looked kinda dusty from her previous ground hugging and her clothes looked a tiny bit...tattered. But apart from the sore chest and now bleeding palms, she was relatively OK. The jester tried to meet the blonde's gaze but settled for just staring at the place she thought his eyes might be.
"I think we're good. I can take care of myself. And of Eri. And Mister Bear." The jester added thoughtfully, flashing a grin to her friend behind her. Quinera dropped her protective stance and took a few steps forward, eye darting around, taking every little thing in.
"And the name is Quinera or Quinn or The Jester. I don't reeeeally care which you use. And is the person whispering could knock it off, that would be fantastic." She growled, black inky shadows flickering around her wrist as she stamped her foot, glaring darkly.
The whispers replied.
"Who? Me?" Quinera's eyes bugged out and she replied by biting her lip. Hard. It hurt, yes, but the voice drained away.
So.
No talking to the voice. As apparently, the voice can talk back.
If Quinn was a normal person, she may have worried about this for a while. She may have even considered medical help. But the jester was not a normal person and neither of these options sprang to mind. Instead she grinned brightly; all previous worry, hostility and anger draining in the blink of an eye.
"So! What's everyone else called?"
Nohizar remained quiet for a while, not paying attention to any of his companions-by-chance, either by choice or by sheer exhaustion, it was difficult to tell which. So instead he remained quiet, smiling to himself as he reflected on his recent adventure. Only when Razihon broke the silence and filled it with his static filled voice, did he finally look up from his reflection. ”I do not know what they are so concerned about, I find this place quite charming.” Only now did Nohizar realize they had been talking, despite having heard and comprehended their words. He looked around and saw the strange Jester girl, Zoen and his new knight friend. With a second look around he observed his surroundings, taking in the strange and broken toys, the scenery that was almost like an homage to the lost dreams of lonely children. ”I don’t know… it looks pretty creepy. Toys aren’t meant to be broken, are they? They’re supposed to be cute and cuddley.” He said, his voice somewhat shaky, even as he got up to his feet.
Razihon merely shrugged in reaction, an infuriating shrug that usually meant the end of a conversation. Not this time, however. Instead he filled the silence between them with static. ”Don't be silly. Toys break. Toys break when they have known to much love from children. It is a natural effect. If anything, this place is an homage to the love children have for their toys and the sadness they felt when those same toys finally could take no more. I am fairly certain a place like this is perfectly safe, we should rest here for a while.” Nohizar blinked when Razihon seemed to ramble on and on instead of keeping his usual silence. The surprise at his friends sudden loquaciousness was so immense that he didn’t notice the sudden change in his friend’s smile, as if something savage had crept in there and was hiding itself, just out of sight. He was at a loss of words really, a strange reversal of their usual conundrum. One that might have warranted thought in a more suspicious mind, but Nohizar’s mind is anything but suspicious, so he merely said one word. ”Maybe…“
This time Razihon’s shrug did mean an end to the conversation and the green apparition wandered off to study a nearby teddy bear, leaving Nohizar to meet his new friends. With a smile and a sudden renewal of energy exclusive to the young he walked over with a wave. He spared a special wave and smile for Zoen, even as he greeted him. ”Hey Zoen! Why are you here? Speaking of which, how did you get here?” Without waiting for Zoen to respond he looked around again. With his second glance he noticed his new friend, uhm… Armour-guy, yeah that’s it, Armour-guy. He gave him an extra special energetic wave as well. He also noticed the strange Jester girl again, together with Princess. For equal measure he smiled and waved at them. He nodded once, mostly to himself, before he spoke, not having bothered to wait for Zoen’s reaction. He could multi-task, there were questions to be asked and introductions to be made!
”I’m Nohizar! And my friend is called Razihon!” He looked behind him and waved Razihon over, but the green spectre seemed more interested in studying some broken toys some ways away from the group, forcing Nohizar to continue the conversation by himself. ”Razihon says he likes this place, but I agree that it’s creepy. But I came here in a special way, just like everyone else I think! We must be here for a reason right? To slay a dragon or something! Look, we even have a knight and a princess here, that has to be it!” He pointed, perhaps rudely so, at Martellus and Erixianti.
Nohizar smiled with boundless excitement as he explained his own view on the situation. It was clear that his opinion on their current predicament was mostly fuelled by a wild imagination and wishful thinking. But that didn’t stop him. He was nearly hopping up and down with excitement, smiling blissfully at his new friends.
Razihon merely shrugged in reaction, an infuriating shrug that usually meant the end of a conversation. Not this time, however. Instead he filled the silence between them with static. ”Don't be silly. Toys break. Toys break when they have known to much love from children. It is a natural effect. If anything, this place is an homage to the love children have for their toys and the sadness they felt when those same toys finally could take no more. I am fairly certain a place like this is perfectly safe, we should rest here for a while.” Nohizar blinked when Razihon seemed to ramble on and on instead of keeping his usual silence. The surprise at his friends sudden loquaciousness was so immense that he didn’t notice the sudden change in his friend’s smile, as if something savage had crept in there and was hiding itself, just out of sight. He was at a loss of words really, a strange reversal of their usual conundrum. One that might have warranted thought in a more suspicious mind, but Nohizar’s mind is anything but suspicious, so he merely said one word. ”Maybe…“
This time Razihon’s shrug did mean an end to the conversation and the green apparition wandered off to study a nearby teddy bear, leaving Nohizar to meet his new friends. With a smile and a sudden renewal of energy exclusive to the young he walked over with a wave. He spared a special wave and smile for Zoen, even as he greeted him. ”Hey Zoen! Why are you here? Speaking of which, how did you get here?” Without waiting for Zoen to respond he looked around again. With his second glance he noticed his new friend, uhm… Armour-guy, yeah that’s it, Armour-guy. He gave him an extra special energetic wave as well. He also noticed the strange Jester girl again, together with Princess. For equal measure he smiled and waved at them. He nodded once, mostly to himself, before he spoke, not having bothered to wait for Zoen’s reaction. He could multi-task, there were questions to be asked and introductions to be made!
”I’m Nohizar! And my friend is called Razihon!” He looked behind him and waved Razihon over, but the green spectre seemed more interested in studying some broken toys some ways away from the group, forcing Nohizar to continue the conversation by himself. ”Razihon says he likes this place, but I agree that it’s creepy. But I came here in a special way, just like everyone else I think! We must be here for a reason right? To slay a dragon or something! Look, we even have a knight and a princess here, that has to be it!” He pointed, perhaps rudely so, at Martellus and Erixianti.
Nohizar smiled with boundless excitement as he explained his own view on the situation. It was clear that his opinion on their current predicament was mostly fuelled by a wild imagination and wishful thinking. But that didn’t stop him. He was nearly hopping up and down with excitement, smiling blissfully at his new friends.
The setting changes from Mechanoid Paranoia to Dreams/Unreality
He watched the back and forth conversation of these other 'dreamers' with somewhat interest and confusion. He'd spent much of his time here alone without the comfort of others and being in such close proximity to them was beginning to unsettle him but he tried his best to bury such feelings. Though he half chuckled to himself, the sound lost in the depths of his armour, it was not as if any emotions would reach those around him.
The strange green creature, that the young boy was speaking too, was making some interesting points about the realm they currently found themselves in. And from what Martellus could discern this area was no more dangerous than the packed streets of Tinker Tocker, but much more peaceful. Which he greatly preferred. He shook his head slowly as the boy lean past his companion and waved, rather enthusiastically in his direction; to which he slowly raised then lowered his hand in greeting, feeling somewhat foolish in the act.
”I’m Nohizar! And my friend is called Razihon!” The boy called out in answer to the young girl's question before proceeding to ramble about their new location and purpose here. And the boys rather strange pointing towards the girl behind the jester and to himself just added to his confusion. He thought for a moment before speaking, the sight of the boy bouncing around as if he was about to explode distracting him from his train of thought.
"This land is much quieter than where we came from. I like that. It is much better for it. Though I am not sure as to why you find it creepy in all honestly" He sighed and shrugged his shoulder before continuing "But anyway, my name is Martellus and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He bowed slowly, raising his right hand up to the forehead of his helmet in an honourary salute.