dreamwalk two | ota

[firstroar]

CHARACTERS: Blue, any sleepin folks out there
LOCATION: Someone's subconscious
DATE: Late Oct/Early Nov, pre-mission things
CONTENT: Psychics gon' psychic, dreams gon' dream...it's free dream/memshare real estate
WARNINGS: none in the tl; tagged as needed

---

It happens one of two ways:

outside

When he sleeps, Blue's subconscious stretches itself outward, instinctively drawn to things familiar to itself: Feelings, imagery, names...bonds already made or half-formed. It's in a Mu's nature to connect in this way, to be linked in thought and emotion, and this happens even in sleeping. The universe he hails from lacks much of the color and diversity and freedoms of others', but there are common lived experiences to be tethered to, for better or worse.

Peril and pain, longing and loss, hope and harmony...while Blue reprocesses his own volume of them, he unconsciously seeks out meaning in those notions which might flicker throughout the station in minds other than his own.

That means a routine recollection or predictable dream comes with something new this time.

inside

The door swings both ways, for when Blue is asleep, he can't consciously keep it locked, can he? So those who have even a passing capability to perceive matters of the mind or heart, be it magic or something more, could find themselves drifting out of their own dreamspace and into his own, where pastel marble floors mold effortlessly with sheer metal surfaces dappled with clouds that shouldn't hold any weight, let alone a person's.

It's where the sky is no sky, but a gaping field of stars not unlike the view outside a station window...save for the massive, red planet crowning the horizon. Beyond it, a pale blue dot no bigger than what Earth's moon would be glimmers in the dark. A lyre's strings are plucked from some unseen place, filling the place as one would fill a vast, empty room, and Soldier Blue stands at the edge of the horizon in his old, familiar vestments and headgear, absorbed in...something...until the shuddering of the dream's veil prompts him to acknowledge the presence passing through.

Red eyes turn to fix on the interloper, unsure of what they are perceiving yet.

This is still simply a dream, after all.

Comments

[coordination]

That's because I—

[ Yzak's subconscious kicks in to respond to that first, but is abruptly cut off. He stares back down to his hands, stained with blood that he can only physically wash off in waking. ]

—I have to be. [ Not that he is, like he'd normally say he is. What he is in here is a weak coward who allowed his pride and his impulsiveness to leave him scars much worse than the one he used to have. ] I don't have a choice. I don't get a choice. And I can't make a difference if I'm not.

[groupiedrifter]

Y-yeah, this is definitely a kind of dream I have a lot.

[He admits it a bit shamefully. It's not very badass of him to be a cowering flower in the middle of danger, huh? He probably looked super pathetic. Quickly, he starts scrubbing at his face in an attempt to wipe away the tear tracks that had formed.]

Um...! I — yeah, I'm sorry, dude. I didn't mean to - to pull you into that.

[firstroar]

[Blue squeezes the hand he still has hold of, giving Newt a gentle, encouraging look.]

No, you didn't. I don't blame you, so you've nothing to be sorry for. In fact- [he looks back to the planet.] I'm glad...that I was drawn here. To provide some reprieve from the terror.

[nightmares...they have a purpose, but like everything, it's in excess where the trouble lay. he wonders how often Newt must stay huddled alone like that, subject to a creature Blue couldn't have imagined at all on his own. there's no such thing where he's from, after all.

he could always erase it, he knows. just like Physis. but that's...not something to entertain right now.]

Perhaps if I leave quickly enough...you'll be able to get some rest. [he considers that before looking back to Newt with a more thoughtful look. he's not versed in traversing human dreams, after all; would shaking him into this level of lucidity mean his sleep is done for this cycle?]

[firstroar]

[the notion that he could simply...erase these things that hurt Yzak...it isn't lost on Blue. it's a background needling in his own mind, one he has to willfully set aside to keep his focus on what is being presented here. so even though the ache those struggling words is strong enough to compel him to want to fix it outright, Blue does not move to do so.]

This moment...it doesn't change, even though you have? [he tilts his head to try and catch Yzak's eye.] Does this moment know you are not alone anymore?

[hatejakku]

I... don't know.

[ It's never come up in conversation. And it's not like he knows many of them, besides. ]

It's normal for you?

[firstroar]

[with a nod:] When the children get scared or upset in their sleep, that energy sometimes leads them to myself or the other grownups.

[as if on cue, there's a faint echo of a child yelling Hilllmannnnn!, followed by the image of a little girl diving at the leg of an elderly-looking man robed not unlike Blue is, reflected upon the metallic surface of the wall near them. headpats and assurances ensure and gradually fade without Blue acknowledging it directly.]

Most of the adults have more restraint, but it's not unusual for our minds to wander and check up on each other unconsciously.

When you live together for such a long time, I suppose...it can only be expected.

[groupiedrifter]

[He chuckles weakly.]

... Reprieve's a word for it. Thanks, man.

[He leans in to give him another squeeze, only this time it's less panicked and desperate, but grateful and warm. Sorry, buddy, you're gonna just have to get squeezed to death for a sec here. When he pulls back, he looks cleaner, too; no debris on his shirt, no blood under his nose, and nary a crack on those signature glasses.]

Some rest'll be good. What, uh... what happens when you leave?

Am I gonna remember all this?

[firstroar]

[unlike out in the waking world, Blue's much more capable of not just accepting, but reciprocating a hug, which means Newt has to wait a second to get a chance to withdraw - the Mu's gotta get a bit of this kind energy to sustain himself for later, you know!

as for the questions, Blue tilts his head a little and gives it some genuine thought.]

I wonder... Do you often remember your dreams? Perhaps this one being so different is notable enough that you'd recall it.

[coordination]

Why would it change? I can change all I need to, but nothing can change what I did, what this was. Or that the only reason I'm still alive isn't from my own good deeds or my positive accomplishments outweighing this slaughter. It was luck. A decision made caused by someone else's well-crafted words that just so happened to include me under its blanket of forgiveness.

[ A couple of Yzak's fingers twitch at Blue's second question. This moment..? ]

It's— No. It's not supposed to. But it doesn't care, either way.

[firstroar]

[he lets Yzak work out his answer, watching him in contemplative silence - a silence that lingers a few seconds after Yzak finishes speaking.

then:] It appears, to me...that you are being held hostage.

[chronosynthesis]

This space is for familiar--makes a little more sense as a place for his dreams to anchor.

But the conversation hasn't gotten any less weird. Syrlya blinks slowly. "I'm not entirely sure what that is. What do you mean, how did I get there?"

[hatejakku]

[ Finn watches the reflection play out until they vanish. ] Oh...

[ He doesn't really get it, not sure he really believes it (he's just dreaming all this, right?), but he'll take the explanation for now. ]

So... what does this mean? That you're comfortable here or-... [ That... they're close? Both? ]

[firstroar]

"That is what I mean," Blue assures, his expression starting to soften some of those hard edges of scrutiny he wore. "I've only known other Mu to pass into my dreams."

Which may help explain some of the 'here' for the stranger.

[firstroar]

[Blue considers that, letting Finn's suggestion remain cut short for a moment. it'd be easy to jump to a comfortable conclusion based on his own experiences, but that wouldn't necessarily fit Finn, would it?]

I think it means the bond we forged is strong enough to leave the door open. [he tilts his head.] And it means you walked through it. And, perhaps, I may have called.

[his mouth quirks faintly.]

Even for Mu...there's still a lot of mysteries when it comes to minds and hearts.

[groupiedrifter]

... Sometimes.

[He says it with his chin tipped down in what seems to be shame.

Mostly because it is. He's been struggling through these things for months now — these weird dreams, followed by weird stretches where he remembers none of it at all. But after a moment, he just offers a small smile instead as he squeezes Blue's shoulder.]

Hey, don't sweat it. You've done more than enough, dude. Sorry if I freaked you out back there! It's not my proudest moment, that whole... almost getting eaten by a monster thing.

[firstroar]

[he shakes his head at the apology.]

Your dreams are yours, good and bad. I'm only glad I could help a little bit.

[he hesitates, knowing he'll have to break this connection himself, but he's a little reluctant to do so right away.]

If you do remember...may I ask that you...tell me about your Earth? When we are awake. [he looks back down to the planet.] What it feels like...to live on a planet that is home.

I'd like to hear about it, if it's not too much trouble.

[because the presence of giant fuck-off monsters is a bit of trouble.]

[chronosynthesis]

"This is your dream," Syrlya repeats with narrow eyes, until that sinks in and then his brows raise and he stares at Blue in surprise. That would explain how much it didn't seem to make any sense to him, but made all the sense to Blue.

"I'm sorry, I really don't know how I got here. Dreamwalking isn't usually one of my abilities."

[firstroar]

Blue considers this answer for a few beats, puzzling over Syrlya's presence and presentation on top of everything. If he didn't come here of his own conscious or unconscious volition...did Blue call to him? Did something in him do so?

"You're not Mu," he remarks. "Nor human...are you?"

Because he doesn't appear or react like most any human Blue's seen before.

[chronosynthesis]

"I am Sylvari." Which isn't much of an explanation if you don't come from Tyria, except that it appears to be a plant. "I've never heard of Mu before."

[groupiedrifter]

[He smiles at that, breathing in deep, then a soft release of air as he pats Blue's shoulder.]

Sounds like a deal, man. Yeah, I mean — feel free to ask me about whatever.

I'll tell you whatever you wanna know about Earth.

[And maybe more about those giant fuck-off monsters.]

[hatejakku]

[ ... Oh. It's hard to say if Finn was called here or came through of his own volition. Even he couldn't guess. But that probably doesn't really matter, he figures.

After a long beat, Finn grows a smile and laughs. ]

Well, it doesn't feel like a bad thing.

[ He kind of likes it, not being totally alone in his own head. ]

[firstroar]

[Blue nods, offering a soft sound of acknowledgment and thanks.

after a beat:] Close your eyes, Newt.

[after he does so, Blue departs, leaving the man and his subconscious to either fall back to a dreamless sleep or stick to lucidity and wake up, none the worse for wear.]

[firstroar]

[assuredly:] No, not bad. In fact, if coming here was by your own abilities, then perhaps you will one day master how to traverse the subconscious of your own will - to visit others or draw others to you.

You won't have to be alone again. [on any level, should he choose.]

[firstroar]

"And I've never heard of Sylvari." He cants his head to the side just slightly. "We may not be on even ground, but it is a bit more level than at first glance."

He rubs at his chin thoughtfully.

"Perhaps my subconscious drew you in...perhaps you were receptive to the call. I've never encountered others beyond Mu and humans, so I have no idea how my psionics would interact with other species..."

[coordination]

...

"Hostage" implies I shouldn't be here.