don't go around tonight, it's bound to take your life

[iracorn]

Who: Ira and you
Which: Interactive Dream; Open
What: Ira's having Nightmares, Ira's spreading Nightmares. Nightmares for everyone!
Warnings: Might be some spooky stuff and violence



A - Nightmares

[Ira has been having nightmares.

It isn't that surprising, thinking about it. He was exposed to the Nightmare energy in the city, perhaps more than he should have been. To say nothing of the weights on his Heart. He knows the difference now, between what are his memories and what aren't, even if they still feel like they are. It's been a long road to walk.

There isn't a particular theme to this Nightmare. Indeed some of his worst fears have already been broadcast. But it is a Nightmare nonetheless.

Ira walks alone through distorted streets at night. The buildings, a mishmash of various towns and places, dark and tilted, some towering over him, others oddly shaped. He is lost, armed with a vague notion of where he is going but every turn seems to keep him away from where he desperately wants to go. It might be odd to call out in your own dream but he does. He needs helps.]


Where am I? Can someone help me?

...please...

[B - Night Mares]

[If Ira is able to escape his Nightmares, he is changed.

He's taken a similar form before, but this one perhaps seems more malevolent due to the excess energy. What enters your dream comes in a mass of black clouds and shadow. He moves within them, both a defined form and part of the shadow. A Unicorn of awesome size, with glowing red eyes and a slate grey horn. His mane and tail waving between navy blue and deep purple. It would be majestic were it not for the Darkness rolling off of him.

Whatever dream he enters is sure to become a Nightmare, as he stalks, slowly through.

A challenge is met with the pawing of the ground with his hoof and the horn lowering to a deadly angle.]

[C - A Shadowed Heart]

[Whether Ira is saved from his Nightmares or ultimately beaten back, it ends up in the same place. Some from his world may recognize it as a Station. A large pillar with a stained glass image that represents one's Heart.

Ira's Heart looks worn, there is shadow and cracks and places where it does not shine as brightly as it is meant to. One can see images, slightly cracked, of the other foretellers, of two hooded figures wearing very familiar coats, the image of a Unicorn that is his crest. Every so often, something seems to shift as some part of him tries to organize the memories that are his and aren't. There are places where it's been reinforced but there's also the sense that it needs more.

But it's a brief look, before everyone wakes up.

But if you've seen Ira's Heart, it might be worth reaching out. Or he will, once he's a little more awake]

[ooc: Looking to plot, want an additional starter, urbaninja]

Comments

B

[beshackled]

[Erichthonios' dreamscape is already a dreary-looking place, dark clouds exuding reflecting violet light before a building complex of grey stones not unlike a castle right out of a horror-genre tale. Statues flank the front entrance -- three-headed serpents turned anthropomorphic from the shoulders down. Chains seem to crisscross the very sky; a place warded and separated from the world beyond.

Erichthonios appears to be waiting for someone in the dream, but as he looks towards the neus -- the teleportation apparatus he expects his visitor to appear from, he instead sees the unicorn.]

A monoceros...?

[Brows lifting in surprise, he starts towards the great creature, concern budding as he takes in its unusual appearance.]

You've come a long way from your place in Elpis... What have you gotten yourself into?

[iracorn]

[In this form, Ira is not entirely out of place. At least when it comes to aesthetic. In a normal situation, he might have more of his guard up or an inclination to ask questions, but the Nightmare is a different beast.

Instead he continues his slow walk forward, as if awaiting a threat.]

Is this your dream?

[beshackled]

...It is.

[Though unafraid of the creature's appearance -- yet fiercer creations reside within the gated walls -- Erichthonios is nevertheless surprised by it's ability to speak.]

I have not heard of a monoceros being capable of speech before.

[iracorn]

I am not that of which you speak

[There is a low threat in his voice, and the vague suggestion that the dream might not be Erichthonios's for much longer.]

Feel free to change the dreamscape at will btw

[beshackled]

...

[Even for one who processes thoughts as slowly as Erichthonios, the tone of a threat does not go unnoticed. Brows draw low, his expression turning serious.]

If you are not a monoceros that has wandered here by mistake due to confusion wrought by an aetherial imbalance, then tell me... why are you here?

A!

[starshower]

[It isn't often these days that Tifa finds herself stumbling into the nightmares of others, let alone their dreams. She and Eustace are practiced, having used dreamwalking to help them both, and so she can better control where she ends up and how. Sometimes, however, her sleep is restless enough that she finds herself lost, and tonight is one of those nights...

A nightmare, no doubt, as she walks through those warped streets, and she wonders if it's a trick of the eye or if they truly are distorted like this. It's dizzying, but she keeps walking, searching and hoping to find the owner of this dream.

And her answer will come soon enough, when she hears an all-too-familiar voice calling out from somewhere. Where, she doesn't know, but Ira will hear her call back.]

Hello? Ira, is that you!?

[iracorn]

[At the sound of another voice, Ira looks up, both relief and dread filling him. He isn't alone, and that means there could be help on the horizon. But also, he has pulled someone else into his nightmare. Something he had hoped not to do.

But there's no denying that he needs help. And he's been getting better at recognizing when he needs to ask for it.]

Tifa? Are you here? Where?

[starshower]

[She calls back out to him, his voice seeming to be everywhere and nowhere near her both at once.]

I'm not sure... it's just this dark street I've never seen before...?

[It's hard to make sense of any of it, but if she can just find a single landmark, she might be able to guide him?]

What is this place?

[iracorn]

I...it's a Nightmare, certainly.

I want to say this is Daybreak Town, but...it's not. It's distorted. Wrong.

[He sounds a little far away. Have his memories really become such a mess?]

A

[oathkeeper]

[This is probably the worst time for Sora to be dreamwalking into someone's nightmare. Sora has been gravely affected with what appears to be a form of "vampirism" but his drink of choice has been ...nightmares.

So, he's oddly delighted to be here. Surrounded by Ira's nightmare! It's delicious!

And he's on the prowl.]

Haha! Hi! Are you lost? Maybe I can help you.

[iracorn]

[Well, at least someone is enjoying the situation, because it certainly isn't Ira. He's a bit disoriented, so it takes him a minute to recognize Sora.]

I would, very much appreciate that. Though, I am not sure where I'm going.

[oathkeeper]

Really? This is your dream, isn't it?

[Sora will happily bounce to stand next to Ira's side.]

This has to be a mix of whatever memories you have or something. Wanna look around [Because he sure does. This is a treat for him.] You might find some answers.

[iracorn]

[There's a slightly rueful laugh at the mention of memories. He certainly has a mix of them right now.]

It is, yes. But, that doesn't always make it the easiest space to navigate in.

Though, you are right that an answer might be somewhere.

B

[melodiouspacifist]

[ For a change, Demyx is having a really pleasant dream. He's dreaming of his time on the beach, lounging with his sitar and watching the sun set down over the ocean.

He doesn't see Ira come in, but suddenly the wind shifts and turns a little chilly.

Demyx's brow furrows, maybe it's time to go home? Home...where is...

He gasps when he sees the unicorn shrouded in black clouds. He holds out a hand. ]

Easy there, easy... [ That horn sure looks sharp doesn't it. ]

[iracorn]

[Ira snorts, and the once nice day is starting to cloud over with dark, threatening skies. Like it could start to storm at any moment.]

This is your dream?

[melodiouspacifist]

Uh...is it?

[ He's not much of a lucid dreamer, this is kind of weird when it comes to dreams. He doesn't usually dream of murdery unicorns. ]

[iracorn]

[There is a low roll of thunder, and in a tone that doesn't really allow for argument:]

It is mine now.

B

[discourtesies]

[The dream Ira steps into is already dark; a private graveyard with a wrought-iron fence is the setting, and van Zieks stands before a mausoleum with flowers in hand. The sound of hooves in the grass catch his attention, however, and he turns to face the creature, the constant furrow in his brow and his posture beneath his cloak wary.

He can only see the unicorn as a manifestation of another force: a hand that guided him and his family into the depths for a decade...]

You've no more hold over me.

[Bitter though it is, his voice holds a determination, too. He won't be easy prey.]

[iracorn]

[Ira pauses, a little confused at the address but at the same time it is no matter.]

You would oppose me, then?

[discourtesies]

[The voice is unfamiliar and unexpected, and van Zieks has his own pause before he responds, eyes narrowed with momentary uncertainty. Is it another trick meant to manipulate him, or something else?

Regardless—he drops the bouquet behind him and rests a hand on the hilt of his blade. He makes no movement to draw it yet, and won't unless he's given no choice, but he will defend himself... and what remains of his family.]

I will not allow you to disturb this place of rest.

[iracorn]

[Sensing the threat, the Unicorn lowers it's horn.]

I have need of this dream. If I need to disturb it, I will

C

[twilightskey]

[Roxas sometimes finds himself wandering in the dreams of others. It's not even the first time he's found himself in Ira's dreams, remembering the time that he and Ira walked the streets of Twilight Town with the older master. But as he drifts through the world of dreams, he sees the Station of Ira's heart. Sees how cracked and faded it is, covered in shadows. It shocks Roxas to silence, but before he can even call out, he wakes up.]

[He may not be as well-versed in the matters of the Keyblade as Sora or the others are, but he knows about hearts. And he knows about what a heart Station should look like. Not even bothering with the journal, Roxas pulls himself out of bed and hurries over to the treehouse he remembers Ira staying at. It's not long before he's loudly knocking on the door.]

Ira? Are you there?

[iracorn]

[It takes Ira a bit of time to answer the door.

He's awake, but the kind of awake that comes after a rough night of sleep. Sleep plagued by nightmares, rather than rest. And it takes a bit to will himself to get up.

So he probably doesn't look the greatest when he finally opens the door. But seeing Roxas, he stands up a little straighter and tries to look presentable.]

Roxas. Uh...good morning?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas waits a little restlessly by the door, but he perks up to attention when Ira answers. His eyes widen a bit as he takes in Ira's appearance; even with the mask, he looks haggard and tired, rough and unsettled. His surprise quickly melts away to a concerned frown, and he fixes Ira with a firm look.]

Are you alright?

[iracorn]

[Oh that is a question, isn't it. And how to begin to answer that?]

It was...not the best night of sleep. But I am as well as can be expected.

[But he gets the feeling that might not satisfy Roxas.]

Did you...want to come in?