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

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]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ira seems to tense up at that. People had been wandering around his Nightmare, but he doesn't remember seeing his Heart in that one.]

Not, the one where I was lost. I don't recall you in that one.

[He is just, trying to get the stories straight. He sighs.]

[Huh? Were they talking two different nightmares? Roxas shakes his head.]

No, the dream I'm talking about just... happened. I was floating, and there was darkness all around me. Then I saw your heart... or well, the big, glass stage that makes up people's hearts.

[Roxas might not know the full name of it, but Ira can probably guess that he means Ira's Heart Station.]

There were some cracks, and some places that looked like it was going to fall apart soon. I didn't get to look at it for long before I woke up.

[The look he gives Ira is still firm, but also concerned.]

It means you're troubled, right? That something's bothering you?

The Station...

[The kettle whistles and Ira sets about mechanically making the tea. He is vaguely aware that his Heart had been on display in his Dream, but certainly not for long enough for anyone to really see it. But that appears to not be the case. And if Roxas saw it, then others probably did as well.]

My Heart, has been in a rough place for a while now. But, it is not as far gone as you might think. I haven't given up.

[He turns with the mugs, placing one by Roxas before finally sitting at the table.]

But yes, I am troubled. I'd say it was nothing to worry about, but I suspect you would see through that.

[So it WAS Ira's heart... that's nice that it was confirmed, but it doesn't do much to comfort Roxas. He moves to sit down at the table as Ira goes about fixing the tea, but he keeps his gaze on Ira as he listens to the older Master talk.]

Sorry, but what I saw didn't really look like "nothing to worry about" to me.

[Sorry Ira, he's worried about you. You're not about to escape his concern that easily.]

Then, what's going on? What's bothering you so much that it's affecting your heart?

[How does he even answer this question. He wants to reassure Roxas, but at the same time, his Heart shouldn't be the boy's responsibility. He is working on it, and he knows not to act alone, but still. It feels like too much to ask.]

I admit that I have had...doubts. Things that have allowed Darkness to enter to my Heart, and well, you saw before with my memories.

Things are a bit of a mess right now, but I am working to make things better. I suppose being over-exposed to the Nightmare energy resulted in a bit of a set back.

[Roxas knows that Ira isn't lying; he's talked with the man before, he knows he's going through some Things and he's doing his best. But still, seeing Ira's heart the way it was... it troubles him. And that makes Roxas's frown deepen a little.]

But are you really doing enough? I mean, if your heart's still this affected... doesn't that mean you need more help than what you're doing?

[Roxas isn't wrong. Even with the over-exposure to Nightmare energy, Ira probably could have been doing more and getting more help. It's all Ira can do to hide his smile behind his mug.

It's a wry smile, the one of someone who has been very seen. And knows they can't talk their way out of this one.]

I could probably be doing more. A lot more.

It is not always easy to reach out.

[Ira's situation may be making Roxas frown, but at least the man is aware enough to know he needs help, and admit it's hard. Roxas's frown softens at the admission, but he ]

You know, if it's hard for you, maybe you need someone to check in on you. I could always tell Sora that you need help reaching out. He'd be able to rally a whole group of people to help you. He's good at doing things like that.

[With the way that Roxas says that, Ira knows that he means well. But he cannot shake off the vaguest hint of a threat.]

Somehow, that doesn't surprise me.

And somehow, I also get the sense that should I refuse, you will do it anyway.

[There's no accusation, just observation.]

Well, it wouldn't be my first time doing so.

[However good-intended it is, playing the Sora card is always going to carry the hint of a threat to it, because Sora is a force of nature. Roxas knows this, and knows that sometimes, it's worth leaning on that threat.]

But really... you shouldn't have to do things on your own. We might not all be Masters, but we've faced our fair share of challenges together. And what's more, you're a friend of ours now. We won't leave you behind.

[Sometimes, it's the little things we take for granted.

Ira knows all this, on some level. He knows he shouldn't do things on his own (and he's given that lecture himself. How often do we not take our own advice?). He knows that this generation of keyblade wielders has faced their own challenges, and overcome them, in ways that make Ira prouder than he can even say (given his hand in them, no matter how small). He has formed bonds with them, and tried to impart even a little bit of advice or knowledge.

But Friends is an important word, especially in their world. Friends are one's power, after all. And it means a lot, more than Ira probably expected, to hear that he is counted among this group. He doesn't even know where he stands with the other Foretellers.

He is not even sure what to say. He's trying to hide it, but his voice is a little choked up.]

Thank you, Roxas. That means a lot.

I suppose, once I figure something out. I should let you all know.

[Roxas may be bad at understanding emotions, but he can hear the way Ira's voice is thick with emotion right now. But it feels positive, and it makes Roxas smile a bit more. He nods to Ira.]

That's alright. Just don't forget we're here with you, okay? We won't let you fall to the darkness.

[He pauses, thinking for a moment, before tilting his head.]

You know, if you haven't yet, you really should talk to Riku and Vanitas. Riku got made a Master now, and he's learned how to live with the Darkness in his own heart. He even uses it without it affecting him. You might learn some tricks from him. As for Vanitas... [He pauses, face twisting into a frown.] Well, he might be hard to talk to at first, but he means well when you get to know him. And he's lived with Darkness his whole life. He knows what it can do.

I will, do my best not to.

[And he will, he promises himself that much. It is good to have these bonds again. Bonds that he thought he had lost during the Keyblade War.]

I believe Riku and I have talked around the subject a little, but it might be time for a deeper discussion.

I do not believe Vanitas and I have spoken much, but that is another avenue.

Good.

[Roxas is glad to hear it. After a brief pause, he adds,]

Don't be afraid, okay? We're all here for you.

I appreciate that. Perhaps more than you know.

And I will do my best not to be.

[Certainly fear will only drive his Heart further into Darkness. But it's easier to be strong when you know you're not alone.]

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

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