{ mirror mirror }

[dreamposts]

MIRROR MIRROR

With the sleepwalking curse over, everyone will have some time to rest and recuperate—until Jack Frost comes barging in with news of a clue on how to help his beloved Ice Queen who still remains asleep. The clue was the mirror shard that was in her chest, and there are theories that it may have been a fragment of a much stronger, powerful mirror she had been given some time ago. Problem is, he can't find it nor can he remember who gave it to her. He does, however, have a magic incantation that will allow people to enter mirrors and hopefully find a trace. Unfortunately, this horrendously backfires and we have mirror chaos instead. Dammit, Jack.

More details on everything can be found here. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC .

I. REVEREIN

II. MIRROR WORLD

COMMENTS

I. REVEREIN

It all begins in Reverein, where there's a strange shift in the air upon Jack's attempt to cast the spell. But instead of affecting just one mirror, it reflects off the surface and spreads out to the entire town, hitting every reflective surface instead. Ripples can be seen before the surfaces still, but it's too late. Every reflective surface—glass, mirror, window—is under a different effect because of the botched spell.

And some are being unwittingly pulled into them.

Fortunately It is possible to communicate and even watch people from the other side of the mirror, but it's only through certain mirrors and at certain times. It also will be temporary, so while one mirror might work one time, it may not work again.

A. Strange Reflections. While some mirrors may still reflect proper images, many will have…unusual changes.

🪞 You are what you see. Whether it's an odd hairstyle, change in skin color, or style of clothing in the reflection, suddenly the viewer will look exactly like what's reflected. The most extreme is a different form entirely.
🏡 Glimpses of home. Everyone will have a rare glimpse of their home world, and these can be instances from the past, present, or even a limited future. They are just reflections and cannot be interacted with, and future reflections may be blurry to prevent the person from seeing too much. For those who have memory issues, such visions will also be blurry, but perhaps they can help stir some things…
🔮 Most desired. Mirrors that have a bit of a pink hue to them will reflect the viewer's most desired "thing." It could be an object, person, place, or even a general idea. However, if not careful the viewer may become trapped in a trance and will need to be removed or smash the mirror.

B. Clone Wars. Mirrors that do not show any kind of reflection are to be quickly taken away and covered as it will begin to create duplicates in Reverein of what is reflected within it. Yes, even people, and they will be very obviously fake: wrong colors, different voices, odd behavior, etc. and will usually be harmless. These "clones" will continue to appear and multiply until the mirror has been covered, and will need to either be destroyed or captured and shoved into the mirror, where it will lose its "no reflection" status and become a proper mirror again…only for them to appear on the other side in Mirror World.

C. Mirrorsnatched. A mirror with a black rim has the chance of absorbing a significant personality trait or memory of the one looking into it, and when this happens, the person will walk away feeling very muddle-headed and off. The mirror will "keep" this part of the person and someone from the Mirror World side must find their essence and "shove" it back out onto any mirror surface so that the original owner can break the mirror and retrieve it. The downside of this method is that breaking a mirror means one less mirror those on the Mirror side can use, so they need to choose carefully.

D. The Unknown. Appearing in both the Mirror World and Reverein will be a strange mirror masked, black cloaked figure called "The Unknown." It traverses through the mirrors and through the walls, seeking those with happy reflections and will try to corrupt them with nightmares. People on both sides of the mirrors will be able to confront and try to stop the Unknown, though beware its chocolate attacks.

II. MIRROR WORLD

Everything in this "Mirror World" is, in a word, chaotic. Imagine an AI-generated monstrosity based off of Picasso, Escher, and Dr. Seuss, where everything seems to be upside down, backwards, colors everywhere and nowhere, and everything feels so fragmented that one step feels like walking towards the edge of a cliff. In a way it's nightmarish in an unusual sense, and those inside can feel that touch of "madness" that seeps through the cold air.

Beware the strange creatures in the Mirror World. They are grotesque monstrosities, many of them looking as if they were stitched together from different parts. Fortunately they are susceptible to weapons and dreamotion and those inside the Mirror World will find they are able to use different abilities, especially those with reflective properties.

A. Fragment of their old self. In order to get out of the Mirror World, those inside will need to catch a small fragment of themselves that has escaped and is running around. This fragment is actually a piece of their old self prior to arriving in Songerein. For some, this self may not be so different, but for long-time residents, they may seem a lot more different. To make things more interesting, this self can be from any point of the character's past. It just has to be a version of the character from before entering Songerein. This version will also appear "homesick" and "want" to return to their original home, regardless if the character actually feels that way. Thus the fragment will seek out mirrors that will reflect anything of their home world. Shattering these mirrors will weaken the fragment until it can be caught. But that's only half the challenge. If the fragment is injured, the original will also feel the damage but to a lesser degree. If the fragment is destroyed, then the original will be "knocked out" for a few seconds before a new fragment appears. However, this fragment will be much more distorted and worse than the one before.

B. Distorted Memories. At random points while traversing, characters may come across strange pockets of the world that they will feel drawn to. Following said instinct will lead them to a shifted landscape that will reflect images of home from different points in time (past, present, maybe even future) as if they've just walked right into it, but just like everything else, they are distorted. The changes can be as subtle as the wrong color of clothes, having too many limbs, to something major like the sky now being the ground. The only way out will either be destroying the anomalies or correcting them, and they will be rewarded with a mirror shard that will aid in their escape.


C. Warped Sense of Self. The longer a person stays within the Mirror World, the less "coherent" they will feel, and sometimes sound. Their memories will slowly become more disjointed, their personality feeling a bit "off", and they may even forget who they are or where they are from. Even their physical selves will start to twist and change, starting with something subtle (e.g. eye color) and then growing more drastic as time goes on (where did those extra fingers come from? Or why are they suddenly much shorter?) Finding those reflections of home will help with these anomalies, but those weak of heart be warned: the distortions may only exacerbate the issue and make them believe that they are the truth instead. Help anyone who might be caught in fixing these so that they can recover.


D. Finding an exit. To leave the world, those inside must find a mirror that will connect back to Reverein, and those on the other side can also try to help by posing as "anchors" for those inside to recognize. Otherwise, there are many mirrors in the Mirror World that will lead to different places within Songerein—presumably. However, perhaps due to the magic or needing something else, they will be unable to pass through any mirrors that are not connected to Reverein. This is where players have the fun opportunity to make up whatever kind of location or place the characters may see reflected on the mirrors. They could be existing locations in the game, or new ones that could be explored in the future. One unique place we can mention will be reflections of a city covered in night.

Only upon finding a mirror that leads back to Reverein, but they will also need help from the outside. Someone from within Reverein must also be there to physically reach in and pull them out—while hopefully not accidentally be pulled in themselves.

I. REVEREIN

II. MIRROR WORLD

COMMENTS

Comments

[noblegarnet]

An ace, huh... [If he wasn't so desperate to get out, he might express some interest in her self-proclaimed title, but he can't focus on that right now, when he's so close. After a year, he can finally go home... he just has to do this one last thing.

Anxious, he advises her:]

Don't let your guard down. These places are always hiding something sinister.

[Their path leads them past winding and twisting streets to somewhere almost medieval, cramped stone and wood buildings built on top of one another with dirt roads and sparse, grey plants. More importantly, though, are the reflective surfaces that can be seen through the windows of each cottage and shed.

He doesn't wait for Gina, letting go of her hand as he surges forward to start checking them, leaving her in his literal red fairy dust.]

[lestray]

[With the urgency of the situation, she only lets out a few sparkles of pride at her title!]

I know, there's always sometin'. You don't gotta worry 'bout me bein' careless! [Except when she is. But right now at least, she's exercising caution as they rush forward. And then she's taken by surprise as he tears ahead! Gina tries to pick up speed to pursue him.]

Oi, easy there! Lemme 'elp you out!

[noblegarnet]

[While the fairy does and says nothing to stop Gina, he's not waiting for her, either; with his memory fragmented as it is, he has to look into each mirror that might possibly be his to make sure it doesn't hold a reflection of his home. That much checking takes time, and he's running out of it.]

With all of these... it has to be here.

[And he is right; though there are several silver-framed mirrors that don't belong to him, and a few decorated with stones as well, there's one in a cobbled-together hut on the other side of the "block" that holds a gem the precise color of the Fae's eyes in the corner. A few other polished jewels are mounted in the sweeping motifs of the frame as well—black, blue, yellow, green. The surface reflects a modern city, skyscrapers in the near distance, local dark streets viewed from the roof of a several-story brick building.

With how the past Ferran is checking the mirrors on the upper floors first due to the height he can get with his wings, he might not get to it himself in a while, though.]

[lestray]

[Gina gives up her pursuit at one point. She can tell that he's still nearby and checking, at least. So she could see this is as dividing and conquering. She looks along the cottages for any clues - and soon she spots that hut. Looking at the jewels and the city, she wonders...]

Oi!! I think I found sometin'! [She calls out loudly, hoping he can hear her.]

[noblegarnet]

[The Fae can hear her; his ears aren't longer for nothing, apparently, and he has little trouble finding her, only needing a moment after flying back out into the small square to see her silhouette in another building.

When he flies inside to meet her, he lets out a shaky breath, touching the surface of the mirror with a look on his face that might suggest he's on the verge of tears.]

It's—Isadora's place. We used to just sit here and watch the city...

[Unfortunately, Gina's call also alerted another brown-haired, red-haired young man.

A bolt made of that same shade of red gem shoots past the two of them from behind, narrowly missing the fairy as he ducks out of the way. Unfortunately, the impact utterly shatters the mirror's surface, shards only showing twisted facsimiles of their surroundings, and the fairy grimaces, his feet touching the ground and knees half-buckling as if he's suddenly lost some of the strength in his wings.

The attacker, physically identical to Gina's companion minus the inhuman features, holds a silver bow in a style not unlike the mirror's frame and wears a torn outfit suggesting nobility in a theatrical way. His posture is similarly proud, and the look on his face is dark, focused on his doppelganger. From where he stands outside the hut, he calls:]

Get away from that thing.

[lestray]

[Gina stands to the side as the Fae looks into the mirror. A contented smile starts to cross her face after having successfully guided him to the right mirror. The emotions he's feeling touch her heart!

But then, before she can say a word, everything shatters in a moment. Suddenly, the mirror is in shards, and a human double of the fae is present. Gina gives a startled gasp, and is quickly on the defensive.]

Wot?! Wot're you doin'?! [She stays close to the fairy version.] 'E ain't a thing!!

*red-EYED... smh ryoko

[noblegarnet]

[The memory copy straightens up only enough to look at his present self with an equal mix of trepidation and defiance.]

All I want is to go home—

[Ferran answers, his tone nothing but resolute; a contrast in their otherwise identical voices.]

—where all you'll do is hurt people. [He can turn his gaze to Gina while keeping the fairy well in view thanks to having them basically trapped in that small building.] I'm not joking around. You don't know how dangerous that monster is.

go easy on her!

[lestray]

[Gina looks between the two uncertainly. Considering they're in the mirror world, only one of them must be real.]

B-but... 'Ow do I know that's for real?? 'E just seems lost an' 'urt to me. I'm just trying to 'elp 'im out!!

[She protests shakily. But as she thinks in her head, one thing becomes apparent. There can't be a way to get back home from these mirrors. So that goal of the fairy's must be delusion.]

instructions unclear, went too easy on her, time became soup

[noblegarnet]

[The present Ferran becomes more insistent, his jaw tensing almost to the point where he'd be gritting his answer out through his teeth.]

That doesn't excuse what he's done or what he'll do. I'm telling you that so you can save yourself!

[The fairy's gaze turns almost as dark as his human counterpart's, an apparent realization drawing his voice away from the fear from moments before.]

If you know all that, then... then you're just as dangerous as me.

[Then, the same thought occurs to them both almost at the same time—not being as different as Ferran might imply, it's easy for him to pick up on the idea of the Fae using his powers to act.

He aims his bow, but it's just a split second too late: the space around the cabin visually warps, probably forcing Gina into a few moments of dizziness before it resolves and the winged figure has disappeared. All that's left of his presence is a faint trail of glittering red dust.

After growling in frustration, Ferran advances, bow still drawn and ready to fire at a moment's notice—as soon as he catches sight of a hint of his other self...]

You're not getting away!

mmm soup

[lestray]

[Gina's not sure what to believe. She just got attached to helping that fairy figure out, and now this similar-looking person is telling her she's completely wrong. Has she been tricked into helping someone she shouldn't? Or is this guy the one trying to trick her? The fairy being so lost and hurt makes it hard to shake Gina's sympathies... but then, before she knows it, a bunch of things happen at once.

She's left dizzied, with some red dust floating in the air. Gina quickly starts moving after the man, pulling her gas gun out.]

'Old it right there! [She calls after him.] Wot didya do right now?? What 'appened to 'im?!

i wonder what time soup tastes like

[noblegarnet]

[Not knowing that that cannon of Gina's isn't filled with something a bit more deadly, he freezes in place once he spots it aimed at him. Somehow, still, he has a mild sense of self-preservation. He grits his teeth, giving a hurried explanation with a raised voice.]

It's not me—it's his illusions; he's trying to hide so I can't find him!

[As a threat, he calls out to the sky:] But they're not fullproof! They never were!

thyme

[lestray]

[Whoops. Gina doesn't keep it trained on him at least. She waves it around uncertainly while looking for the other him.]

Still... still kickin', is 'e? [Her breathing is heavy with anxiousness as she doesn't want to throw her fae friend to the wolves.]

Why don't you just leave 'im be? It ain't like 'e's goin' after you!

you're a genius.

[noblegarnet]

[Her moving the weapon elsewhere is less concerning, at least, and Ferran turns his attention back to his search with the threat lessened. Still, the bitter anger in his response is clear; his feelings about the fairy doppelganger are clearly deep-seated.]

So I'm just supposed to leave a horrible monster to hurt someone else just because it's not after me?

[It doesn't seem as if he's willing to acknowledge the idea that his other self means no harm. If he does, then—then he can't do what he has to do.

As Ferran readies a shot towards the sky, whisper on the wind reaches the detective:]

Don't trust him, Gina.

[The faint sound catches the young man's attention too, and he turns sharp red eyes towards her.]

[lestray]

I- I ain't sure who's the monster 'ere...

[She responds shakily. The man doesn't seem the most stable himself, and the fae is the one who seems lost.

She hears that whisper and freezes for a moment - then sees the man look towards her with red eyes. Now she points the weapon towards him.]

Oi!! Stay back! We can talk this out, yeah? No one's gotta go after no one else!

[noblegarnet]

[It's not like he can deny any of it, so he doesn't try—but there's a moment where Ferran grimaces, jaw clenched. He keeps his aim at the sky, but remains still without attempting to search for the invisible fairy. His voice lowers, his tone the sort of someone trying very hard to patiently explain but only partly managing the patience part.]

You can't believe anything a Fae says; their magic is all about tricking people. They can't even stop themselves if they try.

[He says it with an authority that speaks to experience—because he knows what that feels like, that nature that he struggled against in the past this reflection represents.]

I have to get rid of it. That thing my responsibility; isn't that much obvious?

[lestray]

[Her uncertainty grows. Even as this man has managed to be unsettling, she can't deny that his words sound convincing. There aren't any obvious lies there. And if he is telling the truth, it means the fae has been tricking her the whole time. She might not have met such beings in her home, but her experience in this world has taught her that they can be tricksters.]

I... I... The two of you are connected, that's for sure. [She tries calling out for the fae.] Oi!! I wanna 'ear your side too! That's the one way we can know for sure wot's for real, yeah?

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran grits his teeth, and the reflection responds in a similar way as before, his voice having no clear origin.]

It's like I said—I just want to go home!

There is no going home from here. Especially not for you. [Ferran focuses his gaze on Gina, a steely look on his face.] You know that, don't you?

[But the fairy's voice continues, accusatory:]

You've hurt our friends for that murderer, haven't you. [Ferran's scowl deepens as he turns it to the empty air.] That's why you don't want me to go back.

[lestray]

W-well, I thought maybe...

[She considers the man's words and frowns as she looks down, facing reality.]

...N-no. You're right. We're... inside mirrors now. Gettin' to where we came from can't be simple as that. It's... it's all tricks, ain't it?

[Gina looks around, trying to find a glimpse of the fairy.]

I dunno wot you're talkin' about, but wotever's wrong, we can all talk it out! Yeah?

[noblegarnet]

He started shooting at me without warning, [says the Fae.] What makes you think he'll even listen?

[As if to prove that point, Ferran himself continues—]

If it's delusional enough to think it can leave through these mirrors, there's no point in talking.

[Well, at least Gina has their attention for the moment, even if negotiations don't seem like they'll go smoothly...]

[lestray]

[Gina frowns while thinking over the best way to go about this.]

Don't give up like that! It- it's easy to get turned 'round by these mirrors. I'm sure it's still possible for the lot of us to reason this out.

[She tries calling out to the fae again.]

I won't let anyone get 'urt! Let's just keep talkin', yeah? So the mirrors ain't gonna 'elp you, so we're gonna 'ave to figure sometin' else out!

[noblegarnet]

[The fairy's response doesn't seem optimistic.]

If my mirror isn't here, then how else could I get home? Him?

[A nasty twist in Ferran's expression shows his disgust about the idea, as if it weren't obvious already. He's not going to waste any more breath on thatt thing—who he really has to convince is this girl.]

Do you really think you can stop that thing if it decides to hurt somebody? You can't even see it.

[Darkly, the voice on the wind accuses him:]

I bet you'd hypnotize her just to get to me.

[A faint look of shock comes to his eyes before he clenches his jaw and turns to glare at an empty spot on the ground. He can't let this thing get to him.]

[lestray]

No one's 'ypnotisin' no one! [She attempts to assure the unseen voice.] I just know this for a fact! I dunno 'ow to get 'ome. We're just stuck in this world for now, but that don't mean you got to be alone! It just means we can't trust them mirrors.

[Then back to Ferran-]

...A-And I can do just fine if there's a problem, thank you very much! [It's tough trying to assure both of them at the same time.]

[noblegarnet]

[When Gina says the word stuck, something changes in the air—a sudden stillness and silence that makes Ferran's ears ring. He looks up from his brooding to the air, then to her, to see if she's noticed.

The fae's sourceless voice is very quiet, but unmistakeable:]

I have to get home. [It continues, the edges of the sound starting to screech like nails on a chalkboard.] I can't stay like this.

[Ferran's face falls with dread. He knows that feeling, still almost as deeply as the months when he was still in that form—he would have done almost anything to stop being that creature. His arms tense around his bow and arrow, moving sideways towards Gina as he searches for the fairy again. He calls out:]

Then stop running.

[lestray]

[She isn't sure what to make at first of that sudden sense of stillness, aside from feeling uneasy. But once the fae actually speaks, the sound makes Gina wince.]

W-we can 'elp you! We can work something out, yeah? [Her eyes scan around for any sign of the elusive fae.] We're in a worpd o' dreams! Anythin' is possible, yeah? No matter 'ow tough it can be to Adam an' Eve out! So c'mon out now, and we'll sort this entire mess out!

[noblegarnet]

[The voice becomes more twisted as it responds, though the edge of desperation under it is still the same as it has been.]

It's not a dream—it's a nightmare. The only help is getting me out of here!

[The present-day Ferran doesn't hesitate any longer; he aims his bow to the sky, shooting a glittering red arrow through the empty air before immediately conjuring a new one to his hand and aiming towards a new spot. In his mind, even if all he ends up doing is provoking the Fae, at least he can draw its attention away from her.]

There's only way out for you! [Sorry, Gina; he's not playing along with the "we" idea, apparently... but the sudden attack does draw the fairy's attention away from his disguise momentarily, and a flash of white and gold marks the flap of a moth wing in the corner of her eye.]