OPEN ✫ Dreams and Everything After

[mychosenpath]

Who: Ryunosuke and OPEN
Which: Open Log
Where: Dream/Various
What: January Catch-All
Warnings: Spoilers for the second case of the first game in the first set of prompts.



I. Of Time Spent Aboard the S.S. Burya open, interactive dream
(Contains SPOILERS for The Great Ace Attorney, Case Two)

( option 1 )
[You wake from a heavy sleep with a dull, throbbing headache to the sight of a moderately furnished room aboard a ship. It's not the rocking of waves that wakes you, nor the pounding of your head-- though the latter does not seem willing to relent any; leaving your head feeling sluggish and heavy. But just outside your door you can hear a commotion taking place. Russian voices exchange words with one another in heavily-accented English. And while you cannot hear the precise words, there is a sense of panic and urgency among them.

Further investigation of your room yields the sight of a heavy wooden wardrobe, a small round dining table, a sturdy writing desk, a book case laden into the wall and a pull cord above your bed that is attached to a bell. There are also several bags, most certainly for storing luggage. It isn't modern by any means, but it is modestly well put together for the time and the quality of the furnishings are quite good.

Should you care to read them, there are also a list of rules and regulations posted on the wall near the book case. Something about not keeping weapons or other dangerous objects. Pets are also strictly forbidden.

That said, it sounds as though the majority of the noise outside is coming from across the hall, should you wish to investigate.]

( option 2 )
[Everything is pitch black. No amount of blinking will help your eyes adjust to this darkness.

But somehow, even though you cannot see them, you know there is someone else here in this space with you. They, however, do not seem to be able to sense you. All your other senses are that much sharper without your eyes to guide you. You can hear the way they anxiously wring their hands together and fidget anxiously. Their breathing is unsteady-- rushed, even. You can feel their sorrow, their anguish, their fear, their uncertainty. And a crushing loneliness, filled with regret.

While there's no signs of where the empty space ends, there's this unshakable feeling that it's closing in around you.

They're not your feelings though. They're his.]

II. Out of Icelation

[Though he wasn't entirely convinced that the town plaza was the best location for this, he knew he couldn't very well focus on practicing what he wanted in his home without creating a whole mess of the place. Or-- more of a mess than he already does. At least out here, there's more than enough open space-- and much lower chances that he might break or destroy something. Not... zero percent chance or anything but. Closer to it, surely. Unfortunately there's also snow. A good deal of it, too.

Nonetheless, he hasn't come empty-handed. He has with him a notebook filled with ideas and observations on dreamotion energy and the more ~mystical~ magical properties of it. It's positively littered with colored tabs at the top, marking different pages. While he's no Susato, he would definitely say he's watched and learned from the best. They focus on the more practical uses for it, but there are mentions of

In this case though, it seems he may be overthinking things more than a little bit. He seems... nervous.

That energy has actually caused the snow around him to nearly stop-- though it's not exactly still either. It seems to be vibrating in place. But his head is in his books at thoughts so much that he hasn't noticed it.]

...compared to law, this should be nothing. [...he sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose.] Maybe not everyone is cut out for this kind of thing.

III. Wildcard

(For anything that doesn't fit into the above prompts. This can be a place for quests or other event-related prompts! You're welcome to bring your own on plot with me at cloudatlas if you want ideas or a custom made starter!)

Comments

[chippedsoul]

[A coffer made for two. What a bittersweet end. There's someone here sleeping. Through the noise he just made as well, impressive. And that's when he starts to put the pieces together. The swaying motion as if out at sea, stuck inside an enclosed space.]

...Ryunosuke? [His hand reaches out again, searching to grab onto who he assumes is the cause of this situation.]

[mychosenpath]

Kazuma...

[At first, it hardly sounds directed at the other young man at all. As if it hasn't yet sunk in that he could possibly be here with him. But when his hand touches his shoulder, the other jumps slightly and it sinks in rather quickly.]

--Kazuma?!

[chippedsoul]

[Ah, there he is. His hand keeps gripping onto this friend, even as he jumps from surprise.]

I'm here. [And should he become visible to Ryunosuke, he'll see this dream seems to have put him in old university uniform. That headband of his wrapped around his head once more and blowing in some mysterious breeze inside this enclosed space.]

[mychosenpath]

[The shock fades rather quickly and he relaxes back against the wall of the wardrobe-- but he still seems somewhat lost in his head. Well, this is certainly different from what he remembered that's for certain. But simple as it is there is something... comforting about it. Comfortable is another matter entirely, however... but he can't say he minds.]

--yeah, you are. Sorry for yelling... you just surprised me.

[dualjustice]

It's all right. [He'll keep his hand on his friend, softening the grip now that the shock has passed. As they are gently being rocked by the sea, dare he ask the pressing question to confirm his suspicions...?]

. . .We're on the ship, aren't we?

[mychosenpath]

[Taking a deep breath, Ryunosuke slowly nods his head.]

...that's right. It's been some time, but... I remember this feeling like it was yesterday.

[dualjustice]

[He hums quietly. His hand presses against the wardrobe walls.]

I don't think there's anyone outside of here. How about we leave this place? Talk somewhere more comfortable.

[mychosenpath]

--out there?

[Although he now knows the outside of the wardrobe better now, he can't say it's a whole lot more comforting than the wardrobe. But-- he keeps that to himself.

He can't guarantee any sailors wouldn't toss him overboard, even in his own dream. But hopefully even if they are out there, they won't have any reason to come looking.]

...alright. But you first-- just in case.

[dualjustice]

...I can try, but- [He feel his way around, pushing against the walls. He could hear the chains again, when he finds where the wardrobe would normally open.]

Something is keeping us in. [More like, is it Ryunosuke keeping them in here?]

[mychosenpath]

[It hadn't occurred to Ryunosuke that he might, in fact, be the one responsible for keeping them in there. So when Kazuma says he can't get them out, it surprises him. There's a brief flash of panic and-- hesitation.]

...if you can't get it then there's probably no chance I can. I wonder why...?

[Was it because of what happened out there? Was he trying to keep Kazuma away from that place because of that memory?]

[dualjustice]

...Ryunosuke. [He sure his friend knows exactly why, but maybe he needs to be told.]

Are you afraid of what awaits us outside this wardrobe? Something you refuse to acknowledge?

[mychosenpath]

What awaits us outside the wardrobe...

[He falls quiet for a short moment. It would be easy to view it simply-- a reflection of the past. But deep down he knows there's more to it than that. That may have scared him once, but-- it was just that. The past. They'd moved beyond it, to a difficult conclusion but one that opened up a new path for them.]

A little. After all... there's a whole lot more out there than just... what I remember.

[dualjustice]

[He hums quietly. Though it's hard to tell in the darkness, Kazuma is nodding his head.] Then we'll face it together, whatever may be waiting for us. [That's better than doing it alone, right? He gives his partner a nudge.]

Come on, help me open this wardrobe.

[mychosenpath]

[He knows Kazuma is extremely capable... there should be no question there. But he can't leave him to face it alone. That leaves the question-- is he enough?]

...r-right...

[Shifting, he places his hands on the door and gives them a shove-- but his movements are still filled with hesitation and it's not enough to break it open; though it does creak at the effort.]

[dualjustice]

[A creak is a start!]

Keep it up. You've already overcome so many hardships. Opening a wardrobe should be nothing.

[mychosenpath]

[Naruhodo takes a moment slap himself. Right... There are a great many things he never thought he'd ever be able to accomplish that he did overcome. But he did-- one thing at a time.

This is just... the next thing. He can't let himself get overwhelmed by the future.]

...you're right. [Deep breath.] Okay-- we push on the count of three.

[dualjustice]

[He places a hand on his partner's back.] We can do this. [More like Ryunosuke can do this. What is he worried about? He's more curious about what actually awaits them outside this wardrobe.] -Three!

[Whether Ryunosuke was ready or not, he's pushing against that wardrobe, giving his partner a small push from behind.]

[mychosenpath]

[He has Kazuma's support-- as he always has. But he has to do this himself. He knows that. It's important for him to step up, because that's something he wants to do not just for him but for the both of them. He takes a deep breath and pushes with conviction. And just like normal doors, this time it opens.

When the wardrobe door opens, it's-- out into Ryunosuke's room in his treehouse... back in Reverein.

...right. Dream.

It's dark outside, leaving the room full of shadows.

Unfortunately, he was expecting more resistance. So he ends up falling forward when the doors swing open; greeting the floor with his face.]

...got it...

[chippedsoul]

[Kazuma comes falling out with a bit more grace, on his hands and feet, stopping him from hitting the ground face first. He's taken aback when they were suddenly back in Ryunosuke's home, instead of the interior of a first class cabin on a steamship. He could still hear the faint creaking of the ship in his mind....well, it's for the best they are back.

He sits up, looking to his poor friend beside him with a chuckle. A pat on his back.] Good work, partner. [At least help him up???]

[mychosenpath]

[It certainly wasn't what Ryunosuke was expecting either, from the look on his face-- smooshed into the floor boards as it is. He groans under the light pressure of the pat and then drags himself back to his feet.]

...well, it's a start.

[For the most part, his room doesn't seem all that different-- a few new items he's acquired, but-- it all seems to be as it should.]

And-- sorry. For dragging you into another one of my messes.

[chippedsoul]

This? [He shakes his head.] It's nothing. Better I know you're doing well than not at all. [He leans forward slightly, looking to Ryunosuke.] Are you, doing all right...? [That wasn't exactly a very pleasant dream]

[mychosenpath]

...ha. Of course you'd say that.

[He seems a bit more comfortable now; watching Kazuma lean in without even blinking.]

I am all right. The last thing I wanted to do was worry anyone. I suppose I've been a bit anxious lately, but that's no one's fault but my own. I've been trying to figure out where I fit in here. I want to do more, I just-- haven't figure out yet what I can do. For you-- for everyone.

[chippedsoul]

[...Why does this conversation sound familiar? Ah. A light chuckle.]

You and Miss Susato sometimes think alike. I believe you'll find what it is you can do here. You found your own path back home, didn't you?

[mychosenpath]

I'm fairly certain that any similarity you could draw between us would be a greater compliment to me than anything. [...] I never thought I'd say this but-- finding my path back home felt a lot simpler.

[Not easier but. Less complicated, at least. But he cannot help but feel his heart become just a little bit lighter, hearing Kazuma laugh-- even if it was at him.]

But I'm not giving up. Not by a long shot.

[chippedsoul]

You're both trying to find your way in this world. And I feel the two of you could probably learn something from each other, and maybe don't think too hard on this. [A grin as he gives him a nudge.]

who knows, maybe your mastery of tongue twisters might trip up a few nightmares. [He's half serious about that.]