Player Event: "Imbalance" [OPEN]

[songbird_slayer]

Who: Everyone! Even the newcomers! What a time to jump in, huh?
Which: OPEN Dreamscape
What: On the night of the 10th a strange dreamscape appears, dividing some dreamers into two, each bearing just half of themselves... how will they pull themselves together?
Warnings: Probably a lot. I trust you fine people to please mark your content appropriately should your threads make mention of anything triggering. I'm watching you.


Quiet nights never seem to stay quiet. It began with the slightest flicker within the crystal lanterns, a ripple, perhaps the sound of coins clinking together.

Then, with a distant scream, there was a torrent of blue and orange flame. It's hot but it doesn't burn, swirling and dancing with the frenzy of a desperate dancer. It blinds to familiar surroundings, twin colors that seemingly never end...




Until one's feet touches sand-dusted stone and marble. The air is hot and arid, ripe with burning kindling in myriad torches that line walkways. The flames rhythmically sway, catching the glimmer of golden archways and decor that embed the city... palace...? That lay before you.

Something is wrong. Really wrong. Something in you feels... different. Blank. But before you can comprehend it much further, something is running down the pathway in the distance to enter the palace like the devil was on its heels. That something looks just like you...

---

You pursue this weird other you... or, you don't. Perhaps you were drawn to the palace's splendor and decided to explore, maybe find some sweet treasure while you're here. Whatever the case, nothing about this place smells dusty or aged. It feels brand new... lined with statues and tapestries of what appeared to be great warriors, all humanoid and bearing twisted horns atop their heads and long, craggy tails covered in scales. But some of them have been altered in some way... some are missing their heads, and one or two "lucky" ones have simply had large claw marks ripped across their face. What would put claw marks in stone was anyone's guess.

Those who tire of the architecture may find some doors are unlocked. Yes, such a lavish place seems all too eager to lay itself bare for you, perhaps bearing a sparkly trinket or two to your liking. (Note: Unfortunately, any treasures obtained in the palace will only come back with you in the form of candies shaped as said jewels, crowns made of shortbread, tapestries spun from candy floss, etc. It's all food. Enjoy!)

---

Deeper and deeper you delve, either arms full of treasure or having bumped into friends who don't exactly act like your friends normally would, you find more motifs of the warriors, more intact the further you head through this weird city-palace. Near the center are statues depicting two... figures... each holding a pair of scales.

Yet no matter how much you wait and watch them, the scales continue to sway from one side to the other. There's nothing on their respective plates, however... what could be throwing them off?

If you place anything on the plates and mend the swaying scales, you are given a single shard of a strange crystal rife with dreamotion energy with a sense of wholeness and connection. It shifts colors as you turn it this way and that in your hand. Maybe that'll help put some of these people back together if fighting or talking to them won't do it...



[ooc: Information and Plotting post is here for easy review. The shards are meant to simplify putting people back together if needed, but are the only thing that can be taken into the semi-waking world as a pretty bauble. Also, a reminder that this is optional. Enjoy!]

Comments

as she immediately says the wrong words

[feale]

[ As predicted, Violet does not know the answer to his question— even less does she understand the words thrown around so casually by his statement. In fact, the only thing she can garner from his words is that Madhuri must be another of the dreamwalkers in this place.

It takes her a moment or two to realize that he, like her, wears a mask over his features, and there's a moment of curiosity— although it's one she puts aside for now in favor of the rest of his words, her eyes wide. ]

So we're walking in the halls of the... um, of your world's gods? That is truly amazing!

[ And if his world has magnificent structures such as this... ]

Your world must be incredibly beautiful...!

[feale]

[ The figure makes her start, the hint of a shriek escaping from between her lips before she clamps them shut, falls a step back from him, if the hand on her shoulder will allow it. In fact, it's enough that for a moment she nearly takes off running in the direction from which she originally came.

And then it speaks, and there is something about the deep, hollow voice that makes her stop, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. When she speaks, her own voice lacks any of the same gravitas; to the contrary, it is low and dull, lacking the feeling that her eyes betray. ]

Nothing... nothing is chasing me. But I...

[ Her gaze drops. As much as she knows what she has to do, putting it into words in front of a stranger is quite another matter. ]

If I'm alive at the end of this, my sister will die.

oh never feel guilty~

[feale]

[ Lost and fleeing as she is, Sumire doesn't notice the man standing behind the column until it's far too late, until his fingers are curled around her wrist and he is speaking to her with all the air of a king. Caught off-guard, she freezes for a moment, staring up at him in horror; after a moment or two she looks away again, a hint of red on her cheeks.

She vaguely recognizes him from her time spent so far in this world, but with her head muddled and split the way it is, she can't place him.

Kasumi would be able to, she's sure. Kasumi is always so perfect, after all.

Sumire takes in a sharp breath, her gaze still averted from his. She has no idea what interest he would take in someone like her. Her voice, when she finally answers him, is low, dull compared to the many feelings and thoughts whirling through her mind. ]

I don't understand why you would want someone like me to stay.


( edits because I forgot the ooc note: I'm dying. but also if you did want to throw the other him at the other her too that's also okay! )

[feale]

[ The girl with the ponytail is a little surprised when the nearby figure seems not only to be able to give the exact advice she needs her other self to hear, but also that he speaks with such eloquence and gravitas. She listens to him with a serious expression on her face before she nods, turns back to the other Sumire, her smile a little sad. ]

He's right, you know. I know how guilty you feel. I know how scared you are of living as Sumire. It was scary for me too. [ Some days, it's still scary. Even with her resolution made, waking up from the nightmares, to the memories, can be difficult. ] But running away isn't the answer either...!

[ When the other Sumire doesn't answer, just curls up a little tighter on herself, she sighs, and turns back to the man standing nearby. ]

Um... please understand. She's— [ I'm? ] She's not trying to be rude, but...

[ Perhaps, if she wasn't lacking that hesitant, unconfident part of herself right now, she'd leave it there. This man is a stranger, after all; telling him her deepest, darkest secret may not exactly be wise. But right now, all she knows is that he's trying to help.

And besides, all of that was in the past. There's nothing she can do to change it now. If the tables were turned, Kasumi would put her effort into moving forward, not looking back— just as she does now. ]

About a year ago, my older sister died. I ran out into traffic and she protected me. She— [ she pauses here, indicating the cringing, crying Sumire ] —she is the part of me who blames herself for what happened. Who... who wants to be Kasumi instead of facing her pain.

[ Of course, it's much more complicated than that— it always is. But she figures it's enough for now.

Besides, missing that part of herself makes it somewhat strange to talk about, too. ]

[herewardbound]

He seemed to relax, if only slightly. "It almost sounds like a bad joke, when I start to say it out loud. 'I need some help finding myself' makes it sound like I'd like to go on a vacation to France and not come back- but really, Sumire, it's the truth. Have you seen him, out of curiosity? A boy who wears my face? He's not me, not in any way that matters, but it's important I find him just the same."

[songbird_slayer]

[She was paused by the touch. It was so earnest, she reached up to clutch her own chest, as if her heart threatened to spring out of her ribcage.

That "little something" was ironclad, for sure.]

Damn it, when you put it that way, it would be cruel to refuse...!

I'll... endure that half just once more. But I did warn you!

[She whirled a finger against a horn.]

She's a little touched in the head.

[As if on cue, the halls were filled with a piteous wail:]

It BURNED! It burned again!! What is wrong with you, Qalli!?

[Something was shattering upon impact with a wall.]

Again! Let's- let's start another one. I'll do it as many times as I must...

LoonA. He gets chewed on enough already.

[imp_resario]

Somehow, the arts-and-crafts borderline cherubic look didn't strike him as some sort of ironic, subversive fashion statement purchased at Stylish Occult. And it was a little too early to start getting ready for All Hallows' Eve, let alone... that one holiday in late December he half expected to burn his tongue if he spoke it aloud.

Even in a place like this, even on a day where people were behaving very strangely, this was a strange look for her. A strange air. ...except for being entirely engrossed in her phone. That part, at least, was comfortably familiar.

He sighed heavily. "Okay, I'll bite. What are you going for here? All Hellhounds Go To Heaven?"

[crystalized_hope]

[Thank goodness she would try, at the very least. He didn't have much time to think much more on the subject as he overheard the voices. Looking at the direction it came from for a moment, he turned back to her as he gave her a concerned glance.]

I'll be right back. Promise.

[If he could somehow get through to her, he had to try. And more importantly, he had to clarify that nothing was wrong with her. With one last caress of her cheek, he hurried towards the sound.]

Plan B... piddle self run?

[666_hellhound_aesthetic]

The moment and the chance were there.

The wolf that was Loona breathed deep and inhaled that scent and everything it could tell her at once, the uncertainty, the hesitancy, Dante might as well have been leaving a trail of blood fresh on the ground.

She moved without much of any hint to her presence. Yet with Dante as paranoid as he was - rightly so it seemed now - there was no way he would miss the small things. The crumble of rock that was gouged by unforgiving claws, the trickle of dust and detris that were disturbed by feet fleet yet frighteningly silent.

And they were all around him, the noises, the shadows, the looming and waiting inevitability of the Thing in the Dark that tightened its grip bit by bit for every moment Dante stood there.

Yet fight or flight, the moment was gone, the chance to act upon those instincts had been and went far too quickly. For a moment there was a stark silence, one that even far off torches would not break with their crackle and a stillness fell over everything to the point the only noise Dante would hear would be his own breaths.

That was when the wolf that was Loona pounced. That was when she made her move.

Her jaws were entirely too sharp and quick as they struck in one single snap that catapulted out of the shadows. Yet, they would find no flesh.

Interestingly enough, for having such a perfect moment to have the drop on Dante, Loona had made no move to take down such a seemingly obvious prey. No, instead Loona's jaws were entirely fixed upon the ivory pistol in Dante's hand, looking to tear it free of his unsteady grip and make haste with the thing.

No words, only the guttural cry that Loona gave as her fangs snapped downward to steal that pistol.

[nomoresharks]

"Not my first time, no," he says with a shake of his head. "But I've not been to many, and my first experience was like your own--a simulation meant to guide us all as to how things work around here."

He lifts a hand to his mouth and laughs. "And it was just as nonsensical as most dreams tend to be: pigs making structures from sweets while wolves attempted to destroy them."

LoonA Madness

[666_hellhound_aesthetic]

The girl who was apparently Loona didn't even look up from the phone. Nothing unusual about that reaction at least from anything Millie would have ever noticed around the office.

"Oh," she spoke and the words were hollow, some empty echo that travelled around the chamber they were in, "So you do know my name after all."

There was a cracking noise like grinding stone, yet none of the statues displayed any sudden new vandalism. Instead, the human girl blinked in a manner that looked far too slow and too strained, and as she opened her eye, a line of black bled down from her makeup, down her cheek in a jagged pattern that began to splinter and spread. With a single tink noise, a piece of the girls face fell off like the shard of a porcelain doll's face and cracked upon the ground.

The girl still hadn't looked up, her fingers continuing to move over the phone.

"...maybe I'm just ahead of the curve..." she spoke with some edge making its way into her voice, "...maybe you should be getting ready for what's coming too..."

[recreator]

I've no doubt my lesser half will in time prove more than willing to join forces. After all, we surely wish for the same outcome.

[The "willing" part may be a slight exaggeration, yet Emet-Selch does not intend to offer him(self) much of a choice. The joining he has in mind is, in fact, quite literal. And once they are again one, he means to crush any needling little sentiments which may yet bar his path.]

Yet I've no patience for vague eventualities. If I am to set things into motion and make proper use of such a rare opportunity to further my plans, I daresay now is the time to roll out the welcome wagon.

[Emet-Selch's smile stretches across his features, yet it doesn't reach his eyes - two orbs which have grown feverish and bright with ambition.]

Come, Hythlodaeus. Let us round up the little lost lambs so that we might wrest control of this dreamscape away from the dreamer. Once we have all of the proper pieces within our grap, we will be able to return home - to a world that is truly ours.

[nomoresharks]

[It sits ill with Hythlodaeus, at least to some small degree. Not the plan, no, for it is the man doing the planning that is all that matters, but the way Hades's smile doesn't reach his eyes is... bothersome.

But it's clear he has a plan in mind, and clearer still that naught else will be on his mind until it has come to fruition.

(And, perhaps, those sleepless nights leading up to this splitting of selves isn't doing him any favors either.)]

But of course. Though I think I'll leave the weaponry to you. Words tend to win more battles in my experience.

Consider me your personal public relations department.

[666_hellhound_aesthetic]

The sound of the girl's fingers on the cellphone stopped for a moment at Moxxie's question, the silence hanging as much in the air as that strange feeling he had felt.

"What do you care?" the human Loona finally replied rather anticlimactically for such a response after a pause as much she had proceeded. But her voice sounded so empty, like a venomous snake that had been robbed of its fangs.

"Maybe I just want to look however I want?" A new noise began just as she spoked, like the crunching noise of gravel being pressed down upon the ground, along with a slow, cracking noise, "Maybe people are bullshit and care about appearances all too much."

A piece of rubble hit the ground, but it didn't appear to have the same age or consistency as the half-ruined statues that stood still in their vigil, it looked almost flesh-like in its color, if not graying as the small fleck lay there, crumbling to nothing.

"...and c'mon." Her voice echoed further as another piece of the flesh colored rubble fell from behind her back, "You know there's no heaven for hellhounds."

"We both know there's no happily ever after for people like us."

[luciing]

[ His helm tilts forward as if peering at her more closely or, perhaps more likely, attempting to piece what little context she's given to her current state. Nothing is chasing her, but if she remains alive, another will perish.

However, this is a dream. ]

Is there no other way to save her?

[leveillpier]

She nods her head. Seems like he's experienced a little bit more than she has. He's also experienced the simulation as well. It seems like he might know more about these dreamscapes and dreamwalking than she does. Best to try to learn as much as she can.

"I have an idea of what to expect for the most part. How that applies to actual dreamwalking, I still don't know."

There's a brow raise from her. Did he just say what she heard him say?

"G'raha was not jesting when he said things get bizarre here. Even if it makes sense."

She's still trying to wrap her head around that description. At the same time she remembers the whole experience being tin person in the wonderful Wizard of Oz.

[leveillpier]

Alisaie can't say anything on that thought, as she lived a pretty well fed and well dressed life. Her family is quite affluent as well among other things. Mayhaps, that was a bit of an understatement. However, that's beside the point and she's really not sure how to approach this person who's mood just changed completely from a moment ago.

"That's very diligent of you, but what does this have to do with me and my wellbeing?"

Not that she minds being taken care of. There are times she needs someone to look out for her. That person always happens to be her brother, so trying to work around all of that from time to time here does make it challenging. She doesn't think she's slacked off that much. Alisaie is clearly concerned about her shift in mood. It almost gives her a cold chill as she steps away from the table.

"I'm fairly sure someone requires your services and they'd be grateful for it, but you best try to understand what you're making first before asking someone to eat it. Have you tasted what you made?"

Why does she suddenly have a bad feeling about this?

[nomoresharks]

"Quite bizarre," Hythlodaeus agrees. "But there is something wonderful about that very strangeness in my opinion. Things I'd never get the chance to see otherwise... and the chance to watch this realm grow with every action we take."

He cocks his head to the side as he peers down at her. "Much like home in a way."

What a surprise it will be when he meets the normal Kaiba

[crystalized_hope]

What was a child doing here? It wasn't like it was unlikely that children could come here, but that didn't really matter at the moment. Shaking his head lightly, "'Tis no worry." Listening to the boy, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that he hadn't seen anything, but it wasn't something he could help.

"Ah, well...," how could he put this? He didn't want to worry anyone else, much less a child, but..., "I think she may be responsible for what's going on, and I'm worried about her."

[crystalized_hope]

Maybe he was just too jumpy? He really needed to think about all this rationally. He did not recognize this man, but apparently, he knew who he was. Curious and also a bit alarming. He had been doing his best to hide his identity, going so far as to hide his ears in the cowl from poking out. Even those back at the Crystarium may have seen his face but knew naught of his true name. Not when they'd taken to calling him the Crystal Exarch, a name he never thought to correct.

"My apologies. I know naught of this G'raha Tia. I am the Crystal Exarch," dodging with an outright lie, but would this man truly notice? Well, there was a chance when he seemed to pick up on that fact, even before speaking with him.

[nomoresharks]

"How strange. Especially since your soul and his are the exact same color," Hythlodaeus mused. "Something wholly impossible if your soul and his weren't one and the same. Or... half of one and the same, rather."

But if he was going to call himself something different, far be it for Hythlodaeus to deny him. It was a minor thing, all things considered, and certainly made this interaction all the more interesting besides.

"I assume the name came along with the appearance of your arm there?"

[songbird_slayer]

To have one of the greatest heroes of your time not only step away from the table while also insisting someone else might need her let that hollow feeling grow.

What was there to understand? She'd read so many books. She'd practiced so many times!

She stood upright and her smile was bright and sunny. "I wouldn't dare take away an ounce of these wonderful flavors from anyone else! Won't you try just one bite?"

Madhuri opened her arms and the other chairs at the table pushed out. Rising from the seats were shadowy figures holding forks and knives, beady red eyes turning to watch the elezen girl.

"Just. One. Bite."

"Just oNe biTe."

"JuSt One Bite."

They had become to chant in wispy voices, rhythmically pounding the table with their fists.

[crystalized_hope]

[He was careful not to make any sudden movements as he examined his options here. There wasn't much to go on currently, but if there were no openings, he would simply have to make one for himself.]

I suppose a thank you is in order in regards to actually taking in what I told you. However... [So that's what this was about.] I must apologize in advance then. She is not likely to come to my rescue as it were. She isn't exactly happy with me right now.

[Nor is he about her, but one thing was for sure. There was no guarantee that she would not fall for the trap. Though he hadn't exactly lied about Madhuri, he'd also managed to patch things up enough. But that wasn't something he was going to share with someone who was more than happy to shoot him again to justify his means.]

And what do you intend of doing once you find her?

[songbird_slayer]

[Though the khatun leaned into the touch in a momentary tenderness, her gaze smoldered. He was cruel not to touch her anywhere else...! But, there would always be time to eat later.]

...You'd best, Exarch.


[That sunny music with that lo-fi crackle was louder from one of the doors at the end of that hall. The smell would come soon after, of char and of clashing aromas, like patchouli trying to battle alongside rose...

The scene was of what once was a perfect and shiny kitchen strewn with broken dishware and splattered foodstuffs lying forgotten on the floor. Whipping the absolute daylights out of something in a bowl, Madhuri matched the black and white atmosphere, clad in her little sundress and apron. She turned and dumped the contents of the bowl into an awaiting line of pans filled with a dough. Pies...?

The music mingled with the murmur and grumbling of folk in the distance and constant complaint: "Why is this so dry?" "Who is trying to poison me?! Do you call this coffee? I'll wring that cook's neck!"

Her shoulders shook, but she kept pouring.]

Everything will be ready soon, just you wait! Thanks for your patience! We're a little short-staffed...!

[recreator]

[The two turn as one to find Themis approaching them, stepping forward from the edge of the stands. Emet-Selch (the younger) is momentarily struck by a change in him - nothing major, really, yet undeniable all the same. Themis seems more confident, more assured; his countenance is one he remembers well, yet has not seen exactly thus in millennia. His mouth opens-- yet it is the older Emet-Selch who speaks, his tone smug even for one who is addressing someone quite important and worthy of respect. He wears a (projected) smile as easily as his other self wears the mask marking his station.]

Ah, Elidibus. How kind of you to join us. I see you're just as punctual as ever.

[His mouth twitches, as if his words reflect some private joke, and his eyes trail back to his other half.]

Dear me, you should have mentioned that you brought our young charge with you. Indeed this will make everything much, much easier. Do you dare do the honors, or shall I put you out of your misery?

[The other man sucks in a breath through his teeth, half-turning in Themis's direction. What can he say? He hadn't yet wished to burden either Themis or Hythlodaeus with the full weight of what he knows, of what is to come. Had that decision, in itself, been flawed?]

...we speak of the present state of our world. Of Etheirys. You'll recall when I said to you when you first arrived - that, as things stand, there is no one else capable of taking on my title. That the world now is a very different place from the one you remember.

[Emet-Selch rolls his eyes (so needlessly melodramatic!) and interjects, his words clipped and matter of fact. The smile gone.]

That is because the world was broken - sundered - into the source shard and its thirteen reflection. And with it, all life, save those of us who managed to escape the blow.