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

[nomoresharks]

A heavy sigh carries through the grand halls of the amphitheater, nearly swallowed by the ringing footsteps that echo as Hythlodaeus--the one so enamored by the individualism of Reverein--makes his way unhurriedly toward Emet-Selch's throne. "I somehow get the feeling you were expecting someone else," he says, just before his exaggerated pout transforms into a smile radiating warmth--a far cry from the perfunctory politeness most would have seen from him.

"But if that is what the most eminent Emet-Selch desires, then who am I to deny him?" He stands before the dais, arms out. "Though as your friend, I would just like to say I'd prefer a different path. But I'll leave the final decision to you."

[recreator]

[Hythlodaeus, what in the seven hells are you wearing?]




[...It's a good look. Actually.]

[Unfortunately, Emet-Selch has much bigger fish to fry at the moment, and no, that isn't a dismissal at all. His lips twitch at the corners, and at last he lowers his weapon, seeing as Hythlodaeus is making an easy target of himself.]

Clearly.

[He isn't a complete fool, however. If he's been split into two halves, it stands to reason that others have been also. He should remain on his guard. After all, there's no telling how Hythlodaeus may or may not behave. But he is - as he said: a friend - and one of his brethren besides. The Rejoining will be a complete failure if even a single soul is missing.]

And I suppose that depends entirely on whether you're willing to walk my path or not. Have you seen the Auri woman? If the scenery is anything to go by, this dreamscape is obviously hers.

[nomoresharks]

[Hythlodaeus laughs]

What other path would I walk?

[It isn't as if Azem is here, after all.]

But nay, I haven't. Whether or not the "me" I left behind has, on the other hand, I can't say. There was far too much to explore for me to bother lingering.

[recreator]

[Emet-Selch, regrettably, does not laugh nor indicate that he finds any of this the least bit funny. He does, however, slip the metal barrel back into his pocket. For now.]

Well, that's the question, isn't it? Understand that I will think no less of you should you choose to follow your own, yet I cannot have you or anyone else interfering with mine. It's rather an "all or nothing" sort of situation, you see. I mean to sweep the board.

[So he was right. Which means the other one is liable to find his way here eventually. Another element which will be difficult to predict, but...]

[He raises a knuckle to his lips in thought.]

[nomoresharks]

Ah, you misunderstand.

[He lifts a finger as he begins to explain.]

There is no other path than yours, as far as I'm concerned. So it has ever been, and so it shall ever be.

[His hand drops to his side once more, and his ever-present smile turns slightly apologetic]

I will admit that things may get a little complicated should your other self happen to have a different idea as to where his purpose may lie, but I'm sure the two of you will come to some sort of agreement eventually.

[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.

[recreator]

[Regrettably, Emet-Selch looks no more joyful about this offer than he did at the start.]

Well far be it for me to deny you the honors if such is your aim. Just keep in mind who it is we are dealing with. Although I've no doubt you've ample pretty words at your disposal, the Xaela, at least, is like to resort to violence. Such is their way - in my experience.

[He turns his back then, brushing one of the gently lit orbs aside as he stops, and concentrates, and looks. There are others within the palace - a great deal of them yet, and some few appear to be heading this way.]

[nomoresharks]

[Hythlodaeus shrugs.]

Well it's not as if I'm much use in battle. I'd much rather keep any moments of glory I may or may not be graced with in my back pocket until they're necessary.

[He takes the moment's pause to look around as well, filing away color and position alike.]

And there's my other half--who has found Madhuri, it seems. And I spy a fair few familiar hues out there as well.

[A sidelong glance in Emet-Selch's direction.]

I know you do so prefer to work alone, so I'll play interference where I can. Whosoever I can't call an ally, I'll me more than willing to divert elsewhere.

[recreator]

What isn't tucked away in that back pocket of yours? You've more than ample battle prowess and much more at your disposal besides. But suit yourself. Who am I to lecture you on tactics?

Only two of them are of any real use to my plans anyhow.

[Emet-Selch takes note of where Hythlodaeus is looking and squints into the distance. There's a very faint twin of Hythlodaeus's familiar color, and another beside it which must belong to Madhuri. He cannot tell their exact location nor direction, but they seem close enough to one another.]

If I may, however, make a recommendation? Perhaps you should locate Madhuri first. This you, that is. For all we know the two of them might be giggling together over tea and gossip until this entire dream blows over. By then it will be too late.

[nomoresharks]

Oh dear. Had I been aware you were curious about my back pocket, I would have been more than happy to let you know. Alas, now 'tis just a mite too late for aught to be done.

[He bites his tongue to hold back a laugh]

After all, as you've so kindly pointed out, I've a tea party to join.

[recreator]

"Aught to be done"?

[Emet-Selch scowls at the words. Just what is Hythlodaeus going on about now? He's certain the two of them are speaking on two very separate matters indeed. With an impatient sigh, Emet-Selch makes a dismissive shooing motion with his hand.]

I can scarce imagine what sort of ridiculous notion you've gotten up to this time. Go on then. I've no more patience to spare on your nonsense.