songerein | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Alphen and you
Which: open log
What: Alphen's taking dogs out for a walk.
Warnings: possible mentions of depression and death.

1. the streets of reverein

No, Wait! Come back! Black Fang! White Shadow! Gray Claw!

[Alphen's running for his life while chasing after three puppies. The dogs run away from him and hide behind the next bystander they see. ]

Sorry to bother you with this but have you seen a dog around here?

[He looks a little apologetic. It's been a crazy day. ]

1.b

That's weird. I could swear this thing was talking and walking before.

[He's holding up something that looks like a dog that's made out of plush. That used to belong to Law so Alphen decided to take care of it for the time being. ]

Now it's not really saying anything. Listen I know it's just a plush but it used to walk and talk before. Do you know about enchantment magic?

[Enchantment magic isn't something that he's particularly skilled at. ]

2. around the smithy

Maybe I should get back to work.

[Alphen might seem a little off somehow. He doesn't look like his usual self anymore. His eyes look different and his hand has a drastically changed in appearance as well. He looks more like a monster that way. Seems as if he's been trying to hide these changes under bandages.

Either way it does look suspicious. The nightmare influence is strong and affecting him to this extent. It's gotten to the point where it's noticeable.]

There's a lot of things I still have to check up on. The smithy should be open right about now too. It's been a while. I want to see how things are doing there.

3. [Wild card]

[feel free to wild card as always.]

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[ Somnus is here. He's always here, because he is a phantom and requires no sleep, giving him ample time to work on any various projects, collections, or crafts.

It's immediately apparent that Alphen is far worse for wear than any other time he's seen him. ...And that includes the time Alphen had passed out from working on a road. And that time he had been devastated after Shionne's departure. The man has a penchant for both overworking and overestimating himself. Neither trait makes him currently suitable to handle the equipment of a smithy.

And then, more importantly, there is the matter of how warped his hand appears, even encased by bandages. So as soon as Alphen enters the shop, Somnus lifts his hand, calling for him to stop. ]

Hold.

Oh hey, long time no see. How are things with you?

[Alphen's just so casual about everything that he doesn't even see anything wrong with himself. ]

I just wanted to see what's going on. Feels like I haven't been down here for a bit. Are you well??

[Maybe he should get himself checked before he starts asking how Somnus is doing.]

[ Instead of answering, Somnus merely frowns. He doesn't move, preventing Alphen from going any further into the shop. ]

Look at yourself. You are in no state to work.

[ He'll have none of that nightmare energy in his workshop, thanks. ]

Believe me I know that better than anyone. I just don't know what else I have to do now. I've already tried looking for other options.

[ Looks like Alphen's gonna have to take more time off from work then. It's a shame. He likes this place so he hopes he gets better soon. ]

Spent all that time searching for ways to stop this so it's not as if I haven't been doing nothing. I could use your help though.

[ Nightmare energy can be countered by positive dreamotion energy, if memory serves, which perhaps makes it effective against noctaere. Thus, Alphen needs to be with those who are capable of channeling it, and those who are closest to him. More than likely, this means he needs those from his world. ]

Hear me, Warrior. [ Like always, his tone is effortlessly sharp, but now he speaks more quickly, as Alphen's time has only been made more precious. Noctaere are known to cause an incredible amount of destruction if left unchecked. If Alphen is in the process of being corrupted by nightmares... he can succumb at any moment, spread it, and harm others. ] You must inform your closest. Then, disarm yourself. Before you regress too far, isolate yourself from this town.

[ He takes a few steps closer to Alphen, and with it comes the unnatural coolness of his spectral aura, chilling and stifling the air around him. Before he offers any sort of "help", he asks one more question, his voice as heavy as iron: ]

Do you understand?

That's been a bit more difficult than it sounds. I lost a lot of my friends and my family so I didn't really know where to turn.

[Alphen looks feels a little guilty for it too. He's done what he can but he didn't turn out with much results. ]

I guess I haven't completely lost everything. You're still here.

[ The first part causes a tilt of his head. Shionne is gone, but isn't Kisara of the same world? ] You may contact them by journal. [ In any case, Somnus outsretches his hand. ]

Now... Your blades. Relinquish them.

[ Sentimentality can come later. First, safety! ]

I'll try to do that later, thanks.

[He doesn't mind leaving his weapons here but he wonders if there's anything else he needs to do.]

You want my sincleaver blade. Is it really okay to just leave it here?

Until you are well, I will keep them safe. [ Somnus' hand remains outstretched. He won't repeat himself. ]

In the interim, there is something else I shall give you.

Thank you, Somnus. I'm really sorry about this.

[He gives Somnus the blade without much of an argument. It's probably better like that anyway.]

What do you want me to hold on to?

[ Once Alphen disarms himself, Somnus dismisses the weapons into his armory. There, they will be in his safekeeping.

With another call of his magic, crystalline light flashes once, then glimmers across his palm. Turning his wrist with the same motion, the light settles, revealing
three of these flowers. ]

Dawn flowers. They are known to have anti-noctaere properties… and to bring those afflicted back to a sound state of mind. [ He offers them to Alphen. Although these flowers grow naturally within dark caves, he acquired these ones from another fairly recently. The flowers are a natural repellent, but they also should be able to pacify the nightmare energy within him, depending on how far he’s progressed…. Or so he’s been informed. ]

Take one for yourself to hold within your cursed hand, or have another make a concoction or salve from it. It will stave off the nightmare energy. Entrust the rest to your loved ones, to use at your darkest hour.

Thank you, Somnus. I'll take care of it, I appreciate your kindness.

[He's not ungrateful for the gesture. Alphen accepts the Dawn Flower and hopes it'll help him out in the long term.]

Will you be fine managing the smithy like that? It's a lot of work since you'd end up taking my load too

[ Seeing as Alphen is not immediately repelled by the dawn flowers, perhaps they're already working-- a fortunate sign, if true.

...But this is the most Somnus can do or recommend at the moment. With the help of the flowers, may the nightmare energy be quelled. ]

Fret not. Return when you are well, and only then.

[ ... ]

Be safe, Alphen.

I'll do my best. There's some things I have to do still. People are counting on me so I don't want to give up.

[Alphen's still hanging in there. It's just hard for him right now.]

I just need more time. The Dawn Flowers will help.

[ "There's some things I have to do still."

"People are counting on me--"

A frown. Then, in no uncertain terms: ] Care for yourself, first. Know this: you cannot be reliable if you are indisposed.

That's harder than it sounds. It's like I just keep hitting walls with it and realizing things too late.

[He lets out a sigh.]

Do you have any experiences with that?

[ A brow hikes, as if the question Alphen asks is odd. ] You are a warrior, are you not? Your use to others depends on your wellbeing.

I can't even hold my blade properly. There's no way I'm in fighting condition like this.

You're more of a warrior than I am.

[He's just stating it as if it's a fact.]

A warrior worthy of the title knows their limits and when to rely on others. [ Similar to Alphen's previous tone, Somnus states this as if it is a fact. Whether it is a fact, and that it applies to him, remains debatable.

He continues: ]

You have the dawn flower. Go now and seek to appease your woes, before it is too late.

I wonder when it's too late. I can't imagine having that much time to figure this all out.

[ Time is always going to be an issue. Alphen looks mildly distressed. ]

Do you think I have more than a few days at least? [He has no idea how bad this thing can be. ]

[ After a moment of consideration, he nods. ] The flower has the power to both quell and revert, to some extent,... or so I have been told. [ The subject is a bit nebulous, but he trusts the source. ] Find a field of them in which to lie, if nothing else.

I'll do that. I'll have to make some preparations before I head out.

Would you mind it if I contacted you when I've made some progress on that front? I'd at least like to tell you how I'm doing every now and then.

[Somnus is still his boss. ]

[ A nod. ] Do as you will.

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