002//Dream{Interactive}

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Jade was prone to nightmares. It was a fact. When one saw and did as many less-than-moral things in his life, it was bound to happen.

However, this dream in particular was not necessarily nightmareish in nature, but it was not exactly cheery.

In the middle of what looked to be a deep red pond was a quiet, still figure. Sitting on his knees, the red liquid wasn't terribly deep, not even going all the way up his hips. Surrounding the macabre pond looked to be a fire-ruined home, charred bits of walls occasionally dropping into the liquid. Books lined some of the walls, but they were flame-ridden too, looking delicate and easily-destroyed. Between the books and slowly-crumbling walls were windows with tattered and dirty drapes, tied back by gore-coated ropes. On the black windowpanes were ghostly prints, left behind by countless hands trying to get through. If one paid attention long enough, they'd see a hand try to push through the glass to the other side, fail, and disappear into the void beyond again.

The figure himself was dressed simply enough in a white, sleeveless shirt that tied at the side and plain white pants now stained with red. Another stain was marked over his left shoulder, neatly contained to a wound that went from his stomach and wrapped around that shoulder to his back. His face was blank, and almost looked tired, showing age Jade himself never allowed.

For a while it was just that. Just sitting and dead, complete silence.]

'Haven't I told you that life is beautiful because it's short?'

[The liquid moved and took shape as a boy of seventeen with green eyes and red hair, a sharp contrast to the female voice that had spoken just seconds earlier. He held out his hand to Jade and his mouth moved, but no words came out. He continued move his lips until a phrase finally slipped out in a male voice matching the figure.]

'We are who we are because of our memories'

[The figure's head moved to look at the red-headed boy, but he dissolved into the liquid and it fell to join the rest of the lake Jade was sitting in. Ripples spread outward and past him, rustling the drapes that seemed let out whispering shrieks that soon faded.

Behind him another figure rose, this one changed from the red to an inky black. The figure was female, very obviously, and oddly-shaped wings rose from its back and hips. Two eyes glowed white and were joined by a crooked smile, the head reamed in spikes that denoted somewhat wild hair.

The black figure seemed to be shaky, its state seeming almost unable to hold itself. It shifted and walked forward unevenly before it knelt down to loop its arms around Jade's neck and hold onto him.]

'You discarded me, and even tried to kill me. What a bad student.'

[Her claw-like fingers tapped his cheek lightly and the unmoved smile seemed to broaden slightly.]

'Didn't anything I teach you get through your head?'

"I'm sorry."

[There was a long pause after Jade finally spoke. The smiling figure tilted it's head, expression remaining, but the gesture obviously one of confusion.]

'For what?'

"Me."

'My student, you must'n't be sorry for your past. What can you change now?'

[The silence returned and the smiling creature gave a hollow sigh, and when it spoke, mouth unmoving, it's voice seemed resolute, but sorrowful.]

'I cannot forgive you. You will never forgive yourself, so how can I? You will never allow yourself to let go of this.

One so familiar and unbothered by death is troubled most of all by one single life extinguished accidentally so long ago.

Oh, irony is bitter, isn't it?'

[It was left at that. Jade had no answer. It seemed harsh, but true. The only thing left of Nebilim were Jade's memories of her, that data stored in his head that never left- never could leave. The only physical relic that remained of her was the scar he'd been given for his last attempt. His hand finally moved to lay over his left shoulder, coming away with a red tint. Words from an angry friend echoed aloud as he stared at his reddened palm.]

'How do you think Nephry and I would feel if you died!?'

[His expression didn't seem to change from the start, staring ahead with age-ridden red eyes viewing something only he could see.

The creature behind him tilted her head again, expression ever the exact same despite the outburst from around them. A small chuckle seemed to emit from nowhere.]

'Maybe someone else can forgive you for your misdeeds, my poor student. One has already taught you a lesson I could never dream of giving you in life.'

[With those words, the creature pulled her arms from around hims and seemed to meld into the red under them, voice echoing once more. It seemed almost... amused and chiding at the same time.]

'The dead can teach many things, but I have given what I am able. Some things you must learn on your own.'

[Jade's head slowly moved up and around, taking in the surroundings in silence before he stood. When he finally got to his feet, the red liquid rose with him in the form of several figures dressed in blue armor, circled around him and standing at attention. After a long moment of doing nothing to assuage Jade's confusion, they saluted. Their voices were loud and trumpeting; resolute, confident, and bold.]

'ALL HAIL COLONEL CURTISS THE NECROMANCER'

[One by one, the footsoldiers gained a sudden and fatal injury, the form turning red, losing it's shape, and splashing into the red liquid again. Enough times and small waves pushed at Jade's shins until they were all gone. Jade's expression darkened and his lips drew into a thin line. A single door seemed to rise from nowhere. It was ornately carved, intricate Ispanian writings and designs meticulously engraved into the wood's surface. They depicted a tree, broken in the middle, it's branches falling. The tree itself glowed gently, moving despite the wooden make. The door itself had no doorknob and seemed to just be a slab, but for some reason, Jade knew it was a door.

Sloshing through the viscous liquid, Jade tried the door and found it either locked or simply unmoving. He scanned the area, his lips drawing into a frown. How to open it...? Was there a key here? How would he unlock it..?]

Comments

[double_edged]

[It takes him awhile to really process what's happening here.

Was it an illusion of the city? The village? Was any of this really happening? But then he remembers the words Nunnally spoke to him earlier, and the distinct sense that something was wrong but she wouldn't inform him on the situation.

His hand tightens around the Praetorian Omniwrench, brows furrowing and his best commanding voice coming forth.]

Colonel, wake up!

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[There's the sound of shifting and the dreamberry stops showing the dream. There's the sound of Jade giving a low noise of confusion and it flips to a video of the edge of a nightstand overlooking Jade in his bed. His eyes are open a bit before he sits up quickly. The movement throws his blankets a bit, which slap the communicator and send it to the floor.

A moment later, Jade's foot comes into view and the communicator whirls as Jade's face comes into view. He doesn't have his glasses on and he looks a bit asleep still.]

Is something the matter, General?

[double_edged]

[There's a deep sigh from the Lombax General, followed by a few silent swears in Lombaxian as he turns back to the feed, still stern, but not as determined as he'd been just moments ago. He's leaning over the table, auburn eyes watching his companion closely.

And in a very quiet, firm voice, he asks:]

--do you remember what happened?

[It was doubtful. To be yanked suddenly out of such a deep and involved dream was nothing short of disorienting, but he had to make sure anyway.]

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[What... Happened? Jade frowned lightly and rubbed his head a bit. He... Had a dream, that was true. But... Had something happened before he'd gone to bed? After? He was still in his apartment on Vatheon, unfortunately. Talking to Alister was more proof of that.

He looked back to the communicator. True enough, being pulled from his dream was confusing and a bit frustrating. That door.. Jade didn't know what it was supposed to mean. Dreams didn't always have those, but it didn't hurt to be curious. Bits and pieces filtered back to him. The full thing remained a mystery.]

My apologies, I don't know what you're talking about. Has something happened?

[double_edged]

[And then he looks down, leaning back in his swivel-chair with a moment of contemplative silence, thinking about the events he just saw, how they affected his friend. Whatever was happening, it was far from pleasant, but something that would need to be addressed if the rest of the city had just witnessed his innermost thoughts.

The truth was being pulled out of all of them, wasn't it?]

Colonel, your dream. The communicators just broadcast the entire thing somehow. A mind-melding modification, telepathic projection, I don't know.

We saw everything.

1/3

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Alister gets the definite displeasure of seeing Jade's eyes go wide. He spends time in a pensive silence, looking away from the communicator. His free hand fisted tightly, trying to sort through his current thoughts. Why...? How...?

The Professor. What could he say to that? People weren't supposed to be privy to this information and now apparently it was being spread to everyone. This damn device... Since when..?]

2/3

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[There's a frustrated noise and a lightly bothered look, his jaw tight and his brows furrowed. This was not good. There were those from his world, they'd pry and ask questions; questions Jade didn't particularly care for answering. People he didn't know knew things they shouldn't know.

Damn, what kind of trick was this?]

3/3

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Well, honestly, what's the worst that could happen. They'd probably forget soon. he could imagine he wasn't the only one who was experiencing this forced dream sharing, right? He looked back to the communicator after a moment, his expression shifting a little.]

Just forget you saw that. What do you know about this event?

[He's certainly not sleeping until this is fixed.]

[chokmahemperor]

[They say people are bound together through their shared experiences. They also say those who've become bound can sometimes feel each other's pain and strengthen each other in times of trial.

He tries to be there as often as Jade lets him, but more often than not that means forcing his way in.

In retrospect, he probably should have expected something like this. Somehow. Something about the surreal nature of the setting makes it all the more real, somehow. Not literally, no, but on some deeper level. But as voices fade in and out, people fade in and out--collapsing and rising from the pool all around them--and yet she stays, some sense of "off" starts to press at him.

It's his own voice that finally jars him loose from his frozen state.

As she once more falls away--first in life, now here; dissolving--Peony feels his body begin to move. Slick substance splashes up towards his knees, somehow without seeping into fabric or making it any heavier, and everything seems to slowly slide into place an inch at a time. He knows why, or maybe he just thinks he does. People don't just turn to fluid, don't just rise from it; you don't just hear your own voice if you're not speaking and there's nothing to project it. But when has he last dreamt of Jade?]

ALL HAIL--

[He tunes out the rest of it. He's always disliked that title, never quite feeling it fit the man to whom it was given. It doesn't matter that the practice was an attempt at bringing the dead back, it always fails. No one is brought back, the dead are merely replicated. But he's trying to push and push and push through and that pressing, off feeling intensifies as Jade stands before the door. It's then he realizes that no matter how far he'd been walking, he hadn't gotten any closer. Physics seem to remember their existence then as if noticing that much is enough to force their return, and Peony propels himself forward through ruddy liquid, and finally, finally draws close enough to reach--]

Jade!

[--for the man's upper arm, pulling at him and trying to bring him back a few steps and away from the door. Why does that seem necessary? Peony doesn't bother questioning it past the initial wonder flickering through his mind. There are more important things to concern himself with right now, like where they are, what this is--if it's a dream or not. If Jade's okay.]

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Jade doesn't seem to hear all through the time as he speaks and barely interacts with the world inside the red lake. He for one seems intent on the door and when he surveys his surroundings, he spots Peony just in time for the Emperor to grab him and knock him off balance.

He stumbled and barely caught himself before he did a nosedive into Peony's chest. He looked at Peony with a confused expression before he looked back to the door. And then he returned to give Peony an odd look.]

Your Majesty?

[This may be dream land, but that doesn't go away.]

[chokmahemperor]

[Carefully, Peony helps the other man upright, though hands are hesitant to leave once they have hold. Strangely, for as concerned as he was just a split second before, he smiles. It's weak, but there's some mirth there. Jade's confusion and double-take shove worry away for just that moment, and Peony shakes his head. The concern falls back into place, the emperor's lips forming a thin line.]

All that, just now... Are you alright?

[Because that's more important than what Peony's doing there, Jade.]

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Jade would really like to know why you're here, Peony. But at the same time, he doesn't really see it as terribly odd. He lapses into thoughtful silence a moment before he looks back to the man again.]

Yes... I think... I need to find the key.

[He looked back to the door and took a step for it, staring concernedly.]

[chokmahemperor]

[And why should it be odd? With as prevalent as he is in Jade's life, it should be more than just the norm. Peony's attention drifts briefly from Jade and over to the door, his voice lowering as he speaks, hold loose enough to escape.]

What do you think's behind that?

[Gaze turning back to Jade from there, he follows that step, moving then to his side.]

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[That was true. Jade himself wasn't really prone to dreaming of the man, but it wasn't entirely illogical. Peony's presence in his life was sometimes pushy, but very welcome underneath the surface. Even in the dream world, Jade likely wouldn't admit to such a thing. As for the hold, Jade didn't move much, just turning in place occasionally.

At the question, Jade stared at the door, then the windows on the crumbling walls.]

I'm not sure. I need to find the key.

[A hand reached out to lay against the door, staring at it with a quiet frown.]

Interactive Dream

[closedcircuit]

[Ky steps out of the red liquid where the soldiers had fallen, dressed, as usual, in his Sacred Order uniform. He studies his feet and the waves that lap over them for a moment, then he turns to look at Jade.]

Can you force it? Is there anything important on the other side?

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Jade looked to him rather suddenly, appearing confused. He then looked to the door and nodded.]

There's something... Important.

[closedcircuit]

Important like people will die otherwise, or important like...you just know it's important? Or important like power?

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

I know it's important. I need to get to the other side.

[Jade turned and went for the bookshelves, like he thought that would help.]

I need to find a key.

[closedcircuit]

[Ky trails behind him, peering at Jade's back as he goes.]

Is it metal?

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[He paused a long while.]

No. It's not.

Dreamwalking

[fonmaster]

[Ion was vaguely aware of what he was viewing, and that made it all the more uncomfortable. He didn't yet know that he was asleep, but his mind wasn't really questioning the somewhat disjointed nature of the dream. It seemed natural. He took a few steps forward once he found he was able to move, peering up at Jade worriedly.]

Is there something unusual about the wall?

Dreamwalking

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

It's a door.

[He didn't look to Ion just yet, instead staring at the door still. He frowned at it. How to open it...?]

Dreamwalking

[fonmaster]

I see.

[He doesn't see. How does Jade know it's a door? And... what exactly are they standing in? The second question seems like one he doesn't want an answer to, so Ion steps forward and runs a hand along the door.]

Does it have some sort of seal on it?

Dreamwalking

[bootsweremadeforcasting]

[Jade put a hand on it, staring up and frowning as he tried to find a way through.]

There's a key somewhere.

[He didn't know how he knew it and he didn't question it as he turned from the door and headed towards the bookshelves. Every step sent out ripples that moved the drapes, letting out more of the breathy shrieks, ones that were not overwhelming, but hard to ignore.]

Dreamwalking

[fonmaster]

[He hurried to keep up with Jade, the macabre setting beginning to get to him. What would be locked up in a place like this? Did he want to know? Should Jade really open it?]

Should... you really unlock that door? This place is unsettling. It might be locked for a reason.