dreamposts (
dreamposts) wrote in
songerein2024-07-19 02:36 am
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
Entry tags:
{ nightmare city }

NIGHTMARE CITY
On a fine, dreary day while Reverein is still experiencing the chaotic aftermath of worlds bleeding into Songerein, a familiar top hat, long tailed coat wearing figure will appear in the center plaza. Dubbed "The Ringmaster," he calls out to everyone a friendly greeting, and while a bit wary, those who remember him and his crew who hosted the first Halloween carnival and subsequent iterations gather around to listen to what he has to say.
With a heartfelt plea, he asks assistance from the Dreamwalkers to help aid his brethren, "Nightmarians" who are suffering from nightmares of their own. Residing in a city dominated by nostilium, they are creatures and figures who thrive off it and are able to live without issue, but the recent influx has affected even them. In return for receiving aid, they will help absorb the excess nostilium and seal remaining world fragments.
Meanwhile, the tapirs have another mission for those who would prefer staying behind in the city, and that is to start repairing the tethers.
More details on everything can be found here. Because we are in endgame, all events are open to anyone outside the game! Feel free to tag in or start new threads as we march on towards the end!
I. REVEREIN
Those who decide to stay behind will find the tapirs appearing in and out around the town. There are still a few corrupted tapirs that need healing as well as some that need help recovering, however the more important task is finding the tethers and repairing them. Doing so will help stabilize the connections between Songerein and every other world and stop the world fragments from bleeding further in.
A. Moon Crystals. It was a bit of an accident, really. Those in the Observatory were doing their own research to try and determine the connection between Songerein and other worlds, and one topic of interest was the dream world's moons, a medium the Story Eater employed to traverse between worlds. While debating if the twin moons still maintained those connections, somehow the giant floating crystal activated and fired a giant beam of dreamotion right into the moons, which also just so happened to have aligned right on top of each other and right above Reverein. While no physical damage was detected, as in there are no visible giant holes, light falls from the moons and are revealed to be "moon crystals," crystal shards made from the moon and infused with pure dreamotion.

โจ Crystal Collection. While most of the shards are small, those viewing through the telescope notice there are quite large ones that could cause some damage. Quick, collect the ones that have fallen and try and break up the larger pieces before they put a hole through someone's roof!
๐ New purifiers. The amount of dreamotion in these crystals is significant and could help with the remaining world fragments and nostilium that continues to bleed into the world. While they could just be scattered around like seeds, the Orkilins will be quick to fashion a device that could help amplify and focus the dreamotion into the area. Now they just need those areas to be cleared out of noctaere so they can be set into the ground and activated.
๐ Tapir Medicine. When crushed, these crystals can be used as potent medicine for tapirs who are still corrupted or recovering, either as a pill or even dissolved into a drink. However, the trick is administering said medicine and will require someone to hold down the medicine adverse dream eater. Perhaps offering it with a snack conjured by some nostilium will help.
B. Tethers. By now everyone knows about the tethers that connect the worlds to Songerein, however, no one really knew what they were. They seemed to be this intangible pathway that could not be seen or touched. However, the tapirs have discovered that due to the current circumstances, the tethers are taking physical form in this world. They're still not sure what's happening, so time to investigate!

๐ฎ World Object Fragments. Within world fragments, strange broken pieces of some kind of object can be found scattered around. They have a distinctive sparkle and shine to them, drawing anyone to them. Collect the pieces, and if successfully able to put it all together, it will take the form of a symbolic object of that world. Perhaps those from that world fragment will be able to recognize it and explain what it is.
๐ Dream storytelling. With these new objects, the tapirs will inform everyone that those from those world fragments should try and create a simple dreamscape based somewhere in their world, perhaps an important or popular place, and tell stories about their world in general. Although they can share personal stories, ones about the world in general will work better. Others not from the world can ask questions to try and learn about the world. These dreamscapes and stories will help strengthen the object.
๐ Moon Crystals. If there isn't anyone nearby for a particular world fragment, using the moon crystals will work just as well. Crush it into dust and let the object absorb it while walking around the area while imagining what kind of world the place is trying to represent.
C. Nightmarians. As promised, residents from Nightmare City, the Nightmarians, will enter Reverein to assist in absorbing excess nostilium and serve as conduits to seal off world fragments. However, their initial appearance may startle and confuse the natives as they are creatures that tend to have more "nightmarish" appearance. Try not to attack them! In addition, they will need someone to help them when the nostilium becomes too much by channeling dreamotion into them when needed.
D. Mysterious sightings. Reverein has been abuzz with eerie occurrences over the past two nights following the tail end of the eruption of nostilium and the appearance of world fragments. Witnesses have reported sightings of a strange, humanoid creature wandering the streets under the cover of darkness. Descriptions are vague but some claim to have found fiery red feathers in its wake, along with ominous claw marks etched into the alley walls. In addition to this enigmatic figure, there have also been sightings of a large wolf roaming the area. Despite the unsettling nature of these events, no attacks or injuries have been reported from either the creature or the wolf.
Those who have investigated a slew of recent interrelated occurrences may notice a few things about this creatureโs description and the timing of its appearance. Even if not, thanks to their efforts, related professionals in Nightmare City will have a wealth of information to help with dealing with this matter, should it be brought to them (literally and figuratively). Those looking to investigate can also use this toplevel for additional information and responses.
II. NIGHTMARE CITY
For those willing to venture to Nightmare City, a special gateway is erected in the Central Plaza where anyone will be able to enter and leave freely, and will remain for as long as needed. Passing through the gateway may feel strange at first, a sharp chill that seems to overwhelm the senses before it is replaced by a rush of heat as they step into the center of a much larger city square. Tall buildings tower around them with neon lights blinking in and out from windows and signs. Music, chatter, and other sounds fill the air as all sorts of "nightmarish" creatures walk or fly past—demons, monsters, ghouls, masked figures, all from horror based worlds. But rather than dreary, it's lively with laughter mixing in with those ghastly screams. Those from modern cities may liken the city as one of the larger populated metropolises. However while it is busy, there is a tension, and as soon as the Dreamwalkers start to appear many will rush in not to attack, but to plead desperately for their help.

B. Dreamwalking. Right away requests for Dreamwalkers to enter nightmares is called upon, but somehow the nightmares are so terrifying to the Nightmarians they can't even properly explain what they see. Bracing for the worst, what the Dreamwalkers find will surprise them.

๐บ Cuteness Overload. In some dreams, the dreamer is surrounded by a plethora of cute things: cute animals, cute aesthetics, cute colors—even the Dreamwalker and the dreamer are "cutified." Big eyes, sparkles, even the sun has a cute laughing face. This has left the dreamer hunched over in sheer terror while kittens and puppies paw and purr around them. Help the poor Nightmarian by somehow ridding the dream of all this cute.
โ Domestic living. Some may find a dream where one is just chilling on the couch and enjoying a cup of coffee and watching TV relaxing. For a Nightmarian, it's pure hell. They feel trapped, unable to break through the cycle, and they feel their sense of self being drained away, Even the colors are starting to fade. Time to spice up their life, perhaps even shock or scare them back to their old self.
๐จ Dream wreckers. One way to try and break the Nightmarian out of their stupor is to destroy and "horrorfy" the dream as much as possible. Whatever could terrify the Dreamer may be a sweet dream to the Nightmarian, so this could be good practice for someone who may want to try and twist and use nostilium actively for a good purpose.
๐ช Open door. If the Dreamwalker is unable to handle the situation on their own, creating a rift into the dream so that an awaiting Nightmarian can assist is another option. To create a rift, they have to conjure a weapon and use enough nostilium to break through and create a tear in the space. The job isn't over even when the Nightmarian arrives. The Dreamwalker will need to still assist them so they aren't scared off by the contents or worse, fall into the "nightmare" themselves.
C. Nightmare Forms. For those who want practice or need help controlling their nostilium, there are a number of experts willing to teach the way of the nightmare, both in and out of dreams. This will require a lot of mental strength and fortunately if someone loses control, they are in a place that will help them. This also includes learning to take on a controlled nightmare form. What that form will be will vary, but as Dreamwalkers will be facing nightmares and their vices, it could incorporate the seven deadly sins.

๐ฅ Strength in Sin. It may sound strange, but instead of trying to face one's fear, Nightmarians will ask Dreamwalkers to think of what their worst vice is. Do they have anger issues? Prideful? Lazy? Gluttonous? Envious? Lustful? Covetous? Because nostilium is also formed by negative emotions, it is easier to try and focus on a negative aspect of oneself than trying to grapple with something more emotional based on fear. By focusing on a negative trait instead, they can lean into that vice and turn it into a source of power and strength. Thus in this exercise, whatever powers they exhibit will reflect that particular trait.
๐ Nightmare Form. The next step will be trying to transform into a unique form born from nostilium. Those who have turned into noctaere before or have transformed in some way will naturally lean into that form. But they can also try and learn something different, one based off their vice. This form may actually be more stable and offer them more control. What look will they have in this form?
๐ฏ Target practice. Whether in a dreamscape or out in a designated practice zone, participants can go through various exercises and use targets and dummies to help focus, channel, and release nostilium into a controlled force no different than when utilizing dreamotion. Some may use spells and abilities similar to what they know, however with nostilium it will be changed in some way. Different element, different color, curse or hex-like effects, etc.—how it manifests will be unique to the individual. Weapons are treated similar.
๐คบ Sparring practice.It's also possible to try and spar against someone, whether it's two nostilium users or one using nostilium and the other using dreamotion. There will be experts supervising and will intervene if someone loses control, so do not worry and push to the limits. These exercises will benefit both nostilium and dreamotion users as they navigate using and countering nostilium.
๐ช Worst Nightmare. After going through the different exercises, those who want to try go further and harness the powers and force born from their nightmares have the chance to take a partner and be launched into a nightmarescape based on their worst nightmares. They will remain lucid, but they will feel the effects of the nightmare more keenly than usual. But if they are able to "defeat" their nightmare and take control of the nostilium and emotions created by it, they will be able to strengthen their powers and their nightmare form.

no subject
"Oh, I think he'll understand. He's killed plenty of rats, after all."
The voice was shrill, grating, and also annoyingly familiar. That was one of the people she'd been looking for, though she still can't see where the little weasel is hiding.]
You're just a bit part in this dream, same as the rodent. Where's your boss?
[She says it aggressively, threateningly, but it just provokes a laugh.]
no subject
[Obviously the voice in the darkness, but he has no idea who that -]
[Wait. He remembers that voice. It's been a while...]
<... Drode, right?>
no subject
[She's still looking around for some sign of him, some visual, something she can-
Well, she can't attack Drode, it won't work, but it'll still make her feel better to have her eyes on him, irrational and pointless as it is.]
Come on, where is he? This is a nightmare, and you and rat-boy here aren't really scaring me.
[<Stop it! Stop ignoring me!>
He's trying too hard. To sound tough. To sound in control. It makes him sound pathetic. Like how he'd really sounded like that day. When she-
Whatever. He's not real.
"Whatever you need to tell yourself, I guess. You're one of the good guys, right?"]
Shut up. You're not real either, knowing what I'm thinking isn't impressive.
no subject
[Not eating him, but Tobias is more than capable of putting the fear of hawk into a rodent.]
<You're not scaring us. We're stronger than you and you know it, or you wouldn't be hiding in the dark.>
cw for a super dead, uh... "animal."
"Oh, fine, if you insist. No appreciation for theater."
As soon as he says it, the figure of the Drode appears beside the box that David is trapped in, and he reaches down into the box- tiny, frail, many-jointed arm slipping through the solid material as if it were nothing but a hologram- and scoops the struggling, squirming rat out of the cage.
<No! No, you can't do this, we had a deal! We had a deal! No!>]
About time you showed your face.
["I think you dropped this. Here, catch!"
<Crayak! Crayak, we had a deal! You can't turn me over to her! Cray->
Drode tosses the rat toward Rachel, and she catches it without thinking. The protesting thought-speak voice goes suddenly, hideously silent. The rat lies crushed in her bare hand. Not from the throw, or the catch- it looks like its neck has been broken, a clear attempt to be quick and merciful with only human hands.
And Rachel realizes now what the nightmare is supposed to be about. She doesn't say anything, but Drode laughs.]
no subject
<You're a nightmare. You're not real. Not here. You should go, before I start to take your fake dinosaur butt apart piece by piece.>
[He's starting to get an inkling as to what this is about too, but he's got to keep her safe until they can figure out what to do.]
<Do you want me to morph and take care of him?>
[He'd send it privately, but this is a dream. This horrible thing could probably hear him anyway.]
cw for some deliberate torture because we have FUN on this channel.
Just- just ignore him. He's just trying to get in my head.
["As your boyfriend was so eager to point out, this is your nightmare. I already am in your head."
He sounds almost sing-song when he points it out, and she grits her teeth and glares at him.]
You made your point. Are we done here?
["Point? I'm not here to make points, it sounds dull. I'm just here to see who you snap and murder next. Ooh, maybe the bird?"
The response almost happens too fast to follow, a blur of movement as she suddenly erupts outward, arms lengthening and thickening with muscles as one hand snaps around Drode's neck. The other hand sprouts long, lethal claws from each finger.
"Boring, boring. Really, you tried this last time, rememb-"
His mockery is suddenly cut off by her driving those long, horrible claws into his torso and twisting, prompting a horrible high-pitched squeal of shock and pain.]
Didn't try this, though, did I?
no subject
[Quietly he morphs human and walks over to Rachel, putting a hand on her shoulder. His voice is low and soft as he speaks.]
I think you made your point. ... Let him go. It's not about him.
[He hesitates and then slowly wraps his arms around her torso from behind, just holding her.]
no subject
Tobias. The only other person in the room, she remembers, is Tobias.]
No-
[No. She's not- she's one of the good guys. She's one of the good guys.
She drops Drode. He lies wheezing and groaning in pain as she slowly steps back, away from him, away from Tobias. Her claws shrink back into her fingers, the muscular frame shrinking down into the normal.]
no subject
... The war's over, right? You - we can never be normal again, but you don't have to fight. You don't have to hurt other people. You don't have to get hurt.
[He doesn't chase her, not wanting to make her feel trapped, but he does reach out towards her.]
... I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid for you. You... you can put things down. You don't have to - you can rest.
[He feels like he's on the edge of crying but that's stupid. Hawks don't cry. ... And he's more hawk than human, these days.
no subject
I can't just put it down! You think I haven't tried? I've been trying since I got here.
[A few short months of relative quiet and tranquility and it felt like a cage, like something fake that would all fall apart any minute.]
I knew. I knew this would happen. Whenever it was over, whenever the war was done, I knew. That's why I-
[... and she can't finish that thought. He already looks so concerned. She's not used to it. His face usually had this intense piercing stoic look because he just wasn't used to human facial muscles anymore, and before that he always looked sort of far-off and dreamy-eyed. She barely remembers it now.
She'd only ever seen him look this raw, this vulnerable, one other time.]
... This was a mistake. I'm sorry.
no subject
... I just want you to be at peace, whatever that means.
[If it means letting her go... he'll never truly let her go. He knows that. As for that thought...]
[They all know she's the most ruthless.]
... Why you volunteered.
[Despite having people to mourn her, and he knows that she knows that. Despite knowing that he'd be left behind. Despite knowing that the others would mourn her, too.]
If... if you think it's a mistake and we should back out, we'll bail. But I'm... I'm here for you. I'm -
[He takes a breath, trying to talk past the lump in his throat.]
You know how much I care about you. You know how much I'm in your corner. I trust you. ... I just wish you could trust yourself.
[He squeezes her a little again. He's here. He's not leaving. He's here and he's real and so is she.]
no subject
She sighs and rests her hand on top of his.]
... yeah. Yeah, you're right. We can do this.
[It lacks the punch of her usual 'let's do it.' But she's not a quitter and never has been... at least, not until she got here. Not until she found herself in a world where the war was over but the warrior was still there and just as terrifying as ever.
...She really needs to stop thinking about that. The mission. Finish the mission.]
So... does that mean I should kill him or I shouldn't?
no subject
[It's not quitting. It's not even retreating. It's moving on, which isn't something he's good at either but he's trying to keep himself calm for her. Always for her.]
[... If she's gone, how is he taking it in the future? ... Probably better not to think about that now. Focus on her.]
[He reaches for her hand to start to lead her away.]
I know you're afraid. I know you won't admit it, but I know you are. And I - I don't blame you. But I'm here with you. I know it's... hard to figure out what you are now. A soldier? A civilian? Someone in between? I know we're acting like those people who leave war but still sleep with a knife under their pillow and I don't blame us. And it's not like we've got shrinks or something to help, if they even could.
[He'd been to the counseling office at school but always clammed up. He was never comfortable telling other people his situation. Maybe it was because of his aunt and uncle's influence, maybe it was just that he couldn't see a way out. He's not sure himself.]
I just... if this is all you have left, I want to at least make you a little happy. You deserve that and so much more.
[They're both killers, but they're both still people. He keeps reminding himself of that.]
no subject
Now, nothing was stopping her. Maybe it didn't matter, maybe it wasn't real, but...
She takes Tobias's offered hand. Lets him lead her. It's not her usual instinct, but she has to admit, being quiet for once, being passive, is oddly comforting. Just walking and listening. Some of what he's saying rubs her the wrong way, feels wrong, feels like a lie or a delusion, but she ignores that instinct. At least until the last thing he says. That immediately prompts a pause, and a darkly bitter response.]
Because then one of us will be, right?
[No- no, she didn't mean it like that, she just-
... maybe she did. She doesn't know. No, she does know, but he didn't deserve it anyway.]
... you don't have to take care of me, Tobias. I just- you don't have to do anything to-
[... She takes a deep breath.]
I never thought I would see you again.
no subject
[He's used to not being happy. He's used to being the sad loner kid. ... Is that a bad thing? He's not sure if it is - his life is sad sure, but it's just how it is.]
I want to take care of you. In whatever way I can. Because...
[He's never said this, but if he doesn't say it now he might never say it. He stops, takes her other hand, and looks up at her.]
Because I love you.
[Just the words themselves get him teary - he's never said this to anyone, ever. Not his aunt, his uncle... maybe his mom when he was too little to remember, but that doesn't really count. And it's not the same. It's not the same and they've never made it an official Thing even though everyone knew it was. But if he'll never get the chance to see her again, he wants her to know. She has to know.]
no subject
So it wasn't... new, exactly. He'd never actually spit it out before, but she always knew. And unlike him, she'd had plenty of people to say it to, plenty of people to hear it from. She wasn't exactly Miss Sentimental anyway.
So why did it hit so hard now? Why did it hurt?]
... I love you too.
[Gripping stuff, Rachel. Not lame at all, especially when she says it like that. Uncomfortable, awkward, completely un-smooth.]
That's why you're not just gonna spend whatever time we have here just worrying about me. What happened to me sucks, okay? I get it, believe me.
[Would he believe her? He knows her better than anybody, he knows part of her thought this was inevitable. But it was true. And if there was one thing she was sorry to lose more than anything else- one person she was sorry to leave behind-
She squeezes his hands slightly and manages a smile.]
But if this is all we get, it can't be about you feeling bad for me. I need it to not be that. Please.
no subject
I'm... I'll try.
[He can't promise anything for certain, but he can promise he will try. The idea of her death still looms large, but... but she's here now.]
We can at least do our best 'normal kids' impression here, as much as we can. Just... two people who care about each other. Doesn't... it doesn't matter if I'm a person or a bird. I'm with you, and that's all the home I need.
[Maybe he'll find his mother in the future. Maybe he won't. But even if he did she's not someone familiar to him... Rachel is.]