songerein | [open] SOMNUS & YOU, interactive dream, wildcard, catch all

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[open] SOMNUS & YOU, interactive dream, wildcard, catch all

Who: Somnus & you!
Which: Interactive dream, open
Where: his dream takes place in ancient Lucis.... aka fantasy!not-ancient!Rome
What: a somnus dream involving his a) bitty or b) teenage self to go along with the themes of this month's dream
Warnings: maybe mention of battles? monsters?

Interactive Dream - The Palace (Child or Teen)

[ The dream begins in what appears to be a large, rectangular study, fitted with white stone walls and classical, marble columns at its corners. Gold-and-black crown moldings fit along the edge of the ceiling. Long, iron lanterns hang down over the room, and their cauldrons are yet to be refilled with oil, indicating exhaustion from the previous night. No candle or fire is necessary, however, as early afternoon light pours into the room from an open balcony. An expansive courtyard sprawls out below, containing hedges, plots of white sylleblossoms, a fountain, shallow pools with lilies, and a few smaller buildings fashioned from similar white stone and columns. As for the room itself, almost all furniture-- a few desks, tables, plush chairs, and a chaise-- is cluttered with either open scrolls or spineless books. Shelves with more scrolls, some pristine and others tattered, line the far wall floor-to-ceiling behind the desk.

Perhaps the dream has seen to fit you in garb appropriate for this ancient era, whether tunic, toga, and chlamys, or chiton, stola, gown, and perhaps a headscarf. Or maybe you're stepping into this dream in your usual outfit, properly isekai'd into a fantasy ancient realm. Maybe you, too, are affected by this month's theme for dreams of child-like wonder and have been turned younger as well. Either way, someone greets you: ]

A: Bitty
Brother? Are you--... ah. [ A voice calls, cutting short as soon as you step into view. A child peeks out from behind the desk, no more than six, perhaps seven, sporting a head of uncombed dark hair and bright blue, cunning eyes. One of his small hands curls over the edge of the desk, while the other holds an opened scroll, upon which appears to be a depiction of a winged behemoth, dripping with shadow.

His fingers are covered in ink from having taken notes on the picture, and his fingers stain the side of the desk, which will no doubt cost him a scolding later. Sniffling once, he bravely steps out further, although trepidation clearly marks his face. Likely, the child scared himself while studying the beast, but that doesn't stop him from raising his chin as he looks at you. ]

Who are you? Did you bring something to eat? [ It seems he could use a break. ]

B: Teenage Dritbag
Brother? Are you--... ah. [ You're addressed as soon as you manifest into the dream. This voice, deeper but not yet set, belongs to a youth on the cusp of adulthood. He is dressed in a simple tunic with an overlying, blue chlamys, of which he adjusts the clasp as he stands up from his desk. Longer bangs frame his face, lending to a more broody appearance, but his gaze is sharp and suspicious as it settles on you. He makes no effort to conceal the disappointment in his voice. ] Are you the new tutor?

[ He sets a scroll down, one that appears to depict a contraption of some sort-- an irrigation system, for those more perceptive-- in order to cross his arms over his chest. Of note, there is also a large hunting falcon upon a perch to the side of the desk. It, too, seems to regard you with scrutiny. ]

Interactive Dream- The Haven (Teenager)

[ The pitch of night, with neither stars nor moon overhead, renders the rest of the landscape close to being a void, with the only indication that there is something out there being the rustle of trees and the occasional howl. Fortunately, you're standing upon a small, stone clearing, one in which mysterious runes glow softly beneath your feet. Their light is meager but curiously soothing-- what's more, they seem new, as if freshly carved or blessed into the earth. ]

--What are you doing? [ A sharp, urgent voice cuts through the silence. Standing up from his spot at the campfire, he walks to your side, although he appears to favor an ankle as he moves, as if previously injured. Frustration seems to cloud his expression, but behind the demanding, hushed tone is a deep, wary concern as he gestures into the darkness. Perhaps there are more than just the occasional beasts lurking under the cover of night. Whatever they are, their forms cannot be discerned. ] Going beyond the Haven's borders is foolish. We must wait until morning.

[ Like the previous prompt, feel free to have your character appear as they are, as a child/younger themselves, or dressed in era-appropriate clothes. ]

Smithy

[ As ususal, Somnus can be found in his smithy within Reverin. Curiously, you just might find him not working on weapons, but something much smaller. Jewelry, perhaps? Now that he no longer manifests in his traditional, giant-suit-of-armor, his phantom form gives him the ability to craft with much more precision. ]

Wildcard

[ Have an idea? PM this account, drinksteapots, or Jade294#6977! (Also as an OOC NOTE, Somnus is canonically identical to Noctis when he was younger, therefore the PBs for Somnus as his teenage self will be of Noctis as he appears in the Brotherhood anime.) ]

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[ Kiyomitsu enters the smithy, dressed in his usual kimono and hakama looking every bit the stereotypical 1800s samurai. The outfit doesn't do much for the cold, but hey, he's got a scarf, so that's something. Although he has a medium-sized sword in its scabbard nestled at his hip, that's not the only reason he's here. ]

Ah, hello~ Do you have a couple minutes to talk? I was hoping to buy some maintenance materials for my sword, but I was also wondering if you had any gemstones?

[ From where he sits at the workbench, Somnus lifts his head as the other enters. Setting down his tools, he rises from his seat, smoothing out the front of his chlamys draped elegantly over his tunic. The adjustment is unnecessary, really, given that the form he retains appears nothing more than a phantom, untouched by dust, breeze, or anything that would disturb the fold of fabric.

Curiously, though, he appears to be able to interact with solid objects; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to craft. ]

Aye, we do. [ He gestures towards one of the walls, where items to maintain equipment are neatly stocked upon shelves.

Ore obtained by many an excursion to the elecyrstal caverns or the clifflands' caves have proved fruitful enough over the course of a year, especially when one makes a business to need them for the craft. Rarer materials are more difficult to find, but not impossible. As for gems— there are a few already embedded onto some accessories and finer metalworks on display, ranging from candelabras to some jewelry. The stock of precious gems, of course, would be kept somewhere secure. ]

Are you in need of a specific gem?

[ The void that stretches before her when Naminé's eyes first open within the dream makes her feel almost off-balance. It takes a few baffled blinks to find grounding in the faint glow of the runes before her, and once she does, she bows her face toward them, curious and relieved, as they help define the space. The pale material of her clothing is long and draping and unfamiliar, but pleasant enough to the touch when she curls one hand carefully against it.

Whatever journey of discovery she might be on, though, is drawn to a halt as something rustles in the distant dark. No sooner has she looked toward it in startled concern than another sound cuts through her distraction. Near jumping out of her skin, Naminé turns with round eyes toward the source of the verbal chastisement.

The fellow looking at her isn't directly familiar, but she does get the feeling she ought to know who he is. In any case, her shoulders rise under his disapproval, her face lowering in contrition. ]

I'm sorry, [ she responds automatically, although she's only half certain what she's apologizing for. ] I didn't mean to... [ Well, she wouldn't have dared step out into the dark anyhow, but she still amends that to, ] That is, I didn't realize it was so dangerous.

Smiley face
[ Whereas she lowers her head in apology, his raises and turns, looking into the darkness beyond the edge of the Haven. The piercing of his glare, it seems, hadn't been meant for her-- at least, not all of it-- as he now directs it towards whatever may be lurking in the shadows.

Or maybe there's nothing there, and it's simply nerves at play, the threat of something not only beyond their vision, but beyond their comprehension.

With a huff, Somnus turns again, gesturing towards the fire. ] Come and sit, then. Darkness takes form at night, and these runes are our only protection. It is fortunate you have made it in time, miss...?

Edited (with icon this time) 2022-12-13 00:59 (UTC)

[ Though her face remains angled groundward, the girl does peer at Somnus a moment from the tops of her eyes, still trying to make sense of this situation, and catches that glare out at the dark. His sternness seems well-intended, at least; she doesn't doubt the sincerity of his caution. (Her gaze does dart back toward the ground when he turns, though, then toward the indicated fire.) ]

Oh, [ she says, then adds a reserved, ] Thank you.

[ Hands folded together, she proceeds toward the glowing flame without delay, reluctant to upset him further by dawdling. Although perhaps her caution isn't warranted; it's reflex from days gone by, when compliance with demands was mandatory. Funny how that happens when she's disoriented-- but in any case, Naminé seats herself delicately, tucking her legs to one side, and is yet in the process of arranging some of the multiple layers of material in her newfound outfit when she's prompted for her name. Her eyes remain a little rounded even now when she glances up, like a very shy deer in headlights, but it only takes a beat of hesitation before she admits the answer. ]

Naminé. [ Quieter, ] That's my name.

[ And truthfully, she has a lot of questions of her own, but given how peculiar this situation is, perhaps it's better to let more become clear in time. (Or maybe she just feels bashful in the face of someone so certain of themselves, and doesn't dare to ask.) ]

[ Given that he himself is technically a spirit, Kiyomitsu should be grateful that he isn't quite as phantom-y as Somnus. His expression remains neutral as he watches the other man approach, but it lights up when Somnus confirms that it's not just weapons and armor for sale. ]

Well--

[ Kiyomitsu casts his gaze toward the finer metalworks on display, nothing their quality. ]

I don't want to say that the type of gemstone is unimportant, but it's the color that matters most. I'm looking for two. One needs to be a vibrant blue, so something like... an aquamarine or a sapphire? The other should be red, so I think either a ruby or garnet or work. I'd prefer them to be small so that they could fit together on a necklace.

[ He does wonder what kind of trades this smithy makes. Buying weapons and armor is already expensive, but luxuries like gems? Maybe it's a good thing that there's no real currency in this world because he'd never be able to afford it. ]

But I guess I should ask, what would you want in exchange? If you're running your own smithy, you're probably more than capable of using the weapons you forge, so I doubt you'd need me to go out and cut anything down with my sword.

Smiley face [ The expectant look that follows her answer suggests he had been waiting for something more than her given name. When she doesn't provide it, though, he moves on. ]

Somnus, of House Caelum. [ With the introductions over, he follows her back to the fire. Besides the pit is a longer branch, one end charred with use. Grasping it in his palm, he uses its blackened tip to prod at the base of the flames, turning over a log. The meager fire finds new life, casting its ember glow upon them both.

It's a decent enough warmth, but before sitting on the stone ground, he takes another glance in her direction.

Next, she'll see him Somnus reaching to unclasp the dark blue chlamys he wears over his tunic, handing it to her. ] Here.

[ Which leads to the next question: ] Which cut would you prefer them to be? [ Reaching beneath the counter, he takes out a leather tarp, rolling it out. Etched upon it are examples of various cuts of gems. ]

As for trade... [ His brow pinches with consideration; there's a pause, then a sudden lift of his eyes from the tarp to the stranger in his shop, his gaze measuring and pointed. At length, he says: ]

I am in need of an opinion-- from a stranger's perspective.

[ Advice in exchange for rubies and sapphires seems like a rather simple trade. ]

[Ace had walked into the room, not knowing what he was going to find, ready for a fight. Thankfully, there's none of that. He hears the voice but looks at the bird first, then at the boy and smiles.]

Not a tutor, just someone passing by. [He did notice the boy was expecting someone else though.] Name's Ace, what's yours?

Smiley face [ A stranger intrudes in his study at the palace and doesn't know who he is? Laughable. Might as well play along, whatever this is. In the typical teenage fashion, he glances away, exhaling through his nose in a short, humorless huff. ]

Somnus, of House Caelum.

[ But there is no fight within the other's eyes, only broody, moody adolescent troubles, it seems. ] "Passing by", then. You are out of luck. There is not much to explore within the palace.

[ Ironic, considering the demnse the balcony opens up to. ]

Somnus, then, nice to meet you!

[Ace smiles, and looks around the room.]

Well, for you there isn't but i've never been to a palace before. Which is why, presented the opportunity, I decided to just let myself in.

[He winks at Somnus, looking at the falcon right after.]

Say, what's its name?

Smiley face [ The first statement-- about simply letting himself in-- initially garners his attention. Somnus' head snaps back in Ace's direction, but before he can react appropriately, the other man asks after the falcon.

...What's this? Someone taking interest in one of his hobbies and not asking him about his work or duties? He probably should dismiss the man from the room and return to work, but. But-- ]

Valefor. [ At the name, the falcon perks up, blinking once at its owner. Somnus turn towards them both, and then he takes a few tentative steps over. ] I rescued her from a southern territory. [ Another pause follows, and he peers at the stranger curiously. ] Do you... hunt with raptors at all?

[The figure that appears in his room is small like him, clad in plain, threadbare clothes, looking to be no older than a decade. Honey brown eyes blink back at him, a single braided rope of strawberry blonde hair slipping over her shoulder as she moves. She stumbles forward as if she'd been running, though the bewildered look on her face indicates she's not sure why she's here or what she might have been running from. The sight of him causes her to start, taking a frightened step back. One hand clasps protectively over the other in front of her.]

I... I don't... what? [This place looks important. It looks... rich. She's never seen anything like this before, gilded with colours and elegance, which means she doesn't belong. Is he a Renan? Will she die if she gives her name?] ....I don't... have food with me. I'm sorry.

That's cool, was she in a bad situation before?

[He blinks as he looks at Somnus, and smirks.]

I have no idea what raptors are.

Smiley face [ The stranger’s appearance earns curious look with still-misty eyes, and his fright wanes considerably. She is not his brother, nor is she anyone he recognizes— but she, too, seems to be just as wary as he does.

The child sniffles again, finally stepping fully out from behind the desk. There is safety in numbers. Perhaps they can quickly find a snack together, and no one else would be the wiser. Besides, he’s certain that the shadowy beast on the scroll will leap out at him if he stays here any longer! Nervously, his hand bunches into the fabric of his tunic as he declares: ] We should find some!

[ But... she is dressed in rags, which he recognizes as odd, for even the servants of House Caelum wear more refined chitons. ]

But you need a better stola first. [ Scrunching his nose, he looks around the room. Far be it from him to know how women arrange their cloth. To a child, it appears nothing more than a scarf or blanket of some kind. Which, as luck would have it, there is a silken, blue, garment draped over the chaise, its edges lined with golden tassels. ]

Smiley face [ His expression flattens as he replies curtly: ] Birds of prey. [ So, not knowing the term would mean no hawking or falconry from this fellow.

Nevertheless, Somnus moves over to where the falcon remains perched, watching as the stranger interacts with it. The raptor cranes its neck in response, opening its beak soundlessly as it stares at Ace. Falcons are ever-curious creatures, and although they are predators, they do not see other humans as prey. ] Something of the sort. The nights have only grown more dangerous, and I happened to find her torn from her nest.

Mayhap one day I may reclaim those territories from the blight, so she may soar there again.

[The young girl hesitates, suddenly torn between two directions. On one hand, he seems to be upset about something (his brother? She's missing her brother, too) and is kind enough to offer her clothes, for... some reason. On the other hand, if she accepts said clothing then whatever adult is meant to be caring for him will catch them and accuse her of stealing it, inevitably, and that won't end well for either of them. But mostly for her. No Dahnan wears clothes this fine. She doesn't belong in Renan garb.

...But... she kind of wants to help him. She's never interacted with a Renan child before, admittedly, and he doesn't seem that different from some of his friends.

And so, very, very cautiously:]

Are... you sure? I shouldn't take what isn't mine...

Smiley face [ His brow pinches together as if he's trying to understand her. What does the confusion come from? This: ]

But I'm giving it to you.

[ Obviously, if he's gifting it to her, it's hers. Therefore she can't say it "isn't mine"! Expression relaxing, he walks over to the chaise, reaching out a tiny, ink-covered hand to pull it from its spot-- but thankfully stopping himself. ] Oh... Uh. [ He wiggles his fingers. ] 'S gonna get messy if I do it.

Edited 2022-12-15 02:48 (UTC)

[The offer itself is strange - Renans don't give people like her anything but grief - but she can't really come up with a valid reason to refuse, either, especially since refusing him could get her killed or punished just as easily as accepting. It's an awful problem to have, but it seems that she's stuck with it now.

He has a valid point about the ink, and she'd definitely get in trouble if she was caught in a) someone else's robe and b) someone else's robe that she presumably got covered in ink, so she rubs her hands hastily against the scrubby front of her robes to get them as clean as she possibly can before reaching out for the shawl so slowly, as if it might burn her.

As soon as her bare skin touches the fabric, she thinks she might die anyway.]

...I... it's so... it's so soft...

[It's probably such a basic bit of cloth to him, but to her it is undoubtedly the nicest fabric she's ever touched in her whole life. She doesn't even think to hide the oval stone in her hand as she gingerly strokes it.]

Smiley face [ Not only soft, but luxurious, so fluid as to be woven from water, each divot and fold undulating with refracted light. Whatever technique the seamstress used to make it has since been lost to time.

Somnus brightens at her reaction. Something about seeing another in wonder at a gift makes him happy, too. Everyone's older, taller, bigger, and better at him in... everything. It's difficult to make someone proud or be acknowledged when everyone is so capable. But he can give gifts! ]

Uhhmm... Um! You wear it like-- [ He attempts to demonstrate how women style the cloth with his own that overlays his chiton. Of course, by having ink on his fingers, he ruins his own utterly, making patterns of his palm atop the silk. Does he seem to notice? Not really. It seems he's happy to have a companion more or less around his age. ] See?

[She watches him for a moment, eyes wide as he carelessly ruins his own clothes with ink. If she owned something like this, it would be so precious, she would treat it like gold, like the purest of treasures. She'd only wear it indoors or on the most special of occasions, like a birthday, or a holiday, if holidays existed. And if he was one of the neighbourhood kids she and Migal watched over, he'd have gotten the scolding of a lifetime for ruining something so beautiful. But since he's obviously some sort of little lord, she doesn't dare speak a word of criticism. Instead she lifts the cloth to wrap it around herself, mimicking what he's demonstrating as best as she can. She hopes that she gets it close to being right. She doesn't want him to try and touch it to fix it. She doesn't even want to wear it over her own dirty clothes lest she ruin it, but every spot it touches her bare skin feels like heaven and she can't bear to pull it away now that it's on her.

Whatever punishment she receives for this... it might just be worth it.]

Like... this?

Smiley face
[ His eyes widen to that of an owl’s as she arranges the fabric, shimmering as it’s properly draped, and his hesitant smile fades to adopt his own sparkle of wonder in his eyes. In a blue like that, all glimmering and silky and— and flowy, that must be how Shiva looks! At least, the frescos and the mosaics depict her wearing flowy, shiny things…

No one will question them walking through the halls now! Somnus nods enthusiastically. ]

Yeah! It’s pretty... [ After rearranging his own outfit back in place over his front, he fusses to refasten the golden pin on one of his shoulders. His hands fall back down to his front, but his wondering gaze doesn’t move from her.

He might have a question. ]

[Pretty... what a strange word used to describe her. It's something her brother might have said, or one of the smaller children if she tied her hair back differently or washed it in the river. Certainly not someone who looked as groomed and pristine as him, ink stains aside.

She looks uncomfortable under his sudden scrutiny, unsure how to decipher his expression. At first she fidgets, ducking her head to gaze at the floor. She's probably being too presumptuous, looking at him as much as she is. It's best not to meet a Renan's eye, it draws too much of their attention, and if you draw their attention then you draw their ire.

...Ah, she's also taller than he is! That's surely a problem as well. With her hands deferentially resting on the fabric in front of her - that glorious, silken-soft fabric - she bows deeper, waiting for his next command. He wants her to fetch him some food, doesn't he? But where to begin...]

Smiley face
[ He doesn’t have one question, or even two. He has many, and here he stands, looking at her while thinking of which one to ask.

The first is that of her name.

The second one is if she’s a Messenger, because isn’t them being mysterious part of how they appear? She definitely appeared so suddenly. And, and, and, if she’s a Messenger… maybe that means he’s important, too, like his brother! And his brother is the best! So that would be great!

And the third is— oh. She’s… bowing?? And she looks unhappy— ] Huh?

[ The wonder leaves his eyes, quickly replaced by worry. He must have done something wrong. He wishes his brother was here. He’d know what to do. ] W-wait, you don’t have to do that… What’s wrong? I just wanted to know your name.

[ !! ]

[He wants... her name? She lifts her head a little to stare at him in shock, expression visibly startled. Why would he ask her for that? Renans don't call people like her by name. It's only ever "slave" or "hey you" or some other menial insult. Names are like titles. It's why Renans have so many.

He's asked her for it, though, so rather than stand there gawking at him, she hastily murmurs,]

Kisara.

[She wishes she could lie, make up an extra name to tack on so she can keep pretending to be something she isn't. But there's only one name, the only one she's ever had. If there were any doubts about what she is, they're surely gone now. She waits for his judgment, for him to understand his own error. He'll call for an adult, they'll rip the lovely shawl away and send her back to the Dahnan slums where she belongs. What a brief, beautiful dream this was, and with one word, it's already over.]

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[open] SOMNUS & YOU, interactive dream, wildcard, catch all

Smithy

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The Haven

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The palace with a teen

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A!

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