DREAM A LITTLE DREAM WITH ME

[capax_infiniti]

Characters: all the characters involved in the Dream Event
Setting: various dreams, various locations
Format: any
Summary: Xehanort draws a large amount of the tower into worlds constructed from their dreams in an attempt to learn about everyone en masse
Warnings: ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING


[Tendrils of magic wound their way around, lines of energy flickered into existence, forming a large shape on the ground around where Xehanort sat with his back straight and legs tucked neatly beneath him. Perfect. It was a bigger scale than the one he'd done but a month before, already he could feel the flickers of connection, the shape getting brighter and more defined.

More participants. More mental drag. There was little to worry about. With Xigbar on guard duty, his sleeping body would be quite safe. No, it was time to dream... and see just who would follow.

Darkness shrouded his hand, keyblade flaring into life, and he gripped the handle in both hands, aiming it at the ground, at the keyhole defined by criss-crossing darkness responding, resonating...

drowsiness laced through him, the blade in his hands sagging downward until the tip touched the ground, his posture slacking, head and shoulders slumping slightly

in slumber, the dreams of others awaited

the Master was asleep.]

OOC NOTE BECAUSE I CAN'T EDIT THE POST IT'S ON ANYMORE AND NOT REDOING ALL OF THAT: Dreamers should post to their REAL WORLD thread explaining where their character is, if they made it to a bed or if they're on the floor somewhere or wherever.

If you have questions for me, put them in your base character thread!

If I missed you somehow, let me know and I'll add you to the appropriate section!

Comments

BAD THINGS

[capax_infiniti]

guys seriously give an old man a break here

Ventus (OU)

[capax_infiniti]

gdi ven you really are the worst son

[forceless]

One minute Ven was diving-- the next minute he was suddenly jerked out of control, flying who knows where. Was this how it always happened? Had he done it right, or had he screwed something up?

When he landed on the ground, it wasn't a very graceful landing, and he pulled himself up to a proper sitting position with a start, quickly looking around to take in his surroundings. The Land of Departure? Could that be right? Did Roxas even know about this place? He supposed it might make sense as to explain their resemblance, but Roxas had never said the place was familiar...

He carefully stood up, stepping forward through the courtyard and carefully taking in the surroundings. "Hello...?" He finally ventured to speak with caution. "Anybody here...?"

[capax_infiniti]

"Ventus?" A familiar voice called out, footsteps ringing out on the stone ground. "What are you doing here?"

The form fit the scenery. Who better to put the boy at ease and get him out than the one who had succeeded himself? Of course, the tells were a bit of a problem... but with any luck Ventus would back down when confronted with his Master, and quietly leave the dreamscape.

[forceless]

The sound of the voice caused him to quickly whip around in surprised, the words leaving his mouth before his brain had even registered what was happening.

"--Master?!"

Here? Now?

Then again, he guessed it wasn't that surprising to see Eraqus in the Land of Departure. It'd be weirder for him to not be there.

"I-- I was trying to help my friend," He finally answered, after his mind had finally caught up with him. "Have... Have you seen Master Xehanort anywhere?"

[capax_infiniti]

A silent klaxon went off as his name came up right away. Just what was going on? It was better to inquire. He wasn't sure he would appreciate where this was going.

"Xehanort?" He let his voice drop slightly in an attempt to soothe the troubled boy. "He hasn't been here in quite some time. Is something the matter, Ventus?"

[forceless]

"He..."

Could you...explain stuff like this to people in a dream? He was still in a dream, right? His world was supposed to be gone, and he had been on his way to help Roxas.

Regardless, Ven's own voice did ease a bit, as he adopted a more serious tone.

"I think he's up to something. I found some weird Sleep spell going around my friends, and I think he was the source."

Riku (OU)

[capax_infiniti]

kingdom hearts almighty what are you even doing

[justabignobody]

[It's been quite a journey in the last few days... so many memories that he has shut away from all, but himself and those who already know, memories and nightmares (not all quite his own) and the darkness that he tries to keep sealed inside himself, and still can't quite shake.

It seems almost too fitting when he finds himself in Castle Oblivion again.

Given all that had happened there, to him it does almost represent a crossroad in itself.

A crossroad between light and dark and the path he had chosen as he had left. The path he had been so close to abandoning again just before he had arrived here, that he was now struggling to find his way back to.

The road to dawn.

It's funny... this is really almost like back then... like he has just refused Naminé's offer, like he is confronting DiZ about it again. Like he's standing in front of that door, preparing himself to confront then Heartless inside him and trying to make Mickey promise to destroy him in case he should lose.

Except... there's no Mickey now. There is no one who he could ask and trust to stop him should this all backfire on him.

It almost seems like too big a risk to take. Almost.

He blinks, then frowns when something cuts into his palm upon stuffing it into his cloak's pocket, first confusion, then a smile flickering over his face when he pulls out the Castle Oblivion card.]

Making me choose again, huh?

[He shakes his head, smiling and head lifting up as he steps closer to the door.]

This time... it's definitely a reckless choice.

[He can admit at least that much. Then again, he has been known to make that kind of choices. No more running away, after all.

If there's any chance to end this all, then surely it is now.

He lifts the card, letting it's (his) magic work to call upon the darkness that is sealed within the abyss of his heart, bracing himself for the confrontation to come as he presses his palms against the door and pushes it open.

It's different to the last time he's done that, he's different. Back then he had rushed in, eager to settle it all, boundless determinationangerguilt driving him forward into this conflict.

He has learned patience since, has learned how to let his temper burn coldly instead of hot, how to be forceful, but not stressed. When he calls out, his voice is calm, his hands by his side, his stance tense, but not battle ready and the Soul Eater is still in it's place beside his heart.]

Show yourself, Ansem.

[It's time to settle things for good.]

[quaerere]

[At first there's nothing, just Riku's words echoing away into the empty space. The dream is too quiet, too still.

Then... something happens. Something goes wrong. The boundary of the dream wavers slightly, the edges warping a little bit as the entire thing goes unstable, threatening to drop Riku into the suddenly visible blackness all around as the setting flickers. All at once reality reasserts itself, the floor and walls and ceiling of the castle returning in stark, solid relief.

This time, however, Riku is not alone. Darkness creeps in, forming the familiar node of a Corridor of Darkness, revealing the familiar ruddy skin and golden eyes of the Heartless.

Ansem crosses his arms, giving Riku a cold, deliberate stare.]

You choose to call me out, in this of all places...
No matter. For all you struggle, it is in vain. My shadow will linger over your heart for as long as you live.

[justabignobody]

[Riku tenses, eyes narrowing as he glances around at the way his surroundings twist with darkness and even before the Corridor opens he is already feeling the so familiar, foul stench of the Heartless' Darkness wash over him.

While he might have felt angered, provoked, by that stare a year ago, he just returns it evenly now - there is really no love lost between them after all.]

Where else, if not here.

[Where, if not in this dream, at this time.

He has too much time trying to find ways around, had been driven to the point where had been just about accept his fate as castaway from the Darkness, but that was back home where the risk hadn't been quite as large, where it had been all for Sora's awakening.

But here Sora is awake and unaware to things yet to happen, to the things his done, to the reasons he acts the way he does. And that changes everything. He snorts, unimpressed.]

So you say. I haven't given up yet though.

[And at the end of all, if he hasn't given up, it will be his win.]

[quaerere]

[The Heartless's expression doesn't change, though he raises his arms in a loose gesture, his voice taking on that droning pitch of a lecture, as though talking down to the young man before him.]

How foolish of you. You were the one that welcomed me in. You took all the gifts I had to offer and used my power freely. You were the one who let me - and thus the darkness itself - take root in your heart... and now you think you can expell us so easily? After all this time, we're still here, waiting. You can't escape from the darkness so easily!

[justabignobody]

[It's not an unfamiliar tone, not when he is used to Ansem using it at any and every chance he gets. Thus, Riku is really rather unimpressed.

He's made mistakes, in Hollow Bastion and before that, but he's decided to face them, to take on the consequences. (It's not like there isn't an easy way out. Not with Naminé near.)

He'll face his mistake, and Ansem, again and again, if needed. No matter how long it takes to expel him or seal him so deep that he is even beyond Riku's reach.]

True, I welcomed you... and that's why it's got to be me, who shows you the door.

[He can't expect anyone to come and save him. He really doesn't anyways. Even if there were someone, he'd ask them not to like he did in Castle Oblivion.

This fight, he has to bring to an end by himself.]

I never expected any of this to be easy. If it were- [His right hand clenches into a fist as he slides his right foot back, changing stance, readying himself.] - where would be the point in it?

[quaerere]

It's been some time since our last encounter. No doubt your own skills have improved and been refined. So too, have I grown stronger... the darkness that festers and wears away at your heart, that you lock away and deny... that is my true strength, the vice-grip I hold over you. The more you try to walk away from it, the stronger I become!

Or have you forgotten how close I really lie within you? That you could call me, into a place like this... this is more than a dream. This will be the end, and I will rule your heart once more!

[justabignobody]

[He glares at the Heartless, lips pressed into a fine line as he shifts even more, lifting his right arm and twisting his wrist as the air crackles and dark mist gathers to form the Soul Eater.]

We'll just have to see about that, won't we?

[Because no matter how much darkness Ansem throws at him, he certainly won't go down easily. Or really, at all.

This will indeed be the end, and Riku has no intention of losing.

And so he dashes forward, blade raised high as he launches himself up, air whistling as he slashes downwards at his enemy.]

Xigbar (OU)

[capax_infiniti]

[The slow and careful process of lining everyone up, of putting the queues on hold, and then a brief waking moment. Gold eyes fluttered open, perhaps the longest sleep he'd had in years. He stretched, keyblade dangling from one hand, staring at the intricate lines of darkness etched into the floor, furniture pushed up against the walls and as far back as it could to give him the space he'd needed.

An errant thought, the demands of his body. Annoying. With a bit of pooled darkness well away from where he was sitting, a Shadow was summoned. Simply a way of attracting the attention he knew was there. The door would open for him, after all.]

Xigbar (OU)

[madannoshashu]

[ And attract attention it does.

He's been standing guard at the old man's request (or order, whichever) quite diligently for a while now. Save for a few trips for snacks and refreshments, he's largely entertained himself with a few books from the library.

(He's done some fidgeting with his more versatile skillset, but who could really blame him?)

Regardless, he senses the shift that takes place in the room as well as the appearance of the Shadow. It's a few minutes before he enters, but when he does, in a swirl of darkness, he's sitting cross-legged in mid-air, a book in his lap and a tray in hand.

Tea and biscuits. He grins. ]

I got you something.

[capax_infiniti]

[A grin. Ever dutiful, Xigbar. He makes a broad gesture, indicating approach. There's nowhere to sit due to the lines, but it's obvious that he doesn't need floorspace.

He takes a moment to regard his keyblade, which is currently wreathed in flickering darkness, before jamming it into the floor, in the middle of the nexus of energy. While he lets go, a band of dark energy still links his hand to it. Every now and then his fingers twitch, tapping out something complex and unknown.]

Anything of note in the waking world?

[madannoshashu]

[ Very dutiful.

Floating over to where the old man sits, Xigbar sets the tray down on...apparently nothing but air so Xehanort can easily help himself. Whatever other talents he may have, apparently, this doesn't tax him.

He waves a hand. ]

Nothing that I've seen. Just the usual, barring half the tower being asleep.

[ Or something like that. ]

How's it going?

[capax_infiniti]

[Mildly impressed with Xigbar's show, he takes a cup with his unbound hand. A brief nod in acknowledgement - manners, always manners - and he takes a long sip. It feels good to drink, a sign of how much strain his body is under. A brief frown - another sign that he should really be looking for that. Perhaps something will come up from this.

He reaches out with his mind and snags a biscuit, letting it hover next to him for a moment before it floats up close enough for him to take a bite.]

As I suspected. The spell has caught a great many people. My apologies if there hasn't been much to guard from... it has been a while since that was your occupation, hasn't it?

[He leans forward a bit, confidingly. There's not many people he's this comfortable with, willing to speak so freely about these things.]

There's no opposition, no barrier, no fight. Their hearts are plain and bare for any and all to see. It has proven to be highly educational. Even those most reluctant to divulge their secrets have opened like a well-thumbed book.

[madannoshashu]

[ Xigbar just shrugs. ]

I'm used to being a watchdog.

[ He was a guard before the fall of Radiant Garden, and after that, he was Xemnas's eyes and ears. The Superior so often kept aloof, and his own position as second-in-command was (supposedly) passed off to Saix simply just so he could watch the rest of them.

Given that, there's nothing new about what he's doing now -- it requires a little more patience and keeping still than he might like, but he's found ways to make the time pass regardless.

Leaning in a bit, he chuckles slightly at the commentary. ]

Amazing the things they don't tell you, isn't it?

A little eavesdropping goes a long way.

[capax_infiniti]

[Nothing more needs to be said on that. He serves his purpose without complaint, as he should. Another sip of tea, fingers tapping against his leg idly. He's still vaguely focusing on what's going on in the background.]

It's almost a shame this can't be a regular event. It's far easier to get information than the usual routes. [A brief chuckle.] I would feel sad to put you out of yet another job, though...

[madannoshashu]

[ He does what he likes, and he likes what he does. He has no reason to complain, or the inclination.

He laughs again. ]

That would be a tragedy, wouldn't it?

[ He glances briefly at the Keyblade. ]

See anything interesting?