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Entry tags:
Dream A Dream [OPEN]
Who: Open Log (All)
Where: Dreams
Summary: The Awakening takes a strange turn
Warnings: N/A
In the morning of October 1st, a message will flash across Applenet:
Uhh... shit. Forget the countdown! Something's wrong. Well... let's mix things up a little differently this time! Nothing bad will happen!... probably...
That sure explains absolutely nothing. Thanks, Luci.
However, as day turns to afternoon, and afternoon turns to evening, a familiar feeling will start to fall over everyone. Both those who are Awakened and those who are not will recognize it as the same kind of exhaustion that has fallen over them in the past when they first got the Applenet app. The Awakened will feel this urge particularly strongly, perhaps as a point, and they'll inevitably end up turning in for the night much sooner. Sleep will come easy to them...
... And so will their dream.
All of the Awakened will show up in the same place: an apple orchard where all the trees are heaving with their fruits. Unlike the bright cheerful sunshine of where they met Luci, this place is overcast, and the trees' branches threaten to brush against each other. Instead of seeing their mysterious benefactor in person, everyone's phones will go off again, and a message from Luci will be waiting for them. All of it can be summed up thusly:
Instead of the previous Awakenings, which were clearly a little risky, Luci has decided to use the dreams of those who used to be Awakened but have since fallen asleep again. Not only will it not set off those who are sleeping again- weird shit happens in dreams all the time right?- but it's guaranteed to draw less attention from their enemies. Probably.
Of course the whole thing is still going to be dangerous! Dreams always have Shadows, and Luci seems pretty cheerfully matter of fact that is particular dreamer has ones that are pretty dangerous... but that just means a reason to Awaken!
It's at the last minute that Luci adds something else. Within the Sleeper's dream will be something called a Dreamer's Heart. It'll be guarded by a particularly noteworthy Shadow, and while it's not necessary to Awakening... maybe it will help speed things up?
Luci isn't really interested in answering questions right now; he seems a bit preoccupied. Still, with that message given... as the Awakened look up from their screens, they'll notice a single door standing within the orchard. They can stick around to organize for as long as they want, but, when they're all decided on moving forward, the door will be available to be opened. And as they walk through...
Where: Dreams
Summary: The Awakening takes a strange turn
Warnings: N/A
"Are you ready, my black lambs? Let's get to work..."
Dream a Dream
In the morning of October 1st, a message will flash across Applenet:
Uhh... shit. Forget the countdown! Something's wrong. Well... let's mix things up a little differently this time! Nothing bad will happen!... probably...
That sure explains absolutely nothing. Thanks, Luci.
However, as day turns to afternoon, and afternoon turns to evening, a familiar feeling will start to fall over everyone. Both those who are Awakened and those who are not will recognize it as the same kind of exhaustion that has fallen over them in the past when they first got the Applenet app. The Awakened will feel this urge particularly strongly, perhaps as a point, and they'll inevitably end up turning in for the night much sooner. Sleep will come easy to them...
... And so will their dream.
All of the Awakened will show up in the same place: an apple orchard where all the trees are heaving with their fruits. Unlike the bright cheerful sunshine of where they met Luci, this place is overcast, and the trees' branches threaten to brush against each other. Instead of seeing their mysterious benefactor in person, everyone's phones will go off again, and a message from Luci will be waiting for them. All of it can be summed up thusly:
Instead of the previous Awakenings, which were clearly a little risky, Luci has decided to use the dreams of those who used to be Awakened but have since fallen asleep again. Not only will it not set off those who are sleeping again- weird shit happens in dreams all the time right?- but it's guaranteed to draw less attention from their enemies. Probably.
Of course the whole thing is still going to be dangerous! Dreams always have Shadows, and Luci seems pretty cheerfully matter of fact that is particular dreamer has ones that are pretty dangerous... but that just means a reason to Awaken!
It's at the last minute that Luci adds something else. Within the Sleeper's dream will be something called a Dreamer's Heart. It'll be guarded by a particularly noteworthy Shadow, and while it's not necessary to Awakening... maybe it will help speed things up?
Luci isn't really interested in answering questions right now; he seems a bit preoccupied. Still, with that message given... as the Awakened look up from their screens, they'll notice a single door standing within the orchard. They can stick around to organize for as long as they want, but, when they're all decided on moving forward, the door will be available to be opened. And as they walk through...
Goodbye Teamwork
They all find themselves in the midst of an enormous white hallway.
Awakened and unawakened both are together, with no indication of how any of them got there. The walls are eerily smooth, and the lights are almost offensive in their brightness as they buzz from high above. Should regular hallways be this big? It's enough to make everyone, no matter how tall or big they are, to feel as if they're children again...
Doors line up along the walls, also far too big than seems should be right. People should be careful going through them, however. Some don't seem to open for certain people at all. Other doors will put them in another hallway, or a strange room that looks like a hospital-phobic person's worst nightmare. The worst part? Sometimes the doors never seem to lead to the same place as they went before... or they'll outright disappear once you've gone through them. Beyond the hallways, it's a place full of deceit and trickery. The Awakened will have to be careful where they go, or it becomes all too easy to get turned around...
... And separated.
Awakened and unawakened both are together, with no indication of how any of them got there. The walls are eerily smooth, and the lights are almost offensive in their brightness as they buzz from high above. Should regular hallways be this big? It's enough to make everyone, no matter how tall or big they are, to feel as if they're children again...
Doors line up along the walls, also far too big than seems should be right. People should be careful going through them, however. Some don't seem to open for certain people at all. Other doors will put them in another hallway, or a strange room that looks like a hospital-phobic person's worst nightmare. The worst part? Sometimes the doors never seem to lead to the same place as they went before... or they'll outright disappear once you've gone through them. Beyond the hallways, it's a place full of deceit and trickery. The Awakened will have to be careful where they go, or it becomes all too easy to get turned around...
... And separated.
We've got Company
The halls and rooms aren't left empty for long.
People will notice them just for a moment, lurking in the corners of rooms or far down at the hallway. They're figures that, in contrast to the intruders of this dream, seem to fit in perfectly with the enormous dimensions of the place. At a glance, from the corner of an eye, they don't seem all that strange. On the peripheral, from a distance, they're just... people. Men, if one had to guess. For a split second, they always seem perfectly still.
Then they lunge.
It's upon a closer look, or as the creatures are moving, that it becomes obvious that the proportions are all wrong. The shoulders are too broad, the arms too long, and, somehow, it's impossible to see their faces. It always seems as if the light is shining from behind them, covering their faces in shadow. And, of course... they're incredibly tall.
With their reach being what it is, it's no surprise that their preferred method of attack is to try to grab whoever they can. Those who look particularly young are their preferred targets, but they go whoever seems most vulnerable. The good news is that their size is all talk. For those who have Awakened, they're perhaps a little tough, but nothing that can't be brought down, especially with teamwork. These creatures always seem to work solo for the most part. It should be noted, however, that they come in two varieties: in pitch black suit-and-tie or shockingly white lab coats.
These tall creatures aren't the only dangers in this dream. The more that it's explored, the more that much smaller shapes can be found scurrying around. They're the size of children, beings that seem all the tinier in the face of the taller enemies, and their heads seem to be covered in a perpetual haze of fog. What's dangerous about them isn't that they're a source of violence. In fact, the dream children shy away from any outright battles. It's before such things happen, in the face of the tall enemies lurking around, that they're a problem. The dream children will shove and trip other people, effectively throwing them under the bus, before they try to run away on their own. An environmental hazard, almost, more than enemies.
People will notice them just for a moment, lurking in the corners of rooms or far down at the hallway. They're figures that, in contrast to the intruders of this dream, seem to fit in perfectly with the enormous dimensions of the place. At a glance, from the corner of an eye, they don't seem all that strange. On the peripheral, from a distance, they're just... people. Men, if one had to guess. For a split second, they always seem perfectly still.
Then they lunge.
It's upon a closer look, or as the creatures are moving, that it becomes obvious that the proportions are all wrong. The shoulders are too broad, the arms too long, and, somehow, it's impossible to see their faces. It always seems as if the light is shining from behind them, covering their faces in shadow. And, of course... they're incredibly tall.
With their reach being what it is, it's no surprise that their preferred method of attack is to try to grab whoever they can. Those who look particularly young are their preferred targets, but they go whoever seems most vulnerable. The good news is that their size is all talk. For those who have Awakened, they're perhaps a little tough, but nothing that can't be brought down, especially with teamwork. These creatures always seem to work solo for the most part. It should be noted, however, that they come in two varieties: in pitch black suit-and-tie or shockingly white lab coats.
These tall creatures aren't the only dangers in this dream. The more that it's explored, the more that much smaller shapes can be found scurrying around. They're the size of children, beings that seem all the tinier in the face of the taller enemies, and their heads seem to be covered in a perpetual haze of fog. What's dangerous about them isn't that they're a source of violence. In fact, the dream children shy away from any outright battles. It's before such things happen, in the face of the tall enemies lurking around, that they're a problem. The dream children will shove and trip other people, effectively throwing them under the bus, before they try to run away on their own. An environmental hazard, almost, more than enemies.
The Inner Heart
As it turns out, Luci was wrong. There's not a Shadow guarding a Dreamer's Heart.
There are two.
In all the chaos of exploration and combat, it's easy to pick them out from the other childish shapes running around. Befitting of their names, they're completely black - literal walking shadows. The only color apparent on them.... would be the glow emanating from their chests, each possessing the half of a heart.
Unlike the other beings in this dream, neither of them have any interest in really interacting with the Awakened or the Unawakened. Sometimes they'll lurk, around corners or in a doorway, watching, but they're quick to run away before all else. Cornering them might be troublesome... a fact that's made all the more difficult by how the pair don't stay together, instead running away on their own or trying to disappear in the crowds of dream kids.
There are two.
In all the chaos of exploration and combat, it's easy to pick them out from the other childish shapes running around. Befitting of their names, they're completely black - literal walking shadows. The only color apparent on them.... would be the glow emanating from their chests, each possessing the half of a heart.
Unlike the other beings in this dream, neither of them have any interest in really interacting with the Awakened or the Unawakened. Sometimes they'll lurk, around corners or in a doorway, watching, but they're quick to run away before all else. Cornering them might be troublesome... a fact that's made all the more difficult by how the pair don't stay together, instead running away on their own or trying to disappear in the crowds of dream kids.
The Enemies
[It'll be for the best if the Awakened characters intervene before the worst can happen... Although perhaps such danger might be enough to spur potential victims into Awakening themselves.]
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[Probably way too much yelling, but leave him alone, he was having a bad day. One of the Tall Enemies had grabbed him, and despite knowing that yelling was definitely not going to help he still couldn't not yell. The one that had grabbed him and he'd struggled, the monster flipping him over and slamming him against the ground.]
[He'd stared for a moment, his heart beating in his ears. He didn't notice that his heart was glowing softly through his shirt - not completely out, but enough to be visible.]
[Still, he was in a tricky situation at the minute. The Tall Enemy was coming back for him, and kicking them clearly didn't work.]
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Are you alright?
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[He wasn't as small, but he'd do.]
[Riki stared at the enemy, not knowing what to do - feeling too helpless -]
[And then he reached into his chest, pulling his heart out. Looking at it glowing in his hand, and then -]
[Everything came c̶r̸a̶s̷h̴i̵n̷g̷ ̵d̵o̴w̴n̷.]
[With a burst of light, Ken stood up, wearing a long brown coat, a mask on his face. He tugged it up, his gaze serious, a spear suddenly in his hand. He launched himself past Gladion at the Shadow, lifting his spear and stabbing it through the chest. He kicked it, once, twice, three times - and it poofed away into darkness.]
[He turned to Gladion and shouldered his spear, looking up at him.]
I guess it's time to hunt Shadows again.
[Never mind all of the memories, everything crashing down on him, everything that had just happened - he needs to appear strong and capable.]
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"Again"?
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... Yeah. We're dealing with them at home, too. But this is... different... I don't feel Nemesis at all.
[Sure, he hadn't been using his Persona that long, but she... should be there.]
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[Senses honed by years of martial arts, she almost senses the strike as it hurls towards her and yanks to one side, the shadowy fist of one of the dark-suited Tall Enemies breaking plaster where her head was a moment ago. He's fast; he barely recovers before he's after her again -- before there's even time to scramble back to her feet. With the very little distance she's gained, she manages to get just enough space and leverage enough to sweep his legs, sending him toppling, but there's another one right after him. Her lungs are burning, her head is still reeling, and there's not enough room to get back to her feet. Her mind gropes for the spells in the back of her brain, scrabbling to get out of the way.]
[She's not definite that she'll be quick enough.]
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[The monster disappears, and Ken rushes over to stomp on the shadow that Ran had knocked over. The thing lets out a noise, but it's quickly silenced as Ken stabs into it, destroying it.]
Tch...
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But the way this boy does it . . . quick and brutal, with extra force, with disgust, with the way he spears the creature even as it cries out . . . it twists a little at her stomach.
Maybe it's worse that these aren't the normal actions of a child.
Still, she can't -- or shouldn't -- draw conclusions from this moment only. "Th-Thank you . . ." With a shake of her head as though to clear it, she pulls her legs back under her to stand. Mentally, subconsciously, she runs a check of her own body. Everything's in order. Just a blow -- she's had worse. She'll be okay in a moment.
Trying to draw a smile, "You Awakened."
She remembers him from earlier from the crowd.
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Another Shadow approaches, and Ken frowns. "But this isn't my Persona. Something's wrong. It's... I can't summon Nemesis..." Still, he summons his Persona, the winged dog howling and letting off a zio attack.
Re: The Enemies
Cons: Young, short, physically very weak.
He has enough sense to keep aware of his surroundings, keep his back to the wall if he's too far from other people. He has enough skill to defend himself pretty well, he's fended off several of the tall things with a few well-timed zio skills and his knife. He is, however, very easy to grab, and has gotten himself slammed into several walls already. It's the smaller things that are giving him a hard time... Maybe it's because they aren't actively trying to attack, maybe it's something else - but he doesn't fight them. He mostly watches them. Unsettled.]
...This behavior... [It's more brutal than what he's familiar with, certainly, but there's just something. Nagisa moves to put himself between a tall thing and a couple of the smaller things, gun raised. This is probably unwise.]
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[Before she can decide, one of the giant Shadows snatches her. Christina screeches in panic. Instincts kicking in, she lashes out against the monster, feet and elbows hitting wherever they can. She barely thinks it'll make a difference, but the Tall Enemy seems to think differently.]
[Because the next thing she knows, Christina is slammed into the floor knocking the wind out of her.]
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[Another glance sends electricity through her nerve endings: One of the Tall Enemies has grabbed Christina, hurling her to the ground. Christina is vulnerable; they seem to be targeting those who are most vulnerable. She's exposed to an attack.]
[. . . True enough, the Tall Enemy raises a foot, set to smash it into the small of Christina's back.]
[Ran doesn't wait.]
Zepar!
[Her Persona is there within a moment, emerged from empty space as though she'd been standing there all along, her wings smoldering.]
Agi!
[The Tall Enemy that Ran herself had just been fighting bursts into flame at the feet, staggering sideways. The way clear, Ran darts towards the Shadow towering over Christina, a kick colliding solidly with its head.]
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[At the familiar voice, Christina struggles to raise her head. Her whole body aches from the impact. Dragging her arm across the ground, she pushes her upper body up to see what is happening. When she sees the two outfits from her earlier dream, her heart leaps.]
Ran...!
[Despite the joy she feels to see Ran and her niece's friend, panic and shame floods through Christina. Once again, they've come to her rescue. Two high school kids, stuck in a fight that seems far too big for them. As an adult, she should be responsible for their safety, and yet so far the situation seems to be in reverse.]
[Even as she thinks that, a sense of deja vu keeps nagging at her mind. Of course they've rescued you. When have they not? She winces as her chest burns, her body still filled with pain]
[Meanwhile, the Shadow is getting back to its feet, furious that someone interrupted its operation.]
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[The thought drives a flicker of fury through Ran, and she bears down on the Tall Shadow as it struggles back to its feet.]
Cleave.
[Zepar's sword drives through the Shadow's chest, pinning him back to the floor with the blade through its heart.]
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Ran?
[She speaks softly, hushed by her terror. While the Shadowy beings were threatening beyond her wildest imagination, seeing this level of violence from Ran was something else. Ran had always been such a sweet child. It had never crossed her mind that her niece, her angel, was capable of this. It felt wrong.
This is wrong. Ran shouldn't be dirtying her hands.
Not for me.
The thought flashes through her mind as her chest sears red-hot. A slight glow can be seen through her staff outfit. However she barely notices, distracted as she hears a reply. Or is it her own thoughts? Have you decided? Then do something about it.
I am thou, thou art I.
She glimpses another Tall Enemy rushing for Ran as her vision blurs. Her pulse hammers in her mind. With all her strength, Christina pushes herself onto her knees and raises a hand to her heart. Her hand rests there a brief moment. Then she tears it out with a cry, pain and light both blinding her and hiding her from view.]
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Here was the test. ]
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[It's just the distraction that the Tall Enemy, not quite yet finished, needs. Reaching up, sliding its own impaled body upward along Zepar's sword, shadowy arms snatch Ran, yanking her downward toward the bared edge of the blade.]
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[The source is obvious as the light fades. A smoking gun is held in Christina's, no, Vermouth's outstretched hand, aimed directly at where the Shadow used to be. Her clothes have been replaced by black rogue-like armor. An uneven cape billows out from her shoulders, flapping almost like wings. Behind her a giant crow hovers. It lets out a piercing cry as Vermouth stands.]
[Her gaze is still cold and sharp as it turns to from the Shadow to her fellow Awakened.]
You aught to be more careful, Angel.
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Shinichi has to quickly abort a gesture to intervene. Even he couldn't say whether he had been about to cast a spell or simply throw himself into danger in an attempt to help. Quite possibly it had been both.
He takes a quick step over.]]
Ran, are you okay?
[ He glances over as Vermouth speaks. No need to ask whether Vermouth had remembered. The answer to that was more than clear.
A part of Shinichi's mind noted the appearance of the crow and draws the obvious connection.
]
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Thank you. [She manages this too after a pause. The image of this woman and the aunt of her false memories clash in her mind all over again; it's like being pulled in two different directions at once. She pulls her eyes away by force.]
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[Yet it's hard, exceptionally hard to keep her feelings straight. While there is some relief and thrill, her heart can't help but mourn what she just lost. That naive, kind self with her relatively easy life. The person who would never be a risk just to be near. As she investigates her new clothing, Vermouth's thoughts race through her mind, loud and chaotic.]
[One thought sticks out, though. She cannot stay near Ran and Shinichi. Not like this.]
[As Ran addresses her, she keeps her expression as vague as possible.]
Think nothing of it.
Good luck.
[With that she turns and retreats into the crowd. With all this fighting, she hopes they'll lose sight of her.]