Event Log: April, Dream a Little Dream

[faileas]

Event Log: April, Dream a Little Dream (Of Me)

I. The Looking-Glass House These strange shared dreams are part and parcel of being Mirrorbound, nothing too unusual for those who entered this world through similar dreams and then a mirror. No doubt you've all experienced your share by now. Normally those dreams have something to say about the world, something to show Mirrorbound about their new temporary home, but this time... This time, it has something to show the Mirrorbound about each other, perhaps. The Looking-Glass House, from the outside, seems no different from how it looks in the waking world. Each cobblestone still glows as you step upon it, drawing your attention toward the entryway of the two-story cottage that sits at the edge of the Coven's courtyard. You can still wander the Coven grounds if you'd like, but nothing is different from how it will be when you wake, save the lack of bustling Witches and Monsters going about their business. Areas that are normally inaccessible are still inaccessible. Whatever secrets this dream may hold, they all lie within the hall of mirrors. Perhaps you haven't had reason to step into this building in some time, or maybe you're here often, checking for new arrivals. Maybe you only recently arrived here and the sight of these mirror-lined hallways is fresh in your mind. Something has changed, however... Many of the hundreds of mirrors on the walls remain the same: dull, dusty, undecorated, some cracked or broken. As lifeless as a mirror can get. Yours, if you seek it out, looks the same as it did to you on your arrival - the frame covered in reminders of your home, your life, the surface of it clear and shiny-new. But this time, in this dream, yours is not the only one you can see signs of life in. Other mirrors also have the clear, silvery glass within their frames that yours does, indicating a connection to someone currently in Aefenglom. Maybe you can pick out the mirrors of people you know by the few carvings in the frames you can pick out; the closer you are to someone, the more of their mirror's decoration you're able to see, though the frames of strangers' mirrors remain unadorned to your gaze. You might feel yourself compelled to lay your hand on one of these silvery-bright mirrors, and when you do, the glass ripples like movement on a still pond. Like water, it allows you entry to another time, another place, another world - or at least, the memory of such. Who knows what you'll witness there, something beautiful or something terrible, but you only have to slip back through the mirror into the Looking Glass House to end it.

Welcome to April's event log, Dream a Little Dream! This event is a little more 'make your own fun' than others (since we are not currently in a place to be able to run a plot-heavy event this month), so feel free to play with the dream mechanics generally as you will. The main things to keep in mind are: memories are from the character's point of view however you choose to interpret that; memories cannot be altered or show a character something they could not have witnessed; please be considerate when using other people's characters in a memory, and visitors cannot directly interact with people/NPCs within a memory. Interacting with creatures/environment of a memory is fine. Otherwise, have fun! As always, feel free to use this log or make your own, and direct event-related questions here.

Comments

[pastregrets]

Maybe... sometimes I just get stuck on things, really it's more like that.

[He knows there are just a few things out there he can't let go of. He'll keep moving forward, of course.

He hardly notices the lean because it really feels more like comfortable synchronicity than anything special. It's normal to Omi, and he needs normal. This weird, super protective instinct in him has shown up clearer than ever lately. Well, since he arrived.]

Even if I need to put you in a headlock and talk you out of something... [It's best to be a little silly, isn't it?] ...I'll do it. I want to be someone you can count on.

[sneaksweet]

[He doesn't so much laugh as he gives Omi a small little smile. Somehow he always seems to rely on Omi for this kind of thing. Back home with his terrible temper and here with his awful tendency to take one negative thing and spiral.]

That goes both ways. But you gotta tell me what's up.

[pastregrets]

[Omi looks away, a short hum all the has to offer for a second.]

You're asking a lot, suddenly!

[Teasing. But when he looks back at Juza, there's a determined spark in his gaze.]

I'll try. I mean it. I think you know I can't make any promises; I'm just the type to handle it on my own. But you're going to big-brother me or something if I clam up, aren't you? And here I'm the older one!

[sneaksweet]

[He's standing up straight for once, not slouched over and trying to make himself small. He's not trying to be overlooked right now.]

Ain't my fault Autumn's made up of big brothers. Better take what you dish out.

[Juza knows where his loyalties lie.]

[pastregrets]

[There's that familiar pride swelling in Omi, something that really is recent, but that is no less significant for its newness. Juza's really an amazing person in his own right. Omi can't be a slouch around that.]

You're a couple of years too early to say that so seriously to somebody like me. [Grinning.] No, I like it. You've got me cornered. I won't let you down.

[He nods after the retreating figures of Juza and his family.]

Speaking of big brothers... You know what you're talking about.

[sneaksweet]

[Time to grow up fast, he guesses. Being stranded in a completely different world does that to people. Probably. Juza offers Omi one of his very small smiles.]

... Yeah. That's my little brother. [His expression goes soft.]

[pastregrets]

[Oh, that's a good look on Juza's face.]

Seems like he was really attached to you back then. Are you still close?

[sneaksweet]

He's still real attached to me. He came to watch one of the last runs of Picturesque. Told Banri he couldn't meet him.

[pastregrets]

Oh no. Is he holding a grudge against Banri, then?

[sneaksweet]

He... ain't real fond of him.

[Underselling it.]

[pastregrets]

[Omi thinks that is charming as fuck. Pardon him trying not to laugh.]

For the life of me, I just can't imagine why...

[sneaksweet]

Ain't like Settsu's charming.

[pastregrets]

You said it, not me.

[Snerk.]

I'm not disagreeing. He really has a long way to go, but I think as a group, none of us have any room to talk. You missed Sakyo throwing me under a bus over it.

[Wait. It's Sakyo. Maybe he should...]

Not an actual bus, to clarify.

[sneaksweet]

You know how I feel about him.

[A very annoying rival and roommate that Juza would like to do without.

He was a little bit worried Omi got run over by a real bus, but when he clears it up Juza manages to relax.]

...? What happened?

[pastregrets]

I do know. I've broken you two up before, remember?

[He knows Juza knows; it's just Omi being cheeky. Cheekiness helps him cope.

Speaking of cheeky.]

Assuming this won't make some kind of science fiction mishap happen... Sakyo graciously voluntold me for the lead in our second play.

[sneaksweet]

Thanks again for that.

[Juza tries so hard to keep his temper, but Banri is so good at setting him off.]

... Makes sense. [Omi's miles better than Juza, and Banri already had his time. Taichi would probably feel bad about it after everything he did, and Sakyo kept writing himself off.]

[pastregrets]

Does it really?

[Omi felt so called out when Sakyo did that. He was happy to villain and background, thanks. Hiding instead of figuring his shit out was so much easier.

Obviously his priority was not "who's the best actor" or anything of the sort. He still wasn't sure he was living his own dream.]

Things got a little complicated, but... You and Taichi in particular decided to--independently--give me a piece of your mind. Thanks for that, even if you don't know you did it.

[Just a little encouragement, no big details. Just... Juza, you're doing amazing sweetie.]

[sneaksweet]

... Cause I ain't good enough for it, Taichi would feel too guilty, Settsu just did his, and Sakyo hates the spotlight.

[The man must be allergic to it or something. He hasn't quite realized Omi's aversion to it as well.]

You're uh... welcome? [Weird to be thanked for something he can't remember anything about.]

[pastregrets]

Taichi was co-lead, and Sakyo is a well-intentioned hypocrite who didn't know he was setting me up for a reality check.

[Omi can't help laughing a bit at his own analysis of Sakyo, because boy oh boy is he getting back at that man ASAP.]

I almost tanked the whole show. Apparently I respond pretty well to a little firm nudging, and you're surprisingly good at it. [He's going to learn, as he suspects, that Juza might not have a clue about his own insightfulness and internal strength.]

[sneaksweet]

... You plannin' on doing something to Sakyo?

[Because that's sure what it sounds like.]

Huh. I am?

[That doesn't sound like him at all. Whenever he tries something he tends to make it much worse instead of making it better.]

[pastregrets]

Sakyo? Mm, who knows... He might find himself under a bus soon too...

[Omi looks away innocently.]

Is what I'd say if I was still at home. Anyway, maybe it's just that you know how to talk to me? I refuse to believe you just got lucky.

[It was seriously one of those weirdly well timed things... But Omi really thinks Juza, despite having a long way to go (as Omi does too) has something really good going on. After all, if Omi can make himself over and become the reliable mom friend of the dorms, Juza can do pretty much anything... right?]

[sneaksweet]

[Maybe. But the thing about Juza is when it comes to himself, that's a disaster. That's a mess he thinks he can never fix. He's the type of person who can't fix anything and just hurts others when he doesn't mean to. Over and over, on an endless repeat.

That's the entire reason he wanted to be an actor. At least for a little while he could be anyone else. Put himself in somebody else's shoes and stop being Juza Hyodo. He can't imagine he was really that helpful on purpose.]

I probably just got lucky.

[pastregrets]

[Omi isn't always the best motivational speaker, but he still lays a hand on Juza's shoulder and gives him a gentle shake.]

Even if you're gonna reduce it to that, there's something to be said for luck. I don't know how to explain it otherwise, but you managed to call me out, however, whatever, you did it. It was pretty cool, too.

[He puts his hand back in his pocket.]

Ahh, but it's weird telling you about stuff you haven't been around for. Do you want to know about the play? That's probably more interesting than my life story.

[sneaksweet]

... Huh.

[Guess he has something to? Look forward to? He's not sure how to feel about this one, man.]

You're doing that dismissing yourself thing again. Your life isn't boring.

[pastregrets]

Now, all I said was that the play was more interesting!

[Yep, still avoiding, but if he's silly about it, maybe it'll deflect him effectively.]

It's post-apocalyptic, or something like that. A ruined world.