[OPEN] what kingly dreams

[fessus]

WHO? Noctis and you (and some other losers maybe)
WHAT? Dreams
WHEN? Whenever both our characters are asleep during this event
ANYTHING ELSE? Possible violence and trauma

[ Dream A ]

[ The decorations on the Citadel almost seem like physical impossibilities, great waterfalls of fabric draped over towering architecture and what feels like a never-ending amount of petals or confetti catching the light as they fall. It's not really all that consistent. It is a dream, after all.

Maybe that's why the crowd that chokes the plaza feels so indistinct, fuzzy background faces cheering for the wedding they're about to witness. Noctis takes a deep breath as he gathers his composure, unable to adjust his collar because fidgeting is inappropriate but it's so itchy. Nevertheless he turns his head from where he's standing at the height of the stairs, looking to what should be his bride climbing the last few. Except... ]

Wait, this isn't right. [ You are not Luna. ]


[ Dream B ]

[ The indignant cheeping of the chocobos in response to their beautiful plumage getting wet is louder at least than the steady rainfall against the rooftop of the Wiz Chocobo Post. Louder still might be Noctis's scoffing at his own hair getting wet, trying his best to smooth it down even as he ducks under the railing of one of the bird pens. ]

Easy, easy... You think I want to be out here either? [ Why is he here? He doesn't know beyond that it's definitely his job to feed these animals; that's a certainty. Did he take up a part-time job or something? One gloved hand smoothes feathers as he calls out to the other presumed worker on duty. ]

Hey, can you pass me that bag of greens?


[ Dream C ]

[ Students are whispering behind him, he can feel it. They always do. He looks younger, feels younger, and the school uniform he's wearing is as uncomfortable as it ever was.

He stares at the board, a complex math equation he's never seen carefully scrawled onto its face as his teacher tuts disapprovingly. "How can we have a prince that can't even solve something so rudimentary? You're so unlike your father," she says, and his discomfort only grows.

This is like a nightmare... How could anyone know the answer? ]


[ closed to Achilles ]

Come... on! Stay down already!

[ The bark of a frustrated yell comes from a visibly irritated Noctis, sword vanishing in an array of crystalline light before being replaced in his hands by a vicious-looking spear. He's facing down a monstrous beast that seems all too intent on slashing him open with swipes of its claws, narrowly dodging each hit. ]

Gladio! Where's-- Prompto, Ignis! Where are you?! [ That spear is hurtled at the behemoth's head as he warps in for an attack of his own, getting in a few solid strikes before he tumbles back down onto grass. Help's always appreciated. ]


[ closed to Midnighter ]

[ Noctis is unused to spending much time in the throne room of the Citadel these days, and it's even harder to remember a time when he's been in here alone. Fingers drag over the smooth surface of one of the throne's armrests before abruptly jerking back, as if he's suddenly remembered it should only be his father's right to place his hand there.

Where is he? He should be here. It's too quiet and Noctis has always loathed coming in here as an adult; there's no reason for him to linger when he expects an advisor or guard to show up and chide him at any moment.

The sudden sound of footsteps has him turning his head, however, the only warning he's given before the doors at the far end of the room burst open and another young male who looks to be close to his age -- but in much, much worse condition -- runs through them. Has he ever seen this person before? No, his mind says, but he doesn't belong in here. ]

Hey! Hey, are you okay? [ Noctis is taking those steps two at a time to move to his side. ]


[ closed to Hei ]

[ It's night.

The starscape in Lucis is stunning, too, a totally unique beauty that he could never appreciate in the metropolis of Insomnia. Out here, away from civilization... everything seems to slow down a little. Everything feels more real.

And it isn't what he wants to see; it's not his friends, or Luna, or the place that he'd most call "home". But it's what he needs to see, his world and the lands he's destined to rule over. Noctis exhales as he drags his fingers through cool grass, head turning to see the shadow of another figure only illuminated by starlight. ]

... ah. Hey. [ Again his gaze turns skyward, even if he feels a greater sense of unease now. ] It'd be good if this lasted, huh?

Comments

[thingpuncher]

[He does not look okay.]

[Stumbling around bruised, he's wearing hospital scrubs, fresh stitches running up his arms. His face is bruised, and one of his eyes is bloodied. He walks with an anxious expression, and when he hears someone call out, he ducks for cover.]

[There's a black-haired boy around his age coming toward him, out of a huge hall, and he's scared. Of course he's scared. Where is he? Why is he here? He ducks for cover behind one of the huge fucking doors, before the computer tells him there's a 98% chance he's already been seen.]

Did we escape? [Breathing too fast, the computer tells him. He's inhaling at only 74% efficiency.]

[fessus]

[ The muffled sound of his own boots echoes in the ornate room, every detail of the architecture screaming exorbitant wealth and making this disheveled teenager look even more out of place against its polished surfaces. Noctis halts for the barest of moments when the -- younger? it's hard to tell after such a brief glimpse -- boy ducks for cover and then speaks, taking a moment to himself before resuming his approach. ]

Escape from where? Don't you know where you are? [ This empty, cavernous room. His hand's placed against the edge of one door, leaning forward to peer around it. ]

You need to let me see you if you're hurt; I can help.

[thingpuncher]

[Do not let the enemy see weaknesses. He takes a moment to steel himself, and try again. It's an imperfect cover, obviously fake coolness, a reverse echo of a memory from waking-]

[He stands tall, his shoulders only slightly shaking. (He could take him. He could. He knows he could.)]

Why are you here?

[Everything is wrong. Start with the basics.]

[fessus]

[ His confusion is worn openly on his face, pairing with the incredulity that that question makes him feel. ]

... I live here. [ Does he? He did, once. So why does he feel so out of place here now? ] How'd you get past the guards? Who... are you?

Your name. What's your name?

[thingpuncher]

[He takes a step back, then a step forward. Don't show weakness.]

[But when he opens his mouth for a name, nothing comes.]

L... Lu... [Words flash through his head. Names and places. Something familiar, but when he says it, he knows it's a lie:] Lucas Trent.

[Yes. He'll be Lucas Trent. That... it isn't right. He knows it's a lie. But it will have to be enough. The other questions... he doesn't have answers to. This place is large, but maybe one person can live in a large place like this? Maybe. Are guards hard to get past? Probably. He isn't sure.]

b

[bloodings]

[ If Noctis doesn't know why he's here, than Mordred has even less of a clue. She's in full armour — fortunately minus the giant spear in her chest from the latter of her dreams, but unfortunately without her helmet to protect her from the rain. The back of her ponytail is dripping, and her bangs are clinging to her face, reminding her far too much of her times on the march.

When Noctis calls to her, she's in the middle of patting one of the birds. Sure, she's confused, and the weather sucks, but they're cute. She looks around for the bag in question, then hands it over to him. ]

What, you gonna eat them? [ No, you idiot. ]

[fessus]

[ He takes the bag immediately but with a slightly disbelieving look... and at the question, not even her wardrobe choice. Incredible. ]

The greens? I hate stuff like this... It's chocobo food, and I'm not gonna' eat those either. [ One bird squeaks indignantly. See. You've upset him. ]

You better feed that one too or it's gonna' peck you.

[bloodings]

[ Too late. It pecks her on the head, and she makes a surprised noise. ]

Haaaaah? You stupid oversized chicken!

[ ... and she punches the bird. Which makes it peck her again, so she punches it again, and then ends up trying to wrestle it. At 5'1, the size difference is almost comical. Sorry about your life Noctis. ]

[fessus]

O... oi, oi! [ WHAT THE FUCK ]

Knock it off! [ Immediately he's rushing over to her, a wet bag of greens splatting against the ground as he grabs for her shoulders. ]

You don't fight them, you feed them!

[bloodings]

[ Welcome to hell, aka Mordred. She looks back at Noctis, one hand wrapped around the bird's throat, the other lining up a punch. ]

Shut up! It attacked me! [ Another peck. This time, she just growls at it, because Noctis is holding her shoulders. ] Knock it off, asshole! I'll eat the whole lot of you!

C

[rippedoff]

[Shinobu pauses when she finds herself at a desk, already suspicious that this classroom really didn't look like Santa Destroy High School at all. What really drove it home that this was different, though, was that her own outfit was definitely a whole lot different from those of every one else. However, no one else seems to notice when everyone seemed focused on gossiping about the guy trying to answer a problem that, well.. no one in their right mind would probably know the answer to.

The quip about not measuring up to his father, though, hits a bit of a sore spot for her. While she tended to keep quiet at her own school, to avoid drawing more attention to herself than necessary, this was not her school. Maybe she still had to worry about other assassins finding her here too, but right now she felt too annoyed to not say anything.]

If this is so rudimentary, do you think the rest of us could answer it? [Scowling, she leans back in her seat a little.] Pretty sure the problem is in the teacher, not the student.

[fessus]

[ The sense of dread that accompanies the dream is familiar so he assumes it'll play it like it has in the past. The mockery will continue, the pressure will grow, and the--

Out of place girl will interrupt to defend him? His hand hesitates, gripping chalk as he glances over his shoulder. His gaze is focused on her just like everyone else's is, blinking once. ]

Hah? --I never said I couldn't answer it. I just have to think it over one more time... [ He doesn't want to fuck this up, but he's going to. He always does in this dream. ]

[rippedoff]

[Shinobu knows that everyone's attention is focused on her and while that'd be a huge problem at her own school, it feels almost liberating here, as she really didn't give a shit if people focused on her here. If somehow anyone here figured out her profession here, it really wouldn't be a problem at all to take them out, if she had to.

However, her intent wasn't violent here, it was just to try to draw some of the attention away from the guy that was clearly getting burderned with expectations that would drive anyone nuts. Shinobu looks a little doubtful as Noctis assures her that he can solve this problem, but she wasn't going to stop him if he felt like he really needed to prove himself.

Her lips scrunch in an expression that's akin to a shrug before she leans a cheek against a hand, while the nails of her other hand tap on the desk.]

You sure? That shit looks pretty tough. [No, she was never ashamed to swear, even in high school.]

[fessus]

[ He doesn't get it.

He doesn't get why she's speaking up or why the teacher isn't saying anything; shouldn't the teacher be saying something? Shouldn't any of the students be reacting by doing more than just whispering? It's weird. This whole situation is weird. ]

Do you want to try to answer it? [ Now he hears the groans. "The prince is trying to wriggle out of his duties again." ]

[rippedoff]

[Shinobu was never an exceptional student – straight Bs at best, utterly average at worst. So, looking at the problem on the board, she grimaces as there was no way she knew the answer. Normally, she'd refuse, but what the hell. What was the worst that could happen?]

Sure, piece of cake.

[She pretends to study the board, making her way up to the front, eventually. Taking a piece of chalk, she writes down an answer: 42. She absolutely just made up a number.]

Easy.

dark tart au option

[dipolar]

(hei feels like he's always been looking up, caught in what's close to a trance. the content of the dream and the fact that stars have always been hypnotizing to him keep him from recognizing that he's in one, standing statue still, under the dim light and a brief glance from a familiar boy, in a uniform not too far flung from the fashions in lucis. at least in the wardrobes of insomnia's finest — members of the kingsglaive, a term he's far beyond knowing —, utility is preferred.

he realizes something: he's no longer looking out over a lake with a mirror's surface and there's no shower of shooting stars to lament. his jaw sets and he adds to the uneasiness shaping their moods. what had he been doing? is this where he's supposed to be?)

If what lasted?

(it sounds like the right thing to ask, even if he comes off as foolish. he's never been close to sane or amenable in any realm, dream or otherwise, and to start now would be far more jarring than being startled "awake" in a wide field of stunningly green grass. it is beautiful, but it's difficult to pay attention to when everything else is wrong.

wrong? is it? what would he be doing instead?)

Nighttime?

[fessus]

No.

[ It's a feeling that he wants to protect, an idea more than a concept he can slap a word onto. Even still, he knows the answer. No, not nighttime.

Noctis is silent for a moment or two longer as blue eyes narrow heavenward, chin raised that much higher as a stiff breeze toys with the long grass. It smells good,
fragrant from a recent rain, and the simple pleasure of it is something he knows is fleeting. ]

The stars. If the scourge has started, then it's only a matter of time before all this gets even darker.

[dipolar]

The scourge will blot out the stars? (it sounds familiar, so it's addressed familiarly.

maybe that's why it's so easy to sink into this dream like it's one of his own, his adaptability reaching the depths of this complex world. he doesn't know what this scourge is or what it's doing, but if it'll ruin these perfect nights with a fake sky and change humans into unfeeling monsters, then they have to do something. he can't lose these stars again. not when they're the only thing he loves anymore.

finally turns to look down on noctis. it's with recognition that he does, the face striking a chord in him — he's spoken at length with this boy, words exchanged in a quiet room together, both of them addressing problems together. he can't remember when or why, not now in this dream's confusion, but the impression he has of him is a good one and that's more than enough for him to go on.)

What can I do?

(sinking to a knee in the grass to get on his level, trench coat spread behind his heels.)

[fessus]

[ It's hard for him to turn his head away from the absolute vision of the night sky above them but the words spoken to him and the proximity of this man manage to snare his attention. His head turns and there's a shimmer in a blurry, glassy gaze, unshed tears trapped like the growing lump in his throat. He makes out the Kingsglaive uniform, one unexplained to him until recently. A leftover legacy of his father's.

Slowly Noctis finds his feet, smoothly straightening up to full height as one arm extends to a man he views as a partner, a devoted subject. A dagger fills his open palm a second later, glittering light signaling its arrival in a display that rivals that of the stars above. ]

Take it and I'll show you. If you use my power the way that I tell you to, you'll be using it well. Do you understand? We have a long battle ahead of us.

[dipolar]

(wants to stand, take a step back from the watery stare he's given— why? what's happened?

for some reason, he wants to make it stop in whatever way he can. hei has never liked tears or their connotations, someone close to him is hurting and it makes him bristle, the solemn weight of the dream's mood settling into him like he'd be capable of empathizing with this boy. and he is. if destroying what's bothering noctis will make it stop, then accepting the dagger he's presented with is a choice he's more than willing to make.

a wide gaze at the glittering appearance it makes in noctis' hand, stunned by the gravity of the moment, before his eyelids sink, jaw setting with new responsibility. it gives him a purpose. a purpose means a reason to live, if only for now, until all of this is over.)

Yeah. I understand.

(hei reaches up for the dagger and grasps it, pulling it towards him. the power surge is unexpected; he'd drop the blade if his fingers didn't squeeze vicelike around the handle, head bowing for a sharp exhale. he's felt similar spikes in skill, meteor shard breaking all restrictions, but this is a different kind of rush that settles into every fibre, hair raising, skin prickling.

a transfer? is this just some throwaway fraction of what noctis can do?)

Noctis, is this—?

B

[gerechtigkeit]

[He hadn't meant to fall into this dream, but such is the way of things as of late. While BASE seems to be having more and more of these hotspots, Siegfried finds they're harder and harder to avoid.

Rain, of course, is a welcoming sound. Even if he doesn't recognize the place he's now in, or remember anything similar in his travels, there's an odd sense of comfort found in adventure and traveling across to lands unknown.

As far as the post is concerned- he's used to a lot of things, so the sight of chocobos isn't as startling to him as one might expect. But hearing Noctis' voice? He startles just a little, before tilting his head.]

...the what?

[Did he just say "greens?"]

[fessus]

[ Oh. It's Saber. His subconscious registers him as a positive addition to the dream so Noctis glances back over his shoulder to greet him. ]

Hey, Saber.

The greens, the gysahl greens? The ones in that big bag there. [ He nods to where the sacks are piled up against the main building, just barely under the tarp to protect them from rain. ]

[gerechtigkeit]

[It takes him a second, and he stares rather blatantly at a chocobo as he does so, but he finds the bag Noctis is looking for. Siegfried hands it over to him and pauses, looking back at the birds and being stared back at in return.]

What are they?

[He knows they're similar to a chicken, but... he's never seen any this big. What kind of lore is this?]

[fessus]

[ He's holding the bag up and already getting the attention of a particularly hungry animal, barely getting it open before he's subjected to aggressive pecks into its depths. ]

Geeze--

What do you mean, what are they? They're chocobos, obviously.

[gerechtigkeit]

[One of the chocobos takes an interest in Siegfried's hair, pecking him on the head while trying to see if the pink tips at the end are some sort of weird treat. Siegfried balks a little, moving his head and gently trying to push his new friend's beak away.]

I've never seen them before, we don't have them on our world.