Shake a tailfeather, soothe a soul

[songbird_slayer]

Sender: Madhuri
To: Everyone
Subject: Shall we dance?


I thought at first to write in a rather sad and sorry manner, but I decided I don't want to do any of that and instead focus on positivity.

That moon is dreadfully late, isn't it? Tsk tsk. Should anyone find that pesky silver ball, give it a sound scolding for me, would you? I'll step in line behind you and remind it of a few dream-related annoyances I've had of late.

Well. Not all were annoyances. But if you know what I mean, I'll ask you kindly not to make mention of it. I've embarrassed him enough.

ANYWAY, the point of my entry is that I am more than a little concerned with the dreadful dreams I've had flash over the lantern. Thus I offer a service: The Kriegstanz, a specialized dance that draws upon those pesky negative emotions and manifests them into something whose butt I can give my heel. My whole heel. The nastier the thoughts, the tougher the beast.

So while I have volunteered to dance in the square throughout the days until conditions improve and invite you all to bear witness so that I may give you a hand (I'm the one in the horns and a black tail, but I dare say I'm hard to miss even without those features ❤ )... I may need some experienced fighters to back me up on the butt-heeling portion. Sers Zhao and Kasuga, this'll be your big shot. But the more, the merrier.

Heck, I'll bring snacks. It'll be fun. What do you all say?




[ooc: I won't be logging such events unless somebody wants a thread. But do hit me up if you wanna handwave something.]

Comments

Sender: Luca Balsa

[allegedprisoner]

I'm assuming the negative emotions will manifest as Noctare or something of that sort?

[songbird_slayer]

Hi there, Luca.

Considering the nature of this place, they just might. Back home, such manifestations appeared as motes of dark aether or creatures akin to familiar voidsent. Nasty adversaries.

[allegedprisoner]

I can imagine.

Were you around for the time we went to that merry gaveyard dreamscape? I believe I still have some talismans from that which should help. The label says they're good at weakening noctare further.

[songbird_slayer]

My arrival came after, according to our hosts, I'm afraid. But if those talismans do what they say, perhaps hang on to them. I'm an accomplished fighter, and I'd rather save such valuable things for what I feel may be a bigger threat in the wings.

I've not dreamt of such threats, but the missing moon troubles me deeply.

Sender: Rokurou

[rokubro]

Hah, do you mean some kind of ball that looks like the moon or the real thing?

[Look it's a valid question with all the other worlds and all that.]

But about the backup support, I can lend my blade to help.

[songbird_slayer]

I don't think a ball would do us much good, unless the moon for this world was some sort of paper and plaster creation. If the real thing could be stolen, however, surely it can be returned.

That aside, I'd appreciate your blade! I do say be prepared for anything, as these shadowy feelings can take all manners of shapes. Their goal is to perpetuate their core emotion.

[rokubro]

Wait.

Wait wait wait are you being seriously about the whole moon being stolen thing? I hadn't really looked outside or paid much attention.

[songbird_slayer]

My people revere it as our Mother. I suppose I can't help but notice it nightly, but the sky feels very wrong now. Makes my skin prickle.

Sender: Nier

[heseesonlyher]

Did you just say that you dance to make nightmares into something physical?

[Because he's pretty sure that's what she's just said here and that sounds... Well. That sounds pretty magical to him because he can only imagine that his dancing would only make something flee in the opposite direction.]

[songbird_slayer]

[C'moooon, Nier, shake that ass.]

Something like that! My Troupe and I would perform for crowds from villages and myriad cities suffering from past and current strife, and draw out the negative energies. Our dance is also combat-capable, and defeating the energy becomes part of the show.

[heseesonlyher]

[n o]

What in the world kind of magic is that? Sounds practical, but I can't imagine anyone back home doing something like that.

[songbird_slayer]

I'm not sure, but perhaps it's something based in Thavnair's theories on 'akasa', or what is essentially what dreamotion is here.

Perhaps the ill intent wishes to silence the good that the Kriegstanz brings. It always tends to come out aggressively.

Sender: Omi Tsukiyono

[oneblackcat]

I'm not sure I understand. Are you saying you can transform someone's negative emotions into a tangible form? And then destroy it so it's no longer causing someone to suffer?

[songbird_slayer]

That's the idea! I have little doubt that this sudden influx of nightmares is coming about from an outside source. I aim to provide succor to as many of my fellow dreamwalkers as possible.

[oneblackcat]

Certainly, it would help a lot of people. What makes you say it's an outside force, though? Not that I have any reason to doubt it, but I'm interested in the evidence.

[songbird_slayer]

Got nothing for you, as I am only speculating. I don't think it was any of us who decided to pocket the moon one day, when I see folk still trying to figure out their own dreamotion.

I imagine such feats as the theft of celestial bodies would take a great deal of the stuff. Wouldn't you agree?

sender: basil

[photographists]

Isn't doing something like that really dangerous...? Are you sure you'll be alright?

[songbird_slayer]

I've seen the end of days itself. A naughty little nightmare won't get the best of me.

But just in case, that's why I ask for a few sellswords for backup.

[photographists]

The end of days? Did... your world end...?

Sender: Serah Farron

[mooglebow]

I don't mind helping out to destroy negative emotions, but... I really do have to ask how a dance does that, it sounds fascinating.

[Not that she doesn't believe Madhuri, she does! She's just curious how the dance does that. Magic is probably the answer, but hey, at least she'd have an answer!]

[songbird_slayer]

I was taught that it stirs the passions of the audience, building a well of courage they didn't know they still had to purge their fears.

My troupe performed in every major city when I first started my career as a dancer. To see that malcontent welling up above the heads of the crowd... it never stops giving me a little chill, but I'm all the more determined to see it through.

[mooglebow]

Huh. So you actually see it happen? All of the malcontent welling up, I mean. [That's both kinda cool and kinda terrifying, but—] What does something like that even manifest as? Is it different for each person, or does it just sort of make some weird amalgamation of everyone's if it's multiple people?

Sender: Ichiban Kasuga

[rpgminded]

[Yes there are a lot of heavy things in this post, but this is also Ichiban. Ergo;]

Hey if you need help kicking things with your heel, you know you can count on me, right?

[songbird_slayer]

But of course!

Oh, I wanted to let you know that I've found it: My job stone! If ever you need a white mage demonstration, let me know.

[rpgminded]

Oh man that's great, congrats! Hell yeah I want a demonstration! Whenever you have the time, I'll be there!

[He is like an excitable puppy, really.]