Toge Inumaki (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fishflakes) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
dreamcrystals2022-01-16 08:25 pm
fishflakes) wrote in dreamcrystals2022-01-16 08:25 pm
Entry tags:
Dream 01 || Don't ever let me think, I was never meant to speak
Sender: Toge Inumaki
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive Dream Recording (CW: Blood, Implied violence, implied body horror)
[The dream is quiet when it first begins to broadcast…. or, at least, it seems quiet. There is an ambient white noise that is prevalent all around, a dull droning that is both incessant and easy to ignore at once. But if one were to listen carefully, they’ll come to realize that it’s not a white noise at all, but rather, whispering; multiple hushed voices all talking as one, a multitude of different murmured conversations that meld into one incoherent buzz. There is very little light in the dream, the surroundings cast into shadows. In the center of the dream, however, is a small boy.]
[The dream seems to be from the perspective of this small boy. He is sitting with his knees up to his chest, his arms wrapped around them tightly. His shoulders shake as his frame trembles with soft, hitched breaths that could easily be missed amidst the whispered voices. A shadowy figure appears looking to be vaguely like an adult, but there are no defining features to this person other than their humanoid shape. They speak out, louder than the whispering voices.]
A child born with the clan’s seal… He will no doubt possess a great amount of Cursed Energy. The Inumaki Clan has been granted a gift.
[Other shadowy figures begin to appear, all apparently looking down at the small, huddled boy. One by one they speak, talking over the whispered voices.]
He bears the mark? He is just a boy…
Such a cursed child… he must be monitored carefully.
Perhaps the Inumaki Clan will finally gain recognition among the three great sorcerer families!
I feel for his mother, having to raise such a child…
[The shadows shift, fading somewhat to reveal an empty schoolyard. The scenery seems to be faded, as if viewed through a lens or veil. Shadowy figures surround the small boy, though their features are indistinct. They all seem to be laughing mockingly, and one of them speaks up.]
What’s wrong, Toge? Cat got your tongue? If you got a problem with how we play, then say so!
[The other figures laugh, full of jeers and ridicule. The small child who is at the center of the dream ducks his face further into his legs, tugs his knees closer to his chest. He whispers in a small voice.]
Please…
[The shadowy ‘children’ suddenly warp, their forms condensing and stretching oddly, violently. Their laughter quickly turns to screams of horror and cries of pain. Over the screams, another voice is heard.]
Toge, what did you do?! What happened to them?!
[The scenery shifts, this time displaying what looks like a traditional Japanese-style home. There are more shadowy adults, looming like oppressive monoliths. They murmur to one another, each voice speaking out over one other.]
Did you hear? That boy cursed someone again. That poor child’s family…
That power is dangerous! It should be sealed away!
This is to be the heir of the Inumaki Clan? He can barely control his own strength.
Haven’t you learned? You need to control this, or else you’ll just hurt everyone around you.
[The boy covers his ears with his hands, grips his hair.]
I-I didn’t mean to..!
[He pleas quietly, but his words are drowned out by the voices that keep coming.]
Don’t you know better?
Why did you curse them, Toge?
The Inumaki Clan depends on you to carry its name, Toge.
This is why it’s dangerous, Toge.
That boy is dangerous!
You’re dangerous, Toge. You need to—
[The small boy trembles, until finally, he shouts out over the other voices.]
BE QUIET!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!
[His voice rings with Cursed Energy, a sharp note amidst the cacophony of voices and shadows. At once, the voices go silent, and the shadows disintegrate under the force of his voice. Even the droning ambient whispers have fallen silent at the command. All is utterly, completely, perfectly silent.]
[Amidst the silence, the young boy gasps and grips his mouth, coughing into his hands several times. When he pulls his shaking hands away, they are covered in blood. He stares at them for a moment, before he wraps his arms around his middle, quietly sobbing into his legs.]
[When he speaks again, it’s barely above a whisper.]
I’m sorry… I’m sorry…
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive Dream Recording (CW: Blood, Implied violence, implied body horror)
[The dream is quiet when it first begins to broadcast…. or, at least, it seems quiet. There is an ambient white noise that is prevalent all around, a dull droning that is both incessant and easy to ignore at once. But if one were to listen carefully, they’ll come to realize that it’s not a white noise at all, but rather, whispering; multiple hushed voices all talking as one, a multitude of different murmured conversations that meld into one incoherent buzz. There is very little light in the dream, the surroundings cast into shadows. In the center of the dream, however, is a small boy.]
[The dream seems to be from the perspective of this small boy. He is sitting with his knees up to his chest, his arms wrapped around them tightly. His shoulders shake as his frame trembles with soft, hitched breaths that could easily be missed amidst the whispered voices. A shadowy figure appears looking to be vaguely like an adult, but there are no defining features to this person other than their humanoid shape. They speak out, louder than the whispering voices.]
A child born with the clan’s seal… He will no doubt possess a great amount of Cursed Energy. The Inumaki Clan has been granted a gift.
[Other shadowy figures begin to appear, all apparently looking down at the small, huddled boy. One by one they speak, talking over the whispered voices.]
He bears the mark? He is just a boy…
Such a cursed child… he must be monitored carefully.
Perhaps the Inumaki Clan will finally gain recognition among the three great sorcerer families!
I feel for his mother, having to raise such a child…
[The shadows shift, fading somewhat to reveal an empty schoolyard. The scenery seems to be faded, as if viewed through a lens or veil. Shadowy figures surround the small boy, though their features are indistinct. They all seem to be laughing mockingly, and one of them speaks up.]
What’s wrong, Toge? Cat got your tongue? If you got a problem with how we play, then say so!
[The other figures laugh, full of jeers and ridicule. The small child who is at the center of the dream ducks his face further into his legs, tugs his knees closer to his chest. He whispers in a small voice.]
Please…
[The shadowy ‘children’ suddenly warp, their forms condensing and stretching oddly, violently. Their laughter quickly turns to screams of horror and cries of pain. Over the screams, another voice is heard.]
Toge, what did you do?! What happened to them?!
[The scenery shifts, this time displaying what looks like a traditional Japanese-style home. There are more shadowy adults, looming like oppressive monoliths. They murmur to one another, each voice speaking out over one other.]
Did you hear? That boy cursed someone again. That poor child’s family…
That power is dangerous! It should be sealed away!
This is to be the heir of the Inumaki Clan? He can barely control his own strength.
Haven’t you learned? You need to control this, or else you’ll just hurt everyone around you.
[The boy covers his ears with his hands, grips his hair.]
I-I didn’t mean to..!
[He pleas quietly, but his words are drowned out by the voices that keep coming.]
Don’t you know better?
Why did you curse them, Toge?
The Inumaki Clan depends on you to carry its name, Toge.
This is why it’s dangerous, Toge.
That boy is dangerous!
You’re dangerous, Toge. You need to—
[The small boy trembles, until finally, he shouts out over the other voices.]
BE QUIET!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!
[His voice rings with Cursed Energy, a sharp note amidst the cacophony of voices and shadows. At once, the voices go silent, and the shadows disintegrate under the force of his voice. Even the droning ambient whispers have fallen silent at the command. All is utterly, completely, perfectly silent.]
[Amidst the silence, the young boy gasps and grips his mouth, coughing into his hands several times. When he pulls his shaking hands away, they are covered in blood. He stares at them for a moment, before he wraps his arms around his middle, quietly sobbing into his legs.]
[When he speaks again, it’s barely above a whisper.]
I’m sorry… I’m sorry…
no subject
His technique is unique to him, and so is the number of Shikigami he can use. Normal sorcerers can usually only manage one, maybe two. His ability makes him able to handle ten.
Oh, they do. Fushiguro might not admit it, and in a fight they're serious, but I've never seen those dogs turn down a pet.
no subject
It seems like it would be pretty hard to look after even a few creatures, let alone ten.
[ And let alone having to exert some other kind of power to keep them under control. Consider Naminé impressed, then, or as much as she can be without more context. ]
That's good. It's probably better that it makes them happy, rather than everyone wanting to play with them and them not liking it.
But you say he might not admit it?
Why? Is that embarrassing for some reason?
[ She's still trying to figure out some of the things people do and don't get upset about, honestly. ]
no subject
And it's not too bad. Shikigami are spirits, so it's not like they really need food and water. And they aren't around unless they're summoned, so it's not hard to take care of them.
[Though it definitely does cost Cursed Energy to keep them summoned and maintain control of them, so she's not wrong there.]
A little, I think.
He's a pretty serious guy and so getting him to relax and goof off is actually kind of a challenge.
So he won't always admit it if he likes something silly and will act like he's not into it if you're goofing off in front of him.
Personally, I think he might find it funny deep down, even if he doesn't admit it.
no subject
Although, if they're nice to have around it's sort of a shame not to be able to spend more time with them.
But maybe it's for the best.
[ Not always being able to pet the big dogs? A travesty! Still, she gets the feeling that Shikigami aren't for making friends with, no matter her own inclinations. ]
I suppose that makes sense. If he's able to accomplish so much, he must work very hard.
Then again, some people seem to be serious from the time they're born.
[ All of this begs the question, though... ]
Do you goof off in front of him a lot?
no subject
Yeah, he was always the serious type as far as I know.
Mm, not all the time? But I mean, I've done some goofy stuff before.
Most of us do from time to time, you know?
[Like stealing the girls's skirts and trying them on for shits and giggles. Even if he got knocked out by Nobara, the humour was worth it. Do it for the vine, as they say.]
no subject
I guess that must be true.
Before I came here I was never around people very much, and the ones that I did meet were usually the serious kind.
So I've never really thought about doing anything silly myself, but I know it's not that way for everyone.
[ She does have a sense of humor, sort of - but acting ridiculous just to get a laugh? Unheard of. The thought is one she tries on for size; the end result is, ]
It's strange. For some reason, it's hard for me to picture you being really goofy.
no subject
Well, if you wanted to here, you could probably be a little silly. I mean, worst case, it's all a dream right? And dreams can get pretty silly. Why not have some fun?
[Oh boy... Toge chuckles to himself a little as he writes.]
Well it's true I don't goof off all the time. But I've done some stupid stuff. Like went along with the guys and stole/tried on the girls's uniform skirts.
no subject
Even some of the things that happen here on their own are pretty ridiculous when you think about them.
Only, I'm not actually sure how to be silly.
[ But ah, that's certainly a good example. A laugh startles out of her throat and Naminé claps a hand over her mouth a moment. ]
I bet they weren't happy about that...!
Did you get into lots of trouble?
[ Assuming it really was theft more than asking to borrow them. ]
no subject
[He wonders what her past was like... but he also isn't sure if it's his place to ask.]
Nope, they weren't. Pretty sure I still have the bump on my head to prove it.
And I mean, yeah I got in trouble but I survived, so it's all good.
no subject
This is the most peaceful place I've ever been, so if I can't learn here, I might not be able to anywhere else either.
Since you're more experienced, do you have any suggestions about how to start?
[ Not that anyone will ever make a standup comedian out of Naminé, but. ]
Ouch. Well, are you going to think twice about it the next time?
Or are you one of those people who never seems to learn their lesson?
[ She's probably teasing, honestly. ]
no subject
Hah... trust me, I learned my lesson. At the very least I'll be a little more careful not to get caught.
[He's a good kid, but also knows how to get up to mischief.]
no subject
I'll have to watch closely then, to find the right thing to try.
[ Not really ready for improv yet, this girl. As for that other comment - laughing quietly to herself, ]
That first part sounded promising, but the second one...
[ Learning one's lesson usually means not committing the infraction again, not worrying about getting caught, right-- ]
I'll be sure not to let you anywhere near my closet, just in case.