1st Card {Text}

[keystaff]

Sender: Kinomoto Sakura
To: All
Subject: Birthdays?

I hope this works. The journals we would have back home weren't like this. Showing everyone. Not unless we wrote online and it was public. I did only recently get here though. I'm Kinomoto Sakura! Sakura being my first given name, Kinomoto being my family one. I'm from Tomoeda in Japan. I'm thirteen fourteen now? I think. I'm not sure if this really counts as my birthday or not. I've never had one apart from my family and friends before. If this does count. That's a little strange to think about.

Back home, I'd have weird dreams but not quite like this exactly. And there was magic but not quite the same as this what I've seen so far at least. I'm still figuring all this out. This dream magic? Or whatever it's called. I do at least have one familiar face though! Kero-chan is with me. I mean. My stuffed toy came with me. Otherwise, I guess. I'm not sure if I should ask on how it works exactly? Dreaming? I mean. If others might be able to see my dreams here or?

[Because. Well. There's some things she is still trying to keep secret. And given her dreams are often prophetic and rather odd or dangerous sometimes. That might be important to know.]

Comments

Sender: Alastor

[lonelysmiles]

[It's a good thing this is over text considering a seven foot-tall deer demon is proooobably not the first face you'd want to see, Sakura.]

That time again already? My my, how the days do fly! If no one else has written to you, allow me to welcome you to Reverein, Miss Kinomoto! My name is Alastor!

As for your question, it's commonly referred to as "dreamotion" energy since it's based on both dreams and emotions. As for the specifics on how it works, well, I find it's a set of general guidelines and then "feeling things out" to see what works best for you. A major guideline being "positive emotion leads to positive results and visa versa". As such, you'll find that things that affect your mood and those of the people around you can change more or less in an instant!

[keystaff]

Alastor-san?

Ah, that's what Oriphi called it! I think. It's just new to me. We didn't have this sort of thing back home.

[Which. Isn't entirely a lie but also not entirely the truth given Sakura's prophetic dreams, her emotions and desires now manifesting in new cards now she is getting more powerful, stronger in her magical abilities.]

I guess that makes sense though? Sort of. It sounds pretty difficult though. Controlling your emotions to not have the negative results.

[lonelysmiles]

...I'm not sure what that means, but just "Alastor" will do.

[Seriously, what?]

And I imagine it can be, particularly if your control over your emotions is already rather spotty.

[keystaff]

Oh, it's an honorific. Like a title? A way of showing respect or a sign of the relationships between people? At least. In Japan.

I could be better about it?

[lonelysmiles]

Ah, I see! Like how I used "Miss".

Forgive my ignorance, my dear.

Sender: Zelda

[multidisciplinary]

Counting time is a bit strange here, isn't it? Time passes and seasons change here, but not for our real bodies. If we grow older here, do we regress when we "reawaken" in reality?

Personally, I counted my birthday when it passed this winter. It feels strange to ignore it.

In that vein, allow me to wish you a happy birthday! I don't believe we are aquatinted yet. I am Zelda, Princess of Hyrule.

[keystaff]

I figured I should ask. I wasn't sure if this really counts with the whole dream thing? But the date seems right. I think. My birthday's on the 1st of April.

But thanks! Zelda-san then? Wait, a princess? Really?

[Look she has read about Princesses and all but. Actually sort of meeting one?]

haha, my birthday is april 1st too!

[multidisciplinary]

I have heard of others celebrating their birthdays here, so you are not the only one.

[ Zelda doesn't really like celebrating her birthday anymore, but that's a story for another time. ]

Indeed I am, but you may call me simply Zelda if you like.

Oh nice! Eventually everyone that knows you would believe it and not be like lol April Fools though

[keystaff]

I guess that makes sense. Other people would be here long enough or just happen to be at the same day as their birthdays. I'm not sure if it counts, being here, but. It should still be okay to celebrate anyway. Even if back home I would still be thirteen.

So, Zelda-san then? Or um. Zelda-Hime?

Yep! People are nice and don't prank me on my birthday

[multidisciplinary]

I suppose I will be seventeen again if I return home. [ There's an obvious pause in her writing. ] Or perhaps much older, depending on if I should count the years I have been maintaining the seal. I am not certain how much time has passed, to tell the truth, but I do not feel any older than seventeen.

I believe Zelda-san will suffice. What is the traditional method of address for royalty in Tomoeda-in-Japan?

Sender: Susato Mikotoba

[judicialassistant]

Not all your dreams are broadcast, so do not worry. There is quite a lot about dream magic that you will ultimately learn for yourself, but a lot of it is tied to your emotions.

[ Before she goes writing a novel about that... ]

I am Mikotoba Susato, by the way, originally from Tokyo. It is lovely to have you here, Sakura-chan! Is it really your birthday today?

[keystaff]

Even some of them though. Might not be dreams others want to see? I guess I just have to learn more and focus on trying to get a handle on it.

Ah! Susato-san? Is that it? But yes! It is. The 1st of April. At least. I think that's right. For the date here.

[judicialassistant]

There are many such dreams, unfortunately. Personally speaking, I have learned to look past them out of respect for the dreamer... though my curiosity sometimes gets the better of me.

[ ......Plus, some people just need comforting after traumatic dreams, you know? Someone to talk to. Sometimes it's rude to ignore those, though Susato herself isn't always the right person for a cheer-up job. She knows that. ]

What I mean to say is... happy birthday. If I may be so forward, could we meet? Perhaps you can tell me about how you used to celebrate your birthday in Japan. Plus, I would love to meet Kero-chan.

[ Sakura felt he was worth mentioning, so Susato thinks he must be pretty significant. Besides... she may already have an idea for an impromptu present. Not that she'll say anything! ]

[keystaff]

I guess I will see how I go. I just know sometimes my dreams are pretty weird.

[Or nightmares. Some of the cards, those situations were not exactly the safest, or the least traumatic experiences of her life.]

Meet? Sure! Mostly I'd usually just celebrate with some cake with my friends, with my family - dad and onii-chan. And I can bring Kero-chan! I almost always have him with me.

[Especially here. Kero was rather anxious regarding this strange new place, after all, so he has been rather protective of her in wanting to stay close.]

[judicialassistant]

[ Behind the journal, Susato chuckles. If "weird" is the worst thing she can say about her dreams, it would be a blessing, but Sakura will see for herself with time. ]

That sounds lovely... It won't be the same without them, but perhaps I can offer something to make it a little less strange. [ Oops. She said something after all. ] Where are you? I can come to you.

sender: Oriphi

[hearthwarming]

It was your birthday? Happy birthday, Sakura! Would it be okay for me to give you a present to celebrate it?

As for dreaming... they're not always shared between all of us dreamwalkers, but unfortunately we also don't really have any control over which ones end up becoming tangible or which ones others end up seeing. But you have my word that if I ever find myself seeing or inside one of your dreams, Sakura, that I'll try to be as helpful as I can so that you can wake up easily.

[keystaff]

Thank you! A present? You don't have to? I mean. I just got here recently and all. So. I don't really know everyone that well yet. So it isn't like I really expect it.

I just don't want everyone seeing my weird dreams. I'm not sure anyone wants to see that. I usually can't control that though. I mean. Nobody really can.

[hearthwarming]

I understand! I know we've just met, but if you wouldn't mind even a small present, I happened to make some sweet rolls yesterday and would be happy to give you some!

That's true, none of us can really control our dreams even outside of this place - that's what makes them dreams, right? If it's any consolation, sometimes we all get pulled into the same 'dreamscape' together and those can be quite strange, so at least in a way we're prepared for that kind of thing.

[keystaff]

Oh! If you already made some, I guess?

But that's true. I just can't help feeling kind of nervous. Even if we obviously don't really have control over it. A 'dreamscape'?

[hearthwarming]

Great! Maybe we can meet up sometime soon so I can give them to you!

[ And probably a couple of extra little things, now that Ori knows that it was Sakura's birthday, but she doesn't need to know! ]

A 'dreamscape' happens when the dream energy is strong enough to pull you into it, and then it's almost like you were walking around in the dream itself. I've had people get pulled into my dreams. But once in a while all of us get pulled into the same one together.

Text sender: Alphen

[refire]

Today should mark a special day for you. I'll go make something good to eat for later so you can celebrate!


As for my age let's just say I'm a lot older than thirteen. I might be getting too old actually.

You'd be right about there being dream magic. Just learn things at your own pace and it'll come to you naturally.

[keystaff]

I don't think fourteen is one of those big birthdays. But, I guess we can make a cake?

You don't look that old. Older than onii-chan, I guess but. Not older than my dad. I hope it works out though. My dreams can be a little weird. So I hope I learn to control it? Or. I guess. As much as anyone can control our dreams.

[refire]

The dreams still come from within us so you only you can decide what's best for yourself. I hope you can learn how to control it too.

As long as you put your mind to it anything is possible.

I'm...over three hundred years old. Law would be calling me an old fart by now.

[keystaff]

I'm not sure if there is a way to practice something like control over dreams...

But wait? How....?

[Well. To be fair. Kero was probably hella old too. And Yue. But they were a different situation? They weren't human? He had to have some sort of situation to live that long? Sleeping for a while or something? Wasn't that what astronauts or space travelers did in movies or the like? Sleep most of the journey or something?]

[refire]

There might actually be some way to control your dreams. I just wouldn't know about it. Sorry if that's not very helpful.

It's a really long story. Let's just say I had a nap. A three hundred year nap.

Even I couldn't tell you why I was asleep for that long. Things just turned out that way.



[ He spent three centuries just sleeping. Kero and Yue are probably old for different reasons. ]