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: 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.

[keystaff]

Okay! Just let me know and I can meet you.

I'm not sure if that's better or worse. Pulling others in like that. What if it wasn't a nice dream?

[hearthwarming]

Unfortunately... in my experience, they tend to be less nice. But I think there was something happening that was causing people to have more nightmares than usual, and stronger ones. It hasn't happen as much since then, but I'm telling you this so that you're prepared, too, Sakura.

I wasn't really prepared when it happened to me, and I suppose it's not possible to truly prepare yourself for something like this, but now at least you know it could happen.

But like I said... we are all in this together, and everyone has been really understanding whenever it happens. We look out for each other even in dreams to help each other wake up. That's a promise, okay?

[keystaff]

Something made everyone have nightmares? But ah. Yes. I'll be careful!

And I promise I'll do my best to help too! If anyone else has a bad dream. A nightmare.

[hearthwarming]

That's right. I believe it was related to a particularly strong blizzard that was taking place during that time... I can't say for sure if it will always be related to the weather, though.

In my experience, it was very helpful when the people in my dream helped me realize that I was just having a nightmare. That helped me wake up!

[keystaff]

A blizzard? I suppose. That might be somehow possible, with this place with so much magic.

How though? How would I help someone realize?

[hearthwarming]

Exactly. I have been here for nearly half a year, now, but I always find myself surprised by the next thing. But we are all in this together, so it doesn't feel so overwhelming!

Nightmares can be scary, but they aren't real. Helping to remind the person having a nightmare or a powerful dream realize what is or isn't real is really helpful. I suppose that usually means putting yourself out there for the person whose dream it is, since you would be the only other 'real' entity within it.. . Ah, I hope this is making sense!

And I'm sorry to talk about such things on your birthday, Sakura. You should be out having fun and doing lighthearted things, not thinking about nightmares...

[keystaff]

I guess. What's the saying? Expect the unexpected? But I do want to try help if I can. If others have a nightmare.

It's okay though! This is important to know.