sixth entry ⊗ permanent residency

[flamekthunder]

Sender: Eustace
To: Everyone
Subject: A Method to Stay in This World

As everyone should know, the version of ourselves in this world is wholly separate from our originals that remain awake in our home worlds. What we do here has no effect there, and vice versa. Most won't care whether they are here for a temporary stay, however there are those like me and Tifa who have formed relationships that would be impossible if not for this world.

And I am determined to make it last.

When the Halloween Carnival arrived last October, we had the opportunity to speak to the tapirs and inquire about the nature of our existence here. In short, we are tethered to our home world which allows us to return, currently at random. However, the fae, creatures, and every other being that is not a dreamer like ourselves do not have such tethers. They either traversed into this world or were directly taken through other means.

This leads to the conclusion that if we want to stay in this world, we need to somehow break the connection, either by completely severing it or changing the tether to connect to this world instead. Perhaps we need to completely change the nature of our current "dream self." As the risk of being sent back is high if the tether is cut, I aim to focus on other means.

However, there is of course no known knowledge or means to do this, and the tapirs do not know, either. Thus I am sending this inquiry to:

1) ask if there are any others who would be interested either to help or in the results;

2) if there is anyone who is familiar with dimensional travel or strong magic that could give some clue as to what to look for.

Currently I am looking through the Tree of Stories to find any text or story that could be of use. My current suspicion is dreamotion will be the main component, however manipulating it for such a use will be difficult.

If you are interested, you can respond here or contact me privately.

— Eustace

[ooc: AND THUS MARKS THE BEGINNINGS OF A VERY LONG QUEST but yeah Eustace is trying to find a way to stay permanently in this world and is looking for anyone who wants to help, wants to benefit, or has ideas that they can look into and be possibly incorporated in the actual method. An additional sign-up post has gone up for an official head count. Those who sign-up will be able to play a significant role in finding a clue and/or piece that will lead to the final result. More details there!]

Comments

[starshower]

[While their experiences and their worlds may be vastly different, those feelings are felt by people no matter where they are. It's so strange, she always finds, how these sorts of things help to bring like people closer, and when Lyria reaches out to touch her knee, she knows what that means, and her hand comes up to curl over hers.

...

Before Tifa pulls her gently into a hug, tucking Lyria under her arm.]

Take all the time you need.

[Over her head, Tifa looks to Eustace with a small, albeit crooked, smile.]

But if you need anything, we're both here, okay? If you're ever feeling lonely or scared...

[Even if she and Tifa may not know each other that well yet, it doesn't change anything, and she huffs out a small laugh.]

Even if you think it's something silly. [And she lowers her voice so that Eustace can only just barely hear:] Or girl things.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace had remained silent to allow the girls to speak and express themselves. He already figured out most of Lyria's thoughts, but it was Tifa who needed to hear them as well. He saw it an opportunity for them to connect with each other, and so he had let them have their space while providing Lyria some silent comfort should she need it while also casting Tifa encouraging glances and nods for her as well.

And when Tifa brings in Lyria for the hug, he smiles. ...And he does indeed catch that last part.]

She's right. It's not only just me—you can rely on Tifa, on both of us. You never have to feel you're a burden or afraid if you're bothering us... We'll be here for you.

[azuresong]

[ ...!!

She has little time to react before suddenly being pulled into the hug. For a moment she is stunned; eyes wide as she is embraced by the warmth that radiates off of Tifa.

Warmth. It's a similar warmth that she felt when Eustace held her in his arms, too. The same gentle, caring embrace that could be felt throughout her entire body.

Wordlessly the girl will then begin to maneuver her arms to wrap around Tifa's waist, giving it a small yet secure squeeze in return.

She felt overwhelmed... but in the best way. With so much love and support surrounding her, and knowing that even in a world like this she was going to be okay and had people looking out for her. It didn't matter where she was or what part of the world she touched, there was still someone always there for her. ]

Thank you... [ She repeated, the words getting caught once again in her throat. It was Tifa's turn for Lyria to bury her head into her. Her body was shaking, she was trying so hard not to cry, but- ]

Thank you. [ Muffled, broken. She repeats: ] Thank you so much-

[ Another hiccup. It's hard with so much emotion in the room for her to control herself, but eventually she does break down into a another small stream of tears... but this time, while hidden, she is smiling. ]

I'm so happy... thank you...!

[starshower]

[It's Tifa's turn to sit, stunned, as Lyria's arms wrap around her waist, but the feeling is short-lived before she's returning it, shifting so that she can embrace her fully. And as she hears her cry, she lets her hide, her chin resting atop her head so that the tears are hidden behind the long, dark curtain of her hair.

But there's a smile on her own face too, although a touch sheepish, as she looks up at Eustace.]

Hm. [She hums her affirmation to Lyria quietly, a hand brushing through her long blue hair.] You'll be so busy here soon that you won't have to worry about any of that.

[The dogs, the café, meeting all of the incredible people, and seeing everything this beautiful, vast world has to offer... She's sure that soon enough, it won't just be Eustace and Tifa who are the only ones she can turn to in this place.

Speaking of...]

You know... we should go do something fun. The three of us, and the dogs.

[The journal responses can wait a while, surely?]

[leveillpier]

I see. They seem to keep to themselves based on what you say. It's good to know that they're rather supportive than hostile about it.

I wonder why they aren't so concerned.

I suppose not. If I have a chance to speak with them, I will.

[monolike]

I didn't even do anything. She made the pact with other seraphim, and then I just called out their names when they told them to me.

And when I lay it out like that, it really is obvious how I was hardly involved, huh?

[burnttoashes]

And it would be far less risky to test attempting to change the connection or alter the object's nature than it would be with a living subject.

I can try to see if I can establish such a connection with an object here-- preferably something created or grown in this world that would already be connected to this place. Assuming it works, we could then see if changing that link would be possible, and if doing so changes the nature of its connection to this world as well.

[flamekthunder]

[He meets Tifa's gaze and smiles lightly.]

I think that would be a good idea.

[He reaches out and gently rubs Lyria's back as his other hand holds Tifa's, giving her an affectionate squeeze in appreciation.]

What do you think, Lyria?

[flamekthunder]

A little.

[More like a lot, but Eustace is being nice. He'll keep the questions coming, it's cool.]

What is a seraphim? And what was the purpose of such a pact?

[flamekthunder]

I think that's about the best start we have for this particular avenue. Let me know of the results.

And don't push yourself too hard.

[flamekthunder]

Items connected to us in a more definite way? Do you have an example?

[He thinks he might understand, but better to be sure.]

[flamekthunder]

They seem rather...

[.....How does he put this.]

"Flighty," or "move to their own whims." I suppose it's fitting for creatures who live on and consume dreams.

If there were other entities knowledgeable or similar about dream worlds then that would help give more perspectives, but I haven't seen or heard of anything.

[leveillpier]

Moving at their own pace and stopping for no one, correct? It seems fitting, how you described them. I can see what you mean.

Other entities having similar knowledge would be quite helpful. I wonder if they might throw us a bone of some kind should they be approached again.

I've had an experience similar to our current situation. However, there's enough of a difference, that I am uncertain if it will be of assistance.

[ Having your souls summoned to another world, while your body remains in your home world, is an experience. She supposes it's similar enough but G'raha might have better explanations for this. She's considering asking him about that thought. ]

[azuresong]

[ it was truly a wonder that Lyria even had anymore tears left inside of her from her previous cry against Eustace. Yet as the fresh stream fell, she could feel both the soft hand against her hair and the one that moved across her back. Both present, and both so caring.

It was Tifa’s proposal that slowed her cries almost instantly, and Eustace’s gentle inquiry that lead her sobs to reduced sniffles once again. ]

I… [ A pause, her voice sheepish as she kept her gaze averted. ] … I would like that a lot.

[flamekthunder]

The issue is finding them... Though perhaps there's a way to lure them out with dreams.

[Since dream eaters and all.]

Even if your experience is different, I would be curious to hear regardless. Any idea could give us something new to work with.

[starshower]

[Whenever Lyria is ready to get up, but for now, Tifa will continue to hold her for as long as she needs it...]

Hmmm... we could head down to the firepit and make some s'mores. Or we can take the dogs out to the park, and grab some hot chocolate at Dreambucks on the way?

[Something closer to home will be best, she thinks.]

What do you guys think?

[flamekthunder]

I think both are good ideas...whatever Lyria feels up to doing.

[multidisciplinary]

Both, actually, but only within the Slate's programming. Physically, my Slate looks exactly like it should; I even compared it with Link's just to be sure. But within its programs, the two are completely different.

[ Zelda pauses as she tries to think of how best to explain the differences between the two Slates. ]

It is a bit like having two different editions of the same book. Overall, they are the same thing, but they are presented in different ways. Perhaps the first edition was bound in red and the second in blue. Perhaps the script faces are different, and the sizes of the text. Or perhaps the illustrations are in a different place in the new edition, or omitted entirely. Maybe there is now a foreword in the new edition.

The Slates are mostly the same, but they do have noticeable differences. The functions seem to be the same, but sometimes they act differently. Sometimes the functions in my Slate seem to become [ a pause ] corrupted. They don't work the way they are supposed to.

[flamekthunder]

I'm assuming you already factored any potential universe or time differences between you and your friend, but it still wouldn't explain why yours is different from what you remember.

I haven't heard of items changing upon receiving from the well, but I also never really asked or used it much myself, only twice. And nothing was changed.

But it doesn't mean something couldn't have happened from the Well itself as we don't really know how it works. Do you know if anyone else experienced something similar?

[azuresong]

[ Admittedly, the comfort she felt in Tifa's arms... in both of their arms made it nearly impossible to want to let go. She felt so at peace here, but knew eventually she would have to pick herself up and walk on her own two feet. However, this time, she was not going to do it alone.

The girl thought for a moment before releasing Tifa with one more quick squeeze of her waist. She sits up a little on the bed, blinking at the possibilities presented. It was up for her to decide? ]

Ah... [ She pauses to look at them both before finally mustering a small smile that sheepishly pokes against her cheeks. ] I can't remember the last time I had s'mores, but I remember that they were really yummy.

[ Oh. But first- ] Are you sure that's okay? We were suppose to go to the library...

[noblegarnet]

[This is probably a bad idea...]

Like a magical artifact tied to one person specifically, made for them. It influences them, and they influence it, physically and in a deeper way. An artifact made by [what was it?] a spirit from a particular world, and presumably draws its power from that.

[starshower]

The library...?

[Tifa lifts her gaze up to Eustace, looking at him. This sounds like a plan the two of them had together, and of course she wouldn't want to impose, but—]

If that's where you wanna go, then that wouldn't be a problem.

[monolike]

A seraph is a a kind of elemental spirit, in that they're not humans. They're people but humans can't see or hear seraphim, so it's hard to communicate.

If someone who has resonance can form a pact with a seraph, they can use their powers and even use their own resonance to help other humans see seraphim, though they'd have to get pretty strong for that to work.

[flamekthunder]

[Just a small shake of the head.]

It was just to do some research, see if we could find anything at there about staying in this world. But that can be done anytime.

I think it would be better if we took a day off and relaxed instead.

[EUSTACE SUGGESTING A DAY OFF??? This is truly a serious matter—]

[flamekthunder]

[—Ah.]

It sounds similar to something else in my world. But the main purpose is to channel their powers to use for something you normally could not.

How common is it for someone to form such a pact?