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]

[His hand startles her free, like someone pressing something cold to her skin suddenly. The gasp it elicits is sharp, but when she realizes what it's for—that he had noticed her lost to her own thoughts—she offers him a silent, crooked, but grateful smile at him in return. And it's then that she notices Lyria starting to stir, and she drops her knees to stretch out, the starflower being left on the bedside table for now when the girl lifts herself up...

And frowns and apologizes at her like she had done something wrong.

It makes Tifa's heart sink, but she reaches a hand out to steady her, and it's warm when it touches her shoulder.]

No. It's fine.

[She gives her a shake of her head with a smile. No apologies allowed here.]

You fell asleep, so we thought this might be more comfortable than the chair. How are you feeling?

[flamekthunder]

I'm fine with that. Let me know when you do depart, just so I can be aware as well.

[flamekthunder]

Even if it's temporary, being able to study the connection would also be beneficial. It's something worth looking at least.

[flamekthunder]

[Man whoever is in charge of this place sucks, give us more info!!]

I've rarely used it myself as I've had no personal need for it. But what do you mean by "strange"?

[multidisciplinary]

[ Terrible, the absolute worst. Turn on your location; we just want to talk. ]

Let me see if I can explain. Please bear with me.

In Hyrule, I had a device called a Sheikah Slate. It is a piece of technology in the shape of a handheld slate (hence its name) which is capable of performing many different functions, such as capturing photographs, writing notes, and things of that nature. It has an interface which allows you to navigate the different functions, a bit like a book's table of contents. Other dreamwalkers here have similar items, although called things like phones, tablets, or computers.

[ Anyway. ]

I did not have it in my possession when I awoke here, so when we received our first baubles after that first Halloween, I used mine to wish for my Sheikah Slate. I received it, but I started noticing that it was a little different from how I remembered it. The interface is completely different, for starters. I thought at first that perhaps my memory was foggy; I was asleep for several decades before waking here, mind. But when Link arrived, he also had a Sheikah Slate. So I compared the two and they are different; I wasn't misremembering.

The thing is, I don't understand why. I have wished for mundane items like herbs and spices and books, but they all appear exactly as I expect them to. Why is my new Sheikah Slate different from the original?

[flamekthunder]

[With our fists.]

In what way is it different? Is it just appearance or are its functions also changed?

[rudehero]

[Oh man how do you explain spooky soulspace to someone who isn't from the world you're from....... WELL, he's going to try anyway.]

Not... quite? Only one other person has been able to get into my... soul? I guess. I dunno how she did it, but usually I'm the only one who can, and it happens when I sleep, actually. I can't just disconnect myself from it, it's part of me.

[BUT........ if the inverse can happen here for people and he can help with his knowledge, even better.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[So Eustace was only concerned with the emotional/inter-personal relationship side of things. Didn't he have any other aspirations? Kaiba decided better of asking.]

It's evident that you've already come to terms with your decision. With something like this, there's no margin for regrets.

[sleightofhans]

Good idea. In case I don't return, you'll know what to do.

I feel very secure to know that you have my back as well. :)

[monolike]

For Lailah it seemed easy, but she's also very [old] worldly and experienced. What looked easy to her could've been really difficult for someone new to it.

I'm sorry, I'm not a great source for this part. I mostly just did what she told me when we had to make a new pact.

[azuresong]

[ She takes a moment to respond, eyes slowly scanning the area around her. This wasn't the normal bed she had been sleeping in since arriving here, even the sheets felt different underneath her. When realization dawned her body became to tense up from the guilt. Something about this felt like she was suddenly caught in the act of something heinous, like she showed them something they shouldn't have seen. She was never one to want to make people worry, yet here they both were...

The hand placed upon her shoulder though, so nice and warmed to the touch, snapped her briefly out of it as eyes darted back to the woman sitting beside her. ]

I— [ A pause. Her breath beginning to even. ] —I'm feeling better now, thank you... [ After that long cry she had felt completely exhausted, and that exhaustion had slightly carried over when she awoke. ]

But I... I didn't mean to—

[flamekthunder]

So it's in your soul... And you said it was cursed?

[flamekthunder]

We're all working on this together. It's only to be expected, especially given the potential risks.

If there's anything else I can help with, let me know.

[flamekthunder]

It's fine, anything is better than nothing at this point.

What did she tell you to do?

[flamekthunder]

[Better damn believe it's about personal relationship, and he's fine with that. Aspirations? He's done all he's wanted back home in terms of that. A simple man with simple wants.]

As to be expected. For this one has to be all in for it to succeed. However, I wouldn't blame anyone assisting us in changing their minds. It's a lot to ask, and everyone has their own circumstances.

[starshower]

[Tifa's eyes briefly flick up to Eustace before they move back down, her own worry and hesitation clear as day in them, even if she tries to mask it all behind her smile as she shakes her head again.]

But now you're here.

[And it did happen, so there is no need for Lyria to worry. If it had been a problem, then they both wouldn't be here with her. She doesn't say either of those things, but she does give the girl's shoulder a light squeeze before she drops her hand to join the other one in her lap.

There's another pause as Tifa looks to Eustace once more, as if silently asking permission to say what she's been wanting to say since all of this started before she does.]

... I know that this can be a difficult situation to be in, and can take some getting used to... but...

[A sadness lingers in the curve of her lip.]

Whatever you need, you can let one of us know. I know what that's like... feeling that way...

[Which is to confirm that yes, she heard what happened.]

[azuresong]

[ While the light squeeze of her shoulder was a comforting one, Lyria could feel herself buckling underneath the weight that it carried. She studied Tifa for a moment through her own half lidded eyes and could feel her own chest tightening at the frown.

Both the reassurance from Eustace and Tifa were more than Lyria could ever ask for and more. She knew that while she was here, that she was going to be cared for and protected.

There's was a slight pause as she let the words sink in, the feeling that she was going to be okay and that she could come to them, but as she opened her mouth to thank her, something at the end of her sentence caught the words in her throat. ]

... Were you alone, too?

[monolike]

Honestly? Just stand there for the most part. Usually she had to hold the hand of the person she was making a pact with, unless they were human and then I held their hand for the Squire's pact. Then I just gave them a name in the ancient tongue.

She performed all the incantations and artes and everything.

[flamekthunder]

[That........does sound oddly simple.]

And the one you made the pact with some kind of spirit?

[nulland]

It's fine, not something you have to worry about anyway.

Anyway, as long as there's a chance for the me that's still there to do something, I wouldn't mind just staying here. Like I said, all I'd have if I went back would be trying to not end up somewhere worse again. And maybe trying to destroy someone, but there wouldn't be a point anyway.

[starshower]

[It's always such a strange thing for Tifa to hear someone else ask that...

There's a pause, and she tries not to look at Eustace now. She hasn't even spoken to him about this much, and maybe one day, she'll be brave enough to show him. For now, the words catch in her throat... but she wants to be brave. If not for herself, then at least for Lyria's sake.]

Yeah. For a while. When I was fifteen, I woke up in a whole other place where I didn't know anyone. I had no friends or family, or even money to get by.

[In a place like Midgar too, where survival is key. But she won't get into that part.]

It took some time, but I made it through. It was hard, and lonely... I was jealous of people who did have friends... but eventually, I met people who cared about me... and it got easier.

[azuresong]

[ Lyria listens to her in silence. Hearing the pain from Tifa's words and everything that she went through... she knew she could relate to what Lyria was going through now, and there was something about reaching the lowest points of loneliness that draws people together.

Her heart sunk at the feeling, and wordlessly the girl will reach over to touch Tifa's knee. Whether it was to seek some sort of comfort or to give comfort in return, she felt connected to her that her experiences, while differing, still felt the same. ]

I've met people like that, too. Like Katalina, like Gran, Vyrn... [ A pause as she takes a deep breath. ] ... and even you and Eustace. I'm glad I've made so many friends who have helped me... feel less lonely.

[ But some of them, a lot of them, were not here and that caused her eyes to drift downward into the sheets. ]

I know it will take me some time but... I'm so grateful to have you two. Th-thank you for— [ She chokes back another stubborn sob, her free hand curling the blankets in her fingers. ] —for everything.

[flamekthunder]

I can't fault you for your reasons, and I'll keep you and everyone else who's shown similar interest apprised of any developments.

[nulland]

All right.

[noblegarnet]

[If they change upon entering the world...? Ferran takes a minute to ponder this, wondering if that's true—if they become wholly separate from their originals. He guesses if they're just normal things, maybe—as is the case with what he creates with his own replication magic—but...]

Right. I guess if we're going to get any progress, we need an actual way to get information. Hopefully they have something.

[...]

What about items that are connected to us in a more definite way, as well as to home? Do you think something like that would be helpful to look into?