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

Sender: Seto Kaiba

[blue_eyed_obsession]

Everyone should know..? What are you basing your assumption on exactly?

Even if this is all taking place in the recesses of our minds, attempting to do what you propose could cause irreparable damage to "both versions".. as you put it. If it was true that we exist separately, then how would we even be aware of our former existence and experiences and why would you need to sever this theoretical connection at all?

[There's always someone playing devil's advocate.. and nitpicking your words. Kaiba had it covered on both those categories.]

Something like this requires time, and extensive research.. which .. unfortunately, I've had plenty of both.

[What he didn't say, is that he was still working on the theories of interdimensional travel and how to maintain one's memories between shifting planes of existence with mixed success.]

[flamekthunder]

[It's cool, these are good points, really.]

The only assumptions I make are from what has been "confirmed" by the tapirs of this world and what I've been able to observe in the year and a half I've been here. Whether they should be taken in full confidence is a different matter, but it's the starting point we have to work with. The tapirs themselves have told us from the very beginning of what we are in this world—fragments of our souls made of dreamotion energy that are still bound to our original selves using that same dreamotion energy. They have also informed us that neither side is affected by the other.

The need to sever the connection is also not necessary, but it is an option to consider if others don't work. Regardless, as long as we remain tethered to our world, there will be the chance that we are suddenly pulled back to it just like it is now. If we keep the tether, we need to ensure that we are no longer subject to unwanted pull backs.

I have also had personal experience in leaving this world and returning. I had no memory of what occurred here in Songerein when I was in my world, but I kept the memories that transpired there when I returned. I'm not the only one. I have also been in multiple worlds, though I only remember one of them and was told of my presence of the other. I know I have suffered critical injuries in one, but my original self was unharmed and also unaware of my existence there.

Of course that is only one account and things can always be different. But it's proof that it's not impossible to have safe separation.

I also agree this will take time. I doubt this will be done by the end of the season, and may take several months, perhaps longer. But that's all the more reason to start. We're effectively living on indeterminate borrowed time in this world, and I'd rather do something to change it than just wait and do nothing.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[The fact that Eustace placed the word confirmed within quotation marks was enough to pique Kaiba's interest. That little bit of skepticism indicated that he just might be communicating to someone with some level of critical thinking. A rarity in his experience.]

At least you're willing to question the source of that intel. This isn't the first unusual destination I've found myself in either and let's just say the locals in previous location were not wholly forthright with their "guests". It's a possibility that should be taken into consideration here as well.

So essentially, you're just in the planning stages. You know what your desired outcome is but not entirely how to achieve it. At the surface, that seems rather innocuous but you're not operating within a controlled space. If you manage to alter the nature of this environment there could be radiating ramifications you can't fully predict or anticipate that would effect everyone here.

[In a way... this was added more for Kaiba's benefit than the person he was conversing with as he considered the quandary for himself. The risk might not be contained to one person, depending on how results were achieved. It's not as if he had any connection to the guy in question, nor his dearly beloved. But there is someone here he does care about, namely himself and Ann Takamaki.. by some.. small extension.. he'd include her friends in that category since she would be upset if something happened to them.]

... not that I've ever let something like that stop me before.

[Hadn't he been dabbling in some questionable tech himself lately?]

I'm familiar with that phenomenon of memory loss upon departing a "world", for lack of a better term, and returning but I haven't experienced it for myself.... as far as I'm aware. I have a theory that the memories are never really lost however just suppressed. As for physical damage, there wouldn't be any since these encounters have all been while we're not in a physical state.

[Ie. Mind games]

Why you want to remain here is beyond me.. but I would be lying if I said the theoretical side of it didn't appeal to me.

[flamekthunder]

[So this Kaiba fellow also has experience in being in another world, just a different one. No wonder he was skeptical—but then again, anyone should be. And he also poses something he hadn't quite consider—if it would affect those in this world. So far most concerns had been more local, and it gives him pause.]

You bring up a fair point and it should be something to be considered in researching and before testing anything that we may find. I also find some credence in your theory about memories being suppressed. Even in my world I was having strange dreams that I later realized were related to this one.

In any case, whether you had a direct stake in this or just find the problem interesting enough to solve, I won't stop anyone who wishes to look into it. If you have any thoughts or idea, I would be open to hearing them.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Just from their few replies, Kaiba was finding himself feeling a little impressed, not that he had any intention of making this fact public knowledge.]

I'm not usually in the habit of the whole.. cooperative effort thing, but in this instance I'll make an exception. Even if our reasons for seeking knowledge are different it would be beneficial to both sides.

I'll give it some thought- see if there's anything from my prior research into interdimensional theory that might play into the mechanics here and let you know what I come up with..

.. providing that the exchange of information will be mutual, of course.

[flamekthunder]

Of course.

Though I now have to ask—why were you researching into interdimensional theory to begin with?

[A seemingly innocent question that is actually quite loaded.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[After receiving Eustace's word that information would be mutually shared, Kaiba would have been content to end the conversation here and now, reconvening at a later date. It was enough to get the initial phase started.

.. but then Eustace just had to go and ask that.

It wasn't a question Kaiba particularly wanted to answer since he felt it would reveal some weakness in himself, but somehow it seemed pertinent to compose a satisfactory response.]

I mentioned that this wasn't the first dimension I'd wound up in earlier, remember? I, or this version of myself, haven't been back to my own universe for what must be years now.

Maybe from your perspective that's more of a reason for why I should want to stay here.. but there's someone whose counting on me there.

[He'd just leave out the rest of it. That should cover it. Let's face it, he was tired of these alternate timelines and dimensions having this much control over his own life, so he wanted to seize that power for himself. That way, he could reunite with his brother, without losing his girlfriend, or rival in the process. Why be beholden to anyone else's whims again?]

[flamekthunder]

[That is indeed a reasonable response and he can't help but feel a bit sorry for the guy.]

I can see how that can also be frustrating. Regaining control would make sense in your situation.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Just don't let it show... too much.]

Mm.

There's nothing you would miss about your other existence?

[If we're going to get personal, then it should be a two way street]

[flamekthunder]

[It's fine, he's been asked this a few times.]

There would be a few people. However, while I was close to them, I've made a deeper connection here with Tifa and others.

[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.

[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.