dreamcrystals | sixth entry ⊗ permanent residency

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sixth entry ⊗ permanent residency

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!]

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[....Ah.

He should have considered this.

He did in part, but he didn't think of how deeply she would have been affected. She had seemed so excited and he thought she was adjusting... Of course she was just putting up a front, he had been a fool.

Pursing his lips, gently strokes her back as he wonders how to soothe her.]

...It will be fine, Lyria, Gran will be fine, I promise.

[He lets out a long breath.]

I'm sorry I didn't notice...

We have always been together since that time... and I’ve always known he was right next to me. But here... the feeling is just... gone. I - I've never felt this way...

[ She takes a few moments to breathe and continues to squeeze herself against Eustace, grasping at whatever sense of comfort she can manage. Yet, when his apology came she froze in place. Her shoulders tensed up again but she forced herself to muster whatever strength she could manage to continue: ]

N- no, it’s okay! Please don't apologize... [ Even after all of this she was still just as concerned for Eustace as herself. That's the reason she came up to meet with him today, right? To find a way for her to help him, and that's what she wanted to do. ]

You need to be here... with Tifa. I know that Gran will be okay with "me"... but— [ but that doesn't mean she could stop thinking about him. ]

[He only continues to hold her and run his hand up and down her back, leaning back a little in his chair to adjust them into something a little more comfortable.]

I know. I've felt that way before.

[He remembers how he had been before early on in his first "new world" experience. How while he had reassurance a part of him was there, that doesn't really do much for the part of him that is not. Doesn't end the worry and the wonder. It was yet another of many complications in him grappling his feelings for Tifa, wondering if he was abandoning everyone for his own selfish reasons.]

And for you it's more difficult due to that bond you share... It's only natural for you to feel upset and scared by it. Just...

[He's not sure what to say. Rather, he's not sure if anything he says will help. So after a moment of faltering, he hugs her close, his hand patting her head.]

I know I'm not Gran, but just know you're not alone. And if you ever need anything, you can come to me.

[ Lyria is particularly limp in his arms as he adjusts the two of them. Like a fragile doll she will curl into his chest, her muscles refusing to move. The uneven sobs was the only thing she could produce when he rubs her back, but it does seem to quiet her down a little.

She had spent several nights since she moved here crying herself to sleep. Lyria wouldn't notice it at first, but a sudden wave would hit her like a tsunami in the middle of the night, when no sound could be heard. She had buried her face into her pillow, sobbing quietly as to not alert the dogs... or worse, the two upstairs.

To completely uproot their lives for her... it was a kindness she never felt she could repay, and so she chose to remain silent. Smiling at them whenever she could get the chance, and finding ways to be as helpful as possible. Yet, time and time again, the night came and the silence that followed.

The silence was cold. Deafening.

"Someone please help me—"

Eustace's reassuring words seem to bring her back to reality in the slightest, as she mulled over his words. Truly, he was doing so much for her... ]

Thank you, Eustace... [ She finally manages to whimper out. ] Do you think... I can stay like this? Just for a while—

Edited 2023-01-29 05:52 (UTC)

Of course.

[Once in a more comfortable position, he just keeps his arms around her, his chin lightly resting atop her head. To think that a year ago he would have been more at a loss of how to do this... But now he's—perhaps unfortunately—had more experience that holding Lyria close to him and sharing his warmth with her just comes natural. Of course, he already genuinely cares for her, which makes it easier.]

Take all the time you need.

[ The acceptance was all the confirmation she needed to bring down the rest of her barriers as she let out a small wail into his shirt. A rush of distress, pain, and relief all came flooding out at once. To know that she didn't have to hold it in anymore, that Eustace would be there to protect her...

She truly wasn't alone anymore.

The small girl continued to cry wordlessly, muffled by the cloth pressed against her cheeks. But soon the sobs turned into sniffles... and the sniffles into tiny hiccups.

Then soon soft breathing.

Lyria cried all that she could and was left completely and utterly exhausted. Her head tucked gently under his own, Eustace could steadily hear her breathing slow and become more rhythmic.

Her eyelids weighed down by countless sleepless nights... and so the blue haired girl dozed off into sleep, allowing the presence to finally, and safely, overtake her. ]

[Eustace only listens to her cries, his heart tightening as he can feel the loneliness and sadness she's been holding back come rushing out. With his usual quiet patience, he just remains as he is, letting the young girl use him however she needed it. Whether it was to cling to him, to bury herself in his arms, he didn't mind. He let her used whatever. Let her feel the comfort and assurance that she had someone there to hold her, someone she can rely on.

And as he sobs fade into sniffles and then to hiccups, he's reminded of all the times he's had to hold and comfort Tifa...how his heart had ached whenever he heard her cries. Is this why he knows what to do now? Knows what to offer?

And speaking of, he looks up to where he sees Tifa waiting nearby, knowing she's been wanting but hesitating to approach. He had signaled for her to wait, wanting Lyria to open up without worrying about her presence. And now that she's asleep, Eustace waits just a few moments more before carefully lifting the young girl up into his arms to quietly carry her to their room. Tifa helps to pull back the sheets so he can set her down, but feeling Lyria's strong hold on him, Eustace has no choice but to sit down next to her, one arm tucked under her so that she can still feel his presence.

Only after Tifa joins them from the other side does he sigh and quietly tell her about Lyria's fears—of her loneliness, of how lost she feels without Gran. It's at this point Eustace reveals a little more about the two's connection—how Lyria and Gran share a life link and they have always held a strong bond because of that. So here, in Songerein, she no longer can feel that link to Gran and she's not used to it...no, rather it reminds her of how she used to be, when she used to be alone. After having so many people on the Grandcypher, especially Gran and Vyrn around, suddenly losing all that would have been a shock.

That feeling of loneliness, of not knowing what to do and being afraid—as Eustace looks at Tifa, he knows she would understand her well...just as he does.]

[She had been leaning against the frame of their bedroom door looking on in worry, her arms wrapped protectively around herself, as if to shield her own heart from the crippling loneliness that she empathizes and still struggles with, that still lurks underneath her skin. Tifa had wanted to step in to help, to comfort in a way she could, but when Eustace had signaled for her to wait, she had... She disappeared into their bedroom for a while, waiting in silence. She could hear bits and pieces of the conversation—not all of it, but enough to get a sense for what was happening...

And as she hesitates to sit on the bed on the other side of the sleeping girl, Tifa listens to Eustace confirm exactly what she had gleaned on her own.

To go from having so many people to waking up and suddenly thinking you have no one... it's a hard thing for someone to go through, even harder for a girl her age. It's a terrifying thought, but one that Tifa is far too familiar with. She had gone through the same thing only a few short years ago and while it isn't quite the same in that there were no connections like Lyria and Gran, that feeling of sudden emptiness and paralyzing fear because of it is a universal thing.

There isn't much she can say to all of that either. She doesn't know her well enough just yet to know the right things to say just yet.

She sits, keeping a respectable distance but remaining there all the same, on Lyria's other side. She has her back against the headboard, knees curled up to her chest, and she twirls a starflower between her fingers, watching the glowing petals spin so intently that she doesn't even notice Eustace glancing at her, and sorting through her own thoughts on the matter as the pair silently wait for her to awaken together.]

[ As distressed as she was falling asleep, Lyria seemed to rest rather peacefully after that, comforted by the arm that still held onto her and the bed that encapsulated her tiny form.

She swore she was dreaming about him... about Gran. His smiling form beside her, cuddled together with knees pressed against chests, and next to him Vyrn. They were giggling and whispering about who knows what, sharing warmth under an open and endless skies. The stars lit up around, brightening their surroundings and causing no need for lanterns. This was a sky she was familiar with, a sky she had often looked out from her window and wondered if she could touch the stars. It was through impulse that the girl reached out her hand towards it with fingers outstretched. She was trying to take hold of something... Eyes focused on the stars she stretched even further and further again, until she finally felt something take hold.

It felt as though it was pulling her towards it, and as her fingers slowly begin to close did the image of a person... of people start to take form amongst the skies. It was a warm, welcoming presence. They sparkled amongst the constellations and as she was urged forward from a then sitting position to standing, and then from a standing to a floating. As she approached the lights were slowly beginning to get brighter... and brighter... but she wasn't afraid. She could feel the kindness in the stars, and as they shown the brightest, Lyria was forced to close her eyes—

—only to awaken the moment she opened them once again. ]

Hnngh...

[ Lyria stared up at a familiar ceiling. Not one of the Grandcypher's, but at a home she was welcomed to. She sat in silence for a few moments, tears still clinging on to the sides of her cheeks before finally turning her gaze to either side the moment she felt something beside her. Eustace... Tifa... they were both here.

The memory of what had occurred before she went to sleep caused a wave of emotions to rush through her body, but she resisted the urge for the tears to boil back over and instead shifted slightly in the bed to prop herself up with her arms. Her attention drew first to Tifa as a frown creased over her lips. Eustace had mentioned that Tifa was the one to prepare the lunch, so of course she had to have been in the room too, or at least close by. Had she heard what had happened...? ]

Ah, I... I'm sorry—

[Eustace notices how Tifa is lost in thought, likely processing what he's told her and thinking of the situation at hand. He wants to reach out to her as well, to gather both of them in his arms and to protect them from the loneliness that they've both saved him from. He does end up reaching out so that he can lightly touch her shoulder, but it's around then that Lyria begins to stir and wake.

As she moves, he sits back and lets the girl wake up a bit more before letting Tifa speak first.]

[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?

[ 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—

[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.]

[ 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?

[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.

[ 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.

[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.

[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.

[ ...!!

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...!

[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?]

[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?

[ 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.

[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?

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

[ 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...

sixth entry ⊗ permanent residency

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eustace > tifa > lyria

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🎀