01 | A Request

[unbrokenoaths]

Sender: Baldr
To: Everyone
Subject: Dreamotion Research Assistance Request

Many of you may already be aware of the ongoing effort to ensure that those who wish to remain in this world may do so. Eustace-san has suggested a logical first step: we need to better understand the nature of the connections between our present selves and our original worlds. While it appears that observing the connection directly is beyond their current instruments, the researchers at the Observatory are hopeful that progressing their understanding of dreamotion could prove helpful.

What we now need are volunteer dreamers who would not object to the study of their dreamwalking and dreamotion. For those willing, if you could reply here or contact myself or Eustace-san, it would be a considerable help. Of course those who have no intention of staying here permanently are also very welcome to assist. I believe learning more about this could be beneficial to all of us.

Finally, the tapirs have suggested that those who no longer exist in their original world may not be tethered to those worlds as tightly. From comparison to the magic of my own world, I believe volunteers with unusual circumstances such as these might be able to provide the researchers with additional clues. Those who have died in their own worlds, who otherwise experienced a separation from their physical bodies, or who may have complex connections as a result of something such as cloning could be particularly helpful. I understand that a number of these subjects may be sensitive. If you don't wish to discuss them in public, you are more than welcome to contact us privately, or to disclose this information only to the researchers themselves.

Thank you all for your time,
Baldr

Comments

[unbrokenoaths]

[ Ah, on the mark after all. Weighing this information against the fact that she didn't volunteer the title until he asked... ]

I suppose in this case it would be your experience as a scientist that we're calling upon, wouldn't it? Then provided that you know I mean no disrespect by doing so. I'm honored by the courtesy.

[ He's definitely going to keep "miss scientist" when he can get away with it. ]

[unbrokenoaths]

It's the least I could offer in return for your help here, isn't it? And we appear to be comrades in a similar situation. I'm certain it will be easier for me [ if he's putting on a brave face for someone else ] with some company as well. I'd be glad to go whenever you feel ready.

[unbrokenoaths]

I suppose it should come as no surprise, yes. My world's situation seemed unusual to me, but given enough worlds, it's unlikely to be unique. And as you say: pulling people in from other worlds isn't a trivial proposition. I can't imagine anyone doing so lightly.

[ Baldr frowns a little to himself at the cagey phrasing; "oddly familiar"? Evasive, or simply half-remembered? He'd like to press further, but it feels a bit premature. A thought to file away for future consideration. ]

As for myself, I haven't decided yet whether I'll remain here. But I see value in having the choice. I've also heard that if we return, we lose our memories of this place. I would be very interested if any part of this research could lead to a solution for that.

[ Honestly, he's not prepared to say decisively whether he wants to hold onto these memories or not. But like with staying... he wants the choice. ]

sounds perfect!! ♡

[unbrokenoaths]

[ Thank goodness this isn't in person to capture Baldr's palpable wince at "higher beings." He really might just be running away from his true self's difficulties with Balor, but...

Well. All of that also isn't Tifa's problem to shoulder. ]

Precisely. The us here and now are free to choose our own path.

Naturally I can't feign selflessness in all this, when I stand to benefit from our findings as much as anyone. But your offer is entirely too tempting to turn down. I'll be certain to let you know when I'll be stopping by at the Starflower to leave notes for Eustace. Thank you again, Tifa-san.

[unbrokenoaths]

Certainly. Thank you, Cloud-san.

[a_sweet_little_peach]

I'd be happy to show you how I make it some time, and I'm sure Ken would enjoy company. He feels bad enough that I make it for him at all, I'm sure he'd appreciate a distraction from that.

Do you have any other dishes you like?

[Ralsei is already plotting a meal for his new frined. There is no escape.]

[kikuichi]

Depends on what you experience, you may either appreciate a quiet life or seek more new things. Neither paths are wrong.

Being as old as I am, I can come during the day and maybe evening. But not too late, I like my time to unwind with tea and snacks.

[He can work at any hour, really. But this isn't the government.]

[multidisciplinary]

[ It's less of an intentional omission and more of an oversight on the part of a woman who has grown comfortable shedding the mantle of royal duty in the time she has been in Songerein. (But it's not completely an oversight.) ]

Indeed, both my royal training and my magic are of little use in this endeavor.

[ Baldr might be surprised just how far he can get calling the princess "Miss Scientist" :) ]

As a courtesy, then, have you a title or rank of merit I should be aware of? I would be remiss in my manners not to afford you the due respect for your station.

[ It may not come through in her handwriting, but there's an element of teasing there~ ]

[leveillpier]

Much longer than I'd like, but I suppose it can't be helped.

None at all. It should be an issue if they have questions on the matter.

As for your question, it wasn't a very long period of time. However, there were inconsistencies with time when I first arrived in the other world. It had been a year for spirit but not too long for my actual form. It truly felt much longer than that.

[azuresong]

[ She seems thoughtful at his words, and as the cup is place in front of her it takes her a moment to move her sight away from it. ]

Mmm. I never realized how powerful emotions could be... but I'm learning a lot! [ Finally breaking her gaze away she returns it to the male with a pleasant nod. ]

I'm still learning about a lot of things, actually! About this world, about emotions in general... [ There was a time not too long ago where she would never consider a smile, let alone get to experience any of this. So it was that determination for the unknown that had drawn her so much to Baldr's request. ]

But I'm excited to help! I want to be able to pull my own weight here, too!

[unbrokenoaths]

[ That sentiment has a little too much personal resonance with Baldr. He reaches for his own cup of tea to hide the slight moment of pause. ]

You're quite the hard worker. I'll have to be sure you don't leave me behind. ...But I hope you remember not to overdo things too much. That smile alone is inspiration enough, you know.

[ He takes an absentminded sip of the tea before he puts the cup down to reach for the papers. No need to jump right into work, but he may as well bring the initial notes to the top. ]

Is this the first time you've traveled so much, by any chance? I wondered, when you mentioned your reading.

[ Not that every bookworm he knows is sedentary, but it's difficult to bring a large library on the road. And she has a certain bubbly enthusiasm that makes him wonder if much of this is new to her. ]

[unbrokenoaths]

[ That's certainly true. Baldr smiles wryly at the page for a moment. A quiet life... ]

Ah, a kindred spirit. I'll arrange things accordingly. Do you happen to like senbei, Norimune-san? I would be happy to make some as thanks for your time.

[azuresong]

[ The complimenting competition seemed to back as through the mention of her smile, Lyria's face lights up with a deep blush. However, it in turn causes her to beam one of her brightest smiles, as if showing it off to him!

If this was a skill, then she was going to use it to the best of her abilities...!

Yet she soon realizes she hadn't yet taken a sip either of her tea and Lyria will copy his moments to take a sip. She hums into the cup when the taste settles, cooing at the delicious taste. ]

Oh no, not quite! Back home Eustace and I were apart of an adventuring group called the Skyfarers! We traveled to so many different islands and have met so many wonderful people! [ As she speaks Lyria will offer him one of her cookies to go along with the drink, smiling all the while. ]

Over the past couple of years I've been learning to read though, and have been keeping a journal of all of my travels! Katalina said keeping a journal would help me learn to write, and it's been very helpful...!

[unbrokenoaths]

[ The question gives Baldr a long moment of pause. It would be rude not to answer in return, but... ]

I'm proud to call myself a knight of Bifrost, but I have neither rank nor title. I've been accused of impertinence before... but demanding respect from a princess would be beyond even that, I think.

[ Is this a lifetime of gently tweaking royalty coming home to roost? Her teasing might have been successful in a way she didn't intend, because he's actually a tiny bit flustered. ]

Perhaps we can compromise by considering ourselves colleagues in this work?

[oathkeeper]

[Teamwork will make the dream work! Or in this case? The telescope.]

You're right about that! Okay, sometime soon then! And if you need any other help with this stuff let me know because I really want to help with whatever I can!

[All of this is so important to Sora.]

[unbrokenoaths]

[ Oh no, Ralsei's friend already sounds charmingly cute as well... ]

Is he self-conscious about trying to learn? We could make an exchange of it. I'd be happy to try just about anything, and I could make something for the two of you as well. It's been a little lonely only planning meals for myself.

[unbrokenoaths]

If this project leads to a better understanding of how to control our connections to our initial world, I'm sure many of us would be grateful.

[ Pardon the record scratch — quill scratch? — on Baldr's notetaking at that little timeline reveal. ]

In another world? Then your spirit wasn't in the same world as your body? Was it more akin to appearing here as a dreamer?

[unbrokenoaths]

A seasoned adventurer? I never would have guessed.

[ Baldr would have to be dead to pass up sweets. Or a kind gesture from a girl. He accepts the cookie, his expression brightening far too visibly for it to be mere politeness.

Learning to read only a few years ago, hm? Perhaps it's not unusual in her world. But interesting nonetheless. ]

A wonderful idea. Not to mention leaving you a record of all the memories you made on your journeys. Your friend — Katalina? — sounds lovely. Is she in this world as well?

[ Blithely ignoring the fact that he knows nothing about this hypothetical stranger to base that on, Baldr takes a bite of the cookie and gives a quiet hum of delight. ]

[leveillpier]

Aye, having more understanding of the connections will be helpful in more ways than one.

[ She doesn't mind at all ]

Yes, that is correct. My body remained in the world I came from and my spirit was taken to a different world. I suppose if I had to compare, it would be similar. I did not have a physical body, but my form is corporeal enough to interact with the denizens there.

[unbrokenoaths]

[ Teamwork and a few baubles, nbd. ]

I appreciate that, Sora. I'll look forward to seeing you next time.

[unbrokenoaths]

That's fortunate. To be without a physical body for a year would be difficult.

[ Baldr isn't bitter about his time as a crystal, okay. But neither was it a favorite. He nods a little to himself as he notes this all down. ]

In terms of my world's magic an experience like that would make it easier for your soul to be separated again. If it were more common, I would wonder if it was a reason you found yourself here. ...Can you think of any other factors that might affect the connection, other than the amount of time you spent out of your body?

[ He's no scientist, but he can defer to her expertise on her own situation, at least. ]

[monolike]

Does it really? I must not be doing it correctly. I just know that using your abilities takes control over your emotions, but no matter how calm I try to be, I can't get it to work.

[unbrokenoaths]

I was assuming because of the way mine work... but perhaps you need a different catalyst? Or perhaps you're trying too hard?

I'm sorry, that's probably not very helpful.

OOC

[a_sweet_little_peach]

(I'll need to drop this thread to focus on the new events. I had a good time, though! Ralsei would love to talk to Baldr some more later, too!)

[monolike]

Oh no no! It's my own issue of course, I'm not asking you to give me pointers or tips. I'm just worried that me not being able to use dreamotion well might interfere with what you're trying to do.