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

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[With the answer that was received, Kaiba stared at it for a few prolonged minutes. If this person truly had no experience into research then why were they selected to look for test subjects? It's like the blind, leading the blind. Still, he did his best to choose his words more carefully than just simply reacting.]

I see. The battlefield is certainly an avenue that requires a high level of coordination.

[It's not that difficult when he actually tries to make an effort. Having his words thrown back at him later serves as only a minor frustration. Yes, for all his efforts, Kaiba still had yet to manage where and when he would turn up next.]

Yes, unfortunately in order to create a craft capable of breaking free of the normal constraints of the natural forces requires a high level of sustainable energy, preferably something renewable. It would take a very unique substance or system to center a coordinating generator around to complete the procedure.

As for your speculation, I find it intriguing as it's not something I've had the occasion to find out for myself.

[unbrokenoaths]

It does, unfortunately. Though I believe that what follows after the war itself requires even more. It's much simpler to begin a fight than to rebuild afterwards.

[ Well, the more scientifically-minded probably don't want his philosophical tangent. Moving briskly on from that. ]

My own world also had outsiders brought from other dimensions, so you could consider it a curiosity of mine. Although in our case it was magical rather than a feat of engineering. Or not only a feat of engineering, I should say. The problem of energy sources applies to both, from my understanding.

The research here may not be approaching the matter of crafts or travel [ fingers crossed that all his time with Dist and Richter and Aster has given him context to decipher engineers— ] but it sounds as though it would be relevant to you just the same.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

We seem to be deviating off course here.

[Even if it was a philosophy Kaiba might even agree with, it wasn't one he wanted to delve into, no. Before his company was at the height of gaming and leisure it used to produce armaments for war. That was under previous management. So it was a topic he was all too familiar with, actually...]

Was there any purpose behind it? Or was it as random as these other alternate dimensions have seemed to be so far?

[Sadly, he might even know where he might find an object with enough power to be used for such travel but he had no access to it. As much as he hated to entertain the notice, the Millennium items might have just the sort of energy he would need seeing as many of their effects were used to bend and warp reality already. Don't tell anyone from his world, living or dead.. that he might on some level.. accept the notion of some magic... possibly... existing.]

I think it would be too. [On this, they certainly agreed] If I can achieve a greater understanding about how everything operates here then I can apply it to other avenues.

[unbrokenoaths]

[ Ah, a brusque practical type. At least Baldr has experience working with this. ]

Yes, my apologies for meandering. As for the nexuses, I'm afraid the fine details are beyond my knowledge. But the purpose was to provide a certain type of energy and a basis from which to remake continents after ours were lost. Somewhat similar to the way we dreamers influence this world, if a bit more drastic.

[ An oversimplification at best, but explaining the Void would be both long-winded and probably unpleasant for both of them. And him attempting to explain finer mirristry mechanics would be even worse. And this, even with the blissful ignorance of his new acquaintance's attitude towards magic. ]

A better understanding of dreamotion would benefit all of us here. And experience from more worlds should help get to the bottom of it more quickly. I'll let the researchers know that you'd like to help.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[An accurate assessment to be sure.]

That sounds... oddly familiar. [It's the shadow of a memory that he can't quite recall. A fact that he finds more than a little irritating since it clearly meant that all this interdimensional travel was in fact... messing with his head.] All the same, that appears to be a fairly common condition- though not an altogether surprising one. There would be little point in drawing in others without expecting a return on the investment. [What it doesn't tell them is that who or what is behind these individual pocket realities, what caused them to get in such a state of disrepair in the first place, and how they were cultivating a high enough level of energy from individuals to rebuild.]

[It might not have been as tedious to this guy, as the chapter on philosophy would have been that was still fair. Kaiba still wanted time to form his own theories as it were..]

It at least gives us a direction. [Ugh, he's going to have to practice using that nonsense too isn't he? Like he's some kind of dream-based wizard.... just think of it as an rpg. Besides, all of this was literally a figment of their imaginations..] Please do. Might I ask, what is your interest in this project? Is it more in terms of general interest or are you one of those who would like to remain here indefinitely?

[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. ]