[1] network + optional log

[luciing]

Sender: Somnus Lucis Caelum
To: Everyone
Date: Forward dated to 5/3
Subject: (blank)

Is there a means to sleep without dreaming? In a preventative manner.


Optional Action/Log: The Wishing Well

[ Encounter one (1) local phantom named Somnus standing near the Wishing Well within the town, peering over its worn edge. As many might already know, one may cast a bauble into the well and receive something in return. Perhaps he's here to do just that? Or, perhaps, he's here to observe. The well is rather mysterious in nature, after all. Where else does someone drop a plain round sphere, imbued with a wish, and receive a facsimile of an item from one's homeworld in return?

Regardless of his actual intentions, his expression appears as grim as ever. Fitting, for a dead person. ]

Javelin Throwing

[ Somewhere at the border of the town and the wildlands, catch him practicing tossing javelins. It seems he may be doing it as some form of exercise. That, or a distraction. ]

Wildcard

[ Have an idea? PM this account, drinksteapots, or Jade294#6977! ]

Comments

[sleepsalot]

I'd have you tell me what you know!

[ It's clear to Noctis that Somnus knows what happens to Insomnia, to Eos as a whole... and to him. And, at this point, he doesn't know when he'll experience these things for himself. All he knows is that what he and his friends are moving on back home, the daylight shrinking every second.

It's painful to think about, to consider whether they're even alive at this point, if they made it out of Zegnautus Keep, if he even made it to the Crystal... He's not sure how knowing this information would help him in any way, but at least he would know what awaits if his dream self reunites with his consciousness on Eos. ]

I was on my way to the Crystal, I left Prompto, Ignis, and Gladio in a horde of daemons. I just... [ He sighs, clearly frustrated, a bit defeated. ] want to know what happens, what I'm missing.

[luciing]

[ Noctis' exasperation is palpable.

But how much more devastating to him would it be to hear that their Star bleeds in the night? How Eos cries for the one who will restore the Dawn at long last? How the last vestiges of humanity, pushed into crumbling structures with artificial light, continuously fight against an immortal horde? Without the light, without resources, it is a losing battle. A slow one, but a painful and sure one.

Or.

Would Noctis knowing this desperation and devastation encourage him to work harder for a means to return?

... ]

Know this: I have seen you sit the throne. [ Somnus says, stops, then begins again. His tone is somber. ] The future waits for you. Seek it, before it is too late for our Star.

[sleepsalot]

[ Though Somnus says he sees the young king take his place on the throne, it brings him little comfort as he doesn’t know the path that leads him there, the fate of his friends, and the fate of their star. Sure, it sounds great, it tells him that he, at the very least, makes it out of Gralea and back to Insomnia…

Noctis sighs, taking a seat on the edge of the fountain. He’s quiet for several moments, mulling over Somnus’s words, trying to figure out how he and Prompto can return to Eos to do what the Founder King has commanded. ]

And how am I supposed to do that while we’re stuck here? [ A pause ] Things are still happening, the daylight is shrinking with every second and I can do nothing to stop it.

[luciing]

[ When Noctis visibly deflates, Somnus’ own stance changes. He watches quietly as the young king sits by the fountain, and a moment, his hand twitches by his side as if to lift.

But ultimately, he remains standing in the same spot. ]

If this world will not grant us a means home, we must make it ourselves.

[ Dreamotion seems to be the key to everything.

…That may or may not actually help their purposes, though, not when it would be risky to bridge the power of dreams to a foreign world. ]

I shall investigate.

[sleepsalot]

[ Noctis looks up at Somnus, slight frown on his face. ]

Yeah, good luck with that. [ A pause ] I guess let me know if you need my help, not like I've got anything better to do.

[ Because, really, what else is he going to do here? Sit and worry about whatever may be taking place on Eos at the moment? ]

[luciing]

[ The offer for help doesn't fall on deaf ears, and it seems to cause Somnus some pause. He appears pensive, if all but for a brief moment.

Worst case scenario, they may be trapped here. Best case scenario, they find a means to willingly return right at the point they had fallen into this dream, and if they do, then... Noctis need not rush to the future.

But Somnus has said too much already. ]

Until then, young king. [ He pivots, glancing at Noctis. ] Be wary of dreaming.

[ The dawn comes when night sleeps. ]