[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

[luciing]

[ At that, Somnus looks back to the wishing well. Noctis' words carry some truth, in that what Somnus seeks to accomplish will not be easy, and truthfully, he does not expect it to be so simple. However-- ] Inquiry always starts with the simplest of matters. [ He takes a step towards the wishing well, placing a hand upon the edge of the stone. ]

It may not be a matter of the well at all, but the bauble itself. [ The trinket may also be used in the Observatory to buy a glimpse of one's home. The sphere is the common factor of receiving an item of one's home or a vision of it. ] If can be used as a substrate to connect to our worlds... it could prove fruitful. [ A pause. ] Or, dangerous.

[sleepsalot]

Dangerous.

[ Sure, the dangers are there, past events speaking for themselves. Noctis isn't going to pretend he fully understands this world and what it can and can't do regarding their own planet. However... ]

None of us really want to dream about shit from home or see bastardized versions of those we love brought to life here, but... Why are you doing this?

[ Is there something you're trying to avoid? ]

[luciing]

[ Why, indeed, of which there could be a number of reasons. The question causes him to pause, and for a few moments, he holds the silence as hostage, staring down into the well as if he could read into the shadows themselves.

Then, Somnus lifts his head and turns, regarding Noctis once more. ] A connection of worlds... allows the Scourge an opportunity to proliferate.

For the sake of all, we must find a means to return, and our Star must be cut from this nexus.

[sleepsalot]

You're afraid it could spread to this world, aren't you? [ A pause ] What are you going to do if our days slowly turn into darkness?

[ Which is, honestly, something Noctis hadn't thought about. He's still processing everything that happened to him in the past few weeks, including finding himself in this world rather than his own.

And then it dawns on him, what trouble this world could be in should the tormentors of their own planet find themselves here as well. Surely, if Somnus, Prompto, and Noctis can be pulled to this realm, others can as well. ]

And what happens if he shows up?

[luciing]

[ It's the slightest of lifts his chin does after Noctis asks the question, slightly canted.

Daemons are never defeated. No matter how wounded, how decimated, how defeated, they only return, whether sooner or later during the night. The greatest of them must be sealed-- usually deep below Lucis, as it were, to contain their terror and the poisonous extent of their Scourge.

But his brother is not mindless, and it had been the Draconian's plan for him to be a vessel for it all along. For all Somnus knows, Ardyn may see this as a respite from behaving as a pawn. Or he might want to exact his vengeance anyway, to ruin the world(s) along with it just because. ]

...Should he spread the Starscourge further, he will need to be contained by any means.

[sleepsalot]

[ Noctis can’t help the indignant laugh that leaves his lips at the suggestion of containing the Chancellor, something neither he nor his companions have been able to do in their quest to save their world, the man standing in his way at nearly every turn. Even Noctis, as powerful as he is despite not being able to fully wield the power of Lucian kings, saw on the train and in Zegnautus Keep that he was no match for Ardyn.

He regards Somnus for a moment, the slight lift of his chin and difficult to read expression on his face… And it makes him wonder what Somnus truly knows of the situation he’s walking through, how present the Kings of Lucis are in his life with the Ring of the Lucii now a permanent fixture on right hand. ]

What do you know about the Starscourge? [ A pause ] About Ardyn?

[luciing]

[ Whereas the previous question had garnered a pensive pause before Somnus responded, this reply comes sooner, albeit a touch somberer: ]

In time you will know, by the Revelation of Bahamut.

[ No king, from Founder to the Father, had ever divulged the truth to the Chosen. Somnus is not about to break the prophecy's silence, least of all speak on the Draconian's behalf. ]

[sleepsalot]

Seriously?!

[ The Six, this man tests Noctis's patience every single time he talks to him. ]

Who knows when I'll get that information from the Draconian?! I'm here, my body is on Eos operating without me, business as usual. [ A pause, a frustrated sigh ] And you're just content to let me sit here and wonder about the fate of our star.

[luciing]

[ Somnus, by now, is used to seeing the Chosen's frustration show from time to time. Always, however, Noctis tends to calm himself in one manner or another, and he eventually continues on, enduring any trial thrown his way.

And so, Somus waits, giving Noctis a few moments to grumble, grimace, or glare at him, or otherwise collect himself.

This is certainly not the same leniency he would give others who wear the Ring if they were not of royal blood. ]

You would have me speak for a god?

[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. ]