Dream Catching

[crouching_sin]

Sender: Naoya
To: Everyone
Subject: Nightmare Remedies

All right, I'm curious. How do people with tendencies towards them prevent nightmares here? I've only had some minor success with harnessing this 'dreamotion' energy, and I don't have access to the methods I tend to use at home.

(Those being various herbal remedies as well as simply loading up with caffeine.)

I suppose I could continue waking up before I can drop into the stage of sleep where one dreams most of the time, but it's stretching even my own considerable limits.

Comments

[leveillpier]

It cannot be helped. We cannot control what we dream about or what happens. Keeping the warning in mind is more than enough.

Aye. There are plenty of ways to keep your skills sharp. There's an abundance of resources and of course, the people that have been taken to this dream world.

Demons? Is it a kind of summoning?

[crouching_sin]

How do people end up dreamwalking? Is it just something you can instinctively do?

That's true, there do seem to be plenty of people who have been dragged here. The resources seem a bit limited, but... well. I suppose I'll have to dig further into what dreamotion can do.

It is. I originally summoned them from their world and they now reside in a device that I carry.

[leveillpier]

I practiced with a few people prior. However, it can happen pretty randomly or willingly depending. I can't say for certain. I don't have full control of dreamwalking just yet.

Aye. I am certain you'll find many different ways to go about dreamotion.

I see that's quite different from the summoning I am familiar with.

[crouching_sin]

I see. I suppose I'll just have to practice where and when I can.

Well I'd like to get my spells back up to full strength first, but then I'd like to make sure I have a full grasp on what it is. 'Dream energy' is an awfully vague description. I want to know how it works.

I'm not surprised, given different worlds. But what kind of summoning are you used to?

[leveillpier]

If you need a companion, I'd like to practice more myself.

Aye, you're right. From what I learned, it works like abilities from our worlds. I've been able to use my magics and skills here and dreamotion in a way, assists me with those abilities. I have also learned that if you concentrate enough, you can create things with just your thoughts.

...The kind that is at the cost of many lives, unfortunately. One I am not fond of in the least.

[ Alisaie can't stop but think about all the things that went wrong with primal summoning-- all except that one time. She's still on edge about it to this day. ]

[crouching_sin]

I wouldn't mind that, no. And hm. The same as abilities from home? Perhaps I can learn how to cast them easily without my device, then. It would be beneficial to not have to rely on something else.

I can cast magic otherwise, it's just more tiring.

The demons I know - the program I know that most used to summon it in recent days - require that you defeat them in order to form a pact. So I suppose there were a good number of lives lost with that method. Though it was limited to a certain area in my world, recently.

[He isn't exactly remorseful at the fact, though.]

[leveillpier]

Aye. It feels that way anyway. It wasn't easy. Mayhap, you'll have it easier than I do.

Device? What a bizarre way to summon and at the cost of lives certainly isn't what I wanted to hear.

[ All the while, Alisaie seems quite perplexed with his writing. She can't feel emotions through words written on parchment, however. ]

[crouching_sin]

They live on the rule of 'only the strong survive'.

If it makes you feel better about me, I was hired to make the thing that allowed them to be summoned. It wasn't my idea.

[Not precisely like this, though he'd had backup plans.]

At least the damage was limited. Fewer people died than would have died had the government enacted their plan.

[leveillpier]

...

I wouldn't say that piece of information is any better...even if it isn't your idea.

[ Alisaie may be a little taken aback by his words but at least he doesn't to see her unpleasant expression to all of this. ]

Is death something that is common where you are from?

[crouching_sin]

Well, look at it this way - if I hadn't made something for people to use to have a chance to defend themselves with, they would have all died.

Generally people live relatively peaceful lives up to the age of 90 or so. So no.

[leveillpier]

The world is like that isn't it? No matter where.

[ No matter what world, it seems death plagues it in some way or form. She can't refute what he's saying. She knows she can't save everyone, but saving as many as one can in a situation like that is the best one can do. ]

I see.

[crouching_sin]

Unfortunately, the world is cruel no matter where you go. You can try to protect the people you care about, but nothing lasts forever.

But I'd rather give people the tools to fight against their trials and come out alive. The options otherwise were 'slaughter' or 'give up humanity's free will'. A third option was needed - even if it wasn't one that the people who hired me were expecting.

[leveillpier]

I know that-- far too well, to say the least.

Aye, it seems you have done the best you can in that situation and that's all you can do. I suppose I misunderstood your words earlier, my apologies.

[crouching_sin]

It's fine. I'm used to being portrayed as the 'villain'. It doesn't really bother me.

[... Maybe a little.]

[leveillpier]

Truthfully, anyone would make such deductions if you speak the way you do. Though, I have no right to lecture on the matter.

[ If he can see her shrug, she certainly did. ]

Regardless, I cannot imagine you not being troubled by such assumptions if it happens often.

[crouching_sin]

You're kind, then. Because I've been seen as the villain for a long time. But if that's what I must do in order to get what I need, then I'll be the villain.

At least I know what I want. There are many people who don't.

[leveillpier]

I'm certain there are people who share the mindset with you. Unfortunately, there are no right or wrong answers.

When people are desperate, anything goes. I've seen more than I could count, truthfully. I wouldn't say I'm 'kind,' just realistic.

Aye. You're confident, it seems.

[crouching_sin]

I have reason to be.

Even if things don't go my way, I can always try again.

[leveillpier]

Aye. There are no more truer words than what you have spoken.

Giving up is never an option for me either.