DREAM NETWORK

From: Futaba Sakura
To: Everyone
Subject: Spooky season

Just to take your mind off the weird vampire things:

What would your ideal Halloween costume be?

[A pause in writing, because...]

Before anyone asks, Halloween is a holiday where I'm from where you dress up in a costume. Some places, kids go door to door and get candy by saying 'trick or treat'. It was an old holiday that celebrated something else entirely, but now it's just a candy holiday with spooky stuff like... well, vampires and ghosts as decor.

...anyway. Maybe we can dream up some costumes that get rid of those dream vamps with some cool power, huh? Feel free to tell someone their idea is silly or cool though, I'm not your mom.

Sender: Stolas
To: Everyone
Subject: One Year Anniversary

Good evening everyone.

I haven't written in my journal for quite sometime. However tonight I'm feeling rather semimetal. It accord to me that this month marks my one year anniversary since being spirited away to this place. I can hardly believe I've been away for so long. I remember when I first arrived how badly I wanted to return. But now I... find myself wanting to stay. During my time here I have met so many wonderful new people, new friends', made beautiful memories that I fear I will lose when I eventually am forced to return.

I did return. Briefly.

Such an odd feeling. Waking up here as if my true home was the dreamworld. I am grateful that my memories of this place did not fade during my little vacation back to Hell. Which brings me to my query. Has anyone else experienced this? I am curious on how memories are stored while we're here. Perhaps there might be a way to retrain them once we leave.

Or, that is the hope at least.

Sender: Blitzø
To: Everyone
Subject: Passive Dream Recording. Brief description of violence, severe language.


The room is dark.

In the way many, many dreams are disjointed, not quite taking place in a real space, the darkness is only vaguely in the shape of a square apartment room with the indistinct presence of a counter, a sofa, all barely relevant details compared to the subject of focus. On the floor, a woman is sitting, her massive furred tail curled around her and her shoulders hunched as she tried to sob as quietly as possible.

Reaching out, the hand is familiar - of course it is, it's yours, your red and white burn-scarred hand - and Blitzø's voice comes out.

"Loona? Sweetie... what's wrong?"

His cracking voice only makes the shadowed figure curl in on herself and her shoulders shake... and a low, miserable growl rumble from her chest, rising in volume. Blitzø - the viewpoint - stopped in the middle of the step he'd taken forward and withdrew his hand.

"This is all... your fucking fault," her voice ushered, low and miserable. At the sound of the imp gawping, the growling increased, and Loona seemed suddenly all the larger even with her back hunched and arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her fur was standing on end. "You disgusting fucking creep. You never gave a shit about me. You just want to play house."

"No, Loonie, I'd never--"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, BLITZ!" the hellhound snapped, standing and turning her head to glare at him, tears running down her face... and eyes looking completely wrong.



"You don't give a FUCK who it is as long as you get to call yourself 'dad' - then FINE! Replace me, see if I care!" With her voice rising, roaring, the details of everything else washed out. Blitzø made several efforts to plead, but all the dreamer could hear was his daughter's furious yelling. "YOU were the one that said you'd NEVER give up on me!! YOU were the one who said you'd never replace me! I should've fucking killed you!"

Bigger, and bigger - nightmare energy as it appeared in the world started swirling around her, suffocating and snuffing the light save for those uncanny golden glowing eyes. Though her words had ceased, the snarling and roaring hadn't, the presence of the hellhound closing in every inch of the space between them.

And then, she lunged, jaws agape to sink straight into the throat.

And the recorded nightmare cuts off immediately.

Sender: Futaba Sakura
To: Everyone
Subject: Your Favourite...

...Featherman. If you don't know Featherman, you're really missing out (just ask me to hook you up, I got 'em all here with me, heh heh（　´∀｀）). I guess it could just be super sentai if you DON'T know Featherman.

I'll go first, but I mean, everyone wants to be cool Red... myself included. Strong! Cool! Leader! Never lets his team fall to despair! Everyone wants to be that! I do enjoy Yellow Owl since man, CURRY. How could I not?

Anyway.

Discuss.

Sender: Alastor
To: Everyone
Subject: Sin Celebration Months?

Apologies in advance for my ignorance, but these large ears of mine overheard discussion of a month-long celebration of the sin of Pride. Flipping through previous journal messages, I saw someone's question regarding whether or not Reverein celebrates it.

Well, that got me curious because we haven't had any variant of King Lucifer appear in quite some time. If this were the Pride Ring in Hell, I'd understand it, but I'd no idea that other worlds filled with the living celebrated the Deadly Sins!

What months are for the other six? We used to have avatars of Greed and Wrath, so they might be flattered to have their month-long celebrations should they ever return. It never hurts to get on the good side of a Deadly Sin's avatar!

Sender: Octavia of the Ars Goetia
To: Everyone
Subject: Missing persons

Has anyone seen prince Stolas? He was here last night, safe and sound, but when I woke up, he was just gone, no note or anything. I know people usually disappear or wake up or whatever at the start of the month, but during? Dad would tell me if he was going anywhere. I'm scared.

Please let me know if you see him. I need to try and not freak out.

Sender: Madhuri Qalli
To: Everyone
Subject: Pushing Back

I'm throwing my hat in alongside everyone else in offering my aid should you need it.

Truly, I had been thinking of late that I should shift my direction when it comes to my humble Lady of Bliss. With this in mind, I'll need a day or two to shift things around, but then I will throw my doors wide open to offer a place of positive dreamotion, good food and a willing horn that can hear your tales or even your smalltalk.

The folk that have offered their services are amply welcome to make use of my facility should they require a meeting place under one stipulation: That privacy is given when people ask for it, and to proceed with no judgment.

Some of you feel that you are perfectly okay, and that is fine. You are welcome regardless.

Some of you feel that nobody can help you, and while that isn't true, it is OK to not feel OK. You are welcome, and I want nothing more than to hear you and feed you.

I am little more than an adventurer, but I have seen some of the deepest hells, and have fought a countless number of inner battles. I do not speak from inexperience.

Please consider it, even if you want to spend an afternoon with a good meal, or just want a hug. Or both. I care about each of you, even if I have not met you yet.

Thank you all for your time.

Sender: Zack Fair
To: Everyone
Subject: N/A

[ Zack is beyond stressed. Fueled with anxiety and the dread of what occurred in the aftermath of the Story Eater had him all but riled up and restless. It was through some coaxing, despite his initial refusal, that the former SOLDIER takes to the journal for a much needed break.

So here he comes with his horrible handwriting again. At least this time he actually knows who he is addressing . ]

looks like all those baddies are gone for good... hopefully.

everyone holding up okay?


if yor lookin to blow off some steam im open to go out for a run with ya
or squats
you pick but i promise the exercise will help

[ as much as he wants to stay in the house he's literally losing his mind and all the worry is getting to his head.

there's a bit of a pause but suddenly more words start to appear on the page. Typical Zack behavior ahead: ]


... ooor if your looking for someone to hang out with for a strong shoulder to cry on i got you covered

Sender: Dante
To: Everyone
Subject: Office wide vacation

Whew. Past few weeks were rough. Even as someone who loves a good fight, there were a lot of fights. Lot of emotionally trying stuff, too. Even I'm beat. So, everyone at DMC: IMP's gonna be on leave for a while. Probably a week or so. Long enough to sleep off all of uhh. That.

Since it's been a while since I used this, DMC: IMP's a group of us demons and non-demons who're damn good at fighting monsters and noctaere. Would be a business if money existed, but last time it did, it was a big mistake. Joint effort between Devil May Cry, the Immediate Murder Professionals and anyone who hangs out at the office long enough. You can drop by if you want; it's the building with a bunch of holes, missing doors and tarp over a torn off rooftop.

Oh right, we gotta rebuild it again. Maybe two or three weeks. We'll figure that out.

Sender: Sora
To: Everyone
Subject: Help me out!
Warnings: tba


[Because of a certain conversation Sora is now attempting to defend his honour!]

hey! it’s sora! or hi i'm sora!

there was someone last month who said i’m a troublemaker but i said i only cause trouble every once in a while and that doesn’t make me a fully-fledged troublemaker, right? i don’t cause trouble on purpose! only if i caused trouble on purpose would that make me a real troublemaker!

anyway he said that if i can find people who can vouch for me that i’m not a troublemaker at all he would believe me! can you help me out? you guys can tell him that i’m good news, right?? right?

[Sora has never done anything wrong in his entire life!!]

Sender: Zack Fair
To: All
Subject: No Subject (Backdated to the first week)

[ Words that begin to appear in the journals are written slowly, as if with intent. The handwriting is... coherent at best at this slower pace, but every word is coming in gradually and seemingly with more frustration.

Guess who thinks this is just a plain ol' journal to use? ]

Dear Aeir
What's up!?
Hello! Hey th———

Hey Aerith.
Hope things are going well?? good for you

[ UGH ]

Sorry it's taken so long for me to write back... I know youve been waiting a long time
I can't call right now but soon, okay?
how are the flowers? you swimming in gil yet?
Theirs theres lots of weird stuff going on that I'll explain when I get back.
So... yeah. See you soon
Regard [ No that was SO STUPID ]
bye

[ The words at the bottom of the page are suddenly cut out, as if completely disregarded or tossed away.

But seconds later another one appears: ]

Hello!

[ Nope that one is gone, too. ]

Sender: Goro Akechi
To: All
What: Passive Dream Recording

( Thou has turned a vow into a blood oath... )

Sender(s): Madhuri Qalli & G'raha Tia
To: All
Subject: A cordial invitation~


( Spring, it hath sprung! )

Sender: Anonymous
To: Everyone
Subject: Help

With that one holiday around the corner and it's whole schtick for doing a sappy confession to someone...

...how do you know if you might actually like someone? Like... LIKE like.

It might not be a matter of life and death but it's important.







[as an ooc note, please feel free to threadjack and comment EVERYWHERE, if your character would :)]

Sender: G'raha Tia (and Madhuri Qalli occasionally)
Subject: An announcement & inquiry

Hello, Reverein. This is G'raha Tia, and I am pleased to announce some exciting news.

[Ignore the fact that his writing seems to be hesitant. He had it in his mind to make this announcement with the intention of asking for some help. It just seemed so daunting now that he was actually doing it. In fact, there is some pause in between writing the next portion.]

Right then... Out with it... Madhuri Qalli and I will be getting married sometime this upcoming spring. While we have not settled on a date just yet, we would ask for a favor from all of you.

Despite the beautiful wedding that Eustace and Tifa put on, we are -- unfortunately -- unversed about how to plan for such an occasion. We did find some inspiration from the wedding not to long ago, but we would ask for your help.

How do you celebrate matrimony in the world you come from? What about cultural differences? This information would greatly benefit us to plan our own special day that suits us best. If you have anything to share, please feel free to contact either one of us. Thank you for your time.

[OOC: Both G'raha and Madhuri will be responding to this. If you want to speak to one of them, please let us know in the subject.]

Sender: Moxxie
Subject: re: Armaments, traditions, and customs, vis-a-vis names

Reverein, I need a little help in resolving a minor dispute on a matter of opinion. And weapons.

Namely, the naming thereof.

Now, I've always had a mind for the classics in both music and literature, and giving a weapon a name all its own is a way of establishing personal significance, identity, and legacy, to say nothing of gravitas in recognition of or anticipation of the deeds ascribed to it. What, pray tell, would be Der Ring des Nibelungen without Nothung, the accursed sword of Siegfried? What would be the Arthurian legends without Excalibur or La Chanson de Roland without Durandal?

I would assert, therefore, that the practice is timeless, and has a well-earned place in the modern day, and with modern weaponry besides; that something like, for example, a shotgun can have enough significance to its wielder and within its deeds that it is no less worthy of being given a name than the weapons of old.

HOWEVER, in contrast, a certain colleague of mine does not share my views on this matter and describes the entire practice as, and I quote them directly,

"Cringe, T B H".

Which to me not only shows a lack of dramatic appreciation but also ignorance of the proud tradition upheld by the act of doing so. Thus I put it to a vote in a public forum before my fellow dreamers:

Is the practice of naming weapons really just a relic of a bygone sentimentality, or is it a timeless practice honoring the tools of the world's second-oldest trade?

Sender: Blitzø
Subject: Best day EVER!!!

Sender: Madhuri Qalli
To: Everyone
Subject: November nuts??
Warning: wink-wink dirty humor. Put the kids to bed, please.

( Thirty days of WHAT? )

Sender: Futaba Sakura
To: Everyone
Subject: Question


You ever just.

Lock yourself in your room for like a month and forget what time is? I mean, I guess I ate at least, and I didn't just fall asleep for a whole freakin' month like after the Medjed thing but

like

a whole. Month. Least it was fruitful.

Which uh, leads me to my actual question: who has some technology here with 'em? Phones, laptops, things that require a power source cause I think I figured out some dream crystal things, but it might require a more... ambient dream energy. Dunno how THAT is gonna be harnessed yet, but I need to know my many sleepless nights and curryless days weren't for nothing. Testing on my own stuff is fine, but knowing it's not just a fluke is even better.

Sender: Madhuri Qalli
To: Everyone
Subject: I'm sorry.


I apologize. That dreamscape a few nights past was a complete failure of mine.

I suppose I've more to learn about my own dreamotion. Those that [A pause.] met me should expect a pie hand-delivered tomorrow. Enjoy it, or throw it in my face if you must- goodness knows I've earned it.

The karma has been real, in the least: Most of my fruit orchard has been eaten of late, so I'll need to trade a bit more to maintain my pastry stocks.

Found the culprit, though.


On that note- This week's special is bear stew. Very fresh.