trans_9 | One man's mosoleum is another man's home

Tonight, once again, the dreamscape of the meatship has been altered.

However, this time, the dream was the same, no matter the dreamer, and was neither good nor bad, but simply odd.

Only a portion of the crew would have this dream, some of them intentionally, others whose mind simply happened to drift upon it in the dreamscape.

Regardless, it starts out the same for each dreamer:

The dreamer finds themselves standing on some rocky, barren world.

The "air" (for lack of a better word) is thick, so thick that the dreamer is positive it should be impossible to survive in this kind of environment. Regardless, they continue to breathe just fine, as if on Earth. The atmosphere is hazy, distorting all color.

Despite the fact that it is impossible to see more than thirty feet ahead of them, the dreamer feels compelled to move in one single direction.

After wandering for what seems to be hours, the dreamer comes across a massive fortress, alone in this desolate place. It rises thousands of feet into the air, standing imposingly, as though there were something to protect out in this dead place. It is covered in symbols of twin-headed eagles, winged skulls and stylized I's, but most noticeable is the symbol of the open book, through which a sword has pierced.

A door opens at the base of the fortress walls. It seems like more of an airlock, really, but regardless, the dreamer once again feels compelled to enter.

Once they do, they find themselves in a room, completely pitch black, save for a single light shining down from what one would assume is the ceiling. The door through which the dreamer entered is no longer visible.

Before the dreamer, in the small lighted portion of the room, is a table. On the table is a rather inviting pot of tea, with cups.

At one end of the table sat the massive, robed figure of the Seer. He seemed to be drinking something notably more substantial than the tea. The word "amasec" comes to the dreamer's mind, but they aren't sure how they know it.

At the other end of the table is an empty seat.

"Please, my child," The Seer says, motioning to the other seat. "Do join me."

[ooc: This is just Seer's way of checking up on the crew. Once again, posting isn't mandatory, but if you want your pup to meet/interact with Seer, feel free!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yes, please. Thank you very much." Zelda is very fond of her tea - one of the few things she and Sheik had brought back from Earth had been all the tea she could carry, along with a teapot and cups.

Then her expression settles in to something far more grave. "You know why I have wished to talk to you, then?" she asks quietly.

One of the cups slides over towards Zelda on its own, the pot of tea floating over it to pour itself.

If it weren't for the creepy background, it might've seemed rather Disney-esque.

You wish to understand more about your role in the ritual, yes?

"I do, yes," she says quietly, taking the offered cup with only a small startled look at it. Taking a breath, she adds, "You know of the request I made of Roxana Schreiber and Nanoha Takamachi?"

Hmm. This isn't bad tea.

Indeed.

With a casual wave of his hand, the surface of the table is covered with a glowing ritual circle. The design is strange and intricate, with flowing lines that seem to flow towards the center.

Quite smaller than the real circle, but this is essentially the core of the ritual.

He motions to several points along the outer edge of the circle.

Here is where you and the others shall stand. By channeling your energy through it, the circle shall siphon your energy to myself. I will be the only one in direct contact with the creature.

I understand how you feel. I also carry within myself a power that I do not wish to see corrupted.

That is why my mind is conditioned to destroy itself if I feel the beast has control over me.

To put it simply, my dear, before the daemon could have a chance to corrupt any of you, I would die, severing the connection instantly.

And that is exactly how serious he is about dealing with this thing.

Zelda nods, leaning forward to inspect the lines. "What I fear," she starts slowly, "Is that its magic will somehow combine with mine. Unless it is filtered out by the circle - or once it reaches you - then I fear the Nightmare King getting, well, a taste of it. And it is a powerful incentive."

But still - it's reassuring. "The beast will not be able to reach that power?" she repeats, just to be sure. "I do not wish for you to die."

It would likely attempt to take my own power first, for mine...well, let us say it attracts a lot of unwanted attention from creatures such as him.

Were he to make such an attempt, my connection with you would break the second I die, happening before he could even corrupt my own power for his own purposes.

He would not have any greater chance of taking your power for his own than he would have if you do not participate.

She nods again, and sits back with a frown, Sheik's hand slipping forward to land on her shoulder reassuringly. "If that happens, then," she asks quietly, "Then we really do not have any chance of defeating it, do we?"

Most of the times, Seer likes to beat around the bush, tip-toeing ever so slightly around his point.

And then there are times like this, where he frames things in the bluntest, simplest way possible.

No.

Though at the very least, you would have the comfort of being able to die as yourself, and not the puppet of some daemon.

Not much of a comfort, but Seer was never exactly one for that kind of thing.

Zelda has become used to abrupt. "I see," she says quietly. "But if we do not succeed, then the entire universe - universes - are at risk."

Taking a steadying breath, she finishes the last of her tea then sighs softly. "I can only hope that those on the ship are prepared for the coming fight."

They will be, Seer said, with an odd, calm confidence.

However, in their current state, they are not ready. It seems the crew has become complacent that the Magic Department will take care of this for them, and do not take measures to steel themselves.

I believe this is a grave mistake.

She nods solemnly. "Is there any way to prepare them, then?" she asks, a frown on her face even as she strategises. "People do not seem to realise what is at stake, here."

One who has the ear of the entire crew must explain it to them. Perhaps the captain.

He may not be able to reach the hearts of all the crew, but it will be better than the current situation.

"The captain...?" She nods. "I will ask Roxie or Nanoha to address him - they know more about the situation than I do."

The Seer bows his head slightly.

You have my thanks.

"It's for the good of all of existence," she says quietly. "How could I not help?"

Standing, she links her hand with Sheik's again, and inclines her head. "And with your leave, I will return to my sleep."

Pleasant dreams, my dear, Seer says with a slight chuckle as she leaves.

One man's mosoleum is another man's home

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject