lifeaftr | Exploration Event: Neverwere

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Exploration Event: Neverwere

EXPLORATION EVENT: NEVERWERE

Who: Everyone!
What: Your wildest dreams come true!
When: May 15th to May 18th
Where: Ziziphus, those still on Ensō...and Mu
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Then Know That My Life Was Just a Killer Dream
You can find most of the information you need in the OOC info post! In the meantime, feel free to use this log as a catch-all for your dream worlds, as well as detailing your efforts to free one another. Whether they're on Ziziphus or Ensō at the time of the dreams' capture, your character is free to access as many dreams as you like, as the interlocking mental landscape allows for that sort of crossing over apropos of nothing. And time, of course, is very fluid in dreams - many days, months, and years can transpire in a matter of mere minutes.

Will you fight your way free from Ziziphus's vines or Mu's thrall, or are you content to die in your sleep?

Remember to let us know if your character dies during this event!

Event Timeline

[ ♆ ] May 15th: The vines make their move, ensnaring characters in ideal fantasy worlds
[ ♆ ] May 17th: The Storyteller will make contact with those they can, as well as issue information and a potential solution
[ ♆ ] May 18th: Those that have not freed themselves from the vines or from Mu will suffer a death

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It is only a matter of time before sleep catches up to Ignis, especially after he and Gladio practically drag each other off Ziziphus so their exhaustion doesn't add them to the vines' victim pool. His dreams are usually not so peaceful and comforting as this, though, and for a moment, he almost wants to question the reality around him. It's in his nature to question, after all. It's what makes him such a good advisor, such a good strategist. Still, when the sound of an airship overhead shakes him from his questions, Ignis doesn't find himself with any need to chase after them as they fade away. There are more important tasks at hand today.

Ignis runs his hands over robes he's wearing, smoothing the fine cloth, nimble fingers untangling the silly decorations that the High Council insists are necessary. Honestly, if he had any idea how long it would take to finish this particular task he would have changed, but this is Ardyn he's trying to track down and His Majesty could literally be anywhere. If he's going to spend his afternoon looking for the Healer-King, he's not going to also listen to the Council bitch if he arrives to their meeting in anything less than the approved formal wear.]

Off lookin' for His Majesty 'gain are ya, Advisor Scientia?

[The voice that breaks into Ignis' thoughts is just familiar enough for him to recognize it belongs to one of the guards, though for the life of him he can't remember the man's name. He takes a breath and is about to answer when the man lets out a good-natured laugh.]

'Course ya are. Ya know, whatever the Crown's payin' ya ain't enough. Astrals Above, I certainly wouldn't want to be in charge of keepin' track of him. Come along. I saw him wanderin' toward the playground. Always a kid or two there who could use a helpin' hand.

[A soft 'Much obliged' is the only answer Ignis gets out before the man begins moving away. Automatically, Ignis follows. He probably doesn't need the guide, his feet automatically avoiding cracks and edges that might make him stumble. Still, the guards have so little to do in this peaceful land, he can hardly deny the man a little distraction from what has assuredly been a very boring shift.

As sharp as his hearing is, Ignis hears Ardyn's voice before his guide can say anything, and a smile crosses his face, warmth chasing away the annoyance that had been building. How can he be upset about another search when he can hear how happy the children who no doubt encircle Ardyn are? How can he fault his king for preferring to spend his time with innocents like this instead of a bunch of irritating old fools?

Ignis dismisses the guard and then makes his way over to the group, a fondness fills his expression.]

And what game are we playing this afternoon, Your Majesty?

Oh dear, I think I'm in trouble now. [Ardyn said that to the group of kids he was knelt down in front of, a cheerful aside with a bit of dramatics to it.] We were just clearing up the usual terrible injuries from a highly competitive game of tag. Fierce competition, with no effort spared at all. [He smirked over his shoulder, letting go of the once-bruised elbow of the boy he'd been focused on healing.] Go on, all of you run along. It'll be getting late soon.

[A few half-whined objections and enthusiastic waves goodbye later, Ardyn straightened up and dusted himself off with a bright smile that could be heard as clearly as most others would see it.]

How long of a lecture am I in for today? I should start setting aside time in my schedule for it.

You probably shouldn't joke about such things around me since I'm the one who takes care of setting up your schedule.

[He can make that happen, Ardyn. Do you really want that?]

As for the lecture, that depends.

[His arms fold loosely over his chest sending the braided cords on his robes swinging.]

How long do you expect I'll get to talk before you do something to distract me?

My terribly brilliant mind is already working overtime to determine an escape route.

[ardyn...]

Did I miss anything important?

Well, do tell your brilliant mind not to let me know those escape plans. I would like to maintain a little plausible deniability.

[Ignis signs then, shaking his head.]

Do you ever? Don't worry. If anyone says anything, I'll take care of it.

[It's part of his job, after all.]

Oh, I've no doubt you will. You are excellent at your job, after all.

[Ardyn extended his arm with a cheerful tone to his voice, gently nudging Ignis' elbow so he would know the offer to take it was there.]

Shall we head back? I think I've neglected my duties enough for one day.

[The compliment, strangely enough, causes Ignis to bow his head slightly, embarrassment tinting his cheeks red. He doesn't hesitate to take the offered arm, lacing his fingers together with Ardyn's. Still, as they start walking, he doesn't seem as if he is in any hurry to get back.]

Hmm... Perhaps, but I certainly haven't. Why don't we take the long way back? Surely, His Majesty is gracious enough to grant me this one small request?

I fail to see a reason why not. After all, I don't think there's anyone but you who can admonish me for being a bit late in returning. Not that it would stop Gil from trying.

[Gil... Gil. Gilgamesh. Right. Why had Ignis expected that name to be something else? His lips press together for a moment and then he shakes his head. Obviously, his typical long days are getting to him again. Perhaps he should also speak to his king about a vacation.

As if that's going to happen.]

Oh, I'm quite certain the High Council will try to admonish you, but we both know how well that will work. It's such a shame we can't find some way to turn all the hot air they insist on releasing at each meeting into some kind of energy source. Just imagine all the magitek we could run with it!

[Ardyn glanced to Ignis out of the corner of his eye, halfway to questioning if he was alright before the adviser spoke again. Brushing aside the brief uncertainty, he came back with an earnest laugh.]

My, with power like that I'd have a perpetual motion engine built within the week.

And then so quickly the fun would be over.

[Ignis laughs, leaning into Ardyn as they walk.]

What would you do to keep your hands busy after that, Beloved? Ifrit sees to it that idle hands make many a mess, after all.

[Not that Ardyn generally needs any help making messes, but the old quote fits.]

Oh, I've no idea. My advisor's a terribly strict taskmaster, he'd hate it if I dared enjoy myself or continue to slack off.

[He tugged his hand away lightly, in favor of resting an arm around Ignis' waist. Clearly just to serve as a guide, of course. Goodness, couldn't have him tripping.]

[A gentle smile crosses Ignis' face as Ardyn's arm sneaks around his waist. Ah, how kind of their glorious king to make sure he doesn't fall. It would be a shame if said glorious king had to carry him back...

Ignis actually makes a soft sound and stops walking when that thought causes him be hit with the strangest feeling of deja vu. He'd been about to make a joke about Ardyn having to carrying him back if he hurt himself only to know with a certainty he couldn't explain that he'd made that joke before, but in a much different setting and to...a much different man? A different man, and yet, the very same man who stands next to him now.

A lump catches in his throat and Ignis tilts his head up at Ardyn as if somehow doing so might help his blind eyes see what he's missing.]

Your Majesty... I think something's wrong.

[And oh, why does it pain him so to say that?]

[Your Majesty, and oh how that sounded so satisfying to hear. Like something long lost that had finally been returned to him after...after so long-...]

[...]

Everything's fine.

[Something Ardyn couldn't name told him not to pull on the tiny thread out of alignment. Not to question why his normal title felt as if he'd never been called by it before. A nameless dark something in the back of his mind pulled him back and into the moment, to now where his kingdom was safe without the threat of-]

[the...threat of...what?]

I'm here, after all. What could ever go wrong with me at hand to fix things?

Edited 2018-05-18 05:29 (UTC)

Nothing!

[The answer is immediate and Ignis' voice is certain, but that certainty doesn't reach into his eyes, those blind eyes that still look at Ardyn as if they are searching for something--anything--to prove that these odd feelings and glimpses are nothing more than falsities trying to wiggle their way into reality. His king has never let him or their people down. Never. It's why the land is so prosperous and everyone is so free.

Then why... Then why...

Ignis swallows, his voice small and soft when he is finally able to make words leave his mouth.]

Then why didn't you fix my eyes?

[Ardyn went very still at Ignis' side for a moment, with a soft exhale sounding as if the air had been physically knocked out of him.]

I-

['wasn't there'? Surely that was right, but when would a king ever send his most trusted advisor into danger without going himself?]

[And besides-]

[That wasn't true, was it?]

...I don't...remember.

I don't either.

[It's a gentle admission, one filled with as much fear as it is confusion. A voice speaks in the back of his mind--begs in the back of his mind--for him to let this go. It's all just a product of a long day and a tired mind.

Oh, how that voice sounds like Ardyn's and how can he deny his king anything when he loves him so?

But, as much as he hates it, logic has always ruled his mind over emotion and logic won't let him leave this be, not even when his own bleeding heart joins in alongside the voice of his king.]

I do remember you were there. You were there, and yet, I am still like this.

I-I don't-

[he shook his head, arm tightening around Ignis as if to shield the pair of them from something Ardyn couldn't put a name to.]

I know that I was present, but that isn't possible. I would have healed that, you should be fine-, I...

[Oh, what good is a world that only lets you down?]

Please, let's...let's just go home. We're tired, we've both been working too hard.

I-I wish I could.

[Ignis steps closer to Ardyn in that moment needing to protect as much as be protected. But from what? What would harm them in this perfect world if he just allowed all this to pass by? If he just listened to his king as a good retainer--and partner--would?]

But I can't. I can't.

[Tears wet the corners of his eyes and Ignis shakes his head as if it will somehow send them away.]

What kind of Advisor would I be if I didn't seek the truth?

[He leans into Ardyn again, this time letting his forehead rest against his king's shoulder.]

The most beautiful cage in the world is still a cage, and the god that closes the door is still a captor despite the protection they offer.

['You know nothing of captivity', he wanted to say, and yet he didn't understand why the concept made him recoil internally and want to lash out.]

[But he'd already known, hadn't he? In some faint measure, Ardyn had understood something was wrong this entire time and elected to ignore it. All along something had bothered him like the buzzing of a persistent insect, and only now did he begin to grasp the full shape of this problem.]

[Ardyn I̶̛͖̝̰̳͚̗̯͒z̴̻̝̋͋͐̃̏̈́̚ṵ̵̳͓̈́n̵̦͉͈̝͈̖̭̓͐͒̔́ì̸̟̬̫̜̜͌͝â̸̼̦͖͆̑̒̒̍ didn't remember what happiness felt like.]

...please. Little flame, you...you can't, don't do this.

[Ignis isn't sure if it's the nickname or the begging tone in Ardyn's voice that does it, but his breath catches in his throat, eventually forcing itself free as a choked sob.]

I just want you to find happiness. It's all I want, but it has to be real happiness. This...this isn't that no matter what it feels like. My beloved monster, we're just being used--just being tricked--just like, just like...

[But...who is it? Who is it that stole all this away? Why can't Ignis find the name he is looking for? What blocks that last bit of information he needs to be completely certain? To finish shattering what he...

Ignis buries his head harder against Ardyn's shoulder.]

I'm sorry. Please forgive me... I don't want to hurt you... I never...

Then just stop. [Obviously unseen by either of them, his eyes had turned from hazel to yellow as he spoke, sounding half-frantic as he did.]

Stop questioning it. Stop acting as though this is a problem that needs to be fixed. [There was a problem, and Ardyn knew somehow...that ultimately, it was him. That he was only trouble, somehow, and that outside of this nothing would ever be right again. He shook his head, pulling Ignis closer as if it was all he could do to stay grounded in what seemed like reality.]

Just...just come home with me. Aren't you happy like this? Isn't that...isn't that worth something in itself?

Don't ask me that. Please don't ask me that.

[He's shaking so hard, he's pretty sure that if Ardyn wasn't holding onto him, his knees would buckle and he'd be on the ground.]

I love you too much to let you live a lie.

[Finally, Ignis forces himself to look up at Ardyn again, scarred eyes shining with tears.]

I won't betray you like that. Not like everyone else did. You promised. Stand by me and live. This is no life, only gilded death.

What I am isn't living at all.

[And that was true, wasn't it? The person who was holding Ignis like a lifeline, who brought a hand to his face in gentle reassurance...]

[Ardyn Lucis Caelum, healer king of a nation who loved him...didn't exist, did he?]

To return now would be torment immeasurable. If you care for me at all, do not ask me to uphold that now.

But it can be. Don't you understand?

[Despite the fact he can't let himself give into Ardyn's argument, Ignis still finds himself leaning into that reassuring touch.]

When given the choice of a dream world to create, it wasn't his heart that won out; it was yours. You've fought so long to remain--to let yourself feel happiness again. Here it is. Take hold of it and make him remember. End the torment. Wake up and be whole again.

[For so long, Ignis has let himself see Ardyn, the Chancellor, and Ardyn, the Healer-King as two separate people even though he knows it's wrong. They are two parts of the same whole. He has to accept that now and stop lying to himself, because if he doesn't, how can he expect Ardyn to?]

Make this happiness you so wish for permanent and real. You deserve no less after everything that Bahamut has taken from you.

Exploration Event: Neverwere

Late on the 17th or so. Ya know, what is time?

fake as heck is what

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First of all...HOW DARE YOU LINK THAT! Second, just plain out HOW DARE!

<3

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