Once upon a dream

[onerous]

Who: onerous & u
When: 9/24
Where: dream world
What: A bit of a catch-all for anyone who wants dream shenanigans
Rating/Warning: None...probably.

---

[A]

[The first option is the dream taking place in Yuri's Perfect Version of her world. Namely, Kurosawa Antiques. She sits at a table, a cup of coffee in hand; outside, the sun is beginning to set, casting an orangey-red glow through the shop. It's warm and comforting and Yuri actually looks rather content with everything.

There's even a second cup set out for someone else to enjoy.

Behind the doorway that leads to the back of the shop is the rest of the house, where Yuri actually lives; A walkthrough can be skimmed over here]

[B]

[Or maybe she's featuring in your character's dream? This is some inception level of dreaming here.]

((OOC: Whether they remember their time in Cereal is up to you, though if nothing's established I'm going to assume they will remember. And thanks to Yuri's natural abilities and everything going haywire in the city, let's say both parties will be aware of/remember the dream when they wake up. /finger guns))

Comments

a!

[adornmental]

[Kashuu is the sort of annoying person who seems to make himself at home basically Anywhere and Everywhere, including other people's dreamscapes, apparently.

That is to say, he sure does just come waltzing over like that second place at the table was set specifically for him. It's nice here, anyway - it feels warm and safe and comfortable, and seeing Yuri happy is pleasant, too. After he sits, he tugs at the handle of the cup but doesn't pick it up yet.]

Smells good! It's coffee, right?

[onerous]

[She looks amused, but the cup was poured for him anyhow. Probably? She doesn't quite remember pouring the cup, but surely it was for him.]

Mm-hm. Hisoka's taught me how to make it; whole beans, nothing pre-ground here. Hisoka's a little picky like that, I guess.

[Yuri doesn't mind, though. It's given her a whole new appreciation for coffee that she didn't have before.] We have tea too, if you don't like coffee.

[adornmental]

I don't mind coffee. We don't have it a lot, so it's kinda like a nice treat, see?

[Now he picks the cup up, taking a breath of the steam in before having a tiny sip so he doesn't burn his tongue.]

Huh... Usually the coffee I have is bitter, but this one's almost, like... smooth!

[onerous]

[Yuri tries to hide just how pleased she is with the compliment by taking another sip of her coffee, but it's hard to deny the little smile.]

I'm glad. I can make coffee like this for you and everyone else any time I want now... And I don't have to worry about the appliances going crazy and trying to attack or something. [Thanks CERES.]

But, it's almost a little weird to be this relaxed, you know...?

[adornmental]

[The little smile is definitely something he picks up on, and he smiles back in turn, bright and beaming.]

That's the best part, right? If I had to deal with one more microwave exploding, I dunno what I'd have done... But if that's really the case, I'm gonna have to stop by more often.

[For MORE COFFEE, but also for good company. Though her last question gives him pause for a second.]

Yeah... I'm not used to having any time to relax, so it's extra weird.

OOC

[oncealifetime]

Is it alright to pull Yuri into a nightmare? Ichigo here often has nightmare of being trapped in an inferno...

OOC

[onerous]

Yep that's fine!

[oncealifetime]

Everything was in flames. There was smoke everywhere and the intense heat was suffocating. Osaka Castle which was constructed of wood and stone was now nothing more than a fiery funeral pyre.

Ichigo was trapped on the highest level, standing before a sword display. He could barely see the figures of his two fallen younger brothers through the thick smoke. They lay engulfed in flames on the ground just out of his reach, along with two swords lying beside them. Ichigo tried to move towards them but his legs were rooted to the ground. He tried to scream their names but no sound came forth from his lips.

The flames closed in tighter around him. They licked at the wooden sword stand. The decorative rope around the red and gold sword sheath caught fire. Ichigo’s cape and clothes burst into fire simultaneously. He reached a hand out in vain for help as tears rolled down his face...

[onerous]

Her first instinct is that she wants to run. It's hard enough knowing this can't be her own dream (she dreams of water, of drowning, not burning), which means it's someone else's Someone else dreaming (remembering?) this terrible thing.

They're probably still here, somewhere. It's a dream, but she can still feel the heat of the flames that lick at her clothes and skin as she shields her face and pushes through. Survivors, were there--

Someone, a man, reaching out. "Let's go!" Can he even actually move from that spot? Yuri reaches out and grabs for his hand anyhow The rest of the castle going up might make it impossible to actually make it down and out safely, but at least she could get him out of this room, maybe. Just a small change to the dream would be enough.

[oncealifetime]

If only they could combine dreams. That would put out the fire though then they’d probably drown?

Unfortunately, this is from before Ichigo was given a human body my his current master, so Yuri’s hand goes through his. The sword spirit is grateful though that someone has actually heard his voiceless cry for help so many hundreds of years later. He looks over at her then points to the sword behind him, his true self. He mouths the words, ‘That is me. Please save me.’

B

[reprizesal]

[Yuri would find herself in the mountains. Right before her is a peasant woman and a boy walking beside her. The mountain path seems to look... dark and ominous, very dangerous for a woman and a "child" to walk around by themselves.

While looking around, Sayo pauses when he notice Yuri and blinks in surprise. And again.]

... Hello? What are you doing here in these mountains?

[Not like he's expecting her to answer back, but this is weird enough for Sayo to start talking.]

[onerous]

[Because it's not her dream, she's dressed to fit the time period, and she chances a look around. A mountain was familiar enough, but this wasn't. So... Not her dream, maybe? Probably best to play along anyhow]

I live here. [Okay so maybe it wasn't her mountain but she did live on a]

I wanted to accompany you and make sure you got to where you needed to go. That's alright, isn't it?

[reprizesal]

[The woman didn't seem to notice, but Sayo definitely heard her. He blinks at her answer. Oh, she can... hear him? He slowly nods.]

Yes... that's fine. These mountains are dangerous, because of the bandits.

[onerous]

Can she not see you? [Yuri looks from Sayo to the woman, curious.] She can't seem to see or hear me either... [In this dream she must've been some kind of spirit. Or maybe because she didn't exist whenever this dream took place she just wasn't acknowledge?? Who knew how dreams worked.]

You're traveling a long way-- I'm not really great in a fight, but I'll help you. [She's been taught by Kashuu, after all. She could at least do something]

[reprizesal]

Yes... she can't see me. [It's always been like that, he never really thought much of it.] Humans normally can't see me.

[Except for other spirits. If this is the real world before he get his physical form. But no, it's a dream of... something. He tilts his head, before he nods.]

Thank you. [He looks at the woman, who is walking ahead of them. There seems to be a bundle in her arms.] If she manage to cross this mountain and reach the village on the other side, that would be enough.

A

[faithfulflame]

[The fact that Rei's stick in a dream is one thing. The fact that she's unaware of it is another. Maybe with time it'll make more sense, but right now she's just beat. Pushing open the door to get out of the rain, she shakes off her umbrella before shutting it and stepping inside, blinking owlishly around the shop.]

Hello? Yuri? I'm sorry I'm late. The weather was pretty bad.

[onerous]

[Yuri stands up as the little bell rings to let her know someone's entering, automatically about to respond that Hisoka wasn't here right now, so maybe they could come back tomorrow if they needed anything other than coffee? But then she recognizes who it is and smiles a little, crossing over to the front door to greet her properly.]

Its alright, don't worry, I wasn't waiting long. It tends to rain a lot here, I probably should've warned you. [She looks a little sheepish, holding a hand out to take the umbrella if Rei wants to hand it over.] Anyway, you're here now, so... Don't worry about it. I made coffee.

Um-- If you don't like coffee, I can make tea too? [She shifts, a little nervous. She wants to make a good impression, okay?]

assuming memories are staying intact.

[faithfulflame]

Coffee is just fine. [Rei hands over the umbrella without question, totally alright with her host being the host. It's only natural and right, yes?]

Things have been so weird with the weather lately, haven't they? Or does it usually rain so much here? I haven't been to the prefecture much before.

works for me!

[onerous]

[She puts the umbrella up and glances out the window at the rain]

I think it's just this area--something with the mountain and water... [She makes an 'etc' sort of hand motion. That's not a good explanation but Yuri doesn't really know-- it just tends to rain here a lot. Thanks religion revolving around water?] If it gets too bad, you can just stay over, we have plenty of guest rooms. Hisoka won't mind.

[Like a sleepover! She pushes her hair behind her ear and gestures for Rei to sit at the table if she'd like] I get a little nervous still when people wander around here when it starts getting later, so I'm glad you got here safe. [Not that there's much to worry about anymore, but old habits.]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei nods, stepping around Yuri to peer out one of the windows briefly before sitting, a half smile playing across her lips. It'd been nice, being here. Not perfect, but Yuri's world was familiar enough and she could move between them rather freely elsewise it wouldn't be idealized. The mountains were beautiful too, naturally, but the connection to the girl across from here was the real winner.]

I'll be alright. It's just dark, but I'd rather not go back out in this weather, no.

[Reaching for a coffee cup, she takes it and lets the warmth soothe away the chill in her fingers.]

It's so different from Tokyo, in a good way. Being able to see the stars...that's a blessing in and of itself. You've got a lovely hometown.

A

[niceguypose]

[Rock Lee suddenly bursts through the door, full of delighted energy, and freshly done with his paper route for the day.]

Yuri! I am here! I have arrived, if you will see me - ah!

[Rock Lee slips and falls and somehow a number of the antique items fly into the air. In a panic, Lee manages to balance himself on one foot while holding out each other limb to collect each of the falling antiques before they hit the floor. Then he holds that pose, grinning sheepishly even as he sweats.]

I - I apologize for the inconvenience!

[Sitcom laugh track plays]

[onerous]

[The phrase "bull in a china shop" has never felt more appropriate in this moment. Yuri stands abruptly with a sharp gasp, visions of yen signs and hospital visits dancing in her head. But thankfully Lee's reflexes are still sharp, and there's no immediate emergency, even if he looks a little ridiculous right now.

Yuri breathes a sigh of relief and walks over, shaking her head in exasperated fondness]

Hi, Lee. Don't worry about it, I'm just glad to see you. It's safe now, but I still don't really like people wandering around here on their own... [The mountain was safe, but she still got uneasy of anyone walking around the town on their own, especially at sunset.

She reaches to start taking some of the antiques off of him]

[niceguypose]

[As if there are times when he doesn't look ridiculous...

His smile grows warmer as she approaches, and as she removes some antiques, he's finally able to shift into a normal standing position and set the remaining ones down.]

It is alright. I can take care of myself! And I did not meet any trouble... but I appreciate your concern!

[With his hands free, he bows at her.]

I- I am very glad to see you as well, Yuri! Are you well?!

[onerous]

[Can he take care of himself though? Can he really... Yuri looks at the antiques he almost destroyed, but refrains from commenting.]

Better now that you're here. [She says it as casually as she can, but her face heats up immediately, and she clears her throat to quickly move the conversation along.]

Sit with me? I made coffee. [His is decaf, of course.] I know it's not very exciting here, but... I'm glad you're here. [It's peaceful, finally, which Yuri should be thankful for. When you get used to excitement and weirdness though, the sudden peace makes her restless.]

[niceguypose]

[That... may be a valid question...

His heart skips a beat at her assessment, and his cheeks flush further.]

I would be glad to sit with you! It is alright, Yuri. Excitement does not matter when I am near you. [Words he rarely thought he would say.] Because... I am glad that you are here, too!

[He offers a thumbs up and smiles even more brightly before he takes his seat.]