Action: but you never tire of dreams

[ofthebeast]

Characters: Any willing dreamers
Open? Yes
Where: In your minds
When: After the party
What: Part two of the dream plot!
Warnings:


The party went on, with the beast's head on display. A proud, twisted thing. Behind false ruby eyes, it waited. And as the music became slower and the wine less plentiful, it waited still.

Those who had gazed upon it at the ball. Those who had seen it once living in the forest. All heroes who dared to look upon its face and dream still that they would be able to live another day...

There are all sorts of ways of living. In waking. In sleep. Perhaps, now, they would find one in between.

(ooc: Feel free to keep tagging into the party post! Once your characters go home and go to sleep of their own accord, that is when the dreaming will begin. Remember, it is up to you to set up what kind of world your character is trapped in and how best to help them. Plotting post is here, make use of it!

The beast's power will wane once the bulk of the dreamers have escaped his curse. If your character was not at the party but you still want to involve them in the dream plot, that is fine! They can either help get people out or have seen the beast wandering in the woods before it was killed and have caught its attention that way.

Comments

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Faolan's arms wrap around Giles' neck and he trustingly lays his cheek against the man's shoulder. "Where going?" he asks, voice tired as if he doesn't much care about the answer. He's been down halls like this before, and they rarely seem to go anywhere but other labs.

[consultmybooks]

"Out. Away. It's hard to explain."

Giles doesn't have any specific destination in mind beyond "outside". That seems to be the most important step, at the moment. But he doesn't say as much to Faolan. Faolan, at least, should be able to trust that Giles knows what he's doing. There are a few false starts, where he stumbles into labs, cold rooms containing medical instruments and operating tables with straps and cages. But Giles always backs out as quickly as he can, resuming his search for the exit.

He finally finds a likely looking door at the end of one hallway. Giles tests it and finds it unlocked, and pushes it open very, very slightly. Warm air carrying the scent of grass blows inside, along with the faintest sliver of sunlight. Giles nods in satisfaction, before looking down at Faolan.

"Shield your eyes," he warns, before pushing the door wide open.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Faolan has already averted his eyes by pressing his face to Giles' shoulder. He didn't want to see the labs, and was shivering by the time they reach the exit. In fact, Giles' warning makes him look up curiously, the bright light at once making him whimper and hold Giles tighter in amazement.

"Out?" he asks, wonder in his voice.

[consultmybooks]

"Out," Giles confirms softly, patting Faolan gently on the back. "I assume that's what you want, after all."

And then, keeping the door open with his foot, he steps outside and lets it slam shut behind them with a harsh note of finality. Ahead is a broad driveway empty of vehicles or people, bordered by grass and lit by early evening summer sunlight.

Giles resumes his walking.

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Faolan wriggles out of his hold, wanting to feel the grass on his feet. There is air and sun, and grass, and he wants it, oh yes, he wants it.

All the same, he doesn't go far, and returns quickly to Giles' side, slipping his hand into the man's.

[consultmybooks]

And Giles won't have gone far down the path when he returns. He only keeps walking because, well, he thought Faolan might appreciate the exercise in walking on his own a bit.

But he still holds the boy's hand tightly as they go.

"You're free now. Do you see that?"

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Faolan looks around at the sun and the green grass, and the strangely vanished building, then back.

"Yes," he answers simply, then moves just a little closer. "Can stay with Giles?"

[consultmybooks]

Giles looks a bit taken aback by the question...but, then he nods, reaching down to hold Faolan's hand, a light enough hold, so that the boy can scamper off again if he wants to.

"If you want. I'm not entirely sure why you'd want to, but...if you want."

[greatsquirrelhunter]

Faolan's smile blooms wide and brilliant, and he throws his arms around Giles again.

"Yes! Want Giles to be part of pack!"