Pleasant Dreams
Who: Ashen Mist, Gwen Meynolt, White Gale
Where: A laboratory in IPA HQ
When: December 8, 2008
What: Ashen Mist volunteers to be the guinnea pig for White Gale's dream manipulation experiments, and the two magicians talk shop about sealing the Baku.
Watch For: White Gale zoning out during his own spells, Ashen Mist's childhood.
There are a great many arcane laboratories within the walls of the IPA headquarters, of varying size and quality. This one is one of the smaller ones, and judging from array of glass apparati and chemical mixtures, normally serves as either an alchemist's or potions lab.
Still, sufficient space has been cleared on the workbenches to make room for the piles of arcane texts, one or two of which are open to pages covered in diagrams and obscure sigils. Nearly laid out in the middle of this organized chaos are a set of two recently transcribed scrolls, and a third, rolled up and sealed with wax. The first two, even to a casual observer, might seem rather similar to each other.
Gwen herself stands, hunched over the table as she scrawls something into a notebook.
Ashen Mist had volunteered to try out any dream-traveling spells that the IPA sorcerers came up with in order to do his part in preventing any further loss of soul. His sense of obligation became even stronger when he learned that Lera had been attacked (although the fact that she lived through the attack made him rather proud; the Dragon-Blooded truly are impressive examples of demigodhood, to live through attempts to steal their souls).
When Gwen called him to one of the laboratories, presumably to test one of the spells that was being worked on, he responded immediately. The man shows up in the labs without his coat, revealing much more clearly the red tunic and pants he wears beneath the black garment. He's also a bit on the bald side, having reshaven his head for a formal event a week ago. "Hello, Factotum Meynolt," the Fire Aspect says as he enters, taking care not to bump into any of the desks and their piles of paperwork and strange, potentially-explosive potions. Unknown potions are always bad news.
"Hello, Factotum." Gale stands at the doorway after Ashen arrives, walking in and trying his darndest not to be nervous around the Immaculate Monk looking all, well, Immaculate. He has nothing to fear from Ashen Mist, right? He presents the identity of an Outcaste Air-Aspect who has been on his best behavior, after all, and only bears a faint, passing resemblance to the 'slain' Frozen Heart. He bows to the Factotum and the monk in turn, reaching into his bag.
He pulls out a pair of round mirrors and a small incense burner. "Thank you all for agreeing to help with this experiment..."
Gwen straightens, finishing up a line of her notes, before setting the notebook, still open, on top of a stack of tomes. The ink's still wet. "Ah, Mr. Ashen, Mr. Gale," the Factotum murmurs, turning to face the pair. Her gaze lingers briefly on the Immaculate; he had had hair when she had rescued him. Whether this is a new fashion statement on his part, or the aftermath of an accident, she can't say. Gwen isn't well-versed in Creation, much to her dismay.
"No, I'm rather glad to be able to lend my aid, Mr. Gale. Dream sending, wasn't it?" The genasi turns, picking up the sealed scroll from the table. "Furthermore, I have procured a scroll of a spell that may also help bind the creature; it only carries a slight risk of a mishap at my current level of skill." She smiles as she says that--apparently that's a /good/ thing?
Gwen briefly looks back over her pile of research materials, and the state of the laboratory, before looking back at Gale. "Ah, so, how shall we set this up...?" She might have to make some more room.
If Mist noticed Gale's nervousness, he isn't letting the other Exalt know it. "Oh, that reminds me," he says to Gwen. "I've put in a request for magical manacles from the Order. With any luck, I should get clearance before the Baku does too much more damage." A look of vague annoyance crosses the Immaculate's face. Friggin' bureaucracy, it never moves when you really need it to.
"I guess you've made a lot of progress, Nigele?" the monk continues as he looks over to White Gale and the incence burner. He must have, if he's going to be doing experiments now. I mean, you'd need to be pretty selfish to run completely untested experiments on living people. Right?
"Oh, yes. I should be able to at least safely cast a practice run of the spell," White Gale asserts calmly as he starts measuring a sweet-smelling powder into the incense burner. "It's a safe spell, either way-at worst, it doesn't work and no dream occurs. Well, it requires the target to be asleep. From there, I use the incense and mirrors to weave smoke together, and create a carefully-woven dream to send to the recipient."
He dusts himself off. "So the idea is, I send a specific dream to one of you, about something readily identifiable but safe and harmless, and then we'll know if it worked. Right?"
Briefly pausing to push her glasses up her nose, Gwen nods. "Wonderful, wonderful. The weakness inherent in the spells I have that will bind the baku, as you may know, are that they require the creature to already be more or less still." She ahems, adding, "At least, for my own self to apply them to the creature in question. I am not... particularly quick on my feet."
Hmm. Gwen's gaze is fixed for a moment on the incense burner, one salt-encrusted hand on her chin. Nodding again, at Gale's explanation, she murmurs, "Hmm, asleep..." Slowly, her eyes travel over to the Immaculate. "Mr. Ashen..." the wizard begins, pausing a moment to retrieve a small sachet from a pocket, "Would you mind being the, ah, recipient of this dream? I have a spell ready that will send you harmlessly to sleep."
It's pure coincidence, really; the diviner normally memorizes that spell as an easy nonviolent method of neutralizing aggressors.
"I don't mind, Factotum," Ashen says to Gwen, looking for a chair that isn't covered with paperwork to sit down in. Darn magi and their diagrams everywhere. "You said you'll be sending a dream, Nigele? Does that mean you'll just ask me when I wake up if it worked, or do you have some other spell to see what I'm dreaming of?" He trusts Gale not to do anything untoward, seeing as he appears to be a perfectly honorable Dragon-Blooded, but if the sent dream doesn't work properly and he gets a glimpse of the Immaculate's usual nighttime visions... well, that might be a little awkward to explain. "How is that going to help us save people from the Baku?"
"I appreciate this, Brother Mist." Gale smiles to the Immaculate, and begins to explain. "Well, I'm hoping this can be used to enter the Dream Realm, in case we need to assault the creature from both sides. After the way the trapped souls may have been suffering, they could use some support on that end when we confront the Baku. We know it can move between realms easily, something we can't do. But if I could use this spell to whip up a dream, it might empower those facing the creature on that side. Does that make sense?"
He quietly lights the incense burner, letting the smoke begin to trickle out. It'll take some time to start up, after all. "As it is, I'll tell Gwen what I'm going to have you dream about, and then weave the dream while you sleep. When you wake up, you tell me what you were dreaming about. If it matches what I sent you, the spell is successful!"
Setting aside the scroll on one of the tables, Gwen scoops a stack of texts off one of the benchs, making a more or less suitable place for Ashen to take a brief nap. It'll hardly be comfortable, but that much can't be helped. Stooping to place them on the floor, the genasi gestures at the bench. "Here, Mr. Ashen."
"Yes, judging from Mr. Parker's interference recently, it appears as if those trapped in their dreams are not entirely, ah, imprisoned. It may be helpful if we could speak to them in some manner; among other things, more information in regards to the Dream Realm and the baku may be useful," she observes, most of her attention on White Gale's preparations. The small sachet is turned over and over in one hand as the Guvner focuses on the Immaculate. "If you are ready and willing, we may begin? Ah, additionally, Mr. Gale, this sleeping spell will last about six minutes."
Well, Ashen has slept in less comfortable places than on top of a table. It comes part and parcel with his day job. The Immaculate monk gives up his search for a chair and sits on the edge of the desk, glancing between the two magicians for a moment before reclining. "Honestly, it doesn't make a bit of sense to me, but I'm used to that from sorcerers," he says with a wry smile on his face. If only White Gale knew what some of the magic-using Dynasts were like. Perhaps the unadopted 'Outcaste' is better off not knowing, though. "Go right ahead," he tells Gwen when she asks for permission to put him to sleep.
"Six minutes, eh? Well, the spell takes about ten minutes to weave," Gale explains, "so I'm gonna start it a little early here while you fall asleep, Brother Fals. Again, thanks for volunteering for this." There's a genuine little smile from the 'Outcaste.' Ashen Mist is trustworthy. It's not his fault Gale can never fully relax around an Immaculate. How would he know?
Nodding to the Factotum, he kneels next to the lotus incense, closing his eyes. The incense floats between the two mirrors as he starts chanting softly under his breath. First, however, he whispers something to Gwen, so she'll know what dream he's sending the Immaculate.
The lotus incense smells intoxicatingly sweet.
Ashen tilts his head up and gives Gale an odd look. "It's the least I can do to help, but... who is Brother Fals?"
Gale blinks. "Oh, I'm sorry! The incense made me a touch sleepy myself!" He looks embarassed, blushing. "I knew an Immaculate named Brother Fals once. You just reminded me of him. My apologies, Brother Mist!"
An expression of deep abiding pity crosses Gwen's face. Such a shame, that he doesn't seem to understand the finer points of the arcane. Oh well, perhaps everyone has their place and specialties. "Please relax," the wizard says then, smiling in what she hopes is a comforting manner. The sachet is torn open as she begins to intone a few unintelligable words. With a gesture, she scatters the contents of the sachet--rose petals--across the monk's body; Ashen will suddenly find an unnatural fogginess about his mind as he's dragged down by the spell into slumber.
The smell of the insense is indeed intoxicating; Gwen steps back from the lab bench a moment, waving a hand under her nose. She's more than able to fight off the effects, but she can't completely push away the slight almost dizzying effect it has.
"Ah, I see," Ashen says. "I shouldn't be so surprised, it would be weirder if you hadn't come across an itenerant monk at some point. I'll be sure to give him your regards if I ever see him."
The combination of the incense and the sleep spell quickly ushers the Immaculate into unconsciousness, although he does his best to resist the effect for as long as possible to give Gale a few extra moments to get his spell prepared.
Soon enough, he is in a dreamless sleep. Whether or not it will remain dreamless for very long depends upon what Gale does next.
As Gale casts the spell, he can't help but think back. What would Fals think of him now, especially if he knew the truth?
No need to think about it right now. He speaks five ancient words, making a mudra with his hands, and then starting to weave the incense into an image. It seems to form that of a tree with long, spiraling branches before the smoke drifts to the sleeping Ashen, who should start to dream, if the spell is working right!
He'll see himself at the foot of an absolutely enormous fruit tree. The tree is in bloom, with great blossoms and drifting petals the size of a shield. It's a peaceful dream.
Of course the wizard's focus, once Ashen's fallen asleep, is on Gale, watching with decided interest the gestures he makes. Briefly, Gwen considers analyzing the spell as the image forms before the sorceror, but sets the momentary pique of curiosity aside. Any actions on her part could distact him. Thus, as the smole drifts across the Immaculate, she relegates herself to an observational role, watching for either any outward sign of the spell, or for any problems that might arise.
A great tree... this is definitely an unfamiliar vision to Mist, whose usual nighttime visions consist either of maddening cruelties or blinding light. A peaceful dream is a welcome one.
As his eyes become used to the dimness of the great tree's shadow, he takes a few steps forward and gently places a hand on its trunk. Is the tree really so large, or is the priest just very, very small?
The tree reminds him of his youth, playing with his cousins at his family's manse-household, competing in everything from mock swordfights to climbing trees. They were barely ten years old, and only a couple of his playmates had Exalted already and been whisked away for more rigorous training. He was jealous of those two at the time, but never thought too hard about it. After all, it was only a matter of time before he would be Exalted by the Dragon of Air...
Gale continues whispering, weaving the spell. The tree is massive, and quite beautiful; there's no grass or rocks around to act as a point of comparison. In fact, it's a rather simplistic and basic dream, but still peaceful and relaxing.
Over time, he slows the flow of smoke, completing the transference of the dream before he blows out the incense. "Now," he whispers to Factotum, "we'll ask him what he dreamed about when he wakes up..."
Gwen nods, still watching Ashen sleep. Soon, the spell's effects will fade, and he'll awaken from the magical sleep on his own.
Ashen Mist places his other palm upon the tree, feeling its surface thoughtfully. He moves his hands across its surface, eventually finding a pit in the bark strong enough to dig his fingers into. Perhaps his memories are getting the better of him, as he feels an overwhelming compulsion to climb the great tree before him.
It's strange. He hasn't thought about his childhood since... well, since before his Exaltation. Once he was chosen by the gods, he became an entirely new person; there was no place for the boy he had once been in his new worldview. This dream is giving him a unique opportunity to reminisce...
...until light begins to peek through the leaves and blossoms, anyway. As Ashen climbs, the light grows brighter and brighter, eventualy filling his vision. He shields his eyes with one hand, trying to blink away the light-induced blindness. When sight returns to him, he's on his back in the magic laboratory once again, the sleep spell having worn off.
"Blurgh," mumbles the Immaculate.
Gale shakes his head as he stands, the smoke having made him a touch lightheaded. He sways back and forth briefly, as if slightly tipsy, but seems to be keeping himself together. "...Thanks, Brother Mist. The spell's been cast. Gwen, did you see what I did there? What I'm thinking is that if the spell works right, someone can weave a dream in which bindings are cast or purification spells are invoked. If you think you can do that, Factotum..."
He blinks. Stupid smoke. "Oh, oh, that's right. What did you dream about?" With his hair slightly disheveled and his glasses still a touch crooked, he doesn't exactly look like the lofty, self-absorbed wizards of House Ledaal.
Gwen coughs into a hand, the smell and the smoke a touch thick in the air. "Ah, Mr. Ashen," she murmurs, fanning a hand through the air between herself and the man, "I trust you are as well as before?" She doesn't expect an ill report, but perhaps it's best of be careful.
There's a sudden light to the wizard's eyes, as she nods at Gale's words. "That would--yes, I see, I suppose one could send the spells within the dream. ...I wonder if it would be possible to even deliver the effects of ward-breaking spells, and thus release the sleepers," she goes on to muse aloud. "I suppose it depends on whether the baku is in fact relying upon an ethereal form, or not... ahh, I wonder, what it would resemble on the ethereal plane..." It very likely might not make much sense to either of the two men.
She turns, retrieving her notebook from its perch on the pile of books, and begins to hurriedly jot down some notes.
Ashen returns to full consciousness extremely quickly, sitting up and swinging his legs off the desk. "I'm fine, Factotum, thank you for your concern." He gives the genasi a warm smile, then turns to Gale. "Was it a tree? It was a really big tree. The petals on its flowers had to have been... about half the size of this desk, I think." He pats the desk he's sitting on for emphasis, then stands up. He doesn't mention his memories-- there's no way that could have been Gale's doing. Besides, the kid can't be older than sixteen, he's way too young to have known Ashen as a child.
"I wonder... do you think we could send dreams to the people in comas?" the monk asks thoughtfully. "Or maybe just draw them into ours. Since Simon was able to come into our dreams to send him messages, maybe we could send messages back to him by making a dream that draws his attention."
"-Ah!" Gale lights up, smiling. "That's the right dream! A great tree, with flowers. Your mind might have filled in other details, but the basic framework was my creation. So it did work well!"
He pauses for a moment. "But remember, Factotum, we shouldn't rely on this spell. Remember, I'm also at risk of being targeted by the Baku, and if I can't be saved, I won't be able to help you in the final battle anymore than the other dreamers. But if what you say about the lucid dreaming is true, it's at least a key..."
He pauses. "Wait, you said Simon talked to you? How is he? I'm a little worried about him..."
Gwen considers this. "Yes, that's true. There is a slim chance I may be able to work with the framework of your spell, but..." The diviner frowns, shaking her head. "Even beyond the difficulties of reworking your world's magic, dream-related magic is, ah... more akin to the illusion school. I cannot use spells of that type. To specialize in a particular school, where I hail from, means that a sacrifice must be made of another."
"Likewise, I suppose I am also at risk," Gwen goes on to muse aloud, "Thankfully, I have made arrangements that in the event that I fall comatose, one of my colleagues in the Fraternity of Order will fill my role in regards to the binding of the baku." Vaguely, she adds, "There was a report, about Mr. Parker..."
"He's doing fine, for a guy who can't wake up from a nightmare," Ashen answers. "He's got some self-awareness in the nightmare, since he's a lucid dreamer. That's how he said he got into my dreams, although I'm not sure what it means that he was able to jump from the Baku's dream into mine." The Immaculate doesn't look very bothered by that thought since Hijikata got invaded by Simon as well, so it's probably just coincidence and not something more sinister.
He waves his hand vaguely at Gwen. "The report I wrote is really stuffy. The short version is that he's doing what he can on the inside while we work on the outside. Any help we can give him will be good, though."
"-Oh." Gale looks embarassed, adjusting his glasses. He's usually so good about analyzing reports. "I'm sorry about that. But even if the spell doesn't prove to be useful against the baku, it might be used at another time. I'm glad I was able to get you both to help me out. It means a lot, and I hope it'll at least help your research, Factotum..."
He relaxes a bit, surprised both at seeing Gwen light up like the (magical) scientist she is, and Ashen's genuinely relaxed manner. "Well, I'm glad he's okay. We'll keep everyone else safe, too, from that thing, and get our agents back as soon as possible. Right?"
"Yes, a spell like that could prove useful, particularly in regards to those who research the dreamstate, or for those having recurring nightmares," Gwen agrees, letting Gale's error slide. He's normally good at keeping up-to-date on reports; this is surely a one time mistake and not something that she needs to correct.
"It was a relief to know that Mr. Parker was well, despite his current condition," the Guvner says, before smiling encouragingly at Gale. "With all the resources the IPA possesses, I am certain that we will be able to, once the baku is detained, restore our colleagues."
Ashen can be a very friendly person! He usually is, in fact, he just gets very focused when there's a goal to achieve. "Absolutely right. With everything the IPA has at their disposal, I'm sure we'll be able to reattach everyone's souls to their bodies. The next time the Baku shows up, it'll be in for a nasty surprise." Assuming the paperwork goes through, anyway. Dragonsdamned bureaucracy.
Where: A laboratory in IPA HQ
When: December 8, 2008
What: Ashen Mist volunteers to be the guinnea pig for White Gale's dream manipulation experiments, and the two magicians talk shop about sealing the Baku.
Watch For: White Gale zoning out during his own spells, Ashen Mist's childhood.
There are a great many arcane laboratories within the walls of the IPA headquarters, of varying size and quality. This one is one of the smaller ones, and judging from array of glass apparati and chemical mixtures, normally serves as either an alchemist's or potions lab.
Still, sufficient space has been cleared on the workbenches to make room for the piles of arcane texts, one or two of which are open to pages covered in diagrams and obscure sigils. Nearly laid out in the middle of this organized chaos are a set of two recently transcribed scrolls, and a third, rolled up and sealed with wax. The first two, even to a casual observer, might seem rather similar to each other.
Gwen herself stands, hunched over the table as she scrawls something into a notebook.
Ashen Mist had volunteered to try out any dream-traveling spells that the IPA sorcerers came up with in order to do his part in preventing any further loss of soul. His sense of obligation became even stronger when he learned that Lera had been attacked (although the fact that she lived through the attack made him rather proud; the Dragon-Blooded truly are impressive examples of demigodhood, to live through attempts to steal their souls).
When Gwen called him to one of the laboratories, presumably to test one of the spells that was being worked on, he responded immediately. The man shows up in the labs without his coat, revealing much more clearly the red tunic and pants he wears beneath the black garment. He's also a bit on the bald side, having reshaven his head for a formal event a week ago. "Hello, Factotum Meynolt," the Fire Aspect says as he enters, taking care not to bump into any of the desks and their piles of paperwork and strange, potentially-explosive potions. Unknown potions are always bad news.
"Hello, Factotum." Gale stands at the doorway after Ashen arrives, walking in and trying his darndest not to be nervous around the Immaculate Monk looking all, well, Immaculate. He has nothing to fear from Ashen Mist, right? He presents the identity of an Outcaste Air-Aspect who has been on his best behavior, after all, and only bears a faint, passing resemblance to the 'slain' Frozen Heart. He bows to the Factotum and the monk in turn, reaching into his bag.
He pulls out a pair of round mirrors and a small incense burner. "Thank you all for agreeing to help with this experiment..."
Gwen straightens, finishing up a line of her notes, before setting the notebook, still open, on top of a stack of tomes. The ink's still wet. "Ah, Mr. Ashen, Mr. Gale," the Factotum murmurs, turning to face the pair. Her gaze lingers briefly on the Immaculate; he had had hair when she had rescued him. Whether this is a new fashion statement on his part, or the aftermath of an accident, she can't say. Gwen isn't well-versed in Creation, much to her dismay.
"No, I'm rather glad to be able to lend my aid, Mr. Gale. Dream sending, wasn't it?" The genasi turns, picking up the sealed scroll from the table. "Furthermore, I have procured a scroll of a spell that may also help bind the creature; it only carries a slight risk of a mishap at my current level of skill." She smiles as she says that--apparently that's a /good/ thing?
Gwen briefly looks back over her pile of research materials, and the state of the laboratory, before looking back at Gale. "Ah, so, how shall we set this up...?" She might have to make some more room.
If Mist noticed Gale's nervousness, he isn't letting the other Exalt know it. "Oh, that reminds me," he says to Gwen. "I've put in a request for magical manacles from the Order. With any luck, I should get clearance before the Baku does too much more damage." A look of vague annoyance crosses the Immaculate's face. Friggin' bureaucracy, it never moves when you really need it to.
"I guess you've made a lot of progress, Nigele?" the monk continues as he looks over to White Gale and the incence burner. He must have, if he's going to be doing experiments now. I mean, you'd need to be pretty selfish to run completely untested experiments on living people. Right?
"Oh, yes. I should be able to at least safely cast a practice run of the spell," White Gale asserts calmly as he starts measuring a sweet-smelling powder into the incense burner. "It's a safe spell, either way-at worst, it doesn't work and no dream occurs. Well, it requires the target to be asleep. From there, I use the incense and mirrors to weave smoke together, and create a carefully-woven dream to send to the recipient."
He dusts himself off. "So the idea is, I send a specific dream to one of you, about something readily identifiable but safe and harmless, and then we'll know if it worked. Right?"
Briefly pausing to push her glasses up her nose, Gwen nods. "Wonderful, wonderful. The weakness inherent in the spells I have that will bind the baku, as you may know, are that they require the creature to already be more or less still." She ahems, adding, "At least, for my own self to apply them to the creature in question. I am not... particularly quick on my feet."
Hmm. Gwen's gaze is fixed for a moment on the incense burner, one salt-encrusted hand on her chin. Nodding again, at Gale's explanation, she murmurs, "Hmm, asleep..." Slowly, her eyes travel over to the Immaculate. "Mr. Ashen..." the wizard begins, pausing a moment to retrieve a small sachet from a pocket, "Would you mind being the, ah, recipient of this dream? I have a spell ready that will send you harmlessly to sleep."
It's pure coincidence, really; the diviner normally memorizes that spell as an easy nonviolent method of neutralizing aggressors.
"I don't mind, Factotum," Ashen says to Gwen, looking for a chair that isn't covered with paperwork to sit down in. Darn magi and their diagrams everywhere. "You said you'll be sending a dream, Nigele? Does that mean you'll just ask me when I wake up if it worked, or do you have some other spell to see what I'm dreaming of?" He trusts Gale not to do anything untoward, seeing as he appears to be a perfectly honorable Dragon-Blooded, but if the sent dream doesn't work properly and he gets a glimpse of the Immaculate's usual nighttime visions... well, that might be a little awkward to explain. "How is that going to help us save people from the Baku?"
"I appreciate this, Brother Mist." Gale smiles to the Immaculate, and begins to explain. "Well, I'm hoping this can be used to enter the Dream Realm, in case we need to assault the creature from both sides. After the way the trapped souls may have been suffering, they could use some support on that end when we confront the Baku. We know it can move between realms easily, something we can't do. But if I could use this spell to whip up a dream, it might empower those facing the creature on that side. Does that make sense?"
He quietly lights the incense burner, letting the smoke begin to trickle out. It'll take some time to start up, after all. "As it is, I'll tell Gwen what I'm going to have you dream about, and then weave the dream while you sleep. When you wake up, you tell me what you were dreaming about. If it matches what I sent you, the spell is successful!"
Setting aside the scroll on one of the tables, Gwen scoops a stack of texts off one of the benchs, making a more or less suitable place for Ashen to take a brief nap. It'll hardly be comfortable, but that much can't be helped. Stooping to place them on the floor, the genasi gestures at the bench. "Here, Mr. Ashen."
"Yes, judging from Mr. Parker's interference recently, it appears as if those trapped in their dreams are not entirely, ah, imprisoned. It may be helpful if we could speak to them in some manner; among other things, more information in regards to the Dream Realm and the baku may be useful," she observes, most of her attention on White Gale's preparations. The small sachet is turned over and over in one hand as the Guvner focuses on the Immaculate. "If you are ready and willing, we may begin? Ah, additionally, Mr. Gale, this sleeping spell will last about six minutes."
Well, Ashen has slept in less comfortable places than on top of a table. It comes part and parcel with his day job. The Immaculate monk gives up his search for a chair and sits on the edge of the desk, glancing between the two magicians for a moment before reclining. "Honestly, it doesn't make a bit of sense to me, but I'm used to that from sorcerers," he says with a wry smile on his face. If only White Gale knew what some of the magic-using Dynasts were like. Perhaps the unadopted 'Outcaste' is better off not knowing, though. "Go right ahead," he tells Gwen when she asks for permission to put him to sleep.
"Six minutes, eh? Well, the spell takes about ten minutes to weave," Gale explains, "so I'm gonna start it a little early here while you fall asleep, Brother Fals. Again, thanks for volunteering for this." There's a genuine little smile from the 'Outcaste.' Ashen Mist is trustworthy. It's not his fault Gale can never fully relax around an Immaculate. How would he know?
Nodding to the Factotum, he kneels next to the lotus incense, closing his eyes. The incense floats between the two mirrors as he starts chanting softly under his breath. First, however, he whispers something to Gwen, so she'll know what dream he's sending the Immaculate.
The lotus incense smells intoxicatingly sweet.
Ashen tilts his head up and gives Gale an odd look. "It's the least I can do to help, but... who is Brother Fals?"
Gale blinks. "Oh, I'm sorry! The incense made me a touch sleepy myself!" He looks embarassed, blushing. "I knew an Immaculate named Brother Fals once. You just reminded me of him. My apologies, Brother Mist!"
An expression of deep abiding pity crosses Gwen's face. Such a shame, that he doesn't seem to understand the finer points of the arcane. Oh well, perhaps everyone has their place and specialties. "Please relax," the wizard says then, smiling in what she hopes is a comforting manner. The sachet is torn open as she begins to intone a few unintelligable words. With a gesture, she scatters the contents of the sachet--rose petals--across the monk's body; Ashen will suddenly find an unnatural fogginess about his mind as he's dragged down by the spell into slumber.
The smell of the insense is indeed intoxicating; Gwen steps back from the lab bench a moment, waving a hand under her nose. She's more than able to fight off the effects, but she can't completely push away the slight almost dizzying effect it has.
"Ah, I see," Ashen says. "I shouldn't be so surprised, it would be weirder if you hadn't come across an itenerant monk at some point. I'll be sure to give him your regards if I ever see him."
The combination of the incense and the sleep spell quickly ushers the Immaculate into unconsciousness, although he does his best to resist the effect for as long as possible to give Gale a few extra moments to get his spell prepared.
Soon enough, he is in a dreamless sleep. Whether or not it will remain dreamless for very long depends upon what Gale does next.
As Gale casts the spell, he can't help but think back. What would Fals think of him now, especially if he knew the truth?
No need to think about it right now. He speaks five ancient words, making a mudra with his hands, and then starting to weave the incense into an image. It seems to form that of a tree with long, spiraling branches before the smoke drifts to the sleeping Ashen, who should start to dream, if the spell is working right!
He'll see himself at the foot of an absolutely enormous fruit tree. The tree is in bloom, with great blossoms and drifting petals the size of a shield. It's a peaceful dream.
Of course the wizard's focus, once Ashen's fallen asleep, is on Gale, watching with decided interest the gestures he makes. Briefly, Gwen considers analyzing the spell as the image forms before the sorceror, but sets the momentary pique of curiosity aside. Any actions on her part could distact him. Thus, as the smole drifts across the Immaculate, she relegates herself to an observational role, watching for either any outward sign of the spell, or for any problems that might arise.
A great tree... this is definitely an unfamiliar vision to Mist, whose usual nighttime visions consist either of maddening cruelties or blinding light. A peaceful dream is a welcome one.
As his eyes become used to the dimness of the great tree's shadow, he takes a few steps forward and gently places a hand on its trunk. Is the tree really so large, or is the priest just very, very small?
The tree reminds him of his youth, playing with his cousins at his family's manse-household, competing in everything from mock swordfights to climbing trees. They were barely ten years old, and only a couple of his playmates had Exalted already and been whisked away for more rigorous training. He was jealous of those two at the time, but never thought too hard about it. After all, it was only a matter of time before he would be Exalted by the Dragon of Air...
Gale continues whispering, weaving the spell. The tree is massive, and quite beautiful; there's no grass or rocks around to act as a point of comparison. In fact, it's a rather simplistic and basic dream, but still peaceful and relaxing.
Over time, he slows the flow of smoke, completing the transference of the dream before he blows out the incense. "Now," he whispers to Factotum, "we'll ask him what he dreamed about when he wakes up..."
Gwen nods, still watching Ashen sleep. Soon, the spell's effects will fade, and he'll awaken from the magical sleep on his own.
Ashen Mist places his other palm upon the tree, feeling its surface thoughtfully. He moves his hands across its surface, eventually finding a pit in the bark strong enough to dig his fingers into. Perhaps his memories are getting the better of him, as he feels an overwhelming compulsion to climb the great tree before him.
It's strange. He hasn't thought about his childhood since... well, since before his Exaltation. Once he was chosen by the gods, he became an entirely new person; there was no place for the boy he had once been in his new worldview. This dream is giving him a unique opportunity to reminisce...
...until light begins to peek through the leaves and blossoms, anyway. As Ashen climbs, the light grows brighter and brighter, eventualy filling his vision. He shields his eyes with one hand, trying to blink away the light-induced blindness. When sight returns to him, he's on his back in the magic laboratory once again, the sleep spell having worn off.
"Blurgh," mumbles the Immaculate.
Gale shakes his head as he stands, the smoke having made him a touch lightheaded. He sways back and forth briefly, as if slightly tipsy, but seems to be keeping himself together. "...Thanks, Brother Mist. The spell's been cast. Gwen, did you see what I did there? What I'm thinking is that if the spell works right, someone can weave a dream in which bindings are cast or purification spells are invoked. If you think you can do that, Factotum..."
He blinks. Stupid smoke. "Oh, oh, that's right. What did you dream about?" With his hair slightly disheveled and his glasses still a touch crooked, he doesn't exactly look like the lofty, self-absorbed wizards of House Ledaal.
Gwen coughs into a hand, the smell and the smoke a touch thick in the air. "Ah, Mr. Ashen," she murmurs, fanning a hand through the air between herself and the man, "I trust you are as well as before?" She doesn't expect an ill report, but perhaps it's best of be careful.
There's a sudden light to the wizard's eyes, as she nods at Gale's words. "That would--yes, I see, I suppose one could send the spells within the dream. ...I wonder if it would be possible to even deliver the effects of ward-breaking spells, and thus release the sleepers," she goes on to muse aloud. "I suppose it depends on whether the baku is in fact relying upon an ethereal form, or not... ahh, I wonder, what it would resemble on the ethereal plane..." It very likely might not make much sense to either of the two men.
She turns, retrieving her notebook from its perch on the pile of books, and begins to hurriedly jot down some notes.
Ashen returns to full consciousness extremely quickly, sitting up and swinging his legs off the desk. "I'm fine, Factotum, thank you for your concern." He gives the genasi a warm smile, then turns to Gale. "Was it a tree? It was a really big tree. The petals on its flowers had to have been... about half the size of this desk, I think." He pats the desk he's sitting on for emphasis, then stands up. He doesn't mention his memories-- there's no way that could have been Gale's doing. Besides, the kid can't be older than sixteen, he's way too young to have known Ashen as a child.
"I wonder... do you think we could send dreams to the people in comas?" the monk asks thoughtfully. "Or maybe just draw them into ours. Since Simon was able to come into our dreams to send him messages, maybe we could send messages back to him by making a dream that draws his attention."
"-Ah!" Gale lights up, smiling. "That's the right dream! A great tree, with flowers. Your mind might have filled in other details, but the basic framework was my creation. So it did work well!"
He pauses for a moment. "But remember, Factotum, we shouldn't rely on this spell. Remember, I'm also at risk of being targeted by the Baku, and if I can't be saved, I won't be able to help you in the final battle anymore than the other dreamers. But if what you say about the lucid dreaming is true, it's at least a key..."
He pauses. "Wait, you said Simon talked to you? How is he? I'm a little worried about him..."
Gwen considers this. "Yes, that's true. There is a slim chance I may be able to work with the framework of your spell, but..." The diviner frowns, shaking her head. "Even beyond the difficulties of reworking your world's magic, dream-related magic is, ah... more akin to the illusion school. I cannot use spells of that type. To specialize in a particular school, where I hail from, means that a sacrifice must be made of another."
"Likewise, I suppose I am also at risk," Gwen goes on to muse aloud, "Thankfully, I have made arrangements that in the event that I fall comatose, one of my colleagues in the Fraternity of Order will fill my role in regards to the binding of the baku." Vaguely, she adds, "There was a report, about Mr. Parker..."
"He's doing fine, for a guy who can't wake up from a nightmare," Ashen answers. "He's got some self-awareness in the nightmare, since he's a lucid dreamer. That's how he said he got into my dreams, although I'm not sure what it means that he was able to jump from the Baku's dream into mine." The Immaculate doesn't look very bothered by that thought since Hijikata got invaded by Simon as well, so it's probably just coincidence and not something more sinister.
He waves his hand vaguely at Gwen. "The report I wrote is really stuffy. The short version is that he's doing what he can on the inside while we work on the outside. Any help we can give him will be good, though."
"-Oh." Gale looks embarassed, adjusting his glasses. He's usually so good about analyzing reports. "I'm sorry about that. But even if the spell doesn't prove to be useful against the baku, it might be used at another time. I'm glad I was able to get you both to help me out. It means a lot, and I hope it'll at least help your research, Factotum..."
He relaxes a bit, surprised both at seeing Gwen light up like the (magical) scientist she is, and Ashen's genuinely relaxed manner. "Well, I'm glad he's okay. We'll keep everyone else safe, too, from that thing, and get our agents back as soon as possible. Right?"
"Yes, a spell like that could prove useful, particularly in regards to those who research the dreamstate, or for those having recurring nightmares," Gwen agrees, letting Gale's error slide. He's normally good at keeping up-to-date on reports; this is surely a one time mistake and not something that she needs to correct.
"It was a relief to know that Mr. Parker was well, despite his current condition," the Guvner says, before smiling encouragingly at Gale. "With all the resources the IPA possesses, I am certain that we will be able to, once the baku is detained, restore our colleagues."
Ashen can be a very friendly person! He usually is, in fact, he just gets very focused when there's a goal to achieve. "Absolutely right. With everything the IPA has at their disposal, I'm sure we'll be able to reattach everyone's souls to their bodies. The next time the Baku shows up, it'll be in for a nasty surprise." Assuming the paperwork goes through, anyway. Dragonsdamned bureaucracy.