Sweet dreams are made of ...

[infernal_rival]

Nisei is unconscious. He took four steps into a room he's never seen before, and sank to the ground, for no apparent reason. He's sleeping, but in his mind, he's re-living something in great detail.

Comments

LATE!!!!!!!!!!!

[beloved_by_all]

She was crying again

[beloved_by_all]

The only Soubi I've met here was a child. He still had his ears and everything.

[infernal_rival]

I see.

[Still had his ... there's a strange mental image.]

Well, I keep coming across a considerably older one.

[Thanks to his reflexes and healing abilities, he doesn't quite have the bruises to show for it, but - it's not what you'd call a sustainable situation.]

He seems to think I'm the reason you left him.

[It's sardonic, almost innocent. A playful euphemism for "he effing hates me, Seimei." And only a shade away from "Can I *please* have permission to make him die?" But that would be a waste.

What he really wants to know is how to interact for more than fifteen seconds without praying you'll have a change of heart, or making Soubi want to kill him. He realizes it's a lot to ask, but you put them in this situation. Maybe you know of some other way to resolve it.]

[beloved_by_all]

He lives, my apologies. But, he is right in part. Why would I need some second hand piece of trash when I have my own fighter. You may harm him, but leave him alive.

You're not match for him anyway. You're close but he'd slaughter you.

[infernal_rival]

... very well.

[You always had a knack for clarifying things, for Nisei. Soubi exists but I've chosen you - In a way, he's been longing to hear this, needing it so badly that he won't admit he does. He doesn't know Soubi well enough to care that you'd call him trash. But your former fighter might die on the spot if he heard you.

As for the other, why pick the weaker of two fighters? Is it because using a blank dishonors your name? Or is it that you think Nisei has the potential to be more than him? Ultimately, his focus sharpens.]

About that. I don't like traditional methods, but I'm willing to learn whatever you ask. I want to always be as strong as you need me to be.

[beloved_by_all]

[Short answer, yes. Especially a blank like Soubi. Disgusting.]

Then become stronger.

[infernal_rival]

[Have a feral smile.]

Alright.

[If there's a touch of but just for you, hmm? it's because you just cut through a mood of absolute sincerity. Nisei is inwardly amused when he can say exactly what's in his heart and it appears to go completely unnoticed.]

When you came in - did the room kidnap you? I didn't see you use the door.

[beloved_by_all]

I woke up here, I don't remember leaving our room. Perhaps it moved me itself, then.

[infernal_rival]

Apparently? How alarming.

[Nisei doesn't look remotely alarmed. But he is concerned at the possible drawbacks of involuntary teleportation.]

Was there anything off about what you saw, before you woke up?

[Since you seem to be taking on a you're my partner, I can trust you tone, he's letting himself settle into a more conversational attitude. He has a feeling that even if you decide not to tell him, you at least wouldn't resent that he asked. In a room that messes with perception, it could be particularly useful to compare notes.]

[beloved_by_all]

[Looks at him for a long while and then says]

I did have a dream and something about it was off, if that's what you're asking.

[infernal_rival]

Mm. If you want me to remember it, I'd be glad to listen.

Since this place seems to bend reality in odd ways, and I don't know how long we'll be detained, I'm thinking of keeping an unofficial record of what happens, and when. It has limits. It *has* to have limits. But I'm not sure what they are.

[As your fighter, the fact that the rooms can impose effects on you - without your consent and without his being able to do anything about it - is something that bothers him deeply. There may not be any way to control this, but if there is, he will find it.]

[beloved_by_all]

You wouldn't remember it.

[He gets to his feet]

And I've already started a journal. It's on the bookshelf in our room. Everything has limits, it's just a matter of getting there.

[infernal_rival]

As you wish.

[Nisei is not sure if you mean he wouldn't remember it, because he wasn't there when the memory took place, or you just think sharing your dream would be a waste of time. Either way, he's not going to argue.]

Perhaps we can compare notes at some point, then. As for finding its limits ... you're right, of course. But unless you have something in mind, I should probably be going.

[Also getting up. He's been trying doors and walls, and even climbed into the ceiling to see if he could get around that way - though the building put a stop to that within about fifteen feet. It's not a systematic approach by any means. But he has tried everything that's occurred to him so far, and he's getting bolder.]

[beloved_by_all]

Fine.

[He stares around at the walls]

Nisei, get us out of here.

[infernal_rival]

[Can't you see the ... but perhaps it's just that you haven't settled in enough to use the doorknobs.]

Ah. This way.

[Nisei crosses the room, opens the door, and glances out into the hall to see if anyone's coming. All clear in both directions. Since he's never seen the halls do anything devious, he expects it's safe to let you exit ahead of him.]