Curiouser and curiouser [open to multiple]

[theoldgirl]

The TARDIS doesn't sleep, and she certainly doesn't dream, except under very rare and usually adverse circumstances. But with the Doctor safely tucked away in one of her bedrooms, catching up on his sleep and comforting her by his presence alone, she does allow herself to relax enough to do something akin to dozing. Many of her systems power down to stand-by, she becomes less aware of her surroundings, and for a while she thinks nothing in particular.

To her surprise, she suddenly feels something tugging at her awareness, a telepathic current that, upon more conscious inspection, doesn't appear to be coming from anywhere. Curiosity piqued, she allows the current to draw her focus away, though not before making sure it can't affect her mind against her will. What is it going to show her?

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[wildmage_daine]

It's not unusual for Daine to hunt in her dreams, with or without the Pack. Tonight, she's alone, moving at a steady, mile-eating trot through a landscape that isn't quite Central Park and isn't quite Tortall (or even Galla). She's listening hard, waiting for one of the People to tell her where to find the rift, when there's a subtle change in the atmosphere.

Daine's not normally much for lucid dreaming, but her dreams here have turned into communal affairs often enough that she's beginning to recognize the sensation of someone-who-isn't-her popping in. She slows to a halt, looking around for the intruder and seeing no one.

Morpheus? she ventures uncertainly.

[theoldgirl]

It's not long before the TARDIS can tell where she's being led to - a human mind. Or rather, someone mostly human but not quite. She's even more intrigued now, especially since the unidentifiable current doesn't originate from the little thing at all, it obviously just happens to be caught up in the flow, presenting an obstacle and causing a small eddy like a rock in a stream. Still, she hesitates to be drawn into the mind properly; it's tiny and delicate like all human minds, difficult to navigate. She can read memories and emotions easily in most people, of course, and her translation circuit was made specifically to alter language perception, but making room for herself to interact with them is much more difficult. But then again, the current seems to be able to ease that process and she won't learn anything if she doesn't venture.

So she flows forward by increments, careful to keep most of her self well away as not to overwhelm the girl, and quickly realizes that it's a dreaming mind. Well, she's been in those before, sometimes even subtly steering them, so after observing for a moment and realizing with some surprise that she's been noticed, she decides to make herself known. The question arises of how to present herself - the police box, the humanoid girl, the person the dreamer is expecting, or something entirely different - but then she decides the polite thing would be to match her host. So a wolf appears in front of Daine, completely ordinary if it wasn't entirely white. Even here the TARDIS can't quite help "disguising" herself in a somewhat inconspicuous way. Old habits die hard.

You can call me the TARDIS, she tries to reply, focusing very hard to convey words rather than impressions, but it still comes out more like a howl and the thrill of adventure and the turn of the stars. She hasn't actually talked in anyone's mind before, and it's more difficult than she expected. She tries a second time, and now TARDIS carries clearly in the voice of a young girl the Doctor would have recognized as his granddaughter.

[[Gosh this tag got away from me but I love telepathic stuff so much aaaah sorry for overindulging. >.>]]

[wildmage_daine]

The initial surprise Daine feels at the wolf's appearance is soon replaced by a desperate hope. Could it be Old White, the wolf god? Little as she appreciates meddling deities, she's been cut off from her home for long enough, now, that a visit from any of her gods would be welcome. An animal god is better, still; he could get word to the Badger!

A howl rings out, and stars wheel overhead, all but convincing Daine that this has to be Old White. She drops into a submissive crouch, nerves humming. It's all she can do to not bound forward in enthusiastic greeting, but she doesn't want to irk him. Then he speaks... and it's not even a 'he,' it's the voice of a girl about her own age.

Not Old White, then.

Daine rises, her disappointment palpable, and stretches her head forward to try and catch the newcomer's scent. TARDIS? she repeats, baffled. Some sort of native goddess, perhaps?

[theoldgirl]

The TARDIS is still struggling to keep her presence small and comprehensible, but at the same time she can't help noticing the hope and disappointment her appearance caused. Oh, she didn't mean to do that, and expresses a sense of apology.

Yes, she tries, her voice wafting between youth and age, unable to quite settle on one clear sound. My name. That came out sounding close to one of the Doctor's voices, but she doesn't find that appropriate either. Give her a moment, she'll figure this out; she's nothing if not a fast learner.

Not native, like you, she replies to Daine's unspoken question, starting to settle on her humanoid form's voice, that of a young girl with a tone of quiet authority and age. Well, she's been worshiped as a goddess once or twice and rather liked it, and maybe a familiar concept will help the girl understand what she is, so she doesn't refute that part of her guess right now. I apologize for the confusion.

[wildmage_daine]

Daine sits, head cocked a little to one side, as the TARDIS finds her voice. It reminds her of Edgar's mind-voice, though none of the voices she's hearing now are familiar. The wavering between youth and age puts her in mind of the Threefold Goddess, though she'd've expected to only see one aspect, not a muddling.

Well, if she's come through the rift, too, Daine can't fault her for being a bit unsteady.

It's all right, Daine says in response to the apology, feeling that it's sincerely meant. It's not really all right, of course, but she doesn't blame the TARDIS for the misunderstanding - especially because Daine suspects that, like Morpheus, the TARDIS is only taking wolf shape to be polite. You're not normally a wolf, are you?

[theoldgirl]

At the mention of the wolf shape she remembers that oh yes, that's a thing she should be taking care of too, and actually starts to animate it a bit. She steps forward a few paces, inspecting the dreamscape more closely, and sits down in front of Daine. She can still feel the sadness in the air, but decides she can't really do more than apologize right now, hoping the girl will recover soon.

No, she confirms, But neither are you. Your mind is very interesting. This doesn't convey a threat, only friendly curiosity.

[wildmage_daine]

Daine blinks, not quite knowing how to respond to that. It sounds as if it's meant to be a compliment, but she can't bring herself to thank the TARDIS for poking around in her mind without permission. Not that Daine hasn't done plenty of poking around the minds of the People - she has - but she always asks, first. Nor is she thrilled to have caught a goddess's attention; the last time a goddess took an interest in her, Daine had wound up razing a palace. She doesn't fancy another round as someone's vessel.

Her mild indignation is tempered by the knowledge that she'd better be polite to the goddess, even if she isn't one of Daine's. Keeping her tone civil, she says, You should really ask folk before you go poking 'round their minds.

[theoldgirl]

There is a tangible sigh of exasperation like a breeze in the trees at that cautious admonition, but it carries no anger. So I keep being told. Really, what is everyone's problem with it? It's not like she's interested in their human secrets, or cares terribly much about their thoughts and emotions, as a general rule. And here, it happened without her even actually poking; Daine's mind is just laid out in front of her, woven into the dreamscape. But the girl's trepidation is obvious, and there's a taste of bad experiences with this sort of thing, so the TARDIS acquiesces.

I will do my best not to see what you do not wish me to see, she promises sincerely. And you have nothing to fear from me, I mean no harm. I simply have not seen a mind like yours before. And considering her age and experience, that's rather a special occasion.

[wildmage_daine]

At least Daine isn't the first to have mentioned it, from the sound of things. And the TARDIS's promise feels sincere. Daine relaxes a little, tail sweeping the ground in a slow wag.

That's probably because of the wild magic. Most folk don't have it, and I don't think anyone has as much as me. She's not proud, just stating the facts, as far as she knows them.



[OOC: She also has a wall in her mind that keeps her wild magic from getting tangled up with her sense of self, though she wouldn't think to mention it.]

[brink]

Topher doesn't dream either anymore, at least not without a conscious effort, so there's no dreamspace created around him, just blank awareness as he wanders from mind to mind, or simply rests within his own.

It shouldn't take the TARDIS too long to find him, appearing as he usually does in dreams, disguised as a ranger. The appearance has grown almost as familiar as his normal skin to him by now. If someone's looking for him within the Dreaming, he usually finds himself drawn to them. Easily avoided, but also easily followed, as he does now, allowing the TARDIS to meet him.

[theoldgirl]

Oh hello, here's a fleetingly familiar mind, and appearing almost as though it was waiting for her, how odd. The telepathic current's whims definitely continue to be intriguing, and she supposes she may as well let Topher know that she's found the Doctor, since he'd seemed genuinely sympathetic for her loss when they met.

So she connects with his mind, only using the barest edges of her own of course, made easier by her visit in another human's mind earlier. What she finds surprises her; the undefined awareness is unexpected, but the hooded figure even more so, clearly the man from Daine's memories. Morpheus? she asks, though it comes out sounding more like Displeasure and Admonition. In her surprise she forgets to project any sort of form for him to see.

[brink]

The mind that visits his feels strangely familiar, but not in a way he can pinpoint. The fact it gives no shape for him to communicate with, just a presence, that's certainly unusual. A powerful presence, too.

Being addressed as Morpheus is even more unexpected. He's only used that name with Daine, and this is definitely not Daine. But perhaps someone else is expecting the Lord of Dreams to wander by.

"I answer to that," he says, and changes his shape to look like himself. If this is someone very powerful, he knows better than to try to decieve them.

[theoldgirl]

She takes him displaying his true appearance as a sign that he realizes she's not in a good mood, and is mollified enough by that to project her humanoid form for him. If her displeasure wasn't clear before, it should be now by the way she glowers at him.

"Without any right to," she scolds. "Pretending to be a dream god to extract information from people who can't know better? I thought better of you." Granted, she doesn't actually know him well at all, but she liked him and it always upsets her when humans who managed to earn her sincere approval do something reprehensible.

[brink]

Oh, it's the TARDIS. A very angry TARDIS. He's not immediately sure exactly what she's angry about, but her scolding makes it clear, and he has the decency to look embarrassed and apologetic. It's been a while since anyone lectured him like this, and he can't help being reminded of Adelle - which is a bit painful in itself.

"It's not.. extracting information," he answers carefully. "It's not like anyone has to tell me anything. And I just go with expectations. She thought I was a dream god, and... I thought it sounded cool..." His voice kind of peters out timidly. He was never very good with confrontations.

[theoldgirl]

Hmph, well, the general air of guilt and apology helps to satisfy the TARDIS a little, though it's not quite clear whether he's actually repentant or just upset he got caught. Either way, her glower settles into a stern look and she restrains her feelings of displeasure somewhat. Admittedly she hadn't corrected Daine's unspoken assumption that she was a goddess either, but she never actively pretended to be anything she wasn't.

"She? You only tricked Daine?" That would also go in his favor; so far she'd assumed 'Morpheus' was lying to everyone he met. But it's still not right. "She was very upset when she realized she'd been fooled."

[brink]

"I didn't mean to trick her," he answers - not exactly upset he got caught (as it was never meant to be anything wrong in the first place) as upset he's being painted as being so devious. "I mean, I don't admit who I am to most people in here - there's a lot of people who could kick my ass, and I don't have anyone to look out for me in here, so I put on a disguise."

He's not being particularly attentive to which of his feelings are bleeding out into to the dreamspace, so she might notice he is genuinely scared about this possibility. Being the rift expert at Romac, with access to a lot of information, means there's a lot of people who'd like to get their hands on him for a variety of reasons. If he didn't think well of the TARDIS's intentions, he'd be pretty terrified now, but having her in his mind.

"But no, I don't usually pretend to be a dream god," he adds. "I got carried away. I wanted her to trust me, so I could make sure she was alright," he answers honestly. Admittedly it was not a great way to do that. He's not good with people, okay?

[theoldgirl]

The genuine fear accompanying his explanation surprises her enough to break her anger. And the apparently honest assertion that he'd had good intentions concerning Daine helps too, so that she stops projecting displeasure and considers him more calmly. Perhaps he did have better reasons for what he did than personal gain.

"Why do people want to harm you?" She asks softly. "And why do you visit other minds if it is dangerous for you?"

[has_a_horn]

Ever since Topher decided to invade his dreamspace, Gabriel's been a little more careful about what he decides to show to potential intruders, but he isn't really trying to keep anything out. What fun would that be?

When he gets the sense of something not-him nearby, he's sitting in a little cafe in Venice. It's around the year 1580, so the double chocolate mocha he's sipping from is definitely an anachronism, but hey, it's his dream.

Absurdly, the looks towards the door, expecting someone to walk in. "Topher?" He asks, though this really doesn't feel like Topher.

[theoldgirl]

The TARDIS is still trying to learn more about the Dreaming when she comes across a mind that is definitely not at all human. She actually gets a little bit excited at the prospect of communicating with someone who isn't so terribly limited, and enters his mind with all due politeness. Still, she holds back noticeably, partly because she doesn't know how much of her he could take, but mostly because it wouldn't be wise to give a potentially powerful stranger any actual access to her mind.

Noting the surroundings, she projects her form wearing period appropriate clothing (elegant and blue, naturally) and appears a respectful distance from his table. Topher really has been getting around, she thinks disapprovingly but keeps it to herself, instead shaking her head. "Surely Topher is not the only one to visit minds at night? I'm known as the TARDIS."

[has_a_horn]

He smiles up at her when she appears, liking that she had the foresight to blend in with his dream scape. A brief brush against her mind tells him that she's definitely not human, and definitely more powerful than anything Topher could manage, so there's no chance this is Topher trying to mess around with him. The dress really isn't Topher's color, anyway.

"Surely not," he answers, mimicking her tone. "Though I was hoping he'd stop by for another visit. Last time I put him in a speedo. He was not pleased, lemme tell you, but it was definitely worth it." He chuckles and pushes the chair across from him out with his foot. "Have a seat, the TARDIS."

[theoldgirl]

His admission that he'd upset Topher gives her pause, since she does still like the boy, but then she also thinks he probably deserved it and it wouldn't do to judge this new being prematurely, so she simply smiles mildly in return.

"Just 'TARDIS' is fine," she corrects him politely while sitting down, finally seeing why the Doctor sometimes gets tetchy having to do that all the time. She gives his mind a brief brush of her own, a sort of metaphysical handshake that also serves to gauge how powerful he might be. "And who are you?"

[has_a_horn]

To be fair, abrupt wardrobe changes are really the least of Gabriel's bag of tricks, and he's totally going to make it up to him. ...though the whole making it up to him thing probably won't run smoothly, if his first try was any indication.

"The name's Gabriel." He takes a sip of his drink, then leans back in his seat, letting himself examine the TARDIS. "What brings you to my humble noggin? I hope it's not the food. It's good, but the service here is terrible." Let's not analyze why a cafe in his head would have bad service. It's probably because this is more a memory than a construct, but you never know.

[theoldgirl]

Ah, so he's someone who likes to talk inanely, not something she does well with, especially when she can't easily read that person's mind. But that's fine, she'll just ignore the bits that don't seem particularly related to the conversation. "I have been investigating the telepathic current that is linking minds - mostly sleeping minds, as far as I can tell - and you are the first non-human I've encountered. So I thought it might be nice to say hello." And maybe share information, since someone like him surely knows a bit more about what's going on than most humans.

[has_a_horn]

"Hello." He wiggles his fingers at her, mock waving. Yeah, he's a biiit of a dick. Sorry 'bout that.

He is interested in what she has to say, though he'd like to know what she is first. "What kind of being can surf the telepathic current? I mean, sure, me, but you're something special, I can tell."

[theoldgirl]

Yeah well so is her pilot, and she's familiar with enough other people who, despite having an immature streak, are worth knowing. So as long as he doesn't do anything outright unpleasant, she'll have patience with him and simply raise an eyebrow at his silliness.

"I travel the tides of space and time, so a telepathic current is hardly a challenge." It's only good form to match her host's cavalier attitude, right? But she still wants this to be a pleasant conversation, so she explains more kindly, "I am a ship."