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?

Comments

[wildmage_daine]

Daine flops down onto the ground as well, glad to hear that someone else thinks he was being unreasonable. No, he didn't. And he asked me about myself before he started on about not trusting folk. He wanted to know if I was with Romac or the rebels, and when I told him I didn't think much of Romac, he went on about how both sides are equally sneaky or some such. She lets out a contemptuous huff.

[theoldgirl]

Now why would a dream god care about the power struggles of some human organizations in the waking plane?, she considers out loud, becoming more and more suspicious. This Morpheus is beginning to sound far more like someone simply using the telepathic current for his own gain, which kind of dashes her hopes that he could be responsible for it. But he might still have more information on it, and someone should really find out why he's using and manipulating this delicate linking of minds to spy on people. The TARDIS doesn't tend to get involved in most mundane affairs, but she doesn't like to stand by when intricate cosmic balances or phenomena are being abused.

Did he perhaps appear to not be a god at all, to you?

[wildmage_daine]

That's an excellent question - both of them, in fact. Daine stares at her paws for a few moments, thinking, and then raises her head sharply. He might not have been! I knew he wasn't one of my gods, and he might not have been a god at all. It's a distressing realization. I assumed he was, because I'd only ever been visited by gods in my dreams, before - back in my realm. I don't think you can share dreams back home without the Dream King's leave.

Things are different here, though, as she's learned. She feels a bit foolish for so easily trusting him now that she knows how common it is to share dreams with other mortals in this realm. More than that, though, she's angry that any old person could have been impersonating a god just so he could pry information from her. If this realm has any proper gods, she hopes take notice of his impertinence. She can't imagine any of the gods in her realm taking kindly to such bad behavior.

[theoldgirl]

More talk of gods, but the TARDIS wisely doesn't let on that she thinks those are not really gods either, just powerful beings or alien creatures using a form of technology Daine's people don't understand. It's magic all over again, but there is no point in arguing about definitions. And the matter of Morpheus is more important.

She nods at the girl's justified anger, letting her feel her agreement and sympathy for probably having been tricked. There are certainly beings with powers and qualities you would consider god-like for a lack of understanding or capability to grasp their natures, like myself. But in my experience, there are rather more of those who pretend to be gods for their personal gain. I intend to find out which category Morpheus belongs to.

[wildmage_daine]

Daine blinks in surprise as the TARDIS's words sink in. So you're not a goddess. She's not sure if she should be irked with the TARDIS for not saying so earlier, or with herself for assuming as much - especially now that she knows folk are willing to fake such things. Not that the TARDIS was faking; she never did say she was a goddess, to be fair.

Still. Daine lays her head on her paws with a grumble that conveys irritation and embarrassment. What are you, then?

[theoldgirl]

Aww, she hadn't meant to irritate the girl, or make her think she had the wrong idea about her. Kindly she explains, I would not call myself a goddess, no. I am not immortal, nor do I require anyone's belief to exist. But you are not the first to have thought of me as such. So no reason to be embarrassed.

I am a ship, she goes on, and can't help her wolf form taking on a proud bearing. I travel the stars as well as time. And because she knows Daine is justifiably more distrustful of strangers in her mind now, she gives another impression of the universe turning around them, of the magnificence of eternity and the beauty of galaxies. But then she deflates a little, pride turning to bitterness. Not here, though. I am stranded.

[wildmage_daine]

Daine feels a little less foolish, but she still resolves to stop assuming anyone is a god, at least while she's dreaming. It's too easy to be tricked here.

Still, she can't help lifting her head in astonishment as the universe spins around her, the images far more detailed than anything she's seen through a telescope. It doesn't feel like a mere illusion, more like the TARDIS is sharing her memories, and a little thrill runs through her. Is that what space looks like when you're in it? It's beautiful!

Then she senses the mood shift, and she can certainly sympathize. She lets out a low whine, then says, I'm sorry. I'm stuck here, too.

[theoldgirl]

The images aren't really how she sees the universe; she has to adjust them for Daine's limited comprehension. But the sense of exalted splendor and infinite wonder is certainly genuine. Exploring the universe will never stop being amazing to her.

It is beautiful, she agrees wholeheartedly despite her current sadness. I miss it. And she appreciates Daine's sympathy, even though the girl can hardly understand just how confined and crippled she is here.

At least she can offer her help, and being useful can do a lot to make her feel better. I have been told many people are. My pilot and I are working on finding a way to send everyone back where they belong. I will be happy to let you know when we have made progress. She tilts her head to the side, considering the girl. Where can we find you in the waking plane? She can always just contact Daine here, but it might take a while longer to wait until she's asleep while the TARDIS also happens to be here.

[wildmage_daine]

I'd like that, Daine says, tail wagging. She's not sure if she should mention the rebel base, but it's not as if she holes up in there all day. The dogs would need walking even if Daine liked being cooped up underground, which she doesn't (though it's preferable to skyscrapers). I'm in the park every day, and if you ask one of the People - animals, I mean - they can find me wherever I am.

The bit about a pilot catches her interest. Given that the TARDIS can clearly think for herself, Daine's a little surprised to hear that she has one. Who's your pilot? she asks curiously.

[theoldgirl]

The TARDIS gives a regretful whine at Daine's suggestion to find her with the help of animals. I cannot communicate with most animals; their minds are too small to cope with mine. It would likely kill them. Human minds are difficult enough to move around in without treading on anything. Unless the rift has been changing the local fauna as much as it's been changing the people who come through, but verifying that guess isn't really worth leaving a trail of dead or catatonic animals. I am situated in the park as well, though, so perhaps I will see you myself.

Oh but talking about her pilot is a great idea. The warmth and affections she feels for him are palpable when she speaks. My pilot calls himself the Doctor. Then there's another pang of sadness. He is from a different universe than me, but we make the best of it.

[wildmage_daine]

Daine, unaware of how much the TARDIS is holding back, suspects that her animal friends aren't being given enough credit. But if there is a risk of them dying because the TARDIS tried to speak with them, she'd rather not have her take it. What do you look like? Presuming you're not a wolf. Perhaps Daine could have the People keep an eye out for the TARDIS, too.

That name sounds terribly familiar. Daine thinks hard for a few moments, then perks up a little. She thinks she's met him - not in the real world, but in one of the dreams full of strangers. The one who looks like Andrew! From... Galli-whatsit?

[theoldgirl]

Her ears twitch in surprise at Daine having met both the Doctor and Andrew, and she nods her confirmation. Gallifrey, yes. Though causally speaking, Andrew looks like him.

As an afterthought, her wolf form shifts into a tall blue box with windows and a light on top, to answer Daine's question. It doesn't occur to her that it might be a little disturbing when the box continues to speak with her voice. This is my usual form. I landed in the forest by the lake. She gives the girl a moment to look at her, then changes into her humanoid appearance. "And this the avatar I use to communicate with people."

[wildmage_daine]

You know Andrew, too? Daine's unaware of any real connection between the Doctor and Andrew despite the close resemblance. I found him when he first got here - that's how I know him. The Doctor I met in a dream.

The box shape gives her a bit of a turn. She's traveled by ship before, to and from Carthak, so this wasn't what she was expecting. The human shape is all right, though- and it reminds Daine that she ought to introduce herself properly, too. She changes back to her human form. "This is what I look like, when I'm not in animal shape," she says with a shrug.

And given that the TARDIS has a human form, too... "You could talk to the animals in that shape, you know. If you told 'em you were looking for me, they'd probably understand you." They'd recognize her name, if nothing else, but she's been spending enough time in the park that she's probably beginning to rub off on them a bit, making them more clever than animals she's never met.

[theoldgirl]

So the Doctor knows about this shared dreaming too, good. She'll have to check his memories later to see if he has any more information on it and if he's planning to investigate it. Maybe he isn't aware of how extensive it is, or he simply prefers to focus on physical matters.

"I was there when Andrew was created," she answers Daine's question without going into detail, because that's a complicated story. And she rather doubts any animal would understand her if she tried talking to them, unaware that Daine's gift affects minds both ways. But voicing her doubt is less important than the girl's offhanded admission to being a shapeshifter.

"You change into animal forms in the waking plane as well?" She'd thought she was only dreaming herself a wolf because of her mind's connection to animal influences, and had stopped looking at her mind before she arrived at that information. So that's a surprise.

[wildmage_daine]

'Created'? Daine wants to ask if that means when he was born, or if he's more like James, but it feels too much like prying, so she clamps down on her curiosity. If Andrew wants her to know, he can tell her.

The questions about her wild magic are a welcome distraction. "Yes'm. I can take most animal shapes, just not immortals - like dragons and unicorns. But any normal animal shape is all right. I can also talk to them, and heal them if they're hurt or sick." She debates adding the bit about entering their minds, then decides she might as well. "I can sort of share their minds, too, if it's all right with them, but I don't do that much anymore. Once I learned how to shapeshift, it wasn't as needful."

[theoldgirl]

The TARDIS blinks a little in continued surprise, listening attentively. "I am familiar with several species capable of shapeshifting, but learning it is impossible, as far as I know. It is a quality inherent in one's physiology, or a change induced by some form of technology, not a skill." But the girl is obviously not lying, so she admits, "Your universe must be quite different from mine." She's not really ready to rethink her notions of gods and magic, though.

[wildmage_daine]

Daine frowns a little. "I s'pose I could have learned it earlier, if I'd had a teacher. I've had wild magic all my life, it's just that I've only been learning how to use it properly for a few years, now." She shrugs bit awkwardly, all too aware of how different her life might have been if she'd known about her magic growing up, instead of just thinking she had a knack with animals. No use dwelling on it, though.

"I think it must be," she agrees. No one in her universe can go traveling through time, far as she knows.

[theoldgirl]

Hmm, so maybe shapeshifting is a part of her physiology and she'd only learned to control it later on. But she's still mostly human, aside from those animal influences and something curiously compartmentalized in a way the TARDIS can't see it without intruding. It may be interesting to learn more about Daine, but that's not really relevant to the matter she's currently trying to solve, so she is content to settle for 'different universe' as an explanation.

"I should begin my search for Morpheus while it is still nighttime," she announces thoughtfully. "Thank you for your help. And I have to ask you not to mention my presence to anyone; if those organizations - Romac and the rebels - become aware of me, they will try to exploit my abilities."

[wildmage_daine]

"All right. Let me know if you find him." She has quite a few things she'd like to say to him.

She nods at the TARDIS's request. Not telling Romac should be easy enough, as Daine has no intention of speaking to anyone with that organization if she can help it. She's less certain that the rebels would try to take advantage, but she can't fault the TARDIS for wanting to stay out in the park. Daine might've done the same, if she hadn't been so overwhelmed when she arrived. Plus, she knows the importance of secrets. "I won't tell," she promises.