Sweeter than the First Time [Open to All]

[applesaucemod]

Hello, dreamers of Manhattan. The Rift knows that things have been kind of rough, lately. The last dream didn't go as well as it had hoped. Consider this an apology of sorts, and a hearkening back to the good times you've shared.

It's a grand old (and potentially familiar) cabin house that the dreamers will find themselves wandering. The furniture is plentiful and comfortable, the floors are strewn with cushions and blankets, and there are cheerful fires burning in the grates. It seems a little odd that the house still manages to be on the chilly side despite looking so warm, yet it is.

Oh, well. You'll just have to find another dreamer or two and spoon up and fall asleep like little baby cats get cozy. It shouldn't be difficult; most of the dreamers (excepting those with strong telepathic defenses or deeply ingrained cuddle-averse personalities) will find themselves feeling friendlier than usual, along with an almost overwhelming desire to snuggle up to someone. How convenient that the house seems designed for that very purpose!

And if some of the cushions are Hello Kitty themed, well, that's just coincidence.


[OOC: Standard dream party rules apply. Characters will be affected by the dream-whammy to whatever degree makes the most sense for them, and will remember or forget the events of the dream at the player's discretion. Backtag into infinity.]

Comments

[all_the_gifts]

This is exciting. It's like Melanie gets to be the teacher! She nods, biting back a grin. "We might! I remembered Daniel after we met in a dream, and he and Aziraphale both remembered me."

… Of course, there's a rather big catch, and Melanie's smile fades into something less excited and more apologetic. "I probably can't see you, though - not when we're awake. It wouldn't be safe."

[boneshaker]

Daniel - is that the same Daniel who helped him on his first day? That would be something, wouldn't it? The other name, if it is a name, doesn't sound familiar, but all that curiosity is pushed aside when she goes on.

"What do you mean?" he asks innocently. "Why not?"

[all_the_gifts]

Melanie hesitates a moment, then lets out a soft sigh. Castor seems nice, and she doesn't want to frighten him, but lying to him wouldn't be fair. It's important that people understand the threat she might pose for them. "I'm not safe," she clarifies. "I might hurt you. I don't want to hurt anyone," she adds hurriedly, "but that's why I have to be very careful about who I see - and where." Being in the flat is best, though visiting with Bee on the roof is nice, too. There's no question of her venturing farther afield than that, though.

[boneshaker]

Castor tilts his head at her, confused and concerned. "What would make you hurt me?" he says. If she doesn't want to but she's afraid she might - there must be something that forces her. He doesn't like the way that sounds.

At least she seems safe in this dream, so he tentatively holds out a hand to her, inviting her to take it. There's couches and cushions everywhere, surely they can find someplace better to talk.

[all_the_gifts]

She doesn't want to go into the unpleasant details - not now, not here. She draws her lips into a wry pout as she considers how best to explain it without that. "I have something like an illness," she finally says. "And it can be very contagious. It… most of the people in my universe didn't survive." She's not proud of the liberties she's taking, but it's sort of true - especially if you don't count hungries as people. "I can live with it because I'm different, but most people couldn't."

She glances down at Castor's hand, then back up at his face. He might want to take back that unspoken offer. "It's okay if you don't want to talk to me," she says, trying not to look as if she's feeling sorry for herself. It would be better for him if he didn't get involved.

[boneshaker]

"Oh," he says, but he doesn't sound put off - only sympathetic. That sounds hard to bear, and not her fault at all. It disturbs him a little that she's acting like it's reason to keep away from her.

"I do want to talk to you," he says, and he's a little surprised at how true it is. "I mean, that doesn't scare me, if - if we're dreaming, then you can't hurt me. Right?" He keeps his hand open. "I think you should be able to do whatever you like when you're dreaming."

[all_the_gifts]

Melanie studies his expression. He looks like he really means it, not like he's just being polite. Biting back a relieved grin, she places her little hand in his. "Okay." Then, "I am safe here. I promise I won't hurt you."

[boneshaker]

He smiles and straightens back up, holding onto her hand. She feels a little chilly. "Are you cold?" he says. "Let's, um, let's find you some blankets."

Not exactly a tall order. Right over there, by this room's fireplace, there's a roomy armchair with several blankets draped over it. Castor's not much for getting so close and personal as others he's seen so far, but he's not about to leave a little girl cold and alone. She'd probably like the contact, wouldn't she? He can do this.

He leads her over to the chair, glancing down at her. "Is this okay?"

[all_the_gifts]

"I am, a little," she says, a statement of fact with no particular emotion attached (except, perhaps, the faint echo of the surprise she used to feel in response to others' concern for her comfort). She feels she ought to add, "It doesn't bother me much." She's been in colder dreams than this one before.

But while the chill might not be a bother, there's no denying that warmth would be nicer, and she offers him a shy smile when he points out the chair. "Yes. As long as it's okay with you," she adds diplomatically. Dream or not, she doesn't expect anyone to fully trust her.

[boneshaker]

"It's okay with me," he promises, and he sits, not sure what the correct procedure is here, if he should pick her up or let her climb up herself - it's not like she's incapable, she's not so small. And she's very good at talking to people. Better than he is.

He shifts over to make room next to him - he's tall but skinny enough that she'll have plenty of room - and starts arranging blankets. Already this is much better - warm and cozy. What an oddly uneventful dream - but so nice at the same time.

[all_the_gifts]

Well, then. Melanie's smile widens, and she clambers up beside him without hesitation. "You remind me a little of my teacher, Miss Justineau," she confides as she helps tuck the blankets around them. "And my friend, Bee." This is nice and cozy, and she leans against him with cautious pleasure, as if she half-expects it all to go wrong, somehow. But her box is so quiet it might as well be empty, and Castor doesn't seem to mind.

"Have you been in Manhattan long?" Maybe not, if he's new to these dreams.

[boneshaker]

"Oh," he says politely, not sure who either of those people are, but he senses the comparisons are kind. "Thank you." He'd like to tell her she reminds him of someone, but the only person he's ever properly known was Inoue, and Melanie is nothing like Inoue.

"I haven't," he confesses. "I'm still... getting used to the whole thing. I used to live by the ocean, in a lighthouse." Is that interesting? He doesn't think it's very interesting, especially not to a little girl, but it's all he knows to talk about.