Between the Roots and Branches [Open to All]

[applesaucemod]

Don't worry, dreamers of Manhattan. There will be no humiliating episodes of sudden-onset-clumsiness tonight - at least, nothing more severe than what you might experience naturally. Your physical and mental faculties will be left perfectly intact. What a treat! And what luck, because if you do lose your footing, it's a long way down to the forest floor.

But hey, who wants to be on the boring old ground when there are so many wonderful treehouses to explore? There are dozens of them spread throughout the surrounding forest, connected by a series of bridges and catwalks (some, admittedly, a bit more stable than others). It's easy to forget - or fail to notice - that there really is no easy or conventional way down to the ground when you're surrounded by such splendor.

The houses' styles range from charming and rustic to modern and sleek, with many falling somewhere in between. There are viewing platforms for bird-watching or simply taking in the scenery (trees, mostly, though if you venture high enough, you'll be treated the sight of the forest canopy stretched across a valley far below). But the insides of the treehouses are comfortably furnished to varying degrees as well, so there's no need to immerse yourself in nature if you'd really rather not. Some are complete houses in their own right, with all the amenities of a Manhattan apartment and then some.

Go for a climb, or kick back and relax. The only enemies you'll find here are other dreamers... and, potentially, gravity.

Comments

[soft_robot]

"Yes, accurate. I am a personal healthcare companion, designed to heal the sick and injured" Baymax repeats.

"This is the first time I have dreamed."

[peacefulexplorer]

"That's - well, if you'll excuse me, that's fascinating," he says, quiet and wondering. "Dreaming is an odd reflex, innately emotional, usually indicating some level of, of, well. Emotional depth and intelligence." Which would make Baymax the first non-organic lifeform Daniel's personally encountered who's capable of such a feat.

"That's incredible," he breathes.

[powerdealer]

Huh. Does he treat PTSD? Or unrequited crushes? Because then that would be helpful.

"Not just now, thanks," he answers, tilting his head curiously at Baymax. "Um. Mind if I ask... what you are?" He looks like a robot, but given the strangeness of the aliens and creatures they get around here, he doesn't want to make assumptions. Besides, do robots even dream?

[biscuit_powered]

She's been to a demiplane inhabited by literal devils. Going to another planet isn't exactly easy, but no one has made an active attempt to kill her and/or bind her soul in an infernal contract, so all things told it's not as worrying as some past developments in her life.

"For a lot of reasons," she agrees, not volunteering any of those reasons. "But I'm going to find a way back. It's...it's important that I get home."

[stronglikebear]

"O...kay." Why? That's kind of a strong reaction to have to his own lighter (maybe he doesn't like people touching his things? Maybe he can't stand people touching him?), but Yuri's not going to force the thing on him. He awkwardly lowers his hand and slips the thing into his own pocket, not that he wants it. "Sorry."

He doesn't laugh at the explanation. It makes no sense to him because who doesn't like trees, but it's clearly, painfully the truth for whatever reason and Tim is obviously genuinely upset about it. The corners of Yuri's mouth pull down as he glances out the window. "I can see how that would be a problem right now," he says, but what can he do about it? Heights he could maybe help fix, at least a little (he hasn't found a way down yet but there are ways to go less high), but trees themselves? He can't get rid of that for Tim. "Is there, uh, like...something I can do to help?"

[peacefulexplorer]

He holds her gaze for a minute, incisive and fiercely sympathetic, before he nods slowly.

"I know." His stare falls away, breaking off to examine the array of woodland with apparent fascination. "If we ever figure out how to get home, well. Let's just say it's everyone's priority."

There's an almost imperceptible shift, something registering in his demeanor, when he glances back at her again, frowning. "Your name wouldn't happen to derive from 'Asmodeus,' would it?"

top-level, pssh no

[eliotwaugh]

Eliot's relieved to find himself in a forest that isn't full of magical fantasyland bullshit--it's far less likely the Beast would show up here, and it doesn't feel like his own dream anyway, this is one of those social events.

So he takes it easy, strolling along gently swaying walkways and enjoying the scenery. Eliot stops short, though, when he comes to a platform and spies Johnny looking out over the edge. He's more relaxed than Eliot's ever seen him before, and it makes Eliot hesitate before approaching. There's no guarantee Johnny wants company, and Eliot doesn't want to scare him off.

He walks up slowly. "Hey," he says in a low voice. "Nice view, isn't it?"

[postictal]

A high, shaky sound escapes him, too wild and uncertain for laughter. One hand stays fisted in his hair, tightening viciously.

"No," he mutters. "No, it's - a long story."

Why does this guy care? Why does anyone care? He's weird, stupid, antisocial Tim and no one ever cares.

He drops his hand and tries to affix some sense of normalcy to his frown, to the stabilizing shake of his head; maybe he'll just come across as some weird, intensely dendrophobic asshole instead of the freak that he is.

"You know how to wake up from these things?" Well, so much for that. The question cracks out too harshly, some bizarre mixture of anxiety and completely-uncalled-for hostility. He can't imagine what he looks like right now. Freak freak freak. Maybe that'll chase him away. That's good, right?

[biscuit_powered]

She doesn't want to face the fact that a lot of other people -- possibly powerful people, possibly all kinds of other people -- might have equally important reasons for wanting to get home and equally good skills at finding their way out of weird, seemingly life-ending situations. If she admits to herself that she's not the only one trying to get home and probably not the best person to even make the attempt, she's going to have to admit to herself that if it was going to happen someone with more skills than her would have already figured it out.

His question breaks her out of dark thoughts edging toward the truth, and she lets out a surprised, rueful little chuckle. "You know, you're the first person in this world to ask me that," she says, almost feeling oddly pleased if only because people not knowing who the gods (and devils) are is one more enormously alien aspect to this world. "Yes. It is." She levels an expectant look at him in return, some measure of suppressed amusement coming to her expression as she waits to see what he's going to make of it.

[apidae]

"Yeah." She smiles and drinks more of her juice. Awfully good, for a dream. "I mean it wasn't so hard for me. I think it's like an adventure. Brought to a new world, get to meet all sorts of people that I would never have met otherwise - and aliens and angels - it's pretty exciting."

[peacefulexplorer]

"...huh," he says, head going to one side. "I mean, that - granted, that has - quite a few associations in older literature, but, um, naturally those associations will vary between, between universes." He debates telling her that nearly all of those associations relate to the Devil, and sin, and then debates whether she would actually know what those references entail. The last rifty who hadn't originated from Earth hadn't had any idea who 'Satan' even was, let alone what he could do.

"Here it's not - necessarily a good association," he says delicately. "Which is fine, by the way, there's no way you could have known but - 'Asmodeus' usually pertains to a, a very powerful demon. In Earth literature." He winces. This is certainly a spectacular introduction he's making.

[etherthief]

Iman grimaces at the entirely obvious question. She doesn't want to tell Greta any more than she's already told, but this will also go much faster if they're both looking. And she has no desire to keep Greta in the dark.

"Rush," she says. She doesn't have to say why. "You remember him, I trust."

top levels are for weenies

[johnny_truant]

Johnny startles only slightly at the voice, nonthreatening and familiar. He looks over his shoulder and smiles up at Eliot. "Yeah," he says, turning back. "I've always been a city rat but it's kind of nice to get a break from it."

He hesitates, feeling a little pang of guilt and discomfort as he realizes they haven't seen each other since the thing with the suits. Ugh.

"You wanna sit?" he says casually.

[biscuit_powered]

The twitching of Asmodia's jaw as she listens to him stumble his way through telling her as delicately as possible that she's named after a demon might be mistaken for a tremor of distress at the point he's slowly circling. When he reassures her there's no way she could have known she can't quite contain a little choking sound.

And then, as he finishes, she finally gives in, unclenches her teeth, and bursts into laughter. "Your face!" she cackles. She indulges in her laughter for a few moments, having enjoyed briefly leaving him to twist in the wind, but eventually calms herself enough to explain. "It's not a good association where I come from, either. And he's a devil, not a demon -- he's an infernal prince, not an abyssal whatever."

[peacefulexplorer]

"I. You." He blinks rapidly, processing that very much not expected response. "Oh."

She's not taking the news the way he'd assume one would take the news that they are named after a (literal? are demons a thing here? you know, they just might be?) demon, but at least, well. It's a better reaction than the one he'd been imagining.

"I mean," he starts again, though the clouded frown over his face hasn't quite faded. "Just - as a word of warning? We have those here, too. Actual devils. Well, just the one, really. Satan, Lucifer, the Morningstar, etcetera and so forth." Hey, anything he can say that will keep anyone from making his mistake upon meeting the literal Devil - and not taunting him or outright challenging him - is a warning well worth divulging.

[powerdealer]

Well, that's an optimistic way to look at it. Of course, many people feel the same, but more as a single positive side to an otherwise unfortunate situation. Seth being one of them. He unintentionally tends to focus more on the unfortunate sides. Though to be fair, he wasn't quite as bad before his imprisonment. Seth already feels glad that Bee doesn't seem to have gone through anything like that. First impression says she definitely doesn't deserve it.

"Yeah, friend I've had the longest here's an angel," he answers. "Not all that close with any aliens. Space travellers, though, suppose that's something."

[andhiswife]

"Of course." There's a faint trace of wry amusement in her tone, both because there was little chance of forgetting the man and because, less charitably, she doesn't expect him to be such pleasant company as to be worth seeking out.

Then again, doesn't Rush work for ROMAC as well? Maybe this is the safest way Iman could get in touch with him. Greta rather doubts they can be tracked by ROMAC here, and even if Rush were to side with his employers against Iman, it's not as if he can capture her.

Seeing the sense of it, if not the true purpose, Greta nods. "Well, he can't be that hard to find. Last time we were both in a dream-Wood, he crashed right into me." Here's hoping that doesn't happen again. She suspects it would be even less enjoyable the second time around.

[soft_robot]

He could, in fact, download and analyze databases on mental illness and trauma, thereby offering the best and soundest advice. Should Seth express what it is that needs coping, Baymax will do his utmost to assist.

"I am a prototype in the fields of soft robotics, designed to heal the sick and injured."

[soft_robot]

"Thank you. I will have to commend Hiro on his improved programming," Baymax says, neutral face looking almost pleased. "I think he will be very proud."

[powerdealer]

And therein likes the problem - it takes a lot to get Seth to talk openly about his problems. He'd rather just stew in his own guilt and unhappiness. Because that totally helps, right?

"Huh," he answers. Alright, so definitely robot. Medical robot. That's handy, he supposes. "Anyone needed your help here yet? Anyone fallen out of trees or somesuch?"

[powerdealer]

Seth's slowly found his way to higher ground - or rather, higher platforms. It kind of seems like a bad idea to get to even more lethal heights, but as the lowest he could find still seemed pretty lethal, it probably doesn't matter. Might as well try to find a decent view, and the dream's been a lot nicer and safer than it initially gave the impression of being.

His immediate reaction upon spotting Johnny is a mix of pleasant surprise and nagging guilt. How long has it been since they've seen each other? Too long, it feels like, though that might be in part because it's been an eventful month. Seth's been busy with his own shit (mainly involving Daniel), and then Johnny left - which Seth can't help but feel somewhat responsible for, despite it probably not being justified.

Doesn't help that Johnny's not been particularly forthcoming, which makes sense considering he's going through shit, but still makes Seth (probably irrationally) worry that it's not just Gabe who blames Seth. But he can't very well just go around and worry on his own forever, especially when he stumbles right across Johnny. If nothing else, he wants to make sure Johnny's doing okay.

"Hey," he says finally, to catch his attention after several moments of quiet indecision.

[peacefulexplorer]

He can't contain the bemused smile that pulls on one side of his mouth. That was a definite note of happiness in its tone; emotional variation is certainly a part of its 'programming.'

"Well, you can also give him my thanks for giving you a good sense of air physics." The ground isn't very far off, and he's finding it easier to breathe now that it isn't quite so dizzying a drop. "That - could've gone pretty badly back there."

[soft_robot]

"I have assisted several people in taking leave of their places in the trees, a precarious position," Baymax affirms. Though there isn't much expression to his face or voice, there's a sense of contentment, as if he's done well.

"You are still not in need of assistance?"

[powerdealer]

Well hey, handy to have a beach ball of a robot to help out when you're stuck.

The question gives him pause, though. Honestly, he's the picture of health now. Well, physical health. Well, sort of. That's what a healing power will do, and thanks to Gabe he's no longer stuffing his body full of harmful opioids. Though granted, he's still not as good at taking care of his body as he should be, but that's not really something a medical robot can fix.

"Is something giving you the impression that I am?" he asks curiously.

[biscuit_powered]

It's not exactly news, is the thing, and if he was going to make assumptions and try to kill her he likely would have done something about it already. Her smile slowly dies as he speaks, though; his warning is getting through to her.

"I don't...I have not heard of that one," she says delicately, not immediately dismissing the earnest attempt to tell her about something dangerous. "Is he a major devil?"