This is My Island in the Sun [Open to All]

[applesaucemod]

The Rift wouldn't say it's sorry for the fit it threw the other day, because the Rift never needs to apologize. It is (mostly) perfect, and all of its decisions are well reasoned and just. Obviously. But perhaps it has fallen into a bit of a post-tantrum sulk, because this dream is milder than one might expect. In fact, it's downright nice.

The dreamers will find themselves in an archipelago of small islands - most only a few acres in size - connected by narrow strips of sand or pebbles. The surrounding waters are calm. Little waves lap against the shorelines, and no rising tide will cut the islands off from one another. The islands themselves seem to have been lifted from every climate zone on Earth and several from beyond. Some are tropical, some colder and home to hardy conifers, some mossy and boulder-strewn, some covered in multicolored sand and odd, coral-like trees.

Most of the islands boast some kind of manmade or otherwise non-native structure, be it as small as a bench or as large as a pavilion, though there are no houses or shops to be seen. It's more like parkland, just civilized enough for a nice picnic. Some of the islands even have little grills, and a sufficiently motivated dreamer might be able to rustle up some hot dog or burger fixings if they poke around a bit.

And they'll have an extra pair of eyes to help with their searching, because their beloved dæmons have returned… again. Or perhaps they're being introduced for the first time. Regardless, it's the bi-annual dæmon dream party!

Comments

[antitimelord]

Well if it's worth anything, Zagreus doesn't seem to care for it much either. "Stop that," he scolds the unicorn, like it's a housepet run slightly amok, like he's in any position to reprimand a large and angry equine that seems hell bent on squaring off with an equally offended monster. "Don't make me think in that language, I've earned better than that sort of torture. And I most certainly exist, same as you, even if I don't always put in the effort that I should. You're thinking of similes."

The chimaera, taking its cue from Zagreus' obvious disapproval of any metaphysical manifestation standoffs, takes a pointedly unconcerned seat. Every ostentatious set of eyes refuses to acknowledge the unicorn, though the serpent tale still watches surreptitiously; no dramatic posturing is worth getting skewered or trampled. Alecto addresses the TARDIS with resignation, something like real woe, "He knows he ought to. I can't really fault him for not, though."

[theoldgirl]

At his impudent scolding, the Unicorn jerks its head towards Zagreus and scrapes one massive front hoof across the sand, but remains silent and still otherwise. The TARDIS doesn't need any mental contact to know that it finds this encounter just as unsettling as she does, and not for the usual reasons. There is far too much appalling familiarity and... agreement occurring here, from him on the matter of her language and from the creature on her warning. She eyes it with mingled disgust and consideration, trying to decide whether to make the probably futile attempt at going on her way, or if this thing is actually likely to reveal something useful about him.

"Why not?," she settles on, addressing the head that spoke last with some contempt. "Is he incapable of listening even to his own corrupt reason?" Or whatever passes for reason in the repulsive chaos of his mind. The Unicorn mutters, "Paradox," as though it was judging the sticky mud beneath its hooves.

[antitimelord]

Zagreus eyes the unicorn warily at this development, but decides no evasion is necessary. He makes a tetchy sound in his throat at the beast's laconic judgment. Sure, be that way. It's not really wrong.

"We act along the lines we were made. You should know all about that," the thing offers in a lecturing tone. "Do you ever watch yourself do something, from the outside, and know exactly the mistake you're making even as you make it? And then do you ever do the opposite with just as much conviction?" And are you ever gifted with an externalised version of your interiormost self, just so you can tell it to shut up. "We aren't meant for strategy. Or for languishment. And yet. This universe abides." The speaking mouth changes with each choppy sentence, in frustration. It isn't like Zagreus doesn't have choices. Who cares if none of them meet his exacting specifications? Narrative requires what it requires. Zagreus looks like he's considering giving the animal a kick, if the showboat pony won't do it.

[theoldgirl]

Of course she is more than familiar with the requirements and limitations one's nature represents, but in her mind that's as much explanation as it is excuse. She of all creatures knows about overcoming the limits of one's purpose. He just doesn't want to try, he'd rather be destroyed. And the second half of the thing's lecture is utterly meaningless to her, more than that; it reeks of unreason and, as the Unicorn aptly noted, paradox. Her lip curls as though the stench was physical. If this is the sort of insight into Zagreus' psyche she's going to be given, she has no interest or use for it.

It's no surprise to hear he has been bored and directionless; she could tell as much from the sheer amount of trite drivel he's been sending her, but there is an urgency to the monster's frustration that makes her wonder. "He really has done nothing but languish, this entire time?" she asks, mostly to see if there isn't some new atrocity that requires her attention, or his punishment. She spares him only a brief glance, wary and unnerved by the fact that he hasn't tried to object to his creature's honesty so far, though he looks perfectly displeased.

The Unicorn chooses this moment to expel a heavy, hot breath of air and declares, "This universe quells," echoing the other manifestation's fierce frustration. With a disturbingly knowing tint to its neutral voice, it adds, "The Sickness lacks a pilot." And while the TARDIS knows that it's using narrow human words which equate to so much broader concepts in their shared mind, a pilot being direction and purpose and kinship, she still bristles violently at the too familiar term. He is nothing like a ship, nothing like her, and she turns an appalled look on the Unicorn, though no objection readily presents itself.

[antitimelord]

"He has set himself as a ruler of complete unreality. Not even that, a thug with a staked out corner," the chimaera laments. And truth be told, he patrols it only half heartedly and haphazardly, but the thing has at least enough sense to keep its complaints barebones. The only atrocities for her interest are old, ongoing bones to pick and gnaw.

"Now hold on a minute. You're mixing your metaphors," Zagreus contests the unicorn's appraisal hotly. "Just because you're a ship. To you, every hammer is a nail," that's not right, but it's close enough for a dream, where the metaphors are a bit harder to pin down. "Anyway, who asked you. I didn't come here to be interrogated by weaponised transportation. And stop talking to my chimaera," he hisses at the TARDIS. This is absurd. This isn't how it's meant to go.

[theoldgirl]

The Unicorn responds to Zagreus' protests by moodily snapping its impressive teeth his way, a gesture that could almost be mocking, sarcastic, if it wasn't just this side of sincerely threatening. Though it makes no move to actually step into his range.

Also, his vexation is enough to make this encounter worth the TARDIS' while, despite her manifestation's occasionally rather off-putting choice of words. She scornfully quirks an eyebrow at him to point out, "It doesn't seem to mind." So take it up with yourself. Or better yet, leave. Now there would be a novelty. The thing is probably glad someone is listening at all, she realizes; one of his weaknesses she has gotten a taste for exploiting lately.

Not that its reply made any immediate sense, what 'unreality' is it speaking of? It takes her a moment to parse, but if not linear reality, the only other plane here is the telepathic current. Which is a perfectly legitimate part of reality, in her opinion, though it doesn't adhere to most of the same rules, and he has hardly been ruling it. She turns her scorn to the more forthcoming monster. "I'm quite sure I would have noticed if he had achieved any sort of power over this plane. Is that all he has to show?" She's perfectly aware that his affinities would let him easily influence the structure of this plane in localized ways, and she doesn't doubt there have been unfortunates who've run afoul of that, but that is a far cry from being actually noticeable.

[antitimelord]

What an unusually salty unicorn. Zagreus looks scandalised, then mildly offended, makes a shooing gesture its way. Weaponised transportation is proving his point. All that power and it's still just a beast of burden, what a waste, though there are markets where that horn would fetch a pretty penny.

And who does the TARDIS think she is in all this. She's outright interrogating his chimaera now, like...like she has any right. And her overarching air of unimpressedness isn't helpful either. "Well I'm open to suggestions. Not that either of you has anything worthwhile to offer. And what about you? Aren't you in the same boat?" he asks pointedly. "Do I have to lead the horse to water as well as make it drink? It doesn't mind because it's probably the most reasonable creature present. A role I'm sure we're both sick of playing for you." What a long and pointless game he's selflessly playing.

[theoldgirl]

If his snide remarks are meant to rile, they're not doing a terribly good job of it, his presumption far too ridiculous to be taken seriously. "Don't talk to me about reason," she chides, sparing him another unimpressed look. "The universe in which you would be considered reasonable has yet to be discovered." Once again the Unicorn seems to be rather more offended, is less able or willing to school its aggravation and tension and stomps a front hoof, training its horn at his chest. The TARDIS glances at its overtly ruffled behavior but doesn't intervene, knowing it would not charge without being attacked first.

Besides, she's not done determining the extent of Zagreus' ineffectiveness. He tried to accuse her of the same, and as evidenced by the Unicorn it smarts on some level, but she's been useful enough and at least she has attempted to leave this universe. His manifestation's complaints make her wonder if he's done even that. "Have you not at least tried to escape?" she asks, mildly incredulous. And if he has, maybe some interesting details of his failure would be forthcoming.