The Fortress of Many Turnings [open]

[applesaucemod]

Welcome to Caerdroia. Though at first glance this world seems calm, even idyllic, closer inspection will reveal a startling lack of linearity. A doorway in one place can suddenly lead to another entirely, the locals going about their business seem totally unaware of your presence, and you may find reminders of home that are less than welcome -- and less than safe.

The countryside seems almost designed to set one at one's ease. Gentle, rolling hills overlook a town in the near distance, and herds of friendly cows cluster here and there (with unknown intent).

The Garden of Curiosities is a walled-off park. Inside, streams and paths wind through beautiful landscaping, and animals can be found on the loose everywhere. For the most part, these creatures are friendly (or at least indifferent) toward visitors, though their appearance might perturb. One might see an animal one has never encountered before, or one might find the garden inhabited by creatures from one's own world that are somehow changed, whether in size, color, or behavior. And, of course, one might find something rather more predatory has taken up residence….

The town hall never seems to be in the same place twice. Finding your way through the streets to any one particular building is an exercise in frustration, as the town seems to shift and change whenever part of it is out of your sight. The hall itself isn't much better once you get inside; stairwells have a habit of appearing on the ceiling, hallways turn into dead ends while your back is turned, and floors are liable to open up into fathomless pits.

The Labyrinth is where many journeys seem destined to end. The way out is, more often than not, the way in. Try to leave one part of Caerdroia, and the doorway might very well open into the labyrinth. And, like any good labyrinth, this one is home to a Minotaur. And, like any good Minotaur, this one would be more than happy to tear you to pieces.

[OOC: Once again, the shared dream is open to all characters, including those not currently in the game and those belonging to players who are not currently members. Once again, too, players are free to choose whether their characters see the dream for what it is, whether they are forced to abide by its rules, and whether they will remember this in the morning.]

Comments

[fucking_ebay]

Peter stumbles a step or two closer before he can dig in his heels, but dig in his heels he does. "I'm not going in there," he says seriously. "Fuck you, this doesn't have to be a nightmare."

[has_a_horn]

"It doesn't have to be a nightmare in there either. You know you're dreaming now." And really, Gabriel just wants to explore a bit more. Which is why he feints like he's going to acquiesce to Peter's wishes before shoving him bodily through the door.

Only, he should have anticipated Peter getting overexcited and going poof the minute he goes through. He follows through and looks around, but he doesn't see Peter anywhere. "Peter! Hello?"

[fucking_ebay]

There's only time for a strangled little sound before Peter loses control and disappears in a burst of flame. He reappears deep in the labyrinth, walls twisting away into darkness around him without any sign of a door. For a second or two there's just the sound of him breathing (hyperventilating, really), and then there's a burst of light and a fft! like the sound of a lighter as he does it again, this time semi-voluntarily. A long string of curses follows when he finds himself in another unidentifiable stretch of maze, no Gabriel and no exit in sight.

[theoldgirl]

The TARDIS can't tell the shape of a dream before she is in the middle of it; if she could, she'd have definitely shied away from this one like a spooked horse. So when she slips into the dreamscape, she isn't prepared for the onslaught of terrible memories, for how accurate and overwhelming the warped dimensions feel, for remembering how terrified she was without the Doctor in this horrible timeless universe, how desperate to get her message through to him, how scared of Rassilon.

The memory is so intense that she doesn't even manifest as a human, but in the shape and place she had been here - the blue box at the center of the maze. It's only when she feels someone bump into her that she's startled out of her moment of shock and quickly changes her appearance to look around and see who else had the misfortune of stepping into this dream.

[fucking_ebay]

Peter doesn't even realize he's bumped into anything other than one of the walls of the labyrinth until the blue surface disappears from under his hand and a figure that wasn't there a moment ago appears beside him. Mind instantly flashing to the minotaur (though if he took even a nanosecond, he'd realize she's much too short to be a minotaur), Peter wills himself as far away as he can get. There's another flash, and he reappears on her other side, his back to her. Looking around again, he soon realizes the error, spins to face her, and stumbles back a step. "Shit!"

[theoldgirl]

Peter's flashy teleportation startles her again and she flinches, but turning to look at him she already realizes who's stumbled into her. It's not a pleasant realization and her first instinct is to glare at him, a glowering look made more dangerous than it's meant to be by the diffuse lighting. "There is no need for insults," she admonishes him icily in lieu of a greeting.

However, having just moments ago experienced much the same terror she's seeing and sensing in him now, she feels just a tad sympathetic, adding a little less stridently, "And no need to be scared, this is only a dream." The reassurance isn't even entirely for his benefit alone. Besides, now that her and Gabriel are once again on good terms, and very good terms at that, she's grudgingly willing to muster a little patience for his friend. Though, are they even still friends? Gabriel's drunken rambling hadn't exactly been clear on that point. Or most points, for that matter.

[fucking_ebay]

"I know that!" If Peter sounds angry and strident, it's because he knows full well he shouldn't be afraid. Knowing it's just a dream and not being afraid of it, though, are two quite different things. And of course it had to be her, didn't it? Straightening when he realizes he's been poised to bolt, Peter gives the TARDIS a distrustful look. He opens his mouth to make some snide remark, but shuts it again, jaw tightening as he looks around at the darkness. Crazy pyromaniac bitch or not, she's the only person in here with him right now, and he finds himself just a little relieved not to be alone with the unknown.

"I can't get out of here," he informs her reluctantly. "I've tried."

[has_a_horn]

While Peter and the TARDIS are bumping into each other, Gabriel continues to search out Peter. If this were a physical maze rather than one in the dreaming, he would be able to find him immediately. As it is, it's difficult- and made more difficult by the odd dimensions here. He feels out for where Peter's mind is strongest and teleports in that direction. When he lands, it's not next to Peter.

He shouts out his name a few more times, hoping that he's landed somewhere close by.

[theoldgirl]

The human doesn't exactly make it easy for her to be patient with him, especially since the dream is still making her feel uncomfortably on edge herself. But she does manage to hold off on any scathing retorts to his completely uncalled for outburst until he addresses her in a more civil manner, and she only raises an eyebrow at his rudeness. "More capable people than you have tried and failed." That might be supposed to be a reassurance, if you squint. She wouldn't be surprised if the dream is twisting in on itself to such an extent that Peter couldn't even easily wake up if he tried, let alone find his way around the place.

She's just in the process of debating whether it would be acceptable to leave Peter to his own devices while she withdraws from the unpleasant memories and the disturbing dimensional warping, when one of the faraway, undefined minds she can feel here suddenly intensifies into the familiar presence of Gabriel. Immediately she reaches out for him, reflexively looking over her shoulder in his direction as though she's heard something.

[fucking_ebay]

"Yeah, well I'm not the one who thought it'd be a good idea to come in here," Peter grouses. He can't hear anything other than the very slight echo of their own voices, but it's obvious when the TARDIS picks up on something outside his range of hearing. Following her gaze -- and then turning to look quickly behind himself as well before following it again -- he makes an assumption. "Shit," he breathes. "Can you hear it?"

[has_a_horn]

The TARDIS' sudden contact with his mind is a pleasant surprise, as well as a convenient one. He responds by reaching out to her in return and starts working through the maze in her direction. If she hasn't already found Peter herself, then can work their way around to finding him when he reaches her.

That is, if she can stand being around Peter at all. Gabe and the TARDIS haven't really had a chance to talk about how him being friends with Peter works with them remaining on good terms.

[theoldgirl]

The TARDIS is too busy focusing on her contact with Gabriel to take much note of Peter's whining. The angel isn't far, she can tell with her knowledge of the actual labyrinth on Caerdroia, but the dream's warped quality prevents the connection from being more than tenuous, as though they were trying to reach across a great distance, not even enough to communicate telepathically.

It's not unlike the difficulties she had reaching the Doctor, and that's frustrating her to no end. She can hardly split Gabriel in three here to send him directions, after all. Luckily, given the fact that this is only a dream and not the real thing, and Gabriel's ability to receive psychic transmissions, that won't be necessary.

GABRIEL, FIND ME AT THE CENTER OF THE LABYRINTH, she thinks at him, attaching directions in the form of a mathematical equation whose variables change with the structure's current layout and often involves moving in the direction opposite of where one intends to go. She hasn't forgotten his objections regarding the intensity of her prayers, but at least that guarantees it'll reach him. What doesn't occur to her though is that he might not have a whole lot of experience with four-dimensional mathematics.

Belatedly and rather distractedly, she answers Peter's question without really listening to it. "It's Gabriel. I am leading him here." Then, finally, his words sink in and she turns back to look at him with a frown. "Hear what?"

[fucking_ebay]

Gabriel! Peter feels a rush of relief -- Gabriel can fix this. Then he feels a rush of annoyance, and tries to squash any positive feelings. This is Gabriel's fault in the first place, and Peter's hardly going to thank him for anything. He looks around again and tries to resist the urge to shuffle closer to the TARDIS, feeling ridiculous for even thinking about hiding behind seeking the assistance of this tiny woman.

"The minotaur!" he hisses, as if that should be obvious.

[has_a_horn]

"Agh!" Gabriel flinches as the TARDIS delivers her too-loud prayer. Just what I needed, he thinks, math at high volume. Still, okay, he can definitely figure this one out. He mastered every language on Earth. He can definitely manage four dimensional mathematics.

He pauses for a moment, thinks on the equation, then doubles back the way he came. He should be there in no time at all.

[theoldgirl]

Oh is that all Peter is worried about? The TARDIS makes no effort not to roll her eyes at him, for a moment having honestly thought he might have something useful to contribute. "The minotaur isn't real," she replies patronizingly. Just because she's willing to try and tolerate Peter's presence that doesn't mean she's in any way interested in helping him deal with his irrational fears.

And as though the dream is out to prove her wrong, there is suddenly audible ominous shuffling and inhuman snorting coming from a few turns down.

[fucking_ebay]

Peter scowls, knowing again that she's right and that it doesn't make any difference that she's right. He's spared from admitting so, however, by the sound of the beast itself quite nearby. "Fuck!" he comments, not having been looking for that sort of reprieve. Taking a step back, he puts the TARDIS between himself and the corridor from which the sounds can be heard. "You go right ahead and tell it that," he says tersely.

[has_a_horn]

action hero gabe to the rescue?

A few turns later, Gabriel gets the hang of the predictive nature of the equation, and he picks up his speed. By the time he gets close to the TARDIS and Peter, however, he can hear the Minotaur, and then Peter cursing...which is to be expected, really.

As he turns the final corner, he sees Peter and the TARDIS...and the Minotaur, standing in his way. He wiggles his fingers in a wave at the pair.

"Peter." He nods to what he can see of Peter from his hiding spot behind the TARDIS, then smirks at the TARDIS herself, "Ariadne. Thanks for the ball of twine." Hearing him, the Minotaur turns around with a huff and a growl. "Minotaur. Hey. Want a sandwich?" It bellows and runs at him. Acting more on instinct than planning, he splits into several copies of himself as he runs down the path toward his friends. One copy gets gored and flickers out of existence along the way, but the rest coalesce back into the original when he reaches the other side.

"This is fun!" A silver blade drops down into his hand and he asks, "Do you think I should reason with it or cut its head off?"

[theoldgirl]

She's glad to see Gabriel, really she is, but now he's just indulging Peter's irrational fears by making a show of attacking the Minotaur, and the dream isn't exactly putting her in a good mood. The appearance of the rather familiar blade surprises her for a moment, but she quickly recovers to peevishly repeat "It isn't real!". Can everyone just stop being ridiculous worrying about the stupid immaterial Minotaur and start worrying about the fact that the rift has created a dream from either her or the Doctor's memories without either of them noticing the mental invasion?

But clearly that isn't going to happen while there's a monster to play with and/or hide behind her from, and she waves a hand dismissively, adding in exasperation, "Cut its head off, by all means."

[fucking_ebay]

"It's a fucking minotaur, you can't fucking reason with it!" But at least Gabriel is treating this situation with some of the gravity it deserves. Some; Peter's going to have to ignore the part where Gabe said this is fun.

He wishes right now that he had a weapon on hand, though he can't actually think of anything from his old collection that would work on a minotaur in particular. Even if he could, he doesn't quite realize that he ought to be able to materialize whatever he wants. "Just kill it!" he says decisively.

[has_a_horn]

Gabriel chuckles at both the TARDIS and Peter's reactions before moving toward the beast. As he does, it starts to charge once more, but Gabriel feints to the side and the minotaur follows him. He's swift moving and graceful as he dances around the slower creature, ducking under swinging fists and smiling as he does. It's clear that he's a skilled fighter, still - And that he's showing off a little.

After he's done showing off his agility, he switches his blade's position in his hand, grips it tighter. In just a few quick movements, Gabriel knocks the creature to its knees and slices its head cleanly off of its shoulders. As the body and head thump to the ground behind him, Gabriel grins and walks back over to his friends. He disappears his blade in favor of settling his hands at the TARDIS' waist, then leans in to kiss her hello. "Good to see you."

[theoldgirl]

If the dream itself hasn't already put the TARDIS off of physical expressions of affection, the unnecessary display of violence definitely does, and she takes a step back from Gabriel's touch, not caring that she's nearly treading on Peter's feet in the process. His behavior just now was honestly disgraceful, but she prefers not to linger on the way he'd clearly enjoyed killing the thing. There's already enough other things making her uncomfortable here.

Instead of returning his greeting, she looks up at him sternly. "If you're quite done, could we all just leave? I hate this place." She doesn't really mean to be this abrasive, but she is terribly on edge and she'd hoped Gabriel would help, rather than make it worse.

[fucking_ebay]

For a moment as Peter watches Gabriel fight the minotaur, bringing it down apparently without effort, he finds himself wishing Gabe had been there when he and Charley confronted Jerry. Only for a moment, though; killing Jerry had been something he'd needed to do. Bad enough he only assisted without someone as ridiculously powerful as Gabriel stepping in and doing it for them.

"Hey!" he protests, taking a step back when the TARDIS backs up into him, effectively knocking him off a less than pleasant train of thought. Resentful that she won't acknowledge that what Gabriel did was at least a little bit fucking awesome, he still has to agree with at least part of her sentiment. "Could we?" he asks, meaning it less in terms of whether Gabriel's willing than in terms of whether it's possible now.

[has_a_horn]

Gabriel frowns back down at the TARDIS, hurt at the dismissal and not understanding what's got her so upset. He was just having a little fun with the dream and showing off for her a bit. There's no harm in that, is there? Maybe Peter will kiss him instead.

When Peter backs up her request, he sighs, and the labyrinth disappears entirely, replaced by a grassy hill with a few cows roaming around. This is still one of the dream settings, he can tell, but the structure of this dream makes it difficult for him to completely replace it. He sighs and looks around at the (much more boring) environment. "Better?" He addresses both of them before tilting his head to the side to address the TARDIS specifically. "Might need some help pulling down these weirdo dimensions if you feel like heading anywhere else."

[theoldgirl]

By leaving she had really meant returning to normal reality, not trading one hated part of Caerdroia for another. So she only gives the new surroundings a dismissive glance before fixing Gabriel with another glowering look. "I don't feel like being here at all," she complains sharply.

But at the same time she's finally realizing that she is being unnecessarily unkind to him. He did try to accommodate her, it's not his fault the dream is so recalcitrant, and she is glad for his company. Taking a calming breath, she tries to rein in her unease and schools her features into something less angry. "You remember the timeless universe I mentioned? This is a memory of it. This world is where I was trapped, held hidden from the Doctor." Though thankfully the dream is incapable of replicating the horrors of the actual Divergent Universe, her senses too rooted in reality to be fooled into thinking there is no Time here.

The moment the TARDIS shows up on the hillside, the cows suddenly take an intense interest in the group. The animals quickly converge on them to investigate, the clear ringing of their bells changing pitch and tone until they sound rather angry and menacing. She isn't doing this consciously, but her mind, her memories are already attuned to the dream and affecting the projection as she had done on the real Caerdroia.

[fucking_ebay]

"Much," says Peter with just a hint of gratitude, just as the TARDIS snaps at Gabriel. He looks at her sharply, then takes advantage of the fact that they're no longer in a dark labyrinth full of monsters to step away from her. "Someone piss in your cornflakes?" he mutters, not having any idea what she's referring to. Whatever, it's not like it affects him. Sunshine and dairy cows aren't exactly his thing, but this is a marked improvement nonetheless...until the cows start to mob them.

"What the hell?" he asks as a cow brushes against him and makes him stumble.