You're My Friend, They're My Friends (IC Intro)

[whimsicalism]

Whatever you were doing before, wherever you were before this moment it doesn't matter. The world seems to grow dark around you: an almost inaudible giggle floats to your year before you lose consciousness completely. Other it belonging to a child there's no defining characteristics of the voice. Maybe you just imagined it? Even if you did, one thing is clear when you wake up.

You're not where you were before. The bedroom you find yourself is plush and well decorated, almost like a fancy hotel or apartment. That might be little comfort considering that it's clear that you don't recognize it. Before you rush off to explore your surroundings there's a message pinned to the door to the hall.

From the desk of the Queen:

Hello, my friends dear.

I can only hope you enjoy your new life here. For those you stirring from sleep, this is my promise that I will keep: I will let you go if that is what you desire but the price for it will be quite dire.

For my rules are quite clear that I don't wish you to leave. Yet I will, if you can take the grief.

If you wish to know my name and the reasons to my game, meet in the audience hall for tea. Tea, yes, a grand tea party for my grand guests! Cake and sweets are what we need to meet. In an hour we both will be there, no peeking before!

Signed,

Instead of a signature, there's a small feline paw print underneath as well as some strange sort of heart crest?

There seems to be others moving outside your room. Perhaps it's time to explore, to see if anyone else knows what's going on. Don't slip on the playing card (an ace of hearts, with the heart shape replaced by the strange crest). That there's a scribbled phrase of 'dormez-vous? dormez-vous?' on the card but surely one of the others slipped it under your door.

This Castle seems like a strange place ot live in... yet for now it's quiet and peaceful, even if the Audience Hall is locked.

Comments

[xxxx_me]

[Let's just pretend he gives a country name here because canon never tells us. It's not one she'd know.]

[caligulass]

Oh. That’s not on Zenith at all. I don’t know if it’s a different world from mine or if the nightmares have spread that far...

[xxxx_me]

The nightmares are spreading?

[caligulass]

They were overrunning both Embla and Askr back home. I imagine if they got to the gates, they could go into other worlds, as well.

[xxxx_me]

[...Wait, now it sounds like she means worlds in a different way. Like... worlds worlds.]

Not just dream worlds?

[caligulass]

...oh, so we weren't on the same page after all.

[She sounds a touch disappointed.]

I meant other actual worlds, though I guess that isn't exactly the sort of thing people often do.

[xxxx_me]

[Ah...]

Then... you really can travel to different worlds?

[If he hadn't been through the Dream, he might not have believed it, but anything's possible now.]

[caligulass]

Yes, I can. I'd need a gate to do it, so I can't do it on a whim, if that's what you're hoping for.

[xxxx_me]

How do you make a gate?

[caligulass]

They've existed back home as long as I can remember. I think the dragons Askr and Embla helped make them, along with the founders of both nations. Only Askr's royal family can open them, so I couldn't do it myself even if we had a closed gate here.

[xxxx_me]

Oh.

[So... none of that actually helps, either. He slumps.]

[caligulass]

...

I at least think we'll be fine once we get out of here, though. If I can find the way home, I might be able to pull some strings to get other people back, anyway.

[xxxx_me]

[Immediately perking up!]

Really?

[caligulass]

Of course. It makes more sense to work together in this, and if I have a plan for what happens after this is over, it'll be a more concrete plan than just hoping for the best.

[xxxx_me]

[...

He pauses, considering something...]

If... my friends were stuck in a world besides ours...

Could you help us with two gates? One to get everyone out, and one to get us home?

[caligulass]

...

The royals of Askr are my enemies, but they're also bleeding hearts who'd probably help you all out if I asked them. You could just ask them yourselves and they'd probably do it, even.

[xxxx_me]

[!!

Smiling a little, grateful.]

Thank you!

[caligulass]

Don't spend too much time thanking me until we've actually accomplished what we're going to set out to do, but yes.

[xxxx_me]

Oh- right. Still... if it's possible, it could save everyone.

[caligulass]

I think it’s better than the opposite, at least.

[xxxx_me]

Yeah.

Are you going to look around, too?

[caligulass]

Yes, I am. I think we should split up to try and cover as much ground as possible.

[xxxx_me]

[...That's a little different from what he's used to, but he's not opposed.]

Okay. I'll let you know if I find anything.

[caligulass]

Excellent. I’m looking forward to it.