[mingle] what's the dream and what's the reality?

[lovetheme]

Lately the castle's nights have been very clear and almost warm, even up so high among the clouds as they are. But regardless of the weather, they are generally peaceful nights, and few things seem to stir during them...apart from the castle's inhabitants, be it with late-night roving or with sleep. The dreams, by extension, are at least undisturbed...if maybe not always pleasant. That sort of thing tends to vary by the person, of course.

But now--and for several nights, consecutively--the castle residents may find their dreams starting to take on stranger shapes: memories they've never had, friends that don't usually arrive, strangers they've never seen. These odd impressions might cling and continue to confuse even upon waking, vivid as they were; was it really just a dream, or maybe something more...? Does that newcomer in your dream remember you there too, in the daytime?

Either way, there seems to be an strange energy in the air during these nights. And it's bringing dreams together.

((ooc: And here's the catch-all post for the dream-sharing event! Feel free to top-level with your character's dreams here, or thread around in others! The event should only last about a week, but backtagging is eternal c: The ooc planning post can be found here!))

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[dustless]

Frisk turns to sneer at the rest. "'Ours''," they say, in the high-pitched mock of schoolyard bullies. "'Ours'', 'ours'' 'ours''. No it isn't. Idiots." There's a flower pinned to their lapel. They can't see it, but they feel it moving.

Their pace picks up, and they look down at Sans-Serif in polite disbelief, apparently ignoring what he'd said. "Did you hear that? They think they have time to waste, too. Aren't they dumb? Don't they know the time is mine?" they ask with a winning smile, and a SAVE point appears where their SOUL should be.

[lostinmyway]

Grune goes still at Sans' words. If he doesn't want her to look after him, then she should do what he wants.... But she can't leave him here. That isn't right.

She'll help him leave, and then he can decide whether he wants her to stay with him or if he wants her to go.

"It's all right," she says. "We'll find the way out together."

She gives his hand the smallest tug.

[lostlegacy]

"No."

She doesn't know how it is. Is he actually going to tell her? Adults don't like to tell her things, except for Gee Girl, and sometimes she forgets what she's going to say.

[lostinmyway]

Grune doesn't notice anyone but her new friend. As she comes to a stop, she tucks away her wet fringe and smiles. "There we go!"

But then she looks up, into the bookshop. Oh!

"Can you come inside?"

She has an idea!

[lightofthestars]

Tauriel meets the winged woman for the first time in weeks in the halls of the castle, as she is on her way to her own night watch. At first, she frowns, for their meeting was not a good one--but even if this woman's manners are poor, it does not mean that her own must be as well.

"Good evening."

[lostinmyway]

Grune leans in as well, smiling at the chance to share a close moment with a new friend.

"Oh, yes. Walter and Fenimore and Norma sometimes argue a little, but I just know they all love each other deep down."

Fenimore is currently concentrating very hard on unwrapping the little bundles of cutlery. Walter snorts. And Stella sighs as she brings out a plate of sandwiches.

[sansational]

"oh."

Sans gives Sophie a strange look for a minute, the gears in his mind squealing in protest as he tries to deal with this unexpected bit of information. Finally, at least once he figures out how to explain, he does.

"the human's gonna be showing up today. we've gotta be there to meet 'em. and keep an eye on them, obviously."

[sansational]

She seems so, so certain that everything is going to be okay. And Sans has never felt less certain of anything.

That sort of confidence is always hard to ignore, and especially hard for him. So when she doesn't waver, despite all his protests and excuses, what more can he do? Staring up at her in something like trepidation and something like awe, Sans allows himself to be helped to his feet. Immediately, he huddles close against her side, staring out fearfully at the dark cavern with the shadows still patrolling about.

"...okay."

[dustless]

They shrug, point at her, and turn around. At worst, they can at least be looking inside through the glass.

Meanwhile, the door opens with the chime of an old-fashioned bell. A shadowy figure in a hat sticks his head out. "Ma'am? Are you alright?"

[dustless]

They huff and nod their thanks to Gaster, pocketing the knife. There's a faded ribbon tied around their neck, they notice--they're not watching from inside their body anymore, but from the blank eyes of the machine itself.

Frisk watches as they put their hands on Sans' shoulders, trying to sit him up. Even if maybe that isn't the best idea, with how agonized he just seemed to be.

"Gotta get you to a place to heal."

[notsogrimreaper]

"Not really, no. I can sleep if I want to, but it's not really necessary for... something like me."

He raises an eyebrow at her. "Do elves not need sleep either?"

[sansational]

It might not be the best idea, but since Gaster moves to help Frisk get Sans sitting up, it also might not be the worst. They're all in uncharted territory, right now. All they can do is keep trying.

"We also need to see if it worked."

"what time is it?" Sans asks, looking from one to the other.

Gaster tells him, or at least he probably does. Somehow, the actual words don't seem to get spoken, but Sans' eyesockets go wide anyway. "gotta get home," he says suddenly, trying to shrug them both off, trying to stand up.

And suddenly, he goes from making that attempt to finding himself collapsed in a heap by the door to the testing chamber, without appearing to move. Gaster says something indistinct, but something that sounds decidedly alarmed, as he hurries over to check on his brother.

[systematicsupport]

"It's um, it's me..."

He flips it over and smooths it out on the table before tapping one of the scribbles with a fingerbone.

"This one is Sans-Serif."

He points to a smaller scribble nearby.

"And the tall one is Dr. Gaster. We're standing in front of a house! Because, um, Dr. Gaster is going to bring us outside."

[systematicsupport]

"Excuse me. He is supposed to remain secured for the conditioning sessions. You know how uncooperative he's been as of late."

S-4 keeps struggling. "I-I don't want to. I just want to be with my brother! Please..."

The straps don't budge. In fact, there isn't even a buckle to undo. The straps seem to be one unbroken loop of leather permanently affixing S-4 to the chair.

[dustless]

What time? "Too late," the machine whispers in their voice.

"Sans." Frisk is watching him from atop the table. "Sans. Sans. Sans." They can't say anything else, their voice is stuck on a loop.

They jump down and feel the floor crack around their feet. "Sans." They stagger forwards, following in Gaster's footsteps.

"Failure."

[dr_awesome]

He looks behind him in surprise, but his anger seems to die just slightly at the sight of her, turning into a gentle dismissal.

"I said already. Gotta go take a leak."

He turns back and starts running down the stone steps out into the forest surrounding the house, ignoring the squirrels that try to block his path.

[lightofthestars]

She frowns when Ryoji calls himself "something." Twice now since coming here, she has been called a "creature" or a word alike. Such terms being used for a person leave her unsettled, even when the person themself is the one using those words.

Her frown does not ease as she answers his question. "We do not sleep as mortals do. We stay aware and are able to carry out simple deeds as we rest. The way others sleep seems very dangerous to me."

[systematicsupport]

"Snowdin... it's so pretty! I really get to stay here?"

There's so much to see, and so many monsters to talk to. S-4 offers the monster a return wave, and part of him wants to go say hello, but it seems Sans has more important things to do today.

It doesn't take much convincing. S-4 already wants to stay by his brother's side, and puzzles are just an added bonus. He nods excitedly and starts following.

"What kind of puzzles? There aren't any crosswords, right?" Those are way too boring.

[lostinmyway]

She curves an arm around his shoulders, drawing him closer. Then she looks about.

"Hmm.... I wonder which way we should go."

[lostinmyway]

"Oh, yes, I'm just fine," she assures him. She's a little wet, but that's okay. More importantly: "Do you have any storybooks?"

[lostinmyway]

She glances behind her for just a moment. "He wants to be with his brother."

Then she turns back to S-4. "We'll go find him together. I promise."

She pulls harder on the restraints, with all her might.

[lostinmyway]

As he explains his drawing, her smile grows and grows.

"My, what a lovely picture! We should find a place to hang it up so we can look at it whenever we like. Does that sound nice?"

[lostinmyway]

She follows him, walking instead of running. She's sure he isn't lying, because Neil is such a nice person, but...she doesn't know if he's telling her all of the truth right now.

[lostlegacy]

Sophie giggles and pats the dog. She doesn't remember her manners very often, but right now, it seems important.

"Thanks!"

[lostlegacy]

"Which human?"

Is it Frisk? Is that why Sans wants to keep an eye on them?