FNG to Red Leader, come in, over... [Video]

[notquitedracula]

Now, how does this thing...

[It takes Soma a few seconds to figure out that the wristband comm is working as intended, and a few more to figure out what he wanted to say.] Ah, there it goes.

My name's Soma. I've already been given the basic rundown on where I am, but... well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't skeptical. A week ago I'd have called the whole situation insane. [A wry smile.] But that was a week ago, before... well.

Anyway, that's neither here nor there. I just wanted to get on this thing and see if any of my friends are out there, and ask if anyone has any information they'd like to pass along to the new guy.

Comments

[dork_of_keys]

[Sora is always fine with meeting new people, so have a friendly derp, though he does look like he hasn't been sleeping well. So he's as cheerful as can be, at least.]

Hi. I'm Sora. It's nice to meet you.

Hmm. I don't really have a lot to add, although there's the recurring dreams... Oh! And I got a guide to all the Dream Eaters.

[And there is a text document sent for you to read over now whenever you feel like it.]

Er, at least it's all the ones I know of. There might be some I don't know about. But I hope it helps.

[notquitedracula]

Thanks. I seem to have acquired a bat from the starter bits the moogle gave me; maybe I should've held onto those til I could get more? Ah well.

Could you tell me about these dreams? I haven't actually slept since I got here, so forewarned is forearmed.

[dork_of_keys]

You can get more bits from fighting the Nightmares. The Moogles sell some too, but it's nothing that the Nightmares don't drop.

The dreams are... it seems like they're supposed to be a hint. They usually have a theme to them each time they start up. The first time it was being blocked or kept away from something. This time it's conflict. And they all have a Keyhole in them, whether you're from a world where you'd know about them or not. Eventually, a giant Nightmare appears. When it's beaten, the Keyhole appears a bit later and opens the way to another world. After the the Keyhole is found, the dreams stop.

[notquitedracula]

Interesting. Is everyone having more or less the same dream, then, or does everyone have their own unique version?

[dork_of_keys]

Everyone has their own version. It'll even dredge up memories of things you've been through already, not that dreams don't do that sometimes anyway. The only thing that's the same for everyone is the Keyhole.

[notquitedracula]

So an apparently normal dream, it just has a keyhole and involves conflict. What sort of conflict, or does it matter?

[dork_of_keys]

It depends on the person, I think. I've been dreaming about battles I've been through, but I guess someone who has never been in any kind of battle might dream about an argument instead.

[notquitedracula]

Makes sense, I suppose. One of the prevailing theories on dreams is that they're a way for your brain to sort through your recent experiences. I can probably expect some recent battles of my own to make an appearance.

The culmination of these dreams - is it random, or does it happen for everyone about the same time?

[dork_of_keys]

Yeah, probably.

It seems like they all stop around the same time, if that's what you mean.

[unrecovered]

A week ago, before you wound up here. We've all been there. [Because Wash is so well-versed in insanity. Uh-huh.]

As for information, don't go on the Mother of Invention if you can help it. Something there is attacking people. It's fast and invisible, and I'm pretty sure it's just luck that it hasn't killed anybody yet.

[notquitedracula]

Before I wound up somewhere else actually, but the same general sentiment applies.

[A slow, not-at-all pleasant smile spreads across his face.] Fast and invisible, huh? We'll see about that.

[unrecovered]

[Oh, he knows that look.] I said nobody's been killed yet. I'm pretty sure it's not looking for volunteers.

[notquitedracula]

I'm a lot stronger than I look, but I wasn't planning to go alone. From the sound of it, it's going to take quite a few people to flush this thing out. A sweep from one end of the area to the other, covering all available exits in each room, should enable us to catch it somewhere along the line.

We just have to make sure it's not using crawlspaces to get around.

[A slightly wry smile.] Monster hunting has become something of a specialty of mine, of late.

[colorbymemory]

[Like Sora, Namine looks tired, despite her smile.]

Hello, Soma. My name is Namine.

There are some places with more Nightmares than others. York made a map, would you like me to send it to you?

Are there no icons of this guy smiling? >.> I have yet to see one...

[notquitedracula]

[The tiredness doesn't escape his notice; he's going to assume, for the moment, it's related in some way to the nightmares Sora mentioned. Have a reassuring smile, Namine.]

That would certainly help. Thank you.

One of those types, huh?

[colorbymemory]

You're welcome.

[She sends him the map, accidentally including the original conversation as well.]

If you need anything else later, someone is always listening to the communicator, and most everyone here is friendly.

Unfortunately, yeah. Least I have a couple now where he's not giving the evil eye.

[notquitedracula]

This should go a long way toward helping me get my bearings. Now I just need to find somewhere to stay til I get on my feet.

[No, he didn't miss the implications of that statement, Namine. He'll be sure to keep his guard up.]

Yay~ I need to get Nami a paid account and actually get more icons for both the girls.

[colorbymemory]

[She hadn't meant to imply anything more than that help would be available if he thought of more questions later, but yes, most of the others would help out new arrivals who had trouble with the nightmares.]

Most everyone stays at the hotel until they have a chance to look at other places they might like.

[Or just stay there, period. Many of the others haven't moved out.]

[notquitedracula]

[The implication Soma got was that there were some people in residence who weren't trustworthy.]

That would be the same hotel the - ...moogle, I think he called himself? - mentioned.

[colorbymemory]

[Well, trustworthy is all relative. Namine knows enough about the others to at least trust they won't actively and knowingly try to harm her.

Not that some of them aren't a little standoffish sometimes. Hence the qualifier "most of them" before "friendly."]

Yes, that was a Moogle, and there's only one hotel, so it would be the one he told you about.

[whoseesbynight]

It's a strange place, so I'm not surpurrised that it seems insane. But if there's something you still want to know I can help.

[notquitedracula]

Compared to where I just came from, this place is a health resort. I can't think of anything else at the moment that hasn't already been covered, but thanks for the offer.

[whoseesbynight]

I know that feeling. But it's good that other people have already explained efurrything impurrtant.