001 [video]

[laughingsword]

Hello~ooo… [in extreme magnification, a pair of eyes blink at the communicator for a few seconds before the face retreats into focus.] Ah! It's working, isn't it? That little light… what a funny dream.

[He chuckles, and holds the communicator a little further away, turning it from side to side.] Very funny. I've tried pinching myself ten thousand times, and I can't seem to wake up! Has anybody found out a better way? If I sleep in all morning I'll ruin my reputation, you see. Everyone will tease me!

[The temporary pout dissolves into a smile as he looks around beyond the communicator.] But maybe I can look around for just a few hours first. That wouldn't be so bad, would it? Ah, look! I think that's a candy store--!

Comments

[brodakota]

[He'd answer the question about waking up, but there's a bit of a distraction.]

A Candy store? I don't remember seeing one of those.

[Granted, he's so used to Traverse Town now that he's probably missing details.]

[video]

[battleborndr]

[He's staring back like he's in deep thought over something.]

Wish I could say a better way has been found. Instead, it's more like "no way." I think you'll be asleep for awhile.

[laughingsword]

[After a moment, Souji's back, pouting at the screen.]

It wasn't one. It's too bad! Dream snacks must be interesting, mustn't they?

But I'm sorry, where are my manners? Who are you?

[video]

[laughingsword]

But that doesn't make any sense. Even someone who is asleep for a long time goes from one dream to another!

[Doesn't make any sense, and besides that, he can't accept it. This is all part of the dream, isn't it? Funny animals, bright glowing paint, foreigners talking about sleeping forever....]

That's a funny way to say it, though. Are you asleep too?

[video]

[battleborndr]

That's because this isn't a normal dream. [At least that seems the best way to "explain."] We're all asleep.

[video]

[laughingsword]

I didn't think it was very normal.

But are you trying to tell me it's some kind of magic?

[video]

[battleborndr]

[His face scrunches up at the word "magic." Sure he's seen proof of magic; it doesn't mean he has to like it.] I'm sure there's a better explanation than magic... I just don't know what it is yet.

[video]

[laughingsword]

I liked the dream idea! If magic works, I've never seen it.

But I've forgotten to ask your name.

[video]

[battleborndr]

Well there's a few [irksome] examples of it around here. Some of the residents, for example, use magic.

[pause] I'm the Doctor. [oh look he's getting better at saying it]

[video]

[laughingsword]

But we are dreaming, aren't we?

Whether it's a real dream or not! Pleased to meet you, Doctor.

[video]

[battleborndr]

Yeah, supposedly we are.

And you, ...?

[video]

[laughingsword]

Oh, you can call me Soujirou. Magic doesn't count if it's only in a dream, don't you think?

[video]

[battleborndr]

[He frowns a little, but it's brief and gets replaced by a smile.] Soujirou, good to meet you.

I like that thought, that there's only magic because it's a dream. Hey, you can still get hurt though, so be careful. The Spirits are pretty handy.

[video]

[laughingsword]

I'm always careful, Doctor. Spirits... are the Spirits those funny-looking animals?

[video]

[battleborndr]

Yeah, that's them. They have a strange fixation for sweets. And then there's their Nightmare version, which have a fixation for... well. Attacking nonstop and without reason, I suppose.

[video]

[laughingsword]

They do? Maybe they can help me figure out where to find a real candy shop, then!

But those nightmares... how dangerous are they?

[video]

[battleborndr]

Wouldn't surprise me. Though, if you're looking for sweets, the tea shop in the fourth district probably has something to your liking.

As for the Nightmares, well... If you haven't crafted a Spirit out of the colored pieces the Moogle should have given you, I'd get on it. They're not to be taken lightly, especially when there are a lot of them.

[video]

[laughingsword]

[Souji falls silent, toying with a few brightly colored objects for a moment.]

The spirits help to fight? I thought they were the gentle ones!

[a pause, and--] How hard is it to fight a Nightmare, really?

[brodakota]

There might be some at the tea shop.

I probably should have said something. Agent North Dakota, but most people call me North.

[laughingsword]

Soujirou. It's a pleasure to meet you, Agent North! [canting his head to one side, he adds:] Agent of who?

--It's good to know there is a tea shop, by the way, thank you very much. Which of these Districts is it in...?

[brodakota]

It's a codename. Military stuff.

[He'll leave it at that. Part of it's top secret, and you can never tell when anyone's from.]

The fourth district, in Traverse Town.

[laughingsword]

[Military stuff. Now, isn't that interesting.... Souji beams.] Is that so! Let me see, one, two, I think I know the way to four.... Thank you very much, Agent!

Are you dreaming, too?

[earthshatter]

Yes. It's working.

[brodakota]

No problem, and please, North is fine.

Yeah, we all are. No one's quite sure how but magic's the biggest theory.

[pause]

Don't think I got your name.

[laughingsword]

I thought it might be magic, but that other man said there was a better explanation. Perhaps it's all just... a dream.

That's what the little white tanuki said!

Oh, and please, call me Soujirou.