metaverses | CRISIS ON INFINITE DREAMWIDTHS: EVENT END

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!event end

CRISIS ON INFINITE DREAMWIDTHS: EVENT END

AT THE END OF THE WORLD

The sound isn't unlike thunder when the universe begins to crack apart. Loud, thrumming thuds that tear the sky and the fabric of reality. The nexuses are being stomped out, engulfed back into the void one by one.

Characters may be in these nexuses as they're slowly engulfed by the cracks. Some may be saying they're final goodbye's to old friends, new friends, or simply watching as the apocalypse descends on whichever world they're in.

And then, just before they're about to fall into oblivion - they're snatched away.

IN CENTRAL CITY —

Outside The Alliance HQ, Chaos Gate and the Silent Mystic stand with their eyes tightly shut, hands linked together as one. Above you the sky has turned a deep crimson. The crack is a yawning chasm as buildings are torn apart brick by brick, falling into the abyss.

If something isn't done soon then you're all dead.

This world is a nexus and this can't be changed, but it can be pulled from the 'between' it has fallen into, and restored to its proper place. This will require an enormous amount of energy. The mystics bid the gathered to join hands: they ask you to remember their world, the one they left behind and tether this world to it. Your strongest memories may bleed out, giving the people around you a glimpse of who you are, what you were.

The universally displaced are here with you. This is a last mingle opportunity. The comm will remain open so people can continue to play any threads they didn’t get a chance to during the run of the event. They too can join hands and share their memories, but as they are not tied to this dimension, when it’s restored they will either return to their own worlds or the nexuses they left behind.

CONNECTION —

Everything goes dark.

It feels endless, swallowing your sight as well as all sound as it closes in. Slowly, glowing threads begin to appear, tying one person to the next, then to the next, and so on. Only those who are linked to Metaheroes are tied with these golden glowing threads. The threads flow down to their feet and then shoot up towards the sky.

There's a boom, different to the thunderous cracks of before. The sky rushes back into place, day and night speeding by as it hurries to realign itself to the proper date and time. It's dizzying, for a moment, before it begins to feel grounding. Right.

The air feels different. Fresher, somehow. The sky is brighter; the world seems fuller, like it has been allowed to become what it should have been all along. A cheer goes up. The people are elated, relieved to see the sun again.

Players may be troubled should they have ventured into other worlds. They have seen the nexuses that have fallen to ruin, know how they too once felt exactly like this.

THE WORLD CONTINUES TO TURN —

The world has been restored to its proper place. Interdimensional communication is coming through again. The Guilds, exhausted as they were putting fires out across the non-meta cities, are relieved. Perhaps this is finally over.

With the return of interdimensional communication comes the return of interdimensional travel as well. This technology has been used in this world before; it was only with the advent of the recent powerful Confluences that it all went dark. Now that it’s back, the Guilds start to make plans immediately. It will take a little time to organize everything, but once they have a system in place, it shouldn’t be too difficult to locate everyone’s home universes and return them there. They set a tentative date for September 4th to start trying to return everyone home.

That being said, the government is none too happy with any of this. The Guild Systems were put into play by two metahumans who wanted the best for the world, as a means to protect them from those who would do them harm. Years have been spent slowly wrestling control from those two and now there is an opportunity.

Behind the scenes a storm is brewing. If they can spin this to blame the Unaligned then perhaps they have no more need for the Guilds. The Society is a thorn in their side that they’d like to finally be rid of, but they’re essentially untouchable. The Unaligned, however, are flagrantly breaking the law. Constantly putting themselves in the spotlight, making it all too easy to yank the rug out from under the metahuman leaders.

How wonderful for them that these strangers from away have made such a wreck of the trust in the systems that protected the metahumans of this world.

Mechanima is all too aware that things are about to go to hell. The Society is welcoming all metahumans, regardless of moral alignment, to join them. It is heavily encouraged among the rumor mill that the Unaligned should start reconsidering their position.

As the days go on, things begin to change across Meta.

Excelsior has become vehemently anti-metahuman. While this outrage may pass, they’re passing new AI laws in rapid succession. Limitations on what AI can and can’t inhabit. Limitations on robot bodies, on mechanical prosthetics, on the research that can be done into what gives things the spark of life. Magic is essentially forbidden within the city. Any abilities that can be mistaken as magic are treated as suspect.

Sunset Falls is worse for wear. Yet the people remain as grateful as ever to the metahumans who stepped in to save them. That gratitude outweighs any fear that they could have caused this - Sunset Falls has disasters all the time that have nothing to do with interdimensional weirdness. They continue to be unbothered by the metas among them.

Central City, having witnessed all the off-world metas stepping in to save them, is oddly grateful for this - but they haven’t forgotten what happened. The disappeared are among them again and are unharmed despite their sojourn through the universe, but the fact that it happened at all is cause for concern. Confluences are a problem. They want answers, they want solutions.

Little Love remains untouched and unchanged.

I DREAM A DREAM SO PRETTY —

Two days after the apocalypse is averted, every off-world meta will find a pillow lying on their doorstep. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live - one of these pillows will find its way to you.

If you’re quick or wary enough, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the being that placed it there: a figure clad in blue robes. They’ll appear seemingly out of nowhere and lay the pillow down before vanishing into dust. Should they happen to notice they’ve been spotted, they’re clearly started, and lay a finger to their lips before departing.

Atop the pillow is a note: an invitation from the Dreamers of the Willow Maiden. You would have undoubtedly heard of this group: they have a presence in this world, though their reputation’s benign. They’re oddballs and weirdos, but ultimately harmless. They believe in the power of a good night’s sleep - literally.

If the note is to be believed, then the Willow Maiden herself has requested an audience with you, and this audience can only be granted in the world of dreams. Should you accept this offer, the note explains, all you need to do is lay your head upon this enchanted pillow. Sleep will come to you quickly.

Your dreams will be extremely vivid. There are recurring themes bleeding through them: your greatest accomplishment juxtaposed with your greatest failure. The moment you could have acted but stayed still. Highschool embarrassments. Falling. Flying. Here in your own dreamscape, you’ve got more control than anywhere else; you feel as though you can do anything. But beware: these dreams grab for you, both the nightmares and the fantasies. It can be easy to lose yourself and forget what exactly is real.

Luckily, the dreams grab for others as well. Sleeping metas may find themselves involuntarily wandering into one anothers’ dreams. Visitors to a dreamscape don’t have any powers outside of what they normally would, but they can reach out to the dream’s host, should they want to.

If no one else arrives, don’t worry. She is patient and waiting, and doesn’t mind that you stumble. Fall too far into the abyss, and she’ll reach out her hand to steady you.

THE WILLOW MAIDEN —

As you find your way out of the haze of your subconscious with uour allies at your side, the Willow Maiden greets you. She is a massive tree nymph, long-limbed and wooden. She is curled against an enormous tree, looking like a statue. At your approach, she lifts her head from the crook of her arm and extends a hand in greeting. Her smile is warm and motherly. You may feel distrust, but that feeling of safety and protection that guided you home radiates from her.

“You from a far away land, come to this world and made its own.” Her wooden lips don’t move, the words echo through your soul itself. “I can do little for you now but issue warning. Danger is waiting in the dawn, in the shine of her sword. You won this battle, your strength and the strength of all those you have touched has saved you… but she is coming.

She is coming.

“My time is short… your words cannot reach me as you are now. Carve yourselves a new future. One in this world and all others. Dream, and in those dreams, you shall become more powerful than even she can stand. My gift is the gift of new life, new lives, new futures… I have shielded you from her gaze until I could no longer bear it and now… I must rest. May the next time we met be true conversation.”

The Willow Maiden lays her head back down on the curve of her arms. Within moments, she’s asleep.

You wake. Not with a start, but as though you’ve been gently roused from a deep and restful sleep. The dreamsharing effect lingers, and can reoccur off and on throughout the month of September, but you will not find your way to the Willow Maiden’s realm again.

IN SUMMARY.

The fourth wall ends in a near apocalypse. Characters will have a chance to say goodbye while the metaphorical walls are closing in. They will be pulled back from the brink at the last second.

Through the collective effort of metaenergy, Metaheroes will rejoin the multiverse, tethered to the worlds which playable characters come from.

As a result, there's tentative optimism that characters will be able to go home

Anti-meta sentiment is growing across Excelsior, and within governing bodies. Government officials will begin looking to blame Unaligned heroes for various crimes and disturbances.

It's a good time to pick a side. Or don't.

Amidst all this, The Willow Maiden invites players to Meta's first dream share event. The dreaming effect lingers and characters may find themselves intermittently sharing dreams throughout September.

However pleasant this is, however cathartic - it doesn't change that things are tense in the waking world. The Willow Maiden's warning will ring in your ears, too: who is coming?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I suspected, but the offer is there if you ever need it." Sometimes when Balthier is truly tired, there's peace in not having to think. Fran and David are the only people he'd ever trust with that. "You know I'll argue, but I won't ever force your hand." The situation would have to be truly dire, and Balthier would have to be acting in desperation. Short of David's imminent death, there's not much else that would drive him to that. He respects freedom too much.

"Other foot." But he gives a smirk. "If you please."

David sighs and lifts his other foot free of the water.

"I'm plenty good at forcing my own damn hand, as you've seen."

"Mm, but you are also plenty good at listening when I push back on you." It's just making sure he's around to push back.

His hands get to work on the muscles of the other foot. David's already calming down, that dark place receding from his voice.

Yes, Balthier is doing a lot to get the darkness free for now.

For now.

"We need an exit strategy."

What is life if not infinite for nows strung together?

“We do.” Not necessarily what he wants to talk about right now, but avoiding it doesn’t change it. “For us, and for the community at large.” In that order. Sorry, David, but if it’s you or anyone else, he’s picking you.

Well, that's a very interesting way to look at the world, and one that David might seriously need to hear more of.

"How about 'for us and our immediate friends' and then the community at large?" he offered.

Balthier is here to keep voicing it.

He gives a warm, tired smile at David’s suggestion, some of the fatigue of the week finally cracking through his caretaker facade. He’s still learning too, that he gets to be vulnerable and selfish in this relationship. “That sounds excellent to me.”

Repetition would help him, definitely.

"Excellent. Now, take your shirt off."

Balthier raises an eyebrow, but there’s no resistance. “You’re giving the orders now, is it?” It’s a few practices motions and he’s got it off, goosebumps rising briefly on his exposed skin.

"You need to rest. You need to relax. And your tub is big enough for two. More or less."

There’s a warmth in his expression he only ever gets for David. He set his wine down and stands, stripping the rest of his clothes. “You want me in front of you or behind?” He is going to sleep extremely well tonight — wine, a bath, David back in his arms.

"In front I think," David suggests. "It's the least amount of flailing about for us."

And it's all that really matters. Ease for them both

“Has anyone ever told you you’re charmingly practical?” The answer is yes, because Balthier does often. He makes sure the wine is where they can both reach it and steps into the stub, settling between David’s legs with as little splashing as he can manage.

He doesn’t manage to stifle the pleased sigh that escapes him as the hot water and feel of David behind him overwhelm his senses and finally start to quiet his mind.

“Hold me for a minute?” His voice is a little weaker, and it’s as close as he’ll get to saying how worried he was.

"I don't know that 'charmingly' was ever put in front of practical for me."

Hell, he doesn't know if that phrase has ever been said about anyone before. Still, he is glad for the man's presence, and is soon wrapping his arms around Balthier. Hell, he does it without thinking, arm snaking around the other even as the man is starting to ask.

"I'm scared for you too, love. AT least you're wise enough not to burn the candle at both ends."

“Well then take me at my word and excellent taste,” he says, but it lacks his usual energy.

David wraps around him even as he asks. His eyes slip shut and his hand comes up to squeeze the others’ arm. There’s a tightness in his throat, but a peace too. He rationally knew this week was just all consuming, but there’s always that small fear that he’s been cast aside. But of course he hasn’t, and it’s relief to have forced himself to trust and to have that affirmed.

“Wisdom won from experience,” he assures David. “Besides, one of us ought to always remain sensible when the other is being rash and heroic.”

"I apologize that you must so often be sensible then," David said. He couldn't change that he was rash and heroic. It was something that often got him into trouble.

"I'm scared, Balthier. I'm scared that I'll be so rash and heroic that I'll... I don't know if this world has a way for us to come back from the levels of stupidity I get myself involved in."

“You’re the only person who regularly accuses me of being the sensible one.”

But he’s scared for David too, was scared that was exactly what would happen this week.

“Just — keep remembering to let the rest of us help you. And try to be selfish enough to check on some of your loved ones before seeing to everyone else.”

It’s not a reprimand; it’s, hopefully, a reminder that David doesn’t have to do things alone, and that he tends to feel less like only drastic solutions will work when someone else is with him. He doesn’t want to say I don’t want to lose you And put that pressure on David, but his grip still tightens.

“You get to be heroic, but you don’t get to be a martyr.”

"I'm the only person reckless enough for you to be sensible by comparison?" David suggested, but his voice said he wasn't wedded to the idea.

But he huffs at the idea of being selfish in that.

"Friends and loved ones first. Anything else only when my energy allows."

Though he kisses his lover's shoulder. He doesn't think Balthier will be amused if David teasingly said that being a martyr was what he was good at.

“Fran would be proud of me for keeping better company as of late,” he agrees. She’d be proud of him for taking a chance on David, too, for not bolting when it gets hard. Gods he misses her. He doesn’t want to have to miss anyone else.

And no, he wouldn’t be amused at David pointing out he’s good at being a martyr, because it’s true. He hums contentedly into the kiss at his skin though. “I can condone that plan. Presuming you keep letting me assist.” His hand finds David’s, tangling their fingers together.

"Fran sounds wise," he said, his voice soft. "I wish I could know her too."

Let him assist? Of course he does. An assurance he gives by squeezing Balthier's fingers as well. That's the best he can give the other.

Balthier may not get as swallowed by his darkness as David does, but it’s still there, and it’s such a change in his life to be able to vocalize it and be reassured. Something in his posture relaxes the rest of the way and he rubs his foot against David’s leg since he cant nuzzle him from this angle.

Fran, though, is a particular sadness this week. “Some part of me thought I’d get to see her, with everything going on. Even if I had, she likely wouldn’t have been my Fran.” But he’d still hoped. Even when the world was ending, maybe especially then. He wanted David and he wanted Fran.

"Would you wish this place on her, though? From what it sounds like, she's more tied to this Mist your world has than even your magic was. What if being here hurt her?"

As much as David loved his friends, he never wanted to see them here. He wanted them to be safe and home. Even if it made David lonely.

“This place has been good to me, all said and done,” Balthier counters. “If things in Ivalice are stable, if being without the Mist would distress her, no, of course not. But — we tampered with the hierarchy of beings and fate right before I came through. I have no idea how things are there now. And its pointless because thinking about it changes nothing. I just wish I knew she was safe.”

Well, there is that. And David wonders what it means for them.

"Do... you want to go back?"

He has to ask.

“No,” Balthier says, with such conviction and so little hesitation that it surprises even him. He squeezes David’s hand firmly. “I want to know she’s safe, but if I had to choose — I’d stay.” The ‘with you’ is implied. Sure there are things he missed, food especially, but he likes his life here, likes his life with David, likes the person he’s made. Going home, were it possible, would mean falling back into the expectations and narratives he’d fought so hard against. Starting over. Again.

But he has to ask too. “Would you? Want to go back?”

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