hugtopia | [Video] All that we See or Seem is but a Dream within a Dream

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[Video] All that we See or Seem is but a Dream within a Dream

[When the video starts, those who know Regis might notice that his face is a little redder than it usually is. He's also wrapped in what looks his own cloak and a heavy riding cloak, one that a person would expect to see out in the frozen wastes, not in a city like Havenwell. Honestly, he looks a little silly all curled into the cloaks as he is, but since waking up out in the backyard under Peter's silver apple tree, he has yet to shake off the cold. It might be a long process considering he has no idea how long he was out there.

Actually, considering he usually puts off heat like a furnace and still feels this cold, he has an idea and it's one he doesn't like. Cor would have his head if he was still here.]

Those who have been here for a while know that we have been communicated with through dreams before.

[Who could forget the strange warning that came before the break in last October?]

I think it may be happening again. How many people are having dreams with the ghosts who visited us in them? And how many of them are talking to you? Mine had quite a lot to say and in regard to something I have investigated before.

[He takes a moment to fight back a shiver and then quotes what he remembers from the dream, once again grateful for how good his memory is. His hands had been shaking too hard for him to write anything down when he first returned to the house.]

"The world began as thus: it was a rock. He came upon it first, and loved it immediately, this empty rock where nothing lived. He burrowed deep inside and devoured it inch by inch, teeth breaking upon the surface and growing anew. Through Him, over time, the stone became soil. The soil grew fertile through His work, yet all was still naught but rock and soil.

Then the Winged Lord appeared, uncertain of the path He was to walk. He was hungry, so He clawed at the stone to find where His prey crawled."

The natives have just remembered the Winged Lord for some reason, but we still don't know who the first "He" is. Could "He" be trying to contact us in some way in order to keep things in some kind of balance? I am very curious to hear what everyone thinks.

[The video ends here, but once he is done with that Regis sends out two quick texts.]

[Locked to Ardyn:]

Remember when I told you I would inform you if anything weird happened after touching the ghosts? I think I just hit "weird."

[Locked to Honerva:]

By the time you get this, I am certain you will have seen my video post. Would you be willing to work with me on a new investigation if I started one? We have talked before of how strange it is the natives are now remembering the Winged Lord. How far behind do you think his fellow is?

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I thought of that too. While I cannot stand in the shoes of the Crawling One, I can imagine it would almost be an insult to say these other deities are his "friend" when they are nothing at all like the entity He once knew.

Do you think He lives in the past and is unwilling to let the past die? He would rather everything die than continue on in a different form?

It is difficult to determine the motive.

The Gods present have spoken before of requiring balance, but that seemed to relate to their own numbers, and the shift in dominance. When we first arrived in this world, the imbalance had led to Ainea's familiars becoming active, though Rawna's familiars have not shown such a similarly invasive impact upon us yet, despite the longstanding imbalance. Other activity may relate to this, though I admit I have not had the opportunity to observe closely for those signs.

[ There's a lot to keep track of while still learning to have a personal life outside of this sort of thing, and there are often... inconveniences. She does what she can. ]

These messages from... beyond, however, still seem to reflect upon the world's past... "Some must die or all shall perish. These were their promises and their demise." To whom does that refer? It goes beyond the story. Perhaps there were once a collective of followers to the Crawling One who could not commit to such a demand?

And if so, perhaps this could be the indication of what had forced their hand, for them to commit themselves to move their souls to different forms to not chance such a loss. And to remove all memory or mention of such gods... in much the same way as they have removed any imagery of what may have once been their natural forms.

Nor have I. It is a lot to keep track of for a whole group of people, let alone one or two.

[Knowing how to have a personal life doesn't really help when disruptions to that personal life come. They are still a distraction.]

Such devotion is easy to feel in the heat of a moment, but when the time comes to actually commit, the mind can find itself questioning that devotion. It would be very human of them to do as they had to in order to survive and to remove the memory of that dark time.

If there is a consequence of them not following through on their vows, though, perhaps that is what leaves us where we are. An unbalanced and destroyed world outside the barrier; a newborn world within doing its best to remain as balanced as possible.

Their existence was very much a consequence of the circumstances, by the tale. Life did not come to this particular world until the Winged Lord brought it thus, and when He grew restless, the war between those progenitor gods began.

Two opposing forces, life and death. Balance and sacrifice. Should any of it heard be reliable at all, yet it is not... an unfamiliar consideration, even across what we may have experienced in other realities, of powerful forces being drawn toward similar places and set upon each other again and again.

[ And then what were people? Drawn into the mess like pawns, native born and then outsider alike. ]

[Several moments pass before Regis responses. While emotions don't carry over text very well, it is almost possible to hear the frustrated sigh in his words. After learning what he has of the future of his world, he can't help but suddenly feel like he can understand the choices of the natives better.]

Agreed.

I don't think any living creature enjoys feeling helpless to change the circumstances they are living in. Sometimes this leads to bad choices, and sometimes it leads to good ones.

[Sometimes it leads to choices that seem good at the time and then reveal themselves to be very big mistakes.]

[ It hits far too close to home for her own comfort, she hates this, she's lived this, she's yet living proof of all of it. ]

Intention that can be twisted, one way or another.

Sadly, that is quite true.

[There is a pause then where Regis realizes just how close this may be hitting to home for her again. It may be best if they shift the direction of their discussion slightly.]

Do you have thoughts on what the best way to look into this farther might be? I would suggest speaking with the natives again, but with as scattered as their memories are of the past, I think it may be just a waste of time much like my first investigation was. Conflicting accounts are almost as useless as no accounts at all.

[ Yes, she needs a few moments, both to consider his redirection and to just... you know. Breathe and all that. ]

Perhaps we should refrain from making too many assumptions as well, until we can be certain of which are indeed facts. Speculation can only take us so far, but if we grow attached to a theory, we may not see others.

We are seeing, at least, that the natives are taking the information that we uncover and taking their time in disassembling it for themselves even before they will share it with us. They are careful about what they pursue and what they think might be better for us without consulting us, either. It is their problem, so perhaps... better relations might be sought with them, if they are willing. Especially since we still have some unanswered questions as to how they are coming by their information without our assistance.

That is a good point. I know that despite my best efforts, the similarities I saw in the situation and Eos' history blinded me to paths I might have seen sooner if I had not been so focused on that.

When Verstael told me of some of the projects he was planning, I offered to speak to the natives for him to see if they would be willing to assist us. He never did take me up on that offer. I'm afraid our roles as enemies back home leaves us too leery of each other to easily trust when it's not completely necessary. I would be willing to try taking up this role, though I am not certain what angle would be best to approach them from.

[Unfortunately, his classes never got around to teaching him how to best negotiate with an alien species.]

It seems that we have been some time without anyone taking on that sort of role. It is a strange one, but... certainly necessary, as much as it requires a lot of understanding for both sides to navigate through.

[ Some combination of charisma and political knowledge for navigating and... certainly not an enviable position. Still, the communication is locked between them at this point, if it hadn't been earlier. ]

As for projects... such trust goes both ways, and it may not be so personal as much of concern for his projects. Myself and a couple of others have a project of our own that we are working on, and intend to present to the council in time, but until that time comes we have been very careful about what we want known about it, as we do not know what consequences it may yet involve.

[Regis ponders this and nods to himself as he puts together his response.]

That is a good point. As a king and politician, I am used to knowing this information, but here I don't have the ties and the power I would back home. I can't just stop the natives if they decide a project should not be continued. If I can't do that, then what is the point of telling me about it if my skills are not needed specifically to work on it?

[He can't help but think of the time Verstael had asked for his assistance with testing that strange crystal he had found. He's not heard anymore about it since then and wonders suddenly if the man had ever gotten anywhere with his testing.]

As much as I don't like it, secrecy--even among allies--is sometimes the best course of action.

We will be prepared to talk about the details later, whether it is "approved" or not. This has been quite a process, and it has taken us long enough to approach the completion of this stage of it.

[ For the moment it's simpler to keep the full details to themselves, even if at worse they might risk too many cooks until the time is right. ]

Thank you for taking on such a difficult and long process. It is very comforting to me to know that someone like you is working on this. I have every faith that your work will turn out successful.

There is little reason to thank me for the effort. It was within our capability to pursue it to further our study of energy in this world, so we did.

Thank you, though. That was quite kind.

[ If strange, though she often does not know what to do in the face of such compliments. ]

You are very welcome. Just because it is within your ability, doesn't mean it was something you had to do. Thanks is the least I can give you.

[ Well, she's just grateful this is a text conversation and not a video call, so Regis can't catch sight of her blushing. ]

... Well. In any case, we will see how fruitful this venture will be. In the meantime, you should probably get yourself somewhere warm if you have not, and see if you can manage any rest. We have a lot written down that we can go over again at another time.

I believe you are right. I'm currently propped up in bed looking over responses as I warm up, but I believe I am getting warm enough to try and sleep again.

[How good of an idea that is, he's not sure, but if he keeps going, he's probably going to end up dropping his tablet when he dozes off and he would rather avoid that.]

I look forward to speaking with you again soon.

Indeed.

Hopefully the rest of your sleep will not be disturbed again.

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[Video] All that we See or Seem is but a Dream within a Dream

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