12123/Recalling a Dream

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Recalling a Dream
Date of Scene: 23 July 2022
Location: The Dreaming
Synopsis: Dream summons Phantasm to discuss Wonderland. He charges Mike with finding a solution for that place as well as bringing the new nightmare, The Screaming Whisper, back to Earth.
Cast of Characters: Dream, Michael Hannigan




Dream has posed:
Unlike some other mortals, who are invited or even visited by Dream, the entity attached to Michael Hannigan is *summoned*. And because of the connection between the Phantasm and Mike, Mike is brought along as well. Moments after he sleeps, Mike finds his awareness is in a place he doesn't recognize. It's a room, of sorts; a flat plane in a checkerboard pattern. The floor sits in the middle of a vast field of stars. Behind Mike is a door; to his left and right, two-story walls with many doors and alcoves built into it. On the other side of the room is a single unsupported stairway that climbs up to a smaller, second platform. That platform contains a high-backed throne and the room's two occupants. The Dreamlord, and his Raven familiar Matthew.

"Approach the throne, Phantasm," the Raven croaks, and points a wing at the spot at the base of the stairs. Once Michael gets there, Dream leans forward slightly in his chair with his fingers interlaced at chest level. "You've been privy to the events of the Wonderland incident," he informs Mike. "The matter is coming swiftly to a head. I require your insights into the situation. What have you gleaned from observing the mortals participating in this situation?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
It is times like this it may have been helpful if Leo had stuck back to give a few pointers. Anything to cut back from the surprise to Mike finding himself in the starlit checkerboard room.

The surprise is shortlived as it feels another page in his mental book is unstuck and things are okay once more. The phantasm, which recently had been favoring the wild haired rockstar persona in appearance when it comes to a human form, has opted for that look now. Besides, someone else is rocking the raven look in this room already.

Phantasm steps forward as directed, reaching the base of the steps. The closer proximity to the platform causes for him to tilt his head further back to look to Dream.

"Wonderland?" Phantasm repeats, "Considering the place of pain it came from, there is a beauty to how it evolved and the effect it has on those who set foot in it. Considering the shared dreams I've encountered, and that Wonderland is a known story now. I'm a little baffled to why this one still requires a designated dreamer to maintain it."

Dream has posed:
"You do not know because it was not deemed to be necessary to your purpose to know it," Dream tells Phantasm. His resonant baritone carries so well it echoes off unseen walls despite his moderate tone. "Wonderland was sealed off to protect the rest of the Dreaming from the Red King's awareness, from the pain rippling out from his delusion. And every year it grows, from the concepts of Wonderland it drains from elsewhere in The Dreaming."

Dream eases back in his throne, hands resting on the two polished arms. "Left wholly unattended, it would turn into something chaotic and malignant. A realm that festers with nightmares or even creatures from outside the Dreaming itself."

One fingertip lifts towards Mike, then settles again. "Therefore some action must be taken. I have not yet determined which course to pursue. I wish your opinions of the mortals involved. This Terry O'Neill, the godling Troia and the would-be Alice, Nadia Pym-van Dyne. The others, Garfield Logan and Ki'an t'Kaeh. What is your measure of them in this matter?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
The phantasm's head tilts up as the explanation to why comes into play. So, not all the resources to maintain it would have been available. Even if there's no designated dreamer, there'd still be need for it to be on someone else's mind.

"Terry is another interesting thing about Wonderland. Without Wonderland, he would not be who he is now. And who he is now helps others. The willingness to take over for the Red King in order to maintain the world should speak to that. If it doesn't enough, I have worked with him before to protect dreamers from outside dangers. He's very adaptable to the situation and he strives to learn."

Mike pauses, eyes glacing up a bit in thought. A breath, though not needed for life is taken for another need. "My interactions with him has been more than with the others. But I have encountered them enough times to know that when they got a hint that anything could possibly be wrong in Wonderland, they were willing to risk themselves to right matters. And I believe they'd keep doing that. They are good people. And will make decisions to the best of their judgement. They are good. But, they are even better working together. And right now, they're missing Terry O'Neil."

Dream has posed:
"Their preoccupation with Wonderland is understandable. It affected them in the waking world in meaningful ways. The entity that associates itself with Terry O'Neill has played no small part in this," Dream assures Mike.

"His willingness to sacrifice himself for Wonderland is admirable but irrelevant aside from the fact that it is done. His presence has stabilized Wonderland. There is time to consider other options. I wish to know why the mortals have gone to so much trouble not just to rescue him but to preserve and even stabilize Wonderland. 'Goodness' is often a matter of power and circumstance, as you well know," Dream remarks.

The ancient thing leans forward again, elbows on his knees and the bridge of fingers supporting his chin. White skin, white hair, white robes, not just 'pale' or 'ivory' but white like a salt flat. The only color is the fist-sized emerald that hangs under his neck and the infinite starfields in his eyes-- starfields that precisely resemble the view in the throne room Mike currently occupies.

"The question that remains is whether Wonderland should be remanded to the Dreaming, or preserved in some other way. I see little value in the latter but it seems that which his companions demand most."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"It may very well depend on the person." Mike reflects, "There was interaction with those who reside within Wonderland. They had personalities, they displayed a type of reasoning and awareness, the things one one associates with being alive. It is hard for someone to interact with another and then turn around and just, let them fade away."

There's a pause as Mike considers a few things, "For Terry, that world contains friends and he's inherited memories from there. There's a concern of what might happen to him if that world was lost. And that concern can trickle down to his teammates. And myself."

Pale eyes look to the dark field of stars, "As for me. Prior to even considering the possibility of Wonderland being no more, I can say that being there was probably one of the happiest times I can remember."

Dream has posed:
"Nonetheless, Wonderland remains a threat to the Dreaming," Dream presses. "The sacrifice of the dreamers is a short exchange. A mortal soul, willingly anchoring itself to Wonderland-- permanently-- would buy more time as well. A few centuries. Perhaps a millennia."

"The outcome in that time would be the same. I would destroy Wonderland and return its story to the Dreaming. Return what Wonderland has taken from this realm. And then Terry O'Neill's soul would be released."

Dream sits back again, fingers steepling. "There are alternatives. Other options. But I do not intercede in these ways simply because a mortal wishes it. Mortals wish all the time, for many things, often at great and inconsiderate cost to others. They have impresessed this desire upon me, to keep their friend alive and well *and* maintain Wonderland as it exists. For this, they offer nothing in kind but gratitude. My obligation to the balance of The Dreaming must outweigh the transient needs of mortals, or the happiness of my servants."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Michael nods. The general discussion does not seem to be going in the favor of Wonderland's preservance as it is now. And considering what was said. Dream was right in that there was little in it from his side. Grattitude is nice but it doesn't help him with his work.

"Is there anything that can be done by them or me that would make considering the alternatives more appealing? Something that can help you with maintaining the balance?"

Dream has posed:
"That is why you have been summoned for this discussion," Dream tells Michael. "I have spoken to several of them and none had any answer beyond personal sentiment. Assurances of payment, on topics of which they are grossly under-informed. You are an intermediary between The Dreaming and The Waking. I task you to find an answer to this question," Dream informs him.

The Dreamlord stands and in an eyeblink translocates himself to the bottom of the steps. He gestures for Mike to follow and walks towards one of the doors leading into nothingness. When they step through it, they arrive in Dream's statuary. Dream walks to a pedastal. A humanoid figure-- definitely not human-- stands atop it. It is relatively featureless, with no facial structure to speak of and androgynous build. It looks like a half-finished statue or mannequin, made from smoked glass.

Dream leans over and exhales steadily near the statue's mouth. Smoke rises up from the surface and wisps away after a few inches of travel. The statue looks at Dream, then at the ground, and steps off the pedastal with a heavy yet completely silent step.

"You will take this Nightmare with you," Dream tells Michael. "The Screaming Whisper. The shadow that mortals perceive when their eyes and mind wake but the body refuses to alert. This is that which preys on them when they are trapped in that paralysis." The Dreamlord reaches over and touches two fingers to Michael's brow. In a moment of insight the Phantasm becomes completely *aware* of The Screaming, aware of its purpose and place in the universe.

"It will follow you for a time on Earth and will follow your instructions. It must learn the art of creating terror. If you require its aid, simply invoke its name. You can recall it to the Dreaming if it exceeds the mandate I granted it at creation."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike's eyes follow the Dreamlord during the initial standing, but upon his vanishing he blinks, turning his head to locate the new location near him. Seeing the gesture, Mike steps forward after Dream. The lack of visible floor, if awake would be concerning but in here, it seems expected. Instead, the phantasm's attention shifts over to the Screaming Whisper.

A hand clasps over the other hand as he watches Dream set about waking the Whisper. The attention shifts back to Dream directly as further instructions are given. The dual fingers are watched as they come closer, causing for a cross eyed look upon contact. It was pretty eventful in his time here. More pages in that mental book of his have been unstuck here than in the past nine years.

Another breath is taken as he collects himself.

Settled, he bobs his head. "Ok." Mike accepts.

Dream has posed:
"I expect a report soon," Dream informs Michael. "You are dismissed." The Dreamlord turns to walk away, back towards that door from which they entered. There's a momentary glimpse of the throne room and then the door swings shut, leaving the Phantasm to his own devices. The Screaming looks towards him with a quizzical tilt of its head, smoke still pouring out from the flawless glass skin. Even at rest, there is something unnerving and malicious about it.

At least it's not likely to haunt Mike anytime soon.