shatteredlenses | Somnia Inbox

Hey. Spoke to a girl earlier, Lortel, and wanted to verify some info she passed along.

[ He pauses and the consideration of his words is nearly palpable. ] For the record, you don't gotta be willing to help me. I'm only out to confirm the intel I got is right.

[Ignis is a little surprised at the sudden contact, but the surprise is soon replaced by curious amusement.]

I don't know that I've ever met someone who's tried so hard to convince me not to help them before they even told me what help they needed.

[Usually, he would be more cautious about answering questions, but if this person caught Lortel's attention, then Ignis is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.]

What did she tell you that you need verified?

Oh, about that—she mentioned if I told you she sent me to you, that you'd be willing to help. I don't like it when people are volunteered for things they're not aware of, is all.

[ It's rude, is what it is. ]

You've got some ability to manipulate time, is that right?

Your consideration is greatly appreciated.

[Funny how a stranger is this strange land was more considerate of his time than people at home were. While he rarely turned down help requests there, being Advisor to the Crown Prince kept him plenty busy itself without him being volunteered for other things.]

That is correct, though at the moment, I don't have much control over it. Despite that, I have unconsciously gotten brief visions of what I assume is some version of the future, I have stopped time, and I have even reversed it a few seconds.

Visions—like an oracle? How far in the future?

[ This is certainly interesting. Something about controlling time within—what is presumably—reality, makes it feel like it's toeing the line of what's possible in lucid dreaming. ]

And how'd you find out?

[A bit of amusement tumbles across the connection as Ignis realizes that while Lortel may have told this man about his power, she probably didn't tell him the other important bit of information people should know about him.]

I'm blind. Seeing things isn't par for the course when it comes to me.

[Not a very helpful answer, but Ignis can't help himself. He does, however, expand on that first answer.]

While I didn't meet you in the dream, I'm sure you remember having had it, correct? In the dream, I could use this power much better than I can right now. The visions usually give me two or three seconds notice of when I need to change what I am doing to avoid a danger. In fact, it seems to be eminent danger to my person that is triggering most of the events at the moment, both for the visions and the time manipulation.

Everyone's got their shit. I imagine if Lortel recommended you, lacking vision doesn't stand in the way of your competence.

[ Granted, he doesn't know Lortel too well. Or Ignis. But, he's used to taking the measure of people quickly—dreamshare was full of scummy opportunists or psychopaths who'd sell you out for a corn chip, like Nash.

Ignis, at least, doesn't seem the type to lie off the bat. He didn't need to divulge his blindness, after all. Could've easily kept that close to the chest. ]

I remember it. Don't dream much anymore, so it stood out.

[ Ah. Not what he meant to give away, but, maybe that makes them a bit even. ]

Suppose the imminent danger thing makes sense. There's stories, right, of women lifting cars to save their kids and all. You're not thinking about it; just trying to survive.

I dare say she sees the future better than I do sometimes.

[It's a joke, but also not. Lortel knows he's struggling with who and what he is now, and it's not just because of the changes that have happened to him since coming here. She also knows just how good it made him feel to help her. Is she trying to guide him to others to help so he can slowly find himself again?

Maybe...

But, she also just might be pulling others into her debt-network. She's got a keen mind, that one, and Ignis hopes he never ends up on her bad side.]

I don't dream that often either, but my friends say that is because my blood was replaced by caffeine long ago. Dreams require sleep, after all. Is not dreaming much a good thing for you?

[Ignis doesn't intend to pry, so he moves right on back to their initial topic of discussion.]

There are no more powerful motivators than instinct and the need to survive. If I cannot tap into the power consciously, then it only makes sense it is finding other ways to do what it needs to. It's not like the power is just resting dormant inside of me. It's like it's waiting for something. Coiled and aware, like a snake. It's unsettling that it feels so alive.

Is that right?

[ Maybe Ignis knows more about what Lortel is capable of. He's curious, since she'd effectively dodged his question about what she could do. ]

You too, huh? [ Caffeine is life. ] It's neither good nor bad. Though, it makes dealing with the dream-related things here ... complicated, I suppose.

[ Close enough. ]

Dunno, maybe it's waking up from a long sleep, in fits and starts. Or it wants you to embrace it with the power of hope and friendship or whatever.

Perhaps. People do tend to underestimate those who are younger than they are.

[It's not much of an answer and Ignis is well aware of it. Still, most of his feelings are based on her reactions toward him and the part of himself he sees in her. It was only a few years ago that he was fighting to get people to recognize his skill and aptitude too.]

I suspect that dealing with dream things here would be complicated anyway. This whole situation is that and I'm certain it's meant to be so.

[Ignis can't help but snort softly at the mention of "the power of hope and friendship." How many of the silly movies Prompto and Noctis had playing in the background while they gamed ended up having that kind of moral at then end? They could never have told him considering how little they paid attention to the movie, but he as something of a captive audience knew the number was well into double digits.]

I'll be a lot better at embracing just about anything if I could find some bloody coffee. Tea is no substitute.

True.

[ And ain't that something he can really understand? Dreamshare respected people who had experience or looked like they did. When he'd gotten out of the military, he'd been painfully young looking; his face had always been boyish. So, those starter jobs had been difficult to come by. Even harder to have people take him seriously.

His sartorial choices became an armor, gave him an edge that made him seem older than he was. Made people imprint the personality he wanted them to eat up, instead of underestimating him at every turn. ]

Right, it feels like it's meant to–disorient, maybe. Make everyone desperate, possibly.

[ That way, whatever was whispering promises in their ears would seem like something to turn towards, to get on their knees and beg for. ]

Oh. I know a place. Actually, a few. The grinders won't work, but there should be some already ground and packed.

I was discussing that very possibility with someone while we were still in the dream. Change, especially intimate and continuous change, leaves people grasping for something concrete and familiar. That state leaves them prime for some "greater power" to step in and take control of them. Since it seems these changes have carried over in some form or the other upon us awakening, I feel even more strongly that some being is just waiting to scoop us up in their "loving" arms.

[A wave of sarcasm sweeps through the bond when Ignis says "loving," because there has been nothing kind in the "welcome" they've been given. He sees no reason why this being will be kind or loving in any true way once they are revealed.]

Do you really think anything ground will have survived previous looters?

[His little store was bare bones when he found it, and it's even worse now if that is possible. Ignis just can't imagine something as desirable as ground coffee still being around, even if he really hopes it is the case.]

Considering the conversation I had with ... Espera, I suppose, it seems like a sound theory. Could always surprise us, though, and turn out to be a pile of fluffy, benevolent, bunny gods.

[ It won't happen. But it could. He's entertaining the whimsy, uncharacteristically. ] What do you suppose it really wants?

[ Worship? Sacrifice? Prolonged agony? Deities are not his area of interest. ]

You're not from here, huh. [ Arthur is wryly amused by this; it's not a judgment. ] Before all this, there was an operational cafe basically every block. Sometimes a few, right across the street from each other. If all of them have been picked clean, I'll be shocked.

[A wave of disbelief comes across the connection. Ignis doesn't think for a moment that will be the case, though he does understand how allowing belief in something so whimsical can help one get through difficult times.]

Some deities are very focused on one thing while others can change what they want at the drop of a hat. At home, even when the Astrals were all aligned in humanity's favor, they had differing desires.

[Ramuh had fairly easily given his blessing to Noctis, while getting the blessings of Titan and Leviathan had nearly cost them their lives. The last had cost Lady Lunafreya hers, though The Chancellor had more to do with that than Leviathan herself did.

Ah, there's the inevitable question! Amusement accompanies the answer that Ignis gives.]

No, I'm from a world called Eos. Specifically, a city named Insomnia which is the capital of Lucis.

[Now, he would admit there were quite a few cafes and other shops centered around the Citadel, but he wouldn't go so far as to say they were right across from each other. Even with the large number of people working at the Citadel, that doesn't seem like it would be good for business.]

[ Just as Ignis had expressed disbelief at the benevolence, he'll get a thread of a similar feeling back in his direction at the mention of Astrals. Arthur had known, on some level, he was dealing with people from all over the place. It's another thing to be confronted with it so plainly. ]

So, wait, you've got gods that are real, back home? [ He doesn't know whether to be comforted by this, by the idea someone might know how to handle this situation, or if it freaks him out a bit. ]

Got it. Well, welcome to New York City. It's not the capital of the United States, but it's close enough.

They are quite real, though several were in deep sleeps until just recently. We refer to them as the Hexatheon as there are six of them.

[There's a moment's pause and when Ignis speaks again he's reciting something that was obviously taught to him as a child to help him understand and remember them.]

Titan, the Archaean, steadfast as stone.
Ramuh, the Fulgurian, sharp as lightning.
Shiva, the Glacian, gentle as snow.
Leviathan, the Hydraean, relentless as tides.
Bahamut, the Draconian, unbending as iron.
Ifrit, the Infernian, fickle as fire.
Since time immemorial, they have watched over Eos.

Should anyone doubt their existence, all they have to do is go to the Disk of Cauthess and see where Titan stands holding the meteorite that would have destroyed Eos had he not caught it.

[Ignis files away the new information on his location. It doesn't mean much now, but he's sure over time he will come to learn more and there is no time like the present to learn at least a little bit.]

Located in the country of New York? Is there anything specific I should know about it?

[ Six gods, just sleeping. Ignis launches into a poem, of sorts, clearly something he's recited time and again. Something that he'd likely learned at a young age, like how most American children knew the pledge of allegiance or the national anthem. ]

How big is Eos? I can't imagine a god called Titan is small in stature. [ Unless it's like ... deceptive in how powerful it was. ]

No, no, New York is a state, part of a country called the United States of America, usually just US for short. [ As for anything he should know: ] If it were active and populated, plenty. Right now, though? Just be careful if you go into the subway, the train tunnels wind under the city. Some of them may have caved in.

Oh, and there's rats. Big ones. [ After a beat: ] Actually, they're probably even bigger and weirder, now.

[For a moment, Ignis tries to describe how large and awe-inspiring Titan is, then he realizes he doesn't have to describe it. He can use the Murmur to show it.]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Let me know how this works. Do keep in mind this is only his physical avatar.

[Warning given, Ignis sends along an image of Titan fighting in Altissia. The view is a fair distance away and from a person--Ignis--who is perched upon a rooftop. Even with the distance just how much of a behemoth Titan is clearly shows. The deep Altissian bay comes about up to his knees and the airships he's swatting from the air look like toys in his hands.

A small smirk crosses Ignis' face and amusement colors his next words.]

I'd show you the view from the speed boat, but all you would get to see is his knee. A knee is bloody boring, even if it's an Astral's knee.

[The amusement fades as Ignis' focus returns to their current location and he finds himself nodding.]

We have subways in Insomnia as well, and I really don't want to imagine the shape they are in here. I think I'd rather deal with mutant rats, as strange as that may sound.

[He hopes he can defend himself from some mutant rats, even if it would be rough in his current condition. Having vision or not won't help him much in a tunnel collapse.]

Jesus Christ.

[ Yeah, okay, that's enormous. The closest "living" thing he can reference is Godzilla, which doesn't even exist outside of movies. He's having a hard time imagining gods like that just sort of ... roaming around. ] I figure getting that close also brings an added element of, oh, reminding you of your own fragile mortality?

[ Ugh. ]

To be frank, the tunnels weren't in amazing shape, even before all this. Some of the lines date back to 1904. So, at least a hundred years, give or take.

If the tunnels collapsed, the rats probably came topside, so you might still get your chance.

[Ignis almost asks who this "Jesus Christ" is, but considering their current topic of conversation, he assumes the name must belong to a deity of this world. One that must not come anywhere near Titan in size.]

He was on my side, so I was not so concerned about my own mortality. She, on the other hand, was only considering being on my side.

[A quick image follows his words. This one is of Titan and Leviathan standing in a whirlpool of water. Being a sea serpent in form, Leviathan is much less stocky than Titan, but towers over him due to her length.]

My king only just gained her approval and that was with the Oracle sacrificing her life to help him. I can only hope her aid is worth what was sacrificed to gain it.

[Ignis has to admit, it puzzles him a little to hear that such vital transportation was left fall into disrepair before the cataclysm that struck here did its damage. Even with the war going on, Insomnia's subways stayed well-maintained. It was required for people to be able to keep the city running. Well, perhaps, later he can ask about the whys. Instead now, he can't help but make a joke.]

Hmm, flame-roasted mutant rat. I've never come up with a recipe for it before, but I can certainly try.

[ So, he was mistaken in thinking this Titan was the biggest god-like entity he'd gotten the image of. Leviathan is even bigger, towering over Titan's form like some kind of malevolent boa constrictor. ]

Will she honor the arrangement? I find it hard to believe something that large and full of power would care to.

[ Unless there's some kind of contractual thing, involved with the Oracle having sacrificed herself. The details are lost on him, though he understands the weight of a life being exchanged for something more. ]

If you figure something out, let me know, so I can actively avoid eating it.

I believe she will. In the end, the Astrals are looking to accomplish the same thing my king is; however, they feel the need to test their chosen one before lending their aid. It's a classic in so many fantasy stories, after all.

[As was the sacrifice made to help the king, but Ignis would really have preferred they skipped that part.

Ignis can't help but be amused at the man's reaction to his cooking suggestion.]

I see you've never had Malboro stew. It makes flame-roasted mutant rat look like a delicacy.

[Humor aside, Ignis does have a question he wants to ask.]

Back at the beginning you mentioned wanting my help. Was that just in regards to learning about my powers or did you need something else as well?

Alright, yeah, that's a pretty common theme in novels where I'm from, as well.

[ Interesting. He definitely jots that little note down, oddly amused by how some things seem to transcend dimensional planes. ]

A ... what? Marlboro? Those are a brand of cigarettes.

[ Ignis sounds like he's talking about a creature of some sort. Arthur has no idea what this thing would even resemble. ]

Oh, was only verifying the info. Lortel mentioned you'd be willing to help, generally, if I asked, but I didn't come here looking for aid. [ That said: ] If you need any navigation pointers or otherwise, though, let me know.

Mal-boro. It has only one 'r.' You are saying you have cigarettes named for them? I suppose some people do still find them cute despite the smell.

[Ignis sends him one last mental image and it's probably going to give him nightmares for awhile. Yes, despite that, some do find them cute. There is a kid's TV show and everything.]

Excellent. We got a little far from the initial topic of conversation, and I wanted to make sure we covered everything you needed. I am going to have to develop a mental map of this area if I am going to have any hope of navigating on my own, so I will likely take you up on that offer. May I ask your name? As Lortel probably told you, my name is Ignis Scientia.

Oh, the spelling is different. So—

[ He'd been about to say that technically, it meant they didn't have cigarettes named for whatever this was. Except he gets the mental image then and immediately leans away, as if that could dispel it. ]—eugh, that's ugly as a sin.

[ What the fuck are those teeth? And eyestalks???

Anyway, he's shoving that aside and attempting to omit it from his memory forever now. Instead, he focuses on following the rest of the conversation, something akin to an embarrassed flush transmitting over the connection when he realizes he hasn't introduced himself properly. ]

Right—it's Arthur. Nice to, uh, "meet" you. Despite the circumstances and all.

[Ignis chuckles softly.]

That is quite the understatement.

[And tentacles. Don't forget those! Plus, there is usually never just one.

Fortunately for Arthur, Ignis just brushes off the missed introduction. Look, they are in a really strange situation. Things. Happen. (A lot!)]

It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Arthur. I hope we can meet in person someday soon. I look forward to learning more from you.

[And he will try to keep the mental images of creepy monsters to a minimum. He promises.]

Somnia Inbox

sometime on the second ??? day in post-apocalyptic NYC

What is time to a blind man? LOL!

REAL

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(CW: Mention of death)

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(CW-Link: Ugly monster with toooo many teeth! LOL!)

they R the worst, no thank u for the zillion stat effects

A Titan-sized box of tic-tacs can't even save you from all that!