Log:Restless Dreams

Time to say Good-Bye 2014/07/03

Paragon Yutaka

2

Yutaka sits on the Futon drinking some tea, he mulls over what he encountered tonight. He hit the speedster with a solid hit, and it hardly seemed to phase him. He needs to do some research..

The front door clicks open after scanning Paragon. The door pushes open, but at the same time, there's the soft sound of metal sliding on metal, accompanied with clicking and clacking sounds. The door definitely doesn't need servicing. But Paragon is trying to be polite and retracts her armor before stepping into the home. Third covers her mouth and stifles a yawn as she shuts the door. The lights were on, so she's not too worried about having to slip in quietly as she has on earlier nights. "Oh, good evening, Yutaka," she says with a wave and a smile. "Good news; I just about finished up repairs on my home, so I'll be able to leave tomorrow."

Yutaka looks up from his thoughts, and smiles, "Good evening. The contractors were able to help you then?" he asks simply

Paragon nods, seeming very pleased, although tired. She's put in extra hours after the contractors went home for the day, and then patrolled to allow Yutaka to keep the illusion of having an empty house to himself. "Definitely. Having the extra hands made the work go by very quickly. Thank you for calling them," she says as she steps away from the door.

Yutaka nods, "It was my pleasure. I will miss having you around, you've been a fine guest." he stands, "I see you're tired, get some rest." he takes his tea cup and takes it to the sink in the kitchen. As he washes it, He says, "I will be removing you from the security protocol matricies, I will make it effective 10am tomorrow, does that work for you?" he asks over his shoulder.

Third actually looks surprised as Yutaka expresses the idea of missing her. She had assumed he was displeased by her presence. "And you have been a gracious host, Yutaka. 10 AM will be perfect," she smiles, planning to be sure to leave earlier. She covers her mouth as another yawn escapes. "I'm sorry...I've been putting in a lot of time to get the repairs done and still keep up patrols. I guess I really should go to bed. Goodnight and sleep well," she grins with polite wave of her fingers, then heads upstairs to the guest bedroom.

Yutaka waves, "Good night, I'll probably be out before you wake, so if I don't see you, take care, and don't be a stranger." with that he goes back to the living room and gets on his holo to start making the changes to the system...

Third steps halfway up the stairs and says warmly, "You too. Take care, and I'm sure I'll see you around." That said, she goes up the rest of the way and shuts the door behind her once she's in the room. Stretching her arms over her head and yawning again, she rotates her sore neck, hearing a few pops and cracks in the joints. Then she walks over to the bed, spinning around and sitting on the edge to remove her boots. Rubbing at her eyes sleepily, she rises up and sets the boots in the closet and begins to get changed.

After several minutes, her hand swipes at the light switch before she crawls into bed, teeth brushed and changed into her white cami and flannel boxer short jammies. Pulling the sheets up to her chest, she rests her hands above the sheets and stares at the ceiling for a while in the darkness. Her mind is creating lists of things to do in Harrisburg, patrol routes to take, people to check on, and a plethora of other tasks and duties she should perform to help the city. Eventually her lids grow heavy and she falls asleep. The comfortable bed, and the warmth of the bedding quickly lull Third into a deep sleep. Unbidden, strange dreams come to Third.

At first she feels as if she is falling...or perhaps sinking in a languid warmth that draws her further and further away from all that she has known. She feels her armor slowly form around her, and somehow she finds herself lying on the ground fully armored...still something is strange. Her armor does not fit like it normally does, her perceptions different, unenhanced..

Paragon often sees herself as armored in her dreams, as that's what she sees as her true self. The flesh underneath is a stranger; an internal component; a disguise. As she lies on the ground, she raises her hand up to reach up from where she was falling, then looks at her hand strangely, flexing it as she notices the odd fit. Sitting up, she tries to look her armor over.

The armor reflects the sunlight, it shines like a beacon, as she looks over herself, she sees pauldrons, and greaves, gauntlets...she is in full plate it seems..The fit is not what she's used to, it is not the second skin she is used to, instead, it is alien to her being...to her left is a placid pond, surrounding her is woodlands and there is a heavy warhorse tethered to a low hanging branch. On its side is a silver shield..

Paragon grins brightly. Maybe she'll get to fight a dragon or save a damsel! She hops up to her feet. Yes, she's a knight, she should be saving someone and doing good deeds. Dream logic guides her as she walks over to the horse as if she's gone through many a battle with her faithful steed that she's always had by her side, patting its flank affectionately before untethering it.

As she passes the side of the horse, she sees her reflection, indeed she is a knight, her tabard is a glowing sword on a white field. It is simple design...

Something's different..you see yourself..at least a part of yourself in the reflection. Your eyes are different...so is your skin. You see it under the helm...

Paragon stares curiously at her reflection, noticing something amiss. She reaches up with both hands and slowly lifts the helm up and away, shifting it to hold it under one arm as she looks at her reflection.

Her hair cascades down to her shoulder, black hair, luxurious and thick, that's the first difference, her skin is pink, alive, her eyes brown and large, and there is a long scar along her right cheek..

Paragon studies her reflection, taking in her appearance and running a finger along the scar, trying to remember what battle she received it in. Hadn't she always looked like this? She packs her helm in a bag on her steed and mounts up, settling into the leather saddle as if she were at home doing so.

Another horse can be heard in the distance closing in at an easy canter.

Wait, there's something wrong. Since when did she know how to ride horses, except that one time on Snowmane? It's a small trigger, but it slowly starts to make Paragon become more aware of the dream and how things aren't quite right. The thing about lucid dreaming is that you get to drive the dream a little yourself. And what Paragon wants to do is keep playing the knight in shining armor. She takes a breath and feels alive, or what she estimates being alive to feel like. With a light nudge of her feet on her steed's flanks, she urges it towards the approaching sounds of the other horse.

"Artemicia! Artemicia!" shouts another person in shining armor, the voice is Male, "Artemicia, The queen summons the guild, we must hurry!"

"Lead on!" Paragon...er, Artemicia says, digging a little more into her warhorse's flanks to spur it on to a solid gallop.

The other knight rides hard for over 10 leagues, the horses though do not tire, and they ride as fast as race horses. Nimbly they ride through the forests, and as you ride you see fauna and animal life abounding. With the speed of the horses you close upon a massive earthen structure, to call it a castle would be wrong, rather it is a fortress made up as much of earth and stone as it is of giant living trees and roots that create bridges, and tunnels. The walls rise over 50 ft in the air, and a gate large enough to fit a 10 lane high way is down. When you get closer you can see the gate is made of some kind of stone-like material.

The material of the gate looks familiar as you near it, and you recognize that while it doesn't have the iridescent glow of the gravestone of the Regent, it seems to be the same material. The other Knight waits for a moment, then says, "Artemicia! What are you waiting for?"

Paragon gazes at the earthen kingdom and the strange material of the gate, probably plucked from her recent adventures and incorporated by the dream. She nods and urges her steed along. "Right behind you."

The knight blinks then removes his helm, His hair cascades down as well. Dark hair, dark eyes, he could be your brother. "Artemicia, only a Captain can open the gates..are you teasing me?" he asks, "The Queen has summoned, we are the last to report in. Open the gate, and stop this foolishness, you know I was not accepted as a captain last month. Why are you being so cruel?"

"I don't mean to be teasing you," Paragon says with apologetic tenderness. But she isn't sure how to open the gate. Her warhorse steps forward and she reaches out towards that strange material, brushing her fingers along it. She searches for an idea of how to open it. Maybe her strength works in the dream too and she can merely open it that way? She makes an attempt.

As soon as your hand touches it, you feel the same metallic stone sensations you felt when you touched the grave marker. When you think of opening the Gates, they immediately rise on their own accord, opening for you. The other knight puts his helm back on, "No more foolishness, why do I feel like I am the older sibling instead of you!" he says angrily, and kicks his mounts flanks pushing the horse into a full gallop in a single jump, he heads down the wide road into the heart of the citadel.

Paragon leans forward as she kicks her mount as well, speeding after him with a grin of rivalry.

He rides hard and eventually rides into a large courtyard, there are dozens of horses already there, all tethered off. He jumps from the horse and lands lightly even as its still running and immediately makes his way to an open tether. After he ties off, he waits for you...

Paragon follows suit, leaping down from her horse and tethering it quickly. She slips on her helm and follows her 'brother' at a brisk pace.

The other Knight races down a few long hallways and ends up at the Royal Audience room. The room itself is massive, but instead of cobble stones, the floor is made of diamonds, the walls emerald, ruby, sapphire..the throne is a tree, made to seat the queen.

Paragon strides into the Royal Audience room standing tall and proud. Make that, Captain Artemicia strides in, studying the surroundings as she walks further into the room and towards the throne, looking for the other knights.

There are at least 40 other knights in the room. they all stand at attention, your 'brother' glares at you and tries to subtly point to where you are to stand...which is at the head of the 4th column of knights.

Paragon steps in line and stands at attention under the watchful glare of her little brother.

The moment you stand at attention, birds fly into the room, a hawk and a dove, they land on each side of the throne, a Giant bear and a massive wolf walk in as well, laying down next to the throne, finally a beautiful woman dressed in greens and browns, complimenting her light green complexion, she sits on the throne, and where she walks flowers grow.

Paragon tries to stay focused and diligent so as not to upset her tightly wound little brother, but her eyes widen a little at the familiar woman. Strange how the events of Regent's passing have pervaded her dreams.

Gaia looks upon all of her Knights, and when her view falls upon you, she stops her sweeping gaze and a look of concern comes across it, but she only stops momentarily before reviewing the group. Her face reflects a simple fact, she has been crying. "My brave Knights. My Blades of Light." she says softly, yet her voice carries to all present, "My Children and defenders of this realm. Each of you have defended this land for hundreds of years. We have seen many brothers and sisters fall in the great war that has raged upon the realms. I must tell you that one whom has fought by your side and defended the realm has passed today." Her voice is strong, but it apparent this news weighs heavily upon her.

Paragon listens solemnly. This is starting to definitely feel familiar...but why did she seem concerned at seeing her? Between that and her brother, making her feel like she doesn't quite fit in, her mind becomes more aware of her dream state.

"Each of you have take up arms with our greatest defender. The Regent, he who sealed the rifts and ended our time of strife, has fallen." she pauses, and wipes a tear from her eye, "Today he found the source of the rifts. It was The Devil, Satan, and Asmodeus that met him at the source of the rifts, We gods fought with the Regent to defeat the unholy trinity. The rifts, the chaos generators, gave the demons power, but it seems they were trying to raise the Fallen Angel." She takes a deep breath, "To close the rift, Regent sacrificed himself," she pauses, "The Regent has ended the Rift Wars. Let us never forget his sacrifice for all the realms. Draw your blades, and let us Honor Matthew Regent, Lord of Atlantis, Friend and hero of the Realm of Earth. Long Live the Regent!" she says, and the room echos her.

All Knights draw their swords and salute with a sword in the air in the right hand, and an arm over the heart wit the left hand.

Paragon draws her sword in a salute, mimicking the others. There he is again. Regent. Elementals. She had wondered how he had passed, but she never realized her imagination was -this- inventive.

"Long Live the Regent" they say in unison She says to all the knights. "Spread the word my children, let the people of this realm know the 400 year war is finally over. Let them know our ally and friend have also fallen." with that dismissal the knight filter out, but before you can leave You feel a tap on your shoulder, "Knight Captain..I require a word with you."

Paragon is about to turn away and leave when that tap on her pauldron comes. She turns back and looks at the woman curiously, rolling her shoulder and standing tall and at attention again. "Yes, of course...My Queen," she adds the title after a pause as she remembers her role in this strange dream.

Gaia looks you in the eyes, and the gentle softness of her power, the Green Mother, many called her, steals your heart, a feeling of saftey and joy overwhelm you. "My child..are you going to be fine? I know that you and the Regent had a special bond."

Your brother looks back at you as you are stopped, but leaves with the others.

Unbidden, memories of the Regent come into your mind, and you are playing a back seat to a story that is not yours...

You suddenly remember that You met the Regent over 200 years ago, you were a hardened soldier by then, He had come to you after your had suffered the grievous wound to your face. He had saved you. Every day he had visited you until you were well. You fell in love with him, but while he had a deep affection for you, the love was never requited. One day though Gaia came to you and took you off the front lines. You remember it as if it was yesterday, you fought with her, your men and women were dying on the field of battle, why should you not be there? "You are with child Artemicia.." you remember her saying. Those strange words. As with all Blades of Light, you were chaste, how could you be with child you thought...

Gaia took you aside, into her most private of chambers and explained that where the Regent travels, so does a part of his soul. When he connects with another soul, a small piece of himself becomes attached to that soul. That his affection and care for you created this bonding of souls, and that it was this remnant of his soul that lived within you, and was growing. "Thus shall the Regent always live on." she said in explanation.

You carried the soul child of the Regent for 10 months, and upon the 7th day of the 10th month you gave birth to a perfect little girl. She was beautiful from her first day, and unbidden came a name....Arianna Regent. It was the name you had given her…your little child…who died at age 12ish, killed in a raid during the Rift War.

Memories flow; no, not just memories. A whole other life of unfamiliar events rush into her mind. And for a time, here in the dream, that other life is suddenly very real.

"I'll...be fine," the Captain stays strong. "Just...fine," her voice loses some of its strength. First the loss of her child, the one piece of Regent she had for herself. And now Regent himself. She's lost the two loves of her life to the Rift War, It's hard to realize that it's finally over, but at such a high cost. Her voice wavers as she says dutifully, her eyes wet, "He died to end the Rift Wars, and I'll never forget that. Or him." Her mouth betrays her pain with a small trembling.

Gaia lays a gentle hand on your cheek and kissed your forehead, "My Child..let my gift to you ease your pain.." once again the overwhelming motherly love that comes from Gaia infuses your spirt, a gentle lifting of spirits, a gentle bolstering of love to carry you through, as gentle as her touch to your cheek or her kiss to your forehead, and while the pain does not go away, the feelings of fear and sadness mute, becoming more bearable. "Never forget him, a piece of his soul still resides with you. As it does with me." she says softly. "Let us never forget."

A tear falls from Gaia's cheek, and where it lands a small but beautiful orchid grows and blooms.

Artemicia releases a shuddering sigh. "I could never forget him," she speaks softly, shaking her head as if denying that it were even a possibility. "Not one moment. How could I?" her brow creases. If not for Gaia's gift of love, the Captain would probably have found it difficult to not break down from the pain and weight of loss. But she is a Blade of Light. She must soldier on, where Regent can't. For him. For his memory. A tear of her own escapes, running down her cheek and along the scar.

The tear drops off her cheek, and when it hits the floor, the floor ripples as if it had struck a pool of water, the dream becomes unstable...less clear, Gaia looks at you and says in a questioning voice...and it is the last thing you hear..."Who are you?"...and suddenly you are rising through that viscous pool back to consciousness, you hear a *tok tok tok* and someone calls out the name "Third?"

Who is this third? You are Knight Captain Artemicia, 4th core leader of the Blades of Light, private Army of the Goddess Gaia..

Yutaka says again softly through the door, "Third...are you alright?"

"What do you mean? I'm..." Artemicia starts to answer as the world ripples and fades away, and Third finds herself lying in bed, her eyes flying open suddenly. Wet...her face is wet. She sits up suddenly, touching her face, the memories of the dream still fresh and so vivid. Too vivid for her, now that she's no longer in Gaia's presence. "I'm fine. Just fine..." she repeats in response to the person asking if she's alright, just like she did in the dream.

But she's not. All that unrequited love and loss. So this is what that feels like. It's too much. Third wraps her arms around herself and bows her head, trying to protect herself from a strange, painful ache in her chest. It's as if she's trying to hold herself together. Her hair tumbles forward and her bangs conceal her eyes. Tears start to run freely down her cheeks, her jaw clenched as she shudders and chokes back a sob. First Arianna...and now Regent. What else is there now...? What else is left. She swallows back a painful lump in her throat, closing her eyes shut tightly against a pain that shouldn't even be hers.

The door cracks open, Yu says again, "Third..you don't sound okay. I heard you sobbing..what's wrong?" his voice is soft and soothing, but concerned.

Third tries to reign in her emotions as she starts to become more lucid. She sniffs and tries to wipe away the tears, but she's unable to shake the feeling of terrible loss. As the door creaks from opening, Third instinctively armors up. The metal slides out of her and over her body, encasing her in a protective cocoon. The helm shifts into place, locking away her face from the world. Sealed within her armor, she can withstand anything. She can be strong for others without revealing her own feelings or needs. She can be anything for anyone. "A malfunction. Nothing to worry about, Yutaka," her voice echoes out softly. "I'm sorry if I disturbed your rest."

Yutaka shakes his head, "No..you did not, are you sure?" he finally looks in the room..."Do you normally sleep in your armor?" he pauses, "Is this about you having to leave? You can stay as long as you want to Third. I wasn't kidding about enjoying your company..."

The glowing pair of lights in her helm dim as her eyes half close. "Sometimes, yes. When there's a risk of attack," she explains it away. Her voice is quiet but stable. The faceplate hides the tears still trickling down her cheeks. "It's not about leaving," she tries to smile at Yutaka's efforts to make her feel better. "I'll be happy to go home again."

Yutaka nods.."Ok...well, if you need anything, just call me. You get some rest, I'll hang around in the morning and see you off." he pauses, "Good night Third...dream sweet." and with that he closes the door behind him.

"Goodnight..." Paragon says quietly. Once the door is closed, she puts a plated hand to her helmed head. Her heart still aches. The armor slowly, quietly slides away and compacts, leaving Third sitting in the bed again. She quietly sniffs and wipes at the new tears. With an uneasy exhale, she lays back and turns onto her side, her back facing the door. Her legs curl up in a partial fetal position as she draws the blankets up to her chin and closes her eyes. A few more tears escape. For a while, her thoughts dwell on Artemicia, Arianna, and Regent, until she drifts to sleep again.