/jp/ - Otaku Culture

"I believe so." Patchouli muttered. "Back to what I was saying earlier. I've been having... Dreams." She kept a journal, of course. One couldn't hope to become experienced in the Astral arts without at least a dream journal. She raised a hand to the table that she and Remi were sitting at. Immediately, a circle of magic - An interface - burst into existence, and she swirled her finger around to narrow down the locations. A moment later, she raised her hand and snapped her finger. Remi watched with the airs of someone who was seeing a trick they greatly enjoyed as a book floated from the darkness, having crossed shelf after shelf to reach her. "Ordinarily, I would not be concerned. The Dream World is known to me, after all. However, I have undergone a lucid dream and spoken to Doremy Sweet, who has confirmed that these dreams are not of her design."
This was the crux of the matter. Patchouli was having dreams that the ruler of the Dream World did not recognize. Perhaps that could be attributed to her drunken state, but the Baku had checked her own dream journal and confirmed the fact to her. "I am having dreams when I cannot be having dreams."

"How interesting." Remi exclaimed, leaning forward again. "Tell me of these dreams, Patchy. Are you a superhero in them? Do you soar through the skies and fight evil?"

"I am in the Hakurei Shrine Experience. And I am terrified." Patchouli murmured. Remi's expression changed in an instant and it wasn't hard to figure out why. She knew just as well as Patchouli did that the magician did not scare. Not once, not ever. The vampire sat up straighter and listened more attentively. "I am trapped. I cannot leave, and I can only watch in horror as countless acts are carried out upon the man who resides in that building." Her dreams often didn't show what happened. She would always move outside of the room. "And...I'm not alone. I'm with someone. I can't see them, but I know they're there. I believe they are helping to protect me and help me in whatever it is I am trying to accomplish."

"Could it be Meiling?" Remi asked, frowning. "You're the only two to have gone there, and you're the only two in your dream. That must mean something." This was what was so valuable about Remi's contributions. Sometimes, her mental limitations thanks to her vampirism could lead her to deductions that Patchouli could miss. She'd not considered the gatekeeper. But...No, there was a possibility... Either way, it would warrant consideration afterward. "This is why you've not been sleeping, then?"

"...Very recently, these dreams have taken a more concrete turn." Patchouli felt some unease. Like she was feeling an intense feeling that wasn't her own. "In one, I attempted to kill the man. I was saved by my companion. In another, I am fighting for my life. I can't see her, but I know that I am fighting someone I shouldn't. I... In these dreams, I feel that death would be preferable to remaining trapped." She fell silent for a moment to try and gather her thoughts. "...I fear I have become... Compromised."

She heard a sound, then felt a hand land on her shoulder. "I fear you have let your lack of sleep crystallise into something dangerous, Patchy. You're not compromised. I've never known anyone with mental fortitude like yours. Take a deep breath." Patchouli watched Remi silently for a moment, then agreed. As she exhaled, she found that some of the tension had slipped from her shoulders. "These dreams don't sound like dreams to me. What was the most recent one?"

There was that unease again, because she knew exactly what the most recent one was. It was there, written and underlined in her journal. ...Mother Patchouli. And...A word. Underlined and circled, but she didn't know why it was important. Sekai. "I fear that...Something is happening." Patchouli muttered, rubbing her forehead. "Something I do not understand. Every now and then - Random flashes. Feelings. A burst of anger. A burst of concern. And it's to do with that building."

Remi opened her mouth, but before she could speak, they suddenly weren't alone. Sakuya Izayoi, failing to obey any rules about decorum. "Mistress, I fear that I must cut your luncheon short. You are needed to overlook some plans for the Winter Solstice celebration."

Remi sighed and stepped back from Patchouli. "Alas, time runs short..." She paused, then gently turned Patchouli's head to look at her. "Listen to me, Patchy. I want you to take care of yourself. Either you find out what is causing your dreams, or find a way to prevent them. If you must, go back to that building. Oh, and...Perhaps you should speak to Meiling."