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Fortis Cor Mod ([personal profile] fortiscormod) wrote in [community profile] fortiscor2023-03-21 01:26 pm

TDM #1

"Well, good morning, Sleepy Head,"


The voice was sweet and pleasant on the ears. You open your eyes to find a smiling face looking down at you. A face that looks human enough. Two eyes, a nose and a mouth, all in the right places. But something feels off about it... "We've been waiting for you to wake. It's about time!" The nurse, for now that she's moved away you realise that she is indeed dressed how you would imagine a nurse would be dressed, continues to talk and fuss about the room. In doing this, she explains:
❝You've been asleep for such a long time! Several years ago there was an Event that caused many people to fall into deep, deep sleeps. Some woke within days or weeks of their fall, but there were some, like yourself, who have been asleep for so much longer. It's hard to tell just how long you have slept, and I fear the world you remember is very different now, but we are here to help you through your transition from Dream World to the Waking World.❞
The nurse leaves and you are left alone. You will find that even though you have been in a coma for years, you are as physically fit as you remember. Any injuries you believed you had are gone now, as if they were never there. At the foot of the bed are clothes and any items you own. Take them. Go. The urge will take you. Once you leave, you will find you can not enter the hospital again, nor can you quite remember how you got out in the first place. All you can remember is the strangely haunting nurse and her words...





Welcome to Williamsburg!



The town before you is a hodgepodge of colour and style. No two houses are exactly the same. Some made of wood, or brick or even strange metals. Some are no more than holes in the ground. But all are warm and welcoming inside and not many are inhabited. In fact you'll find that the town itself isn't that populated at all. The busiest place is Main Street. Here you will find all the shops you need. From food to beauty and fashion and furnishings for home and garden, there is a café selling the most delicious of sweets and a pub that never closes. The Main Street is the place to be, if there is something you are lacking. And it is only a hop, skip and a jump from the Hospital and around the corner from everywhere else.

[The Nowhere Inn] is the local watering hole where you can come and share a drink with a friend. Or, if just passing through, spend the night. Here you will be greeted by Bert, the owner and bartender. A seven foot tall bear of a man with a magnificent beard and a loud, booming voice! And a desire to one day create a cocktail that will take the world by storm. It's just a shame that not all of his little experiments hit the mark... Newcomers to the town will be offered a drink on the house. Choose wisely, as some of these drinks can often come with side effects, both good and bad.
Apricot Smash: A refreshing glass of fruit squash. Made from the concentrated juice of a sour and sweet type of apricot, this is a simple and thirst quenching kind of drink. If asked nicely, this can also be made into a slushie! Anyone who tries this deliciously fruity drink will find themselves enjoying a chance to dance and/or sing at any given opportunity. (Side effect: It can cause insomnia.)
Lemongrass Twilight: Made from spicy and sour lemongrass syrup, this mildly alcoholic drink is served in a tall glass with round, purple coloured balls of ice. The drink is a swirling green, yellow and purple colour. Those who try this drink will find themselves feeling very mellow and warm and more inclined to feelings of affection. (Side effect: It can cause headaches.)
Mint Blast: Pale blue-green with light swirls and served in a wine glass. The drink is heavy on the mint and light on the alcohol, with even a little sprig of it resting on the rim of the glass. Drinking this will leave you feeling a chilled and shivery. A nice cuddle should soothe those chills away. (Side effect: It causes sleepiness in the drinker.)
Blue Smooch: This drink is a deep blue with white, creamy foam atop. The drink smells like chocolate and tastes wonderful. It leaves the drinker feeling happy and optimistic, almost childlike. (Side effect: It is rumoured to cause truthfulness in the drinker.)
Burning Wine: Pale gold with yellow-orange swirls, this mulled wine is served in a clear glass mug and tastes like cinnamon and oranges, with a hint of chili. It has a nice, warming burn as it goes down. This drink will put a fire in your belly and keep you toasty and warm through the cold nights. It may also make drinkers a little more amorous than usual. (Side effect: It can sometimes cause tingling and numbness in the extremities.)
Frosted Starlight: Sapphire with silver flecks and glittering sugar around the rim of the glass. This is an intoxicating alcoholic drink that is only served in the evening and at night. The drink itself smells like coconut yet there is no coconut within the drink. The taste is almost floral, with a slight hint of grape. Those who have tried this drink often find themselves with the brief ability to touch another and see their surface thoughts. (Side effect: It can cause blackouts.)

[Sugar ‘n Spice Café] is a peculiar place. From the outside it looks like any other store front, but as you enter and the little bell tinkles, you will find the interior to be bright and open. Warm colours and bright lighting, and from somewhere soft music is always playing. A very modern sort of café selling a wide selection of handmade sweets and pastries as well as an espresso machine.
For the next month, if you come in for a hot drink you can have your choice of their specially made, homemade cheesecake free of charge. Subject to availability, of course.
Roasted strawberries and cream cheesecake: Made with a chocolate biscuit base, sumptuous strawberries and homemade cream.
Coconut cheesecake with lime and passionfruit sauce: This zesty citrus cheesecake has a buttery base, creamy coconut filling and fruity lime and passionfruit sauce.
Triple choc upside-down cheesecake: The name may say upside-down, but this cake looks right side up to us! Juicy raspberries give it a fresh bite and for the chocoholics - oozing sauce.
Gingernut cheesecake tart with sticky maple pears: A creamy cheesecake with high visual impact for that special dessert finale to your dinner party.

● For those looking to add a little something extra to their wardrobe, they'd be best heading to [Dreams Come True Boutique]. For the month of April the clothing store will be offering all new arrivals free vouchers for up to three new outfits of their choosing. Within reason, of course. But most all of the clothes here are decently priced with an odd array of fashions from the very old fashioned to near futuristic.

[Linlae Botanical Gardens] resides not far from Main Street. Part of the gardens are covered, housed within a large green house, but most of the gardens are outside and easily accessed. There is much to see here, from the [Hedgemaze] with the secret gazebo at it's centre, [Hanging Gardens] and the weeping willows reaching into the waters of a large koi pond. If you're lucky you might see a large white carp, said to be 2,000 years old by the name of Etherus. Who knows how long he'd lived in that pond, but they say if you catch sight of him it's a sign of good luck. And if you manage to see him during a full moon, he may grant you a wish.
There are benches all over, places to sit and take in the peace. But don't expect much quiet, the twittering of birds is a near constant companion within these gardens.

[A Home]. As you explore you will realise that you're going to need somewhere to stay the night. Of course you could always go to The Nowhere Inn and wait until morning, or you could just... open a door.
87% of the houses within the town of Williamsburg is vacant, and well maintained, for many years. These houses wait for someone to come and bring life into them. Inside your pocket you will find a key. If your key doesn't fit the lock, that house is occupied, so find another. When you finally open a door, you'll notice that the key has changed subtly. That key is now unique and can be used only for this house. It is yours.
Some houses come fully furnished, some might need some work. You might even be surprised to find that the house is one that looks vaguely familiar...





A Familiar View


It may have been immediate or it may take days for you to notice, but when you do...

The memories of your Dream World are coming back to you. It doesn't feel much like a dream at all. Those things that happened, those feelings you had, all seemed so real!

And then you find it.

It could be something as simple as a book, or as large as a building. You know this thing. This thing has been pulled directly from your memories, whether those memories are good or bad is entirely up to you. But there it is, as large as life, right in front of your eyes. What does this mean? Which world is real and which isn't? How did these things from that other world make it into this?
This is your chance to explore this new addition to Williamsburg. Maybe you will find the answers you seek? Or maybe you will be left with more questions. Just know that you aren't alone. It seems that almost everything in this world was pulled from another, brought here by 'others', and left here.

Maybe this new landmark, or item, leaves you with a warm feeling and questions are the last thing on your mind? Perhaps you would like to share with your friends, or even a perfect stranger, the joy that this thing brings you? Tell them your story. Share with them it's the history. Or maybe the feelings attached are feelings of anger, of horror and fear? Misery does love company, so don't go through with this trip down memory lane alone.





Down the Rabbit Hole


It starts with something small shifting around you. Maybe it’s a door or window, but as you walk down the street things take a turn for the bizarre. It’s far too late to escape by the time you notice the buildings themselves bleeding into the sky or folding back onto themselves.

You are stuck in The Corridor now.

And you appear to be alone. Or are you? As the buildings creak in protest you seem to hear footsteps. Is that a fellow waylaid traveler?

Before you can determine the direction of the sounds, one thing becomes clear to you: these homes and businesses, all that brick and mortar, seem to be closing in on you…

It is a gradual squeeze but you can tell that if you don’t get out of there you’ll eventually be crushed. As you explore this place where time and gravity seem to have lost all meaning and your senses may even betray you, you search for a way out or an end to this madness and that is when you finally realize that the buildings are taking shape according to your will. The more you panic, the more claustrophobic and chaotic things become. But if you remain calm and focus your attention you find you can tame the buildings back into their original shapes and places. Of course, it helps if you have a partner.
ancientflower: (147)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-04-06 12:44 am (UTC)(link)
[She hummed an affirmative and cast him a serene smile, completely friendly, even though she was having suspicions. There was a look in this man's eyes, his smile reminded her of something... But she would hold off on her judgment for the moment. Aerith was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being.]

It's a big ol' multi-verse out there, Mr Aizen. And some very strange worlds.

Which begs the question... have you really never met anyone from another world in your time here? And if so... I wonder why? [She propped her chin in her palm and hummed softly to herself once again.] I wonder what's changed...?

Oh, no. I haven't left the town yet. I'm waiting on someone first.
godzen: (Eyepatch will kill)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-04-06 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course. But I haven't met anyone who has been to multiple worlds, Ms. Gainsborough. I'm not sure you appreciate how unique your experience is.

[ The intensity was still there, but his body language was warm and engaging. Not threatening in the least. ]

Perhaps that's for the best. It isn't always safe out there.
ancientflower: credit @ famira.dreamwidth.com (edited by me) (19)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-04-06 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[And that's the problem. She's used to a kind of intensity of attention from only one person. Anyone else...]

I don't know, I'm pretty average. Just a normal flower girl.

[And there isn't the slightest hint of deception in her words, her smile never wavering. Aerith knew that it wasn't exactly the truth but at the same time she really didn't want to be anything but normal.

Just a normal girl with a normal life...with a not very normal husband.]


I'm not worried about myself. I can protect myself. [She smiled.] I just know if I go wandering he'll only get upset.
godzen: (Contemplative)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-04-07 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Why do you suppose this happened to you?

[ Aizen was genuinely curious. He calmly traced a finger through the moisture on the outside of his glass. ]

I'm glad you have someone. There are many here who don't.
ancientflower: (116)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-04-07 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Why does anything happen to anyone?

[Aerith shrugged and laughed lightly before she took another sip of her drink.

It was a good question though. Why had she been brought so so many strange worlds? And why had Sephiroth been there with her on each one? It was such a strange thing looking back on those worlds, the coming and going of all the people.

Aerith didn't have any answers though she wished she did. Maybe then she would be able to find a way home.

But at the same time... Did she really want to go home? Sephiroth... He wasn't there. Not the one she knew, at least.]


I'm lucky that fate has been kind enough to keep us together.
godzen: (Reign)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-04-07 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Both of you have had the same experience, then?

[ Aizen really was interested now. It was one thing for this to happen to a single person but here was a couple who had stayed together. ]

Yes, then perhaps some larger force is at work.

[ Not fate, because he didn't believe in such a trite concept unless he was the one creating it, but the force of their willpower. ]
ancientflower: credit @ famira.dreamwidth.com (edited by me) (77)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-04-08 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
We have, yes. And I'm sure I'll find him here, too. I know he'd never leave my side.

[Aerith was certain of that, her optimism bubbling up with the smile that blossomed upon her lips.

Sephiroth would show up soon. He'd make himself known to her, she knew it.]


Whatever fate or the gods or whoever else is pulling the strings have in mind for us, we will subvert their expectations every time.
godzen: (Eyepatch will kill)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-04-10 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Aizen's laughter was warm and genuine when it came. ]

I look forward to seeing you do just that, Ms. Gainsborough.
ancientflower: (139)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-04-11 01:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[She made a face then, crinkling her nose and huffing.]

Laughing at me? Well! [Aerith pouted... But a second later she burst out laughing, the sound bubbling out of her.] I suppose it was a silly thing to say. But I just know that my fiancé doesn't like to stand idly by if he thinks something suspect if going on.
godzen: (Eyepatch amused)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-04-16 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It was more like at her audacity, though Aizen didn't feel the need to say so. ]

He sounds like an interesting person.
ancientflower: credit @ famira.dreamwidth.com (edited by me) (14)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-04-18 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
He's dreamy~

[Aerith... giggled. And then she sighed happily, her expression brightening because she knew, in her heart, deep in her soul, that she would see Sephiroth again very soon. He'd never leave her. Nothing would ever keep them apart!]

He used to be a SOLIDER. He'd kind and caring and strong... and I miss him... But I'll for sure see him soon! I'm here, after all.
godzen: (Contemplative)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-04-19 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
You two sound like you have a very strong connection.

[ Perhaps that was the catalyst for them being drawn to different worlds together. Or maybe this was all just a coincidence. It remained to be seen. ]

Oh? A soldier?
ancientflower: credit @ famira.dreamwidth.com (edited by me) (20)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-05-02 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course. He's my soulmate.

[Aerith said this as if it were the most normal and natural thing in the world. And to her, it was.

Idly she played with the ring upon her finger, twisting it slowly, the warm metal a comfort.]


Mmhm. The best of the best! Retired now, though.

[Though that didn't mean he had weakened in the slightest. Sephiroth was the strongest and bravest person she knew.]
godzen: (Eyepatch confidence)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-05-04 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It was a trite concept Aizen normally would have dismissed, but given their current circumstances and Aerith's experiences he did not attempt to trivialize it even in his own mind. ]

An older man then.

[ Aizen was more intrigued by the best of the best line, but sometimes it was better to come at things from another angle. ]
ancientflower: (144)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-05-04 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Not that older! He... ohhh, because I said he was retired? No, I meant that he doesn't work for the people who... um 'employed' him previously. Technically.

[She knew that he'd helped out the Turks before, but as far as she knew he didn't trust Shinra all that much. And since they were away from all of that, Sephiroth didn't have to run off and fight their fights for them anymore. He was his own person, with his own wants and needs.

And Aerith was truly convinced that they were Soulmates, in the strictest sense of the world. They were bound to each other. How else could they follow each other to so many worlds outside of their own?]


We've been away from our home for a few years now. It's been really nice just to live normal lives, you know? No more fighting... Unless he's being a dummy. And he can be a dummy sometimes, too.
godzen: (Eyepatch amused)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-05-04 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Technically retired.

[ Aizen's tone was amused. Repetition like this had a way of drawing out details. He sipped his drink and waited. ]

Is that what you consider normal in your world?
ancientflower: credit @ famira.dreamwidth.com (edited by me) (11)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-05-04 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Exactly!

[Aerith nodded cheerfully, pleased he'd worked it out. She grinned and grabbed her own drink, only to find it was already empty so she reached out a hand for Bert and flagged him down to let him know she wanted a refill.]

Hm? Uh... well no, it's not normal. Most people can go their entire lives never having to worry about that. But some do. Wars, monsters... things in between.
godzen: (Contemplative)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-05-04 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
That makes sense.

[ It was very reminiscent of the human world. Perhaps Aerith and her fiance were human themselves and species therefore didn't play a role in this particular anomaly.

Bert ambled over with a cheerful grin and took Aerith's empty glass, which he soon replaced with a fresh and full one. ]


What kind of monsters?
ancientflower: credit @ famira.dreamwidth.com (edited by me) (81)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-05-04 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks! [She grinned right back at Bert before taking a drink. Only then did she reply to Aizen.]

All kinds! Small and big, some huge! They didn't always come into the towns or slums, but they'd cause havoc in some places. We had groups of people who would go out periodically and clear them out because some could be very dangerous and would attack humans.

I didn't really do that kind of thing. Not until... until I met some people. And I just sort of... went along with it all!
godzen: (Actual tea)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-05-04 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That didn't tell him anything but then Aerith seemed to have a habit of talking without really saying much. Aizen decided to switch tactics. ]

I understand the need to protect others. We are also very good at that.

[ He sipped his drink and let the carrot dangle. ]
ancientflower: credit @ famira.dreamwidth.com (edited by me) (23)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-05-04 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[As a woman who had spent most of her life hiding and being watched, she wasn't about to go and tell a complete stranger every little detail of her life. Besides, she didn't know a single thing about him. It hadn't escaped her notice that he'd been grilling her without giving much back, but she was feeling pretty good and wasn't inclined to point that out just yet.

Aerith just smiled and then laughed, nodding happily.]


Sometimes that's all we can do! I think it's very brave, being able to protect someone you care about. And if you care about the world... [There was a shake of her head and then another smile.] Do you have someone you want to protect?
godzen: (Contemplative)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-05-04 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Everyone, Ms. Gainsborough. It's my duty, but more than that I consider what I do a calling.

[ Aizen smiled. His tactic had apparently worked for the moment. ]

I'm curious, do you know what I am?
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[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-05-04 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
A calling, huh? You should be careful with those. They can go to people's heads.

[She smiled brightly and gave a shake of her head.]

Nope! Am I supposed to know what you are?
godzen: (Eyepatch amused)

[personal profile] godzen 2023-05-05 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ That hits a bit too close to home. Nevertheless, Aizen dips his head and laughs. ]

You would if we existed on your world and you were aware of us.

[ Aizen straightened a little. ]

I'm a Shinigami, Ms. Gainsborough. A god of death. We maintain the balance of souls between the worlds as well as protect them.
ancientflower: credit @ famira.dreamwidth.com (edited by me) (20)

[personal profile] ancientflower 2023-05-05 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
Ohh, I have a young friend who calls himself that! Though I'm almost certain he didn't maintain the balance of souls.

[No, just your average child soldier. She raised a brow though, and dropped her cheek into her hand as she watched the man curiously.]

Are you here for my soul then?

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