gardenerofavalon | Just a bit of dreamweaving... (for the000)

At that question, Merlin gives a broad grin.

"Enjoying myself, of course! Aren't you?"

If he's bothered by that smile, he shows no sign of it.

Enjoying himself? His expression flickers and hardens. His gaze sharpens into a glare.

"You think this is funny?" he questions, his voice strained. Does this man know who he is and what he's done? No, clearly not, but he doesn't want to bring that up. He's ashamed of his past actions. That's why... He takes a long breath and calms himself. He's now the Supreme Primarch, he can't lose his temper over this. Even if this man is irritating and vaguely reminds him of that idiot who resembles Lord Lucifer. "Is that your only goal? Entertainment?" He asks more seriously as if he's trying to gauge an enemy from some minor annoyance.

Merlin frowns just a bit at the question.

"Now, isn't that a bit of a trick question? If I answer truthfully and you don't care for my answer, you'll be angry, but if I lie you'll also be mad at me. Even if there's no harm in a little fun. So!"

His expression suddenly brightens, becoming cheerful once more.

"Let's just say I have an interest in pleasant dreams and leave it at that, hmm?"

"DON'T MESS WITH ME!" Sandalphon exclaims. Enjoying pleasant dreams? This sounds like utter nonsense, and even if it's true, it has nothing to do with someone like him. Then he adds, clearing his throat, pacing in front of him.

"I'm a primal beast! We don't dream like skydellers or Astrals do." That's a matter of fact. It's unnerving to do something you're not supposed to do. Is he capable of dreaming at all?

Edited 2020-04-01 22:53 (UTC)

"Don't you?"

Merlin remains unperturbed by the outburst. If anything, his smile now is almost downright sly.

"Then just what, may I ask, do you think you're doing right now...?"

"Wha-"

Sandalphon is caught off guard by this question. What is he doing? Is this is a dream? "Nonsense. This is all your doing, isn't it?" He couldn't be dreaming of this obnoxious guy he's never met.

"Ah, so you noticed?"

Now he's just being downright cheeky.

"You didn't really give me much to work with, you know."

A vein, no, two veins pop on Sandalphon's temple and look about to explode. But, when it looks like he's about to lunge and beat the crap out the bragging intruder, his body and expression relax into a sardonic grin.

"I see. That explains the poor job."

That might have been a more effective insult, had it not been preceded by such clear irritation. It's not that easy to get to Merlin when he already knows he's hitting his mark.

"Hmm, I suppose it would make sense that someone who claims to be unable to dream can't recognize good craftmanship when he sees it..."

That, and he's used to exchanging barbs with a far wiser opponent.

But, be that as it may, this seems like it won't go anywhere fast, so perhaps it's time to change things up. So, he briefly considers and--with that suddenness that seems perfectly natural in a dream--they're no longer in a field of flowers. Instead, they're among the dunes lining the edge of a sandy beach lapped by bluegreen waves. The sea beyond stretching out to meet the paler blue of the sky at the horizon. The round dunes are covered in long grasses that wave in the breeze, as well as, of course, a variety of flowers scattered all about.

Merlin's tree and pool are still there, now nestled amongst the dunes, but otherwise looking for all the world like nothing's changed at all. Aren't dreams odd?

While this irritating man looks unaffected, it doesn't stop Sandalphon from criticizing him. He's got a sharp tongue, after all. One he doesn't care to censor anymore.

"I thought dreams were supposed to bear unprecedented beauty," Sandalphon dismisses with a handwave. "While this." He clicks his tongue before the scenery changes. "I've seen more beautiful views awake."

So the field of flowers dissolves into gold and blue-green. Sandalphon's eyes are briefly on the horizon. The sky seems different from the intense blue of the skydom, enough to wonder where does this sky belong to. Either way, he smirks to himself. Whether this man admits it or not, his comment makes him react.

(And there's something else, something else missing. There are no islands floating on the horizon. His eyebrow lifts curiously).

"This is an improvement," he says, tilting his head in the stranger direction. For now, he's almost certain this man is not an astral nor someone from the Otherworld. So he will not treat him as a threat, just as a minor irritation. "But I'm not convinced about the quality in the details. Perhaps I should inspect it with you."

Merlin's expression doesn't waver, but that remark does strike a bit of a nerve. Because really now, what kind of monster would claim that flowers are anything but beautiful? Hmph.

Still, though, his objective was something relaxing, and if a flowery meadow doesn't suffice, perhaps a calm seaside will. It works on the vast majority of people, after all, for a wide assortment of reasons.

But now it's his turn to raise an eyebrow at that remark.

"So that you might consult my expert opinion?" he replies, more than a hint of teasing in his tone. "Although, I suppose you do have a point, that you really can't appreciate the details unless examined up close..."

As he speaks he rises to his feet and steps toward the stranger, his long robes rustling, and hair glinting in the sunlight. The particularly observant might even note that flowers seem to bloom along his path.

"Come along, then." Without further warning he suddenly reaches out to grab the fellow by the back of his shirt. Anticipating resistance, Merlin locks down his control of the dream to briefly prevent him from moving, though flailing once he has a proper grip is certainly allowed.

In any case, Merlin reaches the shoreline remarkably quickly, in only a stride or two (dreams are wonderfully easy things to manipulate like that!) and without further ado swings him into the water. Don't worry though, he's nice enough to change his clothes into swimwear for him first!

... He's apparently also anticipating attempts at retaliation, as now his own outer robes and boots are gone, leaving merely his pants and tight-fitting sleeveless undershirt. For that matter, despite his seemingly slight build he's actually fairly well-muscled, so perhaps it wasn't just his control of the dream he was relying on just now...

If this is his idea for him to relax, it's working poorly. Sandalphon's put at the edge when the man grabs the back of his shirt to drag him alone. He could have swatted him away, but looks like he's unable to move. He doesn't panic, considering releasing his true form briefly but not knowing if he's going to affect his sleeping body if he does.

"What are you d-" he snaps at him, struggling a little when he notices the water has moved closer and his clothes have changed into... something lighter? He's given no chance to check his new outfit (unfit for combat no doubt), as Merlin assumed, the young primarch has reached out to grab his long hair to drag him alongside him into the water...

It's too fast, perhaps, a fraction of a second where he can swing the man closer and secure his grip. The cold water splash doesn't awake or lulls his senses, he knows immediately it's not real water. The refreshing feeling that engulfs him sure feels nice, but there's a disconnection between the actual element and this dreamy substance. He would know. He's gotten the four primarch's elemental authority. The contact doesn't last long, less of a minute, seconds, and then six wings unfurl from his back, a pair brown, and four of different colors - red, blue, gold and lavender. The water doesn't weigh them to take off and fly out the sea, with the man in tow.

Edited 2020-04-02 01:30 (UTC)

Oh, dunking definitely isn't for relaxing, it's for cooling off hotheads! Though in this case, that might be wishful thinking. Ah well, it's still kinda fun.

The wings though... That is a bit of a surprise. How very interesting indeed. Interesting enough that, while Merlin probably could lock the fellow down and prevent him from moving again, well, perhaps he'll just wait and see where he takes this. For now.

Oddly enough though, the scent of flowers doesn't fade as they rise into the air--it still clings to Merlin himself, after all.

Sandalphon looks a little disgruntled with his wet hair, but tries to cool off his ire. His wings meanwhile don't appear damp at all, unlike the rest of his body. He still can smell the flowers, and the scent look like if it comes from him, as if he were a close relative of the Rose Queen herself.

"I didn't mean the water, you idiot," he finally says, as he flies above the shoreline. "This sky gave you away, huh." He flies a little up, just to check his sight is as sharp as ever. He's right. He can't see even a hint of the cluster of islands faraway. "Where are you from?"

No, no islands to be seen here, unless they're of the sort that's surrounded by water. Though as for those, there are some lovely reefs a little distance beyond the sandy shore.

"If you'd just wanted to fly around, you should have been more specific," Merlin replies in a bored tone. He's tempted to toy around in response to that question, but ultimately his own curiosity wins out, as an honest but incomplete answer is more likely to draw out more information.

"Avalon."

Sandalphon chooses to ignore his useless remark and focuses on his actual answer. "Where is Avalon exactly?" He's not very familiar with the name. To be honest, he's unfamiliar with the names the skydellers use for the skydom except for the most important islands, but he's never heard about it.

He stops midflight and observes the empty pale blue sky. After a moment, he asks once more.

"Have you heard about Crimson Horizon?"

"The reverse side of the world."

Clearly this other fellow isn't from Earth, as Merlin highly doubts anything of a clearly magical nature would be unaware of Avalon. Still, the reaction to this response ought to remove all doubt on that particular point.

But as for the other question...

"I can't say I've heard of that in particular, no."

And he's heard of a lot of things. Very little of importance escaped his observation from his tower.

Reverse side? Sandalphon's expression clouds in confusion, furrowing both eyebrows at such a ridiculous tale. Unless he means the world of the Astrals, that may be a fancy description for it, but it doesn't think so.

"I see," he sighs, trying to make sense to this nonsense. It's not the first time someone from another world has appeared in the Skydom, but it is the first time it happens in his sleep. "If you're lost, I should escort you back." He's the Supreme Primarch, he has to guaranteed this world safety.

"When you didn't even know where you were in the first place?"

Merlin lets out a laugh at that offer. Then, apparently tired of playing along for the moment, he alters the dream once more, and instead of being carried by the stranger, he's now sitting nearby. Yes, in midair. Dreams by their nature aren't necessarily sensible.

"Besides, if you're going to bother to sleep in the first place, you may as well make the most of it, hmm?"

How did he do that? Is it because this place is mutable? Sandalphon muses, wondering if he could modify it. It's his head, isn't it? This is just a "dream"? He doesn't have experience with any of this, but isn't improvising one of the things he does best?

"Nonsense. You said it. I'm sleeping, and you are in my," he pauses, "Dream?" He looks mystified. "It seems you're thinking primal beasts need to sleep as skydwellers or astrals. We don't. Though resting sometimes is useful to stop us when we out control, or when our emotions are." Their emotions, he means. Emotions are dangerous to primal beasts, they can easily go out control and cause a disaster. Resting would allow them to stabilize and start over like a switch on and off. And because normally they cannot die, if one primal beast is too destructive, the only answer is to place them into slumber. Isn't he a good example about it? He frowns. Though he decided to slumber for another reason. Perhaps because he's hoped the fragments of memories of Lucifer's wings would resurface again.

Edited 2020-04-03 16:20 (UTC)

He most certainly can modify it however he pleases, yes. With the small exception that Merlin would naturally resist any attacks against his own person. But anything else is fair game, perhaps he ought to give it a try!

For the moment though, Merlin remains seated where he is, legs crossed, elbow propped up on one knee and chin resting in his hand, watching the stranger intently. Part of what he just said did indeed pique his interest, but for now, he gives no outward sign of his thoughts.

"Then, wouldn't that make having the chance to dream even more precious? A place where you can safely express those feelings to your heart's content, without affecting the waking world."

Sandalphon is not in a hurry to modify the dream yet, or perhaps is lack of imagination. Either way, he simply keeps himself flying to meet him in the eye. What an irritating man. But his antics aren't enough to unleash his anger.

"What would be the point?" Sandalphon questions, lifting both eyebrows, "It's not real, isn't it? Why would I need to get lost in a short-lived fantasy." He looks perplexed. Perhaps skydwellers fancy this, right? But he's not sure why would they rather deluded themselves.

For starters, he could just hover or float instead. Or even have a seat in midair like Merlin! Why put effort into flying when you don't even need to, after all?

"What would be the point in sleeping without dreaming?" Merlin counters. "Isn't that a bit of a waste of time?"

He could do that, he could also do that awake. He likes the wings, though, it's part of him and they are pretty. Although he's not a show-off, he carries the wishes and will of many who trusted him in the end.

"Nonsense," Sandalphon snorts naturally, "Have you not heard what I just say? To Primal Beasts sleeping is a time out when their presence has become a hazard or isn't necessary for them to manifest." Though in his case, it's neither of that. Sandalphon clearly looks like someone who doesn't obey what others want him to do, and he isn't giving a vibe of violent, volatile emotions presently. He's just unwilling to divulge why he's resting. "I suppose you're not aware. It's-" He waves his hand and the scenery morphs. It's not his imagination. It's his memory. He's showing Merlin the world.

Sky has become a more vivid blue, endlessly embracing the horizon except for below. The ground is crimson and covered with an ominous fog that raises the alarm of doom. A barren land of chaos contrasted with the lovely sky. The sky isn't an empty spread of endless blue, there are islands floating. Some smaller ones, and some that might be continents.

"Look, visitor," he lazily points to a big island covered in gusts of winds, flying ships often land and take off. The outline of a giant woman framed by dragons appears embracing the place.

"Tiamat," he says and moves to the next island that looks blue as the sky as it's composed of a lot of water. Oceans. Lakes. Rivers. The image of a serpentine dragon that opens its jaws protectively flickers before it fades.

"Leviathan." Then to another island which is made of thick vegetation. It's a garden and a jungle island from start to finish. The fragrance of all flowers fill the air as a rose hair colored woman with a leaf-dress appears on it, she smiles at Merlin and Sandalphon and speaks up, her voice is like crystalline bells chiming.

"Yggdrasil," Sandalphon finishes, and shrugs off, the memory dissolves in whatever Merlin wants to paint for him next. "What could primal beasts be dreaming about? They have their role and function."

Oho, so that's enough to finally provoke a reaction, is it? Merlin watches intently, and while the images and names he's show certainly provoke a few interesting thoughts, he keeps it all carefully to himself for the time being.

"Yet they do sleep, at times. No matter the reason for it, why not fill it with dreams? Surely it's time otherwise spent wasted."

Just a bit of dreamweaving... (for the000)

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