[open dreamdive] no longer human

[thesettingsun]

WHO: You!
WHERE: Shuji's subconscious.
WHEN: August 18.
WHAT: Dreamdiving!
WARNINGS: Depends on how the dive goes, but a likely one is suicide.

[Maybe you weren't even in line of sight of Shuji. Just about everyone has a reason to be out and about on a Saruday afternoon, and nobody wants their day interrupted by the ground falling out from under them. Maybe you don't even instantly recognize that the library entrance you fall into would be part of Shuji's subconscious and not anybody else's.

This is how things ended up for you today, unfortunately. Might as well take a look around and see if you can't spot the man himself.

Locations are in top-levels added as divers enter them.]

Comments

BAR

[thesettingsun]

[Through the door you find a bar. Unlike the door, everything here is shiny and new - there are tons of wines in various varieties and vintages, flowers on the table, a record player… Three clocks are on the wall, that’s two too many, but at least they’re all in good condition?

A redheaded man is cleaning a glass when you walk in. You can see that there’s another door behind him.]

[scythegun]

[...Huh. Given the state of the door, he was expecting something a lot less nice. The clocks are curious, but his attention's on the bartender. Jaeger considers for a moment before approaching, holding up a hand in greeting.]

Good afternoon? ...Is it afternoon?

[Time is an illusion, etc.

He's still got his hand on the weapon just in case this goes bad, but right now it's still in its briefcase form.]

[thesettingsun]

I think it's afternoon outside.

[Oda doesn't seem too terribly concerned about Jaeger's briefcase... or maybe his face is just like that regardless of emotion.

He will set that glass down, though, to have a conversation properly.]

[scythegun]

It's a bit hard to tell in here, ja?

[This seems innocent enough so far.]

What's your name? Do you usually work here?

[thesettingsun]

Oda Sakutarou. 'Work' isn't the right word, but this is where I am in Shuji's heart, mostly.

[Mentions them being in Shuji's heart like it ain't no thang.]

[scythegun]

[...uh.]

Is that where we are now? I suppose that would explain some things!

[Shuji's heart. Okay. He can roll with this.]

Do you know where Shuji is right now?

[thesettingsun]

I don't. You should keep looking for him - that's what you're in here to do.

[scythegun]

Yes, of course. He's been very helpful in the past, so I want to do what I can for him now.

[That's... actually surprisingly genuine coming from him? Holy shit, it's a miracle.]

Would it be okay if I check the door behind you?

[thesettingsun]

He's not there, I know that.

...If you damage anything there, you'll be hurting Shuji's heart. If you promise not to hurt him, I'll let you through.

[ohrlyeh]

[This is a nice bar. It's small and cozy and clearly not made for a crowd - just the way Howard likes it. However, there's a familiar face, one he reacts to with his eyes widening.]

Odasaku...? [Something is off. He can't tell why...maybe it is the amount of clocks on the wall. He wanders up to the counter, eyeing the man with some confusion.] What are you doing here...?

[thesettingsun]

[It's a lot cozier than that giant library Howard walked through to get here, that's for sure.]

I'm always here. [At least it sounds like Odasaku, even if the words don't make sense.]

[ohrlyeh]

I didn't know you were a...uh. Bartender.

[Maybe it's a new job? He hasn't really talked to him in a while...well, and he does seem like he belongs there...]

Is this your bar...?

[thesettingsun]

The 'real me' is a bartender at the Inkwell. But I'm a part of Shuji's heart, so it's his bar.

[Easy enough explanation??]

[ohrlyeh]

Oh.

[He glances down at the counter, unsure what to say for a moment.]

Nice to know Shuji's heart provides alcohol, I guess...

[thesettingsun]

It won't taste very good.

[ohrlyeh]

Oh? Why not?

[Like??? WHAT'S THE POINT THEN???]

Is it supposed to be like symbolic alcohol or something...?

[thesettingsun]

This bar is where Shuji keeps his trauma.

[So... basically, but it's all symbolic for bad things.]

[vitis]

[ oh. ]

[ no, this isn't the office; john's made a wrong turn. odasaku's presence gives him pause; by this point, he's starting to presume these heart!people have answers. ]

Yo.

[ a salute. he doesn't move to sit or anything, but- ]

Why's the door all worn like that...? [ not exactly polite, cutting to any chase, but hey. ]

[thesettingsun]

This is where Shuji keeps his trauma.

[An equally direct answer. Oda's usually straightforward, after all.]

[vitis]

[ oh jeepers ]

[ he supposes, technically, that would have to go somewhere? with everything he's witnessed thus far. but... ]

And it's your job to just-- stay here? Tend to this stuff?

[ his eyes some of wines, particularly if they have any labels. ]

[thesettingsun]

To warn people, and to keep people who would hurt Shuji from going past here.

[The wines don't have descriptive labels, but they do have vintages. 'October 2017' is on a few of them - John should have a good idea why a few of Shuji's traumatic events are from that time.]

[vitis]

[ so he does. ]

... Y'know, this really is "bottling it up."

[ just remarking, somewhat stonily. john's eyes flicker over a few more dates, from bottle to bottle, before settling back on odasaku's face. the friendly smile's disappeared. ]

It's not like I can blame you, though. [ for anything? it's clearly out of his hands, what with heart!odasaku just doing his job. ] But I dunno, it doesn't seem...

[ he trails off. "right"? "good"? it's not john can comment on anything without it being laden with hypocrisy in this case. he doesn't know how to articulate that; he hopes that he's wrong, and that the bartender will provide a correction. ]

[thesettingsun]

[The pun doesn't even get a snort. Rude, Odasaku.]

Healthy?

You should talk to him about it.

[vitis]

... Guess so.

[ and that would be that, he supposes. it hurts to hear; it wasn't exactly a correction, after all. but before he leaves, he does ponder over something else that's been stated: ]

And what's "past here"?

[ a nod, indicating that door? but suddenly, he's also wondering if he should no longer pry. ... that was quite the admission he'd received, after all. ]

[thesettingsun]

It's his hopes and dreams.

[That's why it's the most important place to protect in his heart.]