[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

[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.]

[ohrlyeh]

Oh.

[That's not good. That doesn't sound good.]

So, are you like the gatekeeper for his trauma, then? Like, I understand if he doesn't want me to be here...

[thesettingsun]

He trusts you, so you can stay if you want. You won't like anything you see, but he won't be upset about you seeing it.

I'm the gatekeeper for what's past here.

[ohrlyeh]

I...see.

[It feels a little too prying, sort of like ruffling through a variety of personal letters or a diary that wasn't meant for him. It feels nice to be trusted, but...]

[He takes a seat at the counter, brushing back some of his hair.. He'll stay here for now, he supposes.]

Is he around? Shuji, I mean.

[thesettingsun]

Not in here or behind me. But he is somewhere in his heart.

[ohrlyeh]

Must be a large place, his heart...makes sense for someone like him.

[A short huff - he's amused by his own half-joke. Shuji with a large heart...]

And what is past here, then? What you're guarding.

[thesettingsun]

[The half-joke gets an almost-smile.]

It's his hopes and dreams. If you promise not to damage anything, I can let you through.

[Shuji trusts Howard with those too.]

[ohrlyeh]

...I'd rather see those. If he wants to show his trauma to me, then...I wouldn't say no. But that's not something I want to interfere with if at all possible.

[He looks up at Odasaku.]

I promise not to damage anything.

[thesettingsun]

[Odasaku nods, and steps aside so that Howard can open the door.]