Forum Thread

Quincy woke up in her favorite place. Sure, home where Faith was great, and she couldn’t possibly ask for better, but sometimes you needed a little sparkle, you know? Her bed was still cutely animal themed, and as she opened her bedroom door, a swarm of strange and curious animals came running up to her happily. There was a creature with a leopard’s head, a swan’s wings, a snake’s body and a spider’s leg, another with a giraffe head, dolphin torso and eagle’s feet. All fantasy creatures born from Quincy’s imagination, and brought to life by Fairyland’s whimsical magic. Laughing giddily, she happily reached out to embrace all animals in a soft, warm hug.


Faith was sure she was hallucinating. Quite sure, in fact. Because where else would that be a giant ugly celery and googly-eyed rock? She sighed, rubbed her eyes, stared at the screen again, before sighing deeply and pinching the bridge of her nose. Why. Just why.

If her average nightmares were just that mildly scary, with the dreams of being chased or falling dramatically, then this must be paradise.

Xuanji woke on a field of grass, flowers growing beautifully and trees were green and healthy. There were no signs of life apart from herself. It felt wrong, waking up in a place so foreign, had she been taken from the real world?

The sound of crows told her that there indeed was other organisms here, which made her sigh in annoyance. Sometimes dreams weren’t all the things she wanted. The sun was hidden behind clouds in a few seconds, the whole field felt consumed in darkness, the air suddenly turned colder, everything bathed in shadow.

Finally, this was what she had always wanted to feel.

A field of yellow greeted him as Valerius opened his eyes, marigolds blooming across the grass stretching towards the horizon as bushes of yellow roses dotted the landscape to break up the monotony. Breathing in the clear air, the autumn breeze cutting through battered lungs, Valerius relished in the feeling of simply being able to take in a deep breath. This was a dream, of course he knew that, but in a dream where he could be anything and everything, simply being healthy enough to play with his twin was everything he ever wanted out of life. Experimenting with taking in deeper and deeper breaths, Valerius couldn't help but let out a laugh as he twirled around, watching the world blur as his muscles easily carried him around. Legs that would have given out under him held his weight up with unfaltering surety, his balance never tipping over nor did a dizzy spell drag him under. Letting his weight flop over and gravity drag him down, even the ground felt soft as Valerius watched the fluttering petals kicked up from his play flutter down around him.

But as the light played across translucent petals so, he felt cold. So cold.

"..."

Valeria...?"

---

Roy never found it easy to rest, between taking care of a child in the last few months as well as the incessant draft that turned malicious as the weather cooled, but these days it was almost like exhaustion had finally crept up and swallowed her waking world. The day had been full of running around with Ivan to complete various errands and keep the kids company all while catching up on the logistics of moving in with her brother come summer, a whirlwind of events that left her head spinning as Roy settled in for the night. Tucking the toddler in, swaddling her in the warmest blankest she owned. Of course, Ivan got the most intact one leaving Roy to curl around her charge for any semblance of warmth as the night cooled into a chill that left her shivering even as sleep clouded her eyes.

A light shake to her shoulders roused her quickly though, shooting up as the thick duvets pooled around her hips. "Huh? wha- morning?" She mumbled, eyes still heavy with rest barely taken. It was such a shame as well, Roy had just started to get nice and warm but as she rubbed the sleep crusted around pink eyes, before taking in her surroundings. The dilapidated shack that had been her home for almost 14 years had transformed into something with four standing walls and an intact roof, the warm sunshine filling it with warmth that didn't just come from the summer heat.

The real surprise though, came when a familiar voice cleared his throat beside Roy. There stood Ivan, in his arms one of the younger kids with pudgy hands woven between fastidiously cared for sandy brown locks, his cocky smirk in place. "What, graduating from a bugger to a bugger catcher, dollface?" His brother teased, a knuckle tapping against Roy's agape chin

"Oh, this is a dream."

Eloquent response by Roy Lastname, one that would surely go down in the history books as the best retort to ever be conjured. But this could be nothing but the sweetest of dreams where even without saying anything, Ivan knew. And even acquitted to such a silly unspoken demand. A dream, one where Roy didn't really want to end. But even as she thought that, Roy could see Ivan's brow furrowing ever so slightly and in a stroke of genius as if to make up for his earlier stupidity, Roy forced a yawn that came easily.

"By Vega, did going to bed early not do anything for you? With how much you're dozing off I'd reckon that you'd shoot up faster than a bean and soon we'd have to build a whole new roof just to house you." Ivan lamented, sitting down on the bed as depositing the child he had been carrying into Roy's lap. "Grow any taller and the fella's will be looking up at the tallest doll this side of the city."

Pouting at that statement, Roy gently bumped her head against her brother's shoulder, making the elder bark a sharp laugh. "But never too tall to get a good thumping." He threatened her easily, her answering grin that bared all of her sharp teeth all the comfort they needed. "Come on then, the welps are clamouring for you and I sure can't do it alone."

---

Tazuna Nagamasa ft. Celery

---

Mmmm, yummy candy. He'd managed to get that cool-looking guy with the walking hydrogen bomb to buy some nice candy for him earlier today, and as he slipped back into the very definitely secluded alleyway he'd been staying in for the past few months or so, rearranging some stuff in his makeshift tent and sneaking in an extra fistful of gummy bears, he saw a vaguely greenish stick-like figure in the distance.

And he collapsed into a deep sleep five minutes later. Cool and normal.

...

Heck yeah, it was Fairyland time! Tazuna's outfit had changed too (mostly he had more ribbons), and although it wasn't that different from real life, he didn't have to ration out his candy and worry about getting more here. Looking around, he was in what appeared to be in some sort of fishbowl-like construct- the glass was, of course, sugarglass- that held a sort of hybrid throne room-bouncy castle area inside of it. Amazing!

He quickly shoved his gloved hands into a pile of powdered sugar, putting some in his mouth but mostly attempting to make some sort of sandcastle (sugarcastle?). Meanwhile, in-universe Celery's come up with a plan to turn Faith into god food.

---

Kubo Atsushi
Kubo hugged Nora tightly, not willing to let go just yet. And she indulged him, laughing softly as she patted him on the head. It felt nice to be cared for like this. Everyone else in the world was so distant.

Even Lilli didn't want to be bothered sometimes. But Nora always wanted Kubo.

"Can we go find the others?" Kubo asked hopefully. "I wanna play heroes and villains again."

Enn cleared his throat, tugging on his sleeve nervously. "I think we can... the portal in the main room is open, so we can stop by the Arison Castle if you want."

Kubo withered silently. He didn't like Sofia. The girl was really angry all the time and looked down on him. She always made him feel small again. He wanted to play with the other kids...

But Nora was smiling. So, he said, "Yeah, okay."

---

👑𝒮𝑜𝒻𝒾𝒶 𝐸𝓁𝒾𝓏𝒶𝒷𝑒𝓉𝒽 𝒜𝓇𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃'𝓈 𝒫𝒪𝒱💖

Sofia lounged luxuriously in her castle, completely oblivious to the conversation that was being had. One of her servants, the one carrying pizza bagels, approached her and whispered something in her ear.

"What? What is it?" she spat, crossing her arms.

"Your Highness... you have visitors."

She raised an eyebrow at that. "Who?! Is it that whiny brat with the braids again?" Ugh, she was so annoying. She kept whimpering about being cold or something...

"Ah, well... no. Not exactly. A couple of others, in fact."

She was intrigued at this. They better be interesting...

"Ughhh, fiiiine. Send them in."

"As you command, Miss."

🌺Hyeon-jeong Yang's POV 🍃

But as... uh, strangely comforting as it was to lie in that garden, Hyeon-jeong found themself wondering about what lay beyond it. Hopefully there wouldn't be any other morons. He just wanted to be alone.

Still. It was kinda boring just... sitting here. And it was stirring something in them. Something they'd rather... not think about.

Stiffly, they lifted themself off the ground. He reached for his eyepatch, still upon their face. It had still been there last time, as well. It's not like such a thing was even relevant, but... they still found it slightly curious. Almost like it was symbolic or some-

Oh, please. They shouldn't read too deeply into this place... probably.

Place?

That almost implied it wasn't a dream. Which was BS.

Snapping out of their thoughts, Hyeon-jeong wandered, in search of... something beyond this, maybe. And hopefully not someone.

Would REALLY be a shame if they ran into someone else here.

The rest of the day had been a blur to Kae. The school day came and went with barely a class member in sight. She could hardly recalled what they'd learned — if anything at all.

She didn't even remember walking home, their footsteps becoming automatic and subconscious. Not even the sweet twittering of the starling that perched on a low branch could stir them.

She was tired.

So tired.

When Fairyland came, she welcomed it with open arms. A soft breeze that tasted sweet and exotic. The sun with it's warm, inviting rays. Clear waters with it's gentle tumbling noise over the pebbles on the riverbed. Fresh, vibrant blades of grass.

Lying on their stomach with a hand dipping in the shallow water as always, Kae sighed. She had missed this. Nothing seemed to matter. Nothing scared them.

---

Dante couldn't help but wonder about his sister as he came to the end of his shift in the small, dingy building that could hardly be called a grocery. The 'fresh' food was slowly going off and the OPEN-CLOSED sign had given up on it's colour as well.

Was she home? Probably.

Had she eaten yet? Unlikely.

Was she asleep? Yes.

---

Lilias Sophie
~ Currently Playing: Something Hyperpop ~

---

"Right. But maybe she can vis-", Lilias started, before noting that Kubo had fallen asleep. She smiled, weary, and did her best to awkwardly carry him (and the book) into the shadowy alley. After a few minutes of consideration, they decided it would be safest to carry Kubo back to the others, even if it'd wear her out. They sighed and gently picked him up.

Nora Mawer

Striding through the halls, suited up in fine leather armour, with a shining sword at her hip, Nora felt... glorious. She was powerful, she was strong, and above all, she was needed. Glancing down, she eyed the little kid clutching her hand.

So tiny and fragile... Without her, he was all alone.

Kubo's eyes fluttered shut. He was mumbling something under his breath, almost like a prayer.

She leaned closer, curious. She only made out one syllable- iko- when the portal came into sight and his eyes snapped back open.

Nora pulled back, but the damage was done. Those sharp amber eyes were on her, narrowed in suspicion.

"Hey," she started, but he pulled back and hurried ahead, hugging himself as he scampered towards the glowing light.

Shrugging, Nora decided not to care. This was her castle, and he'd forgive her sooner or later. She stuck her hands in her pockets and strode towards the end of the hallway.

The portal towered over even her, tall as she was. Vines intertwined all over the granite archway, climbing up to wrap around the little stone peak, where engraved letters read Giant's Down. The swirling colours of the portal cast strange shadows and lights across the dimly lit room.

Kubo paused in front of the portal. She could see his thin little back, hunching in on itself; forming creases in his tunic. There was a slight tremor in his shoulders.

It was just a portal. What did he have to be so scared about? They'd been through it a million times before.

"Daww, scaredy-cat. How can you be my squire if you're trembling at a little trip outside the castle?" Nora laughed to herself as she caught up. "Come on, Ku. Don't you wanna see the princess castle?"

Kubo stuck out his bottom lip. "It's too pink." He turned those wide, liquid eyes on her. "I don't like pink."

"Oh? Is that what it's all about?" Nora grinned at him. "Hit the emo phase already, huh? I only like black MOM~"

His nose scrunched up. "What's an emo... fazz?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll save you from the cringe yet." Nora gave him a push. "In you go!"

Eyeing her suspiciously again, Kubo went into the portal, the swirling pastels enveloping him, and in a flash of light, he vanished.

Nora followed him, closing her eyes against the nausea... and then opening them to the beautiful city which awaited her.

Giant's Down was Nora's favourite part of Fairyland. The castle was ugly, sure, but the lava moat was absolutely sick, and the skeleton of the ancient giant who's bones formed the city was so cool to look at, especially from above. Plus, the bustling city centre, filled to the brim with fairy knights... her people...

Enn stumbled through after them, yelping and immediately faceplanting into the gravel.

"Home," Nora whispered.

The wind swept up, jostling the canopies hanging across the street from the giant's towering ribs. Fairies scampered around the marketplace, buying little goods and accessories, pausing to snatch a free sample from the smiling vendor with the VERY pointed ears.

It was as if the world was answering her. The wind, beautiful and fresh, the sun shining from above, and the people, oh the people smiling back at her. All of them were perfect little doll families. Nothing but love and happiness; no one left behind or forgotten.

---

👑𝒮𝑜𝒻𝒾𝒶 𝐸𝓁𝒾𝓏𝒶𝒷𝑒𝓉𝒽 𝒜𝓇𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃'𝓈 𝒫𝒪𝒱💖

Sofia could sense that something was different in her usual domain. It suddenly felt a bit less... pink. NO! Who dared to disrupt the natural order?!

"KNEEL BEFORE THE THRONE, PEASANT!" she screeched, stamping her foot. "Who dares to defile my grand castle?"

...it was spreading. It was already spreading. She had to deal with this VISITOR before it was too late.

🌺Hyeon-jeong Yang's POV 🍃

For a dream... this really felt like... nah. That was weird. After all, dreams always felt... somewhat real, until you woke up. But somehow, as Hyeon-jeong explored the place, it almost felt like they were actually walking.

Like they could feel the ground beneath their feet. But that couldn't be right.

It was merely the illusion of a sensation.