#location.dreams

[theportaraceli]

There is a moment she thinks she might want to argue about semantics, but in all honesty, she does need a pep talk. And this conversation, as odd as it might be, serves very well as one. A sigh escapes her as she nods in acquiescence at his words and considers it. 

“I better pick right, then,” she comments thoughtfully. Her choice is silently made, her heart knowing the right path to take despite all her doubts. Only one is the correct choice, but even then, she gives herself a moment to mourn all that is lost. Eyes closed for a moment, she lets herself bask on the light of the stranger’s staff before opening her eyes and nodding in determination. “I am ready. Thank you for your guidance.”

"If ruination was inevitable, there'd be no "right choice". But that is not your predicament. What comes after has been decided, you are a stich in the pattern now. However, one choice does not come with an after for you so the choice itself is what's most important." Her faith in what was to come touched Fharzai, however he couldn't tell her more. There was no difference to be made in Araceli's later choices, nothing that she would be able to do to set things right. Threads of Fate converged on her in this moment, and they wouldn't converge again for another few twists in the pattern. This was the most he could do for her now. Fharzai knew that even if she made the right choice then decided nothing for herself out of grief, Fate was not done with her. "Are you ready to decide?" he asks, holding up his staff so that the light of valor could warm her heart and illuminate the encroaching darkness for a few moments longer. Fharzai was losing her. "When I slam this staff down, you will wake. Once you do, make your choice immediately. There will be no seconds to spare. Are you ready?"

[theportaraceli]

Nightmares followed her, both in the waking world and beyond. The weight of the decisions made and of those yet to be made settled over her shoulder with every damning breath, as the realization of what she had to do dawned clearer with every moment that passed. Stubbornness born from her childhood in Aventia and her own plans keeps her at bay, but the decision looms closer every day. The choice has already been made, she knows. Her mother does as well. It looms above them larger than life, a silent understanding of what must be done if they want their people to survive. 

But it had been Araceli who had taken control of the Aventia soldiers, it had been her that had interacted with the leaders of the other factions. 

It is her choice to make, and she knows she will make it. 

All she needs it’s a push. 

The push comes from the least expected direction, her dreams shifting from a nightmare full of misery and screams to a road of diverging roads. 

“Hello,” she greets the stranger politely, bemusedly. She is in the stage between dreams, not knowing herself asleep or awake, so she thinks it’s best to show respect than to risk offense. Looking away from the stranger, she finds her gaze lingering on the path leading to the black flames, the lights within shining oh so bright and hopeful. Pressing her lips together, she takes a shuddering breath and drags her gaze away and towards the darker path. “I know the choice that needs to be made, but it’s hard. Hard knowing it’s what must be done, hard knowing all that will be lost regardless.”

Her childhood and its dreams, the streets that she traveled while young. She discovered the world in Aventia, and now she would lose her world to build a future. It must be done, for a city can be rebuilt but the people cannot. It must be done, but never let it be said that the correct path has to be easy.

who?: @theportaraceli where?: the dreamrealm when?: the siege babey

Only recently had he woken again yet the dreamrealm was screaming for his help. Fharzai had quickly gleaned that the situation in Aventia had worsened during Munin's nightmare, but hope wasn't lost. He could still make a push with the light the pattern chose for him. Fharzai was more confident on his walks now, entering their dreams and understanding their situation more deeply than ever before. He wanted to weep but remained steadfast beneath the hood of his cloak. Nightmare plagued their sleep and the glowing light of his staff illuminated the darkness. Where he stepped, a peaceful dream would blossom. They would have a chance to enjoy it later in the night, but for now Fharzai had to help them adjust course. "Hello, traveler," he greets her as the last of the nightmare is washed out. "You're taking too long, it's time to go." She'd understand, his words were pertinent to the life she led. Fharzai still felt he shouldn't directly interfere with the paths of the living, but he'd push to the furthest limit his personal code allowed. What his words could not convey, the two paths stemming from her feet serve to represent. One led to a cluster of lights so close she could count each individual one, all set ablaze by hot black flames. The other led to a light far off in the distance, one she could barely make out at all. He felt the path she needed to take was clear, but the choice was ultimately hers. "One leads to ruin, the other salvation. You cannot take both and the longer you wait the likelier you'll get to choose neither," he says, pounding his staff down to pull dreammist to him. He had other paths to walk though he was curious to see what choice she specifically made in the end.