Darkness Overspreading

[wizard_redfive]

Who: Dairine, you… and an uninvited guest
What: Nightmare sharing
When: Throughout the Nightmare Plot
Where: Dairine’s dreamscape
Rating: Umm… Teen for now. Might change it later.

Three true things await discovery,
Darkness overspreading,
A commorancy underground:
And the Moon is no dream—

Those who enter Dairine’s dream will find themselves on the dark side of the moon. Of course, unless they are well-versed in lunar surfaces, it’ll just look like grey, rocky terrain. Surprisingly, you can breathe just fine despite not having any protective suits. The air is chilly, but not the freezing cold that was normal in outer space.

Above you is a night sky unaltered by smog or atmosphere, the deep velvety darkness of space. Beautiful, isn’t it? However, those that look closely will begin to notice a patch of sky far darker than the rest. As you continue to watch, the darkness will spread out, blocking out stars and galaxies. Before long, whole sections of space appear to be swallowed up by a void of nothingness. Yet make no mistake, this darkness is not nothing. It stirs and heaves as if it were a living thing… or a bunch of little ones, like a giant mass of insects.

That darkness is alive. And somehow, you know it's not friendly.

((Sections: Dark Matter Aliens The Lone Power Other

Her dreams start out fairly tame, but then again so many nightmares do. Don't worry. Things will pick up soon enough.))

Comments

[inafadingcrown]

[She grits her teeth.]

I have not forgotten. [She can't forget. It haunts her, even now in her own nightmare.] And there is not a day I have not regretted it. I doubt you may say the same.

[wizard_redfive]

[There's an brief pause, and the man's eyes cloud over with... something. The exact emotion is difficult to pin down. But the moment is broken as he shrugs it off.]

Why regret what is in my nature to do? One tiny war doesn't make much difference to me in the end.

[inafadingcrown]

"One tiny war." [It hardly seemed tiny to those involved.]

[wizard_redfive]

[Ah, alas. The Lone Power often forgets (or doesn't care) that an individual or group's death bothers mortals so much.]

I've seen worse. Much worse. [Caused worse, is more likely.]

[inafadingcrown]

Perhaps. I would not speak of it in dismissive terms, all the same. There is little of my world it did not alter.

[wizard_redfive]

True… but were those changes for the worse?

[inafadingcrown]

Some, though not all, as you are well aware. Light persists in spite of the darkness.

[wizard_redfive]

So I've noticed. [He scowls, as though recalling an irritation, and for an instant his eyes go cold -- a brief glimse of his true self.]

As does Life, as I am constantly reminded by those Powers that think Themselves greater than Myself. It's like a weed -- focus your attention on one growth and another will spring up elsewhere. [He... It chuckles darkly.] But I've learned in time to adapt such methods for my own uses. There are plenty of other "growths" in the Universe which are far more willing to hear my side of things.

[inafadingcrown]

As it has ever been and as it will ever be. It is an endless, old dance, this fight.

[wizard_redfive]

Old it may be, but endless? I would not be so sure of that.

[The young man stands up, and although he did not look it before, he now is the same height as Galadriel -- tall and imposing. His face is back to that pleasant smile, though it's lost most of its charm by now.]

But enough talk of ancient battles. There is something else I would like to discuss with you.

[inafadingcrown]

[She looks straightforward, meeting his eyes.] Is there?

[wizard_redfive]

[He meets her gaze, unblinking. And although his eyes have lost the coldness, it would be hard to miss the old, ageless darkness behind them.]

Yes, there is... pertaining to a mutual "friend" of ours.

[inafadingcrown]

Speak, then. I will hear it.

[wizard_redfive]

It is about the young Dairine Callahan. I assume you know her, yes?

[The question is rhetorical. He wouldn't be bringing this up if he thought otherwise.]

[inafadingcrown]

I do. Continue.

[wizard_redfive]

I am concerned about her. Poor girl... tricked into accepting a false gift at such a young age. She's lost so much since then, and it's only going to get worse.

[He shakes his head, eyes averted in a mournful display.]

[inafadingcrown]

If you know me at all, you should know better than to think to deceive me with honeyed words. What do you want of her?

[wizard_redfive]

[The Lone Power scowls, offended. It wasn't even lying! ...Just painting the truth with Its own brush.]

I do not deceive you. Or has Dairine never told you when she took the Oath?

What I want is to have her out of my way! However, I can also relieve Dairine of her pain. She has done me a great service before, and I am willing to return the favor.

[inafadingcrown]

[Lies aren't the only way to deceive, as well they both know.]

She has not, but neither have I asked. And I think this a matter best discussed with her; it is not my choice to make.

[wizard_redfive]

[Yes, but asking the Lone One not to deceive is like asking It not to breathe!]

But would she have told you? She was merely 11 when the Powers offered her wizardry. As usual They used any way to trick her into taking it, using her curiosity to Their advantage. The things They promised her would make even my bargains look tame.

Then They threw her out to die.

[The Lone One has a harsh, disgusted look on Its face. It loathes even speaking of the other Powers. But then he's back to casual.]

Alas, she has largely ignored my attempts at conversation. So until a more direct option is available, I am fresh out of options.

I would not wish you to make the choice for her. Only to forward it.

[inafadingcrown]

If she has ignored you, I believe that answer enough. [She doesn't dignify the rest with a comment. If Dairine wished her to know, she would have told her.]

[wizard_redfive]

[The Power is becoming more and more frusterated, and it shows.]

If she knew who was speaking to her, she wouldn't ignore it! But like a fool she thinks herself beyond my reach, cut off by the "pocket dimension" where she currently resides. [It sneers.] As if she could ever be rid of me.

[inafadingcrown]

[He joins the long line of powers that Galadriel has frustrated. I'm sure they can get together and talk about it sometime.]

Do you really believe I would serve as messenger for one who has claimed for himself the title of the Dark Lord? Do you know so little of me?

[wizard_redfive]

[Its voice goes biting cold.]

I know more of you than you'd like to believe, Artanis. Which is why I thought you might care what would happen to poor Dairine. No matter. If you will not persuade Dairine to listen, I'll simply have to deal with her some other way.

[One that will be significantly more painful.]

[inafadingcrown]

You will not harm her. [Her voice goes cold and hard as steel.] Do not think to try.