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 Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:18 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:22 pm
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 The Dream Catchers
Nestled in the bustling city of New York is an building that houses the DreamCatcher business. There you will find a group of people who specialize in dreams. Yes, dreams. They will enter your dream as you sleep and guide your subconscious self through the maze of your mind. There, they will help you confront the root of your sleepless plague. They guarantee it...or your money back. Besides, they definitely want to complete to mission and exit your dreamworld...otherwise they will become stuck within it and their physical body will become a vegetable.
How does a Dream Catcher do their job?
Dream Catchers usually work in pairs or groups since you never know what they will come across in a dream. When a request comes in, the description of the problem is reviewed by the Chief and the proper team is selected for the job. The selection is usually based on the strengths/weaknesses of the team and how well they would interact with the dreamer. The dreamer comes to the SLEEP Lab and along with the agents, enter into glass covered capsules. Once in the capsule, they all enter a sleep-like state and everyone's stats are monitored by the Dream Scientist and Assistant to ensure safety. Once the dreamer starts to dream, the Dream Catchers Agents will find themselves transported to the dreamscape of the dreamer. First the Dream Catchers must find the dreamer, who can take on a different form, since it's their dream. The scenery can suddenly change and inhabitants both friendly and vicious can appear so the Dream Catchers must stay on their toes, and also be aware that they can bend the dream as well. Give themselves weapons, change forms, and transport to other locations. However they must keep the bending to a minimum as to not overload the dreamer's mind. Overload their brain and it might break, causing the dreamer to lapse into coma. Once the Dream Catchers find the dreamer, they must protect him/her and assist them as they confront the problem. But ultimately, the Dream Catchers can only do so much...it's up to the dreamer to face their fears.
Your mind's Guardian
Your mind is guarded by a Guardian. That small voice in your head that tries to cheer you up or soothe you and assure that everything is okay...that is your Guardian. Each person has a Guardian who protects their mind from harm...such as Dream Eaters. Your Guardian will fight off a Dream Eater, but if they become overwhelmed by the darkness, then they become consumed by the Eater and nothing will protect your mind from the Dream Eater's destruction unless you get the help from the Dream Catchers. A Gaaurdian can take any form, a mighty beast, a historical figure, or even someone they know in real life.
What makes one a qualified Dream Catcher?
Dream Catchers are individuals who are deeply connected with their own dreams. They can take control and make anything they wish happen during their dreaming state. Those who can transcend that quality when entering someone else's dream. After extensive training in how to enter/leave another's dreams, bend aspects of the dreamscape to their will, observe safety measures at all time, and show a great deal of responsibility (you are entering someone's dream and might see their secrets which is classified information according to Dream Code: 552-01), one usually becomes a fully qualified Dream Catcher. |
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:22 pm
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┏━━━━━━━━━┓
Dream Catchers HeadQuarters
┗━━━━━━━━━┛
The building is labeled with a bright neon sign saying "DREAM CATCHERS located here!" Just kidding...they are definitely more discreet about their business, yet somehow the customers find them or they find the customers. But just in case...go to the StageView apartment complex on Madison Drive and take the elavator to the 13th floor, that will take you to the receptionist and office floor.
Member of the Dream Catchers would get off here and either go to their respected offices or take a separate elevator up to there destination. Members do not have to live at HeadQuarters, though they can take residence here if they desire.
Floor 13: Receptionist Desk and Lounge, Dream Catchers Offices, Chief's Office.
 - -  - -  - - 
Floor 14: SLEEP Laboratory and Training Simulation Room
 - - 
Floor 15: Bedrooms
 (Dominic's Room) - -  (Aisha's Room) - -  (Lillian's Room w/o the cat) - -  (Jon's Room) - -  (Loretta's Room) - -
Floor 16: Amenities for the Employees = Kitchen, Relaxation Quarters, Gym, Gaming Room, Theater,
 - -  - -  - -  - - 
Floor 17: Official Conference Room and Library
 - - 
Rooftop: Enclosed Gardens
Dream Catchers own a size-able amount of underground garage space for *ahem* shiny toys
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:24 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:44 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:46 pm
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Layout of the SLEEP Lab
The Equip and Training Simulation Room
Down the Left Tunnel, before you hit a massive storage room, with practically any part and tool you need, there is a door when that will lead you to the Training Equip room, a small locker like room where you can leave your belongings and change into you suit (color coded suits that resemble wetsuits but are much more comfier) training room. There are also color coded eyeware and gloves for each agent. These items are for:
Suit: The suit has sensors that not only monitor your health stats, but will project any attack move so that you WILL SENSE THE PAIN. Once entering the Training Room you can decide to change the look of you suit and change into various costumes ex: Samurai war garbs to dapper double O agent suits.
Glasses: Once you enter the Training Room the glasses will activate. Not only will they project the environment, disguise/costume of your sparring partner or computer sparring partner, they will also help you keep track of your health stats and warn you when t o take a drink or break. Nifty huh!
Gloves: These are not only protective ware, they will make you feel the weight and response of the weapon or item you are holding!
You progress forwards to the training room. The room is completely white, but after a chat with the mainframe, your glasses will let you view whatever you want to see. Request the theme of your environment and weapons you want. Set a time or go freestyle when you begin your fight. There is even an anti-gravity mode!
Please note that the room shouldn't have too many people. The fire Marshall recommended up to 4 people at one time.
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:48 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:49 pm
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Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:51 pm
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PART VII: Reminiscence
 Aisha was staring into her empty mug. Why did she suddenly recall events that took place nearly five years ago? She had no idea, but so much has changed since then. Soon Aisha wasn’t the only agent or employee of Dream Catcher Inc. She was no longer a teenager nor an undergrad, instead she was now a graduate student in applied neuroscience and cybernetics. Turns out Dominic was well connected...almost suspiciously so...
It was 6:00 am on a Wednesday morning, and with no need to go into her laboratory at NYU, Aisha took her time in the kitchen putting together cereal and brewing a big fresh jug of coffee.
Suddenly a slight snore came from the other side of the counter. There slumped in a tall bar chair was Dominic, head leaning backwards and mouth agape. A newspaper had been sprawled in front of him as well as a plate with now cold buttered toast, slightly burnt. Aisha held off the sudden urge at tossing cherrios at him and see if she could aim one into his mouth...but she didn’t want him to choke and die...she needed her next paycheck!
Suddenly the huge and expensive barista coffee maker piped and gurgled, expelling the roasted fragrance of dark coffee into the air. “Cooffeeeee!” Cheered Dominic as he sprung to life and nearly gave Aisha a heart attack. Even after five years of working with the man, he still had a way of surprising her.
“Oh sweet precious liquid that keeps me going.” Continued Dominic as he walked over to the coffee maker, while grabbing Aisha’s empty mug. He then fixed to cups of coffee and Aisha held off her questions while he performed his morning ritual. No matter where he was in the building, Dominic could catch the whiff of the roast smell and come bounding...even all the way down the carport. Aisha continued munching her cereal until Dominic placed down the mug in front of her and sat down opposite with his own in both hands. A little caramel drawn happy face with a bow tie on whip cream smiled up at her.
“Sooo, what were you trying to to do in the kitchen before you fell asleep?” Aisha inquired, before she destroyed the little face by drinking her coffee. “I’m trying to find some useful spare parts for a prototype I’m drawing up and want Lilli to review...also I found her...” Dominic replied as he bit into the toast. “Her?” Aisha asked as her brows knitted together in confusion. Did he mean Lillian? “Yes our next Dreamer” Dominic replied with his mouth full of crunchy burnt toast. “Are you sure?” Aisha commented with a hint of incredulousness in her voice as she pushed back her finished bowl of cereal and spoon, before folding her hands and leaning on the counter.
“Yes! I’m 99.999999% sure.” Dominic nodded, before taking a sip of his coffee and scanning the print. “Good! Since last time we were trying to track down a Dreamer and instead we spent the whole day chasing what turned out to be a stray cat!” Aisha exclaimed as she straightened up. “Yes....I wonder how Muggsy is doing....and for your information, animals can dream and it sometimes interferes with my radar system.” Dominic put up two fingers, one on each side of his head and mimicked antennas on his head. Aisha frowned at him. There were points in her employment where she thought Dominic was indeed a visitor from beyond the stars. His little charade wasn’t helping.
It had been awhile since their last Dreamer, seemed like the Dream Eaters were staying low for the while. Then again...it’s always calm before a big storm hits...
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 4:20 pm
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 Lillian awoke with a start, wincing as she sent tools clattering away into the darkness surrounding her. The girl rubbed her eyes and yawned, her purplish red hair looking closer to purple in the blue light of the monoliths that surrounded her. Within them sat her patented virtual brains used to store captured Dream Eaters. Sometimes she would come down to this place to check them and to ensure they were still working. They were on their own separate power source to keep them working even if the rest of the city went out these would keep going. Despite the damage they could do, they had decided it was best not to let them die and so they kept them on these brains. They were incredibly expensive to make, however, so they were fast running out of capacity. Something would have to be done soon but they would cross that bridge when they came to it. So she maintained them until the day they decided they did not need to keep them alive. She knew that day would probably come unless Dominic figured out a way to really increase their income.
She sat up, pulling a fallen strap of her nightgown up on her scrawny shoulder before moving to stand. Swaying a little, the scientist rubbed at her eyes and yawned. Sleep was a rare commodity to her but it always happened when she felt warm. It was incredibly hot in this room and even wearing just a thin silk gown was not enough to stop her from sweating. She really needed to stop coming to this place late at night. Lillian had noted she had confusingly that she had been doing this more of late although she was unsure why. Was something bothering her? It was hard to think after just waking up from her impromptu night's sleep. The solid concrete floor was not particularly comfortable and now her back was aching a little.
A few minutes later, she emerged from a hatch behind her usual chair into the main lab. The servers and brain prison was kept on a hidden floor right beneath the lab, encased in a Faraday cage to ensure the Dream Eaters were not able to escape. Whether it actually worked or not, they had no idea, but so far none of the agents had been infected by the captured Dream Eaters kept underneath the lab.
The usual lighting of the lab was a low greenish glow that might not be great for reading but was designed simply make sure no one walked into anything while moving around. Keeping the lights low probably did not help anyone to sleep, the gas did that, but it was all part of the psychological experience to help people relax. It got pretty bright when the monitors were on but only she ever saw that part.
Entering the elevator, she emerged onto the sixteenth floor and headed straight to the kitchen. The brighter lights here made her eyes ache slightly and she realised just how dehydrated she was feeling. Heading straight to the kitchen, she barely acknowledged Dominic and Aisha as they got themselves coffee. The girl did not even notice her white nightgown had turned almost completely transparent from all the sweating she had been doing. Taking a bottle of water out of the fridge, she drained it in a couple of gulps before sighing softly.
Yawning again, she turned to her employer and Aisha. "Good morning. Anything special happening today or do I get to do more maintenance." She sighed. "I think I need to take a shower, anyway."
*
Loretta emerged from the gym with a towel around her neck and her long red hair tied in a ponytail. Her body was streaked with sweat and her green gym clothes were rather damp, but overall she thought she looked decent today. She had gotten up in early in the morning like usual to do her usual training regimen. With so much time spent sleeping, Lorie was rather paranoid about getting unfit and so she trained every morning in the gym before beginning her duties as a Dream Catcher or her studies at college. Compared to the other insanely qualified people in the team, the girl felt a little dumb but she was younger than all the others too so there was that. Then again, Lilli was way smarter than all of them put together and she had a PhD! It was crazy how well educated everyone was. She wondered how they were not working at NASA or something. Well, she knew why she was not, and she suspected the genius girl was just too much of a flake for them to tolerate. As for Dominic, he was something else entirely.
Entering the kitchen, she grinned when she saw the rest of the team there. "Good morning, everyone," said Loretta happily, sliding past Lillian to get a bottle of water out of the fridge. "Busy day today?" She asked, looking at the scientist and shaking her head. There was no way Aisha was not going to comment about what state the red-eyed girl was in now. It was kind of funny watching the two of them together. The agent was wound so tightly compared to the scientist who was so laid back she often could be found horizontal.
Moving to sit at the counter, she placed her empty mug on the counter. "Could you get me some coffee too, boss?" Chuckling, Loretta nudged Aisha with her elbow. "You look like you need the coffee. Rough night?"
(Decided to change their colours around a little. I really did not like the lime green.
((Is there any other character you think we need? I'd like to get another male one in just because right now it feels like Charlie's Angels with Dominic in the role of Charlie. razz
((I'm probably going to update Loretta's room too but I'll get back to you on that. She's a character I'm going to need a little practice with. Not got as good a handle on her as Lillian.))
((EDIT: Found a new room for Loretta: http://stas-oliva.deviantart.com/art/Bedroom-in-a-small-apartment-256482583 )) |
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:06 pm
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Nicolas was noisily slurping up his coffee, while Aisha daintily sipped at hers. The sandy haired man straightened the newspaper and began to browse for any headlines that caught his interest. While other people read the winning scores on the sports page or checked the stock market analysis at the business section, Dominic seeked the smaller stories covering accidents, sudden windfalls, and crime. Unusual little bits that may lead to a Dreamer or a Dream Eater in disguise.
Eyes serenely closed, Aisha was content in sipping her coffee. While she wouldn’t admit it out loud...Dominic knew how to brew to delicious cup so well, that the woman could no longer drink any other coffee. Sometime she wondered if he meddled with the coffee beans.
A sudden squeal of the fridge door made the agent’s eyes fluttered, and Aisha found herself staring right at the rear of Lilli’s barely there garment. Her cheeks grew red hot...and warm rich coffee seeped down the wrong pipe. Aisha began to fight a coughing fit as she quickly set down her mug.
“Good morning Lilli!” Dominic chirped happily as he helpfully thumped Aisha on the back. Or at least he thought he was being helpful for Aisha was now waving him away as if he were a pesky house fly.
“Lillian!” Aisha wheezed as her windpipe cleared. “Your dress! Does Dominic not pay you adequately for clothes?!” The woman stammered, then gave her boss an accusatory glare.
“You hurt me so Aisha dearest!” Dominic pouted as he dramatically whipped his hand to clutch at his heart. “I pay above minimum with full benefits. I take great care of my emplo…” But he was cut off by the woman who now looked like a ruffled mother.
She directed her gaze back to the scientist. And while her expression softened towards Lilli, the steam had risen past safety levels in her head. “You’ll catch a draft and come down with a fever! Go freshen up and then you can borrow something from my closet. And maybe Dominic can find it in his heart to spare an air conditioning unit for his top scientist.”
Loretta had now entered the kitchen...and the scene unfolding. Dominic could only wave his hand in hello towards the agent, and roll his eyes as Aisha continued her tirade. Dominic had learned long ago not to bother with stopping Aisha when she was on a nagging roll. It was better to let her air out her grievances then fear another conniption from a woman whose voicebox never tired!
Upon hearing Loretta’s request for coffee, Dominic jumped to his feet and busied himself with the coffee machine just in time for Aisha’s steam to finish. “If I wasn’t running this company, then I would have become a famous barista!” Dominic cheered as he placed a mug of steaming rich coffee in front of Loretta. A little cat face peered out of the whipped foam and wore quivering whiskers made from caramel drizzle.
Aisha shook her head at Dominic and picked back up her mug. She nearly snorted quite unlady-like at Loretta’s comment. “I needed this coffee more than you could imagine,” the dark haired woman huffed into her warm mug. “It’s just that I worry,” she sighed, daintily wiping away some of the caramel smeared on her lips. Stress wasn’t healthy, she knew that. Aisha had studied the physiological pathway of cortisol levels. But, she just couldn’t help herself!
She then peered at the energetic young woman besides her and a smile crept over her lips. “Actually Loretta, you are the most sane person in this group. But, it is those two that I worry about,” Aisha narrowed her vibrant green eyes at the perpetrators of what she was sure would soon become ulcers in her stomach.
“As for rough night...no...just recalled some old memories for some odd reason." The agent gave a nonchalant shrug. Though her dreams had become more vivid as of late. It might just be tied to her wound up state of constant stress.
Dominic, who had been licking his fingers from sticky caramel suddenly piped up, “Well, I am glad to hear that because I need you, well all of you to be in tip top shape for I have a surprise!” Aisha pressed her lips into a very thin line. She did not enjoy surprises, especially when Dominic was behind it.
“We have a new addition to the team!” Dominic announced with his arms waving about. “I believe his talent will be not only useful, but quite interesting. And more testosterone would be a much appreciated relief,” Dominic admitted as he rubbed his chin. Indeed, the three lovely ladies were a delightful company to have...but the estrogen level was a tad bit smothering. Avoiding Aisha’s indignantly arched brow, Dominic rubbed his hands together in unabashed glee as he continued, “He should be here any moment to begin his first day!” Then he suddenly paused with a finger to his lips as he added, “I think I gave him the correct address…”
Aisha nearly smacked her forehead...two more points of stress was achieved.
Note: What Aisha is wearing =    
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Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:09 pm
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Lillian winced as Aisha exclaimed her name. What had she done now to earn the veteran agent's wrath? Looking down as the other girl remarked on here nightgown, she realised it had gone partially sheet thanks to her sweat. "Oh. No, this isn't Dominic's fault. I fell asleep while doing some maintenance in the containment unit. It's my fault." She rolled her eyes. "I don't need to borrow clothes off you. Besides, none of your stuff would fit my scrawny body. We don't need to have this discussion every time you see me in the morning."
She smiled as Loretta entered the room and gave her a small wave. The newest of the agents was always very kind to her and did not nag her constantly like Aisha did. While they had rather different interest when it came to hobbies, she was impressed with the redhead's intelligence and demeanour. Why could Aisha not be so cheerful? She was sure the dark haired girl would be much happier if she was.
Lorrie chuckled. "I don't think the other two are insane. Genius tends to manifest... eccentricities. In Lilli's case it's to wander around in nightgowns, for some reason, and in Dominic it's to be half in the dream-world and half in the real-world." She accepted her coffee. "At least that's why I think he acts the way he does. He could just be insane." Giggling, the girl gave her friend a cheeky wink before sipping her coffee. "Ah this is excellent. Always nice to have some bitter sweetness after a workout."
The scientist tossed the empty bottle into the trash and yawned. She was just about to announce her intentions to return to her room when her employer broke the news of a new agent. "Oh... I suppose I'll need to set up a calibration session then." Lillian yawned again. "I'll do that once I've taken a shower and changed." She glanced quickly at Aisha to see if she had anything to say but it appeared some of Dominic's remarks had incensed her enough that her nagging had turned to him.
"I'll be back in a bit," she said cheerfully, padding off to the elevator down to her room and vanishing into the dimly lit chamber. Stripping off her silk garment, the scientist stepped into the cubicle next to the door and started up the water. Sighing happily, she closed her eyes and hummed quietly to herself. It was a tune from when she was very young, from before her intelligence had been noticed and academia plucked her from obscurity.
The red-haired girl put an arm around Aisha and hugged her to her side. "Don't let it get to you. Besides, it'll be nice to have someone else on the team. If they're anywhere near as good as us then maybe we'll have more time to concentrate on our studies." Smiling at her friend brightly, she drained the last of her coffee and set the empty mug down. "Thanks for the coffee and the news, Dominic. I'll just take a shower and get dressed to meet this new man you're bringing in. I just hope he's up to scratch." Giggling, she gave them both a small wave before setting off for her own room to wash up and change.
*
Jonathan checked the note again before pressing the button on the elevator. This was the strangest set of directions he had ever been given in his life. Finding the building had been easy enough but actually getting to the office he was supposed to visit was incredibly difficult. A few times he had been forced to stop himself from falling asleep from the stress of it all. Whenever he got frustrated, his mind would immediately try to retreat from reality and back to the waiting embrace of his Guardian. It was not that he minded being like that but even he recognised he needed this job if he wanted to continue doing what he was doing. Apparently this place was all about dreams too so it seemed perfect for him. Money, a roof over his head and ample opportunity to dream. He hated being away from Neaerides for any real length of time and he knew it upset her too, as she often liked to remind him.
The elevator opened into an empty reception. Frowning, he looked around. This was definitely the right place. Had he come to early? Looking towards the couch, it looked comfortable enough and it was pleasantly warm in here. He could at least get some warmth and some comfort even if he had made a mistake. Hopefully no one would try to move him on too quickly.
Settling into the sofa, Jon drifted off into a dream. He sat on a volcanic beach. A warm presence laid next to him, its hand gently caressing his bare chest.
-Took you long enough, said the nymph.
"I was barely gone an hour." He rolled onto his side and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "I missed you."
She smiled and nuzzled his hair. -I missed you too.
*
Lillian emerged from her room in an identical nightdress as before although this one was not soaked with her sweat. She knew Aisha would be angry but she did not really care about that. It was the most comfortable thing she owned and that was why the scientist had bought several of them when she got the chance. The others were likely meeting the new agent by now but Lilli had never been one for introductions. Instead, she went up to the lab and started cycling up the dream machines. Dominic would most likely want to the new agent calibrated as soon as possible knowing him.
((Ah Aisha's outfit is adorable. Is she one of those lucky people who can wear jeans that don't flash their underwear when they sit at stools? lol
Jon is dressed pretty much like his profile pic.))
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