The Dream Realm - WTF NOT FUNNY, GAIA

[Wenyuan]

((I am also enthused. whee I think I'll be grateful for the new organization. ^^;; ))

[Mintaka]

((Loveliness Prox! heart ))

[prolixity]

((I'll be glad for more organization myself. That was my primary reason for moving.))

[Youkochylde]

*Walks in with Jin Yu clinging to one ear* Hello all!

[Lady_Morgan123]

((*flops in.* I got my computer back! Huzzah! xd ))

[Viceregal]

Arezou meanders around the grounds, her eyes intent upon her surroundings. Her gloved hand reaches out to affectionately stroke the tender petals of a particularly exotic looking plant. A rather plump and enthusiastic dream strolls after her. It sheds a trail of twinkling lights that fade like snowflakes in his wake.

[Wenyuan]

Following just behind the trail of lights, yet not close enough for the colors to be reflected on his dark feathers, is a nightmare, stalking the Dream Walker and her dream in the most unmenacing way possible. Dipping behind a clump of grass, he peers around at the pair with large, intense eyes, flickering with something resembling mature curiosity. It seems that Ten'ato cannot decide whether to reveal himself or not, however.

[Viceregal]

The forest kin crouches suddenly, gesturing for Ephemere to come in closer. Tactile by nature, she touches the dream gently in a speechless greeting.
"Ephemere." His name is pronounced with eloquent perfection. The dream nuzzles her hand in response. " This is our new home."

Just then, they hear an almost inperceptible rustling. Arezou catches it first, her right ear twitching back to tune in. She half turns with a hand held out in a feral defensive posture. "who's there watching in the dark?" She hisses, the hint of fright in her voice.

Ephemere cranes his neck to peer over his shoulder, curiosity coming before caution. The dream narrows his eyes, in an attempt to see what is it that follows. He then whistles encouragingly, sensing nothing malicious.

[Wenyuan]

Having been discovered, Ten'ato slinks out from behind the clump of grass, a little shamefully. "It is Prime Minister Ten'ato, Lord Ephemere, Lady Arezou," he mumbles, his wings flickering slightly.

"What are you doing?" he asks suddenly, as if to prevent the very same question being asked of him. He flutters closer, blinking at them curiously, especially Ephemere. Perhaps he is hoping the dream will begin asking questions or preening and give the nightmare a little snack.

[Viceregal]

Ephemere lurches back in surprise, though it isn't clear whether his reaction is caused by Ten'ato's physical appearance or the way he addressed the two. Arezou giggles behind her fingers. She remains crouched though, beside her dream, the position apparently as natural to her as sitting and standing.

The dream stutters, not used to being addressed by such a grandiose title. He is caught between wanting to preen in self satisfaction and wanting to explain why he and his lady are not royalty. He opens his glistening beak to respond but it is Arezou's soft tenuous voice that is heard.

"Ten'ato!" There is nothing but delight there. "You've grown so much! Look how handsom you've become. Celestine and Wenyuan must be so proud."

The green dream in front of her clears his throat, embarrassed by his lady's emotive outburst. "We were investigating the grounds of our new home." He says in a hushed voice, "Why is Ten'ato by himself?"

"Where is Wenyuan?" The elfling blurts despite herself. "Is he...nearby?" Such hope in her voice!

[Wenyuan]

"The Prime Minister sensed an auspicious presence and went to investigate it, as the way of Virtue dictates," the nightmare rambles, apparently throwing adjectives and phrases into his speech merely because they sound impressive. "I am pleased to see that I have discovered allies of the Han! ...And certainly, he has become a very handsome hero of chaos, as good looks complement good Virtue." He preens a moment, enjoying the compliment.

"The Prime Minister is not alone!" he declares, raising his head. "The Empress Dowager and the General are nearby. The General is unwell, however, and the Empress Dowager chose to stay and comfort him." He nods. "I may lead the ambassadors to them, if they so wish!"

[Viceregal]

Arezou does not undestand much of what the nightmare says but she does glean the terrible news. "He is unwell?!" she squeeks. Ephemere however continues to look at Ten'ato through narrowed eyes, his face screwed up in an approximation of confusion and concentration.

"Prime Minister? Virtue? Allies of the Han? What are these things?" His analytical mind starts to grind in to life again. "You must explain it to me."

"Wenyuan is sick?" The elfling is still hung up on the detail. She is abruptly on her feet and dashing past Ten'ato. It is only when she is 10' infront of the nightmare that she realizes that she needs him to lead. "You will take me to him, won't you?" She is pleading.
"He said he would Little Elf." grumbles Ephemere, who has shed his subordinance in the face of the potential well of information that Ten'ato now represents. Arezou shifts from foot to foot, impatient to be off.

[Wenyuan]

Ten'ato looks loftily at Ephemere, proud that he knows something his senior does not. "Thus it has ever been," he intones, and seems to turn his attention to Arezou, while still eyeing the dream.

"The General is not suffering from anything but hysterics and executed mystics," he tells her, but his voice seems to falter a little, and a barely perceptible shiver of fear runs through him. "Lady Arezou need not worry too much, as the Empress Dowager tends to him well. I, Prime Minister Ten'ato, shall lead you to their location." He turns about and waddles away proudly.

"Every gentleman must read Romance of the Three Kingdoms at least three times, Lord Ephemere," he begins to explain.

The nightmare's mother and her human are not that far away, the latter lying on a grass spot on his back, resting peacefully, almost seeming to be asleep. He looks a little worn-out and disorganized, but not tortured by any terrible disease. Celestine sits by his head, her tail curled around herself gracefully, her eyes seeming vacant, as if she too is napping.

[Viceregal]

"Who is this Empress Dowager" Arezou murmurs aloud, but as they come across Wenyuan and Celestine she has no doubt as to who is being addressed as Empress. Her dark eyes flick from Celestine's regail form down to Wenyuan's face, not entirely sure where to put her attention now. The fairly simple elfling can think of doing nothing but running to the pair and bowing, at once humbled by the Elder and by the relief at once again seeing Wenyuan.

Ephemere watches his lady run up to the two and tumble down to her knees before them. He makes a small snort to himself but sticks close to his 'little cousin' the Minister.
"You will show me these Romance of the Three Kingdoms then?" He asks hopefully. " Is it a religion?"

When they too finally come abreast of Celestine and Wenyuan, the green dream is haulted in his tracks, his eyes gone wide. They are all on the luxurient mass of Celestine's royal plumage.

"Aunty Celestine?" His whisper is but an awed murmur, laquered by disbeleif. "You...you're exquisite!"

(haha I love that word too much)

[Wenyuan]

Celestine stirs from her trance, looking up at Arezou and Ephemere a little sleepily... perhaps with slight amusement. There seems to be a calm and gracious aura about her... the air seems charged with soothing, healing energy, which might help the two feel especially at peace.

"Hello," she says simply and softly, slighty rearranging herself and flicking herself to the other side. Her behavior is regal, yet not condescending. Her look communicates something gentle and kind.

The voices and movement coax one of Wenyuan's gray eyes open; it gravitates towards Arezou gradually, and then stays there a long time. Then, he turns his head, opening his other eye and mouth into a warm, yet quiet smile. "Good day, Miss Arezou," he says, lightly, casually, his pleasant manner not showing any signs of illness or pain.