Chasing the Mountians

[Himaru77]

Tel'aran'rhiod, The World of Dreams. Where anything is possible if you can imagine it, anything can exist if you can think on it, and any thought can appear if you wish it. It is a reflection of a real world and worlds unknown, where people from other dreams can come and go in fleeting moments, or where they can stay if they know how. Self control is key, and a strong will is a must.

In this dream, in this area of the World of Dreams, two individuals have such disciplined. To them, in Tel'aran'rhiod, they are King and Queen, Lord and Lady. Creators of All and Wish Granters. Among everything, they are Gods.

With all that power at their fingertips, and with traveling to the World of Dreams being the only way they can meet, what will they do? Who will they see? Will they go on adventures and enter into grand battles? Or will they keep close to their rank, living grander then anyone else, rather then be humble even to themselves?

To find out one must see much like they do, for the King and Queen's time in Tel'aran'rhiod. . . begins!  

[Loiiypop-chan]

Alex sighed, school had been tough today, homework too, and her family? Defiantly no better. But it was time for sleep, and that brought a smile to her face. Sure she could enter Tel'aran'rhiod as she pleased, simply putting herself to sleep wherever she was by feeling each muscle relax, but that caused complication when in the middle of a conversation or class. Therefore night was when she got to enter the world of dreams.

As soon as her head hit the pillow and the first deep breath escaped her, she stepped into the world of dreams. Into a forest where a light was just filtering through the leaves, making shapes on the forest floor. They air smelt so clean, and birds and squirrels chattered in the light. Light here was strange, always present, but it never seemed to have a source.

She fashioned herself a chair that was made from the earth, and sat on it, as it formed. It was simple as that, think of it, and it existed. As long as you truly believed it was there, a trick she had learned a long time ago, when she had first began visiting. Clothes she also learned about. What you were thinking about when you went to bed effected how they showed up on you, and they were as easy to change as well. Right now, she wore a flowing white dress, with long sleeves and lace on the edges, only just past her knees.

There she sat, waiting for her friend. She was a bit early tonight, but he'd be here soon. Itching for some company while she waited, she formed an image in her mid, and within seconds, the beautiful white stallion with the horn on his head, trotting around the trees until he stood in front of her by her chair. "A unicorn." She said aloud, and he snorted, stomping a foot, then bent his head down. She grabbed his face in her hands, stroking his soft muzzle with her hand, a smile on her face. "This place is magical." She told him, and it truly was. She could spend forever here, and often wanted to. And the best part was the time was different, she could spend a whole day here and be back in a few hours.  

[Himaru77]

An oak tree bloomed into existence, growing faster and faster as the others around it receded back into the earth, opening up a small clearing in the sun dappled woods around his friend and her unicorn. Birds chimed alarm at the sudden change and squirrels chattered as they leapt away. Other forest animals bolted off as well, though the shifting trees would not harm then. The white horned horse near his friend only gave him a snort and a toss of its head. He gave a small chuckle in return. Upon the oak's branches Dan sat, growing in much the same way as the tree; from a spec to full size.

He grinned at his friend as he hopped down, putting hands in the pockets of his long length and long sleeved unbuttoned green coat. Embroidered with leaves it was over a similar coloured shirt, its sleeves hung loose at his writs. Dan crossed his brown clothed legs, leaning back against the tree, taking it all in with a deep breath. The hair always smelled so fresh here. His bare toes curled against the soft grass underfoot, having no fear of stepping on anything that could harm them. His red hair was turned orange from the light above, no longer dappling the area in shadows as strongly.

Cloths were a fun trick. Being whatever you wanted and matching your thoughts just before you fell asleep, you could change them to whatever you wanted them to be. From the most elegant kingly attire, flowing cap and crown included, to a simple t-shirt and worn out jeans. However, if you became to distracted, your cloths would voice whatever your thoughts were. When he had first began to learn that had led him into a disaster or two. It was only a silly memory now. Oddly enough, if one knew how, they could change their appearance as well. He never did.

His day had been what it was. Dull and stressful at times. While at others he just wanted to shout in frustration. Sometimes boredom bought stress too. His family with their unneeded mood swings was only part of it. In any case Dan was glad when night finally came and he could sleep. He was in his bed in the real world at the moment, asleep as soon as he had laid down in his cloths. Here, in the World of Dreams, he could relax. Here, he could dream whatever he wanted. More importantly he could spend time with the one person he never found frustrating or annoying. Alex always calmed him down, allowing his stress to wash away. He wished he never had to leave sometimes, though that could be dangerous. Shaking his head he pushed all the negative thoughts away.

"Seems I'm late, m'lady." Dan bowed after releasing a relaxed sigh from the deep breath he took. He stepped forward with a warm laugh, his mock formally had only stayed for a moment. It was hard to keep. Alex's face brightened at the sight of him with a grin. She rose meeting him half way, giving a gleeful laugh and hug as Dan gave her one back. "It's so good to see you again! How are you?" he asked as they separated, his hands still on her arms.  

[Loiiypop-chan]

"I'm great, it's nice to see you too!" She exclaimed, looking around. "It's amazing, this place never gets any less magical, no matter how much we come. It's amazing." She sometimes had trouble believing this place wasn't real, when she was here. With all the practice the two of them had, everything usually stayed so solid, aside from the people that flickered in and out, touching the World of Dreams for a moment. "I have a place to show you." She told him then. "I thought it up a few days ago, and I've been planning it out."

She separated from him, to pat the white stallion on the neck. "You'll take us there, wont you?" She asked him, and he tossed his head with a snort. She leapt up onto his back. "C'mon!" She called to Dan, and held a hand out for him to get on the unicorn behind her. He could have easily created his own horse and rode, but without him knowing where they were they were going, it would be nearly impossible for them to arrive at the some place.

He took her hand and hopped up behind her. "Hold on!" She cautioned before kicking the stallion into gear. He was lucky he took her advice to hold on, the stallion rose to his back legs, and gave a mightily neigh before he shot off, faster then any living animal could move. She kept her hand firmly holding onto a chunk of his mane, but her head was up. Going as fast as they were, with the worlds flashing by, she could still see everything clearly if she concentrated. How is that possible? She wondered.

She got lost in the visions of imagines flashing before her at each step the stallion took, so it seemed like no time at all, when he finally stopped. She hadn't even noticed it slowly getting darker. But that was all part of the plan. And besides, there was still that strange part of the World of Dreams that allowed them to see. Alex slid off the Unicorn after Dan, who gave her a hand down, and patted his nose again. She would be sad to see him go, but she could see him again. She watched him trot away, then turned to Dan, grabbing his hand. "This way!"

She took off in a run, leading him up a tall grassy hill, the grass tickling her legs as it blew in the wind. The wind was a bit cold, and suddenly a green cloak hung over her shoulders as she ran. Good thinking. She thought to herself. Finally they reached the top of the hill, and she dropped Dan's hand so she could see his reaction, a satisfied look on her face.

The hill was steep down in front of them, and below was a small lake, reflecting what appeared to be stars above. The sky was shades of purple and blue, and all they could see forever was grassy hills and the water. "That's not even the best part." She told him, her voice sounding like the smile on her face. Just as she finished saying so, a bang sounded in front of them, a firework exploding in the sky. Then another, and another. Their colours dances and faded in the sky just as more appeared, the colours blending together. "What do you think?" She asked.  

[Himaru77]

Dan's jaw dropped open as the fireworks reflected off the lakes and in his eyes. And before he knew it, his face was torn between amazement, a smile, and wanting to hang open in disbelief. The darker grass tickled his toes as they inched to jump in joy at the sight. He loved fireworks! He glanced to Alex, then back to the fireworks, and then back to her, seeing the satisfied look on her face, and the smile it also had. He turned back to watching the sky as it exploded in a thousand vibrant stars of reds and blues, greens and yellows, and every colour under the sun. And those colours intermixed in large circles or stars that light up the land in much the same way. The booms shook him while the smell of surfer added to the atmosphere.

"You thought all of this up?!" Dan said in a half laugh before grabbing Alex's hand like she had his to get here and tugging her down the steep hill after him, sliding and very nearly trying not to fall over. "Come on!" The closer he got to the lake the louder the booms became, but the fireworks looked even better up close! His head looked up above him to try and see them all, and without realizing it he was soon splashing in the dark shallows of the lake. It's surface rippled with his movements. The water was pleasantly warm even when it was only just above his ankles.

Before Dan knew what was going on the fireworks that had been above them shifted slightly further away. He grinned, knowing why. Maybe they were not better right up close. With a child-like laugh a hissing sparkier like ball appeared in his hand, lighting up his grin as he threw it high into the sky --much further then he ever really could-- making it exploded with the others in a brilliant booming ball of yellow sparks. The second and third ones he threw created twin waterfalls of light that trickled into the lake beyond.

He had not said what he thought, though to his friend he knew it was clear enough. "This is wonderful!" He laughed as he and Alex threw more fireworks, some of them whistling before they exploded while others corkscrewing though the air. Others popped and sizzled loudly. He still felt awestruck by the display and where they were. His friend had a great mind.

Suddenly Dan looked to Alex, a mischievous twinkle appearing. in her eyes. A firework appeared in her hand. If she was thinking what he was-- A firework appeared in his. And with a long draw back they threw their fireworks high and far into the sky, where they exploded in fiery hues. Those fiery hues seemed to linger though, and soon they took shape. A pair of wings and long tail appeared attached to a long necked body and serpentine head. Its claws held long talons and when it roared lines of twinkling red stars shot from it's maw. It was a dragon! Dan snicked. However, this one was made of fireworks! Great minds did think alike!

Soon it was the dragon that was soaring though the air, twisting and turning around itself, casting out the fireworks. They were even larger then before and spheres at that. With a single thought, and not from him, the dragon began changing hues with the fireworks that it shot off, casting the sky in a rainbow of light and sound. The grey clouds of smoke reflected the light almost more then the lake. Dan gaped in a smile. "Ha ha! I stand corrected!"  

[Loiiypop-chan]

"Glad you like it." Alex said, as she sat down then, to watch the display play out before them. After a while, a cushion appeared for her to sit on, the hill wasn't that comfortable. "How long do you think it's been?" She asked Dan after a while. "Out there I mean." She replied, referring to the real world. Usually her alarm would wake her up form this world, but not always, and as much as she liked it here, she couldn't miss school. Dan's smile turned down a bit, and she almost wished she hadn't asked, neither liked leaving.

Slowly the fireworks dwindled away, and when the last one struck the sky, an alarm rang throughout the area, above their heads, echoing through the sky. Alex sighed and stood up, he clothes flashing to fuzzy pj's for only a moment as she dusted them off, then back to the white dress. "That's my Que." She said sadly. She gave Dan a quick hug, shouting over her shoulder to meet at the forest again the next night, and then vanished from sight.

***

Alex opened her eyes, a whacked her alarm off. She whipped the sleep from her eyes and sat up groggily. Visiting the World of Dreams could have that affect, never as rested as real sleeping would make you. Just have to get through today. She thought to herself, getting out of bed. Then, I can go back.

((This time you can enter the world of dreams first.))  

[Himaru77]

"To long already probably." Dan replied softly, his smile fading a bit. He did not mind her asking, just that nearly anything related to time or alarms meant they had to leave. Neither of them wanted to leave. He put a smile back on, enjoying the last of the display.

As the fireworks dwindled away, and Alex summoned a cushion to sit on, preferring it to the hard ground, while he was fine just the way he was on the grassy hill, the last firework hit the sky in the sound of an alarm. Knowing what that meant, and that he still had quite a bit of time before he had to go, he turned to Alex with a smile. He cloths flashed to a pair of fuzzy pj's for a moment before he white dress returned. "That it is," He replied, trying to hold onto a smile as he returned the quick hug she gave him.

He waved bye as she told him to meet her in the same place they had met tonight. "Goodnight." He said to himself before tacking a single step and going back to that forest. With a laughing spin he departed, creating a clearing and returning the forest to what it had been. He had a plan for when he came back.

* * *

Waking up with his eyes stinging from sleep, he threw his head back down on the pillow. An hour before he had to wake and though he doubted he could catch it, he wanted to try.
The world of dreams never provided the most restful sleep but it was was useable. Though that hour passed by in the blink of an eye as his alarm rang and told him he had to start his day. "This evening." Dan mumbled, rubbing his face and trying to acquire the motivation to wake up. After a few minutes, he did.

* * *

With a long yawn after a day that had been less then preferable --well it had not been to bad, though nothing compared to being a king in his dreams-- Dan threw himself into bed, ready for sleep and the adventure that would be waiting for him. He was going there early today, to set a surprise for his friend. He nearly grinned at the thought.

Relaxing every muscle like practiced, clearing his mind of all thoughts, Dan dropped himself into a deep sleep that would send him to the World of Dreams. When he opened his eyes the sunlight was startlingly bright in the clearing he had made from last night. With a flick of his wrist at the sky dusk set in, casting the trees in golden twilight. His eyes opened fully from their squinting. That was better.

With a quick stretch and a yawn --he was still tried even here?! That was surprising-- he set his plan in motion. Though everything could be changed in an instant, landscape, light, season, all of it, he preferred doing things a bit slower. He had time before his friend arrived anyway. First were the trees, pointed at one by one. Each one bloomed into a pink flowering cheery blossoms amidst a whirlwind of leaves, among lush green birches that were dotted between them and towering oaks. With another flick of his hand at the ground a wind kicked up and blew away the grass to replace it with new, expanding the forest clearing and creating a large smooth stump in the middle. A raising and lowering of his hands in a dance like patterns and the cheery bloom tree's trunks became long carved wolves. Snow capped mountains rose in the distance.

With his hands Dan moved along the tree stump, moving them over the space where carved wolf statues appeared, laying down asleep or sitting and smiling, and holding flowers. More flowers bloomed around the wolf's feet. The last touch was some food --sandwiches-- to be summoned a top the stump in a basket and the time of day to turn to a morning grey-blue sky. That was so much easier on his eyes. And before he forgot a lake a little ways away, near the mountains so their reflections would be captured, drifted into existence at the thought.

With a proud smile at his work he placed himself on the stump and waited for Alex. He wore the same cloths as yesterday.

(( Awesome! ))  

[Loiiypop-chan]

Alex poked her head out of the forest, a glittering sliver crown shaped link vines sitting atop her head. She traced the smooth lines of the wolf roots with her hand, before letting it fall back to her side. She wore a glittering dress of dark fabric, except for the small dots where it shone like captured stars. Maybe it was captured stars, sown into a dress. Finally, she stepped out from around the large roots, to where her friend could see her. "This place is amazing." She told him, almost too stunned to speak. "Much better then mine. It makes me feel like a Queen!" She pulled on her dress lightly, emphasizing what she said, by showing off the fancy clothes her mind had put her in. "Though it looks like I'm a little overdressed for a midnight snack." She laughed, eyeing the sandwiches.

Hoping it was okay, Alex concentrated, and suddenly Dan's clothes became more elegant, but where her's were like the night, his were like the sun. His shirt became a bright yellow almost gold, with a golden sun's rays coming from the collar and sleeves, his pants the same gold and the sheath holding a sword to his side now, was decorated in a similar fashion. "We might as well be overdressed together." She laughed, then rushed to her seat, and picked up one of the sandwiches. He made it to his by the time she had already taken a bite of hers, roast beef, and glasses with punch appeared on the table. Adding some sounds, there was suddenly birds chirping, and wind blew little wooden wind-chimes hanging from some of the trees. Alex finished her sandwich then closed her eyes, and leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "This is so peaceful." She thought out loud. Dan agreed, and she opened one eye to see he was doing the same as her, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed.

With a mischievous grin, she turned his chair that he was leaning back on, into a big fluffy beanbag, and watched his eyes flash open in surprise as he fell down onto it. "Got you!" She laughed, as he made a light 'oof' noise.  

[Himaru77]

Dan put on an irritated expression and shot a glare at his friend, but his efforts were quickly ruined as large grin bloomed on his face and he let out a laugh. "Should of known it would not of been peaceful for long." He joked. With a snap of her fingers Alex gave a small gasp, her own laughter cut off as her chair became a large tasseled and embroidered pillow which she fell on, bouncing once. Both her eyes opened then, and Dan could only laugh more.

"Hey!" She exclaimed, giving him look that was the opposite of the mirth in her eyes. His laughter subsided into a grin as he stood, adjusting the fine clothing she put him in. More then fine cloths really, with the sun rays covering the chest and sleeves and the sword with enough gold on both to make his mouth drop to the floor in real life. Fit for a king. And opposite of hers, dark and appearing to be dotted with stars even in the morning light. It was the times of day they preferred, the day and the night. Well, as far as the world of dreams was concerned. They could only came here at night.

Extending a hand to help her up, she grinned with him as she took it, rising to her feet. "You're right," Dan said. "At least we are overdressed together. You do look like a queen." He smiled at her for a moment, saying nothing, until he gave himself a shake. The sounds of the wind chimes were soothing. "And that must make me a King right?" Concentrating a golden unadorned crown to match his cloths appeared on his head.

Reaching up Alex adjusted his crown, brushing back some of his hair. "That's better." She smiled.

"Thanks." Dan grinned. "Now come on!" He exclaimed, lightly gripping her hand and tugging her along in a fast walk. She couldn't run in a dress. "I have something wondrous to show you!" Weaving though the wolf carved trees and under the sun dappled canopy overhead, Dan nearly ran across the grassy forest floor speckled with pink peddles and acorns and nearly invisible green leaves, leading his friend. Alex held up her dress to move with him though she did not tell him to slow down.

With a single thought the sun rose a hair or two more, casting long horizontal golden rays through the trees. However what lay ahead was going to impress his friend even more then the stump and flowers. As they passed the last tree down a grassy hill a glass-still lake rested in the looming presence of snow-capped grey mountains. Their mirrored twin and even the sky lay undisturbed on the water. The rising sun cast the sky in a vivid blue dotted with clouds while keeping the shoreline shinning in the distance. Even the surface of the lake shinned a little at as it's edges stretched out-of-sight both directions. The mountains themselves took on the sun in their own unique way, becoming more blue then grey as shadows stretched from the jagged outcrops. Alex's dress sparked even more; Just like stars.

Dan stopped, letting go of his friends hand and took his place behind her as to not obstruct the view. Suddenly a breeze appeared, carrying cheery blossoms into the air over the lake, their peddles landing softly on the water producing not so much as a ripple. Behind Alex and wherever she would step next, within the shadows reaching out from the trees behind, following the path they had already walked, a rainbow of flowers sprouted into existence. The flowers would not be crunched underfoot, even if his friend stepped right on them.  

[Loiiypop-chan]

Alex smiled at him, as she adjusted his crown. It was very fitting, she considered herself the Queen of this place, and her friend was a fitting King if she had ever seen one, and now dressed the part.

She allowed herself to be tugged along, admiring everything he had created as they ran. When he stopped, and moved back to let her see, she was pretty sure her jaw dropped open. She wouldn't have noticed if it had. "Okay, you win." She muttered breathlessly. She bent down to her knees on the hill, trying to take it all in. "It's amazing, so stunningly beautiful! I can't believe you thought it all up." Her dress spread in a sparkling circle around her, and around that, flowers popped up around her. She smiled and bent down, cupping a flower in her hands, and smelling it. "Smells amazing." She mumbled, then stood up on her feet. Where she walked forward, the flowers parted for her feet, so she didn't step on one.

Before long, she turned her walk into a run, calling behind her. "Come on!" When she reached the water, she kept running, and then divined in it, head first. Underwater she was able to breath as soon as she wished to. She dove down deep, and it got hard to see. Remembering something she'd seen in a movie, she whacked some seaweed on the water's floor, and they lit up in an array of colours. Green, blue, purple. Then she made her hands form into a circle, when she opened it again, a little yellow light sat in her palm. She pushed it into the water, and began creating more, until it looked like hundreds of fireflies hung in the water by the glowing plants. Finally, she cupped her hands around her moth and whispered into them. She then pushed the bubble within them towards her friend, and made a poking gesture.

After a confused look, he popped the bubble, and the words, "what do you think?" came from it.