Tranquility (Open)

[Sunshine]

Sunshine watched the sun sink below the horizon from the comfort of Overlook Island. She was seated on the edge of a cliff, which was above the ocean's surface. Any sensible parent would have scolded her for sitting at the edge, but this wasn't a problem for Sunshine: after all, she could fly. Her hands rested on the ground to support her. Her legs dangled over the edge, and sometimes kicked gently the air.

The beauty, still in her costume and mask after a long day of heroic deed, was comforted by the sun, which would be gone for the day in minutes. She was happy that, even after such a hectic day with uncertain conclusions, she was still fortunate enough to watch the sun set. It was a beautiful sight; the sky was painted with vivid colors, none of which were blue. Orange, pink, purple. Epcot City was a dangerous, flawed metropolis, but Sunshine forgot for a moment all the strife she went through. Tomorrow would be another day, but for now, there was this moment gazing at the sun, the star she was named after.

She was almost in a trance. She smiled romantically as she stared at the sun, fortunately too dim blind. She thought about things, her parents in Eyvindria, her friends here in the Overlook, and other thoughts as they flowed through her mind.

[She-Wolf]

Unknownst to her, Sunshine wasn't the only one on the island admiring the sunset, at the moment. Another member of the Dream League, hidden amongst the lush trees that dotted the isle, silently gazed from a distance at the very same sight that Sunshine was so fixated on.

It was one of the newest members of the Dream League - She-Wolf. Standing some fifty feet away from where Sunshine sat, under the veil of leaves and branches at the edge of the island's small forest, she quietly took in the vibrant colors of the setting sun, as it finally met with the horizon of the nearby coast. It was not uncommon for her to be spending time in these seaside woods rather than within the Overlook - any Dreamer could clearly see that, although she had a ferocious temperament, she was really quite reserved and, literally, a lone wolf, who needed to be alone often. She had yet to fully trust her teammates, despite making the conscious decision to join not too long ago... it was not only that, however - she simply couldn't adjust to being in a manmade environment, with walls and ceilings, for too long so soon after leaving her forest home. She was thankful that nature abounded on the Overlook's island; it was not quite so spacious as her territory in the thick forests not far outside of Calisota, where her 'brothers' still roamed and waited for her... but it was enough to satisfy her, for now.

Although she found the sight of the setting sun nearly as beautiful as Sunshine did, she did not appear to be enjoying it as much. Her facial expression was (as always, any fellow Dreamer would note) somber and very no-nonsense. There was a certain something in her gray eyes, however... a very melancholy look that was rare to see on her. Like Sunshine, she, herself, was lost in thought... although they were troubled thoughts.

Joining the Dream League was a decision that was very difficult for San to make - and she still had her doubts about it. Ever since she had... become all alone, in the world... she shunned the world of humans, and became well-adapted to and comfortable with life in the wilds. To so suddenly return to the world of man... even she was baffled by the choice she made. She simply didn't like people... What compelled her to do it? That day, months ago, in the forest... when she first met the Dream League, after they rescued her from that witch... just being saved by them couldn't have done it... No. It wasn't that, it couldn't have been. San knew it was something more profound than just gratitude.

Sighing heavily, her hand placed on the bark of a gnarled cliffside tree, she wandered further along the edge of the small forest as she continued to ponder to herself. She was drawing closer and closer to where Sunshine sat, and her footsteps against the grass and fallen leaves would have given her presence away for certain - but she had yet to even notice the blonde beauty sitting by the cliffside.

[Sunshine]

Sunshine's pleasant thoughts were interrupted by the soft footsteps she heard. She turned from where she sat and looked over her shoulder, pursing her lips in curiosity, wondering who was nearby. She recognized the presence instantly: She-Wolf. How funny to think that She-Wolf was not a member of the Dream League when the two met each other, even though Sunshine met her before most of the other Dreamers. Both teenagers were antagonized by Madam Mim, but Sunshine helped the Dream League defeat the witch, and save She-Wolf's life. Sunshine joined the team immediately afterward, but She-Wolf didn't. It wouldn't be until a second encounter when she joined the team.

Sunshine was happy that She-Wolf joined the League; even though the latter was constantly moody and contentious, Sunshine knew that she was a good and noble young woman. If only Sunshine could reach her...

Sunshine turned even more from where she sat and smiled pleasantly as she called. "Hello, She-Wolf! Have... have you come to watch the sunset with me? I would be happy if you did. I would like some company, someone to talk to." She gently patted a spot on the cliff to her left, obviously implying that she wanted the shy, lonely girl to sit by her side.

[She-Wolf]

A sudden voice gave She-Wolf pause in her steps, and caused her to whirl her head towards the source of said voice. Her eyes widened at the unexpected sight she saw - Sunshine, seated not even thirty feet away from her, gazing right at her. She-Wolf must have been so lost in thought that she didn't even notice the lighter-haired girl... and she silently cursed herself for not paying attention, so she could have more easily avoided the encounter.

The typically cold and hard expression that covered She-Wolf's face became troubled and shy, almost timid. Her eyes almost immediately darted away from Sunshine's, and her painted cheeks turned just the slightest shade of pink. Of all people in the Dream League to have run into at that moment, She-Wolf truly wished that it wasn't Sunshine. Were it anyone else - Duck Avenger, the Masked Mallard, Dreamchild, anybody - she could easily just give that person the cold shoulder, putting on her tough-girl act and walking off to do her own thing, with no regrets. Sunshine, though... Sunshine was different. She-Wolf just didn't feel comfortable doing something like that to her. Sunshine was just... San couldn't even put into words what it was, but there was something about her... something pleasant, and inviting. Something that made her the easiest member of the team for She-Wolf to speak to (although that had yet to happen too often)... something that almost managed to incite admiration and trust from the wolf girl.

Whatever it was, it made it very hard for She-Wolf to treat Sunshine as she normally treated others.

After that short moment of hesitance, She-Wolf slowly approached Sunshine, uncertainty in her steps. She soon reached Sunshine's side, but stopped a slight further distance from her than the position that Sunshine had urged her to sit at in the first place. She hunkered down to sit in a cross-legged stance, almost Indian-style, her hands placed on the ground in between her crossed legs. The most awkward expression imaginable was on her face, her eyebrows twisted nervously and her eyes darting to and fro, only occasionally shifting towards Sunshine - her head never turned to look at her. She was silent, but... she knew that if the silence lasted too long, Sunshine would start asking her questions and such. She had to say something.

"... W-what are you doing out here... alone?" she questioned. The tone in her voice was rather atypical to hear from her, for the typical member of the Dream League - rather than harsh and callous, it was restrained and unsure.

[Sunshine]

Sunshine could see that her invitation rendered the lone wolf shy. The Ray of Hope could understand this feeling, because she, too, was notorious for being humble out in public. She was more confident and even good-humored to most of the Dream League, though, and she would treat She-Wolf the same. Sunshine watched as the dark-eyed teenager moved as close to Sunshine as she could. It was obvious that She-Wolf was sacrificing comfort to sit down and join Sunshine, and the latter was thankful.

Sunshine's smile increased in sweetness, and she looked ahead to the sunset again, sitting in silence for a moment. She sighed happily just before She-Wolf broke the silence with her question. It didn't cross the modest Sunshine's mind that the answer to She-Wolf's question was so obvious.

She turned her head to face her company. "Oh, I was just watching the sunset. I walked out here alone to watch, and to think." She looked ahead to the setting sun and continued talking, her voice dipped in warmth and optimism. "It's beautiful, isn't it? The sun is important for so many things--it's incredible. Without the sun, our planet would be thrown out of orbit, and we would freeze, and the world's plants would die, and... we couldn't watch beautiful sunsets, or dawns." She looked back to She-Wolf again, her face slightly more serious than before. "The sun helps us with so many things, but we can easily take it for granted. I do, too... sometimes. That's why I like to watch the sun and appreciate it for how it helps me, how it helps all of us." She looked ahead again. "I don't watch sunsets as often as I'd like, but when I do..." By now the sun was much lower than when Sunshine came here about a half hour ago.

"The world does have a lot of problems... especially in Epcot." She added the last part with a playful giggle, and her muscles tensed as she joked. "But even if the world does have problems and bad people, it also has good people, and the sun gives me hope that there will still be goodness left. I'm looking at the sun right now, and I'm thinking... I'm thinking that maybe tomorrow will be the dawn of a better, more peaceful world. The sun is setting now, but it'll rise again, and when it does, maybe Earth will be a better place. A safer place. Without war, and murder, and hatred."

Sunshine knew perfectly well that this was a very optimistic approach to life, and her perspective seldom met with a positive reception. Knowing this, she concluded. "But even if that doesn't happen, I like to think that way, and to be hopeful. Because... well, that's why I'm with you and the Dream League. I want to help people, and I do. That's why I'm here... I want the world to get better."

She finished her lengthy explanation and continued to watch the sunset. After a long period of silence, she looked back to She-Wolf again, her eyes and rose-red lips exuding warmth. "I never got a chance, but thank you for joining the Dream League. Thank you."

[She-Wolf]

She-Wolf sat silently, practically motionless, as Sunshine spoke. As she began to talk about the sun, however, San couldn't help shifting her gaze towards the bright, fiery orb that engulfed the distant horizon. She had to agree... it was beautiful. In fact, she found herself admiring the sunset not even a few minutes ago, before she came across Sunshine. Although her eyes were set upon the sunset, however, her attention did not waver from Sunshine's words... she found, to her surprise, that she couldn't ignore them even if she wanted to. In fact, ever so slowly, she turned her head to look at Sunshine as she spoke... thankfully, she was facing the sunset and wouldn't notice She-Wolf's eyes locked upon her. Soon enough, though, she turned her head to look back at She-Wolf, who promptly responded by whipping her head away from Sunshine, her already red-painted cheeks becoming even redder.

All the things Sunshine had to say about the sun... something inside of She-Wolf began to admire Sunshine for her thoughtfulness, and her respect for something that was billions of miles away in the depths of space. Frankly, such an attitude wasn't something that San saw very often in other people... not even she thought that much about the sun. Suddenly, she felt a twinge of guilt for having taken the sun for granted so often...

Sunshine surprised She-Wolf with having even more to say... why was she opening up to her so much, all of the sudden? The two barely knew each other... She-Wolf had plenty of other such questions to ask herself about Sunshine, but she knew that she would never find the answer for them. As she talked on and on, however, She-Wolf found herself being pulled into her words even more... to her surprise, she could relate to what she was talking about.

It hit her, all of the sudden... that's what she wanted, as well. That's why she joined the Dream League... she wanted the world to be a better place... was it really that simple...?

"......" By now, She-Wolf was simply staring into empty space, a distant, thoughtful look on her face - as silent as she was a minute ago. As if she felt Sunshine's gaze upon her, however, she slowly lifted her head up to face the blonde girl. In any other circumstance, she would have immediately diverted her eyes... but she found her gaze locked on the beautiful heroine's face now, unable to look away. Accompanied by Sunshine's heartfelt thanks, her warm smile, one way or another, managed to sneak its way underneath San's cold exterior... she felt her face flush red ever so slightly, again.

"... I-I..." she began to choke out in a quiet voice. Quickly, however, she stopped herself from continuing for a moment, looking away briefly in silence. After a short moment of hesitation and staring down at the rolling waves of the sea, she opened her lips to cautiously allow herself to speak her mind.

"... That's what I want, too... for the world to become a better place... that's why I joined." Her eyes remained on the sea, but they made a very slight shift in emotion, looking almost saddened. "... I don't see how one group of people can change the world, though..."

[Sunshine]

Sunshine couldn't help it; her lips tugged, widening her smile even further when She-Wolf blushed after being thanked. Sunshine didn't mean to make her teammate uncomfortable, but the blonde knew that if She-Wolf was reacting this way and still wasn't running off, then there was a chance that her words were having a positive effect. Sunshine respected She-Wolf's reserved attitude and her privacy, but she wanted She-Wolf to be a little more open and trusting of the Dream League, even if only a small portion.

After She-Wolf stammered and looked away, Sunshine's eyes trailed to the sea, and she watched it, too. She only looked at She-Wolf after hearing her continue. Sunshine was happy to hear that She-Wolf, in all of her differences, shared the desire to help improve the world. This mutual feeling comforted Sunshine, and her warm eyes remained on She-Wolf, who was staring off onto the vast surface of the ocean, with a slight melancholic expression.

"We'll never know, She-Wolf, until we try."

Sunshine stared at She-Wolf for a moment, before she watched the waves far below. After a moment of silence, she started humming. She hummed the melody of what an Eyvindrian would recognize as an old song about the sea. Of course, this would mean that She-Wolf (nor anyone in the Dream League, likely) wouldn't recognize the melody. But it was an easily hummable tune, and because Sunshine's voice, even humming, was so imbued with musicality, her humming could rival even a good singing voice from popular culture.

As she hummed, always smiling, Sunshine watched the waves...

[The Masked Mallard]

Many would have been surprised to find the Gentleman's Crimefighter out here walking down one of the forest trails and not somewhere else working. Truthfully, while he was one of the most business-minded members in their ranks, for him there was more to life then just working all the time. His shift had just begun, but he wanted a chance to just be out here among the peace and quiet of the island before having to head into the filthy, corrupted metropolis that was Epcot City for the night.

It was then that he spotted a flash of pink from out the corner of his eye, over by the cliff edge. Turning his head for a better look, he saw that it was Sunshine and She-Wolf... watching the sunset together? He was surprised to see She-Wolf sitting there. The wolf-girl was fiercely independent and a loner compared to some of the other Dreamers. The Masked Mallard could respect that. He was a lot like that too once upon a time. But -- could it have killed her to try to be a bit more friendly towards the rest of the Dreamers? He would think that after all they'd been through and how she was one of them now she'd drop the "tough girl" act.

Putting aside his brief flare of annoyance, the Masked Mallard decided to go on over and join them. Coming closer to where the two humans were, he tipped his top hat and called out, "Afternoon, ladies."

[She-Wolf]

Sunshine's words echoed into She-Wolf's mind, her distant gaze lost on the mesmerizing rolling of the waves below. You don't know until you try... Despite her uncertainty, She-Wolf knew, deep down, that Sunshine was right... Trying was the only thing they could do. Simply being helpless and passive, doing nothing, when the world around them was so corrupt and filled with evil, was out of the question for She-Wolf... but... would the Dream League have a lasting impact? Will they really change the world? Day after day, She-Wolf questioned the very team she was a part of, and why she joined... but... she had no intentions of leaving the team. Deep down, something kept telling her that this was the path she should take... and she couldn't help but listen to that something.

A beautiful melody, hummed by an equally beautiful voice, calmly interrupted the girl's esoteric thoughts. She-Wolf looked back up at Sunshine, staring silently at her as she hummed the soothing tune, smiling with pure bliss and staring at the sunset. Sunshine... she was such a mysterious girl, to She-Wolf. So at peace with the world... and so full of love. She loved everyone, everything, the world around her, and life itself... she even showed compassion towards criminals. And, no matter what, she retained a strong sense of hope and optimism... She was afraid to admit it, even to herself... but She-Wolf both admired and envied her for this. She was like... an angel, She-Wolf sometimes thought.

The way she, even in the midst of such a corrupted, crime-infested city, surrounded by and confronting evil almost daily, could smile so warmly and hum so peacefully... it was enough to make She-Wolf, herself, smile. Little did she know that, almost unconsciously, her lips tugged ever so slightly into a small smile as she stared at the Ray of Hope.

However, a sudden gravelly voice from behind was enough to cause She-Wolf to twitch in a startled manner. She immediately recognized that surly voice, but turned around anyway to see who it was - the Masked Mallard. She-Wolf's face still expressed faint surprise from being snuck up on (something that rarely happened to her), but quickly became distorted in a mixture of annoyance, awkward discomfort, and embarrassment. The sudden presence of another Dreamer made She-Wolf realize just what she was doing - peacefully admiring the sunset with someone else. Her painted cheeks flushed red again, in realization that somebody else actually saw her like this - but instead of bashful vulnerability, her eyes expressed a sort of flustered irritation, glaring at the Masked Mallard as if he was not welcome here - which he really was, as much as any other Dreamer in the Overlook. She said nothing to the gentlemanly old duck, knowing that Sunshine would be quick to greet her partner.

[Sunshine]

Sunshine's humming was stopped the instant she heard a voice behind her. Her melodious humming was replaced with a soft gasp, and her eyes widened slightly when she recognized the voice. She shifted her weight so she could comfortably look at the Gentleman's Crimefighter himself, the Masked Mallard. She smiled warmly at the sagely duck, contrasting She-Wolf's more hostile expression. The light from the setting sun reflected off of Sunshine's lavender eyes brilliantly, and the smile she gave to the waterfowl practically emitted love. She treated the Masked Mallard with the same perpetual compassion as she did with She-Wolf.

"Why, hello, Masked Mallard! You're just in time to see the sun go down! Would you please join us?"

Sunshine was totally oblivious of She-Wolf's negative reception to the idea, because she couldn't see her face.

[The Masked Mallard]

As She-Wolf turned to stare at him, the Mallard noted that for the briefest of moments, she appeared to be more startled then annoyed. Then, the surprise vanished. Other emotions seemed to mingle with the harsh scowl that seemed to be constantly etched on She-Wolf's face.

Sunshine on the other hand, was much more welcoming of his presence. But that was Sunshine, always quick to be cheerful and inviting to everyone. He couldn't help but return her smile. And he had to admit that the setting sun was a thing of beauty. It even gave the sea of gold he kept in his Money Bin back in Duckburg a run for it's money. He decided to accept Sunshine's offer. Besides, he refused to be scared off from his own property by a certain surly teenager, even if her claws could cut through a streetlight post.

"Well, that sounds rather lovely, my dear. I suppose I shall." Coming closer to where the two girls where, but closer to Sunshine, he remained standing for a few seconds before finally lowering himself to sit on the ground.

Well, this spot certainly did offer a panoramic view of the ocean. A quote suddenly entered the Masked Mallard's mind. "It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream." He recited.

[Sunshine]

Sunshine smiled benevolently when the Gentleman's Crimefighter accepted her kindly invitation. Her sweet and friendly attitude was just as strong with the Masked Mallard as with She-Wolf. Some people may have mistook her behavior as nondiscriminatory, but she was truly just a compassionate, loving kind of person. She was clearly very happy to have the Masked Mallard join them in watching the sunset.

She looked ahead at the setting ball of light. Vivid, gorgeous colors were painted on the sky, like a canvas. The gorgeous view obviously reached the Masked Mallard, as well, because he recited a quote. Sunshine looked to him and smiled softly. "I agree. And you know something?"

She turned her head the opposite direction to She-Wolf, keeping up her smile. "There are other people looking at the sunset this moment, too." Her smile faded when she noticed She-Wolf's expression. She seemed awkward.

[She-Wolf]

Indeed, She-Wolf did feel more awkward than ever, at this moment. She began to doubt why she agreed to sit beside Sunshine in the first place... although, for that brief moment before the Masked Mallard arrived, she was glad that she did. Now, however, she was trapped with two Dream League members at once. Being on a mission with the rest of the Dream League was one thing... actively spending time with them was a different matter entirely for the, truthfully, rather shy and reclusive girl. She would have felt perfectly comfortable with leaving abruptly to return to her solitude... were it not for Sunshine's presence. She-Wolf knew that she would be hurt by such an action... and, infuriatingly for her, she found it difficult to do such things that would make Sunshine feel that way.

As Sunshine looked to face her with a smile, She-Wolf only darted her eyes to the side to glance at the girl. As their eyes met, She-Wolf quickly turned her gaze back to the sunset ahead, her cheeks colored pink - judging by the look on her face, she suddenly felt even more uncomfortable. Her hands placed firmly on her crossed feet, she reluctantly remained where she was, allowing Sunshine to converse with the Masked Mallard - she had no desire to cause a stir by suddenly leaving, at the moment.