The Dance of Dreams
The Dance of Dreams is a supernatural ability which allows two or more sapient beings to “dance” through each other’s memories. While most individuals require a blood bond to perform the rite, the ritual bloodletting can be avoided if one member of the pair or group is a telepath. In the novel The Dance of Dreams, for instance, Belinda Michaelson is able to dance Matt Silver through her dreams with but a touch, whereas Ada Coffin can only perform the ritual through the use of blood.
Action
Once a bond has been established, whether by skin or by blood, the participants must dance with each other or for each other. Any kind of deliberate movement can work, whether choreographed or improvised, though traditional cultural dances are thought to be the most effective. For example: in the aforementioned novel, Ada Coffin performs the Eastern Blanket Dance of her Wampanoag ancestors.
Effect
For the duration of the ritual, the participants have theoretically unfettered access to each other’s memories. That said, to keep from overwhelming anyone, each dancer focuses the attention of their partner(s) via their movements. And while it it is technically possible to explore a whole lifetime during a dance, most folks are exhausted after just one trip down one side street off of the main drag of Memory Lane.
Side/Secondary Effects
Increased empathy and understanding. That, and the incredibly strong desire for a nap.
Manifestation
Participants in the ritual appear eerily unmoving to any passersby. All that any outside observer will see, unless they know what to look for in the subtle twitching of muscles and fluttering of eyelids, are two or more people standing with their palms pressed together. The actual dancing happens in the Undercurrent, where the two or more souls are sent for the duration of the ritual.
This is absolutely lovely. What a cool concept. As a dancer myself, I'd love this. People forget that a body in motion can lock in memories, which is one of my favorite things about taking walks or dancing. The place and the position unlock memories for me that I had forgotten.
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