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sticksandbones2024-01-05 07:59 am
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in sticksandbones2024-01-05 07:59 am
Entry tags:
EVENT & TDM 008
LET IT GO
WAKE UP
It’s strange, how as the dawn of a new day finally arrives, coinciding with the howling winds dying out, classic, adorable snowmen seem to have popped up all over the Grove overnight. The fog wall has yet to surround the barren remains of a town that once was, but it’s visible once more in the great distance.
Not that you can see it immediately. Something covers your eyes, and you can feel something heavy and frigid wrapped all around you. As you struggle more and more, the crunch of snow echoes through your ears as you step free- and when you turn back to examine their prison, you’ll realize one of the snowmen was you.
Meanwhile, old residents will get to deal with more and more people popping out of snowmen like daisies, and must remember that this is just their life now. It’s just another day in Aldric’s Grove.
Though, maybe you ought to help them before frostbite sets in.
Not that you can see it immediately. Something covers your eyes, and you can feel something heavy and frigid wrapped all around you. As you struggle more and more, the crunch of snow echoes through your ears as you step free- and when you turn back to examine their prison, you’ll realize one of the snowmen was you.
Meanwhile, old residents will get to deal with more and more people popping out of snowmen like daisies, and must remember that this is just their life now. It’s just another day in Aldric’s Grove.
Though, maybe you ought to help them before frostbite sets in.
MIRROR, MIRROR
The quiet couldn’t last forever. You should have known that something would happen, especially with the fog beginning to make itself known again. And this time, it’s something quiet. As you wake up one morning, there is a mirror on your nightstand — it’s silver and round, able to fit comfortably in your hand and wreathed in crystalline snowflakes.
And as you look into it, your reflection twists into something still undeniably you, but… have you a temper problem? Too many lies? A sadistic sense of humor? All of your worst traits are dragged out and reflected on the mirror, and no matter what, it keeps ending up wherever you are — and whoever else looks into the mirror will see this awful, terrible you, too. All of your worst characteristics, all the things you try to hide, unable to be hidden.
Maybe you keep trying to hide it. Maybe you let it stay wherever it keeps turning up, following you like a particularly terrible walking salesman, or maybe you break it. Regardless, nothing seems to happen… for now.
And as you look into it, your reflection twists into something still undeniably you, but… have you a temper problem? Too many lies? A sadistic sense of humor? All of your worst traits are dragged out and reflected on the mirror, and no matter what, it keeps ending up wherever you are — and whoever else looks into the mirror will see this awful, terrible you, too. All of your worst characteristics, all the things you try to hide, unable to be hidden.
Maybe you keep trying to hide it. Maybe you let it stay wherever it keeps turning up, following you like a particularly terrible walking salesman, or maybe you break it. Regardless, nothing seems to happen… for now.
WITH SHARDS OF ICE
“For now”.
Late into the night, everyone wakes up to a sudden, terrible chill. When you open your eyes, you’ll find that you aren’t in your inn room or home, but instead within a giant castle made of ice. It must be a ballroom of some sort, a grand hall glittering in the moonlight — but looking out the window shows that the world beyond the castle is but a frozen wasteland of more blizzards and nothing else. Though you’ve been granted some of your gear — weapons and some supplies, and coats if you’re lucky — you’ll find that the temperature is dropping steadily, while something approaches…
Peek out the door to the main hall and you’ll see what’s coming so noisily. An army’s worth of hallowed ice knights with all sorts of weapons are marching to the door, intent on slaying the intruders. Should they get close, they’ll attack; should they land the killing blow, you’ll instantly freeze into a solid block and shatter.
And if you broke the mirror that haunted you? On top of all of this, you can feel yourself gradually growing colder, physically and emotionally, and your magic, if you have it, takes on an icy flair that you may find difficult to control. Maybe it's your feet that start to turn to ice first — maybe it's your fingertips. But as the night goes on, you’ll steadily freeze solid, and like any fairy tale, only an act of true love could possibly save you. Good luck figuring out what that actually means. True love’s kiss? A genuine compliment? A hug? What could possibly save you from your fate?
Those of you who survive until morning, who don’t become solid statues of ice or die within the castle’s walls, will be lucky enough to witness the sun coming up through narrow windows the size of your forearm. All around you, the castle starts to melt, dripping freezing water onto your head. For as much as you try to run before you, presumably, drown terribly…
…your eyes will close, and you’ll wake up in your bed, drenched.
Late into the night, everyone wakes up to a sudden, terrible chill. When you open your eyes, you’ll find that you aren’t in your inn room or home, but instead within a giant castle made of ice. It must be a ballroom of some sort, a grand hall glittering in the moonlight — but looking out the window shows that the world beyond the castle is but a frozen wasteland of more blizzards and nothing else. Though you’ve been granted some of your gear — weapons and some supplies, and coats if you’re lucky — you’ll find that the temperature is dropping steadily, while something approaches…
Peek out the door to the main hall and you’ll see what’s coming so noisily. An army’s worth of hallowed ice knights with all sorts of weapons are marching to the door, intent on slaying the intruders. Should they get close, they’ll attack; should they land the killing blow, you’ll instantly freeze into a solid block and shatter.
And if you broke the mirror that haunted you? On top of all of this, you can feel yourself gradually growing colder, physically and emotionally, and your magic, if you have it, takes on an icy flair that you may find difficult to control. Maybe it's your feet that start to turn to ice first — maybe it's your fingertips. But as the night goes on, you’ll steadily freeze solid, and like any fairy tale, only an act of true love could possibly save you. Good luck figuring out what that actually means. True love’s kiss? A genuine compliment? A hug? What could possibly save you from your fate?
Those of you who survive until morning, who don’t become solid statues of ice or die within the castle’s walls, will be lucky enough to witness the sun coming up through narrow windows the size of your forearm. All around you, the castle starts to melt, dripping freezing water onto your head. For as much as you try to run before you, presumably, drown terribly…
…your eyes will close, and you’ll wake up in your bed, drenched.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE FRESH SNOW
The morning after that dreadful night, things… settle, again. Aldric’s Grove is quiet, and clear sunlight glistens across the snowy plaza and radiates off of frosted trees. Even now, the apple tree and blackberry bushes are unfazed by the cold, though the fruit may taste crisper and chillier than usual. Those that died within the castle return to life, feeling colder than normal for the rest of the day, but there seems to be no lasting damage. And, everyone who participated in the castle “game” receives a mysterious gift: A wooden coin with a sigil on it, resembling a clock with backwards hands behind a shield, attached to frosted pinecones, red berries and sprigs of mistletoe. It feels warm and protective.
You go outside. It’s been some time since anyone’s seen anything from the woods, let alone something that doesn’t want them dead — so imagine one’s surprise when a small family of deer can be seen walking amongst the trees. Birds alight to the branches on rare moments, and it’s surely a sign of something, that life has begun to return to the forest despite the deep snow and deeper chill.
Never mind that one of the deer has an extra set of antlers and another has three eyes. Never mind that the birds sound like people. Never mind that the rabbits have blood on their maws.
It’s just another day in Aldric’s Grove.
You go outside. It’s been some time since anyone’s seen anything from the woods, let alone something that doesn’t want them dead — so imagine one’s surprise when a small family of deer can be seen walking amongst the trees. Birds alight to the branches on rare moments, and it’s surely a sign of something, that life has begun to return to the forest despite the deep snow and deeper chill.
Never mind that one of the deer has an extra set of antlers and another has three eyes. Never mind that the birds sound like people. Never mind that the rabbits have blood on their maws.
It’s just another day in Aldric’s Grove.
SPARK NOTES
CLICK TO EXPAND!
WAKE UP
Good day, new arrivals! You are now a snowman. Hopefully people who have been here a bit longer are willing to give you a blanket or ten.
MIRROR, MIRROR
A mirror appears and starts following you around, reflecting what you think are your worst traits or worst version of yourself is. Other people can look into it and see the awful you, too. You can break it and it'll leave you alone, or you can let it stalk you all month.
WITH SHARDS OF ICE
Welcome to the ice castle! It's cold, but you have your stuff with you, and it's not unlivable. Well, until the frozen army of knights starts marching in with the intent to kill everyone inside, anyway. One lethal hit from them will make you shatter into pieces. For those of you who broke your mirrors, you'll gradually grow colder both physically & emotionally, and eventually start to freeze solid. Don't worry, though, you can be saved through the power of love.
FOOTPRINTS IN THE FRESH SNOW
Dawn rises on the Grove and the dead come back to life. Everyone who participated in the castle game receives a magical charm, though they don't know what it does so far. Animals come back to the Grove as well! ...why do they look like that?
OOC
Happy January! TDMs are game canon as a reminder, and if you'd like to plot with people for this event, head over to OOC plotting. While it is not known to player characters at this time, the charms granted as a reward for the ice castle can undo one future negative effect (i.e. a major death). They are a one-time use item. As for how characters discover this information... idk, we'll see how y'all decide to utilize those. :)
UPDATES
❖ None yet!
no subject
Wolfwood notices, of course. Even if he wasn't looking, he'd probably feel Vash's fingertips vying to grip onto his. It makes him conscious of the fact that while they've held hands before, it's never been under a more casual context. Only when they kissed, or were having sex before. Maybe that's why it feels so meaningful now, the way he reaches for and takes Vash's hand to hold.
He gives his hand a light squeeze, staying close as their boots crunch through the snow.]
We've never had enough time. Not back home...not here.
[That just isn't the way things are, for them. They don't get peace. At least, not for long.]
But you know I ain't goin' anywhere. Whatever happens.
[His thumb brushes absently over Vash's knuckles.]
We'll deal with it just like we do everything else.
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[Maybe not forever. They had things to do back home. For Vash, they might have become less pressing now that Nai wasn't around to spread terror. Wolfwood was different. Whatever he was involved with might have been tied to Nai, but he's certain that it would continue to live on, even beyond its leader.
They'd need to get back to the orphanage one day.
But not yet. Not so soon.]
You promise me, Nick? [He turns his head, the faintest glimmer of hope within his eyes. He knows the weight of a promise, and just how easily something like this could be broken. That didn't keep him from wanting to believe, though.]
I deleted this notif accidentally leaps out the window
As much as they'd wish it did.
He sees when Vash looks over, responding in kind by glancing at him sidelong. With their hands still joined, he moves to instead thread their fingers together.]
...yeah. I promise. But only for you.
chi hates me specifically
That's all I need.
[And since they're tucked just that little bit away, he doesn't hesitate to lift Wolfwood's hand up to his. He presses a kiss to the back, gentle and fleeting, before lowering them both once more.]
No matter what happens, we'll get through it. Together.
NOOOO
The kiss to his knuckles causes Wolfwood to fluster almost immediately, prompting him to look elsewhere as if Vash isn't going to notice the fact his ears have turned a vibrant red. ]
...yeah. And you'd better stick with me, got it? None of your usual self-sacrificing bullshit.
:((((
Nah, none of that. You'd just kick my ass if I tried. I know better.
[Hahahaha]
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Damn straight.
[And Wolfwood falls silent after saying that, for a time. It's not snowing heavily like it's been, at least, but that doesn't mean it isn't still as cold as hell. Harder to mind it, though, when Vash's hand is keeping his warm.]
And...whatever feeling you've got right now, about something about to happen? You could just be overthinking it.
[He knows, of course, that this is likely untrue...considering. But he wants to think that it's still possible, and if he's able to convince Vash of it too, then what's the harm in giving him something to be hopeful for?]
no subject
[There's reason to believe that everything will be okay. The weather is nicer. The fire hadn't gone out until the morning, leaving them at least relatively warm within their bed. And above all, they had each other — on more than one level, even.]
Maybe we'll get lucky and something good will happen. Lit snowing donuts instead. [That is entirely too optimistic and Vash knows it. But hey, they've dwelled on the serious for far too long. They both need a laugh now.]
If nothin' else, neither of us won't lose any limbs trying to take Angelina out in the morning anymore, right?
no subject
I think that would be just your idea of something good. It'd be way too sticky for the rest of us.
[Think of the ants-!!]
You say that, but I'm just waiting for the day she decides to disappear into a snowbank and never come back. She sure acts like she wants to every time I go out with her.
no subject
[Not that they seem to need to anymore. With the river unfrozen, he's seen plenty of flashes of scales within the water. It seems the local aquatic population hadn't suffered for the cold.]
She's got a lot of energy. If you ever want me to take her with me on a run, maybe it might help? She can chase me down and wear herself out.
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[Sure they don't need to worry about food, but who wants to eat fish all the time? Not that either one of them have room to be picky, but still.]
Still can't believe they gave me a dog. I didn't ask for anything near a dog. Do I look like a guy who needed a dog?
[He huffs, shaking his head. You signed up to have this conversation right Vash-]
...but yeah, probably. It'd be easier if this snow would ever melt.
no subject
[So what's the excuse for the pizza, anyway? Actually, don't worry about it.
Anyway, he flashes a mischievous smile at Wolfwood, corners of his lips curled almost vertically with whatever quip is dancing on his lips.]
They probably saw a grumpy man with a heart of gold and thought he needed a cute puppy to prove what a softie he is.
[He's already dancing out of the way of the thumping he anticipates from his partner.]
no subject
[Vash...loves food. This is a fact about him that anyone would clue into if they've known him for more than a day. But, Wolfwood has to wonder sometimes if it's just a love of food that drives him, or a fascination with it. He, after all, is a plant like he says. Normally they're the ones making the food, not consuming it.
Also, ugh, he could feel that coming long before Vash said it. It's that stupid smile of his.
Which, yeah. Wolfwood takes a swing at him with his free hand, but ultimately ends up whiffing it because Vash got out of the way in time.]
Uh-huh. Pretty high confidence in a guy like me to actually be able to take care of one...
[He grumbles, not telling Vash that he's actually really experienced with caretaking for animals. It was one of his main tasks back at the Orphanage.]
no subject
But there's also the fact that doing what Vash does, patching himself up and keeping going, takes a lot of damn energy. And then, of course, there's the sentiment behind it. Sometimes enjoying a meal reminds him of better days some millions of lightyears away in space.
He doesn't think about it, though. He's too busy laughing as he watches that swing go wide.]
Oh I'm sure you're just terrible with animals.
[Vash doesn't have to know his past to know how good he is (even if he might enjoy the story all the same). Angelina seems to be thriving with him.]
no subject
Yeah, ain't you listenin'? They could have just given me like...a grown dog if they were gonna give me one at all, not a puppy.
[Says the man who definitely hasn't let Angelina kiss his face. And hasn't kissed her in return when nobody is looking.]
...guess it could've been worse, though. It could have been something other than a dog.
[Like a worm-]
no subject
[Vash may or may not have gotten a rude awakening recently. Don't worry about it.]
I think she fits you, puppy energy and all. It's no worse than having to babysit me, right?
[Vash is smiling much easier now, at least. Wolfwood's plan is working.]
no subject
[He shrugs one shoulder. If the shoe fits!!
It's nice to see Vash smiling though, seemingly having forgotten about what he was doing prior. Or, at the very least, he's less worried about it now than he was. Out of sight out of mind, and all that. Sometimes it's worth having something goofy to distract you.]
All I'm saying is, be careful what you ask the trader for in the future. You might not get exactly what you asked for.
[Or you know just
Be more specific.]
no subject
So far my requests have turned out nice enough. I got some good clothes and a nice enough house.
[Sure, there was nothing in it, but that had been by design.]
I think maybe you just need to be more specific about what you're asking about. Otherwise they're just gonna assume you're a dog guy.
no subject
[How could he forget? That one Vash was wearing when he came to apologize the second time, and it made him think he was fucking dead on the floor in the hallway. That surely won't come back to haunt him later haha-]
Ugh. Fine. Next time I'll be like "I'd like a distraction please, preferably inanimate."
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[Which reminds him. He tilts his head, definitely curious. His smile is somewhere between intrigued and outright impish.]
I forgot to ask earlier. If dour colors aren't your thing, then what do you like? Maybe I wanna know! Maybe I'll get us Matching Sweaters!
no subject
[Vash, c'mon-
He looks down at the snow, making a show of thinking.]
I dunno. ...I guess my favorite color is blue, if I had to pick.
[Something something complimentary colors something something Vash's eyes something-]
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[If he has any sort of inkling as to why Wolfwood likes blue so much, he at least doesn't call poor Wolfwood on it. He can maintain some dignity.]
Anyway, I bet you'd wear it if I gave it to you. Because you're a big softie!
no subject
Hah. Pretty sure that's just your opinion.
[He would wear it. And he would get mad if Vash tried to take it back.]
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[Vash is winking and everything. He knows he's got a long leash now, and he's gonna run with it.]
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Why's it gotta be silly. I don't trust your definition of silly.
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