sticksandbones | EVENT & TDM 012

EVENT & TDM 012

IT'S GONNA BE MAY

WAKE UP

You open your eyes, and with a jolt, find yourself within the clearing of a miniscule town surrounded by trees and thick, black fog. Despite the ominous backdrop, nature seems to be thriving — it’s a pleasantly chill spring day, as far as anyone can tell, and everything is vibrant and blooming… even some of the animals. At some point, a friendly old dog with red fur approaches, carrying a basket in his jaws. Inside are blackberries and apples other fruits. Did he find this himself? Or did someone give them to him to bring to new arrivals? Regardless, he very clearly hopes that you’ll share.

A giant golden brown turtle sits by a tent, napping in the sunlight. Two statues sit in the courtyard by an old well — a haloed woman marked as the Goddess of the Sun, Beiwe, and a gentle woman looking adoringly at her counterpart, marked as the Goddess of the Moon, Ourania. If you pay your respects, the air feels gentle and warm in the day, and like a fresh cool breeze at night.

As you explore more, perhaps the bloomed animals will approach — a mossy squirrel, or a frog who happens to also be a lilypad. It’s charming, almost. Whimsical and kind.

Shame that the wall of fog looms ever on, watching. Waiting.

SHINING, SHIMMERING, SPLENDID

cw: hallucinations, compulsions, near-death experiences

For a while, spring seems gentle, almost. Peaceful. The previous month may have been full of jokes, but things are actually safe. Of course, that can’t last forever. Every night, a purple, shimmering mist floods the town. It does not breach the doors and windows, even if left open, but looking at it is… enticing.

Should you give in, the mist is cool and gentle, swaying around you like smoke. The longer you stay in, the more your eyes feel blissfully heavy. Soon, you find yourself surrounded by loved ones, in a place that brings you joy — a childhood home, a vacation spot, some place warm and safe and dear to your heart. Everyone is playing and having so much fun. Join them! Join them!

Of course, by the time you do jump into the fun, you’ll find yourself awakened with a start, just about to fall into danger. Perhaps you climbed a tree and were about to leap to the ground from too high up. Or maybe you stuck your head in the river and your lungs were about to empty. Regardless, the happy dream shatters with imminent danger, and perhaps you’d better hope that someone else is nearby to help you. … Especially since with each night you give in, the more enticing the mist is the next night.

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

At some point, the mist is forcibly dissipated and instead the moon shines brightly, almost like a spotlight. Investigation will reveal an absurdly large capybara that seems more like a vehicle than an animal, even with the jasmine flowers hanging off of it, siting down with the ‘door’ accessible to anyone willing to climb in.

“Come with me, and I will bring you to a night of festivities.” is all that it says when asked. And it knows that you will — you’re all curious as kittens, after all. Once the last person takes a fuzzy seat within the capybara, it slowly stands up and begins walking through the woods, and for the first time, everything seems peaceful. Normal, even. Why, there’s not even a monster or misshapen, grabby tree! Just a moonlit forest, and fireflies in the distance.

Eventually it brings you to a small but beautiful cabin, crouching down to let everyone out again. Outside is a layer of marble surrounded by pillars decorated with sheer fabrics and an abundance of lilies and calendula, jasmine and marigolds, hydrangeas and gladiolus. A buffet table has also been spread out, and within the cabin are changing rooms with a multitude of ornate gowns and suits, alongside sitting rooms and other potential necessities — though you get the feeling that you should still be on your best behavior here.

Gentle music plays from an unknown source. The capybara is resting, until it’s time to leave come sunrise. For one night, everything is at peace. You may as well enjoy it, and dance to your heart’s content.

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

WAKE UP

Welcome to Aldric's Grove! The fog wall is a little creepy, but worry not: A dog has brought you a snack, and the plant-bearing wildlife are pretty friendly. If you've been here for a while, no worry: You, too, are getting a basket of treats from the dog.

SHINING, SHIMMERING, SPLENDID

A purple mist fills the Grove at night, and stepping into it makes you experience a euphoric dream... shortly before you wake up because you nearly walked into death. Be careful, because the mists are addicting, and you may not have an easy time avoiding their temptation the following nights.

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

For one night, the mists clear up and peace settles over the forest. A giant capybara gleefully takes everyone to the site of a grand dance, where the clothing and food are all free, and the music swells with joy. Dance your hearts out until dawn breaks, and then the capybara will take you back home.

OOC

Happy May! This is a reminder that TDMs are game canon. Enjoy your dreams, enjoy your prom night, enjoy the capybara. OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out!

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[ Mizuki nodding and still holding onto Ain's hand like :)? ]

Okay. Can I ask about why you've come to that conclusion? Is it just easier? Do you not like hard things? Do you think it's okay to lie about certain things? Are you good at it?

[Ain why are you like this-

Anyway, Wolfwood is still staring down at Dachie, trying to figure out just what manner of creature he is. He's...an owl? Dog? Some kind of thing, but at this point he's seen so many weird creatures that this is pretty much par the course in his weird creature pokedex.

...he'll. Slowly bend at the waist and give Dachie a pat on the head.]

If this thing bites me I'm kicking both of you out.

i. 「get up on the floor」

[ As Consul, and even before that, Clotted Cream has been to his fair share of parties, balls, and other social events. He is no stranger to the need for charm and grace. Thus, the prospect of a night out is not at all intimidating! It's a bit whimsical, in fact, considering the mode of transportation. There is no real sense of danger here - how can there be, when the bus is a capybara? - and so he dons the formal outfit that Pure Vanilla had gifted him, and climbs aboard the capybus for destinations unknown.

Even if the trip through the forest is briefly a bit terrifying. There may be nothing threatening there, not now, not in the safety of the bus, but even so…

Once the bus arrives, the place he is brought to is, frankly, breathtaking. It feels like a dream, in an odd sense, the draping fabric and the moonlight giving everything an almost ethereal quality. It may be a dream, for all he knows… But, now that he is here, it wouldn't do to leave. Especially with all the other guests, and the gentle music playing from an ambiguous source. They are clearly meant to enjoy themselves tonight.

And enjoy himself, he does! There are several situations in which he might be found: ]

a. conversation

[ The most important part of being a guest at a social event is, of course, socializing! Clotted Cream does not hesitate to approach anyone who seems to be open for conversation, and some that may not seem as open, as well. Always worth it to try. ]

Lovely venue, isn't it? I'm quite fond of the outdoor setting, myself. Our mysterious benefactor has certainly gone above and beyond.

b. food

[ The Cookie-turned-human-turned-Mer eventually takes a moment to peruse the buffet table, partially out of curiosity rather than actual hunger. While there are certainly sweets to be had, the rest is still intriguing. He still isn't used to eating things like meat and vegetables on a regular basis, even after how long he's been here (the month he'd been dead notwithstanding, of course) and who better to ask than people who actually eat these things normally?

If he catches you nearby, he will get your attention with a charming smile. ]

Pardon me, but is there anything on this table you might recommend? I find myself gravitating toward the sweets, but I'd hate to miss out on something just as delicious.

c. dancing

[ But who could forget the main event of a dance? At various points in the night, when not looking for conversation or peering curiously at the spread on the buffet table, Clotted Cream can be found milling about the outer edges of the dance floor. At some point, he may approach you, charm turned up to the maximum. ]

Would you care to dance?

ii. 「wildcard」

[ if you want to do anything different, hit me up, you know the drill! please make note that cc is missing his right arm and also has visible ear fins and smatterings of golden-cream scales on his face, so he is very obviously partially fish-like ]

[Rest assured that Clamor's knowledge of some of this is a bit limited as well, albeit in better shape than Harque, considering. But it's food, and it's drink, and he's going to start needing both of these things now. As it stands, he's distracted by the way his fingers trace the outside of his own cup of punch, running over the rim and back down again.

At least Harque won't run into immediate Forest trouble if he's out here respecting the Goddesses tbqh.

It isn't until Harque asks that that he looks up from his cup, feeling a sort of apprehension at being asked if he can "confess" something to him. He wonders if he's about to hear something he shouldn't.]

Yes, of course. What's on your mind?

[Gnosis does a double-take at what he swears to God was a brain a second ago. Lack of sleep, probably... he's been known to not sleep for multiple days on end, scientist he is, and he pushes up his glasses with a thumb and rubs his eyes briefly.

Okay. Just hallucinating walking organs hanging around people now. That's cool.]

That isn't surprising. This place is Aldric's Grove. It's a bit of a long story, but you'll find most people here are from different worlds, and all of us were pulled in by some sort of ritual I have only minimal understanding of. We're all trapped here for the forseeable future.

[Gnosis it's Too early in the day for bad news, man.]

[Long enough for Gnosis to find himself dancing with others while his darling husband took notes. Truly, their roles have swapped. It's quite alright, though, because it did indeed give Gnosis time to find the liquor.]

I've been sober for a month and a half by this point, [he mutters crossly,] and we're at a party.

[Yes, Gnosis, how could anybody forget how you acted at prior Victorian soirées?]

I'm not drunk regardless. I've only had a few glasses.

[Gnosis, you have the alcohol tolerance of a fucking goldfish. You're drunk.]

Edited 2024-05-06 17:45 (UTC)

[ As he's not in his werewolf form, Beat doesn't notice the scent of the other person nearby, and too focused on the food to look around. It's not until he hears the voice that he breaks into a wide - but cautious - grin.

Considering the way he addressed him, he has a feeling the other has also forgotten. It's lonely, being the only one to remember their past.

And at least he's changed out of the ridiculous ensemble he had before with Fel. Well, mostly. He removed a lot of the "pirate" motif. The base is still the same. ]

Well, that kinda depends, yo. If you like sweets, but want to try somethin' a little out of the way, try summa the vegetable dishes first. They a good mix of sweet an' savior, an'll help you decide if you like the other flavors. Then you can try somethin' a little stronger in the savior taste.

[ No worries on that, Witchy, someone else already has the Pinky title.

And he perks when she says his first, and if he was in his werewolf form, his tail would wag. Instead he holds out his hand again, palm up, a soft smile on his face. ]

What typa dances you used to?

[ Beat will do Cheesecake a favor and, after letting Sparkling go, reach down to pick the girl up and cuddle her to him, petting her carefully so as to not wipe away her icing too much.

And his heart sinks to his stomach as Sparkling confirms his fears. Everything on him sags in defeat, and he looks pitiful. ]

Yeah... but it seems you don' remember like everyone else. We came from the same world 'fore this one, yo. It's why you ain't a Cookie no more, yer a Vampire now. We was family, Sparks.

[ Like if he says it again, Sparkling will remember. ]

[Well, fine then, Itto can lead the charge and Ain will just look pretty and twirl his hair and say "teehee, heehee" every so often. Himbos like when twinks do that, right?

Anyway, Itto asks that and Ain just shoots him a soft, teasing grin.]

I don't know... haha, can you flex again and show me one more time?

[ :3c ]

[An owldog with ribbony wings who is now fluffing up because he's being pat. Yessss love him. He is a good boy he will steal your shoes.]

Aww, he only bites if he doesn't like you! Sometimes he'll nibble your pantleg if he wants to drag you somewhere.

[Ain is walking over now with this pigeon. This is now his pigeon, he's going to put it in his hood.]

Between you and me, Mr. Priest, he's a big baby.

[We're holding hands now. He is tolerating this. Luckily Mizuki is getting the version of Ain that will tolerate this.]

Yes. [He'll answer the questions in order.] Yes... I don't like difficult things, lying is okay, I'm pretty good at it!

[squints at him. is he though.]

[Dachie makes a YELP!! noise and then rolls over, flailing his paws around. He realises very quickly that Unci is just trying to play, though, and oh boy!! Play??? Play!! The Kartes and the Vaikals never want to play with him, hi, who are you!!

He will flail in the grass with her and bark, trying to wiggle free. Unhand him! He is a noble beast! Bark bark bark!]

[BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK

Dachie runs up to the tree and makes circles around it, doing that owl-bark noise over and over again. When Polaris isn't content to come join him on the ground again, he puts his forepaws up on the tree and BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK gets distracted by the leaves, starts chasing the leaves

eats a leaf

sneezes

BARK BARK BARK COME DOWN FROM THERE]

[There is a well-dressed Sankta some distance off that Phantom may have noticed. He sort of, erm, stands out, as it were — those wings of his and all. Regardless, he is of the opinion that no one should have to dance alone. When he spots the Feline hiding out, he approaches and extends a hand, palm facing skyward.]

Do you find yourself without a dance partner this eve, my friend?

I'll make a point in visiting, then. For now, I'm grateful that it tastes good. I used to hand-tend my own beans in Sargon some years ago; what I have now are enchanted by the Shopkeeper to grow faster, and I had wondered if the enchantment would change the taste at all.

[It seems good so far, though! Wonderful.]

[Oh my god, hello. Wolfwood tenses a little with surprise when Mizuki seems to just manifest out of complete nowhere to take his hand and ask him a philosophy question. You know, as you do. As it turns out, he happens to be walking around outside, getting some more practice with his new prosthetic. He's moving slowly enough that it would have been comically easy for Mizuki to catch him, honestly.

And he ends up asking...hm.]

Cause some people are dumber than others.

[He says, bluntly.]

If you ain't intelligent, and you're just ignorant about a lot of shit, why would you be spending your time worrying about your existence?

[Hello Gnosis, you're being confronted with, uh. What would a bat person be on Terra? Sarkaz?? I have no idea, anyway-

Sparkling is here, his large ears swiveling curiously in Gnosis' direction when he asks for a dance. He chuckles, eyeing his wine glass while holding one of his own, because he is nothing if not highly interested in the drinks on display here.

(Sparkling has unlearned all he knew about alcohol, he WILL be having a bad time later)]

I would be happy to. Though, don't let me get in the way of your drink. I've found the juice here to be rather...strong, to say the least.

[...]

Not in a bad way, of course! Just far stronger than I am used to serving.

Hmm, if it has, I cannot tell! The flavor is rich and smooth to my tongue.

[ Hm... he is sure Cacao would appreciate some coffee... ]

I do not suppose I can request some beans in exchange for some vegetables or fruit? Or even flowers for tea, if that is your desire!

[Sesa has never had henna applied before. He's always been intrigued about getting tattoos, but never went through with it because often getting something like that done is difficult for scaled races like draco and vouivre. It's never been a huge priority either way, but this will give him a non-permanent chance to experience that first hand. He doesn't seem to mind that it's taking a while either way, sitting there patiently as Elliot works, his tail having found and curled itself coyly around one of Elliot's legs. Hi.]

How is it looking so far?

[ Miss Christine sensed her first, and she glanced at her direction. Phantom's own feline ears twitched - he's not wearing his black cloak, so they were out in the open - and he glances down at his companion. ]

Hm...? What's wrong, Miss Christine? [ It doesn't feel like anything malicious, and perhaps it was due to the goddesses' blessing that the air felt cooler and nicer than it was before he paid his respects to Beiwe and Ourania. Even so, Phantom maintains his vigilance — that is, until he saw the familiar figure of a three-legged cat. At the sight of the other feline, his shoulders visibly relaxed. ] Oh, it's her...it's alright, she's a friend.

[ He went to his knees after that, patting Miss Christine's small, glossy head lightly, and scratched her behind her ears. Then he straightened up himself and lightly approaches Felicat. ]

Hello there, lady. Do you still remember me?

...

[Oh he clearly doesn't buy it, but he's no longer looking for a shanking implement.

After all, he remembers her ability to curse]

Ah, yes. And the remainder of my court's stories of your whispers was her doing months before she ever arrived?

[The pigeon becomes even flatter now that he's in Ain's hood. That pigeon may just belong to Ain now? Especially if he feeds it, if he feeds it he will simply have two birds.]

So what...is it? Some kinda bird? With paws...?

[Pat pat...]

[ ...Ah, yes. Any Sankta would instantly stand out due to the brightness of their halos as well as the luminosity of their wings, and this one was no exception. Additionally, he wears white — well, there's technically no wrong colour to wear in this sort of occasion, but it still came off as something of a shock. A contrast, to both the evening's glow and Phantom's own formal wear.

He studied him for a moment; the face looks unfamiliar. He'd never seen him before among the ranks of the Sanktas of Rhodes Island. Additionally, Phantom didn't participate in the Lateran operation earlier this year - months before the point where he found himself in Aldric's Grove - the one that The Doctor handles before The Summit of Nations, and thus, he truly was unfamiliar to him. ]

...Perhaps I am waiting for someone. But I have no clue if the false god will bring him here or not. [ There is a slight pause afterwards, but perhaps it was the atmosphere and the setting, since in the end, he took the Sankta's offered hand with his own darkly-gloved one. ] If you would consent to a dance with a shadow, then this one is yours, Father.

[ His new companion had the air of a priest, after all. A proper one, unlike their more...eccentric one here in the Grove, even if Wolfwood had insisted that he's not a priest. ]

And an Infected.

He's a Dachsologie! [Thanks!!] They're called "Artifact creatures". They're made out of raw El energy by the El Masters. Dachie doesn't have to eat or anything like that, he just... is.

But he does like food, haha!

[Dachie's tongue lolls out of his beak. This creature has No brain.]

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Page 10 of 50

EVENT & TDM 012

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Clotted Cream Cookie | Cookie Run: Kingdom | Current Player

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ii. hi i promised you andoain

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i was spooked but in a good way. HI ANDOAIN. <3

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