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!

UPDATES

❖ None yet!

SUBMISSIONS

QUESTIONS
INVESTIGATIONS
TDM NPC CONTACT
PAST-LIFE PLOTTING

(CODE)

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[YOU HAVE AN ONION COOKIE????????????]

Kjerag's climate is particularly inhospitable to those who aren't used to it. Blizzards are the norm there.

[Twirls Sparkling around to the beat of the violins.]

I haven't heard much about the climate on Earthbread. Care to enlighten me?

[ Really, Mizuki should just wear a sign around his neck that just reads “don’t stare into the noodles”. Anyway, Ain’s being carried, yes, glad he’s having fun. The Therapy Building isn’t super hard to get to, being pretty close to, like, most things anyway— ]

Ohh, you got it in two~. I’m a moon jellyfish. You’re the first non-Terran to assume so, though. How fascinating. [ Taking that down as a mental note, too. He’s slowly making a road map as to how Ain thinks. ] Oh, if you keep going, we can make an exchange? I learn more about you, you learn more about this place? Sound fair?? We could make it a game~.

[At this point, the rest of the pigeons have relocated themselves in the upper rafters, all fluffed up and staring at Ain like “bro wtf”. The one in his hood, for some reason, seems completely fine with it. It is chilling, it is vibing.]

I ain’t gonna be held responsible for what I do to you if you don’t keep your trap shut, just fair warning.

[ :) If you ever want to talk about weird Cookie flavors, Gnosis, hit Sparkling up he could tell you some Stories. Granted, he personally will not find anything wrong with them, but you know-

Anyway! Sparkling laugh as he’s twirled, clearly pleased by Gnosis’ dancing even if he’s plenty tipsy for it, settling back on his claws before answering.]

Well you see, the Kingdom I live in is fairly new. We only just began to build in earnest, and are located very near to the ocean. The weather is often very warm due to that, though we do get a small bit of snow in the winter. If you wanted extremely warm, you would have to visit the Parmesean Desert…I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting, but I hear the cheese can become so scorching it burns your dough if you try to walk across it without proper protection.

[ Oh. Their conversation really isn't ending now that the dance is over. Clotted Cream feels his heart do a little flip in his chest, and his pleasant smile turns into a beaming one. He feels a little ridiculous for it, honestly, but that isn't about to sway him. This is no real occasion for formality, and he can let himself slip just a little despite his previous statements saying otherwise. ]

Oh, yes, of course. I would love to continue outside. Shall we gather a couple of snacks for ourselves, then?

[ Which is a silly thing to ask, because he's already got Sparkling at the table. He selects a couple of small finger sandwiches for himself, foregoing a glass of anything to drink, since. Well. Only one hand, and all that. ]

Of course! Lead the way.

[Sparkling is more than happy to defer to Clotted Cream, nodding his head to let him pick what he wants first before following suit. His selections are pretty similar, though he's actually balancing his plate on his arm so he can get another glass of wine of some sort. He needs to try everything they have on offer, and he can't do that if he just has varying flavors of punch over and over.

Then it's outside they go, out into the crisper evening air with the sound of voices and music a little more distant behind them. It becomes even moreso as they round the corner of the cabin, the door shutting behind them.]

We may be far from home, but it is still nice being outside at night.

"I had not expected anybody to bother repairing it. What is an age-old statue with seemingly no power to a handful of lost souls trying to make it in the world? I'm shocked you didn't think it was an occult item."

Which, like, she would not have blamed anybody for, considering...

"You say that, though we have no way to manifest ourselves in the physical world currently. If I could, I would've already done so."

Oh, Callan has noticed. Callan has an aggro range of Very Wide.

Ordinarily, he wouldn't entertain conversation, but you're all very boring this month. No one has fallen into the mist and walked into the lake (stupid), like come on, be at least a little funny. Even the other Guardians stopped talking to him uuuuuuugh you guys suuuuuck.

"Ooh, the little carnivore-thing is back at my doorstep!"

You know, at least he sounds? entertained?? that's mostly because he's having a "finally someone is here" moment though.

[ Thankfully, there does seem to be some area for seating outside! A bench, to be exact, but it's better than the ground. Clotted Cream directs Sparkling to it, politely letting him have a seat first before taking the open half. ]

It is definitely an enjoyable evening. Perfect for an event like this, really. The air reminds me a bit of the Republic...

[ Cool and crisp. Lacking the distinct strong smell of the salty sea breeze, but still very similar. ]

I believe it is your turn, though. Tell me about yourself? What is living in the Kingdom like? What do you do in your spare time?

« If you count this as a door, then sure. I’m here.

Did you eat the food that was left last time? Did you like it? I could give you more if you wanted. I was hoping I could ask you a couple more things while I was here. »

Only if you seek my eyes on you constantly. Not that they aren't... but it would be a different sort of gaze.

[Good lord.]

On the other hand, I do cherish these rare moments of you being less clothed than usual. In that regard, I enjoy you how you are.

[Kisses Sesa's cheek... okay, your henna is done, let that dry for a little bit.]

"I eat anything that ends up in this lake. You offer to feed me more? I thought your kind didn't like me?"

Or his corruption, for that matter.

[The way Harque blinks up at Affogato like "huh what" and then tilts his head a tad into the touch reads "touch starved" to a severe degree. Harque is an open book in ways that he should not be, nor does he really think he is.]

Truly? I would love to hear more, if you would allow it. I spent a great deal of time growing up studying herbalism, but I'm afraid most of it is lost on me now, since my studies were almost entirely of the magical variety.

[This isn't even like, That Much Rizz and yet you need to dial it down, sir, you'll kill Harque he's never been exposed to promises before.]

It does help. You're very kind to say so... thank you. I do like the thought of having company and not being alone again.

[one day you will know about his parents and you will probably get murderous.]

[ Goodness, he loves the sweet ones in the same way he hates them. They're so... easy. Look at the way he leans towards that touch like a kitten.

When he takes his hand back, he curls his fingers and lightly drags those nails along the others jaw, flicking them off his chin gently with an amused look.

Does he drop his voice a little, a little purr on the edge of his words? Danger, Will Robinson. ]

Of course, consider it payment for saving my life. I will teach you a thing or two, though I doubt the plants here contain the same potency. I am enjoying your company as well, so I quite look forward to spending some more quality time with you~

Edited 2024-05-23 22:59 (UTC)

Oh, me? Well, let's see...

[He crosses one leg over the other as they sit down, carefully placing his wine glass on the bench next to him while picking up a finger sandwich between his claws.]

Living in the Kingdom is just wonderful. It's bustling and there is always something going on...I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be living near to my closest friends. As for myself, I own a juice bar near the beach. Bartending is both my job and my hobby, so it's actually what I tend to find myself spending most of my time doing. If I had my supplies, I'd be treating you to one right about now, as a matter of fact.

[ His hand being taken makes him blink and glance down to it, an eyebrow arching before he glances towards the person holding it. Hello? Is this a weird squishy human thing? You just walk up to strangers and take their hands?

Bizarre. ]

I suppose.

[ Though he really wants to, he doesn't take his hand back, plastering a smile on his face instead. Polite. Sophisticated. The perfect Advisor. ]

Hm? The trolley problem? I'm afraid I have not heard of such an issue.

[ If you can't hold your homies' hands, who's hands can you hold???? Anyway, Mizuki isn't hard to slip away from if so desired. His grip is very light and it's just meant to be a friendly gesture.

Mizuki's smile is just as polite, though. But a little childish and excited -- and sincere above all else. ]

So, there's a track and it's got a trolley riding along it. Um... oh, does your world have those? It's like an automated cart, sort of? Except it's got a set path on a track. Anyway, the trolley is heading for a group of people- say, four or five, who are stuck on the track. You have the ability to pull a lever and switch it over to another track. In doing so, however, you will be killing one person who is stuck on the track there. Do you pull the lever?

[With his henna complete, Sesa will sit back a little and admire what part of it he's able to see on his arm, careful not to touch it or brush up against anything, less he end up smearing it.]

Thank you. You did an incredible job. I don't doubt I'm going to be turning heads at this party! Wouldn't you agree?

« "Your kind"...? Ah, you mean, the people at the Grove? I can't speak for any of them, unfortunately. No one's really brought you up before.

On the other hand, I don't harbor ill feelings towards you. You're satiating hunger and protecting the things you care about. In that regards, We can understand. »

[ Strangers, apparently!

UGH, this one smiles like Harque does, only more in the little kid manner. At least his hand isn't sticky with half-melted sweets. Children, bah! He listens to the problem and clamps the urge to answer how he would want to. Let each side buy him with Power, and let the rest die. But ah, this is classic the one for many scenario. The kind-hearted answer would be: ]

Naturally~ the sacrifice of the one to benefit the many would be the most ideal solution, would it not? Of course, that is assuming the lever must be pulled, and there is no way to stop the trolley. Yet there is a lot of assumptions at play here - for instance, that they are all innocent.

Edited 2024-05-24 02:10 (UTC)

[ Please, he's a little kid at heart, but he's also very much legal drinking age. He just turned 22, please-

Anyway, Mizuki immediately nods, excitedly. Oh, the ones who haven't heard of this dilemma yet pick up on the "what if"s so quickly are so delightful. ]

It depends on the person. That's why this is a question presented quite often to people, instead of there being just one concrete answer. You see, there's a lot of factors in play. For instance, not pulling the lever means you are not actively killing anyone, and not making the conscious choice for someone's death. Several people do die, but it's not really on your hands. Versus pulling the lever, even if the pragmatic solution is to pull the lever, it's not always one that aligns with one's beliefs or morals.

Like you said, the group of people could be a group of people who did bad things, or something like that. That's something you don't get to know when you pull the lever. Some people even imagine the single person being someone they care about. Would they sacrifice many for their lover, their sibling, or someone like that?

It's a fascinating scenario to think about-- aah, but I'm rambling. What are your thoughts? What do you think you would do? There are no wrong answers~.

[ Oh he likes this little hypothetical what if. His hum is deep and thoughtful. To do nothing and feel no moral remorse sounds right up his alley. But also to pull the lever if that singular person was his rival, and watch them crumble. ]

It is quite a [ delightful ] intriguing scenario. What would I do? No wrong answers, hm?

[ He ponders down at the child - listen he doesn't know he's 22 - before smirking. ]

I would save those who have the most Power in the World. Why would I save someone who will do nothing with their lives, and offer nothing in return? Those with the most sway, those with the most pull. Those are who you want to save.

[ Well! That’s an answer he’s never gotten before. He doesn’t let go of Affogato’s hand, trying mostly to wrap his head around an answer like that. But he’s finding that he has more questions the more he thinks about it.

He supposes he should start with: ] And… what is ‘power’ to you?

I think it was just a title they gave me ‘cause nothin’ else fit, but the money certainly helps. [ A nod to himself. He hasn’t been poor for a long time, at least. ] You’re very kind in saying so, though, Mister Harque. If you believe in me, though, does that mean you’re my friend?

If you are, I think this is the fastest I’ve ever made a friend!

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EVENT & TDM 012

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so did i :)

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