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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Rusty tilts his head, and a few of the berries drop from the motion before he sets the basket down at Wyll's feet, sitting down with both pride and focus.

"Hello. Shopkeeper Heimr and Shadow Ydalir say, give new people presents! We are giving berries. They are the Guardian's favorites."

He tilts his head again, though, before barking a soft woof-

"No. No Scratch. We have Angelina. And the sweet dog. Guardian's wolf. Sometimes, the little witch is a cat. And new barn!! No Scratch, though."

( well, that's serendiptious. heimr slides off his stool and walks around the counter. )

Tokens from the river, yes. Shells, the bones and scales, the medallions. Appreciate the effort. This way...

( right beside some kitchenware- pots and pans and the like- are kettles and teaware. some are plain and sturdy, charming in a rustic perspective, and some are painted with flowers and bees and butterflies. some have ornate patterns. they're all of a very good quality though. )

[He closes his eyes, smiling at the little kiss]

You can have any title you wish, Pure Vanilla.

[He tenses slightly at the sudden appearance, but he unwinds a bit as Phantom talks]

I have not decided yet. I am not... someone who enjoys crowds for long.

It is. More than anything else, it is a soul's greatest shackle. ... Aldric failed at many things. Too many to fix, and far too much time since has passed. "Heimr", however... I can keep goin' as the man that's needed now. And wanted. Folks here have a way of making you feel loved.

( heimr smiles warmly at the question. )

I get cold now, y'know. Hungry, too. And it's wonderful. I haven't been able to do much for ages, and now I can.

Bein' human is bitter work sometimes. But it's also one of the greatest joys.

Do not START- Crunchy Chip Cookie told me plenty about you running to Dark Enchantress Cookie's arms.

[His eyes flick to the table, roaming around it- Affogato knows him well enough to know exactly what's happening. The King is looking for a weapon. Not that he needs one]

...

( pinches ain's cheek. )

Vil Schoenheit, first of all.

I wasn't under the impression at all, don't worry. It's simply fact for you. I did see there's an... unusual wound on your back, however. I need to know what happened to be able to help.

[ It's only natural. That's the sort of effect that Phantom tend to have on people. Yet, he didn't show any hint of hostility — and dressed in a dark tuxedo paired with a flowing cape tonight, he seemed less menacing than usual, even if not significantly so.

...He still wears a somber air, either way. And it's still hard to tell what he was thinking or what his true motivation was, but the Feline observes Dark Cacao for a moment before he responded. His reply was preceded by a small nod. ]

As am I. You seem like the type. [ There was another momentary pause as he continues to observe him. ] How about here, in this clearing? Would you dance, then — under the moonlight, with the moon and stars as your witness?

Oh! Yes! That's Dachsologie, or Dachie, if you can't pronounce it. [Something in Ain's tone isn't saying "because it's hard to pronounce" but rather "because I doubt you can".] You can pet him! He's friendly.

[Dachie continues to stand there with his head bonked against Wolfwood's leg.]

[Oh! Well! He sure isn't expecting to be spun or lifted. Now, Ain can natively float around, so this isn't a new sensation for him. What's new is having a man's hands on his skinny-ass waist— and also dancing, that too, don't forget about what's important here haha...

Either way, he laughs brightly when he's suddenly lifted, both caught off-guard by it and also thinking this does not fit the music at all.]

Mr. Enthusiastic sure is strong!

[Ain spreads his arms out on either side of him like wings, retreating them only when he's set back on the ground. After that, his hands wind back up on Itto's shoulders, and he sort of sways them along with the beat.]

[It works, she has her victory, but Dachie seems confused. We are not sharing??? Why not sharing??

He bends down in the grass, butt in the air and tailfeathers swaying back and forth. Play??? Play!!! Look at him he's soooooo cute he means you no harm Ms. Birdy—]

Ainchase Ishmael. Call me "Ain".

[Just. Letting Vil pinch him. It's fine.]

[Harque has not seen the man actually but rest assured, he would experience Elrian Catholic Shock at the way Soren acts—

But oh, right, the punch table! Yes, he'll go over there and not stand in the middle of the dance floor. Clamor will find that Harque is immediately drawn to the food, though he doesn't know what half of these things are, wealthy-born and all. Some of them are typical party snack foods, and Harque isn't sure what to make of them. ...he's eating them anyway, politely, and he won't talk with his mouth full.]

I... woke up on the ground by those statues of the Goddesses. I've never heard of Goddesses like them, but I did stop to pay my respects to them as I got up. [Harque frowns, looking down into a cup of fruit punch. What the hell is fruit punch...] Um...

[...]

Mister Clamor, [please you don't have to be so polite (no wonder Noah is like this)] may I confess something to you?

[Harque is basing object value off of how pretty the things he brings in are. He has no idea this is not how this works.

Expectedly, Harque goes for a teapot that has flowers on it. Anything pretty will do just fine. He does stand there for a minute holding it and thinking to himself, and then asks, very quietly,]

Where are we, sir?

[Hey, he's not a kid! He's 18, he's had wine before!! (these are the protests Harque would make, if he knew what Affogato was thinking.)

Once they're within the inn where the mists don't reach, the barriers Harque has put up dissolve in a spray of tiny lights. He doesn't look bothered by the outburst, though he does fidget with his sleeves briefly, nervously.]

It's quite alright, Sir. The mists are rather dangerous, and I feared you may find yourself in trouble if you spent a moment longer within them. I did not mean to give offence by hastily dragging you here.

[Mmmmmmmmmmm but what if we didn't talk about that tho—

Harque stiffens immediately like he's been caught doing something he shouldn't, breathes out a deep sigh, and then tries his best to explain. It's not the full story, of course, but it's enough to hopefully get the details across.]

I was attacked and died, [he murmurs,] I am not sure with what, but I do know it was with magic. It... may be dark magic, one of the aspects of moon magic as a whole.

[He really isn't sure, because his back was turned.]

[ OVEN TAKE THAT STUPID-

Fear settles in and he backs away, his hands up, brownie chocolate still clinging to two fingers. Trying to make himself look meek, small, humble. ]

I-I'm sorry, m-my Liege! I barely recall! The last thing I truly remember is being in the throne room and meeting that Pink Witch! She cast something and all became lost in a haze!

I. Serving Coffee

[Passenger likes to grow his own coffee beans, a little-known thing about him. He doesn't make most things about him public knowledge (he's sort of quiet like that, you know how it is), and he doesn't even say "yes hello I grew the coffee beans in this drink I'm handing you right now". He just... hands you a cup of coffee, wherever you are. Here you go.]

Will you tell me how it tastes?

[Not even a "hello" not even a "hi how are you do you like coffee", he's just straight up handing you coffee, and if you don't like coffee too bad he expects you to drink it anyway.]

II. Serving Looks
a) for everyone

[Passenger makes sure to be dressed up in something distinctly Sargonian in make for this event. He doesn't typically dance; when the others he used to spend his time around would, he would always bow out of it, seeing minimal point to the celebrations. Even at Rhodes island, he'd much rather wallflower during any parties they had, which were usually held with some frequency.

This event is something he'd preferably wallflower at, too, stand out of the way and eat his fill at the snack table and bail... but it looks like bailing early isn't possible, so he reasons he may as well extend the offer to dance to anyone lacking a partner at the time. Thus does he sweep over to you on light footsteps and offer a hand, palm flat toward the sky.]

May I have this dance?

b) closed to Sesa

Hold still.

[Luckily, this place has dressing rooms, or this would be slightly weird to do. Elliot has acquired the means to do henna tattoos, and this is something he brought with them so they could go to the dance floor in style. While it'll take about an hour for him to do both of them, they have literally all night to dance, so Elliot doesn't feel too pressed for time here. It's likely the party won't officially start until everyone else is drunk anyway. That's how that works.

Anyway, Sesa is shirtless and Elliot is drawing on his back right now. Even though he's probably? going to be wearing a shirt, he's getting henna done, who cares if it's covered. This is for Elliot to look at when they get home, too.

They can go dance when he's done. Which theoretically will be soon? Who knows.]

III. Serving... Wildcards??

[hit me you know i'm good for it]

[ STILL A KID compared to Affogatos mumble mumble years.

The barrier reminds him of what he saw of Pure Vanilla's during the battle at the Republic. It puts him on edge.

Fantastic, he bets this is another goody- ah yes, there it is. Oven take the "darling" ones. Even if he does rather like being called Sir. It's not Sire, but it's close. Properly respectful. It ... takes away that edge he was feeling. Hm. ]

It is quite all right! And please, Affogato Cookie at your service. I do thank you for stopping me. Fortuna must surely be my patron to send me someone in my time of need. May I have my saviors name?

Any?

[ He helps the other to stand upright again, beaming up at him. ]

[ The fact that he was actually looking for Passenger briefly escapes him when he's suddenly just handed a cup of... coffee? He looks amusedly down at it, enjoying the thick scent as it curls against his nose. ]

I am quite the wrong person to ask, I am afraid. Dark Cacao is much more versed in the flavors of coffee.

[ Still, he lifts the cup to his mouth and takes a delicate sip, mindful of the heat coming from it. He hums softly as he ponders the taste. This Cookie is particularly fond of sweets but he must admit-]

It is quite delicious!

I. Party Time!
a) for everyone

[Parties like this remind Gnosis greatly of Victoria, when he was studying at a prestigious university and every other month was consumed with dances and fine wines and drunken gossip. Tonight, Gnosis is dressed as he would be if he went to one of those parties — nicely, but not in something that stands out too much. In his youth, he used to wallflower and sip wine and only dance with people when they approached him first.

Now? He's still sipping wine (but at least he's been sober for the past month, okay), and he and his thirty-six years of wisdom is now approaching you first to dance. Oh how the turns table, et cetera. Contrary to what others might think of the local labrat, he does know his way around a dance floor!]

Care to share a dance? [He asks, still holding a glass of wine which he'll inevitably have to knock back and set aside here in a second.] I'm willing to teach you, if you don't know how.

b) closed to SilverAsh

[Throughout their entire lives, Enciodes has always been content to lead dances, and Gnosis has no reason to assume that won't be the case here. This whole setup is distinctly Victorian to him, minus all the gossipy nobles and the politicking. It's... better this way, he thinks, as he takes Enciodes' hand in his and practically drags him out onto the middle of the floor.

Usually, it isn't Gnosis dragging them out, either. He's usually shy about these things. But he's been drinking (again) and it's a party, dammit, and it's been a long-ass time since he danced with his husband. Let him have this.]

I take it you'd like to lead? [And then he brushes their noses together, just, full PDA in public.] I'm glad to have you to myself, finally. Were we kids, I'd almost be jealous that it took this long...

[Gnosis be so fr. You're still a little jealous.]

II. wildcard

[you know the drill, sorry this is only dancing it's what i got this time—]

"No Scratch, hmm?" Wyll's brow furrows, concern clear in his expression. That could mean nothing more than Scratch isn't here. Or it could mean that none of the others are here.

"Well, it's very kind of you to be offering berries." But that this is a standing instruction? "You... often have new people around, do you?"

[It's going to take an adjustment, to be sure, but Sparkling is happy to follow Clotted Cream's lead. Once he realizes that's what he's doing, he'll let his unheld hand settle at the other man's shoulder, finding himself marveling at the softness of him underneath his clothing that he can feel. It's so different compared to the crispy dough of cookies that it's taking some considerably getting used to.]

Plenty, yes. We'll go slowly, how about?

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EVENT & TDM 012

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