EVENT & TDM 012

[sticksandbonesmods]

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

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SUBMISSIONS

QUESTIONS
INVESTIGATIONS
TDM NPC CONTACT
PAST-LIFE PLOTTING

(CODE)

Comments

[submittome]

[ 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?

[selenokinesis]

Harque Ebalon, Mister Affogato Cookie. [Yes, he's just like this. He's also assuming "Cookie" is a quirky last name, there's no reason for him to question this.] I'm glad I could get to you in time.

[He beams and it's like the fucking sun is grinning at Affogato. Terrible, 0/10.]

[submittome]

[Witches, the Ovens is with that smile. There's no reason to be that bright. It's disgusting. The service here sucks. 0/10 debating ingesting his own poisons after all. ]

Hoho, now now, no need to smile so brightly over what would have been my inevitable doom. [ Seriously, child, it hurts to look at it, tone it down. ] But it is my pleasure to meet you. Tell me, Harque Ebalon, are you new here?

[selenokinesis]

Yes, Sir. I only just arrived perhaps a day ago. I've noticed time doesn't pass properly here.

[Something he just. States. Because he is a Time Mage and can sense that.]

It might have been longer. Ah... regardless, it's nice to meet you as well. You're feeling alright, aren't you?

[submittome]

[ Oogh, this kid is absolutely just... a human shaped cream wolf puppy. Look at him. It's disgustingly cute. It's- ]

I beg your pardon?

[ He's ignoring that last one because excuse him? What do you mean time doesn't pass properly here.

You can't just SAY that white baby. ]

[selenokinesis]

...oh, um...

[He will sit down politely next to Affogato, but leave room between them. The man probably needs his space after the Horrors.]

Time here flows incorrectly, as I stated. It's quite strange, because we can move around within this space, but this entire area has been disconnected from the flow of the outside world in general. There's a stutter to it, like being stopped and restarted, but it loops oddly back on itself, or rapidly speeds up, or rapidly slows down. The pattern seems quite random...

[submittome]

[ Well, less the horrors and more don't sit so close to him, he doesn't know you, that's his purse. Yet he turns towards Harque as he sits, cushioning his chin in his hand and leaning in a little. To show interest in what the other says. Being a manipulator isn't just about the words you say.

Though he frowns as he listens, eyes distant and thoughtful. ]

That is quite the power indeed, to be able to manipulate and alter time in such a manner. Though I would say it also takes a similar amount of power to be able to sense it.

[ He gives the other a brief, thoughtful look, then smiles. It seems sweet and kind enough. ]

No one else, after all, seems to have noticed such a thing. Thank you for telling me, Harque Ebalon, this information is most useful.

[ If he can get his hands on such power... ]

And forgive me my manners, again. I am doing... well. I am not unused to such trickery as this smoke has caused, though it had taken me so completely. You are well yourself?

[selenokinesis]

You may just call me "Harque", Sir.

[He will return that sweet smile and oh god it burns, you're looking into the sun again sorry.]

I'm unharmed, yes. I did realise that it was somewhat deadly and woke up from a dream myself, and I'm resolved to pull others out of it when I see them in danger. I'd hate to see anything untoward happen. You needn't worry about me.

[submittome]

[ Ugh. Thank Witches he likes sweets. But it burns. There's no way he can match that.

What's worse is it feels genuine. Gross. Horrible. Disgusting. He's got to put it to use. ]

Harque, then. Please, call me Affogato. It is only fair. And oh, but of course I'm going to worry about an absolute sweetheart such as yourself. You seem like the type who does not mind being harmed in return for aiding others. How would I not worry?

[selenokinesis]

[Harque is the most earnest motherfucker you'll ever meet, guaranteed. He is shyly tucking some of his hair back behind one ear, which... it definitely slips back into place the second he moves his head next, so that's nice.]

I would prefer no one get hurt. If it must be me, so be it, though I don't enjoy pain, nor do I know how to fight very well. Protective and healing magics are what I employ most often.

[No comment on the "worry" thing, he's got nothin'.]

[submittome]

[ He wants to grimace. He's getting this boy some hair clips. Or a hair cut. Or a style. Instead he reaches out with slender delicate fingers - ignore the absolute claws of nails he has - to pick that hair back up and tuck it back behind Harque's ear again. With a little twist to secure it with the other hair so it doesn't just flop back.

There. ]

Ah, but protective and healing magics are perhaps the best type to have. You can ensure your comrades are healthy and hale. [ And their lives hang in your hands. ] I am somewhat of a healer myself, though I prefer a more herbal approach.

[selenokinesis]

[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.

[submittome]

[ 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~

[selenokinesis]

[Okay well now Harque is flustered, dial down the rizz—]

That's alright. Elrian plants are much different, too. I'm sure you're intelligent enough to find cures in the plants here, Sir.

[Quality time, huh... Harque looks incredibly chipper. He has never had a friend before!! This is so new to him!]

I can help you with any research if you'd like. My time is all yours — I have little else I'm doing these days.

[submittome]

[ Cannot stop, will not stop. His life depends on rizzing up those around him. Plus the flustering is cute.

But hello, whose rizzing who. He preens to the compliment, his smile far more genuine now. ]

Well yes, I am certain I can figure things out. And please, call me Affogato! We are sure to be fast friends, after all! Calling me Sir is so formal! And please, come to me for anything you may need.

[ The look he gives the other is... very suggestive. ]

[selenokinesis]

Oh, yes, pardon me. It has been ingrained in my teachings throughout my life to be polite, but I will work on dropping the titles.

[He is Just Like This. ...what's that look for why does it fluster him.]

I will keep you in mind should I need anything. For now, would you like some tea? I believe I can make something that will help guide you back to sleep without that ghastly fog to trick you. Do you like lavender milk tea?

[submittome]

We shall work on it together then, no worries~

[ He'll find out later what the look is for. The offer for tea makes him smile, a slightly more guarded look. The man may seem sweet but he's not taking anything from him. ]

Oh, no thank you. I have a few things I may take that should aid me now that I am aware of what is going on. What about yourself? Shall you be well sleeping?