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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[ Well! That's fucking ominous! Thanks! Though he's so curious. ]

By what do you mean... fix them? What if they don't desire to be fixed. What if they're perfectly happy the way they are?

[ But hm, answer to the question. He reaches up and plays with the end of his braid, thoughtful. ]

If this is my "partner in crime" then I trust them, implicitly. If I trust them that much to be in on my schemes, then they are as loyal to me as I am to them. I would demand nothing less, and I would hope they would demand nothing less of me. If they were not truly loyal, then I would not give them my time, nor trust my life to them.

I used to travel the world back home, and in doing so, I learned a lot about the people within it. I suppose from different worlds here there's something to be said about the experience variation being taken into consideration, but as far as I'm concerned, no matter the world, the mind is still the same for evolved creatures. The chemicals that cause different emotions and the patterns a human takes and the parts of the brain are all going to be the same.

Which is all just a long winded way of explaining that... I've seen people and the things that makes them who they are. No one's truly born "bad". Most of them are just... victims of circumstance, or lacking in some department of developmental needs. And I don't think any of them truly believe they're perfectly happy the way they are. A lot of those people are either too lonely, hurting, or dissociative to really be "perfectly happy".

They just need to be fixed. We fixed this one, so We can fix anyone if given the opportunity.

[ It's not too late to leave the little freak to his own devices, Affo- ]

What if it were a stranger? Someone you'd had to team up with based on circumstance. Like, for example, if you happened to be trapped with them and had to work together, even though you knew nothing about them? Part of the thought experiment is to consider them as both a fellow in crime, but also have some anonymity.

[ Affogato listens silently, turning his eyes away to stare in a different spot so Mizuki can't see the way his face twists to that. It's not too unreadable. Distrust. Distress. Thoughtfulness.

He doesn't like how close Mizuki is getting to, maybe, understanding why Affogato's done the things he's done.

Cool motive, still attempted Regicide. Still banished. ]

So you may say...

[ His voice is low and that's all he will answer on that, composing himself before turning back to Mizuki, an eyebrow arching. Maybe he'll try and scare this one away, before he can dig in. So he opens up. Truly. ]

A stranger? I would betray them. [ No fucking hesitation. ] They command no loyalty from me, and I give none in return. I do not know them, I cannot trust them. Perhaps this would lead us both to ten years, but I will not place my life on the line for someone I do not know. I put myself first.

[ Hey, if Affogato didn’t wanna deal with being psychoanalysed, maybe don’t talk to the psychology freak! Mizuki is more than happy to drop it, however. He understands that his rambling can sometimes be just a little bit much. ~~It’s the autism.~~

This doesn’t get Mizuki to flinch or anything, however. Instead, there’s just an understanding nod. After all, he expects people’s answers to vary. The mathematically minded will always pick to confess. It’s the same with those who have trust issues, or those who know they have too much to lose compared to others. He’d asked this question to a lot of ordinary folks back home, after all. Fathers who said they couldn’t risk leaving their daughters without a dad for 20 years, or sickly folk who said they really didn’t want to spend their final days behind bars.

It made sense. Not a lot of things were things that he understood, but for this, he does. ]

Is it okay if I ask you one more question, Mister Affogato?

[ ..... Hm. Maybe he should have seen this coming. The other hadn't really reacted much different. But it's so... strange? to have someone treat what he says so casually. Others would have decried snake! Traitor! But Mizuki merely nods like it's the most normal answer he's ever heard.

This land is weird, but he feels more at home here than he ever did back on Earthbread, surrounded by sweet loyal Cookies. He doesn't even miss the Cookie body, though this one is so bizarre. ]

... You are a unique little one, aren't you? I think I like you, Mizuki~ Ask away, what else goes through that little head of yours?

[ "Unique"...? How funny. Seaborn are supposed to lack individuality, so to be called that is laughable, isn't it? Maybe he should correct Affogato. "I don't want you to have the wrong opinion of me" or something like that? Hm... ]

Thank you. Does that mean we're friends?? [ He's so good at this friends thing now. All he has to do is ask about murdering people on the tracks or going to jail. Wow! ]

And my question is... What's the memory you have that makes you happiest? Or, if you don't want to answer that, the thing that makes you happiest?

[ Absolutely not the unique way Affogato means, but that's what you get when you're from different worlds. The question makes him blink, hard. ]

Friends?

[ No, he has no friends. He uses the term to garner sympathy and favor from the other. This sounds like an actual ... attempt to be so. How disgusting. He pretends he doesn't know the word.

And that question makes him stare, his brow twitching down. ]

The thing that makes me the happiest?

[ He'll focus on that, because he has no happy memories. Not even the ones in the Citadel are "happy". ]

Being in control, while my subjects feast and know what it is like to have a Leader who cares for their well being and comfort. That would make me the happiest~

We don't have to be, of course, if you don't want to. Sorry, I realize that was a little too presumptuous... [ Local man cannot read tone for shit, more at 11. ]

Ah... that's gonna be pretty hard to do here, I think, but... okay! I'll do my best to make that happen for you, Mister Affogato!

You...

Pft! Hahaha! You are quite adorable, aren't you?!

[ He likes this one, patting his head again, gently ruffling his hair like he might a pet dog. Pointed nails gently scratching as well. ]

Of course we may be friends~ though I fear no one here will agree with me being in control, the thought is delightful. I am already quite pleased!

Ah?? [ Oh, he's being laughed at. Did he say something funny? He was being serious -- he'd promised quite a few people here that he'd try to make them happy. Is this really that silly? ]

Oh, um, sure... I get that. But I feel like leaders will always have some pushback from people? It's hard to... appease everyone in that kind of role, I think?? Plus, we don't really have any kind of leader here yet. I think Mister Silverash is trying to, but that's all?

Are you sure you're already happy?

[ It's okay, Mizuki, he's not laughing AT you. He's laughing at the sheer absurdity of this world and this little jellyfish.

Okay maybe a little at you. ]

You offered to give me Power and Control! Of course that makes me happy~

[ Of course the last time someone directly offered him Power, they fucking backstabbed him so....... ]

Well... sure, but I didn't do that yet. I'm afraid of making you too preemptively excited if it's not something I'm able to do... [ He doesn't want to be a disappointment. That's probably the very last thing he wants, actually. ] Not that I'm not glad you're happy -- I am. I just don't want you to be sad later down the line, either.

[ Oh Witches, he's so naive and... malleable! He can't help himself. He reaches out and cups Mizuki's face to squish his cheeks gently. His smile is actually genuine now, and he rocks Mizuki's head gently from side to side. ]

You are adorable. I'm going to keep you, I think. Simply offering the chance at Power makes me happy. An outcome doesn't need to be realized to find delight along the way~

[ Face is smooshed. Mizuki is very soft and easily squished. He gives a little laugh, though. ]

F'ya shay sho... [ He feels like this isn't the happiness he wants from people. Rather, this seems fleeting. Forgettable. Sigh. Oh well, he'll just have to try harder for next time. ]

[ He's so cute. Why are sweet things his weakness. Curse his stupid life that made him want to surround himself with such. He hums and after squishing Mizuki's cheeks into new shapes, let's him go. ]

This was a fun encounter. Do you often go around asking strangers deep personal questions?

Oh! No, of course not. [ Yeah, that would be weird- ] I ask everyone these questions, not just strangers.

I think it's easier to get to know someone with questions like this, don't you think?

It's true, but some may find the invasion of privacy immediately upon meeting off-putting~ Thankfully I do not. Will you tell me your responses to these questions in turn?

[ To get to know Mizuki, of course. ]

Well, people are welcome to say that they don't wanna answer. I'd understand that much. But curiosity is a natural phenomena among people. They wanna explore new and interesting concepts presented to them, or discuss things that seem seemingly out of the blue.

Usually, of course. The few who I've found hadn't simply didn't engage with me.

And I don't have responses. I stopped making choices that weren't so "easy" a long time ago~. I decided someone else should make these hard choices, because I always got it wrong.

[ So his lack of decision even extends as far as to this little hypothetical? Delightful! Affogato loves him. He hums thoughtfully, curling a finger against his chin. ]

I understand! Quite an interesting way to go about it, I am glad it works for you. Tell me, who is making your decisions for you now?

... [ Ain't that the question of the day. He nervously shuffles in place, tapping his fingers in rhythm onto his umbrella. He doesn't know how to answer this, either, really, but... ] Doctor Add was supposed to, but... Nene says that he's in the Garden, and it's been a while since I've seen him. I don't know when he's coming back, or if I'm supposed to go see him, or... something else.

He didn't tell me anything before he left...

[ !

Oh no! A jellyfish without a pod to guide it? How absolutely ~~wonderful~~ horrible! He makes a soft noise of sympathy and pats Mizuki on the head again. Listen, he learned the jelly desires it and so he's going to use it to his advantage. ]

Do you have a preference for who makes your decisions for you? Which, I know, sounds silly. But for some they would want someone of a good moral standing, while others simply do not mind as long as their decisions are done for them.

Yes, of course. I can't just follow anyone's orders 'cause then they might also make me do something bad, y'know? I wouldn't say they necessarily need a good moral standing... 'cause I know those types in a leader role can sometimes let that get to them.

My commander's just gotta do the right thing. That's really it.

The right thing for who? Themselves? You? The whole? What about a Commander who desires sweets and comfort for all his subjects? So they never have to kneel again in their lives, or follow the orders of one who will work them to death?

...

[ Jellyfish.exe has crashed. Please try rebooting. ]

Uh... I don't... I don't know... [ The issue with wanting to follow someone who does the right thing is, uhhh, knowing what the right thing is. Which Mizuki doesn't. Again he shuffles, feeling his face heating up out of the sheer embarrassment of his admission. Ughh... ] I'm not really all that smart, Mister Affogato.

... Were you offering, though? I mean, I don't wanna 'cause you no trouble.

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