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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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.

[ Haha, yeah. He's keeping this one. Look at him. His new little disciple. He'll make him a nice little outfit. ]

I am offering. If you need your decisions made for you, allow me to do so until your Add returns. I promise you shall never have to worry about it again. I do have some experience leading a group of Disciples, after all. They adored me.

[ This shit is precisely why Mizuki was raised in a cult- ]

...Okay, just until Add gets back. [ A nod. His loyalties won't wane after just one conversation with Affogato, for sure, but it's very nice of him to offer help in the meantime! ] Thank you... You've been really nice to me this whole time.

Can I ask why?

[ This is totally not a cult it's more like a...............

something that isn't a cult! ]

Of course. Once Add has returned, you will naturally go right back to him.

[ The question makes him pause, thoughtful. There's quite a few answers to that. ]

Why would I not be? You have given no reason to not be kind. You did not judge me for my answers, did not call me wrong or cruel for them. Did not think me strange. Have been polite and even attempted to offer me happiness.

I see. In that case, you really are kind, Mister Affogato~. I'd be more than happy to follow your lead in the interim. I guess I should tell you what I'm good at so you can use me properly?

I can cook and I'm real good at video games and fitting into tight spaces and I can camouflage. On the battlefield, I'm best to dispatch for stealthy assassinations, but I can usually take anything head on just fine, too. I'm pretty strong and dexterous, but I'm really no good with magic stuff, even if I got some of it now...

Umm... I think that's it? Though, really, you can give me any job and I'll figure it out.

[ He was not expecting a little assassin. No, more along the lines of a follower. One of his Disciples, not his Priest or Shaman. It's actually fascinating the various things he can do.

But he can't tip his hand, not while Dark Cacao is suspicious of him. So. ]

What is a video game?

[ Besides his hyperfixation? Well- ]

They're like... stories that you can visually watch instead of read, and you can also interact with them. Like, my favorite game of all time is one where you control a little yellow mouth and you have to eat as much as you can to become stronger. However, until you've absorbed enough nutrients to become strong, you'll only become prey in the end.

[ Oh that one sounds interesting. And considering, right up his alley. Become stronger, hm? ]

Teach me to play these video games? In return, I shall teach you a few things I know. Do you know poisons? Potions and brews?

[ Hope he isn't totally disappointed when he finds out what Pac-Man is really like... But at least Mizuki seems excited. He's gotten to show off a lot of his games to people here, but no one really plays with him. It'd be nice to have a buddy next to him. Maybe he could even show Affogato Puyo Puyo? ]

Oh, of course! And I know a little bit about poisons. Only my own, though. I'm a jellyfish, so there's some toxins in my stingers and such. I don't know how to make antidotes out of them or anything, though. I had to get Doctor Add to make some in case of an emergency. And I don't know much about potions, no. Is it a little bit like cooking?

[ He will be fascinated anyways, and maybe a little overwhelmed at first with the more visually stimulating games but delighted anyways. What a perfect thing to play indulgently while laying around lazily! ]

Ah, toxins are useful in poisons. They are often the main ingredient, either animal or plant. Though snake is my favorite. We may make more antidotes, if you desire to learn. It is a bit like cooking, actually!

[ Affogatos mood has perked considerably. ]

Though, of course, I'm afraid we have to wait until we leave this place.

[ Wait until Mizuki shows him all the retro games that are bright and colorful with fun music and letting him know that pretty much all of them have uncharacteristically upsetting lore. Don’t look up Frogger lore— ]

“Leave this place” as in here specifically, or as in the Grove…? I feel as though one of those things is harder than the other.

Oh, simply "here" specifically. I am quite aware we are all stuck inside the Grove.

[ Not that he's particularly upset about that idea. He didn't exactly have anywhere else to go, really. He was just following Dark Enchantress Cookie because of his banishment from the Ridge. Enjoying it (sort kinda) but merely following for lack of better things to do. ]

It would not do well to begin brewing poisons in full light of everyone, many get the wrong idea.

...? Do you think so? I've gotten the impression most people here are pretty tolerant of a lotta stuff. 'Cause Doctor Add had a bunch of weird stuff in the clinic.

[ He shuffles a little, and then once again reaches out to take Affogato's hand. Hi, he's very touchy, sorry- ]

I don't have a house anymore, but we could use the therapy building. No one but me and Sesa really use it.

Mm, I fear there's at least two people here who would look unkindly at me attempting my arts while in the open.

[ Dark Cacao would probably materialize out of thin air to cleave him in two. His hand being taken this time gets him to hold it in return, curling his fingers around the other's hand. ]

Therapy? [ What's that. ] Lead the way~

[ Affogato is being led indeed! The therapy building lobby is just a room filled with piles among piles of stuffed animals that Mizuki has been using as beds recently. In the middle of the room is a table with his video game consoles, as well as a little paper with just a couple rules written on it. "Don't break the controllers or consoles. Don't drink the water in the sensory deprivation tanks. You literally can't bring the sledgehammer out of the rage room..." etc.

He points to the back room. His "office". It's got a desk and a couch, a chair and a bunch of house plants to make it look home-y. ]

We can use that room, if you'd like? Only me and Heimr got keys, so...

Plus, the couch in there is waaaay comfier than the beds at the inn in my opinion.

[ The amount of stuffed animals makes him blink, but hm. It does look rather comfortable to laze around on. A little lumpy, maybe, but very soft. The rules get a cursory look but he ignores them (except the sledgehammer thing, excuse him). ]

Hm, it will do. I have a few things on me [ Some of which he will use later for his own little 'seance' ] that we may be able to concoct a small potion with. It will be very basic, of course.

[ He has no toxins, no venoms, and his magic can only conjure a poison cloud, so nothing poison.

And he looks very amused that Mizuki is trying to convince him the couch is comfier than the beds. ]

It sounds like I should request our own place, with properly comfortable furniture. One must be able to relax properly.

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