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

❖ None yet!

SUBMISSIONS

QUESTIONS
INVESTIGATIONS
TDM NPC CONTACT
PAST-LIFE PLOTTING

(CODE)

Comments

[mooninthewater]

...Um... okay. That's not as easy as you might think it is, though, Mister Affogato. I spend a while even just tryna make a choice on a visual novel. I don't want you to get frustrated or anything with me...

[submittome]

[ That's so fucking cute. Witches. What's a visual novel. ]

Nonsense, I am a font of patience. We shall work on it slowly over time.

[ Have your hair pet, Mizuki, and lightly played with. Like someone would play with their pets fur. ]

1/2

[mooninthewater]

[ ...Huh. How funny. Why is it that Affogato knows just what to say? Why is he so patient and accepting of everything? Mizuki was being so cautious about his word choice, and yet it was almost like Affogato knew all the right things to make Mizuki's "be normal" mask fall right off. He'd hit all the marks at this point. Someone who found his psychology questions interesting, someone who allowed him to be touchy, someone who reciprocated it, someone who offered to help him with his indecisiveness, someone who wanted to be his commander, someone who agreed to playing games with him, someone patient and understanding... The only thing he's missing at this point is someone who sits down and actually takes the time to explain to him why something he's doing is wrong, versus just saying "it's wrong" and leaving it there.

Why? Why is he being so nice? It's not that Mizuki doesn't believe it's genuine (haha), he just doesn't think of himself as the sort of person that's worth the effort. Affogato is... really a good person, huh?

Mizuki is so happy to have the physical affection, but... ]

[mooninthewater]

[ ...he catches Affogato's hand when it's low enough for him to somewhat seamlessly slide it to his face and set his cheek into his palm and just holds it there. Mizuki's loyalties still lied with Add, of course. It's hard for him to be swayed away! But...

Why did he leave Mizuki behind?
When will he be back?
Was he supposed to follow?
Why doesn't he try to contact Mizuki?
Did he do something wrong?

He can't let this one go. ]

Okay~. Then, don't worry. Your orders are my beacon~

[submittome]

[ Fortuna must be his Mistress if it was this easy to wrap Mizuki up into his hands. Not that he doubts his skills, but it's almost like the jellyfish was waiting for him. The cheek in his hand and the hold on it makes him beam, and stroke his fingers lightly across the skin in a soft, soothing pet. ]

Very good. And I promise to be a Commander you can fully trust and care for~

[ And luckily for Mizuki... he means it. Oh yes, he will use Mizuki just as he used his Disciples, but he genuinely cares for those he takes under his wing. He will pamper Mizuki like he was pampering himself. Only the best from now on for his little jellyfish.

Of course, he has to get to know him better so! ]

How old are you, Mizuki?

[mooninthewater]

[ Affogato might be disappointed to find out how easy it is for anyone, really. But, uh, don't worry about it. Mizuki's just leaning into the affection without a care in the world. ]

Hm? I turned 22 this March.

[submittome]

[ Don't break his bubble of happiness. And since Mizuki is leaning in to it, Affogato will keep giving it.

Though learning Mizuki is only a few years younger than himself startles him.

What? ]

Truly? You seem so much younger! You are only a few years my junior.

[mooninthewater]

Oh. You think? It’s been a while since someone’s told me that. [ Usually he just gets called “feminine”. “Childish” too, but rarely that he’s young. He hums a bit. Under normal circumstances, back home, he’d laugh it off. Here, though? Since he’s already been outed… ] I… am a species known for their indefinite lifespan. Maybe that has something to do with it?

[submittome]

[ Is....................... is the jellyfish an Ancient. Does he have an Ancient Being sitting in his lap, cuddled up to him? Under his thumb? Under his control? And no one elses cause this is now his.

Oh, he could kiss Fortuna's feet. ]

Hm! [ It's a musical little sounding hum, pleasant and pleased. ] That will do it, I suppose. Thank you for bringing the items I request as well, but let's just keep relaxing a little longer, hm?

[mooninthewater]

[ He doesn't know what an Ancient is, but if you called him it he'd probably pout and say that he's "only 22, that's not that old". But he is here for relaxing, especially if that means more cuddles. He moves his tentacles that had been around Affogato's arms back to hiding. There's a bit of slimy residue left behind, but nothing that's too distracting immediately.

Mizuki ends up squeezing his arms around him now instead. ]

You're welcome. If none of these work, I'm happy to get something else, too.

[submittome]

[ Oh good, the tentacles being removed makes him happier, though now he's slimy and kind of cold where they were. Going to have to scrub that off. He'll take the arm squeeze instead, settling his own around Mizuki. His hand pets over the jellyfishes hair gently, like one would pet a cat. ]

They will work fine, I simply desire to relax.

[ It's been a long weird day, after all. And uh, by relax he means it, he closes his eyes and lounges like he has no cares in the world. Feet up, snuggling his new little pet.

If he falls asleep, no he fucking doesn't. ]

[mooninthewater]

[ Look, it's fine, naptime is perfect. Mizuki is liable to fall asleep, too. And he's warm and very lightweight which makes him the perfect nap buddy. He's also entirely liable to fall asleep before Affogato with his hair being pet like that, so really who's to say if Affogato napped or not? Not Mizuki- ]