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!

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QUESTIONS
INVESTIGATIONS
TDM NPC CONTACT
PAST-LIFE PLOTTING

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Comments

[sticksandbonesmods]

The cabin is dark, dusty and full of cobwebs. There's a chair by a long-since-decayed fireplace, plenty of books, and two separate desks. One is full of herbs and medicines long since rotted, and the other gems, stones, and metal bits. Up the stairs is a loft where a bed once was, and the railings are covered in claw marks. A back room leads to a kitchen, and that, too, is long abandoned and rotten.

The shell and stone necklace isn't hard to find at all, though. It seems to be floating in a pale light. And as Mizuki comes in, there's a startled voice-

Who are you? What are you doing here?

[mooninthewater]

Wow this place is Very Old, huh? Haha. He's not here to snoop, though, so he's just gonna beeline for the necklace.

"Oh! Hi! Sorry, I didn't realize I was intruding. I'm Mizuki! Mister Callan asked that I bring him this necklace. Is that okay?"

[sticksandbonesmods]

The light seems to take shape into that of a young man who recoils, clutching the necklace tighter-

No! You can't! You're lying, I've seen the monster that the forest made of him!

[mooninthewater]

“I’ve no reason to lie. Mister Callan didn’t want me to come in here at all, initially, but he really wanted something of his dead lover’s. Are you him? What should I tell Mister Callan if you don’t want me to bring it back?”

[sticksandbonesmods]

I...

The man seems to solidify the more Mizuki engages him. But he also seems terribly unsure. His gaze shifts, but he's no less clingy to the necklace.

... I am. My name is Terho. I... remember that I died. But a fragment of myself was sealed here. Callan would never let anyone into the cabin... but he also cannot enter it himself.

He's been my jailer and he doesn't even realize it.

[mooninthewater]

“Oh, well, that wasn’t intentionally, Mister Terho. I can tell he deeply cares for you. I’m sure he just didn’t want anyone messing anything up that was once yours. He doesn’t like a lot of the people who come here. I don’t think he even really likes me.”

[sticksandbonesmods]

He doesn't. Don't take it personally.

... Terho is that helping?

I don't.... want to give this gift up. ... If. If I wrote something, could you deliver that to him instead?

[mooninthewater]

"I don't. It's reasonable to lash out when you've been alone for so long.

And you don't want him to have it...? Why not? Isn't that more important than holding onto it?"

[sticksandbonesmods]

Because I think it's one of the few things keeping me tethered- that is, myself.

[mooninthewater]

“…How do I know you’re not some illusion from the forest, keeping me from bringing something Mister Callan just confessed would make him happy to him? That sounds exactly like something it would do.”

[sticksandbonesmods]

Okay it's only because it is a VERY good point that Terho doesn't get offended.

You have Moon magic, do you not? Give me your hand. Open your senses.

[mooninthewater]

Mizuki hesitates for only a moment, glancing at the door, then back to Terho, and cautiously holds out a hand.

[sticksandbonesmods]

Terho accepts, and...

His touch is cold. It's cold and lonely and so, so full of longing. But there is not a trace of the Forest's magic, no corruption to withstand. It is the touch of death, yes, but more of a natural, pure death. Nothing like what he's seen or felt from the woods at all.

[mooninthewater]

...Sigh. He's still not totally sure about it, but sure. Mizuki's just a little grumpy about it, if only because he was so certain he was going to finally make some progress with Callan and... well, maybe not gain his trust or anything, but maybe accept being uncorrupted at least. All this feels like a step backwards if he goes out without it.

Mizuki lulls his head from side to side and pulls his hand back. This thought process is the only reason he's not giving up on it. If he's going to be a diligent therapist, he can't so easily give up on someone's happiness like that, right?

"Why does it matter if the necklace is in here instead of out there, then?"

[sticksandbonesmods]

... What part of "I believe it's keeping me myself" did you not understand...? Or would you prefer I lose all sense of myself and any chance of return?

[mooninthewater]

Hey, Tehro, he understands that you might have lost all your manners being trapped here, but there's no need for any of that. It's hard to upset Mizuki under pretty much all circumstances, but giving vague explanations to something that is totally foreign to him and just expecting him to get it is a surefire way to change how he feels.

He just silently stares at Tehro. You're truly losing him, buddy, maybe don't be a dick to the first person who's been allowed to talk to you-

[sticksandbonesmods]

Terho runs a hand through his hair, frustrated. It's a hard concept for him, too.

His gift is the only thing keeping me, me. I'm sure of it. And if I give it up I'll just become some- some shade, or whisp- I'll truly die twice and I don't want that. I know there's a way to free me, and to come back and return to Callan-

[mooninthewater]

"So, what, like Mister Heimr and Miss Ydalir? They're shadow-y people too, and yet still beloved by the Grove. And they definitely deserved a second chance like the one you're asking for."

You're asking an awful lot from someone who you just intellectually insulted.

[sticksandbonesmods]

... Like who? Shadowy people? No. I- surely you've read stories of ghosts who've lost themselves and no longer recall who they are?

[mooninthewater]

"Their new names. They used to be the people who... founded the grove. I think there's some misunderstanding, though. I'm not from here. This world and it's rules aren't apparent to me in the slightest. Ghosts where I'm from are generally completely malevolent, and nothing more.

"I'm cooking a stew outside, so I'd really like to hurry this up. What would you like to tell Mister Callan?"

[sticksandbonesmods]

I don't know much about the Grove. Those people arrived when I had long since moved to the cabin- my family moved there, but we didn't much get along. I really don't know who or what you're talking about... I never saw any shadow people.

Just- let me write something down.

[mooninthewater]

"Do you need a pen and paper...? Do you need me to write it? I'm not really sure what you're asking for, you have to be a little clearer..."

[sticksandbonesmods]

I can do it. I would prefer to be the one to write it. ... It's... personal.

He just needs a bit of time. Warily, he approaches one of the desks- but never once does he stop clutching the necklace to his chest. It's hard to grip the pen, since it's ultimately just a pen and holds no true importance to him, but he does manage.

Eventually, he hands over a folded up paper.

Please, deliver this to him.

[mooninthewater]

"...Can I ask one more thing? Why was the first thing you called him was a 'monster' when I came in? That seemed... incredibly unkind, all things considered."

[sticksandbonesmods]

He's corrupted. Don't get me wrong, he was never kind, but- he didn't delight in taunting a father over killing his son the way he does now. If he's left in this state, he will only get worse, too.