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

Tch. Like a bad habit.

[Great. Great!! He hates this, thanks. All Zazie has ever represented to him is a reminder that he's being watched. His every move, controlled. And here he was just beginning to think that just maybe he'd gotten away from all of that, here.

Fat chance.]

When did you show up?

Oh I just got here. Lovely little planet you found yourselves on.

[ They stretch their arms up into the air, then tuck them behind their head as they walk closer. ]

Seems peaceful! Quiet! Not a lot of humans around huh? From the sounds of it, they already screwed this one up once.

[ They stop near Wolfwood, then lean back to look up at him better, grinning. ]

So where's the others, or did little Punisher find himself all alone again?

[Hah. As if Wolfwood would tell Zazie where other humans were, regardless of what he knows and doesn't know. He's not about to put the others willingly into the line of this worm's fire, because he knows what Zazie is capable of. Zazie may not have genocide on the brain as a default, but they only have the concerns of the hive at the forefront of their priorities.

Not that Wolfwood has ever cared much about the masses, the people here in the Grove are different. He seems to have grown a feeling for most of them, unfortunately.]

None of your business. I ain't your puppet here, buzz off.

Oooh~ Mean! I thought we were friends! And you seem to be mistaken. You were never our puppet.

[ He's not buzzing off either, instead he kicks his leg out to wonk his foot against Wolfwood's metal one. It seems his body is real enough here to actually make connections like that. ]

Are you just mad they broke you? Humans tend to get upset over that. Is that why you wont introduce us?

[The moment Zazie touches his leg, Wolfwood hisses and pulls back. He's coordinated enough with it by now that he doesn't end up falling over, but only just.

His gaze narrows.]

What makes you think I should tell you anythin'? You haven't given me any reason to believe you wouldn't pull the same shit you're doin' back home.

Huh?

[ It's worth noting the confusion may be real, because they still don't quite get humans and their weird shit. For a moment they seem to be pondering it, while giving Wolfwood a Look that says don't be stupid.

Ah! ]

Why would I do anything here? This is not our home. And "Nomans" was. I was merely looking out for the good of our world. Would humans be the best for it, or would Plants? It's not my fault humans were failing that. You ate us, you hunted us, you used us for your skins and smokes. We didn't care. But then you started to build, and build! That's when we started to watch, you know.

Edited 2024-06-17 00:09 (UTC)

Yeah, yeah. I get all of that.

[Wolfwood can't help but feel like that all isn't his fault, since it was his ancestors- however short that timespan has been- that started building on the planet. He didn't ask to be born on it, he's just surviving, and barely at that.]

You've just historically sided with the people on the side of "mass human genocide", which is why I have reason to be a little concerned.

And humans have historically not proven their case they deserve to live.

[ Zazie shrugs their shoulders, hands in the air. To be fair to Wolfwood, Knives didn't exactly prove to be good for the planet, either. Sorry, Wolfwood, Zazie has no where else to go and nothing else to do, so you're It.

At least they're not whining like a certain Plant would about being bored.

Time to antagonize, as normal. ]

You really have us all wrong, you know! But I guess someone like you would automatically see something to be destroyed, huh?

Yeah, sure. Why am I not surprised you see me as nothin' but an attack dog?

[It's all he's ever been, around Zazie. He's posed as a nice guy, an unassuming Priest, yet swindled his way into the good graces of Vash's group solely to get close to him. To steer him to JuLai, which is where Knives has been waiting for him.

But what Zazie doesn't know is that Vash knows this now. They've talked about it, it's no longer a secret here in the Grove. So even though Wolfwood's memories end at the botched attempt to destroy Hopeland, that doesn't mean everything is the same as Zazie remembers it.]

Oh? Am I supposed to see you like something else? [ A huge sigh. ] I guess I did watch you run back into the city to rescue that woman. You humans are still very weird. Deliver your new friend, rescue another. What made one life worth more than the other?

[ Do you really want them to go away, Wolfwood? Sorry, they're not. In fact they seem to be skipping around him now, idly kicking a rock back and forth.

Definitely picked up mannerisms from Elendira. Plus without their large network of thoughts, the hivemind is smaller and more tightly contained. It's quiet. :( ]

[He would love it if they did, actually, but whatever.

Not inclined to lead Zazie to his house, he decides to divert course and start walking down river away from it, at least until they eventually get bored and wander elsewhere. If they're here...it's not super likely they'll leave any time soon.]

I'm just one man. I ain't gonna be able to save the whole world.

[So like, as much as he'd like to save everyone...he isn't Vash. He's a realist, not an optimist.]

But that don't mean I can't try when the opportunity is there.

[ Tough titties, toots. And of course the will follow, though they have a feeling Wolfwood is acting on survival here and leading them away. Wolfwood was more beast than human in that regard.

But he's changed, huh? Zazie's eyes linger on The Punisher. Mister Undertaker. Nicholas D. Wolfwood. ]

So why didn't you warn Vash? What made him a friend you would betray, over Meryl, a friend you would save? Did your contract really mean more? Of course, none of this matters, Vash saw to that.

[ They make an explosion noise with their mouth. ]

Edited 2024-06-17 02:25 (UTC)

[Wolfwood doesn't stop walking, but...he does slow a bit. That's twice now Zazie has mentioned saving Meryl (??? why?), and then Vash...

...]

What the hell are you goin' on about?

[ The sound of wings, as Zazies mask comes on so he can fly to put himself between Wolfwoof and his destination, the wings beating their familiar buzz, to make Wolfwood stop.

It's either that or them using you as a ride so. ]

Hmmmm? Did you lose your memory as well as your leg?

[Ugh, fine. Wolfwood comes to a stop, grimacing up at Zazie as he shifts his weight to his good leg, arms folded.]

Ain't nothin' wrong with my memory. I'll ask again: what are you talkin' about?

You know. JuLai? The Third Great City of Seven? [ Jazz hands. ] Gone in smithereens because of Vash's little tiff with his brother? [ Little explosions with said hands. ] The one you most definitely saw because you were standing there on the edge like an idiot who didn't want to run while they were tearing the place up? That I most certainly saw you run back in to, to haul the woman out?

[ Can you HEAR the exasperation in their voice, Wolfwood? ]

I know human brains aren't that great, but I thought yours was better. You at least seemed smart.

[As Zazie explains, Wolfwood's expression shifts. For a moment, he looks genuinely bewildered by what Zazie has to say, which should quell any suspicions they might have had about Wolfwood fucking with them. He really doesn't seem to know what they're talking about, which makes what he says next all the more damning.]

JuLai-?

[Gone? Because of...

Vash?

There's no way. There's no fucking way. Vash would be devastated. And what's the deal with him just going in to get Meryl out? What about Roberto? Or Vash himself?

Wolfwood at least manages to keep his expression mostly grounded, but it's clear that he's uneasy, even if he's trying not to put too much stock into Zazie's words.]

You saw us stop the landship. You were there. Nothin' else fuckin' happened, we haven't even gotten to the city yet!

[ Well, hey! This is weird. It's not like time being weird isn't a foreign concept, big worms can blink and have a century go by, after all. But they've never experienced this. Zazie is actually silent as they buzz there in front of Wolfwood, the mask keeping their expression hidden.

They're deliberating. They don't think Wolfwood is lying. And they clearly remember the thing he's talking about in turn, had to pick Livios body up after all cause Blues is a bitchy little- ]

Huh! Weird! Either you have indeed lost your memories, or time is weird! So if you haven't, then I'm from the future. If I'm not, you've lost a good bit of memory there. Or you can think I'm lying but honestly, why would I?

[That's the worst part about all of this. Zazie has no reason to lie. They might be a little shit sometimes, but this is too specific to lie about. Too...oddly familiar, like it's something that could happen, but hasn't.

And Wolfwood looks like he's on the fucking edge about it, because time here IS weird. There is a non-zero chance Zazie is from a different time, just like how Livio is from both a different time and reality.]

Tell me what else you know. If...if JuLai- What happened after that? Where are the Twins?!

[ Their head tilts to the side like a curious puppy. Ah, human friendship. ]

I don't get you.

[ Ah well, no harm. They shrug and then tuck their arms behind their head, stretching. ]

There's not much else. Knives almost got what he wanted, Vash rebelled, and they fought. [ A pause. ] Vash saved the planet, tried to save JuLai from what I could see, but when he landed his latent energy leveled it. Cratered it, even. He disappeared after, Knives we guess is dead. We have felt nothing of them in the two years that had passed. And, as humans seem to like to do, sweet Vash was labeled a criminal. Again.

[Wolfwood is...feeling some kind of way. Trying extremely hard not to freak out on one hand, while managing to just be numb about it all on the other. It just...it's so...

Why the fuck not, right? Vash ends up saving everyone, yet potentially gets himself blown up in the process. "Disappeared" does not inspire confidence when there's no way of knowing what exactly that means, especially if Zazie says they haven't felt them for two fucking years. They're assuming Knives to be dead for Christ's sake.

He looks briefly like he's going to be sick as he leans back on his heels, his head tilting up to look at the sky.]

...maybe keep that one to yourself, yeah?

[In a tone that says "if you know what's good for you, you will".]

[ What a curious curious human! Wolfwood weaseled and lied his way into the friend group, followed his contract to the line and to his training, but looks like this now. Why?

The threat makes them giggle, those eyes moving in a familiar way. They're looking through some eyes... ]

There's the Punisher. Right to threats, to violence. It's all you'll ever know, isn't it? I wonder who the real beast is, here.

[ There's no judgement, however. It's just how Wolfwood Is, from all Zazie has ever seen. They sigh, tilting their head back. Then grin. Aha. ]

Fine, fine. Who am I to argue? I won't tell Vash a thing.

Good.

[He does not believe for a second that Zazie will keep their word, but. Maybe something else will distract their attention long enough that they'll forget, if he's lucky.]

This place has enough shit goin' on as it is. Consider this a temporary venture. You and I both don't got a stake in who this world ends up belongin' to, cause it was never ours in the first place.

Oh, don't worry, I have no desire to make this world ours. I'll respect the original owners. We're not human.

[ They don't automatically assume every planet they land on is theirs. Their mask slides away now that they've located Vash, and they beam at Wolfwood. ]

No need to be so scary~ We can all be friends, we just want to survive.

[...]

Yaknow not all humans are like that.

[Says the Punisher, saying something he NEVER would have said before meeting Vash.]

EVENT & TDM 012

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there were a lot of typos i made in that last post it seems ROFL