sticksandbones | EVENT 013

EVENT 013

LET'S GO TO THE BEACH, BEACH

EVERY DAY IS SUN-DAY

Summer arrives in the Grove as one might expect: With bright sunlight and sweltering temperatures, not to mention the humidity. It’s hot, it’s sticky, and not even the river feels cold enough to cool anyone down. In times like this, the local moose monster thinks to herself: “I could assist. I could open a permanent path to the seaside for the Children of Man, one that does not require those silly glasses. Children of Man love the sea.” Unfortunately, no one can tell Moder no, and so she groups all of you up and leads you into the woods, parting the fog wall with her own magic as she carves a path forward. It’s a three-day-long journey that feels as though only three hours have passed by the time she stops walking. At the top of the cliffside to the northeast of Aldric’s Grove, the Forest Guardian uses her gargantuan hooves to uproot a redwood, knocking it into the sand below to serve as a broad bridge. This, she binds with vines so that it doesn’t spin and throw anyone to the ground fifty feet down, and then carefully ushers each of you across.

As the last of you steps down the bridge and Moder follows after, there’s a rumble in the earth, and the few of you on the log get scooped by two large handibles as Moder suddenly launches herself off of it and to the ground below just in time for said log to creak, splinter, and suddenly snap back to a standing position up on the cliff face, as if it wasn’t uprooted in the first place. Time, they say, fixes all things, but usually not fallen redwood pines.

Suddenly, the fog wall grows darker on the cliffside, obscuring even the true paths to those that can see them — though anyone stuck on the other side will be able to get down here just fine due to it only being a one-sided blockade. A blockade meant to keep all of you, Moder included, out of the Grove and trapped on the beach. A childish-but-familiar (to most of you) voice can be heard yelling, but it’s distant, as if the Fallen Sun doesn’t want to get much closer: “IF YOU WANT TO BE ON THE BEACH NEXT TO THE NASTIES IN THE SEA THEN BE MY GUEST!! STAY THERE AND ROT FOREVER WHILE YOU’RE AT IT!!” And then there’s a chorus of grumbling and “ew” and “gross” before the Fallen Sun stops talking and disappears from the area entirely.

Welcome to the seaside, Aldric’s Grove. It seems you’ll be here for quite some time while Moder tries to fix what just happened.

RESTING BEACH FACE

The golden sands and crystalline blue waters of the sea welcome you in the meantime. While Heimr and Ydalir are also stuck here with you, they will, at least, be able to provide the usual amenities — Heimr has brought everyone beach fits, including swimwear and either a boho or surfer style casual outfit, and Ydalir can use her mirror to grab items you might want from your houses or inn rooms to play with. She supposes she can grab you your normal wardrobes, too, even though that’s not really in the spirit of beach.

Umbrellas, lounge chairs, and a volleyball net are all set up on the coast here, giving you ample room to both play and relax. The palm trees will drop the occasional coconut for you to eat or, say, throw at the person next to you, but one should exercise caution: Some coconuts are actually crabs that will pinch you if they’re picked up or thrown at mach speed into the nearest person. Under the brush crawl mango mice, and jellybeans float happily within the tidepools. Go far enough toward the cove to the west, near the cliff face where the Cosmic Serpent slumbers far out into the sea, and you may get accosted by the mobster lobsters. You’re in the wrong neighbourhood, kid, why don’tcha skedaddle?

Far in the distance, over the vast ocean, is a layer of white mist over the sea. Or, perhaps it’s another fog wall…? It’s difficult to tell from here, but the mist never dissipates and always lingers. Should you bravely swim out to it, you cannot pass through it nor see past it, though unlike the black fog back home, it doesn’t hurt to touch. It merely forces you back.

Enjoy the sun and soak up some vitamin D. While escape still isn’t possible, at least this place is peaceful.

THAT’S A-MORAY

…well, kind of.

The thing about Aldric’s Grove and the outlying seaside is that nothing is ever peaceful and cute for too long, and nothing ever goes exactly the way you want it to. To the east, riding the line between sand and sea, is a long, tunnelling cave that dips into the earth. It’s full of glowing corals and crystals and fish that should, theoretically, not be able to float through the air like it’s water — but stranger things have happened here, so surely the fruit sharks aren’t the real danger. No, the real danger is that every high tide, that cave floods completely, leaving no room for air or for escape. Luckily, high tide only tends to come at night…

…but during all hours of the day, something far in the distance sings songs. It’s a chorus, beautiful and hypnotizing, and if one were to look out toward stones that jut from the distant sea, they’ll spot them: a choir of gorgeous sirens resting upon the jagged rocks. They’re so, so happy to sing with you, should you stray closer — but getting too close means getting grabbed and dragged under. The sirens do not care if you drown on the way to a sandbar far from the Grove itself, but should you survive, you might want to scream for help. Their dinnertime is in a few hours, you see.

Somewhere far, far away from the shore, you can hear something roaring, too. Something large. Something imposing… something you should probably ignore.

SHIP HAPPENS

If one traverses the aforementioned cave before high tide rolls in, making it to the other side and crossing the threshold will spit one out on the docks, where there are cabanas for you to live in temporarily. Or permanently, if you really want to leave the forest behind. The pier boasts numerous empty stalls from a civilization long-gone; off by one of those piers is an old ship in a state of disrepair, and though it looks like it could function in the future, where would you even go if you fixed it?

The two merchants have their own spaces here — past the line of cabanas is an old, run-down building that looks like it was meant to be a seaside souvenir shop before the world as you once knew it ended, and this is where Heimr chooses to set up a temporary General Store. He’ll need some help cleaning all the old junk and coconut crabs out, if you feel like giving him a hand. Fatherly love points will be given to any and all who help, and once finished, a friendly spirit in the form of a dragonfruit dragon will help keep things stocked, as Plum does back at the Grove. Ydalir’s tent lies right outside of the temporary General Store, although her giant tortoise spends a great deal of time wandering off to go play in the shallows.

Each cabana is equipped with a small kitchen, a small living space including a pull-out couch and a bed suitable for two, and a bathroom with a standing shower and sink. There’s an outdoor seating area and firepit next to each, too. Sadly, there are only ten of these, so some sharing may be required, unless you want to sleep outside.

Happy summer, everybody. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

EVERY DAY IS SUN-DAY

Moder has led everyone to the beach for a day out. Unfortunately, "a day out" is actually going to be "an entire month out that you didn't ask for" thanks to the Fallen Sun. Oops.

RESTING BEACH FACE

While everyone is stuck on the beach, at least the usual amenities are available. Watch out for the coconut crabs, who are actually coconuts, and the mobster lobsters who want nothing more than to pinch your ankles until you get off of their turf. Enjoy volleyball and lounging under the sun in the meantime, though.

THAT’S A-MORAY

The cave floods during high-tide, the sirens want you to come out and sing with them and drown, and something roars in the distance. The ocean is full of untold horrors for your viewing pleasures.

SHIP HAPPENS

The docks is where most of the actual living will happen. Heimr needs help cleaning out an old souvenir shop to make into a General Store, an old ship on the pier might be able to be repaired, and there are ten total cabanas between all of you. Better find a roommate!

OOC

Friends it is summer, please use sunscreen IRL if you go to any beaches that may or may not contain sirens. For the event specifically, OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out!

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Of course, my dear. I would be delighted to!

[ He doesn't know why, he doesn't need to know why. All he knows is Mizuki is holding his hand and asking him to sit with him, and he's clutching something to his side like it might be precious.

So, carefully but with more confidence since it's the shallow, he will move to sit himself down beside his jellyson. Tail wiggling a little in the waves and sand. ]

Is something amiss?

[ Mizuki is happy to sit a little back if PV is uncomfortable. If anything, he's happy to just have his feet in the seafoam. He doesn't really need more than that. But as he's getting comfortable, he can't really bring himself to immediately pull the photo album away from his chest. He knows PV isn't going to judge him or anything. He'd be the last person in the whole world to do so.

And yet there's so much anxiety bubbling in his gut all the same. ]

...No. It's honestly a little dumb. I'd just really like you to be here with me is all... Sorry, I don't mean to inconvenience you.

My dear, you are never an inconvenience, nor is anything that may be bothering you "dumb".

[ He shifts his arm to wrap it around Mizuki and tuck his little jelly into his side, squeezing him softly. The gentlest peepaw hug. ]

Thinking those thoughts does you a disservice. You are a wonderful young man, and I love our time spent together.

[ And a soft little head kiss. His child. ]

...You're too kind, Mister Pure Vanilla.

[ hhh... He holds the album tighter. ]

This is... um, from back home for me. I never got the chance to look at it 'cause it got burned long time ago. Miss Ydalir got it back for me, but I've been having a real hard time trying to open it for some reason. Ehe...

It's like my hands don't wanna work or something. I dunno...

[ .... Ah. ]

No, I understand. Things from the past are sometimes hard to know, or confront. They are stories of a time past, and here, they are memories we do not remember. They may show us things we don't wish to know, or things we cannot really comprehend.

[ He rubs his hand lightly against Mizuki's arm, holding the other in. ]

When faced with something like that, it is easy to be paralyzed with indecision. It is not "dumb" in the least. It is understandable, and a knowable reaction.

..."Here"?

[ Hold on, the gears are turning. ]

Oh, ahh... no, no, I think you misunderstand. These memories are mine. This is from back home. My home burned down there, too.

OH. Oh, my dear, no wonder!

[ Yeah, no, Pure Vanilla wouldn't want to open that either. ]

Is it merely not enough to simply have it, then?

[ Mizuki looks at PV for a moment, then to the book, then... he just sort of sets his face down against it. Hhhh...

His voice comes out muffled. ] ...I want to, though. And I'm real mad that I just can't do it. It's not fair, this shouldn't be that hard.

[ Oh sweetheart. Pure Vanilla turns himself a little more towards Mizuki to gather him up into a proper hug, tucking him in gently and rocking him softly back and forth. ]

It is your memories, my dear. Your past. From a home that was taken from you.

[ Burned down. ]

It was never going to be easy to open it. To look at places, people, that you thought lost.

[ Even if Mizuki's memories themselves are good, it's different than seeing it in photos. Letters. Journal pages... ]

[ Uncharacteristically of Mizuki, he doesn't return the hug. He just continues to hold the album. He tries his best to sort his thoughts and maybe laugh it off like he usually does, but it's not so easy for him to do this time. Because, well, PV's right on the money, of course.

But it's more than that, isn't it? Should that matter? He asked for the damn album, he should be able to open it. Why else would he have asked for anything at all?

He opens his mouth to say "It's just memories I still have in my head, why would it be hard to see?", but what comes out instead is: ]

I just want her to be proud of the person I am now.

[ When did his voice sound so shaky? Haha... oh no... is he crying? He doesn't wanna cry in front of PV, ugh... He hugs the album tighter. ]

Edited 2024-06-05 04:14 (UTC)

[ He doesn't need to return the hug. It's not comfort Pure Vanilla is seeking, after all. But Pure Vanilla's hug tightens in return, keeping Mizuki secure against him, keeping the album hidden between them.

The words, the shaky voice. Oh, his baby. He shhh's softly, bringing a hand up to stroke through the back of Mizuki's hair, combing out the strands gently in a soothing touch. ]

How could she not be? You do not see yourself the way we see you, but allow me to tell you what I see. I see someone who tries with all his heart to help those around him, who offers them aid in whatever manner he can, to simply bring them joy. I see a young man so full of love and kindness, that he has befriended everyone, and is loved equally as much.

[ He turns his head, mindful of his horns, to rest his cheek on Mizuki's head, rocking him still. ]

If I am proud of you, my darling, and I have only known you a few short months, then I know in my heart, she is as well.

[ Pure Vanilla really is to nice. Soothing, calm, and always says the right things. But it's not easy for Mizuki to tell if he means it or not? Mizuki is visibly upset, after all. Why wouldn't he try to say something that would ease his heartache? Why wouldn't he say something to soothe the upset? Pure Vanilla would do that, because Pure Vanilla is a good person.

Mizuki can't say he'd do the same in his shoes. Mizuki can't say he'd even do half of that. He'd probably sit there and spout psychology facts until the other person either felt better or got more annoyed than they did sad. He explored the world and found what made him happy, but is that enough?

Everyone gets really weirded out about the things he's doing, but no one says why. He wants to understand. Things were so much simpler when before everything...

But he leans against him, anyway. ] I think... maybe you have too much faith in me, Mister Pure Vanilla. I'm not special...

[ Sadly, Pure Vanilla can always tell people he literally can't speak lies, and they will be unable to believe his kind words are anything but. He knows it's because of how they feel about themselves, deep inside. He hums softly to Mizuki's words, smiling lightly against his head and shaking his own in return. ]

I do not believe that, though there is nothing wrong with simply being Mizuki. You do not need to be "special". You do not need to try and shine as bright, or brighter, than things around you. You do not need to have a skill or talent or driving desire that sets you apart. It is okay to simply enjoy life, enjoy yourself. Is that not why we were all truly put onto the world? To find what makes us happy? To live with joy in our hearts? To look up at the sky, across a field, and feel peace and contentment?

[ And if, in his head, Shadow Moon and Dark Enchantress Cookie laugh at him, well, that's his own trauma. White Lily's pale sad face desiring to know if that's all there was to life. Truly all there was. If they weren't made for something more. Why are their bodies so frail? Why do they crumble so easily? Surely, surely, surely...

It's the same for Mizuki and his hold tightens a little. White Lily would be able to understand him far better than Pure Vanilla could. Here, Pure Vanilla hesitates, as he begins to doubt himself and get into his own head. What if he says the same thing he told Lily and Mizuki ends up hurting himself like Lily did? Goes off, gets rebaked, because his restless heart and spirit yearns to know. It was unable to understand White Lily fully... and he has a feeling he can't here with Mizuki either. ]

[ Fortunately for Pure Vanilla, he's talking with a Seaborn. And We Many have a very... skewed way of looking at the world. It's not naturally easy for them to think of the world as an "individual". Which is part of the reason he snaps his head up, eyes a little puffy from tearing up, but not full crying yet. He finally lets go of the album to put his hands on PV's shoulders... but only so he can pull him back to look him in the eye. The album is being held my Mizuki's tentacles.

He doesn't entirely disagree with PV, even. But... ] No, of course that's not why we're here.

[ Whatever shakiness he had is strangely gone. Like a switch had flipped instantly. He hugs PV here, though. ]

We're here to experience the good in the world, and in turn make ourselves better. We share that goodness with others, and in doing so, a cycle is created that makes the world under the stars so beautiful. I don't need to be special. I know I'm not. But I want to be good. I want to do good and pass that on to others. That way, maybe someday I'll inspire happiness in people, too.

[ A squeeze. ] Which... is to say: We're here to live, [ Survival. ] and to experience the world, [ Migration. ] and take the goodness into ourselves, [ Growth. ] and pass it onto others. [ Reproduction. ]

[ He will let Mizuki pull back, then make a surprised noise as he's suddenly the one dragged into a hug, while Mizuki refutes the reason yet also oddly... supports it. Ah, he does sound so much like White Lily. But it's not like Pure Vanilla can argue, because wasn't that their ideal? Isn't that why he sought power and the truth of it? To make lives better?

He huffs a soft laugh and returns the squeeze gently. ]

Of course, you are right. They are two sides to the same coin. Love and happiness. Giving it and getting it. Cultivating it in ourselves, enjoying our lives, finding that which makes us happy. Then reaching out to give it to others in return.

[ He rubs Mizuki's back gently, smiling and turning to rub his horns lightly against Mizuki's head, affectionate little bunting. ]

You are good, already. You don't need to try, you already are.

[ Similar enough on the surface, but it seems to be enough of a difference for Mizuki. Cults are weird- ]

...How do you know that, though?

I know it may sound strange [ Or perhaps not, considering who and how Mizuki is ] but I do not speak untruths.

[ It's not with him, but somewhere in the Cabana the Souljam shines. ]

My Souljam is that of Truth. I merely do not see what is hidden through it, but I cannot speak that which is not true.

[ Truth, however, may be subjective. Pure Vanilla isn't entirely sure on that. ]

...Is that the thing you were giving Ourania? Was it supposed to make her tell the truth, too? [ Please, he doesn't understand anything and is so small. ]

How do you know what "good" is, though? How can you be sure? Everyone gives me a different answer, even my mentor and mama's were different... I'd been told to be proud of myself even at my worst, and especially then I couldn't understand it.

Oh no. The Souljam is made up of something from my world called Life Powder. Life Powder is in everything, and is given by the Very Gods so that we may live. [ Haha it IS the Gods. Literally. ] It is a small portion of their power. I was merely giving her a small piece of the God power within the Souljam, in hopes it would aid her strength. That God power is what allows me to See the Truth. But it only works for those who ideals resonate with it. I cannot speak falsehoods, or this power turns away from me. I must always turn towards the Truth, Seek it and it's Light, if I desire it to remain harmonious with my own soul.

[ He shifts himself in Mizuki's grip, and shifts his own, snuggling the child to him a little more comfortably. ]

"Good" is subjective, sadly. Good for one, may not be what another believes is Good. That is the truth for all individualists. We all form our own opinions, we all experience life through different lenses. You can generalize, of course. "Good" is helping those who need help, without worrying about what you may get in return. "Good" can be a feeling you get, after a long day of hard work and you can relax, and see the fruits of your labours. "Good" has no one defining meaning. But there is one we all seem to agree on. "Good" cannot be something that also "Hurts." Even if the hurt is unintentional. In which case your intentions may be good, but your actions are not.

[ He understands it's VERY complicated. ]

[ Mizuki just opts to sit in PV’s lap, actually. It’s easier all around — plus PV has fluffy goat legs. Good for chair. And it’s easier for Mizuki to hug both his album and lean into PV.

He listens, though. He waits. He closes his eyes and he seriously absorbs everything. Even after he finishes, Mizuki doesn’t say anything for a moment, just considers…

But maybe he’s just got PV’s previous talk about truths on the brain, so: ] But… I’ve been told the truth hurts sometimes. But telling the truth is good, isn’t it?

[ He's more than welcome to, Pure Vanilla waiting until Mizuki gets comfortable, before settling his arms around him again. Rubbing his back in little soothing motions.

And ah, that makes him shake his head. ]

The Truth is not beholden to such subjectivity. The Truth is the Truth. It is neither Good, nor Bad, nor concerned with such ideas. The Truth can be painful, it can be harsh, it can force you to confront things you would rather not. About yourself, the world, your own beliefs. You cannot say the Truth is Good because it does not consider itself in line with an idea that is inherently moral.

[ …

Seems you’ve lost him, PV. His eyes sort of drift off to watch the ocean waves, a little sniff to fill the silence as he wipes at one of his cheeks. How is the truth not inherently good or bad? Is lying okay to do, then? Is it also not good or bad?

Very softly, he adds, ] I don’t understand.

Dr. Kal’tsit… told me I needed to lie sometimes. No one was s’posed to know I’m seaborn, for example. And there’s loads of other stuff, too. I had to lie about it.

Did I not do bad, then…?

[ Oh sweetheart. He sighs softly, stroking his fingers through Mizuki's hair, straightening and untangling it gently. ]

Oh, my dear, you did not. Lies are not inherently bad, like the Truth is not inherently good. Small lies can be used to protect someones feeling, or keep a secret that was entrusted to you. This is something that has been debated for longer than I have existed.

[ Oh he can feel Shadow Moon Cookie mocking him, even if he can't quite hear him anymore due to the breaking of the jam. ]

[ Fun fact about Aegir: their hair is very silky smooth. Mizuki's hasn't lost that even with his transition to being Seaborn. ]

Thank you. For being here, but... also for explaining things. I still don't think I quite get it, but that's not your fault.

[ He leans back against Pure Vanilla, putting the album in his lap and spreading his hands over the cover. ]

I think I'm ready to look inside. Will you stay with me?

I don't blame you, my dear. Questions like these have kept philosophers up for days, chewing between them the meaning.

[ He waits for Mizuki to settle again, moving to set his hands onto Mizuki's on the album, taking hold of them to gently squeeze. Offering support, before removing his hands. ]

I will, my dear. I am here, I will not leave you.

cries his baby

he's small

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