sticksandbonesmods: (Default)
sticks and bones. ([personal profile] sticksandbonesmods) wrote in [community profile] sticksandbones2024-06-04 01:17 pm

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!

UPDATES
❖ None yet!

unheiring: (Wield Power of Your Own)

I wonder which prompt this is for!

[personal profile] unheiring 2024-06-08 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Luca is used to drunken men being half asleep on his bar. What he isn't used to is going to grab extra supplies and coming back to... this. It's definitely a record on time taken to get shitfaced, he'll say that.

The fact that he doesn't recognize Sparkling is unimportant. Luca isn't the most social creature, we know this.

Anyway, he might as well make sure the man is alive, right? He sets down the load of bottles in his arms and makes his way over. He... doesn't exactly see breathing, which isn't the most comforting things. Might as well try to prod at his arm and -

promptly jump the second he lifts his head.]


Beasts above. Can you try not to drink yourself to death, please?
charmpagne: (A Clockwork Tangerine)

damn NO idea

[personal profile] charmpagne 2024-06-09 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Drink himself to death? He begs to differ.

Sparkling pushes himself up a bit more upright in his stool at the bar, lifting a hand to brush his bangs out of his eyes.]


With all due respect...I haven't done such in a very long time. I'd like to think I know better, as a bartender.

[But, well. It's not like he really has a bar to tend anymore. He sighs, shaking his head a little to try and get the cotton out.]

Though I suppose admitting that I do not remember how I could be waking up here isn't lending credibility to my case at all...other than saying I don't feel hungover, that is.
unheiring: (If They Dare to Breathe)

[personal profile] unheiring 2024-06-10 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Judging by the scrutinizing way Luca continues to study Sparkling, it would seem the vampire hasn't quite beaten the alcohol allegations. In fact, the longer he explains himself, the more grimly amused Luca seems to get. By the time Sparkling trails off, he's simply shaking his head.]

Should I point out how familiar that excuse is now? Or later?

[Nevertheless, Luca has some mercy on Sparkling. Dazed as he is, he probably needs some water, so that's exactly what he goes to fetch. In truth, Luca half expects him to be gone by the time he comes back from the storeroom, gone as quick as he'd arrived. But hey, if he's still there, he gets a large mug of water.]

Drink. It'll clear your head sooner rather than later.
charmpagne: (Hurricane)

[personal profile] charmpagne 2024-06-11 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
No need. I have no reason to think you would believe me, especially a complete stranger to the Grove.

[SIGHS...he will accept the water gratefully, even though he doesn't feel like he needs it (he does, even if he wasn't drinking previously).]

I assume this is your establishment, then?
unheiring: (You've Gotta Cut the Roots)

[personal profile] unheiring 2024-06-13 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
As long as you see it my way.

[Luca gives a nod. He holds out an arm, as if showcasing the building in all its "glory." It isn't much, but it's as close to home as he has. And if he's honest, he's a little proud of how much he's pulled together.]

More or less. It is co-owned by a spirit, it would seem. He manages the restocking and such things when I am not available. He's... a good soul.
charmpagne: (Napoleon)

[personal profile] charmpagne 2024-06-14 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Listen man, he can swallow his own pride when needed, even if that doesn't mean he's going to like it.

Sips at his water.]


A spirit...so like a ghost, then?

[Sparkling suppresses a shudder.]

You seem unperturbed.
unheiring: (If They Dare to Breathe)

[personal profile] unheiring 2024-06-15 02:22 am (UTC)(link)
Only as I have had time to adjust to its presence. It's been several months.

[A shrug.]

That, and he resembles someone I used to know. The similarities, coupled with time, have made it little more than the occasional startle when I am not thinking clearly.

You'll get used to lots of things around here in that way.
charmpagne: (The Orange Turf)

[personal profile] charmpagne 2024-06-16 07:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I suppose that would make adjusting a lot easier...

[He imagines he would feel the same way, if he had a spirit following him around that were- say- Cheesecake, or Vampire.

He's glad this isn't a thing.]


Well, my inexplicable presence here aside, I should tell you that your establishment is very impressive. I wish my bar back home were half as nice looking.
unheiring: (Unholy)

[personal profile] unheiring 2024-06-17 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Just give it time, Sparkling. You'll find your own spirit or fucked up thing somehow, someway. Dream big!]

I appreciate the kind words. In truth, the same spirit I mentioned was its original proprietor — back home, that is. I simply wished to conjure something familiar into being.

That, and it seemed everyone here needed a drink or five.

[He can't help but smirk at that.]
charmpagne: (Daiquiri)

[personal profile] charmpagne 2024-06-17 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Now that is a sentiment I can get behind.

[Sparkling shakes his head with a good natured sigh, folding his arms on the edge of the bar.]

A community is nothing without a bar. I'm just surprised to see there aren't more people here right now.
unheiring: (What Would you Do)

[personal profile] unheiring 2024-06-18 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
Give it time. The usual crowd will wander in soon enough. You'll know the first by the red streak in his hair and the tailfeathers. The other one...

[He makes a face.]

Well. They'll see you first. Just tell her you're not interested and she'll move on, quick enough.

[Oh, Kiera...]
charmpagne: (Hawaiian Cocktail)

[personal profile] charmpagne 2024-06-19 06:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh? Oh dear. That makes Sparkling laugh.]

Oh, don't worry. That I am well used to. It should be fun, meeting them both.

Actually, speaking of...

[Sparkling brushes his hair back, then rolls up the edges of his sleeves slightly.]

Would you mind if I helped you this evening? I think something more familiar would help put my nerves at ease.
unheiring: (Your Hell a Reality?)

[personal profile] unheiring 2024-06-21 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Does Luca perk up a little at that? Maybe. He's very uch the same as Sparkling, turning to nightly work when he needs to take his mind off of something. That doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy his nights off, though. And while he appreciates the presence of the spirit, he worries that being served be one can be a bit... offputting.]

That would be more than fine, actually. [He motions with his head for Sparkling to join him behind the counter.] I cannot imagine we have too many differences in alcohol between our worlds, but if you would like any explanation, I can provide it.
charmpagne: (Joker's Tea)

[personal profile] charmpagne 2024-06-22 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, you would be surprised...I've been here long enough to learn that there is a difference between your "juice" and "liquor", even though they are one and the same back home. For us, they aren't separated, but here liquor has to be added to juice. It is a bit strange, but I feel I've gotten used to it, more or less!

[Sparkling explains all of this as he moves to join Luca, carefully adjusting his vest as if he's about to start working literally right now.]

Though, a bit of a refresher on what you have on offer wouldn't hurt.