sticksandbones | EVENT & TDM 014

EVENT & TDM 014

THE OCEAN IS ONLY SCARY IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT

WAKE UP

You open your eyes to a peaceful, beautiful forest. Whatever you were dreaming about — be it something happy, something sad, or something nightmarish — seems secondary to the bright wash of greenery and the comforting, cooling breeze that washes over you. It rustles the leaves of the canopy overhead, disturbing a small nest of two-headed birds who chirp as the sticks for their nests are blown away. A hop, hop, hop later, and they return to continue their building, unbothered by your gaze.

As you walk around, you will find that Aldric’s Grove feels… empty. You pop your head into the inn only to find a fine layer of dust on the furniture, and an ever-burning fireplace refusing to be put out. The General Store is unmanned, the door locked, and the lights inside completely out. The house to the south is abandoned, and a building labelled as a clinic sports no patients. The most life you’ll find lies in the church, where the pigeons see you and swarm at your feet, cooing and asking for breadcrumbs.

Flowers bloom, a deer with a halo of horns skips through the clearing, and a small lizard shaped like a leaf climbs the well. You spend several hours alone… and then from the woods to the east comes a giant capybara and a monstrous moose two stories tall. Upon each of them, they carry a hoard of people coming back from what is clearly a summer vacation, if the inner tubes, swimwear, and overwhelming stench of sunscreen are anything to go by.

Maybe the people dismounting the two animals will be nice enough to greet you and tour you around. It’s the least they can do, since you were excluded from the vacation activities.

NOT A MOMENT OF PEACE

It’s still early in the month when a cacophony occurs; an enormous crocodile with too many eyes, known simply as “The Behemoth” suddenly rushes out of the river in a panic as some kind of blue, veinlike latticework covers the surface of it, nearly trapping her within it. It spreads across the entire length of the river from east to west, creeping onto the shoreline up to the church and across the back of the home to the south. When touched, it stings bad enough to paralyse the nervous system, and after making contact for too long while you’re unable to move? Death is imminent, unless someone saves you.

The Behemoth certainly doesn’t try to, too occupied plonking around on land to look for something to do while she can’t go into the water. She won’t attack anyone, but she’s normally searching for a meal, if you don’t mind sharing a snack. As for the other supernatural creatures in the Grove…

Ever since that latticework covered the river, the moose monster — Moder — and the gargoyle that sits on the church’s roof — Zahliya — have only stared and scrutinized. One wrong move, one fight with another resident of the Grove, means either of them are getting up to deal with the problem. It seems that they’re waiting for someone here to show the wrong hand, suspicious of everyone — including those who have been here for over a year at this point. And the second one toe is out of line? Either of them are willing and ready to kill.

Though the suspicion of the Guardians doesn’t wear off and won’t any time soon, the blue gunk covering the river disappears at the end of the first week of July, and it’s anyone’s guess what’ll happen for the rest of the month.

UNDER THE SEA

cw: thalassophobia
What happens is pretty simple if you don’t think about it: Another week passes in peace, and then a disembodied voice somewhere in the woods says, “You guys still smell like seawater and sand, and it’s putting me off of my lunch,” and if you’re new and haven’t gone to the beach yet and have no idea what the voice is talking about… too bad, you’re being lumped in with the crowd. Being lumped in also includes, well… a burst of magic, the sound of fingers snapping, and a loud splash of water. When you next open your eyes…

You’re underwater in some kind of reinforced metal base, one thousand meters under the sea, and something is slamming against the outside of it in an attempt to get in and — presumably — eat you alive. If anyone finds the on-board torpedoes in the command room in time, you might be able to kill the creature before it breaks through the hull and kills everyone inside. And with that hopefully taken care of…

Welcome to your new home for the next two weeks. Your only objective is to survive. There are several rooms here dedicated to underwater research, a bedroom with enough uncomfortable single-person beds for everyone (sadly glued to the floor, too), and a “cafeteria” type room that you can eat in. While the seabase comes equipped with supplies — torpedoes, enough rations to last for everyone but not enough for big eaters to eat big, diving suits and oxygen tanks, and underwater planter boxes growing strange fruits — it may take some effort on your part to ensure that survival is guaranteed. After all, the hungry leviathans know exactly where you are, whether you go outside of the base or not. Water, of course, may pose an issue; there’s no way to filter the seawater here, so the bottled water you have is all you’ll get.

Should you venture out, make sure you’re equipped with the proper gear first. Those of you who cannot swim should probably stay indoors, as there are no fancy vehicles to take you anywhere. Those of you capable of going out may consider braving the danger in search of additional supplies… or perhaps you’re just curious about the ecosystem. You’ll be here for two weeks, after all, there must be something to do. Travel far enough from the base and you’ll find the skeletal remains of something far larger than the Grove itself… and if you’re not careful, a monstrous, snakelike thing who wants you for dinner.

Try not to lead it back to the base for the others to deal with. Who knows how kindly people will take to that?

AN OMINOUS RETURN

As always, when one of the Forest’s “games” ends and you’re returned to the surface when the magic wears off, there’s a reward waiting for you. This reward isn’t as obvious, however. The fog wall is, for the most part, rolled pretty far back. The folks that have been here before may expect to see it revealing more of the trees, or showing off some new area that hasn’t been accessible yet, but the Grove remains quiet upon return. The Guardians, too, have little to say. Normally, they’d be a little more overjoyed at your return… alas.

No, the “reward” for surviving — or blowing up the base immediately and dying, either way — is that the fog wall obscuring the lake ever so slowly rolls back. From within it, something jumps out, a dark black shape, and disappears into the forest.

…

Perhaps you’ll see whatever it is another time.

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

WAKE UP

Welcome to the empty Aldric's Grove! ...oh, here come the people, back from summer vacation! Hey hello.

NOT A MOMENT OF PEACE

The river and shoreline near it are messed up for a week. The Guardians are suspicious of everyone here. The Behemoth is taking big steppies around the Grove asking nicely for food. A week passes, and the Guardians are still suspicious of everyone. Yaaaay.

UNDER THE SEA

And then, everyone was trapped underwater in a seabase, made to survive the horrors of the open deep sea. Watch out for leviathans! And try not to eat and drink all of the rations immediately; that's all you'll get.

AN OMINOUS RETURN

Your reward for playing in yet another of the Forest's games is the fog wall over the lake rolling back. Of course, what jumped out of it and ran off into the woods could either be your greatest boon, or your biggest nuisance. It all depends on you.

OOC

Happy summer! This is a reminder that TDMs are considered game canon. For your threads, feel free to make up your own leviathans/weird fish/whatever you want for spice, or just steal from Subnautica, it's all good. OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out!

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[Here's the thing. Luca and Kiera have always bristled at one another. They've even enjoyed their little pranks and lighthearted harassment. It's, unfortunately, sibling behavior. But Luca has never seemed to take pleasure in the way Kiera snaps. If anything, he's risen up and snapped back, then gone to lick his wounds and mourn their ever tense relationship.

It's nothing like the way his lips curl into a slow, humorless smile. His eyes, still bright and glowing, dart over their form, as if enjoying just how worked up they are. The tension in his body hasn't eased, but at least it's a pleasant distraction from their abyssal trap.]

Dramatic as ever, little butterfly.

[if kiera was irritated seconds ago, as soon as the "butterfly" leaves luca's mouth, she's furious. it isn't as if luca has never called her a bug or some such, but it's usually with equal affection and derision, as far as she can tell. this feels pointed. combined with the glow of his eyes, that she's only seen once, at a time when her paranoid mind thought he might try to kill her...

she doesn't have the context necessary to suspect beastly possession. even the empress doesn't claim to literally channel the butterfly so much as speak for it as its chosen earthly representative.

so if "luca" wants to stab at her like this, unprovoked... she can match his expectations of her in pure spite, even if she takes a step or two backward as she bristles.]

What in the light is your fucking problem?

[The more she bristles up, the more darkly amused "Luca" seems to become. Though his eyes narrow, it's now less out of anger and more a need to finely study their movements. It's like watching something squirm beneath a microscope. And why wouldn't it be, when "mortal" lives were so small, so meaningless in the face of the Phoenix's own, eternal life.]

My problem, I would imagine, is the same as yours. Trapped within a box, deep beneath the waves. Oh, how your senses must be going wild. It goes against everything your kind is meant to tolerate. [The laugh that echoes is something truly sinister.] And lets not forget the thousands of teeth of the Leviathan, right outside our door. And here I thought it long dead!

["your kind."

even in their anxiety- and fury-ridden mind, kiera knows that this goes far beyond any boundaries luca would normally cross, even in anger. something must be seriously wrong with him -- either he's experiencing compulsion-panic on the same level as a vampire, leading him to lash out more than he ever would otherwise, or far more nefarious forces are at work here.

one thing in particular stands out to kiera: even since he grew this bitter, luca has never laughed so cruelly at their expense.

it's a fight to control their breathing, but they make an effort to focus, narrowing their eye at him in turn. maybe if they can examine his movements and words as well, they can figure out what the fuck is going on with him.]

Because it's a leviathan. Not The.

[The shift in focus isn't lost. A brow quirks as he silently studies Kiera in kind. He can see the faint inklings of realization, and it pleases him to no end.]

Putting it together, are you? I was afraid I would have to spell it out. [What he's referring to isn't clear, and he isn't exactly keen to elaborate. Instead, he rolls his shoulders in a shrug.]

Call it whatever you wish. It's a threat to our continued existence. We - [A motion to himself.] - are not safe here.

[since when does luca give a rat's ass about the phoenix's comfort? the last kiera heard, he actively opposes its "continued existence."

while it may not occur to them just yet that they are speaking to the phoenix itself, they figure that surely it must be exerting heavier control over luca somehow. perhaps there really are similar compulsions amongst the other beasts' blessed. how else could their lines have survived centuries at war with one another?

logical though it may be, it isn't a very reassuring thought. if the phoenix dominates luca's actions, threatened by a lurking leviathan, and forced to bear the butterfly's presence... suffice to say, kiera should tread lightly.

one more thing to add to the ball of fear in their core. lovely.

damned if they show it, though. they roll their shoulders in a dismissive shrug.]

You know how many do-good busybodies we have. They're all scampering like rodents to fix this mess as we speak.

[Another scoff leaves Luca's lips. He shakes his head.]

And how often do their efforts truly pan out? We are just as likely to die from their ceaseless attempts as we are to be saved.

[The thought seems to agitate the man all the more. He turns from Kiera, instead pacing back and forth. His feathers stand on end, while he wrings his hands ceaselessly.]

When I find whatever insolent wretch brought us here, and rendered me so useless - [He breathes out hard through his clenched teeth.]

Well, neither of us have died, for starters. But if you're so concerned, you could be -- oh, I don't know -- taking charge instead of bitching about it?

[it seems that even when her life is at stake, kiera can't cut the sass.]

You mean the Forest? Please tell me you're not stupid enough to try taking on a god alone.

Please. The boy spoke up about his concerns over someone's depth of knowledge and was promptly scolded by several souls. No one here is interested in proper leadership.

[It was the one time Luca had talked sense. Of course the Phoenix is disappointed.]

Were I at full strength - [A scoff, then a roll of the eyes.] - were I at the strength I possess back in Renova, I might. Rotted to the core or not, trees still burn. You should know that well, Little Butterfly.

[... what the hell is luca talking about --

oh.

kiera is just opening their mouth to snap at him for calling them that again, but the words die on their lips as their eye widens. it's an uncharacteristically open display of raw emotion from the knight, one that they instantly regret but find themself unable to shove back down. how could even they hide their shock at -- somehow -- finding themself speaking to the actual fucking phoenix.

perhaps they would return to their near-catatonic state, were it not for the question that burns hotter than the beast of flame. yet their voice feels quiet and pitiful when they find it.]

What have You done to him?

Edited 2024-07-20 18:11 (UTC)

[Disappointment spreads across Its features. Its arms cross over Its chest, fingers drumming against the opposite arm as It looks Kiera upward and then downward.]

It truly took you that long? Your Mother would be quite disappointed, I should think.

[And then to the question at hand. It's a cruel laugh that leaves Its lips, an absolute bastardization of the young boy that used to feel such joy. It's even more perverted than the haunted laughter Luca had displayed of late.]

Rest easy, Little Butterfly. Your dearest brother is quite fine. He'll waken with little memory of what has transpired. And I trust you will keep your mouth shut about it all, yes?

Edited 2024-07-21 17:24 (UTC)

[it's everything in their power not to spit and hiss at the beast's mocking. normally, kiera would be quite pleased with themself at the idea of disappointing their mother, but in this instance they agree -- at least on the fact that they should have fucking realized sooner.

it doesn't help that she isn't sure whether the phoenix taunts her for mere pleasure, or in an effort to get her to strike first. and even in such a position, kiera, at her core, is anything but a fool.]

What difference would it make? No one here but the two of us considers You a threat.

For now, at least. But should the worst transpire, and your beloved allies begin to think of your sibling as a danger, I would rather have my... ability be under wraps.

[Translation? It won't hesitate to burn the entire Grove to the ground if it meant protecting Its vessel. While It hardly begrudges Luca his suspicion, and has even influenced some of it, that doesn't mean It is without concerns.]

But I am almost certain it won't come to that.

[the threat underneath its words is clear enough to kiera, as steeped in double-meanings her entire life has been. truth be told, she wouldn't necessarily weep for these people if the phoenix were to slaughter them all... but she knows it would devastate luca.

just as the beast has for years, now...]

You have my word, then. Little as it may mean to You.

[... kiera has only ever met a match of the god's arrogance in her own mother.]

Though I was born to the Butterfly's people, I've been loyal to Yours for more than half of my life. Would You find the grace within Yourself to hear the plea of a devotee?

Very well then.

[And it might have been content to leave things at that. However, Kiera speaks up, and the Beast finds itself teetering on both annoyance and amusement. How cute, for the mortal to think their feeble faith meant anything. How irritating, for them to think themself worthy.

Silently, the Phoenix considers them. It's truly tempted to ignore them but... in the end, curiosity wins out. With a flippant wave of the hand, it speaks once more.]

Go on then.

[in reality, kiera is under no impression that the phoenix considers them anything akin to 'worthy.' they simply do their best to appeal to its pride. and while it's working thus far... they don't have much hope it will continue to do so, but they still feel obligated to try.]

By Your own word [sarcastic or not, you bastard bird --] Luca is my brother, which makes me an Aurelius.

Let me take his place. You're a god -- surely You're capable of transferring Your power. You can burn the insect out of me, and use me as You see fit. I won't fight You as he does; all I would ever ask is that You let him be.

[Well, well. Kiera should pat themself on the back. It's rare that the Phoenix is taken aback by something. It's a pleasant surprise, and certainly inches them further into a favorable light. And to Its credit, the Phoenix actually falls silent, considering the offer.

A willing host would be far more valuable than what It has at present. It doubted that Luca would take the shift particularly well, but... what could he do, when all was said and done.

Unfortunately...]

Would that I could. But my power is greatly reduced in this world. This is the extent of what I can manage, and even this will be a rare outing.

[it's... a shock, in truth, that the beast takes time to really consider this. a disappointment, ultimately, given the circumstances, but...]

... Then, something to keep in mind when we defeat the False Beast and return home.

Indeed. I shall not forget your... dedication.

[It is under no false belief that Kiera has any amount of faith in It. Rather, her devotion lie solely with her sibling. But if she was willing to offer, would put up less of a fight, why would It ever argue.]

Of course, if you are so keen on proving yourself dedicated, it might do us both some good for you to get us both out of here. The swifter the better.

Edited 2024-07-29 23:40 (UTC)

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EVENT & TDM 014

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