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sticksandbones2024-08-02 09:35 am
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in sticksandbones2024-08-02 09:35 am
EVENT 015
BUY MORE CRYSTALS
COME RAIN OR EVEN MORE RAIN
Today, progress has been made in the Grove. The sun shines brightly on the cleaned-up remains of what used to be the “Burned Town”, now lovingly just called “north” for lack of a better term. At night, a small handful of stars finally shine in skies that have been empty for millennia, and birds sing loudly throughout, overjoyed now that they’ve felt the stirring of the long-dead Sky Guardian. All is peaceful. All is right with the world.
…and then there’s the sound of familiar, watery laughter from the Lake Guardian himself, having returned to the Grove for whatever reason he could possibly have, standing by the well and performing a jaunty dance on his scrawny legs. He spins around the well once, twice… and then the skies darken and the clouds swell, and suddenly it’s raining buckets, soaking you and everyone else to the bone immediately.
“It’s a gift for freeing me!!” Callan shouts joyously, unaware of the fact that gifts are usually nice things and not biblical floods. “Enjoy it!!”
Well, it seems like this will be the rest of your month. The rains don’t abate at all, but they do come with one gift that actually seems worthwhile: Any plant that stays out in the rain for long enough will suddenly spring out of the earth at gargantuan size. Enjoy your giant crops — they’re still edible! — and your flowers the size of pillows, everyone.
…and then there’s the sound of familiar, watery laughter from the Lake Guardian himself, having returned to the Grove for whatever reason he could possibly have, standing by the well and performing a jaunty dance on his scrawny legs. He spins around the well once, twice… and then the skies darken and the clouds swell, and suddenly it’s raining buckets, soaking you and everyone else to the bone immediately.
“It’s a gift for freeing me!!” Callan shouts joyously, unaware of the fact that gifts are usually nice things and not biblical floods. “Enjoy it!!”
Well, it seems like this will be the rest of your month. The rains don’t abate at all, but they do come with one gift that actually seems worthwhile: Any plant that stays out in the rain for long enough will suddenly spring out of the earth at gargantuan size. Enjoy your giant crops — they’re still edible! — and your flowers the size of pillows, everyone.
FURNITURE STRIKES BACK
If staying out in the rain isn’t exactly your thing (who could blame you, really?), you might consider heading back inside and spending some nights in. It’s been a while since everyone had a break without being exposed to water for way too long, and what better way to spend a night than curled up in bed in a nest of blankets?
As you drift off to sleep to the serene sounds of the river flooding, there’s a sudden loud bang, like someone slammed a door. You open your eyes and don’t see a thing… so back to bed you go, only to hear it again. This time, as you lurch out of bed and desperately try to figure out who the hell is slamming doors this late, you’ll see your door opening and slamming itself. Opening again, and slamming. Soon after, the windows follow, and as you rub your eyes, your bed suddenly bucks and throws you to the floor.
Cool. Phenomenal. What just happened?
Perhaps you go to the inn couch to try sleeping there, but alas, the old couch has had enough of you and will summarily flip you back onto the floor, losing its cushions in the process. If you turn your anger toward the furniture, it will — strangely — attack you right back, chasing you down on bizarrely-animated legs that furniture simply should not have. The coffee table might bite, or the cabinets might start flinging cups at you.
If you are patient, however, and if you clean the furniture off — wash the pillows, scrub that mustard stain out of the cushions, sew up a hole your dog chewed into the mattress — it will stop throwing a tantrum. Finally, you can use furniture for its intended purpose.
As you drift off to sleep to the serene sounds of the river flooding, there’s a sudden loud bang, like someone slammed a door. You open your eyes and don’t see a thing… so back to bed you go, only to hear it again. This time, as you lurch out of bed and desperately try to figure out who the hell is slamming doors this late, you’ll see your door opening and slamming itself. Opening again, and slamming. Soon after, the windows follow, and as you rub your eyes, your bed suddenly bucks and throws you to the floor.
Cool. Phenomenal. What just happened?
Perhaps you go to the inn couch to try sleeping there, but alas, the old couch has had enough of you and will summarily flip you back onto the floor, losing its cushions in the process. If you turn your anger toward the furniture, it will — strangely — attack you right back, chasing you down on bizarrely-animated legs that furniture simply should not have. The coffee table might bite, or the cabinets might start flinging cups at you.
If you are patient, however, and if you clean the furniture off — wash the pillows, scrub that mustard stain out of the cushions, sew up a hole your dog chewed into the mattress — it will stop throwing a tantrum. Finally, you can use furniture for its intended purpose.
GET (GEM)STONED
A bit of raw chaos in Aldric’s Grove is not uncommon; perhaps furniture unionizing and non-stop downpours are the least of your concerns in quite some time. After all, you’re not trapped anywhere. You aren’t underwater, you aren’t playing in some twisted life-or-death game, no one is making the passage of time here any worse than usual…
Of course, if chaos is preferable to true horror, you can always have more of it. On your bedside table or under your pillow, you’ll find a drawstring bag containing a small handful of polished gemstones. As you hold them in your palm or between your fingers and inspect them under the light, you’ll feel something within you stirring.
Perhaps you’re holding rose quartz, the gemstone that symbolizes unconditional love, and you suddenly feel empty and loveless. Perhaps it’s amethyst, the gemstone attributed to calm emotions, and yet you’re feeling the most anxious you’ve ever felt in your entire life. Whatever the gem may be, its meaning is now inverted, and you get to suffer the effects of it.
Luckily, this curse — a gift from, who else, the Fallen Sun — can be broken quite easily. Simply clutch the gemstone in your palm and perform an act that embodies its true meaning, and everything will be back to normal. You’ll be holding a mundane rock to do whatever you want with, including throw it into the forest in hopes that it hits the Fallen Sun in his big, stupid head.
Of course, if chaos is preferable to true horror, you can always have more of it. On your bedside table or under your pillow, you’ll find a drawstring bag containing a small handful of polished gemstones. As you hold them in your palm or between your fingers and inspect them under the light, you’ll feel something within you stirring.
Perhaps you’re holding rose quartz, the gemstone that symbolizes unconditional love, and you suddenly feel empty and loveless. Perhaps it’s amethyst, the gemstone attributed to calm emotions, and yet you’re feeling the most anxious you’ve ever felt in your entire life. Whatever the gem may be, its meaning is now inverted, and you get to suffer the effects of it.
Luckily, this curse — a gift from, who else, the Fallen Sun — can be broken quite easily. Simply clutch the gemstone in your palm and perform an act that embodies its true meaning, and everything will be back to normal. You’ll be holding a mundane rock to do whatever you want with, including throw it into the forest in hopes that it hits the Fallen Sun in his big, stupid head.
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW
When the rains stop at the month’s end, the clear skies yet again show the stars, and it’s a beautiful sight to behold. It’s no galaxy, even with every light in the Grove off so you can see them all — but it’s special nonetheless, especially to those who have been here under an empty sky for so long. The moon itself feels like it casts joy down upon everyone, and a sense of overwhelming peace settles like a blanket over the entire settlement.
Should you visit Ydalir or Heimr at all, they will both encourage you to spend a night camping out, providing you blankets to lie out in the grass with. While it isn’t much, Ydalir has pulled an old telescope from her mirror for those of you who want to nerd out a bit. Snacks, tea, and hot chocolate will be provided to anyone staying out for the night, too. For better or for worse, you’re all here together, so why not bask in a moment of peace?
Should you visit Ydalir or Heimr at all, they will both encourage you to spend a night camping out, providing you blankets to lie out in the grass with. While it isn’t much, Ydalir has pulled an old telescope from her mirror for those of you who want to nerd out a bit. Snacks, tea, and hot chocolate will be provided to anyone staying out for the night, too. For better or for worse, you’re all here together, so why not bask in a moment of peace?
SPARK NOTES
CLICK TO EXPAND!
COME RAIN OR EVEN MORE RAIN
Callan is giving gifts as all Guardians do. His gift... is a whole tempest. Luckily, the plants will get massive from this. Enjoy your giant produce and flowers!
FURNITURE STRIKES BACK
What could go wrong if the furniture went on strike? Surely it won't toss you out of bed or buck you onto the floor or try to bite you. ...oh, well, if that's the case, you might want to give it some TLC so that it stops.
GET (GEM)STONED
The Fallen Sun's "gift" to the residents is a lovingly-customized bag of rocks. Each stone represents some kind of meaning, but that meaning will be inverted and make you feel the opposite effect from it. To break the curse, all you need to do is clutch the gemstone and perform an act that it originally embodies.
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW
Finally, the rains clear up, and Heimr and Ydalir are encouraging everyone to stare at the night sky. It's beautiful with those few stars in it, isn't it?
OOC
How is it already August?? We don't know either. OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out! If you need rocks randomly assigned to you for the gemstone portion, head there and drop us a comment, we will give you rocks.
UPDATES
❖ None yet!
SUBMISSIONS
Sesa | Arknights | AKA I can't believe Wolfie gave 2/3 of my men depression
B) Furniture Strikes Back | Workshop...again | OPEN
C) Get Gem(stoned) | The Magic Lamp | OPEN
C) Wildcard
[I did not post on ooc plotting this month bc ive been busy im sorry but if you'd like to do anything specific/different hit me up on discord!]
A
Relaxed as he is, the second he hears Sesa's panic, Vash is in motion. He runs over to the struggling Vouivre, and immediately spots the problem.]
Here! Let me help!
[He might be missing his prosthetic, but he's still got three plenty strong arms to help him pick up some of the heavier materials and start dragging them under cover.]
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[Oh, thank the gods. Sesa's relief is palpable as the Plant rushes over to help, prompting Sesa to redouble his efforts as they carry things from the garage over to the workshop proper. Fortunately a lot of it is metal, so assuming it can be dried quickly it won't rust and ruin...but he has some wooden furniture too. Cabinets and the like. Those he's worried about rotting if they aren't quick, because he's doubtful it's all properly treated for that.]
Thank you...just leave everything in here. It doesn't matter where, so long as it isn't in the water.
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With that in mind, Vash focuses on the wooden stuff first. He isn't necessarily thinking about rot, though. He's mostly worried that if they're not careful, it'll float away. The last thing they need is Callan stealing a stool, using it upside down on accident and -
Well. Suffice to say, they just need to focus on the furniture, right?
Vash is at least gentle with how he puts things down but... he sure is taking Sesa's "put it down wherever" advice literally and just sort of leaving things in messy piles. He's focused!]
Never a dull moment here, huh?
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It's a relief to have help though, and it shows in his expression when Vash looks back over to say that, his own reply a bit breathless.]
Hardly ever! Have you experienced this kind of flooding at your home? I know you live by the river...
[And if he hasn't, he doesn't know, put up some sandbags or something he might want to do so soon.]
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But that's for later. Sesa still needs help in this moment, after all. Besides, odds were that Livio and Wolfwood were already on the case. Hopefully.
For now, he just fakes a smile.]
Oh, I'm sure we're in good shape! Nothin' for you to worry about!
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If you say so...but please do not hesitate to call on me if you need help. It is the least I could do to return the favor.
[Whenever that might be. They might be here a while...
While they work, though. Sesa tentatively reaches toward the elephant in the room.]
Vash, ah...what happened to your arm?
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[It's ag ood thing that his memories are mostly back in one piece. This might have been a little more awkward if not. Not that it doesn't start to toe that line as Sesa asks after his arm. Vash finds himself lightly clearing his throat before shrugging.]
Ah, you know how it is. Lost it, er... somewhere out there.
[It's a bit strange when he thinks about it too hard. Yes, the arm had disintegrated back on No Man's Land, but it had still existed here. He has to assume it's somewhere between the teeth of a Reaper Leviathan or something.]
It's fine! I've still got three to make use of!
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Still though...he's concerned! He can't help but be, when Vash is so chipper and willing to deflect when it's clear he's still been struggling. He doesn't want to press of course, but still...]
That is true, for a blessing...though you know, I am sure Gnosis and I would be happy to work together to build you something new. It may not be as advanced as your original, but it would be something, wouldn't it?
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[Vash? Asking for things? From other people? He can't fathom it. Instead, he shoves himself into his work once more, gathering another chunk of metal from the murky depths accumulating at their feet.]
Where'd'ya want this?
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Over by the wall there is fine.
[You won't get away with changing the subject that easily!! Sesa's tail flicks behind him as he steps around a puddle, placing a box he was holding on the ground nearby.]
Also I doubt that's the case. I've worked with him for some time, and if I can promise you one thing, it's that he enjoys having a project to work on.
[Otherwise he'll sit there analyzing blood samples for days if left unsupervised.]
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C) :>
Sigh.]
You aren't getting ill, are you?
[Are these sad sniffles or flu sniffles. Because apparently the flu is going around.]
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But...Elliot is at least enough of a presence to get Sesa to turn his head a little. It's still on the table, mind you, but he's not face-down on it anymore.]
No...
[It's the saddest, most pathetic "no" you've EVER heard.]
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[The stove also hasn't wandered off. He just barely cleaned it earlier, because uh, he's not about to be running a fucking Kitchen Nightmares restaurant here. It gets cleaned every day, no exceptions, by either him or whoever's on-staff at the end of the day.
Maybe the stove hasn't wandered off because it's glued to the floor but Elliot does not trust like that, considering the workshop.]
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I'll...eat it if you make it.
[Only if Elliot makes it. He's a bottomless pit, so.]
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[And there he goes, gathering dishes that don't immediately run off on him. Little Elliot in his brain chirps that maybe they should ask the dishes nicely if they'll stay so Sesa can eat, and Elliot himself considers this a decent enough idea to try it. Thus Sesa will hear a bunch of "will you please let me make Sesa some curry" and then plates clattering as some opt to leave and some come back like sure okay.
Why is the furniture sentient. God things in this place are so messed up.
He has to run out and get things from Heimr's shop for curry, since he stocks mostly sweet things here, but Sesa will get to watch him flit about the kitchen area afterwards.]
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Meanwhile, at least enough of the dishes are cooperating for Elliot to actually cook, for what it's worth.]
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Well. Probably, anyway, because Elliot has had trouble focusing for the last while. It's been growing in weird ways where it ordinarily doesn't. There are two wolves inside of him, one of them being Little Elliot who is rattling his skull like HI HELLO DON'T BURN THE RICE and the other one that makes Elliot wander off into the back to start sorting the bags of semolina flour. Why? ?? ? ??? Great question!
He does manage to not burn the rice though. And then he starts cleaning the kitchen again. And then he leaves the cleaning supplies out on the counter and goes back to cooking and yeah it's just a mess.
Somehow, there is curry at the end of all of this, and Elliot proudly brings it out to Sesa and sets it down. A single plate. Because he left his own portion in the kitchen.
Stands there like :) because he's sure he's forgetting something.]
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Well it's kindof still dour and dismal, but now he looks a little more confused than before.]
You...didn't make any for yourself?
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Slightly alarmed coo!]
Ah! Yes. I did. I shall be back.
[And there he goes into the kitchen to grab his curry which is still sitting there, and then he returns and sits down like :) He has it this time he's doing great :) ]
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Mmmh. It seems....the both of us are somewhat out of sorts.
[Reaches out for his spoon...stirs his curry listlessly with it.]
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C.
It's fine, though. He's been able to take notes just fine and keep those in a waterproof pouch, at least. He does come into the cafe with Unci tucked under his arm in her little bag, that she pokes her head out of when they're out of the rain and starts to bat at the pillows as the waddle by. ]
...Sesa? Are you alright?
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I'm...not feeling particularly like myself at the moment. But I'll be alright.
[He said, a lying liar who lies.]
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Would you like someone to talk to it about? I believe Gnosis and I have been afflicted with a similar curse of... "not feeling like ourselves". I won't be able to help, but I can lend an ear.
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Mmmh...to tell truth, I am not sure there is much to talk about. I just feel...bad. Sad. And like I don't want to do anything at all. And I do not know why.