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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
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Okay...
[Lays against the arm of the couch.]
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[Wolfwood hesitates, but it's just for a moment before he follows Ain over, sitting on the couch that better stay the fuck where it is or he swears to god-]
Cmon, what's wrong. You ain't actin' like yourself.
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[But the biting sass isn't really necessary; Wolfwood was there, he saw Ain running for his fucking life out there, but he also knows that Ain has basically faced entire Gods and walked away fine. Like, things don't scare him unless it's dying or being alone.
Right now, the thought of dying (to mannequins) or being alone (because Wolfwood is tired of him, somehow) is too much for him to handle, and every little bump in the night is making him worse. He knows it's his anxiety, but it's never this bad, and he sadly tries to explain while gesturing broadly with his hands.]
I have a... [flails,] Ms. Harnier said I'm an "anxious" person. So I'm anxious...er than usual. That's all. I don't know why.
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The best he can do is talk to him, and he's definitely not sure how much help that could be either.]
Do you wanna talk about it? The shit that you're anxious about right now, I mean. Maybe it'll help you feel less anxious.
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[This is not Ain trying to be dodgy for once, he swears. Regardless, he'll just sit on this couch and pull his knees up to his chest, chin on top of them, and take deep breaths. He's fine, see? He's totally fine.
Then he looks to his left and sees a mannequin hand plap against the window and shrieks, jumping a full foot into the air about it.]
Nikolaus!!!!
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[Okay, this isn't funny anymore. Not that it was funny to begin with, but now there's an extra layer of frustration on top of pre-existing annoyance. His boyfriend is terrified out of his wits, and that's not something he's going to put up with the Forest piling in on top of everything else.
He moves to stand, this time pulling his handgun out from underneath his blazer, quickly checking to make sure it still has a few rounds loaded. Yes he has a gun on him all the time sorry-]
Stay here, okay? I'll take care of this.
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Be careful. I don't know if all of them came over or not.
[They did :) Wolfwood will walk outside and they will have formed a lovely little bridge of arms high over the flooding river that they can cross. They are outside the walls in various states of undress and holding scissors and sticks that can fit in their non-articulated hands. You know. Weapons :)]
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Wolfwood hisses a curse under his breath, quickly stepping out onto the front porch so he can reach right over the railing and start taking potshots at the mannequins like he's in a zombie film. He's aiming at their heads because??? He doesn't know, logic dictates that should kill them probably-
And if they happen to get close enough to try to put their hands on him? Thats when he'll start swinging, both with his bare fists and the pistol.]
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The second he turns around to go back inside, though, they will start moving, and one of them will try to stab him with the fabric scissors. Right in the shoulder.]
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Standing there.
Staring at him.
Immobile, because HE is looking at them.]
Can't you fuckers take a hint!?
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They cannot take a hint. The mannequin Wolfwood elbowed has fallen over and will stay down until he turns around again.
This is where Ain pokes his head out the front door and says very softly,]
I'm sorry for knocking your head off... whichever one of you it was. Can you not kill my boyfriend?
[The mannequins do not respond. They do not have mouths, they must scream etc.]
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[Wolfwood huffs, wiping his brow with the back of his wrist.
He looks back over his shoulder at Ain since Ain IS looking at them.]
...y'think if I blow 'em up with the Punisher it'd be enough?
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Yeah. Maybe. I'll just ask Mr. Shopkeeper for more if they're obliterated, it's okay.
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Wolfwood gestures for Ain to keep looking in his absence as he dips into the house to grab his gun, holstering the pistol at his side so he can grab the Punisher instead. Then, he'll run out into the yard- right out into the rain, and turn so his back is facing the mannequins.]
Look away from 'em, Ain! I'm gonna lead 'em away from the house first.
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Please don't die.
[And then he closes the door and goes back inside, where he will sit on the couch while the mannequins scramble after Wolfwood into the woods. Come baaaack let them stab you a little biiiit—]
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Either way, he isn't afraid. As Ain goes inside, Wolfwood keeps his back turned and waits as long as he can for all of the mannequins to cluster up behind him. He'll wait until he hears the grass rustle underfoot, until they're just feet away...
And then, he'll whirl around and rev his gun, just milliseconds before the first mannequin can reach him.
Ain may not see it happen, but he'll hear the sound of several laser blasts going off, blowing the things to smithereens. Good luck if you needed this for Zahliya quest Wolfwood lmao-]
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They don't have time to retaliate. They are merely puddles. It smells like burnt plastic. Delicious. Incredible.
Ain is laying on the couch inside watching the lightshow from the windows like ope, there he goes.]
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Wolfwood clicks his tongue, picking his gun back up and slinging it over his shoulder, the barrel smoking. He has to hope that Ain doesn't have more mannequins hiding in his basement, but otherwise...they should be fine now.
He comes back inside, propping the gun up against the wall.]
There. Lets see 'em come back from THAT.
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Ain makes grabby arms for Wolfwood immediately. Hold him pls.]
Thanks.
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Wolfwood comes back over, sinking into a sit next to him. He's a lot more damp now since he went back out into the rain, but hopefully Ain doesn't mind that too much as he gathers him up in his arms, holding him close against his side.]
You ok?
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Yeah... I'm just shaken up, but it's fine. I don't know why still. Like I said earlier, I'm more anxious than usual. I know I have an issue, but...
[ :( :( :( :( :( ]
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He looks down at Ain out of the corner of his eye, and proceeds to offer the WORST suggestion ever.]
You wanna smoke? It always helps me calm the nerves.
[This is how addictions start kids.]
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[Luckily Wolfwood's bad suggestion is immediately vetoed because Ain likes singing too much to risk it.]
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To that though, Wolfwood shrugs a shoulder.]
I mean, prob'ly. I ain't a doctor.
[Yes. The answer is yes.]
I'm too far gone at this point to be that worried about it. I've been smokin' since I was 12.
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[Wow!]
I'm pretty sure you're not a doctor because you started smoking at twelve, too.
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