sticksandbones | [CLOSED] Zahliyaquest...2

Entry tags:

[CLOSED] Zahliyaquest...2

Who: Zahliya, Luca, Joshua, Wolfwood, Dipper, Mamika, Siffrin, Loop, & Kiera
What: A gargoyle needs task-doers for character development
When: Mid-August, yes during the rainstorms, good luck
Where: ??? :)
Warnings: Typical Sticks trigger warnings apply, suicide, time loops resulting in multiple character deaths, Wolfwood just shot someone executioner style, more to be added

OOC notes, here is a rehash of your rules:

Mod tags will come either a) after everyone involved has tagged in or b) after 24 hours have passed since the last mod tag. This means if you are absent for any reason, the thread WILL move on without you.
Interaction in this log will be redeemable for MAIN AC, not just Bonus AC like most of our NPC threads.
This questline will shape Zahliya's outcome for the rest of the game, and may or may not result in an almost-full Corruption cure and therefore gamewide impact. I will let people know midway through the quest if he's currently aimed at aggression/confidence/staying in the Grove, or if he's on passive/indecisive/leaving the Grove.
The old OOC plotting post for this is here!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Wolfwood hears the words "you have about five minutes until you get tortured to death" and kindof tunes out the rest, unfortunately. Good thing there are other people here actively listening and trying to be productive because he's just going to take a moment to disassociate, briefly.

He's not afraid of death. He's not even afraid of getting hurt. But he does not have a stellar history with torture. And he can think of far kinder fates than that kind of slow, painful, agonizing death where you're begging to die but won't until your captor decides you've suffered enough.

So, yeah! Cool great cool cool cool-]

[They stare (at... the skylight? look, she's a sun goddess, they assume she's in that direction) for a long moment, not quite sure what to say. Is this really what the gods here are like?

Anyway, while Wolfwood is having a panic attack Loop just laughs. This is fine with them, honestly.]

Hah, alright! Thanks for all the tips, Radiant One~ [wink☆]

Hmm, do you think it would come in here on its own? A dead end isn't the best hiding spot... but I don't mind going out to act as a distraction. I'm sure our little friend is bored! Maybe he'd like to chat!

[Is this the same dumb plan they had before? Kind of. But they are actually calm this time, for what it's worth. They know full well what they're signing up for.

Besides, isn't this a great opportunity? A chat with their captor... maybe they can learn something! If there are no lasting consequences, why not?]

[ Ah... Huh. Well, five minutes until torture, then. Sounds exciting. At least the death has no impact? Like rewinding a tape over and over. You can't change what's recorded, you just get to see it again and again and again.

Hmm... ]

I somehow doubt he's in the mood for talking, but the situation could tell us something we don't know.

[ Joshua taps his chin thoughtfully, narrowing his eyes down at the altar for a moment. The torture is inevitable. But, they're in a unique position to see exactly what happened when the false sun broke free. This could be a key part of the answer they're looking for.

Or, it could be a waste of time. But, if they're going out with a bang anyway, might as well get a show out of it. ]

So, even if you can make us invisible, that won't stop the inevitable. It's an opportunity we can't waste, though. I think I'll pass on trying to leave before anything happens, Beiwe. By all means, keep trying to fix the problem at hand, but I'd like to take a few notes while we wait.

[ok, focusing again. sword is just a sword and a beast worse than the leviathan is in the next room.

... honestly, as much as they'd like to avoid pain, kiera is rather on the side of joshua and loop here. getting everyone out of the grove entirely is more important than the four of them escaping this time loop.]

I'll stick around as well. I think we need Father Nicotine's opinion, too, though. [nodding toward wolfwood, who is currently losing a staring contest with the void.]

Studious. I'll work on plopping you into the correct timeline, or at least the one where the rest of your contingent is. [Will it work? Unknown, Beiwe is not a time mage. She's omnipotent but Gods are limited sometimes.] I'll leave you to it, I suppose.

[...]

Please see little Mizuki after you all get home safe. I think he'll help you work through this.

It's a party, then! [yay] If the room blows up remember not to look directly at it, okay~?

[... they're not that hyped to die again, but. Maybe they can talk their way through this, at least for awhile. It's worth a try. They don't want anyone else to have to experience that.

But before they hang up the god call and go back to their plans... Loop looks up again, hesitating.]

Before you go, Radiant One... Beiwe. [she's a goddess, right? and she's a sun goddess, right? so... so maybe...] Do you... know anything about the Universe?

[this isn't their world, isn't their Universe, but... maybe she would still know something? anything. it's not like It would ever answer them.]

[Yeah no, Wolfwood has just been gently spacing out for the last few minutes, not picking up on any of the conversation really whatsoever. He gets the important bits and pieces, like the understanding that what's about to happen is inevitable so they might as well deal, and the offer from Beiwe to shield them while trying to get them out. And the entire time, a voice in the back of his mind that he managed to shove away a long time ago resurfaces, young and terrified, begging to go home. I want to go home I want to go home I don't want this I don't want to be here

But he doesn't have that luxury. He never has. He came here with the knowledge they'd be in danger, and the understanding that they could very well die. That means just as much as if he'd be dying once, or a thousand times. He doesn't have to like it. This isn't about him. It's about solving the corruption problem, which is liable to become a crisis if they don't do something about it soon.

So when it's finally fallen on him to give his input, he drags himself back out of his own head and silences the voice once more. He completely shuts it down, choosing to compartmentalize and deal with that later whenever it hits him, however it hits him. They've got work to do, right now.]

No...yeah. I'm stayin'.

[Jokes on you Beiwe he already sees Mizuki every Tuesday!!]

...whatever ya'll need me to do. If it's lookin' for clues and shit, or standin' guard while you look. Whatever.

Sure. I know some things about the universe. I know that it's vast, and I know that my darling wife is the reason all of you are here — though she can explain it better than I can, and as I recall, she has. If you find Pure Vanilla, he should be able to recount the conversation, but in essence it has to deal with a rift open within her that will need to be closed.

Does that count? If you're looking for knowledge on why there's a universe, or a multiverse at all, I can't help there. Sometimes things are the way they are, and there's no rhyme or reason to it.

[Oh... that's not really— well, she did answer the question, but it's not what they meant. They can't help but look disappointed. She doesn't know what they're asking about.]

No, that's... it's fine. Thank you, Beiwe. For speaking with us, and offering your aid.

[... well. Back to the stage.]

[Cheeriness: ON!!!!]

So! Should I go in now? I'll let you all know what happens, so you can stay cozy in here if you want! Sound can travel pretty far in a building like this! [so like everyone should know what they're chatting about or if Loop starts screaming in agony or whatever]

[ Well, now that that little conversation is over with-- ]

It sounds like we're all in for it, so there's really no sense in anyone trying to be a martyr, is there?

[ loop you are grounded ]

We only have a few minutes until it all hits the fan, so I think we should use what time we have to explore that other room. I want to get a good front row seat to what happens, personally. And besides, the more time we spend in here discussing it, the more likely we're going to miss the show.

Are you sure? It'll hurt a lot, you know. It's not for the faint of heart. [They still sound way too cheery for this topic, but there might be the barest hint of severity in their tone. Even if these people are still strangers to them...] I don't mind, really. It's more practical to have someone who can recover quickly taking the blow, don't you think?

[... but they won't kick up a fuss if people decide to follow, despite their warning. It's a waste of time that could be better spent making the most of this loop.]

Oh well, do what you want~ If you regret it don't blame me, teehee~

[ANYWAY.

Before they fully commit and head out... they stop, because hey there's still one more unread message from Siffrin, but this time when they whip out their phone-hand they just. listen? Think about the implications for a second. Hmmmm.

They don't want Siffrin to worry, so they should try to get that across instead of panicking?]

I think there's a problem with the line, stardust! Don't worry, we're all fine. We're in the temple so we'll meet you there, okay~? Don't call unless it's important! Bye bye~

[this will definitely be reassuring and put team zahliya at ease, yeah!!

anyway we're doing it now whoever wants to follow w\ Loop and Josh can follow, what's da false sun doin]

Edited (WORDS) 2024-08-22 15:35 (UTC)

[Yeah no Wolfwood is coming this time, he’s got the Punisher because fuck it we ball. He isn’t saying anything right now but the PTSD has been compartmentalized so we’re (???) good!!!

Just look at him with big wet sad eyes if you need something to get laser blasted he’s gotchu fam]

I don't believe you're in the presence of anyone faint of heart, little star.

[honestly, they don't even care if that's inappropriate. they kind of hope it is, in fact.]

[With that, Beiwe is going to go try to figure out time magic. She will probably be consulting Ourania about this.

As for you guys... ooh boy good luck!

The Temple doors are still being banged on (it sounds like a heavy object, if you had to guess) when you step out into the main chamber. No one is immediately obliterated by the Black Sun on the altar there, luckily for you.

Of course, if anyone gets closer than merely leaning against the back wall, you will be vaporized, so watch out for that one. You also have about two minutes until you become a pile of ashes, so!

What are you doing. How are you doing it. Let me guide you toward the plot.]

[ It is time to fuck around and find out, my friends. For science.

They may be able to step into the room without getting immediately obliterated, but Joshua isn't taking any chances. While he suspects Loop's previous blasting into bits was spurred on by the attempted attack, he can't say for sure, and while trying it out himself would really only result in a respawn in the long run, he doesn't feel like wasting that much energy when their time is so limited. Thankfully, he has something that can afford to be blasted!

There's something being spawned on the floor. It's a Noise - just a frog, nothing too big. But, like a drone, he can control it. The frog pauses a moment, looking around as it receives its silent instructions, and then hops into the room. However far it gets before being blown into staticky bits, that's how far they can go safely. ]

[Oh... they're surprised by how relieved they feel, seeing Joshua summon that cute little frog to scope out the blast zone. They're suddenly aware of tense they were a moment before, thinking they'd have to step in themselves and get blasted by the sun a second time. Maybe dying makes them feel bad, actually. Maybe they don't want to do that again.

... but they can't admit that, because they still have to act fearless, because they're the one who insisted this was a good idea. So.

They stay rooted in place within the safe zone, clapping their hands together firmly.]

Forgive me for my insolence, O Lightless One! I hadn't realized I was in the presence of one so powerful! All the stars of the Universe must surely behold you with envy, to hide you away with such ruthless Crafts. Tell me, what can we do to rid you of this cruelty?

[They may be a whore for dramatics, but they're still a damn good actor at least.]

[Man do ALL of you have some kind of weird magic, is he the only odd one out in this party-

Well, he doesn't have the ability to summon little frogs from his hands or whatever, but he has a Gun and that's about it. He follows Loop's lead and heads into the chamber alongside Joshua and Kiera, his hand tightening its grip on the straps around his Punisher. At least he isn't eager to start shooting, mostly because he's already seen what might happen if they do.]

D'ya think they can even hear us?

[They're still Actively being tortured so, he wonders.]

[wolfwood shut up you can drink forbidden koolaid and heal from the brink of death.

anyway. kiera isn't rounding the corner of the hallway yet. it means they can't see the creature yet, but it also means he can't see them. just in case she decides she'd rather use something smaller and more inconspicuous to investigate. no, for now, she waits to see how things go with mr. froggy.]

[This poor fucking frog, dude.

The noise-frog hop hop hops around the room. The outer perimeter, hugging the wall, is safe. About three feet away from the wall is safe. The frog is going on a little froggy journal as it makes laps, but the second it gets more than 3 feet away from any of the walls...

The Black Sun blasts it without even looking at it. Luckily, no one else is vaporized, so it seems like — when he's stuck on the altar, anyway — his magic has limitations, too. Probably has something to do with that ritual.

Just don't get near the altar and you'll be fine.

As for Loop's acting...]

( the god that was once the crimson sun thrashes uselessly againsnt his chains. it hurts. it hurts. it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts and now, after millenia, there are voices. mortal voices, but voices nonetheless. unfortunately, all the black sun wants is to make everything hurt the way he has- it's only his right, isn't it?

a star. wretched children of the moon. the black sun almost answers- break the runes, break the magic- but then he screams instead. it's agonized, broken and full of wrath. )

Lightless?! Fool of Ourania's, I AM THE SUN. CUT THE TIES AND I'LL SHOW YOU LIGHT LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SEEN.

( it comes out as a gutteral snarl, and he rails against the bindings as if trying to throw himself at loop. )

[That booming voice makes them wince, briefly reminded of the King. Oh dear. He sounds mad.]

... Hmm, nope! I'm good, thanks! [Yeah, no, they were willing to give reason a try before but that's not the voice of someone open to negotiations. It would take longer than they have to talk him down from murder. Not worth it!

Different plan, different plan... they turn around to address their party.]

Well, nothing we do here will change the past, but should we still try to prevent his release? You know, since he seems so eager to kill all of us. I don't think he's in a very merciful mood today.

Prevent?

[Didn'tcha hear what Beiwe said?, he thinks. It's inevitable. They can't change the past, right?

But he's reminded of how violently Vash reacted to learning about their soon-to-be future. How hard he tried to find a way to change it. And how it seemed...it seemed to all amount to nothing, in the end.

And yet.

...

Wolfwood sets his jaw, pulling his gun up off his shoulder so he can set it down on the ground in front of him, gripping the skull-shaped gear at the center and twisting it sharply at a 90 degree angle.]

...do you got somethin' in mind?

[ aw. rip to the frog, the poor thing just keeps getting obliterated for science. ]

Well, whatever we do, at least we know how close we can get before getting kicked back to the spawn point.

[ Joshua shrugs, not bothering to spawn another Noise. No point in it, it's served its purpose for now. ]

Personally, I don't see much of a point in trying to stop it. We can't change anything, so why bother? I'll just observe while it all goes down, thanks.

Uh, really? I could think of a pretty good reason to try.

[They gesture at... not the frog, because it got vaporized, but also that's exactly the point they're making here. Might be a good idea to NOT unleash the wrathful fallen god while they're stuck in this time rift? Maybe??]

I just don't think it'd be that hard to like. Ask them, maybe? The people who come in here and break everything? Ask them not to that?

Or we could just watch! I guess! And then die, probably! Whatever you guys want!

cw: ptsd/disassociation oopsie

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wait for amity i have to summon them to play their evil man

yes hello i am amity here is my evil man

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