Event & TDM 003

[sticksandbonesmods]

I AM THE WILD

WAKE UP

You open your eyes.

It feels like you’ve been here before, like you’re finally home. Today, the sun shines brightly, brilliantly, on the open forest clearing making up Aldric’s Grove. Vines wrap around old buildings, overgrowth covers ruins of what once were homes and shops, and weeds poke up through the cracks of foundations. Before you stands an inn, a well, and one hundred beautiful flowers peppered throughout the clearing. Be not fooled by their beauty, wanderer; should you stray too close, the flowers are happy to bite.

Fret not, however; should you seek escape from the carnivorous foliage, the inn is plenty safe from attacks. Perhaps you ought to get acquainted with others like you, lounging in the lobby with nowhere to go. Perhaps you should find yourself a room, a place to stay. After all, room and board is completely free of charge! Should you dig through the bedside table of your new room, you’ll find only one thing within: A Polaroid photograph of yourself from years ago. You were younger, then — or, if age doesn’t define you, you were different. Still, you remember posing for this photograph… don’t you?

If the photo is too much for you, a trip to the river might offer respite. The oppressive fog wrapping around the grove and obscuring much of the distant forest some miles out won’t let you wander too far. Luckily, there’s a stretch of river perfect for a round of fishing, playing in, or simply relaxing by. Mushrooms grow along the banks and on the trees, but remember to say “thank you” to the forest if you take them. You wouldn’t like the consequences otherwise.

HEY

cw: madness, hallucinations

You might have had luck avoiding the gnashing fangs of the flowers thus far, but they begin to get restless and aggressive the longer they go without feeding. They can’t quite uproot themselves and chase you down, but they will stretch their stalks as far as they can, unfurl their petals and try to wrap sharp leaves around your legs and anything else within reach. If you aren’t careful, their fangs will pierce your flesh, and they will drink from you until they drain you dry. Shout for help if they latch on. Surely someone will come to your aid.

…just try not to look at them much. The flowers take passive abilities of anyone they feed from, and that means they possess powers of their own. Stare for a moment too long, and you’ll begin to see your nightmares brought to life, feel a crawling down your back like one million insect feet, a grappling at your ankles as something tries to drag you under the metaphorical tides. Black tendrils sweep over your eyes, they grip the facades of buildings, they tear your friends to shreds and eat them whole. Focus. Focus on that voice telling you to snap out of it, on the people around you waving their hands in front of your eyes. It isn’t real. Blink, shake your head, and clear your thoughts.

Or don’t. “Give in,” a sultry voice murmurs, “Let me consume you.”

IT'S ALRIGHT

cw: auditory hallucinations, animal butchery

From the fenced-off, locked-up manor to the northwest of the Grove, a spill of magic begins to leak out from boarded-up windows. It’s gradual at first before it suddenly bursts, and that’s when everything starts to go haywire. The Manor’s heart aches, friend. Something in that house is oh-so-miserable with no way out… and it intends to make you feel its pain.

Every regret you’ve ever had — every word left unspoken, every lie you’ve told, everything you believe you’ve done wrong — those feelings are brought to the surface and magnified. No matter where you look, what you do, or how much you try to distract yourself, those emotions will always bubble to the surface.

You might think wandering into the forest will help you flee from yourself for a time, but as soon as you cross the threshold, the path back to the clearing closes behind you in a rustle of leaves. The only way out is forward, it seems, but the forest won’t play fair. The path will shift unexpectedly, blocking your route, forcing you to backtrack, but never quite allowing escape. All the while, voices fill your mind, chasing after you no matter where you go. They are the murmurs of those you have wronged, the murmurs of a conscience slighted.

Seeking out a companion in the labyrinth will quell them, for a time. Should your heart weigh too heavy, confessing to your labyrinth-partner what you’re grappling with will absolve you of your guilt and leave you feeling clear-headed enough to escape. At that point, the forest, too, seems content to let you solve the maze without interference.

Should you escape fairly, without harming the labyrinth, you’ll be rewarded: A freshly-hunted game animal from your homeland is dropped at your feet just as you step back into the clearing. Enjoy it, for you will not have the opportunity to get another. The forest only allows one round per person.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU

The residents of Aldric’s Grove have had a rough time here, but not everything has to be bad. On the night of the new moon, the Shopkeeper leaves his store for the night, and alongside the Trader — who normally sits outside the inn by her stall and her giant turtle — he constructs a bonfire some distance from the carnivorous plants. Nearby to it are tables with a feast set upon them, free for everyone to enjoy. There’s music playing from… somewhere. Don’t think about it too hard. The wispy, sentient shadows that comprise the Shopkeeper and Trader are happy to dance with you, too, if you ask.

Enjoy your night, friends. You’ve made it to the end of the month, and you deserve a break.

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

WAKE UP

Welcome to Aldric's Grove! Watch out for the carnivorous flowers. There's a photograph of you in the inn, by the way. Don't worry about it.

HEY

The carnivorous flowers are now causing visual hallucinations and madness. Try not to look at them too long. Maybe buddy up for the time being, to make sure that the forest's whispering voice doesn't drag you too far down.

IT'S ALRIGHT

A flood of magic hits the Grove. Characters will be subject to reliving and re-experiencing all of their regrets, and should they wander into the forest to escape, they'll be made to play in the forest's maze game. The forest won't play fair, but seems to relent when you confess to a companion what's on your mind. And hey, that makes your heart weigh less heavy, too. At the end of the line, you'll get a reward of fresh meat as long as you didn't try to cheat!

I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU

The Shopkeeper and Trader are throwing a lighthearted bonfire party. Dance the night away and eat your heart out!

OOC

Welcome to the third TDM & Event Log of Sticks and Bones! This log is game canon. The prompts are meant for all players, current and future, so have fun! Our applications operate on a rolling basis, so applications are open with no end date unless we suddenly cap players. If there are any questions, please direct them to the "questions" header below.

UPDATES

❖ For those who enter the inn in the morning, a breakfast spread of scrambled eggs, bacon, smoked fish, roasted tomatoes on the vine and assorted fruits wait for you.
❖ Several patches of the murderous flowers seem to have been electrocuted, lit on fire or cut.

TDM TOPLEVELS!

TDMS

❖ Shalem (Arknights)
❖ Toge Inumaki (Jujutsu Kaisen)
❖ Jade Leech (Twisted Wonderland)
❖ BB (Fate/ Grand Order
❖ Akki (Original)
❖ Nikaidou Eisuke (Tsurune)
❖ Arthur Pendragon (Saber) (Fate/ Grand Order)

(CODE)

Comments

Elsword (Genesis Route) | Elsword | Oldbie

[simplicitas]

I. It's Alright
[Elsword knows everything in the Grove is his fault this month. He's the one who broke into the Manor (granted, Felicity helped, but she never went inside). He's the reason that fence is up. He's the reason Rusty is so damn depressed. So when that burst of magic slams the Grove like a meteor, Elsword thinks to himself, Maybe I deserve this, emotionally self-flagellating as he can be when things get tilted. No one else deserves this, but if the consequences were just on his back, he'd be fine with it.

He keeps his head down as he leaves his house, pretty and recently-built among all the rubble and carnivorous plants, a stark contrast against the fog on the horizon and the bone-filled river it sits by. Today, Elsword makes his way to it, wanting to sort out the fact that he's actually feeling emotions alone. Naturally... that means wandering into the woods, and all he can do as the forest locks him in is sigh.

He thinks... he might be tired of this place.]

A. The "You Find Elsword" Option

[You stumble upon Elsword — whose expression can be described as "normally vacant" — looking distracted and vaguely upset, if you squint long enough. The forest can spark memories where there ordinarily aren't any, it seems. It reminds him of everyone he failed to save, weighing on his consciousness. The world is on Elsword's shoulders, and he fails and fails and fails.

If he had only managed to save Yuno years ago. If only he could have stopped Ain from becoming what he did. If only he could have saved Audrey by breaking into the Manor a couple days sooner than he did. If only he didn't tell Add "goodnight" that night he disappeared, if only he didn't leave the inn room to let Add suffer with that fever, why did he ever let Add out of his sight? If only, if only, if only.

"You'll always fail to save people," the forest says to him, and Elsword responds aloud, certainly loud enough for you to hear:]

I know, so can you just shut up?

B. The "Elsword Finds You" Option

[...or, instead of Elsword talking to the voice in his ear and you hearing him, he'll hear you first, whether you're talking to yourself or simply trying to get out of the maze in one sane piece. When he's quiet and there's room to think, he can hear the foliage rustling and the sound of footsteps, and he'll make his way to you as best he can. Whether or not a part of the maze cuts him off as he gets there? To be determined.]

Hey! Hey, we should team up so we can get out of here!

II. I'll Take Care of You
A.

[The bonfire is nice. Probably the nicest thing they've had in a while, all things considered. Elsword is not necessarily an awkward person — he's extroverted, and he'll try to make conversation — but if you're new here, you might notice that he's staring at you a little uncomfortably. He doesn't mean to; he has severe magical amnesia and is trying to commit your face to memory, that's all. He'll say sorry if you tell him to knock it off.

That, or he'll come up and say hi and offer you food he's picked up from the very clearly marked Free Food Table. He's just trying to make friends.

If you're not new here? Well, he's bringing you food anyway. Are you already eating something? Have more of it! There's food! Food is meant to be shared with friends. :)]

B.

[As the party winds down, Elsword sneaks off by himself to the edge of the grove. He's still watching the party take place, concerned about there being a potential attack or a carnivorous plant taking a bite out of someone, but he's sitting by himself for now on a fallen log. From his pocket he pulls out a roll of gauze and, after checking over his right arm, begins to bandage it up.

Hm.]

III. Wildcard

[hello... please feel free to hit me up or poke wolfchan for to plot, ty]

this ain't build a bitch but it IS find a fel

[amethystic]

( she hates this forest. she hates it so much, how it toys with and taunts her- she hates hearing grandfather's voice and seeing the blood on her hands again, like she's thirteen and just stumbled out of his room with the axe again.


she hates the creeping voices wriggling their way through her thoughts, asking if she's really accepted what she is and what she's done.

who is the real you? the one who did something horrible, or the one who regrets it?




regardless, if the woods had it's way, no, one would not be allowed to forgive the other. so she wanders, ducking and hiding when she thinks she hears something approach- up until elsword's voice cuts through everything.

felicity stares for a moment as he runs over, and as soon as he's close she simply...





flops against him. when she speaks, her voice is muffled. )

Okay.

[simplicitas]

[Oh, we're hugging? We're hugging. Fel is getting a hug. It's no different from how Elsword usually hugs, even if he is a bit cross right now, which he thinks is an odd thing for him to be feeling. But hey. It means he might be normal again, some day, if he keeps going like this.

Not the point.]

I'm glad you're— [as he speaks, the branches from a nearby wall twist and rustle, and Elsword manages to spin on his heel and swipe her out of the way before they're walled off from each other.] —I'm glad you're okay.

[amethystic]

( felicity is happy to be hugged. she likes hugs. elsword's hugs are warm and gentle and tight all at once.



and apparently strategically viable- even if the sudden swooping around makes her squeak a little. she loves a versatile action, truly. after a moment, she shimmies so she's practically sitting in his arms, because of course she does. )

Mm, as much as I can be. I haven't been hurt or caught by anything at least. How are you doing?

[simplicitas]

[Elsword adjusts so that he's holding her like this and carries on walking. No struggle, no complaints, only vibes.

...

The vibes otherwise are atrocious, though. Elsword is decidedly Unwell recently.]

...I'm alive. And I guess that's all that matters, right?

[amethystic]

For now. And when we get out, we'll find more.

( the best part about how he's holding her- other than it's just nice, comforting and warm and shows off his strength (not that she's looking) (she's looking) and makes her feel tall- is that she can idly play with his hair, a tactile comfort she tends to seek out and will happily offer. )

... The forest and magic getting to you, too...?

Ia

[mooninthewater]

Don't get upset with it — they won't listen. It's just a waste of energy.

[ He gets it. He understands the frustration better than most, he thinks, but he's also very gentle with these sorts of things. The eldritch beings in his brain deserve a chance just as much as the rest of the people here do to Mizuki. He reaches a hand out to take Elsword's in his all the same, though, in hopes that might provide some kind of comfort when he knows things aren't good. ]

Maybe if we get out of this forest together, it won't be so noisy?

[simplicitas]

[Luckily for Mizuki, Elsword is also a very tactile person, so the hand-holding is acknowledged with the twining of fingers and his hand being squeezed. He does not let go.]

Probably. It keeps cutting me off at every turn.

[Elsword has learnt by now not to cheat at forest games, which is the only reason his sword remains on his back.]

[mooninthewater]

Well, we won't get separated, so I'm sure it'll get bored eventually if we just keep walking. And, if not, maybe we can find a new, shiny thing for it to play with instead? I can also attempt to, er, figure out a path of least resistance, maybe?

[ His tentacles are pretty long, after all. He can try to feel around in a couple different directions for somewhere to go? But if they walk that way and end up getting cut off regardless, he's going to feel like he's failed Elsword. Hm... ]

Mmmaybe strike that last one? We should definitely just walk together. I could just chatter about stuff if you need a distraction?

[simplicitas]

...that might help. Maybe we could get to know each other better, too.

[He does Not want to talk about the things in his head rn ty,]

[mooninthewater]

Oh, sure! I guess I haven't really told anyone much about myself. Well, um, let's see… I'm Mizuk! My name is spelled in Higashian like… this: [ He pulls out his phone and taps on the screen for a moment, showing the screen over to Elsword. On it, reads "みづき". ] But it can also be written as— [ Tap tap… "海月". ] — which can also be pronounced as "Kurage"… which is my last name! So my full name could be spelled [ One last tap — "海月 海月" ] Which… um… which just says "jellyfish jellyfish," but I think it's pretty cool that my name is pretty easy to remember!

[ Mizuki is also ignoring the things in his head. He seems to be doing better now that he's a little more used to it, at least? ]

IIb

[mooninthewater]

[ Anime protags heading off to sit by themselves? Classic. It's too bad there's a camouflaged jellyfish around the corner that kind of ruins that whole "alone" part. At first, he just kind of observes as Elsword starts to dress his arm, wondering if maybe the both of them should just sit in their separate silences, but Mizuki's nothing if not extremely sociable. He's not very good at it, though.

He plops up next to Elsword, and with a flicker of static he comes into view with a big smile and without missing a beat: ] Hey, is everything alright??

[simplicitas]

[Shitfuck—

Elsword is a notoriously horrible liar. He can't really get around this so easily, but he sure does try.]

Yeah, I'm just trying to cover this up.

[...it is a very poor attempt. "This" refers to his right arm, which is covered in black veins. Uncanny as that is alone, Elsword had been content to leave it alone.

Until, of course, they started to sprout small flowers. That's why he's trying to cover it.]

[mooninthewater]

Oh, I have something like that, too! It stopped hurting after about a week or so, if that's what you're worried about.

…

But, if you're worried about other stuff, I could tear out all that bad stuff, if you'd prefer. My teeth are real sharp, so you won't feel a thing~!

[simplicitas]

[Elsword now thinks Mizuki got corrupted by the forest, congrats.]

Tear out...? [...] I don't think that will work. Add... [depressed-sounding sigh.] Add always said the roots were too integrated with my bones and muscles for him to safely extract it.

[mooninthewater]

Well, that's alright. We can just patch up whatever ends up coming out along with it, right? I'll let you eat some of me, too, so you can stay nice and healthy after!!

[ Thanks, Mizuki! That's definitely how this works!!! ]

Ib.

[englisch]

[ Saber had been wandering about - lost completely. He feels himself pulled into a direction and eventually he comes to, seeing a man who looks around his age. Though his own body ceased aging when he had pulled Caliburn from the stone, his body having dwindled and stopped as he encroached into his twenties. Saber was rightfully well into his forties - if not older, due to him hoping around the universe looking for beast 666.

Regardless, he felt a bit comforted not only seeing someone like him, but also like him in that they were dressed much like a warrior would be. ]

Your energy is welcomed, I find myself pressed with want to leave as well.

[ He takes a moment, thinking about his time in Chaldea. Wondering how guarded he wishes to be here, but offering a hand he says - ]

My name is Saber, well met.

[simplicitas]

[The other knight speaks in fanciful, colourful tones that Elsword could not hope to match. He shakes Saber's hand, smiles politely—]

Hi.

[good fucking job buddy.]

I mean— nice to meet you. I'm Elsword. I'd appreciate it if you could remember for me.

[Not gonna say why unless asked, just putting that out there. It is nice to see another man with a big sword around these parts...

...]

Saber... like the blade? That should be easy to remember.

[englisch]

Indeed. [ Saber gives the other a good handshake, and returns his hand at his side. Taking a rather tall and powerful stance. ] Elsword, if.. You do not mind my asking. What do you mean, 'If you could remember for me?'

My intent is only to inquire, as I wish to understand whether or not. I should harbor concern for the preservation of my own memories, within the.... Grove?

[simplicitas]

[He shakes his head side to side. No, it's not the Grove causing the problem.]

I have amnesia. [It's the simplest way to explain it.] Not normal amnesia, either. It eats at my memories and sense of self, so sometimes I forget my own name. It's been better lately, but reminders help. I'll try to remember your name, too.

[Cross his heart and hope to die.]

[englisch]

I see. [ Arthur adorns a serious face, he cannot imagine what implication this could mean. Especially seeing as Elsword was kindly in his greeting, and seemed as humble as any knight were. He was mildly certain the other was in fact one, but did not wish to be presumptuous - not yet. ] Elsword, my sincerest sympathies are with you. Do not trouble yourself to recollect my name or our shared experiences. I shall bear the weight of these recollections, sparing you the concern. Rest assured, you find yourself in trustworthy companionship.

As a Knight, my commitment to my pledge and the code of chivalry is unwavering. You can be assured that I will honor and hold your concerns to my own heart.

[ Saber looks towards him, and offers the most sweetest and heart warming smile. A princely sort - an earnest one, and stalwart in how he holds himself. The promise he made, an oath from an knight. ]

III. Hello it's the fishing I promised you (also tw for animal death but it's fish and rats mostly)

[neckromancy]

[As far as some of his past meals were concerned, this had to be among one of the least dignified attempts to snag a bite so far. Granted, nothing had come close to the diet of rats and insects Cazador had had him restricted to in the past, but at the very least those had been easier to catch.

This? This just made him feel like a bumbling fool.

The fish had not been high on his list of choices, but given the sheer lack of options within the forest itself when he'd gone to scope the area out, it was either this or one of the other occupants of this repugnant little settlement. As well as his last foray into the bloodletting of speaking creatures had gone, he'd much rather avoid a repeat at this current juncture.

At least until he could be sure no one here happened to be particularly fond of stakings.

Left with no alternatives... Astarion had decided to make a fishing trip.

Or a dreadful imitation of one, at least. Despite the recent stint of travel with his ragtag group of miscreants and misfits, his lack of experience with the outdoors became extremely obvious under circumstances such as these. He'd spent a decent stretch of minutes simply standing on the riverbank, hesitant to take a step into the running water itself despite the reminding warmth of the sun on his skin. Eventually, the proverbial leap of faith was taken, and with a wrinkle of the nose and a rolling of the sleeves, he took his first hesitant steps into the water. It didn't hurt, which was a relief. It was hard to ignore the presence of the thing in his skull with how it wriggled about at times, but at least it continued to shield him from these new surroundings.

Footing was at times precarious, and more than once a rock shifted beneath his boot, causing him to flail his arms about to steady himself and avoid slipping to certain doom. Eventually, however, Astarion found himself deep enough into the water that it rushed past his knees. There were several catfish within reach, flitting about through the muck and river rock.

Should be simple enough to just... Grab one, shouldn't it?

...

Perhaps spearing one with his dagger would bear more fruit, so to speak? Although, that ran the risk of bleeding the thing before he could even bring it to his teeth.

...

Elsword you're gonna find this guy just standing in the middle of the river, hands on his hips as he stares down at a handful of fish like they've personally irritated him by existing somehow.]

[simplicitas]

[Elsword comes down to the river with his normal fishing stuff also yes he's in the MILF shirt, I don't need to link it you've seen the MILF shirt, and man that sure is a whole guy standing in the river looking very upset. He's never seen this man in his life. A new arrival? Probably.

He sets the tackle box and rod on the bank and strides closer to the edge.]

Hey. [Waves his hands, hi! Hi there.] Is everything okay?

[neckromancy]

[Normally it's quite hard to sneak up on him, but with the river rushing past and the intense focus he's got on the fish beneath him, Elsword does actually manage to startle him. He jolts with the greeting, hands immediately leaving his hips to grip at empty air as he fights to regain his balance.

Which he does. Thankfully. If he fell face first into a river, he would truly never live it down.]

You-- [Astarion spins back to face the bank once more, the guarded, almost accusatory look on his face quickly melting away to surprise as he takes in the other's attire. Surprise that is soon followed closely by an almost relieved expression, one paired with the sharp bite of a sigh.]

Are you the fisherman around here, darling? [Perfect. Charm this guy into doing the job for him, and that solves basically all of his food problems in one fell swoop.]

[simplicitas]

Me? Well, I only do it for a hobby...

[Even though he is very much dressed like someone who takes fishing Very Very Seriously.]

Are you trying to catch fish? It's gonna be hard to do it like that. You'd need a spear, and you're supposed to stand kind of like this... [Elsword proceeds to mansplain spearfishing to a vampire.]