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sticksandbones2023-08-04 10:59 am
- !event,
- !tdm,
- arknights: gnosis,
- arknights: mizuki,
- arknights: shalem,
- baldur's gate iii: astarion ancunín,
- elsword: elsword,
- fate: bb,
- handead anthem: gara ukai,
- i'm the grim reaper: brook,
- jujutsu kaisen: toge inumaki,
- original: caoimhe ailbhe,
- original: felicity morais,
- original: rennuid tathviel
Event & TDM 003
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.
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.”
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.
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.
CLICK TO EXPAND!
❖ Several patches of the murderous flowers seem to have been electrocuted, lit on fire or cut.
no subject
… [ But is… something troubling her? He can’t tell. He’s always had a hard time parsing stuff like that. Instinctively, a hand reaches out to hold her hand. ] You can tell me about it if you’d like. I’m a real good listener.
no subject
[ Not like me anymore? Think that I am an unkind person? Think me a disappointment. ] I am afraid... Of the disappointment it will cause you to feel. All my life... I've been one to my people for centuries now... I don't - I don't want to be that to you too. Not after, you said such kind things to me.
[ Her hand trembles a little holding his, she also seems to speak quietly. Looking down at the ends of her dress. ]
no subject
… He squeezes her hands in some form of comfort, his expression something softer than his usually energetic cheer. ] You must have very little faith in me if you think whatever is troubling you would cause me to find you a 'disappointment'. You are a good person. I don't have to know the things you've done or know the things that have happened in your past to know that much. Anyone with eyes could see that much for themselves~.
no subject
[ They are so kind truly, she thinks the conversation from yesterday regarding his want to become the one and the same. Must mean this right here (its not its okay I know that, she doesnt). If she denied him now, denied him the right to cross that bridge and understand her - wouldnt she be taking something away from him that was important?
Caoimhe deflates a little... ]
Mizuki... What is it like on your... On your world? Are there monsters..? [ She swallows hard, and firmly holds his hand. ] Do you think... All Monsters are bad?
no subject
…
??????????????????????????????????????????????
Someone is coming to him about morality questions? Oh, but, he is the worst person to ask about this stuff. Mizuki hasn't been able to make a decision is such a long time. He much prefers listening to others and following orders. Trying to figure things out for himself is so hard, especially when his mind is as easy to put to use as a wheelbarrow with no wheels. He sort of knits his brows together, trying to see if he can come up with… something that could potentially make her feel better, but… he also didn't want to lie, and these things were conflicting in the moment. ]
There… there are, yes. But… I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask that sort of question. I've always been told who the "bad" are by people I know are good. I didn't ever really have to think about it myself… I-I always thought everyone has the potential to be good, you know? So I was never sure when someone was… 'too far gone,' for lack of a better phrase…
no subject
But... [ Her breath shakey. ] Even when I was young, I tried really hard to talk to Goblins, Orcs, and even the Giants of the mountains... But I was always whisked away, and always told that they were bad. I never understood why, because we are all no different from them.
[ Caoimhe lets his hand go suddenly and she moves to her face. Wiping away the tears that seemed to come. She could not help but remember the dead bodies - all those dead bodies. ] I'm sorry.. Its.. It's all complicated. I don't want to bother you with all my thoughts, its... It is a lot of things, you know... M-Much like A drop of water, when it spills into the ocean. It simply disappears, yes? In the depths of what it is. The mass of it - eternal almost. It feels like, even if I said what I mean to share... All of what I will say, would only be swallowed by that vastness of that eternal embrace. That it means nothing, because there are more important things at hand that we should spend our energy on...
Even I know that...
no subject
… To say something like that means nothing, when it affects you so visibly, is an insult to yourself, Caoimhe. Even a drop can have so many ripples in a pond. And just like those ripples, everyone causes them.
The way I think about it is that the world is so, so full of beauty. People who tell stories about courage and love and excitement — who share their talents and music and other mediums with the world for nothing more than just wanting to make other people happy with their creations — they are the beauty. And if those lives are threatened, then it is absolutely one's job to eliminate that threat. To protect more innocent lives being so needlessly lost is something worth doing every time.
That's what I do now. Or, at least… back home, that's my job. I listen to the person who tells me who's "evil," and I make sure they can never hurt anyone ever again.
tw: violence ment
You are... You are better at this then I ever could be.
[ Two hundred years, and sheltering yourself out of desire to not bother those around you and trouble them. Truly leave one with the sort of disconnection, self instilled bridge threatened always to shatter the moment you wish to cross it, and understand the other side. This otherside, of hurting others and having hurt them. Caoimhe could not find herself wholly grasping, how can you be kind but still hurt another intentionally? Still, wish unwell upon another?
Caoimhe knew these were rational mortal feelings, ill intent to people around you. It was the decisiveness never to act on it - that made you a beautiful human. Even so, she hated that evil seemed so easy to follow suit and enact for others. That people willingly and gladly, followed such measures because it was convenient - such as... Killing someone, instead of trying to free their soul from demonic possession. Ripping their eyes apart so they would not use magic, slicing out their tongue so they could not cast magic, cutting of their hands and feet so they could not use magic.
The screaming.
The screaming.
The screaming.
Why did the Paladin do nothing...? What kind of person, supposedly absolved by God's grace - -
Her stomach turns again, and she places a hand over her mouth. ]
This person... Who tells you - who is evil...? What were they like... Are... They kind like you?
[ Changing the conversation, not to escape from the guilt but to calm her nerves. So as to not embarrass herself and seem weak or unsightly before her friend. ]
no subject
It's hard to understand the things he's been taught, but he really is trying.
Fortunately, she's asked about the Doctor now, which instantly causes him to brighten. ] Oh, no, they're nothing like me. They're the lifeline to everyone, holding lives so carefully in their hands. They are a beacon of light in the darkness, kinder than anyone I've ever met, selfless and brave and caring and smart and... Truly, there's no one else like them I've ever met before. I never once believed there could be an epitome of "goodness," but I think they're it.
no subject
Caoimhe has the, I am going to listen to you for hours ramble if you want eyes. She doesnt speak, she just gently looks at Mizuki with appreciation and loving regard. ]
no subject
Hhhh... he doesn't like feeling guilty.
His attention settles back on Caoimhe, a big smile now that she's no longer crying. ]
Don't let this place get to you like that again, okay? Doubting yourself is how it'll make you its prey. Next time you're feeling like that, just say... "I am Caoimhe, and I have friends who believe in me. I am a good person."
no subject
Thank you Mizuki... I promise... I wont forget your kindness, and the time you have spent with me. Especially this moment now.
I should get some rest... I feel better but, my nerves have... Really exhuasted me.
[ She looks better, there are no more tears coming down her eyes but she still...Feels tired. ]
I-If there is anything I can do for you, know... You can always ask of me, anything.