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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.
Arthur Pendragon (Saber) | Fate / GO
[ This isn't a Grail War, nor does Saber sense any resemblance to a summoning ritual. He even attempts to rationalize singularity, if present, but felt if this was the case it would stand out distinctly. As Arthur away from the bed, the clattering of metal from his armor fill into the hallowed room. Examining what he can, he looks at the image with disbelief.
Does not even recognize the boy with blonde hair is himself, and simply thinks it is a family of people who he knows nothing of.
Saber does take note of the thick presence of mana here, and for a moment finds himself mistaken that perhaps he had ended up within the far side realm. Maybe even jested that he ended up finally within Avalon itself. It was clear, neither of his thoughts had been correct, and looking once more at the image within his 'apparent' belongings. Gave him no inkling of an answer of which he sought to confer.
When moving into the Inn, his emerald eyes would take in every detail. The sword at his side had been long dismissed, easily summonable if someone wished to admonish their own weapons against him. He remains even mannered, and curious to understand what is going on.
Upon catching sight of anyone passing by, he breathes calmly - ]
Pardon.
００２ ❝ HEY ❞
[ He had wandered into the forest, and undeterred by the eerie feeling of its presence. Saber not find himself weary of his wanderings. It wasn't until he manages to find himself quite a ways from the grove, nearly into the thick of fog. That he need draw caution to the wind. Stalks of flowers tenderly reached out for him, a bit of a hubris on his part to his response. Saber remained unfazed by their presence until he sensed them entwine around his ankles.
They had gripped him, and this stirs the instincts of a warrior in him to act fast. Quickly, he hails back his sword into his hand, and it's silver wrapped up by winds moves swiftly. He admonishes it and with a whirling wind strike, swipes across the flowers that had moved to take him.
The flowers break, and it is in that realization that he had began to see what was all around him. Immediately, Saber moves to cut back every single branch that has reached out towards him - acknowledging that this may ultimately bite him in the ass later down the road. Saber is careful not to bite off more then he can chew, of course. Looking around quickly to find an opening. When his eyes catch sight of one, he positions himself for a retreat. As opposed to having a stand off - however, when he moves towards it. Saber sees more or less a hallucination -
One moment, it looks like a beautiful young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. Omnipotent in every way. Saber immediately grips his sword, steeling his nerves with such a menacing look. Ready to strike down who was before him - but then, a blink of his eyes. The image of her was gone, and instead he sees somebody else completely. Not sure what is going on, he stands there still with his invisible sword at the ready - as if Saber were about to strike and fight you. ]
００３ ❝ IT'S ALRIGHT ❞
[ This is similar in how alters must exist, or become a manifestation from the Grail? The Saber thinks, gripping his head and finding himself weaving in and out of thoughts that do not wholly grip him. With his high aptitude of Magic Resistance, he is able to find his footing. Saber is stirred none-the-less by the magnitude of magic that bursts out from within the center of the Grove.
This must be where the Mana pools from - and why a servant like him can exist without a master. Simply drawing from the atmosphere alone, had been sustaining him. ]
Are you... Are you unwell?
[ He poses a question, to one he finds perhaps faltering from the change of atmosphere. Uncertain still to the mystery of this place - perhaps a singularity for all he understands. ]
００４ ❝ I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU ❞
[ Saber does not need to eat, he is sustained enough by the groves thick atmosphere of mana for now. So he will abstain from any food given at this part, further rather then part take in it. He takes the mantel Knight, as any chivalrous man does. Watching from the outer edges of where they all dined and listened in for any dangers that may come. He keeps to himself, is quiet and seemingly vexed by the conditions he is currently put in.
He notes... BB is here, and is mindful to tell anyone who listens to keep an eye on that one. That, she may mean well but her trickery is often heinous and that you should not let yourself be caught unawares by her. ]
０００ ❝ wildcard ❞
Hit me with anything,
001
So he whirls around, ready to snap back at the guy (undeserved, but he was cranky and he couldn't keep the cheerful mask on) when he sees the full armour like he just stepped into an Arthurian Legend or something.
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with this place?]
What the hell...?
[Sorry, he got distracted.]
no subject
Ah, I do not mean to alarm you. [ Arthur, or rather... Saber speaks, calmly, seeming to notice the rattled nerves eating away at the young man before him. Looking the other over, he surmises that he must be in Japan - at first at least. Another version of Japan? A singularity of sorts perhaps? ]
I don't think we are currently under any threat... Do you mind helping me understand what is going on? I just seemed to have... Woken up - [ Not that he should be able to sleep, but he starts to realize there is this... Odd feeling, of having a body, feeling physically present. That he remembers having back when he was alive. ]
no subject
Maybe when he knows more.
So he musters up a smile, awkward and placating, like he finally realized he had manners. He shifts his bow to his other hand, then lifts his right hand up in the air, half-surrendered.]
Aha~ don't worry about it! I just didn't expect someone in an armor to arrive. Are you a knight?
[Not that he looks any more in place, with his full kyudo gear on, the hakama swaying as he turns to him fully. It's fine.]
no subject
Saber.... Pulls his most Princely Customer Service Smile ever - TM Arthur moment. He... Smartly avoids answering the question with a charming gentle smile and... Round about answer. ]
The fact you find me Knightly is an honor in itself, you humble me - [ He looks at him a bit expectantly. Hoping for a name. ]
no subject
[He points out, looking at him curiously. He looked like a textbook prince, if he were honest, which made this feel more bizarre. Blond hair, blue eyes, a regal armor that looked like it came from ancient times.
His name though...]
Saber... Is that an alias?
no subject
The King seems to give a subtle laugh, warm and polite. ]
When I awoke I had been found wearing armor. [ Implying maybe he has normal clothes. ] Regrettably, I find myself incapable of donning any other attire for the time being. As it were, I have been left with solely this garment alone.
It gladdens me that at least one of us was able to extract information from this unfamiliar situation... Still, I offer my apologies if my mere presence contributes to the discomfort of what seems to be going on.
no subject
Not that Nikaidou can talk. Nikaidou may not lie about his name, but he isn't exactly being 100% percent honest either. Well, it's fine. If everyone here was stupidly naive, that would be easier, but that's not how the world works.
Well, he'll lose if this guy brandishes his sword, so he should be careful not to step on toes.]
Don't worry about it. It isn't like I'm in charge of the dress code around here. Not that I know where 'around here' is. I'm still figuring things out myself.
... Where'd you wake up, if you don't mind me asking?
[Sorry, he's just gonna keep asking.]