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sticksandbones2024-09-06 11:16 am
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in sticksandbones2024-09-06 11:16 am
EVENT & TDM 016
A CREEPING FURY SETTING IN
WAKE UP
You don’t recall how you got here. Hell, you’re barely sure “why” you’re here in the first place. But the fact is, by the time you come to your senses, you’re already standing in line out in front of a tent with a big sign on it: FREE STUFF! FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!
Others who have been here longer are aware of you, of course. They watched you ambling around on autopilot for two hours before the sign went up, and then you suddenly hopped into the queue (and maybe even cut in line! the horror!) before the brain fog cleared. Where are you? Why are you in line? Do you even want free stuff? All of these questions can only be answered when you see what the free stuff is.
…it’s random junk. Random magical junk, mind, but when a woman made of solid shadows hands you a wand that apparently summons a small amount of pigeons “per day, until it breaks”, you take it. Or, perhaps, the item was a crystal ball that only shows you made-up scenes from a book. Or it’s a hand-fan that blows only warm air, or a pen that writes all of your letters backwards despite the fact you yourself aren’t doing that… anything quirky and stupid is within the realm of possibility, and Ydalir is trying so hard to get rid of her failed magical experiments. Please. Please take these. Her tent is overstocked and she needs to start anew.
And to those of you who are new here, she’ll offer a friendly greeting and wave, and ask you how your head is feeling after that strange wandering session earlier. Don’t feel pressured to answer; the line needs to keep moving, after all.
Others who have been here longer are aware of you, of course. They watched you ambling around on autopilot for two hours before the sign went up, and then you suddenly hopped into the queue (and maybe even cut in line! the horror!) before the brain fog cleared. Where are you? Why are you in line? Do you even want free stuff? All of these questions can only be answered when you see what the free stuff is.
…it’s random junk. Random magical junk, mind, but when a woman made of solid shadows hands you a wand that apparently summons a small amount of pigeons “per day, until it breaks”, you take it. Or, perhaps, the item was a crystal ball that only shows you made-up scenes from a book. Or it’s a hand-fan that blows only warm air, or a pen that writes all of your letters backwards despite the fact you yourself aren’t doing that… anything quirky and stupid is within the realm of possibility, and Ydalir is trying so hard to get rid of her failed magical experiments. Please. Please take these. Her tent is overstocked and she needs to start anew.
And to those of you who are new here, she’ll offer a friendly greeting and wave, and ask you how your head is feeling after that strange wandering session earlier. Don’t feel pressured to answer; the line needs to keep moving, after all.
HOUNDS ON YOUR HEELS
At some point as the summer fades into autumn, something in the air changes. The surrounding woods and its foggy walls have felt tenser than usual, like something is waiting for you to slip and fall into jaws just waiting to snap shut around your flesh — but nothing happens. Not initially, at least. But keen eyes will soon see a plethora of fairies, long sleeves dangling over razor-sharp claws like a praying mantis’s arms, hair tied back in loose buns, all wearing masks with a single watchful eye painted upon them. As your gazes meet, they giggle and disperse.
And then there are more. And as more gather, watching the paths you take, the houses and buildings erected, the way you move through the gardens, they begin to screech like cicadas. Like alarms.
It could be the lumbering, moss-covered frog that leaps towards you from the lake, large enough to match a car. It could be the wood and stone-crusted bear, spears and arrows collected in its haunches like decoration and not the injuries they clearly are, standing taller than anything you’ve ever seen. It could be the long, winding dragon with lichen dripping off of it, coiling through the trees. Regardless, the fairies are calling to your location and one of them is going to answer.
They chase with an almost single-minded perseverance, with claws and sticky tongues and fangs — stealth is the key, so long as the fairies don’t rat you out again. Though they can be fought, they cannot die in a way that matters — just as easily as flesh tears, it will stitch itself back together and hold a grudge.
Every broken twig is a signal to your location. Every brush of wind in the trees and the grass could be the monsters stalking after you.
It’s time to play: Hide and Seek.
And then there are more. And as more gather, watching the paths you take, the houses and buildings erected, the way you move through the gardens, they begin to screech like cicadas. Like alarms.
It could be the lumbering, moss-covered frog that leaps towards you from the lake, large enough to match a car. It could be the wood and stone-crusted bear, spears and arrows collected in its haunches like decoration and not the injuries they clearly are, standing taller than anything you’ve ever seen. It could be the long, winding dragon with lichen dripping off of it, coiling through the trees. Regardless, the fairies are calling to your location and one of them is going to answer.
They chase with an almost single-minded perseverance, with claws and sticky tongues and fangs — stealth is the key, so long as the fairies don’t rat you out again. Though they can be fought, they cannot die in a way that matters — just as easily as flesh tears, it will stitch itself back together and hold a grudge.
Every broken twig is a signal to your location. Every brush of wind in the trees and the grass could be the monsters stalking after you.
It’s time to play: Hide and Seek.
‘TIL THERE’S NOTHING LEFT
cw: supernatural parasitism & energy/life-force draining
… And where do those captured go, when all is said and done? None of the Seekers actually kill them after all — they may carry their unfortunate victims within their mouths if they are large enough to do so, but as soon as one is captured, they leave.
Though it’s risky to try and track them through the woods, those who try or stay awake during their capture will find themselves taken down a winding path in the fog. One can also bribe a fairy or two to help — or at least not rat you out. A shiny object or food — berries, honey, the fresh-killed heart of that songbird on the branch, all work fine to win its favor for a time. Eventually, they’ll find themselves up a path to a gargantuan tree covered in glowing boils — it’s something that manages to dwarf even the whale-sized moose that may wander by wordlessly, impassive to your plights as moose are wont to do.
Sickly motes of light waft through the air and gently-glowing flowers bloom all around the land, moss glistens against the bark and dirt and perhaps if this place was not so warped by evil, it could have been beautiful once. Coiled around the tree is a vine where the captured are tied to, and they will feel…
Tired. Compliant. Don’t you wish to sleep? The tree needs you. Don’t struggle. Don’t resist. Sleep, and dream no more…
Keen eyes will see the skeletons of former victims further up the vines. As the tree feeds on its captives’ life force, fairies and the Seekers stand guard, only going out to fetch more victims. Do you make the attempt? Or will you come back with reinforcements?
… And where do those captured go, when all is said and done? None of the Seekers actually kill them after all — they may carry their unfortunate victims within their mouths if they are large enough to do so, but as soon as one is captured, they leave.
Though it’s risky to try and track them through the woods, those who try or stay awake during their capture will find themselves taken down a winding path in the fog. One can also bribe a fairy or two to help — or at least not rat you out. A shiny object or food — berries, honey, the fresh-killed heart of that songbird on the branch, all work fine to win its favor for a time. Eventually, they’ll find themselves up a path to a gargantuan tree covered in glowing boils — it’s something that manages to dwarf even the whale-sized moose that may wander by wordlessly, impassive to your plights as moose are wont to do.
Sickly motes of light waft through the air and gently-glowing flowers bloom all around the land, moss glistens against the bark and dirt and perhaps if this place was not so warped by evil, it could have been beautiful once. Coiled around the tree is a vine where the captured are tied to, and they will feel…
Tired. Compliant. Don’t you wish to sleep? The tree needs you. Don’t struggle. Don’t resist. Sleep, and dream no more…
Keen eyes will see the skeletons of former victims further up the vines. As the tree feeds on its captives’ life force, fairies and the Seekers stand guard, only going out to fetch more victims. Do you make the attempt? Or will you come back with reinforcements?
DON’T LOOK BACK
… But regardless of the hostility from the forest, the game must come to an end eventually. And in return for surviving, upon whatever throne he sits upon, the Black Sun offers the world a bit of power as the victims recover — those who perish to the monsters will awaken within their beds, unable to remember anything for a total 24 hours and with floral growths blooming around their scars — but after the initial panic, those who can will confirm that there is no Corruption in these wounds. They may fade, or they may not. Those who survive the month will only carry whatever injuries and weariness they gained over time.
Come morning light, the area of the river will give off a bright glow. Investigation will yield a lot of pain in the eyes, like looking directly at the sun, but eventually it dies down and residents of the Grove can properly have a look at the river again. Those that do may find themselves pleasantly surprised. While clouds shield the skies most of the time, over the river there is a gentle, warm sunlight and blue skies. The abundance of riverside foliage has grown, with new species available for those who can recognize such things — and the water, crisp and clearer than ever, holds more types of fish and amphibians as well. Besides the apple tree — Sinann’s gift for freedom long ago, and Moder’s blackberry bush — new is fruit available. The apple tree is flanked by a peach tree and an orange tree, while the other side of the riverbank houses… …A durian tree.
Some Guardians are grateful. Callan is Callan.
Perhaps best of all though is that Sinann itself has grown in size and in power: in fact, as you approach, it floats above the water to give a greeting.
“Thank you once more for your help.”
Come morning light, the area of the river will give off a bright glow. Investigation will yield a lot of pain in the eyes, like looking directly at the sun, but eventually it dies down and residents of the Grove can properly have a look at the river again. Those that do may find themselves pleasantly surprised. While clouds shield the skies most of the time, over the river there is a gentle, warm sunlight and blue skies. The abundance of riverside foliage has grown, with new species available for those who can recognize such things — and the water, crisp and clearer than ever, holds more types of fish and amphibians as well. Besides the apple tree — Sinann’s gift for freedom long ago, and Moder’s blackberry bush — new is fruit available. The apple tree is flanked by a peach tree and an orange tree, while the other side of the riverbank houses… …A durian tree.
Some Guardians are grateful. Callan is Callan.
Perhaps best of all though is that Sinann itself has grown in size and in power: in fact, as you approach, it floats above the water to give a greeting.
“Thank you once more for your help.”
SPARK NOTES
CLICK TO EXPAND!
WAKE UP
Welcome to Aldric's Grove! New and old residents alike are being gifted free, joke magic items from Ydalir's tent while she does her autumn cleaning. Please take these, she's desperate.
HOUNDS ON YOUR HEELS
Little insect-faeries watch your every move. Suddenly, from the barrier, you're being attacked by various monsters trying to capture you and drag you off. Better run. Better hide.
‘TIL THERE’S NOTHING LEFT
If you're caught, you'll be dragged to become food for a large tree that drains your life force directly. If you aren't rescued in time, you'll die slowly and peacefully.
DON’T LOOK BACK
Those of you who die will come back the next day with temporary amnesia lasting 24 hours. It'll clear up after, and all of your memories will come back as if with magic. But, in the end, you've won the game, and that means ample rewards: More fruit trees, and the River Guardian growing more powerful after all this time.
OOC
Welcome to September's TDM! Reminder that all TDMs are game canon. OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out! We have several toplevel comments below for randomizing any result you want this month, including the magic items from Ydalir if you're having a hard time making something up.
UPDATES
❖ None yet!
SUBMISSIONS
no subject
It is an old scar. I’d gotten it when I was 7. It’s not anything you need to worry about now…
no subject
[ The reassurance helps a little to quell that rage, considering it's an old scar and it means he can't march out into the grove at this very moment and poison the entire lot of them. Instead he shifts his fingers to rub his thumb against Mizuki's jaw again, his voice softening. ]
Tell me what happened?
[ It's a request, because this is one of those things Affogato won't demand from Mizuki. Not even the trauma is still as deep as the scar looks. ]
More cws sorry: child death (sorta)
It’s not a fun story.
[ But Affogato probably knows that. ]
I was born in a small fishing town. It was a lot like the Grove — everyone was sort of family, even if it technically was just me and my mama. She was very kind, sweet, silly… you would have really liked her.
[ Mizuki is certainly going to try his best to keep the story short, but… he’s real slow at typing the rest out anyway, pausing occasionally to wince and just… lean into Affogato. For just a moment before he types again. ]
Bandits… Pirates, whatever you’d like to call them, they came to my town in the middle of the night. Anything they couldn’t take, they burned. Anything that moved, they killed. My mama tried to hide me away, but I was too young to understand what was happening. I heard her screaming and I couldn’t help but cry. So they found me and they dragged me outside, but I was too slippery and, I guess, decided I wasn’t worth the effort…? Or… I dunno. It’s a bit hazy. So they slit my throat.
no subject
And he's silent as he reads, his grip tightening slowly. They slit the throat of a scared child. Someone barely older than a baby. All because they weren't simply content with looting.
The rage is hot in his throat, burning like bile. Impotent and with nothing to lash out against. How could he, it was ages in the past. He exhales slowly, closing his eyes. Take a moment to swallow it down. Then wraps both arms around Mizuki to hold him in.
His voice, despite his attempts, is a low hiss. ]
I hope their fate was torture and agony.
[ He refuses to believe they would have gotten away with it. The Gods could not be so cruel. ]
no subject
Affogato's anger is familiar, too! It's the same vitriol that Mizuki had when he hunted the bandits down himself. Found out where they were hiding and if they were still awful people, but... ]
...Is that what you think would be the best outcome? Do you believe people like that won't change?
no subject
But he has never pillaged and murdered with intent.
He sighs softly, his anger slowly fading a little, and he lifts his hand to stroke it through Mizuki's hair. ]
You may think me cruel for saying it, but yes. There are degrees of evil. Evil for survival, evil out of fear, out of pain and trauma. Then there is evil simply for evil. Those that would murder children? There is no redemption for them. They understood what they were doing, and did so willingly.
[ His voice is flat as he speaks, though his hold on Mizuki is loving still. Those that would turn their backs on a child simply for their lack of purity. No, let them starve. Let them suffer. ]
no subject
He knows this. He does. He just wishes everything could have a neat and tidy ending... ]
I found them... when I was 15. I was angry and I wanted them to hurt. I wanted them to feel my pain, but worse. But...
[ A pause as he stares at his phone, then to Affogato. He gently bumps his forehead to his for a moment, much akin to a cat, before he tries to type again. ]
I don't know why I didn't do that. Something felt wrong and off. And I just wanted to know why they felt that way, why they did those things, why anyone could be so cruel. I thought I could fix them, like We Many had fixed me. So I forced them to consume the same things I did that fixed me.
But then they stopped having rational thoughts and wouldn't stop screaming. I didn't know what happened at the time, but I believe now that it was just... We Many's way of saying We weren't very happy with them.
no subject
Then watches as he types out what happened. Exhales softly, shifting his fingers to start rubbing gently at Mizuki's scalp. Cleaning him up a bit like he cleaned Affogato up. Massage stress and worry and ages old memories away. ]
I know why you didn't. You are a good, sweet person. Everyone desires revenge at some point in their lives, but it takes a certain type of person to actually do it. Your heart is full of love and kindness, and revenge is an inherently selfish, nasty desire. There is not a selfish tentacle on you.
[ He moves one hand down to Mizuki's to pick it up, turn his palm over, lay a kiss into it. Nip his teeth in against the soft pad. ]
We Many judged them and found them irredeemable. They got what they deserved.
no subject
His fingers gently trace his cheek as he feels his teeth once again. ]
I feel selfish. Especially when I’m around you. I get terribly jealous when I think of
[ He hesitates, trying to think of the worse to. He ends up backspacing, in the end. Right up until the word “jealous” and just puts a period there.
He’s a jealous person. He knows he is. ]
no subject
He doesn't even know the other, and he hates him. Of course, he knows he's technically the other person here, and if Elsword came back, as much as it would hurt, Affogato would pull away. ]
You are allowed to be selfish in love. I am. I want you all to myself. Every last inch of you, every little hidden space. Every moment, every breath, every blink of your eye I want only on me.
[ He lifts his gaze to peek his eyes up at Mizuki, amused. ]
Yet that does not go hand in hand with your selfless nature. If someone needed your heart, you would carve it out of your own chest for them.
no subject
You have that. You have all of that. I am all yours. But... I know that you can have all the love in my heart and so can another. I don't doubt that I belong to you, wholly. But just the same, I know that my affections for Elsword are still true, too. And I should know... I should know that other people can have that, too. That you could love me with all you have and still love another and it's hypocritical to think that you can't.
[ A pause. ]
And yet... I'm a hypocrite, all the same. Thinking about you giving affection to someone else makes my blood boil. And it shouldn't. If someone else makes you happy, then I should support you. I should encourage you. I want nothing more than for you to be happy, but there's a nasty, selfish part of me that wants you to be happy with just me.
I don't like it. I don't want to be like this...
no subject
Of course Mizuki would understand. To love someone and want them to be happy, yet to be insanely jealous if they so much as love another. For a moment it confuses Affogato as to who Mizuki might mean for him, but he ah's softly when he realizes he means Cacao.
He pulls back just enough to shift their positions, pull Mizuki into his lap, twist them around a little so the other is pinned between him and the back of the bath. ]
You needn't be jealous, though I must admit it delights me that you are~ Cacao and I are not a couple and shall never be one. We are vile and bitter poison to one another, and have accepted that, and moved away from that. We are only just trying to be friends, to find a footing where we understand one another and can support the other, without it being twisted.
[ He lifts his fingers to gently stroke against the bite mark Mizuki left on him, the pain still there though dull. ]
I am only yours.
no subject
After that, Mizuki just hold the phone to him, his phone hiding the lower half of his face as he just stares at Affogato's eyes. Hhhh... How is this supposed to make him feel? Shouldn't he be happy to hear that there's nothing between him and Cacao? Maybe he is. Maybe he is happy, but he feels guilty that he feels happy. He wants Affogato to be all his. He wants to litter his skin with marks to let everyone know. But he also feels... bad. Hypocritical. Selfish. Guilty. It's such an odd combination of emotions to pair with the flighty butterflies feeling and the adoration that Mizuki looks at Affogato with. ]
That makes me happy, really... But I'm not sure it should? Like, what if there's someone else that can make you happier than I can? What if instead of talking with you about it, I just got mad and ate them instead? I don't want that to happen...
no subject
It won't happen, despite your fears, because you have more self control than that. Plus, I am here, aren't I? I promised to help you keep things like that under control. And no one makes me happier than you. No one ever could. You love me for all I am, my worst and my best.
[ He gently rests their foreheads together, affectionate and soft despite the rather compromising position. ]
Nothing will happen, because I am with you.
no subject
...
After a moment, he gives a little nod, seemingly satisfied for now with this. As if Affogato wasn't always going to have assured Mizuki, regardless of what he said. ]
I do love you. I love you more than the ocean has water. You will always have my heart.
no subject
And the nod makes him relax and hum pleasantly, deep and almost purring. Good. He doesn't like it when his jelly worries. His sweet little Mizuki. ]
And I love you. My heart is in your hands, to do whatever you desire with. Is there a toothbrush in here? I want to kiss you.
no subject
I can go have a look around, if you'd like. But I don't mind if your breath smells, I'd still take the kiss.
no subject
[ He does, it's so .... disgraceful being so unclean, but- well. The least he can do is rinse, so he ducks his head down into the water briefly to take some into his mouth, swish it around, scrub furiously with his tongue.
Quick rinse and repeat, and he'll pop up to press his mouth to Mizuki's. It's less fierce than he wants to make it, because Mizuki might be fine but he doesn't want to kill him. ]
no subject
Haha gross.
no subject
I see. Then I fear I must desist from kisses for now, if it is truly too horrible to continue with.
[ Is what he says but he presses a little kiss to Mizuki's jaw, before pulling back so he can continue cleaning. It's time for sleep soon and he doesn't want to be found face down in the bath, dead because he tried to snore into water. ]
no subject
Mizuki's more than happy to take Affogato back to the therapy building, and will insist he eats something before he sleeps, but ultimately just wants him to rest... ]
no subject
Well. He's mistaken. Because that's exactly what Affogato will do. Enjoy sleeping in his arms with him cause the moment he's down down he's fucking dead to the world. He refuses to believe he snores, but he sure is gonna stress snore into Mizuki's ear. ]