sticksandbones | EVENT & TDM 017

Entry tags:

!event,
!tdm

EVENT & TDM 017

WHO ARE THEY?

WAKE UP

Grey, overcast skies. A touch of autumn rain. The smell of crisp apples and fallen leaves, and the crunch of grass underfoot. Pumpkins growing along the path and out of the walls of the buildings and on the rooves and wait what—

You’re not sure how you got here, but does it really matter? There’s something more urgent happening. As you stare at the pumpkin growing out of the wall by your head, something small and coin-shaped bonks you right on the noggin. As you look up, you’ll realise that the rain is gradually becoming less and less wet, and more and more… candy.

It’s raining candy. Wrapped candy, mind — the sky doesn’t want any food safety issues! No razor blades in the chocolate this year! — but candy nonetheless. Chocolate coins, taffy, sour candies, you name it, all coming down gradually before an absolute deluge of goodies pour down upon Aldric’s Grove. Some of them include wrapped bags of microwave popcorn and, yes, the occasional toothbrush. If you’re lucky, you might get clocked in the head with a mini pumpkin!

…don’t be lucky. Maybe get inside and wait for the trick-or-treat storm to pass, and make some friends while you’re at it. Surely the people who’ve been here for a bit can explain this one? Surely…?

A BONE TO PICK

At midnight the day after the candy storm ends, a distant rattlin’ sound can be heard. From the forest surrounding the Grove comes the clickety-clack of dry bones as what appears to be a small army of skeletons assembles. At the head of the phalanx is none other than everyone’s favourite friendly skeletal spirit, Mr. Bone-Jangles. If anyone happens to be up at this late hour, he’ll wave hello and greet you… by plucking one of those pumpkins off the wall or out of the ground, breaking it open by ramming his skull into it, and handing you one half.

It’s full of candy, just like the skies were. Has anyone cleaned up the candy sitting on the ground from last night’s storm…? This is too much! Just as someone tries to tell him that there’s too much sugar here, he breaks open a second pumpkin, which contains fully-baked pumpkin pie that uses the shell of the pumpkin as the crust. Sigh.

This will be your entire month. Mr. Bone-Jangles will hand you sugar-filled pumpkins if he thinks you’re getting too sad or uncomfortable at any point, and his skeletal entourage follow behind him, loudly playing off-key music like the worst marching band you’ve ever heard. You’re not entirely sure how skeletons can play the trumpet — they don’t have lungs! — but it doesn’t really matter. It’s happening. You must deal with it. He’s not taking “no” for an answer.

Cheer up! Stop being depressed! Try Not Thinking About It™!

IT’S YOU, IT’S ME

Not everything can go smoothly, though. Not that one would call Mr. Bone-Jangles and his marching band of goobers smooth, but at least they aren’t an active threat to you. The same night he appears, so do others. Your “Other” — a doppelganger who looks just like you, thinks like you, acts like you, has powers like you do (or don’t). They know you. They want to be you.

The Others don’t make their appearance too obvious. They hide in the shadows, waiting for the opportune time to strike. Some might even wait until you’re talking to someone else to appear and cry out that’s not me! I’m right here! in an attempt to frame you. In almost every way, they’re the perfect “you” — especially should they get the drop on you and slash your throat, or gut you like a cod, or push you into the well where you’ll fall for an eternity before drowning all alone. Your Other will replace you seamlessly and, perhaps, they might turn their attention to your friends and loved ones next.

Yet, there’s always something “off” about them, no matter how perfect a replica. Perhaps your Other is more temperamental. Perhaps they don’t speak as well, or they speak far more intelligently than you ever did, or they’ve forgotten basic facts about their life. Perhaps your Other forgot that their dear friend’s birthday is coming up here soon. Or perhaps…

…the knife they brandish in broad daylight is a dead giveaway?

…IT’S US

If you don’t kill your Other first, they will certainly kill you. The Others aren’t too concerned about any corpses hanging out in broad daylight, easily discovered by the masses where they can try to investigate if it’s “you” or “them”. Their job is to kill you; the method and clean-up really don’t matter, and since they’re the only ones left, they can claim easily that you were the doppelganger all along.

Where does your spirit go when you die to an Other? Deep within the forest lies a mansion made of creaky old wood and worn-down stone, one which no one outside can currently get into. The spirits of those who died are trapped here, left to haunt these halls. It is, ostensibly, a normal-if-decrepit home inside. There are living rooms, there’s a foyer, there are plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, there’s a humungous kitchen — and as you float through the home, sometimes, a sense of mischief overtakes you. You really want to throw that table at someone. You really want to jump out at someone and frighten the daylights out of them. It’s dark in here, and there are plenty of places to hide.

Sadly for your prankster’s heart, the living — no matter how hard they try, and you sure can hear them trying — have been unable to break in, and they won’t be able to. Yet, standing just outside the iron-wrought fence, a stalwart figure of chaos and bad ideas, holding a greatsword with both skeletal hands… stands Mr. Bone-Jangles.

It seems like a way inside might unveil itself after all.

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

WAKE UP

Welcome to Aldric's Grove, newbies! It's raining candy and the pumpkins are growing out of everything they can, no matter how nonsense it is. The people who've been here for a while probably know how to explain this one. Definitely.

A BONE TO PICK

An army of skeletons with instruments are here to cheer you up. Whenever you're Too Sad or Too Uncomfortable or Too Negative Emotion Here, they will chase you down and play music, and their leader will hand you a broken pumpkin full of sweets. Yaaay!

IT’S YOU, IT’S ME

The peace doesn't last long. Doppelgangers appear, seemingly from nowhere, with the intent to kill and replace you. They're almost-perfect copies, but there's always something off about them. They're perfectly killable, if you're smart about it.

…IT’S US

Those of you who die to your doppelgangers will leave a pretty corpse behind, and your spirits will be trapped in a (currently inaccessible) mansion in the forest until further notice. Your spirits will be quite tempted into mischievious ghost activities while you await your rescue.

OOC

Welcome to October's TDM! Reminder that all TDMs are game canon. This is the LAST TDM of the year; November & December won't have any due to the holiday season. We'll see you guys in January with a fresh new TDM, but feel free to continue playing on this one until then. OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out!

Living characters cannot currently get into the mansion to stage a rescue, but we encourage anyone who's "gone ghost" to float about in there. The rescue will be a mid-month event for our current playerbase at time of writing.

UPDATES

❖ None yet!

SUBMISSIONS

QUESTIONS
INVESTIGATIONS
PAST-LIFE PLOTTING

(CODE)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[... they were never able to see his designs before, so this is something new to them. Also, the colours! So many! He's really embracing it, huh? Like a true fashion designer~

Instead of being normal they continue to sit on the other side of the tree and stare at him, how long before he notices this... they're willing to stay here for hours tbh. Imagine talking to anyone.]

[ Gotta work with the flow of things! From learning colors, to what pairs best, try and incorporate those in designs outside the Shades they're so used to. Though, it helps a little to look at the area, doesn't it? With how colorful the place is.

Which he does. Looking to the buildings, a glance to the side as he sees Loop, looks out towards the flora that grow throughout the area, back to the tree at Loop and ]

[

Wait. ]

GAH! [ Isn't it funny to see a man of his size jump? Fumbling with some swatches in his hands as they tumble to the grass. ] L-Loop! Um, hello!

[ He doesn't say it but the vibes are very what are you doing here??? Sheepishly trying to collect the scattered swatches to put together now. ] Whew, you surprised me...

[Loop staring and holding very still like maybe he won't notice, and it ALMOST works but

it's fine

They stifle a laugh behind a hand, rolling with the reaction given to them. It's still funny seeing him get flustered... they don't mind this kind of interaction, maybe.]

Hello, Fighter! You looked so immersed, I didn't want to break your concentration~

[ H'oooh boy. Once he's gathered up the pieces does he start to pile the swatches together, then moving to rub at the back of his own neck with his other hand. ]

Y-Yeah, I guess I got a bit too into it there. Still trying to get the hang of working with colors and all, haha.. [ Looks down at his things, before back at them. Trying to carefully trek the line there. ] ..Am I in your way? I can move if I am!

I just started to feel a bit too cooped up indoors so some fresh air seemed like a good idea and.

[ Is he rambling a little? He's prooobably rambling a little. ]

[They let him run some of that nervous energy out, shifting only enough to sit more comfortably. Less behind the tree, more next to it. They fold their arms into their lap, leaving their knife in the grass behind them.]

You don't have to move for me. It's fine. [Not like they can change it now, anyway. Their gaze flicks down to his sketchbook.]

... What are you working on?

[ Rather than looking like they're getting ready to leave, Loop.. settles? Oh. His own words trail, that nervousness and slight unease trickling out and he blinks at that. It's fine? ..Huh. ]

..Okay! [ A softer smiler shows, before he's promptly distracted by that question. Right, he sorta is working on something, isn't he? He takes hold of his book, though he doesn't exactly readily or eagerly show off his designs. If because.. he looks embarrassed. Nervous about it in a way that's more self-conscious than anything else. ]

Just some ideas! It's a lot of workshopping right now. I've been working to share some Vaugardian designs, and clothes you see in Poteria and Ka Bue for Ain. So there's a wider selection at the tailor shop for people to choose from when I start helping out there.

[It's... fine! Fine enough. A little of their own anxiety still seeps through Loop's expression, but they're trying their best over here. Don't fuck this up. Be normal.]

And you have so many designs already! You've been working hard, haven't you? Already working colours in, too, I'm impressed~

[Not sarcastic! They really are.]

Is it supposed to be top secret? I may have peeked~ juuuuust a little~ but I wouldn't want to ruin any surprises!

I-It isn't a whole lot.. but I've been trying, yeah.

[ Which is probably putting it lightly, but that's the kind of person Isabeau is. Trying not to make it too big of a deal, downplaying a lot of it. Bragging is about the last thing he wants to do. But he's been doing a pretty good job at studying the colors and working them in. His hands fiddle with his book a little, a nervous habit as he picks at the corner of it. ]

Oh, no! It's not really a secret or anything. [ No, anything he is keeping a secret is a lot deeper in the book, where his ideas for more specific designs for people are saved. ] I do plan to share these ones with Ain so it wasn't meant to be a surprise!

[ There's a bit more to it but. It seems silly to say out loud when he thinks about it, and it isn't as if he wants to dump any of that on Loop. Even if they clearly know quite a bit about him - more than he probably realizes. ]

[They can tell he's not saying everything, but... that makes sense! They're still mostly a stranger, even if they might be a... friendly one, now? Maybe?

They try not to think about what he might share if they were someone else.

... Hmm. Well, actually...]

Anything for a certain special someone? [since they're NOT Siffrin that means maybe he WOULD show them, right?? They're curious now.] You can ask me for a second opinion if you need it~ I'm quite familiar with his tastes.

[ Just a bit more fiddling, trying to play it off but it seems to catch their interest instead and when they specifically ask that he jumps a little. Ugh crab, there really isn't hiding that. Especially when he so much as said as much literally on the first day here to Siffrin in the middle of everything. ]

I-I mean, yeah! There's.. some - I've been kinda throwing ideas together. [ Because of course he has! There's nothing he'd like more than to design clothes for Siffrin and for them to model them and-- ] Having a second pair of eyes would be good! Especially in a case where I want it to be a surprise!

It's just, uh. [ Okay, how to. Explain this without sounding too ridiculous about it. He carefully sets his notebook down back into his lap, fingers idly tapping at it. ] ..I'm not really used to this sorta thing. Sharing my designs outside just myself, that is.

[ And it sounds stupid when he puts it like that but. Sharing that part of himself, it's got a bit of.. vulnerability to it. Which he's going to have to get over when he shares with Ain anyways so. What is he even afraid for? ]

[Oh... he doesn't want to share at all? Maybe they shouldn't have asked. This feels like... overstepping. Trying to get too close all at once. Why would he want to show them that if he's not even comfortable with the normal designs? Remember your place, Loop, he's not yours.

They withdraw a little from their cheery front, staring down at a spot in the grass. They don't want to push, but...]

You don't have to if you're not comfortable with it. The designs I saw... they, um, looked really good? ... Not that I'm an expert on fashion or anything.

It isn't that! Not exactly...

[ ...Okay, partly he is uncomfortable but it isn't because of anyone else. It's just how he is. But that isn't who he wants to be. Wants to be able to share and show off his designs with a bit more pride. He looks over to them, before down at his book and takes those words in and... It eases at his nerves. Someone else does think they're nice. Quietly, ]

..You think so? I mean, that's okay! That's... nice to know. That you think they did.

[ It isn't as if Isabeau really wants to stay this way. It isn't good to be stagnant, no he wants to Change. Be better. Be able to be himself without any fear or... thoughts of those parts of himself being rejected or anything like that. Which seems so silly in hindsight but, this.. does help. And is it not good practice to do so now? While he has someone willing, someone offering.

So after mulling over it a second, he pats the spot beside him, looking over hopefully. Just in case Loop wants a closer look? ] I can.. show you more, if you'd like? It'll help me I think.

I do think so! [they insist, a touch more confident] They're good, I can tell you worked hard on them. You should be proud of them.

[Because Isabeau is smart, and talented, and passionate. And maybe they never spent any nights under the stars together, but they know he's not someone who should be ashamed of anything. He's so much more than he gives himself credit for. He's someone who saw flaws in himself and simply decided to become better. To be someone else, more true to where he wanted himself to be. He could do anything and they're sure he'd find some way to succeed.

They wish they could have that kind of strength. To be someone new, but willingly. To Change and not feel like they're worse off in every way.]

[... they manage not to jump when he pats the spot next to him, zoning back in from their thoughts. Oh... oh???]

I... sure? Okay! Yeah!

[Crawling over to sit down next to him, making sure there's still a healthy gap of space between where they're sitting. On his left side, so they can actually see! They do really want to see this.]

[ It's still... a lot! To be told that. It's hard to hide how taken aback he almost looks, torn between wondering if they actually mean it? Or if they're just playing with him but - their tone doesn't sound like they're teasing him. So he keeps it to himself, rolling the words over in his head.

When they respond to his gesture, he can't help but laugh. The small little scramble as they come beside, Isabeau respectfully keeping that distance they put. But when they settle at his side, he glimpses at them with a shy smile. ]

Okay! [ Okay! Doing better this time around, he doesn't feel like he's stepped in anything yet. Which does help with his nerves, even if he fiddles with the notebook a little more. ] Alright, so... you're probably familiar with Vaugardian designs?

[ Fighting against their nerves, he does open the book again, but he pushes to the pages with a collection of clean realistic drawings of Vaugardian style that can be seen around. Some more luxurious and elegant than others. ] I've been wanting to show the best examples for Ain on what fashion is like in Vaugarde. I do have some designs from Poteria but I'm not as confident on those.

[ First, start off simple.. the more typical and basic of designs, and maybe slowly build-up towards designs he's made himself? He can probably do that. ]

Well... familiar enough? [A tiny shrug. Their memory is only good for important things, and local fashion trends aren't exactly a high priority for stardust... the figures on the page do ring vaguely familiar, though. They sure have been to Vaugarde!

They lean in to get a better look. Up close is no less impressive... did they know Isabeau was this good of an artist, before? Basic or not, there's a lot of detail put into these. Looks good enough to Craft into motion.]

Hmm! Well, if they're half as good as these I think you'll be fine. This is already a lot for just examples.

Familiar enough is plenty! [ Having some idea helps. Even if in part, he's curious to how familiar they really are with their apparent placement at the Favor Tree. They probably paid more attention to Siffrin than what the people of Dormont were wearing but.

He watches them quietly, seeing them lean in for a clearer look and those nerves kick in a little. ..Whew! Rather than any hard look of judgment, or doubt, they continue on and Isabeau releases a small breath. ]

Is it a lot?? [ He turns his attention back to the pages, and.. huh. Guess it really is a lot. Fingers reach to turn the page, showing off some of Poteria's fashion now. The fashion there being a different kind of luxury. But some Ka Buen fashion start to peek at the bottom half of that page. ] I guess I just wanted to give a good enough idea! But I probably just got too excited about helping and went a bit overboard, haha.

[ And.. a bit more curiously, ] Do you have a preference? On clothes, I mean! I haven't seen you wear any but... I've been sorta wondering?

Better to have too many than too few! He won't have any room to complain.

[And they're content to simply continue like this, peering over the new page and trying to dust up some long lost memory of Poterian fashion. Their hand wanders, reaching up to gently brush the edge of the page, careful not to overstep...

but it would be too easy, if they could just talk like this and not have to talk about themselves. They freeze as soon as he asks the question.

Such a simple one, too. Stupid, that they made it this far without coming up with an answer. Of course he'd want to ask. They're the one who asked to look at his designs, aren't they? Shouldn't they have an opinion about it if they're so interested?

Do they even remember what they like?

Loop draws their hand back, clasping it tightly in their lap.]

I... have preferences.

No one really... thought it was weird, I guess, and I don't have anything to hide, so... [people tend to get more hung up on the stars and the glowing than the fact that they're naked, so they just sort of accepted that they didn't need clothes]

[ More is at least more reassuring than too few, so he can agree on that. Though he's a little taken by the way their hand moves. He doesn't stop them, just peeking at them, curious as to what thoughts they have. Was it something in Poteria that stood out? Or were they trying to familiarize themselves with the style? Poteria is pretty known for being pretty showy.

Suddenly, neither of them move, and Isabeau already feels like he said the wrong thing. Was it bad to ask them for their preference when they don't really wear clothes? Was that asking too much from them? That hand draws back and his own grips the notebook a bit more with an apology hanging on the tip of his tongue before

oh. They.. do have preferences? Huh! And of course he's even more curious, but those words continue and he brings his other hand in a small "it's okay!!" gesture. ]

It isn't weird! It's kinda cool even?? [ How they look, that is but. A bit more softly, ] Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, it's just.. I guess I'm a little worried you might get cold? Not wearing anything.

[ Blankets can only keep you so warm, after all. ]

[... choosing not to overthink "It's kinda cool (that you're naked all the time)", they know what he probably means by it. Anyway,]

That's sweet of you, Fighter.

[They try to compose themselves, breathing in slowly. Don't make it weird... they can bring this back around... gently uncurling their hands, trying to relax again.]

It's freezing cold in space, so I doubt it would do anything to me. I am a star. [sort of]

[ Loop would have every right to point that out and tease him for it though. As his wording really does go over his own head. The look they get from him is sheepish at that comment, smiling a little. But they continue before he can really get a comment in and ah.

He.. guesses that makes sense? Even though he looks a little curious at the mention. "Freezing cold in space"..? A glance upward, despite the time still being very much day. Hmm. ]

Are you really a star? [ It's said with a bit of wonder, curiosity, nothing accusing or doubting or anything like that just - he doesn't actually know! ]

I guess if you're used to it, I can see why it wouldn't bother you too much. [ ... ] But... you said you have preferences, right? Can I.. ask what they are?

[ And if they do have preferences, it probably means they aren't entirely against wearing clothes, right? ]

[Does "you are what you eat" apply here?]

... Maybe! [wink☆]

Hmm, preferences... honestly, I haven't thought about it in a long time. Haven't needed to! There were more important things to worry about.

I think... I wanted to try a dress, once. Maybe something like that.

"Maybe"? Hmm... right, so something for me to ask again later!

[ Which is fine by him. It's a lot of personal stuff he's asking as is, he doesn't blame them for trying to keep some of it to themselves for now. Especially when they do share the preferences part with him and he reaches for his pencil on the other side, turning the pages to a clean one. A dress, huh... ]

I can see that. With what you were going through before with Sif. But while we're here, there's a bit of time to think about it now, isn't there? [ Hmm... Brings the pencil to tap against his own mouth, staring at the page. ] A dress... any particular kind of dress? Something that comes around mid-calf length? Or maybe a max length that comes around the ankles?

[ At first, Isabeau was just curious but, it's a bit exciting to fall into the plan process with someone else. There's so much that can be done with a simple suggestion! To find somewhere to start, and build from there. ]

[Ask again later... hah. Who knows? Maybe next time they'll indulge him.

They only shared on a whim, expecting that the Fighter might take that admission to steer the conversation. Surely he has plenty of dress designs already, they wouldn't mind seeing a few more! What they don't expect is for him to flip to a fresh page and ask for more details, like he's going to actually design something right now. For them.

...

Well! It's not like he has to make everything he comes up with. They try not to look too frazzled. This is just... figuring out what they might like, which they would also like to know. Yeah.]

I think... mid-calf? If it's too long it might get in the way. Something loose and comfortable.

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ISAT spoilers even if its still vague

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