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sticksandbones2024-10-04 11:32 am
sticksandbonesmods) wrote in sticksandbones2024-10-04 11:32 am
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…?
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 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?
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.
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.
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
ISAT spoilers even if its still vague
... 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.
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
Loose and comfortable.. so nothing too form fitting to the body. Something casual?
[ Though he doesn't just draft one, he drafts a few others beside with different changes. One strapless, another one over the shoulder, and a regular set.. A sun dress design, maybe? Or perhaps something more of a smock dress? ]
What kind of shades would you prefer? Lightless? Darkless? [ One dress he starts to shade in, before he taps a little at the paper and glances over at the colored fabric swatches. ] Though there are colors to try out here.
no subject
Then another, and another. So many ways to make such a simple design. It's easy to get entranced with the process, following along with each stroke.]
... Hm. Darkless would look weird. [too much contrast. would it look better to make it blend with their skin? like they're just wearing a suit and tights underneath and not... yknow.] Colours could be fun? It's something new.
no subject
[ Moving on from the darkless design, focusing more on leaving the rest lightless. But leaving it at just that is too simple. Though, Loop themselves are an ethereal glow as is, with their starry.. person? Starry star? So something that goes well with that? He hums a little with thought. ]
It is something new. ..Would using "gold" be a bit too much?
[ Here, he reaches for his bag to pull out two colored pencils. Adding a bit of gold trimmings to one design, before swapping to silver for the other design. Adding a bit more touch to the other. Make it a bit more flowy, emphasis on the comfort. It's sorta playing it safe though, isn't it? With these simpler colors. As he ponders this, he realizes he's been quite for a while now and he nearly jumps. ]
Sorry, this is probably boring to watch, huh??
no subject
And they do remember gold, and silver! Their eyes widen a bit at that. They're happy to just sit there and watch for awhile, providing ample light for his work despite the shade they're under.
Until he suddenly stops, anyway. They look up, a little surprised.]
No... it's fine. It's interesting? [It's nice, sometimes, just to watch other people in silence. But maybe that's weird to him? They don't remember enough to be sure. They pause, looking down at the sketch again, the little coloured accents...]
... Did you know gold and silver represent the sun and the moon here? Gold for the sun, silver for the moon and stars... which is funny, since the sun is a star. You'd think they'd all be the same.
[Their own light is closer to a bright silver, though, so maybe it's not so far off after all.]
I just thought it was interesting! That you'd pick those two. Did you know that already?
no subject
Here, Loop is just watching and.. seems perfectly fine to do so. It sounds a bit familiar when he thinks about it. Though he can't exactly put his finger on it. He shakes that thought away, looking back to the designs as he ponders on what else he could potentially add to it. ]
Is it? That's good then. [ If they say it's fine then, he'll take their word for it. He fiddles with the silver pen, thinking maybe he could add a layer of silver with the lightless. Or perhaps a pattern? That is before... ]
..Really?? [ Suppose it makes sense that a star person would know about things like that, the sun being a star that is. But at the inquiry, he quickly shakes his head. ] No, I actually didn't know that... Huh, that is pretty interesting!
[ His other hand raises to scratch at his cheek a little, giving a sheepish look at them before turning his attention back to the designs. ]
I just thought that gold seems like it'd go pretty well with lightless. A little bright to add onto the dark but. The more I thought about it, I was thinking actually maybe silver might suit you more? Silver is a pretty familiar color too with our shades back home. [ So it's extra safe without branching too far into colors and messing it up, haha.. ]
no subject
You think so? [A shade that's bright but not quite darkless, with the barest hint of colour within. It has a mysterious quality, they think. Ethereal, but not overwhelming.] I do like it. Gold is nice, too, but silver is a little more me. [whatever that is, really.
... They speak up again a little sooner this time rather than letting the conversation lapse. They're pretty good at filling up silence now, so it's not a difficult adjustment to make! A lot easier than Siffrin on most days.]
You have such a good eye for this already, Fighter! You'll be a colour theory pro in no time~ Do you have any favourites yet?
no subject
Glad you agree! Makes me feel better with my decision. [ Silver it is! Something to make note for later. So lightless and silver when it comes to Loop. A tiny note that he writes down as a self reminder. Designing will take a bit of time, and eventually he'll be a bit busy putting it together but.. it'll be fun! He likes having things to do. Between Sif's stuff, to now this, and maybe in time he can rope other projects in.
When Loop pipes up again, his head tilts to acknowledge that he's listening. Though cheeks color a little at the compliment. ] Haha, hopefully! That's the plan. It'll at least come in handy here.
[ He has definitely been spending a good amount of time studying and learning colors on the side. More than he is willing to admit. Not that he minds doing so but, nobody really wants to hear that.. the question, though! ]
I do! Sunflower yellow is definitely one of my favorites, though pink is just as high up too!
no subject
I think they suit you, too! They're very... [gentle, warm, bright... stars, they can't say any of those without making this weird] very you! In a way!
[Killing it out here. Bravo, Loop! You're having a normal conversation! Keep it going, you can do this!]
You should try out some new styles for yourself, too! It'd be fun to see you in something different for a change.
no subject
[ And of course going to just believe that until proven otherwise. Though now he sorta wants to dig up more books on colors to see if there's anything else like that! Yellow and pink, pasta colors... it sounds really funny. Wow Loop, you're so smart. But also. ]
...Aww, that's awfully sweet of you to say, Loop!
[ Which he beams happily at. Suiting sunflower yellow and pink... how nice! Working something with both those colors.. could that work? An idle pencil tap, but rather than start on something new.. no, he continues what he's already working on. ]
You think so? Hmm.. I guess I should give it a try sometime! Maybe later down the line? Would be handy to plan something for when the season starts to change.
no subject
They beam back, and... this is nice. An awkward start, maybe a few small hitches in the middle, but they're talking with him, sharing things, even sharing a little bit of themselves, and... it doesn't feel forced. They're not even acting, really. It's nice.
They're having fun, talking to him.
Even if he's not theirs. Even if it can never be the same.
... but it's fine! They can learn to fill the cracks, and maybe someday there will be a gap large enough for them to belong in. They just have to do better, be better.
They still manage to reply on cue, smile never wavering.]
You should treat yourself! You can be so selfless sometimes, it's okay to make nice things for yourself every now and then~
no subject
It was a bit of a rocky start, but their conversation continues on smoothly enough that Isabeau is definitely feeling a bit better about everything. Certainly not as insecure, or even worried, laying away some of those earlier doubts.
For one, even if Loop may have danced around what they are, they still offered something about themselves when it came to their preference. So it's a start! And hopefully, next time, he can learn a bit more. It's fine if it's slow going. He doesn't expect them to suddenly become the bestest of buddies in a day. But it's a clear enough sign that he does feel better about it.
Still a bit of a mystery, but he's getting somewhere! He adds a bit of ruffles to one design with a quiet ponder before he glances back, lips quirking in another smile if a bit shy. Selfless, huh? Another part of him they seem well aware of. ]
I just find it more fulfilling to do things for others is all. I like seeing everyone happy! [ Being part of the reason to make them smile. ] But I'll try not to skip out on some nice things for myself.
no subject
Good! I'm sure stardust would like that, too. [and them. They would also like that, maybe.
They stare at the page for a little longer... but they won't be know unless they ask, so. They poke a finger at the sketch, pointing at it.]
These are fun. Do you think it would look good? [on me is implied, not quite bold enough to say it outright.]
no subject
The ruffles extend a little, adding almost a light train of ruffles at the back. Hmm, would that potentially get in the way? As that finger peeks in and pokes, he blinks over at them before looking to the sketch and back.
..Oh! ] I think they'd work out perfectly on you. Ruffles are always good and, more importantly, cute!
no subject
Would a look like this fit Loop? They stare at it some more, trying to imagine themselves.]
Am I... [oh, haha, let's not phrase it that way stars above] Yeah, it's cute! I could be cute.
[They don't sound fully convinced, but they're thinking about it. They do think stardust is cute... does that make them also cute? Hm.]
no subject
That's okay, for a moment he almost leans over to nudge at them but. He remembers how Loop had reacted to him being in their personal space at the end in their first meeting. So, instead, he offers a thumbs up! ]
I'm sure you will be! Assuming it isn't too much for you? But I think it'll be a fun style on you. There's always fun in trying new things!
no subject
[They really, really do. And if it doesn't work out, they'll just try something else until it does! Not the easiest method, but that's a way to figure out who they can be, right?
They feel a little more confident, now that they've said it out loud. Like maybe the Fighter will hold them accountable if they try to back out of the idea later. They do want to be better... they can start here, with something small and tangible. Something to serve as proof.]
no subject
Hopefully this ends up being a good different. [ Even as he wraps up this concept of a design, it may or may not see some adjustments later depending, but there's always planning to find something more fitting. Something to work with the person and make them happy. That's the fun thing about designing! ]
..I get needing different though.
[ That he says with a look of understanding, offering a smile. Part of that is what it means to Change. And of course Isabeau of all people can understand that. Coming to the realization of needing different. ]
no subject
... but it would be weird to bring up that they know, since they're not even sure stardust has talked to him about that yet. They already messed that up enough last month. No need to make things worse. They look away again.]
I've already played out my part, so I need a new one anyway! Anything would be an improvement.
no subject
The part of helping Sif with the time loops? [ And now that is effectively done... ] Well, there's all this time now to find out. And there's plenty of excitement in journeying to find out what you want to do!
[ A glance at Loop, though it's very brief before he's back to his sketching. ] I hope whatever the improvement ends up being, you can feel that it's 'you.'