MINI EVENT: GARDEN OF EVIL

[sticksandbonesmods]

GARDENING

Content Warning: Carnivorous plants in a very unconventional way, horror hunger, attempted violence towards animals

!

EVERY ROSE HAS ITS THORNS

You've done well to avoid the flowers, haven't you? Though some hapless victims here and there may have nearly fallen to it, but even they've been rescued and taken to safety. And the flowers can't approach the General Store, the Trader's stalls, the inn or the house Elsword has built- something prevents the forest from creeping into it ever so softly, so of course it's minions couldn't either. But they're so hungry.

Starvation tears at the flowers like claws, and what should help them- the water and sunshine- burns like ice. The only thing that satisfies is flesh and blood and bone and they're hungry. And they've had enough of being told no.

As everyone goes about their day, the flowers still. They do not reach for and try to grab anyone, and for a moment all seems well. Up until Rusty begins snarling in a way uncharacteristic of him, trying to tear the nearest one out of the earth with his teeth. He is immediately ensnared in vines and leaves, with the full intent of tearing the old dog apart. The flowers shake and there's an odd hum in the air before they all seem to turn, looking at the denizens of the nest as if they had eyes. You will not look away. You can't look away. They are everywhere. On the ground, crawling up the walls of the fence, growing larger to block off the routes to safety, and always shifting to be in your line of sight. Look at them. Look at them.

Look at them.

The madness won't creep in slowly- as they force themselves into your vision, already you can see vines creeping at the edge of your vision, tearing into flesh that isn't there. Ravenous maws biting into the people around you and not letting go. Blood and sap pouring out like ichor. Blink once, blink twice, and it shakes away to reveal the truth but if you aren't careful the visions set in again. Misfortune radiates off of the flowers in waves, tripping you up and interfering with your aim and casting. Get ready, because the flowers aren't going away without some blood.

code

Comments

[cursedwords]

I. Not The Princess In The Tower

[What, like Toge would sit around waiting to be rescued from a terrible fate, taken in by plants? Of course not. This Inn and space is their current living situation and there are dangerous plants out there. Of course he’s going out there to do something about it.

Plants are organic. They’re alive, in some capacity. That should mean he won’t have much of a problem.

He’s a little pale, a little lightheaded. No matter. He should be in bed. He isn’t though. Toge’s way too tough for that, and besides, no one would’ve let him just rest at home either. It doesn’t matter if anyone else has sounded the warning not to go out. He certainly can’t do that in a reasonable way. Better to run headfirst into danger.

Upon seeing a large patch of the plants with their thorny vines moving about, trying to ensnare people, his collar is unzipped easily enough. He takes a deep breath. ]

Explode.

[A simple seeming command and yet the vines, the plants pause for a moment and then ignite, burning to a crisp where they are. It’s alright if there are any onlookers, Toge is incredibly precise with his aim. He does have to catch his breath. His throat is already burning. ]

II. The Downside

[There sure are an awful lot of them and Toge has been here before. Surrounded by curses, usually, but what amounts to a swarm of targets he can’t possibly hope to beat.

He’s running out of steam and likely the smoking trail in his wake proves, at least, that he was trying to help.

This time when a plant shows up right in his face, he whispers, hoarse. ]

Don’t- [Blood spurts out of his mouth, causing him to double over a bit, dripping on the ground. Each breath feels like knives. The flower is there of course to move in close, to shove itself back into his vision.

It’s alright, Toge won’t even notice as his eyes cloud over a little bit and his vision changes. He’s even already spilling blood, it’s just a free for all for the plants at that point as he sees them. Monstrous teeth. Mocking laughter. That’s not the plants, probably, that’s the hallucination. Sudden pain wracking his body and he can’t scream because if he did, it would only make things worse...]

III. In The End

[After Toge and possibly others have had to be dragged out and the plants are quelled or have taken over as their new overlords, he might find himself in the lobby of the inn.

Just lying there. Well the last time he found himself waking up after a battle he was down an arm.

So this is already better, he still has the other one. ]

IV. Wildcard

[Come at me.]

II.

[simplicitas]

[They should keep a scorecard of the times Elsword shows up to save Toge. Right now he's two for two, but that's not a bad thing; saving people is second nature to him, and it's something for him to focus on through all the hallucinations.

Toge collapses and spits blood, and as the flowers close in, a sword cleaves through the stems seconds before they can sink their teeth into him.]

We should retreat back to the inn.

[The plants can't get in there, and Elsword takes the blood leaking from Toge's mouth to mean he's injured, that he needs healing, not that he's overused his ability at all.

The knight offers out a hand.]

Come on.

[cursedwords]

[ Technique or not, he could still use healing but since he can't do that himself he's just going to have to live with it. Nothing like his vocal chords snapping to brighten his day.

It's pretty gross, admittedly, to watch. At least with Elsword there to watch his back, he might make it to the inn in time before he's overcome. There's nothing else he can do. His speech has backfired and injured him. It would take...a good amount of rest to make it possible to keep helping.

He's fine, he'd say he's fine even though he looks frightful and after helpfully wiping his hand on his own jacket, he'll reach out for Elsword. Excuse him a moment as he doesn't quite look up yet.

It's just some minor internal bleeding, nothing to be worried about. ]

[simplicitas]

[Ayo this seems like something to worry about.

There's no problem if Toge doesn't look up, because Elsword has the tendency to just pick people up without warning, especially if its to get out of a dangerous situation; it means in this case, Toge gets scooped just in time, sort of ragdolled under Elsword's arm unintentionally as the knight swings around to slice another approaching plant with his sword. Then, and only then, can they safely retreat back to the inn.

At that point, Elsword sets Toge on one of the armchairs in the lobby.]

Where are you injured?

[cursedwords]

[ The wheeze when he's picked up is the only protest that Elsword gets because Toge can't speak at the moment. He doesn't fidget though, he's feeling a little lightheaded and he's been carried around injured before. Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last.

He's reckless.

Toge looks a bit breathless, just from the exertion of being moved, at least he's stopped coughing up blood. He waves his hand a little bit as though Elsword misunderstands, because well, he kind of does and he just touches his throat. He's okay though! Even if he's gone really pale. ]

[simplicitas]

[Elsword is also reckless, it's okay. They can be reckless together (they should not do this they will die).]

Something with your throat...? Oh— your magic.

[he hasn't forgotten how Toge sort of compelled him to help with the flowers the first time around, and he definitely saw Toge blowing things up out there. Overuse of abilities is not something Elsword knows how to deal with, but he hums and thinks and decides to try helping anyway. He waves a hand about to summon small, golden-glowing sigils to his fingers, and then leans forward to aim them precisely at Toge's neck. He's not touching him, so the sigils are simply flying off his fingertips and landing against Toge's skin instead of anywhere super precise in that area.]

Maybe this will help? It's a healing spell.

[cursedwords]

[ Fortunately it's a consequence of overuse that he causes injury to his throat, so a healing spell? Exactly what he needs to have the burn stop. Toge smiles and offers a thumbs up.

It doesn't mean he doesn't have to cough a few times and he tapped his chest a few times. ]

Mentaiko. [ He's okay, thank you! His voice might still be a bit hoarse, but it's back. ]

[simplicitas]

[Oh! Good!! He helped!!]

Your throat got pretty messed up, right? It sounds a lot better. Would water help it more?

[They can't just head back out there to continue fighting, after all. Elsword has to trust that the other fighters will be fine in their absence.]

[cursedwords]

[ Toge could, and would, run right back out there and go again. That healing spell was just like the reverse curse technique that he wished he knew how to use sometimes. He nodded, water would be good. ]

Salmon. [ At least it's not burning his throat to talk at this point. A small grace, thanks to Elsword's help. ]

i

[prozaic]

[shalem hears the command and then the explosion, and knows, immediately, what happened. if he didn't know anyone who had sound-type originium arts that allowed them to use their voices as weapons, he would never have realized it so quickly. he considers himself fortunate that the boy's aim is accurate, but also, isn't that harsh on the throat?

he steps forward, black-scaled tail lashing, and puts an arm before the boy's body to shield him.]

Don't overextend yourself-- we have so many plants to go through. [then he raises his left hand, snapping his fingers and letting deep red sparks fly from them. the serpent hasn't had to use his powers in months, he needs to warm up.]

[cursedwords]

[ It's difficult to know what he can do without seeing it in action. It's a hard concept to guess - and more than that, it's a difficult concept to even comprehend. Controlling things with his voice sounds broad, but people don't really think through the repercussions of that.

Toge responds with a smile. He's not going to turn down help. ]

Salmon. [ He's okay. His voice is a little hoarse, but he just needs to let Shalem at it for a moment or two. ]

[prozaic]

[shalem pauses, waiting to hear if there's more-- but really, he's also attempting to understand what the boy meant by that, or if there's something else that he might have missed. surely salmon is not the only thing he has to say...?

but he remembers that he can't get distracted, because the plants are here, the vines are already reaching for him, and he wrenches his gaze from the young man behind him to the plants.

oh, but it's so painful to look at them, like he's about to have a terrible migraine, and shalem blindly lashes out with his bare hand, forgetting for that moment that he has a sabre hanging from his belt. but is his hand truly bare when he has fire coming out of it, scorching the vines that come too close?

except there are a lot of plants already leaning in their direction, swarming in to replace the ones shalem incinerated.]

[cursedwords]

[ It does make his vision swim when he's looking at them. Like he's trying to be drawn in, but can't be if he resists enough. How long that's going to last though is another matter.

This looks dangerous, but when the fire appears, he lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Toge is used to protecting people.

There's so many. It might be more strategic to retreat. That or he can go bigger. Or maybe if he makes them still it would be easier? Decisions decisions... ]

[prozaic]

Ah... [shalem sighs more than exhales when he notes the vines heading in his direction, though he doesn't know how many there are or how far they are, given how his eyes are watering and feeding into his migraine-- or would it be the other way around, his migraine feeding into his difficulties with sight.

terrible, terrible.]

I think... we should start thinking about leaving. [he punctuates that with a step back, though he knows the local flora won't give up without a fight-- that's why he abandons his fire in favour of his lightning, his more potent powers.

bolts of electricity, coloured a deep indigo and purple, crackle around his hands and make his hair frizz.]

Start running to the campfire the Shopkeeper set up, if it's still there, hm? I'll cover you.

[cursedwords]

[ Toge nods. He understands a strategic retreat just time and while Shalem says he'll cover Toge, that's such a role reversal he can't help but want to help. ]

Salmon. [ He says in agreement but before he turns to go, he's going to make it really easy for Shalem.

Toge takes a deep breath, and shouts so all of the plants writhing within earshot of his call- ]

DON'T MOVE.

[ Every one of those writhing vines will freeze in place. It will be like electrocuting fish in a barrel.

Then with a nod of acknowledgement and a little wave, he'll head in the direction Shalem suggested. They're just plants, he probably has a good one minute window to zap them to his his heart's content. ]

[prozaic]

[ah... well, he wasn't expecting the boy to help him while he's supposed to be watching their backs, but he appreciates the help anyway. when the enemy isn't moving, aiming is much, much easier.]

Thank you-- now keep going. You really don't want to get in the way of this. [the recoil in itself will be terrible. no need for collateral.

shalem unleashes as much of his power as he can, electricity running up and down his arms, blazing through the air, scorching the vines before him and releasing a stink that stings his nose, though he keeps his mouth firmly shut just so he won't taste it.

it's been a while since he's felt this pain. having his arts unit always helped mitigate symptoms... and without it, he's dealing with the full consequences of his actions. the pain, the headiness of releasing his powers after controlling himself for so long, and his body's lack of familiarity with this, because it really has been too long.

it really hurts, and when shalem finishes, he's just barely hanging onto consciousness, and staggers away from the site.]

[cursedwords]

[ Toge did leave as he seemed to, well clearing much of the distance so that Shalem could do it safely, but he didn't feel comfortable just leaving him behind. He was in relative safety.

Shalem walking across the the distance would catch his interest, especially if he looks unsteady.

He'd come back for him, swooping in with a solid arm to try and hold him up. Toge might be small, but he was pretty strong. It would probably be alright. ]

I. Not The Princess In The Tower

[devilishkouhai]

[ He had not realized - or maybe he did. As the flowers ignite and the flames surge across the vines entangled up upon a pile. There came forth a person, rising from its ashes, having been moments before wrapped within their entanglements. It was BB herself, standing onto her feet now. The flames there caress against her tanned skin, looking over towards Toge with a interested look. Around BB, only out of shadows did they come - were tendrils of what seem to be like tentacles in shape. ]

Ah - BB almost died there - thank you ~~ ♡ !

[ There are more flowers coming toward her, she doesn;t seem the least bit disturbed by them. Especially now that she has some what of a plan forming within her mind. ]

Oye, how about you keep doing that and I'll.... Lure these bad boys my way~♡?

[ BB offers him a wink, not noticing if the other had been struggling with using their powers. It would seem she inferred for him to keep using his ability the same way, while dragging the flowers out toward her willingly. Toge will note in doing so, the fire does not so much as burn her. They obey her, kissing against her skin as if she were their mother. ]

Nene, cute flower-chans!!!! BB is here for all your taking~~!!

[ Open are her arms!! Summoning all the flowers to her form! ]

[cursedwords]

Salmon salmon. [ An easy agreement that he'll do exactly as she says, whether she understands the words or not his tone suggests he's agreeing. If she's going to gather them all together, well, he can go bigger.

He's not worried, he's not going to hit her. He has total control over his technique now.

Toge waits for the precise moment, waiting for her to gather them together. A deep breath. ]

Explode!

[ The order comes, louder and stronger and every writhing plant he can see in his line of sight bursts into flames and ultimately ash. It's kind of a neat trick. ]

[devilishkouhai]

[ They come upon her in hoards, vines ensnaring her body and pulling at her over and over again. BB seems to simply stand here with a mocking smile, as dark shadowed limbs exit from around her and scoop up any roaming shapes that mean to move away from her. After some time - the male shouts again and the explosion that erupts encases her in flames. She is impressed by the heat that decorates her skin, glad as the divine construct within her gleams with pride. Then -

she notices something momentarily. The flowers seem to not all die away at this point, her thoughts coming together and a hypothesis reaching its conclusion. ]

Once again!

[ BB shouts, her tentacles push out beneath her feet and allow her to step back slightly. As she jumps from them to a clearer path, once again enticing the plants to gather on her. ]

[cursedwords]

[ Toge nods a little bit at her as she lets the flowers encircle her again. So he can wait a moment.

He's breathing a little heavier, but he's hanging in there. He's not that weak, he can't help but think, this can't be that hard to keep up for awhile at least. ]

Explode!

[ And so again, it comes, once more with feeling. ]

[devilishkouhai]

[ With that! Her hypothesis was proven - and she watches as the flames attempt to burn away at the flowers but it does nothing to them. She hops back, kicking what she could and allowing for her tendrils to slam into them breaking them in what way BB can. ]

Nice job there - hey . Don't let them touch you orrrr - they will end up taking whatever abilities you have. It's best to let yourself stand farther away. Need help going up?

[ So she says, pointing at the top of the Inn's roof - though frankly she doesn't seem to wait for an answer and unless he attempts to move out the way. A tentacle will exert itself from his shadow, grip around his waist and fling him upwards towards the Inn roof. ]

[cursedwords]

[ Okay. First of all, he definitely could've done it himself. Traversing wild landscape with a bit of a cursed energy push was par for the course.

What he doesn't do is cry out. He can't, first of all, that's dangerous. He's trained to shut up. Second of all, he lands on the roof on his feet, sliding and he drops his hand down to catch himself.

Safe. ]

Fish flakes! [ Now that he shouts from the roof. Rude! ]

[devilishkouhai]

[ BB gives a little giggle despite the predicament given, ]

I bet that was fun huh?

[ So she said, but turns her attention to the problem at hand. Limbs from the dark shadows thrumming to life against the floor bombarding it... Around this point she ends up crossing paths with Fel - and I guess if Toge wants to pay mind to what happens next more or less. BB kisses Fel, and becomes Big... And then takes care of a bunch of evil roots.

Big huge BB will give Toge a thumbs up - and maybe even give him Fel to put her somewhere safe. ]

[cursedwords]

[ No. No it was not. It was alarming and he's just going to give BB his thousand yard stare when he's not impressed.

He'll take the opportunity to slink away - with Fel if she's given to him because he really doesn't want to get involved in this. ]