EVENT 018

[sticksandbonesmods]

LIKE BRANCHES ON A TREE

A WINTER WONDERLAND

For a brief time, the world seems brighter; the sun pokes through the clouds more, and the gloomy atmosphere of the constant overcast days lessens ever so slightly. The sky seems bigger, brighter… but, it is the end of autumn as we know it and with the change of leaves comes bitter frost. The change is practically overnight — one morning grants pretty frosted windows and pleasantly crunchy leaves underfoot, and the next the world is being softly blanketed in snow.

Heimr stands at the window of the General Store, and every time he sees someone not dressed for the weather, he immediately calls them in. No one leaves without a proper pair of winter shoes and a coat, and the more you try to decline, the more he adds. Hats. Scarves. Gloves. Snow pants. Just make it easy on the both of you. Although, if you do feel you need that for the weather, he’ll oblige … And at least everything is nice to look at alongside being high quality.

Those with the bone ring may hear childish giggling as they leave, see the flick of a fox tail out of the corner of their eyes — but Plum is content to stay in the shadows still.

Winter frost and the falling snow seem to spread everywhere — Callan’s lake already has ice forming a thin shell on top while Terho’s cabin is blanketed in white. The river water is crisp and clear as ever, but the cold is bone deep and the Guardian tires from it already. Even the beach seems washed over with the cold.

Winter is here, and the cutting chill already tells you one thing: this won’t be an easy one.

WHISPERS IN THE WOODS

As the weather worsens, the forest and fog seem to open in sprawling paths. Some are inviting, a warm feeling in the air and even plant life poking through the snow still, an early spring! Some are alluring, wind beckoning and urging you forward. Come home, it says. Come home.

Even if you know it’s a bad idea, others might not — will you really let Mamika wander into the woods alone? Not that it’s truly her. The forest isn’t above tricks to get what it wants, and will lure you down these paths with illusions and mirages, the sounds of voices you know and love calling for you, for help, for anything and anyone — and maybe that is a trick, but can you really risk it?

Regardless, once you’re on the path, there’s no going back. It leads to a dead end and the fog closes around you. You’re trapped, alone in the woods, and all eyes are on you.

A DIFFERENT “ME”

… But only for a few hours. After that, you’re free to go, unharmed and unscathed. It’s just that… are you really you? Your clothes are different. Your memories too. Maybe now you remember making a different choice at a major crossroad. Maybe you didn’t save them. Maybe you did. Maybe everything went wildly wrong, and maybe it actually went right. But you’re different now, despite remembering your life in the abandoned Grove and all the people here clearly.

As you wander back off the path into town, you know this is right. You’ve been trapped here for however long with the people here, and maybe you no longer love them like this, but you know them, know yourself, and know what’s happened.

You’re just from a different walk of life, now.

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

A WINTER WONDERLAND

Winter has come, and during the light snowstorms, Heimr is lovingly forcing everyone into winter clothing. The more you say no, the more clothing you get. Be warm or else!

WHISPERS IN THE WOODS

Mysterious pathways open up in the woods. Should you go into them as they tempt you with murmurs and whispers, you'll be trapped for a few hours by a fog wall you can't pass through.

A DIFFERENT “ME”

But don't worry, you'll come out fine in the end - just with a few memories, or maybe even your physical body, changed entirely. Everyone will still recognize you as "you", and you'll still recognize the others... but maybe you know something has changed. Or maybe you don't.

OOC

Everyone thank Aspen for this month's player plot! Enjoy playing your AUs (or not) and get ready for winter. OOC Plotting Lives Here if you'd like to plot anything out!

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Comments

[purevanillacookie]

[ Like with Affogato Hell has no meaning to Pure Vanilla other than being an objective to describe something, but because he knows the context others use it for, he can paint the picture. And he listens, soft sheep ears usually relaxed and down, up and twisted towards Mayoi to indicate he has his full attention.

And when he's done and seems to be deflating, he gently tugs him forward into a soft hug, his hands moving to his back to gently pat there and hold him in against him. Soft and soothing, but gentle enough that should Mayoi pull back, he will find the hold slips away easily with no fussing, or attempt to hold tighter. ]

I understand, my friend. The creature in the forest will spend no small amount of its waking moments to terrorize us. And I know it may bring with it a helpless feeling, but we are not helpless. It cannot stand the way we help each other, the way we offer each other sanctuary. When you are tired, you need merely seek us out, those of us here with you in the Grove, and we will give you moments of respite. Times when you can close your eyes and relax, and know you are safe because we will let nothing harm you. You need not face this place alone. We are here for you, we are with you. We will be your peace when you need it.

i wth a mild wild

[purevanillacookie]

[ Of course Pure Vanilla is going to drop by once alive again, because while he's sure Passenger is still upset with him (we are not doing the hearts meme again to find out), the man also carries the coffee beans Cacao likes the most. And he wants to pick up some of the new savoury things for his little family group as well.

So it might not be Passengers favorite customer stepping in, gently tapping his hooves outside to free them of snow before moving the rest of the way in, but he is carrying a considerably heavy pouch of medallions and plans on dumping them on the man. He offers a smile as he approaches. ]

Good afternoon, Passenger, I am pleased to see you back and well!

[ Genuinely.

They both blew up into crystal dust, buddy. ]

B

[purevanillacookie]

[ And Pure Vanilla watches it with only mildly growing concern. He knows Stan has fire magic - but he doesn't know if the man is resistant to his own flames when it's his mitten on fire. He's not too worried about the fire spreading, snow is such a great defense against that, but he will step over after Stans successfully stomped the poor burnt mitten to death to hold out his hand. ]

Hand.

[ Don't brook an argument with the healer, Stan. Or do. ]

[lilyberation]

You'll all have your hands full- they're going to be very big, aren't they?

( she gives one a gentle pat, smiling softly. )

They're beautiful. I'd love to know what their parents were like.

[winterfrosting]

Based on the eggs... certainly. Though how big is 'big' I will not know for some time. They are very active though, so they must be close to hatching. Maybe the size of cats?

[Well he's not WRONG, but he's definitely underestimating]

As would I. If just to ask them questions.

[he fiddles with his bone ring]

[lilyberation]

Hello, dear.

( she immediately offers a.b.a a slice of candied peach. hello sweetie! she misses you! )

Don't mind if I do. I brought some provisions, and I wanted to check on everyone.

[lilyberation]

Cats... ... That is good for holding.

( she seems a bit enthralled by the idea, actually. )

--Oh! Yes, that as well. But, the physiology of some of the lifeforms here are fascinating, even if it's not my usual school of study. I... don't think I can stay here for long, but I really wish I could see the whole process...

[winterfrosting]

Would you like me to take notes?

[They might not be the most scientific, but-]

[lilyberation]

Ohhh, yes please!

( how to get a lily practically bouncing in her seat: offer to help with Science when you are not a Science- )

[leggierissimo]

[ HAHA! Success. Josh knows he has limited time before Beat finds his footing, so he has to act now. Which means that he's sitting full weight on the werewolf, digging his Noise-tattooed back talons into the snow and hopefully the dirt beneath it as he holds steady and

baps him. Hard. No claws, but full on pad of the hand bap. Repeatedly, like a frustrated cat. Behind him, his tail lashes. WHAT NOW???? ]

[winterfrosting]

[That makes him smile]

I will try to keep up on it then.

[As if he's not gonna do daily notes now, being the duty-focused guy that he is]

[winterfrosting]

... do not be soft handed with me now, Affogato. It is sadness borne from my own failings and cruelty.

[lilyberation]

( she's expecting a full separate notebook with his devotion to his word. lily shifts to give him a sidehug, beaming up at him. )

Thank you, Cacao.

Now, how's settling here been? I know the snow's starting...

[soundsurfing]

Uff!

[ It's not too heavy but Josh is digging in and squishing him down, and he turns his head first left then right like that may somehow help. All it does is rub his chin in the snow. His tail is still wagging though, even with his whining and crying.

And then he's being... swatted. Each swat brings a flinch with it but it's obvious he's not in pain. He tries to avoid the swats with more sliding his head left cha cha cha, slide it to the right cha cha cha but there's not enough distance to avoid blows.

So, backup plan. He goes still. Suspiciously. Then silent. Then he Shiba Shrieks the loudest he can. Like he's being GUTTED. ]

[submittome]

Ah~ You want the vipers bite! Always a stickler for punishment, his Majesty is!

[ Powder sifted slowly into another container, then he begins to mix ash. If Cacao wants bite, however- ]

Yes, you were cruel. A fool blinded by his own desires, his own wants, never stopping to consider others. Paranoia wrapped Pride, who could not see beyond the reach of his own arm, to see what his sword was biting in to. Yet... I must forgive this cruelty, as I have done before, for I understand where it comes from. It was not cruelty for cruelties sake.

[winterfrosting]

Ah well, you know this is nothing for me.

[He is a proud Icing Ridge cookie!!! A little snow and rough living is nothing!!]

I think we have weather proofed well enough for the others to manage- no complaints yet, but we will see if anyone ends up back at the Grove once the snow starts in earnest.

[lilyberation]

( snugs time. ... though, lily is definitely being more tactile than usual in general- not unlike when they were younger, when she responded poorly to cold as well. no one was safe from her tucking herself under their arms when the weather worsened and the snow came. )

No shame if they must- but hopefully this basket will help avoid that.

[leggierissimo]

[ For a minute, Josh thinks he's got it down. Beat isn't moving, and he's working out his desire for retaliation in a way that clearly isn't hurting the other. It's all good, all boiling down to part of the play, even if the frustration he had felt was genuine.

And then the Scream happens. It happens so suddenly and unexpectedly that it startles him, sending Josh reeling back for a second with wings flapping, giving Beat an unintended opening. He hadn't done anything unusually painful--?? ]

[soundsurfing]

HAHAHA YES.

[ He takes the suddenly shift to dart forwards, big paws useful here to dig into the snow and dirt underneath and pull/push himself forward and out from underneath the dragon.

And he promptly spins in spot to whack Josh over and sit on HIM. ]

[quirkynote]

[It's easy to tell A.B.A.'s never had candied peach before, she looks at the slice like it's alien for about two seconds before popping it in her mouth. The following delight is also pretty obvious, but she does her best not to make a scene.

She even manages to swallow before talking!]

Your generosity continues to know no hounds. [No.] If you require any aid of your own, don't hesitate to ask. As for everyone else, they are......fine.

[Except maybe Affo's hand-]

[lilyberation]

( her child... have another peach slice.

lily nestles down carefully, far away from the door, observing the eggs quietly before she smiles back at a.b.a. )

We will, don't worry. How has everything been?

[leggierissimo]

[ Oh. Oh, that's dirty. Josh realizes his mistake, but a second too late. Before he can do anything about it, he's being knocked back on his ass, wings and limbs sprawled out in a decidedly unelegant way.

Beat sits on him, and he huffs hard, glaring daggers. ]

That's cheating.

[ Huff!! ]

[quirkynote]

[Oh! More?! ...is she sure? Even if she wasn't, A.B.A. doesn't give Lily any chance to change her mind and greedily eats the slice again. Peach is......good.

A.B.A. sits down herself, just a bit away from Lily, only to not-so-stealthily scooch closer inch by inch to see how close she's allowed to get. Because A.B.A. can never do anything normally and that includes the simple act of sitting next to someone.]

It's been a hardship, that's for sure. Nothing I can't handle, of course... The sea may be freezing, but it warms my heart... The children are so lucky to be born somewhere so beautiful.

[soundsurfing]

Nuhuh.

[ He's not going to try and defend his actions further, getting up instead to grab Josh up and lift him up onto his shoulder - belly resting on it. Like you'd pick up a disgruntled cat. Pats his back gently, grinning. ]

Wakey wakey!

[lilyberation]

( lily will not stop her at all, both because she likes warmth very much and because daughter. )

I can imagine. ... It's strange seeing the beach so gray and clouded- when I first came to this world, it was upon this very beach. The little ones... I wish they could have hatched during warmer weather, for their safety.