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!

UPDATES

❖ None yet!

SUBMISSIONS

QUESTIONS
INVESTIGATIONS
PAST-LIFE PLOTTING

(CODE)

Comments

[lupusxylem]

A) A Winter Wonderland | The Grove, OPEN

[Wolfwood is spared of Heimr's fussing this year. He went through that whole song-and-dance the year prior, meaning he actually has a thick black jacket with a pair of boots to match, so he's fine. This is the most any of you will ever see this man covering up his skin, so be thankful (or don't, depending on how you perceive that sort of thing). Normally he'd be indoors where it's warm because newsflash No Man's is NEVER this cold except during the dead of night in the desert, so he's still not really used to the snow despite having seen it the year prior. But...maybe that's why he's out to begin with.

It is, he's realizing, a whole year ago now since he woke up here. A whole damn year.

He trudges through the thin blanket with an entourage of creatures, a near full-grown Angelina trotting ahead, along with a little creature nervously following, occasionally darting back to grab onto Wolfwood's leg if it accidentally steps into snow a little too deep for it. Bartholomew, Wolfwood's Dachsologie, sits snugly in the collar of his coat like the black one here, occasionally disturbing Wolfwood by reaching around and plucking one of his own feathers, shaking his head violently to toss it away. It earns him the occasional grumbled "the fuck are you doin'", but Mew is not listening. What is he doing.

(He is molting. In winter...?? Wolfwood doesn't get it, he'll have to ask Ain)

Anyway, he is on a walk, and he looks...well cold, but also like he doesn't feel super great. That's probably because of the wind chapping his face, but there's a particular sallowness to his complexion that isn't usually there. The bags under his eyes are heavy, too, like he hasn't slept decently in a while.

He also doesn't look like he's shaved lately. He usually has a five o'clock shadow anyway, but he's edging into scruffy territory, with things considerably more lengthy than normal. He might have a full-on beard if he lets it go another week.]

B) Whispers In The Woods | The Forest, OPEN

[Wolfwood knows better than to wander anywhere near the forest with Angelina and co., so he'll come out again another day without them. It's still cold as ass but with the doppelgangers leaving a deep scar on the grove from the month prior, he isn't comfortable ignoring the outskirts right now. He's going on a patrol (without telling anybody, but at least a broken clock works twice a day), trusting in his golden glasses to keep him from straying too far off the safe paths. He's not planning on going IN the forest, just staying at the edge where it meets the Grove, but....

That is until he hears it.]

Nicholas...

[He stops dead, a heavy breath exhaled in a puff of steam as he looks up, then whips his head around because it's both as if he heard that right next to his ear, but also very far away. It's less about what he can see...but what he can hear. His name, being called gently. Beckoned. A voice he hasn't heard in many, many years now.]

M...Miss Melanie? No-

[He turns around again, his heartrate spiking.]

Nicholas...come home....

[Normally, he'd know better. But Wolfwood's brain has been foggy since the month began, and the feeling that hearing that voice is instilling makes it impossible for him to ignore.

The question is, will you see him disappearing into the forest before he's already too far gone?]

C) A Different "Me" | Various, OPEN

[Like many others, Wolfwood comes back different. His memories of the Grove and its residents are completely intact, nothing has changed there...but he certainly has.

Which path will you choose?

1: Wolfwood was never taken by the Eye, and grew up normally in the orphanage. He never became an assassin or a "Priest", and he's honestly about as normal and well-adjusted a person coming from No Man's Land can probably be. He last remembers being a caretaker himself at the orphanage he grew up in, never being adopted but never finding it in himself to want to leave, instead choosing to stay behind to watch after the younger children now that he's an adult.

2: Wolfwood's last memory is getting hit by a car. He's fuckin' dead man. He never met Vash and co., they literally hit him with their van-

3: (CW: Darker route, involves implied child death) Wolfwood fails to save the orpahange from getting destroyed by the sand steamer. He returns a much darker, bitter, and hopeless version of himself, worse than anyone has ever seen him. He is truly at rock bottom so have fun!!]

C) Wildcard

[OOC Plotting is here!]

you know I want C3-

[andacht]

[Ain, too, has been changed into a freak. Don't worry about that. All Wolfwood needs to worry about is the sudden haunting notes of:]

Ni~ko~laus~

[And then very suddenly he's being accosted, koala-beared from behind while a tail wraps around his leg in a proper embrace.

And then Ain full-stop bites his shoulder. It's hard to get through the jacket, but the press of Teeth is definitely there.]

I DO I LOVE MY LIL YANDERE

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood takes in a short breath, lifting his head up when Ain(?) just seems to appear in his vicinity out of nowhere. Of course, that sing-song lilt of his name being spoken isn't unfamiliar, nor is the way he's hugging him from behind. Maybe a little unexpected given he's just Out Here, but you know.

But then Ain bites him, and he can definitely feel the hard press of those sharp pointed fangs he now has, which is enough to cause Wolfwood to reach his arm up to grip at whatever part of Ain he ends up finding, which is the back of his head by his hair. It's not a hard or rough grip by any means, but it's There.]

FFfuck-! What the fuck, Ain-?

[andacht]

[Scruffed...]

I didn't break any skin! [Your jacket is too thick for him to do that. He sure did try, though.] It's a love bite. Because I love you~ and you~ belong~ to me~.

[God why are you like this]

[lupusxylem]

[He is Literally being scruffed over here. Scruffed like a cat you were petting that was purring and then suddenly decided to bite you out of nowhere. The only difference here being that this guy could do a Lot more damage than a cat, if he wanted.]

Tch...might wanna reconsider.

[Mmm self loathing yum yum.]

You ain't ever hauled off and bitten me like that. What's gotten into you?

[andacht]

[The sharp tail curls further around Wolfwood's leg. Danger.]

I love you! And I want to cover you in little marks so that everyone knows who you belong to.

[Unfortunately, thick jacket means he does not succeed in this. Wolfwood is safe for the next five minutes.]

[lupusxylem]

[Danger!! Ain has always had a tail, but in his angel form. So this...uh.

Wolfwood's expression shifts between several emotions all in the span of a few seconds as he turns his head around to actually look at Ain properly.]

I think if people didn't know we were together by now, they ain't been payin' attention.

[andacht]

[Danger! This tail is also extremely sharp, versus how the "real" him's tail is soft and ribbony. This one feels like if a spine was curling around Wolfwood's leg.

Anyway, Wolfwood turns to look at Ain and Ain immediately takes this as an invitation to kiss him on the lips. At least he didn't chew Wolfwood's face off.]

I know that. I want to brag... [About what? That Wolfwood gets holes chewed into him? That Ain personally gets to chew those holes into him??? Both???] You should take the jacket off~.

[Don't do this.]

[lupusxylem]

[They kiss and, well...Wolfwood isn't as loving as he would be if he were normal. He is extra grumpy given his sordid backstory, but he allows the kiss regardless, even if he's grumbling about it. He says something under his breath as Ain pulls back- something about there being "people around"- only for him to be like "hey take off your jacket though".]

Ain't you seen the snow? It's cold as shit. I'd freeze my dick off if I did that.

[andacht]

Mm... lame...

[SIGH!]

Why do you care if there are people around? Who cares what they think? The only opinion that matters is mine, right?

A

[quirkynote]

[Creepy. Stitched up. Doll creature.

CREEPY!! STITCHED UP!! DOLL CREATURE!!

Whatever it was A.B.A. was doing, it no long matters. She runs as fast as the snow will permit her before tumbling right in front of Wolfwood's little abomination, on her hands and knees that sink only slightly. Yeah yeah, his other pets are really cute, whatever, but it goes without saying that A.B.A. is a fan of a...particular aesthetic.

And that aesthetic is creepy toys.]

Precious child! Sweet, innocent soul! [She sits herself back up, if only because she starts reaching out for it. There's no touching yet, but with the way her hands shake...she's close to it.] Tell me, how is it that you move?!

[lupusxylem]

[Oh my god hi-

A.B.A.'s sudden appearance is just a little bit startling, which is why it's probably to be expected that the little creature scrambles backwards, falls over into the snow, and then hides behind Wolfwood's leg once it manages to pick itself back up. Wolfwood seems to be operating on slow-motion here, taking a full few seconds longer than normal to react as he sinks down into a squat in front of A.B.A.]

Hey. Easy with the sudden movements, it don't like those. Also...couldn't tell ya'. Probably magic or somethin'.

[quirkynote]

[With a grin many might describe as a little unhinged, A.B.A. flops onto her side and onto the snow to see if she can peek behind Wolfwood. Don't hide from her, beautiful baby, she won't allow it.]

Obviously it's magic, the question is what sort of magic and for what cause? Perhaps it's even a mixture of magic and science, coming together to make something beautiful! Whatever the case, that would make you an artificial lifeform, wouldn't it?

[She holds out her arm again, but this time not to touch. Instead, she pulls down the sleeve of her coat to expose her own bandages, then pulls down those a little to expose her stitched up medical scars.]

You see?! We're very much the same...you and I...

[Girl calm down goddamn.]

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood watches as the little guy peers around his leg, watching A.B.A. just a touch warily...now that she's still and laying in the snow, it seems less afraid to venture a bit further into the open, holding one hand on Wolfwood's leg as if to keep anchored to him at all times. The stitching that she shows off prompts it to reach up and gingerly touch the stitching on its head where it's opening up a little, like it can't quite stay fully closed.]

Y'think? I mean, I guess so if you're also magic.

[quirkynote]

[A.B.A. continues to grin and coo at the doll, at least until Wolfwood has to go and say something. There isn't an audible "ugh," but somehow, some way, she still heavily implies one as she rolls around on the ground further. Now she lies on her back, staring at the doll from upside down.]

Not so much magic, but it's like I said. We're both artificial. I don't expect you to understand...

[lupusxylem]

[Artificial...

Wolfwood grunts lowly, then decides- fuck it- and sinks to the ground as well. The snow is cold on his ass, but it's fine.]

You'd be surprised.

[The doll, meanwhile, is growing slowly more...well. "Brave" might be too strong of a word, but it's at least no longer trying to hide. So long as A.B.A stays still, she'll be able to watch as the little guy creeps closer, turning its head this way and that as it peers at her like ????]

B

[submittome]

[ It's only happenstance that Affogato happens to be doing "patrols" near the forest edge when Wolfwood trots his merry way in, the ex-Cookie definitely not pondering going in to sate his curiosity about the whispers of power. Surely it's just Suri again and he tried that route, made the entire Grove aggro.

But he's pulled from his thoughts when Wolfwood appears in the corner of his eye and then passes the treeline, and he frowns behind his thick scarf. No, he doesn't care if his illustrious former jailer wanders off. Perhaps he can convince Suri it's an offering-

Ugh. No.

With an irritated huff he steps after the other, scowling down at the snow that threatens to creep into the top of his boots once he hits spots its piling up. ]

Ridiculous, there's no reason to go after him, he's a big lad, he can take care of himself. But he's also an idiot and will surely die-

[ Yes he's grumbling to himself, before getting close enough he can scoop up some snow, pack it into a ball, and throw it at Wolfwood's back to get his attention. ]

[lupusxylem]

[Truly, Affogato has no reason to bother. Wolfwood might as well wander into the forest and freeze to death for all it should matter to him, yet here he is...following after the man's footsteps as he rushes into the forest, unsure of where he's even going or what he's looking for, if anything. Anyone. But if there's even a fraction of a chance that she's here...

It's not a risk he's willing to take. Not here. Not in this weather. They don't have snow on No Man's. He's not sure she'd even survive long, if left to her own devices.

Fortunately for Affogato, finding Wolfwood won't be difficult. He ends up stopping in a thicket of trees not that far in, pivoting on his heel as he strains to hear her voice again.]

Where are you? I can't fuckin' see anythin' in this snow...

[submittome]

It's me, you moron.

[ That thrown snowball is going to hit its target with Wolfwood stopping like that. And his voice is snappish, like Wolfwood has inconvenienced him terribly by wandering his way off into the woods. Nevermind the other didn't exactly ask Affogato to come get him.

Shut up.

He brushes some snow off his clothes that landed on him from a tree branch, scowling as he steps closer. The metal rings on his staff jingle quietly with each motion. Just in case there's lingering monsters.

And not just whispers. Power. Home. You can belong just come! ]

Has winter truly messed with your sense of preservation? I have seen snow madness before, and the inanity of you rushing off into the woods alone fits.

[lupusxylem]

[For what it's worth, getting hit in the back of the head with a snowball does snap him out of it. Wolfwood is quite literally shocked back to reality, prompting him to snap upright as he whips his head around with a low, hissing snarl in the back of his throat. He squints through the snow until he sees Affogato standing there, his gaze narrowing just that much more.

Yet, he's still trembling, even if it's slight.]

Tch. Why do you care?

[submittome]

[ Fascinating, it's almost like a disturbed cream wolf, hackles raised and teeth bared against whatever disturbed it. Even if that snarl is more Prowler. Affogato knows he should beware the other - he knows the physical prowess the other boasts and even now, though it's been months, his stomach recalls the punch into it - but at the same time... ]

I wonder. I should let you wander and succumb to the elements, chasing whatever madness has gripped you. It would serve a dire warning to not treat such weather lightly.

[ He reaches up to grip his scarf and pull it up a little further over his mouth and nose, hiding his face a little more as he frowns. ]

And yet... as much as I disliked then and still dislike your methods, you did save my life. Allowed me to make amends and set myself onto a better path. I would be remiss in not attempting to offer you such a chance. Return to the Grove. Whatever you see - or hear - out here is not worth it.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood's teeth click together, audibly, and if he had hackles to raise, they'd be raising hard. He feels his hair rise on the back of his neck regardless, and he ends up snapping without thinking:]

I ain't takin' the fuckin' chance. If...if she's really out there, and I let her freeze to fuckin' death? I'd might as well throw myself in the god damn ocean.

[There's a voice, deep down, telling him to be reasonable. When has anyone who has shown up here been lost wandering the forest proper? You can't get past the wall, so there's not even much chance, really...

But the louder voice is screaming, shouting that if he were wrong, this one time? It wouldn't matter. He'd never forgive himself.]

[submittome]

[ The snap makes his own hackles raise but less angrily and more defensively, and he shifts his staff a little as if positioning it better for quicker magic casting.

Just in case.

Ugh, he should just turn around and for a moment he's silent, his eyes narrowed, like he's debating it. Just let the wolf wander off, chasing whatever imps have his mind. ]

Your senses really have taken leave of you, have they not? I knew you were foolish, but I had some hopes a higher thought process existed in that mind of yours.

[ He turns as if he's about to go but doesn't. Hesitates. ]

Tell me, oh wolf. [ Listen to the siren song and join, be a part of something greater, powerful. A place that wants you. Come! ] How do we normally arrive here? We stumble out of the forest, not into it, no? Would your precious she not do the same?

[lupusxylem]

Don't call me that.

[Wolfwood hisses, just like the wolf he is would. But logically, deep down in his addled mind, he knows what Affogato is alluding to. He's right, despite how vehemently he wants to deny it, because...she wouldn't have just shown up lost in the woods. She'd be in the Grove, somewhere. And you can't really wander too far back into the trees without getting zapped by the wall, no matter how curious he thinks she would be able the plant life.]

Look, I don't know. But when have things ever been predictable, here? What if this time it's different?

[submittome]

I will not when you stop acting like an animal and think.

[ Why is he trying so hard to help him?! Why does he care. This is stupid, kindness extended to others never gets him anywhere or anything. Indeed, all it seems to be doing is making Wolfwood angry at him. Ridiculous. He scoffs and waves his staff, making it jingle, the sound falling short. Muted by the snow around them. ]

You think her so special she would be different? Different than your sad plant? Your dual wildcat? You? She must be, to have you stumbling mad out here. Do what you will. I will stick around no longer in his domain, where his fangs and claws make sink in when we stumble blindly into his trap.

[ He begins to stomp his way back towards the grove, each movement full of ire. STUPID WOLFWOOD. ]