EVENT & TDM 020

[sticksandbonesmods]

BITTER WINDS HOWLING

WAKES AND AWAKENINGS

Are you one to find yourself plagued with nightmares? Do you dream at all? Well, worry not, because tonight you find yourself in a somewhat alarming peace. You’re asleep. You’re aware of this. Yet, you feel incredibly lucid, all the same.

You hear the sound of water, like you’re under the ocean waves. You don’t see anything, but it’s almost as if you can feel others around you, despite not touching anything at all. They’re your… family? No. Friends? No. You don’t seem to be able to find a word to describe them. They’re important to you! …You think. Who are they, again?

You think they’re trying to speak to you, but all you can hear is the sound of gentle currents and air bubbles. Or maybe this is what they’re saying to you? You don’t know. Dreams are weird, aren’t they? But then they sing. It’s the prettiest sound you’ve heard. It’s the most haunting sound you’ve heard. It encourages you to move, at last. You didn’t realize you could. There’s a light that filters through the surface of the water…

…and you wake up. You feel strangely refreshed, like that’s the best sleep you’ve gotten in ages! You also feel… distantly sad, like you’ve just remembered something horrible that happened a long time ago.

It’s probably nothing.

For the rest of the month, you find sleep comes easy, and dreams are soothing. How uncharacteristically nice! Maybe don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

A BITTER ARRIVAL

You wake up to bitter cold. It's dark, the winds howling and whipping through the air, snow battering anything not sturdy enough to stand tall against it... and even the trees seem like one more push could knock them over. This isn't a forest you know, yet it seems like home. If you're not prepared for the cold, the warm lights of a small town will guide you, call to you, and your heart yearns for warmth. As you stumble through the heavy snow and harsh winds, something heavy hangs from your neck and the winds begin to form words with your own voice- SACRIFICE... END THIS WINTER WITH SACRIFICE.

As more voices join the wretched wails, your eyes feel heavier. You're almost to the town, though. Is it one of the houses that you wind up knocking on? Or do you manage to get to the inn, big and tall and radiating more warmth than anything you've ever felt? Regardless, you are no longer alone, but the cold still aches and clings, and something with your voice still calls it's omens outside. Only when you melt the heavy snowflake-shaped amulet hanging around your neck in the fires does the cold abate and the foreign copy of your voice fall silent.

A COLD RECEPTION

In the forest of the lost, the worst winter you've ever seen has finally set in full. The lake and river are both frozen over completely, and even the most hardy of beasts have hidden away from the cruel blizzard. The sky is dark, the winds are sharp and the freezing temperatures permeate most buildings, creeping in like a thief ready to steal the breath from your lungs if you aren't careful. Even fires seem to bend to this cold, save for the ever-burning, ever-blinding light of the fireplace in the inn- though she's long since gone, it seems one woman's faith still protects those in the Grove. Shadows haunt the clearing and amongst the winds and even the deafest ears can hear the voices howling alongside the storm, always demanding the same thing: a sacrifice.

When shadows flicker across the window, that is when you know you aren't alone. Ghastly wraiths of frost and ragged sleet fly through the air, and it's hard to tell if they are commanding the winter winds or if they are working in tandem. Regardless, the cold seems to be enhanced by their presence and if they catch you alone outside, they curse you with a frost so deep it pierces the heart and spreads. To some, it may be familiar, like turning to ice from within. To others it may be entirely new. But it spreads slowly and with agony while the wraiths make their demand once more and then vanish. Thankfully, a bit of kindness can melt the ice, but the winter wraiths are always willing to inflict the curse again...

... But you are not powerless. So long as you don't go alone, so long as you have a weapon, you can fend these things off, for a time. But they will be back.

They must have their sacrifice, after all.

BEACONS

Not everyone can fight though. Not everyone should. The only peace that can be found is in the sleep that follows that odd dream... but eventually the large shadow woman known as the Trader, Ydalir, makes her way through the snow to find you. With a warm furry blanket and a cup of tea, she gives you a small kit.

"Build these lanterns and hang them in the window. Be a light in the dark, loves." Is what she says.

The lanterns consist of wood, paper and a little cup for a candle. They can be in any shape and color, and when you hang them in the window the candle sparks into light. As frost clings on the other side of the window and the snow shrouds the outside world and veils what lies beyond, you can see other lights. Other lanterns, shining brightly. It may not be much, but it is still a sign. A reminder. You are not alone in this blizzard.

Spark Notes

summary

wakes and awakenings will bring you into a strange dream of being with many being, important ones, and a haunting song. Despite the melancholy feeling, it also brings a month of restful sleep no matter what.

a bitter arrival is how our new arrivals find themselves: lost in the woods in the middle of a terrible blizzard with only the faint lights of the Grove to guide you to safety. While you wear the snowflake amulet, the winter wraiths can use a mimicry of your voice to make their demands and curse you with a lingering freeze- only melting the amulets in a fire will set you free and silence the copy of your voice in the cacophony.

a cold reception shows just how bad the winter's gotten, with impenetrable ice freezing both the lake and the river solid. the wraiths curse whoever they see with turning to ice from within, but a genuine act of kindness or love will save their victims. the wraiths can be fought, but only with a companion or two, and definitely not with your bare hands. ... they will return though, again and again.

beacons grants perhaps a bit of hope in this dark winter- ydalir brings people supplies as best she can since the cold doesn't affect her shadowy body and there is nothing for the wraith to freeze, and she also brings a gift- a lantern to craft and hang in the window to show the others in town that you're all still here, cutting through the darkness.

out of character

Welcome to the first TDM of 2025! Regular AC resumes this month and as you can see, we're changing things up a little. TDMers are welcome and encouraged to reach out on our plotting post linked below. We're so excited to start the new year with everyone, and may the horrors stay in writing... because they are resuming now.

updates

❖ AFFOGATO COOKIE has used a magical artifact as a sacrifice. This has resulted in the blizzard lessening but still being present and the wraiths being banished from the grove, but still haunting the forest. There are further effects but they will come in to play during a player plot. ... Get your sacrifices in still though.
❖ MAYOI'S prayer to Ourania the day of the fight with Suri invoked a blessing: an aurora shines through the sky, and anyone in it's lights will be gradually healed and soothed.

submissions

❖ Questions
❖ January Plotting (Open to TDMers)
❖ Sacrifices (Plot relevant, open to all)
❖ Past Life Plotting (Closed to Game Members)
❖ Investigations

code

Comments

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua nods back to Clive, his attention turning back to his bowl. As much as he can is the mantra of every meal time, so he's well prepared to do as his brother says.

But he's not entirely prepared for the fond bickering between his brother and Dion. His eyes raise to them as he lifts his spoon to his mouth, watching them as he takes a bite.

And then hurriedly has to lift a hand to cover his mouth as Dion mutters beside him, because he doesn't want to be rude and spray stew over the table on accident as the urge to laugh overtakes him, pulling at his lips and threatening to spill out anyway should he not swallow his mouthful fast enough. ]

[aneikonic]

[ There. That's what he wanted. Dion relaxing further. Letting go - if briefly - of the memories and the pains that haunt him. Just let himself be Dion. He hm's with a soft snort, as if to say sure, then looks absolutely "offended" by the muttering. Then throws a look at o his brother when he raises his hand to his mouth. He can hear that choking laughter.

He takes a sip of his water, deliberate and slow, before putting his cup down. ]

You're lucky I like you.

[ There's a barely hidden laugh in his voice, before he sighs heavily and shrugs, taking the blow to his ego good-naturedly. ]

Manners are overrated.

[bajamutblast]

[The reactions of the brothers are not lost on him. In fact, he finds himself treasuring the moment despite everything. He is perhaps locked in hell, and under the thumb of yet another would-be god. And yet he finds himself feeling... light, in a way he hasn't felt likely since his youth.

And yes, he absolutely feels a swell of pride when Clive admits to liking him. He isn't sure why, but the approval really means something to him.]

Yet neither myself nor your brother have suffered for having them. Perhaps you ought to take note?

[Okay, okay, he'll leave Clive alone in favor of actually eating now. Even if he is nearly grinning into each bite.]

[kingincognito]

[ Please, please, he's already about to choke on his stew. Joshua has a difficult time swallowing his mouthful, but he manages, pausing to take a drink of his water. ]

It's part of his rogueish charm, you see. Why would Cid the Outlaw have something like table manners?

[ He's smirking at Dion, barely holding back a little laugh. But his boot nudges Clive's beneath the table, fond. This kind of banter feels... good. It's like they're back at the Hideaway. Except this time, he's participating. ]

[aneikonic]

[ That and the kick gets a grunt out of him and he pointedly ignores them both so he can eat, faking a pout into his food as he does. Keep it up, you two, and you'll regret it.

Somehow, he'll figure it out.

But he does glance to Joshua with a little smile and a roll of his eyes, his pleasure obvious that they managed to get Dion to this state. ]

[bajamutblast]

[Dion watches the brothers with no small amount of amusement. He can't deny that he feels good here with them. Normal, in a way the former prince had never been. Maybe one day he'll think to thank them for it.

For now...]

It might do his image some good. Yes, he is an Outlaw, but one who you need not be ashamed over bringing home for a meal.

[He doesn't bother to conceal what may well be a grin as he spoons another mouthful for himself.]

A shame I was not here sooner, to curtail your image. I fear it may never recover.

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua huffs out an almost-laugh against his next spoonful of stew. It's amazing what a good conversation and good company can do - even with him picking slowly at it, he's eaten far more than he normally would. ]

A shame, indeed. I should like to have seen it.

[ He's glad that Clive seems to be taking the ribbing in good humor, though he does still watch for any sore nerves. Just in case. ]

[aneikonic]

[ Okay that makes him scoff and he sets his spoon down into his empty bowl, pointing aggressively with mostly eaten bread instead. ]

I will have you know I've had more than my fair share of flirtations. People like the Outlaw look.

[ And if his eyes flick briefly to Luca and then quickly away, and his cheeks turn just a bit red, than it's nothing. Absolutely nothing. And then, of course, he will mock himself a little with a soft grin. ]

An Outlaw who fetches...

[bajamutblast]

[Curious, Dion follows Clive's brief shift in vision. Though it comes at the cost of missing the way the other man's cheeks shift in hue, the fact that he looks at all isn't lost on the former prince. Huh. Mayhap he is seeing things, but he wouldn't have thought that Clive's interest skewed in both directions.

Good to know.]

Then perhaps it is we who are wrong, Phoenix? [He shifts his attention to Joshua now, lest Clive truly tire of his ribbing.] Shall we abandon our proper lives and live as he has.

[Dion shifts, bracing one hand against the table, elbow pointed toward the ceiling. He hunches over his bowl, shoveling one spoonful in, then two before — gods, he can't do it anymore. He quickly sits back up and covers his mouth once more. These men are doing awful things to him.]

[kingincognito]

[ Oh? Joshua notices it, too, and follows the glance Clive had given, only to find he'd given it to Luca. Oh. Is his brother sweet on him? The thought makes him smile. He will have to ask about that later on. It's... cute.

But Dion is addressing him, and he turns his attention back to their table. ]

Oh, I fear if I ate as Clive does, my stomach would ache something fierce. I would need to very quickly adjust my constitution, I'm afraid.

[ And his curse, but... Now is not the time for that.

But then Dion just... goes for it, and for a moment, Joshua is dumbstruck. Granted, he doesn't know Dion terribly well yet on a personal level, but he never would have expected the man to do something like this.

It's this combination of absurdity and - quite likely the largest offender - the drink in his body that makes him laugh a bit louder than just the usual soft, polite chuckles. ]

[aneikonic]

[ There's a little tension there now. No anger but there is something settling into Clive's shoulders and he looks away. His smile is just a touch more fake now too, the smile he uses when he's Cid. He knows the ribbing is in good-nature, Dion testing what boundaries exist if any do, but not even Gav would push so. And to have Joshua jump in on top. He raises his hand when his brother laughs, his voice soft finally. Not scolding but in that tone that says just a step too far. ]

All right.

[ But his look is still friendly, still relaxed. It's his fault for not speaking up sooner. ]

It's a bad habit I picked up during my stay with the Empire. I'm still trying to break it.

[ It's all he'll say. Joshua wasn't too wrong about the bowl running away bit. His brother already knew about how they were oft left to fend for themselves come food. Eating swiftly, aggressively, meant you got your share when you were handed it. ]

[bajamutblast]

[Almost immediately, Dion ceases his behavior. The guilt on his features is immediately obvious. Though Clive hasn't scolded him and doesn't seem particularly worse for wear, he still can't help but feel a twinge for having pushed so hard. And of course, it doesn't help that his earlier feelings, the conflict of having even been the slightest bit involved with Clive's suffering, creep back in.]

My apologies.

[He swallows a bit hard, squeezing his eyes closed. He draws in a breath, before opening his eyes once more.]

I suppose it is a far bit better than having six different forks to consume but one meal. Better to eat quickly and enjoy it than to have to make a performance of it all, don't you think?

[kingincognito]

[ Ah. Yes. That's what he'd wondered - he knows that Clive had to fend for himself during that period of time, and wondered if it had been somehow related. Now that he knows, however, he sobers considerably, focusing on his own stew. Despite Clive not appearing to be visibly upset, he doesn't want to step too far. ]

Apologies, brother.

[ He's silent again as he focuses on eating. Because he did say he would eat as much as he could. He already fears trying to stand, though, and that's after one drink. Water would also be in his best interest. ]

It has been far too long since either of us have had to worry about which fork to use, I think. I find it much more relaxed.

[aneikonic]

[ He waves his hand gently to the guilt and the apologies, his expression softening and the tension easing out of his shoulders. ]

I didn't mention it, you didn't know.

[ But now they do, and know it's a touch of a sore spot yet. It's healing but it's still tender. And Dion gets a slightly surprised look that melts into something incredibly fond. The thank you is there in his look. He finishes his bread and sips his water, leaning back, raising his ankle to set it on his knee. ]

I never bothered.

[ His admittance is offered with a soft grin. ]

Father would pretend not to notice but Mother would bristle like I personally insulted her lineage back to the moment it was founded. One fork was enough.

[bajamutblast]

[Once more, Dion feigns scandal, albeit slightly less dramatic. There is no flailing about or anything like that. Nevertheless, his nose does scrunch playfully, before he shakes his head in faux exasperation.]

But how did you properly savor your cheeses? And what of your fruits?

[The act drops, and Dion finds himself relaxing once more. He had made a misstep, but it wasn't being held against him. There was no resentment or residual anger. It was... comforting. Easy.]

I suppose I will just have to adjust, then. Begrudgingly.

[kingincognito]

[ Ah. Joshua knows the answer to that one. He finishes his bite of stew, then holds up one hand. ]

We had fingers for that. Oh, but Mother hated it when I did that.

[ The amount of times he'd found the backs of his hands smacked, the bite of cheese tumbling from his fingers. He has tried so, so hard to find some good in her, even in her last moments... but she truly only saw him as a trophy. He knows that now. Back then, he didn't. ]

[aneikonic]

[ That makes him smirk, just a little. Not because he likes the memory of Joshua's hand being smacked, but the fact the moment Anabella looked away, Joshua would just pick it right back up, making Clive bite his cheek and look away to not laugh.

He swears his brother did it on purpose. ]

You'll do fine adjusting. It's not too hard. Just look to us when you need a proper Outlaw lesson.

[ Joshua is coming along nicely. ]

[bajamutblast]

[As if he needs an excuse to look at them. His eyes might mostly be on Joshua, but with Clive walking around practically begging men to look at his chest, what else is Dion supposed to do?]

Very well. If there is nothing else to be done but to learn, then learn I shall.

[And... maybe he's a bit excited about it, too. His noble mannerisms hadn't gotten him all that far in the end. Never mind the fact that everything he had done, he had done for the pride of others. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to do for himself.

He goes for another spoonful, only to find himself scraping the bottom of the bowl. He glances down in mild surprise. His appetite had been middling of late, even back home. He can't remember the last time he'd actually finished a meal like this.

Perhaps the brothers really were good influences.]

[kingincognito]

It's quite fun, honestly. It seems like most here are of a similar mindset. You'll manage just fine.

[ Joshua hooks his ankles one over the other as he watches Dion move in to take another bite of his stew. But with the bowl empty, the surprise clear on the other man's face makes him smile. It's good that Dion has an appetite - it will make his adjustment easier. ]

You can always get more, if you like. I'm sure no one will mind.

[ He looks down at his own bowl. It's still close to halfway full. But honestly, he's not sure how much more he can eat. ]

[aneikonic]

[ The bowl being empty and surprising Dion makes Clive pleased. Good. Though he sees his brother is beginning to slow in turn. Without a sound he reaches out with his spoon to dip it into Joshua's bowl, helping himself to some. Picking out a vegetable to pop it into his mouth and chew, nodding. ]

Eat, as much as you want. Help yourself to Joshua's, if you want a bit more without getting a whole new bowl.

[ He knows with the petrification in his brothers stomach, it's more than likely as full as it's going to be now. Which is why he picks out a couple of pieces of meat and vegetable and slips them into Dion's bowl.

An Elder brother is going to Elder brother. ]

[bajamutblast]

Oh, there is no n-

[And he is promptly cut off by the splat of meat and vegetables into his bowl. He looks to Joshua guiltily. It doesn't matter if he wasn't going to finish, taking food from someone else doesn't sit well with him.

Still, he knows they both mean well, and he isn't one to spurn a gift. Rather than mope about his circumstances or being forced into it, he instead lets out a teasing sigh.]

And here I had hoped for more carrots.

[And with that playful smile, he returns to his eating.]

[kingincognito]

[ Clive dipping into his bowl is entirely welcome, considering he won't be eating the rest. He would have given it away anyway. Dion's guilty look is given a warm smile and a slight lift of his shoulders. ]

I wouldn't have finished it anyway. I would rather it not be wasted.

[ Go on, have at it. He will even push the bowl closer to both Clive and Dion, so that they both can share if they want to. ]

You can have all the carrots in the world, if you wish it. But not from my bowl, I'm afraid.

[ He knows it's a tease, and he takes it good-naturedly. ]

[aneikonic]

[ Clive does not notice the little guilty look from Dion to Joshua, as he's busy picking out the parts he likes the most out of Joshua's bowl. He does glance up to Joshua's words, looking over to Dion finally. Oh.

He guesses he should be less big brother here, so he'll sit himself back, offering Dion an apologetic smile. He won't push the other to keep eating, least of all to pick out of Joshua's bowl. ]

Indeed, Joshua is deathly allergic to even the sight of a carrot. Sends him into full body pouts. It's tragic.

[ He smiles at his brother, then nods to Dion solemnly. ]

It's my duty as First Shield to make sure no carrots even mar his Grace's vision.

[bajamutblast]

Oh, we cannot have our mighty and wise Phoenix stricken so low, now can we?

[The good news for Clive is that while he feels bad about having "taken" food from Joshua, he isn't about to let it go to waste. He takes a few bites, perhaps secretly pleased to have had it in the first place. It's good food, what can he say!]

Truly a grim duty you take on. Carrots have been plaguing our realm for ages, and I hear they have even chased us here. It will be hard work for one man alone.

[He lifts a brow playfully.]

Though I suppose I could lend a hand, here and there.

[kingincognito]

[ It's... it's such an utterly ridiculous conversation that Joshua can't help but laugh. At least he tries to muffle it into the edge of his cup of water. ]

Two brave knights willing to spare me from the horror of carrots... What have I done to deserve such an honor?

[ It really does him well to see Dion adjusting so quickly to spending time with them, though. Even if it's a little silly, and possibly spurred on by alcohol. ]

Through your combined efforts, perhaps the scourge could well and truly be eradicated.