TDM 001

[sticksandbonesmods]

INTO THE WOODS

WAKE UP

Whatever you remember last, something interrupts - be it a fight, a test, a walk, or death itself. All you can recall is a childlike voice (or was it voices?) asking, "Do you want to play with me?" before everything stopped. Your eyelids feel heavy, and the surrounding air is chilled. When you wake up, you and the others find yourselves standing in a makeshift plaza on a foggy morning. In the very center is a well. The water within is cold and clear as can be.

Surrounding the clearing is a ring of what looks to be the foundations of buildings never finished, save for two rather large ones and a smaller one. Only the small building has any light shining from the windows. One is labeled as an inn but has no name, and the other is an imposing, large manor with a red dog quietly scratching at the door. Given the indents on the wood, he's been at it for a very long time. Beyond the buildings is the start of a forest, though it quickly fills up with a fog so thick you can't see through it at all.

The smaller building is simply signed as a general store. A thick figure stands in the doorway, layered in brown and dark red cloaks that cover most of his body, save for brown worker's gloves and his pants. Two blue lights shine from the shadows where his face would be, and they shift as they watch you... before he turns around and takes his seat at the counter of the store. It's open, but he doesn't seem too thrilled.

There's a gap in the fog in the south east corner of it all, and you can hear the flow of water if approached. Trying to force your way through the fog lets you move forward four feet before you hit an invisible wall, while trying to go up- be it flight or climbing- sees you thwarted twenty feet above the canopy with a similar experience. Those above will see only the tree tops and a dense, heavy fog, and a cloudy, cold sun-lit sky. Through your explorations, you can find the start of a gate almost opposite across the clearing of the river, with a somehow familiar sign hanging from it:

Welcome to Aldric's Grove.

THE INN

The inn is just as empty as the rest of the grove, save for the shopkeeper. Four rooms on the first floor are locked, and won't budge even under force, and their keys are missing from the clerk's counter. On the bright side, there are remaining keys, free to claim - keys to the store rooms, too. The kitchen is large, as one might expect from an inn, but the kitchenware seems a touch out of date, by anyone's standards. The pantry has enough to feed the lot of you for a time, fresh food and vegetables and dried or cured meats, alongside spices and herbs. One could bake if they were so inclined.

There's a lounge room as well, just before the stairs. All the furniture was pushed to the wall for what can be presumed to be cleaning, if the empty bucket and dry mop is anything to go by. In the center of the far wall is an empty fireplace, but there's no firewood to be found.

Upstairs are more rooms, accessible only with keys. It's not perfect, but it's at least a place to stay. There's a bed for two, a small table by the window, a dresser and closet, a very small stove and a private bathroom to each, but everything seems bare... at a glance.

The worst of it is that you know the layout. You've been here before- or... no, that can't be right. Surely you would remember a place like this. Right?

THE RIVER

"What you take from the river, you must return." That's what the Shopkeeper says, if you stop by the store before going to the river.

The water rushing over rocks can be heard even from the distance of the grove itself, but upon approach it only seems louder. From what can be seen, the fog has only receded enough to grant access to 30 yards of the river and it's matching banks- after that, only fog and unusually thick bramble patches remain and block off passage on land or water. At it's deepest, the water is four feet deep and the current seems gentle. Fish can be seen swimming through the water, and objects glitter beneath the sand and mud.

Along the riverbanks, scales, small bones and teeth and strange coins marked with canines litter the ground. Keen eyes will note that some of the bones and teeth are that of animals, and some are that of humans. Some, however, are impossible to identify.

Stepping into the water feels relaxing. It's cold yet inviting. The fish swirl around your ankles before darting away, and just for a moment, everything seems like it will be okay.

On the other hand, when trying to cut through the brambles, there's a low rumble from the surrounding woods. Persist, and a vine coils around your ankle, dragging you into the water. That feels less relaxing, most likely.

PLAY TIME

At some point, there's an unusual sound- earth moving on it's own, old trees parting from their nesting place and rearranging themselves behind the fog. And as the din dies down, the fog parts, showing a thick tunnel of trees and leaves. It might look like something out of a fairy tale, if not for the sickening noises of the bark and wood creaking and writhing slowly. Whether you want to go or not, however, you will find yourself compelled to walk down the road eventually.

The road seems like a brief fifteen minute hike and a near three hour trek at the same time, but when you come to the end, you find yourself still in the woods, still circled by fog, but not the same as the grove. Once enough people are there, the path closes behind you. Keen eyes may spot hollowed out logs, trees with holes beneath the roots or high up above the branches, and large patches of very tall grass. Within the center is a cage with a pinecone shaped button on two opposing sides. Before you can finish taking it all in, however, a soft, cheerful whisper of a voice speaks:

"Let's play! If you win, I'll give you something special. Promise! Here, I'll explain the rules:"

1. Robbers must hide within the arena, and not get caught. Upon being found by the jailer, they have the opportunity to flee. But if they get caught, they get brought to jail.

2. Prisoners cannot free themselves, but free players can by pushing both of the buttons on the cage. This will give everyone a three minute immunity to run and hide again.

3. Players must move every five minutes, or they get caught immediately.

"The game will end if everyone gets caught or if at least one person stays free at the end of the hour."

The voice doesn't elaborate what happens if everyone gets caught- if you lose. Instead, it's jailer steps forward from the shadows, staring at everyone with a featureless face. It resembles a moose-faced centaur made of rusted metal and wood, yet what should be creaky, slow steps are light and agile. You have five minutes to hide. But when it bursts into a run, searching forcefully through grass, leaving cracks in the earth beneath its hooves as it starts to run, there's an unsettling feeling in your stomach: what happens if you get caught at all?

In order to win as a group, 10 threads featuring a successful escape- be it from the monster or from the cage- must be submitted by the end of the month. You may only submit one thread per character, but two characters can use the same thread. If you want to get caught and suffer consequences, or try to fight the monster, please use the "FIGHT OR FLIGHT" comment beneath the submission toplevel. Should the characters win the game, they will get a prize after all submissions have been accounted for!

SPARK NOTES

CLICK TO EXPAND!

WAKE UP

A general welcome to Aldric's Grove! The shopkeeper has witnessed your arrival and seems... resigned. Rusty is trying very hard to get inside the manor. Otherwise, everything seems eerily still.

THE INN

A cursory glance at the inn! It's bare, barely furnished yet stocked enough to provide shelter and food. Several doors are locked and won't budge. But you know it. You know this place.

THE RIVER

The river is only barely accesible, though opportnity to try and explore anyways is possible. Bone fragments, scales and teeth from all sorts of species, including humans, litter the banks alongside canine-decorated medalions, and something glitters beneath the sand in the river itself. While in the water, there's an unnaturally soothing feeling.

PLAY TIME

The forest opens up a path through the fog to invite people to play with it. Once they reach the next clearing, the path closes behind everyone and a disembodied voice announces that we're playing cops and robbers. The cop is a large moose-faced centaur statue made of rusty metal and wood, and it packs one hell of a punch. Don't get caught!

OOC

Welcome to the very first TDM and Event of Sticks and Bones! This TDM is game canon. Questions may be asked below or on the faq, and everything may be revisted with bonus ac items as time goes on. Applications are now open, and all TDM threads will count for AC and Bonus AC.

UPDATES

❖ Rusty has a bed to lay on on the porch! Izuku should be so proud of himself.
❖ A portion of the arena of the game- alongside the hiding spots in that area- are on fire, or destroyed by fire. Kjell forgot they were in the forest when fleeing the jailer.
❖ One of the cutting boards in the inn kitchen is cleaved in half, and the counter has deep gouges in it. Yor was cutting bread.

SUBMISSIONS

QUESTIONS & INVESTIGATIONS ⚘ NPC CONTACT ⚘ PLAY TIME ⚘ FIGHT OR FLIGHT

(CODE)

Comments

aerith gainsborough | final fantasy vii remake

[reblossoms]

i. wake up

[At some point after trying to investigate the manor with a new friend, Aerith finally gets around to exploring the settlement. She doesn't seem at all bothered by the situation she's found herself in, flitting from one place to another with open curiosity and cheerful waves to anyone she happens upon.

Eventually, she'll wind up at the gap in the fog - and subsequently, when she tries to explore further, its wall. She'll give it a big puuuuush, but, well. Everyone knows how that one goes.

She'll pout at it a little bit, wander around near the gap... and then tilt her head in consideration when she glances at a tree.

That works!

When you find her, she'll be rocking her heels at the base of the tree, but almost immediately turn and give a big grin if she hears somebody's footsteps padding along the forested floor. (Maybe even if you're a more quiet sort...? Weird.)]

Hi there! Will you help give me a boost? I wanna climb this tree!

ii. the inn

[During a moment when no one watches her, Aerith frowns more deeply and thoughtfully than she has all day, softly tugging at her hair.

She... shouldn't remember this building. Not even from...

...

No, it's not something she should think about now. Whether it's turning to whoever else is nearby or going to another room to find somebody, Aerith will seek out the nearest person. Her cheer is back in place like it never left.]

Well, it's not in the best shape, but we can still make this our home for now! Looks like somebody was cleaning in the lounge, so I can help finish up what they started... Or gather firewood, or find some flowers to brighten up the room, both of those should be done... Oh, but what do you want to do?

iii. the river

[Aerith's wiped out after all that tidying up! Time to take a breather at the river.

Maybe you went with her willingly... or maybe she insistently tugged you along by the wrist if you tried to refuse.

Regardless, once she's made it to the river bed she shucks off her thick boots and dips her feet in the water, laughing gleefully at the feeling as she holds her arms out as if for balance.]

Ah, this feels great! Come on, you should try it too!

iv. wildcard

((none of these working? throw anything else at me! if you want to reach me for any plotting or chatting, feel to hit me up at Yamadori or shoot me a pm!))

i.

[simplicitas]

[Unquestioningly, Elsword gets down on his knees so that she can use his back as a springboard. There is zero hesitation. She says hi and he just gets down.]

Sure. You can climb on my shoulders.

[reblossoms]

[Aerith laughs, instantly delighted.]

What a gentleman! Pardon me, then~

[He looks sturdy, but... Still! Carefully she starts climbing on his back, but stops and checks once she's most of the way on.]

How's this so far? I'm not too heavy, am I?

[simplicitas]

Not at all. You're actually pretty light.

[He's got a pretty large sword hanging off of a holster on his hip, so one might be able to put two and two together and figure that he's quite physically able.]

[reblossoms]

Awww, I'll take that as a compliment!

[She really has to stop putting guys with big swords to work one of these days.

But she can climb now, so she keeps going up even though she wobbles in a few places. Aerith isn't that used to tree climbing, but she's got enough determination and experience getting into places she should not be to keep going.]

Yeesh, the fog is really thick up here... Can you still see me down there?

[She calls down, making sure she has a good grip on the tree before she looks down to holler.]

[simplicitas]

[wym no she doesn't, she can work guys with big swords as much as she wants it's her right as a queen??

Once she's up, he'll stand at the base of the tree, gazing up into the boughs at her call. There's a single nod, but he figures he should call up to her as well.]

I can see you. Your clothes are pretty bright.

[That pink dress, girl... it stands out. Not that that's a bad thing, it's actually quite helpful in this case.]

Be careful climbing up. If you fall, I can catch you, but try not to do that.

ii.

[kyokai]

[ honestly?? none of the above. Nobody should look as enthusiastic as Aerith does about chores, but she looks so expectant and Akki get guilt-tripped so easily, it doesn't surprise him when he immediately caves. ]

Umm... Firewood, I think. Since we don't know how cold it gets at night, or what animals are out there.

[ Or how to build a fire, in his case, but freezing his ass off in the middle of the night wouldn't be the ideal time to start learning ]

[reblossoms]

[he's right for it]

Good thinking! [Aerith claps her hands together with a wink.] Never a bad thing to do when you're stranded somewhere new. Now, we just need to look around a bit for an axe or something we can cut them down with...

[As she glances around the room, she gives Akki a once over too - does he look like someone that could chop wood...? Hmm. One way to be sure.]

Have you chopped any firewood before?

iii

[bethorns]

[ The river. At the river, Aerith isn't totally alone, although it isn't Yor with her...instead it's a majestically fluffy fellow. He trods into the water with slow, gentlemanly determination.

When he comes out he is much less fluffy but no less dignified. Sort of.

Yor will be along next tag I'm just making you look at my fake anime dog pics. ]

thank u for ur fake anime dog pics :pleading:

[reblossoms]

[The moment Aerith sees Bond, she gasps in delight, rushing over to him... but not quite in time it seems. Oh no. Very carefully, she doesn't laugh, because that would be rude.]

Oh no, you poor thing... Let's see if we can find something to dry you off with, yeah? What's your name?

[Gently, if he'll allow it, she'll place a hand on top of his head.

...]

...Bond. I see. [And then Aerith smiles at him, like they're sharing a secret.] You're a special little one, aren't you?

ur welcome

[bethorns]

[ He will allow it, since Aerith seems legit...and, wow! She must be...like Anya? Something like Anya? Someone who Gets It...neat!

Meanwhile, someone who can actually converse GASPS from a little ways away and then...

Runs over at full speed. ]

Bond!

ii

[manyloops]

Honestly, gathering firewood should be a priority... since it doesn't look like we have any sort of heater around. I saw that there's a bit of food already that we can use at least, [ which is a good thing ] so the only other thing to make certain of would be a clean water source, too.

[reblossoms]

Good thinking! [She claps her hands and points right at him. Aerith doesn't mind looking after people if needed, quite the opposite, but it's always good to have the reassurance that someone knows what's a priority in this sort of situation.] I heard there's a river around here, too... We'll have to find out if it's clear enough to drink from, but we can focus on the firewood first.

[She gives Shinpei a once over, humming just a little bit. It seems like she's considering something.

...and then she reaches over and gives his arm a poke! Pooooke!]

Yep! [She nods to herself.] You'll be just fine, I think. Let's try to find something to cut down the wood with, okay?

[manyloops]

Oh- if there's a river, then that's at least a potential good sign...

[ And that also means that there's something that they can follow. Maybe they'll find something at the other end?

But his two-toned eyes widen ever so slightly, looking a bit surprised when he's suddenly poked, taking an instinctive step back, blinking in confusion. ]

Ah? [ He just blinks, completely baffled. ] ...Right. Hopefully we can find something.

ii (i'm here to claim my 2nd thread privilege, listen)

[belight]

Out of those? Take a nap.

[ It wasn't even listed, but listen. In his defense, she did ask what he wants to do... and from the stuff she said, the answer is none of those things. Noctis doesn't want to do chores; he barely does them for himself, much less for a whole abandoned inn in the middle of the forest that should technically be none of his business if he had a choice. But she did help him out when she woke him, and she's stuck with him this far, so well. He kind of owes her a little, he guesses.

He quirks an eyebrow the next second, as if marking his tease, and then looks around. ]

Just kidding. I'll help you out, but it looks like someone already took that bucket and mop, so... maybe one of the other two?

[ Thank the Astrals tbh, whoever grabbed those and saved him from cleaning is his hero. ]

presses it into ur hands where it belongs

[reblossoms]

No way are you napping anymore, mister! You did enough of that already.

[She has her hands on her hips as she says it too, voice just on the barest edge of scolding - because there's way too much playfulness in it to be anything other than teasing.

Noctis, right...? His type is always fun. A little bit more work sometimes, but that makes it fun, too.

But she straightens back up, glances around the room... Ah, there's one in the corner. An empty basket.]

I'd appreciate it, though... [Shame about the mop... Especially since it's so dusty in here. Eurgh. Maybe she or somebody else can track it down later.] I'll take it easy on you a little bit. How about we gather some flowers?

[With just a little bit of a flourish, Aerith sweeps the basket up and whirls back around, hand offering it for him to take. See? She's not a hard taskmaster!]

[belight]

Flowers? Like... the ones outside?

[ You know, the ones growing beside the houses, like the patch where she found him sleeping.

He's questioning it, a little, as much as he tries not to let it show -- he's never been really good at that, no matter what he might claim when called out. Well, it was on the list from the start and she did explain her reasoning, but it still feels really... optional? And that's just so he doesn't have to call it pointless. With a sigh of resignation, he takes the basket from her anyway, holding it without protest. It's not like it's heavy, anyway.

And... well, whatever. If this is gonna make her happy or take her mind off their weird situation for a bit, maybe it's fine. ]

Uh. There were a whole bunch I guess. What kind do you want?

[reblossoms]

Any kind is fine! No flower is a bad flower. It's a lot less work than chopping firewood, right?

[The firewood is arguably more important... but flowers are important for putting smiles on people's faces, so she'd say that's a point in their favor.

It's what this inn needs. A little bit of life instilled in this place she shouldn't remember.

Aerith thinks as she walks out of the room, steps slow as she ponders. He still sounds a little reluctant... or maybe he's still just sleepy, so maybe it's time for a slight subject change.]

What kind of flowers do you like back home, Noctis?

[A lot of guys tend to be reluctant to answer this sort of thing, so she won't be surprised if he is, too... But it never hurts anything to ask! Maybe she'll get to learn more about him, too.]

[belight]

Me? I haven't really—

[ —thought about it, like pretty much ever if he's being honest. They're used for decoration, right? So whatever looks good is fine, it's not like he can tell the difference. Other people have better eyes for that than him, but... ]

A blue one? Might be nice, I guess.

[ He decides mid-sentence as they walk, with him coming up from behind to catch up with her, that it's probably less of a hassle to just give an answer rather than avoid it and then have to explain. Not like it matters, anyway. Although it fleetingly comes to mind as he says it -- a vast field of blue from his childhood and a crown of flowers on someone's head; not from his homeland exactly, but the image of it is precious and burned with nostalgia in his memories all the same. And then the one that was pressed into a certain notebook... he runs a hand through his hair as it comes up, shelving the thought before it starts.

No way those would grow here. He's never seen them anywhere but Tenebrae. ]

Anyway, doesn't matter. You're putting these in that common room, right? [ Which means they're for everyone, not just him. ] So shouldn't it be something like... whatever lots of people are bound to like?

[ He says that over his shoulder as he opens the front door and steps out, like a guy who's used to going first and doesn't really think about holding things open for others, even girls. Because any women with him were usually from the Crownsguard and assigned to him for protection, so you know... smh. Royalty. ]

help she's so cute . iii.

[lostpsalm]

<sub>[ Rennuid's followed her out not into the water of the river, but via picking his way along after her atop the rocks that crest out of it, here and there. Some of them look pretty slick, but he moves like he's pretty used to doing this.

Though right now he's looking at the river dubiously. ]</sub>

Ah... And.. how cold would you say it is in there, exactly...?

_{[ listen, he's slight. if he gets cold he stays cold. ]}

weh....... she is but also thank u........

[reblossoms]

Hmm...

[She tilts her head to the side, considering as she dips her toes into it, swirls the water around a little. Definitely cold... but it's not that cold.

He'll be okay!]

It's not too bad! The sun's warming it up a little. [Which is true.] But you'll never know for sure if you don't try it, right?

[C'mon, Rennuid, you can do it!]

[lostpsalm]

...It has been a while. I always liked river swimming. I wonder if it goes deep enough...?

<sub>[ carefully, he sits down, takes off his flats and sets them on the one dry spot on the rock... keeping the trailing edge of his robe from getting wet is already a bust from dallying around right by the water, so he doesn't try that hard, when he gathers it up near his knees.

It shows what looks like a doozy of a bruise wrapping up around one of his calves, the sort of thing you might get from a real fantastic collision. don't ask me what colors it is since he's Already purple. Seems like he knew it was there already, as he pays it no heed as he eases off from the rock into the shallow water. ]</sub>

This is cold. _{[ He complains about it, but he's not making any move to get out. ]}

[reblossoms]

[Her gaze catches the bruise, something a little sympathetic slipping into her eyes... But she doesn't comment on it at all. Not right now, at least, if it doesn't seem to be causing any visible pain.]

Not that bad, though, right? It's just fine like this for me.

[She kicks up a little bit of the water to the side, away from Rennuid, just to play with it. If she's honest, maybe it's a little cold for her tastes.

But that's what makes it even more important. It's just a little shade of new, and that makes it precious.]

You got to try it, though! Now you know if it's too much for you or not, and get to decide if you still want to go for a swim. That's not so bad, right?

[lostpsalm]

_{[ he seems to navigate around it just fine, no visible reaction to any twinge as he moves. tis just..a flesh.. wound...? (it isn't.) ]}

I'll live.

_{[ that said, he cups his hands, dips, pulls them up streaming with water-- and splashes at his face with it. ]}

--Wahh!! Awake! Though if only the sun were shining...! Fine, fine, really it's perfect, if you could only let the sun bake it away after...

ii. the inn ( Hii 👁️👄👁️ )

[amhran]

[ The goat with her murmurs a soft baa from behind Caomihe. She had saw people filing into the Inn moments before, and urgently wished to connect with the others here at this strange place. It took a moment but she found a girl dressed quaintly but styled in a strange way. That she herself could not place where it came from. ]

Oh... Um... Flowers...?

[ Caoimhe remembers... She remembers there was a time when she always picked flowers within the forests as they traveled around the continent of her world. Each flower would be added into her crown, offering a reminder of her travels. Where she had been, and the uniqueness of the lands she lived off of. However.... It had been so long, so long since she thought of doing such a thing. ]

I am not sure gathering flowers is the right idea, with everything going on. A-Also, this forest seems to be alive in some way. I would be weary of taking anything from it incase it would be cursed.