sticksandbones | January Town Hall

January Town Hall

Who: Town Meeting
What: Town Meeting
When: January
Where: Enciodes' archives
Warnings: Typical Stix game warnings: Child death mentions, physical abuse via Nene, torture, body horror, cannibalism via Callan. More will be in post titles as they come up.

[ Enciodes is incredibly tired, once again. All the same, he still makes the effort to go around and let everyone know about the Town Hall happening again, encouraging you to be there, despite everything. ]

Hello and thank you for coming to our town meeting. To start, these archives are important to me, and as such I will not tolerate any fighting. You will be escorted out.

Secondly, I encourage you all introduce yourselves. Informing us of both your name and your skillset will help us all as a group, as it'll let us know who is here at the Grove and who is best to see for specific situations. This will also help myself, as I intend to keep a headcount and census of everyone here at the Grove, to keep track of who may have gone missing and to direct those who need help in the correct location. I shall begin by introducing myself. I am Enciodes Silverash. I am a diplomat of my world, and here I have taken a role of setting up meetings like this and clearing out the problems that lie with us in the fog wall.

And finally, for the newcomers, I am sorry to have to inform you of the circumstances, but I implore you to come to me for any questions you may have. I want to make this transition for you as easy as I possibly can, and wish to provide you with all the resources and information that we currently have available to us. This may be a bit lengthy, so I understand if you may have questions for clarifications or anything of the like. I do ask that you hold onto these questions until I've finished, however.

To start with, we lived a previous life we have no real memory of here at the Grove.

This is mostly as it sounds, but we all used to be here at the Grove in one way or another. After horrible events occurred here, Heimr and Ydalir tried to preserve our souls, which lead us to our "current" lives. The ones we all have memories of. Though, it does seem many of us carry the same personalities and other such traits we had while here.

This in no way is an encouragement to learn about your past life, of course. If this makes you uncomfortable or frustrates you in any way, I completely understand. Learning about things you've done back here does not currently seem to help us find our way home, so you are under no obligation to try and find more out about this if you do not want to.

Our enemy here is the entity possessing the forest.

There's still a lot we don't know about him, but that is perhaps for the best. The more we know about him, it's likely the stronger he will become in turn. It's only right we keep this section brief, in that case. If you truly wish to know more about him, I would be willing to answer questions, but understand my hesitance in doing so. That, and also it's likely he can hear us through the people here who are Corrupted by the forest.

He is the entity who got us all here. He wants us to suffer. He feeds on our misery. We won't let him have that satisfaction because we have this second chance. If he couldn't kill us before in a way that sated him, than he'll never get that satisfaction from us because we are resilient. Just be careful when going out into the forest. He can corrupt you, and... if you'd like, you can speak with those who have had first hand experience with it before, but essentially it means he can possess you if we're not careful.

Do not call it by its name. Do not worship it. Do not give it power of any kind. I am no longer going to be understanding to those who give it more than it deserves.

He is afraid of the ocean. Beiwe, his sister, mentions she doesn't believe he's open to listening to reason. She said the best way to fight back against him is simply rejecting him, turning sadness into resolve, and continuing to call him rude names.

And we'll talk about the previous residents here - the ones who didn't have new lives. As well as the deities here.

Heimr and Ydalir, or the Shopkeeper and the Trader respectively, both lost their previous names to the Forest. Heimr recently became human; maybe there's a way to get Ydalir to be the same? You can say "Aldric" now, but Heimr still prefers to be called Heimr. Please keep this in mind if the Forest ever tries to speak with you. Do not, under any circumstances, give it your name.

Nene is here as well, and very recently purified, but had previously been confined to the Forest's hold for... centuries, it seems. Please be kind to her, as I'm sure I needn't even point out. She is daughter to Grace, who was a doctor here at the Grove. She has a few books in the archives that I've been perusing. She's also apparently the person behind the Garden - a place in the forest that I'll cover shortly.

The Guardians are a group of... demi-deities, as far as we are concerned. Treat them respectfully and give them offerings if you require their assistance or plan to take anything that is theirs. The few we have with us here at the Grove are as follows:

Moder, the forest Guardian, and the large moose-like creature who's seen wandering around. She is incredibly kind even if her appearances may be a bit horrifying. She's helped clean up the northern part of town with me. She's also willing to take people through the forest safely if needed, seeing both as she knows it well, and was also once corrupted, so knows roughly what to expect in there. Considering she's lost her domain to that bastard in the woods, I ask that you give her your tribute as often as you can, as I believe she will be the one to most fiercely fight with us for her home back.

Zahliya, who has many titles I've listed in the notebook, is the gargoyle who is generally on fire. He can burn away any Corruption, and cares about each of us. His powers have not been fully realized, but with some encouragement, that may change, so I ask that everyone please give him your trust.

Sinann, the River Guardian, is the blue, glowing fish within the River. It can speak more now without the use of the Bone ring, but it's still rather weak, likely because it is recovering and has not regained the strength to do so. Please do not remove the bones from the River, and return any fish bones of those you eat to it as well. Shells and medallions are able to be taken freely from it, however.

Callan, the Lake Guardian, is thing that you all may have seen diving into the well when we got back from our time under the ocean. He is... not the kindest, but I don't believe he is malicious or malevolent by any means. I'm not entirely sure what to make of him. The Behemoth is his daughter, and the giant crocodile-like creature you've seen around the Grove. She isn't a Guardian, as far as I'm aware, but it's still recommended you are kind to her as well.

The Cosmic Serpent is in the ocean. For a good majority of the time, they are asleep. They do not seem to be opposed to helping us, but can only offer us so much, and likely may get annoyed if we expect too much of them. Apparently became what they are today by feasting on fallen stars.

There's a Sky Guardian, Aurora, as well, though Moder has informed us that she was long dead. Since then, we have had an effort in reviving her.

The Gods — Beiwe, the Goddess of the Sun, and Ourania, the Goddess of the Moon, are the current overseers. According to Moder, they are very weak and may need some help regaining their strength through prayer and acts of devotion. We likely have the power to help them return to their former strength.. We just need to figure out how. Recently, we've spoken directly to Ourania with a seance, and recently we've done the same with Beiwe. I did not participate personally, so I divert this to those who had, and encourage the information shared. The information we got from Ourania can be asked through Mizuki, if needed.

Zonari, uh, the forest's gargoyle. She's gone missing from the Grove, as of recent. Which lends to the question of why we let her stay here...

Magic and belief of this world.

Belief in something gives it power. Names give it power. Hence why we don't want to be using names for the forest. It's recommended to swap out the vague reference you use. Vice versa for our Guardians — please use their names, and believe in them intrinsically when we require their assistance. Mizuki has recommended before that we sing to Zahliya when he purifies things. Songs of protection and such might do us some good, I think. Just remember not to wish for things too frequently, only if it's absolutely necessary.

There are shards that seem to hold power of deities inside of them. Sun and Moon shards from Beiwe and Ourania respectively, and star shards from... likely, the stars? Be on a look out for them, as the Forest wants them destroyed. It also leads me to wonder if there are any shards of the entity we may be able to destroy?

We've also learned that the seasons are controlled by spirits, and will lose control of their magic every hundred years and need some sort of "sacrifice" to stabilize them. I have a feeling this is something we'll be needing to concern ourselves with, as it's our luck if we're coming up on this hundred year mark. This is likely something we can confirm with Miss Ydalir.

We have baby dragons who grant certain blessings, as well. Feel free to see them if you'd like.

Places of interest.

Aldric's Manor is a place where Heimr's kids are currently. We can't get to it, but the children inside do have a notebook, and we hope they'll try to communicate with us. One of his children… There's a grave outside for her. Do not do anything disrespectful by it.

There's a part of the forest nearby where you might find people you know, but as trees. It's… very upsetting there. Refrain from visiting it too frequently.

The Garden is where you'll end up if you die. Nene brings you back if you do end up here. Do not die. Do not end up here. Coming back will have you giving up something important.

The River is where the River Guardian is. Return any remains of the fish we eat from there back to it after we're able to fish there again. Thank the River Guardian when you take apples from the tree nearby there, and thank Moder when you take berries from the bush near it. Do not take bones from the river without permission. Be kind to the river's inhabitants, and don't dump any trash into the water.

The Well's water will always stay clean. Don't go dumping garbage into it, of course, but know that the water there is safe to drink regardless of what happens, it seems. Also, the well is completely bottomless, so if you can't breathe underwater, I don't recommend trying to swim down it. Mizuki tried to, but at a certain point it felt like something was pushing him back.

The Lake, where Callan used to reside, and Terho's cabin nearby. According to Mizuki, the bottom is littered with bones, so it's likely not a good swimming spot.

North Aldric's Grove and Other Expansions — The Grove, prior to stuff going awry, was a sizeable place, so we're likely to explore more areas as a "reward" for participating in games. The part of the Grove to the north used to be horribly burnt and unlivable - in a perpetual state of fire and decay. We've since fixed the time anomalies there and, with Moder's help, I've managed to get it looking like the rest of the Grove. There are no more sinkholes to be wary of.

The Church was Nene's previous home, and a former place of worship for Beiwe. It has since been worn down and transformed into something to worship the entity of the forest. As such, it's likely we should try to erect a new church for Beiwe - one that is exclusively hers. Especially since we've been able to get into contact with her.
Near the old church, there's also a tree that Renard lies trapped in, found by both Mizuki and Wolfwood. At some point, we have to free him with the magic that resides in the sun, moon, and star shards. Renard is a former friend of Heimr and Ydalir.

The Temple is separate from the Church. Zahliya was formerly a statue guarding this place. It is also where the Creature was previously contained.

In the Lighthouse is a corrupted person who seems very territorial. It's recommended that no one go into the lighthouse or get near it, or they risk being attacked or even killed. There is a statue of Ourania embedded in the cliff face nearby the Lighthouse. Any more questions can be addressed to Vash about this area.

The beach is now accessible thanks to Moder. You may head there with the path she has made without needing help of the goggles. Just stay on the bridge of fallen trees she's made and you'll make it there. In the water are very dangerous creatures, so be mindful. Dipper has also found the evil entity's original temple under the water. Maybe that is partially why it has it's fear of the ocean?

Within the forest are star shrines, which may provide moments of respite while you are out there. Not much is known about them at the moment, besides that star... spirits? guardians? creatures reside there. Hoku, a lion-esque spirit, seems to be the "leader". We don't know what happened to him.

There are other places within the forest and such, but if you want specifics, talk to Mizuki. He has a map.

If you do end up going into the forest, bring a pair of the golden spectacles that Heimr has with you. They will show you a safe-adjacent way into the forest. It won't guarantee safety, but it'll be your best case scenario.

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[ If it hurts it doesn't show on Truthless' face. He should offer some words of encouragement and comfort, Pure Vanilla would, but the platitudes feel cold in his throat so he doesn't bother, trying a different angle instead. ]

Don't be sorry, you loved him. You are allowed to feel anger. It is a part of grieving.

Don't say that -

[Vash speaks before he has the chance to think. He falls silent once more, eyes closing tight. Yes, he loved Pure Vanilla. He loved so many people. That was his motto, after all. But when he thinks about it, really thinks about it, he knows it goes beyond all of that. He'd spent months thinking about, arguably even longing for Pure Vanilla. They'd shared so many quiet moments, and many more had been missed out on because Vash had decided to sequester himself.

And then there was that strange connection he'd felt even beyond all that. The feeling that in another life, a different world, another something or other, they'd felt something for one another.

He hates that he only realizes it all just now. More than that, he hates himself for continuing to speak, digging the hole just that little deeper.]

Love him. I love him. And since you two are one in the same, I guess that means I love you, too. Right?

[He hates his. He already regrets saying anything, wishes he could snatch the words from the air. Instead, he flashes a smile wide enough to close his eyes. Better that he hides the way they burn.]

Sorry. Guess I shouldn't say that, huh? Forget I said anything, okay?

[ He knows Vash is emotional, so the outburst isn't surprising, but the force of it would be if Truthless could feel surprise. Pure Vanilla had an inkling on Vash's feelings but never knew if they were simply a platonic warmth between the two, or something deeper, so had never pursued it beyond offering Vash his shoulder if he needed it.

To hear it now makes something want to laugh inside him. The portion of him Shadow Milk has his strings around. How funny, only willing to admit he loves someone when they're no longer within his reach.

But Truthless is silent, as Vash smiles to hide the pain, apologizes for his words and tells him to forget them. He glances down at his hands like they can offer him advice on what to do. ]

I cannot offer you what he could offer you. I am not him anymore. But I will not forget.

[ How could he? That was a very intense declaration. He lifts his eyes and his right hand, holding it out for Vash. ]

[Vash stares at that hand. he wants, so desperately, to take it. But there's something about it that feels wrong. He can say out loud that he accepts Truthless as he is, but it's so difficult to actually reach out. Even being in the same room felt like too much.

So instead, he gathers himself up. He offers an apologetic smile to everyone, before making for the door. His chest aches, and besides, he's probably made enough people suffer with his presence already. There are plenty who were probably still uncomfortable with him after all he had done. Leaving was in their best interest.]

[ And Truthless merely watches him go, placing his hand back into his lap. If that hurt him in anyway he doesn't show it. He understands, after all. He is not Pure Vanilla.

Even if something inside his head laughs. ]

[Wolfwood is watching this conversation as it unfolds, of course. He isn't trying to be nosy so much as...it's hard not to want to, especially when he can tell Vash is getting so upset. He can sense it long before it happens, Vash's old desire to run away building and building as the conversation mounts and the tension becomes unbearable, to the point where he can't take it anymore and he just...has to leave.

But in this case, Wolfwood does not blame him for disengaging. He's pretty sure he would have had the same exact reaction. ...hell, he has. He hasn't soon forgotten how he felt when "Eriks" appeared, and Vash couldn't remember his face, much less his name.

He'll give it a little time before he gets up, not bothering to excuse himself as he just goes. He doesn't think anyone will stop him as the meeting goes on and he slips out the door into the cold, pulling his coat a bit tighter around himself once he's outside. He's immediately pulling out a cigarette just out of habit, all while he's looking around to see if Vash is actually out here, or if he can spy footsteps in the snow that lead elsewhere.]

[Footsteps he will indeed spy! They lead off toward the river, as if heading home. Should Wolfwood choose to follow them, though, he'll quickly find that they don't quite make it there. Vash can be found kneeling in the snow, not far from the river bank. There isn't any sound coming from him, but by the gradual tremble of his shoulders, it's clear that he's not just sitting with his feelings, either.

His arms wrap around himself, though whether it's to keep himself warm or to hold himself together, it's hard to say. Either way, he doesn't seem to immediately notice Wolfwood. Maybe it's for the best, considering the way he tends to hide his emotions.]

[He will follow, and...honestly, his gut tells him Vash probably didn't just go home. That's way too predictable, way too expected. The way his tracks divert confirm as much as he carefully trudges his way to where Vash ended up, stopping some distance away to just watch him, at first. Gauging the situation, before moving forward.

He'll wordlessly step over and sink into a sit in the snow beside him, trying to ignore the way his ass immediately freezes thanks to the ice. There's a moment where he ponders whether he should even say anything (what do you say?), before he finally decides to scoot closer and bump their shoulders together before slipping his arm around Vash's shoulders.]

Hey. Was lookin' for you.

Edited 2025-02-10 01:13 (UTC)

[Vash isn't quite surprised that he'd been followed. He'd made a scene, after all, and there were plenty of people who cared about him. Part of him isn't even bothered that he's being doted on, either. The problem, really, is that it isn't who he wants to be there. Even if he recognizes the sound of Wolfwood's steps and the rasp of his voice, even if he loves the man dearly, Vash can't deny that for a split second, he wishes it were someone else.]

Y'found me. [He doesn't know what else to say. Even if they've all reached a mutual understanding about their various lovers, Vash still feels bad getting so torn up about someone else. Especially if he's about to be comforted over it.] Figured you'd be at the meeting for a little longer.

[Oh Vash. It's not just about being lovers, or having someone you love, or any of that. It's about making sure the person you love is happy. And Vash, right now, is very much...not.

So Wolfwood is here, his arms draped loosely over his knees as he flicks the cigarette he's got balanced between his thumb and forefinger, ash falling off of it onto the snow.]

Nah. Ain't sayin' shit I don't already know.

[Mostly. It was getting hard to pay attention anyway, knowing Vash was by himself out here. He figures if he misses anything super important someone will fill him in. And if they don't, oh well.]

...wasn't tryin' to eavesdrop, but. I overheard what you two were sayin'.

You okay?

[Ah. Wolfwood doesn't hesitate, of course he wouldn't. He isn't like Vash, who pussyfoots around the more difficult conversations. Naturally, it's one of the many things Vash loves about the man, but sometimes, it wasn't the most convenient.

Not when he was always so intent on hiding his emotions.

Clearly there wouldn't be an opportunity for that today, though. Now that he's been called out, there's no dodging around it. And so Vash sighs and gives a little shrug.]

Not like we were quiet about it. Or having it in a private place. [He's stalling. Just a little.] But... no, not really. How could I be, after somethin' like that?

Yeah...yeah. I know.

[It sucks. It really, really sucks. And he wishes he had something more encouraging, or comforting, he could say...though.

There is one thing he wanted to remind Vash of, sitting out here in the cold as they are.]

Listen. I know what he said, and you know me. I ain't one to give false hope or nothin'.

[Ever the pragmatist, he'd sooner be blunt about the way things are than be like "oh no it'll be fine though". In THIS case, however...Wolfwood can't help but feel a little differently.

Because he's lived it.]

But I don't think you've forgotten Eriks.

Mm... That guy.

[No, Vash hasn't forgotten. The guilt still sits with him, albeit significantly smaller than every other thing that had happened after. There's much Vash has had to chew on over the last few months. He does his best not to hold it against himself but... he's Vash the Stampede. He's good at self-punishment.]

It feels different, is all. Eriks still had parts of me, didn't he? He wasn't all... hollowed out and -

[He motions vaguely at himself. The exact details of Eriks' personality, at least as he existed in the Grove, were something of a blur. He could still remember the dumb jokes, at least.]

[THAT GUY...]

He did, yeah. But...I don't think Pure Vanilla's all gone, as much as the guy says he is.

[Wolfwood shrugs one shoulder, looking out into the snow.]

Could be just talkin' out my ass, but. How could he be, if the guy still has his memories?

[Wolfwood makes a fair point. It seems like there has to be something of Pure Vanilla left in there. But when the man barely looks like the PV Vash had come to know, what was he meant to think? And moreover...]

Is it really fair for me to keep hoping for something different? Not just to him, but... [Vash's shoulders hitch further up. He hunkers further into himself as he feels something sharp start to needle at his chest.]

Am I just gonna keep hurting myself if I hope for something different?

[It's a hard question to answer, and thus Wolfwood isn't able to, at first. He just smokes in silence, the tip of his cigarette glowing brighter when he inhales. He'll blow smoke rings above their heads for a moment, sighing heavily.]

I dunno. I guess you gotta ask yourself what would make you feel better in the long run. I know you don't focus on yourself enough.

[But...mmm.]

Other than that, though...I really don't got a good answer, babe. M'sorry.

[Vash watches the rings go by silently. There isn't any frustration at the period of silence — he'd rather Wolfwood think about the question than answer it hastily, after all. If he's unsatisfied by the answer that eventually comes, he doesn't show it, either. He simply gives a nod.]

That's okay. I don't think there's any good or easy answers here anyway. [Still, he glances over at Wolfwood with a hint of curiosity.] How did you find it in you to keep holding out, though?

How...?

[An excellent question, one that he isn't entirely sure of the answer at first. He will stop again and think, though this time he's at least able to answer without such a pregnant pause.]

I think you're startin' to rub off on me, but I just...hoped that you'd come back. I had this feelin' that you couldn't just be gone forever, so I waited it out...waited t'see what would happen. Maybe you woulda' come back. Maybe you wouldn't.

...but you did, in the end. And I figured that if you were your normal self, you'd be tellin' me not to worry about you so much.

[Though some part of Vash feels guilty for bringing up such a dark time, he nonetheless feels warmed by Wolfwood's answer. He leans to the side, shoulder pressing against Wolfwood in the slightest. The warmth and familiar weight feels good to him.]

To be honest... I don't think there's a place you could go that I wouldn't find my way to you. By your side for as long as I can be... that's all I want.

[Maybe their time is limited, considering what Wolfwood's inevitable fate back home might be. But it just means he can't waste a moment of what they have.]

I'm sure Pure Vanilla feels the same. He wouldn't want us to worry. So wherever he is... whatever's going on, he'll be back. I just have to keep that hope alive.

[He turns his head, offering a faint smile for Wolfwood.]

Thanks, Nick.

There's that smile.

[Wolfwood's expression softens, and he'll pull his half-smokes cigarette from his lips so he can lean over and press a kiss to Vash's cheek.]

Best thing you can do right now is keep doin' what you've been doin'. Bein'...yaknow. Yourself.

[And sure, maybe "himself" hasn't been the best lately, but who can blame him for that? Certainly not Wolfwood, as he sits here with a set of broken horns he didn't have a month or two ago.]

It'll work out however it's s'posed to, or some sappy shit like that.

[Vash makes a face at the smell of the cigarette, but it's entirely for show. He enjoys the smell of tobacco and nicotine at this point, at least as far as it relates to Wolfwood. And like hell he's actually going to complain about a kiss. No, it takes only a few seconds for that playful scowl to turn into a half-smile.]

Guess I'll do what I can in the meantime.

[And what he can do right now is turn and mirror Wolfwood's gesture. The kiss is light, and more against the side of Nick's nose than his cheek, but still.]

You're turning into such a softie! You'll be preaching love and peace before long, just you wait!

[There's plenty of Nose going on for Vash to kiss, so he won't have to worry about missing his mark or anything. This comes just a moment before Wolfwood laughs under his breath, suddenly reaching an arm around Vash fully in a playful headlock against his side.]

No fuckin' way. If I started doin' that, you'd be outta' a job, wouldn't you?

[From his arm prison, Vash sputters, then giggles. He flails in the weakest of ways, clearly not bothered by his new position at all.]

You never know! We could work together! The Love and Peace couple! I'm sure Liv would wanna join too! A merry band of guys who don't wanna cause problems! It could happen!

[He finally tugs away and... pouts at him.]

Even if I would miss when you get all grumpy and protective.

Hah, well. Don't worry 'bout that. That part'a me ain't changin' any time soon.

[You can mellow Wolfwood out, turn him into a softie...but he will always be grumpy. It's baked into his DNA, unfortunately.

Since Vash managed to squirm from his hold, Wolfwood will relent and relax back against his side, finishing off his cigarette so he can snuff it out.]

Would be nice, though.

Mm, maybe one day we'll be in a place where you can do that.

[It's a long way off. Maybe it won't ever happen. But rather than despairing, Vash clings to the hope of it all. One foot in front of the other, clinging to a blank ticket and a dream that they'd have a million better tomorrows to look forward to, one day.]

And until then, I'll be here to keep you in check! Remind you to soften up every now and again, and to smile, and all that.

[Which, speaking of, he leans over and presses a finger to the corner of Wolfwood's lips, trying to force a smile out of him.]

January Town Hall

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