EVENT 021

[sticksandbonesmods]

Feeding from the Ocean

Solitary Voyage

The first light of dawn does not come this morning. The moonlight outside continues to cast its muted glow over the Grove, still high in the sky. No matter how long you wait, no matter how many minutes or hours slip by, the darkness remains, and the silvery sentinel refuses to yield to the sun. It also appears bigger than usual, its surface etched with shadows that seem to pulse with a life of their own, and you swear there weren't this many stars peppering the night sky last night.

Despite the oppressive night that looms above, there’s an odd sense of calm. No werewolves prowl the streets, no ominous howls echo through the trees, or other dangers that usually seem to threaten the Grove. In fact, it's not making it more cold than usual, either. The ice on the river, once a solid barrier, begins to chip away, revealing glimmers of water beneath, giving new life to the creatures that call it home. A handful of the baby Seaborn even flop out of the water to explore the world, as if it's entirely new to them and hasn't only been a month since they've been unable to be on solid ground.

The only thing that the perpetual night seems to be affecting is the local wildlife. Disoriented and confused, they flit about in a daze, their natural rhythms thrown into chaos. The diurnal creatures now wander aimlessly with their instincts dulled. Someone should probably feed these poor critters before they forget how to forage for themselves.

The Grove also seems to be sans one sea jelly. Hope no one booked their therapy appointment this month.

The Reef is Immortal

It was the loud creaking that caught your attention first, a sound that reverberated through the ground like the groan of a ship caught in a storm. There's a... tree? Or, wait, no. That can't be right. It's colossal, easily taller than the supposed "limit" of the sky barrier, but it's also... blue? There's a smattering of bioluminescent patches that give a white glow, especially under the pale moonlight. The "branches" swayed unnaturally, each one moving independently, like a thousand skeletal fingers reaching for the heavens.

With the coming of this "tree" also comes something some of you may be familiar with - the Nethersea Brand. It's a blue, web-like membrane that more resembles flesh than what anyone would like to admit. Contact with the membrane is not recommended as it invokes a creeping dread that gnaws at the edges of your mind and locks your muscles and bones. It wears off... eventually, but if you don't get out of it in time it'll continue to chew at your nervous system.

It is not localized like it was last time, either. It spreads and expands to cover all of the Grove more and more with each moment, every hour swallowing more and more land, with just a few exceptions. One, the Inn's lobby, which is protected by the Inquistion's Fireplace inside. And two... surprisingly, the River and its banks, where the Guardians (and the Behemoth) seem to be taking solace from the threat.

The baby Seaborn are not aware of many things, but they are at least cognizant that some of you don't seem to do well in the Brand, with some control over what it covers. If you're by the river, they seem to be able to control the brand just enough to free you, chirping in an innocent manner. You do not know what they are saying, but you can imagine it's something along the lines of "Hi! What doing!" There's less of them in the river currently, but the few that are around are nesting on Moder or following Sinann around. They do not sense the distress. They are just babies.

The Mass of Sorrow

The sensation of being trapped in the web-like brand is suffocating, a foreign sensation of the boundaries that have been blurred between your identity and the collective consciousness of others. Each time you succumb to the nervous impairment, it feels like you’re slipping through a veil, where the lines between your thoughts and those of others dissolve into a swirling mass of emotions and memories.

You can’t shake the feeling of grief that lingers in your chest, a weight that seems to grow heavier with each passing moment. It’s as if you’re mourning something you can’t quite grasp—perhaps the remnants of your own past, or the fragments of lives that are not your own. When you finally come to again, rising up from the brand to attempt to move again, you'll notice you have tear stains against your face you don't remember crying.

It's not easy to escape the brand, either. Between the rough terrain flesh-y webs make and the way it slowly neutralizes your nerves, it's a wonder you can keep moving at all. But more than that, there's this... voice...

"Embrace... Our Warmth..."

In short moments of clarity, you remember... dreaming? Remembering? Commiserating...? Something. Whatever the case, you were in someone's mind. Maybe your own. Maybe someone else's. Maybe even something from the forest - the brand is taking all prisoner, after all.

Best hope We Many doesn't share anything you don't want anyone to see, because it doesn't seem like you get much of a choice.

Elegy of the Outliers

Those holed up inside are not entirely forgotten. While the warmth of the fireplace and the kin of the river may keep the brand at bay, the persistent weight of grief and sadness still reaches those within. It is the curse of an ancient being long gone, a sorrow that lingers like a scar. Yet, this sorrow can be softened by the company of those around you. Distractions, warmth, and togetherness serve as reminders that collaboration is, as always, the answer.

Gazing out at the brand, one will notice shadows moving along the fleshy web—shadows that seem hauntingly familiar. Loved ones move through the Grove as if it has come alive again, as if the threat of an obsessed, fallen deity has vanished, and things have reached some form of normalcy once again.

Upon closer inspection, the observant may discern that these are not true apparitions, but rather the brand's way of storing memories within We Many's consciousness. It is a surreal experience, reliving moments through the Seaborn that drift freely about. This phenomenon is both unsettling and captivating—perhaps it could even make for compelling television while you remain trapped inside. Yet, the sight of a loved one, even as a mere shadow, may also be overwhelming, pulling you away from your current sanctuary.

Be careful out there.

Spark Notes

summary

Solitary Voyage is this moon's journey. The expected dawn fails to arrive, leaving the Grove shrouded in an unusual, persistent moonlight. While the darkness disrupts the local wildlife, causing confusion and disorientation, it also brings life to the river as baby Seaborn venture out.

The Reef is Immortal, bringing forth a colossal, bioluminescent "tree" in the Grove, accompanied by the spreading menace of the Nethersea Brand, a blue, web-like membrane that induces paralysis upon contact. While the Brand expands across the land, the Inn's lobby remains safe, and the baby Seaborn near the river seem to possess a surprising ability to help free those ensnared by the Brand, blissfully unaware of the surrounding danger.

The Mass of Sorrow is the experience of being ensnared in the Nethersea Brand. Personal identity blurs with the collective consciousness, leading to overwhelming grief and confusion as emotions and memories intertwine.

Elegy of the Outliers, or those sheltered from the Nethersea Brand, still feel the Arbor's weight of grief and sadness, a lingering curse that can be eased by the warmth and companionship of others. As shadows resembling loved ones move through the brand, it becomes clear that these are not true apparitions but memories stored within We Many's consciousness.

out of character

This month's event has been written entirely by Rubie! Please be nice and say thank you Rubie! Enjoy your memory shares and your eldritch horrors, and remember that questions asked should be asked in public channels and not DMs if they're related to this month's event. Have fun!

updates

Any potential updates, such as characters damaging something important or whatever else, will be put here.

submissions

❖ Questions
❖ February Plotting
❖ Past Life Plotting (Closed to Game Members)
❖ Investigations

code

Comments

Mamika | Re:Creators

[magicalsplashflare]

I. Happy birthday! (Inn, Open)

[ While the lobby of the Inn itself is safe from the Brand, the kitchen just off of it is... not. Not entirely. So Mamika can be found outside, flying over the brand so she can go to the river and bring back one of the Seaborn babies, setting it inside of the kitchen and just sort of... staring at it. She gestures to the brand and makes "poof" sounds at the baby, who doesn't understand, because it is a baby.

...

After some time, she finally convinces it to push the brand back so the kitchen is accessible, and she gives a relieved little sigh and pats the Seaborn, putting it on the table to hang out with her as she... well, apparently, bakes? She turns on the oven and starts pulling out stuff to make a cake.

Along the counters, she props up some books from her bag. She's featured on the covers, but there's also two other girls along with her. The books are still wrapped in plastic, implying Mamika has never opened them. If you enter, she waves you down. ]

Do you know how to make icing?? [ There's so much flour on her hands. ] I can't remember off the top of my head...

II. Stuck (Outside, Open)

[ If you are out in the brand and starting to lose your consciousness to it, Mamika will gladly float above to take your arm in some attempt to hoist you. Unfortunately, she's not all that strong, so it is a little bit of a struggle. ] Hey...! Hold on, I-I got you! Let's get you- hhn- out of here!!!

III. Memories (Outside, Open)

[ If you're seeing her memories, there's one prevalent one that comes to mind. You will see Mamika, flying through the air as she normally does. It's night, and she seems to be going to an abandoned warehouse far outside the city. She seems... determined, but worried. There's a matureness to her that one wouldn't expect from a pink sixteen-year-old.

There's another woman inside. She's sitting on a throne made of rubble, looking at nothing in particular. You know. Standard anime villain stuff- ]

I've been thinking about it for a long time: Are you lying to me? Or are those other guys the ones lying? Is it true that gods are in this world? It might be true that gods can change our worlds... but there's something important you've been hiding from me. We can't increase the strength of creation by disturbing the yoke of the world. Disturbing this world only increases the distortion in the worlds that collided. Right?

...Altair.

You finally learned that name.

They told me. One of the people you call "the enemy". That's why I came here. If you're trying to destroy this world, then I must stop you. Because I am Magical Slayer Mamika. I'm the main character of the story I love.

Why didn't you keep quiet about joining their side?

That would be dishonoring my friends. Altair, you're my dear friend, too. [ The white-haired woman finally stands to turn and look at Mamika here. ] That's why I want to save you. What you're doing is revenge... right? A promise with the god you loved. The god who loves you. But the revenge you're planning is so sad! This world connected you with your god! Trying to end it out of revenge... An ending like that... is so sad.

I hate all of you. I hate your stories. I feel sick when I think of the abhorrent gods that created you. Spitting out stupid stories... everything in this world is vile. This world rejected my ally. All she wanted was a place to belong. Only a tiny, humble wish. But the world humiliated her and ignored her existence. They spat on her and laughed. They treated her like she didn't exist. Just like it was easy for them, doing this is easy for me, too. I will destroy everything - including you. Destroy and destroy and destroy more, until everything in this world disappears. That's the reason I'm standing here today.

Isn't that just a story she gave you!? It's not to constrain you!!!

Now that you've been released from the yoke of your story, why do you wear the mask of a hypocrite?

That's not it. I used to be a character who was designed that way. But after coming to this world, I changed. I chose this life. I saw a lot of things in this world. I met Alice and you. I decided to become Magical Slayer Mamika again!

I am the same. She was abandoned by this world. I will never forgive the merciless story that gave her a role like that. I am not merely following a plot outline written by someone. This is something I decided myself.

I heard what happened to your friend. But I'll show that I can accept your sadness. We all carried pain and sadness with us in our old worlds. I'm sure I can accept your sadness too. I want to save your soul. And also...

Setsuna's soul.

[ ...And then not even a second goes by as a blade stabs through her chest. ]

IV. Wildcard
HMU if u wanna do something else~!

I

[ghostharasser]

[Dipper is a busy body so he is everywhere all the time. When Mamika calls out to him he stops what he’s doing to see what she’s up to.]

Icing? Yeah, I know a few recipes. What’cha making?

[magicalsplashflare]

Just a cake. It's been a while since I've had to make one by myself, but I don't remember the recipe all that well...

[ She's already got the confectioner sugar ready to go. But that's like... it. ]

Are you super busy? Maybe you could help me make this. It might be a good break from... all that?

i

[unheiring]

[Luca makes no attempt to hide the way his lip curls. It's never been a secret, how much he hates sweet food.]

Absolutely not. [This... might be a lie.] But... if I had to guess?Butter. Sugar. Vanilla. Cream.

[magicalsplashflare]

Oh, I have buttercream right here, so I've got two of those all ready to go! [ She's got the spirit, at least. ] Do you know roughly maybe... measurements? I guess I could do my best, but I really haven't made a cake by myself before.

[unheiring]

Mmm... [The disgust doesn't ebb but... again, he can't really say no to Mamika.]

To start? A half of a cup of butter. Two cups of the sugar.

I think

[magicalsplashflare]

[ Mamika nods, shuffling around a moment to pile more things on the counter. She only pauses so she can look over at Luca. ]

Um... I do appreciate you helping me, of course, but... you know you don't have to, if you're busy! I should've asked if you were to start. That was rude of me.

[unheiring]

Huh? [Give him a second, he looks a little sheepish, perhaps a bit guilty even. After a faint huff, he turns his head away. Only then does he mutter:]

It's not that. I just... [Another sigh, before the volume of his voice raises.] I don't like sweets, is all.

[magicalsplashflare]

[ Luca! You're being weird!!! Mamika is totally pouting at him. ]

...You don't?? Why not? Any kind of sweets? Or just certain kinds? Like is it just pastries or do you not like... like carrots or apples?

[unheiring]

[He's not weird!! Don't be rude, Mamika.]

I enjoy apples. Apple pie, ah... happens to be my favorite. But only when its made with a thorough amount of cinnamon, and a well-buttered crust. It counteracts the overwhelming sweetness, you see.

[He seems to catch his near gushing and glances away sheepishly.]

Never mind me, though. What is the occasion for all of this?

[magicalsplashflare]

[ Mamika is practically beaming about his gushing, actually. ]

Oh! Um, every year for my birthday, my friends would make me a cake! But they're not around this year, so I was gonna try to make one myself.

I'm just not much of a baker, though.

[unheiring]

Birthday? Is that today?

[Cue the guilty dog look. He's out here playing bashful and icing Mamika out on her birthday of all days. He'll never forgive himself.]

You ought to have said something sooner. I would have made something for you. You shouldn't have to bake for yourself on your own birthday.

III

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood sees Mamika...and he follows her, because even if he doesn't know the context here, the way their memories have blended sure does make it feel like they're just living them. Like it's normal and natural for him to be here, in this one, and not someplace else. That feeling will change when he wakes from it and realizes he's caught in the brand again, but for now...

He's got his Punisher over his shoulder and is having to catch up on foot, which means he shows up after Mamika and Altair have already been talking, which means, naturally...

He's once again showing up seconds too late, literally entering the warehouse just as Mamika's being speared through.

There's no time for Wolfwood to even react, so the best he can do is allow instinct to take over as he swings his gun around and immediately opens fire on Altair because FUCK you????]

Get away from her, bitch!!

[magicalsplashflare]

[ If only it were that easy, maybe Re:Creators would've been way shorter-

Altair snaps her head in Wolfwood's direction before she's jumping into the air and flying away from the gunfire. A few stray swords will go in Wolfwood's direction. He'd best do his best to dodge, as she has no qualms killing a stranger. ]

I don't remember bringing you here - how dare you interfere.

[ Mamika, meanwhile, stumbles, as now that Wolfwood has redirected fire, she's no longer getting pelted with blades, but... she coughs up more blood. ] N-no... please... y-you can't be here. You have to... run...!

[lupusxylem]

[It's hard to say if it's because this is a memory, or because Wolfwood is so skilled in combat, that he's actually able to duck beneath and around the blades that are flying at him, if only just barely. He can hear them whistle as they whizz past him, but he's so used to being shot at that it barely phases him. A sword is just a bigger, sharper bullet, after all.

He hears Mamika cry out, prompting him to reposition himself so that he's standing between her and Altair's direct line of fire. He isn't sure if she can only throw those blades in a straight line or not, but he's betting on the fact that's how they work.]

Shut the fuck up and eat lead!!