EVENT & TDM 022

[sticksandbonesmods]

THE SERPENT UNDERNEATH

WAKE UP

Being out in the woods is, for some people, an ordinary day. You may or may not be one of those people — you almost certainly don’t remember going camping, do you? — and yet you emerge from a tent and think to yourself, hm, that’s quite odd! Where is the nearest civilization anyhow? If you’re brave enough, perhaps you set out to seek it, walking toward where you think you hear noise in the far distance. It sounds a bit like cheering. A party? A bonfire? You can’t be certain, not at first.

As you step onto the worn trail, something nearly clocks you right in the head. A nimble dodge to the left and a quick glance at the ground tells you that it’s some kind of tree branch made of… flesh? It’s certainly flesh-textured, though the colour is a deep blue that glows white. It seems to be rapidly rotting into the ground, and as you look up… a giant, several hundred foot tree of a similar eldritch makeup is falling apart before your eyes. Your walk back to civilization will be full of dodging probably-dead flesh tree bits.

Should you make it in one piece, the source of the noise becomes obvious: the people making up this small town are cheering and yelling about something else of eldritch makeup. It seems that some of the creatures who have lived in this civilization’s river for the last year, the Seaborn, have decided to evolve to be capable of flight. Some residents of this town seem extremely enthusiastic with this. Some are wary. Some simply don’t care.

You? Well, that’s for you to decide.

Welcome to the eldritch horror fae woods, dear friend. Enjoy your stay.

A SNAKE IN THE GRASS

While the black fog returns, some paths are left clear, or at least not as impacted as other areas of the woods. Mist fades in and out, and even if you aren’t one for nature, surely exploration can sing its siren song when the size of the town is too small and all the faces look the same. Paths line themselves with daffodils and chamomile flowers, with arctic poppies and clearings of wildflowers- foxglove and lavender especially prominent. They’re lovely, all of them, and bloom far more rapidly than anything else should be this early into spring, this late into winter, but they do.

But something creeps beneath the flowers, and something large digs through the earth, leaving upturned grooves in the dirt and grass, trails of flattened mud and roots with only bushes of camelia on the outskirts left behind. It’s quiet in the forest, not even birds singing. It makes the hiss of tongues all the more noticeable.

If you’re lucky, you might see a purple and grey stone shift in the distance, gone just as quickly as it was there. If you aren’t, you don’t see its much smaller, flower-patterned counterpart strike from the shadows. Snakes are working their way into the Grove, hiding in bushes and under steps, anywhere they can lurk and strike the unsuspecting, and their bite is venomous.

One bite brings excruciating pain, bone-deep cold, an increased frailty of the body and hallucinations. A second bite brings a deep, nightmare-filled sleep. A third bite brings death. All of them scar with a black sun over the bites, a mark of divine wrath — the Fallen Sun sends his regards, and his hate.

Those who perish to the snake bite will awaken in their bed in a few days, feeling nauseous and weakened, but…

'NEATH SERPENT'S GAZE

… This simply isn’t tenable. Between the paranoia and the snake’s stealth, it’s hard to feel safe outside of your home, and maybe inside, despite the fact that once again your homes offer refuge from the forest’s attacks—they hadn’t once upon a red, hot summer, after all. How did they face this last time? It was a flower, wasn’t it? And the new flowers in the forest seem special, if only because of their strong growth compared to the rest of the forest.

But if you go into the woods, two large stone snakes wait, ready to protect the natural gardens. Breaking them does little but slow them down for a time, and their bite is both larger and their venom stronger—the true version, the one that crippled a household in seconds. The severity of the symptoms are worse, murderously so, but survivable if it’s not the third bite.

They block the way, ambush would-be travelers, coil around the flower patches, and will not be stopped. Does this confirm that the flowers could help? Or are they simply protective of their master’s property? Is it play?

Regardless, they wait and watch.

CITIES & BONES

When all the violence of the month ends, and thank goodness for that, you decide to head to bed. For once, you might sleep well — there are no threats of snakes making you wonder if you or your friends might die tomorrow, and the Grove as a whole feels much safer. It’s as if someone or something is guarding over it — different from the Guardian Deities and the Goddesses as a whole.

For the next several days after the snakes disappear, your dreams are strange, as if you’re receiving a vision from another world. A modern city, so different from Aldric’s Grove that you’re not entirely convinced it lies in this dimension, blinks in neon lights behind your eyelids. Between the cacophonous sounds of motorized vehicles rushing by, the din of people talking in a language you don’t understand, and the distant electrical humming from the street lights, perceptive dreamers might hear something else:

The soft clacking of dry bones.

Spark Notes

summary

Wake up: You were apparently camping. You don't recall this. As you head out toward the sound of civilization, bits of giant blue flesh-tree nearly hit you in the head. You'll have to dodge the remaining flesh tree bits as it crumbles while you walk back to town.

A Snake In The Grass: Flowers spring up far too early in the season, and the fog wall returns. Purple and grey-coloured stone snakes begin to attack from the bushes and flowers where they're hidden. One bite brings cold and frailty, a second bite brings nightmares, and a third bite brings death. All bites scar with a mark of the Black Sun.

'Neath Serpent's Gaze: You've heard of a flower that can cure the poison, but to get there, you have to face two far larger stone snakes who are guarding over nature here. Whether they want to play or simply kill isn't clear. You're in danger of death either way.

Cities & Bones: While you sleep after the snakes disappear, you'll have strange dreams that feel like visions and feel watched by something safe and kindly. While your dreams are absorbed in that of a cityscape that feels almost too real, you can sometimes hear the clattering of bones.

out of character

Welcome to March's TDM and Event! Spring is springing and we've got a lot of really cool events coming up in the next few months. The magic system should debut this month as well, which we're very excited about. It is a slow process but the rewards should be well worth it.

updates

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

submissions

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

code

Comments

[ezellotry]

[ Ezell is aware of the emotional rollercoaster that the two of them went on last night. If just because it ended up keeping him up most the night. Still, it does mean he’s at least vaguely cognizant of the fact that stuff was certainly happening. At least Add looks a little more lucid than he felt last night. That’s a good sign. He should convince him to go to the clinic anyway, just to double check, but for now…

Ezell clicks his tongue so some of the bunnies bound over to him instead, that way Add can actually move without worrying about kicking any creature. Then he sets the food down on the nearest table. ]

I’m Ezell Pastore. I run this bakery. It’s nice to meet you. [ Hopefully that’ll address some of that confusion and nerves. ] You don’t have to pay nothing for this. Breakfast is covered, so feel free to have a seat.

I hope that couch was comfortable. I apologize that I don’t have a guest room set up. I can change that, of course.

[psychokinesia]

[He might be a tiny bit impressed at how easily this guy commands the buns, but that's not important. He puffs up his chest, trying to stand tall and imposing as he... sits down for breakfast.

...

Okay, maybe he's overthinking this. The greeting does help him relax a little, filing that information away as he assesses the pancake situation. Ezell... Ain said that name last night, didn't he?]

Not necessary. I'll figure something out for myself. [partly to find something that might be more private, but mostly because he feels like he's imposing on these people. Just because Ain is welcome to stay doesn't mean he'll be the same.]

... It's Add. [that's his name, sorry he's bad at this. He stares down at the pancakes, schooling his face as he tries to remember what exactly Ain said about this guy. The fact that Ain used his name is suspicious, but... surely he misheard something.] You're... someone's fiancé, right?

[ezellotry]

[ Oh, he's so all over the place. Poor dear. Ezell hopes he isn't imposing too terribly much on him. But he should eat, especially given the delirium he'd gone through yesterday. Ezell just slides a fork closer to Add and takes a seat on the other side of the table. ]

I am. His name is Flamebringer, and he's upstairs currently. There's three rooms here currently, one for me, one for Ain, and one for Flamebringer. Though, the two of them will generally use their rooms for gardening and less to sleep in. They share a lot of interests even if they don't really get along...

[psychokinesia]

[Flamebringer doesn't sound like a real name, but whatever. He listens to this as he samples the pancakes (delicious, but not as good as Ciel's). Why he thought Ain said he was their third, he'll never understand, but since that's clearly not true at all... there's still a tinge of anxiety, but he's relieved. Thank El that part was a dream.]

Gardening? Since when? [His tone is dismissive, maybe even annoyed, but really he's just surprised. It never came up before? Is this a new thing??]

[ezellotry]

[ It sure doesn't buddy! Flamebringer might fight him about that, though. ]

Since I've known him? I couldn't tell you for how long he's been at it, but he really likes plants and gardening and such. He's also fond of taking care of his little animals he has, and runs a tailor shop he's proud of. If you're really against spending time here, you're welcome to talk to Heimr and get a place of your own. Of course, Ain truly did miss all his friends back home dearly, so being close would be nice, I think. Perhaps you could ask him to expand the tailor shop so you have a room there?

[psychokinesia]

He has a tailor shop?! [That's something people do as a career? Why does Ain have a career all the sudden???

Between that, and talk of getting his own place, expanding the shop, like he should be settling down... Add bristles, instantly uncomfortable.]

I said I'll figure it out. [His eyes flicker with a threatening glow, but he's... a little scared, maybe. His feelings right now are complicated. He's trying very hard to ignore them.] Tch, are you always this nosy? Buttering me up with food and trying to get me to stick around... what are you trying to pull here?

[... and that's real suspicion, as ridiculous as it is. Because people can't just be nice to a friend-of-a-friend. Ezell must want something out of this.]

[ezellotry]

[ Oh dear. Had he said too much? He thought that maybe... it would bring him comfort learning things like this? Ugh, he used to be so good at this. Has he gotten rusty since being here? He just wanted Add to relax a little, maybe be at ease. It's the least Ezell can do for one of Ain's friends. After all, he does miss them so much. That much is evident by the way he talks about them, let alone the plushies in his room.

Ezell leans back a bit, brushing aside some of the bangs from his face. He's trying not to seem upset, but he's never been very good at hiding his emotions. The wings and halo, too, seem to dull. ]

No, nothing. I'm sorry you feel that way. [ Nosy... Is he nosy? Perhaps that's true. It's hard not to be, when you involuntarily feel emotions of those around you. But he was just trying to help... ] I just... I'm worried, that's all. I mean, you're from Ain's world, right? Like... his, not just a different one of the same name? He's been so sad because of the others who'd shown up, and he never really let it show, but I could tell that every time it made him yearn, y'know?

It's not your burden to carry or anything like that, and I don't want you to feel like this is your obligation or anything, but I think he does need that support from someone close to him from home.

[psychokinesia]

[He's scowling through the whole defence, but it's hard to actually maintain this level of suspicion when this guy is so... pathetic? That's a bit harsh, but Add barely raised his voice and Ezell is already falling over himself apologizing. If he keeps being rude after that it'll feel like bullying...

So, he sighs, shoving some pancake into his mouth so he has an excuse not to answer right away.

This guy... cares about Ain. That much is obvious. And Ain missed him—or, more accurately, he misses the El Search Party. Because Ain has been stuck here for ten months. That fact is finally starting to settle in Add's mind, too many obvious clues to try and deny it now. Ain has his own room, a job, new body parts, friends he cares enough about to call by name... he's known Ain for three years, and he never calls Add by name. But this person he's known for less than one gets the same privilege as Elsword? What the hell?

He wanted a way to come back to this place. What if that's not an option?

It bothers him. It bothers him a lot, but it touches on too many raw nerves he refuses to acknowledge. So, like with everything, he shoves it into the back of his mind where it can only be a bother to Ezell.

Focus on the present. What does he want to do right now?]

... If he wants me to "move in", he can ask for himself. [he literally did???????????] Either way, it's not like I'm going to be far. After all the shit he's already told me, there's no way I'm letting that idiot out of my sights.

[that dynamo is staying with Ain for the foreseeable future. baby monitor but for Ains.]

[ezellotry]

[ Being an empath certainly adds to that patheticness. After all, he’s very quick to jump on easing someone’s unhappiness. He’s doing his best here…

He can tell Add’s not entirely comfortable with any of this, still, but he isn’t sure there’s much more for him to say. He wants Add to feel welcomed, but he probably feels so out of place. To be told that his friend wants him around when he’s still trying to figure things out himself, when this world is so different and the circumstances are so awful… He gets it. ]

Well… that’s good, at least. And even if you don’t move in here, you’re more than welcome to drop by, too. Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help you out, though?

[psychokinesia]

[He does feel welcomed, but that's the problem, isn't it? The idea of having to go through all of this again, with a new group of people who want him to stick around... he's not going to make the same mistake twice, though.

He thinks on it for a moment. Hmm.]

Who's Mr. Crane and Mr. Snow Leopard?

[ezellotry]

... [ Oh why did the mood suddenly turn so sour? Ezell knits his brows together, trying to still be helpful, but maybe hide the answer just a bit. Just until he figures out what the sudden animosity is for. ] Colleagues of mine. Why?

[psychokinesia]

[awkward. he should pretend he's not so pissed about it (he is still pissed about it)]

Ain mentioned them. I wanted to ask about something.

[ezellotry]

[ Ezell folds his hands over the table with a small sigh. His expression levels out for the first time this conversation, mostly unreadable. ]

I'm going to assume Ain did not make you aware of this, so I'll go ahead and just let you know, Add. I'm an empath. I can feel the emotions of those around me as if they are my own. And I mean no ill will towards you for this, but I can tell you are incredibly upset about something they did. I assume then, you do understand my hesitance in telling you?

[psychokinesia]

[Oh boy. Add is having a rollercoaster of emotions at this revelation, which quickly turns into a horrible feedback loop of panic, embarrassment, and trying to Be Angrier in an attempt to cover up all the other awful awful vibes. Sorry Ezell has to experience this with him, no one is enjoying this.]

You didn't think to mention that sooner?! [this is worse than having his brain hacked, at least he knows how to fight back against that] My feelings are none of your fucking business, stay out of my head!

[ezellotry]

[ Ezell winces. Not exactly a surprising response, given everything, but it still wasn’t the expected one. It does still sting with the implications that Ezell is being intentionally invasive.

He attempts to stay calm, if just to ensure to Add that he really is harmless. ]

I had assumed Ain would have brought it up. My apologies. That said, it is not something I can turn off. My life would be a whole hell of a lot easier if I could.

But I’m not “in your head”. Not really. I don’t know your thoughts or anything like that, just the emotions.

[psychokinesia]

Is that supposed to make it better?! [i mean. yeah actually it does, but he's not thinking about that part rn. He stands up, pancakes abandoned.] Just— stay away from me, got it?! I'll figure the rest of this shit out on my own! Stay out of my way!

[He points threateningly as he starts backing out of the room, stepping carefully to avoid tripping on any cute bunnies.]

[ezellotry]

[ Well… at least now he doesn’t have to worry about giving Add the names of his coworkers. It doesn’t make him feel better. He doesn’t even try and stop Add. He just stands from his seat and picks up the abandoned plate of pancakes to take over to the kitchen looking… well, just sad.

He doesn’t want his empathy either. He can’t exist in crowds without getting headaches and it sucks to know when people are lying to him about something they do want to keep quiet. And just feeling how people feel about him in general has been such a bummer here. Dion’s jealousy, Clive’s skepticism, Wolfwood’s frustration… and now Add. ]

Alright. I’m sorry.

[psychokinesia]

[Look as sad as you want, brain hacker, he's not falling for your manipulation tactics. Not even if you apologize!!!!]

You should be!

[expertly navigating his way to the door backwards (thank you dynamo)(this only looks a little bit silly) and then slamming it on his way out, fuck YOU sir]

[ezellotry]

[ Ugh, did you have to freak the bunnies out on the way!!!! Ezell’s gonna be busy settling them down for a bit, at least. ]