EVENT & TDM 024

[sticksandbonesmods]

MONSTER MASH

WAKE UP

Where were you last? Do you remember falling asleep, thinking you’d wake up in your own home, your own bed?

When you open your eyes, the room you’re in doesn’t feel like your own. In fact, you’re almost certain you didn’t fall asleep here. You’re given only a short few moments to get your bearings before the door to that room opens, the doorknob jiggling as whoever is on the other side is unlocking it. Is it a library study room you’ve found yourself in, or an inn room that doesn’t belong to you? A home that isn’t yours? A business after-hours?

An unfortunate few of you may find yourself face-to-face with the real owners of these rooms, homes, and businesses — and surely they’re just as confused as you are. The lucky ones might instead find themselves being “rescued” from their sleeping states by a heavily scarred man with dreadlocks and an impossibly sunny demeanour.

“Mornin’, sunshine! Up and at ‘em!” he’ll say, hands on his hips and the door held open in a way that says he expects you to simply come follow him, whoever he is. “You ain’t where you’re supposed to be, but I’ll bail you out before the person who owns this place knocks your teeth out for trespassin’. It’ll be our little secret, ‘kay?”

TRANSPOREMATION

cw: body horror, monster transformations, fungal parasitism

As usual, Aldric’s Grove is something of a hot mess, and that’s especially true lately. Aside from random people popping into existence in various buildings, there’s a bit of a fungus problem lately. A wee little problem with cute little mushrooms. …a major, unignorable, horrendous problem with some very large, purplish-coloured mushrooms, fruiting on still-living trees and the forest floor. They look quite similar to meadow mushrooms, but far, far less harmless. While eating one won’t poison anybody too badly — aside from an episode of horrible stomach pain — stepping on them or touching them at all will cause them to shower you in a spray of spores, all of which suddenly curve around and cling onto you as if they have a mind of their own. Any attempt to remove them, to wash them off, to brush them away from your skin and clothes, only makes the spores cling more stubbornly. Soon, they’ve started to root under your skin, unable to be pulled out.

The resulting transformation is, for what little it’s worth, extremely swift. Perhaps you feel it, perhaps you don’t, but the spores leave you fundamentally changed no matter what.

Your bones lengthen and rearrange, grinding together underneath your muscle tissue. Snapping, creaking, where new joints form over the breaks. Wings rip through your back in a spray of blood and torn flesh, the wounds healing themselves over a short second later. You drop to the ground as your back legs become something foreign and new, toes bursting free of your shoes, claws digging into the soil as you writhe on the ground. Your spine elongates, the muscles in your neck tense and relax as it gets too long. The spores are deciding what to do with you, it seems, as extra eyes rapidly appear and disappear over your body alongside feathers and scales. Within the span of sixty seconds, it seems the mushrooms have come to a decision on what you should be, and the transformations it inflicts on you rapidfire begin evening out.

Whether that leaves you something wolflike, catlike, ghostly, chimeric, or otherwise… that seems to be up to the spores. Regardless, you’re no longer in your own skin. At least you’re still “you”, and at least you haven’t lost much more than your old form… right?

…

Well, not to worry. Try your luck stepping on the mushrooms again! This time, they might be kind enough to revert you back to normal… assuming they don’t turn you into a different type of creature instead.

TIME TREKS ON

For the foreseeable future, many people are “stuck” outside their normal bodies. It doesn’t mean that life in the Grove stops, however, as people flit from building to building — assuming their monster forms didn’t bar them off from entering most of them anyhow — and their daily routines continue. From the Church of the Golden Sun in the north of Aldric’s Grove emanates a lovely, warm light, inviting all who are loyal to the Goddesses within its halls and barring the Corrupted or those loyal to the Fallen Sun from entry. Describing it as a “church” may not entirely be accurate; instead of an altar, there sits a throne that automatically prevents anyone who isn’t the Goddess of the Sun from sitting on it (despite the fact she isn’t currently there). Instead of pews, the first room is a large combat arena, golden weapons hung up on the walls that are free to use if you need to spar. Thankfully, the doors are large enough to accommodate most monsters, though the halls in the back may not be sizeable enough for anyone over eight feet tall.

Within that church, the kilns in the back are fired up, pottery baking while animal spirits resembling lions and dogs mix paint with their paws. It’s difficult, being a little guy — help a critter out? You can paint a selection of finished pottery when you’re done, which they’d tell you if they could speak to you. If they bring you a flower-shaped plate or a vase in the shape of a tulip and a paintbrush, will you figure out what they mean? If you don’t, that’s not a problem, as they’ll nudge you toward the pottery wheels and get you clay to work with. When you make your own thing, they think you’ll be more willing to paint with them. Hope you brought your art hands, assuming you have any at all after those mushrooms got you.

In the opposite wing from the pottery room, the kitchen is going strong, the smells of freshly baked bread wafting down the hall. Here is where Ydalir is, the shadowy woman wearing silks who normally casts magic and sells items, who turns to you and extends a flour-covered palm. Come here! Let’s bake something together — it’s the least she feels she can do, since she can’t exactly eliminate the fungus problem. There’s a host of food sitting in the dining room nearby already, with Heimr and Renard setting the table, Heimr nitpicking the setup while Renard focuses too hard on decorating with garlands and candelabras.

If you can’t fit into the dining room for any reason, one of the three will bring you food. They’d hate to see you go hungry, after all.

IT NEVER ENDS

While the Guardians themselves are immune to the transformations — Moder is, in fact, eating the mushrooms when no one is nearby to get spore’d — it doesn’t mean they’re not enjoying the fact that some of you can now spend more time with them in ways you couldn’t before.

Those of you with wings or flight abilities are invited by Aurora and the newly-resurrected bone dragon Sehul to come flying. Though Sehul won’t land in the Grove (too many buildings too close together for a hundred-foot dragon to feel comfortable, you see), they’ll land on the seaside, and even invite you to race them there. They do have something of a body mass advantage, but when they eventually win, they’ll fairly concede that it doesn’t really count. Aurora, meanwhile, wants desperately to teach you to do a midair flip.

Those of you who find yourselves suddenly aquatic will be literally accosted by Callan, who swims up into the river for once only to wrap his tentacles around you and drag you off toward the lake with a watery laugh. He expects you to do the same to him in return, but the Guardian’s extreme strength might make it difficult. Worry not, because if no one comes to your rescue, Sinann will chide him until he lets go, and show you the nest the baby Seaborn have built at the deepest point in the river. You’re welcome to live with them for a while, if you want. Their pastime is singing, and they’d love to sing with you.

And to the folks with a sudden craving for plants, Moder will gladly show you where the best snacks are — her favourite trees to reach into, the best flowers to eat, a fragrant patch of wild herbs. She’s happy to stroll through the forest with you, calmer than her peers are. If you need a ride on her mossy back, she’ll accommodate, so long as you don’t mind her telling old tales of a world long gone.

The final Guardian, Zahliya, doesn’t seem too keen on playtime, and will simply perch in various locations throughout the Grove to keep watch, as he normally does. Gifts of food given his way are rejected for the time being. He has a job to do; why don’t you go play with everyone?

It’s a beautiful, sunny day. This world isn’t often peaceful and playful. You should take advantage of it before something horrible happens… you and everyone else here know the good mood can’t last too long.

Spark Notes

summary

WAKE UP: Welcome to the Grove! You've found yourself in someone else's home/business/room it seems. Good luck explaining this one, but maybe Renard will be in time to bail you out?
TRANSPOREMATION: The mushrooms in the woods will spray you with spore clouds if you're not careful, and then transform you into something else. After a potentially-painful transformation, you'll find yourself in a new, more monsterlike body for a while.
TIME TREKS ON: Despite the monster mash, Beiwe's church is going strong, providing an opportunity to get creative or cook some dinner. Ydalir, Heimr, and Renard are all happy to see you and invite you to a home-cooked meal. They'd probably appreciate help with the dining room decor, too.
IT NEVER ENDS: Despite the transformations, it seems like the Guardians are all super pumped to spend time with you guys in their own domains. Many of them will invite you and your friends to hang out, some more politely than others. It's peaceful for once, so why not take them up on that?

out of character

Happy May! Here is your usual reminder that TDM threads are game canon. Per our plotting post (linked below) please keep in mind our rules for the monster transformations, and have fun!

updates

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

submissions

❖ NPCs List
❖ Questions
❖ May Plotting
❖ Past Life Plotting (Closed to Game Members)
❖ Investigations
❖ TDM NPC Contact

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Comments

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan laughs, taking the opening he sees for a precious in-joke.]

Ooo~ a humble hard worker!

[Min might feel nervous, but Ryan can't help but find it charming. He doesn't want to make him uncomfortable of course, but a little bit is probably okay. Besides, it's hard to believe that Min is the one blushing here when he's the most attractive fish man Ryan's ever seen.

...Well. Maybe that's not fair, since Ryan hasn't seen a ton of fish men. But still! He's so handsome Ryan can hardly stand it and he can't even say anything about it.]

But yeah, it must get boring out here after a while... [He sighs, equal parts dramatic and sincere.] I should have wound up a duck instead. Then I could keep my wings but still swim out here with you all day every day...

[outofsynth]

[Min flicks his tail, sending a light shower of water in Ryan's direction at his teasing.

Without any song in his voice it's easier to react the way he normally would, but he can still feel the echoes of it. He feels warm even knowing Ryan's making fun of him, and while there's some edge to the look he gives Ryan as he laughs there's a softness there too.]

It doesn't get boring. I like it out here.

[And he does. He misses Ryan, sure, but he's about the only thing in the Grove he feels any real draw to. Everything else he needs is here already. It's just unfortunate that Ryan is such a big part of his life that he doesn't feel the same without him. Almost like he's incomplete. It hadn't been such a problem when Min had been able to seek him out, but now the ball lies completely in Ryan's court and that has been tough no matter how frequently he comes to visit him.]

You know... you don't have to be a duck to stay here with me. You might like it too if you gave it a shot.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan puts his arms up to try and block the splash, but it's no use. At least he doesn't actually mind though - he laughs and his wings shake themselves out to try and get all the water off.

That's good though, that he isn't bored. Ryan would be bored if he was stuck out here alone, but if Min-Gi isn't suffering then that's the most important thing.]

I'm...not super sure I can swim like this, man. I could like, hang out in the shallow parts, I guess? But then you'd be stuck in the shallow parts too. It's not the same.

[He hates this answer though, even though he knows that it's true - he doesn't have waterproof feathers like ducks do, or the webbed feet. There are ways he could hang out in the water, but none that would be good for staying out there all the time.]

But~! It's not gonna stop me from being here as much as I can! I mean, maybe I'd rather be something that can swim, sure, but I'm good just hanging out and watching you. You make such a good merman.

[outofsynth]

You don't have to swim. I don't mind being in the shallows, or you could perch on the stepping stones. And like... the forest's good for birds, right? It's not that far.

[He's aware of how needy he sounds, but it doesn't matter. There's only the two of them here and the baby Seaborn who seem just as eager for Ryan to stay as they are Min. He sings well, and he's fun! He should live here too.

Min's not paying too much attention to them right now though, instead basking in Ryan's praise. He goes a little bashful, sinking deeper into the water.]

I'm not good. It's just... right?

[It feels weird to confess that to Ryan, but he doesn't know if he's ever felt at such ease with himself. It had been scary at first and if he'd known how to change back when he'd first changed then he'd have done it immediately. Now, though? Now he's glad he didn't.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

True, buuuuuut who would bring you picnic lunches and give you all the town gossip?

[Both of which are things he's done very recently. But, he does get up and move himself even closer, so that he's specifically as close as he can get without actually hopping into the water.

He laughs a little at how flustered he gets and offers him a hand. Min-Gi doesn't need it of course - he can swim better than either of them ever have before now - but he'd still like to tug him up and out of hiding.]

You are good though! It can be both? ...Maybe it's good on you because it feels right?

[It's probably something like that. Feeling good might be giving him a slight confidence boost.]

[outofsynth]

I guess.

[He doesn't need either of those things, but he knows it isn't fair to expect Ryan to hold himself back, and the picnics give him plausible deniability about what he's eating the rest of the time. The river gives him plenty of options for food, but he hides that the same way he does cigarettes from his parents.

He'd still prefer Ryan to stay, but it's not like he can make him. All he can do is make the most of the time that he is here. Min sighs, reaching out of the water to let himself be pulled back up.]

Maybe. Like... I get how you pull it off. [Ryan can make anything look good. He always has.] I just didn't expect me to be so okay with this.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Once Min-Gi is back up, Ryan doesn't let go of his hand. It's harder for them to be in the same place, but it feels good to be able to touch, so he doesn't want give that up just yet. He does laugh at the insinuation that he's pulling it off well though.]

Pfft. I don't know about that. Flying's fun and all but I'm super short now! I feel like I never graduated middle school!

[He's taken to being a bird person with ease, he's just not sure he's pulling off hot the way Min is. ...Though, if he describes it like that, Min will get so embarrassed that the entire river will boil.

Instead, he gently rubs the back of Min's hand with his thumb.]

So...you're worried about not being worried enough? [He laughs, but it's gentle - he doesn't want to make him feel bad about all of this. Still, he puts a soft song in his voice.] That sounds like some~body I know...

[Of course it does. It might be one of the most Min-Gi things he's ever heard.]

[outofsynth]

[Min doesn't let go either. It's more public than he'd usually be comfortable with, but there's no one else out here and at this point he's willing to take what he can get. Ryan's hands are pleasantly warm, and it's nice. He's acutely aware of the contrast with his own cool skin. It'd be embarrassing if Ryan didn't seem so content to stay like this anyway.]

So what if you're a little shorter? It's not like it makes you look any younger.

[It's cute, actually, in a way he wishes he didn't notice. Especially with the way his thumb traces over the back of his hand. It would be at this point that Min-Gi would ordinarily pull back, knowing he can't let himself get too caught up. But today? Today something keeps him from doing that.

Instead he rises further out of the water, using his free arm to lean against the rock and allow him to come out further. His voice takes on a similar singsong tone to match.]

At least one of us has to...

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Oh. That note, it wraps itself around Ryan's heart and holds it so softly, and warmth spreads through his whole face. It hits a specific pitch, like an opera singer shattering glass, but it just sends shivers down his spine.

He fully and truly short circuits. But it's weirder that he's not talking, right? Right?? So he forces himself to stop looking deep into Min-Gi's eyes and chokes out a small laugh.]

O-oh, well. I mean...if you don't think it's weird then it's probably fine?

[Oh no that was so not normal of him. Normal would be teasing him back. Just. Just tease him back just do it--

Ryan leans in a little and smiles, shoving his own flustered feelings down.]

Nuh-uh~. No one has to. It can just be, you know. Nice.

[Then, impulsively, more musical word association than anything else--]

Wouldn't it be nice~?

[outofsynth]

[This whole situation is weird. Most of all that the underlying sense of anxiety he always has even entertaining the kinds of feelings that are being stirred up right now keeps getting quashed. Nothing's happening. He knows that nothing would ever happen between him and Ryan.

But the fact Min isn't freaking out at the mere notion? Yeah. That's kind of odd. It would bother him more if he didn't keep getting pulled back into the pleasant fogginess he's started to feel when he's around Ryan lately.]

If we were older?

[Min's tail flicks idly behind him, though it's gentle enough this time the splash doesn't reach Ryan. He knows him well enough to know the song has more to do with the words rather than the song itself, but that doesn't stop him giving Ryan a teasing look.]

I think that only makes you worry more.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Min-Gi isn't wrong, but Ryan isn't about to admit it. Not when they're teasing each other and definitely not when they're having this nice moment, so he casually brushes it aside.]

Pfft. Whaaaaat? No way, man. I've never been worried before, ever.

[This is a huge lie. Min-Gi has seen him worried, and he's even seen it recently enough that it happened in the Grove. But that's not going to stop him from looking him in the face and denying it. He'll even stick his tongue out, as if that makes it more convincing somehow.]

But, you don't have to be worried either, or be worried about not worrying.

[He looks thoughtful for a moment and his wings flutter.]

...or be worried about worrying about not worrying.

[outofsynth]

[Arguing would only risk ruining the moment, but that doesn't mean Min-Gi can hold his skepticism back completely. He arches a brow, making it very clear he knows he's talking nonsense.]

Uh-huh.

[Whatever you say, Ryan. He totally believes you, Ryan.

For whatever reason, the pull isn't quite as strong as it was now even if he can still feel the lingering effects. He's not self-conscious exactly, but he can feel the effort it's been taking to hold himself up this high out of the water. He lowers himself back down, flopping backwards into the water. Swimming comes naturally to him in this form, but it's still a little awkward to spin himself around while he's on his back like this. It's worth it to end up with his face still directly below Ryan's though if he chooses to look over the edge of the rocks. Even if it does disturb the Seaborn who are lingering.]

I'm not that worried. [Not until he really starts thinking about it.] Just... you know how much I'd be freaking out normally.

[So why isn't he?]

[chickenchoicejudy]

Yeah. I know.

[Of course he chooses to. He even awkwardly pushes himself down onto what should be his knees but are probably his ankles (he's been trying not to think about it) so he can really lean over. His hair dangles down around his face, and if it were any closer it might tickle Min's face.

He doesn't do that, but he does reach down and carefully brush a stray strand of hair off of Min's face, so it floats in the water with the rest.]

I know hearing me say that I'm not freaking out won't help - you know, because I've never been worried ever - buuuut~ I've been looking around town? Nobody's really freaking out at all. They're all just chill as creatures, ALL of them. So...maybe it's okay to not be freaking out?

[outofsynth]

Not everyone likes it though.

[He's not exactly trying to be argumentative. It's just hard for Min-Gi to let things sit when he thinks they should be some other way. He doesn't protest when Ryan reaches down to brush the hair off his face though. It's kind of nice to have Ryan taking care of him while he floats gently in the water. Knowing that he's still here for him even when they're separated by being two different kinds of siren.]

You're really okay that I do?

[Ryan's been nothing but supportive of Min and his restrictions while he's in the water, but that doesn't mean that Min-Gi doesn't know that this must be hard on him too. He's the one that has to put in all the effort to come out here. He has the control, but also pressure. Min doesn't want his enjoyment of his new form to come at the cost of Ryan's happiness.]

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan sincerely isn't thinking about it that way at all. In fact, he tilts his head a little, hair swishing over Min in the process.]

Yeah, of course! Why wouldn't I be? I mean, if you were freaking out that would be okay too and I'd try to help but...I dunno. It's nice to see you all carefree out here?

[He doesn't want Min to feel like it wouldn't be okay if he was stressed out, but it's one of the things he loves most about Min-Gi - those special moments where he lets his guard down and silences the anxiety and lets himself feel really free.

Which would be a fine internal sentiment, but the warm glow between him has him blurting out one more thought, gently pulling it from his brain and out of his mouth:]

It's a good look on you, Min.

[outofsynth]

Yeah?

[The reassurance that Ryan's okay with this is nice, but his relief is short-lived. He knows it doesn't mean anything. Of course it doesn't. It's just a compliment. A way of helping keep Min grounded when he's in danger of overthinking things. But it catches him off guard, and he suddenly feels painfully aware of himself. He doesn't submerge himself despite the urge, but he folds his arms over his chest in a move that's decidedly non-casual.

Not that it helps. There's no hiding his embarrassment, or the extremely unflattering blush that spreads past his face to his shoulders and the top of his chest.]

Thanks. I-- [He voice cracks, cutting out.] You look nice too?

[Yep. This is great. Very natural and not weird at all.]