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sticks and bones. ([personal profile] sticksandbonesmods) wrote in [community profile] sticksandbones2023-10-04 03:16 pm

Event & TDM 005

SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS
WAKE UP
cw: immolation, sinkholes

When your eyes open, you’re lying in crisp, blackened grass. The sky is dreary, the world around you is still and silent. Were it not for the ash raining from the sky or the acrid tang of burnt flesh, it might almost feel peaceful. Familiar-feeling memories wash over you — a town burning, the cackling of an unknown beast, the shrill screams of friends and loved ones dying a slow, painful death—

Where did that memory even come from? You’d better shake it off and rise to your feet before the ash buries you, too. It isn’t real… right?

The town you’re in is dilapidated and charred. Something snaps under your feet, and when you look down, a bone lies pressed into the earth, perfectly broken into two neat pieces. You press on, toward the destroyed remains of houses — some missing roofs, some collapsed in on themselves, others still weathering the test of time — to where the trees are vibrant and orange, to where the grass has regrown and the buildings stand tall. You press on… and your foot catches in the mud, a hole opening up beneath your feet and dragging you in. If you’re quick enough, you might be able to escape the collapsing earth before it buries you alive in years of muck and decay. If not… perhaps you’ll be lucky, and someone from the nearby settlement will bail you out.

Hopefully you won’t have to wait long.
KEEP MY HEAD TOGETHER
Somewhere on your body is an intricate, black mark that doesn’t come off no matter how hard you scrub. Perhaps there are two, or even three, or more. You don’t exactly remember getting these small, medallion-sized tattoos — it’s almost as though you woke up with them. Better make sure no one’s drawing on you in your sleep.

As the day progresses, the effects of these marks become apparent. Suddenly, everything hurts — a dull, throbbing pain as if you’ve been stabbed. Perhaps the pain is quick and sharp, like you stubbed your toe on the inn’s coffee table. Perhaps it slowly burns, like hot coffee accidentally splashed on your lap. No matter what the pain is, you feel it at less of an intensity than you would if you’d actually done these things. Later, you might meet with the person who shares a mark with you, and maybe they’ll tell you — they stubbed their toe, they spilled their coffee, someone randomly stabbed them, how weird is that?

These marks link you and your partner(s) — any pain they feel, you’ll feel, too, albeit at half the intensity they do. If you’re sharing that pain between three people, it’ll be at one third the intensity.

Negative emotions, though? Those, you get at full throttle. If those you share a mark with cry, you’ll cry, too; you feel their rage at being stuck here as though it were your own; you long for home, and you miss a mother that isn’t yours. Fight through your blurring sense of self, friend. Surely you’ll get used to it soon. After all, these will stay on your body for the rest of the month.
THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
A week into October, a skeletal visitor comes rattling into the Grove, wearing a top hat on its bare cranium and a name tag on its ribcage: “Mr. Bone-Jangles”. Mr. Bone-Jangles cannot speak, but he’s very excited to take willing people into the burned town and lead them toward the far north of it, where a small army of fellow skeletons have put up a circus tent. Pumpkin-shaped flags decorate the scorched remnants of a street, and mysterious skull-shaped lights float in the air. Mr. Bone-Jangles joyfully motions to the tent, where a banner placed over the tent-flaps reads “MASKERADE”... you assume this is meant to be “masquerade”, but it would be rude to point out the spelling error. Skeletons don’t have brains.

Before you can even enter the tent, Mr. Bone-Jangles’ employees direct you to a smaller tent set up to the side, demanding with clacks of their jaws in morse code that you put on your costume and mask. Costumes are optional; masks are not. Luckily, all of these are free. The costume tent itself is entirely empty save for one giant mirror which, when gazed into, shows you standing in your outfit of choice. Once you exit the tent, you’ll be wearing that outfit, and the skeletons will hand you a wooden mask in any design you feel suits you, matching or not. Where did your old clothing wind up? Great question! They’ll be teleported back to your bed in a wrinkled heap, but you don’t have to worry about that until the party stops. And speaking of that mask… when you put it on between the party start at 10pm and end at 6am, it won’t come off no matter how hard you pull until 6:01am approximately.

The skeletons insist you don’t try to tug your skin off, though, and instead direct you inside the masquerade tent itself. It’s almost akin to being teleported to another dimension — a grand ballroom is decorated with classic Halloween decorations, a buffet of spooky-themed snacks is laid out on the tables, the music is almost too loud, and a lounge is set up off to the side for those who’d like to rest between dances. If you lack a dance partner, worry not — the skeletons are more than happy to waltz with you. And, if you’re of age, they’ll serve you any liquor you’d like.

Stay too late, though, and the skeletons will kick you out. They’re stronger than they look and aren’t afraid to toss you like a wet rag onto the burnt streets. Once the party ends for the night, you won’t be able to get back into the tent no matter how hard you try, so don’t leave anything behind!
DON’T CHASE THE DEAD
Turns out, the masquerade isn’t just for one night, but for every night for the rest of the month. On the second night of the masquerade and on from there, ghosts appear in droves, gathering at the party and in the burned town for a night out. No matter how hard you try, you can’t get their attention; they’ll merely pass right through you as if you aren’t there.

Some of the ghosts look eerily familiar to you, like people you knew in the past who aren’t here now. It could be your mother, your brother, a close friend, or maybe your old neighbour or coworker. Each is dressed in masquerade attire, each intends only to party until the sun comes up, and at that point, each ghost fades from the world as if dissolving away into nothingness.

They’ll be back the next night, of course. And the next. And the one after that. Until finally, the last day of the month rolls around, and the ghosts aren’t there. If you come to the burned town at 6am, you’ll be greeted by the sight of the skeletons packing up their tents and decorations. And if you stick around until 7…

Mr. Bone-Jangles takes off his top hat and takes a bow, waves one last goodbye, and then him and his skeleton crew take a dive into the sinkhole that was, somehow, underneath the masquerade tent the whole time.
SPARK NOTES
CLICK TO EXPAND!
You find yourself in a burned-down town. As you try to leave, a sinkhole opens beneath your feet and sucks you in. Screaming for help is a viable option.

Everyone is now sharing pain and negative emotions. Please try not to get stabbed so that your partner(s) don't have to also feel stabbed. You can pair up with as few or as many people as you want, as long as you're paired up with minimum one other person.

Welcome to the masquerade! Mr. Bone-Jangles hopes you have a good time. Masks and Halloween costumes are provided free of charge, but be careful, because donning the masks between 10pm and 6am makes them unable to be removed until the party stops at 6. There's tons of food and drink, and liquor for those who are old enough to have it. Just don't stay past the party's end or the skeletons will yeet you out onto the street.

The masquerade goes for the rest of the month, and after day 1, it'll be frequented by ghosts who look like people from your past. They don't seem to notice you and will float through you if you stand in their way. At the end of the month, the skeletons pack up the party, the ghosts disappear, and the skeletons jump into a sinkhole underneath the masquerade tent. Goodbye! Happy Halloween! Mr. Bone-Jangles sends his regards.

Welcome to the fifth TDM & Event Log of Sticks and Bones! This log is game canon. The prompts are meant for all players, current and future, so have fun! Our applications operate on a rolling basis, so applications are open with no end date unless we suddenly cap players. If there are any questions, please direct them to the "questions" header below.

❖ None yet!

TDM TOPLEVELS!
partofthecrowd: (Why is everything falling apart?)

Rui Ninomiya | Gatchaman Crowds | TDM

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-04 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
I. Wake Me Up When September Ends

[Rui finds herself lying in grass, and she has no idea how she got there. She draws up a knee and pushes herself into a seated position, smoothing out her skirt. She pulls her fingers through her long blonde ponytail to get bits of grass out of it while she...tries to assess where she is.

Memories of a fire...? That’s not right, is it? Feeling a bit unsettled, Rui gets to her feet and dusts ash off of her clothes.

Looking around doesn’t really answer anything at all.]


X, if you could- [A pause.] X? Answer me.

[It’s not just that, her phone nor her tablet are in her possession, nothing but her NOTE. She exhales. Well that’s...inconvenient. She could send a message with the NOTE but who is she kidding?

Rui starts off on her own, finding her boots get stuck in the mud and she tries to pull them out...

Uh oh.]


II. I’ve Stretched Myself Beyond My Means

[Unexpected marks are incredibly strange and inconvenient. No, the skull on her chest is not one of those, but rather her tattoo, but the tiny symbol on the inside of her wrist is indicative of the connection.

It makes her suck in a breath of surprise, her heartbeat fluttering for a moment as she looks around to see...if anyone in particular is around haunting her. No? No.

Anyone linked to Rui will likely feel her fatigue, frustration and frankly depression that she’s been wrestling with, most of her life – but especially as of late. She feels lonely, alone and abandoned without X by her side.

Rui looks somewhat miserable too. All of this is a lot to take and she doesn’t know if she has it in her anymore.]


III. The Clock On The Wall Has Been Stuck At 3 For Days...

[It’s a quick detour in the tent to get a costume and a mask before she’s released into the masquerade.

She’s never really been to one of those before, or any other dance-type function. There’s a reason why Rui is a hermit after all.

She’s more of the wallflower type, leaning against the wall and sipping at a drink, fending off the skeleton’s offers to dance.

Maybe if someone with skin and bones asked, she’d be more inclined.]


IV. Wildcard

[Hit me with your best shot.]
amhran: (244)

GATCHAMANNNN II. I’ve Stretched Myself Beyond My Means

[personal profile] amhran 2023-10-05 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Um.... H-Helllo..? [ Caoimhe is usually upbeat and rather calm in situations, but the feeling that she is undergoing right now is not her own and it discomforts her... That frustration and depression, although she understands it well - does not subside like she usually can manage it. Instead, it sits in her stomach and makes her feel a bit sick. The mark on her wrist is something new... She does have a flower growing out of her chest because of this place, but... This... This mark is completely new to her. She wonders if she should see ADD about it...

Except she comes across a new face, and finds herself drawn to them especially. ]


Um... Are you alright...?
partofthecrowd: (Impassive)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-05 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She's looking a bit distant, her eyes clouded over as she considers her thoughts a little too much, that could be leading to the knot in her stomach.

Rui tilts her head up when she's interrupted and blinks before rubbing her forehead lightly. ]


Yes...I'm fine really. [ A small smile, that's a lie. Probably the biggest one she's told in awhile. ]
amhran: (180)

[personal profile] amhran 2023-10-06 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Caoimhe is a little nervous, and a bit scared. New things, and new people - - ]

... Um.. Youre a new face... Do.. You need any help with anything?

[ She attempts to speak, with intention to ground them on the circumstances of this strange world. ]
partofthecrowd: (Thinking)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-07 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
I don't really know where I am, and I can't find my tablet so things could be better.

[ She supposes she could be in a rural area but surely she didn't travel that far. By accident? ]
amhran: (49)

[personal profile] amhran 2023-10-08 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
A... Tah-blet? Tablet? Oh! Did you have one with something on it? [ The sort of tablet she is picturing... Is a stone one. ]
partofthecrowd: (Huh?)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-10 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
It had a lot of things on it, it's like a small computer.

[ Does she not know what that is? Uh oh. What kind of hellscape is this?! ]
amhran: (96)

[personal profile] amhran 2023-10-12 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Com-ph- uter? [ She does not! ] If it has so much information in it, then... Is it like a book!?
partofthecrowd: (Thinking)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-13 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Not at all.

[ Rui sighs and hangs her head. Well that's disappointing. If there's no computers here, then her tablet wouldn't do much. ]
devilishkouhai: <user name=minamisakura011 site=twitter.com> (_peace y)

III. The Clock On The Wall Has Been Stuck At 3 For Days...

[personal profile] devilishkouhai 2023-10-05 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
OOO- HAi - YOOOOO~~!!! [ BB chirps rather obnoxious, spinning herself in the others direction and giving them a full view of their beautiful dress. ] Neat, a new face - now you have to look at my dress, come on. Check it out - don't I look hot and cute~?
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-05 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Rui's expression is one of subtle surprise but then she snaps to it, adjusting her glasses as she looks over BB's outfit with an appraising eye. Considering how much she's invested in fashion, she knows a thing or two about that. ]

I think it really suits you. [ Rui agrees with a little smile after a moment. ]
devilishkouhai: <user name=minamisakura011 site=twitter.com> (53)

[personal profile] devilishkouhai 2023-10-05 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
aww, don't you~? Thank you, so whats your name? Looks like fresh new meat has joined us -

[ She looks around at the skeletons and ghosts, giving a rather gremlin laugh. ]

If you know what I mean.
partofthecrowd: (Smile)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-06 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
I'm Rui Ninomiya. [ She's not used to people not knowing who she is at this point, so it's a little novel. ]

I've only just arrived here.
devilishkouhai: <user name=minamisakura011 site=twitter.com> (89)

[personal profile] devilishkouhai 2023-10-06 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
Oh~ How very kawaiiiii, ruirui~! [ She says the name sweetly, and quick to boot! ] My name is BB-chan and I am the one who knows everything~~ there is to know about this place. So don't be shy~~!
partofthecrowd: (Huh?)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-06 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ She'd...really rather BB didn't call her that, but Rui has a habit of avoiding confrontation so she says nothing about it. Rui considers her and smiles. ]

Really? That's...comforting. I can't find my tablet. [ As if this place would have internet if she found it, obviously! ]
devilishkouhai: <user name=minamisakura011 site=twitter.com> (8)

[personal profile] devilishkouhai 2023-10-06 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
You have a tablet? What's this~~? [ BB chimes excitedly, placing a hand at her hip and lounging about rather casually. ] Currently there is no network in place to use tablets or phones for that matter - I plan to fix that however, it will take a month or so before I have anything fixed. You can also ask the trader for items from your home, though she has a different name now - don't care for it.
partofthecrowd: (Thinking)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2023-10-07 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
I did before I woke up here, so it must be somewhere. [ That stands to reason, that or someone's stolen it. ]

It's vitally important to me that I get it back. [ Because how else will she use X to help her with everything? ]

I had it though, why would it be at home?