EVENT 30

[sticksandbonesmods]

I CALL MYSELF A SHELL

A USED UP BULLET CASING

The air is cold, the sky dreary. Ever since your return to Aldric’s Grove, the chill in the air is as bitter and sharp as a knife. The scent of stew from the General Store’s windows is comforting, almost as much as the teas Ydalir is handing out if you pass by her tent. Nene puts baskets of her fresh produce on every doorstep or before the doors of people’s rooms in the inn, and Evan and Rillian join her sometimes, the two also handing out sweaters or cloaks. It’s not going to be as bad as last year, but a bitter winter is coming. It’s best to be prepared, isn’t it?

As the winter approaches, plantimals busy themselves to prepare as best they can, too. Pinecone squirrels harvest away nuts while one by one birds move as close to warmth as they can — and that may well just be Sehul and Aurora’s domains. The river water is clear as ever and even colder, with only the blessed trees and bushes still flowering and bearing fruit.

Yet nothing prepares anyone for the green mist, knee-high at the lowest, waist-high at the highest. It smells earthy and grassy, almost floral like a garden,and it pours out of the research hall.

There’s a chill in the air. Something… strange is happening, yet again.

THE AFTERMATH OF SOMETHING LETHAL

The mist is not the only thing that follows. In your homes, walking around the slowly rebuilding town, resting in the inn — all over, there are ghosts, and they all look painfully familiar. After all… it's not every day you get to see your face without a mirror.

Ghosts of the former residents of the Grove have followed where the mist flows, fragments of history that are part of you given form. Some look pristine, like they’d simply gotten up and got dressed like any normal day. Others look bloodied and wounded, clearly killed and still persisting. None seem bothered by their state — if anything, the lot are curious about the changes that have been made to the Grove, or about you.

Of course they know you. They know your pains, the life you’ve lived, they’re part of you after all… though some ghosts know the full extent better than others. You must have something you want to say, don’t you? Or… maybe you’re approached by the ghost of another soul, with something else in mind.

AN ECHO OF INFLICTED EVIL

cw: a brief instance of animal death

Within the heart of it all stands a woman almost eight feet tall, maybe more. There is an unearthly glow to her green eyes, and she wears a black gown that looks like it’s meant for a funeral and a garden party in the same day. Draped in her arm is a basket as she talks to various blooms, and occasionally she may… pluck at a passing by animal, placing a silvery light within the basket as the animal comes to a stop and finds its final rest.

She looks at each resident of the Grove as she walks, poking and pulling at things that cannot be seen — from the air, from the buildings, from you-

And then she keeps on walking, pausing only at the fog barrier.

“... What a troubling scene this sets. And the rot in the roots… beastly, isn’t it? What a shame that I cannot be here in full to set this straight.” She hums thoughtfully, before finally she stops and sits down.

“Come along now, then. I’m sure you all have questions.”

So, will you talk to Morrigan the Lady Death?

... SO COMES SNOW AFTER FIRE ...

With talking to Morrigan comes a task: close the door once more. Once this is done, the Grove settles again, a blanket of quiet settling over the little village finally. Time passes, and once the first snow starts to fall, Heimr calls everyone to the inn. White snowdrops are painted along the banisters, the door frames and windows, and warm spices and savory smells waft through the air.

Renard is dishing up different plates as you come in, and he smiles radiantly with a wave. Later on he might show off some of his creations, or hand you an instrument.

Music flows through the dining room as Ydalir feeds the fire, and some of Callisto’s meads and wines — flavored or simple honey — eventually turn up on the table. It’s nice not to be alone, right?

Unfortunately it might be ruined when Heimr sets out what looks to be a deck for UNO. And a stack of other board games. But UNO is the killer, here. UNO may just ruin your carefully-crafted friendships with everyone here. …please don’t let it do that. You’ve already been through so much together, and there’s so much more to come.

Spark Notes

summary

A USED UP BULLET CASING Fall is here and winter is fast approaching. The residents of the Grove are trying to help take care of player characters after the past two months of hardships... but one night, a green mist spills out of the Research Hall.
THE AFTERMATH OF SOMETHING LETHAL All throughout the Grove, the ghosts of your past lives linger waiting to speak to you- or to the ones you love. They know your life, though the intimate details may vary, and can be touched. And linger they will! They're very curious, you know.
THE ECHO OF INFLICTED EVIL Morrigan the Death wanders the town, poking and prodding at the magics in play. Whatever she's found, however, they have decided can wait. After all, you probably have questions, don't you?
... SO COMES SNOW AFTER FIRE ... After the Door to the Afterlife has been closed- presumably by you, someone's got to do it- and Morrigan has presumably also left, Heimr decides it's time for another community meal. And this time, he brought board games! Please do not kill each other over Monopoly.

out of character

Welcome to November! Thank you very much to Jami for allowing us to use their past life plotting and location for this event, and to Aspen for helping facilitate it ICly!. This has been a long time coming, and now you get to meet another force of nature: Death!

AC will be check-in for November and December before resuming regularly. September and October are the last TDM of the year, and we encourage you to reuse them as desired if current players wish to test new characters, or if new players want to break the ice! We check the TDMs regularly.

updates

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

submissions

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

code

Comments

QUESTIONS

[sticksandbonesmods]

INVESTIGATONS

[sticksandbonesmods]

Please use the following form for investigations:

Character(s):
Location:
Action:

<b>Character(s):</b> <b>Location:</b> <b>Action:</b>

a whopping 10

[kingincognito]

Character(s): Joshua
Location: The Library
Action: This is the November library investigation and we will just pretend the last however many I forgot about didn't exist closes my eyes

TALK TO MORRIGAN

[thefinalbloom]

She waits very patiently for whoever dares approach her, and otherwise seems entirely unbothered. So far.

Raises hand vigorously

[love_swan]

[ Ah- He knows her. He's seen her before, in that not-quite daydream from a while ago that he was... never quite sure how to tell others about.

But knowing her- and knowing exactly who and what she is... He's not scared of her. Maybe healthily intimidated, but not scared. He approaches quietly, and then bows to her. ]

I... Wanted to say thank you, for before, and what you did for me in my past life.

[namuthing]

[once Genya has performed his rounds, he finds his way back to them. He shifts from one foot to the other, arms wrapped around himself. There's something he wants to ask, but he can't quite bring himself to do it.

Eventually, though, he blurts out:]

Sorry if I made a mess. Or caused you more work.

[He has no idea who Morrigan is, but she seems powerful enough. More than that, she seems kind. And maybe he is feeling a little guilty over everything.]

[jesterlies]

[Well. It would be stupid to not go to the source about all of this, but part of him is a little wary considering it was his past self who built that door.]

[But, here he is.]

How might this humble jester request an audience with Death?

[eidxiety]

[Guess who is Stressed™ because he died twice here and he thinks he's going to, like, perma-die if she touches him? It's Ain!! Ain is stressed. Ain has, how you say... Anxietea.]

...

[He is standing like, ten feet away—]

Can I ask a question?

[menophesto]

[ Mephisto is not exactly Normal about anything. On the one hand, hearing Morrigan's voice is immediately familiar to him. If he cared just a little less about what the people around him thought, he very well may have gone for a hug, too. On the other hand, Mephisto is almost... jealous(?) that he wasn't the one to help bring Morrigan here. He cannot explain it. He knows he should be happy, but there's something that bites in the back of his head, anyway. ]

How... are you here?

[a_shadow]

Tex doesn't know how she knows who this is. She just does. But how can the personification of Death have anything to do with Tex? Anything to do with Church? Anything to do with their final moments as AIs? Her mouth twists into a crooked frown, eyebrows knitted together.

But she doesn't balk at the idea of talking to Morrigan, once that thought enters her mind. She approaches and tries not to let her hands ball up into fists.

hi ilu :3

[bluebasketballed]

[as much as death has been a constant, painful thing in his terribly long existence, akaza would love to just... avoid the personification of it entirely. but when she pulls at something he can't see, but still clearly comes from him, he reels back and pats at himself like an offended victorian lady.]

I -- excuse me? What did you just do?

Genya Shinazugawa | Demon Slayer

[namuthing]

i. Your Wings you Never Could Change — Your Home (Threat)

[If you were at all afraid of sleeping through the fun, fear not. The sound of frantic knocking at your door — be it business, private home, or within the inn — will surely begin to rouse you. Genya stands outside, eyes wide, tips of his long mohawk an obscene (and familiar) sparkling blue, and… head only vaguely attached?

Uh…

Regardless, the second a door opens, he’s all but shouting.]

Something happened - the door beneath the Research Hall, there’s this mist and -

[Unfortunately, you may need to calm him down before you get anything solid out of him.]

ii. Always the Victim — Past Shinazugawa Genya — Around the Grove

[While the Genya you know winds up making himself pretty damn sparse, another young man takes his place. He looks quite a bit older than the counterpart you’ve come to know, while his face is unmarred by any severe scarring. Rather than wielding a gun, he has a rather standard fantasy sword strapped to his back, and wears the sort of armor you might expect from a standard city guard.

At times, this version of Genya can generally be found wandering around the edges of the town, inspecting the fog wall, and peering out toward things unseen. It’s troubling, seeing his home fall to such ruin, after all.

If he catches any sort of attention on him, however, he’ll quickly turn and flash a smile. His voice is soft, and he seems to struggle to meet anyone’s eyes for any lengthy period of time. Someone’s a little shy.]

Sorry, old habits are hard to break. Can I help you at all?

[Still, there are other times where Genya can be found around a non-descript patch of grass. In these moments, his expression seems to falter. Something should be here, and yet… It feels barren. He lays his hand over his chest, utters a silent prayer, and then turns his attention away from the patch.]

iii. Into the Flames Again — At The Banquet

[Considering… everything that wound up happening because of him, Genya spends the rest of the month under the radar. Honestly, it probably took quite a bit of urging to even get him to come to the banquet. Most of the time he sits off to the side. Other times, he’s quickly picking up plates and getting things out of your way.

Things ended up being relatively okay, in the end. But the could have just as easily not been. It’s hard to reconcile that, in a town where everyone has largely been kind to him. Any way he can make up for the incident, Genya tries to do.

Which means doing dishes, picking up trash, and generally remaining at the corners of the festivities.]

iv. Go on then Icarus — Wildcard

[You know what to do! 💜]

iii

[lilyberation]

( she knocks on the doorframe to alert him to her presence if the overpowering aroma of lilies doesn't first, smiling gently before she approaches in the kitchen, idly taking up a dishcloth to dry as he washes. )

... If I talk for a bit, will you listen?

i

[argentry]

[perhaps it was not wise to open a door in the middle of the night in this world. but Elder Faerie knows the voice, and so he opens the door that leads to his room. he stands there, wide-eyed and blinking as he stares down at Genya and listens to his frantic voice]

...Y-Young Genya! Please, calm yourself!

[Elder Faerie shuts the door then places his hands on Genya's shoulders, more in an effort to ground him]

Shhh! I am here!

ii.

[outofsynth]

[He almost doesn't recognize him, but his face is familiar enough that Min-Gi clocks just who it is pretty quick. He's not sure if he should approach him or not. It feels strangely intrusive, especially with not knowing Genya all that well yet.

If he hadn't noticed him watching and called him out, he probably would have walked away. As it is, Min jumps, flustered at being noticed.]

No, I just... I met-- [How is he even supposed to phrase this in a way that isn't rude? Could he just skim by it?] I wasn't trying to bother you.

Kyojuro Rengoku | Demon Slayer

[tempurahair]

i. As You Held Me Down, You Said: —

[As November takes root, something seems to shift in Rengoku. During the day, things might seem largely the same, as he settles into his new home just over the river. He can be found strictly outside, performing his usual training routine. There’s a newfound determination in it, one that almost drives him to extremes. His palms seem to ache with blisters as he grips his shinai too tight, and there’s a tension in his shoulders that just won’t go away.

His tone, though, is as warm as ever. If you’ve come for lessons, he greets you with the same smile and waves you on in. He’s just as encouraging and kind. Whatever haunts him, it’s deep and internal. Maybe you can pry it out of him though?

Regardless of whether or not you try, things are different at night. The second the sun sets, he drifts away from his home, often settling in at Vildred’s dojo. Here, the routine remains the same as it was outside. More training. The blisters crack and begin to bleed, but he keeps going. Or perhaps you’ll find him at the tavern. He eats, but with substantially less vigor. His gaze seems distracted, often drifting in the direction of his home.

But he himself doesn’t wind up there. Not until it’s late and he can barely keep his eyes open, at least. Some nights you might even find him falling asleep by the river. It’s awful cold, so maybe you should wake him up?]

ii. I'll See You in the Future When We're Older — Past Life Rengoku — Closed to Akaza

[Turns out, someone else manages to beat Genya to the dojo. That figure might even look right at home, considering the streak of blond and red that he cuts through the night. He weaves himself through the dojo expertly, already having committed the new arrangements of the home to his memory. Rather than knocking on Akaza’s door, he throws the shojo open and all but throws himself at the man.

It will become very apparent, very quickly, that this particular iteration of Kyojuro is different. There are lines on his face, and the faintest traces of silver starting at the temples. Then, there’s the fact that he just so happens to have both eyes, and currently sports two rings on either hand.

He’s the spitting image of the man in the painting that Akaza has probably spent far too long looking at. And right now, that man is right in his face.]

Akaza, is it? I hope you will forgive the interruption! But I am afraid you have only a few seconds before you are in deep trouble!

[Indeed, it certainly sounds like a monster is thundering its way down the hall right after him.]

iii. And We Are Full of Stories to be Told — Past Life Rengoku — Around the Grove

[Once the chaos has been resolved at the dojo, Rengoku can be found taking on his old routines. Mornings are spent with a quick jog, and then a warm breakfast eaten on the engawa. Then, it’s off to the school. There might not be many younger folks here, and most of them probably aren’t interested in education, but he still heads there all the same.

He hums to himself as he walks through the halls, recalling memories of old students and friends alike. It warms his heart to know that someone took up the mantle of taking care of it, and he does his best to pay that gratitude forward by doing a bit of dusting here and there. Of course, he does end up finding a few old light novels along the way. He thumbs over the cover of one and finds himself laughing at the sight of the author’s name.

Still, when it becomes clear that his time is almost up, and that the door will be closing soon, he makes his way to a secluded section of the Grove, not terribly far from his home. When he closes his eyes, he sees blood. He hears his own voice, shouting his brother’s name. And then the choked noise of his screams, as his own light was blackened.

He clutches a hand into a fist, nails digging into his palm. It isn’t something he wants to remember. None of it is. But it all floods in all the same.]

iv. Cross My Heart and Hope to Die — At the Banquet

[Once things have properly settled, both with the spirits and on a personal level, Rengoku’s demeanor from earlier in the month seems to have melted away. He throws himself into the fun of the evening, first trying to help in the kitchen, then being ran out of it when something immediately starts to burn.]

My apologies! That does tend to happen around me! I have been told I am a terrible cook!

[After that, you can find him gladly tearing into any food offered to him later on. After that, you can find him engrossed in the card game, very much not understanding the rules and finding himself with a heaping pile of cards in his hand.]

How… does this keep happening?

[He sounds close to tears. Someone help him.]

v. I'll See You With your Laughter Lines — Wildcard

[You know what to do!]

iii

[love_swan]

Kyo-nii?

[ Surely, from the back he would be forgiven for mistaking them. He only realizes his mistake when he gets closer and realizes the few distinct differences that mark this one as older than his adoptive brother. ]

Are-- Are you alright?

[ Obviously not- he's dead. But Aira isn't quite sure how else to phrase the question when the other looks so distressed. ]

Aira Shiratori ♡ Ensemble Stars (Austice CRAU)

[love_swan]

All the things yet to come are things that have passed ♡1》
[ Aira is never one to say no to being babied when he can get away with it. He's honestly enjoyed spending time with Heimr, Nene and Ydalir in their respective areas these past few days, but something always seems to be up in the Grove. After Genya rouses him (To which he was very disgruntled, muttering about being quiet in a shrine), he's easy to find around the Grove, looking confused and very worried about the green mist. It reminds him far too much of the fog that surrounded the Nest for comfort. ]

Sorry-- Do you know what's going on?

[ Someone was clearly not able to get enough out of Genya when he came by earlier. ]

Like the holding of hands, like the breaking of glass ♡2》 Past Aira; art credit
[ As opposed to his younger self... there is a remarkably well dressed and calm young man somewhere in his 20s walking around the Grove as though he owns the place, a sword at his hip and a wistful smile on his face... Though for him it's more of a trip down memory lane. He wants to see how things have changed, or if any of the places he frequented are still standing. Rather up-beat for a ghost, he'll wave at anyone that comes close like he's greeting an old friend. ]

Hey! Did you need something?

[ It's possible to catch him in a more... contemplative mood, though he quickly tries to smile for whomever might approach. ]

I'm in love, I'm in love with you ♡3》
[ Things start to settle as the first snow falls. it's close to his birthday now, so it feels a bit like a gift that things were relatively tame this month. He won't mention as much as the festivities start, instead content to... just watch for a little bit. The little family he's managed to make of this group of people, the amount he's come to care for a good many of them in such a little time. He's... worried about the road ahead, but maybe things will be okay in the end. He can hope.

If he's allowed, he will once again sing for everyone, of hope and of love. He can only hope it gets across to them. Brightens their days just a little bit. That's all he wants. ]

1 :}

[bluebasketballed]

[the stranger aira approaches turns to get a look at him as he speaks, and recognition dawns in his eyes after a moment.]

Aira! Hey! [so, hakuji is also pretty disrespectful. even with his life together, he's still a rude little street rat at heart, but at least the tone he takes is more one of familiarity and affection than simple lack of social courtesy. in fact, he seems to catch himself and even has enough tact to look slightly embarrassed.] Ah, sorry, this is probably pretty weird for you, huh?

I'm Hakuji. All of, uh... this, is just some friends and me visiting. Just don't stick your face in the mist and hyperventilate, and you'll be fine.

Min-Gi Park | Infinity Train

[outofsynth]

TILL THE STARS FALL - Past Life Min-Gi

[The ghost of Min-Gi's past life is a little older (somewhere in his later twenties), but still easily recognizable. He almost seems taller, less hunched and more relaxed than his present self. He wears a suit with a blue waistcoat, fancied up with a grey tie and pocket square, as well as sleeve garters that seem to be more for fashion than needed to adjust his sleeve length. He also has silver, star shaped cufflinks, decorated with clear stones that glint whenever they catch the light.

He seems wistful as he wanders the Grove, spending time in all the places he used to love. In particular, he likes to linger around the inn. Maybe in part because his current incarnation lives there, but he is always happy to talk about the times he and Ryan had performed both here and inns like it. He has a lot of happy memories of their years travelling that he'll talk about while sat next to the fire, but it's clear from his fondness of it that the Grove is what he truly considers to be home.]

Pendleton was fun, but way too cold. Back when we were kids it sounded like the perfect city, but it wasn't the right fit for us. There's just something special about being here.

[Of course, the inn isn't his only haunt. He can be found along the river most nights, apparently just as drawn to it as his current incarnation. Min-Gi likes to watch the stars, and if he isn't walking along it, he's sat upon a dry rock at the edge of the river, looking up at the constellations.

Ask about them, and he'll be more than happy to share stories. Both the ones that he learned growing up, and the ones that he and Ryan had made up together in their youth.]

CLOSE ANOTHER DOOR - 80s Era Min-Gi

[After it's all over, the present Min seems unsure what to think. He hadn't exactly enjoyed being confronted with his past self, but having him gone... that also feels sad. He rejects the instrument that Renard gives him, presumably in an attempt to get him to quit moping, but he does pull out his mini-synth at that and improvising alongside anyone else who happens to be playing does seem to cheer him up a bit.

He even joins the feast later on, sampling the wine and eating his fill of the food. By the time the games come out he's voluntarily putting out his thoughts on the options available.]

Monopoly isn't so bad. I like being the banker.

[Which is a little weird considering how much he hates finance, but then it is just a game.]

WILDCARD

[ooc: Past life plotting can be found here. I'm reachable through plurk [thlayli] or PM if you want to plot other things!]

Till the Stars fall (80s Ryan)

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan's taking his own walk by the river as sunset is starting to fade into night and the first few stars are beginning to twinkle in the sky. This is normally when he would turn around and head back, since things can get dangerous unexpectedly, but he sees someone who makes him slow to a stop and stare.

He knows who it is immediately, of course. How could he not, after spending most of his life with him? It's Min, but...older. He's aged like a fine wine and it's impossible not to notice, but that isn't the only feeling stirring. Seeing him as a ghost this way hurts more than he expected it to. It really drives home that they did have lives here, past tense, and that they weren't very long ones.

Thinking about that sucks though and he doesn't actually want to. But, talking to him is too tempting to resist. There's so much he doesn't know, and they would be alone here (if that matters to this ghost Min? He isn't sure if it would, but his Min would probably want it that way).

So, trying to be a little more confident than he feels, he steps forward and waves for his attention.]

Min-Gi? I mean, um. Past...Min-Gi?

[Cool, cool. He's totally nailing it and not tripping over what to call Handsome Older Min-Gi. He's smiling, but there's a blush creeping across his face.]

...Hi!

Vildred Dayern | Epic7

[bladeascent]

i. gazing through a looking glass, to a new reality
cw: self-indulgent past-life nonsense/talking to oneself for too long. yes this is a cw this prompt is long.

[Just like that, echoes of the past enter their quaint town, turning everything on its head... or one would assume, anyway. Vildred, who only recently found out that he's lived at least six, maybe seven timelines of this, isn't fazed by that revelation so much as being fazed by the fact he can see himself walking amidst the town.

They're different, the two of them. The Vildred of the past doesn't have that scar over his face, nor are his hands quite as calloused, nor does he carry a posture to his shoulders that belies how stressed he is. Despite being the same age, past-Vildred seems younger. Current-Vildred wonders if that's because he's the first iteration of his many soirées through timelines resetting, and if reincarnation weighs heavily on one's soul — to speak nothing of the fact that Orbis has been in danger since its creation, and Vildred was essentially born into the role of having to protect it. Everyone knew the Archdemon's Advent would happen when he was barely learning to be a proper adult, and if nothing else, he was raised with the knowledge that he would one day stand at Ras' side to defeat the damn thing. To that end, his own soul must weigh heavy; six timelines of Archdemon shenanigans and one timeline of Forest-shenanigans really changes a man, no matter how much he'd like to think he'd become a blank slate after all these reincarnations.

What he's hardly expecting is for the two of them, past and present, to be able to interact in any meaningful capacity. What he thinks is merely a shade of time long-gone locks eyes with him and offers a smile, leaving Vildred baffled — surely past-him must be smiling at someone in the distance, and thus he turns around and looks back as if expecting there to be someone else. But there isn't, not that he can clearly see anyhow, and when he turns back, past-Vildred is still looking at him, leaning even, as though he wants to see what the current one was looking at.]

Where's Ras?

[That's a great question, one which current-Vildred answers with a nonchalant shrug and a:]

At our house, I'd bet.

[The comment doesn't mean anything necessarily — they just live together, they're usually together in some capacity, and apparently they've been sharing tents and inn rooms and various living quarters for many other timelines — yet past-him looks satisfied with the response.]

Across the river, right? [And then he taps his forehead between the eyes, where the end of Vildred's scar sits.] Did you get that protecting him?

[He pauses, opening his mouth to refute it. "It's from Kayron," he wants to say, and then backpedals due to the thought that maybe Kayron wasn't the bane of his fucking existence back in this other timeline, and maybe past-him doesn't know who that is. It has been 0 days since Vildred got mad about Kayron's general existence. All of that aside, he supposes that technically, the scar was received from protecting Ras — he did tell Ras he was going to go stop the enemy from advancing on the other man while Ras himself dealt with the Archdemon.

So he nods, his lips drawn into a thin line, unsure what he wants to ask his past self. Morbid questions like "how did you die" won't make him feel better about anything. "What went wrong?" isn't going to solve any issues, and he knows better than anyone else how he gets about failures. "Is your Ras okay?" he wants to ask, but then he sees the shape of the other man coming closer in the distance and decides he must be.]

This is awkward as hell, you know?

I'll say. You mean I got a second chance after everything?

Try several of them. [That's a whole conversation he has to have with his double — about reincarnating, about Orbis, about Diche... about the things Ras holds himself responsible for. Suddenly it's a venting session, an explanation of how only Ras remembers those timelines, of how Vildred just may be entire worlds ahead of him and how he wishes he could remember anything about their time together. The last part comes out unbidden; it should have never been about spending time with Ras, and should always have been about the worlds they failed to save. Yet...] But this time will be the last time. We're going to fix everything... when we get back to Orbis, I mean. We might handle things here, too, depending on how everything goes down.

[Past-him yet again offers a nod, that same satisfied one from earlier. Current-him feels like he's being quizzed, somehow. Like if he gave a wrong answer, his own echo would disapprove of him and who they've both become. Now isn't that a scary thought?]

Protect him, [an ask that Vildred doesn't need to agree to verbally; they both know he will.] That's really all I can ask of you. ...Of us? I guess?

[He goes to say something in response to that, a joke or maybe a "yeah of course" or anything, but then past-Ras, now standing nearby, stands up on his tiptoes to give past-Vildred a kiss on the mouth and heyholdonasecond— huh— what— where did— whomst whymst—??

Baffled and with his face suddenly burning hot, Vildred pivots on his heel with an "okay will do bye" and zips off into the bar, solely because it's the nearest building to him and he needs to get a drink, he thinks.

The question here is, were you here the whole time listening to their conversation, or did you happen to catch the tail end of Vildred's Gay Crisis™ and the discussion he didn't bother finishing?]

ii. a ribbon tied by fate leaves a trail (tie your fate to mine) - closed to Ras

[This just in: Vildred's gay crisis is ongoing.

Well, to be honest, he's had a lot of those since arriving here. A lot over Ras in specific. Surprisingly, not as many crises have been had over Orbis, solely under the assurance that time moves differently here than in other timelines and that he's not missing something massive. Theoretically. But surely Ras has seen their echoes walking around the Grove, from a timeline long failed, from something bigger than both of them could have ever been back then. Maybe Ras has spoken to the past through the mist like Vildred has, or maybe he hasn't.

Maybe he saw their echoes share a kiss or several, too.

That's what the crisis is over, because by this point, he's seen this several times now. An image of himself kissing his best friend on the mouth, a hand in his hair, the other on his waist, all with the careful touch of someone who wanted and could not currently have — probably because they were outside when it happened, and if Vildred knows Vildred, Vildred does not want to get too intimate outside.

...fuck. "Intimate." That's what they are at the end of the day, no matter how he looks at it now. They've always been that way, this time without the romantic coat of paint, though... he's starting to wonder if that's always been there, and he's just carefully wallpapered over it. Maybe the way Kise kept nudging him in Ras' direction was because she was aware of things he's only barely becoming aware of himself. Maybe Krau's shit-eating grins whenever Vildred and Ras would leave their inn rooms on Orbis wasn't because either of them had bedhead. Maybe, maybe...

Vildred breathes a sigh and shoulders open the door to their home, stepping inside to the tune of Clawde rolling a bell toy around under the coffee table.]

Ras?

[He should probably bring this up before it eats him alive.]

I. [Can do this, he can do this just fine, he can figure out his complicated emotions and have an adult conversation (which he has never been capable of having until recently).] I have. ...a question.

iii. is it peaceful there, beyond the veil?

[All crises aside for the time being, Vildred has never played UNO — similar card games, yes, but not this one. And although he's still feeling some type of way about everything — jittery, nervous, flustered if he thinks too hard about anything — he's in no way going to stay indoors and become introverted suddenly. No no.

He is going to play a card game that he just barely learnt an hour ago.]

This game feels like it goes on forever.

[Ah, that's because, with bad enough luck... it does.]

Reverse, by the way. [jackass.]

iv. wildcard

[couldn't find a nice way to mention this but vildred is dragon blessed now, so he'll have horns Like This and a long black and purple-tipped tail to match. ok thanks wildcard me if u dare]

iii

[tempurahair]

[It is very rare for Kyojuro to get annoyed. He's kept a level head in situations far more dire than these. And yet there is something so irritating about how Vildred speaks, never mind the fact that his own hand is piled with cards, that makes something snap.

Gods help us all, his eyebrow twitches once before he finds it in himself to smile. His wrath truly knows no bounds.]

Perhaps it would not, if you would let me have a turn!

❄️akaza / hakuji🦁🐶 // demon slayer

[bluebasketballed]

i. hakuji – grove
[for the duration of the strange mist, a new(?) face can be spotted around the grove, day or night. at first glance, his black hair and hauntingly blue eyes don't call back to any particular resident. but anyone familiar with akaza's face might soon recognize the same structure, although his is more mature, with the faintest beginnings of wrinkles. his voice is much the same, and he has similar thick-lined tattoos, but only two rings on his forearms as opposed to the myriad that cover much of akaza's body. as for the bit of his sleeveless button-up that's slightly torn over the diaphragm and stained bright red with blood -- don't worry about it. he's already dead, after all.

hakuji defaults to staying in or near the clinic, not really interested in crossing the river and getting much closer to the soryu dojo after he resolves his business there. his wanderings around the grove proper are to greet anyone he once knew, check in on the trader and shopkeeper... or hunt down anyone showing signs of recent injury. fresh bandages, visible blood or wounds, a limp... show anything of the sort, and you're getting flagged down.]

Hey – when's the last time you had a check up?


ii. akaza – edge of the grove/forest
[much like his past counterpart, akaza would prefer to stay as far away from his doppelganger as possible. it's as good an excuse as any to get an errand taken care of.

come nightfall, he paces around outside before finally working up the nerve to approach any able-bodied, masc-leaning person, because he has his biases.]

You. Yeah, you. Town needs fresh meat. Can you hunt?

[even if he won't approach fem-presenting folks with this offer, they're still welcome to find him prowling on the edge of the forest before he goes in.]


iii. akaza – the feast
[as much as the smell of all the food is overwhelming, akaza finds himself unable to refuse the invitation. despite his personal misgivings about past selves, he has to admit that seeing them really cemented in his mind the idea that, at one point in time, he was part of a close knit community with these people. to akaza, it's bizarre and he's unworthy, and yet... he's drawn to it.

while people eat, he sticks to the outer edges of the crowd, close to windows or doors, to get fresh air if need be. once anyone breaks out little games or performances, his shell opens back up and he eases his way back amongst the other residents.

anyone who sings or plays an instrument gets at least one respectful, attentive audience member, but those who lose or get frustrated with friendship-ruining games like uno will suffer his wrath – that is, they get laughed at hysterically.]


iv. wildcard, bitches. yeehaw

ii

[namuthing]

[Genya isn't exactly eager to spend any amount of time with Akaza. The problem is that he's less eager to linger around the village when he's seen the shadow of himself lurking about. The guy looks so happy, so alive, and it doesn't make any sense.

And like hell he wants to spend any more time than he already has dwelling on it all.]

Sure. Why not. [He motions to the gun on his back.] I can get the job done from a distance, if that's what you're after.

Pavlova Cookie // Cookie Run Kingdom

[lovelyredthread]

I've been longing for ♡1》
[ Little Pavlova is not immediately available, actually! He booked it to the library at the Research Hall to check on the situation and is only available afterwards, picking around curiously. He seems to flap away the mist as best he can if it gets too close for comfort. He's wary, naturally.

But if he sees you, he'll smile politely and wave. Nothing at all to see here. ]

Daisies to push through the floor ♡2》 Past Pavlova, aka Kallias
[ The spirit that most resembles Pavlova... only does so if you squint. White-blond curly hair, red-brown eyes. He's a considerable amount older than the child, though, and seems amused by any confusion. He mainly wanders about near the research hall. He's a little picky about who he approaches, but he won't avoid anyone approaching him. ]

Did you need something? If it has to do with shutting the door I'm afraid I can't help you there.

I wish plantlife would grow all around me ♡3》
[ The door is closed and the specters are gone, but part of Pavlova kind of wishes he could have had longer to talk to the ghosts, just to learn more about what happened here from those who experienced it.

But the odds of them answering those questions were kind of slim to start, so he tries to enjoy the feast. ]

What is... Uno?

[ And why does it feel like boss music is playing? ]

iii

[namuthing]

[Likewise, Genya has picked up on the sound of ominous music playing in the background. He can't help the way he swallows hard and sidles a step away from the cards.]

Seems like a bad idea, whatever it is.

[But... he's nothing if not a risk taker.]

I'll play if you are.

Ryan Akagi | Infinity Train

[chickenchoicejudy]

A. BABY I'M YOURS (Past Ryan, easily spotted with Past Min-Gi for your Gossip Needs)

[Ryan's always been someone easy to spot at a distance, whether by his sense of style or just his overall enthusiasm, and the same can be said of the ghost of him that haunts the green mist. The specter is just a little older, nearer to his 30s than his 20s, and his final outfit was a patchwork crop top that wrapped in a blend of Grove and Crescent Islands, and high waisted denim. Glasses are still necessary, and still more dramatic than most - he wears frames with a gold eyeglass chain with sun charms dangling on the ends.

Despite the circumstances, this past Ryan seems very at peace in the grove. He's a little calmer, a little more comfortable in his own skin without screaming it from every rooftop, and it gives him a grace that his present version lacks. The present Ryan can laugh off most things, but his past self gives the impression those same troubles would wash right off of him without the slightest stain. He shines effortlessly.

Often he can be found right alongside Min-Gi, who he's loved for eternity and longer. He happily links their arms as they walk along the river. He leans against him as they watch the stars, wondering if they've gotten brighter or dimmer with time. He cups Min-Gi's face and leans in to kiss his cheek, when he thinks all of these unfamiliar familiar faces might not be looking.

Did he want to live longer? Well, of course! But he has the next best thing, and the third best thing - he's with his love, in death and in a second life. It's hard to ask for more than that, isn't it?]

B. YOURS UNTIL THE SUN NO LONGER SHINES (Past Ryan alone, the Watchtower, or outside in the mist.)

[That being said, their relationship is healthy and stable, and Ryan has no problem at all wandering off to be nosy about everyone's new lives. The bar seems like a great place to people-watch (and is evidently not the only spirit who thinks so). Some people are obvious reincarnations, and others it takes some more guesswork. So many of them have animal parts now! That's...interesting in a way he's never considered before now! It makes him wonder what Min-Gi would look like with furry ears or wings, but that's likely staying an Inside Thought unless Min-Gi brings it up first.

Other times, he's out and about just flat out spying on people for fun, doing the classic ghost move of watching someone and slipping behind a nearby tree when they start to sense someone there. He's always been a little impish though, even in the past, so sometimes people might hear a voice on the wind, trying so hard to be spooky and not laugh at his own antics from his hiding spot.]

OoooOOooo~!

C. IN OTHER WORDS... (Post-Mist, card game night)

[Normally Ryan is excited to try new things, but he's not really in the mood to experiment with a shamisen after everything he's learned in the last few weeks, so he kindly turns down Renard's offer. Instead he distracts himself, particularly Uno and other fast-paced card games (Sorry Min-Gi, Monopoly is the Worst Game). Eventually though, he settles with a little end of the night Mead.]

This all feels kind of...I dunno. Weird, right? It's weird knowing there's a ghost of me just out there, that had this totally different life, and we're all just partying like they didn't just disappear?

[He doesn't know whether to be sad or glad they're gone or just conflicted about this life that somehow both used to be his and was never his at all. He tries to walk it back though, and laugh off that he was ever concerned.]

...Eh, I'm probably overthinking it.

D. WILDCARD (Wherever/Whenever)
[Want something else? Let me know!]

B.

[outofsynth]

[Min-Gi jumps despite the familiarity of the voice, somehow only becoming more flustered once he realizes exactly which version of Ryan it is. He looks for a moment like he's about to snap at him, his eyes widening once he actually sees him.

He still doesn't know what to make of either of their past selves. Neither of them have any hesitance in being affectionate around each other, leaving this version of Min both embarrassed and jealous. He looks around before he can even think of how to respond, strangely worried about being seen with him.]

Hi.

[Why is his voice so high? He hates this.]

Joshua Rosfield | Final Fantasy XVI

[kingincognito]

i. 「missed connections」 (Past-Life Joshua)

a.

[ Joshua isn't difficult to spot in a crowd or at a distance. His bright, fiery feathers tend to give him away even on the brightest of days.

But while this looks like Joshua, dresses somewhat like him even, the wings are gone entirely. Not to mention, his hair is dark. Dark as his brother's had been, in fact. Closer inspection brings even further differences to light: he's even more scrawny somehow, a slightly oversized sweater hanging off of him beneath his long coat, glasses perched on his nose. Perhaps even a little bit younger, though it's difficult to say.

Not that he won't be just as cordial if he spots someone he knows. In fact, he's even a good deal less formal. ]

Oh, good day! It's a bit chilly, isn't it? Has it been this way for long?

[ This isn't Joshua, but it certainly must be one of the ghosts. He moves easily between his home and the library, though whatever work he does doesn't seem to actually result in anything... ]


b.

[ Though, there is one time when the phantom appears different. Ragged, torn, bloodied and without a coat. Frantically looking around in the dark of night, though not for something, but someone. And if he spots you, he will urgently ask– ]

Please. Tell me. My message - did it make it through?


ii. 「wildcard」

[ As usual, if there's something else you want to do, use this option! Or feel free to find me on discord to hash out specifics. ]

a

[unheiring]

[It's just starting to get dark as Luca scurries from his business about the Grove and heads back toward the watchtower. The dim light makes the dark hair of the ambling figure all the more jarring to see. Though the frame is smaller than he might have expected, his first thought goes to Clive, and he can't help the way his heart jumps in his throat.

He's moving before he knows what's really happening, approaching the man from behind. He reaches out first, but then pulls his hand back as if afraid to properly touch him. Instead, he wrings his hands together long enough to find his nerves, before clearing his throat.]

Ah - just a moment, if you will?

[Hopefully he's loud enough to catch the man's attention.]

Silent Salt Cookie | Cookie Run Kingdom

[yourtomb]

i. So Flood Me Like Atlantic — Edge of the Grove

[Has there… always been a statue out here, where the Grove gives way to the the trees? Surely not. But that doesn’t change the fact that a suit of armor stands deathly still, silently surveying the grove. A blade, solid black as if cut from obsidian, is plunged into the ground at the moment, while metal clad fingers grip the hilt.

Surely this is a new addition. A trick, perhaps, albeit one that’s been sitting undisturbed. Coated by the freshly falling November snow as it is, this little prank has gone unnoticed for some time. A solid inch of powder lays across the surface of metal, unfazed even by the whisper of wind.

It is, by all means, just a statue. And yet, as if sensing the presence of someone else, a flicker of movement may register. The helmet tilts, ethereal plume shifting with it, as the suit of armor seems to consider its visitor.

Well then. What say you?]

ii. Weather Me to Nothing — Stables

[Silent Salt has not yet made sense of what has happened. He recalled, clear as day, kneeling before the virtue of freedom and pledging his strength to her. And yet, just as quickly as he felt relief flood through him, hope for a future yet unwritten, everything seemed to go wrong.

And now… he is here. He knows he is far from the Barren, but the question of just how far settles uncomfortably in his chest. What of Salt Cellar Cookie, and the knights who had only just found their Lord Commander again? And that was to say nothing of the new duty he had thrust upon himself.

His head swims as he tries to search the town for answers. He sincerely doubts that the stables will have any answers for him, yet he stumbles into them all the same, determined to leave no stone left unturned.

Not an entirely worthless effort, he quickly notes. Though it is devoid of answers, it is not devoid of familiarity. A steed just as stained as he is stares back at him, nickering faintly as they regarded one another.]

Nox Black Salt [His voice feels gritty, fettered by an emotion he dares not name.] I should have known you would find your way to my side, even now.

iii. Wash Away the Blood on my Hands — The Inn

[Pleasantly familiar, yet altogether foreign. That is the only way he can describe the sight of a bountiful feast and smiling faces. He has seen solidarity like this before, amongst his own knights and their beloved people. Yet they had never known comfort like this. Meals had been hard fought and fleeting. Meager as they were, they had sufficed for what they were. But this… This was a display of abundance, one he would have wept over all those millenia ago.

Once more, Silent Salt finds himself gripped by that strange sensation. He is grateful that no one, up until this point, has cast a glance his way. He remains in the corner, watching uncorrupted happiness be passed from hand to hand. Given how low he has fallen, he suspects he should be jealous.

But only warmth seems to flood from his chest as he continues to watch. Given how stricken is, you can hopefully forgive him if he doesn’t respond to any nudging right away. Just give him a minute or two, he’ll come around.]

iv. Don't you wake me up — Wildcard

[You know what to do. Throw something at me. Be gentle with me, this is a very new muse and I’m scared. Yes this is the same post as my inbox. He is no longer contained. You have been warned.]

iv. Some point after he interacts with the others again

[lovelyredthread]

[ Pavlova is not a difficult cookie to find, least of all when he'd shown the knight where their house was before. He's kept his distance, partly because he figured the man was still mad for whatever reason, and partly because he assumed if he wanted to talk to him, he'd come find him one way or another. As it was, Pavlova was busy. The cold in the air now bringing snow meant he had to bring in the potted plants from outside and cover up the flower beds to protect them.

He's taking down his rusted bird cage planter when he hears footsteps. ]

Uncle Salt?

[ This probably isn't that surprising given who lives here. He tucks the confusion down and smiles ]

Oh, are you here for Miss Lily?

Shadow Milk Cookie | Cookie Gaem

[jesterlies]

[Scene 1 - Enter: Shadow Milk Cookie]

[Well, it's all gone to shit. Though- honestly, it's not going as badly as it could have gone. No one's been peeled out of their bodies, no ones been turned into horrible ghoulish desert specters. So far it's just a bunch of ghosts walking around.]

[He is not nervous about it, but he is being vigilant, watching people through the Blueberry Beholders all over the grove.]

[He can be found around either in the research hall, doing well. Research. Or the clinic possibly hovering around Lily and also monitoring if anyone turns up with a ghost cold. OR, perhaps most interestingly the greenhouse where he is tending to some flowers. He seems all business today, for once, but if you've got something interesting to say to him, he might humor you.]

[Scene 2 - Enter: Seamus Maverick.]

[There is also a very interesting person wandering the Grove, too. One of the ghosts, for sure. He can be found mostly in the research hall, but he can also be found at the inn hovering around a particular door with a frown. Or perhaps you will find him just wandering about, looking at everything and everyone curiously. Laughing a little to himself as he recognizes someone here or there.]

[If approached he will give you a sweeping bow with his cap, not at all dissimilar from a certain Jester's way of introducing himself.]

Professor Maverick at your service. I see quite a lot has changed in all this time! Tell me, what do you make of this place, hm? Your home before this? What sort of life have you led?

2, inn

[lovelyredthread]

[ The ghosts interact with his power very strangely, covering the Grove in several, much harder to see threads, webbing around the place. He guesses that's a testament to how close everyone was, but it makes attempting to track anyone a chore.

Coming to the inn was less of him intentionally searching for Seamus and more accidentally running across him when heading to help Elder Faerie with his sign. The old man was familiar in a way, and only became more so at the sweeping gesture and deluge of questions. ]

The guy in the forest makes it hard to say much positive, but it's not the worst.

[ Unclear as to if he's softening his answer to not offend or if he means that. ]