sticksandbones | EVENT 30

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EVENT 30

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

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[Hang on, give him a second here.]

I tried to leave?

[Yeah... that sounds like him alright.]

You did. You'd successfully guarded everyone along the expedition, helped build up part of the town... Once the Grove was stable enough, you offered to secure transportation here for my father, since he wasn't well enough for the initial journey, and then you planned to go on your way.

[hakuji gives a soft laugh, one very restrained in comparison to akaza's, but laced with affection.]

Honestly, it always scared me -- the thought of how different my life would've been if you hadn't come back. But you did.

At least I came to my senses.

[It's strange, how reversed everything seemed to be between their lives. This time, it wasn't Akaza holding back, but Kyojuro. He can't help but wonder what had changed in his mind between his departure and eventual return. At the same time, he feels the faintest trickle of hope, knowing that eventually, one of them came around.

Hopefully, the same would prove to be true this time, too.]

Would you change any of it, knowing how it ended?

[his answer doesn't come immediately; he actually thinks about it. he could say that he wishes they'd both gotten over themselves sooner, spent more time together, but that seems almost shallow.

the smile falls into something contemplative, wistful. there is one thing hakuji had once wanted, even if he had been too scared to ever broach the subject himself. and knowing how it ended...]

As we were, no. But if everything hadn't gone to shit, if we hadn't all been doomed to die... [his voice softens.] ... I think I would've liked to raise kids with you both. I think they would have grown to be wonderful people, thanks to you two.

[There's a moment where Kyojuro's eyes widen. It is quite the thing to admit to, though he can't say he doesn't understand in a way.]

I admit, I am still too young to have considered it fully myself. [His laugh is almost sheepish.] At least not beyond the idea of duty and continuing my line. But in a time of peace such as yours?

[A faint smile spreads over his lips.]

I suspect I do not need to tell you that I have always enjoyed tending to those younger than me. Being able to grow and guide them is truly an honor. [And then he pauses, eyes narrowing.] But I must as you not to discount yourself. I suspect your strict morals, never mind your love for those you care for, would have helped guide them as well.

[kyojuro's chiding makes the corners of his lips turn up once again, and adoration twinkles in hakuji's eyes.]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it that time, I swear.

[some things never change. this kyojuro is much like his husband -- especially when he was younger, like this kyojuro is. which means he likely doesn't have as much consideration for himself as he does for others...]

Don't worry, I'll still answer any questions you have, but I've gotta ask -- how are you feeling?

[Well, if Hakuji has acknowledged it, Kyojuro won't continue to beat a dead horse. Instead, he rumbles out a laugh, shaking his head even as he does. He'll let it slide, but only this time, gay boy.

The question that does get asked takes him by surprise. He supposes he shouldn't be so shocked — if they were married in another life, then surely Hakuji was good at reading him. Nevertheless, it doesn't make it any more easy to talk about.]

Perfectly fine! [Said through a perfect smile.] I admit the evening gave me a bit of a shock, but things have settled amicably enough!

I can't say I blame you. [it would have shocked the shit out of him, too. still, he doesn't fully believe kyojuro when he says he's perfectly alright. it wouldn't do to interrogate him into the ground, but hakuji can try pressing once.]

Well, even though you're fine... if it turns out there is anything you wanna talk about, I don't make a habit of judging you, and I won't be around for very long to go spreading anything.

[Ah... He should have known that he would be seen through. And though he does appreciate that he has an out, there's something less... agonizing about talking to Hakuji. Probably the fact that he already knows Kyojuro so intimately.]

It has been... a long few days. And it is difficult to share as much with anyone. You know as well as I do, the role I was expected to play. To give anything less feels wrong. It is a betrayal to my very family and what they have come to expect of me.

[it's quite a relief that kyojuro takes the opportunity hakuji presents him. he really wouldn't have taken it much farther, but it still would have made him worry if the man remained cagey.

he tilts his head as he mulls these words over.]

... I can't say I speak word for word for Mom [yeah just casually dropping that because he's used to it], but I don't think she'd consider it a "betrayal" if you took some time to look after yourself the same way you do for others.

[You know, Hakuji gives such great advice, and really Kyojuro should take a moment to appreciate it but -

Nah, he's just gaping like a fish at him.]

"Mom?" [Give him a moment before he huffs.] Even I never presumed to call her as much. Mother and ma'am were best!

[Don't worry, he sounds awfully fond when he speaks.]

[ahaha. the grin hakuji gives kyojuro is positively impish.]

Maybe you forgot, Mr. Fancypants, but I'm a disrespectful little delinquent.

[the smile quickly softens into something more tender.]

Your father might have turned out very different from the man I knew, but I'd wager your brother feels the same. Obviously, I can't change your mind for you, or force you to believe anything... but maybe it's worth talking about it with the family you still have.

Ah, you're right! How could I ever forget!

[Kyojuro's laughter is warm, verging on affectionate, perhaps. He knows that there are differences between Hakuji and Akaza, knows that perhaps he should be wary of being too affectionate on his own part, lest it ever be misconstrued as trying to replace the other man.

But at the same time, this feels right in a way Kyojuro is wary to place.]

Even doing that feels... Wrong. [He makes a face, shakes his head.] But... it is still worth considering. I know that my loved ones would appreciate the effort, difficult though it may be to stomach.

[for better or worse, the warmth of kyojuro's energy is matched in hakuji's smile. it's easy for him to remember why he fell in love with kyojuro in the first place, which makes it all the harder to stop himself from reaching for the man to hold his hand or pat his shoulder. the last thing he wants is to pressure kyojuro, or make him feel as if he needs to make a choice that might put his own companion out.]

Forgive me if it isn't my place to say so, but... even if all you do is just consider it, I'm proud of you for even that.

[That praise, earnest as it is, sends heat pouring onto Kyojuro's cheeks. His gaze falls, lashes brushing against his cheeks. It is an altogether bashful expression, and he cannot help the huff that leaves him in response. He did not expect the way Hakuji's praise might have impacted him.

... Perhaps if opening up would net results like these, it truly would not be so bad.]

I - [He clears his throat.] Thank you, for that kindness.I will do what I can, so as not to disappoint you.

[if hakuji thinks kyojuro's blush is cute, he keeps it to himself, though it's probably clear enough from his fond smile.]

Do it for yourself, and don't worry about disappointing me. You're already enough for me, just as you are, Kyojuro. I'm sure the same can be said for your family -- even the family that doesn't know it is, yet.

[The fond smile only serves to make things "worse," as it were. It's strange, being the one on the back foot due to affection. Hakuji truly is a menace.

Well, when in doubt, bluster through it.]

I - will do my best! As I always do.

[and that smile only gets warmer and softer as hakuji finally decides it's safe enough to reach out to kyojuro. just as the hashira pats the heads of his juniors to comfort and praise them, so too does the man who knew him in another life.]

As you always do. [his tone is gentle and adoring as he agrees. it's funny, almost, seeing kyojuro so young, and hakuji himself being more than a decade older; it's only funnier that the other man is still taller than he is. they must look a silly pair.]

[Well that just threatens to knock Kyojuro flat. Though his unconscious response is to lean into the touch with an almost longing sigh, the shock of it still registers on his face.

He's not used to having it turned around him. And maybe someone is a little touch starved, at least as far as gestures of praise go.]

I - [He clears his throat.] I probably should not keep you! I've already taken up much of your time!

[there's definitely a part of hakuji that feels guilty for getting kyojuro so worked up when he doesn't appear to be too comfortable with it... but the best he can do at this point is to ease up and allow the younger man to reset the boundaries.]

I'll always make time for you, Kyojuro, but don't let me keep you if you need to get going.

Ah, make no mistake. I have enjoyed every moment of our company.

[He makes sure to stress that. It isn't that Hakuji has done something wrong. Rather, he's... so unused to being the one on the receiving end of kind words. And he still isn't quite sure to put that particular problem into words.]

I will do my best to come and see you again soon. Your company has been... incredibly comforting, I think.

[in the grand scheme of things, kyojuro is still terribly young, learning things about himself and how to come to terms with them. the kindest thing hakuji can do for him is to offer support and allow kyojuro the time to process, and the choice to accept that support of his own volition. so he offers one of those gentle smiles and makes no effort to keep him here.]

So has yours. Take care of yourself, alright, Kyojuro?

[It would be easiest to leave it at that. But there's something in Hakuji's smile that spurs Kyojuro into moving forward. He wraps his arms around the other man's shoulders, offering a very grateful, if self-indulgent squeeze.

When he pulls back, he doesn't dare meet Hakuji's eyes, instead giving him a quick nod before scuttling away.]

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EVENT 30

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