oblivium: (Default)
nightfell mods ([personal profile] oblivium) wrote in [community profile] logs2022-10-06 01:15 pm

MOD EVENT #001

A CHAOTIC RESPITE


It isn't rare for the seasons in the Netherworld to be a little erratic, though many days have passed now without much of a hint of its typical mercuriality, a good and a bad omen all at once. This respite is commonly referred to as the proverbial "calm before the storm", but it also marks the beginning of merrier celebrations. The Moons above are gilded silver, the twilight sky edged with faint pink and orange -- a sunrise phantasm, spilling over the horizon. It's an infrequent spectacle, accompanied by a dulcet breeze and light drizzles that seem to encourage growth nearly everywhere. Unfortunately, under its influence, people seem a little on edge, quick to anger, but no matter; around Stygia, Restless have begun hanging decorations and ornaments on trees and windowsills, left to catch the moonlight and give off marigold and ginger glows, warmly lighting up the city. Rather than fish, the smell of freshly ground spices permeates the air in the Harbors, Mirth keeps its doors opened to all, but just before the festivities officially begin, a cacophony of chimes resounds all over, a transmission difficult to ignore.

On the screen of your cellphone, nothing; only a voice, ragged, out of breath...

“The woods... Oakwoods! They've come alive! O-One minute he was complaining about the water seeping into his boots, and the next he was... he was being yanked up into the trees! We didn’t see what happened to him, but we heard... the screams, ohh, the screams. Please! Come to Serene, I beg you. This is our safest sanctuary, and the lan... oh, no... wait, no, please... please... NOOO--”


...and the feed abruptly ends, a dull chirr of static. Will you ignore the stranger's call for help and feast, or venture into the woods?

► I. KNOCK ON WOOD (OH PUCK, HE'S HOT!)
When you cross the gates of Serene, an old woman welcomes you, palm flat against her chest and disquiet in her eyes. Myrtille, her name. Oakwoods loom dense and dark in the distance behind her, groaning low as leaves rustle without wind. The Mourning Lantern was stolen, and malevolence rose in turn, dooming them all.

“It was once kept here, a sacred Artifact crafted from the bones of Serene's first founder, who gave her heart’s blood willingly to the woods in an act of contrition. It's the absence of the lantern that is contributing to the wood’s unusually active malice, and if you lot cannot retrieve it, then we must sacrifice another. Go! Take these torches and go, before Oakwoods swallow us whole.”


So you've decided to be brave. Commendable, or foolish? The wood is dark and shrouded in mist, and the trees crowd around you, an absent wind somehow whispering foul nothings in your ear as dead leaves rustle around your feet. Your Shadow basks in the murmurs, sensing the malign presence in Oakwoods as a faint, garbled scream echoes in the distance. You wander deeper and the canopy thickens, thin streaks of moonlight peppering the woods in deep patches of darkness. Behind you, a creature you can't see hisses, and a fluttering of wings nearby alerts you to the arrival of snickering harpies lurking on branches. “Dead,” they croak, in a sing-song chorus. “Dead as daylight.” Oddly enough, they seem content to just watch and stalk you, perhaps expecting you to die quickly, an easy and effortless meal.

It's a frustrating errand if you've ever known one. You barely know what you're looking for, and your Shadow thrives in the dark, taunting, coaxing. You hear it then; a haunting melody, the silhouette of a boy on a fallen tree trunk, strumming. “Come,” he says, with a voice that shimmers like the sun on moving water. If you remember what that's like. “Rest a while. Forget your troubles.” For anyone familiar, you'll recognize him as a Puck, famous prankster, and from his hand dangles a lantern.

► If you attempt to take the lantern from him, he'll immediately drop it to the ground, causing it to break. You may choose to kill him and offer his blood to the woods, or let him go and bleed in his stead. Myrtille should be able to repair what's left of the lantern once the offering's been made.
► If you politely ask to return it, he promises that he will... if you indulge him for the night.

No matter what you choose, you will come across camps, either on your way in or on your way back: pitched tents, most moth-eaten, and some containing vestiges of prior expeditions such as putrid corpses or rotten food. You've been wandering for a while, and sleep sounds terribly inviting. Unfortunately, a wind finally picks up, and leaves begin to blow around you. A nick, then a cut, then a slash reveal the leaves to have razor sharp edges. Sleep well yet? If you've spared the Puck, he'll encourage you to sit with him around a campfire, where he'll sing and tell stories. Or are they. Perhaps you've heard of Bloody Mary before. Slenderman? The Devil that'll make you dance until you die? While the lantern remains in stranger hands, the thread between reality and fiction narrows; protagonists from the Puck's legends come to life, and the only way to rid of them is by quenching the flames of the fire.

Your journey unfortunately doesn't end there. The Puck has a riddle for you:
I am a word that is hardly there. Remove my start, and I'm an herbal flair. What am I?


If you fail to answer correctly, he'll vanish before you, and you can bid the lantern goodbye. You'll be forced to gather the bones from the corpses scattered across the woods, and feed it your blood -- or a friend's -- before you escape and return to the woman. The offering will leave you drained and exhausted, weak on your legs. If, on the other hand, you do answer correctly, the lantern is yours, and you'll be teleported out of the woods with a boon in your pocket: a piece of parchment invites you to visit your home in the Shadowlands. There, you'll find an object (or a pet) that belonged to you in your world.

the answer to the riddle is sparsely! it's up to you whether you'd like your character to fail.
legends told around the campfire can be any of the ones mentioned above or any other that might strike your fancy! go wild, have fun!
remember that if you pick an item from your character's world as their boon, it'll eventually disintegrate unless reforged with a soul.
.


► II. GO BIG OR GOURD HOME
Welcome to the Frightful Harvest, a festival that marks the beginning of the Respite, a temporary period of tranquility between seasons. It acknowledges the blessings offered and the role that both good and evil play in the Netherworld. It is a time to give thanks, but more importantly, it is a time of reflection and warding. Warding against not only the darkness of the next seasons to come, but of the nefarious creatures and struggles that will undoubtedly follow.

Carved pumpkins and straw bales are placed everywhere around the city, and streamers and banners are hung from every home and storefront. Decadent cakes, candies, and pastries are made in over-abundance in order to accommodate everyone, and from the lush gardens of Radiance, an elderly, dark-robed man addresses the Netherwork. You'll learn by eavesdropping on nearby Restless that his name is Doran, the oldest among you and loved by all. His smile stretches kind, and while not an official member of the Hierarchy, it's clear he has certain privileges -- well-deserved, or so you hear.

“Let us gather, feast, dance and celebrate. Let us hold our glasses high for those who heroically perished, for goodness, and for the Ascended. May their journey inspire us to change our lives and the lives of others, to resist evil, and to triumph. To you, dear friends!”


And without further ado, let the festivities begin!

► BARDIC BLITZ
The bardic blitz is a friendly competition that pits talented musicians against one another in an attempt to win over the affection of the crowd through festive melodies or personal compositions. Although it can be hosted just about anywhere, the bardic blitz is normally held in a large canvas tent directly in the heart of Mirth, though smaller crowds also gather in Serene and the Harbors around bonfires.

► FEAST
Although all cultures around Stygia bring their own tastes and specific flair to the celebrations, there are a few staple trade goods that you can find at nearly any celebration of the holiday throughout the city. Many producing the various cakes, beverages, and cookies also use the time to test and perfect their recipes, teaching others or using them as guinea pigs.
Firstdawn Tea: This revitalizing crimson tea soothes the mind and body and is brewed from the roots of the dawn flower, which only sprouts during the Respite.
Grablenuts: These fist-sized brown nuts have a hard, stippled outer shell and soft, delicious spicy centers. A single bite will slightly lower your inhibitions, and you may find yourself seeking proximity and warmth.
Elysium: A nonalcoholic beverage that smells and looks as bad as it tastes. Only those with the strongest will manage to gulp it down. Once drunk, the person experiences true bliss, which seems to last for hours; in reality, it's only a few minutes.
Will-o-the-Whiskey: Whisky with minor hallucinatory effects, visual and auditory.
Sundrop: A pound cake coated in a sugary lemon drizzle. No side-effects, just delicious!
Shadowfell Candy: Chewing on this candy will grant the character a deep and rejuvenating sleep, during which they will appear dead to anyone.
. ► HARVEST HUNT
The harvest hunt happens in a corn maze located in Mirth's amusement park, specifically created for the occasion. Because of the labyrinthian horrors dwelling in the Tempest, some find the terror-free replica a little inappropriate, yet participants still abound every time. A favorite seasonal game of the exuberant and athletic, characters take on the role of either hunter or prey, racing through the maze to either corner their quarry or escape the hands of their pursuer. As long as Shadows behave, it's a relatively safe activity. Friendly spars sometimes occur, picnics, and star-gazing.

► THE PARADE
The parade is the activity most looked forward to by younger Restless. Citizens clad in colorful costumes walk the streets to the rhythm of festive music, and according to tradition, it helps ward away any lingering evil that might try to hide in the community. For reasons unknown, incidents where Restless unwillingly swap bodies sometimes occur.

► III. WAYWARD SUN
The Warding Ritual is a private affair, a behind-the-scene execution on the last day of the festival as you dance and feast and frolic, blissfully unaware. Something goes awry. First, a shriek in the distance, and soon, birds flying away in apparent surprise as the landscape rustles with the sounds of creatures and Restless alike fleeing. A vague sense of dread knocks the air out of your lungs, an iron grip around your throat. And you see it then, a headless figure shrouded in a black veil of cloth, sword in one hand and a bright flaming pumpkin in the other. Its head. It thunders through the night on its skeletal horse, its blade flashing in the moonlight in search of prey. Heads fall. You might get injured during the chase -- collateral damage. 10 members of the Hierarchy won't ever rise again, and the rider eventually charges into the Tempest, leaving behind bloody puddles and a slather of confusion. If you opt to help clean up the mess, you might come across stained sheets of paper on the ground, a painting of a white scorpion in the middle. Otherwise, it's time for you to go home.


ooc note

► Welcome to Nightfell's first event! If you'd like additional, more casual prompts, the Notice Board is right here! New prompts will be added next month, if you've already had your fun with them!
You'll find some answered questions here, but if you'd like to ask something else, please comment below!
For a little spooky ambience in the woods.

oomfies: 𝑜𝑜𝓂𝒻𝒾𝑒𝓈 (💚 acronym.)

[personal profile] oomfies 2022-10-18 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ She's killing her. This spooky scary pumpkin is definitely ruined, if the way it begins to tear at the corners when she peels it off the wet ground is any indication. Maybe she should just be happy her burst of anger actually worked in convincing this girl to step aside..

The paper sags a little under its own weight, curling over her fingers.

Nope!! No, she's still kinda mad. Definitely not thankful enough to really cancel that out. ]


I'm.. [ This sounds.. So corny!!! ] Getting into the 'holiday spirit'. Maybe people trick-or-treat here, and what if they don't know if I'm passing stuff out or something..
nagano: (there beyond my eyelids)

[personal profile] nagano 2022-10-18 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
...Shit on a shingle?

[ He has to try very hard not to laugh. Her cursing reminds him a bit of... Yukito. Mm.

At least his energy slab didn't hit anyone on the other side of those rows of corn. Look, he's made a new path! Rather than try to answer, he simply flicks his wrists and conjures another rod in his left hand while the right receives a circular disc wider than his torso—a shield. The magic coming his way is probably a distraction (he's under-handed enough to try the same if the roles were reversed), so he keeps his eyes locked to Kainé.

Sparks of aura roll off his body once again, and he digs his heels in despite the oncoming magic blasts.

Y̸o̵u̸ ̴a̷r̴e̸ ̵N̶O̶T̵ ̴a̶b̸o̸u̷t̵ ̵t̶o̸ ̶j̵u̶s̴t̸ ̸s̶t̶a̶n̵d̸ ̷t̴h̸e̸r̴e̵ ̴a̶n̸d̸ ̴t̶a̵k̸e̴ ̶i̸t̵—̸

Alas, he is! As if perceiving her feint, Kaito suddenly pivots and shifts his shield over his back. The white magic collides hard against the barrier and the back of his thighs, but that means he's now properly facing her. Steel and energy clash as he catches her weapon with his—though that pointy heel now gets to jab into his upper leg.

He's smiling again. ]


Look up and find out.

[ A whirring noise sounds off behind Kainé, and if she does pull her gaze away from Kaito, she'll see yet another falling object. This time, it's shaped like a silver hand larger than the both of them combined—and it's curled into a fist as it comes crashing down for the ground pound. ]
windsongs: (234)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-10-18 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ Despite slicing her other arm open, her grip is strong, and while she doesn't try to grip him harder, she locks it in place. No. She won't budge. To add insult to injury, he starts lecturing her like she was in the wrong. She listened to the directions! She can handle this dammit, she's going to get them out one way or the other.

H̶e̸'̶s̶ ̴r̷e̷a̶l̷l̵y̸ ̷t̵e̶a̶r̷i̴n̸g̵ ̷y̵o̷u̴ ̴a̴ ̴n̵e̷w̸ ̸o̴n̸e̶.̴ ̶P̶r̸o̸b̸a̵b̶l̵y̸ ̶w̸o̵r̵r̶i̷e̵d̴ ̶y̴o̴u̴'̸r̸e̵ ̵g̸o̷n̸n̴a̶ ̴b̸l̴e̵e̷d̵ ̵a̸l̶l̷ ̶o̷v̸e̴r̴ ̵h̷i̸m̵ ̸a̸n̴d̷ ̸m̵a̸k̵e̴ ̸h̵i̷m̴ ̸l̷o̸o̵k̶ ̶l̷i̵k̶e̷ ̴t̷h̶e̸ ̷b̴a̴d̸ ̷g̸u̶y̴.̷

The voice in her head makes it hard to actually hear what he's saying. (Shut up...) She groans as he presses against her vein, the grip on his wrist tightening reflexively. What is he trying to say? Try to focus, Hibiki.

B̷u̵t̷ ̴s̴e̴e̸?̶ ̴T̸h̸i̴s̶ ̸i̷s̴ ̸w̵h̴a̸t̵ ̴a̷l̴w̸a̷y̶s̴ ̵h̸a̴p̷p̷e̴n̷s̴ ̶w̴h̸e̵n̵ ̷y̸o̶u̷ ̷t̷r̵y̷ ̷t̴o̷ ̴d̴o̴ ̷s̸o̶m̶e̷t̴h̷i̷n̶g̸ ̷f̸o̷r̴ ̷s̴o̷m̸e̸o̴n̶e̷ ̶e̵l̶s̵e̵.̴ ̶S̴t̵i̴l̶l̸,̶ ̵w̴o̸w̸,̸ ̴t̶h̶i̸s̷ ̸h̷a̶s̶ ̵g̶o̶t̵t̶a̵ ̷b̷e̷ ̵a̸ ̴r̸e̷c̶o̷r̷d̶,̶ ̵p̶a̷t̸ ̴y̷o̴u̶r̵s̵e̷l̷f̷ ̸o̸n̷ ̶t̷h̴e̴ ̶b̶a̴c̷k̶-̵-̷ ]


BOTH OF YOU JUST SHUT UP!

[ Hibiki immediately stops as those words rip through her. A siren's Voice is dangerous, but the shift to the Netherworld has taken practically all the bite out of them. Even still, she reflexively tenses up, eyes snapping open as she holds her breath and panic washes over her. ]
nagano: all manga bases by <user name=dresspheres site=tumblr> (lies that i've told that come as)

[personal profile] nagano 2022-10-18 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Don't give in to temptation, Hibiki. You can do it.

...Then again, the more Sixty-nine talks, the more Kaito feels tempted to throw his fist at his damn fae-ce. It doesn't help that he's whipping things out of the nether like it's in vogue.

S̴t̴u̴p̵i̷d̶ ̴f̷u̶c̸k̶i̸n̷g̵ ̷f̸a̵i̶r̷y̵.̵ ̶T̵h̶a̷t̸'̷s̵ ̶O̴U̷R̸ ̴g̵i̷m̷m̶i̷c̶k̷.̶

...I don't often agree with you, but just this once, I'm making an exception.

He's about to grumble when he feels the blonde's gaze (or at least the intent behind it). While Puck drones on, he returns the glance. A small nod to confirm her unasked question.

It's gonna be Weird Fae Shit™.

Kaito looks back to Puck. ]


I'm vaguely familiar. A girl takes in a dragonling, and raises it in secret.
seaboard: (⌜𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎⌟)

[personal profile] seaboard 2022-10-18 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
When he does not fight her, she follows it through, tugging up the spare fabric of her wimple and veil, to begin to blot away the tears with that familiar patter of a mother. Smoothing away the tears, brushing his hair back so it did not stick to his wet cheeks.

Then straightforwardly, directly, guides his head to her, so she can kiss his forehead with soft warmth. Lips gentle as she dotes that affection as sincerely as she would her own children.

"By remembering life was always both." It's the soft counsel of her father, when once she asked why she should feel so much more keenly, it felt, than her siblings, that everything seemed to make her cry, as much as made her happy, why the happiness could not just stay. "It was always the triumph and the agony. The greatest moments, to the deepest valleys of despair. We are capable of both, at all times, and that the good does not take away the bad, nor can the bad, take from us the happiness we feel, either."

But she - especially - knows it is not always so easy to do, by yourself. "In this way, we are connected, all of us, to feel such things, share such things, from the deer in the field to the trees in the forest, to the spirits of the world - and that when the despair is great, to seek that connection, to find those that can counsel us when we cannot remember it for ourselves that even the darkness shall pass, and when our happiness is strong, find those we can help in turn."
regression: (pic#15851247)

[personal profile] regression 2022-10-18 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ They can maybe hear some snickering at random distances, taunting them for their failure. ]

Does it matter?

[ It could just be both? If the goals align... Then the goals align. He doesn't make the rules and that is a correct read on him. ]
dirtdevil: (not wearing pants)

[personal profile] dirtdevil 2022-10-18 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ honestly, seeing this much blood spilled is such a vivid reminder of home—of life, ironically—that he briefly forgets they are all dead here to begin with. and now these unlucky people are what, double-dead? legitimately gone forever? he's not sure if he really wants to know.

once he's satisfied with the way the woman's body is covered, he stands, pulling a white handkerchief out of his jacket pocket to try to wipe some of the blood off his hands. ]


Either way, I'm obviously not just gonna leave a dead body in the street. If there's no procedure, then I guess I'll be digging a grave, too.

[ wouldn't be the first time, unfortunately. imagine dying and still somehow having to dig graves. what a bummer. ]
terraria: art source: remnim@Twitter (● coquettish.)

[suspenseful music plays]

[personal profile] terraria 2022-10-18 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
I don't think it's magic. I can't sense it, and I would be able to.

( where sasuke admits his disadvantage, aspen immediately covers that weak spot of his. so after a moment of consideration, he just nods. )

... alright. Be safe. ( aspen will stay here. and wait. ... he doesn't like that idea, but he's starting to get used to it, given it's the usual instructions he gets nowadays.

he keeps his full focus on puck. he's not like the fae he knows, not entirely - but there is still a startling likeness. the same rules, he thinks. but why are they indulging him? a creeping dread starts to overtake his stomach and he shudders a quiet breath.

fae like to play games.

he hopes puck isn't playing a game right now, and for just a second - a split second, he swears - he looks away from puck to where sasuke disappeared. )
midway: (141)

[personal profile] midway 2022-10-18 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ Cute. ]

I don't think this is meant to be a death trap, so it can't be that hard.

[ He moves over to a clear patch of grass, crouching down to sweep away any dirt or bugs that might be lingering. It's hard to be too worried when he can still hear the sound of children playing tag, and the occasional snippet of conversation in the distance.

Satisfied, he looks back up. ]


You're welcome to join me. Unless this maze is causing you anxiety.
damnpire: (pic#12094805)

[personal profile] damnpire 2022-10-18 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
[hm d is definitely not hierarchy i’m losing it

As instructed, he holds the paper still for her while she takes a picture of it. He also stands patiently while she takes a photo of everything else. Even if he keeps everything in his memory, he wouldn’t say it was a bad idea.]


I don’t mind. It could be helpful.

[He does fold the paper of the scorpion, and it disappears beneath the edge of his cape.]

Maybe there’s a traitor from within.
regression: (pic#15851294)

[personal profile] regression 2022-10-18 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
No, the world survived the apocalypse. I'm alive.

[ Denial first and foremost over the most important part—he shouldn't be here. Still, it's a lot to live through an apocalypse of any kind and endure the dystopia left behind.

Well, the dude isn't bloodletting yet, so he will entertain questions as he collects the bones. Quietly, he wonders to himself if they should clean them?
]

Yes, on a larger scope. It is a spectacle for gods. Worlds end for their entertainment.
sunmon: (pic#14981170)

[personal profile] sunmon 2022-10-18 02:19 am (UTC)(link)
Aren't you?

[ there's a little glimmer in her eyes, black in the flickering lights of the evening.

she breaks first, however, certain that her boldness could have consequences. she distracts herself by looking down, plucking another grablenut from the bag and shelling it with cold fingers. she leans into him, then, biting her lip as she does.
]

I don't know. [ she does know. she wants to see what it looks like for someone to love her, really love her. she wants to sleep through the night, rest easy, knowing there's peace. she wants to destroy the fold and bring the bones of the volcra back to ana kuya and ask if she had done enough to be more than some worthless little orphan.

she eats the shelled nut and, savoring the taste, shuts her eyes.
] I thought I might see the True Sea, one day.
fallingsand: (54;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2022-10-18 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
Sacrifice? [ Alarm flashes across Bruno's face briefly and he pulls his hand back, away from Set, fingers curling against his palm as he dropped to rest against his own chest. Oh boy. All the hunters in this maze had some really weird issues going on, huh? ] What— that's not... you... you know this is just a game, right?

[ He did, didn't he? He had to, only he found himself second-guessing himself even with that thought. Even if he didn't, would it matter? Of course not, that nasty voice in the back of his mind, chillingly similar to his own and yet different all the same, is the only thing that answered him. Why bother? He'd never get away. He'd only make things worse if he ran again. He should have just stayed down where he'd fallen.

And it almost works. A sad, tired air settles around Bruno and the look he gives Set is certainly one of someone who's given up. It's not as though he has any pride, anyway, and yet, there's a lie in that look. He knows he isn't going to win. Just looking at Set tells him that, and yet...
]

Lo siento.

[ Is what he says, words coming out in a different language. He's sorry. Sorry about wh— ah. Sorry about the way he goes from looking absolutely downtrodden to making a dash for it. No, he's not about to outpace a god in the long run, but he is quick now that he's gotten air back into his lungs, and he darts forward rather than trying to spin about and run the other way. It's faster to slip by Set in a flurry of motion and carry on further into the maze. ]
regression: (pic#15851034)

[personal profile] regression 2022-10-18 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ It isn't a bad idea, but the way Joonghyuk's face scrunches illustrates his thoughts. ]

... Abilities are strange here, as a warning.

[ Joonghyuk says during the reprieve. There isn't even a pause for Felix to rethink his command. Placing his hand over Felix's, lighting courses through metal... But it may also run along his body, shock, him and leave his hair standing on end, crunchy and frizzed.

It is up to you, but hey. The weapon is instilled with lightning.
]
terraria: art source: remnim@Twitter (● stutterstep.)

[personal profile] terraria 2022-10-18 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
( oh! aspen perks up a bit when he decides to take a bite.

he opens his mouth to speak - yet he feels an intense, sudden vertigo. gone is the soft, smoldering burn of fire magic digging into the crevasses of his back's scars and welts. gone is the steady weight on his small back, his wings no longer warming his body by aura alone. he's looking - down, instead of up?

the taste of sugar and lemon is on his tongue. he stares down at the cake.

his hands are not this tanned. no, that's not a tan - his skin is darker than it would be. when his vision shifts to look before him, he sees - himself?

he immediately drops the cake, looking at it in horror and confusion. )


What in the - ?!
damnpire: (pic#15956295)

[personal profile] damnpire 2022-10-18 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah. Deflective and straight to the point. Well. He can’t say he doesn’t feel like he’s speaking to himself actually. Funny. Even if it doesn’t show on his face, it brings him some amusement.]

It’s because I’m a dhampir, yes.

[It isn’t the sole reason, but he’s not the type to regale others with childhood experimentation. Ironic that Sasuke, of all people, would actually understand this maybe.

He places the hat again on his head, though his hair beneath is still wet. It is important in its utility.]
windsongs: (Default)

[personal profile] windsongs 2022-10-18 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, that would be the one! A truly tragic tale, no doubt about it!

[ At the first strum of the lute, Hibiki feels something strange. Not quite a tug at her subconscious, but still a familiar sensation nevertheless. One she hasn't felt since coming to this place, but as soon as it stirs, flickering like the flame on a candle, it's gone once more. Did... did she just imagine that? That had to be it, right?

As Puck begins to sing a ballad of a young girl and her beloved pet wyvern, an eerie calm begins to roll in like a fog. The distant cries of harpies go quiet, along with any other sounds from the forest. His voice becomes the only thing that they can hear, as the world outside of the campsite is there and gone in the blink of an eye. Did it even exist to begin with?

A little thought exercise for two nosy Restless to wrestle for another time perhaps. If they make it out of this fairy circle in one piece.

Coming to the end of the tale, the fae bard grins at the pair as he slowly strums the last chord, one note at a time. ]


Though the young girl mourned for the loss of her dearest friend, I believe we all know that a dragon of such power would never be felled by a single spear's strike.

[ WOOSH

From outside the circle, a raucous wind tears through the trees. One gust. Then again. And again; each time growing closer. Hibiki jumps to her feet, her head whipping toward the sound.

The grin on Puck's stupid fae-ce nearly splits it in two, as he also stands, lute winking from existence one more before he grabs both bottle and lantern. Sweeps an arm in to give the two a bow before disappearing like his lute. ]


I hope you two can give this tale a proper conclusion!

[ And right on cue, a massive, green wyvern appears from the void, ricocheting itself at the pair with talons ready to tear through anything in their path. ]
fallingsand: (93;)

[personal profile] fallingsand 2022-10-18 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, uh, you're welcome?" Bruno replies, words still unsure of whether this is all good and fine just yet or... well, he wouldn't know. He's not even sure what's going on apart from the wild guess of the starfish keeping her from bleeding water.

Seawater, in fact. It's almost like he can smell the sea, hear the water, simply by standing close to her, and it's unsettling. The only sea he's ever experienced was the Tempest between the Shadowlands and Stygia, leaving him with no fond memories of such, and so he fidgets and wonders if he should simply vanish into the crowd again. The crowd, the nearest ones still watching, staring, some confused, others wary; as used to strangeness as one must become in such a strange place, something new must be worth some scrutiny. Even Bruno can feel those eyes boring into his back and the urge to flee loses out against the urge to not abandon Gilia to be stared at all alone.

With that in mind, he gives a nervous glance back towards the other people and hasily suggests, "How about we, um. Head outside and get you some fresh air? That. Maybe that'll help? It's getting a little stuffy in here."

And to follow that thought, he'll take a step closer and offer her an arm to lean on. She's taller than him, sure enough, but that won't stop him from lending some support should she want it.
Edited 2022-10-18 02:37 (UTC)
terraria: art source: remnim@Twitter (● reading.)

[personal profile] terraria 2022-10-18 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
I admit, I'm more interested in the wood myself, but yes - the point is to retrieve the lantern. As for a plan, I had hoped to wait to see if anyone came back to the city before formulating one.

( he purses his lips, looking ahead. )

Unfortunately, I haven't seen anyone return. That in itself is troubling. I hope that the scent of other Restless will be thick enough for me to pick up on, and perhaps we can see what has caused everyone to dawdle. ... let us hope they're dawdling, anyhow.
fallendragon: (comtemplative)

sorry I'm late

[personal profile] fallendragon 2022-10-18 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Arrakis didn't know what what violent thoughts were going through Shalem's head, which was probably for the best, but his tense body language was hard to miss. He quickly withdrew his hand with an apologetic smile.]

Sorry I made you uncomfortable.

[His eyes narrowed warily as he watched Shalem roll up his glove. His smile faded under a small frown as he considered arguing more but he didn't want to upset Shalem more than he had. Besides, it would be better to let Shalem put himself in danger instead of him. Arrakis subtly tensed at his shadow's influence and he quickly hid it under a quiet chuckle.]

I'm not sure. Maybe just a little? I don't really know anything about blood magic.

[He had never even heard of blood magic outside of stories before. The last founder offered her blood to the woods and if they didn't retrieve the lantern, another sacrifice would be needed. The old woman's words sent a chill down his spine and he hesitantly pushed past his shadow's whispers of self preservation.]

Are you sure? I can bleed myself so you don't have to and if it helps, my magic can dull the pain.

[As long as it doesn't vanish again but he kept that thought to himself.]
terraria: art source: remnim@Twitter (● halfstep.)

[personal profile] terraria 2022-10-18 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
Is that... who you hunt? These - nobles, you said.
coherer: chemicals make their way (pic#15578446)

[personal profile] coherer 2022-10-18 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
(it'd be an uncanny situation without fukawa becoming triggered by what he's said to her; jonas, who has grappled with panic attacks, seems to immediately deflate. the fear, however, doesn't disappear as instantaneously as his self-righteous anger does, and it even forces him to take a step back when she reaches up to scratch at her head.

this is a girl who presents as mentally unwell.

what would his mother do? to avoid an escalation—violence against others or something self-inflicted—she would've attempted to commiserate by speaking to fukawa. without explicitly offering help, she would've broken the situation down into more manageable components. jonas knows that he is not his mother; in death, can he finally follow the examples his parents set for him?
)

I believe you. I believe you, okay? It's alright, we can hash all this out. (jonas says, hands slowly raising in a peacekeeping gesture, eyes still wide. his face is paler than it was, recalling the way his shadow overrode his control and messaged noctis.

the scariest part is never knowing when he'll lose himself. fukawa might be more familiar with the feeling than most.
)

She said some stuff about a guy she's into and that she wanted to cut him. I... I don't remember his name, I'm sorry. It was B-something, like, a B name, you know? (struggling with words, almost to the point of speech impediment, is what he may be accustomed to, but it doesn't mean it doesn't frustrate him. if only he could spit out what he wanted to say. if only he could be concise, be better.

it'd save a lot of time, and they might be able to go their separate ways more quickly.
)

And then I just—we talked about her being retired and us being dead and what that all meant. "You couldn't escape me if you tried" kind of stuff. I guess she was right about that part, but... I don't know... I haven't—I didn't want to think about any of it, so I just stopped texting.
fessus: (Resident Evil 7)

[personal profile] fessus 2022-10-18 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ The hand coming towards him is seen like a phantom after-image, and his own comes up in a too-late response to knock unhelpfully against his wrist. His correction, attempting to cover-up his lack of coordination with a grasp at Jonas's forearm instead, does not help matters.

He's warm. Warmer than the others.

His grip is slow to loosen, fingers pinching at the material of Jonas's sleeve with a soft tug before he's finally lightly shoving that arm back, even managing a quirk of his lips at how ridiculous they both look right now. And here he thought he was holding it together, or that at least the lingering after-effects of his own various food consumption would've moved on.
]

Okay... It's cool.

... it's actually not, it's a real pain in the ass, but I already basically admitted I had some too so I'm not saying it again... or judging.

–look, are you into this parade? If you're not maybe we can find some place away from all the noise, or at least somewhere to sit down. Then I can know you aren't going to do something stupid and I can get a break.

[ Noctis Lucis Caelum, establishing himself as the responsible one. ]
redsoil: — PLEASE CREDIT! (Default)

[personal profile] redsoil 2022-10-18 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ Why are humans so FREAKING WEIRD? ]

Haa?

[ The sound he makes is a throaty, wordless question; a sharp noise that betrays how utterly confuse he is by the way Bruno's entire everything suddenly begins to collapse in on itself. It is the vague what the fuck of someone who cannot discern what it was that happened between one moment and the next, and who is earnestly surprised when his "prey" takes off at a full sprint into the maze. He'd just said not to run, Bruno!

He shouts something after the fleeing man, in an ancient tongue, that probably translates to the tune of: what the FUCK, before he - too - begins to move in the same direction. Bruno has several yards on him by the time Set's confusion gives way to a flicker of anger; he'd said not to run, he'd said they needed to go to the finish line! What about that was difficult to understand?! ]


You stupid man, get back here! You're making this worse for yourself!

[ SET THAT DOESN'T HELP!!!! ]
terraria: art source: remnim@Twitter (● snide.)

[personal profile] terraria 2022-10-18 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
( yes, because he is a petty bitch.

the idea that he and laurent are friends makes him pause a bit. oh, it's in jest. yes, because they are definitely not friends. )


I would hope I'm good at this! ( he jokes a bit with her in turn, smiling. ) Or else I'll have to throw myself completely into my gardening, and no one wants that. I'll grow oversized sunflowers all over this damn city if I don't have people to look after.

( he adds a violet-red powder to what he'd already been fiddling with - the yellow turns a deep orange with hints of blue before he begins to fold the bandage and wrap her leg up securely. ) There. I've added a soothing agent so the pain you feel is not as harsh, and any blood that will still flow from overzealous walking should be stemmed quickly. I recommend resting for at least five minutes every half hour - really. Have a snack, drink some water, take deep breaths, meditate... if you keep straining your leg like this, your body will have trouble if you are hurt worse.