buttrinthum | TDM #6 OVERFLOW

Arrival / Enchanted Garden

Whether it be sleep or death, you feel your eyes close, and as your body begins to let go, you see a barn owl that is flying through the darkness, soon sweeping you across the clouded sky. You feel yourself mouth the words, “I wish, I wish..” and utter your deepest and darkest desire.

When you regain consciousness, you’ll find you are in an unfamiliar place with no recognition of how you arrived here. You have the clothes on your back, but nothing else. No weapons and if you had a particular superpower, you’ll notice it is missing. All you have is a satchel with a piece of bread, a vial of water and a potion. The potion could be red, blue or golden. There are no instructions about these potions other than two words: Drink Me.

Will you drink it or not?

There is a parchment, handwritten, and it simply gives you a welcoming:

“Welcome to my Labyrinth. Per our agreement, you have consented to live your life here for an undetermined amount of time. In exchange, I will grant you the wish that you desire the most.”

You’re in a garden, surrounded by flowers and plants– most of which you cannot identify. However, there are a few that you can make out: holly and bluebells.

Standing too close to the bluebells for too long or smelling them will make a Dreamer unable to refuse requests. This can last for however long a player may wish, whether it be for a few days or just a few minutes. The holly, however, also gives off a strange effect when getting too close to it: Dreamers will feel compelled to be more helpful & outgoing, no matter how gloomy and closed off they are. This effect can also last for a few days or a few minutes-- it is up to the player!

Eventually, Dreamers will find their way out of the Enchanted Garden and into the city of Somnius, whether it be by following the alluring light or on their own.

Webby's Sleepover Extravaganza

It’s funny how if you ask for something, sometimes that’s all it takes to have it given to you. Maybe Webby is just that lucky, or Vaeros is feeling just that generous the day it’s requested but for two days and one night only in the beginning of the month of November, a large castle stands where one didn’t before. It’s grand in that it doesn’t need repairs like some of the available housing does, but it’s certainly nothing too awe-inspiring. But, it’s big enough for its purpose—a sleepover party for every inhabitant new or old.

During the night a few days before the party, EVERY person receives a handwritten invitation to this sleepover blowout. It doesn’t matter who, young or old. For those who wake up in Somius after the invitations arrive, they’ll find an invitation just for them in their pocket or satchel, like they were always meant to be invited from the beginning.
Decorations are bright and colorful, spanning the whole rainbow. One giant room full of cots and sleeping bags, blankets and pillows has been made to be the centerpiece of the whole affair. This is where most of the partygoers will mingle and play games, if they’re not too busy with one of the other activities located in one of the other rooms nearby. There’s plenty of room to wander, though any room that has not been decorated and made up for the party is locked down completely with no way in. There are, of course quiet spaces provided for those who need a quick getaway from all the partying. Or maybe going outside for a stroll in the night garden would be calming too?

For those who don’t have anything appropriate to sleep in, pajamas are even provided. But they might be a little silly, since beggars can’t be choosers. Who wants the unicorn fuzzy pajamas?

Games Galore - There’s plenty to play with, at Webby’s insistence (and by insistence we mean she gives you the biggest doe-eyes you’ve ever seen) and she’s more than happy to give you overly-detailed means on how to play the following -

🎉Twister - a huge sheet blotted with colorful spots has been laid on the floor, along with a square with similar colors and a spinny arrow. The rules are simple - one person spins the arrow, and where it lands you put your foot or hand. First to fall loses, so amp up the embarrassment - er, fun as you all get tangled up with each other.
🎉Truth Or Dare - Two options, one chance for chaos. Surely you’re all going to be mature individuals and not ask mortifying questions or dangerous dares.
🎉Pin The Tail On The Donkey - Yes, Webby’s sole guardian was a woman whose idea of fun was from the 1950s, how did you know? But she’s also put up optional sheets of different animals to stick their tail/bodyparts on while you’re blindfolded, including past threats like zombies and skeksis.

Bountiful Buffet - The best way to stay up late is to stuff yourself silly with sugar, which is why the dining room table is loaded with all kinds of desserts. Remy and Aurora have supplied some of their own sugary confections, and you’re more than welcome to have added your own creations to the buffet. Just don’t start any food fights. At least not where Webby can see it!

As though the castle (or whoever ACTUALLY owns it) wants to help assist the party atmosphere, those who partake of the food might feel a little more inclined to be friendly and amenable to party activities. You know, just for those gloomy gusses out there. There are no drawbacks to this little bit of fairy dust, just a little bit of social greasing, you know?

Makeover Makeover Makeover - Vil has ever so kindly offered his beauty supplies for those of you who want to experiment with some new looks, and you’re free to have brought your own. Test it out on one another or try it out yourself. Then again, when he’s not looking, what’s to stop you from trying to paint yourself up like a B-movie monster?

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark - Some of you may have had more than enough of your share of frights due to last month’s… fun, but surely you can handle a bit more fright? In a dark room with only one light torch, gather in a circle and share a spooky story from times gone by. Just be prepared for that one person who always sneaks up from behind and goes BOO at the right time. It’s inevitable.

Pillow Fight - Pick a side or be a lone warrior, grab a pillow and show no mercy! The last one standing wins! The only rule is your pillow is your sole weapon! In fact, there seem to be more pillows available than there are people here, so let the feathers fly! If the castle magically produces more, who’s to say? Shrug and keep the battle going!

Bonfire of Growth

CW: memory share, character specific trauma

Some may be aware that harvest season is a season of growth and not just in the cultivating sense. Townsfolk take this time to evaluate themselves and really think about things in their lives that have potentially been holding them back from being their strongest and truest selves. With the newly accessible Indigo Beach providing plenty of room for multiple bonfires, Dreamers will see several bonfires stretched across the dark blue sand, logs and rocks assembled around each one, beckoning Dreamers near.

As soon as they step out on the beach’s sands, characters will find a slip of paper on their person (in their pocket, up their sleeve.. any readily accessible portion of their clothing.) On that piece of paper, they will have a personalized phrase catered to them, making them remember a painful memory that has held them back in some way. The phrase can be anything players want it to be as long as it jogs the memory back into the head of their characters. Those with a paper slip will feel compelled to sit around the bonfire and contemplate their memory; they also will feel encouraged to share that memory with anyone who is sitting nearby. If characters choose to throw the paper slip into the fire, those who have heard the story of their grief will have a very vivid visual of the event in their mind’s eye along with feeling the exact pain they went through as well.

Once these memories are shared and characters take a moment to grieve, they will feel significantly better about the past situation that caused them so much pain. This can be temporary or permanent, it’s up to the player.

Although refreshments won’t be provided, Dreamers are encouraged to bring their own. And yes, something adjacent to s’mores can be something characters may bring.

Suspicious Message #4

On the morning of the 1st, some dreamers will receive a message from an unknown user.

Who or what from home do you miss the most?

They will feel compelled to respond with a truthful answer, as if their brains had gone into a trance, and before they know it, their response will be there for everyone to see. It cannot be deleted or changed. The user will not respond personally, but you get the sense they are definitely reading.

[ This is an additional network option for characters to interact with. Feel free to add a network prompt into any of your top levels. If you do not want to interact with this prompt, simply assume your character did not get the message. All threads are public unless actively privated by characters. We generally encourage threadjacking and engagement, so feel free to mention if threadjacking is fine with you so that others are aware. Note that the NPC will not be actively responding. ]

OOC

Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM OVERFLOW! All events are game canon. New characters (invited or not) and old characters alike are welcome to play in it. Existing characters can start their own logs or network posts for the event if they wish to. Those who wish to can move their old threads here to continue them without the threat of capcha. This is an opportune time to try someone new out with a fresh and wild TDM!

New and Old characters are welcome to top level on the TDM. Please state in the header if you are a new or old player! Also, new characters may link their top levels under the new character comment so they are easier to find. Thanks for your cooperation!

New characters will arrive depowered and with only their clothing, and will be given a satchel with a crystal pendant, a communication device, some water and bread and a magic potion. If they drink the potion, they will manifest an elemental, healing or animal transformation ability.

With the exception of Castle Vaeros, characters are free to go as they please, so feel free to place them in any of the locations available on the map.

You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below. Special thank you to Melissa for the player plot and prompts!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[From here.]

[Oh, sweet child...]

Of course. If it's yours, why couldn't you control it?

Have you not tried?

I have tried.

[ It's a little embarrassing to admit. The fact that he has tried, but that it still feels like he's getting nowhere closer to actually controlling it. Maybe the only reason he can admit to as much right now is the fact that this is text communication, so at least nothing about his facial expression or tone is passed along with the words.

And even then.. he feels pretty embarrassed admitting this, even to a total stranger. ]

Maybe there are just some people out there incapable of controlling this sort of thing. That has to be it, right? That I am just one of those people.

I doubt that very much. Perhaps you simply don't understand it well. Water can be as timid as mountain stream or as violent as a tidal wave. As vast as an ocean or as shallow as a puddle. And always, it reflects the sky above. Perhaps it knows the hesitance in your heart, and it acts accordingly?

[ There's a slight pause before Inigo's reply arrived, like he had to think about that one pretty deeply.

After all, he's never considered it in the way the other is putting it now. ]

Is it all that deep? I thought water was just.. water.

Is anything ever really "just" anything?

You might try going to the ocean sometime. Put your feet in the water and let yourself feel the pull of the tide. Listen to the crash of the waves as they break, and feel the way they claw the sand out from beneath you.

Or stand under a rainstorm. Feel the patter of the droplets on your skin, listen for the rumbles in the air. Look to the sky and see the expansive clouds hanging there, the way they hold themselves near to bursting and the patience that must take to know their limit so fully.

And once you've experienced your fill, try to identify something of that nature in yourself. It may help you connect better. Just mind you don't catch cold.

You think that might work? I mean, I have never tried anything like that before.

[ But at least he is starting to consider all of this now, even if it might be a little hard for a guy as simple-minded as Inigo..

He's trying, though. ]

I guess feeling nature is something anyone can do, so that part shouldn't be that hard.. But how do I then find that in myself? I'm not a storm. Or an ocean. I can't compare to any of those things at all.

Do you think you're anything like nature?

[If only he knew how funny that question was to ask her. Alas. She'll have to be amused for the both of them.]

With a name like "Iris", I would hope to be something like nature. (But don't take my joke too seriously. You don't need to be a flower to find your similarities.)

Truthfully I like to watch birds, and I often find myself in them. The playfulness of a magpie, the curiosity of a chickadee, the ingenuity of a raven, the poise and dexterity of a hummingbird's flight. Just to name a few.

Why do you think you can't compare to an ocean or a storm? What do you see in them, or not see in yourself?

[ .. it's a pretty name, he thinks. At least Inigo is aware enough this conversation is a little too serious to bring that up, but the thought crosses his mind all the same before he moves to write a reply. ]

They are so big. So strong.

I am nothing like that. Most people aren't. Aren't we all humbled in the face of nature's size?

[He doesn't need to flatter her name. His thoughts are charming her enough as is.]

I would hope. But shouldn't we feel inspired as well?

A storm doesn't appear overnight. It travels vast distances, draws itself together bit by bit. A single raindrop is only a precursor to a flood.

If you feel overwhelmed, then maybe you'll find common ground with a bubbling stream rather than an ocean.

[ She obviously can't hear it, but he lets out a soft laugh to himself.

It doesn't sound very happy though. ]

Since neither of us are going far anytime soon?

[ Between him and the bubbling stream. ]

[She doesn't have to hear that laugh to read it in his response unfortunately.]

Since a stream is small and not yet an ocean.

I'm sure it must also feel intimidated, don't you think? That its banks couldn't be nearly so broad as the gulf between an ocean's shores. But it will be one day, if it keeps moving forward.

[ ...

There's a slight pause.

He's thinking about it, actually, rather than going along with the more automatic response - which is to write something that puts himself down. ]

Are you usually this poetic?

Please don't misunderstand me. I don't mean that in a bad way at all. It is more just that I have never read anyone writing things like these before, or thinking about things in these terms.

I often am, yes. I won't take offense, don't worry.

I'll admit that I'm inclined to more flowery prose, but I find it hard to believe that you've never heard anything like this before. Has no one tried to inspire you?

I guess we were always a little too busy with other things in my world to really think about stuff like this.

[ It feels like the easiest way to put it. Inigo doesn't want to drag anyone from his world, after all, nor does he want to go into the very depressing reality of things back there.

As long as he doesn't have to go more deeply into it than this, it'll be fine, he figures. ]

Or maybe it was just never said around me.

Perhaps the words were difficult. They often are.

[She doesn't know much about the boy or his situation, and she has no interest in speculating or inquiring about it just yet, but that much truth she can offer him. Words were painful at times, carving paths and building walls around feelings that simultaneously resisted those constraints; and yet crucial to bridge that gap between people. A costly but sometimes worthwhile trade, especially from one lonely soul to another.]

I hope mine have moved you a little at least. I can't imagine that we would manifest these particular abilities if we weren't capable of using them well.

[ Well, as difficult as some of these thoughts have been, one thing is very clear to Inigo. Clear enough that he has to express it, especially when it's only the polite thing to do when someone goes out of their way for you like this. ]

It means a lot to me that you were willing to tell me all this in the first place. Truly.

If anything, I owe you for your kindness. If there is ever anything I can help you with, please let me know. It is the least I could do.

[That the boy misinterprets her intent as kindness is amusing, but not unusual. She plays her hand well when it's needed--not that it is needed here, but it feels... right. In a way. An echo of something that words once again can't contain. A flower that blooms a little brighter in the back of her thoughts.]

It's no trouble. A debt should cost something, I think, and this didn't cost me anything.

If anything, then I hope you'll let me know how your progress goes.

TDM #6 OVERFLOW

[Inigo]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject