buttrinthum | TDM #9

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TDM #9

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 in scrawling, jagged lettering that seems a bit... ominous:

“Welcome to my LABYRINTH where your wish, you wish you wish youwishyouwish– Your CONTRACT is SEALED.”

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: Larkspur and Anemone You’ll soon find out that being around the Larkspur makes you almost overwhelmingly tired, to the point you might even feel sluggish and in desperate need of a comfy place to rest. Why not lie down right in the garden? Or better yet, find someone to snuggle up with and sleep your worries away. The only truly strange part? You don’t seem to dream. At all. Straying too close to the Anemones, meanwhile, grants an entirely different effect. One second you’ll be walking through the garden and then suddenly you’re twenty feet away and facing the wrong direction. Even worse, whatever those flowers have done to you will sometimes make it so you “glitch” through solid objects – your leg might suddenly be lodged in the ground despite it being perfectly solid a moment before, or your arm could be shoved halfway into a wall that… actually, was that wall even there before? Nevermind that. The effects only last for a few minutes at worst, so at least you’re not stuck there forever, right?

Liminal Spaces and Worn Out Faces

Thanks to the combined efforts of dreamers and dragons, Vaeros is asleep. No one knows for how long. The locals aren’t particularly pleased with this turn of events and the village is a mess, but at least the moon is high in the sky again and everything is back to normal… relatively speaking. Things start to change... morph into something more dreamy, more surreal. It's subtle at first but after a few days…

The aftermath of the overgrowth, animal attacks, and the overall chaos of Vaeros' tantrum has left the village a little worse for wear. While most of the damages are cosmetic and could be fixed by the local's efforts alone, maybe a little help would be appreciated? If nothing else, it might help alleviate a little bit of the tension still lingering in the air after the events at the castle.

That, and the locals seem to be acting kind of strange. Leaving them to their own devices might not be the best idea. The Gelfling you are aiding in repairing a half-broken wall has been hammering for what seems like hours and when you look to see what they're doing, they haven't actually made any progress - they're just hitting the same spot over and over again, potentially making the hole even bigger. Did the goblin you just passed have a completely blank face for a moment? Others might walk into things, off of things (Starlight Cliff might be a hazard zone), or suddenly and inexplicably become aggressive toward dreamers, grabbing anything they can get their hands on (kitchenware, vegetables, a goose??) to use as a weapon. It's a very bizarre scene and the villagers don't seem to notice there is anything wrong with the people around them.

It’s not just the locals either. The animals have been acting equally strange. There's a wolf inside the clothing shop trying on suits, a goat standing (or trying to stand) on its hind legs, bleating out random words like a town crier while jingling a bell around its neck to get everyone's attention. Where you should find the local baker, suddenly they're replaced with a deer holding a paddle in its mouth to stir up a batch of brownies.

To top it all off, there's an eerie sense of deja vu no matter where you go or what you do. Didn't you just help that goblin with the wheelbarrow an hour ago? So why is it halfway across town again? You could have sworn you had to go and grab groceries, but your pantry is full like someone already had.

Up is Down, In is Out

Days pass and the oddities continue to make themselves more and more apparent. The sidewalks seem uneven and wobbly at times, threatening to toss people walking across them to the ground or even fling them into the air with a sudden violent ripple. Walking through the forest sees the leaves of the trees melting into green goo that sticks to your clothes, your hair, and your skin - potentially staining them green and leaving you in dire need of a bath. You can always wash off in the lake, of course, but even that is not free of the strangeness occurring in Visium. The water of Lake Omen has turned to lava, at least in color; although there is no heat radiating from it when one approaches. That, and the locals are still fishing in it without issue, save the fact that they keep pulling up fish with tophats on.

Speaking of fish - they're raining from the sky now (tophats or not) in all sorts of different colors, shapes, and sizes. Good news! They're still edible. Bad news, they're probably trying to sell you something.

If you do decide to try the fish or any other meal in town, especially those served by the locals, you'll find that it doesn't taste like much of anything and most certainly doesn't fill you up, at least not at first. Everything is bland and unappealing until left in the presence of dreamers - and the more you share the meal with, the faster the taste returns.

Dream Within a Dream Within a Dream Within a Dream Within

Even with Vaeros asleep, only a small portion of the labyrinth is still accessible. Those that attempt to explore will find sections made up of pillows and cushions, and no matter what time of day it is elsewhere, this portion of the labyrinth seems to be stuck in perpetual twilight. Explorers will also immediately feel drowsy, then lulled to sleep by the quiet singing whispered through the air like a lullaby. Anyone brave enough to try and rescue those poor souls from their impromptu naps would be wise to plug their noses and cover their ears with earmuffs to block out the sound.

At night, dreamers dream. They will be visited by the same melody heard in the labyrinth, though it is distant. They will also hear a woman telling them to spend more time together, to bond and create things together in order to soothe the effects of Vaeros' magic growing wild in his dreams. Dreamers will also have the ability to visit other's dreams, meeting in a dreamy light liminal space that will not feel so real when they awaken.

OOC

Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM! 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. Yes, this includes the Labyrinth - though characters will not be able to clear the maze.

You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Loki chuckled, and moved his hands up to cup Puck's cheek and face. "You're being adorable and it's very cute. This is why you inspire sentimentality in me." Loki murmured, before moving to kiss the other's forehead.

"We don't have to do, or not do, anything you don't want to. We're dreaming, and I'm glad simply to be here with you. We can work anything else out when we're awake again."

Puck met Loki's eyes for a moment and then laughed softly at the forehead kiss. "There are worse things than being cute, I suppose."

But joking aside, he considered things and then gave a resolute nod. "No, I think this is the closest I'll get to Manhattan or Avalon for the time being. Besides, you get to see more of my decorating sense." Puck furrowed his brow in thought. "It's.. odd, though. Usually by the time I've realized I'm dreaming, then the dream itself is ready to break down." He lifted his shoulders in a quick shrug. "But I'll take this instead, gladly."

Puck pulled away from Loki and motioned for him to follow down a hallway towards a pair of closed doors. One was unlabeled, the other had a small gold plaque next to it, engraved simply with Wardrobe.

Loki's curiosity was piqued by the room--and apparently what it contained. Unless Puck decided to stop him, he was going to attempt to open the door. It couldn't be quite what he thought it was, could it?

Puck chuckled as Loki opened the door and watched as the motion detecting lights activated. The room was the size of a standard bedroom, but aside from that it looked like any wardrobe area from a high end store.

On one side of the room was a row of suits, all various shades of dark blue or near black, along with dress shirts and ties. A shoe rack held loafers. On the opposite side of the room was a mirror with lighting around the edges to check everything. There was plush carpeting and tasteful lights overhead.

Puck stepped into the room and looked around with an idle stretch. "Why Xanatos thinks I need a wardrobe when I use magic, I have no idea. Probably to sell that Owen is well paid."

Loki moved in, and dream or not, was very clearly inspecting the quality of the garments. Cut, fit, material--although he supposed that would have to be stricken from judging because dream. "He doesn't strike me as a man who leaves many things to chance alone from your descriptions, so him selling it doesn't surprise me." It all fit the picture; Loki approved.

Inspection complete, he turned to Puck and smiled, hands going behind his back in an almost at rest position and posture. "He also should take pains and appreciate you properly, as Owen or as Puck. If he did not and does not, then I would have words with him."

There were no brand names or even designer signatures on any of the tags, like Loki might have been expecting, but the cut, fit, and materials all suggested that Xanatos both had the money to spend and did so easily to make sure Owen was outfitted.

Puck grinned at Loki's pose and laughed at his statement. "I'm sure you would. I wouldn't be working for Xanatos if he was treating me badly." he assured as he moved to pull Loki into a sudden hug.

"The concern is appreciated."

Loki let himself relax in the hug, wrapping his arms tightly around Puck and nuzzling the top of his head. "You, my dear Robin, have a huge heart and once you give it, you give it completely. I worry about you being hurt with it, even as I know you're strength."

"It's cute how well you can sense that." Puck murmured as he held the hug for a moment. "I don't give it that easily, even though your worry is appreciated." Puck was friendly, yes, but he didn't trust everyone easily.

Puck blinked and looked over his shoulder towards the door suddenly as another snippet of music sounded out from the office. Another joke, but Puck wasn't laughing. Yet.

He moved away from Loki slowly, headed to the door and opened it with, "All right, that's impossible. Or I'm more homesick than I want to admit."

As the door opened to show the hallway, a tall businessman in an equally well tailored suit walked through the office door and into the hallway properly.

"Really? You're going to look at everything happening right now and say it's impossible, Puck?" the deep and bemused voice of David Xanatos cut through everything, and carried easily.

It was a dream--dreams could be strange things. Especially involving fae, and especially in Somnius apparently. Loki's presence was probably affecting things too, helping anchor it since he wanted to see Puck's life.

Loki let him move, and watched, then studied the man before them both. Then he moved over to circle around Xanatos, studying him from all angles. Assessing, watching, before stopping beside him and smiling in approval. "Dream representation or not, you're quite correct." Loki murmured, then turned to Puck. "And I do not blame you or judge you for being homesick. I...am homesick myself a lot of the time. I just try to hide it."

They could be, and Puck knew to expect that. Still, it was surprising.

Meanwhile, Xanatos watched as Loki gave him a once over. He chuckled, but then fell quiet.

Puck looked at Loki with the comment and then simply pulled him back into a hug, squeezing gently. "Same. No judgement, or blame. But I'm here and I can help if it gets to be too much."

Loki shouldn't have been surprised by the hug, but he was. Still he went easily into the embrace, and returned it with a kiss against Puck's hair too. "You do help, in far more ways than I think you realize." Loki murmured softly against that hair too. Holding the embrace for several moments, before he disengaged.

"So yes, your boss has now appeared. Will he be taking over the tour, or shall we fill him in on what you've been up to?"

"Good." Puck answered softly. At Loki's comment, Xanatos laughed, loudly.

"Oh no. I don't have a guide book to this, and I don't make moves without knowing where my feet are going to land. What have you been up to, Puck?" Xanatos asked.

Puck straightened up and answered simply and succinctly: "We're currently in my dream, Mr. Xanatos. The world is a mix of both Avalon and Manhattan magic wise, and set in the past as far as architecture. We have theories that the ruler or someone posing as the ruler is a fairy-- No, not one of Oberon's." he answered smoothly, before he added. "If it's also not obvious, I've found love."

Xanatos, like Loki had earlier, nodded as he took everything in. "Well, congratulations are in order. I would send some wine, but I doubt it would travel." That got Puck to laugh. Even in a dream, his version of Xanatos felt very familiar.

"The man has manners. Which I suspected, but am glad to have confirmed. Shame I won't meet him outside of a dream." Loki remarked, his hand seeking Puck's and twining their fingers. "I also am glad to confirm that Puck is valued as himself, as well as Owen. There would be words between us otherwise, and I doubt you'd want that." Loki said with mischief in his smile.

"Please. We obviously both value Puck, why would there be animosity?" A smooth dismantling of things, and Puck could have sworn he was almost back home. "Now that everything's been confirmed to my satisfaction, I have business to attend to. Keep doing what you're good at, Puck, in the meantime. Good evening to both of you." With a business polite nod, Xanatos stepped back into the elevator. With an approving head tilt to Puck, the doors closed a moment later and he was gone.

Puck's shoulders shook as he laughed and held onto Loki's hand. "He does, yes. It probably would have been decent wine. A shame." But really Puck was as amused by Loki meeting some version of Xanatos as he was by everything else.

"As I said, a shame I won't meet him outside of a dream. I think I'd enjoy conversations and occasionally meddling in his affairs." Loki murmured, bringing their joined hands up to kiss Puck's.

Puck smiled at the kiss. "It is, I could see you both enjoying each others company." The idea of Loki trying to meddle made Puck laugh a little. "Oh? How would you meddle exactly?"

"Oh ways that wouldn't make more trouble for you. Just a bit of fun." Loki murmured, mischief clear in his smile and eyes. "Things to test his cleverness and ingenuity, to amuse. Better you don't know, so you can be surprised too."

"Oh? I'm intrigued and looking forward to it." Which Puck realized was a little foolish. There was a very low chance that Loki would never get to visit his version of Manhattan. But since that chance wasn't fully at zero, Puck held onto the idea and tried to think of things Loki would do if the opportunity presented itself.

"I do like fun, of course, along with a good surprise every now and then. Speaking of-- you should see my bedroom." It wasn't a surprising bedroom at all, but Puck felt his cheeks growing a little warm at the idea. But he would still show it to Loki.

"Wherever you'd like to take me and show me, my dear Robin." Loki said softly, before leaning in to kiss Puck quickly and sweetly. "I will say, that for all my experience I don't think I've ever had sex while sharing a dream with another. For what that's worth." With a teasing wink too.

"Of course." Puck's coloring deepened a bit at the kiss before he gave a little hum- half amused, half caught off guard by Loki's comment. "Well, I wasn't going to suggest anything around that-- and I haven't either, if we're sharing things never done; but it's good to know."

Cheeks still red, he headed to the bedroom door and opened it with a soft click. Much like with the wardrobe, when Puck crossed the threshold, the lights activated. Softer lightning this time, helped along by strategically placed lamps. The floor was covered in a dark forest green and the walls were a muted tan. Various pieces of framed art hung on the wall, some modern, some old, none following any sort of theme.

The bed was large- easily a King, and decorated with enough pillows that Puck would have forgiven Loki for assuming it was nothing but a mass of them pretending to be a bed. The bedding was dark navy, with gold accents on the ends, and off to the side was a chest holding heavier bedding for colder months. There was an end table on the left side of the bed that held a reading lamp and a cup holder for water, if it was needed.

A soft electrical hum sounded from the opposite wall as a small fridge came into view, holding bottles of chilled water and a few containing tea. There was a mirror off to the side, which connected to a standard full bathroom. All in all it gave the impression that someone had looked at an apartment and simply dropped it into place. Puck turned to face Loki and gestured backwards.

"Here we are, then. My bedroom."

Puck continued to be endearing, and Loki gave a soft smile. Following the other, and then parting once they were inside with a squeeze of his hand so Loki could look around more fully. It all fit 'Owen' well, saying nothing about the man unless you knew how to read him.

Exploration done, Loki turned to walk back to Puck and simply wrapped him up in his arms. "It fits 'Owen' very well. I think I prefer your cottage over all, but this is very nice too. Especially because it's also part of your life."

That was part of the fun of being Owen, really. As Loki hugged him Puck laughed softly. "They both have their place, I think." he murmured. The penthouse Xanatos provided did fit Owen, but Loki was right that there were clues hidden in plain sight that Owen wasn't the only one who lived there.

Puck held onto Loki for a few moments and then smiled. "Thank you." he said softly with a kiss to Loki before he pulled away and gestured to the mini fridge.

"Would you like a drink? Nothing alcoholic, but you're welcome to them."

There was a playful grin.

"Or would you like to see if there's a bed beneath all of the pillows?"

"It wouldn't surprise me to find that it's all just a giant pillow under them all, rather than a bed." Loki teased. "I'll also refrain from picking you up and tossing you on it, if you'd like. I'm half-tempted to dive into the pile myself I admit." All playful manner and contentment because Puck was there.

Puck laughed and shook his head. "No, there's actually a bed! But I'm glad you won't be throwing me onto it." Speaking of playful, Puck grinned and transformed into Owen.

"Though you're easier for me to lift in this form. But I won't. If you want to dive into the pile, feel free."

There was another flash as Puck turned back into himself and headed to the fridge, opening it. While the main body had a mix of bottled water and plain black tea, the door of the fridge held various juices and sodas. Things that Owen wouldn't drink. Another bit of humor.

"If you'd prefer to throw me on to the pillows, I don't mind. Would you rather I have my way with you or you have your way with me?" Loki teased, watching Puck. He'd probably stick with water or tea, maybe juice.

TDM #9

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