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

Hmph. I can figure that much out, it doesn't give heat. [ So she says, but it seems she does not feel comfortable with it regardless. The fish in her hand, that she had happened to been holding for some time now. Brought with her around the area, from a point and time it had been raining talking fish. It some how now, manages to slip from her hand. Diving straight into the strange water lava. The splash back causes BB to squeak in terror at first, and she hides behind Zelda for protection.]

STUPID WATER! UGH, I'm not afraid of it - it's just stupid. I hate glitches like this, that Vaeros guy needs to fix his coding already.

[ BB is, impeding on Zelda's boundaries, still hanging directly behind her. ]

Ah!

[Despite knowing the 'lava' isn't real, Zelda still shields her face when the fish splashes into the water. Only a few drops hit - normal water after all. She lets out a sigh of relief and twists around to give BB a sympathetic look. That kind of thing would startle anyone.]

It's hard not to think that it should hurt, I know. But - I'm not sure what you mean by 'glitches'?

[Or coding, but one thing at a time.]

[ The sympathetic look, makes BB pull away just slightly. Not liking the idea that she is being treated sweetly by some random person she just met. It makes her gears churn in a way that causes the feeling in her gut to swell like she is ill in some way. After all, BB just used her as a meat shield for her own safety, and here the girl had offered her sympathy in the form of a look.]

Whatever, [ In regards to knowing or not knowing, ] what is this another helpless huu - [ Her ears, ] er, fae..? Huh, [ As if nothing else mattered, a most serious look crosses her face and BB asks promptly. ] what year are you from?

[What an odd girl this is. Answering questions with other questions. Zelda sits back on her heels and presses her lips together slightly. It isn't as though she hasn't had similar questions of everyone else, but there are better ways to go about it. Like not calling her 'helpless', for one.]

I'm a Hylian, thank you. [She's not going to address the helpless comment. And the second question is harder to answer than BB might think.] I don't know that that would be useful to answer. We are likely not from the same place.

[Zelda's seen BB's ears too, of course. Those don't really happen in Hyrule.]

[ In the large expanse of data that surmises BB in this tiny youthful body. She is unable to find a lick of information regarding the race of persons Zelda mentions. The quandary set in place, makes her face scowl slightly. ]

Are you lying? [ She says, giving another look. Though, the way Zelda seems to hold herself doesn't give BB the idea of a liar. What likely transpired here, is she is from a branch that is off set of the current singularities. Meaning BB could have no data over her - or, it's more simple then that. That the girl in front of her, is from another Universe entirely. ] No - no, no, no .... You look too much like a nice girl to lie.... My Name, it's BB.

No! [The accusation gets an immediate exclamation out of her.] Why would you even ask that?

[It's a bit much. Only then BB seems to think better of it and is introducing herself instead. Zelda's just as baffled by this as she was by the fish with hats.]

Well - mine is Zelda. [A huff.] Which I hope you accept as the truth.

Because obviously - you could be lying! Humans love to lie after all - but well, I guess you aren't, human. So I can't hold anything against you just yet. But Zelda - huh? What a unique name, very main character energy. [ BB rudely gives her a look up and down, again - like she hasn't done this enough already with Zelda. ] So like, if you have pointy ears - aren't you like, a fae creature or something? You don't have to hide yourself with me - you can tell me your secrets pointy ear lady.

Don't you think it's a bit rude to make assumptions like that before even knowing someone?

[Girl, please. Zelda gets to her feet, not really keen to stay kneeling while BB is scrutinising her like this.]

I don't know what you mean by 'fae'. Ears like mine are normal where I'm from, for Hylians and some other peoples. In fact its ears like yours that I find unusual.

[She has been doing her best not to think of Ganondorf every time she sees little round ears. It helps that people otherwise don't look like the Demon King, but it's still unfortunate.]

Oh, it totally is rude to make assumptions like that before knowing someone. [ BB admits this very casually, as if it were just a fact of truth. She even adds, ] I would even go as far to say, that is the point.

[ Rising to her feet, she stands there beside Zelda with a coy and challenging smile. In BB's head, she wants to continue goading the other in this format. The information that spills out from Zelda's lips is priceless to BB. With what little information she has on hand, BB feels she needs more. ] Yeah? So I guess your 'Hylians' are the only race of people that live on your land? Otherwise, you know, you'd see rounder ears like mine.

No. There are other races, and some have very different appearances from mine.

[This doesn't feel like a friendly sharing, so Zelda's less keen to explain why. She's already off balance from this interaction.]

I notice you haven't said what you are.

Well, you never asked! [ BB retorts, full of such snarky and whimsical banter. She follows up with it, adding in a question she already knows the answer to, but wants to ask anyway. ] That is to say, giving it some more thought... Well, even if I did tell you. I'm not sure you yourself would understand - but want me to tell you anyway?

[Zelda huffs, annoyed now.]

I don't actually expect to know or understand everything I encounter here. If you'd rather not say, that's fine. I'd just hoped you would return the favour.

Now, now - you can't just expect to receive things out of the kindness of someone's heart! What do you think this is, a charity? [ So she says, letting that sour exchange sit between them. BB does not give time to retort, or even point out her rude banter. She then says, quickly ] It's fine, for you though, I will at least humor telling you.

BB [ Meaning her. ] is an Artificial intelligence overseeing the super computer called the Moon Cell. Operating it's core functions, which primarily is observing the Planet Earth since the dawn of the ages.

Round of applause! [ She claps for herself, and bows slightly. ] Thank you, thank you! So my roundish cute ears? [ She tugs them gently, ] They are this way, because my form at this time reflects that of who lives on Earth! Humankind! So, I am human looking. Not human though. Like...

I am the most beautiful and sexiest looking human actually. [ Her opinion, not truth. ] BB made herself look this way~! By giving herself bigger boobs, I maxed out my stats on being devilishly sexy and cute! Most humans don't naturally have them that big.

[All of that is enough to startle Zelda into silence for a moment. Some of it she can follow - artificial intelligence must be similar to what the Zonai constructs were. Though it's hard to imagine this girl being a construct. 'Super computer' is unfortunately beyond Zelda, but if she can pick up the thread otherwise...]

Then you are ... a created being? Do you run on some kind of power source?

[See, she knows some things. If she weren't so off-balance she'd be full of other questions. Unfortunately, when it comes to the bragging about her body? Zelda just ends up blushing.]

I-I see. All right, I understand.

[She'd rather talk about power circuits than sexy status.]

Oh wow! You could follow. [ Genuine surprise leaks from her lips, and the slight coo of curiosity wanting to know more why that is, can be found within BB's expression. ]

Ne, ne~~~! Are you embarrassed by BB's sexiness? [ Teasing and prying at the situation, moving on to indirectly compliment her. Yet, only in a way that makes it as if BB is still higher up in this hierarchy she made... From insulting to complimenting, welcome to BB's chaotic world. ] It's okay, you know. You have like blonde hair and green(?) eyes, you've got all the traits to compete with Devlish BB's looks. Not that it matters really, when you consider who all is walking around in this place.

Not all of it, but some of it I understand. I've seen constructs before.

[Those were segmented stone beings, however. Not at all like a seemingly living/breathing person standing in front of her. And -- oh, why does it have to be about sexiness? It's just not something she was brought up to even think about!]

I don't -- I'm not trying to compete. I just don't think about it much. [Moving on--] There's so much else going on that it's the last thing on my mind.

'Constructs,' huh? Sounds interesting and unique, we have nothing like that where I am from~~ ! [ At least, direct in the terminology used by Zelda. ] But! With everything going to crazy, its good to make sure to practice self care~! Anyway, unless you have cool information about what is going on. BB-chan can be on her way~~! BB was just passing by and looking at the weird magma when I saw you by it. Honestly thought you would jump right in.

[A sigh. Zelda isn't the best person to ask, as she doesn't have all of the information. Still... better to be helpful than not.]

From what I've been told, this place isn't usually this strange. The lake -- [She points at the lava effect] -- and other unusual things like this are apparently because the ruler of this land is asleep.

Ho ~ Ho ~! Yes, it seems you do know some things about this strange place. I'm pretty sure we are like in a Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream world. The whole, everything is a dreamy gaze, with fairy like wonder and chaotic vibes! Never know what strange thing can happen next, like that weird talking fish that jumped into the lake. [ BB rolls along the balls of her feet, up and down them. Moving her body in a gentle sway, a little playful and mildly bored. ] You ever been in a dream world?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TDM #9

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