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.

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[There will be a long silence at the revelation over being in another dimension along with the knowledge that her powers were now...

Sitting up immediately at the revelation, she will lower her hands as she begins to observe her surroundings once more realizing that -- her new surroundings were very different to what she was used to. This was definitely nothing like the city she was currently in not too long ago. Not to mention, her body was not regenerating or healing itself by using the water droplets surrounding her.]

How...?

[The thought in being in another dimension will leave her...]

Is this the Nevu's doing!? Was I brought here because Amara defeated me!? She never said anything about collecting me!? Neither did Astarok! Why am I here!?

[Angry. Very angry. Because...]

She said I had less than 5 minutes to save the city and the orphans! It was the least she can do after all the years we've been friends! For giving her a good fight! They both promised!

^{[The Doctor replies in a reassuring and calming voice]}

His name is Vaeros. He teleported all of us here. Into this garden. All of us.

More than likely; no time is passing in your universe and you're suspended here in this bubble universe. Why you're here is anyone's guess. Maybe Vaeros is lonely, despite having locals, already. Or it's just some sort of sick game.

[Give her time to think over his words because her human brain is trying to process it all....in a very slow rate. Where is her Nevu speed thinking gone to? She'd like that back, please and thank you.

In an even voice, with an livid undertone.]

Can you absolutely guarantee it? [Getting up from the flower bed just to look at him square in the eye.] That we're in a bubble universe where time is suspended in my reality at this very moment!?

[That's the detail that really matters to her.]

I can say we're in a bubble universe and math would say that time doesn't sync between bubble universes and our universe.

[...............................................

Sigh.

~~You're glad the mun doesn't have more icons or else this will be reactionary ones for comedic purposes.~~

Hands on her face, bringing to slowly down her face for a bit...

Only to be reminded her face still hurts. Ow.

Sitting back down on the ground, she'll just nod her head.]

Right, right. [A pause. Give her human brain a second.] In these bubble universes, time might not line up the same way it does in ours, according to math, is what you're saying huh?

[Why does it feel she's had this conversation with a certain AI before? Just more about...]

Did your species figure out how parallel universes work?

^{[The Doctor continues to watch her with kind eyes]}

Yes, and they did and they would even travel to them.

[She'll nod her head in acknowledgement as it helps her calm down. The conversation was helping. It reminded her of her talks with the AI of her father -- which she named Aiba. He reminded her a little of him. A more human version, that is, which she found a little ironic to think about. A weak smile will appear for a brief moment until...returning her attention to the Doctor in a more accepting disposition.]

So? What else should I know about this new place? How long have you been here?

Thar's a labyrinth that leads to the Castle where Vaeros is. Been here a few Earth months.

^{[Even if he's been told he's been here before]}

Do you think you can sit up?

[A castle, huh? She'll begin to look around her surroundings once more, trying to remember the chain of events. Wasn't she walking at some point? Before hitting the flower bed? Hm. Something did originally persuade her to move...right?

A few Earth months? In other words, time moved similar to Earth. That is if is the same version as the one she's from. As much as she doesn't want to assume, she had no other way to measure or compare, might as well stick to something familiar.

The Doctor's next inquiry will bring her back to the present. Confused. Wasn't she...already sitting upright? Once the realization dawned on her, she'll find herself laying on the flower bed. Again. Huh? When did that...?]

I'll try...

[Carefully sitting up, she'll try to get onto her feet only for her foot to....huh????]

So...is this normal...?

[Her foot has sunk further into the grass, maybe even beyond it as she couldn't feel said grass right now or anything for that matter. The sudden movement will get her to land on her behind as her other foot is the only thing touching the actual ground.]

[The Doctor slowly comes to standing as she sits upright.]

Careful.

[He can't do anything expect watch as she goes onto her behind. He places a hand on the side of his face as he tries to figure out why that happened.]

Are you able to fly from where you're from, normally?

[She'll try to pull her foot out of the ground. Finding it a little difficult to do on her own. Which was annoying but...]

I normally float or slide around.

[She could fly but only when she was in her other form. Ah. How to explain?]

I use my hair to create my own clothes and accessories. You know, like dresses, shoes, gloves, or just outfits in general. I don't normally touch the ground whenever I have them on. I levitate a tiny bit due to it.

In that case -

[The Doctor offers his hand as he stands.]

Let me help you adjust to walking.

Can you tell me a bit more about where you're from?

[There may be some hesitation on her part to accept his hand only because 1) she was reminded about her telepathy, 2) she isn't wearing her ice and water gloves, and 3) his hands look very human to her. It'll just take her moment to find the courage to reach out after reminding herself of his race as a Time Lord and to ascertain the power strip situation.

1...2...3....

Holding onto his hand tightly she'll find -- no images or emotions are being shared. Okay. Then it wasn't a lie. Her abilities have really been....disconnected????

At his question concerning her world, she'll turn her attention towards him trying to find the best way to describe it.]

I'm from Earth in the year.... [Oh damn. What year was it again?] 3024 is when I left home, I've been away for...15...add another 10...then I've been with the government for....5 years? [That sounds about right.] 3052.

[As for the little information she can give the Doctor.]

Humanity has been at war with the Nevu for the last 920 years. They've been around much longer though. One of them, at least. In the last 130 years, there's been a sort of seize fire. [Her eyes will fall to the ground.] Until now...

[After what happened with the fight between her and Amara, the seize fire will end for both species. They'll go back to war.]

[The Doctor holds firmly onto grip and shifts his body so they can counter-balance. 3024 and 3052 doesn't ring any particular bells in his mind about the 40th century. Everything he's aware of happened in the 3900s]

You're definitely from another universe than me. Never heard of Nevus and I'm a bit of traveler so I'd know.

Sorry, so sorry to hear that thar's a war going for that long, don't like wars, me. At that point, I doubt any of you know what you're fighting for - its pointless but that makes you - all the more beautiful, blimey. You're a hybrid of two opposing sides, which means - thar's hope.

[The Doctor beams]

It's starting to sound like it. [The same can be said about Time Lords on her end or else it would have been mentioned...maybe.] Aiba has always said the Nevu's aren't the only oldest species in the universe.

[At his next comment concerning the war, she shakes her head just a tad bit.]

Humanity knows what they've fighting for -- freedom. They don't want to be collected by the Nevu. [Looking away, she'll admit.] It's honestly a long story.

[She'll look down when the mention of "hope" concerning her existence. Sometimes she wonders about that...]

There is a lot of outrage about it. The Nevu are a very.... [How to put it?] Pure line sort of race...? [She doesn't want to say the word.] The humans are just as disgusted about it. Only difference is they won't publicly attack me. [More like they're afraid to...]

Yeah, we're definitely from other universes I would have heard of you. Or your species, rather.
And you would have heard of Time Lords because they're just as old.

[Something inside The Doctor twitches with the pure line sort of race because he thinks immediately of Daleks]

I've got you. You're safe with me.

[The Doctor gives her hand a slight squeeze]

Are they? [Then again, the word "time" is in their species' name. A regretful smile, realizing...] I knew it! I should've asked more about other civilizations instead of freaking out the first time he mentioned it.

[And now she didn't have her locket to summon him to introduce them. Then again, what were the chances of her meeting other people from different worlds?

The Doctor's next line will catch her attention though. He'll keep her safe? That was a loaded line, she thinks. When was the last time she heard those words? From her guide, named Koru, he promised to protect her until his last breath -- which he did.

A more genuine smile will be given along with a squeeze of her own.]

Until I get my abilities back, I'm in your hands!

[But until then.]

Thank you...

We're the stuff of legend across the stars. You would have heard of us even if you didn't ask.

[The Doctor gives a soft smile]

You're welcome. Now, let's try to take a few steps, shall we?

[That was an interesting line. She had wanted to ask if humans were aware of his species as much as the humans in her universe were aware of the Nevu. But instead of asking, she decided to believe him though. He wasn't lying. After all, he didn't lie concerning her powers being missing because she can't read his thoughts or emotions.

She'll return the smile even if there was some apprehension because she wasn't sure how long it'll be until she asks him to let go of her hand. Mainly out of habit. She wasn't used to being touched.

Concentrating on the task of walking, she will try to raise the foot that had gone missing only for it to reappear after giving it enough force to move forward. Okay, good. It didn't disappear into the ground again. She'll move her other foot cautiously only to find it firmly on the ground too. Nothing weird going on. Good. She'll take a few more cautious steps to find...]

My legs feel heavy but overall, I should be okay...

[In all honesty, her entire body felt the same way -- heavy and sluggish. Guess she needed to replenish. That is if her hair will grow to signify it.]

Where can we go to get a drink of water?

[The Doctor watches her walk and wonders what is going though her head as she takes some steps.]

If you're sure.

[Slowly allowing his fingers to slide from their connected hands. He hopes she can walk on her own.]

You should have some in that bag be careful one is a potion and one is water.

[She will try to walk on her own once he slowly let's go of her. Only difference is her back may be slightly hunched. Her mama would have lectured her about trying to keep her back straight. Which she will attempt to do...for a few seconds..]

A potion?

[She'll turn to him feeling curious. Her hand now touching the bag on her waist.]

What kind of potion?

[And why should she be careful?? That question won't leave her lips just yet.]

You have one of three potions in your bag, blue, red or gold. Blue is a healing, red is elemental powers and gold is animal transformation.

[She'll begin to look through the bag which was secured on her hip. A blue potion, another bottle, must be the water she assumes, a type of very ancient communication device, a necklace, bread, and paper will be found inside. Nuvia will look more interested in the paper because....]

This can't be real!? Is this really paper?

[She'll look very shocked!]

Do you know how much these are worth back in my home!? How can they just...hand them out like this!?

Yes. It's your contract. Probably not. Most higher beings don't have a concept of human money. It takes other forms.

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TDM #9

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