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buttrinthum2024-07-20 09:30 am
TDM #10 OVERFLOW
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:
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: Sunflowers and Hibiscus. You’ll soon find out that being around the Sunflower makes it difficult to pass through the already disorienting garden, even with the light guiding you. Where patches of them grow, even if only waist-high, you cannot pass through them, over them, or even destroy them to get them out of your way. In each grouping that blocks your path, there is one that has a key-shaped opening in the middle of the flower. Maybe the key is nearby? (Spoiler: it's probably under a rock nearby that you forgot to check!) The hibiscus offers an entirely different effect - inhaling the pollen grants you the temporary ability to shoot fireballs out of your hands. But be careful, those fireballs are difficult to control and seem to bounce in random directions no matter how hard you try to aim (cannot be used to destroy the sunflowers). The effect ends once you step out of the garden.
Somnius is once again recovering from a devastating blow. Buildings need to be restored to their former glory and the emotional turmoil of the previous weeks surely needs to be alleviated. What better way to lighten the mood than a little fun for the whole family? A new arcade has appeared in town, beckoning residents with its stone doors set wide open.
With multiple levels, a variety of games and even a snackbar, Appl3 Pi Arcade is sure to be a hit!
Of course, as with everything that ever happens in Somnius, the arcades appearance is not without some complications. For one, playing the games inside might see characters teleported into the machine itself, perfectly pixelated to fit the game they're in. Hope you weren't about to fight the final boss, because now you might be fighting for your life! The good news is, if you die in the game... you don't die in real life and are just popped back out into the arcade again.
Strange things happen outside the arcade too. Walking down the road you might suddenly see a healthbar pop up above someone's head. Are you supposed to fight them? Are they going to fight you? Best to be cautious and reach for any trusty weapons you have just in case. Weapons that have become pixelated and can be pulled seemingly out of nowhere like some kind of hammerspace. They are also prone to breaking and shattering into glimmering pixel pieces (your normal weapons are still intact, don't worry).
Boxes and pots around Somnius are somehow more breakable than usual, smashed open with a single swing of those pixel weapons and producing gold coins! What a shame gold coins aren't the currency here. But if you don't want to destroy more things around Somnius, why not try fishing instead? That seems safe - if not suddenly more difficult with the fishing minigame that popped up in front of you. Quick! Keep the fish icon in the green bar or you'll lose it!
All things considered? It's all relatively harmless fun up until-
Vaeros wakes up. For those new to town, this means nothing. For those that were here for the castle raid? They can rest assured that they're in for a surprise. The Overlord of Visium has finally awoken from his Hyalily induced coma and he is furious. A shout echoes from the castle:
A wave of magical energy sweeps through the town, shaking it to the very core. Miraculously, the destroyed buildings and any remnants of the forest onslaught are gone and returned to their usual state. Perhaps Vaeros shouting was just another tantrum, an empty threat?
Not quite.
The town has been restored, but the locals? They are nowhere to be seen - cowering in their homes and fleeing to the sanctity of the Church of the Moon in hopes of staying out of sight of Vaeros and Dreamers both. The once tame video game effects are now far more intense - monsters from within those games are now rampaging through the town. They seem to shift through buildings, but if they run face first into a Dreamer, they will find them very corporeal and very deadly.
Not only that, but the lines are starting to blur between reality and fiction again, the healthbar above your head flickering in and out, the monsters turning from pixel beasts to real, live animals that roam Somnius - both feral and not. One second you are walking through town, and the next you are stepping onto a platform that starts to break under your weight, demanding you jump to the next platform before you plummet into an odd, multicolored abyss.
And strangest of all is that music coming from the labyrinth, growing louder when you approach and fading out when you move away.
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.
no subject
The maze, yes. With those ridiculous flowers everywhere.
[And equally questionable company but that wasn't worth going into right now as he, reluctantly, loosened his grip to step back and face Sebastian once more. He certainly wasn't about to have a conversation into the other man's shoulder. He was relieved, not weak after all.]
How long have you been here? It seemed only moments between the two places to me but I've been led to believe that’s not the case for everyone.
[Days? Months? Years? How different was this man than the one he'd known before? He didn't look at all different but what did time matter anyways in many cases? It certainly held very little meaning to Yazoo, personally.]
no subject
[Whoever thought of that truly must have had a cruel sense of humor.
Now that they are standing a bit more apart, Sebastian can look at Yazoo properly, taking in the other's face, the hair, those eyes .. he looks just like he remembered him, and while he knew that others of Seven showed up here as well, he didn't quite dare to hope that Yazoo would be among them.
the urge to pull him back into an embrace, or touch him is still strong, but he keeps his hands on Yazoo's shoulders for now.]
I've only just arrived here as well. Like, yesterday. I know that some people seem to be here a lot longer, or at least that's what I was told, but for me it was also just falling asleep and waking up here.
So the same goes for you?
How's your arrival and time been so far?
[After all, he ran into a monster already, so who knows what else might be happening in here.]
no subject
Still, he nodded at Sebastian's words as he could clearly remember the insultingly bright and yellow sunflowers and the one with the ridiculous keyhole in it. If that was any indication of what this place would be like, it was already shaping up to be a silly place indeed. The strange block monster had not improved that outlook either, frankly.
He couldn't quite take his attention off of Sebastian though, wasn't bothered or annoyed that the other's hands were still resting easily on his shoulders even though anyone else doing so would have caused a harsh and negative reaction, excepting his own brothers, of course. And yet, he felt at ease under the other's touch. Distracted by his voice and the warm, dark eyed gaze upon him.
He had to shake his head clear, as a voice in the back of his mind reminded him that this was exactly the kind of ridiculous and dumb behaviour an enemy would used to get the drop on them, as he cleared his throat and stepped to the side as he turned his head briefly to make sure that nothing else had snuck into the little dead end lane the same way that he had while his attention was else where before he then checked the road ways to either side of them for no additional unwelcome visitors or additional monsters.]
Earlier today. But yes, I remember falling asleep and then I was here as well.
It was...[Vexing. Amusing. Full of familiar faces and strangers.] Something. There's been nothing strange about my time here so far. Though, I wish I could say the same for other things around here.
[He said with a nod behind Sebastian towards the shower of floating coins and...was that a sword just hanging in mid-air?]
Hopefully, whatever this is, it isn't typical for this place. Then again, I'm not sure I'm eager to know what is. I would also like to know where exactly my gun has been taken to. [And who exactly he was going to murder to reclaim it.]
no subject
[He is still confused that so many other people from Seven are arriving here as well, but all at different times. There is probably a reason, but hell, does his brain understand any of this? Of course not.
He wants to protest when Yazoo pulls away and scouts their surrounding .. probably not the worst idea, given that a monster just attacked them.
But He already misses the contact, brief as it was.]
Yeah, this place is very different again, in comparison to how Seven was. And at least most of the attacks and the weirdest things there were limited to the theater, but here ..? I don't know.
And your weapons are gone, too, huh?
I only got a satchel with some bread, a weird potion and a device, which I assume if for communication, similar to what we had in Seven.
But yes, no guns or rifle whatsoever, and I want them back, too.
[he might have at least somewhat of an idea of where to get some replacement, if he shouldn't get his own back.]
no subject
[Truly not a hard thing to do with the right types of pressure. He enjoyed the kind of chaos that he created, not the kind that was just randomly through out there with no rhyme or reason to it. Gaia help him though if he wasn't starting to appreciate the controlled insanity that the Amplitheater had been.]
It's...Less than ideal in that respect, yes.
[He wandered back towards Sebastian's side again. Close enough that he could feel the other's warmth radiating off of him though even though it caused that craving for contact to stir within him once more. Now was simply not the time though, or at least that's what the Remnant told himself.]
And a necklace, yes. That sounds like what I found with me as well. Couldn't even trade away any of it when the opportunity arose.
I suppose if we must, there is perhaps the option of crossbows until a proper solution can be found. I have no idea how, mind you.
[Again, his mind recalled the mention of that all powerful wizard overlord though, would such a being be willing to provide weapons that could be potentially deadly to themselves? Hmm, more food for thought.]
no subject
Right, that necklace, too. Not quite my style, but well. [there's probably a reason behind this as well. He's not sure which yet, but there must be one.]
A crossbow would do for now. Hell, I even take some good knives or daggers, just anything to defend myself, if monsters like this are a regular occurrence here.
[He sighs, then shakes his head. One thing after the other.]
But otherwise you're okay?
[there is still the urge to brush those strands out of Yazoo's face and look at him to make sure that he truly is fine.]
no subject
Another trade between them, maybe? It wasn't as if he were particularly bothered by her eccentricities, after all.
Ah, but once more Sebastian was more concerned about anyone but himself and as endearing as Yazoo may find that personal trait, it wasn't as if he were particularly delicate and in need of assistance. Far from it, actually.]
Of course. I'm not the one bleeding right now. [He answered as he nodded towards Sebastian's torn and bloody right sleeve.] You're injured. We should find you something to bind cover that with before something else decides you're an easy meal.
[He wouldn't be. Not with both of them working together but no one said monsters were smart to start with...Usually. Present company was excepted, of course as Yazoo knew exactly how clever he was for a monster.]
no subject
Yet he can't help but to worry about those that he cares about, and fuck, Yazoo definitely belongs to that small circle of people by now.
He looks down at his shoulder, shrugging]
It's nothing. It will heal. Just another scar to add to the collection, if anything.
Worse things have tried to eat me before and have failed.
Just .. [he sighs] I once again should get new clothes.
Which might be something you should consider as well? Or do you want to keep running around in that all leather outfit?
I mean, it suits you and all, but I can't imagine that it's very comfortable, overall.
no subject
Maybe Sebastian’s survival instincts got knocked out with his comment sense with one of the strikes he took after all.]
I hardly care but if it will keep you on task then fine. We’ll deal with what I do and do not wear once that injury is dealt with.
[Or at least he would play along with the request if it make the other man happy and, perhaps, inclined to cooperate with what the Remnant thought to be more important currently.]
no subject
But he shrugs, giving Yazoo a nod.]
Sounds like a good plan to me.
So let's see if we can find someone who can treat wounds. Or we can just go to my place and do it there, I don't care.
no subject
[Well that was a discovery to cause pause. How much longer had he been here than Yazoo? A month as well? Longer?
Truly the abuse of time here made no sense to him at all as he would have sworn it had only been the previous day that he had seen the other, along side his own brother, back in the city.]
How long have..
[The question died off though with a shake of his head. It wasn’t truly important and would just further side track them.]
Lead.
[Right back to the monosyllable full sentences complete with guest urge for Sebastian to start guiding them back to wherever it was he’d set himself up at this time.]
no subject
[He also catches that question, even if Yazoo might not have finished his sentence.]
Only a day or two. Not much. But long enough to be told that the free houses here are just up for grabs, and I didn't exactly feel like living in a damn mushroom, or a tree house. Or one of those holes in the hills.
[he gives a slight shrug, not even caring about his injured shoulder, and shows Yazoo the way towards his place.]
So I picked a cottage that happened to be free.
no subject
Neither he nor his brother had ever required one and they had been just fine. For the most part at least.
All he could really offer was an indifferent shrug at the offer as he didn’t truly need the need for it but the offer was kind enough, Yazoo supposed.]
A mushroom? That’s not normal housing, is it? [Genuine question there. He wouldn’t know one way or another. Could be that Sebastian even grew up in a giant mushroom of some sort for all he knew. Though it did seem rather ludicrous, even to him.]
If you have medical supplies there, then we’ll tend your injury there. Unless you’ve already discovered where a medical provider resides?
[It could have been a busy couple of days after all.]
no subject
But even I would prefer a proper roof than .. well. A mushroom head, I suppose.
[He nods towards the direction where he knows his cottage is in, leading the way for Yazoo.
His shoulder isn't badly hurt, nothing that will keep him from moving, it's just bleeding and he knows that it will stop at some point.]
I can grab some water and I am sure I cot some cotton cloths there to use.
This doesn't need stitches or anything, so that should be fine.
[And because someone from the 1870s hasn't yet heard of disinfectant, or any other proper ways of dealing with a wound.]
no subject
[Not enough to do anything about it but there was a mild passing fascination at how such a feat would even be possibly even if such a structure didn’t sound overly practical.
The same mildly curiosity kept Yazoo following along though his sense of self preservation kept him alert and paying attention for possible attacks as well as he monitored their surroundings as they moved. There would be no additional surprise attacks if he had any say in it.]
You would know yourself best. If that’s all you need, then that’s all you need.
[And for all the Remnant knew, that was fairly true. He was no medicinal expert by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it was probably one of the weakest knowledge bases he possessed as his primary purpose had been as a weapon of terror and destruction. Why would he need to know anything about healing someone with a calling like that?
Still, he had no interested in seeing the other man maimed. Sebastian was far too useful with all his limbs and two arms suited his proportions...
Not that Yazoo was paying any particular attention to that kind of thing or anything at all! It was simply something he’d noted at some point. Simple as that! There was no reason to think it was anything beyond a quick observation. All previous limbs accounted for? Yes? Great! Moving on!]
Have you had any success in locating your personal items since arriving?
[A valid question and opportunity to refocus his mind upon more important tasks ahead, at least as far as Yazoo would like to think.]
no subject
[he also looks around, weary of any further attacks. Here in this city it seems like anything can attack you at any time, unlike what they were used to in Seven. It's not a feeling he likes, being back in constant danger, but at least he is not a stranger to it.
Then again, until now, he always had his trusty weapons with him.
Luckily though, it's not that far, and he nods towards a small cottage to the side of the road, with a patch of garden in the front and around, looking almost cosy overall.]
There's a bucket with fresh water on the front porch, we better take that with us if we want to clean the wound.
[He holds the door open to let Yazoo into the cottage, following right behind him.
The inside is sparsely decorated so far, meaning not at all, with a living room and kitchen area in one, though obviously without any modern conveniences.
Several doors lead away from that area, with two standing open, one to what seems to be the bathroom and one that looks like a bedroom, the bed clearly unmade and slept in.]
Welcome. Not much to see, but feel free to look around.
And uh, to answer your question, no. Lacking all weapons and almost all possessions. Worse than in Seven. And I'm not happy about it.
[he steps into the kitchen area to grab a pod and put it on the stove to heat the water a little, while looking through the cupboards and drawers for some cotton clothes, until he finds some.]
Here we go. That should suffice for now,
[He sits down on a chair while he unbuttons his shirt and peels it off his bloodied skin, to assess the damage that's been done.
Hopefully nothing that would need stitches.]