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buttrinthum2025-02-28 08:56 pm
March 2025 TDM
Whether it be sleep or death, you feel your eyes close, and as your body begins to let go, you see an inky starry nothingness spread out around you. 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.
Though there is nothing to prove it, you just know you have made a promise, a contract of sorts, with something and someone who remains but a shadow in your memories.
- 💐 Corpse Flowers are large stinky things, smelling often of rotting meat. There's only a few in the garden, four at most. However, those who manage to get lured in by the stinky smell will find that time spent with this "alluring" scent may find themselves feeling more amorous than normal. Kisses to hands, flirtatious words, and even the occasional wink are all common. Once away from these smelly flowers, the feelings will dissipate, but could last for several hours...
- 🌸 Gibralter Campions on the other hand, seem to inspire unbridled and intense hatred in those who get too close. It's almost as if the person they're interacting with takes on the appearance of their greatest enemy, their rival, or even someone who has done them great harm. Violence is usually a last resort, but sharp tongues and the silliness to argue are far more common. Convincing those under the spell of these flowers that you aren't who you LOOK like you are might be a little difficult. Hopefully the effects wear off after only ONE good night's sleep.
No matter your adventures in the garden with its many plants, before long you are found and guided by a dragonkin pair through the garden to the town of Sominus. From there you can choose to settle in the town surrounded by crystal or you can choose to cross bridge that leads up high to a portal in the sky, rimmed by glowing starlight and into the lands beyond, Lumindeas and the Crown City of Stellari.
Romance may have been on the mind in early February, but the illness that swiftly swept through Visium and Lumindeas put a bit of a damper on things like dates and doting. In an attempt to boost morale, Dolph Laserhawk has decided to host a speed-dating event at his establishment, Club Quartz in Visium.
It doesn't only offer romantic connection, however. Dreamers are encouraged to stop in and participate even if they're only looking for friendship. In fact, curiously enough, most feel compelled to attend, even if it's normally something they wouldn't be interested in. Overwhelmingly, Dreamers begin to crave connection and closeness and flock to the event. Club Quartz is dressed for the occasion, with red tablecloths and white napkins. The music and lighting are both low, soft orange candlelight illuminating whichever Dreamers face each other at their tables.
Everyone is given a placard to fill out - or, perhaps it's, mysteriously, already filled out.
There is also a useful set of conversation cards on each table for Dreamers to use, suggesting "get to know you"-style questions. Some are typical, and some are...less so.
- 💘 Name:
- 💘 Age:
- 💘 Preference: (friends, romance, gender, etc.)
- 💘 About me:
Pairs who find they've made a connection will be encouraged to leave their tables and participate in one of the many activities which have been arranged to really seal the deal on bonding. Some of the options include:
- 💘 What do you do for fun?
- 💘 What do you do when you're miserable?
- 💘 What wish did you make to get here?
- 💘 Do you regret the wish you made to get here?
- 💘 What's your favorite way to unwind?
- 💘 What's the sexiest position?
- 💘 Are you crushing on anyone in Visium or Lumindeas?
- 💘 What three words would you use to describe yourself?
- 💘 What would your ideal partner/friend be like?
- 💘 What is your most cherished childhood memory?
- 💘 What is your worst childhood memory?
- 💘 Would you be a dictator or a leader?
- 💘 What is your craziest fantasy?
- 💘 What potato chip flavor would you be?
- 💘 What is something you want to change in the world?
- 💘 Do you believe in science or magic?
- 💘 What is your idea of purity?
- 💘 Do you have any phobias?
- 💘 Spoon Pass: pairs pass an egg back and forth using only spoons held in their mouths
- 💘 Charades: send your loved one a message using only your body language
- 💘 Hide & Seek: find somewhere inside or outside to hide, and see how quickly your partner can find you!
- 💘 Three-legged race: couples are tied together by one leg each and must hobble their way from one end of the bar to the other before time runs out
- 💘 Jump Rope: the rope should be long enough for you to both jump through at once, but only if you get close - try to jump together without tripping!
The night is long and lively with plenty of drink and conversation to be had. Hopefully everyone has someone to walk away with at the end of the night!
A strange settlement has appeared at the edge of Stellari, just a little further out into the meadows and hills that serve as a border between the city and the farmlands that support it. The haphazard collection of crystal-and-wood buildings seem to combine the aesthetics of Visium and Lumindeas in a way that completely (and, perhaps, intentionally) fails to get either quite right. This is odd enough, but stranger still are the curious beings that emerge from the buildings. In a land populated by dragonkin, gelflings, and goblins, it may not be all that alarming to notice their rabbit-like ears and fur, but it's still nothing that anyone could have claimed to see in the land before. There's no need to fear, though! The Loporrits are here to help!
And they are very, very insistent on helping. Wished into existence by a soul who had grown tired of the conflict between Dreamers and locals, these friendly hares go out of their way in every direction to flag down Dreamers and ask how they can work together to improve the space they all share. A particularly persistent pair of Loporrits, Pollingway and Surveyingway, confront any Dreamer they can see with alarmingly aggressive cheer, brandishing clipboards, and barking questions as quickly as possible.
“Do you like Stellari? How about Visium? What kind of improvements would you like to see? What are your favorite colors? What do you need most right now? What do you think of spicy food?”
And on...
And on......
There seems to be absolutely no way to halt their questioning - until they mention that they're looking for others to gather such information too. Dreamers are asked to take a clipboard of their own and poll their fellow Dreamers, then report back to Pollingway and Surveyingway. If they agree, the pair will mercifully stop talking and hop away. The list of potential questions is nigh endless, so make sure to ask something that counts.
Not far from the Stellari crystal, several Loporrits hammer away on what appears to be the foundations of a new building. Nearby, a more artistic-minded Loporrits paints a large wooden sign that reads: HELP CENTER. A brown-furred Loporrits named Helpingway explains, again, that the Loporrits want to help! They can't help yet, however - too busy arguing with an increasingly agitated priestess as the royal guard draws near. It seems the established locals are still deciding what to make of the Loporrits. Helpingway asks Dreamers to start helping while they deal with the red tape! They're asked to wander Lumindeas and Visium, completing good deeds for locals and Dreamers alike. The Loporrits aren't so much persuasive as they are persistent, so if you don't want one following you around, it's best to comply.
A few businesses run by the Loporrits have also popped up, including "Feedingway's Soup" which offers exactly one type of soup - creamy roast carrot. It's addictingly good. Meanwhile, Tailoringway offers headbands, sashes, and belts, at the moment, with more variety promised to come soon. The Loporrits are just as persistent about trying their products as they are about lending a hand. You'll help them advertise, won't you? Dreamers are asked to give the Loporrits' businesses a try and report their findings to everyone they meet! Once again, you really want to get these guys off your back...
As though prompted by the discussions Seravo recently had with a few dreamers, there is indeed a revitalization effort taking place on the island of Visium only a few weeks after the audience with the dragon-like ruler.
Groups of Dreamers will work together to either clear away crystal overgrowth in Visium, or visit the area and collect samples to bring back to Seravo. He is requesting all manner of samples, from soil to water to food to pieces of crystal. Those shouldn't be all that difficult to find, considering everyone is going around Visium, smashing all the crystal up. Myrta and the locals provide pickaxes and all the other necessary tools for digging through the crystal, but given its durability, destructive abilities are also encouraged. The locals also seem to be slowly warming back up to the Dreamers in Visium as they watch them reconstruct the destroyed island. They may bring Dreamers water, food, or small trinkets to show their appreciation, and will work alongside them if allowed.
There is another problem, though. A mysterious phenomenon seems to occur only while within Visium - Dreamers' abilities are going haywire. Whether it be a regained ability, or one granted by a potion, ability-users will struggle to control their powers. Abilities may engage at strange times, have exaggerated or diminished effects, or periodically stop working altogether. Those that don't have abilities aren't spared, however. While in Visium, every Dreamer is at risk of experiencing a random potion effect from either the red, gold, or blue potions. Even if the Dreamer has never touched their potion, they may find themselves healing wounds, firing off elemental attacks, or transforming into random animals.
Perhaps the most curious phenomenon is that Dreamers appear to be sharing abilities as well. The effects are greatly diminished, but standing too close to someone who has an ability may cause aspects of that ability to appear in the other person. No one appears to be gaining full use of others' abilities, but it's certainly cause for some questioning...
One day, it doesn't matter what day, a message appears on some dreamers' devices, with no discernable user attached.
If you were to suddenly feel someone's hand in your own, whose hand would it be? But whose hand would you want it to be?
As if by magic, dreamers will feel compelled to answer, but also to answer truthfully. Once answered, there's no way to delete it from their phone or take back where it goes, as it is sent out into the network for all to see and comment on. There's no response from the initial person who asked the question, but perhaps there's a feeling of mischevious delight hanging in the air.
[[If you do not wish to participate in this prompt, simply assume your character did not get this message. All threads are public initially, and can only be privated after the initial answer.Threadjacking is allowed and encouraged so long as it is allowed in individual character permission posts.]]
Expand to see our Event Summary
Garden of Dreams
Something... A little Romantical
Nicefield's Nest
Cleaning Efforts & Haywire Powers
Suspicious Message
Welcome to Labyrinthum's March TDM! Two of our prompts are Inspired and Drafted by a couple of our players, Timmy and Dragon. Timmy has organized a more romantic portion of the event based in Dolph's Club over in Somnius. Dragon turned in 1200 shards and was rewarded with an approved setting addition! Creatures from FFXIV, created by Venat herself have arrived in Lumindeas. Dreamers ought to help get them settled in!
As always, please direct your questions to the appropriate header below.
ii lmao cw: murder, hanahaki references
Two minutes of scrolling through missed texts to remind him none of it matters. The wealthy little burger heir. A victim of the rot festering around her in the form of the corrupt. She's a problem.
But not one unaccounted for - from the second he manifested in a field of colorful flowers, he knew this was a possibility. Counted on it occurring. One by one, the thieves are starting to appear. He doesn't know if it's a gift or curse that Kurusu was first. Okumura is easier to sort. She remembers Maruki - he doesn't care. That means nothing to him. It's whether she recalls that it was Akechi Goro that lurked in the shadows until they stole a heart and crushed what remained of it in their wake. The Okumura Haru who watched him recite lie after lie on live TV after shooting their illustrious leader.
The one who held in all her agony to play the part of a dutiful phantom thief showing their newest temporary member around.
A network post pops up as he scrolls through that next. One that reeks of the aforementioned thief, though he doesn't know. It's noted. Marked for later. He can scroll through the comments and discern if it's Okumura, whether she lets any clues slip in her meaningless babble to the other people here. He needs to catch up with what's happening before he faces that particular landmine and-
There's a tap against the back of his shoulder, a soft-spoken voice that freezes him to the spot and-
Fortune has never smiled upon him willingly. He has to rip it from the hands of others at every opportunity.
There's an almost blissful static that creeps inward from the edge of his skull, to the back of his eyes, fills his throat with something not unlike the petals that choked him days ago. He needs to think. Needs to act and-
Akechi Goro must act, so he does.
His body turns - slow and cautious. A pleasant smile. Heart pure steel. She won't get the best of him. He can play a part - as always, as ever. She has enough decorum to fall in line too.]
Oh, what a surprise. [Light. Airy. Fake. Play pretend. Play nice. Play a prince because that may be all she knows and-
A gloved hand keeps an all too tight grip on his phone.] I had wondered how long it would be before I saw a familiar face here.
cw for murder/death probs!
That particular cadence in his voice... how could she forget, after some mere months? Especially when that floodgate has already been yanked open by the reappearance of Mariko Hyodo. Haru had unfortunately been ill-prepared to face the reality that her life had another repeat lesson in store for her, one that she's struggling to understand still.
She's certainly not prepared to come face-to-face with yet another who also shared in her past. And one who had irrevocably altered the course of a destiny she fought so hard to regain control of.
Stomach clenching, she unconsciously takes a step back from him, the clipboard now pinned against her chest in a tight grip. Her eyes meet his and she has to forcibly blink a few times, as if a speck of dust has obscured her vision and she simply is imagining seeing the Detective Prince in front.
No, not detective anymore.
A reluctant ally? No, a means to an end, as she had seen it then.
Caught off guard, she gasps at first, words lost somewhere in her seizing throat.
What a strange world to lead her to Goro Akechi of all people. But more than that right now, there were so many more questions she had. ]
Akechi-kun? [ Her voice is quiet. Maybe it's a dream after all. Goro Akechi is no longer- ] You're... how are you here?
cw: violent thoughts!!!!
And it's that pervasive sense to observe that helped him feign his title. Society's dark corners honing it. Learned how to watch for cracks and fissures in the form of discontent to poke, prod and exploit.
Haru is different. Akechi was thrown into a world of rot. She was born into it. Formed her earliest memories among those who wanted to exploit her. Learned how to react, act, earn favor and gain debt with decorum and obedience.
He smiles as she takes a step back - ever the kindhearted, unassuming prince. Notes her tone. Says nothing about it. There's no telling what she's thinking - her nerves could be because of this world. Could be because she's from the early stages of a plan being formed among shitty, self righteous teenagers. Could be after, when-
It would take only a second to shred her to pieces with the blade and gun at his side. She's new. Powerless. Weaponless. Her body would crumple before she could figure out what was happening, his fingers could dig, wrap, tighten around a rapidly bruising neck, but-
He blinks. It's not worth it. He keeps his expression neutral. Calm. She would come back in days. Tries to laugh off the question, like his own nerves are getting to him. As if he doesn't understand this place. As if his hands weren't drenched in Akira's blood only weeks ago and-]
The same way you and Kurusu did, I assume. It's a strange affair, isn't it? To be whisked away to world under the guise of a wish to be granted and unknown contract to fulfill.
[Both hands fold, one over the other, against his abdomen. Mild. Polite. Agreeable. No threat to be found.]
You seem nervous. I can understand why. This place does have its dangers - I'm sure a high school student isn't used to such things, but I'm sure you'll acclimate easily. There are plenty of familiar faces about - have you met them yet?
[He knows she's spoken to Maruki. It's the other one he's interested in now.]
cw death and maybe spoilers??
Still, there is something about this encounter that feels too... coincidental. First Mariko Hyodo's reappearance, a dearly beloved friend and the first person from her father's circle to express any consideration for Haru's well-being. A safe nest Haru could bury herself in all those years ago when she was lonely, even if it appeared Mari-san was no longer that kind of woman. Those memories were rising to the surface, whether she wanted to face them or not.
And now Akechi, a more complicated matter that she's ill-prepared for.
She isn't sure how to feel just yet, but Haru is capable of squashing whatever sensation it is in her throat and chest far, far down for the time being. It's not important yet.
There is more she needs to glean from this situation before deciding what her next actions should be. ]
So you were brought here as well. [ Her rapid heartbeat finally begins to slow. Her voice is calmer, more steadier, but confusion still colours most of her words. ] Ah, yes. I've seen Dr. Maruki and Akira-kun already. Did you all arrive together? Or did you appear in this world separately like many others who have?
no subject
There's no telling what he said to her. Her leader is from a time without Akechi Goro, but one that knows him all the same.
And Akira's heart is unwound whenever one of his sniveling sycophants appears. He knows how their leader operates in the presence of those who aren't from their world. Has a good idea of how he reacts around those from it.
But when it comes to Noir - to any of them, Akechi can't be certain. They're a weakness. They're a liability and Akira will protect them at all costs.
He can't rule out a year's worth of secrets being spilled at the feet of his teammate when Akechi's own hands are stained with her father's blood.]
Separately. I was here first and alone for a number of months.
[His hands pull back from his torso, one falling under his chin as if he's in deep thought over the memory.]
It almost felt like hell.
[A joke. A jab. His eyes don't leave Okumura Haru.]
I'm only joking, of course. It's certainly not that bad. But to keep answering your question - Maruki-san came next, though I didn't realize he was associated with our world for some time. It was only us for nearly a year. Kurusu appeared only a couple months ago.
And now you. My, what an interesting group this world has chosen to pull here.
no subject
She's not sure how much of that Akechi has back home. It's hard to forget his contemptuous words when they faced him in Shido's Palace. A child born out of scandal, losing his mother... only to be thrown aside by his own father once more. The sheer anger and vitriol in his heart...
Maybe there wasn't much left for Akechi. Maybe there wasn't much to begin with, but to be dragged into a completely unknown world, she can't be sure if this might be a blessing in disguise or not for him. ]
I suppose that's good to hear. You are rather adept, so... [ He's had to be self-sufficient.
But she isn't keen on analyzing that right now. Maruki piques her interest instead. ] You don't remember Dr. Maruki from before here?
no subject
[But he isn't unaware of being made into a puppet, held hostage ten realities away in a carbon copy reflection of a diner that once made him feel like he was home. Held down under 20, 30, 40, 50 more that were lived through. The wrath he felt from that moment remains at the edge of his heart.
He isn't unaware that Kurusu Akira forgot every single moment between him and Maruki Takuto. Their own shared lives.
It's something Akechi will never forgive him for.
His hand drops to his side. A blade hidden under fabric. His fingertips can feel the metallic edge. Unnecessary, by the way things are going, but close all the same.]
Which leads me to a question. If I may be blunt - what's the last thing you remember before arriving here?
no subject
Yes, he was our school counsellor.
[ The rest of her relationship with Maruki doesn't need to be extrapolated; Akechi can discern that easily from what is left unsaid.
A small knot in her throat appears. She swallows cautiously. ]
The last thing? Oh! [ A tentative pause and Haru wonders how much Akechi does know. How much does he know about the Jails and Monarchs? Is that something she should allude to or outright tell him?
Mariko Hyodo's harsh expression flashes across her mind's eye. Haru's heart pangs at the thought.
No, she doesn't want to share anything about Mari-san. Not to him. Not yet, maybe. ] We're visiting each other for summer vacation. We've been on a road trip across Japan.
cw: violent thoughts
And she provides - ever the helpful Phantom Thief. He didn't expect much opposition when their meeting has been cordial, but-
The answer surprises him. Summer vacation. A road trip. Akira mentioned as much in polite, pleasant conversations at breakfast, in the weeks before they both ended up soaked in each other's blood. Akechi hadn't asked for details. Hadn't cared to follow-up since.
And it's time for his own admissions - few, if he can help it. 'We're' shouldn't be obvious to him if he didn't know the thieves were who they are. Summer vacation is months beyond a point where his betrayal left a corpse in a forgotten room. It's the future. Unless her timeline has been warped dramatically-
She knows who he is. Akechi won't let it slip he's aware just yet. Haru has an advantage she doesn't seem to realize. He can still exploit it. Even Akira isn't aware when Akechi is really from, though he's sure he may have parsed a good guess from their clash.]
I see. Kurusu had told me as much. [There's a moment his own words catch in his throat - feigned reluctance. It's easy enough to manage.] It's time for me to be honest with you as well. For my own time period-
[It's so goddamn easy.]
I'll have to apologize. When I arrived here, my memories were a bit fuzzy. Whenever I try to recall it, I feel unwell. Time spent in this world hasn't made it better, though I'm certain it will come back in full in time.
cw murder and gory-ish... description
It's not fear that keeps her feet planted, but a slight tension she feels in her chest, the hairs prickling at the back of her neck as he tries to explain himself, striving to be honest with her.
It's not like her these days to doubt someone right off the bat. The Phantom Thieves taught her she could lower her walls and trust again, that there was no need to fear being used again.
But this isn't the son of a corporate executive, or a business partner of her father's trying to gain favour in a way she can immediately see through. It's worse, because she can't tell if Goro Akechi is being genuine with his words, or if he's hiding more underhanded intentions the way he's done with them before.
Their times spent at the hideout and fighting alongside in Niijima's Palace, all the pleasantries shared in between, utterly unbearable for Haru to endure, but with very little choice when there was too much at stake back then.
And then something far worse revealed in the heat of their confrontation in Shido's Palace. One half of the party responsible for ripping her father away from her, who then readily tried to dispose of her friends and herself without a batting an eye.
Her father's pained screams echoing across not only her phone, but every single one of the Phantom Thieves' devices on full volume, Haru having to hear it over and over until there was a sickening thud on the table. The thick, black blood-like ooze gushing from Okumura's eyes, nose and mouth, before he finally gave out for millions to see on live television, for his only daughter to bear witness to, would forever be seared in her memory. She could try to escape the thought, but it was a part of her journey, whether she wanted it or not.
Understanding that Akechi was a puppet to his father, much like she was to her father, doesn't necessarily make it easier to swallow. ]
I see, Akechi-kun. [ Her hands finally lower, clipboard facing downward. She breaks her gaze, looking off to the side. ] I suppose with how we've been dragged into this place, it would be confusing for anyone.
I hope your memory returns to you eventually. [ A beat. ] If there is anything Akira-kun and I can do to help, you should let us know.
slurps it all UP
Helpful. Considerate. Willing to push aside anything for the pursuit of their own justice, their own values.
Akechi finds it as pathetic now as he did under the twinkling lights of a casino. Haru is strong. She isn't strong enough. She should take his proclaimed ignorance as an opportunity to exploit, not as a way to provide help.
She knows. He wants to make her regret it. Thinks of 'Akira-kun' and how agonizing it would be for him to find her twisted up body in some forgotten field. Decides against it with smile - taped up, relentless, a lie.
He's patient. So patient. Always patient. Will continue to be. She fell for it on the surface. Maybe plans to bide her own time. She may slide a blade into his back once he turns and-
He accepts her remark as a gentle prince should.]
Of course - to have the Phantom Thieves on my side, I would like nothing less. [He can't stand them.] We should stick together while we're here, after all. Our goals align once more. Kurusu and I have already established our relationship as allies. I hope you're willing to do the same.
no subject
As civil as he's been with her, Haru can't help but feel there's a passive aggressive jab in there somewhere. Prior to November, she might have been a little more eager and accepting of his offer, but now it's been months of having to stand on her own two feet and navigate the world without her friends, even if they are a phone call away.
She's not as walled off as she used to be, though she isn't that naïve either. ]
Yes, I suppose so. [ She smiles finally, looking back up at him.
A light, cordial smile. ] We shall see, won't we, Akechi-kun?
we can wrap <3
He can't wait.]
My apologies - I have quite the busy schedule to attend to. Given how small this world is, I'm sure we'll cross paths again. Let's hope one of us has found information on how to escape this place by then. I have confidence you'll manage to figure out some clue - escaping is a thief's expertise, after all.
[Turning his back on her isn't an option. His fingertips stay on the covered knife, his other hand raising to wave this conversation, and her, off.]
Besides, you have work to do, don't you? There's a whole group over there just waiting to be surveyed.
sounds good! i thought we were wrapped oopsie.
For now, she has to convey she's willing to work alongside him. ]
O-Oh! Of course. [ She glances to the crowd and realizes this might be an ideal opportunity for the survey. ] Well, I will see you around then.
[ She looks back at Akechi for a moment, then trots off after the crowd. ]