May 2025 TDM

[labyrinevents]

Garden of Dreams

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.

Will you drink it or not?

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.

• 💐 Blood Weed is a sharp as razorblades. It grows waist high on a 6'0" tall person in places, but never less than 5" tall overall. Small paths wind through the grass, and those who find themselves waking up near the blood weed will have to carefully navigate through the paths in order to come out without being cut. The cuts themselves are painful, the sensation of pins and needles is accompanied with a burning that reaches deep to the bone. It's not debilitating, not completely, but it will make it harder to escape and more likely a victim will bleed to feed.... the blood weed.
  
  
• 🌸 Witch Hair is a strange plant, soft to the touch and with the scent of marshmallows. If eaten plain it can soothe the ache of blood weed cuts temporarily, but it is far more effective as a medicine when brewed into a potion. The strangest thing about Witch hair is that it only grows at the water's edge, and then weaves over the ground through the blood weed. It's almost as if it is encouraging a sacrifice to save someone else. A cut for a cure. The one side effect of eating the weed raw is that it can give those who ingest it a temporary ability to affect the weather in a small radius around them. Perhaps this too, could be a boon? The effect only lasts a few hours, 48 at most. Maybe there's a way to have fun with it in the meantime?

No matter your adventures in the garden with its many plants, before long you are found by a gaggle of inhabitants from both the City of Stellari and Somnius. They seem excited in general, and excited to see whoever it is they stumble upon without pause. They approach with handkerchiefs of varied colors and wave them about as they take new Dreamer's hands.

"Please, come with us. The games begin soon! You have a team to choose. Don't worry, it'll be exciting!"

The Spirit of Competition

The chaos from last month has settled, leaving a celebration behind in its wake. Officials from Stellari explain that, every year, the city holds a massive event, meant to honor the spirit of competition. This year, they've decided to include Somnius in the competition as well. The crystal-clearing efforts have been fruitful, and slowly but surely, more of Visium is starting to become accessible.

To that end, Dreamers find both Stellari and Somnius transformed, dressed head-to-toe in festival stalls and decorations of red, blue, green, and yellow. Dreamers themselves are all divided into one of four color teams. They are selected automatically, and by traits inherent to their being.

• Red team candidates are either extremely good, in a moral sense, or extremely bad.
• Blue team candidates are either extremely emotional or show very little emotion whatsoever.
• Yellow team candidates are either extremely powerful or extremely weak.
• Green team candidates are either extremely average or exceptionally special.

A handkerchief of their team's color is magically fastened to every participant, and can only be removed when a game necessitates it, such as capture the flag. It's an important way of identifying who is on what team. You'll want to know who your teammates are, because teammates gain special benefits when interacting, such as increased strength and magical ability. As well as that, people can also communicate telepathically with others from their team for the duration of the event.

By the same token, however, being in close proximity with others who aren't on one's team cause negative effects. Different teams have different effects, depending on their color.

• Red team members destabilize the emotions of opponents around them.
• Blue team members bring confusion and disorientation to opponents around them.
• Yellow team members destabilize magic/abilities of the opponents around them.
• Green team members bring bad luck to opponents around them.

This is all, of course, in the interest of making the competition more interesting. Each team will also have a home base to work from, with team red's being the Amphitheater of the Mind, team blue's being Lake Termina, team yellow's being the (old) Church of the Moon, and team green's being The Stone Dragon.

For the duration of the festival, teams will meet to face off in various games and challenges, all earning points for their color team. The points are displayed on large scoreboards, stationed over the crystals in both Somnius and Stellari. Ribbons, medals, and trophies are offered as rewards during the celebrations and ceremonies that occur every night for the duration of the event. More than anything, though, the spirit of competition drives everyone, compelling them to dive headfirst into the games and give it their absolute best.

Some of the events are as follows, though pretty much any sport you can think of is offered - even ones one may recognize only from their own worlds.

• 🤾Dodgeball
• 🚩 Capture the Flag
• 🏃‍♀️ Relay Races
• 🏊 A Triathlon
• 🙈 Hide & Seek
• 🫱 Tag
• 🪢 Tug-o-war
• 🥇 Obstacle Courses
• 🔴 Kickball
• ❓ Etc.

So, get out there and start battling it out - just not to the death this time!

Living Scavenger Hunt

Perhaps the largest event of all is a scavenger hunt in which the items are other Dreamers. Competitors are given a scroll with a list of descriptions, and are asked to seek out other Dreamers who fit those descriptions, and get a signature from them.

The list is as follows:

• 🔎 1. someone who can fly
• 🔎 2. someone who has never killed anyone
• 🔎 3. someone who has killed more than ten people
• 🔎 4. someone who can turn into something other than an animal
• 🔎 5. someone who betrayed someone they love
• 🔎 6. someone who saved the world
• 🔎 7. someone who wants to leave this place
• 🔎 8. someone who never wants to leave this place
• 🔎 9. someone who sacrificed their powers to Vaeros
• 🔎 10. someone who arrived after Vaeros' death
• 🔎 11. someone older than 30
• 🔎 12. someone younger than 15
• 🔎 13. someone who didn't drink their gold/blue/red potion
• 🔎 14. someone who has drunk more than one gold/blue/red potion
• 🔎 15. someone who has returned to their world, then returned to this place

Dreamers then sign their name next to the descriptor on the competitor's scroll. Magic compels them to be honest when confronted, and to give their signature even if they're unhappy to do so.

There is also a variation of this game, though much smaller in scale. Dreamers draw slips of paper with descriptions written on them, then pass them off to others who match that description. Some of them include:

• 💖 Someone you admire.
• ❌ Someone you hate.
• 😱 Someone you're afraid of.
• 🫂 Someone you trust.
• 😳 Someone you wish to know better.
• 😖 Someone you need to apologize to.
• 😊 Someone you're glad you met here.
• 😡 Someone you're angry at.
• 😨 Someone you're worried about.
• 🤕 Someone who hurt you.

Dreamers feel compelled to respond honestly, and genuinely give their slip of paper to whoever they think of first, even if it's something they wouldn't normally confess.

Both games last the duration of the festival, the Scavenger Hunt promising a massive amount of cords for anyone who can complete the entire list, as well as a medal.

The Gametime Jubilations

Competitions can't be competitions all the time. Players need rest, the crowds need sustenance. But even though breaks are needed, parties never have to stop. Throughout the month-long Games, there's a Celebration along with it. Both Lumindeas and Stellari as well as Somnius are partaking in the celebration. No matter where dreamers wind up during this celebration, there's not a single location where Natives aren't doing their best to partake in a party that never ends.

The feeling and goodwill that comes with the games and camaraderie is infectious, and even the locals from Somnius are feeling more forgiving of Dreamers than they have in months. They visit Stellari while those who live in Stellari visit Somnius. It's the mingling and shared celebration that simply seems to warm up the town that has so long been alienated by crystal. With the glowing feeling of camaraderie in the air and the collaborative efforts to revive the land of Visium, everywhere seems to be in good spirits.

• 🪩 Dancing and Singing

  There's music in the air and lights that shine on dance floors. It's hard to mistake the purpose of these portions of the celebrations, but everything is a game, even between the organized events. Every dance floor is a setup for a partnered dance competition. The genre is different in each location: romantic slow dancing, upbeat country music for line dancing, pop type music that thunders through the air and vibrates through the floor. The possibilities are endless, but the competition is stiff. Locals are paired with other locals, and dreamers with dreamers and everyone gets into the spirit, sweating and swaying to the music.

  For more organized events there happens to be a cake walk, where dreamers and locals alike are encouraged to participate and win one of the many fruit flavored cakes. Be careful to not land on the same space as a competitor, or you'll both be eliminated and recieve a pie to the face! Don't worry though, towels and a change of clothes MIGHT be offered as consolation prizes.

  For those that don't really feel the dancing beat, there's another way to compete for a little fun. Open mic is provided in some of these dancing locations, with magically powered instruments provided by Seravo himself. A simple request, a song title, and the instruments know the song to be played. Or perhaps in some cases a little poetry might be more someone's speed. In any case, the microphone is ready, the band primed to play.

• 🍔 Food and Socalizing

  It's a bit of a task to get nourishment as well. There are food stalls installed in both cities, though every one comes with a bit of a game or competition in order to get your delicious sustenance. Those who approach the stalls of different kinds of food will be asked to win a compliment war with the guest next to them before their order will be fulfilled. Offer a compliment before the timer is up to win the competition against your chosen competitor. Each round you only get a certain amount of time to think up a compliment, with each round decreasing until no time is left. It might take several rounds before the attendant of the food stall feels inclined to hand over their delicious creations. Of course, once the game is over a plate or drink will be offered. If you want seconds, however, you're going to have to fork over another win.

  Other ways of getting your tummies filled include participating in eating contests, several of which are set up throughout various locations. Burger eating, hotdog eating, even ice cream and cake or drinks themselves, the varieties of things offered are endless. Lucky dreamers might even find foods that are unique to where they come from. ...if a bit off. Its hard to make things exactly the same when the ingredients might be scarce.

  If you're looking for a spot to relax while eating, there are tables and chairs aplenty. There is one catch, though. In order to sit and eat, one must play. Play what, you ask? Musical chairs. Both Dreamers and locals alike are encouraged to participate in a game of musical chairs with their tablemates, while eating of course. The winner will be given a small ribbon to remember the game by.

Well, perhaps even celebration can all be a competition after all.

OOC

Expand to see our Event Summary

Garden of Dreams

• Dreamers arrive in the enchanted garden, after making a wish in their sleep / at their time of death
• Blood weed grows, as sharp as razorblades. Dreamers must move through the thickets, avoiding being cut; the cuts are extremely painful.
• Witch hair also grows, and can be used to heal the cuts from the blood weed. Ingesting it also allows the user to control the weather for a short period of time.

The Spirit of Competition

• A festival is being thrown across both Visium and Lumindeas, celebrating the spirit of competition.
• Dreamers are all divided into four color-based teams, red, blue, green, and yellow, depending on certain traits they possess (see section for list - players choose which team their character will be on).
• Members of the same team can communicate telepathically, and increase each other's physical and magical abilities when they are close.
• Dreamers will experience negative effects when interacting with members of other teams (see section for list).
• There are several events for Dreamers to participate in (see section for list), and all feel compelled to compete and give the competition their best effort.
• Rewards are medals, ribbons, trophies, and sometimes cords.

Living Scavenger Hunt

• Dreamers are all given a list with descriptions befitting of other Dreamers. They must locate these other Dreamers, and get their signature next to the descriptor they match (see section for list).
• Dreamers may also participate in a game where they draw a slip of paper with a descriptor on it, and hand that slip of paper to someone that it describes (ie: someone you like; see section for list of suggestions)
• All feel compelled to be honest in their selections, or if they are confronted

The Gametime Jubilations

• For the duration of the competition, there is a 24/7 festival, offering games, food, dancing, etc.; in every corner of Visium and Lumindeas, people seem to be participating in this festival.
• There are various competitions like dance competitions, a cake walk, open mic/karaoke competition, etc.
• To be served food, Dreamers must engage in a compliment war against each other, offering compliments within a time limit to win enough points to eat. There are also several eating contests (pies, hot dogs, etc.)
• To sit with your food, you must play musical chairs (while eating)

A note that teams are ICly selected automatically for characters, but OOCly, we will not be assigning teams. Simply choose whichever team you think suits your character best.

Feel free to ask questions underneath the correct header! We also request of current players that most playing with the event happen on the event post so that those looking to TDM have a chance to play in all of the varied games and competitions we have provided! Overflows will be provided when and if needed.

Comments

[asixthsense]

[Natsume's thoughts flat-lined for a moment at the simple kiss; if Reiner wanted to fluster him before the dance even started, he was doing a good job!

He doesn't pull his hand away, but he does clear his throat a little.]

Slow dance it is then. Are you comfortable leading? We can go at your pace.

[That said, Natsume was going to be leading Reiner over to the edge of the dance floor that had the slower music playing. They were just in time; one song was ending as they arrived, with a fresh one getting underway.]

[nohero]

[ Judging by Reiner's small, satisfied smile, flustering Natsume may indeed be the goal. Or at the very least, it's not a downside. He can't help thinking it's cute. ]

Yeah, I can lead.

[ He tries to ignore the baggage accompanying that statement.

Once they reach the dance floor, Reiner steps into position. His free hand makes its way to Natsume's waist, then slides to his lower back as they begin to dance. ]

[asixthsense]

[It's dancing Reiner, not a Titan charge through Wall Maria—

If flustering really is the goal here, he's doing a fantastic job of it. Natsume has definitely let him know how he felt about his lower back being touched. This was a dance though, and a slow one at that. Maybe it was simply natural that Reiner, who was nearly a foot taller than Natsume, just happened to rest his hand that low.

Whatever the reason, it takes Natsume a moment to pull out of his own scrambled thoughts and keep from tripping over his own feet. For all his confidence, so far it was Reiner that looked like he knew what he was doing.]

[nohero]

[ Leading is leading, Natsume!!! The pressure is immense!

Thankfully, Reiner is performing well under said pressure. He leads with practiced skill as Natsume gets himself together, slowing down a little to help. ]

I had to learn how to do this for formal events, [ he explains as they dance. Figuring that talking might help Natsume relax. ] I can't say it's gotten much use outside of that.

[asixthsense]

[Wait. This was just a standard position? Reiner wasn't trying to fluster him on purpose? The realization that he'd been the one having wandering thoughts of that nature meant the flush on Natsume's face wasn't going anywhere soon. Maybe a certain copper-headed boy had been a bad influence on him after all.]

You're um, doing a lot better than I was expecting. It's just ah, can you... move your hand up a little? That spot is.. um.

[A place people didn't normally touch? Sensitive? Sends his thoughts directly southward?]

[nohero]

[ Reiner blinks, the realization visible as it crosses his face. Then he quickly slides his hand higher, ending up around mid-back instead. ]

Not a spot for public. Right.

[ He says it quietly, careful to keep his voice low enough that others can't hear. ]

Sorry. Is this better?

[asixthsense]

[Natsume breathed a sigh of relief, his body language finally relaxing enough to follow Reiner's lead more easily.]

Much better. I sort of thought you were doing that on purpose at first.

[nohero]

[ Reiner shakes his head. ]

I was thinking of lessons, not…

[ He trails off. How to finish that sentence? 'What I know of your body'? 'Getting you hot and bothered on the dance floor'? 'Grabbing your ass'? ]

… the situation.

[asixthsense]

Well now that I've embarrassed us both, it can only get better from here, right?

[Point in fact: his dancing confidence was back! The steps Reiner was leading him through were formal, but that meant they were also easy to memorize.]

[nohero]

[ Reiner smiles, his thumb stroking Natsume's back. ]

It's already pretty good.

[asixthsense]

[Natsume's eyes light up as the next song starts to play.]

I know this one! It plays on the magic radio I got from the crystal a lot. Think you can follow my lead this time?

[Just like the other it was relatively slow, but there was a teasing tone to the lyrics and a beat that for him, made it impossible not to follow the song's request to loosen up.]

[nohero]

[ The music is unfamiliar to Reiner, so he's quick to say, ]

I'll give it a shot.

[ And he'll do a decent job in following, getting better the longer that they dance to the song. ]

[asixthsense]

[Natsume keeps it easy! Reiner might even notice some of the steps are similar to what he's used to, just not anything near what one could call formal anymore, with added hip-swaying and rocking in and out on a wide stance. The better Reiner gets at it, the wider Natsume's grin.]

You're doing great!

[nohero]

[ It takes about a minute of careful mimicry, but after that, something remarkable happens:

Reiner loosens up.

He dances with Natsume as though his fear of failure has fled, a smile on his face, laughter in his voice as he admits, ]

I've never danced like this before.

[asixthsense]

[It was like watching a heavy weight fall away from Reiner's shoulders. Natsume wasn't sure what had been holding him back, but seeing Reiner finally able to let himself go and enjoy the playfulness between them was something he wouldn't readily forget.

There's a hint of mischief in Natsume's eyes when he confesses.]

This is how I dance when I'm doing chores around the house.

[nohero]

[ Reiner grins at that. Actually grins, looking years younger—far closer to his actual age. ]

I wouldn't have imagined that.

[ He will now, though! ]

[asixthsense]

[It was amazing to see. Usually the only time he saw Reiner anything like this, it was when he was absorbed in a videogame.]

You should try it sometime. It's actually pretty fun.

[nohero]

I'm not sure I could live it down.

[ Not that Reiner has a roommate, but Connie and Jean are prone to visiting unannounced. Those two would never let it go.

Unfortunately for Reiner's burgeoning dance skills, the song changes again, this time returning to something slow and soft. Reiner starts to get back into position, then pauses. ]

Do you want to keep leading?

[asixthsense]

What, having a good time? If anyone picks on you, I'll kick their butt.

[Natsume is already stepping right up into place, except the mood to this song after that last one still had him feeling a little playful. Instead of the usual formal pose Reiner had started them with, Natsume slipped his arms up to circle Reiner's neck instead, letting his fingers link together as he smiled up at him.]

I think it's nice to take turns.

[nohero]

[ It's a pose Reiner doesn't know, but one that feels natural. With a little shiver, his hands fall to encircle Natsume's waist, the shiver brought on by Natsume's hands on his neck.

It's a sensitive area—he told Natsume as much—but not why it's so sensitive. Not how vulnerable a place it is.

Now isn't the time to spill such secrets. But the intimacy of it makes him smile, small and almost secretive. ]

I don't mind that. Taking turns with you.

[ That said, they begin to sway on the spot, starting a slow rotation. ]

[asixthsense]

...Is this okay?

[The shiver reminded him, brought back memories of a steamy room with desperate kisses and more... He didn't want to make Reiner uncomfortable, even if he was smiling down at him so sweetly.]

Touching your neck like this, I mean.

[nohero]

It's okay, [ Reiner assures as they dance, gazing into Natsume's fox-like eyes. ] It feels good with you. Safe.

[ Which says something about it being a vulnerable area. ]

[asixthsense]

[That was a word that made Natsume's eyes widen a little.]

I make you feel safe? You're the hero here, the one that saved my life, remember?

[nohero]

[ A hero… Isn't that what he always wanted to be?

Reiner shakes his head. ]

There are different kinds of safety.

[ What he feels with Natsume isn't physical safety so much as it is emotional safety. The safety that comes with knowing Natsume wouldn't intentionally harm him. The safety to dance and make a fool of himself. ]

[asixthsense]

[It was something of a revelation for Natsume, who for so much of his life had gone with both being on rocky ground. For him, he'd always had the sense that Reiner wouldn't let anything harm him if he were there. Even when they'd first met, Reiner had treated his tiny dragon self with care.]

What part of you do I get to protect?