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buttrinthum2025-05-01 10:11 am
May 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.
- 💐 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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!
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.
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.
Expand to see our Event Summary
Garden of Dreams
The Spirit of Competition
Living Scavenger Hunt
The Gametime Jubilations
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.
no subject
A dance. Hm.
He has had dreams about it, especially back in the aftermath of their winning the competition. But Viktor was too shy, too reserved to ever ask Jayce for it. They had an image to keep a tenuous thread that was strung far too tightly, and Viktor feared that his wants and desires would cause it to snap and alert those around them to the truth. So he quelled his wants, his desires, and simply yearned and longed for Jayce's attention in secret. If people had seen him, with Jayce, so openly, he feared that it would soil and ruin their chances of much of anything at all. A Zaunite with such blatant displays of affection towards Piltover's Golden Boy? It would be a scandal that would have ruined their prospects of continuing their dream. It would have ruined Jayce's image and coupled with everything else that was far more concerning to him.
So for their dreams and hextech to come to fruition and so they might gain the sponsors needed to help those in need he continued to deny himself of this. If it was for the good of others Viktor could continue to do so. But they are no longer in Piltover and Viktor is learning quite quickly things about himself when it comes to Jayce that he is still trying to navigate. Things he is still tentative about affording himself but will do so with some coaxing from Jayce, no less. It's a simple enough offer, just a dance, but it makes his heart clatter against his ribs at a pace he thinks is alarming. But it's a normal biological reaction, excitement and anticipation.
So his cheeks turn a nice rosy shade to contrast the paleness of his skin, and his golden eyes flick away from Jayce's lips as he swallows thickly. His heart skips a beat just then. ] You want to? With me?
[ Well, he's not surprised, not really, and yet the offer of it still manages to catch him off guard. ] With such a tempting offer to potentially make fools of ourselves...how can I resist?
[ Just giving Jayce an amused but loving stare now. ] You'll have to do the leading. I'm afraid I have approximately zero knowledge on the subject.
no subject
It's different for Viktor, though. The world he knows hasn't changed yet.
His hand moves from his back to settle on Viktor's waist. The public affection is easy. He thinks that back then, he would have liked the chance to act like this with Viktor at home. If he had known the extent of the way he felt about his partner. If Jayce knew before things went wrong, he certainly would have seized any chance for something like this. He leans in, whispering. ]
Of course with you. [ Viktor, really? Jayce thinks it's painfully clear that Viktor's the only person he wants to dance with right now. ]
Fools? [ Probably. ] The only reason people would be looking at us is because they're jealous that I get to dance with the most beautiful person here.
[ So how about that, man. He'll guide them both towards the dance floor, then, since he's leading. ] I can lead us. I have plenty from all of those stuffy events.
no subject
Oh. Please. I-I'm not...you're embellishing quite a bit. As if anyone would-would ever...
[ Consider him beautiful like the way Jayce does. His face is so hot as he lets Jayce lead, stiffening once both of Jayce's hands are on his back and waist. But he relaxes soon enough once his eyes, still diverted for a long time, finally meet Jayce's with that constant look of adoration and love in them. ] I remember. I...used to watch when I was forced to go by the professor.
[ Watching you was one of the only redeeming things about them. But Viktor isn't going to say that outright. It's bad enough that he said what he said at all. Ah. He is looking away again at that admission because it's so very embarrassing to admit. ] But, yes, feel free to, eh, lead.
no subject
Well, I love you. I'd probably get jealous if you danced with anyone else.
[ He smiles a little at that. Of course, he is kind of teasing because he knows Viktor is suggesting that Jayce dance with someone else, not the other way around.
But knowing how Viktor watched at other dances - it was an interesting thought. He wondered if Viktor watched him or if he let himself get a look at how everyone was together. He didn't always love the schmoozing with people, but he was always good at it. Even if he had always wanted to be back in their lab. That's where he was happiest.
He gets comfortable standing on the dance floor, hands finding their proper places - one on Viktor's back, the other takes his hand. His movements are slow and steady, but close. ]
Did you watch? Did you learn anything?
[ Hmmm. ]
no subject
Jayce saying I love you so easily like that gets him to flush a rather deep red as he looks away, a soft chuff of a laugh. ] Yes. You-You have mentioned that you do. The jealousy is...new, however.
[ An amused glitter in his eyes as he allows Jayce to place his hands where they are needed. Viktor does opt to set his crutch off to the side against a chair, before they had taken to the floor, his gait unsteady as they start to dance. He, for some reason, can't stop looking at Jayce like he's hung the stars. But his expression gets bashful again as he looks away. ]
Of course I did. What else was I to do at those parties? I learned a good few things, yes. [ Mostly that he was jealous of Jayce not dancing with him, but with other people. But also that the other was handsome, unfairly so, when he was dancing, and Viktor had been too cautious not to partake in it. ]
Mostly things...about myself, really. Who knew that watching something so mundane, such as dancing, would lead to some self-discovery? [ 'I learned I was very much in love with you' is the unspoken truth that Viktor does not say. But his reddened face and look in his eyes are undeniable. ]
no subject
But understanding now brings a whole new wave of feelings to deal with. Openly loving and wanting Viktor. The desire to be by his side. The jealousy because he doesn't know what he'd do without those eyes on him. And this is a chance he never thought he'd get. It's perplexing and exciting. It's not something he's going to take for granted. ]
Like what, Viktor?
[ Hmm. He watches, starting to get a good sway and movement with the beat of the music. It's slower, of course, given the romantic theme of it all. ]
If you want to share. No pressure.
[ That look Viktor is giving him makes his heart beat faster, pleasantly so. His stomach flips a little and he smiles easily. He feels...at peace. His mind is quiet now, and he's focused on the other. For him, Viktor's always been his guide. He doesn't even fully realize all he's done for and given Jayce. Not yet, at least. ]
no subject
[ He follows Jayce's pace keeping up though he does stutter every now and then with a less then graceful movement.
He doesn't mention how he was completely taken in when he watched Jayce with others, wishing to some degree, that it was him instead. ]
But this little dance of ours makes me glad...to have waited. Since I get you all to myself now. What is the, ah, saying? Good things come to those that wait, yes?
no subject
[ He hadn't really considered that. He just did what he had thought he needed to do in order to pursue their shared dream. Honestly, as long as they invested he cared very little what those people thought of him. Even though he didn't always enjoy it, it did come fairly naturally to him. Any time there's a stutter in his step, Jayce shifts his arm on Viktor's back to tighten slightly to ensure he's fully supporting the other. ]
But I'm not using any charms, Viktor. This is just how I am.
[ It doesn't sound like he's teasing, but he might be a little. A careful sway and movement. He does seem to intentionally be moving to keep their weight off their bad legs as much as possible. ]
Maybe you just like me as I am. [ Eyes flicker up to him. ] It was worth it, I hope. I really made you wait a long time. I'm sorry it took me so long to see.
[ Viktor is very patient. It's not an apology that needs forgiveness, but one he feels like needs to be said. Knowing that he has such little time with Viktor at home means he feels like so much of that time was lost to them. ]
no subject
But of course. [ Jayce always surprises him with his words recently. Even this apology gets Viktor's heart to flutter in his chest. He can't help but smile ever so slightly as he cups Jayce's cheek with a hand. ]
You say the most ridiculous things sometimes, Jayce. We both had our parts to play in it.
[ Both of them were accountable for their own inaction when it came to...them. ]
no subject
Alright, I'll give you that one.
[ He leans into the touch, a gentle couple of steps to ensure they stay close as they move and dance. Every ounce of affection he has for Viktor is in his eyes in that moment. As far as he's concerned, there's not another person even here, because Viktor is everything in his world right now. ]
Maybe so. [ And it's not like it would have stopped him from reviving Viktor, or changed the course of things much after that. ] Maybe I didn't notice because you're not supposed to stare at the sun.
[ How's that for ridiculous things. ]
no subject
[ He's not mad, not at all, but he's so damn flustered that he stumbles a little and falls against Jayce for a brief moment. His heart beating far too fast in his chest as he looks into Jayce's eyes. ]
Staring too long at the sun might lead to disastrous results.
no subject
The past few months before he got here were rough. They sharpened his edges and made him lose a lot of the faith he had in the people around him. Once someone who trusted nearly everyone with the assumption that they were working as hard to be good as he was, he now had a hard time trusting a lot of people.
But being here with Viktor, he's softening again, he finds. He's glad for it, it feels better to trust and care for people truly. ]
Hm. Then maybe I shouldn't.
[ He moves his on Viktor's back to help steady the man, comfortable in the closeness. And as they shuffle their feet for a moment, he closes his eyes softly for a moment. ]
Better?
no subject
Viktor coughs, looking away as he nods silently while Jayce fixes their position. His hand was on the small of his back, sending a shiver up his spine. He takes the moment that Jayce closes his eyes to lean in a bit, lips almost touching, but Viktor is hardly one to show outward displays of physical affection. It's just something he's still coming to terms with here, that he's allowed it, and that he can kiss Jayce outright if he wants. But he still stumbles through it, giving Jayce a small, quick, little kiss as they shuffle their way through another turn in tune with the music.
His face is red, but a soft smile is ever-present on his lips. ] Much.
no subject
It's second nature for him to return the affection.
His thumb moves in a small circles on Viktor's back as they sway easily. It's not something hes fully aware of that he's doing. Affection like this comes easily to him. His eyes flutter open for a moment. ]
Thanks for dancing with me. I'm going to make sure that we make up for lost time.
[ Years of experiences and time to learn and care for each other were long gone, but he'll take what he can here. ]
no subject
[ He hums a little in pleasure at the thumb moving in circles on his back and the warmth of Jayce's hands against clothed skin. ]
But you don't need to thank me for this, Jayce. I. I should be the one to say it...to thank you. [ Because after all these years, he still couldn't muster up the courage to say how he truly felt. ] You have...given me so much in our short time here. It truly has been wonderful.
no subject
[ All in the past for him, of course. He knows that this isn't going to be something he'll have a chance for again. He simply can't imagine it for them anymore in his future. And he won't say it, but he supposes it's less lost time - and more time they'll never get to have. He'll always treasure the precious years, but he wanted to be greedy. He wanted to have more.
He sways gently, closing his eyes and focusing on the feeling for just a few moments. It's nice how at peace it makes him feel. He's surprised by it. ]
No, you shouldn't be the one to do any of that. You don't need to. [ See how it works.] It's been great. I always feel so grounded with you. Things are less blurry and I am more myself.
[ He says it at the risk of sounding too clingy. Or too attached. ]
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Because even here, after all this time, I'm not sure I would have said it. That I have wanted this. [ Perhaps that makes him somewhat of a coward, then. But his smile warms a little at that, and his thumb gently strokes Jayce's cheek. ]
If I am able to help in any way, I will do whatever I can for you. [ He leans in for a small kiss. ] You have given me purpose, direction, and a dream that could help so many. Of course, I would do anything in my power to help you.
no subject
Maybe not. Maybe you would have. I can't say for certain, but I'm glad for the bit of honesty you've already shared. [ He leans into Viktor's touch. ]
When I crawled out of that pit... [ Hm. A small confession. ] After I got home. After everything. All I could think was you. So much so that I thought maybe I dreamed this place and made you real. [ He feels relief as he says that. ] I'm glad that wasn't true, though. I'm glad you're here and real. The most real, even.