buttrinthum | TDM #1

Entry tags:

!tdm

TDM #1

Arrival / Enchanted Garden

Whether it be sleep or death, you feel your eyes close, and as your body begins to let go, you see a barn owl that is flying through the darkness, soon sweeping you across the clouded sky. You feel yourself mouth the words, “I wish, I wish..” and utter your deepest and darkest desire.

When you regain consciousness, you’ll find you are in an unfamiliar place with no recognition of how you arrived here. You have the clothes on your back, but nothing else. No weapons and if you had a particular superpower, you’ll notice it is missing. All you have is a satchel with a piece of bread, a vial of water and a potion. The potion could be red, blue or golden. There are no instructions about these potions other than two words: Drink Me.

Will you drink it or not?

There is a parchment, handwritten, and it simply gives you a welcoming:

“Welcome to my Labyrinth. Per our agreement, you have consented to live your life here for an undetermined amount of time. In exchange, I will grant you the wish that you desire the most.”

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: poinsettias and mistletoe. You’ll soon find out that being around the poinsettias give you an odd sense of joy no matter how confusing the situation may seem and the mistletoe, which is left over from the holiday season, gives you the desire to kiss or hold hands with the nearest person to you. It looks like there are plenty of others who are just now waking up from their dream-state as well.. why not go ahead and say hello?

Somnius / Snow Angels

With the influx of new life, the humble town a barkeep tells you is called Somnius seems to come alive as well, with new faces to join that of the resident fairies, goblins and other townfolk. There’s bustling energy to the land that the townfolk will tell you wasn’t quite there before, and some suspect that the presence of the new arrivals might be powering the world around them in some way - but that’s a question to be answered on another day. The quaint town of Somnius needs a little bit of care, that rustic feel to the mushroom houses, old shops and weathered castles too evident at first glance, but it’s not a bad place to live, as the locals will tell you. It almost seems like everything will be okay…

But of course, things are never so simple.

Whether you have been wandering around to get your bearings, talking to the locals or exploring your new humble (very humble) abode, you can expect to find mysterious ice sculptures - fashioned in the shape of snow angels, with blades in their hands - appearing in random places around the town. There are some that manifest in the middle of the street, some that sit quietly at the edge of an inn, and even some that appear right beside your bed, staring at you as you wake up. It’s unclear how these sculptures even got here, but close proximity to them will conjure up feelings of unrest, like you should not step any closer.

It’s smart to trust your gut in these situations. Step too close to a snow angel and it will come to life, moving with the grace of flowing water. They make a vague request and will spare only those able to heed it.

“Cold … so cold … Even the days of Visium are so cold. Have you any warmth to spare us?”

Some angels will accept an article of clothing as warmth. Others are greedy and keep demanding more, wanting to take everything that you have on your body. Heed their requests and they will spare you. Resist even just a little, and that’s when they draw their swords.

It’s not too easy to defeat an angel with brute force given that they reform themselves immediately. Running away or blasting them with fire could do the trick. Be careful not to get cut by their blades, however…

Characters who get cut by their blades will experience an inconsolable sense of chill and emptiness, right down to their bones. They will find themselves desiring ‘warmth’ from others in different ways - whether through physical contact, or affectionate words and gestures. There might be the few who go feverish in their desire for warmth. For those characters – the open fireplace is looking like a very tantalizing place to sit in right now (Yes, sit in, not by). They might even feel compelled to pull a friend in with them. That can’t be good for anyone…

The effects will only subside if the condition of receiving ‘warmth’ is met. This can be in the literal sense (physical warmth and intimacy) or figurative (feelings of love, acceptance and happiness).

Bonfire

When night falls, the temperatures only drop further, which does no favours for the poor souls who had to give up their clothing. The locals want to welcome the new arrivals and give everyone an opportunity to unwind from a busy and chaotic day of being hunted by snow sculptures. That’s why they’ve set up a gathering in the middle of town square. Food and alcohol is being generously supplied by The Cask & Anvil, and marketplace vendors have set up pop up stands to try and cajole the new arrivals into purchasing some fancy new clothes or a pretty gemstone they claim will ward off danger (claims not verified).

At the center of it all is a large bonfire that’s warming up the square. Everyone is encouraged to warm themselves by it after a long day, eat, and make merry. In fact, there’s a certain sense of enchantment to the crackling fire that seems to draw even the shiest wallflower in, pushing them to sit with others and make conversation. As the night goes on, the newly arrived dreamers will find themselves settling easily into the warm and bustling mood, any stresses and anxieties melting away. With time, they’ll start to find themselves without a filter, more than happy to talk about themselves and the life they had led prior to coming to Visium. In fact, they will feel compelled to share a story from their past - one that might be joyous, comedic, thrilling, or tragic. Whatever sorts of feelings come attached to their story, it will be one of emotional significance.

In the back of their minds, they might get the sense someone else is listening.

OOC

Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM! Characters will arrive depowered and with only their clothing, and will be given a satchel with a crystal pendant, a communication device, some water and bread and a magic potion. If they drink the potion, they will manifest an elemental, healing or animal transformation ability.

With the exception of Castle Vaeros, characters are free to go as they please, so feel free to place them in any of the locations available on the map. Yes, this includes the Labyrinth - though characters will not be able to clear the maze. Please comment here to request an outcome for your character's labyrinth exploration and a moderator will get to you shortly. (The longest a character can stay in the Labyrinth is 3 days.)

You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below.

Page 27 of 147

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

i. arrival/enchanted garden

[ Contracts are a familiar domain for Seimei, although he's far more used to being on the issuer rather than the recipient in an offer. It isn't often any being, spirit or god, manages to catch him off guard and prompt words out of his heart without prepared conditions. Either Seimei is getting sloppy in his old age (never!) or this person is particularly clever.

Or lucky.

Either way, he does have some pride to defend. When Seimei wakes up with his letter, missing all his usual tools, he decides he has to meet the host responsible for bringing him. The other newcomers in the garden are greeted by a brightly smiling man dressed in comfortable layers and carrying his potion around like he just picked it up. Maybe he's spent too long around the poinsettias, but he's in high spirits. ]

Well! Someone must be throwing a party. Do you think we're under-dressed?

ii. snow angels

[ Seimei is fairly adept at avoiding the sculptures, giving them a wide berth where he can, but some are so inconveniently placed and he can't stand around forever. He has exploration to do. So he does his best to placate the angels with burning sticks from the available fires and kind gestures, all the while avoiding anything too complicated. Eventually, though, he gets stuck with a particularly stubborn snow angel, almost running into other people as he dodges the sword. One hand is closed around the scarf he's wearing, holding it in place, and he does at least apologize for any collisions. ]

Ah, can't you find something else? I'm sure there is warmth inside if you just knock! Really, I can't give you everything.

iii. bonfire

I don't like to complain, but the welcome was just a bit difficult.

[ He's speaking politely, with food and drink in hand like a properly grateful guest, although the weariness isn't quite kept out of his tone. ]

Usually it's polite to start with an invitation and give people time to prepare. And it was so rushed I lost some important items in transit... Where do they have a claims office for lost items, I wonder?

[ Seimei has on his most pitiful expression as he nurses his meal and drink with laments. ]

I haven't done extensive traveling in so long. I'm exhausted.

iv. wildcard

[ ooc: I'm happy to have any prompts thrown my way if you want to figuratively or literally crash into Seimei. He's definitely poking around like a rude stray looking for trouble. PM to plot with me or send a message to

teaandreveries if you want to plan more, but I'll improvise freely. ]

[A wonderful garden? Certainly. Sarah is still wondering how she got here and what to do about this situation, and she's moving about rather cautiously when she hears the musing voice.

She's not sure what to make of him. He looks like a dancer; his clothes rather resemble Matoya's. But if he's not the master of this place, perhaps she should talk to him.]

Did you also find a letter on you?

I can be as loud as I want!

_{[ So demanding.. instantly, Akira feels a little bit of guilt and rubs the back of his neck. ]}

Sorry.. I just didn’t expect.. whatever this is. You’re right. We can figure it out together.

_{[ He gives Megumi a look over and exhales slowly to calm himself down. Looks like just a regular old dude. Even though Akira knows he can’t transform for some reason, that doesn’t mean he is going to back down from a fight if something comes after them. ]}

Let’s stick together. I’ll make sure you don’t get hurt.

( the noise is jarring enough that it manages to shake ena out of her cold-induced shock, looking up with wide eyes and not a lot of processing going on up there just yet- the adjustment is taking a bit. but she does manage to understand she's being saved, and reluctant as she is to move her arms, the invitation of warmth through such a gesture is too much to resist. ena takes her hand, scrambling to her feet stiffly. )

R-right- which- ( god, she's so cold she can barely talk. ) -which way?

_{[ Instantly, a rush of guilt flourishes over him. He’s on edge, and his temper has never been the same. Not since Amon fused with him. He shouldn’t be so snippy to someone who is human (and.. possibly blind?? That’s Akira’s assumption now that he’s taking a good look at Gojo and that makes him feel even worse.) ]}

Sorry.. I don’t know how to say this.. but I have a certain power and I’m realizing I can’t use it now. It’s kind of pissing me off.

_{[ He blinks a few times. Maybe this guy really can’t see and needs.. help? By holding hands? ]}

Hey, listen.. don’t worry. We can figure this out together. I didn’t mean to get angry.. here..

_{[ He simply takes his hand.. honestly on the pure assumption this guy needs help seeing! ]}

I’ll lead the way.

_{[ Despite the way being a half-demon made him increasingly more attracted to literally everyone, there is still the goodness in his human heart that prevents him from being too pushy. Akira settled his hands on his hips and grind even wider. ]}

Alright, suit yourself. Let me know if you change your mind! You’re pretty cute.

_{[ Akira, don’t say things like that when you’ve just met someone. ]}

I guess we have no choice but to figure out what’s going on. Did you also see the owl before you got here?

For the snow angels, do words and gestures work for providing warmth? Compliments/flattery, heart-warming stories, hugs or cute kisses? Steamy flirtation?

[LADY...ARE YOU OKAY???

Katsuki squishes a berry under his foot to mark their path every twenty or so feet, alternating between when Aurora does it, and he is just. Learning so much about her. So much that is only making him wish he was none the wiser or never fucking asked because my sister in Christ. He actually has to slow his pace for a second because there is so goddamn much to unpack here.]

...Kingdom. So you're some royal, first of all. [He is ticking off notes, or observations, really, on his fingers.] Second, you're being hunted by some fuckoff villain for some reason you either don't know or haven't told me. I won't ask about it. Lastly, your shitty parents decided they couldn't protect not only their goddamn daughter, but their kingdom as well...and shipped you off to the literal middle of no where.

[He feels like...he's heard this somewhere before. It sounds very familiar.]

Let me guess, there's a prince you're destined to marry or what the hell ever, too? White horse, killer looks, overwhelming charm and all that? Tch, you sure you're not coming straight from a book yourself, Oujou-san?

Nope, only clothing! But one can be placated with something small.. such as a scarf.. or even just a sock. It doesn’t have to be a characters full attire.

( there may be no real harm in picking a couple of flowers — especially if they drive away any of the uneasiness that settles beneath the surface at waking up somewhere completely different from where you were last — but who's to say there isn't someone secretly watching to make sure that very thing doesn't happen? poinsettia police, or something like that?

also maybe don't touch things if you're not one hundred percent sure they're safe, but that's definitely something he would tell his students and ignore himself, so. moving right along.

but! she turns to face him and he holds his hands up placatingly, because he really hadn't meant to startle her! though he's a bit of a ninja when he wants to be ( more than when he's not even trying, like now, which is definitely saying something ), he mouths sorry! before she has a chance to speak up. just in case she needed a moment or two to catch her breath. and recover from that heart attack.

it's an odd question to ask, he knows well, an even odder thing to acquiesce to — and is he a bit surprised that she ends up holding her hand out to him? yes. does he reach out without much hesitation on his own part and take it in his own? also yes.

there's a moment of stillness as it sinks in, her hand warm and solid in his, long fingers curling almost delicately in a gentle hold. nothing wrong at all with a bit of platonic hand-holding between strangers! not that he'd thought there was anything wrong with it to begin with. it's just not something he would have thought of, period.

warmth spreads through his chest, and he makes a soft huh sound in the back of his throat. ) Well that's … nice.

Nice is a good word for it. ( excellent, now just don't embarrass yourself and you'll be fine. )

[ It sure would be funny if they could have a candid conversation about how the most unsettling part about this is not, in fact, their current locale.

As it stands, Kaito doesn't even respond when she steps in and takes a seat. A full minute passes before he actually blinks, looks up, and sinks into his chair. ]

You've been there a while, huh? Sorry. I've got a lot on my mind. Would you like me to make tracks?

[Oh, this bitch.

When he said minor, Katsuki meant it. He's not one to lie usually, actually fucking hates to do it unless he has good reason to, and while there might be a sprain or even small fracture, it's quite literally minor in comparison to the, y'know...being impaled portion of his very significant injuries. Which he was up front about!! There's no point in hiding it, especially if this geezer is a doctor. Katsuki won't deny he probably needs his stitches looked at, and his bandages absolutely need to be changed. Maybe even a brace for his wrist, at least for a while.

Growling, because even though he did attempt to swat her hand away, his wrist is grabbed and Katsuki's lips do curl back to show off his teeth. Yes, he is literally baring his fangs at her now, mostly because he just doesn't like to be touched period. There is a mild discomfort as pressure is applied to the injury, but for the most part he is meeting her eye resolutely and tightening his fingers into a curled fist.]

Apologies, old woman, but you can fucking kiss my ass. [Read as: are you done? Because you're pushing your luck.]

( one moment she's on the verge of tears- the cold stings so bitterly it hurts and the next there's something wrapped around her, warmth ebbing softly around her shoulders. her breath hitches for a moment and she looks up for the source. ena wasn't sure what she expected, but a boy her age wasn't it-

oh. oh, hes saying words, okay- )

Um- Shinonome Ena- I'm 16. T-thank you.

( she can't even take issue with his tone when he's doing this for her. she'd normally be more shy about accepting something like this, but right now? yeah, no, the blazer is hers now* and she tugs it close, only barely resisting the urge to curl up further within it.

*until they get someplace where she can find something for herself. )

I mean. There iiiis the problem about where we'll stay? But... this is nice.

( he's right though, she's freezing, even with the fire. maybe once she's done eating she'll take a better look around... oh wait, hold on. cake? there's cake? )

I hadn't seen it! Where can I get some?

oh nooo brain why

thank you though! and no worries. it happens!

[Aurora listens as he goes on and on and on. She is not mad, she's not sure what she did to anger this boy. If he's getting mad on her behalf or merely because he felt she lied to him. She has no way of knowing. Every time she opens her mouth to try and respond, he pushes his way through. It's when he finally stops his tirade and calls her a word she's never heard before that she looks at him calmly, tilting her head as she crushes another berry under her heel.]

Would you like me to actually answer or would you like to sit in your assumptions of my life? You speak so assuredly about everything, there seems little reason to respond regardless of whether or not you are correct. You have clearly made your assumptions and are pleased to maintain them.

But if you would, in fact, like to hear what I might have to say, perhaps you should take a breath and allow for silence on your part so another may fill it instead.

[Eh, they'll figure something out about housing. That's a problem for future Marui. Right now his concerns are filling his stomach and staying warm. But the company is nice, too. He's a pack animal at heart, most comfortable in a group.]

Over near the alcohol. Better hurry-- I'll keep your seat for you. Bring me some more while you're at it, will you?

[She falls quiet, blinking once, and not because of his vulgar language. Something different... Pff--!!]

KEHEHEHEHEHE!

[There goes her laugh and she sounds amused. How cute, he is showing his teeth off. No surprise for her, she's not a people person. Though lately, thanks to some events, she is slowly warming up to some people, tolerating others, but her piracy price never changed.

What caught her attention was the kid's tolerance for pain. Maybe she didn't press it hard enough but anyone else they'd be on their knee crying.

She drops his hand like a paper napkin taking two steps back, then forward barely touching him as she passes him, one hand on the hip and the other hanging by her side. The puppy's message is clear and abides by it.]

You're not my type.

[But most importantly, she raises an index finger.]

Doctorine. Call me that. And--! [She wiggles the same index finger.] Another thing. I'm not that old. Just turned one hundred and one.

I... can't deny that either, unfortunately.

[ As she breathes out a careful sigh. ]

I have to keep telling myself that it's fine like that, for now. We did just arrive and the areas we can explore are a bit limited.

Um... well, I'd like to believe I do. A little more than I used to be able to, of course. As a child, I kept to myself.

[ She frowns as she says it, because it's. Not like she ever really talks about her childhood, especially with someone she just met? ]

... [ Listen, Haru is naturally wary of a.) adults and b.) detectives, both for reasons she would say are very understandable in a way she still wouldn't be able to explain to most people. And it's true that she's eyeing Gumshoe a bit cautiously as he strikes up a conversation with her.

But then he continues and her eyebrows shoot straight up. ]

Not... literally whipped, I hope?

I do not see the need to partake in this society's rules. Our consent was manufactured to begin with.

[Yeah yeah he heard the whole wish stuff, but surely he wouldn't have abandoned his creator to fulfill a purpose independent of serving him, right?

...right?

.....at his current canon point, he just can't imagine it.]

Take what you require. Just not from me.

[Unfortunately, Metal cannot translate cat.

Fortunately(?) that doesn't particularly matter, as the guy's got a temper finer than a hair and it doesn't take much to escalate this from staring contest to full on violence. He abandons his food and drink to the floor and tries to stand on the cat's tail.

SORRY HE'S LIKE THIS.]

[...Oh. Right. To Katsuki, this young woman's life may sound like a storybook fantasy, a fairytale, but to her, it's real he just made light of it in his ignorance. It wasn't his intent, but he's...ah, not the best when it comes to, well, people. Socializing isn't his forte, Katsuki tends to make enemies quicker than he does friends, but he can at least acknowledge the mistake. Thus, he can't even be mad about being put in his place so aptly. She had every right to scold him.

He doesn't apologize, because that shit's hard and Katsuki knows he'd fuck it up in some way, but the little huff and grunt is...passable for one. Maybe. At least he does hush up on her request, albeit with a pout. Yes, Bakugou Katsuki, the Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight himself...is sulking.

His hands jam into his pockets, instinctively pawing at what should be there but isn't, and his shoulders only hunch up further. His body feels tight, and it's not all from his injuries, either.]

It is vital to establish new parameters. They are one set of data to be used in decision making going forward.

[Whatever that's all about.

But while he's musing out loud about his current altered state, she can witness the snow angel reform behind Metal and raise its sword...MENACINGLY

Will she give a stranger a hand?]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 27 of 147

TDM #1

Abe no Seimei | original (modern day onmyouji)

Garden

no subject

oh no i'm not familiar but zapper is CUTE

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

D

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject