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buttrinthum2023-01-01 04:59 pm
TDM #1
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?
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).
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.
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.
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This isn't a dream! This cat really is just chilling with her. HIBIKI DON'T YOU DARE SCREW THIS UP!!
Gently placing a hand on his head, she gives him a few trial pets on his head before finally relaxing. The pets don't stop either; her drink can wait. ]
You're so cute... Are you seriously comfortable like that?
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Along the way, he curls up into a bit of a lump with his chin still resting on her leg, and blue eyes blink up at her as if to sass back in reply.
He appears to be perfectly fine, given all that purring.
Internally, however, Kaito wonders why she seems so delighted to get one (1) (fake-)cat's attention. Perhaps she's bad with animals? Maybe she's just a cat lover like he is. ]
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This must be what heaven feels like. As he stares up at her, Hibiki laughs sheepishly. ]
Okay, okay, forget I asked. I'm not used to little ones like you sitting with me. [ If it isn't obvious from how cautious she's been until this point. ] Usually cats hate me.
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Eventually, one blue winks open and the gates to Heck (his jaws) unhinge for a yawn. ]
Mrow.
[ Surely that meant something. Did it mean anything???
He may not be a real cat, but he can at least indulge this poor woman's desire to not be hated by felines. It's the least he can offer after she helped him get his clothes back earlier. ]
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Both hands go up reflexively as her feline companion shows off those pearly whites, worried for her fingers for a moment until he imparts a word of feline wisdom upon her. Okay, that wasn't a "this is awful feel my wrath" unhinging. Was that a yawn? That was a yawn, right? ]
Hey, you're gonna make me yawn too if you keep do that!
[ Does it keep her from going back to petting? Absolutely not! She has been blessed with this prince's presence and she will be taking advantage of that. ]
Must be nice, though. Being a cat, only having to worry about cat things. Like, where's my next meal coming from, do I have somewhere warm to sleep... [ She idly scritches him behind his ear. ] Looks like you've got it all figured out, though, don't you, little guy?
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In short, he's tripped. A lot.
The ear scritch in particular prompts his motor to rev louder, and he winds up jumping into her lap to make himself comfortable as a curled loaf. His tail bats at her face a few times, which was completely unintentional. Probably. Eventually, it also curls around himself to settle.
There is no answer. Of course there isn't. But one-sided dialogue can be just as constructive as dialogue between two people. The answers she creates and comes to will hopefully be satisfying.
And if they aren't, maybe he can bite her once or twice to steer her back on track. ]
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Her back straightens as Nyagano hops up on her lap, curling into (in her eyes) the most perfect burnt bun in the world. Hibiki stares down at him in utter disbelief, because this has never happened before? Ever?? Even the way his tail whips her face a few times, for some reason that just adds to the effect. Ah yes, now she can die happy.
But also, hmm, she's stuck here now, isn't she? What happens if her legs fall asleep like this? Looks like she's just going to have to suffer.
But she does have access to her arms, and while this will mean that Hibiki will have to pause on petting him, she wants to try something. Reaching and grabbing the blanket she's thrown over her shoulders, she moves very carefully to try to wrap him up too. Not completely, leaving space for his head to poke out, but still covered enough to keep the both of them warm. ]
How's that? Nice and toasty? [ A beat, as the petting continues. ] I bet you're used to it being this cold though. I don't think I've ever seen this much snow back home. Tokyo isn't exactly a winter wonderland. It's pretty, but boy is it cold here...
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Mew!
[ Nice. She's right—or at least correct to his version of Earth—as Tokyo doesn't really get cold like the mountains do. Or like Yukito does when he's sick.
Ah. He misses his family already...
Kaito's head vanishes into the void of Blanket so that he can better snuggle up against Hibiki. However, an ear still (comically) points out. Maybe that's a sign that he's still listening?
Or wants ear scritches? ]
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Figures that she would have to be spirited away to some far-off land for her to find a cat that actually tolerates her.
She takes the ear sticking out from the Blanket Void to be both an invitation for scritches and for more details. Good thing for him that she's more than willing to offer a bit of both, although she isn't convinced that he can understand a single word that she says. But that's fine. Warm from both the feline on her lap and her drink finally starting to hit, she feels oddly nostalgic. At least this way she can feel like she's having a conversation, even if the unwitting participant here has no idea what she's talking about. ]
I bet mom would've loved it out here, she always got so excited when it snowed. I could see her trying to build snowmen taller than she was, instead of the little ones we'd roll out on the balcony. Makes me wish I wasn't such a typical teenager. You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.
[ Huffing a quiet sigh, Hibiki tilts her head to look down at the cat in her lap, a hint of wistfulness in her smile. ]
Not like you need to worry about anything like that, huh?
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Instead, there's a bit of shifting under the blankets, and his head pops up again to stare up at her. Right on time, too, considering the preceding question.
His head tilts, partly because he's not sure how to answer but mostly because... Well, this hits. It hits hard. Kaito lost his mother much earlier than it sounds like she presumably did, but even without his powers he can hear the forlorn note in her voice.
Eventually, he simply rests it down again, this time outside of the blanket shield so that she can continue to pet him. More Purring ensues—he knows that when he's feeling particularly down, Tango will just lie down on his face and rev the motors. ]
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Looking down at him, blinking owlishly, the blonde puts on a practiced, reassuring smile. She's heard of some animals being empathetic, but that's probably just learned behavior at work. Even still-- ]
I'm fine, really. You didn't need to get up.
[ She will always feel obligated to sweep her own worries and insecurities under the rug. The sound of the Kitty Motor helps, and with a quiet sigh Hibiki rests her hand on his back, petting him with her thumb. ]
It's just been a rough couple of days. I thought I was getting closer to knowing what happened to her, but if even Konda can't find a trace of her... what am I supposed to do? [ How does a soul just disappear? Or, to quote Rikiya, "Cease to exist."
She would like to hope that being whisked off to wherever this happens to be might draw her attention away from what brought her back to Tokyo in the first place, that the (hopefully brief) time away would give her space to think outside the box. Maybe it's a little too soon to say. The same tired smile on her face, Hibiki tilts her head toward the feline as she scritches his chin once more. ]
So if you know anybody with experience dealing with souls and the afterlife, send them my way, okay Kitty? I promise I'll make it up to you.
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Kaito's no expect... Nor is he a practitioner... But he knows some things. He has—er, had—the Domain's library to study while he was trying to break into hell himself.
His ear flicks from all the petting and scritching (very good attention btw, much purring is also had). He's a little antsy now. He wants to get up and try to talk to her in his human form, but...
Well, shit. That would just be creepy, huh? She's probably think he was some kind of freak for nabbing all this attention while pretending to be a cat. Tch. He's gonna have to think a bit harder about this.
One thing's for sure, though. ]
Mrrrrr... Mrow. [ Nyagano almost nods.
He's going to find a way to help. Just... with some subtlety. ]
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[ Does she understand him? Not a whit, but the response that she receives from her new feline friend still amuses her enough to draw a more genuine smile to the surface. She expects that eventually he will leave and head back home, where a warm bed and any number of cute cat scarves (how did she not know this was a thing until) to wear on his next "adventure."
Look at her, she used to be so awkward around cats, and now she's making up little stories about him in her head. How far she's come... ]
Your owner's probably somewhere around here, huh? You didn't run off or anything, did you?
[ Hibiki, he's a cat*, he does what he wants. ]
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Mrrr.
[ Yeah, his owner* is nearby. Close enough, in fact, that the thought of dipping out to return in his natural form is still kinda tempting.
But he refrains. He's just a cat*.
...After a few seconds, he pops out of the blanket on his hind legs and boops the blonde's nose. Is there any rhyme or reason behind the action? Absolutely not.
Actually, he's just curious to see if she interprets the catbap as an answer. ]
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But she isn't quite sure how to interpret the boop. Sitting there stunned, staring down at him in disbelief, Hibiki blinks a few times before bringing a hand up to cover her nose and mouth. Cute.........
When she finally lowers her hand a few seconds later, she brings a finger up to her lips, radiating positivity. ]
So that's what this is about. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. If anybody asks if I've seen a cat, I'll play dumb.
[ So a few things got lost in translation, but at least her mood seems to have perked up. He's made her day, her week, her entire year at this point. She can die a happy woman if it came to it. ]
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Mroooow!
[ There. Now she can die happy. Because with that, he bumps his head against her hand and then leaps out of the blanket... landing a little unsteadily near the fire. Whoops.
Shaking off that sleepiness, Nyagano darts off without so much as a goodbye. ]
2/2
Kaito more or less slinks up to the blonde with about as much stealthy sneakiness as his cat form would have. He's holding a mug in one hand and a small basket in the other. ]
Hi there. Got room?
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As long as she doesn't have too much more to drink.
By the time Kaito finds her again, she's already drained her incredibly rum-heavy eggnog and is feeling pretty good. She's warming up (still wrapped in her blanket, of course), and the crackle of the fire mingling with the static chatter floating around has her wondering how much more she has left in the tank.
Looking up, she blinks a few times before grinning up at him with flushed cheeks. ]
Hmm? For you, Nagano-san? Of course!
[ She isn't slurring her speech, but there's a very marked accent. Shifting over, she reluctantly starts to shrug off her blanket. ]
You cold? We can share. [ She plans on just tossing it over their laps, but she's leaving what she plans to do open to conjecture. ]
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He takes a seat and plants the basket in front of his feet. Opening one flap, he pulls out a thicc blue blanket with... Black cat face prints. They have gold eyes, so it's not one-thousand percent obvious, but.
Kaito proceeds to settle the blanket over both of their laps. Finally, he looks over, takes a sip of his drink (it's hot cocoa, from the smell), and offers a small smile. ]
I've got us down here. You can cover topside?
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[ Is she dense or is she simply deciding to ignore the clear facepalm in his voice, it's hard to say. Either way, he's right, she is having fun thank you very much. Even more now that she has some company again.
Watching him open the basket and pull out a huge blanket, she notes the print and smiles brightly. Throwing the blanket over her shoulders, she offers a corner to him before moving a little closer. ]
Here you go! Anything for a fellow cat lover~!
[ She suspects nothing. ]
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[ That's fine. He's not really judging her. Yet. Kaito's more than happy to take the proffered corner and even sidle up closer to her. It's cold. The bonfire is warm. She's warm. Logic: 100. ]
A fellow cat lover? I didn't know you were fond of them.
[ Not technically a lie, given that he had no idea how much she loved cats until just an hour earlier!!! ]
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[ As he starts to close the gap between them, Hibiki shifts over as well, until her shoulder rests against his bicep. No big deal, huddling together for warmth will help the both of them in the wrong way. ]
Oh yeah, they're really soft and cute, and even if they don't like me, I like them. They always run away from me, or don't want me getting close, it's really sad. I promise I'm nice.
But there's a cat here who sat in my lap for a whole ten minutes! That's never happened! He's super cute too.
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[ There's this odd feeling in the back of his mind, similar to when he was in the garden earlier. It's a compulsion that he normally wouldn't even think of having. Yet he can't put his finger on it.
Either way, it's pushing him to cuddle up to the blonde without thinking about any implications or repercussions. ]
Ten whole minutes? You must be a cat whisperer now.
Mm. That sucks to hear, though. Cats are the best. I have one back home, his name's Tango. Fat, spoiled, moody... He's my pride and joy.
But he hates girls, so I don't think I could ever introduce you to him if you're already struggling with cats.
late night tags means that I thought I got this but actually fell tf asleep..........
Hey, think I can put that on my business card? Spiritual social worker, cat whisperer. Bet that'll have my phone blowing up with job offers.
[ Really, she's going to just put that out there like it's no big deal? Apparently! ]
Tango! Like the dance? Am I sensing a music lover here? Or maybe even-- [ Pause for dramatic effect! ] A fellow musician?
[ Turning her head to look back at him, she huffs dramatically. Come on, Kaito, keep up with the conversation! ]
Did you forget about the whole cat whisperer thing already, Nagano-san?
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The title of Cat Whisperer is much like trust. Hard to earn, easy to yeet. But yeah, like the dance. And like tangerines. I'm no musician, but I'm a pretty good dancer. My singing voice ain't bad, either.
[ A pause holds him. Did he just imagine things, or was there someone else listening to him just then. Huh. That's also a fair bit more than he had intended to share...
Oh well. He pokes her shoulder with an elbow. ]
What's all this about being a spiritual social worker? Are you one of those paranormal enthusiasts... or the real deal?
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