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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.
Eiichi Segawa | Hashihime of the Old Book Town |
[It must have been a dream, because there was certainly no where in the world that looked like this that Eiichi had ever seen. Then again... he wasn't really the kind to dream up something like this either. It was too whimsical, too colorful-- it reminded him of Tamamori's hallucinations, and yet somehow lackluster compared to that.
Never mind that-- Eiichi quickly sits up and stands up, a grumpy look on his face despite the... resplendent looking garden. Poinsettias and mistletoe... He scoffs, furiously brushing off any leaves and dirt that've accumulated on his clothes.]
Tch... dropping people in the middle of the dirt. [That's just atrocious. And rude. He swipes up one of the poinsettia flowers in his hands, and whoever else he happens upon has to deal with him petulantly plucking the petals off the flower like a child.]
So, this is the kind of place you think of for a nap...?
ii. somnius
[The snow angels? No, no, absolutely not. Eiichi takes one step even in the vicinity of one, and he immediately flinches away. He's never seen snow sculptures like that... and he may not be anything fancy like spiritually sensitive, but he knows a rancid vibe when he sees on, okay.
Instead, he's quite content to spend his time at the Stone Dragon. It's the only coffee shop within any kind of reachable distance around here, and the owner seems a nice enough sort. He's not got his cloak or a better jacket to protect against the winter cold (by the way, when the hell did it become winter?), but he he can be found enjoying his time with a hot cup in the little bakery, or standing outside watching some other idiot eyeball the angel sculptures.]
I wouldn't do that, if I were you. [Said with the tone of someone who would like to see you try and do it. ]
iii. bonfire.
[Eiichi is not exactly a wallflower, but he's not exactly the type to merrily socialize, either. Still... the fire is warm, and the night sky is somehow something... different, than any he'd seen back home. Not that he was the type to be swayed by beautiful sights like that, or magic feelings in the air... but he still sits next to the bonfire, still lacking a proper winter coat, but with a mug of hot cocoa in his hands. ]
Hm... but I'm not much of a story-teller myself. All of my stories are so dull. There's the frog that didn't know he was dead, or the yokai that haunts the bridge on rainy nights... maybe the boy that died in the river.
ii
( which is why she's perfectly content to make her way inside, visibly shivering all the same- but the air inside is warm and welcoming. it just- it isn't enough. the vibes were atrocious, and now she regrets everything.
especially since she was dressed for a nice, fashionable chilly autumn day, not... dead of winter in the middle of a fantasy world.
being cute is suffering, truly. )
I- hey, how did you pay for that...?
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Unfortunately he has little experience with being cute. Or even dressing will for the winter. But at least he still steps out of her way so she can get inside.]
Ah... something about these crystals. [He holds the cup in one hand, so that he could pull the crystal pendant by the string and pull it free from his uniform jacket.] Something about these acts as currency for these people... Seems tacky to me, though.
i. if only they were normal this could be romantic or something
[ He'd left the gardens in a daze, looking for somewhere to clear his head. Then he'd simply kept walking on autopilot until he'd found himself in the high walls of the maze. Then the fall, and the shining lights, and going 'round in circles, and then-- back here. If he didn't know better, he'd have thought he'd fallen back in time again. ]
[ At least the sight of his erstwhile friend (as much as it makes him jolt) is proof that a loop hasn't occurred. Perhaps. Still, something about Kawase's petulant expression, as he shreds that poor flower into confetti, is so strongly nostalgic that Minakami doesn't respond for a moment, and just stays lying down and looking up at the sky. ]
Did I oversleep? [ Does he sound normal, even casual? He tries again. ] Ah, but you could sleep anywhere in a dream. A canopied bower, or in a riverboat like the Lady of Shalott.
i don't think they're capable of that
Haah, so it's your dream we're stuck in? [Somehow that might make sense, as he flicks one of the petals onto Mina's face, making no effort to help him sit up.] Next time don't get me caught up in that sort of thing...
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[ Wow ok. There's not much opportunity to sleep in at Madam's -- between the telephone ringer that practically rattles the walls, and the whole "supposed to be keeping a student's schedule" part. But: it's Kawase, so his protest is barely more than token. ]
...Is it really? Sorry. [ He raises himself up on his elbows to look around, letting the petal flutter to the ground. There's a calmness settling in him, that could be from the poinsettia's magic, but could just as easily be from the assurance that none of this is real. ] I've never had a dream-in-a-dream before. And I don't recognize any of these people. Couldn't it be one of theirs?
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[Then again, he hadn't really accounted for any of the other people around. There's a few, so maybe it was someone else's dream... within a dream?] I don't recognize any of them either. Wouldn't it be more ridiculous to be in a complete stranger's dream...? [Genuine question, but given how strange it all was... he wasn't entirely taking it seriously either.]
...Are you gonna sit on the ground forever? [It's filthy!!]
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[ Speaking of, ] Mm? Is there anywhere we should be going?
[ As he speaks, the thought crosses his mind (it isn't as if his schedule is real), soon followed by a much darker, bittersweet one (and after all, his "plans" for the day were called off, weren't they?). He looks pained for a moment, magic flowers or no, though Minakami does obediently sit up, adjusting the unfamiliar satchel so it isn't digging into his hip. ]
...ah, anyway. Falling asleep in the middle of the day, it's embarrassing. Aren't... [ He pauses, aware acutely of every time he's dodged Kawase at the campus. ] Don't you have lectures today?
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Hmm... [Logically, of course he should have lectures. But.... he'd also kind of forgotten all about it, in the fever of trying to get back to Aizu. He had no idea what day it should've been, and what classes he must have been missing. Though in a way it feels like those sorts of things are increidbly unimportant. Maybe it's the stress of the last 24 hours, or just being in a placel ike this, putting things into such a weird perspective.]
...Ah? I didn't think you'd care so much about schedule. [Of course, he doesn't actually bring any of that up. He can't just... drop that on Minakami now.]
Well, even if I did it's not like I know where the University is. So unfortuantely, it seems like you're stuck with me, for the time being.
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[ In the pause as his friend seems to ponder something, Minakami studies him. When Tamamori had found him (cornered him, really) and his friend's eyes had been clear of any blue, he'd thought he knew where it had gone. Tamamori was the one person who Kawase let under his guard. The gods only knew he'd surely lost any right to reach out to Kawase a long time ago. So maybe... ]
[ But here Kawase is, and his eyes are clear. More than that, there's just. something about him that's different. So maybe he doesn't know anything. ]
I wouldn't want you to get in trouble for truancy, that's all. ...Though if you did, you could just blame your delinquent friend for being a bad influence. [ A crooked smile, like you couldn't count the number of times he's been around Kawase over the last year on one hand, and still have fingers left. ]
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Hoooo? So you're my delinquent friend, now? [He crosses his arms over his chest, a wicked grin popping on his own face. It had been a formality to call them 'friends' at this point-- something only Tamamori would be able to extract tooth and nail, to be sure.]
This really must be a dream, if you're talking like that. But I don't mind it. Not that anyone else would believe it.
[Sure, Minakami's the delinquent between the two of them. It's not like Kawase's classmates weren't aware of his terrible attitude, but then again he wasn't the one faking attendance for years.]
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i.
A nap? Hardly. Do you think yourself asleep?
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Hm... Well, it's nowhere near anywhere I was before. [Whether or not it was admittedly a good question.] It's either that or I'm dead, and that'd be awfully inconvenient.
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[ The tone in which Tieria lets out that one syllable probably tells all regarding the bad news he has to deliver.
Once, he might have been cagey with this information, but he feels removed enough from the human experience that it doesn't bother him to say: ] The last thing I remember is the death of my physical body, which does not bode well for you as a point of reference.
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Ah... the last thing I remember was swimming out of a river after the train crash. [He will not explain the train crash, but most people lived, probably.]
So you think it's the afterlife, then? That's disappointing.
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I consider it a possibility, at least.
[ And here's where he has to decide how much he feels like giving long-winded explanations, but... maybe he can try and summarize it in the same non-chalant manner as this guy brushed past 'the train crash'. ]
My consciousness was not supposed to die alongside my body - I have died before and 'survived' it in a manner of speaking. So whether or not I am currently 'dead' by my own definition is up in the air.
But it seem likely that mortal danger at least contributed to bringing us here, right?
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Usually people simply die and stay dead, in my experience. [
Technically this is a lie.]But you have a point. Maybe it's some sort of place we go when our souls get dislodge from our bodies?
[He would love to be a ghost!]
iii
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But it's pretty dull when all you hear are sob stories, isn't it? People say they love tragedies, but they're pretty boring stories, if you ask me.
wondering how many times we can exchange icons of them both handsing at each other
[ Kuja, come on, are you even really talking about swapping shots of depresso at this point. Don't get lost in the motifs. ]
If you're so steeped in tragic tales you've no other sort to share... it is no wonder you'd find them a bore. Why not just take your tired old stories and twist them about? Perhaps that boy in the river floated away to a water dragon's kingdom. Is there any rule that you can't shuffle things around a little to fit your mood?
[ Even feeling an itch to share the truth as he is, Kuja can think of a billion ways to couch it or twist it, to make a whole other reality out of a little kernel of Correct. A single feeling can be reframed under any name you like, if you gaze into it enough. ]
comically long if i strength the definition of handsing a bit
[He's just being a literature nerd, now, which he is by far the least qualified of his friends to be. But they're not here right now to turn it into a whole thing. Don't worry about it.]
That's a bit trite, though, isn't it? [He lets out a sigh, leaning back a little as he takes a sip of his drink.] Making up cute little adventures and happy endings... then it turns into a kid's story.
Well, it doesn't matter much, anyway. I'm not much of a storyteller, or an author. You're better off finding Tamamori or Minakami for that sort of thing. [He waves a hand dismissively.]
we can do it...! I BELIEVE
Anyway, if you're so dead set on not being a teller of tales, you at least have to have a kind you like to hear. So you don't like tragedies, you don't like happily-ever-afters.. That's not exactly leaving a lot of room for budge. What is it for you, then? Bittersweet endings?
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Whoever said I didn't like them? Just that they're quite common... though your water dragon idea is still trite. [Heheheh.]
What about you? You certainly seem to have some intense opinions.
[Definitely not avoiding actually answering the question?]
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[ You're gonna change your mind about that when you finally learn the deep Dissidia lore. ]
Anyway.. I like everything. As long as it's competently told and has an interesting cast.. it is truly character that is most important! And it's not just characters within the work -- it's just frustrating if you're listening to something with potential, but the teller's got no charisma to speak of.
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That's an even more boring answer... You don't have any preferences, as long as someone can make it interesting? Sounds like a load of bullshit.