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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.
freyja wion | macrossΔ
[ “I wish— I want to live life with everyone! For as long as I can!”
despite her jealousy against other species, she's aware asking for eternity would be unreasonable. she doesn't want forever anyways, just that she’s making the best of whatever time she's alloted. run as fast as she can, laugh as loud as she can, shining bright until her soul burns out.
waking up in a maze then being lead to this garden wasn’t really what she expected.
the welcome message answers some of her questions but not quite a lot. she furrows her brows in concentration, unknowingly wrapping her hand to the person nearest her. it takes a minute before she starts screaming and shaking her hand. ]
Uwaaa!! I’m so sorry!! I hadn’t mean to— I’m having trouble letting go, but I’m trying to!
[ the harder she tries to shake the other person’s hand off, the firmer her hold is. ]
Please don’t think of me as a creep! I’m not sure what’s gotten over me!
destructive purity (somnius)
[ while being slower wasn't one of the worst changes she's been through in this place, it definitely made things harder when she was trying to run from the snow angel that appeared in her makeshift kitchen.
now she's not only hungry, but freezing. which is, all things considered, a little bit unfair considering she grew up in the mountains. with her house being taken over by snow angels, she has no choice but to head to town. her rune is a pale, dark color. the world feels so dull and colorless nowadays. ]
Cold... I'm so cold...
[ she approaches to you, she’s sniffling. she might be already crying. she’s clinging to your arm. ]
Excuse me, do you have anything to eat? I'm freezing... I can do labor work in exchange afterwards, the wind is just so cruel today.
burn me up (bonfire)
[ the bonfire is mesmerizing. after all the excitement during the day, it feels like an absolute relief to just sit by the fire and stare at it. it soothes her and makes her feel safe. her rune gradually glows, she starts crooning a song: ]
Those friends I used to fool around with,
The one I sought after,
I’m dazzling bright so I can see them again someday…
[ normally she'd see to it that she sing a song to the end, but her singing doesn't quite feel right since she arrived here. her rune never seems to sparkle with life as it use to. she's hugging her knees as her expression is somber. for the first time singing doesn't feel like it's enough. ]
That was the beginning to Walkure's Forbidden Borderline. It was the first song I sang as a member— well, kind of unofficially. But, it was both the scariest and most exciting time of my life.
[ her gaze is distant, reminiscing the day where she feels like she finally pieced everything together. how bright and alive her rune felt. she curiously turns to the person next to her, tilting her head as her rune stands brightly in curiosity.]
What was your battlefield before coming here?
wildcard
[ the world is your oyster! i'm open for anything, feel free to pm me for a different prompt. ]
POINTS AT EYES POINTS AT YOU (bonfire)
That doesn't mean Freyja isn't getting an answer, however. Angling her gaze roughly fifteen degrees south will reveal one (1) black lap cat wearing a flowery yellow neckerchief. Bright blues stare up at the girl. ]
Mrow.
[ Kaito can't say he's heard that one before, but it sounds pretty.
...
He also isn't providing anything constructive with his meowing. I'm so sorry that you've gotta deal with some guy roleplaying as a cat, but that's tonight's encounter. ]
OH HEY!!!
she was about to move to a different spot until she hears a meow. ]
Hello little guy, did you like the song?
[ she motions him to come closer. ]
It's not much, but next time I'm gonna put my all again.
HI HELLO look at this reunion
[ That's probably an affirmative. Kaito hops out of the other person's lap and (clumsily) saunters on over to Freyja. He takes a seat by her feet.
Yeah, he did like the singing. The kid's got a really captivating voice. At her little declaration, he... yawns and bats a paw at her leg.
Yeah, girl. You go. ]
Yeye!! I'm v excited
Glad you think so!
[ she starts scratching the back of his ear now. ]
It's been a darn tough time, can't deny that. But, the wind blows in different directions, I'm sure I'll be able to ride the wind again in no time.
[ on the bright side, the town's more humble and rustic appearance is a lot easier for her to process than her previous home. there's almost something nostalgic about it, though she has been reminiscing a lot tonight. ]
I miss performing already, I'd even go back performing on a house roof again.
mistletoe
This is. Humiliating.]
Would you stop shaking?! I can't let go either.
[Humiliating.]
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she calms down enough when he speaks out his own frustration. ]
You too? I'm real sorry about that. When my hand moved on its own it took me in for a real darn surprise.
[ she takes a brief glance down to confirm it's her good hand holding the guy's. a small blessin, at least. with her wish still vivid in her mind, she feels less inclined to explain why there are patches of crystalized skin on her right hand. instinctively, she pockets the bad hand, hopefully before he could notice it. ]
Hey, have you ate or drink anything in the bag yet?
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He lets out a huff and points above them at the cluster of green.]
I would assume it's the mistletoe causing this.
[Considering the tradition and all. But it's not Christmas and he doesn't acknowledge the tyrant Santa Claus or his twisted game of deciding which children are deserving of kindness versus cruelty, so he refuses.
Her question... alarms him though.]
Absolutely not. You shouldn't either, not until we know what it does.
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however her train of thought stops and her body stiffens, the bright pink color of her antenna quickly shifts to a muted grey. ]
That... would be really bad, wouldn't it... ehehe...
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He looks at her, simultaneously so unsurprised and so baffled. He's tired, man. He lets out a sigh.]
...If you start shrinking, I'm putting you in a jar.
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[ it was insanely good, it was like fresh windermerean apples during the best harvest. sweet, crisp but not too overwhelming. ]
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[He huffs and shakes his head. No helping it now. She hasn't died, so that's... something.]
...Well, since you did drink it. How do you feel?
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but on the drink, she hums as she scratches strokes her chin. ]
I don't feel any different. I mean, I feel like someone stuff my ears with cotton since waking up here, but that was before the potion. So... it didn't light up my rune or anything, if that's what you're wondering.
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[Wait, her hair changed color a few moments ago, didn't it, when she was feeling embarrassed. And there was the crystallization on her hand.]
I don't know what that is.
You're not human, are you? At least... not entirely?
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No, I'm a windermerean. We do look a bit like earthlings, but we have these things called a rune.
[ the heart-like appendage extends until the antenna stands up straight. ]
There's still some similarities between us, at least, I think whatever I ate would be safe for you t'eat.
somnius
Mettaton's teeth pierce through the flesh of a ruby red apple. the way he chews is surprisingly (or not?) robotic; the way he swallows, too, is systematic. he closes his eye, the apple disenchanting; his arm slackens somewhat in disappointment, though his grip on the apple remains. a boon, considering the figure who tumbles closer, slight and shivering.
clinging to his arm? why, Mettaton's spreading them for her, welcoming her into a half-embrace with his eye round and wide, lips pursed in confusion at the abruptness of her plea. such a polite request for something so simple... placing his free hand on her shoulder, Mettaton hums, curious.]
Oh my. Is it really that cold out? [He can't tell! But he pats her shoulder.] None of that now. Do you think your tears will make you any warmer? [crying is against the rules. despite what he's saying, his voice is silky and low. the apple he'd taken a single bite of is offered, given that it's all he has.] But if food's the cure to your chill... Hopefully this is to your taste.
[have an apple. a robot bit it once, but it is still probably fine.]
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[ what have you done.
she had to use all her willpower to not snatch it right before the man. she feels a sense of warmth gently seeping back into her skin and straight to her heart. of all foods this mystery man could give to her, it so happened to be her favorite. she tries to control her crying as warned by the kind gentleman however she immediatelly loses control and she starts crying harder at the drop of a hat. she's openly sobbing as she returns his friendly embrace by wrapping her arms around his torso, not at all different from a crying child. ]
Bless the great winds of our lord Mayan! May the Great Wind guide you and let you fly until your final breath.
[ hunger makes people dramatic. or, at least in freyja's case, an extra dose of dramatics. ]
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GOOD LORD NOL THAT PICher arms wrap tight around him, and Mettaton... can't deny the warmth he feels in return, her tears obviously an act of appreciation. and goodness, what appreciation she has to show. the robot pats her gently, apple still perched between his fingers.]
And blessed I am. Thank you, darling. [mtt is so blessed... he is his own source of blessing...
some terminology in here he doesn't register, but quickly acknowledges it to be some otherworldly quirk. (he doesn't breathe, and he also doesn't point that out.) but with the apple in his clutches, he eases the coveted fruit closer to Freyja, encouraging her to take it.]
You must have fallen victim to the wiles of those snow angels. Did they take your coat, too? I hope not! It does about as much good as bundling a robot up: totally useless!! But at least it's fashionable.
[... and yet, he'd once given a figure of ice his jacket. he dwells on this, before refocusing on the conversation in the her, the now.]
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when metatton brings up the snow angels, her hands and rune starts to move as she animatedly recalls her misfortune. ]
Did I ever! One showed up in the kitchen and asked for something but when I went 'I'll give you something after I get something for myself first,' they just give me the biggest evil eye and started attacking me with that sword of theirs! I tried running but I'm hundred times slower here than how I am usually and, well...
[ her free hand absentmindedly rub her forearm, the wound is invisible, the only thing she recalls was just the horrifying empty sensation of loneliness and isolation. and also, hunger. ]
I just got so hungry and started feeling the chills from head to toe. [ wait she's missing something. ] But oh, they didn't take my coat, Mr. Robot. Or um, mister Cyborg? You don't quite like act like the robots from where I come from.
[ true, he calls himself a robot, but people can be self depricrating of themselves. and, as much as freyja is still relatively new to tech development, she does know that cybernetics were the norm whereas AI development were strictly monitored. ]
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it was no wonder she felt so hungry in response to being icicle-stabbed. she was already hungry to start. that apple's better off in her hands, thinks MTT with a nod to himself.]
Cyborg. Robot. Whichever you call me, I don't mind. [really, what was the difference between the two?? it didn't matter to Mettaton! he winks, though it just looks like he hard-blinks, given that he only has one eye.] Technicalities. But trust me, darling. You'll get further if you think of me... as a dazzling, handsome man, rather than a robot! Or: Mettaton. Which is my name, that you're free to say whenever you like.
[he smiles. oh yes... what a treasure, to say MTT's name...(TM)]
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freyja nods enthusiastically at his introduction. robot or cyborg, mettaton is a good person in her book, she doesn't even really mind how he introduces himself. she still couldn't quite describe it, but his acts of kindness feels exactly the kind of gentle wind she's been looking for. although not as sparkly and vibrant as she normally feels, color seems to trickle back in just as warmth had earlier on. ]
You got it, Mettaton it is! You could think offa me as a rune-ing rune super dimensional venus: Freyja Wion, Uhihihi!
[ she has her fingers resting on her chin. she definitely isn't as cool as mettaton, but she's in good spirit. with the whole snow angel thing passed by them, she had only just realized that it was at night and her new companion had been walking by himself. ]
Were you by any chance going somewhere? I could tag along with ya.
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offa... rune-ning rune... MTT's smile grows. it's so dorky. like an magical girl from an anime about love and friendship... but on her, it's charming, and he chuckles.]
Super dimensional venus, with a planetary radiance, splendid as the stars... I like it! [he does a little clap.] A pleasure, I know. Likewise.
[it is always a pleasure to meet MTT... he gazes off in the general direction of the bonfire being stoked nearby, striking a thoughtful posture with a fist against his cheek.]
As for my aimless direction... Well. [turning back to Freyja wholly, Mettaton presses his fingers against his chestplate.] I was scoping out the entertainment scene of this place we're calling home. The theaters... The taverns. The auditoriums or stages they might have to offer, and do you know what I've found so far, Freyja, darling? [HANDS ON HIPS.] Nothing!! Not yet, anyhow. And so, my hunt continues.
I'm a performer, you know. An entertainment robot... fit for the silver screen! If I can't find a stage, you can BET I'll bring one into being! But still. Any ideas, beautiful?
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she couldn't help but be curious something similar happened with mettaton. ]
I haven't found any stage of sorts, but you bet I'll tell you the moment I find one! I'm just itching to go back to my battlefield myself. 'm a performer too, well mostly singing.
[ dancing isn't her strongest suit and her TV debut was a disaster but she's trying, always. she fishes out the flip phone out and hold it up. ]
I thought about posting it online, but these phones are much smaller than I'm used to, and a whole darn blurier. Worse comes worse, we could always try making our own stage, right? After all us performers would find a way to fly.
[ and she is seriously considering going back to singing on a roof at some public building just so people would hear her sing. ]
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sizing her up, Mettaton drinks in her charm points, from the quirky rune to her short, bobbed hair and luscious green eyes. the side-ponytail at the top of her head and the briliant, fiery color of her hair... but most of all, her smile. MTT easily considers her a human without a second thought, but her smile reads so plainly.
phone. MTT had never properly contemplated his ORACLE yet, nor just how archaic these things were. compared to what he had in aefenglom and nippon, these couldn't be called a step up. maybe a step sideways. they are so crappy. fishing his own nokia-knockoff out, he examines it a touch closer, tapping its wooden side with a finger.]
(... Actually, this is worse than the watches...) [muttered under his breath. this thing is so bad. blurry indeed. snapping his shut, he stows it away. (he has no pockets. don't worry about it.)] Well, that's that! Such a shame, that they haven't figured out internet yet. But you're 500% right, darling. And failing that... the world is our stage!
[even though his wink isn't visible, it's detectable, and he even gestures to partner with it by lifting an index finger and canting his head.]
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but her enthusiasm never wanes, if anything, it feels like the more she talks to mettaton, the more freyja feels like they're at the same wavelength. just two entertainers stuck in a stage they haven't quite familiarize with. ]
Ya got that right! Every new person is just an audience that have yet to see our body of work!
[ mettaton's confidence is incredible, it's also somewhat contagious. it's certainly admirable, and it reminded her some of the singers she grew up listening to. the sort of effortless confidence and commanding presence that's comparable to basara nekki or sheryl nome. the epitome of cool. ]
Let's do our best, I'm sure we'll find a way to bring the most gorigori show to everyone in this town! You think we could rig something up in the middle of the town? Like in midst of people shopping or going 'bout their day.
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