buttrinthum | TDM #1

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!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.

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[ her reply is calm. even her gestures show a level of collectedness he didn't often see even amongst other constructs. in some ways it remind him of someone else, who always seems to take his responses with a grain of salt. he isn't sure if he likes it or not, but decides it doesn't really matter.

while normally he would have balked at the idea of shaking hands with someone; viewing as little more than an oudated and burdensome gesture— he wasn't here to get to know anyone, okay!! yet, before he knows it, his desires end up winning out and his hand reaches for hers.

.... and for some reason, he doesn't seem to let go. uh....

almost to forgo that part, he clears his throat, before speaking. ] Best interests? How? [ ... ] I don't know what you think, but I'm not having any issues. [ denial... is always a great approach. ]

( Hm. So it is as nice to have contact as she felt like it might be. Should she chase that? Avoid it? She’s running all the possibilities through her mind, but as long as he’s not letting go, she supposes she might as well do the same. A small slide of her thumb against his palm is effortless and the only thing reminding them of the “shake”.

She smiles. )

Then you must be from this place. A local?

( No issues?? :) )

[ at her comment, he finds himself instinctively pulling his hood down slightly, as if trying not to make it any more or less obvious that he is far from a local. but, he guesses that's made... obvious by this point. evident if just by appearances alone. though, this place was random enough that... maybe he could basically believe anything possible.

which is why he does eventually release a sigh. a little less annoyed than usual, more or less ruffled at the situation rather than her. ]

Then, what do you want me to do? [ the touch is warm and it's something that he somehow feels hyper-aware to. he isn't sure why his body reacts the way it does to her touch, but he gives her hand a squeeze. ]

I would not force you to do anything.

( Kokomi has to clarify that first, even as she glances down to their hands. A squeeze? She brings her other gloved hand up, curious, and sandwiches his into a gentle hold. )

But I'd like to ask if you wish to accompany me for a time. I intend to explore and learn about our surroundings as best as I can.

( Such as... this feeling. She does want to explore, so why doesn't she want to move right now? How intriguing. The more she stares at his hand, the closer she feels she gets, but... )

You'd be the first one. [ despite the bitter nature of his words, it's once again tempered against the fact that he doesn't seem all too angry about it. instead, he does seem to comprehend she doesn't mean harm. he considered himself quite an intuitive being, and somehow... he feels like she was at least trustworthy. if not a bit strange. he isn't used to those speaking to him in a non-professional setting. aside from the commandant, that is.

but, even that train of thought came with its own drawbacks, and so he decides to ignore the feeling. though, he does operate under the assumption, she wasn't ill-intentioned. which, for all intents and purposes, does further soften his attitude. ... just a bit. ]

You better not take those words back. [ but, he seems willing enough. his eyes look down to both her hands, and maybe something really is wrong with his body. his systems have to be off for him to suddenly be feeling so hot. he feels his heat touch his features briefly, before he looks away. ]

I expect you'll take responsibility for your actions. [ since you held his hand back, that is.

but, well, as ashamed as he is, he does seem curious to explore, as well. or is the right word— restless? ]

Hehe, but of course, you can rely on me to keep my word.

( Responsibility, though? That's an interesting way to phrase it, and she ponders that for a moment as she squeezes his hand in her own. It's strange, feeling this pull, and she realizes now it must be more than some sort of strange chemistry. No, this is being encouraged by some outside force. Magic? The air itself? Pollen, or spores, or...

There was the mistletoe above them. Hmm. )

Mm... There's a bit of a problem, though. I can't seem to will myself to step away from this spot.

( From you. )

[ it was infeasible to think that her words held any sort of impact on him, and yet he may have found the tiniest speck of relief from it. not that he would ever admit to, of course, and this is not even in the confines of his own mind. which is all the more punctuated by a clear grunt as he eventually does end up looking upwards, and...

oddly enough, it's almost as if her verbalizing it had place two and two together. was it the plant? was this some sort of... affect from it just being in the atmosphere? not even viruses worked like that, and yet here they both were. completely rooted in place.

he swallows hard, somehow his body feeling nervous at their proximity. his pulse increasing enough where he feels like he can sense it. ] Then... [ he tries to will himself... that much harder to move, but it's difficult when all he can think about is being even closer.

before he knows it, he asks cautiously. ] If it's just coming closer... [ they can test that, right? it should be easy, right? then, it'll be over?

as if to test it he moves his hand upwards and just around her shoulders. ]

( ...Oh. Oh, he actually is doing it? Kokomi's heart is racing for some reason, and it's hard to still it. The more she thinks about the situation, the worse it gets, and she's not sure how to approach it. This isn't like a battle. )

I wonder if we're being made to let our guards down.

( And still, she voices something as if it were. But it's nervousness that causes that, disguised with confident observations and battle-focused ideas. Ahh... the hand around her shoulders is nice, though, and she subconsciously leans closer. Unthinking, her own hands raise his held one higher, closer to her own lips. The heat of her breath can be felt as her own fingertips slip slightly back. )

Mm... You'll have to forgive me if anything strange happens.

[ he's going crazy here...

to be honest, this almost feels like being in a simulation. that concept where reality melding into something completely foreign and unknown. but, even then, the thresholds of what was real was more distinct then. now he's not sure how much of what he feels is real, or how much of it is created and contrived. nor can he tell the difference.

despite his movements almost being impulsive, or as if he were acting out on whim, there's definitely obvious nerves beneath his touch, and when she leans in closer, whatever sensations he feels is all the more elevated.

here he thought only his taste receptors were this active, and now he feels like even his own sense of touch is warped. this only increases when she holds his hands so close to her lips. it's more warmth than he expects to feel, and the only way he really feels his m.i.n.d will ever no peace again is to...

just dive further in. it's why his hand reaches further back up, attempting to press her close against his chest, and this time he rests the his head on hers. he may or may not be using the strategy of if she can't see his embarrassment, then it surely doesn't exist at all. ] Well, it's just as much my fault that you're...

[ no, he refuses to take culpability here. instead: ]

Don't hold it against me either.

( Oh. Oh no. Oh no. She is not equipped with how to deal with this. Her brain feels scrambled and her face goes hot as she's pulled flush with this man whose name she doesn't even know, and the first thoughts that rush through her mind are... stratagems. Tactics of what to do when surrounded by the enemy, escape routes— it takes a minute to shake those away and focus on the actual situation.

Um. A hug? No, it's more of an embrace. His head is on hers. It's nice, yes, but her heart is racing and it feels so strange to be doing this... When she's already got so much on her plate as Divine Priestess, how is it that there are still new and foreign things to worry about?

She clears her throat a little, blinking at Camu's chest. )

I... feel like we should at least introduce ourselves.

( She doesn't want to go first. )

[ for a moment, he is wondering if he really did require lee to run maintenance on him (but, no, he potentially hated the idea of that even more...), especially as he feels like his m.i.n.d is a complete mess. it isn't like he's disassociating or anything, but he feels like he's on the verge of awakening something he's not even sure if he's experienced as a human.

that's how peculiar it was. he isn't sure if her words are a saving grace, or if it was simply another gateway to an entirely new hell. he doesn't really have the time to ponder it, as he does his best to put up his usual front. ]

Camu. [ while the touch did minimize some of his desires, it also made him want to stay as they were. the longer it lasts the more he feels like he could muster up the will to pull away. but, definitely not before he eventually reaches from behind her, almost as if petting the back of her head. he isn't sure if this motion is to calm her down... or him.

at that, he only waits for her response. ]

Camu...

( What a casual introduction. Somehow, it makes her heart race even further. It's like a light novel, isn't it? And that thought is what finally gains a small laugh from her, more breath than anything. Slowly, she moves to wrap her arms around him in turn, appreciating that the more contact there is, the more comfort she receives.

Embarrassing. But he's clearly in the same situation, so she has no problem taking this tactical move. )

My name is Kokomi. ( A casual introduction for a casual introduction. Right? )

It's... nice to meet you, hehe.

Hmph.

[ ... is his response. but, despite the manner in which he seems keen in brushing off her name, it is a name he registers to memory. though, he's unsure if this is from his own will, or simply because it was typical for him to memorize such information.

when he feels her arms wrap around him in tune, he feels truly content. akin to being pat on the head by [redacted], and this memory makes him feel oddly warm. no, maybe even beyond that, he feels genuinely fulfilled for the time being, and it almost makes his body feel oddly lethargic as a result.

but, he does his best to try and keep his mind sharp and focused. though, not before allowing her touch to sink in. she's smaller than him and he feels he can almost feel the way she breathes, and it's an odd sentiment to think of that. ] Nice, huh? [ there's a soft exhale, as he begins to pull back. finally, feeling like he is able to. ]

We should get going soon, if you're feeling better. [ cough, cough. he tries to act composed about it, but it's clear it's definitely had its effects on him. ]

...It seems like you are, too.

( This wasn't just her, and she feels like she has to clarify that part! Or her heart can't take it. But she does pull back, fully retracting her arms and clearing her throat slightly. It's even more embarrassing after the fact... Why?

She steps back, too, fingers curling near her own chest as she glances up at the mistletoe they're moving away from. )

Let's move carefully, but deliberately. It would be good to make some ground.

[ her stating so in her gentle, but careful tone... somehow makes him feel a little relieved. as if he really was feeling better if just because it was confirmed— cementing into reality rather than a simple opinion or fleeting thought. he exhales quietly in what could easily been temporary repose. ]

I'll lead the way. [ if just because that's what he's used to.

he's accustomed to being the frontlines, even against threats that he wouldn't trust others to do. ... if just due to the sheer peril involved. not that he'd ever voice that. it being natural to him, he seems to take a few steps, though just maybe if she looks carefully, his peripherals do peek back at her to see if she's following. ]

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TDM #1

hehehe

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