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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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[ 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)]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
another charm point? she'd said it before...]
Gorigori... [he snorts slightly, lifting a curled finger against his lower lip in amusement.] You have the right idea, sweetheart. Anywhere we can, in a moment of flashy brilliance-- that's when we take flight, and bring our stuff to the fans! Less like street performers, relegated to their corners... and more like we own the place.
[Mettaton's idea of a good show is one that has no boundaries, as what good was a show that couldn't take its audience by surprise? He spreads his arms, gazing around at the modest stone buildings, the creatures who dawdle down the streets with their heads low and a destination in sight- and he declares, planting his hands on his hips,]
We owe it to this place, to shake things up. ... What did you wish for, Freyja-darling?
no subject
she’s struck with a weird sense of deja vu. a simple curious question that snatches the air out of her lungs and makes her feel hyperaware of her surroundings. she looks at the floor, feeling self-conscious of her right hand’s whereabouts— it’s in her pocket, and even if she has her bad hand out, she had carefully wrapped bandages earlier the day to cover the patches of crystallized skin.
though unlike before, she knows her answer. she knows what she has and the reason she desperately wants to ride the wind. ]
My… wish?
[ as her smile falters, her rune starts to blink rapidly. she nearly forgot why she was here in the first place, when she screamed out loud to the void for something. something to ensure everything is worthwhile for everybody. something to make up for the fact that time’s slipping off her hands.
she smooths over her expression to the best of her ability and grins at mettaton, even as the light above her eyes continues to blink in distress. ]
Oh, I wish that I’ll have a lot of fun! On stage or off stage, I just wanna have a good time! That’s why we gotta try, as they say in my hometown; if you try you’ll fly, if you’re willing to risk your life you’ll be able to ride the wind.
[ she tilts her head at her companion. ]
What did you wish for, Mettaton? Something cool like a stage set to match you, I bet!
no subject
[A curious reaction. Mettaton's gaze sharpens, and it's almost like the inky black of his gaze is piercing gold again. But it's not; it's just as deep and dark as ever, synthetic despite his liveliness. Fun. Her wish... It's personal. It's private. Delectable in its depth, Mettaton wishes he could pry her open and fish out her soul, find her meaning. Oh, what did the Overseer hear from this girl?
But he doesn't press. His smile is placid and patient, even while his gaze is hungry like a predator's. (Funny, that he was always the prey in Aefenglom. It never seemed that way. His personality was too big.) He sighs through his nose, tempering his desire to press with a melodic note hummed on his breath.
The tilt of his head is evidence enough that he's seeing through her bluff. It's temperance that he doesn't pry.]
Fun. Interesting. [INTERESTING.] And... wherever you go, your personality shines enough to draw fun to you. [His voice is even. The robotic idol presses fingertips to his chest.] My wish... It was to reach the stars. To visit all of them, at my will. ...Even yours.
[Any. Single. Universe.]
no subject
Mhm, I just want to have fun all the time.
[ until her rune burns out and it was time for her to go, but those are still words she couldn't bear to say aloud. times like these she realized how short her life is, so fleeting comparing to the rest of the galaxy. she balls her hand into a fist, squeezing the remaining ugly feelings she had until nothing remains. ]
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until it hit her. ]
You mean like actual, actual dimensional travel and not... just folding to a different part of the galaxy? As expected for a seasoned performer, you're thinking ahead from the rest of us to bring smiles to all kinds of life!
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Always thinking ahead indeed. Mettaton lifts his hand and laughs against it, spirited and humored.]
Oh yes!!! I'm talking about travel on a scale that exceeds planets and galaxies, baby! I know about these universes that operate differently from my own. And I want to visit them. To see their people... and to bring them me!!
[THAT'S what the stars need. More Mettaton. Right........]
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she laughs in earnest now, metatton is such good company. she hopes that she could learn a thing or two from the robot. ]
I hope you could get right to it, everyone's gotta see the shining star you are. But I won't lose either, I'll make sure my songs can be heard in every part of the universe- no, every multiverse out there!
no subject
In every part of the many multiverses... I like your daring, darling. [Mettaton gives her a thumbs-up.] If I'm a shining star, I expect that you'll be right there, glimmering beside me!
[He may not know what her wish was on any deeper level, but he believes that her admission was part of it. To have fun... And he hoped she would, too.]