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buttrinthum2023-10-31 08:17 pm
TDM #6
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: holly and bluebells.
Standing too close to the bluebells for too long or smelling them will make a Dreamer unable to refuse requests. This can last for however long a player may wish, whether it be for a few days or just a few minutes. The holly, however, also gives off a strange effect when getting too close to it: Dreamers will feel compelled to be more helpful & outgoing, no matter how gloomy and closed off they are. This effect can also last for a few days or a few minutes-- it is up to the player!
Eventually, Dreamers will find their way out of the Enchanted Garden and into the city of Somnius, whether it be by following the alluring light or on their own.
It’s funny how if you ask for something, sometimes that’s all it takes to have it given to you. Maybe Webby is just that lucky, or Vaeros is feeling just that generous the day it’s requested but for two days and one night only in the beginning of the month of November, a large castle stands where one didn’t before. It’s grand in that it doesn’t need repairs like some of the available housing does, but it’s certainly nothing too awe-inspiring. But, it’s big enough for its purpose—a sleepover party for every inhabitant new or old.
During the night a few days before the party, EVERY person receives a handwritten invitation to this sleepover blowout. It doesn’t matter who, young or old. For those who wake up in Somius after the invitations arrive, they’ll find an invitation just for them in their pocket or satchel, like they were always meant to be invited from the beginning.
Decorations are bright and colorful, spanning the whole rainbow. One giant room full of cots and sleeping bags, blankets and pillows has been made to be the centerpiece of the whole affair. This is where most of the partygoers will mingle and play games, if they’re not too busy with one of the other activities located in one of the other rooms nearby. There’s plenty of room to wander, though any room that has not been decorated and made up for the party is locked down completely with no way in. There are, of course quiet spaces provided for those who need a quick getaway from all the partying. Or maybe going outside for a stroll in the night garden would be calming too?
For those who don’t have anything appropriate to sleep in, pajamas are even provided. But they might be a little silly, since beggars can’t be choosers. Who wants the unicorn fuzzy pajamas?
Games Galore - There’s plenty to play with, at Webby’s insistence (and by insistence we mean she gives you the biggest doe-eyes you’ve ever seen) and she’s more than happy to give you overly-detailed means on how to play the following -
🎉Twister - a huge sheet blotted with colorful spots has been laid on the floor, along with a square with similar colors and a spinny arrow. The rules are simple - one person spins the arrow, and where it lands you put your foot or hand. First to fall loses, so amp up the embarrassment - er, fun as you all get tangled up with each other.Bountiful Buffet - The best way to stay up late is to stuff yourself silly with sugar, which is why the dining room table is loaded with all kinds of desserts. Remy and Aurora have supplied some of their own sugary confections, and you’re more than welcome to have added your own creations to the buffet. Just don’t start any food fights. At least not where Webby can see it!
🎉Truth Or Dare - Two options, one chance for chaos. Surely you’re all going to be mature individuals and not ask mortifying questions or dangerous dares.
🎉Pin The Tail On The Donkey - Yes, Webby’s sole guardian was a woman whose idea of fun was from the 1950s, how did you know? But she’s also put up optional sheets of different animals to stick their tail/bodyparts on while you’re blindfolded, including past threats like zombies and skeksis.
As though the castle (or whoever ACTUALLY owns it) wants to help assist the party atmosphere, those who partake of the food might feel a little more inclined to be friendly and amenable to party activities. You know, just for those gloomy gusses out there. There are no drawbacks to this little bit of fairy dust, just a little bit of social greasing, you know?
Makeover Makeover Makeover - Vil has ever so kindly offered his beauty supplies for those of you who want to experiment with some new looks, and you’re free to have brought your own. Test it out on one another or try it out yourself. Then again, when he’s not looking, what’s to stop you from trying to paint yourself up like a B-movie monster?
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark - Some of you may have had more than enough of your share of frights due to last month’s… fun, but surely you can handle a bit more fright? In a dark room with only one light torch, gather in a circle and share a spooky story from times gone by. Just be prepared for that one person who always sneaks up from behind and goes BOO at the right time. It’s inevitable.
Pillow Fight - Pick a side or be a lone warrior, grab a pillow and show no mercy! The last one standing wins! The only rule is your pillow is your sole weapon! In fact, there seem to be more pillows available than there are people here, so let the feathers fly! If the castle magically produces more, who’s to say? Shrug and keep the battle going!
CW: memory share, character specific trauma
Some may be aware that harvest season is a season of growth and not just in the cultivating sense. Townsfolk take this time to evaluate themselves and really think about things in their lives that have potentially been holding them back from being their strongest and truest selves. With the newly accessible Indigo Beach providing plenty of room for multiple bonfires, Dreamers will see several bonfires stretched across the dark blue sand, logs and rocks assembled around each one, beckoning Dreamers near.
As soon as they step out on the beach’s sands, characters will find a slip of paper on their person (in their pocket, up their sleeve.. any readily accessible portion of their clothing.) On that piece of paper, they will have a personalized phrase catered to them, making them remember a painful memory that has held them back in some way. The phrase can be anything players want it to be as long as it jogs the memory back into the head of their characters. Those with a paper slip will feel compelled to sit around the bonfire and contemplate their memory; they also will feel encouraged to share that memory with anyone who is sitting nearby. If characters choose to throw the paper slip into the fire, those who have heard the story of their grief will have a very vivid visual of the event in their mind’s eye along with feeling the exact pain they went through as well.
Once these memories are shared and characters take a moment to grieve, they will feel significantly better about the past situation that caused them so much pain. This can be temporary or permanent, it’s up to the player.
Although refreshments won’t be provided, Dreamers are encouraged to bring their own. And yes, something adjacent to s’mores can be something characters may bring.
On the morning of the 1st, some dreamers will receive a message from an unknown user.
Who or what from home do you miss the most?
They will feel compelled to respond with a truthful answer, as if their brains had gone into a trance, and before they know it, their response will be there for everyone to see. It cannot be deleted or changed. The user will not respond personally, but you get the sense they are definitely reading.
[ This is an additional network option for characters to interact with. Feel free to add a network prompt into any of your top levels. If you do not want to interact with this prompt, simply assume your character did not get the message. All threads are public unless actively privated by characters. We generally encourage threadjacking and engagement, so feel free to mention if threadjacking is fine with you so that others are aware. Note that the NPC will not be actively responding. ]
Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM! All events are game canon. New characters (invited or not) and old characters alike are welcome to play in it. Existing characters can start their own logs or network posts for the event if they wish to.
New and Old characters are welcome to top level on the TDM. Please state in the header if you are a new or old player! Also, new characters may link their top levels under the new character comment so they are easier to find. Thanks for your cooperation!
New 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.
You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below. Special thank you to Melissa for the player plot and prompts!
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No, instead he seems entirely caught up with the words themselves, making Inigo's eyes grow wider and wider.
And not just with surprise. No, there's some definite fear there. Like hearing those words is enough for Inigo to imagine these creepy-crawleys already.
"No, I-- I don't, I've never heard of them before now." Which he truly is hoping because they don't exist back home.
.. A-And hopefully not here either? Inigo is hoping. Begging. Praying.
"How bad are they, that they are more horrible than any other bug?"
no subject
"How bad are they? Not that bad, you'd think, just looking at them. They look like any ordinary little beetle, or at least the child Karmic bugs do. But don't let them get too close," he raises a finger in warning, leaning closer as if he's about to share a vital and precious secret. "...Or they'll worm right into your brain and let anyone with knowledge of this sorcery control your very thoughts and actions." Li Lianhua nods sagely, as if pleased to have been able to pass along such esoteric knowledge.
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The downside of it is that Li Lianhua will be able to "enjoy" the full volume of Inigo letting out an absolute shriek the moment he receives that information. At least the boy does pull back close enough, but the (ear drum) damage is probably already done at that point..
"T-They get into your brain?! How does that even work?! Do they just s-sneak in through your ear?!" Inigo is getting so pale as he talks about it that it almost looks like he might just pass out at the very thought..
asdfsfsd finally karma comes for li lianhua
He pretty pointedly ignores the boy for a bit while he recovers from that mishap, even going so far as to judgmentally resettle his long sleeves, but finally does glance at him again. "Ah, I don't think you're ready to hear about that. Or about the brave warrior who freed himself from the bug's control after all." He shakes his head regretfully. "Here, have a candy instead, eh?" With that he plucks a wrapped piece of candy from his sleeve and tosses it into the boy's lap like a consolation prize.
who ever knew it'd be in the form of a boy unintentionally screaming in his face....
.. were it not for the fact that he's still so massively freaked out by the idea of this bug that he doesn't really notice anything. In fact, the first thing that seems to drag him even the slightest bit back down to planet Earth is the candy tossed into his lap. It makes his eyes grow a little with surprise, and Inigo quickly scrambles to scoop it up into his hands and keep it close, like he's worried something might come and take it away from him.
(You know, maybe the bug. Or something. Who knows at this point.)
He's staring at Li Lianhua now though, since he's been shaken out of his panic just a little bit. Not enough for the panic to be gone, but enough that Inigo can at least speak, which is.. something, at least?
"D-Do you think that thing is here in this place too..?" If Li Lianhua directly stares back at Inigo, he may realise the blue-haired guy's eyes look oddly.. wet.
As if he's about to burst into tears, still clutching the candy close to his chest like an oversized toddler.
oh nooo inigo is too precious
He'd be lying if he said the boy's opening wasn't at least a little tempting, like low-hanging fruit. But he really doesn't want to be responsible for a crying child, old enough to know better or not. So he blinks a few times, as if he can't believe, yet again, the words the boy is saying to him.
"Well I didn't sneak any of those bugs into this place in my pockets, did I?" He shakes his head, then gestures at the candy in his clutches. "What, is it no good? I promise it's not poison."
he's just the world's BIGGEST baby... i'm glad you appreciate him though ;;
.. never mind the fact that it's Li Lianhua's fault in the first place that Inigo got so terribly startled. It seems like Inigo either doesn't realise that, or has completely forgotten it at this point.
Instead he just unwraped the piece of candy before quickly sticking it into his mouth, sucking and chewing on it just for long enough to taste it, and then:
"I-It's good."
His eyes are still a little wet.
"Thanks for sharing your candy with me. You didn't have to."
good boys are SO important
Even Li Lianhua knows Inigo doesn't deserve Li Lianhua happening to him."Save your thanks, it's not mine," he waves him off with a little gesture that the boy will probably fail to recognize as pretty condescending. "Didn't you see, there is a whole banquet of candy set up in a room down the hall, I just took some. Maybe you should go look for that, hmm? Might be fun. Go go go," he adds with an encouraging nod of his head towards the door. You're released from hearing about bugs, little friend, be free.
no subject
And Inigo does seem to fall for the invitation. He's getting up with a speed that has him scrambling to his feet, almost managing to trip in the process. But he doesn't walk away - not all the way.
Instead he pauses for a moment, turning back around to look over at Li Lianhua.
"What's your name?" A beat, and then he adds: ".. I'm Inigo."
ooh Inigo wins first person to ask his name, i'm SO happy
Li Lianhua is a name belonging to another life, that of the wandering miracle doctor with no fixed abode and no clear background, no attachments, no gains or losses. Then, when the past and the present hounded and haunted him to the end, it had been the name of the man formerly known as Sigu sect leader Li Xiangyi and all that was tangled up in that. He'd left both behind as gracefully as he could manage, at the end of his life, thinking he would have no need of names where he was going next.
And then he woke up in that garden, still breathing, and he continues to wake up in a derelict house he lays no claim to, and now here is a boy who wants him to have a name. It's a little funny, how unprepared it makes him feel, how exposed, one might even say... how spooked. To go from having no name to having a name feels a little like taking a step back from some oblivion, some freedom. You give something a name and it becomes that much harder to let go of, won't it?
But he can't keep the boy waiting forever, something must be done. Though what? For one thing, there's no convenient poetry to take inspiration from, this time. More importantly, this isn't a new beginning at all. What would be the point in a new name, for the short time he's got left and for people who will not remember him at all? There's no real harm in this name here, no reputation overshadowing the last rays of sunshine he's able to catch. Besides, what would he do with the lotus seedpod hairpin he's still wearing in his hair, if he changed it now?
He releases a breath, almost a sigh, with a minute shake of his head, as if apologetic for being momentarily distracted. Then he turns to look up at Inigo with a courteous smile. "Ah, it's Li Lianhua."
ahhh, me too!! <3 even if the big feelings are going right over inigo's oblivious head..
Inigo doesn't overthink it though. Maybe Li Lianhua was just distracted, or thinking about something else. There's a million reasons why the other would give a delayed answer like this, and Inigo chooses to trust in this new person he's met, just offering the other a happy smile by the time he answers and gives his name in turn.
"Li Lianhua!" Inigo says, like he's trying out the name. It doesn't really sound like many he's heard before, after all, but he manages to say it pretty well. "Sounds kind of fancy!"
.. or so he's decided, apparently.
"Let's talk again some other time! And then-- uh, maybe with a little less bugs involved?"
/gives inigo's oblivious head a smooch
Hearing his name from another person's mouth after having gone quite a while without, especially with the way it sounds like Inigo has never heard the words before at all, it feels a little like having his roots planted in this new world's soil. Something he neither asked for nor intended. It's just a pity those roots won't have the vitality to take hold. Hopefully Inigo will be as quick to forget the name as he is to forget a little misfortune.
Li Lianhua's shallow smile quirks with a touch of amusement, despite himself, at the boy's request. "I'll keep it in mind," he nods in both acquiescence and farewell. Inigo has nothing to fear; there likely won't be some other time.