EVENT #1: FAE FESTIVITIES

[diceofthegods]

INTO THE WOODS

Click Clock Wood (Spring) by Grant Kirkhope

2:05 / 4:59

▶︎

Click here to listen.

Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others.

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After making your way through the tiny farming town of Ich and out towards the rim of a massive raised crater, you will find yourself being led through a narrow split in the canyon wall. Inside, glow worms cling to the ceiling and create the illusion of a thousand twinkling stars above the moistened rocks.

When you finally emerge, it is into an impossibly lush landscape of massive, redwood-sized tangling trees and a soft moss carpet. Life abounds here. It feels like an oasis of birdsong and animal activity.

A short walk leads you to the prepared party-grounds. A large clearing with quaint huts all around decorated with strange flowers for partygoers to rest or otherwise entertain themselves.

There appear to be several games and stalls set up, the sweet and savory scents of delicious food fills the air, and so do the patrons of the forest. Seemingly hundreds of Fae folk zip around and greet the newcomers excitedly by placing garlands of vines and crowns of flowers atop their heads.

Glowing flowers and toadstools light your way here. It also seems that even the animals get in on the festivities! Really, just about everything talks here. Almost everything, anyways! Talking to a tree stump might not yield many results but you're welcome to try.

Each entrant is also provided upon arrival a copy of The Rules. A rolled parchment that resists water or any other damage. It also prevents you from writing on it so you can't just do what you want.

The rules read as follows:

DO:
⁂ Accept gifts from the Fae.
⁂ Sample the food provided at the party ONLY.
⁂ Play games with the Fae.
⁂ Feel at ease to rest in the provided huts.
⁂ Keep tabs on your shadow lest it wander.
DO NOT:
⁂ Make a TRADE with the Fae.
⁂ Provide any personal items as gifts or otherwise to the Fae.
⁂ Provide your true name to the Fae.
⁂ Wander away from the designated party area.
⁂ Ascend any staircases you find in the woods.
OTHER ITEMS TO NOTE:
⁂ If you see an old woman hiking through the area, feel free to stop her and lie to her. The more brazen and obvious the lie the better. She appreciates this!

GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT

Amongst the games and attractions are a variety of fun possibilities!

GAMES

⁂ Battleship! (Fae Style!) A number of Fae will be hiding on a large grid of flowers. You guess the locations and if you are correct then you will win a small prize! It is a cup of nectar that refills endlessly, and numbs any pains you may have. This works even outside of the forest and can be taken home.

Every time you miss though, you receive a small 'curse.' Nothing harmful! Maybe you’re just rotating in place for the next hour, your ears become daisies, or you grow a tree out of your head? (Feel free to come up with your own silly ideas!) All of the curses will dissipate after a time or upon leaving the forest and none will do any harm or cause pain. The Fae are all about fun tricks, not hurting anyone!

⁂ Dress Up Darlings! You enter a booth and allow the Fae to decide your outfit! Upon the agreement that you'll wear it the rest of the party, of course, no matter how silly or ridiculous it is.

⁂ Bobbing For Onions! Yes, you read that right. Bobbing for onions. There are onions floating around... in water. You have to catch them with your teeth. The prize for success is a Bag of Onions. This bag never runs out of onions. They are always fresh and always onions. Not always the same kind of onion, but always onions nonetheless. This bag works outside of the forest and can be taken home.

⁂ What's In The Box? There is a box. There is something in it. Maybe it's frogs. Maybe it's slugs. Possibly bugs? Maybe apples. We don’t know. Stick your hand in the box and take a guess at what you’re touching! If you’re right, you win the contents of the box!

We'll let players decide via coin flip, rolls, or however they want if their guess is correct! Any items won though will be common, every day items like mentioned and nothing especially exciting. Unless you're really into frogs. Then it's your lucky day, apparently!

ENTERTAINMENT

⁂ Slayd & The Possums! Slayd is here and he’s throwing down the banjo tunes with his possum pals. Feel free to join him if you are musically inclined! The Fae will provide any instrument your heart desires! They can't grant you the ability to play it though if you don't know how.

⁂ The Crowning of the King of Misrule! Randomly chosen by the Fae, enter a lottery to be chosen as the King of Misrule for the evening. You will be dressed in a stupid outfit and granted Fae wings for the night! You also have the insatiable urge to play harmless pranks on people. The Fae will also give you a "Special Gift" at the end of the party...

FOR THE FOOLISH

Ahh, but there are rule breakers amongst us aren't there? If you choose to sneak away from the party, chances are nobody will stop you; however, you are now on your own in the Talahee Forest.

FIRST LAYER

Rak'tika Greatwood Theme ( Civilizations ) by Masayoshi Soken

4:34 / 5:15

▶︎

Click here to listen.

"Civilizations" prominently features a female vocalist. The lyrics are in the Ronkan language, and has not been officially translated.

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The first layer of the forest is very much similar to what you have already seen. Everything is coated in a thick mat of moss and trees wind away like a massive birds nest to form the canopy above. The faint sounds of animals can still be heard. Up here, you may encounter Fae who did not attend the party. They'll ask you your name and other personal details.

Best that you lie.

SECOND LAYER

Click Clock Wood (Autumn) by Grant Kirkhope

1:12 / 4:11

▶︎

Click here to listen.

Grant Kirkhope is a Scottish composer and voice actor for video games and film. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others.

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The further in that you head, the darker the forest gets. It seems you are following a downward slope. The trees get bigger here, as do the insects and toadstools. Bioluminescence rules down here it seems. You may encounter stranger creatures here. Ones that will try to make very tempting trades for your personal belongings. Things that will seem like an amazing deal to you. They offer magical items of great power, or even personal effects from home.

Don't be fooled though. These objects are cursed, and are not at all what they seem. You have the distinct feeling of being watched at all times here.

⁂ Possible Encounters: Owlbear, Displacer Beast, Giant Badger

THIRD LAYER

Saint Mocianne's Arboretum (Hard) by Masayoshi Soken

2:50 / 5:10

▶︎

Click here to listen.

...hordes of aggressive plant life exposed to the strange substance stand between you and the information you seek.

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Are you getting smaller or is everything else getting bigger? Were Slayd here, he would have told you about the concept of Deep Forest Gigantism. The deeper you go - just like the ocean - the larger that the flora and fauna get.

You are dwarfed by the mushrooms here in the pitch darkness and only guided by the latent glow of the creatures and fungi that dwell here. Bugs the size of house-cats skitter in your wake. Are you sure you want to be here? Should you encounter anything larger, you’d best stay silent. Or run!

⁂ Possible Encounters: Giant predatory Elk (RUN), Rodents of Unusual Size, Extra Large Bugs

FOURTH LAYER

Poison Tree by Grouper

0:30 / 3:16

▶︎

Click here to listen.

'Poison Tree' is a meditation on the complexities of anger and the internal conflict it causes. It draws inspiration from William Blake's poem of the same name.

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The trees seem to clear out here as you reach the bottom of the forest. There is no light here so hope you brought a match. The landscape down here is a blanket of moss dotted with countless shallow pools. Looking into one of these pools, you will see your reflection... though it may look different in some way.

You will feel extremely compelled to reach down and touch the reflection in the water. Should you give in, you feel as though your world is turning upside down. You could receive memories not quite your own. Memories of a different version of you, even! (CRAU, Canon Update, or Canon AU!)

Yet, you will be experiencing them as your own. A long time could pass in your mind while only seconds have only elapsed in reality. Upon waking, you will find that you have been ejected from the party and the forest entirely. You find yourself at the entrance to the crater. Disoriented, and compelled not to re-enter, you have only yourself to blame as you must shamble your way home with this burdensome knowledge.

Notes

⁂ For the game prizes, we're using the honor system here! So long as you clear the roll then you can receive a prize with no mod permission needed.

- Battleship: If you roll a d20 above a 13, you can receive one of the nectar cups.
- Bobbing For Onions: If you roll a d20 above a 10, you can receive one of the bag of onions. En...joy...?

⁂ To sign up for The Crowning of the King of Misrule, comment here! We'll RNG the winner likely within a few days to a week to give folks time to participate if they want!

⁂ The plotting post for this event/November is up!

⁂ Additionally, we have a state of the game post available to people read about updates, clarifications, and a poll to participate in!

⁂ If you have any further questions or feedback about this event specifically, please comment here!

⁂ Full Navigation ⁂

Comments

[avanture_time]

Avan can do a long, unblinking stare, too!

Which he holds as he dumps a spoonful of green beans onto Sephiroth's plate.

[miniroth]

Immediately the offending beans are herded off to one side in their own little circle, out of the juices and gravies already on the dish.

And then everything the greenbeans touched right after it, in a second little section, all on their own.

"That's disgusting." His voice is utterly level. "What makes you think I want your spoon germs on anything of mine?"

[zodiheart]

Smiling, he nods in thanks, "Your lack of recent practice has clearly not dulled your skills." He looks out over the festivities, eyes taking in the crowds. There has been much to enjoy this evening. Even though his reunion with Rosie is private, unknown to her, he still enjoys the warmth it brings him in his breast.

Why not befriend her all over again? That journey is well worth the destination.

"Which instruments do you prefer over others? The piano is my strength, as you may be able to tell, but I have learned how to play several instruments in the past," he turns his eyes back to her, eager and excited for her answer.

[snapp_crackle]

"Soooo, is she the type of girl you're into?"

The laughter has subsided but if Popp's grin were any wider he'd have to grow a dragon snout to fit it on his face. Obviously she's not, but like. He wants to know who is! Master Avan isn't the type of person who talks about ~girls~, but this isn't Master Avan. This is the young, relatable version.

[zodiheart]

Perceptive as always, Elidibus thinks. Ardyn may play the fool for many, dramatic in his actions and words, but ever was he attentive and clever - sharply observant and plotting or scheming. He was not fooled. Then again, he does not think Ardyn had meant to fool him at all.

He answers honestly, "For those who lack the knowledge you and I possess, and for those without the wisdom to avoid potentially permanent pitfalls. I had witnessed more than one individual slip off into the dark, and followed to ensure their safe passage."

"After all," he gestures to the forest around them, "what lurks within this place poses no more danger to me than what prowls without. As you have stated, I know their games and their tricks, and have full confidence in myself should a fight be inevitable. Others do not have that luxury."

[firsteditionbfs]

She sat there and talked bullshit, Angeal doesn't think that's a skill at all. Which probably says something about how it doesn't take any skill to trick Cloud Strife into anything.

Considering what he's done and is still technically doing, maybe he shouldn't be throwing stones in this house.

He will continue to do so anyway, and Angeal hums. "Well, the nicest way would be to get you to a smithy, and give a hands on demonstration. But I'd feel bad just randomly grabbing someone else's tools, especially in the middle of the night, so... I guess the engagement ring I made for my husband might work?"

[zodiheart]

Considering that he'd been eyeing the strange boxes himself for much of the time he'd been there, Elidibus is all too happy to join in this game. He nods, following Popp over to the place that has the box game all set up and situated, "Perhaps they may surprise me. The fae have been known to be clever and full of tricks."

That lasts until he pulls back his sleeve and, careful of his slowly-sharpening nails, reaches his hand into one of the boxes.

A frown crosses his face.

"We are meant to keep the item if we guess it properly, correct?" he asks one of the nearby pixies, who nods furiously in response. "How you have managed to contain slime to a perfect hand-hold is commendable."

He pulls his hand out to reveal: slime mold. Bright yellow-green. The pixies begin to laugh uproariously.

[zodiheart]

Confirmation of where Gaia is from settles Elidibus's curiosity somewhat, a shard and timeframe established at the very least. And why she seems to be so wary of him. No doubt she has met with others, if her original exclamation was anything to go by.

"And those that dwell there have every right to name it as such, if they so desire," he nods. "Much as the Star in its entirety will always be Etheirys to me, the Source and each reflection included. That it is changed does not strip it from being my home. It endures, it will endure, and that is all I could wish for."

Salvation comes in many forms, he's learned. Their home had simply found a different way of being saved.

"If you have questions, I will answer honestly."

[zodiheart]

"We truly did spare no effort," though much of that was Themis not knowing how to restrain himself. Considering the way at least one of the pixies was staring at one of those complicated pies though, he deems it as worth it.

Bread, pies, platters, there's plenty for them to both handle.

A triumphant grin spreads across his face. "There is a game here where the objective is to bob for onions, akin to a more pungent take on the 'apples' game. The prize is a bag that produces an endless supply of onions when one reaches for one. Thus far, I have discovered at least a dozen varieties it is able to produce."

Though his hands remain completely steady and sure, there's quite a bit of energy in his voice as he talks. That he's proud of his prize is clear. Endless onions just prior to an unknown winter? It's an incredible boon for him.

[zodiheart]

Angeal is more than allowed, and Themis leans onto his touch and side easily. One of the pixies above them makes gagging noises at the affection. Themis ignores them. Internally, however, he's laughing.

"What sort of treasures would you hide within your box games?" his voice is as amused as his eyes are. Shifting so that he can push up a sleeve on his robe and reach inside of one of the boxes, he pauses.

"Were they living creatures, like this toad?" pulling his hand back out reveals the toad. "I suppose we shall have to name him, since I have 'won' him. Or her. I have not learned how to sex amphibians."

[relativefugue]

Cloud whirls around just in time to see the fae creature shriek and fling herself towards Mithrun. Though he may be weaker and unable to wield it sustainably, he manages to unsheath his sword and put it up as a barrier between the man and monster. It isn't permanent or perfect, but it is something to slow down the thing's trajectory.

As far as Cloud can tell, this weirdo has a plan. That or he's phenomenally stupid and provoking wildlife for fun.

Layer... 1.5?

[berriedmemories]

It's fairly late into the evening when Noct is finally both overtaxed from the sheer volume of people and noise and able to slip away from the others for a moment. He doesn't go far from the party grounds, really. Just a few steps into the forest until the sound is muffled and he can lean against a tree to simply decompress for a moment.

That too, is a novelty. Just leaning casually against a tree, not needing to alter his stance to accommodate the steady ache in his back or the throb that runs down his left leg. There's a soft flicker of crystalline blue as Noct withdraws the delicate glass that Ignis had gifted him, turning it over in his hands and eyeing the rich liquid within, not quite the color of honey, fragrant and floral.

He doesn't need to take another sip of the liquid but he is still trying to identify the taste so he raises it to his lips regardless, just the barest taste, really. Only to fumble with the long, draping fabric that loops over his arms. A soft noise of frustration, pushing the swathe of delicate fabric back over his shoulder where it belongs again. He'd never argue with Ignis, and the outfit is truly beautiful, all bright whites and the palest blue, something that is accented well by the dark blue leather that anchors it to his shoulders and forearms. Not his wrists, not with the freshly sprouting feathers there. That his nails have begun to darken to match that rich blue is a happy coincidence, really.

But even just barely in the forest things are not nearly so safe as the party grounds proper. There's little time to fuss with his outfit before the boy is dismissing the cup back to the armiger, turning to eye his surroundings carefully when a small noise catches his attention. But instead of some nefarious fae or improbable creature he finds something far worse.

"Izunia."

[firsteditionbfs]

On one hand, Angeal can't help the absolutely revolted look that crosses his face at the idea of bobbing for onions. That sounds like the sort of hazing shit that some jackasses in Banora would pull on the rare new kid which moved on over into town. Or, like, a younger sibling that didn't know better.

And then... A little bit of longing mixed into it. Which makes for one hell of an expression, it has to be said.

"Aw, hell, endless onions is so good."

He's trying to decide if he wants to deal with the suffering of shoving his head into onion water.

[zodiheart]

"It is, which is why you may utilize my endless onion bag whenever you wish," he says, beaming.

He sees that look, Angeal. Don't do the thing if you hate it. Or do, but he doesn't say that outright. "Unless, of course, you require your own. It was a rather singular experience in both scent and taste."

Especially now that others have taken their chances. He'd at least been able to take his turn earlier on, when the water was marginally less onion-juice.

B~

[berriedmemories]

What Noctis knows of dancing all comes from Ignis so if he doesn't know what to do with this music Noct sure as hell doesn't stand a chance. Which is only one of many things that have the prince gravitating back towards Ignis after a time doing..... absolutely ridiculous games with his boyfriend. Look. Don't worry about it. Does he have a tiny berry-shaped bowl of raspberries?

So what if he does!

A bowl which he holds out to Ignis in offering as he steps up beside him. Only to make a small curious sound at that muttered question. "What would you even dance to this??"

[relativefugue]

"Bunch of them keep following me and talking nonsense. Been ignoring them as I go." That is to say, Cloud's been pissing off a good amount of local fae folk with an ice cold shoulder. Not that they can do much about that. No instigation, and no names or barters to be had.

Combat oriented...Now the kid is speaking Cloud's language. "Yeah, it was all kind of ridiculous. Not even some kind of fighting ring. Just public humiliation. Seen more interesting 'games' over at Costa del Sol. It's pointless without a challenge." He especially got in to the sharpshooter one. It was a fun way to hone his reflexes and maybe show off to his traveling companions a little. How is someone supposed to look cool biting an onion?!

"Parties always seem to be bad anyway."

[zodiheart]

"We do not," Elidibus confirms. Then settles in to listen to the description. They sound rather like the 'elves' Elidibus had heard about from other worlds, save for the lack of societal structure.

"Thank you for the explanation," he smiles. "I have not encountered darklings before, though my would does sport a variety of races of our own. Would you like to hear of some?" There are many Elidibus could choose from.

[miniroth]

"Nobody's spoken to me out here aside from Elidibus. It's been nice." Quiet. Quiet was extremely good, no chaotic noise to mask the sound of strangers' approaches, no lights and dancing to obscure trouble..

But if the fae were lurking out here too he might not be able to ENJOY that quiet. One could appear at any time.

There's a low hum of a thoughtful noise. Parties always were bad in his experience. "I think you're right. The ones running it are different but the purpose is the same. We're here to be displayed for the entertainment of our hosts, to perform the right tricks for trinkets and be grateful for the opportunity."

He's been doing that his whole life. "Though at least Shinra would have certainly had at least one battle royale. I don't know if they still do them in your time but it's a good way to bleed off the misery of the rest."

[amaratha]

Smfph flowrrs ar edible, [she retorts quite matter-of-factly, bolstered by the confidence of having eaten some at this very party. The rest of her sentence, she waits until she’s swallowed her food before continuing.]

But if you don’t want to, don’t eat it then! Take it home or toss it somewhere- [HMM WAIT] -ah… maybe that’s not a good idea here…

[She’ll dig out her Rules scroll with her non-canape-holding hand and try to unroll it to check, one-handed. While she does this-] -well, surely there’s something else around that looks tasty?

[miniroth]

I don't recall anything about flowers on the instructions. Or throwing them out.

[He is still very dubious about eating one. There's just something off to the idea, even though she ... seems to like it well enough to recommend it to someone else.

And it is with slow caution that one of the little pastry-brisket-flower things is picked up much like she had. If it's poisonous, that would be one hell of a way to go. The 'legendary' killer bred by Shinra to massacre their foes, felled by a flower at a party made by fairies.]

... There's flavor changing buns around here somewhere. And I'm sure most of the meat is perfectly fine, and fruit; they're recognizable.

[But he can't very well ask for a recommendation and then not actually try it ... flower and all. It's such a weird idea.

But when it's actually tried, disappearing with one bite he finds it tastes mostly like a pastry with cheesy meat on it, pleasantly different and with no wildly overpowering flower taste. He doesn't immediately go for another one in favor of thinking hard about that one, and how he felt about it.

... Give him a minute. Novelty requires processing.]

[avanture_time]

He can probably take the onion apart enough with just his hands. It's not going to be up to his usual culinary standards, not by a long shot, but we're dealing with some serious extenuating circumstances right here.

"Hmmm, shepherd's pie would be a good option."

[avanture_time]

"They're not germs, they're green beans." What's next to the green beans on the table? Asparagus? Have some asparagus, too, Sephiroth.

[miniroth]

It isn't that Sephiroth has not or would not under other situations, eat vegetables. They're fine.

That is NOT the point to this.

The second time Avan moves to put anything even NEAR his person, his free hand moves to intercept the offending counterpart hand, and if he can catch hold, tighten his grip to viselike- but only to stop forward motion. Back is fine.

[avanture_time]

If Avan hears Popp's question (he does), he doesn't give any indication of it, because he is intently watching the pixies that were swarming him as they fall into infighting. This is an opportunity that cannot be allowed to go to waste! No time to explain!

He hooks his arm around Popp's, slaps the other hand over his mouth to keep him quiet, and then absolutely books the both of them out of there before the pixies can notice. Once they're safely out of sight, he releases Popp and lets out a laugh that's somewhere between nervous and carefree.

"Haaahhh, they're an enthusiastic bunch, aren't they?"

Sheliak Saarela | Original Character | OTA, will match format

[sleepinglyra]

I. Into the Woods

[Sheliak had only recently arrived in this realm. He was still adjusting and the last thing he felt like doing was attending a party. Unfortunately, appearances were important and he couldn't afford to offend the people here. So, he resigned himself to a night of tedious socializing.

The glow worms that clung to canyon wall reminded him of the magical crystals back home. His blue eyes seemed to ripple, as if there was a piece of water trapped inside them. They softly glowed with his loneliness as he lingered in the canyon for a moment before going inside.

Sheliak had learned not to cause an unnecessary ripples so he hid his sorrowful expression behind a polite smile as he joined the festivities. Roses were the symbol of nobility and he approved of the white roses in his flower crown. The symbolism of death was also fitting, although he hoped no one else made the connection. He studied the rules on the parchment intently. Seems simple enough, although his stoic expression cracked with a faint scowl at the last part.]

My shadow?

[That reminded him of an insufferable shadow mage back home and his eyes glowed brighter with a sharp flicker. Must Altair torment him even here?]


II. Games

[The rules said to play games with the fae so Sheliak happily obliged. It had nothing to do with his competitive nature or wanting to regain a small semblance of control in his life. He had a flawless victory with battleship but after the fae accused him of cheating he played a few more rounds to defend the honor of his family name.

The next two rounds didn’t go quite as well and by the end of the game he had been twice cursed. Snowflakes grew on his eyelashes and skin and more appeared the more stubbornly he hid his flaws behind his icy mask of perfection. The other curse replaced his ears with purple larkspur, turning everything he heard into flowery compliments. His pride ruffled, he moved on to the next game.

Bobbing for onions sounded like a ridiculous game but he had an advantage. He could breathe underwater so it should be simple enough. The cool water on his face as he submerged was soothing. It wasn’t as nice as an underwater nap, but he could still feel his worries fade under the water and the onion was quickly forgotten. He closed his eyes with a sigh, forgetting that staying underwater for too long may be worrying to most people.

He hesitated when he was invited to play What’s in the Box and his eyes flickered with a brief flash of uncertainty. As a mage, the world felt different to him now. His human body was just a physical vessel crafted with his past memories. If he focused on how it felt to be human, he could feel things, but they still felt off, like a memory instead of the real thing. However, his imagination still needed some guidance. This was impossible when the object was hidden inside a box.

This game was impossible for him, and yet it tugged at his desire to be human again and he stubbornly tried anyway. When he put his hand in the box his glowing eyes sparked with sharp, irritated flash before they softly burned steadily brighter as his helplessness grew. He could tell from the resistance his hand met that the object was solid. That was all he could tell and his eyes narrowed in frustration as he yanked his hand out.]

I’m afraid I don’t know.

[He calmly admitted, his voice a bit tense from the storm of emotions he withheld.]


III. Slayd & The Possums

[Sheliak loved music. It reminded him of Arrakis and his eyes softy glowed brighter as he watched with a faint smile. He politely declined the fae’s invitation to join in with light chuckle.]

I’m sure there are plenty of talented musicians who would appreciate your offer more.

[He didn’t have any musical talent, but he didn’t mind. He preferred to listen and enjoy the music other people created.]


IV. A brief respite

[Sheliak needed a break from all the tedious socializing so he slipped away to one of the small huts to rest. His polite mask fell as he laid down with a huge sigh. Finally, he thought as he closed his eyes. He can rest.

Or not, his brow slightly furrowed when he heard someone come inside. He swallowed his irritation and calmly spoke without opening his eyes.]

Can I help you with something?


V. For the Foolish

[Sheliak followed the rules and didn’t stray from the party area, unlike some people. There were always troublemakers after all. At first, he ignored them. Their foolish actions were not his concern. However once the worried whispers about missing guests grew Sheliak reluctantly went to search for them. As a mage he couldn’t abandon anyone who could be in danger. Unfortunately, he always had a terrible sense of direction and it wasn’t long before he was hopelessly lost.]

A.)

[The darkness of the second layer didn’t bother Sheliak. The darkness was quiet, and he could sense his surroundings with his magic. His glowing eyes cut through the dark as explored the area.

The rules said not to trade with the fae or offer them any personal belongings, but his eyes glowed brighter with longing when he saw what they wanted to trade. It was a black knight with the initials AF carved on the bottom of the piece. It was impossible. The piece shouldn’t have survived the destruction of his world.

He didn’t have much to trade and he hesitantly fiddled with the silver ring with a blue gem cut into the shape of a star on his finger. It was his family ring, and all he had left of his life as a noble.]

If I were to accept your trade, would this suffice?

B.)

[When he reached the fourth layer it was completely dark. He could magically sense his surroundings with his magic but he preferred to be able to see. So, he pulled out a black crystal with a faint glowing flicker inside it. The glow grew brighter as Sheliak poured his magic into the crystal and wished for light.

His crystal light illuminated the darkness around him, although, he wished it hadn’t. He froze when he saw his reflection. The startled bright flicker in his eyes mirrored the burning bright glow from his reflection’s eye. His reflection’s left eye was closed, with a slash through it, the blood mixing with the tears that ran down his face.

Sheliak’s careful walls over his emotions shattered with an anguished whisper as he stepped back from the shallow pool.]

No! I don’t want to see any more!

[It reminded him too much of his visions of death as a water mage. Those visions had cost him too much and he hadn’t used his ability since Arrakis died. He squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to fight the desire to reach for his reflection.]

I can’t.


Wildcard

[Surprise me with your own prompt! Feel free to talk to me on plurk Nicholaj, Discord@25thNicholaj, or PM, whichever is easier for you. Enjoy!]