childrenofbahamutlogs | EVENT #1: FAE FESTIVITIES

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EVENT #1: FAE FESTIVITIES

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:

ONLY

DO NOT:

TRADE

OTHER ITEMS TO NOTE:

old woman

GAMES & ENTERTAINMENT

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

GAMES

Battleship! (Fae Style!)

a cup of nectar that refills endlessly, and numbs any pains you may have.

curse

dissipate after a time

Dress Up Darlings!

how

Bobbing For Onions!

Bag of Onions

What's In The Box?

ENTERTAINMENT

Slayd & The Possums!

play

The Crowning of the King of Misrule!

a lottery

King of Misrule

Special Gift

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

above a 13

Bobbing For Onions

above a 10

⁂ 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 ⁂

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Really for the best that it disappears back into the Armiger. That means it isn't at risk of falling to the floor and breaking, in which case it definitely won't work then.

"Oh, is there some falsehood to what I'm saying?" Ignis teases, before sighing to look out back towards the dance floor. It really does seem like a good bit of fun, truthfully, even if the dancing is completely new to him. But he's been hard at work inside so much - housekeeping really is a full time job when they're lacking convenient technology but hygiene is still so important. He's only been able to make time for basic exercises, and making sure his combat skills aren't completely rusty...

Going out dancing, letting himself work out all the energy in his body... It really would be nice. But he's always been picky about his dance partners.

So after that longing glance, he smiles back to Noctis. "So, we know what game I've won. Any luck on your end, Noct?"

Noct smirks, leaning in close for a moment. "I'm allowed now." There's the faintest little wrinkle to his nose that implies the childish urge to stick his tongue out, especially with Iggy being playful with him. He manages to restrain himself but only just. Which is good because it means he does, in fact, catch that look.

So when Ignis' attention returns to him, Noct is already chewing on the inside of his lip a little. Barely noticeable to the average person but Ignis knows all his tells. He doesn't give the other man time to call him on it, instead just reaching out to grab Iggy's wrist and tug him along with him. Toward the dance floor. "I don't want to hear it when we've made ourselves look like idiots in front of half the town!"

Really is there any way to do this sort of dance that doesn't make someone look like an idiot?

It was necessary.

[Plus they have the advantage of having long lives, at which point bureaucracy becomes a lot easier.]

But I should be glad to share more later.

"What-" Except it's already too late as he's pulled along into all the different bodies there on the dance floor, Noctis's hand so warm and pleasant in a way that seems to go past all the scales which have since gathered on there. Ignis hardly know what to do except laugh a bit.

"I think they'll be preoccupied with far more silly things done by people, considering!" And he's still smiling as he steps close to Noctis, eyes shining in the dim party lights.

"Unless you think a little twirl is enough to ruin your reputation forever."

Byleth shrugs, a slight tilt of his head at the assertion that Emet makes.

"I've had far worse done to me. I wouldn't mind. But I also won't needle you into it." Byleth isn't really keen on trying to convince someone to any great effort today. As such, he stands there, shifting his weight to his other foot.

His gaze is as reticent as ever. So much so that it creates that awkward vacuum of conversation or action that Byleth is so often prone to producing by his mere presence. He's like a video game character waiting for a dialogue option input from a player who has forgotten to return.

Byleth takes the bowl, looking at the contents. It smells good. It looks good. But he feels his body already protesting. He takes it down anyways, quickly before he can hesitate too much. The bowl is set aside with a soft word of thanks.

He stares at Angeal with a clear sense of desire. He doesn't want him on the floor. Byleth would rather be laying against him. It feels like such an imposing request though. No instead he will just stare awkwardly at him until he realizes he's been asked a question.

"Yes, that would be nice."

This is ridiculous and embarrassing and absolutely not his thing.

Then Ignis laughs and looks at him so warmly, those stunning emerald eyes bright with amusement and love. It doesn't matter what comes next. This moment, right here. This makes it worth it.

"What reputation?" Noct smirks a little, shrugging and taking Ignis' hand properly. Not that he thinks there is a proper way to do this. Unfortunately.... from there he's sort of at a loss here. But he trusts Ignis to lead him through it, as he always does.

Indeed, while Ignis has never danced like this, he's had plenty of time to watch... and sometimes, dancing is all about the movement, the energy, the joy, than it is about any prim and proper form.

Although in formal or competitive dance scenes, sometimes there is a power in that for ruthlessly embarrassing people who don't have the sense to keep their trash words in their mouth, but that is a wholly different matter altogether and doesn't apply here.

Instead, taking Noctis's other hand, Ignis chuckles again. "Ah, but you've always been so fussy when it comes to looking cool," he teases, pulling him along, spinning him around.

"So if I took you square dancing, there'd be no complaint?"

Ravus can't say it's not tempting to let him chase, to feel all the heat between them. Just to let thoughts fade and feel reprieve for once in his life. It's terrifying that the haze even lets him get that far in his thoughts, and that's precisely why they have to stop. Because it has to be a choice, and not a surrender.

At first, the tension under his hand makes Ravus thinks he's going to be fought about this. As much as it pains him, he's ready to push Noctis off of him. The poison doesn't mar his strength, after all. But it melts under his fingertips again, and the look Noctis shows him is a soft thing when he looks up from nuzzling Ravus' palm. He's relieved to see it, but even more so, he's transfixed by the trail of kisses up his arm. Heart thundering so hard it feels like it slams into his ribs, bursting to escape. Until he's slipping his hands down to hold the other prince steady against him, but more to feel as if he can pin that frantic beat down between them. His embrace is warm and adequately tight enough to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that, despite what he's been ready to do, he doesn't want to let go of Noctis.

"I would, yes. And full glad I am to hear it's an agreeable idea, yet it's more than that. I would wish to court you properly. To show you that I am worthy, and not merely- err... not just these fumblings while I can barely think a few words ahead of myself." Ravus says in that earnest way of his, because otherwise it might sound ridiculous. Like he's only ever understood romance in the pages of storybooks. Oops-

Shit. It has to be really bad, if Byleth is putting down even a small bowl of soup.

"Alright. So, Mithrun used to really like making creme brulee, and, at the previous bakery, I always made sure he was able to get it out of his system a little bit. However, that's some really nice ingredients I don't want Charlie to feel obligated towards, so I've been trying to work him towards things like pie decoration..."

Angeal keeps going on like that. Just little things, what he's done in his daily life, with the people he knows. Changes he's noticed, goals to have when spring comes around. All sorts. Fortunately, he's always had a skill in small talk that can go on for hours - just one of those little 'small town' things that happens when everyone knows everyone and there's not always a need to rush.

And he keeps an eye on Byleth, watching him to see his reactions. To see if this helps ease him into a sleep without worry.

[May as well put the neon up]

I'm flirting with you. [....Oh, right-] My husband is fine with it, for the record. Pretty relaxed marriage.

[Probably as a consequence of... the sex sim they were in... It's fine]

Of course, he picks up on the disgust. He hopes for it to give him some strange sense of satisfaction. To be looked at with such contempt delights him in all ways strange that he stopped trying to make sense of long ago. Especially by Noctis, but that's perhaps due to the striking similarity - especially now - to his dear brother Somnus.

The moment and his grotesque enjoyment of it ends though thanks to that simple click of his tongue and single of word. Whatever. "Whatever?" Ardyn echoes, venom dripping off each letter. It's such a simple thing, but so dismissive that it's downright infuriating. It doesn't work to shield Noctis like he hopes though. "I am offering you whatever you want, but that still isn't good enough!"

Despite the fire behind Ardyn's eyes suddenly as he roars in frustration, it's frost that he ends up spitting. This close, it's an impossible spray of biting ice to avoid entirely. His claws drag in kind across bark towards Noctis - almost unbidden, and he will regret the strike later - with a snarl. In the moment though, he can't stop himself from lashing out. Angry, yes, but once that settles there's clear hurt in his expression too. Both at what he's said and what he realizes he's done.

Ruining everything, like always.

[ That is true... Most of people's bemoaning about it from her world was often over how long things took and how short mortal lives were. ]

Yeah, totally! I'll look forward it.

On the one hand, it's good that Cloud is getting an understanding just what the situation is actually like here.

On the other hand, of course two seconds of peace can't last.

It's times like these that Angeal really hates the dumbing down of his senses. He'll reflect on that later about how he hates being inhuman but so many inhuman qualities are ingrained into him - maybe he will at any rate. But right now, it's a flickering thought because of how he can't immediately sniff out the new enemy before he focuses on what he can do.

And what he can do, after slapping his hands to his ears, is dig the tip of his boot right into the earth and haul it up in a dirty kick - literally - right at their new friend.

He's hoping it's enough to make her choke. If not swallowing dirt, then a bit of coughing would be fine too. It doesn't really matter.

All he needs is the distraction.

"Move it, popcorn!" Because that's sure as hell what he's doing, although he's making sure Cloud comes with him first.

"We all have our strengths, and there is no shame in admitting such things," being strong in different subjects leads to a more enriched society. Elidibus would know, coming from one. Where he lacks, another is an expert, where another may flag, he can shore up strength - and in working together, they are stronger as a whole.

Hearing Rosie's reasoning for disliking the changes gives him pause. He had not considered it, though not through any fault of his own. It was never his world.

"I se, yes, that would make it difficult to embrace the changes." He offers her an encouraging smile, "If you wish to speak on those troubles, please consider doing so to myself. I have been told that I am an excellent listener."

"Far be it from me to judge a man's preferences towards color and patterns," he admits truthfully. And whether they match, he does not say. Elidibus and Ardyn both know he thinks it, that's just a given at this point. "Especially considering I continue to don my robes of office each day, regardless of how they may stand out."

White remains a rarity, especially with how others would find it so difficult to keep clean. Thank goodness for enchanted fabrics.

"Have you thought much on what you intend to offer, then?"

"It is as harmless as amphibians come," he grins, intentionally not responding to the comment about joking. The frog turns in Popp's hands, away from the poking finger. It blinks.

"Seeing as how they shall be your most steadfast of friends, will you grant them a name?"

He pauses for a moment.

"Though, I do not know how to tell the sex of frogs."

"It is the way of the fae, after all, to be beholden to their contracts. I have brokered no such deal, and thus, they may not retaliate - though some may be amused at the cleverness required to work around their rules."

After a few moments it becomes very clear that, indeed, there is no retaliation coming.

"It is a manner of respect, after all."

"I was. It is easy for me to find joy in the action, that is, in cooking and baking. The decorative aspect is perhaps more than is needed for the final products, but I have found that the visual spectacle communicates something it otherwise would lack. That is, the sheer pleasure of serving something beautiful as well as delicious and nourishing to one I care for." The smile on his face is small, proud of himself but not egotistical. "Perhaps you may understand?"

Elidibus runs the tips of the fingers of one hand across the palm of the other in slow, delicate circles. How can one explain that his tether to his physical form is something tangible? That being here, being real, allows him to do far greater things than he could within the Simulation?

Instead, he nods and takes the praise for what it is. And resolves to explain simply. "Thank you, it gladdens me to know you believe so. In truth, having a true body serves to make the effort far easier for myself than it otherwise would. Save for sheer power, it has been the same in almost every area."

With an almost voyeuristic stare, Elidibus watches Byleth intensely as he devours his baking. He absolutely does not need to ask how it tasted, the expression and - stars, the sounds - being made communicate that quite clear enough. Pride surges through him, that he did this, made something that could taste good enough to result in this with his own two hands.

Byleth has not come out of the encounter unscathed, it seems. The man practically looks unsteady on his feet. Following that little detail, Elidibus does not hesitate to take hold of Byleth and guide him to one of the nearby chairs, easing him to sit down just as he requested.

It doesn't register, the casual, easy touch.

Instead he grins down, expression bright. "It was acceptable, then?" The words are teasing.

[What a familiar feeling, Elidibus thinks. He is then torn between the desire to provide Lahabrea with future truths, with reassurances, with his predictions... A middle ground will have to do.]

From my experiences where I had been taken before, should you be returned to our home it will be to the instant you had been taken. This is regardless of how long time would have passed in places such as these. Knowing this, perhaps you may rest easier? That our Star will not suffer in your absence.

[He takes a breath, commits to the action.]

Do you wish to know of our fates beyond your present time? I will not burden you with such knowledge unless you wish it.

Such careful scrutiny yields a mild response, but one that presents in two facets. The first is that of understanding, of the intimate knowledge of giving oneself up in sacrifice. He knows not Gethen's reasons, but such things will always ring familiar unless told otherwise. The second facet is that of respect. Having one's will stripped is agony, but knowingly going into such a thing is an entirely different level of torment. That whatever happens afterwards was ultimately chosen, in the end, regardless of what one was made to do.

"I am glad to hear that your actions bore fruit. We are of the same mind with regards to the experience, unfortunate it is that we share such a thing."

He waits a moment. Here, now, another bit of common ground.

"My situation, too, was voluntary. I would chose it again in an instant, should I be thrust back in time, knowing what is to come. For those I loved."

(What is he, a masochist...? )

Emet-Selch shifts to rest one arm upon his knee, gesturing freely with the other in a dismissive 'well, what can you do about these things, eh?' sort of a way.

"Well, haven't we all?" the question is meant to be rhetorical, an insertion of some levity for what might otherwise be an awkward situation for the both of them. Or an uncomfortable conversation. Emet-Selch doesn't inquire into what Byleth means by his words, simply continues to speak into the resulting silence as if the other man hasn't just fallen abnormally silent.

"Fortunately for you, I must insist upon sparing you the discomfort this time. Consider it my thanks for the...snacks."

Though what Emet-Selch should probably be thanking him for is the company. The Ancient glances up at him, not revealing much in the way of his own thoughts. Indeed, the professor certainly is a strange one, but he seems to mean well in his especially unique way. Mayhap he'll repay him for real in the future. After all, unselfish kindness is a rare trait in this world, one half-forgotten.

Emet-Selch shakes his head.

"A shame these trees don't much lend themselves to napping. Much more of this merriment and I may grow weary simply from observing it all."

Noct lets himself be tugged along, especially right now, especially when the nectar is fresh in his system and he can move more freely than he has in years. The habitual tension of altering his gait to accommodate for the pain leaving him enough to allow him to spin with a touch more grace than he might usually have managed. Even if he doesn't need to, though, he lets himself come out of the twirl to press in close to Ignis' chest, a fond little smirk on his lips.

"There'd definitely be complaints... just probably not about appearances." He laughs as he says it, pushing up on his toes (and pushing his luck) to press another brief kiss to his boyfriend's lips before he can roll his eyes too much. Look. Square dancing just seems even more ridiculous than te traditional ballroom dancing he has had to learn.

Somehow, Ravus doesn't believe that. Not that he's calling Ardyn a liar... but, well, maybe he is. No one stumbles into that much trouble by some misfortune; even Ravus knows he seeks it. But he's willing to overlook that on the basis of giving fair chances.

He immediately regrets it, and scowls when the blushing is pointed out. Really? Cute of all things? He is not cute.

"I most certainly can. Now hush you," he growls back, trying to look menacing about the order. It's too much of a pout to be any thing of the sort, but Ravus won't be convinced of that either. And instead of letting Ardyn get another free shot in, he huffs and turns away to hide as much of his face as he can in the high collar of his coat. "You've had your fun and made me dally quite enough. You'll have to find another soul to menace until later."

He was, in fact, heading somewhere before all of this. A meeting he really shouldn't be late about. But before he goes, he does glance back to Ardyn, and bids him good night with a measure of reluctance that betrays the fact he's had a rather enjoyable time.

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EVENT #1: FAE FESTIVITIES

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Wrap here?

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he failed so bad

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&wrapped!!

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It had to be done. Does it back to you.

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it's par for the course for these two, it's okay

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