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

QUESTIONS & FEEDBACK

[diceofthegods]

[miniroth]

What happens if they give their name to the fae.

[sleepinglyra]

For the strange creatures offering tempting trades in the forest, are there any details about how the items are cursed? Do characters know the item is cursed after the trade has been made or is this something they find out later?

[hammerbearer]

So mention is made of the older woman hiking through the area but I haven't seen any further way to interact with this element. I was wondering what's up there please!

[giftoffamily]

If I include some prop potions or other functional doodads on Gethen's costume, do they do anything unusual, or are they just potentially-tasty drinks? Assuming only for the duration of the event if yes, but correct me if I'm wrong!

THE CROWNING OF THE KING OF MISRULE

[diceofthegods]

ardyn izunia. ffxv.

[fatedfinality]

yes hello Ardyn was MADE for this

Smaller Sephiroth - OTA

[miniroth]

[Arrival]

They'd been invited, and so he went. Sephiroth had been okay more or less with this whole party thing right up until he actually got there and the towering trees gve way to a clearing with huts and flowers and hundreds of fae. It's noisy, it's chaotic, and he's never in his life been around anything like it. It's too much.

The only thing that keeps him there is the certainty that immediately leaving would be offensive, and that would be nebulously Bad. For a while he simply stands where he is slightly off to one side, the rolled up list of Rules clenched in one hand like it's a lifeline, a wreath of blue and white flowers perched on his hair, expression blank. And then he moves off to one side, to settle at the base of one of those massive trees and do nothing at all but watch for a while. Sooner or later the maddening scent of waiting food will force him to his feet again but for now time is going to be spent coming to terms with the overwhelming number of beings here, and the general almost-organized sprawl.

He doesn't make the most approachable figure, solidly black clad from throat to toe, even wearing gloves, and lurking in the shadow of the tree instead of joining in on the cheerful mayhem. But maybe he just needs some encouragement!

[Food]

There's games! Fun! Music!

... Sephiroth's relocated again after venturing into the festival just long enough to acquire what passed for a plate and put on it anything he thought he recognized, almost all some form of meat.

This is his third such 'plate'. The amount of food a teenage boy can put away is nothing short of staggering, and he's been patiently doing his best. It is if nothing else, distracting. But at this point he's tenatively ventured into trying new things, one of which is what looks awfully like small, blue sausages studded with tiny points of faintly blue light stuck to the end of a stick.

It smells like cinnamon. He hasn't gotten the courage just yet to try that one but he's definitely planning to by the way he's eyeing it.

He's got more than one. Want to give it a try too?

[Battleship]

Playing Battleship with the faeries?

He's watching.

Every guess, right or wrong, every minor curse, every triumph. He's just standing there, utterly silent, in the company of a lone pixie that a month before had been a regular instigator of minor games and pranks against him and his poor katana.

He doesn't interrupt, but it may well get uncomfortable just having him stand there and watch every. Single. Move other players make.

[And Away We Go]

He tolerates the noise and chaos as long as he can but sooner or later, the boy goes missing.

The quiet serenity of the forest is its own siren's call. Yes, there's a paper that says don't leave on it, stuffed into a pocket. Stay in the designated areas. Stay safe, stay alert. The designated areas are like sandpaper on raw nerves, too overwhelming to remain nearby, and so he walks until he only hears animals and birdsong and the hum of late-season bugs. The true depths of the forest are a long distance away yet, but for the first time in perhaps hours, he finally feels like he can enjoy the peace and quiet of this place. Watch the trees, study the occasional flower or mushroom.

How long it'll remain peaceful and quiet remains to be seen.

Arrival

[snapp_crackle]

Charlie was pretty clear on how to charge him up - the power of bonds. This means that lurking around like a creepy silent shadow is exactly what not to do, and this means that Popp has a moral duty to be extremely gregarious and bother this guy who he already kind of wants to bother for some reason.

...It's because he reminds him of another quiet cool guy he knows, okay? Popp is all for friendship and justice and all that right down to his core but he's not a saint. He approaches, smiling widely and carrying a plate of rolls which he has been told by a giggling fae are enchanted but not cursed. They're not allowed to lie, right?

"Hey - first of all, my name's Popp. Second, eat one of these. I hear that if you know the secret trick, you can make them any flavor you like."

The secret trick, which Popp does not know, is that the flavor is determined by the first two letters of the last word you say before eating one. For instance, if he ate one right now, it'd be lime or lilac.

Avan de Zinuar III | Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai

[avanture_time]

[A - Around]

Avan's not hard to find at the festival, or, perhaps to be more accurate, he's hard to miss. Allowing the fae to pick out a costume for him has landed him in a very ruffle-laden clown costume, with his long hair pulled up into pigtails to top it off. Do the pigtails still inexplicably curl up at the ends like his hair usually does? Of course they do. If anything, it's more pronounced this way.

Naturally, Avan shows no signs of shame or embarrassment about all this.

He sticks to the fairgrounds, sampling the food, playing the games, chatting up the local critters like it's the most normal thing in the world, and sampling the food some more for good measure. (He does seem to be avoiding any drinks that seem alcoholic, but that's probably for the best?)

[B - Bobbin']

There are a lot of details that give away Avan's recent victory in bobbing for onions: his face, hair, and the giant ruffled collar of his clown costume are all sopping wet, for one. His hard-won bag of onions is clutched in his left hand, for another. But the most damning and distracting detail that gives it away is the raw onion held in Avan's right hand, which he is regularly taking bites out of.

Is he enjoying this process? Oh, no. Is he determined to see it through anyway? Unfortunately, yes. What else is he supposed to do? Throw away a perfectly good onion???

[C - Choo-choo]

As the end of the evening approaches, Avan starts watching Slayd and his band, though it's not really the music that's got his interest. Not that it isn't interesting! The style is still new to him and he likes the energy of it, but it's not what he's here for. Slayd promised to show him a model train and he is waiting so patiently. Still dressed like a clown, by the way.

Around

[zodiheart]

Elidibus bumps into Avan at one of the tables for food, quite literally when he ducks out of the way of a pixie. It was that or allow them to exchange his flower crown for a different one. He's rather fond of this one.

He has to grab the young man by the shoulders to ensure he hasn't completely knocked Avan over. "My apologies, are you alright?"

Byleth Eisner | Fire Emblem Three Houses

[perfectteatime]

Onion

You may encounter Byleth here at the party, having done the first and most important thing outside of partaking of the food of course. Yes, that's right, he wanted those onions. Now his head and upper-body is soaked in onion-water, but he's holding his bag of prize-onions with a sense of... well. It's hard to tell with him, actually. Sense of pride? Indifference? We just don't know from the outside.

Inwardly, he is quite chuffed. If you keep watching, he eventually reaches into the bag, takes out an onion and bites into it like an apple. Eventually, he catches you observing him, and as he takes another bite, he fishes out an additional onion. This one is held out to you in a silent offer. Want one?

We wander away from the party

Ahh, but as Byleth's nature is, he doesn't stay at parties long. No, he decides to take himself on a little walk. Which turns into a big walk. Snacking on his onions as he wanders deeper and deeper into the forest. Thankfully, the man is disinclined to converse with any creature or being he encounters, instead simply meandering the downward slow.

One layer.

Two. Three.

Deeper and darker.

A quiet little observer. He isn't careless, but he isn't afraid as he should be. It's unlike any other place he has ever been. Eventually, he bottoms out. There he finally sits to rest, setting his onions aside for a moment, he moves to one of the still pools to presumably wash the onion smell from himself. What looks back at him however, is not his reflection... no. It's something much different. It moves independently of him. Smiles at him, but not menacing... his reflection looks at him almost with a sense of... sadness. Pity?

His fingers unconsciously touch the surface of the water, and in a dizzying rush, he feels as though he falls through the water. Submerged in... memory. It soaks into him, so rapidly that it steals his breath away. A place of hedonism... but there. He was happy. Dimitri- they were married. That alone piercing through him like a jab. And not only that, there were others he loved. Others he cherished. The ancients. Hades, Themis, Lahabrea, Hythlodaeus. Obsidian. Angeal. Rosie. So many faces he remembers he's seen here. Many more too...

What Elidibus had said to him rings resoundingly clear now. It was all true. All of it. He feels as though he is brought to the peak of joy. It feels blinding in its euphoria.

But everything eventually falls. And the grief of that life overtakes him as well. Wrenching. The further knowledge of what future could await back home for him. The terror of immortality.

When he wakes, he feels... odd. Scraped out. Exhausted. He's lying at the threshold to the forest. Ejected, and now the way is closed to him. He broke the rules, after all. So he's left alone here to contemplate. Everything. To soft through memories that both are and are not his own. Feelings that he isn't sure he owns. It's a lot. More than even he can handle. It was years of joy and grief and love all compressed into what felt like an instant and an eternity all at once.

He lays there in the damp grass for a while. He will find his way back to the town eventually. Just... not yet.

And on top of everything?

He lost his onions.

Onion

[zodiheart]

Elidibus takes the onion as silently as it has been offered to him. He looks down at it and at least is able to identify it as a sweet variety. It also looks to be a different variety than the one Byleth himself is eating.

Good information about his own bag of onions.

Also silently, Elidibus bites into the onion - it's a good, sweet onion.

The Band

[stormfeathered]

[ Up on stage, Slayd is playing to his hearts content with his troop of possums and other woodland creatures, now it seems obvious they were fae all long. Still, if you wish to take part and perform with Slayd, he's very good at matching and harmonizing. His little friends can transform into nearly any instrument you desire. The only caveat is that you're all right with having banjo accompaniment.

Otherwise he will play to whoever is dancing, and move through his usual set with contentment. ]

[snapp_crackle]

[ Popp won't be getting up on that stage but he can be seen dancing a merry reel with Miss Periwinkle. ]

Elidibus | Final Fantasy XIV | OTA Will Match Style

[zodiheart]

Mingling:

Bearing a shimmering flower crown of violet and blue that gently glows under the party lights, Elidibus can be found all over the party. He can be heard introducing himself to fae as being 'known as The Emissary.' It's clear he knows his way around conversations with them, seeing as he confidently speaks with many in attendance with nary a misstep to be found.

The food is as delicious as any party he's been to, and he feels an urging to sample as many varieties as he can. He can be found doing that, or perhaps observing the party from the sidelines.

It is a prime spot to people-watch, as it were.

Still, as much as he appears to be enjoying himself, he's clearly not dropped his guard entirely. His shadow is kept close by his side and he keeps a watchful eye on those he cares for. Should you need his expertise in some manner, he's clearly open to talking - he's spoken to many people, fae and not-fae alike. At present, however, he's watching.

If approached, he will raise a hand in greeting, "Are you enjoying the festivities?"



Games:

Elidibus has set himself up in front of the box game and is looking at it with a discerning eye. It's clear he's been at the games already, if the bag of onions and cup of nectar tucked in his arms is anything to go by. He can and will be convinced to bob for more onions, however, moisture or no. At the moment he does not appear to be cursed in any way, though whether that was due to luck or the curse not being a visible variety is unknown.

Though not unaware of being approached, he's giving too much thought to the prospect of the game in front of him to turn to greet the newcomer.

"I wonder..." he trails off, deliberating.



Entertainment:

The music. At some point while Slayd has started playing, Elidibus had made his way right up to where the band is playing and pulled an entire grand piano from his pocket - or from nowhere at all. It's a sleek mixed black-and-white design, bench and all, and he sits upon it and slots himself into the band with expert grace.

And oh, can he play. Elidibus puts his whole heart and soul into his playing, fingers dancing over the keys at a breakneck pace. A wide grin lights up his face and he's clearly enjoying himself during each set.

But like every musician, he will need breaks.

Putting the piano away temporarily - where it vanishes into nowhere exactly as before - he'll make his way to get himself a drink. Flexing his fingers to give them a nice stretch, he'll turn to whoever is nearby and excitedly start talking.

"Are you enjoying the music? Please, inform me should if you have any requests."



Wildcard:

((OOC: Plotting post is here! Hit me up if you'd like a closed thread or something else other than these prompts, I'm open to most anything.))

Wildcard- Re-uniting with a flame

[heliographic]

When Prompto hears the sound of skilled piano playing, he's naturally drawn to it. He only knows one guy who could ever play like that, and he's hoping he finally tracked him down here at the party.

The blond knows for a fact Elidibus is around somewhere in this world, given their hasty and excited reunion over the network, but with how absolutely crazy everything has been, he hasn't exactly had the chance to get to find and re-unite with him in person.

There was a lot they left hanging, back at the simulation. The pair had only just decided to go on a first date when everything in Prompto's own memories goes startlingly blank. Like there was a cutoff, or perhaps the simulation had a malfunction. Needless to say...There is a lot to catch up on here. As the piano comes into view, a wide, thrilled smile breaks across the boy's features. Yup, there he is.

"Eli!!!!" Prompto calls out, pumping his fist at the performance, "Yeah! Get em!"

Whenever he ceases playing and stands up, Prompto is there to land a flying tackle right into his arms, laughing delightedly.

Popp | Dragon Quest: Adventure of Dai

[snapp_crackle]

Mingling and Jingling

This is honestly really impressive! Way better than Popp was expecting from a bunch of people who live in the woods and play dumb pranks as a way of life. He's less overtly gawping once he settles into the party, but wow, look at this place! Against his better judgement, he's let the forest folk dress him up - he thinks he looks pretty sharp, if seasonally inappropriate in a red and green formal suit. The jinglebell cravat would be obnoxious if he had to sneak around anywhere, but this is a party; what are the odds of that?

"Slayd was so right about the apple crumble."

He's visibly in the thick of things, eating and making merry and playing games, talking to various forest creatures once he's done jumping in surprise. Occasionally fishing out the list of rules and referencing it and then checking his shadow real quick.

Battleship

After a strong lucky start, is he really going to bow out after a couple of silly hexes? The only thing on the line is his pride and that's a sacrifice he is generally willing to make. He was already a little self conscious about the fingerless gloves showing off his new claws, did they really have to make them bright red!? Oh well, he's still not the weirdest looking person here.

"You just want an excuse to curse people, don't you? There's no strategy in this; it's all guessing! Fine, fine - that big sunflower, I know there's someone hiding away in there!"

He points at what is a suspiciously obvious hiding spot. Giggles abound from the flower field. Presto, he's grown a beard made of moss.

"Oh, come on, am I gonna have to shave this? Uuuugh. Does it at least look good?"

Whining and patting at his face to see how much beard is on it (not much) and how weird it is (very), Popp turns to whoever's watching him make a fool of himself. Pleeeease. He needs emotional support.

Crash Consequence Crafts Course

Normally, when you fly overhead with your amazing magical levitation powers to get from one point to another to refill your drink in a hurry, you don't consider cross traffic. Normally, you don't have a lot of pixies and owls swooping around overhead. After a blistering high-pitched lecture from a little lady the size of a large moth, Popp has been sentenced to repair all the garlands and flower crowns that were dented in the collision.

He's surprisingly good at weaving a bunch of stems together, but the pixie-sized crowns... yikes. He waves over the closest possible ally.

"Hey - can you get me a couple toothpicks from the banquet table? My hands are way too big for this nonsense."

Battleship

[zodiheart]

Well. That certainly was an obvious curse. At least it's relatively harmless, though, perhaps annoying to deal with. Elidibus wonders offhand if the moss itches against the skin, before actually answering the question he's been posed.

"Unfortunately, dear Popp, it appears to be moss that has been adhered to your face. If you do not mind such a look, it at least is full in its growth," it would probably look worse if it were patchy or scraggly. "As far as shaving, I do not believe you will be required to do so. It should fade with time, if the rules of this game are to be followed."

He looks over the battleship game - he'd won his own cup of nectar previously.

"What is your strategy for victory?"

Gaia | Final Fantasy XIV

[hammerbearer]

I. Arriving

Gaia arrives in clothes she arrived to this world in, the dark clothes she favors. While she's usually seen around in clothing more normal to the population of this Town, today's a festival and a more special occasion.

The crown she was bestowed is made of evergreen fronds, autumnal flowers and leaves caught at vibrant fall color. It was a far cry from her style but she couldn't deny that it was poorly made or even not suited in contrast against her dark hair. Besides, Gaia reasoned, the Fae had gifted it and she had come to their festival so in this case it was best to accept it.

"Thanks," she tells them and does her best to hold back a sigh. as one grabs her hand and tugs her further in.

Where she ends up is still left for debate, though it could be she's dropped off by one of the games where another waits for a partner, by the dancing area or near the food.

Mayhap she can be rescued by someone who sees her caught in a game of tag; which after a time the fae will not fuss if she leaves so long as she's not 'It'.

II. Onion

Gaia is going to be caught doing something she'd probably claim to never be caught dead doing unless it was really an emergency.

Or Ryne talked her into it.

But Ryne isn't here and the prize of... well, onions by themselves might not be exciting, but a never-ending bag of onions that can be used for flavoring in all kinds of dishes seems to be useful. So it could be considered an emergency by any reasonable person. Such as the dark-haired teenager who is currently braiding back her hair.

"No, I don't need help," she insists to a couple of pixies who are hovering nearby and hoping on hope to be given some control on all that long, dark hair.

Maybe at another time, but when she just wants to keep it tied back and not have the fae spend hours deciding how it should be worn (or woven with even more flowers and ornaments that just are not her style).

Maybe someone can offer her an item to secure her hair back at the end of this, or find her successfully securing her prize of an onion bag, the front of her clothes and stray bits of hair just a little damp (and a squeeze of tears for the onion she'd bitten had been a bit too strong in the enzymes) but obvious signs of what she's been up to.


III. Music

Dancing she might not be too into (or is it that she doesn't have a person she'd like to dance with?) but Gaia enjoys the music, sometimes tapping a foot along or huming the tune of the last to be played during a break. Here's where she might be seen making a small meal off what's available from tables and stalls or staving off the chill will a warm drink.

IV. Resting

She's having more fun than she'd expected. But doesn't mean she won't need breaks to rest here and there or time to herself, however fleeting it might be inbetween other festival goers and the ever present fae. There were huts set aside for resting and yes after a bit of time Gaia can be noticed slipping into one to take a small break.

As much as she's been having that fun, she still needs a little bit of peace and quiet away from the noise and the people and... well, the people. Hopefully she hasn't run into someone already making use of the place.

Or maybe someone ends up coming in after she does, finding her laying on a couch. She'll be quick to shoot upright, mind you.

"Who's there?"

V. Wildcard

[ Other scenes, times when she might be lured to help rescue someone from the forest beyond the grounds? HMU! ]

resting!!!

[miniroth]

At some point Gaia gains +1 company in her chosen hut to rest in.

Sephiroth can be unnaturally quiet when he puts his mind to it, and he's put his mind to it!! Unfortunately he's also brought a couple of plates of food, and the smell of delicious miscellaneous items, some of which he really has no idea what they are, are a painful giveaway even if nothing else is. One is set very carefully on a low table or .. soemthing, he thinks it's a table, for when she wakes. As Gaia sits upright with a jerk, he blinks once from his spot on the floor, the gleam of mako an immediate dead giveaway even in the gloom.

"I brought you something to eat." Surely she's had plenty of things by now to munch on, but what's a little more?

Absinthe| DnD OC

[amaratha]

Into the woods

a. [Under the shade of the lush trees, a crown of flowers blooming around her antelope horns, Absinthe swans from conversation to conversation with a drink in her hand and a smile on her face. She has a little cloth tag pinned to her coat that reads “HELLO, MY NAME IS ABIGAIL SMITH”, which is, of course, not her name at all.

She’s having a pretty good time! Anyone who approaches her will be greeted by a smile and a wave.]

Have you tried the barley drink? It's real good.

b. [Maybe you catch her doing something more exciting than make good conversation. You know what else she can do? You wanna know what's real cool?

SICK KNIFE TRICKS.

At some point in the festival Absinthe pulls out a dagger and starts spinning it around like a teenager who put too much time into pen-spinning instead of their studies, to the applause and general entertainment of a small group of Fae. Radical!]

Battleship Blues

G5! Ah-ha! I've got it!

[Says the red Tiefling floating about twenty feet in the air, pointing down at the grid of flowers in triumph as two pixies fly out of the flowers in the named square and circle around her.

The other fairies in the grid all burst into raucous cheers, the flowerbed rustling from the commotion as if hit by a strong wind; but quickly, the moment of celebration passes, and the fairies settle into new hiding spots and a representative beckons a next guessor to step up. One of the pixies flies down to bear Absinthe's prize out onto a stump, a beautifully decorated cup of nectar, and beckons for the Tiefling to come get it. Absinthe stares at the thing, her triumphant grin faltering. She's still floating uncontrollably.]

Err…. lemme…

[she waves her hands around, trying to figure out how to move, if she can move or just swim in place.]

… I'll get it later?

Wildcard

[Got anything else in mind? Hit me up!]

battleship blues

[firsteditionbfs]

[Angeal decided immediately from the get-go, when Slayd first told everyone about this party, that he would be the Designated Driver as such. The guy who somehow managed to keep away from fucking around with the fae too much, who didn't go against any of the rules, and could hopefully get people out of ridiculous situations when they inevitably got into them.]

[Primarily he'd been thinking of his boyfriends - primarily Genesis, who is too flashy and prone to dramatics for his own good, and Mithrun, who could easily wander off into places he shouldn't be if he wasn't careful. But even back then before he'd gotten a full idea of things, he'd already figured ahead of time that their community is so small that he wouldn't mind fishing most people out of jams.]

[Or, you know.]

[Whatever he could call this situation as he cranes his neck back just a little bit to look over the girl floating a little over his head.]

They didn't give any indication on how you'd get down either, huh?

ardyn izunia. ffxv. ota.

[fatedfinality]

🍷 into the woods.

Ardyn pokes at the glow worms on the way in and gives a small 'hm' at the slimy, tacky sensation. Despite the temptation to pocket one or two and see how they work, he refrains. It wouldn't do good to immediately steal from the Fae. Chances are, from what he knows, they might respect his boldness. Or they might just as quickly try and kick him out or curse him somehow. They're unpredictable. He likes it.

The flower crown that he's adorned with is made of white poplar leaves and blue iris. Symbols of power, which he has to wonder if its intentional due to being recognized for something stronger than he appears... or simply coincidental. No sense in dwelling on it, he thinks, and gets to the festivities.

"You know," he says to someone, looking over his 'rules' parchment, "they tell us what not to do but not why. Doesn't it just make you more curious than anything?" Ardyn is reasonable enough to assume that breaking the rules means consequences, but that's just a given. What are the consequences in poor dealing with The Fae?

Maybe he'll find out.

🍷 party games.

Ardyn isn't about to turn down the opportunity for a neverending supply of nectar. If it can help ease his aches and pains, even better. Unfortunately, he fails so spectacularly at the Battleship game that's it's kind of impressive. Mostly sad, but kind of impressive! He doesn't get a single one right despite his best try.

For his efforts though, he is rewarded with a curse that will last the duration of his stay in the forest. He gets the hiccups. The painful, obnoxious sort from deep in the chest. They also are timed strange so just when he thinks he's released from this hell, he hiccups again.

He at least redeems himself whilst bobbing for onions. Although he'd prefer the nectar, he isn't about to turn his nose up at an endless supply of cooking ingredients. He may or may not be eating the one he'd gotten from the water currently as a small snack. That's right, he's just eating a whole onion. Raw. That sure is happening.

Of all the people to play dress up with, The Fae will find a lot of fun in Ardyn as a doll. He even offers ridiculous, worse suggestions than what they put him in initially. The end result is some gaudy pants, a sheer pink top tied loosely at his chest, and some horrendous platform heels. He might wobble a bit to start but finds his stride before long.

The only downside to the top, in his opinion, is he's now more exposed to the sun. For that reason, he seeks out more shade to keep comfortable but otherwise doesn't appear all that bothered by his eclectic outfit. If he catches anyone staring, which they probably will, he puts his hands on his hips and raises an eyebrow. "What?" he asks, teasingly. "You don't think it suits me?"

🍷 for what a fool he is.

As the sun begins to disappear due to the thick canopy in the second layer, Ardyn breathes a small sigh of... relief? It is. For as covered as he was, the bright and colorful festivities had begun to drain him of energy gradually. It was easy enough to keep up appearances but he is grateful for the opportunity to just be down here.

Contrary to what most must think of him, he doesn't actually like the dark. So, he's thankful for the bioluminescence - similar to those glow worms, he notes - providing dim lighting as he strolls along. "Oh, no thank you," he says, to a rather persistent Fae trying to entice him with promises of something from home. "Unless you happen to have my chocobo, I doubt you'll be able to offer anything I'd fall for." He knows their game, of course, and is choosing not to play.

The third layer sees some peace and quiet. Especially from Ardyn, who is currently hiding behind a comically large mushroom to avoid the path of an equally comically large elk. Ever since learning he can die here, he's been a smidge more careful. Those antlers might not kill him, even if he's gored, but he doesn't actually want to find out if that's the case today.

Unfortunately, he might have to. After just long enough that he thought his curse was lifted, he hiccups again. Then, he watches the elk's head swivel in his direction. Hm. Now might be the time to actually run. Hopefully, he can manage in these platform boots.

🍷 wildcard / plot with me

(( hi hi, it's chai. you can see Ardyn's plotting comment over here! if you'd like to do anything specifically or have another idea, hmu @ tentamenace on plurk or discord. ))

Second Layer

[zodiheart]

Though he had not entered the forest for himself, Elidibus nonetheless was taking the time to do some exploring for himself. His flower crown mirrors the surroundings - now shown to be made of bioluminescent flowers that glow with soft violets and bright blues. His white clothing makes him appear ethereal, robes extremely out of place in the forest.

But the way his eyes have that soft light make him fit right in.

Finding Ardyn in the forest was entirely unsurprising. The rules would no doubt hold very little sway over the other man, if Elidibus gives the subject any thought at all. Still, it would not do to approach the man silently and cause problems where there need not exist any.

"Good that you are familiar with their ways, dear Ardyn," he speaks softly, but loud enough that the other man should hear him. "Already I have encountered others who have entered the forest without the knowledge or experience they may have needed."

Gethen (Wayfinder) | Guild Wars 2 | OTA, style matching!

[giftoffamily]

Plotting post, changes info, and extra wildcard prompts are here!

i. at the tip of my tongue ( dragon changes )

Another month, another social event. Under different circumstances, Gethen wouldn't bother to attend this one. His frustrations with the pixies' meddling in Town are still fresh in his mind, and any opportunity this man has to skip a night of cleaning up and trading potentially precarious small talk is one he's happy to take. He also needs supplies, though, and it seems that in this world leather and textiles are no easier to find than they were back home. He's barely gotten started, and yet he's already running out of the stuff.

...And he's admittedly curious to see what Talahee is like. Mostly, though, it's the chance at salvageable gifts and prizes that draws him, and likewise what inspires one so stoic and otherwise shy to accept the offer of a free costume. He doesn't think purple is quite his color, nor does he really want to consider how exactly the fae managed to turn leather to such a ridiculous and oddly captivating hue. It's more than he was hoping for, too, though, and Gethen knows better than to be an ungrateful guest. He shows no shame in what he's wearing, even though it would be hard to say he looks particularly proud of it.

Gethen spends his first few hours quietly cruising, not personally partaking in much but perfectly content to spectate as his neighbors play games and sample the hors d'oeuvres. He's more at ease, too, in a better mood than he had been at Town Hall. Fewer first impressions to make, less posturing to do...it feels good.

It's in one of these quiet, lingering moments that he turns briefly to you with a slightly frustrated question: "Did you say something?"

ii. as the crow flies ( animal companion )

As Slayd's band and their impromptu accompaniment drums up another tune, Gethen's night starts to sour. Not because of the music - on the contrary, he's quite enjoying it and has drifted by more than a few times to listen - but because he's lost his raven. Sapphire, a spunky young thing he'd wrangled on his own time and largely kept close with him if not otherwise resting away from prying eyes, had been wearing a makeshift hood over her eyes, and it seems someone has determined it would be entertaining to remove it for her. An uncovered head is all she needed to take off from her perch on Gethen's shoulder and fly well out of his reach, but rather than disappearing into the woods, it seems she's taken an interest of her own in the festivities.

Gethen needs that bird. To start over with another after the party would be to waste time, and for the time being, he's under the impression that he does not have much to spare. You may find him moving more quickly on his little route through the merriment than before, perhaps even shoving past people or pushing his way through a group if he thinks he has a chance to pounce on the mischievous bird.

Pursuing her alone in this environment, though, is a bit of a lost cause. Before long, he's taken instead to directly asking for help, unaware that between chases, Sapphire has been partaking herself, stealing trinkets and food from anyone she's able to catch unawares. She's also borrowing people's voices to echo their words to those not meant to hear them, an uncanny power that may be a product of something she ate. Hopefully this doesn't put you in too sour of a mood.

iii. forest for the trees ( forest exploration )

Raven or no raven, Gethen eventually needs a break from running all over the festival grounds. What constitutes a break to him is work of a different kind: search and rescue. He's not about to go wandering himself, at least not during the reception, even if Sapphire flies into the trees; no untrained bird is worth risking his life over. A lost or endangered person, though, he would gladly pursue.

Yet it appears that the residents of Town have an abundance of capable hands ready to take up such a cause and rather few inclined to risk getting lost in the first place. The Wayfinder's not surprised at all to find others lingering at the forest's edge or drifting with that familiar alertness in their eyes, but the restlessness is a bit unexpected. Maybe he's just projecting his own.

Either way, towards the end of the festivities, it is easiest to find the purple-garbed tiger lurking at the edges of things, watching the woods, scanning the crowd, looking very much like a fidgety soldier waiting for orders. If he finds you doing something similar, he's more than happy to make small talk, leading with a cryptic "Any news?"

iv. wildcard

Feel free to throw a wild prompt my way or reach out to plot something more specific! Geth can be talked into just about anything at least once. ;D

At the tip of my tongue

[zodiheart]

Elidibus had been enjoying the spot of quiet himself when Gethen turns to him and asks his question. It would not be unheard of for Elidibus to say something to himself, and he was ever the talkative sort when others were involved.

But in this instance?

"No, I have said naught since I came to stand here," he speaks honestly. "What was it that you heard?"

rosie ❥ original ❥ ota

[hasitsthorns]

❥ into the woods.

For those that know Rosie (or a version of her), they might be able to tell she's dressed far more modestly than usual. Long sleeves, a long skirt, and no cleavage on display whatsoever. When given the flower crown, she gathers up her curls but still lets it hang loosely to cover the nape of her neck.

Despite this, she's just as cheery as always. The woman smiles wide and bright as she takes in all the colorful, unique sights. In a way, it reminds her of the better parts of her kind. The whimsical, surreal sort of creatures and fun they liked to get up to. "Seems like they're pulling out all the stops," she comments. Rosie doesn't think it's for them but they do certainly seem excited about newer, unexpected guests.

❥ playing games.

The battleship game on its own doesn't interest her beyond the competition of it but the prize certainly does. Unfortunately, keeping up appearances means she can't fudge her way to a win and ends up cursed instead after losing a round of guesses. While it isn't immediate what she's been cursed with, she'll learn once she sweats... and it's sweet instead of salty.

After performing with Slayd a very fun melody, she's taking a break and sitting on the edge of the stage. Come up and compliment her performance, ask for an encore, or give song suggestions. Or point out her unexpectedly sweet scent despite her sweating a little. She's open to all of it! She's more than happy to talk musical shop, it seems, and lights up in a sincere way most people haven't seen when she gets going.

❥ dress up disaster.

Normally, Rosie would like a bit of fashionable fun. But normally, she isn't specifically trying to hide the abnormalities of her body due to the dragon-soul dwelling within her. Despite requesting the Fae keep her covered, she should have realized that meant they'd do the opposite. Why wouldn't they? Even knowing the risks, she'd wanted to take the chance... and ends up paying for it.

Her plain, loose outfit is replaced with something colorful, silly, and exactly the kind of thing she'd love to flit about in under usual circumstances. Instead, the sheer fabric reveals the patches of green scales forming rough along her skin, the stub of a tail at her lower back, and the nubs of wings breaking out from her skin (raw, red, and painfully).

If anyone sees a blur of rainbow tule running by in tears, no they didn't. Mind your business.

❥ for the foolish.

Perhaps you see Rosie heading down into the lower layers of the forest on her own and think 'hey, that's not safe-' and follow her. Or, maybe, you cross paths with her already down there. While she's perfectly capable and even comfortable in the setting, she'll also play along with anyone that seems to believe she needs assistance. Playing the damsel in distress is more fun for her anyway.

If not, she'll be the one encouraging someone to continue further. What's at the end? There's only one way to find out!

❥ wildcard / plot with me

(( chai again here w/his girl rosie! her plotting comment is here! if you have any ideas or want to hash things out, lmk @ tentamenace on plurk/discord. for any interest in the nsfw prompt, we can also do a closed/locked log or inbox entry if that's preferred! ))

dress up disaster

[orbicularis]

Mithrun absolutely saw that blur of rainbow tulle, and he will not be minding his own business. In fact, he follows after Rosie - at some distance, but keeping her in his sights. He'll never find her, otherwise.

He doesn't know what he thinks he'll be accomplishing here. She doesn't even know him, and he can't... really acknowledge that he knows her. He's not much at comforting people, anyway. Maybe he shouldn't get involved at all.

But he does. He waits until she stops to actually approach - still leaving some distance, awkward and hesitant. Not that this "awkward" will necessarily look different to Rosie from the spacey flat affect he's already shown when they've previously spoken.

It takes him a few moments to speak. "...Rosie."

Angeal Hewley-Rhapsodos | Final Fantasy VII | style match

[firsteditionbfs]

A - Arrival

Angeal isn't really sure what it says that the resident fae give him a flower crown of forget-me-nots and daisies, and then decides that he's not going to question it too hard. Not right now. Not when he's mostly trying to do double duty on wrangling some of his more problematic boyfriends, and also pulling along a decently sized cart full of something that smells damn good but is properly covered for the journey.

That he doesn't seem too tired by this is totally unremarkable, by the way. Listen. This is normal. It's not like he needed a chocobo.

(Or a horse? That's still fucked up.)

After making sure the appropriate boyfriends have handlers or at least contingency plans, Angeal takes his cart over to the large food spread. "Since we're neighbors, only proper to bring somethin' to the party ourselves," he says casually to anyone who is listening - mainly for the fae, but sure, fellow townies too.

Which is around the time he pulls off the cover (meant to keep his goods warm) and just starts heaping on tons of baked foods to join the whole spread.

Some of it is perfectly basic normal food you could find at any bakery - especially in times like these. Freshly made bread where anything could be stuffed in for a handy sandwich to eat while enjoying various games, or little buttery rolls that act as the perfect accompaniment, things like that.

And then there's the other stuff.

Some of it isn't too bad - fancy, but the kind of fancy that seems easily accomplishable to a person with an afternoon free or who runs his own bakery. The star patterned chicken pie for a more savory meal, for example, or a simple pretty little berry pie whose crust is decorated with little berries themselves.

Of course, then one finds the pies with elaborate nonsense like a crust of delicately placed flowers framing a large apple rose right in the middle, so, like, was any of this necessary?

Yes.

Listen, they got excited over at the bakery, okay?

B - Banjo Boyfriends

For anyone paying attention - whether on purpose or just because they're bored and don't know what else to do at a party - Angeal seems to be patiently avoiding some of the games. Mostly he's talking with a lot of people.

Or, really, he's dancing with a lot of people. Three in particular, although he won't say no if someone seems interested in taking a go as well.

Hell, he'll even offer to teach lessons to anyone who's interested but isn't sure what the first step is. After all -

"It looks like we've got a few wall flower types around, huh?" he says conversationally after taking a break from a dance with any one of his partners, fetching a drink for himself.

C - Closing Time

For anyone who manages to not make stupid horrible life choices like wandering into the forest when they were explicitly told not to.... They still may be making other bad life choices, like maybe getting drunk, or cursed enough to be kinda drunk, or just too tired to move from all the games and dancing and other nonsense.

So, patiently, with all the habits of a man who's used to such things, Angeal goes around to check in on folks.

"Alright, how we feeling?"

Wildcard

[Go wild, I have cats screaming in my ear and can't think of anymore prompts, but wanted to get this up tonight]

Arrival

[zodiheart]

Considering he had helped make much of the nonsense and ridiculously intricate desserts, it's only fitting that Themis is there to help Angeal unload them and set everything up. He does miss the very first bits of the set up, however.

But he has an endless Bag of Onions and that fancy Cup of Nectar to show for it.

"My apologies, dear one, I had not thought you would arrive so soon," he hefts the onions before stashing them away and helping out. "The endless onions will hopefully be worth my tardiness."

They would be.

Ignis Scientia ➺ Final Fantasy 15 (Brotherhood)

[parer]

A - Battleship

Honestly, in normal circumstances, Ignis wouldn't really play in too many of the party games... and, okay, maybe in part that's because he in fact is proud enough to not want to deal with ridiculous curses. Sometimes it's just in a person's nature and that can't be helped.

...But then he heard about the prize.

There's still a lot of experimentation that's going to have to be had before he'd ever be satisfied giving it as a gift, of course, but... Something that helps to numb physical pains? That would be invaluable for Noctis, especially considering that the quality of the beds they have access to are really rather basic. That's no problem for him and Gladio, but with Noctis...

So he steps forward to win it. Not 'take a try'. When Ignis opts to do something, it's go big. You may be wondering if there is perhaps a second part of that statement that meant to be said, but no. It's only ever go big because SOMEONE decided this was where he needed to roll a nat 20.

So Ignis just... absolutely blazes through a round of Battleship, perfect accuracy, first try.

The pixies, needless to say, have some complaints to make about this, which they do so by draping literally all over Ignis's entire person. Perching on his shoulders, hanging from his nice white shirt collars, sitting in his flower crown of brilliant red sword lilies.... "Did someone snitch to you about the game before?" one of the pixies questions.

"I bet his dragon could see through walls," another surmises, which is absolutely not how dragons generally work, but no one else needs to know that.

"You could have at least played a little longer! The curses are half the fun!"

"Oh, hush now," Ignis says mildly, carefully turning over his prize in careful inspection. "I won wholly fair and square. I'm sure you agree, don't you?" This, directed to whoever was watching, or simply happens to be conveniently around.

B - Dancing

Ignis is knowledgeable about a great many different kinds of dances, for both professional and personal reasons... but he has to admit that nothing which might suit a banjo. One would think that this, along with how it doesn't match his prim and proper image, would mean he would stay far away from the dance floor...

But contrary to that belief, he lingers near the edge of it, tapping his foot along to the energetic music.

"Pity it seems so many aren't inclined to dancing," he murmurs, mostly to himself. But if someone is near enough to her that and mistake it as a conversation starter, that's fine too.

C - Onions

Oh, no, Ignis isn't dipping his face into that germ-infested onion water where a dozen people have shoved their faces into it before him. And he's not going to make a mess of his hair or his nice clothes either int he attempt.

....Fortunately, he has Prompto.

Anyone walking by may watch this casual exchange of Ignis expressing some mild interest in the neverending bag of onions, and the excitable blond twink besides him just. It takes almost zero prompting, really. He's on his knees near instantaneously it almost feels like, which perhaps says something interesting about his personal life, but that's neither here nor there.

Ignis just stands well out of the way from all the onion water, watching mildly as the blond gurgles through the bucket, bubbles popping up inbetween onions.

"I'll make sure he won't drown," he comments to fellow spectators.

D - Wildcard

[i bullshit forever and you can too]

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??"

Mithrun | Dungeon Meshi

[orbicularis]

arrival/mingling

As is so often the case, Mithrun is only here because his partner (and his partner's other partners) are here.

But, regardless of whether he's really present, he is here, with a delicate flower crown resting over the tiny horns starting to grow in above his brows. It just may not look like he's enjoying himself much, between his flat stare and the ever-present dark circles under his eyes. From a distance, even the scattering of white scales coming in on his cheeks may serve to make him look even paler and sicker than usual.

At the very least, he can be convinced to participate; one watching closely may even see him almost smile when Angeal pulls him out to dance. While most likely won't be getting that kind of enthusiasm, he won't turn them down, either.

[cw: potential nsfw conversation]
Just-- don't mind him if he also keeps casting glances, halfway between expectant and suspicious, at those conveniently placed huts, like he's waiting for something to happen. If it does, that's fine, he doesn't care - but he's just kind of waiting for what seems to him like an inevitability.

onion

Mithrun, personally, has little use for a bag of onions - but he was told he should play the games here, and he thinks Angeal might like a bag of onions.

So he's going to get the onions.

...That's the plan, at least. It is with a (perhaps concerning) single-minded focus that he dunks his head into the water in pursuit of Onion, but despite that focus and a total lack of trepidation about the idea of getting a mouthful of raw onion, he still comes out of it empty-mouthed and empty-handed.

It turns out that disappointment looks a little bit different on this guy than his usual, flat expression. With his hair tied back for onion pursuit, one can even see how his oddly-shaped ears, the ends flat as though they'd been clipped, droop down.

dress up darling

What the fuck is that.

No, seriously - when did some kind of bird mascot get here, and why does it look so... dejected might be too strong a word. It's definitely just standing there, though, head on and all. Staring into the middle distance with those big empty eyes.

Well, okay, in fairness: No, it isn't really a mystery, the dress up booth exists. But dear god.

for the foolish

In his defense, Mithrun didn't actually mean to leave the party. It's just that things happen, when you have no ability to navigate your surroundings, and sometimes those things involve losing track of the people you came here with and ending up outside the bounds of the party and wandering into the woods.

It happens.

Perhaps it's somewhat beneficial, at least, that Mithrun is so mistrustful of things like these fae. No magical being asking personal questions should be answered - and, certainly, no deal they offer should be taken. Especially if it sounds too good to pass up.

In fact, those who he spots talking to the beings in the deep woods, who may seem a little too interested, to Mithrun's eye, may feel a hand on their shoulder as he seemingly appears out of nowhere behind them. "Don't answer them."

That he's still in that bird costume may make this more or less terrifying an experience.

The monsters and gigantic wildlife, however, he seems... less concerned with, actually. Fighting monsters is something he has plenty of experience with - and his particular magic is well-suited to ending things quickly, one way or another.

Sometimes, it's rather clean - a duck under an attacking creature, a sweep of a leg or strike of a fist, and at the moment of contact the creature just... disappears, perhaps leaving chunks of wood or earth in its place, displaced from wherever Mithrun sent the doubtless-now-confused animal to.

[cw: likely blood/gore]
In other cases, if close combat isn't an option or the creature is just too persistent - well, with teleportation, anything can be a deadly projectile. A rock. A stick.

A big stuffed yellow bird head.

That's assuming, of course, that he hits his mark. Mithrun's aim isn't the most consistent, and... well, if his strike turns out to be less than lethal, there's always the risk of his quarry just ending up more pissed off. Might be time to book it.

wildcard

[ plotting post! if you want to do something outside these prompts, hit me up there - or just toss someone his way! ]

Foolishness is multiplying.

[miniroth]

Sephiroth really hadn't intended to go much further than just outside the festival, where it was comfortably quiet and he could try to relax. He knew the way back and fully intended to use it at some point, as it was not a good idea to insult their hosts by just ditching that soon he's sure of it.

And then a chocobo costumed person about his size, maybe a little bit smaller, goes past some distance away, painfully visible because of the outfit. An outfit he'd seen earlier in the day, with Angeal. How many people would be dressed like that during this party? It can't be many.

He follows. He shouldn't, there were rules against it and he's not being particularly stealthy about it, but wearing all black as the shadows grow deeper does give him some benefit of hiding even if he's not intending to. For a while he has the company of a woman with hair like fallen leaves and skin the color of hoarfrost, and it doesn't strike him as odd as it should that she has more than one row of teeth or that she never quite seems to touch the ground with her delicate cloven hooves. She's beautiful in her ethereal grace. She's nightmarish, her proportions not quite right, a little different every time she's looked at. Her smile is warm and inviting and cracks like breaking ice. She's pleasant company in his patient pursuit of Mithrun, her voice like water dripping into still pools in the dark.

There's questions of course. Everyone has questions. How much has already been said only the forest knows, but as he turns to address her properly when she reaches willowy insect-jointed fingers for his arm, he loses track of that yellow chocobo suit.

It's a very bad idea to surprise a SOLDIER. The moment a hand falls on his shoulder from behind is the same moment he recoils as if burned, the sword across his back drawn in the same instant and held at the ready for whatever follow-up was required.

.. The chocobo costume. "...What?"

The woman raises thin fingers to her lips, smiling coyly.

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!]

Into the Woods

[zodiheart]

[This is an individual Elidibus has yet to meet. When his wanderings about the party brought him close enough to overhear Sheliak's words, he readily takes the opportunity to strike up a conversation and answer.]

Yes, as can be in realms of the fae, what usually is connected to you may be swept away in some form of prank. Generally, at least. With spirits as high as these, I would not be surprised if it is the energy in the air itself that may suffuse our shadows with temporary movement of their own.

[He taps his lower lip in thought.]

Leaving us to chase them down, should it come to that.

Lahabrea | Final Fantasy XIV | OTA

[abyssalflames]

{Arrival}
[Lahabrea is not, particularly, a party sort of person. But they have been invited all the same. Even were he not curious about the world beyond what little he has seen, he is at least well aware that ignoring the invitation could be seen as rude.

(He does, admittedly, also wish to stop along the way to study the glowworms, even if it ends up as no more than a brief pause as they pass through the canyon.)

Once he actually arrives at the fairgrounds, however, he mostly drifts through the crowds. Even curiosity cannot change the fact that he is not the most sociable of people, and though he does stop to peruse at the least the food being offered he makes no effort to actually try any. Or at least, not on his own. Should anyone happen to catch him in a moment curiosity they are free to attempt to convince him to try whatever the stall he's stopped at has to offer.

Later on, he can also be found wearing an intricately woven flower crown with exactly the same dignity he would his mask.]

{All fun and games?}
[While Lahabrea largely (if politely) ignores the food on offer, the same cannot be said of the games. He has not even the slightest bit of interest in bobbing for anything, much less onions. But the idea of battleship intrigues him, even if he doesn't have any real understanding of why it has been given that name.]

It is a game of simple guesswork, yes?

{The music's playing}
[Music, at least, is something that Lahabrea is familiar with. Not something that he has any particularly ability with himself, but he stops by all the same to see what's going on. Which mostly means he ends up lurking around the edges but he does actually seem to be enjoying himself, which is at least a start.]

{What lies beyond}
[Despite the rules given, Lahabrea can also be found just at the edge of the party area, looking out into the forest as a whole. He has not forgotten his curiosity about some of the places they have passed through on the way to the location of the party, and while he is aware that rules are often in place for a reason... he has ever been a scientist at heart. Prone to curiosity, even when logic might say it would be inadvisable to continue.

But rather than leave directly, he instead turns to whoever happens to be nearby.]

I wonder: do they seek to spare us danger, or is the request to remain more to do with our "stability" in this world?

Arrival

[lucere]

[Ugh, the Fae. Regis used all of his willpower not to roll his eyes when he saw the elaborate display. He dislikes little Fae, especially after they tried to steal his cane. The faeries were enamored with his golden scepter because of its brilliant shine and intricate design. While Regis understands their fascination, he still holds a grudge against them.

Nonetheless, he decided to attend this party with the others out of pure curiosity. This is why he stands by the entrance to his grand jamboree with a curious glint in his eye. Regis, eager to find out what their pesky hosts have in store for them, pauses when he notices a rather tall man in dark robes wearing what appears to be a flower crown.

This amuses him to no end, especially since the gentleman in question doesn't look like the type to wear flower crowns.]

A gift from the good neighbors?

[He comments with a half-hearted grin.]

I see they picked red as your color.

DEATH (the Wolf) | Puss in Boots | OTA

[whitewolfsbane]

Battleship

Death doesn’t get out much as far as mingling goes. His presence tends to weigh down the mood of a gathering or at least tempt fate into handing out a potent dose of bad luck.

So his socializing game is a bit low, but the wolfman attends the party anyway. He doesn’t dress any differently from his usual attire and doesn’t pay a second look toward getting dressed up by someone else. But such a drab cloak doesn’t stay drab for long once the reaper tries his hand at the flower game- a close loss that is nonetheless a loss causes an abundance of bright purple flora to pop up onto the fabric. Death’s reaction is mild, aside from a hum as he plucks one of the star-like blooms and another immediately takes its place.

“Buen juego,” he says. “Good game.”

---
Bobbing

“This looks like fun… Perhaps I could have a try?” The inquiry is accompanied by the widest, sharpest grin on Death’s face toward the fae who are manning the onion bobbing game.

Understandably they raise an eyebrow toward his interest. Both sides can tell the hulking wolf is not an ordinary beastman, but the rules encourage guests to partake in the games and Death doesn’t take no for an answer. At least, not this time after the last game.

A single blackened eye with far too much amusement swimming in it remains steady upon the fae either out of smugness, anticipation of a trick, or both after Death pinpoints the onion he wishes to snatch up. His teeth sink right into it. Just as easily as he expected. The wolf still has the thing gripped in his jaw as he’s given his rightful prize, but as soon as he pulls it from his mouth with the intent to store the slightly damaged onion, it puffs out a lot more fumes than usual while deflating like a leaky balloon.

Death huffs and puffs at the stink, then blows out such a mighty sneeze… he needs a moment to shake the last of the tremors out of his system.
---

Wildcard
[ Got something else in mind? Come at me! ]

Bobbing

[snapp_crackle]

It's hard to find someone intimidating when they're having a severe onion incident, even if they did just show off their deadly hunting prowess right before.

Popp laughs so hard he falls off the log he was sitting on, and he's talking through a whole lot of involuntary chortling when he speaks up.

"I've never seen one implode like that before - talk about bad luck!"

Regis Lucis Caelum ✧ FFXV: Kingsglaive

[lucere]

Into the Woods

[Maybe you saw a shadowy figure dressed in rich flowing gray robes earlier mingling with the crowd. Or perhaps you stumbled upon him exploring the woods shortly after the soiree. Whichever the case, Regis will most likely greet you with a smile, unless you're the unfortunate soul he utterly detests.

The old king is a kind man, but he has limits. Nonetheless, forgive him if he seems distant tonight. Although his appearance hasn't changed significantly, the newly formed golden horns growing out of his temples create a strange image.

Regis is feeling self-conscious about his sudden change, so he stays hooded for the majority of the party. However, this does not prevent faeries and pranksters from attempting to get a good look at him. If you dare, expect the iciest glare you've ever received from the man named "Lucere".

True names aren't meant to be told here, so be careful when addressing him. He may not acknowledge you if you do. The last thing he needs is for the Fae to know his true name.]

It's All Fun & Games

[Regis purposefully avoids the nearby dress-up booths after witnessing what the Fae has unleashed on others. He wouldn't be caught dead in half of the outfits that the Faeries chose for their guests. While Regis understands that this is all for fun, a part of him can't help but wince when confronted with a kaleidoscope of clashing colors. This entire ordeal must be humiliating for the participants, but Regis can't help but feel embarrassed on the sidelines.

While Regis isn't brave enough to stick his hand in the mysterious box, he is daring enough to try his hand at "Battleship," or whatever the Fae call it. He's having a bit of a winning streak too after beating out two challengers. The king cannot help but look a bit smug now that he won yet another adorable plush for his growing collection. Maybe he'll offer you one if he likes you well enough.

If not, sucks to be you. However, you could potentially win his rewards by challenging him to a game. Be warned, "Lucere" is a formidable opponent.

If playing games isn't your style, perhaps you could coax the mysterious Lucere into a dance or two? Regis isn't a wallflower. He has extensive experience with ballroom dancing. If you don't ask him to dance, he will most likely ask you instead. Especially if you're a certain "Marshal" posing as the grumpiest wallflower ever.]

The Foolish Who Explore

[Regis realizes he shouldn't be here, but he can't help but wander. He needs some alone time away from the party's chaotic atmosphere. There is only so much dancing and merrymaking one can take before getting sick of it all. This explains why the elderly king wandered away from the venue in search of solace.

He needs a moment to collect his thoughts, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want a companion or two; however, he will politely ignore any Faeries who attempt to ask his name. However, he could be found investigating a small grove of glowing mushrooms. Except for the usual morbol and other plants, such wondrous flora is almost unheard of in Eos. Regis' curiosity leads him to wander further and further away, but the old king does not dare to go too far.

Not when he feels like he's being watched.]

Wildcard

(Got something else in mind? Feel free to PM me or contact me via devillady/discord: rosethrawn!)

Sometime during the festivities...

[heliographic]

Prompto has been quite busy having a good time at the festival- given recent events, a little reprive is so much needed. He can be found, most of the time, with his various partners and friends: playing the box guessing game with increasing stakes with Noctis, sitting in a clearing of flowers with Ignis after absolutely acing bobbing for onions. Punching Ravus in the chest and displacing a finger, only for Gladio to create him a makeshift splint and get some good teasing in. Catching up with a dearly missed Elidibus over by the band, or getting glued to one Popp who was in trouble and trying to make flower crowns.

Needless to say, he's been here, there, and everywhere. At some point when he is flitting between activities, he bumps face-first into a mysterious, robed form with an "oof!".

Blue eyes go wide, and Prompto shuffles in place. "Hiya! Nice, uh, spooky getup, sorry about the crash-landing there! You ok? Having fun at the festival?" Why the spooky look??? Is this person ok? Are they nice? Prompto's head is of course full of worried thoughts. But also excited ones.

Noctis Lucis Caelum | Closed

[berriedmemories]

((Yes I know it's super late shhh))

For Ravus

[berriedmemories]

Noct would argue that he's not sulking and he's not drunk either. Sure maybe he's had a little more fae wine than is strictly advisable but he's fine. Just a little buzzed, a pleasant sort of hum in the back of his mind that drowns out the constant static of depression. He's most definitely not pouting when Ignis carefully places him in the little shelter alongside Ravus with strict instructions to both of them to make sure the other does not fall asleep.

Noct's pretty sure Iggy is going to go get Gladio and insist that they get everyone out of here before things get worse. So he huffs softly and, as has become more and more apparent is simply going to be a thing with them, is already halfway into Ravus' lap when he actually says anything. "I thought it's actually been kinda nice. Y'know being at a party and not worrying about the ~Royalty~ nonsense."

Noctis waggles his fingers dramatically to emphasize his point but leaning away to do that much has him wavering somewhat atop Ravus. Hm- okay maybe he is a little drunk.