TDM # 7

[acatamods]

I ▫ main IV ▫ premise       XI ▫ applications XIV ▫ activity II ▫ logs V ▫ rules VII ▫ bestiary   IX ▫ canon updates XII ▫ taken XV ▫ drop/hiatus III ▫ ooc VI ▫ faq VIII ▫ setting   X ▫ mods XIII ▫ reserves XVI ▫ players test drive meme #7 It happens in the blink of an eye. One moment, you are home. Perhaps you are with your family, perhaps you are at work. It's a completely normal day . . . and then, suddenly, your stomach drops. You are overcome with a sudden sense of vertigo. You cannot see up, or down, or where you are. You fall flat on your face. It takes a few seconds for you to gain composure and catch your breath. You are surrounded by ancient stone buildings, with carvings you do not recognize etched into the stone. There's a sense of nausea, overwhelming and sudden, when you realize you aren't in Kansas anymore. To top it off, something seems to be...wrong with the weather. The seasons seem to be off. And yes, we do mean seasons - all of them. THE TEMPLE OF BEGINNINGS. Welcome to the "Home Base" of Astoria's Circle. What the actual name of the base is called is lost to the ages, and there's no sense of where you could find it, unless you started asking around. At any rate, this is a central hub of the Circle, a place of powerful magic and mysterious energy. It is a scattering of ancient stone buildings and for the most part, it looks abandoned . . . except for what seems to be a few items, some rooms taken, items moved or organized, even a small garden planted. These are just the smallest hints that there are people here that have been here before you arrived. Overall, it's fairly beautiful. However, it is definitely not modern. Upon exploration, you find that the buildings are kept up by some kind of magic. Some of the rooms have items, things from other Circle members already settled, and others appear to be unclaimed. Pick your rooms, explore the grounds, see the beauty and wonder all around you in such a magical place. SPRING. ➜ Spring is in the air! Or a solid quarter of it, more specifically. Flowers are in full bloom, and there is a massive field that stretches from the Temple to the lake that has been reformed into a garden. It offers everything from roses to daisies to hydrangeas to even specimen specific to your home, each and every one terribly vibrant. Before passing through the field, an Unseen servant will provide you with a seed. A sign marks the beginnings of the field. “This is your seed to plant. I recommend that you do it as soon as you can; the flowers grow especially fast today!” You are welcome to choose any vacant spot, and there are watering cans to be found in every corner. But should you do as the sign says, well...the flowers of this field are livelier than you’d expect. It seems as though the flower you’ve planted has a life of its own. It practically resembles an infant, crying and babbling of its own accord as it stretches its leaves out in a plea for comfort. Looks like you’re a parent now…? ➜ Spring is the season of bloom. And with flowers comes pollen. Be careful, for this pollen is more magical than the norm — it might make you blurt out something you don’t mean to say with every sneeze or cough. This can range from secrets, observations, the things you always think but don't actually say, little facts about yourself, embarrassing moments you wish people would forget - there doesn't seem to be a limit to what spews forth with each sneeze or cough. Only that it was definitely something you didn't want to say. These aren't just normal allergies, so good luck! SUMMER. ➜ Venture father off towards the lake and you’ll find that the sun is fiercer than ever. The heat is sweltering, and the glint of the lake is bound to catch your attention. The water is clear and colored a deep, inviting blue; the mermaids are out to play, merrily singing their songs. They’re in a particularly mischievous mood however and invite you to join them in the lake — fortunately, the Unseen servants seem to have laid out a fair share of swimwear for you to wear if you so choose to. Keep your eyes open, as the mermaids may or may not submerge you in the water for a laugh. They aren’t opposed to making new friends, that’s certain. ➜ Nessie isn’t exempt from the summer fun, of course. The monster is prone to choosing particularly random times to emerge and send a tidal wave rippling across...and even over the lake. She may also be a bit more friendly, to those of you who are interested in a bit of swimming, and she may even let you ride her. As long as you can hold on, of course. FALL. ➜ Fall, otherwise known as the season of harvest. Togetherness and new beginnings are abound. There are crops sprouting left and right! The pumpkin patch near the kitchen seems to be thriving, its pumpkins now larger and glowing a bright orange. However, should you turn around...one of these pumpkin’s vines will grow thrice their size and wind around your feet. Maybe it’ll go as far as to lift you up and thrash you around, or it’ll simply let you go and leave you be. It doesn't seem that the pumpkins are too keen on letting you or your friends leave the patch, but there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. They are aggressive, but range in intensity - are you coming to the rescue? Or needing a hand? ➜ Past the garden, the warm scent of bread and home hangs heavy in the air. They eventually lead you to the kitchen. Spread across the tables are...pies galore! There is a pie of every variety imaginable laid out in the kitchen for your taking. They come with a bit of a twist...each flavor causes a different kind of memory to be triggered. ➜ Blueberry: You’ve remembered something terribly sad — practically sad enough to bring you to tears. ➜ Apple: A burst of comfort...one of your most heartwarming memories, heartwarming enough to long for home. ➜ Cherry: A memory that fills you with glee, perhaps the more mischievous sort. Be careful to not suddenly burst out laughing, now. ➜ Strawberry: Ah, are you blushing? This memory is one of a more...embarrassing sort, perhaps in relation to romance or your dirty laundry. WINTER. ➜ And at last, winter is the season of...snow. Surely, it’s more than that, yes, but the snow is more likely to garner your attention first — because there is plenty of it to be found beyond the Temple and in the Forest. Hills upon hills of white expand across the land, but fortunately for you, winterwear can be found back at the Temple. Unfortunately they are...very distinct. ➜ Snowmen are integral to the spirit of Winter. You may need a bit of help (or simply go at it alone), but the materials necessary to make one surround you. If and when your definition of a snowman stands before you, however...well, it may not be what you expect— it turns out he has quite a bit to say. And feel. And think. The snowmen of this land appear to have fully formed personalities of their own, and can even move around of their own accord...depending on how well you’ve built them. ➜ Approximately every 6 hours, the ground beneath you rumbles. And promptly afterwards, mounds of snow come tumbling through the woods. It turns out you are witness the start of an avalanche. You can opt to run, use your newfound magic to your advantage, or simply get...pulverized? COMMUNICATIONS. Upon arriving, you will notice on whichever is your non-dominant hand, you will have a fairly simply screen. A smart watch, if you will. Upon exploration, you will find that it has a directory of all those here with you at the Temple of Beginnings- names, and access to a direct message to them. The watch also has video, audio, and text capabilities, as well as what looks like a collection of messages sent to everyone who wishes to open them. This is your 'network', and also how Astoria can reach out and communicate with you. There is nothing keeping you from removing and/or losing your watch! But remember that you will not have access to this network without it. OOC: Also feel free to join us and other possible players on our discord server! enjoy! ♥

Comments

astoria ✿ npc ✿ ota

[acatastoria]

spring is in the air.

[ astoria is mostly going to be focused in the quadrant of spring, gently encouraging flowers to grow with a touch of her hand. she is wearing a rather decorative flower crown, and seems to be gliding from place to place. and when her feet actually do touch the ground, wildflowers spring to life.

it seems the domain of life is squarely within her own. and should you approach her, she will happily speak with you. answer your questions. quell your concerns.

but, one thing she is most curious about, as she wanders into the Winter quadrant; she will turn to you, curious: ]

Do you want to build a snowman?

[ come on let's go and play ]

ooc: Feel free to come up with wildcard prompts of any of the prompts above! Astoria will truly be everywhere and nowhere, so if you'd like her to come assist you in Spring, Summer, Winter, or Fall, be our guest! Just because she loves flowers doesn't mean she won't come try on a sweater. :)

a spring visit

[moneytwin]

You look happy, dear.

[ She's not sure if the Temple being quartered up into different seasons is due to that happiness, but for the moment, Vex is (temporarily) putting such concerns aside.

At present, she floats a few feet above the ground, resisting the urge to kick her feet in glee as her broom -- her much lamented, much missed flying broom -- hovers in place. ]

How have things been while we were gone?

[acatastoria]

This place is full of life, isn't it?

[ warmly, as she coaxes another flower into growth. ]

And the Temple was lovely, for the most part . . . this has been fairly recent. I am not sure if the Temple is reacting to what you all did in Faerun, or . . . it is hard to tell.

[ with an easy shrug, but astoria's gaze lands on the broom. ]

Do you enjoy your gift, Vex'ahlia?

Winter Warrior

[clickclickbloom]

[Ruby has decided to make the most of the winter section of the temple. She has managed to put together a fairly impressive one person snow fort to stand watch over the snowy expanse.

When Astoria passes by Ruby pops her head out and let's a snowball fly in her direction.]

Prepare yourself!

oh my god ruby kghsdfgsd

[acatastoria]

[ indeed, as she glides by, the snowball hits her squarely in the arm . . . and astoria blinks at the sudden onslaught, and she looks at the shoulder, which now has cold, wet snow dripping off of it . . . and astoria (seemingly unbothered by the cold or the hit) looks beyond puzzled, before she looks up to see ruby, in her fort, victorious. ]

-- are you attacking me?

[ she has absolutely no idea what a snowball fight is, ruby, please enlighten her. ]

[annalist]

[nate has heard a lot about astoria, but he hasn't had a chance to interact with her himself just yet, which is why, when he runs into her in the Winter quadrant, he decides to play along.]

Are you just having a fun Frozen reference or do you want to actually build one? Either way, I'm in.

[acatastoria]

What is a Frozen reference?

[ to answer your question, indirectly enough, nate! but all the same: ]

And what does that have to do with building a snowman?

winter wonderland

[decisions]

[ cordelia seems right at home in the wintry quadrant of the temple, her chest puffed out and feathers at peak fluff. even percy himself seems to fit right in with a blue greatcoat lined in fur (thanks unseen servants???) and a pair of gloves to keep his fingers warm. he's knelt amidst the slowly starting snowfall, very much occupied with a structure he's creating out of packed snow, not quite a snowman, more like a snow castle. ]

Lady Astoria. [ a cloud of breath, a half laugh ] Well, someone will have to live in this snow castle, so I suppose a snowman can do so.

[ cordelia herself peeks out from under the beginnings of an arch, stomping through the snow with her wings tucked and yellow eyes peering out.

percy still has some reservations, but. honey and vinegar and all that. ]

[acatastoria]

A snow castle?

[ she sounds curious, and she moves to peer at whatever percy is building, her eyes scanning it with much curiosity. she notices cordelia, but doesn't reach out, just yet. animals generally find astoria to be lovely and warm, but this is not someone of her specific domain, and so she won't force cordelia to come to her unless she chooses to do so.

at any rate: ]

Why a castle? Do you live in one, at home?

owen l anthem l ota

[freesandwiches]

SAVE A HORSE

[That ruckus coming from down near the lake? It’s absolutely Owen riding on Nessie’s back, having the absolute time of his life. With his arms thrown around her slippery neck and legs locked around her shoulders, he’s doing his best to stay astride as he whoops and hollers, but alas it’s only temporary. His grip falters and moments later there’s a tremendous splash as he’s thrown from his perch and lands in the shallows.]

Okay, but did you see that??

[He turns his unseeing eyes towards the nearest person he can sense, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.]

C’mon, you can’t say that wasn’t awesome!

FALL(ing)

Woah woah woah, lemme go!

[This isn’t exactly what he’d had in mind when it’d become obvious that he was somewhere foreign and entirely unknown. For all the bad that had come of the Javelin of Dawn, his work with the Dominion, and subsequent defection, Owen would like to think that he’d matured past such petty things like this. He was someone worthy of respect, a pilot, and commander of the most powerful Javelin in existence!

The vines don’t care about stunning personal development, the vines only care that he’s managed to wander near the pumpkin patch and that’s a giant No No in their opinion. Which of course, has led to Owen’s current predicament: he’s caught by one ankle and being held up over the ground as he struggles to free himself. It’s harder than he’d expect, and he’s feeling incredibly foolish for allowing himself to get so tripped up, so when the sound of footsteps alert him to someone in the area he tries to twist himself towards the noise.]

Hey, hey you! You want to help me down, I know you do, you’re a good person like that. Well, I haven’t met you yet, but I’m sure that you are, right?

[VIDEO]

[A video flickers on, revealing a young man with a heavily scarred face and unnervingly milky eyes, though the sheepish grin that crosses his face seems to belay any sort of discomfort that his visage could bring. He looks…almost embarrassed?]

Hey, so I get that there’s a lot of really weird stuff going on, that’s an understatement if I’m being honest, but, asking for a friend, has anyone seen a giant uh. Robot? Like, yeigh high [He reaches up off camera, frowning a little bit.] kind of thick, big guns? It’s kind of really important, at least that’s
what my friend says.

…the friend is me. Just so we’re clear.

falling.

[wraithes]

[ . . . hello, owen. inej is actually in the tree above, one foot in front of another on the branch, eyebrows arched. ]

How did this happen?

[ curiously, as she crouches, resting her elbows on her knees. she hasn't drawn a knife yet, making sure owen is truly a safe person, but. you know. ]

And welcome, to the Temple.

[freesandwiches]

[Doing his best to twist in the grip of his constricting captors, Owen cranes his neck until he’s able to gaze sightlessly up at the source of the words. There’s a flash of teeth as he does his best to grin and pretend like he isn’t currently as frantic as he feels, and he makes a motion towards the vines with one free hand.]

Oh you know, the details aren’t really important. The important part is getting me down, right? That’s totally it. C’mon, be a dear?

[He’ll parse out what ‘the Temple’ means in a little bit. When he’s not currently being held captive by angry vegetation.]

Video;

[moneytwin]

[...Wow. Them's some damaged eyes, "friend". ]

Well, it's obvious why you wouldn't have seen it. [V e x] Astoria has a habit of "misplacing" things people had before arriving at the Temple. Are you completely sure it was with you when you first got here?

[freesandwiches]

[Okay, first off: how dare???

Hey hey- [Should he be insulted? Probably. Mostly Owen's just impressed that someone went that far, and honestly? It's a little funny, even if the situation isn't.]

I'll be honest, I'm so not even sure exactly how I got here or what it was like. I got caught up in these vines, and well, the rest is history as they say? But it's gotta be here, giant robots don't just go missing.

Saitama / One-Punch Man

[heroforhobby]

ONE
The temple of beginnings

[Saitama chooses to linger around the temple for awhile. He had tried to pay attention to what was being told of him but he was distracted by something. Well, he still would have not paid attention because that's how he is, but this time around he had an actual reason for his distraction.

He wandered lost in his own thoughts for a spell, before he comes to a stop in front of a pillar. Anyone watching will see him stare at it then poke it. Just a little at first, then a little harder and harder and harder until he might actually hurt or break his finger, and the poking doesn't stop.

Which was part of the problem he was currently distracted by: that first poke should have cracked if not destroyed that pillar. Was his strength really gone...?

But no one outside of his head would know this and instead it looks like a mad man in a cape poking some mossy stone.]


TWO
Summer/Nessie

[Having wandered his way into this particular weather area, or whatever, Saitama decided to go for a swim. He needed a distraction, and floating on some water in the heat seemed good enough for now.

Once out of his yellow jumpsuit and cape and in some swim trunks he figured he could borrow, he's floating peacefully on his back, staring up at the blue sky with his uninterested, egg face, letting it roast and turn vaguely pink.

The calm is disturbed by... a sensation. His strength may be gone, but his instincts still alert him when something... dangerous?... is nearby. And in a lake, that danger is probably down below. He adjusts to an upright position, scissor kicking as he looks into the water, just seeing a shadow of something large disappear, swimming away, as he does.]

Huh--?

[That's all he manages to get out before there's a huge crash of water as something massive explodes onto the surface, creating a gigantic wave that easily overwhelms him.

He isn't seen again until the wave breaks on the beach and recedes, leaving him behind on the sand, spread eagle on his back. He has much the same deadpan look on his face as before, and he might look a little dead, until he spits out a spout of water like some cartoon character.]

Sheesh... what was that about? [He grumbles.]


Three
[Wildcard! If you want to write something from the prompts for him to react to I'm game for anything. Feel free to PM for questions! ]

One!

[clickclickbloom]

[Ruby poked her head over Saitama's shoulder to see just what he was up to. She glanced curiously between him and the moss as he poked at it.

Eventually she spoke up with a curious tone.]

...Are you going to eat it?

[heroforhobby]

Wha--?!

[He had been so intent on poking he hadn't heard her approach. He stumbled forward a step and looks back at her, both embarrassed and confused.]

What? Who eats what??

two!

[scrap_metal]

[ And there, there is someone familiar running through the beach. Because running on the beach is super fun always and forever, it's not like sand makes it awkward and annoying. Also tiring, but at least Genos doesn't have to worry about it (he might have to worry later about sand getting places, machinery places) ]

Sensei—!! [ Ah yes, the familiar voice and Saitama's studious student and fan #1 reaches him and helpfully offers a hand ]

You were attacked by the massive monster in the lake. [ His gaze turns sharp at the poor "Nessie" Genos no. Thank god you're nerfed to oblivion here ]

Re: two!

[heroforhobby]

[He won't lie, it's a little nice to hear a familiar voice as he lineface up at the sky. He picks his head up to look at Genos.]

Ah, Genos.

[He takes the offered hand and gets back up to his feet. He starts patting the wet clumps of sand off his backside.]

Was I now? [He looks out at the lake.] They even have monsters jets?

2.

[moneytwin]

She's playing.

[ A shadow is cast over Saitama's fallen form, Vex's braid dangling over one shoulder as she peers down at him. ]

Nessie, that is. It's her lake.

And the merfolk's. But she's more likely to say hello than they are.

Wylan van Eck | Six of Crows

[kidgloved]

Spring

[ The watch on his wrist was the antithesis of his entire being. It stared up at him displaying words and letters he couldn't quite understand, reminding him of how worthless he was on his own. Every bit of Wylan's confidence deflated as he stared at the device, unsure how it worked and panicking that this was one more trick ready to out him.

So caught up in the his own head he doesn't see the Unseen approaching him carrying all but one seed for him to take. ]

Oh-- sorry I-- thank you?

[ He accepts, heeds the advice, and uses the opportunity to steady himself and try and take in the finer details. What am I doing here? He thinks to himself, crossing the field before finding a quiet, relatively isolated spot to plant the seed. It's nice getting his hands dirty, removing the soil to make sure the seed is deep enough to take root when it's time, and waters it without a thought of the warning from before. He sits beside the lot, crossing his legs as he looks across the field. The vacant plots for other flowers, the lake in the distance glittering in the hot sun while he stayed in the mild spring.

It's the infant crying that finally disturbs his thoughts, and he stares wide-eyed in shock at the space he planted his seed. ]

What... are you?

[ Oh boy. ]

Fall 1.0

[ He's caught up in the pumpkins. They're surprisingly large and he hasn't seen a gourd like it in a long, long time. Wylan has, unfortunately, made the mistake of stepping directly into the pumpkin patch.

It doesn't take long before one particularly angry gourd's vine grabs his ankle and hoists him into the air, knocking his breath out as he dangled above the ground. ]

Help! [ He cries out, staring down at the bag of supplies that was scattered across the ground thanks to gravity. ] Can someone help?

[ Maybe it was luck but he was simply just being dangled over the ground, and not being thrashed about -- but blood was flowing into his head and he panicked with each breath he took. Save him, please? ]

Fall 2.0

[ The kitchen is filled with the warm scent of bread, and it felt almost like home. Wylan finds himself casually picking at a blueberry pie, wondering what in the world he's found himself in. This world was not quite what he expected. It wasn't the packed streets of Ketterdam, it wasn't the Slat, or the constant in fighting or turf wars the gangs took up as they fought to keep their piece of profit. It was open, fresh air and something he could look at fondly and think maybe this is what it's like to die.

When he takes the first bite he nearly doubles over in tears, struggling with ever fiber of his being to try and push those memories into the back of his mind. One step ahead of his demons and yet here he is in a foreign world, remembering one of the worst memories of his life.

What kind of magic was this to that food can do this to a person? ]


Wildcard

[ If you have another idea please don't hesitate to just toss a prompt my way! If you have any questions you can pm this journal. ]

fall 1.0 / lmk if this works!

[decisions]

Just... hold still!

[ (because that's easy when someone's being waved around by a pumpkin, percival.)

it's shouted before the gunshot comes quickly, a sharp snap-crack of fire and the smell of black powder as a bullet hits the vine squarely at the root. percy makes sure that the stranger who's being dangled by his ankle isn't being held... too dangerously aloft before said shot is fired. you know. snapping someone's neck isn't exactly a rescue, after all.

it's not comfortable, perhaps, for wylan's part, but he is at least going to be free of the damned things that have been trying to make swipes at the rest of the circle members all day. ]

You all right over there?

[ sorry about your pumpkins astoria, but they're KIIIIND of menaces... ]

fall 1.0 because i have to and i'm sorry you get this prompt twice.

[ketterdamned]

[ kaz brekker has seen his fair share of unbelievable things. growing up the way he did provided quite a few of them, but his span here in this strange scenario has also helped. things that makes him believe that maybe, just maybe, he'll get to a point to say he's seen it all.

that is - until they're back to the temple. until kaz decides he is hungry, and decides to make the trek across to find himself something to eat. nina, mattias, and inej are all off completing their respective rituals when they all return here, and kaz had assumed this would be part of his.

that is - until he came within earshot of the pumpkin patch, and was certain he recognized that voice. there's no way - except that the closer he got, the more certain he became. ]

Wylan. [ kaz is standing under him at this point, looking up at him both unimpressed and unsurprised, all at once. with the way they'd all started showing up in pairs, he was curious is jesper was around. ] You haven't been here long, I assume?

[ he's almost laughing. almost. ]

fall 2.0 / WYLAN MY BOY

[adorned]

[Slowly but surely, Nina has been getting better. The scent of food doesn't make her want to throw up anymore, which is a relief. So, when Kaz tells her not to eat the pies in the kitchen, she's feeling well enough to see what he's talking about. She's not dumb enough to eat them after being warned, but she's still curious.

What she certainly doesn't expect to see when she enters the room is a very familiar mercher's son.]

Wylan?

[Her rush of surprise and happiness is almost instantly overcome by concern when he doubles over, and she rushes to him, hand reaching for his shoulder.]

Are you alright? What is it?

shrieks. fall 2.0

[wraithes]

[ inej has heard, through this asshole, that wylan has arrived. and she allows wylan the opportunity to settle in somewhat before seeking out to find him on her own, slipping through the shadows easily before locating wylan in the kitchen.

doubled over in tears.

and, quickly: ]

Wylan?

[ it's said quietly, as inej quickly moves over, a hand finding his shoulder, squeezing gently. ]

Wylan, focus. Can you hear me? Are you alright?