EVENT ✨ The Summer Solstice

[avalonmods]

---

QUICK NAV: LOGS ⚔️️ NETWORK ⚔️️ MEMES ⚔️️ OOC ⚔️️ NAVIGATION

---

This is the event log for IC comments only! Ask OOC questions/plot/view event notes HERE or use the FAQ for general questions. Click here to view top-level comments only. A poll to collect results of the trials will be posted this weekend and stay open until the end of the month to give people a little time to see how their threads are going.

KEY POINTS

Celliwig responds-- y'all barely passed, so they kidnapped everyone and brought them to Celliwig for the summer solstice.

The summer solstice ritual is about renewing the sun and moon within a sacred fountain called Diamond Falls within Celliwig, which requires large-scale magics to essentially create a sun and moon cycle for the following year for Avalon, which exists outside of normal space and time.

Not everyone is happy about Celliwig opening back up, and some cursed spirits cross the river to attack the homecoming trip.

There have been some whispers about the summer solstice, but for some reason, Camelot doesn't seem to have put in as much effort for the summer solstice as they do for the other solstice and equinoxes. If anyone had asked around town, they'll say that the sun always seems to come out after they banish the water spirits, so there isn't much to do for it. A few of the more elderly fae around town seem to say there's a lot to do about it, but not to worry about it and just enjoy the time off. Even more silent has been the results of the trials. It seems as though it's bound to be a quiet June, relative to the last couple of months. At least until the morning of the 20th. The sun has yet to rise, though birds have started their morning rounds and chirping. Rather suddenly, the entire atmosphere goes completely white, as if everyone has been enveloped by the sun itself. It's too bright to keep your eyes open, though if you'll try to squint through it you'll notice the entire ground is enveloped in shadow despite the impossible blinding light all around before you're pulled down into the darkness within a matter of seconds. Regardless, when you open your eyes next, everyone has been teleported to a strange-looking park. The trees seem to be made of ceramic, blossoming strange, pure black leaves. Those with green magic will be able to tell the trees are alive and well, despite their odd appearance, and once out of the park, it may become more apparent where everyone is: A city beautiful and glistening, its buildings made of crystal and glass. Welcome to Celliwig, the Splendored Court. And this time? Their doors are open. Explore: Celliwig Celliwig is a city that's hidden with a large-scale glamour that causes it to look like a shanty-town from the outside. Those with permission to enter, however, will find that the city is actually a splendorous city made entirely of crystals and glass of all kinds. At its center is the Hall of Mirrors, which is typically closed to the public and guarded by a strange old man with huge, rippling muscles of at least 7 feet tall and a long, scraggly beard. Some may recognize him as the man from the #ChaliceChallenge trial, but he'll mostly ask you to call him Glewlwyd (the IV, but you can drop the number.) Everything in the city appears to be open now, in contrast to the city mostly hiding away during the first visit. It isn't too crowded, but there are people out and about, and they seem to be less wary. The popular fashion seems to be styles similar to gothic lolita/aristocrat and cyber lolita/aristocrat, largely in black, white, or gray with sparks of color for accent that make each outfit unique to its wearer, and each person seems to have an almost airy, ethereal nature to them. They seem humanoid, and yet distinctively not human, gliding around rather than walking. There aren't too many typical dogs and cats around as pets, but snow-white ferrets and owls seem to be the popular animal companion of choice, often being carried around with their owners. There are also wild hamsters with tiny, useless wings that seem to run around during the day, so please watch your step. (They are fairies who used to be able to fly, but their wings seem to have gone the way of the appendix.) Music seems to be largely string in nature, though it can range from calm and peaceful to sometimes more familiar music styles. It is played more openly in areas like the park or shopping centers by musicians who simply wish to share their sound, but outside of those designated areas it is mostly quiet in nature, save for the clamor of the newly transported guests from Camelot. Celliwig's restaurants typically serve molecular gastronomy versions of food, and alcoholic drinks seem to come in vapor form and flashes of light if ordered, but seem effective nonetheless. Stores in general are open now, though except for a singular general store, seem to be very specific in nature. If you're going to a magic store, there is one specific store for crystals, one specific store for hand-crafted woodcrafts (wands, staffs) to better direct magical energy, a store for vegetables that's peculiarly separate from the store for fruit and the store for fish and the store for cooking supplies (which again, are all oriented toward molecular gastronomy-- good luck finding a whisk, enjoy your nitro whip canister), and so on. Of note toward the entrance of town is a very large waterfall fountain that seems to be made of massive amounts of diamond, with inscriptions and a plaque toward the front. The plaque reads "Those who walk only in the light miss the truths hidden in the dark." This is of particular note given the invitation extended to all devices in the area: Welcome to Celliwig. Tonight we celebrate the summer solstice. Having Barely Passed your trials, we ask you to participate in this sacred ritual before we grant safe passage and open communication with Queen Elphame. To the north of the park you arrived in, a hotel is prepared for your stay free of charge for the night. At sundown, come to the Diamond Falls. Be warned, thieves: The Diamond Falls are sacred, and thus cursed. Those who try will experience a curse that causes food and drink to turn to ash in their mouth and an inability to experience pleasure, heal from injuries, or die. While they appear normal in the sun, the moonlight will reveal their true nature-- no matter how gruesome that gets, and will only be lifted when the sacred diamond is returned. Drinking water from the fountain is fine though, and if drunk can heal all wounds, regrow limbs, and get rid of scars so long as the drinker stays within the walls of Celliwig. The sacred water's effects wear off outside of the Splendored Court, unfortunately. Characters can ask around and Celliwigians will tell them this information freely, as they are quite proud of their splendor. Those who choose to participate in the summer solstice rituals and show up at the Diamond Falls on time will first be offered a drink from the fountain, though it is not necessary to take the sip. (You may choose whether or not your character was informed of the effects of drinking the water ahead of this decision, if you want them to do so but they would not on their own.) After the drinking, a number of Celliwig's citizens will engage in a dance that rapidly picks up pace until they go into a trance, glowing magical energy starting to flow out of their bodies and create an almost solar flare-esque glow before they collapse to the ground. Not a moment later, the earth shakes and the ground begins to open up beneath the fountain, the waters draining down over a staircase that opens up beneath the floor of Celliwig to a large crystal cavern. The crystals within are huge, some easily surpassing twenty feet in length, and burst out from both the floor and ceiling. At the bottom of the staircase, the ground itself is covered entirely in at least half a foot of water save for raised platforms that those performing the ritual will be expected to jump across instead of disrupting the waters. At the end of this long passageway, there is a door made of stained glass. On the other side, a room carved out in stone, lit in vibrant orange and heated by a scorching heat. The stone forms a circle that flows around a large pool of lava. One of the Celliwig leaders reads some sacred texts, then offers the following instructions: "Turn to the person next to you and offer them a piece of yourself. It can be tears, blood, hair, a whispered confession made tangible with magic-- anything that is yours. That person must then throw it into the lava and do the same in exchange. By giving part of ourselves to the fire and weaving that energy through those around us, we share the light with all around us. We fuel the sun of Avalon." Once this portion is done, water will rain down from the ceiling and the entire room will be filled with steam, and then darkness as the lava's flames are rapidly put out. It's blinding and almost unbearably hot, and you'll have to find your partner-- or maybe someone else, by wandering around carefully and blindly. It may help to use a little magic at this point to see or guide yourself or others, either by cognitive suggestion or something more physical like creating vines to catch someone from falling on the still-rather-hot solid substance created by the water hitting the lava. Regardless, there seem to be giggles and screams and all manner of unnerving sounds as people try to find each other in the dark and look for the exit, which... doesn't seem to be where it started. Eventually, the steam seems to get hot enough and shatters the stained glass door, which reveals a different room than before. The temperature drops rapidly, the air fresh and much easier to breathe as the steam spills out over the surface of the cool water. Light spills out from the ceiling, dim from the moon, and it becomes apparent that everyone has been let out into a massive cenote. It seems as if it's now time to relax and swim for a little while and just enjoy the cool release of no longer being trapped in the hot Diamond Fall's underground. Eventually, everyone will find that regardless of how they felt when they got in, anyone in the cenote will feel their mood lift, until eventually they find a song in their heart that cannot be contained. People start bursting into songs that express part of who they are. For some, it will be songs they know. For others, it may be a song they've never heard but matches who they are to a tee or shares something they hadn't intended to about themselves with whoever is there. It's also possible two people could end up in a duet and end up swim-dancing together through a musical number. With each song that finds its way into the cenote, crystals seem to light up in the walls, as if they're reacting to the music itself. Once the entire cenote is lit up, the water begins to rise within the cenote much as the tide might, finally raising high enough to bring the people within back to the surface, the small pond within the park that everyone started in. "The tides can feel your hearts and souls and raise with your spirits, and the Moon of Avalon in turn finds its will to dance with the Sun, providing light for the dark as the sun rests." the same leader speaks, before finishing, "Thank you for your assistance. With so much more energy than normal, even with the world as strained as it is now, Avalon's day and night cycle will remain as it should be. Rest now, and stay as long as you like. We will speak to Elphame and arrange a meeting. This shall not be forgotten, and you are welcome in Celliwig so long as you remember that light and darkness exist in tandem." With the stay in Celliwig over, a special squad designed to help use a large-scale dark magic spell to pull everyone back to Camelot has come to greet everyone at the entrance to the city. However, the sudden increase in noise and flow of magic has attracted spirits from the Forest of the Felled to start crossing the nearby stream. The Forest of the Felled is a haunted forest, filled with spectral creatures alike of all manner that are often trapped in a labyrinth of spells and wards that were once put up by Camelot's finest. This haunted forest is part of the reason that Celliwig had cut ties with Camelot to begin with, after a group of people from particularly morally strict times had decided that the dead and cursed should not wander among the human witches and wizards that, at the time, had largely populated Camelot and sealed them off in the Forest of the Felled. Enraged by Celliwig's reacceptance of Camelot citizens into its borders, a wave of specters has rushed across the white waters without concern for the Pure of Heart bridge to attempt to possess and attack the citizens of Camelot and prevent them from easily getting home. Ultimately, those with death magic are going to be most effective in this case, particularly at stopping possessions. However, green mages, alchemists, and elementalists are going to be important for staving off the death-like state of freezing that specters passing through your physical body can cause by creating means to rewarm people before they succumb to freezing temperatures and die. It seems as though light magic is very good at hiding people from the specters as well as temporarily warding them off with large blasts, and they seem particularly fearful of dark mages who are willing to curse the dead, given they've already lead a miserable existence. There are plenty of ways for each type of magic to find themselves useful in this battle, whether it's to help others escape or to fight on the frontlines. Be particularly cautious as some of the will-o-wisps joining in the battle can transform into the visages of the deceased that they sense are close to your heart and draw you into the white rapids of the river. In the end, it will be a fierce battle.. or a fierce retreat, for those who don't have fight in them. Regardless of your solution for getting home, this time, you're going to have to walk home after escaping instead of relying on Celliwig's shadow transportation ritual.

Comments

Kadoc Zemlupus | Fate/Grand Order

[impostorsyndrome]

I. I wish all Camelot a very pleasant wait what the fuck: June 20th, evening

[The timing of Kadoc's post had been good for him for a couple of reasons: first and foremost, he wasn't even in Camelot when he made it, which made for a little extra insurance in case some technomancer out there actually took offense and decided to try tracking him down. He had in fact been on a hunting trip so he could bring back some wild game to prepare for Claude's proposed feast at the end of the month. The tuft of rabbit fur had actually come from a hare he'd bagged at the edge of the woods shortly before making the post, which really added to the whole stupid tone, if he does say so himself. (More importantly, having the photo in his camera and the fur in his possession will prove to the kidnapper that he did make the post himself! Ha!) And all criminal shitposting for criminals aside, it had been a fruitful trip, with some hare and one talda pig which will make for a very tasty stew.

So here he is, making the trek back into town with a large wheeled cart covered respectfully with a tarp, the next evening. It's a nice quiet night—uhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Uhhhhh. "Maybe too quiet" is a cliche, but for real, maybe too quiet? It doesn't take Kadoc long to realize that something . . . is very wrong here. The populous city is a little less populous than it should be tonight!

For a good half hour he wanders the streets, cart in tow, gradually progressing from a slow confused creep to rushing back and forth down side streets. It's as if he thinks maybe everyone is just around the corner, for some reason, all together doing—something ordinary. Who knows or cares what? It feels like if he just looks hard enough, he'll solve the mystery and feel like an idiot for freaking out about it. But he doesn't—solve the mystery, that is, he does still feel like an idiot—and at last he tires and comes to a stop in a square that would be crowded on any other night, leaning on his cart and brushing his hair back out of his eyes with a sharp drag of his hand.]

Where the fuck did everyone go?!

[He says aloud, and loudly enough to easily overhear, for anyone else left behind and doing a similar scouting out of this area.

THEY DIDN'T . . . ACTUALLY GET SPIRITED AWAY . . . DID THEY?! Has his secondary magic finally awakened in the worst possible way?! Did he inspire the real kidnapper to some horrible expansion of their crimes?! aaaaAAAAAaaaaaAAAAAAAAaa]


II. happy homecoming: the end of the event, June 21st

[It's probably fine.

Realistically, it is probably fine! Shit happens. Everyone wouldn't just have died or disappeared without some kind of acknowledgement from Camelot about something that major. Maybe this is another trial of some sort; who knows? But stupid things happen here all the time, and they're fine.

By this time, Kadoc's just about really convinced himself of that, but things are still weird. Even for someone who is, to put it lightly, not a social butterfly, it's not like the feeling of half or more of the offworlders suddenly being Just Gone isn't deeply unsettling. He feels alone, and not in the way he likes.

So what better solution than to be alone in the way he does like? Yeah, he's been back for like a day, but with things so uncanny, he decides to head out again into the field to clear his head. Maybe he'll get lucky and find another pig . . . either way, it'll take his mind off things to go looking. Out he goes again, dragging his feet a little this time, lost in thought, outside the city limits and into the countryside . . .

Only to encounter the steady straggle of those who'd been spirited away to Celliwig, making their way home on foot, probably looking a little the worse for wear.

It could be anyone that he spots trudging home and speeds up to meet, looking a little more open and frantic than he often shows people:]

You're—what the hell? What even happened to you?! Where is everyone?! . . . You okay?

[He's no healer, but hey, he does have field first aid skills and some supplies on him! Don't leave the city without 'em. Of course, if this is far enough out that someone is still being haunted by the vengeful spirits of the cursed . . . that's something else they're both going to have to deal with before he gets any answers, huh?]


III. the wildcard

(( Or come at me with something else if you've got it! If you want to chat first, you can find my plotting comment here. ))

ii

[sighsheavily]

[Cecelia is the one who clears the threshold into view, unmistakable for the stark color and volume of hair and array of freckles.

"worse for wear" is a decent enough descriptor: she's exhausted, not meant for long hikes even when she is dressed for the occasion -- which she isn't, so more's the suffering. but as miserable as she feels, her expression is set as flint, only cracking a bit as her attention is caught by the call of a familiar voice.

she slows to a stop, mutely watching Kadoc hurry over, strangely relieved. there is nothing normal about any of this, yet seeing someone recognizable is still a comfort she has been starting to become accustomed to, being stuck here.]

Which question do you wish addressed first, lad. [she wavers to a stop, letting out her words in a sigh.] We'll go one at a time, if you please.

kate galloway × original × kinetic / blood

[morns]

— in the park.

( fortunately for everyone, Kate's awake just before the world goes white, dressed and blowing on a cup of coffee as her flat disappears around her. and not just because the steam from the coffee has fogged up her red-rimmed glasses.

the hell is going on now? instinct has her reaching out to try and tap into any evidence of powers at work, hand clenching her mug until bones ache as an unnerving silence stretches across the blindness.

it's rare that Kate misses the ability to sense the power around her, but then again, no one is usually dragging her into...

a park? and not one that she knows from Camelot, either. her grip loosens a fraction on her cup, tense muscles twitching as the seeming lack of danger settles in as reality. this might not be some attempt to attack her, not with all these heartbeats around, her attempts to tap into a long blocked power simply drawing up blood magic abilities and a headache.

ugh. she needs this coffee before she deals with any of the rest of this. just one si— )

What the fuck?

( anyone unfortunate enough to be close to Kate will quickly realise that her outburst is because her mug has split, in a hairline fracture, right down the length of it, falling apart as she brings it to her lips, soaking her cropped orange hoodie in a giant brown stain.

just great. everyone wants to be stuck in a strange park with their hair unstyled, glasses on, wearing slippers and their morning coffee. who wouldn't want that?

thanks, celliwig. )

— explore: celliwig.

( well, it's not like she really has the option of avoiding the clothes stores right now. her top can't be salvaged without a washing machine, which is how Kate comes to stand in the middle of a shop offering nothing but a whole load of frilly black items. shirts with lace collars and sleeves, countless puffy little additions which look more stifling than anything.

she wrinkles her nose at a top covered in too many bows and places it back before glancing down at the coffee stain on her hoodie.

it's not that bad, right? (yes it is.) she can get away with not buying something new to wear, can't she? (no, she can't.)

cripes. she needs help. why is everything covered in frills? the next thing she pulls out looks like it belongs in some creepy Victorian dollhouse. )

... Taking the piss.

( they've got to be? who hasn't heard of a t-shirt? she'll even take a plain cardigan at this rate. just please, get her away from all these frilly things. )

— wildcard.

( if you wanna do anything else with her, feel free to write a starter here! or message me at exits#8071 and we can hash something out. )

Exploring- Cute megane meet cute elf (slight nsfw in link)

[colchismagecraft]

[Kate was not the only one to rush to the clothing store as soon as they got to Celliwig. After all, Caster had been fast asleep when they'd all been magically transported to the city, and as such was stuck wandering around in a semi-transparent, cute, lacy nightgown.

Thanks Celliwig was a sentiment she could 100% get behind right now.

She's just putting away a skirt that was wider than it was long with the shire volume of frilly layers - how was anyone even supposed to move in anything like that? - when she noticed someone else side-eyeing one of the nearby dresses.

...Wait a second, that was someone she knew.]

...Kate?

Homura | Senran Kagura

[crimsongirl]

Sacrifice:

As Homura listened and then watched other people give up something, she was still deciding what to sacrifice. Like hell she was giving up any of her weapons, and tears had long ago ceased after Caster's destruction. Hair or blood...which to choose...

By the time it was her turn, tossing something into the lava from the next person, she drew her sword. Well, already used to her knuckles drying her out. What's a little more? Already figured she was gonna have to fight anyway. The blood itself would would flow and harden into what looked like a tear. Even seemed shiny like a gem, minus the thread of blood connecting her finger to it.

"You got about five seconds to toss it before it loses stability, so hurry up."

Darkness:

Being in the dark was nothing new. Even when she was a child, she had been taught to move in the darkness. And blood magic made things surprisingly easier, able to tell where people were wandering around. Given how everyone was caught off guard with this, she couldn't just leave people behind. Some seemed to find their way out and gathering other people, so might as well aim for the aimless. One might suddenly find a pole of ice blocking their path, high enough to try and reach the stomach of her target.

"Grab the ice and follow it. I'll get you out of here."

Singing:

Everything...wasn't great. Her mood was hardly lifted from any of this. This entire world, she was just sick and tired of it all. It just didn't help her mindset, so some might briefly see her as cold. And yet as she started to hear some songs, it seemed to spur something in her. All of a sudden, her face brightened up, and she started to sing a certain song. (warning video is NSFW due to canon) Even if she lacked a phone back home, her job tended to play some music on occasion. Some may have rolled their eyes, unable to change it due to how demanding it could all be, Homura enjoyed it, felt a part of herself as she worked and listened. Now it was being brought to life, all as she danced to the tune.

Once done though, her face was red. Okay, dancing, she was okay with. She did so in front of an audience with Dust after all during the last trial. Even made a show out of it. But singing? And if the song was about something close to her heart....

God, she wanted to just vanish right now.

[ooc: optional, but I'm willing to thread out her singing this or another song.

Will-O-Wisp:

A person forming in the pool...gee didn't that sound familiar. Last time, it was Asuka, nude and trying to be tantalizing, which just made Homura blast the Siren with lighting magic. This time though, she was more hesitant, for the figure was that of the deceased. It was...Tsumuji. Not the snake familiar she had, but the real deal, the one she tried not to mourn too much. And yet, she was here now, trying to welcome Homura into her arms. Though as Homura stepped forward, her face was blank, all until they were close enough to touch. The fake had suddenly tried to grab and drag Homura into the water, only to suddenly be elbowed in the face, stumbling back and looking shocked.

Homura now though looked angry. Pure, murderous rage. Those who never saw this might have understandably been caught off guard. Yet this rage felt more justified. Someone dared to mock the memory of her friend, of someone who sacrificed her life to make sure Homura could live. The aura of fire seemed to intensify, the water barely even helping to keep it suppressed.

"Having her face won't help you. But if these morons are so eager for me to show my dark side--" She drew both swords, fire erupting from them as well, their rage fiercely mimicking her own. "Then how about I fulfill some of those fantasies, you son of a bitch!?"

Will-o-Wisp

[morganknight]

"Wait, didn't you get really annoyed when Caster embraced that literal exact same sentiment?"

Some things could get Morgan very angry, no lie. Purposefully picking at his emotions wasn't one of them. He stood on the bank, hands in his pockets as if nothing could bother him, even as his kinesis magic kept a figure wedged beneath the water so that the river could carry it off. That person was dead and gone, and Morgan had made peace with that.

[flapsin]

A. Tourist Trap

[Well, here they are. Celliwig. It happened a lot more... suddenly and less voluntarily than Drake expected and hoped, but here they are. While they're stuck here, he starts the day off with some sight-seeing! It is a beautiful new place, after all.

So Drake can be found wandering the streets, admiring the scenery, trying to make small talk with Glewlwyd. He can also be found browsing the wares in shops, holding up two crystals to compare them, as if weighing over which fruit is just right.]

...Hmmm... which of these seem better...?

[Or he can be found settled down to eat at one restaurant's outdoor table... and looking somewhat confused by the food.]

What.

B. The Birds of Summer

[Luckily he had his Darkwing Duck costume on him when he was pulled away to Celliwig. He suits up to take part in the summer solstice ceremony!]

i.

[When it's time for the initial ceremony, Darkwing does find that it seems a bit sketch! But ultimately, what's the worst that can happen? With a wince, he plucks a white feather and presents it to whoever's next to him.]

Um... here you go! One certified feather of a champion of justice...!

ii.

[After that, it's time to navigate the darkness! He nervously tiptoes his way from rock to rock, but at least the darkness itself won't be a problem. He focuses his light magic to illuminate some of the way forward! And he takes note of anyone else who seems to be struggling.]

Need a little light?

iii.

[And eventually, they end up in the cenode! Still in full costume, Darkwing relaxes as he swims through the pool and feels his worries start to fade away.]

Ahhhhh....! This is nice. I am the serenity that floats in the moonlight... I am the extra chocolate left on a hotel room's pillow. I am Darkwing Duck...! [He says that with a relaxed sigh. And he hasn't even gotten to any singing yet!]

C. Expect the Unespected

i.

[That ended up feeling like a nice reprieve! Unfortunately, the easygoing things just couldn't last. Eventually, the specters descend and attack. Now this is a job for Darkwing Duck! He deploys a smoke bomb and poses dramatically when he comes across the scene of a specter attack.]

I am the terror that flaps in the night!
I am the hotel staff that spares no chocolate for villainy...
I am Darkwing Duck!

[A specter swoops right towards him while he finishes his speech. The duck yelps and releases a blast of light magic that manages to drive the specter in a different direction!]

ii.

[At another point, he figures out a different way to utilize his light magic. With stealth! He'll run up to someone else and make a hushing motion as he focuses his magic to cloak himself and the other person, his trusty bat swooping down to aid the spell. He whispers carefully to the other person.]

We'll be safe like this...!

[For some time, at least. He's still learning, so who knows how long the spell will actually last...]

iii.

[Or, one can find Darkwing in a different state after one run-in with a specter turned hairy. He feels colder than he's ever been, shivering while clutching his cape around him like a blanket. He desperately searches around for any source of warmth.]

C-could really go for... a d-dip in that l-lava cave... r-right about n-now...

D. Wildcard

[Feel free to come up with an alternate prompt or hit me up for plotting! Darkwing is also available for warding others away from will-o-wisps!]

C - i

[sos_pilot]

DO YOU HAVE TO DO THE ENTIRE MANTRA EVERY SINGLE TIME?!

[ goddangit, why did she have to be stuck with Darkwing instead of someone sensible like Fenton, or maybe even Drake? ]

You were seconds away from being Spector-Sushi!

Achilles → Hades

[fearisfortheweak]

Surprise Welcome

[Getting whisked around is starting to become familiar with Achilles. He hasn't decided how he feels about that yet.

At least this time it isn't in the confines of a cell, right before he's expected to brawl with others. Instead, it's in, well... Apparently, a "city". One he's never seen anything like. But that too seems to be the norm here.

He greets any of the civilians who acknowledge him, and walks about the streets, preferring to sightsee over purchase anything.

Or, y'know, he would sightsee if his familiar wasn't making such a scene.

The violet-green swallow seems to be having a grand time heckling the locals and maybe stealing tiny bits of their food. Actually, it seems to be having a grand time heckling everyone, whether local, non-local, animal... you...

The heckling seems more mischeivious than anything— stealing those bits of food, grabbing and tugging dangling bits of attire, or diving just to swoop up at the last second. In other words, it's at least not trying to cause pain, but that doesn't necessarily mean the target won't get accidentally pecked.

Achilles is shaking his head whenever the bird returns to him, because what can he do? It's far too fast and nimble for him to hope to restrain. At best, he can only apologize on its behalf and give a scolding:]

Come now, that's not very well-mannered, is it?

Summer Solstice

[Honestly, after all the trouble his familiar caused, Achilles feels he needs to make up the difference somewhere. So participating in the ritual it is. The water is refreshing and gives him a sort of vigor he hasn't felt in a long time. Even his eyes seem a little brighter.

There's no problem getting to the platform, and when it comes to the exchange, he pauses for a moment to give careful consideration to what he'll do. It's not that he has any shortage of hair or blood, but a confession feels far more meaningful, and Achilles was never one to do anything in halves.

For any he faces, excepting his pupil, he admits:]

I could have ended a war far sooner than I did. I have only my hubris to blame. And because of that, a man far better than I lost his life.

[An uneasy breath escapes him as those words become tangible, and he extends the offering to his partner.]

It's only for the sake of the ritual... you need not think anything of it.

Raging Waters

[Ever since getting kidnapped to the underground fighting ring, Achilles has made a habit of carrying his spear with him. And he's glad he did.

He fights with great skill and finesse, his movements easy and fluid, yet immensely powerful. Most creatures don't get the chance so much as to touch him or anyone around him. His familiar, meanwhile, is divebombing the creatures and providing a distraction.

However, a spectre does slip by and his breath catches a little as a chill pierces his body, yet he presses on, showing little evidence of being effected, save for perhaps the frosty breath coming from his mouth and nose.

After that's been taken care of and some ways into the battle, there's a sight that has Achilles outright stalling. His eyes widen and his guard falls as he stares at the visage of a dark-skinned man.

He whispers out the name, shocked, longing and with the tiniest bit of hope:]

Pat?

solstice

[sighsheavily]

[a hand goes up as if to halt his offering, even as he speaks of not needing to think anything of it.

Cecelia's posture is rigid, bristled, as if she were a prey animal on high alert and ready to flee or lash out in the next breath. in contrast, her expression is somber and unflinching, as though they were exchanging words at a funeral.]

That isn't necessarily true, sir. [she speaks lowly, only for him, but she is keen to choose words she would not regret having overheard in this space.] You need to be utterly certain...that what you have spoken of is something you would be willing to lose completely.

Rose | The Legend of Dragoon

[originaldragoon]

Arriving

Rose was always a early riser. So she was already up, dressed, and in her leather armor when the world went blindingly white. Several curse words came from her as she tried to shield her eyes.

Once the light died down and she was again able to see, she tensed up. This was definitely not Camelot.

"What in Soa's name? Where are we?"

The question was directed at no one in particular. Her guard was up, and her hand rested on the hilt of her sword. Though the park appeared nice if strange, and there appeared to be no immediate threats, Rose knew from experience that sometimes "nice looking" was the most dangerous.

Exploring Celliwig

Once it was determine that she was now indeed in Celliwig, and not in any form of danger, Rose set about to explore the town. The crystal structures reminded her of the Cyrstal Palace of Deningrad. Only this was a whole town and not just a single building.

The shops were certainly interesting enough. She even stopped in front of some windows to look at the fashion that was displayed there. Rose was the last person to ever really care about clothing and the latest trends. The woman wore her armor almost ninety-five percent of the time! And when she didn't wear it, the clothing she wore was rather plain in nature. But even she had to admit that fashion style of Celliwig was interesting, at least enough to get her attention.

But what really caught her attention was when she came across some street musicians that were playing within a shopping plaza. The music was pleasant to listen to, even if she didn't recognize the tune. So leaning back against a crystal pillar, she stuck around to listen to more melodies. Even humming along, once she got the jest of how the tune went.

The ritual

Once sundown came along, Rose decided to take part in the ritual. It was the reason they were brought here after all, so it wouldn't seem right to skip out on it. Besides, she was curious and wanted to learn more about the magic of this world.

She did hesitated a bit to drink the water from the Falls. A part of her doubted that the people of Celliwig would poison them after going through so much trouble to bring them there, but one could never be too cautious. She will actually watch other's closely after they have taken a drink before finally going to get a drink herself.

Sacrifice

The time came for them to sacrifice a part of themselves to the large lava pool. Tears, blood, or a piece of her hair sounded more appealing to Rose than any confession.

She turned to the person next to her. "I do not cry easily, so blood or a bit of my hair will have to do. Which would you prefer?"

Singing

The cool water was more than welcomed after having to stand near a pool of lava and then being ingulfed in steam once towards the end of the ritual. So going in to the cenote, despite still wearing her cloths, was quite refreshing. Though she did keep her distance for the main group of people, since she wasn't exactly the most social person out there.

For the first time in a long time, she actually felt relaxed. Without realizing it, she started to hum to herself. Before she knew it she actually started to sing, though her voice stayed on the quiet side.

Once she had finished the song, she realized what had just happened. She could feel her face heating up from embarrassment. "Oh for Soa's sake!" She sank down into the water, until it was almost to her nose. Perhaps if her mouth stayed underwater she won't sing again. Can she just drown now?

The Undead!

Of course things just couldn't stay peaceful! Rose never really did care for fighting ghosts and other undead creatures. Mainly because they always seemed to target her. Granted, they usually targeted her because she was the reason they were dead to begin with. Since she arrived in Avalon, she thought she wouldn't have to deal with such things anymore. At least they weren't going after her because she was their killer this time. Though it was debatable if that was better or not.

As it turns out, she did have an advantage over their new enemy! Since she was able to use dark magic, the specters seemed quite fearful of her. Especially since she was using the battle to use some of the curses that she had been practicing.

"I'll cover you!" She called out to the person who was either fighting along beside her, tending someone who had a specter pass through them, or those who were retreating. The least she could do was get between them and specters while using her magic to scare them back.

Will-o-wisp

During the fighting, something out of the corner of her eye catches Rose's attention. A teenaged girl who didn't appear to be completely human was there, close to the river bank. Rose stopped what she was doing to look at the girl in surprise.

"Damia?"

"Rose? What's going on here? What's this fighting all about?" The girl looked confused and even a bit scared. A part of Rose want to go to her, to see if she was real and to get her to safety.

But she knew that the girl had died thousands of years ago. It was like that trial all over again!

Rose shook her head and pointed her sword at the girl. "You cannot be Damia. It would have been too convenient for her to show up now. So, how dare you wear her face!" And she charges at the being.

Wild card
[Anything else you would like to do with Rose, but I didn't make a prompt for it, can go here.]

Arrival

[markedfordeath]

The world went white all around her. That unexpected event had her clutching protectively to the rifle in her hold as she rose to stand up. She had been sleeping moments before while cradling the weapon in her arms.

Elza was no longer under the outcropping she'd been sleeping under. Instead, as the light receded, the gunner found herself standing in some form of forest. She took in the other bodies littered around and finding themselves in a similar situation.

Drawing her gaze around, the gunner's attention fell onto that of another woman nearby. As the other spoke her question, Elza didn't miss the hand that sat ready on the hilt of the sword at her side.

"Doubtful anywhere good," Elza murmured. From what she quickly assessed, the other woman was no threat. The sword was still sheathed after all.

Turning her attention back to the forest around them, she finally took note that it didn't seem to be populated enough to call it that... Yet there were too many trees to call it grasslands.

Takashi 'Shiro' Shirogane | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Elementalist/Kineticist

[vrepit_no]

Exploring: Clothes Shopping
You know it's going to be a trying day when you wind up in a fae merchant's shop trying to get something with full length pants and still maintain your dignity while in your boxers and tank top. Shiro's at least managed to get the gentleperson to put away the poofy shorts that remind him of a court jester, but sitting in a chair while someone twists violently rainbow faux ringlets into his hair, his face says he's losing the will to argue. His remaining arm and both legs are badly scarred all over, and the ugly, uneven, twisted starburst of scarring across the point where his right arm should be almost seems natural with everything else. "Your taste is incredible, it really is, but I'm not interested in mesh, gauze, tuille, shorts, or restrictive clothing. The boots are great, but I am eager to see what other things you have that might fit my requirements." Help?

Hotel: Closest Thing to Flying
Finally attired in a strange combination of ruffles and neon, lighting shifting slowly through all the colors of the rainbow, Shiro has found his way to the top floor of the glass hotel and is standing about a foot away from the edge. His eyes, glamoured to glow and shift color along with his outfit, are locked on the sky. He lifts his chin into the breeze playing with the bouncy extensions in his hair. "Someday," he murmurs.

Ritual Drink: Decisions, decisions
"I don't know about this," Shiro says to his companion. He shifts his weight back onto one foot and props his hand on his hip. "That's erasing an awful lot. It's not like it stops being a part of me - it's just hidden now. It feels… I don't know." Even so, there's a sick longing hovering about his eyes.

Ritual: A Piece of Yourself
Shiro's hand immediately goes to his chest, heart twisting painfully. The rings. He should… They mean so much to him, but he's the only one here who knows that. They'd fit the bill, but. He shakes his head silently. No. No, he can't. He just can't. "You don't have a knife and a handkerchief on you, do you?"

Spoopy Times: Choose Your Own Restless Dead
Shiro's been doing his best to get people out of harm's way, warming frozen individuals, pulling them away with the very earth at their feet. "Keep going! Don't stop! Stay with your partner and get them back to Cam--" He stumbles to a stop, transfixed. Along the riverbank… is that? A child? A shifting crowd of slaves? Or his ex-fiance?

WILDCARD
((Please feel free to hit me with something you'd like to do!))

A Piece of Yourself

[wherethewindtakesme]

[It's probably not evident to Shiro who this person is at first. This tall young man with broad shoulders and carrying a spear. But he starts when he hears Shiro's voice.]

Mr. Shiro? I think I have a have a knife and I can probably tear off something to be a handkerchief.

[He is wearing what looks like a sash around his waist and could easily cut a bit off if necessary.]

lee jongdae ﹡ the secret world (oc) ﹡ alchemy + blood

[itsjiaheng]

① SURPRISE WELCOME

[ unfortunately (for everyone?), jongdae is not an early riser and is still curled up in his inn bed when celliwig does its thing. curled up is quite literal too, as he seems to have also adopted feline habits in addition to the look — his cheek is pillowed by one tail while the other two cover his face. a breeze where there shouldn't be ruffles his ears and hair and he sits up, blinking sleepily in confusion. there's no danger that he can sense, only this quiet park.

wait... park?!

he snaps awake just like that, his strangely reddish pupils widening and even his hair seems to fluff up. ]

What the—... oh, come on! I just got here! It's too soooooon for weird shit...

[ he flops back down onto his back in the grass with a sigh, kicking his feet and pounding his balled up hands against the ground like he's having a tantrum. it's not for real — mostly just because he's the dramatic type — but then he lays there with his eyes closed for a few seconds. which, you know, is fine. just gonna lay here and feel like garbage.

it's worth noting that he's (mostly) covered in an oversized pastel pink hoodie that seems to hit mid-thigh, which is good because no one can really see anything. also creates the illusion that he's not wearing anything below the waist except for the pair of fluffy mismatched socks he has on — one black and blue striped and the other gold and white striped.

five more minutes is okay, right? ]

② EXPLORE: CELLIWIG

[ while a free-spirited sort of person, even jongdae doesn't want to wander a strange place in his underwear. especially not when everyone looks so cool and fashionable! he rectifies this as soon as he finds a clothing shop to his liking.

he submits happily to the whims of the stylish shopkeepers, splurging and emptying his account of most of the gold he'd earned doing odd jobs for people, but it's worth it. someone's even braided little flowers into his hair.

dressed in his cute outfit and lacy cape, he's browsing the items on display outside of another shop. it seems to be a boutique that sells similarly fashionable clothes, but for animals and jongdae is torn between several options. it's time to ask the audience! even if you're just a random passerby he'll pop up, holding two tiny dresses. ]

Hey, help me choose? What do you think? Strawberries or black and gold? I dunno how to feel about the sequins. Keep in mind, she has plain white fur, so any colour looks good.

③ SUMMER SOLSTICE

[ jongdae actually enjoys swimming, especially now that he doesn't have wings to consider. after paddling around for a bit he rolls over and floats on his back. that he starts to hum after a few minutes comes as no surprise, given how often he does exactly that any other time his mind wanders. ]

Ⓐ
 ↳ [ he's even less likely to notice given the effect the melody has on him on its own, even without a magical side effect. he's conditioned to be calmed by it. after a bit longer he starts to sing for real. he doesn't have a bad voice at all, although at the start it's a bit shaky until he gets going.

this seems to trigger the crystals in the walls, which start out dim but grow brighter as he goes on. ]

Ⓑ
 ↳ [ or perhaps it's the second song you overhear instead. thanks to his "lifted" mood his voice has a light, pleasant tone to it despite the heaviness of the words.

he can't exactly duet and harmonise with himself, so he draws it out, singing the different parts as separate verses. of course, he won't need to do that at all if someone else resonates with it and finds they know the lyrics too. ]

[ eventually, jongdae trails off again and only then seems to realise that he's not alone here. there's some flailing involved when he tenses and shifts enough in the water that he doesn't quite float so high in the water and ends up inhaling some, coughing and sputtering. ]

Ahh, you know how it is. Sometimes you just gotta, you know, get it out. Earworms, amirite?

[ yep, those are finger guns. ]

④ WILDCARD

[ ooc; want something else? hmu at koutenko or on my plotting comments here! in case you need/want actual reference for what jongdae's voice sounds like here's a clip (sung by his pb). ]

exploring!

[currysseur]

( much like, well most sane people here, Izumi got dragged here while she was still asleep and has yet to find something to replace her oversized t-shirt and shorts combination. everything's very cute and pretty but... well. kind of impractical? and very showy. it's something that looks like it would be more at home on stage than on her.

but this young man really suits the look and those dresses are cute! who can really say no to the absurd cuteness of an animal in clothes?

(says the woman whose lioness pads along behind her, naked and beautiful.) )

Oh! Um... ( hm... that's a good question. ) If it's for an animal, sequins might be dangerous, right?

( a choking hazard or something. )

tifa lockhart | final fantasy vii | elemental + light

[starshower]

🌠 i. the wrong way to consume alcohol

[Being transported to a new place without her permission or a warning once was enough, but twice? The game starts to get old pretty fast, even for a patient soul like her. She'd been up before the crack of dawn (had she even slept?) so she was already awake when the light overtook her room in the middle of a morning kickboxing routine, and there when it dropped her off in the park with everyone else.

Needless to say, after a lot of walking and looking around, it's about time she finds something familiar to help take the edge off and doesn't care so much about if it's past noon in Celliwig. It probably is, because the bars, restaurants, and shops are all open, beckoning people to check out their wares or taste their newest dish! It doesn't take much convincing to get Tifa through the door of what they claim to be the fanciest, most modern bar and restaurant in town, and within minutes, she's seated at a booth at the dimly lit bar, and she isn't the only one.]

Beer's fine. Just give me whatever you've got. Please.

[Looking around, she hardly sees a bottle or glass in sight. Instead, it's odd little things that no one is drinking, but rather... Well, she isn't sure what they're doing with them but it isn't what she would expect. Raising a brow, she turns to whoever is seated nearest her.]

For a bar, I don't see any actual drinks anywhere. Bit strange, don't you think?

🌠 ii. summer solstice

["Turn to the person next to you and offer them a piece of yourself."

The words don't do much to calm her nerves, but she'd come to Diamond Falls to help, not chicken out. She's already drunk from the fountain and followed the stairs down into the caverns, and now she's breaking a sweat over the pool of lava with someone else... It would be difficult to follow through on a change of heart now. So, she offers to go first, pulling a strand of hair loose from her neat ponytail and tugging on it until it's out.

It's a bit odd to be offering someone a strand of her hair, but a ritual's a ritual. It's the better alternative, she thinks, when the other options are blood, tears, or... a confession.

She's not sure what to expect next, but Tifa takes her partner by the wrist and places the hair in their palm, her smile small and shy, reassuring, and perhaps a touch uncertain about all of this.]

Okay. Your turn.

🌠 iii. raging waters

[Nothing is going to get in the way of getting people back to Camelot, least of all a bunch of magical ghosts. Tifa is late to the party, coming in once the fight against them has already broken out, but she isn't one to waste precious time in helping... after a brief moment of swallowing her fear of ghosts first. She rushes in, sliding to dodge one that tries to pass through her. She has no idea what they're capable of, but no way is she letting them touch her, or anyone else, so when it's already moving on to the next person, Tifa follows.]

Get down!

[In a fiery whirl, her foot comes around and the magic lands a blow against the specter, chasing it away. It gives her time to right her stance and check on whoever's soul she's helped.]

You alright?

---

[When not fighting the specters off, Tifa's helping those who have fallen to the ice-cold sensations of the ghosts passing through them. No matter who it is, she winces when she presses her fingers to their cheeks or neck, the cold leaving a bite on the tips. Hopefully the injured don't mind a woman throwing an arm around their shoulders in an embrace, while her other hand opens up to a small ball of warm fire in her palm.]

It's gonna be okay, [she reassures.] Just gotta warm up, then we can get back out there, okay?

🌠 iv. will-o-wisps

[The ghosts don't scare her anymore, at least, not these ones. They're just that: ghosts. They can be fought off, and once they are, she'll never have to deal with them again. They can all go home. It's been a fierce battle up until now, and Tifa's gone between fighting and helping the injured, but she's shown no signs of stopping or slowing down.

Not until now.

These ghosts don't scare her, but there are others that do. She's about to throw another blast of fiery magic at some incoming specters with other magic users, when she stops short. Something in the rapids catches her eyes, or rather, someone. Two of them. It's familiar, but in a dreadful sort of way. Not the welcome kind that she's been lucky to have here.

It's as if everything else around her slows to a crawl. Ankle-deep in the water, she sees a man and a woman, and they're smiling at her. Reaching out to her. Memories come rushing back. Sitting in her room, wishing she could have her mother back. The reactor... the strong smell of mako... Her father... "I'm sick of all of this!"]

Mom? Dad...? No way...

[She wanders closer, eyes burning red, and ignoring the battle raging around her like it isn't even there. Hopefully someone is paying close enough attention to snap her out of it before she wanders too close to the water...]

🌠 v. wildcard

[ None of these prompts work? Feel free to leave something else below, or feel free to contact me via PM or at crystariums! Her plotting comment is here. ]

summer solstice

[schmisse]

[ Tifa isn't the only one uncertain about this. Weiss is all for rituals and all, but with the way she looks at the piece of hair being offered her? It's all just so ridiculous. ]

I hope this isn't going to curse us in the end.

[ ... Hopefully she didn't just jinx them both by saying that. Now, she figures she should just pull a strand of her hair and give to Tifa as well, but hers is much longer and even tied in a braid. But then she has her bangs... ]

This is going to hurt, I can tell— [ Bam! She manages to pull one of her shorter strands, hurting her scalp in the process. After a soft help, her hand rubs on the spot by the forehead where she'd "taken a part of her" from. ] Right— you can have it.

[ Ow... Please take her hair, Tifa. ]

Barbara | Final Fantasy Dimensions

[dragongrrl]

a. Celliwig

[Barbara's first reaction to being transported from her little camp to an entire city is to leap up with an audible snarl and point her spear at whatever, or whomever, is closest to her.]

GRAH!

[but. Once she's calmed down, you can find her wandering around openly goggle-eyed. She is just about used to Camelot, and even so she's still living in the woods. The shops sell things even stranger than the grocery store. You may find her holding one of the winged hamsters and staring at it intently, or listening to some of the street musicians, or just staring at a bizarre store display. This is definitely not how she imagined the realm of the fae.]

Solstice Ceremony

[Barbara hasn't partaken of the waters, and she isn't going to offer a piece of herself to anyone who she doesn't already know and trust. She will be eagerly trying to find the exit in the dark, adding little bursts of lightning to the top of her spear to act as a kind of flashlight.]

Door was here!

[As for the cenote, she does take a dip into it and finds herself singing--but not a human song. It's the song of dragons, in as close to a draconic voice as a human can manage.]

Wills o' the Wisp

[The return journey is dangerous. Well, Barbara isn't surprised by that, because she's more surprised when things aren't dangerous than when they are. And unfortunately, these ghostly things are a little too incorporeal for her spear to be effective.

So you'll find Barbara employing her elemental magic, mostly in the form of breath attacks to clear her path. If she spots another outlander trying to make their way home, she'll immediately stop.]

You! With me.

wildcard!

[None of the above fit? Want to do a trust thing with Barbara? Hit me up here, by PM, or at compassinks!]

Wills o' the Wisp

[patchricide]

[It's true that physical attacks don't seem to be doing much. But Allura hasn't been left with much recourse.]

[While psychic damage seems to disrupt the spirits, causing their forms to blur and fade briefly, it's far too limited — she can only target one spirit at a time, and they're facing an army. Beyond that, there's the option of trying siphoning magic... and she can already hear her friends telling her not to try something so obviously dangerous, lest she end up possessed.]

[So instead, she's employing her energy whip to slow them down. It's a losing battle... but a battle nonetheless.]

[Barbara couldn't have called out to her at a better time.]

Certainly, if you can clear the spirits between us! [And as if to prove her point, she swings that glowing lash through them. For a moment, the spirits bob away from her, as if they were floating on the surface of the water and a wave was carrying them backwards. But since it's not actual light magic, they don't retreat — and a moment later, they recover and continue their approach.]

alisaie leveilleur / final fantasy xiv

[fearlessly]

arrival and exploring celliwig;

[ alisaie isn't quite sure what she expected celliwig to be like, but she can say with certainty that she did not expect this.

the city itself is absolutely breathtaking. it's almost a little overwhelming in its brightness, but the lovely glass towers and crystalline structures are absolutely exquisite, and upon arrival she can be found simple.. gawking, one hand over her eyes to shield them from the light while her gaze climbs the nearest glass building, right to the tip. even the trees are strange and beautiful, with their glassy trunks and odd black leaves.

it has been quite some time since alisaie has been stunned by beauty, but for now she is content simply to stare in wonder. ]

It is.. beautiful.

[ care to join her in some exploration? ]

solstice ritual;

[ now, for the real reason they are here. alisaie has wondered more than once just how a land out of time manages to maintain a day and night cycle, but this seems to answer her question. magic, of course, is always the answer. she does not entirely understand its inner workings, but alisaie has done enough aetheric work to know that even if she does not entirely understand the hows of it, she can still complete the task, and this task indeed seems quite important. she's lived a year on a world with no nights, so she is more than happy to help maintain the cycle in avalon.

so alisaie arrives with the others at the diamond fountain, drinking of its restorative waters (oh, that tickles!!) and watching the strange, ritualistic dance performed by the locals. the ground rumbles, yawning open to reveal the glittering crystal cave beneath. they've been briefed on what they are to do, so alisaie lifts both arms over her head to stretch, her back popping in that wonderfully satisfying way, before she turns to the person beside her. ]

Well then. Shall we?

raging waters;

[ while it feels a little bit sad to leave behind so beautiful a city, alisaie finds that she is actually more than ready to return home when the time comes. mostly because she's more than ready to get back to actual solid foods..

what she did not so much expect, is the rather un-warm welcome waiting for them as they make the journey home. never a dull moment, is there? the solstice ritual had been exhausting, she was more than ready for a relaxing afternoon and a good night's sleep tonight, but fate, as always, has other plans. the politics of it all do not concern her; this is a battle, and people she knows and cares for are in danger, the specters' rage and its reasoning pale in comparison to her protective spirit.

and so alisaie can be found either fighting on the front lines, protecting or saving your character, or using her elemental magic to warm up the afflicted with gentle fire spells. take your pick! ]

wildcard;

[ don't like any of the above prompts? come at me with something new! or tweak my prompts to better suit your needs. i'm easy! ♥

Arrival

[lendedahand]

In my experience, beings of magic like the fae do very much appreciate a good aesthetic.

[He walked up next to the stranger to admire the admittedly lovely foliage. He could only presume she was a fellow elf, after all if humans came in so many flavors than surly so did his kind. The idea had him curious enough to strike up conversation at anyrate.]

Though from what I’ve heard from some people here elves are considered fae as well. I’ll admit, I’ve got a weakness for a good tree, but I hardly feel as mysterious as the Fae do.

[Then again, he was Dalish. They did have a weird thing for trees.]

cecelia ardenbury | an oc | ota

[sighsheavily]

o1. Exploring the crystalline city
[Ambassador Cecelia pulls her shawl over her shoulders, as if the glimmering of the reflective spaces around her aren't crystal, but ice. rather, her impulse is to obscure the bangle on her wrist, to protect it from the eyes of the native fey drifting about. she doesn't know what they could do to it, let alone her; feyfolk are rarely predictable, even with repeat encounters.

first order of business: proper bearings.]

Have you encountered a map, by chance? [she'll ask the nearest outworlder who makes even passing eye-contact.

and barring that chance, she can be discovered carefully investigating the city streets, keeping her hands to herself, extra mindful to not brush past anyone or anything too closely. here and there, she stops to open up her journal and quill to jot done a few notes or replicate a piece of signage that catches her eye or bit of conversation that hits her ears.]


o2. the hotel
[every drink is inspected, every bite of food carefully scanned...for all the good it can do. gods, what can she do about this without her full array of instruments and spells? it's very irritating.

Cecelia is seated in one of the hotel's gathering spaces, the thick braid of her hair set over her shoulder, journal in her lap and her gaze set adrift, moving across the place in and out of focus in a near meditative way. she doesn't sleep -- not really. not the way people do. not often, anyway, and certainly not in a place she's been abducted to so suddenly against her will.

no...she dozes more the way elves do, drifting in and out of meditation and the act of packing up and cataloging the information of the day amongst the wealth of what's already been gathered for centuries.

of course, any who draw near enough will pull her free of it: like an alert prey animal, her eyes will flick right to the source of the presence and stay there.]


o3. ceremony 1: lava pool

Don't.

[whoever is near her and is even trying to reach for their hair or prick at their skin will find their wrist abruptly snatched, held for as long as it takes for them to freeze or recoil. she won't hold tight, just enough to startle and interrupt the act they were in the midst of.

her expression is hard, eyes sharp and unblinking.]

No blood. No hair. Not even an eyelash! No piece of your body.


o4. ceremony 2: from the dark to the water
[✨guess✨who✨has✨darkvision✨!!!]

Three steps and you'll walk directly into the wall.

[she's helping. it's up to you whether or not you listen! gods, this is less a ceremony of the sun than it is a great test of her patience. conceal don't feel, Cecelia...

now, besides the bumbling in the dark she must witness, she takes a bit to adjust her eyes to the new brightness of the cenote. take a dip? seriously? the nerve of these fey citizens...

it's not that unexpected, she supposes. there are more absurd trials this could lead to, given the nature of the fey.

still: no, thanks. she will not be partaking in a swim, instead opting to sit and wait this out. no one expects breaking into old song, however...]


o5. raging waters 1 - combat
[this may as well happen.]

Head down!

[that's the only warning you're going to get before she flicks her wrist and send a crackling bolt of lighting at and through incoming specters. it's no fearful light magic, but it's startling enough, given all the reflective surfaces she has to work with.

not wasting a moment, she calls out, voice sharp and commanding:] Pick a direction and move -- do not hesitate!



o6. raging waters 2 - consolation
[casting frustration aside, Cecelia will not hang others out to dry. she and her familiar, while still making an effort to clear the bridge and get away from the city, will still stop if an outworlder is sighted shivering from the effects of the specters.

she will draw near the affected person, not making an effort to be subtle -- no surprises here. she has a kind of statuesque countenance, like a person of marble crafted to look soft and flowing, but despite that, her expression seems carved and unchanging. lovely and stern, all business despite the soft touch she approaches with.

gently:] Peace. I can warm you. I'll just need to touch you.


o7. walk of disdain
[she's not built for endurance hiking and it shows. Cecelia, already tired from having to cast quite a great deal in the fray and keeping people from freezing to death, is slow and wavering in some of her steps, and weariness is heavy in her eyes. still, her gaze is stubbornly forward as she walks and her chin is held high; she does not take to humiliation easily, and she will not do so in this case. being chewed up and spit out simply as a conduit of magic...she won't give those who used her the satisfaction of seeing her fuss.

...it's just. really tiring.]

Lava Pool

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin pats the air reassuringly.]

Okay, okay! I get it! No blood or hair or anything physically binding!

But we have to offer something, don't we?

Toshirou Hijikata | Gintama

[mayoninofukucho]

Surprise Welcome

[Okay, this sudden transportation really threw Hijikata for a loop. For a moment he thought he was being pulled back to his homeworld, and he desperately wished it wouldn't happen... but once everybody found themselves in Celliwig's strange marble park and, upon receiving the welcome message on their phones, gradually understood what happened, he was relieved.

He visited the Splendoured Court once before, shortly after his arrival at the start of the year when Celliwig first tested the off-worlders' bravery of soul and purity of heart, but they were barely allowed to deliver the crystals they gathered for them before being made to leave again. This time around everything is open, and the atmosphere feels a little more welcoming. Hijikata wanders around, observing the shimmering architecture and the elaborate clothes of the ethereal inhabitants. He feels somewhat reminded of Prismatica, almost, though nobody seems to be sporting any (real) animal body parts.

After unsuccessfully trying to start a fight with Glewlwyd (the large man merely laughs and commends him on the temperamental fire he showed during the #ChaliceChallenge trial) and inspecting the enormous fountain he finds himself wanting to explore the local shops, just in case he can find some rare ingredients or items here. He looks at the display in the window of a clothing store, having noticed that cravats seem to be popular.]

These are all too fancy for me.

[One of the tiny hamster faeries is crawling around at his feet, and a careless step might crush it - even in nobody has fashion advice for Hijikata, perhaps someone may want to sweep in to save the helpless little creature!]


Summer Solstice

A ⦿ Fueling the Sun of Avalon

[Despite his continued misgivings about Celliwig - they've been unreasonably judgemental of Camelot, and this invitation felt more like an abduction - Hijikata shows up at the fountain at sundown. As the off-worlders are offered a drink of its waters he declines, erring on the side of caution (call him rude, but he's seen this sort of thing come with plenty of side effects before). He stands back along with the others as the people of Celliwig begin their dance, watching as it turns into a mesmerising display of glowing magical energy in the golden light of the setting sun... until the dancers abruptly fall down and the ground begins to shake. He reaches for his sword, but it quickly becomes clear that this was the intended result as the massive fountain opens up, water flowing down, to reveal a staircase.

As everybody descends into the underground cavern and crosses the lake at its bottom by moving across the platforms Hijikata observes the enormous crystals jutting out from the rock. So much here reminds him of his "second home", it's almost making him hope to see prismatic creatures - crystal-encased tortoises and snails, mammals with shimmering coats, birds with crystalline feathers. But when the procession enters the adjacent room and he feels the heat of the lava he dismisses that thought. When the leader of the ritual rinstructs the volunteers to do their part Hijikata turns to whoever is next to him.]

Let's not be too dramatic about it.

[Really, blood or tears? Surely a hair from each will do, right?]

B ⦿ The Darkness between the Stars

[When the water stars raining down and the glow of the lava gives way to thick clouds of steam Hijikata fears for the worst. Were they entrapped by Celliwig? Within moments the large stone room feels like a sauna, and the visibility is so bad that he worries people may fall into the lava below (it's being cooled by the water, but still!). He summons a flame in his hand, and while the moisture in the air makes it soot like crazy it still provides some light. When he sees someone about to misstep he quickly grabs them.]

Careful!

C ⦿ Raising the Tide for the Moon of Avalon

[The sound of the shattering stained glass door makes Hijikata fear for the worst - maybe they're under attack, maybe the cave is collapsing -, but ultimately everybody makes it through, and instead of the cavern from before they're in a cenote filled with water. Were there two doors in the lava room? Or did it rotate without anybody noticing? He wants to go back and check for that and, more importantly, for any stragglers, but the locals hold him back and assure him that everybody made it in one piece.

While some people refresh themselves in the lake Hijikata merely takes off his steamed jacket and vest, but remains wary... however his mood gets more relaxed as time goes on. Whether it's the gentle moonlight streaming in from above or something in the air here, he finds himself humming along with the song that's playing in his mind, though he occasionally gets distracted by others' songs as some fellow off-worlders start singing to themselves. The cenote gradually seems to be lit up by the glow of crystals on the walls... and isn't the water level rising? Maybe he should get in after all. He strips down to his boxers and slips into the cool water, and as he's feeling more social than usual at this point he swims up to someone who's humming or singing.]

Is this a song from home?

D ⦿ Night at the Hotel

[After the events of the evening Hijikata was thankful that the locals had a spell handy to dry everybody's clothes (after all they didn't give the Camelotians a chance to bring a spare set!). Having had little luck finding any solid food during the afternoon he's terribly hungry now, but before he makes another attempt he checks into his hotel room, just to inspect it. He finds that the glass walls of the room turn opaque as he enters... or maybe they already were, if his roommate arrived before him. If the other person arrives afterwards they'll find him looking at a small crystal statue that doubles as a lamp: a fae woman holding a glowing orb.]

We better be careful not to break anything in here. Who knows what these people would demand as payment.


Raging Waters

[Knowing nothing of the Forest of the Felled and only few details of Camelot and Celliwig's fraught history Hijikata is utterly unprepared for the spirit attack. Despite being a death magic user he hasn't dabbled in possessions or possession prevention at all, and while he gathered some experience in conversing with the dead these ghosts aren't here to talk. They're visibly furious, and the level of anger he can see on their faces baffles him. What the hell did they do to them?! His flame attacks leave the vengeful spirits unfazed, so he tries to focus on organising the hasty retreat towards Camelot.]

Look out!! Keep moving; don't look back--

[He freezes when he sees his first love in the middle of the fray. When did she get here?! But no, no-- he didn't see her arrive in the bay, he didn't spot any post on AOL of her, he didn't run into her at the hotel where he still lives... and more importantly, she's smiling at him so serenely. She wouldn't be, not in this situation. But he still can't look away.]

You're not real. Cut it out.

Surprise Welcome

[tantailizing]

[What was that about no one sporting any animal body parts? Zidane's having a look around himself too, peering into windows and examining some wears closely. He wasn't shopping for himself, but he also might be scrutinizing what he should get or do too hard.]

[Joining Toshirou in a moment, Zidane raises an eyebrow.]

Cravats, huh? Wonder what material they use.

[Catching movement in the corner of his eye, oh geez. Just gotta get that little guy out of the way with his tail.]

shinra kusakabe | fire force

[devilsfootprints]

1. Summer Solstice: Ritual

[Sure he had no idea what was going on when he got transported again to another place in such a short amount of time and sure he had no idea what the note was referencing but he figured since he was here anyway, he might as well see what this ritual thing was about. There was no way things could get too weird.

He was wrong.

So now he’s standing in an underground room that’s way too hot, surrounded by lava and instructed to exchange a piece of himself with whoever is standing next to him so it can be thrown into the lava. All his previous experience dealing with bizarre situations did not prepare him for this.]

Uhhhh...they’re not serious, right? That sounds sketchy as hell.

[He kinda wishes he’d stayed in the city. Probably would’ve had a better time eating abstract food and drinking water droplets.]

2. Summer Solstice: Darkness

[Even with his good eyesight, it’s difficult to see through the darkness and steam. So he conjures up a small fireball in the palm of his hand. It helps somewhat, lighting up the space around him but with all the steam, it can’t reach far. At least it’s better than nothing.

He stumbles around the room, trying to search for a way out all the while keeping note of where the pool of lava is in comparison to where he is. Considering he’s no longer as heat- and fire-resistant as back home, falling in will not have a great result.

Just as he’s thinking that, he feels someone walk past him and he instinctively reaches out to grab them to pull them back.]

Careful, don’t go over there unless you want to get deep-fried.

3. Raging Waters

[Shinra’s never felt so useless in a fight before.

Even if he did still have his Ignition, his specialty is close hand-to-hand combat and that’s not going to have any effects on specters. In regards to the magic he gained after arriving in Avalon, he’s tried throwing fireballs at the spectres but with his inexperience, he does no more than create a little distraction.

It’s frustrating.

As he considers what his next move should be, a specter appears out of nowhere and charges straight for him. His magic is useless against it and he has no time to escape. This might be the end.

And then he’s not on the ground anymore. The feeling of flight is something he knows well even if he’s not flying on his own volition. He looks up and there’s a fiery beast holding the back of his coat with its mouth. He’s never seen his familiar until now but there’s no doubt that’s what it is.]

Thanks for saving me.

[In response, it opens its mouth and drops him.

While it chose to drop him in a place that’s relatively specter-free, it is not people-free.]

Hey! Watch out down there!!

4. Wildcard

[If there's something else you want to do with Shinra, just tag this with your own started or you can PM me and we can discuss what to do!]

Summer Solstice: Ritual

[tantailizing]

You're telling me, but it kinda took ages to get these guys to open up to us. It's safer to just go along with it.

[He doesn't know the guy, but figures even a little explanation might help.]

At least it can only be hair. If it had to be blood or something, I'd raise an objection.

[Fur would be easier to give, but maybe it wouldn't work? Since humans didn't normally have fur...]

sumire yoshizawa / persona 5

[bravesteps]

exploring celliwig;

[ all of this magic and being whisked off to different places stuff is still not feeling very normal to sumire, so she is still very much in awe when they are all of them carried off to celliwig by magic that seems almost effortless. she is even more in awe of the sight before her - the towering glass and crystal buildings, the strange ceramic trees with their leaves as black as night, the lovely harp music, the people in their almost costume-like clothing. at least she is more than at home in a cityscape, so she does not feel too out of place, even if her comfortable summer shirt and shorts have her feeling a little.. underdressed.

anyway, the ritual isn't for some time now, so there is plenty of time to explore! sumire follows the crowd at first to check into her hotel room, which is a little dizzying, if she's honest, with all of its glass floors and corridors, but thankfully the walls become opaque once she's within her room. it gives her eyes a little break. but she can't just hang about in a glass room all day when there are so many interesting things to see, so after a brief rest sumire is off to see the world!!

first up, something to eat! the hotel has food, but it's nice out, better to go take a look around town!

there's plenty of window shopping to be done, and she passes a few boutiques, tempted to buy herself a new dress to fit in a little better, but for now she chickens out and instead finds herself before a restaurant window. there are pictures of different foods in the window, all of which look... strange. she finds herself gazing at one thing in particular, that looks like noodles?? maybe?? ]

I wonder how it tastes..

ritual time;

[ this is sumire's first time participating in a real, bonafide ritual, and it feels a little.. exciting, but also a little bit weird. is this how LARPers feel?? but the magic here in avalon is anything but play, she has quickly learned, and the ritual is powerful too, before it even entirely begins. she drinks of the fountain's waters, the dance begins and the crystal cave opens up beneath them.

it feels like watching some kind of fantasy movie.. except she's part of it.

a little giddy with excitement, sumire descends into the cave with everyone else, taking her time, looking over the beautiful crystalline structures in the walls while they approach the stained glass door. running her fingers along one of the large, smooth crystal facets, she smiles. ]

This is so exciting!

raging waters;

[ this is definitely.. less exciting.

as beautiful as celliwig might have been, she's ready to return to camelot when the time comes; the ritual was quite interesting, but also very draining, and she didn't really expect to be facing, you know, combat with ghosts.

unfortunately she's not terribly good with her magic just yet, which means she's a bit more of a liability than she is a help. sumire uses her kinetic magic to help to push back the specters as best she can, but she runs out of energy rather quickly, and a specter rushes her when she is open, passing through her body like a torrent of chilly water. she does not cry out, she cannot, the cold is so shocking that it steals her breath away; instead she falls to her knees, clutching her arms, shivering. ]

C-cold..

wildcard;

[ if you don't like any of the above prompts feel free to tweak them or come at me with something of your own!! :D ]

Raging Waters

[heofon]

[ Opting to combat the ghosts to allow the others to flee, Cattleya feels her magic to be largely useless due to how weak it still is. Seeing Sumire get hit by the specters, Cattleya ducks down to avoid any more incoming enemies to attend to an ally, leaving the rest of the fighting to the others. Her elemental magic may not be strong enough to be damaging yet, but a flicker of flame envelops her hands that she placed over Sumire's back and shoulder. ]

Just breathe.

[ A mild panic shakes her voice, for she doesn't know if her magic is even suffice to help with the effects of a specter attack. ]

We need to get you a healer... Which means...

[ She looks up, watching the fight unfold around her and the crowd of fleeing people, torn on whether to stay or leave ]

ledo ﹡ suisei no gargantia ﹡ kinetic + technomancy

[ferrytale]

① EXPLORE: CELLIWIG

[ someone's managed to bully gently coax ledo into his first change of clothes and whoever's responsible for it was clearly inspired by his usual spacesuit. the fabric even seems enchanted to make it seem like the star accents even twinkle. given the fact that he doesn't typically object to these kinds of things, he doesn't exactly mind although every so often the breeze blows the soft fabric and other dangling accents attached to the miniature hat that's been pinned in his hair into his peripheral vision and he turns to look every time.

the sound of music eventually draws him to it like a magnet. he's fairly easy to spot since he's always standing around stiffly, fitting in stylistically thanks to his attire but his bearing is all ledo as usual and he always manages to look vaguely lost. despite all of this, when the musicians are playing his expression softens and he observes with a pure sort of wonderment that coupled with how he's dressed actually makes him seem — for the moment — like he's actually someone properly his age instead of a hardened soldier. ]

② SUMMER SOLSTICE

[ ledo hovers near the walls for a time, not among the first to head into the water. instead, he seems interested in watching what others do before acting on his own. it's not that he's cautious as much as he doesn't automatically know what to do in every new situation and he's certainly never seen a place like this. swim and relax are not really activities his mind seeks out first either.

eventually, he gets in the water but sticks to sitting on a rock in the shallows. he doesn't know how to swim and would really prefer to avoid any near-drowning situations today, so he's not even going to bother trying anything more daring. when he first sat down his body language was very closed off and withdrawn, but over time — and unbeknownst to him, thanks to whatever's affecting moods — this starts to change. eventually, he lets his legs dangle as he sits at the edge of the rock, kicking his feet. there's a rhythm to it and he looks transfixed on the ripples in the water with each movement. it's in this state that he starts to sing, his song building as it goes on. he certainly musters more volume and emotion in his voice than maybe anyone who has ever spoken to him before might have thought him capable of based on his usual quiet monotone.

where had that come from? who knows! at least he knows his singing won't be the only song echoing off the walls in this place and lighting up the crystals in the walls, but for right now that's not quite enough to keep him from feeling incredibly embarrassed. if he spots someone looking in his direction, he shrinks a bit from the attention and finds it difficult to maintain any eye contact. it's a day of firsts and rare feelings, apparently. ]

I do not understand but... disregard it. Clearly, it is a trick and nothing more. No meaning.

③ WILDCARD

[ ooc; anything else? hmu at koutenko or on my plotting comments here! in case you need/want actual reference for what ledo's voice sounds like here's a clip (sung by his JPN voice actor). ]

1

[hor]

[ Horus doesn't exactly look like he's anywhere near where he belongs either, and is frankly kind of annoyed that the mens' wear is weirdly obsessed with shorts but the ends up in them nonetheless since he would rather something to wear than shivering in the loin cloth he was sleeping in. His hair is still braided properly, and he skipped the hat and the cane, but the rest seemed unavoidable somehow.

And yes, he notes as he looks to the man looking rather lost, listening to the music. It's a strange music to Horus as well. ]

You look like you belong here as much as I do.

Mitsuhide Akechi | Ikemen Sengoku

[damn_kitsune]

Arrival and Exploring

Mitsuhide was less than thilled to be teleported randomly without his consent. He really didn't care for being taken by surprise even on the best of days. Now to wind up in some strange place where he had no background information on was not exactly ideal. It was like arriving in Avalon for the first time all over again.

Once it was made clear that he was now in Celliwig and the purpose for being brought there made clear, he began to relax a little. Now it was time to explore the town and to gather as much information that he can on place and the ritual that they were apparently "invited" over to help out with.

The town had a beautiful yet very strange feel to it in his opinion. He never thought he would see so much glass and crystal in one place, much less being used to create the buildings. The shops also seem to hold some interesting wares.

Though the one thing that really made him raise an eyebrow at was the food. Or at least he was told that it was food. He did eventually did get hungry enough to go to one of the resturants to get something to eat. What was placed before him didn't look like any vegetable or meat that he had ever seen before. When he saw other patrons eating similar meals, he gave a shrug, mixed everything into one of the bowl dishes and started eating it that way. Most likely he earned a few glares from the wait staff, and a couple of stares from other patrons.

Ritual

Mitsuhide at first debated going to the ritual. He knew it wasn't a requirement to go, even though it was most likely the main reason they were all brought over to Celliwig in the first place. In the end he does go to the Diamond Falls if only to see what the ritual was all about.

He does drink for the Falls without hesitation. He did learn that the water was safe to drink during his earlier info gathering after all. Though he might mess with some people to make them believe that it wasn't safe if only for a little chuckle.

Sacrifice

Another thing Mitsuhide wasn't too thrilled about. Though he wasn't a stranger to self sacrificing, this was different. In the past, it was always on his own terms. Here, it was like they were given little to no choice. At least the piece of themselves they had to give wasn't too big but still.

He turned to the person beside him. "How do you feel about having a 'piece of yourself' being thrown into a lava pool?" He at least wanted to hear what other's thought before giving up either some hair or blood for this so-called ritual.

Steam

The heat and humidity was unbarely when the water came down onto the lava pool and filled the chamber with steam. Mitsuhide almost found it hard to breathe! Not being able to see due to said steam didn't make things better. Not in the slightest. But panicking wasn't going to help anyone.

He stayed put and used his cognitive magic to either try to encourage those near him to stay calm or to not run around. It would be pretty bad if anyone were to fall onto the now solidified lava that was most likely still hot.

Undead

Somehow, Mitsuhide wasn't at all surprised when they were attacked just when it was time to return back to Camelot. Though the attackers were like things from a folk tale, which he found a bit unnerving. But that didn't stop him from doing what he could to help.

He used his cognitive magic to encourage those who couldn't fight to fall back to safety. There was no point in them being their if they were only going to get in the way. Meanwhile he used his match-lock riffle to fire at the specters, in hopes that it will at least slow them down.

Though elemental magic wasn't his strong suit yet, he used it when it was clear that an individual was in the cold grip of death after a specter passed through him. Though chances are he either won't create enough heat, or too much heat in the process.

Eventually, a specter managed to sneak up on him and pass right trough him. He gasped as the sudden drop he felt in his own body temperature. His riffle fell from his hands, as he collapsed to his knees. It was the coldest he ever felt before in his life...

Wild Card
[Anything else you want to play out with Mitsuhide, but are not up in the prompts, feel free to put it under here.]

sacrifice

[owarifool]

"I'm not about to put any of my material self in that thing. Sounds like a ticket to a curse, if you ask me," Kipposhi grumbled, lifting his arms to fold behind his hair and stair at the boiling pool. At least the heat didn't bother him too much. He dressed lightly, as it was, and he'd always felt more comfortable in the embrace of flames, as it turned out. Which was weird, if one put any more than a cursory thought to it.

"Is there some alternative? This thing gives me all kinds of bad vibes."

Izzy Richardson - Little Fires Everywhere

[notwearingthekeds]

[I'll be putting Izzy's starters in follow-up posts, if you want her for anything either ping me to tag your starter, or just leave me a prompt. Contact is PMing this journal as standard.]

Celliwig - Open

[notwearingthekeds]

01 Another Kidnapping

Izzy had gotten up and ready for her day, she had a gig for the morning rush which meant she couldn't be a degenerate layabout that early. Which is why she had her stuff for the day when she found herself spirited off to somewhere new. And given she was recently kidnapped for nefarious ends, her reaction to this was pretty subdued and understated.

"Are you fucking kidding me!?"

02 Shop the Shops

Once she's decided that as far as kidnappings go she's had worse, she'll explore the town because she can't help bu be curious. Focusing the most on the strings and music that's everywhere. Mostly she's window shopping, looking at just the weird and unusual. But she does come out of one shop with something.

She traded in her violin from home for one from here. It isn't magic, not in the sense meant here. But it is magic to her. This violin is her's not a purchase by her mother. Her own purchase. Nobody else's. And that's more than enough for her. She'll spend time around celliwig joining others in their playing. Trying to follow their lead on songs she's never heard of before, but doing a good job.

Darin Altway | Original Character | OPEN TO ALL

[forgeabettertomorrow]

ARRIVAL

[You know, this month really has been a bit of a roller coaster. Actually, the last six months have been one, but this last month in particular has made it clear that Darin will not be getting the peaceful life he always dreamed of.]

[Imagine his surprise, or lack thereof, when he appears in a park. Darin's an early riser, and was in the process of brushing his teeth, when his entire world changed. So now he's standing around in nothing but a pair of sweatpants and, a toothbrush crammed into his frothy mouth, holding the metal cup he was using to rinse.]

[He doesn't spit on the ground like a neanderthal, at least. He'll rinse with his cup and look around in mild annoyance.]

Okay, what fresh hell is this?

[But wow, that sure is a giant, jagged scar across his back. Did he always have that?]

Hey, any ideas what happened or is this the start of a really weird slumber party?

EXPLORING CELLIWIG

[After a quick stop for a change of clothes, Darin makes his grand Celliwig debut in some pretty dashing attire. Slacks and comfortable walking shoes with a sleeveless vest and a sleeveless jacket with tuxedo coat like tails. Even a small half-tie to complete the ensemble. He actually looks good when he cleans up! He's definitely taken aback by the splendor of the city. Given how sparkly it all was, a certain space elf he'd been getting to know better would surely be taking in the sights.]

[That said, he can't help but want to check out the commercial district. After all, if Celliwig was opening up to them, then that meant that maybe he could strike up some trade deals!]

Hey, can you point me in the direction of any big marketplaces? Forges? Shops? Sundries?

[Looks like Darin might be back to his old self after the events of the previous month. Who wants to see him try and work out some trade deals? Or maybe just take the big oaf shopping?]

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Sacrifice

[When he was invited to participate in the ritual, Darin more than eagerly agreed to do so. After all, participating in their customs would hopefully strengthen the bond between Camelot and Celliwig, and he was all for trying new things. Standing before the ritual circle, Darin turns to you.]

I have to offer you something to give to the flame, huh...?

[He appears deep in thought. After all, as a blacksmith, he can understand offering one's self to the flame.]

I kinda feel like offering up hair or blood isn't...I don't know...sincere enough?

[Looks like he's trying to take this as seriously as possible.]

Steam Room

[Well this was kind of nice. Darin could appreciate a good steam. In fact, once the room's temperature started rising, he pulled off his coat and vest and tied it around his waist. But it was becoming quickly apparent that the steam was becoming a problem. With his blood magic sense, he could literally feel heart rates spiking as people got lost in the steam.]

[If you're in a particular panic, Darin will find you by your increased heart rate and try and take hold of you.]

Hey, relax. It's gonna be okay. I'm a friend. I'm gonna try and help us get out of here before we get steamed like clams. Stick with me, okay?

RAGING WATERS

Oh come on! Why ghosts?! Why does it always have to be ghosts?!

[Seriously, why did everything have to be haunted in Avalon?! Darin had joined the battle to offer up healing or to help track people who got lost or stranded but this was simply too much! The normally brash and courageous blacksmith is currently hiding behind a tree as the Will-o-Wisps begin their assault.]

Seriously?! How do you even fight ghosts?! They're already dead!

[Darin peeks out from behind his hiding spot and somehow grows even more pale. That's because two of the wisps have taken on forms that anyone witnessing this exchange might be surprised to see. One of a man who looks identical to Darin, only with long, shoulder length, moss green hair. And another who has similar hair to Darin, though his is a smoky auburn color. His face is scarred and he looks...well, he looks like an older Darin.]

...Nope. No. Not a chance. We are not doing this!

Raging Waters

[tantailizing]

Throw some magic at it!

[Frankly, it annoyed him ghosts here's operated a little different from ghosts back home - back home, ghosts could be physically hit if determined enough. However, in both worlds, magic just seemed best. Zidane doesn't even see the wisps form into anything for him, but landing near Darin, he notices his friend is fairly pale. Though, looking ahead...]

... Geez, we're doing repeats? Don't you guys get tired of this old mind trick?

[If he's gotta fight them for Darin, fine, challenge accepted.]

Ren Jinguji | Uta no Prince-sama

[saxsongs]

Exploring Cellwig

It was a beautiful place. Ren enjoyed the aesthetics of the city, as well as the music. While it wasn't something he usually listened to, but it was nice change. He can be seen wandering around in a very casual attire he was settled for the day off he had from work anyway.

"A beautiful place, don't you think?" He asks anyone close to him as he stares admiring the waterfall fountain.


A piece of you

Ren looks at the person next to him, silently thinking to himself of what piece he should give. Then he realizes he should get a haircut when they get back anyway.

"Do you have something sharp? I was thinking about giving you some of my hair. I could pull out a strand, but I'd rather cut it."


In the dark

Ren may not have any abilities to light up the room, but he can at least use kinetic magic to pull anyone almost falling to him. It's lucky he has mastered that ability of his secondary magic by now. He smiles at who he pulls to him next.

"Careful there. Almost lost you."


Let's sing a song

Ren's song of choice is I wanna dance with somebody, which he recently learned to sing in the karaoke. As an idol it's his pride to make it into a show and he throws himself into the song wholeheartedly.


Raging Waters CW: angst, mentions of death

Ren is pretty much escaping the situation because he can't do fighting but he is stopped by someone who looks like his mother. Much like in the Siren trial last month, Ren is too weak to resist the woman in front of him even if he's supposed to know she was gone and there was no way she was here.

He's getting dangerously close to the river, gently pulled by the being that looks like his mother.

Exploring Celliwig

[markedfordeath]

Elza had covered her face with the hood of her cloak as she slipped out from the park and into the city beyond. It was difficult not to take in the splendor of the city. She knew well enough that dangers lurked even within the most beautiful settings.

She made her way through the crowd with expert ease. Never once did she or her clothing touch those she walked through.

Elza's movements momentarily paused however as one of the others standing near her decided to speak. She thought about keeping her silence and continuing on, but glanced out from beneath her hooded cloak to see the one who spoke.

She had never seen the man before, which wasn't much of a surprise, and she took note of how he seemed to be transfixed on the waterfall. Sparing it a glance, the gunner shrugged her shoulders.

"Perhaps, but a city is a city regardless of the architecture," Elza murmured. With one last passing glance, the gunner moved to disappear back into the crowd.

Della Duck | Ducktales 2017

[sos_pilot]

Explore

[ Well, dang, this was sudden - but Della's more than happy to be thrust into unexpected adventures! It's in her blood! Why not try the local cuisine? Adventurers need plenty of energy and strength to face the upcoming challenges! So she strolls into a bar, and slams a fist on the counter, face full of excitement. ]

All right, barkeep! Gimmie your strongest! I'm aiming to having a good time!

[ The person behind the counter just silently nods, shuffles around, and... there's a flash of light.

Della blinks. Blinks again. Smacks her lips - she definitely tasted something, but, uh...?

She's going to look at the nearest person, hoping they can provide an explanation. ]

... What just happened?

The Well

[ Della is about to join in the rituals for the solstice, when she's handed the cup of water, and told of its effects. She stares, startled - and then slowly looks down at herself.

For those who don't know her, or maybe just didn't realize it before, Della has a prosthetic leg. It's made out of rocket-ship parts, along with bits of oxygen-infused gum. Not exactly a pretty sight, but it's lasted her for over ten years. She looks back at the cup again...

... Then tosses the water out over her shoulder. ]

No thanks. Some scars, we gotta live with.

Offering

[ Well! As a duck, this is easy peasy lemon squeezy. Della doesn't even hesitate to pluck out one of her feathers and offer it. ]

Here you go! ... Uh, this isn't a big deal, right? I dunno how you other species feel about this sort of thing.

Darkness

Marco! ... Marco! .... MARRRCOOOOO!

[ She's getting frustrated over the lack of 'Polo's in response. Her temper is rising with the temperature, losing her patience as sweat rolls down her body. ]

C'mon, someone answer me! I'd like not to be a roast duck! I - WHOA!

[ That's the sound of someone tripping, and may be falling into the lava substance! A little help, please?! ]

Disney Sing-A-Long

[ Della is not up for swimming. Singing, however? She really doesn't need much to nudge her... and she's definitely throwing in some old-school dance moves as well!

If she gets her hands on you, she will making you her dancing partner! ]

To stand out! Above the crowd!
Even if I gotta shout out loud!
'Til mine is the only face you see!
Gonna stand out, 'Til you notice me!

Raging Waters

[ The good news, this is finally the time Della can start using curses! The bad news is... she really, really doesn't want to. It just seems so cruel, on top of everything. ]

Can't I just... punch them, or kick them, or bite them?! Come on, dude!

[ This clearly does not change anything. Wincing, she holds out her hands, trying to summon her dark magic at the nearest oncoming specter. ]

Please... don't make me do this!

Wildcard
[ Make your own prompt! Feel free to hit me up at melca33 (plurk) or melcat33#1997 (discord) ]

Disney Sing-a-Long

[phoenixwiz]

Whoa, whoa, what’s going on-

(Whoops too late, Harry ends up dancing with Della and, much to his own shock, even singing along to the song, along with not expecting his normal English accent to change as the result.)

If the squeaky wheel's always gettin' the grease
I'm totally devoted to disturbing the peace
And I'll do it all again, when I get done
Until I become your number one
No method to the madness, and no means of escape
Gonna break every rule or bend them all outta shape
It ain't a question of "how", just a matter of when
You get the message that I'm tryin' to send
I'm under a spell, I'm in over my head
And you know I'm going all the way to the end

Asriel Dreemur ( Undertale )

[letmewin]

a. explore: cellwig:

( One would think that being transported into a completely new world would prepare anyone for anything, but it seems like this world is full of the unexpected. Asriel's first instinct is to explore and see what this world has to offer. For the most part, it at least doesn't seem like a dangerous place for a small child to wander around in.

The first place he stops by is the magic shop. While he certainly doesn't have any money to buy anything, he can be seen looking around, wanting to find something – anything – that may help him in his quest to learn how to properly use his own magic. )

Golly, I wonder if those wands help with elemental magic?

( He couldn't really use his own magic at home well without a great amount of help from others. But, he knows he can try to learn how to use magic even better on his own here. … If only to protect someone really important to him.

On another hand, Asriel can be seen around the waterfall fountains. He's not interested in trying to take any of the diamonds, but he is interested in taking a closer look. Especially considering that the fountain can heal others. )

Heheh, it's almost like the entire city is made of magic.

b. raging waters

( Asriel finds himself caught in the crossfire of it all, and he decides to step in and do his best to try to rewarm people who need it. He concentrates the best he can, as quickly as he can to light a flame – although it's small and just warm enough to help. He looks to concern for the person he just helped. )

A... Are you alright now?

( He's nervous and there's no denying that he's scared, but he doesn't want to run away when people need help!

But, it's when the will-o-wisps appear in the middle of the fight that he stops dead in his tracks, eyes going wide as he begins to shake. He looks away from the illusion before him, tears beginning to fill his eyes.

How could they be here? And why do they look so betrayed? So helpless and weak? They should be alright now. What happened back then is something that's been erased now. They should have no memory of it! )

M... Mom?! Dad-- I....

c. wildcard

( Feel free to PM me if you'd like to do another prompt. )

explore

[originalshen]

Are "wands" normally expected to assist with magic?

[Asks the man currently holding up a wand and squinting at it like he's trying to figure out what the difference is between it and a carved-up tree branch.]

[forbothofus]

Surprise

Picking out Emil among the other early morning kidnappees isn't too difficult; the boy is wearing a white chef's apron, his hands are covered in flour, and he has exactly the sort of dejected look one would expect from someone who woke up early and was trying to have a toasty breakfast.

"Not again." Emil starts to run a hand over his face, thinks twice just in time, and closes his fists on the apron instead. His jaw is clenched, expression tight in frustration... and then a thought dawns that has him crying out in dismay. "I had bread in the oven!"


Solstice

The ritual itself was peaceful, and because of that Emil tries to stay calm afterwards. But the steam is blinding, and he struggles to breathe. When the jostling and panic starts in earnest, worry that he might be shoved - or shove someone by accident - leads Emil to react on instinct. He activates his kinetic magic to float upwards.

Whew, that's better! Lights start to flicker below him from the other magic users. He's still drenched and coughing, but now he can move freely around the room. He doesn't think anyone is in serious danger but... it'd feel a lot better if they could leave. Where was the door... it was this way, right?

Anyone stumbling around near where the exit previously was (maybe??) might suddenly encounter a root in their hair (that was not there before?) or a leafy vine slithering across the walls (definitely not there before!) But if you trip, yell and he'll try to catch you before you can fall!


Spirits

If trapped in the path of an oncoming wave, you may be shocked when you are lifted up off the ground and into the air. (Hope you're not prone to dizziness, because you might get spun a few times before the kinetic magic stabilizes!) The spirits pass far beneath you, flowing over the fields in pursuit of those still earthbound.

A few feet away at the same height, Emil is levitating; his sword is still sheathed, his hands free and raised by his sides. The stern look of concentration breaks, and he manages an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, that was sudden! You looked like you were about to get overwhelmed."

-
(( Prose or brackets is fine! Happy to write other prompts if you want something in particular; his plotting post is here. ))

Surprise

[devilsfootprints]

One minute he's in his room at the inn getting ready for an early morning run and the next, he's in a park surrounded by an equally surprised crowd. Shinra sighs. He'd barely gotten used to being in Camelot and now suddenly he's in another new place. Hopefully this isn't something that happens on a regular basis.

The crowd is starting to disperse and make its way towards the city and Shinra follows but sight of someone who looks like he's in distress stops him. Obviously he has to walk over and try to be helpful.

"Uh, hey. Is everything okay? Do you need help?" He's not sure if he can even help but it doesn't hurt to try.

Cattleya Veneto | OC

[heofon]

Explore: Celliwig - Shopping & Restaurant

[ In a way, with all it's crystals, Celliwig feels like home. Cattleya walked around in awe of the city with her tiger familiar walking beside her. She can be found on the shopping areas, looking at the displays of clothes and trying to align her reflection on the mirror to match the mannequins, just to figure out how the clothes would look on her. So don't mind some doofus posing in front of a mirror in public.

Later that day, she gets hungry enough to want to try the restaurants. So she got a seat and her first dessert course of six different items. She's in awe of all of it! The presentation, the smoke, the pleasant vibes of the restaurant - all of it got Cattleya smiling and giddy. ]

These look exquisite. I cannot wait to taste them. But pardon me, do have-

[ She raised her hand slightly, only for the server to not hear her soft-spoken voice and walk away to attend to others, leaving Cattleya just lowering her hand in shame and her lips turning to a sad pout. ]

-meats. I... Hmmm.

[ SadTrombone.mp3 ]

--

Summer Solstice - Cenote

[ With all that craziness simmering down from the sacrificing of her hair to escaping the steam, Cattleya feels herself calming once she's down at the cenote. The otherworldly feel of the cavernous place distracts her enough to want to explore a way out. A while has passed and Cattleya has taken a break to clear her head and hope the other person she did the sacrifice with is alright. It's no use to think with a stressed out mind, after all. So finding a shallow enough portion of the cenote, Cattleya looks up and just lets the waters relax her body. Closing her eyes and stroking her wet hair over her shoulder, she feels compelled to sing an old lullaby from home... ]

--

Raging Waters - Battle

[ Despite all that relaxing earlier, she's back to a familiar feeling of rushing hot blood coursing through her veins. Chaos erupts as otherworlders like her are attacked by specters. She's new with her magic so Cattleya didn't hope to stop a lot of these creatures, and yet she stays behind to fight for the sake of those retreating. Hands on the ground after stumbling, she could only hear ringing in her ears, indistinct shouting, and her labored breath as she slowly gets herself back on her feet. The ringing dissipates and her breathing steadies, taking her katars out from their scabbards on her thighs. Her eyes looked at the specters before her, and even if she was alone her arms flicked her blades ready, using her elemental magic to envelop them in flame.

But suddenly, she feels she was no longer alone. A subtle glance over her shoulder showed someone with the same idea. ]

Restaurant

[prismatically]

[ Stella's still not one hundred percent on the level with all this wild food but a girl's gotta eat. So she's ready to suck it up and try... something, even if it's only to fill her belly. And that means she's in just the right place at the right time to see poor Cattleya unintentionally snubbed by the waiter. Stella's a dyed in the wool extrovert. This is the kind of shit she was born for. ]

Excuse me! [ Stella all but springs out of her seat, spiking her hand in the air like an overeager kid in class. ] We wanna know about the meats!

[ ... that was maybe a little louder than was really called for but at least it was, uh, effective?? ]

Eclair | OC

[ceraunos]

Explore: Celliwig - Shopping & Park

[ Celliwig is just beautiful and interesting. It reminded her so much of what she's seen of Earth's trendier new cities, so Eclair couldn't help but bear a bright and warm smile on her face as she parades down the many shops. Her bear familiar hangs out in a child carrier backpack, curiously looking around and sticking it's tongue out to cool down and pawing at the handle of Eclair's longsword right next to it. Eclair can be seen inside the stores, especially in the handcrafted woodcraft store where she's browsing the assortment of wands and staves. She seems very interested in the wands, testing them out with a flick and a swish.

Later that day, she feels the weight of the bear and the sword on her back despite her own Healing magic's physical strength enhancement. But she's a novice at magic so the spell has worn off quickly and didn't give her the same level of strength she used to have back home. She groans and puts the carrier down on a bench, sighing and plopping down on the bench to massage her shoulders. The harp music was a nice, soothing balm to her exhaustion. She lets her familiar out of the carrier to play around, immediately going for the winged hamsters gathering at the park lawn, making them disperse. Eclair couldn't help but laugh at the sight ]

Bear, be nice!

[ She calls to her familiar who just ignores her, now targeting a butterfly ]

--

Raging Waters - Battle

[ While there are some who chose to stand and fight, Eclair was momentarily torn on whether to help the fighters or those who wanted to retreat. She looks at both groups back and forth from the cusp, with worry painted on her features, unsure whether to obey her robotic logic of retreating or the "soul" she's grown during her time with humans. All this time, she relied on Sofia to do the decision-making, so this moment was pivotal to her. She glances down at the sword on her hand, a weapon belonging to Sofia, as if to ask or plead for an answer. But with people shouting and needing help, Eclair grips the handle and faces toward the group of fighters with renewed determination. ]

To everyone who cannot fight, please follow this path and stay close to the group. Watch your sides and rear.

[ She instructs, pointing at the path with the highest probability of escape. Then she faces the fighting group ]

If you need healing or support, I'm here to help.

park!

[conciliant]

[2B had been in the park, not resting but wandering around, Pod 042 and her familiar trudging along behind her as she takes one of the many winding paths from one end of the park to the other. The bear isn't the only one who's spotted the butterfly. In comes a moose, smaller than the average sized one but still fairly large, coming up on the butterfly from the other side. It waves its antlers at the bear in a playful manner, but 2B can sense how that might come off as a threat.]

Moose!

[She rushes up behind it, but it's already taken off after the butterfly, and all she can do is sigh. She's learned that the familiars tend to do whatever they please, and there isn't much she can do to stop them, so she lets him be.

Instead, she turns to the girl calling after the bear.]

Is that your familiar?