[Creatures of the Night]
Well, it was worth a try right?
"Beans. I was half-way expecting that to work," Khannie huffs, giving her feet a little splash in the nice warm spring water.
Rose, meanwhile, gives a sad nod. It's true. Sapphira was quite possibly the meanest meany.
"Maybe! I just know what helped me," Rose replies, mimicking Khannie's splashing with her dragony feet made of basalt and volcanic glass. "What helped me was planting my weald in a place that represented BOTH sides of me. The beautiful rose hedges, the hot springs, and the molten rock of the Depths. That made my infernal and eldritch sides grow together into one beautiful whole!" she says, lacing her fingers together. "But that isn't what you want, is it? You want to find a way to be Mary OR be Marigold. Not be something of both."
Inside
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Creatures of the Night
"It's not fair if Mary doesn't get a say in whether we merge together," Marigold says. "She deserves a life too." That's a noble sentiment and an easy one to hold when your life isn't at risk.
"But I don't want to stop existing so she can exist either. I want us both to be able to exist together." That may well be difficult or impossible, Marigold has no way of knowing.
"Maybe I just need a little balance?" she wonders. "Something to bring back a little devilishness without damaging my gaiad-ness?"
"It's not fair if Mary doesn't get a say in whether we merge together," Marigold says. "She deserves a life too." That's a noble sentiment and an easy one to hold when your life isn't at risk.
"But I don't want to stop existing so she can exist either. I want us both to be able to exist together." That may well be difficult or impossible, Marigold has no way of knowing.
"Maybe I just need a little balance?" she wonders. "Something to bring back a little devilishness without damaging my gaiad-ness?"
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Re: Inside
[Creatures of the Night]
"OOH!" Rose says, perking up suddenly. "Oh oh I know just the thing! I'll be right back!"
Then she stands and pronks away due to excitement!
This reveals why she usually doesn't pronk. Blobs of molten rock keep spilling between the obsidian teeth along her flanks, the glowing globs hitting the ground and hissing. Thankfully most of the park is exposed, smoothed stone, so there's a low chance of setting anything on fire. Still, it isn't great to have little blobs of lava laying around where people might step on them.
Khannie wrinkles her nose, watching Rose depart.
"That's Sekhmet's captain of the guard? She seems a little..." Khannie observes, trailing off. Then she gives her head a shake. "Y'know it might not be possible for both you and Mary to exist. We don't really know exactly how any of this works yet? I mean, I hope it works out, but this doesn't seem like what's going on with me and Glister. But... maybe with some work it will?"
"OOH!" Rose says, perking up suddenly. "Oh oh I know just the thing! I'll be right back!"
Then she stands and pronks away due to excitement!
This reveals why she usually doesn't pronk. Blobs of molten rock keep spilling between the obsidian teeth along her flanks, the glowing globs hitting the ground and hissing. Thankfully most of the park is exposed, smoothed stone, so there's a low chance of setting anything on fire. Still, it isn't great to have little blobs of lava laying around where people might step on them.
Khannie wrinkles her nose, watching Rose depart.
"That's Sekhmet's captain of the guard? She seems a little..." Khannie observes, trailing off. Then she gives her head a shake. "Y'know it might not be possible for both you and Mary to exist. We don't really know exactly how any of this works yet? I mean, I hope it works out, but this doesn't seem like what's going on with me and Glister. But... maybe with some work it will?"
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Creatures of the Night
"I guess? I didn't meet her before today. But it doesn't seem right, all the other guards are so dour," Marigold considers.
But then Khannie starts talking about how it might not be possible for Mary and Marigold to coexist. "Khaaaaannie! Don't talk like that! Don't you ever talk like that! We will get her back and I won't have to go to sleep forever! Understand?" Marigold doesn't want to accept the possibility that she might have to die or merge with Mary.
"I guess? I didn't meet her before today. But it doesn't seem right, all the other guards are so dour," Marigold considers.
But then Khannie starts talking about how it might not be possible for Mary and Marigold to coexist. "Khaaaaannie! Don't talk like that! Don't you ever talk like that! We will get her back and I won't have to go to sleep forever! Understand?" Marigold doesn't want to accept the possibility that she might have to die or merge with Mary.
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quillpleasant
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Re: Inside
Last Known Address via Nightmare Night
Harley chuckles at Maridia's antics. That kind of thoughtless positivity is genuinely delightful after a lifetime of cynicism. It helps keeps things in perspective that no matter how many dangerous quests or tragic events there are, there's also going to be people excited about marshmallows.
As they stroll further into the festivities, Harley cranes his neck, looking around curiously at the multicolored beasts. They sure look like horses to him, but he'll keep that to himself of course. In fact, being around lots of small animals reminds him a little of being a rabbit.
His happy reverie is broken by that most dreaded of questions. The best way to break the curse is probably to be up front about how it works, but it's certainly not fun to talk about. Wincing, he sticks his hands in his coat pockets.
"Yeah, something like that. I actually killed the Sun of my world. As punishment, I was made mortal, and I can only remove this mask if I bring a thousand times more joy into the world as I brought suffering. Since the whole world going dark was a pretty big deal, I've got my work cut out." He's not going to go into the deeper emotional ramifications of the Sun's death- this is killing the mood enough already.
horses can attack and eat me
Re: Inside
[Creatures of the Night]
Maybe that's just the difference between a guard that's an infernal gaiad versus a guard that's a succubus? Rose definitely acts more like what one would expect any other daughter of She Who Dances in the Springtime Rain to act.
Anywho!
"Heck, sorry, sorry. It's just..." Khannie sighs, rubbing her arm. "I guess I'm still dealing with what happened to Arthfael. It really sucks to lose friends."
It sucks a TON.
"...did I ever tell you about Ester?" Khannie asks, her breath hitching in her throat.
The answer there would be 'no'. She hasn't.
But before things can get all glum-
"I'm BACK!" Rose announces, pronking back into view. Thankfully not INTO the spring and splashing everyone. "And I brought THIS!"
She brandishes a pomegranate at Marigold. It glows as if it were red-hot, but it's only warm to the touch. It looks almost as if it were made of molten stone somehow formed into the fleshy outer husk of a fruit.
"They grow from my pomegranate trees down on the Depths side of my weald! It isn't hot enough up here and they only grow in ash. But maybe this will help! It's packed full of eldritch AND infernal magic! And it's tasty, too."
"...pomegranates from the underworld? I've heard THIS story before," Khannie quips.
[Last Known Address via Nightmare Night]
"The idea's that there are lotsa spirits that come out this time of year, right? So kids dress up as spooky things as sort of a stand in and go around house to house to get offerings," Khannie explains. "Which, I mean, I guess sorta happens? The spirits, I mean. I can feel 'em when they're around. And they definitely FEEL thicker during Spooktober."
Very spooky.
Why, one might be spooking Raheeda RIGHT NOW!
At the story of the sun Khannie makes a pretty unreadable expression. "How does that even happen? Are we talking, like, a sun god or whatever? 'cuz the actual sun is ginormous."
Khannie should probably know better than this but she's thinking in terms of physical objects here.
But then better things! The bat-pony stallion at the apple stand grins a fangy grin at our heroes. "Happy Nightmare Night! Care to try an apple-bob?"
Maybe that's just the difference between a guard that's an infernal gaiad versus a guard that's a succubus? Rose definitely acts more like what one would expect any other daughter of She Who Dances in the Springtime Rain to act.
Anywho!
"Heck, sorry, sorry. It's just..." Khannie sighs, rubbing her arm. "I guess I'm still dealing with what happened to Arthfael. It really sucks to lose friends."
It sucks a TON.
"...did I ever tell you about Ester?" Khannie asks, her breath hitching in her throat.
The answer there would be 'no'. She hasn't.
But before things can get all glum-
"I'm BACK!" Rose announces, pronking back into view. Thankfully not INTO the spring and splashing everyone. "And I brought THIS!"
She brandishes a pomegranate at Marigold. It glows as if it were red-hot, but it's only warm to the touch. It looks almost as if it were made of molten stone somehow formed into the fleshy outer husk of a fruit.
"They grow from my pomegranate trees down on the Depths side of my weald! It isn't hot enough up here and they only grow in ash. But maybe this will help! It's packed full of eldritch AND infernal magic! And it's tasty, too."
"...pomegranates from the underworld? I've heard THIS story before," Khannie quips.
[Last Known Address via Nightmare Night]
"The idea's that there are lotsa spirits that come out this time of year, right? So kids dress up as spooky things as sort of a stand in and go around house to house to get offerings," Khannie explains. "Which, I mean, I guess sorta happens? The spirits, I mean. I can feel 'em when they're around. And they definitely FEEL thicker during Spooktober."
Very spooky.
Why, one might be spooking Raheeda RIGHT NOW!
At the story of the sun Khannie makes a pretty unreadable expression. "How does that even happen? Are we talking, like, a sun god or whatever? 'cuz the actual sun is ginormous."
Khannie should probably know better than this but she's thinking in terms of physical objects here.
But then better things! The bat-pony stallion at the apple stand grins a fangy grin at our heroes. "Happy Nightmare Night! Care to try an apple-bob?"
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Creatures of the Night
If you eat pomegranate seeds from the underworld, you get trapped in the underworld!
But they aren't in the underworld so it doesn't matter.
"I just peel it open and eat it?" Marigold does so. She takes a small pinch of the (presumably volcanic-looking) seeds from inside and puts them in her mouth. She chews and swallows.
"I don't think it did anything." by the time Marigold finishes her sentence, she's clasping her head in her hands because she suddenly has a splitting headache. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out why. Rising from the gaiad's forehead are a pair of curved horns. Familiar curved horns. Mary's horns.
"Wowee that hurt. I feel funny. Like my head is heavy or... Wowee! I have horns!? I have horns!" Marigold begins feeling her restored extremities with great interest. She now has fangs too, but that's probably harder to notice.
If you eat pomegranate seeds from the underworld, you get trapped in the underworld!
But they aren't in the underworld so it doesn't matter.
"I just peel it open and eat it?" Marigold does so. She takes a small pinch of the (presumably volcanic-looking) seeds from inside and puts them in her mouth. She chews and swallows.
"I don't think it did anything." by the time Marigold finishes her sentence, she's clasping her head in her hands because she suddenly has a splitting headache. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out why. Rising from the gaiad's forehead are a pair of curved horns. Familiar curved horns. Mary's horns.
"Wowee that hurt. I feel funny. Like my head is heavy or... Wowee! I have horns!? I have horns!" Marigold begins feeling her restored extremities with great interest. She now has fangs too, but that's probably harder to notice.
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Re: Inside
[Day of the Duel]
Michalson is tackled easily enough; his injured leg crumples under him. When he looks up from his prone position, his eyes widen and his brow glistens with sweat. Once again, someone pushed him out of the way to take a blade meant for him. But why? Why does Sandels care? Letting Hoshiki kill him would make his task easier.
"Damn fools... the both of you," he groans, slowly and ponderously getting up. He can do nothing to stop what's happening right now.
Michalson is tackled easily enough; his injured leg crumples under him. When he looks up from his prone position, his eyes widen and his brow glistens with sweat. Once again, someone pushed him out of the way to take a blade meant for him. But why? Why does Sandels care? Letting Hoshiki kill him would make his task easier.
"Damn fools... the both of you," he groans, slowly and ponderously getting up. He can do nothing to stop what's happening right now.
Re: Inside
[Creatures of the Night]
Well they're trying to get a little underworld INTO Marigold so maybe it does matter?
The seeds inside the fruit look more or less like normal pomegranate seeds, just with a distinctly molten glow to them and a strong sensation of warmth. They taste sweet and a little spicy. Honestly it might remind Mary a bit of those little red peppers Khannie really likes.
Then some horns happen.
Khannie wrinkles her nose. "Is that all it's gunna do? Maybe you've gotta eat some more?" she suggests.
Rose, for her part, is just watching for now. She's working REALLY HARD at not making a big loud celebratory deal out of the fact that her idea worked.
Well they're trying to get a little underworld INTO Marigold so maybe it does matter?
The seeds inside the fruit look more or less like normal pomegranate seeds, just with a distinctly molten glow to them and a strong sensation of warmth. They taste sweet and a little spicy. Honestly it might remind Mary a bit of those little red peppers Khannie really likes.
Then some horns happen.
Khannie wrinkles her nose. "Is that all it's gunna do? Maybe you've gotta eat some more?" she suggests.
Rose, for her part, is just watching for now. She's working REALLY HARD at not making a big loud celebratory deal out of the fact that her idea worked.
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Creatures of the Night
"Khannie, just having horns is a big deal it's the first progress we've had!" And that was just one bite of the pomegranate.
Marigold runs her hands along her horns. "I can eat more," And she does, tucking in to the rest. She continues to change, her skin and hair darkening back to Mary's red and black tones, her eyes regaining Mary's fiery cast, and her chest regaining the extra "assets" Mary put there earlier. Given that she's a currently naked nymph, this is slightly distracting to her as she feels the changes. "Wowee, this feels funny. Why does she even like this?"
But the very demonic-looking gaiad is still not Mary. "There must be something we're missing." She's eaten the whole pomegranate, so "more" probably won't work. "Mary Mary Mary. Nope. That's still not it."
"Khannie, just having horns is a big deal it's the first progress we've had!" And that was just one bite of the pomegranate.
Marigold runs her hands along her horns. "I can eat more," And she does, tucking in to the rest. She continues to change, her skin and hair darkening back to Mary's red and black tones, her eyes regaining Mary's fiery cast, and her chest regaining the extra "assets" Mary put there earlier. Given that she's a currently naked nymph, this is slightly distracting to her as she feels the changes. "Wowee, this feels funny. Why does she even like this?"
But the very demonic-looking gaiad is still not Mary. "There must be something we're missing." She's eaten the whole pomegranate, so "more" probably won't work. "Mary Mary Mary. Nope. That's still not it."
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Re: Inside
[Creatures of the Night]
"Well, I mean, yeah, but that's just a start since Mary still isn't awake," Khannie points out. It's progress! Maybe. Progress is something but it isn't the WHOLE thing. Khannie watches, getting increasingly excited and then-
Ugh.
Really?
Those just had to stick around?
"Mary likes attention. If she wanted MY opinion she looks beautiful already; she doesn't need any doofy gimmicks to draw eyes," Khannie says. Both sides of Khannie, both the foxy and the innocent, are in agreement on this one. The reasons are a little different, but the conclusion is the same. Double-decker chest is a bad look.
So!
Conclusion of the matter?
A gaiad that looks kind of like Mary but definitely isn't Mary.
"You got any other good ideas?" Khannie asks Rose.
The infernal gaiad shakes her head. "Nope! But that one was pretty good." It's definitely notable that Rose' upper body doesn't really look succubus-y at all. Normal skin tone, no horns. Just a regular gaiad. It's only her lower half that's clearly infernal. Marigold seems to be the opposite.
"Maybe try using some of Mary's infernal magic? Maybe it needs like... a jumpstart sorta thing? Like use it to make yourself look different," Khannie suggests.
"Well, I mean, yeah, but that's just a start since Mary still isn't awake," Khannie points out. It's progress! Maybe. Progress is something but it isn't the WHOLE thing. Khannie watches, getting increasingly excited and then-
Ugh.
Really?
Those just had to stick around?
"Mary likes attention. If she wanted MY opinion she looks beautiful already; she doesn't need any doofy gimmicks to draw eyes," Khannie says. Both sides of Khannie, both the foxy and the innocent, are in agreement on this one. The reasons are a little different, but the conclusion is the same. Double-decker chest is a bad look.
So!
Conclusion of the matter?
A gaiad that looks kind of like Mary but definitely isn't Mary.
"You got any other good ideas?" Khannie asks Rose.
The infernal gaiad shakes her head. "Nope! But that one was pretty good." It's definitely notable that Rose' upper body doesn't really look succubus-y at all. Normal skin tone, no horns. Just a regular gaiad. It's only her lower half that's clearly infernal. Marigold seems to be the opposite.
"Maybe try using some of Mary's infernal magic? Maybe it needs like... a jumpstart sorta thing? Like use it to make yourself look different," Khannie suggests.
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Creatures of the Night
"I'd tell her for you but if she doesn't believe you she probably won't believe me," Marigold comments, "It feels really weird." She lets go of the anatomical spares and considers the idea. "I bet I could use demonic power now. Here I go!" she screw up her face into a goofy expression as she concentrates. Nothing changes.
Marigold looks down at her chest. "Aww, they're still there." She looks at Rose. "I don't know how to use infernal magic. That's what she does."
Marigold thinks for a few moments before bouncing up and down excitedly. "Oh oh oh! If Mary's asleep and dreaming about being me right now, maybe I need to go to sleep and dream about being her?" That... Makes a certain kind of sense. But gaiads don't exactly sleep, do they?
"I'd tell her for you but if she doesn't believe you she probably won't believe me," Marigold comments, "It feels really weird." She lets go of the anatomical spares and considers the idea. "I bet I could use demonic power now. Here I go!" she screw up her face into a goofy expression as she concentrates. Nothing changes.
Marigold looks down at her chest. "Aww, they're still there." She looks at Rose. "I don't know how to use infernal magic. That's what she does."
Marigold thinks for a few moments before bouncing up and down excitedly. "Oh oh oh! If Mary's asleep and dreaming about being me right now, maybe I need to go to sleep and dream about being her?" That... Makes a certain kind of sense. But gaiads don't exactly sleep, do they?
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Re: Inside
[Creatures of the Night]
"Mary gets weird about stuff when she feels like someone's telling her what to do," Khannie replies with a bit of a sigh. It makes steering Mary to a conclusion tough. There's a reason why she challenged Mary on her prank rather than just telling her not to do it. "But maybe if she came up with the idea? I mean, you're her kinda. Right?"
Or at least part of her. Like how the kumiho is part of Khannie.
"You would have to pick somewhere to plant yourself," Rose tells Mary. "Somewhere you like a lot! Or maybe somewhere you don't like and want to make better? Oh! Or just anywhere and then you can uproot and plant again later! The longer your weald is planted the bigger it gets but if you make a new one you have to start aaaaaaall over again."
"Wait so you aren't stuck in one place like a dryad with their tree?" Khannie asks.
"Nope! Dreamlands nymphs don't work like that! If we decide we want a new home we can make one! It just won't be as enchanted and homey as the old one."
"Mary gets weird about stuff when she feels like someone's telling her what to do," Khannie replies with a bit of a sigh. It makes steering Mary to a conclusion tough. There's a reason why she challenged Mary on her prank rather than just telling her not to do it. "But maybe if she came up with the idea? I mean, you're her kinda. Right?"
Or at least part of her. Like how the kumiho is part of Khannie.
"You would have to pick somewhere to plant yourself," Rose tells Mary. "Somewhere you like a lot! Or maybe somewhere you don't like and want to make better? Oh! Or just anywhere and then you can uproot and plant again later! The longer your weald is planted the bigger it gets but if you make a new one you have to start aaaaaaall over again."
"Wait so you aren't stuck in one place like a dryad with their tree?" Khannie asks.
"Nope! Dreamlands nymphs don't work like that! If we decide we want a new home we can make one! It just won't be as enchanted and homey as the old one."
Last edited by Rebonack on Oct 15, 2023 1:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Creatures of the Night
Marigold considers the idea of rooting. "I think I know where I want my grove to be," she says, "But it's on the island by the manor. And that's a long way." She thinks about it. "The ferry won't run until morning so even if we Riftline over there we can't get across." She continues thinking. "But there's a permanent portal to the Depths here and another one at the manor! If we go through there, we could get there tonight! We'd just have to be really sneaky going through the palace and the manor because I don't want Mum to see me like this. Especially like this," Marigold cradles her lower boobs awkwardly.
Of course there's a hole in Marigold's plan. A very big hole. She and Khannie wouldn't be able to survive swimming through lava to reach the portal.
Marigold considers the idea of rooting. "I think I know where I want my grove to be," she says, "But it's on the island by the manor. And that's a long way." She thinks about it. "The ferry won't run until morning so even if we Riftline over there we can't get across." She continues thinking. "But there's a permanent portal to the Depths here and another one at the manor! If we go through there, we could get there tonight! We'd just have to be really sneaky going through the palace and the manor because I don't want Mum to see me like this. Especially like this," Marigold cradles her lower boobs awkwardly.
Of course there's a hole in Marigold's plan. A very big hole. She and Khannie wouldn't be able to survive swimming through lava to reach the portal.
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Re: Inside
[Creatures of the Night]
"Isn't the portal at the bottom of the lava lake?" Khannie points out, since that was something Rose brought up earlier. "I'm not exactly lava proof. If I went down there I would get toasted. You might get toasted, too. You're still half a deer."
"And! The portals are inside great big hollow rocks I made on each side!" Rose adds. "That way it's really hard for big meanies to try sneaking into Inside through the portal."
Digging through ten feet of solid komatite on BOTH sides of the portal is something of a task. Especially since the Captain of the Guard would immediately feel it.
"But if you REALLY want to be sneaky I can carry you across! I would escort you, too, since the Queen would be SUPER mad if something happened to you," Rose adds.
The security of the realm and Sekhmet's subjects are Rose's responsibility, after all. And Mary(gold) is one of the most important subjects!
"Isn't the portal at the bottom of the lava lake?" Khannie points out, since that was something Rose brought up earlier. "I'm not exactly lava proof. If I went down there I would get toasted. You might get toasted, too. You're still half a deer."
"And! The portals are inside great big hollow rocks I made on each side!" Rose adds. "That way it's really hard for big meanies to try sneaking into Inside through the portal."
Digging through ten feet of solid komatite on BOTH sides of the portal is something of a task. Especially since the Captain of the Guard would immediately feel it.
"But if you REALLY want to be sneaky I can carry you across! I would escort you, too, since the Queen would be SUPER mad if something happened to you," Rose adds.
The security of the realm and Sekhmet's subjects are Rose's responsibility, after all. And Mary(gold) is one of the most important subjects!
Last edited by Rebonack on Oct 15, 2023 1:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Creatures of the Night
Sekhmet would probably say that if necessary, safeguarding her heir is one of Rose's most crucial tasks.
"You can carry us through the lava? Okay! Let's do it!" What does that even entail? Riding on Rose's back can't possibly provide enough protection. Not to mention that Marigold can't fit on the other gaiad's back anyway.
Sekhmet would probably say that if necessary, safeguarding her heir is one of Rose's most crucial tasks.
"You can carry us through the lava? Okay! Let's do it!" What does that even entail? Riding on Rose's back can't possibly provide enough protection. Not to mention that Marigold can't fit on the other gaiad's back anyway.
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Re: Inside
[Creatures of the Night]
"Great! Everyone onboard!" Rose says and then that huge cavernous maw on her salamander half opens WIIIIIIDE and wow there's a lot more room in there than you would think.
Khannie immediately looks like she's having second thoughts on this.
"Wait wait you're gunna carry us in your mouth are you sure this is safe?" Khannie demands.
"Sure! I do it all the time when I need to take someone through the lava pit! Not even a little bit dangerous unless you're a damned soul," Rose reassures them.
This would of course be the perfect opportunity for Marigold to grab Khannie by the hand and drag her along behind but would Marigold do such a thing? Either way, if everyone DOES pile in then Rose will do exactly what she promised. Namely, carrying them down into the lava pool and through the portal into the Scorching Depths.
"Great! Everyone onboard!" Rose says and then that huge cavernous maw on her salamander half opens WIIIIIIDE and wow there's a lot more room in there than you would think.
Khannie immediately looks like she's having second thoughts on this.
"Wait wait you're gunna carry us in your mouth are you sure this is safe?" Khannie demands.
"Sure! I do it all the time when I need to take someone through the lava pit! Not even a little bit dangerous unless you're a damned soul," Rose reassures them.
This would of course be the perfect opportunity for Marigold to grab Khannie by the hand and drag her along behind but would Marigold do such a thing? Either way, if everyone DOES pile in then Rose will do exactly what she promised. Namely, carrying them down into the lava pool and through the portal into the Scorching Depths.
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Creatures of the Night
Marigold looks at the open mouth.
She steps forward, then realizes Khannie's reluctant to do this.
"Rose is nice she won't hurt us come on!" the demon gaiad says. She grabs the kumiho's hand and pulls her into the mouth with surprising strength.
Marigold looks at the open mouth.
She steps forward, then realizes Khannie's reluctant to do this.
"Rose is nice she won't hurt us come on!" the demon gaiad says. She grabs the kumiho's hand and pulls her into the mouth with surprising strength.
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quillpleasant
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Re: Inside
Since Lia aimed only to delay the horse, the behemoths do not pursue it. The one that launched the initial attack comes to a halt next to the swarm. It reaches out one tendril which is devoured by the spores, replenishing what was burnt away in the horse's attack.
Below the ground, the horse can see a vast network of purple mycelium tendrils that extend in all directions. The orb is being passed down these spiderweb tunnels, heading down around forty feet before coming to a halt. Lia's fairly sure none of the combatants can get through that much dirt very easily, and she's not currently sure where else to bring Bunny. Besides, there's some other pressing matters to attend to.
As Sandels is impaled, the swarm buzzes in distress. Despite fighting against him, Lia still doesn't want to see the reaper harmed. In fact, she doesn't want anyone to be harmed except for Hoshiki. So the second fungal behemoth wheels around and begins to lumber back towards the three combatants, trunk legs pounding the ground. It'll take a few moments to reach them, but now that Bunny is safe Lia's next priority is stopping anyone else from killing each other.
horses can attack and eat me
Re: Inside
[Day of the Duel]
Michalson's words are drowned by a loud bang, akin to a gunshot, accompanied by flash of crimson light. From his position, the detective can't see it, but the magic bullet hits the swordsman right in his exposed eye. The hardened glue bends and cracks as Hoshiki curls his left hand into a fist. He violently throws himself back, chunks of the ground being torn up as he frees his leg, pulling his sword free in his wake.
Sandels glances at Michalson. "Run!", the Reaper manages to shout, before there's a flash of steel and his left arm is severed at the shoulder. Michalson can see it fly to the side in an arch. Hoshiki's right arm is stretched out at the endpoint of an upward slash, blood running down the right side of his face, smoke and blue flame rising from his eyesocket.
Sandels falls on his back, his right hand squeezing the wound, to little avail. Blood spills through his fingers, flowing to the ground and mixing with rain water. Hoshiki grabs the hilt of his blade with both hands, pointing it down at his opponent. There's a flash of lightning and suddenly, the horse is back next to the men, right behind Sandels. It observes the men, as if expecting something.
Michalson's words are drowned by a loud bang, akin to a gunshot, accompanied by flash of crimson light. From his position, the detective can't see it, but the magic bullet hits the swordsman right in his exposed eye. The hardened glue bends and cracks as Hoshiki curls his left hand into a fist. He violently throws himself back, chunks of the ground being torn up as he frees his leg, pulling his sword free in his wake.
Sandels glances at Michalson. "Run!", the Reaper manages to shout, before there's a flash of steel and his left arm is severed at the shoulder. Michalson can see it fly to the side in an arch. Hoshiki's right arm is stretched out at the endpoint of an upward slash, blood running down the right side of his face, smoke and blue flame rising from his eyesocket.
Sandels falls on his back, his right hand squeezing the wound, to little avail. Blood spills through his fingers, flowing to the ground and mixing with rain water. Hoshiki grabs the hilt of his blade with both hands, pointing it down at his opponent. There's a flash of lightning and suddenly, the horse is back next to the men, right behind Sandels. It observes the men, as if expecting something.
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Inside
[Last Known Address via Nightmare Night]Rebonack wrote: ↑Oct 14, 2023 3:56 am [Last Known Address via Nightmare Night]
"The idea's that there are lotsa spirits that come out this time of year, right? So kids dress up as spooky things as sort of a stand in and go around house to house to get offerings," Khannie explains. "Which, I mean, I guess sorta happens? The spirits, I mean. I can feel 'em when they're around. And they definitely FEEL thicker during Spooktober."
Very spooky.
Why, one might be spooking Raheeda RIGHT NOW!
At the story of the sun Khannie makes a pretty unreadable expression. "How does that even happen? Are we talking, like, a sun god or whatever? 'cuz the actual sun is ginormous."
Khannie should probably know better than this but she's thinking in terms of physical objects here.
But then better things! The bat-pony stallion at the apple stand grins a fangy grin at our heroes. "Happy Nightmare Night! Care to try an apple-bob?"
Why concern yourself with invisible spirits when visible spirits was right in front of her? In theory. Since she still wasn't sure Khannie was a spirit or not. She seemed oddly... spirit-y.
But she still hadn't actually answered her question. Or maybe she had. Raheeda wasn't quite sure. "Oh, so the spirits give you stuff if you dress up as them?" Then they were trying to attract them. Opening themselves up to possession or something like that.
She strokes her chin. If Khannie and the little dragon was spirits was that why they had been giving away food? It was all starting to make sense now!
"Are you a spirit, Khannie?" She inquires, figuring she might as well bring the question out in the open.
Then she gestures at the eque-stri-can ahead of them. "What about him?"
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quillpleasant
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Re: Inside
Last Known Address via Nightmare Night
Harley nods at the explanation. Back in his world there were spirits in almost everything, from the tallest mountain to the smallest stone, so it's not surprising that they might make themselves known sometimes. The idea of spirits isn't particularly spooky to him either- unless they're malevolent spirits.
But then again, malevolent anything is bad news.
"Hm, how to explain it..." He ponders Khannie's question. "She was a sun god, but she was also literally the Sun. Sometimes she manifested an avatar to walk amongst mortals. So when her spirit died, the Sun went dark as well." He sighs- it's clearly not a fond memory. "I was a very different person then. I've changed more since becoming a mortal than I ever did as a god."
Oh look, here's an apple merchant to distract from his horrible crime!
"Is that where you try to grab an apple in water? You'd probably be good at that," he nudges Raheeda. On account of the fangs.
Harley nods at the explanation. Back in his world there were spirits in almost everything, from the tallest mountain to the smallest stone, so it's not surprising that they might make themselves known sometimes. The idea of spirits isn't particularly spooky to him either- unless they're malevolent spirits.
But then again, malevolent anything is bad news.
"Hm, how to explain it..." He ponders Khannie's question. "She was a sun god, but she was also literally the Sun. Sometimes she manifested an avatar to walk amongst mortals. So when her spirit died, the Sun went dark as well." He sighs- it's clearly not a fond memory. "I was a very different person then. I've changed more since becoming a mortal than I ever did as a god."
Oh look, here's an apple merchant to distract from his horrible crime!
"Is that where you try to grab an apple in water? You'd probably be good at that," he nudges Raheeda. On account of the fangs.
horses can attack and eat me
Re: Inside
[Last Known Address via Nightmare Night]
"What? No, the spirits aren't gunna give anyone anything. I think they just like all the costumes and things? Spirits are weird. They've got likes and dislikes but they don't really think that much. It's like trying to make a buncha little birds like you. But if they spirits DO like you then they help with little things. Better than bad luck, I guess," Khannie reasons. The subject of what, exactly, spirits do is definitely a question. "Mostly it's just people giving other people stuff. The spirits just like the pagentry."
Because let's be real who DOESN'T like pagentry?
Then Khannie is asked if SHE is a spirit! Which is... a question. Definitely. A question she answers in the most reasonable way she can think of. "No? I'm a unicorn."
"And I'm a thestral," the bat pony adds since apparently his corporeality is also being questioned. Regardless of the nature of those gathered, the apples still await.
Khannie doesn't say anything further about killing the sun, mostly because it's clear Harley doesn't like talking about it. Wouldn't the sun going out just sort of... kill everyone? The world would get cold and dead pretty quick.
"What? No, the spirits aren't gunna give anyone anything. I think they just like all the costumes and things? Spirits are weird. They've got likes and dislikes but they don't really think that much. It's like trying to make a buncha little birds like you. But if they spirits DO like you then they help with little things. Better than bad luck, I guess," Khannie reasons. The subject of what, exactly, spirits do is definitely a question. "Mostly it's just people giving other people stuff. The spirits just like the pagentry."
Because let's be real who DOESN'T like pagentry?
Then Khannie is asked if SHE is a spirit! Which is... a question. Definitely. A question she answers in the most reasonable way she can think of. "No? I'm a unicorn."
"And I'm a thestral," the bat pony adds since apparently his corporeality is also being questioned. Regardless of the nature of those gathered, the apples still await.
Khannie doesn't say anything further about killing the sun, mostly because it's clear Harley doesn't like talking about it. Wouldn't the sun going out just sort of... kill everyone? The world would get cold and dead pretty quick.
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Shadowcaller
- Poster from Beyond the Veil
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- Joined: Aug 02, 2022 6:29 am
- Location: Sweden
Re: Inside
[Last Known Address via Nightmare Night]
Harley's nudge draws Raheeda's attention to the apple. She had seen those fruits before even if she was unsure what the point of the bucket of water was. Why would you ruin perfectly good food like that?
She will nonetheless reach down and grab one of the apples out of the bucket before turning back to Khannie.
"Oh, a unicorn." She had heard that word before but she couldn't connect it to anything until now. She had no idea what a thestral was though. The unicorn name at least kinda made sense as it sounded similar to 'horn'.
"That's cool." The yuan-ti takes a bite out of the apple and chews it thoughtfully.
It sounded like people were trying to comfort one another with all these festivities since there were a lot of spirits active? Raheeda didn't want to ask too many questions but that seemed to be what Khannie was suggesting at least.
She had no idea what 'pagentry' was though.
"Never meet one of you before. Or a, uh, the-stral." She had wanted to go into why she had thought Khannie was a spirit but on further consideration thinking she was something possessed by a spirit was probably kinda insulting.
"But I'm from a pretty far-out place so I don't know much about anything really." Except to read and write but that was necessary for all the rituals.
She looks to Harley. "Don't suppose you can grant some sort of spirit-protection to these folks? You did handle the one that possessed you pretty well."
Harley's nudge draws Raheeda's attention to the apple. She had seen those fruits before even if she was unsure what the point of the bucket of water was. Why would you ruin perfectly good food like that?
She will nonetheless reach down and grab one of the apples out of the bucket before turning back to Khannie.
"Oh, a unicorn." She had heard that word before but she couldn't connect it to anything until now. She had no idea what a thestral was though. The unicorn name at least kinda made sense as it sounded similar to 'horn'.
"That's cool." The yuan-ti takes a bite out of the apple and chews it thoughtfully.
It sounded like people were trying to comfort one another with all these festivities since there were a lot of spirits active? Raheeda didn't want to ask too many questions but that seemed to be what Khannie was suggesting at least.
She had no idea what 'pagentry' was though.
"Never meet one of you before. Or a, uh, the-stral." She had wanted to go into why she had thought Khannie was a spirit but on further consideration thinking she was something possessed by a spirit was probably kinda insulting.
"But I'm from a pretty far-out place so I don't know much about anything really." Except to read and write but that was necessary for all the rituals.
She looks to Harley. "Don't suppose you can grant some sort of spirit-protection to these folks? You did handle the one that possessed you pretty well."
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quillpleasant
- Reborn Elder Poster
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Re: Inside
Last Known Address via Nightmare Night
"A unicorn? I haven't heard of those before," says Harley curiously. He's not going to say that he thought she was a qilin this whole time- that would be pretty embarrassing to admit.
Then Raheeda just grabs the apple. Well, that's one way of doing it, and he's not sure it actually breaks apple bobbing rules. If, in fact, there are any rules to that.
"I think I understand the spirit thing- if you're nice to them, they might bless you. Just like in my world when people baked sometimes they'd set out an extra cake in the windowsill under Moon's light, and I'd go and collect them all and bring them to her, and then she'd send the people good dreams." Gods are just really self important spirits so it's the same principle.
At Raheeda's question, he hesitates. "I don't think so? I don't have any magic. I just kind of talked my way out of the whole possession thing." It was only the timely arrival of that dragon that saved him from being forced to do the spirit's bidding.
"A unicorn? I haven't heard of those before," says Harley curiously. He's not going to say that he thought she was a qilin this whole time- that would be pretty embarrassing to admit.
Then Raheeda just grabs the apple. Well, that's one way of doing it, and he's not sure it actually breaks apple bobbing rules. If, in fact, there are any rules to that.
"I think I understand the spirit thing- if you're nice to them, they might bless you. Just like in my world when people baked sometimes they'd set out an extra cake in the windowsill under Moon's light, and I'd go and collect them all and bring them to her, and then she'd send the people good dreams." Gods are just really self important spirits so it's the same principle.
At Raheeda's question, he hesitates. "I don't think so? I don't have any magic. I just kind of talked my way out of the whole possession thing." It was only the timely arrival of that dragon that saved him from being forced to do the spirit's bidding.
horses can attack and eat me
Re: Inside
[Last Known Address via Nightmare Night]
It's worth noting that there ARE some kirins among the various equestrians trotting around for the festivities. But looking at one when a unicorn is nearby makes the difference pretty striking. The unicorn ponies are a little more horse-like in their body shape with solid hooves, simple spiraled horns, and a horse-y tail. Kirins are more cervine with a horn that branches akin to an antler and with cloven hooves.
Khannie doesn't really fit either description. Probably because she isn't precisely an equestrian.
Regardless!
Raheeda grabs an apple! The thestral disguises a laugh with a cough pretty admirably.
"Hah, I prolly shoulda mentioned how this game is supposed to work," Khannie says as she dips her head into the bucket and after several unsuccessful attempts manages to retrieve an apple. She rights herself, grinning around it, and then lights her horn with a crown of violet and indigo light. A similar glow surrounds the apple and floats it out of her mouth. "Like that, see? Picking up an apple out of the water with your mouth is hard, that's what makes it a game."
But wouldn't the equestrians normally have to use their mouth anyway...?
Maridia is perching herself on the edge of the apple bucket and trying to lean in to grab one. There's a good chance she's going to fall in there unless someone intervenes.
It's worth noting that there ARE some kirins among the various equestrians trotting around for the festivities. But looking at one when a unicorn is nearby makes the difference pretty striking. The unicorn ponies are a little more horse-like in their body shape with solid hooves, simple spiraled horns, and a horse-y tail. Kirins are more cervine with a horn that branches akin to an antler and with cloven hooves.
Khannie doesn't really fit either description. Probably because she isn't precisely an equestrian.
Regardless!
Raheeda grabs an apple! The thestral disguises a laugh with a cough pretty admirably.
"Hah, I prolly shoulda mentioned how this game is supposed to work," Khannie says as she dips her head into the bucket and after several unsuccessful attempts manages to retrieve an apple. She rights herself, grinning around it, and then lights her horn with a crown of violet and indigo light. A similar glow surrounds the apple and floats it out of her mouth. "Like that, see? Picking up an apple out of the water with your mouth is hard, that's what makes it a game."
But wouldn't the equestrians normally have to use their mouth anyway...?
Maridia is perching herself on the edge of the apple bucket and trying to lean in to grab one. There's a good chance she's going to fall in there unless someone intervenes.
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bc56
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Re: Inside
Market Street
"I'll take one of those and... Do you have any of the chocolate ones left?" a thin man with touselled brown hair asks a donut seller. Dressed in a jacket and jeans, he's just here to relax and buy pastries. He doesn't look like much, but anyone who messes with him might be surprised to find themselves biting off more than they can chew.
"No, the chocolate ones with chocolate filling, chocolate frosting, and chocolate chips (I swear my sister wants to kill herself with chocolate)."
"I'll take one of those and... Do you have any of the chocolate ones left?" a thin man with touselled brown hair asks a donut seller. Dressed in a jacket and jeans, he's just here to relax and buy pastries. He doesn't look like much, but anyone who messes with him might be surprised to find themselves biting off more than they can chew.
"No, the chocolate ones with chocolate filling, chocolate frosting, and chocolate chips (I swear my sister wants to kill herself with chocolate)."
Avatar by me! No more outsourcing!
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Shadowcaller
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Re: Inside
Last Known Address via Nightmare Night
Raheeda will casually reach out and grab Maridia's tail to pull her back before she falls over before looking to Khannie and the thestral. "Ohh! That makes a lot more sense." Which explained why the 'familiar' (yet another unexplained term) was reaching for them. "I'm sorry I cheated."
If she has managed to pull Maridia to safety she will let of of the tail and turn back to Harley. "But someone should totally have a ritual then to appease the spirits then. A big one." Still holding onto Maridia's tail she uses her other hand to scratch her chin. "That could be a good deed actually. Appease all the restless spirits around here."
Raheeda will casually reach out and grab Maridia's tail to pull her back before she falls over before looking to Khannie and the thestral. "Ohh! That makes a lot more sense." Which explained why the 'familiar' (yet another unexplained term) was reaching for them. "I'm sorry I cheated."
If she has managed to pull Maridia to safety she will let of of the tail and turn back to Harley. "But someone should totally have a ritual then to appease the spirits then. A big one." Still holding onto Maridia's tail she uses her other hand to scratch her chin. "That could be a good deed actually. Appease all the restless spirits around here."
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quillpleasant
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Re: Inside
Last Known Address via Nightmare Night
As far as Harley knew, the only horse with one horn was a qilin- at least on his world. Not that these creatures are too horselike to begin with- they're much smaller and more colorful than the terrifying beasts he's used to.
Raheeda's suggestion gives Harley pause. "That's, uh... a really good point." Spirits are one of the purest forms of life, so helping them might even count for extra. "What do you think Khannie, would a ritual to appease the spirits be a good thing? Or even feasible?" He doesn't want to overstep his cultural bounds- that would be a bad deed, after all.
As far as Harley knew, the only horse with one horn was a qilin- at least on his world. Not that these creatures are too horselike to begin with- they're much smaller and more colorful than the terrifying beasts he's used to.
Raheeda's suggestion gives Harley pause. "That's, uh... a really good point." Spirits are one of the purest forms of life, so helping them might even count for extra. "What do you think Khannie, would a ritual to appease the spirits be a good thing? Or even feasible?" He doesn't want to overstep his cultural bounds- that would be a bad deed, after all.
horses can attack and eat me
Re: Inside
[Last Known Address via Nightmare Night]
With her tail in hand Maridia decides to take full advantage of this fact. She gets her hind legs on the rim of the barrel and leans in as faaaaar as she can to warp her little jaws around the biggest, shiniest apple. Considering that she's about the size of a large house-cat (or maybe comparing her to a flying raccoon would be more accurate) this is actually a pretty impressive feat. "I got it! Yay! Thankyou for holding my tail so I didn't fall in the water."
Okay now she's gnawing on that apple.
What a little monster.
But then a very important question is asked!
To which Khannie looks thoughtful. "Well, I think the idea with Nightmare Night and all the other Spooktober holidays is that it's mostly the spirits of the dead who are floating around. But... I dunno, I don't really know much about doing that sorta stuff? I work mostly with shadow spirits. Those are... sort of elemental? Ish? I mean, I guess maybe it's possible? But I wouldn't know how to even start."
Khannie looks over at the thestral, who just shrugs.
"I just make barrels," he admits.
With her tail in hand Maridia decides to take full advantage of this fact. She gets her hind legs on the rim of the barrel and leans in as faaaaar as she can to warp her little jaws around the biggest, shiniest apple. Considering that she's about the size of a large house-cat (or maybe comparing her to a flying raccoon would be more accurate) this is actually a pretty impressive feat. "I got it! Yay! Thankyou for holding my tail so I didn't fall in the water."
Okay now she's gnawing on that apple.
What a little monster.
But then a very important question is asked!
To which Khannie looks thoughtful. "Well, I think the idea with Nightmare Night and all the other Spooktober holidays is that it's mostly the spirits of the dead who are floating around. But... I dunno, I don't really know much about doing that sorta stuff? I work mostly with shadow spirits. Those are... sort of elemental? Ish? I mean, I guess maybe it's possible? But I wouldn't know how to even start."
Khannie looks over at the thestral, who just shrugs.
"I just make barrels," he admits.