Autumn
"B-b-b-but did you just turn me into a- what am I who am I? Why did you make me a pumpkin and then- whatever I am?" Pumpkin insists as the invitation is pressed into her hands.
But of course it's obvious. Pumpkin took apples from Chestnut's apple trees and then claimed that they were hers to give away. Now they are, as even as she shakes a pair of green applies drop from her antlers, handily replacing the ones she stole. And she's already growing a pumpkin to replace the one Chestnut was holding.
Or perhaps Chestnut simply thought she'd look much cuter and enjoy the party this way?
But either way, her questions are really only for effect. Her name is Pumpkin and she's one of Chestnut's daughters. Anyone can tell that.
The Dreamlands
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
Chestnut seems to think all of these questions are VERY SILLY.
"You know who you are and what you are and why this is a great party! I invite all my children and friends and enemies and strangers I've never met to my parties every year! And you were such a great pumpkin I thought even though you lost the staring contest you would make an even greater Pumpkin and so here you are," Chestnut says as she begins trotting away toward the refreshment table. More than a few party-goers exchange pleasantries with her along the way. "Aaaaaalso you stole some apples and said they were yours to give away. And I didn't want you to be an oath-breaker so I just made sure everything you said was true!"
See?
She's just being very helpful.
"Now, since you got an invitation after the fact-"
Wait.
That isn't even a piece of paper.
That's a leaf.
"-I'm wondering! What were you doing wandering around my home on Spooktober? You came here from the Waking World! You should be out there spreading Spooktober spirit."
Chestnut seems to think all of these questions are VERY SILLY.
"You know who you are and what you are and why this is a great party! I invite all my children and friends and enemies and strangers I've never met to my parties every year! And you were such a great pumpkin I thought even though you lost the staring contest you would make an even greater Pumpkin and so here you are," Chestnut says as she begins trotting away toward the refreshment table. More than a few party-goers exchange pleasantries with her along the way. "Aaaaaalso you stole some apples and said they were yours to give away. And I didn't want you to be an oath-breaker so I just made sure everything you said was true!"
See?
She's just being very helpful.
"Now, since you got an invitation after the fact-"
Wait.
That isn't even a piece of paper.
That's a leaf.
"-I'm wondering! What were you doing wandering around my home on Spooktober? You came here from the Waking World! You should be out there spreading Spooktober spirit."
Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
Of course. Pumpkin is being very silly. She's Chestnut's youngest daughter Pumpkin, and the party is great because it's her Mom's who is the best at throwing Spooktober parties. She knows the best games and exactly who to invite and is the best judge of costumes. Pumpkin clearly forgot hers though.
"Wait. I was a pumpkin? I remember that. But wasn't I something before that? Pumpkins can't steal apples. Not that I would.
Would breaking an oath be bad, Mom? I'm pretty sure I've never done that." Pumpkin feels like she's missing something. She's definitely not been Pumpkin up until just now. But trying to find another name just comes up empty.
She's distracted by a fae wandering by and trying to pick one of her fruits when Chestnut says the words 'give away.'
"The waking world? But this is your first party of yours I've been to! What if I'm not any good at spreading spirit? I still need to learn how to throw good Spooktober parties!" And she also feels like she ought to do some partying herself. She just got here!
Of course. Pumpkin is being very silly. She's Chestnut's youngest daughter Pumpkin, and the party is great because it's her Mom's who is the best at throwing Spooktober parties. She knows the best games and exactly who to invite and is the best judge of costumes. Pumpkin clearly forgot hers though.
"Wait. I was a pumpkin? I remember that. But wasn't I something before that? Pumpkins can't steal apples. Not that I would.
Would breaking an oath be bad, Mom? I'm pretty sure I've never done that." Pumpkin feels like she's missing something. She's definitely not been Pumpkin up until just now. But trying to find another name just comes up empty.
She's distracted by a fae wandering by and trying to pick one of her fruits when Chestnut says the words 'give away.'
"The waking world? But this is your first party of yours I've been to! What if I'm not any good at spreading spirit? I still need to learn how to throw good Spooktober parties!" And she also feels like she ought to do some partying herself. She just got here!
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
"Probably! But it hardly matters. That was just a seed so you could grow here," Chestnut replies simply. Who cares what happened before? That was before. This is now! The work of the year is done and now it's time to have a bunch of FUN before everything gets drab and cold and dark. Obviously whatever existence Pumpkin bad before was completely irrelevant. Just an excuse so Pumpkin could exist. "Breaking an oath can be bad. But breaking an Oath is worse, but of course you couldn't ever break an Oath if you swore one."
Very true.
To swear a true Oath is to make yourself more real around the kernel of that Oath. It becomes an unbreakable part of who you are.
Chestnut turns to face her wayward daughter. "You don't have to worry about parties. That isn't important yet. And you don't have to worry about spreading spirit, that'll come naturally. You need to worry about three things!"
That's four fingers.
"Three... things!"
Okay, better.
"First, you need to find a costume. Second, you need the tastiest Spooktober treat you've ever imagined. Third, you need to find someone who SHUNS Spooktober Spirit, spook them, and then share your treat with them to fill their heart with the wonders of autumn," Chestnut says. "Your seed came from the Waking World and that means you can cross the veil between here and there without being impeded. First we work to bring in the harvest THEN we throw the festival. And you haven't done your work yet. Go back to the Waking World as my beloved agent and finish the work. Then you can come home to enjoy the festivities."
"Probably! But it hardly matters. That was just a seed so you could grow here," Chestnut replies simply. Who cares what happened before? That was before. This is now! The work of the year is done and now it's time to have a bunch of FUN before everything gets drab and cold and dark. Obviously whatever existence Pumpkin bad before was completely irrelevant. Just an excuse so Pumpkin could exist. "Breaking an oath can be bad. But breaking an Oath is worse, but of course you couldn't ever break an Oath if you swore one."
Very true.
To swear a true Oath is to make yourself more real around the kernel of that Oath. It becomes an unbreakable part of who you are.
Chestnut turns to face her wayward daughter. "You don't have to worry about parties. That isn't important yet. And you don't have to worry about spreading spirit, that'll come naturally. You need to worry about three things!"
That's four fingers.
"Three... things!"
Okay, better.
"First, you need to find a costume. Second, you need the tastiest Spooktober treat you've ever imagined. Third, you need to find someone who SHUNS Spooktober Spirit, spook them, and then share your treat with them to fill their heart with the wonders of autumn," Chestnut says. "Your seed came from the Waking World and that means you can cross the veil between here and there without being impeded. First we work to bring in the harvest THEN we throw the festival. And you haven't done your work yet. Go back to the Waking World as my beloved agent and finish the work. Then you can come home to enjoy the festivities."
Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
Pumpkin sure is glad her mom is so smart. She was clearly just being worried over nothing. She can't believe how much FUN she hasn't been having. She would say she has no idea what she was thinking, but she was probably thinking pumpkin things.
"Oh right. I'm supposed to be good at stuff like walking through trees and stuff right? And costumes. But hm. I haven't done that stuff before." she frowns, looking down at herself.
"I'm also not sure how to spook someone. I'm pretty cute." Cute people aren't as good at spooking people as say, mares.
THUMP!
The pumpkin that Pumpkin was growing hits the ground. The rest of her pumpkins are tiny and festive but this one is the size of the one she used to be.
"Right, that's to replace the pumpkin I'm leaving you without. Um. Are these going to stop growing?" She notes that several of her applies have already dropped to the snack table. Where else would the guests get their apples but from one of their host's lovely daughters?
Pumpkin sure is glad her mom is so smart. She was clearly just being worried over nothing. She can't believe how much FUN she hasn't been having. She would say she has no idea what she was thinking, but she was probably thinking pumpkin things.
"Oh right. I'm supposed to be good at stuff like walking through trees and stuff right? And costumes. But hm. I haven't done that stuff before." she frowns, looking down at herself.
"I'm also not sure how to spook someone. I'm pretty cute." Cute people aren't as good at spooking people as say, mares.
THUMP!
The pumpkin that Pumpkin was growing hits the ground. The rest of her pumpkins are tiny and festive but this one is the size of the one she used to be.
"Right, that's to replace the pumpkin I'm leaving you without. Um. Are these going to stop growing?" She notes that several of her applies have already dropped to the snack table. Where else would the guests get their apples but from one of their host's lovely daughters?
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
"They'll stop growing when they're done and your blossoms will grow in," Chestnut replies dismissively. Growing fruit is just a normal thing that gaiads often have to deal with. "Once you have a proper weald they'll start growing there instead. Even if it's just a little one. Now! You're going to need someone to help show you the way back to the Waking World. And I think I know just the person!"
Chestnut leads Pumpkin along the margins of the party to a nice big comfy boulder! And on top of that boulder there sits a black fox.
A kumiho.
She looks a bit awkward. Like she's uncertain what she's doing here, or should be doing. Should she be trying to mingle? She's never been to a party like this and she's kinda at a loss. It doesn't help that even among these spooky denizens a kumiho is still treated with caution. They might all be under the protection of Chestnut but foxes are still scary!
"Hello fox!" Chestnut says brightly. "Are you enjoying the party?"
"Um... gunna be honest not a ton? I'm not even sure how I got here," the fox admits.
"Oh that's easy! I sent you an invitation!" Chestnut replies.
It turns out there's a leaf with 'YUR INVITED!' written on it with charcoal stuck to the fox' forehead.
"They'll stop growing when they're done and your blossoms will grow in," Chestnut replies dismissively. Growing fruit is just a normal thing that gaiads often have to deal with. "Once you have a proper weald they'll start growing there instead. Even if it's just a little one. Now! You're going to need someone to help show you the way back to the Waking World. And I think I know just the person!"
Chestnut leads Pumpkin along the margins of the party to a nice big comfy boulder! And on top of that boulder there sits a black fox.
A kumiho.
She looks a bit awkward. Like she's uncertain what she's doing here, or should be doing. Should she be trying to mingle? She's never been to a party like this and she's kinda at a loss. It doesn't help that even among these spooky denizens a kumiho is still treated with caution. They might all be under the protection of Chestnut but foxes are still scary!
"Hello fox!" Chestnut says brightly. "Are you enjoying the party?"
"Um... gunna be honest not a ton? I'm not even sure how I got here," the fox admits.
"Oh that's easy! I sent you an invitation!" Chestnut replies.
It turns out there's a leaf with 'YUR INVITED!' written on it with charcoal stuck to the fox' forehead.
Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
The fox doesn't sound like she's old enough to be surrounded by naked animal-plant-people but that's just the trouble with fae parties.
"Well, I'm Pumpkin and I have a mission to spread Spooktober spirit so Mom said you could help me get back to the Waking World. That means you don't have to stay if you're not having a great time."
Pumpkin personally wouldn't have admitted to not having a great time in front of her mother. But she seems to be difficult to offend, except when she isn't.
The fox doesn't sound like she's old enough to be surrounded by naked animal-plant-people but that's just the trouble with fae parties.
"Well, I'm Pumpkin and I have a mission to spread Spooktober spirit so Mom said you could help me get back to the Waking World. That means you don't have to stay if you're not having a great time."
Pumpkin personally wouldn't have admitted to not having a great time in front of her mother. But she seems to be difficult to offend, except when she isn't.
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
Maybe that's why the fox is uncomfortable. Too many weirdos around without the sense to even put a nice hat on.
Speaking of, the fox is wearing a little cap! And there's a ponytail pulled through the back and secured with a dark purple spirit marble. A fox with a ponytail is definitely a sight. Does that count as a costume? ...maybe?
"So I can go? I don't need to sit around here?" the fox asks, standing up on her dainty little fox paws.
"Yep! Maybe you can come back again some other night to have some fun. But for now I need you to escort Pumpkin. The way out is right over there through the SPOOOOKY dark forest!" Chestnut informs them, pointing to a pathway of grasping branches and oppressive gloom heading deeper into the Enchanted Forest.
The fox looks skeptical. But in spite of that she says, "Okay, fine, I'll do it. C'mon Pumpkin let's get outta here." Then she hops off her rock and begins trotting off toward the SPOOOOOKY dark forest.
Maybe that's why the fox is uncomfortable. Too many weirdos around without the sense to even put a nice hat on.
Speaking of, the fox is wearing a little cap! And there's a ponytail pulled through the back and secured with a dark purple spirit marble. A fox with a ponytail is definitely a sight. Does that count as a costume? ...maybe?
"So I can go? I don't need to sit around here?" the fox asks, standing up on her dainty little fox paws.
"Yep! Maybe you can come back again some other night to have some fun. But for now I need you to escort Pumpkin. The way out is right over there through the SPOOOOKY dark forest!" Chestnut informs them, pointing to a pathway of grasping branches and oppressive gloom heading deeper into the Enchanted Forest.
The fox looks skeptical. But in spite of that she says, "Okay, fine, I'll do it. C'mon Pumpkin let's get outta here." Then she hops off her rock and begins trotting off toward the SPOOOOOKY dark forest.
Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
"How will I find you when we're done, Mom? I don't want to miss the big party. Or wait, there's still Thanksmas, right?" After all, all of Chestnut's daughters know that Chestnut has a Spooktober party and a Thanksmas party. Because Thanksmas is an autumn holiday, mostly. Sadly Pumpkin will find herself out of season by then.
"Oh and what do I call you, Miss Fox?" Pumpkin asks as she and the fox get going.
"How will I find you when we're done, Mom? I don't want to miss the big party. Or wait, there's still Thanksmas, right?" After all, all of Chestnut's daughters know that Chestnut has a Spooktober party and a Thanksmas party. Because Thanksmas is an autumn holiday, mostly. Sadly Pumpkin will find herself out of season by then.
"Oh and what do I call you, Miss Fox?" Pumpkin asks as she and the fox get going.
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
"How would you miss the party? You'll be right where you need to be," Chestnut replies. "Have fun! Stay spooky!"
And off into the DARK FOREST!
Where Pumpkin asks a question of a fox. The answer probably wasn't what she was looking for.
"I'm a kumiho. Kumiho haven't got a Name of their own. I've only got one Mask and I'm not gunna wear it in here where something weird might happen to it," the kumiho replies. Not really angrily. She doesn't sound mean. Just cautious.
Is it weird that a kumiho only has one Name she's taken? Usually they have a whole bunch! Mostly since they eat Names. Oh! That must be why Chestnut knew it would be safe to send Pumpkin with this kumiho! Because she only has one Name!
"So you're Pumpkin? You were someone else when you fell outta the ceiling," the fox says as she climbs over a log fallen across the road.
"How would you miss the party? You'll be right where you need to be," Chestnut replies. "Have fun! Stay spooky!"
And off into the DARK FOREST!
Where Pumpkin asks a question of a fox. The answer probably wasn't what she was looking for.
"I'm a kumiho. Kumiho haven't got a Name of their own. I've only got one Mask and I'm not gunna wear it in here where something weird might happen to it," the kumiho replies. Not really angrily. She doesn't sound mean. Just cautious.
Is it weird that a kumiho only has one Name she's taken? Usually they have a whole bunch! Mostly since they eat Names. Oh! That must be why Chestnut knew it would be safe to send Pumpkin with this kumiho! Because she only has one Name!
"So you're Pumpkin? You were someone else when you fell outta the ceiling," the fox says as she climbs over a log fallen across the road.
Last edited by Rebonack on Oct 15, 2023 4:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
"Well I can call you something that isn't your Name. But I guess Fox is fine." Pumpkin thinks not having a Name would be pretty bad.
"Oh! Did you see me? I know I was a pumpkin for a bit. But Mom also said I stole some fruit from her so she made it so I couldn't have stolen from her because I'm Pumpkin. I don't really get that."
It's confusing when you're Pumpkin but you were also always a little mortal seed and also always a pumpkin that Queen Chestnut has been carrying for a bit and then you got smushed together and Chestnut just kind of told her not to worry about it.
"Well I can call you something that isn't your Name. But I guess Fox is fine." Pumpkin thinks not having a Name would be pretty bad.
"Oh! Did you see me? I know I was a pumpkin for a bit. But Mom also said I stole some fruit from her so she made it so I couldn't have stolen from her because I'm Pumpkin. I don't really get that."
It's confusing when you're Pumpkin but you were also always a little mortal seed and also always a pumpkin that Queen Chestnut has been carrying for a bit and then you got smushed together and Chestnut just kind of told her not to worry about it.
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
"Fox is fine," the fox replies.
That isn't unusual with kumiho. Just calling them a kumiho or a fox. Or calling them by the Name they're wearing. But this fox isn't wearing a name right now since, as she said, she doesn't want anything weird to happen to it. Because the Enchanted Forest can be pretty weird.
Then she makes a rather silly foxy chuckling sound and grins. "Heh. Fox-only."
Pumpkin may or may not be aware of why that kumiho thinks that's funny.
"Faerie stuff is hecking terrible," the fox says, her mirth draining away. "You just got everything you were taken from you and you haven't gotta clue it even happened."
That's a weird thing for a kumiho to say, given that they devour people's Names. But then again, the fox has admitted to having only ONE Name so maybe she hasn't done that before?
Anywho!
The forest continues to deepen around them, the soft twilight giving way to deep gloom. There is more below the empty, grasping roots of the trees than mere darkness and our heroes will likely feel eyes peering out at them. Here and there they'll spy ruins of ancient stonework choked by brambles and vines, crumbling statues with the faces long since lost.
You don't usually see signs of civilization, decayed as these might be, in the Enchanted Forest. But then, you don't usually see forests in the Pit, either. Our heroes appear to be traveling through some spooky borderlands between the two.
"Fox is fine," the fox replies.
That isn't unusual with kumiho. Just calling them a kumiho or a fox. Or calling them by the Name they're wearing. But this fox isn't wearing a name right now since, as she said, she doesn't want anything weird to happen to it. Because the Enchanted Forest can be pretty weird.
Then she makes a rather silly foxy chuckling sound and grins. "Heh. Fox-only."
Pumpkin may or may not be aware of why that kumiho thinks that's funny.
"Faerie stuff is hecking terrible," the fox says, her mirth draining away. "You just got everything you were taken from you and you haven't gotta clue it even happened."
That's a weird thing for a kumiho to say, given that they devour people's Names. But then again, the fox has admitted to having only ONE Name so maybe she hasn't done that before?
Anywho!
The forest continues to deepen around them, the soft twilight giving way to deep gloom. There is more below the empty, grasping roots of the trees than mere darkness and our heroes will likely feel eyes peering out at them. Here and there they'll spy ruins of ancient stonework choked by brambles and vines, crumbling statues with the faces long since lost.
You don't usually see signs of civilization, decayed as these might be, in the Enchanted Forest. But then, you don't usually see forests in the Pit, either. Our heroes appear to be traveling through some spooky borderlands between the two.
Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
Being fair she was kind of aware of it at first! Like many fae she had a pretty decent imprint of her past self in her new self.
And then Chestnut gave her Mask even more of a push and told her to not worry about it.
Pumpkin considers things as they travel.
"So I've heard pumpkins are good for foxes, are you SURE you don't want any?" Pumpkin was kind of made to be quick to give away the stuff she grows.
"Also how are you with costumes? Mom said I needed to get a costume for myself."
Being fair she was kind of aware of it at first! Like many fae she had a pretty decent imprint of her past self in her new self.
And then Chestnut gave her Mask even more of a push and told her to not worry about it.
Pumpkin considers things as they travel.
"So I've heard pumpkins are good for foxes, are you SURE you don't want any?" Pumpkin was kind of made to be quick to give away the stuff she grows.
"Also how are you with costumes? Mom said I needed to get a costume for myself."
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
"What like eat a whole pumpkin on the spot?" the fox asks, not quite sure what to make of the offer of food that just grew off someone.
Like.
Okay, sure, that's how mammals work in a very roundabout kind of way but usually people are making produce.
"Well, I'm really good at illusions but... I dunno. I've made stuff that's real enough to stick around before. But it's only ever been simple stuff. I haven't ever tried making something as complicated as a costume before," she replies uncertainly.
"You wish to be shrouded in another form? One which is terrifying to behold?" comes a spooky voice from the darkness below the roots of a spooky tree.
The fox scowls at whatever the voice is coming from.
"What like eat a whole pumpkin on the spot?" the fox asks, not quite sure what to make of the offer of food that just grew off someone.
Like.
Okay, sure, that's how mammals work in a very roundabout kind of way but usually people are making produce.
"Well, I'm really good at illusions but... I dunno. I've made stuff that's real enough to stick around before. But it's only ever been simple stuff. I haven't ever tried making something as complicated as a costume before," she replies uncertainly.
"You wish to be shrouded in another form? One which is terrifying to behold?" comes a spooky voice from the darkness below the roots of a spooky tree.
The fox scowls at whatever the voice is coming from.
Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
"Just some munching, I'm sure. Besides all my pumpkins are pretty small except the big one I made.
And then a spooky voice! Pumpkin squints at the spooky voice.
"Well, I do need to spook someone. But I was told to just use a costume not like. Something CRAZY."
She just got her Mask and she's pretty sure that freaked her out enough for one day, even if she calmed down. And she doesn't know much about faerie glamour yet.
"Do you make costumes, Mister?"
"Just some munching, I'm sure. Besides all my pumpkins are pretty small except the big one I made.
And then a spooky voice! Pumpkin squints at the spooky voice.
"Well, I do need to spook someone. But I was told to just use a costume not like. Something CRAZY."
She just got her Mask and she's pretty sure that freaked her out enough for one day, even if she calmed down. And she doesn't know much about faerie glamour yet.
"Do you make costumes, Mister?"
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
"I'm a fox, foxes aren't exactly big," the kumiho points out.
Which is kind of a silly thing to say.
A kumiho has two shapes that aren't complete lies. One is a cute little fox. The other is a rather large vulpine monster comparable to, perhaps, what most people would think of as a werewolf. One of them is quite big. The other is not. But the big one usually only comes out when pretexts and lies have failed. Right now, at least, the fox is not big.
"But I guess I could-"
Get interrupted by a spooky voice.
"A costume? Not a Mask, but merely to drape yourself in the skin of another to provoke fear. I make such things. What would you give me for my work?" the creepy voice from below the roots asks.
"I'm a fox, foxes aren't exactly big," the kumiho points out.
Which is kind of a silly thing to say.
A kumiho has two shapes that aren't complete lies. One is a cute little fox. The other is a rather large vulpine monster comparable to, perhaps, what most people would think of as a werewolf. One of them is quite big. The other is not. But the big one usually only comes out when pretexts and lies have failed. Right now, at least, the fox is not big.
"But I guess I could-"
Get interrupted by a spooky voice.
"A costume? Not a Mask, but merely to drape yourself in the skin of another to provoke fear. I make such things. What would you give me for my work?" the creepy voice from below the roots asks.
Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
"Hm. Well, do you like apples? Pumpkins?" Pumpkin asks of the spooky voice, gesturing at the ones growing all over her.
Given the fact that she's naked she doesn't really have much else to offer. And she's not going to do some dark deed for a spooky voice she JUST met.
"Hm. Well, do you like apples? Pumpkins?" Pumpkin asks of the spooky voice, gesturing at the ones growing all over her.
Given the fact that she's naked she doesn't really have much else to offer. And she's not going to do some dark deed for a spooky voice she JUST met.
Re: The Dreamlands
[Autumn]
"I have no interest in your fruits, but rather the fruits of your labor," the spooky voice says. "I have a task you may comeplete."
"Is this some kinda dark deed you wants us to do?" the fox asks, skepticism in her voice.
A few seconds of silence follows.
"WELL!?"
"There are... some... tasks which may not be considered dark deeds. From a certain perspective."
"Yeah you're gunna have to do better than that, buddy."
"I have no interest in your fruits, but rather the fruits of your labor," the spooky voice says. "I have a task you may comeplete."
"Is this some kinda dark deed you wants us to do?" the fox asks, skepticism in her voice.
A few seconds of silence follows.
"WELL!?"
"There are... some... tasks which may not be considered dark deeds. From a certain perspective."
"Yeah you're gunna have to do better than that, buddy."
-
Earl of Purple
- Transcendent Soul Poster
- Posts: 2109
- Joined: Aug 01, 2022 3:59 pm
- Location: Amongst the Folk from the North
- Pronouns: He/Him
Re: The Dreamlands
Springtime
"Ow. That hurt." Is Agate's immediate response to landing. It's also not strictly true; she was more startled by the landing than hurt. She looks around and spots Marygold, sitting up and shuffling away as she raises her pistol. "Sorry, but I'm not really looking for friends right now. I'm looking first for... a way out, and my cousin. Sort-of cousin. She's got red skin, she's tall, she's got a tail and wings, and one of her boobs is bigger than my head, and she's got two the same size." Agate doesn't recognise the gaiad as her missing cousin altered into a new shape, since she's never seen Mary without the demonic features. "Oh, I am actually looking for a friend. A specific friend, a fox. That's her shoe."
"Ow. That hurt." Is Agate's immediate response to landing. It's also not strictly true; she was more startled by the landing than hurt. She looks around and spots Marygold, sitting up and shuffling away as she raises her pistol. "Sorry, but I'm not really looking for friends right now. I'm looking first for... a way out, and my cousin. Sort-of cousin. She's got red skin, she's tall, she's got a tail and wings, and one of her boobs is bigger than my head, and she's got two the same size." Agate doesn't recognise the gaiad as her missing cousin altered into a new shape, since she's never seen Mary without the demonic features. "Oh, I am actually looking for a friend. A specific friend, a fox. That's her shoe."
Avatar provided by Happyturtle. Still using it, after all these years.
Don't run now, my eggs are hatching.
Don't run now, my eggs are hatching.
Re: The Dreamlands
[Springtime]
Nothing quite like having an angry dog dragon dinosaur up in your face slashing the heck out of you. Sirius manages to neatly avoid the grasping hair and begins carving the heck out of the spider's face! The kumiho, by contrast, gets snagged by the hair! She reacts by bringing a paw down on it blazing with FIGHTING SPIRIT! and chops right through the stuff.
From both attacks the spider recoils, quickly concluding that these creatures definitely aren't worth the effort of dealing with. It'll disengage and try to scuttle away to lick its wounds and brood about its revenge.
"Stupid giant spiders,"
Stupid giant spiders indeed.
Meanwhile!
Agate and Marigold have a nice conversation. Agate will be able to feel that witchy presence lurking around, but the mere fact that she's here seems to be holding it at bay.
Nothing quite like having an angry dog dragon dinosaur up in your face slashing the heck out of you. Sirius manages to neatly avoid the grasping hair and begins carving the heck out of the spider's face! The kumiho, by contrast, gets snagged by the hair! She reacts by bringing a paw down on it blazing with FIGHTING SPIRIT! and chops right through the stuff.
From both attacks the spider recoils, quickly concluding that these creatures definitely aren't worth the effort of dealing with. It'll disengage and try to scuttle away to lick its wounds and brood about its revenge.
"Stupid giant spiders,"
Stupid giant spiders indeed.
Meanwhile!
Agate and Marigold have a nice conversation. Agate will be able to feel that witchy presence lurking around, but the mere fact that she's here seems to be holding it at bay.
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bc56
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Re: The Dreamlands
Springtime
"Aw that's too bad I like making new friends." Marigold considers the question. "Red skin and wings? I'd know if I saw someone like that! She hasn't come by here, sorry."
She laughs brightly. "Foxes don't wear shoes, silly! Their paws wouldn't fit!"
"Aw that's too bad I like making new friends." Marigold considers the question. "Red skin and wings? I'd know if I saw someone like that! She hasn't come by here, sorry."
She laughs brightly. "Foxes don't wear shoes, silly! Their paws wouldn't fit!"
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Re: The Dreamlands
AutumnRebonack wrote: ↑Oct 16, 2023 4:00 am [Autumn]
"I have no interest in your fruits, but rather the fruits of your labor," the spooky voice says. "I have a task you may comeplete."
"Is this some kinda dark deed you wants us to do?" the fox asks, skepticism in her voice.
A few seconds of silence follows.
"WELL!?"
"There are... some... tasks which may not be considered dark deeds. From a certain perspective."
"Yeah you're gunna have to do better than that, buddy."
"Yeah buddy. We can go to the Waking World and get a nice costume for like, fifty bucks. We're not performing some weird evil quests for you just for something I can get at a store." Pumpkin insists, pointing at nothing because the voice is just a voice.
Springtime
Sirius looks insufferably smug about actually winning a fight. He doesn't get to do that often. And he didn't even need to HENSHIN!
"Agate fell down there, Khannie! Let's go!"
Without waiting Sirius goes off to chase where Agate fell. He's not losing TWO people in that quick succession.
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Earl of Purple
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Re: The Dreamlands
Springtime
"This fox does wear shoes. She... is a human girl cursed with a fox shape, or something. She uses magic to get human clothes on." Agate knows the basics, but doesn't care much beyond 'Khannie is human, but doesn't have the right body, so she uses magic to give herself the body she should have', which is enough for her to not worry further.
"So you've not seen my cousin or my friend. Can you point me outta here? This place is giving me the creeps." Agate shivers and looks around, hoping desperately for a door or a staircase or anything that might be a way out.
"This fox does wear shoes. She... is a human girl cursed with a fox shape, or something. She uses magic to get human clothes on." Agate knows the basics, but doesn't care much beyond 'Khannie is human, but doesn't have the right body, so she uses magic to give herself the body she should have', which is enough for her to not worry further.
"So you've not seen my cousin or my friend. Can you point me outta here? This place is giving me the creeps." Agate shivers and looks around, hoping desperately for a door or a staircase or anything that might be a way out.
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Don't run now, my eggs are hatching.
Don't run now, my eggs are hatching.
Re: The Dreamlands
[Springtime]
"Hey, wait up!" the kumiho calls out, hurrying after her not-dog. Thankfully her paws are a little better equipped for navigating the tangle. As they drop down into the dream glade they'll find Agate having a chat with a gaiad?
Huh.
Well, that could be worse, right? She's obviously not a Buttercup so no huge risk there. Gaiads are usually mostly harmless.
Now, what the kumiho notices immediately after Agate and the faerie is the most important thing. "Hey, there's my shoe. Did you find that for me?" she asks, careful not to thank the nymph for the noble task of retrieving footwear. "Any sign of Mary?" asks the fox with only one shoe on.
It's true that her feet don't really fit in the shoes. The toes kind of open up so her long foxy feet can stick through them.
Whatever they do, they probably shouldn't stick around here long. The Witchy presence is growing more intense.
[Autumn]
This exchange seems to have really taken the wind out of the dark voice's sails.
"FINE! I have a task for you that isn't evil. Retrieve some mushrooms for me from the foot of the blind monolith and I will aid you," it requests.
"Are they EVIL mushrooms?" the fox demands.
"No! They aren't evil mushrooms! What would an evil mushroom even BE!?" replies the exasperated voice.
"Hey, wait up!" the kumiho calls out, hurrying after her not-dog. Thankfully her paws are a little better equipped for navigating the tangle. As they drop down into the dream glade they'll find Agate having a chat with a gaiad?
Huh.
Well, that could be worse, right? She's obviously not a Buttercup so no huge risk there. Gaiads are usually mostly harmless.
Now, what the kumiho notices immediately after Agate and the faerie is the most important thing. "Hey, there's my shoe. Did you find that for me?" she asks, careful not to thank the nymph for the noble task of retrieving footwear. "Any sign of Mary?" asks the fox with only one shoe on.
It's true that her feet don't really fit in the shoes. The toes kind of open up so her long foxy feet can stick through them.
Whatever they do, they probably shouldn't stick around here long. The Witchy presence is growing more intense.
[Autumn]
This exchange seems to have really taken the wind out of the dark voice's sails.
"FINE! I have a task for you that isn't evil. Retrieve some mushrooms for me from the foot of the blind monolith and I will aid you," it requests.
"Are they EVIL mushrooms?" the fox demands.
"No! They aren't evil mushrooms! What would an evil mushroom even BE!?" replies the exasperated voice.
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bc56
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Re: The Dreamlands
Springtime
"Um, there isn't a way out," Marigold tells Agate, "It's completely surrounded by Her." The she suddenly covers her ears. "Nonononono, don't think about Her. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts!"
This is followed by a weird dog and a fox entering the grove. Marigold is glad for the distraction. "You're a funny fox," she says, "Most foxes don't wear shoes, silly!" She hands over the shoe anyway. "Do you want to be my friend, fox?"
Does this gaiad look familiar to Khannie? The behavior is totally wrong but the shape of her upper body is very reminiscent of Mary. Especially her face. Agate never saw human-Mary, but Khannie did.
"Um, there isn't a way out," Marigold tells Agate, "It's completely surrounded by Her." The she suddenly covers her ears. "Nonononono, don't think about Her. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts!"
This is followed by a weird dog and a fox entering the grove. Marigold is glad for the distraction. "You're a funny fox," she says, "Most foxes don't wear shoes, silly!" She hands over the shoe anyway. "Do you want to be my friend, fox?"
Does this gaiad look familiar to Khannie? The behavior is totally wrong but the shape of her upper body is very reminiscent of Mary. Especially her face. Agate never saw human-Mary, but Khannie did.
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Re: The Dreamlands
Autumn
"Probably those things from Dragon Quest. Anyway, sure if it's on the way. Where's the blind monolith?"
Pumpkin ponders their predicament.
"Fox, can you make a bag at least? I don't really have pockets." Or anything.
Springtime
And now everyone is here. Yay!
Sirius seems pretty confused by this sight, though.
"Mary why is your butt a deer? Did you let someone call you Buttercup?" Sirius asks almost immediately.
After all, Sirius was present for most of Khannie and Mary's interactions, even if he was quietly snoozing most of the time. And he kind of has a good memory since it's literally digital storage.
"Probably those things from Dragon Quest. Anyway, sure if it's on the way. Where's the blind monolith?"
Pumpkin ponders their predicament.
"Fox, can you make a bag at least? I don't really have pockets." Or anything.
Springtime
And now everyone is here. Yay!
Sirius seems pretty confused by this sight, though.
"Mary why is your butt a deer? Did you let someone call you Buttercup?" Sirius asks almost immediately.
After all, Sirius was present for most of Khannie and Mary's interactions, even if he was quietly snoozing most of the time. And he kind of has a good memory since it's literally digital storage.
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Earl of Purple
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Re: The Dreamlands
Springtime
"I haven't seen Mary. I can feel a witch, though. It's close, but I don't know where." Agate is glad to see Khannie, and she's carrying her pistol somewhat openly. She's trying to shield it behind her dress, but also itching to point it and start shooting.
Then Sirius notices something Agate didn't! For shame, Agate, Mary's your cousin! Or as good as, you should know her better than some dinosaur-dog. "What?"
"I haven't seen Mary. I can feel a witch, though. It's close, but I don't know where." Agate is glad to see Khannie, and she's carrying her pistol somewhat openly. She's trying to shield it behind her dress, but also itching to point it and start shooting.
Then Sirius notices something Agate didn't! For shame, Agate, Mary's your cousin! Or as good as, you should know her better than some dinosaur-dog. "What?"
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Don't run now, my eggs are hatching.
Don't run now, my eggs are hatching.
Re: The Dreamlands
[Springtime]
The kumiho got her shoe back!
Hooray!
She stands on one foot and slips it back onto her loooong foxy foot, her toes sticking out of the end. It's almost more of just some sort of cover for her heel and it seriously doesn't look like it would actually be able to serve its purpose. Khannie seems to think it's important, though, so maybe it is? Who knows! The fox wiggles her toes once the shoe is in place just to make sure it's working right.
Confirmed.
So. The fox wrinkles up her nose. "I'm already your friend, Mary. And-"
Sirius totally asks the right question here.
"-yeah, that. What the heck happened to you? Is Buttercup lurking around somewhere?"
She looks around, just in case of lurking Buttercups. But it doesn't look like there are any. Just the looming presence of the Witch.
[Autumn]
"Yeah, I think so. Hang on a sec," the fox says as she sits down and paints some darkness onto the forest floor with the liquid shadow that makes up the end of her tail.
This causes the spooky voice to immediately flip the heck out.
"THE DEPTHS! The Depths flow from you! Jabberwock! Dreamless sleep and death of dreams! Begon!" bellows the voice as the reaching, threatening branches begin closing around our heroes and thwacking at them.
Wow.
Rude.
The kumiho got her shoe back!
Hooray!
She stands on one foot and slips it back onto her loooong foxy foot, her toes sticking out of the end. It's almost more of just some sort of cover for her heel and it seriously doesn't look like it would actually be able to serve its purpose. Khannie seems to think it's important, though, so maybe it is? Who knows! The fox wiggles her toes once the shoe is in place just to make sure it's working right.
Confirmed.
So. The fox wrinkles up her nose. "I'm already your friend, Mary. And-"
Sirius totally asks the right question here.
"-yeah, that. What the heck happened to you? Is Buttercup lurking around somewhere?"
She looks around, just in case of lurking Buttercups. But it doesn't look like there are any. Just the looming presence of the Witch.
[Autumn]
"Yeah, I think so. Hang on a sec," the fox says as she sits down and paints some darkness onto the forest floor with the liquid shadow that makes up the end of her tail.
This causes the spooky voice to immediately flip the heck out.
"THE DEPTHS! The Depths flow from you! Jabberwock! Dreamless sleep and death of dreams! Begon!" bellows the voice as the reaching, threatening branches begin closing around our heroes and thwacking at them.
Wow.
Rude.
Last edited by Rebonack on Oct 19, 2023 8:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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bc56
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Re: The Dreamlands
Springtime
"My name's not Mary, it's Marigold," Marigold says. "And I'm not Buttercup! Buttercup's my mama! She saved me from Her." That's the second time Marigold has mentioned Her.
We have the strongest memories of Khannie. Just a little push and...
"You really are a funny fox. You only have one mask? If I guess what its name is, will you show me?"
"My name's not Mary, it's Marigold," Marigold says. "And I'm not Buttercup! Buttercup's my mama! She saved me from Her." That's the second time Marigold has mentioned Her.
We have the strongest memories of Khannie. Just a little push and...
"You really are a funny fox. You only have one mask? If I guess what its name is, will you show me?"
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Re: The Dreamlands
[Springtime]
The fox gives the gaiad a suspicious look.
There's definitely something weird up.
Did Mary get faeried somehow? From what? How did that even happen?
"...sure, why not. We can make a game of it I guess? If you can guess my name then I'll show you my Mask," the Kumiho replies.
The fox gives the gaiad a suspicious look.
There's definitely something weird up.
Did Mary get faeried somehow? From what? How did that even happen?
"...sure, why not. We can make a game of it I guess? If you can guess my name then I'll show you my Mask," the Kumiho replies.