June Aftermath: Magic Lantern Strange

[lifeaftr_mods]

JUNE AFTERMATH: MAGIC LANTERN STRANGE

Who: Everyone!
What: A celebration!
When: Evening of June 21st, and well into morning
Where: Ensō, E3 and E4
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Slide the Light Off You
As promised, the evening of the 21st finds the Jormun hosting a party on Ensō's largest beachfront. Near immediately, it should be clear that they've spared absolutely no expense when it comes to showing their story-walker brethren a good time.

Of course, they may also be...showing off a little. The stalls and comfortable seating supplied around multiple firepits appears to be a mishmash of Jormun built contraptions and items requested from the Storyteller- many may be delighted to see the variety of beach cushions and blankets, items the Jormun will be happy to let their story-walker friends take home at the end of the festivities. A veritable smorgasbord of food and drink is also readily available, from the kid-friendly options of brrshavak (a spicy drink with a taste akin to liquified chili pepper) and molkavarr (a rich chocolaty broth) to the alcoholic rakvrhak (a rich wine that tastes oddly plumlike). Do be warned, however, that the last is incredibly potent.

Large slabs of driftwood have been laid out to form impromptu tables, bristling with the Jormun's culinary expertise: fried squid, seaweed wraps, spicy pickled kelp, kebabs of roasted eel, hard-boiled snapling eggs, and so on. The vegetables and meats of the sea have been laid out for all to enjoy, so tuck in!

Throughout the evening the air will be filled with the sound of music, with multiple Jormun eager to show off their skill in instrumentation. Conch-shell horns, carved driftwood flutes, urchin-needle harps, and countless more contraptions engineered by a deep sea-dwelling people fill the air with the most peculiar but nonetheless not unpleasant sound. Most of the bands will be set up in the shallow waters, however, as their instruments are not made to be used in open air - try playing them above the surface of the water at your own risk.

Of course, there's plenty more to entertain even the most difficult of people.

You're Living the Strobe Light
Those interested in proving their strength and skill will be encouraged to enter one of the many tournaments across the shoreline. The tournaments vary, featuring such challenges as play fights with the schlacknorkcvic to prove who is the greatest warrior, timed events to see who can stay on a bucking tigershark for the longest, and even a tourney of brovonkosshk, a board game somewhat similar to chess. Don't see anything you're interested in? Make your own. If you can think it, the Jormun will happily accommodate it - impromptu challenges are the highlight of such evenings, after all, though the Jormun won't be taking any responsibility for the first poor soul that decides to usher in a drinking contest.

A small variety of walker games are also available. Jormun children are more than eager to play such games as hide-and-seek or red light, green light, while Connor Murphy will be bringing his Cards Against Humanity deck, for those ready to completely screw with the idea of a fourth wall. There's even a game of Spin the Bottle... except the bottle is being spun overhead like a mace. Being hit by said bottle requires you to do a stupidly ridiculous task, so perhaps it's best to avoid that particular adaptation...

And of course, there's the lightshow.

As mentioned previously, the main show of the evening is the show of brssticca: bursts of magical light beneath the water that will put any fireworks show to shame. The lights are safe to wade and swim through, do keep in mind that the phosphorescent algae tends to cling to the skin. And should you reach into those spiraling, fluorescent nebulae of patterns beneath the surface, some of the configurations of light may abruptly shatter like broken glass.

Additionally, skilled Jormun will be happy to assist those who care to dress up for the event with intricate applications of shellivthiss - a style of waterproof body paint that is not only bright, but luminescent. Something the Jormun may forget to mention, however, is how similar shellivthiss is to henna; should you decide to get all dolled up, except to shine bright light a diamond for weeks to come.

Lastly, those who wanted to bring their own adventures are welcome to as well! Supplying some dope roast? Bringing those sweet, sweet greens? Have some alcohol to supply? All is welcomed by the Jormun - and undoubtedly, your fellow adventurers as well.

You May Find Some Peace
Feeling a tad adrift? Make sure to check the OOC Event Post, which has details regarding the event timeline!

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( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[catpiper]

[Oh.

Oh.

She holds the brush away from them to avoid accidentally painting the charm as she leans forward and on her tiptoes to see it. It's a neat treasure that-

And her eyes fall to the ground to read grown up and sibling and-

Is that how it works for bugs? Small bits of treasure help them age? Does it work like that? She's going to have to inquire about this with Guzma someday. He seems to be the local insect expert. While she had an inkling, due to their attitude and size, that they were a kid. They like to find treasures and doodle on temple walls with her-it seemed natural to assume and this confirms that thought.

They get the chance to be older, for the time being, and she's not going to ruin it. It's a rare occurrence to be able to grow up and while islanders treat it like it's supposed to be common, she knows better. Enjoy your time, big friend.]

Then I won't touch that pretty charm. I'll paint around it-it's okay. You can be grown up for long time.

[lightlessfuture]

[ If they knew what was on Ren's mind, they'd likely feel sad - Ren shouldn't know these things, is kind and soft and sweet and doesn't deserve to know what it feels like to not be able to grow up - but there's a bittersweet connection there, even so, to have that understanding.

Growing up is a rare thing. They know how that is.

They simply nod happily, lacking the ability to read minds, and obligingly hold their arms out to be painted. Making it easier for Ren in a way they hadn't had to before (being grown up comes with its own strangeness). ]

[catpiper]

[The Knight has given this terrible child too much power, even if all they did was hand her a brush. They're bigger now, which means she has a larger canvas to work with and while she's gonna start doodling simple, little swirls and stars on their arms, she has a bigger goal in mind.

Their helmet/skull thing? She's coming for it. Slowly working her way up their arms, standing on her toes to reach their shoulders with terrible doodles of cats and eggs and suns-

Horrible.

When she runs outta armspace, she looks expectantly at their face, gesturing towards their bony cheeks, and says-]

What things make you happy? I'll draw it up there.

[lightlessfuture]

[ They sit completely still, as if they have all the time in the world to let Ren paint as much as she wishes - and, to be honest, they do. There is nowhere they would rather be, at this moment. It's a simple, happy task, and they watch as she decorates their arms with strange but sweet designs.

They tilt their head as Ren indicates where she wishes to draw next - they have intricate patterns taking up some of their mask already, with a strange symbol of horns that are similar, but not quite the same taking pride of place in the middle of their forehead - but there's always room for more.

They lean down obligingly, both to let Ren reach their head easier and to write in the sand to give her an answer.

like flowers

If Ren wants to draw all over their mask, or what space is left on their mask, they're certainly not going to deny her. ]

[catpiper]

[Flowers are a treasure that brings her joy too, so it's easy to imagine the the petals and blossoms all over their head. There isn't much space remaining, but there's enough to doodle out the mental blueprint she has for them.

She works her way around their head, drawing huge, terrible flowers when there's enough space for it and making the rest miniature, until they have a whole glowy crown.]

Now you'll be happy.

[lightlessfuture]

[ They lean down further to gently press their forehead against Ren's once she's done, an affectionate little headbump. Another scribble in the sand.

am happy

are you ?

They are, as always, curious to know. And besides, they like listening to Ren. ]

[catpiper]

[Happiness comes easy to her nowadays and even if, by some strange twist of fate, she hadn't been, that small bit of physical contact brought it back with avengeance.

She brings her hands up to rest against the sides of their face, if they don't move away, and gives them a little pet. Pet, pet. They're so good.]

I'm with you, so that makes me very happy.

[lightlessfuture]

[ That makes the Knight feel warm, and not just because Ren is holding their face in her hands and petting it (though it certainly helps). It's the same feeling they got being able to sit with Quirrel, to be able to help the Old Stag remember his way back to the place where he was born.

"That makes me very happy."

They hold their position, just resting their forehead gently against Ren's; for the moment, they're content. All is well.

They write in the sand:

makes me happy too ]

[catpiper]

[They're not a cat. She doesn't know if they like scratches behind their horns or if they'll purr if she pets their cheeks long enough, but she tries to do both anyway. Good bug, good bug!!!]

I'll draw flowers on your legs too. I can do that for you.

[lightlessfuture]

[ They may not be a cat, but they tilt their head back and forth to gain the full benefits of that affection, even leaning down more to soak it up.

(They are, in truth, touch-starved. It is something they have never really known, a comforting touch from others, though they are fully capable of giving it - as a method of communication, or simply as a wordless sign of affection. Ren's unashamed gift of such things emboldens them.)

They nod, stretching out their legs a little so Ren can use them as a canvas. She's welcome to draw on them all she likes. ]

[catpiper]

[The Knight might come to regret this as time wears on and they're increasingly doodled on. This is really an enhancement though. They're becoming Knight 2.0 without any of the cost associated with that. Free tattoos forever.

Though their reaction makes her want to keep petting them and she does, for a few more minutes. Pet, pet. Scratch, scratch.

And then her attention falls right back to the paint and on their legs, she begins to draw moons and stars of all sizes and shapes. Horrible. They'll be brighter than the actual night sky by the time she's done with them.]

[lightlessfuture]

[ They don't mind it at all, in fact. They tilt their head this way and that once Ren stops petting them, apparently inspecting their new illustrations in pleasure.

They look out to sea, and then look back at Ren happily doodling. After a moment's thought, they write in the sand, carefully.

want to see glowing water closer ?

There is...something, they've been wanting to do. Just to see if they can. ]

[catpiper]

[The ocean doesn't fill her with A Fear right now, given that it looks like a giant treasure. She can't swim, but they can splash around the ankle deep part without dying, so it's fine. Sign her up.]

Okay, we can go. It's pretty. I want to look at it.

[lightlessfuture]

[ The Knight nods, and then does something a little strange; instead of just standing up, they adjust themselves a bit so they're crouching with their back to Ren.

With a few gestures, they manage to indicate that Ren can climb onto their back, if she wishes. Does she want to go for a ride? ]

[catpiper]

[It takes her a second to understand what they're getting at and again, she has to remind herself this bug isn't currently small. They could support her weight in this form and not get hurt carrying her around.

So, cautiously, she hobbles over to get on their back, wrapping her arms around their neck.]

You can write 'Ren you're heavy' and I'll get down-you can do that.

[lightlessfuture]

[ The Knight nods to confirm they've heard her, but they show no signs of being overloaded when they pick her up. In fact, by their confident but careful stride, Ren doesn't seem to register as much of a weight at all.

They wade into the brightly glowing water, letting it swirl around their legs. They don't quite understand having a fear of water - the abyss shares its nature - but they hoist Ren a bit further up onto their back, making sure she stays dry.

If Ren likes, they'll obligingly bend down a bit further so that she can touch the water's surface without risking falling in or getting wet herself. They seem happy to ferry her here and there, watching the water's glow. ]

[catpiper]

[The Knight has turned, what normally is, a terrifying experience into something enjoyable. She clutches them when they start to move through the water, going further than her usual ankle deep limit, and waits a few moments for The Fear to lift away from her. They're looking out for her. They won't let her drown-she's sure of that so-

She sticks her finger into the water when they bend down, watching the little sparkely patterns shatter and laughs.]

Look, look! It's a treasure-everything is!