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pixieledmemes2025-05-16 12:28 am
Test Drive Meme #3
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You wake up at a party.
You're not sure how, exactly, you got here. You may have just been walking in the woods or at a meeting for work or doing any other normal activity for you. But you know you weren't supposed to be at this party, you're fairly certain.
Anyone you ask about it will say the party is for you. You and the others also waking up and looking confused. Further questions will lead to the partygoers insisting you have something to eat. You're starving and others are eating the food without repercussion, so you figure there's no harm in a bite. You finish your portion.
It's another garden party near a large hedge maze in the middle of the night. With his penchant for games the Ruler of the Spring Court decided it would be nice to hold an actual game for all the Adopted present. None of that dreidel game a couple of parties ago. This time, he wants more spectacle with higher stakes. Forced to participate and host aspects of this gathering as well, the Ruler of the Dark Court wanted nothing to do with this, so he figured his participation in itself is for the party to happen at night, during his rule, when his mood is at its most pleasant.
Of course, there is no shortage of light sources such as candles and torches, much to the Earl's chagrin, as well as no shortage of food. This time, the fae decided to try their hand on some pasta. They heard it's a good delicacy from the mortal plane. Thing is, sauces look and smell bizarre. One's purple, while another's bright pink, and they taste fruity, as well as flowery, much like the cookies from the last gathering.
As the party winds down and everyone's eaten, a tall, stately woman stands up and speaks. You feel her voice more than hear it.
I am the Lawspeaker of the Fae, elected by Seelie and Unseelie alike, and you are all, now, subjects of Faerie. You cannot leave this realm once you have eaten our food, and even if you could, there is no saying how much time has passed back where you're from. Your loved ones are likely dead, your problems have likely played out. We require assistance in various matters, and each of you has been chosen for your talent and skill. You will be adopted by one of the Seelie or Unseelie Courts based on your strengths and personality. Your Court will decide what to do with you from there.
As suddenly as she stood, she sits back down.
So, what about this hedge maze that seems to have appeared out of nowhere and looming quite eerily beside this night's gathering? For one, peculiar noises can be heard whenever one's near its entrance. From the rustling of leaves to a woman crying, everything seems to be coming from inside.
Of course, the Adopted's participation is required and paramount. Anyone who refuses will be met with harsh penalties and consequences, whatever those may be. They also hint of a prize to anyone who comes out victorious on the other side. It's unclear what it is, though.
The fae know that while the Adopted have been very useful so far, they are also vulnerable and susceptible to fear, so to mitigate that, they have some colorful shots on a table marked LIQUID COURAGE near the entrance to the maze with such effects:
- Gold: Essentially a strong drink that gives you profound energy for 24 hours.
- Red: Downing this will make you feel warm like an aphrodisiac.
- Blue: Basically functions like a normal tequila shot. Or three. Comes with a little bag of salt.
These shots are not compulsory for the Adopted to take, but they will be highly encouraged to do so before entering. Once inside, the rustling of leaves and the sounds of someone crying become louder and even more evident. There are also a few key things that seem to be very clear the longer an Adopted is within the maze's walls:
- The maze is moving. How it's doing it, nobody knows. But it appears to be alive somehow, much like the castle grounds, so finding a clear pathway is almost impossible.
- Whenever an Adopted turns right two consecutive times, they will see a more positive outcome from a terrible event in their lives. Lost someone? They're now here and alive. Gave up on a dream? You find yourself currently living it.
- If an Adopted turns left two consecutive times, they will see someone, a family member or a friend who's still alive and had a deep impact on their lives, bleeding and dead on the ground.
It would be great if no one else can see an Adopted during their most vulnerable, but since the maze moves constantly, another Adopted or two might be able to see them trying to parse out what they're seeing, even if their fellow Adopted can't see it themselves.
CW: dismemberment, body horror, forced body transformations, mild gore, asphyxiation, drowning of children, death
The Spring King only wanted some good-natured fun within the maze, but unbeknownst to him, some Unseelie creatures and Unseelie magic have appeared inside, threatening the safety of the Adopted traversing every nook and cranny. Surely this will not have any lasting consequences between the relationship of the Seelie and Unseelie court rulers. Not at all.
A few of these Unseelie beings and Unseelie magic roaming around the hedge maze that the Adopted will have a chance to meet are as follows:
- Manananggal: Capable of severing its torso from its legs, this vampiric creature usually preys on sleeping pregnant women and unborn babies. But not anymore. Due to magic put on it, this manananggal will strike anyone it comes across. Better pour salt on its severed lower torso once you find it, or else.
- La Llorona: Remember that woman crying? Well, somewhere in the maze alongside the eerie sounds of water flowing, you'll come across a weeping woman cloaked in white with her back turned against you. Be careful not to approach her because once you do, she'll try to choke you to death, reminiscent of how she drowned her own children.
- Jersey Devil: The first thing you'll hear once you turn is a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream then the sound of bat wings flapping. You better run as fast as you can to the other direction because this devil is out to attack anyone it sees on its path.
- A fountain: How odd. Running from the jersey devil or the manananggal might have made you thirsty so perhaps there's no harm in drinking from it. But just coming in contact with its water will make any Adopted soon realize they have transformed into an Unseelie creature.
Fighting off these creatures might be best with a fellow Adopted. After all, there's power in numbers. Just be careful not to die within the hedge maze. There might be some dire consequences.
You feel a vibration in your pocket sometime after the Lawspeaker addresses everyone. When you search for the source, you will pull out your Leaf, the device the Fae use to stay in touch with each other. Anyone who's used a smart phone will easily recognize how it works.
Greetings, Adopted. This is your Lawspeaker.
To be on theme with our festivities for tonight, we want to know a time in your life when you felt lost and wandering about. Perhaps the most compelling story will receive a reward from us.
party
Admittedly, she's a little surprised to have caught someone seemingly before they've eaten--she hadn't thought it would be possible, had heard that the fae had ways of preventing such a thing. What Kel doesn't know, having been fool enough to readily accept food and drink at the first party, is that those who refuse will eventually be forced to eat anyway.
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"Thank you for the warning." he bows in the direction of the voice, "May I ask what is wrong with the food?"
He could practice inedia, but that won't sustain him forever.
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"It won't make you ill, I don't think--nothing I've eaten here has done that to me yet. I suppose it's more like an enchantment."
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"The Fairies want us to...stay?" he guesses, "If some of us possess the ability to travel...back...that must be seen to immediately."
Fortunately he doesn't have any such ability.
"Thank you for warning me. I am Xiao Xingchen." he smiles and bows - hopefully to her.
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She returns the bow, though it doesn't seem like he'll see it; perhaps the clink of her armor again will hint at the motion. "Keladry of Mindelan-- but just Kel will do. I'm sorry we must meet under these circumstances."
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Then his attention returns back to the questionable food.
"I can rely on a practice called inedia for...a time. But eventually I will need to eat." and, furthermore, "What about the drinks? Are they enchanted too?"
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His concern is very valid though, and Kel pauses before going on more gently, "It may be difficult, but resist as long as you can. I've been stuck here months now, with no idea yet of how we're to free ourselves. This is your best chance to avoid such a fate."
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But food isn't the easiest to find when you are without funds and blind.
"...are you certain that is the answer? They could find other ways to bind me. I cannot deny myself everything." or he will cease to be alive! Then it won't matter if he can or can't return.
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"I will need something to drink sooner than I will require nourishment."
So. He will try.
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It's ridiculous. In any other scenario, this would be such an easy problem to address. Her duty, unquestionably, is to see that this man receives the aid he needs, but she can't do that here without further endangering him. "... You wanted to know if the food here was poisoned, right? I haven't tried anything they've put out at this particular party, but nothing I've eaten here has made me ill yet. They say they want to use us, so it's in their interest to keep us alive and in good health, so I don't believe they would intentionally feed us anything truly dangerous. Does that help your decision any?"
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"Your logic is sound." he finally murmurs, thinking over his choices for a few moments. If he gives into his cravings, he is theirs. But isn't he theirs already? He needs the Fae's help to get home - thus it follows that he should play along with their games.
Just to keep them happy.
Xingchen picks up the blue apple and takes a bite.
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"... Very well. You're to be stuck here with me now, so... know that you can seek me out for aid if you ever have the need. I'll do what little I can."
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"Don't blame yourself for their actions." he motions to the seat beside him, "Please rest. Thank you for telling me the truth. It helped me make the best decision for my situation." he bows his head to her, smiling softly.
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"You can say that now." Her tone is wry, but not too heavy. "Feel free to come take it out on me if you ever change your mind. I can take a beating or two."
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"I would never beat you." his brow creases at the mere idea, "I have endured torture; I know I will not break - and I certainly won't take it out on you."
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There is a twinge in her chest at the free admission that he's been tortured, but it's her understanding that those who've suffered seldom enjoy pity, so she keeps quiet about it.
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"Speak however you like." he assures her, "Be yourself, but know that you are safe with me."
That's important to him.
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"I won't doubt it," she promises, her voice full of a quiet sort of good humor.