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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.
no subject
Still it's easy enough to ignore as the other man makes himself presentable to the Day Duke, opening up without shame as he speaks on a recent embarrassment of his. And what an embarrassment it is. But Lux doesn't laugh at him, his eyes only flash gold in mild amusement, as he inclines his head just barely in mute approval at the refill.
"Unfortunately, you aren't the first and you won't be the last to make that mistake, much to the Prince's displeasure. From what I've heard, royalty works quite differently in other lands than our own. I can't quite fathom why anyone would push a single family into a position of such immense power. It speaks to their limited lives and how little they think towards the future."
Does one of the Duke's large hands slide up Lucien's leg to settle at his thigh during all of that show? Perhaps. But Lux is content enough to leave the flirting to glances and touches, not bringing any of it to attention while they converse so casually.
"Tell me, what do you miss most of your realm?"
no subject
His tone stays light and playful, as if sharing a funny old story. It has been several centuries since that frightened boy recognized the danger he was born into. It had been a relief to publically denounce his title.
"Will you rebuke me, Your Grace, if I ask you how it works here outright? Certainly whatever determines the rulers here chose the right man for your job."
The fae's blushing ears twitch a bit at the hand moving up and resting on his thigh, his breath hitching despite himself. Yet, in a fraction of a second, Lucien relaxes into it and lets his legs part a bit so their knees touch, taking another swallow of wine.
But it's not enough time to to prepare an answer to Lux's question, and the Duke is given Lucien's unfiltered, honest answer.
"Tamlin." His ears flick back a little, realizing what he's said. Not just the vulnerability of missing his best friend, but giving the ruler a Name. "My High Lord. Not that- this isn't an invitation to Adopt him, you understand. Nor do I mean any disrespect by bringing up a ruler from another realm." Worst Emissarry ever. Lucien resolves himself to honesty, then. "He has, simply, earned my utmost devotion. I daresay it would be disrespectful of me to pretend anyone here could earn my loyalty to the same degree in two months."
no subject
It sounds familiar as anything, the natural predatory nature of the fairy court, what every royal has known for the whole of their lives. How fascinating to know that somethings remain constant even between varying courts.
"I will." To the point. "But perhaps another time, if you catch me in a good mood, I'll tell you more."
Lucien stumbles over his words, clearly all too aware of his mistake, but Lux's sharpened grin softens to something more natural, eyes warm as he captures the other man's gaze with his own. "Why him, I wonder? What exactly had he done to earn such utter devotion?"
no subject
He empties his wine glass, and leans a little closer.
"Is there any way I could improve your mood, Duke? You mentioned you weren't in a good one."
no subject
But as it is, Lux takes in the lovely flush that works it's way across Lucien's pretty skin, a hand reaching up to cup the other man's cheek, thumb caressing over the color blooming there. "What an extraordinary man," he hums, head bowing just so, curled horns glinting in the candlelight. "It sounds like he'd make a fine addition to Faerie."
A promise? A threat? Lucien can interpret it however he likes. But as quickly as Lux was leaning into and touching the other man, the Duke disappears in an instant, reappearing standing across the table, holding an apple.
"You needn't concern yourself with the our worries. The Seelie are unpredictable as ever, but that's hardly a new development."