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pixieledmemes2025-03-15 08:32 am
Test Drive Meme #2
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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 a garden party at the crack of dawn, with the sun still in its early stages of climbing through the yonder, casting a good mix of pastel hues of blue, pink, and beige on everything. Heralding the first day of spring, the Ruler of the Spring Court has found it fitting to arrange this gathering where guests can feel the blades of grass touching their ankles, as well as the rich soil beneath their feet. Flowers of all kinds surround the party as if they were carefully curated. With spring as the "dawn of seasons," which marks a transition from winter's latency to the resurgence of life everywhere, the Ruler of the Dawn Court has also seen it fit to host aspects of this party during the one time of the year that dawn occurs the whole day. Tall candles and torches grace the outskirts of the garden party, providing warmth and an orange glow everywhere. Not one flame goes out even with the occasional wind, the Duchess always makes sure of this.
There are also freshly picked blossoms and branches with leaves on every table accenting the festive spread of food and drinks. This time, a lot of the food prepared for the Adopted guests are familiar to them with a little bit of a twist. Burgers might come in small packages and in toothpicks, while hotdogs in buns are also diminutive. Cookies look delectable but they have a flowery flavor to them, as if eating freshly picked daisies or daffodils. Fruits that may have been present in an Adopted's home, such as pineapples and watermelons, have seeds in odd places. Picking this selection of food is an attempt to be more welcoming and to appease the lovely guests the fae have invited.
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.
A party is not complete without dancing, of course, and while during the last gathering held for the Adopted, different fae danced to music exclusively for them around a glowing tree, this time they are insisting their guests to join in.
This is a party for you, after all.
If the prodding of the different fae hosts won't convince you, perhaps the music will. They play easily recognizable tunes that their wonderful guests must have heard before. These melodies have certain unique effects to their mortal attendees, which are as follows:
- Upbeat Music: You will believe that you and your dance partner have been friends forever and have known each other a long time.
- Romantic Music: You will become amorous and flirtatious towards your dance partner.
- Slow Music: You will develop some tension with your dance partner. It may be negative or sexual; completely up to you.
- Quiet Music: You will assume your dance partner is a threat and try to fight them.
At the Spring King's behest, every Adopted should wear a flower corsage or boutonnière to the gathering. After all, this is to celebrate the coming of spring and what better way to do that than to honor everything in bloom.
The thing is, though, the King of Spring, while amorous and friendly, also has a penchant for playing with mortals' memories, if not also affect their desires and despairs.
So, mischievous as he is, he made sure to enchant the different flowers present in every corsage and boutonnière for the party with the effects below:
- Rose: You will recall a horrific trauma
- Carnation: You will see a vision of your future, whether it's good or bad
- Orchid: You will remember a time you lost someone
- Chrysanthemum: You will believe someone among the Adopted is your soulmate
- Dahlia: You will believe you betrayed someone important to you, whether you actually did or not
It is perhaps a good thing that no one but the Adopted are allowed to see these visions and memories, but everyone who wears a corsage or boutonnière will be able to see each other's memories and visions when in close enough physical proximity to the vision-haver, for better or for worse.
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.
Tell us all of a time you gave someone a gift. Perhaps a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates. Was it appreciated or not? A reward might await the most meaningful gift given.
no subject
And what's that? [ After the last party, Sahar has to admit, she's shocked Akechi seemed to be coming around. ] You're lucky you're catching me early; I might even say yes.
no subject
I'll be brief. I've been making arrangements against the King, attempting to strike a deal that will protect one of his own subjects from his - [and look, he's trying to simply stick to the facts, but Akechi can't help the way his lip curls and he sneers out this particular word.] - Abilities. He himself has offered to exchange immunity for a memory of mine and the autumn ruler has agreed on the vow that I take on one of her animal forms.
[Both are not exactly preferable, but given the alternative, Akechi will do what he must.]
I thought you might have another offer, if something like that is even within the range of your abilities. If nothing else, I assumed you might have some interest in making sure I win.
no subject
[ Ah, young love. It inspires such great feats. All this to protect his Spring-y little boyfriend. ]
I can keep Narciso away from your friend. [ She pauses for a split second, as she thinks about what she wants in return. ] But in exchange, I'll need your name. [ A candle next to her goes out for a brief second, before she re-illuminates it. A name is symbolic, of course; it's their identity, their fire, their spark, the thing that makes them, them, that Sahar is really after. ] You'll of course get to pick another.
no subject
I've gone by many names. Goro Akechi wasn't the name I was given at birth. [That one was known by no one but himself and his mother anymore. That singular link he still has back to her. Everything else is gone.] Which would you require?
no subject
[ But it's up to him. Nothing is as powerful as something given freely. ]
no subject
[And though there's just the slightest tremble in his shoulders, a sliver of emotion caught in his throat, the boy barks that single word out.]
Do it. Take my birth name. What good has it ever done me anyway. Keeping him safe is well worth the loss. I want to send a message to that King that Ren belongs to me.
no subject
Here. [ She holds both hands out, palms up. ] Put your hands on mine, palms down, and you're going to repeat after me:
"I hereby grant the Duchess of Dawn, Sahar, the ability to use my name as she sees fit. I will be known as Goro Akechi, now and forever more." [ The power from his sacrifice, coupled with the power of his feelings for that other boy, would protect that Ren from Narciso. Still, it seemed a bit cruel to pluck out Akechi's feeling of connection to his mother... Oh well. Sahar wonders what that will change about him. ]
no subject
Probably.
Still, Akechi does as instructed, pressing his gloved palms to Sahar's, his eyes as intense as ever as he refuses to look away from the woman's gaze for even a moment. Isn't it funny? He never would have even considered trusting the woman with something like this two months ago, but add in an attempt on her life and somehow Akechi feels confidence in coming to her with this.]
I hereby grant the Duchess of Dawn, Sahar, the ability to use my name as she sees fit. I will be known as Goro Akechi, now and forever more.
no subject
...And then a circle of flames will appear around the pair, fire reaching for the sky, before bending inwards as if bowing to the early morning sun. They crackle and pop, like a fire on a log would, but they faintly whisper Akechi's old name. The flames, the sounds, the name, disappear a moment later. ]
There. [ Sahar cocks an eyebrow. ] How do you feel? [ She wonders if his little revenge fantasy starring his father might be gone now. If the memories he has of his mother still remain. If his love for Ren might be all-consuming now, the only thing he truly cares about. ]
no subject
But even before the fire sparks into being around them, dancing all of the way up into the sky before tilting into a bow, there's a strange feeling Akechi can't quite shake. It's a loosening of the tension in his chest, an unusual laxity in his muscles. It feels as if Akechi's been holding himself so wound up and tight for the last decade, and is only just releasing all of that tension.
It doesn't feel good exactly. The relief somehow feels hollow.]
The same. [But even that comes out lacking his usual confidence, a tiny, uncertain lift to the word. Still, his focus on what is important is immediate.] And that makes Ren free of the king's charm?
no subject
Sure, she means that Ren will quite literally turn into flames temporarily if the King tries to touch him, but it shouldn't come up. If Narciso tries to charm him, Sahar left a note: "Find a different pet to play with, Naughty Narciso." for the King to get mentally tormented with. So he'd have to ignore her to get to that part. And if Narciso's ignoring her again, he was about to be in bigger trouble than whatever some silly little human boys could dish out. ]
You've been a very good pet, Akechi. [ The banshee pats Akechi on the head once as she smiles an enigmatic smile. ] You deserve to keep your friends safe; and I'm always willing to strike another deal.
no subject
Akechi can't help the way he grimaces under Sahar's touch, under her praise. Being called a pet - and a very good one at that - is so damn demeaning it makes him feel dizzy with how badly he wants to strangle this woman with his bare hands. But he's seen first hand what good attacking the Dawn Duchess does. And if she's being fully honest about the deal they've just made, Sahar has just given both Ren and Akechi a great gift.
So instead of biting her hand off, Akechi seethes but allows the touch, before he bows in gratitude.]
You have my thanks, Duchess. And should an opportunity ever arise to slaughter that man, I can only hope you'll call on me. Nothing would bring me more satisfaction than to bring you his head.
no subject
If the opportunity arises, I'll not only give you the chance to prove yourself, I might even give you your glowing blade back. [ She darkly promises a moment later, pleasant smile on her face as if they were discussing the weather. ]
no subject
I'll be perfectly honest with you. If I am able to get my hands on him, I'll do it for you for free. Keep the sword. I just want him dead.
no subject
If you manage it, I'll be extremely impressed, my little bird. [ Sahar hums a contemplative note. ] Maybe even enough to send you and your friends back home. [ Oops there it is. ]
no subject
Then consider it done, Duchess. I'll see to it that man pays, however it must be done. [If nothing else, losing some of that fire in his quest for revenge against his father means there's a giant empty void within him ready for revenge quest part 2.
Akechi bows his head towards Sahar.] We'll speak again soon enough, I've no doubt.