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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
Young man-- Aogami, in the back of his mind, tries to warn him, but Kei sends back a hum of understanding. He'll make sure to stay on edge while he's the one steering them. Even so, Nahobino can't help but slowly walk the length of the table, drawing one finger over the edge.
He pauses at a plate of ripe apples, picking one up to examine. He's not going to risk eating it, not yet, but it does seem free for the taking... for now?]
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[The Day Duke slinks in out of nowhere, his movements all languid and free, a friendly warmth in his expression, even if there's an undeniable sharpness in his eyes. He watches Nahobino like there's some private joke to all of this that only he knows. And when it comes to the fae rulers, who knows? Maybe there is one.]
There's more than enough for both of you.
no subject
Especially considering he can clearly tell what they are. That's enough to put him on high alert.]
This table is more grand than the rest of the party. [He still doesn't eat.] What's the occasion?
no subject
[Nahobino may hesitate at that beautiful plate of ripe apples before him, but Lux plucks up a small hunk of bread just drizzled with lavender honey, letting the honey drip onto his outstretched tongue before he pops the whole piece into his mouth. Ignore his manners while he licks his fingers clean.]
Some only invite Adopted here to seduce them. Others, to break them. But for me? [There's a shrug of his strong shoulders, a secret tucked behind his smile.] I enjoy hearing what questions they have rattling around in their heads. You, in particular, must have quite the conversations in yours.
no subject
After a moment, he takes a bite of the fruit he'd picked. He tries to keep his eyes on Lux, but the taste of it does honestly surprise him. It's more luscious than any fruit he remembers.
Once he comes back to his senses, he watches Lux again. Yes, conversations. Speaking of, Aogami rumbles in the back of their shared space. Young man, we'd best be careful what we say. Even more so than back home, since back there if things went south you could just throw down, and he'd usually win.
Here? Well. Something tells at least one of them that things aren't so simple as fighting it out.]
That's very kind of you. [For amusement, maybe? Hmmm.] Are the other rulers just as kind?
[Honestly, he cares more about Lux's reaction than what he says. How comfortable are all these fae with each other, he wonders.]
no subject
Kindness means nothing to us.
[And in the blink of an eye, he's standing right in front of the other man, still grinning curiously, but there's an intensity behind is gaze that feels suffocating. This close, Lux's eyes burn like the sun at high noon, radiant and warm and near impossible to meet head on.]
You'd do well to remember that. For the fae, kindness only ever comes in the form of transactions. Favors, information, gifts- [And here the Duke holds out another chunk of that fluffy, fresh bread, dripping with honey, offering it to Nahobino.] So that begs the question, what is it you are looking to offer me?
no subject
Something finally clicks, though. Oh, so this is all a big negotiation. That makes far more sense. Something in his demeanor shifts slightly, not relaxing but settling in now that he knows the expectation.
He takes the bread, but doesn't eat it yet.]
I'm afraid I don't know what sorts of things fae value. [Demons like items, like money, like banter. The fae like... information? Gifts? He has a feeling it's purposefully vague.]
A trade is rarely one-sided. Am I getting something out of it? [Maybe he's approaching something dangerous by asking.] Or are we simply cast out for not giving offerings?
no subject
His intent is clear. Eat.]
What? Bringing you here wasn't enough? You're asking for more now?
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[He takes a bite of the bread. Oh, that is good. Doesn't stop him from holding Lux's gaze.] But some people would consider it the price.
[He doesn't make it clear which camp he falls into.]
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When he speaks again, there's a new lazy disinterest in his tone. He's bored, too much like a cat quickly losing enthusiasm for a new toy.]
So what is it you want then? Information? I imagine there's a few questions on your mind. I'll allow you two.
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You like trades. [He ponders, trying to make sure it doesn't sound like a question.] You've already given me information. It'd only be fair if I give you three in return.
[Maybe it's too obvious a ploy to sweeten the pot, but he's got to try something.]
Why did you bring us all here? ...To your world, not the party.
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Lux leaves the cheeses alone, coming to stand near the other man this time, not quite as much in his face, arms crossed over his chest, a few dark curls hanging over his eyes. Now this is a game he can play.]
Why do you think? [Comes the natural rebuttal, but Lux doesn't leave it hanging in the air very long, a flash of white teeth, some satisfaction curled into the edges of his smile.] Entertainment. Status. Currency. Mortals have long been a favorite of the fae to keep and show off.
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Nahobino doesn't answer, but give a faint hum of understanding at that. Not sustenance or power, then, but as one might keep a pet. That's... demeaning, but also less worrying.
He considers, debating what to use his last question on.]
Who's the most dangerous person here? I should know who to watch out for.
[He's not sure Lux won't lie, or at least use answer with a bias, but it'll give him some kind of information to work with.]
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Ugh, that question seems to annoy Lux, his mouth pressing into a thin, irritated line.]
It depends on who you plan on making your enemy.
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I'd ask who yours are, but I doubt you have any. Who wouldn't like you?
[He's teasing, but he makes sure to keep his tone light and careful, least Lux takes it as more of an insult than intended. Besides, he doesn't want to push his luck asking another question.]
Now it's only fair I repay the favor.
no subject
The little dragon encounter of last month says it all, doesn't it?]
Cute. [But Lux doesn't sound displeased as he pops a perfectly ripe grape into his mouth, humming quietly as it bursts on his tongue.] I tend to keep to myself, but then again, what complaints could anyone possibly have against the Day?
[Some may hate the Dawn, others Dusk and even Dark, but the Day-]
That's a dangerous thing to say, my friend. [But even as Lux is picking at the table, he's watching the young man with intensity, grin curling a little too sharply.] I could hold onto this favor of yours. Wait until the very worst moment to ask you to repay me. Does the thought frighten you?
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Ah. He's made a misstep. Now it's not just questions, but favors, because of his turn of phrase.
We'll have to be extremely cautious about phrasing, Aogami says. For once, he sounds exhausted. It feels like tiptoing around Abdiel all over again.]
That's not so bad. Maybe you'll forget.
[He only makes the joke because he's certain that Lux won't. In all honesty, it's a terrifying thought. But letting that slip seems like the second worse thing he can do, short of owing a Ruler a favor.]
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This one will be so much fun to keep around.]
Marvelous -[That single word is drawn out, curling playfully at his lips.] It's settled then. [And as with most fae deals, Nahobino would be able to feel a quick twist within himself, a magical promise made that goes well beyond just words. It's imprinted on his very being. There's no forgetting this contract.] When the time comes, you'll be obligated to fulfill a single favor for me, no matter what it is. Understood?
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His fingers twitch in agitation, but drawing his sword is not going to help. Instead, he just narrows his eyes, and practically growls a response.]
...Understood.
[He'll see about that.]
no subject
Without a warning, the Duke holds out a hand as if to shake Nahobino's, as if there was even an option of the other turning this promise of a future favor down. But before the other can even react, the Duke disappears.
See you soon, new bestie. :) ]
no subject
Now alone (or as alone as he ever gets), Nahobino groans to himself. That's going to be a problem in the future, he's sure.]