{ halloween }

[dreamposts]

HALLOWEEN

Another Halloween has arrived in Reverein, and the Nightmare Troupe returns from their mysterious origins to help transform the carnival grounds to fit the season. They've added a new feature attraction: The Labyrinth, where everyone just runs around to fight spooky baddies for candy, prizes, and flex one's combat abilities in dreamotion. It's all in good fun, of course!

More details on everything can be found here. As a reminder, events double as our TDMs and information can be found here. Any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in October and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of October 25th, just before the event ICly begins. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count October as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.

IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.

TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open October 25th and Applications will open on November 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until January.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view)

Bokurano - Jun Ushiro
Cookie Run Kingdom - Black Raisin Cookie
Dead by Daylight - Zarina Kassir
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - Edgin Darvis
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - Xenk Yendar
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core - Genesis Rhapsodos
Final Fantasy XIV - Emet-Selch
Final Fantasy XIV - Hermes
Final Fantasy XV - Somnus Lucis Caelum
Full Metal Alchemist - Alphonse Elric
Genshin Impact - Ei
Genshin Impact - Nahida
Great Ace Attorney, The - Iris Wilson
Hey Arnold! - Helga G. Pataki
Hi-Fi Rush - Chai
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Zelda
Noragami - Yato
Original - Astralin Turnont
Touhou - Maribel Hearn

We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

I. CARNIVAL

II. LABYRINTH

COMMENTS

I. CARNIVAL

While the carnival grounds still have the standard fare of attractions themed up for Halloween, there are a few new ones popping up thanks to the Nightmare Troupe. Some are similar to what appeared last year, but with a different look to them. Some, perhaps, more terrifying than before.

A. Personalized Costumes. All throughout Reverein boutiques and tailors are in full swing to create costumes for those who wish to wear, either by renting or buying. However, for those who are a bit adverse, the fairy godmothers are out and about ready to employ their fashion magic to grant anyone and everyone a special Halloween costume, just for them! There might be the slight side effect that the wearer may behave like the costume itself, but it's just a temporary phase.

B. Vampring Frights. The vamprings are still out and about, nibbling on nightmares. But now they are also appearing outside of dreams, deciding that a bit of fear could make as good of a snack or meal as any other. Only the ones that are truly hungry will appear, so a little purple blob will bounce and latch onto any part of their target's body they can reach (though they particularly like the top of the head). Those who are bitten in this manner won't try to bite others, fortunately. Instead, they will become something like a "Vampring minion" and try to invoke fear and scare others. (For more information and use the original version of the Vampring, read here.)

C. Monster Swaps. Small monsters will roam the carnival grounds and will swap bodies with random people to go around pulling pranks and tricks in the person's body. The person is now trapped in the monster's body, but has access to the monster's trickster, spooky abilities as well (ie, players can make this up). To return to normal, they must find their original body and bite it. Otherwise, they will have to wait for the monster to get bored and return to switch them back.

D. Carnival Fare. Here are a few of the general games and attractions available for carnival goers to enjoy.

🔫 Zombie Shooter. Ride through a rickety car through a building and shoot the "zombies" that pop up with bright green paintball guns. While most are cardboard, there are a few volunteers that dress for the occasion. Don't mind their pain as they get hit, they're fine.
👻 Spooky Stories. Instead of a fire, there is a boiling cauldron set up where people can gather around and try to conjure up their spookiest story. The steam over the cauldron will change and twist to try and illustrate the story as it goes, and should it proof particularly scary, a manifestation of the terror will crawl out of it to terrorize everyone for a little bit before disappearing.
🍏 Poisoned Apples. Special caramel covered green apples are handed out throughout the carnival. One bite will inflict one or more of the following effects: floating, dizzy, sugar rush, creepy, frightful. (Players are free to be creative and come up with additional effects!)
🧹 Broom Carousel. The horses have been replaced with different styles of witch brooms, letting everyone have a safe experience of flying on a broom. Until the brooms suddenly fly out of the carousel and into the carnival. Hang on or stop that broom!
🎃 Pumpkin Carving Challenge. Pumpkins can be found all over the grounds, and there is a challenge to carve them with dreamotion and light a special candle in them. Doing so will bring the pumpkin to life and behave like whatever expression or drawing carved on them. Whether they behave nicely is a different matter. Blowing out the candle will stop the pumpkin.

E. House of Mirrors. The House of Mirrors will have new mirrors installed that have new special effects…many making everyone inside feel not quite themselves.

🎭 Jekyll and Hyde. A black framed mirror where the opposite version of the viewer appears to taunt them.
💅 Narcissism. A gold framed mirror where one will see the best version of themselves and will stand stuck in front of it admiring themselves. They will need to be forcibly dragged away…else they may get stuck on the mirror.
🛌 Dream or Nightmare? A silver framed mirror that will reflect either a good dream or a nightmare that's on the viewer's mind. It will be a strong image, so strong that the viewer may be tempted to dreamwalk into the mirror, either to be a part of it or to destroy it. Some help may be required to help them either accomplish their goal or pull them out.
🪞 Mirror Version. Sometimes, a "mirror version" of the viewer may reach out to switch places, trapping the original inside the mirror while the mirror version goes out to cause some chaos. The trapped person can only traverse through mirrors, and can only be freed if the mirrored version is shoved back into any mirror. One way to tell a mirror version apart is that they will randomly reflect things off their body.

F. Haunted Ryokan. A haunted Japanese styled inn is the theme for this year's "haunted house." On the outside, it looks invitingly eerie, with life-sized traditional Japanese dolls as their hosts and guides. They hope their new patrons will enjoy their stay…forever.

🏮 Peony Lantern. At first a beautiful woman will appear holding a lantern and take a person's hand to lead them through the narrow halls lit by floating lanterns. But whenever they pass under a lantern, the woman's form changes into a skeleton. Once they are noticed, they will screech and chase them through the hallways and rooms to the next location, but if left alone it will quietly lead them without issue.
🛁 Bathhouse. Somehow they get to the bathing area where the steam rises thick around them. Without warning a ghostly figure of a long-haired drowned woman will crawl out and chase with a bloody knife. Fish spirits will also fly out to impede them, but they could be used to smack the woman instead. Should someone slip in the water, they'll feel hands grab at them, trying to pull them under…
🪦 Graveyard. Past the courtyard is a graveyard where all manner of Japanese inspired ghosts and demons roam. A special paper talisman is available, and once powered with positive dreamotion it will create a shikigami that will help ward off and defend against the ghosts. But it must have constant dreamotion poured into it, so should it ever go out, the ghosts and demons will suddenly rush into chase.
🐕 Shiba Statues. Should anyone be having a truly terrible time, special little shiba inu statues will trot in to dispel the "evils" and give the visitor some much needed comfort and respite. They will even guide them to the exit if needed. Those who manage to pass through on their own will also meet the shiba inu statues and have a chance to play with them as if in congratulations.

II. LABYRINTH

A big structure now occupies the area just beyond the Fairgrounds. Towering stone walls hide complex pathways inside, and it turns out its express purpose is not to get people lost, but for a little bit of exploration. There is no entrance/exit, just a special circular teleportation pad that will take them inside and there is no end goal. It's not difficult to get out once inside, but the winding paths encourage visitors to check behind corners for treats because there's a lot of treats AND tricks!

A. Halloween Creatures. The labyrinth is populated with silly creatures held together by craft glue and duct tape both dreamotion and nightmare. These creatures will attack on sight, but subdue them and reap the rewards: candy and silly toys! It's all for fun, after all.

🦴 Skeletons. Their bones are made of rubber and most physical attacks will bounce off them. Have to get in close to blast with dreamotion!
🕷 Glow-In-The-Dark Plastic Spiders. Will shoot sticky licorice webbing that will trip up and trap any caught in it. Have to eat through it to get out, and the flavor could either be red or black.
🔺 Candy Corn Golems. Chuck giant pieces of candy corn that are delicious, but hurt! Golems will melt under intense heat.

B. Mysterious Doors. Sometimes, you may find a door at one of the dead ends. Knock, and most of the time a kindly old lady (where did she come from? Don't worry about it–) will present you with special trick-or-treat bags. The other times, a swarm of genuinely sinister nightmare creatures will come pouring out. Oops! Try again next time! Here are some of the items the old lady will give and their effects (they can be taken home after the event):

🧙 Witch's Hat. The hat will automatically fly on top of the person's head and will allow them to cast silly hexes of misfortune on their targets.
🧹 Witch's Broom. Can fly at fast speeds for a few minutes at a time. Only goes up to three feet in the air.
🤓 Plastic Fangs. These fangs will fit themselves in the person's mouth and will allow them to bite any candy corn golem or sticky spider licorice webbing with ease. And normal foods, too.
🕸 Spray Can of Licorice Webbing. Releases a spray of licorice webbing similar to the ones used by the plastic spiders.
🧻 Roll of Toilet Paper. Exactly as it says.
🍫 Nougat Center. A delicious treat that will temporarily boost one's stats dreamotion abilities.

C. Beware of Steve. If you're very unlucky, you may hear an ominous clatter in the distance... The low rumble of a revving chainsaw... Those who spend lots of time in the labyrinth will know soon enough–those are noises that mean you need to run. Because STEVE, THE 20-FOOT-TALL CHAINSAW-WIELDING SKELETON, takes no hostages, and he's out for blood!!! He will continue chasing people until fought, and anything goes with this foe. While dreamotion attacks will work, using the items given by the old lady in the doors will inflict greater damage. Anyone who is "killed" by Steve will be knocked out of the Labyrinth unharmed.


D. Grand High Viscount of Candy Corn. On the other end of giant "horrors" is a giant golem made of candy corn with a large top hat that may appear out of one of the doors. Its main attack, besides trying to punch and pummel, is spewing sticky candy goop that will trap anyone caught in it. It'll wear off, but until then, any caught in it will at first feel very energetic and attack more quickly before becoming sluggish and unable to do much, as if they suffered an extreme sugar crash.

I. CARNIVAL

II. LABYRINTH

COMMENTS

Comments

[wwtd]

I still wanted to try!!

[ there's no chance to stumble. if yato goes down, so does she. their hands are still locked together. which, HONESTLY, has made running a bit of an ordeal, too.

WHY IS SHE EVEN HOLDING HIS HAND WHY ]

I--!! [ oh crap. oh no, don't kill her. ]

I-I-I-I-I don't remember!?

[intertwinedfates]

[OH FOR THE LOVE OF--

At that Yato comes to a screeching halt, dragging Hiyori to a stop along with him by hanging onto her hand. Once they're completely stopped he lets go, whirling around to face their stalker.]

You don't know?! Then we can't just keep running around! We have to find you! And as for you--

[He glares at the skeleton, forming another sword in his hand.]

--I've had enough of you!

[Dashing forward, he slashes at the skeleton, sending its bones scattering about the corridor in a bouncy fashion. Seems that the thing was made not of actual bone, but of rubber.]

[wwtd]

[ A LOT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN A VERY SHORT TIME FRAME, OK!! SUDDENLY SHE'S IN THIS DREAMLAND PLACE AND YATO IS HERE AND SOME CELEBRATIONS ARE GOING ON AND THEN SHE WAS FIGHTING AYAKASHI MONSTER THINGS WHILE LOOKING FOR HIM?! all things considered!! she's been handling it pretty well! ]

GYAH?!

[ ow, her arm.

hiyori whirls around, too, to watch yato leap back into the fray with his leg still covered in candy. the bones don't clatter like she expects. like NORMAL bones do. they certainly do rebound like bouncy balls. one even bounces close to her and she stoops down to pick it up.

and squeezes it, experimentally. ]

It's rubber!! [ what the heck

and yato can just? form swords out of thin air now? without yukine?? she thought his entire thing was that he was pretty helpless without a shinki! what is going on. she drops onto her behind heavily and breathes out a sigh. why are they suddenly able to come to this place, anyway? she stares at the rubber bone in her palm. ]

I don't know what's going on.

[intertwinedfates]

[OKAY THAT'S FAIR BUT STILL...!! KEEPING TRACK OF HER BODY IS KINDA PARAMOUNT TO HER SURVIVAL. And he's not sure how to go about finding her in this mess of a place. Maybe she left it outside...?

With skeleton now in pieces, Yato kicks the bones so that they bounce off his foot with a comedic boing. Is this some kind of fun house? That candy corn monster seemed serious enough, but these small fries...]

They sure are.

[Still feeling winded, he wanders back to Hiyori where he crouches down, offering her a hand.]

I'll explain later. For now, we need to get out of here and find your body. Is it possible you dropped it when you first arrived? Out of shock? Or maybe you never had it here.

[wwtd]

[ THAT IS... ALSO FAIR!!! if only yato had a hiyori sense...

as soon as his boots are in her line of sight, hiyori looks up. first at his face. then at his hand. then back at his face again. before she knows it, like it has a mind of its own or something, she grabs onto him and lets him tug her back up onto her feet.

where she quickly lets GO of his hand since there's no REASON to hold it. nope. none at all. don't mind her red cheeks. don't even LOOK at her, actually. ]

Ah. [ yeah, finding her body is kind of important, isn't it? she resists the urge to slap her cheeks and puts on her serious face again. more serious. ] I started to feel like my body was lighter at some point. When was it...? [ it had to be before the labyrinth, right? she's able to track yato much more effectively in her spirit form. ]

I noticed you were here when I was at the carnival. I think I was passing by the pumpkin carving challenge.

[intertwinedfates]

[He has many skills, but unfortunately that's not one of them...

As she grabs onto his hand so he can haul her up onto her feet, Yato smiles. Those red cheeks say a lot, but he's good enough to not comment on them. They do still have more important matters to attend to, after all.

While Hiyori thinks on where her body could be, he lets his weapon disperse. He's actually getting pretty good at manifesting the thing - now it's only a matter of learning to maintain it while he focuses on fighting.]

The pumpkin carving challenge, huh? [He sweats a little bit at the memory of his attempts at carving pumpkins using dreamotion energy. It hadn't exactly gone well, to put it mildly.]

Then we'll make our way back there to start searching from that point, how about that?

[Even as he's speaking he puts action to words, starting their search for the exit again. Now that he gets a good look at the area, it does seem vaguely familiar. Perhaps he passed it on the way in?]

[wwtd]

[ unfortunately...

DON'T LOOK AT HER!!! thank god, he doesn't comment. she might've team rocketed him out of here and she would be left alone to look for the exit. and her body.

unlike him, she doesn't notice him SWEATING at the mention of pumpkin carving. too busy backtracking. lucky him. ] Uh, sure!

[ as good of a place to start as any.

hiyori jogs after him, keeping an eye out for any more skeletons or other monsters. surreptitiously sending him furtive looks. she wants to ask about the swords. if he always had that ability but just preferred to use a shinki. what does he mean by "I'll explain later"? does he know all about this place? is it also a part of the far shore? ]

You were at the carnival too, right? It's huge. There's so much to do. I kind of-- [ no, better not. ] Nevermind.

[intertwinedfates]

[Where else are his eyes supposed to go?? But fine, knowing better, he glances about them a little aimlessly, obvious in his attempts to avoid her gaze. He doesn't feel like being sent sky high, thanks very much. It wouldn't do for them trying to get shit done, either.]

Yeah, I was there earlier. It's actually pretty fun, for all its weirdness.

[As they keep pace with one another, he leads them down the path he thinks looks like the one that led him in in the first place. He notices her stealing little glances at him but says nothing, not wanting to make things (even more) awkward between them. Today's already been plenty weird without them getting strange about it.]

...did you want to visit it after we find your body? I could show you around if you'd like.

[Perhaps that's what she's interested in? If not, he certainly is.]

[wwtd]

[ it's only until she calms down. which doesn't take TOO long since they're on the topic of the carnival swiftly and not her red cheeks, thank you yes.

for all its weirdness. he noticed, too, huh? but it seems like everything is sort of off around here. not just the carnival. the rubber skeletons are a great example! dreams are usually strange and illogical, yes, so really the fact that it's so weird around here coincides with that... logic. dream logic.

hiyori is mentally languishing over the logistics of this place when yato invites her to go visit said carnival. as if he's read her mind. she nearly trips over her own two feet. ]

R, really? You would? [ TAIL WAGS. as if her brighter expression didn't completely give her away. yes, she wants to visit. ] But I thought you were busy practicing with your swords...

[intertwinedfates]

[The whole 'dream world' thing has been tough to remember when it all feels so real, but the skeleton was a firm if silly reminder of that fact. It helps to ground and reassure him that everything will be okay no matter what happens to them here. Right? Well, he hopes.

Anyway, it was pretty clear to him that what Hiyori wanted was a chance to explore the carnival, and truthfully, so does he. He had only gotten to see part of what was on offer when the labyrinth caught his attention, after all.]

Of course! [Hehe, she's so cute when she's enthusiastic... He shakes his head a bit.] Nah, it's fine. I can always continue later. I mean, look how that turned out.

[It almost ended up with him being a godly pancake. Which, with dream logic, he wouldn't have been surprised if it actually came true.]

1/2

[wwtd]

[ it feels particularly real because hiyori, for some reason or other, can STILL drop her body in this dream space. her soul slips out on a plane of existence that's neither the far shore nor the near shore. if her cord really did get cut here, then what does that mean?

questions for the mods. ] Yes! Carnivals usually have great food!!

[ woo!! after what happened at capyperland the second time, she has a better relationship with festivals. all the same, it's much more fun to explore a carnival with someone rather than doing it on your own. aaah, what a relief. she won't have to wander around by herself.

well, while they're here "dreaming" they should have fun. right? there's a word for being able to control your body while you're doing so. what was it...? ]

[wwtd]

[ turned out not great ]

You're not usually so [ clumsy? ] ... If you do go back to practice, you still shouldn't go off to fight them on your own, Yato. [ HEAR HER OUT. ] Before you say anything! It's not that I don't have faith in you! It's just... in case something happens. [ imagining that fist squashing him. ]

Although, I guess... since this is a dream you'd just wake up... wherever you are.

[ meaning hiyori doesn't know where he is in the waking world. ]

[intertwinedfates]

[If this is all just a dream anyway, then shouldn't they just be able to imagine her body being nearby?? It's a thought that occurs to him but is quickly dismissed; if that were the case then surely they'd have found it by now, right? Either way, he's not taking a chance with anything happening to either her body or cord, not if he can at all help it.

But for now, they can discuss the fun they'll be having once she's back in possession of said body.]

They sure do! We'll have to try everything!

[Lucid dreaming is probably the word Hiyori is looking for. Maybe Yato's easy acceptance of that is why he was able to so quickly figure out how to manifest a proper weapon without too much effort. Though he does sting a little at the unspoken insult, even if it is accurate. Get him where it hurts, why don't you, Hiyori? Sob...]

Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. I won't be trying that again anytime soon, let me tell you. I'm not keen on becoming a pancake. Or worse. [He gives a bit of thought to just where exactly he was when he fell asleep, frowning.]

I guess so. I can't quite remember where I was, though.

[Oh well. It's not like he should be in too much danger. At least no more than usual. Yukine's probably around wherever he's at. Though it's a shame he's not here, too.]

[wwtd]

[ yeah, if only finding her body were so easy as to think of it. maybe if she knew how to control dreamotion energy. like he does. bodies are a bit more complicated than a sword, though. ]

You and your bottomless stomach.

[ said in exasperated fondness. ] I'll try some. I might get sick if I try everything. [ hiyori doesn't have the same bottomless stomach that yato and yukine do, but she'll do her best to keep up. speaking of, she too wishes he could be here. why isn't he? it's not the same without him--

hey, the insult (it wasn't meant to be) was said more out of concern than any offense!

with his reassurance, some of the tension in her body bleeds out and she can smile more easily. if he does!! take someone with. while she would like it to be her, it doesn't have to be. he might meet someone else who knows how to fight well. just as soon as that smile spreads across her face, it drops. ]

You can't? [ that's worrisome. ] What's the last thing you do remember?

[intertwinedfates]

[Still, maybe they could work together to conjure up some kind of body-locating power? Like dowsing, only for Hiyori bodies!]

Hey, not my fault I can't get full. And I doubt you'd get sick - we are dreaming, after all. Just imagine you have a bigger stomach! [After all, what good is being in a dream world if you can't make it work to your advantage, right?

Yeah, he knows she meant it kindly, but it still stings to have needed rescuing in the first place.

And while he would love to have her by his side at all times, he wouldn't want her to be in danger, even if it's mild peril. He's still scared of what might happen should her cord get damaged here. They still don't know how connected to reality this dream world is.]

I think I was dozing on the roof? It was definitely night out - I remember admiring the stars.

[wwtd]

[ the first thing they (she) should try is to keep better track of her body!? hiyori body dowsing... ]

I don't think that's how it works. [ but? also?? how does it work she doesn't know. maybe she really does just have to imagine herself with a bigger stomach. turn into violet from willy wonka but less blue. round.

boys and their machismo. even gods have it, huh?

ever since yato mentioned that her cord ties her to her physical body, that severing it would kill her, she's... well, she's TRIED to stay out of danger. it doesn't always work. her brain won't let her sit on the sidelines. neither will her heart.

but, it's strange, she's never been scared? of that potential. more worried about her friends and family. the state it would leave them in if she did. if this place really is a land of dreams, then dying would just have her wake up. for them both.

that doesn't make watching someone die easy.

as if the mere mention of it makes her do it, hiyori looks skyward. ]

... I've done that. I admired the night sky a lot as a kid. Although I was mostly looking at the moon. It was the easiest to see.

[intertwinedfates]

[Yes, definitely! No more misplacing bodies! First of all, it's dangerous, second of all, it's littering!]

Oh. Hmm. Oh well, it was a nice idea. [ASDFGHG NO NOT THAT KIND OF LARGER STOMACH, A PROVERBIAL ONE

But yes, gods especially have that machismo. Combat gods are particularly prone to it.

Guess if Hiyori can't keep herself out of danger, then it'll just fall to Yato to do so for her. He can't make her the happiest girl alive if she doesn't stay that way, that much is obvious. And he sure as hell doesn't want to watch her die, in a dream or for real. That would be crushing beyond belief.

Following her gaze, he puts both hands in his jacket pockets.]

In the city that's not surprising. You'd have to go out to the country where it's darker to really appreciate the stars themselves.

[wwtd]

[ LITTERING?! LIKE SHE'S TRASH???!! ]

Haha... [ yeah, it was a nice idea. she's still only a high school girl, raised to be a "proper young lady". not to eat heaps and heaps of food until she's sick. er, not sick? but, hey, this means anything she doesn't eat yato can pilfer from her. like she wouldn't hand it over willingly.

thinking of yato and bishamon and yeah they sure do have it.

he can't watch her die. know what that means? he has to watch her die. because in painagami nobody can be happy. ] Hmmm, yeah. [ tokyo does have way too much light pollution to be able to have a clear view of the stars. ]

Where's your favorite place to look at the stars, Yato?

[intertwinedfates]

[NO WAIT NOT LIKE THAT--!!

While he won't object to more food like, ever, he doesn't want Hiyori to miss out on the deliciousness of the season either. It is the time to be thankful for bountiful harvests and such. They should appreciate all the world has to offer them. It'd be disrespectful not to!

See? He comes by it honestly.

...well, perhaps one day he'll have to watch her star burn out, but hopefully that won't be for a very long time for her. We won't be counting recent canon because ow.]

There's this river far out from everything where you can see for miles, but also from atop the mountains is a good place to really feel like you could reach up and touch the firmament. Both are places I enjoy. One day I'll have to take you there.

[wwtd]

[ SO RUDE!!!!

can't be disrespectful, it's true. while it's a good idea to always be grateful for what you have, this time of the year is known for praying for good harvests and good health. not a day goes by where she isn't grateful for those she has in her life, however. that she doesn't pray for glad tidings.

ARE YOU ALLOWED TO CONSIDER RECENT CANON?!

as yato answers, she tries to picture it. that firmament. the spectrum of space above her. where even gods can feel so small in the span of that black infinity scattered with myriad of beautiful, glittering stars. the likes she's only seen in pictures.

she doesn't expect the promise to take her there, though. her attention is drawn back to him for it. why... ] Y-yeah. That sounds, that sounds nice.

[ why is her heart racing so much? suddenly quiet, she stares at her feet as they continue to walk in their search for the exit.

as most soft moments go in our source material noragami, they get interrupted by something. in this case!! something is getting hiyori's legs all tangled up, trapping her in place. ] Eh?

[ KSKSKSKSKSKSK, a GLOW IN THE DARK SPIDER comes skittering down the wall towards them. ]

Eh??

[intertwinedfates]

[IT WAS A MISTAKE SOB

Exactly! And one of the ways one can show their reverence to the gods for providing harvest opportunities is to indulge a little! Certainly this god would like to see Hiyori enjoying herself, if just by sampling a little of everything the carnival has to offer. Who knows when they'll get another chance like this, after all.

NOT FROM HIS CANON POINT, SO HAH!!

It's more beautiful than can be put into words - the deep black vastness of space illuminated by all the other lights of galaxies far way in a rainbow of colors only barely discernible to those stuck in cities, the band of milky way crossing the sky... It's something he wishes all mortal could experience.

Keenly avoiding her gaze, Yato quickens his step until he hears Hiyori make a noise. Whirling back around he spies the webbing around her legs and follows it to the culprit which he glares at. Rude!! How dare it interrupt their sweet moment of not!romance?! Fuming, he stomps over to the thing, forming a dreamotion fly swatter which he wields baseball bat-style to send the damn thing out for a home run.]

Take that!

[Pest taken care of, he hurries back to Hiyori to see if she needs help getting free of the licorice.]

Got it okay?

[wwtd]

[ LMAO I'M JUST MESSING WITH YOU

that's... okay, a good point. considering she doesn't know when she'll be able to see yato again. and really see him, as he left her with something before he ran off to who knows where AGAIN, leaving them all behind before she found herself here.

NEITHER AM I!!!

oh, that's. he really formed a flyswatter. well, IT WORKS. the spider goes flying off WHO KNOWS WHERE. going, going, gone!! the crowd goes wild. (there is no crowd.)

hiyori is busy trying to tear herself free of the webbing but it appears as though she is having exactly zero luck. nada. ]

I! Can't!! Get it off?! [ help. ]

[intertwinedfates]

[OH PHEW....

She should be used to the running off by now. But at least for the moment they're together, as that's what matters. It's especially good considering those little spider buggers. Tricky little shits is what they are. Speaking of which...

Crouching down by Hiyori, Yato gives a couple of strong yanks on the webbing with about as much success as her. He then sighs, glancing up at her warily.]

I'm gonna try something, but you have to promise not to flail about or kick, alright?

[Just to be on the safe side, he grips her legs as a warning. No kicking god in the face, okay??]

[wwtd]

[ used to, yeah. unfortunately, yes. happy with? no. not by a long shot. all she can do is have faith that he'll come back. he will, right? he said he would. he said [REDACTED].

that look sets her on edge. turns out she has every reason to be on edge, too. try something? try what?? can't he TELL her first?!

there is some unnerved staring while she tries to guess what he's going to do. she makes a surprised squeak of a sound once he grabs her legs and starts to go KIND OF REALLY RED. ]

U-um. O, okay?! [ WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO LORD HAVE MERCY

why won't he tell her? oh, uh, right. ]

I, I promise... not to flail or kick you...

[ or at least do her BEST not to ]

[intertwinedfates]

Okay, good. Now just hold still a minute...

[Of course he will! He's a man of his word, right? ....actually, don't answer that.

Well, the first thought he had was to try his dreamotion sword on the webbing. But given his lack of control over the ability, that seemed a touch too risky for what is clearly a delicate procedure. This is something that'll take skill and finesse. A careful understanding of the materials at hand and a deft touch to solve it.

Clearly, right?

WRONG.

All at once Yato leans in right up against Hiyori's leg, face smooshed against it so he can open his mouth as wide as possible and start biting down on the webbing, gnawing away like a beaver. Much snarfing is heard as he devours the licorice webbing, taking it down to mere threads in under a minute.

Yum!]