dreamposts: (Default)
dreamposts ([personal profile] dreamposts) wrote in [community profile] songerein2023-10-17 02:06 am

{ halloween }




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


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.


wwtd: happy (see ya!)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-10-30 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ protip: it's easier when hiyori thinks of it as friend interaction...!

ah. the ol' work smarter, not harder. as if she can read his mind, she wonders what sort of god abilities he has to beat carnival practices. if there are any sword games, he'll win those for sure. he can beat any odds with those! ]


Hmmm. Ah! Are there any ring toss games? I like the fish-catching ones, too.

[ they are very stupid, very idiot. it's all they can do to get there in their roundabout, u-turn, let's take the scenic route ways. ]
intertwinedfates: cheer dork (126)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-10-30 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
[They are friends, so!! Easy peasy...!

Games of physical prowess should be right up his alley, so they should start with those first. Thankfully they're on the same wavelength when it comes to ideas! He'll win big for her~!]


I saw a ring toss game earlier, yeah. Though I want to try the fishy one as well! Let's go for that!

[Much idiot, big dumb. But at least they do finally arrive at their destination, loopy social GPS be damned.

Fishy stall, fishy stall... Where are you-- Aha, there it is! He turns them towards it with a gleeful smile finally gracing his features.]
wwtd: excited (i can do it!)

1/3

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-10-30 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ EZ BUTTON!!

wait hold on she's not done yet listing the games-- ]


There are also those tests of strength where you smack a target with a big hammer!! You can win that one!
wwtd: happy (warmth)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-10-30 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ the signal must've dropped or something??

fishy stall first. she's not picky about WHAT they start with. hiyori lets him lead her along, hand in hand.

upon seeing his merry smile, the tension and anxiety in her stomach ebbs away. she can't help but smile, too, more easygoing than before when there was a strain.

as they approach the "fishy" stall it isn't fish at all in the little fishbowls. ]
wwtd: comic (does not compute)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-10-30 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ but tentacles wriggling around. ]

... Where are the fish.
intertwinedfates: phone huh anime dork (the one)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-10-30 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ooh, yeah, the strength game! He'd nail that one, easy!]

We'll try that one right after this, okay? [Because fishies...!

...

.....f-fishies that aren't there. Fishies that are gross, wriggling little tentacles.

Horror-struck, Yato just. Stares at them squirming about, his mind solely on the fact that if they had eyeballs they would be just little tiny ayakashi. SO NOT WHAT THEY NEED AFTER EVERYTHING, OKAY.]


On second thought, how about that hammer game, huh.

[Said as flatly as a sheet of paper. He's so had it with the spooky shit, thanks.]
wwtd: (+yato) (eegads)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-10-30 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ immediately, ]

Yeahlet'sgodothat.

[ the poor carnival worker watches them like D': single tear as yato and hiyori both heel turn and head in the direction where a hammer game might be. winning a little goldfish is one thing! winning a little tentacle? nope.

after some searching (with hiyori pointing out some other fun games like ladder climbing and a water dunk game but it's not water it's SLIME) they find the elusive hammer game. they're greeted with a zealous, excitable worker. the quintessential carnival worker in oranges and purples and a big hat with bats.

"step right up, step right up! test your strength, win a prize! you, there! with the fabulous scarf--"

fluffy.

"--win a priiiize for your pretty pal-gal?? she'll love it! it's to DIE for!" ]
intertwinedfates: nyaa dork gremlin (14)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-10-31 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
[Sorry, poor carnival work, but they've had enough of things creeping on them today! Because seriously, who knows what might happen if they were to take it home with them. It'd probably grow into some creature they'd have to fight...

At each game Hiyori points out, he has to resist the urge to stop and play - otherwise they'll never get to their goal. But he makes a note to come back to them after they're done.

A born sucker, the compliment to his ~fabulous~ scarf has Yato puffing up and beaming with pride as they approach the game, as if he wasn't already sold on giving it a try. Added to the compliment towards Hiyori and there's no way he'd be able to resist.]


Alright, then! Let me at it, I'll get you the best they have to offer, Hiyori!

[Rubbing his hands together, he takes up the hammer and turns enough to give her a wink before directing his full attention to the game. He hauls back so far the hammer almost touches the ground behind him, SWINGS and----

Ten points.]


WHAT THE HELL?!

["Ooh, so sorry there! How about you have another go?"

Fuming, Yato repeats the process and-- gets fifty this time around, much to his chagrin. He leans over to Hiyori, whispering fiercely.]


...I think you might be right about them rigging it... Wanna give it a go?
wwtd: angry, serious (LET'S FUCKING GO)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-10-31 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ yato, this is why you're so easily swindled by the scammers selling useless good-luck charms. she understands everything now. fortune is with them, they don't have to pay for THIS scam. hiyori, on the other hand, lets a fixed smile touch her lips at the compliment that's obviously made to get them to play the game. and nothing else. yato falls for it. the fool.

she may be young, but she's not a fool! mmmmmost of the time.

the carnival worker (let's call him bigsby) sweeps a dramatic bow at yato and leads him over to the game and passes over the hammer with a big smile on their face.

she can't help but smile more genuinely at his goofy "delivery god" wink, not blushing (she's blushing), and watches on with curiosity. 10 points. eeehhhh?

50 points. EEEHHHH? but?! HE'S A GOD?? this is SUCH A SCAM!! yato is crazy strong, isn't he? ]


M-me?! I'm not going to get anything better than you, though!

[ she hugs uesama to her chest.

"that's fine! big strong game is only for big strong contenders anyway! make that guy a sandwich, he could use the muscle!! haha!"

THAT'S IT. ]


Hand it over, Yato. [ hear that? it's the sound of a wrestling match bell going off - DIING, DIIING - as hiyori and yato trade. uesama for the hammer. she rolls up her sleeves, eyes burning. ]

I'll knock this thing clear off those tampered-with hinges!!

[ as she steps forward, hiyori's tail whips in agitation.

on the ground? zzzzz hiyori. after just getting it back, too. ]
intertwinedfates: huh anime (became one)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-10-31 06:50 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a sucker born every minute and many of those times it's Yato. Even if he says he won't be taken in, the next time somebody with a mysterious presence or complimentary manner accosts him, he gets duped. Just like this time. Hook, line, sinker, and fishing pole with him.

The fact he's been taken in yet again irritates him to no end, leaving him grinding his teeth in frustration. Especially with Bigsby's boisterous digs at him take a chip out of his pride. Sandwich his ass...

Though somewhat surprising yet really not is Hiyori stepping up to the plate in his stead after quickly changing her stance on the matter. His heart beats a little harder at the thought that she might be doing it to defend his honor, though it's also possible she just doesn't care for the guy's attitude. He's not sure which.

Taking Uesama, he's not at all prepared for her to drop her body even if it does make sense, scrambling to get it propped up comfortably against his chest as he crouches down with her.]


Careful with it, Hiyori. It's a bit unwieldy.

[Last thing they need is for her to drop it on her foot or lose her grip and have it go flying towards some innocent bystander (like him.) At the same time though he has the utmost faith in her that she can nail it good, maybe even hitting the bell itself. Her conviction is that strong when she puts her mind to it.]
wwtd: excited (bingo)

1/2

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-10-31 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ reincarnated, more like.

it's a little of both; defending yato's honor and taking this guy down a peg or two. or however many it takes to humble him back down to earth. songerein. she shoots yato a confident look. ]


Yeah. Don't worry. I've got this! Just take care of my body for a sec, okay?

[ hiyori clutches the hammer tight with his warning. stepping up to the plate, in a manner of speaking, she widens her stance and blows air out of her nose like she's a raging bull ready to run down a luchador. she braces the handle of the hammer on her shoulder and stares up at the highest score. 1000.

hiyori reels back, aims for the center, and slams down on the button with all her might. WHAM.

ping ping ping. 200! not bad. the top hat tilts a bit on bigsby's head. he even looks at yato like what the fuck is this girl. ]


Not good enough. One more try, please! [ since she isn't the type to give up she's reeling back for ANOTHER hit.

that one was to make you rethink your attitude. this one-- ]
wwtd: excited (excite)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-10-31 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ WHAM!!! pingpingpingpingpngipingpgingpignpgnpng

--is for Yato!

850 POINTS!!! ]


A-alright!! [ HUFF HUFF ] H, How's that?! I almost got a perfect score that time!!
intertwinedfates: cheer dork (126)

1/2

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-10-31 06:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay, you got it! On both accounts!

[Recognizing all the signs of Hiyori on the rampage, Yato scoots both himself and her body back a couple of feet just in case, jerking his head to the attendant to move his ass before he loses it. The guy only scoffs and shakes his head disbelievingly; what's this little girl going to do, huh?

So Yato merely shrugs, watching Hiyori get ready to go to town. She can do it. She's stood up to his dad without flinching; a game is nothing.

And she proves as much with her first swing, beating his score outright. 200! Not bad! He applauds her enthusiastically, beaming with pride and not the least bit ashamed at being shown up by her.]


Alright, Hiyori! You go, girl! Show 'em who's boss!

[Bigsby glances between the two of them, bewildered as Hiyori revs up for round two. At the rate this girl is going, she might break his game... Not that Yato minds as he starts chanting Hiyori's name, making her sleeping body fistpump along with him as they watch by the sidelines.

She can do it...! She can restore his honor and get them the prize! And she pulls back for her second go, eyes sparkling with determination as the hammer pulls back to be released with enough force that it whistles through the air and--

SCOREEEEE!!]


Yippee! You did it, Hiyori~! Nice going!! You really showed him, didn't you? Hehehe...

[He shoots a look at Mr. Smartypants, gesturing for their prize. Hand it over, punk. It's with some reluctance that Bigsby does go for one of the largest prizes, pulling it down and handing it over to Hiyori with a strained smile.

"Prize for the lovely and strong lady, of course..." And it's a--]
intertwinedfates: unimpressed (38)

2/2

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-10-31 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[--a very large, very realistic bat plushie, save for it being in odd colors and featuring eyeballs all over it.

That and it's wearing a mask with a distinct, all too familiar eye design on it.

It's a goddamn plush of one of his father's controlled ayakashi.]


.........

Give it back, Hiyori. We don't need it.

[Said with the flattest, most monotone of voices.]
wwtd: shock (whispers)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-11-01 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ it's... it's actually an ayakashi this time!? no doubt about it. there are EYEBALLS. THERE'S A MASK. this is too uncanny that she stares at bigsby like he's yato's father, hiding in that body. with anger and shock in her expression.

... what if he is?! should she smack him with a hammer? or put him in a submission hold so yato can ask him questions?!

without arguing, she shoves the bat back at him. they've defended yato's honor and hopefully taken him down those pegs. bigsby takes his hat off and sweeps into a bow at the two of them before taking the hammer back.

trying to take the hammer.

she holds it tighter. ]


Who are you...?

[ bigsby smiles with cracked and crooked teeth.

"just one of the many carnival workers, hiyori-chan."

TAIL. PUFFING UP.

"now would you please hand me my hammer back? i need it for my next set of suck-- I mean, customers!!" ]
intertwinedfates: grit (91)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-11-01 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
[All it takes is that little Hiyori-chan to douse Yato with chills that strike him to his core. It seems some remnant of that bastard is capable of following them even into his dreams, trying to spoil whatever happiness he finds, like always.

Gently setting down Hiyori's body along with Uesama, he gets up and closes the gap between them, snatching Hiyori's hand in his own with a firmness that belies the way his own is trembling.]


...forget it. Don't let him win. We'll get a better prize elsewhere, okay?

[Reaching out with his other hand, he pries the hammer from her to allow this machination to take it back with a laugh that sounds far too much like Fujisaki's for his appearance. Damn these dream-like states and their nonsensical logic. Did he show up because he himself willed it? Or is it like so many dreams where you just have no control over what happens? Whatever the case, he's mentally kicking himself for allowing this to happen.]

C'mon, Hiyori... Let's get your body and go.
wwtd: calm, serious (you're still here?)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-11-01 02:27 am (UTC)(link)
But-! He...!

[ despite yato's sad 50 points and hiyori's big 850 points, he's able to pry the hammer from her grip. if that's father right in front of them, the sorcerer, shouldn't they fight? isn't that what--

songerein is still largely a mystery to hiyori. it's a place of dreams and emotion. where your subconscious and your feelings have the power to make incredible things happen. maybe it's not so strange that a character, so much like his father would show up in front of them.

it's enough to unsettle yato. she throws a sharp, angry glare at bigsby. ]


... Okay. Yeah. Let's go.

[ because he haunts yato so much.

as she looks over her shoulder at the worker, he's whistling and spinning the hammer in his grip nonchalantly while ignoring the two of them. well, they can't fight in the middle of a carnival anyway and ruin everyone's fun. she approaches her sleeping body and closes her eyes, trying to will herself back together again. thinking of the swaying, glimmering bright coin and counting to ten.

she wakes up on the ground, uesama on her chest, and tries to sit up. ]
intertwinedfates: blush (121)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-11-01 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Yato isn't unsympathetic to Hiyori's view - part of him wants to wring this guy's neck more than anyone. But at the same time he knows it's nothing more than a dream, a futile endeavor at best. Who knows what trouble they might stir up by trying to wrangle information from him. Likely it would only be what he already knows.

So better to focus on the good parts of today. Of getting to spend time having fun with Hiyori. After escorting her back to her body, he kneels down beside it, watching with an impressed air as she manages to will herself back in without his assistance. As her eyes flutter open and she sits up, he takes her hand and braces his own against her back with a chuckle.]


Seems like you're getting the hang of it. Hopefully you'll be able to do that at will soon enough.

[Once she's upright he helps her to stand, dusting off her back as he does so. Careful to avoid anywhere that might get him smacked. He can be a gentleman at times! And at least his trembling has subsided to the occasional twitch of his fingers as he keeps stealing wary glances back at the carnival worker.]

Was there another game you wanted to try? I saw a ring toss game among those we passed by. We could give that a go.
wwtd: happy (idgi)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-11-01 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
I've been trying for months now...

[ while drowsy, she's able to get back onto her feet with yato's assistance. she doesn't swat his hands away as he dusts her off thoughtfully, she hasn't taken her eyes off that man that's so much like fujisaki. now that she thinks about it, knowing exactly what to say to lure yato in with compliments was strange. calling her pretty, too.

her skin crawls and her stomach turns. ]


Sure. Let's play ring toss.

[ she takes yato's hand in hers, firmly. her hand doesn't tremble but her hold is much tighter than one could consider casual.

"see you arooounddd~~! take care not to drop your body again, huh? that's dangerous~~ you'll worry poor yaboku to death." ]


Ya--!!

[ when she whips around, he's gone. someone else is in the place of "bigsby." someone who looks like all the other workers. a total npc. ]
intertwinedfates: yell (40)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-11-01 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
Looks like you've figured out a good trick to doing it.

[His smile, although slightly strained, is genuine, and his eyes are soft as he gazes at her. He's so proud of how well she handles her problem that he can't solve, grateful that she doesn't blame him for being unable to fix it even though he was the cause. That's just the kind of girl Hiyori is. It's why he--

As she grasps his hand with enough force that it's obvious, the carnival worker's voice echoes over to them, the use of his given name making his blood run cold and his eyes go wide in horror.

He beats her to the punch, ripping his hand away into order to rush back to where "Bigsby" was standing, fists clenched at his side as he turns his face skyward to yell at the top of his lungs.]


Bastard--!! Get the hell out of my dreams...!

[Breathing hard, he ignores the strange looks everyone else around them is giving him, whispers about the crazy guy also going unheard. All he can hear is a ringing laughter in his ears.]
wwtd: calm, angry, serious (i'll do it!)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-11-01 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
Yato!!

[ right on his heels, hiyori hauls him away from the spooked carnival worker. while apologizing for scaring him, she drags yato over to some nearby benches under some trees. she sits him down, hands on his shoulders, and crouches down in front of him.

... what does she say to him?

the day had been going great. sure, there's been a lot of chaos and a lot of things going wrong but she would take more of that rather than whatever just happened. a stark reminder of what's going on in reality for them. that while they may have a lot of fun while dreaming like this, someone terrible was causing so much discord in the world. ]


H-hey, here, hold Uesama for me? [ hiyori places the little zombie plush on yato's knees, bouncing him up and down until she has his attention. very similar to how she handled drunk yato wailing over capypers being old men in suits. ]

I'm feeling thirsty again! So I'm going to get us some water, okay? I'm counting on you to watch him for me. I'll be right back. I'm just going to go over to that stall, right there. Okay?

[ just a little ways off, perfectly in his eyesight, hiyori points to a nearby food stall. ]
intertwinedfates: grit (91)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-11-01 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Even as Hiyori leads him away from the actual carnival worker, Yato's breathing verges on hyperventilating from both distress and rage. If that really was his dad, he could have done Hiyori harm without him being any the wiser until it was too late. It would have been all too easy with her spirit form exposed like that. The possibility alone sends a shudder through him as he sits down on the bench and Hiyori's hands rest upon his shoulders, slowly working to ground him.

It's fine. She's fine. Nothing bad happened. Everything is alright. They can go back to enjoying the rest of their day, can't they...?

He's honestly not sure. The sound of that voice has unsettled him more than he wants to admit.

Thankfully Hiyori is here to pull him back from the darkness, with their cute little plush helping. Absently, he takes hold of Uesama, hugging it to his chest with a nod. He still can't bring himself to meet her eyes. What if, what if--

No, he can't think like that. They're both fine.]


A-Alright. Just... be careful...?

[Finally he drags his face up enough to watch her, worry evident in the way his eyes shine and the curve of his brows.

Don't go too far, he wants to say. Don't leave me. But he's not one to demand that of her. He doesn't want to admit how scared he is.]
wwtd: calm, worried (do i say something)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-11-01 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ there's an ache in her chest at the look on yato's face. in how he hugs the plush to him, like a frightened child. for an ancient god, he wears innocence like it's his own skin. she wants to protect him and his dreams with everything she has. a human protecting a god... ]

I will. I won't be long.

[ she tries to smile reassuringly at him and squeezes his knee before standing and turning to walk to the stall. every step away from him weighs her down, but she stubbornly keeps her eyes forward and her chin high. she orders a couple of waters without issue and heads back with both in her hands before sitting next to yato. ]

I also got you one, but if you're not thirsty, um, I guess I can drink it?

[ if songerein is a place of dreams, it makes sense that sometimes a nightmare makes itself known. they always turn up when you least expect it. they're lucky it didn't affect the whole carnival. ]

Yato... he can't do anything here, right? This is a dream. I mean, it surprised me too, but I thought about it and he's not a threat. He's just messing with you to scare you. We're safe.
intertwinedfates: tch pout (95)

[personal profile] intertwinedfates 2023-11-01 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
[The squeeze to his knee gets a small smile from Yato, strained though it is. It's a start. Hiyori's touch makes him feel more reassured that things will be okay, like they always are when she's around.

As Hiyori takes her first steps away from him, he has to resist the urge to reach out and grab her to keep her by his side where it's safe. As she gets further away he has to ignore the desire to rush after her so they can walk together; his legs won't even work at the moment, seemingly paralyzed by the encounter with his dad's ghost. At least he can follow her with his eyes, not even blinking the whole while.

Once she returns though, relief washes over him enough for a genuine smile to break through. He takes the water with a nod, sipping at it to moisten his dry mouth.]


Thanks. I need it.

[At her words though, he hunches up his shoulders a bit, glancing away. He feels a fool for lashing out at what's likely nothing more than his subconscious haunting him. Like a child flailing at shadows.]

I know... It's stupid to get so worked up over him, but I can't help it after what he's done. [The hospital for one, kissing her for another. Countless other horrible acts.] It's just that if we're here, then isn't it possible he could be too?
wwtd: (+yato) (my god of fortune)

[personal profile] wwtd 2023-11-01 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ for his thanks, she flashes him another small smile. as genuine as his.

it fades once he brings up a good point. anyone they know could be here, they just haven't found them yet. yato is afraid of his father, that much is obvious. she can't blame him for getting worked up.

she did, too. dread landed in her gut like cement. it made her feel sick. she hated that guy. ]


It's possible. [ what point is there to lie to yato? after what they experienced. they don't know what that was. yato's subconscious? fujisaki being here somewhere, too? ]

But even if he is, you're here. And I'm here. So we don't have to face anything on our own. Right?

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