songerein | { Moon's Haunted }

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{ Moon's Haunted }

MOON'S HAUNTED

Elimei, the female winged kirin twin from the Tree of Stories, was suddenly taken by a large, gruesome figure wielding a butcher's knife with a bear at its side. They appeared from a black portal and everyone in the room at the time was unable to move due to a sudden increase in gravity and heavy weight of nightmare energy. The figures disappeared into the black portal leaving behind no trace—except Elimei's feathers tinged with nightmare energy. Using Elimei's feather, researchers in the Observatory were able to pinpoint her location within a foreign moon. By this time, the moon mirror created by the fae has collected into its glass the stories of various moons gathered by Madhuri. Powered by this enchanted mirror and with dreamotion energy, they are able to create a dreamscape-like gateway to this foreign moon.

Unfortunately the power was so great it acted like a dreamshift and sent in everyone. Now everyone finds themselves on the surface of this strange moon, but fortunately they have allies in the form of lunar wolves to help guide them. To help combat against the noctasers, which are an evolved form of Erasers that have consumed great amount of nightmare energy, the special potions that were created back from Halloween and are effective against Erasers will be available. They will work in conjunction with dreamotion energy and other items useful against nightmare energy; perhaps a new solution can be made.

For more details on the event and to ask any questions, please refer to the Game Notes. Reminder that this is forward dated to the end of the month.

I. MOON PHASES

At random intervals, the moon will change between full and new phases. When the moon is full, the moonscape becomes ghostly white; when it is new, it becomes pitch back. There are both advantages and disadvantages for each phase, and everyone needs to be mindful as it will change without warning. Although we have some generic prompts for each phase, the phases and effects carry over through all the prompts, they can be used at will.

A. Darkest of Nights: New Moon. Whenever the moon phase changes to the new moon, it becomes so dark it's almost difficult to see. Light sources will need to be found to help traverse through the moonscape unless one uses dreamotion to help guide them. The new moon phase is also when nightmare energy is at its peak, the ground seemingly seeping with it and noctasers lurking. Some characters might find themselves transforming into some nightmarish creature in response to it. Perhaps into something that reflects their greatest fears or anger; some may even start to relive or have nightmares. Those who are easily influenced by nightmare energy should take caution, but must also remember that nightmare energy can also be harnessed here. For those who want to try and control it, the new moon phase is the best time.

B. Light of the Full Moon. Whenever the moon phase changes to the full moon, it is almost blindingly bright in some places. During this time, dreamotion is at its peak and it'll be easier to fight off the noctasers should they be encountered; of course during this time the noctasers will go into hiding. The black goopy puddles scattered around will be most suspicious, and this is the perfect time to clear them up with dreamotion. Just be careful not to get trapped in them or it'll be like quicksand. Anyone who was transformed during the new moon phase will slowly begin to transform back but will still need assistance; otherwise they'll just remain and continue transformation when it changes back to the new moon phase.

II. LUNAR WOLVES

For those who wish to help the lunar wolves that inhabit this moonscape, they live in a brightly lit temple that is impossible to miss. With a unique "wolf blessing," characters can transform into a wolf to help blend in with the environment as well as gain temporary powers: ability to conjure moonlight to use against noctasers; powerful howl attacks capable of knocking back small objects and creatures; ability to see clearly in the darkness during new moon shifts; increases speed and other heightened senses; ability to see the leftover "moon dust trail" from the moon fragments to track them down. Appearance of the wolf form can be whatever the player or character wishes and while partial transformations are allowed, whole transformations will be stronger. The blessing will last for up to an hour, and characters can willingly change back at any time. However, they'll need another blessing to turn back into a wolf unless they can do so on their own through their own dreamotion ability. The wolves will also be around to help give aid when they can.

A. Defend the Temple. Noctasers are becoming more aggressive as they attack the temple the lunar wolves are based in, aiming for the collection of corrupted moon fragments the lunar wolves have been guarding in hopes of later purifying. Some may even notice the moon fragments depict certain images or have unique characters that may look like the moon from their own world. Maybe that fragment is from their home world. Characters need to use everything they have to help protect these fragments and fight alongside the wolves.

» BONUS: DEFENSE BARRIERS. Shoring up defenses and creating dreamotion barriers to help keep the noctasers at bay will also help. The wolves will inform of special flower that needs wishful based dreamotion energy to make it grow large enough as a shield that can help repel the noctasers.

B. Retrieve Moon Fragments. Some of the noctasers still manage to break in and steal several moon fragments, scattering them all over the forests surrounding the small temple the wolves dwell in. While some have been dropped and can be found a little more easily, others are still in the clutches of the noctasers that must be destroyed, especially if a noctaser consumes it. While safe to handle, the moon fragments must be collected into small glowing jars to ensure their protection.

C. Save the Wolf Cubs. In the chaos, a few wolf cubs got separated from their families and ran into the forest, with some having the bright idea to try and find the moon fragments on their own. This is a disaster waiting to happen, so they need to be brought back quickly! Wolf transformation will be mandatory as the cubs will be wary of anyone else who approaches. They are also clever cubs and will hide in deep thickets and tree hollows. Luring them out with mooncakes will help win them over.

III. ITEM COLLECTION: ELIMEI

Certain items are needed to help defeat the Mutton Man and its Bear steed, as well as to find and heal Elimei. Thankfully they won't be going in blind and Baba Yaga will make an appearance to inform them of what they'll need. Although primarily to be collected and given to those who will go out to find Elimei, all items can also be collected for personal use to be against noctasers and other effects. There's plenty to go around! All items will be found in the swamp area.

A. Follow the Moonflies. In the outskirts of the swamps, there are special fireflies called "moonflies" where they produce pure moonlight from their bulbs. They are attracted to darkness as they will absorb it to produce their light. Gathering these moonflies in special jars will allow those seeking Elimei to help track her down as the moonflies will fly towards the darkest area of the swamp where she is being held. They will also be useful in blinding the enemies as they will fly up to them, attracted by the darkness the nightmare energy brings. They are also great to use as lanterns during the new moon phase.

B. Lunar Honey. The petals of this flower can be crushed up to create a delicious sweet honey that can help soothe any tormented soul. While not a cure all for nightmare energy, they work similar to the Glowing Dawn flowers back in Songerein and will be valuable for those affected by nightmare energy and monster transformations. Although ineffective against the Mutton Man, the Bear may find the sweetness irresistible.

» BONUS: KEEPSAKES. Collect the flowers to eventually bring back to Songerein so they can be used for additional treatment.

C. Moon Crystals. Special crystals which illuminate in the darkness and turn black during the full moon phases. They will absorb nightmare energy and convert them to potent dreamotion energy to a poisonous degree. Thus those afflicted with nightmary energy will be good sources for these crystals but must be handled with care. Anyone who is punctured or cut by a crystal risks becoming crystalized and will need to be taken back to the wolves to be cured. The crystals will serve as the main "weapon" against the Mutton Man and the Bear, and can be deadly against noctasers as well.

D. Swamp Threats. Beware: the swamps are filled with not only noctasers but also hostile moon creatures, mostly of the reptilian side, such as snakes and alligators. At least the latter can be soothed with dreamotion unless they have started to corrupt from nightmare energy. Be careful not to follow the red wisps as they will lead unsuspecting rescuers deep into the swap to black pools where kelpies in them, ready to pose as Elimei and drag them under.

IV. ITEM COLLECTION: KAGUYA

To help get Songerein's moon fragment back, certain items will be needed to help evolve the moon mirror and purify the corrupted Rabbit Kaguya. All items can be used for other purposes and will be found around the bamboo forest.

A. "Holy Hand Grenade." This has a few steps as the "grenade" needs to be made. First, a golden bamboo stalk must be found and cut down. The crystals that pour out of it must be quickly collected in a crystal globe provided by the wolves. Dreamotion must then be channeled into it to melt the crystals and then the globe must be capped off. To use, one must count to three and then throw it at the target. This only has a purification effect, but it's very potent. It should only be used on anyone who is fully corrupted and is either close to or has become a noctaere. Even then care must be given as it will knock them out completely. Using it on someone with only a small amount will cause them to have too much dreamotion energy and make it more of a poison, requiring the excess dreamotion energy to be drawn out or counter balanced with nightmare energy. Handle with caution.

B. Bamboo Slicer. To get through the corrupted bamboo thicket to chase after Kaguya, special tools will need to be made. Cutting silver bamboo stalks well produce various metals to pour out, and with these metals blades can be forged via dreamotion. The blades can be of any shape and form, they just must carry enough fortitude, strength, and tenacity to cut through the stalks. Blades lacking that kind of dreamotion will remain dull and brittle.

C. Mooncakes. One of the easier items to collect, the mooncakes can be found growing off the leaves of the bamboo stalks. The trick is being able to climb high enough to get them; alternative cut or shake down the stalk to reach them. Just beware the lunar bees—they find the mooncakes delicious and will angrily attack anyone who gets in their way.

D. Don't Get Lost. Everyone will be warned to avoid entering the bamboo forest until everything has been gathered and designated groups are set, but should any accidentally further than necessary or get lured in somehow, they will need to find stone lanterns and light them up with dreamotion to help guide their way out. It will be relatively safe during the full moon phase, but during new moon there is higher risk of those trapped to hallucinate their worst nightmares and be lost in them until someone helps them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think so, too.

[She moves so that she can nuzzle her nose against his, and to press a light kiss to his cheek, but her gaze lingers on that crystal a moment longer before Tifa allows her eyes to close, her lashes tickling his cheek.]

Is there anywhere you wanna go? I'll admit, I don't really know much besides the town itself. Only been outside of it a few times.

[And the few times that she has, it's been with him showing her all these new places she's never been. The flower fields, the barn...]

[Another low hum in thought.]

...Should we go camping then? There are a few places that would be good... [And then he recalls something and despite the weariness he opens his eyes slightly to give her a light smirk as he turns his head slightly to murmur close to her ear.]

Somewhere with a waterfall?

A wa—

[It takes her a moment to remember, but as soon as she does, her face is darkening to a deep, deep shade of red as she tips her ear away from him. She'd almost forgotten about it, and honestly, she wouldn't have minded if he didn't remember that specific detail about her... but of course he didn't forget.

But in spite of her bashfulness as she gives him a gentle shove, she's grinning from ear to ear.]

... You know a place?

[If not, they could probably make one if they really tried.]

[Of course not. He'll never forget anything about his wife.

His grin widens at her reaction, that familiar of lightness and warmth permeating through him to replace the bitter cold that had taken over during the nightmare.]

I can think of a few potential places.

Then let's make plans to go when we're back. I'll let you take care of the gear, and I can worry about the food.

[Considering Tifa's never been camping out in the wild before, she wouldn't know the first thing about what kind of gear to bring besides a tent and some blankets, but at least she knows her way around some food.

...

They really do complement each other well in all aspects.]

We can call it our... one year "meetiversary."

[Never mind that he's had several months in between, but for her, it is. Just go along with it!]

Edited 2022-06-27 16:24 (UTC)

[He just raises his brows before there's a small laugh.]

"Meetiversary"? Which date are you going from—the one from Camelot?

[He tilts his head slightly in thought.]

...Was it really around this time of year?

[The sixth month?]

[She buries her face into his neck, too shy now to look at him. Yes, she keeps track, and yes, she's been counting it down since she got her memories back, but Tifa had always kept it to herself, and then when Eustace remembered, she'd just been so caught up in everything else that she forgot to bring it up.

And so here they are.]

Yeah, something like that... when we met in... Celliwig, was it?

[The memory feels like it was so long ago now, but she remembers it like it was yesterday.]

You bought me a drink that day. Do you remember?

[He continues to smile in thought, the memories nostalgic.]

...Mm.

[Slowly he reaches out to take her hand, threading his fingers between hers.]

They had those godawful drinks and when I paid for yours you thought I was picking you up.

[Another small laugh.]

Guess in the end it worked?

[She echoes his laugh with a soft one of her own.]

What can I say? I've got a pretty good intuition. Knew right from the start, and you won me over.

[Her hand is warm in his, and the scent of lilies begins to seep into the air around them. She wonders if there are some blooming elsewhere—perhaps in between the cushions, or outside of the temple, or if it's just their nostalgia finding a way to manifest itself.

She kids, of course. If only she'd known back then where they would be today. She might have thought, if someone had told her, that they were a little bit crazy.]

I remember thinking to myself that I wanted to get to know you better then.

You were persistent back then, dragging me to that cafe. Honestly wondered if you weren't the one trying to do something.

[He's fairly certain he even made such a remark, though it had been mostly in jest.]

And then you kept bothering me...

[She's glad that she can already feel the air lighten with their conversation. It feels warm, happy... If she can help to keep the nightmares at bay in his mind and instead fill it with better memories, then she will at least do that much... but it has been a while since they relived older ones like this that she's a bit surprised they can recall it so vividly. Or maybe she shouldn't be—it just means that they were treasured enough to withstand the test of time.]

Maybe I was so flattered you bought me that drink that I was trying to do something.

[It would be a first, for sure. Any other man who's ever tried to buy Tifa Lockhart a drink was met with a very polite no, but Eustace had somehow managed.

She taps his chin, tipping it towards her so that she can steal a kiss from him.]

It took a while for you to come around, but I'd like to think my persistence finally paid off, yeah?

Hmmmmm.

[He just smiles amused at her kiss because he is recalling how things went.]

Really? I also recall how you kept avoiding me.

Did I...?

[She feigns surprise, and she leans back just far enough that he'll see her mouth falling open in fake shock, but she can't play it up for too long before she breaks character with a laugh.]

I guess I did, but... I also remember you chasing me after a while. [Namely, when she started avoiding him after that night at the restaurant. He had taken her home and tucked her into bed... and left with a kiss.] You were pretty persistent too, you know. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you had a thing for me.

I don't know if it was a thing, but it certainly bothered me that someone who pushed her way to be a friend was suddenly avoiding me without giving me good reason. But I admit I can also be fairly persistent once I've set my eyes on something.

[Tifa lightly and playfully bumps her fist against his chest.]

So, it's true, then? You had your sights set on me and went after what you wanted.

[And, once again, Eustace was the only man who ever could manage that.

But her teasing smile fades a touch when she finally gets around to recalling how it actually happened. How he ended up chasing her and stopping her from running. They had talked about it briefly as they were running back to the temple earlier that day, but now that she's really sitting down and trying to remember it...]

Even when I did run, you were still there for me... on the hardest days.

[Seeing that smile fading a bit, he gently squeezes her hand and brushes his lips against the side of her head.]

And I will continue to do so...just like you're there for me.

I know.

[He continues to go above and beyond for her in more ways than she can ever imagine. Not that she had set any expectations for him when they started all of this, but he's surely exceeded every single one of them if she had. He knows all the right things to say, and she's never felt more safe, more treasured, than she does in his presence, and she's never cherished anything more than the time they get to spend together.

Which is why she's filled with excitement at the idea of being able to go somewhere with him, away from all of the chaos and commotion in town, from the people, and their responsibilities for even a few days. To just be with him.]

Then it's settled. Our one year meet-versary. [It sounds so silly calling it that, but she's sticking with it.] I'll need to get something special for it.

Something special? In what way?

[Tifa sighs whimsically and falls back against the cushions.]

I don't know yet. Something to celebrate the occasion.

[ ... ]

Ahh, I wonder if I can whip up one of those weird drinks like we had in Celliwig.

[She would never. Although now she does wonder if she actually could somehow use dreamotion magic here to make special drinks. Not like what that one bar had, but surely it wouldn't be that hard. If Dreambucks can do it, then so could she.]

[He just makes a face as he looks down at her.]

No. Nor that giant margarita. If anything alcohol seemed to always cause problems for us back there.

[Seems less of an issue here, but never know.

But something special... Come to think of it, the piano should be finished soon, shouldn't it? Would it come in on time... It would be a happy coincidence if so, but he should prepare something else just in case. Hmmmmm.]

[Her grin spreads wider as she stretches, pretending that he isn't making that face at her.]

What, you don't wanna fall asleep in a petting zoo again?

[That was certainly an... interesting day, to say the least. Not that she regrets it now, though. It was just another chance for her to fall a little harder for him, and she got to touch his ears for the first time.]

Fine... no special drinks. [She waggles a finger at him before giving him a shy little poke to get urge him to join her.] But I still wanna get something.

[A gift of some kind, she thinks. Something special and symbolic for both of them to celebrate, cheesy or not.]

Besides... it's not every day two people are reunited the way we were, yeah...? Still can't believe it's been a whole year...

[He continues to give her a withering look before a smile breaks through instead and he flops down next to her, an arm immediately going around her waist. The movement disturbs some of the white star flowers that have been gradually blooming around them, their scent drifting into the air as he nuzzles closer to catch her own sweet scent.]

...That's true.

[And if anything, he was at the disadvantage. What if Cloud hadn't been so absent in Camelot? What if he appeared in Songerein early on, allowing them to rekindle what they missed? Her memories from Camelot were still from an earlier time before they got together, but couldn't they have helped? What if she had come from a different time from her world, perhaps a time when things between her and Cloud developed further...?

He doesn't think about it often these days, and given that it didn't even bother him in nightmares is proof that he doesn't care that much about it—but it's a shadow that remains if distantly. After all, there's no reason for him to speculate about those "what if's" now, not with them having firmly cemented their feelings for one another. Even if Cloud were to show up tomorrow, he wouldn't mind it, even if it might make things complicated for Tifa for a bit.

But there's still a recognition that should she ever return to her world there...she would likely go to the one waiting for her there. It's a very bitter feeling, but at the same time he's also a little grateful. Grateful that she'd still be able to find someone and be happy. He still would have wished it was with him, but...he had a chance to find and spend time with her in two different worlds. The chances of that are astronomical, so he can't ignore the chance they did have.

Although his thoughts grew momentarily bitter, he tightens his hold and pulls her closer to him, heaving in a deep breath for releasing it out for a slow exhale.]

...I hope we have many more.

[A lifetime....might be too much to ask for. But another year. Two, three, five. He'll take whatever he can. No longer can he ignore this greed he has for her.]

Mm. Me, too.

[Many more...

She tries not to let her smile turn sad, but in the event that it does, she buries her face into his neck as he pulls her close.

Hearing him say that... it makes her wonder. If Tifa had the chance to ask for forever, would she? Would she be able to live with the promise that she could remain here in this world so that she might live out the rest of her days with him? One day, they'll all return home to their worlds, to their own lives and their own fights, but that reminder of their limited time together leaves nothing behind but an ache in her heart.

She wants to celebrate those two, three, ten-year meet-iversaries and anniversaries and birthdays with him because she can't bear the thought of not, but there will always be that small voice in the back of her mind trying to remind her that this could be the last and only one.

Which is why, in that moment, she makes a silent promise to herself... That this will be the best of them all. And if they're so lucky that they make it to the next, then she'll have to find a way to make it even better...

Tifa pulls away just far enough to look at him, her eyes flitting over his face as if to recommit every detail of him back into her memory. It's times like this that worry her the most. Although they're together like she wants to be, it's hard to make the best of things when they're scared or hurt or fighting against all odds, so she allows her smile to spread as she takes him in, allowing herself to feel happy that he's simply... here. With her. Right now.

She brushes the hair away that had fallen over his eyes before her hand finds the side of his face.]

Are you feeling better?

[He does the same when she pulls back, having earlier sensed the similar feelings she must have had for him then. He's memorized her face so many times, traced his fingertips over every curve and shadow he could probably paint it if he had the skill, conjure it up in his memory with ease. His gaze for her is soft yet deep, as if his eyes alone could swallow her whole and never let her go.

At her question he just lowers his head slightly and hums a small affirmative.]

Mm... A lot. But should probably take some of that honey for good measure.

[He reaches for the jar, but unlike before he intends to eat a bit of it since there's no real good place to spread it like an ointment before.]

But what about you? You were exposed... You should take some as well as a precaution.

I'm fine.

[It's true that Tifa had felt it—that chill in the back of her neck much like one feels when they are faced with their greatest fears, as those black wisps coiled around her wrists, but she isn't sure how she was able to stem it. Her unwavering determination? Or perhaps she'd turned her fear into something more compelling than the negative emotions that feed into those nightmares? Either way, she's just thankful they made it out in one piece.

But if it will make him feel better and put his mind at ease—and it certainly would do that much for her—then she'll share some of that honey with him.]

I'll have some anyway.

[Propping herself up on her elbow, she waits until he's twisted the lid off the jar and looks around them.]

I guess wolves wouldn't really need spoons, would they...

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