EVENT: The Sound of Summer

[trainmasters]

Who: darers, newbies, and everyone else!
When: Day 40, dawn
Where: around the train

[After several hours of Kiss or Dare, the bar lights go off and you're let out into the grey pre-dawn. The Cat isn't one for ceremony, so there's no closing fanfare -- but in the sky are new stars in cobalt, pink, & violet. Congratulations to the winners!

You could go home and get some sleep, but you might have a rough time with that. As the sun appears in the sky, there's a horrible ruckus -- the sound of what seems like a million cicadas suddenly springing to life. They're staying in the canopy, not causing particular problems with buzzing around, but they are deafening.

Occasionally, you may hear one particularly low-pitched cicada noise. If you do, cover your ears, else you become hypnotized, overcome by a destructive urge. Those effected will find themselves compelled to act out violence on inanimate objects -- it's only property destruction, but the longer you're effected the more likely you are to lash out at anyone trying to stop you.

Good thing the hypnosis is broken by hugs, because this will be lasting for awhile.

Maybe it's the noise or maybe it's just bad timing, but the arrival of the cicadas is accompanied by the arrival of some new teammates! As always, the notifcation will appear on everyone's Chains:

WELCOME NEW HEROES

[[NOTES: Announcements and placements are up over here. You're welcome to make team posts if you like, or intro directly into this mingle. The cicadas will be here until next month's placements, so please feel free to interact with them in your own posts throughout the month. If you have questions, please comment to the announcements post. Thank you!]]

Comments

[firstworldproblem]

Because a calming mind might help clear your head.

What motives did you think I had?

[malignstar]

[ Take a step back, shaking his head ]

What are you talking about motives for? You don't even know me and you're telling me what to do. You... shouldn't do that.

[firstworldproblem]

It was a suggestion. Nothing more.

[malignstar]

[ Keeps his gaze on him but seems to calm down again, tapping the sword impatiently at his side ]

Right...

[firstworldproblem]

Do these afflictions happen often?

[malignstar]

[ For a second, there's a hint of gold in his red eyes ]

What afflictions? What are you talking about?

[firstworldproblem]

You look like a man driven and a man lost at the same time. Or is this your normal state of affairs? If so, do forgive me for prying.

[malignstar]

[ And indeed he does look lost right now, as the gold quickly fades from his eyes ]

I just... I need to hit something. Break it down. I need to...

[ The grip on the sword shakes, as he suddenly slams it against the tree again, cutting deep into it. ]

[firstworldproblem]

[He watches splinters fall from the tree.]

To what end? Does the desire abate or simply grow with each strike?

[malignstar]

Why do you keep asking questions? Can't you see I'm busy?

[firstworldproblem]

Carry on then. Do seek me out when you find a spare moment.

[malignstar]

[ Another perplexed look before he goes back to his plant carnage ]

[firstworldproblem]

[Ta ta. YOU GET HIS SILLY WAVE GIF TOO]

[malignstar]

[ I have absolutely no idea what I'm looking at but I'm pretty sure your hand is dislocated. ]

[ Anyway, he's eventually going to wander back to the train in wolf form and be gnawing on a stick or something to help with sanity ]

Huh, you really weren't just an illusion of crazy and heat.

[firstworldproblem]

[I mean, yes, you are correct. Eyebrows quirk up when the wolf speaks to him. He gets off whatever chair he is lounging in kneels down. He gives him a good long stare as if looking for something before it's apparent he doesn't see it.]

Are illusions common in this place? Would seem a lot of effort when the real thing would well enough suffice.

[malignstar]

[ Continuous gnawing on his stick ]

We get some pretty weird happenings from time to time.

Anyway, sorry for being a jackass to you earlier. I'm having some focus issues. And some of the destructive issues.

[firstworldproblem]

No need to apologize. From the tales of others I'm starting to understand that there are other influences here that can seep into our minds.

Ah, though you must be that young man with the dark sword. Is this your normal form?

[malignstar]

Nope, this is my probably less likely to be able to wield a sword form. Therefore theoretically less damage-inducing forum. If you excuse this poor mangled stick.

[firstworldproblem]

Still have that itch, I see. Well, it can't be helped it seems --- or if it could I'm sure you would have already taken steps to relieve yourself of its ails.

As for the poor, mangled stick. I'm sure you can make it up the poor dear later.

Ah, allow me my curiosity. Are these the only two forms you can inhabit?

[malignstar]

As far as I know, but my memory is not what it used to be.

And I'm hoping this... thing will run its course or whatever.

[firstworldproblem]

The more and more I hear, it seems those that have forgotten their past seem to be the common case. How dreadful.

For your sake, I do hope it does. In the meantime if I can find you another stick, well, do not hesitate to ask.

[malignstar]

Let me guess, you're one of the lucky ones that remember everything.

[ Suddenly wags tail while still gnawing ]

That's actually really cool, man! Thanks. I'm Felix, by the way.

[firstworldproblem]

I don't know how retaining all the memories you hold dear would be considered lucky, but, yes, I do remember. I daresay my mood would be dreadfully foul if I had not.

[Giving a bow from his kneeling position.]

Emet-Selch.

From what I understand, we are in this together. There is no reason not to extend a hand of agree-ability.

[malignstar]

It gives you something to fight for beyond just being a good person. You remember who's out there counting on you.

[ Is already mostly down on his belly so inclines his head slightly ]

Nice to meet you, Emet-Selch. And you're right, we are in this together.

[firstworldproblem]

Do expound on that if you don't mind telling the tale? What is it that you are fighting for?

[He finally just sits in the dirt. No need to be kneeling the entire time.]

The Heroes of this land seem to be few, but I hear we have a Prince that leads us. Though I'm not certain if he has won our favor or not.