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

[wontforbidtherain]

Felix?

[malignstar]

... what if I hurt you?

[wontforbidtherain]

I'm stronger than most other humans; all of my sort of human are. And I know how to heal myself with magic.

[malignstar]

I don't feel like myself right now...

[wontforbidtherain]

Try coming back to Thyme. That's our space.

[malignstar]

... can you help me?

[wontforbidtherain]

I don't know. I can take a look inside, but it would create a bond with you, one I don't know I can break again. And by extension, to the people in my confluence back home.

[if they will ever exist again]

[malignstar]

[ The gold returns to his eyes, along with the dangerous look ]

[wontforbidtherain]

That is a no. I'll rule that out.

[malignstar]

[ The gold stays this time, as he watches her ]

[wontforbidtherain]

[regards him back]

[malignstar]

You should stop coming up with dangerous ideas.

[ The pointed pronunciation doesn't quite sound like Felix, more a sophisticated version of his usual lackadaisical tone. ]

[wontforbidtherain]

Which is why I ask first; we can reject the ones that are too dangerous.

[malignstar]

[ Still looks unconvinced ]

I would prefer we stick with reasonable ones.

[wontforbidtherain]

Can you stop destroying the landscape?

[malignstar]

He's hardly doing it on purpose.

[wontforbidtherain]

You misunderstand. I was asking if he was able to stop himself, not whether he wanted to. Though... you're not him?

[malignstar]

I am... and I am not. Like so many things here, it is complicated.

But as you say, there is interference right now. And the longer it subsists, the more difficult it becomes to control.

[wontforbidtherain]

Can you see a solution from in there?

[malignstar]

I have no special insight unfortunately.

[wontforbidtherain]

And I'm not sure how to do so without harming Felix.

[malignstar]

[ Makes a frustrated sound with his teeth ]

This place offers few solutions beyond physical affection. I am at a loss as to how to break this compulsion.

[wontforbidtherain]

[eyebrow raise]

Are you suggesting physical affection?

[malignstar]

I just want this dealt with.

[wontforbidtherain]

So do I, but I am out of ideas.