EVENT: The Very Hungry Nightblossom FINALE

[joybound]

Who: everybody
When: Day 10, sunrise
Where: mainly outside

[Sometime early in the morning, there's a deep rumble, as the ground shakes. The vines previously grabbing at the Aurora and its heroes multiply rapidly, completely coating the train and shutting out starlight. For a moment everything creaks, as if the metal itself is about to cave in.

But then it stops. Somewhere far away something roars, and suddenly the vines retreat, leaving only a few remaining cracks in the ground. Below, the caves have only the harmless glowing mushrooms which, should you choose to attempt eating them, prove to quickly fill one's stomach and leave them with a burst of energy. You can follow the tunnels still, though -- now that they're free of monster plant, you'll find it's one big connected network. There are various small caves in which iridescent white crystals grow, letting off a faint light reminiscent of the moon. From them drips a translucent liquid which feels soft and cool on the skin, until it seeps in. Once it's in your bloodstream you'll find yourself caught in a euphoria that encourages acting on your every impulse. If you want to steal something, you will. If you want to kiss someone, you will. If you want to kill someone...

...Well. It's possible to overcome the compulsions, at least. You need only picture someone you care more about than yourself, and concentrate. Unfortunately the high that comes with it can be addictive, so one must take care when exploring the caves.

It's unlikely anyone will get much exploring done before sunrise, but if you're not in the deep dark where signal is poor, you'll be woken at dawn by a loud and cheerful jingle on your Chain. Even if you were previously dead, you're sure up now! Accompanying it is the slight shift in the train that usually comes with a trial, and a message that just says:

come outside

If you follow the summons, you'll see that rather than a scary tower or spooky house, there's what appears to be a really flashy convertible, painted a shimmering deep rose. Leaning against the hood is a man who appears just over twenty, with long hair and bright eyes, both quite literally twinkling with stars.

His voice might be familiar, if you were one of the first arrivals. But the tone, rather than sad and soft, is... frankly annoyingly full of energy. As is his smile as he waves at everyone coming out.]

"Good morning, my lovely heroes!"

[[OOC NOTES: Anyone who died will be revived at the time of the prince's arrival, even if it's earlier than the 1 day revival timeline. Injuries can still be there depending on your character's timeline, but there are a couple of hours between the plants leaving and the prince appearing, so everyone should have had time to catch their breath and take a shower at least.]]

Comments

[crimeson]

It's not... like I wouldn't kiss you under better circumstances?

[randy that isn't the fUCKING POINT]

[saddleclub]

That isn't the point. I would not.

[crimeson]

[yeowch. nods though.]

All right. Guess that's settled.

[saddleclub]

Is it? I find myself suspecting you may be under one or two misapprehensions still.

[crimeson]

What sorts of misapprehensions would they be?

[these moon fluids are supposed to be inhibition canceling but unfortunately randy has LOCKED THE FUCK DOWN AGAIN, he's just being agreeable and soft about it.]

[saddleclub]

For example something like "this is all my fault".

[crimeson]

...I wouldn't call that a misapprehension?

[saddleclub]

It most certainly is. And an overly arrogant one. Do you suppose you have such power and control over the course of events that you can take responsibility not just for yourself but the fates of others? You aren't a god. You can do what only you can do, but to shoulder more burden than you have cause to is simply self-indulgent masochism.

[crimeson]

Obviously it's not all my fault, but... I'm pretty sure things would've worked out better if I hadn't been stupid enough to let a monster kiss me and start eating me?

[saddleclub]

They were, I must re-iterate, designed to prey on our weaknesses. Feeling guilty about it to this extent--not only is it useless it just adds another bit of ammo for next time.

In the end I was the one who couldn't muster a laugh, and I cost Ceylon and myself--[He cuts off, voice hitched. For all he has a force of personality and conviction behind his words, he's also still having a terrible time. But if he lets on, it will distract from the point of his words, dilute the whole message, so the falter is brief and he picks up quickly and firmly.] if I'd managed to be strong like the rest of you you'd have no more ammo for your guilt complex. Your lens and perspective are so warped by your self-loathing... If you want to focus on something to be troubled by, focus on fixing that.

[crimeson]

I don't... understand how not being able to laugh there is some sort of weakness? Some people are more inclined to laugh, is all. I laugh at a lot of things, so of course it's easier for me to laugh at even shitty things.

But... you aren't wrong, about that being how they got me. Me feeling guilty about stuff I can't change now.

[saddleclub]

I don't know. This place is baffling and annoying. You might as well ask how I'm alive, I have no answer for either that or why laughter was so vital.

It's not... Bad, to feel things deeply. Such a trait is laudable. Your empathy and sense of responsibility and deep kindness are what make you a likable man and not simply some callow flirt.

But taken to the extreme--you've already seen it used against you. Rather than wallow in guilt over it, confront it. Face yourself and your failings head on, and perhaps they will cease to overshadow your good points to your own eyes.

[crimeson]

I don't wanna ask how you're alive... it feels like it's inviting them to take it back like a bad joke.

[so much of this is veering uncomfortably towards liking himself, which is a line he thinks he COULD cross, but not one he wants to accept.]

It's true that I need to face down that weakness of mine... Being so easily exploited will drag everyone down. But... don't push too far with that, okay? There are some things I can't do.

[saddleclub]

Can't or won't?

[crimeson]

...Won't. It might be possible for me to forgive myself, but I don't think that's actually acceptable.

[saddleclub]

Why would that be so terrible?

[crimeson]

...It would cheapen it. All the wrong I've done. I can'd undo it, so forgiving myself would be letting me off too easy.

[saddleclub]

That's what I meant about self-indulgent masochism...

Tell me, does hating yourself fix anything? Does it help anyone? Does it undo even a single wrong you've committed?

[crimeson]

If I let myself forget even a little, I might mess up and go back to that. And forgiving myself would be... setting it aside, to easier forget it.

It doesn't undo anything. Nothing I can do can undo any of it. But it's part of trying to be better, not just- torturing myself for the sake of it.

[saddleclub]

Hmph. I think you're not giving yourself any credit. Forgiveness and forgetfulness are only the same thing in trite sayings.

I believe you're more than capable of showing kindness to yourself without forgetting the things you regret, that drive you to be better. In fact, I think it's likely that, whether or not you realize it, you're only holding yourself back from growing by clinging to such self-loathing.

But I've lectured you enough, if at the very least we can agree none of this was your fault.

[crimeson]

...Let's go back. It's spooky down here.

[IT'S NOT AGREEMENT BUT IT'S NOT DISAGREEMENT EITHER, JUST,,

it's a lot. more than he can really handle right now.]

[saddleclub]

...You know if you want to cry I'll pat your head, you big baby.

[crimeson]

...Once we're on the train, 'kay?

[saddleclub]

Very well.

[crimeson]

[he already feels a bit better just... having that promised, but. he's linking elbows with jusis now, no dignity for you, we walking back]