TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 6

[avalonmods]

Check out the OOC intro meme for this month to say hi to new players/characters!

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary ⚔️️ Top-Levels Only ⚔️️ A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival KERPLUNK, SPLASH! Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's still chilly, but not enough that you can't manage on your own. The Lady of the Lake is swimming around under the water, but seems to be focusing on coordinating a band of mossatees to help rescue any wayward new arrivals. Mossatees are a special Avalonian manatee that is green in color and has what appears to be a patches of grass or other short plant life growing on its back. While some are fully green, many sport blooming flowers or fairy circles of mushrooms. If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. Those with animal magic may get their info from the manatees, though may notice that they're really overly friendly and have zero concept of personal boundaries. Everyone may notice they have no concept of personal space, as they will happily run right into someone's belly for a snoot squishing. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly. *Reminder: Your character's familiar may or may not be with your character in their initial plunge. If the familiar isn't partial to water, it may meet your character on the beach or sit atop their head while they swim. Or if they are, they might splash about and swim alongside your character. Familiars have different personalities and body specs and we leave those up to the players. B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, a pair of earbuds, and animal-themed ponchos and tell them to "Check the Shit Box." The "Shit Box" refers to wardrobe more formally known as the Wardrobe of Finding, a hammerspace-like wardrobe that opens to each person's items and pets when the person touches the handle. It was recently enchanted by Merlin to prevent people from having to fish their waterlogged possessions and pets out of the water with them. From there, Archimedes directs everyone to settle in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and gives them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The rest of the universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go. These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk. Which given the fact that it's pouring down rain in April? Not ideal. You were only given ponchos, not rain boots. C ⦿ The Red Spring The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies. Unfortunately, due to a bee infestation and massive amounts of rain, the hot springs of the Red Springs are not available this month! Instead, an underground salt cave is offered as a way to relax and unwind. Gather around in the rejuvenating, dimly lit caves and breathe in the relaxing effects of salt crystals. Feel the sand between your toes, or if you don't like sand, try one of the many pools with tiny garra rufa for a fish pedicure. Or, lie down in a recliner and stare up at the "stars"-- magic sparkles in the ceiling that move to spell out single-word concepts you may be experiencing. (Maybe you're relaxed? You might get something like "Chill." Find your relaxation buddy hot? Just be careful to look away before the stars spell "Thirsty" to the whole room.) The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there. As it turns out, a mythical land that's been around for a few centuries has a few things in common with many modern worlds. It's got the internet, and games have evolved a little bit past hoop trundling and draughts. April, being the traditional month of mirth and games and lots of rain making it hard to have fun outdoors, is the time for Camelot City Gaming Convention, affectionately shortened to CameCon. Come into the large convention center located in the south part of town, get dry, and check out some of the awesome things to do. A ⦿ Couchless Co-Op Without the massive audiences required to really run MMORPGs, Avalon is much more a fan of couch co-op style gaming. Though most games are available on mobile devices throughout Avalon when they are released, there's nothing quite like coming to CameCon to utilize the gaming stages for everyone's favorite fighting games. Multiple players at a time can plug in their phones and connect their accounts to a light magic-based illusion stage (powered by multiple light mages at a time, once a year only!) roughly the size of a basketball court. Fighting games can be played tournament-style on the phone next to your opponent for some awesome trash talk during your battle. Race through space with this year's popular NASTAR Racing Game (National Association for Space Travel Auto Racing) game and fight off space pirates in an epic Mario Kart-esque racing and item battle adventure with your choice of star ship. Or plug your phone into the stage podium and get away from the humdrum fantasy life by joining in a live-movement game that combines synchronous kinetic and light magic. Move your body in the vortex illusion of your favorite rhythm dance game with a buddy! Or maybe you're more into the free-style gaming of Grand Theft Automation with both friends and strangers-- step onto the illusionary stage itself to explore crawling cityscapes and live the life of crime you always dreamed of... at least the cops won't really arrest you if you do it here. Just make sure if you use magic you remember you're on a stage and don't accidentally send some flying off at a poor convention go-er just past the illusion stage. B ⦿ Arthurian RP in your Arthurian RP None can forget one of the most important of game types: the roleplaying game. There's a huge historical set game going on right now where characters can LARP as their favorite Knight of the Round Table. There may be a couple of arguments if two Lancelots end up in the same game, but don't worry, there's a fair way of determining who gets the part for this game if you don't want to wait for the next storyline: rock-paper-scissors-magic. Instead of the traditional version of RPS, you shake your fists and open up to whatever hand-held spell you can make with your particular brand of magic. If it's something that can overcome the other kind in less than three seconds, you're the winner. (And yes, even healers can play-- some protective magic to block a dark magic pain curse is definitely going to win out, for example!) Either way, once your role is decided, put your acting skills to the test! ...and if you don't have any, well, they have costumes that will help you get into the mood with a little dress-up and props that will magically give you sword skills... though only while using the dull-edged plastic props. Or you can just sit on the sidelines and have a picnic on the concrete floor of the center with a potential new pal and watch other people play-- there's a lovely little buffet table with pastries, coffee, and juice in the corner. C ⦿ It Figures... A convention isn't a convention without a little shopping. Come check out what cool games are upcoming in the exhibit hall, buy figurines of your favorite game characters (or.. new ones you've never heard of since this is a new world, but are still cute and/or kick-ass), and most importantly, check out the cool magic you can apply to them. A spell available for purchase in the convention hall that's popular this year is Recipe: Figure Anima, which makes your figures move in place and say popular lines as if they're an actual, miniature version of the character. It's recommended you practice while you're in the convention hall though so figure experts can help if things go.. awry. People have been known to have their own emotions influence the spell, and sometimes toys have started taking on the attitude of the caster. There's nothing quite as tragic as your favorite angelic game character telling you they're gonna kick your ass because you were in a fighting mood. So OOC. Maybe you can find someone who's a little better at magic to fix the problem? Of course, when the rain breaks through and floods the exhibition room, there's a lot of mass hysteria as people scream and climb up onto tables, trying to protect their merch above all else. Hurry, help someone else up onto your table before their ent dakimakura they just purchased gets wet! Only you can save the gamers from water! ..Or that's what you thought, until a second later the electricity goes out and you're left in a total electricity blackout in the convention hall. It may be a good idea to use some magic to try to light the way and find a way out of the flooded hall... A ⦿ Keep Your Vines to Yourselves With magic blossoming left and right because of the bountiful spring equinox rituals, things have been getting a little stranger around the Broceliande. Though it's always been known for being a little odd, there is an overgrowth of prehensile, very friendly vines populating the forest now. The vines seem to have minds of their own, sometimes grabbing people, pulling them up into trees, or generally wrapping around them as if trying to get a warm hug. Ultimately, they seem relatively harmless.. except when you can't get down from them. Hopefully, you've got some kind of destructive magic that can help you fight off the overly friendly vines as you head into the forest to investigate the strange reports citizens have been making of their friends and family disappearing in the generally friendly, if odd forest when they've gone to fetch herbs or other supplies, gone on walks, or who knows what else from the forest. It seems like the best way to get the vines to let go without magic is to tickle the person the vines have captured, so you really better hope you're ticklish... and there's someone willing to really go in on it. It takes a lot of laughter to get these vines to leave you alone! B ⦿ Selfies with Selkies Those who continue on with their investigation after avoiding or escaping the vines will find a very, very large flower that seems to have taken route in a sink hole in the middle of the forest. Hundreds of vines seem to be coming from it, and it seems like this flower may be the source of all of the vines throughout the forest. It won't attack unless you attack it first and it seems to almost immediately regrow any vines that are destroyed. If the flower itself is attacked, it will rise up and attempt to eat your character with thousands of tiny shark-like teeth that lie where the pollen of its flower should be. Those who try to fight will find it seems virtually unkillable and immovable. It is neither plant nor animal and seems to have a thousand minds and souls held within it that somehow feel incomplete, so it's largely incommunicable even with cognitive or death magic. It's definitely a strange find, and it could be easy enough to assume the missing people tried aggression as their first tactic and got gobbled up... Take a trip up to the Archivist will lead them to find a book that includes information on the species: The Cereus de Anima. This giant flower rapidly grows when a seed from the Land of Rot transfers via someone's clothing to an appropriate forest environment and is known to absorb a piece of a person's essence from anyone it touches with its vines. People often seem to go missing for a short period of time when one of these appears, then come back behaving a little differently but ultimately don't seem to be in distress. No one is quite sure what the cause of this is. There doesn't seem to be any record of there being lasting damage, however questionable the plant is... The Archivist, upon seeing you researching the plant, says that he's heard some of the lake's residents just off of the Silent Shore have some experience with one. He hands you a couple baskets of some specially anti-rust enchanted parts and tells you he was supposed to deliver them to a Selkie man living in the lake for a project he's working on. You and a partner can make the delivery and ask your questions from him. The Selkie isn't going to be particularly friendly to fellow men, not trusting human men farther than he can throw them, but will decidedly try to seduce women as Selkie men are known to be extremely handsome and flirtatious with human women. Non-humans he will be neutral toward. It's best to go in pairs so you don't end up on a whirlwind candlelit beach picnic with a shirtless selkie in exchange for information about how to uproot a Cereus de Anima. (At the very least, the selkie will want you to take a selfie with him before you leave so that you have something to remember him by, and you'll always be welcome back if you change your mind.) Regardless of how much of a challenge it is for you to get to that point, as long as he gets the delivery from the Archivist, he'll eventually tell you and your traveling partner about how he heard that there used to be a village at the edge of the Dusklight Woods that was overrun with one of them, and that there's only one survivor who moved to in a cottage on the other side of the Pure of Heart Bridge.. Those familiar, yes, it is the old man that Morganna tried to kill and save in a quest a couple of months ago! Time to travel all the way back to the Pure of Heart bridge and make your way over to the cottage and talk to the man and it sure seems like this quest is long and tedious and you may be wondering if someone will have noticed you're gone... C ⦿ The Answer is No Back in Camelot City, it seems that anyone who's been touched by the vines has been replaced by a doppelganger in their lives. They're just barely off from the original- they have all the memories, but may be slightly more skilled at things they didn't used to be, or may seem to make less ethical choices than they might otherwise. There's just something slightly off. But when people start using AOL to contact their friends and let them know they've been gone.. well, it may seem like the jig is up, or at least in question. Those who find out they've been replaced may want to return to Camelot quickly to try to reclaim their lives. Doppelgangers will attempt to kill their original if they come into contact with them when they aren't around other people, so you may need to flee for your life if you haven't gotten good enough at magic to defend yourself yet. Around other people, the doppelgangers will do their best to try to prove themselves the real person and since they were made from the original, will have the same memories as the original character so asking questions that "only ___ would know" may not work. Eventually it will come out that the doppelgangers have occasionally wriggling vines instead of spines underneath their clothing, if you're willing to check that to see who's real, but that won't be common knowledge. What can be found out from the old man at the Pure of Heart bridge if you choose to leave your doppelganger alone is that Cereus de anima doppelgangers can only live for a month without killing their original and absorbing the rest of their essence. However, if the original plant isn't taken care of with a special venom you can only obtain from certain creatures in the Forest of the Fisher King, the problem will just keep happening over and over until the city is overrun and becomes nothing but a breeding ground for the flower and its replicas. MOD NOTES: • All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. • You can have any animal-style poncho you want! They are themed, not made from actual animals. No animals have been harmed in the making of these ponchos!! • TIMELINE: The resolution to the third prompt will be in April's event! The first two prompt sets will be during the first week of the month. The doppelganger problem and obnoxious traveling and research will be occurring for the second and third weeks of the month. • People with green magic may be able to fill something off about the doppelgangers, but may not be able to identify what it is right away. Blood mages will be able to feel that their blood feels the same as the original as they are essentially copies. Cognitive people will be able to use their magic normally except for hypnotic suggestion- the doppelgangers are immune to it, so while you may be able to find other ways to out them, hypnotizing people to tell the truth won't work this time. Doppelgangers are made from the essence of the person, so they will be able to access their phones and accounts. Note that the Cereus de Anima and doppelgangers are not fairies and cannot be contracted with. If a Death Mage attempts to possess a doppelganger, it will technically come in contact with the doppelganger's vine and may end up with more than one doppelganger depending on how many times they try it. Siphon magic can be used to destroy a doppelganger easily, however, the essence that was stolen from the original's soul may be destroyed in the process so it is not recommended as the original may start to feel as though they are no longer a whole person. • If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. Make sure to read the Red Spring section on this month's even if you're normally familiar-- the springs are closed this month, check out the alternate prompts! • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.

Comments

Vine #1

[liveandforgive]

[ Something tells him that if he decides to go with Fire magic, he'll cause more problems than solutions. ...even if the one big solution means burning the whole of these things down. He hasn't even experienced them in the last world he occupied before coming to Avalon, yet here he is, still as sceptical as before. Unsuspecting people were disappearing, and with the rapid influx of 'friendly' vines that have begun cropping up, it was only a matter of time before Cloud had to get involved.

His Chocobo Chick familiar stays close, darting its head from where it sits atop the blond's head at the vines that slither along and attempt to reach out for them. But he remains vigilant, venturing further in until he's suddenly met with... ]

...?

[ The white wolf wastes very little time in tugging at his pantleg before checking to see if the newcomer would follow. The chick flutters down from Cloud's head, kwehing at his partner that maybe they should follow the wolf! After another pause, Cloud huffs, shaking his head before he treks along after it. Leave it to him to trust wolves. He's kind of got an affinity for them. But once it becomes clear as to who this wolf belonged to, Cloud steps over another vine before peering up at the ensnared Eustace, the sunlight pouring in through the canopy as he lifts a hand over his brow like a visor. ]

A little tied up?

[ Come on, dude. ]

[flamekthunder]

[You know, he's starting to just wonder if this will be his fate. Always grabbed by vines and hanging upside down— Okay no, he's actually getting a bit irritated by this since he had managed to avoid the first few that tried to grab him only to have one manage to slip past and completely wrap around him, followed by several more that resulted him in a vine-wrapped cocoon—upside down.

WHY UPSIDE DOWN.

This forest is targeting him, that's the only explanation.

In any case, he just gives Cloud a bit of a glare. They can't be seen, but his fingertips are sparking with electricity, their air buzzing from the slowly gathering amount of magic that Eustace had started to collect as he was fully prepared to just blast this crap off him before they appeared. After dealing with Flamek's lightning over the years, this would be nothing.]

If you're not going to help then stand back.

[liveandforgive]

[ As someone whose also privy with elemental magic, Cloud can spot the jump of sparks along the cocooned man's fingertips. It's been what the blond has been avoiding this entire time, not wanting to accidentally set the whole damn place on fire. Not that magical lightning was as volatile as the forces of nature...but, ]

Never said I wasn't.

[ In fact, Cloud's little familiar was going to start rapidly flapping its wings up towards the exposed fingers of the ensnared Erune. ]

Gimme a sec. I'll see where I can cut you down.

[ And as the acerbic swordsman calmly treks around the man hanging above him, more serious gaze scoping for potential weak points or vines that can be severed easily without causing the man to go snap...

"Wark...wark...kwehweh..."

The chocobo chick had other plans. Poking at one of the exposed fingertips with its little beak, it doesn't try and bite. As it hovers and seemingly tries thinking of a way of getting this poor guy out, its tall, spiky yet soft-feathered head keeps brushing along his fingers. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Normally Eustace would be more calm but it's hard to blame him for his patience having worn thin by this ridiculous situation. However, seeing the blond moving and seeming to be capable, some of those sparks die off as his temper cools a bit. It's then that he hears some strange sounds and feels something...soft? Brushing against his fingertips.

Glancing over (well as much as he can thanks vines), he sees the strange chicken bird brushing against his fingertips.

...

...

Slowly more of those sparks dissipate until the storm seems to have calmed as he sighs.]

Trying to help, too, huh? [He must really look pathetic. Sigh.] If only you could peck through these things...

[Not a bad idea, but he doubts that little beak could manage far.

He glances at Cloud, checking to see if he's made any progress. He won't say anything or call out to him as it would be better to let the man concentrate.]

[liveandforgive]

[ Alas. The familiar seems curious, but otherwise incapable of breaking through these bonds. Did...its hair feathery head deflate a little bit? ]

Come on down!

[ He calls to the Chocobo Chick. Oh! Seems that his partner is going to experiment with something. The familiar retreats, choosing to hop around on the ground whilst nonchalantly working its way around wayward vines. As for Cloud, he's scouted out a vine that's wound itself up the length of a thick tree. It looks like it connects up to Eustace...but it could be going elsewhere too. But just in case this has any effect? ]

Hang on.

[ ... Eustace can't really do much of anything else, Cloud.

Drawing his sword, he lines up his cut. Of course he's not strong enough to go cutting down trees with a single swing anymore. As he exhales, he goes for it! ]

?!

[ Only for the blond's blade to just...bounce right back, nearly throwing him off balance. It's almost like trying to hit rubber... It doesn't give at all, save for scratches on the surface of the vine. Brow furrowed, he grips his blade tighter in his offhand, only now realizing the resistance to physical attacks. ]

Nothing...

[flamekthunder]

[That is one really huge sword. But he's used to seeing people wielding larger weapons so it's not that too odd for him. He also knew the strong physical resistance from the vines, but he hadn't expected to watch a somewhat comical bounce back like that.]

Magic seems to be the most effective way against it. If you're incapable, just step back.

[It's drastic for sure, and it will use up quite a bit of energy, but unless Cloud can use magic, releasing a blast of lightning magic directly around him seems to be the only way since he's still in training and can't direct it without the use of his hands.]

[liveandforgive]

[ "If you're incapable, just step back." ]

—wait. [ He raises a hand up at the ensnared Erune man, signaling for him to stop. Narrowing his gaze upon the length of his makeshift Buster Sword, he contemplates it. More specifically, he's contemplating words prior. Magic... He'd resisted the temptation to just start casting fire to the troublesome vines for the sake of everyone that could still be here. But after having given swinging the sword a try? Now he wonders...

A thoughtful hum later, and Cloud's grip tightens once more. This time, however, the length of the blade begins to faintly glow orange. Like it's starting to get hot.

One more time. He's going to try one more time. This time, pulling the proverbial trigger in his mind on his own spells. Channeling his magic through his arms, he endows the blade with an element. He's most used to lightning and wind magic, but he also has access to this too. He winds back once more, focusing as he takes another precise slash at the vine wrapping around the nearby tree. ]

Hmph—!

[ With a very loud 'SNAP', the vine is chopped at the cutting point. But rather than the entire vine being set on fire, it's burnt and wilted at the end that writhes down the trunk of the tree. Whether this one was connected to Eustace or not though? Time will tell. Satisfied with the result of using a magic sword combination, he waits for Eustace before deciding which one to cut down next. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace narrows his eyes slightly, but given that he's in no immediate threat and if this guy can actually manage something, there's no harm in giving him another chance. So he watches, wondering what he has in mind before he sees the length of the blade glowing faintly. Thoughts arise as he's familiar with that kind of effect, and he continues to watch carefully as Cloud aims at a vine around the tree.

The snapping carries through up the tree and over Eustace, and while something drops to the ground—

It's not Eustace.

In fact he only lowers maybe a foot or two, but a part of the vine had fallen.

Still, it's a positive sign and Eustace directs Cloud to another location.]

Try the cluster of vines on that tree...that my familiar is sitting in front of.

[His voice shifts to something a bit dry and borderline irritated as he just looks at his not very helpful familiar, its tail swishing slightly over the ground. As if on cue it stands and looks over at Cloud, a bit of frost dusting the ground before it steps away as if to open the way for him.

But look, see, the familiar will be a little helpful by coating the necessary vines with a thin trail of snow.]

[liveandforgive]

[ Peering up at the entangled Eustace like before, he half frowns when he sees that it didn't get him down completely. But! Progress is progress. And as he rests the sword over his shoulder, he taps it idly as the man instructs him towards his lupine familiar. As he treks across the uneven ground, he spots a loose vine swinging down from the canopy from his side. Raising his hand, he ignites a fireball in his open palm. And as if a living, breathing thing, the vine...oddly stiffens, like it stops itself from slapping itself into the blond.

The entire time? Cloud just keeps walking, threatening whatever might try something with the 'promise' to burn everything down. If he were any dorkier chattier, he would have talked smack to the hanging vine that wussed out. Instead, once he's walked away from it, he closes what little distance remains between himself and the white wolf. Then it makes way for him!

Inspecting the vines that wrap and go up the length of the tall tree, he notices how they're dusted white... Oh. That's snow.

Bringing his sword down and channeling another steady flow of magic through the blade, he looks between the familiar and the 'marked' vines. He won't pat a 'wild' animal on the head for a job well done or anything. But as he lines up his cut? ]

Good dog.

[ Aaand 'SNAP!' ]

[flamekthunder]

[The wolf just looks at Cloud as if it was a matter of course and it didn't need his praise. But there is something like a smug, pleased look and a slight sway of its tail. All of this Eustace watches and just inwardly rolls his eyes. He hasn't known his familiar for too long, but he's gotten a grasp of its peculiar personality. But then he sees Cloud readying to swing the blade, and it's a success....!



Wait they may should have thought this through because now that the vines are cut there's nothing holding that cocoon up. So down Eustace goes, still completely wrapped up. Well, he did expect something like this would happen. Not really much of a choice given the situation. He had hoped the vines would unravel first, but perhaps it's better off as it creates a protective layer of sorts as he hits the ground with a loud thudding CRASH and rolls a few feet before coming to a stop. At least he had been able to twist his body so he lands lengthwise and not on his head, so there's just a slight grimace on the landing. But when he tries to move his arms and legs...


New problem.


Vines are still wrapped around him.]

.......

[He hates vines.

A lot.]

[liveandforgive]

[ To be fair to Eustace, he was thinking the same thing would happen! So when he sees the giant mass of vines come crashing down, he has to fight the urge to go right underneath it to catch him. Cloud doesn't have his absurd physical stamina and strength anymore! Otherwise there would be a proverbial pancake called Cloud Strife beneath the Erune. So instead, what does our 'hero' do? ]

Look out—

[ With a harsh crash, the vined Eustace rolls a few feet upon hitting the ground. Cloud? Is just standing there, unable to help cringing. Meanwhile, Cloud's familiar chirps as it waddles up to the man's face. It doesn't peck him or anything, but it stares with its beady little eyes while the blond approaches. ]

That's part one.

[ Yeah OKAY CLOUD. COVER FOR YOUR OWN ASS LIKE YOU EXPECTED HIM TO DROP LIKE A SAC OF TATTERS. ]

[flamekthunder]

[With that lame line, should have become a Cloud Pancake—a Cloudcake.

Unable to do anything, Eustace just closes his eyes and lets out an exhale as the momentary irritation about his situation cools before he opens them to—see the little bird again.

...

...

...]

How are you going to handle "part two"?

[His gaze moves over to Cloud and now that he can see them both up close... ...Why do they somehow look similar... No, wait, that's not important. As to how to get him free, his guess is another round of fire sword.]

[liveandforgive]

[ ... Aaaaaaaaaaaa!! Good one. ]

[ "Kweh~" The chick tilts its head at the Erune, its spiky little head of down bouncing with it as its master prepares for this so-called "part two". ]

Don't move.

[ He can't, Cloud— just. Look. Okay. Glowy fire sword time again. In all truths, he didn't want to go accidentally cutting into a wriggling man underneath. This was going to be a lot slower because he can't just go chopping into the mass of vines. Even he knows that without his precise strength, he won't know if he's gonna just go hacking through the poor fella or not. But it seems that even the pressure of this burning magic was something the vines did not like. And being cut off from any roots, they probably won't last long before wilting.

Good thing there's a certain someone with a big-ass sword intending to cut down on that waiting time. Crouching just a little bit to get a better angle, he channels more mana through the cutting edge once more. But rather than reel back for another hack at the mass of vines, he instead...

...is slowly cutting through the wriggling vines like a loaf of bread. The burning magic may have the inside of that vine cocoon feeling a little toasty, Eustace. Heads up.

When he gets through a few layers of the thick vines, it looks like some cruddy attempt at the "sawing someone in half" magic trick, only partway done. At least they seem to be loosening up! Still keeping the sword burning hot with licks of fire, he slows down as he gets further in. Jeez, how entangled was this guy. ]

Almost there.

[ He'll stop when he gets close to the actual guy inside. Maybe. ]

[flamekthunder]

[........

...........................

It's amazing how much of a poker face Eustace has right now, let alone how much patience he's allowing for this ridiculous mess. However, there really isn't much else that can be done and at least this guy seems capable...

...Being forced with no choice but to trust a complete stranger, everyone back home would have a field day if they saw this.

When Cloud gets to a certain point, he carefully tests something before calling out to him.]

Stop. Move your sword and cut higher near my forearm, and then again on the other side. It should be enough where I can push off and you pull the rest.

[Rather than risk him getting close, it'll be better if he made more cuts so the vines can be pulled and forced part. He'd have to do this anyway since one cut wouldn't be enough.]

[liveandforgive]

[ Sure enough, he stops when instructed. It's not like Cloud's a vine-removal expert or anything. So if he says to go a little higher? That's exactly what he does. There's glowing orange parts that soon fizzle out when he stops cutting in the one spot. Repositioning his blade, he pours mana through the weapon as he continues to carefully slice in. Layers of vines don't snap apart so much as they curl up in response to the intense heat.

Then the other side. Once he's finished the second cut, he temporarily decides to stab the sword into the earth instead of sheathing it. It's faster so he can bend down and start yanking at the loosened vines. ]

Just...about.....!

[ ...got it...! ]

[flamekthunder]

[Once he's able, Eustace will start flexing his arms and legs, feeling where its weakest from his side. With a hard kick he manages to push out the vines near one of his legs on the opposite side of Cloud, grabbing at the vines with his fist to push out as well. The vines resist, but with them being separated from the main vine and the firey cuts weakening them, he's able to finally free his arm. He'll then set to work on the other side, until eventually he's able to sit up as more vines fall away and he's mostly freed.

There really were a lot of vines, especially around his legs. They're not bound tightly together, but there are still a few tied around his calves in such a way that he wouldn't be able to walk or run freely.]

There's still some around my legs I'll need you to cut before— ...!

[Before he can finish, however, there's a loud rustling sound and some ominous movement before a vine slithers by just above Cloud. Immediately Eustace raises a hand and fires a blast of lightning to deflect it while simultaneously shouting:]

Move!

[liveandforgive]

[ Cloud can just barely make out the feeling of something tugging on his pantleg as he rips and tugs at the vines. It so happens to be his own familiar, cheeping and flapping in an attempt to get his attention. As he mutters that there's more layers to this mess than he thought, it pipes up a little louder. The Chocobo Chick sounds a little...um, nervous.

"Wark, wark!!" ]

Not—ngh— now.

[ Unbeknownst to the others at the time, the forest is seeming to come alive with activity. Leaves would ominously bristle in the canopies above, and even the vines that they attempt to wrestle off the ensnared Erune are almost wriggling in the blond's touch. Now though, he doesn't seem to think anything of it as they get closer and closer. Meanwhile the chick is continuing to try its best to get Cloud's attention, fluttering up to his face and pecking and warking. Huffing in annoyance, he shakes his head before stepping back by Eustace's instruction.

Just when he's about to reach for the embedded sword at his side, however...

"Move!" ]

?!

[ Breath clipping, his fighter's instinct kicked in, diving straight over Eustace, sword in hand as he performs a combat roll, righting himself. He's narrowly avoided being ensnared by seemingly more 'assertive' vines, thanks to the man's interference. Meanwhile, the Chocobo Chick couldn't be any more salty that it was basically ignored. Way to go, Cloud. Looking up, more and more vines emerge through the canopy, clearly targeting the duo. This...didn't seem like a favorable fight unless he wanted to burn the whole damn place down. And he's not that powerful to do so in an instant...

Sheathing his sword to his back, he half frowns up at the mass of vines that almost look like eyeless green snakes. Oh yeah. He was right to have an agenda against these things. ]

Think I pissed 'em off.

[ Noooo, after burning and chopping them up, you think?!

If Cloud attempts to cut Eustace free now, he's just going to get trapped too. And if he tries fighting off a bunch of vines on his own since they don't seem to like him anymore... Without another word, he eyes his surroundings. It's not just from the canopies and branches that these vines are coming from. Slithering along the ground like before, they're drawing nearer and nearer. The only clear path is the one that leads out where he came in. And even that may not stay so clear for long. It's a vital moment of contemplation later that finally, the acerbic swordsman makes his decision, gaze flitting to the still partially tangled Erune man. ]

[ ... ]

Hell with it.



[ Hauling the tangled Eustace over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, Cloud makes a break for it as the vines slither and bend in pursuit. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace just shoots Cloud a quick look before he tries to get his legs free. By now his own familiar had joined them, the only show of "concern" it's had for them throughout this whole ordeal. And just as Eustace is considering taking the risk to fire a smaller bolt of lightning or fire at the vines still binding his legs, he finds himself suddenly lifted up.]

What—!?!?

[Wide-eyed in surprise, he has been hauled up like a sack of potatoes over Cloud's shoulders. Instinctively he wants to protest, but not only Cloud already running but he can see the vines chasing after them. Gritting his teeth and pushing down his pride, he just mutters loud enough for Cloud enough to hear:]

Better keep a good grip.

[Sorely missing Flamek's usability, he stretches out his hand and releases another burst of lightning, the bolts arcing to strike the vines wildly due to the lack of control. Granted, he's not really trying to do damage so much as just divert them. When a few get a little too closer, his familiar finally steps in and large shields of ice appear, temporarily blocking the vines while also leaving the floor covered in frost behind them.

But will they be able to make it!?]

[liveandforgive]

[ This isn't as easy as it used to be. If he had full access to his strength, he'd be standing his ground instead of running. Not to mention this escape would be a lot swifter. It's not that Eustace is heavy, but he's clunky and awkward being taller and tangled up in vines as he was. He also has to watch his step so he doesn't trip. Because the moment that Cloud loses his balance or his grip on the man? It's all over. Something tells him that they weren't going to get away with just being 'affectionately' hugged by vines this time. Somewhere in this forest, there has to be a root that's causing this problem.

And the more he thinks about it? The more he comes to the conclusion that the case of missing peoples has something to do with these vines. Sometimes though, discretion was the better part of valour. Which meant?

Run !

Cloud leaps down a slope, his knees buckling when he hits the bottom because he can't afford to tumble with Eustace in tow. His grip firms as he can feel his muscles straining around the man. Just because he lacked his original power, didn't mean he wasn't familiar with hauling stuff around. Thank goodness for constant training and farm chores. Ducking and weaving through any low hanging branches, he's forced to keep running. It's not feasible to try and swing his large sword one-handed in his current state.

"Better keep a good grip." ]

Huh?

[ As if on cue? That's when he hears the crackle of lightning as bolts wildly attack the vines that attempt to reach them. Great. He'll run, Eustace'll gun. Now that's teamwork! Well...up until the straw vines reach out faster than before. Cloud, prepared to drop Eustace (sorry) and react by attacking them, is surprised when the white wolf from before shields them with ice. He only stops, gulping to catch his breath once he's taken in the efforts the familiar made for them. Gritting his teeth, he powers through and runs faster than before. The way to the forest's entrance is on an uphill slope now.

Cloud's legs are starting to burn. Unfortunately? He's also slowing down. In his peripheral view, he can also spot vines beginning to creep down and towards them from the sides too. ]

Shit—!

[ They're close...! Cloud's almost at the point where he's prepared to put Eustace down and start burning his mana to fight back. But he knows deep down, that if he stops while they're aggressive? They were done for. And this wasn't how he planned on going out. No way was he making a call out for help because he pissed off some frisky vines. ]

[flamekthunder]

[While trying to not be Eusless useless, Eustace is trying to be aware of how much energy he's spending while casting his magic. He's basically a low level recruit at this point and his effectiveness is wild at best. But with his familiar helping to cover their rear, he can time his spells to only use it when they most need it, such as whenever a vine gets past the ice and brushes too close.

But in the process, Eustace notices something else. Perhaps due to all the jostling movements, his legs feel less restricted and a subtle movement causes one of the vines that had been wrapped around his legs to fall. He can't do it now, but a good kick should be all that's needed to free his legs.

No, maybe he won't need to kick them free and could use another force instead. Realizing this, seeing all the incoming vines, and well aware of Cloud's labored breathing and strained efforts, Eustace makes a decision and just commands firmly:]

Put me down—we're swapping.

[Whether his idea will work or not........ He can't say for certain as experience and skill are his only limitations. But him on the ground to potentially swap places and carry Cloud instead is a viable alternative.]

[liveandforgive]

What—

[ If he were in any better condition, Eustace would have been met with a terse "No". As if weakened in more than just a physical way, he skids to a stop, the earth and soil rolling up his boots as he instinctively lets the man go. He was at the breaking point between stopping to fight or get desperate with his own magic via wind bursts, so the assertive command of his temporary load throws him off.

Best hurry, least your words sink in and he snaps out of it to refuse, Eustace.

Spoilers. He thinks he isn't gonna like it either. What happens in the Forest of Evil woods, stays in the woods. ]

[flamekthunder]

[No worries, the moment he's set down, although what he says might be momentarily be confused.]

Get on my back.

[Eustace concentrates all of his energy into one transformation. He's already had some practice in transforming into various sized dogs and wolves, and he already knows the more energy and focus he uses, the bigger the more concentrated the size. It won't last long, but it should last enough.

So in the next instant, a large wolf just large enough for Cloud to ride on appears with a look that clearly says Get on now or I will grab and drag you out.]

[liveandforgive]

[ Before Cloud can so much as query further (not that they have time to begin with), Eustace is already morphing into a rather large wolf before his very eyes. If he hadn't just come from a planet where its inhabitants transformed into various bestial forms every month? That would have thrown him off more. Not to mention upon first arriving, he met a man who shared the same magic as the Erune. Still, the visible shock only lasts for a good second or two before the snapping of branches as vines shoot towards them is a very hard reminder that they?

Need to get moving.

With a firm nod, he immediately hopes onto the back of the temporarily lupine Eustace, his gloved hands balling tufts of fur in his fists as he holds on tight. ]



Go!

[ This ain't like riding his bikes Fenrir or Sköll but. Still a wolf. Close enough. ]

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace feels the heavier weight of the man (and that giant ass sword), but even normally he would have been able to handle it similar to how Cloud carried him. As a wolf, he feels even stronger so while still not the lightest passenger, he should be able to do this.

At the very least it'll give Cloud a chance to recover a bit while he does some of the work.

So once Cloud is situated, he lunges forward, dashing through the forest and leaping over any roots or suspicious looking vines they come across. His familiar runs alongside him, looking strangely enlivened by the situation despite the potential death if they don't make it out. Or maybe his wolf is weird like that. But it does help out, occasionally using more of its ice magic to create shields or freeze the tips of vines to make them fall to the ground, creating openings for Eustace to charge through. With their combined efforts they make good headway, the gap between the escapees and pursuing vines widening, and soon there is a literal light at the end of their proverbial tunnel, sunlight streaming through the wide gaps of trees indicating an exit out of the dense forest and out into a clearing.

Which is a good thing because by now Eustace is feeling the strain of holding this magic together, reflected by the quick, heavy pants as he continues to run. But he doesn't stop, mustering all remaining strength and energy he has to do one final burst of speed before leaping out towards the opening, the vines just missing them as he crashes to the ground and ends in a roll, likely sending Cloud flying.

When the dust settles, the wolf is no longer able to be seen and all that's left is a gasping wolf puppy trembling on the ground.]

[liveandforgive]

[ The sheer amount of focus in Cloud's eyes is palpable. He has no intention of dying here. Not when he's not only got family and friends to protect, but when he knows there are others trapped within this forest that still need help. He made a promise that he would come back. That he always would; he'd never leave. The wind rushes at him, initially making it hard to keep his eyes open. If he were any stronger, he'd have been able to carry his sword and swing at whatever came their way whilst riding Eustace. All he can do now is keep his eyes peeled to call out for any incoming danger.

But with his familiar doing a lot of the work in kind alongside them, there's not so much to worry about. ...he thinks to himself as vines threaten to ensnare the transformed Erune by his hindlegs. But the frozen tips of vines from the other wolf catch them just in time. Gritting his teeth, he's expecting them to burst forth from the woods with a final rush of speed. Sure enough, clutching the fur tight, the two are flung through the air. Suddenly, there's nothing supporting his weight as he's sent crashing to the ground.

Bouncing across the earth as the vines writhe and retreat back into the forest, he eventually catches himself, skidding as his palm braces itself across the dirt. Panting to catch his breath and still his frantic heart, he swallows for air as his Chocobo Chick familiar plops down atop his head. ]

N-Nngh...

[ Ridding the cobwebs with a shake of his head, he forces himself back to his feet. ]

Where's...

[ That man he rescued from the vines. If it wasn't for him...he'd be trapped in that forest too. Before he can call out however,

"Kweh! Kweeeh!"

The chick flutters along, peeping the entire way as it guides Cloud to the sight of a small wolf pup. It's trembling and weak... His instincts take over, not even thinking that this was Eustace at first when he kneels down and gingerly picks the puppy up. They're still trembling... ]

...

[ His eyes widen as everything starts to click. Instinctively, he secures him and holds him close to his chest in both arms. ]

Helluva stunt you pulled there...

[ Staring back at the looming forest they escaped, his brow furrows as he realizes that they're going to need to retreat for now. More importantly, he's going to need to find someone who can heal this pup if his condition didn't get better soon. All he can think of doing now though is snuggling keeping Eustace safe in such a vulnerable state as he takes his leave from the forest's edge. Having mostly caught his breath, his thoughts are solely on this man right now.

There's clear water that flows just up and over the hill. The first thing he plans to do is get him there to drink. ]