What Has Botany Done Now?

[petcromancer]

Who:Open (plant-shenanigans brought to you by Hector)
When: The month of July/Juril
Where: Around the city of Aefenglom.
What: Hector can no longer make Night Creatures/horrific monsters, so he's turned to sinning against Plant God instead. Plant Chimera? In your garden? It's more likely than you think!
Warnings: Potential for NSFW options (please add CWs appropriately!)



What's Going On?

The wildlife of Aefenglom and the surrounding Wildes has always been...interesting. But in the last month, an abnormally high number of new plant species have been cropping up around the city. Mirrorbound may be asked by locals to investigate weird occurrences, or they may find some of these plants in their very own gardens. There may even be some new teas at DiplomaTea. Whether they choose to leave them be, destroy them, or even cultivate them is entirely up to them!

How Did It Happen?

These plants are the result of Hector's experiments with combining various plants via grafting, cross-pollination, faun magic, and just pure trial and error. A few have been bred purposefully --like Dognip-- but most seem to be the result of pure chance and bizarre magic.

If your character would like to track down Hector as the source of these new botanical oddities, feel free. Hector has also been researching the moss from the ruins and the Underground, and is willing to share his research with interested parties.

(OOC, my responses may be slow- I just got a new puppy and life's going to be a little on hold until she can sleep through the night.)

Mirrorbound can also encounter these plants and deal with them on their own, so feel free to have fun with these without Hector present.

So, About These Plants...(and their by-products)

Bondageweed- Grasping vines that tend to seek out and wrap themselves around limbs. They seem to be attracted to body heat...or at least that’s the working theory on why it behaves the way it does. They don’t grasp tightly enough to harm, but they may end up holding you in a position that makes you blush!

Dognip- A fragrant herb with a scent that attracts dogs (or, less intentionally, it may also lure Turnskins). If consumed, it makes the dog either loopy or zoomie until it wears off.

Frankenteas- A few new blends of tea leaves. EnerTea has a little bit of energizing moss blended in. AphroTeasiac is said to increase stamina and pleasure. ConBrewsion is great for calming someone down, as it literally makes you forget your troubles and cares...and everything else until you’ve had a long nap.

Glow Aloe- Luminescent aloe that soothes burns, but leaves glowing marks as it heals

Lieberries- A variant on the iunerberry plant, except the scent of the leaves causes those inhaling it to speak primarily in lies. It can still have an added effect of drunkenness in some test subjects.

Moonfire Bells- A cross-pollination of Firelight Flowers and Moonbells. This attempt to make the firelights more Cwyld-resistant and less explosive seems to be a success...during the daytime. However, the flowers still tend to heat up and spark under the light of the moon, and can be a fire-hazard if not properly monitored. They are very lovely, though, with a pleasing fragrance and a vibrant glow that could make them the centerpiece of any flowerbed.

Remember-me-nots- A flower that, when brewed into tea, induces short term memory loss

Rose Incense-An incense made of sleep-inducing Rose Petals. Getting a good whiff of it and you’ll have to fight to stay awake.

Wereradishes- Perfectly normal radishes that double in size and grow a layer of fuzzy roots all around them during the full moon.

Witchflowers- A variety of wildflowers that now glow when spells are being cast in close proximity. Hope you weren't trying to cast a spell on the sly with these around...

Venus Echo Trap- A flytrap plant that echoes back the voices it hears. If the sap enters your bloodstream, it renders you temporarily mute.

The list of plants can also be found here.

Comments

bondageweed- ota

[ua_duibhne]

[For once, Diarmuid would like to go for a walk and not stumble head-first into trouble. One moment he's picking through the forest, fallen branches and mulch soft beneath his boots in his search for mushrooms. The next, he's upside down, held by one foot and staring at a mass of crawling stems. Blood rushes to his head and then back as the world tips yet again and he's hauled upright. It doesn't take long for the plant to secure its grip on him; his spear is pulled free from his hands and his arms are tugged behind him as another green corn wraps around his hips, arching his back. While he struggles, the vines curl around Gáe Dearg, almost entirely covering its scarlet form in greenery. They lift it with something he might describe as curiosity were it not a damned plant.

Diarmuid is flexible enough but even he can't seem to twist himself into the right position to try and grab his spear back. Besides, it's too late. He's already lost whatever momentum he might have had when he was first captured and has nothing left to use against the plant's grasp. In fact, as he wriggles, he swears that the bonds get tighter. A vine laces through one of the straps holding his half-chaps in place and moments later, it's managed to unfasten the buckle altogether. The botanical menace seems happy enough to take its place, seeking out more warmth as it curls around his thigh.

Furious, the lancer jerks his leg away. Of all the indignities to suffer, he never thought that being manhandled by an overgrown weed would be among them.]

Fuck.

[It's fine. If there's no one around to witness this deeply embarrassing display then there's no one around to hear him curse in such an un-knightly fashion.

... right?]

[petcromancer]

[So, in Hector's defense, he doesn't know what all of his experiments do yet. He's been combining so many different species, mostly throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. Most of them turn out as normal, unremarkable plants.

And then there's this nonsense. Hector's seen it move on its own, but until now, it's acted rather tamely.

Apparently it's just been lying in wait for the perfect prey. And it's found it in the lithe, struggling form of a lancer.]

Oh shit.

[Hector's a faun, so he definitely notices how good Diarmuid looks trussed up like this. But he's also the one responsible, so he's got to intervene before Diarmuid gets hurt.]

Stay still, I'll see if I can get you free.

[He hurries forward, not noticing that another vine snaking after him on the ground, near one of his hooves.]

[ua_duibhne]

[Hector wasn't entirely wrong in his assessment; the plant isn't particularly aggressive in its handling of its captive. Any discomfort seems to be a side effect of how eager it is to wrap around him as securely as possible- or at least get under his shirt- rather than outright hostility. Diarmuid wriggles and squirms, trying to loosen its hold but to no avail. With another vine now firmly looped between his legs and over his hips like some strange kind of bondage, he's not going anywhere any time soon.

A little too firmly and in all the wrong (right?) places. In spite of himself, Diarmuid's starting to colour- and when he spots his rescuer, he straight up flushes red.]

Hector?! [Hardly the best second impression to leave on someone but it could be a lot worse.] ... I'll try.

[Reluctantly, he does as he's told and tries to relax... which is a lot harder when he has tendrils sneaking down the front of his shirt, towards the warmth of his chest, than it sounds. Unsurprisingly, then, he doesn't notice that the plant has its sights- well, vines set on a second victim.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector comes closer, and follows the path the vines have made over Diarmuid's body with his eyes. He hesitates over where to begin, and Diarmuid's blushing isn't helping.]

I guess I'll...

[He makes a winding motion with his hand, which might be hard for Diarmuid to see from his angle.

Hector decides to tackle the vine furthest up, rather than going for the ones entwined around his legs and groin. He reaches a hand under Diarmuid's shirt and follows the tendril up, grasping at the tip of the vine when he finds it and tugging it away from the lancer. He tries to ignore how much hot skin he brushes in the process.

The vine on the ground keeps creeping after Hector, slow and as of yet unnoticed by the distracted faun.]

here to see a man about a dog

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard is checking on his fledgling rose garden when he sees it.

Or well, when he sees a familiar lump of dog on the lawn, sprawled out and looking more than a little too blissful. It takes precious little time for Alucard to follow the trail from Cezar to the trail of dirt that leads to the rosebed to--

--plants that absolutely should not be there.

Alucard frowns, taking a sniff of the stuff and then frowning. The scent is distinct, but h can't place it. Not in the slightest, but frankly it isn't the priority. Cezar is, and so he runs back inside to grab a few things: his summer hat, sunglasses, and a bag large enough to carry the pug over his shoulder. The whole effect makes Alucard look like some Beverly Hills socialite with a purse dog, and he can't know how good a look it is on him.

It takes time to get to Hector's place, but he gets there all the same. He knocks thrice, and then yells for good measure.]

I found your dog!

[petcromancer]

[This particular plant, Hector has engineered. He knows what he hopes it will do, but there was no point in testing it in his own yard, which is constantly full of animals anyways.

And really, since Alucard loves dogs so much, he should consider himself grateful that Hector impulse-chose his yard as the testing ground. He didn't expect Cezar to be one of the dogs lured in, but he can't predict every turn of events.

He opens the door and raises an eyebrow at the summer-chic look.]

A little sun won't kill you, you know.

[Cezar, in the bag, barks out a happy bark that roughly ruffly translates to 'Good smell!' With the way his feet are starting to paw at the bag, it looks like those zoomies are about to kick in.]

I can't believe he went that far. Tell me, did you observe any other dogs in the vicinity?

[Is he reaching for his research notebook? Maybe.]

[cryptsleeper]

It will burn however, and I don't have the luxury of healing quickly anymore.

[Also it's a great look, excuse u Hector. With the door answered, Alucard places the bag down on the floor, as that's much easier to get Cezar in and out of. The pug is subsequently freed, and--

Alucard's eyes catch that sloooooow move to the notebook.]

What did you put in my garden, Hector?

[petcromancer]

[Oh boy, does Hector have some aloe for you, Alucard. A glow-up to complete that summer look.]

Hmmm? Who said I did anything?

[He says as he starts jotting down notes. Cezar is certainly as loopy as a cat on catnip. Interesting. This could be great for helping him bring in hard-to-catch stray dogs to the shelter.]

So no other dogs around your house? Shame. They might actually improve your mood.

waver velvet | dog turnskin | ota

[tryhard]

dognip.

[ He literally can't help himself. He meant to go to the market to pick up some groceries, but instead--

Well. You may have a dogboy sprawled out in your front yard, or breaking into your backyard, or even just. lying down in the path. It's before noon and he looks like he's fallen over drunk. How embarrassing.

It's also possible to run into him in his fully-shifted dog form, as a small, black shiba-inu running at high speeds around the shopping district and absolutely getting in the way and probably crashing into people's legs. Sorry.

The pile of clothes he left behind may be a tripping hazard. ]

remember-me-nots.

[ There must've been a mix-up with the tea. Waver sits across from someone at DiplomaTea, either an invited friend or acquaintance or simply sharing a table with a stranger due to crowding. He might've been having a meeting, or just doing some work in silence, but after a few sips of his drink, he looks up.

Blinking. Slowly. ]

Er... I'm sorry, who are you?

bondageweed.

Excuse me!

[ A wriggling tower of vines is talking. ]

Hey! A little help up here?! I'm--

Aaahmmph!

[ The tower of vines wriggles, arms and legs protruding from it flailing ineffectually when the plant has itself firmly wrapped around them, some tendrils snaking underneath clothing to reach warm skin, tugging open the front of his shirt.

The top of the trapped Turnskin is completely covered, voice muffled for a few moments before... Out pops a dog-eared head, which bites the stupid plant trying to get into his mouth.

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to deter the aggressive weed. ]

dognip

[callmeven]

[when he walks outside with a basket full of wet, clean laundry to hang to dry ven doesn't expect to find someone passed out in their backyard. never mind someone he recognizes from during the kidnappings.

he stands there for a moment before walking over, basket against his hip as he gently nudges waver with his foot.]

Hey, um... are you okay?

[tryhard]

[ With a small groan, Waver rolls over. Away from the nudging and flopped over onto his back, arms out. He blinks lazily up at... whoever it is. Any vague sense of recognition isn't enough to alarm him or ring any bells right now.

He just huffs. ]

Mmh. Yes. Hi.

[callmeven]

[ven crouches down next to him, frowning more.]

You're sleeping in my yard... is that- something you do normally? Sleep in random backyards?

[he's more concerned than annoyed. this person was vastly different from the turnskin he fought in that ring. at least, he seems different.]

I could get you some water...?

dognip

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ It's unreasonably hot outside, which means Berserker is quite happy. The plants in front of his house, however, are not as happy. He's trying his best to water them in minimal clothing...And that's when he spots Waver laying on the front walk.

Time to water the dog. Berserker starts spraying him with the hose. ]

Waver. Get up.

[tryhard]

[ Wow! How rude!! He was just minding his own business... lying in the grass in front of the house (the cobblestones are too hot by far)...

What is he even doing there?? He couldn't even begin to say. But the clumps of 'weeds' sprouting up around the yard, right next to which Waver is napping, are the unlikely culprits.

The sudden spray of cool water shocks him out of his stupor. ]

Hwaaaah?!

[ A most eloquent response.

Waver rolls over, shielding his face with his arms. He does not, as suggested, get up. ]

[curruid_coinchenn]

[ The weeds were on his agenda to rip out today, but he got sidetracked by making sure the rest of the garden didn't die. Waver is an unfortunate casualty.

Berserker doesn't stop spraying him. ]

I said get up. Are you drunk?

[ In the afternoon? He expects that behavior from some of his friends, but certainly not from Waver. ]

[arturiarex]

[ She's doing some shopping for herself, still a little distracted by the reent arrival of her son to really pay much attention to what's going on around her. At least until she almost stumbles over a familiar face on the sidewalk. She rights herself with a flap of her wings and stares, not quite sure of what to make of this. ]

...Waver? Are you ill?

[ Does he need help? Should she call Iskandar? ]

[tryhard]

[ He's just sitting there, legs outstretched across the sidewalk, one hand in the grass behind him and the other holding a bit of what seems like a weed loosely in his lap. He looks dazed, but not sick or upset. Whatever possessed him to eat some of the weird-smelling grass, he definitely couldn't explain later (and he's going to be plenty embarrassed eventually); for now, he simply doesn't have the capacity to care.

He blinks, vaguely startled, hazy-eyed and smiling weirdly. ]

Ohhh, Saber. Hello. I'm okay. You okay?

[ He reaches up for her, inadvertently holding out the sprig of whatever plant he's holding. It smells very strongly. ]

[arturiarex]

[ He seems out of it. Not quite drunk, but he doesn't seem sober, either. She frowns and falls into a crouch next to him to get a better look, taking his wrist as she does. The plant certainly smells of... something, but she doesn't know what. It's not like Waver to just be sitting like this, is it? ]

Roxas || Akita Turnskin || OTA

[twilightskey]

Bondageweed
[All Roxas wanted to do was head down the street in peace. Head to one of the nearby alleys where he could test out his makeshift skateboard, maybe stop by for some ice cream along the way. Instead, he's all but assaulted by strange vines, and he lets out a cry as he's suddenly hoisted up off his feet.]

W-Woah!

[He struggles against the binding vines, but it's not long before he's suspended in the air against the wall of one of the buildings. A few tense seconds confirm that the vines aren't trying to strangle him, to his relief. But that still leaves him dangling nearly upside down with only one of his legs free. He struggles in vain, looking down the street for any passersby to help.]

Hello?? Hey! I could use some help!

Dognip
[Roxas, unfortunately, is no stranger to dognip, or plants similar to it; a few months back he'd come in contact with a plant out in the Wildes that had a rather potent pollen that acted much like a sort of catnip. Vanitas had certainly gotten a kick out of his reaction to the plant.]

[He'd been examining some strange-looking herbs he's noticed growing near the Keyblade House before he feels those familiar effects creeping into his mind. It's not long before the effects of the dognip hit him pretty hard.]

[Those out on their daily walk may find Roxas on the ground in a batch of these herbs, either rolling around in them or just lying back and softly laughing to himself. His pupils are blown wide, and his tail slowly wags as he wallows in the herb's scent. He might just slip into his akita form as well, where he'll be kicking his feet in the air and burying his nose right into those plants.]

Rose Incense
[All Roxas had been doing was looking around in the market as he ran some errands, before he came across some peculiar-looking incense. The rose one seemed innocent enough, and had a really pleasant smell... except, Roxas has taken far too deep a sniff of them, because he's instantly overcome by drowsiness within a short while of sniffing the fragrant incense and wobbling where he stands.]

[Perhaps you're also around when Roxas smells this particular incense and see him wobbling, and manage to catch him before he falls to the ground. Or perhaps you see the aftermath with the turnskin on the ground, fast asleep next to the incense in question. Either way, he's going to have to be moved away from the market.]

dognip

[textsfromhotland]

[Well.

That sure is a person laying on the sidewalk.

Alphys hesitantly reaches out and nudges him with a hoof.]

Um... are you okay down there?

Sorry for the delay! Got kinda busy on my end

[twilightskey]

[Roxas takes a minute to even notice someone is looking at him, but the nudge makes him slowly look up at the person... lizard? He blinks, pupils blown wide and nose a little red, before he snickers a bit.]

You're a lizard?

[For some reason, that strikes him as immensely funny. He can't help the small snorts of laughter that escapes him. Beneath him, his tail is wagging slowly against the ground, kicking up a bit of dirt.]

[Oh, right. Lizard-person asked a question! He blinks, tilting his head a bit.]

It smells nice here.

that's ok!

[textsfromhotland]

[Wow, someone finally didn't mistake her for a dragon the minute they saw her. It's a Juril miracle!

She sniffs the air. It DOES smell nice, but not enough to make her lay down on the ground.]

Uh, yeah, I am, sorta... I mean, but are you all right down there? Y-you're not like, hurt or anything?

Rose Incense

[wordsinthesoul]

[There always seem to be odds and ends to catch his attention, and Thancred has paused for a moment to look when he notices Roxas wobbling.]

Wh- Roxas!

[He reaches out to try to steady the other, fluffing up a little.]

…it can't have been a long day already. [His tone is light, but he's concerned. What happened?]

Sorry for the delay! Got kinda busy on my end

[twilightskey]

[It's good that Thancred had caught him, because he would have fallen like a sack of potatoes without that stability. But he still ends up slumping against Thancred, eyes closed and snoring softly. Out like a light and sleeping as if he'd been napping for hours.]

[The scent of incense in the air is the only indicator of something amiss, or something having triggered Roxas's sudden bout of narcolepsy.]

I mean I kind of just fell over so ._.;; it's fine!

[wordsinthesoul]

…well. I have to say, I rather envy you right now…

[Falling asleep like that, without a care in the world. He steadies Roxas, trying to find a better position, and frowns, glancing around. That can't be natural…

He frowns, looking a little more closely- trying not to inhale too much, though. If they're both asleep- well, they can probably serve as pillows for each other, but that's not much help.]

Where did this come from?