Out of the mid-wood's twilight into the meadow's dawn | OTA

[faithlikeaseed]

Who: fauns fauns FAUNS (and their enablers) (and anyone else)
When: Octeuril 31st
Where: The Haven
What: Somebody set up a trap specifically designed for Fauns. Or tried, anyway.
Warnings: F for Faunery; warnings per thread as needed!


It's a lovely day in Aefenglom and you are a horrible beautiful Faun.

Somewhere between the evening of the 30th and the midnight advent of the 31st, a disused corner of the Haven has turned into a patch of cultivated wilderness. Somewhere a little after midnight on the 31st, and the beginning of the full moons, several Fauns (and one or two others, Monsters and Witches alike) received an enthusiastic if slightly garbled written invitation to come see what awaits.

Gourd vines of all descriptions drape an abandoned cottage, its floating terraces, and half of a nearby house. Flowers in a riot of colors decorate them, some glowing softly and others exuding a fragrant perfume. The fruits hanging pendant or nestled on the ground defy description and beg to be tasted: There are tiny pumpkins no larger than grapes, thin-skinned and sweet, while massive savory marrows lurk in the underbrush to trip the unwary. A rare fist-sized specimen glimmers with enchantment and grants a rush of energy when eaten--along with fleeting, unpredictable changes (horns, fur, hooves) that make one a little more faunish for an hour or two.

Cheap furniture, clotheslines, and hanging sheets have been used to roughly shape the vines into an impromptu maze. The design's irregular, wandering, like whoever planned the corridors couldn't see what he was doing. It wanders in and out of the cottage, pouching into dead-ends and cozy little clearings that might fit two comfortably and three if they're familiar. Some of them have benches in them; others, piles of pillows; and still others are carpeted in thick and flowering moss. Heavy quilts in a riot of colors and patterns can be found neatly folded in the buildings, waiting for chilled revelers to find them. There are also covered braziers for the truly cold, though they seem powered by magic and not by flame.

Food and drink are lavishly if haphazardly provided, spread out through the bowers like a treasure hunt. Casks of mead with cups attendant, bowls of honey candy and glazed nuts, fruit both fresh and dried, and a variety of different sorts of cheese provide an ample repast (so long as one's not hungry for blood or meat). Entertainment's on the guests to provide, with simple musical instruments (mostly pipes, an occasional lap-harp) gracing many of the grottos; others have toys and games, of varieties both innocent...and not...strewn about them.

There are also oddities here and there in the maze, like the bower where someone took painstaking care to tie a half-hundred feathers to the low vine ceiling. Another nook teams with stingless bees of all varieties during the day. What else might await someone who's looking?

Comments

[stopfen]

[The words, would have resonated. Maybe, if Mikasa had been listening. She was more interested in staring, large black eyes watching each string tremble and vibrate against the air as the instrument was played.

She wanted. Body tensing to leap and grab to take the noise-

But then she snapped her head up to look at the faun playing. Face blank. Offering a series of chirps in return. Then after a few seconds of staring without blinking, she just plonks her butt on the ground.]

Why?

[wylderrant]

[ That's more than a little odd. Iramaat isn't quite sure of what to make of the staring and the way the fae tensed. She keeps playing though, apparently content to have the rather strange audience. At least until she sits. Hmm. ]

Why what? Why play? Why enjoy?

[ She leans in slightly. ]

What is it you're asking?

[stopfen]

[Stares more..... Not even moving to back up at the leaning, too entranced even if she was confused.]

Why do you think I'll enjoy it? [AND finally she moves, her head tilting to the side, antenna giving a flick to sniff at the faun.] You don't know me.

[Though it was probably accurate given that she'd sat her ass down when asked. ]

[wylderrant]

Well, you're here at a party... and you stopped to listen. It was a guess. An inference. A logical deduction, if you will.

[ She shrugs. ]

And here you are now. If you didn't enjoy it, I doubt you'd stick around to hear more of my playing.

[stopfen]

[Well. She couldn't really argue there. Not that she was here to argue. She was pretty bad at that, it was quicker just to punch and let someone better with words than she do the complicated stuff.

She'd literally just dropped in. Heard the noise and flitted in with her bright wings and integrated herself.

Just going to frown at the instrument. She was no expert but...]

...It's a violin, without a handle?

[Was she just skipping responding to Iramaat's logic? You bet your butt. She went by instinct not logic and she wanted to know about the weird thing.]

[wylderrant]

[ To be fair, Iramaat does appreciate the bright, shiny wings and the audience. She cocks her head at her in a little nod. ]

Not exactly. It's a harp.

[ She strums it with her fingers. ]

Rather different. You play this with your fingers, not a bow.

[stopfen]

[The noise makes the fae's small pointed ears twig. Eyes flicking to look at the instrument. After another moment, she settles, her wings folding flat as she watched.]

There are so many... [She'd mentioned it before to others. She couldn't play, didn't have time to learn. Or the money to put towards such a thing.] It looks more complicated.

[Maybe. She wasn't sure. There seemed to be more hand movements involved.]

[wylderrant]

It's not all that complicated, I don't think.

[ Iramaat pauses in her playing to consider. ]

It requires an ear, of course, and practice... but it's not complicated.

[stopfen]

[Iramaat's face was getting her attention now. As the fae lifted those glinting eyes.]

Is that how you know? You practised a lot? [There's a sudden flicker of movement and the fae was up, legs dangling in the air for a moment as her wings lifted her up to stand again. Padding closer to look at the instrument. Reaching out.]

[wylderrant]

Well, yes. I did have to practice at it... although it came rather naturally to me, I like to think.

[ She blinks as Mikasa suddenly she approaches and her playing stops. She tentatively offers her the harp. ]

Would you like to try?

[stopfen]

[Eh?? No, she doesn't take the harp or even answer. But she did pluck a singular string then back up again to listen. Her head lifting back to look at the faun as the sound faded.]

...Even when I'm good at it, it sounds better when someone else plays.

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat laughs at her reaction and draws the harp back against her and begins to play again, plucking at the strings. ]

Never fear, then. I can handle the playing and you can handle the listening. I enjoy having an audience.

[ She hums along with herself for a moment. ]

What's your name, dear heart?

[stopfen]

Deer heart? [Okay that's getting another blink. All the action of the full moons, the new changes, the party. It may have been beginning to sink in, leaving her a little bit foggy.

That was a strange thing to call her? With all the fauns and deer like people around though... maybe it was normal. She was just going to sit her ass down again, wings splaying slightly. They were just a little too long to lie flat down her back and sit when something could get in the way.]

Mikasa... Who are you? I've not seen you before. [Not that she had seen many faun. The few she'd met had disappeared. ]

[wylderrant]

A term of endearment. [ Iramaat laughs, still playing. The full moon has her feel a little foggy as well, although perhaps in a very different way. ]

Iramaat, at your service. Charmed, Mikasa - may I add your wings are looking lovely this evening?

[stopfen]

[That really was a new one. One she was unsure of where it ranked in levels of endearment. Fortunately or unfortunately. Mettaton had dulled her will to question it too much, some people just called people pet names. So she accepted it, without question.

But then 'services'...]

Oh... You're a musician? [Which meant she was someone who played music for money. There's an awkward silent pause as the fae pounders that thought for a moment. Then bluntly.] I don't have any money.

[The comment on her wings is ignored for the time being, while she awkward realises that she cannot pay this bard lady to listen.]

[wylderrant]

Not by trade. [ Iramaat laughs again. She seems to do that a lot. ]

I mostly play for my own entertainment. We're at a party - so don't worry yourself about money. Everyone is here to enjoy.

[ She cocks her head, plucking out a few more little notes. ]

You can sit and enjoy all you like. I promise.

[stopfen]

[Just slow nodding as the fae sighed and her shoulders slumped. Phew, she wanted to listen. But didn't it didn't feel right if she couldn't pay. But if she didn't have to...

She just plonks her butt back down. Eyes closing. ]

Not many people play these things back home... [Then she falls silent to listen.]

[wylderrant]

I've only run into a few others who have experience with them, even at home.

[ Iramaat admits as she begins to pluck out another tune. Something gentle and soft, almost lulling. ]

They're a bit out of fashion these days. Most people like violins or lutes or something like that.

[ She shrugs, watching the fae with a distinct sense of curiosity. ]

Would you like something more stirring?

[stopfen]

[The fae was tempted to ask more. Not that she was interested much in the things, or she hadn't thought she was. She just liked the sound, the tones it carried even if she couldn't replicate it the few times she'd tried to play.

Was this instrument harder to play than others? Was that why it was rarer? Was that why the Faun had taught herself?

But she didn't, she would listen politely. Eyes creasing in a closed-eye smile. Even if that seemed peaceful, there was still the odd fidget. Just little things, like her antenna, wings, something stirring under her skin that urge to move.

A feeling that dampens a little as the fae jerks at the question. Tilting her head. Large eyes, blinking.]

More stirring? [Iramaat, you may have caught a dumb fae.]

[wylderrant]

Yes, you know... a bit more exciting. to get the blood pumping. Something to dance to, maybe.

[ She smiles broadly at the fae. ]

Unless you enjoy listening to me slow, sad songs.

[ The fae is rather curious. Nothing like the fae Iramaat was at home and in this case she seemed to have a surfeit of energy. Well, maybe she can help with that. Somehow. ]

[stopfen]

[Ohh dancing. That gets a reaction. It was just the fae leaning slightly, eyes gleaming, wings sparkling. Then the twitching starts, her long fingers, the tarse at the end of her arms, ears, antenna, the lot.]

I like dancing... [Abrubt and slightly higher-pitched as the fae rushed to get her words out. Then the fae remained silent again, brain catching up to think.

Nah... Nothing, no thoughts. Just her wings buzzing into action, scattering that fine dust into the air and getting the fae on her feet. One of said feet tapping the growing.]

[wylderrant]

Oh, good!

[ Her fingers start to pluck out a tune. Something faster. More of a jig, suitable for moving to. Quick and sharp and pleasant to the ear. ]

I was hoping you'd say that. It means someone will appreciate all of this.

cw: I can't write dancing

[stopfen]

[That makes the fae bounce on her feet, it's not quite a dance but she's trying. Struggling to contain.]

Why wouldn't people appreciate it? [Not that she's staying still to hear an answer, her wings letting out another dull buzz dampened by an illusion so she could hear the music as she darted... Mikasa... That's not dancing, that's just jumping to another spot. Pausing for a moment before taking another small hop, into Iramaat's space. Arms held out at her sides.

Tilting her head.]

Why wouldn't someone appreciate it?

[wylderrant]

[ Oh, dear. Well, Iramaat supposes that's a sort of dance, but it leaves a bit to be desired, doesn't it? No movement of the arms, just a sort of rhythmic hopping back and forth... although if her new audience is content with that, she can't really second-guess her, can she? ]

Well, if there's no one here to listen, then it will go unappreciated! Except by me, of course, but I'm the one playing, so it's a little different.

[stopfen]

[Oh deer, she was trying. Even if oddly resembled a bird hopping around on the ground. More curious than a proper dance. Arms held out a little behind her, hands pointing up... There was some minor airplane arms going on.

But that was the human arms. The longer barb covered mantis arms were a bit more active. After lightly wafting for a moment, they were hooking into the surrounding vines to pull the fae up as she climbed.

She's going to hang up here and swing around, on the high ground. What could go wrong? Other than the attempt at humming along a few seconds behind.]