TDM #1 - Welcome to the Fae Wild, Winter Edition

[faewildmods]

'You find yourself wandering through a forest of strange colors. The last thing you remember is a strange ring of mushrooms in a riot of shades, singing to you in ethereal tones, tempting you and telling you to step in the midst them to discover riches beyond measure. As you do, a bright white light flashes before your eyes. When your sight returns, the forest of bizarre trees and plants looms before and around you.

As you step forward, laughter—deep and menacing and also light and tinkling—follows your footsteps. Yelling, questioning, gets you nowhere. Only a narrow path of stones allows you to avoid the foliage that seems to want to eat you alive. If you step off of the path, you find vines wrap around your legs, dragging you into the dark interior of the forest, until you wake up later, your body covered in strange symbols that will disappear after a few days. For those wise enough to not tempt fate and stay on the path, soft blue lights—fairies of indeterminate sex—appear, and beckon you to follow them down the path through the trees. A few hours of walking brings you to a village of stone and wooden thatched houses that appear as if they're both brand new and ancient at the same time.

A creature that at once appears to be monstrously beautiful and hideously decrepit steps forward to greet you, holding out a small silver hand mirror with a smile that makes your blood run cold (if you have any sense). "Welcome to the Fae Wild, child. This is the domain of the Handmaiden of the Sidhe Queens. Come with me. The others are waiting. All will be explained once we are gathered." It is then that you see the others spoken of, people that look almost.... normal and just as confused and angry as you are.

Dare you step forward to learn your fate?'

☙ Arrival ☙

So, you’ve survived the trip down the path and made it to the village that is the heart of the Fae Wild. The Handmaiden and her helpers, mostly pixies, brownies and some sylph and dryads, are handing out silver hand mirrors to all of the newcomers. Once you’re all gathered, the Handmaiden will explain that you’ve been brought here with the promise of riches and treasure through the magical fairy rings. While you’re here, you will be expected to assist the fae creatures in the activities the Handmaiden has picked for you to do.

If you agree to it, you will be richly rewarded. If you refuse? Well, how much do you enjoy the thought of being put under a cloche jar for a while? Don’t worry. You’ll be able to breathe in there. It wouldn’t be good to have someone die on their first day after all. After securing your agreement, your mirror will flash five times, and tapping the surface shows a letter-type of message in flowing script, telling you how to reach your new cottage during your stay.

Questions to the fae may or may not be answered, but never fear. They want you alive. For now.



☙ Winter Proofing The Realm ☙

As the first frost strikes the land of the Fae Wild, all the pixies and brownies are running around to make sure that the cottages, huts and communal buildings are ready for the blast of the Winter Queen’s Full Power. The sylphs and dryads are plucking flowers and bringing in as many fruit trees and bushes inside so that they can continue to provide food for the upcoming season.

Hunting parties are being arranged to stock up on meat. Other groups are being formed to fish in the lakes. (Beware of the kelpie. They bite.) You can also offer to chop wood, check all of the buildings for any repairs that need to be done, and preserve some of the more delicate foods. Just because this is a land of magic doesn’t mean that they’re immune to the change in the seasons.

Player characters are highly encouraged by all of the faeries to join in during this time. Anyone who does will find themselves given three times the berries during this particular activity.

☙ Glimpses of the Winter Court ☙

As the Winter Solstice approaches, glimpses of the Winter Sidhe (faeries of the highest order) can be caught as they travel around the whole of the Fae Realm. Frost Trolls that look like walking chunks of ice that only a mother (and maybe the Winter Queen) could love are currently pushing out the remnants of the dryads and sylphs to make room for themselves and their kind. If you look carefully, a tall horned man leading a pack of dogs and being followed by a lot of vicious looking creatures has begun to prowl and the nights are filled with the braying of His Hunting Party as they look for prey.

Asking the normal denizens of the Fae Wild will win you the name of Der Erlking and his Grand Hunting Party. Anyone caught out after dark alone will find themselves picked for the “special honor” of being prey or asked to spend the night as one of His hounds.

Occasionally, a beautiful, pale woman strolls around. She is never alone, as her entourage of grimalkin (large, black cat-like beasts) are always in attendance. Sometimes, she appears melancholic and at others, she is regal, cool and distant. Anyone foolish to try to approach her will find themselves face to face with the largest of the grimalkin who calls himself Cait Sith. And he suffers fools never.

☙ Here Comes Santa Claus ☙

Winter has definitely arrived with the first snow. Plenty of elves in striped stockings and funny shoes with bells on their toes are running around the village, demanding that all the buildings be covered in holly and evergreens. Others are hastily baking as many biscuits and cakes as they can. Player characters are not immune to the assumption of assistance. Anyone caught resisting them will find themselves suddenly about the size of a five year old, wearing the very familiar garb of ‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ and being pushed by one of the elves that calls themself The Taskmaster.

If one asks why the elves are doing this, they will find out that they’re making preparations to keep Santa Claus out of the Handmaiden’s domain. These particular elves are escapees from Santa’s sweatshop in the Winter Court, where he forces them to slave away making toys for human children with no pay, no insurance, and with only gruel to eat for every meal year round. The only way to keep him away from this area—since he’s such an important member of the Winter Queen’s Court—is to decorate it with plants of the season and to leave a gift outside the houses. It can be food, berries or shiny objects, but the Big Man must be appeased.

Of course, should you choose to not help, come the time of the 25th of December, Santa might just come and visit your house.

Welcome to our first Test Drive Meme! We encourage you to please play around and have fun. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask here. (Or elsewhere!)
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Comments

[unwisely]

[Oh those eyes. Will never knew what to do when they were so fully focused on him, but he also desperately wanted them on him whenever they weren't. Kris really saw him in a way that no one he'd ever known before had. It was thrilling and overwhelming in equal parts, and he wouldn't change it for a moment.

He looked down at his own arms as well, breaking that eye contact, turning them over.]

They don't hurt at least, whatever they are. Felt a little funny to start, but that's all.

[His expression softened at the pat to his cheek. Familiar indeed.] I'm not going anywhere, Sugar. Not without you, not until we know more about this place. I may be good at finding trouble, but you're good at it finding you.

[And Will would not leave Kris to face anything on his own, not when there could be danger.]

I think I'm pretty lucky you're this kind of forgiving. But you're right. Let's find somewhere to call homebase and we'll work the rest of it out from there.

[rosepaean]

[ It was true that Kris would forgive Will absolutely everything and anything, especially when those eyes were fixed on him just like so. The reason why his hair was green, from the white that it had been when they had first met. Slowly he had emerged from Winter and into spring, and the flowers in his hair that twined, they were there as a promise-- the soft blooms of them. ]

If we are referencing that whole being swallowed by that giant wurm...

[ Kris knew that Will was-- but then he had been intent on giving them all extra lifeforce when he'd been swallowed. ] You will never let me forget that, will you? [ But Kris could not help but smile, it was not chagrin that powered the smile but the memory of falling into a trance on the couch at the hotel, with Will's head against his shoulder, a mutual trance that had taken them clear out ]

[unwisely]

Never.

[He agreed cheerfully, slipping an arm behind the Eladrin's back, fingers settling against his hip, casual and comfortable and exactly the way one would walk, tucked right up against one's best friend. Of course.]

I'm still traumatized. If you were in there one more second, I was coming in after you.

[Will meant it. He'd had a plan and everything. Not a good plan, but still a plan. Thankfully it hadn't come to it, and once Kris had been spit out and prestidigitationed back into being less covered in gore, Willow had attached himself to the other man for the remainder of the evening, and it had turned into a nice night indeed.]

[rosepaean]

[ that was exactly what best friends did, tuck each other close just like so; just like clearly a man gave his best friend a parasol because he knew that his pale skin was delicate. Or even the application of sunscreen to freckled skin in a manner most patient, homemade sunscreen mind you-- crafted due to Kris' own knowledge of nature and medicine.

But still he smiled, knowing that Will would've made an attempt to save him, though Kris had not been worried-- he had been quite happy to guiding bolt his way right out of there. ]

I will not say there are no giant Wurms here, because that strikes me as hubris and drawing unnecessary life and attention to something better forgotten, but I hope there are no wolf masks.

[ A squeeze of his arms around Will's shoulders, you know a proper bro-squeeze. ]

[unwisely]

I have sworn off wolf masks for life.

[Will groaned quietly, but his shoulders shook in a laugh. That had not been his best or brightest moment, and he'd felt terrible about all the trouble at the time. In retrospect it was at least mildly amusing. If the possession had been smart enough to go for his spells or his weapons, he might have actually been a danger to his friends, but as it was, he mostly annoyed them and chewed on Molly a little.]

But you're right, let's try not tempting fate on our first day.

[He leaned into the bro squeeze while the bro butterflies in his stomach took platonic flight. Slipping the mirror he'd been given from where he'd tucked it away, he held it up to show Kris.]

I think there was something about a place to stay included in the welcome message on this odd little trinket. Shall we check it out?

[rosepaean]

Well we may as well take up some sort of roots while we are here, and if we are allowed to pick and choose-- one with a large kitchen.

[ The baking would not stop regardless but he did have a fondness for a nice and spacious kitchen, of which he wanted to make sure that he could concoct many different treats for his found family, Willow included. ] But I suppose I will not be too picky, as long as we can get a house together then it is fine.

[ He wanted to levy a well-placed kiss to the top of Will's head but he did not do so. As much as he was the type to lavish affection on people, for some reason he did not want to make Willow uncomfortable with too much affection; no matter how much he wished it-- it was best to save them for a well-timed moment.

Though it was oh-so hard to keep his hands off of Will, and it was a perpetual dance of self control.

To change the subject, as they walked toward the housing area that was starting to loom in the distance. ] Is there any voices in your head since coming here? [ Referring of course to Will's predicament ]

[unwisely]

[Willow perked up as Kris said exactly what was on his mind. As long as they stuck together, Will would be happy anywhere. But a spacious kitchen for Kris and his baking habit was clearly a high priority. The bard was in favor of what would make the other man happy, always.]

We'll find something that'll suit you, Sugar. Something that'll suit both of us.

[Because that part really would have to be non-negotiable. Willow wouldn't stand for being separated.

That next question was answered with a thoughtful silent pause before he shook his head.]

Nothing, no. She's quiet. I don't know if that means she's biding her time or if she can't find me here. [The latter was an appealing idea. But there was also the possibility that.] Or she's planning something.

[rosepaean]

[ Of course it was too much to ask that the thing that had been bugging Will would be left outside; it was a trade-off. His sister, Shylia was out there and he doubted he'd find any trickets that were left by her. Conversely, though he rather hoped that Will's Patron was out there. But if she was archfey-- well of course she would be here, in fact. This might just place Kris closer in her sphere of influence.

He dropped his arm from around Kris' shoulder, but only so that he could reach down and twine their fingers together. ]

I know you are used to managing her on your own however if you require any assistance, know that I am there for you at your side. [ He suffered her presence if only because if he made himself a problem, he rather had a feeling she'd find a way to separate them. Play nice, and his place was assured, no reason to think that he was a threat-- never realizing that perhaps there was a deeper side to the story and a deeper use for him underneath the Patron's will. ]

[unwisely]

[This was the realm of the Fae, after all, from everything that he'd heard since arriving. And Kris was right; his patron was archfey. Why wouldn't she be closer here? Unless this was somehow outside her territory of influence. That was likely wishful thinking, and Willow knew that. He'd just have to keep his guard up a bit more strictly than usual.

His gaze fell to watch Kris tangle their fingers together, and his expression melted into a smile. For a long moment he didn't look up at the taller man, just watched their hands, Kris's sun-blessed skin and his own moon-pale complexion. Leave it to Kris to worry about him while they'd both been dropped in some strange mysterious place far from home.

Eventually he lifted his gaze up to look at the Eladrin.]

Like you always are. I don't deserve you, you know. But as much of a fool as I can be, I am nowhere near fool enough to give you up. Even in a whole other world, looks like you're stuck with me.

[He lifted their joined hands and with an amused wink, pressed a kiss to the back of Kris's knuckles.] Thank you.

[rosepaean]

[ Kris was nowhere near as smooth as Will was; he was genial and pleasant but there was a charm that only a bard could possess and when his hand was caught and held, then the kiss pressed on his knuckles, for a moment Kris could feel every single breath gather up inside of him and scatter into shards of crystal. It was almost to cause him only a little bit of shyness, certainly he was attempting to push it back because Kris for all of his perception and wisdom-- did not precisely see what was right in front of his nose.

This was friendship, such deep friendship and he was honoured to have as much from the bard. A smile curving against his lips, which reached his dark pink eyes, glimmering like gems with the hue of newly minted spring flowers. ]

And I am lucky to have you, Willow Harper. [ And even though Kris did not say as much, he would follow Willow until the day that they died, at least if he was given a choice in the matter. Would follow him through every curse, through every world-- and would do so unflinchingly and with little asked for except for his companionship.

But he did not fool himself into thinking that one day someone wonderful wouldn't come up and grab Will up, would see all the joy that the bard offered so readily.

Even then, Kris would give his blessing-- along with threats to they who captured Will's heart. Because a world with Will within it, was a world that he would never give up on, and he would strongly advocate for Will's happiness.. forever. ]

[unwisely]

[They were both worryingly blind to things that probably ought to have been obvious. Will knew that his heart beat better, that the entire world -- whatever world it happened to be -- made more sense when Kristophe was with him. He knew that the Eladrin was the truest friend that he'd ever had, knew that he would do anything he could to see Kris safe and happy.

Sometime, in the quietest times, when his thoughts had cause to wander into the bravest corner of his mind, he thought that maybe he could be the one to make him happy. But those thoughts were secrets best kept to himself; he could never ask Kris for more than he'd already given -- and the cleric had given so much, had given Will a star to guide his travels by, so long as roads led back to Kris, he wasn't lost and wandering any longer.

Even here, strange new world that it was, they had each other. It would be okay.

Gods he could fall into those wildflower eyes, fall forever.]

Well, Sugar, at least I don't give you much chance to get bored all that often.

[A tug at the hand still in his.] C'mon. I think we're nearly there.

[rosepaean]

Being bored in your presence would be impossible.

[ Their hands linked together in intimacy, fingers latticing in a way that the pies that Kris baked would envy while they neared the end of the path and toward where the houses were located. And there was a sizeable amount of people milling around as they attempted to claim the best houses for themselves though he would allow Will to guide. ]

Lead on, love-- to our nest.

[ As if they were two birds, yes-- that was a apt way of putting it ]

And when we find a place, I will find the ingredients to make you a nice peach tart.

[ There Kris went, rewarding the other man for just existing.. as was his wont ]

[unwisely]

[Will laughed, pleased by this answer. He knew full well that he had a bad habit of making things interesting in very stressful ways -- curiosity killed cats and got bards into heaps of trouble -- but it was hard to regret it all that much. All his wandering about, all his terrible decisions, they'd brought him right here, right now, and if that wasn't a fucking miracle -- he squeezed at the hand on his at the thought -- then miracles didn't exist at all.

Then the usually very coordinated, downright graceful bard tripped over absolutely nothing when Kris spoke again. Endearments and pet names were not new between them. Willow had a tendency to use them liberally for most people, though there were particular ones reserved specifically for Kristophe. But Love? That was new.

It made his heart trip just like his feet had before he pulled himself together.]

Careful, Sugar. You start saying sweet things like that, and I'll be picking out curtains and names for our children.

[It was light, playfully teasing. It was painfully true.]

But fair enough. Let's find our nest. Shake your tailfeathers.

[One house in particular seemed to have caught his eye, and he led Kris that way, trying to pretend he wasn't fighting and losing a war against a blush that wanted to make itself at home high in his cheeks.]

[rosepaean]

[ The thought of picking out curtains and naming children seemed to have his own heart in a rapid beat; how dare Will talk about things that Kris wanted. A home, and children and stability-- one day, the sort of life that was concerned with the day to day, of a bakery inside his home.. perhaps a boy and a girl chasing each other around.

Some sort of pet.

Why was it that there was another figure there in his mind whenever he thought of that dream. A figure with long red hair and flushed cheeks, picking up a laughing little pipsqueak of a child and kissing them soundly on the tip of their nose.

Maybe if he hurried quickly alongside Will, his feelings would not seep out of his rather tall elf ears. ]

Now, I have to ask-- what is drawing you to that particular house? [ He says as a away to deflect against those rampant feelings. ]

[unwisely]

[It's an image that has played through Willow's mind too, some impossible perfect dream where he wakes up to the sound of children's footsteps padding around and a smile in wildflower eyes, a dream that he in no way deserves to even imagine.

He will forcibly push those thoughts right back down and turns his attention to the here and the now and the question that Kris has asked him.]

Just a feeling. Maybe the way the light hits it, like it'll pour in through the window in the afternoons like a flood.

[Another little tug.] Let's see what the inside looks like.

[rosepaean]

[ That was the most romantic thing ever and likewise, Kris was charmed by it. But then Will was the poet here, not Kris. He appreciate beauty, but it never readily came out of his mouth like it did Will. A glib tongue that could take his way out of anything, honey sweet and winning-- and right now as he saw the way that a perfect window through the tears managed to hit one side of the cottage. He assumed that it would be the kitchen.

And so he followed.

His hand closed around the handle and then he pulled it open. Once he stepped over the threshhold, it was all silence. The scent was of pine, oranges and lemons-- as if it had been cleaned after some fashion. It reminded him of home. ]

Well, I already love it.

[unwisely]

So do I. But... let's make sure.

[Willow smiled to himself as they stepped inside. It did smell clean and welcoming, and he could imagine it smelling even better once Kris got his hands on the kitchen. Sugar sweet and warm, like everything about the Eladrin was.

So he pulled Kris off towards what he thought would be the kitchen -- and was proven right.]

Ah-ha! Not bad... what do you think, Sugar? To your liking?

[rosepaean]

[ The kitchen was so large and spacious that Kris might very well of kissed him, but he did not-- because he did not want to take any liberties with Will, and he was so focused on preserving that friendship. Instead he walked over to the kitchen island and the blossoming mushroom lights that hung over the area, bathing in a soft amber glow (which he was not going to lie, would look very good on Will), but then there was the sunlight bathing the little breakfast book with just as warm rays. ]

I am already seeing the possibilities, all of the things I could bake.. [ And when he looked at Will, it was with eyes that were more than a little halfway in love with the other man, burnished magenta that caught the light in little flecks. ]

It is absolutely perfect, Cinnamon Roll--

[ Them and their digusting pet names for each other; whoever decided to live with them would most certainly gag ]

[unwisely]

[Will lingered in the doorway to the kitchen, taking in the room and then -- much more importantly -- taking in Kris's reaction, taking in the way the eladrin looked standing in the spacious, softly lit kitchen. It was one of those moments where he took full advantage of looking at the other man with unguarded emotion, confident that Kris's attention was elsewhere.

Until it was right back on him and he had to duck his head to hide a flush at those eyes and that pet name. (In Will's mind, he was certain Cinnamon was spelled with an S in his case, but that was beside the point.) He laughed, pleased, glancing back up.]

I think so too. Then... guess we've found our home away, for the time being.

[rosepaean]

[ The thing with Kris was that he was horrendously and hideously sentimental. So as he watched Willow and saw the way that he turned his head just a bit-- well that allowed Kris the next uninterrupted view.

It was almost as if they were volleying back and forth. ]

There is possibility here in this kitchen and I like it though to be honest, I think that it will be strange setting up another house.. [ That is after the house that they were given by Sheriff Kyle, in which Kris had been in the process of setting up the kitchens ] I suppose more fun for me-- though I am sure I can cajole you into providing assistance, yeah?

[ That meant that if Will was helping him, it was less trouble that he could get into. ]

[unwisely]

Of course, Sugar. Never dream of leaving you to handle it all on your own. I've got a perfectly good pair of hands.

[And he wants to be helpful. He is unaware that this is a keep Willow out of trouble tactic, but that's mostly because he'll also find time for trouble. There is far too much new and interesting around here or Will to not stick his nose in all sorts of places, at least some of which will be places it does not belong.

For now though, he inclines his head.]

Shall we check out the rest of the place?

[rosepaean]

[ The day that Will managed to keep out of trouble was the day that the world ended. But Kris would make a valiant effort to prevent his best friend from falling into his own hubris-- or at least be close enough that he could swoop in and offer his assistance.

Would it be too.. presumptuous to take Will's hand?

He thought about it for a moment, they were alone and it was fine. But then finally he decided against it, because he did not want Will to think that he was being forward. And so he walked toward the door though he did glance over at Will with a warm smile. ] We should stake our claims, just in case we find others from Juniper Springs here.

[unwisely]

[But Kris! He just said he had a perfectly good pair of hands, and they were perfectly good for holding!

Though Will was unaware of that train of thought, so he was more focused on what Kris had to say.]

I hadn't even thought of that. You're right though. Both of us are here; there's no reason the others couldn't show up as well.

In that case...

[He waited for Kris to be right alongside him in the doorway before twisting around, a quick and precisely little motion like a preplanned choreography, a quick spin in front of the eladrin.]

Race you to the bedrooms.

[And with that Willow was off up the stairs at a run.]

[rosepaean]

[ Well that was an unfair headstart, however Kris was one to roll with things and thus as Will propelled himself up the steps, Kris followed after him. However, although it may not have been intentional, Kris did actually reach for that hand as if he could keep Will from going too fast, at least not until he was able to get equal footing on the stairs.

It was not a terribly spacious cottage, it's charm lay within it's coziness but it smelled clean and fresh. ]

A race to claim our room then? What do you get if you win ?

[ He could not stop the good-natured and entirely breathless chuckle that managed to fall from his lips. ]

[unwisely]

[Fair. Psh. Wasn't that boring anyway?

Still, that reach, the slightest brush of Kris's fingers against his own was enough to slow Willow down, to have the redhead looking back a moment of unguarded wistful something that the bard banished in the next moment with a bright grin.]

Breakfast in bed.

[It was a very easy answer to give. His hand caught up Kris's and urged the Eladrin up the stairs. So much for racing. He was still going to win.]

...and a backrub.

[Well now he was just being greedy.]