RITUAL 13 - the MOST high-stakes ritual of war and bloodshed

[crittersheep]

WHO: All y’all!
WHERE: The pasture!
WHEN: Day 38, high noon

[ dang! it’s been a while since any of the little empty-vessel sheep gained sentience and personalities, right? well . . . today you might find yourself pulled towards the fountain area in the middle of the meadow, where two little Rose sheep are very active, very aware, and capering on the rim of the fountain! one is wearing a headband with fake kitty ears and the other is wearing a headband with fake puppy ears.

also there is blood on the ground and they have fully summoned a demon already, each twin patting the head of the respective animal they favor. oops. there's two large, empty pet food bowls sitting on the ground in front of them as well, which is a little weird.

they speak in unison:]

“Did you know; did you know?”

[the cat-eared one smiles, very sharp.]

"Some rituals lately had a bit of a bite--wouldn't you say, Tot?"

[the dog-eared one is more... well, hangdog, though you think it might be exaggerating a little.]

"It's so easy to let yourself get distracted by emotions..."

"That's no excuse, Tot! All that energy, all that conflict--for what? Nothing serious happened."

"How could there have been…? There was… no food involved. At all."

"Eeeeexactlyyyyyy!!"

[the cat-eared sheep hisses. the dog-eared one staggers in despair and looks on mournfully, little sheep hoof held up earnestly over its heart.]

"...what if they had a reminder of what's really worth fighting for, Tater?"

"You don't think-- the food bowl-- they might really-- after a thousand years?!"

"Take a deep breath…! Even waiting since the beginning of the universe, we remember what's important…”

[and, once again together:]

"We're all made of meat!"

[they beam at you, little fangies prominently on display.]

"--oh yeah, if you didn’t catch it, my name’s Tater! Meow!"

"And my name’s Tot… woof…!"

"Do your best; the CatDog Demon is very hungry! Eeheeheehee!"


RULES | ROOMS | ENDGAME | WINNERS & PRIZES & PENALTIES

Comments

Re: [endgame]

[spinebuddyandme]

[ .........pats his head ]

At least this doesn't seem like a bad after effect.

Re: [endgame]

[heavyliesthecrown]

[Nuzzling into the touch.]

There could be much worse.

[Purr Purr Purrrrrr. His tail flicks in lazy contentment behind him. ]

I hope it was not so violent though? I have tried to ask, but still fail to understand what has even transpired.

Re: [endgame]

[spinebuddyandme]

Nah, not violent at all. Just...stealing hot dogs from each other.

[ He'll keep up the head pats for now, if only because it seems to satisfy whatever weird effect is afflicting him ]

Re: [endgame]

[heavyliesthecrown]

[He soaks it all up.]

Hot dogs...? Of all the things...

[Well. It sounds harmless.]

Seems Bluebell has more taste than to wish to consume too many. I applaud them. They are somewhat gross. While I do like some common foods, hot dogs are simply too suspicious.

Re: [endgame]

[spinebuddyandme]

They're just hot dogs. Way less suspicious than some of the weird stuff rich people eat.

Re: [endgame]

[heavyliesthecrown]

[He looks so doubtful...]

Like what...?

Re: [endgame]

[spinebuddyandme]

Like that coffee that you make by letting some kinda fancy cat eat the beans first.

Re: [endgame]

[heavyliesthecrown]

. . . I confess that would be disgusting. But surely that is not an expensive food.

Re: [endgame]

[spinebuddyandme]

It's so expensive. Do you think "common" people would waste that much time on coffee when we can just buy cheap instant instead?

Re: [endgame]

[heavyliesthecrown]

Fufu... well common foods can be delicious too. I enjoy cheap foods, especially sweets that possess that chemical taste. ♪

But hotdogs are not among the treats I enjoy.

Re: [endgame]

[spinebuddyandme]

[ ... ]

[ Takes a breath ]

What does "common" mean to you? When you call food or people common... If you used a different word to mean the same thing, what would it be?

Re: [endgame]

[heavyliesthecrown]

[Thinking on this a moment.]

Something more widely eaten by individuals born to ordinary households, I suppose? The average or typical household or food eaten by the majority.

Re: [endgame]

[spinebuddyandme]

[ Relaxes a little bit. (When did he even tense up??) ]

Can you try using those words more? I don't really like being called common all the time.

1/2

[heavyliesthecrown]

Oh- I apologize. I did not mean it to be offensive. I have never been allowed to eat such foods before until recently. My parents are-

2/2

[heavyliesthecrown]

[ . . . . . . . . . . .

Glancing away, his good cheer from a moment ago fades somewhat.]

Well, they...are very strict. so I suppose such things are generally exciting to me.

[spinebuddyandme]

[ Moves from his head to grasp his shoulder in a reassuring hold ]

Oye, it's fine to be excited about trying "forbidden" stuff! You just... You're basically learning about a whole new culture — middle and lower class culture. Learning the lingo is part of it.

[heavyliesthecrown]

Ah... it is not necessarily that. I mean-- yes, I am learning about a different way of life from myself. I just... I took a memory the other day and it was not a very pleasant one. I was reminded of it just now.

[Will just... press closer for ear scritches.]

I do find myself interested in learning about ways of life that are different from my own, though. I was raised only to see the clean and beautiful. Nothing strange ever entered my vision... everything before me was always curated so that I only would see beauty. It is no different than living inside of a boxed garden.

But... I think there is great beauty in the imperfections of life.

[spinebuddyandme]

[ Pats his head uncertainly, but he's not resuming ear scratches just yet ]

... Do you think ways of life other than your own are all strange and imperfect?

[heavyliesthecrown]

To my family, I imagine it is. Or, at the very least, I believe they have only ever wished for me to see, hear, and experience the things they have placed before my eyes.

I would assume that, to others, my family appears strange and imperfect as well. It is all a matter of perspective. Though to be clear, while the way I was raised feels 'normal' to me, I do not believe we are somehow perfect beings either. I know very well that at least I possess many flaws.

I find beauty in the imperfect and the struggles of mankind as a whole.

[spinebuddyandme]

I don't really know anything about your family, but even if I did I wouldn't call them strange or imperfect to your face.

[ ... ]

Unless they were assholes. ...It sounds like they were at least controlling.

[heavyliesthecrown]

They are very strict. My family is very traditional and set in its beliefs. My father is quite ill, though, it seems.

[spinebuddyandme]

Ah...I'm really sorry about that. Is it something he can get treatment for...?

[heavyliesthecrown]

It is terminal. I learned so yesterday when at the fountain.

. . . It is frustrating to possess so few memories, and yet regain this knowledge, and not know whether or not he has made it out of our most recent scare.

[spinebuddyandme]

Oh — I... Hell, Crescendo.

Do you... Is there anything that would help you...deal with it? Do you want to talk about him more?

[heavyliesthecrown]

[He simply shakes his head.]

I barely remember him beyond my terror of losing him, recalling what he said about my grandfather and some of his strict rules. Among it all, the only thing I can say for sure is that I love my father.