sheep_game | Misty Morning

[While the wolves are distracted, time to slip off to do some errands]

[WELL FOLKS. everyone buffed and sunflowered and otherwise prepped as much as they can and want to be? everyone briefed that they need to be hanging onto their Weed in the mist this time (sorry)? here we are at the mist's edge where Lily previously entered to get to the Lady Demon's garden.

nods to Carmine before they head in]

You should know our group has a secondary objective, though we are looking for wolfsbane. We're seeking a demon's dead garden within the mist, to request information from her. If you don't want to be directly involved in that, you may want to hang back a bit if we successfully reach her area, as bargaining with her may be risky in its own right.

Lethe, Ananke -- would you have left any signs to mark the trail on the way there? If there's any remnants of that original route of lilies you followed that's one thing, but if not then we just have your memory of the direction.

Edited 2024-03-09 20:08 (UTC)

I'll stay on observation and emergency intervention if required. I think it's a little early in my stay to get directly involved with demons, yeah.

Leaving markers wasn't really a priority at the time, so unless Lethe left something, all we've got to go by is Scarab's memory.

[he's got his gun out and ready, in addition to the sunflowers at his belt just in case they immediately run into mist wolves upon entry]

There should actually be a faint trail to follow. When we came this way with Blossom we had a path of lilies that we walked along for most of the way. They all withered instantly, but Carmine should still be able to spot what's left of them. And there might be wolfsbane along that trail too, since we did get into a fight on the way.

Well. Let's hope that's the case, then.

[in they go!]

[YALL KNOW THE USUAL. As soon as you step into the mist, there's an awful sense of dread and despair, howling wind, and the whispers of voices asking if you're predator or prey, egging you on to run or hide. The mist swirls all around and you can't see anything. . .usually. With your new bird friend weed, you can make out your surroundings so long as you're in contact, the path being fully visible for Hawks.

Not that there's much to see. Some of the surrounding forest has been restored thanks to the Earth spirit, but it's still overwhelmingly grey and dead, just with little spots of life.

The lily path Blossom conjured up before has long since died and withered away, but if anyone has any ideas on how to get a read once was but no longer is, now's your time.]

I'm not seeing much in the way of a lily path. Mostly just dead grass.

Maybe it's been too long...

[ Squinting to scan for any evidence of lingering or decayed flower petals they can try following ]

It decayed faster than I thought it would. The mist is no joke.

[since they don't usually travel through the mist via this specific route, he's leaving the scan to Ananke and Scarab and just checking for general signs of foot travel. even if the plants are gone there might still be broken shrubbery or signs of their fight to somewhat guide the way]

[none of them are like. 100% expert survivalists. but all of them work in the team's garden, and all of them know what lily roots and bulbs look like in particular whether they're alive or dessicated -- any sign of those, if he turns up earth in roughly the area Lethe and Ananke remember the trail starting?]

If there's still something viable left, could Lethe not regrow it?

[If they recall what they did to create the trail in the first place, but if not. . .

Well they have time. MAGICALLY no wolves have attacked yet due to whatever the fuck Minuet and Edgelord are doing, so they are in no imminent danger.

Of course they could also follow the distant muffled howl of something. It sounds a bit far off, but. . .]

If you've got something that can regrow plants, it seems we have some leeway on timing, but probably not THAT much leeway.

Lethe can try, but, uh...the last time we grew a trail we had to share talk about weaknesses with each other. It might have to be the same kinda magic to regrow it.

[oh god Ananke's right]

I guess...talking about weaknesses wouldn't deplete my mana as much as trying to regrow them manually would. But...

[he would like to abstain thanks]

Charon and Carmine should go first since they didn't have to do it last time.

Carmine may not have to, since the magic was tied to our flock in particular. I'm sorry about this, either way.

[he's gonna resist the urge to about face and walk them back out of the mist because he's not a coward but at what cost. SIGHS IN AGGRIEVANCE and takes a deep breath, talking quickly to get it over with before any wolves get here]

I have not spoken of it in much detail before, but the time we were punished after the bomb demon's ritual was the time I felt most helpless, of all the low points since coming here. No thought or cleverness was going to save any of you from that consequence, unless we demon-bargained further, and we had to discuss and set our own time and place -- execute ourselves, as it were. I am still sorry Lily had to undergo that. I hope we never have to again.

As for memory -- I do remember you both, later, after we came back. Ananke, you slept near me -- shared vigil in the common room, as it were, though you were tired and distraught. Lethe, you showed up with coffee and tea the next morning -- thought to ask me how I was doing, with little regard to yourself, as is your habit. I am grateful you were both there.

Carmine, we have not known each other long, but you agreed to come with us into danger, and I am grateful.

[HE DOESN'T WANT TO DRAW BLOOD IN THE MIST IF HE CAN AVOID IT SO HE HAS TO LIKE BEND A COUPLE OF HIS OWN FINGERS BACK UNTIL THEY HURT ENOUGH TO MAKE HIM TEAR UP AND CRY A BIT ON THE GENERAL 'PROBABLY THE LILIES WERE HERE' AREA SRY SOMEONE ELSE TAKE A TURN]

...

My biggest weakness is being set on fire.

[ Ananke flinches with each snap of Charon's fingers, carefully looking away from him into the distance

He also can't quite stifle a laugh at Carmine's contribution, covering his mouth with a little snicker ]

I, uh. I guess mine's kinda obvious to Lily now, but that...that vengeance ritual. That's the lowest point for me. The wolves wouldn't even have wanted revenge if me and Mute hadn't run into CEO in the nightmare factory. They didn't even know we existed before that, and...

[ Shrugs stiffly ]

I know it's not my fault, but I still wish we'd been more careful. Maybe we could've found a way to talk to him, or made a better impression, or...y'know. Anything that wouldn't have led psychopaths who can't accept a loss back to us. I never want to put us in that position again.

And, um, memory... Staying at Peony's place with both of you might be the most relieved I've felt in my life. We all really needed that break. I'm glad Aides stepped in to make sure it happened.

[ Ananke doesn't have to put any effort into trying to cry — after this long on Lily, he's mastered the art of crying on demand ]

[in this specific situation it is kind of nice to go last; he's moved enough listening to Charon and Ananke's contributions that he's tearing up. surreptitiously rubs at his eyes to pretend it's not a big deal though]

I did get kidnapped last week. It made me feel stupid, more than anything. We were anticipating an attack and the second my focus slipped I got caught. It's frustrating even if I'm used to dealing with it back home. I don't like having to sit around and wait for someone to come and get me. And I know it's just a coincidence, but since then everything's felt more—unmoored. With the rituals and...everything else that's happened.

[his lips twitch in a little smile]

I probably shouldn't say that my memory is the same as Ananke's, so instead I'll say that I liked being able to pull a few answers out of Blossom and Stormy with both of you. We make a good team. I'm honored to have a home with both of you.

[there's only one sniffle and then he pulls it together, that's more than enough crying for today]

[hahaha yall have FEELINGS. nerds.

Anyway, when all three of their tears hit the ground, something happens. There's not as many of them as last time, and they were specifically looking for Charon, but the intent is still there. Tiny sprouts, barely visible, begin to pop up in a trail. No worries if you can't properly see them, as you'll most definitely spot the lily-white will-o-wisps that briefly appear above them before dispersing.

They disappear as quickly as they make themselves known though, so better get moving.]

Looks like that worked! And gave me convenient amnesia of the last three minutes while we were at it! Let's get going! HURRY

[ Scrubs at his eyes with a sharp nod, already moving to follow the rapidly vanishing trail of wisps ]

Don't gotta tell me twice.

[gives Carmine a pat on the shoulder and moves ahead, following after Ananke and keeping an eye out for any wolfsbane as they travel]

We'll all be masters of selective amnesia by the end of the day.

[solid, dude

gives Carmine a nod as they turn to follow the path, wiping his eyes and also trying to keep a look out for wolfsbane (or wolves) as they travel it]

[heck yea here they go!!

It's a bit of a trek, but it goes by quickly with how fast they have to move. There's no sign of any wolfsbane yet unfortunately, but that muffled howling from earlier? It gets louder and louder and--

Oh hey is that the half of the giant wolf a lily used their bullshit time powers to trap in the earth?? Yea. Given mist wolves can't truly die, it's just. . .been there. Constantly trying to dig itself out.

But that means you're on the right track! They just have to go down hill/cliffside, the wisps are leading them to. Or help the mist wolf?? But why would you do that.]

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