awashlogs | Endgame Pt. 2.

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Endgame Pt. 2.

I had a little nut tree,
Nothing would it bear,
But a silver nutmeg
And a golden pear;

t's nearing the end.

The atmosphere in the Town is different now. There's a hush, as if the entire world is expecting something, watching and waiting and prepared for some final outcome --

And then it happens.

The trees come surging forward suddenly, intensely, aggressively. It's a fierce attack a determined attack, branchy limbs trying to take down human and building alike in the Town. But the attack reeks, too, of desperation.

It's the last battle, the last chance to bring about a happy ending. What will you do?

Welcome to the second event in Awash's Endgame, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs and posts for this event!

If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

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[Minato's had a pretty rough time since reappearing in this place. Between dragging himself out of the well via the rope ladder thankfully still attached to it, to fending off the weird doll-like creatures shambling around the Town like zombies, to getting a faceful of tree branch when he's least expecting it...

It's been a really rough time, okay.

He's not feeling welcomed at all--more disoriented than anything, really--and can be found still sodden from the well, twigs and leaves in his hair from his last unhappy encounter with a very aggressive tree, with a frown on his face, casually hiding behind a wall near the edge of the town as one of the trees edges nearer and nearer.

If he sees you there, he'll offer up blandly:]

I think I took the wrong root and ended up in a treemendously bad situation.

[the worst, put him back in the well.

Of course, if he doesn't see you there, he can instead be found peering over the wall, as if gauging his chances of just jumping over said wall and fighting, a gun-shaped object in one hand.]

Edited 2019-09-08 01:19 (UTC)

[Arrivals from the well seem to be more infrequent now-a-days, but it's not impossible. The slight boy hiding from an aggressive tree behind a wall looks very much like a damp and dishevelled new arrival, and Tonbokiri moves in closer to be of assistance.

As he draws near, he realizes that the boy looks incredibly familiar and then--
That bland comment makes him choke back a laugh, for this is a serious battle situation!, but the smile remains.]

Arisato Minato-dono... [Don't worry. Tonbokiri shall not leaf you.] Before we speak of that root, do you have a suitable weapon with which to take down a tree?

[Bless you, Tonbokiri.

Minato flashes him a small smile, warmly sincere despite its small size.]

I've got my Evoker and my sword still. I should be fine, I think... even though I've never fought a tree before.

After we beat it... will you catch me up on what's going on, Tonbokiri-san?

[Shiho hasn't had it that much better, though she's tried her best to avoid the doll-like creatures (because fear made her freeze up) and to take trees down wherever possible. Which, when you weren't physically strong consisted mostly of traps. Rope traps, holes, anything that could slow them down. After all, flamethrowers only meant rampaging trees that were also on fire.

That's what she has occupying herself when her psychometry picks up a very familiar person and a very angry tree. She's taking off running seconds after that, rounding a corner to avoid said tree and skidding to a halt, trying to catch her breath, unsure if she wants to laugh or cry.

And a tree pun is what he gives her.

Her mouth hangs open in what she knows is a very unladylike way before she's reaching over to grab his hand.]

You-... Is that the first thing you're going to say to me?! [But she can't sound mad when she's trying to keep her expression straight and not just start both crying and laughing at the same time.]

i. tree-zy breezy beautiful

[ sierra has, frankly, had enough of these trees. the forest has done quite enough, and when they all start surging, she has no mercy left to give. she does have an image she wants to protect, though, so the worst displays of her strength are left for when she thinks no one else is around.

the key word, of course, being that she only thinks that.

prepare to witness sierra in all her five-foot-nothing glory literally uprooting a tree, and… shattering it in her bare hands. it’s hard enough to do that with a normal tree, but when the trees are magical in nature and hardier than they have any right to be, it does take quite a bit out of her. still, she doesn’t seem like she’s done when she opens her mouth to yell at the splinters. ]

Will you get the hell out of this town, you—?! [ the rest of this sentence has been censored, but rest assured it’s the filthy, filthy result of months of mounting frustration. ]

ii. a slightly more elegant approach

[ if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on your interest in seeing sierra absolutely lose it) enough to catch her on a slightly better day regarding the trees, she’s choosing to go on the rescue instead of hurling out all the stops. she can only fight so much in one day, after all, and her vampiric talents have proven themselves quite useful in many ways over the course of her stay in the town.

anyone who looks like they might be in trouble will abruptly be swooped up, out of danger, by a swarm of chittering, night-black bats. enjoy the ride! ]

iii. a prisoner of the past

[ when the fighting seems to be at least a little calmer, if not completely quelled, sierra can be found standing in front of that accursed book. by now, they somewhat understand the powers that it holds and the potential it has to change all their lives for the better, but sierra struggles with that. she struggles, thinking of what she deserves, and what she still has to do for the good of the world she should return to.

she could write that her lifespan is now that of a mortal’s. she could give herself a way out. and yet, she doesn’t. ]

…what have you written?

iv. wildcard!

( IT’S ENDGAME, BABY. these are just a few general prompts, but if none of these work, and/or you want something specifically tailored to our CR, let me know and we can hash something out! )

There is a first time for everything. [He breathes out heavily, shifting his unsheathed spear.] This is not meant for cutting trees. But if I can touch it, I will cut it.

[He places a hand encouragingly on Arisato's shoulder.] Of course. I will tell you of our current situation fully. So, for now-- [He nods at the young man, indicating his readiness to move out when the other is. He might need a moment to use his magic, after all.]

To be honest...

[ He smiles in a weak manner. ]

I had attempted to write a happy ending for everyone. [ His eyes close. ] Even for Mister F... the one who may or may not have brought us here. Without having brought us here, we would not have been able to experience the happiness that we did.

[ The paradise that he came to appreciate and love in Chroma is ending, and he's accepted it. But he has an odd sense of gratitude to the plot device that brought them to this point. ]

However, the book wouldn't take it. I suppose it is because it is ... impossible to write a happy ending for someone else. But I still wish for others to leave here happy and content. [ As thanks for the happiness that he had been given. It's a small thing; it's a selfish thing. He wants them to be happy like he has been -- even if in these last months, he feels only panic and fear. Even so, he wants to thank them for everything. ]

[hey

quick question

what the absolute fuck?]

S-Sierra?!

[She had no idea her friend could be that powerful! She's even willing to overlook the potty mouth, she's just that stunned.]

i: This was bound to happen, sooner or later

[It didn't take very long before he's low on spiritual energy. But would that stop this person? Absolutely not.

So he keeps pushing himself, until, while repelling the trees, he bends over, suddenly. There's a glow surrounding him...then he's shrinking.

When he's done, there's a five year old Chu Wanning standing where an adult was previously was. Somehow, his clothes have shrunk with him. And, naturally, TianWen, the willow branch whip also disappears.]

Tch. What bad timing.

[Maybe he's going to back down now--haha. Of course not. He's standing up with a scowl. And takes a step towards the on-coming trees.]

ii: The third one

[The situation is probably dire. Because otherwise, Chu Wanning would not have chosen this option.

He grabs you by the arm, to pull you close as he swings his sword at the trees. It's colour is golden, the glow so bright it's almost white, almost dripping off the blade. For those who can sense these things, the sword feels cruel and full of killing intent.

When it's swung, it releases a wave of energy that not only cuts through the trees but cleaves the ground.]

Are you all right?

[He'd been waffling on these gifts for a couple of days now. Not over making them but over how to...gift them so he can plausibly deny having put too much thought into it.

But then, the trees started attacking and finding an excuse would have to wait.

The moment he finds Shen Qingqiu (knowing the man, probably in the middle of some kind of problematic situation which was why) he throws the sword (Silver in colour, almost a gleaming white and the guard and sheath have been decorated with carvings of flowers) sheath and all at him.

All the warning he gets is a shout.]

Peak Lord Shen!

[Not even a 'catch' or 'heads up' or 'duck'. Alas.]

Immortal Master --

[ Shen Qingqiu had taken the call as Chu Wanning calling out to him in general. Like a, "Oh, you're fighting in this area as well, I have your back!" Yet it seems like that isn't the case at all.

He is only happy that he had his hand up to wave so that he could catch the sword that was thrown at him. He's very happy that the sword was in a sheath. HOLY FUCKING SHIT, MY GUY!! His expression doesn't change on on the inside he is grimacing and pale! THAT NEARLY HIT ME IN THE FUCKING FACE.

Pausing, he stares at the sword before unsheathing it to see it glow a bright white color like any blade would in the hands of a cultivator. Tears may have appeared in the corner of his eyes, but it is only a second! A FRACTION OF A SECOND, EVEN! He's just touched by the gift, is all!! ]

Immortal Master Chu! [ His words are filled with adoration and appreciation! ]

[He's mildly embarrassed by the adoration, really.]

I just happened to have it lying around. [Even though literally no one asked.

He's, of course, still wielding TianWen himself. He would prefer to avoid pulling out the other two unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

It was only because he can see both Shen Qingqiu's hands were occupied that he didn't throw the fan at him too and instead, holds it out when he's close enough.] Take this too. It will hold up to channelling spiritual energy better than the one you have.

[It's made out of the same metal as the sword and it's carved with matching patterns as what's on the sword. Because clearly he just has matching fan + sword combos hanging around all the time.]

What?

[ she can’t help but be angry at being interrupted, right to the point where she whips around and sees that it’s maribelle she just snapped at. instantly, she seems contrite. ]

Oh, dear…

Well, some of us are doomed to live unhappily. It’s too much to expect that a book from a world not our own could change that.

[ still, sierra’s expression seems darker, disappointed, when he explains that he couldn’t write a happy ending for everyone. it would have been easier for her that way, to let herself take the dregs of satisfaction after making sure everyone else got their happily-ever-after. ]

But you are kind for trying.

[ the book no longer radiates the malevolent energy it once did, sierra thinks, when she brushes her fingers across the pages. ]

Ah.

[What does one even say?]

... D-Don't mind me, do carry on.

[... Well, Tonbokiri's confidence always settles Minato, and today is no different. He nods firmly, straightening as well.

And then he lifts his Evoker to his temple, dragging in a slow breath. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, huh...?

He can handle it, though.]

Let's do it, Tonbokiri-san. I'll back you up.

[The last thing he wants to do is light trees on fire when Tonbokiri is also in the mix.]

[... Oh.

Whoops. It's honestly probably that he was so distracted by the tree that he didn't notice quite who it was who was there with him, or that he was still so convinced this is too good to be true, but either way--

It takes him a moment to process.

Slowly, he looks back at Shiho when she snags his hand, and slowly, he blinks, his lips parted in a small gape of his own.]

Shiho...

[It's said softly, almost weakly--

And then he's lurching forward, tugging on her hand to pull her to his chest as he wraps his arms around her in a tight hug. And softly, almost fiercely:]

If this is a dream, I definitely don't want to wake up yet.

[ a vengeful (and stupid) tree, drawn to the scene of gruesome flora murder by sierra's cursing, emerges from seemingly nowhere. it moves toward her, twisting its branches in preparation for a mighty thwack when bolts of energy pellet its trunk from also seemingly nowhere. a blade hurtles through the scene and somnus appears midair in an explosion of blue sparks; grasping the hilt of the blade, he cleaves the tree in twain with a downward stroke.

in another universe, ardyn teabags over the dead tree. somnus, meanwhile, dismisses his blade and straightens. ]

Sierra.

[ nice language. and muscle. ]

Edited 2019-09-11 01:25 (UTC)

—?!

[ destroying a tree with her bare hands and then absolutely eviscerating it verbally meant that if somnus hadn’t intervened, she likely would have been felled herself by its relentless branches.

at the sound of her name, calm, she draws in a small gasp. ]

Somnus. You…

[ …she can’t blush, but she seems a little apologetic. for just a moment, anyway. ]

You caught me at a bad time.

[He doesn't know what magic to expect, but Tonbokiri is more than happy to take the forefront.

Without hesitation he jumps out of hiding and swings his spear decisively, catching the tree by surprise. Or at least, before it can react. The base of the tree is separated cleanly from the crawling roots by his cut, and it tilts over in a cacophony of snapping twigs.
However, like a thing reacting by collective instinct, three more trees rush in.

He sets his stance to take out one more, but he's trusting Arisato for that backup now.]

No, I…

[ oh, how humiliating. ]

I’ve had my revenge. You aren’t interrupting. [ if it’s maribelle, at least. ]

... Does it hurt, doing that? I have my staff...

[ the tree would have met a more grisly end if somnus hadn't intervened. he saved it from sierra. he steps over the limp branches. ]

No matter what you say, the trees will continue their advance.

[Seeing the intent should have given her enough time to react and to remind him that they're supposed to be running away from a tree!!!

But she's weak and she had missed this: missed hearing him say her name, hearing his thoughts through her psychometry, holding his hand. She couldn't have resisted if she tried and it's in that distracted moment that he pulls her to his chest and hugs her.]

....We're supposed to be running away from a tree. [But he's warm and alive, she thinks and she instinctively burrows closer before she can even think about it, freeing her arms just enough to cling to him.]

I know. They have no conscience and no care for the people in this town.

[ she knows this, and yet! ]

I’m just so sick of these interruptions! First those strange dolls pulled me out of bed, and these godforsaken trees aren’t even letting me sleep in the first place. [ she’s getting mad again. ] Even those—what were they? The dryads? Even the dryads were a nuisance.

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