Last Resort Mods 🌊 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
killerwaves) wrote2023-03-03 10:06 pm
killerwaves) wrote2023-03-03 10:06 pm
.GRAVEYARD
[🎵]
There is a moment of silence. That is all there is, following the end one meets, but it is wrong to say that nothing else proceeds afterward. Indeed, upon the deceased opening their eyes, there's a feeling like settling into a body that has not yet crossed over, and an undeniable bright scene in front of them.
Is it heaven? Is it purgatory? These are the questions that may unfurl when faced with a bright, vibrant sky with pleasant colors, and soft clouds. Alongside this pleasing sight are picturesque rivers, running around fields of flowers mixed with lively greenery that seems to extend to distances behind one's comprehension. But, make no mistake—there are large trees dotted here or there, where someone might feel compelled to lie under given how welcoming they look.
Perhaps most striking, however, is the floating tower, that seems currently unreachable no matter how close anyone nears it. Does it need to be blocked off with an invisible shield? Honestly, no. But nobody knows that, and maybe no one will figure it out either, despite how many times they will ask who frequents it...who so happens to be standing outside of it, but also nearby. Huh.
Who's that? Well, that's—
Merlin, Mage of Flowers
💮
What a shock, isn't it? To see someone like Merlin so soon. Yet, he hardly seems perturbed, as he says, "Oh, so you've come! What a terrible fate you've been met with. But, don't worry, there's plenty of things to keep you occupied with.
What do I mean by that, you ask? I mean yourselves, of course! And, yes, by the way, you're still dead. So sorry about that. If you need anything, though, just call my name and I'll be there."
Beat. "Probably."
Then he disappears helpfully in a flurry of petals, not even saying where this is. Wow, helpful, isn't he? But, you have more than enough time to explore, at least. And hey, where did that random shack come from far off in the distance? If one goes in, they'll find a random bookcase inside, filled to the brim with fairytales that automatically replenishes if all books have been read with new ones. In addition, there's a random 'fan magazine' of the super popular idol Magi☆Mari; a beautiful white-haired young woman with purple eyes. Huh, why does she look familiar?
...Anyway, at least this will all keep one occupied.
As a side note, off to the distance are a a massive gathering of trees, but whenever one tries to approach them they can't seem to actually get close. How obnoxious! Looks like you'll have to just continue to admire your surroundings of pink flowers, one or two solitary trees, rivers, and other flora for miles on end.
As of 'Week 3', there is now an additional, cutesy shed in the Garden of Avalon that can be accessed for arts and crafts materials. Sewing kits, canvasses, painting materials, paper, you name it! There also is a shelf full of lube as well, for your needs. They will have a hint of a flower scent.
As of 'Week 4', the forest is glowing and can at some point be entered for funtimes.
By 'Final Week', there is a small little cottage of some sort that has appeared, which is ridiculously more spacious once walked into. It appears to be like a little free-for-all clothing store, except everything is free of charge. The styles range from cutesy pink, stylish, fancy, and to even towards the gothic side of things...but also there is a spot filled with make-up and the like! Do you want to look pretty in death? No worries, you too can shine here as well with beauty products found along the shelves, and of course mirrors alongside changing rooms for your convenience.
There are also knitting tools, for those wanting to really step up their skills.
Additionally, in this large 'cottage', there are private changing rooms with mirrors and a plush long seat to sit down if you want to for whatever reason. The doors lock once someone is inside and the door is closed.
Lastly, for those feeling 'adventurous', they would also happen to find costumes. Sexy ones, likes nurses, maids, and the like, but also silly 'scary' ones like a t-rex and a sheet ghost.
The forest has also stopped glowing, and upon entering it give you view to a beautiful lake surrounded by trees (sans mist.) The sky is still a fantastical color, and taking a soak at any time is possible.
However, on the other side of the forest, is a field of beautiful blue flowers, and a perpetually midnight sky.
no subject
alivedead, and if you thought you'd seen him happy before, you've never seen anything like a serial killer childishly frolicking through the flowers. He's so happy to be here, thanks for having him.]no subject
Despite how their last (actually conversing back and forth) interaction went, and everything that entailed, clearly Merlin doesn't have reservations about him being here. It's an interesting realization, but one nonetheless.
He approaches with curiosity and no veiled amusement. ]
Wow, someone looks like they're already enjoying themselves?
no subject
[Huh? Were they beefing before or something?? Strange, Lobelia doesn't seem to recall...]
Mm, I couldn't be more thrilled to be here! Who knew l'enfer would be so beautiful?
no subject
He even laughs at that. ]
Same, same!
[ As for the rest, though... ]
Well, places in the afterlife do happen to look nice, or probably terrible depending on which ones you end up in. I think you just so happened to be fortunate enough to be nudged along to this one than any other ones, though.
no subject
Nudged, you say? That would imply you have some understanding of how I ended up here! Do tell.
no subject
Sometimes to questionable degrees, but that's just human nature, isn't it? ]
That's right. I was involved in that.
You can say I even personally helped you along here. Though, you'll definitely run into the others who have died on the islands as well, if you haven't already!
no subject
[Lobelia doesn't sound the least bit displeased. If this unusual paradise is somehow Merlin's doing, then he's legitimately impressed!]
no subject
Oh yes, I am! ...Honestly, I was thinking of doing some kind of big show where I'd conjure an image of practically what appeared to be another place entirely all over the island. Obviously, it had to look like the most wonderful thing I came up with, but then I was struggling with figuring out the particulars...
[ Merlin VC: go big or go home
Still flashy to the end, but in this case, it seems this ended up being an unexpected plan B?! For many reasons. Oh right, he goes back to talking, getting back to answering the rest of the question. ]
I didn't plan to die, though! Speaking of which, that bird mask guy is an ass. Seriously! But, I won't say my death wasn't too unexpected, given the limitations. Those two guys were so desperate that even if it weren't me, they'd have killed someone else instead. I'm sure of it.
You can say all of this has another benefit of interfering with their business too. I get to also show off a little as well by doing it, of course!
no subject
[His grievances with Merlin are water under the bridge now, but Lobelia can still delight in him slipping up, can't he?]
Regardless, it seems they picked their target poorly... considering what you've been able to make here. Is it only you who has the capacity to interférer with their plans?
no subject
[ Merlin puts his hands on his hips, cheeks puffing out a little. He is free to tease as always, though it seems like he isn't exactly taking this so seriously. ]
For now, it is.
But, I was thinking of other ways to mess around with them. Hmm, since you have just arrived, you don't know this...however, I already made something that can watch things on the other side from time to time.
With that network, I was thinking of a little something to shake things up! It'll be funny to make the hosts think they have less control than they really do~
no subject
[How impressive! No shade on Lobelia's end, Merl. He's genuinely quite fascinated with that Merlin is capable of producing in this place, but that said...]
Ah, but what is stopping those des oiseaux from interfering with your garden? Could it be they sought to eliminate you to avoid you outstripping them in terms of magical prowess?
no subject
[ His Item Creation skills and magic power together are a force to be reckoned with. That being said, he's going to also address the rest, however. ]
As it is, this is a place outside of their reach. Though, they can always do something like maybe interfere with whatever attempts I do to access their network. I doubt it'll be completely successful, but it might diminish my efforts to a good extent.
As for why they eliminated me...I can come up with a few. They definitely needed a sacrifice, that's for certain, and it's probably related to them collecting the dead's bodies too for harvesting. Though, I believe my powers did definitely factor into it a bit. Not that they know all of my capabilities, but it's probably why they interfered with my usage of my abilities mid-battle. Not by magic, but some kind of technology.
Otherwise, they'd be two corpses right now! What a shame~
no subject
[...If that's the case, Lobelia can think of a certain someone whose skillset is a perfect match for what the birds are attempting to do here. Considering the breadth of knowledge their captors have on them, Lobelia can only imagine what they might do with those on the island who prove particularly useful to them. Regardless, imagining the utter bedlam that may come about as a result has Lobelia smiling broadly, a contemplative hand brought up to his chin.]
How curieux! There's a fine line between magics and technology, but I doubt a mage with your capabilities needs to be told as much. Ah... but if you think about it, Monsieur Merlin, each "sacrifice" adds another unit to your army. If you wanted to retaliate, you've surely got the means to!
[As great a shame as it is, death is not the end. The link between the island and Avalon is significant enough that Lobelia can't imagine crossing back over from one plane of existence to the other to be an impossibility.]
no subject
He's not surprised that Lobelia has managed to catch on. Their fields of magic are dissimilar, but all across the board, people who 'create' fields of magic are quick thinkers. ]
Yep, I definitely know that for certain. [ Confirming that indeed he does know about the fine line. Good presumption for the other to make. ] You'd also be right that I could have the means to retaliate. But people need to be alive, and there are other things that are kinda a pain....
[ Dramatic sigh! But he shakes it off, looking a bit proud as he continues speaking. ]
Though, as you might guess, resurrection of those who have died isn't quite easy to do, and not exactly my realm of expertise, even if pulling souls to the garden is something I've done before. A 'companion' of mine managed to save one person who had 'died' and it took a lot out of him. Not to mention, it's ideal if the bodies are nearby.
Luckily, just as your souls are present here, I've more or less ensured I've been stealing back the bodies they've been collecting.
[ So the implication is that he's hoping to achieve the impossible. As it is, there's really no guarantee to that, though. ]
no subject
...You've been quite busy, haven't you? Snatching bodies is quite unbecoming, you know!
[But Lobelia laughs, not the least bit offended by this knowledge. You do you, Merlin. In a situation such as this, Lobelia can't claim he'd do any differently.]
Had my magics not been so thoroughly restricted, I might be able to replicate the human form through audiomancy on the other "side" of this reality, but alas! At one point, it was well within my capacités to communicate across dimensions.
[There was a reason why the Primals took notice of him while precious few mortals ever fell within their purview... but regardless, that isn't the case here. Lobelia has no intention of remaining in this floral purgatory forever, so he's going to cut straight to the heart of the matter.]
Simply put, you lack the power to achieve victory against the des oiseaux on your own, non? Is there anything we, as the occupants of your garden, can do to bolster your strength?
no subject
That said, that particular lingo conjures a somewhat amused look on his face. ]
Mhm, of corpse it is~
[ That was terrible. Merlin can't help but insert jokes in somewhere when he feels like it, though. What Lobelia says following it does remind him of when the other made the boast, and he doesn't have reason to disbelieve him. Interesting... ]
Hmm...that is an incredibly useful ability.
[ If Lobelia could use it, Merlin has no doubts he'd be able to lend him enough magical energy to potentially make the might a should. That said, getting straight to the point isn't exactly always Merlin's strong suit, but he's making an effort due to the sheer importance. ]
There is! Emotions can be a form of energy if one knows how to use it properly. While I have been saving up my magic in the usual, traditional method [ Like, magical charging... ], obviously that is taking quite a bit too long. So to speed things up a little, I'll be relying on the rest of you to continue bonding with one another.
Love, hate, regret, happiness, and other such emotions are powerful things. In addition, I will be allowing entry into the forest by 'next week'. The choice will be left up to all of you, whether you wish to brave it, but it will be a time where you will see unfamiliar and familiar things; in ways that can challenge you all or comfort you. If you all participate, it would help in increasing the power that I have.