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westwhere2023-12-09 06:57 pm
groundrules) wrote in westwhere2023-12-09 06:57 pm
Entry tags:
- arcane: caitlyn,
- blade of the immortal: asano rin,
- dragon age: cole,
- harry potter: hermione granger,
- kingdom of the wicked: emilia,
- kingdom of the wicked: wrath,
- last case of benedict fox: benedict fox,
- mcu: america chavez,
- mcu: bucky barnes,
- mcu: kamala khan,
- mcu: natasha romanova,
- mcu: yelena,
- one piece: luffy,
- one piece: nami,
- original: red,
- penny dreadful: vanessa ives,
- star wars: merrin,
- umbrella academy: five,
- warcraft: wrathion,
- wheel of time: elayne trakand
the beauty, the beast, the burned
All but overnight, howling winter winds seal off main roads and curtail safe travel. The storms will recede within a month — and the Merchant negotiates for the party to bide that time at the sinister castle of the clan Netvor and its cursed heir.
ON THE ROAD
The party departs at night, in carriages led by obstinately silent coachmen, who urge discretion. Above all, they say, the woods must not know you head for the castle. Inside, you find dried fruit, candied meats, candle stubs and blankets. You are assigned your first ride, but may swap at resting points.
- ■ Crossing the misty, eerily quiet woods, your carriage is attacked by large, demonic wolve. Coachmen scream to run to the castle.
■ Evade the wolves in the woods, until you reach the strong, tall gates and fences that encircle the vast castle gardens. The gates bear skulls that carry daggers between their teeth. To let you in, they ask for shiny things, wine and secrets — but are also susceptible to charm.
■ If you arrive covered in blood, the gate skulls call you a ‘beauty’ and offer you a dagger that you may take or discard. If you arrive untarnished, they call you a ‘beast.’
Image source.
HOME, SWEET HOME
Tall, dark and looming, with narrow corridors and windows of stained glass — the castle of the noble Netvor clan is like a slow-beating, putrid heart that powers extensive gardens and forest lands.
The castle rests on thick mounds of snow, crossed by red rivulets that stain nearby ice sheets crimson — a reminder, your host Julien says, of a ‘Red Hunt’ that the Netvor clan carried out years prior, killing hundreds of animals until their blood mixed with dirt. In retaliation, a forest witch cursed the clan, transforming its heir into an unsightly beast and his servants into inanimate objects or fellow creatures.
You were largely given lodging at castle Netvor in exchange for entertaining Julien, the prince’s serene and startlingly handsome fiancé, who welcomes you with the main house rule: you must not see the prince.
BEHIND YOU
The castle covets you : doors and windows often thud shut to lock you inside quarters, candles light up or dim on whim, and you sometimes hear the echo of voices in the corridors carrying the secrets of other speakers, long after they’ve departed.
If you are a ‘beauty,’ statues slowly turn their heads or move when you look away, and you see shadows running through mirrors. If you are ‘beastly,’ you hear clawing at your windows and doors at night, only to find fading scratch marks in the morning.
Some servants have been cursed into inanimate objects, with others transformed into bird-like, monstrous but harmless creatures that stay largely hidden.
House rules: do not open doors or windows at night. Be kind to the servants.
THE SOUTHERN WING
Home to Julien and you, the southern wing is bright, airy, gilded and refreshed daily by sentient dusters and brooms.
■ Lavish sleeping quarters with en suite bathing quarters and generously supplied wardrobes. There are no furs or fur-lined clothes. Rule: do not enter Julien’s locked bedchamber. Julien himself heads to the northern wing each night.
■ Self-sustaining kitchens, where bowls, whisks and ladles perpetually prepare elaborate dishes and pastries. Visitors are often hijacked to test eccentric or boozy dishes.
■ A glistening ballroom with wall-length mirrors. Soft music erupts, compelling you to take a partner and dance feverishly to steps you somehow know or that a sentient cello can teach. Spinning by the mirrors, you see yourself reflected among faceless dancers whom you recognise from the portrait room. When you finish dancing, you spot ash footprints on the floor.
BEASTLY QUARTERS
The northern wing is dark, moulding, with torn wallpaper, broken furniture and soot strewn about — the signs of a failed arson attempt. The ravaged northern area leads to a tall tower that houses the prince’s chambers.
House rules: you cannot enter after sundown, and you must leave any room when you hear unknown footsteps behind you. Disobey, and you gradually lose consciousness as the footsteps come near you, and you hear only a rasped, bestial, Your blood need not spill here, before you wake with a booming migraine in the southern wing. Do this three times, and Julien insists you must leave the castle.
■ the portrait room: a gallery and library that displays brimming bookcases and the portraits of the family members of the Netvor clan. The faces have been removed: some by claws, canvas strips hanging. Some were burned off. In a handful of portraits, faces have simply disappeared through white erosion.
■ The prince’s sleeping quarters are in a locked tower chamber, preceded by a wide stairwell covered covered in thorny roses and hundreds of wilted petals. Slowly over the duration of your stay, you notice they wither and fade. Touch a rose and you hear hissing, as the flower briefly curls back into a blossom. Prick your fingers on a thorn, and briefly see names engraved the nearby brick wall. You recognise them from the room of portraits.
■ In a nest of rose vines, you find several notebooks — including one with the prince’s daily entries. On the day of your arrival, he scribbled, Can men learn compassion?
Tall, dark and looming, with narrow corridors and windows of stained glass — the castle of the noble Netvor clan is like a slow-beating, putrid heart that powers extensive gardens and forest lands.
The castle rests on thick mounds of snow, crossed by red rivulets that stain nearby ice sheets crimson — a reminder, your host Julien says, of a ‘Red Hunt’ that the Netvor clan carried out years prior, killing hundreds of animals until their blood mixed with dirt. In retaliation, a forest witch cursed the clan, transforming its heir into an unsightly beast and his servants into inanimate objects or fellow creatures.
 | ” Once upon a time, there was a man. And that man had kin. And that kin was cruel. But the forest chooses its time and its champions. The land rebelled against them. Their people turned away. And only the beasts they so cleverly despoiled would still have them. The prince was spared because a glimmer of kindness he showed a stranger, to make amends. But the prince was alone. ” |
You were largely given lodging at castle Netvor in exchange for entertaining Julien, the prince’s serene and startlingly handsome fiancé, who welcomes you with the main house rule: you must not see the prince.
BEHIND YOU
The castle covets you : doors and windows often thud shut to lock you inside quarters, candles light up or dim on whim, and you sometimes hear the echo of voices in the corridors carrying the secrets of other speakers, long after they’ve departed.
If you are a ‘beauty,’ statues slowly turn their heads or move when you look away, and you see shadows running through mirrors. If you are ‘beastly,’ you hear clawing at your windows and doors at night, only to find fading scratch marks in the morning.
Some servants have been cursed into inanimate objects, with others transformed into bird-like, monstrous but harmless creatures that stay largely hidden.
House rules: do not open doors or windows at night. Be kind to the servants.
THE SOUTHERN WING
Home to Julien and you, the southern wing is bright, airy, gilded and refreshed daily by sentient dusters and brooms.
■ Lavish sleeping quarters with en suite bathing quarters and generously supplied wardrobes. There are no furs or fur-lined clothes. Rule: do not enter Julien’s locked bedchamber. Julien himself heads to the northern wing each night.
■ Self-sustaining kitchens, where bowls, whisks and ladles perpetually prepare elaborate dishes and pastries. Visitors are often hijacked to test eccentric or boozy dishes.
■ A glistening ballroom with wall-length mirrors. Soft music erupts, compelling you to take a partner and dance feverishly to steps you somehow know or that a sentient cello can teach. Spinning by the mirrors, you see yourself reflected among faceless dancers whom you recognise from the portrait room. When you finish dancing, you spot ash footprints on the floor.
| ” The villagers don’t speak of what happened to the rest of clan Netvor. Handfuls of people. If they are among the cursed servants, they hide themselves. But I suspect they have long transcended to a different realm of possibilities. He does not speak of them to me. But he does not speak of any unkindness to me. He is… gentle, in his way. ” |
- ■ The reading room: a wide seating area with an enormous fireplace where the remains of prized hunting prey were traditionally set to burn. Strange bones and expensive clothing scraps linger amid wood kindling.
■ The object-servants (largely dusters and teacups) urge you to help decorate the southern wing with flowers, candles and baubles for new year festivities — only for you to discover burned clothes in the castle’s nooks and crannies. What remains of the materials is high-quality, ornate.
BEASTLY QUARTERS
The northern wing is dark, moulding, with torn wallpaper, broken furniture and soot strewn about — the signs of a failed arson attempt. The ravaged northern area leads to a tall tower that houses the prince’s chambers.
House rules: you cannot enter after sundown, and you must leave any room when you hear unknown footsteps behind you. Disobey, and you gradually lose consciousness as the footsteps come near you, and you hear only a rasped, bestial, Your blood need not spill here, before you wake with a booming migraine in the southern wing. Do this three times, and Julien insists you must leave the castle.
■ the portrait room: a gallery and library that displays brimming bookcases and the portraits of the family members of the Netvor clan. The faces have been removed: some by claws, canvas strips hanging. Some were burned off. In a handful of portraits, faces have simply disappeared through white erosion.
■ The prince’s sleeping quarters are in a locked tower chamber, preceded by a wide stairwell covered covered in thorny roses and hundreds of wilted petals. Slowly over the duration of your stay, you notice they wither and fade. Touch a rose and you hear hissing, as the flower briefly curls back into a blossom. Prick your fingers on a thorn, and briefly see names engraved the nearby brick wall. You recognise them from the room of portraits.
■ In a nest of rose vines, you find several notebooks — including one with the prince’s daily entries. On the day of your arrival, he scribbled, Can men learn compassion?
| ” You must have seen them, the roses. They are his burden. The root and timepiece of his curse. Until the last petal withers away, he must rebuild the forest and make amends for the carnage wrought by his family. If the curse believes… the balance has been met, he will be spared. If not… but we still have time. ” |
■ Each day at sunset, the stairwell roses bloom golden, as thousands of petals rain down. If you are touched, and you are in the presence of someone you dislike, you feel encouraged to apologise or make amends. In the company of someone you enjoy, you express gratitude, admiration or joy. Those who are already in love may find themselves (finally?) confessing. Optionally, some characters feel overwhelmed by sudden, bitter sadness, tears trailing down their cheeks — and a feeling of captivity, as footsteps draw near.
THE GARDENS
The snow-laden gardens spread wide and vast, containing archery and sword training grounds, a frosted fountain , a frozen lake for skating and several bridges for those who entertain snow fights.
- ■ If you are a ‘beauty,’ the blood-bound red dirt seems to stick to you as you pass by, staining you crimson. For ‘beasts,’ the dirt all but parts.
■ Each day, castle servants bring devote hours to plant trees in the forest, to cleanse river waters and seed flowers or plant trees.
| ” This was a hunting castle. It needn’t have been. The villages serve gladly. Panna is only the nearest one, but they have dozens at their bidding. But the Netvor loved their bloodshed well, and so… each season. Crushing, killing, decimating. Even taming, tainting the forest’s wolves to serve as their hounds. That’s why they come at our gates now. To beg scraps. Despicable. Forgive me. I have a soft heart and a weak stomach. For my sake, he no longer hunts in the wasteful way of his people. ” |
■ The familiar demonic wolves prowl at night, howling maddeningly and sometimes breaching into the gardens. They appear desperate to attack the castle.
■ Glancing at the castle from the gardens, you might see a dark, nebulous figure in the distance at a tower balcony that doesn’t correspond to any room you’ve had access to.
BE OUR GUEST
Each evening, you must dress in formalwear and dine in the great ballroom of the southern wing. The space is now poorly lit by candlelight, and you can barely glimpse your dining partners.
- ■ You are asked to never look behind you, even as you sometimes hear heavy steps and rattling nearby. Now and then, you think you can almost see a pair of golden eyes behind a dining companion.
■ The dishes and cutlery dance and perform throughout an elaborate, many-course service that all exclude venison. Diners feel compelled to trade anecdotes of their homelands and families. No one can leave for an hour.
■ At least once, you will receive a dish you associate with a close relation or family member.
■ Opt-in: Instead of dishes, you might (at most twice during your stay) receive an empty black plate. You must excuse yourself after dinner, lock yourself in your bedroom and keep vigil that night — careful not to let strangers in, no matter what they say or whose voice they imitate. If you open your door to strangers, a swathe of shadows overwhelms you with deep jealousy, loneliness or insecurity. Human company eases the feeling.
LITTLE TOWN
The gentle snow of the first few days worsens, until a great blizzard blockades you in the castle for five days ( OOCly around 17-22 December) — at the end of which, a bashful kitchen ladle and a friendly pot beg you to head into Panna village for supplies. A cart and a stubborn donkey accompany you for the 90-minute trek through the woods.
- ■ The forests are largely silent, seemingly peopled by animals of prey (rabbits, deer). At times, you find bare human footprints that seem to lead no where, some carrying the red dirt of castle Netvor.
■ Deep claw marks litter most trees in the woodlands close to castle Netvor. To your luck, the large wolves are entirely absent during the day.
■ A few small abandoned hunters’ cabins are still standing, seemingly repurposed as (empty) wolf dens. You find young village children are leaving cooked food and old shawls there. If they see you, children shoo you away.
■ The village is small, warm, chirpy and welcoming — until residents hear you come from Netvor castle. Then, they gossip and urge their children to keep away from your witch blood.
| ” You must think the people of Panna disloyal, pulling away at the first sign of hardship. But the Netvor were so cruel to animals while they yet learned to torture men. They loved their prince, once. One day, if the witch’s curse lifts, they might love him again. But no one can care for a beast, let alone associate with one pursued by a witch, they say. They are wrong. ” |
- ■ Villagers take you to a tavern to meet drunken hunter Viola, who may need a hand wrapping up a few brawls before taking you to bakers, brewers and lumberjacks. Sometimes, these sellers need your help to prepare the last of the supplies.
■ A nearby place of worship has left out incense for the dead, including incense for the wretched Netvor clan.
■ Viola insists you cannot stay past sunset and declines to accompany you back. Villagers say she was previously assisted the clan Netvor, but stopped after the Red Hunt.
NPC INBOX
– those were days of roses, poetry, and prose (for luffy)
Undoubtedly, there would be similar excuses made for how she sticks close to his side, but Luffy's not the type to ask for any, even if her hand ends up in his while they sneak through the prince’s quarters, past the room of damaged portraits, to the bottom of the stairs, where the sight of roses growing like this indoors makes Nami stop and stare. The sun sets outside as they venture upward, and the gentle cascade of rose petals that begin to fall halts Nami a second time. She looks around them in confusion before her eyes settle on Luffy.
There’s no distinct shift. No moment of realization or clarity, no heartbeats skipped in giddy delight, just the rose petals raining down on them, settling on her hair or her shoulders before she movies and sends them fluttering the rest of the way to the stairs. ]
I’m happy you’re here. [ There’s an awareness that she should be shocked about saying something like that unprovoked and out of nowhere - but it’s a faint and faraway feeling. Instead of confusion, Nami looks at Luffy with nothing but fondness, one corner of her mouth curving in a smile as she reaches out to dust a few rose petals from the brim of his hat, rambling on before she can stop herself. ]
Not just in this fucked up world, but, all the time. I’m always happy that you’re with me. [ A beat. ] In every fucked up world.
[ There’s more, there’s so much more, saying all that is like pushing the lid off a deep, heavy box, full of every stupid, fleeting thought she’s had about Luffy. Nami should be horrified this is happening, however true everything she has to tell him may be - it’s none of anybody’s business, least of all his, but suddenly it seems only nature she tell him. ]
no subject
There are things much more grand that a spooky mansion, bigger adventures to experience. Luffy isn't going to let this place get to him no matter how much something makes his skin break out in goosebumps.
The roses are given a curious look as the pair traipse the stairwell and suddenly, instantly everything shimmers gold, flaring into a life that hadn't been there mere moments before. It's much more than what a sunset could provide and brown eyes look around, the truth taking time to settle in; rose petals. Golden rose petals at that and Luffy feels his breath catch at the sight of it. How wonderful! He reaches out to catch one of the petals, marvelling at it all before turning to Nami and hearing her speak.
The words are new, something unspoken and Luffy gives a crooked grin in return. There's no feeling of being forced into anything, no cajoling sensation. There's just happiness, pure in its blatancy as Luffy feels each and every word. They're words he's felt when there's time to think and mull things over. There's a lot to say, even if Luffy starts small for now.)
I'm happy too. I don't think I could have gotten through any of this without you, here or back home. And I mean you, not just the crew.
no subject
[ Nami knows that isn't what Luffy's getting at, and she shakes her head at her joke, her fingers toying with a rose petal she's caught, more giddy than nervous - which is weird, but not worth noting while they're both bathed in this golden light and he's smiling at her like that. She hasn't had the luxury of mattering to anyone in a long time, at least not in a way that was as weighty and real as this. Hearing that she matters to him makes her heart feel full. ]
You too. Everyone on the crew means the world to me, but, you... [ And she can't even panic about the absence of panic she's experiencing from being so blunt about the way she feels, which will irk her when she looks back on this in hindsight. ]
I guess the world is a little bigger when I look at you.
[ That's corny to the point that she does regain her senses long enough to make a face, distantly conscious of the fact that she's as bad at things like this as she had been with friendly banter back in Kaya's room, even though she's certain that right now that doesn't matter. All that matters is that Luffy hears how she feels. ]
no subject
The comment has Luffy's heart swelling with pride and delight, not an ounce of concern over why any of this is even happening. Everything that is spoken is right, correct and things that Luffy understands on some level would have been thought if not said at some point. It just so happens that golden petals arcing lazily through the air helps move it along and the way Nami twists her face as she gathers some sense has Luffy laughing quietly, nose wrinkling as he tries to regain his own sense of footing.)
Good job you want to map the world then! It's a good dream to have. You, and your dreams are everything to me and that won't change even when we find the One Piece.
(Yes, it's corny but Luffy doesn't care. This promise is something that should have been made already and if anything, Luffy is more irked with himself for not saying as much by now.)
no subject
[ And it's enough for Nami. She's spent too long being a commodity to Arlong and making commodities out of other people in her effort to get out from under his thumb and take her village along with her. Mattering to Luffy, even if she's just a member of the crew, means the world.
Nami steps forward, wrapping her arms around Luffy before pulling him into a tight hug, ducking her head to hide her face against his shoulder as she holds onto him. ]
Thank you. You saved my life.
no subject
How far they've come from their first meeting at Shells Town. Most would never believe it and yet Luffy has no doubt in his mind as he wraps his arms around Nami in response, returning the hug just as tightly. Perhaps new worlds aren't so bad, not when they lead to such talks. There's just the smallest hint of concern, a shadow of trepidation that Nami hasn't quite understood his meaning and Luffy pulls back a fraction only to press a finger to Nami's forehead.)
You're welcome, but I do have to let you know I wasn't talking about the crew in general. Just you.
blanket warning for minor op spoilers for the rest of the thread
Those words are sinking in even as she's swatting away the hand he's poking her in the forehead with, only to stick out her finger and boop his forehead in return. It would be easy to lean into the notion that there are still countless ways she could take what Luffy's said, but her big, stupid, suddenly aching heart doesn't let her sidestep away from this, not while she's still holding onto him with petals falling around them in their dreamy cascade. ]
I've hurt everybody I've ever loved before you. [ And she would include the rest of the crew in that on a regular day, but today hasn't felt like one of those since they started heading up this staircase. If he wants to make a point of making it clear that it's just her he's talking about, then she'll do the same. ]
And you...don't care about that. You don't care about the things I did for Arlong, for my village, you just...
[ Care. About her. More willingly and gladly than anyone she's ever met since her mother died. This is not the kind of conversation Nami is used to having. She's always kept her cards close to her chest, and if she hadn't stepped onto these stairs that might have gone on forever, but that sense of self preservation feels as dim and distant as the rest of her concerns, making seem all too easy to finish her thought by leaning in and kissing him. ]
no subject
No, I don't need to care about those things. Not when you're here now.
(So easilly said and wholly meant. Luffy gives a small huff of laughter as Nami returns the touch to his head. At least they've aired things, spoken them out loud sooner rather than later and Luffy is certain no bad can come of it. He even makes a move to say as such, instantly cut off when Nami suddenly kisses him. If Luffy had thought his mind was too loud before he's stunned when everything simply stops, the feel of warm lips on his the only thing making itself known. Unlike Nami there's no sense of preservation for him to uphold when Luffy barely even registers most challenges. Such ignorance could be considered bliss, bliss akin to the slow warmth that rushes to his cheeks as he pulls back a little to give Nami a questioning look as if silently asking if she's okay with this?)
....I agree.
rng keeping them on these stairs
You agree... [ Nami repeats quietly, carefully, like she's piecing together what it is, exactly, that he's agreeing with. As much as she wants to believe that the sense of certainty that settled around her heart when her lips met his, and lingers there now is something he feels too - a lot has been said, and she's already in too far over her head to know which end is up.
The hand still holding onto his tenses, squeezing gently as she raises her eyebrows at him. ] You agree?
no subject
( It's not quite an answer, but Luffy is still reeling from the kiss let alone figuring out how to articulate or put into words how to answer, a rarity for the pirate captain. They've adventured together, fought villains and laughed with each other. Sharing a meal together puts the next step up as marriage, almost. Perhaps all the words in the world aren't needed as Luffy feels Nami's hand squeezing his own. )
I agree with what you said. You're special and no matter what happens there's nothing that can take that away or change my mind. ( If he has to fight off a whole shoal of fishmen to prove that point Luffy will. That's just how it is and to prove the point he leans in to press a soft kiss to Nami's forehead. ) Not even a spooky mansion that serves great dinners.
no subject
Her hand comes up and touches his cheek as he kisses her forehead, her thumb brushing over his cheek while she looks up at him. ] You're special, Luffy. There's nobody like you. [ And she should be following that up with a thank goodness, but not today. Today letting that remark be what it is, is good enough for Nami instead of a sentiment that cuts too close to all the things she's never said.
Her smile sharpens out of its dazed, smitten softness, and she brings her other hand up, cradling the sides of his face as she brings herself close enough to rest her forehead against his, her eyes open and looking intently into his from this close. ]
You're gonna find the One Piece, and I'm going to be there the whole time. [ Because they'd all get lost without her, but most of all - because there's noplace else Nami would rather be. ]
We should go before Julien chases us out. It's sunset.
no subject
Still it isn't a conversation he'd expected to be having anytime soon, if ever. Some could frown at a captain hitting on his crew and so the idea of saying such precious words had rarely crossed his mind. Finding the One Piece took forefront and center of Luffy's mind most of the time and the promise from Nami makes his heart swell enough that he gives a small, breathless laugh.)
Couldn't get rid of you if I tried. (Talk of Julien is enough to somewhat dampen the mood as things seemingly settle back down to a semblance of normal and Luffy leans back a little as he glances around.) Already?
(He'd be tempted to stay and see what happens in the dark, but Nami is right; it's time to go and Luffy nods towards the stairs.) Want to hit the kitchens with me?
no subject
It's no surprise that his next thought past the staircase is the kitchens, and Nami smirks, rolling her eyes good-naturedly hearing the suggestion that they head there next, her hand squeezing his again. ]
Sitting around the kitchen watching you stuff your face and smile at me sounds like the most normal thing we've done since we landed in this world. [ She moves to head down the stairs, her expression softening as she nods. ] Of course I want to go with you. [ Anywhere. Even if she complains about the risks the whole time. ]
no subject
The dishes said they liked to make food, it'd be rude of us to waste that. (That and the kitchens in this place had to be impressive; Luffy isn't sure though, he's yet to find his way there for some reason. The topic change feels natural enough, not jarring despite the words that hang between them and he squeezes Nami's hand in return.)
You never know, they might have tangerines.