Field Mission 7: The Queen of Hearts, Part 1

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Once upon a time... NAVIGATION Click here for the RNG thread! The day is met the way all others begin: the sun rises from the eastern stretch of land facing the sea, as the citizens of Emberwharf awaken to a fish market brimming with life and splendor. The same sun is seen in Ok'talar, where its warchief watches, as is tradition for its leader to be meditating under the warmth of its warm embrace. The clans of the Highlands pick up where they left off just yesterday, squabbling over minor infractions of land, marriage, or deals that have fell through. And in the cold clutches of Orrenvia to the north, people are bundling up and preparing to visit the mines at the base of the Spine of the World. The general news throughout the Kingdom of Fanelia is that today is a day of celebration. It marks the 110th anniversary of the coronation of its ruler, the Queen of Hearts. While some people around the outskirts of the citadel proper consider this as a day of mourning, many are called forth to partake in festivities, dining, and the accompaniment of the finest musicians from the far-reaching town of Peppelfen. For the last 110 years, the Queen has kept order and, somehow, relative peace throughout the kingdom she rules. Although open defiance and protest is met with swift justice and sentencing, no one can overlook how crafty and careful she is. Her manipulations resonate throughout the annals of the history of Fanelia, present in every major brokered deal throughout its vast land mass and diverse population. Her benevolent guidance is felt by all... as is her tyranny. She is a monarch of paradoxes: obsessed with control, but only acting for the betterment of the realm's self-preservation. Every passionate declaration of "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!" had been necessary up to this point; who else can steer and guide this world into prosperity than she herself? The horizon in the far off distance swirls with its usual tumultuous temper. A dark cloud surrounds the continent where Fanelia is located, known to all as "The Expanse." Every year, the border closes a little bit more inward, narrowing the lands and threatening the civilizations that reside on the fringes. Its presence encroaches, and with it, a general looming sense of fear that one day only the capital city will be left standing, protected by a magical bubble of pure radiant light that allows only those permitted by decree to enter. But none of you can remember your life before this illusion took hold. As far as you're concerned, you've been here your entire life. You don't notice that this farce, this world created by the usage of a Grand Relic, has only existed for a year. One whole year has passed since magic was cut loose from Faerun's fabric, and no one is any wiser that it's been gone at all. You look down to your wrist, noticing the same three clouded, empty colored crystals that have always been there since the day you were born. Each one bears the shape of a heart, and it makes sense to you why Lucretia is known as... The Queen of Hearts. 1. THE COURT OF HEARTS A. ANOTHER MORNING, HOWEVER YOU SLICE IT Good morning! Where are you right now? Another day is creeping over the horizon, and your life as you know it is continuing down the path it always has. Wherever you are. However you're feeling. The crystals on your wrist, though you've managed to sort out at least one purpose for them by now, remain as dull and lifeless as they've always been. Maybe you've long since figured out that not everyone has them — and maybe today is the morning that you finally heed a call to figure out why. The harder you think about it, the more questions you seem to have. It's a wide world out there, and there are people you just might be dying to remember. Where will you go? Who will you run into? B. NETWORK Speaking of that one purpose you've stumbled upon: A series of messages that, if you choose to access them, dance across your mind as if they were your own thoughts. Over the years, the messages have ranged from confused — people on the other end wondering what this is, without really finding any answers — to just straight up sales pitches. One day, though, a message under the name of Avalon appears: Wandering fortune teller and adviser offering services. Have a burning question you want answered? Do you wish for a quick peek into the void, to light a match into the unknown? Giving out free samples now! Just message me ;) [ooc: If you'd like a randomized way for a memory to begin unraveling, feel free to hit up the RNG thread for a fortune! Note: A low roll doesn't necessarily mean a failure to nudge your character in the right direction, it will just dictate how cryptic and/or troll-y the fortune actually is. Or, feel free to come up with an unrelated fortune for a prompt.] C. AROUND THE CAPITAL One way or another, you may make your way to the capital city, the seat of the Court of Hearts. Whether you're here for answers, or whether you're here just to see the sights, here are a few ideas to get you started. ○ Chaotic croquet: Indeed, you will be discovering how the capital city plays the queen's favorite game. You and a fellow crystal-bearer/Reclaimer will near immediately be roped into a round and pitted against each other, with a rather stern reminder to follow the rules. If only the rules made sense! Each path to the next wicket is more treacherous than the last — you may find yourself quite literally navigating the ball over a bottomless pit, or bumping it up stairs that threaten to send the ball right back, careening toward your face. There is also the Stone Golem guarding the final wicket to contend with. It's a bit strange, actually. It's almost as if this match of the Queen of Hearts' imagining would prefer that the two of you worked together, rather than against each other. ○ We mentioned earlier that the castle, should you wander past the common areas, gets a little ... strange. It's labyrinthine in nature, with staircases, doors and hallways that lead to no where, or straight into the ceiling. The neat line of roses planted along the hallways begin to wither the farther you walk — almost as if nobody dared getting lost just to water some plants. And then, you wander into an empty room, that quite literally transforms before your eyes. It's the place you call home. Or ... is it? This is most certainly not your bedroom back in whatever corner of Fanelia you hail from. In fact, you don't think you've ever set foot in there before — it might be a bedroom with views into outer space itself. It might be a place from another world entirely, one that you definitely don't recognize. But as time passes, and as you stand there, your sense of longing grows stronger. You should probably get out of there, before the guards find you. ○ The Queen of Hearts, in a recent twist (not unusual for her), has a keen interest in the relationships her subjects have with one another, whether it's romantic or platonic. And she'd like to see to it that the people of Fanelia are able to find those important people in their lives. Enter: THE FANELIA FRIENDSHIP (OR SOMETHING MORE?) EXTRAVAGANZA Yeah, it's pretty much a dating show, for both the amusement of onlookers and for your benefit! Or friendship show, as it were. Sign up, answer a brief survey, and showrunners will pair you with a fellow crystal-bearer/Reclaimer that they think you may be compatible with. Let the dating begin! You may: - Slay a monster together - Take a nice long walk around the capital city together - Be given a series of embarrassing questions to ask each other - Cook a meal together - The list goes on Is the right person, or your new best friend, waiting for you in plain sight? Sign up and find out! D. EXPANDED WILDCARD As we mentioned in the OOC post, we highly encourage worldbuilding and creating your own scenarios to recover your character's lost memories! Outside of the capital city, the entire setting is yours to alter, and play in, as you see fit. Want to haunt the Enchanted Forest, or hunt wild boars? Want to follow your character's fairy tale story and have them work their way to leader of a clan, or of a settlement in Kingstown? Go for it! This is your story to write. If you have any questions, feel free to hit us up on the OOC post. blurb code by photosynthesis

Comments

rapunzel

[antiqueclasp]

a. if there only were doors

[She had been so certain that today was the day. Now, danging several feet below her bedroom window with her feet still far, far from the ground, she wonders if she might have been wrong about that. Oh, no, she mustn't think that way— another day atop that musty old tower would have been far too much, but there's no denying that her escape plan is a bit lacking as far as the execution goes.

To anyone who may be walking by, she'll call out urgently, eager to get their attention.]

Hello! You there! Please, might I ask your assistance—?

[Nicely said for someone hanging on by her fingertips. Looking up, you'll see a young girl hanging from a rope that appears to be made out of bedsheets tied together, leading up to a window about three stories up, but nowhere near long enough to get her close to the ground. Her hair is long and braided, easily twice as long as she is tall, but even that doesn't quite come within reach.

She'd planned poorly. She realizes that now, of course.]

b. curious fortune

[Being out in the world for the first time since she can remember is strange, but hearing voices reach out from places beyond her tower isn't exactly new. In some ways, it's almost comforting, and Avalon's offer piques her interest. It's some time after she accepts it that she reaches out on her own, equal parts curious and thoughtful.]

To those who may have had their fortunes told... do you think what you heard was good news, or bad?

[She's not quite sure what to make of what she'd heard, but she's interested to know what others might have, if they're willing to share.]

c. chaotic croquet

[She had protested, at first— she’s never even played croquet, and it certainly wasn’t anywhere near the top of her list of things to do on this particular day, but the attendant had insisted, which is what brought her to where she is now: standing near the edge of what appears to be a bottomless pit with the ball near her left foot, a croquet mallet held in both hands, and a wicket far, far across the way.

She wrinkles her nose, irate.]

Follow the rules, they said! Well, what if we do not know the rules? It is not as if someone is born knowing.

[She huffs, but that’s only part of the problem. She looks to the person she’s been paired with, frowning.]

I assume we’re meant to find a way to get the ball across, but picking it up and throwing it is probably frowned upon…

[The rules, and all.]

d. far from home

[Despite the fact that she’s almost certain she’s never seen it before, the room feels familiar somehow, in a way she can’t quite explain. It feels like it belongs to her in some way, but she knows that can’t be true. She’s never left her tower for more than a short period of time, and before now it’s always been with strict supervision. If she’d ever been in this place before, she’s sure she would remember, and yet....

She frowns, curling her fingers into a fist that comes to rest over her heart as she steps further into the room, leaving the door open behind her. She realizes she’s poking around where she ought not to be, and perhaps she’ll regret letting herself get distracted, but there’s no denying the sense of longing that’s suddenly begun to pull at her, insistent and bittersweet.]

What is this feeling? I know I have never set foot in this place before, and yet…

e. wildcard

[Anything else you like! Leave a starter or hit me up via PM or at necrofancy if you'd like to work something out together.]

c

[philoxenia]

I think we're supposed to use these.

[ She kind of waves the mallet in her hands, but the wicket... it's pretty far away. Mira sighs a little and leans on hers. Her braids swing forward, the white streak in her hair more pronounced as she does. ]

I've never played this game before, though.

[antiqueclasp]

Neither have I! Even if we are to use the mallets, we would have to hit the ball quite hard to cross such a distance. I suppose we could go around, but...

[She frowns, looking for the edge of the pit. It's quite a ways off, and while they could certainly walk around it, taking their balls in that direction would mean leaving the croquet green entirely for a time, which she's almost certain is frowned upon.

She sets her mallet on the ground in front of her, leaning her weight on it with both hands covering the end of its handle. In the process, she narrowly avoids stepping on the end of her braid, which has come to pool on the ground beside her now that she's not carrying it draped over one arm.]

There must be a trick to it. We're meant to play against one another, but perhaps if we put our heads together instead?

[philoxenia]

[ She just notices her hair--and she's about to compliment her on it, but she remembers why they're here. Mira thinks about her suggestion for about half a second before she nods. ]

I'm not really that much of a competitive person... I definitely prefer teamwork. [ She smiles and holds out her hand. ] And I think we'll make a great team. I'm Mira.

[antiqueclasp]

As do I. I am glad to hear we have that in common!

[That should make this much easier.]

It is a pleasure, Mira— you may call me Flayn.

[She smiles brightly, and brief though it is, there is a moment of familiarity, as if they've exchanged introductions before— but that couldn't be true, could it? She's spent her entire life up in that tower at her father's behest...]

b

[motherfucking_ghost]

[He'd been mulling his over a lot. Was it a joke? Was it real? What did it mean? How could he program himself to be a real boy, and what did he have to not lie about to make that so?]

it was relly weird and some of it was true but im not sure what it ment i dont get it so idk if its good r bad it just is n we have 2 deal w it

[what, he skipped school, if he was even allowed/encouraged to go in the first place, of course his writing is atrocious]

[antiqueclasp]

[Hmm. Interesting take.]

I was told that if I visited a saint's shrine, I would receive a blessing. What did she tell you? Maybe I could help you decipher what it means?

[Plus, she's just plain curious.]

[motherfucking_ghost]

they seemed a lil confused like aqused me of lying 2 myself n then gave self care tips to program myself but then said i culdnt program myself n then i need 2 find my inner truth
not what i was hoping for
blessings sound good tho so u shuld do that n get that bless

[antiqueclasp]

It does sound good, but there was something about the way she ended it that I didn't like.

You were told to find your inner truth? That does seem confusing, but I do not think that would be considered bad... everyone has to do a little soul-searching sometimes, don't they?

a

[parfaitgirl]

[ Well, tiny little pixie Natsuki had been flying on by, heading out of the forest to go somewhere a little more interesting ...

But when she's addressed, it does give her pause. Her assistance? She turns to look at the girl dangling from the tower, and flits closer to get a better look at her. She darts about taking a closer look at the situation at hand, a little pinch of pixie dust sprinkling about from her wings as she does.

And then, she cocks her head and points to herself. You want assistance from her? ]

[antiqueclasp]

[At this point, she'll take help from anyone, regardless of size! Besides, pixies have magic, don't they? She can only assume that could come in useful—

If not, she may really be in trouble.

Regardless, she nods eagerly in response as the pixie points to herself.]

Yes, you! If there is anything at all you can do— I am afraid I ran out of bedsheets!

[parfaitgirl]

[ Hmm. Natsuki looks thoughtful for a moment, wings a-buzzing ...

Before she sees the pixie dust sprinkling downwards from her wings. Oh, right!

She jingles happily once she realizes she has a great idea, and she'll fly up above Flayn's head to shake vigorously -- covering her head in a layer of pixie dust.

It's enough that, while she may not be able to fly without thinking happy thoughts ... at the very least, she won't fall so quickly. ]

[antiqueclasp]

Oh, what are you—

[She's grateful for any kind of help, but she doesn't quite understand what's being done, and therefore ends up shutting her eyes to keep any pixie dust from getting in as well as letting out a sneeze.]

Will this help?

[She can only imagine the pixie showered her with dust with intent, but given that the little thing doesn't seem able to talk, she supposes asking a direct question will give her the opportunity to answer with body language, at least.]

A

[seasaltkeys]

If you let go, I'll catch you!

[Damsel? Check. Distress? Check. Hercules is here to save the day!

He's hovering under her on Pegasus with what he hopes is a comforting smile on his face. But this should be a pretty straightforward rescue mission. No flaming hoops or sharks to be seen.]

Doing alright, otherwise?

[antiqueclasp]

Thank you!

[Her hero! She looks absolutely relieved, glad that he happened to come along precisely when he did. Dropping down should be simple enough, but she'll make certain he's ready before she does so.

Also, she is definitely enchanted by that pegasus of his, although there's hardly time to look at him for long now.]

I think so— I would be far worse off without someone to catch me! I'll let go on three— one, two, three!

[Catch!]

[seasaltkeys]

[Pegasus moves slightly to adjust, allowing Roxas to make the perfect catch, and while there's some buckling with the added weight, it's easily recovered from. He offers another smile as the winged horse drifts almost lazily down to the ground, landing gently.]

And there we go, safe on the ground.

I'm gonna take a guess and assume you were making an escape?

[antiqueclasp]

[She lets out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding as they touch down on the ground, though the trip is quite smooth and painless— much moreso than dropping from the window would have been, that's for certain.]

Ah...

[She smiles sheepishly at his question, her face coloring.]

I am afraid so. This was the only way out!

b

[whippings]

Mine suggests that I did something terrible.

[antiqueclasp]

As in you have already done it? Wouldn't you remember, if that were the case?

[whippings]

Perhaps some of the actions I have undertaken could be considered terrible, but I do not recall having ever harmed someone who did not deserve it.

This so-called 'fortune' suggests otherwise.

c

[royalresearch]

I do not know if I have the strength to hit it far enough.

[Zelda looks curiously down into the pit, to small cat ears perked up as the short whiskers on her face twitch. At least her hands are still normal looking as she holds the mallet.]

Maybe if we found a smaller span across? We could do it then.

[antiqueclasp]

Perhaps... I do not see one in this direction, but perhaps the other way?

[All the while, Flayn is trying not to stare too hard at her croquet partner's ears and whiskers— but her gaze does keep wandering towards them, and so she finally offers along with a sheepish smile:]

I am sorry, but I have never seen anyone quite like you before! Well, I suppose I haven't seen much of anyone, but all the same, your features are quite striking.

[royalresearch]

We can only try and walk along the edge. Hopefully it does not take long.

[Zelda blinks as she reaches up to tug at an ear.]

Oh. I saved a cat. He was very grateful, and now I seem to be changing into one.

c

[bu773rfly]

Probably, [says Flayn's dour young partner, name not yet given, in a tone of voice that suggests she cares very little about what's frowned upon and much more about solving the puzzle set before her. She's scanning the pit from left to right with a long, low hum; the mallet is being bounced against one of her palms in a genuinely kind of threatening-looking fidget.

Follow the rules, eh.]

[antiqueclasp]

[Flayn looks to her curiously, her interest piqued. Clearly, she's though of something.]

Does that mean you have something in mind...?