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4 mos ago
Current Damn, it's really been three years since I last did anything on this site, huh? ...Maybe it's time I do something about this.
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5 yrs ago
*Kicks in door* HERETICS, YOU SAY?!
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6 yrs ago
A Hailstorm.... in JULY. Thanks Canada....
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6 yrs ago
So I just finished up a long D&D session with friends. Near the end one of them may have asked if they could roll to yeet a random cat across the town... Nat fucking 20.
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6 yrs ago
A snow and ice storm that shuts down most of the city... in April. Never change Canada.
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Today was the day, his first time tackling the dungeon that slept below Rezion.

It's... far more intimidating up close, that's for sure.

Noctis Haeshi stood before the tower of Rezion, a mixture of excitement and apprehension swelling within the boy. Today he would need to prove himself against the monstrosities within. His golden opportunity to prove that he belonged with his Familia, not just to Anubis or Priscilla, but to himself as well. Anubis's words stuck to the forefront of his mind yet as he prepared himself to enter. The God seemed to have high expectations of Noctis, so he could not afford to let the deity down. He already had an unwanted reputation with a certain few Familia members simply because of his name, it would be disastrous if he proved their precognitions of him being useless and discarded to be true. Needless to say, the pressure was on for the young werewolf, he felt not unlike an ant as he gazed upon the obelisk. Though at the same time, he could feel a rising excitement building with every step he took, as he was standing right next to The Winter Maiden herself. She was legendary, her appearance giving off an almost angelic and otherworldly aura of majesty and expertise. Noctis felt honored to even be in her presence, nevermind venturing into the dungeon alongside her! Even if she was only intent on ensuring that he'd be able to handle himself before setting off, it felt almost wrong to have such strength and weakness entering the dungeon together.

The cool voice of the Winter Maiden brought Noctis's attention back to the situation at hand, he listened intently yet found himself unable to willingly make eye contact with her. At first she seemed almost impersonal, yet moments later she showed a much more friendly question to the young werewolf.

"I-is it that obvious? Yeah... I'm pretty nervous, but I'm also kind of excited to head in if that makes any sense." The dungeon had destroyed people much greater than him, but it had also forged others into legendary heroes. Noctis could only hope that his time in the dungeon lead him to the latter path...


As the White Rabbit tended to the inquiries of the others, Rhys was busy contemplating the possible motivations of the malicious monarch.

If this queen supposedly rules over Wonderland with nigh-absolute authority, why would she bother abducting children from the 'real' world? What reward does she reap for reaching across reality for the minds of kids? I sincerely doubt that these abductions are a mere show of power to the other shadows... So what pray tell, is her scheme?

With no real conclusions to show for his pondering, Rhys shoved thoughts of the Queen's machinations onto the back-burner of his subconscious. Perhaps this was a mystery that he would unravel in time, especially seeing as there was currently no feasible means of escape from this strange and outlandish world. Once he'd turned his focus back to the group, Rhys's gaze was met by a much more... caricatured version of the White Rabbit asking. No, pleading for the groups assistance. This admittedly confused the boy for a short moment prior to the Rabbit discarding the childish charade and getting on with his explanations once again.

It wasn't long before Rhys was handed a pocketwatch by the shadow, much like everyone else in the sanctuary. He almost immediately began examining the exterior of the watch as the Rabbit carried on, running his fingers over every ornate detail and intricacy of the object. It was not unlike one he owned back in the UK, albeit his was silver rather than gold. His father had entrusted it to his only promising son that he had left... Rhys shook himself as he discarded that memory for the time being, for now was not the time to allow his thoughts to be so easily hijacked. These... Chronovokers, the Rabbit called them, were evidently the method by which they were meant to utilize their supposed potential. All the device required was the resolve of it's wielder, in all honesty it sounded far too good to be true. Though a device operated solely on willpower was certainly not the most absurd thing he'd borne witness to today.

...And finally the naysayers start to come around. He thought to himself as the other members in the group of humans began to side with the Rabbit. Perhaps this group would be able to overcome their divisions for the sake of survival. Yet tragedy had other things planned. Without warning, the child of the group was suddenly enveloped by a maelstrom of writhing black, and just as quickly as the child was swallowed did the pair vanish. The sudden disappearance left Rhys with a grim thought gnawing at the back of his mind.

Please tell me that he's not...

Much to his dismay the White Rabbit broke his hopes once more, though this Rabbit was far less... refined than he was before. The child couldn't control his emotions and so they utterly devoured him. So long as he kept his composure, he'd be fine. It certainly was not easy though, as that made it twice today that Rhys had witnessed meaningless death, deaths that they were all powerless to stop. All of it was so bitterly unfair.

As Rhys warred with himself as to not allow his emotions to boil over, the ringleader of the shadow rebellion made his entrance. His explanations were thankfully far less cryptic than Peter's had been, and the Hatter seemed almost amicable at that. Though a certain vocal member of the group utterly failed to reciprocate said amicability, and was swiftly angering the surrounding shadows. Rhys was about to step in and attempt to remedy the situation, yet the Hatter beat him to it and wordlessly pacified the shadows. The Hatter went on and explained all manner of things, including their first task before handing out strange orbs to the group.

Rhys pocketed the Chronovoker swiftly and looked over the orb before obediently shattering it in his hands. The crystalline shards and powder swirling around him for a brief moment before settling and materializing into a reflex bow and quiver that slung itself over his shoulder without any effort on his part. In his mind it made perfect sense to Rhys why he'd receive a bow, and so he was quite pleased. The limbs of the weapon were made of an ebony wood that had silver trappings, and the string itself donned a white colour. Examining the quiver and arrows for a moment, Rhys found that they shared a similar colour scheme to his bow, the majority of the quiver and the arrows haft's were black whilst the arrowheads and plumage along with minor parts of the quiver were argent in colour. Most notably, one of the silvered bindings on the quiver had the numeral VIII engraved into it, a questionable detail to be sure.

Only one thing to do now I suppose... Rhys thought to himself as he almost unconsciously walked back towards the rabbit hole that had brought him here. Swallowing his courage once more, Rhys plunged himself into the cavernous maw and emerged in the forest with the others, managing to not clumsily fall on his face this time. He reached for one of the arrows in his quiver and nocked it as he spoke in a hushed voice. "The more time we spend out here, the more likely it is that we'll find ourselves outmatched or surrounded. Or both perhaps. So let us be quick about this."

@The Jest@Avant@EchoicChamber@CronicCrystalis@Crimmy@Petulant@Duoya@rebthewriter@Etranger@Suku@Windstormugly


Rhys looked on in silent satisfaction as the group's guide finally began to disclose the answers they had been promised, despite the shows of boorish behaviour from some of the others. Though the answers the Rabbit disclosed were anything but what he, and likely the others wanted to hear. First and foremost, escape was apparently impossible as this "looking glass " was a one way trip for human beings. Rhys expected as such, but his expectations made the grim truth no easier to bear. They were locked in this world of nightmarish madness for the foreseeable future, yet for what cause?

Of course there's no way for us to leave, why would the White Rabbit bother bringing us to Wonderland if we could simply leave of our own volition?

The Rabbit's assailant from earlier seemed to be compelled to interject yet again, donning an insufferably arrogant look all the while. Rhys simply glared at him once more as he continued his childish tirade. The Rabbit's confession to summoning the group did not surprise Rhys in the slightest, what did catch his attention however, was the revelation that the group assembled before him was not deliberately picked. They were randomly summoned due to their collective possession of potential? There had to be some form of mistake in that case...
Sudden words of praise from the Rabbit pulled Rhys from his pondering as he bowed his head in order to show his respect. He lost himself in his thoughts for a moment as he questioned the supposed "potential" he possessed. Potential? Of what sort, I wonder? If we all have it, it cannot possibly be physical... Perhaps intellectual? But what purpose would that serve? What's the missing link in all this?

A question from one of the ladies in the group piqued Rhys's interest as well. If this truly was a dream world, the group would logically wake up at some point. The answer the Rabbit gave was simply put, a horrifying reality. The word "comatose" caused a chill colder than the grave to shoot through the boy's body as he realized that he and everyone else here had suddenly become prisoners of their own minds. Could this mean... No... Impossible... it has to be.... Out of sheer shock, Rhys struggled to formulate a clear train of thought, terrifying possibilities barraging him from all angles.

In the next instant, a deafening blast banished all of those imaginary insurgents, though what Rhys saw next was not much easier on his psyche. The man standing next to him now had a gaping hole where his forehead once was... and the one wielding the fatal instrument was none other than the White Rabbit. The man's form seemed to crack as if he were made of glass, and much like glass, the man shattered. Curiously though, a boy with similar features was left standing where the man he was conversing with was shot. A yet greater oddity was his seemingly nonchalant attitude regarding this event.

What in the name of all that is holy just happened?!

Rhys attempted to process this strange course of events as the Rabbit revealed that death was just as unforgiving in Wonderland, and that if they perished here, they would truly be cast into the eternal slumber. In that instant Rhys's thoughts drifted back to the other boy from earlier... He didn't realize it then, but now it was made clear. He had witnessed murder. The boy unknowingly marched to his death by the all-consuming blaze... A true tragedy.

Finally the Rabbit got around to what Rhys had wanted to know since landing in the forest, the reason that they were brought here. They were to assist in freeing the children stolen away by P3. A noble cause indeed, yet it was not as simple as that. There was a mastermind behind the abductions as well, something Rhys did not expect. As the White Rabbit spoke of this Queen and her multitude of misdeeds which included the kidnapping of the children, Rhys felt something deep down.

A rising righteous fury directed at the fell tyrant who would dare to abduct children. The Rabbit needed to say nothing more to convince Rhys to joining their rebellion, his mind was made up. He waited for the Shadow to finish as he internally tempered the anger he felt into a cold and ironclad resolve.

"Such a grand injustice demands retribution... I for one, would be more than happy to help you dethrone this despicable despot. Though that begs the question, just how are we able to help you? I highly doubt that anything we could currently do would be of much use. Does it perchance have anything to do with the potential you mentioned moments ago?"

@The Jest@Avant@EchoicChamber@CronicCrystalis@Crimmy@Petulant@Letter Bee@Duoya@rebthewriter@Etranger@Suku@Windstormugly


The intensity of the moment threatened to overwhelm Rhys as he ran with the group away from the pursuing pyromaniac. Though he had not been running for very long, he could feel each breath becoming shorter and his legs crying out in pain. Physical endurance was not something Rhys possessed in the slightest. Much to his delight the White Rabbit pointed out their escape method, a rabbit hole in the ground. How appropriate. We are being chased in Wonderland and the only way out is leaping deeper into the madness. The boy paused at the edge of the gaping black maw for a moment, instincts forbidding him from going any further. Out of breath, Rhys cast his gaze back towards the grove that the group fled.

The wrath of the titan had nigh annihilated the landscape, trees rendered cracked and charred, the grass, blackened and marred. Its blazing scorn still having yet to fully sputter out, as small flames hungrily gnawed at the scattered and splintered wood. It became clear to Rhys that his only choice was to do as the rabbit instructed or risk his life running. Needless to say, continuing to run would be foolish, so he buried his doubts and advanced upon the gaping hole. Taking one last deep breath of hot, somewhat smoky air, Rhys plunged himself into the darkness.

The sudden inversion of gravity caught Rhys off guard, and before he could even attempt to correct his sudden descent, he found himself slammed into the ground and subsequently winded. As the boy sluggishly sat up and rose to his feet, he took in his new surroundings. The strange intermingling of flora and machine into a sort of garden was peculiar at the absolute least. The large table nearest the center caught his attention and gave Rhys an inkling of just where the group had landed, and the White Rabbit thankfully confirmed his suspicion.

The Hatter's Garden... I never in my wildest dreams expected to find myself here.

Rhys looked on as the White Rabbit began pulling ornate gold pocket watches from seemingly nowhere, and as one of the other boys in the group so unceremoniously grappled their guide. What did he do to deserve that? He ju- Just before Rhys could finish his thought, his gaze was met by the demonic deformation of the White Rabbit. Involuntarily, he flinched, and his expression briefly shifted to one of shock. Where there was once white fur, a black abyss stared back at him. Worse yet, one of the White Rabbit's formerly blue eyes had become a shade of yellow that was quite reminiscent of the Black Rabbit's eyes. The whole image was outright disturbing at the very least. Apparently, he and the Black Rabbit were both 'Shadows', a name that quite befit the White Rabbit's current appearance. Even stranger was the White Rabbit quite literally molding himself back to his previous form, as if his entire body was fluid.

We're all mad here after all...

As Rhys attempted to bury his doubts and comprehend just what had occurred, he couldn't help but overhear some of the group's words with the reformed White Rabbit. The way they were acting? Absolute rubbish. One of them even had the gall to mock the one who had just saved their lives! Granted, the Rabbit was the cause of them being brought here against their will, other than that though, the White Rabbit had done nothing to deserve this. Composing himself, he addressed the mimic and the one who had gotten aggressive with the Rabbit earlier.

"Is it possible for you two to show even a shred of tact? Respect perhaps? He just saved our lives and this is how you treat him? Petty mockery and violence? Quit acting like children." a tone of annoyance ringing out as he shot the pair an icy glare.

With that said, Rhys turned his attention to someone he didn't recall from the clearing escape, he'd been consoling the blonde boy who tried to play the part of leader. Perhaps Rhys had just not seen him after the groups landing? Carrying as much persuasive poise as he could muster, Rhys walked over to the unfamiliar gentleman and spoke.

"I agree wholeheartedly, save for him being guilty of the boy's... death. Pray tell, why would he bother saving the rest of us? Isn't he the one responsible for bringing us here? Now if he wanted us dead, he could've left us to be immolated. Yet here we are, untouched for the most part. Thus I believe the giant from earlier is truly the one with his blood on his hands."

He turned to face the White Rabbit as he finished. "Nevertheless... I believe you stated earlier that we'd be told whatever information you could provide once we were safe, we seem to be quite safe in this sanctuary. Now would be as good a time as any for an explanation if you would be so kind."

@The Jest@Avant@EchoicChamber@CronicCrystalis@Crimmy@Petulant@Letter Bee@Duoya@rebthewriter@Etranger@Suku@Windstormugly


This is certainly not my most elegant moment.

Rhys thought to himself as he sprinted towards the others who were fleeing from the 'Black Rabbit', apparently the name of the hulking man from mere seconds ago. While Rhys was nowhere near what one would call athletic, he could run at a surprising speed. He could only hope that the towering brute would not give chase, though that ember of hope was swiftly snuffed out by the White Rabbit. A wave of dread washed over the boy, what was the point in their flight if their pursuer was inescapable? Thankfully, just as quickly as he'd extinguished the boy's hopes the White Rabbit announced that he had a plan for such a contingency. All they had to do was run.

A way to escape the inescapable?

Rhys considered just how impossible that sounded as he narrowly ducked a low hanging branch. If they had indeed fallen down the rabbit hole, than the very concept of impossibility should be thrown out the metaphorical window. Wonderland was a world of madness and strange occurrences, by it's very nature anything would be possible. There was way to outrun the beast, but how?

He was ripped from his concentration by the familiar tense voice from earlier uttering a single word, turning to look over his shoulder.

"Ragnarok."

As if in response to the titan's command a great flame was born, and only then did Rhys realize that there was one missing from their group. He looked back in horror as the one who failed to run was utterly obliterated by the all-consuming inferno. Trees, grass, everything around the beast had been immolated to nothing but ashes. Rhys pried his eyes away from the grisly scene and redoubled his efforts to keep running. The shockwave from the great conflagration carrying with it a scorching reminder of their pursuers terrible power. If he stopped, even for a mere moment, he could end up sharing the same fate. In that moment, the danger of Wonderland became clear, each tree root could cast him unto oblivion if he tripped.

In vain, he attempted to suppress the outright fear rising within, but he found no success, save for barely keeping up his facade. The panicked cries of the others reaching him, but truly not being heard.

A flash of red stole his attention, as a girl with mouse ears quickly overtook his pace and directed the group to follow her. She was presumably, one of White Rabbit's associates? Perhaps a part of the plan to escape the murderous giant chasing them? Rhys could only hope as he complied and followed the mouse girl's lead. Composing himself as best as he could Rhys would shout to the rest of the group.

"Panic is our nemesis in such a situation! It may sound foolish but we need to trust the mouse!"

The reason he said this however eluded him, perhaps he was unconsciously spurred on by the blonde boy trying to take charge. That was irrelevant though, as the only thing that mattered at the current moment was that he kept running.

@The Jest@CronicCrystalis@EchoicChamber@Crimmy@Petulant@Letter Bee@Duoya@rebthewriter@Etranger@Avant@Suku@Windstormugly


As he stood expectantly awaiting the information he'd just requested, Rhys could not help but wonder about the reason that this group of people had been brought here. Surely there was an explanation, such an event rarely occurred as the result of pure and whimsical chance. Why us... There must be some significant reason behind this gathering... His self-interrogation was cut short by a new voice questioning if the Rabbit could even be trusted in the first place. Rhys could not help but internally sigh as he heard the other voice's question, looking the Rabbit over as he thought to himself.

Though his appearance and demeanor are admittedly... strange, He is our only source of knowledge in a completely alien world. I'd rather hear what he has to say for himself first before being blindly skeptical of his intent.

Aside from that, he was the White Rabbit and if they were truly in Wonderland... he would be amongst the least of threats to them. Almost as if on cue the Rabbit spoke his piece... and subsequently dodged the questions he was asked. Opting to instead give the group a piece of largely useless information, along with the proclamation of an imminent threat and the need to get away. Butter Daisy Forest didn't exactly sound like the most grandiose of names, especially for a place called Wonderland. Regardless of that, the threat of an immediate danger was far more prevalent than paltry naming conventions. Though before Rhys could ask just where this safety was, yet another voice unrecognized by him chimed in and declared that the group should not move until the Rabbit had given them a reason to trust it.

Rhys simply looked on as the disagreement between the two rapidly devolved into full on yelling from one party. He looked to the source of the other voice, a boy likely his age. His cold green eyes looking the accuser up and down. What was a civil discussion mere moments ago had been plunged into childish bickering. This was not good, discord and doubts would only deliver them unto destruction in this sort of scenario. What they needed was to unify and leave the area before this supposed danger could discover them. Besides, if the White Rabbit turned out to have ill intent, there were many more of them than there was of him.

A sudden thunderous crash near the edge of the clearing brought Rhys to his senses, and he turned to face the sound. What he saw stole the breath from his lungs. From the writhing black abyss that had landed seconds ago emerged a titan of a man who seemed to know the White Rabbit. As the newcomer looked over the group, Rhys's eyes eventually met his and for a brief moment Rhys felt the mountainous man's malefic intentions. It took nearly all of his willpower to not drop his stone-faced charade and remain unflinching, though internally he felt incredibly on-edge.

I suppose that this is the aforementioned immediate danger.

Not long after, the blonde boy from earlier attempted to rally the others first into running, and then into protecting one of the other members of their group. While Rhys was all for getting away from the monstrous man, he wasn't exactly looking to risk his life for someone he'd just met. He watched as a few of the others bolted into the verdant landscape that surrounded them. He wanted to stay and attempt to reason with the creature, yet something in the back of his mind was yelling at him that this was a life and death situation. One false move could end everything if he did not proceed with a degree of caution. Summoning what courage he had, he announced to those who were left in the clearing.

"Stick by skepticism and risk your life, or suspend your disbelief and live. It's not a difficult choice!"

Following that he dashed off to join the others who had already fled.

@The Jest@CronicCrystalis@Loki Odinson@Crimmy@Petulant@Letter Bee@Duoya@rebthewriter@Etranger@Avant@Suku@Windstormugly


The dream always started the same way.

He would find himself trapped in a dark room, with only a door of light at its end to illuminate the strange scene. As he advanced toward it the room itself would try to stop him by doing any manner of things. A previously unnoticed rope might launch towards him and attempt to restrain the boy, or perhaps the room would mysteriously elongate. Regardless of what happened, the dream always ended the same way too. He would finally reach the strange door and right before he could cross its threshold it would slam shut and trap him in blackness. The boy stopped mere steps from the door, awaiting the same fate that had befell him every night. Yet tonight was strangely... different. Upon closer examination the door of light had become a mirror of sorts? The boy's confused reflection stared back at him, before giving way to a scene of a verdant forest overshadowed completely by dreary grey clouds. He expected the door to slam shut and plunge him into the shadows yet again, but instead he felt something yank him through the window and he fell into the outside world.

Rhys opened his eyes shortly after the impact, and his sight was met by the same colossal emerald coloured trees and all encompassing grey clouds. Shifting himself to a comfortable sitting position, he quickly discovered that he was not alone. All around him other people, who were far too intricately detailed in their appearances for them to be mere figments of his mind's creation were also getting up. Most were around his age, perhaps they had all just experienced a similar ordeal? Rhys was content to sit and observe for a short while until a white rabbit showed up and began... speaking to a few members of the group. A talking rabbit... This is either an incredibly vivid dream, or I have truly gone mad. Rhys internally mused as he forced himself to his feet.

Once the ground was beneath his feet once more Rhys noticed yet another oddity. Why was he wearing a white button-up shirt and black trousers? He could have sworn that he discarded these clothes prior to dozing off! It was a trivial annoyance considering the situation, but an annoyance nonetheless. He listened in on the rabbit's conversation with one of the others and caught the mention of the name "Wonderland". He was about to interject before a blonde-haired boy beat him to the punch. He went on about Wonderland and made a few good points. Indeed, if this was the same Wonderland that Rhys was thinking of, there would be weirdness and danger in spades.

After the boy's monologue had ended, Rhys's thoughts drifted back to himself and he noticed a small clump of earth clinging to his shirt. He flicked the soil from his attire and advanced towards the two ladies and the White Rabbit.

"Pardon the interruption ladies, but I do believe that age should be among the least of our concerns right now." He looked towards the supposed "Adult" of the pair before resuming. "Though for the record, you do not look old whatsoever in my opinion." Rhys turned to face most of those who were conscious before continuing, "I have not even the foggiest idea of what has happened to us, but I think we should be focusing on another matter. Rather than bother with the specifics of what, I personally would like to know why." Rhys turned and walked towards the White Rabbit before addressing him. "Pardon my assumption, Mr. White Rabbit. You seem to be the one among us who knows the most about our current state of affairs. If you would be so kind as to enlighten us, that would be greatly appreciated."

@The Jest@CronicCrystalis@Loki Odinson@Crimmy@Petulant@Letter Bee@Duoya@Gummy1295@Etranger@Avant@Suku@Windstormugly




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