there's a monster in my closet

[reddosmod]

MAY 2022 EVENT

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Half man, half goat gazing through the sky in front of mountain.]
[Image Two: Deer-like skeletal creature talking in a forest.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Bees crawling out of and over a calm man's cheek.]
[Image Two: Humanoid figure with honeycomb skin.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Skull beside dried flowers.]
[Image Two: Red wilting flowers. ]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

SELF EVALUATION

WHEN: May
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Body horror, heavy themes of dysphoria and body dysmorphia, acceptance of self, forced physical transformations.

---

An excerpt from Book of Bausphomette:

"They say you should walk a mile in someone's shoes before casting judgment. The true rhetoric can be applied to Bausphomette's version of 'self-evaluation.' It shouldn't come as a surprise that a Pthumerian would have a very different idea of self-evaluation than the typical person, but here we are and I'm going to give you a heads up: don't freak out about the fur.

Or scales. Really, it could be anything, but when your body starts to change into something you can't recognize, you're not going crazy and you're not turning into a Beast. Or okay, you're turning into a beast but not a Beast with a capital B. You will be yourself, have your normal personality, your normal thoughts, your normal habits...You just...Won't exactly look like yourself. People have been known to turn into minotaurs or sprout ten wings or become half-goat on top and all fish on the bottom. Either way, you're not going to be physically recognizable.

But you will be yourself. You will just have new vocal cords or have to learn a new means of communication. Telling your loved ones about your sudden transformation might be a bit alarming, but I think that's kind of the point. Bausphomette seems to believe the monstrous transformation will allow people to consider different parts of themselves that are usually hindered by social judgments. Are you really happy with yourself enough to not mind being a beast? How does this impact your relationship with your body? Does your body matter to you as much as you believed? Can you adapt to this new body and come to love it?

Granted, not everyone has hated this process. It has made some parts of life especially exciting...If you know what I mean. Thankfully the process doesn't last! The general idea is that once you have accepted something about yourself you will begin to turn back to your usual body! Of course, for more stubborn folks, this has been known to take a few months...Try not to be too stubborn or resistant to the new change! ...It will only make it worse."

QUICK FACTS 1. Your character can have various monstery attributes during May. They should be monsterous - not cute little ears or a non-distracting tail.

2. The lesson the characters learn can vary greatly and depend on what players choose to explore.

3. Feel free to go as heavy-handed with the body horror. Your character can magically just wake up with the body or go through some painful transformation.

4. Characters should NOT have mental alteration during this period. The point is that they are still themselves regardless of their new appearance.

5. Have the size of the beast be appropriate to the setting's size.

6. Temporary powers can be gained through the beast's body for the month. Do not break the setting.

HUMMING IN THE SKIN

WHEN: May
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Increased bouts of mindless violence, optional insect-based horror, insects in skin, honeycomb in skin, bodies as hives for insects, extreme body horror.

---

An old article clipping was gathered from a newspaper that used to run in Trench. It seems like the rest of the article is missing except for the end:

"And, he said, "They will say that I have shed innocent blood. What's blood for, if not for shedding?"

We do not know what this Sleeper's intent was, but we do know the impact lasted. Reports of symptoms include feeling as though your skin is humming, that there's itchiness you can't quite get rid of like something is always crawling over your skin and around inside of you. Some people claim that this remains a mental only terror that keeps them up at night. Some have been known to scratch open holes in their skin and pull themselves apart just to make sure they aren't filled with bugs. We wish we could say that it was only a paranoid curse, but it seems there is some foundation to the concern.

Some who have gotten cuts or other injuries at this time will discover various insects, but especially bees crawling out from exposed wounds. Once you have gotten an injury, the humming seems to get worse. A descent to madness happens swiftly, but all at once, you become calm and content with the situation. Your skin slowly becomes honeycombed, bees moving in and out of you freely. You become a walking, talking hive.

But of course, that's just the worst-case scenario. For the most part, people who are itching mindlessly seem to be driven to bouts of violence, wanting to get rid of the feeling by randomly attacking those nearby. Strangely enough, the bloodshed during these attacks does not seem to contribute to blood pollution.

Instead, blood shed during this time of month seems to be instantaneously soaked up by your immediate surroundings. The bees from these people have been seen flying everywhere, and instead of collecting pollen, they seem to be collecting blood magic. Either to bring it back to their walking hives or using it for other deeds..."

IMPOSTERS

WHEN: May-June
WHERE: Outside where flowers can be found
CONTENT WARNINGS: Demonic, violent, blood thirsty flowers?? Parasite style monsters.

---

From Plantlife and You: Trench Edition:

"This is a tricky subject as it does not technically have to do with actual plantlife but rather the nefarious imitation of plantlife.

As spring begins be cautious of the plants around you. It might be lovely to see tulips popping open and other spring delights coming to light. We all like to see the splashes of color pop up around Trench, especially after such cold, long months...But be wary.

Among these flowers are insidious imposters. Telling them apart from the original flowers is almost impossible. You can only do your best to be careful around any plantlife you interact with. They look like flowers, but these creatures are demonic beasts who have perfectly cultivated a flawless mimic. Instead of sunlight and water, they soak in the blood of Trench up through their roots. If you pick the wrong flower, blood will squirt out from the roots and vines.

The bees from Sleeper bodies seem intent on pollinating these exact flowers with blood, leaving little bloody streaks in their wake, but the bees jump between normal flowers and the imposters, making it difficult to properly figure out which is which.

I know what you're thinking: okay, so what? They eat blood, big deal, they are just flowers...

Ha! Did you really think it would be that simple? No, no, these imposters will invade your gardens and your homes. Their little vines will wrap around your foot when you're in the garden or taking a walk. It's not evident at first, but it doesn't take much for a flower to grow on your body. Harmless, painless, but they will suck your blood dry. They have been known as silent killers, parasitic, draining you of life and energy and magic slowly but surely.

And the catch is once you have one flower growing on you, more will come, and it can distort your personality and make you feel or act as though you are drunk. Things won't make sense and you won't exactly know how to ask for help. Your only luck is that someone else will notice. Taking the flowers off requires an icy bath or shower and some serious salt scrub. To prevent this in general, you will want to keep your skin covered thoroughly and not allow pollen to brush against you since that's all it takes. Good luck!"

CODING

Comments

[spiritwalks]

[Without another word, Vyng leaps onto the roof's edge with the grace and agility of a long-legged feline, his wild gray hair billowing behind him. In his wake is a short wind gust, which scatters a few leaves across the ground below.

Crouching low now, he creeps up the roof tiles on all fours...until he finds a suitable spot to settle down.

He turns to the other Sleeper.]

I like your wings. Are those new?

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan stares in absolute awe, not just at the fact that this guy jumped up onto the roof like it was literally nothing, but...he's graceful.

He's beautiful.

His brain doesn't come back down into his body until this beautiful, beautiful dude compliments him, and Ryan flushes pink. His wings stretch out and his feathers splay out.]

Y-Yeah! Totally new. I got turned into a siren this month, I guess? It's been a whole thing. I've never had wings before though, no. Tooootally new thing.

[He's babbling. Fuck. Is this what it's been like for everyone who's been under his siren charms all month? Ryan isn't often flustered by pretty strangers, but it isn't really a romantic feeling either. This guy is just so...cool. How does he get this cool?]

I'm Ryan, by the way! Ryan Akagi. I...feel like I've seen you around, maybe?

[Probably around Mouse House or on Raleigh's farm - they seem to travel in similar circles.]

[spiritwalks]

Siren or not, looks like you've got everything under control. [Some form of beasthood, maybe? Either way—] Very impressive. And your feathers? Gorgeous!

[A small stab of jealousy pierces Vyng's gut. But he recognizes the sensation for what it is, quietly acknowledges it...and lets it go with a calm exhale that sends the gills on his neck gently flaring outward.]

Hello there, Ryan. My name's Vyng. It's lovely to meet you.

[If he picks up on his new friend's nervous-excited energy, Vyng doesn't comment on it. Instead, he offers a warm grin.]

You perform at the Raccoon Room, right? My best friend and I occasionally do sets there too. And I miiiight do a tiny bit bartending for fun, heheh.

[chickenchoicejudy]

Thanks, man.

[Ryan's feathers flutter a little at the compliment, but what he really lights up at is the recognition, and the fact that Vyng is another performer.]

Oh! Yeah, I've totally seen you. You guys are really good! I'm there all the time - one half of Chicken Choice Judy right here.

[He points a thumb at himself, unable to resist a small amount of pride in his band. Always hype up the band!]

I, uh. Wouldn't really say I have everything together though? Apparently I've been accidentally, you know...doing the siren thing. To people. It would be cool if it was just the flying? But I've been like, making people lose their minds.

[If Vyng's been to the Raccoon Room any Saturday this month, he's probably seen the headlining act get...unusually rowdy, compared to other performances.]

[spiritwalks]

[Oh hey! Vyng's expression brightens. Somebody who recognizes their band. Tuck will be glad to hear it — then again, a 7-foot tall, 5-foot-wide mountain of a man is hard to forget. His best friend just has that kind of stage presence.]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Chicken Joyce Judy. [A grin.] Great name. Alliterative, also!

[...Which is also alliterative. In any case, he can see why Ryan might be unhappy with siren shenanigans, knowing that it's affecting his friends and audience members.]

Oh yeah, I remember. That dance floor? Was on fire, man.

Did somebody get hurt?

[chickenchoicejudy]

Chicken Choice Judy. Still alliterative though, so thanks!

[He doesn't look offended though - he can't be, when he can't remember the name of Vyng's band at all. They were good, he's just got a swiss cheese memory.

The rest just makes him sigh.]

I don't think so - not seriously anyway? They got thrown out, but it still sucks. Like...if they're going to go wild like that, it should be because they actually like our music, not because I'm like...hypnotizing them or whatever.

[spiritwalks]

Some people just have that affect on the room. [Like Tuck's ex-girlfriend. But that's neither here nor there.] Others are looking for a bit of escapism, even if it's through magical means. I don't think there's anything wrong with giving that to them, as long as you're transparent about it.

[Of course, he knows it isn't always so simple. Vyng regards Ryan curiously.]

Would you still be uncomfortable? If the audience agreed to being bewitched by your band.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Vyng has a good point, but Ryan still has to think about it first.]

...I don't know. Maybe?

[It takes him a second to put into words what's wrong with it exactly, if they consent to it beforehand. He curls up and sinks his chin on his knees.]

It's just...it's something I've worked really hard for, you know? I want to know that people like it because it's good. I...want them to like me because they actually like me, not because they feel compelled to.

[That hits pretty close to the mark.]

[spiritwalks]

It doesn't feel sincere to you, then.

[Vyng hums. Quietly, he adds:]

You say you want the audience to like your work. And you also say you want them to like you. Those are different things.

Why did you learn to play?

[chickenchoicejudy]

[They are different things, though Ryan looks like he's never thought about it that way before. The two go hand-in-hand, as though his music is an extension of who he is as a person, an extra limb.

He has to think about his answer for a moment. He learned for a lot of reasons really, but some are more relevant than others.]

...I've always wanted to. Like, literally. Even before I knew how to play an instrument I was putting on backyard concerts with Min-Gi when we were kids. I don't think there's a time in my life where I didn't know I wanted to sing for the rest of my life? Once I got my guitar it just felt...right, you know? It made sense to me, in a way a lot of other stuff didn't.

[So even if they are different things, his music is linked so closely with everything he is as a person that it's hard to truly separate them.]

[spiritwalks]

[His and Tuck's relationship with music is decidedly different. Tuck picked it up while working as a roadie, until it became the perfect companion for his poetry. For Vyng, it was a skill he developed in order to connect with others. But for some people, it's like they were born to do it. Vyng wonders if Ryan loves music the way his son Billie loves warm croissants and soft blankets.]

Song is its own language. Sounds like that one's always been your favorite, from the time you were tiny.

[chickenchoicejudy]

[Ryan smiles, and it's both big and soft at the safe time. Vyng really hit the nail on the head.]

Yeah, totally. Music's like...everything to me. Especially when me and Min play together.

[It says something entirely different when they play together. The language is more meaningful, no matter what the lyrics actually are.

After a second of thought, Ryan holds out a hand to Vyng.]

Wanna see?

[If Vyng takes his hand, he'll see a short memory of the cutest backyard concert ever, starring Ryan and Min-Gi age 6 years old. It's only about thirty seconds, but it's enough for Vyng to get the idea.]

[spiritwalks]

[Vyng, of course, takes his hand. And what unfolds is...incredible. Never mind the disinterested parents who Don't Get It. Or the siblings lost in their own worlds. Ryan and Min are clearly making their own fun — together — and that's what matters.

His smile broadens at the memory.]

You two were, like. The coolest kids ever. Oh my god, I freaking love that.

[Vyng holds up a "rock on" sign of the horns and starts singing—]

I'm gonna dress my cat in a toque! I'm gonna dress my dog in a toque!