humiliatious | Cursed Night Market

Entry tags:

event,
night market

Cursed Night Market

Welcome

You’re not sure how you got here, but you don’t seem to mind. You feel a pervasive sense of calm with regard to your environment. You have entered what appears to be a night market. Perhaps the concept is familiar to you, or perhaps it isn’t. Colorful stalls, glowing with lantern light, line the path before you. You know what you need to do to return to where you came from. Investigate the various stalls - buy and sell what you have, until you’re able to purchase a path back. The merchants will take any currency that you have on hand. If you don’t have any, you will find some coins of an ambiguous nature in your pocket.

Rare Items

The first stall that you encounter boasts that you can buy and sell rare items. After trading a coin, the merchant hands you something - insists you take it. You don’t recognize the item, but the person behind you does. It is something extremely dear to them. If they check their person, they will find the item missing. If you attempt to return the item to them, you will find that you are unable to. Helpfully, the merchant offers that the person the item belongs to must tell the buyer a story about the item before it can be returned.

Fortunes

The second stall you encounter claims to buy and sell fortunes. Trading a coin, the merchant will relay to you a fortune, but, as you listen, you realize that it isn’t your fortune at all. With a cackle, the merchant explains that you must deliver the fortune with the person behind you. Neither of you can leave the booth until you have revealed to them their future.

Memories

The third stall you encounter claims to buy and sell memories. You can choose to sell the merchant a memory you would like to forget, or you can ask to buy someone else’s memory. Selling your memory will transfer it to the person behind you. In return, you will gain one of their memories. Buying a random memory will instead cause you to forget one of the people most important to you. In some instances, you might feel a great urgency to find someone, although you don't know who it is.

Dreams

The fourth stall you encounter claims to buy and sell dreams. Trading a coin at this stall will cause you and the person behind you to be transported into a shared dream. The dream may be about the highest point in your life or the lowest. It may also be about a close friend, there or gone. It may reveal your greatest desire or your greatest insecurity. Or any number of other things!

OOC notes

Suggestions on prompts: if you’re going to write one where someone will be seeing/receiving something from your character, it’s helpful to describe it in detail in the brackets in your TL. I know some of these prompts are probably a little confusing, but, I mean…it’s roleplay. Just fuck around. No one’s gonna police how you do things here.

Please feel free to top-level, tag in, and share this meme wherever you’d like - it is open to anyone. The four stalls mentioned are prompt suggestions, but you can go crazy and have any stall do basically anything you want. Please see/use subject line CWs. This musebox doesn’t have a dedicated rule list because it’s just for my personal shit, but please be kind, follow standard RP rules - just be nice! Do the right thing! If you have any questions, hit me up here.

code by Flyleaf ❖ inspired by event code by 10billionghosts ❖ background via unsplash

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[ Ah. ]

[ She holds him a little tighter in turn, and she feels like she's choking, like her ribcage is squeezing her heart, threatening to burst. ]

[ You have done nothing that needs forgiving, she wants to say, but that's not entirely true, is it? What he shared just now... His acceptance of Eren's burden. He would have done it, wouldn't he? If Eren had just asked for their help instead of pushing them away... Is that what he wants forgiveness for? ]

[ He didn't. ]

[ But he would have. ]

[ She's not sure about herself, either. In some world, in some reality, perhaps it would have been all three of them against the world. ]

[ Can she forgive Eren? All that death and trampled lives? She doesn't feel it her place. In death, perhaps she already has; she once said that she only has room in her heart for a few people, and yet, she could not let him continue. Perhaps she can't, but it doesn't make her love him any less. ]

[ Perhaps Armin is talking about the book, about perhaps inadvertently setting Eren on his path of destruction. But Mikasa knows -- feels, perhaps -- better than anyone how unavoidable it was. Even if it never happened, something else would have. Those were the dreams she had, were they not? Visions? A gift from Ymir? She's not sure. ]

...Yes.

[ She mutters into his shoulder, holding him close. ]

Can you forgive me?..

[ It was her hand, after all, that took him away from them with resounding finality -- even if, she supposes, most of Eren had been gone a while before that. ]

Probably not, if this is all a dream.

But if it isn't, then... maybe it's like an omen?

[Mikasa doesn't argue - thank God she doesn't argue, or Armin wouldn't know what to do with himself. As for her question, he doesn't argue either. He knows exactly what she means. Every day, he lives with the guilt of having to aid in Eren's death, but he wasn't the one who had to bring the blade down through his neck, had to carry his disembodied head back to his friends. She'd looked so calm, at the time.

[He presses his nose into her hair, and without thinking, adds a small kiss. She's like a sister to him. He doesn't question it.]

Of course I do. Of course I do...

[Because it's what had to be done. Eren ensured that. Armin still blames himself, and he still blames Eren, but not Mikasa.

[No. Not Mikasa, and not anyone else either. He never would.]

An omen...? Like what kind...?

[ She knows him better than that. And even if she didn't, she would know better than to try to win an argument against Armin of all people. Perhaps it's fitting; all three of them monsters, in different ways. ]

[ Even now, she's subdued in her sorrow, though she lets herself close her eyes for a moment as their embrace holds, accepting his affection if not quite sure how to return it. It's not awkward or out of place. He's the closest family she has left. ]

...I'm glad you're here. Armin.

[ She whispers an absolution, a comfort, because while Armin may feel guilt for not helping or stopping Eren himself as she suspects, if he had done that, one or both of them may not be here either. They could not be having this hug, one she realized she has needed so desperately ever since then. ]

[ If she had to face a world without Eren alone, she's not sure she could do it. ]

[ With Armin still in her world, with his forgiveness for shattering theirs, she may just find the courage for it. ]

[ They owe it to him. And they can remember. ]

I'm not sure, yet. The fortunes didn't really say much. We may have to explore a bit more to find out.

[ That will always be the catch with Maruki: Such an overabundance of kindness that it hurts in the end, one way or another.

He stays settled next to Armin, a pillar for his grief to rail against, unmoving but far from unmoved. He's been there... or somewhere similar enough. The hand at Armin's shoulder moves to rub up and down his back, slow and steady, as those sobs tear through his body with a violence.

It doesn't matter how long it takes. Maruki won't move, won't say a word to try to put a stop to it. He ought to be allowed to feel this, wretched as it is.

One thought does float through the back of his mind: It wasn't long ago that such a display would have him mentally scrambling to root out the cause of the suffering. Things really have changed. For the better? He's still not sure. ]

[ That earns Eren a light punch to one shoulder as Maruki huffs a laugh that quickly turns to a relieved sigh. ]

Don't be a little shit.

[ Do. Please. He's missed it, whether it's been minutes or years since he last experienced it.

A glance at the food stall then. ]

Imagine if it was stew...

[ He can't stop himself from reminiscing! He's so painfully fond. Help. ]

[ Being outside of Tokyo, outside of the Metaverse, outside of the comfort of his Palace with the collective unconscious at his fingertips is unsettling, to say the least. The only assurance Maruki has that his life's work hasn't crumbled back in their true reality is Azathoth's docile serenity at the base of his skull. Surely, if catastrophe was befalling their ideal world, it would not be silent. They would be tearing holes through the fabric of reality together to fight their way back.

But they're not. It's fine. Just a strange night market, just a series of stalls with promises that almost mock him.

And a boy, short and slight, approaching him like he needs his help.

That's how most everyone approaches Maruki, after all.

His eyes are warm, his smile gentle. ]

Hi there. What seems to be the trouble?

[ Surely there must be some; he looks ready to fall apart. ]

[ Sparks of indignation course up through his bloodstream; Keating's handwriting isn't shit, and the least this asshole could do is try to pretend he's literate, but– screw it.

Charlie tips his chin up, jaw setting in place. He doesn't need to look at the book to recite it. He keeps eye contact with Prokopenko the whole time. ]

I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately.

[ The whole group of them, cloaks whipping in the autumn wind as they clambered through trees and over rocks until they found their way to a cave that never felt too small. Neil's voice, reading these very words, resonant, sonorous. ]

I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.

[ Neil's eyes bright with defiance after the phone call from god, turning his anger outward, for once. He only ever did that for Charlie. With everyone else, he buttoned it back up, aimed for his own heart. ]

To put to rot all that was not life.

[ Class, homework, Society meetings, rowing, soccer, lunches, dinners, the annual, rehearsals, week in, week out. The months flew by. Neil's face a blur of constant motion throughout. ]

And not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.

[ Puck in a crown of thorns, hoisting himself up like Christ onto his father's cross. He's good, he's really good. Snow and silence. ]

[Armin does plan on keeping it, but he doesn't say so. He addresses Saelfen's concern, instead.]

With all due respect, I have to disagree. After all, this isn't your usual market at all. People here deal in dreams, memories - items that you know, like that mirror. It has value beyond money-- Ah. Well, that can be both a positive and a negative thing.

Point being, if you've been given that item, and the way home is through buying and selling, the only logical conclusion is that selling that mirror would get you a step closer.

[It's such a dissonant thing, talking to him like this.

It hadn't taken a lot of testing to figure out that Maruki's timeline didn't match up with his own, even if Akira still doesn't understand the how. In this market where the fantastical is real and the calm is ever present, however, he has less of a pressing need to question it. The only thing it's meant is that he's played his cards as close to the chest as he ever has, until this particular moment threatened the equilibrium of it.

Maybe one part of it doesn't change that much, though. Even without the market's influence, Akira thinks he'd still be a little too calm, just enough sad.]

You have good things in your future. [His fingers are pressed to the table. The World stares at him upright, like someone's cosmic joke.] You'll heal from an old hurt that's weighed down your steps. And after, you'll go on a journey that fulfils you at every turn, meeting more people than you can name.

[Something loosens in his chest to recount it. He hadn't doubted, but it's still good to have the confirmation that he'll be okay, after it all.]

Then I suppose we have to go and see what else this place has for us.

[pause]

...However, I have to admit, I'm not even sure where to start. [That and he doesn't want to go around talking to a bunch of people he doesn't know!]

[Kel throws his hands up in (half-)playful surrender, exasperated. Not an unfamiliar comment, that.]

I need coin, I look for coin. Vendor offers coin, I do what vendor wants to get coin.

[He reaches for the nearest jug and plops it on the counter between them, as roughly as the glass allows without breakage.]

You gonna buy or what?

[Asriel lets go.
[Basil’s not surprised.

[He can recognize a fake smile when he sees one; hell knows Basil wears one (used to) all the time. That’s familiar.
[“I won’t die.”
[But that....]

You… won’t? [It’s a small question, ever uncertain. How can anyone say that…?]

To get out of here of course, BB supposes if you want to sell her a memory of yours she may take that instead. [ BB lets out a huffing noise, looking over at Soundwave and his seemingly disinterest at her very COOL KEY!! OKAY!! ] The Quaint Helmet wont help you get out of here, unless you know how to? BB will be very surprised, but not too surprised, since she knows what you are capable of.

Only because you are BB's friend she can help this one time, but if you want anything else or need help from anyone else. BB won't be able to pitch in - ya know ~ ✰? [ Humming along to the shop's tune, she places both of her fists on either side of her hips. Looking Basil over curiously, she sees that he is nervous and unsure what to do next. ] This is the Night Market, a place where you can find just about anything you can dream of - but have to give something of yourself in turn.

[Akira pauses, his fingertips still pressed to the table.]

...That's an interesting answer.

[This fortune is confusing, tumultuous, good, bittersweet. There's love in it, and there's pain in it. It's hard for him to make sense of without the teller's influence, because he isn't as skilled at reading it on his own... but he's more inclined to think there's no trickery involved here and this is who it really belongs to, if Eren speaks about it with such conviction.

The Hanged Man, boxed in by the Wheel of Fortune and The Tower. He can't quite remember it now, but he wonders if Chihaya got something similar when she told Akira death was on his doorstep.]

You seem pretty convinced about the future. Have you had your fortune read before? Or maybe you're skilled at reading it yourself?

Anything.

[He grips his hands tight, too tight; so does he. They both hear it. They both know it.

[Basil shakes his head, too. Eyes wide, wild with… fear, is it? Is that what’s making him sick? No…]

Th-there’s nothing else to say! [Someone will be grieving tonight.] It’s just bad! And it doesn’t have to be bad! [Tighter.] It doesn’t! [Tighter, leaning closer…]

I know you won’t leave me, Sunny.

[No matter what Basil has to do.]

It's...

[He stops. Reflexively grabs at the place where the glove should be, even if his pocket is empty and it comes up with nothing.

Wouldn't it sound crazy to someone else if he described it? Akira is certain that he felt it there only moments before he saw it appear in the hand of the young man in front of him. And yet...

The best thing he could do... That would probably be to fudge the truth a little, make it sound more normal and not quite so alarming. That's simple enough to do, at least.]

Yes, it's... almost identical to one I received from a friend. [Something that feels a little odd to say, too true and not true enough.] I haven't been able to find it since I got here.

Almost anything.

[That correction done, he reaches for a jug and plops it across the counter. It’s not terribly heavy, give or take an extra few pounds for that thick glass. But for one at a time? Sunny can handle it.]

I think our next point of business is gonna be finding a way out of this place. With milk. [A beat.] You see any wheelbarrows around here?

[A glove this man recognizes, and a glove that he's found missing from his pocket - absolutely no coincidence there. Armin doesn't believe it for a moment. Someone is toying with them, but in a place like this, he's learned, that's no surprise.]

Maybe it just got misplaced, then. [And he tries to pass the glove back.

[He can't. The merchant cackles. They're told the price. "Don't you want to tell him a story about that glove, boy? You may just find it back in your pocket if you do."

[Armin glances just barely over his shoulder at the mysterious figure. His lips draw in a tight line. Then, he looks back to Akira, apologetic in the way he locks their gazes.]

Whatever you'd like to tell me. [He's not prying - not intentionally.] To be clear, if my experiences elsewhere tonight are any indication, this won't be optional.

You're getting us...into a really dairy situation.

[He takes the jug. It's open...]

This stinks...

Heheh, don't worry.... It's complicated. But... Monsters like me are special. They live life differently than a lot of humans do.

( He doubts that much'll change for him when he ends up home. Not that he's in a rush to go back, either.

Ah, he didn't tell Basil that he was a monster. But then, he didn't ask either. )

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Cursed Night Market

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gently puts a mcrib in his mouth

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deep breath bear with me thirdsem maruki takes such a different brain

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i wish i hadn't rng'ed this

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gag

actual tag (😇)

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POST-CANON TALKATIVE SUNNY CAN U BELIEVE IT

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