T̷h̷e̸ ̵G̶a̴m̸e̵ - A VR Role-play

[TamingMaster]

An awkward, chilly silence spread between them after Damir described Nina’s appearance to him. Evan’s mouth was pinched in a tight ripple as he read the disparity in Damir’s expression. He knew exactly what he was feeling right now, and it was only appropriate to help locate Nina.

Evan fiddled with zipper on his cross pack as he turned in the direction of where he entered the alley from.

“Uh.. I guess we should backtrack then? Maybe we can search for Nina around the train depot.. it’s a pretty large and noticeable landmark.” He murmured thoughtfully, carefully giving a glance at Damir who didn’t seem to be in the best condition.

“Are you going to be okay? Do you want to rest up a bit before heading out?” Evan asked sincerely before seeking out some kind of sitting arrangement in the alley that wasn’t busted or a soiled cardboard box. He managed to find a sturdy milk crate and set it down in front of Damir, hoping he didn’t feel like he was pressuring him to take a seat.

“Oh- and my name is Evan, by the way.”

Damir nodded, agreeing with Evan. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe she'll be waiting there. Maybe I-I just missed her and she's still there."

Damir gave it a minute of thought, then decided to take him up on his offer to have a short rest, before they went off to find Nina.

He carefully sat on the crate, cautiously lowering his weight onto it until he was fully seated. "Thank you."

He pulled up his trouser leg, unclipping his prosthetic leg and leaning it up against himself. Some of the scarred skin on his leg was broken, but not enough to cause too much trouble for him.

"Ah, s-sorry, I'm Damir." He introduced himself, wondering if he should've offered a handshake or not. "It's nice to meet you... Despite the circumstan-"

CLUNK.

Their peaceful alleyway conversation was interrupted by a little metal robot, which had fallen from somewhere on the building beside them.

After the initial shock, Damir looked up at Evan, then back down at the robot.
It had kept most of its shape, but was missing a few parts, and didn't seem to be working.

Damir shuffled forward on the milk crate, slowly picking it up and inspecting it.
He was sure he could fix it, even with his limited equipment, but he didn't know if he should. "Do you think it's dangerous?"

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

"Yeah," Fabian replied, keeping somewhat close to the river's soft banks. "We'll follow along the river for a while, see if it takes us anywhere."

They were hoping for some kind of life, other than insects and Lyra, that could help them out of whatever messed-up place they'd ended up in.

They walked slowly, listening to Lyra chatter away. If they weren't so stubborn, they'd probably find her comments a little funny, in a way.

Fabian carefully reached out, tilting Lyra's hand, with which she was holding the lid of the tin. On it was a tiny red plus sign, like you'd see on a first aid kit. "I'm guessing it's something medical."
They retracted their hand, taking a few slow steps forward. "Don't try to eat it though."

With their backs to the other biome, they didn't seem to notice how quickly the fog had crept up on them, wrapping carefully around their feet.

In the blink of an eye, the fog rose up, consuming them both. As it rose higher and higher, it started to block out the light.

Fabian took a step back, sticking close to Lyra, so they didn't accidentally get separated. "Lyra? Stick tight, okay?"

They froze as the crawling sensation returned, creeping slowly up their back, brushing against their hair.

Fear filled Fabian's eyes as they locked them with Lyra's, piercing through the thickening fog, and pleading her to check what was causing the crawling sensation.

Lyra nodded as they walked and she continued to talk, mostly to herself but she was sure not to talk too loud that she’d drown out their voice if they decided they ever wanted to speak.
She peered at the Red Cross on the tin that Fabian had pointed out “oh” she laughed “you’re right, would ya look at that.” She shrugged and dabbed some onto her lips, “ooooh ahhh” it stung where her lips were cracked but she heeded their warning and didn’t lick her lips to rid them of the pain.
She noticed the fog had risen and was now covering most of their surroundings, Fabian said something that she couldn’t quite head but they were next to her in a second and she didn’t really fancy being out here alone.
She continued to edge along but stopped when she realised Fabian wasn’t right beside her, she whirled. Panic. It was scrawled all over Fabian’s face and she frowned, then she saw why. A rather large spider was almost top of his head.
This one was so unique when compared to the one who had wrapped her in its cocoon of web.
She observed the yellow bands on the spiders legs and then the tiny hairs that protruded from each. She squeaked when she finally noticed the clicking pincers on its head, “Fabian” she said very carefully “don’t panic but there is a spider about the size of a tarantula on your neck head region.”
She tried to keep her voice steady, this was every reason she had to hate the outdoors, people like her weren’t supposed to be left in the countryside to fend for themselves. That was for the insane people who actually like their annual family camping trips.




(Hope this is ok Taming master, wasn’t really sure what to make it)

 

[TamingMaster]

Lyra nodded as they walked and she continued to talk, mostly to herself but she was sure not to talk too loud that she’d drown out their voice if they decided they ever wanted to speak.
She peered at the Red Cross on the tin that Fabian had pointed out “oh” she laughed “you’re right, would ya look at that.” She shrugged and dabbed some onto her lips, “ooooh ahhh” it stung where her lips were cracked but she heeded their warning and didn’t lick her lips to rid them of the pain.
She noticed the fog had risen and was now covering most of their surroundings, Fabian said something that she couldn’t quite head but they were next to her in a second and she didn’t really fancy being out here alone.
She continued to edge along but stopped when she realised Fabian wasn’t right beside her, she whirled. Panic. It was scrawled all over Fabian’s face and she frowned, then she saw why. A rather large spider was almost top of his head.
This one was so unique when compared to the one who had wrapped her in its cocoon of web.
She observed the yellow bands on the spiders legs and then the tiny hairs that protruded from each. She squeaked when she finally noticed the clicking pincers on its head, “Fabian” she said very carefully “don’t panic but there is a spider about the size of a tarantula on your neck head region.”
She tried to keep her voice steady, this was every reason she had to hate the outdoors, people like her weren’t supposed to be left in the countryside to fend for themselves. That was for the insane people who actually like their annual family camping trips.


(Hope this is ok Taming master, wasn’t really sure what to make it)

(That's fine! I left it open-ended so you could make it whatever you'd like!)

Fabian's hands rushed up, forceful brushing the spider off their head as they stumbled back.

As they flung it into the thick fog, they bumped straight into Lyra, knocking her to her hands and knees.

They shuddered, struggling to keep their own balance from the collision, before making their way over to help Lyra back to her feet. "Sorry about that..."

As Fabian reached out, they glanced down at the floor, which looked like it was rippling. Slowly, they got closer, crouching down slightly, before realising just what they had been looking at.

Thousands of bugs desperately crawling over one another, legs flailing as they searched for things to grasp at.

Fabian's expression quickly twisted into one of pure horror as they retracted, trying to put as much distance between themself and the wriggling ground below.

They took a step back, but their footing was misplaced along the bank of the river, and the muddy ground gave out, allowing gravity to drag them down.

On their way down, their own flailing limbs caught hold of Lyra, taking her by a straying elbow and dragging her into the water with them.

The water, although looking calm on ther outside, held a heavy and ferocious current, dragging them quickly down the river.

Fabian held their breath, trying to keep track if where Lyra was, as well as some kind of exit point.

The current yanked their coat away, sending it far down river, daring to try the same with their bag. But Fabian held tight, barely fighting the current.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

Theodore was resting soundly. It wasn't a dreamless sleep though- his mind was carefully grazing the corners of home.
Of Aella and her shop, of the way she always sang. Low and calming. Of her intense presence, of the gentleness behind her touch despite how much power she possessed.
Of rapid half Spanish, half English shouted up and down the halls as Ciro ran after the wolf that escaped his sight. Of Ciro, and the way he was so patient and determined, even when Aella brought a scrawny, abandoned little Seer to his doorstep.
Of the quiet nights spent with Hana, watching her with her katana, the preciseness and fluidity of her movements. Of the times listening to her many stories, her quiet and gentle voice.
Of the heat, of the delicious smells and food, of the loud family nights, music and dancing and singing. Of the few days a year the entire "group" was together.
Of comfort, peace. Home.
Home.

I want to go home.

His nose was burning, his eyes stinging. Something sharp was digging into xyr shoulder blade, and there was a blooming ache in the back of their neck.
But the smell-

They lurched upward, coughing and gagging, and finally pausing, dazed.
Where the hell am..I...
He found Zulema's gaze, and froze, staring at her.
"Oh."
Xe looked around, finding a bloody blonde girl slumped on the ground not too far away.
"Oh."
What the hell did he drink, and why did it feel like he has lost several hours?
"Oh. Dammit."
It all came back. The field, the monster, Zulema, the knife, the tea-

The tea.

Xe found Zulema's gaze again. "I'm sorry," they blurted. "That's the last time I ever touch any of your stuff without asking, I'm so sorry- what is that smell?"

Leita took a little longer to wake from her little nap, retching as the smell finally hit her. She reached up, pinching her nose and mouth shut, before noticing Zulema and the now-awake Theodore.

She didn't know whether to be embarrassed for falling asleep or angry at Zulema for leaving her to be attacked, so she compromised and chose to be both.

"What was that stuff?" Leita muttered to herself as she slowly stood up, finding her balance. She took a few cautious steps towards the pair, glancing at Theodore. "Hey."

Her attention was quickly snatched by Zulema's glowing red eyes, which caused her expression to harden. "Why didn't you help me back there? I could've been killed by those things."

She took a few steps closer, her brow furrowed tightly. "And why did they glow like that?"

Leita took a a few steps back, her hand holding her spinning head. She took a deep breath, scrunching her face up as she caught the lingering smell of whatever Zulema had been waving around. "I just don't get it."

Zulema sprawled herself onto the couch opposite of Theo, her legs crossed at the ankles as she looked on Leita disdainfully.

“And you weren’t.” She spoke curtly, flipping the vial seamlessly through the fingers of her right hand.

“I don’t know if you’ve figured it out already— blondie, but we’re not exactly in the reality we’ve known our entire lives. It’s far more intense, deadly, and basically some sicko’s excuse for a game.”

“And besides.. you have three lives, I wouldn’t worry about dying.”

Zulema cocked her head lightly in Theo’s direction and shifted the vial in between her thumb and index finger. Her eyes focused on its contents: shards of grass covered in a strange goop.

“You know, whatever comes from the backside of a hyena.. and no—it’s not poo.” She explained, curling her lip with repugnance before cracking open the window above her and discarding the item into the bush. She dusted off her hands ostentatiously and returned her attention to the two.

“Anyways, it was the best non-lethal option to wake the both of you up instead of waiting out the effects of the Becalm tea.”

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

(That's fine! I left it open-ended so you could make it whatever you'd like!)

Fabian's hands rushed up, forceful brushing the spider off their head as they stumbled back.

As they flung it into the thick fog, they bumped straight into Lyra, knocking her to her hands and knees.

They shuddered, struggling to keep their own balance from the collision, before making their way over to help Lyra back to her feet. "Sorry about that..."

As Fabian reached out, they glanced down at the floor, which looked like it was rippling. Slowly, they got closer, crouching down slightly, before realising just what they had been looking at.

Thousands of bugs desperately crawling over one another, legs flailing as they searched for things to grasp at.

Fabian's expression quickly twisted into one of pure horror as they retracted, trying to put as much distance between themself and the wriggling ground below.

They took a step back, but their footing was misplaced along the bank of the river, and the muddy ground gave out, allowing gravity to drag them down.

On their way down, their own flailing limbs caught hold of Lyra, taking her by a straying elbow and dragging her into the water with them.

The water, although looking calm on ther outside, held a heavy and ferocious current, dragging them quickly down the river.

Fabian held their breath, trying to keep track if where Lyra was, as well as some kind of exit point.

The current yanked their coat away, sending it far down river, daring to try the same with their bag. But Fabian held tight, barely fighting the current.

Lyra let out a muffled ‘Oof’ as she landed on her hands and knees, with a frown she felt the ground wriggling beneath her fingers. “Uhhhhh” rising panic consumed her voice as she scrambled to her feet ignoring the tingling sensation in her hands where just moments ago she had had bugs clinging to them.
She stomped her feet in an attempt to keep the nasty bugs from crawling onto her “only insane people like the outdo-“ she was cut off by Fabian’s arm sending her lurching into the water. With a short shriek she hit the icy water, winded and struggling to drag enough air into her lungs she kicked her legs desperate for any foothold. The current was fast and strong and she had nothing that could possibly keep her from being dragged downstream.
She began to move with the river, she shrugged along until the water became deeper and it went from being up to her chest to being up to her neck. “Ooooh goodness” she mumbled, the icy water numbed her lips and dragged her further towards the jagged rocks that could now be seen pointing out the water.
Her ears were met by a sound that made her blood turn to ice, roaring of water. That could only mean one thing, waterfall. And she was headed straight for it.

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

Leita took a little longer to wake from her little nap, retching as the smell finally hit her. She reached up, pinching her nose and mouth shut, before noticing Zulema and the now-awake Theodore.

She didn't know whether to be embarrassed for falling asleep or angry at Zulema for leaving her to be attacked, so she compromised and chose to be both.

"What was that stuff?" Leita muttered to herself as she slowly stood up, finding her balance. She took a few cautious steps towards the pair, glancing at Theodore. "Hey."

Her attention was quickly snatched by Zulema's glowing red eyes, which caused her expression to harden. "Why didn't you help me back there? I could've been killed by those things."

She took a few steps closer, her brow furrowed tightly. "And why did they glow like that?"

Leita took a a few steps back, her hand holding her spinning head. She took a deep breath, scrunching her face up as she caught the lingering smell of whatever Zulema had been waving around. "I just don't get it."

Zulema sprawled herself onto the couch opposite of Theo, her legs crossed at the ankles as she looked on Leita disdainfully.

“And you weren’t.” She spoke curtly, flipping the vial seamlessly through the fingers of her right hand.

“I don’t know if you’ve figured it out already— blondie, but we’re not exactly in the reality we’ve known our entire lives. It’s far more intense, deadly, and basically some sicko’s excuse for a game.”

“And besides.. you have three lives, I wouldn’t worry about dying.”

Zulema cocked her head lightly in Theo’s direction and shifted the vial in between her thumb and index finger. Her eyes focused on its contents: shards of grass covered in a strange goop.

“You know, whatever comes from the backside of a hyena.. and no—it’s not poo.” She explained, curling her lip with repugnance before cracking open the window above her and discarding the item into the bush. She dusted off her hands ostentatiously and returned her attention to the two.

“Anyways, it was the best non-lethal option to wake the both of you up instead of waiting out the effects of the Becalm tea.”

Theo was still in a daze, xyr mind far away from the bus, Zulema, and Leita. Caught in the back of his mind, he was trying to See. See past the bus, past the honeysuckle bush, deep into the forest- and that's where it stopped.
It glitched, and their mind went blank. The comforts of home and family were far out of the poor seers reach.

"You're telling me you just made me smell hyena piss?" Theo came to, catching the last few bits of what Zulema had said. He gagged again, lip curling. It was far from the worst substance he had ever smelled or handled- Aella has a knack for selling some of the most disturbing things for potions and spells -but it was still disgusting.

They looked up as the newcomer approached, their presence much more friendly and welcoming towards her than Zulema's. "Hi," xe grinned, extending a hand towards her in greeting. "I'm Theodore."

 

[youngchooklover]

 

[TamingMaster]

Lyra let out a muffled ‘Oof’ as she landed on her hands and knees, with a frown she felt the ground wriggling beneath her fingers. “Uhhhhh” rising panic consumed her voice as she scrambled to her feet ignoring the tingling sensation in her hands where just moments ago she had had bugs clinging to them.
She stomped her feet in an attempt to keep the nasty bugs from crawling onto her “only insane people like the outdo-“ she was cut off by Fabian’s arm sending her lurching into the water. With a short shriek she hit the icy water, winded and struggling to drag enough air into her lungs she kicked her legs desperate for any foothold. The current was fast and strong and she had nothing that could possibly keep her from being dragged downstream.
She began to move with the river, she shrugged along until the water became deeper and it went from being up to her chest to being up to her neck. “Ooooh goodness” she mumbled, the icy water numbed her lips and dragged her further towards the jagged rocks that could now be seen pointing out the water.
Her ears were met by a sound that made her blood turn to ice, roaring of water. That could only mean one thing, waterfall. And she was headed straight for it.

As the river dragged them both towards the jagged rocks and toward the edge of the waterfall, Fabian pushed themselves up through the rushing water, taking a heavy breath in before being dragged under again.

In between surfacing, they caught short glimpses of Lyra also taking deep breaths, trying to stay afloat, before she too was dragged back down.

Their hammer suddenly snagged on a few sharp rocks, hidden in the bottom of the river.

They tried to unhook it, but every passing second forced more distance between Fabian and Lyra, daring to split them apart permanently.

Fabian glanced between their hammer and the flashes of Lyra's orange-tipped hair, before doing the underwater equivalent of an eye-roll and letting go of the handle, giving in to the thunderous flow of the river.

It dragged them down, throwing the pair against the sharp, dark rocks, snagging at their clothes and limbs.

Although Fabian tried to reach out, they couldn't grab Lyra or any of the slippery surfaces surrounding them.

They couldn't do anything, except hurtle towards the edge, choking out water with each desperate breath.

As they were both flung off the waterfall, everything seemed to slow down, almost to a complete stop.

Fabian reached out for Lyra, their eyes filled with concern and urgency, trying to use their powers to protect them from the fall.

But they couldn't do anything.

They were still drained from their fight with an insane thunder cloud, left with barely enough liquid in their body to sustain themself.

I'm sorry. Fabian closed their eyes, not wanting the last thing they see to be something awful, as the fall swept them away.

They didn't know if they had really died the first time around, or how they survived if they didn't - or how many times they could die, if they had died before. They just hoped that they'd somehow survive.

It was a few long seconds before their eyes blinked open again, wondering why it was taking so long to hit the bottom.

Their eyes widened as they realised they were getting further and further away from the ground, floating up.

"Oh," Fabian breathed, looking across to Lyra, who was drifting upwards a little faster than they were. "How...?"

They let out a short chuckle, just glad that they were still kicking, even if it was just floating in the clouds.

Past the top layer of the clouds, surrounded by its own thick wall of clouds, was a fair-sized island, split into sections.

It didn't look like it was attached to anything - no ropes or random poles extending out. It was just held by its own tiny gravity pocket.

Fabian's jaw dropped slightly, peering through air-battered eyes at the layers of composite holding the island's base together. What the hell?

As they were gently lifted safely above the edge, a huge gust of wind pushed them towards the island, at an angle.

They both crashed down, gaining a couple more bruises as they collided with the hard ground.

Fabian landed across from Lyra, rolling to a quick stop, their body aching.

(Feel free to pick the island's biomes/buildings/etc.!)

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Xai was only half-listening to Zayne. They were still trying to recover- from the fear of the kelpies, the adrenaline of running and being dumped in a frozen wasteland, the exhaustion from teleporting. Stiffness was settling into its wounded leg, its heartbeat thrumming steadily place of the wound.

They let their gaze slowly find the mountains behind Zayne. "The clouds don't look good, no." It murmured, frowning. Clearly Zayne was waiting on them to make a decision-

A decision that would result in either their life or death.

"The mountains might be a good idea. Providing we get there before those clouds decide to let loose. Then again, we might not. They seem far away, and if the conditions are anything like this on the way," they beckoned to sheer ice beneath their feet. "Then we might not have such luck."

It shuddered, numbness settling into its fingers, and soon would take hold on most of their limbs. "..we'll try the mountains. It's our only option."
And thus, it started the very slow, very painful, trip forward.

(Idk how I forgot about this, I'm sorry.)

"Cool. coolcoolcool," Zayne said. He cast a weary look to the mountains, before nodding at himself. I can do this. We can do this.

He fell into a step behind Xai, arms wrapped tightly around himself as the wind began to pick up, carrying a few stray snowflakes with it. He paused, tilting his head and raising a hand, catching a snowflake on his fingertip.

"Hey, do you see this?" he asked, offering the snow to Xai. "Doesn't this look weird to you? It's like it's. . . pixelated, or something." Rubbing it between his fingers, he was surprised to find it didn't melt. Instead, it vanished, leaving no trace it was there in the first place.

Eyebrows drawn together, he looked toward Xai. Before either of them spoke, he crouched down, scooping a handful of snow. Much like the lone snowflake, it was icy to the touch but didn't melt in his hand like normal snow would've.

"That's so weird," Zayne said, letting the snow fall between his fingers and brushing the remnants on his shorts. "Like, my hand's fully dry. Isn't that weird?" He stood, glancing at the small snow pile. "Snow shouldn't be like that. Right? Or am I just tripping? I guess it's not the weirdest thing that's happened today."

Looking back to their destination, he grimaced. The clouds were getting closer, and pausing to examine snow was a terrible waste of time. "Sorry, shouldn't've stopped. Let's keep moving."

As they continued to walk, the storm picked up, coating the ice in a heavy layer of snow. If there was one good thing about it all, it would be that now the ice was less slippery. Or at least that's how Zayne hoped snow worked.

Still, the snowflake nagged at the back of his mind. It wasn't the first unusual thing to have happened, and wasn't that suspicious? If it was only one or two things, maybe that would be a coincidence. But with everything that had happened, it was looking more and more like there was something bigger going on.

After stewing on it for a few moments, Zayne gave Xai a sideways glance. "Hey, uh, I don't want to sound paranoid or anything, but has his all seemed weird to you? and not just the "waking up in the middle of nowhere" trash. The snow, the horses, it all just seems so. . ." he trailed off, shaking his head. "Never mind. It's probably just the cold talking."

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Dex existed.

It was a weird thing, really. What is existence? Is it merely being alive, floating through the endless universe on a large rock, or is it something more, like the experience of life? Like eating your mothers Khao Soi, or staying up until dawn to watch the orange hues of the sun as it rises above the sleeping city?

Those were the questions Dex asked himself when found himself stuck in some kind of trap.

“God—c’mon!” He shouted, wriggling upside down by his ankle. He wasn’t sure how he got in this situation. One minute he was walking up a slippery hill, the next he was back in the forest, falling into a conveniently placed booby trap.

He cursed, hitting his krabong against the vine in a weak attempt at breaking it. Just need to get. . . higher. . .

He swung his body, using the momentum to grab his leg. Ears pressed down in concentration, he used his legs as an extension of the vine, climbing up until his fingers brushed against the knot.

Freedom at last. As fun as it was to contemplate life’s existence, he really had better things to do. Like escaping this other trap called trees. Once I’m back home, I’m cutting down all of the trees. I’ll make the biggest bonfire yet.

He hoisted himself up higher, dropping his weapon so both hands could work the knot. However, much to Dex’ absolute rage, the system was rigged, and he didn’t see the spikes in the plant.

He yelped, jerking his hand away from the thorn and stuffing the bleeding finger in his mouth. Oh, it was going to pay. He was going to make it regret growing.

It was only then did he realize he was back to square one, only weaponless this time. He would make a quick and easy snack to whatever creature—or, more concerning, cannibal—that may come along. He only hoped it wasn’t vultures again. He had run into them near the top of the mountain—shortly before falling down—and it only served to cement his dislike of birds.

He crossed his arms, tail swishing in rhythm to the rest of his moving body, as he gave the vine a glare so venomous it would make his high school P.E. teacher proud.

After deciding the glare did nothing, he huffed, flexing his legs in an attempt to get more blood into them. It would all be for nothing if he got out and realized he couldn’t walk because he couldn’t feel his legs. He totally wasn’t just stalling.

Giving another huff, Dex stretched, swinging himself up. This time he caught his ankle in one try, pulling himself up until eye level with the knot. He curled his lip in disgust, before gnawing the vine.

The bitter taste burned his tongue, but he fought past it, digging a fang into the plant until it gave way, plummeting him to the ground with a startled yelp.

Dex groaned, pressing a hand to his ribs. He cursed whoever said cats always land on their feet.

Slowly, he stood up with a wince, collecting his stuff that was now scattered around the ground. Grabbing his krabong, he hit the chewed-up vine. He was about to continue his trek to god-knows-where before he turned, hitting the vine again for good measure. Satisfied, he made his way through the trees, keeping an eye out for more traps.