MASKTOURN

Enya wakes in a dark, square room. The floor is dirt, but she's sitting on a woven rug. The walls are stone brick, and enclose her on every side. There’s no way in, and no way out. The room is suffocatingly warm, dark and dry. Enya would soon begin to feel thirst clawing at her throat. She'd wake lying on her side, and soon realize she's been restrained- chains tether each of her limbs to the ground, but give her enough range of motion to move her body. Before Enya, sat a small, low table, covered by a rug similar to the one they sat upon. Two oil lamps flicker at either ends of the table, their small lights the only in the room. The only other objects on the table are three small wooden bowls, all filled with an unidentifiable liquid. The first is white, opaque and creamy. The second is glassy and clear, with a slight cloudy, brownish color to it. The third is just as opaque as the first, but is a deep, muddy red in color. Across from the table is the only other person in the room. A young adult. They’re incredibly pale, with skin so light it’s almost translucent in the low light. Their straight, white hair is cut choppily over its brow and shoulders, and it wears a black-and-white tunic draped haphazardly over a shoulder. Their gaze is brilliant-gold and haunting, piercing through the barriers of Enya's mind. The person smiles widely, and finally speaks. Its voice is that of the flaming apparition. “Welcome to the Halcyon Citadel.” @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Enya doesn’t really notice her surroundings all that much at first, a bit preoccupied with the smoke curling in her lungs as she heaves in a dry cough of a breath. Moving gingerly with a grunt she goes to sit up, free strands of hair sticking to her face with sweat. She already runs warm, and she can handle a lot of heat, but this isn’t hers and it’s entirely thrown her off on how to deal with it. As Enya moves, there’s a metal jangle and something pulls at her limbs. The ankle, she’s half-expecting, but the house arrest anklet definitely had not been a metal chain before. Her eyes shoot open wide and she half-scrambles away from it, only to get yanked in the opposite direction by the other chain. Blue sparks crackle up and down her arms. “What the FUCK—“ Cut off by the voice, Enya’s head snaps up as she finally notices the person and table across from her. A mix of fear and confusion and anger all bleeds into her face and she pushes herself backwards on the ground as far as the chains allow. “What the fuck,” she repeats, half in a strangled whisper, chest rising and falling rapidly as dirt begin to faintly char beneath her. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The pale figure didn't seem to react to Enya's outburst, at least not very much. It sits there, still, and watches her. "I suppose I should've expected you to have a firey personality." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Wh— Huh—“ Yeah. Her ass is not processing. “You don’t know me,” Enya shoots back, not quite intending for it to come out sounding as unsure as it does. “Where the hell am I?!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I know you more than you think I do. You mortals are all so... predictable." They scoff. "I told you. You're in the Halcyon Citadel." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

‘Mortals’. Okay. Enya files that under the ‘freak out about later’ category. “Yeah, and clearly that doesn’t mean anything,” she snaps. More sparks are starting to crackle off her arms as she yanks at one of the chains. “This is what, a— a fuckin’ kidnapping or something?!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"More of a ... rapture, if you'll permit the term." It tilted its head to the side. "I've brought you here to compete in my tournament." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Enya’s face pales. She’d been hoping that thing in her room hadn’t said what she thought it said. “Fuck. Off.” She grits out, jaw clenching. “I’m not doing this shit again.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice- or rather, you did, and you already made it." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Wh— I didn’t choose shit! You broke into my fucking house!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Regardless, you are here now. And I'm not of the mind to send you back when I've already gone through all the effort of getting you here." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“You could’ve saved yourself the fucking effort in the first place,” Enya huffs, glaring at the dirt even as she inches backwards a little more. “Once wasn’t enough for this?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

It raised its eyebrows in momentary surprise. "Ah, you're one of the ones from Yeonaixho's little game." They laugh, dryly, from the back of their throat. "Didn't end too well for him, did it?" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“I didn’t bother to stick around,” Enya shrugs, eyes still narrowed. “I actually, you know. Had a life to get back to.” For all the bravado she’s got, the anger is only overriding the fear for now. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I'll tell you. It ended very, very poorly for him. Even in your world, he was an incredibly pathetic man who died an incredibly pathetic death." They seemed very pleases to report this. Their smile widens. "Well, you might have a life now. But that can change." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Maybe he deserved it,” Enya snorts, half under her breath. She’s distracted for a second, the casual mention of her world momentarily enough to stun her into silence, though the following threat quickly reverses that. There’s a sharp crackle of a flame, but she grits her teeth as she bites it back. “What’s that supposed to mean.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I would never suggest he didn't." It replied flatly. "What do you think it's supposed to mean?" They almost laugh. "This is a death tournament. You will die here." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

It takes Enya a few moments to steady her breathing. (Not that it particularly works.) The smell of burning dirt is growing stronger, her nails digging into her palms. “And— A-And what if I don’t.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It is far easier to die than you think it is." It said simply. "I think you will quickly come to the understanding you don't have a choice in the matter." "There is the possibility you win, though. Of course, in that scenario, I would let you keep living. I would even reward you." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

She really doesn’t want to think about what winning would entail doing. That much is pretty clear on her face. “…Why sh-should I believe you. For all I know you’re just some freak locking me up in a fucking dirt basement.” Enya babygirl you cannot rationalize your way out of this one I’m afraid. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

(can I get a divine intuition roll :3 @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫 )

(ah shit i . did not make modifiers. i may need a minute)

(no worries)

(actually yk what enya doesnt know shit anyways im just gonna roll flat lmfao)

11:32 PM

(d20?)

(ye)

em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

used /r

# 15
Details:[d20 (15)]

(impressive)

(this will be her 1 good roll of the tourn)

"You should believe me," It said slowly, "Because I am God." The words are simple, plain. But there's weight to them. Enya would soon notice the gnawing sensation she was talking to something bigger than her. Older than her. Far, far more powerful than her. She was face to face with a, well, honest-to-god deity. "Allow me to finally introduce myself. My name is Naiyta Hauryan. I am the Primal, Nascent Lifebringer." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Enya’s not exactly the religious type. She goes to church when she’s home, because god forbid her mom miss a Sunday and sometimes that post-mass gossip session is worth it, but believing in it always feels like more effort than it really needs. So the small, insignificant feeling that settles over her is entirely foreign, and horrifically unsettling. She bites her cheek, swallowing back the impulsive ‘you don’t look like a god’ comment and trying to pretend like this hasn’t rattled her so much. “So… So what, you..just..don’t h-have anything better to do?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hardly." Naiyta straightens its posture. "This is perhaps, the most important thing I could be doing. There is a grave imbalance within my cosmic domain, and through this tournament I plan on righting it. You should feel honored." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“Honored,” Enya repeats, almost sarcastically, half-stunned by the suggestion. “You can’t just fix it yourself? Some god.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Even I occasionally require sacrifices." Naiyta hummed. "Would you prefer I just killed you outright? Because that's the alternative." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“I’d— prefer not dying. You’re not my god, I— I don’t owe you anything.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"That isn't an option. Unless you can win." It shrugged. "This isn't a matter of anyone owing anything. It's just how things ended up." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“You’re telling me a god believes in fate?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. But I believe in will- my own will. I brought you here, and here you are." They shrugged. "If my controlling you counts as any kind of predestination, then so be it. But that's never been my domain or interest. I'm less concerned with the future than I am the past." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No. But I believe in will- my own will. I brought you here, and here you are." They shrugged. "If my controlling you counts as any kind of predestination, then so be it. But that's never been my domain or interest. I'm less concerned with the future than I am the past." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

@em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Controlling you. Ugh. Enya hates the way that’s phrased. She grimaces as they continue. “That sounds like kind of a shit way to live.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Maybe so. Though, at least I know I'll last forever." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

An involuntary shiver crawls down Enya’s spine. She’s still trying to play off her fear, but she’s wavering. “Seems like a lot of future to be concerned about with that.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's not like I have to fear death. Or anything, really." It shrugged. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Reassuring. Enya…doesn’t really have a comeback for that. She bites back a wince as she maneuvers into more of a sitting upright position rather than a half-sprawled on the ground one, though still doing her best to be as far away from Naiyta as physically possible. “..Why even bother with the ‘imbalance’ o-or whatever then?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Just because I no longer expirience mortal fear does not mean I don't know what's good for my realm and domain. I am not a fool." It scoffed, still not breaking eye contact with Enya. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Enya, on the other hand, is very much trying to avoid eye contact. “…..Right.” She doesn’t exactly sound like she believes it, but at least she’s not saying as much out loud. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Regardless, I tire of these... platitudes and niceties." They hummed. "Do you have more questions, or shall we move on?" They gestured to the bowls. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Doesn’t really feel like niceities. But Enya digresses. Her gaze follows the gesture, and her nose wrinkles as she notices the bowls for the first time. “Um. Does it count if it’s a question about..that?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I might not have an answer for you. But you can try." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

“ . What the fuck?” (In the sense of, more or less, what the fuck is that and why does it seem so ominous?) @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'll have to drink one." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Enya squints. “…Whhy.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Your body has to acclimate to the realm. So you must drink." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

That doesn’t sound suspicious at all. “…..And what is it exactly?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You'll have to find out." @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫 (you can roll wis to figure each out tho)

(once or 3?)

(3 wis rolls)

1

(im just gonna do these 123 rq before i go to bed lol)

11:01 PM

#1

em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

used /r

# 9
Details:[d20 (9)]

#2

em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

used /r

# 9
Details:[d20 (9)]

what the fuck

11:02 PM

#3

em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

used /r

# 11
Details:[d20 (11)]

Enya would only be able to identify the last bowl- and it was blood. Rank and ominous and definitely, definitly blood. The fleshy smell might even be familiar to her. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Yeah, it’s pretty familiar. Enya chokes back a gag as the smell hits her out of nowhere. “Christ…” She mutters, squeezing her eyes shut momentarily with a shaky breath. “Scratch that. Don’t think I wanna know anymore.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It doesn't concern me either way. All I care is that you drink." Naiyta shrugged. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Awesome. Great. This is normal. Enya bites the inside of her cheek, apprehensively glancing between the two other bowls that she can’t quite make out, and pointedly avoids even looking at the third option. It just feels like an all-around bad idea, but what can she really do about it? Without saying anything she reaches for the first bowl. Here goes nothing. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta watched without comment as Enya drank. The first bowl was goat's milk! It was kinda warm from being sitting there in the room, but it was creamy, and kinda sweet, and overall pretty normal. yum. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Despite the sweetness, Enya’s face stays pretty scrunched up the entire time. She’s never had goat’s milk before, but at least she can tell it’s some kind of milk. Good thing she never did go full vegan. (Also doesn’t help that it’s really hard to act like there isn’t a bowl of blood sitting a few feet to her right.) The bowl settles back on the table with a faint rattle. Enya sits awkwardly silent for a second or two more before asking, “So.. That’s that?” All things considered she’s done a pretty good job of pretending this is completely normal and totally fine. It definitely won’t come back to get her at the worst possible time later on. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta rose to their feet. "That's it." They stepped over the table to where they could stand over Enya. @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

Oookay, that’s too close. Enya’s eyes widen and she tries to scoot backwards as much as she can. “Hey, wait—“ @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Before Enya could move too far away, Naiyta planted their hand on her forehead. "It really has been nice talking to you, but I think we should both move on-" @em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

used /r

# 15
Details:[d20+5 (10)]

@em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫 def

em || enya 💥 + kenji 🌫

used /r

# 12
Details:[d20-3 (15)]

(U can have one last post b4 she's knocked out)

Yup. Way too close. Blue flames spark into life with a sharp crackle across her shoulders as she flinches at the touch, though it seems more like a startled impulse reaction rather than any sort of actual attack or defense attempt. Her head slumps forward, tensed muscles loosening as consciousness fades, and though the flames don’t spread, they take some time to go out on their own. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Goodnight!

1