forum Trapped in the Encante | o/o or small group? closed

Started September 01, 2022 by @Tired-but-passionate

tune

It was a warm night, the full moon shining down upon the shifting jungle. Magic wove itself into the DNA of every living thing, keeping every alive and strange. Many creatures lived here, both dangerous and benevolent. They waited in the shadows, or watched the stars above. This place was not meant to trod by those who had no magic woven into the fabric of their cells, who’s destiny was to have their bodies deteriorate by natural means. No, this was the land of the immortals, where no pain, illness, or death lived, where riches and magic filled the soil. Where the very air sought to infect anything unlike itself. Where creatures and deities alike hungry for something mortal to devour.
As was said, only the full moon shined to illuminate the area. Fireflies may have flickered here and there. A narrow dirt path lead off into the jungle, and a slow melody rose in the air…

Toshiaki was late getting home one night and decided to make a jog back to her place when..she heard a beautiful melody being sung down a mysterious path she hadn't seen before.
She moved to just jog past it but for some reason she felt as if she had to find whoever wad singing the melody.
She moved almost as if in a trace towards where she heard the music, walking down the pathway into the jungle, looking around as she did so.
She moved to push vines and tree branches out of the way, well the one that's actually reached her given how short she was.
She continued forward as she tried to listen to the melody that was being sung.

As she listened, she began to hear another sound, blending and mingling with the hauntingly beautiful melody. It wasn't the same tune, but a harmony line, more of a countermelody, giving gentle contrast to the singer's song.

A person came walking through the woods just then. He was a little man, about 5ft tall, with long blonde hair and bright eyes. He was leaning on a walking stick, and he was whistling. The whistle was the harmony, woven together with the melody from the unseen singer.
He winked at Toshiaki as he walked by, taking a turn and looping back into the trees, still whistling.

(Please lemme know if this doesn't fit what you're looking for. He'll appear as other things, like in the mythology, just thought I'd give the flavor I'm going for here)

Although the original melody seemed loud enough to be nearby, its source was deep, deep in the jungle. It rose up from a rushing river that appeared tranquil and unassuming, but secretly held immortal creatures hungry for a taste of mortal flesh. The queen of this river rested on its bed, weaving her song from the waters of the river and the undulating flesh of her larynx. She knew a mortal when she sensed one, and she would have it all to herself. She had claimed it the moment her song reached the mortal’s ears. No one would get in her way, if they didn’t want to face the consequences. The queen laid in wait, eager for her prey to come to her.

She blinked, before moving to rub her eyes and chase after the blonde man, who was still technically taller then her from how short she was.
"Wait-!" She called after him, hearing his whistle blend into the melody she had heard before, and was still currently hearing. Looking at her surroundings she realized she had gotten distracted from her run and gotten lost.
Hopefully this guy, whoever he was could help her get out of this foresty area.

The man stopped on his tracks, and turned to face her. "Can I help you?" His voice was lyrical, something about the lilt of his words exuding friendliness and warmth. He smiled at her, an impish expression, and began shuffling to the tune still being sung, whistling while he waited on a response. It was almost as if he couldn't hold still from all the energy coursing through him.

She was a bit speechless for a few moments before shaking her head to try and get a grasp on what she wanted to ask. “Uhm…where is this place exactly?”

The little man did a spin, and held his hands out as he did, gesturing at the jungle around them.
"Where is this place exactly?" He laughed, a mischievous, melodic laugh that seemed to echo through the trees and plants.
"Why, this place is everywere and nowhere, exactly! It is right here and now, as well as yesterday and then, and it can be tomorrow and never, if you like." He stopped spinning to look her in the eyes, his bright, energetic orbs burning into her very being.
"It is everything you want it to be and nothing you expect it to be." His voice lowered all of a sudden, the words coming out soft, almost like a warning. "It is where all of your nightmares and all of your dreams meet and shake hands in the moonlight." He stared at her for a moment, before giving a small laugh and resuming his dance.
"In short, just your average jungle!"

She looked at him as he spoke, confused by his words and his dancing. She frowned as he laughed about all his confusing words and just moved to look around the area before being drawn back to looking ag him.
"Yes but, how do I leave? I seem to have gotten a bit lost.."