[open] If I could store lightning in jars

[oathkeeper]

Who: Sora & OPEN
Where: The mysterious dark forest that appeared!
When: June 1
What: Bright "fireflies” have been luring gods and shinki alike deep into the forest. People are suddenly drawn to the little spots of light and can’t help but follow. There have been reports of screams and unhappy spirits and people never returning. All you know is that the sun doesn’t pierce the treetops and it’s dark.
Warnings: There's lots of creepy demons and stuff!!


[ A ]

[A sudden cold and heavy rain starts. Light and whimsical at first before it starts to pour down in thick sheets. Gray clouds blanket the sky and the sun is nearly blotted out. The atmosphere suddenly darkens and a chill is in the air.

Through the dark Sora notices some sparks of light somewhere near. They’re like candles flickering and dancing through the haze of the rain. A small smile pulls at his lips as he’s suddenly drawn to them like a moth to a flame. All he wants to do is reach out and touch one. They look like fairies.

You might notice Sora wandering through the rain, a blurry image of him slowly walking just out of your reach. Then he vanishes into the dark forest.]

[ B ]

[Perhaps it is you that got drawn into the bright dancing lights. Pulled into the woods as it makes your heart hammer. All you can focus on is the unseen force pulling your legs as you wander closer to the woods.

And suddenly everything is dark.

Sora manages to catch a glimpse of you before you vanish and he calls out.]

Hey!! Wait!! Don’t go in there!

[And promptly chases after you to stop you from falling deeper into darkness.]

[ C ]

[As soon as Sora enters the woods the rain stops. Or so it seems that way. He can still hear the thundering water in his ears but it sounds muted now. Like someone has put a blanket over the heavens and all he can hear is the thin thudding of the rain but no raindrops touch his face anymore.

He wanders through the woods as he looks up at the treetops to find that small beams of light do flicker through. Weakly, but they’re there. The gloom is still heavy.

His feet take him in a random direction until he spots a figure in the distance… Someone already lost here like him, or is that a tortured spirit...?]

[ wildcard! ]

[something else in mind?]

Comments

A

[minogame]

( Urashima was also lured outside by the fireflies but unlike Sora, he stops just short of the forest. He's a curious spirit so of course he's going to follow these strange lights outside. He thought they were fireflies but he was never able to get close enough to tell for sure which had only made him more curious. But just before he'd gotten to the edge of the forest, his sixth sense had kicked in.

Uwah, there's a unpleasant shiver going up his spine and it makes him stop dead in his tracks. Whatever is ahead, he oesn't like it and suddenly, these lights aren't really worth the trouble. Maybe he'll just ask someone about them later-- and that's when he sees someone nearby, )

Ah... ( He peers out from under his umbrella (what, you thought he'd run into the rain totally unprepared?) and recognizes who it is right away ) Sora?

( He's going right into the forest. And maybe Urashima shouldn't worry because Sora's a god but he has an awful feeling about this and something doesn't seem right with the way Sora appears to be walking in a daze, )

Sora--!

( And without thinking about it anymore, Urashima rushes after him, charging right into the forest just behind him, )

Sora, wait...! Uuu...

[oathkeeper]

[Even though Sora can hear his name being called he can't seem to stop or turn around. His eyes are locked on the little dancing bugs and all he can manage to get his body to do is follow them.

He feels no panic or confusion, just a weird sense of peace as he steps into the woods.

Then everything feels muted. Sora stops abruptly as he snaps out of some strange spell and he turns around.]

Urashima?

[He swore he could hear him... Stranger still, the way he came isn't the exit to the forest. It's just... more forest. Hopefully Urashima doesn't run him over like a truck!]

[minogame]

Sora--!

( Why won't he answer? Can't he hear him? He's certain he's loud enough to be heard but Sora keeps walking. Meanwhile, Urashima can feel his skin begin to crawl and anxiety set in the deeper he goes into the woods.

So of course, he sure does just run into Sora, body slamming right back against him and stumbling back from the shock of it all, )

Sor-- ( Ah. There he is, and he's reaching to grab Sora's hand, like he's afraid of losing him, ) What're you doing? It's dangerous here!

B

[heatupnever]

Yeah, what do you want?

[She can't see that well in the dark, but that just makes it easier to see the little lights. Can't see anybody else at all, though.]

Who are you and why are you here?

[oathkeeper]

Wait--!

[Sora calls out again as he chases after the girl, reaching out to somehow grab her so she doesn't get any farther.

Which only leads him into bumping into her in the dark of the woods.]

Ooph-- Er... I was trying to stop you from going into the forest, I've heard bad things about it... Are you okay? My name is Sora.

[But surprise, they're inside it now.]

[heatupnever]

Reika. I can take care of myself.

[So she says, but she doesn't actually know why she'd been following a batch of lights.]

... What kind of bad things have you heard about the forest?

A

[toremainbehind]

[The rain was sudden, and the darkness seems to close in around him as he continues to walk.

However, the chill makes him repress a shiver, scanning the area to see if there was anyone else around. It's only when he notices Sora does he take a step forward.]

Sora?

[Sora's going into the forest, and while Izumo's not completely sure if he can hear him, something uneasy begins to grow, especially when Sora continues to walk forward.]

Sora!

[Without wasting any time, Izumo quickly hurries after him.]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora is deaf to Izumo calling his name. He keeps walking and walking, just out of reach of the other until Sora is suddenly surrounded with forest. He stops and blinks, his focus coming back as he looks around.]

How did I...

[He reaches out to touch the trunk of a tree. It's cold to the touch and looks like it's wet from the rain. But somehow his fingers aren't wet when he pulls his hand away.

He turns around again.]

...Izumo...?

[toremainbehind]

[The fireflies are leading him now, but Izumo's trying hard not to look at them.

Sora's been spirited away, and while he's not familiar with the man or has ever met him, Izumo's sure that this 'Roxas' Sora was close to would panic.

Izumo wants to at least bring him back if Sora's gone for too long.

He slows down a bit once he catches sight of the younger man.]

Sora, there you are.

A!

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Ayumu's out for a stroll, umbrella in hand, when she notices Sora chasing fireflies. At first, the sight just puts a smile on her face. Sora would be the type to chase fireflies, wouldn't he? It isn't until after a few minutes of observing them that she notices that the fireflies appear to be leading him on a deliberate path that she decides to follow them at a discreet distance, footsteps silent as always.

When she spots the ominous forest, she frowns a little in concern which quickly gives way to alarm when Sora disappears into the trees. Ayumu hastens her pace, entering the forest herself without a second thought.]

Sora-kun? Are you here?

[Her voice is hushed but urgent as she looks around the area for Sora's trail. She'd overheard a few rumors about a forest lately and from what she'd picked up, it didn't sound like a very safe place for a young boy to explore.]

It's Yumi.

[oathkeeper]

[The sound of the rain is still in his ears when he enters the forest. He is drenched from the water but he can't feel what the cold and wet feels like on his skin. It's like everything is muted.

Suddenly surrounded by trees and hazy darkness, Sora hears his name faintly. He turns around and gazes at Ayumu but his eyes are far off and distant. Like he's staring right through her.]

... Yumi.

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Ayumu looks in the direction of his voice at once, spotting him some distance away. She snaps her umbrella closed and approaches him swiftly, her alarm once she sees how detached he looks. However, frightening him isn't going to help so Ayumu suppresses her anxiety and gently lays a hand on his shoulder.]

Sora-kun? Are you all right?

[He doesn't look all right to her but hopefully, that's just a combination of nerves and maternal instincts.]

A

[young_oldman]

[He had heard the rumors of the new forest, of mysterious screams and lights that dance invitingly in front of your eyes. With little to do and too much time on his hands, he'd set off to investigate. It's highly unusual for him to leave without his goddess, but some matters couldn't wait. Equipped with a simple staff that felt too light in his hands (what he'd give for a pike!), a flashlight in the other and donning a raincoat to keep the water and damp off his bones, he'd set off to the forest after leaving a message with his goddess on where he's gone to.

The forest is dark and imposing from a distance. The chill in the air comes from more than just the rain, and goosebump prickle on his skin when the wind howls and tugs at the edges of his coat. Is the wind drawing him closer to the forest? Was it the wind that howled...or something, someone far more sinister, waiting within the trees?

A bit of water gets in his eyes, and he has to duck his head to wipe it off. But when he looks up again, the torchlight catches the distant silhouette of someone just about to slip into the forest. The Heavens is a company of gods, shinki and heroes; it's not surprising that there will be others that are curious to see what secrets hide behind the thick leaves. But there is something eerie about the person's gait, something wrong about the way that person is all but swallowed up in the darkness once they step through the first line of trees.

Lu Meng picks up the pace, splashing water everywhere. All this damn rain was getting in the way, with stray drops stinging his eyes. Thank the gods for the flashlight. Shining it in front of him, Lu Meng catches the sight of someone's back, and immediately runs forward. Without the torrent of rainwater blurring all in sight, he's finally able to make out brown, spiky hair and the shorter stature of a youth.]

Hey, you. [He calls out carefully. He doesn't want to shout. There's an atmosphere in here that's unsettling him, and he doesn't want to attract any unnecessary attention.] What are you doing here?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora is startled out of his daze as he feels himself suddenly shaking. But the voice is enough to make Sora look away from the dancing bugs and he reaches up to try and wipe the water from his eyes.]

Huh?

[Everything feels cold and somehow muted. He looks up at the tall gray trees and furrows his eyebrows in confusion.]

Where am I...?

[He doesn't remember watching the fireflies or wandering in here. But he catches sight of them swirling around in patterns above. He glances back at the older man who jostled him from his daze.]

Who are you?

[young_oldman]

You're in the forest that recently appeared. I saw you heading here in the rain and came after you.

[Gosh, the boy is practically soaked to the skin. Lu Meng frowns and unslings his bag, holding it in one hand while rummaging with the other. He pulls out a towel and holds it out to Sora.]

Here. You'll catch your death through a cold if you're not careful.

[It's only after Sora takes it that he introduces himself.] My name is Lu Meng. I am a shinki in the service of the Goddess of Miracles, Lady Sanae Kochiya.

C

[countingthecost]

[It's someone who's a bit of both.

His wander lust had caused him to stray too close to the forest, the rain had left him too deep in thought. He is an easy target for the lights.

When Sora finds him, he is standing still in the middle of a clearing, an old-fashioned umbrella in one hand and his gaze unfocused, staring on into the black darkness in front of him. Big, heavy and leafy branches keep the rain and the noise away, but there is also nothing to break him out of this daze.]

[oathkeeper]

[The figure seems to be a person. Sora isn't sure if it's someone who's stuck here like he is or if it's one of the rumored lost spirits so he approaches carefully and hopes not to spook them.]

Hey there... Are you okay?

[His voice is soft and friendly, but also worried. The rain is making the forest very cold. If this is someone he can help, they better get out of here fast... But he's heard of this forest doing strange things to spirits...]

C

[volksdaemon]

[Schuldig's taken it upon himself to hang around in the forest and guide people back out. He can find his way around by catching the thoughts of wanderers who are near the edges, of course. All the same, his back is turned at Sora's approach, so in the dark it's hard to tell who it is through the black umbrella and slight fog.

He spins around to face Sora as lightning flashes and perhaps the most scary thing greets Sora -- Schuldig smiling as if he's seen an old friend.]

Uh oh, God of Light got himself lost in the dark?

[And he laughs too... but not in a way Sora's heard from him before.]

[oathkeeper]

[At first Sora thinks it's a spirit that's out here. Strange and dangerous and something he should think about avoiding.

The flash of lightning is what catches him off guard as he sees Loki and immediately Sora summons his keyblade. The blade itself pulses with light in the dark gloom.]

Looks like I'm not the only one lost around here, Loki!

[That laugh is weird. Creepy. Don't do that. Why did he have to run into Loki of all people?]

B

[pure_radiantics]

[Kairi couldn't help it. This kind of place is beckoning to see a light shine from within it, instead of being dark forever.]

Don't worry - I'll be fine.

[She's confident and speaks slowly as she walks, head up and subconsciously seeking out every spare inch of moonlight she can find.]

[oathkeeper]

Kairi!!

[Kairi what are you doing, you're not supposed to get lured into dark places like this. That's Riku's job. Sora feels panic tighten in his chest as he reaches out for her wrist but just as he does so she's just out reach.

Following into the forest, suddenly everything is dark and moonlight. He calls out to her again,] Kairi! Where are you?!

A mix of A and C.

[onedrinkwithme]

[Aymeric was one who was not used to forests but only due to being chained to his desk all day. However, he wasn't going to go explore a strange place alone and without information.

But then again, people he knew decided to go wandering in like Sora. Instinct kicked in as Aymeric followed, not caring about the rain and how hard it was hitting. Honestly, this kid needs a leash.

He didn't know how long he was inside but the tiny light beams were a glimmer of light...and Aymeric contributed to them with a few Flashes of his own. Question was if Sora noticed them or not...?]

Sora?!

[Or a voice. That might help too.]

[oathkeeper]

[He's in a daze as he walks and when he sees a figure near and a little flash of light it seems to set off something in his mind and Sora suddenly blinks rapidly, looking like he's able to focus again.]

... Huh?

[Where is he? Everything feels cold and strange. Trees? When did he get here? Confused, he squints to try and see who it is up ahead.]

Aymeric?

[Oh thank gods... Sora immediately runs up to him and hugs him around the torso.]

Are you lost too?!

B

[concasse]

[If Sanji expected his soul to know rest or to decrease the fidgeting agitation that brought him to the forest in the first place, he's disappointed. The forest offers no comfort. It's dark, weighted down with shadow, and the man is ready to leave as soon as he enters.

That's the plan; and it's derailed the moment he catches sight of lights in his peripheral.

Goddamned trap is his first thought, but his heel turns without thought and the rest of him follows, unable to resist the lure of curiosity. And when what little light that penetrates the forest canopy seems to extinguish, Sanji doesn't notice.

That voice, though--]

Eh...? Whaddya want? [His voice is distant, vaguely annoyed. He keeps walking]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora runs blindly after the person, almost desperate to stop them. The forest edge indeed has something... wrong... with it. He's not sure what, but it sends a terrible shiver up his spine when he looks at it. Perhaps it's Sora's slight sensitivity to darkness or the fact that he's a god of light and this is his opposite. Whatever reasons, Sora bounds after the man to try and save him from going further.

In his haste he is momentarily blinded by the dark when he enters the trees and ends up smacking into the man gently. He yelps slightly, taking a step back abruptly.]

Ow...! Er...! Something's wrong with this place, you shouldn't go in!

[Not noticing that they're already inside...]