Of Myth and Magic

⸻ Today. I am Hawkeye.

⸻ Today. I am Hawkeye.

I'd rather stay in character. Like Daniel Day Lewis. Like Stanislavsky. I like playing dumb. It makes me feel smart. Sometimes.

your name:

Romantic or platonic?:

A night in or dinner out or an activity?:

Ice cream or chocolate covered strawberries?:

What's your perfect date?:

Would you cook for me?:

Would you let me cook for you?:

Can we make-out?:

Make out in private or in public?:

Do you like to cuddle?:

Blankets or no blankets for cuddling?:

Couch or bed?:

What are at least 3 hobbies of yours?:

Tell me something about you no else knows:

Why do you want to be my valentine?:

it's always something with you , isn't it ? it's always an emergency .

look , this is your responsibility .

wow , nice trick . i'm sure you're a hit at parties .

so ... you think you're ready .

i called you . all weekend . where were you ?

okay , we have got to pull you together .

you can't run away hard enough , can you ?

i know where you were all weekend .

life is raw , everybody medicates .

i love you . call me , okay ?

am i hallucinating ?

come on , or you'll miss it .

can i start over ? please .

i'm going to make sure you don't remember a thing .

playing with time is such difficult magic .

don't bother trying to compare yourself .

it's good to be aware the world is blatantly unfair .

it's my fault that they said that .

if you think my family is some sort of advantage , you've been misinformed .

maybe i wouldn't let myself forget .

that was before i knew there was something else .

it's really okay if this is not your thing .

you're hurting yourself , & you're not okay .

i just needed to see if i was right .

we've been watching you for quite a while now .

hello ? do you need help ?

you feel right because you're starting towards your destiny .

for some reason , you're involved . so be involved .

look , hold that thought , okay ?

i'm obviously coming with you .

there's no such thing as safe magic .

what is this place exactly , besides a health hazard ?

you ask a lot of questions .

jesus , you didn't tell me you were dangerous .

it's a little bit bigger than messing up .

there's a bad story every few years around here .

can you just help me live with myself ?

i'm gonna tell you something deep & dark & personal now .

i'm trying to tell you , you are not alone here .

i don't know . i wanna be your friend , i guess .

you should hate me right now .

the last thing i wanted to do growing up was read fantasy .

let's just say life wasn't exactly non-stop fun growing up .

if you're guilty , i'm guilty .

come do something stupid with me before you go .

okay , you know what ? i'm not interested in your personal issues .

this isn't just some lark to me , just so you know .

i mean seriously , what do they expect , you know ?

look , you can't run away from you .

there's nothing i can do in this moment to stop the comet from crashing into the earth , is there ?

i keep trying to tell myself that this is somehow better .

you don't see color & want to go back to black & white .

you can't help , & i can't help you .

what the hell was that , you maniac ?

why would you ever trust anyone ?

i'm willing to teach the right people what i know . & i know a lot .

you're lucky i can fix this .

hey , have you heard of karma ? sometimes it's instant .

i'm generous with you , considering .

get me everything on this list . this week .

why even ask , if you'll just forget it again ?

that's not a real answer .

you're a much better liar than i expected you to be .

do you think you have a destiny ?

there is no destiny . no born heroes .

you can either step up to it or not , that's up to you .

“Oh! A knife?”

“Walk or die.“

“You’re killing her!”

“All part of the plan, yes?“

“Such beauty. Yet deadly.“

“Admit it. You still love me.”

“You are aware of the ritual?“

“You bastard, how could you?“

“Wait! I am with child… yours.“

“I heard where you’re headed.“

“How can you say I used you?“

“All die. Even you. Soon, I hear.“

“The lies I told you were not lies.”

“That’s very good, may I use that?“

“As do I. Always have, always will.”

Oh no, no, I’ve seen a thing or two.”

“You’re either with us or against us!“

“I can save you. You need only ask.“

“I’ve actually never been that drunk.“

“He’s religious, I believe it’s required.“

“Who’s to say I won’t live forever, eh?“

And how will I get free of these bonds?“

“You lied to me by telling me the truth?“

“Mistook it for a brothel. Honest mistake.“

“I’m not with you, neither am I against you!“

“You will go. You will return. Or I will kill her.“

“I was wrong. Not every soul can be saved.“

“Maybe you don’t believe in the supernatural?”

“I may have had… briefly, mind you… stirrings.”

“Face is familiar. Have I… threatened you before?“

“I cannot save you both. One of you must sacrifice.“

“You’ve stolen me. And I’m here to take meself back.“

“If not for me, you would never have been captured…”

“I think you might be better off if you just… stay out of it.”

“I’m starting to think you don’t know where you’re going.“

“It’s not the destination so much as the journey, they say.“

“Have I mentioned, sir, what a lovely daughter you have?“

“Mutiny served me well. It gained me an audience with you.“

“Your father saved you. Perhaps his soul is now redeemed.“

“Does this face looks like it’s been to the Fountain of Youth?“

“Did everyone see that? Because I will not be doing it, again.”

“You’re the one who insisted on bringing the bloody mermaid!“

“If I don’t kill a man every now and then, they forget who I am.“

“How is it we can never meet without you pointing something at me?“

“Captain, I wish to report a mutiny. I can name fingers and point names.“

“Seeing as how you’re still alive, I say it’s all been very successful thus far.“

“You demonstrated a lot of technique for someone I supposedly corrupted.“

“I thought I should give you fair warning, we’re taking the ship. Nothing personal.“

“No, no, no, no, not quite all the way to feelings. More like… All right feelings, damn you.“

“You broke free of your bonds thirty minutes ago, waiting for the precise moment to pounce.“

“You know the feeling you get when standing in a high place, the sudden urge to jump… I don’t have it.”

“My God, you will not take her. If you have taken her, give her back. Give her back…please…”

“I be placed in a bewilderment. There I were, resting. And upon a sudden, I hear an ungodly row on deck.“

“Sailors abandoning their posts, without orders, without leave. Men before the mast, taking the ship for themselves.“

“Better to not know which moment may be your last. Every morsel of your entire being alive to the infinite mystery of it all.“

We shall need a crossbow, an hourglass, three goats, one of us must learn to play the trumpet, whilst the other one goes like this.”

Quotes taken from Summerfall Studios' Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, from Act 1's first two opening scenes. . . change pronouns and text as needed. . . I tried to keep this lore-specific spoiler free, but spoiler warning.

❝ Four hours in a rented gym that still smells like socks and childhood trauma, and where did it get us other than -- bored? ❞

❝ You know, I had a dream where this exact thing happened. Except we were on stage. And naked. ❞

❝ We could be the Naked Band, coming soon to a really private auditorium near you! ❞

❝ I know you've kind of been at loose ends since you left. I was just hoping tonight would cheer you up. ❞

❝ It's... it's just a sobering dose of reality, you know? What if it never get easier? What if I never figure this out? ❞

❝ You will... You're too hard on yourself. ❞

❝ I think you fit. You know that, right? ❞

❝ Is the world too much, or is it just me? ❞

❝ Everything I set upon, unravels at my feet. ❞

❝ Everything I've learnt, wasted on a girl, who doesn't know how to be free.❞

❝ Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, I just... I heard you from outside. ❞

❝ I'd give anything to join you. ❞

❝ All the steps I didn't take, and paths proved untrue. Is there any path through? ❞

❝ Though I'm about to wreck, you still have your life ahead of you. ❞

❝ All things that lose their way can find it again. ❞

❝ I also know what it feels like to be lost, to feel as if you have no place to turn. That's why I had to come inside. ❞

❝ I just... I didn't want you to think I was deranged or something. ❞

❝ Weirder things have happened, I guess? ❞

❝ May I ask you why you feel so... adrift? You're so young. Surely your life is just beginning. ❞

❝ Well, you know the story: nothing ever work out like you think it should. Times ten. ❞

❝ I hope to see you again. Perhaps soon. ❞

❝ I didn't know where else... I'm so sorry! ❞

❝ Wh -- what happened? Who did this? ❞

❝ I didn't want to do this to you. I... not like this. I'm so, so sorry. ❞

❝ Oh, um... I can wait. Take your time. ❞

[ sighs ] ❝ She really is dead, huh? Maaaan. ❞

❝ Look, I can see you know squat about this. So I'm gonna explain quick, but then you gotta come with me, okay? ❞

❝ No no no, wait! Where did you bring me? How did we get here! ❞

❝ I'll just wait here, and, uh, not touch anything. ❞

❝ Ha. My, my, you have had quite the day, haven't you? ❞

❝ Someone died in my arms. Where is this? How did I get here? Who are you people? ❞

❝ If you were real, you'd be all-powerful. You wouldn't be hiding, or... ❞

❝ Mm. Don't pay much attention to those old tales about us. They weren't very true to begin with, and... well, truth be told, we've diminished since those days. ❞

❝ That doesn't mean we're helpless, of course! Far from it. Yet, at the end of the day, we too are just people. Trying to get by. ❞

❝ Oh, I know, I know. Once we roamed marble halls, and now? Fashionably appointed apartments. We have wi-fi! ❞ [ chuckles ]

❝ We move with the times. We have to, if we're going to remain hidden and survive. ❞

❝ Oh, no. No, I'm not trying to make you believe anything. Not at all. ❞

❝ The only thing I do need you to grasp is that you are here. This is real and, like it or not, it is happening. ❞

❝ I know this will all come as a shock, and I'm so, so sorry to say it, but... I'm afraid you have to die. ❞

[ laughs ] ❝ What do you mean? What do you mean "you have to die"? ❞

❝ You can't do that. What about a trial? You aren't the police. Wh-why hasn't someone called the police? ❞

❝ You can't hide from this reality. ❞

❝ I'm not hiding! Though, a little lost here... ❞

❝ If you are lost, little girl, this bears explanation. ❞

❝ You must know I didn't do it! ❞

❝ Is this weird this is in song? ❞

❝ Did I... hear that correctly? ❞

❝ You've been quiet this entire time. Why speak up now? ❞

❝ Then we need to find out. Don't you want justice? ❞

❝ Oh, I thought we'd agreed this was justice. What would you have us do? ❞

❝ Wait, wait. I'm going to get some help with this, right? Some direction? ❞

❝ What do you want me to say? I can't possibly do this? This is unfair? You know all that already, right? ❞

❝ So I'll do my best. That's all I've got. ❞

❝ Otherwise, do whatever you must to find the true killer... if they exist. ❞

back, sender gives receiver a back hug.

beckon, sender beckons receiver closer with a finger.

blood, sender cleans blood off of receiver.

book, sender helps receiver get a book from a higher part of the shelf.

care, sender takes care of receiver when they're sick.

catch, sender catches receiver by the waist after they bump into each other.

choke, sender saves receiver from choking by giving them the heimlich.

cold, sender places their jacket over receiver's shoulders.

cry, sender wipes tears off receiver's face with their thumbs.

dance, sender sticks a hand out to receiver and invites them to dance.

dip, sender skinny dips in front of receiver and invites them to join.

dog, sender's dog pulls them in receiver's direction.

drive, sender drives receiver somewhere in their car.

drag, sender drags receiver into a room and closes the door behind them.

draw, sender draws receiver like one of their french girls.

face, sender turns receiver's face towards them.

flower, sender gives receiver a flower.

footsie, sender initiates footsie with receiver under the table.

forehead, sender presses their forehead against receiver's.

grab, sender grabs receiver's wrist to stop them from leaving.

jump, sender jumps onto receiver's back.

kiss, sender kisses receiver.

link, sender links arms with receiver while walking.

massage, sender offers receiver a massage.

patch, sender patches up receiver's wounds.

piano, sender teaches receiver how to play the piano.

pin, sender pins receiver's hands behind their back.

pluck, sender plucks something out of receiver's hair.

press, sender presses receiver against a wall.

propose, sender proposes to receiver.

quiet, sender gestures for receiver to be quiet.

rest, sender rests their head on receiver's shoulder.

serenade, sender serenades receiver with a song.

sign, sender walks into a sign and receiver sees.

size, sender measures the size of their hand against receiver's.

shoes, sender removes receiver's shoes for them.

sun, sender rubs sunblock onto receiver's back.

tattoo, sender gives receiver a tattoo.

tie, sender helps tie receiver's tie.

tuck, sender tucks receiver's hair behind their ear.

umbrella, sender lets receiver under their umbrella.

warning, sender presses a knife against receiver's neck as a warning.

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a Narrative-Adventure game about traveling, sharing stories, and surviving manifest destiny. Some quotes have been edited or paraphrased for RP purposes. Feel free to change it up to fit your muse.

“ didn’t wanna be out in this rain, did you? come in. ”

“ it must be lonely up here. ”

“ you must have some good stories from the road. ”

“ you’ve met them. you’ve seen them, too. you carry them with you. ”

“ you came far to get away from me. ”

“ you got a light, friend? ”

“ do you think that really happened? ”

“ please - i have to reach the sanctuary before they find me. ”

“ i am not a ghost. ”

“ i’m not charging. folks around here need what they can get. ”

“ where i’m going, you can’t come. ”

“ maybe you’re standing on the wrong side. ”

“ you want to see something interesting? ”

“ just be gone by morning, okay?

“ can you imagine? naming a thing that every generation will remember you for? ”

“ i’ve been cursed two times; once to live forever, but the second time to die. i’m dead for sure, and certainly alive. ”

“ well, take a hint from me, which is don’t fuck with a witch or any kind of anybody who does witch stuff. ”

“ good things sometimes wear foul guises. ”

“ that’s close enough. ”

“ how long have you been stepping on dead folks, fully unaware? ”

“ what are you, stranger? ”

“ it’s very special. a good luck charm. don’t be disturbed by how it looks. it’ll bring you luck. ”

“ consider your debt to me repaid. ”

“ i won’t bite. trust me. ”

“ it’s never going to get better, is it? ”

“ i know the look of you. know what you’re here for. ”

“ you see, this land is built on stories. it’s one big story, this country, woven of many small ones. few of the small ones are strictly true, and the big story is mostly a lie. ”

“ if you like, i’ll let you wager your word. i know you’ll be good for it. ”

“ just promise you’ll pay the debt, however i ask. ” 

“ isn’t even a dingy and battered truth better than a shining lie? ’ 

“ stories are heavy. ”

“ it might be true, but it will grow wild and unbelievable with the telling. ”

“ your deepest desires? your greatest wish? is it heaven? ”

“ i’m afraid you owe me. your life, sure - but more than that. ”

“ hearing stories is important work. ”

“ well, your luck wasn’t so good, was it? ”

“ all the stories and songs and myths and legends start somewhere…”

“ that was quite the hand, but not for the game we’re playing. ” 

“ funny how bad luck seems to follow the folks who already have problems aplenty.”

“ maybe we’ll meet again…or maybe not. ”

“ the most important stories are the true ones. the ones people will tell you about their own lives. those often get lost in the weaves of the big story. ”

“ try your luck out there. see how the dice treat you. ”

“ i hope, in the end, you at least found it fulfilling. ”

“ ask the people you meet. they’re all searching for the same thing. ”

“ everyone wants to be heard and so few are listening.”

“ you’ll be free of all my traps, soon. ”

“ maybe now you see some of the benefits of living with an oath to keep. ”

“ you were part of our strange little family for a little while. we’ll miss you. ”

“ everyone does, eventually, need to die. probably even me. and certainly even you. ”

“ here you go, off into a new adventure. ”

“ i hope the journey was valuable. and maybe the destination, as well. ”

“ you’ll have to work hard, but it’s not all bad. ”

“ hunger, weariness, and despair. they’re all part of stories - the part not often told. ”

“ as long as your task remains, you’ll come back. ”

“ everyone’s the captain of their destiny. ”

“ ain’t any bootstraps in the world that can save you now. ”

“ the choices you make, they change the kind of story you can tell. ”

“ well, you’ve got a long, long road ahead, don’t you? ”

“ dance around, get to know them. ”

“ the boss likes his tarot cards. ”

“ i got some experience when it comes to chasing folks. ”

“ you could find another friend like that if you went looking around. there’s more than one interesting person in this land, for sure. ”