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deercountry2022-08-08 09:32 pm
reddosmod) wrote in deercountry2022-08-08 09:32 pm
Entry tags:
- *event,
- alucard: timmy,
- anakin skywalker: michele,
- anakin solo: ellie,
- battler ushiromiya: chrono,
- chizuru yukimura: jelle,
- daniel larusso: jelle,
- goro akechi: kei,
- hector: laura,
- hotaru tomoe: xae,
- lance: charley,
- luz noceda: pedro,
- makoto kino: mesi,
- manabu yuuki: elle,
- maria thorpe: jaina,
- mercymorn the first: beth,
- murderbot: silyara,
- nico di angelo: xae,
- palamedes sextus: laura,
- pyrrha dve: silyara,
- scorpia: gore,
- sharon da silva: lunare,
- silco: prox,
- vi: aeri
he ate my heart
AUGUST 2022 EVENT
WE GLOW SO DIM
MONSTER WITHIN
LAVISH DESIRES
CODING
EXTRA WARNING:
IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: The shore line lit up by some sort of bioluminescent organism. ]
[Image Two: A sunken pirate ship covered in algae, seaweed, and suffering from wood rot. ]
Prompt Two
[Image One: A tentacle wrapping around a persons hand. ]
[Image Two: A close up of someone's shoulder which is turning black and cracked and dripping water. ]
Prompt Three
[Image One: A statue of a human face, split in half, with a golden devil mask between the two halves. ]
[Image Two: A number of golden hands reaching up for a white sphere. ]
Prompt One
[Image One: The shore line lit up by some sort of bioluminescent organism. ]
[Image Two: A sunken pirate ship covered in algae, seaweed, and suffering from wood rot. ]
Prompt Two
[Image One: A tentacle wrapping around a persons hand. ]
[Image Two: A close up of someone's shoulder which is turning black and cracked and dripping water. ]
Prompt Three
[Image One: A statue of a human face, split in half, with a golden devil mask between the two halves. ]
[Image Two: A number of golden hands reaching up for a white sphere. ]
WHEN: August
WHERE: The Ocean
CONTENT WARNINGS: Deep diving, possible drowning, possible death
WHERE: The Ocean
CONTENT WARNINGS: Deep diving, possible drowning, possible death
Early on in the month, the waves start to have a strange look to them. They seem a little brighter, even at night, and it's then that it hits you: the waves are glowing. It's easy to at first to brush it off as the bioluminescence of certain types of plankton, but the way it moves and sparkles has an other-worldly quality to it that can't be explained by science. Those who look even closer at the glow will notice that it seems to be forming some sort of path into the watery depths.
Those who choose to follow the path despite the angry waves and awful storms that plague the seas this month will find that the ocean seems to be at its calmest along these illuminated, watery roads. Diving down to follow them won't require any equipment, as Sleepers will find that staying within the glowing path allows them to breathe under water when they might normally not have been able to. The pressure changes don't seem to be impacting anyone who follows the light either, allowing them access to deeper depths of the ocean than may have previously been explored.
Continuing to follow the path will lead Sleepers to a series of ship wrecks under the water. These ancient vessels are rotted and covered in seaweed, but anyone who is familiar with the cultures of Earth will notice that they seem to come from all over the world and their styles vary by multiple centuries. But all the ships seem to be covered in this same, strange glow that has brought people here.
Exploring the ships will lead to multiple different discoveries. There are chests filled with ancient artifacts: carvings of squids, statues of various sea creatures that feel a little off somehow, and stones carved with a strange text that is almost impossible to decipher. The artifacts are covered in strange, rust-looking stains that penetrate deep into the materials they're made of. These artifacts can be brought back to shore, and if someone were to try and ask the Trenchies what the writing said, they would only be able to say that these are clearly texts of the Old Ones from long before any recorded history that Trench has in its Archives. When asked about the sea creatures, they'll think it's obvious: these are Mariana's various forms from over the years. The off qualities are her unique takes as a Pthumerian on the creatures of the ocean.
Prolonged exposure to these statues of Mariana will cause people to become more bluntly honest, more open with their emotions, and often much more prone to large outbursts from said emotions, both good and bad. However, Sleepers who keep these statues near them will also find that they are able to keep more control of their blood powers. It's up to each individual if it's a worthy trade off.
If you leave the path, two things can happen: Sleepers will either turn into their squid selves and can continue to swim or they will drown. There will be nothing of interest outside of these paths, just typical ocean creatures, and maybe some of those monsters that have been crawling out of the watery depths as of late.
Those who choose to follow the path despite the angry waves and awful storms that plague the seas this month will find that the ocean seems to be at its calmest along these illuminated, watery roads. Diving down to follow them won't require any equipment, as Sleepers will find that staying within the glowing path allows them to breathe under water when they might normally not have been able to. The pressure changes don't seem to be impacting anyone who follows the light either, allowing them access to deeper depths of the ocean than may have previously been explored.
Continuing to follow the path will lead Sleepers to a series of ship wrecks under the water. These ancient vessels are rotted and covered in seaweed, but anyone who is familiar with the cultures of Earth will notice that they seem to come from all over the world and their styles vary by multiple centuries. But all the ships seem to be covered in this same, strange glow that has brought people here.
Exploring the ships will lead to multiple different discoveries. There are chests filled with ancient artifacts: carvings of squids, statues of various sea creatures that feel a little off somehow, and stones carved with a strange text that is almost impossible to decipher. The artifacts are covered in strange, rust-looking stains that penetrate deep into the materials they're made of. These artifacts can be brought back to shore, and if someone were to try and ask the Trenchies what the writing said, they would only be able to say that these are clearly texts of the Old Ones from long before any recorded history that Trench has in its Archives. When asked about the sea creatures, they'll think it's obvious: these are Mariana's various forms from over the years. The off qualities are her unique takes as a Pthumerian on the creatures of the ocean.
Prolonged exposure to these statues of Mariana will cause people to become more bluntly honest, more open with their emotions, and often much more prone to large outbursts from said emotions, both good and bad. However, Sleepers who keep these statues near them will also find that they are able to keep more control of their blood powers. It's up to each individual if it's a worthy trade off.
If you leave the path, two things can happen: Sleepers will either turn into their squid selves and can continue to swim or they will drown. There will be nothing of interest outside of these paths, just typical ocean creatures, and maybe some of those monsters that have been crawling out of the watery depths as of late.
WHEN: August
WHERE: All over
CONTENT WARNINGS: Body horror, mentions of potential cannibalism/vore, possible death, contagious curse
WHERE: All over
CONTENT WARNINGS: Body horror, mentions of potential cannibalism/vore, possible death, contagious curse
Soon after people start to explore the ships, a strange occurrence will start to sweep through the city. Locals start to mutter something about a curse, one that seems to only be impacting Sleepers. The early signs that there's something off is an increase in strength and stamina. For example, Sleepers will find that they might go to pick up a chair or a mug and it shatters in their hands. Some people may find that they are incapable of sleeping. Others might find they're able to move quicker and for longer periods than normal.
If they look themselves over, they will start to find small patches of skin that have started to gray and blacken. These patches will be cracked, almost scaley, and will be consistently damp no matter how hard you try to dry them off. As time passes, this odd rash will start to spread, taking over more and more of the body. The torso might start to swell and distort, making Sleepers feel particularly top heavy. And eventually, suckers will start to form on the arms and legs.
This curse isn't beasthood in its usual forms; instead, it seems to be some sort of malady in of the magical blood that Sleepers have been granted. If the blood of an infected Sleeper is looked at under a microscope, there will be black patches clinging to the cells, similar to the patches that people see on their skin. If it isn't stopped, the person suffering from the curse will ultimately turn into a monstrous form of their squid-selves: these monster forms are large, aggressive, and able to move on land. They will feel a hunger for destruction and some Sleepers may find in these forms that they are only satisfied if they feed on other, uncursed Sleepers.
There are two ways to lift the curse. One is through a thorough blood transfusion with a blood type that is compatible with your own. This becomes more difficult to do the closer to the monstrous form people get, both due to aggression from the curse, and also due to the fact that the black patches of skin are highly difficult to puncture. Once the blood is completely replaced by fresh blood, the skin patches will disappear over 48 hours and the Sleeper will be left feeling thoroughly exhausted.
The second way to lift the curse is through death. While these monster squid forms are difficult to kill, it is not impossible, and they are particularly susceptible to magic over weapons. Once a Sleeper has died, they can be reborn, and their blood will be completely free of the curse.
The blood malady can be spread outside of those who come into contact with the ship wrecks. People who touch a cursed Sleeper, particularly the scaley patches of skin, will also run the risk of being cursed. It takes roughly a week for the signs of the curse to show, and can spread as slowly or as rapidly as players choose.
If they look themselves over, they will start to find small patches of skin that have started to gray and blacken. These patches will be cracked, almost scaley, and will be consistently damp no matter how hard you try to dry them off. As time passes, this odd rash will start to spread, taking over more and more of the body. The torso might start to swell and distort, making Sleepers feel particularly top heavy. And eventually, suckers will start to form on the arms and legs.
This curse isn't beasthood in its usual forms; instead, it seems to be some sort of malady in of the magical blood that Sleepers have been granted. If the blood of an infected Sleeper is looked at under a microscope, there will be black patches clinging to the cells, similar to the patches that people see on their skin. If it isn't stopped, the person suffering from the curse will ultimately turn into a monstrous form of their squid-selves: these monster forms are large, aggressive, and able to move on land. They will feel a hunger for destruction and some Sleepers may find in these forms that they are only satisfied if they feed on other, uncursed Sleepers.
There are two ways to lift the curse. One is through a thorough blood transfusion with a blood type that is compatible with your own. This becomes more difficult to do the closer to the monstrous form people get, both due to aggression from the curse, and also due to the fact that the black patches of skin are highly difficult to puncture. Once the blood is completely replaced by fresh blood, the skin patches will disappear over 48 hours and the Sleeper will be left feeling thoroughly exhausted.
The second way to lift the curse is through death. While these monster squid forms are difficult to kill, it is not impossible, and they are particularly susceptible to magic over weapons. Once a Sleeper has died, they can be reborn, and their blood will be completely free of the curse.
The blood malady can be spread outside of those who come into contact with the ship wrecks. People who touch a cursed Sleeper, particularly the scaley patches of skin, will also run the risk of being cursed. It takes roughly a week for the signs of the curse to show, and can spread as slowly or as rapidly as players choose.
WHEN: August
WHERE: All over
CONTENT WARNINGS: Personality changes, mental manipulation, hoarding, obsessive anxiety, disassociation, depersonalization
WHERE: All over
CONTENT WARNINGS: Personality changes, mental manipulation, hoarding, obsessive anxiety, disassociation, depersonalization
The high waves seem to just be getting higher at the beginning of the month. Rougher and rougher seas start to cause something anyone who's lived around water will be familiar with: flash floods. These floods are large, powerful, and fill the streets of Trench. First-floors of buildings may get extreme damage, though they can be protected with physical and magical barriers if people are smart about it. The floods happen multiple times throughout the month without warning, so it may be good to get that protection built up sooner rather than later.
The after effects of these floods aren't just structural devastation though. People who get caught up in the water, particularly those who end up swallowing it, will have one word echoing in their mind on a regular basis: More.
More of what? That seems to be different for each individual. Maybe one person wants more and more food, anything from an extra slice of cake after dinner, to wanting to stuff themselves until they just might pop. Or maybe they want to hoard all of their favorite objects or pieces of clothing, filling more and more of the space in their homes until they're ready to burst at the seems. Some might find it's their emotions that come in excess, with over the top anger, or irregular excitement that leaves them unable to sleep for days. Anything and everything can come in excess and it certainly seems to be this month. Some people may get these obsessive needs to such a degree that they start to feel disconnected from themselves, fractured by the overabundance that has taken over their lives.
If people ignore these desires, they'll start to find they're plagued by hallucinations. Strong, life-like visions that riddle them with anxiety and leave them petrified of what might happen if they don't partake in this gluttonous behavior. They'll feel shaken to the core and slowly go mad with need and desire for whatever it is they've been craving. This feeling of madness can make them become violent, lashing out at those around them, even killing those who try and help them out of belief that they're trying to force them to give in to their vices.
The impact of the water will wear off either after one week without re-exposure, or by using a Moon Drop to help to cleanse the mind.
The after effects of these floods aren't just structural devastation though. People who get caught up in the water, particularly those who end up swallowing it, will have one word echoing in their mind on a regular basis: More.
More of what? That seems to be different for each individual. Maybe one person wants more and more food, anything from an extra slice of cake after dinner, to wanting to stuff themselves until they just might pop. Or maybe they want to hoard all of their favorite objects or pieces of clothing, filling more and more of the space in their homes until they're ready to burst at the seems. Some might find it's their emotions that come in excess, with over the top anger, or irregular excitement that leaves them unable to sleep for days. Anything and everything can come in excess and it certainly seems to be this month. Some people may get these obsessive needs to such a degree that they start to feel disconnected from themselves, fractured by the overabundance that has taken over their lives.
If people ignore these desires, they'll start to find they're plagued by hallucinations. Strong, life-like visions that riddle them with anxiety and leave them petrified of what might happen if they don't partake in this gluttonous behavior. They'll feel shaken to the core and slowly go mad with need and desire for whatever it is they've been craving. This feeling of madness can make them become violent, lashing out at those around them, even killing those who try and help them out of belief that they're trying to force them to give in to their vices.
The impact of the water will wear off either after one week without re-exposure, or by using a Moon Drop to help to cleanse the mind.
no subject
[Translation: why would you want to go down there??]
[Still, he glances back at her as best he can. Then at the hole. Clearly not sure what move would be the best. On the one hand, big hole. On the other, friend seems so excited?]
[Very, very slowly, he starts inching towards the hole. Using the broken bits of decking to pull himself along.]
no subject
[ Okay, maybe 'brought' isn't entirely the right word when they very much voluntarily went into the water.. but on the other hand, Chizuru feels like the glow in the water was very much a sign of there being something important down here.
And since there doesn't seem to be anything down here other than these ships, it's got to be something about them. Something in them, since there isn't much special visible on the outside. ]
What if there isn't something dangerous in there, but instead just a way to go home..? Or something else there's really important..!
[ She wouldn't want to miss that.
It's why Chizuru certainly doesn't protest when Melius slowly starts moving over in the direction of the hole. ]
no subject
Okay - okay. But um. If - if there's anything... living down there... we should go.
[And fast.]
[He'll go down there, but he needs to make it clear his fight-or-flights is already activated. While, you know. Still inching his way across the deck towards said hole. It helps when your hands naturally have claws.]
no subject
But the girl is quiet. Perhaps a little uncharacteristically. It's not like Chizuru is a huge chatterbox at all times or anything, but usually she would have said something to reassure the other much more quickly than she is doing now.
It's since she's thinking though. About this situation, and what he's saying, and.. ]
Um, you know..
[ This is a suggestion she's a little bit nervous about, but Chizuru steels herself, trying to not show this in her voice as much. ]
If you're worried about what's down there.. I could go by myself. Or I could go ahead of you. I really don't mind..
[ She doesn't want to force someone kind, or someone who's helping her here, into a dangerous situation against their will, after all.
That'd just make her feel awful. ]
no subject
[UM? That sounds like a TERRIBLE idea as far as he's concerned. Just sending Chizuru in all by herself? She already said she couldn't swim. She's holding on because she can't - right?]
[He hesitates again, before speaking up, hesitantly.]
You um - you can't. Go alone. Because you - what if you got. Stuck? Down there?
[At least, if he goes with her, he can high-tail both of them out of danger if it comes.]
no subject
[ Technically. Very technically. It's something Chizuru doesn't like to think about a whole lot, since it makes her feel weirdly antsy every single time she does. Something about it just.. doesn't feel right, no matter how she twists or turns it.
But it might work in her advantage there. ]
If something really bad happens, maybe I can find a way to turn back into one and then swim back to the surface that way..?
[ Look at this very, very convincing plan.
Which she says with the most hesitant and unsure tone ever.
Very convincing. Clearly. But she just truly doesn't want to make Melius uncomfortable by forcing him to go along with her! She'd never forgive herself! ]
no subject
[Melius...... please.....]
[Somehow his voice hits a new high, even underwater. It's kind of a miracle, really. Somehow, this has escaped his knowledge. Look he's been buried in studying the plant and fungi life here, not the lore. Heck, he barely remembers the squid thing.]
[A shake of his head, while he keeps inching toward the hole at a sea snail's pace.]
N-no. No that's - I don't think that's a good idea... I um. I should.
Stay.
[Oh. Wow. That is a deep, dark hole they're peering into now.]
no subject
Just the surprise about the squid thing by itself would be an entire problem by itself, but the part that follows it hits Chizuru just as hard, honestly. The girl is frowning when she glances at him, though she doesn't necessarily look angry.. Just.. focused, maybe? Or worried? ]
You know.. that it's okay to say no if you ever want to, right?
[ Did someone teach Melius this.
She's starting to get a little concerned.
(Also, yes, yes, pot calling the kettle black and all, but-- let her have this!) ]
Are you really sure you want to stay? You shouldn't feel pressured to force yourself into anything for someone else's sake, unless you really want to.
no subject
[He's not wrong, there. Unless she's suddenly taught herself on the way down. He can't leave her down here. Even if he's scared. That's wrong.]
[No, he's not sure. No, he doesn't want to stay, but he has to. Like... he had to save the world. Like he had to fight dragons and learn their magic. It's scary, it's horrifying, but there's no other option.]
[What is this having a choice thing?]
Really... slowly. Okay? [He just. Keeps inching along. To start to descend...]
no subject
But Melius keeps moving, and.. even just telling him no now feels cruel. It's still his own decision whether to stay down here or not, after all, even though Chizuru feels guilty for sure as she watches him inch along like that..
Maybe all she can do here is compromise. ]
At least-- if you think there might be something dangerous in there, then let me go ahead.
[ Look, she has a good reason for saying this.
Even if it might not.. seem that way, considering Chizuru is so tiny.. What could she even do about any danger.. ]
no subject
[That stops him dead - no pun intended. He can't turn his head to look at her, but the feeling is there. The feeling of trying to look incredulous.]
You - you said you couldn't - you couldn't swim.
[That's clearly the issue here. Not her size or anything along those lines. She's just - she's holding on because she doesn't know how to move in the water. That's what she said.]
[He's so confused, he forgets to inch slowly, and just sort of ... sinks. Several feet.]
no subject
[ Ship. She meant to say ship, but instead Chizuru lets out a startled yelp as she realises what's happening, and instead starts holding on even tighter to Melius.
Let's abandon that plan for a moment while she's suddenly dropping a bit more than anticipated. ]
W-- We're falling!
[ .. kind of?
It's not really falling when they're underwater, right. It's more like they're sinking. But it's still definitely enough to startle Chizuru, despite her words from a moment ago. And here she tried so hard to be brave... Great effort, Chizuru.. ]
no subject
[See? He can tread water and stop their descent. It's a gentle stop, too, considering how slowly they were "falling".]
You... um. You really. Shouldn't be alone.
[He'd feel horrible if he let that happen. Worse than if he actually went alone in there himself.]
no subject
Thankfully this goes a whole lot better than the Titanic, and Chizuru feels relieved when they suddenly stop in the water.. even though it sure gives his point a whole lot of credit here. She can't help but blush, feeling ashamed about the fact that she freaked out, even though Chizuru couldn't really help it. ]
.. I just feel bad if I take you with me in there. Because.. you know, you seem so hesitant.
[ To put it mildly. But at least Chizuru is being pretty honest and clear now, just laying out the facts.
She already feels embarrassed anyway, so it's not as bad to add onto it by being honest about her feelings. ]
It feels like I'm forcing you. Because I want to look in there, and you don't want to leave me behind. And forcing you would be really unfair..
no subject
I um - I'm. I'm always... that way. I don't - like ... unknown places. Or caves.
[Melius, this is a boat.]
But - but if we - if we look quick... we can leave. Quick.
[Right??]
no subject
[ Chizuru nods to that, at least. It's kind of like ripping off the bandaid, in a sense. That's the lessons Melius is trying to teach himself here.
But there's a little more to it too. Despite the fact that the girl feels like she probably knows the answer to the next question already, she can't help but ask.
Maybe to help him along a little bit further. ]
But.. why don't you like unknown places or caves..?
[ At least she asks it gently. Gently enough that he could weasel out of having to answer that, if he really wouldn't want to. ]
no subject
[The Falmer.]
Th - [Despite the ocean around them, his mouth feels dry.] - They're full of monsters.
[Without fail. Always.]
no subject
It's not easy, considering their current position, but it's mostly the nerves within her talking. It's not easy to say this - but she's saying it anyway. Even if she's scared, she does her best to sound brave.
Think of what anyone in the Shinsengumi would do, she tells herself. You're practically one of them. ]
What if I could protect you from monsters?
[ .. it may be hard to believe, since Chizuru is only barely over five feet tall and looks like she'd have trouble opening heavy doors.
But she makes herself sound more confident than she feels right now as she says it. ]
no subject
[This, he thinks, distantly, would be a good conversation to have if they were face to face. But all he can really do is slowly turn around in place. Trying to see Chizuru better.]
[It doesn't work, of course. All it really does is keep spinning them around and around.]
Wh- how? How can... um. You do that?
cw: mention of decapitation
And while it's a little dizzying, the way he's moving right now, the conversation itself is serious enough that Chizuru tries to ignore that feeling, instead doing her best to just talk on. It's important that she makes this point well, after all - especially since she doesn't just want to throw her full secret out there, too afraid of what it might make Melius think of her. ]
I can't die.
[ It's said seriously, but softly. It's not a fun thing to talk about, after all - but it's true. ]
Um, not.. easily, I mean. Unless someone takes off my head or pierces my heart, I can't die. So if I go in first, then I can see whether it's safe or not without you getting hurt..
no subject
[Listen, even he can tell Chizuru isn't happy about it. But from where he's... spinning... it sounds great. If he never had to worry about dying? Do you know how much more confident he could be? No wonder she knew so much about being brave! Clearly she could be, whenever she wanted!]
[That's amazing, honestly!]
S-so you... you don't need to worry about... drowning? [Melius. Meli. You're missing the entire point.]
no subject
[ The answer sounds a little uncomfortable, because.. well, it's not exactly a fun thing to think about, right? Considering your own mortality, or lack thereof, or its limits.
The only thing that helps her right now is the fact that she's clinging to Melius' back, so she at least doesn't have to endure his direct gaze on her as she speaks. ]
I mean.. um, I've never tested it before, that's why I wanted to make sure I could breathe while we were still up there.. [ Because that's the last way she'd want to find out whether she's drowning-resistant or not, thanks!! ] The only thing I know is that there's no wound that could kill me, even when it'd be bad enough to kill a normal person.
[ Everything else would have to be tested, really.
And Chizuru isn't too keen on that idea. It sounds miserable.
There's also very careful wording there at the end. A 'normal' person. Unlike her. Chizuru sees herself as abnormal - a monster, even, maybe. ]
no subject
[Frankly, he probably should have had a bigger reaction to her revelation. But, it's actually more comforting. At least he has a friend who's very safe. That if she goes into the dark, he doesn't need to be as panicked for her as anyone else. It removes some of the terrifying thoughts from his head.]
[Losing people is still a very... very new feeling for him. And it's not one he's eager to feel any more.]
Okay. Um. I'm - glad you don't. Have to worry about it. [He means that. Boy, his life would be better if that were the case for him. Or for ... all of Helgen, really.] But - but I don't. Want to leave you... because you can't swim.
And we don't. Want to test it out. Under here.
no subject
Yeah, Chizuru wouldn't want to test that out either under the current circumstances. But as she glances at that hole in the ship, even now.. ]
I.. could try to hold on to the boat, and make my way down that way..
[ Like a reverse climbing wall.
A descending wall, if you will. ]
That way you can still watch me to make sure I don't get into trouble swimming-wise, but.. you won't have to get close to that hole if you're worried about what might be in there. And if there is something bad in there, then it won't be able to hurt me. [ Not permanently, anyway.
That sounds like a win-win situation, right? Maybe still a little risky, but not risky enough for Chizuru to refuse. She's dealt with way riskier things than this in the past.
(Which might say more about her life in general than about the danger level of this situation.) ]
no subject
[There wasn't always someone else there, to lean on.]
A-are... you sure? You're okay? With - with that?
[Because as much as he would love to just agree, part of him nags and chews it over, fearfully. He's supposed to be a hero. Isn't he supposed to take that all on?]
(no subject)