deercountry | If I had died

Welcome Home.

Not even in the creepy way. The house now feels more lived-in, as the long-empty rooms fill in with people. With voices. The kitchen doesn't feel hollow, or sterile. There's probably dishes in the sink more often than not, it probably smells often of food, constantly of coffee or tea. Sometimes burned toast.

There are two living rooms, plenty of places to sit and chat, or read, or just hang out. One sofa even has a pile of blankets in a box beside it. Bathrooms are clean as one can expect in a house of multiple people - they're all shared, too, so. Be sure you lock up before you shower. Heck, the house even has a resident feline who has the zoomies at weird hours - his name is Oreos. He's very friendly and will sleep on your lap if allowed.

There's only one area off-limits. The master bedroom at the far east end of the house. It's locked, securely, no explanation available. Not even the cat goes in there.

Oh, yeah. There's an entire piano. Does anyone even play piano?

Meet up, have domestic shenanigans, try to figure out how to play the piano, burn some toast, have fun.

Edited 2022-12-09 06:41 (UTC)

1) THE EXPLORATION
Frankly, the sirens should have been a dead giveaway. He should have known better. Should have realized something terrible was about to happen. There's a vague memory of something like this, though, for the life of him, he's not sure what. Though he does hunker down, hold his right hand up - purple light illuminating the surrounding area... and...

"Oh crap." Language, Shiro! One look at the peeling, warping world is all he needs to duck down behind some storage boxes in the alleyway. "Okay. Okay, wait for this to pass... then get home."

And so begins Shiro's exploration of Silent Trench Hill begins. Feel free to run into him anywhere - he's probably fairly visible, using his right hand for a flashlight and all.

2) THE MONSTERS | cw; silent hill style body horror
Unfortunately, the big glowing hand doesn't just attract other Sleepers. It will, inevitably, attract monsters. And with Shiro not having a radio to blare warning static, he is likely to be caught unawares by more than a couple horrors. Such as...

a) Masks
Staggering, swollen creatures on spindly legs. Its back is one huge growth, pulsing, twisting. Occasionally eyes emerge, blinking. Or mouths gape wide and drooling from its hide. Noses like pustules. Every so often, a full face appears, forms, and is plucked off, peeled off as if it were a scab, held up to the creature's head. The faces look... oddly familiar. People who may have been seen in Trench, or Deerington - or a young girl, face made of light, hair made of shadow.

The faces scream, sob, or plead. Or worse, they call out to Shiro himself.

b) Table
This one... is some kind of backward, metallic centaur of a creature. Its legs are hinged like an animal's joints, rusted here and there, glowing in between sloppily welded pieces with lurid purple light. The creature's back is stiff and rigid, slick with unidentifiable fluid - is it blood, is it oil? A human torso emerges from the front of it, tied down with heavy bolts and manacles embedded into flesh. Its arms, swollen and deformed with muscle, have been stitched on backward, reaching blindly out. There is no face, only a mouth, held shut with a thick metal gag. Stitching runs along its body, glowing that same ugly purple.

It bucks and wobbles, propelling itself forward blindly.

Both of the creatures are aggressive, but the Table is more so, and will attempt to tear its victims apart with those huge arms.

3) THE HOSPITAL | safe room or boss fight
When the door appeared out of the fog, Shiro bolted for it. Maybe you were there with him. But he bolted, he ran, and threw it open to just plain escape from the things he saw out there. He doesn't look at the hallway he ends up in. Not right away.

Instead, he sinks down, slides down to sit against the wall, breathing - focusing. Until he catches his breath, and the acrid stink of harsh chemicals makes itself known. He slowly lifts his head, staring around in abject horror.

It's a long, long hallway. Too long to see the end of. The overhead lights flicker weirdly - bright, searing white one moment, dull purple the next. Sometimes they stay one color of the other. Sometimes banks of them change, while others don't. White lights reveal white walls, white floors, white doors, like someone splashed the whole portion of the hall in paint. Purple lights show something else. More warped doorways, the color scheme all greys, blacks, purples and reds, more alien than the sterile hospital ward should be.

Shiro looks terrified. He tries to go back through the door, only to find a blank wall. His hands actually scrabble at it, metal fingers peeling off paint. But there's nothing.

Just a wall. And the looming specter of the hospital hall behind him.

Edited 2022-12-11 08:03 (UTC)

[Placeholder]

A: The kitchen

Ritsuka is a very particular person in some ways, one of them is smells. Every time he passes the kitchen, the scent of burnt toast makes him gag or wince. Finally fed up, he decided he was going to change the smell by cooking something else.

He put on one of the aprons in the kitchen, the hem brushing against his knees with how it dwarfed his frame. But he would not be deterred.

With a scan for ingredients and utensils, he settled on a mushroom ramen stir fry dish that Makoto had taught him. He handled everything quietly and deftly, the smells from the kitchen wafting through the house. His tail swished in thought and he opted for a large enough serving for everyone in the house to have something.

He was plating his food when his ears perked up, alerted first by the sound of someone before he looked up.

"Uh, I made enough for everyone..." he offered as he put the apron away and began to clean up the mess he made from cooking. His tail swished, nervous as he had no idea how to interact with... well... anyone, honestly. "You can have some, if you want? It's not... I mean it's fine, nothing fancy."

His ears bent back. "I was just trying to get rid of the burnt toast smell," he went on, trying to provide a reason for his being in the kitchen to validate his being there.

B. The living room

Ritsuka was a quiet person by nature and animals tended to like being around him because of it. Oreo, however, didn't need a reason to like someone. He was quite happily "stuck" as Oreo was purring with utter joy while sitting atop the book in his lap that he had been reading. Not willing to pass up the opportunity, he scratched and petted the cat. He had always wanted a cat.

"You didn't sleep in my room last night," he said to Oero as he scratched under the cat's chin. "Where were you, huh?"

Edited 2022-12-09 07:11 (UTC)

[Lance doesn't live here anymore, too many memories, triggers for difficult hallucinations and visions because his mind is a mess. Thanks winter lanterns and PTSD. But when he wants to take the risk and challenge his head, or go into his old room where he's still stashing things that are valuable to him, he will be here. And he's almost always wearing dark sunglasses and won't take them off, like a weirdo. His giant white direwolf that he raised with Allura is also regularly with him or sometimes on her own just parked outside of the door to the master bedroom blocking everyone's way because she's the size of a horse.

There's also the piano, which he does know how to play. But he didn't always, he taught himself when he was alone in the house back in Deerington. It wasn't hard since he's already a musician and it's another reason he'll sometimes come back. But he only plays when he thinks there's nobody else in the house. Of course, lately he's been pretty distracted and might have missed that someone is there while he's playing covers of pop songs. Might also play some classics. His glaceon is often with him along with the giant white wolf when he plays, sitting atop the piano and wiggling with the music, accidentally letting off some frost and snow flurries inside.

Otherwise, he can be found in his old room sometimes sitting on the floor with the door cracked slightly where usually it's closed. Is he doing anything of significance? Perhaps. If you consider trying to sit with painful memories and hallucinations and get over it already significant. He can look kinda like he's spacing out, but other times he'll have a box of stuff next to him that he's going through. Pictures and other little things he got in Deerington that he keeps here. If you walk in on him going through it, he'll yelp and shove it under the bed and might also try to… blow your head off. Approach with caution. The wolf will always be with him in here as well, and sometimes his coyote omen Valor.

Lastly, sometimes he'll bring over food he made because since Hunk left, he's not entirely sure about this household's cooking skills and status. So he can be caught putting covered dishes of food in the fridge before trying to make a smooth exit without being seen or… seeing anything. And other times he might just come over to bother Chloe outside her window, Keith too sometimes. He'll use pebbles or knock on the glass, or even raise a boom box over his head and play "music." Feel free to catch him doing this even if it's not your attention he's trying to get. Where did he get the boom box, you ask? Don't worry about it.]

Edited 2022-12-09 17:16 (UTC)

Adam laughs softly. "That's what happens when Takashi uses the kitchen." His tone is apologetic as he raises a helpless eyebrow.

"I married him for his looks, not his cooking skills."

Still, he waves off Ritsuka's apologies. "This is your kitchen too, you're free to use it any time you like. I just came to make myself a cup of tea. Though," He sniffs at the air for a moment, peeking over at his plate, "You weren't kidding about being able to cook. What'd you make?"

[Adam hadn't meant to eavesdrop, honestly. He'd just been putting the kettle on in the kitchen when he heard music from the other room. No, not just music. There were plenty of people who lived here, either in the past or currently, who played records or songs or other recorded music. This was live music. And if he wasn't mistaken, it was their piano.

In the entirety of his time at Mouse House he hadn't heard a single person play on it. For some reason he'd assumed it was Alluras, another monument to her that Takashi wanted here and preserved but not talked about. Now he realizes he should've just asked.

He's surprised to find Lance sitting there, playing quietly and confidently. Adam smiles to himself as he nods along with the tune, actually recognizing it for once. He wasn't great with music, but even he knew a few pop hits.

It's the wolf that gives him away, spotting him leaning where he was and alerting. Adam straightens and coughs.]

Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I've just never heard anyone actually play on that thing. You're good.

A) EARLY MORNING
... It burned again.

The toast has burned again. That explains why the kitchen smells like that, at least. He wasn't even using the high setting on the toaster. The very, very lowest. And yet... he's left with a charred hunk of bread.

"Can't... waste food. I guess."

Shiro no.

B) LATE EVENING
The front door opens. It's already dark outside, and the wind blows in a few stray drifts of white as Shiro drags himself inside. He's wearing white, matching his hair, and the robes smell strongly of sea and sand. Waker duty today. And he looks worn out, not paying much attention to who he's speaking with, leaning against the wall nearest the door.

"Any hot water left today...? Or coffee. Or a sandwich."

Listen it's freezing, and it's even colder on the beach. It was a long, long day.

"Sorry - little out of it."

"What? Takashi, no! We have like, six dogs or cats you could feed that to instead!" No wonder he seemed to always be a little off. A little tired, a little weak, a little caffeine deprived...

Well, he was caffeine deprived.

And admittedly, he was doing substantially better than he had in Deerington, or even when Adam first arrived here.

"And didn't we have rules about you and anything that can heat up in the kitchen?"

Chloe's doing her usual post-dinner snack binge and had just opened the fridge to look at her options when she heard Shiro's voice. She peeks around the edge of the door, looking at him and raising a brow.

"Sit down. I was just gonna make something anyway. Last thing you look like you need is to burn down the kitchen trying to boil water."

"Cats don't eat toast."

Is what Shiro tries to say. It almost comes out. It would have done a lot better if not for the fact by the time his partner spots the mistake, Shiro has already shoved the toast in his mouth. Like an anime girl late for school.

So it comes out more like caff oat ead oast.

"Hi to you too."

But there's real warmth in the statement. And relief. Like he was partly worried she wouldn't be there when he got back. But - there she is. There's a familiar member returned.

"I'm okay, it's just cold."

He's already peeling off the outer robes. To shrug into another hoodie. Change his boots into slippers. It's too chilly to be barefoot this time of year.

w[a]rmup exercises - around noon

[ venus is a bit of an oddity around the house. sometimes, he just hangs out and helps out with whatever he can; other times he vanishes for days at a time, showing back up without warning like an outside cat with more wanderlust than sense.

it's one of the former days that you might hear music coming from the piano room. not piano music, mind you - maybe the occasional plink of a key, but that's all the sound echoing from the instrument. instead, it's the gentle sound of a high tenor singing. he's quiet - barely above sotto voce, trying to sing without letting anyone else hear - but sometimes his voice picks up, and sometimes he gets a bit lost in the song.

regardless of what volume he's been caught at, when someone else walks in he immediately stops with a stammered out- ]

Oh my god? [ and then, without even waiting for a response: ] I'm- Sorry! I didn't think anyone else was around??

a [b]eautiful night - night

[ it's one of those latter nights that venus shows up at the house again. he's been missing for a good three days this time - not the longest stop out, but certainly not the shortest by any stretch. he looks mildly stressed - okay, mildly stressed for him, which is to say "nearly crying" for anyone else. perhaps more importantly, he is absolutely serving looks - winged eyeliner and eyeshadow applied with a hand far steadier than his, a reflective gloss across his lips. it's not a look he's worn around anyone in the house before, at the very least.

which might be why he tiptoes in as slowly as he can, trying desperately to avoid making any sound or waking anyone up. one step, and then another, and then-

and then a floorboard makes a sound like a dying whale, and he just freezes in place with a whispered: ]

Shit.

[We're so sorry, Venus. But, Shiro doesn't sleep regular human hours. He's tried, and he's gotten a bit better. Tonight's one of the nights he just can't shut his brain off, and rather than keep his partner up tossing and turning, he moved to the kitchen to go over his old Deerington notes.]

[Footsteps and people being up and around is fine and well. There's teens and cats, and Keith, here. People up at weird hours. It's the curse that gets his attention, not because "language!!". More because he's concerned -]

[So he pokes his head around a corner.]

Hello?

[ caught red-handed.

for a moment, venus stares in utter silence. he doesn't move a muscle; he just stares like a deer in the headlights at shiro. after a moment, he says: ]

Um. Hi.

[ an awkward, delayed pause. ]

Sorry?

[OOPS.]

[Oh. Okay, it's just Venus. His own shoulders relax, and he ends up with a weary smile, instead of uncertainty. And no small amount of relief, too.]

Oh, hey. No, you're fine. It's good to see you.

[I was worried - he almost says, then squashes down. Shiro tilts his head slightly, giving Venus another once-over, before he adds something else instead.]

You look nice! [No, seriously, is he dressed up? Maybe he was at a party. Is that eyeliner?]

Oh! Haha. Um, thanks. It's good to see you too.

[ it's weird. shiro's smiling; everything should be fine. but venus's shoulders are tense, tight, like he's still waiting for the other shoe to drop - and even shiro's compliment doesn't quite ease that tension. venus laughs, nervous, a little placating - and terribly, terribly awkward. ]

Haha. Um. That's... Thanks, I think. [ and he left it there it'd probably be fine. but he just... keeps going. ] But it's not... I'm not. You know. [ he nervously starts to shift from side to side; he crosses his arms, tucks his shoulders slightly down. ] Sorry. I should probably wash this off.

Did you just get in? There's probably leftovers if you need something.

[He gestures toward the kitchen. Cooking may not be in Shiro's skillset, but it is in just about everyone else's. There's absolutely food in the fridge right now.]

Not...? [Oh no, now he's curious. And cautiously probing. Was he not supposed to say anything? But - it does look good on the kid. He's not a makeup person himself, but he can appreciate it.] Well, if you're heading to bed, yeah. I hear that stuff's a pain to sleep in.

Lance or Chloe might've left some remover in one of the bathrooms.

That's. Thank you?

[ it's almost squeaked out, a confused sort of anxiety to venus's expression. for a moment, he just stares at shiro, and when he does speak it's only one word. ]

You're... [ he doesn't move. he doesn't breathe. he doesn't do much of anything. he just looks at shiro - looks close, those wide blue eyes staring directly into shiro's - and ] Just, um... Just to make sure. You're... not mad? Or weirded out? Or... Anything like that?

[ PROCESSING ]

Edited 2022-12-11 06:45 (UTC)

[ ????? ]

[Is there a word for that feeling? That confusion? This feels like all the times Chloe sent him emoji and expected him to get the reference. There's something here he isn't grasping. But he's trying.]

About... you coming in... late?

[When Venus stares at him, meets his eyes, there's pure bafflement. No judgment. Why would he be mad?]

I was worried, yeah. But you don't have a curfew, you're your own person and you've got a key.

Unfortunately Adam is fully fluent in "I'm Takashi and my mouth is stuffed to the brim with food," so he translates it easy.

"Lions might."

[Adam holds up his hands with a disarming smile.]

No need to apologize. I was just putting the kettle on and overheard you a bit. So I suppose I'm the one who owes you an apology for eavesdropping.

[He leans against the wall, arms crossed loosely over his chest.]

You're Venus, right?

"Carnivores," he says.

The toast has broken into two halves rather than allowing itself to be bitten into. It makes a sound like wood snapping.

Maybe he should put butter on it. That'd soften it up, right?

"I'm sure they'd eat toast if I put meat on it."

And he can't take it anymore, honestly. He steps forward, snatches the two dense halves from his mouth and tosses them directly in the bin.

"You'd better hope the Trench has a dentist."

If I had died

MOUSE HOUSE MEET UP | closed to residents/past residents

SILENT HILL | ota

December Event | OTA

Ritsuka Aoyagi | Loveless

lance

A!

Piano

space dad

A

B

no subject

no subject

venus | we know the devil | paleblood

b

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

A! Adam W | Voltron: Legendary Defender | boringblood

no subject

no subject