House meeting

[no_reload]

Who: Reaper (no_reload), Fern (laminae), Luz (imaglyphwitch), Luca (schoolingfish), Varian (droptheious)
What: Disaster House has a meeting
When: Beginning of November
Where: Disaster House in Cassandra

Content Warnings: Will add as they come up.


[Reaper had taken his time with recovery, which left him trapped in his room for a few days. When it seemed that he could get around without having long episodes of shortness of breath, he appeared more downstairs. That's where he happened to be, settled into a chair with the other occupants of the house.

He knew they had questions, knew that most of them would have to do with Lance's outburst on the network. That wasn't the kid's fault; they didn't always control their Omens. And Lance had been circling the drain for years now, barely holding on. Not the kid's fault. For as long as he had known Lance, the kid had been teetering on the edge of a mental crisis.

However, this wasn't about Lance right now. This was about the household where he resided, and many of the youngsters who lived in it. As the eldest, he knew that his position here was the most tenuous.

So Reaper sat quietly, one ankle crossed over his other knee. He remained in comfortable black clothing, and while situations like these usually had him wearing his mask, he had decided against it. Instead, his scarred face was bare, though he kept his hood up to cover most of his white hair. His gloved hands were folded in his lap, thumbs clasping the mask that he would normally wear. Instead, it lightly tapped against his thigh.]

So, I suppose we should call this meeting to order, hmm?

Comments

[schoolingfish]

Yeah, I...guess that makes sense.

[It's depressing to think that someone could get so corrupted that there was no saving them, but it certainly sounds like Reaper is going to use his best judgement on situations like that.]

Thanks. I know no one in the house does. And I know no one I've met here whose found out about it seems to, either, but I still feel like I should clarify when I say 'monster'.

[no_reload]

For some, it's temporary and for others, because death isn't permanent here, they recover once they are brought back.

[Well, maybe. He actually had no idea how blood corruption worked for those that had to be killed, but this kid was probably optimistic enough to not need to think about such heavy thoughts. It had been a long time since he had to curb what was perfectly normal to talk about with young adults.]

Good. You're perfectly unique. I've seen some actual monsters and they are never so friendly.

[schoolingfish]

It's still kind of terrifying to think someone can end up so far gone they have to be killed...even if they do come back.

[Luca hopes no one in this house ever goes that far.]

Yeah, back home I don't think actual monsters like they have here were a thing.

[no_reload]

Believe me, it happens. [His expression was carefully neutral.] But they come back and are likely better off than how they left.

[He didn't think Luca should have to witness anything like that, but if Trench was anything like Deerington, he was skeptical that all of them could prevent it long-term. Who knew. Luca could be fortunate.]

Perhaps not in appearance. I expect everywhere has monsters of a different kind. As long as you're safe, that's what matters.

[schoolingfish]

[It's difficult to grasp and understand this world and how it works, because death is usually a bad thing, but Luca saw Reaper dead on video, and he knows he came back as a squid before returning as himself. Given what he's seen he figures Reaper could very well be right. As for monsters...well, his world might not have monsters in the sense that this place did, but Luca supposes it might have monsters of a sort.]

Yeah...I guess if you mean figurative monsters, every world has those.

[no_reload]

[The whole death thing was definitely something that Reaper had learned to take with a grain of salt for himself. He'd been dying for years now, but this was different. How it would affect other people he had no idea, but most seemed to still view death from the eyes of permanence.]

Yes, that's how old tales are created. Does your world have tales that involve monsters?

[schoolingfish]

Well, yeah. I mean, we consider humans monsters because they hunt us, and we have a lot of stories about that. And of course, humans have stories about us being monsters. That's definitely part of why they hunt us. If they're not just doing it for the money, anyway.

[no_reload]

That's typical. It's easy to dislike and fear what one doesn't understand. [And greed would always factor in somewhere. Someone somewhere would find a way to utilize every little thing.]

At least you are relatively safe here.

[schoolingfish]

Yeah. I mean, this place seems like it can get pretty dangerous, but at least there's no one trying to hurt me here.

[And no 300,000 lira reward for dead sea monsters. But, of course, this conversation and how nice Reaper's been while explaining everything has completely convinced Luca that while there are likely many threats in the Trench, Reaper is not one of them.]

[no_reload]

Oh it can be. If you keep your wits about you, have your head on a swivel and know how to defend yourself, you should make your way through this place well enough.

[Reaper was all about everyone knowing how to defend themselves from threats. He had learned from a young age, and he expected the young ones to be given that knowledge too. Everywhere they went had some level of danger after all.]

[schoolingfish]

Oh, I can't defend myself. But I can do those other things! And I can run away!

[Growing up he'd just been taught to find an underwater cave to hide in if there was danger. The idea of actually trying to fight terrifies him, since he very much doubts he'd be able to do something like that.]

[no_reload]

[Reaper raised a white eyebrow at that admittance.]

You will. Either Fern or myself will teach you. It's a good skill to know even if you never have to use it.

[Running was a good standard to have, but when that avenue ran out, it was good to have a back-up.]

[schoolingfish]

Oh, okay. I could definitely try to learn, but just to warn you, I'm not that strong.

[And he has literally no confidence that he'll be an actual competent fighter. He's more of the bookworm type.]

[no_reload]

Defending yourself isn't all about strength. You look quick on your feet, and I've seen a bit of how nimble you are in the water.

[He wasn't about to make everyone into a combat specialist, but he wanted these kids to know when to stand their ground and fight or take flight.]

[schoolingfish]

[Well, if it's not all about strength, maybe it's not completely hopeless? Luca just knows he'd rather avoid a fist fight if he can.]

Oh, yeah. I'm pretty quick. I even won a triathlon once! I mean, that was kind of because it started raining and I turned back and ended up being chased with a harpoon through the last part of the race, but I still won! And I was faster than a full grown adult that was chasing me!

[no_reload]

[Wait what? A triathlon?.

He eyed Luca for a moment to consider it. Kid seemed a bit too sprig-like to be able to complete a full length one, but then again, being chased was a good reason to be quick.]

Adrenaline will do that, but clearly you have good stamina... I think you'll learn dodging well then.

[schoolingfish]

[It was actually a triathlon for kids, but Luca doesn't know how long a full length one would be. Also, adrenaline.]

Oh, yeah. Believe me, sheer terror definitely made a huge difference. And yeah, dodging I can do.

[After all, look at him! He doesn't have a single harpoon scar!]

[no_reload]

It always does.

[Well, he was going to have to set up a training protocol based specifically in not getting hit. He would likely do that over some form of cooking.]

We'll get together once I have a plan for you.

[schoolingfish]

Great! Thanks!

[He still doesn't know how well he'll do, but he at least feels more confident knowing the plan will likely involve more being fast and agile than being strong.]