deercountry | CHOICES AND REPRISALS

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CHOICES AND REPRISALS

APRIL 2023 EVENT

Due to the cyclical nature of Trench, some of last year's April Prompts are available for use. Prompt Number 2 (Wonderkind) will be occurring again this month. Prompt Number 1 (Moonlit Butterfly Migration) does not occur, and many in Trench are publicly shocked not to see the migration. Hunters report that the Butterflies do pass along the edges of the community but they seem to be all carrying an immense amount of hope energy this year. Disciples and Arcane Scholars mutually agree (for once) that this must be because Riteior's defeat is eminent, meaning that there is a massive amount of ambient hope in the area, making their presence minimal this year. Prompt 3 is not available, as the Tethers seem to similarly be faded away for the same reasons.

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Alien Pthumerian with three arms]
[Image Two: Ivy Covered Door]

Prompt Two
[Image One: White glowing stag in forest]
[Image Two: Cliff's edge in fog]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Ruined City in a state of decay]
[Image Two: Humanoid figure covered in tentacles]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

CHOICE IS A GIFT WORTH MORE THAN GOLD

WHEN: April 8-31
WHERE: Anywhere, along with a vision of the Outposst
CONTENT WARNINGS: Mention of Blood Rituals.

[Excerpt From History of Blood Crazed Zealots: Chapter 21 On the Tower found in the Lumenarium:]

“It is widely assumed amongst the people of Trench that the Pthumerian known as the Tower is himself bodily the City itself. Past occasions of distress to the Tower have resulted in inconsistencies in the many buildings and districts throughout the city. The Zealots themselves are not the only people who believe this firmly, but are known to have become obsessed with placating and empowering the Tower through the application of blood rituals to transfer life force to the Pthumerian. It is believed that this may be part of why the city has grown to the size that it is, though this is not entirely clear how accurate this is. Nobody in Trench can recall a time when the Tower did not already serve in this capacity, and no Pthumerian is willing to answer questions on the subject.

What is curious about this silence, however, is that nobody knows what the process a Pthumerian or a theoretical half-Pthumerian might use in tying their essence to a community. The ritual is lost to time, and likely to have been a very powerful blood ritual that is a carefully guarded secret of the Pthumerian race. Whispers abound, however, that if a lesser Pthumerian were to seek to bolster a community in the future, it might enable the swifter growth of new territory. Few speak of this possibility, however, because it is feared that to ask for such a thing might invite disaster or displeasure from among the Pthumerians.”

In a hastily scrawled note wedged into the book, an addendum includes the following excerpt.

“The existence of Riteior, and their dominance over a city outside of Trench clearly indicates that the Pthumerians hold a ritual that makes it possible to bond with a community, to create a new body. But, based upon the presence of an outpost crafted in recent years, the question remains whether it is possible to maintain a community without the presence and influence of the Pthumerians.”

Celebrations over the presumed defeat of Riteior are muted. His disappearance is not something clarified for certain, and many people in Trench are unwilling to risk the assumption that he is gone until it is proven for a length of time. However, the city remains in a state of relative peace. Fewer monsters are seen, and blood corruption seems to have lessened significantly throughout the month. Trenchies throughout the Willful Machine offer pastries for free, all made in the shape of little moths “To honor Argonaut,” though the clever will sense that there seems to be a air of quiet hope that floods the city. It is during this time of peace that you are visited by a Visitor.

The three armed Pthumerian floats just off of the ground. People of Trench bow at the sight of them and excuse themselves reverently. It does not react to anyone except those to whom it is addressing. “Greetings. I am Hali, Child of Bauphomette. I present a proposal.” There is a definite sense of power that flows through you as they speak, their androgynous and emotionally detached voice echoing more in your mind than your ears and you are sure that only those that are being addressed can hear it. Hali's proposal does not come in words, but rather a pair of visions that you are allowed to experience as long as you choose, to be certain of the nature of what is being offered. Both of these visions are of the Outpost outside of the walls of Trench.

The First Vision: You look out from a tower upon the Outpost. The retaining walls, covered in blood wards that conceal the community from the outside world, stand strong and the interior of the structure teems with people of Trench, all of them dressed in bright arrays of color, conducting commerce and trade. Only one new structure has been included in the Outpost itself, a small shrine and temple with a symbol on its gate not unlike the one on Hali's face. It stands between the Barracks and Keep, and Disciples offer bundles of incense from within. What is more outstanding about the sight is seen when you turn to look beyond the walls. You see the forest cleared in all directions, and a second wall constructed a mile away, surrounding what appears to be bustling farmland as far as the eye can see. In the distance, you can see a second barracks, positioned in the middle of the territory, and small stands of communities, the Outpost clearly growing. Behind you, Hali floats, bowing to you once.

You know the truth of the vision. Hali is offering to be bound to an object and using the outpost as an example of what is possible. Bound to this object and placed within a community, be it the Outpost or another one, its presence will make that community will become more secure from the outside dangers and blood corruption, growing and flourishing as a light in the darkness and a hope of new growth.

The Second Vision: You see the Outpost again. There are few Trenchies within the city, all of the dressed in dark and muted hues. No outside farms are visible and the woods are as terrifying and treacherous as ever. The Outpost remains strong, but you can see that it struggles to maintain its population. Racks of mushrooms and vegetables grow all along the inside walls of the walls, enough to keep people going though it is a harder life. You feel, however, that there is something very cold and very alone about this place. You look up and you can barely see it. A translucent bubble surrounds the walls of the structure, completely sealing it off and so long as you are here, you realize what it is that you can feel is lacking. You cannot see the moon. When you look down the wall, you see Hali again.

They bow once more, from beyond the nearly invisible barrier, and their offer is once more clear. Hali knows a way to seal a location outside of Trench forever apart from the influence of the Pthumerians, even the Moon Presence. Again, it uses the Outpost as an example because it is a place where the Sleepers have gone to great lengths to be free. Life in such a place will be hard, always hard. Even if it grows beyond its walls, it will be a slow, methodical battle without a Pthumerian's support. However, that place would be forever free of that influence. It would cost Hali dearly, but they seem genuinely willing to give that.

“You deserve a choice, for what you have done for my people. You will have it.” And you feel that you have a definite choice in this moment.

FAQ:
1. This is an IC Vote, 1 Vote per character in the Plot Thread Below.
2. You may play out vision scenes in both versions using the Outpost as an example with other characters. Nobody is in danger within these visions.
3. The options are straightforward: Option One, Hali binds to an object that may be placed in another location. Once bound to that location, Hali will empower it as the Tower does Trench, to enable a new and thriving community with Pthumerian and Trench assistance. Option Two, Hali will reveal a ritual that will create an object that may be placed in another location. Once this is done, no Pthumerian will be able to enter, curse or otherwise intervene in that location. Initially that area would be a region about the size of the current Outpost, and could be increased with a ritual annually, though the process would be very slow and ultimately limited in scope. Doing so would drain Hali of most of their power to create, and so they would enter into seclusion afterwards for a long time.
4. Both options are a positive ending. The Location will remain largely unchained in the immediate future. It is simply a choice between prosperity and protection at the cost of Pthumerian influence versus a difficult, hard and threatened life free of Pthumerian Influence. Neither ending comes with strings attached. This location does NOT need to be the Outpost, but it CAN be the Outpost.
5. If asked why, Hali will appear briefly uncomfortable. It will repeat. “You deserve a choice. You have not had one. I would give you one.”
6. An OOC discussion will be available on where players might be interested in this "New Location" being installed. The Vote is only for the form it will take. Options include Riteior's City, the Outpost or an entirely new location. The Vote this month will decide "What" is being done. A future vote will occur in May on Where it occurs.
7. Hali has no opinion on which characters should choose. If Trenchies are contacted, they are shocked at the possibility of the offer, and they cannot collectively come to a conclusion on what should be done (Though Disciples clearly favor letting Hali bind himself, while Arcane Scholars find the idea of a separated space fascinating.). No Pthumerian will even acknowledge the question, though Bauphomette (if found to inquire) will be seen smirking. Do they look proud?

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TRUST AND ITS PERILS

WHEN: Anytime in April
WHERE: The hinterlands outside of Trench
CONTENT WARNINGS: Light Body Horror, Monsters, Possible Death, Isolation

In all of the time that you've been in Trench, deer have been one of the constants, the only true protectors. You've seen effigies of them, statues and the like. Someone might have had one as an omen, but somehow you always knew deep down it was an omen, not a “real deer.” People venerate them, and items that are carved from deer antlers seem to last forever, powered by some magic that nobody can describe. Deer are the protectors of Trench, and you can trust them. As important as they are to the community, that fact is almost an importance to the point of reverence.

So, when you are out and enjoying the remarkably pleasant weather that's in town, perhaps you feel the urge to visit the surrounding countryside. Monster sightings are low, so there's no reason to hold yourself back from a little exploring. In fact, by mid-month you see what almost looks like a translucent dome around the city glimmer into life and then fade, and with it you feel an almost unnatural wanderlust. The people of Trench have reached an outpost, have found the city of Riteior. Why not wander a little? Nothing's holding you back, right?

That's when you see one.

The creature is unmistakable when you see it the first time. Albino and pale, with dogwood branches instead of proper antlers, the pink blossoms standing in stark contrast to the elegant appearance of the creature's white fur. It barely seems to notice you at first, but eventually your eyes meet. It's nothing more than a casual glance, but it starts to dart off. The pace is an easy lope, not a startled and fleeing dart. You can still see it in the distance. It's a deer. Deer are the protectors of Trench, the preservers of the dream. Hell, if you were in the nightmare you used to be a deer. Kind of. Why not trust it? And, if you follow the creature, at first everything seems fine. No monsters trouble you at all. The path you take seems completely safe, but gradually the real danger begins to come into focus.

You are lost. You are hopelessly lost, and at some point, the deer simply disappears. The moment that it is gone from sight, you have nothing that you can easily rely on for directions that is not on your person. If you're fortunate enough to have a compass of some kind, especially a magic one you've acquired in your travels, you might eventually get back but with the setting of the sun, you can tell you've been traveling for hours. The woods this far out are no longer safe. There are howls of monsters and snarls of beasts in the distance. Nothing has sought you out, not yet anyway, but the undergrowth snaps loudly under your feet to your ears. It is getting dark and light might attract attention, but in the darkness you can feel the lack of sureness in the ground. Worse, you hear the faint sounds of rushing water nearby. There's a waterfall somewhere, which means there's also a cliff. Do you dare try and remain in the darkness, alone? Does someone find you in the midst of your distress? Why did the deer lead you into the middle of nowhere like this?

A short time after you start moving again, you will find your answers at least. You feel something odd against your boot, and looking down you see them. Bones. Deer bones. A deer, long ago, died in this place and by the fact that you see an arrow sticking out of its skull, its killer was a mortal Sleeper. What you do at this point is up to you. In the wilderness, demonic wildlife abound, each of them hungry and territorial by nature. They are dangerous, feral and powerful in a fight, but they can be avoided or defeated even if they almost seem to be trying to herd people that they find in one direction. The growing rush warns of the danger as much as anything, the creatures intent on sending any sleepers they attack either to their death over the cliff's face in the dark or at the end of their claws!

Should an effort be made to try and put the deer's spirit to rest, it is not easy, and there is no clear solution. Prayers, magic, blood rituals, a proper burial, all of these are ideas. However, you are in uncharted territory and perhaps you will put it at peace, or perhaps the creature will continue to haunt this place. You cannot say for sure. However, any effort to give peace to the long dead creature does at least seem to come with the benefit that no monsters draw near until sunrise, giving at least daylight to try and escape. You just have to survive in this place. Alone. Only the sounds of the wild will accompany you.

FAQ: 1. If asked afterwards about the white deer, it takes a while, but some of the oldest Trenchies recall stories of an old wive's tale, that if you see a white deer in the woods at night, it was a sign of eminent death. However, none of seen such a thing in years.
2. It is not possible to know for sure if the deer's spirit is put to rest if you attempt. It does not make contact a second time. However, anyone who puts it to rest is not harassed by it a second time.
3. To head off a question that is likely, it is possible for those with powers to communicate with monstrous beasts in the woods. They are feral to the point of madness, but can be cowed to submission if you have power to do so. Though they will not enter the city of Trench, it is possible to maintain a connection (again, if your character has the power to do so) and encounter ONE such creature from this event in the future.

[JUMP TO TOP] • [JUMP TO COMMENTS]

FROM HELL'S HEART I STAB AT THEE

WHEN: Any time in April
WHERE: Riteior's City for one part, the Salt Lake for the other
CONTENT WARNINGS: Induced Madness, Violent Tendencies, Blood, Hallucinations, Beasthood

The spirit of exploration is upon all in Trench. A fog seems to be lifted from this point onward, and nothing holds people back from the urge to explore, other than of course the possibility of monsters and beastly creatures trying to eat you. But, this is Trench. When has that ever stopped you? On the eighth of April, the reason for this newfound freedom becomes far clearer. In the distance, along the direction towards the far-flung city of Riteior, a great and colossal light can be seen. There is a roar of impotent, unbridled and incomprehensible rage that flows outwards. It washes over an unseen barrier in Trench, causing the air to shimmer, to hold and then to fade back to normal. Seconds later, there is another sound, like breaking and shattering glass. Everything shudders. Your soul shudders. Reality shudders. And then there is silence, and you feel an absolute sense of peace descend upon you and you know the truth. A great evil has been sealed away, hopefully never to return again.

For some in Trench, this is occasion to celebrate. The partying is muted. Pthumerians are recovered, but the scars of their disease are still felt. However, a bonfire is held before the salt lake on the week of the 15th. Food and fellowship are had. Tents are set up, and no monsters are seen anywhere around the healing waters. The drinks flow, and the refreshments are plentiful. Even better is the fact that the people of Trench seem to have gotten the idea that sometimes Sleepers don't like something being slipped into the food and drink. There is absolutely nothing whatsoever wrong with the food. No additives. The only strangeness that may be experienced is that, if you stare long into the fire with someone, you may be treated to visions of your home, of your past similar to the events of Wonderkind, though always nostalgic and pleasant ones.

However, that's far from the only thing going on. The moment that Riteior is defeated, a call goes up among the Hunters of the City to retake the city of Riteior for Trench. Intrepid souls, particularly Sleepers, are invited to seek out and conquest the silent city (Details of the city are found here) as it has no sleepers or population within it. The goal of this journey is to get a Lantern Location or two established within, with the intent of that serving as a bulwark to eventually re-establish the community and draw a new Pthumerian to bind themselves to it. The journey is a week long without technological or magical flight, but other than the possibility of feral wildlife, it is a relatively peaceful, even boring one. It's when you reach the city that everything begins to go wrong.

The first thing you will notice in the city is that there are no longer any whispers from unseen corners. Additionally, the portal to the other Trench is closed, leaving only a desolate, crumbling ruin where Riteior's church once stood. You are truly alone in this place. It seems fine, if quiet, and setting down a Lantern Location is deceptively easy (provided you have one, perhaps through holding onto it, or the Moss King's games last month, or even bargaining for one with the Hunters of Trench in return for service). However, within an hour of entering the city, you know something is wrong. You begin to feel sick to your stomach and paranoia starts to set in. Out of the corner of your eyes, you can see blood starting to drip down the walls as far as the eye can see. The world shudders around you, and waves of nausea collect. Even worse, however, is that you can practically feel your skin crawl as the symptoms of corruption start to settle in and you taste copper on your tongue, almost like there is blood on the air. That is because there is. Riteior's Blood.

His last laugh, and his last act of vengeance, Riteior's blood drained into the ground of the city that he was part of. Sealed away, he can do nothing more, but some Pthumerian blood is far too potent for mortal minds to deal with. Corruption leeches into anyone who remains in the city during this month at an alarming rate, rising from stage to stage over the course of hours. No amount of incense can stop it. Salt water blessed by the moon and Moon Drops are temporary fixes, but the symptoms simply resume. With corruption, madness and beasthood threaten to disrupt the proceedings, as you the conqueror are beset by an urge to fight and to kill. Riteior's Blood will fade soon, but to those so bold as to explore to the very prison of a god, a toll will be paid.

FAQ: 1. Corruption and Beasthood are very rare in the Outpost and Trench at this time, and with low monster presence, business and celebrations occur with almost unusual levels of peace. It is a time of brief reprieve in the city of Trench. 2. The primary threat here is corruption, and that only applies within the boundary of Riteior's City. Anyone who remains for an hour will begin to experience the first stages of corruption, and within 3 hours they will reach the point of full beasthood. Though this can be cured through the usual methods, the corruptive Pthumerian Blood will continue to be a problem until they leave the city and get it cleansed elsewhere.
3. Nothing can prevent this from happening if you are in the city of Riteior. The longer you remain, the more corruption you experience. Exploring deeper to decipher the cause of problems or helping to set up bulwarks and defenses only exposes you to danger as long as you remain.
4. Beast-transformed Trench Hunters can be faced and may take whatever monstrous form you wish.
5. Death is obviously possible in this event.
6. Riteior's blood will fade away and lose its potency within a month. As the next lunar cycle of Trench starts and the Wild Moon ends, his influence will be felt no more in this world. This process can't be sped up, but spiritually aware characters may realize that the effect is temporary and fading.
7. Lantern Locations may now be set up in Riteior's Former City.
8. In the future, though not immediate future, a Lesser Pthumerian will likely take over this city from Riteior's influence.

[JUMP TO TOP]

CODING

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

On Luz's end, she felt she had a responsibility toward making sure this place was safe after the whole ritual! Although now that she was actually moving around here on her own, she had gotten the answer pretty quickly.

But now Lexi was here, and Luz was both surprised and shocked. Why the heck would Lexi come to a place like this?!

She didn't even have a staff!

"I was giving this place a lookover! We did that ritual to keep Riteior out, and I was making sure that it was safe to go through. Why did you come here?"

Lexi winced and could hear the words coming out of her mouth. "I wanted to prove that I could?"

Bad. Awful. Terrible reasoning. Her AP teachers would be horrified.

Actually, Luz looks horrified, too, and she kind of squirms in embarrassment.

"Um. Ever get tired of being a bystander in life? Like, everything's happening around you and because you're slacking off, they're in trouble? I know it's kind of...not exactly logical? More of a gut reaction? But it's happened anyway and here I am?"

Terrible reasoning. She could almost see the words written in red pen over an AP European History term paper and winced again.

"Really."

Luz gave her a look, but it wasn't one of reproachfulness: it was, if anything, barely contained amusement.

"You know, not gonna lie? I've done things like that before. But if you're going to do that, you have to be careful and you have to have back up plans. You never really know what you're going to find in uncharted places."

Luz took a breath. "Because the longer I'm here, the more I'm starting to think we didn't win as soundly as we expected. I mean, I should know that better than most: Vira and I were sick BECAUSE of Riteior."

Luz paused. "I don't think he left here without doing something to it."

"Uh-huh. Probably doesn't sound that impressive, does it?"

She was expecting reproach, actually, and isn't entirely sure what to do with amusement. Other than give a tentative smile in hopes that it would make her idiocy make more sense.

"Well. This is my first? I mean, I've had weird shit happen to me, you know that, but it's usually mental weird shit, not. Physical weird shit. And this is pretty uncharted as far as I know."

And Lexi sighed. "Of course. Of course that happened. Great! Can't something here that's supposed to be down for the count actually stay down? Is that asking too much?" She looked entirely exasperated, both at herself and the situation as a whole.

"Like a curse?"

"It's not a great idea. Not without supplies, and at least one moon drop. This place is still all about blood corruption, and that can come from anywhere."

Luz appreciated the reason, but that didn't mean it was a good idea, especially in a place they didn't know a lot about.

"Ah. Right. I think that means I should have told you more about MY experiences with physical weird, uh, shit. Because believe me, you don't want to have any part in that."

Here, Luz shook her head. "That's on us, or at least this place. Riteior wasn't just some nut trying to gain power, he's as powerful as any Pthumerian. If he wasn't, he wouldn't have gotten as close as he did. It shouldn't have escaped us that if he lost, he would have also been extremely petty."

She gave a sigh herself. "In any case, hanging around here is not good. I can...feel the malice in the air, and I'm gonna guess that means corruption. I'm pretty sure you haven't been in that position before."

And Lexi squirmed. Action movies made this shit seem so easy. If she were Michelle Rodriguez, she'd have already kicked ten kinds of ass by now. "Um. I have me? And a flashlight?"

So many variables. Too many, really. Too many to account for, too many to plan for, and way too many to be ready for. She'd really stepped in it this time, hadn't she? She knows the answer is yes, that's why she's not asking.

"Yes. Please do. Not just because I love to listen to you talk, but also because I kinda don't wanna die. Two very good reasons."

"It's pretty sad when the devil we know is better than the devil who just showed up and was like 'I'm the devil you don't!'" Bad jokes. She could take refuge in bad jokes with the best of them. "Though, yeah. Petty can pretty much be guaranteed from anyone who loses cosmic pissing matches." It was astonishing. Like Nate Jacobs in super-human mode. No one wanted that, he'd ruin everything just because he could.

And Lexi looked around with a resigned expression on her face. "You and me both. But, I've never been corrupted. At least not enough for it to get really bad."

Luz took a breath. In, out. Woo.

"I'm glad you wanted to step out of your comfort zone sweetie, but for one thing, you totally need more supplies, especially if you're doing it alone. Most of the time you can find someone, but not always. Also, this place is an unknown. It's super dangerous to come here unprepared."

What Luz was doing wasn't much smarter, but she did know enough not to stay here for too long, and to take some drops and incense with her.

"Let's just say that I've stepped in more than one haunted house and, like, plenty of situations where there was an unknown evil right around the corner. Don't even get me started on Deerington's last days, where I had to escape monsters daily in the sky."

She was not joking about that.

"Heh, I hear you. I know you're not a fan of the Pthumerians. But I think its important to note they all, like gods we've read, have their own kinda domain. To have someone upset that whole balance, it would have been chaos. Now we're going to have to figure out WHAT he did here."

Luz looked at Lexi warily. "I have. And when it happened, me and Luca influenced each other. It was a bad time. We don't want that happening here."

"Unfortunately, the urge to check this place out didn't come with an instruction sheet or a checklist of supplies. I'm more than willing to listen and learn to do better next time," she said sheepishly.

Because, jeez, normally she was all about planning things out ahead of time and sticking to the sidelines, but she just plain didn't feel right about the latter anymore and for the former...well, no checklist. No instruction sheet.

"I won't, I won't! It's--it's going to be fine. Do you want me to turn back?" She didn't want to turn back, she still wanted to prove herself somehow, but she also wanted to prove herself. To herself, if no one else.

But if it avoided an argument...damnit, she hated being so weak.

But on the other hand..."What if someone else shows up?"

"As a precaution, always bring supplies. You never know what situation is going to get thrown at you. I think my first BAD one was a hotel where things were only a little strange, and then we had some dance festival thing where there were drugs in the air, and the time I let my guard down I get jumped by a vampire!"

That was all Deerington, but it was enough to teach Luz a lesson: never go anywhere without something to help you. It was just a good idea. Sometimes you had to get inventive.

"I'm just telling you to be careful, hun. You haven't had your first death, and I want to keep it that way. We can actually start here, right now."

It was going to be a gamble, but she wasn't trying to make Lexi feel embarrassed, just careful.

"Close your eyes, try to take in where you are. Take a minute. What do you sense?"

Luz would wait to answer Lexi's question. They'd have to deal with that if it happened.

"Okay. Um. What kinds of supplies? Like incense and stuff? And, yikes? Were you able to fight them off? Also, that's a dick move to say hooray there's a dance and oh yeah, you're gonna get drugged but we're not telling you that part."

Lexi felt weirdly bad that she'd never been in Deerington. Those who had seemed to have very tight bonds along with very good instincts for danger. She was kind of at a disadvantage given that she'd never been through that kind of experiences.

And she breathed a sigh of relief. Which was weird, given the circumstances. At least she knew it was weird? "I'll be more careful next time, promise. 'Cause I don't want to die and upset you."

And also because dying sounded like it would just plain suck and she didn't want to have to deal with that. If she could avoid it, anyway.

So Lexi did as she was instructed and reached out with her mind as best she could. "...danger. Which I know is kind of a 'duh' statement. And...blood? Something's out there."

She felt badly that she couldn't come up with anything more concrete.

"Well sure, that. But also, grappling hooks if you need them, some food and drink in case you get lost. A signal flare for the same reason. Oh, YOU'D probably need a tent, right? You don't have a staff or anything to fly with, so a journey like this means you'll probably have to find a place to throw down for the night. Probably would want a weapon too, in case things get unfriendly at night, and a flashlight."

Luz knew enough that it helped to be prepared. There were going to be some things she naturally would have even if she were going some place she intended to come back from via the staff.

Luz laughed a little. "I'd hope YOU wouldn't want to die too! I can tell you that it's no fun, especially if it could have been avoided! I appreciate you thinking of me though."

Now Luz just waited, and that creeping unease was starting to seep into her a bit more. It was definitely starting to feel like there was still something in the air here that they needed to avoid.

"I felt that the more I stayed here. I'm sure there are some beasts here we have to avoid, but that's not what either of us are feeling. I think this is what was left of Riteior. It's in the air, and it's familiar."

Luz looked serious. "It's corruption."

"A grappling hook? Like Batman? But yeah, shoulda been able to think of the food and water on my own. But in my defense, I haven't been hiking since I was a Girl Scout and that was four years ago. And a tent. And--and--holy crap, I feel like I should be in the Army to have all of this stuff ready whenever. But I have a flashlight! See?" And she does. One of the old-fashioned metal ones which could probably be used as a bludgeon just in case.

Lexi was almost a strictly indoors kind of girl. She was secretly glad when Rue's mom quit leading the Girl Scout troop because it meant no more camping and no more outdoors unless it was a stupid family party which she always smuggled books to anyway. So all of the earlier stuff hadn't even occurred to her.

All she could think of were those eighties slasher movies where you wanted to scream at the character on the screen 'you dummy, Jason is right behind you, turn around!' It was that sense, times about a thousand. Only she had no idea what was behind them, only that it was bad.

"Well. That tracks. I mean, you guys said he was petty. So of course he'd leave some extra-petty bullshit behind?"

That was what Lexi was afraid Luz would say. "So, what now," Lexi asked, trying to keep the nerves out of her voice.

"Kind of? It's more that once you start getting to places that are higher up, you want one in case you're at a gorge or a mountainous place. Not everyone has ways to fly, and believe me, there are going to be times where you'll be happy you have the right stuff."

Luz chuckled. "Look, being prepared might sound like a pain, but you'll be grateful you have it, and it'll come naturally after a little while, no lie. I'm glad you have the flashlight, but just so you know, if you're with me, you won't need one."

Luz drew out a glyph and gave it a soft blow. A small light manifested, settling between the two of them.

Luz nodded. "Signs point to HIM being the reason I got sick last month. I needed a transfusion with Vira and vice versa to recover from that."

The girl took a breath. "We shouldn't stay. Neither of us know how long corruption here will last. If we stay, I guarantee you we're going to find out. It'll be lucky if BOTH of us don't end up that way."

"I feel like I need to go to, like. Trench exploration boot camp or something. So the Army comparison stays. What's the, uh, average terrain like out here anyway? And I can't believe I said terrain, ugh, what is wrong with me? Other than my ridiculous impulse to play Tomb Raider?" Because she did feel more than a little ridiculous now. She wanted to be able to take care of herself, she wanted to be something other than dead weight, but her self-doubt was knocking at the door. Loudly.

Lexi tried to let herself be reassured, told herself that no one could learn this all in one go or be expected to know it without someone to teach them, at least not someone from her background. Tried to banish self-doubt. It was hard, it was always hard, but at least she was with Luz. She really lived up to her name, light.

So she smiled warmly at her. "I should've known you'd have something up your sleeve. You always do and I love you for it."

Though, that was a bit of a record-scratch revelation. "--wait, what? Back up, how did he get you sick? Sick enough for a transfusion?"

Lexi bit her lower lip nervously. "Okay, so um. Things are bad. We know things are bad and can tell other people to avoid the bad. Or does it not work like that?"

"Honestly? I'm still finding that out myself. And there's nothing wrong with the word 'terrain!' I always liked that word! Tomb Raider is a classic! But to answer your question? It's less about what's in the city and more about the feeling I'm getting."

There were times she was sure she heard cruel laugher, and from the warning she got earlier, that was something of a hint that being here longer than she had to be was not likely a good idea.

"I really should have told you more about this kind of stuff anyway, so that's on me. If we ever are going to go do some adventuring together, we're best to take the staff to start. It'll make things much faster, and I'm a pretty accomplished flyer. If that's ever impossible, there's also the Fathiers, so long as you're fine riding an animal that is much, much taller than you."

Luz blushed, even in the dark. "I make lemons out of lemonade, that's all. But your vote of confidence is super appreciated."

Luz blew a raspberry. "I'm going to go with 'pure evil intent' mixed with a dash of god like powers. He was trying to stop people from completing the sealing away ritual, after all."

Luz nodded. "Good idea. Even better one will be for us to get going, like, yesterday."

Luz paused, then rummaged in her pocket. "I think I need a moon drop."

"Okay, but are we talking about the original Tomb Raider games--which were great, I'm not saying they weren't--or the origins remake where she has some serious UST with her BFF?" Because that game set off Lexi's gaydar like nothing else. "And, okay. Feelings. Because this feels bad. Creepy. Wrong."

And again, she found herself wishing she'd been here from the start. That she'd known what those in Deerington had been through. That she could truly emphasize with those who had. Whomever said it was the thought that counted never was in a situation where more than a thought was necessary.

"No, no, no, I'm the one who wandered out here with no real plan and nothing but a flashlight. That's on me. Don't blame yourself for something you couldn't plan for or expect. But...I do want to go adventuring together. I do want to be there--I've gotten good at my darkblood powers. Really good. And I hate the thought of you being out here in these situations on your own. But, what are Fatheirs? Are they like horses?"

And Lexi could see the blush, even in the dark. "I'll always be confident in you."

She couldn't help it, the raspberry made her giggle like the schoolgirl she was. "Wow, what a dick. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised!"

Lexi nodded. I'm right behind you. Or with you. Either way works because this is giving me a serious case of the heebie-jeebies."

And her eyes grew wide with concern. "Corruption? Are you becoming corrupted?"

"They were a little lacking," Luz said warily, "and definitely a product of their time, even if they're fun. Now the new ones, that IS pretty exciting, and I am glad YOU said it, since people really do seem to like to ignore the obvious.

"Exactly. I think it's best we don't stay. At least, not for long amounts of time."

Luz had been careful not to do this, though this time it seemed she was flirting with time a bit. It wasn't smart, but Luz could still appreciate what Lexi was trying to do.

What Luz would not have said was that she was glad that Lexi did not have to go through Deerington. Luz had found many great friends there, including the sister she never thought she had, but. It was also the place for a lot of her worse nightmares. She would never want Lexi to have to go through any of that.

"I still should have told you what was involved in case you ever wanted to come out here and try for yourself. And if you're really sure, yes batata. we will definitely do this more together! I don't doubt you've gotten even better with your powers!"

Ooh. No. "Fathiers are more like...uh, let's say resembling intense cows. Only not, and much, much, MUCH bigger. I cannot tell you how long it took to get comfortable riding them. Let's say it's a good thing I have a hover spell!"

She smiled. "I appreciate that. As long as you're coming with me, I'll do my best to make sure nothing bad ever happens to you."

Luz groaned. "The biggest, honestly. Glad he's sealed away for right now."

Here though, she nodded. "Felt this before. I'm not taking any chances."

"I know, right? It's like dudebros everyone refused to see the lesbian subtext and you'd think they'd be the first ones all over it. But, nope!" Even Cassie and her mom saw it, like the time they'd all gone to Captain Marvel. 'Honey, is she a lesbian?' Well, if you have to ask?

"You're right, this is not exactly the Air BnB of Trench. So, uh. Which way do we go?" Yes, she'd forgotten a compass in her rush to follow the call.

But in a weird way, Lexi wanted to go through things that the others in Deerington had. She wanted to know what it was which tied them all together so fiercely. She'd welcome the trauma in exchange for knowing what Luz had been through.

"All right, mon cœur, I promise that if I set off on some hairbrained scheme to try and fix things, I'll call you first. See what you think about it. And, I've gotten in loads of practice with stopping time or fast-forwarding it along with telekinesis. The only one I'm not sure about is sending people into a reality of my choice. Mostly because that's a huge ask for anyone to go through. And before you volunteer, no, I'm not willing to practice it on you. It's...really not nice." Which was an understatement as far as Lexi was concerned.

"Intense cows? Okay, I'm sorry, because that sounds a-ma-zing~~! And I want one, but I don't think it would fit at the Lemon Cake House. Unless it likes small backyards and creepy neighbors?"

"And I swear that I'll do my best to make sure nothing bad ever happens to you. It goes both ways." Lexi said seriously, but affectionately.

"'Right now' isn't all that reassuring. That implies there's gonna be a next time. And maybe even a time after that. Could you...tell me all about him? So I know what to look out for," Lexi asked tentatively.

"Neither am I. So let's go," Lexi said, with a determined look on her face.

"Well you know, they're hoping if they ignore it, it'll go away. The sad thing is that straight people will ignore the gay more when they don't want it to be true. In their eyes, same sex interaction will always just be, like, only sexual and never loving or genuine."

Luz chuckled. "You've got that right. But I have the compass with me, so at least we'll be able to find our way out of here soon."

It was an experience that was both awful and binding when it came to all of the friends she made.

Luz chuckled. "It's really not a good idea to do it on your own, but I should say the same about myself too. It's just a good way to get yourself hurt. Also, that probably depends on where you send them, right? If you sent me to, say, Rye Playland or something, I probably wouldn't complain!"

Luz nodded. "Oh, they're the cutest, and you'll love them, just remember that they are very big, and you'll need help getting on top and hanging on."

It was a good thing that she didn't tell Lexi what Darth Maul would have done with the Fathiers if Luz hadn't agreed to keep them.

"Good. For the record, with you around I wasn't worried at all."

Luz sighed. "I wouldn't say I'm an expert in knowing HIM, I just get impressions when they come. And right now is probably a good time to get out of here."

Luz took hold of her hand, and winced. Corruption was starting to work itself a bit now.

"Probably a good point. No, definitely a good point. I don't get it, guys are all into hot lesbian action until it's actually given to them on a silver platter of love and mutual respect and defense of one another and then they act all weird." And annoying. Never to forget annoying.

"Oh, thank fuck," Lexi breathed at finding out that Luz had a compass. That should be on her shopping list, a grappling hook, more sturdy clothing, and a compass. All good things to have.

Lexi chuckled good-naturedly. "Yeah, you kind of plunge into waters others would only wade into. Consider this my attempt to keep you on a more cautious footing. If that counts. You've got your magic, I've got my darkblood. In theory, we should be able to take on just about anything. But I know it's not that easy."

And she grinned. "Okay. Well, if you love them, how can I not?"

Definitely for the best. She respected Maul a great deal and he was one of their best customers. She hadn't known a thing about his past before arriving and didn't care to know. The person she knew was the important one.

"Okay. If you're sure," Lexi asked, a question clear in her voice.

"Well, if you think it's time to get out, then let's get out. Like. Now," Lexi said seriously.

Lexi felt the same, only she'd never been corrupted before. She didn't know the signs.

"Because the fantasy is for...for them DOING stuff. It's not about love and mutual respect. It's fine for us to exist, just over THERE, somewhere, where we're not the main character, and be there to look nice and imply stuff. We're not supposed to be for each other, we're supposed to be available for them. Not all guys are like this, but there are a lot of them who are who think they aren't intolerant. They're just awful in a more subtle way."

Luz had sadly had a lot of time to think about this the more she had tried to find stories about people like her, and they either were hard to find, and if they were, they tended not to look like her. Things seemed to be starting to change, but not as much as Luz would have liked, if she were honest with herself.

"Well I don't know who that is, but thanks to him the compass is here!"

Darn it, she had to do a better job of hiding that when Lexi cursed, it was kinda attractive.

"Oh, I really should always know better. It's a good thing to always have a buddy, and in this case it's kind of essential. If you were by yourself, I'm sure you'd get corrupted in half the ti-"

Luz paused, taking in a breath.

"Ah," she groaned. "Right. Yup. SO. You meet the Fathiers as soon as we get back, which should be right now, at top speed. Like, not even kidding."

Luz was trying not to double over, but it was very hard. Tempest was at her side, whining softly.

"Yeah, that seems to be how it goes. It's like the gross idea that if two women were doing...stuff," Lexi blushed scarlet, "they could join in, no problem. Like we're the appetizer and they're the entrée."

And Lexi hadn't even been out as pansexual back home since she knew that some of her sister's friends would be weird about it, as though Rue and Jules weren't a thing. But Lexi was seen as bookish, serious, shy, and therefore not someone who might have aspirations towards a relationship of her own.

Lexi giggled. "I'm glad we have a compass, period. I actually do remember how to use them thanks to Girl Scouts."

No, Luz didn't, it was positively adorable when she did.

Whatever Lexi was going to say, it got delayed when Luz groaned. "Honey? What's wrong, is the corruption getting to you. We have got to get out of here."

And Orville snuffled at Lexi's hair, sounding concerned. Another good reason to get out of here. Lexi reached for Luz's hand.

"Okay, which direction do we need to go to, uh. Not get stuck in the creepy, corrupted woods anymore?"

"Which is NOT gross, by the way!" Luz had to add that, not believing for a minute that Lexi thought that, but wanted to remind her girlfriend that she didn't think it either. "And that thought is gross and super reductive. As if the only things women were made for was for men. Even historically, LGBT people have existed and always will."

Luz had always known she was bisexual herself but knowing that had not meant she had some buffet of boys and girls knocking at her door. If you didn't have the charisma of being attractive in body and charisma to people, you just sort of felt like no one would like you no matter what gender you liked.

"Girl scouts? I feel like you have a whole nature side of you that you probably should have explored by now."

Luz was just teasing here. She could tell that was not something that was Lexi's strong point, while for Luz it was something she'd had to incorporate through the Isles and her experiences in these other worlds.

One thing Luz could never stop is her ability of being adorable.

Which was the opposite of what she was feeling right now, doubled up and pained as she was. She could feel the hot pain and change starting to prickle at her skin, and the last thing she wanted was to inadvertently hurt Lexi somehow.

"It is," Luz managed to say, and handed Lexi the compass. "Y-you, da boss, I guess."

"Yeah, even though some people like to act like we just somehow sprang into being sometime in the seventies. Curse that sexual revolution and feminism," she said, clearly joking.

Lexi had realized fairly early on as well, but she too didn't have a long list of people wanting to date her. Because one of the other things she'd realized fairly early on was that Cassie was the pretty sister and Lexi was the smart one. Cassie going through puberty and having people flock to her was hard to misinterpret.

"Kinda? I mean, I went to horse-back riding camp once. And another time that was like a nighttime lock-in where we slept all day and went around to late night businesses and theaters while we were up."

Horses and sleeping during daylight were two things. Trench was something entirely different.

Luz was always adorable, in Lexi's opinion.

Except now Lexi was extremely concerned about her, bending over with her and trying to steady her with an arm around her waist. "C'mon. C'mon. We're gonna get out of here and you'll be fine." She wasn't sure who she was trying to reassure. Probably both of them.

And she took the compass, getting it back into the direction Luz had had it pointed in. "A role I will gleefully hand back once we're safe again."

And off they went in the right direction to get out of there.

"Like the twenties didn't have some of the most fun places being full of gays," Luz said, shaking her head. "Forgetting that the Harlem Renaissance happened should be an automatic zero on a test. But that's the thing: gay is fine as long as its sorta deviant and on the fringes. When you think about it as actual love, then people start to get uncomfortable about seeing us as people."

For Luz, it would always be a matter of her being so mismatched when it came to her peers that the idea of having someone special like that seemed like a far off want, and so she just put a pin on it. Who knew that coming to a new world where she'd regularly be risking her life would bring her to the love of her life?

"Real life outside woods and having to make do is very different," Luz said, sighing. "Don't worry though. I'll make sure that you get better used to it!"

"Better" being the operative word.

"T-thanks," Luz groaned, and she held onto the girlfriend fiercely. That seemed to help a little though, as the pain she was feeling lessened slightly. "Can you use the staff?"

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