Fern (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
laminae) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
deercountry2022-01-01 07:59 pm
laminae) wrote in deercountry2022-01-01 07:59 pm
Keep a running list of all your doubts and your dead ends
Who: Fern laminae and open.
What: Catch-all log for January.
When: Early January so far.
Where: Around Trench.
Content Warnings: Violent death, fighting, post-death blues.
[Fern can't figure out if this is the best idea he's ever had, or the worst. He's hit a point in his desperation where any idea, no matter how unlikely or ridiculous-sounding, is an idea he's willing to try. He is, of course, being driven by his love for Varian, his desire to see the person he cares most about in the world stop spiraling into the abyss, and he's well aware that making decisions ruled by emotions generally isn't the best thing to do. But at the same time they've tried so many other things - those supposed anti-corruption cookies, taking Varian out to socialize and have more company, indulging in his love of science - and nothing has worked. Varian has steadily gotten worse and worse, and that's why he's out here today. Before leaving the house he sent his boyfriend a quick text, deliberately doing so to make sure he won't get it too soon and try to stop him before he confronts The Tower.
At least he's brought someone along. Dirk was the natural choice for him, what with his godhood and experience with cosmic beings and his willingness to put up a fight. Between the two of them they have more experience with gods than most people, so if he has any chance at all of getting a solution out of Varian's Patron Pthmuerian it'll be with him. And if he doesn't, well, at least he tried. He tried and he'll find some other idea to try. He'll keep on trying until Varian starts to improve, and not before then.
(The idea that he might just fail, that Varian might get so bad there's no coming back from him and he might end up the Lumenarium does occur to him, but he refuses to actually entertain that notion. He's risking even more corruption himself if he does.)
It was at least easy to figure out which Patron was Varian's. The hideout during November, as well as Varian's personality and love of science makes it clear to him that it could only be The Tower. From there it was only a matter of asking around to find out where the most recent sighting of the Pthumerian was - a little plaza in Gaze near the School of Mutter, the area circled by ancient, crumbling statues and gnarled old trees. It's creepy and ominous but there he is, standing starkly in contrast to the other statues, looking as if he's been carved out of smooth marble. Several ravens have settled themselves on his shoulders, content to be resting there despite the chilly weather.
Fern's hands clench into fists and he has to resist the urge to form a grass sword. The familiar weight would offer some comfort, but he's here to talk, not attack the guy. So he glances to his side, over at Dirk.]
Oookay, let's do this.
[Fern's crystallized grassy remains in the little plant pot for the next few days. They don't do much, no rooting or responding to the grow light Luz has set up. The grass remains suspended in the crystals, still and silent, until one night when squid ink begins to leak out of the shreds of plant matter, through the crystal and into the dirt. What follows is a fairly quick process: the crystal cracks and breaks, and from the grass Fern's squid body remains. It only remains that way for a few moments though, suddenly overtaken by a whole surge of grass as Fern regrows the rest of his body, a large lump of grass that ungracefully falls off the table and onto the floor.
Smooth.]
[It takes him a little while to fully pull himself back together and feel some semblance of normal, but eventually Fern manages. He thankfully doesn't have the deathflu to contend with, so all it is is general exhaustion from having been dead and literally regrowing his entire body. It means that for the first few days of being back, he sticks near the house in Cassandra instead of going out to his usual haunts in Ache and Willful Machine, not wanting to worry anyone about overexerting himself.
He can generally be found up on the roof, always accompanied by one horse-sized black wolf who happens to be toasty warm. There's one huge upside to having a fire wolf for a friend, Hazel's proximity is perfect in fighting off the chill of winter.
If anyone approaches the house and enters the yard Hazel's ears will perk up, though Fern will give the wolf a reassuring pat on the head before waving.]
[The flyer sounds a little sketchy, but Fern remembers some of the kinder parties in Deerington, and honestly, the idea of hanging out somewhere supposedly safe from corruption sounds nice. Exactly the kind of thing at least half the Sleepers in Trench need after the situation with Varian, and even though he had been dead at the time that includes himself.
He can be found at The Red on various nights, dressed up in his outfit from Madam Generosity, a style that's a combination of viking and barbarian with one very furry, very cozy-looking fur cloak. Early on in the month he's more commonly found curled up in one of the giant cushions, drinking some soda, exhausted and recovering from his time being dead.]
[Later on in the month, when he's feeling more like his usual self, he'll be taking a bit more of an active interest in the talent and fashion shows. He finds a seat near the stage, especially interested in the musical acts.
Maybe he's brought his guitar with him tonight, strumming it idly in between act. Or maybe it's another night where he has one very steampunk-looking flute in his hands, drumming his fingers along it anxiously. If anyone happens to take a seat next to him he looks over.]
They're pretty good, huh?
laminae and open.What: Catch-all log for January.
When: Early January so far.
Where: Around Trench.
Content Warnings: Violent death, fighting, post-death blues.
Let's fight a god (Closed to Dirk and Varian)
[Fern can't figure out if this is the best idea he's ever had, or the worst. He's hit a point in his desperation where any idea, no matter how unlikely or ridiculous-sounding, is an idea he's willing to try. He is, of course, being driven by his love for Varian, his desire to see the person he cares most about in the world stop spiraling into the abyss, and he's well aware that making decisions ruled by emotions generally isn't the best thing to do. But at the same time they've tried so many other things - those supposed anti-corruption cookies, taking Varian out to socialize and have more company, indulging in his love of science - and nothing has worked. Varian has steadily gotten worse and worse, and that's why he's out here today. Before leaving the house he sent his boyfriend a quick text, deliberately doing so to make sure he won't get it too soon and try to stop him before he confronts The Tower.
At least he's brought someone along. Dirk was the natural choice for him, what with his godhood and experience with cosmic beings and his willingness to put up a fight. Between the two of them they have more experience with gods than most people, so if he has any chance at all of getting a solution out of Varian's Patron Pthmuerian it'll be with him. And if he doesn't, well, at least he tried. He tried and he'll find some other idea to try. He'll keep on trying until Varian starts to improve, and not before then.
(The idea that he might just fail, that Varian might get so bad there's no coming back from him and he might end up the Lumenarium does occur to him, but he refuses to actually entertain that notion. He's risking even more corruption himself if he does.)
It was at least easy to figure out which Patron was Varian's. The hideout during November, as well as Varian's personality and love of science makes it clear to him that it could only be The Tower. From there it was only a matter of asking around to find out where the most recent sighting of the Pthumerian was - a little plaza in Gaze near the School of Mutter, the area circled by ancient, crumbling statues and gnarled old trees. It's creepy and ominous but there he is, standing starkly in contrast to the other statues, looking as if he's been carved out of smooth marble. Several ravens have settled themselves on his shoulders, content to be resting there despite the chilly weather.
Fern's hands clench into fists and he has to resist the urge to form a grass sword. The familiar weight would offer some comfort, but he's here to talk, not attack the guy. So he glances to his side, over at Dirk.]
Oookay, let's do this.
Post-death - For Varian
[Fern's crystallized grassy remains in the little plant pot for the next few days. They don't do much, no rooting or responding to the grow light Luz has set up. The grass remains suspended in the crystals, still and silent, until one night when squid ink begins to leak out of the shreds of plant matter, through the crystal and into the dirt. What follows is a fairly quick process: the crystal cracks and breaks, and from the grass Fern's squid body remains. It only remains that way for a few moments though, suddenly overtaken by a whole surge of grass as Fern regrows the rest of his body, a large lump of grass that ungracefully falls off the table and onto the floor.
Smooth.]
Post-death - OTA
[It takes him a little while to fully pull himself back together and feel some semblance of normal, but eventually Fern manages. He thankfully doesn't have the deathflu to contend with, so all it is is general exhaustion from having been dead and literally regrowing his entire body. It means that for the first few days of being back, he sticks near the house in Cassandra instead of going out to his usual haunts in Ache and Willful Machine, not wanting to worry anyone about overexerting himself.
He can generally be found up on the roof, always accompanied by one horse-sized black wolf who happens to be toasty warm. There's one huge upside to having a fire wolf for a friend, Hazel's proximity is perfect in fighting off the chill of winter.
If anyone approaches the house and enters the yard Hazel's ears will perk up, though Fern will give the wolf a reassuring pat on the head before waving.]
The Red - Rest and Recovery
[The flyer sounds a little sketchy, but Fern remembers some of the kinder parties in Deerington, and honestly, the idea of hanging out somewhere supposedly safe from corruption sounds nice. Exactly the kind of thing at least half the Sleepers in Trench need after the situation with Varian, and even though he had been dead at the time that includes himself.
He can be found at The Red on various nights, dressed up in his outfit from Madam Generosity, a style that's a combination of viking and barbarian with one very furry, very cozy-looking fur cloak. Early on in the month he's more commonly found curled up in one of the giant cushions, drinking some soda, exhausted and recovering from his time being dead.]
The Red - Music Jam
[Later on in the month, when he's feeling more like his usual self, he'll be taking a bit more of an active interest in the talent and fashion shows. He finds a seat near the stage, especially interested in the musical acts.
Maybe he's brought his guitar with him tonight, strumming it idly in between act. Or maybe it's another night where he has one very steampunk-looking flute in his hands, drumming his fingers along it anxiously. If anyone happens to take a seat next to him he looks over.]
They're pretty good, huh?
no subject
bold of those to assume that falco wouldn’t hug fern right then and there, anyway. because that’s what he’s doing, on this giant wolf. ]
no subject
Fern is definitely not expecting the hug when he gets it, so he freezes for a split second, but it's a hug and it's Falco so it only takes that long before he's returning it.]
Yeesh, you okay? [The answer is obviously no, but he feels like he should be asking this anyways.]
no subject
I’m fine already, [ there was nothing wrong with him, and, you know— ] dying is still dying, Fern.
[ he was worried. his heart felt like it could burst before shattering. with any friend he’s made— older or his age, he gives himself to them effortlessly. ]
no subject
I know, I know. [Hazel turns and bounds on up to the roof, though Fern doesn't climb off of him quite yet.]
I wasn't thinking about how it'd hurt other people if I got hurt. Just that I needed to do whatever I had to to fix Varian.
no subject
So you . . . Went to talk to his patron?
[ right??? ]
no subject
Uh. If you wanna count making a demand, then sure. I went to talk to him.
[It totally doesn't, this is Fern we're talking about here.]
no subject
—Demand? But . . . [ falco chooses his words carefully. ] Do the Patrons have control over corruption?
no subject
From my experience? Nope, they can't help. So don't bother going to any of 'em if you start having problems.
no subject
[ best to take it slow, if anything. ]
You won’t . . . Do that again either, will you? Rush in and demand things—?
no subject
Varian and I had a whole talk about it. I uh, didn't realize just how scared it makes him seeing me die, because - [Because he's dead back home, so all he has is Trench, though he cuts himself off before saying that outright to Falco. He isn't sure if the kid needs to hear that right now.] - because of some stuff. But now I do, so I'm gonna try and be better about the whole 'getting into fights that don't need to happen' thing.
no subject
That’s good, Fern. [ it puts him at ease, at least, and he’s sure that of fern is saying it, he really is going to try. ] Varian really cares about you. It’s expected . . .
[ it was more an observation that anything— their relationship was palpable to falco. ]
no subject
I care about him, too. We're - we've been though a ton together, probably more than most people. [He grins a little.] Before we showed up here we made plans to go back to his world together and live there.
no subject
Are you two together? Sorry, if I’m—
[ reading wrong, but he’s almost certain . . . ]
no subject
Yeah! Yeah, we've been dating - uh, actually, this month is our one year anniversary.
[Of course these two would celebrate their anniversary by one of them dying by god and the other turning into a bloodthirsty beast.]
no subject
[ he’s genuine of that! ]
It must’ve been a surprise for you both, happening all the way out here.
[ so far away from home, but now it was probably that thing where, oh . . . it was strange to imagine any differently. ]
no subject
[It sucks and is a dumpster fire, but that's just how their relationship has always gone.]
Oh yeah. At first Varian didn't even get that boys could like other boys. Deerington was the first time he learned about that. It took him a while to understand his feelings.
no subject
Did you understand them?
no subject
Sure. My world is a lot different than his when it comes to stuff like this. People can be with whoever they want to be with and no one cares. It was wild to me that understanding his feelings was something he needed to work through.
no subject
[ falco idly picks at some of the hay he’s sitting on, pulls a straw out and bends the edges into a curl with a smile that tickles his lips; he’s understanding as well as remembering something. ]
But feelings in general can be hard for some people— I once told someone I liked them, indirectly, and . . . She didn’t get it. I had to be more direct.
no subject
Varian didn't get it, either. [He's saying that fondly, though. It had been a total mess when it happened, but now he's looking back on that with a whole lot of romantic sappiness.] I had to spell it out for him, and even then, it took him a while.
[He can't overstate just how bad Varian is with feelings, sometimes.]
So did she get it? Does she like you back? She isn't here, is she?
[He needs to know whether to meet this girl!!]
no subject
[ as for the rest, falco clears his throat and hugs his knees. ]
I said I . . . Loved her and wanted to marry her, so—
[ awkwardly, a head dip that becomes a nod hiding away a beet red face, because you can’t get more direct than that! and judging by the lack of sadness, (he’s just getting flustered), he wasn’t exactly rejected. in fact, gabi was like honey with him, last he remembered. he never heard a yes, but she never seemed to reject him, either. they just got closer. ]
no subject
At any rate, he stares in surprise at Falco's answer. That is hardcore for a kid younger than he is.]
Wow, you can't be more clear than that. [Even crazier is apparently he wasn't outright rejected??? Falco what is your secret.] Sounds like you've really got someone you care about, and she feels the same way. You're lucky!
no subject
I guess we both are, right?
no subject
We are. We really are.