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
How did you do that?!
no subject
I'm made of grass. I guess it's just a magic thing, I can make swords outta my blades of grass.
no subject
Blades of grass-- that makes sense. [ Enough sense for him, at least ] Wow, this is really cool. So you're, you can do magic, too?
no subject
I guess it's a kind of magic. It's all just plant junk, the swords are the coolest thing I can do.
no subject
That's so cool! There aren't any people like you were I'm from. At least, I don't think so. There are some plant monsters, but they can't talk or do cool stuff like this.
no subject
We aren't really the norm around here, either. It's too bad, it'd be way more fun if there were a bunch of plant people who could make weapons like my grass swords.
no subject
[ Yuri reluctantly hands the sword back. He already has one ill-gotten sword strapped to his back, he shouldn't steal another one.
He looks up at Fern, considering him for a long moment before offering: ]
I'm Yuri.
no subject
[Fern takes the sword back, letting it slither back into his hand.]
I'm Fern. [Yeah, this just confirms to him the kid's identity. That hair, even though it isn't as long, is a huge tell.] Nice to meet a fellow sword nut.
no subject
[ He says it like it's an objective truth which, of course, it is.
It's wild to watch the sword just... become a part of him again. He's a little stunned, and it takes him a moment to refocus ]
Fern. Like the plant.
[ Because he's a plant guy. Yuri gets it. He smiles at Fern, forgetting entirely that he stalked this guy here. Stalked. Get it? ]
no subject
Uh, yup. It's kind of a play on Finn, which used to be my name but isn't anymore. It's the plant version of that?
[Lame punsters unite.]
no subject
That's cool. A plant name.
You're cool.
[ Which is why he was following Fern in the first place. Cool, weird guy.
Even though now they're just standing in an alley smiling at each other. ]
no subject
Hey, thanks. You're cool, too.
[If Yuri doesn't back away from it he's going to try giving him a hair ruffle.]
Sooo do you wanna tell me why you were following me? Was it the grass thing?
no subject
Yeah. I wanted to know if you were a plant person.
[ He just wanted to know, pure curiosity, and he doesn't think there's really a reason to be ashamed of that ]
no subject
You could've just asked, y'know. That would've been a lot easier.
no subject
...I did ask.
[ Eventually ]
no subject
After stalking me into a dark alleyway, which I'm pretty sure a bunch of people would say is super dangerous for at least one of us.
no subject
[ Which maybe means it's dangerous for you, Fern? But also, he is tiny and that sword is too heavy for him, so go figure ]
no subject
no subject
[ Yuri hooks a hand on his hip, glaring up at Fern now ]
I'm not scared of anything.
no subject
Yeah? Not anything? Not even a huge bloodthirsty monster?
no subject
[ The determination in this tiny form is maybe hubris, but he puffs up his chest. He's beaten a monster before. Once! ]
no subject
Wow, then you've gotta be braver than me. I've fought monsters that've terrified me.