laminae: (hrm)
Fern ([personal profile] laminae) wrote in [community profile] deercountry2022-01-01 07:59 pm

Keep a running list of all your doubts and your dead ends

Who: Fern [personal profile] 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?
droptheious: (Walk away from)

TIME FOR PAIN

[personal profile] droptheious 2022-01-06 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a good thing that Varian has had people consistently taking care of him, post-beasthood. They've been making sure he's rested as much as he can, eaten and started to heal. And he has been healing. What's left are just vestiges of his corruption, ashen skin and too-long claws. The hallucinations are mostly gone now, and he does feel like he's on the road to recovery.

But Fern...Fern is the one thing keeping him from healing entirely. Until Fern comes back, a piece of him has been ripped out of his chest, making a full recovery impossible. And so Varian has waited, focusing on the fact Fern will return, unable to entertain for a second that he might not. He doesn't want to think about that- he might regress completely and bring them back to square one.

So he's been staying close to Fern's little pot, very rarely letting it out of his sight, except for when he's dragged away to eat or rest. He;s deeply, endlessly grateful when those strands of grass finally start to show movement, to show life. He's ready to just...pick him up and huck him into a bathtub if he needs to- if he gets stuck in squid form. Luckily, it doesn't go that way, and Fern quickly shifts into his grassy self. Not all the way there yet, but familiar enough for Varian to recognise. Even with the super smooth crash landing.

He moves close to him, putting a hand on what equates as his shoulder.
]

Fern? You- [obviously he's not okay] it's- you're back. [A little sob breaks out, that he's been holding in for what feels like weeks.] You're back.
demonicbeauty: (Flute)

The Red - Music Jam

[personal profile] demonicbeauty 2022-01-07 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Ariadne isn't an exhibitionist by nature. But there's something about the Snake's Den that makes her feel more comfortable, at ease. It isn't the drink, although she's had a few glasses of something the color of a snake's tongue. Alastrians can't get drunk. It's just...the atmosphere.

It just makes her want to...be more herself.

Which is part of the reason why she goes up on stage that night, playing one of her father's lullabies on her father's flute.

The song is as light and as airy as Ariadne herself. Soothing. Beautiful. And really quite simple.]
grice: (pic#14540398)

post death!

[personal profile] grice 2022-01-07 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it was actually pretty easy to start talking to the plants once he, you know, actually started doing that. falco would come by nearly every day to talk to fernie and wait for fern to be at full growth. talking about . . . everyday things. how the weather was, what he saw on the way over, how many memes he’s sent varian, how much he’d walk around with his plant knives— all examples! useful tools that he’s now traded in his switchblade for, falco always has them by his side; one at his hip and the smallest of the set tucked away in his pocket for emergencies.

his trek to disaster house today was one of surprise, to see a massive canine on the roof with a green buddy— to which, once he recognizes and realizes that he’s there and back, quickly picks up his pace and holds his arm up to wave back with bolting energy, all while trying to jog through the messenger back hitting his side. ]
entreats: (a vacancy that just didn't belong)

the red - rest and recovery

[personal profile] entreats 2022-01-07 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Fern!

[ Is that voice just slightly too loud by Ange standards? It sure is, considering she usually keeps her tone relatively even - but true to extrovert January, all of that went out of the window for this month. There's no way she's even going to fuss about approaching Fern when she can just do it without thinking for once.

Especially since she's so concerned. It's a concern that shines through in her voice. Sure, she's glad to see him here now, back after that post she saw over the network about what happened to him, but that doesn't mean she can't still be worried about how all of that felt to him.

If happens to look over, Ange is fairly.. noticable too. She is wearing a huge golden gown after all. And she's currently trying to lift the bottom of it up a little so she can run over to the cushion he's sitting on without tripping over her own dress. ]


It's so good to see you back.. How are you feeling?
themuseabandonsyou: (profile)

Post-death

[personal profile] themuseabandonsyou 2022-01-08 01:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ Orpheus has been heading over to the house nearly ever day since - well, since everything. He doesn't always go in. Sometimes he just hovers nearby, debating whether his presence would make things better or worse before deciding 'worse' and leaving. But today he spots the bundled silhouette and the massive wolf on the roof, and breaks into a run. ]

Fern! [ It's him, right? It has to be. Orpheus is limping pretty significantly, the skin on his leg still tight and painful and healing, but he ignores that for now. ] Fern, is that you?
droptheious: (Everything you planned)

[personal profile] droptheious 2022-01-08 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Varian takes the barrelling hug, deeply glad for it. While he's seen people do revive here, that the process post-death is certainly kinder than it was in Deerington, he was still afraid of him not coming back. Repressed as it was. But he's here and he's back and that means they can heal from this.

The tears come freely once Fern speaks, one he starts crying himself. The dam has well and truly broken. His arms tighten around his boyfriend another soft sob breaking out of him before he shakes his head.
]

N-No. You didn't. You just did what you thought was best. [Which turned out trying to fight a god but that's Classic Fern right there. ] It was my fault. Dipper told me how to handle this, what I needed to do and I just...I didn't do that. And you got killed for me doing something stupid and reckless. Again. I'm- I'm so so sorry.
no_reload: (Reaper - Glide)

Post-death

[personal profile] no_reload 2022-01-08 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
[With the news that Fern had been killed, Reaper had stayed closer to Disaster House to remain vigilant over it while it could be considered 'defenseless' in a sense. He never entered the house or even came in the yard, but until he was certain that Fern had made a return, he at least had it within his sights most days and nights.

Once he knew that Fern was back, he had eased away for longer periods of time. He knew what dying was like in this place, and while it wasn't particularly unpleasant compared to Deerington, it was not without its flaws either.

Maybe that's why when he saw that Fern was vegetating on the roof with a large canine that he sent over a care package. His Omen, Wraith, flew the distance between the rooftop where he was standing and to where Fern was. In clawed feet, the black peacock carried a loaf tin secure in a bag. With a haunting call, the bird circled down and down until dropping the package in Fern's lap.

Then, Wraith fluttered to land on the chimney and watched, letting Reaper view the scene through his Omen's eyes.]
siriusly: (do i get any say in this at all.)

red music

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-01-08 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Manabu and Magnet are here now and then, the former not entirely ready to admit it's for his own sake as it is just checking into see if anyone he knows is here and alright.

point in case: Fern. he hasn't seen the green kid in a while, and if he's honest, with all the things that have been going on in his own life? he kind of hadn't thought to check, and that gives him pause and a little pang of guilt the moment he actually catches enough glimpse of green under that furry getup to notice it's him. he doesn't move to approach right away - that's awful close to the stage, not his style - but his omen certainly has no inhibitions the way the rest of him does.

the dog takes the direct route under tables and chairs and legs, pawing at Fern's feet for his attention so he can dog-point in Manabu's direction.]
demonicbeauty: (Surprised)

[personal profile] demonicbeauty 2022-01-08 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[She spots Fern in the crowd, moving toward her. So instead of disappearing behind the curtain, she walks to the edge of the stage and hops down to meet him.

There's a slight, lavender flush on her cheeks.]


Fern! Hi! I...

[Ariadne rubs the back of her neck.]

...thanks.
siriusly: (i wish you'd stop......)

[personal profile] siriusly 2022-01-09 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
[aw ur sweet c':]

Uoh, it really is you... [Manabu could've easily assumed it was all the funky lighting in here, but nope, that's Fern, and jeez, could Magnet ham it up a little more? embarrassing.

anyway, Manabu gets up out of his seat to go over there, awkwardly rubbing at the back of his head.]


Aa, sorry about Magnet...he's not bothering you, is he?
themuseabandonsyou: (profile)

[personal profile] themuseabandonsyou 2022-01-09 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, don't worry about me, [ says Orpheus, hurriedly, aware on some distant level that saying that never works but hoping it will this time anyway. ] What about you? Are you - I'm so sorry. If I'd gotten the prophecy right this wouldn't have happened.
grice: (pic#14396645)

[personal profile] grice 2022-01-09 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it’s mildly (okay, not just mild) unnerving to have a giant wolf thunder up a distant storm in it’s it throat at you. falco can’t help going a bit stiff for the sniffing (necessary! sniff all you’d like!), but to aid in his comfort was a ball of feathers at the crook of his neck, chirping anxiously and bobbing her tail; perle was only an omen, though. but she was here for her boy! ]

I was going to go up. [ he doesn’t pet hazel without permission, but he does hold the top of his hand out while— blinking a lot with reddened eyes. hey, dude. he hates this. he hates people having to keep dying and coming back but thank god they’re coming back to begin with— ] Don’t you want to rest more?

[ he’s trying to bite his lower lip into submission, but it just keeps. wibbling. ]
no_reload: (Default)

[personal profile] no_reload 2022-01-09 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Wraith stared at the wolf in question with a gusto 'I dare you' expression, wobbling head so that the crest of spatula-like feathers danced, and there was a definite swish of long tail feathers for the interest garnered his way. Wraith had spurs on the back of his legs, and the Omen had no fear of death.

Inside the tin was a meatloaf, still warm. A fork had also been left in the bag in case Fern decided that it might be worth consuming immediately rather than saving it.]
demonicbeauty: (Confused)

[personal profile] demonicbeauty 2022-01-09 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[She frowns a little, tilting her head.]

You know...I can't remember a time when I wasn't.

My father played when I was a little girl. He taught me. I...couldn't have been more than two or three.

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