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)
deercountry2021-09-08 04:53 pm
laminae) wrote in deercountry2021-09-08 04:53 pm
There's still cobwebs in the corners
Who: Fern laminae and open.
What: Event and non-event starters for the month.
When: Throughout September.
Where: Around Trench.
Content Warnings: Lich trauma, war, children involved in war, murder, violence, bug omen, body horror.
[The last thing Fern remembers doing is picking up one of those feathers, and a whirl of even more feathers as those ravens descended. He's unceremoniously dropped into a boat and, looking like a terrified cat with his sharpened teeth and slitted eyes, looks around frantically, forming a grass sword in one hand. Thorns shoot up along his arms until he realizes he isn't being attacked, and they sink back down into his grass as he starts to relax.
Where is he now? That was like something out of Deerington and even though this new place seems to have sunlight piercing through the clouds he doesn't like it. Scowling, he leans over one side of the boat, then the other to get a good look around, in the process rocking it dangerously. Sorry boatmate, he doesn't care that much.]
What the flip was that?
[It really only takes a small push to get Fern diving back into his love of fighting. Any excuse to fight is, in his opinion, a good one, and so when he hears about Bloodsport and The Gate he immediately heads over there. A good distraction from the stresses of settling in is what he needs, and what better way to distract himself than fighting some poor sucker? The locals even seem pumped for it so hey, maybe this city just has a very healthy appreciation for fighting like he does. Nothing wrong with that.
It doesn't take him long to find himself down in the arena. There might be a Sleeper opposite to him, or maybe it's himself, another Sleeper, and a large monster looming over them - it doesn't matter to him. He look raring to go.]
This is gonna be sick!
[It's been a long, long month. Between Luz and Varian's increasingly frantic behaviour, cephalopod trauma, and being forced to talk about regrets he'd like to keep shut away, Fern hasn't been getting much in the way of sleep. What little he was getting decreased even further with the start of those voice and those feelings invading his head. They scare him, even though he's been through this song and dance before. An invasion of foreign thoughts and feelings in his mind, ones that don't feel like his own even though they always were - it's like it's happening all over again, though this time his mind has settled on the idea that it isn't his own mind causing it all.
Oh no, it has to be something much, much worse.
He knows the Lich has been able to get into people's minds. He knows there should be a Lich hand out there in this world, lurking somewhere. It's clear who the culprit is.
When he has the time he wanders through Trench, looking for any signs of a giant monster claw hand skittering around, but there's nothing. That doesn't stop him though - if anything, that makes him even more stubborn and even when he should be stopping and resting he keeps going. He can be found throughout the city - Cellar Door, Prufrock, Willfill Machine, Gaze - and when he sees someone who looks worth approaching, he walks on up, one hand held against his head. He's abandoned his grass hat today in favour of someone more Trench-appropriate, his extraordinary long, flower-filled hair tied back into an elaborate braid. It's a very impressive braid, though those with a knack for flora will notice most of them are of the toxic variety - death caps, poison fire coral, nightshade, oleander, water hemlock, and others.]
Hey, you haven't seen a big claw hand around, have you? Yellow fur? Looks like it got cut off someone?
[By the time the end of the month rolls around Fern is officially having a bad time. The noise and feelings have gotten louder, much louder. Or maybe he's just been worn down so much by everything that's gone on that it feels worse than it actually is? He isn't sure. It doesn't matter. It's too loud in his head and it keeps on going, even when he tries to sleep, until the end of the month, when the cacophony hits its crescendo with one very beautiful, very long, very painful song of death.
On the upside, this confirms to him that whatever is going on with head isn't being caused by the Lich. He's realizing with a sudden horror that all that noise is coming from other plants, even though he has been distinctly aware of his inability to communicate with them since his time back in Ooo. Apparently this world has seen to it to correct that small matter, and here he is, getting to listen to dozens upon dozens (hundreds?) of flowers dying together. What a great start to a new world.
He's outside when it comes, having been wandering around looking for the Lich. The operatic song flowers straight into his head and Fern reflexively winces covering his ears and trying to block it out. But it's too much, and there are too many of them, and he just wants it all to stop -
Any unfortunate passers-by might be getting bowled over by one of the half-dozen thorny vines snaking out of Fern's body and attacking anything in his vicinity. He doesn't notice what they're doing, or the additional thorns and spines and more toxic flora shooting up all over himself. Even the roots in his legs are reaching out, trying to break through the cobblestone to get at the earth underneath. His whole body is shifting to something more pointed, something less human, and something that looks a lot more hostile. Sleepers from Deerington might recognize the shift from back in the town, though it was rare and only happened when there was too much going on in his head to handle.
Looks like Trench can be just as rough.]
[A date in a new world seems like a fantastic idea. Not only will they get to explore their surroundings, but it has to be a good distraction for Varian. There's nothing more attention-grabbing than exploration, and in the alchemist's case getting a hold of more alchemy supplies. It's a perfect plan and absolutely nothing can go wrong!
Nevermind the main reason they're going on this date is because Fern's increasing worry about Varian's mental state. He had thought that coming to a new world in one piece would mean things would be okay, that they'd be okay. Seeing Varian grow increasingly anxious and agitated, leaving half-finished science experiments everywhere, not sleeping....
It's concerning. It's hugely concerning. The longer this goes on the more useless Fern feels. He should be able to do something, help his boyfriend through the trouble he's having, but nothing seems to be working. He's desperately hoping this does, somehow.
Once Fern is ready to go he heads downstairs to Varian's lab, poking his head in.]
Ready to go? You got your list of stuff you need?
[Unlike probably a lot of Sleepers, Fern is loving his time in the arena. It feels like a way to get all his energy out, a familiar way that he's sorely missed since arriving in Trench. There's been a lot - Luz and Varian's sudden change in behaviour, the poor soil, the lack of sunlight, the creeping paranoia - that have been getting to him, so having the chance to punch a few monsters to an adoring crowd is a wonderful form of escapism.
It's even better when he has someone to fight alongside, and like, two dozen times better when that person is a fellow knight. Fern doesn't know Flynn very well but the guy seems really cool. Older, obviously has the knight thing down, and in Fern's eyes that's more than enough for him to like him. So getting to hang out with the guy, getting to defeat a monster with the guy, that's the perfect afternoon for him.
The downside is that by the time they kill the creature - some weird hydra monstrosity - Fern is more than a little keyed up than a regular person. The cheering crowd is faltering a little as it becomes apparent that his fanged teeth and serpentine, glowy eyes, and thorns that have risen up on his arms and legs aren't going away anytime soon. It looks too close to Corruption for their liking, though Fern is entirely clueless.
Nope, he just looks super pumped as he waves his bloodied battle axe at the dead creature.]
Hah hah! Take that, ya donk!
[Fern knows what it's like to lose someone close, he knows what it feels like to lose that person and feel so helpless, so angry about it that the only answer that seems reasonable is violence. He sort of gets why Yuri texted him about not going after Maul (even though a small part in his mind is still insisting the guy deserves it), and he gets why Yuri is trying to fill that hole by fighting crab monsters. It isn't the same, but he hopes the guy could find at least a little bit of satisfaction in cutting them down.
And honestly, it's a nice afternoon for him. It's cold and rainy and he's pretty sure sand is getting in between his grass blades, but this is a great way to get out the pent-up stress that's been building up in him all month. Trench hasn't been the easiest world to transition to, so getting back to something familiar (and destructive) is a relief. Between the two of them, by the time they've finished clearing a few caves out they've acquired more than enough crab monster meat to feed a small army.
Fern is actually pretty tired. His body is looking a tiny bit more loose and ragged, and he's covered in crab monster blood and gore, but hey, that's part of the fun. With that last crab dead he starts trying to flick blood off his grass sword.]
This has been really fun, dude.
laminae and open.What: Event and non-event starters for the month.
When: Throughout September.
Where: Around Trench.
Content Warnings: Lich trauma, war, children involved in war, murder, violence, bug omen, body horror.
River of Regrets (Throughout September)
[The last thing Fern remembers doing is picking up one of those feathers, and a whirl of even more feathers as those ravens descended. He's unceremoniously dropped into a boat and, looking like a terrified cat with his sharpened teeth and slitted eyes, looks around frantically, forming a grass sword in one hand. Thorns shoot up along his arms until he realizes he isn't being attacked, and they sink back down into his grass as he starts to relax.
Where is he now? That was like something out of Deerington and even though this new place seems to have sunlight piercing through the clouds he doesn't like it. Scowling, he leans over one side of the boat, then the other to get a good look around, in the process rocking it dangerously. Sorry boatmate, he doesn't care that much.]
What the flip was that?
Bloodsport (Throughout September)
[It really only takes a small push to get Fern diving back into his love of fighting. Any excuse to fight is, in his opinion, a good one, and so when he hears about Bloodsport and The Gate he immediately heads over there. A good distraction from the stresses of settling in is what he needs, and what better way to distract himself than fighting some poor sucker? The locals even seem pumped for it so hey, maybe this city just has a very healthy appreciation for fighting like he does. Nothing wrong with that.
It doesn't take him long to find himself down in the arena. There might be a Sleeper opposite to him, or maybe it's himself, another Sleeper, and a large monster looming over them - it doesn't matter to him. He look raring to go.]
This is gonna be sick!
Moonflower - Voices (Partway through September)
[It's been a long, long month. Between Luz and Varian's increasingly frantic behaviour, cephalopod trauma, and being forced to talk about regrets he'd like to keep shut away, Fern hasn't been getting much in the way of sleep. What little he was getting decreased even further with the start of those voice and those feelings invading his head. They scare him, even though he's been through this song and dance before. An invasion of foreign thoughts and feelings in his mind, ones that don't feel like his own even though they always were - it's like it's happening all over again, though this time his mind has settled on the idea that it isn't his own mind causing it all.
Oh no, it has to be something much, much worse.
He knows the Lich has been able to get into people's minds. He knows there should be a Lich hand out there in this world, lurking somewhere. It's clear who the culprit is.
When he has the time he wanders through Trench, looking for any signs of a giant monster claw hand skittering around, but there's nothing. That doesn't stop him though - if anything, that makes him even more stubborn and even when he should be stopping and resting he keeps going. He can be found throughout the city - Cellar Door, Prufrock, Willfill Machine, Gaze - and when he sees someone who looks worth approaching, he walks on up, one hand held against his head. He's abandoned his grass hat today in favour of someone more Trench-appropriate, his extraordinary long, flower-filled hair tied back into an elaborate braid. It's a very impressive braid, though those with a knack for flora will notice most of them are of the toxic variety - death caps, poison fire coral, nightshade, oleander, water hemlock, and others.]
Hey, you haven't seen a big claw hand around, have you? Yellow fur? Looks like it got cut off someone?
Moonflower - Death Song (End of September)
[By the time the end of the month rolls around Fern is officially having a bad time. The noise and feelings have gotten louder, much louder. Or maybe he's just been worn down so much by everything that's gone on that it feels worse than it actually is? He isn't sure. It doesn't matter. It's too loud in his head and it keeps on going, even when he tries to sleep, until the end of the month, when the cacophony hits its crescendo with one very beautiful, very long, very painful song of death.
On the upside, this confirms to him that whatever is going on with head isn't being caused by the Lich. He's realizing with a sudden horror that all that noise is coming from other plants, even though he has been distinctly aware of his inability to communicate with them since his time back in Ooo. Apparently this world has seen to it to correct that small matter, and here he is, getting to listen to dozens upon dozens (hundreds?) of flowers dying together. What a great start to a new world.
He's outside when it comes, having been wandering around looking for the Lich. The operatic song flowers straight into his head and Fern reflexively winces covering his ears and trying to block it out. But it's too much, and there are too many of them, and he just wants it all to stop -
Any unfortunate passers-by might be getting bowled over by one of the half-dozen thorny vines snaking out of Fern's body and attacking anything in his vicinity. He doesn't notice what they're doing, or the additional thorns and spines and more toxic flora shooting up all over himself. Even the roots in his legs are reaching out, trying to break through the cobblestone to get at the earth underneath. His whole body is shifting to something more pointed, something less human, and something that looks a lot more hostile. Sleepers from Deerington might recognize the shift from back in the town, though it was rare and only happened when there was too much going on in his head to handle.
Looks like Trench can be just as rough.]
Date Time - For Varian (Early September)
[A date in a new world seems like a fantastic idea. Not only will they get to explore their surroundings, but it has to be a good distraction for Varian. There's nothing more attention-grabbing than exploration, and in the alchemist's case getting a hold of more alchemy supplies. It's a perfect plan and absolutely nothing can go wrong!
Nevermind the main reason they're going on this date is because Fern's increasing worry about Varian's mental state. He had thought that coming to a new world in one piece would mean things would be okay, that they'd be okay. Seeing Varian grow increasingly anxious and agitated, leaving half-finished science experiments everywhere, not sleeping....
It's concerning. It's hugely concerning. The longer this goes on the more useless Fern feels. He should be able to do something, help his boyfriend through the trouble he's having, but nothing seems to be working. He's desperately hoping this does, somehow.
Once Fern is ready to go he heads downstairs to Varian's lab, poking his head in.]
Ready to go? You got your list of stuff you need?
Bloodsports - For Flynn (During September)
[Unlike probably a lot of Sleepers, Fern is loving his time in the arena. It feels like a way to get all his energy out, a familiar way that he's sorely missed since arriving in Trench. There's been a lot - Luz and Varian's sudden change in behaviour, the poor soil, the lack of sunlight, the creeping paranoia - that have been getting to him, so having the chance to punch a few monsters to an adoring crowd is a wonderful form of escapism.
It's even better when he has someone to fight alongside, and like, two dozen times better when that person is a fellow knight. Fern doesn't know Flynn very well but the guy seems really cool. Older, obviously has the knight thing down, and in Fern's eyes that's more than enough for him to like him. So getting to hang out with the guy, getting to defeat a monster with the guy, that's the perfect afternoon for him.
The downside is that by the time they kill the creature - some weird hydra monstrosity - Fern is more than a little keyed up than a regular person. The cheering crowd is faltering a little as it becomes apparent that his fanged teeth and serpentine, glowy eyes, and thorns that have risen up on his arms and legs aren't going away anytime soon. It looks too close to Corruption for their liking, though Fern is entirely clueless.
Nope, he just looks super pumped as he waves his bloodied battle axe at the dead creature.]
Hah hah! Take that, ya donk!
Killing crab monsters - For Yuri (During September)
[Fern knows what it's like to lose someone close, he knows what it feels like to lose that person and feel so helpless, so angry about it that the only answer that seems reasonable is violence. He sort of gets why Yuri texted him about not going after Maul (even though a small part in his mind is still insisting the guy deserves it), and he gets why Yuri is trying to fill that hole by fighting crab monsters. It isn't the same, but he hopes the guy could find at least a little bit of satisfaction in cutting them down.
And honestly, it's a nice afternoon for him. It's cold and rainy and he's pretty sure sand is getting in between his grass blades, but this is a great way to get out the pent-up stress that's been building up in him all month. Trench hasn't been the easiest world to transition to, so getting back to something familiar (and destructive) is a relief. Between the two of them, by the time they've finished clearing a few caves out they've acquired more than enough crab monster meat to feed a small army.
Fern is actually pretty tired. His body is looking a tiny bit more loose and ragged, and he's covered in crab monster blood and gore, but hey, that's part of the fun. With that last crab dead he starts trying to flick blood off his grass sword.]
This has been really fun, dude.
no subject
He grins a little at the weaponry compliment, his sword snaking back into his hand. When the salt neutralises the goop he wiggles his toes and lifts his feet up, showing that he's no longer stuck to the sidewalk. He's happy to see the whole display works and that Varian gets his alembic. The kiss on the cheek is a nice bonus. He grins wider.]
Maybe we should do that more often. People seemed pretty into seeing your alchemy in action.
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Yeah- if nothing else, we have an easy way to put food on the table. [He nudges Fern's shoulder gently with his own.] Hey, did you hear that guy talking about the sword you and Usagi made together? It's already been noticed.
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Yeah. Guess people aren't used to plant-themed weaponry around here. Must be some kinda novelty.
[Not really surprising, what with the general lack of plant life around in the city.]
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It makes sense. It doesn't seem like flora does all that well here- except for really hardy species. They've probably never even seen the sort of things you can make before in their entire lives.
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At the next booth he starts poking at some glass bottles and test tubes.]
Probably not. Definitely not the tropical stuff, there's no way those kinds of flowers could grow here. [And on cue, a few hibiscus bloom in his hair.]
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Well~ That just means you give them something completely unique. That and how cool your weapons are already, and you've got something really special to give people.
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I guess so. Usagi did all the designing for it, so I guess this means the two of us make a good team. If more people want weapons it'll be easy for us to make 'em.
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Yeah? It sounds like you guys have got a pretty good business idea to run from. I'm sure if there's one thing people need here, it's weapons. Why not give them fancy ones?
[After a little more browsing (and grabbing some apples for Ruddiger), he leads Fern back off towards the canals, still clearly very pleased. Fern did a great job with a date idea here, clearly. ]
I had a good time, this was really nice.
no subject
Oh yeah, I think weapons are a way of life here. They at least got a huge appreciation for 'em.
[The browsing is pretty nice. It's relaxing, so by the time they're finished and heading back to the canals he's feeling great. Maybe this city is better than Deerington, after all.]
I'm glad. You seemed really stressed out about everything. I'm glad I could help.
no subject
[Because as much as Varian is more than happy to listen to Fern go on about this or that sword, it's definitely not his area of expertise. Much like Fern listens to him go on about science. They support one another's interests, but neither of them are the best point of conversation for those interests.
He squeezes Fern's hand a little, slowing their pace to a stop as they wander into the canal district- just enjoying the moment. ]
Sorry for worrying you it's... I don't know, I think it's just a lot to get used to. You helped a lot.
[He leans up to press a kiss against his boyfriend's lips.]
You always help a lot.
no subject
[Far, far better than the Deerington natives, who would give him dirty looks and cross the street if he tried to talk to them. They might have run into some obstacles here already, but at least the people seem better.
And hey, it isn't all bad. Like right now - just hanging out, enjoying doing something normal, not getting any weird looks. He happily returns the kiss, squeezing Varian's hand back.]
Hey, whenever you need someone to lean on - [He's just going to go in for another kiss, because his metaphorical heart is doing all kinds of floaty flip-flopping and he wants to take advantage of this increasingly romantic moment.]
no subject
He's got a retort all set to go for Fern's comment, but it's swallowed up by the kiss he's more than willing to eagerly return. He can feel his own pulse quicken, and his free hand moves to curl into the grassy fabric of Fern's t-shirt. Trying not to break the kiss, he takes a step backwards, away from the path and into an alcove of a building- not out of any shame (absolutely, categorically not that) but to afford them a little extra privacy as things heat up - metaphorically and literally.
Varian leans against the wall of the building, pulling Fern along with him as he enthusiastically enjoys that kiss. He's unfortunately unaware of the temperature warming up around them- even if his newfound powers hadn't taken that ability away from him, he'd probably be too distracted to notice anyway. He's far too busy enjoying the burst of teen hormones from kissing his boyfriend for things like that. ]
no subject
Instead, flowers and mushrooms are going wild sprouting in his hair, and his hands find Varian's shoulders, pushing him a bit further against the wall. Fern is equally too distracted by the kissing to notice the shift in temperature around them. This date is officially a success, yup.]
1/3
He lets out a soft, surprised noise against Fern's lips as the other boy pushes him against the wall- that sends a thrill of excitement up his spine that's very new. Today sure is a learning day for him. He doesn't voice it, what with the kissing and all, but given the fact his arms move around Fern's back to pull him closer, and the renewed enthusiasm with the kissing, he hopes he's telegraphing to Fern that he really enjoyed that. ]
2/3
Varian realises what's happening a fraction of a second too late. He breaks off the kiss just as the fire catches hold of Fern's back. ]
Arrghh!! ON FIRE!! ON FIRE!!
3/3 rest in pieces, Fern
I'msorryIloveyoupleasedon'tbemad.
[And with that, he's going to give Fern a solid shove into the canal. Have a nice trip, boyfriendo. ]
1/2
Anyways, he continues to be oblivious about the increasing warmth around them, because Varian is a very, very good distraction. It isn't until Varian is suddenly breaking the kiss and yelping that he realizes something is off, and it's a couple seconds before he processes the whole fire thing.
So by that point he is definitely, absolutely on fire.]
What??
[His entire body twitches and jumps as he tries to peer over his shoulder at the growing flames. Varian's attempt at putting the fire out does absolutely nothing, and Fern can feel the panic in himself rising. Oh no oh no oh no -
And then Varian is saying a whole bunch of words he doesn't have time to comprehend, because a split second later he's getting shoved.]
he had a good run
Aaahhhhwhattheflipwhattheflip!!
he did his best...ish
He moves to kneel at the edge of the canal, trying and failing to keep the panic out of his voice as he reaches out a hand to try and help Fern out of the water.]
I'm sorry, I'm sorry!! I didn't mean to do that, it was an accident! Are you okay? Are you hurt? Is it bad? Oh nooooooo, it's really bad isn't it?
no subject
Fern flails a bit more, latching onto Varian's hand when he offers it, and with some help hauls himself out of the canal. He isn't on fire anymore, but he's looking very singed and now totally soaked by gnarly canal water. It isn't a pretty sight.
With a groan he collapses on the ground. That happened, that just happened.]
Duuuude.
[Let the earth swallow him right now, please.]
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Oh no. Just stay still, okay? I- I'll fix this!
[He's gonna uncork the potion when he finds it, dumping it on his poor, prone boyfriend. ]
I'm sorry, I don't know what happened!
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When the plant solution is dumped on him his grass twitches, and as it's absorbed he perks up a tiny bit.]
It's cool. [Because what else can he say right now?] I'm not dead.
[There's that???]
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Fern, it is not cool! I set you on fire! You could've died!!
[Oh god, what if he'd ended up killing him accidentally again? Three times is way too many times to accidentally kill your boyfriend. WAY WAY TOO MANY TIMES!!]
Does it hurt anywhere? Do you need more stuff?
no subject
No, it's good. I'm good.
[He rests his hands on Varian's shoulders. If he starts freaking out, then more fire might happen, and neither of them need more of that.]
You barely singed me, and then you put me out! [He casts a slight look towards the canal.] Not... really in the best way, but I'm not on fire anymore. Let's just focus on that.
no subject
He wants to pull away- scared of hurting Fern further- and his shoulders tense as if he's about to do just that. But they're supposed to be working on being better here, and so he resists, sucking in a shuddery breath instead. ]
Okay...okay. [Fern isn't dead, he's just singed and wet. It could have been so much worse but it wasn't. ] Are you sure you're okay? I'm sorry- I didn't... I didn't mean to do that.
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