deercountry | There's still cobwebs in the corners

Entry tags:

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.

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.

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[Oh, oh geez. This isn't good. That temptation to go jump straight back into fighting is almost overwhelming, and he struggles to not lose the clarity of just how disastrous it would be if they actually did fight. Fern dodges back again, avoiding the second punch.

Okay, so if he can't solve this problem with fighting, then what? Flowers aren't going to help, and talking doesn't seem to be doing much, so what else is there?

Wondering that causes a memory to bubble up in his head, and he winces. Ugh, no way, that seriously can't help - but he can't think of anything else, sooo -]

Aaaaahhhhh fine, librarian style!!

[He can do this, he can totally do this. He did this back home before, with Sweet P., and Wu's nowhere are big as he is.

He hops back, whipping his arms out into vines that wrap around Wu's arms and torso. Instead of attacking he's just picking him up, preventing either of them from any further attempted blows.]

[ Wu gets thrown off balance again when his punch misses, and a small part of his is glad. He doesn't want to punch Fern! He doesn't want to punch anyone. He hates violence, and he hates hurting people, and this feeling driving him onward makes him so, so uncomfortable, but he can't help himself that he's still distracted and only just turning back to Fern when he yells.

The vines catch Wu unawares and he yelps as he's picked up in the air. The audience roars it's approval, which drowns out Wu's panicked shouts as he struggles against the vines, but he's no where near strong enough to even try to break them. And a small part of his is grateful for it. He can't try to punch from up here! ]

[He probably could have done without the yelling, but he's still working at the whole non-violence thing. It's hard, okay.

He's eternally grateful the vines aren't a bad idea. The audience seems thrilled about it, while Fern is just nervous, and Wu is struggling but it means neither of them are actually attacking each other. So - great! This is good, he's doing good.

He just.

Isn't sure what to do now.]

Um, dude, can we forfeit? Or surrender? Is that a thing?

[ The vines, at least, knock some sense back into Wu. They let him remember that putting his life in danger is really not what he had in his life plan today, or really any other day for that matter. The bloodlust leeches out of him like too much adrenalin, leaving him exhausted. He whimpers and stops struggling. ]

I'll surrender! I surrender. Please, I really don't want to fight! I don't know what came over me! If you set me down I won't fight you anymore, I promise.

[That's definitely more than enough for Fern. He's a trusting lad, and if Wu says they're done fighting then he's going to do his best to believe him. He sets him down on the ground, vines unwinding and shifting back into being arms.

Unfortunately for the two of them, the crowd doesn't seem thrilled with this battle ending so anticlimactically and without any bloodshot. Their cheers turn to boos, and it makes Fern bristle defensively.

There's someone up there in the stands yelling something, Fern can't quite hear what it is, but it seems to rile the crowd up even more.]

What the flip's with them? They're not the ones down here, so they should just deal - [And before Fern and finish there's a big ol' thump as one of the gates along the edge of the arena rises up.]

[ Wu slumps as soon as he's let go, collapsing to the ground, feeling exhausted after the adrenalin of attempting to fight leaves him. He doesn't like the boos, he's been booed before and it didn't turn out great then, either. But at least this time he doesn't have to give a speech? Silver linings.

But then he hears that thump. He hears that thump and lifts his tired head just in time to see three monsters running out toward them, all strong limbs and big teeth and mottled fur. Wu yelps and leaps backwards, grabbing Fern's shoulders and cowering behind him. ]

Oh no oh no oh boy--

[At least Wu knows the safest place to be right now? They've got that going for them, and thankfully, Fern doesn't look too put off by the sight of the monsters. Defeating monsters is his thing, it's been his thing practically since he could walk. On top of that, he has way too much experience protecting royalty from them. He forms a sword and readies it.]

I got this. Try not to get in the way, alright?

[Super helpful Fern, super supportive.

He proceeds to lunge at the closest monster, slicing away at it. He doesn't go full force though - he's trying to keep an eye both on it and the other two, in case they get too close to Wu for comfort.]

Yep, yep, not in the way, not at all.

[ Wu yelps, stumbling back so he isn't, in fact, in Fern's way. At least Fern is good at this. He's a knight, he knows what he's doing!

But Wu is still scared, still confused by the bloodlust that's once again swirling in his gut. He should fight those monsters. He should definitely fight those monsters. He wants to fight those monsters.

Sorry, Fern, now you have to try and keep him alive when he's much closer to them. He runs to grab the mace from where Fern threw it, picking it up with a grunt. It's so heavy, probably almost as heavy as Wu is, but he does his best to haul it back toward the monsters, letting out another battle cry as he runs into the fray, swinging the mace wildly ]

[Fern is an absolute fool for thinking it would be that easy. He starts slicing away at one of the monsters, figuring that this might actually turn out alright -

Aaand then Wu is going for the mace and Fern's stomach drops. Fighting off three monsters and keeping him safe is one thing, trying to do all of that while he's actively putting himself in danger is something else. Whatever is messing with Wu's head (because something is, obviously) deserves a huge sock to the face.

Thinking on his feet, Fern winds up and punches the monster he's fighting square in the face, knocking it back so he can abandon that fight and go after Wu. Namely, as the monster Wu is going for takes a swipe at him, Fern is going to tackle him out of the way of that giant claw.]

[ Wu is wholly focused on trying to get this monster, and swings the mace for it, but then Fern comes out of nowhere and slams the monster to the ground. The mace is still swinging, but instead of hitting a monster, it hits nothing and Wu is spinning, forced onward by the weight of the mace. He does two whole rotations, getting dizzier before the mace hits the ground and he heaves a breath.

But then he looks up and the third beast is headed right for him. It takes his mind a minute to figure out what's happening, and this time, his usual flight reflex takes precedent and he lets out a shriek and starts to run in the opposite direction ]

[The monster roars as it crashes to the ground and begins to struggle, and Fern has to work to keep it pinned to the ground. Made even worse is that his attention is only half on it - the other half is on Wu, worried he's going to kill himself somehow with that mace. Thankfully he comes away from those rotations without any injuries, though Fern isn't given any time to be relieved.

The monster he has pinned is fighting back and clawing at him, and he catches sight of the third monster coming for Wu out of the corner of his eye. So he does the reasonable thing, which is to let the pinned monster shove him off.

But he doesn't let go. Once his feet are on the ground he plants them, then heaves, then throws Monster #2 directly at Monster #3.

It's fine. He totally knows what he's doing.]

[ He's running, running and not looking around because even this strange feeling of bloodlust can't override Wu's natural flight instinct entirely. He runs and his blood is rushing in his ears and he doesn't look around, he doesn't look around until he hears a loud thud and a scream from the crowd. He looks up at them, then follows their gaze, twisting around to see two beasts colliding, one slammed into the other, rolling one over another until they're both still, stunned by the attack. He skids to a halt, almost falling again, but he stays standing.

And there's Fern. Small, thin Fern, standing victorious over three giant, terrifying monsters. His jaw drops, seeing it. He knew Fern knew how to fight, but... wow.

The cheering roars from the crowd, and Wu joins in, whooping and jumping with a massive smile on his face.

It's over. ]

[This time, Fern's attention turns wholly to the monsters. His fingers are sharpened into claws and his teeth are gritted and he's ready to go after all three of them if they so much as twitch. He needs to protect Wu, which means killing these things.

So it takes him a few beats to notice the cheering crowd, and when he does he blinks and looks around, a bit confused. Then his gaze lands on Wu, and after another quick check of the monsters - who aren't moving, thankfully - he shouts.]

Hey! You okay?

Yes!

[ Wu dashes back to him, unheeding of the potential danger because he just wants to get Fern and get out of here. He scoops Fern up in a hug, squeezing him tightly. ]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you I don't know what came over me but I couldn't stop myself! Oh, wow, I hated that so much thank you for saving me!

[Fern is successfully scooped, and lets out a surprised noise when that happens. After a moment though, he's patting Wu on the back. This might not be the safest time for a hug but it's cool.]

It's cool, it's cool. I'm just glad you didn't lose an arm, or worse. [Y'know, bled out, got chomped on by those monsters. Loads of bad things could've happened.

The crowd is still going nuts and as nice as it is to hear that, Fern glances towards one of the exits.]

Maaaybe we should get outta here.

Oh! Yeah!

[ Wu lets him down with a sheepish laugh and starts to head toward the exit. He does like the applause, even if it isn't really for him ]

Boy, yeah I don't know what came over me! I don't want to fight anyone, let alone you. That was so weird and awful.

[With his feet back on the ground Fern will head with Wu towards the exit, still giving he monsters wary glances. He isn't going to relax until they're out of the arena and in one of the tunnels.]

You really couldn't control yourself? Was it like someone using you as a puppet?

[This is very concerning, Wu.]

Um... no. I don't think so! I just, you know when you really have to pee and all you can think about is that until you go to the bathroom? It was like that! But I wanted to fight.

[ He shivers just thinking about it. At least it's out of his system. For now.

They head into the tunnels and Wu also breathes a sigh of relief. It's over, it's over and he's safe. He sags against a wall, not quite ready to go on ]

Thank you, Fern. Really. I would have been a goner if it had been anyone else!

[Ah, Fern might be a plant now, but he still has all of Finn's memories. He nods, understanding what Wu means.]

Right. That's weird, maybe the city was messing with you.

[He hopes that's what caused this, and not certain other ideas about ancient evils who can control you that are lurking around at the back of his mind. He shakes his head a little, trying to push them down some more.]

Don't even worry about it. I'm just glad I didn't screw things up worse.

Of course not! You never would, Fern.

[ Aaand it's hug time again. Wu wraps himself around Fern, hugging him close because he's tired and wrung out from being so scared, and sags against him ]

Let's get out of here, okay?

[Fern would like to argue with Wu on that point. There's a good chance he would have screwed things up, he's really good at doing that. But he's getting hugged again and he returns it instead.]

Sure, man.

[Better to get out of here before any other monsters get tossed their way.]

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There's still cobwebs in the corners

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