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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Varian definitely needs something to take his mind off the piles of everything going on in his head right now. Everything he's trying so far just isn't working. He's tried focusing on his science, but it only holds his attention for so long before the anxiety starts to press in and he abandons everything to try and do something, anything to ease the pressure in his head.

He's hoping the date will help that. If there's one thing he can focus on, he's sure that's Fern. And they were long overdue a date - especially after Deerington falling apart. They haven't had one since the death worm. He smiles as Fern peers into his lab, putting down the glow light he was working on, reaching to grab his backpack to sling over his shoulders, heading over to his boyfriend, pressing a kiss to his cheek.]

Sure am. I put a few alchemy bombs in my bag, if this place works on a barter system, I might be able to use them to buy something if I need to.

[Fern relaxes a little at the kiss. It shouldn't be stressful to see Varian working on some science experiment (especially the grow lights), but with the number of them he's been leaving half-finished around the house... yeah, he hopes this date helps. Getting Varian back to his usual self is the goal here.]

Good idea. That guy who bought the sword off Usagi and me wanted to trade for it. No money involved.

[After they've headed up the stairs and outside he reaches over, taking hold of Varian's hand and causing a few nightshade and cherry blossom flowers to bloom in his hair. If there's one nice thing about this city that he's noticed, it's that no one has given them any dirty looks for holding hands. That's something Fern is quite happy with and it's something he's intent on doing as often as possible.]

So what're we looking for? You need some more test tubes?

[Bless him, his knowledge of alchemical equipment is lacking.]

[The lighting system is something that's been getting a lot more of Varian's attention than most of his other projects. It has a slightly lower chance of being abandoned, but only slightly. He's still struggling to focus on anything for too long- the crippling sense of dread chasing away any real attempts at keeping to one piece of work.]

I'm still trying to decide if that makes things easier or harder for us. I guess it depends on how easily I can trade the alchemy for- if it does well, then I know we've got one easy way to get supplies for the house.

[So he's definitely using this date as an experiment in of itself. Sorry, Fern, he's got important research to gather here. It's a science date after all.

He smiles happily as Fern takes hold of his hand, turning it a little so he can lace their fingers together. It is nice to be able to do this without the weird looks and the bearly-whispered comments the old Townies made about them. If nothing else, this makes Trench an improvement. He laughs softly, bless Fern indeed. He's trying. ]

Well, I wanted to see if I could get a new alembic, my old one's never really recovered after I used it for antidotes. [And then, because he does want to keep Fern feeling involved.] That's the big glass jar that's attached to a smaller glass jar with a little glass funnel.

[Bartering with alchemy would certainly cut one complication in their life down. Paying for things was never a big deal in Deerington, not when a lot of the food was free and they had the junk yard, but that was also a dream. This is the real world, and they need to make sure the entire house will survive.

So Fern doesn't mind too much that this date is an experiment. Especially if it makes Varian happier. He gives Varian's hand a little squeeze.]

Right, that one. [He totally remembers the big glass jar that's attached to a smaller glass jar with a glass funnel and doesn't think of Varian's alchemical equipment as 'glass science doohickeys,' nosir.] We should pick up some apples for Ruddiger, too. Uh, if he can still eat?

[Can you eat when you're made of black smoke? He's pretty sure Reaper, does.]

[If he can use his alchemy to barter, then it means they have at least one very easy means of trade in the house. Two, if they count Fern's weapons- if the locals are interested in those, then they're onto a winner there, too.

He returns the hand squeeze, leading them off on the route towards Willful Machine. ]

He's definitely able to eat. He got to the boardwalk and ate an entire hotdog in about two bites. I think if he stopped being able to eat, none of us would ever hear the end of it. But yeah, apples would be good.

[Man, that's weird, but on the other hand Ruddiger still acting like a raccoon might help Varian get used to the change. A bit of normalcy in what is otherwise a bizarre new magical ability.]

Cool, apples it is.

[And since they're on the subject, this is probably a good time to raise the topic of his own Omen. He isn't particularly thrilled about it, but Varian should know, and it also might help him feel less overwhelmed by all the magic he suddenly has.]

Hey, if it helps any, apparently that black smoke thing is like - normal, for this world. Like how we all had dream guides back in Deerington? I got one, too.

[Varian's deeply glad for any piece of normalcy he can get. This has been a very rough transition and normalcy is like having driftwood to cling to in a storm at sea.

At this news, though, he turns his attention to Fern, surprised.]

Well, that makes a lot more sense. We're not in the dream anymore, so I guess they'd have to change. Even if mine...definitely wasn't Ruddiger before. [Then, curious:] What do you have? The butterfly again?

[This information is proving a good distraction, at least. Whether it's a good one or not remains to be seen.

Fern shakes his head, frowning a little at the mention of the butterfly. That stupid butterfly, that's Finn's thing, not his.]

Nah, she's a mantis now. [And it's easier to just show him, so he concentrates a little, and that same black smoke comes out of his chest. But instead of forming a raccoon, it floats around and forms into a little orchid mantis that perches on top of Fern's head. She chirps at the two of them.]

Dunno if this is better or worse.

[OH! It is a mantis. Being the Disney Boy he is, Varian peers up at her, offering her a smile.]

A Hymenopus coronatus! Aren't you pretty! Hello!

[He turns his attention back to Fern as Ruddiger forms onto his shoulders, chittering a greeting at the mantis in question.]

Well. Do you have any awkward, uncomfortable memories attached to mantises?

[Aw, Blodeuwedd waves one little claw in greeting at him. Yes, she is pretty, thank you. Fern has to roll his eyes at this, of course Varian would know the scientific name for creepy plant mantis!!!]

No, but it's just - weird. Why's she gotta look like a flower and be a bug?

[It reminds him too much of himself, and his dream guide, and just. Ugh.

When Ruddiger forms she isn't hesitating to flying the short distance over to his head, to perch there. Yeah fuckers she can fly!!!]

[Varian watches her fly off onto Ruddiger's head, the raccoon chittering happily to her. ]

Well, it's better than the Finn-Butterfly, right? And these omens are supposed to be a deep connection to our inner selves. That would probably explain the plant thing. I think she's nice.

[Because he thinks YOU'RE nice, Fern. ]

[At least the two of them are getting along? Blodeuwedd is quite happy to have a whole chirpy conversation to Ruddiger about these two nerds.]

I guess. I guess she's better than the spider, too. She just... still kind of reminds me of them. [And that makes him uncomfortable. Regardless, he's blushing a little.] Glad you like her, at least.

[They seem to be having a great time. Ruddiger jumps off Varian's shoulders to trot along in front of the boys, chirruping away. So they have chaperones now. This is where they're at.

Varian catches the blush and ducks his head, his heart doing a little flip-flop in his chest.]

'Course. She's part of you, so how could I not? [He gives Fern a gentle little bump with his shoulder- because he does understand where the discomfort comes from at least.] It'll be okay- she's definitely better than the spider and the butterfly.

[It's probably for the best that they have chaperones, honestly.

That Varian likes her makes this infinitely more tolerable to Fern. If his boyfriend can like a weird mantis that looks like a flower, then maybe he can eventually divorce her from his dream guide and Finn?

He gives him a small smile in return. Yeah, just like how Varian had to get used to Ruddiger being an Omen, he just has to get used to this. It'll be okay.]

I believe you, so... thanks. This helps.

[They definitely need them. ]

I'm glad. Happy to be of service.

[He squeezes Fern's hand a little, tugging him along- because science date, boyfriendo. ]

Now c'mon. That alembic isn't gonna buy itself!

[Oh man, all Fern can do is laugh as he follows. They're approaching Willful Machine now, so stalls are starting to pop up on the street and reaching one of the canals.]

I've never heard someone so excited over a glass funnel.

[He laughs back, rolling his eyes good-naturedly. ]

An alembic. I can run so many polyalchemical subtration tests on that baby!!

[SO MANY, Fern. He casts the canal a look as they wander past it, peering into the water and grimacing a little.]

Yeeesh, those do not look sanitary. I don't think anyone would wanna fall into one of those.

[No one at all. He heads off to the first stall, happily pulling Fern along, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the various equipment for sale. He's like a kid in a candy store, he's so happy! ]

[Yep, all that is going right over Fern's head. Varian is excited, and that's what is important here. He just laughs a little, happy that Varian is happy.

He also spares a little glance at the canal, shrugging. He's seen worse, though 'worse' was a river literally polluted with radiation. Whatever, no big deal.

When they reach the first stall Fern is going to start poking a bit at the equipment for sale, much to the chagrin of the shopkeep. He's trying his best not to break anything here, and he tries even harder to ask Varian questions about the stuff he's interested in (even if he doesn't understand any of the answers).]

[Varian's happy to try and provide answers to Fern's questions. He does his best to make the explanations as simple as possible, but sometimes his own excitement about the science of it all makes him get carried away. Regardless, he keeps Fern's hand in his own, because he can and because he wants to.

Eventually, they do find the fabled alembric, and Varian animatedly starts trying to haggle for the thing, eventually pulling out one of his alchemy bombs (one of the sticky ones)- handing it over for inspection. There's a little more haggling and the storekeep asks for a demonstration. To make sure the thing works.

Which leads to Varian turning a very puppy-eyed look at Fern. ]

Soooooo, I probably need a good target~

[It's okay. Fern does his best to follow along, and when he can't he's just happy the date seems to be helping Varian relax. That was the aim here, and he's definitely feeling a bit more like his normal self.

The haggling isn't unexpected but oh, that is definitely a request right there. He knows damn well he can't say no to the puppy eyes he's on the receiving end of. He isn't sure anyone could say no, honestly.

Fern makes a noise like a sigh, and reluctantly releases Varian's hand so that he can take a few steps away from him. Then he holds his arms up, making himself a nice, big target. True love is being willing to to get alchemy bombed for a fancy glass funnel.]

Okay, go for it.

[The date is helping Varian a lot. It might not be removing any of his lingering exhaustion, but it does seem to be soothing his anxiety a little- if only because it gives him something to think of. He grins widely as Fern agrees to be a target, murmuring a soft thanks, Hansdsome as Fern steps back. To the seller, he turns, grinning. ]

Okay! So all you have to do is throw it! It'll break on impact aaaannnd-

[He tosses the bomb at his very supportive boyfriend. The pink goop explodes at Fern's feet (at least he was actually aiming for that and not Fern's...general self) trapping him in place. He waves his hand to show.]

As you can see, it totally incapacitates a target. No matter what they do, they can't escape- even weapons will have no effect on the solution!

[He winks in Fern's direction- do the sword thing, babe, do the sword thing!]

[Alright, this might mean Fern is very basic, but being called handsome helps a lot. A lot-a lot. Enough that he doesn't even mind the goop encasing his feet and keeping him stuck to the sidewalk. Varian does his whole spiel and Fern sees the wink and tries not to blush a little (shut up, this is really cute) as he forms a sword.

He tries to cut through the goop, but it's a futile effort. That stuff is stuck fast.]

Not even a dent, and this is the sharpest sword I've got.

[The shopkeep looks pretty impressed by this, and murmurs something about how he had seen a Hunter with a sword like Fern's (only more flowery) cut up a particularly-looking tough monster a few days ago, so clearly these alchemy bombs have to be the real deal.]

[Varian knows, oh he knows. Perhaps it's a little explorative of his boyfriend's basic nature, but he does mean it. It's absolutely not an empty compliment in the least.

His grin does grow at hearing the murmuring, without missing a beat adding it to his patter, pointing at the shopkeep. A crowd is starting to gather, but Varian takes it in his stride. He might not be much of a people person, but he can always handle showing off his alchemy. ]

You got that right! Fern here only makes the highest quality weapons- something you should all keep in mind for the future, just so you know. ANYWAY! All you need to do to get rid of it is use this neutralising formula...

[He pulls a little salt cellar from his pocket, sprinkling some on the goop. As always, it dissolves away, freeing Fern's feet, to the delighted oohs and ahhs of the crowd. The shopkeep is at least pretty impressed, offering up the almeric enthusiastically. Varian grins, handing over a sticky bomb and some neutralising formula for the trade. That done, Varian heads back to Fern, looking pretty pleased with himself, giving the other boy a kiss on his cheek for his troubles. ]

Hey, that worked out pretty well. Thanks for being a target.

[Honestly, despite being on the receiving end of an alchemy bomb it's kind of cool to be attracting a crowd in a good way. It reminds him a little of being Finn, and how he tended to attract fans, people who were impressed with his skills. Plus, it's always fun getting to see getting into it and showing off his charming side.

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.

[Varian busies himself with putting his hard-won prize into his backpack, mostly so he frees up his hand to slip back into Fern's, right where it belongs. He's quite happy to big-up Fern's weaponry skills, they are well earned and his business deserves a little boost, too. ]

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.

Date time!

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