deercountry | [Open] Keep it locked up, keep it sealed tight

Who: Varian and YOU!
What: Varian's final corrupted days, his beasthood turn and the aftermath. See his corruption/monster page HERE!
When: First 2 weeks of Jan- before the event.
Where: Around the city!

Content Warnings: Applicable content warnings go here. Mentions of death, corruption, dissociation.

Hope you've stocked up - Last days of corruption

Anyone who's close to Varian will have noticed his slow corruption growth over the last two months. By the time January rolls around, things have gotten worse instead of better. By now his skin is made of a thick, black rock. This same black rock has turned his teeth into sharp fangs and his nails into claws. two amber horns sprout out from his head, and his elbows and one remaining ankle have spurs of the same stuff- as is the tail he's since gotten, flicking nervously as he paces around- firey red eyes darting around furtively.

He'd largely been keeping himself out of sight, trying to handle this alone, but his hallucinations have driven him onwards. He stares at things seemingly only he can see. If he comes across you, he'll grip your arm tightly (sorry if those claws hurt, he's not even thinking about it). He points at an empty spot of nothing, worry on his face.

"Eugene!" you are definitely not Eugene, but it's clear that's who he's seeing right now. "We- we gotta deal with these rocks before they take over everything! There's...there's got to be a cavern around here somewhere so we can cut them off, right?"

It's a long night - Monsterdom (Gaze and surrounding area)

Regardless of how much or how little help he gets in his final days of corruption, eventually, Fern decides enough is enough and the best way to handle this is to Fistfight God. Which is to say, he goes off to confront The Tower about this and gets himself killed by Never Mind in the process. Varian got there too late, and being the driving reason behind his boyfriend dying again was the final nail in the coffin for him.

The transformation is quick and sharp, and what's left is a a ten-foot rock monster spewing fire everywhere. His leg is still missing in this form, at least, which should help anyone with a quick ID-check. Varian himself rages through the city, slamming against buildings and breathing fire at anyone foolish enough to come close. It's definitely attracting the attention of nearby hunters- so perhaps finding a way to talk him back down before there's another death today would be for the best?

Nothing good is meant to stay - Aftermath

Eventually, Varian lets his friends in, lets them talk him down and the best hood fades. Parts of corruption still cling to him- his skin is still an unhealthy grey colour and his nails aren't quite back to normal yet. He's also sitting in a ball on the floor- partly out of shock and partly because he can't go anywhere without his leg - if someone could fetch him that, that would be awesome.

Or perhaps you come to him in the days that follow. He mostly stays near the Disaster House in Cassandra, as he waits for Fern to come back to life. He can be found inside the house, or sometimes sitting on the front porch, people-watching. Though he's certainly not better yet, day by day the signs of corruption lessen. Any visitors will get a tired smile, he's still a little withdrawn, but he's getting there.

"H-hey, thanks for checking in," nothing has changed how awkward he is at least! "Um...how are you doing?"

Because obviously, you're here for him to check up on you. Obviously.

[[OOC: The monster battle is intended to be open to any CR who want to take part. No ONE character will be responsible for talking him down from monsterdom, it is intended to be a team effort- hammering home that Varian is able to rely on his support network. Feel free to make separate threads, team up with other players, thread hop, etc. Do what you like, and we can wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey it so it happened around the same time- to make it easier than players trying to keep to one concurrent thread! Go nuts! As always please hit me up on

teeeff for anything! ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Don't. [That was growled.] You are still recovering, and if you take on too much, too soon, you might have a repeat incident.

[He doubted that anyone would listen to his advice about it, since all the bleeding hearts just wanted to help. He simply didn't think that Varian had come to a point of personal development to know when getting involved would come at personal cost.

He grunted, still holding up his palm.]

Or, you know, you could punch a pillow. Make it easy on yourself. Or I might just show up so I can continue to teach you more than one technique for punching.

[Varian opens his mouth to argue this fact, then quickly thinks better of it. Because he knows Reaper is right. He has a terrible habit of pushing himself too far, and right now the last thing he needs to do it take on any more. He needs time to heal. To breathe. ]

...I guess I could punch a pillow. That's...less effort.

[He says it a bit petulantly. He doesn't have to like taking it easier. He does brighten at the offer though.]

Wow, really? I'd- I'd really like that. I figure it's definitely something I need to get better at.

[It seemed that Varian would make the correct choice not to argue with him. That was some bit of productiveness.]

It is, but you have to have the right technique or it's not worth the practice.

[No one liked taking it easier, but it was going to have to happen. He'd been told self-care was important.]

Self-defense is important for everyone to know, even if you never have to use it.

[Sometimes, the boy CAN learn!]

Right- right. It would be pointless practising it only to have to undo it all if it's wrong. Makes sense.

[He huffs in soft amusement. ]

Yeah, that's true. I'm always gonna pick the alchemy bombs over everything else, but there's been plenty of times when I don't have them. And I'm not so great with a sword.

If you're going to rouse yourself to put in the time, you may as well do it right for if a situation arises when you're going to need it. Trust me, broken hands aren't enjoyable.

[He fought with one before given there was no time for rest and he had a accelerated healing factor, but it still wasn't a great shining moment.]

Maybe you should consider having at least one bomb on you at all times. [Preparedness!]

I really want to avoid broken hands. I work with my hands. I kinda need them. Plus I don't wanna be down any more limbs than I already am.

[Ha ha, leg joke. Then, brightly:]

Oh don't worry, I do! I always have them in my backpack, at least five different ones. I'm prepared when I leave the house.

Most people work with their hands. [He did a sighing growl at the leg joke.] It would just make you more eligible for the Paraolympics, so don't complain.

[Not that Trench had a Paraolympics. It was the thought that counted, right?]

So you're always walking around with explosives. We clearly need to hang out more around town.

But I really work with them. Like- precision work. [He blinks, confused.] Is that...like the Olympics? Like...in Greece?

[Sorry, Reaper, this is one of those times where Varian's time period trips him up again.]

Pfft of course, I am. I mean, given how often stuff tried to kill us in the Dream or here, it was smart to protect myself the best way I know how.

Don't belittle the hand and finger work of others, Varian. Prosthetics have come a long way where I'm from. [He knew more than his fair share of veterans who had lost hands, feet, legs, arms.] It is. Paraolympics are for those who suffer a disability but still compete professionally.

[There was far more to it than that, but they would never exist in Trench, so what was the point.]

Which means you need many different wants to protect yourself so you're prepared for any and all situations.

I guess so- and I probably could figure out a way for it to work. I mean, I got the leg functioning pretty well, right? [Okay, Reaper, give him a second for him to digest that- he's not athletic AT ALL so it wasn't something For Him, to begin with, but there's something wild about knowing it wouldn't have been completely closed to him if he was athletically inclined. ] That's...really cool? That- that exists for people.

[Way to GO, future!]

That's true. Having big glaring weak spots where you can't help yourself is...not wise in a place like this. [Then, genuinely:] Thanks, Reaper. For helping me with this.

Our technology has hit the point where limb replacement is available widely and people return to normal function quickly. It is unfortunate it isn't here. [Reaper hadn't officially lost limbs, but he knew those that had. Varian would definitely benefit from the kind of technology they had.] There is a version strictly for military veterans.

[That's all he'll say about that.]

You either learn to cover your weaknesses as best you can on your own, or with the help of close allies. [He sighed and stood back up, and Wraith cooed and shifted on Varian's shoulder before making the transfer to his own.] It's nothing. We'll get you into defensive shape, that's all.

[Receiving thanks is hard.]

That's incredible! I wish I could see it. I'd love to study it. [His leg is all well and good, but he could always stand to make it BETTER.] Really? I guess that makes sense- there's...a lot of wars.

[Look he'll be nice and not press it. He lets Wraith move, smiling as he moves. ]

Well, I appreciate your help all the same. You didn't have to do it, and I'm glad you did.

[Sucks to be you, Reaper, he's glad you're around. ]

We'll see if there might be something similar. [Reaper did have a set of legs that he had intended to give to Maul if ever the Zabrak's legs stopped functioning. He kept it in hiding, of course, but he still had it.] There are.

[He reached up and nudged a finger under Wraith's chin.]

No, but the point is to keep everyone in this house alive and kicking. I'll leave you to your recovery. Keep practicing.

That would be great. I love my leg plenty but nothing is ever perfect- there's always room for improvements!

[He relents, Reaper has been bullied enough for his act of kindness for one day. He'll get him again sometime soon, no doubt.]

I'll do my best. I- I think you did your best, too. [He'd very much like Reaper back, but he knows Fern was the one with the most discomfort there- he'd have to speak with his boyfriend first. ] I will, thanks again, Reaper. Drop by...you know, anytime.

Yes, and as I said before, our technology was above most of what I have seen so far.

[He sighed and shook his head. There were way too many warm and fuzzy feelings going on in these parts. It was well beyond his tolerance level, so it was time to make a break for it.]

Yes, yes. Don't backslide or I'll show you what a real punch feels like. [Varian and this household was too good. He shouldn't get too close.

With that, he teleported away and to a nearby shadow to disappear into. Wraith did much the same but instead appeared on the highest point of the house and kept watch from there.]

[Open] Keep it locked up, keep it sealed tight

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