deercountry | [001] time has a funny kind of violence

Entry tags:

[001] time has a funny kind of violence

Who: Orpheus

themuseabandonsyou
What: Arrival, acclimation, acceptance
When: September 1st
Where: The beach, Cellar Door

Content Warnings: suicidal imagery,

In another world, in another time and place, Orpheus plunges an antler - the last physical remnant of Deerington that came with him when he returned home - into his chest with shaking hands, and the world goes dark.

He finds himself floating in the darkness of some great and cold and foreign sea, the current too strong to resist. Somehow, though, the lack of light and the freezing temperatures and the pressure of the water all around him don't seem as immediately dangerous as they should. Somehow, the body he's in now is perfect for it, all flowing lines and long tentacles. It should be horrifying. It is kind of horrifying, if he thinks aboout it too hard, but there's an odd sort of peace to it, especially as he lets the tide sweep him inexorably wherever it's going, giving him time to reflect.

He thinks about arriving back home, walking out of the fog that surrounded Deerington and arriving where he fell asleep, and immediately turning around and heading straight back for the railway town. About Mister Hermes waiting for him with some small amount of surprise but great relief that he was back so soon after he'd run away in the first place. About telling him everything - about Deerington, the people he'd met there, the visions he'd seen, and his decision to come back home rather than keep running away from everyone who might want to help and support him. He thinks about how for a while it had seemed like it might be alright, and that he'd renew his search for a way back into the Underworld with support from those around him this time.

Of course, it couldn't stay that way. Slowly, steadily, things had started to feel... wrong, somehow. Off-kilter. Over time he began to feel less and less like he belonged anywhere, not because of anyone shunning him or anything like that, but in the sense of feeling connected to the world itself. It was hard to describe, but when he called on Hermes again to ask him about it, he got his answer.

You see, Hermes is the god of between-places - of travel, transit, of being neither here nor there. And that's where Orpheus was, caught between where he came from and where he was going. And the only solution, he'd said, was to finally go, to get to his destination, wherever that may be. And as much as Orpheus wanted to protest, he knew Hermes was right. So he said his tearful goodbyes, as best he could with his very self starting to slip sideways out of reality, and took the plunge.

I. it can't leave you the way it finds you

And now he's here, washing up on the beach. The transformation back into his old shape is awkward to say the least, but he manages it, crawling out of the ocean hand over hand and gasping for air as his lungs regrow. Once he's free of the waves, he collapses, just lying there for a moment in the sand and taking in the new and foreign sky above him. He feels... less bereft, than he might have expected? That's not saying much - being here is essentially accepting that his search for Eurydice is over, and he's still not sure that's sunk in all the way yet, but there's an odd feeling of belonging. A sense of relief, the loss of an ache that he'd felt so acutely that there had been no other way but to come here. It's strange, and he doesn't quite know what it means or how to deal with it, so he just... doesn't. He's cold and wet and covered in sand, but right now all he really has the capacity to do is lie there and stare at the sky.II. good grief; I've heard people say it

long

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Well, that's unnerving to say the least. Orpheus leans in a little to get a better look at the drop of pale white blood on Vira-Lorr's fingertip, frowning in concern and confusion. When she pulls away to nurse the wound, he looks back at his hands, trying to see if he can tell what's now beneath his skin. ]

This happened to everyone too? Do you think it's permanent, or just one of those things that'll pass?

[ It all seems kind of worrisome to him, but he guesses whether it's a boon or a curse remains to be seen. It could be either! ]

The natives seem to think it's permanent or at least long-lasting. There's been no harm through it, but at the same time it's quite unusual and a bit disturbing. There are different sorts of blood at that. Mine is not the only strange variety.

[She shook her head, frowning as she did so. he wasn't the only one worried about what this might mean for them if it lasted, but time would help to clarify that.]

The natives... [ Orpheus echoes, glancing back at the city in the distance. ]

How much do they know about what's going on here, with us, do you think? The townspeople back in Deerington never seemed to, um, care much, about us? But they weren't - [ Real? That's kind of rude to say, though, so Orpheus pauses and tries to search for a better way to put it. ] They were just part of Julia's dream. Have you gotten a chance to talk to many of the people from here yet? Did they seem surprised to see you?

It's just as you said. They were a child's nightmares about angry, paranoid and uncaring townfolk, more often terrible than they were actual people. The ones I've spoken to yet? They give their names. They're much more natural and normal in their sort of speech. they have differences.

I'm not entirely sure? But they feel like actual people, and that may be a very good thing.

[ Orpheus nods, looking hopeful. In many ways, the constant, uniform hostility from the Townspeople back in Deerington had been almost as distressing for him as some of the more actively horrifying events that had occurred there - it had a way of wearing at him slowly, making him feel isolated even despite what support he had from the other Sleepers. ]

It sounds like a good thing, [ he says. ] I hope they don't mind us all turning up like this, but if some of them are willing to help us understand what's going on that'd make a big difference.

[ Pausing for a moment, he adds, ]

What is going on? I know a new world was created after, um. After what happened to Julia and her family, and that this is probably it, but - [ He frowns, starting to say something before seeming to think better of it and changing tracks. What does he remember, about those last days in the dream? ]

Has anyone seen Cynthia yet? Or the Dog Keeper? I think they said they were coming with us, at least in some way.

They seem... almost grateful to have us. I think it's like they've been waiting for our arrival a little bit.

[Which, considering that there were wastes here? It shouldn't surprise her so much, all things considered.]

Cynthia is up in the sky now mostly. I saw her briefly, once, fluttering off in the distance in her natural form. I've been meaning to try and look for Doug again. It seems that to some extent some of them did come with us, though others not so much. Ramona is ... mostly gone. If she's still alive, the gods only know what is left of her now.

I believe we are in this world as it slowly rises from its ashes, helping to rebuild.

Oh? Maybe they heard we were coming, somehow.

[ That could have happened any number of ways, by his estimate. Stories about what happened in Deerington, passed on from its non-Sleeper survivors, or maybe more general prophecies about strangers arriving from the sea. It could even be that Cynthia told them directly, if she's here.

Orpheus's expression goes a melancholy and guilt-ridden at the mention of Ramona, as he remembers her existential terror at the end. ]

I hope it's peaceful, at least. Whatever's happened to her. [ He says, quietly, pulling the robe closer around his shoulders. ] That would be nice, though? Being able to help, here.

[ Having something to work towards, instead of the endless helplessness of being trapped in a dream. ]

I am thinking that there may have been an awareness. Likely Cynthia is responsible in part.

[That certainly seemed a logical possibility, that she had somehow hinted their arrival to the people, given how they venerated the moon at this point. Vira-Lorr grunted at the thought of Ramona having a peaceful end. she could handle that, so long as it would be done. A non-committal nod and she sighed.]

It would be good, to feel that we can do something transformative, not simply at the end but every day.

[ Orpheus nods. That makes sense to him - Cynthia sort of seemed the most put-together and prepared for what was to come, in those last visions of her they saw at the end of the dream. If she got here before the rest of them, it makes sense that she might act as a sort of envoy.

(And he does notice that little grunt at the mention of Ramona, but he's not sure what to make of it, so he just moves on.) ]

If we can do something to help while we're here, I'd like to. Instead of just surviving.

[ It would make it feel... better, being here instead of at home, if he felt like he was making a difference somehow. Or at least that's what he thinks right now. ]

What's the city like? Have you been to explore it much?

Absolutely. We want this place to be able to be a home. Perhaps a home that we live in, and certainly a home for those who are here.

[She glanced in the direction of the city and shook her head quietly.]

Not as much as I should. I've been trying to make sure that everyone reaches the shore safely, so I haven't done a lot of exploration. It seems... surprisingly intact. A little bleak, but intact.

Oh! Right, I forgot to thank you for that.

[ He hadn't meant to take it for granted that there'd be someone here to help him put himself back together when he washed up, but he'd been a little distracted by everything else going on. Better late than never, at least, and he smiles at her before moving on. ]

Bleak? How so?

Oh, you're welcome, but you don't need to. I do it as much for myself, because there are people I hope will arrive...

[She turned and smiled over at him. That had been a large part of her presence on the coast, and would continue to be that way.]

Ah, the sense that there is a bit of a survival-minded perspective, and the knowledge that there are likely monsters on the fringes. It is not a place that is all smiles and sunshine.

Who are you waiting for? [ asks Orpheus, then stops, realizing something, and adds, ] if it's okay to ask, I mean.

[ It's not polite to pry, after all, even if he is curious. Anyway, he listens to the rest of Vira Lorr's explanation, frowning a bit. ]

I don't think I've ever been to a city that was? [ he says, thoughtfully, before shaking his head. ] But, that makes sense. It's a shame times seem hard here? Maybe we can do something to ease things a little though, like you said.

Oh, there's quite a few. I made many friends in my time in the nightmare, and some... I would not want to go back to what they had to look forward to. [She smiled mildly at him.] I am hoping to see Chloe and Max on the shores for one.

And yes. I think that would be a good use for our talents. Put them to some goodness in the hope of a better tomorrow.

[ Orpheus nods in understanding. He still feels... less like he made the decision to come back and more like he was forced into it, but he guesses one of the upsides is the chance to see all the friends he made in the dream again, and tries to focus on that aspect. ]

I don't think I met them, back in Deerington. Hopefully I'll get the chance here, though.

[ He smiles back, still a little melancholy, but doing his best. ]

I don't know what I'll be able to do to help, really? If the problems are monsters, or anything like that. But I'm more than happy to do what I can.

I hope that you will get the chance as well. You'd like them.

[She was pretty certain of that, to say the least. As she talked, she kept her tone level, to avoid any of the melancholy bleeding in too much.]

There's always support roles that are needed, even when the problems are monsters, and I'm quite certain they won't always be like that. Otherwise we'd be hip deep in them already.

Right. I'm sure I'll find something to do?

[ He doesn't actually sound very sure of that. He has basically one notable skill, and it's... not always the most directly useful thing in the world, even with the blessings he's been given. But he wants to do more, to make up for spending so much time in Deerington sitting on the sidelines or being an active liability to the more capable people around him. ]

Vira-Lorr, do you know anything about healing or medicine?

[ The question sort of comes out of nowhere, the logical progression from not being sure of his own existing skills to wanting to be useful to wanting to learn about healing having taken place entirely in his head, but if he notices how jarring the shift in subject is he sure doesn't give any indication. ]

Hmmm, I'm skilled in herbal remedies, but it was never really my specialty. I don't know much more than First-Aid and the making of poultices. Why do you ask?

[There might have been little progression, but she was all too ready to respond to this one. It was a good topic to cover, and she knew a few she could send him to if it came down to it.]

[ Orpheus frowns thoughtfully, glancing off to the side a bit as he considers. ]

That's more than I know, probably. I was just wondering, because, well. I can't fight, and I don't want to, but I'd still like to be able to help people, when things go wrong? In more ways than I've been able to in the past. So I've been looking for someone to teach me things like that.

I'd talked to a few people back in Deerington about it, but then we were all so busy just trying to survive that there wasn't time.

Its a good plan on your part. I'll impart what I know any time. It could help in a pinch, though if you want greater lessons there are definitely better teachers than myself. I do believe you will be able to find ways to help without fighting.

Thanks! [ he says, smiling at her. It's more reserved than usual for him, as he's still dwelling on all he's left behind in coming here, but he does genuinely mean it. ] I'll ask you about it sometime later. For now, maybe I should get going?

[ And leave her to the business of finding her other friends. He's pretty sure he can walk again by now, after all, being pretty reaccustomed to having a skeleton and all. Testing that theory, he pushes himself up to his feet and after a brief unsteady moment manages to balance and take a few shaking steps.

He glances back at Vira-Lorr. ]

Oh! Unless you need any more help with the people washing up on shore? I don't really have anywhere else to be, so.

No, no, get going you. It will be fine. I think that most of those I am hoping for have either washed up on shore or will not at this time. I'm merely reflecting on my desire to see them at this point.

[She smiled and waved to him.]

Take care, Orpheus.

[ Orpheus nods, brushing the sand off of himself now that his balance is coming back. ]

You too! I'll see you again soon, okay?

[ And he smiles at her, before turning to go, making his way up the shore towards the city. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[001] time has a funny kind of violence

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject