deercountry | January Catchall [OPEN]

Entry tags:

January Catchall [OPEN]

Who: Lance (

azurestar) and OPEN
What: Catch-all log for January.
When: All of January
Where: All over Trench.

Content Warnings: alcohol and drug use, risky behavior, symptoms of PTSD and trauma induced hallucinations etc., memory loss, shedding of skin to alter one's body and all the psychological issues that comes with, traumatic memory share, lockjoint, will add more specific warnings as they arise.

SNAKE DEN

i. [Lance frequents the Red practically every night it's said to be hosting the talent and fashion shows. He only gets on the stage when he's in different forms, though. In the second week of the month, he's a catboy thief from a tabletop fantasy game called Monsters and Mana. On stage, as this persona he'll grab a guitar and start singing extremely well and captivatingly as he walks through the audience and uses his tail pick pocket the onlookers. He can also be found chatting people up and lounging in booths with beautiful ladies in this form and letting them pet his ears... yes, he's purring when that happens.

In the middle of the month, he's a bit younger, back to who he was before he went to space at the age of 17, and he'll be getting on stage to show off his acrobatic and dance skills, as well as his musical skills. He'll descend from the ceiling from bolts of fabric around his legs and waist, with his guitar in hand, spinning around slowly and playing with a rose in his teeth. He'll then toss the rose to the prettiest person in the audience an start singing and dancing quite well once he reaches the ground.

Also in the middle of the month, he's a beautiful young woman for a short stint. In this form, he does singing and dance routines, showing off his high notes and also gets in the fashion show, the outfits he gravitates to look like this, this and this. He can also be spotted mingling in the crowd dressed nice and downing champagne flutes and charming everyone.]

ii. [As a paleblood, people will be extra compelled to open up to him and tell him the truth in this space, and in all his shedded forms he's pretty good at active listening if the subject is heavy enough. He may also offer to help ease pain if someone is hurt or emotionally suffering, as that's the paleblood power he has when touching people skin on skin. At first he'll be confused about people just dumping all their truth on him, but eventually he'll start to figure it out and definitely take full advantage with some people he knows or is curious about.

He'll sidle up to anyone who looks interesting or he wants to get to know, and especially to existing friends and go:] Sooo, got anything you wanna get off your chest, maybe?

[It will be easy to mistake him for a working nightwalker, feel free to proposition him for anything.]

iii. [In all his forms detailed above, he'll be available for a private conversation or interaction as even he needs some time to sit and chill out. Often, he'll be laid back in a more private area just strumming on his guitar and casually singing random lyrics that come to mind. Because of his empathic powers, what he's unconsciously singing about may feel specifically tailored to your life, especially if he touched your skin and took some suffering or pain from you no matter how small. If he hasn't touched you recently, then the song may still feel relevant to you and like the notes being played hit you in your soul, but it's not as deeply specific.

Lance doesn't realize he's doing this, he still doesn't have control over his powers and has not figured out how to consciously channel them. When he notices someone's emotional or physical presence, he'll stop playing and look over, brows drawn together.]

Uh hey, looking for something? Maybe someone~?

[He waggles his eyebrows a bit and smirks on that last bit. Could be he means someone else, or himself and is implying you should stay a while and hang out with him. Either way, he's not bothered and oblivious to what he was just doing that got your attention. If you'd like specific lyrics and a musical tone/genre for your character, just describe the emotions/situation they are experiencing that Lance would be singing about in prose and let me know.]

SHEDDING CEREMONY

iv. [Later in the month, Lance sheds into a full AU of himself where he isn't human, but a highly advanced Android that didn't know he was an Android until very recently. Many things in his life are the same, and he remembers Deerington, but through the perspective of an Android Lance with slight differences to his background and certain edits to what he experienced. From his perspective, he's just returned from a big "canon update" where he discovered what he is and is understandably shook.

He can be found overcompensating as he walks through the streets of Trench or enters various venues to shop, shooting finger guns at every person he sees. This is normal, he's normal, he's totally a person and not a thing with no soul. But the mechanism that keeps his head attached to his body is disrupted after he recently tested taking it off and promptly freaked the fuck out, he didn't put it back on entirely right, so all it takes is someone or something jostling him and- POP! His head comes off and rolls up to your feet.

He looks up at you from the ground looking like he's barely keeping his shit together and trying not to freak out as he blinks and then laugh so nervously and through a tight anxious throat, that he chokes on it.]

Hey, l-looks like I lost my head a second there...

v. (closed) [Vary late in the month, Lance is a merboy! He sheds to the form in the night, and all his memories are shifted slightly, he doesn't know where he is and believes belongs with Mariana ever since arriving in Trench. In his version of history, many things are the same, except that he had his DNA messed with on an ocean planet and gained the ability to turn into a mer. He struggled with the feral nature of that side for a long time and coming to Trench, steeped in blood pollution caused him to perma shift into the merman state and heavily bond with the Ocean. Naturally, this was startling and scary to him to wake up in a strange place and he started freaking the fuck out when woken.]

vi. [After merboy Lance is brought back to Mariana, he is actually quite happy to talk to people who come by the docks, he'll pop up out of the water and grin with all sharp teeth and flirt, Mariana sometimes assisting him further out of the water by lifting water with him in a cone. But his flirting is sometimes meant to lure in victims... yes, he's one of those siren types of merpeople. Sometimes, he's harmlessly interacting and interested in having some fun, others... he's hunting.

If he's not directly targeting you on the docks, you can catch him in the middle of luring a poor sailor out of their boat and into the water with him. If you call out to interrupt, he'll look over at you with a death glare and his hands fisted in the person's shirt as he's in the process of pulling them in.]

Ohoho you better not be interrupting us right now. Can't you see we're having a moment??

UNSNAKELY

vii. [Lance has taken a liking to Madam Generosity as she slithers through the streets. He feels comforted by her and talks to her as she goes, running to try nad keep up. Then, it doesn't take long before he's just riding on her back every now and again throughout the month, no matter what form he's taken or what memories he has (excluding merboy). Catch him lounging on his back with his hands up and pillowing the back of his head and ankles crossed like he's on the beach, definitely flirting with the giant snake.]

So, how's your day going, beautiful? Heading anywhere interesting?

viii. [Because of his affection for Madam Generosity, he does fall into the unsnakely's traps more than once and in multiple shedded forms (all but merboy). And unfortunately, his star powers are still not working correctly, even after he's shedded, and in some forms he has no powers at all, so when he follows the trail to find the snake of his heart, he's not the most prepared for when a giant fiery beast emerges to attack.]

AHHHH!

[Immediately, he leaps out of the way of a fiery attack and covers his head protectively. Then he hops up and looks around for any assistance or weapons or ideas. Regardless, he's taking a stance and rolling up his sleeves.]

Alright, let's do this.

[And if he's in a body that has powers and/or combat training (regardless of their functionality), he'll stand his ground. If he's his younger, early canon self or his catboy self, he'll immediately run for his life after saying that.]

WINTER MOURNINGS

ix. [Possible memories from Deerington open in the thick of a jungle where many of them were forced to battle each other much like in the Hunger Games. This is where he ate a man, killed his friend Moira and where Reaper tortured him to death in revenge and he'll look around at the place they end up, look at you, then at the area again...] Nope. Bye.

[And with that he turns to walk away into the jungle. And if it's not the jungle you found yourself in, it's the streets of Deerington during darker periods such as October's blood filled streets or something that looks more benign and normal but definitely isn't. He'll have no idea what is about to happen and that makes him fidgety. He looks around uneasily and then his hands come up to his head.] Maaan, this could be anything!

x. [The experience begins in his memory and the first thing you see is the inside of a very futuristic space ship, fighter cockpit, or you're in the back seat of a land rover on earth. These possible memories are from his time back home and they have him sighing next to you heavily with a note of "oh this again" on his breath.] Well, let's strap in, this'll be over soon.

WILDCARD

( Want to combine old Winter Mourning Prompts with current events? Want to add a lockjoint element to one of these prompts? Or just wanna come up with something completely unique? Hit me with anything your heart desires. Current Event and last month's event prompts are largely flexible with each AU form as well, if you want a specific AU form for a prompt that doesn't specify which one/leaves it open, just let me know in the subject line. If you'd like to plot, I would be more than happy to! Contact me on my plotting comment where I detail all my ideas so far, at spypigeon or on discord at charley#8222! )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This flavor of Lance is actually Altean, freshly Altean in fact. There's some differences in his memories, but not massively big ones and his relationship dynamic with most of the other paladins and Shiro remains the same or similar. The blue marks on his face glow slightly as he unconsciously reaches out empathically to get a sense of Shiro's mood. He sits up a bit, setting the guitar aside and grins.]

Oh yeah? Why? Wanna pull off another "awesome" stunt?

Yeah... no. Definitely not. I'm still getting chewed out for the last one.

[And he's getting more certain he'd short-circuited something in his stupid arm, but that's neither here nor there. He drops into a cross-legged sit somewhere in the private space, no need for decorum or self-consciousness with Lance. He's comfortable with his teammate, pure and simple.]

[Underneath, though, there's that constant undercurrent of tension, and exhaustion. Even in the Snake Den, in the party atmosphere.]

You feeling all right after all that?

[As a paleblood with no star powers and now an Altean, his psychic powers are boosted significantly and he picks up on the tension and exhaustion. All the hidden intricacies of Shiro's stress is clear to him, but he pulls back his senses to try and give the man some privacy. He shrugs at the question.]

I don't remember it. I saw it on my Omni's network history and I figured out it was a shedding thing… or am I the shed?

[Oh no, existential crisis is not what he needs, quick ask Shiro something he can't lie to because you're a paleblood in the Red!] Sooooo, how are you doing?

[Smooth, Lance.]

[Shiro just sort of lowers his face into his hands for a second. His cheeks burning faintly. Great. He wishes he couldn't remember.]

I guess I'll have to chew us both out - when we both remember.

[He won't. But he has to say it, anyway. Who would he be if he didn't? He pushes his hand through his hair, instead of answering right away. There's a lot more grey in the strands than there ever was before.]

I'm tired. [He doesn't really realize he's said that.] Keith's here now, and apparently went full purple, got attacked with a carrot... half the people I know are going through a crisis...

I need a vacation.

[Lance's brows go up at that.] Why? It looked fun! Kind of weird seeing myself as a human, though…

[He trails off and tries not to have an existential crisis about the nature of his existence again and then distracts himself with watching Shiro. More grey has been noticed before but it's more prominent when he runs his hands through his hair like that. In this form, he's able to use his blood powers to help people open up, relax and process their feelings, but he needs a second to tamp down on his reaction to Keith being brought up first. He coughs and clears his throat. The last time he and Shiro talked about Keith was right after he left roughly a year ago and Lance insisted everything between him and Keith was a mistake. But… that's not important right now.]

Shiro, it sounds like you need a lot more than just a vacation, but lucky for you I'm an expert in this stuff. And I've got some nifty blood powers that let me get up in your brain and nervous system to help you unclench, and if there was ever a guy who needs to unclench, it's you, my man. What d'you say?

[You are human hits his tongue, but goes no further. This will pass, he knows. Better to let it be, for now. It's not hurting anything.]

I don't know if a vacation's even possible here, let alone more than one.

[Things have gotten better with more life in the house, lately. It's not so empty, it's not so isolating. He doesn't feel like he's living with nothing but ghosts anymore. He raises an eyebrow, though, at the suggestion.]

And how does that work?

[Lance rolls his eyes.]

Not with that attitude it's not.

[Then he wiggles his fingers and his Altean marks glow.] Magic~ obviously. [But his look softens to something more sincere and gentle, understanding that Shiro definitely needs more than that considering his past with people up in his brain and nervous system…]

It's up to you how far it goes, but I can just send different signals through your nervous system to get you feeling more relaxed… I can also tap into your brain and send you on a spirit quest to untangle whatever knots are blocking your chi or whatever you wanna call it at the source.

Edited 2022-02-07 02:37 (UTC)

Magic, huh?

[Excuse the skepticism, Lance. It's a mild version, though. More bemused than anything else.]

[Then he's quiet again, leaning forward on his elbows. And shakes his head slightly.]

I... don't think either one of us wants to get too far into my head. [His brain, memories, etc. Lance seems to be in a decent place right now. He'd hate to spoil that.] But those are the only options?

[You get a flat look for that skepticism, Shiro.] We're literally in a world that runs on magic and uses lunar orbs to keep the lights on. Not to mention you've seen Allura use quintessence to revive an entire Balmera.

[So yes, magic. He huffs out a breath and then raises a finger to wag back and forth.] When did I say anything about me going into your head? Sending you on a spirit quest is a solo mission, all I do is open the door and pull you out if I sense you want out. But no those aren't your only options, what do you take me for? An amateur? I've got tons of different skills, name what you want done and I'll do it.

[Shiro may notice by now that despite being Altean, Lance speaks much like himself, doesn't use odd slang or misuse Earth slang like Allura and Coran.]

[He holds his hands up, tiredly. Shaking his head.] Okay, okay, point taken. Sorry - it's been a while since the Balmera.

[Too long. Way too long. That was a good memory. A good day. More than once, he wishes they could relive it. The teamwork and the success.]

[... he also wishes he didn't feel the need to just up and tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth right now.]

I'd just like to stop feeling like my head wants to implode. For a day or so. Heck, I'd even take five minutes.

[This really is an odd juxtaposition. Someone who looks like Allura and Coran, but - no accent. No misunderstandings or botched words. And, makes it clear how big the missing piece in their lives is, without them.]

[Lance just silently accepts that apology and then tilts his head thoughtfully at the request. Well, he can do that so he's just gonna reach over and touch Shiro's head. His marks glow blue and so does his hand and Shiro will feel his head start to feel lighter, more collected and level.]

Boom, baby. Magic.

[And quoting Earth pop culture now.]

One, please do not say that again. Two... how did you...?

[He blinks, then shakes his head, holding up a hand. No, he knows what the answer will be. "Magic".]

[His hand runs through his hair.]

I... suddenly feel like I can sleep.

What? 'Boom baby'? Why not??

[It is an excellent phrase, Shiro, what is wrong with you?]

Like I said: Magic. And sure, take a nap, I can play you a lullaby~

You sound like you're from hundreds of years ago, that's why.

[No, really, he had better words to say, but the sudden lack of a pounding headache, the sudden relaxation is... a lot, to say the least.]

Uh huh. [... he may be on his way to nap town.]

What's so bad about that? Maybe I'm bringing it back!

[He pouts at Shiro, but all the same he starts strumming at the guitar with the promised lullaby. Using his empathic ability (not consciously), he starts playing a tune that fits the mood Shiro has right now.]

Yeah. Yeah, okay. You go for it.

[It's very calming here right now. Very relaxing. He shifts where he sits, in an effort to get more comfortable.]

You can do it.

[Lance snorts and doesn't say anything, just lets Shiro drift off while he plays. Whenever Shiro wakes up, he'll find that Lance has shed again and is passed out on the other side of the pillow fort tent next to his shed skin.

And he's a fish boy. Approach sleeping feral fish with caution. The shed is fairly recent because the itchy feeling of not being in water has not startled him awake yet.]

[He doesn't remember the last time he actually... slept. Not without dreams or tea or passing out from exhaustion. There's nothing. Just sleep.]

[When he finally stirs awake, it's hard to remember where he was. A few moments pass, blinking blearily as it slowly comes back to him.]

Right - that. That was some magic, Lance.

[A pause. While he glances around.] Lance -? [Oh what the %$@#.] Lance!?

[The loud yell of his name, plus the increasing itch of being in open air has him jolting awake. And immediately, he looks like a cornered feral animal that just woke up in someone's house after being drugged in the wild and taken somewhere else.

He starts scrambling to the closest exit he can see… but he's a fish on land and his tail flails uselessly and his fins on his head and everywhere else flare in a dominance display as he hisses at Shiro. His tail coils around and hhe takes on a defensive curled up posture and his sharp claws and teeth are very ready to be used if Shiro gets closer.]

Oh sure... 'take a break, Shiro'. What could go wrong, Shiro? This - this is what goes wrong...

[He mutters this under his breath, before slowly easing himself into a standing position. His hands splayed out - no weapons. No nothing.]

Easy... it's okay. You're okay. [What happens if he kneels down? Look, see? Not a threat. Nothing bad here, buddy.] Lance. It's okay.

[Lance is in there somewhere but for now, feral fish has woken up in open air. That means he's got limited time before he starts to get sick and die from lack of water. His kind suffocates slow and in a different ways from regualar fish. He's a cornered animal in survival mode.

Shiro's attempts at peaceful and calming posture and words gets a fearful glare and claws swiping at him in warning along with another hiss.]

[He resists the urge to drop his face into his hands. That would probably seem like some kind of threat, at the rate everything is going. Never taking a nap again. Never, ever again.]

Easy... I'm not going to hurt you...

[He'll try one more time for the reassurance, the calming tone.] Lance, I'm trying to help you.

[He starts to look a little confused. And then his tail shifts and the fin strums his guitar, drawing his attention. His expression turns surprised and suspicious, but also like he's starting to remember something more human.]

Yeah - that's yours. That's... your guitar, Lance.

You like that?

[It's too bad it's out of reach. Shiro doubts he could do more than pluck a couple strings, but if music would help...]

[He'll try and reach for it. Very, very slowly.] I'm not going to touch you. Just your guitar.

[Lance eyes Shiro warily as he slowly moves for the guitar, but he's more curious at this point than defensive. There's something about it, about the sound that has him feeling a certain way and he doesn't… understand. He feels like he's on the precipice of understanding if he just hears more.

He lets Shiro touch the guitar but something about his has his eyes narrowing protectively. Of the guitar. What the hell is that about?]

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