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shiro2hero) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
deercountry2022-02-08 04:06 pm
shiro2hero) wrote in deercountry2022-02-08 04:06 pm
Entry tags:
you took your toll on me {OPEN}
Who: Shiro & OPEN
What: Catch all for February event + newsletter
When: All month long (2/1 - 2/28)
Where: Various - listed in prompts
Content Warnings: attempted harm via combat, mild altered mental state via chocolates, blood ritual in closed threads
CHOCOLATE EFFECT
Almond + Strawberry - compelled to communicate exclusively through song - emotions projected through an aura
(1) Market / Willful Machine
Shiro really doesn't notice anything's wrong. Or even different. As far as he knows, it's just another day. Just another round of errands before he heads off to work with the Wakers. Maybe he'll find a familiar face out there. Most likely not. His hands are in his pockets, casually wandering down the boardwalk before his shift - and... is he humming? He's humming. And apparently oblivious to it. Though, once he draws an audience, that very well may change. There also appears to be some kind of light show going on in his vicinity. A pulse around him in muted colors of dim twilight.
That's probably okay. Right?
(2) Any Stage
... It does change. At some point, any point in the month, should you walk into a venue with a stage, or an open mic, Shiro's there. Up on the stage. Where he's somehow gotten hold of his Space Ho crop-top, and appears to be in the middle of a reprise of Under Pressure. The light show around him is still going strong, bursting in brilliant yellows and golds shot with silver. If he spots a familiar face in the crowd, he cuts it off and reaches out to haul the individual on stage with him. The lighting follows his movements, swirling in time with whoever he sees - green-gold, purple-silver.
"It's so great to see you!" is what he says, before immediately launching into some other song. And, oh no. Oh, no is he dancing. He's dancing with the poor soul on stage with him.
Have you heard it before? Maybe? Do you resist going on stage? If so, he's going to be serenading his feelings from stage, probably more embarrassing than just getting up there. Because Shiro's not about to stop.
Shiro really doesn't notice anything's wrong. Or even different. As far as he knows, it's just another day. Just another round of errands before he heads off to work with the Wakers. Maybe he'll find a familiar face out there. Most likely not. His hands are in his pockets, casually wandering down the boardwalk before his shift - and... is he humming? He's humming. And apparently oblivious to it. Though, once he draws an audience, that very well may change. There also appears to be some kind of light show going on in his vicinity. A pulse around him in muted colors of dim twilight.
That's probably okay. Right?
(2) Any Stage
... It does change. At some point, any point in the month, should you walk into a venue with a stage, or an open mic, Shiro's there. Up on the stage. Where he's somehow gotten hold of his Space Ho crop-top, and appears to be in the middle of a reprise of Under Pressure. The light show around him is still going strong, bursting in brilliant yellows and golds shot with silver. If he spots a familiar face in the crowd, he cuts it off and reaches out to haul the individual on stage with him. The lighting follows his movements, swirling in time with whoever he sees - green-gold, purple-silver.
"It's so great to see you!" is what he says, before immediately launching into some other song. And, oh no. Oh, no is he dancing. He's dancing with the poor soul on stage with him.
Have you heard it before? Maybe? Do you resist going on stage? If so, he's going to be serenading his feelings from stage, probably more embarrassing than just getting up there. Because Shiro's not about to stop.
Peanut Butter - you now have animal features
(1) Arrival
Initially, when the massive, mottled grey and white wings appeared, Shiro kind of panicked. Who wouldn't, when your coat splits open, and enormous feathers sprout? He doesn't remember anything weird happening, even though he should. It doesn't hurt, thankfully, it's more startling than it is actually painful. But it throws him off-balance enough to go sprawling sideways into a wall. Or a person. Hopefully it's a wall and not someone who's going to put up a fuss over being sprawled into by a dorito-shaped winged man.
"Sorry! I - excuse me!"
The unfortunate Trenchie ducks to one side, and, well. Said Winged Man ends up in a bush. Looking more put out and annoyed than actually hurt as he tries to untangle himself.
(2) Over Beach
In the end, though, you cannot keep Shiro grounded. Not when you hand him such an obvious way to get airborne again. The sand, mostly frozen still, is dotted with human-shaped impressions where it didn't quite work as planned. But looking upward, you'll see he got the hang of it pretty quickly. Sure, he had to rip up a shirt for this, but it's worth it. Even Shiro isn't reckless enough to go flying without some kind of protection on his skin, thank you.
He can be seen skimming low over the half-frozen waves, trailing a hand through them before climbing skyward again. The look on his face is... well. It's elated. It's overjoyed. He even climbs up higher than strictly necessary, spiraling, and gliding. It's a show, but one mostly for himself. Until he spots someone on the sand, and angles in for a landing.
Watch out!
Initially, when the massive, mottled grey and white wings appeared, Shiro kind of panicked. Who wouldn't, when your coat splits open, and enormous feathers sprout? He doesn't remember anything weird happening, even though he should. It doesn't hurt, thankfully, it's more startling than it is actually painful. But it throws him off-balance enough to go sprawling sideways into a wall. Or a person. Hopefully it's a wall and not someone who's going to put up a fuss over being sprawled into by a dorito-shaped winged man.
"Sorry! I - excuse me!"
The unfortunate Trenchie ducks to one side, and, well. Said Winged Man ends up in a bush. Looking more put out and annoyed than actually hurt as he tries to untangle himself.
(2) Over Beach
In the end, though, you cannot keep Shiro grounded. Not when you hand him such an obvious way to get airborne again. The sand, mostly frozen still, is dotted with human-shaped impressions where it didn't quite work as planned. But looking upward, you'll see he got the hang of it pretty quickly. Sure, he had to rip up a shirt for this, but it's worth it. Even Shiro isn't reckless enough to go flying without some kind of protection on his skin, thank you.
He can be seen skimming low over the half-frozen waves, trailing a hand through them before climbing skyward again. The look on his face is... well. It's elated. It's overjoyed. He even climbs up higher than strictly necessary, spiraling, and gliding. It's a show, but one mostly for himself. Until he spots someone on the sand, and angles in for a landing.
Watch out!
Coffee - erratic, irrational behavior, horrible hangover
(1) Trenchwood
How could he say no to coffee? Especially coffee with the added lingering effect of the peanut butter - wings, in this case. Right now, he feels invincible. He feels like he could take on the world. And there's only one place to test it. Out in the wilds, where hardly anyone ventures. If he can get some good aerial views of the woods, maybe that would be of help. Despite everything, despite the overwhelming urge to reckless action, he wants to use it for good. The huge appendages shift, flex.
"I'm going in." A beat. "Over." In that Shiro Tone of "you can't stop me".
So... there's that. Can't stop, won't stop.
Join him?
(2) The Crash - Mouse House
Residents of the Mouse House, or often visitors, who happen to be around early in the morning will catch sight of a rare beast. The fearsome Shirogane Blanket Slug. Dragging his heels through the house, in search of caffeine. Or water. Or any combination of the above. There's a blanket pulled over his head, and every step is a slow, pained shuffle. One would be forgiven for running, or calling for help. Especially when morning light pokes into the room, under the blanket.
Then Shiro groans. And slowly, so slowly, starts to sink down to the floor. Giving up on life altogether. Death would be kinder.
How could he say no to coffee? Especially coffee with the added lingering effect of the peanut butter - wings, in this case. Right now, he feels invincible. He feels like he could take on the world. And there's only one place to test it. Out in the wilds, where hardly anyone ventures. If he can get some good aerial views of the woods, maybe that would be of help. Despite everything, despite the overwhelming urge to reckless action, he wants to use it for good. The huge appendages shift, flex.
"I'm going in." A beat. "Over." In that Shiro Tone of "you can't stop me".
So... there's that. Can't stop, won't stop.
Join him?
(2) The Crash - Mouse House
Residents of the Mouse House, or often visitors, who happen to be around early in the morning will catch sight of a rare beast. The fearsome Shirogane Blanket Slug. Dragging his heels through the house, in search of caffeine. Or water. Or any combination of the above. There's a blanket pulled over his head, and every step is a slow, pained shuffle. One would be forgiven for running, or calling for help. Especially when morning light pokes into the room, under the blanket.
Then Shiro groans. And slowly, so slowly, starts to sink down to the floor. Giving up on life altogether. Death would be kinder.
WARMBLOOD EFFECT
(1) Help Machine
It's cold. It's snowy. Huge drifts piled up here and there, with patches of ice holding them in massive clumps in the street. This makes it difficult to get to and from where you may need to go. But! Struggle no more! Help is on the way!
By virtue of a one-man, one-horse plow machine. It's Shiro, a huge shovel. And an even bigger black horse. Meet Bob, everyone. The big animal, while on a lead, is apparently breaking paths through the snow with its enormous feet, followed closely by Shiro and his shovel, scooping out the new powder. He's ended up stripped down to a t-shirt, even in this weather, from the exertion, but shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. And hey, he's got the arms for this, why not use them? Even if... maybe, the scarring along said arms is a bit darker than it ever used to be. Then again, there's more grey in his hair these days, so -
"Hang on, we'll get this out of your way in no time," is what he'll say, outside any home they encounter, be it Sleeper or Trenchie.
(2) Slow Down
... even with the effect of his blood type urging him on, a man's got to crash eventually. And when he does, it's hard. Follow the trail of horse-man-plow long enough, and Shiro's obvious. Either sacked out on his feet inside Koz's, propped up by a broom, crashed on the sofa at Mouse House, or heck, maybe you hauled his dumb ass in off the street and made him tea. Where he will, promptly, fall asleep with his head on top of the mug.
His horse though? Nah, Bob is fine, really. More than fine. But he'll accept a treat or a pat.
It's cold. It's snowy. Huge drifts piled up here and there, with patches of ice holding them in massive clumps in the street. This makes it difficult to get to and from where you may need to go. But! Struggle no more! Help is on the way!
By virtue of a one-man, one-horse plow machine. It's Shiro, a huge shovel. And an even bigger black horse. Meet Bob, everyone. The big animal, while on a lead, is apparently breaking paths through the snow with its enormous feet, followed closely by Shiro and his shovel, scooping out the new powder. He's ended up stripped down to a t-shirt, even in this weather, from the exertion, but shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. And hey, he's got the arms for this, why not use them? Even if... maybe, the scarring along said arms is a bit darker than it ever used to be. Then again, there's more grey in his hair these days, so -
"Hang on, we'll get this out of your way in no time," is what he'll say, outside any home they encounter, be it Sleeper or Trenchie.
(2) Slow Down
... even with the effect of his blood type urging him on, a man's got to crash eventually. And when he does, it's hard. Follow the trail of horse-man-plow long enough, and Shiro's obvious. Either sacked out on his feet inside Koz's, propped up by a broom, crashed on the sofa at Mouse House, or heck, maybe you hauled his dumb ass in off the street and made him tea. Where he will, promptly, fall asleep with his head on top of the mug.
His horse though? Nah, Bob is fine, really. More than fine. But he'll accept a treat or a pat.
PTHUMERIAN EFFECT
(1) By The Shore - Moon Presence
It's late at night, out here on the shore. Not even the Wakers about. Maybe squid don't wash up this time of night. Whatever you're doing out here, you may very well feel like you're the only soul here. At least until something begins to sing - a sad, mournful melody, out over the waters. It's pretty darn huge, too.
"It's okay."
You wouldn't be blamed for jumping. Someone else is in fact, out here. It's Shiro, bundled up and sitting on a rock, quietly watching the Pthumerian figure. His expression is somber, sad - well, you know, more than usual anyway. He does try for a smile, and nods toward the creature singing. If you approach, you'll see there's a small burner set on the rock as well, the smell of incense faint and drifting upwards from it. Soft and pleasant, soothing.
"She won't hurt you." He must mean the big creature. There's no one else here. "Do you know who she is?"
(2) By The Gate - Mercy
He should be happier, right? Don't most people have a little thrill of something, a little bit of joy, close to their birthdays? But, no. There's nothing. There's just the heavy weight of his right arm. There's just the creeping knowledge the people dear to him are falling apart. Nothing he's done so far has managed to uphold any of his promises to any of them. That's becoming more and more apparent as the weeks go on, as the days go on and he sees the Corruption.
He sees the changes in everyone, except himself.
What does he desire? What does he crave? More than anything else... to be of use. To be worth the effort of knowing - to be able to make a difference. Yet, no matter what he does, people slip through his fingers like water. Promises fade to nothing.
We don't need you anymore
He stares up at the massive doors of the arena, the Gate. Maybe, at least, if he can't do anything, he can help the stronger ones train. That, surely will be of use, will rid him of the guilt scrabbling down his spine. He can already feel his brain slowly shut down as he takes a step forward towards those doors.
It's late at night, out here on the shore. Not even the Wakers about. Maybe squid don't wash up this time of night. Whatever you're doing out here, you may very well feel like you're the only soul here. At least until something begins to sing - a sad, mournful melody, out over the waters. It's pretty darn huge, too.
"It's okay."
You wouldn't be blamed for jumping. Someone else is in fact, out here. It's Shiro, bundled up and sitting on a rock, quietly watching the Pthumerian figure. His expression is somber, sad - well, you know, more than usual anyway. He does try for a smile, and nods toward the creature singing. If you approach, you'll see there's a small burner set on the rock as well, the smell of incense faint and drifting upwards from it. Soft and pleasant, soothing.
"She won't hurt you." He must mean the big creature. There's no one else here. "Do you know who she is?"
(2) By The Gate - Mercy
He should be happier, right? Don't most people have a little thrill of something, a little bit of joy, close to their birthdays? But, no. There's nothing. There's just the heavy weight of his right arm. There's just the creeping knowledge the people dear to him are falling apart. Nothing he's done so far has managed to uphold any of his promises to any of them. That's becoming more and more apparent as the weeks go on, as the days go on and he sees the Corruption.
He sees the changes in everyone, except himself.
What does he desire? What does he crave? More than anything else... to be of use. To be worth the effort of knowing - to be able to make a difference. Yet, no matter what he does, people slip through his fingers like water. Promises fade to nothing.
We don't need you anymore
He stares up at the massive doors of the arena, the Gate. Maybe, at least, if he can't do anything, he can help the stronger ones train. That, surely will be of use, will rid him of the guilt scrabbling down his spine. He can already feel his brain slowly shut down as he takes a step forward towards those doors.
(( all prompts open to all! Closed ones in comments. If you want anything specific, feel free to hit me up here! ))
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Will is unbothered, absently reaching up to pat the horse's nose. "Hasn't been that long," he retorts, grinning. "I'm okay. How're you?"
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Shockingly, he's serious. He's doing okay these days. Or at least he is when this takes place.
"I had something I wanted to talk to you about though," he starts, then adds: "Nothing's wrong. It's not even a bad thing." Because he knows Will. He knows the 'we should talk' statement is never a comforting one. "You okay if I come in?"
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"Yeah, for sure." The house is...empty. It's felt all the more so since Nancy and Joyce vanished, leaving just Mike and Will and their Omens. To be fair, Marshmallow takes up a lot of room.
Like now, standing right in the middle of the hallway, nonplussed as Will pushes at his chest. "C'monnnnn, move." Aren't Omen's supposed to be like...shadowy and noncorporeal? Follow the rules, Marshmallow.
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He follows Will in, sticking close - only partially because of Marshmallow, the creepiest Omen he's met so far. His own slips into being at his heels, huffing quietly. Lions can't really purr, but she can sure try. Anything to add a bit more ambient sound to the quiet.
A quiet Shiro knows all too well.
... and a Not!Horse he also knows. "Maybe he... doesn't want me in here."
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Will rolls his eyes, shoving at Marshmallow with a shoulder. "He's just being weird. C'mon, mooooove." The horse blinks placidly down at the boy, then up at Shiro and then...pulls a Cheshire Cat by sloooowly disappearing from the tail forward.
Completely unbothered, Will shrugs. "Weirdo."
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The more he sees Marshmallow, the more he's sure the horse is just going to pop up in his bedroom one night and eat his face right off his skull. He wouldn't be surprised at this point. His omen walks right up to Will, and butts her head into the boy's hip.
"Anyway, I... wanted to ask you if you've heard about the ... 'bonding' people are doing."
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Then he frowns, pondering. "Maybe? It was something in a book, I think. A few people at the market were talking about it."
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This is new information, as far as Shiro's concerned. He could have sworn Marshmallow had it out for him in some way or another. Of all people, why does Will have to have the creepiest Omen?
More importantly, though, the reason he's here.
"Yeah, I heard too. I think a good number of us are really considering it - to keep ourselves linked to who's important to us. It sounds like there's a lot of different types." He pauses, then angles his head to try and look Will in the eye.
"There's... one for family members."
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The explanation of the bonds gets a thoughtful, if perplexed sort of nod. Will had heard a little about the process, and he has to admit it appeals to the part of him that desperately wants to hold onto the people he loves. But of course, self-deprecation means that he assumes Shiro's just...telling him about it for fun?
"Oh." He blinks a couple times, not getting it. "Okay. Cool." William, please.
no subject
Huh. Go figure. Will apparently thinks nothing of the wet grossness appearing in the hallway, either. Still weird.
But more important talks are happening. Like... apparently explaining why he's here in greater detail? Was he not clear? He must not have been clear.
"Will, I'm - asking if you'd want that... To be part of our family like that."
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Also Shiro is very clear, Will is just...well, he's inclined not to always believe the best. Like now, eyes widening, looking up at Shiro like the idea's just now made sense to him. Because it has. Honestly, this kid.
"You...really? You are?"
no subject
But moving on.
He nods. He shifts position to better look Will in the eye.
"Yes. Really. I don't want to lose you again." A beat, a deep breath. "I don't want to lose my son again."
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Will, on the other hand, is very predictably emotionally overwhelmed, his breath catching a little. Shiro's said it before, always in the heat of emotion, when one of them is threatened or endangered, but this is...this feels deliberate. It's on purpose. That makes it all the more real.
Finally, eyes a little teary, Will looks back up at Shiro and nods. "I want that too."
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Then he takes a knee.
And wraps the kid up in a hug. As much as Will can possibly stand while still managing to breathe.
"Thank you."
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But he clings back just as tight as he can, because that's what you do with your family. With your dad.
"You're welcome." Muffled, slightly laughing.
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But this... at least, he can give Will. This link. So he'll never be alone here, no matter what happens.
"Whenever you're ready, okay? We've got all month, I think."
no subject
Maybe with this, not ever. Not really.
Will nods, perking up with curiosity. "Is it a whole...ritual thing? Do we have to sacrifice a chicken?" Marshmallow, at the mention of ritual sacrifice, returns to corporeal form, poking his head around a corner.
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He shifts, letting go of Will with one arm, to sling the bag off his shoulder. The supplies inside rattle. "I've got the supplies. Just needs a finger prick from each of us, pretty much."
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Will more so, perhaps. He's bouncing a little on his heels, excited. "Supplies? What kinda supplies?"
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It doesn't sound like a lot. But it worked before. It worked really well before. Still, though, if Will doesn't feel up for it after hearing how this goes down, that's fine. He came to offer, not force.
"We just need to add a little of our own blood, and... an eyelash or something."
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He doesn't want to wait. Just in case.
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Will doesn't have to finish. He gets it. Shiro... absolutely gets it. He reaches around for another hug. A one-armed shoulder squeeze.
"We have to wait until it gets dark. But I'll stick around until then, okay?"
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So he smiles, accepting the squeeze and motioning Shiro deeper into the house. It's messy -- it's just the two boys living there now. And Marshmallow. And Frodo, the little fluffy pomeranian who is snoozing on the couch.
"Yeah, that's cool. Mike's at work. He has a business." Look at him, so proud of his boyfriend.
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It's why he'd gone and made that connection with Adam, after all.
"Oh does he?" He sounds a little impressed there. And most of it has to do with how proud Will sounds.
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"What's the ritual thing do?"
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