Raleigh Becket (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
righthemisphere) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
deercountry2022-04-07 06:48 am
righthemisphere) wrote in deercountry2022-04-07 06:48 am
Ariadne was pretty convinced that Trench had a sense of humor. Not a very nice one, but a sense of humor nevertheless. It certainly explained the fact that, as soon as she was feeling well enough to start visiting again, the sunlight disappeared.
Fortunately, she wasn't the type who was afraid of shadows.
Anyway, she was long overdue to visit Raleigh's farm. And eager to see the work he'd been putting into it. She was no farmer, but maybe a bit of a fan. It took a lot of hard work and devotion to take up the art.
Plus Raleigh was just so completely nice.
They could talk for hours and Ariadne never got bored. And if Raleigh did, he certainly didn't say anything.
Fortunately, she wasn't the type who was afraid of shadows.
Anyway, she was long overdue to visit Raleigh's farm. And eager to see the work he'd been putting into it. She was no farmer, but maybe a bit of a fan. It took a lot of hard work and devotion to take up the art.
Plus Raleigh was just so completely nice.
They could talk for hours and Ariadne never got bored. And if Raleigh did, he certainly didn't say anything.
She doesn't like obligations, she tells herself. And she'd made a deal.
That's all it was.
The last time she and Bolin had met - well, for more than ten minutes, at any rate, they'd made a deal that had involved something like a date. Since then there had been multiple botched attempts to clear the books. Mainly as, by strange chance, they kept running into each other at inopportune time. That time she'd been tracking a beast he'd gotten to first. Or that other time that that her pursuit of a bounty had nabbed the man next to him in line.
Eight separate incidents, by her count. It was frustrating.
She swore it was just because it was clearing the books. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was a solid fighter and, well, rather pretty. Or that she'd gotten used to the idea of close human company with Kassandra and now missed it.
It was entirely to clear a debt that she knocked on his door, looking...entirely her normal self.
That's all it was.
The last time she and Bolin had met - well, for more than ten minutes, at any rate, they'd made a deal that had involved something like a date. Since then there had been multiple botched attempts to clear the books. Mainly as, by strange chance, they kept running into each other at inopportune time. That time she'd been tracking a beast he'd gotten to first. Or that other time that that her pursuit of a bounty had nabbed the man next to him in line.
Eight separate incidents, by her count. It was frustrating.
She swore it was just because it was clearing the books. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was a solid fighter and, well, rather pretty. Or that she'd gotten used to the idea of close human company with Kassandra and now missed it.
It was entirely to clear a debt that she knocked on his door, looking...entirely her normal self.
No, he hasn't, because he has never been bored. Which is honestly so nice. Raleigh doesn't have many friends and he's found one in Ariadne out of nowhere, almost. Kind, open, insanely smart, interesting, funny (and not just when she doesn't mean to be). He likes her. He likes her vision. He likes how she does things.
Maybe sooner or later she'll figure out what a washed up old has-been he is and that will be that, but for now he's enjoying the friendship.
The farm is all the way out in Feed, but easily accessible by lantern. It's grounds, about four acres by Raleigh's estimate, are ringed with a razor fence three layers deep and covered in powerful wards and antlers. The farmhouse and close grounds, where the lantern alights, is of mid century Australian design which looks completely out of place in a world like this but very much a part of Deerington.
Previous to it's existence there, it was located in the great fuck off nothing of Aussie bushland where Chuck's grandparent's lived and he spent his summers as a very, very young child. A home of happy memories. Behind it, begins the gated courtyard with newly constructed stables for their recent adoptions Zelda (a whippet of a thoroughbred racer) and Aoife (and enormous shire), the path up to the great barn where the chickens and Raleigh's workshop tenuously share space, and a few other outbuildings on a quarter of an acre or so. This inner compound is where most of the action takes place and even though it's dark, their enormous flock of chickens are out and scratching around for moonlit treats. They're just normal chickens, in many breeds, but some of them are wearing little crochet hats. Raleigh made them. He thinks it's cute. Chuck knows better than to try to stop it from happening.
Further back, but only by a bit and looming high over the stables, is the enormous iron and glass greenhouse currently under construction. Until it can be completed, all Raleigh's seedling work is contained in a long row of hoop houses to the side. The entire place is thriving with lush gardens both floral and edible, helped along with Raleigh's power shift last month. He hasn't let that go to waste for a second.
They've only been here since October, but every single day has been devoted to the creation and maintenance of the farm. There's machinery dotted around the place, palettes of wooden egg boxes and straw, and a military ATV parked up behind the back of the house who's wraparound porch looks out over the busy hub behind.
Alerted to the arrival, Ariadne is met by a sharp, shrill wolf whistle from a fat raccoon laying on the roof of the front porch. Spaghetti pulls herself up and stretches before climbing down and over with a chitter of greeting and Raleigh himself won't be too far behind his omen.
"State your business," the raccoon calls as she comes down the path.
"We're closed, missey."
Maybe sooner or later she'll figure out what a washed up old has-been he is and that will be that, but for now he's enjoying the friendship.
The farm is all the way out in Feed, but easily accessible by lantern. It's grounds, about four acres by Raleigh's estimate, are ringed with a razor fence three layers deep and covered in powerful wards and antlers. The farmhouse and close grounds, where the lantern alights, is of mid century Australian design which looks completely out of place in a world like this but very much a part of Deerington.
Previous to it's existence there, it was located in the great fuck off nothing of Aussie bushland where Chuck's grandparent's lived and he spent his summers as a very, very young child. A home of happy memories. Behind it, begins the gated courtyard with newly constructed stables for their recent adoptions Zelda (a whippet of a thoroughbred racer) and Aoife (and enormous shire), the path up to the great barn where the chickens and Raleigh's workshop tenuously share space, and a few other outbuildings on a quarter of an acre or so. This inner compound is where most of the action takes place and even though it's dark, their enormous flock of chickens are out and scratching around for moonlit treats. They're just normal chickens, in many breeds, but some of them are wearing little crochet hats. Raleigh made them. He thinks it's cute. Chuck knows better than to try to stop it from happening.
Further back, but only by a bit and looming high over the stables, is the enormous iron and glass greenhouse currently under construction. Until it can be completed, all Raleigh's seedling work is contained in a long row of hoop houses to the side. The entire place is thriving with lush gardens both floral and edible, helped along with Raleigh's power shift last month. He hasn't let that go to waste for a second.
They've only been here since October, but every single day has been devoted to the creation and maintenance of the farm. There's machinery dotted around the place, palettes of wooden egg boxes and straw, and a military ATV parked up behind the back of the house who's wraparound porch looks out over the busy hub behind.
Alerted to the arrival, Ariadne is met by a sharp, shrill wolf whistle from a fat raccoon laying on the roof of the front porch. Spaghetti pulls herself up and stretches before climbing down and over with a chitter of greeting and Raleigh himself won't be too far behind his omen.
"State your business," the raccoon calls as she comes down the path.
"We're closed, missey."
The farms back home were nothing like this. Which probably explained why Ariadne's jaw dropped more and more as her eyes swept back and forth, taking in the entire scene. It was just so, so big! And teeming with so much activity. Really, it was like an Elf farm times a thousand! All that was missing were the cows, but apparently, they had raccoons. Talking raccoons.
It took her a second to realize it was an Omen.
In her defense, it was dark and she was simply in awe.
But she whipped around quickly enough, giving the raccoon a proper curtsy. "I think my business might be to ask Raleigh about a million questions," she said.
It took her a second to realize it was an Omen.
In her defense, it was dark and she was simply in awe.
But she whipped around quickly enough, giving the raccoon a proper curtsy. "I think my business might be to ask Raleigh about a million questions," she said.
Where a curtsy might make Raleigh very self aware and a little awkward, Spaghetti seems to appreciate the respect that she is so obviously due and hums low as she gives the visitor a once over.
"A million is a lot."
The girl doesn't seem to have brought any snacks as tribute (rude) but she seems nice enough. And just as Spaghetti is about to lament on that fact, Raleigh appears in the door and waves. Light from inside spills out into the darkness, illuminating his from the side - his big smile and waving arm before he comes jogging down the path to scoop Spaghetti up like a naughty child.
"Ariadne, hey. You make it okay?"
Spaghetti struggles and squirms to get up on his shoulder before bounding off into the night with a huff.
"She wasn't giving you a hard time, was she?"
"A million is a lot."
The girl doesn't seem to have brought any snacks as tribute (rude) but she seems nice enough. And just as Spaghetti is about to lament on that fact, Raleigh appears in the door and waves. Light from inside spills out into the darkness, illuminating his from the side - his big smile and waving arm before he comes jogging down the path to scoop Spaghetti up like a naughty child.
"Ariadne, hey. You make it okay?"
Spaghetti struggles and squirms to get up on his shoulder before bounding off into the night with a huff.
"She wasn't giving you a hard time, was she?"
"No more than any Omen," she said, smiling slightly. "Although, you should meet Doctor Wesker's weasel sometime." Talk about a troublemaker!
Feeling giddy over the fact that she could touch people again, Ariadne decided to give Raleigh a hug. She was a petite thing--just barely five foot two--but she could pack a lot of power into a hug. She gave it everything inside of her. Which was so much more than her outsides could reveal.
It was so good to hug again!
"Your farm is incredible, Raleigh!"
Feeling giddy over the fact that she could touch people again, Ariadne decided to give Raleigh a hug. She was a petite thing--just barely five foot two--but she could pack a lot of power into a hug. She gave it everything inside of her. Which was so much more than her outsides could reveal.
It was so good to hug again!
"Your farm is incredible, Raleigh!"
[He knows roughly where Min lives, thanks to Ryan. And, honestly, feels a little guilty it never happened during their meeting at the house. Despite how apprehensive he feels, being out in the darkness, during a month of no sunrise, he wants to make it up to the poor teen. After all, that was the whole point of him coming over to Mouse House...]
[The headlights on the hoverbike cut a swathe through the dark. He doesn't gun the engine like he wants to, not with narrow streets to navigate. Though he does send a message to Min-Gi once he's getting closer to the approximate location.]
Hey, it's Shiro. I have something to show you if you want to come outside real quick?
[... better alert him before the sound of the engine does, anyway.]
[The headlights on the hoverbike cut a swathe through the dark. He doesn't gun the engine like he wants to, not with narrow streets to navigate. Though he does send a message to Min-Gi once he's getting closer to the approximate location.]
Hey, it's Shiro. I have something to show you if you want to come outside real quick?
[... better alert him before the sound of the engine does, anyway.]
Raleigh doesn't know Dr. Wesker and has a deep distrust of Doctor Anyone, but he nods along, then laughs softly at the compliment. Don't be fooled, though. He's very proud, and looks back over his shoulder towards the side gate to the action.
"Thank you. It's really taken off this last month. Now all I have to do is try to sustain it. The sun didn't rise.. but I guess we like a challenge, huh?"
He does not, in this instance, like the challenge. He has had enough of them, already.
"Thank you. It's really taken off this last month. Now all I have to do is try to sustain it. The sun didn't rise.. but I guess we like a challenge, huh?"
He does not, in this instance, like the challenge. He has had enough of them, already.
It's something of a grand end of terrace, this big, old house in the farthest corner of Cellar Door. It isn't his, not really, but it's where he's living. And after everything he went through with Cloverfield and living in a hole for a while, this is pretty good.. even if the house is a little out of sorts emotionally right now.
Without Hunk and who knows where Lance is, Bolin trots down the old, groaning steps to answer, pulling the heavy door open and stopping with surprise.
"Oh-"
Her again. Not bad, again, but they do keep running into each other.
"Delilah. What, uh. Why are you here?"
Without Hunk and who knows where Lance is, Bolin trots down the old, groaning steps to answer, pulling the heavy door open and stopping with surprise.
"Oh-"
Her again. Not bad, again, but they do keep running into each other.
"Delilah. What, uh. Why are you here?"
Ariadne glanced up at the pale, colorless sky. "Yes, that could be a problem. Fortunately, I know a few people who are trying to figure out a way to keep the plant-life going until..."
The sun will come back. It will. No question of if. Just when.
And Ariadne isn't going to allow herself to believe anything else.
"I've had a few offer to create lights that will somehow mimic the sun."
The sun will come back. It will. No question of if. Just when.
And Ariadne isn't going to allow herself to believe anything else.
"I've had a few offer to create lights that will somehow mimic the sun."
[The warning is kind of Shiro to send. Min-Gi has been a little twitchy this week what is the lack of sun and sudden reports of wormholes everywhere.
It's been bothering him more and more since his own wormhole experience with Shiro last month. Always looking over his shoulder, always searching for signs out of the corner of his eye.
Always gotta be something, right? If it's not mushrooms or monsters it's portals and blood pockets and deranged carnival rides. Why not, right? Why the fuck not.
Min-Gi is down in hiscellar recording studio when he gets the message and pauses his work to bop upstairs and peer through the window. There's definitely someone out there in the street so he slips his shoes on (a nice, new pair of loafers check him out) and unlocks the several deadbolts on the heavy front door.
Oh man.. and there she is. Shiro's sitting on the coolest looking bike he has ever seen and for a second all of Min-Gi's worry is pushed aside to light up like it's Christmas morning.]
Hey- woah, is this it??
It's been bothering him more and more since his own wormhole experience with Shiro last month. Always looking over his shoulder, always searching for signs out of the corner of his eye.
Always gotta be something, right? If it's not mushrooms or monsters it's portals and blood pockets and deranged carnival rides. Why not, right? Why the fuck not.
Min-Gi is down in his
Oh man.. and there she is. Shiro's sitting on the coolest looking bike he has ever seen and for a second all of Min-Gi's worry is pushed aside to light up like it's Christmas morning.]
Hey- woah, is this it??
[Ever since March ended, Ryan's been on cloud nine. His paleblood effects from the previous month are finally gone, and on top of that he's been full of energy. He's heard whispers over the network that the moon being out day and night is a bad sign, but it's hard to think about it that way when the moonlight is charging him up like a battery. He's literally got a glow about him, his veins a milky white every time he's outside.
Even better than that, there don't seem to be new effects for blood types, beyond the endless night anyway. Compared to March, April is a breeze. March horrors bring April...flowers? ...Eh, he'll work on it.
For now, he's dragged Min-Gi out to Willful Machine, fully intent on trying to get Min some more clothes now that he's Of Sound Mind to actually help and such. He didn't go too extravagant himself, but his choice of sheer white shirt is a little risqué by local standards, since it only draws more attention to the skin underneath (especially with his paleblood glow).
Most of his focus has been on Min-Gi and going to stores that might ease him into local fashion more than his own haunts will, but he's still managed to wind up with a bag of his own. In his defense, it looked extremely comfortable.]
Dude, it's so good to be out doing stuff again. I missed this.
[Casually, with his free hand, he'll try to link arms with Min as they go down the street. It isn't really a date exactly but it's still fun hanging out with him and being able to see his face and get him to try on funky clothes and see what feels good.]
Even better than that, there don't seem to be new effects for blood types, beyond the endless night anyway. Compared to March, April is a breeze. March horrors bring April...flowers? ...Eh, he'll work on it.
For now, he's dragged Min-Gi out to Willful Machine, fully intent on trying to get Min some more clothes now that he's Of Sound Mind to actually help and such. He didn't go too extravagant himself, but his choice of sheer white shirt is a little risqué by local standards, since it only draws more attention to the skin underneath (especially with his paleblood glow).
Most of his focus has been on Min-Gi and going to stores that might ease him into local fashion more than his own haunts will, but he's still managed to wind up with a bag of his own. In his defense, it looked extremely comfortable.]
Dude, it's so good to be out doing stuff again. I missed this.
[Casually, with his free hand, he'll try to link arms with Min as they go down the street. It isn't really a date exactly but it's still fun hanging out with him and being able to see his face and get him to try on funky clothes and see what feels good.]
Edited 2022-04-13 04:42 (UTC)
[If it's not one thing, it's another. If it's not lethargy and pain, it's endless night. Which has never been anything good, in Shiro's experience. But if there's one thing he can do, it's roll up with a cool distraction from all of that. Or try to, anyway.]
[He brakes fully, settling the bike to idle. Both to keep from wasting juice, and to keep the noise down to manageable levels. And pushes his goggles up with a little grin.]
This is it. I think I owe you a ride?
[He brakes fully, settling the bike to idle. Both to keep from wasting juice, and to keep the noise down to manageable levels. And pushes his goggles up with a little grin.]
This is it. I think I owe you a ride?
"Oh? That's great news. Who's offering?" Asked as he gestures two ways. She's never been here before so do you want to go into the house or the farm yard? He's easy.
And it's nice to show people what he and Chuck have been working on all this time.
And it's nice to show people what he and Chuck have been working on all this time.
Yeah man, me too.
[He gives Ryan his elbow but doesn't take his hand out of his pocket to lace fingers. It's kinda true, he has missed being out with Ryan but it isn't like he's been dying to go out shopping. He's been so worked up over leaving Ryan alone it's been a mission just to force himself to go to work. Still, he's dressed nicely and doing his best to casually stroll through the crowd.
But this.. Ryan being happy and not being half aura blind.. this is better. Way better.
Gives him a lot more focus to worry about other things. Like wormholes. Which is now, apparently, an issue.
It's actually been an issue for Min since last month but he hasn't mentioned it. What would have been the point? He doesn't have any answers.]
So what were we looking for again?
[Does he keep glancing over his shoulder? Maybe.]
[He gives Ryan his elbow but doesn't take his hand out of his pocket to lace fingers. It's kinda true, he has missed being out with Ryan but it isn't like he's been dying to go out shopping. He's been so worked up over leaving Ryan alone it's been a mission just to force himself to go to work. Still, he's dressed nicely and doing his best to casually stroll through the crowd.
But this.. Ryan being happy and not being half aura blind.. this is better. Way better.
Gives him a lot more focus to worry about other things. Like wormholes. Which is now, apparently, an issue.
It's actually been an issue for Min since last month but he hasn't mentioned it. What would have been the point? He doesn't have any answers.]
So what were we looking for again?
[Does he keep glancing over his shoulder? Maybe.]
[Is it possible for his eyes to get any bigger? Because they sure try. A ride?? He just wanted to see it- oh man!!!]
Yes! I mean- yeah- yeah that would be awesome. Right now?
[Does he just. Get on? Can he???]
Yes! I mean- yeah- yeah that would be awesome. Right now?
[Does he just. Get on? Can he???]
She nodded to the farm yard, just hoping there weren't any horses there. She couldn't smell them, but sometimes, their scents were buried.
They were devious that way.
"Well, Varian offered," she said. "I don't know if you know him or not. He's an alchemist. A good friend." With a vested interest in keeping plant life alive. Beyond the need to eat, of course. "And the other person was a man named Maul."
A pause.
"If you know him, I think I should probably apologize."
They were devious that way.
"Well, Varian offered," she said. "I don't know if you know him or not. He's an alchemist. A good friend." With a vested interest in keeping plant life alive. Beyond the need to eat, of course. "And the other person was a man named Maul."
A pause.
"If you know him, I think I should probably apologize."
Eh, nothing specific - just some more clothes for you. It's getting warmer, and since I know you don't like dealing with money here I figured I'd give you a hand.
[It's oddly domestic of Ryan, as though they're already married and living together. He's daydreamed about that countless times over the years, and he's gotten little tastes of it here and there.
Except something feels...off. He can feel a low hum of worry in Min now that they're touching, and he seems kind of...cagey?]
Hm?
[When Min looks behind them, Ryan does too. When he doesn't see anything there, he frowns a little.]
Are...you okay?
[It's oddly domestic of Ryan, as though they're already married and living together. He's daydreamed about that countless times over the years, and he's gotten little tastes of it here and there.
Except something feels...off. He can feel a low hum of worry in Min now that they're touching, and he seems kind of...cagey?]
Hm?
[When Min looks behind them, Ryan does too. When he doesn't see anything there, he frowns a little.]
Are...you okay?
[Cagey is a good word for it. That's exactly how he feels. Cagey.
Like everything is starting to really close in on him now. But that's just life, right? That's just life here.]
Right, no I'm good. It's just weird seeing the streets so busy in the dark.
[God damn liar. But he doesn't want to worry Ryan, who had it so rough last month.
A little beep in the back of his head. The soft whirring of a fan. Closing off and buckling down and tightening up. It's fine. It's fine, he's doing what he needs to do. They should be laying low with wormholes around but Ryan wants to shop and so they'll shop. It's fine. Stop being such a pussy, Min.
He tongues his teeth, canines sharp against his tongue.
As if to make the point to himself he stops and looks in the window of a store, dark stone with almost nothing on display except for a single outfit on a mannequin.]
This would look good on you.
Like everything is starting to really close in on him now. But that's just life, right? That's just life here.]
Right, no I'm good. It's just weird seeing the streets so busy in the dark.
[God damn liar. But he doesn't want to worry Ryan, who had it so rough last month.
A little beep in the back of his head. The soft whirring of a fan. Closing off and buckling down and tightening up. It's fine. It's fine, he's doing what he needs to do. They should be laying low with wormholes around but Ryan wants to shop and so they'll shop. It's fine. Stop being such a pussy, Min.
He tongues his teeth, canines sharp against his tongue.
As if to make the point to himself he stops and looks in the window of a store, dark stone with almost nothing on display except for a single outfit on a mannequin.]
This would look good on you.
Raleigh snorts and guides her around to the side.
There are stables. The stables do contain horses. Sorry.
"I know them both, but it doesn't surprise me yo'd say that about Maul. He's got a reputation but he isn't all bad."
There are stables. The stables do contain horses. Sorry.
"I know them both, but it doesn't surprise me yo'd say that about Maul. He's got a reputation but he isn't all bad."
[The problem is that Ryan is difficult to lie to. He doesn't know exactly what's off, but he can tell that whatever's bothering Min is something he's just brushing off. He says he's good, but...the feelings Ryan is sensing in him aren't going away. And they don't really match up with the reason Min gives.
But, he reluctantly lets it go. For now.]
Oh. I...guess I'm just used to it. Parts of Cellar Door are busy like this this all night long, and that's when I'm up so. I just got used to it, I guess.
[He's babbling a little, but going along with Min's reasoning anyway. Maybe he's just overthinking this?
Min points out an outfit in a window and Ryan excitedly shakes Min's arm.]
That's so rad. Look at it! I can't tell if that's a vest or-- [Or a dress, but. He's not there yet with Min, exactly. He's...working on it.] --and those boots!
[The whole thing is so cool, and he's here for all of it. But he hasn't forgotten the Actual Mission here, so he looks at Min and grins.]
Bet they've got cool stuff for you too. Wanna go in?
But, he reluctantly lets it go. For now.]
Oh. I...guess I'm just used to it. Parts of Cellar Door are busy like this this all night long, and that's when I'm up so. I just got used to it, I guess.
[He's babbling a little, but going along with Min's reasoning anyway. Maybe he's just overthinking this?
Min points out an outfit in a window and Ryan excitedly shakes Min's arm.]
That's so rad. Look at it! I can't tell if that's a vest or-- [Or a dress, but. He's not there yet with Min, exactly. He's...working on it.] --and those boots!
[The whole thing is so cool, and he's here for all of it. But he hasn't forgotten the Actual Mission here, so he looks at Min and grins.]
Bet they've got cool stuff for you too. Wanna go in?
If you have time now, so do I.
[He gestures at the bike. And then offers a pair of goggles to Min-Gi.]
I usually head down to the beach for a longer ride. Less chance of running into anything.
[He gestures at the bike. And then offers a pair of goggles to Min-Gi.]
I usually head down to the beach for a longer ride. Less chance of running into anything.
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