deercountry | open | lights are on but nobody's home

Entry tags:

open | lights are on but nobody's home

Who: Luna Lovegood @creidim + you!
What: April catch-all + Luna falling into end-stage Corruption and eventually Beasthood.
When: The month of April.
Where: Gaze, The Farther Shores, Willful Machine + Trenchwood.

Content Warnings: Warnings in individual prompts; some threads will contain gore + character death.
Notes: Information on Luna's Corruption / Beasthood can be found here.
Beast!Luna art for reference. cw: animal skull

☽ god stood me up and I don't know why | general catch-all — april 1st - april 15th
cw: corruption-related body horror; themes of loss/grief

[ The month of darkness is met with a tense kind of worry. It's much like the month of October in Deerington, and for someone like Luna who has a couple of them under her belt — she's wary of what the month might bring. More for her to worry about, heaped onto her plate that is already much too full. The last six weeks have been difficult, dealing with Maul and Willow's death; worrying over Falco, over Peter and Paimon, and the difficulties of Moss King's games.

She still remains under the effects of Corruption from last month. She looks pale and gaunt. Her eyes glow in the darkness of the endless night: two eerieely pearlescent orbs, without pupils. Her hair hangs limp and oddly, doesn't look much like hair. Sometimes a clump of it that looks more like some strange appendage than anything else might twitch or sway on its own accord. Two deer antlers sprout from her forehead — not growing much more than a very young buck, but quite prominent all the same.

She's... not really had much of a chance to try and get on top of things, and there's plenty more to keep her occupied. John's gone. Much like Diarmuid, he's another person she loves dearly who's returned to the waters. He's left her his shop Ritual Gig over in Willful Machine. And of course, the place is no stranger to her. She knows how to help around, she's done that plenty before here and there. But walking into the place with him gone, she looks like she's at a loss for what to do. There's other visits in the first half of the month, where she'll be minding the shop. If anyone comes looking for John, they'll be met with an eerie but clearly upset-looking witch instead. ]

Oh, sorry— [ She distracted, startled by any new presence in the shop. ] Can I help you—?

[ She'll also be found down at The Farther Shores, staring off into the ocean for what seems like hours. There's been plenty of times she's sat here when Diarmuid left, wondering how he fares out beneath the waves. But here now, there's a deep grief to her as she sits with her knees pulled to her chest. Plenty of people have left her, she's used to people leaving both here and in Deerington — but it doesn't stop it hurting any less. Sometimes there's pains that one just can't seem to get used to. ]

☽ pretty face with pretty bad dreams | corruption — april 16th - april 21st
cw: hopelessness, corruption, body horror, magical violence.
note: luna can be encountered alone, or with the possibilty of Peter / Paimon @possessum with her. contact jhey @skeletals.plurk and i for plotting!

[ It feels like some kind of joke that the witch who loves magical creatures so much should find themselves so cursed by them. She's captivated by the creatures, curious of them — but that curious awe of hers comes with a steep cost. The steady foothold she already has with her own Corruption holds fast, and Luna finds herself drained of hope and swiftly falling into the deeper clutches of it.

As a result, she's far worse in terms of her state of Corruption. Her antlers have grown substantially; points grown tall and sharp as they reach up and outwards. The entirety of hair no longer looks like hair, but strange appendages that looks eeriely similar to that of Moon Presence. Her nails are sharp and claw-like, her eye teeth more pronounced and eyes glow far brighter in the dark.

But most disturbingly is her entire demeanour: those who know Luna will find her cold and indifferent. Her usual dreamy gazes now steely stares. For the times she's out of the house, she meets any interaction with an icy kind of aggression. She will react poorly to those who love and know her well, and actively hostile to anyone who doesn't. Peter and Paimon perhaps remain the sole people she won't actively mistreat, but even then as she travels about the city there's a cold, haughtiness towards them both.

She's quick to use magic on others as she goes about her business; jinxing others out of their way, even poor Trenchies themselves just trying to survive, trying to safely move about in their day to day life. Or even anyone who's caught staring at her worsened state of Corruption will be met with quickly escalating level of violence — some poor person might end up with a stinging hex to the face so they can no longer see. Or she'll jinx people's tongues to the roof of their mouths, hex people's knees to reverse themselves — just about anything to cause a satisfactory amount of misery.

And she dares anyone to come up against her; recklessly fierce as she just about goads people who might want to do anything against she does in retaliation to these perceived slights. Best to leave her alone. Not only will going up against her will end up with the very real threat of dark magic being used upon them, but if Peter's accompanying her, they may have a very angry demon against them, too. ]

☽ no end in sight // the rest you know | beasthood — april 21st - late april
cw: beasthood, minor body horror, possibilities of fatal injuries, magical distraction, possibile injuring via goring or mauling, mention of wild animal death
note: luna can be encountered alone, or with the possibilty of Peter / Paimon @possessum with her. contact jhey @skeletals.plurk and i for plotting!

— closed to clarisse

[ There's certainly no tipping moment that sends her over the edge. It creeps up on her quietly; spent too long in the ends of Corruption. Some slow-paced crawl to something that simply tips when the weight becomes too much. On a rare time she doesn't have Peter or Paimon sticking close to her side, that she's alone while she's out and about in Gaze — she feels suddenly sick and dizzy. Sweat starts to pour from her and she sways on the spot. Something ripples uncomfortably within her, like something's trying to claw its way out from her skin.

She staggers in the street through the dark. The cold, cruel demeanour suddenly breaks, a slither of herself peeking through once more and she gasps loudly. A tiny piece of fear. Whatever it is beneath her skin wants out, her heart beating too hard and too fast in her chest — like it might explode. ]

No, no, no— [ Stop it. Stop it. But she can't stop it, she doesn't know how. She doesn't think she can. She keeps moving forward, staggering on — bumping into people, trying to shove them out of her way. There's a ferociousness to her voice, but even Luna herself isn't sure if it's anger or desperation. ] Move, move—! Now—!

— ota

[ She goes on a full on rampage. There's little reason to her directions at first, simply tearing through the districts of Gaze and then Willful Machine. She's lost in a frenzy of herself, overcome with new sights and sounds and the wildness of herself. Something very raw and feral that careens into buildings and people with little thought.

Her focuses on others are random, for the most part — just whoever seems to get into her path. Those who know her well and have a good relationship might have a chance of stopping her in her tracks for a moment, but not for long. Soon enough the beast part of her takes over once more and she'll be escaping. Anyone she doesn't know well or isn't on friendlier terms will find themselves getting targeted. She'll be meeting them with sharp claws, sharp antlers, and wild blasts of accidental magic. The blasts can damage buildings, or set fire to them; she might shock or burn others who get too close. Best to stay out of her way.

After unleashing carnage around the populated areas of Trench and clashing against others in her path, Luna does eventually leave the city to move towards the quiet districts. She'll head towards the woods of Trenchwood, where it's less busy and there are less people about. She wants to get away from any Hunters and their sharp swords and deadly weapons. Despite all the anger, she is very much like a wild animal — she feels trapped by the buildings, aggravated by seeing people. She wants to be alone. Taking to the woods is a far better option for her, and just about everyone else, really.

She'll exist quietly out here, exploring and resting from her earlier fights, and will be very much placid if left alone. That's not to say she won't attack anyone who dares come near. She'll be tolerant of other beasts, if they're well behaved — and will share her space or latest kill of some poor hapless animal who came across her with them if they're in need of food. But if you're a person, odds are she'll be growling and snorting, her head lowering to brandish her antlers: back off. ]

☽ wildcard

[ something else in mind? i'm open to plotting! closed prompts available. contact @heolstor.plurk or heolstor#5725. plotting comment is here. ]

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[Ruby didn't hesitate for an instant. The second Peter said that he needed help she had been ready to go to his side. He and Luna were some of her oldest friends here and she wasn't about to let either of them go through a situation like this without her full support. As a friend, as a Huntress, and to fulfill the promise she had made to Luna a few months ago she was here.

There was a hint of doubt and anxiety building up in her chest though. When she had to face down Dipper in a similar situation she hadn't been able to find a way to stop him, the only option she had found to prevent him from hurting Oscar and Mabel had been to kill him. She didn't want that to be the answer this time around... But- She hadn't really found any new options since then.

Unfortunately she didn't have time to dwell on that. They arrived on the scene in a flurry of butterflies and rose petals and Ruby watched as Ange moved to comfort Peter. It made her feel a tough lighter about the situation and she moved to put a hand on his shoulder to show what support she could. They could do a group hug once they had Luna back with them.

She let's that hand slide off his shoulders and she moves to give her mismatched eyes a chance to observe the area. She doesn't see any sign of Luna right away so she makes an effort to summon her omen. Minden the crow appears on her shoulder before taking off into the sky to see if it pick up any sign of Luna.

Once that's done she'll turn back to Peter.]

We're going to get her back, I promise.

Have you seen any of signs of her? Or is there anything you can tell us about the state she's in now?

( Peter had no doubts that Ruby and Ange would get there quickly, but the appearance happens so much sooner than he could've imagined. He's sure to have had a panicky reaction to the sound of thudding footsteps, but what comes instead is... swift and soft, and familiar. He's seen those rose petals and golden butterflies before. The boy looks up, wide-eyed, as his friends appear there before him.

He's just staring, weirdly at some kind of loss now that they're actually here. He doesn't know what to do. What to say. Where to go. (Of course he does know all of those things, but in the immediate moment he's just... shocked and horrified, and Peter's never been good at handling those things. He's almost numb for a long moment.)

Then Ange's hugging him. And Ruby's hand is on his shoulder. The gestures of comfort, the physical touch — it's exactly what he needed, even if he couldn't have known it. A feeling of security, the fact that he isn't alone.

Peter's wet-eyed and swallowing hard as he stares over Ange's shoulder, arms latching on to hug her back almost like a small child would. He hangs on, head tilting slightly up to watch Ruby's Omen as it takes to the skies, trying to hold it together. )

I've been f-following her for a while. Off and on for the past.... days, I think. ( He seems confused; he isn't sure how long it's been. Maybe even a week or so...? ) She seemed.... lost, just— tearing things up. But she didn't try to hurt me— she wouldn't do that—

( He stammers, eyes welling with fresh tears. Talking about it all out loud is... hard. He feels like he's going to break any second. )

She went off into the woods. I think Paimon's been with her for awhile, trying to protect her, but... I woke up and I—I don't know how to find her.

( A pause, and then he's crying openly now, with soft little whimpers. ) I'm scared the Hunters might get to her first.

[ Ange simply allows Peter to cling to her like that without any protest, considering the state he's in. Though thankfully - despite said state - he is at least still able to convey some pretty important information about the situation to them. So this situation has already been going on for a few days. It could work in their favour. Maybe it means that Luna is more tired at this point now - or it could actually mean that she's only been driven further and further into her beastly self, losing her humanity further.

She isn't quite sure which, and she isn't confident enough to guess which it might be until they've been able to see Luna in this state. ]

That just means we have to find her first. [ She simply says.

It's just like Ruby says, after all. They're going to get Luna back. After everything she discussed with Luna, and everything she discussed with Peter.. She can't let this end in any other way, no matter what they have to do for it. ]

Peter, do you think you could talk to her once we find her? If she doesn't hurt you, like you're saying, then.. a part of her must still recognize you. You're most likely the only one who could pull her back.

[ After directing that question at Peter, Ange's head turns. She's still holding the boy, but she's looking at Ruby now, silently mouthing 'found anything yet?' at the other girl. After all, she did spot Minden flying off from the corner of her eye. Ruby must be staying in touch with him right now about what he can see from a higher vantage point. ]

[Ruby kept quiet and listened to both Peter and Ange for the moment, just trying to be as supportive as she could with her presence while she took in the new information and listened for some sort of sign from her omen.

As confident as she was that they could at least stop Luna from causing any serious damage or being killed by the hunters. There was a lingering doubt plucking at her about being to pull her out of it. She didn't want to give up hope that wasn't who she was, but she didn't know if she had learned enough about Beasthood to make that change. ...But she could put her faith in Peter.]

She's right, Peter. You're probably our best chance here to help her.

We can stop the hunters and help you, but I think you have to be the one to help her.

[She pauses and looks up to the sky when Ange asks about Minden.]

There's signs of something big lumbering around. But nothing solid but I think it gives us a direction to go in.

Edited 2022-05-27 02:39 (UTC)

( Peter gives a teary nod at his friends' words, and another thick swallow, reaching up to wipe his face gently with the back of a hand. Now that he's not alone... he's starting to calm down, a little. There are others here, two others who he knows will do whatever they can to help Luna, because he knows they care about her as much as he does. )

We did the... bond. The one that's supposed to let us bring each other back from Beasthood. I tried to communicate with her mentally, but... I couldn't reach her.

( Does that mean the bond doesn't really work....? He can't think about that yet. Maybe he just wasn't close enough, or.. strong enough. Maybe with their help, he can bring her back before the Hunters find her...

Peter's head snaps up as Ruby mentions her Omen finding a direction Luna might be in. It may be vague, but it's still something. His eyes widen, and he slowly starts standing, still latched onto Ange for a moment but at least now he's getting to his feet. )

That might be her— Should we—

( He's cut off for a moment as his head snaps violently back, and he's gagging and convulsing a couple of times... Paimon resurfacing wide-eyed all of a sudden to add some helpful information. )

.....There may be dead things. Near her. I brought them to her days ago. To eat. Dead things.....

( ....Maybe Minden or the rest of the gang can pick up on that somehow, the smell of carcasses or even be able to track some blood here and there. Luna might have carried the dead things with her to wherever she's at now, to keep feeding.... )

[ .. oh, sheesh.

Ange is definitely making an 'eww' kind of expression for a moment. Not because of Paimon, or the way he appears, though even that is not.. great. But while she could definitely pokerface through that if she tried, the idea that Luna has been out here all this time eating dead animals, that's.. another story entirely.

Even if they do manage to get Luna back - no, when they manage to get Luna back, Ange refuses to think about it in any other terms, no matter what Peter is saying about his already attempted failed tries - things are still going to be majorly hurtful and awkward for the other girl. ]

Got it.

[ Ange sounds serious though, despite the momentary expression that has seemed to melt back into her deadpan now. She focuses for a moment, and in shadowy whisps her own Omen is called forth as well, shadows taking on the shape of an eagle as it flaps its wings to move up into the sky. ]

I'm sure those two can pick up on that, so let's follow them. [ Especially since Minden already seemed to have a direction in mind. ] Ruby, can you lead us? I'll take up the rear. [ Just in case. Ruby is the strongest, so it's better for her to pave the way in case they run into Luna sooner or more aggressively than expected. Peter is the squishiest of them, so it's probably better to keep them protected from both sides..

Even if Paimon is in control for the moment, but they are going to need Peter in the end anyway for this to talk Luna down. ]

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open | lights are on but nobody's home

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Comes in a month late without starbucks.

cw: a brief... demonic interlude / epilepsy associations, mention of dead animals

can't believe i got back to dead animals but no starbucks?!