[Text] [Anonymous]

[hachitaro]

[He still doesn't trust people, not here. Not anywhere, really. But he has to know. In a place this weird, he has to know.]

I'm just wondering... who here is not human? You don't need to tell me who you are if you don't want to, but I just want to get a sense for how many people who are not human are here.

I can't be the only one.

And a second question: is it safe for those who are not human here? I mean, I am definitely not like one of those beast things and I have no plans of attacking people. But human-dominated places tend to be somewhat unsafe for us.

And if you are some kind of mad scientist type reading this? Fuck off. We don't need people like you on our asses.

[Is that enough of a difference from his usual typing? He'll have to be careful about capitalization and punctuation so it sounds different from him, but...]

Comments

Text - UN: Onerthes

[onerthes]

[Vira-Lorr had woken up on the wrong side of the bed. She was in anything but a good mood right now. However, despite the irascibility, she saw this, and the desire to help was still there. She could handle this. She just didn't want to think much about her problems. Maybe talking to this one about Trench would help.]

I am what is called an Onelthes. We are humanoid, but not human. The most distinctive part is our third eye. In my world, there are difficulties of relations between some races, but that is not always specifically because of that race. A lot of wars.

Here in Trench? You should have no problems. We have had many who aren't human. You might get a stare or two from the curious. That should be the worst.]

[Text] [Anonymous]

[hachitaro]

We've never had wars to my awareness, but we mostly hide from humans. Those of us lucky enough to be able to blend in do, but a lot of people can't.

Okay but what kind of nonhuman? Because there's humanoid and then there's... not humanoid.

Re: [Text] [Anonymous]

[onerthes]

So. I will assume you are less humanoid than myself. I could be mistaken for one if I covered my eye (My people sometimes did that once upon a time.). But if you have more non-human features that would be harder.

We had a great robot called a "Transformer" at one time. There is a lizard man around town I've spoken with once or twice I think? A very good friend of mine in the nightmare was a humanoid turtle, complete with shell. And, if we want to get technical, all sleepers have a body that matches their self-image, but it is a transformed squid. I knew a great, powerful orc once upon a time who changed my view of his people.

The people of Trench should not think of you poorly, regardless of your appearance. They tend to almost idolize sleepers. Wastes are a bit more distant, but they don't think of us poorly. Sleepers might be from worlds with issues might struggle, but most of us have no choice but to learn to be understanding.

[hachitaro]

[... He has to take a moment to process the fact that there was a Transformer and possibly a goddamn Ninja Turtle, but you know what? This place is nuts so why the fuck not?]

'Wastes'? And the squid thing is still... weird. It makes sense that I transformed from something else, but not that other people did.

I just don't want to get attacked for what I am. I've seen enough of that happen in my life.

[onerthes]

[Yup. An actual, goddamned Ninja Turtle. She still missed Raph.]

They are a group of humans who suffered a lot before. It's what they were called in the nightmare. If you see anyone who sometimes wear gas masks, it's them.

And don't worry too much about the squid thing. It doesn't usually come up. Usually.

You should not be attacked. In fact, if you do get attacked, tell others. We've been known to "educate" people about being civilized to neighbors.

[hachitaro]

... But these 'wastes' don't hurt people, do they?

Repress squid, return to fuzzy. Got it.

I do prefer going around not in my natural form so at least I shouldn't be bugged. Don't get me wrong, it's tiring... but humans have thumbs. Not so much when I'm not using my abilities.

[onerthes]

The "Wastes" are some of the least violent people in all of the community. Most are very passive and avoid conflict. They struggled with threats and dangers and misunderstandings not unlike ones you described for years. One of their number can be more protective than the others, but she's in charge and she never causes trouble. She's just their defender. She'll probably like you if you speak to her.

Yep, more or les. It should be easy. People get 'squidy' if they try to, not if they forget to stop it. I had to work a lot to get those traits back myself, which is another story.

Thumbs are very useful. I absolutely understand. You'll be fine, though. I'm quite certain of it.

[hachitaro]

Gotcha. Just wanted to make sure. You can't really tell in a place like this...

... Maybe I'll try some short ventures out... I don't know. I've been hiding for over 150 years, so.

[onerthes]

One step at a time. Don't force it. We'll be here one way or another, so there's no reason that you have to speed it up.

I will say, however, that some threats in this world are more troublesome if you are alone. So just know that we are here to help each other.

[hachitaro]

I don't really do 'together' very well. But with so many nonhumans here... I can definitely try.

At least there's no government here to try to catch me and -

... Well I guess the zealots sort of experimented on people. Ew.

[onerthes]

No government at all. All efforts have failed in that regard. It's closer to a communal living arrangment between organizations that work together to survive.

As for the Zealots, they're a separate and serious problem.

[hachitaro]

I don't mind that so much. Despite me setting up a power structure in my world... power structures are a scam. I've seen it collapse.

Yeah I get that. I kept my distance from them.

[onerthes]

You won't hear arguments. I'm quite the libertine and freedom lover myself. We need some level of banding together, but too much makes me nervous.

Good call. They're the living embodiment of blood corruption at its worst and most final.

[hachitaro]

Agreed. I don't like people telling me what I can or can't do. I've been on the road too much to have loyalty to one place or form of government.

Ew. And I'm kind of useless in a fight, so there'd be no chance I could get away.

[onerthes]

I absolutely hate it when people do that. I prefer for everyone to have as much freedom as possible, so that they may live as they choose.

What sort of blood power have you gained, if I may ask?

[hachitaro]

Exactly. I don't give a damn what you do with your life as long as you don't hurt people.

At least not hurt in ways that like... actually matter.

I don't... actually know? I can rule out coldblood, vileblood, and darkblood based on what I've read... so either warmblood or paleblood.

[onerthes]

Good attitude.

Ok, so it can be hard to tell with paleblood. If you see a drop of it under the moonlight, it glows softly. That can be very telling. But normally it does not show up as different from warmblood.

All of the blood types are fine, but I find sometimes people don't know what power they may have granted. Mine is a bit obvious unfortunately, as is the case with many Vilebloods.

[hachitaro]

I guess I'll have to wait for the moon to tell for sure.

I've got my own abilities... I'm not sure how I'd even begin to learn new magical abilities.

[onerthes]

Straining, practice, trial and error usually. With palebloods, it might be a mental power so it's a question of figuring out if there's something that gives visions, or if you ever hear things from others you didn't expect to. Those might be thoughts.

[hachitaro]

Well I'm not hearing things and I'm not seeing weird things so either I'm a late bloomer or a dud. :|

[onerthes]

I wouldn't call a warmblood a 'dud.' Sometimes being free of the strange powers is helpful for avoiding corruption. At least in my experience. But time will tell.

[hachitaro]

I didn't mean it like that, I meant it like 'got nothing at all' but I guess that fits.

Corruption's a real bad thing around here, huh?

[onerthes]

It's such an every day problem that there's treatments and methods of responding to it right from the start. It's every day, and everywhere, so it's good to be aware of it.

Though it isn't always massively impactful. That's cyclic and unpredictable.

[hachitaro]

What kinds of methods? I'd like to not turn into whatever kind of monster this place can think of, thanks.

[onerthes]

Social contact and sleep, the latter with the help of the incense you can get in Cassandra district, should help. It's one reason we stay close to each other. A matter of health and well being.

In more extreme situations, water from the salt lake outside of town can be used, but only on the new moon. You can also speak with the Blood Ministers, and they can treat serious cases, though their methods are a little disturbing so finding other ways first is wise.