02. video; un: jsims

[itknowsyou]

[ It's been months since Jon Sims was on the network, and this time, he's in the frame alone. The alleviation of Corruption couldn't come a moment too soon for this guy, apparently: he still has the haggard, hollowed-out look of a man who hasn't had a real meal in months. There's something profoundly unsettling about his eyes, which are too deep and too green. He never seems to blink. ]

Good afternoon. My name is Jonathan Sims. I am a researcher of what might be called 'the paranormal,' and... a survivor of the place known as Deerington. I've been working with several others to maintain an archive of topics and artifacts relevant to Sleepers, kept beyond the control of the Pthumerian Never Mind.

[ He doesn't even try to mask his distrust: he clearly isn't a fan of the patrons. ]

We are developing a secure location to the north of Trench, though [ impatiently ] I cannot recommend visiting without the use of traveling Lamps. The walk back to town is... not ideal.

More to the point, I am making a request for information. [ This is where he gets cagey, tense in the way of a man hiding something. ] The Archive is now undertaking an effort to create a comprehensive catalogue— a bestiary, I suppose— of recurring threats in Trench. If you have had a particularly upsetting or perilous experience with any being in this city, we would like the written record of your experience. Please submit accounts via text to this network address.

[ It's the second time he's hit the network to ask for personal stories. Those who respond might find themselves writing (or speaking) more freely than they planned to, flashing back to the memory in detail— though in this low-Corruption month, the effect isn't too intense. ]

Thank you.

Comments

[saltyadam]

The eye infection was connected to how they gain energy, if I recall. They fed on it the way plants feed on sunlight. I heard whispers from locals warning anyone away from attacking them, though I only have rumors to go on as to what the consequences might have been.

The draugr from last October would also be noteworthy, if you weren't here for it. Or the sleep monsters from June.

[itknowsyou]

I'm not familiar with either. If you had an experience notable enough to share...?

[ He seems, at this point, faintly desperate just to get a written account of something suitably horrifying. And not Mothman. ]

[saltyadam]

[He is absolutely pinging Takashi about Mothman later, just so you know. Expect Mothman related treats in your future.]

The sleep monster was ... rough, for Takashi especially. You may be aware that he's had issues with getting proper sleep at night, though either way in a place like this it's certainly not an anomaly. Which of course made it all the more insidious -- at first everyone assumed it was the typical thing. Anxiety, nightmares. But as time passed it became obvious that there was some sort of creature on them. It was covered in scales and black. Claws. The whole horrifying nine yards.

[Adam pauses.]

They weren't easy to get rid of.

[itknowsyou]

[ Something begins to shift in Jon's eyes: they seem somehow deeper, wrong for his face. The feed sparkles with static at the edges. He leans in, unconsciously, as though entranced.

—and then seems to realize what he's doing, and backpedals visibly. ]

That— yes. I'd like to hear about it. In writing, if you would. For the archive.

[saltyadam]

[Well. You didn't have to have a psychic link with someone to know that was pretty weird. Even by Trench and Deerington standards. Adam says nothing about the bizarre reaction, momentary as it was, but he notes it.]

Alright. I'll do a write-up of it, and the draugr. If I think of anything else I'll include those as well.

Do you want first hand account information only, or should I include other information I heard as well?

[He'd heard of various ways to defeat these creatures, or effects they had on others that he didn't personally witness. He found them credible, but it was hearsay.]

[itknowsyou]

I'm most interested in the firsthand account. [ for normal human reasons, as a normal human ] But if you can provide external information of note, I will take whatever you can provide.

[saltyadam]

[Adam nods at Normal Human Jon.]

I'll create a subsection and note the sources. Might be useful to follow up on later, if need be, but I don't want to speak to events I didn't experience.

And how many of these do you want, going how far back? I've been around almost since the beginning of us arriving at Deerington. That's a lot of nightmares.

[itknowsyou]

As many as you're willing to write down.

[ It will be fine. So long as Jon doesn't succumb to the absolutely bizarre urges that have started to haunt him— the desire to peel apart a human mind is exhaustingly familiar, but the urge to taste blood is trite and frankly ridiculous— there should be no ill effects. Secondhand nightmares are still enough to sustain him here. It's fine. ]

Beginning with those you think most likely to reappear. Anything we ought to have information on, for next time.

[saltyadam]

Alright. It'll take me some time, it's quite a few. But I should be able to write down at least the majority of the ones here in the Trench, then what I can recall from Deerington.

[He hesitates. He's loathe to compliment Jon, but he's also actively working on a grudge that he feels has rather worn itself out by now.]

It's ... good. That you're doing this. Thank you.

[itknowsyou]

[ He doesn't expect the generosity or the compliment, and so there's a moment's awkward pause as he tries to find a response. ]

I should be thanking you. For the contributions, and for looking out for Shiro. I really don't...

[ Mean him any harm? Want to be a source of pain in his life? He fails to find anything to say here that is both true and bearable to put aloud; embarrassed, he trails off. ]

Well. Regardless. Thank you.

[saltyadam]

[Adam gives a stiff nod. This is awkward for him, too. Uncharted territory.

Probably Takashi's influence.]

I'll send you the write-ups as soon as I've completed them.

[He's been mushy enough for one interaction. Adam switches off the device before things can get any stranger.]