Deer Country Network

[Ladies, Gentlemen, and Others, it's that time again!

Bolin starts the feed, sitting in The Raccoon Room as per his last grand announcement. It's luxurious emerald decor makes a fine backdrop, and for this special occasion he is wearing his sequinned tail coat from the last production.]

Hey all, Bolin here. I know there's a lot going on right now.. adventuring... general tomfoolery... baking competitions! just wanted to take this moment to announce The Raccoon Room's new musical!

After all the success we had doing Rocky Horror I've sat down and read through a mountain of scripts. Literally a mountain. You would be amazed how many scripts there are in this place.

Aaanywho, introducing our latest and greatest, the one and ooooonly CHICAGO!

[Jazz hands! He throws glitter! Where did he get the glitter from! He dusts his hands and goes right back into story telling mode. There are lots of gestures. You're enthralled, surely.]

It takes place in the far off faaaaanasy land of Chicago. It's the golden age of Jazz, and a young woman, our lady heroine, Roxie Hart is desperate to become a successful performer in a place not unlike our Cellar Door. Only our heroine has a dark, terrible secret. SHE KILLS A MAN! And goes to PRISON! Where she meets the infamous Velma Kelly and the other merry murderesses of... murder rooooowwww.

It's got everything, catchy tunes, swell courtroom dramas, slang I actually understand! And now, I know what you're thinking, oh Bolin~ There are so many women in this production and most of us Sleepers are men! Well it DOESN'T MATTER because we don't care about the limits of gender roles and it'll be fine. Just trust me!

So c'mon now! Auditions are now OPEN and will be held this weekend right here at The Raccoon Room. Scenes are attached! Any questions you come right on in here and give me the ol' honk.

[And now, for one grand, final gesture.]

THEEEESPIANS ASSEMBLEEEE!

Hey everyone. Mako here.

[ The voice clips in just before the actual video appears for reasons that become clear in a moment: Mako steps back from where he's clearly set the Omni on a table to record what looks like a garage sale right outside the Raccoon Room.

A long table absolutely covered in little bits and baubles glints in the sun. In the center of everything sits Fritter the raccoon, Wu's omen, looking contrite and also sort of like she would like to leave. Her little ears are back and her tiny arms are crossed.

Scowling, Mako steps back to stand in front of the table, crossing his arms to match Fritter. ]

Some of you might have noticed some stuff going missing in the last couple months.

[ A pause. Mako glances back at Fritter, who huffs at him and holds up a winking blue heart-shaped gem on a sparkling chain. That... sure looks important. ]

Can't promise that what you lost is here, but there's a good chance it is. We'll be out here all day.

I'm sorry! [ Wu's voice pipes up from behind the camera ] It's my fault, really.

[ He turns the Omni around at a very selfie angle, pouting at the camera ]

I'm sorry that Fritter stole your stuff, it wasn't her fault! It was mine. Corruption just got me! I'm sorry, I'm sorry that I was mean to so many of you. Shiro, I'm sorry for making fun of your hair; Jessica, I'm sorry for throwing you out of the Raccoon Room. Manabu, I'm really sorry that I made you get a tattoo. [ Big grimace there ] I mean, I still think it looks great on you—

[ Mako clears his throat and Wu wrinkles his nose ] but that's not the point! I'm sorry for all of it. I'm better now! No more corruption here, no sir.

[ A beat. Mako narrows his eyes even more.]

Uh, please come get your stuff!

(( ooc: absolutely feel free to assume your character's random trinkets and stuff is here even if it wasn't called out in the post! Fritter is a monster. Also feel free to respond in action if anyone wants to wander by and/or come get their stolen stuff! ))

[She has set herself up in a square, in the busiest part of Trench she can find. She's got the camera set up to view the fountain she's standing on. No water runs through it, though that won't be the case for long. It's just something old, something decayed - ignored. She is wearing a formal dress, and anybody who knows her will know that means she's on a mission.]

['Formal' Korra doesn't appear often - and it's only on occasions that she feels absolutely warrants it. The fact that she puts up a banner behind her says all the more - in this case a blue background with a curious symbol on it. Her friends will recognize that one, too.]

[She has her staff with her, too. It had started as driftwood she'd found when she first arrived in Trench, and further honed, shaping it with each of the elements in turn before coating it with metal-bending. She can make the metal change, of course, reshaping what's there as she needs. The only thing that doesn't change is a symbol around the middle, made in copper - highly purified metals cannot be manipulated by benders - with a symbol of the Southern Water Tribe.]

[In short, she has a plan, a mission, and is ready to make a statement. And she stands there, until a crowd gathers. When she speaks, it's without adornment, but with all the depths of her sincerity, the core of strength that she's held onto so long.]

I want to tell you all about a dream. A dream of a better place. My world, it was one of nations - nations that fought, and warred, and conflicted for time untold. But then, at the end of a great war, my predecessor, the great Avatar Aang, helped create a new dream to replace what had been. He created the Republic.

[She hoists the banner.]

This is its symbol! It stands for a world in which nobody holds power over anyone else! Where things for the city are done by the people you want to be there! A serious government, of serious people - there to try and do good for all!

It's not perfect, but that's the thing - it always tries. It's about trying to be better, about having laws and changing them if they are no longer fair, or to grant equality to those who haven't been given it before.

Here we are all ruled! Ruled by the Pthumerians! Ruled by blood magic! We are made to suffer, for their unguessable gain! To be hurt, transformed, killed! To see our loved ones killed, taken from us! I ask you: is this fair? Is it not sadistic?

Should it not be opposed?

I call for the formation of a Republic of Trench! A fair society, to protect all of us, equally. Those of us with power should - must! - use their power to defend those who cannot do so themselves! To stand against any who would impose their will, their changes, on you! Even the pretend gods. I've seen the fall of gods before. I have pulled one down with my own hands! I got there with help, with the aid of those who were part of that Republic.

[There is a pause, and she raises her staff, the end of it reforming into a spear, half again doubling its length.]

I dedicate my strength to your defence! To the defeat of the Pthumerians and whatever allies they may have! Together, we can make a better tomorrow! We can make a Republic for us, for those who come after! It may take years, it may take generations - but if we all work together, no power in the universe can stand against us forever!

[A voice calls out from the audience, mocking, asking at what ambitious price her efforts will come.]

I swear here and now, not to do any more than help. I do not want, nor will I seek, a position of power over anyone. I will lead only so much as I am asked - and when the Republic comes, if I live to see it, I will not hold a position of authority within it.

[That quiets the heckler, and causes a bit more of a stir. Avatars like Korra radiate sincerity - because they don't know any other way to be. They don't know who else they could possibly be.]

A world of laws, a world of hope - a world in which we can live without pain. That is what I wish to help you build. I'll answer any questions you might have. And as a first step, before I leave? This fountain will flow again, you have my word on that.

My name is Korra! I am the Avatar, my calling - my very life - is to push back against chaos and pain and destruction. Call on me, anytime, for your defence! I will answer.

Long live the Republic!

[A number join in the call, repeating many times as there is applause in her audience. Others, of course, turn away - especially among the pleasure-seekers. Which she expected - people barely alive, in her view, living in a terrible twilight without purpose. She seats herself on the edge of the fountain as people come forward to ask her questions. Some basic, some detailed. Questions about laws, how to bring disparate peoples together. She answers what she knows, admits what she does not. Finally, when they are all done, she turns to the fountain, picking up a bucket of water which she sloshes into it. She takes a deep breath, centering herself, and the moves, body shifting from side to side, hands moving in a gentle circle. The water swirls, spiralling up to speed, and then she brings her arms down, the water gushing down into the drains, spearing deep into long-clogged pipes and dislodging the detritus that has long stopped it. There is a slight rumble, a bit of a rattle, and then water begins to flow. A bit dirty at first, as sediment and time is displaced - but the water flows again.]

[She leaves the banner, picking up the viewing stone, taking a deep breath. That's that, really.]

( cw: alcohol/substance abuse and visible corruption symptoms. )

[At first, the post opens with video. Lance is using his omen for this because he's probably too intoxicated to operate the omni. Corruption has started to increase again and rapidly given what he's trying to announce. The scar over his left eye looks a bit bigger and his iris of that eye is a glowing, crackling electric blue. He's not looking at the 'camera', his expression trained hard on the table in front of him as he grapples with the pain of loss.]

So… Hunk's gone… [In real time, the scar over his eye grows length-wise and cracks open horizontally and the darkness of space seems to be underneath: black void with stars and a nebula. The glowing light of his eye flashes brighter and seems to overtake the rest of his eye.] …baaaack to th' sea.

[His speech is a bit slurred and his hand comes up to his forehead as he leans to brace his elbow on the table. He looks at his omen and his brow furrows.] Valor, this's audio, right?

[What sounds like an 'oops' comes from his omen and then the video cuts out. There's the sound of a heavy, rattled breath being let out from Lance before he continues.] Whatever, not like it matters, [snort] as if I'm even gonna remember, right?

…Oh yeah… anyone in town got some memory findin' powers? I'm missin' some, so I need you to like… reach into my head hole or whatever.

[A breath is heaved, but it sounds shallow and wet, like there's something wrong with his lungs. Then the sound of a glass clinking on something.] Anyway, here's to th' ocean! I'm gon' go yell at her to give me my bro back. Later.

[There's the sound of a scraping chair as he gets up, and then the loud thump and crash of someone immediately fumbling their footing because they're too messed up and falling to the floor.] Oww…

[ The feed comes on to show a pink haired girl, smiling warmly. She tucks her hair behind her ear before addressing everyone. ]

Hi. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Haruno Sakura and I've recently become a temporary resident of this place. It's come to my attention that I have some skills which might be put to good use here. First of all, I'm a medical ninja back home and I have an extensive knowledge of medicine, poison control, and emergency medical treatment. I think medicine works a little differently here than it does back home, but I'm happy to assist wherever I can.

The other thing I've noticed about this place and I know I'm calling attention to the obvious, is that it seems to enjoy dragging up and forcing it's residents to face their traumas. Either that or it's creating new traumatic experiences for people. I'm entirely too familiar with what happens when repeated traumatic events are dragged up over and over again for an individual. It breaks a person down mentally and physically and that manifests in some unique ways here.

People so often misunderstand trauma and they place blame on the sufferer, despite that it is born out of a need to protect oneself against very real threats to one's wellbeing. Back home I've been developing a model and treatment program that hopes to intervene before the behaviors of trauma become so self destructive that they harm the individual suffering from them, or those the individual may otherwise care about.

While I am sure that everyone here has developed coping skills of some sort, and that there are avenues that one might use to calm down or decompress, it never hurts to have more outlets and resources when dealing with mental health and trauma. So I'm hoping to utilize my knowledge and skills from back home to create a program that would offer further assistance in maintaining a healthy mental balance and perhaps even treat more severe trauma.

If there is an interest, not only would I like to create a safe space for people who suffering with mental health, but I'd also like to create a team of people who would be interested in learning how to professionally help others. While a base understanding of mental health is helpful, I've developed my program from the ground up and trained countless individuals in how to use it to benefit patients. So I can happily host workshops and seminars.

I just think that if we stand mentally at our strongest, then we'll be so much better prepared for the challenges that we consistently face. Treating trauma patients is a passion of mine and if I can help ease the burdens of anyone here while I am stuck in this limbo, I welcome the opportunity.

hey my name is shōyō hinata, that’s 日向翔陽! there’s a lot of kanji about the sun and flying in it☀️🪶 i’m a pro volleyball player and i’m gonna be one of those night walkers. even if that really sounds like something you’d name a zombie, doesn’t it? why don’t they use THE FUN GUYS or WALKING ARCADE?

anyway if anyone needs a good time, i know exactly what you need! sports. it gives your brain the same amount of searatonin and dopemeen that doing nsfw stuff does so we’ll win big any way you look at!! 💪 [ searatonin and dopemeen are not typos. he doesn’t really remember how to type them correctly. head empty, only balls. ] i’ll play anything you’d like, even though volleyball’s what i know most about. i tried pretty much everything in middle school or saw it on tv so i know basics ⚽️🏀🏈🏉⚾️🎾🏓🏸🏒. beach volleyball too, i played for a couple years in rio. if you just want to talk or hug or hang out and not do sports stuff, i’m cool with that too. just uhhh not the nsfw stuff i guess. only if we hit it off, or something. like that. i’ve never been on a date before. oh, and i can do delivery gigs, too. i worked for ifood and ubereats for a while.

anyway i’m looking for a knife, how to use it and how to suplex someone in self defense as first payment for SPORTS, IFOOD or VOLLEYBALL (BEACH OR COURT!!!) but after that food and playing more sports is a fair trade. if you just want to hang out, duh, that’s free. we can be friends.

just send me a message through here or private anytime! might be a little slow on the sports still cuz my legs and bones are recovering, but i really need to move before i go rusty. obrigado! thank you! ありがとう!

With the New Year here, I find it is strange to face such a drastic change to my way of life, but these things cannot be helped. One can either adapt or stubbornly cling to something that is not presently feasible and I feel the latter would be less than productive.

Such dismal things aside, it occurs to me that I should develop more than a passing familiarity with my fellow dreamers, and with my shop soon to open, I am considering hosting an informal hatsugama; the first tea gathering of the year. It will be a time to relax and mingle, reflecting on the past and looking to the future, while drinking koicha and eating hanabiraki mochi and dark chocolate candies.

If such a thing would be of interest to you, please let me know so that I may acquire adequate quantities for preparation. My aim would be to have the gathering on the ninth, if that is agreeable.

[Greetings denizens of Trench. You remember this guy? What is Tupperware made of, we're doing Rocky Horror, guy? He's back. Only he doesn't look nearly as jazzed as he usually does.

Bolin looks.. tired. Heavy. Dark. His shoulders hang and has he been crying? Shut up, no, you're crying.

(Yes, he has.)

This could have been in text but it just didn't feel right.

So, after a moment of silence and a snuffle he forces himself to business.]


Hello everyone. I um. This is Bolin.

There's no easy way to say this.. Official news from Rocky Horror at The Raccoon Room. One of our cast members, Dean Winchester, has passed away. Out of respect for him and his loved ones I won't go into details but production will be suspended from today until he is back and we are able to resume.

[But there's a look like he's worried that might not happen. Counting on someone to come back from the dead? Risky. His words are a little awkward but he isn't sure how to pose all this information. How do you tell the world your friend has died? Cast and Crew members will have noticed Dean's no show the previous week. With Bolin standing in for Brad and all the clashing between blood types, rehearsals have been... a situation.]

I'll um. I'll be holding a vigil for him outside the club tonight at 7. Our theater family would appreciate it if you came.

.. So.

Thank you.

Hello everyone! Ladies and Gentlemen and.. people who aren't either but.. are other things I guess- ANYWAY! I'm Bolin, you might know me, I was in Deerington for a little while before we made the journey here. Mako's brother, earthbender, at your service.

[Bright! Excited! He's got so much to say and it's all great!! Bolin is sitting in a booth in The Raccoon Room, it's all very fancy and newly opened as you might remember from the big party on Halloween. Heck, you might have seen him there performing tricks with his omen Pabu the fire ferret, who is currently draped around the back of Bolin's neck like a scarf, only mildly interested in what's happening but squeaks every time Bolin gesticulates particularly big.]

Firstly, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who came to the Raccoon Room's opening night, it was great and I know it meant the world to Mako and Wu. And hey, if you had fun you should come back which is what brings me to my next point!

We're gonna do a musical.

[Jazz handssssssss! His eyes are very bright. Is this a good thing? Should you be worried? Remains to be seen.]

Wu has asked me to direct it, with music by Ryan from Chicken Choice Judy aand I know what you're thinking: Oh- Bolin [In falsetto, because that's how you all sound and you know it.] but a musical we don't know-

Wrong-o, it is going to be amazing and you're all going to love it. So good news, we're casting!

There's going to be auditions.. and costumes and music! And sets! It's going to be like a live action mover with songs, I can't actually think of anything better.

So, if you're interested in being a part of the show and auditioning or getting on the crew, drop me your name, questions, and deets and welcome to Trench's very first musical production ooffffffffff wait for itttttttttt?!!?