Deer Country Network

Uhm, hi . . . My name is Ahiru.

I'm looking for someone. His name is Fakir. I . . . can't seem to find him? And I don't know where he is. Maybe someone can help me look?

He looks like this.

[ she holds up a picture. clearly a perfect artist's rendition of fakir. ]



He also scowls a lot and looks like he's bored, but he's very nice actually! He's a ballet dancer and uhm . . . [ ahiru fiddles with her dress. ] . . . I just want to make sure he's okay.

[Lexi sits on her couch with her batcats, Nosferatmew, Mewnos: The Paws of Fate, and her non-batcat, Mewdemic sitting nearby. Orville, her hedgehog Omen, is sitting on his usual place on Lexi's shoulder]

Uh...hey. This is gonna sound weird after the whole Paleblood issue thing, but. I'm a Darkblood and I can feel my powers acting normal. See? [she lifts a large pile of books on her endtable telekinetically]

But I feel like something's wrong. Something bad. Really, really bad. And I can't shake that feeling, it's been keeping me up at nights and I feel...I guess 'paranoid' is the right word for it? I dunno.

[she sighs] Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, I don't know, but if anyone else is feeling the same way? Please let me know. I can't be the only one this is happening to.

Right?

[The video starts with the sound of a glass crashing onto the ground and a very soft 'oh dear...' as Snow comes into view. Faramund is holding the Omni.

Snow White is covered in tiny bruises and cuts, all of them random and sporadic as if she was careless with a knife or one of her animal friends wasn't quite careful enough with their claws or teeth. The bruises from being knocked into or bumping into things and some are green and yellow from healing, some are fresh and purple, and all of them are small and little. She pushes back a stray strand of hair that has come out from her well-kept bob.

On the floor is a whole pitcher of milk completely spilled and mixed with broken glass. Snow sighs again as she looks at it.

It's literally spilled milk.]

It... [Two little birds hand her a towel, and three raccoons push a bin over to where Snow White is kneeling down. A young wolf brings her a small dust brush in its jaws. She begins to carefully put the bigger pieces into the bin as she turns to look at Faramund.] It seems I'm not having a very good week... [She looked over to Faramund.]

It seems I've upset our kobold, Farmund, though I'm not sure what we did. We'll have to find a way to apologize. [She winces as she cuts her finger on a piece of glass and hisses softly.]

This and the lock snapping on the apple's chest are proof of it.

Does anyone know how to make a kobold happy again? I certainly didn't mean to insult it.

[sansa means for this to be anonymous, unfortunately she hasn't really figured out usernames yet, let alone how to hide hers. she also means for this to be text, but the video is already recording when she starts speaking.

she's visibly younger, though not much (a little over three years, now); smaller and slighter and more wide-eyed, with her clothes not quite fitting right and her hair braided simply to one side. lady remains the same size, half in her lap on the couch, with blue ribbons around her neck rather than her fancy padded collar. sansa, too, wears the silvery-blue dress she wore to the rinne festival tied very tightly, her padded collar slightly askew.

and she looks somber. something has clearly been troubling her. she's not quite looking at the camera. her voice is low and a little bitter.]

What happens to us when they come back?

[The video opens low to the ground with a snuffling sound - a clear sign that this is from an Omen. There's the sound of someone crying - a child - and the Omen's head lifts a bit more to show... well, it's a catboy. Or a kittenboy, as the child is very small. He looks to be somewhere between five and eight, but short.]

I want mama... I want my sisters... I wanna go home. This isn't the Wellwick Wood.

[He is, in fact, sitting in the woods. At least there don't seem to be any beasts around...]

[The 'video' tilts down, where the Omen has scratched a word in the dirt. 'Help'.]

Is... was I bad? W... what's going on?

[Ice starts to spread around the child, though he hasn't seemed to have noticed it...]

[ her feed turns on and there's ahiru, a girl, not a duck. ]

Uhm, so . . . I've been here for a year. Which is really long and I was just thinking that . . . it's been so nice. To be here. And to meet new people and try new things. Also make so many friends.

So, uhm, to celebrate . . . I'll give you a compliment! To celebrate everyone. And if I don't know you, uhmmm, I'll give you my best first impression!

[ she bows lightly. ]

[ It's night, late into the evening actually and her room is lit with candles, so there is a light glow illuminating her face. She looks happy, satisfied even, and it's not necessarily difficult to put together why, when Sasuke, who is at least partially covered by a blanket, can briefly been seen sleeping on their mat behind her as she adjusts to get more comfortable.

Sakura, who is dressed in a robe, is settled by the window next to her bed. Her cheeks are rosy and she's content, and maybe still a little bit tipsy from too much sake earlier, which would explain her comfort level. ]

Does anyone else ever watch the cycles of the moon? I've always watched it when I couldn't sleep. In a few days we'll have the new moon. Then I realized that the next full one marks the Rinne Matsuri, a celebration of rebirth from Sasuke-kun's and my home where we pray for loved ones that we've lost and celebrate those we still have in a grand winter festival. We decorate trees, give gifts, and have large gatherings with family and friends.

Sometimes I miss my friends and family from back home, but I have so many people that I cherish here, so I'm never sad for long. I think I want to throw a little Rinne festival here, with a celebration party at the clinic. There must be many of us who have lost loved ones to remember, those who have died of course, but also those who are simply not here with us. Oh and of course new friends and family to celebrate. I want a chance to celebrate all of you, those who I've been blessed to get to know, but also perhaps those I haven't yet had the chance to meet. So please mark your calendars to join Sasuke-kun and I at the Wellness Clinic on December 7th.

It also seems like this is a time of year when many people celebrate one holiday or another. Will you share with me the stories of your traditions back home?

Um. I think I've learned how to use my Darkblood powers.

The only question now is how do I turn them off?!

[Nosferatmew and Mewnos: The Paws of Fate float on past the screen, each batcat not flapping its wings as a variety of other things in Lexi's bedroom float past Lexi, the batcats completely chill.

the batcats along with everything else in her bedroom, the remnants of a cocoon visible on the bed]

Looking for people who can also help me test the rest of my abilities, too. If not, I'll be back in the Satellite of Love tomorrow!

[sansa, in front of her direwolf sigil tapestry as usual, has her face painted like a raven for the black parade's ongoing festivities, black feathers around her eyes and painted on her cheeks. someone has also given her black lipstick. it doesn't seem to be causing any ill effects. she has black feathers braided into her hair and sewn on to her dress, which is charcoal linen embroidered with glossy black ravens. lady sits with her in a matching collar of black feathers and gemstone chips. she looks somewhat nervous.]

Hallo, this is Sansa Stark. I wanted to say that the people in the strange wasp's nests are only the Zealots that were attacking and kidnapping Sleepers last year, and no one should risk themselves to save them. The Zealots can be recognized by their scars; some of their skin looks half-flayed open. If anybody knows anything else about the Zealots, it would be well if they could share it.

[sansa straightens and draws a breath. she flicks at her omni.]

[locked from user names leavegodalone, 1ststrike, and dabi. that is, in fact, it. she thinks that probably john gaius will be able to see this anyway but doesn't know what else she can do.]

Anyway, as near as I can tell it's my nameday on the seventeenth of this month, and as I've been unable to celebrate my past three namedays I thought I might well have a small feast at the Sanctuary to mark the occasion. Since that day is a Monday I thought perhaps it might be easier for everyone to have it on the Saturday before, which is the fifteenth. We'll be in the larger dining hall. I should be very glad if any of you choose to attend.

hiya!! so i just finished my house. im now living alone and drinking a nice cool beverage. aka bottle of wine.
rly living the good life.

SO
then i thought since im feeling prtty good. why not offer my services to all of u poor saps?
now READ CAREFULLY!!!

this is a ONE TIME OFFER from me to u. an engerinner like myself needs to fix things and solve probs. thats just waht we do. if we dont we will go bonkers and u dont want to see me go there. 🤣🤣🤣

oh and this is free of charge btw. wild right? im just feelin THAT generous.

or drunk.

anyway.

u got a prob? ill give u my advice. itll be 1000000000% honest the truth and all truths.

u can be anonymous to hide ur shame or not. CHOICE IS URS! 🐵💥🦈

[Rose sits calmly on a boulder in the back yard, trees and flowers surrounding her already showing the signs of autumn. she looks more solemn than usual, but that's because she's been thinking things over carefully]

Even with...all of this [she waves a hand around as if encompassing all of Trench and its peculiarities] how many of us want to stay? Because we like it here better than home, because we don't have a home to go to, any reason really.

I'm curious.

[sansa is once again in front of her customary backdrop with the stark sigil embroidered over weirwood branches. she wears a black dress with wolves picked out at the shoulder in shades of charcoal and grey. lady sits next to her on the couch in a matching embroidered collar, but...there is another wolf, bigger and tawnier, looking mournful in a simple braided leather collar. and there is a spaniel, too, wearing a collar of black velvet with 'GUCCI' sewn in pale bloodstone, in sansa's lap, which she pets absently. occasionally the spaniel tilts her head up for more petting if sansa's hand seems to still.]

Hallo, this is Sansa Stark. I'm very sorry to have to tell you my good friend Richie Tozier has gone back into the ocean––but he has friends there that he missed very much, and I know he'll be glad to see them again.

[she draws a breath.]

It would be well if we could keep the Painted Turtle Clinic running in his honor. Richie had been looking for a Blood Minister to work with for some time, but we'd welcome any sort of healer. Lady Ange is working there now, and she will help you to get settled.

We may need additional wards on Turtle Cove itself, as Smores will be staying with me, and assisting at the Sanctuary as well as the clinic. She's very clever and trained to be of service. If anyone has temporarily lost their sight, she should be glad to come by and guide you.

[now sansa hesitates. various animals nudge her reassuringly.]

If you are a Paleblood who has lost their sight or hearing, it may be that I could teach you a genjutsu technique that might help. You will need to have good chakra control and a pet or animal companion besides your omen. Dogs are said to be best, and hellhounds are very well-suited, but we do have batcats still in need of homes at the Sanctuary, and ravens are good, if you have one that will stay with you. You can find me at the Sanctuary, or ask the lantern imps for the Rookery, and you only have to follow the rocks with turtles to the Painted Turtle Clinic. Thank you.

[Oh hey, it's anonymous sender time again. Jun's been doing some thinking in the last few days.]

What does family mean to you? Like... what counts? Is it your blood family? What if you're adopted?

What if you don't know you're adopted? Does family become something like a lie in that case?

Do dead people stop being family?

I don't really know what family means anymore. It's confusing and there's too many emotions tied up in it.

Hello~! I'm Himiko Toga. 17. The real one. Hi.

Is the party finally over? Done killing? Everyone back in their body? Right mind? Okay!

Newbie 101 with questions, JUDGE FREE ZONE. After washing up here, did you all stick with your plans from home? Your goal? Lifelong dream? Or abandoned that for a life seemed a better option? I mean, did you stick with your habits, change it completely, or evolve it? Are you happy with the new change in you? Or regret it? What about your 'purpose'? Found it here? Back in the other world? Ambition? Made a difference here?

Me? I'm new and trying to get some ideas. I want to hear your story. And hang out with people around my age. No gross weirdos (you know who you are), kthnks. <3

[The video opens at the beach, with the boardwalk in the distance behind him. Nara'a looks... rough. His eyes are a little brighter red, his hair and fur out of place. His skin is slightly paler, too - though it's a little hard to tell with how pale he usually is.]

So... um. If you haven't noticed, people keep being drawn to the ocean and keep trying to throw themselves in.

I've been trying to stop people, but I've been out here for days and I need someone to help me. I need to go rest.

So if there's anyone who can come down and help without wanting to go back to the ocean, I'd appreciate it.

[He almost turns the omni off, but pauses.]

And if you're one of those thinking about trying to go back... it's not going to work. You'll just come back, and the pain isn't going to be any better for it.

[Now he shuts the omni off.]

[It's disgustingly hot and humid and even with most of her hair pulled up and twisted back away from her face, she's got curly tendrils hanging down and a light sheen on her forehead. Ugh. But at least she's back to finding things to keep herself busy.]

My chair is open at Ursula's again, if anyone is looking for regular tattoos or some runework. Want anything more intricate let's talk and we'll see what I need and what deal works for you.

[Best way to act like nothing is wrong is to go right back to what she was doing before, right? Right.]

Catching up on the insane shit y'all love to get up to, but what little changes, a lot stays the same, doesn't it? Like how I still don't know who most of you asses are. Keeping track of the coming and goings ain't easy. Anyone keeping a list?

How many people are familiar with a festival called "Tanabata"? And "wishing trees"?

Lady Amaterasu isn't here anymore, but her guardian trees still are. What she would have wished I think was for people to still enjoy them and find hope in them, to keep them strong, so a few of us were going to do a small festival to honor her at the Sanctuary tree. From what I've been told of the tradition, which would be taking place around now anyway, it's something that would suit her her wishes I think. It'd be nice if we could do something at the other trees as well-- turn them into "wishing trees" as well maybe.

It'd be good for people to have something happy to look forward to as well, with everything that's been going on. I don't think she would want anyone to be sad.

[ And we're going to pointedly ignore all the Actual and Avoidable Shit going on because he'll get mad and start lecturing, and that's not his place. Wars and revenge between humans never are, and it's why his tone is as sober as it is gentle. ]

Moon Presence appeared to Miss Luna and Lady Alayne. [ He pauses. ] Sanctuary has been blessed by her, so anyone suffering ill effects for the time being might find some added relief here. Anyone meaning harm to anyone or anything inside will be repelled as well, so people needing safe harbor should please seek us out. [ Which means any party crashing assholes... Try it. He'll deadpan from the door. Is it forever? No, just for "the Beast Moon." Is he going to let that on? heck no ]

We're clearing out some extra rooms if anyone needs a safe place to stay for a while. There's no cost-- just help out however you can.

[hey everyone it's princess alayne fancy satchel. but actually this post takes place about a week before vi's search efforts because I can never manage to make a network post on time.

sansa wears a blue-grey dress in light cotton with lightly belled, elbow-length sleeves, embroidered with silver leaping trout and muted greenery hiding silver-grey wolves. the buckle of her needle necklace glints with dark bloodstone. she looks tired, but excited. she sits in front of her customary raven-and-weirwood tapesty, and lady sits next to her in a matching embroidered collar, now the size of a grey wolf.]

Hallo, I'm called Alayne Stone. Most of you know me for the clothes I make, but I've also been studying with a jeweler for some time. I recently found my own blood gem tool in the tunnels, and I'm very glad to say I've learned to make all kinds of bloodstone with it. Of course I'm best with my own blood, so my pale bloodstone will be strongest, but I have found the other bloodstone I've made effective enough.

I'm very interested in making vile bloodstone that can be worn by Palebloods to help with the blood curses, and of course I'm glad to make pale bloodstone for Vilebloods to help prevent corruption. I've heard the coming season of blood might be a difficult one, and I should like to do what I can to help see us all through it.

[she pauses and looks down a little, somber. lady whines and rests her head in sansa's lap.]

I'm afraid I do have some bad news. Lady Amaterasu has returned to the sea, where she will no doubt look after our friends and family who remain there. She leaves us her heart [sanctuary] trees, and I've found some comfort in them. I hope those of you who knew her can do the same.

[private to adaine abernant]

Can you send this just to Adaine? Thank you.

[she grins.]

Hallo, Adaine. I should be very glad to replace the bloodstone on your jacket, whenever you have time.

I wonder.

[In view was a rose bush, a pale hand cupping a rose of delicate blue, others yet to bloom and some still with their petals curled close within the shot. Moving then, downwards as fingertips brushed open petals of another.]

Does anyone have a particularly favorite color of rose?

[The one under Alice's touch slowly darkened in color, going from shades of blue to purple to pink-]

These have been coming along well.

[A project she'd taken up with Break, once things had settled between them and weren't so tender. A play with Darkblood abilities, and of course she'd taken to it like a duck to water. Of course it was a project she'd let take up a lot of her time, a distraction from things that had been going on.

A want of seeing beautiful flower gardens once upon a time not a terrible inspiration to sink time in to. A creative outlet.]

Whether the color has meaning to you or not, isn't it nice to see something you like? Perhaps thought you might never again, even something so small as a rose of a particular hue.

[When the video starts, Usagi is pulling on her fingers and biting her lip. She has some bag under her eyes because of the coming and going nightmares but she looks fine otherwise.

She takes a deep breath, opens her mouth and then presses her lips together, clearly trying to psyche herself up rather than, well, out. She clenches her fist and a soft "you can do this, you can totally do this," can easily be heard under her breath.

One more nod and then:]

SO I AM- [She winces, nope, no, yelling bad. Deep breath.

Take two.]

Um, so hello! [She bows to the Omni.] Uh, for those of you who don't know me, my name is Usagi Tsukino. [She bows again.] Um... and uh, well I am starting a business! Uh... that is I can make things- er jewelry! And other things like incense holders and Omni charms or bag charms... or like... clay figurines, I guess.

I have a lot of things already made but otherwise everything will be custom made. [She's too nervous to remember to actually show her products though they are currently sitting behind her if asked.]

So... um- oh, yeah, everything is mostly clay, I can't sew like... at all, so... um... just putting that out there. [Hot glue guns are a gift from the heavens, as far as she's concerned.] I can do other materials like shells and metal but most everything is gonna be clay.

Uuuuh yes! Right, that's it!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! [She bows again. Turns out nightmare induced insomnia causes her to get crafty so as to not think of said nightmares.]