Deer Country Network

[Having only just learned how to use video on the omni, Goku's feed is a bit shaken and choppy. He's really only half visible for most of it, kind of stepping out of frame every so often because he's clearly walking. You might see some of the rolls of bread he's carrying.]

Hi ev'rybody! My name's Goku, an' my friends said that I should talk to th' network if I need help with stuff, soooo... Do we have any healers around here?? 'Cause my friend's ankle is broken but he can't heal himself 'cause it don't work like that or somethin', so I was hopin' somebody else could help him??

Oh yeah, m'also goin' around deliverin' bread for him! So if Hakkai toldja that bread's on th' way over, that's me! Goku!

Greetings,

First, my apologies for my lengthy absence the last month or so. Perhaps this only applies to those in a certain dojo, but, I felt it necessary to make the statement anyway. I hope to resume my duties there at some point in the future.

Secondly... thank you to any who assisted my companions on their arrivals. Especially to those who took the time to answer Gojyo's questions regarding Trench and its effects. Both he and Goku can be a bit rough around the edges, but I assure you, they are the dependable sorts, haha.

[WAY TO CALL OUT YOUR BROS, HAKKAI.]

Lastly, ah. I seem to have been in something of a distracted state lately... and went on a baking binge. [Thanks June Paleblood effect.] Please do let me know if you have need of any of this... I would hate for it to go to waste.

[And there's a photo! Of so much bread... No, we're not going to talk about his last network post, it was anonymous, why would he talk about that? He's also not going to talk about being a Beast last month! Just bread! And bullying his friends!]

[All viewers can see at first is the top of his head -- bobbing red hair as he adjusts the camera. After a second it jerkily settles on his grinning face, an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips.

He lifts his hand.]

Yo! Resident new kid here. Already had some helpful beach-goers gimme the ropes, so thanks for that. Just a couple questions if you don't mind.

[He coughs into his hand off camera -- behind him seems to be greenery, a forest of some sort. If you have very good hearing, you might hear the trickle of a river nearby.]

About this curse shit. Like how when I got here some people turned into eight year olds or something. How do you unfuck that? Or do you just wait around forever until it decides to go away? Because that would really suck.

Same question about that corruption stuff. How do you... [he makes a vague gesture with his hands] Un-corrupt?

Hey guys! Uh, I know it's been some time since I've done a thing like this, but so much is going on most of the time, I guess I haven't had the time like I used to.

So uh. Friends of me, friends of Lexi, general people looking for a relaxed time. Lexi and I are having a blood ceremony to bond the two of us together! It's a big step for the both of us, but we're pretty happy to make that commitment. But we're hoping to have some people get together and wish us well, and meet us for the first time if you haven't, have a snack, maybe talk to someone you know.

We have a bounce house!

I'll even provide transportation since it'll be Korra and Asami's old house, if you know where that is! But yeah. Snacks, maybe a bar if people want that.

Uh, I don't know anything about that though. I don't really know anything about drinking. Someone help please.

Anyway! We also have a bookstore, so if you want to know about that too, hop on by and we'll have information about that too. Hope to see you there!

[The first month Ezra arrived in Trench, Madam Generosity gifted him with a crisp white and bronze Jedi style outfit. He’s never felt like there’s been the right occasion for it.

Until today.

His Omni is set down for a wide view, the Sanctuary grounds in the background, and Anakin Solo, in his own robes, at his side.]

Some of you may have heard me talk about, or seen a memory of my master, my first teacher, as a Jedi, Kanan Jarrus. Or even met him, because he was here, briefly.

[Ezra flashes a smile, bittersweet.]

Before he left these shores, we did an impromptu ceremony here at the guardian tree of the Sanctuary. A knighting. [His smile turns sheepish; he’s not here entirely to toot his own horn, honest.]

Back in the galaxy I’m from, Jedi Knights have taken a lot of different variations of oaths, over thousands of years of history. I’ve been thinking for a while about how to express my commitment to being a Jedi of Trench– believing that, for a lot of reasons, something closer to traditional wasn’t in the cards. So, with Knight Solo’s help, I wrote an oath that I think fits...here.

And accountability is important, at least to me, so- [He takes a deep breath, and raises his right hand, palm out.]

Here goes:

I, Ezra Bridger, Jedi Knight, vow to use all my skill and abilities to serve others rather than ruling over them.
To not seek personal power, but knowledge and enlightenment,
To act not out of aggression, but to defend and to protect,
To preserve what grows and lives well in its own way,
To support betterment and ease pain,
To guard justice and peace,
To put ever aside fear for courage, hatred for compassion,
And when it is fitting to do so, death for life
— looking always towards the Force, in which all are one,
Until my final death, or I return to the sea.

[Anakin nods, very solemn for a 17-year-old.]

Oath witnessed and acknowledged, Knight Bridger.

[Then Ezra and Anakin beam at each other with excitement, like the very young men they are, and Anakin claps a hand on Ezra’s shoulder. ]

And now the part I’m sure more of you will care about-

[Anakin rolls his eyes and talks over Ezra.]

We’re having a celebration tonight- [Ezra mouths ‘party’.] at the Sanctuary. Contact me or Sansa if you want to be more involved than showing up.

[Ezra has to get the last word before signing off.]

Everyone’s welcome!

(OOC: Ezra in blue, Anakin in green, obv. Link to party log here)

( The feed opens up to a young man sitting on a bed in a dimly-lit bedroom. Dark circles blossom beneath his eyes like bruises. To say he seems nervous is an understatement. His general body language is tense and a bit withdrawn, and it isn't difficult to spot the way his hands literally tremble as he places them in his lap, or the way his voice shakes here and there at the edges. )

Hey there. I'm uh— not sure how many people might already know me, but I'm Peter. Peter Graham. I don't think I've ever like.... really introduced myself on this thing, but I've been here for a while. I was in Deerington, too.

( He gives a shy little smile that looks more like a wince, something almost apologetic. )

I'm not— I'm not too good at this kind of thing. But I wanted to ask something, something I've been thinking about for.... awhile. I guess this is going to sound kind of weird. ( An awkward pause, and then Peter's leaning to reach for a little sheet of paper, holding it in his hands. Yes, it seems that he's written down what beats to hit.... )

Got my notes. ( Another pained little smile, before the expression slowly sobers into a frown, and his eyes are dropping down to look at his paper. )

Does anyone have any experience with...... séances? Or any information about them in general? Um.... I know what they basically are, what they're meant to.... do. To open a door— a veil? To communicate with someone who's died.

( There's the softest flutter of Peter's eyelids, and a gentle exhale, before he continues. )

But is it possible that they can do... more than that? Maybe something else could get through the veil? Something that isn't.... the ghost that a person was trying to talk to. Something that maybe even isn't a ghost at all?

Is it possible that someone could make that happen.... intentionally?

( Peter has to take a few moments to breathe, heart pattering away anxiously in its ribcage. All of this is exceptionally difficult for him to address. )

....Whatever you might know, or could tell me. There are things that... happened, back in my own world, and I'm still.... trying to understand. I've been learning more about the uh... supernatural, from people here. But I figured I would open this up to the public, get as much information as I can.

It's okay if you don't wanna tell who you are though, if you'd rather go anonymous. I know this kind of stuff can be.... weird. Um, personal. ( The lump in his throat tightens, as he slowly reaches to end the message. )

Thanks for listening. I— I appreciate it.

Good evening.

In my home, I was something of a healer. As it would happen, my abilities have persisted upon my arrival in this particular world. I've noticed mentions of an illness, lately among us Sleepers. While I'm not certain I can heal it completely, I am more than willing to do what I can to help the symptoms.

Therefore, I am opening my living quarters to anyone who may be suffering. Please, don't hesitate to drop in.

[He pauses, and then adds, a bit more sheepishly:]

Ah - should the landlady raise an issue, ask for "Cho Hakkai". She'll certainly be more agreeable that way.

[And, true to form, if anyone stops by his room in a Crenshaw Boarding House, Hakkai will help with the Leech symptoms as best he can.]

[Jun has his head resting against his fist, looking bored and unamused.]

All right, all right. We all saw that other post. How many of us are under fifteen, then?

Or were under fifteen when you were brought here, I know that some people have been here a while.

[Rose looks perturbed, chewing on her lower lip]

I...realize that we all have our concerns right now, but I was--well, I was hoping for assistance?

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and I want to do something really special for Snow now that we're together. Something beyond the usual flowers and chocolates and cards, although she'll get all three from me.

But of course this depends on whatever we're being put through this month. I'd still like to find some way to make it special. [and her expression turns stern] And if The Doorway chooses to do something truly awful to us, I'll never forgive them!

[and back to smiling!]

In any case, I appreciate your assistance and your ideas most of all. Thank you.

[sometimes a garden of 'wow, this is happening' blossoms out of a small seed. the idea had been theme music for storytime, and that had become a sudden scrounge for things beyond humming - actual instruments instead! (which beyond a few harps, and spotting yeah that's a guitar ...mike doesn't really know much about.)

he can't play them, and he doesn't know how to read sheet music. though he's an enthusiastic supporter.

but at least three of the koz kids do, and the story was interrupted by pleas and cheers for a treasure hunt, which resulted in two recorders, a harmonica, a pair of maracas and a ...fart piano. his blood does not care if he wanted that last one, and it's only responsible for that one thing until three more recorders appear, along with a kazoo. it's all downhill from there.

the music that he can't read results in several selections. one of which those kids would like to play for you now with dedication, straight from mike's omni without him realizing that it's happening. his omen knows, though, and she waves into the screen, nodding her ratty little head along with tune.

(nothing is in tune.)

it's terrible. it's great. it's ...happening. he has rick rolled the network. (he probably isn't the first, but maybe he'll be the last?) and give him a break, the rick roll's new from his timeline.]

[ When the feed starts, it’s at a bit of an awkward angle, a teenage boy half-staring at the camera, but still clearly fiddling with the Omni itself. At least he does seem kind of aware he turned it on, since he mumbles: ]

So you send a message this way..?

[ In fact, if you look, the teenage boy may look faintly familiar - just a few decades younger than people who know Daniel may be used to. But that sure is Daniel LaRusso as a teenager, seemingly trying to figure out the Omni– though he doesn’t get too far with it before he is suddenly lifted up by a dashing, handsome young lad in a red leather jacket with a distinct cobra design on the back of it, making Daniel drop the Omni as he’s startled by it. But just as quickly as he is lifted up, the boy turns and dumps the other kid in a steel trash bin. There’s a lot of banging, clattering and shouting that gets cut off as the blonde boy puts the lid on it and holds it down with one arm.]

What the hell was that loser doing anyways?

[Teen Johnny then steps away from the trash bin before suddenly pushing forward and shoving it down. There’s a crash and off camera it sounds like the can is rolling down a hill. Johnny steps back and notices the camera rolling. He smiles an 80’s heartthrob smile and fires finger guns at the camera.]

Hey babes.

Johnny Lawrence here, Ace Degenerate.

Me and LaRusso here are throwing a badass party once we find a place to host it. He’s a dweeb, I know, but trust me. I’ll make sure it’s awesome. It’s going to blow that other big party out of the water.

[ There’s a suspicious sound in the background, if you can hear it over Johnny Lawrence chewing up the scenery over here. Something akin to more clattering, and then a rush of footsteps. ]

Be there or be squa–

[ Unfortunately Johnny doesn’t get to finish that sentence, because Daniel suddenly runs back into the frame, tackling the blonde straight to the ground– and onto the Omni, meaning the feed cuts out. ]

So...ice zombies. Fun. For anyone who's managed to take any of them out, did you aim for the head? Colour me curious if the zombie movies I've seen are accurate.



[Filter 1: Johnny Lawrence & Daniel LaRusso]

I'm planning a semi-surprise birthday party for Robby. All I'm telling him is that I'm inviting you two and a few friends over for dinner. But it's his 18th birthday so it's got to be way more badass than that and I'm inviting all of his and my friends.

Your mission is to keep Robby busy during the day so I can set up and he won't see everyone arriving.



[Filter 2: Friendly CR of Robby & Tory]

It's Robby's 18th birthday next month and I'm throwing him a party. He's going to know that I invited a few friends over for dinner. What he doesn't know is how many people I'm actually inviting. Anyway, party's on the 4th and if you can see this, you're invited. If you want to bring a friend along who isn't on this filter, check with me first. I'll probably be fine with it, but I want to know who to expect.



(ooc: As long as your character has had a positive interaction with either Tory or Robby and isn't known to have issues with either of them, feel free to assume they're invited!)

everyone post cute pics of your omens here
or other pets if you have them
those are fine too

[There is literally no ulterior motive here. Sunny really just wants a collection of cute animal pics. And maybe it'd be good for keeping people calm, eyebleach style. He includes a picture of his own omen, Mewo. Apparently he's taken a picture of an already existing photograph.]

also
is there any way to make physical prints from the omni camera?
so the pictures could be put into a photo album
thanks

[The video started with an opening shot of what looked like a bag of coal. It zoomed in on the tag attached with its blocky lettering and signature...

MERRY CHRISTMAS
-DARTH MAUL

The camera shifted a little as Keith crouched down next to it, and then turned it so that both he and the bag of coal were in the picture.

He smirked.]

Thanks, man. It'll help keep the house warm during the cold weather. Best gift ever.

[And click - he was gone.]

[ The camera frames Duty's impassive face. ]

Snow removal's becoming a problem. Outreach would like to help, but I want something more efficient than shovels. We have flaming swords and other weapons.

How about flaming tools?

I offer 5 Coldbloodstones to anyone who will use them—keep the extras—to make a useful tool to clear snow.

Make the best one, and I'll buy more.

[ The camera pans to a shallow bowl containing many coldbloodstones. ]

i: VIDEO PRIVATE to eden

[There's a saga before this that isn't broadcasted to the network at large, but only to Eden via drone: Mike's abduction on the way into Crenshaw, his bout of unconsciousness - the horror of waking, mouth stitched shut, in not quite unfamliar, bloody, hostile territory, clad only in a dull, red jumpsuit - the further horror of realizing he's chained to what amounts to nothing more than the headless upper half of what had once been a Sleeper. It's possible she's seen who and what their fate was. It's also possible she hasn't.

It's the standoff in the Sleeper Farm - floor after floor of dragging the remains of another Sleeper with him, up and up - even when his blood is functional enough he could be rid of the gory baggage he doesn't shed it - that would, in effect, be leaving a man behind, and what kind of thing is that to do? By the end of it, it's become a grudge. And by the time he's in front of that statue, all manner of organs in its hands, he gently unshackles his companion, and then himself, before stomping on the chains until they're no longer chains, but a mess of old wires that disintegrate into nothing but stains on the floor.

His endless rageful shouting - the stitches are long gone, left an aftertaste of ash that's as unwelcome as the rest of this, maybe even moreso.]

Del, to everyone!

ii: VIDEO PUBLIC: omen: username: TENSKULLS/MIKE ENSLIN

[His Omen is not instructed to contain the broadcast to the small circle Mike intends to ask, so she opens the line of communication to all of Trench instead. Mike may have meant "everyone" in the "Sword Wizards and Mike" way, but Delmira obeys in the literal sense.

Mike's blood and its monthly bonus of excitability is doing the Zealots no favors once he's up here. They're glitching as fast as they're moving, somehow they're not close enough to attack, they're never accurate enough, and then they're behind a bubble that's rendered them a slow motion haze, confused and barely audible through it, while he sits on a summoned chair, a growing pile of shirts at his feet that shows no signs of slowing. Every shirt is wrong. Wrong pattern, wrong color, wrong cut. That's a fucking video tape and:]

That is the wrong fucking thread count!! GOD DAMNIT!!!

[He is now screaming (nearly unintelligibly) I want!! MY SHIRT!! with the exact same vibe he'd once screamed as he attacked a mini fridge. If counted, it takes four hundred and ninety nine shirts to get the correct shirt back. And not that he's paying any mind at all to the Zealots besides hurling words:]

You circus freaks are either going to help me find it or you can fuck right off!!! I'm DONE!

[Wrong shirt.]

Why don't you close your eyes, imagine yourself being actually fucking scary, and then open them and weep, you ASSCLOWN!!!

[Two wrong shirts, but closer to anyone who knows the shirt.]

That was my lucky shirt! I was on my way to WORK, you fermented ball sack! My friends gave me that!! Like you know what friends are with that face! Clive Barker called, he wants his whole thing back!

I'm gonna kick you in the dick so hard your vertebrae pop out like a goddamn Pez Dispenser!!

[Not a shirt, but that's a rain of vertebrae shooting across the backdrop if one chooses to look. Mike doesn't - he's too busy yelling.

Shirts flicker out of existence as new ones appear in his hands, and when that last one comes, he goes quiet as he examines it, the flurry and whirl of bloodmad monstrosities outside his shield growing hazier still. He looks up at the statue with a cold calm, his hands clenching and then releasing the fabric, somehow angrier now that he's bunched it up. So he holds it gently now as the wall he'd conjured flickers, fades, and reveals a floor emptied of Zealots - just that statue and its organ offerings. Its blood.

Before he's able to make any further move, there's a pale, pulsing glow that replaces the fading bubble, a pearlescent shimmer as Moon Presence ends this scene just shy of sacrifice, and he's suddenly in his small, messy room at the Sanguine Station, (standing in front of a whole wall of photographs - daughter, wife, brother, various combinations - in most of which his own face is blurry) - holding a bloodied hawaiian shirt - the very same he'd donned for his first day at his new job - which he has now missed.

He looks down at his omen, the screen, blinking. Delmira blinks back, and shuts her eyes, so it's only Mike's voice that asks, after a pause:]

iii: VOICE PUBLIC: omen: username: TENSKULLS/MIKE ENSLIN

How the fuck do I get blood out of a good shirt?

Looking for roommates

The Apartment: I don't have a place yet and don't know exactly how you get one, so I am sorry I cannot put a catchy tagline and information about that like the advertisement guide says.

The Roommate: My name is Kageyama Shigeo, I went to Salt Middle School but I haven't found any middles schools here yet either. Sometimes I played video games with my brother, that is a hobby. People have told me I am surprisingly reliable, so I will try to be a good roommate.

You: I don't really have a preference for what a roommate is like. A good person, I guess. My dad smokes sometimes so I don't really mind that, even if it smells bad.

When: Soon.

Contact: I don't know how to put a link for that yet, I'm sorry.

[The feed opens up to Johnny Lawrence staring at the screen like he isn't aware that it's currently life. He's looking incredible thoughtful as his fingers type down a message. It's... very uncharacteristically thoughtful of him. It would almost be hard to peg him as the same person if not for the occasional pause to take a swig of beer.

After a moment he stops. His eyes scan over the screen again as he carefully reads back what he's written. Then there's a little flick of annoyance that shifts to frustration.]

No this is stupid.

[He whacks the screen before standing up putting and shoving it aside lightly.]

You don't apologize. That shows weakness-

And there's no wea-

[The feed shuts off.]

[And a moment later another message comes through via text.]

Dear Robby,

I just wanted to apologize for what happened at Miyagi-Do the other day. I didn't want things to break into a fight, especially not like the one that did. I wanted to come and support you and what you had chosen to do. But I thought if I showed up in any sort of Eagle Fang gear it would be taken as a challenge. It turns out it did anyways as well an insult to your training ground.

All I can say is I'm sorry. You have every right to be mad at me.

If you can find it in your heart, don't blame Paul for this. He's a good kid who just got roped into the mess I made.

Johnny.

-

Dear Daniel LaRusso,

I'm sorry for the scene I caused at your dojo. I didn't mean any disrespect to Miyagi-Do and, I wasn't looking to reopen any can of worms between us.

I've been trying my best to support Robby and respect his wishes to give him space since he got here. And even though he told me that he'd be helping you reopen your dojo. It still hurt that he chose to stick by you instead of give me a chance to prove that I can be there for him.

It's why I showed up to the dojo in the fucking plumbers get up. I panicked and thought if I showed up doing anything karate related it'd be seen as disrespecting your dojo or a direct challenge to what you were doing.

Turns out it was both either way. Go fucking figure I'd screw it up that bad.

I'll do my best to keep my distance from your dojo. But don't blame Paul for this. He's a good kid and he just got pulled into my bullshit.

Johnny.

-

Dear Paul,

I'm sorry for dragging you into that mess. My relationship with Robby and LaRusso is a shit show on the best of days. And instead of owning up to that like a sensei should, I threw you into the middle of it. I put you in a position where you had to face the consequences of every bad decision I've made in my life. You didn't deserve that.

I keep telling you that I'm not going to fail you again. And then I go and do it all over again.

The way you stood up after all of that and apologized for what had happened. I just

I wish I could be half the man you were in that moment.

Don't blame LaRusso or Robby for what happened there. They were just trying to get at my while I hid behind you.

You're the real badass here.

Johnny

If I may have a moment of your time...

[Meaning, the network at large, apparently. Despite the tone, one of forced politeness, there's a definite note of annoyance there.]

... I assume the unique glowing effect is part of these 'blood types' I was informed of. However, what was not mentioned was how one deals with the inability to stop said glowing. It's grown tiresome at night, especially.

[Translation: Apparently I'm Paleblood and being your own nightlight sucks.]

How precisely do others manage this? I would appreciate any sort of advice, as I would like to sleep some time in the near future.

[ The broadcast seems to be coming from a Japanese-style garden, though with less greenery, given that it’s Trench. Some people might recognize the man standing in it as Daniel, though he’s not wearing his usual Trench getup, instead wearing a white karate gi, complete with headband. Next to him is a boy some people might recognize as Robby in a similar white gi.

It’s Daniel who speaks up first, his facial expression a relaxed smile. ]

Now, I know that there are a lot of people in this place who already offer help with fighting lessons. But this place can be so dangerous, and there are a lot of people here, so.. better to have too many opportunities to learn than too few, right? [ He shakes his head. ] That’s why I decided to open up the dojo I ran back home here as well, Miyagi-do Karate.

[ Yes, he’s gesturing an absolutely unnecessary amount as he speaks. It’s the Italian within him. ]

Miyagi-do isn’t about learning how to go around picking fights. It’s about learning how to defend yourself and how to protect others, while also focusing on your internal balance. All of which are invaluable skills in this place.

[ Daniel pauses, glancing at the boy standing besides him, before his smile widens a tad and he moves a hand to pat Robby’s shoulder. ]

I’m sure some of you might recognize my student Robby here. He’s been practicing Miyagi-do for a long time now [ never mind some stuff that’s being shoved under the rug here, sshhh ] and will be helping out around the dojo.

[ Robby has been quiet up to this point, letting Daniel speak without interruption, eyes cast in the man's direction without directly looking at him. But his lips roll when the hand falls on his shoulder, and his expression turns serious. ]

It's true we don't come from a world as dangerous as this one, or as many of you do, but the dojo will hold to its promise to help protect its students by passing on any knowledge and training that will give each one a better chance out there. I'll be helping to lead some beginner classes outside of weapons training, and I can give any advice to newcomers if you want to talk to someone closer to my age. [ Or theirs, perhaps, but same difference. ]

We welcome anyone from any of the other schools of fighting, just as we'd recommend that people go to others to find what works for them. Sensei Uchiha of the ninja school and Sensei Lawrence of Eagle Fang are good teachers with their own styles I can recommend, and if we can help alongside the other teachers here, that's our goal.

(ooc: daniel is the black text, robby the green text! ooc information can be found over here!)