Deer Country Network

Hi, everyone! In case we haven't met, this is Manabu Yuuki. [brief, little wave.]

I've been doing a lot of research about the world outside of this city, and me and a few others went out to check out the perimeter...you know, past the Waystation and that nasty salt lake. There's a west-facing road out there that just...gets swallowed up by the forest.

But it is a road.

[...]

I want to go out there. See if there's not another town somewhere. This isn't the nightmare, after all...we're on a whole planet. And we can't be the only ones.

I'm not going out there alone, though: It's crawling with monsters, day and night. So I need backup. A lot of backup. Basically... I need some combat-veteran explorers willing to go out there and see if we can't find where that road leads...or used to lead.

We'll need a lantern, too. And lots of incense. That way, if it's too crazy, we can at least put a new waypoint down for future efforts, you know?

So... So that's it. If you're interested, let me know. I can send you the details if you're serious about it, and we can set out later in the week. Before any...monthly weirdness can kick up, hopefully.


[ooc sign-ups/questions here]

[Good—uh, morning? Evening?—day to you, Trench. Were you possibly in need of someone's new pet prodding around with their Omni? If you weren't, too bad, because now there's an Oshawott clearly playing with her new trainer's Omni, experimenting with it the way a rather bright kid would, and also giving a close view of the inside of Leon's place: a sparsely-decorated living room that doesn't have very many personal touches, but does have a stack of library books open on the table, with an open notebook, a page half-filled with Leon's handwriting.

Leon's legs come into view first, as the Oshawott is trying to figure out the best angle on the device to take a video from. His wry voice comes in from off-screen:] At this rate, I'm going to have to get you your own device, if you're going to keep using mine to take pictures.

[Then Leon bends down, taking the Omni from his Oshawott's grasp, and says:] Oh, you figured out how to record a video? Smart of you, Barbra.

[Out of frame, Barbra the Oshawott coos at the praise.]

Right. [Leon looks into the camera now.] I might as well. Anyone on the network know what she is? She showed up in my apartment a little after I left the catacombs last month, and I've been looking after her ever since. I'd appreciate the help—my best guess is that she's a sea otter of some kind, but as you might be able to tell, she's a little too brightly-colored to be any kind of otter I know of.

Also, when I tried to baby-proof my place so she wouldn't hurt herself, she did this.

[And he shows the remains of the baby gate he'd put up at the base of the stairs. It's been cut neatly in half, and the culprit doesn't even look guilty about it, just hops onto the first stair with a smug air to her movements.]

So I ruled out "sea otter" pretty quickly. Which leaves me back at square one, on figuring out just what she is.

[A pause.]

Oh, I also wanted to ask: I haven't seen daylight since April started. It's a little concerning—should I be even more worried?

[The video opens on the smiling, eye-patch-wearing face of Kaeya Alberich. He looks cheerful enough, but more than that, there is something decidedly smug about his expression too. Not that that’s surprising, given who he is as a person. And besides, he has excellent reason to be smug at the moment.]

Tell me friends, are you the gambling types? Ever make any interesting bets or wagers that you won? Or, maybe more interestingly, lost? I’d love to hear your stories.

[Kaeya’s one visible eye is near sparkling.] You see, I’ve recently entered into such a bet. And I won, of course. Isn’t that right, Diluc?

[The view pans to the narrow shouldered Diluc Ragvindr with his arms crossed over his chest. A white cloak with a soft fluffy ruff. An open shirt that shows off his well-muscled chest that’s marred by scars. In short, he’s wearing Kaeya’s clothes. He sighs and pushes away from the wall, walking towards the Omni.]

Yes, and now you get to have your fun until two weeks are up.

[Despite his words he doesn’t seem all that bothered by Kaeya gloating. He seems quite calm and aloof as ever..]

As I told you, you wear this better. [Then he focuses on the view.] My questions are different from his. What interesting things have you discovered here?

[Kaeya laughs and lifts one shoulder in a shrug.] I don’t know, I think you pull it off quite well. I’m sure everyone would agree. [Right? Right everyone?]

[since her last video sansa has created a backdrop featuring several ravens surrounding a weirwood tree to match the one in her window. she has also acquired a blood hound, who wears a tan leather harness intricately carved with weirwood branches resembling antlers. it says 'knight.' lady is also in frame, on her other side. she wears a collar embroidered with grey velvet scales to match sansa's grey linen and scale mail dress. a black batkitten and white raven might be occasionally glimpsed wheeling around overhead. her hair is only half up, braided back and tied, and it is possible to discern its vivid shade of red.]

Hallo, for those of you that don't know me, I'm called Alayne Stone. [for now.] A blood hound has recently come into my care and I've since discovered he is capable of pulling the corruption from the blood of people just as well as he pulls pollution from the blood in the ground. As the blood blisters seem to be decreasing in number of late I would ask that anyone suffering from corruption visit us, or tell me where you are so that I might bring him to you, as he doesn't seem to eat anything else. You might ask the lantern imps for the Rookery, or seek out the weirwood in Cellar Door.

[you will find a banner in another window with a handsome portrait of knight and the pronouncement 'blood hound cleanses your blood of corruption free of charge.']

I believe this could be a great help in maintaining the health of our city. He's called Knight, and he is not very friendly, but I promise you he won't bite.

[she furrows her brow, trying not to frown overmuch.]

Is it...usual here, for the sun not to rise?

[the weather is definitely getting warmer, despite the lack of sunlight, but it is concerning. even if it is not the long night, it seems like this would be bad for the crops? she doesn't want to be the one to bring up rations, but they are already on her mind.]

( 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…

[CW: Talk of violence, bloodshed, murder.]

( Can a monster ever stop being a monster? )

[Hope you don’t mind Shaky Cam, Trench! Because that’s what you’re getting. A shaky cam shot of the beach. In January. There’s snow and ice all over the place. Frozen chunks of ocean waves lapping at the shore, a cold wind whipping up sand and the occasional bit of sleet. The Wakers are dressed in so many layers, they kind of look like puffballs. In other words, it is COLD. Who in their right mind, aside from said Wakers, would be out in this kind of weather? In this climate?]

Make sure it’s recording! Lance! Make sure it’s recording!

[... oh.]

[That’s who. A pair of fools.]

[Lance’s face comes close to the camera from the side. Those who know him will recognize that he looks four years younger, like he’s actually slept and has no more scars on his face. He’s squinting with his hand on his chin as he examines the Omen that he’s already learned can do things like this (Omen told him himself, which was super cool).]

Dude, it’s a coyote, how am I supposed to–? [A deep, third voice from the ‘cameraman’ interrupts:] I am recording.

Oh. Why didn’t you say so earlier–?! Nevermind- [He turns to look over his shoulder at where Shiro is with his hover bike.] he’s recording! Did you tell the ladies over there to check out the show?

[The camera moves to get Shiro and Lance as well as a group of teenage Trenchie girls in the background in the shot and though he is turned slightly away from his omen, Lance can be seen waving at them and shooting finger guns. Sparkles practically fly off his teeth as he grins and the girls wave back and yell ‘hiii!’.]

[Shiro’s expression flickers between what and that mild teen annoyance slightly older teenagers get at their younger counterparts. He’s still his eighteen year old self, hair all black, scar free, two human hands pushing his goggles onto his face.]

You talk to the girls, I’ll pass. [Dramatic eyeroll.] Come on! Get up here and drive!

[Drive… the hover bike. Which is parked suspiciously close to the ocean. The nose is even pointed out on the half-frozen water. He gestures to Lance to come take the driver’s seat, while he starts clambering up onto the front of the bike. Surely they aren’t going to…]

Aw heck yeah! Come on Valor, keep up and get the money shots! [Lance hops into the driver’s seat as Shiro gets on the front, eager to impress the younger version of his hero, and then he addresses the ‘camera’ or rather, the audience he expects to have, like this is some YouTube stunt channel, or an episode of Jackass.]

Feast your eyes everyone! And ladies~ – we are two of the best pilots on earth, your boys Lance and Shiro, and we’re gonna pull off some of the craziest stunts on a hoverbike ever attempted! Get ready to have your minds blooooown [Lance makes explosion sounds with his mouth and brings his hands up to his head to motion mind blowing, then brings them back to the bike and revs the engine.] Ready, Shiro?

Oh, more than ready. [While Lance has been, understandably, playing the showman, Shiro’s gotten himself crouched up on the nose of the bike. Arms spread, legs bent, like he’s fully intending to surf on the bike while Lance drives.] I’ve got another record to set -

Hit it, Lance!

[Somehow, he’ll manage to stay on, when Lance hits the throttle. He definitely will not stay on his feet, though. The first hard turn, he’ll likely fall with a painfully loud THUD, and then grip the actual nose to stay on. But… he’s laughing? He’s clearly having the time of his life, holding onto his bike like he’s a giant human koala.]

Faster!

You got it!

[Valor, the coyote Omen is able to sprout wings and fly to keep pace with them so he’s absolutely getting those epic shots of Shiro on the nose of the bike and Lance in the driver’s seat. And as Lance goes faster, he goes for some fun stunts, swerving and tilting the hover bike in various ways. And with Shiro on the nose obscuring part of his view and his focus on trying to be impressive with his flying/driving skills, he ends up taking the bike out over the water. And it’s then that he goes too far with the stunt he tries. The bike spins out and then flips over, dumping the two of them in the frigid waters with a yell. Valor, the omen keeps filming and sits right at the water’s edge where they both pop out of the ice cold ocean, shivering and wet. Lance takes a moment to notice his Omen is still recording and he sputters.]

That- that was totally the plan! …R-right, Shiro?!

– Right! Yeah! [It’s hard to talk when your teeth are chattering so hard.] It - Ice! Ice bucket! It’s a giant ice bucket! Ch-hallenge!

Yeah! T-to raise money for- for… Charity!

[There’s a pause. A teeth-rattling pause.]

Yeah! Charity! For the o-orphans!

[Nice save, guys. There’s a long pause, again as Lance looks over at Shiro sidelong, almost nonchalant, but then turns a bit sly...]

...Bet you I can stay in the ice water the longest.

[And the video cuts out.]

Attention Trench:
1. If you need a safe place to go with less pollution, the safehouses are up and running. I put a map here. They have masks to filter the air and most of them have incense.
2. If you have spare incense, the safehouses could use more. Also, non-perishable food.
3. Wear a mask. Seriously. Yes, all the time.
—Mako

4. If you end up encountering any of those weird cultist people. I'm going to teach you my Uncle Qrow's method of escaping an encounter like this. It might not prevent you from getting kidnapped but it'll help you fight them off with weird psych out Mistral violence.

Just chew up one of these mushrooms that I found that makes you foam at the mouth—it'll make them think you have rabies and throw them off their rhythm. Then you grab a telephone book and beat them on the torso with it. Because as any cop will tell you, phonebooks don't leave bruises.
—You're Pal, Ruby Rose

[ Attached at the end of the post is a map with safehouses marked in each district. One is the Raccoon Room, anyone who's volunteered their house will be on there, and several are out in the farmlands beyond Trench itself. One is in the woods.

Edited in a minute later: ]

Don't listen to Ruby. No cop will tell you that. Phonebooks definitely leave bruises.
—Mako

((ooc: both Mako & Ruby will be responding! action prompt in the comments for anyone interested. ))

There's no tree or field when you die this time
You just go from one moment before and then after with your body doing horrible things

The ghost part might be the same though

Shouldn't need to say it but try not to get yourselves killed if you can
I don't know what comes after as a consequence

My name is Nehan-- I'm researching how medicine works here, and how to merge it with the methods I'm used to. If my research goes well, for instance, I will be able to act as a doctor and pharmacist, among other roles found here.

To that end, I'm requesting samples of blood from fellow Sleepers. I understand it can be quite personal, so whoever does not want to do that need not respond. Those who do, so I can perform the phlebotomy myself, and can privately send you my address, and answer questions you may have.

Whoever wants to help but doesn't want a needle in their arm, I still have a job for you, if anyone is interested.

[very straight to the point, almost unwelcomingly so. but at least people know what they're getting into if they decide to deal with him?]

[On the video is a boy, who looks no older than fifteen at the most. He's smiling at the video but there's something unsettling about it. Perhaps because it's a little cheeky, like he knows something that no one else does. Or perhaps because there's the smallest tinge of sourness to his expression. Depends on how you want to read it.

Either way, you might find it just a little unsettling.]

Tell me. What is our purpose here? To survive, of course, as all living things try to do. But they must have greater expectations for us. Especially after they helped us regain our form. Surely, someone has made expectations known.

["Hmmm."]

Or did you have a purpose back home and now must find a new one? Are you happy to be freed from it? Or do you hope you can return to fulfill it?

Or is being here the opportunity to find a purpose for yourself? One that you never had before but always wanted? Or does this place put new burdens on you?

[The unsettling smile lasts a few more seconds before he pulls back from the feed, leaning back casually in a chair waiting for answers like he just asked what their favorite breakfast cereal was for a shopping suggestion instead the rather prodding line of questioning he actually asked.]

I'm quite interested to know!

Good evening, all. I think this is what is termed a 'bandwagon.' However, as I imagine we will all be busy dead, dying, or in the process of resurrecting soon, I thought I had better commit before October.

I'm opening a bakery and sweets shop.

[Lysithea pans the camera to a table that is covered with pans filled with dozens of buns, cakes, and confections of different colors. It really looks extremely well done. One would imagine that Lysithea applies herself with the same intensity to any task she undertakes.]

Everything will be sourced from traditional Fódlan desserts, passed down through family histories and collected by hand in this book. I've realized that if I'm not the one who makes these treats, I'm... never going to taste them again. So I thought I should share.

[The view changes to an enormous tome currently open to a page titled Saghert and Cream in script prominently displaying a luscious picture of some kind of fruit and cream concoction. It really looks like this was drawn by hand.]

I'm baking from my room for now. If you want anything here, you can drop by or I'll bring it over. If you want delivery, you've got to get at least a dozen, because frankly, I'm not running all over town to give you one sweet bun. I'll open a proper location when it's not Death Month.

...Thanks.

[She signs off after a moment's awkward hesitation, as if she's not sure what to do next.]

[video pt 2, ten minutes later]

It's -- me again. Upon further reflection, I have no idea how to run a business, at all, apart from the portion where you confidently declare it in public.

I would... appreciate advice.

And help. If you are willing to be paid in cake.

Hello Trench,

This is Flynn Scifo. Some of you may be aware that a week ago, I was killed at the Gate. After five days, I appear to be back and whole, with minimal scars. I thought it important to let everyone know that death is as impermanent here as I am told it was in the dream many of you awoke from.

I owe this largely to Yuri Lowell. He took care of my body while it did what seems to have been necessary to bring me back. While we must hope that this does not happen to anyone else, if it does, please do your best to keep any remains nearby and in a safe place. It's not clear what would have happened had Yuri not done that.

No matter how strong the call of the Gate, it is not worth your life. Stay away, and if you find yourself in a situation you don't think you will survive, please, call for help.

Hopefully, this information is useful as we head into what I am also told was a difficult and dangerous time in the past.

Please stay safe.

-Flynn

cw: grief, talk of death, suicidal thoughts, language

[ The feed clicks on to ragged breathing, too close to the Omni ]

Who the hell killed Flynn? Some guy with a light sword. Give me names.

[ Yuri's voice is low and rough, somehow both heated and emotionless. His emotional state has been degrading since Flynn's omen led him to Flynn's corpse. He growls and there's rustling over the Omni ]

If you killed him, be at the Gate at midnight.

Uh, hey. Mako here.

[ Nailing it so far, right? Mako's standing in front of a half-blue, half-green wall, dotted with small lunar sconces. Everything looks kind of dusty and half-finished, and the watery afternoon light illuminates yet more dust drifting around him.

Notably, a small dragon, red-scaled and content, is draped over his shoulders like a scarf, watching the Omni with bright eyes.

Mako glances momentarily off the screen, mouths something, and then looks back, clearing his throat. ]

It's come to my attention that a lot of you have been setting things on fire left and right since we washed up here. Obviously, this is dangerous to you and the people around you. If that's you, you need to make an effort to control it immediately before something worse than singeing your clothes happens.

For those of you who just washed up, I'm a firebender. That means I can do—

[ He holds up his left hand (scarred with strange marks) in front of himself and splays his fingers, making a small puff of fire appear and hold over his palm. It flickers there like a candle flame, dancing between Mako's fingers, before he drags it in a small arc and lets it go out. ]

—that, and—

[ Another flick of his fingers, this time producing little purple-bright sparks that zap between the tips and then dissipate. ]

—that. And a lot more.

So. If you need help learning to control your powers, and you do, come to the Raccoon Room in Cellar Door on Wednesdays. You'll see the sign. I've been doing this since I was a kid. Anyone else who wants to help, feel free to drop by too.

[ Finally, he looks up, his serious expression dropping just slightly. ]

Trust me. If a bunch of snotty six-year-olds back home can learn how to do it, you can.

[ The little dragon huffs in agreement, fire puffing out of its nose, and Mako reaches forward to cut the feed. ]

 Ah, so that's how it works. What a smart bunny you are...

[Oz brushes off his black overcoat, otherwise facing the 'camera' forward. He has finally figured out his Omni with the help of a rabbit omen. His smile and demeanor are quite bright and borderline childish after he bows towards the camera;]

Good day, everyone~! Wow, does this little jewel really have moving pictures? And I thought Uncle Oscar's camera has exciting... I have so much to catch up on that I don't even know where to sta~rt.

Oh but where are my manners? That's a good starting point, huh? I'm Oz Vessalius! From what I'm hearing, it seems I'm suuper new here! Anyone else in the same boat? I've never been a squid before and I don't know what the Trenches are, AND I don't know what to call this little Jewel.

[His energy levels come under control quite suddenly; His smile maintained and childish demeaner tucked away for a more serious conversation topic.]

From what I've gathered, this isn't the first time that some of you were taken away from home. It's going to be hard for me to make informed choices about the situation if I'm not informed. And I can't be helpful if I don't know what I'm doing, hm?

[Bubbly persona resumes;] Soooo WHOOO~ wants to fill me iiiin? Oooh~ We can even make a date out of it~! Sounds great, right?

TESTING TESTING

Man, I hope this works. Okay. Here goes!

Greetings to the city of Trench, the survivors of the Nightmare, and any of you that just apparently washed up here with no connection to any of this. My name is Dipper Pines and I have a few very important questions for everyone. Firstly:

Sup?

And secondly:

Tell me about your blood. As much detail as you can! What color is it, what’s it do, is it reactive to anything? Does it smell funny? Does it taste weird? Anything you’ve noticed!

Thanks!

PS - I think I’m gonna change my username, so if you see responses from “Alcaid”, that’s still me.