Deer Country Network

sasuke and sakura

they are back in the sea


I’m sorry

[And that’s it. Sorry Trench, if you were expecting more information, he doesn’t have it to give. Partly because what do you even say to something like this? And partly because this is Melius we’re talking about and the guy barely does social interaction - let alone dealing with heavy news.]

[… time to wallow in a pile of succulents and misery!]

( 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 His general body language is tense and a bit withdrawn, and it isn't difficult to spot the way his hands literally tremble as he places them in his lap, or the way his voice shakes here and there at the edges.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.

ps the plants are not edible

do not eat

or cook

it is bad

and it is worse for men and elves because it is bad for me

[tl;dr: Melius tried to taste test the weird plants. It did not go well.]

alright my lil raptors!!! its ur fav person in the whole world w/ a few announcements!

and theyre pretty important so u better read up or there will be consequences!

( what's a raptor? don't worry, it's just a chicken from her world. she is basically calling all of you chickens.)

1. theres a girl here named chizuru. her un is lookingforshinsengumi for the record. shes my girl now so dont mess w/ her unless u want to watch ur step from when u wake up till u sleep!! if that doesnt get u, then be careful what u shove in ur mouth. u might burn it off!! 🔥 😊😊😊

2. id talk about the crazy ppl under trench but someone is already screaming about it so i dont have to!!!! good thing too so i can make room for more important matters.

3. THE CLINK N CLANK IS NOW OPEN!!! 💣💥💣💥💣💥💣💥💣💥💣💥💣💥💣💥

and whats the clink n clank? GLAD U ASKED EVERYONE!!

the clink n clank is the newest and the bestest shop here in trench. run by yours truly. i will make shit, repair shit, and im selling shit.

meaning weapons.

ill also break in any lock places u want me to do. i can repair other stuff too and make keys! im not free every day tho. a girls got a life u know. SO IF URE INTERESTED!!! just contact my other un CLINX!!!

guesssss thats it! dont get swallowed up down w/ the crazies!

[It's text. Why is it text? Because Melius has gone into hiding.]

[... Sort of. He's under his bed. Shhh, don't tell anyone.]



is it true theyre hunting

um



virgin blood ???

this
month???

is that true ??

Normally I prefer to speak face to face, but this will all have to be in text because I can't hear a thing.

Anyway, there are a couple of things I've documented this month that I think might be of assistance:

First, everything this month seems to be about working together, even working together with people you don't normally interact with. If you'd like to meet up in the Gaze to get to know someone new, I'm Uchiha Sakura.

[ She turns the video on to give a small bow to the network. ]

I'm happy to help anyone earn one of those bracelets.

Secondly, I think if enough people were to set our individual plots of land from the bracelets beside one another, we could actually culture a big garden, maybe with enough people we could create small farmland. Does anyone out there know anything about farming? My knowledge rests more with the medical properties of plants.

Finally, it seems like the focus of the blood changes this month are making people vulnerable in a way which requires them to rely on others. It seems best to support each other on a personal and interactive level, so that everyone's needs can be met.

There are worse things this place could push us towards than cooperation with one another. I hope I can help facilitate that in any way possible.

[ While he's trying his best to keep up his usual even, monotone façade, anyone who pays attention to detail will notice that Sasuke's looking a little more on edge. Maybe disoriented, even.

He clears his throat slightly before speaking. ]

For those who have been learning taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu, I may need to put lessons on hold temporarily. I've been having... memory lapses and apologize to those who may have come to the dojo and waited for nothing.

I will pick up lessons and take on any interested new students once I feel more like myself.

[ He frowns, his hand reaching up to rub at his temple, the way one does when they're getting a headache behind their eyes. ]

Unrelated: if I'm understanding the timeline correctly, those of us who have been here the longest would be coming up around a year in this place. Given the influences of the moons and seasons leaving the possibility for repetition, what sort of things were happening this time last year? What should those of us who arrived after be prepared for?

Everyone.. good day.

[ Chizuru's voice is gentle, like the last times she spoke over these devices. But unlike those times, this time she isn't actually visible, speaking over an audio-only feed. ]

So.. it seems that there are at least a few people dealing with losing senses, right? I heard some people talking about it.. And it seems that I'm one of the affected people as well. [ There's a vague hint of worry in her tone that the girl can't quite suppress. Losing a sense had been terrifying when it happened, but it's at least a faint relief it's not just something that's happening to her. ] I haven't been able to see anything for a few days now..

Which is why I wanted to ask.. is there anyone who has found a good way to deal with it yet? Or maybe someone who's used to not seeing anything.. I've had some help from my Omen, but it's been really tough to try to do the things I always do like this.

[ This is the closest Chizuru would ever come to admitting she needs help. Clearly the only way she can do it is by toning it down and only ask for advice rather than direct help. Because god forbid she's a burden on anyone. ]

Or does anyone know how long this will last? This entire month, or.. maybe longer than that? I guess no one can know for sure, but maybe someone has a good guess. I know there are a lot of smart people here..

[ Her voice trails off. The girl clearly sounds troubled at this point, but maybe that's why she just quickly wraps it up with: ]

Thanks to everyone who listened to these questions.

how do you do magic if you're not a mage

fake magic for not mages?

where do you buy meat for dogs

[These are not, in fact, incorrectly-aimed omni searches, this is simply how local not-a-mage Carver Hawke chooses to communicate. He has all the grace and poise of a preteen trying to google puberty, when it comes to Doing a Magic, but he also doesn't know how to be anonymous, so here he is.

Also if you've ever received a message from a one Palamedes Sextus and are wondering what's up with this severely different un: warden post, oopsie doodle? The click-through userid is different, if you make the effort to check.]

[ She's a blushing little ball of happiness. ]

Happy Birthday, Sasuke-kun!

[ It kind of sounds like a private message, but it's not. How else is she supposed to let all his friends know that it's his birthday? ]

Oh...uhm...I meant to make that private. [ Such LIES... ] But since, it's not, and the cat is out of the bag, I might as well let all his friends know it's Sasuke-kun's twentieth birthday today! You should all wish him a very happy birthday...and then hide me until this blows over.

[ there's a new arrival to trench. when he speaks, there's a hint of fang peeking out from his mouth. other than that, he seems rather ordinary, save for the pale golden eyes and his clothing — though it'd fit right into trench's stylistic choices. ]

I wish to know . . . what kind of life have you chosen to build here? And why? What do you seek out of it?

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the surrounding areas. The places beyond Trench. I'm thinking about doing some traveling and was curious to see if I could get some information while I make a plan.

So just a couple of quick questions.

How far have people traveled? And idea of miles would be particularly helpful. Are there any specific risks to be aware of? And what advice would you offer?

I think that should cover it.

Oh and thank you in advance!

[Tory flips on her Omni. Behind her sits a black and gold dragon that is roughly the size of an ostrich. Judging by Tory’s calm body language, it’s clear that the dragon is not a beast, but rather, her omen.]

I’m looking for name suggestions for a female dragon. I thought about calling her either Kindness or possibly Thoughts and Prayers, but I should probably consider something more serious, too.

[Much as she appreciates the sarcastic humour of the names, with people here from so many different worlds, it’s a joke that would probably be lost on most people here.]

Also, I was able to make bug spray with my powers. If you’ve got something to trade, you can have some.

[There’s a short pause before she adds one final thing.]

By the way, if you threaten to cut out someone’s tongue because they said some mean words you didn’t like? You’re a bigger asshole than them. Go touch grass.

So. Little Trenchlets. I've been here for awhile- [She has been here four days]- and it's hard to keep track of all these people I keep hearing about. So many rumors flying about and it's all so fucking juicy.

So, I'm alone, horny for context, and ready to show mine if you show me yours.

I heard there was a huge party thrown at a house in gaze. A bunch of teens drinking, doing drugs, and kissing with tongues that they just don't know how to use, and providing uninteresting details about alien worms. Completely trashed the place.

Even worse, I heard they robbed the man who let them into his house. Thankfully, he'd warded the objects so if you see a shifty-looking kid or two with their hand blown off, now you know why! There's a moral lesson in there... probably.

Now it's your turn. You don't even have to sign your name. I'm that thirsty for the D(eets).

((Feel free to have your character post "anonymously" about rumors they may have heard about events or themselves in the trench or rumors they want to make up! I highly encourage threadjacking and silliness. Of course, keep it IC, civil, and consider asking permission from others if you think you should.))

[As opposed to her more...domestic and at-home pursuits, Bella is actually outside during this particular network video. More than that, she's grimy, covered in grease and oil, with her hair in a messy ponytail and smudges on her face and clothes.

The reason for this becomes clear as she flips the feed to reveal her beloved '63 Chevy pick-up truck. It's...definitely seen better days, even more so because it's covered in the bloody residue from one of the blood blisters around town bursting.

Flipping the image back to her grim face, Bella looks deadly serious.] I don't know if anyone else had like...cars or bikes come with them, but if you have any experience or...any ideas on how to get blood out of an engine, that'd be great.

[Quietly, to the car:] You're not quitting on me, not after all this time...

[What has turned Melius' omni on ... is not human. Or even a big lizard. It's a bat-like wing, attached to a cat-sized dragon. His omen, actually. Her eyeball takes up a big potion of the screen until she decides it's turned on for real. Then she scrambles backward, walking like a bat on legs and wing.]

Haas! [She squawks.] Haasaan hofkah!

[Does she care no one can understand her? Nope. Not a bit. She scrambles backward further, until Melius can be seen.]

[At a counter. In what looks like a shop of some kind. He's working very carefully with a mortar and pestle, temporarily ignoring his Omen's chatter. Until, at least, she turns to him and yells:]

DOVAHKIIN!

[Then, the Argonian jumps like a scared cat, floundering where he stands until his brain reboots itself. He looks to the dragon. Then to the Omni. And for a split second, debates the merits of diving behind the counter, out of sight. Instead... he just meekly waves a hand.]

Um. Hi. Uh. This... this is... Potion Hut? I... I make potions. Um.

Bye!

[Then he does duck away. Leaving his omen to cut the video feed. How's that for a business advertisement? It's not great, but hey, the Potion Hut really is open for business!]

[ 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.

[ Sasuke thought about asking this through text. He likely should have, because his emotions have been strong lately, a lot stronger than he wants them to be, and his anger has been nearly as quick and hot as it was when he was on his path of revenge. But it feels cheap somehow to ask such an important question via text. He can't do video due to his eyes, so he tries to keep his voice even to conceal just how much this question means to him.

The feed is silent for a little longer than is probably natural, but he's still figuring out how to us his omni, so. Y'know. Be gentle here.

Finally, it picks up a sigh that almost sounds annoyed. ]

How did the world treat orphans where you're from? Was there an age where someone was considered a child versus an adult? Were there children who were considered unworthy of help or were the rules in place blanketed towards all children?

[ There's a pause where he realizes he should make it seem like this is less about, y'know, him, and more about curiosity on how to help kids here maybe. Uhhhh... ]

... Would there be things from your world that you would want to see offered to the children in this one?

[ Sal appears on video, for a moment he's perhaps a touch too close as he peers through his omni. Once he leans back and fully comes into view there's just some masked dude with a mess of blue hair staring into your souls. He has an odd looking guitar on his lap, and when he speaks his voice is slightly muffled and raspy.]

So, sup. I'm Sal, but everyone calls me Sally Face. [ He gives a small wave. ] To cut to the chase; I play guitar. So if anyone needs and or knows who needs someone who can shred it, or maybe gently shred it — I don't know, hit me up?

While I'm here, what's everyone's favorite kinda music? Any recommendations? This might be the most ridiculous thing to say given literally everything about this situation but I could use somethin' to do. Which isn't really a bad thing. It's a nice break. But, you know...[ He's just going to cap this off with a vague handwave as he trails off...he's been a bit isolated for a while, forgive the awkward. ]

[ But! Instead of just making everyone take his word for it that he knows what he's doing he decides to strum out a few notes as an example. A very energetic, alternative rock tune that might sound slightly familiar to some.

He's totally playing a rock version of Mary Had a little Lamb. He panicked, okay! ]

Um.

[Wow, it's a rare show of video from Melius. The Argonian is sitting on the beach, in the cold, at his little tent. A lizard, in the cold. But he doesn't seem at all bothered by it.]

[He shifts where he sits, and then just. Straight up thrusts a basket of mushrooms at the camera.]

I was - I was um. [He ducks his head, hiding behind the basket.]

I know mushrooms! Really well! I um - if you need! To know! I can - I can tell you!

Goodbye!

[He shuts it off, right there.]

[... basically, Melius is offering his services as a mushroom expert. With a lot more anxious yelling than necessary.]