Deer Country Network

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( a picture is worth a thousand words.)

[ The image is that of young man with longish white hair that's been pulled back in a low ponytail. Seventeen or eighteen maybe, with a bright red mark on his face that looks somewhere between a scar and a tattoo as much as it stems from a mark that's also halfway between a star or an inverted pentagram. Garishly out of place on an otherwise pale and muted complexion and gentle face. ]

With a lot of the city shut down because of the snow, if there's anyone having trouble finding food or shelter, Sanctuary in Crenshaw will be helping whoever it can. It might not be much, but it can be a meal or warm bed for the night. [ And hope everyone likes fish, because there's a lot of that that's been salted and stockpiled. But also a lot of baked things served with some of the corruption-cleansing jams from earlier in the year.

Which, anyone who already volunteers there... you can bet you were already cheerfully accosted and asked to help, soup kitchen style. ♥ It's a team effort. ✧ Either that or clearing snow; it's a big place... albeit warm itself this month, and shining like a jewel from the lunar lighting and heating within. The renovated Moon Presence monastery seems to be taking the blindingly bright bone moon and reflecting it back in a gentler manner for anyone inside. ]

There isn't a cost. Just try to help out however you can when you're able.

[ He pauses, about to leave it at that but hesitating. Expression still neutrally polite and composed, but... flickering for a moment. ]

...if anyone would like to help closer to when Christmas would normally be, it'd be nice to do something special for the orphanage as well. Maybe donate some presents for them. 

[ That's it. He'll just quietly leave it at that. ] 

[ 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!)

( This is not Peter Graham, though of course, posting anonymously takes away that possibility. The user didn't want to use the boy's network handle, to inevitably be seen through the filter of "Not Peter."

The user is trying to define his own identity. )

why did you choose your title here on this THING
what is the meaning
?
?

( ...Texting is still something he struggles with, though the demon has been watching and learning and forming his own conclusions on how to do it. Autocorrect is a life-saver. Two questions get two question marks. ....Even if they go in the wrong place. )

i will grant you a
GOLDEN COIN
if you
RESPOND

( ...For those who know Paimon fairly well, that particular offer of exchange might betray who he is. But the demon of Knowledge is curious to hear reasons, and within them: perhaps stories, memories, self-perceptions. There is a meaning to everything, whether simple or complex.

And perhaps by the end of it, he will know what title he would give himself, here on the network. )

( This question has felt like a long time coming. After everything that's happened, they can't help but want to be able to do more for themselves. The question they ask is something that they want to do purely for defensive purposes, not really for offensive ones. They've hurt others before to a lethal extent. They don't want to do that again.

They want to protect their friends, and themselves. They've been killed here once before as it is. )

There's a lot of people here that can fight really well.

Are there others here who can teach people how to do that?

[ Green = Midoriya | Blue = Murderbot | None = Locals ]

Beasts can be people. I had to see if there was a person in there. That's why I used a Moon Drop on the Bugge.

Waste of a Moon Drop... Just kill it like we all do, Deku. [ The voice comes from a grizzled Hunter with their hand on their hilt. ]

[ Midoriya isn't filming this. He and a group of farmers are the subject of this onlooker's stream. A few Hunters are interspersed with them, identifiable by the badges that match Midoriya's own. They know him by his Hero name, Deku. His green Hero gear is lightly stained with his own warmblood. He's bruised and exhausted, but anyone familiar with him knows that he'd be much more injured if he actually came off worse in a fight. ]

If there's a chance I can save someone without killing, I have to try.

These are my crops! The blood of the Bugge enriches them, don't you understand? I have to feed my children! [ A farmer brandishes their harvesting sickle. ]

I--I'm sorry. If you need help, I--Please, let me help. There has to be another way. There are other ways to make the soil better, just--we can figure this out together--

[ Several people in the crowd push forward, and Midoriya flinches with a step back in time with them. He can feel several stabs of alarm in his head. It evokes multiple memories of a group of people ganging up on him, and he's not good at using words to defend himself. He wants nothing more than to wrap his arms around his head and not look at them, but these are people he wants to protect. He has to face them. ]

Congratulations, you are being streamed live to DeerNet. Don't do anything you'd regret.

[ The voice is flat and even, near emotionless but with a slight edge to it. If anyone looks at their relic, it is streaming with a one second delay. ]

[ OOC: replies will come from Murderbot and Midoriya ]

Salutations!

My name is Tenya Iida and before my arrival here I was previously enrolled at the preeminent educational institution called UA, which is one of the premier schools meant to hone our techniques and enrich our education in not only the matter of Heroics but also the general enlightenment that most High Schools are required to provide. The reason for making this post is to have a single directive to look at instead of having to search various messages to answer my questions. I humbly ask for your patience and to answer a few questions. The first question of mine would be: where does one go when they wish to continue their education? The next question would be, where is the best place to find residence?

I have also come to an understanding that monetary remuneration has no value here, so I am also offering my services in lieu of payment. I am uniquely gifted with the special ability called a quirk and my quirk is named Engine. Engine is a mutant-based quirk, which means it is a permanent alteration on my body. In my case, my quirk provides my family along with myself with engine-like protrusions somewhere on our bodies that allow us to move at extraordinary speeds. I am offering to provide quick delivery services or to provide someone with a combat-trained guardian of sorts.

CONTENT WARNING: psychological changes, hoarding, and obsessive behavior related to lavish desires

[ this video opens up with the blink of two eyes and a disgruntled chitter. perle is filming falco and focusing on . . . quite a mess of books in various assortments, stacked upon each other until they were in danger of tilting. among the open spines on the floors pinned with bookmarks were scrolls of paintings, sketches, statues, sepia photography— anything resembling a loving relationship, falco has seemed to have snatched it and keeps it all hostage in his little cabin home's attic like a greedy little dragon buried in precious, hoarded gold. he's pacing left, right, and has been caught mid-explanation as he works a red thread between his fingers. ]

( he rambles and an omen goes ham )

[It took...a while for Ochako to find the courage to really start acting like herself again after all of what happened in July. Thankfully, she has some amazing friends, an absolutely wonderful boyfriend that she would do anything for, and is as resilient as she is stubborn. Moping about and feeling remorseful will get her nothing, she has to act if she wants things to get better, so this is exactly what she's doing today, despite how she's still very nervous and really, really ashamed still. The things she did and said, the people she hurt, the one she killed... That's going to weigh heavy on her for much longer than just a month. But the first step to growing and moving on is to address and confront it. To apologize.

So the video opens up with Ochako sitting in presumably her living room, which...anyone who knows her, or has been to her and Bakugou's home before, will notice is different. Different wall colors, different arrangement of furniture, just...overall different. But she makes no note of that. Instead, she just puts on a sheepish smile to the camera and bows lightly.]

Ehehe...hello, everyone. It's been a while since I posted to the network, ne? S-Some here in Trench might know me, but I bet a lot of others don't. My name is Uraraka--...um! O-Or Ochako, if you're from the Western hemisphere of Earth. [She rubs the back of her head, mussing up her hair a little. Anyone who knows her would know, again, this is a nervous tic Ochako has. She clears her throat and laughs awkwardly.] Last month was, eeh...p-pretty crazy, huh? I know I went, um...pretty crazy. Myself.

[Her smile falls, and so does her hand in her hair, settling into her lap as Ochako sighs. She then sets her omni down on the floor she's kneeling on, looking rather somber all of a sudden as she takes a deep breath in and out, as if preparing herself.]

It's true it wasn't really me, that it was all part of The Reckoning's...stuff, but. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, and I couldn't have tried harder to fight it. Neither does it make anything better, because it was still my body, my voice, that did and said all those things. So, I just...I--

I want to apologize. To everyone I hurt in some way. I am...deeply sorry, for everything.

[She gazes downward, and then bows as low as she can, a full dogeza. Ochako said nasty things, physically and emotionally hurt people she considers very friends. She even went and killed someone in cold blood at some point, among other things. She can still see the blood, hear the breaking of a neck, the splatter of a body on hard ground... Those thing's can't be erased, but she can at least admit they happened, and apologize for them. It's the first thing to do before she starts trying to make amends for it.

She rises, just for a moment, before bowing back down again.]

And to those that helped me overcome...thank you. Even if it was just for a moment, you really saved me. I'm grateful.

CW: Violence against a teen, past child abuse and neglect

( The fairest of them all was certainly not looking that way today. )

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.

[ The video starts out with a stoic looking Shouto staring at the camera. His omen isn't exactly the type to sit still these days thanks to a recent setback involving a nightmare demon, so he gets straight to the point while she's in one of her rare moods. ]

My name is Todoroki Shouto. I can generate ice. 

[ To demonstrate, he raises his right hand and - CHINK! - a pillar of ice bursts forth rising beyond the recording's view. Shaking off the frost from his hand, he continues. ]

Heatwaves in my country lead to many hospitalizations every summer. They're especially difficult for the elderly, so I'm offering ice to anyone who needs it, and ice shelters for those who can't get to a Cooling Center in Trench. 

[ The camera angle abruptly turns 90 degrees when his omen turns on her back, head tilting sideways, watching him curiously. ]

I'll be patrolling through the city during peak hours offering ice to local homes and businesses, and emergency aid to anyone who needs it. You can contact me through my Omni. 

[ He's ready to end the call there when a thought strikes him and he continues.  ] 

Any public centers offering a Cooling Center should advertise their hours of operation. A posted list in a public space would be best. 

[  Behind him a blue butterfly flutters by and the recording hones in on it. A few seconds later, his camera runs off, chasing after it. ] 


( Action )

[ The first thing in full view is a slushie shop. But not just any, oh no. It is.. wildly decorated. The kind of thing you can't stare at for longer than 10 seconds without feeling like you get a headache. There's someone standing behind the counter, though they look completely unrecognizable. You know, on account of the fact that they're wearing a slushie mascot outfit. Good luck guessing whose arms those are. Honestly, the person isn't even really standing there. They're more just slumped over said counter, like they've given up on life.

The view lingers on that for a moment before the Omni seems to be switched around, instead putting Ruby into full view. ]

Having trouble beating the heat?
Finding trouble finding motivation?
Are your uncles all hot sweaty and gross?
Is Hot Girl Summer a little hotter than you were expecting?
Well have we got a solution for you.
Right, Ange?

[Ruby looks over to the mascot after a brief pause.]

R-right Ange?

[ The slushie suit sighs, and the voice that follows it - that's definitely Ange. ]

I thought the agreement was that I didn't have to talk on video in exchange for wearing this.

[Ruby just looks to her for a moment before looking back to the camera.]

Well come on down to the Slush! For all of your cool treat ideas! Everything is made by me and my lovely assisant Ange! With Blood magic!

We've got slushies, Ice cream, smoothies and a boat load of magical fans to help you BEAT THE HEAT! Do you want to be a gross pile of sweat? No you don't! So come down to the board walk where it isn't hot and it doesn't suck!

[ That's when Ange pipes up again. ]

And if someone is going to cause a dumb fuss over at the stand, they're going to die.

[And Ruby slides in front of Ange.]

OF FUN!!!!!!!!!

[And she raises her hands and generates a few ripples of ice with her coldblood powers.]

Jazz hands!

[Available for Reactions of the network or in person.]

[ The video opens on a close-up shot of a lizard’s face. Its eyes are unfocused and unblinking. Its jaw is slack. Sometimes, a tongue flops out, and a hand reaches out to shove it back in.

Without warning, the camera DRAMATICALLY zooms out to reveal Kaworu, holding up a large, floppy lizard. This lizard is literally the size of him. Bigger even, if you include the length of its tail]

Okay, Kaworu! [ A very loud, very enthusiastic woman’s voice. ] You’re up! Time to tell everyone about this extremely important mission! Don’t – Kaworu, come on, you have to hold him up, like we practiced.

[ This is interrupted by some unfortunately shaky camera work. ]

Shinji-kun. His name is Shinji-kun and he’s heavy. You should give me the camera instead.

We don’t know what to feed Shinji-kun. He has little interest in eating even though we’ve had him for months now. It’s odd, most creatures, especially basic ones like him, are driven by the need to eat to survive, yet we can’t find anything that he desires. So far we’ve tried… buttered noodles, rice, cereal, marshmallows, grass, leaves…

What else Gideon?

Dried fruit, protein shakes, nice words written on paper notes, my blood, Kaworu’s blood, a rat we found in the backyard one time, bones. You know, regular animal foods.

[ Gideon shrugs, and the camera moves up and down with it. Professionalism!! ]

We know there was this whole baking competition or whatever going down, so, you know, if any of you want to bake a lizard treat we’d buy you lunch or whatever in exchange. Or just tell us how to feed this lizard.

[ Please!! Help! ]

( ooc: Gideon is in red and Kaworu is in blue. Shinji the lizard is undead, but the two of them have no idea. They just love their re-animated lizard a lot and want the best for him.)

[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.]

[ What kind of party decorations would Uraraka like best? The question lodges itself at the back of his mind, ever present. He ends up at a local cafe for a few hours scrolling through his device looking at party blogs. There's a notepad in front of him with different themes jotted down: wild west, pirates, tropical island, fright night, luau, masquerade, under the sea. It's quite an interesting assortment and he looks so very serious about it, staring intently at what he's written before adding another - rave. 

When social media blogs fail to help him narrow down his choices, he turns to Trench. The video turns on showing him seated outside a cafe in street clothes. Once he sees that it's recording he gets straight to the point. ]

What do you like to do in the summer?


( Action )

You nerds don't realize how lucky you were that I got sidelined in a cocoon during that tournament. Any of you who were in the Unarmed Combat Division are feeling like you didn't get enough? Let me know cause I'm itching to kick some asses into the dirt... especially the winner's. That was MY fucking title.

[Locked from Ochako]

On the subject of HER, listen up.

I'm looking to throw her a thing. A party, or whatever. She's gotten screwed outta her birthday between the last shithole world we came from and here, and I know how much it's gotten on her nerves every time another one of our birthdays rolls around. Since time is a fat ass lie and no one can stop me, I'm taking the initiative and aging her up. 27th of this month, still figuring out the place. Will update once I know where it'll be.

Besides the birthday crap, anyone who knows her knows that she deserves something fucking nice for everything that she does for other people.

If you're friends of Ochako Uraraka, you'd better be there. Unless you wanna get your ass blown to pieces.

And say so, so I can get a damn headcount for food and shit.

[The feed opens up to an aerial shot of the Gate but things are a little different than normal. The normal blood curdling screams of monsters being slain is absent. There is no blood being spilled. In the middle of the arena two large wooden sparring stages have been erected instead, both lined with blue mats with a golden fist in the middle. Johnny Lawrence knew that would bring in the crowd. The omen broadcasting the feed swoops down toward the matts directly at the fist, just before it looks like it might crash it twirls in midair before breaking away and flying toward a podium set up where the two robotic commentators of the tournament are seated. The omen lands on a perch before settling in on a shot of the two commentators.]

Salutations, Trench, and welcome to the First Annual Great Trench Karate Tournament! My name is Penny Polendina--

--and I'm K.

--and together we'll be providing commentary for the competition. Let's meet our instructors!

First, we have Professor Ozpin of Beacon Academy!

Wait, I think...

[ There's a rustling of papers. ]

--Oh, a slight correction. Professor Ozpin is here representing Clockhouse Academy.

[ From the crowd, Black Alice interjects: ] I wanna see all you morons kick butt!

[ Ozpin steps forward, hands folded very delicately over his filigreed cane. ]


[ Ozpin doesn't get to finish his introduction, however. At this point Johnny pushes his way forward and shoves Ozpin out of the way. ]


[ Johnny holds a fist close to his chest. ]


[ From the gathered competitors one can hear Deku, angrily and slightly feral, interject with: ] SENSEI! WE'RE ALL KISSING!!


[ Also from the students, Sayo gives a shout of: ] Cobra Kai!


Uh.. that was Johnny Lawrence of Cobra Kai!

Certainly an... inspiring speech from sensei Lawrence, providing an illuminating glimpse into the lives of his students. ...A tongue?

Second, we have Terry Silver of... wait, what?

Yes, I believe they're both...

... Ahem. Terry Silver, also of Cobra Kai!

[ Terry's been awkwardly watching Johnny this entire time like his speech just made him die inside a little. ]


A sentiment I think we all can get behind.

And here is Sasuke Uchiha and his Super Awesome Ninja School!


Always a man of few words. Speaking as a student of the Super Awesome Ninja School, I'd just like to say that Sasuke has proved himself to be a very capable teacher, as his other students will no doubt demonstrate. Also, the bear rumours are entirely true.

And finally, Amaterasu! ... Is that an actual dog?

And isn't she adorable. Look at that smile!


... Well! You heard it here folks: "Woof!"

Truly wise words from miss Amaterasu. Who's a good girl? Is it you? Yes, it is! --Ahem.

And that's it for our competing schools! Hayato Ichimonji will be serving as referee, and Clark Griffin will be the medic on call.

To all of our participants, good luck and have fun!

[ Johnny steps forward with one last message for the students. ]


[ He then raises his arm up before pointing it specifically at Sasuke.]


[OOC: Please find the Tournament Log here and feel free to jump in.


Red is for Johnny Lawrence
Green is for Penny Polendina.
The darker Green is for Ozpin.
Navy Blue is for K.
Blue is for Terry Silver
Violet is for Sasuke.]

[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.

[Luca and Ahiru of the house might have noticed Luz was gone all day, as were Varian, Rapunzel and Fern, and there were none the wiser about why. The three of them honestly tended to do their own thing, but this time was different. Luz returned later, closing the door behind her, and had stayed up in her room for several hours. Luca and Ahiru were likely to feel the distress in Luz now though, and while Ahiru wouldn't know why, Luca WOULD.

And now, Luz knew, she'd have to let the rest of Trench know.

-



[Late at night, the video feed clicked and there was Luz. Her eyes were rimmed red, she was slightly shaking and she was surrounded by the stuffed animals in her room. She looked at the camera for at least a minute before finally addressing the audience as a whole].

If you guys knew Rapunzel, I'm sad to say she's gone back to being a squid. She was pretty great, looking after us in the house and everything, and we're going to try and keep her tower spotless. She would have wanted it that way.

[She bit her lip, exhaling].

V-Varian and Fern are also gone.

They've...gone back too. I know a lot of you knew them from Deerington. In a lot of ways, they're why I chose to go to move onto the next world. Fern was cunning, quick and upfront about himself. He put himself out on a limb to save people, and was the model of a hero I think we all strive to be.

Varian was different, but in his own unique way. He was stubborn, smart, and one of the sweetest people I know. He'd come up with inventions I could only watch in awe of, and he'd work tirelessly on projects with strength I could never match. He and Fern were my older brothers, and the reason I live in this house now.


They mattered, just like everyone who leaves matters, and leave a mark when they go. If I ever ask myself why I'm here, suffering, I'll remember it's because of them, because they were everything that helped me move on from one bad moment to better ones.

Thank you. Um. Take care, guys, wherever you are.