Deer Country Network

[ After much consideration, she's decided to put herself out there and do a little research. Of course the matter is a personal one and she's a little embarrassed, so she'll hide behind text and her role as a doctor. ]

Has anyone here ever thought about having children? It's not as if there aren't children here, it's just seems that they all belong to native families.

From a medical standpoint, I've been wondering if it's possible, but if not I want to figure out what's making it impossible. Or is everyone just on really good birth control?

Thoughts? Has anyone looked into this before? Did you find anything useful?

[He was going to send this as anonymous, honest to gods, but then his omen walked over his Omni while he was getting a drink and sent this.]

So what is therapy exactly? Aside from 'talk to someone to make you feel better', I know that much.

What sort of books would one look for to find advice for doing therapy?

Is this even something I should be trying to do for someone?

[That last bit he'd been planning on taking out, but. Omens.]

[ Ezra has debated asking this question on and off for days, but the thought hasn't left him, so here goes.]


Hey, is anyone here celebrating Hanukkah? If so, would you mind a really unorthodox guest (pun sort of intended?)

Five second educational spiel for everyone who might not know: This in an Earth origin holiday, in Jewish tradition, that stems from a pretty well documented historical event. The rededication of the Temple that was the center of worship for the Jewish people.

There's lighting of candles involved, but it's really not like Christmas at all. It's its own thing.

[ 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. ] 

[Johnny's letters have put her in a melancholy mood, wondering about paths taken and those refused outright. wondering what she could have done differently, better. even before she came here.

would Cal have been so cruel if she had opened her heart to him as he requested? or would it have made matters worse for everyone, her having to split her affections? in such a competition, only one could win, even if it wasn't herself.

but she would have accepted it if it had meant that Jack and Cal could have come to terms, even if it were over her corpse? yes. yes, she would've]

I assume we all have our...regrets. Things we wish we could have done differently, solutions we did not see in the heat of the moment. How do you all cope with those regrets or do they haunt you, still?

You needn't identify yourself. Such confessions almost demand anonymity and will hold no sense of judgement on my part. It's not for me to confirm or condemn for in the end, we're all answerable to ourselves.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

[Snow White sighs as she seems to be getting another message not meant for her. She shakes her head and addresses the camera.]

Du meine Güte!

Ich habe ziemliche Probleme mit meinem Omni. Und in Anbetracht einiger der Nachrichten, die ich zufällig erhalten habe, glaube ich, dass wir alle es sind! Ich kontaktiere immer wieder versehentlich die falschen Leute. Nicht, dass es nicht nett wäre, mit ihnen zu reden. Trotzdem möchte ich die Menschen erreichen, die ich erreichen möchte.

[There's a humming sound that comes from the Omni and Snow's image fizzles for a moment before:] If I do say so myself, this is getting a little frustrating. Does anyone have an idea how to fix the problem? Or what could it be?

[Another hum and another fizzle. She is none the wiser that she's not being "translated."]

Ich fürchte, ich bin nicht sehr gut mit Technologie, aber ich werde versuchen, zu helfen, wo immer ich kann. Nun, hier hoffen wir, dass das Problem bald behoben wird.

[One last fizzle and then:] Well, all the same, I hope everyone is staying nice and warm as it gets colder! Please don't forget to be very careful right now.


(OOC: Just let me know if you want replies to be translated by the Omni or still in Google translate German. Hovering over the sentences will provide the translation.)

[ 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!)

[ It's in the early hours of the morning of the second that Luna opens the feed. At first nothing looks awry, there's simply the cosy low-light of her bedroom and from what can be seen around Luna's shoulders everything seems calm. Well, slightly eerie, considering the soft glow that comes from under her skin, even slightly visible through her pyjamas. That's a new thing for this month, as if she (and everyone else for that matter) might see the very pulse of her blood within her veins. It's like she's turned into a literal nightlight.

And then Luna's face comes into view as she brings the camera up: bedraggled and wide-eyed and expression strained. There's panic in her eyes, worry. Her breathing's shaky as she stares at the camera for a moment, not sure how to start. Something is clearly wrong. ]

I need— answers. [ Her gaze shifts off-camera, then back. She swallows thickly, relenting. ] We were fine, we went to bed. We had a nice day, and we were fine— he was fine, and now— now he's— I'll just— let me show—

[ With much fumbling, she shifts the camera round. It turns to her bed, where a strange, human-shaped mass of grey lies upon it. She moves closer, and it slowly becomes clearer that the mass is in fact Peter Graham — concealed in the grey mucus, covered in tiny eyes that all stare up at her. The young man doesn't seem to be in any obvious distress: he simply sleeps inside the gross-looking slime that covers him. Luna keeps the camera on him for a long moment before she turns it back to her. ]

What is this—? What does it mean—? [ The questions come quickly. It is rare for Luna Lovegood to get herself all in a fluster, but this is Peter she's talking about. She's worried, and the fact that even she's openly worried and scared for him speaks volumes. ]

I've heard about... something like this. It happens to Sleepers sometimes, but I've never seen it. Is this when they go home—? Is that what it means—? Where do they go? Where did he go? I need answers, someone must be awake—

[ It might be obscenely late, but surely someone will be up to provide her with information. Does it mean going home? Luna's... frightened of that. She doesn't know everything about how things were in Peter's world, but she knows more than most. And she knows that there's nothing good for Peter back home. ]

How long will he be like this? How long does it last? He'll come back, yes? He has to. [ She flops down to sit on the edge of her bed, Peter just behind her in the camera's view. She's fretful, bewildered. Silence falls for a long moment, Luna looks utterly exhausted. But then again, this is hardly the most pleasant way to wake up in the middle of the night. And she's woken up plenty times in the middle of the night due to horrible, terrible and sometimes disgusting things.

Her voice grows very small, barely a whisper. How did this happen? ]

... I don't understand, he just— it was his birthday—

For those who have been or were interested in attending Ninjutsu and Taijutsu training, I am resuming classes now that my mind has returned to normal. For anyone who interacted with me last month, I apologize for my ... rough behaviors. I assure you I am still teaching, no matter what I said previously.

[ There's a pause where he might leave it at that, but he sighs and decides to make two more announcements. ]

Also, I should have said this back in July, but things were... complicated. Haruno Sakura is now Uchiha Sakura. Please be sure to remember this when addressing her by her family name.

Lastly: ... Is there... any place around here with even slightly decent ramen?

[ It's that idiot's birthday and this is the only way to honor him, clearly. ]

[The video opens to Lance with cat ears (again), a tail swishes behind him. There's the sound of painful squelching as Keith off screen goes through some more gruesome transforming and he winces, looking over at him. It seems to have been mild this time at least, and Lance goes for the rambling jokes because that's how you deal with someone you care about going through that, right?]

Okay, soooo who here's never done the horizontal tango? Made the beast with two backs, knocked some boots, jumped some bones- [there is the sound of shifting of bone and he hums, rethinking] Forget that last one, but by now if you don't know what I mean, here's a few more for you: a little afternoon delight-

[Keith groaned a bit, his teeth audibly clenched as he scolded a, "LANCE!" from the background, though that didn't seem to deter the Blue Paladin from continuing.]

-pounded the punani pavement, shook the sheets, the old in-out, shot the meat rocket into the sausage hole, bam-bam in the ham, rolled in the hay, boppin' squiddles, cattle-prodding the oyster ditch with the lap rocket. Fucking hell, made whoopee!

Seriously, I could keep going, but if your answer is 'never done that, what are you even talking about', some guy in Gaze told me your blood cures this whole- [he gestures at himself and then glances off camera at the sound of a grunt from Keith.] mess. Noooot that I wanna cure myself, I can take it, but some people I know need it and aren't gonna ask because their heads are nothing but dumb hair and no brains.

[A bit of an unhinged laugh to himself/some internal conversation as he looks down and to the side. There's a growl from the background, possibly from Keith? (Definitely from Keith.) Then he jerks himself back.] Yeah, anyway, if you fit the bill call me before my idiot b-teammate turns into something that eats my face. I'm too pretty for that.

[There may have been a time when Lance knew virgin blood was blood that hadn't been used in a ritual, but the draugr's fucked with his already recently fucked memory. So enjoy.]

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?

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

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

[she draws a breath.]

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

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

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

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

CW: Drug and Alcohol use, including with a minor. Insensitive Language

( Post is BEHIND the cut. )

(the video begins of a zoom up of a pair of eyes. an animal to be exact. they blink curiously before it gets pulled back -- revealing it's a spider monkey holding the omni. he holds it up above him and even turns it upside-down and other various angles. hopefully the lovely people aren't easily to become motion sickness upon viewing this but if they do, their own fault really.)

Got it workin'?

(there's a voice coming from off camera; familiar to some or not. but the monkey looks off to the direction of the voice before turning the omni over so whoever is watching can now see jinx sitting in a chair -- slouching with her arm hanging over the top railing. there's a grin that slowly grows on her face, however, it's not... exactly a friendly kind. impish? troubling? dangerous? you'd be the judge. nevertheless, jinx hunches over now with both her arms drape over her knees -- looking directly at the omni.)

So! — Greetings people of.... whatever this place is. Kiiiinda forgot the name but not really important. I've been hearin' a lotta here and there that I've been here before. Don't really remember it, though. (a brief pause as she thinks.) Except the last time. I remember the last time but not the other times.

Buuuuuuuuut ♪! Since I've been here a whoooole BUNCH of times that means I gotta have some friends here, right?

(she bites her bottom lip to hold back a giggle as the video suddenly wavers around. but quickly it straightens up and focus with a closer look of jinx (it seems she's the one holding it now) in a bird's eye view. her spider monkey climbs on her body then curling himself along her shoulder and neck while also looking up at the feed along with her.)

So if ya know me, contact me. OH! And you got like, thirty minutes to convince me why my former self even bothered wasting my breath on you. Don't keep me waitin' too long 'cuz I get bored easily.

(a beat.)

ACTUALLY, NEVERMIND!!! — Decided to change it to twenty minutes. (her spider monkey seems to be screeching in laughter at jinx's sudden time change but resumes on nuzzling it's head against her cheek.)

OH OH! One more big thing. There's someone here by the name of Vi. If you know her, contact me too. So we can aaaaalll be friends and get along. No shame in that, right?

(she says this but there's something about that smile that really makes it... off putting. regardless though, jinx hums quietly as she cocks her head to the side.)

Tick-tock, tick-tock.

CW FOR MASS MURDER OF UNARMED CIVILIANS, RELIGIOUS FANATICISM, THEMES OF NIHILISM AND UNREALITY, GASLIGHTING, "MERCY KILLING", THREATENED HARM TO CHILDREN, CHARA IN GENERAL, MOTHER MERCY IN GENERAL

( SHOW NO MERCY. )

[ 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.

[The video isn't of D, but instead a carefully drawn map of Trench and its close surrounding areas with rough lines indicating the tunnels. The video zooms back to show a rough outline of a path leading from Trenchwood further inland, denoted as '30 miles' and then a point circled and labeled as 'outpost lantern'.]

Earthquakes and underground tunnels last month, and severe storms this month. If this city sinks into the ground or is washed away, there's nowhere to go.

[D puts another sheet of paper down in front of the video, this one showing a rough outline of ruined building and some sketched in structures and a perimeter wall.]

Last month, Manabu Yuuki led an expedition, this lantern point is as far as we went before we had to return. The wilds are full of aggressive plants and animals, high levels of corruption, and even the plants that don't attack will probably kill people.

But this is a chance to make an outpost. Every time I've gone out there I've come under attack almost immediately, but if we made it that far, we can make this work too.

I'm looking for anyone who can and will fight, anyone who can aid in building fortifications to make defenses easier, and anyone with the ability or knowledge to provide magical protection and reduce corruption, or who can provide supplies and support.

I'll provide food and shelter or items for trade to anyone who works on turning this outpost into a haven.

My name is D. I'm setting up a staging point for people and supplies in the house near the Watch Tower with the red door and cloth banners. Contact me here, or look for me there between mid afternoon and sundown.

[OOC: Plotting post for this open and approved player plot here and location post and information here. An open log post will be going up sometime in the next week.]