INTRO LOG #3

[bequiet]

INTRO LOG #3
Put a Sock in It
Content Warnings: Disorientation, memory loss, confusion
Themes: Arrival, survival, exploration, horror

You wake, standing. A thick, muddy red dust coats your skin and clothes - it sticks to your tongue and blocks your vision. Inhale and it chokes you, exhale and your breath puffs out in front of your face in a transparent maroon cloud. It tastes of copper, tangy and harsh. Movement is difficult, every limb tingles and aches. Look to your left, your right. Evenly spaced in each direction stands another person indistinguishable in every way from the next. You're disoriented and lethargic, unable to grasp onto a single thought. A pinprick of light blooms ahead and grows steadily larger; a door has opened.

Hands grip your wrists, push at the small of your back and guide you out of the darkness into a room with four walls and a thin, sagging ceiling. The plaster is peeling, the air is musty, and the floor is slick. White plastic piping juts up from the center and curves into multiple spouts, clean water flowing in uneven streams. Those hands pull your clothes off and clear the dust from your body, redress you in handsewn jumpsuits. By the time they’re through, you will have begun to come back to yourself.

A finger is pressed to your lips. Kind eyes meet your own and a single word is whispered - hush.

Led out of the room in a line, you’re taken down a short hallway and into another, much larger room. There’s a woman waiting for you there, Constance, with a child hugging her leg - a cloth bag in her hands. She reaches in and pulls out a device, passes one to each of you. Once finished, she begins to move both hands in graceful gestures, a language. One of the people who helped you lifts their device and the screen lights up, tracks the woman’s hands. Letters appear on the screen and you understand the device’s purpose. She tells you what she knows and it’s not much.

This world is haunted. Noise attracts them, so it is not allowed. Communication is through body language, soundless writing, and the device. She tells you that your feet must be light and your mouth never used. There is a community outside these doors, where you can survive together, but only if you agree to one thing: complete and total silence. You'll have time to talk it over. You may ask one question and receive one answer. There are others like you in the room, those who'd come earlier. They're there to help.

Acceptance allows you to journey outside. The ground is marked in pathways of sand, lining the paths to each building and everywhere in-between. You notice that the locals hold their devices always, aloft and glance to it often. It will not vibrate or make a sound to signal a message. Notices appear. Rules. Guidelines. Feet on the sand and never anywhere else. To open a door you brush your fingers along the hinges - oiled and you may enter. If not, take the brush from the can sitting nearby and coat the metal with the dark liquid.

Now, you're to settle into your new home – with or without the help of those who have come before you.

In Freakish Flight
Content Warnings: Threat to safety, death, weird creatures
Themes: Plot, survival

This is the tale that was told to me by the man with the crystal eye,
As I smoked my pipe in the camp-fire light, and the Glories swept the sky;
As the Northlights gleamed and curved and streamed, and the bottle of "hooch" was dry.

The new arrivals are here, like clockwork it seems. A strange occurrence that the natives haven't missed. They don't have answers but following support and encouragement from some of the older arrivals, they have been looking into it. If they notice anything odd, they post it to the bulletin board and they're working as hard as ever to help. Settling in is easier this time around, smoother, as everyone is more prepared than before. The first few days go well, one of the natives finds a patch of wild berries and makes fresh jam - serves it with breakfast until it runs out. There's a nice breeze that night, not too hot and not too cold. The stars twinkle and the moon is full, a pleasant atmosphere rolls through the community as everyone falls asleep.

Everyone wakes to the soft sounds of birds chirping. There's a light fog, windows misted over, and abruptly, it goes quiet. The only way to see outside is to open the door and those curious brave enough will find, covered in red dust, a handful of individually unique creatures scattered around the fountain at the center of the community. There's about fourteen of them - each one focused on the door of the main residences and two have scurried off towards the others, quiet now but watching. After the first door opens, they move, stopping only when they're right in front of each of the houses and then the sounds start again. Louder.

OOC: Removing the threat, these creatures, is possible in a few ways. They have a weakness for water, which slows them down and shuts them up. They can be killed, the same as any normal animal might. Or they can be captured, something tied around their bills to silence them. Unfortunately, only a few will survive being caught alive ( we randomized out of the twelve houses - 5, 1, 2, 12, and Private Housing (Sora) and the Permanent Apartments ) and can be kept for study. The players in each house can decide what they want to do with them or use the comment below if they want to hand it over. As a side note, the dead ones can be kept too.

Alone or Together
Content Warnings: Poisoning
Themes: Plot

Up until now everything around here has been, well, pleasant. Recently certain things have become unpleasant. Now, it seems to me that the first thing we have to do is to separate out the things that are pleasant from the things that are unpleasant.

The natives have been up front about those that came through the Reset Room before. Some left, some didn't survive, and a few now call themselves natives. The above message lights up everyone's devices ( username - lamar ) but all ways to respond are disabled. A follow up message comes from Constance, explaining that they don't know how the message has been sent due to the fact that Lamar has been dead for over a decade. That night at dinner, the set up in town hall, the natives are abuzz talking about the mysterious message. Food is passed out. Drinks are had.

Before the first person leaves the hall, a plume of red dust sprays out from an old vent near the floor boards and fills the room. Quickly, all color is leached from the world. Every person is now color blind, seeing everything in varying shades of black, white, and grey as they cough and choke, trying to clear the dust from their faces and mouths. Was this Lamar? Was this the person who rigged up the noise machine in Verdel Square? What did the message mean?

OOC: The effects will fade after twenty four hours. All arrivals, new and old, plus all natives will be effected. For each character, one person will still be in color. Players can decide who this is. A friend, lover, enemy, one of the natives.

OOC
From your mods:

Please be mindful of content - if something triggery comes up or if it goes up a rating to say, something sexy, mark your threads in the subject line. We're very flexible and allow any material; we just want our players to be respectful of each other. If you have questions, pp the mod account, use the faq or comment to the appropriate post below. Have fun!

NAVIGATION

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Comments

[iisupergirlii]

Yeah, me neither. [she bites her lip to halfway contain a flirtatious grin.] You look gorgeous, though.

[look, sure, there's a mystery to solve and all this dust is really unsettling, but she can't compliment her.......... friend-who-is-a-girl? Come on.]

[rockypath]

[Faith fidgets a bit at that assessment of her beauty, smile small and unsure. They haven't really worked out what they are since that night, what it meant. She's not accustomed to anything but one night stands, so she's really no idea how to handle the after. Especially since she finds herself wanting more despite her usual nature.] Do my best.

You look good too. [She offers up, the maximum awkward of all awkward.]

[iisupergirlii]

[it's good enough, especially with how anti touchy-feely Faith is. Kara ducks her head with a smile.] Thanks.

Sooooo... this is really weird, though. This dust... [she shakes her head.] I've been blowing on people to get it off, you know. [she points to her mouth.] Super breath, so.

But that's not going to help in the long run.

[rockypath]

Right. Super breath. [She smirks. That will never not be weird Kara. Sorry.]

I tried water, but it only worked a little bit and then it went right back to Kansas in here.

[iisupergirlii]

[whatever, Faith. whatever!!!!!!]

Oh, water's a good idea! That's what worked last time. I guess I'm just... [she shrugs helplessly.] Bracing myself for an attack? If enough dust gets in here, the Sound Eaters could come in, and it's so noisy in here right now.

[rockypath]

[Faith tenses a bit at the thought.] Could happen. And if it does... there's not a whole lot we can do about it. [Which seriously chaffs her ass, she's not going to lie. She's supposed to fight the monsters, but these are monsters even Kara can't beat.]

[iisupergirlii]

We can do our best. I can. I don't want you getting hurt. [she reaches out impulsively and loosely takes Faith's hand, squeezing just for a moment before letting go. It's awkward for Kara too. She's never slept with someone she wasn't exclusively already dating, and she feels for Faith like she did those people in her past, but they're not... Well, they're not dating, are they?

But she can see Faith in color, and maybe she's just being superstitious or hopeful, or both, but that has to mean something, right? Even with all the horror going on.]

[rockypath]

Like hell I'll let you do everything by yourself. [Faith fidgets at her concern. Kara is hardly the first person here to worry about Faith and certainly won't be the last. But her concern makes her even more uncomfortable. Because it means more.

And Kara will have to be the one to broach any subject of what they were after that night, because it's definitely not a topic Faith will ask for any clarification on. She's not sure how to and yes, well, she's scared. Scared of screwing up. And letting someone close has never ended very well for her.]

[iisupergirlii]

[Kara's mouth turns down in a dramatic, disapproving frown.] Faith, c'mon, I'm invincible. So, you know. [she waves her hand.] I won't get hurt! And you never know, maybe I'm faster than them.

[rockypath]

You're not invincible, they killed you once already- [She instantly regrets bringing that memory up for Kara and looks way a moment. But's it true, isn't it? Kara can still get killed by those things. She might be stronger than Faith and bulletproof. But not invincible.]

[iisupergirlii]

[it's not quite like a slap to the face, but it's close, has Kara physically recoiling for a moment. She takes a step back, putting some space between them, and takes a deep breath. That's something she doesn't let herself think about. She fights it, keeps it locked away, like Krypton, like Kilgrave and all the trouble he's brought. Tiny boxes that she never opens.]

I... I was distracted. [she swallows, lowering her voice.] You know what happened. If I'm ready for them, I'll stand a better chance.

[rockypath]

[Faith looks away, stepping back too. She doesn't want to bring up bad memories for Kara. But she doesn't want Kara sacrificing herself for her. Not now. Not ever. That's all she wanted to say, really.] L-Let's just not have to find out... okay? [Did her voice crack right there? No, no it didn't. Don't you dare go thinking it did.]

[iisupergirlii]

[Kara's eyes are big and sad, but they dart up to meet Faith's when her voice breaks, just for a second. She presses her lips together, her look intense, and something in her heart twists and aches right then. She crosses her arms over her chest, a show of toughness.]

Well then... we won't find out for you either. You should stay safe.

[rockypath]

[She can't look at those big doe eyes for long, finding herself nearly incapable of arguing with Kara on anything with her looking at her like that. Faith will agree to anything just to make it stop.] Alright. Fine... I'll try.

[iisupergirlii]

Good. You better. [she bosses those she loves, Faith.]

[rockypath]

[She crosses her own arms at that, giving her a skeptical brow. The bossiness definitely reminds her of Buffy, but she's not going to share that thought with her.] You better too then, Little Miss Bossy Pants.

[iisupergirlii]

[Kara ducks her head, a smile creeping up on her face.]

"Little Miss Bossy Pants." That's a new one. [teasingly, she adds,] It's fitting, though. You know, [a tug at her superskirt] minus the pants.

[rockypath]

Mmm... Little Miss Bossy Skirt doesn't have the same ring to it. You're just going to have to change. [Faith teases right back, reaching out to nudge Kara. Shes smiling back and grateful they'd moved passed the worrying to the joking.]

[iisupergirlii]

[Kara raises a brow, giving Faith a teasingly incredulous look.] You want me to change into something more modest?

[with an outright, unabashed giggle, she rests both of her hands heavily on Faith's shoulders.] Who are you and what have you done with Faith??

[rockypath]

[Faith can't help but laugh too. It is very unlike her to suggest such a thing, Kara is right about that.] If it's for the sake of a terrible nickname, I think I can survive having you a little covered up. No matter how much I like the view now. Very important business nicknames. [She winks at her, smiling back.]

[iisupergirlii]

[Kara's blushing, but she's happy, even with chaos going on around them. What was it about Faith that could distract her from literally anything else?]

I guess I'll have to find myself a... parka or something. With a maxi dress on top. And like five pairs of leggings. Like those people who cheat at strip poker by wearing lots and lots of layers. For the sake of a good nickname, you know.

[not that Kara's ever played strip poker, but hey, she went to college. She's heard stories!]

[rockypath]

Oh no. What have I done? That's just too many layers! [Faith looks mock horrified at the idea of Kara doing such a thing. She's starting to long for these moment with Kara. To just forget about the horrors around the things rattling around in her own messed up head.]

[iisupergirlii]

[Kara shrugs her shoulders, a grimaced, pseudo-regretful expression on her face.]

I mean... your wish is my command, so. I guess it just has to be done now. Ohhhh weeeeell.

[rockypath]

Do it and I'll rip all your clothes off. Just you watch. [Faith points a finger at her, threatening.]

[iisupergirlii]

[Kara laughs again, pressing her hands to her cheeks to cover up her growing blush. Still, Faith has unlocked something in Kara, and the flirting game is strong in this one.]

Don't make promises you don't intend to keep.