MOD LOG #1

[bequiet]

MOD LOG #1
Packing Up
Content Warnings: General tension
Themes: Survival, exploration, heavy-lifting

At the end of the month, the natives send out a mass message informing everyone of the upcoming trip to 'meet' the Sound Eaters. Preparing for the trip is simple, though labor intensive, and begins with making certain that everyone packs food, water, clothes, gear, and a twenty-pound package of sand. When it's time for the journey to begin, those tasked with watching the sandpaths, will lead the party on the journey towards the Eiffel Tower. It's a slow trip, a careful one. Natives will take breaks every few hours and when the sun sets, help everyone to set up their bed rolls around a few lanterns. The natives will unveil the star mapping feature, with constellations named and general history attached, on the devices. They will encourage those to tell stories, get out food and water, and 'talk' amongst the group before everyone settles into sleep. Out, under the night sky, the silence is more noticeable - there are no crickets or frogs. This process will repeat for two days until the group reaches the end of their destination at midday.

Sound Eaters
Content Warnings: Disorientation, confusion, character and native death, Sound Eater birth and death, body horror
Themes: Survival, exploration, horror, death

On the third day, characters will finally reach the Eiffel Tower, where the Sound Eaters in this area of France have set up their 'home'. Stopping far enough out to allow for communication, the natives will gesture to the ruins of the structure that appears to be altered. Structures are built up and around the metal frame, closing off different sections with a dark material that glints an oily-green in the light. After explaining that the Sound Eaters are influenced by the weather, rain being an issue for them, they'll take everyone closer. Silence is key here. The natives are visibly wary, tense, and uncomfortable but they believe that showing the arrivals what they're so afraid of will inspire them to be more cautious.

Now, as close to the Sound Eaters as they dare to go (less than a half mile), the natives will have everyone crouch down behind various cars and debris. The devices will say only one word, watch. As the sun begins to set and clouds darken overhead, the tower will open up, the Sound Eaters spilling out. They are split up, as the natives refer to it, into classes - the young, the shifting and the matured. The young are extremely sensitive to sound, volatile and aggressive, humanesque in form with features in various state of change. The shifting are grotesque, splitting and reforming, changing from young to matured in a shift that is punctuated by pained screams and the breaking of bones, splitting of flesh. The matured are in control. They command and guide their kind into a circle, where they all bend down, kneeling as something different than the rest comes out of the tower to stand at the center. The wind catches, dusting up red ash from it and blowing the ash towards the group - there's no way to move and it tastes familiar, coats your skin in red. They all grow quiet and a wrapped form, in the shape of a body, is placed at the Sound Eaters' feet. It crumbles, breaks apart and sprays out over the wrapped figured to completely cover it.

The shards of the Sound Eater bubble up and fuse together, creating a shell. Rain begins to fall. Light, but enough to cause the Sound Eaters to begin to move, pushing against one another but not leaving the circle. There's a shrill sound, an offbeat whistle, air escaping a tight space, a desperate inhale, and then the shell at the center splits apart. A Sound Eater died to create a new life. Smaller than the other young, the 'child' climbs up and out, but it's not the same as the others. It's form is generally human. Dark hair, androgynous features. No eyes. No mouth. Standing, it angles its head towards the matured and they move, as if on command, and surround it as it walks into the tower.

( If anyone makes noise at this point, in any way, the coming bad weather and what just occurred, will result in the Sound Eaters only attacking that person - rather than the whole group. They'll drag that person into the tower and out of sight. The character will be reset. )

The natives are upset. Spooked. They've never seen anything like that and they're quick to tell everyone this, followed by a hasty message to leave. As they're moving, the rain begins to beat down and the ground grows slippery. Making it back to the supplies is troublesome and just as the group gets close, one of the natives slips and tumbles down broken concrete, twisting and smacking against the hard surface until they come to a stop at the bottom. Anyone that goes to help will find that the native has hurt themselves and there's nothing that can be done, despite best efforts. The natives will take the time to wrap their friend up, relaying that the Sound Eaters don't attack now that the rain is heavy, and will begin the slow trek back to the community. They'll camp each night, the same as the trip up, but with an uncomfortable tension that no amount of story telling can break.

It's Raining Me- Rain. It's Just Water.
Content Warnings: None
Themes: Survival, fun, noise-making

After everyone is back in Reims, the natives will split off to bury their dead - they will not allow anyone to accompany them. Everyone is encouraged to head back to the community to get a break from the bad weather and to unload their supplies. The following day, the natives can be heard outside. Splashing and making noise, fixing houses, and what might have been a somber event will quickly turn into something a little more upbeat as rain beats down on the city. Children will play and occasionally laugh, stunted in their ability to enjoy themselves but willing to learn from the arrivals. Bigger items will be moved and natives will encourage everyone to do the 'noisier' things that they need to do. When the rain ends, work will resume as usual and soundproofing will be a lot more difficult - the water washed away sandpaths and damaged some areas. Cleaning up will take time but the natives aren't as unhappy with the situation as they just had a moment's respite from the normal tension of their everyday lives.

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! The OOC Plotting Post.

NAVIGATION

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Comments

[hoaxer]

[That idea doesn't work for Lu Li, either. She signs without uncertainty, but the way she does it is somewhat odd. It's probably because her words are perfect mimicries of each past iteration - identical without any deviations.]

I don't think they'd have one trapped... if that were the case, they wouldn't be so careful.

[If you could contain the beast, wouldn't you work to expand that method of containment?]

If they're taking all of us with them, then it can't be that dangerous.

[dryeyes]

[A direct copy or observation. It reminds him that, even if she didn't have a bit of combat training, she could probably mimic it exactly with that body. There would be something missing from it but... Ah, either way.]

It would be stupid to bring such a large group if there was real danger. [And he was granting that, if the natives were that stupid, they wouldn't have lasted this long. So, if they couldn't trap one...]

Maybe body. Maybe they can actually be killed.

[hoaxer]

[The idea of that brings some relief. Yes, it surely wouldn't be a live one. If they were going together, the Sound Eater they're to see must be in a controlled environment.]

That would be the best-case scenario. And

[She hesitates.]

I think that'd give me some peace of mind. I've been afraid.

[dryeyes]

It's natural to be afraid.

[He doesn't look it himself but he understands that very well. There were a ton of trite sayings about it, how bravery didn't exclude fear, etc, etc...]

[The situation they were in would scare anyone. Unsettle anyone. He'd like some peace of mind, too, that maybe the creatures could be killed.]

Let's hope this trip gives us something.

[hoaxer]

[It's a saying oft repeated but to hear it from an authority figure eases her nerves. Despite all she's been through, Lu Li finds solace in rules and laws. If those were upheld, then society would hold.

It's stupid to think this way in an apocalyptic world, but one can hope.]

Are you afraid too, Aizawa?

[dryeyes]

[Maintaining some degree of order was important. Aizawa knew that too. Because, well,]

One of my students is here. A first-year. No hero training. [he has to substitute in the JSL "hero" sign because no way has he heard it from the locals. It's obvious enough from context.]

So, I'm very afraid.

[Not for himself. He was willing to risk himself over and over again. That was what he did and he took to it sometimes like as much of a machine as Lu Li was now. When it came to other people, though, the people he cared for, the people he needed to protect...]

I shouldn't let him catch me admitting that. [there's a small flash of teeth, a little smile. He'd never go so far as a certain someone's "never fear! because i am here!" but he knows the importance of an adult seeming unshakable before a child.]

[hoaxer]

[To be whisked away to such a desolate city was terrible enough. Lu Li arrived alone. She was alone, even when Morgan offered her their help. There was no one for her to worry about - save for herself - and no one here who's dependent on her. In that sense, she could focus on her own problems. Oh, she'll fret over the people of Reims. But finding a way home for herself was her primary concern.

It never occurred to her that heroes would have teachers. Yet, isn't that natural? Someone has to show teach them how to protect the weak. To demonstrate how to face villains who, no doubt, had powers of their own. The idea of Aizawa's coworkers being overly heroic suddenly becomes a little less funny to Lu Li. After all... if you had proteges under your guidance, didn't you owe it to them to act like the hero they're supposed to become?

Lu Li looks at him, long and hard, her red eye glowing a little brighter. When she signs her response, she does so a little slower.]

You are a good man, Aizawa.

[In a way, she feels that way towards Jan and Rosa. Though she hasn't known the two for long, there's an urge to shield them from whatever horrible events are to come.]

If we work together, I'm sure we will pull through.

[She doesn't quite believe it, but it's far kinder to say that than to voice her natural pessimism. They can both be afraid, so long as it's not before their charges.]

[dryeyes]

[Aizawa is looking at at the sky for a moment, taking in the cool air and just thinking. One of the nice thing about Lu Li's inexpressive face was knowing he didn't have to watch. His eyes are caught back by the slower signing. He's... He narrows his eyes a little and looks back away. The signs are a bit more difficult to read with him facing to the side. They're also a bit quicker than usual.]

It's my job. That's all.

[It's like he said before. He didn't need credit for doing what should be done. To have it called to attention was just unnecessary. Honestly, those little unnecessary details were more proof Lu Li was human under that pile of mechanics than anything else. He looks for something else to discuss, as if he can't just let the conversation end on that note.]

Are you going to stay up? Do you sleep?

[hoaxer]

[He really is the sort who hates attention. Prickly, just like a cat. Lu Li is amused by his reaction but allows him the out. She doesn't vie for his attention when he looks away. Patiently, she waits until he looks back at her before signing a response.]

No. Not anymore. I don't like to "sleep."

[Lu Li pauses, hands still frozen in that last sign. She's trying to find a way to put the sensation into words.]

I have a tendency to sleepwalk when I do.

[dryeyes]

[The pause at least indicates a continuation, that he should hold his attention a bit longer. Sleepwalking... an otherwise harmless habit could easily be lethal here. He nods, as if agreeing that were for the best.]

[Reminding himself of what was at stake here does remind him: they're working together. His job also entailed making sure he did his best. His pride didn't matter so much as the results. So,]

If [...] you're going to be awake, I could sleep a bit.

[He could probably sleep for days if he had the leisure to. That wasn't going to happen here, of course.]

Can you wake me in three hours? A touch will do, I sleep lightly.

[hoaxer]

[Ah. That's actually good to hear. Lu Li was beginning to worry that he was a workaholic, the sort who was willing to drive themselves to the ground for the sake of others. There wasn't anything flashy about that sort of heroism - or good.

She dips her head to indicate that she understands his request.]

I think you deserve at least that much. Of course.

[Should she try again--?]

Are you sure you'll pass up on the bed roll?

[dryeyes]

[He's absolutely a workaholic but he still has a sense of logic. It didn't make sense to drive himself into the ground now, when he needed to save his energy for whatever the locals had to show them. There's another little twitch to his lip at the "deserve" comment, but- whatever, it's fine.]

If no one's using it, I'll use it for three hours.

[He ends the sign sharply, as if to emphasize he was just borrowing it for a short amount of time anyways. If someone needed it, they could have it, but it was a waste if no one was.]

And if someone wants it, you can wake me early.

[hoaxer]

[In a way, Lu Li can empathize with him. There were nights when she was lit aflame by a mental painting in her head, driving her to stay up beyond what her limits were. All that mattered was the product. Perhaps being a "hero" was that way for him as well - though he at least knows how to take care of himself to keep being useful.

Another nod, smooth compared to his sharp sign.]

Don't fuss about others when you're about to sleep.

[Really... does he think she'll wake him up to take away his comfort?]

[dryeyes]

[Don't fuss about others, huh... That sharpness sticks to his figure for a while as he moves things silently around his area of the camp. There's a tenseness that comes with how many people were on this trip. There were so many to fuss over- rather worry about, he couldn't let that turn of phrase slide.]

[He idly recalls what someone once said about how villains were fortunate. They only had to protect themselves, while heroes had so, so much more to protect. His shoulders slump after a pause. Letting thoughts of people from home flood his consciousness wasn't going to help him sleep at all. His next sign back at Lu Li is less rigid:]

Habit. [He won't apologize for his fussing- no, worrying.]

[hoaxer]

[Lu Li doesn't match his tenseness partially because she's fallen into the trap of adjusting. Remaining quiet isn't too difficult by this point. Though their group is large, the journey has been relatively easy. She feels as though the natives will show whatever it is they want to show, they go back to the city, and they'll go back to finding a way home--

Aizawa's admission is rewarded with a bed roll tossed at him. Lu Li's eye is half-shuttered in her robotic "smile" - she can't hide how playful she feels.]

Make sleep a habit too, then.

[She signs it once he looks her way.]