quietplacelogs | INTRO LOG #2

Entry tags:

the dark tower: jake chambers

INTRO LOG #2

INTRO LOG #2
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, a child hugging her leg, and 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.

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.

The Place Inside
Content Warnings: Disorientation, hallucinations, body horror
Themes: Plot, exploration

Have you been to hell. And more importantly, have you been back. We all know this pain but are too scared to recall. This horror controls us, pulls at our strings to ensure how our life plays out. So, let me rephrase my question: have you been to Ile Lacrox. And more importantly, can you come back.

In the community, if you hear something you're not supposed to hear, you learn to look the other way. If you see something you're not supposed to see, you pretend it never happened. If you feel disappointed, you learn to never ask for more. So, through good times and bad, famine and feast, the natives held fast to their rules until one common day a sly wind blew in from the south...

That same red dust twists through the streets, curling up in faint, little plumes of familiarity. The farther south you go, the thicker it becomes. Those willing to explore far enough will find it coming from an island in the middle of the river. Once there, doting every available surface is the evidence of Sound Eater births, and the closer you are to the island, the harder it is to avoid being coated in red. Even if it's not rubbed into the skin, it doesn't take long for the effects to take over. Every sound is amplified. Your breaths are deafening, the slightest step echoes. But no Sound Eater attacks. Your vision blurs, and it's as if your mouth is sealing itself shut. Those you traveled with seem to be similarly affected, and you know you have to be quiet. Anyone who brought supplies with them might discover that a drink of water subdues the symptoms.

OOC: Only characters who entirely submerge themselves in water will be free of the dust effects. Just remember that noise will attract Sound Eaters.

Liplocked
Content Warnings: Violent tendencies, mind alteration
Themes: Love, romance, obsession, sex

The natives are of French origin, and with that comes a love of romance. Residents will find treats and valentines at their doors. That same night, there will be a small, red-glowing fire built near the fountain. There will be jars pressed into the dirt and filled with a sweet, red liquid. Some natives can be seen drinking it and being very affectionate with one another. Anyone who drinks this is inspired to show endearment or lust to others, and it will wear off after sleeping.

There's also the noticeable addition of a new arrival. They came through the Reset Room just like everybody else. They understand the rules and follow them to a tee. They are the perfect example of what the natives want in their residents. They are charming and captivating. They say nothing, and they don't have to. When your eyes meet, you feel seduced. There's a nervous flutter in your stomach. You can feel your heartbeat in your throat. Pounding, constricting. They smile and then turn away.

As they're walking, you notice you're not the only one looking at them, and in their expression, you see your own mirrored. What started as sweet infatuation and longing dissolves into a jealousy unlike any you've ever known. All you understand now is that to win their affections you have to come out on top—so you're the only one they see. Your actions are not your own, but they're still yours.

OOC: There are two ways to break the "spell". Your character fights it out with someone else who is feeling the same way OR they're approached and physically touched by someone who isn't affected by the newcomer. A third of the community will be completely unaffected (everyone else is affected unless the player is uncomfortable with playing out the scenarios). The newcomer can be of any gender the player wishes. For those partaking in drinking, the players can choose what effects it has; it can inspire feelings of lust or boost paternal/maternal instincts or devotion towards friends.

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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i won't accept it until i see what else is out there
if there's more anyway [ He doesn't know if there is, and he can't see it from sitting where he is either. ]
don't worry i'll be careful

so are you going to tell me if that's sarcasm or not???
i don't think what i'm wearing is as good as yours

[ In truth, it's kind of drab considering the soft gray, but they didn't have much in the way that fit him without looking oversized. So, this guy is just going to have to deal with it, and Egil smiles. ]

Then why are you sitting here?
If you have questions that need answered, ask them.

[His hands go to rest at his hips. Cinching the pink material at his waist and throwing his figure into disproportion - even people who thought themselves attractive would struggle to pull these off.]

Wasn't it obvious?

[Erik steps away, both feet on a sandpath that would lead them to the community.]

Let's go.

[ He isn't much of a follower when he's prodded like this, though he's quick to get up and follow—if only so he can grab him by the wrist. And maybe it's risky to actually say anything, but he leans over so his voice is softer than it usually would have been; he doesn't have time to text. ]

You didn't even tell me your name. Or where we're going. [ There's a bit of an accent to his speech, and Egil doesn't even think to wonder if this man can understand what he's saying despite having shared a text conversation just moments ago. ]

[Erik's head snaps in the man's direction. They're not inside a soundproofed area, and the antsy, frightened way the natives behave lead him to believe that even the slightest sound is not safe. He jerks his hand back. Lifts his device and types out another message.]

Don't speak.
I'm Erik and we're going to look for your answers.
If you cannot remain silent then our journey ends before it has started.

[He couldn't allow anyone else to be the reason he dies here.]

[ Maybe it's the entire motion of this moment that has Egil drawing back, not quite so stunned as he is annoyed. He'd spoken no louder than a whisper, perhaps even quieter than that, and it's not as if anything has happened. They're still alive, aren't they? It's the first thing Egil wants to say, but rather than comment on it or reply back, he moves around him on the narrow sand path and immediately starts walking. He doesn't move in the direction of the community center; he's going towards the row of houses in the distance.

If he's followed, he doesn't care. He can find answers on his own. Alone. At least that he remembers how to do well enough without the help of someone else. ]

[The reaction is the opposite of what he expected. Most respond with contrition. Take back what they’ve clearly done wrong. Not this man. Erik is equally annoyed as he is amused. Their devices are still synced.]

Is that it?
I do not agree with your actions and you walk away?

[Erik isn’t following him. No, he just happens to be going down the same sandpath a few feet behind. Coincidence.]

[ He keeps walking until he notices the light on his device, and even then, Egil continues to walk away as he reads it. Yet, it's a completely different story when he sees those words, stopping in the middle of the path to turn around and face him. ]

what do you want me to do instead?
i'm not going to apologize
we're still alive so what does it matter [ So maybe he's a little salty... ]

why are you going this way?

[Erik stops. His expression shows how annoyed he is. He might have wanted to test the sound issue but not until he was comfortable and had observed everyone else for a while.]

And if we weren’t?
Would you feel apologetic then.

I’m not.

[With that, Erik turns back towards the Reset Room. He doesn’t wait or respond to anything Egil might say. Later, after having too much juice, he spots that same annoying and delightfully freckled individual standing not far off by himself. He pulls out his phone. Types while walking. Doesn’t stop until he’s entirely too close.]

I’ve thought of you.

[ Egil wants to be mad, but mostly, he feels indifferent. If he never saw this guy again, he probably wouldn't care, though he finds himself thinking about him throughout the day. What kind of place did he come from? Was there more danger there than here? Is that why he was a bit standoffish and annoyed with him for speaking? He considers it even as he explores the outer perimeter of the town and goes back again to join the people gathering around a particularly red fire.

When Erik approaches him, Egil has only had a sip or two of the jar juice, and he stares at him for a second or two before taking a step back. He reaches over to type on Erik's phone. ]

what were you thinking about?
i thought you didn't want to talk to me anymore

[Erik isn't annoyed that Egil had been curious, he was as well. He was bothered that the man had chosen to act without considering what Erik might or might not want. He could take risks. Has and will again, but he couldn't let something happen to him here. He had to go back. He had to find to find Shaw.]

You.
I was thinking of your annoying mouth.
And all those freckles.

[Too bold? No. More flirtatious with a man than he usually is? Yes. He doesn't care.]

I'd like us to come to an understanding.
Don't make choices for me.

[ When he reads over the words, he doesn't actually have a lot of time to really process what it says because he can feel the heat in his face starting to spread across his cheeks. It's not like there hasn't been anyone to outright comment on those things before, but it's never been so forthright. Egil stares at Erik for a long while before he even manages to type something back, hesitating a moment to consider his response. There are so many questions, and he doesn't know if he should bother asking them or not. ]

what about my mouth?
you're not being very specific right now [ Because he needs to antagonize him instead. ]

and don't make choices for me
if you want something just say it and i'll do the same thing next time

That it's annoying, everything you say.
But that I thought about what it might feel like.

[Is he being so terribly subtle that Egil can't figure out what he's implying?]

Don't be coy.
Fine.
Don't put my life at risk. I won't be staying here.
And I want to kiss you now.

[ That's not the first time he's heard something similar, and Egil almost shrugs it off until there's that follow-up message. Then, he can definitely feel the heat rushing to his face, and he's glad it's mostly dark so Erik can't see him and comment on that as well. There had only been one person in his life that he'd almost entertained the idea of kissing, and after he'd left home, it had sort of faded into the background. Now, there's this person who barely knows him wanting to do the exact same thing? And why?

No matter how many times he thinks about it, he can't think of a reason. ]

you're the one being coy
if you want something you should just take it

[ And because they're standing close already, it doesn't take much effort to lean up – there isn't too much difference in their height, but Erik definitely has more muscle than he does – and press an incredibly chaste kiss to his mouth before drawing back and smirking like he's done something hilarious. ]

[Because he's attractive. Feisty. Attributes that appeal to Erik, on a base level, and the latter is something that is amusing. It meant they wouldn't be bored.

And this is when typing out all parts of a conversation is annoying and bothersome. Especially when he wants to respond but Egil is closing the gap between them to steal a kiss that he'd seemed so reluctant to give in the first place. That smirk. He arches a brow. Taps out a message on his phone and then lifts it.]

Is that so?

[It wasn't express permission but it was close enough. Erik slides his device into his pocket. His hand darts out, fingers curling in the collar of Egil's shirt. Twisting the fabric, he tugs Egil back in. There's a brief pause, leave or stop this if you don't want it, and then he's pressing their lips together. Firmly. Nothing chaste about it.]

[ There's a moment he loses his breath at the forceful way he's drawn in, and briefly, Egil wonders if this man is going to do something juvenile like shove him away from the safety of the sand that shifts beneath their feet. Yet, that doesn't come. Instead, it's the warm pressure of his mouth, and there's the familiar taste of that juice that had been going around when it deepens just a fraction. It's easy to freeze, his fingers curled tightly around his device and the other paused in mid-air—like he doesn't know what to do; he's never really been kissed before. Not like this, not without having started it himself. (And even then, it had just been one time.)

Eventually, he rests his free hand against Erik's chest and pulls away. He manages to juggle typing out with one hand even as he looks at him, the letters a bit smashed together because he can't focus on that and how easy it would be to tease him for something more. ]

do you kiss everyone you meet?

[Erik cares too much about his own preservation to do anything that might upset their safety. He won't die for a kiss. No matter how good it might end up becoming. The juice might ease the way for Erik to indulge in public, but it doesn't play a part in what he does or who he wants.

His teeth barely, hardly, get to scrape across the soft skin of Egil's lower lip before the guy pulls away. Erik frowns.]

No.

[His grip tightens.] Was that it? [Was it inexperience, nerves, or something that else held Egil back?] Let's go somewhere else.

[ Egil wishes he could see more of the other man's face, but with the way the fire is, it's almost impossible to really read his expression. Instead, he glances at the words, biting at his lip and still feeling the pressure of his mouth on his. If he went... well, what would it matter? It's not as if there's anyone here who would care. It's not as if anyone would know to look for him if he suddenly went missing. There's that same sensation that's filled him since he'd been old enough to live out beyond the safety of the city on his own filling him up, and Egil continues to type with one hand even as his other fists into the material of Erik's shirt. ]

tell me your name and i will [ Because he hadn't when Egil had given him his. ]
then maybe you can tell me what you want

Erik, as I've said before.

[Normally, he might not waste the energy repeating himself, but Egil inspired him to reach for higher levels of attitude than what was typical for him. Erik steps closer, showing with body language what his words are going to confirm. A thumb brushes across Egil's lower lip.]

You know exactly what I want.
If you don't want the same, say so now.

[ He vaguely recalls that, but he immediately gets distracted by what he'd originally meant to ask. Who he is. What kind of person is he, what kind of world he comes from. Egil flushes, feeling the heat of his proximity mixing with the warmth of that juice. ]

i'll let you know if i don't like it [ And purposely, he bites at Erik's thumb before grabbing his hand. ]
let's go this way
i have an idea

[ Which ultimately includes trying to find a way into the main building so they can be inside a soundproofed room. He wants to be able to breathe without worrying if something is going to kill him, and really, that just means they could be alone. ]

Will you.

[Erik is absolutely certain that Egil would tell him, in great detail, how he felt about everything. For a place where they have to be quiet, the redhead made sure that he's heard clearly at every turn.

As they make the trip along the sandpaths towards a building that is soundproofed, he tracks his footsteps so that he makes no sound. When they get there, he checks the door and then holds it open for Egil to step inside.]

Which room?

[ He's only been inside this place once, and he glances at the door before stepping in. Once the door is secured, there's really no need to stay so quiet, and despite the way the dark engulfs them the moment he puts away his device, Egil doesn't mind. There have been nights without the comfort of a light. What's more, he isn't alone. He turns to Erik and purposely exhales loudly. ]

Any room you want. I don't think anyone else is here. [ Maybe now, finally, he'll get to hear what he sounds like, and there would be time to ask as many questions as he wants. ] Let's go this way. [ And he's back to taking Erik's hand so he can pull him along. ]

[With his device now in his pocket, he allows his eyes to adjust to the darkness before taking a step towards Egil. He doesn't get a chance to say much before he's pulled into a room, which is fine. He'll let Egil lead the way until they're somewhere more private.

Shutting the door behind him, he curls his fingers so that the redhead doesn't slip away from him.] This will do.

[Erik's accent is strong, hints of Germanic and Polish twisted through his words.]

I believe you owe me a kiss.

[ He's moved them into a relatively small room—one used for teaching sign. There are a few chairs and a couple tables, but Egil doesn't need any of that to kiss someone. Never mind this is sort of a backwards way to do anything, letting his fingers loosen in Erik's so he can turn around and move closer. Being from a relatively isolated part of the world, Egil is used to accents, and there's something thrilling about this one. It reminds him of Florian, but right now, he doesn't want to think about the Speranţă's cook. ]

I don't remember saying I was really going to give you one.

[ But he'd come here for a reason, and he leans into the short distance that separates them, looping an arm around his neck so he can kiss him. It's just as chaste as the first time he'd kissed him, though there's a bit more pressure to it. He speaks against his mouth. ] Do you want another one?

But you did not say that you wouldn’t.

[It was an interesting game they were playing. Cat and mouse. Hunter and prey. A game where neither of them were one or the other alone, they were taking turns. Erik enjoyed games like this. For a little while. Arms are looped around his shoulders. Hands placed at Egil’s hips. He was thin, Erik’s fingertips run over hipbones and he squeezes, giving the redhead no room to move.]

I’m exhausted with you toying with me. [His teeth catch on Egil’s lower lip.] So I will kiss you.

[Which is exactly what he does. There are only a few inches between them and Egil’s mouth was already so close to his. He tips his chin down, lips slightly parted, and presses their mouths together in a firm kiss.]

[ This is the thing he should have been expecting because Erik seems like a very demanding person, but the ferocity of it still catches him off-guard. Egil takes a step back, bumping into the wall, and when he has nowhere else to go, he grabs hard at the collar of Erik's ridiculous jumpsuit and pushes up into the kiss. It leaves him off balances because he honestly has no idea what he's doing, but the contact feels good. He hasn't been this close to another person in a long time, and a strange sort of shiver runs through him, parting from the kiss with a loud breath. ]

What else do you want from me?

[ It's a quiet question, looking at him directly and daring him to say something. Anything. Maybe he just wants to provoke him a little now that they don't have to type out words, and he innocently licks at his bottom lip, waiting for some sort of answer. ]

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spalt - 2018-03-08 17:27 (UTC) - Expand

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