INTRO LOG #2

[bequiet]

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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Comments

Emily Kaldwin | Dishonored

[whists]

Put a Sock in It.

[The last time that she was in a world that was different, her dear Aunt Delilah had painted it. This - well, honestly, it doesn't feel so far off from the painting. It's like Dunwall and the Void have been put sewn together, but when she looks up at the sky, there's a distinctive lack of floating whales.

Strange how that weighs heavily on her chest, as if the Outsider's presence would have been at all welcoming right now. (But it would be, because he was familiar).

She'd just gotten home back, had just rescued her father, had been starting to put everything back together. And now this. It was almost funny. Almost. Dear, sweet Empress, without a throne or a crown or a royal protector. Again.

She glances back at the building she's just left, where the room pulled her out of - where? Home? Existence? Is any of this even real? Her lips part, but she thinks better of testing the idea that it's all a lie. Ghosts are not something she wants to play with if she doesn't have to just yet.

Emily waits outside of the building, wondering if perhaps Corvo will step outside. Anton. Hell, she'd take the imposter Meagan Foster. As she does, she carefully wraps her left hand in a bit of extra cloth she was able to swipe until her mark from the Outsider is covered.]

Liplocked.

[Emily isn't drinking. It's not that she doesn't drink. There were a few times before when she'd been so drunk, Wyman became four people. Or no people. She was young, and stupid, and she had hated her life a lot more then. She's not quite as reckless with alcohol now, not after Delilah and roaming Serkonos.

The problem right now is that, she has no idea what this is. It's nothing like any alcohol she's seen before, which is a fair assessment. She's never been here before.

The problem right now is, she's watching the natives and a few others take drinks and they're getting a little friskier. She doesn't trust the alcohol, but people watching is always a good time. So she'll just be here, hanging out by the fire, being really amused.]

[ooc: feel free to hit her up, you lushes ;)]

Wildcard.

[Hit Emily up for whatever! She's been assigned as a Hunter, so she'll probably be frequently hanging around in trees and killing things. Emily can also be found hanging around on roofs and scaling buildings at night. It's not weird. She's also in House 10, for any roomie shenanigans.]

Liplocked.

[porkbelly]

[Yuuri had been very good about avoiding alcohol up to this point. It wasn't that he disliked it or it had ill effects on him - it was quite the opposite. When he drank he shed his normal reserved personality and became a much bolder person. In this place, where being quiet and reserved was a boon, drinking seemed like an especially bad idea.

But someone had misinformed him. He didn't think it was alcohol. It smelled good. One cup became two. Two became four... and it was a very different Yuuri that slid up next to Emily. At the very least, he retained the important information that he needed to be quiet, so instead of words he gives her a very friendly wave accompanied by a knowing smile.]

oh yuuri, no

[whists]

[She made herself a target. That was an oversight, but not one that Emily necessarily was irritated with. Yet. Even if someone overstepped their boundaries, she has plenty of ways to let it be known that they had. For now, she was just enjoying the mood of the event, the fun of it all without downing drink after drink.

So when Yuuri slid up to her?

She wasn't surprised.

Arching an eyebrow at him, she lifts her hand in a casual wave in return.] Having a good time?

he will be so embarrassed later

[porkbelly]

Yeah. It's better than being terrified and covered in mud.

My name's Yuuri. What's yours?

she'll bring it up every now and then, just to make it worse

[whists]

I don't know, you can do fun things with mud.

[Like hide dead bodies!]

Emily. I'll stay cautious about whether it's a pleasure to meet you or not.

[porkbelly]

[He'll put on an expression of mock pouting, placing a hand to his chest.]

Aw, that hurts. Do I really look like a bad guy? You just looked lonely all by yourself.

[whists]

[She crosses one leg over the other, leaning in closer to him.]

A girl can never be too sure. Are you going to be my hero and swoop me off my feet?

[porkbelly]

[That makes him laugh - to be specific, he quietly snort giggles and slaps his thigh (in an exaggerated slow manner so as not to actually make noise). Even drunk Yuuri has a healthy dose of dork in him.]

That sounds kind of corny. Does that line ever really work?

[whists]

[She raises both eyebrows at him. It's perhaps one of the first noises she's heard since arriving here, the soft snort of a possibly-drunk young man.

She's never really thought of herself as funny before, but she guesses she can get used to that.]

I'm sure at some point it has,
or it wouldn't be a line. Those desperate for love can be taken away by a lot.

[porkbelly]

Well, good thing I'm not looking for love then. I've already got that. I just want a little fun.

Liplocked ; the parental version

[clussy]

(It's really not shocking that Eddie had taken a sip. He doesn't have the best track record for considering what he's ingesting, and those habits die harder than fear personified as clowns. And he would know. So he takes the drink and takes it in stride.

Or rather, in desperation. Eddie's got a whole lot of emotions in him, and the drink doesn't need to work too hard to bleed them through the surface.

His fear of adults is softened by the drink, and seeing an older woman that looks vaguely like some of the women he had grown close to back on the station has Eddie straying close.

Sorry Emily, but you might have a small hand veeery shyly grabbing at a couple of your fingers.)

world's most awkward mother, coming up

[whists]

[Here are the things Emily has expected since making the terrible decision to stick close to the revelry of the night: unwanted advances, sly smiles and winks, and wandering hands. She even expects to endure the agony of chapped lips over the backs of her hands, as if that's going to make her weak in the knees.

What she doesn't expect is the hesitancy of fingers too small to belong to an adult vying for her own fingers' attention.

Even still, there's a current of tension that holds her still before she breathes out a silent sigh to relax again. And there is, next to her, a boy trying to hold her hand. She can't even remember the last time she was in close contact with a child. Her other hand lifts up in an awkward twitch of a wave.

Congrats, Eddie, Emily finally looks mildly bewildered by the situation.]

excellent.

[clussy]

(The fact that he is not instantly smacked away or Emily's hand doesn't yank from his grip has Eddie grinning broadly. Sure, some boys his age could have been doing this for crude reasons. He was just old enough that those kind of jokes made up half the conversations he had with his own friends. But it's pretty evident from his expression that this is something a hell of a lot more pure and simple. Eddie might not have a good relationship with his birth mother, but he had developed some special ones towards the women back on the station that were very similar.

And he missed them.

He waves back at her, squeezing her hand and a moment later is getting out his device. It's a little awkward texting with one hand, but he manages.)

I'm Eddie. Sorry. I saw you standing alone and figured it would be okay to come over.

(Which his nose crinkles a bit at because was that right? He isn't so sure, but the drink makes him care a hell of a lot less than he probably should.)

[whists]

[It doesn't stop Emily from feeling uncomfortable at her hand being held hostage, but it does help that she can tell immediately, whatever the affect the drink has on the boy, it's friendly. She's noticed that, too, while watching others. Not everything here is lustful and greedy, but there's - friendship? Perhaps she should sneak a jar of this away and see if there's a scientist lurking around.

She's almost lost to her thoughts for a second until that small squeeze.]

Alone doesn't always mean lonely.
I'm Emily.

[Besides, Emily's gotten used to what loneliness feels like.]

First time drinking?

[clussy]

(A fair point, really. Were their positions switched, Eddie wouldn't have been thrilled to holding the hand of a stranger either. He actually would have been a lot less nice about it than Emily was currently being. Then again, he was a kid.

He gives a very slow nod, because he does suppose that's true.)

Oh, I'm sorry.

(For coming over then. Except Eddie's a little too influenced by the drink to think that maybe he should be backing off now.

He's also pretty sure that everyone still enjoyed some company. Good company, anyway.)

What, like alcohol? I don't think that stuff was alcohol. Alcohol's a lot harder to get down.

(So..............No. Not first time drinking.)

[whists]

[She isn't really sure what the protocol is for shaking kids off of her hands, so Emily is just biding her time until she can take it back. Without... hurting his feelings, she supposes. She's been in this position before, sort of. Taken from home, dumped among a bunch of strangers. Kids need comfort.]

Everyone makes mistakes.

[And besides, he is better company than being hit on.]

Not all drinks are hard to get down.

Lip-locked

[list_maker]

[Arya isn't nearly so amused, she's eyeing those around her with a mixture of confusion and disgust. Don't they realize how foolish they all look? They have to know that there's something off about what they're drinking, right? She sidesteps two natives who looked to be silently eating one another's faces, Arya grimaces as she make her way quickly from them.

She sees the woman. The one she's already seen in the reset room. After that strange dream. Emily doesn't seem to be acting strangely, so Arya chances an approach.] What's going on? Do you know? [Can you make it stop?]

[whists]

[Seeing a familiar face has Emily offering up a small smile at Arya's approach. The younger girl is an anomaly, but she reminds Emily of herself in some ways. She's still undecided on whether or not that's a good thing.

At the message, she can't resist the slight waggle of her eyebrows.] The drinks are spiked with what I suspect is a very good aphrodisiac. I'm just not sure the natives knew how to convey that to the rest of us efficiently.

[Good times can't be stopped, Arya.]

[list_maker]

[Gross. Arya looks back to everyone and then Emily again. Good times can be stopped Emily, you're just not trying hard enough!] Do they know how stupid they all look? [Maybe there's a small part of her, larger than she's going to admit to, that's jealous of them. But ssh.]

[whists]

[The disgusted look is hard to miss, and she can't help but grin at it. It's not the most pleasant scenes to watch, but she's seen worse at the Golden Cat. Way, way worse.

Besides, who is Emily to ruin someone else's good time? If it doesn't affect her, it's good.] They will tomorrow. I'm sure a mountain of apologies will be built up.

[list_maker]

[Arya turns away from them all, directing her attention of Emily, considering her if only to avoid having to watch the show everyone is putting on behind her.] You seem very comfortable with this... [The question 'why' is obvious.]

[whists]

Do I?

[She shrugs after she types the message, dark gaze focused on Arya. Maybe the girl is uncomfortable with such obvious affection. She can't blame her. They are ridiculous.] I've spent a good amount of time watching people making fools of themselves before.

[list_maker]

I have too. Doesn't mean I enjoy seeing it. [she hadn't enjoyed walking through the brothel in Braavos. It had just been a means to an end. To find Meryn Trant.]

[whists]

You're not much for fun, are you? [Emily points to the crowd with a sweeping hand.] You can learn a lot about those around you by how they act when they're vulnerable. I don't think this drink is meant to hurt anyone, but it is meant to help them feel more at ease. [She grins.] Watch people make an ass of themselves, reap the benefits.

[list_maker]

I am fun! [Only probably not. Look, it's been a very long time since Arya has had 'fun'. Her fun these days was murdering people on her list of names. She's not a normal young girl. She scowls a bit, scanning the crowd.]

I suppose I can at least learn a few things about all of these people. What they do when they can't help themselves... [Their wants. Desires.]