002 - Growing Pains

[tabularasa_mods]

Growing Pains State of the World ▲ Locations ▼ Bestiary
OOC ▲ Comments A Light In The Darkness
Light seems to have been especially tricky for the world to comprehend, but it finally, finally seems to have figured things out. Light comes from more than just the sky, and now signs and lamps that were once dark have begun to glow brightly. From the Wall Market's dazzling exhibition of color to the dimmed street lamps of the City of Tears, the whole world has been made bright and lively once more without losing the comfort and tranquility that darkness brings. Even the broken screens of the Hammerlocke Stadium give off a pleasant glow, and the world doesn't seem to care that some lights need electricity to stay on - lights are simply lights, as far as the world seems concerned.

Unfortunately, these new lights are a little too simple. Without any need for a power source, there's no way to turn the lights off - if something is deemed a light source, it will always function as a light source. The only way to stop it is to destroy the object beyond recognition, but that might not be the most practical solution. Covering up the lights is the next best thing, but it's a task that's easier with some sources than others. At least no one needs to sleep yet.

Difficulties aside, now seems like the perfect time to start exploring all those new corners of the world that were previously too dark to navigate. Fire is an easy, safe and portable light source that anyone can use, and it even puts itself out after awhile. Just be careful not to get stuck in the dark by a stray breeze.

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Who's Hungry?
Animals need to eat. People need to eat. These are simple facts that people lost in the strange, changing landscape all seem to be well aware of, yet appear to not apply to this world. That is not to say that people can’t eat or drink, for many people do, but there is no actual need. Eating provides nothing but the knowledge that one has eaten, and anyone might go without food entirely. Lately, some might have found eating has become more satisfying and fulfilling an act, as though food is providing them with a vaguely-defined something they didn’t get before. It doesn’t seem to mean much in the grand scheme of things, but perhaps it allows them some sense of normality.

When hunger sets in, it’s sudden. Every person, whether or not they ever needed to eat in their homeland, is hit with a powerful, overwhelming sense of hunger, to the point it feels that if they do not eat they will soon starve. Those who have never eaten in all their time here might easily find themselves so hungry they can barely even move, and have little choice but to eat. Fortunately, food is plentiful. If it can be put in the mouth, chewed and swallowed, it is food, and thus will give a person temporary relief from their hunger. What goes in does not appear to come out, instead simply becoming part of that person and revitalizing them. How long it takes to feel hungry again seems entirely random, and each time there is no lead up - someone is either fine, or they are starving, without any in-between.

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Starving Mad Beasts
When people suddenly remember hunger, so too do the animals of the world. For some creatures this isn't an issue - the tall-necked beasts continue to graze on the treetops like they always have, and the smaller creatures seem content with snacking on whatever small scraps they can find. Not all creatures are so easily satisfied, however, and the more aggressive ones have turned to attacking other species for food.

The vicious water dragons are quick to clamp their mouths on anything within reach... but, lacking teeth, this doesn't amount to much. Still, they're as persistent as ever, and in a way their inability to viciously devour their prey only makes them more dangerous. These beasts are starving, and for all their skill in chasing down prey they can do little to actually eat their catch, which means they're constantly on the hunt and out to get anything that moves. Perhaps it might even be a good idea to help them out, if feeding the fish might make them a little less aggressive.

The machines are far better equipped for hunting, and all the more dangerous now that they're hungry enough to take a bite out of someone. Death is not a concept the world understands, so it's not like they're doing any permanent harm, but it's still a bit unnerving to see animals limping by with bite-sized chunks taken out of them. They haven't had a taste of people yet, but it doesn't seem like it'll be long before they try.

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Mushroom Hunting
Mushrooms are a new sight within the world, and a perfect snack to satisfy that sudden debilitating hunger! Harvesting them can be a bit of a problem, however. For one, they are massive, and the task of cutting one down and breaking it into edible chunks is made much easier with a group of people than one person working alone. Finding the mushrooms in their dark habitats may also be difficult... although, it is much easier to spot a mushroom the size of an entire person compared to something much smaller.

The real problem with mushroom hunting is where they can grow, which is nearly anywhere indoors. Though light now comes from other sources besides the sky, there are still buildings with dark corners that might suddenly acquire a giant mushroom or two (or three, or four) if left alone. And if those mushrooms are allowed to remain, they may just continue to grow, and grow, and grow...

So, if you don't want giant mushrooms bursting through your roof, it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for them before that happens.

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

[theforgottenboy]

A. Let There Be Light (wall market/caves)

[Cole's general impression of the market in the caves hasn't been a great one. It's too dark, the architecture is strange and maze-like, and even if there are some interesting displays of food and drinks, he doesn't need either (or didn't, depending) and most of the buildings are empty inside, which is of no use to him.]

[This time, however, it's shiny enough to rival the Fade.]

[It takes some investigating and poking around for him to determine that the lights can be removed, and he sees nothing unusual in the fact that they continue to provide light even when disconnected. While he doesn't personally have a reason to collect a bunch of lights, it's still pretty dark in the caves on the way here, and he knows at least some people like to come here despite that. Maybe more, now that this place has light.]

[So he spends a while collecting an assortment of bulbs- regular ones, colorful ones, it doesn't matter so long as they're small enough to carry and there's still enough light left behind that they won't be missed.]

[And then he retraces his usual path out of the caves, occasionally leaving a bulb on the ground behind him. It may not be the brightest light to see by, and there's no guarantee the local wildlife won't make off with them- but for the time being, this particular cave trail is a little more colorful.]

B. Mushrooms for Everyone (wherever)

[Hunger is bad. After his initial encounters with it, it doesn't take long for him to notice the local creatures showing signs of this new phenomenon as well, and being the helpful spirit he is, takes it upon himself to help out where he can.]

[You may spot him carrying a plastic bag he scrounged up from the beach trash, collecting and either hand feeding or offering bits of raw mushroom to any assortment of critters- the cat birds, the chicken nugs, the paint tails, the long necks if he can get them to lower their heads enough. Do you have a pet (or pokemon) that likes to wander? They're getting free mushrooms.]

[Perhap a bit more precariously, he can also be found trying to feed some of the more aggressive metal species, usually by throwing a handful toward them and booking it rather than sticking around in their territory.]

[Or maybe you spy him crouched in the branches of a tree near the forest lake with his bag of mushroom chunks sitting by the trunk, looking out over the water and pondering if it's even worth it to try and feed the angry fish...]

C. Hunger (hammerlocke) (cw: dissociation) (limited prompt- no more than 2 threads pls)

[He's searching one of the shops in the ruins of Hammerlocke when the first wave of hunger hits hard, sharp, and completely without warning. It's enough to draw a startled gasp of pain from him as he stumbles back as if struck, which, for a brief moment he's looking down expecting to see an arrow or dagger sticking out of his stomach.]

[But that's not what this pain is. It's been long enough he'd almost forgotten, but with it hitting him so blatantly now it's impossible to forget once the memories are pulled back to the surface. But this isn't right, he knows he doesn't need to eat. That is right, isn't it? When he starved to death that wasn't- this isn't-]

[Is it? How does he know? He doesn't know where he is, not in any way that defines him. Is this what he is now? Is this real? Is any of this real...?]

[He tries to move, but the hunger saps his strength and he collapses against the nearest wall, sliding down to the floor with his back pressed against it. It's cold and dark here, not as dark as that cell was but it overwhelms him anyway, the pain and fear more solid a shackle than anything here and now.]

[He remains there for a time, trembling and tightly hugging his knees before he can find the will to call for help, and even then it's weak and frightened.]

P-Please, is anyone there- it hurts...!

C

[zenryokubatankyu]

[So, the universe was starting to finally get its shit together, in a way. Not entirely, but enough so for people to notice. Enough so for Osomatsu to notice, at least. He sets about exploring Hammerlocke again that day, peering through the empty location, hummming softly. It takes only a while for him to recognize what the pangs of hunger are, and he frowns softly. Right.

He'll need to find something to eat soon, but he won't let that slow him down yet. He keeps peering around, and that's when he sees a familiar figure. Not one that he knows particularly well, but one that knows him reasonably well. And he seems...the sight makes whatever sense of wonderment there was at exploration, whatever excitement there was at searching out every crack and crevice of this place like some kind of expert adventurer...it all seems too real now. And not in a pleasant way.

It's Cole, and he's collapsed. Collapsed and trembling, and he looks terrified. Osomatsu can't even imagine what is going through his mind, but he knows it's bad. And moreso, he knows he cannot leave him alone. He cautiously moves forward, his voice soft and attempting to be reassuring.]

Yeah, I'm -- [he clears his throat quietly] I'm here.

[He's trying not to make any sudden movements, and he crouches to the ground for a moment, a weak smile on his face.]

Hey. I'm here to help.

[With whatever this is.]

[theforgottenboy]

[When he hears Osomatsu's voice, he lifts his head- not halfway like he usually does so that his hat still conceals his face, but high enough so that he can look right him, staring with wide terrified eyes.]

[Someone actually came? Not a Templar either, but- this isn't how it happened... how it happened...? Is that not where he is? But where is he, and why? He shudders.]

Are you... real?

[zenryokubatankyu]

I'm real, yeah. 100% real person, right here, who can help you.

[Poor guy's voice is still so weak, and those eyes...it's all worrying. He seems like he's in the middle of some kind of trauma episode, from what he can puzzle out, but he doesn't know the exact details.]

What's going on...?

[theforgottenboy]

[He's a real person. He can help. It's too late for that though, he couldn't- no, that's... yes, that's right. But it's- confusing, he's here but he isn't, he's somewhere between the cracks and he can't pull himself back out-]

It hurts. I-I'm slipping, sinking, I can't-

[He reaches out a shaky hand to latch onto Osomatsu's sleeve, and lets out a shuddering breath when he does. He can feel the texture of the fabric under his fingers, a small thing, but grounding nonetheless.]

[zenryokubatankyu]

Hey. Hey. [He continues speaking softly, letting him grab onto his sleeve.] You're not slipping or sinking, you're right here. You're right here and I've got you. Take some deep breaths. In and out. Do it with me. In.....then out.

[He needs to get him calm, then he can focus on what he needs.]

B!

[rotomphone]

[ hunger isn't just bad; it's awful. a guy of Raihan's tall stature means that he needs quite a bit to eat to at least get his energy back up, which has thankfully happened thanks to Duraludon dragging him to Heavenly Blanc for some curry. the bright side is that he's sated and rested now, which means it's time to return the favour and scavenge for some more food!

Duraludon's initial suggestion was some rocks it had dug up, but as much as it was appreciated, they probably aren't as tasty-looking to humans as they are for him. the mushrooms he's been hearing about feel like the next best bet, though he hasn't managed to find any when he stumbles upon Cole up in the trees. when he spots him from below, he waves an arm to get his attention. ]

Hey! How's the view up there?

[theforgottenboy]

[He looks down when Raihan calls up to him, leaning forward (perhaps a tad precariously) to call back down.]

I can see across the lake. If I get any closer, the angry fish might come out.

[Which might be a good thing, it's just how to avoid being bodyslammed by said fish that he's pondering.]

[rotomphone]

[ not to worry! surely Raihan will spring into action to catch him if he falls... or maybe Duraludon, but that landing might be a little less comfortable. ]

Those weird Magikarp, you mean? [ he looks across the water. ] Yeah, they're pretty nasty... d'you reckon they've gotten hungry like the rest of us?

[ someone should feed them, in that case! everything deserves to eat, even if you're a rampaging fish. ]

[theforgottenboy]

[Magikarp? Maybe that's a Pokemon he doesn't know about.]

I think so. It might make them angrier. I want to feed them, so that doesn't happen.

[Somehow.]

[rotomphone]

That's probably a good bet. I've already seen those robots on the beach start to get aggressive - the last thing we need is those things jumping out of the lake to look for food!

[ he still wants to catch one for himself, but that won't happen until Poké Balls decide that they work again... for now, he can only be an innocent bystander. lame! ]

The trick is getting it to them without putting our backsides on the line... maybe a slingshot?

B

[bridge_princess]

Cole, what are you doing?

[Said a familiar voice as she came up around the time he was staring at the fish dragon things. She presently had a fist full of pebbles and popped one into her mouth, grunting, coughing once and then just swallowing it. She'd found out this worked seemingly on accident about an hour ago.

Look, she'd been fucking hungry, and the pebble looked like a mushroom cap. Whatever, it worked.

She glanced up at him with a raised eyebrow.]

If you're that hungry, let's just go find a chicken and get it to lay eggs ok?

[theforgottenboy]

[He watches her toss what appears to be a pebble into her mouth. Huh.]

I'm not hungry, not right now.

[Thankfully. He's doing his best to avoid that happening, though it's not always predictable.]

I'm thinking about the angry fish. If they're hungry, that could make them angrier, and want to attack people more.

[Which, like hunger, is bad.]

[bridge_princess]

[If it worked, it worked. And pebbles just... didn't come back out in any fashion or form, like they were gone. She was going to roll with it. Better that than attempt to slake her carnivorous side. That might hork someone off.]

Maybe give them some pebbles? They work for me. You could throw them from further away too. They're not too bright so they might think it's fish food?

[theforgottenboy]

[He didn't think rocks would work as food, but then nugs sometimes eat rocks, so...]

Maybe... I don't know what food they normally like to eat.

[With how they attack people, maybe meat? Except they don't seem to be well enough equipped to actually eat anything living, except for smaller fish maybe...]

[He jumps down from the tree, landing in a crouch before straightening up to pick up his bag of mushroom pieces.]

I was thinking of trying with these.

[bridge_princess]

Yeah, I guess those work too. There's toadstools popping up everywhere, so might as well put them to some use. I've had to clean out the shrine twice already before they get big.

[She frowned.]

Not sure the usual rules apply on what we can or can't eat. Sure hope they don't. Youai are usually carnivorous.

a

[forethinking]

(Time to go get some sushi! Ren makes his way through the caves, already used with navigating the place. He’d explored when there were no lights and he has been coming back ever since. The hunger making a comeback, the delicious food displayed at the Wall Market currently flood Ren’s mind… But not enough for him not to notice the lightbulbs.
Mhm?

Ren follows, until he finds a Cole, helping with making the place easier to explore. He smiles as he approaches.)

Good job.

[theforgottenboy]

[He looks over from where he just placed his latest bulb and turns to face him. He's not doing it for praise, but:]

Thank you. I hope it helps.

[He's certainly able to see his way around a little better. Which will hopefully help him avoid any more river tumbles.]

[Though, recalling his little thievery incident at Heavenly Blanc...]

I hope it's all right that I took them. I don't think they belonged to anyone, and I made sure there was still enough light left.

[He hasn't heard anyone claim that place in the way they've claimed other places, so it's probably fine...?]

[forethinking]

I think it's fine, too.

(After all, that wasn't exactly the problem. But if he actually put in work to check and didn't just go taking every single lightbulb from the market, it should be fine.)

Have you been ok?

[theforgottenboy]

Good.

[He sorta gets that wasn't the main problem, but still. He's been wrong enough times before. as for his question,]

The hunger hurt. I fell back into the dark, the day that I failed. But I'm all right now. I am still me.

Have you been okay?

[forethinking]

... The day you failed?

(Sometimes, Cole talks in riddles. This doesn't seem to be one of those times.

Ren does show concern, attentive eyes and frown clear in his face.)

I've been fine, Cole.

C

[realway]

[ hunger hits ahsoka right around the same time, exploring a different part of the ruins. it's sudden and unexpected, the pain of it familiar enough that she recognizes it in her stomach instantly. so much for not needing to eat. she decides to call her little expedition off for the day in favor of finding food.

she's taking the expected route out of the ruins, the path of least resistance, when she hears cole's call for help. it's weak but the sound carries enough that she pushes off into a light sprint and stops when she catches sight of someone against a wall.

her head turns back and forth, observing if there's any immediate threat in the area (unlikely, but her checks are ingrained and automated) before approaching him. she crouches down to his level. ]

Hey there. [ it's firm in tone, but softly spoken just in case. ] What happened to you? Are you injured?

[theforgottenboy]

[Someone actually answers his call. He looks up, clearly frightened.]

[He doesn't know this person. The strange... headdress? Makes him think of the Divine, though the colors and shape are different. But they're not a templar... right?]

[...No, it wouldn't be a templar. The templars aren't... the hunger gnaws at him, and he shudders, curling in on himself further.]

Who- Who are you? Please, I- I can't...

[He doesn't know if they're here to help him or hurt him. It should be clearer, but everything's hazy, nothing of himself in sight to hold on to.]

I don't want to die...

[realway]

My name is Ahsoka.

[ she hasn't met this guy yet, but chances are they've crossed paths at some point. there's no time to think on that. ]

You're not going to die. Stay still. [ she reaches out her hands and carefully starts to check him for wounds. just gentle touches on his shoulders, arms, the sides of his chest - a fast check. ] Can you tell me what happened? What were you doing before you got here?

[theforgottenboy]

[They likely have, though he's unfortunately not in a state to acknowledge that. She tells him to stay still and he all but freezes as she touches him, a rush of fear welling with the urge to defend himself, where is his dagger-]

[But there's no pain, her touches light and quick, searching... for injuries, she had asked if he's injured. His eyes on her go from fearful to wary, confused. Is she really here to help? Even though he's...]

I... was looking, I...

[Yes. He'd been looking. For paper, for Leo. That's where he is. He lowers his head and rubs at his eyes, taking a deep shaky breath he doesn't really need.]

I got hungry.

[And then he was back in the dark. It still feels kind of like he is, but it's getting clearer.]