002 - Growing Pains

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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

[mightdoriya]

[Yeah...that's just the picture of things being fine, truly.

Izuku will...ignore that as he walks up to start to chop at one of the big mushrooms that just about knocked Katsuki over at it's base, though he's not confident it's going to last even when he's finally cut it down.]

They really are popping up everywhere...I wonder if anybody has tested to see if they're edible yet or not.

[Knowing some people here he's met...he's sure SOMEONE has.]

[comburst]

I just fucking said - !

[ STOP HELPING HIM he elbows Deku but then more or less...surrenders, but not quietly. He's annoyed as ever... ]

As long as they're not mixed with something poisonous, these kinds of mushrooms shouldn't kill us.

[ Not that they can currently die, but has anyone really tested that? ]

[mightdoriya]

Hm...

[Do they want to risk it...hunger is a thing now, and Izuku is pretty damn hungry. Not that that will be much a problem for long with Katsuki around, but still.]

Maybe we can try making something with them later, but first we have to try to get them out of here. How fast are they growing back?

[comburst]

[ As if to answer that question, a mushroom Deku was hacking at springs back...

To punch him in the nose.

With growth, not a fist. ]

Fast enough I want my goddamn Quirk.

[mightdoriya]

Uweh-

[OW? Izuku staggers back when the mushroom suddenly pops back up with enough speed to hit him square in the face, causing him to fall back flat on his ass. Cool...

He's holding his nose when he replies, slightly muffled as the mushroom is slightly taller than before, as if mocking him.]

W-why are they inside, anyway? It's like Komori-san's Quirk..

[comburst]

To piss us off, why else!

[ The mushrooms are VERY CLEARLY sentient and doing this on purpose, okay. Katsuki FEELS IT in his bones... ]

Tch...FINE. I guess I'll help you!

[ Not the other way around, of course. HE is helping Deku. Deku is for sure not helping him. ]

[mightdoriya]

[Gee thanks Kacchan you're a real pal...Izuku sighs, rubbing his nose for a minute before drawing his hand away, looking back over at the mushrooms.]

Uh, thank you...though honestly, I don't know if we're going to get anywhere just cutting them if they keep growing back. There has to be something else.

[comburst]

It's not like we can burn them down without burning down the entire place.

[ If the fire even decides to work right. ]

[mightdoriya]

[So what to do, then...Izuku leans his sword on his shoulder as he watches the mushrooms continue to occasionally shudder and shoot up another couple inches. If something isn't done, the entire apartments will be overrun...]

Got any ideas?

[comburst]

We need to get them out at the root.

[ Which they can only do after they get small enough... ]

One person hacks, one person pulls.

[mightdoriya]

[It's worth a shot!]

You hack then. I'll try to pull it out.

[Katsuki seems like he needs to get out some Aggressive Energy, so.]

[comburst]

[ Izuku definitely chose the correct division of duties there...

Katsuki immediately yells and goes to town. How does Deku fare? ]

[mightdoriya]

[WELL...it's difficult, but not as difficul as anticipated. Izuku makes sure to get a good grip on the bottom stem of the mushroom where Katsuki isn't hacking it to pieces, trusting him not to take off a finger (or his whole hand) as he does. He may not have his Quirk, but he's still physically fit thanks to regular training. So once Katsuki finally cuts the head of the mushroom off again...

Izuku pulls as hard as he can, briefly wondering if he'll be able to even get it up...until abruptly, the whole stem breaks free from the carpet, the root-like system pulling up along with him.

Of course he shouts as it happens, falling flat on his ass. Again.]

[comburst]

[ That's fine, Izuku has never in his life been graceful. And as he yanks out the mushroom, it stops growing...leaving them with about four more to defeat. ]

[mightdoriya]

[Time to work on this for a while...Izuku doesn't seem to mind too much, if it means keeping their living space...you know, not full of mushrooms.]

I hope the others aren't having too much trouble with these...I'm sure we aren't the only ones living here now.

[comburst]

Next you'll ask me to make them food as housewarming gifts.

[ He doesn't trust Deku not to be annoying... ]

[mightdoriya]

[LOOK...]

Well I mean...the only person that I know of that can for sure cook is Amamiya-san...

[Not that the others can't, but. You know.]

I'd hate for anyone to go hungry, but at least there's plenty of options for food right now.

[comburst]

Haaaaah?! You know I can cook!

[ Yes he is offended now why do you ask ]

[mightdoriya]

[NO KACCHAN WAIT]

I meant o-other than you! Of course I know you can cook!

[Why must you always assume the worst of him...]

[comburst]

TCH...

[ How is that a question! He spent like a decade assuming Deku looked down on him. ]

I'm better than whoever the other guy is!

[ Stop??? Praising other people??? ]

[mightdoriya]

I know! I know...

[Don't worry Kacchan, with how many people in this place probably know you AS "Kacchan"...you'll realize right quick that Izuku still thinks you're better than everyone else.]

Is... [SIGH] Murderlord with you, by the way?

[comburst]

He was batting at mushrooms in the hall.

[ So he's around... ]

[mightdoriya]

[Okay, good. He just likes to Disappear at random and it worries Izuku, but he just...assumes he's with Katsuki because he just loves him SO MUCH...]

I figured...sounds like he's already made himself at home.

[comburst]

[ Katsuki bribes him... ]

Why wouldn't he? It's better with us than out in the wild. Especially now that things are eating one another...

[mightdoriya]

[Yeah, it's definitely an indicator that Katsuki likes him. Probably better than people.]

Guess that means he's allowed in our apartment?