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002 - Growing Pains

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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With a look of utter disdain and disgust towards the general direction of town, Mel curses, "Che palle," and looks back up at him. "I'm telling you right now, pippolo mio, I won't be able to make it to the bar."

Getting upright will steal the strength she has left, and it's plain fact that by the time Damien made it there and back, she'd be dead from starvation. Or...whatever the hell happens. Coma? The Goddess doesn't want to find out, and all of this is evident on her face.

"Has to be something nearby, sì? Fruit or fungi?"

Edited 2020-08-28 00:39 (UTC)

"There's probably one of those fucking mushrooms that have been growing everywhere, suddenly, around somewhere," Damien decides, sourness deepening. It has less to do with her, however (though, there might be a little displeasure there, for all that he's pretty sure he doesn't look like a waiter), and more to do with the mushrooms themselves. He's really not kidding about them growing seemingly everywhere. He's just glad this place or whoever's behind it hasn't decided they need to start growing in his room, too.

Fighting the urge to knock on wood, or at least on the leather of his brace, he exhales a heavy breath, and on it, mutters, "Hold on." He'll be back in a few seconds with a piece of gray -- something, broken off of one of the mushrooms. He holds it out to her, with a simple, "Here."

This might still be a terrible idea, for all that he's not entirely sure the mushrooms are edible, but it's probably better than starving, right?

"I'd ask if you were also hungry, but I know that grumpy is often your default emotion," she teases around the 'gray something', too starved to fret over manners. It's also the hunger that stopped her from being a brat and pulling Damien down with said food. That and some semblance of respect or liking...or something. While the leg doesn't bother Melinoë, it seems to bother him, and he did just do her a favor.

"What can I say," he says, spreading his arms wide in an exaggerated shrug. When he drops them again, he comments, "I wish this place would figure out something useful."

He could do without feeling compelled to eat, especially not so abruptly, as it has been. He would, however, like to be able to sleep, being eternally awake much more tedious than he would have expected it to be -- probably because there's nothing to fucking do here, whereas if he didn't have to sleep at home, there's a hundred things he could have done with the extra time. He'd also like electricity to be a thing, rather than the cheap facsimile of it, in his phone's screen constantly giving off light. And so on and so forth.

Frowning, the Goddess once more looks at their surroundings, and as she dusts fingers free from fungus, she softly says, "I don't think I like it here anymore." She feels useless without the dead, and without minds to melt. She's lonely without other deities (though the trysts with Merlin help...and giving Damien a hard time).

Purple eyes return to Damien and she makes to stand, holding out both hands to him in a silent plea for assistance.

Damien hums, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. There are a lot of things he doesn't like about this place, now that they've been trapped here awhile, and the honeymoon is definitely over, but -- well, as long as he's here, he's not a dead man. As long as he's here, he doesn't have to worry about the fixer that cornered him or Aiden or the fact that one or the other will probably be the death of him. He doesn't have to worry about Blume, even if he does survive all that, and that's still a big point in this place's favor. If only it would give him something to do, then they'd be golden.

Rather than say that, however, he just looks down at her for a moment, after she's held out her hands, and then, "You realize, if I try to help you up, we'll both end up on the ground?" He has the upper body strength, thanks to all the physical therapy he had to go through for his leg, and the looming shadow of eventually needing a wheelchair. That's not the problem. The problem is, his leg may or may not give out, if he tries to brace himself to lift her, and he's going to have to brace himself.

With a look nothing short of devious and vixenish, Melinoë purrs, "Maybe that was my plan all along?"

She's obviously feeling better, enough to fall back onto the flirtatious banter she enjoys having with Damien (whether he returns it or not, though nothing guarantees the Goddess won't eventually lose interest; frivolous things, deities).

Still, with an innocent batting of lashes, Mel adds, "I swear on the River Styx that I will not pull you down, Damien Brenks."

And a vow on the River Styx is the utmost sort, as breaking it results in punishment in Tartarus. There's no way of knowing how such things would play out here but that doesn't diminish anything for Melinoë.

"There's easier ways," he shoots back, willing to keep up with the banter, even if he's still not anymore thrilled with the situation now than he was two seconds ago. He's also pretty sure he's not getting out of this mess, and so, after a heavy breath out, he extends a grudging hand. "But fine. Have it your way."

If she does end up upending him, Tartarus will be the least of her worries. Somehow. He'll make good on the threat somehow.

Edited 2020-09-08 16:36 (UTC)

And if she's well enough to converse in full sentences, Melinoë is certainly able to use muscles to get her standing, relying more on Damien for balance and light assistance. Besides, the point was to give her a valid excuse for suddenly sharing space and breath, because she doesn't give him much time to resist before her mouth is on his. Still holding Damien's hand, Mel tightens her grip, softly causing nails to bite into flesh.

Damien tenses under the kiss, surprised, then when he gets a handle on that, starts to pull away. He doesn't go far mind, maybe not entirely opposed to this, where ever this is leading, but, "Are you conceding our bet?"

But he'd like to know where this is going, if anywhere.

Eyes half-hooded and lusty, she offers him a Cheshire like smile whilst shaking her head in the negative. "Why ever would I do that? I was merely repaying you for saving my life."

She's taken to trailing fingers up and down his arms, neither retreating nor claiming the space back. Melinoë simply stands and stares with an almost heated challenge in those plum eyes.

"Well, if I'd know that was all there was to it ... "

Fuck it, he thinks, and then he's leaning back in, to return the kiss finally. If she has a problem, well, she started it. He's just finishing it or -- something. Pick your favorite metaphor.

Fingers grip bicep muscles as Melinoë opens her mouth to encourage Damien for something deeper. She resists the urge to pounce or push, grounding herself through that grip. The Goddess has little intentions of sex at the moment, but that doesn't mean she won't garner enjoyment from prolonged kissing and possibly petting.

What, exactly, draws her like tides to the moon isn't entirely clear; maybe for the fact that they met on the first 'day', maybe for his connection to the dead?

He leans into the invitation, tongue tangling with hers easily. And so this continues for several -- well, it's hard to tell how long it goes on for, really, for all that time means nothing here. Not to mention the fact that they may not even need to breathe, for all that this place hasn't figured out human physiology in entirety, yet, so there's no need to come up for air.

It's reflex, then, that he does finally pull away, his breathing heavy for all that he doesn't need it. And for once, he seems at a loss for words -- or at least content in the silence.

There's only a difference of four inches between them, but it means Melinoë can't set her forehead to his, and neither can fingers twine into hair. She settles, then, for a final nip of Damien's bottom lip and some sound that's breath, laugh, and groan mingled. It's impatience that drives the latter, but nothing so strong that the Goddess can't force herself to hold out a little longer.

She gives up more space to track down something else to eat, both to pocket as a precaution and as an offering to the temple. "You wouldn't happen to know what this place is specifically for, would you, my darling Damien?"

Can she claim it as her own altar if no other deity exists?

"No idea," he answers, trailing along after her for alack of anything better to do. He's a little disappointed that this didn't lead to -- something more, but he'll get over it. For as casually tactile she is, they'll get there eventually.

For now, he just turns his head one way, then the other, actually taking in their surroundings. "It strikes me as Japanese, but ... " Other than that, like he said, he has no idea.

She won't tell him that that's a major part of what keeps drawing her back, that it reminds her of Sensei Ryūō. Melinoë feels incredibly lonely in that moment, saddened by the fact that this place hasn't yet kidnapped? borrowed? anyone from her own pantheon.

Crouching to being gathering mushrooms into her dress, Mel agrees, "I agree. Which then makes me wonder if this isn't some parallel Japan or if it's just one of those instances where this world took pieces of it from a Japan."

There's a barely visible shrug that follows. "Has anything from your home shown up here?"

"Probably the latter," Damien decides. For all that it trails off into the Void, it stands to reason, somehow, not to mention, "Most of the kids running around, here, are from Japan, albeit various incarnations, so ... " It would be easy for this place to have stolen something from one of them.

He shrugs, rather than finishing that statement, and then half-turns, glancing back towards the rest of civilization. When he returns his attentions to her, it's with a wry smile, and he admits, "But the -- hotel, apartment complex, whatever you want to call it? The Merlaut? It's from Chicago, and in that case, it was just a hotel."

Brows raise to accompany her teasing. "Are you befriending the bambini, Damien?" Given how crabby he can be, it's an amusing thing to picture, but Melinoë very much doubts that is what's actually been happening.

"Ah, so you're the one to thank for permanent shelter that is pointless in our current conditions." No sleeping, no sunburning, no pneumonia, so on and so exhaustingly forth. Things have to change, though...right? Why introduce a place to sleep without then introducing fatigue? Hunger's arrived, and there's the café.

"There's a whole two fucking adults here," Damien shoots back, along with a sour look, albeit one without much heat behind it. Still, the point stands. Without the kids to talk to, there aren't a lot of people around that he could make conversation with -- he has no peers here, age-wise, never you mind the fact that he might actually be befriending the kids. Akechi, his favorite, is so very clever.

"But yes, that's at least partially mine." A beat, and then without meaning to, he echoes her thoughts with a, "Hopefully, this place figures out how sleep works, now that we all actually have rooms." And hopefully without all of them just randomly passing out where ever, while whatever or whoever is running the show tries to figure out what sleeping even means.

Mel tuts and supplies, "Actually, there is Merlin and Professor Oak and myself. Ah, and you. I suppose." She winks at him, cheeky smile firmly in place.

"I promise to ravish your body should it randomly begin slumbering." A hand flies to her chest in mock horror as she 'corrects' herself. "I mean, I promise not to take advantage and that I'll try to drag you back to your room."

"I don't know either of them," Damien points out. He's not sure he's even seen anyone in his age range, and he knows -- thought he knew almost everyone here. Maybe it's the fact that he can't really get out much, for all that half the things everyone is talking about these days are in the mountains, and he's not built for running, jumping or climbing the cliffside. He'll at least try to keep an eye out, now, though, for all that it might not get him anywhere.

He also shelves the thought at the idea of her ravishing him, and barks out a laugh. "You could at least wait until I'm awake."

A half shrug is given. "I can admit to knowing hardly anyone beyond the tiny handful I've interacted with." And she can't think up a good enough excuse as to why that is, so Mel leaves it at that.

She stands and sidles up to him, nodding down at the mushrooms in offering. "Firstly, I said I wouldn't, and secondly, I have no idea why it hasn't already happened. Neighbor." Melinoë has certainly been ravishing Merlin often enough, listless without purpose.

"You really need to get out more," Damien tells her, almost teasing. A pause follows, as she continues, and then, wryly, he adds, "Not that I have much room to talk. I'm usually in."

Or at Heavenly Blanc, those the two easiest places for him to get to. The point there being, though, that if she's really so inclined to come ravage him, she's welcome to stop by, sometime. It's not like he's hard to find -- or doing anything more interesting.

His 'you really need to get out more' is said in a higher-pitched, smartassy tone of mockery, said juuuust loudly enough for him to overhear, but quiet enough to pretend he won't.

"So, take me out. Introduce me to your whatevers." Friends? Does Damien have friends?

002 - Growing Pains

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cw: making out

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Account expired, so bear with the icons.

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