001 - Hello, World - Week Two | CW: insects

[snaggletooth]

[ A buzzing besets the wearers of masks, building and building. Then, the moment it seems impossible for it to become any louder, it stops. Like an approaching swarm that's ceased all aggression in an instant. There's still something sitting there behind this sudden cessation, however, hidden in the shifting blackness of the mind. A presence, just arrived, awaiting a turn to speak. ]

Hello, please pardon my intrusion. My name is Ivan. I'm standing at the entrance to Grand Central Station.

Before I head below, there's something I believe I should do for my own safety. With an appearance like mine, it would be easy for those of you I've yet to meet to mistake me for one of those other mindless things that live down there, in the dark. That's why I'm going to show myself to all of you now. It may be startling, so I apologize.

Please, brace yourself.

[ There is movement in the mind's eye. There is a light that switches on, illuminating an oily mass that goes on and on, disappearing off in the depths of the dark plane. Nothing gives it scale except for the distinct sense that it is looming, this terrible silhouette that terminates in the pale, placid face of a young man. It looks like a porcelain doll's head has been torn off and placed atop a nightmarish effigy.

He sways softly before allowing himself to fade away once again. ]

There, ahaha... if you're still hearing this, then I have to thank you for at least humoring me.

I realize that my gesture doesn't give anyone a reason to trust I'm not as bad as the next abomination you run into. I won't begrudge you, whatever your decision. There is one piece of guidance I can offer though. It doesn't even require dealing with me in person, fortunately for all.

Just concentrate with me — for one more moment.

[ He's not usually the one to do this. That person has concerningly not been present. At the end of the moment he requested, your thoughts are pulled along, beyond anywhere you thought to direct them. You can resist and the sensation will simply dissipate, but allow yourself to be lead and all will also be well. At the end of the line is a susurrating knot of voices speaking over one another. Echoes that, with just a bit of focus, become clearer. Individual. ]

If this information proves useful, send your regards to the young man named Megumi.

( NOTE: This message will be sent out once the Veteran's nightmares begin leading them to the tunnels. Ivan will be actively searching while communicating and can be intercepted by other characters in the area. His close companion Till may also respond and/or can optionally appear if a conversation thread is converted to action. )

Comments

[snaggletooth]

[ ...where is it, you ask? Well, here it is helpfully not calling out the mysterious misanthrope for taking a sudden, unforeseen interest in others. You do you. ]

I appreciate you speaking up on my behalf, mister with the eyepatch... I'm so sorry I still haven't learned what you prefer to be called. Though, in return it only makes sense that I do the same for you!

Once, I startled him by accident. Rather than ask for an apology, the first thing he did was apologize to me instead. It was a funny situation.

[inverseye]

Seriously?

[ He will help them! They could die… holding onto so many precious items they just woke up with! They’re basically already dead so think of the waste Ivan. Really Saheon is doing this for the group! ]

Saheon. Baek Sa-heon.

Why don’t you remember that, instead of the other thing? Surely our wonderful new guests won’t find polite conduct funny or interesting!

[snaggletooth]

Saheon, then. It's nice to finally be formally acquainted. Have you also felt a call coming from a deep, dark hole in the earth?

[ That definitely doesn't bode well for some among their number if they all listen to it. It is a very reasonable assumption that someone will be dying if not already dead. ]

Will you be following it too?

[inverseye]

You know me…

[ Just like Saheon knows you. For a bootlicker like Ivan to stick his nose out of his quiet hole… they both must have reasons beyond just a call from the void.

But there’s no need to say it where everyone can hear. ]

So why ask? Did you want my help? [ as if lololol ]

[untilldeath]

As if.

[He's been silently listening, but he snorts at the idea, finally interrupting. The last thing he wants is THIS guy hanging around.]

I think we'll be fine without it.

[inverseye]

[ Hey, he said that first! ]

I wasn’t talking to you…

[untilldeath]

Tough shit, asshole, because I answered. I'm just making it clear.

[YOU TRY AND TOUCH HIS BUG AND HE WILL END YOU!!!

. . . Seems to be the general animosity behind the words.]

Can't believe you haven't died in a hole already.

[inverseye]

[ What is he gonna do to a giant bug god?? Worry more about how he’ll find some way to lead you to your ~accidental~ death one day SIR ]

Why don’t you come to the sewers and we can look for a hole together…

[untilldeath]

Didn't realize you were so eager to get showed up again.

[That's not how things ended, Till. You both slinked off eventually.]

[inverseye]

Shown up.

[ ☝️🤓 ]

I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about [ the offering lied as easily as he breathed ] but I doubt I’d be killed by you.

1/2

[untilldeath]

[TCH-!

L-Like he cares about you and your proper grammar!]

2/2

[untilldeath]

I'm not the one interested in sacrifices, idiot, so no shit. Unless you start something, in which case I'll finish it.

[inverseye]

[ Maybe go to school instead of blaming an innocent and well educated man? Oh wait, you're Ivan's childhood friend or whatever, so you're probably also a weakling who let his whole species get enslaved instead of dying out properly. ]

Holding contamination against people is pretty sick, sir.

[untilldeath]

Piss off! Like I want to hear that from you of all people, you massive jerk.

[snaggletooth]

I was thinking it would be reassuring to the people to know who plans to involve themselves. Perhaps with a formal announcement that you'll be assisting with the search? I do also think communication and coordination between us all would better our chances, of course, yes.

[ He is forced to acknowledge the mistrust coming from his closest tether, no context, just the feeling, rising like a toxic chemical fume. ]

Though it seems as if my partner doesn't like you very much.

[inverseye]

Yeah, yeah, I’m announcing here, aren’t I?

[ He did threaten to stab Till but hopefully Ivan never heard about that. Saheon likes having a spine. ]

So he has bad judgement. [ Clearly. ]

And people who hold onto petty grudges make bad partners.

[snaggletooth]

[ Saheon may thank Till for not seeing the importance of sharing the details of his solo outings. ]

He also has a quick temper, and a terrible potty mouth, but I don't mind those things about him. I've known him for a lot longer than I've known you.

[ Careful! ]

[inverseye]

[ Ugh. Fine, fair is fair! Till he'll spare your life once and then it's back to trying to kill you. ]

Oh, he's one of your lot? That explains it.

[ He should have victim blamed harder... ]

Don't know why knowing him for longer would mean anything, but I'd hardly be worried about me gunning to be your partner, sir.

[snaggletooth]

[ Saheon, Saheon, with a reach like that one would almost think that very much is your aim. ]

I merely meant that what you say won't influence what I think of him. — Your interpretation is more interesting though! ...is it a sign you're still thinking about your lord?

[inverseye]

W-What else was I supposed to think??

[ STOP READING INTO IT...JISAN-NIM. ]

Quit it. Just because you're better then that thing doesn't make you my god, sir. You're not in my head preventing me from doing what I want.

[snaggletooth]

Of course not. This Jisan is highly in favor of humans finally making their own choices. And if testing Till's patience is how you'd like to spend your time, I support that choice too.

[ Ivan has a full view of him right now, contorting his face and clenching his fists, looking like he's getting ready to fight thin air. It's about as amusing as usual, and a free show. ]

[untilldeath]

You don't have to look so amused.

[THAT'S JUST SPOKEN IN PERSON. Because yeah.]

[snaggletooth]

Huh, me? I just like those faces.

[ Prodding his cheek with a pointy finger! ]

[inverseye]

...Jisan is a name, not a title.

[ GET A ROOOOOOMMMMM

Is what Saheon would say but he's miles away, blissfully busy prepping his kidnapping equipment, and unaware of Ivan and Till's disgusting ways. ]

I'd rather not. Your guy interrupted me first, if he gets mad, that's on him.

[snaggletooth]

[ It's a title, and a noun, and an adjective, and anything he wants now, because it's a part of his vocabulary.



Now, does he have to Jisan you to get through to you? ]

Blessing that interruption with a response was never necessary.