Ivan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
snaggletooth) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
cultmirror2026-01-01 08:22 pm
snaggletooth) wrote in cultmirror2026-01-01 08:22 pm
001 - Hello, World - Week Two | CW: insects
[ 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. )
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. )
no subject
His hope as he grasps the other boy's hand this day, looking into his eyes with a subtle grin, is that it'll make him feel at ease, like they're playing games like they used to. Ironeye has already demonstrated that the creatures won't come alive when they get close, and maybe not as long as they don't touch them.
And that's a monster-slayer in front of them, not children on their own.
Ivan tugs, albeit advances only one step, waiting to see if Till picks up on him wanting them to weave across the minefield of host parts at the same time. ]
The ones that walk around do it too. [ Taking care to whisper no louder than the "speaking" of the creatures. ] It's always the same, like a strange poem.
no subject
[It isn't like he has unlimited energy when underground. He's way stronger when out in daylight. Being conservative isn't a bad idea.
Ivan meets his eyes and grasps his hand and he smiles back faintly. He gets it. Stealth and staying quiet are important right now.
Taking a step forward himself, he picks his way forward along side him.]
Its not just the hosts.
[Also nothing above a whisper.]
I've seen it happen to some of us, too, when effected by her.
no subject
[ The scrabble of claws against hard surface, a soft chirrup. That was the only warning before a rat the size of a Newfoundland sprang from behind a mass of detritus. Ironeye thrust his blade into the creature's belly without hesitation; it came away with a faint coating of black ichor. Now unmoving, the creature's fur and general condition did not speak of good health. It, too, had been affected by a riot of fungal growth.
No reaction from the Hosts around them, at least not so far. Perhaps it had not been enough to disturb their dreams, the doings of a single creature. ]
...Only a small one. [ Alas. ] Sharon was kind enough to warn me of some of Sleep's effects. I have only heard Vessels reciting through memory.
no subject
Ivan watches the carcass roll off to the side, thinking it might make a decent meal in a pinch... until a bit of black blood slides from the wound, more like a chunky gruel than a liquid. The fungus has reached all the way into this not-so-little rat's insides. The taste will have been completely ruined by it.
They do have some rations to eat; it's just the regrettable idea of waste that even has him considering something fresher.
Casting his eyes elsewhere, he spots a roach scurrying away from one of the Host-clusters, a blue-green morsel clutched in tiny mandibles. ]
Ah.
[ The sound of something important coming to mind. ]
Can we leave any bug-like ones we see alone? Unless they're being too aggressive to avoid it.
no subject
He hasn’t exactly gotten used to killing the creatures here, even when he has had to. In the end, he always ends up feeling a little bad about it. Sure, he’s tried to help prepare things at home when Ivan’s brought home supper...
. . . And Noah handles most of that, after finding Till in tears while trying to handle dressing the animal himself. He pulls his eyes from the rat and to their party.]
They're likely to listen to you anyway, right? Hopefully, that won't even be an issue.
no subject
You can communicate with insects? [ An incline of his head. ] ...I don't mind, so long as they don't pose a problem.
[ If they did, well... Ironeye was not sentimental about bugs. Or most any creature that took a swing at him.
The nightmare stomped her foot at them, snorting as if to urge them on. He put a hand out to her flank. ]
All right, all right -- we're following your lead. [ To his companions: ] I imagine there's a possibility we'll run into other people, too, trapped down here.
no subject
[ More have already joined him in march, running right along in the shadow beneath him, only given away by the slight shine of their backs. ]
I wonder why in this place of all places there's so much activity all of a sudden. The chatter on the Murmur is picking up!