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

[untilldeath]

[He frowns at first being gestured forward, only to be shooed away immediately. Don't you shoo him-

The other man indicates that he is fine for now, though. He blinks down at the chalk in his hand, and then points to himself.]

Ah- me? Yeah-

[He will immediately bend down to start the circle.]

Do I need to do anything special...? Should I make it light up?

[Will that even matter?]

[snaggletooth]

[ Meanwhile, obediently, he'll begin to tuck the far segments of his body into a tight spiral. He himself is roughly in the shape of a circle once there's no more room to bunch up any further.

Ivan laughs lightly at Till's question. ]

Just say you want to show off a little too, it's okay.

[ hee hee ]

[sacral]

You drawing it is what makes it special. [ Subaru intones with an easy grace. ] But if your light contains those feelings of wanting to protect something, then no. It won't hurt to show off.

[ Something for everyone, as it goes.

For his part, Subaru approaches the largest of Ivan's plates. Magic brims at his fingertips when he places his index and middle two together. He begins to draw a sigil on him in ink only barely blacker and wetter than his natural coloring, each line gleaming in an amalgam of language. Typically, his runes ignite in light and heat once invoked, but here, they appear to melt, like a shadow into darkness.

One side first, then the same mark on the other side. ]

[untilldeath]

[Ugh. Called out on things. He is simply not going to comment, other than to start drawing the softly glowing circle around Ivan. What he will say, is-]

Let us know if it hurts or something.

[snaggletooth]

[ He ran his mouth, but the moment he sees the chalk line casting a faint light anyway he's filled with fondness. Following the Runecaster explaining it in no unclear terms, he knows what it means. Till is a contrary individual at times, but that doesn't seem to be true today.

All the slyness gone from his smile, Ivan rests his head on his arms, which themselves are rested atop another part of his body in order to maintain the contortion. His back is where his exoskeleton is thickest, the nerves deep.

The tracing feels like little more than a light pressure. ]

It doesn't even tickle.

[sacral]

[ Noting the palpable shift in his body language, the cadence of his smile, Subaru's one good eye glimpses between the two and then back down to his work. Each line he scribes carries that notice in it. ]

With this, sensation might feel even more dulled. But you won't feel heavy.

[ As with armor or other outfitting. With the two sigils in place, Subaru steps away and waits for the circle to be completed. ]

[untilldeath]

[Dulled sensation, huh? Well, if he doesn’t feel as heavy while they travel, that won't be a bad thing. Ivan says his weight doesn’t bother him, but Till doesn’t exactly think he is light. Maybe to a giant bug, he is though.

Either way, it doesn’t take long for Till to complete the circle and step back.]

There.