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
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.