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
It's interesting, actually! They've been down there a while, but the ones contacting me seem to be in control of their faculties. There's no mention of anyone acting strangely.
Yet, that was a very volatile area last time anyone tried exploring it.
no subject
Volatile, huh. Yeah, I'd say that.
[ just horrendous if you ask him, but he'll 'speak' a little quieter here, to ivan. no reason in worrying the new kids if they happen across this announcement of his. ]
It's probably too soon to assume they're fine. Contamination manifests in different ways, and some people don't even realize it's happening at first. It'd be great if they are though. Honestly, I'm worried.
no subject
You'll just have to make sure all of them tether like they should. No staying a loner! It should have all the same benefits for them, no?
[ Otherwise, well, they'll see who resents Sleep even more later for her horrid hospitality. And who starts growing flowers from their eyeballs. ]
no subject
[ he's used to that kind of role anyway, lines up well with what he'd usually be doing—was already planning to do for the most part. as for making sure of it, well, he'll do his best where he can. at the very least he'll encourage the lot of them to do so wherever the opportunity arises. but he's more interested in this: ]
What about your plan?
no subject
Well, there must be a reason none of them have made it to the surface yet? A cave-in, or some other kind of blockage. I may be able to take care of an obstacle like that, with this form of mine.
no subject
[ kind and generous too. as expected, what a good kid ivan is.
meanwhile, agent choi can't help the grin that spreads across his own face, shameless in how he uses this as an excuse to segue into his actual question. ]
Personally, I'm looking for someone. Do you mind keeping an eye out for him while I work on helping out the kids I find?
no subject
Though he's sure this is Choi being a bit funny. This is a quirk of his, calling those who are nonetheless at an adult stage of growth "kid"... haha! ]
Of course—would you like to provide me something to identify them by?
no subject
[ identifying features sans-name might be a tall order, but if he's lucky, maybe grapes hasn't changed his image since the dream? ]
He's a pretty good height, just a little shorter than me, with black hair and dark eyes. He'll probably have a mask with some antlers on it, and in that case, he'll go by "Roe Deer"—but you can just call him Agent Grapes, haha!
no subject
Lucky you, I've already been in contact with someone going by that name!
So he's one of yours? It sounds like he's already running a tight ship down there. That explains that, since I suppose that's simply phase one of solving these situations for those of you who do this for a living?
[ Now, how many agents make an agency? ]
no subject
[ of course any agent would do their best to gather civilians and bring them to safety, but with grapes being as fresh on the team as he is, it's really impressive if he's managed to bring people together so quickly. ah, not that choi should be surprised. it's not like he hasn't achieved even more miraculous feats in the past. ]
Our Grapes, he's really something though. I shouldn't be surprised he's already got a handle on the situation.
[ can you feel the pride swelling in his chest... ]
If you've still got him on the line, let him know I'm on the way!