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

[inverseye]

Wow, thank you for sharing, sir!

[ Yes, thank you for gathering so many ignorant mongrols thoughts to one place, Ivan! Saheon appreciates you.

…But. Hey, you stupid godbug, where was this kind of helpful attitude for Saheon!? Do you act like this for other people!? ]

I can vouch for Ivan-ssi’s…inner kindness! So come find me, too! I’ll help anyone who needs it!

[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 ]

[demoon]

( The murmur is such a strange thing. Guren's connection feels like a tangled knot of emotions flooding together, overwhelming and muted all at once. Another presence lays distorted behind his own, like an odd shadow, prevalent in varying intensities. )

This is too noisy.

( Not literal noise, but the idea of it, the feeling of it, cluttering a mind he already works so hard to keep hidden. Memories he doesn't want to slip, feelings and knowledge he tries to keep to his chest...

There's the feeling of a heavy sigh, but it's halfway between exasperation and gratefulness at the shared information. Strangely, besides the ping of curiosity that rings solidly after Ivan's form is shared, no feelings or thoughts of disgust make their way through. Even if he does remind him of one of the monsters that came with the world's end. )

But it's more useful than a lot of people here. ( If that feels oddly pointed to a certain somebody yapping through the murmur above, well. Maybe it is. ) Thanks.

I'm Guren Ichinose. Let me know if you run into friendly fire down here, and I'll come help you out. ( As a thank you. ) What are you, exactly?

[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.

[markingnight]

Altogether too shocking.

[ A familiar voice, even if they'd never talked over the Murmur before. There was the slimmest tinge of humor to the Ironeye's voice, almost imperceptible. ]

Will you be all right underground? Even with the Hosts emerging, the tunnels will be thick with them.

[hallowedly]

That's — ...quite the makeover, I suspect.

[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.

[snaggletooth]

[ Just because he can't detect any disgust doesn't mean it's not there. Still, he appreciates not having to feel the disgust of another. It would only deepen his own.

Now that the images he projected have faded, there is only the impression of someone smiling. Smiling while listening. Smiling while "speaking" in a voice that doesn't travel through soundwaves. It's constant. ]

Thank you, sir, though hopefully I'll manage. I have ways of avoiding anyone who gets carried away. [ Most can't crawl along the ceiling. ] Horrible first impressions are a little harder to escape on the other hand, ahaha.

[ Anyway, this person had a real question! ]

I was human, however... that doesn't describe this form anymore, does it? The one we call Sleep transformed me into what you saw just now.

It does have a name — "Swarmling" — though I'm afraid that's all I know. This didn't come from anyone or anywhere in particular. I simply came to realize it one day, as if it had already been in my mind all along.

Things tend to reveal themselves that way here.

[snaggletooth]

Ironeye.

[ The armored man.

The greeting sets off another volley of the noises small, shelled creatures are known to make. A high-frequency chirp there, a rapid chitter here. It's a little like a crowd expressing their surprise in unison. It doesn't sound not positive.

So he too survived the long night of rituals. ]

Well, I'm more than happy to wait here for someone with weapons to go in first — It's good to hear from you again.

[snaggletooth]

Your assumption is correct. [ Brevity in the form of a light, chittering laugh. ] I sincerely hope this message didn't reach you in the middle of something. Like eating!

[hallowedly]

I assure you I've seen worse. And, may I say, your exoskeleton looks in pristine condition. I'm happy with the luster.

[untilldeath]

[Another voice filters across the Murmur, piping in.]

See? Not everyone's a coward. I keep saying he's not as scary as he thinks he is. People here just aren't used to different appearances. Personally, though, while I'm pissed Sleep fucked with him, he looks seriously cool.

[hallowedly]

'Healthy' is the golden standard.

[snaggletooth]

I'm not sure what to say. [ What's with all this BEING NICE. ] Both of you know how to flatter someone, incredibly so.

cw: uh elden ring violence

[markingnight]

[ Ironeye had heard these types of noises before, also in enlarged form. Though they were usually accompanied by something horrific, like being sprayed with formic acid, or perhaps seeing a pincer the size of a man smash said man into bits.

Were these now... non-threatening arthropod noises? ]

I feel the same. Glad to see you in one piece, Ivan. [ 'Someone' with weapons? ] I'm headed down. I can accompany you, if you've no prior arrangements.

[inverseye]

[ Hey, he said that first! ]

I wasn’t talking to you…

[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.

[untilldeath]

Just honest.

[He knew this guy from back when he was SMALLER than him. Seriously unfair that he grew up to be taller.]

Anyway, sorry to interrupt. I'm Till- someone who grew up with Ivan. I'm just curious who else will be going down into the tunnels, too.

[And haunting the murmur to make sure no one gives Ivan grief >( ]

[hallowedly]

I'm afraid I won't be troubling your numbers. But, professionally speaking, I felt it my place to intervene.

[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.

[snaggletooth]

"Professionally."

Ah, I am beginning to recall you're the man who said you work on the injuries of animals?

[untilldeath]

A... human vet, then?