march 2020. welcome to the void.

[modblob]

Who: Everyone in Anchor.
What: Seventh Introductory Mingle
When: The Month of March 2020
Where: Around and outside the city.
Warnings: Please add any warnings in the subject lines.

Redshift: Welcome to the v͖͕̺̲̘̱̜͎o̴̦̣̠̦̘̹͞i̯̖d̛̪̬͈̱̦̝͍̕.

Click here to read what characters will experience when arriving in Anchor.

a. escape the dome.

It seems the mysterious, massive plant with its giant bud is not going anywhere. In fact, the bud is starting to bloom, which presents a problem - it's starting to press against the dome that protects Anchor. So far, no harm done, but is this really the best way to test the kind of pressure that the dome can withstand? There's got to be some way to bring the plant down without destroying chunks of Anchor in the process...

And uh, you might want to get on that. The plant has been growing, sending out thorny vines into the various levels, and the flowers growing from those vines are, shall we say, aggressive. In fact, they're liable to bite if you get too close, and these things have razor-sharp petals. More eerily, they can mimic the voices they hear, usually using those borrowed voices to beg for help at the end of long corridors or in the back rooms of abandoned shops and restaurants.

b. planetary fly traps.

Following the voices can get a body in all kinds of trouble, because, well. They want to eat you.

In those dark areas where the voices call out there are larger buds, too, ones that look similar to the one now pressing up against Anchor's dome. They're about twice the size of an average human, and they've just barely opened. The colors inside are brilliant, gorgeous, mesmerizing, kind of exhausting... Get too close, and you could find yourself being slowly dragged in through the mouth of the plant into a bath of liquid that saps your energy while also slowly (very slowly, don't worry) consuming your flesh.

Better hope you snap out of it quickly, or have some backup to get you out of there.

c. misfire mayhem.

In case that wasn't enough, there's something funny going on with the comm system again. Texts being sent to the wrong people. Simple things, small things, yes, but also some things that you might have wanted to keep private or off the network. The misfires start on the morning of the 20th with just a few texts going to the wrong recipients, but slowly amps up throughout the day until voice and video calls are connecting to the wrong people. Recordings of conversations, including the audio and video ones, getting sent to completely unrelated residents, regardless of how private the conversation was.

The reason for the malfunctions becomes... well, clear-ish when Creepy Joe appears on the network. He’s in the agricultural sector, petting a reindire and very much not in that secure quarantine where Qubit et all left him. The angle is odd--not from a communicator, but from one of the security cameras overhead. It blinks from one shot of Joe to another angle. Almost like someone is trying to keep an eye on him.

mod notes.

Misfire texts, voice, and video conversations are on an opt-in basis, it is up to each player if they want their characters tormented with their messages being sent to others or receiving misfires. Misfires can be played on this log, on the network, or in IC inboxes.

The NPC network entry will explain some details on why, but characters who were kind to Creepy Joe or who have put in a lot of effort to contribute to the community will find that their messages are getting misfired much less often and the contents are nowhere near as sensitive. Characters who were cruel to Creepy Joe or who have hurt/stolen from others will find their messages going astray more often, and with more sensitive material.

Messages received by characters can include any message posted in redshiftrp or in IC inboxes, including messages from dropped characters. Have fun with that!

Important but Unrelated: March and April have been designated as check in only for AC. If you have not yet posted your AC, feel free to just put a check-in notice under your character's AC thread. April check-ins can be posted any time on or after April 1st.

Navigation.

Comments

[birdical]

How confusing it must be to not have a people at all — Elleru knows Rey is the loner type, but here is she, struggling to figure out what it is she wants all alone. It makes Elleru's heart bleed even more as she gives Rey's hand another comforting squeeze.

"Then what is the problem, Rrey?" Elleru asks, not shy in the slightest about bringing up what could be heavy baggage. "Speak to me. If you want me, we must be honest with one another."

[circumitus]

That's a fair enough request. Anyone would ask of it from anyone who sees you as an emotional prospect. So Rey tries her best not to choke after Elleru squeezes her hand, struggling with the words in her head for a few, long moments.

"Been through a lot of shit. Shit that people might think it's not what they signed up for." It always seemed like she'd be doing them a favor to keep it that way, so they don't have to decide whether that's a burden they want to waste time on or not. That she's a burden they'd waste time on.

[birdical]

Elleru tilts her head, her eyes trained on her companion. For all Rey's early insistence that she wasn't afraid to lose people — that she didn't bother with friends not because it hurt when they were gone, but that it seemed like a waste of time — there certainly is a hint of trepidation in her words. She may or may not be afraid to lose her friends, but she is afraid of being a burden upon anyone who would get close to her.

That makes Elleru all the more determined to stay. She wants to prove Rey wrong &mash; that it's worth making friends, worth letting herself experience love, and worth letting others love her in return. Though Elleru knows good and well she could be burned in the process, the fire in her chest flares ever brighter.

"They should be allowed to make that decision for themselves," she explains calmly. "Let them see the real you and decide."

Her own words echo in her ears, as Elleru knows good and well she's been hiding the real her for some time. She nods to herself.

"Here. I will go first, if you like."

[circumitus]

Whatever reason Elleru had for staying, it's a mystery to Rey. Knowing all the things she's done, both in this life and her previous ones... she can't fathom wanting to be around herself. That's why it's easier to disconnect herself sometimes, even if she loses touch with the present in doing so.

But here Elleru is, offering something that, frankly, Rey hasn't an inkling on what it entails. She just squints as if she's missing something, her brows knitting as she blinks at Elleru.

"Er, 'go first' how, exactly?"

[birdical]

Pulling in a quick breath to steel her nerves, Elleru slides off the loveseat, taking a few steps away as she adjust the stole around her shoulders. With her back to Rey, it might not be obvious that she's untying the robe beneath the fur. It'd be a shame if it ripped.

"I want you to see the real me," she says quietly. She can feel a lump in her throat, a matching weight in her gut. Is that fear that weighs her down? She's only been cautious about revealing herself to others out of what it could mean for the safety of her people; to find herself apprehensive regarding someone she trusts is new, unexpected. She doesn't know what Rey will think, or how she'll react... and the thought that she might change her mind about them when she knows is what rattles Elleru all the way to her bones. The excitement she'd felt before now sits heavily in her stomach, churning more with every second she prolongs the inevitable.

"Please do not be frightened," she murmurs as she drops her robe. Her bare back is visible for only a moment; within the span of a second, her shape changes entirely. Her limbs adjust to a quadrupedal frame, her neck elongating as it sprouts a furred mane; gone are her humanoid features, in their place those of a birdlike beast. She turns her new form to face Rey, revealing those same magenta eyes she has in her upright guise.

She knows Rey will recognize her natural form — she just hopes she won't be mad Elleru did not tell her sooner.

[circumitus]

Wait, was this supposed to be a secret? Rey's lost track of the time that she forgot whether this was some unspoken subject or if Elleru was really intending to keep this under wraps. If Rey had shown any indication that she had managed to put two and two together that the woman and the beast with similar voices and shades were related, maybe Elleru hadn't picked up on it.

Still, this seemed like a... moment, where a being bears their true form to someone out of trust and confidence. Would she be upset if it had been so apparent that Rey had already drawn such a conclusion?

Uncertain of the answer either way, Rey can only think to weakly feign surprise, drawing her hands to her scarred cheeks.

"What, really? Had no idea -- you hid it so well!"

Okay, maybe she could reel in the theatrics a bit. It's not very becoming of her usual deadpan disposition. Not that she's that way around Elleru much.

[birdical]

Perhaps Rey is a little dramatic in her reaction, but Elleru seems to buy it, believing Rey wouldn't be dishonest with her. If anything, the theatrics endear her to Elleru all the more.

"I did not mean to deceive you," she admits. "My kind — we do not reveal ourselves to others lightly. I know such a practice has no purpose here, where my kind are not hunted, but I could not risk it. Despite everything, I could not bring myself to betray them so easily. I am proud to be kaulahren, and yet, I wanted you to believe I was like you. My upright shape is me, but this is me as well. This is my true form."

She dips her great head as she comes closer, using her beak to nudge at Rey's hand. For an instant, she's not sure how she feels, struggling with her uncertainty toward her identity. She cannot reasonably be both kaulahren and upright, can she? Their ideals clash, and she has yet to find the middle ground where someone like her belongs.

But she wants to find that ground; she wants to fit easily into both worlds and find her place among them. She wants to belong, and she wants to belong with Rey. "I understand if you would prefer another upright. I would be hurt, but... I would understand."

[circumitus]

Rather than focusing on the rather forced histrionics, Elleru's attention seems focused on the subject at hand, which is a good sign. Rey can stay on track whether she wants to or not. Despite her own wide-eyed, mildly shocked expression, she's relieved underneath that she can drop the pretenses on this matter soon enough.

Eventually, her arms fall back to her sides, only to feel Elleru lean into her hand. Just as Rey had schooled her expression just a moment ago, she grows calm again, bringing her fingers up to brush the top of Elleru's head. What had once been a mane of magenta locks now feels different, and yet familiar.

After all, it's not like Rey hasn't seen this form before, or dealt with Elleru in it.

"Another?" She echoes as though the mere concept were a joke, though her demeanor has now softened. "No, there is no other -- not here. You're all right. Never owed me anything, anyway."

Trust isn't something that you're inherently entitled to -- it's something you earn. Rey has learned that the hard way over the course of her many lives.

[birdical]

"I owed you the truth," Elleru insists as she takes a seat on her haunches. "To be untruthful is wrong. To be untruthful to a friend is cruel, as well. You are more than a friend to me, Rrey. There may be no other now, but you could have had other prospects. There must be many here who have been less deceptive than I have been."

Elleru turns her gaze to Rey, her head still in Rey's hand as she shifts back into her upright guise; she closes her eyes, reveling in Rey's touch as she leans her shoulder against Rey's legs, apparently unbothered by the fact that she's unclothed.

"I swear to be only honest with you, and you will do the same for me. If you still want me, knowing what I am, then I am yours. But you must no longer think of yourself as a burden to me. That is for me to decide, and I will tell you should I ever believe it."

[circumitus]

The perpetually obstinate part of Rey would still contend with what she is or isn't owed, but the words get stuck in her throat the more Elleru speaks. Guilt creeps up as she emphasizes the importance of truth, not having always been fully honest, herself.

Rather than speaking right away, Rey feels her shoulders relax, her hand moving from Elleru's transformed head to her usual strands of magenta hair. She doesn't let go. Can't bring herself to. Instead she finds herself gently combing through Elleru's hair with her own fingers.

If you still want me, she said. I am yours.

Those aren't words Rey is used to hearing. Most of the people she's ever dealt with most of her many lives only sought to use her. Own her, in one way or another. Her answer remains lodged inside for a moment, as all she can do is pull Elleru's face when she turns to look up at her into her own hands, expression softening.

"Well, so long as we're being honest here... Might have something of a confession." Rey attempts an endearing smile and fails. "Had, um... assumed who you were some time ago. Wasn't sure you weren't comfortable talking about it or what, is all."

Because, really. Really. Tripod did not destroy her bed.

[birdical]

There's a moment of surprise that crosses Elleru's face, her ears rising as she realizes that she hasn't been as good at keeping her secret as she thought. However, Rey had seen both her forms before, after all — perhaps she is the only one who was able to piece it together so quickly.

But rather than revealing that to anyone, Rey kept it quiet — she kept it to herself until Elleru was ready to talk about it. Rey put her comfort first, and no matter the reason, that is undeniably endearing. She clasps her hands over Rey's, her eyes shining in the soft, diffused light of the room.

"You are so sweet to think of me," she says gently. "What I am does not bother you?"

[circumitus]

Having seen both of Elleru's forms -- very talkative ones, at that -- made it easier for Rey to parse their connections pretty fast. She'd have to be comically slow in order to miss it for real. That doesn't mean she's inclined to shove that fact onto the other woman's face, seeing her now, her gentle and beautiful expression.

"Bothered?" Rey barks a quiet, incredulous laugh. "Would be some bullshit to hold it against you. But no, not bothered by it. You're not the only one who was made to blend in among humans, though don't have anything as fancy as two forms."

Not in a way that Rey can easily shift between, at any rate. Her other 'shapes' came in a much different manner of speaking...

[birdical]

Rey has mentioned not being a human before, but never really elaborated on it, save for saying that she was made rather than born. Elleru only has a passing idea of what that could possibly mean, and it'd be in relation to her world rather than Rey's — when other worlds are brought into the mix, the possibilities are truly endless. Was she created like a construct? Or is she some kind of magical being? Would Elleru's distrust of the latter change how she feels?

Her ears dip; Rey doesn't feel as though she has magic coursing through her, but Elleru can't be sure. The fact that she's uncertain of how she'd handle such a revelation, if true, sits poorly with her.

"Tell me," she murmurs. "Tell me why it is you were made."

[circumitus]

Much as Rey would like to dodge the question, she can't. After what Elleru had decided to share with her just now, it feels fundamentally wrong to dismiss now.

Shoulders sagging, her hands drop into her lap. She doesn't pull away; only finds herself getting lost in her own head as she mulls over the many ways she's supposed to answer such a loaded query.

"Guess it depends on who you talk to." She shrugs. "One party wanted to experiment with creating synthetic life, the other wanted a tool for war -- something that could fight with the strength of a whole battalion while also infiltrate and live among them. Too bad both sides worked together without ever coming to an agreement. Didn't end well for any of them."

Or Rey, for that matter. More importantly, it didn't end well for the only one that was actually worth a damn, as far as she is concerned.

[birdical]

Elleru frowns, genuine sympathy coloring her expression. She has only a limited understanding of constructs, be they clockwork, magical, or otherworldly; she does not know what kind of individual would play the role of a god, making a person just because they could. What she does know, however, is what it's like to be born with a singular purpose, and to have to redefine that purpose herself.

Though born to be an experiment or a weapon, it's clear that's not all Rey wants to be, even if she hasn't figured out just what it is she does want yet. It's a cruel, frightening position to be in, and Elleru can't help how her heart aches at the thought. Rey's insisted before that it's just how things are, and that there's not much better out there for her. She never had the freedom to be anything other than what she was made for. She doesn't know how to live, isn't sure she can learn how, and doesn't know if she deserves that life anyway.

Elleru refuses to believe that. Moreover, she refuses to let Rey believe that, shouldering her burdens all alone.

"I... know what it is like, Rrey," she admits tentatively. "I have told you before that some of my kind are born with gifts. I was born a shifter; I have known all my life what I would do. We use our ability to walk among uprights, and to learn more about them. We learn how we may survive them. It is our purpose, and to want otherwise is discouraged."

It may not be infiltrating their enemies to be used as a tool of war, but the basic premise is the same: they were born to walk among a people to whom they do not belong.

[circumitus]

Coming from most people, Rey would take any attempt at finding common ground in their experiences with a grain of salt. From what she knows about Elleru, however, it doesn't sound too far off. Sure, she probably wasn't utilized as a tool, but far be it from Rey to argue over specifics. Points to anyone for trying, though...

Her hands fold over her lap, her body unmoving as she picks at the back of her palms with the tips of her fingernails. She doesn't look Elleru in the eye right away. Can't bring herself to. Rey just nods absentmindedly as she takes in the implications of the other woman's lifestyle and how that would affect someone's way of thinking, should they be nurtured in that kind of environment.

It occurs to her then that she hadn't cleaned her hands since her last outing. There's dirt still clinging under her nails...

"Said your people were hunted. Can't blame you for being cautious," Rey finally says, her thoughts dragging back to the present conversation. "Didn't really have that sense of... responsibility that came with that. Just how our lives always was. Helped, not remembering every time, though. Head was messed with. Memories buried, given new ones. Lived a lot of different lives. Been different people. Most didn't know. Thought we were human. How we lived was usually out of ignorance, not to protect a people. Was a punishment, not duty."

It's hard to talk about her past selves as they are Rey herself -- even though they are her. They're a part of her. She is all of them and none of them. One and the same and nothing at all.

Remembering oftentimes makes it more difficult to talk. Her mind has a tendency to wander.

[birdical]

Rey may not be looking her way, but that doesn't stop Elleru from searching for her eyes. She puts a hand on top of Rey's, keeping her from picking at her skin. Maybe it's not a harmful habit, but she wants Rey's attention all the same.

"I do not know what it is like to be many people. To be reborn in so many different ways. I... cannot imagine what how it is to be someone other than myself. But they are not here, are they? Those who made you?"

[circumitus]

Elleru's hand does stop Rey from making her condition any worse. It doesn't take her long to respond this time.

"No, not here." She shakes her head. "They weren't all bad, but they're not alive anymore."

The good ones involved in the project that helped to create Rey and her many different bodies were so few and far between, she could only count them on one hand.

[birdical]

"Then they have no control over you," she insists. "They are not here. My elders are not here. We can be anyone we want to be."

And while she may feel guilty for that — for thinking of herself as somehow free from the duty to her people, if only for a time — she has to admit the prospect of truly having a life for herself makes her heart race. It's an adventure, the kind she's read about so often in her books, but she's the protagonist rather than some werebear looking for love.

She reddens, smiling as she looks keeps her eyes trained on Rey, determined to help show her the way, inwardly promising her friend that she'll never be alone again. "I have many forms, and you have many lives. We can decide which of them are truly us, together. Is that not exciting?"

[circumitus]

With a low sound, Rey does make an effort to meet Elleru's eyes this time. Slowly, she nods, drawing her fingers through that magenta hair.

Bit by bit, she allows her muscles to relax, only to linger on this moment rather than the many lives and deaths she had endured.

"Guess so," Rey says with a quiet exhale whistling between her lips. "The uncertainty and freedom is... new. But nice."

She can't say she hates having the opportunity, anymore.

[birdical]

"It will be nicer once you have learned how to live. I have promised to show you how, remember?"

As reluctant as she may be to forgo Rey's hand in her hair, Elleru gets to her feet, keeping Rey's hand with her. Not the least bit shy about her bare form, she cocks her head toward the steaming waters.

"But for now, let us enjoy the bath. We should not let it go to waste."