villagelogs | 012-014 » even the air itself was grey

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012-014 » even the air itself was grey

WHO: Everyone.
WHERE: Eastern/Central Mathias.
WHEN: Days 012-014
WHAT: The weather is behaving strangely. Again.
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary. PM this account to have a warning added!
NOTES: Plotting post over here!

RECOMMENDED ♫ Michael Andrews "Liquid Spear Waltz"

DAYS 012-014
“The overcast skies had the colour of deadened stones, and seemed closer than usual, as though they were phlegmatically observing my every movement with their apathetic emptily blue-less eyes.”
—Simona Panova, “Nightmarish Sacrifice”

Rain has returned to Mathias. While those who remember the storms from nearly two weeks ago may fear reprisal of such tumultuous weather, this rain is far tamer. The cloudy grey skies let loose a steady drizzle that remains constant from start to finish, which is in itself, perhaps, a bit unusual. The patter of droplets against windows, small streams forming in the roads and on grass as the ground becomes saturated, all of it may seem normal to some, but a little too normal to others.

What is without question abnormal, however, is the sun. Though it cannot be seen distinctly behind the thick grey clouds, its light remains as constant as the rain throughout these three days. Hour after hour, regardless of the time of day, there is light in the sky. Unchanging, an inescapable reminder that Mathias is not home, and none who are brought here have any control over what will occur in this place.

NEW ARRIVALS
Once again, more unfortunate souls have been brought to Mathias by unknown means, deposited at the edge of the forest near the empty houses that tell of those who once lived in this strange little town. They may find themselves wandering through the trees until they encounter the strange fog that envelops the town, or stumbling upon the rotting remains of houses that have felt the passage of time more than others.

LOCATIONS
LIGHTHOUSE Residents will notice the lighthouse to the north of Mathias, situated on a cliff that is above the town level. Even the most observant individuals will not have noticed it before now, which might be quite unsettling to some. There is no path available to reach the lighthouse at this time, though residents are welcome to try — they will be blocked by fog in the forest and a sense of unease that becomes debilitating if they walk too far along the beach.

NO NEW LOCATIONS are available for exploration at this time. Residents are welcome to further explore available locations, including utilizing AP rewards at locations they may have previously explored.

CONDITIONS UPDATES

— CLOCKS continue to be unreliable. Some may keep irregular time at different rates, while others have ceased to work at all, each having stopped at a different time.

— VOICES are not openly haunting our residents, though they may still be occasionally encountered in the more heavily decayed buildings where some rooms seem to almost swallow whatever light tries to enter them.

— WEATHER conditions are both typical and atypical for late fall. Temperatures consist of chilly "sweater weather" days and nights that can dip below freezing — you don't want to be outside without a coat when the sun goes down. A constant light rain continues for all three days, only stopping on the night of the third day. And for all three days, there is constant cloudy grey sunlight, with the sun unable to be seen and tracked from behind the cloud cover. Darkness will return to Mathias on the third night when the rain stops.

— FOG continues to block the way of those wishing to travel further than the Town Hall, and all who venture into the forest will be met by its impenetrable wall after a few hundred yards. The fog will allow none to pass; those who try will find themselves overcome by fear and panic so intense, they can physically do nothing but flee back the way they came.

OOC UPDATES

— HOUSING LISTINGS now have a permanent home! A few of these may have been missed or information might have changed, so please do submit updates as needed, including if your character moves into a new location or if there are rooms still available at said location.

— NEW PLAYERS are still arriving with each new log, so make sure to keep an eye on our ooc intro post. (An easy way to do this is to track the post — click the bell icon, select More Options, and track when someone makes a new top-level.)

— INFORMATION may publicly be shared between characters at the bulletin board in the town hall. This is meant to be a permanent place for pieces of the Mathias puzzle to be shared and archived to both help information be shared ICly and to allow new players to easily dive into the mystery.

— THE CALENDAR has been updated through the end of the year. With the approaching holiday season, we will continue a lighter log schedule, but as always, players are welcome to create their own logs, conduct intensive investigators, and make more terrible decisions. (The mod is always happy to enable these shenanigans, never hesitate to reach out with ideas.)

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LOG?

HOUSING DESIGN/EXPLORATION

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[He shrugs, all levels of nonchalance at such a statement; it's not so different from one he might make at someone, either. He's used to self-deprecation, and doesn't so much blink at it when it's flipped around the other way.

He snorts at that.] Not sure anyone would like that.

That's just because you haven't known me long enough. This sort of life? It marks you. You either kick it in the bollocks or it kicks you first.

[ John motions back to the town. ]

Suppose I'm not going to find a way back up to the Lighthouse right now. Not much point in staying here.

And what kind of life is that? One filled with the monsters under your bed being real, trauma, death? I've got all it all in spades, honey.

[He shrugs.] Maybe not. You want me to let you go? [Because Klaus has nothing pressing going on, so he could idle here all day if he wanted.]

Demons, exorcism, Dark Arts, and a primordial darkness from before the lights were turned on by God coming back and trying to break down the boundaries of Hell and Earth.

[ He pauses. ] Back home, anyways. Here? Mathias is just a bunch of bollocks.

[ And he very much dislikes it. ]

Unless you want to join. Thought that was an open invitation for the two of us to stride back to town.

Well, when you put it like that.... [It sounds like a far more intense version of his own life, and a helluva lot darker, if he's completely honest with himself. Demons (probably) don't exist in his world, but then again, they spent three decades thinking they were the only 7 powered people in the world-- what the fuck does he know?]

I'm just still trying to get my bearings. Wandering around, you know. [He hums softly in consideration.] I probably should get back, though.

[He's not sure he trusts this place enough to be out here after dark. Five's probably expecting him back soon, too, and better not to let the old man get too much grumpier than usual.]

[ John gives a casual shrug. His world and his life seem to be on the darker side from what he has been able to tell from everyone he's met. The only one that has come close seems to be Claire. Even then, he has the feeling his world might be darker than even she's used to. ]

Well, you can wander around with me, then. I could use the company. [ John starts his way out and motions for the man to follow. He stuffs his hands into the pockets of his coats. ]

Tell me, Klaus. Have you ever met someone else like you? The psychic bit.

Edited 2020-12-02 08:49 (UTC)

If you insist. [His tone is almost sing-song at that. He won't refuse the company, honestly. He's hot, and so far, he's pretty interesting in a weird life led kind of way, and who can complain about a guy with stories to tell?

He falls into easy step with John, letting him take more of a lead. He shakes his head at the question.] No, can't say that I have. Not anyone that was... legit, anyway. Scammers. John Edwards and Mrs. Cleo types, sure, but... nah. Near as I found back home, I'm the only one.

Why? [Partially because he's just curious; but mostly because John doesn't seem like the kinda guy that asks things without a reason or a purpose behind it all.]

[ If he'll tell the stories is something else. John isn't necessarily interested in sharing at the moment. ]

Good luck for you then, mate. I know one - and she's here in Mathias with us. One of my... colleagues from back home. [ He tilts his head over to Klaus with an easy grin. ] Being psychic is a bit of magic and a bit of art where I'm from. Zed's got both.

Really?

[There's something of a thrill that runs through him at the idea of someone who might share his ability, who could understand what it was like. Sure, he's far more at ease with his powers now, but that doesn't erase two decades of being terrified of them.]

What can she do?

Tactile clairvoyant. I'll ah, let her explain all the details if you ever meet her. Though she's talked to dislodged spirits before.

[ He won't ever bring up how one of those dislodged spirits was apparently his mother. He's not sure he even wants to believe it -- and it happened more than a month ago. ]

Oh, wow... [He breathes out, still a little in awe, here.] She might out-class me. [He laughs a little. All honesty, that was never all that hard to do, if you asked him.]

None of this is about out-classing anyone, mate. Though, she's definitely a rare bird. Not many have the level of magic she does... or the drawbacks. [ Is John ignoring the medical side of her powers? Yes, he is. Loudly. He isn't going to talk about THIS. ] Beyond talking to the dead, you got any other tricks up your sleeve? Long distance communication?

[He shrugs. It's impossible for him not to think of things in that way, it's how he was raised. Numbers meant importance, someone was always better than him.]

That sucks. [Doesn't even matter what, specifically, those drawbacks are. To have them in spades sucks.] I can talk to them, I can conjure or manifest them. Um... I'm highly prone to being possessed, it's a super not-fun time, would not recommend it. Sometimes I can you know, [He mimes with his hands.] push them out, but... it's a struggle, it's hard to get control back, once they're in there.

What d'-- what'dyou mean. Long distance, how? I-- isn't across the planes of the living into the dead long distance enough?

Edited 2020-12-05 06:40 (UTC)

Possession never is fun. [ His tone suggests he knows more about that then he should. ] Though, sometimes it's worse being the one seeing the other bloke possessed.

[ Also something he's seen - obviously. Given his business card. ]

Sounds like you need better mechanisms and protective wards. I'm guessing good ol' dad never bothered investing in those for you? [ Note: find a way to help with that. Only because they don't need a possession liability. ] Astral projection. Sending messages on a spiritual level. That sort of thing.

[He sounds like he has so much more experience in all of this shit than even Klaus does, and he liked to consider himself something of an expert. At least, back home he was the most well-versed occult guide he knew.]

Never really considered that angle. [It's just the truth; and the truth is, despite parts of his heart being so big, and open, he is still pretty selfish most of the time.

His lips draw in a line and he shakes his head.] No, he...he didn't care about protecting us, other than as assets. [A bitter huff of a laugh escapes him.]

No. [He answers almost immediately, but just aas quickly sort of backtracks, a hum of disagreement with that too-quick statement.] Well, I mean-- I don't know. I spent the majority of my life terrified of my powers, I just started really getting into a solid groove with them. And... my Dad always acted like there was more, under the surface. Actually... um...

[He frowns as he remembers something he hasn't particularly thought of in three years.] You know... when he told me that, I was- I don't know, really, where I was. It was after he died. I- I think I died, or I came really fucking close, closer than I ever did before. [Now that the thought has shaken loose, it's just taking a mind of it's own, the words and thoughts are pouring out over and under each other in a rush. Someone to theorize with, to maybe give him some understanding of things that have happened to him... it's fucking brilliant.] I mean, I told you earlier, I met God, once, right? This was at the same time. Do you... think it could have been something like that? Some- some other kind of, I don't know, a different plane of existence?

[Dad had always said things about potential, but Klaus never really thought about deep or far the possibilities could go.]

[ John has been living the occult since he was fourteen - for better or for worse. Though, it sounds like Klaus has had his powers for maybe even longer than that. John dived in head first. No questions ask, no second guessing. It felt like a calling - home. Something he could control and make things bend to his will for once in his life.

He's quiet as he listens to Klaus talk. There's similarities between him in Zed. Big ones. While John is still more or less in the dark about her past, he can pick up a wiff of shared traumas. ]

If you died then your spirit was at least on the Spirit Road, mate. You could of contacted anyone or anything on it. Demons, angels, family, God. Being a psyche means you're more open to communication lines that others aren't.

You're telling me you never explored what you can do? Just what the old man told you to do?

[He frowns a little as he thinks about what John is saying. Spirit Road? He remembers waking up on that dirt road, trees for miles, and God there to tell him how much She hates him. Wasn't that just lovely? Still. He can't help wondering if John is right-- and if their timelines are similar enough that everything he's telling him could be, too.] Huh... yeah. Okay, I guess that makes sense.

[He shrugs a little as he trudges along next to the other man. He isn't necessarily proud of what he's going to say next, but it's the truth, and Klaus has no problem with blunt honesty. ] Like I said, I was terrified of them for years. I didn't want to explore it, I didn't. I shut it all up with drugs and ignored it until recently.

[Beat.] Until like a week ago, I was three years sober. Connecting a lot more with my powers, but...I have no clue what else I might be able to do. I...I just know that my Dad kept insisting there was...more. That I'd only scratched the surface of what I'm capable of.

[ The Spirit Road, an old concept, also known as the Dream Road. A place where the spirit could connect to others as they dreamed. Or were dead, really. ]

You and Zed are just peas in a pod. [ He sighs and stretches his neck side to side. Hopefully Klaus isn't about to ask him for help either. He's already got the guilt from the trade off of Zed's magic. He really doesn't want the other one as well. ] Your lot needs to be careful with the dabbling bit. Drugs can be used to open up doorways and gates if you're not careful enough.

Talking to the dead is one thing. Connecting with the living? That sounds like the next natural state, mate. How does it work then, eh? Do you have to touch something of the deceased or do you just put out the feelers until they answer?

You know, you're gonna have to introduce me to her. [He keeps talking about her, and it just makes Klaus more curious all the time.].

I guess I never knocked on the wrong door, must be pretty lucky. [Actually, he kind of was, truth be told. There were so many times over the years when he should have died, and didn't, it's hard to think it wasn't luck of some kind. Either that, or neither Side wanted him. Which might be even sadder to consider.

He chuckles lightly, shaking his head.] No, no, nothing like that. I don't even have to try, generally. They're just....there. All the time, as long as I'm sober. But you know, [He frowns.] I haven't seen anything here. I mean, I've been wandering this town for, like, two days and I haven't seen a single ghost here.

She's staying in ... the usual place. 1387 Phillips Drive. Knock yourself out, mate. [ AVOIDING. ]

Lucky or damn stupid.

[ There is an air of humor in his voice. Meaning that really, its the same for him. ]

So, you're the beacon they come to in order to get their two pieces out. That must be goddamn annoying. [ John can barely handle the ghosts of his past that haunt him. Dealing with others is something he would not want to have knocking around in his head. Ever. ] No ghosts. Wherever the spirits of the townspeople went? They ain't here.

[He nods and makes a note of the address. He'll definitely have to go say hi, sometime.]

Yeah, pretty much. Fuckin' sucks. [He shakes his head a bit and sighs.] I don't get it... I've never seen anything like it.

[Once upon a time, it would have simply been a relief. These days, it makes him more concerned.]

Usually it would mean they've moved to Heaven or Hell...

[ there is a frown in his tone then. If only this place were that simple.

No, John thinks there is something more sinister at foot. Something that lurks beyond w here they can see, feel, or touch. Something that is holding everything in this place where it is. ]

Yeah, I guess... [He was always pretty much agnostic, but that moment with the girl on the bike... She was obviously God, or something like it, and the idea of some sort of Afterlife was the smallest bit more believable to him than it had once been.

But still— ]

But I’ve never seen a place so devoid of ghosts, man... seriously. The absence of them creeps me out, honestly.

[There was a time when he would have been ecstatic about this, but things are different now. He’s more in tune with his powers, and with the constant companions that follow him everywhere he goes. The lack of that constant puts him on edge in a way he can’t quite explain.]

It's an unnatural place, this town. Something happened to change it. Not just the fact time is broken or that you'll get lost in the fog. It was something else. Something....

[ He shakes his head. ]

Can't say I know what it is, which says a lot coming from me.

We'll figure something out. There's enough of us here. If nothing else, dumb luck'll trip us into something useful eventually.

[He smirks a little at the thought. That's sort of the way he's used to things happening, these days, after all. He knows Five is trying. John is coming at it from different angles but he has own theories, it seems like. Or lack of them, but he's trying to build them, maybe. He's sure others are looking into things on their own, too.]

012-014 » even the air itself was grey

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