villagemod: (sᴛᴏɴᴇ)
The Village Mod ([personal profile] villagemod) wrote in [community profile] villagelogs2020-12-05 01:22 am

018-020 » what he hides

WHO: Everyone.
WHERE: Eastern/Central/Western Mathias.
WHEN: Days 018-020
WHAT: The fog recedes!
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary. PM this account to have a warning added!
NOTES: Plotting post over here!

RECOMMENDED ♫ Graham Plowman "Edge of Darkness"





DAYS 018-020
THE HIDDEN REVEALED

“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”
— Benjamin Franklin


As the sun rises in the distance above the sea, the fog slips away from the unsettling town, winding through streets and across buildings until it is nestled soundly in the forest. There it waits, ready to snare any who dare test its limits — residents would do well to remember what happened the last time they encountered the fog so intimately.

With the fog receded, the western portion of Mathias is now revealed and available for exploring. There are more businesses on the town square and even some on the street that runs off the square. The schoolhouse is nestled by the southern treeline, not from the little makeshift cemetery at the end of Jackson Boulevard that is courtesy of a few kind residents in town. To the far north of the square is a sprawling garden, now covered in snow, and a greenhouse that once supplied the botanical shop. And to the west, beyond the square, is another residential district of the same size as that to the east. What is different, however...

These buildings are all in some form of decay. From the beginnings of rot to completely collapsed and little more than a pile of proverbial bones, none of these homes are anything resembling livable. Well, as far as one can tell, at least. For between the streets of Hill Lane and Stine road there is a crack in the earth. A dozen feet across and fifty feet down, the crack extends from one side of the forest to the other, either end cut off by the fog. The view to the other side is clear but there is no way across.


THE NEW ARRIVALS

There are quite a few new faces in Mathias on this day. Awaking throughout Day 018, they will find themselves laying in the snow beside that unsettling crack in the earth, houses both quaint and decaying surrounding them as the snow begins to cover their bodies. Best get inside and warm up, dears.




SPECTRES IN THE NIGHT

The days are short now that winter seems to have set in unseasonably early. Though the clocks in Mathias fail to properly keep time or sometimes even work at all, the sun rises around 8:00am and sets at 5:00pm. There is far more darkness than light in these days, but in that darkness there is, in fact, light.

In the distance all across Mathias, there are lanterns lit against that darkness. Their lights dance across the snow, the warm flickering shining like tiny stars and offering an almost ethereal glow to the crisp white snow. It would be a beautiful sight to behold... if it weren't for the shadowy figures that held them. With partially raised arms, the figures hold the lanterns and walk the streets of Mathias, drifting in between buildings and disappearing into the forest. Still yet, there are some that simply stand in place, as if waiting for something or someone.

No matter where or when these figures are seen, they always seem to be facing away from our residents, and attempts at reaching them are all for naught. They will fade from view if one gets too close, and return to sight when that distance is regained. And in the morning, those lanterns may be found in the snow, their lights extinguished but their glass somehow still warm.


STRANGER IN THE SNOW

Those investigating the western part of Mathias and venturing near that inexplicable crack in the earth will have the most unsettling feeling of being watched. Most of the time, there is nothing there and no one to be seen, but then—

On the other side of that expanse, sitting on a porch, in the shadow of a home, or standing in the oddly moonlit street, there is a man. His features are shrouded in darkness and not much can be discerned about him, but instinct tells you he is dangerous. There is a sense deep in your bones that he is maliciously amused.

He makes no move to speak, nor will he respond to any attempts on your part. Instead, he sits, or he stands, and he watches. By the end of Day 020, all sign of him will be gone, along with the eerie feeling of being watched.







LOCATIONS


Unless otherwise noted, all new locations have working electricity and other utilities.

BENEDICT BOOKS Nestled quaintly on the square surrounding the Town Hall, a thick layer of dirt covering the front windows. A portrait hangs at the front of the store to illustrate the namesake of the little shop... that may, in fact, not be so little. Dust covers everything in sight and detritus litters the wooden floor, as if someone left the door open and allowed half the forest inside. (more info)

MATHESON ANTIQUES Also on the town square is an antique store that is a lesson in chaos more than culture. The items within are stacked haphazardly, creating narrow aisles running throughout the space. Furniture, light fixtures, old revolutionary and civil war memorabilia, all of it is jumbled together with no rhyme or reason. Indeed, one wrong move could create an avalanche of aged wood and peeling paint.

POE'S CLOTHES Located on the town square, this shop carries only the basics. Loose jeans in a few sizes, khakis, solid color dress shirts and blouses, flannel in various styles, socks and underwear.

SPIN RIGHT ROUND RECORDS On the square across from the beauty store, the music shop is as dusty as everything else in this town has been. Tables line the walls of the long shop, filled with rows and rows of vinyl records, while a few wall shelves display cassette tapes for sale. One side of the store is for New items, while the other holds the Used section with items for resale. Residents may recognize some of the artists but many are unfamiliar to them.

CLINIC Outside the decayed, crumbling building just north of the square is a still miraculously intact sign with the name of the clinic's doctor, Dr. Ken Suzuki. There is no way to treat patients in this location, but with care, some salvageable supplies may yet be found in the remains.

BARKER BOTANICALS Not quite a flower shop and not entirely an apothecary, the botanical store to the far north of the square is something of an amalgamation of both. With a few broken windows to let in the rain, parts of the shop have been overtaken by nature, the house plants growing beyond their pots and rotted flower petals littering the floor to tell of seasons past. The still unclaimed walls are filled with decaying plants and jars of dried herbs and other vegetation, along with a few essences and tinctures.

GREENHOUSE A few dozen yards from the botanicals shop is a sprawling garden, now covered in snow, and a greenhouse that once supplied the botanical shop. The glass is still miraculously intact, though covered in grime so thick that one cannot see inside.

GALLERY The gallery is essentially a large empty space with framed and matted black and white photographs of the town lining the walls. There is a small selected of prints available for sale near the front entrance, and a few rooms at the back of the building — a dark room for developing photos, a small office, and a locked room.

MOVIE THEATER This single-screen theater is quite small, having only 40 seats, but there is a large collection of movies in its storage room. These are all old film reels however, so hopefully someone knows how to thread a film projector.

HISTORY MUSEUM Across the street from the Historical Society, this once esteemed wooden building has seen better days. Windows and doors are boarded up and there is visible rot and decay on the exterior walls. Part of the roof has fallen in and the accumulating snow threatens to collapse the rest of it as well. It is not wise to venture within.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY This brick building has also seen better days, though in a different sort of way. Where once had been carefully cataloged collections and cozy reading rooms for aficionados of local history, there are now stacks of bankers boxes and weathered tomes in every nook and cranny. There is no organization to any of it, everything seeming to have been stashed in a hurry and then left forgotten. Anyone who dares to dive into this archive will need to devote quite some time in order to find anything worthwhile. They will also want to bring their own light source — the electricity does not work here and the windows are quite dark from the accumulated dust and grime.

SCHOOLHOUSE A much smaller school than most of our residents might be used to, there are only a half-dozen rooms in the building, with a few comprising classrooms, meeting areas, and workspaces. All ages were taught here, and one might almost imagine the sound of children's whispered voices and distant laughter while within the empty building.





CONDITIONS UPDATE
SNOW continues to fall in Mathias. Days 18-19 see light snowfall that very slowly accumulates, but the snowfall turns moderately heavy on Day 20 and sees significant accumulation. The temperature hovers just below freezing and dips lower when the sun goes down.

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.

THE FOG has receded from the town proper and much of the eastern and northern beach. The path through the northern forest to the lighthouse is now also clear.

DISAPPEARANCES continue to plague the town. While Daisy Johnson has returned, Zed Martin, Rey, and Quentin Coldwater have now vanished without a trace.


OOC UPDATES
MADNESS has now been unlocked. Congratulations to Inky for Claire earning the first Madness! Who will be next? (Please be sure to keep your sanity updated regularly; Stars has created an amazing tracker for anyone to use if they'd like.)

HELPERS are officially in residence! Kelly is our Registrar and Stars is our Librarian — both of these delightful members of our community are helping behind the scenes to keep things organized and updated (and doing wonders for the mod's own sanity levels), so please give them some thanks for their hard work!

REPORTING updates is still a thing that your mod and helpers beg you to do. Changes to locations, plot notes that affect the community, and discoveries should be reported over here so these can all be noted in their appropriate places. (For clarification, reported Discoveries are not public knowledge unless a character has ICly shared this information.)

A MAP of Mathias now exists, thanks to our wonderful Librarian! Please note that it is not to scale and there may be a few minor errors due to your frazzled mod. Expect updates in the future as more secrets are revealed.

BULLETIN BOARD — don't forget about it. That's all.


CLAIMING AP REWARDS
Normally, only one AP reward can be claimed per log, but due to the plethora of new and old locations to explore, this restriction is being relaxed. Instead, for this log only:
— Players may spend AP on up to three rewards, though only Spot Hidden may be repeated.
— If a player is spending multiple Spot Hiddens, they must be with different characters and in different locations.

If two characters are investigating the same location together, they may each spend a Spot Hidden on that location. Players should record their spent AP after the AP request has been approved. Sometimes there is nothing to Spot with your Hidden and the points will be "refunded" to use elsewhere.


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descendent: (pic#13978114)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-01-03 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
That means it'll just be you standing over me, right?

[ she says it with amusement, but she does wonder, deep down, if he's going to continue to be that shadow damon and stefan often embody themselves. she doesn't need a protector. she's perfectly capable of protecting herself against most things.

suspecting he won't get any more details on his family, she closes her eyes. ]


You don't have to protect me anymore. The sacrifice is over.
descendent: (pic#14539194)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-01-03 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ but she is. they'll soon talk about harbingers, but she's the harbinger of so much. wherever she goes, death seems to follow. even the supernatural creatures that she can barely comprehend are in danger.

his hands are firm and grounding despite the fact she looks away from him and wants to shrug him off. he's right; he may not have said it, but her losing her shit outside the boarding house isn't helpful. she can fix this—maybe she can make sure the other spectres remain safe.

having a purpose makes her feel a hell of a lot better, but she does still feel overheated by worry. ]


I just hope its friends don't hate me.

[ it's a stupid worry, but a worry nonetheless. ]
descendent: (pic#14479230)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-01-03 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ reaching out her hand to try and brush it against the wall, she keeps her fingertips against it to help her balance. she can barely see anything save for what his lighter allows her to, and as they walk further away from the library, there's no light—not even a dismal amount—to help her keep her step.

she sighs, ]
I feel like this is the moment in horror movies where the killer slams the door shut, locks us in here with them, and then kills us.

[ usually she can stay silent and caroline's the blabbermouth, but without one of her two best friends here, elena feels compelled to fill in the space. besides, it's creepy in here and the silence is just making the hair stand up all over her body. ]

Sorry. My mind kind of goes to slasher films when I'm trapped in the dark.
descendent: (pic#14479243)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-01-03 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
"He's a little like you. An old soul." And not her story to tell, something she should've kept in mind before commenting on him. But Henry can take that as he sees fit. Perhaps he and Elijah would both find relief in having similar life experiences and years lived (even if Elijah had a good nine hundred years on Henry).

"No matter what I tell you, my answer might sound a bit strange," she says with a quiet sheepish laugh. She lifts her hand to where he's placed the damp towel, extremely grateful for his kindness. He's told her something of a truth about him and she figures it's only fair to repay it. "My boyfriend was born in 1846. That's why I don't find it extremely peculiar at all."
descendent: (pic#14418042)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-01-03 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ that's… a lot of information. elena frowns, trying to process it all.

when she speaks next, her tone has taken on a considerable amount of softness and empathy. ]
Does that mean you died?
hellblaze: <lj user="synthnights">. (cocky 🔥 in the meantime we let it go.)

[personal profile] hellblaze 2021-01-03 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
Well, at least it wouldn't be stuck in here too long then. There's worst people to die besides. At least I'm devilishly attractive.

[ the humor is present to try and keep her calm. he's been hairier places than this. still, if she isn't used to it? best to keep her put together and with him. which is why there is a nudge with the arm that is stretched out behind him.

take his hand, elena. ]


There's always an end. It's just getting to it.
descendent: (pic#14414096)

[personal profile] descendent 2021-01-03 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ she rolls her eyes and with a kid smile, ] You remind me of someone from home. [ damon, who she has very complex feelings towards. that doesn't mean she can't look at the surface of him and their interactions and not reminisce on his more enjoyable moments.

placing her hand in his, she squeezes it. ]


Have you ever been in a secret tunnel before?
vampirebats: (pic#14493376)

Happy new year to you too!

[personal profile] vampirebats 2021-01-03 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Alright, so maybe the kid's a gremlin, but that doesn't mean he's going to take his annoying ass elsewhere. He falls into step with him, giving a thoughtful hum.]

Pretty sure it's been picked over, but... maybe we can find something.

[We. He invited himself along. Sorry, buddy.]

What's bothering you besides the obvious? I know a little first aid.
vampirebats: (pic#14493371)

[personal profile] vampirebats 2021-01-03 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
He doesn't have any other name to offer anyway. Whatever he was before, it was long since dead. All he was? It was Negan. Negan's a hell of a lot more interesting of a guy anyway.

"End of the world kinda shit. Dead people coming back to life." He shrugs his shoulders.

"It's a mess."
vampirebats: (pic#14493374)

[personal profile] vampirebats 2021-01-03 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Huh... well. We've all had our moments." Some might say he should be in the nuthouse as they speak, actually.

"How'd you know the kid was possessed and not just a certifiable murderer? Are there signs to watch for... like projectile vomit or heads spinning?" What, a guy can't be curious?
cholesterol: 🇩‌🇴‌🇳‌'🇹‌ 🇹‌🇴‌🇺‌🇨‌🇭‌ (Default)

[personal profile] cholesterol 2021-01-03 11:00 am (UTC)(link)
Great. Unless you expect pickling.

( He doesn't quite know where he was going with that, but he went there anyway. He's up, then, closing the book he barely got anything from. )
cholesterol: 🇩‌🇴‌🇳‌'🇹‌ 🇹‌🇴‌🇺‌🇨‌🇭‌ (what's for breakfast)

[personal profile] cholesterol 2021-01-03 11:04 am (UTC)(link)
Let's go back to the front, there's gotta be a door you didn't find.

( Not that he's calling you out. He's kind of calling you out. )

There's more where this came from, though. I saw Casablanca in there. Maybe we'll organize a little R & R movie afternoon seeing that nights bring freezing cold temperatures and danger.
cholesterol: 🇩‌🇴‌🇳‌'🇹‌ 🇹‌🇴‌🇺‌🇨‌🇭‌ (cas don't)

[personal profile] cholesterol 2021-01-03 11:08 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, I'd -- describe them as more than curveballs, especially when your mirror fogs over and something attacks you.

( Ghosts. They're nasty. )
cholesterol: 🇩‌🇴‌🇳‌'🇹‌ 🇹‌🇴‌🇺‌🇨‌🇭‌ (that pierces)

[personal profile] cholesterol 2021-01-03 11:12 am (UTC)(link)
Wish I could tell you there's no giant why somewhere out there. There could be. This could all be pre-ordained. Or random. But you're here. So, instead of wondering why, take what you can. One day at a time.

( One day each. )
cholesterol: 🇩‌🇴‌🇳‌'🇹‌ 🇹‌🇴‌🇺‌🇨‌🇭‌ (concerning passage)

[personal profile] cholesterol 2021-01-03 11:55 am (UTC)(link)
That's what it means. I died bloody. I was brought back. That was only the first time. No need to cry for me, Argentina. I'm in one piece right now.

( Despite dying a staggering number of times. )
aprofoundbond: (They still say I'm a dreamer)

[personal profile] aprofoundbond 2021-01-03 12:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds like Heaven is lucky to have you.

[As sarcastic as that may come across, Castiel finds that he actually means it. In his experience, it's always the 'just a bastard' types who end up saving the whole damn day.

He actually smiles at hearing Constantine describing pushing the rules; hearing him say that actually endears him to Castiel more, and it's a sign of how far Castiel has come since his initial existence as a mere soldier of God that he now so openly appreciates anyone flaunting the rules. But then, he thinks, that's life, isn't it? Finding ways around elements that try and trap you in.]


I break rules too. Sort of a habit from getting too close to humans, but I don't regret it, not for a single moment.

[He doesn't know what to expect or find in this school, but, oddly, he finds himself glad he isn't exploring it alone.]

Perhaps. Would also finding the subjects they studied here prove useful, do you think?
tinstar: (Is that so)

[personal profile] tinstar 2021-01-03 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sounds like the world's had a hard run in a few places. Times. Whatever. Got a few people here with stories like that. I'll avoid saying Zombies again so as to save you the eye roll but.. Ain't got any of this nonsense where I'm from. Just assholes being assholes."

He took a deep breath. "Guess it goes to show that Mathis wants to be in her own special category of fucked up. You saw the fog, right?"
thering: (Doc146)

[personal profile] thering 2021-01-03 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"So much of our lives is outside our control," Doc muses with a purse of his lips and a tilt of his head. To be honest, being here is not too different for Doc as living with a chronic illness dictating those good and bad days he gets to have in his life. At least he has a little more control over his body in this town. He can choose what to do with his time, how he treats other people, and he is choosing now how he wants to go should his time be up. It is not where he wants to be and who he wants to be with, but given their circumstances, surely this is enough.

"I spent some years of my life as a dentist but I have been far better at making sure people get dead. It would be nice to keep people alive, for a change." He's not sure he's particularly good at it, but he's been trying.

"Tell you what though. Won't be missing all this god damn snow." He gets plenty enough of it in Purgatory. Pretty enough until it turns to sludge, blocks the door, soaks into everything. It might have been nice if their Supreme Overlord had beamed them onto a tropical island instead.
prevenance: (Daniel Gillies in The Originals S 05 (52)

[personal profile] prevenance 2021-01-03 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Hm.

( that sounds a little more familiar. witches he knew definitely used different ingredients for different spell but for the most part, they could throw spells around with their hands an their own power.

they were powerful and they were dangerous. )


Better your energy than mine. I believe my energy is better served elsewhere. Far away from dark objects and those that wield them.
prevenance: (Utqk0QO)

[personal profile] prevenance 2021-01-03 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not protecting you. I'm here, you're here, I'm just making sure you're all right. Nothing else.

( he's protecting her and he knows it. but he doesn't say that to her. they both know it anyway. )

If the sacrifice is over and I don't need to protect you any longer, you should be able to close your eyes and sleep, hm?
thering: (04)

[personal profile] thering 2021-01-03 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
That is most kind of you to say, not knowing the lengths and depths of my transgressions. [But he has had plenty of time to be committing said transgressions and he is certain that even a forgiving and merciful God would take one look at John Henry Holliday and kick him to the kerb.]

Or. Maybe you do, but you are saying it anyway. Thank you, either way. [What does Doc know of angels and what they are and aren't capable of? To date he has only met demons who keep trying to fuck him and the Earps over.]

Seems like our new friend isn't going anywhere in a hurry. We are retracing our steps. [You don't need to be an expert tracker to see their footprints in the snow. At least it's been a full rotation, just about, and they aren't being attacked unprovoked. That's a good sign.]
prevenance: (eli07)

[personal profile] prevenance 2021-01-03 04:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Elena, if they hate you, they hate you. I doubt that is the case because I don't even think they are capable of that level of emotion but you will survive if they do.

( his words are not going to make everything better but he says them anyway in the hopes that they will at least get through to her. )

Take some time to grieve and mourn but then we need to focus on this place and getting out of here.
thering: (Doc252)

[personal profile] thering 2021-01-03 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh. I see." He will meet an Elijah at some point, but Doc's interpretation of 'old soul' will be rather far from the truth. Maybe older than he appears, but not that much older. And maybe questionable tastes in vintage styles or practices or something like that.

Doc pulls his hand back, inadvertently brushing the backs of his fingers against her palm like they have just engaged in the most scandalous Victorian flirting before turning to busy himself with preparing another wet hand towel to replace the one she is using.

"Well I am sure those hundred and sixty-odd years have passed like a hundred and sixty seconds gazing upon a lovely lady such as yourself." Sorry Elena, when it comes to lavishing compliments, he really can't help himself.
fika: (pic#14410160)

[personal profile] fika 2021-01-03 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Not to me, either. [ a quick glance up her way, photo tipped a fraction in her direction.

her excitement is certainly shared, even if he has a shit way of showing it.
] Nothing in town.

Maybe further into the forest? [ the gears in his head turn, and his own heart hammers quick. a date. finally, finally. like a bad obsession, sparking around him. ] Which is a stupid idea to try and explore now.
prevenance: (jQHmDo0)

[personal profile] prevenance 2021-01-03 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
( elijah isn't even going to answer that because it makes absolutely no sense.

he can let dean have the last word considering that is the last word he decides to choose. )