065-071 » assign to oblivion / part iii

[villagemod]

WHO: Everyone
WHERE: Mathias Township proper
WHEN: Days 065-071
WHAT: The residents of Mathias reunite under unnerving conditions.
WARNINGS: (PM this account to have a warning added!)
NOTES: Plotting post over here!

RECOMMENDED ♫ Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross "Outside"

DAY 065-071
ASSIGN TO OBLIVION
“No matter how much time passes, no matter what takes
place in the interim, there are some things we can never
assign to oblivion, memories we can never rub away.”
— Haruki Murakami

Only two days have passed since the town was fractured, leaving residents cut off from those they'd come to know and even care for. A mere two days of wandering the new streets, uncovering more secrets that continue to make little sense of this strange place. Two days with sunrises, sunsets, and nights that seem like any other.

And yet.

When residents wake on this third day, they will find that much has changed. All around them, wherever they may be, there are signs that time has passed without them. Dust covers everything, indoors and out, even areas that were spotlessly clean seemingly hours ago. The residents themselves are covered as well, dust clinging to their hair, skin, and clothing—

Clothing that they may not have been wearing when they went to sleep. Each resident, regardless of the state they were in previously, is now clad in a pair of white pajamas, with long pants and button-up shirts. Those who thoroughly explored Baneberry Hall will easily recognize these articles as identical to those well-stocked in the decaying great house. On top of this, the clothes they wore from home have disappeared, along with anything else they may have brought with them when they arrived or items from home that have been found within the borders of Mathias.

There is no sign that anyone has entered their place of shelter, nor is there any sign of what may have been done with these items or how they came to be wearing these clothes. The dust all around them is undisturbed, almost as if they had been sleeping there for quite some time, though it seems impossible for such a thing to have occurred naturally.


THE NEW ARRIVALS
The newest arrivals to Mathias will wake up on the lawn of Town Hall, at the center of the little town square. They, too, are bereft of any items from home and clothed in the identical white pajamas. There are shops all around them, with houses just beyond, and at first glance, everything seems almost picturesque. Except for the silence that is at times so complete as to be maddening... Welcome to Mathias.

---

SUMMERTIME
— When summer arrives, so too does an outdoor stand in front of the General Store. Sporting a handpainted sign proclaiming Whateley Farm, the stand is overflowing with a variety of produce: berries, plums, carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, green beans, leeks, onions, peppers, potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, and garlic bulbs. These do not replace the produce offerings normally found inside the market, but they do behave strangely. The stand replenishes sporadically, sometimes every other day or every five days. There is no discernible pattern to when it replenishes, nor is there any sign of how it came to be there at all.

— With the now-complete reverse change of season, much of the autumn debris has cleared from around town. Only a few stray leaves and fallen branches remain, their crisp colors at odds with the warm summer days. The forest has also cleared of much of the fall detritus, making it easier to both follow the paths and potentially spy things that might be out of the ordinary.

---

CONDITIONS UPDATE

— THE WEATHER Summer has arrived in Mathias, bringing with it warm days that average 70°F and comfortably cool nights. The skies are clear throughout the week save for Day 68 when a light rain falls from a grey sky throughout the day.

— THE FOG has maintained its new boundaries.

— Residents may now wander the southern stretch of the forest surrounding Mathias Township — it is possible to leave the paths but potentially unwise to do so.
— The fog has also retreated from the western section of town entirely.
— Access to the northern section of the forest is still blocked beginning a few dozen yards past the treeline; this section of fog will urge residents to stay huddled within the town proper by inducing a physical reaction of panic and fear.

— DISAPPEARANCES AND DEATHS continue! Max Guevara and Liz Brundy have disappeared, and now that everyone is back together, residents will notice that Yennefer, Number Five, and Tony Stark have also vanished.

— ALCOHOL supplies have run dry, save for any dregs that have been squirreled away by individual residents. Moonshine can still be acquired by those in desperate need.

---

OOC NOTES

— UPDATES Don't forget to report updates as they come up! Changes to locations (like toppling a few bookshelves in the library), big plots you have coming up that will affect the game (parties, major property destruction, etc), or exciting discoveries that may tie into the game's mythology (even the things provided by the mod) are very helpful to have in one place so relevant page updates can be made. IC events are also helpful to know about in advance so they can be included in the log write-ups.

— MOD STATUS My non-RP life is busy and chaotic and I continue to ask for your forgiveness and understanding as game things continue to be slower, as I cannot promise timely mod responses beyond weekends and even that is not wholly guaranteed.

— ITEMS FROM HOME All items from home that characters would normally possess have vanished for this log and will return in the next. This includes clothing and possessions they had when they arrived in Mathias, items that were found in the rain, and items that were found in Baneberry Hall and removed from the property. Items from home that were left behind by other characters no longer in the game have also vanished. (All other items and clothing still remain, it is only items from characters' homes that have disappeared.)

— BANEBERRY ITEMS The items from home that were not removed from Baneberry Hall in the last log have vanished from the property. These items will not reappear in the next log. (Please be sure to comment in the appropriate spot on those logs about the state of your character's item for inventory purposes, ie whether they were removed from the property or left behind.)

— ACTIVITY CHECK Beginning with June's AC (posted at the start of July), all tags that consist of only dialogue will count as 0.5 points, not just those that occur in an inbox thread — this applies to both AC and AP totals. This adjustment is an extension of what has been in place since the start of the game: that all dialogue-only inbox tags counted for a half-point. Since such tags have occurred regularly in log threads as well, the half-point status is simply being extended to all tags regardless of location in order to be fairer in point distribution. (Examples will be provided in the AC post to assist with proper counting.)

navigation | faq | locations | report updates

Comments

[tinstar]

God that was a good look on him. Raylan smiled a 100 watt smile in return, already rewarded for the effort with that reaction alone. There was no time to answer in the flurry of questions and the earnest pleased kiss he leaned into.

"Yeah," he said, hands shoving into his pockets as he ambled closer, grin a little boyish around the edges. "Couldn't do all this and not have the thing that sparked the idea. Neal helped me.. A lot."

If Malcolm was wondering why it didn't scream bachelor.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm looked over at him, pleased by that news.

“I’m so glad you guys worked things out,” he remarked with relief. He found the right record, sliding it out of its sleeve and setting it on the turntable before switching it on and carefully placing the needle. As the first notes chimed out, he stepped back towards Raylan, reaching for him.

[tinstar]

"Me too," he admitted, grin simmering down only slightly into a sweeter expression as he stepped into Malcolm's arms, his own sliding around the smaller frame as he set them to a very basic 7th grade school bob and shuffle. It ensured no one's toes got stepped on.

"I'm glad we worked things out. This is the only kinda thing that I want to call you into without context." Instead of springing heartbreak on him instead. "It would have been yesterday.. or the day before but I wanted to give as much time as I could for work on this place."

To make it as perfect as he could, considering.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm knew how to dance, the formal rigid steps of the ballroom. Being held like this was better and he looked unabashedly delighted by it.

Malcolm’s smile softened and broadened as Raylan told him he was glad they worked things out and he leaned close, his cheek brushing Raylan’s jaw.

“I love it,” he murmured. “All of it.” He pressed a kiss to Raylan’s jaw and drew back just enough to see his face. “And you,” he added, pressing a gentle kiss to his mouth.

[tinstar]

He hummed softly, a pleased note as he leaned his head, his everything into their embrace and when Malcolm drew back and after the kiss, he got a first seat view to the softest version of Raylan's features.

"Mm, I wanted to do this for you days ago." If things hadn't gone upside down, he would have, too. "A break from all the chaos outside, just.." He took a deep breath in. "Just us. I'd like to do it again too, at some point."

[abrightboy]

“Look at us, having more chaos when the town isn’t messing with us,” Malcolm teased gently, hands sliding up Raylan’s arms and over his shoulders, one coming to rest cupping the back of his neck and the other fidgeting with the ends of his hair just behind his earlobe. If Raylan wanted to make him feel special and valued more sharply and uniquely than he ever had, he was succeeding. “I’d really like that,” he said softly. He drew out a lock of Raylan’s hair to its full length. “Want me to cut your hair tomorrow?” It was another thing they’d been meaning to get to.

[tinstar]

"Go big or go home, right? And since we can't go home.." Raylan was grinning again, like a foolish, stupidly happily, in love man. "I'd rather have chaos than nothin' at all. You're worth it."

At the question, Raylan reached up and ran a hand through it, feeling out it's length on his neck. "Yeah, would you? I've forgotten what the back of my neck feels like. Normally don't go more than 6 weeks without a haircut and I was already due for one when I arrived."

[abrightboy]

You’re worth it.

His heart swelled.

“Happy to do it,” he told Raylan, fidgeting at the ends of his hair still. “Not that your mountain man look isn’t very rugged and handsome,” he added with a grin. He gave him another little kiss. “If they’re not going to give your hat back, I want to be able to see your eyes,” he teased.

[tinstar]

"Takin' away my shields to hide behind, huh? Suppose that works out since you've already got keys to all those doors," he said, leaning into Malcolm and turning him into the center of room in time with the music.

"You ever cut anyone's hair before or am I trusting you with my life?"

[abrightboy]

“I’ve had many expert haircuts,” Malcolm assured him, grinning at that little swoop. How hard could it be? “And I promise I will not miss your hair and snip your jugular.” Even if his hair nearly is that long.

[tinstar]

"Mm, My life is in your very nice hands. But only after this dance. And maybe some food."

He was greedy and he wanted this. The song wasn't over yet and they still had lunch.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm smiled warmly, leaning closer to nuzzle against Raylan’s jaw.

“I not only agree to those terms, I insist on them,” he murmured.

[tinstar]

Raylan hummed warmly and turned them around again, heaving a grateful little sigh out of his nose as he unashamedly enjoyed the next minute or so. As the song came to an end, Raylan pulled back a little.

"Let's go see what we can talk you into, huh?"

[abrightboy]

“Foodwise?” Malcolm clarified, staying close to him as they stepped over. “What did you bring?”

[tinstar]

"As promised," Raylan started, gesturing for Malcolm to sit down as he did the same himself, tucking one leg up under the other which he left, knee up, for his hand to rest off of eventually. "Egg sandwiches, and grilled cheese, some French onion soup-" He continued, tapping one thermos before moving to the next "- or chicken broth and noodle. Berries, and iced tea. Unsweet iced tea, I guess I should clarify. And don't worry about what doesn't get eaten here. I've lost a few pound I should probably replace at some point."

[abrightboy]

Malcolm watched Raylan’s face rather than the food as he explained the spread, pleased and moved and deeply charmed.

“I’ll have some chicken broth,” he said, leaning over to give Raylan a gentle kiss. “And some berries.”

[tinstar]

Raylan's grin was still foolishly proud as the kiss broke, feeling like he'd finally done something properly right that wasn't going to backfire, the ghost of their conflict finally fading away for a little while. This was what it was supposed to have been the first time.

Might not be strictly perfect, but Raylan was happy if Malcolm was.

"Good," he said, pulling the thermos over and popping the cap off to hand it to Malcolm. "Old school, you're havin' it out of the cap," he continued as he spun the metal screw top off to pour out.

[abrightboy]

“Like a construction worker on a girder,” Malcolm said with delight, his rich boy accidentally showing as he wrapped his hands around the cap to try to hold it steady.

Malcolm was definitely happy. Very happy. It was perfect, as far as he was concerned. Nobody had ever done something like this for him.

“What are you having?” he asked with interest.

[tinstar]

"Exactly, but without us being forty stories up." The fact that Malcolm needed to hold it with both hands to ensure it stayed level made Raylan smile lift a little as he finished and screwed the cap back on.

"Everything else," he laughed, "But I'm gonna start with one of these egg sandwiches because it's been a while since I had one and Neal helped make sure it was edible. I've been lookin' forward to it, if I'm bein' honest."

[abrightboy]

Malcolm looked down into his cup of broth, then over at Raylan.

"This is the most romantic dinner I've ever had," he confesses. "This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me."

[tinstar]

Raylan kept his warm smile, even as his eyebrows pinched a little.

"Can I ask about your dating life? I assume you have one, the way you look and all." Even if it was casual sex, something that didn't end up with someone in bed next to Malcolm, the one no-no that Raylan knew they had all broken several times and planned to again, several more.

[abrightboy]

Malcolm breathed out a laugh down into his soup, then took a sip before looking at Raylan.

“I date. I’ve dated,” he said with what might have almost been an attempt at bravado, if it hadn’t faltered so immediately and thoroughly. “It doesn’t, as a rule, go well,” he admits more soberly. “I have yet to find the sweet spot, for example, of when to tell them who I am. If they know before we go out… they don’t go out with me. If I wait until they have a chance to get to know me first and like me on my own merits… if I tell them then, they feel like they’ve been deceived by a monster… and it’s still better than when they find out from somebody else,” he added with a wince. He looked at Raylan again. “The last person I went out with was a lawyer that was working on a charity project with my mother. She knew who we were. She knew who I was. She agreed to go out with me. It… didn’t go well. I… said the wrong thing and she left. Anyway, later that night, she came by my apartment to… give me another chance. I didn’t restrain myself. I… wanted her to think I was normal. But I walked in my sleep. I confronted a nightmare in my sleep. I grabbed a knife off the counter and I almost stabbed her in my sleep. She ran. She won’t take my calls. …And that was neither the quickest nor the most awful end to a relationship I’ve ever had, either.”

[tinstar]

Suddenly, Raylan was very happy that he'd asked this question while he was on the date with Malcolm. It stepped them right over any of the normal platitudes that Malcolm had no doubt heard before. No matter how earnestly meant, Raylan knew how they could sting.

His face stayed steady and studious, pinching faintly in sympathy until the end. Raylan had spent all his time hiding where he'd come from, what kind of people he was related to. Here was, of course, different, but the lack of relation stood. He couldn't imagine what that must be like. But at the end of Malcolm's story, the faint pinch furrowed further and he nodded a bit as he stared down at his sandwich for a second.

"I wish I had somethin' reassurin' to say but I can see why she might not reply." Accidental murder attempts tended to put people off. That wasn't second date material and fear was a powerful thing.

"I will say that you won't be havin' to worry about that with me at least," he offered with a soft, hesitant smile over. "Unless you've got someone locked in an attic I don't know about. Then we might have a problem." He was teasing, he swears!

[abrightboy]

That makes him laugh. “I promise the only person I’d ever lock in an attic is me,” he shoots back lightly. He takes a sip of the broth and looks over. “I knew you were different,” he says more soberly. “You’ve never been… I mean, if you were put off by this particular brand of disturbing, you could have left me on the floor in the library.”

[tinstar]

Raylan smirked softly, but he knew that Malcolm might lock himself away, if he thought he had to. It made his heart hurt a little.

He ducked his head with a little bob of his shoulder as he looked over again.

"Ain't no way that was gonna happen. Even if I was put off by it. I don't leave people in the shit if I can help them out of it somehow. Hand them to someone who can help them better." He didn't tend to keep the people he saved. Malcolm was just an exception to the rule.

"No decent person woulda left you there, Malcolm. You give me far too much credit for that."