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Video / un; Geilt

I'm Senua.

[A pause, her throat is hoarse, she looks... well she looks like she's seen better days. Covered in scrapes, cuts, bruises, dirt, hair braids in disarray, blue paint that looked in desperate need of being reapplied, and blood.

And above all, Senua does not look like she belongs in a modern setting.]

"She's nervous."

"Why is she nervous?"

"Because she doesn't know how to act. What to do."

"She's at a loss."

...I'm not certain what else to say. This is my first attempt at using, whatever this is. But I've noticed others were introducing themselves on it.

[The connectivity of the device fascinates and scares her.

The whispers, the voices only she can hear surround her as she speaks and thinks.]

So I thought to do the same.

"Poor Senua doesn't know the rules yet."

"Just act natural. She just needs to learn and be natural."

[Act natural, the voices said. She tries to swallow, but it's hard when you've had little to drink.]

...I will admit, I don't know, or understand much about where I've found myself. But I do know this isn't a land of the dead. So if anyone would give me suggestions on what I should consider doing first, I will put myself in their debt.

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[ Well that got his attention. Speak of debt and he'll rise up like a ghost haunting your post.

In a soft, rumbling voice: ]

There is no need to indenture yourself, Senua. We are, all of us, learning to navigate this world. You are not alone.

[A response. A male response. A masculine voice with no image, no written symbols. Senua holds up her device.

Right, it can project people's voices as well.

But they're not the voices that follow her.]

It still doesn't hurt to return aid after it's been given. [She responded after placing her... "phone" back down in the position she had it.]

It makes for better relations.

[Not that she doubts the kindness of others.]

An exchange is not so easily binding. You must be careful what you offer.

[ Is he being overly cautious? Yes. But somebody has to be, at least in his mind.

After a pause, Dream switches to video. He's sitting outside—probably the park, given all the trees. ]

You have been to the Sunless Lands?

I offer what I feel needs to be offered.

[And if it's just small favors being exchanged for small favors, then Senua doesnt mind. It helps her build relations with the people currently present in the city.

The ones who arrived on the train.

Not the ones lurking in the shadows ]

I'm not certain I know what that is.

you look like shit.

（ award winning tactmaster of the year right here. he is so good at people.

but he follows it up with a gentler — ）

need a hand?

[The sprawling words. The notifications of messages from him look largely the same.

Both in tone and form. As near as Senua is considered he could be blunt. He could be an ass.

At this point she didn't know, part of her didn't care.]

I could use help with many things.

[The machines confuse and frighten her. Forming new shapes, new light, new terrors and wonders.

More so with the apparent lack of people operating them.]

I suppose to start, what did you do after you first arrived?

"What does she want? What is she expecting?"
"Direction."

i meant with the injuries.

but i guess i just kind of got by.

i don't know what it's like back home for you, but there isn't really any money or property ownership here as near as i can tell. people are pretty free to get settled anywhere they're comfortable, so that's what i did.

I'll be fine.

[She isn't about to admit to any serious injury as of yet. There was still plenty things to do before she could rest entirely.]

Finding a place to live here is a good step. Do you have any suggestions? I'm not familiar with the form of housing available here. It all looks the same to me.

...And doesn't feel comfortable.

[To put it blunt. She feels eyes on her constantly.]

suit yourself.

it's mostly apartments. look for one of the tall buildings with lots of windows.

you like people or nah?

（ aka, do you want to live somewhere around others or not. ）

I've seen them. But the way they looked didn't appear all that appealing to me.

[The way they towered over the cityscape. How lonely and empty they look and feel. Made all the worse by the few people that inhabit them.

It sent a shiver down Senua's spine.]

I dont have much of a preference- usually I stay by myself.

[Another pause.]

But in this case, it might be better to stay close with others.

that's what most of the others have decided. strength in numbers and all that.

i'm going to send you a GPS ping. if you tap on it, it'll open the map feature on your phone. it's the main building most of us are staying in so far.

（ notably, he's not staying there himself — but ichigo's a loner by nature, and without his friends to naturally draw him out of that shell he's pretty content just being by himself. ）

This place isn't quite so empty, I feel. Living on your own is fine and commendable. But when it comes to potential survival, it's best to stay with others.

[Ultimately, however, everyone is free to do as they want!]

A GPS ping? How do you do that?

i'm bad at walking people through shit over text.

showing you would be easier. for now just tap the notification that pops up.

（ and she'll get a l'il notif that, when tapped on, directs her to one of the main apartment buildings. ）

Oh?

[A notification? The little messages that appear on her device? When his shared direction appears... Senua hesitates.

Not everything here is as it appears. There's hidden worlds here much like back home. Some only she can se, others she isn't certain of. A pang of uncertainty fills her slowly.

She doesn't know this person. Doesn't know what they look or sound like.]

"She asked for help."

"She received help."

[Senua hesitates a moment more, before tapping on her screen.]

Thank you for the trouble... is there- are there signs of others that came before? In the houses?

not that i can see.

it's like... more than just a place that's been abandoned. it's like people were never here in the first place.

but maybe other people feel different, who knows.

It does seem lonely. And perhaps empty, at first glance.

[She shifts uncomfortably her seat for a moment.]

But... it doesn't feel entirely abandoned. Or devoid of the presence of... something. We may not be alone here.

[Another pause.]

It would be a good idea to stay together.

Edited 2023-07-15 18:21 (UTC)

（ he's seen too much of the world to dismiss anyone having a feeling like that. his senses are attenuated to the dead, but the living? less so. at least, if they don't have some sort of spiritual power. so... it is possible there's something beyond his reach.

he's not going to brush her comments aside, less because he's willing to trust a stranger and more because this place is weird enough to believe almost anything about it. ）

well, the network's a good place to start.

lots of people are making plans here to meet up or hang out.

[Senua's senses are everywhere and nowhere right now. But the shadows she's seen. The ones that look distinctly like people. The fleeting glimpses of.movement, the feeling of being watched.

She's certain of it. Certain there's more. They're not all that's here. In a way, it all reminded her of the Hidden Folk.

That did not help.]

Then they're smart. Organizing settlement wide meetings is a good idea.

...Would you care to go to one?

（ he's not really a community person. or... well, he wasn't. he's learned the value of such things, now. ）

i guess.

couldn't hurt.

Do I need to make an official announcement for one then? Or simply do what I did for this message?

[There's usually official boards and messengers who let people know about meetings!]

informal's probably fine.

but don't get ahead of yourself.

make sure you have a place set up to stay first before you start worrying about the rest of us.

I had been thinking of the Chief's hall. May as well make use of it.

[Even if it was unlike any she'd seen before. How were people supposed to meet and talk?]

sure?

i mean, it kinda feels like that's what using the network is supposed to be for.

So far it seems to be mostly just unmoderated chatter.

（ this boy was on message boards in the early oughts, he Be Knowin'. ）

it's still giving people a chance to talk and build connections and learn about each other and this place. it's not like everyone woke up a month ago expecting they'd have to figure all this crap out effectively right away.

but there've been a few in person meetings with some kind of purpose, so maybe that's the right call. i couldn't tell you.

[Oh, she... does not look comfortable.

Shinobu has a feeling she isn't looking for help in that sense but—]

I'd be more than happy to suggest some direction if you let me take a look at those scrapes, Miss.

[It's difficult to feel comfortable when nothing around you feels right. And you have no idea what it is you're supposed to be doing beyond the basics.

Everything here is strange, wrong, and it constantly feels like there are hostile eyes all around.]

They're fine- I'm fine.

"Is she fine?"

"She says she is." "She must be."

"But is she?"

I just... I need advice.

[Advice about what she isn't certain. Advice in general, she supposes.]

Or information about the settlement. What I should be aware of. Or do.

I'm afraid those answers won't come easily! If anything, we're all in the same boat and trying to read the waters as we go along.

[SORRY that is probably not the response Senua wanted but Shinobu can only be honest.]

But if you'd like I can give you an idea of what you could do... on one condition.

I'd like for us to meet up, if that's alright with you.

[Read: She isn't going to let those injuries turn into anything else.]

"She's persistent."

"She just wants to make sure Senua is okay."

"But why?"

"Why?"

[IT'S BETTER THAN SAYING "trololol, no clue. figure it out on your own, scrub lmao." It was certainly not what Senua wanted to hear. But it was an answer she'd been anticipating.]

I could say no, or not show.

[She knows what Shinobu has in mind. Given her very first comment. But Senua is still a touch cautious of meeting others. She has to, she knows she has to. And knows she'll have to stick close to others.

...]

....I'm currently at the Central Station.

[Slowly making her way around the city. Touching, feeling, and cautiously exploring its structures.]

[Normally, Gregor sticks to text since it's easier, lets him take his time to reply since he's only got one hand to type with, but this poor girl...Man.

Man, he knows what sort of situation makes a person look like this. So video it is, to better convey some sort of understanding and desire to help.]

Uh, hey Senua. I'm Gregor. I see you got someone offering to help with your injuries, and it looks like you're sorting out somewhere to live, maybe, but they got hot running water in the apartments. And pillows. Real luxury stuff. Also, there's food of all kinds, and--

Maybe if I did a little digging, I could find something in the nearest store that could be ground up to help reapply that paint? If that's important, I mean. But the fish, I asked a guy who knows fish, and he said it's safe to eat. Hasn't made me sick once, and I've been eating it raw.

If you're up for company, I could probably take you on a tour of one of the stores, help you get some necessities. Water, food, anything else you need.

The paint?

[She shook her head.]

That's not something I need, or am worried about right now.

[It's still a pain to apply.]

Being shown what's available to us would be absolutely helpful, however.

[She had only just recently had her first, real meal not that long after arriving. And is still starving.]

Got it. Just thought I'd check in, haha. [Thumbs up! After a little fumbling to get his phone balanced against his bug claw.] And yeah, I have nothing more pressing to deal with than helping out a newcomer, so count me in.

Where are you right now? Any landmarks? I'll find you--

Oh, uh. Also. Do you have anything against bugs? That's probably important. [Not that there are any insects here, or any animals at all, but he doesn't want to freak someone out with his Big Stinking Bug Claw.]

I'm near the central station.

[The train station in the middle of the city. That's what it's called, right? Senua is certain it is.]

And I can't say I'm too terribly fond of them? The biting ones are the worst.

[She might freak out. Or she might just chalk it up to how she views the world.]

Oh, good. That's easy. I'm on my way.

[Which shows in the feed, as he gets up and starts rolling on out to meet Senua. However, the look he shoots the camera is a little sheepish, almost apologetic in nature as he goes.]

...Promise I don't bite. You'll get it when you see me. See you soon.

[Because it's awkward to just show his arm on camera, and if he thinks too hard about possibly scaring a newcomer, then he'll end up making himself stress out to Problem Levels and make everything worse. Better to just get there and let her see for herself, then decide if she'd let this Small Man help her shop for food.

Thankfully, Senua's not waiting long. Gregor takes maybe fifteen minutes to get his shit together and properly roll out, feed shut off once he left the apartment, and it's hard to miss the bug guy looking around as he approaches the station.]

[The final comment has Senua wondering if she should ghost this guy. Promise he won't bite? Is she okay with bugs? Her mind is already doing its rounds. Imagining him as some sort of twisted being. Perhaps she wouldn't be too far off?

When he arrives he'll see Senua apparently looking at something, listening to something that is very clearly not there. Or perhaps something is there? The woman looks rather attentive. And to her there is something there.

Voices, shapes, crawling shadows and things that should not be. Sights both wonderful, and terrible. Filled with bugs and flowers. The voices whispered to her of things she should do, things she should consider. They're there, as always, her only constants.]

...

"A bug."

"What should she do? It's a big bug."

[In true fashion, Senua holds her breath. The deformity she sees on the stranger seemed to grow and writhe in her own site. Unnatural, painful, with a chittering noise.

The woman looks away, fixing her gaze elsewhere, thinking of what she should do. But he looks familiar. It's the one from the video. The other one, the other male. The one who spoke of bugs. Is he a bug? The voices seemed to think so. The way he seemed to melt into an insectoid mass seemed to indicate it.

She remains quiet, and slowly presses herself away. She doesn't need this right now. Her mind doesn't need it.]

Edited 2023-07-15 06:56 (UTC)

[He knows that look.

He knows that reaction well. It's something he's intimately familiar with both receiving and feeling, the repulsion, the desire to simply be away from the hideousness of enlarged vermin (and he's branded as such on his human arm, Ungeziefer, just so he never forgets).

The hand he'd raised to greet Senua slowly falls, and he pauses mid-approach, face contorted.]

...I can go, if you want.

[If it would be easier. He's seen writhing masses, tentacles and chitin and spines and palps on humans, bursting out, smeared into paste, torn and blown up. He can't stand bugs, either, so he's not judging her even if it stings, and he's meant to be different (better, more refined).]

And-- sorry, for not warning you better. Guess I forgot what I look like! Haha, ah.

[It's the look of someone who's mind isn't focused and is seeing things that aren't there. Or are exaggerated.

It was hard to hear his voice over the sounds entering her ears. Sounds only she could hear. Scratches, scraping, the sounds of thousands of tiny legs scuttling around.

It's difficult to differentiate between two differing worlds. Both that feel so very real to here, but with only one that she alone can experience.

Senua breathes in and out.

The voices in her head babble, giggle, say one thing, then backtrack to another. With the one constant between them all telling her to focus.

She should focus and open her mind. Narrow down the writhing shapes and deformities into something more sensible. To seek the patterns that are there but aren't.

To dispel her visions and see the surface for what the person actually looks like.]

N-No, I'm fine.

[She seemed to be saying that a lot recently. But is she fine?

Her wounds and scars still ache faintly and itch.]

You don't have to placate me, Senua. But--

[He doesn't want to leave her alone like this, either. He promised help. And Gregor's not about to let the gentle bruising of his ego get in the road of actually doing something useful with his time.

Sigh. Just gotta rethink the approach.]

We don't have to walk close together. How about I just start heading towards the stores, and you follow however close or far makes you feel better? Then you can get fed, get some bottles of water, and I'll let you be.

[He turns, head inclining in the vague direction of the nearest grocery store, and carefully tucks his bug arm in at his side so it's not so visible.]

If I wanted to placate you then I would offer apologies and some form of redress.

[Everything was still far too confusing for her. Far too much of a trip to be easily digestible as of yet. Senua shook her head as a strobe of light entered her vision. He wouldn't be able to see it. But it blinded her enough that she could make out his shape as opposed to what had triggered her earlier fear.

She still doesn't feel comfortable. Chances are that she never will here.]

I feel fine. [She does, she's just so very tired, and so very hungry. But after her last run in at a restaurant, Senua isn't certain how much she trusts the food items here. Senua wasn't certain how much she should trust anything.

Senua felt the need to lock herself away. But resisted it. That wouldn't do.]

...But food would be good.

Pff-- point taken. Sorry, I'm used to people taking it really badly. Guess I overcompensated.

[If she's got enough wherewithal to do anything that might qualify as sass, he figures it's probably safe to smile, albeit not directed right at her. Aimed vaguely in that direction, but not right on. That might be best.]

Food's good, though. Like I said, at least the salmon's safe enough to eat. No detectable poisons, no, uh...What was it. Spiritual residue or something? No parasites. I haven't died yet. And the popcorn's pretty good, too.

[Onwards! Thankfully, it's not actually that far; there's a good few little convenience stores and grocery stores tucked around the residential areas, especially given how dense the apartment buildings are. And hopefully it's not weird that he keeps looking back every few seconds, just to make sure that Senua's still following, right up until he almost runs right into the automatic doors.

Buffoon.] --Uh. So. This is one of them. Most places that sell food look like this, or they'll be restaurants, but this is the easiest bet since there's a few around. You can also get a few first aid supplies, stuff like that if you're careful. ...Actually, we should build you one. I should probably start making some for all newcomers. That'd be helpful, huh?

It's not poison I'm most worried over.

[Eating fish though.... No, she'll avoid having to do that as much as she possibly can. She's still following, of course. It wasn't like she had much of anywhere else to go, or much of anything else to do. Besides, he was one of the very few who were currently offering to help.]

If that's what you want to do. I don't need one, though.

[ Oh, someone who looks as rough as he still feels. He can understand being out of one's element. He hasn't really felt any particular empathy for most of the others here - they seemed far more in their element than he is - but she seems to be about on his playing field. ]

Some of us are dead, but most are not. Food, shelter, water... survival is still the first and still the same. The 'store' buildings have what you need. You can take what you want.

[Out of her element, currently not doing the greatest mentally as the stress of being out of her element ways down on her hard. All of which is also an extreme understatement.]

Some here are dead?

[That's news to her! She also can't help the twinge of skepticism at the statement as well. But she also wouldn't be wholly surprised? Really Senua doesn't know what to believe. There are different rules here. Different everything.]

[ He nods briefly. ]

I am. Mostly.

[ He has a body, and has been half living in that body alongside his brother. But he definitely did die before becoming something less corporeal for a while. ]

What do you mean by mostly?

I was dead for years and trapped in the Tower, wandering. The Great Heat drew me to my brother. We have shared a body since that point.

I'm not certain I fully understand any of that. Who is your brother, what is the Tower?

My brother is my brother. He has no name, just like me. He is just him.

The Tower is the place where God is held captive.

...I see.

A tower where a god is held captive?

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Video / un; Geilt

audio — @thesandman

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text ↪ un: 十五

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