(september catch-all) NOW WITH BIGGER, BETTER WAYS TO DIE

[vestigemods]

SEPTEMBER CATCH-ALL

► THIS SHITHOLE JUST GOT BETTER

The morning of the 10th feels just like any other. It arrives without fanfare, no itch at the back of your mind telling you something is different. If you're a homebody, you might very well go about much of your day without growing any the wiser... At least until you go outside.

The island is the first sign that something's amiss. Stepping out your front door and spotting the brand new tree-covered patch of land smack dab in the middle of your lake may not face some of you, but it's certainly not a thing that has happened before. Those who dealt with the hatch and the tunnel beyond in August might notice that the island very distinctly covers where that very hatch used to be, sealing off that tunnel system once and for all.

Those who live along the northern end of the lake will also hear the distinct sound of rushing water, a sharp contrast to the quiet atmosphere of the still lake you fell asleep to. Sure enough, a river now pours into the lake from the north, a whole ass river coming into existence overnight.

But the island and river aren't the only changes - they're just the most obvious. It may be today, tomorrow, or a week from now, but the next time someone makes their way to the north or east barriers in any shape or form, they'll find that the barrier no longer seems to exist. The trees are marked quite clearly, white spray paint on a trunk one per fifteen or so feet but you find that they're able to walk right through the area it's supposed to be. And walk, and walk, and walk. Is this a mishap with the barrier, or was it on purpose? Have the Technicians... set you free?

Maybe it's time to tell the others.

► LET'S SEE WHAT YOU'VE WON!

Those who make their way across the new and improved containment zone can encounter a fairly wide variety of things. Following the main road like a rational human being puts you on the direct route to town. Should you get curious along the way, you might detour off the asphalt to explore a stretch of farmland, with smooth rolling hills that may once have been idyllic before they fell into disrepair. If you're hungry, a grove of apple trees sit alongside the river, their branches heavy with fruits ripe for the picking. Consider sparing some for the horses fenced in the western field - they're too skittish to let you approach, but if you leave the apples inside their fence, they're certain to grab them as soon as you've backed away.

Conversely, heading due east from your cabin like the impulsive goblin you are will likely lead you smack dab into the swamp. It's dismal. It's disgusting. Use the damn road next time, and you won't be slopping your way through nearly knee-deep muck... And that's before you discover the alligators. (Are discovered by the alligators? Who discovers whom is just a matter of perspective, really.)

Whether you take the smart route or the soggy route, you'll (hopefully) end up in much the same place: the town. It's dirty and run-down and the alleys and back roads host a whole species roulette of strays, and you intermittently feel the distinct sensation of being watched or even followed, but it's not all bad. There's Foodland, which compared to the gas station pickings may as well be a five-star buffet. There's also a rec center with a functional bowling alley, if you know how to play - and across the street from that rec center sits an apartment complex, complete with nine mostly-clean apartments with fully-functional electricity and plumbing. I'm not saying the swamp-waders should hijack an apartment shower, buuuut that's definitely not not an option.

Finally, to the north, there's a bit of a mountain that I'm fairly sure that nobody is going to fuck with just yet, unless they happen to be some sort of overachiever who wants nothing more than to get a bird's-eye view of the landscape below. Mind the mountain goats. They like to shove.

► MOD NOTES

• This log is an introduction to the new expanded containment zone, but it also functions as the September catch-all log for all non-event starters.
  
• Refer to the Locations page for actual information on the various new areas and points of interest - the above flavortext is only meant to supplement the Locations page info.
  
• Also check out the September Infopost (most relevantly, the bottom two drop-downs) for more September-specific info to potentially include in your prompts.
  
• Because this is a catch-all for everywhere + all month, try to remember to label your top-levels with the date and location of each prompt (whether in the subject or in the prompt title within the comment)!
  
• Any questions (on the new setting or anything else) can be directed to this top-level or, for a quicker response, to Trace on discord/plurk. Additionally, if you catch any errors (incorrect links, etc) in the Locations post, please let Trace know!
  

Comments

E

[legbreakings]

[ These stores here are quite different from what Jiang Cheng is used to, and it is safe to say he is thoroughly underwhelmed by the change. It's kind of insulting, really, that even the simplest things would be made needlessly complicated by everything being difficult in this place.

So he is looking rather sour as he does his exploration, thoroughly unappreciative of the aesthetic as well.

It is when Namine stands by the clock shop that he catches sight of her and walks towards - to him, she looks like someone who might be better at navigating this place than him. ]

Excuse me [ he calls, his voice loud in the silence of the abandoned town. ] Have you come across a fabrics store?

[lethechained]

[ Her palm doesn't quite make contact with the glass as she peers through it, eyes on the face of one particularly elaborate clock. In the glow of sunset, it almost looks little bit like the one in--

Somewhere that flees her mind almost entirely as words cut through the quiet, startling poor Naminé right out of her metaphorical skin. Her blue eyes are round as twists to look over her shoulder, fingers immediately pulling back from the window as if they've been burned. She curls that same hand against her chest, which is where it stays even as she recovers enough from her surprise to process the question. A trifle uncertainly, she regards her unexpected company. ]

Fabric...?

[ She echoes this hesitantly, as if unsure she's heard correctly. Well, perhaps he's got some pressing need for clothing right this second, new surroundings or no. Mouth shaping into a thoughtful line, she shifts around to face him properly. The paper grocery bag in her other arm comes along with her, and she unconsciously shifts its weight so that both hands can assist in
holding it. Presently, after a moment's thought, she seems to have an epiphany. ]

… Ah. Actually, I think I have...! [ With a touch of apology in her tone, ] Only, it's all the way on the other end.

[legbreakings]

[ He slumps a little, looking visibly relieved as he smoothes his hands down the front of his three-layered and by now rather frayed purple robes. Sturdy though they are, he has been wearing them ever since he arrived here months ago and they are beginning to show wear and tear.]

That's good. I had been beginning to think there isn't such a shop here. I only found shops for things I don't see the point of. [ More like, he hadn't understood the items they are selling so they must be pointless shops.

He starts to turn, thoughts already on tracking down this store down the street, when he catches himself, remembering that this could be a good opportunity to learn more about another of his fellow captives. ]

Have you found what you need?

[lethechained]

[ Head tilting, she makes note of his expression. The movement of his hands naturally draws her eyes toward his clothing. Although the robes look much finer than anything she's ever worn, even she can tell that they're suffering from use. She's been forced to employ some of the clothing from the gas station for herself, and as such what she's dressed in now is terribly plain by comparison. (Fortunately, holding out as long as she did mostly saved her from those dreadful t-shirts.) Breathing a soft little, 'oh,' of understanding, she looks up with the intent to speak again, only to fall silent as he begins to turn.

Which means she's not entirely expecting it when he makes an additional inquiry, to which she responds with an automatic, ]

Me? [ Yes, of course - who else would he be asking? ] Well... sort of. I did find one special thing that I was looking for.

[ And yet she has a full bag with her, which apparently she feels the need to clarify. ]

I'll have to come back again soon, either way. I can't carry very much like this, and with how the gas station's been recently...

[ Foodland's looking like it'll be a big part of their collective future. Lips pursing, she hesitates, considering him. Maybe she's of some similar mind about getting to know her cagemates, because presently she offers (albeit a touch carefully), ]

I can show you where it is, if you'd like. The fabric store, I mean - it can be hard to know which is which, with how messy some of the shops are.

[legbreakings]

[ His normal reaction would be to bristle at any insinuation that he needs people to identity the shops that are useful to him, never mind that he has run into this exact problem. But he is trying to make acquaintances here instead of enemies and it seems like this woman's offer is her attempt to do the same.

So he nods, murmuring ] Thank you. I would appreciate it.

That said, he starts moving again, though slowly to give her the opportunity to fall in step with him. He eyes her again.

I could help you carry more bags, there's no need for that many trips. I only want to look at the fabrics today, I won't be taking anything. [ Simply because he doesn't know all the things you'd need to make robes such as his. ] I just want to check if there is any chance at all of finding the needed supplies there or if I'm stuck wearing bed linens.

[lethechained]

[ If it's any consolation for his temper, her tone certainly suggests she means well. His words of gratitude prompt a small, gentle smile from Naminé, barely there at all but kind enough. ]

It's no trouble.

[ Although it takes her a second to reach a proper pace to keep up with him; her stride is small, so it probably helps that he slows down. The distance she maintains is a polite one, plus a tiny bit of extra space that likely isn't worth commenting on. Despite her willingness to assist, she looks an awful lot like a wallflower with such careful body language, as if she's trying to take up as little room as possible.

Maybe there's even more proof of the same in the way her eyebrows go up at his offer. When her glance angles his way, her mouth is round as if she means to respond with something like a 'really?' but she holds it back, loathe to interrupt him. By the time he's finished speaking, however, some of her initial reaction has given way to confusion. ]

That's very generous of you. [ Her appreciation is genuine, no matter how quick her mouth is to purse into an uncertain little shape thereafter. ] But... what do you mean, 'bed linens'?

[ Are sheets really the preferably choice in this situation? Looking quite puzzled, Naminé skips over the possibility that he just doesn't know there are other forms of attire here and goes to, ]

Do you not like the clothes they left for us at the gas station...? They've gotten much better since the beginning.

[legbreakings]

[ He did take notice of the way she holds herself and keeps herself so unobtrusive, something he with his own brusque, loud mannerism doesn't really know what to do with. He can only try not to repay her kindness by offending her with his mannerism, as he is sure he has done plenty of times with Gilia St. Loe already. There are less opportunities to fix that when you offend someone in person.

Still, when she speaks of the clothes from the gas station, he can't help giving her an incredulous look.]

Are you joking?! Of course I don't like them! They're ugly and offensive! And they're not robes so I wouldn't wear them even if they didn't look stupid. I'm going to see about getting decent clothes made for me. I'd rather wear nothing but the same set of robes than that!

[lethechained]

[ The girl seems to wither slightly under his look, her chin tucking subtly down toward her shoulder. She listens with faintly rounded eyes, clearly surprised by the strength of his reaction. Does he really feel so strongly about it? As someone who's never had much choice about what they wear, Naminé isn't nearly as upset by the idea, but... if that's his view, then she can only try her best to understand. ]

I see...

[ The response comes out hesitantly and a beat late, though she doesn't pause in her steps. For a moment she purses her mouth, and it looks like it might very well stay shut, but presently she agrees in a voice much softer than his, ]

That's true. Many of the things they've sent us have been very... strange. Especially some of the ones with words.

[ Which is really just a polite way of saying they were rude and disgusting. She was pretty scandalized herself at the time, as evidenced by her discomfort as she mentions the articles of clothing in question. Still, the tiny dress she was wearing when she arrived was never going to cut it for long. ]

But why is it that you prefer robes? Does-- everyone wear them in your world? Or are they really comfortable?

[ That's about the best she can guess. Surely there's some reasonable explanation... right? ]

[legbreakings]

Everybody wears robes at home, yes, [ he agrees, mollified by her agreement that the clothes from the gas station were terrible. They had been utterly dreadful in his opinion, too, even if he had already been offended by their everything, never mind the words written on them. ] I don't like the clothes they are offering us, they look uncomfortable and like I wouldn't be able to move properly in them.

[ As they walk, he thinks back to how tight most of them are as well and he finally adds ] and they are completely indecent! It's like wearing nothing but underwear!

[ Which makes it all the more outrageous that his friends from home have embraced them so quickly. But he won't. He refuses. ]

Besides, I don't see why I should change my ways! They kidnapped us. I don't have to try and please them.

[lethechained]

[ Naminé makes a soft hum to indicate her understanding. It's not hard to sympathize with such a concept; it must be tough when what's around one is so different from what one knows, even if it's only the clothing. She nods shallowly once at the mention of discomfort, but then there's the part about underwear, which makes her falter. ]

Ah-- oh.

[ Feeling a bit self-conscious, she pulls the bag a little closer in front of her as she measures the robes he's wearing now with a sidelong glance. There's definitely more material there than she's accustomed to making use of, so for a few seconds she lapses into a somewhat uncertain silence. Then, ]

I hope - the rest of us aren't embarrassing you, [ she tries, because now she has to wonder if she's given offense without meaning to, considering her (in other contexts perfectly normal) state of dress. ] Since we don't wear such nice clothes...?

[ It's not until that last portion of his words, however, that her mouth pulls into a small frown, her head naturally turning so that she consider him more directly in light of his statement. After a beat, ]

No... I suppose you don't. [ Being subject to the Technicians' whims is one thing; cooperating is another. ] Although - wouldn't giving in really be for your benefit, in a case like this?

[legbreakings]

[ He scowls, though this scowl looks conspicuously like an unhappy pout. Clothes are a small and petty complaint in the grand picture of things here, with them being kidnapped to be tortured and murdered over and over again but... Well, it's a small complaint but it is still irritating, and easier to get upset about than to think about the truly upsetting things. ]

No, it wouldn't, because I would hate it. Nothing here is familiar, I want to keep as many things familiar and as much of my normal life as I can.

[ He exhales in a huff, eyeing Naminé from the side. ]

And the way all of you dress was weird but I've gotten used to it. It's weirder seeing people from my own world in these clothes.

[lethechained]

[ For all that it is a small thing, Naminé seems perfectly willing to listen to the complaint. (She doesn't even laugh at his pouting, or anything, and considers it all seriously.) ]

Well... yes, you might. But if you wind up wearing clothes that are too worn out to protect you because of it...

[ Although that's just a hypothetical, isn't it? Letting the thought go, she shakes her head. ]

Still, I'm sure a lot of people feel that way. There isn't much that we can control here, so I suppose it's important to make ourselves comfortable in the ways that we can.

[ Surely there'll at least be enough material in the store for some new clothes for him, right? Chin tucking slightly when she realizes he's studying her, Naminé accepts the look without comment, only to straighten again when he mentions that last part. Apparently it piqued her interest. ]

Oh...! So you're not here alone?

[legbreakings]

There are a number of us here, even some of my family. [ How many of his family is complicated, depending on whom he is willing to acknowledge as family, so he decides to sidestep that question by moving on to a more pleasant topic. ] My sister is here with me, Jiang Yanli. We have been restoring that depilated boathouse by the lake ever since we got here. I'm very lucky to have her here with me.

[ They have arrived at the store and he wrenches open the battered old door, which turns out not locked, only jammed. ]

Do you have people you know from home as well?

[lethechained]

Even your family...

[ There's a hint of awe in her voice, something wistful about it. While this place may not be the most hospitable and she knows from previous consideration that she probably oughtn't wish captivity here on anyone, she can't help being glad for him. Not being alone is a privilege, she's keenly aware of that. ]

That really is lucky. You can all look after each other without having to wonder what their intentions are.

[ And speaking of good fortune, Naminé pauses before the door to watch him reach for it, fully expecting she'll have to help find some other way in - but to her surprise, it gives. Despite her startled flinch at the sound of it forcing open, she looks relieved... for a moment, anyway. His question seems to make her wilt slightly, although it's subtle. Voice a little softer, ]

... No. Not exactly. No one else from my worlds is here with me.

[ And even if they were, calling it 'home' might not be entirely applicable for someone like her. Blinking, she reminds herself of their errand and turns to peer into the doorway, curiously eyeing the interior of the shop. Her explanation, however, continues all the same. ]

But there are people here who seem to know me. They tell me that I was with them somewhere else. [ A tiny shake of her head, ] Somewhere I don't remember at all.

[legbreakings]

That's curious enough - and suitably of interest to him - that it is enough to make him forget all about exploring the crafts store he has just forced their way into.

[ At first glance, it doesn't look terribly promising anyway; there is a musty and slightly moldy smell, and some of the bolts of cloth and balls of yarn that are scattered on the floor near the entrance look damp and moldy. Farther in, the store seems to be in far better shape. ]

These people, are they from your future? The people from my world were all taken from different points in time. Years from my past, or many years from my future. It is very strange, and disturbing. Although they haven't really told me anything about my future, I didn't want to know.

[lethechained]

[ Lips pressing into a line, Naminé makes a similar appraisal of the store's contents. By now she's seen enough of the library to know that some of the places in the town are hopelessly damaged, and feels her stomach sink slightly on his behalf. Still - some of it looks usable, and although she means to step inside and take a closer look, his question arrests her attention. Head turning, she gives him a surprised expression. ]

The future...?

[ That's a new possibility, one she's only just recently come to discover. Curling a hand thoughtfully against her mouth, she weighs the idea in her mind. ]

I did hear recently that something like that was going on in that other place. And if it happened to all of you here, too - then that could be the case. But I--

[ It's hard for her to parse exactly how she feels about that, and she falters. Already she's made her assumptions, but she still inquires softly with a melancholy sort of resignation on her face, ]

Well, there's no easy way be sure, is there?

[legbreakings]

[ Jiang Cheng nods solemnly, though he feels a little bit guilty now for bringing it up. He had thought it would help clear up the confusion but the idea of people from the future seems to be disquieting Namine rather than comforting her. ]

It's not that bad [ he offers weakly. Biting back the comment that it is much harder to be the one from the future. Keeping their fates from his family had been terrible. ] It can be... It can be a chance, having people from different points of time here. I have run into people again who are already dead at home.

[ But that is talk which makes him uncomfortable now, so he moves deeper into the store to explore the parts of it in better condition. Here, the bolts of fabric seem to be fine at first scrutiny, and he even finds racks with all kinds of... sewing supplies, he'd suppose. Needles and other things he doesn't know but which look to him like they could be vaguely sewing-related. ]

[lethechained]

[ As she thought, then; it can be no more than a theory without more information than is available to them. She gives a tiny hum, then falls silent as she takes a moment to mull it all over. No matter her own considerations, however, his attempt at encouragement draws her eyes back up. Since they happen to be keen eyes indeed, she doesn't miss his discomfort, and wilts visibly at the implications of that last comment. ]

I'm sorry, [ she responds gently as she watches him travel further into the store. Her sympathy is heartfelt, because for such an opportunity to mean that much, he must surely have lost at least a few people important to him. The girl takes a moment to set her bag of groceries on the nearest stable-looking surface before trailing after Jiang Cheng, a little frown still tugging at her mouth. ]

I can see why making the most of this situation would be important to you. There are people I... would really like to meet again, too.

[ Except that thinking on the past brings back all sorts of memories, not all of which are pleasant. Most of them, in fact, fall into that unfortunate category, so she amends, ]

And-- people that I wouldn't. [ There's an undercurrent there, a sort of heaviness in the context of that statement as her expression darkens - not with anger, but with old and remembered fear. Carefully, ] If your family came here with you from your world, then - what about your enemies? Have you met any of them?

[legbreakings]

[ Making the most of the situation... Yes, that really sums up his experience in Vestige quite well. He's not happy to be here, not at all, but there are advantages to it, blessings which he wouldn't be able to experience anywhere else such as being reunited with his dead family. And for this, he will make the most of it.

At her question, he shakes his head.]

Fortunately, I haven't come across any enemies from my world yet. I'm sure we will be getting them sooner or later, the Technicians have brought a lot of us in and... We don't have a track record of getting lucky with such things. But hopefully, it won't be for a while yet. Until we understand this place better, at least.

[lethechained]

[ Her features ease slightly at his initial answer. Though the rest of it isn't quite as encouraging, she can't disagree with the logic, considering how many people seem to have come from his world. Maybe it is only a matter of time, but, ]

I see. That's a relief.

[ To not have any enemies from home here. Except they aren't her enemies, and a beat later she falters, turning a slightly bashful look up at him. ]

For-- all of you, that is.

[ And for her, honestly, because she can't help sympathizing with others even when their fights aren't her own. (Besides, who would want a bunch of sword wizards duking it out in the middle of town? That just sounds like it would be a mess to clean up afterward.)

Turning away slightly, she considers the nearest shelves of material and supplies. Although she starts to walk along it, studying all of the contents thoughtfully, she finally speaks up again a moment later. ]

Sometimes - I wonder if we'll ever understand this place. Then... something like the borders changing happens, and suddenly it doesn't seem so impossible anymore. Little by little, I guess they're showing what it is they're really capable of.

[ The Technicians seem both more powerful and less the more she's able to understand how things function around here. As she comes to an abrupt stop partway along the row of shelves, she gives a soft, 'oh,' like she's just remembered something. Swiveling around, ]

That's right, I forgot to ask you - what's your favorite color?

[ Which would probably be pretty out of left field to inquire about on any normal day in a murderbox, but in this case there are practical applications. ]

[legbreakings]

My favorite color? [ he echoes blankly, staring at her. Trying to make sense of how that is even relevant to what power the Technicians may or may not have, before he belatedly realizes that he did drag her here to check for fabrics. Oh. Right.

He clears his throat, trying to cover up that slip and busies himself with inspecting a table holding all kinds of laces and trims. ]

My favorite color is purple, though I like blue and teal as well. Purple is the color of my sect, it reminds me of home.

[ He abandons the laces to go back to looking at fabrics. Well. No, he doesn't want robes with cartoon dogs and cats. Teddy bears aren't high on his list, either. ]

But I suppose color doesn't matter much here, as long as it is sturdy, warm fabric to make good winter clothes. Whatever the Technicians are capable of, it's bound to get worse. They have been conspicuously gracious to us after the nightmare that our first days here were.

[lethechained]

[ The way she tips her head expectantly at his echo of her question doubles as a nod. Returning his stare with one of her own, she gives him a few moments to catch her meaning and makes a mostly-successful effort of keeping her mouth from rising at the corners in the meantime. ]

I can see why you prefer it, [ she notes kindly, not calling attention to his slip, ] ... if it has such good memories for you.

[ Those are all nice, soft colors - although she's finding there's a lot more of the gaudy patterned stuff than she'd expect him to like. Casting a sidelong glance back at Jiang Cheng, she mentally measures the ridiculous flame print on the nearest fabric against his current attire and decides the idea clashes. This might be harder than she'd hoped.

As she gives a thoughtful hum of agreement, she pauses alongside another roll of red fabric. Reaching out to carefully brush it with her fingers informs her that it's quite pleasant to the touch, but-- it's awfully loud. Does one really want to attract so much attention in a place like this? Filing that option away as a 'maybe' on her suggestions list, ]

That's true. After everything they told us at the beginning and what happened in that cabin, I was expecting much worse, too. [ A frown pulls at her mouth, the distraction of looking for material not enough to keep the concern out of her expression. ] Do you think-- there might be something that they're waiting for...?