(october catch-all) IT'S TIME TO GET FUCKIN' DAMP

[vestigemods]

OCTOBER CATCH-ALL

► YOU CAN BE REGULAR DAMP

As Autumn sets in, the containment zone begins to settle into all of the trappings of autumn. Chilly weather, bundled clothing and hot drinks, the turning and falling of leaves... It really just goes to show that life goes on in a place like this just as it does anywhere else.

For those unfamiliar with the seasons on a cultural level, the newfound offerings that Foodland and the gas station have to offer might be a little surprising. After no seasonal trappings to accompany summer, we now see an abundance of plastic gourds and multi-colored corn, of browns and oranges and leaf-themed decor - and as the month goes on, an influx of spooky decor in blacks and purples and... still oranges, orange is pretty universal as far as fall is concerned. Many of the buildings around town also sport seasonal decor, subtle but present. A pumpkin here, a glittery sign with a fall-themed pun there.

The weather, depending on perspective, has taken quite a turn for either the better or the worse. All of the rain the skies withheld throughout the summer seem to be coming down all at once, sometimes a sprinkle and sometimes a downpour that soaks you to the bone if you dare venture out for groceries. But the rains are just short of lukewarm, not yet carrying any proper chill, and the lush greenery of the landscape seems to be thriving in it. Perhaps it isn't all bad after all?

► OR YOU CAN BE EXTRA SPICY BONUS DAMP

On the 18th of October, however, the weather starts to get a little bit... dodgy. Which is to say: You should probably be ready to dodge, as you find that the leaves blown about on the savage winds no longer just flop wetly against your clothes or your cheek. It will likely come as quite a surprise the first time one stings - you might even mistake it for an unusually frigid drop of water splattering across your skin, at least until your fingertips come away reddened just slightly with blood. But it's certainly not the end of the world, nowhere near as bad as rotting away or being haunted by some malevolent ghost. You can just bundle up! It's not as if they can slice through clothes.

But oh, it's not quite done just yet.

On the 24th, the cutting winds come to a head in a thunderstorm. Dark, ominous clouds greet you as you wake on this morning, perhaps even confusing your sense of time as a far dimmer light than expected shines in through your window. But the storm sets in like an oncoming wave, first hitting the town and then sweeping west. Those with an eastern view over the nearby trees will see it coming, a foreboding curtain of rain encroaching all to quickly. Then comes the thunder, rumbling far too close to feel entirely safe. Which is true. It isn't safe. Because after each clash of thunder comes the immediate flash of lightning... Lightning which skips right past high-reaching trees to seek out the nearest living being it can find. No - not any being. Just those who've been trapped here. Those whose suffering brings rest to the elder gods below.

Perhaps it's best to stay indoors.

► MOD NOTES

• This is the October Catch-All Log, for any action top-levels throughout the month which don't fit in a designated event log. Large gatherings (parties, meetings, etc) are still encouraged to post their own logs for organizational purposes!
  
• All top-levels for the Winds of Change mini-event also go here, since it won't be getting a log of its own.
  
• Refer to the bottom half of the October Bulletin for any October-specific info to potentially include in your prompts! The above blurb is honestly just mood-setting flavortext.
  
• Because this is a catch-all for everywhere + all month, try to remember to label your top-levels with identifying information like the IC date and location of each prompt (whether in the subject or in the prompt title within the comment). Also try to indicate any event prompts for the Winds of Change mini-event aside from just listing their dates, so they can be easy to spot!
  
• Any questions can be directed to this top-level or, for a quicker response, to Trace on discord/plurk.

Comments

[coolmotivestillevil]

I'm not sure, but that's what I think.

[ From what he knows, and from how it seemed with these ghosts too, souls linger because their death was incomprehensible to them in some way. It was very traumatic, it was caused by someone they thought loved them (which could just as well be how the ghost perceived it), it was very sudden or very slow and painful. If there is no closure, there's always a risk a wraith will come out of it. ]

I think this is your cabin.

[ Knows it is. ]

[lethechained]

I suppose that makes sense. Not everyone is strong enough to keep hold of who they are when something like that happens.

[ Funny enough, she can - sort of - speak from experience. Not that she remembers being separated from Kairi or the other girl losing her heart, but Naminé's at least aware of the process and of the consequences. Most Nobodies aren't nearly as lucky as she was, and if so many of them became twisted husks in the process, it only makes sense that dying properly might function similarly.

All of this has preoccupied her so that it takes his comment to make her glance up and realize where they are, her steps automatically slowing. ]

-- Oh. You're right...!

[ And although it doesn't escape her notice that he can accurately single out her place of residence, that thought gets relegated to the back of her mind as she turns to consider him. Now that they've made it, perhaps there's room for her to ask, ]

How are you doing? [ The gentle concern in her voice makes it sound like he was already injured beforehand. Really, though, she just wants to know whether he's run any more afoul of the leaves or other debris than before, despite his obvious lack of consternation about it. ] You aren't bleeding anywhere, are you...?

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ He comes to a stop and turns to face her properly, but still keeps himself between her and the wind. ]

Not that I can tell.

[ Most cuts aren't deep enough to bleed and any he's gotten earlier today have already almost healed completely. She doesn't need to look too closely to find a cut or two on his throat and cheekbone that have a hint of red. ]

[lethechained]

[ It really doesn't take long for her to spot the most notable of the cuts, her face conspicuously falling at the sight. With a perplexed expression, she glances between one of the marks on his cheek and his eyes, as if trying to gauge whether or not he's just putting on a tough exterior. ]

Can't you feel it at all?

[ She's tilted her head to get a better look at one side of him, but a few (quickly) passing leaves remind her not to lean too far out of the cover he provides. Straightening up, she presses her arms a bit more closely to herself as she seems to reach some decision. ]

You can come in, if you'd like. It might not be a bad idea to clean up a little anyway, even if it's nothing serious.

[ Regardless of whether or not he's bleeding profusely, the least she can do is offer shelter. ]

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Should he accept just because she looks so ... determined, in a way? Even if he doesn't need it? That would probably be friendly, but he's also never been much for friendliness.

So, after a moment, he shakes his head. ]

I'm fine. I heal quickly.

[lethechained]

[ Although the corners of her mouth downturn subtly, the girl nods her understanding without reluctance. He's old enough to take care of himself, of course - so all she can do is take his word for it, worrywart though she might be. ]

I see. Still, I'm sorry that I couldn't be more help. I'm trying to learn ways to do that, but... it's difficult by myself.

[ Learn the appropriate magic, one might assume, considering the light show earlier. With a little shake of her head, ]

In any case, I'm grateful that you looked after me.

[coolmotivestillevil]

Don't mention it.

[ It was no trouble at all.

He'll stay put until she's safe indoors, but nods his head in a sort of goodbye. ]

[lethechained]

[ The girl nods, although of course not mentioning it won't involve her forgetting about the favor. ]

Well then... goodbye. I hope we can see each other again soon...!

[ And be in good health at the time, preferably, although the probability of the situation being otherwise is high enough that she elects not to mention it. With that thought quickly banished, she turns one last gentle smile up at him before she shifts to go on her way. When she passes by him, she does so carefully so as to stay out of the worst of the wind until she's made it up the stairs to her porch. At the door she looks back, lifting a hand to offer a small wave, and only after that does she finally step inside into the comparative security of her cabin. ]

[coolmotivestillevil]

Hm.

[ Some might call it rude that he's not actually saying goodbye properly, but his tone is soft and there's no annoyance in his face so, really, he might as well be smiling and waving enthusiastically. He likes Naminé well enough. She seems like a good person. He wouldn't be opposed to seeing her again, even if 'hope' is perhaps a bit strong.

In fact, if he never had to see any of these people again because they've managed to return home, he'd prefer that. But he understands the sentiment. ]