(january catch-all) 2021 IS OFF TO A WEIRD START

[vestigemods]

JANUARY CATCH-ALL

► AT LEAST YOU FINALLY GET TO REST?

Though the new year starts off uneventful enough, with sunny skies and an inch or two of snow melting away with each new day, that good fortune lasts a whopping two whole days. At 5 AM on the 3rd, those slumbering fall into an even deeper sleep, and those still awake (or already awake, you overachievers) find themselves struck with an abrupt and insurmountable wave of exhaustion. It's all you can really do to lie down deliberately rather than collapse altogether, let alone making it to any sort of bed. And this is how the population of the containment zone remains for fourteen whole days, dead to the world (figuratively, of course) and to anything which may or may not be occurring around them.

Then, sometime throughout the 16th, you wake up - though the ambient ache in your neck, back, and joints may make you wish that you hadn't. It's almost as if you slept wrong, or... y'know, slept on the floor, apparently. (At the very least, those who were outside at maintenance time were moved indoors for the duration of it, though they were moved to the nearest available building so... have fun waking up in someone else's cabin, I guess.)

The first time you notice the date (on your phone, or maybe someone else breaks the news in their own confusion or panic), you probably struggle to believe it. Two weeks that you've been asleep. It doesn't feel like two weeks - you're clean, only mildly hungry or thirsty, with only a faint weakness in your muscles as you stand. It almost feels more likely that the Technicians adjusted the date overnight to alarm you. Perhaps you might even believe it, but for the evidence otherwise. The milk in your fridge has expired. The snow outside your door is fresh and untouched, with no sign of your passage supposedly yesterday. And the animals are gone, as well. Perhaps not a sign of how long you've slept, but certainly a sign that something isn't right.

If you expected an explanation, you aren't going to get one. Unless by 'explanation' you mean 'goddamn blizzard'.

A GODDAMN BLIZZARD

Because that's exactly what sets in on the 20th, a gale-force blizzard with increasingly limited visibility. Here's hoping you were smart enough to set out for home as soon as it began, because you aren't given more than a couple of hours before navigating outdoors is damn near impossible, between the visibility issue and the rapidly-deepening blanket of snow. As the afternoon fades to evening, it only seems to be getting worse. Those cabins with appropriately-slanted roofs find that the snow slides down to pile heavily against the cabin's exterior walls and door. Those cabins with a flat or gently-sloped roofs, on the other hand, are at strong risk of a part of their roof (and thus ceiling) collapsing under the weight of all that snow. As if having a blizzard outside the cabin wasn't bad enough.

And then things get just a little bit worse. Just before sunset, the cabins' electricity starts to flicker - just a little at first, but increasing in intensity until it finally goes out altogether a half hour later. This lasts through the night, and while it may seem promising that electricity within the town itself remains steady, that too goes into a blackout just before dawn.

This blackout lingers through the 21st and into the 22nd, cold seeping in through the windows and cracks as you huddle near the fire or generator-run space heater and hope for the best... But even the best isn't pleasant in the slightest. The lack of internal heat lets the doors and windows freeze shut, and snow piles high enough around the house's exterior that you'd have to climb out an upstairs window in order to exit. Not only is it cold as hell, but everyone's more-or-less trapped in it for now.

But not even the cold and the dark can last forever, and the blizzard lets up to a light dusting of snow mid-day on the 22nd. That evening, the power flickers back on as well, but some cabins/apartments/buildings may find that it's less consistent than others, continuing to flicker dangerously throughout the next day or so. But that doesn't mean the ordeal is over yet. The snow may have slowed to an almost laughable sprinkle and the sun may shine warm and bright in the rapidly-clearing sky, but that still leaves each cabin or building piled up with snow nearly as deep as you are tall (except you, Vivi - it's about twice your height). Might want to start digging yourself out, since it'll take nearly the rest of the month to melt down to reasonable levels if you don't.

► MOD NOTES

• This is the January Catch-All Log, for all log top-levels throughout the month. Large gatherings (parties, meetings, etc) are still encouraged to post their own logs for organizational purposes!
  
• This log also encompasses both Annual Maintenance (Jan 3rd - 16th) + Hey, Who Turned Out The Lights? (Jan 20th - 22nd), discussed at the bottom of the January Bulletin.
  
• 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), and be sure to clearly indicate event prompts.
  
• ( ! ) For the sake of organization, a top-level has been provided for all Annual Maintenance shenanigans and exclusively those. Please put any shared dream prompts under the top-level for the sake of organization, while any non-dream prompts should be posted as a regular top-level as normal.
  
• Cell phone signal does work during the blackout, but inconsistently! If you'd like to play with the trapped/isolated feelings, feel free to say they can't get a message out/in (or that it takes a long time to do so) even if others are able to more easily.
  
• Any questions can be directed to this top-level or, for a quicker response, to Trace on discord/plurk.

Comments

[thelesserevil]

[ She can hear him, as evidenced by the hand that had been carefully reaching out to pet the largest and most impressive of the horses suddenly stilling, her entire body following suit.

She sucks in a sharp breath without moving. No. No, it can't be him. He can't be here. She had left him behind asleep in the forest, she had left to do what needed to be done no matter the price, no matter what decision he made...

But he shouldn't be here. Not him, in this hell. Trapped along with her, if this place is real, or a mirage to taunt her with if it is really just one of Stregobor's illusions. ]

Geralt [ she says, quietly, still not turning around. ] You have a talent for being in places that are trouble.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Sounds like her enough. Doesn't mean that it is her, more likely it isn't. After all, she's dead. Years and years ago, by his blade, and he'd grieved for her like he didn't expect.

Why is this happening to him? ]

As do you.

[ Because he's not convinced she's the one who brings trouble. When people are convinced that she will, they will create it, knowingly or not. ]

[thelesserevil]

[ She laughs at that, a little sharp, a little bitter, a little sad. A whole lot wistful because there isn't even a river here and yet... ]

Are we having that conversation from the river all over again? [ she asks as she finally turns.

She had recognized his voice and yet seeing him here still hits her like a shock. Her face tightens, good humor vanishing as if it had never been there. ]

You shouldn't be here [ she grits out between clenched teeth. ] Either you're an illusion sent to torment me or you shouldn't be here.

[ Who, other than her, has got the right to use Geralt for their devices, anyway? Who dares? ]

[coolmotivestillevil]

Funny.

[ Spoken with a tone and a smile that says it's actually not funny at all. ]

I can say the same to you.

[ As far as he's concerned, if anyone is an illusion here, it's her. He was here first. She's been dead for decades. ]

[thelesserevil]

[ As if, if anybody here is the illusion it's him.

She snorts at the response, at least halfway to appreciative of the dry humor even if he is clearly wrong. ]

I'm the one whose enemy has a penchant for illusion magic, and a reason to trap me where I can't hunt him down. Sounds to me like this is clearly my nightmare.

[coolmotivestillevil]

I've already been here for several months, Renfri.

[ He finally starts making his way over, at a leisurely pace. Unlike her, he's not going to try to make arguments as to why she has to be the illusion, beyond what he's already done. Because telling someone that they're dead, whether they are just an illusion or not, is just asking for trouble. ]

[thelesserevil]

[ She gives a small nod. Good point, but... ]

That's what an illusion would tell me, too.

[ But she's not keen on arguing it either, since her belief in all of this being an illusion has waned with the passing weeks. She keeps a wary eye on Geralt anyway. ]

I've been here for some weeks now. I hear I chose a bad time to arrive, right in winter.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ A few weeks? The containment zone must be bigger than he realised. Not that he's been leaving the house much, since it's winter.

He reaches her and the horses, and raises a hand to pet the brown one. ]

I suppose the summer was a little more pleasant.

[ Dryly. It's basically a prison and their wardens enjoy torture. It will never truly be a good time. ]

[thelesserevil]

It's still a prison [ Renfri responds in the same dry tone of voice, but the humor is appreciated all the same.

Albeit cautious, she gives him a crooked smile. Quietly wondering about Blaviken, about what he remembers. Does he know that she left him in the woods to return to town once he fell asleep? Does he know what she had planned?

Maybe she shouldn't open this can of worms but she's never been good at avoidance. ]

Blaviken. What do you know?

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Do they really have to talk about this? He manages to school his expression, mostly, but he's clearly displeased about the question, perhaps even uncomfortable.

It's not that he didn't think it was coming. He just really hoped it wouldn't. ]

Probably more than you think.

[thelesserevil]

[ Well, she's not having fun, either, as the annoyance briefly flickering over her face may betray. But this whole tiptoeing about unpleasant business would be far worse in her opinion.

She's done running and hiding but she's also done pussyfooting about. ]

More than I'd think? What does that mean, Geralt? [ She takes a step towards him, then thinks better of it, shoulders slumping in a sigh. ] I suppose you figured it out. I didn't do it to hurt you, and I didn't make my choice lightly. But I have to take out Stregobor. It's either him or I.

[coolmotivestillevil]

And you're willing to sacrifice anyone you have to for it?

[ Then I am what they say I am.

It's not like he doesn't understand the unfairness of it, that you can do everything right, that you can keep your head down and try to go through life without constant struggle. It's likely that Stregobor would never stop hunting her, and she'd have to live with that knowledge, but ...

All those people in the village? They had nothing to do with it. And he didn't doubt the fact that Renfri really would have killed as many as she had to to accomplish her goal. It was in her eyes. It had saddened him. Still saddens him. ]

[thelesserevil]

That was going to be your choice, Geralt.

[ She lifts her chin, meeting his eyes unflinching. This no time to waver or show weakness, this is when you stand your ground - just like she had planned to stand her ground that day in Blaviken, before being brought to this place ruined all her plans. ]

I know what I am, and how far I'm willing to go. I know none of the people in that village would have spared me at expense of their own lives, so why should I spare theirs? But I was going to give you a choice to spare them, if you made the right decision.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ How many days has he spent thinking about that day, wondering what he could have done differently to prevent that tragedy? More than he can count. Maybe it's the time that's passed, maybe something about Jaskier's stories and belief has changed him, but instead of the deep-seated guilt he felt that day, he just feels angry.

Is she really trying to tell him that that was his fault?

He presses his lips together into a thin line, and inhales deeply through his nose. ]

That was your choice to make, Renfri. And once you'd made it, I made mine.

[thelesserevil]

[ Her face tightens, anger sparking in her eyes before she forces it to mellow from bright-hot to something which is simmering just below the surface.

But the anger still burns, fueled all the more by the realization - the disquiet - that Geralt is speaking of things yet to come as if they happened in the distant past. ]

I made my choice, yes. [ She lifts her chin proudly, eyes meeting his in defiance. ] I made the choice that I wouldn't run away any longer. You would have me spend a life always looking over my shoulder, just so you could tell yourself you did the right thing. I was going to force your hand, but only because I didn't know any other way that would still let me live and not just exist!

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Of course, it's not surprising that she sounds exactly the same like she did that day. After all, it still is that day for her, and the more she speaks the more he's starting to wonder if maybe she isn't an illusion. She's so ... alive. Smells like he remembers.

He takes a deep breath. ]

What if I hadn't been there? Did you really think Stregobor would give himself up for some peasants?

[ What would she have done if he hadn't conveniently wandered into the village? There's no way Stregobor would bow to her. He would have much rather let her slaughter as many people as she got away with, let the word spread, let it turn people against her. ]

[thelesserevil]

[ For the first time, she can't stop herself from faltering. She slumps slightly, uncertainty flickering over her face before she catches herself and forces the weakness out of her body language. ]

I would have found another way. I've always found a way to survive.

[ This much, at least, is true but... Well. ]

What matters is that you were there and that means you got pulled into my troubles. I wish it hadn't been so but I won't apologize for seizing an opportunity either. If you wouldn't do the same then you're a fool.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ He's never wanted an apology from her but, as far as he's concerned, he's not the one she should apologise to either. Clearly, there's something there, no matter if she says she won't apologise. Something like doubt, perhaps even a little regret.

Maybe she'll hate him for it, but he decides to see if he can get it out of her. ]

How many would you have killed before you decided it was enough? How many lives would be justified in exchange for yours?

[thelesserevil]

[ She shakes her head in frustration, her expression turning into a scowl with the frustration building up. This is not something she wants to hear, not something she wants to think about. Going down that path... that's dangerous. That way lies doubt. ]

I don't know. You tell me how many it would have taken until my hand wasn't forced to keep going.

[ She lifts her hand in mock surrender. ]

Because that's the only answer I have for you and it doesn't matter how many different ways you ask me the same questions. The answer will remain: as many as it would take.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ So she will keep insisting that her hand was forced?

Of course, she hasn't changed. How could she have, when her life ends there, in Blaviken? When she doesn't seem to know yet? Of course, it can't be her. Just can't. ]

And eventually they would decide that they had enough, they'd grab their torches, their pitchforks and their hoes, and they would bring as many as it would take to kill you. And they would be justified.

[thelesserevil]

And how would that be different from what I've handled before? [ Renfri shoots back, undeterred. Well, mostly undeterred. It would be different, still, it would be a crowd turning against her on their own, not one cruel wizard turning people against her and others abusing the opportunity of her weakness. Same result for her, maybe, but still different in how it casts the villain of the story, she can see that.

She can see it, just... ]

I can handle myself. I have always known how to handle myself. I don't need anyone to protect me from making bad decisions, not even you.

[coolmotivestillevil]

Clearly.

[ Was it truly inevitable, then? That as soon as he crossed her path, she'd die by his hands? Because he couldn't live with himself if he stood by and let her kill the villagers one by one while Stregobor did nothing about it.

Every time he thinks about that day, he feels sick. It had been bad enough to fight her, but he also ended up giving Stregobor exactly what he wanted. And he didn't even get paid. ]

No Stregobor here, and nobody who will know who you are. They don't even know what a witcher is.

[ Somehow, she'll probably be safer here than she ever was back home. ]

[thelesserevil]

[ No Stregobor here. That makes Renfri pause, uncertainty flickering over her face.

She looks down at her hands, then her eyes flickering towards Geralt's eyes again. ] I don't know who I am going to be here, or what I'm going to do... I've been running and fighting all my life just to stay alive. I'll have to figure out what I can do with myself.

[coolmotivestillevil]

Don't worry, you'll still probably have to fight to stay alive.

[ But she won't be alone in that, and that might take some time for her to understand. At least he could help.

...

Gods, she's really here, isn't she? How is this even possible? ]

[thelesserevil]

[ Renfri gives a bark of not-really-amused laughter and shoots him a crooked grin. ]

It wouldn't be my life if I didn't have someone or something chasing me down. I wouldn't know what to do with myself without it.

[ She really wouldn't but damn would it be nice to find out. But yeah. This won't be the place for it, even sans Stregobor. Damn. ]

It had been a nice thought for half a second, though...