nature offers a violence

[singmod]

NOVEMBER 2023 EVENT

PROMPT ONE — WHITEOUT: Methuselah makes an unexpected early return to Milton to warn Interlopers of an impending monster storm, and boy does it surely come.

PROMPT TWO — A CHOICE: Following the storm, sightings of a mysterious stag prompts a hunt down in the Basin and out in the Outskirts.

PROMPT THREE — REST MY WEARY BONES: While the storm causes a great deal of mess, it also uncovers some far more pleasant surprises. Hot springs.

WHITEOUT

WHEN: Early to mid-month.
WHERE: Milton.
CONTENT WARNINGS: extreme weather; storms; blizzards; themes of survival; possible character cold-related injuries; possible themes of peril.


In the times that he is no longer occupying the Community Hall in the center of town to help tend to the newcomers, Methuselah is out in the wilds. Despite his growing age, he is a hardened survivor, and has been more than accustomed to life living as a nomad, out in the thickest, deepest parts of nature. Sometimes he can be encountered, sheltered in a cave or out in the woods, huddled by a warm campfire, or busying himself with his latest game catch. He seems to be always on the move, never staying for too long, and never coming into town — unless it’s to begin preparations for the latest batch of new arrivals.

To see him returning to Milton outside of these times is a curious sight, and the grim expression he carries is enough to make anyone wary. Even his voice is grave. The warmth and kindness usually found in his expression is gone, replaced with a deathly seriousness. He doesn’t speak in jest.

"I am long used to this world and its weather, even with the changing times to more bitter nights." he will say. "I have seen the years rise and fall, too many to count. Please, I beg that you hear me with this— a storm is coming. Greater than some of you may have ever known. It is in the air, and we must prepare to see it through. We do not have much time. Three days, perhaps. But no more."

He will tell anyone and everyone; encouraging the word to be spread around. He will instruct on what needs to be done, what needs to be gathered. The storm will be long and hard, and will last for some time. With that, Methuselah will begin to prepare the Community Hall as a place of refuge with a stock of food, fuel and water to get through the storm. Interlopers will be free to join Methuselah and bunker down together, or can choose to bunker down on their own in their own homes, or with others.

You have only three days.

And sure enough, the storm comes. Maybe you can notice the signs too: the sudden updraft, the slow gathering of clouds, the drop in temperature, the changes of pressure in the air.

Halfway through the third day, the storm rolls in: a ferocious snow-storm unlike anything you’ve seen before. Even with the fading amount of daylight as mid-winter approaches, the sky turns as dark as night as will stay like night for the duration. Strong howling winds batter the town, and even the sturdiest of buildings creak and groan under the weight. Trees will be felled, some buildings might not fare the storm.

Relentless snow that falls so hard it’s a complete whiteout, and will be impossible to navigate if one were to step outside. Even then, it isn’t advisable. The temperature is bitter, with a frigid windchill. Going out in this kind of storm would be a death sentence. Staying out in it for longer than a half-hour will certainly kill you.

It would be best to wait it out, to huddle around warm fires in the darkness. It may certainly be a test of patience, depending on your choice of place to stay. The storm will last a full week, a stark reminder of what you are, the words you have heard in your arrival: thrown to Mother Nature’s mercy, the Interloper in her design.

But will you persist?

A CHOICE

WHEN: Mid-month, onwards to end of month.
WHERE: Milton Basin, Milton Outskirts.
CONTENT WARNINGS: survival themes; themes of hunting; possible animal death.


After the storm passes, there’s a certain kind of hush that falls upon Milton and its surrounding areas as Interlopers are left to pick through the wake. While the temperature certainly doesn’t get that much warmer, there’s days and nights of clear, calm weather — short afternoons of weak sunshine and nights of chilly peace, the moon hung high in the starry skies. Winter is drawing ever-closer, but it’s still for a little while.

In the early evenings, before the sun sets, there’s strange sightings of a particular white stag that can be found roaming the area — particularly down in the Milton Basin. It seems quite elusive, but there’s plenty of Interlopers that have been able to capture a glimpse over the coming days. Even Methuselah himself has seen this beast before, remarking there has long been tall tales of a ghostly stag that roams the Northern Territories and is said to bring good fortune to those who manage to hunt it down.

Perhaps you’re a little low on luck. Perhaps you’re feeling lucky. You’re going to find that stag.

Hunting down the stag, however, will take a great deal of patience and time. You might find yourself waiting several hours to wait for it to appear. Building a snow shelter, or hunkering down in some old shack might be needed in order to keep warm. But if you’re patient enough, and able to withstand the cold for long enough — the beast will soon make an appearance.

In the dying light of the day, it is there. It’s unlike any deer you’ve seen before: tall and majestic, with thick, soft fur of brilliant white. It almost looks ghost-like in some angles, it’s an incredibly beautiful creature. But it seems to have also noticed you, just as you have noticed it. It doesn’t dart away, however. Instead it stands before you, waiting for you to act.

You have a choice: slay the creature, or let it go.

It will not move until you make your decision, holding your gaze until you raise your weapon or until you lower it and give up your hunt. But there is a consequence to either action: if you choose to kill the stag, you will be rewarded with a sizeable bounty of venison. Eating said meat will help you feel fuller for longer, and the meat will keep for far longer than any other deer slain.

However, if you choose to spare the stag, the creature will lower its head, as if bowing to you. Then, it will disappear with a swirling of powdered snow. When you return home for the evening and go to sleep, the next morning you will find a gift at the foot of your bed: a pair of deerskin boots, or a deerskin blanket. These boots are supple, tough and waterproof — allowing for a great balance of mobility and warmth. The blanket is incredibly toasty, and will provide a great deal of comfort in the long nights ahead.

REST MY WEARY BONES

WHEN: Mid-month, onwards indefinitely.
WHERE: Milton Outskirts.
CONTENT WARNINGS: n/a.



The storm has blown in plenty of snow to make traversing the area much more difficult, but there’s something else of note that comes with its passing. While the storm has brought much devastation, and some places have been buried in snow drifts, plenty of snow in areas has been blown away, uncovering otherwise lost secrets within Milton. Clouds of what looks like steam can be noted not too far from town, towards the mountains of the north.

If Interlopers head to explore the clouds, they will find old trails leading up towards the mountains. It isn’t a particularly difficult journey, for once, and they will soon discover that the storm has blown away the previously blocked access to a cave. It appears that this is the right place.

The air is warm here, pleasantly so. Warm enough that hats and mittens and coats seem a little unnecessary. One might wonder if someone lives within, and that a great fire is stoked to keep the place warm. But there’s no one in sight, no sounds of life: human, animal or otherwise. If they press on, they will discover that the cave floor is well worn with footfall: plenty of people have come here before, and the reason why is soon revealed.

The air grows even warmer, and more humid. The space opening to reveal small pools of slow-flowing water, warm water. The stone houses a natural hot spring, and following the cave out the other side will lead to another space in the rock open to the air, where there are even larger pools of warm water, perfectly sized and deep enough to bathe in. It seems that this place was frequently used by the people of Milton, where their life of hardship could be forgotten for an hour or two.

The water is pleasantly hot, and incredibly inviting. After so long in the freezing cold without modern appliances and utilities, a natural hot spring sounds like an absolute luxury.

FAQs

WHITEOUT

1. Characters are free to play around with this prompt how they want. Maybe they're dumb enough to go into the cold and get injured or sick. Maybe they're stuck in the Community Hall for the week. Fights might break out as tensions run high whilst everyone's stuck together, or maybe you're actually having a nice time.

2. For those stuck in the Community Hall: there are board games and old school textbooks stored in cupboards. There is also a piano.

3. A floorplan of the Community Hall can be found here.

A CHOICE

1. .... Yes, you can pet the ghost stag.

2. Characters will get one choice only with the ghost stag, meaning they can't keep going back to find it to get extra gifts.

3. If characters can't agree on a course of action, whoever acts first will get their gift. The second character will have a chance to try again another time.

4. If both characters agree on sparing the stag, but players want different gifts (ie. one player wants the boots and one wants the blanket), characters will get the gift the player wants their character to receive.

REST MY WEARY BONES

1. The hot springs will now be a permanent fixture in the Milton Area, enjoy!

PLOTTING POST

Comments

vash the stampede — trigun maximum

[amo]

I. WHITEOUT

[ The church is well-stocked and as prepared for the storm as he and his fellow plants could get it to be. The smart thing to do would be to just stay put and sit out the storm right there where, despite the ominous creaking of the building, it's a lot safer than outside. The problem is that Vash has never been one to do the wise thing. Between going somewhat stir-crazy and the increased bickering between him and his brother, the temptation to go outside becomes too great to resist. Once upon a time the need to constantly move and never stay put anywhere for very long had been a necessity born out of being the most wanted man on the planet, now it's a habit that's simply too hard to shake. There could be people stuck out there and that's a good enough excuse to don his coat and goggles and slip outside when no one's looking with the conviction that it'll be fine so long as he doesn't stray too far from the church.

Perhaps you run into him in his search for stranded souls, ready to try and lead you to the community hall or the church, or maybe he's gotten himself hopelessly lost and is the one in need of rescue. Either way, there's a dot of red amongst all the white, calling out. ]

Hello!

II. A CHOICE

[ As curious as he is, Vash has no desire to hunt the stag once he learns of its existence. Even if it's only to catch a glimpse of it, it would feel mean to disturb its peace. He knows all too well what it's like to be hunted down. Still, as he's out and about in the forest gathering whatever he needs — be it foraging for food, collecting wood, checking traps — he does keep a surreptitious eye out for both the stag and those who might be hunting it.

If he spots anyone who seems to be actively looking for it, he'll offer a friendly wave and a cheerful: ]

You're not here to kill it, are you?

III. HOT SPRINGS

A — [ The hot springs are a blessing when the cold very much affects his tattered body yet Vash doesn't immediately leap on the chance to get a nice warm soak in. Instead he waits until some ungodly time in the night or morning to make his trips up to the hot springs. It's only after he thinks he's made sure no one else is around that he strips down and takes his prosthetic arm off — setting it down somewhere within easy reach — before settling into the soothing embrace of
the warm water. It's not that he's particularly ashamed of how heavily scarred he is, it's just that he's well-aware of how grisly it looks and he doesn't want to make anyone uncomfortable with his appearance. So to avoid that scenario altogether, he opts to only go when he has privacy.

Feel free to come shatter that illusion and stumble across him or have him have overlooked you in his eagerness to get in to soak weary bones and aching flesh. ]

B — [ His commitment to visit the hot springs only when he can have the place to himself falters the moment he starts feeling rather under the weather. Vash finds himself going to the hot springs more and more often in the span of several days. It starts with just a headache, then a sore throat and a runny nose, followed by coughing and what seems to be an inability to breathe properly. He's never had a cold before and it's turning out to be a very unpleasant experience. The warm humid air seems to be only thing to offer some relief and that's the sole reason he goes to the hot springs during the day.

He won't strip and get into the water though. At most he will put his feet in there, but largely he sticks to sitting (and sniffling) somewhere unobtrusive to the side, looking absolutely miserable. ]

WILDCARD

➜ plotting | permissions & info | gusts
( i'm down for any wildcard prompts and i'm happy to match format. feel free to hit me up on the plotting post or over on plurk if you want a personalized starter! )

White out

[guidemyway]

[Vash may seen another bright red clad figure in goggles working her way through the snow. She could have sworn she had seen someone else out there, but she's starting to think that her eyes had been playing tricks on her. Which was great except she had lost track of the way back to community center.

She catches sight of Vash in the distance and raises a hand up to wave a little frantically.]

Uh hey? A little help here?

[amo]

[ Vash had caught a glimpse of something out in the snow, but just as quickly as he'd seen it, he'd lost sight of it again. Between the dark and the unrelenting snow obscuring his vision with nothing but dim whiteness, it's hard to make out much of anything. Still, he persists. He thinks he might have seen a hint of red and his first thought is that his other self might be out there. (A likely scenario when they're cut from the same cloth.)

Much to his dismay, he can't see it again though and so he's left trudging through the snow in what he thinks is the direction that he saw it in. His attention is caught and diverted from his path when, just barely, he can hear a voice above the fierce howling of the wind.

He turns his head to see there's blurry motion a little further away and he doesn't hesitate waving back to signal to whoever it is that they've been seen. Immediately he's changing course to walk towards them, calling out as soon as he gets within earshot. ]

Are you alright?

[guidemyway]

[Ruby sees the wave and starts to trudge in the snow in his direction. She's got less in the height department and it's turning out to be more work than she's used to. There was a lot about being here that was more than she was really used to. The danger, even the snow were things she a handle on, but she was used to being more up to the task herself.

She considers the question briefly and then asks.]

I think so- A little cold. A little turned around. I think I'll figure things out though.

You?

[amo]

[ There is a slight advantage to his long limbs when it comes to trudging through the snow, but a lot of it is negated when his legs sink down into the layers of freshly fallen snow. It's not that Vash underestimated the storm, not quite. It's more that the only point of reference he has is a sandstorm and this... is vastly different, to say the least. Even with his fluffy hood up, a drawn-up scarf, and his goggles thoroughly covering his face, the biting chill of the ferocious winds still seem to find every millimeter of uncovered skin to slice into. In that aspect, it's not too unlike the cutting sands. It's the walking that's more difficult. Like trying to navigate in a sandstorm while wading through quicksand. It's a challenge, but not one he shies away from. (Even if his brother is going to be furious with him for going out in this weather.)

At least he manages to meet his fellow wanderer (with a great taste in clothing!) halfway, drawing to a stop in front of the figure and pretending like the wind isn't doing it's level best to topple him over. The answer feels rather understated and is likely downplayed given the circumstances, but he plays along without missing a beat. ]

Just a little frozen, too.

[ But at least he's not turned around yet. Or so he thinks. He still has a sense of where the church is and using that as his North Star, he should be able to get by. Hopefully enough to be helpful anyway. ]

Where are you trying to get to? The community center?

ii

[bigbaddy]

[ .. Darn, guilty as charged, huh, Vash.

Bigby didn't exactly expect anyone to call him out like this. He heard of the story, knows he's a good hunter, thought that 'good fortune' might have something to do with them finding a way out of here, and.. well, having made those connections, Bigby figured the least he could do was actually go out there and try to find the stag.

It'd be one thing if someone else asked him that. He might have brushed it off and walked on, not the most social type, but he does remember talking to Vash before during a pretty difficult time-- and the other being relatively kind about it, if not a little naively idealistic.

So the man actually stops walking, turning towards Vash. ]

Isn't that the inevitable end of a hunt?

[amo]

[ Can't run, can't hide, the humanoid typhoon's got you in his sights.

When he finds it's a familiar face stopping and turning towards him, Vash's smile widens with the earnest joy that comes with the recognition. It's already been proven that anyone can die at any time here, their losses have been numerous since their first arrival, and so getting to see that someone known is still around is plenty cause for happiness. Especially so when it happens to be a person who reminds him so closely of a dear friend already lost. (Even if that's kind of selfish, in a way.) ]

It doesn't have to be.

[ He abandons what he was doing, hoisting his bag a little higher over his shoulder before he wanders closer. Bigby might not be the most sociable, but Vash sure is and if talking also happens to help distract from the intended hunt? Well, he's eager to converse. ]

It's good to see you again.

[bigbaddy]

[ Oh god, Vash. Vash, must you look so happy upon seeing him?

Because the moment Bigby sees the other smiling like that, he's pulling a Face. It's not exactly a face of disapproval or anything, more just.. a little unsure? Confused? Look at this gruff-looking man, having absolutely no idea how to deal with someone actually acting friendly towards him, let alone greeting him with a smile.

How does someone deal with that? Someone please give him a clue. Drop an instruction manual from the heavens. Anything. ]

It is?

[ See? Without said instruction manual, Bigby just says dumbass stuff like this. Is it really good to see him, Vash? Why would it be good to see him?

At least Vash did manage to stop him from moving on, if not for a moment while he's busy trying to interpret Vash's behaviour. ]

Do you need something from me or something?

[ Is that it???

Vash, you're so confusing, my man. ]

[amo]

[ What?? Can a man not rejoice upon seeing a familiar face? ]

Sure is!

[ No hesitation whatsoever. Vash is clearly not deterred in the slightest by the Face or the confused questions, still beaming happily as he draws near. If anything, the latter question makes him laugh a little. With that attitude, Bigby would fit right in with No Man Land's wary populace. It's a good thing Vash is so used to it and that, even if he wasn't, it wouldn't throw him off his friendly disposition all that much. ]

Nothing of the sort, my friend. I'd just like to know how you've been.

[ Vash cares, not only on the principle that has him caring about everyone in general, but because it's especially impossible not to care about someone who shared a moment of vulnerability with him. Sure, it's obvious that Bigby has survived the voice and everything else this place has been throwing at all of them by the fact he's standing before Vash now, but he'd like to know if he's made it through all that worse for wear or not — if maybe he can help again in some way if that does happen to be the case.

Let him have this two for one deal of helping the stag and (potentially) spending time with a friend. ]

WILDCARD - first colds, lmk if this works

[dimensionalcanopener]

[Jack, of course, tried to find some sort of coat when he arrived, and tries to stay warm, but it doesn't seem to help once the snow comes down in greater amounts. He still needs to go out to help hunt, because someone should.]

[Inevitably, Jack finds himself sniffling, but isn't sure what to make of it. Humans get colds - he's human. So it's a simple cold, right?]

[Sniffles turn to sneezes. He makes sure to sneeze into the crook of his arm, like he's seen others do, then turns to the person nearest.]

I apologize. This is my first cold. I'm not sure when you're supposed to rest.

a-okay! 👍

[amo]

[ When his whole body is nothing but scar tissue essentially stapled and held together by steel, discomfort is as familiar as breathing to Vash. It's easy then to ignore the persistent headache that keeps creeping up on him. The runny nose too gets ignored, shrugged off as an inconvenience that will pass soon enough.

It doesn't.

Maybe it's because of his loss of power or maybe it's the new environment, but Vash finds he isn't shaking off whatever is happening to him quite so easily. Still, it's more of an annoyance than anything and he's pushed through far worse and so he persists in going out and about to help his fellow Interlopers.

At least he's not the only one, apparent by the sneezing young man who turns to him. ]

Ah, you too? I'm... not sure, sorry. This is my first time as well.

[ He's gotten sick before, but mostly from drinking too much or overheating and nothing quite so human as this. As much as he wishes he had the answer, all he has is a pathetic sniffle and the standard advice. ]

Generally you're supposed to rest the entire time you're sick until you're better, I think.

[ ... But here they are. ]

[dimensionalcanopener]

[ Jack can't speak for anyone else, but in his case, he is definitely sure the lack of his powers is what gained him this first cold. He almost welcomes it in comparison to some of the other things he's experienced, or has yet to experience. Almost. The running nose that's started, and will not stop. ]

Then we are both unsure. [ Jack actually smiles to that. ] Maybe we can figure out what we should do together.

[ His eyebrows furrow to the next part, though. ] I'm not sure I can just rest when there are supplies to gather.

[amo]

[ The smile is a bit of a surprise and perhaps slightly confusing given the circumstances, but reflexively his apologetic look is replaced by a smile in turn. Albeit one with a hint of sheepishness. ]

Sure. I'd like that.

[ What better way to embark on a new (mis)adventure than with someone else? Misery loves company and all that. As tempted as Vash is to shoo the young man off to go get rest, it would be quite hypocritical and he understands the sentiment all too well as he shares it, too. ]

I feel the same way. Hmm... how about we take it easy and see how much we can do? Whatever we might lack in speed, we can make up for by working together.

[ He knows he's not going to be as fast as he'd like in his current condition and this way they can keep an eye on each other and (hopefully) prevent overexerting themselves. It makes sense. So far the symptoms have been more annoying than anything else, it doesn't seem too bad, so it should be fine, right? ]

II. A CHOICE - lmk if this works

[madginger]

[Before her first run in with the stag, Max had intended entirely to kill it, to get the much needed food. It makes all logical sense. Then she crossed paths with it. Something about it's vulnerability gave her pause. After sparing it, she's no longer able to collect anything, but like Vash, she looks for signs of others trying to trap or harm the stag.]

[Unlike Vash, when she stumbles on this scene, Max crosses her arms and doesn't look remotely friendly. She glares.]

They better not. I'm not going to let them. [Her and what army? She's rather small, and totally lacks a weapon, so far, but she seems very determined. Vash's overall cheery disposition gets a curious once over.]

[amo]

(( ooc: works just fine! gonna run with this like they're interacting with one of the NPCs, but if there's someone you want to drag in here, lemme know. o/ ))

[ Before the hapless hunter can even form a response to suddenly being cheerily accosted, Vash receives some unexpected back-up. It's not the first time he's come across someone and been starkly reminded of a person from back home. The girl that chimes in with a fierce glare brings to mind another who'd once been the closest thing he would ever have to a little sister. Although physically not a spitting image to Lena in the slightest, her bold attitude certainly is.

Almost by force of habit, he immediately runs with it. ]

I'd listen to her if I were you.

[ It's a sincere sentiment rather than anything patronizing and it's apparent in the slightly lower pitching of his voice, making it seem like a serious threat. Although Vash's smile doesn't budge an inch, so it's hard to be entirely sure and it leaves their target all the more nonplussed.

She might not have an army or (seemingly) a weapon, but Vash has had enough experience to know that the wilful stubbornness of a young girl is a force to be reckoned with. ]

[madginger]

(( ooc: no one seems to want to jump in, but if you know of someone, same. ))

[ Max is a little surprised to have someone back her up so readily. It's nice, and accepted, but that smile gets a look from her. She peers at it, trying to discern the source, and why it unnerves her a bit. Sure, his words are clearly sincere, but that smile.... ]

[ She is a force to be reckoned with, though, Vash has that right. She crosses her arms from more than the cold. ]

So. Re-thinking that choice? [ Her attention is right back on the would-be-hunter as Max starts to takes a few steps in the direction of the stag, slowly, and carefully. ]

[amo]

[ He spares the girl a glance when he notices her staring from the corner of his eye, his unfaltering smile briefly redirected to her before his eyes go firmly back to the hunter who seems to be having something of a dilemma, especially with the appearance of the stag so near. When the girl turns towards it, Vash can see the grip on rifle being adjusted as though it might get raised, albeit hesitatingly so.

It takes only a few steps for Vash to plant himself between the hunter and his target, putting himself in the line of fire without hesitation. He makes a gentle shooing motion with his hand even as he surreptitiously shifts his stance, allowing a glimpse of the holster strapped to his thigh that's mostly hidden by his red pea coat. ]

Go on now, friend. There is better game to hunt elsewhere.

[ An arguable statement when the stag has to be the most magnificent animal Vash has seen here yet, but their point is made. At least the flash of his holster seems a little more convincing of a deterrent when he and the girl seem perfectly harmless otherwise.

Not that he'd use his gun in this situation. The hunter doesn't know that though. ]

Hot Springs

[aetherialshackles]

[Vash isn't the only man who is trying to sneak around with no one else around, no. Erich has been dreaming to take a bath from long before Milton and the snow, he was living in the end days of his people and betweeen blood and dirt- well, let's say personal hygiene wasn't a main priority at the sky was falling. He can tell his skin is stained and needs to be scrubbed, he knows he smells, but so far all he could do was getting some water on a cloth and clean himself like that.

The hot springs? A dream coming true. The only issue for him was the complete lack of privacy. Coming from a world where even showing your face is considered indecent unless you're in specific areas, like the Pandaemonium, he finds himself unable to take his clothes off in pubic. The young man waited all day, taking a good nap in the back of the natural cavern, and only when he saw the last person leave -or so he thought-- Erich decided to move in and take care of his needs.

Even alone, the Ancient was wrapped in two summer towels that barely let anything visible, and that was how he approached the water. With a whole single arm visible.]

I am already so much in love with you...

[He's talking with the water, yes, and he's sliding in... without uncovering his body anyway, everything is getting wet and he doesn't care. A small sigh of relief escapes his lips as he relaxes inside the water, finally letting some warmth in his bones. It's wonderful, isn't it? He had not been so relaxed in months and- and he almost jumps when he notices Vash...]

By the Creation! I am so sorry-

[He wants to look away he can't. There's something in Vash's body that just forces him to stare even if he knows it's absolutely inappropriate to look at another's bare skin. The ancient has never seen scar tissue. Read about it? Sure. Heard about it? Same, it's just common knowledge. But... that's not something Erich ever actually crossed.

Sorry, Vash, you now have a young man (who may be older than may of the presents in town because for ancients centuries are ust nothing) who is staring.. He looks very flustered while doing so, because he's aware he's crossing a line there, but at the same he can't bring himself to look away.]

[amo]

[ The relief the warmth brings is immediate, making Vash sink back and close his eyes with a contended sigh. It's quiet and peaceful, perfect for relaxing and just putting all worries aside for a brief moment, mind wandering to nothing in particular— until a voice reaches his ears. Both the sound itself and the words spoken make his eyes snap open in surprised confusion, gaze greeted by a thoroughly towel-wrapped young man standing by the edge of the water. Frozen in the moment, it takes a good second for Vash to realize that it hadn't been him that the other had been talking to but the water. (Much to his stark relief.) By then it's already too late to pipe up and make his obviously overlooked presence known, the other man slipping into the water, towels and all.

Vash has the decency to look sheepish when eyes finally fall on him, raising a hand out of the water in a small greeting. He's quick to reassure, shaking his head at the apology to dismiss it. ]

It's fine, don't worry about it!

[ Some staring is to be expected. Most do when first catching sight of even just a hint of the expansive mass of scars that litter his entire body. Vash is plenty prepared to endure it, used to it as he is. The thing is, people usually are quick to look away again. The sort of blatant staring that proceeds to happen is more the kind he would expect of children, normally accompanied by a million questions. Now there is just staring in silence, the air getting progressively more awkward as it stretches on. It's not at all helped by how flustered the young man seems, causing Vash to feel all the more self-conscious. ]

Er, sorry. I can leave if I'm making you uncomfortable...?

[ He offers tentatively, shifting restlessly in the water. ]

[aetherialshackles]

[There is hesitation, but after a moment Erich is *in*. He is already indecent in front of another person and the water surface will probably hide him better. After all his shoulders are exposed, so much skin! Still, it's not like he can dash out, right?

Finds himself sinking in the hot water, his cheeks turning bright red due to the temperature and his muscles relaxing. How long has it beeen since he took time for himself like that? Oh, how he misses the communal bathrooms of the Pandaemonium, there he took the longest baths, indulged into things like parfumed shampoos and scrubs thanks to his mentor's guide. Yes, quite something to love. And, worry not, Vash, Erich has no romantic interest whatsoever toward anyone, he is just very affectionate toward things. And dangerous creatures.]

I am still very sorry! I am well aware most people here don't mind mingling in underclothes, but it's just-

[He can't quite finish the sentence, though, because the other man is already suggesting that he could leave because of him. Uncomfortable? Yes. But not for the reason Vash thinks.]

What? Oh no no no! DOn't leave because of me! I know I have a very... huh... problematic relationship with bare skin, it's something my people just don't do, but I wasn't staring because I have any inappropriate thought. I- it's just- I don't think I've ever seen a single scar before? And, man, you are covered in them!

[Erich doesn't seem to see anything wrong in bringing that up, too, like he's just commenting the other man's choice of clothes or his hairstyle. In his mind it's genuinely more distressing seeing people without clothes without a medical reason or for research than pointing out that the other is a carpet of marks.]

What wouldn't my people do to see such a beautiful sight! Yet, standard procedures want one to be healed 'properly' after any injury. Or, well that was the norm, but none of us had time to form any real scar since things changed...

Ah, apologies, I am probably talking too much.

[amo]

[ Vash has no idea what to think as the rush of rambling words washes over him. Someone from an extremely modest society is plenty believable at least, given how diverse Milton's current population is - pulled from all manner of worlds as they are. Mostly Vash settles on feeling rather bad when it becomes apparent that he's the first scarred person this young man has laid eyes on. Although having it so blatantly pointed out makes Vash wince ever so slightly, the other man is certainly not wrong. Vash's body is practically nothing but a tapestry of scars. Save for his face, it's hard to find much unmarred skin remaining; a patchwork of scar tissue being held together by steel. That's not even starting on his missing left arm; his prosthetic laid out on the rocks behind him.

It's a grisly sight and no doubt it must be all the more disturbing for it being the first time seeing any scars at all. He's told not to leave, but more and more he's starting to feel compelled to, until... ]

B-beautiful...?

[ He splutters in shock, more to himself than anything, as it's his turn to flush red. He's been called many things — a monster and a walking natural disaster most prominently among them — but never a beautiful sight before. From someone who seems to be a prude and has never seen any scars before, Vash would be expecting disgust rather than the awe he appears to be receiving. Especially when it sounds like scars were easily mended (or prevented) wherever his fellow bather has hailed from. Technically, Vash could have done the same and healed all his injuries so they wouldn't scar the way they have. He could have been more like his brother, walking around without a blemish despite any previous grievous injuries sustained, but that was never like him. His scars are a testament to his resolve and a punishment for his sins at the same time, failures etched into his skin.

Not once has he considered them beautiful and it leaves him at a loss, laughing awkwardly and scratching the back of his head in a self-conscious manner, quick to dismiss another apology. ]

Ah no, that's quite alright! Your home sounds fascinating. It's- Uh, just... no one would think that way where I'm from.

[ He's flattered?? He thinks. Perhaps (utterly) baffled is a better word. ]

iii-b

[brutalact]

Found you, idiot.

[as if, upon his return from fetching their dinner, he wouldn't notice vash's absence especially after knives had explicitly told him not to wander outside the church. knives had given up trying to keep vash to their bed, being told that rest was a key ingredient to recovery, but going outside into the cold was absolutely out of the question. especially not on his own.

but of course vash just did whatever he wanted to do, no matter what knives thought. he had half a mind to let vash freeze himself to death as punishment, but it's only a passing thought.

his instincts are correct in thinking he'd find vash here at the hot springs. it isn't a bad idea, the steam useful in sweating out the worst of the fever and whatever else that plagued his brother. he just wished vash would have waited for him to return. knives crosses over to where vash is seated by the water's edge, a bundle of something wrapped in a towel tucked under his arm.]

Is it helping?

[amo]

[ Vash is fully zoning out, eyes heavy-lidded, lost in thought and what little relief the hot springs bring him. As much as he'd been told to stay put, he couldn't bring himself to. Besides, it's not like he went out wandering, he went out with purpose and a clear destination in mind. Ergo, it isn't wandering outside the church. Plus he'd been too restless to sleep and the trek here has actually (frustratingly) tired his weakened body out. There's no doubt he'll finally be able to conk out again when he gets back. It's not a treacherous trip at all, something he can easily make on his own and so there's no need for a chaperone.

Vash has all these good reasons at the ready to argue his case and yet there's still a guilty hitch of his shoulders at the sound of his brother's voice. It was only a matter of time before Knives hunted him down after finding him missing upon his return. ]

S'not like I was hiding...

[ He murmurs petulantly, lifting his gaze from where he'd been staring unseeing into the water to look at Knives' approaching form. He's fully expecting to get scolded again for giving his twin the slip while he was out. Vash had done it on purpose, figuring it better to ask forgiveness — not that he will — than permission. It's unlikely he would've been allowed to go anywhere if it was up to Knives. Frankly, after so long on his own and taking care of himself, all the attention has been a little bit suffocating. Maybe not unwelcome, per se, but it takes some getting used to. Especially coming from Knives.

To his surprise, there's no reprimand yet, just a simple question that he answers readily with a nod. ]

Mmhm, the steam helps me breathe better.

[ Although Vash doesn't ask aloud, his eyes do go to the wrapped bundle under Knives' arm and his head tilts to one side questioningly as his gaze remains there. ]

[brutalact]

[the flinching response to his presence doesn't go unnoticed. vash did his best to hide his reactions, but instinct is a dog to beat down and knives spent a good portion of their lives giving vash a reason to be afraid. nights spent sleeping together only for vash to wake up and see knives beside him, the sickening wave of fear so intense that it shakes knives from his own sleep; he expects it. fear had a way of sneaking its tendrils into every little crevice and crack inside a person, knives knowing this intimately well.]

Taking off without even telling Vee, could have fooled me.

[of course he doesn't miss vash's inquiring look to the bundle. knives closes the distance between them, leaning down as he stands over vash to press a palm against his fever-flushed forehead. he moves to brush his knuckles over his cheeks next, feeling the heat scald his knuckles.] I would have brought you here when I returned.

[but it's a moot point now, knives getting down on a knee to unravel the bundle on the ground. two threadbare towels, a change of clothes, and a canteen filled with cold water. he picks up the canteen first and unscrews the lid before holding it out to vash.]

Drink.

[amo]

[ Vash could argue that his other self gets, more than anyone else, his penchant for disappearing without telling anyone. It's a bad habit cultivated over many, many years that he's unlikely to break anytime soon. Rather than argue, he settles for a mere shrug instead. That's between him and his double to understand about one another.

Being around Knives isn't always easy. It's probably to be expected given their past and all the pain Knives has inflicted upon him personally, but Vash wishes the slate could just be wiped clean entirely, that his body and subconscious mind would get the memo already. His initial reaction is still too often fear when Knives catches him off guard or when he finds himself waking up from a nightmare only to be face to face with the subject of many of them. Sharing a bed might not have been the wisest decision for them yet it's one Vash stubbornly sticks to. It just takes time for all of him to catch on that Knives is no longer the threat he once was and Vash is willing to wait.

Right now there's still some inherent apprehension as Knives draws close and looms over him, thoughts wanting to turn towards another time he was stood over by him just like this; the feeling of the cold hard deck of the ship against his bare skin, his brother's eyes watching cold and unfeeling as his body was contorted in ways no body ever should by another's whims— ... but that was then and this is now. Flushed by fever and humid air, warm stones grounding underneath him, the gentle sounds of water. There's no pain that follows in the wake of his brother's presence, there's only a cool hand pressed to his face that his burning skin finds some soothing relief in. His eyes droop once more at the palm against his forehead then close entirely as knuckles skim along his cheeks, head leaning into the touch ever so slightly. (See? It's fine.)

An eye is cracked open to peer dubiously up at Knives when he speaks, his skepticism plain on both his face and in his voice. ]

Would you have? You hardly let me take a few steps away from the bed.

[ Not that Vash listens all that much as they've both learned by now. Having already defied Knives' wishes by coming here and not wanting to draw any more ire, he does accept the canteen held out to him and obediently takes a swig from it though. The cold of the water is welcome even if his sore throat doesn't agree with the action of swallowing. He takes in what Knives has put down on the ground, noting the towels. ]

Going in for a soak?

[ It would likely do his brother good, (unnecessarily) stressed as he's been about Vash's state. ]