singillatim | nature offers a violence

nature offers a violence

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

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[Thomas' head tilts a bit and he regards Little, confused. Surely he's seen it? Surely he knows?

But there is no one on earth or in this hell who knows Francis Crozier the way Thomas Jopson does. But he won't speak ill of him. He won't give anyone any cause to look down on him.]

Have you asked him?

No, [ Edward admits, quietly. Not just yet — he's wanted to give the captain some solitude and time to rest after they'd returned from the trek back, but.... admittedly, there have been many thoughts on Little's mind.

Perhaps he's been afraid to ask something like that. ]

But.... surely he must. This place could use his leadership. [ Edward swallows, hesitating. He and Jopson don't speak about things like this, but... there's no one else here who may be able to understand, the way Thomas does. He was there the same as Edward was, when Crozier was dealing with his.... difficulties. They were the ones to handle things the most, the steward and the first lieutenant. ]

You remember how he's.... done similar things before. Fallen to solitude. It's understandable, given everything that's happened, but.... he will return to himself. Like last time.

[Blanky had once referred to Thomas as a mongoose when it comes to Crozier, especially during that time. No one really got the teeth nowadays, unless Hickey happens to cross by. But Little gets them now as Thomas' eyes turn hard. His words are the same and no one would know from the outside what his true feelings are, but the Terrors would.]

Do you think I have forgotten the Captain's tendencies? Melancholy like this is not best served by thrusting him into a role he feels he has already failed, sir.

This is not a simple mood to wait out. This is - how it is.

[ Edward immediately flusters a little; the other man may not have raised his voice, but those eyes are as sharp as they need to be. ]

I— Not forced, but— in his own time. [ He well-knows it's a delicate thing, brow pinching, fretful. The problem is that they don't have much time. There are people here who need help. There's Hickey, who could hurt someone here again. The people of this town don't know what he's capable of. And Edward... needs Crozier, needs him. (What is a lieutenant without his captain? Who is he?) ]

All of us... may have failed in ways. But we can continue. We can... do good here. [ He echoes what Goodsir had told him once, when Edward had desperately asked. 'What do we do now?' How can they possibly.... continue to exist, after what had happened? What they'd done? ]

You, Thomas. And me. Goodsir, the Captain... We can be who we were before. Before it all.... went bad.

[Thomas spreads out his hands over the sheets and blankets, the ones ripped for cloth and the others, more salvageable, that he's mending. The white of them look like ice across his lap.]

Is that not what I am doing? I am mending cloth and darning trousers against the cold. I am using what I know to help these people and to help ourselves.

This is who I have always been. What I have always been.

[ Edward's head dips again, and this time stays down, eyes dropping from what the other man is doing as he listens. ]

You are. It's fine work — and I know the residents of this place deeply appreciate it. [ He hadn't meant to seem as though he was doubting it, and his tone is apologetic. Jopson has been helping; they all have tried to, in their ways. But... how to explain it? The odd, lingering ache for what once was. ]

I only meant.... I suppose... Well, I know that we no longer serve aboard the ship, but..... I was hoping that things might be as they once were. That Captain Crozier could command, and we could follow. That we could have that.... purpose, I suppose.

[ He swallows, unused to voicing such things aloud to anyone. ]

[He finally puts down his work and stands up fully, finding it easier to do now that it was only days prior.]

You must command yourself now. You must find another purpose, another way to be. Another goal to reach.

You cannot and should not put that on him any longer.

[ Edward looks back up as the other man stands, taking a soft step backwards as though to give him some space. Certainly, he hasn't forgotten that Jopson likely wants little to do with him. He doesn't mean to intrude, visibly nervous as he wets his lower lip and listens. The words feel like daggers, thin and razor-sharp.

You must find another purpose, another way to be.

He stands there in silence for a few long moments, eyes a little wide, trying to control his breathing, which feels tighter, anxious. He takes some time to reply, swallowing first. He'll address that part of that soon, if he can — finding another purpose... How? But first, seeking to remedy any upset— ]

I apologise, Mr. Jopson. I did not mean to raise any alarm, and I should not wish to bring any harm or upset to the captain.

[ A pause before his voice softens; really, it's... very rare to speak of these types of emotions with someone else. ]

I assure you — I care about him, as well. He is a good man.

[The nervousness he sees brings Thomas no pleasure or satisfaction. He doesn't want the other man to hate him, and he certainly doesn't want fear from him. But when it comes to Crozier, nothing else will suffice. Even now, though Thomas will not call him Captain, he is still his faithful steward. He may not pour his drinks or shave his face or mend his sleeves, but he serves him, through the trials of this place.

But Edward doesn't call him Lieutenant and he settles, nodding once.]

I believe that you do.

[An assurance, if nothing else.]

But you must care for yourself, or this place will break you. We are no longer who we were. Even if we could go back, we - wouldn't be suited for that life any longer. What waits for you, if you could go home? Could you tell them of this place? Of the ice and what we saw?

[ There's a quiet relief when the other man accepts his words. Edward knows that Thomas Jopson has no reason to think highly of him in any regard, or to put any trust in him, and he'll not ask for it. But he hopes that he may someday believe in Edward's loyalty to Crozier, even if.... he'd failed once before.

No matter what has happened, Little still cares for these men and wishes to protect them. And now that the captain has been returned to him.... he won't let anything happen to him. Not this time.

He's listening seriously to Jopson, giving him his full attention, and the words freshly wound him, but only because they are nothing but the truth. He's lowering his head again for a moment, solemn. ]

I know you are right. There is nothing..... left for me, there. Perhaps for any of us. [ Back home. ]

What we have seen and experienced... it is our burden to bear. I've often thought that this place may be a sort of punishment.

[He softens even more, attending back to his mending. He finishes it and spreads out the blanket, gesturing for Edward to take the other side so they can fold it properly.]

I - believed the same, when we first arrived. But I've known a little peace here.

I don't believe punishment would see us together. [He looks down.] The truest punishment would have us separated and alone.

[ Little moves to take the other side of the blanket as directed, carefully following suit as he helps the other man fold the material. As he does, he's listening to Thomas's words, and it's a sharp pinprick to his heart; he's falling quiet, somber for a lingering moment. The man he's speaking to now is the man who was left alone, and it aches, deeply. (If Edward knew that he, too, ended up alone — the last in that camp to die — would there be some relief in the fact that he'd met a fate he deserved? Perhaps not relief, but he would accept it.) ]

...You are right. I feared it deeply, when I first arrived here. That I was alone. It was.... an immense relief to see Dr. Goodsir.

[ ...Hickey, not so much. But Little sees Jopson look down like that, and swallows. There are so many more things he has to say to this man, but he doesn't want to burden him, keeps them back for a few moments longer, even as his heart feels such pleas, desperation. ]

How is your... recovery? You are looking well, though I know it is a slow process. My body aches no matter how much rest I allow it.

[He hadn't meant for his words to sting, but there is a little spiteful moment when he realized that's exactly what happened. He tamps down on that, not wanting to bring that here. This isn't the place or the time for spite. This isn't the reason they're here. Thomas has been working these past few weeks on finding his peace in this place. It seems easy enough.]

I have been - well. Whatever force brought me here thought to heal me, at least. But the cold does nothing for my joints.

[He looks away.]

How are you sleeping?

[ Edward's mouth forms a grim line at that, and he's offering a quiet nod. His own condition upon arrival was not nearly as severe as Jopson's, of course, but he can still understand some of it. ]

Have you been using the rosehips that Miss Marsh makes into syrup, and tea? It's been helping with some of my own aches, a little.

[ He'd told Kate about Thomas, directed her to the man when he'd arrived here, but he doesn't know how often he may have sought out the assistance. ]

...Not well, admittedly. The nights are... strange. I find little rest through them. [ He could downplay it, but in the company of someone who had been there through it.. it's easier to reveal things. His brow furrows in an empathy. ] I suppose it must be much the same for yourself.

Edited 2023-12-16 03:07 (UTC)

[There's a simple nod to the first question - the tea has been particularly helpful - and he finds the words come earlier now. Faster, now that he's actually thought them through.]

I do not enjoy the solitude. I haven't had privacy in this amount since before our expedition began. [The sound of too many thoughts in his head, the feeling of them swimming around, choking him, filling him with dread is exhausting, but not in the way that's conducive to sleep.]

[ Edward's grim expression only deepens at that. Ah— yes, for this, too, he can relate. Perhaps it's not surprising how many parts each of them can relate to — for all of the surface differences and the differences in rank, at the core of it, perhaps they're all the same. ]

I understand that. [ He offers a quiet sigh. ] Strange to think that one could become accustomed to a lack of privacy, but.... the shift has been extreme. [ Even his officer's cabin offered little true privacy; such a small space, cramped inbetween the other cabins, and so close to the general hammocks where the men slept. And now... he's taken up a lone cabin on the outskirts of town. It's difficult to find sleep, with all of the ghosts that visit him in the later hours. ]

It's why most of my patrolling happens at night. It's... something to keep the thoughts at bay.

[ Edward glances up, looking around the community center for a moment, littered with so many cots and sleeping bodies. ] At least through this storm, there is plenty of company to be found.

There is. And pleasant, at that.

[He has also taken refuge on the outskirts, though nearer to Crozier to ensure that he can keep an eye on him.

An idea forms, something unstructured and quiet, and he snatches it close before he loses his nerve.]

You could stay in my cabin some nights, if you'd like. It's far too much space and it would be warm after patrols. Ms. Earp has kindly offered to chop wood for me, so there will be plenty of warmth.

[ The offer catches Little completely by surprise, and it likely shows in his face — eyes widening and mouth parting a little before he can manage to control his expression.

He never would have expected such an offer. Not from the man whom he has been quite certain would rather not have to look at him at all. (But despite the horrors, the awkwardness, the hurt, he and Thomas Jopson are both humans, and perhaps it's telling just how lonesome the other man has been, that he would extend such an offer to Edward of all people.) ]

I— if you're certain you would be all right with it, then I— I should be very grateful for that offer, Mr. Jopson.

[ His answer is sincere, even if he's thrown off-guard; Edward's quickly nodding, hoping to show his gratitude more than his awkwardness. After a moment, he adds on— ]

We can help one another with those difficult nights. It would be nice to have company.

[Thomas doesn't hold a grudge. He was angry, then hurt, and now - now he's simply resigned. Little's decisions don't make him an evil person. Weak, perhaps, but weren't they all in those moments?

Thomas can't fault him for anything that happened when all he wanted to do was the most good for the most people. He can be bitter, but what would that give him out here, where every man (and woman) counts. Where they must all be together, work together, and survive?

And so what if Thomas needs to have someone close at some point? What if that's something that's become a part of him?]

It would be. And when I've regained my strength, I can join you on patrols.

[ Once again, Little's surprised by the offer — but quickly receptive to it, offering another nod of his head. ]

I would enjoy that.... Sincerely. It would be nice to have a second pair of eyes... and a familiar face. [ He's so bad with words, with voicing the way he feels — and all of it is still rather awkward, but... he does mean it. No matter what, Jopson is one of the few familiar things here among so much that is unfamiliar. It would be... nice to stick close with him.

And considerably less lonely, on those nighttime patrols. ]

...Thank you, Mr. Jopson. [ He knows it isn't... forgiveness, and he knows there is pain, hurt, strangeness still.... but this is something. It means a great deal to Edward. He even manages to smile a little, as he reaches for another sheet to help fold.

They may no longer be serving on the ships, but they can still help one another and perhaps even function as a unit again, sometimes. He would like that very much. ]

[Thomas was always a loner on the ship. He was in the shadows, deeply and fiercely loyal to Crozier and the ship, but he didn't really have friends. Not ones that he trusted, or thought he trusted.

He's finding that he had trusted them a lot more than he originally thought.]

Of course.

[He takes a moment, letting Edward fold the sheet, and smiles.]

Call me Thomas? If you're to share my cabin, we can afford that level of familiarity.

[ He may have referred to him as "Thomas" a few times here or there since the other man's arrival, the name slipping out in certain moments when it seemed right, but there's something very different to being directly asked to. To be given that permission.

It is quite different in many ways, he's still having to adjust to how he fits with the others here. His upset from earlier stemmed from not knowing how to exist anymore — he's tried so hard to function as though he were still on the ship, still Lieutenant Little.

...But maybe, around them, he can be someone else, too. Can learn to be. It would be nice to get to know Thomas outside of the detached, professional atmosphere they'd both been living in before. ]

Then please, call me Edward in return. [ He returns the smile, a little shyly, but no less genuine. ]

[Thomas nods once and turns back to his work, feeling a little more settled now.]

Edward.

Go and find more cloth, then. I need it to patch up these blankets.

[ Edward smiles again before there's a quick nod of his own in understanding — almost comically obedient, but he enjoys having tasks to do, being told what to do.... He's more than happy to hop to it and fetch more cloth, and from there, to help assist Thomas however he may need for a bit longer.

It's nice to have company on nights like this, too. ]

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nature offers a violence

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potential wrap! ♥