methuselah (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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singillatim2024-01-01 12:12 am
singmod) wrote in singillatim2024-01-01 12:12 am
Entry tags:
- *mod post,
- alluri rama raju: xil,
- benton fraser: lorna,
- bigby wolf: jelle,
- billy gibson: jelle,
- damian wayne: cass,
- edward kenway: effy,
- edward little: jhey,
- erichthonios: fey,
- francis crozier: gels,
- harry goodsir: karin,
- kate marsh: cheryl,
- kieren walker: cheryl,
- konstantin veshnyakov: jhey,
- lanfear: carly,
- levi jordan: cirape,
- nicholas wolfwood: joe,
- randvi: tess,
- renny oldoak (tav): jay,
- rorschach: shade,
- ruby rose: josh,
- thomas jopson: kota,
- tim drake: fox,
- tobi (lone wanderer): coeurl
prelude
How will you face this quiet apocalypse?
— Raphael van Lierop.
As the old year falls and the new year begins, the skies fill with light. An Aurora comes on the last day of December, and with it the usual signs of it: the ethereal noise, the cracks and pops in the air, the stuttering of electrics as they struggle to power on and then blare and flicker. It is, as Interlopers have come to know, business as usual — in terms of the Auroras within this world. However, something a little different happens this time.
Interlopers will fall asleep all over the town of Milton. Even the ones who fight sleep and try to stay up into the small hours of the night will find themselves drifting off for a short while — as if their eyes just feel too heavy to keep open, and their minds slip into a deep kind of quiet darkness without their realising. And at first, there is nothing — nothing but the quiet dark. Something peaceful, almost.
A dream comes.
The first thing you notice is blood in your mouth, the cold in your bones, the deafening din in your ears — as if you are caught in static and the sound of howling winds through pine trees. You are afraid. At first, you do not know why. You find yourself on your knees in the snow. The skies are filled with green light, the air is thick with smoke. And then the realisation comes:
This is the ending of all things.
You look up, to the sight before you: a huge, shapeless shadow. Towering above you, over you. A head peers down at you: a cluster of three wolf skulls, eye-sockets glowing green and terrible, and their three open maws, dripping with more green. The sound it makes is unnatural, you cannot put it into words. The darkness draws in, you are so cold, so tired.
This is the ending of all things.
It is so hungry. You are so tired. The world falls away, you cannot see the stars, the dark hiding them from view. Were they even there to begin with? Or did they go out? You have forgotten. And you know, you know—
This is the ending of all things.
The skies glimmer, licks of strange, colourful wisps curl above — a voice screams out your name, from the static and winds. Through the noise. A woman’s voice. You have heard this voice before, in the lights and noise. Do you see? What could be? What you could become?
Can you hold on? Please. A hand grips your shoulder, but as you turn — the dream ends.
For some, they snap into waking with a shout or cry. Some will shudder awake to find tears in their eyes. All over Milton, the Interlopers wake: shaken, unsure, afraid. They will awaken to the dark: the Aurora is gone — slowly fading from the night skies into an otherwise calm and clear night.
It is a new year.
no subject
[ A Constable. Like, she's never met a Mountie before, only ever seen them on TV and stuff. But then again, she's from Oregon. There is the tiniest bit of relief: it doesn't hurt to have law enforcement, here. Poor Lieutenant Little works himself so hard, at times. Too hard. She worries.
But there's a curious look at the mention of a note, her note, which blooms into open surprise and looking genuinely touched by the praise. Kate doesn't know what to even do with it for a long moment, mouth opening and closing a few times. She certainly hasn't done it for the praise, not at all — she did it because it's the right thing to do. Especially for the likes of Lieutenant Little and Mr Goodsir, and the others that have come here. ]
Oh, um— [ ... Gosh. ] I found a book on foraging, and I, um— I guess I thought it would be something useful to do, to keep busy? And... and with the lack of fresh fruit and veggies— and there's people I know that came here with Scurvy, so— I wanted to help them—
[ She's... rambling a little. It's a belated realisation that he mentioned helping her. ]
.... Help would be super great?
no subject
A scholar, are you?
[ He sets his hat on a table nearby and offers her the pillowcase. It's scented deliciously like fresh pine, and for good reason: when she opens it, she'll find it full of green spruce needles, stripped from their branches and washed, and now ready to be used for any purpose she so desires. ]
Pine needles are also an excellent source of vitamin C, [ he's saying, with the genuine pleasure that comes of someone who is not only happy to know something useful, but who simply enjoys knowledge and the gaining of it for its own sake. ]
You can make tea or a syrup with these spruce needles, just as with your rosehips. If you ever find the rosehips difficult to find –
[ He reaches into the pillowcase and lifts a palmful of needles, letting the run through his fingers. The green, clean scent of pine fills the air. ]
– these will do the trick. Either way, I'd be delighted to assist with the foraging, if you'd ever like some company.
no subject
Um, I mean— I have a 3.9 GPA— [ Okay, that kinda sounds like a brag but— look. She's kind of proud of that? Also, she's a tiny bit flustered. ] I guess that probably makes me a bit of a nerd.
[ She takes the pillowcase with a curious frown, this is... for her? And she can smell the pleasant wintergreen even before she looks inside — her face lighting up, eyebrows raising: pine needles? He brought her pine needles?
But the understanding comes when he explains it. There's only so many rosehips out there, and certainly only so many close to and around Milton. She certainly doesn't dare going too far away, and... doesn't like going near the Basin all that much. She can probably count the amount of times on one hand she's been back there since September.
She knows they'll end up needing more vitamin C in time, and they'll need another source. For all of them, but her mind's still on Edward Little and the rest of the men from the Expedition — who need it even more. They're recovering, but she will worries for them. And it shows in her expression, her eyes softening — emotion catching in her face, deeply touched by the gift. ]
This is— [ Her voice is hushed, trying to find the words. She swallows, her chest's doing some— some weird flippy stuff. ] perfect and— so thoughtful. Thank you, this... means a whole lot, seriously.
[ She looks up to him then, and she goes all shy again. If she would ever like some company. ]
If— if you're free and don't mind— that... that'd be really nice.
no subject
Well, I get called a nerd, too. [ Mostly by Ray, but not... exclusively. ] But there's nothing wrong with being curious and intelligent.
[ As he straightens, Diefenbaker wiggles forward, his eyes still on Kate's hair. He whines a little, wanting attention. ]
You're very welcome. I'm just glad to be of service.
Actually, I also first started learning much of this out of books. And then in practice, of course, out in the woods, but you've made an excellent start. I'd be happy to help pick up where the books leave off.
Why don't you let me know the next time you plan to make an excursion? I've just been staying out there –
[ Fraser gestures with his hat toward the western windows and the line of trees beyond. The lean-to isn't visible from this angle, but it would be immediately clear to anyone walking that way from the hall. ]
– while I get my bearings.
no subject
She can't quite look at him, and finds her gaze lowering in the shyness — only to find the wolf staring at her with an intense interest, trying to scoot a little closer. He wants... more pets? There's still hesitation, a little bit of nervousness — but after a few beats, Kate does offer a hand out.
He's just... like a big softie, isn't he? ]
The books have been really helpful to kinda... find my footing with this sort of stuff. [ She agrees quietly with a little nod, and then, flusters for a brief moment. ] That, um— that'd be really nice. That's real kind of you, Constable.
[ Kate follows to where he gestures, and it takes her a moment to realise — frowning a little. ]
... Wait, like, outside? [ There's concern, alarm in her expression. ] You're staying out there? But it's— there was a real bad storm a couple of months ago, the weather's kind of crazy here. Even Mr Methuselah came in to stay with us.
no subject
[ His words trail off as Diefenbaker pushes forward to meet that small hand with his shaggy head. The wolf licks at her fingers, then sits nicely on his haunches within petting distance, staring admiringly at her hair. ]
Diefenbaker.
Dief. Stop staring, it's impolite.
[ Fully ignored by the wolf, Fraser lets out a long-suffering sigh. ]
I'm terribly sorry. Ever since we came south, he's developed a frustratingly deep fascination with blonde hair. You see, light-haired people are vanishingly rare where he's from. But that's not an excuse to be rude, [ he continues, the words pointedly aimed at the wolf.
They go ignored. ]
no subject
Oh. Well, that's— [ Huh. That's... not a thing she's heard of before. ] I guess he's just curious? Like, he probably doesn't mean to be rude.
[ Cautiously, she bends a little to reach the wolf to scratch him behind the ears. She's still a little hesitant because wolf, but... he's definitely the nicest wolf she's ever met.
(He's the only wolf she's ever personally met.) ]
You're not rude. Right, Diefenbaker?
no subject
[ Fraser gives Diefenbaker a long, level look, which the wolf fully ignores. It's warm in here, and this girl is petting him, and Diefenbaker is perfectly happy to stay right here.
After another moment, Fraser sighs, then puts his hat back on and gives her a smile. ]
We shouldn't take up any more of your time. But as I said, I'll be happy to go with you the next time you'd like to forage. Dief –
Dief.
... Diefenbaker. Would you mind?
[ Finally the wolf looks at him, mid-tipping its head into Kate's scratching fingers, and Fraser shakes his head. ]
You know, sometimes I think he keeps from looking at me on purpose. Time to go, [ he adds, enunciating clearly, speaking a little more loudly. Diefenbaker growls a little annoyed whine, but gets to his feet and starts trotting for the door. Fraser looks after him, then turns to Kate, lifting his hand to politely touch a finger to the brim of his hat. ]
A pleasure.
~wrap!
She straightens, unfortunately bringing an end to the fussing and attention she gives the wolf. Yeah, Diefenbaker really is just... ignoring him, isn't he? And she laughs a little in amusement. ]
Sorry, Diefenbaker. [ Maybe they can hang out some time, too. He's not so bad, just a big softie, really. Super nice for a wolf, actually.
There's a small nod of farewell, hands coming together in front of her to fidget a little. She's still blushing a tiny bit.
... Gosh. ]