songerein | This Flame That Burns Inside of Me

Entry tags:

This Flame That Burns Inside of Me | OTA

Who: Soldier: 76 & Anyone
Which: Open Log | March Catch-All
Where: Farmlands, Wildlands, room attached to The Wild Harvest
What: Helping clean up the farm lands for the farmers, falling back in to old habits of spending a lot of time out in the wildlands and visiting bees, and a flower surprise that 76 has brought back to his room that's attached to The Wild Harvest pub.
Warnings: N/A, will add as any come up

Days in the Sun
A.
[76 was no stranger to farm work, far from it; he was born and raised helping out on the arm his family owned on the outskirts of Bloomington. Wasn't a big one, but enough so that he always had farm chores to do every day growing up before and after school. Weekends, too. Always had free time with that, too.

Reason that he was more than eager to get out there, burn some of the anxious energy out of himself in cleaning up the planting fields and mend broken fences to make sure none of the cows or other grazing animals kept could get in to them that easily. Also mean shoring and patching up fencing for the fields those animals would be let out in to as well.

There was a yetox close by where he was currently working on clearing a field. Grazing on a pile of weeds he'd gathered and gave to it. Still wearing a harness, but the topless wagon it was hitched to was closer to 76, filled with other debris he'd been collecting already.]

Hope you've got multiple empty stomachs, big guy. You're goin to be eating well and burning it off today.

B.
[The yetox that was out with him was currently resting in the sun, while 76 himself had spread out some fabric to sit in the shade of the wagon itself, checking over the amount of nails he had and the condition of the hammer. Just beside him was a covered basket.]

Hey.

[Passing by? There was that gruff voice-]

If you feel like it, should sit down and relax a bit. Even if not working it's quite the walk to get out here. Got a bit of food and drink. Rest up for a minute, won't kill ya.

Shade of a Forest
[Was keeping himself far more bus than usual, more so after- well, felt like a good two months or more where he just couldn't get out here like he wanted. Given the work he was doing out by the farms? He was taking it a little more easy. Not camping out in the Wildlands as he had been, but it wasn't stopping him from re-visiting some places.

Been a while since he'd gotten a good eye on the dreamhoney bees after all.

Still would be a bit of a walk, stopping by other areas in the Wildlands between each hive he knew of.]

Should probably see what I can hunt-up to bring back to the Harvest with me.

[On occasion? A rather large dreamotion made wolf would be walking either alongside or a little ahead of 76. Blue eyes scanning the area and ears on the swivel. Sometimes there'd be two more to make it three total. Moving together as a unit and sometimes one scouting ahead if something caught attention.

Rather peaceful looking should they approach someone, at least.]

Thorns & All For A Blazing Dawn
[Once the second half of the month hits, and when not working in and around the Wild Harvest itself, 76 could be found in a room connected to the pub itself and the garden as well. The walls of windows that could be easily looked in to from either passing by or from the garden itself was blocked off by various plants in pots and some rows of very colorful jaws that acted almost like stained glass by how they were arranged; a rainbow of colors and patterns. Both the plants and filled jars gave him enough privacy, so he felt.

But he was sitting on one of the cushioned benched with a pot on the table, what almost looked like a golden rose bush with glass-like blooms and buds sat before him. A gloved hand cradling one of the blooms carefully, blue eyes narrowing as he'd taken off the tactical visor part of his mask once he'd gotten it in and sat down.]

How the hell did these come from me?

[He'd gone back out, looking for the area he'd finally been pulled free and, well. 76 had found a single rose bush, just a bit below his knee in height. Looked like it had actually grown on the trip back.]

What does this even mean.

(OOC: Feel free to hit me up/PM me if nothing here catches interest. I'll also be putting some planned threads in here throughout the month.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The smell of blood is becoming a bit overwhelming to Yujin now, which is why he takes several step backwards once he's risen into a standing position, into fresher air. Curious; it never used to bother him this much. He must've gotten rusty over the years.]

Oh, no, feel free to hang it up high immediately. The most important clues will be in the organs, I'm certain. Anything else can be verified later, when the meat is stripped. Unless Sholmes believes there's something to be seen at this specific moment...? [He tosses a sideways glance towards his partner.]

[ Yujin's unusual behavior hasn't gone unnoticed. Is it squeamishness? How many human autopsies has this man performed? What's one deer to a seasoned forensic pathologist?

Rather than ask about it outright, Sholmes steps up beside Mikotoba, arms akimbo as he gives the scene a last once-over. ]

No, you're quite right, professor. The most telling information will come from a proper tissue analysis. [ He nods to 76. ] We really should move along.

[ He stuffs his rumpled notes into a pocket. ] However, these precautions against scavengers do give rise to another thought: Mr. Seventy-Six, have you observed these physiological traits manifest further along the food chain? In predators or carrion feeders? ... Humans?

Take a breather, this will take me a moment.

[Rather than say either one of them pointedly, even as his head tipped a bit towards Yujin as he spoke, 76 let it be addressed towards Sholmes as well. Blue was taking up her parts of the offal as a snack quietly as he was eyeing the trees to find one that could support the buck's body best-

Pausing a moment as his head turned towards Sholmes.] Can't say that I have, unless a Noctaere counts- and even then that was, uh. Me. I'll go in to a bit more detail in a second.

[76 was hauling the buck over his shoulders, back legs in one hand and front in the other, the inside already a bit frosty to prevent blood dripping as he- well.

The man practically took a bit of a run before he was leaping up in to the tree after a bit of mental calculation. Freeing one hand from the buck to better scale before he was securing it in the tree, a hand moving over to freeze it, leaving enough chill in the air around it to keep it like that.

Dropped back down to move towards the water right next to them to wash his hands and the knife used clean.]

The streaks you see in my hair are, from what I can guess given the color, what's left from the Glowing Dawn growing on and in me. Seem to glow brighter in response to the flowers, like matching them. [It was awkward, a bit weird but- well, didn't change the fact it had happened. Gotten more information on what had been going on with his Noctaere form and all.

Standing straight and drying his hands off on his pants after shaking off as much water as he could, pulling gloves back on as his head lifted, walking back towards both Sholmes and Yujin.]

Otherwise? No, can't say I've seen thee flowers on any predators or scavengers. Some of the boar out here have them, though.

[No no, Yujin will be fine. Several nosefuls of fresh air later, his stomach has settled right back down. Perhaps his breakfast hadn't gone down too well and it's left him extra sensitive to smells. Yes, that must be it.

He watches in amazement as 76 scales the tree so very easily to string the buck up. Marvelous acrobatics. But before he knows it, 76 is back on the ground and washing his hands. The man's words both answer some questions, and end up raising many more.]

Hmmm... What about younglings? Have you come across any fawns with these flowers? Something to indicate whether or not they were born like this?

[ Sholmes has never witnessed such a feat of human athleticism. Not to mention, the effortless method 76 uses to chill the carcass still defies all logic. That blasted magic again, surely! It's becoming increasingly irritating to his scientific sensibilities, but the only sign of this is a slight squint to his eyes.

He nods approvingly at Yujin's question, and adds his own follow-up to Soldier's response, trying to ignore the wet sounds of the dragon enjoying her morbid treat. ] It seems a bit antithetical for such things to flourish on a nightmare-afflicted creature, given their restorative properties.

[ Sholmes paces along the stream bank, then rakes his eyes over the surrounding forest, spying a few deer timidly peering through the distant foliage. ] To clarify: you consumed these creatures while in your Noctaere state?

The young have greenery growing on them, but I only notice blooms once they reach a certain age- around when they start using their spots, speaking of the deer. [He'd taken the time to watch the various herds, take note of their number and of course the rate at which they seem to reproduce.

It was peaceful, but even he'd been curious when he'd come across the ones that carried Glowing Dawns on them and realized their importance. The ones that had other flora on them seemed to be about the same- though it did at times depend on what plant or flower it was.]

So far the going theory is that they're why I didn't go on a rampage- I only went on the offensive if I was attacked directly in that state. [Reaper had been the one to figure that one out.] Were two different types of flowers on me, too.

[He smoothed down the sleeve of his jacket again, checking the over the gear on him -the handgun strapped and holstered at his thigh, and the knife sheathed at the small of is back once again- as he didn't want to take the pulse rifle in to the cave, but was debating removing it from Blue.]

No, but I'm not sure if I made it this far in that state, honestly. I did consume creatures corrupted by nightmare energy, but when I knowingly consumed these it was while I was out here with Kazuma after his first turning. [His head tipped to one side.] They were one of my main food sources because I was spending my time out here looking after him.

I noticed that he couldn't corrupt them as he could normal animals, and consuming their meat helped clear his head. He is who noticed the flowers were the only obvious difference in animals he could and couldn't turn, and with that in mind we tracked a herd of them to this cave.

[The wording of "blooms" catches Yujin's interest. Does that mean the flowers only begin to grow at a certain age, but the seeds of these flowers were embedded in the young fawns from birth? Something to investigate further, without a doubt. Though, he supposes the only way to really truly be certain would be to either raise these animals in captivity and track their growth, or dissect a newborn.

His gaze strays to the cave, almost absentmindedly. It's all very serene. Very quiet. He doesn't know whether to take that at face value.]

Speaking of the cave, has there been any news regarding the Ents?

[ Sholmes spies 76 taking stock of his weapons and his hand unconsciously rests on his own revolver--a .45 Webley modified to the point of being nearly unrecognizable. He only has precious few (traditional) rounds for it, but his aim is practiced enough to make each of them count.

Though ... hearing the old soldier talk about it, he does question how effective normal bullets will be against preternatural threats; it may very well be more useful to toss a few flowers in their direction. Especially if whatever they encounter used to be human. ]

Heartening, to know it might reliably subdue a person so deeply afflicted. Now, if we can devise a way to inoculate against it in the first place ... perhaps cultivate the same incorruptible state observed in the deer ...

[ As he muses, he continues to wander, thumbing the spring buds of underbrush and the tender fiddleheads unfurling from the mossy top of a fallen tree. ]

Reaper's stopped leaving skulls for me to find, so either they've not returned or- well. I don't know. I'd feel better knowing, but it's safe to assume the both of you will be alright if any of them are around at all. Still be cautious, but given past trips neither of you have any nightmare corruption clinging in such a way, right?

[For the time being? He chose to leave the pulse rifle strapped on to Blue safely. The sidearm would do well enough on top of the dreamotion he was armed with. Even still not at the top of his game, he had a few trick up his sleeve.

Turning then as he gestured for Blue to guard the tree the deer was in once she was done with her snacking. Could leave towards the cave then, heading for that waterfall once the other two were ready—]

I wish I could offer more, but I don't have memory of my own time like that, and only the behavior observed by the one who pulled me out of it. [He was sincere in that.] Last thing I clearly remember came before the turn, and that was suffocating- choking, really, on what tasted like plant matter and my own blood; a lot of pain that went beyond my own tolerance, on top of it all.

[There's a reason he wasn't sure if he died or if he'd turned before it could have killed him.]

[Oh, Yujin is more than ready to head into the cave. He doesn't have any weapons of his own on him; he wouldn't know how to handle one to begin with. Not in an effective manner, anyway. Should they run into some sort of trouble in there, he'll stay out of the way as much as possible and allow 76 to handle it. He can try to keep Sholmes within the realm of safety as well, but he knows well enough that his partner is wont to running headfirst into danger. As for nightmare corruption, he's very much clean and he doubts Sholmes has been here long enough to amass anything of note.

So he'll wander over towards the riverside again with a casual trot, eyes once again caught on the shimmering surface. He wishes he could say something useful in regards to 76's last few remarks, but... To voice the sentiment that such situations should be avoided in the future feels utterly pointless.]

[ Reaper? Sholmes shoots Yujin a look as they head to the cave. Lord van Zieks? It doesn't immediately occur to the detective that multiple people may have earned such a morbid sobriquet.

The other statement makes it clear: they need to hear from other witnesses to get a complete picture of the incident. And it lends more legitimacy to Sholmes' (foolhardy) ideas about running a controlled trial.

But he mentions none of this. Instead, he runs his hands down his coat front, as if nightmare corruption could simply be dusted off. ]

Rest assured, Mr. Seventy-Six: in this place, I am pure as a newborn babe. I've not had so much as a single nightmare ... [ A pause. ] Save, of course, for one in which I was wandering the halls of Buckingham Palace in nothing but my unmentionables.

Then you'll be fine, the type of ent that was in this cave only reacted harshly toward things heavily corrupted with nightmare energy- for a bit they didn't even notice me. Practically ignored others that have gone in here. [Jude had reassured him of that when he'd gone back in himself. It pretty much confirmed his own theory on it- even if it came a little too late.

There was more mist in the air the closer thy got to the waterfall itself, his hair dampening just a bit-]

Still, best to stay frosty.

[He moved to the side once the waterfall was reach, stepping over rocks with a warning It's Slippery called over his shoulder. There was solid ground behind it of course and- well.

Half the entrance was collapsed, even if there was still a small stream of water that made it inside. There was darkness in the half entrance, little light shining past. Shoulders rolled as he moved a hand to the side and just under his gloved hand appeared the head of a dreaotion wolf that glowed, even with shadows moving over fur in a way that made those patches look like a starry sky. It's head was nearly as high as his chest, and honestly when he set it forward it provided a good light source. Would do for now, and it also widened his field of awareness.]

Careful, this looks like it happened a bit ago. [Something had knocked it down, rather than a natural collapse. Still, it looked stable and he could pass through it easily enough.

The inside of the cave was- well, other than the damp soil from the small stream it was bare. Rock walls and stalactites, a few stalagmites as well. The dreamotion wolf kept just a few steps ahead of 76 and to one side, acting as a sort of guiding light, only stopping when he did to look back towards Yujin and Sholes-]

This is where the Glowing Dawns were, even if in smaller patches. They grew thicker further in, but this was where we first spotted them in here.

[Oops, sorry Sholmes, Yujin did not notice that Look in response to Reaper's moniker dropping. He was too busy staring at the river to even consider that the name might sound odd to his partner. The sentiment regarding that one single nightmare certainly sounds sincere enough to Yujin's ears, meaning Sholmes is indeed not in any danger of being torn apart by Ents.

He trails after 76, also sticking close to the cave wall to avoid the waterfall as much as possible. Despite the warning, Yujin can feel his feet slipping over the wet, mossy rocks and his hand immediately finds the wall for support. It's a good thing that wolf appears to provide additional light, since he'd be in even more danger of falling if he couldn't see where he was going. Now he can move forward with a few awkward stumbles and shuffles, but certainly without any tumbles.

Once they reach the spot where the Glowing Dawns first grew, he slows to a careful stop and crouches down to inspect the soil.]

So this was all burned away?

[ Sholmes fits his goggles back down over his eyes, both to assist with the low light and easily swap between lenses to note any abnormalities. The detective isn't much more agile than his partner, but he manages to keep pace. At the entrance, he pauses to examine the damage for clues. Claw marks or gouges. Anything to indicate possible sabotage or whoever might be responsible.

In this moment of distraction, a boot dunks into the stream and Sholmes' hissed oath echoes into the cavern. He shakes most of the water from his foot, but thereafter, every other step is accompanied by an undignified wet squelch.

Once inside and on firm footing, he takes stock of the cave, noting 76 and Yujin's fresh footprints at the same time as he hunts for any unfamiliar tracks--human or otherwise. ]

Burned by that Reaper fellow?

I wouldn't say Reaper literally set the place aflame, but he might as well have with how thorough he works. [A nod towards Yujin. There was at least no traces of fire, but there was still ash-like substances littering the soil top, and probably mixed within. Still traces of green pollen within the soil as well, even if more faint.] What I meant is that he came through here and made sure every single thing was dead; plant, animal, and most importantly to him the ents.

He's capable of reducing things to dust at worst if he's determined to wipe out all traces as he is. [Scorched Earth was a fitting term for that.

There was something to the entrance Sholmes might notice, something almost claw like dug deep in to part of the stone. It wasn't a natural fall, but those marks were not made by anything metal.

76 kept the wolf positioned to give off the best source of light, looking towards the path that led deeper in to the cave. Trying to look for any movement, or any sound outside that of water dripping—]

Reaper is a man from the same place as I am, one that I've been chasing across the world for a good many years. [Attention fallen back to Sholmes, leaning back against a wall just to keep himself out of the way so both men could look around.] We've got history.

He made it clear when he helped drop me off at the Mikotoba's after an incident that nearly killed me, that if anything happened to me in this world he would burn it to the ground. [Very dramatic stuff.] Or, well, he reminded me while I was still conscious so those around us would be informed of that as well. This? Was an example of that, as it was the Ents living here that caused me harm.

So, it's a literal and figurative meaning. Completely wipe the place out, along with anything and anyone in it.

[There seemed to be a few deer tracks, and older boot tracks given how often Reaper came in and but of the place- but there was something else. Something with a large and almost humanoid foot-shape, but four clawed toes and some sort of foot covering causing the print to almost smear. Faint.]

[As he's already familiar with who Reaper is and just what sorts of things were said, Yujin only listens with half an ear to the explanation. He rubs the soil between his fingers, taking note of both the ash-like substance and the light traces of green. That's interesting. He still has a few small glass bottles; the sort Susato would use to make her charms. Filling two of those with soil samples ought to be enough.

With that done, he steps a bit closer to the river to see just how it flows through the cave and to what degree it would affect the soil. Even so, he looks over his shoulder to Sholmes.]

Needless to say, this particular Reaper makes Lord van Zieks look like a very mild-mannered gentleman in comparison.

Yes, all of that sounds far beyond Lord van Zieks' capacities, although he's certainly capable of delivering a glare that makes lesser men wish they could dissolve into dust.

[ Sholmes eyes what must be Reaper's heavy boot tracks, comparing them against 76's fresh set. They have notably different shapes and sole patterns, but the weight and gait are are close. The two men must have similar builds, at least.

The other tracks, are of greater interest. Sholmes hones in on them like a hunting dog, eyes locked on as he steps around into a careful kneel and beckons the wolf spirit--and its light--closer. ]

Are there any other creatures that might frequent this cave? Or a chance one of those "ents" may have survived the massacre?

[The water flowed in as if it was just a small stream, strong enough that it pushed further inwards. There was a clear path that went deeper in to the cave, but it was so very dark that only the sound of the stream and dripping water could be heard. Nothing seen without a light source. Soil around the stream was damp, and carried further out in a spread as it the stream did make it way through well to water the Glowing Dawn that had once been there.

Really, the environment was perfect to have them thrive.]

What he leaves behind isn't a pretty sight, since usually it's desiccated bodies rather than going all in.

[He'd seem it for himself, many times as he was following behind the man trying to get him.

The dreamotion wolf moved over, head tilted as if in curiosity as eyes scanned over what Sholmes had found.]

There's the deer, but I suppose they haven't had reason to come in here much without the flowers. Wouldn't doubt an Ent might have come by either but- [76 had moved in closer himself, mindful not to step in any of the faint tracks once he noticed them as well with Sholmes' interest; brought clear attention.] -those are... bigger than any of the ent in here I saw. Same shape, though.

That's something.

[Yujin spends a moment longer examining the river and peering into that darkness up ahead. But then he realizes something entirely different has been discovered behind him, so he quickly turns and moves to join his fellows. Are those footprints...?]

So if it's the same shape, does it stand to reason it is still an Ent?

Judging by the size, and the evidence of claws, perhaps it was also responsible for the damage observed at the entrance. [ Sholmes muses as he rises to his feet. He continues stepping gingerly around the tracks, trying to put together where the creature went, and whether they should expect to find it still inside. ]

But you said we should have nothing to fear--Mikotoba and myself, at any rate--given our lack of nightmare contamination. Whether your state will irritate it, Mr. Seventy-Six, I can only guess.

[The tracks would lead deeper in to the cave, large and lumbering but somehow managing not to sink as deeply in to the damp soil as they should given the size. Vanishing in to that darkness that lead down the tunneled path. The dragging of the steps could only be caused by a sort of leather wrapped around the 'foot' that left the toes of it free to leave those distinct prints.

76 pushed himself up, the dreamotion wolf following a bit behind Sholmes to keep up that light it provided.]

I don't have any reason to believe it could be an Ent, despite the size, it matches otherwise. [And it would- there were a few smaller and much older prints that matched mixed amongst the prints Reaper would have left as well. Those that had perished within this cave, and there would likely be many more of them deeper in.]

If there are any in here? I'll take the chance because I'd rather not duck out of this trip early. They'll leave the two of you alone at least, either way- and I'm a quick runner. [Better prepared knowing what he did through- well, he'd been attacked once and he'd been alone.

Other times he always had the chance to see them first as someone had been with him.]

Either way? Heading deeper in may be the best choice. That's where most of the plant-life was, and where the deer always went.

[The knowledge that Ents tend to leave people free of nightmare energy alone doesn't quite settle Yujin's nerves. Judging by the size of the prints, it's still an awfully big creature. As they say, though: nothing ventured, nothing gained. There would always be some risk of danger involved with exploration. All it took was keeping a close eye on one another.]

Then... Let's get going. I'm quite curious to see just what else we may come across.

[ Sholmes doesn't need to be told twice and, in fact, takes point unless 76 objects. No use putting a beacon of nightmare energy in front; if Sholmes spies whatever might be lurking, ent or otherwise, he can warn the man accordingly.

As he moves forward, his focus alternates between the floor of the cave and the dark void ahead. The deer tracks add an unfortunate amount of noise to the mud, but Sholmes still finds the edge of a claw or a large smear here and there.

And ... for all of his earlier chatter, the detective knows when it's time for silence and focus. The acoustics of the cave are a challenge; did a sound echo from ahead, or behind? Every few steps, he pauses to listen. ]

Just keep aware of your surroundings. [And of course be cautious.

He let Sholmes take point, the dreamotion wolf stepping ahead as well to help provide light that much more without risk of stepping in to tracks- it didn't leave any, after all. A thing of pure dreamotion energy it wouldn't attract the attention of anything much; unless there was something that took of residence and fed off that, off course.

Of course the light revealed much of the same as the entrance; barren soil covered in a mix of ash and a green residue, the walls bare, and only stalagmites and stalactites within view otherwise. Dripping water. A rock falling somewhere and it's tumble sounding off nearly every wall.

The soil was still damp, and even if the stream couldn't be seen the sound of flowing water filled the tunnel- even more so when they rounded the bend and entered a far more cavernous area, the stream reemerging from an underground dip somewhere down a hill-like form. Light from the wolf would show it was the same water from outside.

No signs of life other than old tracks, including the set that led in to the area and kept going. 76 couldn't be surprised as he followed along, knowing the number Reaper must have done; would drive anything out of a place but... Something felt off. As if there was something that should be there but couldn't be seen. A hand had been rested along a wall as he followed, taking up the back in a way as a safety measure but—]

Terran is uneven. [Voice just loud enough to be heard, barely missing being carried as he moved.] Watch your steps, slipping here could go down hill fast.

[Literally and figuratively. Everything was damp, and the rocks that weren't covered by soil were slick with mud and moisture. All the same, it was a good example of where the Glowing Dawn thrived, even if all that had been here had been wiped out. A few glowing fungi had returned, a bit of moss here and there but otherwise- well.

It looked empty, felt overly so. No quite right- but why?]

[Yujin had never seen all too many caves in his lifetime. As a result, he absorbs as much of the experience as he can with a bit of modest wonder. Nature is truly marvelous, isn't it? How old are these walls? He can't even begin to estimate. The distant sounds, the echoes, the drips of water... It all sounds very serene to his ears. More religious folk might meditate in a place like this, he thinks to himself.

The warning is appreciated, for even with his hand pressed up against a wall for support, Yujin might've still tripped over the uneven terrain if he weren't paying enough attention. He proceeds with extra caution, but slows to a halt when he passes one of the glowing funghi. It's growing right there, just off their path, by the wall.]

Ohh, look at this... Sholmes, do you see it?

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