[OPEN] I've Watched the Fall of Many People

[lonelysmiles]

Who: Alastor and you!
Which: Log or Interactive Dream depending on prompt, OPEN
Where: Depends on prompt
What: Open log for June!
Warnings: It's Alastor who is a literal demon from Hell. Anything more specific will be in the header of the prompt.


[Nightmare Walking]

The nightmares called to him, far more interesting than sweet dreams. He took sadistic pleasure in watching others struggle with the demons that lurked in their own subconscious. It was like a fascinating theater performance.

But sometimes the nightmares went too far, and Alastor's moral code to protect the weak kicked in. Then he would step in to do something about it.

Would this nightmare be free entertainment, or would he have to cut it short?


[Noctaere Hunting (VIOLENCE WARNING)]

The pack of snoyotes bared their fangs, circling the deer demon who tracked them with his head turning an unnatural amount and his ears swiveling about. Alastor had seen evidence of the pack that had been creeping ever closer to the town during his foraging, but this was the first time he'd seen it.

"Five of you. Is that all or are there more coming?" he mused aloud.

The snoyotes attacked, jaws snapping, as Alastor met them with his own claws and fangs. Black ichor and crimson blood splashed onto the ground as both sides each drew blood from the other.


[Stormy Weather]

Heat, humidity, and rain. A combination that would make most absolutely miserable.

Alastor, on the other hand, was humming a certain tune as he practically skipped through the puddles, caring not a whit that he was getting soaked. He tipped an imaginary hat to those he passed, just having a grand old time.

You could take the demon out of the Louisiana bayou, but you couldn't take the Louisiana bayou out of the demon.


[Summer Foraging]

Alastor made his way quietly through the forest, his footsteps like quiet hooves on the ground. He was here to forage, but he didn't want to scare off any game either. A rabbit or other small creature would help supplement the bread and cheese he had tucked away in his large basket for when he got peckish.

He paused at a tree trunk, assessing the number of mushrooms there. No, too small of a patch. Best to leave it and come back another day when it'd had time to further grow. He made a mental note to head out this way again sometime.

The sound of something rustling in the foliage made him freeze, head snapping around to the source of the sound, ears pricked. What or who was that?


[Capybaras]

What odd creatures these "capybaras" were! So round with such tiny legs and feet! Why, they looked like something out of a fairy tale! Alastor had sat down on the grass in amusement, watching the critters with interest. At some point, they'd wandered over to him, snuffling away at him with curiosity and not a hint of fear. (Absolutely delightful!)

He barely remembered getting drowsy. He certainly didn't remember lying down, using one arm as a pillow as the lovely summer day and the calm capybaras relaxed him. It wasn't safe to take a nap out in the wilderness. Any number of noctaere or more natural predators would seize the opportunity for easy prey. And yet...

It probably made quite a sight, like something right out of an animated Disney movie: The fearsome demon sleeping peacefully in the warm summer sunshine, three capybaras tucked around him along with their usual entourage of other animals.


[Wishing on a Star(fish)]

"Well now..." Alastor held up the jar to eye level, studying the contents. "Isn't that pretty?"

There were only about five glowing starfish in the jar so far, but already they made for quite a sight. He'd never had a pet when alive, but these little things shouldn't be too much of a hassle to take care of. Plus they looked nice, the way they drifted through the water downright relaxing.

His right ear rotated around as it caught the approach of someone else.

"Doing your own starfish hunting, I wager!" he said cheerfully, turning his head to look at his unexpected companion.


[Glitching]

Breathe...just breathe...It'd be over with sooner or later...He just had to ride it out...

Alastor's smile was sharp, near feral with pain. As much as clenching his jaw added to the headache, he adamantly refused to drop his smile. That was a sign of weakness, and he already looked weak enough trying not to huddle in a shady spot with his eyes closed.

The glitching was getting more frequent, the attacks more painful. He cursed the fact his internal receiver didn't have an off-switch, cursed whatever had prevented the glitching prior to now failing him.

No no no no, don't think about it. Don't think about anything. Just clear his mind and pray that this passes before someone heard the increased static and came to investigate.

Comments

glitching

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace just so happened to be nearby. After the responses from his post regarding the portals, the question of security lingered on his mind and he decided to scope out the area around the Corgi Tree to check. It had always been in a peaceful area, but it's been a while and things could have changed. Even if not noctaere, there could be hostile fae that he needs to keep an eye out.

In doing so, his sensitive hearing picks up an odd...static sound, and it makes him pause. Radios don't exist here yet, so he wonders what could be the cause...a new creature? Or worse, some kind of automaton machine. With his hand resting on the butt of his rifle holstered at his side, Eustace slowly and quietly makes his way over.]

[lonelysmiles]

[Alastor is huddled not too far away at the base of a tree. His ears are down, his hands uselessly covering them, as he emanates static that's much louder than usual. His head is throbbing from his own noise, and it's a struggle to keep a smile on his face...though his gritted fangs likely make the expression downright unsettling.]

[He's breathing slowly, trying to calm down, hoping that will finally allow the volume to drop. It's not working, unfortunately.]

[flamekthunder]

[His ears throb from the noise and he momentarily winces as he approaches. But when he turns the tree, ready to draw his weapon thinking its some machine drone—]

—Alastor?

[Seeing the demon he had briefly partnered with back during the reactor surprises him. And given the demon's posture...what the hell?]

[lonelysmiles]

[Alastor lifts his hands up so his ears spring back up in an almost comical fashion. He opens his eyes and looks at the source of the voice.]

Ah! Hello! Sorry for disturbing you! Didn't realize anyone else was about!

[That awful droning buzz just won't let up.]

[flamekthunder]

[.....Bruh.]

Do you know what's making that sound?

[lonelysmiles]

I'm afraid that would be me, my good fellow! Just a little bit of glitching! Should go away in a little bit!

[For a while at least.]

[flamekthunder]

[Just.

Gonna stare at him.]

...Glitching?

[lonelysmiles]

Glitching. [He taps the side of his head with one clawed finger.] The old wires just aren't what they used to be, I'm afraid!

[flamekthunder]

[............................]

Figuratively or are you really part machine?

[lonelysmiles]

Can't it be both?

[Amused despite the situation.]

Though I assure you that I do bleed. I'm not nearly as mechanical as some demons. [Like a certain television that will remain nameless.] However, being "the Radio Demon" means I'm my own broadcast equipment in addition to being able to pick up radio signals.

[flamekthunder]

...Hm, I do recall you making those messages and broadcasts about a radio...

[He of course paid little attention because noise.]

Is there a reason why you're glitching or is there anything to help...alleviate it?

[It's still a little...curious to learn that this demon is part machine and his frame of reference turns to the people he knows who would have been more familiar with it if they were in this world. Alas.]

[lonelysmiles]

["Noise"? Okay, rude.]

Oh, my internal receiver never shuts off, but there generally isn't anything here for me to connect to. So it periodically trips up. [He waves a hand carelessly.] It'll settle down soon enough.

[flamekthunder]

[It is terrible noise.]

...Is it even possible to connect to anything here or do you need something from your world?

[May or may not be wanting to solve this problem so it never happens again because while it's lessened a bit and he's grown more used to it his ears hates this.]

[lonelysmiles]

On occasion in people's dreams there'll be some sort of ambient radio signal if the dream setting possesses the technology. Otherwise, it's just something I have to live with.

[The noise is starting to settle down. Thank goodness. Alastor thought his head was going to split in half.]

[flamekthunder]

...So if there was a radio signal here it wouldn't be as much of a problem.

[And of course, there are none.

But at least it does seem to be quieting.

...]

Does it have to be a radio signal or can it be any kind of communicative signal?

[lonelysmiles]

So long as it followed the same electromagnetic wavelengths, you could call it "magic long-range talky things" and I could connect.

[The irony of Hell's modern technology was that there were more radio signals than ever for him to tap into. Oh, he despises modern tech with every undead beat of his heart, but there's always the amusing irony that for all of Vox's (and, to a lesser extent, Velvet's) razzle dazzle, it ultimately relied on radio. His domain. Cellphones, wireless devices, wifi, they all relied on radio waves. Before digital television, television, too, relied on radio waves to distribute its content. It was why if one tuned a radio just right back then, one could pick up the audio of television channels.]

But the likelihood of having anything similar return to Reverein any time soon is slim to none.

[Finally his ambient static settles back to its usual faint buzz. Thank the Creator.]

[flamekthunder]

Given the nature of this world, I'm more surprised no one has decided to try and create some version of it, or use the well to bring something back from their world. But I suppose even if you did wish back a radio, if the rest of the technology isn't there then it's useless.

[...Hrm.]

I only asked about the signal because I have a communicator with me. It works, but there's no signal for it to connect to. Was curious if it would work on you.

[Though for what good he has no idea. Better direct communication to Alastor??? Or at least help the guy with the headaches since it's not like he's using it all the time right now.]

[lonelysmiles]

Certainly worth a shot! I assume it also works on radio waves?

[If nothing else, it'd give him something to periodically relieve some of the "pressure".]

[flamekthunder]

I never tried, but it might.

[Hmm.]

I don't have it on me, but it's in a place nearby. [A short glance over.] You look like you could use some rest as well.

[lonelysmiles]

Just a few residuals from the headache. Should clear up in no time.

[To prove his point, he gets to his feet, standing with his arms neatly folded behind his back. See? He can get up and stand just fine!]

Still, there's no time like the present to see if this works! Lead on, good sir!

[flamekthunder]

[And lead on he will. Hope Alastor doesn't mind the quiet, but it won't be that long until they reach the tree.

However.

What will greet Alastor first will be the excited sound of barking and two corgis suddenly running through the brush to greet them.]

[lonelysmiles]

[It's fine. Alastor is just going to hum to himself as you both walk towards wherever.]

[Though he's stopping dead in his tracks at the barking. He's not going to back up but he is not willingly going anywhere near those monsters.]

[flamekthunder]

[And Eustace is oblivious as he happily greets the loafers before one stops short of Alastor....

....And barks.

Barks a lot.]

Hey, Ivan, it's fine.

[But the large white corgi continues to growl, already sensing the demon's aura. The other one, a smaller red corgi doesn't rush Alastor, but her butt wiggles a bit as she inches forward. She wants to plaaaaay but demon dude seems a bit. Stiff.

Glancing back, Eustace pauses when he sees Alastor keeping his distance. ...Ah.]

Don't like dogs?

[lonelysmiles]

[Alastor's ears twitch slightly backwards, giving his best fanged grin to the vile creatures.]

Considering they played a key role in my original death, no, I'm not fond of the creatures.

[flamekthunder]

[..............Aaaah....... Well that's. Hmmmm.]

Understood. While I would say they won't harm you... I won't make you go any farther. I can take them back and pick up my eye patch and bring it back out here if you'd prefer.

[...

...

.....

Should he tell Alastor that their tree is what he wanted the teleportation thing for... Eh, one thing at a time.]