jigokulogs | Safe Harbor [Cursed Night Event Prompts]

Entry tags:

Safe Harbor [Cursed Night Event Prompts]

Who ⬤ Ydris and OTA
What ⬤ Cursed Night Prompts
When ⬤ Days following the Cursed Night
Where ⬤ Sutoku area apartment complex
Content Warnings ⬤ Nightmarish corpse imagery, supply&food scarcity

i. I am a safe ship, harbored.

[Ydris' apartment complex might not look like the fanciest of buildings, but it sure was sturdy. The rain and nightmares hadn't yet damaged the spot and that was enough to keep them around. There were evacuation areas many preferred, but Ydris wanted to be more useful than just hunkering down. They would hunker down close to the action, providing a safe harbor for those who knew they could duck in.

For those who do, Ydris directs them to take a shower, launder their clothes, and sit for a meal. The dragon had left overs from their magnificent picnic spread and the pig they roast, but they are being notably slim in what they give to each guest. A piece of toast, an egg, a bit of shredded pork, some rice... it's not grand spread, but it will fill the belly]

I'm rationing. Who knows when this will blow over.

[if their guest looks particularly haggard, though, they'll grab a bottle of left over wine and pour them a glass of that. Sorry that all they have left is red....]

ii. Emergency Location Network

[To any who have had their fill and their rest, Ydris worries their lip as they prepare to leave.]

You're really going back out into that? [They look to their phone at the counter, before gesturing at it]

Don't you have the Ember application? If you give me your phone a moment, I can make it able to track your location out there. If you're in trouble, I could know where to send someone to rescue you. If you don't lose your phone, that is.

iii. Ashes to Embers

[The apartment building might not be as immune to the nightmare energy seeping in as Ydris might think. While Ydris and Junpei's individual studio is free of any corruption, some unlikely guest seeking shelter will discover the hallway leading to them is a gnarly sight to behold.

Stepping onto the stairwell landing for the proper floor, burning ash immediately assaults the senses. The air is thick with it, stagnant aside from a choking heat lifting the ash up from below. The nightmare of the hallway is difficult to catch one's breath in, the air thick with smoke and a spice so potent it's sure to burn the eyes and nostrils at every inhale. Taking any steps leaves bloody footprints behind, the ground beneath some manner of meat.

On all sides tower massive, onyx black ribs, pouring steam from where flesh and scales still clung. The nightmare has turned this hall into the hollowed out remains of some primordial beast's chest. The only beacon left within it's center, glowing faintly with just a few pinpricks of light. What was left of the organ is brittle and crumbling, half a damaged heart, made of solid coal...

A hand is sure to reach out from behind and grab at the guest, holding firmly as Ydris' voice cuts through the crackling of the still burning surroundings]

Hold your breath. If you can. Come on! [they'll pulling away from that center, though some might find it difficult to resist such an overwhelmingly welcoming warmth it gives off]

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[Much as they've been avoiding leaving the apartment, someone who came to visit dropped Ydris a warning. "Some shady looking figure is lurking just outside the apartment building. Might be up to no good, don't you think?"

They absolutely do think as much! This is not the time to be humoring suspicious loiterers.

Also, admittedly, Ydris really wanted a smoke. Roughing up someone was fine to blow off stress, while they're at it, if it came to that. Maybe it wouldn't be any trouble-

Who are they kidding? Of course it's going to be trouble! It's always trouble in hell. They go downstairs and step onto the small covered area at the front entrance to the apartment. Yes, it's still raining blood, but they can stay beneath the overhang. The suspicious figure soon becomes apparent... A hulking, raven like figure with a long beak, tattered robes, and bone decorations. Ydris sneers and pulls out that cigarette they wanted, before pointing at the creature as accusingly as they sound impatient-]

Ahoy, birdbrain! What are you doing out here? Get inside or scram.

[ The curse wraps itself around him; it tears away his flesh and bones. And as it does, he loses sight of himself.

Artemy Burakh does not exist. Artemy Burakh never existed.

In the place of the wandering healer, there stands a tall masked figure. The figure wears raven mask. No skin is visible; it seems like they are wearing a heavy robe that hides the body and makes movement sluggish. Overall, it looks quite grotesque and freakish. Not like seeing an entity that is well over six-foot-tall would not be disturbing on its own.

It stands outside the apartments; outside of Ydris's apartment. The glowing eyes tip up and stare at their window. It stands out as the blood pours down on it, but does not seem to mind or be bothered. People come to the windows and stare at the grotesque monstrosity outside. Few seem disturbed by it and many come to the front of the apartment doors to try to shoo it away.

But the Executor does not move.

It turns its head down as soon as Ydris comes out; it moves closer. ]

I can't enter. [ The voice is not really Artemy's; it echoes just a little in the mask and distorts voice just enough to hide who it might be. ] But must I go? I don't want to go... not yet.

[Thought Ydris' tone is crass and rude, they'll always feel a certain... well, kinship, towards other strange and ghastly creatures. They light their cigarette and their mouth doesn't move as they speak sarcastically]

Here's some advice, if you point that long beak forward, it won't get stuck on the door frame. [then, with actual curiously that they cannot quite hold in]

I take it it's not that. So.... Why can't you enter?

It's not.

[ The head shakes side-to-side; flecks of blood splatter off the beak. ]

Because this is not my stage.

[ Those bright eyes tilt themselves up to look toward the window of Ydris's apartment once more. ]

All the lines that I had, the part that I loved, is over. The play ended without letting me finish. I suppose that means I am a bad actor, but... I would like a second chance.

[ Again, the head lowers. ]

No, I suppose I already had a second change... a third chance... so many of them have come and gone. I am a terrible actor. I am, but please, let me stay. I want to stay.

So that's a... costume. It is very dramatic. [Ydris puffs smoke out and flinches away from some blood splatter as droplets are flung off that mask. It makes more sense as a mask, doesn't it? Where would someone see out of... from below? They peak beneath and see the outline of a shape, of something like a man in there, but it's too dark to see any more than that. Could be a yokai or any manner of demon, inside, yet...]

The Springtide ever pity a poor actor. [they're a culture of liars, all wearing masks of their own. Being bad at putting on a show makes a poor Springtide. It's basically a required skill, as much as making food or counting or reading is...]

Another why, then. Why stay here, of all places? You could at least get under the overhang and out from the rain. There's room enough. [well, if they scoot a bit over, which they'll do, just for good measure!]

It's nice to know you liked it.

[ Perhaps, in the voice, there is something like a smile that is heard in the words. But it's difficult to really tell what emotion that the large bird-dressed person is attempting to convey. ]

I will probably be replaced. [ Is it resignation or sorrow that paints its words? ] Someone else who knows the lines better than me. But I wanted --

[ It seems like it would just keep repeating the same thing over and over; it wanted to stay; it's sorry that it did not act properly but it wanted to stay on the stage a little longer. Yet the question stops its broken record. ]

I don't deserve to stand next to a miracle like yourself, but I wanted to see your light one last time.

[ Azem, having cleaned up as best she can from another outing slumps into an empty chair with a heavy sigh. The food placed before her is wonderful, but she feels as if she's beginning to hit the bottom of her tank.

She doesn't yet dig into the meal, instead taking a moment to try and relax. ]

Thank you, Ydris. If there's anything you need just let me know. I'll try to get what I can.

[ Azem is in and out of the apartment over the course of the nightmarish apocalypse the city is under. Perhaps the traveler found your character and has dropped them off. Perhaps your character is in need a bit of healing. Perhaps your character just wants to chat with them in the moments between their outings. Or perhaps your character has a request as Azem made an announcement that they'd try to bring back anything people need.

Have at them. ]

Hope you don't mind me showing up then...

[ he looks like he has more to say but it never quite materialises. they've spoken before a few times but ryouma doesn't talk about himself easily. he doesn't put that on people. he settles for doing his best to smile instead and ydris can take from that what they will. ]

It's not a great time to sit around alone right now. Who knows what'll come out of the walls now...

[ which is how he'd be if he stayed home. compared to how he's dressed in the past, he looks particularly casual right now. t-shirt, sweatpants. cheap and easy — no great loss if he gets some blood on them. both hands are bandaged up and there is a visibly greyish cast to his skin that he ordinarily doesn't have. ~~you steep in cursed energy for a while and things happen okay~~, but he's at least in his right mind which under the circumstances is really doing well for himself. ]

[There's a couch and a couple stools at the kitchen counter, so flop as is pleasing Azem. Ydris doesn't mind where guests throw themselves, provided they're not splattering blood rain everywhere. Most anybody stopping in immediately got shuffled into the bathroom to shower to at least take a peasant bath in the sink. Any soaked wet clothing was taken and thrown into the washing machine to freshen up...

If soaked through and in need of temporary wear, Ydris offers oversized sweatpants belonging to Junpei or their own haphazard wardrobe to lounge in. Pieces all of random sizes means something should fit to be decent in! Since Ydris' clothing is just illusions when worn by them, the piece of clothing didn't need to match them beyond style.

They pour Azem some wine to go with her portion of a meal...]

Don't fuss over me. I'm going crazy cooped up here is all. You, however, have done enough. Here...

Edited (just me already mixing up details whoops) 2022-06-14 16:35 (UTC)

[Ryouma gets passed a glass of wine before his food is even done reheating, but that's given a moment later. You're looking real rough, buddy.]

Nothing will come through these walls! I've fortified this spot with utmost orderly conduct. Such control may not be fully within my power, but it is inherent everywhere.

[this isn't at all true in Jigoku-cho. Ydris just thinks in the rules of Myddvai, where things like orderly conduct are there own sort of magic]

Nothing will enter if not invited.

[Ydris' eyes flare wider with being called a miracle, before they flash with anger. They reactively snarl at the figure, the cigarette burning away in an instant at their bared teeth]

How dare you call me that-! Only one person is allowed to-

[They choke on the words. Anger drains like a plug was pulled from an overfull bath-

Going still, they hesitate, in doubt, uncertain and conflicted- Are they being toyed with by this nightmare? It's foolish to think otherwise, that's what this nightmare does, it preys on your wants and fears-

And yet, they're so worried for the man they cannot help themself. If there's even a chance it's him, they wouldn't forgive themselves for turning him away.]

... ... Artemy-?

[ ydris is the real mvp because ryouma sure does need it. ]

"Orderly conduct", huh? I'll try not to get myself thrown out then.

[ yes, he will laugh at his own bad jokes. ]

Sounds like a bounded field. Can't do magic like that myself but I get the idea. I get uninvited guests showing up at my place and they walk right in like they own it.

See to it you behave, Ryouma.

[relax with that glass of wine and food! This isn't another other kind of party...

Seems like whenever celebrations happen, things immediately nose dive as a counter balance.]

It is a passive magic upon Myddvai, orderly and chaotic forces are always in contest. Some orderly force surely lingers with me even still and homes are important places of order. Such chaotic blight shouldn't be able to make it within here... [it will get to the hallway, eventually, but not in here!]

[ he gives ydris a playful salute before digging into his food. as if the cursed energy wasn't bad enough, his magical energy was depleted as well and the only thing for it is to replenish it so he's more than happy to partake of the free meal. even better, he's getting interesting things to listen to while he eats. ]

Myddvai, huh? [ it's anyone's guess how badly he mangles this when he repeats it. ] So, just a little chaos is okay, but too much and you're in trouble? That how it works?

[it's much easier said than spelled! While lacking a certain subtle grace, it sounds similar to myth-vie. Ydris doesn't take much offense if it's butchered, though, they didn't name the place...]

Too much Order is bad in more... subtle, insidious ways. Chaos does sudden, dramatically disastrous harm. Order does gradual, seemingly intangible harm.

[that makes them both sound bad, but-]

Both have their time and place. In harmony, life is prosperous and fun. When one goes out of line is the trouble point. Like now... such chaos can only be fought with order and calm. [...]

Eat slower.

[As the cursed night dragged on indefinitely, rationing out food for safe harboring visitors was only became more and more tricky. First, Ydris was cutting down portions, then they resorted to cutting out staple elements. Next, there would be nothing left to ration.

That wouldn't do. Ydris would be a downright shitty god if they couldn't provide such basic sustenance! The Springtide live in a tough environment, it was time to stop wallowing and be proactive.

So, Ydris recruited Ethan along for a mission. They two currently linger beneath an overhang of an out of the way convenience store. Not so convenient, when one thinks about it. Everything closer to the apartment was long sold out, boarded up too thoroughly to consider, or already ransacked. This one seemed to be a sweet spot of still stocked, but not too locked down.

That's what Ethan is for, sent scouting around to find an weak spot to get in through. Ydris kept watch out front while it was scoped out, back against the rolled cage storefront, smoking one of their last cigarettes as the bloody rain fell in front of them. Just a moody nightmare wanderer, nothing suspicious to them, not at all... Perking an eyebrow when Ethan reappeared, they ask in hushed tone]

Anything interesting?

[ A stool isn't as comfortable as a couch but it's closer to the food. And the closer the food is the better.

She lifts her head from the counter as Ydris offers up the glass of wine. ]

Nonsense. You're taking care of people here, I know you need supplies.

[ She smiles and takes the class, lifting it to her lips to take a sip when she pauses. ]

Dio... [ The voice is familiar but so quiet Azem can't be sure she heard it. She shakes her head and takes a sip. ]

Di...on... [ It's a little louder the second time, prompting Azem to look around before turning her attention back to Ydris. ] Did you hear that?

[It was one thing to swipe things here and there. This was some hardcore looting and he'd feel bad if it weren't so clearly necessary. People needed to eat so that means that a few windows needed to get broken. Maybe if it came down to walking around and apologizing for this one he'd actually do it.]

[He swings back under the awning, popping his goggles up and ignoring how blood drips off them.]

The frozen section's totally blown out. If it was still getting power then something must have busted it along the way.

There's enough stuff in boxes to be worth breaking in, at least.

[Maybe they could assess if any defrosted meals were safe but the processed stuff was down to be good for another century or two.]

[Ydris brought along an pair of duffel bags to stash goods in, so their carrying capacity would be mostly limited to what they could shove into those. Traveling inconspicuously home isn't entirely possible, but that doesn't matter much when the streets are so empty]

There's nobody out on the streets, not a soul has passed by. [which makes sense, it sucks out right now. Ydris would still be hunkering down if this wasn't necessary.]

Did you find a way in? Preferably something we could board back up after. If we can't take everything, it would be ideal to leave some safe here for a second trip back.

Was there something to hear? That's my weakest sense... [they try to hold still and listen, but if the noise is something they can pick up on at all, it's so muffled to them it seems distant]

Is someone out in the hallway, you think?

[ Yuri had appeared out of the night, looking disheveled but sharp-eyed, to check in with Junpei and share the protective wards he'd been helping to put up around shelters. He keeps the visit brief and is pulling on his raincoat to head back into the nightmare when Ydris brings up Ember. ]

That app you made? I have it.

[ Junpei's mentioned his roommate's role in the app's creation, so Yuri isn't surprised that Ydris can modify it, but he is suddenly looking suspiciously at his phone like someone who just put together the fact that the application is capable of more than just social networking. ]

Normally I'd rather not have my movements tracked. That you can even do so is unsettling. [ But he passes his phone over to Ydris. In these circumstances, he can't deny it's a wise idea. ]

With permission I can. [they clarify, because that's an important bit for them! If they were doing so without the various app permissions, that would definitely be a crime. They're not doing any crime. They've never done a crime in their whole, innocent life.

Never mind the suspicious amount of individually wrapped food stuffs they have to hand out as rations. Those were certainly reclaimed legally and not looted from an abandoned convenience store......

They hand Yuri and energy bare in exchange for the phone, which they begin to tap through the settings on]

Many unsettling things can be put to good use. Consider this the tracking features true purpose, if it eases your mind.

Oh. [ Azem offers an apologetic smile before setting the glass down and rising. ]

Perhaps. She makes her way toward the door.

...nysus... [ She pauses short of the door and looks around with a confused expression. The voice almost sounds like it's in the room with them but at the same time so distant.

It's only then that the idea that it's a nightmare manifesting crosses her mind. Still, there's only so many people that would be calling out that name and she needs to be sure.

Forgetting about Ydris she continues on to the door, opening it and looking around. As she does she catches sight of something back slip just out of view. ]

Wait! [ She rushes off into the hall. ]

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Safe Harbor [Cursed Night Event Prompts]

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