Pluviosa Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
pluviosamods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
pluviooc2024-03-18 02:45 pm
pluviosamods) wrote in pluviooc2024-03-18 02:45 pm
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE 02
TEST DRIVE
Hello, and welcome to the second Pluviosa Test Drive!
This Test Drive corresponds to Days 4-12 in the ship calendar, and will run until around the game's next major event. You can get a better idea what's going on in the most recent Game Update which covers Days 5-8. Currently, character IC housing is not in operation yet; it is expected to open on Day 9 (part of the way through the Test Drive period). Otherwise, the ship is largely in the state described on the Setting page and in other game information.
Test Drive threads involving characters who are accepted are considered canon to the events of the game unless otherwise agreed by players/mods. Pluviosa does not do welcome mingle logs nor does it have any kind of in-character welcome information, making your test drive threads your character's arrival to the game setting. That said, mod-run interactions such as formal exploration and/or interactions with the Ship as an NPC are not available on the Test Drive.
It is advised that potential players familiarize themselves with the Premise page, the Rules/Session Zero page, and at least the first few paragraphs of the Setting page. As Pluviosa is a horror game, we especially encourage players to be aware of the content warnings that will be major themes of the game. If you have any further questions, you can ask them on the QUESTIONS header in the comments!
If you're test driving a character, you're welcome to join the game Discord and hang out and meet your fellow players!
You wake up. You remember waking up, right? In another place, another time...
There's blood running down your fingers. Outside, the rain isn't pounding, yet, just a gentle patter...
Or is it?
As characters gain fuller awareness of their surroundings, they will realize that there is, in fact, no blood on their hands (save any that might have already been there). It feels as though they lost focus for a moment and hallucinated, but the hallucination ended with them somewhere else entirely.
There is not actually the sound of rain. If characters are near enough to a window, balcony, or even a hole in the ceiling, they will find that it is cloudless, beaming sunlight outside. The emptiness in the distance rolls on and on, completely absent any signs of life.
That being, of course, because the signs of life are all in here. Characters might wake up on any of the decks on the upper side of the ship - anywhere that isn't the cafeteria or lounge where previous arrivals spend most of their time is free game. This also means, of course, that they have the jungle of plants to contend with...
Most areas in the ship are dark when characters arrive. That doesn't mean that they stay dark. Occasionally, lights overhead flicker on and off for a few minutes at a time.
The problem with this isn't the lights themselves (cool white and kind of industrial). It's the reaction that the addition of the extra light causes the plants in the dark areas of the ship that's cause for alarm. To describe the growth as explosive isn't an understatement - vines, saplings, and even thicker branches surge with growth, pushing outwards towards the distant sunlight and upwards towards the flickering bulbs.
The growth is sudden enough to take all but the most aware characters by surprise, and if they're in the wrong corner of the room, it's very easy to get tangled up, wedged in by a tree trunk, or otherwise trapped against some corner or wall. If you're lucky and skilled, you might be able to cut yourself out from there (or break down the wall you're shoved up against), but otherwise, there's only one solution left.
Yell like your life depends on it, and hope somebody out there can hear you. And that whoever hears is someone who is inclined to help, rather than leaving you there. Or worse.
Oh, and the lights flicker back off after a few minutes, of course. Hopefully you're not waiting for rescue in the dark (with the smell of mold and the general faint dampness of the forest) for too long.
Occasionally, the whole ship tilts.
This is not simply the side to side motion of a ship on the water (or the equivalent motion brought on by the way this particular ship moves); it's an extremely forward or backward tilt that sends things sliding across the floor if they aren't secured by roots or something else. Unlike storm-tossed ships, the tilt is somewhat prolonged - rather than everything sliding back and forth a couple times a minute, the tilt lasts for five, ten, maybe as much as twenty minutes.
Although it's not enough to knock a well-balanced character off their feet, it's quite likely that new arrivals will not be particularly on-balance. And attempting to traverse the ship with the tilt is a tall order... especially when the ship's angle does unexpectedly change... to the exact opposite direction. All that goes up the mountain must go back down, and a glance out the windows reveals that that's exactly what's going on, as the ship progresses across a mountainous landscape without real regard for the concept of mountain passes.
And for characters who have managed to make their way to the "civilized" parts of the ship, namely the cafeteria and the lounge above it... None of the furniture in these areas is secured. The cafeteria carts under the direct control of the Ship don't seem as inclined to go anywhere, but the tables and chairs in the cafeteria and the couches and armchairs upstairs... Well, it's a good thing both spaces are surrounded by railings. Large chunks of tree trunk also still littler the lounge, sliding back and forth and occasionally rolling with great force across the floor.
Better hold on tight.
While wandering around the ship's interior, characters might occasionally hear a person whistling.
The sound always seems to be coming from just around the corner, but it sounds alive in a way that other sounds don't. Maybe more alive, even, than the rustle of leaves, the occasional drip of water, and the sounds of things sliding back and forth across the grimy, leaf-covered floors. The whistler, whoever they are, doesn't actively respond if called out to - but the whistling does pause, as though indicating that the call was heard, before starting up again.
If characters choose to follow the whistling, they're inevitably led to the same place - somewhere overlooking the great gap down the middle of the ship, whether an internal suite's balcony, one of the bridges crossing between the two halves, or one of the hallways that runs alongside it. Once they're there, there's no whistler in sight; however, characters will be filled with the overwhelming urge to look over the edge of the railing and down into the lower parts of the ship.
Exactly what they experience after looking down varies. Some will hallucinate that they've fallen over the side, feeling their balance go haywire and seeing the floor rushing up to them right up until the moment of "impact," at which everything returns to normal. Some will feel a stranger's hands on their shoulders, threatening to push them over with a great shove that goes through them with incorporeal fingers. Some will just hear unidentifiable laughter right up close to their ears, and experience the distinct sensation that there's someone laughing at them, in a haha-made-you-look kind of way.
But whatever happens, when they look up, there's no one there - or at least not anyone that physically close to them. The one good thing about being drawn to the middle section of the ship by whatever prankster this is is that it makes it a lot easier to run into people if you're all drawn to the same, highly visible place.
And at least the other person is flesh and blood, right? Probably.
This Test Drive corresponds to Days 4-12 in the ship calendar, and will run until around the game's next major event. You can get a better idea what's going on in the most recent Game Update which covers Days 5-8. Currently, character IC housing is not in operation yet; it is expected to open on Day 9 (part of the way through the Test Drive period). Otherwise, the ship is largely in the state described on the Setting page and in other game information.
Test Drive threads involving characters who are accepted are considered canon to the events of the game unless otherwise agreed by players/mods. Pluviosa does not do welcome mingle logs nor does it have any kind of in-character welcome information, making your test drive threads your character's arrival to the game setting. That said, mod-run interactions such as formal exploration and/or interactions with the Ship as an NPC are not available on the Test Drive.
It is advised that potential players familiarize themselves with the Premise page, the Rules/Session Zero page, and at least the first few paragraphs of the Setting page. As Pluviosa is a horror game, we especially encourage players to be aware of the content warnings that will be major themes of the game. If you have any further questions, you can ask them on the QUESTIONS header in the comments!
If you're test driving a character, you're welcome to join the game Discord and hang out and meet your fellow players!
ARRIVAL - LIKE THE RAIN
You wake up. You remember waking up, right? In another place, another time...
There's blood running down your fingers. Outside, the rain isn't pounding, yet, just a gentle patter...
Or is it?
As characters gain fuller awareness of their surroundings, they will realize that there is, in fact, no blood on their hands (save any that might have already been there). It feels as though they lost focus for a moment and hallucinated, but the hallucination ended with them somewhere else entirely.
There is not actually the sound of rain. If characters are near enough to a window, balcony, or even a hole in the ceiling, they will find that it is cloudless, beaming sunlight outside. The emptiness in the distance rolls on and on, completely absent any signs of life.
That being, of course, because the signs of life are all in here. Characters might wake up on any of the decks on the upper side of the ship - anywhere that isn't the cafeteria or lounge where previous arrivals spend most of their time is free game. This also means, of course, that they have the jungle of plants to contend with...
LIGHTS ON, SHOW START
Most areas in the ship are dark when characters arrive. That doesn't mean that they stay dark. Occasionally, lights overhead flicker on and off for a few minutes at a time.
The problem with this isn't the lights themselves (cool white and kind of industrial). It's the reaction that the addition of the extra light causes the plants in the dark areas of the ship that's cause for alarm. To describe the growth as explosive isn't an understatement - vines, saplings, and even thicker branches surge with growth, pushing outwards towards the distant sunlight and upwards towards the flickering bulbs.
The growth is sudden enough to take all but the most aware characters by surprise, and if they're in the wrong corner of the room, it's very easy to get tangled up, wedged in by a tree trunk, or otherwise trapped against some corner or wall. If you're lucky and skilled, you might be able to cut yourself out from there (or break down the wall you're shoved up against), but otherwise, there's only one solution left.
Yell like your life depends on it, and hope somebody out there can hear you. And that whoever hears is someone who is inclined to help, rather than leaving you there. Or worse.
Oh, and the lights flicker back off after a few minutes, of course. Hopefully you're not waiting for rescue in the dark (with the smell of mold and the general faint dampness of the forest) for too long.
TILT-A-WORLD
Occasionally, the whole ship tilts.
This is not simply the side to side motion of a ship on the water (or the equivalent motion brought on by the way this particular ship moves); it's an extremely forward or backward tilt that sends things sliding across the floor if they aren't secured by roots or something else. Unlike storm-tossed ships, the tilt is somewhat prolonged - rather than everything sliding back and forth a couple times a minute, the tilt lasts for five, ten, maybe as much as twenty minutes.
Although it's not enough to knock a well-balanced character off their feet, it's quite likely that new arrivals will not be particularly on-balance. And attempting to traverse the ship with the tilt is a tall order... especially when the ship's angle does unexpectedly change... to the exact opposite direction. All that goes up the mountain must go back down, and a glance out the windows reveals that that's exactly what's going on, as the ship progresses across a mountainous landscape without real regard for the concept of mountain passes.
And for characters who have managed to make their way to the "civilized" parts of the ship, namely the cafeteria and the lounge above it... None of the furniture in these areas is secured. The cafeteria carts under the direct control of the Ship don't seem as inclined to go anywhere, but the tables and chairs in the cafeteria and the couches and armchairs upstairs... Well, it's a good thing both spaces are surrounded by railings. Large chunks of tree trunk also still littler the lounge, sliding back and forth and occasionally rolling with great force across the floor.
Better hold on tight.
SOMETHING WHISTLING
While wandering around the ship's interior, characters might occasionally hear a person whistling.
The sound always seems to be coming from just around the corner, but it sounds alive in a way that other sounds don't. Maybe more alive, even, than the rustle of leaves, the occasional drip of water, and the sounds of things sliding back and forth across the grimy, leaf-covered floors. The whistler, whoever they are, doesn't actively respond if called out to - but the whistling does pause, as though indicating that the call was heard, before starting up again.
If characters choose to follow the whistling, they're inevitably led to the same place - somewhere overlooking the great gap down the middle of the ship, whether an internal suite's balcony, one of the bridges crossing between the two halves, or one of the hallways that runs alongside it. Once they're there, there's no whistler in sight; however, characters will be filled with the overwhelming urge to look over the edge of the railing and down into the lower parts of the ship.
Exactly what they experience after looking down varies. Some will hallucinate that they've fallen over the side, feeling their balance go haywire and seeing the floor rushing up to them right up until the moment of "impact," at which everything returns to normal. Some will feel a stranger's hands on their shoulders, threatening to push them over with a great shove that goes through them with incorporeal fingers. Some will just hear unidentifiable laughter right up close to their ears, and experience the distinct sensation that there's someone laughing at them, in a haha-made-you-look kind of way.
But whatever happens, when they look up, there's no one there - or at least not anyone that physically close to them. The one good thing about being drawn to the middle section of the ship by whatever prankster this is is that it makes it a lot easier to run into people if you're all drawn to the same, highly visible place.
And at least the other person is flesh and blood, right? Probably.
Re: Veritas Ratio | HSR | Lights On, Show Starts
So he just keeps a rough picture in his head, eyes tracing the purple and green plants curiously as he walks, slowly but surely mastering his sea legs.....ship legs? What would you call that on a ship with legs? He chuckles lowly, shaking his head. Strange thoughts for a strange place.
The lights flicker on in a room up ahead, and there's a strange rumbling sound, taking the light with it. He blinks, staring at the now obstructed doorway up ahead. He'd been told the plants grew fast but not that fast. Amazing...it's a good thing he wasn't standing there when it happened. How lucky.
There's some shuffling and what sounds like a voice on the other side, but it's hard to make out. The bramble and vines are quite thick...
"Hello? If someone's back there, you miiiight want to back up for a second. I'm gonna try to break these down!" He calls out, widening his stance and raising his arm, mustering what imaginary energy he can. The cornerstone shards seem to hum in his pocket, and something pulses painfully behind his eyes, but he feels the power at his fingertips.
With a snap, he will attempt to overwhelm the plants by throwing a rush of gambling chips at it very fast.
Re: Veritas Ratio | HSR | Lights On, Show Starts
Veritas pauses upon hearing that voice. Despite his strict handling of his own composure against the hostile environment assaulting his senses, the incredulous tone in his voice escapes him as he calls back.
There are questions that sit on the tip of his tongue —
Where have you been? In what world did you think that stunt in studio theme park was going to go smoothly with all those eyes watching? And that ridiculous automated text message —
He quickly materializes a pointed chisel in his hand, glowing with a faint white light having come from his manipulation of imaginary energy and pitches it across the stretch of vines along near the top, partially cutting into the thick bramble on his end of the hallway. The vines now dangle precariously from where it's been cut but not fallen. He clicks his tongue. His aim was off. And the thought of pulling the rest of the vines apart with his hands and feeling the prickling hairs on the stem makes him tense and curl his fists.
This was no time and place for those questions now. First things first is figuring out where the in blasted universe were they now. If Aventurine is here too after the Penacony incident then... the odds are looking particularly grim on this place being a safe area to stick around in for too long.
Re: Veritas Ratio | HSR | Lights On, Show Starts
"Ratio?! Why are you here??" he blurts out, eyes wide. That couldn't be...everyone here came from other worlds, right? Then again the Iudex did tell him there were multiple people from the same world here, so...it's possible...but what if it was a trick like that whistling ghost?
And yet he finds himself grinning. It's been a few...weeks? Time got weird in the void and realms between...but a while since he'd seen the man. Since...everything. It was exciting, in a way, to hear someone so familiar. He's willing to bet on that.
And true to character, the good doctor is already providing a learning opportunity for him, only cutting into some of the vines above instead of slicing the whole thing down. Why else would Doctor Ratio ever miss his mark? And a chisel...that's smart. Something sharp, huh...
"Got it, thanks for the tip, Doc!" he chirps, readying his power again. His head is pounding harder, but it's nothing he can't ignore. He just needs to focus on something...sharp...that he's familiar with. Cards could work, but they may be too flimsy for the task, but how about...
"Alright, round two, stand back!" he shouts, snapping his fingers. Something like a swarm of darts flies over his shoulder and into the plants before him, their blades purposefully wider to try and cover more area. The pain gets worse, something in his pocket near burning. Still, it doesn't dim the satisfaction of watching a good chunk of the plants go down...then....sideways? Huh...
At least his head doesn't hurt as much anymore. It feels a bit...floaty now actually... kind of...blurry and cold. He's pretty sure...it was sunny outside the ship, right...? Why is it cold...
[[For posterity's sake I, Bre, would like to point out that I have a DnD character sheet for Aventurine (because the chance of it is fun and pretty in the spirit of Aventurine lmao) and I rolled a constitution save for him. I got a pitiful 4 (nat 2). Rip my man.]]
Ratio, to Aventurine's credit, most of the obstructing plants are cut down by some amateurely shaped Imaginary darts. Their design lacks his usual finesse and gaudy taste, but they get the job done with their flat tipped blades. There are tumbling noises as the vines fall, but then a much louder thud as something--someone-- decked out in flashy teal and gold suddenly drops down on their side onto the metal floor in the room ahead of you.
Re: Veritas Ratio | HSR | Lights On, Show Starts
Veritas breathes a sigh of relief when the vines fall, and then that very same breath catches when he hears a thud and the sight of Aventurine on the floor laying on his side. he swears under his breath as he swiftly steps over the vegetation and kneels by Aventurine in an instant.
In his mind, he quickly runs through a checklist, inspecting Aventurine's condition for whatever could have caused this dizzy spell. Unfortunately, Veritas can come up with a boatload of reasons why this particular patient would be in such a state. Especially with the telltale signs of over usage of imaginary energy. He can all but feel with his own sixth sense, having shared the same domain himself, the shackles of imprisonment weighing Aventurine's limbs and mind down like lead.
He chides, resting a hand behind Aventurine's neck to slowly help him sit upright. His brows furrow in frustration as he realizes the limitations in diagnostic techniques with his limited tools and.. not ideal setting. He could easily generate a light just by manifesting a concentration of imaginary energy to his fingertips, but after seeing what those plants would do with light, he is not fond of testing that hypothesis out now in this horrible place that has quickly shot up to his Most Hated Locations to date.
Veritas's jaw clenches feeling his attention being split between the squeaky, groaning metal hallways showing its age and wear, the overgrown plants creaking and straining against the walls, stinging hairs clinging to his arms and clothes irritating his skin, and putrid smell choking his airways. He hates the feeling of not being able to focus properly. Especially in a situation like there where his focus was paramount to handling this unknown area and whatever threats lie within its shadows.
He remarks noting the unmistakable signs of fatigue in Aventurine's face.
Re: Veritas Ratio | HSR | Lights On, Show Starts
There's something putting pressure on the back of his neck, making him flinch. But it's warm and calloused and grounding, and the scolding voice over him is....familiar...he opens his eyes when he's being raised into a sitting position, the dark room swimming in and out of focus. It's...probably good it's dark...he's not sure his aching head can take a bright light right now....
His eyes slide over sideways, a blurred smudge of indigo and gold swimming into focus. "D'tor?" He mutters in confusion."Wht're you doin'...'n th' ship..."
Wow. Talking is. Hard.
Is this...maybe a trick? He could be hallucinating...why would Ratio be here...? He was worried about that earlier. He should check. He reaches up, hands heavy and uncoordinated with strange restraints he can't see, poking and prodding clumsily at the man's face.
Smooth skin. Arched nose. Severe frown...yeah, that's Ratio alright. His vision is clearing up a bit too. He looks as grumpy as ever. The familiar sight makes him smile tiredly, his hands dropping back against his own chest. "Good t' see ya...too," He chuckles. His eyes narrow slightly, trying to focus blurry vision. "Ev'n if there'wr two 'f you b'fore..."
His brows furrow then. His words aren't coming out right. What's that about? And did Ratio ask something?
Ah. Standing. Right. Not great to greet someone from the floor. When did he get on the floor? The metal floor is...it's probably why he felt so cold.
"Yeah...yeah one sec...'m okay..." He says, totally convincingly, working to get his sluggish limbs back under him. If things could stop moving that'd be grand. "Man...thought 'was getting m' boat legs..." He laments, starting to sound slightly more lucid, bizarre as his words would sound to an outside listener.
He will make a valiant attempt to stand, swaying and shaking and clearly fatigued, squinting through a truly impressive migraine of sorts. But Aventurine is nothing if not stubborn. He might need some help on the way up but he, miraculously, doesn't fall on his face after getting back on his feet.
"Thanks, doc..." He says, trying to keep his balance and give a grateful smile. It unfortunately looks a bit more like a grimace. "Um...y'been here long?" He winces. He hopes it gets easier to talk soon. This is embarrassing enough as it is.
Re: Veritas Ratio | HSR | Lights On, Show Starts
He barely manages to stifle a full body flinch to a quivering brow and an ever deepening frown when he anticipates and feels Aventurine reach for his face. He isn't so uncouth to snap at a patient for breaching his personal space now of all times. It only makes him mourn the fact he can't use his bust yet to hide from the ticklish sensation ghosting over his skin plus there are other environmental elements he finds more displeasing than the clumsy hands at his face.
Veritas offers a hand and an arm for safe measure to help the blond gambler to his feet, steady and not tripping face first into the ground again. As much as he is noting how Aventurine mentioned a ship and boat, giving him the first clue in determining where exactly they were, he is admittedly a lot more focused on the slurred speech dragging along those sentences. His brows furrows. He wonders if Aventurine is in any state to answer his questions. He makes a confident assessment that the gambler might have made no attempts to give himself a reprieve since he's found himself in this place before Veritas did.
And what was that about two of him before?He retorts back, trying to restore some semblance of peace between the two after finding each other in a state of weakness as much as both of them try to hide it.
Veritas appeals to both of their sense of efficacy and urgency. No matter how well the two managed to navigate The Family's constant surveillance in the Dreamscape and Reverie, Veritas didn't miss the tip toeing around and risk every conversation held had in that place.
More than anything, he's scrutinizing Aventurine's face lying in wait to possibly tear apart any foolish notions that the gambler might say to deflect from the obvious here.
Cornered for honesty!! You got honesty!! wild.
"Yeah, this r'lly isn't y'r scene, is it, Doctor?" he laughs, tired and breathy, squinting slightly. Ratio's always a bit prickly, but he seems...even more put off than usual...
"I'm...I'm fi-" he starts to say, but cuts off with a groan, jamming his thumb into his temple to alleviate some vicious aching there. He looks up at Ratio...
It's been awhile. His eyes are sharp as ever, colored like the dawn, always searching to shine light on the truth.
Don't lie to me.
Don't wanna cause more problems for the good doctor, do we?
The cracks in Aventurine's slipping mask widen, and he seems to sag a little where he stands with a long, pained sigh, bumping against the doctor's offered arm. "I've....honestly? I've been...bett'r," he admits quietly. "I know I look bad...I j'st...I c'n't sleep, Doc, not after...I can't..." The hand on his head threads fingers in his hair, tugging in frustration. He stops because of course that hurts more. He swallows thickly. "I did try...to rest, I mean..." he says, looking at the other man with an expression that says please please believe me. "D'nno how I...we? Got here...been tryi'n to f'gure it out..."
Maybe allowing this much weakness to show will finally make Ratio realize he's too much trouble. He wants to at least...he needs to know he really did try to do better.
He lets out a shaky breath. "Yeah....yeah. D'briefing...th're are...cleaner places....uh. Lounge? Safer...'nd a c'feter'a...no plants th're. Both. We can...we can go t'either." He stares at the middle distance in thought. "I have...a ro'm...'s appar'ntly unsurvey'd by the ship's...AI? S'ntience...?" He holds up his wrist for Ratio to see; next to his gaudy jeweled bracelet, there's a much simpler band with a number on it. "Key. What soun's...best to ya, Doc? Y'look like y're gonna tear th's place to shreds 'f y'gotta stay much longer," he adds with a wry grin.
doctor knows him too well to not know how to scruff him properly
Veritas doesn't flinch at the grip on his arm. He knows it's grounding Aventurine, and that is something he is more than willing to provide for a patient in need of support. His mouth presses into a firm line as he listens to the exhausted man list off his symptoms. A spark of gratitude ignites in his chest when he sees Aventurine's mask fall and give way to a fumbling, clumsy attempt in transparency which he quickly smothers for clinical analysis.
Insomnia... If Veritas was honest in his medical prognosis, he expected more severe symptoms after the plan Aventurine enacted in the Studio Park: inciting the Self-Annihilator into giving him a taste of "death" in Penacony, and traveling through the chaotic tides of the Primordial Dreamscape if everything went as predicted. How he managed to return, he didn't know, but he had faith—.
No. No, he should be grateful Aventurine came out of that experience with sleeplessness and nothing else. Nothing as drastic as what he's read in cases related to Self-Annihilators and the Doctors of Chaos. Something to look into if they find a way to get out of this ship...
He clicks his tongue in faux frustration as he swipes Aventurine's fingers tugging at his hair away with his other hand, gently smoothing out the messy locks while he's at it. "The last thing your poor, concussed head needs is you pulling at it, dear gambler." He mocks with no real bite to his words. His tone is soft to avoid peaking Aventurine's understandably weaken state.
A wry smile graces his lips when he hears Aventurine read his mind. The thought of tearing this place apart does sound very appealing... He's not quite sure how to feel about being read so easily by the fatigued, mind addled stoneheart though.
Between the lounge, cafeteria, and Aventurine's room — AI sentience? Was that how Aventurine got a room key in this apparently not so out of order vessel? — there was really only one choice. "A room unsurveiled by whatever powers are present on this ship would be best for whatever findings you have to share with me." He's not sure how accurate the information will come out to be in Aventurine's fatigued state, but he can at least get the man to sleep in the privacy of his own room. And the presence of a cafeteria is reassuring if not another point of investigation for him to check, finding it shouldn't be too difficult if the need arises.
"Just point me to where we need to go," he glances down at Aventurine's slouched form and debates his next words before ultimately saying what needs to be said. "If I have to carry you on my back, then I will, so can you walk or do you need assistance?"
Scruffed! Gambler is trying to be honest but frankly sucks at listening to his limits
He kind of expected a reprimand for pulling at his hair. He got one, but...the hand smoothing over his hair, over the damage is...that's unexpected. His eyes fall closed for a moment, wondering if he is dreaming somehow. But the soft voice, the warm touch, the very solid arm he's holding to like an anchor...all the opposite of the cold nothingness of the nihility sea.
Needless to say it's not...unpleasant. Feels nice, even. And he finds he's too miserable to question it.
"You alr'ght doc? Bein'...awful nice..." He mumbles, forcing his eyes back open. Too miserable to question it much, anyway. He does manage a smile. "If the ar'a is too much for ya, why not...uh...wear y'r bust...?" Because honestly he has noticed some signs of being overwhelmed in the doctor. The humidity and plant blood staining his clothes cannot be pleasant for him. Aventurine's surprised he's seeing the man's whole face instead of plaster.
....and he just poked the doctor's face earlier. Oops.
Ratio offering to carry him is...also unexpected. The man even starts to crouch down for him, which sends a spike of inexplicable panic through his own chest. Oh. No. Nonono- no one should have to do that- Ratio shouldn't have to stoop down below his level-- no--
The place is bothering the doctor, right? Aventurine's not some invalid, he doesn't need to cause more trouble--
"I c'n walk!" He blurts out, gesturing sluggishly back the way he approached. His room. He can make it to his room. Right? "Yea...yeah. I got it...this way," Aventurine says, going to take a step away-
And then clings to the offered arm again when his legs refuse to support his weight. He grunts, hissing softly in frustration and pain as the throbbing behind his eyes flares. He squeezes his eyes closed, gritting his teeth as he works to steady himself.
Well that's a bust. He sighs when the crashing waves of pain abate slightly, his face warming with embarrassment as he looks sheepishly past Ratio's jaw, unable to meet his eyes. "Um. On second though' I might need to take you...up on tha' offer...s'rry."
"do better" ratio that's not nice
He huffs. "I’m perfectly capable of being 'nice'. Rarely does it lead to improved results however."
He glances at their surroundings, dark, damp, and infested, and then back at Aventurine in a dry look that communicates his bemusement clearly. "That’s exactly why I can’t wear it, Aventurine."
"Between the two of us, at least one of us has to keep an eye on things. Lest we trip our way into more trouble than we bargained." And he’s not up to bargaining with a desolate, overgrown, apparently luxury cruise ship if the fact that a key card bracelet sitting on Aventurine’s wrist is any indication of any that there are amenities here.
He sighs when he thinks about his state of disarray. "Rest assured, no matter how filthy I must feel and look now, my ability to guide you to safety remains unimpeded." He assures, crouching down to facilitate Aventurine’s place on his back to carry him out of this area.
Veritas looks up from his position when he hears the clamorous gamble protest, like he figured he would in all honesty. He catches the direction Aventurine attempted to head towards before quickly reaching up with one hand to offer his arm again for support and the other coaxing the stumbling man’s other hand to rest on his shoulder. His brow furrows as he stares up at Aventurine’s admittedly sad display of professionalism fizzling out into reluctant abidance.
"I don’t recall you putting up much of a fuss when I guided you through the Dewlight Pavilion, so why try this farce now?"
He ushers Aventurine on to his back, the patience and grace granted in the gesture running contrary to his unforgiving words. With a troubling lack of effort on Veritas’s part, he stands with his arms hooked under Aventurine’s knees, and Aventurine’s arms secured around his neck. He notes the feverish heat of and alarming lightness of Aventurine’s frame resting against his back and tucks that information into his diagnostics.
"It’s not as if I am unaware of how perfectly capable you are when you’re not handicapped by a fever, likely a mild if not severe concussion, insomnia, delayed cognitive and motor functions from the imprisonment affliction, and an insatiable urge to gamble with your own health on the line."
He rattles off the symptoms with dramatic fanfare before he starts walking in the direction Aventurine pointed towards earlier, focusing on grounding sensations to drive him forward. Like the weight of a life in his hands. The weight of that responsibility and duty. The soft, almost wispy sensation of Aventurine’s tousled bangs brushing against his neck. And the warmth of another person sinking into his bones, driving away the icy chill of the surroundings around them.
"So allow me do what I‘ve always done." And that’s helping others. More specifically helping you right now.
nice enough for this overtired sack of potatoes
"Aw. Don't worry, y're plen'y handsome still, D'ctor, don' worry..." he adds when Ratio fusses over his own appearance. In all honesty, Aventurine wanted to help guide him through this mess of a place himself. Of course his body had to betray him before he could even think to offer. He sighs, head drooping in self disappointment.
And then Ratio catches him when he fumbles, and once the dizziness abates, he can't help flushing in further shame. "W-Well, yeah, I w's kinda tiny at th' P'villion. 'nd it helped w'th our act 'n all, bugging you for assist'nce then...th's is..." Different? He should be better now? There's a debt he needs to pay? If he asks too much he will be left with nothing? "I dunno...."
And then he's maneuvered onto Ratio's back with relative ease, biting words juxtaposed with careful touches and guidance. The man easily lifts his full weight with no further complaints, leaving Aventurine's head spinning from the movement. The gambler blinks rapidly at the stars in his vision, his head wobbling and just...falling to rest against the crook of the doctor's neck for a moment. It's...warm...was he this cold the whole time? ....probably? ((it's the fever))
He can feel the rumble of Ratio's voice through his own chest from his new position before he actually processes what's being said. Perfectly capable...? Is that a compliment...? His head continues to pound, and now that he's off his feet he finds he's exhausted beyond belief, but Aventurine smiles.
"Y'know, f'you b'lieved in me that much, why'd ya give me that...note...?" he murmurs quietly, his filters lower than they'd normally be at the moment. "Thanks...for it though..." he adds, his arms tightening a little around Ratio's shoulders. "...jus' didn' expect y' to come...fulfill the prescription y'self..."
Do stay alive.
'Allow me to do what I've always done.'
"Y'probably didn' mean t'come here. I know I didn't...still...thanks..." he mutters, feeling...safe. For the first time in a very long time. He lets himself sink into the warmth of another for a moment.
Of course that's when Aventurine's head pops up again, grinning with the manic energy of someone drunk off of lack of sleep. "I've been here a bit! Learn'd s'mthings I coul' share 's we travel? S'mpler stuff the AI won't care 'bout."
at least he's not being carried like one
Hmph, he resents his brand of intellectual midwifery, his tool in helping student develop their own understanding and answers to the questions he poses, being reduced to something as benign as "tough love", but he doesn’t protest the notion. He’s sure that’s what it looks like to other, and he sees no need to correct it. Besides, talking off Aventurine’s ears when he’s fatigued beyond all measures didn’t feel conducive to his recovery.
He stays focused on the task at hand, holding his tongue until the man is safely secured on his back. A momentary reprieve. Momentarily. Since as soon as his carry feels steady enough to lift Aventurine up, he fires back. "I see no difference really. You’re still the clamorous little person I was assigned to help, and I intend to follow through not for payment alone but on principle too."
"Unless you think my character to be so flimsy that my promises and verdicts are nothing more than tissue paper, gambler?" He’ll hammer it into Aventurine’s head that he doesn’t take slights to his character lightly. Veritas is not infallible. In fact, he’d rather engage in a fruitful debate of differences than be caught in a dull agreement. But this is idiotic behavior, to assume that everything was under false pretenses. That prescription was the farthest thing from false.
The heat of Aventurine’s forehead against his neck is uncomfortably warm. A complicated scowl settles on his face. He doesn’t have any fever reducers on hand. He’ll have to hope the fever breaks with a cold compress before it climbs any higher.
He takes a moment to listen to Aventurine’s murmurings. His scowl smooths out into something more neutral, softer even as he keeps his matter of fact tone. 'From what I’m hearing, it sounds like I’m right where I need to be."
Veritas veers his head away from Aventurine’s when he shoots up with a sudden burst of energy. With insomnia comes temporarily impaired cognitive functions until the deficiency is addresses, mood regulating and judgement making skills being one of them. He breathes a light sigh, "Don’t lose your head this quickly, gambler." He only hopes this room isn’t too far.
TRUE. Very eeby backpack. One who is very chatty and no energy to support that-
"Verdicts, hm...?" he hums, something twisting and aching in his stomach when he suddenly remembers this same man turning away from him in Sunday's office, when he'd looked to him for...what, he wasn't sure. He felt the betrayal, then. It'd hurt. It sold the act, but...was there some reality to it, if the memory caused this odd pain...and with what Ratio's saying... "I...didn' say tha'..." Ratio is a man of his word. But which words...? Aventurine's own keep slipping from him...
...'it sounds like I’m right where I need to be.' The pain eases inexplicably at that, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment. Ratio does have a knack for that, doesn't he...maybe it's a doctor thing, being where he needs to be, at the right place and time.
Even with the burst of manic energy, things keep getting blurrier for Aventurine, pain and pressure throbbing right behind his eyes. "M'head's jus' fine, thanks," he says, only a little petulant. He huffs, scraping up what might be interesting for Ratio, so this won't be a total waste of his time. He gives directions to his room, which indeed isn't too far! About a ten minute walk, an elevator, and a little more walking, and they'd be there.
Once directions are delivered, Aventurine starts babbling about whatever he's discovered that seems useful to his overtired mind. Where the food is, that the tomatoes are somehow a meat substitute, that the ship seems to be walking over a ruined world for perhaps several amber eras. How the dead seem to haunt the halls, how one forced a hallucination on him to make him feel like he fell off a ledge. Anything and everything, really.
After several minutes of this, the man huffs, letting his head flop back down on Ratio's shoulder. Since when did just talking take so much energy? "There's...more bu'...don' think you're listenin'..." he mumbles, eyelids heavy. "Or y'don' believe me..." As tired as he is, he doesn't seem genuinely offended, more just...cranky about it. Even that's hard, though. Being carried like this, combined with Ratio's assurances at having the situation in hand, his warmth...Aventurine feels himself slipping, his arms going lax around the other's shoulders. He should...he needs to stay awake, right...? The exhaustion weighs so heavily suddenly...and he's rather comfortable. Safe...after everything, it's just...nice...
"Mmmm...Ra'io...? Wha'....did happen when...when I..." When Acheron took him to the void, pointed out the path to him. When he escaped the Sweet Dream, only to drown. It was cold there too, less in an ice way and more....lack of warmth. Empty. The opposite to this...This person, this warmth, wasn't put in danger because of what Aventurine did, right...? "Wha' happen'd...with you...? What happen'd...b'fore y'got here...?" he asks, voice soft and heavy as he teeters on the edge of sleep, his eyes closed without his meaning to. Still...this is important, somehow...of course he's curious but there's...something...
He may drift off before he even hears the answer, but he still needs to ask...
this yapper and i only get a few spoken lines out of him
Veritas is indeed only listening with half an ear. Knowing where food is located is reassuring. Knowing about meat tomato substitutes less so. Something he'll have to see for himself really since it's not like it's impossible without human intervention which is certainly an avenue of investigation to look into: the possibility that there is more to this walking abandoned vessel than meets the eye with several Amber Eras behind it. The ghostly presence that seemed to influence Aventurine resembled his knowledge of Astral Spirits; he'll have to confirm that testimony himself. Best not to let Aventurine get into trouble twice with that excursion seeing as he isn't sure entirely sure if what he experienced was because of the phenomenon he cited of if Nihility's influence was still stuck on his psyche…
Really he has to confirm everything being said here since he isn't sure he can trust a sleep deprived person's account as far as he can throw them. And he is not throwing Aventurine around anywhere at the moment for risk of scrambling his addled mind further than the lack of sleep and his previously sustained injuries did.
He only hums a noncommittal noise in response to Aventurine's admittedly correct assumption that Veritas wasn't fully buying into it. The two make it out of the elevator, leaving only a short trek to his room left, when a question Aventurine asks makes Veritas pause just past that elevator threshold.
"…" He retreats into a crevice in his mind reserved for deep introspection and reflection about the events that occurred after Aventurine's absence. The Charmony Festival proceeded as planned despite the gambler's efforts to expose the residents of Penacony to the possibility of death to rouse their awareness and anxiety in the Dreamscape. A false Robin was walking around handing out an ominous, decorative, flower lined button telling people to push it at the peak of festivities while assuaging worries, him included, causing him to scoff at the notion. Some more inane auditions and attractions were held as the Grand Theater was getting prepared for the main event of Penacony before…. Before…?
A dreadfully mundane dream of entitled, asinine exceptionalism played out before his eyes, shaking him to the very core.
His face twists into a complicated expression. He doesn't even know if any succinct recount of the events would stick to Aventurine in his current state much less feel at ease sharing with him his last waking moments filled with shame. Rather than give him a bigger headache now, it's better to cover their tracks after he's gotten enough sleep and rest… He sighs, shaking himself out of his stupor to continue the short trek forward with the promise to tell him more details when he woke up later noted and filed away.
"… I learned a new song." He cryptically answers. He's grown particularly fond of the song since waking up. Soothing. Perhaps it will help the man's manic mind wind down and get the rest he needs. "How did it go again?…" He's not a gifted singer by any means, but he can only hope taking Aventurine’s mind off of things would speed up recovery for a better conversation later. Patience is a virtue after all. He clears his throat, and the lyrics finds his way to the forefront of his mind slowly:
He hums the rest of the song, not willing to put himself through the rest of the song's higher range. He'll leave that to the superstar. And does so until they're at Aventurine's door, waiting for him to unlock it.
Ok same here, but at least this yapper has an excuse: sneepy
Maybe he shouldn't mess with the guy carrying him. He's too tired to heed that advice.
(Thank you for not throwing the Aventurine, he is very fragile right now lmao)
The steady movement of the doctor's steps stalls to a stop upon exiting the elevator. Hmm...? Did he forget the way? That's not like him...
"Doc...?" There's a long moment of silence after his question, and Aventurine pries his eyes open to try and get a look at his face. Everything's so...blurry and unsteady, though...not to mention the angle makes it difficult to get a read on the man's expression, what might be going through that overactive mind of his. Are his shoulders going tense...?
Was it...bad...?
Before he can get his sluggish mind to figure out how to ask further, they're moving again, and the moment had passed. Huh...
"New...song...?" he murmurs, already lulled by the steady sway of Ratio's steps again. If he were any more lucid, he would find that answer frustratingly vague and...a tad silly. Since when did Ratio get interested in music...? As it is, however, he finds himself sleepily wondering what sort of song would catch Veritas Ratio's interest so captivatingly he'd think to mention it now...
It seems he gets the privilege of finding out. He's...Ratio's...singing...?
Aventurine would never admit it aloud, but the Doctor's voice had always been...calming to him. The passion of his lectures, his sure focus on all things he deemed worthy of his attention and study...it was reassuring, to bask in that focus, to listen to what
his friendRatio found interesting enough to talk about for literal hours, even if Aventurine didn't understand all of it...That same, reassuring, trusted voice? Singing? Aventurine doesn't stand a change staying awake, here.
His eyes close as he listens, feeling the rumble of Ratio's voice through the other's back, in his own thin chest, calming his heartbeat with the rising and falling of an indeed beautiful melody, soothing his aching mind and body. He's not heard this song before. It's nice...
At some point, Aventurine kind of...huddles closer to the warmth and comfort Ratio offers (accidental or not), his overheated forehead nestling into the crook of the man's neck, his arms tightening for a moment before going completely relaxed. Ratio should sing more... he distantly muses. The humming might as well be a lullaby for how well it works to calm the gambler down, so much so he drifts off to sleep right there and then, his breathing growing deep and slow.
Aventurine is out like a light before Ratio even reaches the end of his hummed chorus.
The good news is that Ratio managed to finally get a manic insomniac to sleep!
The bad news is said sleeping manic insomniac is not conscious to badge open the door. Maybe if he tugged on Aventurine's arm with the badge on its wrist, it would flop toward the censor...?
suffering from success
If there are goosebumps rising up to his neck at Aventurine's petty behavior, Veritas ignores it in favor of not dropping the man at this very moment. He's just glad his own simple, droning tune could distract and temper the young man's irritable temper to a calm simmer. There's a sense of pride that fills his chest when he can all but feel the tension leave Aventurine's body against his back. And there's a soft sigh that leaves him when feels the gambler on his back drift off into a restful sleep.
That sense of pride immediately gives way to annoyance as he realized he overshot his efforts standing in front of the gambler's door. This is what he gets for being an overachiever… He's not going to wake up the man and ruin his efforts. He'll just have to make it work. Veritas readjusts his grip, leaning forward at less of a steep angle so that he can have one arm supporting from below and most of the weight resting on his back to prevent Aventurine from sliding down.
He wants to let sleeping gamblers lie, and he will. He'll only borrow his arm for a bit… Thanks to how relaxed he was, it was easy for Veritas's free hand to gently coax Aventurine's armband towards the scanner before entering the room and closing the door behind him with his foot.
Veritas lays him down on the bed as nicely as he can, noting the suite room accommodations. He looks over his shoulder and frowns at what he sees. Is he even going to sleep comfortably in all those gaudy vestments? It would be improper to overstep his boundaries, but the least he can do it take off his shoes and accessories.
He sets the shoes at bedside while the accessories like his rings, watch, and bracelet go on the nightstand at the side of his bed. That should be enough… If there are any pauses he makes during his effort to help him sleep without hassle or sees anything he isn't meant to, then Veritas respectfully turns his head the other way.
He sighs as he finds a moment to rest. Honestly, he's envious of how soundly the gambler is sleeping. Veritas is exhausted just from his short time within this apparently walking vessel — Aeons, he has to confirm whether that’s true or not doesn't he? His head was already starting to pound… He should leave. He's taken the gambler to a safe space to sleep, his job is done. But… In all honesty, his eyes keep drifting to a corner of the room where the bathroom is.
He muses deeply before coming to a decision: he'll apologize to the gambler afterwards, but he's going to be borrowing his utilities. He needs to clear his head and body of the filth from outside.