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dreamcrystals2021-11-01 10:12 pm
steadypulse) wrote in dreamcrystals2021-11-01 10:12 pm
Entry tags:
Journal Entry
Sender: 76
To: Everyone
Subject: Information
[This finds its way across the journals a few days after the dreamshift ends-]
Going to attempt to keep this short.
If you remember the journal wide post warning about the Story Eater? Here's more of that.
Most of what was fought in that dreamshift, if we're going to keep calling it that, were created or caused by the Story Eater tampering in it much like it would in stories. More than enough proof points to that, including stuff found at Baba Yaga's hut, and it was a small taste of what it's capable of for those among us that didn't take a detour to the Realm of Stories before ending up here. Those red-eyed things were Eraser influence, and it looks like Story Eater may have it's own new tricks as well.
Thing is? There are Erasers here as well, not just in dreamshifts. They're not the Noctaere and it's safer not to mistake one for the other; they're entirely different beasts from each other and pose their own dangers.
Noctaere are best not come into physical contact with, as from experience that can hurt you as much as any of their attacks; seems like only this dreamotion stuff is the best way to deal with them. Erasers you can physically wail on to an extent and get somewhere, but using other means can keep them down longer or put them down faster. Some are a lot stronger than others, depends on how much the Story Eater put in to them.
If you recall the quest on the board about the witches that were dumping paint on people before we suddenly found ourselves neck-deep in that Halloween dreamshift? Those were Erasers, likely based off The Wicked Witch from Wizard of OZ; one reason throwing water on them seemed to destroy them with what info that notice provided for anyone who went after them. From what I can guess, they were a test of some sort and your guess as to why is as good as mine.
Look for red eyes, and ink coming out of it. Likely based off of something in a story, possibly twisted in some way. Easiest way to identify an Eraser.
I'm not going to respond to any private messages about this. You want to talk privately? Come find me. Otherwise? Anything you've got to ask or say here is better off public access for others' sake.
[Might not answer everything either, but there it was. Written out as much as he was willing, strange as most words felt to write.
Was as much information as 76 had to share with what knowledge and details he had.]
To: Everyone
Subject: Information
[This finds its way across the journals a few days after the dreamshift ends-]
Going to attempt to keep this short.
If you remember the journal wide post warning about the Story Eater? Here's more of that.
Most of what was fought in that dreamshift, if we're going to keep calling it that, were created or caused by the Story Eater tampering in it much like it would in stories. More than enough proof points to that, including stuff found at Baba Yaga's hut, and it was a small taste of what it's capable of for those among us that didn't take a detour to the Realm of Stories before ending up here. Those red-eyed things were Eraser influence, and it looks like Story Eater may have it's own new tricks as well.
Thing is? There are Erasers here as well, not just in dreamshifts. They're not the Noctaere and it's safer not to mistake one for the other; they're entirely different beasts from each other and pose their own dangers.
Noctaere are best not come into physical contact with, as from experience that can hurt you as much as any of their attacks; seems like only this dreamotion stuff is the best way to deal with them. Erasers you can physically wail on to an extent and get somewhere, but using other means can keep them down longer or put them down faster. Some are a lot stronger than others, depends on how much the Story Eater put in to them.
If you recall the quest on the board about the witches that were dumping paint on people before we suddenly found ourselves neck-deep in that Halloween dreamshift? Those were Erasers, likely based off The Wicked Witch from Wizard of OZ; one reason throwing water on them seemed to destroy them with what info that notice provided for anyone who went after them. From what I can guess, they were a test of some sort and your guess as to why is as good as mine.
Look for red eyes, and ink coming out of it. Likely based off of something in a story, possibly twisted in some way. Easiest way to identify an Eraser.
I'm not going to respond to any private messages about this. You want to talk privately? Come find me. Otherwise? Anything you've got to ask or say here is better off public access for others' sake.
[Might not answer everything either, but there it was. Written out as much as he was willing, strange as most words felt to write.
Was as much information as 76 had to share with what knowledge and details he had.]
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His skin was dry, but there were places that looked a bit damp from burns despite them not being a different color. Gotten through despite not destroying the leather, and likely would have been worse without it all the same. Wheezing a bit still with every breath, eyes rolling behind his visor- even if he growled at the grabbing and tugging of his shirt color.
Burns trailed up his throat and down over his chest and shoulders. Likely went up under his mask a bit as well along his jawline. Some burns were visible enough on his forehead as it was.]
Already have, and I don't mean figuratively. Other world.
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What kind of burns are these?
[He should know all about burns, considering he had scars of them all over his body. He knew they could be serious and should be tended quickly to limit the scarring, but of course 76 wasn't going to do that, was he?
Idiot.
Reaper snatched at the attack visor and the lower face guard to remove them both in order to determine how far the burns went since he couldn't see the edge of them with it on.]
And what monster would that be?
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Fire.
[Intense heat and intense cold, but only happened because he'd literally leapt on to flames, was on the very source of them all and only did just enough to protect himself from it all. It was sheer luck that between shadow ice and leather that it wasn't worse than what was still there, and the biotic emitter and taken care of some of the burns.
There'd be no answer for that question, even if due to the daze that was keeping him from fighting -how tired he really felt- the moment he noticed his tactical visor and face guard were gone lips curled back in some silent snarl. Sharp teeth bared, and the surprisingly neatly trimmed beard unhidden by the mask. There was blood staining through facial hair, and proof he'd had blood in his mouth not that lung ago.
A dried trail of blood from his nose in to that neat mustache, too. Burns ran up along the underside of his throat, barely stopping before the edge of facial hair.
His eyes were a far darker blue, and black spiderwebbed across the whites of his eyes like links of ink bleeding in water.]
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Why were you playing with fire? Oh wait, it's because you can't help yourself.
[He set the visor and guard aside but within easy reach for the time being. His hand returned to grasp 76's chin lightly, turning that face from one side to the other so that he could examine the full extent of those burns. It also gave him a much better opportunity to see how 76 had done with his beard trimming, since it was probably usually a mess knowing the man.
The facial hair looked good. Real good. The burns, not so much. He didn't have the kind of medication that would soothe and treat the burns, which was a shame. He did wish he had his medical kit from Deerington.]
You're a mess. You need a clean up. [And the whole corruption thing.] And you're throwing yourself in a process I doubt you understand. Such a reckless asshole.
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[Reaper could have whatever story in his head he wanted, because 76 was not going to explain exactly how he'd gotten in this shape. No, that would just give him more information that the soldier was very hard pressed to hand over with how the asshole had already been picking and pressing for it.
Didn't doubt Reaper would figure it out, Reyes wasn't stupid despite the entire show he liked to put on.
The burns thankfully didn't go under facial hair anywhere, by some miracle or his tactical visor set-up did something to protect that part of his head and face well enough. Across his forehead there were some patches that were healing burns, not as bad as other places.
The beard was well trimmed, as if taken care of that morning. Likely done more with a knife than anything proper, but for that it wasn't too shabby. Done, more than likely, so he could wear his mask more comfortably than any real attempt to shape beyond that, but it still fit and looked good.
The fingers at his jaw still had 76 baring sharp teeth, more so when he gritted out any words.]
I've always been reckless. [He knew more than he'd let on, even if there was still a wide learning curve.]
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He examined what he could of the wounds, but at this point, he had nothing he could do for them. He had assembled a small medical kit for himself, but it wasn't here and that meant that he was going to have to make due with what was around or what they could buy. Healing wasn't his top priority usually.]
This is true. You need a leash to keep you from getting in too deep, despite knowing you can just fight your way out.
[He tapped a finger against the arm holster that held the biotic emitters.]
Unless you're carrying burn kit, we might have to resort to another one of these.
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Those are for emergencies only.
[And this was no longer an emergency, despite it being so obvious that one was missing, which meant he'd had a reason to use one earlier.
The hell was Reaper so worried about anyway? There was no reason for it as far as 76 and him went now.]
Got something I keep on me. One of the pouches at the shoulders of my jacket.
[With one at least visible with how Reaper had rolled the jacket, so said pouch was right by 76's head. Pocket sized med kit, more something he'd put together than anything else.]
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[But he relented because he knew that one had been used in the first place. As annoying as 76 was on so, so many levels, the old soldier wasn't stupid either. When injuries were severe enough, corrections would be made. It wasn't like him who just shrugged at death and carried on because he literally hadn't found a way to die yet.
He reached out and pulled open the pouches one by one, mostly to be annoying as he investigated the contents of each even if he happened to find the small med kit before being finished.
He pulled out the med kit and rooted through it, and it didn't have everything that would be useful, but it still had enough. Of course, medical things required certain... degloving from him, which was never a comfortable experience.
Still, he tugged off his gloves and tucked them into his coat pocket. His fingers and parts of his hands were blackened and clawed, like he had been dead and something like frostbite or necrosis had set in. They looked similar but also different from 76's corrupted fingers.
Leaning over, he began to apply antibiotic salve carefully to the burns that were in the most exposed and mobile areas.]
My med kit would have had burn cream, but we'll make do with this.
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[A little pointedly, even if that was telling just how recently all of this had occurred. He'd been on his way somewhere to sit down and tend to himself, before running in to a giant completely dramatic pain in his ass.
Typical things were in those pouches- hell, there was even a makeshift sewing kit in there for quick hand repairs with a needle made for fabric and another for leather, even a curved-hook of a needle meant for sewing flesh had accidentally made it's way in there from repairing something else.
What looked like wrapped hard candies was also one of the random items, some foraged herbs and ginseng.
There was a different and clearly kept sterile curved-hook needle in that medical kit, too.]
I had a better one before, that is one I'm still working on.
[Didn't even blink at the appearance of Reaper's hands, his own settled by his sides. Resigned to this no matter how ridiculous it seemed-] Don't even know if this place has burn cream.
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[There was a lot that had gone wrong since Overwatch had fell on them both and so many other people. He didn't fault 76 for trying to make an escape and then consider tending, but it was easy to pick at anyway. So he would take the low hanging fruit.
He wasn't surprised by the item in the pouches, but none of it was particularly helpful for the injuries that 76 had actually sustained. These wounds would require a more long-term management.]
It's pathetic. You're dealing with burns and this is the best that you have.
[His fingers moved over the burns, trying to lock in the moisture being lost from the breach of skin with the salve. It wasn't best, but it was all that they had. So here they were. Burns around the goatee, across the cheek and down the neck where he had access.]
Where you are living? I'll at least see you back there. Last thing I need to is here you ended up face-down in a ditch.
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[But he did little else with how it had scarred, obviously. Still, the fact those marks on his face required stitching meant they were deep enough that they would have scarred no matter what. Couldn't see what he was doing for all of the blood, but he damn well managed straight lines.
Eyes did rolled, even if he was not looking up at Reaper. Rather more towards the only visible window from where he was, paranoid all the same and just watching for any movement even from shadows.]
It's anti-bacterial at least, got enough to put bandaging over most of it.
[76 kept tensed up, but kept track of where Reaper's hands were to the best of is ability.]
Wherever I can get in. [Like hell he'd hand over that information easily.]
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[Under normal circumstances or any other circumstances, a time like that would have the pair of them pulling together, stitching each other up to limit scarring. 76's very old handiwork was why the twin scars on his right cheek weren't worse back in the day. Facial and scalp wounds were the worst for how much they bled.
He was applying the salve down the side of 76's neck, though he knew it would wipe off sooner than later. He doubted that this asshole would stay put for any length of time, and he considered sitting on the guy to make him sleep. That would just be another fight and a close association like that might not be the best for either of them.]
No bandages for this area, though maybe you'd benefit from a tight bandage around your neck. [Choking you, asshole.
But Reaper was sitting back, putting the lid back on the tube and tucking it into the appropriate pouch.]
So you're a homeless feral snapping turtle. Of course you are. [Reaper didn't believe 76 for a second, but he'd still punish the guy.] Then I guess you're staying here and resting where I can keep an eye on you.
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[There was no bite to it, too damn tired to do much other than growl and grouse. He'd been alone, so incredibly alone, and delirious from shock; pain, hearing nothing but a high pitch ringing and vision half gone with so much blood in one eye. The wound had just barely missed taking the eye out completely.
Couldn't even remember just how he'd gotten anything to tend to himself. Had he broken in to some briefly unoccupied ambulance? A pharmacy? He honestly had no idea, just the need to run and hide. Lost it all. Lost Gabriel-]
I've got bandaging, may as well use it to try and keep as much from rubbing off as possible. [Snorted, he got the implication but screw it.
Could do the same for the rest of them.]
You going to make me, Reyes?
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[He still scoffed at the idea that it couldn't have been better, that there was so much more that could have been done. If the situation had been different. If he wasn't dead. If Overwatch had literally exploded. If, if, if...
Reaper knew that thinking about it was never helpful, that it only bristled his temper and stoked the flames of revenge. This place had decided to deny that further, so if he was going to be angry at anything, it was this place now.
Instead, he growled out a sigh and moved to search the pouches for some bandaging, knowing where it was from a previous search. A small cotton pad was applied first to the burns on the neck and then he wrapped the gauze next.]
In the state you're in? Making you won't be difficult, you stubborn cabrón. Now stay still.
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[Wasn't as if 76 was going to move to stop him at this point, only now able to breathe in some sort of comfortable way without being sharply reminded about the state of his rib cage. Vision finally clearing up better as well.
Goddammit, Reaper.]
Someone's pissy.
[But maybe it said far more for the fact that 76 didn't move just to be irritating.]
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He knew what he was doing when it came to wrapping 76's neck injury. As much as he had threatened to have a nice tight bandage, it was nothing more than snug enough so that it wouldn't slip with motion.]
There. Move your head up and down then side to side so I know it won't slip.
[If one was going to do a job, may as well make certain that it was done right in the first place.]
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76 still did the head movements, leaning up and propped on elbows enough that he could do the full range of motion. Much as his joints and bones might be protesting after earlier, better to get it done.]
Feels secured to me.
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Only then did he rise to his feet from where he had been sitting on 76. He observed the younger man for a moment before he grudgingly offered out a hand to help 76 up from laying on the ground.]
Let's go.
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76 took the offered hand with some low noise in his throat, using that help to pull himself back on to his feet. Hissing a little under his breath at the jolt of pain that ran through him, but it was ignored as he kept moving.
Had to pick up his jacket, his mask.]
Fine.
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Once 76 was up and standing, Reaper dropped his grip then bent to gather up the younger man's jacket and visor, offering them without comment.]
You actually have somewhere to go?
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The jacket was taken and just shrugged over shoulders without putting arms through the sleeves. Wearing it like that as the visor was put back in to place with a snap, right along with the face guard. 76 took a slow, steadying breath-]
Attic space, few buildings over.
[Just one of the places he took up in. Offered a good view from a window, secured enough that 76 had felt safe heading there to patch up what he could. Until he was intercepted at least.]
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He nodded, shifting his weight to get into motion.]
I'll take you there then you're on your own.
[It was more information than he had been given previously and by forcing them to go there would be indication enough if 76 was telling the truth.]
Keep up.
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Was telling the truth, but time would tell if he was going to keep using the old attic space, or if he was going to ditch it because after this it would be compromised. Reaper would know exactly where it was. That 76 had secured it in ways no one would notice it being used.
A warm place, had a few supplies in boxes made to look like they were just old stored things.]
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Once they were out of the abandoned building, he began to take them to this 'attic', basing where it was on boltholes he would potentially used and the clues that 76 had given about where it might be. He expected 76 would stay there only a short period of time and then never use it again. That was smart.
He paused as in front of a particular building and gestured.]
This it? Or further?
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Hell, he even slept in large tress or the forest floors in make-shifts lean-toos he could tear down and scatter as if he had never been there at all.
76 glanced up when Reaper paused, fingers curling before nodding, even if a bit reluctantly.]
Busted latch on a window, hidden by the side of the building next to it.
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