dreamcrystals | Journal Entry

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.]

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[He was beginning to learn that the negative energy of dark dreams could affect someone. He had seen it in Jack's dream when he had been trapped there and also had heard talk about it during his travels. Surely 76 wasn't stupid enough to lean into that, was he?

Reaper would need to investigate this further, he decided. Wounded dog or not, 76 was going to put up a fight no matter what. That's the way that they operated and he wouldn't have it any other ways these days.]

Why would I? You're still in range. [He made a show of flipping a fold of his coat and grasping a Hellfire shotgun he just happened to have in there. Ready or not, Morrison.]

[There was still that boiled up anger from being around the fire and rage brought up from Kazuma leaning in to that Noctaere, letting himself fall in to it's influence and powers as rage all but consumed. Wasn't difficult, how it always seemed to seethe under 76's own skin these days.

Wasn't anger that had the shadows flow, how his head tilted and stepped, immediately sinking downwards in to it within seconds and out of sight.

There'd be little to no time to react as he practically came launching out of a wall, form cold as ice from that plunge to the point frost clung to his hair and the leather of his jacket. Launched himself to straight up tackle Reaper, not bothering with weapons as shadow claws dug in to the other, gripping at him as his full weight went in to it.]

[Reaper was one who had lived in the shadows for a long time, so he knew how they operated very well. That 76 now seemed to have strange shadow powers didn't deter him at all about this upcoming confrontation. After all, he had more experience and 76 was just using them reactively even if there was some tactical reasoning.

He could feel the shift in the air as cold seemed to suck heat from the air around him, and he turned his head as he spotted 76 launching at him from the wall. He let 76's arms move to encircle him, let that sensation register before he dissolved into smoke and stepped through the spot 76 was sailing through.

Then he laughed as he reformed.]

You're playing with the shadows, Jack. That's a mistake, but you never did know when to quit when you were ahead. Come on then, Commander, show me what you've learned.

[Hands moved to catch himself in a roll, twisting even so he landed in a crouch facing Reaper rather than with his back to him, shoulders rolling as joints cracked a bit. The sharp chill to the air remained, even caused a bit of a warm mist to puff out a bit from his mask. Still warm despite the cold those shadows of his brought, the frost growing outwards from where ever they touched.

Heels dug in to the ground then-]

Suit yourself, Boss.

[The shift through that chill was quick, electricity crackling between evert spot of shadow as it arched. Lighting up the alley way for a brief moment before giving way he was using that more as distraction than actual attack.

Claws were swiping right for that masked face, frost already building on his sleeves from were those shadow gauntlets met leather.]

[His nostrils flared against the cold that was even greater than his corpse-temperature skin, and it seemed to him that Jack was diving too fast and too far into whatever abilities this place might grant. There was a cost to everything, as he had learned the hard way more than most.

A smirk behind the mask even as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end with the electricity that filled the alley, and he stood his ground. Dramatic little asshole may have learned some of his tricks, but not all of them.

His left arm snapped up to deflect the claws, letting the blades on his wrist guard do the work of punishing that reckless strike.]

You're tired, Commander. What has made you act so recklessly to hide that?

[He ignore it, driving forwards as he followed up the deflected strike with another, grabbing for Reaper's hood to jerk him forward as a knee was driving up towards the older man's gut. Didn't care for the pain of blades, barely even made a noise other than a low snarl.

76 was running on fumes, anger and rage still there under his skin as that energy had clung to him despite managing to keep calm under why it did so. The cold numbing him the thicker it clung.

There was a sheer viciousness to his movements that could seem like how he operated these days, but something was clearly off- or at least clearly enough to someone that could know him well. It was even different from what he usually displayed whenever he doggedly went after Reaper.]

[He didn't bother to avoid the knee to the guts as his body armour spread the damage out across his abs so it wasn't quite such a strike that would knock the air out of his lungs. He was still bowed over for it, and his arms snaked out to grab 76 around the upper thighs so he could lift the younger man right off the ground to slam them both down.

He hadn't fought any feral dogs lately, but apparently that's what he was doing here. He should just shoot 76 in the legs and let the younger man struggle through that, but it wasn't the point. He knew when to tire an already exhausted soldier out. He'd done it specifically to Jack Morrison on more than one attempted hospital bed escapes.]

I'm going to find who has your attention, you know. I'm going to hunt them.

Careful, you'll almost sound jealous over something, Reyes.

[It was snarled, and by the sound of that tone it might've been a good thing he'd had that mask, lurching forwards even while falling backwards with the other on top of him and having him by a thigh. All the more reason he went right for a headbutt, even if it just had him knocking against a masked forehead.

Put all the force he could muster behind the movement, other leg bending to get around Reaper's waist for some sort of leverage, hands bracing the ground and aiming to roll them over.]

Ohhh, is that so? How would my being jealous make you feel?

[He had no issue falling with 76, using his body to try to pin the other man to the ground. He would expect nothing more than a fight for now, and he got exactly what he expected when a headbutt was lined up on him. He snapped his head forward so he could be certain of where on his mask that would hit. Still hurt, but he weathered it.

He set his knees to the ground to prevent the roll, and instead he moved to drop his hands down so he could try to snatch up 76's wrists to control some more.]

Like you're a fucking idiot.

[He was too tired for any of this, but it wouldn't be the first nor the last time that 76 was running on fumes and still fought. Which he did, still fighting and twisting even as he was being pinned and his attempt to roll out from under it was stopped. Still had one leg around Reaper, so only one of 76's own were pinned in some awkward positioning, but that didn't matter either.

One wrist was caught, but the other hand had been in motion; going for whatever he could grab a hold of almost blindly. That hood again.

Both sunk down in to 76's pool of shadows then, and by the sharp intake of breath it hadn't actually been something he'd been going for. It was like being submerged in to ice, a shock that 76 went through every time and even held close as shadows acted as pieces of armor whenever used, but this time Reaper was forced to come along on the ride.

Dumped the both of them inside one of the buildings they had been between rather unceremoniously; fortunate it was abandoned, even with the bits of light that came through broken windows and ceiling.]

T'sk, t'sk, you used to be so polite... now look at you. Just a feral being lashing out.

[Reaper gave a jerk when the icy grip of shadows captured him and 76, and it was rather different than his own translocation abilities. He nearly went to smoke to avoid being dragged in, but he decided that it was worth taking the risk and keeping his grip on 76 in the process.

He shook his head slightly when they was moved, and his eyes flicked around quickly to drink in the abandoned building. That was convenient, and it would limit 76's ability to flee.]

Interesting power... you don't even need sight on your location. Useful, sort of.

Bite me. [How's that for polite, the tone nearly said.

There was a harsh exhale once out of the shadow, some of it scattering about and laving streaks of frost and thicker pieces of ice over some surfaces. Mist formed from his breath, showing the difference between the air around them and what body warmth 76 still had despite that.]

You'd have gotten a kick out of what I could do in the other place.

[Right when he was ramming a knee as hard as he could in to Reaper's side, that leg of his that was still free.]

Don't tempt me... I bet you'd squirm.

[Reaper was used to being cold, but even he knew that sensation was beyond what his current 'normal' for body heat was at. Curls of black smoke rose from his shoulders, some trailing down to come close to 76's face.]

I doubt it. You can't be as impressive as what I've seen.

[He grunted at the knee to the side, rolling with the blow but keeping his position as he grabbed 76's shoulders so he could slam the younger man into the floor once, twice and a third time.]

You wish you could get me to—

[Eyes snapped sharply to that trailing smoke, head jerking back as he pressed more to the floor. Didn't squirm so much as buck his hips to attempt to get Reaper off him. Free hand moving to the other's chest as shadow-claws scraped in to armor and leather there. Left thick marks behind, shoving roughly.

Didn't stop Reaper from getting a hold of him however, slamming him don as hands seized the man's hood, a heel digging in to the floor boards. Still fighting, even if every slam down knocked a little more fight out of him. Showing just how badly off 76 was before getting in to this.]

[Behind his mask, Reaper felt the cruel smile pull at his lips. He had learned far more things about his powers at Deerington, pushing the limits of what he could do. He hummed as 76 jerked away from him.]

Squirming already and no teeth applied....

[He clamped his weight down harder on 76, letting tendrils of himself curl and caress that mask as if searching for an easy way in even as he slammed 76 over and over. The man was tired and fighting on little else than instinct. He would know the moment of having control when it came, usually with some relaxation as the body gave up.

They'd both been in that position before. He knew what to look for to understand when he had room to investigate the corruption and wounds a bit more safely.]

[There was no answer other than the resistance still there despite the slams, shadow clawed hands gripping and clawing to try and push away. Even that knee digging in to Reaper's side, but the way his breathing wheezed and cut off spoke of injured ribs that 76 was just further aggravating from his thrashing. Trying to twist out from under as every touch left some frost behind on black leather.

Be a place under that mask along the top of the visor, and behind it pure black was spiderwebbing across the whites of his eyes like ink hitting water. Even coloring the blues that much darker.

It was getting harder the breath, and gradually that stolen breath had him slowing down, even as it was only claws hooked in to leather that kept hands from falling away. Head fallen back as he coughed and choked on that lack of air. The violence and his own body getting that fight beaten out of 76.]

[Reaper slowed his slamming when he sensed that 76 was losing his fight to resist. Oh he knew that some aspect of resistance would continue in some form, but it likely wouldn't require more than a few choice punches and twists of limbs. After all, he could hear the wheeze to 76's breath, and the man always has a habit to taking some injury to the ribs.

He withdrew his shadow tendrils back to himself when resistance was limited, and it was only then that he changed his position to sit on 76's thighs. He was in perfect position to add a punch or two where necessary.]

Now that you've been forced to behave yourself...

[He reached out to jerk off 76's gloves first.]

[Of course there was a growl-]

Don't get comfortable, thick ass.

[The most half-assed of insults wheezed out, head rested back against the floor as the corners of his vision had started to go dark. Currently there were white spots floating around, the shadows that had been holding tight to him flaking off like melted flakes of ice. Melting in the the floorboards, seemingly.

Those hands of his had sharper, more distinct claws that were pitch black, and hands an even darker shade of it than the last time Reaper had caught a glimpse of them. Streaks of a dark blue barely visible with its shade, streaked through that black like lightning scars.]

My, my such a creative insult. I am so very wounded.

[At this point, he knew that he had time with 76, at least until the younger man managed to settle in and concentrate on breathing. Once 76 managed to regain his breath, it would be more of a struggle, so he was planning on using the time that he had available to him fully.

He noted the strange flaking reaction, shaking his head a little. He took one of those hands and brought it closer for inspection. The corruption was definitely more defined, and he shoved up the jacket to see if he could spot the end point. No go, which meant 76 would have to lose the jacket.]

Now listen up, Boy Scout, I'm going to pull you to sit up and you're going to let me remove your jacket with minimal fuss. You struggle, I'll break some more ribs. Understood?

Not worth the thought for something better.

[Fingers twitched a bit, and despite the fact he'd been in such a cold air the skin was hot, like a fever was burning through it. Claws were also sharp, curved a little; gloves hid it all well enough, as did the sleeves of his jacket. The blue even looked a little like veins despite branching off like something else.

76 grunted, head turning to the side as if that was about all the answer he was willing to give. There was no trying to jerk his arm back- so there was that at least? No struggle shown yet.]

I'm sure that's the issue.

[Those claws could do damage, but then again, so could his. It seemed that they had moved beyond fighting for the time being, so when 76 didn't even bother to put up a fight about the jacket, he moved to unzip it first then work it up along the younger man's shoulders.

After that, he pulled 76 up slide his hands into the jacket to urge it off shoulders and down arms. Off it came with tugs to the wrists, but because he was such a nice person, he rolled it up and allowed it to be a pillow as he urged the younger man to lay down again a touch on the rough side.

Then he began his inspection.]

What a mess you are.

[There was some mumble with a tired buck mocking tone to it, expression completely hidden by his mask. Whatever.

76 did hiss a bit at the movement, and touch. The jacket looked as if it had taken a recent beaten itself, but nothing that would need repair; despite the severe heat damage it was still one piece and solid enough. Biker jacket was good like that.

There was a low growl when he was forced back down as well, but he still didn't struggle. Didn't help out too much on his end either, but he didn't make it harder. Even with his head was on the jacket rather than the ground. Fresh burns peeked out from the collar of his shirt, and along his arms amongst the blackened skin as it fresh black charcoal had been rubbed along it up to nearly his shoulders. The same dark blue lines as on his hands were there as well.

Bruising colored visible skin where it wasn't black.]

It'll be fine. [He'd be fine.]

[Now that was the defeatist spirit! He could appreciate a lack of help over actual resistance at this point, and that sort of passive resistance was still rewarded. It had to be or he expected the old asshole to start up again soon enough.

He turned the hand in his grasp this way and that, examining the discolouration and growling with soft disapproval. He ran a gloved finger over the marred skin, not that he could feel if it was soft or rough, but he would be able to tell if it was moist or dry. It was far more extensive than when he had accidentally entered 76's dream.

Then he reached out to grasp the collar of 76's muscle shirt and pull it down enough to pointedly tut at the sight of burns.]

You've delved too deep into the power that you've been given. That's reckless and stupid. You want to turn into a monster, hmm?

[Entire hand was black(and blue) with the discoloration, fingers twitching but not pulling away as he let Reaper have his little inspection. Why bother acting up yet if he was just getting a look at something he'd already seen, even if it had spread further.

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.

[Someone had been in a fight from what he could tell and not just one that would actually exhaust 76. This blackness was definitely not normal, and it was probably indicative of the strange powers that the younger man was firing off sometimes at random. Was 76 in control? He didn't think so.]

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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