Journal Entry

[steadypulse]

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.]

Comments

[b_a_n_g]

Oh yes and what a fine job you did with that.

[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.

[steadypulse]

Considering I was half-blinded? Yeah, I fucking did a damn fine job.

[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?

[b_a_n_g]

By fine job, you mean you kept your face on.

[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.

[steadypulse]

Better result than none.

[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.]

[b_a_n_g]

[The scarring could have been worse, but it also could have been better. Both of their states of being had been profoundly altered from the fall of Overwatch. Nothing could or would go back to how it used to be.

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.]

[steadypulse]

[There was a drawn out, over-played huff—

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.

[b_a_n_g]

[He reached out after the head motions were done and pressed on the bandage to check for slipping. It seemed secure and settled.

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.

[steadypulse]

[There was some brief moment -enough to hear how quiet this building was in its abandonment-that 76 just looked from Reaper's mask to the offered hand. Sizing up the sight, weighing if it—

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.

[b_a_n_g]

[There was equally a brief moment where he considered just leaving, dropping 76 to struggle up from the floor with broken ribs, burns and corruption. It would be so easy, and yet he resisted the urge.

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?

[steadypulse]

[An uneasy truce was still a truce, careful as it seemed the both of them were being.

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.]

[b_a_n_g]

[He should just punch the younger man in the head to knock him out in order to limit complaining, but again, he refrained. A truce was a truce, slight though it may be.

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.

[steadypulse]

[All 76 gave was a grunt in reply but, well. He did fall in to step, knowing exactly where he needed to go to get in to the building described.

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.]

[b_a_n_g]

[Reaper lead the way out of the building, keeping his pace slow enough that 76 shouldn't have trouble keeping up but fast enough to make it seem like he was being cautious rather than helpful. He paused as he pushed the door to the building open, peering around and listening before easing his way out.

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?

[steadypulse]

[He had others, scattered about the town where people were only just returning, setting up shops. A few homes that weren't built in or on trees, and some that were. All where his passing wouldn't go noticed, slip in and out as needed.

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.

[b_a_n_g]

[Reaper could see the reluctance, and he would have been much the same if their roles had been reversed. Hell, he might have just been completely stubborn and refused to give any location at all.

He noted the window in question.] Fine, it shouldn't be a problem.

[He moved in closer, doing what he could not give 76 the opportunity to squirm away or do more than snarl at him. No, he moved to get an arm around the younger man's waist quickly and securely.] Hold on.

[steadypulse]

[The hard part was going to be moving the supplies he had tucked away here, slowly building up his store. Some things he could just ditch if he had to, make it easier on himself and take only what was actually needed.

76 stiffened up when he was taken hold of again, a and immediately grasping on of Reaper's shoulders- but he didn't fight. Practically did what he was asked out of reflex.]

I can walk. [There was some suspicion in his voice, almost a What are you doing?]

[b_a_n_g]

Oh, I'm sure you can...

[At least 76 could still follow orders when they were given. That might have seemed like a miracle even hours before, but he wasn't going to look that gift horse in the mouth.

His hold tightened as he looked at the window in question, and he estimated the distance before he turned to smoke and teleported his way to the window, dragging 76 up with him. It was a skill he had developed in Deerington and put to use now. His hand snapped out to catch the edge, letting 76 open the actual window and climb inside.]

[steadypulse]

[That?

That was a very weird experience, enough that it took the breathe out of 76 for a moment, but he did catch the window sill on a hand, enough that he could work gloved fingers under and push the window open. Stiff, made noise, and 76 had left it like that on purpose.

All the better to hear if someone was using it to come in. So many little thins that made noise he worked to make an alarm system of sorts. Easily unnoticed by someone who wouldn't know what to look for.

Still, all the better to pull himself in through the window once it was open- with Reapers apparent help to get in.]

[b_a_n_g]

[It wasn't difficult to hold both of their weights like that, supporting 76 so the younger man could open the window. It made noise, which would be helpful to keeping a bit of security, but it would never work for him who could sneak in.

Still, it was open, and he shifted his grip to help push 76 inside where it would safer than being on the floor of an abandoned or some random street.]

You good?

[steadypulse]

[Used a hand to catch his weight on the floor, and that meant he could use it as a brace to get the rest of himself through the window. Landing in a sort of crouch, taking in a sharp breath just because every movement sent pain through his chest.

Definitely had a few cracked ribs on top of being bruised.

Either way 76 nodded, pushing himself to stand with only a little sway that quickly corrected himself.]

Yeah, I'm good.

[Creaky floorboards and all.]

[b_a_n_g]

[76 was in the building and wasn't just a heap on the floor. So that meant to him that the younger man would heal and would carry one after some rest. That's all he could do without forcing himself into the room as well, and he knew that would result in a fight. Either he'd pick one or 76 would take issue with his being there.]

Don't die, don't be dumb, and don't forget to eat.

[He shifted his grip on the window, assessed the room and then dropped himself back down to the ground. He waited there a few minutes, pretending to be occupied so that he could make certain no one had followed them before he eased away.]

[steadypulse]

Yeah, yeah. I get it, nagging asshole.

[It was strange, disorienting in a small way that he couldn't put a finger on; didn't really want to pay that much attention to it in an attempt to either. Far easier to brush the feeling off, head tipped in a way he could see out the window.

76 only started moving to asses the rest of the damage and patch up once he was sure Reaper had actually left.

At least he had more of what was needed here.]