01 ⸸⸸ arrival & december catch-all

[livlaughlove]

Who: Livio and you !
What: fresh meat
When: now! and throughout december until... otherwise!
Where: in town
Warnings: will warn as necessary in tags. potential for dog related trauma and mentions of animal cruelty.



i. arrival
[The last thing he remembers is the all-encompassing exhaustion that only settles over him after a particularly brutal fight. The muffled sound of thunder in the distance. Black...

And now, pure white.

Livio... does not recognize what he's standing in, white and cold, even through his boots. In fact, the cold is so biting that it seeps into the leather and turns it frigid against his feet and ankles. This is, of course, to say nothing of the skyward particles hitting the bare skin of half of his head and... pretty much his entire torso.

Obviously, he isn't in Hopeland anymore, or even on No Man's Land. But that shouldn't be possible, following... well, common sense.

Oh, well. He can't just stand here looking stupid. Might as well try to avoid the dog that seems way too interested in him and instead find his... companions.

... He's going to have to get used to that.]

Nick? Mr. Vash?

ii. manor
[Livio had done his best to ditch the dog. Nothing against it or the unfamiliar headwear in its mouth – actually, he figures that staying far away from it is doing it a favor.

Of course, fate is a cruel mistress, and he can't seem to evade it for long. Some strange feeling of nostalgia has led him through the small town, and he ends up at the fence of a manor, farther down the length of which the same dog seems drawn to. This is probably its home, Livio figures, so... once more, he tries to stay as far away from it as possible. The dog feeling the need to defend its property from Livio is his nightmare scenario.

Still, something keeps him here. He walks the length of the fence, seeming to strain against one of his senses.

By now, the cold has really settled in, and unsurprisingly so. His pants and sleeves are skin-tight leather, and his shirt appears to have been blown completely off. That leaves a whole lot of tan skin that seems much better suited to a desert exposed to the bitter cold. And yet, he manages to simply ignore his body's violent shivers in favor of staring intently toward the manor's attic... and at anyone who happens to pass nearby.]

Excuse me – do you know who lives here?

iii. free space
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Comments

ii LIVIO MY BELOVED

[oleaeuropaea]

[The first thing Vash thinks, upon seeing this strange man walking about shirtless, is that he has to be seeing things. He takes off his glasses, worn less for the sunlight now and more to keep snow out his eyes, and rubs them off furiously. He puts them back on and squints toward the man once more.

Confirming that he's real leads to Vash's second thought: that this man absolutely going to die out here. One of his first nights in this world, Vash had nearly frozen to death himself. And, well... Vash being Vash, he acts without thinking after that.]

Hey, hey, buddy? Are you okay? [He sprints up to the man, shaking off his jacket and holding it out. Truthfully, he doubts it'll fit around those big, brisket arms, but at least the guy can drape it over himself until they get out of the cold.] Can't say I know who lives here, only that I've never made it in myself. And that you have more pressing things to be worried about, big guy! C'mon, let's get you inside.

[livlaughlove]

[Not seeing things! He's just Like This.

"Buddy" might be pushing it, just now, but Livio is relieved to see Vash nonetheless. And honestly, as far as he's concerned, Vash and Wolfwood get to call all the shots where he's involved. It only seems fair, after all he's put them through.

He doesn't make a move to accept the jacket, though.]

I'm fine, really. [No, he isn't. He doesn't know the first thing about hypothermia.] Don't you hear that?

[Livio certainly hears something echoing from within the manor, but it remains to be seen whether anyone else does.]

[oleaeuropaea]

[To Vash's credit, he really does strain his ears to hear something. Aside from the breeze, the breath the two share, and the whisper of snow falling to the ground, he can't detect anything. That doesn't mean he's immediately doubtful of the man, however. Far from it.]

This place is strange. It... shows you weird things sometimes. [He grimaces.] Like the trees. Don't touch those.

[He shivers at the memory, before giving his jacket another shake. He doesn't say anything outright, but he is insisting that his jacket be taken.]

Keep trustin' your senses, okay? Don't ever doubt yourself.

[livlaughlove]

Don't touch them?

[Livio has never seen a free-growing tree in his life. Maybe his first instinct wasn't to go feeling them up, but he can't say he would never even be curious.

Fuck the trees at the moment, actually. Livio outright waves Vash off, looking back to the manor. Vash says not to doubt his senses, but it sure sounds like the Independent doubts him.]

I don't understand. You hear them crying, right?

[oleaeuropaea]

It's a whole thing. [He flaps his hand back and forth. He'll explain it if the guy really wants, but he doesn't know if he's prepared to talk about rose hounds and other creepy, dead people visions.

What feels more pressing, in this moment, is to look toward the manor. Once more, he tries his best to pick up on whatever it is that seems to be disturbing his new found companion. Once more, he comes up with nothing but silence.]

I don't hear anything. But I don't think it means it isn't there. [He chews on his lip briefly, before holding out his hand.]

Why don't you come inside? Maybe we can talk about some of this. You're new here, right?

[livlaughlove]

[What is this, some kind of ghost story?

But... given what little Livio knows about Vash... it doesn't seem like him to just abandon folks who need help. God knows it would have been easy enough to leave Wolfwood at their mercy. Maybe he should just do what's asked of him.]

... Alright. [His brows furrow as he makes to follow Vash.] Am I newer than you? How's that possible?

[oleaeuropaea]

[Dutifully, Vash leads Livio toward the warm light of the inn. He even holds the door open for the big guy and everything. Yes, he realizes that with as broad as he is, Livio might need two doors but. Look. It's the thought that counts.]

I don't understand it myself. But people have arrived at different times for awhile now, I think. I got here first. My buddy Wolfwood got here not long after I did. And now it's you! Speaking of...

[Vash holds his hand out as soon as Livio is inside.]

Name's Vash! Vash the Stampede!

i

[lupusxylem]

[It's bitter and cold today, just like every other day has been since his arrival. Wolfwood feels about as listless as he does sapped by the cold as he trudges through the cold slush, actually starting to think he might have to suck it up and buy some shoes more fitting for this weather from Heimr. Surely if he can sell him cigs with shit he found in the river, he can get a pair of shoes that are actually waterproof.

He walks with the Punisher thrown across his back, because despite not really needing to use it right now, he doesn't really feel all that safe in this place without it. The woods have attested to just how violent it can get, which wasn't unlike how the desert could be. If that mysterious fog has pulled back, it means that these creatures could venture close to the woods' edge, if they so pleased.

So. Better safe than sorry, then.

As he rounds a corner, he hears a man call out before he sees him. And what he says- or what he thinks he hears him say- causes him to stop dead in his tracks.

He looks back, eyes wide, heart lodged in his throat. It doesn't take long of scanning the snow to spot him, as hulking and burly as he is.]

...what did you just say?

[livlaughlove]

[The moment he recognizes Nick, relief and elation wash over Livio so completely that he can't control himself. His face pulls into a childlike smile and he moves toward his friend, but... something isn't right.

Besides the frigid hellscape. That's obvious.

What he doesn't understand -- or perhaps doesn't want to acknowledge -- is why Nick seems so... unpleasantly shocked. Given a cursory glance around, Livio can't find anything else in his vicinity that he thinks would throw Nick off so much, so he has to admit to himself that maybe there's some regret in keeping him around. Or maybe Livio is just allowing himself to get far too comfortable far too quickly.

Whatever the case, he doesn't come any closer, and his eyes fall in shame.]

Sorry... Uh... Hey, Wolfwood.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood stops in the snow, guarded as the man begins to approach him. He did not miss that brief smile, that moment of recognition in a complete stranger's eyes that makes Wolfwood's limbs go numb. His fingers twitch along the belts attached to his gun, though he doesn't make to unwrap it just yet. He might, if Livio hadn't stopped before he got much closer to him.

He ducks his head forward, regarding him with a scrutinizing gaze. Something about the marks on his face rings somewhat familiar, yet he can't immediately put it into place. Not until he thinks back to his arrival.

Back to the Inn room, with the tapestry over the window. The symbol emblazoned on the fabric.

Wolfwood takes a slow, uneven breath, processing the fact that he just spoke his name a second time.]

Who the hell are you?

[livlaughlove]

[Those subtle movements aren't lost on Livio, but he tries to ignore them regardless. Surely Nick wouldn't waste all the effort he went through just to end up shooting Livio, even if that means he may need reassurance.

So he puts his hands up in a placating gesture of peace, and maintains his distance.]

You don't have to worry. It's just me. It's Livio.

[lupusxylem]

Li-

[It's like Livio punched him in the stomach, and it shows on his face. Even with his eyes hidden by his sunglasses, the way his expression sort of falls is evidence enough. And you'd think he'd lower his guard, with Livio here...but it's in fact the exact opposite.

He tightens his grip on the belt he's holding, hard enough that the gun is hefted a little higher over his shoulder by proxy. He knows he can break it free in seconds, at least just enough time to defend himself if needed, but that wouldn't be necessary, would it? This man is unarmed. He's showing as much, and Wolfwood can't see a gun holstered at his waist.

But this isn't...it can't be. Even if this man looked at all like Livio, the last time he saw him, he was.

...

His breath catches, and his expression turns from shell-shocked, to a slow, building anger. Disbelief.]

...I don't know who you think you are, but you better stop fuckin' with me right now.

[livlaughlove]

[After everything, Livio understands Wolfwood's disbelief, his anger. It may hurt like hell, but his pitiful feelings are a small price to pay for all the bad he's done.

Livio still doesn't move, not even to get away. If Nick really wants to shoot him, well... he won't put up a fight. Not physical, anyway. His biggest concern now is just how distressed Nick seems over the situation. He should be confident about his decision, if he ends up making it, otherwise it'll just mean more heartbreak for him down the line. And that's the last thing Livio wants to cause more of.]

I'm not fucking with you, I swear. How do I prove it to you?

ii !!!

[succiduous]

[Uh.

Listen. Gnosis is from a place where it snows constantly. He's practically thrown himself into the snowbanks here just because it's finally fucking cold. But that doesn't mean he's out here without a coat, and he can't help but spin around from where he was walking (on crutches) (he broke his leg last month he's fine) to not only answer the question, but tell this man to get indoors because good Lord.]

That's a long story. Care to have it indoors where you won't freeze to death?

[Gnosis would loan his coat, but uh... even at 6'2" himself, his height does Not compare to this Large Cowboy.]

[livlaughlove]

[If it weren't for the crutches, Livio would probably fight the stranger on just walking away. He isn't even entirely sure why the manor bothers him so much -- it's been a long time since he's picked up on another person's distress and given a shit.

Nonetheless, he finds himself hesitating to agree immediately.]

Will they be okay? [Because, really, getting the other guy indoors seems pretty pressing, as well. Perhaps even more so... but Livio wants to be sure.]

[succiduous]

[Gnosis' usual expression sets into a grim stare. His eyes flick from the manor, the light in the attic, to the snow around them, then back to Livio. A new arrival, no doubt, just trying to do the right thing.]

...I wish I could tell you. Anyone who crosses over that fence gets thrown back over the top of it by some unseen force immediately.

So far, those inside of it have been persisting, at least.

[livlaughlove]

"Persisting"...?

[This is... a lot to take in. Livio isn't a complete stranger to the concept of unseen enemies, or at least ones imperceptible to most people, but all of... this entire situation is completely bizarre. It's a veritable overload of information.

And, of course, he's going to ask for more. Because what else is he supposed to do? Ignore the danger? Impossible.]

... We can talk. Wherever you think is best. [Livio still doesn't realize how much his body will thank them.]

[succiduous]

Persisting, [Gnosis echoes, like that is, at all, going to explain anything happening. But he nods toward a towering building in the distance, where the lights shine there, albeit with less caterwauling.] We'll go to the inn. That's where most people live.

[Unless they're him, y'know, who lives out of his lab.

He's not too fast on his crutches, but on the way there, he at least makes small talk. Tries to, anyway. It's not his "thing" per se.]

My name is Gnosis Edelweiss, by the by.

[livlaughlove]

[Yep, that doesn't help at all. Thanks for trying, though, Gnosis.]

Thanks, Mr. Edelweiss. I'm Livio. [While Livio decides against offering help for... a plethora of reasons, really. Instead, he focuses on their surroundings and destination.] What is this place? I don't remember coming here. [Understatement of the century.]

iii. free space

[devilishkouhai]

[ Somewhere out there - wherever you would like. Comes chiming in some girl with ankle-long purple hair bouncing about behind her, bundled up in a bunch of blankets. Seemingly cold... ]

Oh hey grandpa!!! When did we get another one of you?

assuming somebody already dragged his dumb ass In Doors so his nips don't freeze off

[livlaughlove]

[Grandpa?! Is she talking to him?!

Of course she is. For a few seconds he just. stares at her.]

... I'm twenty-...-three?

sounds goooood

[devilishkouhai]

Wow! Coulda fooled me with that resting bitch face of yours - your gonna end up aging yourself quickly if you can't let that up!! [ She gives a little cackle, hiding her arm back within the bundle of blankets she was cuddling herself under. ]

[livlaughlove]

[...................... Who's gonna tell her --]

I'm... sorry? [He tries to fix his face, he really does. But he just ends up making a very uncomfortable expression by straining all the muscles in his face and neck.]

[devilishkouhai]

[ No one.... ]

Oh ew, you just look ugly now don't do that. [ She is laughing her ass off, like that is a normal thing to do. ] Anyway, are you warm or what? There is a nice fire going, if you wanna hunker down in front of it and get yourself cozy.

[livlaughlove]

[THIS LADY IS FUCKING SAVAGE???]

I'm fine. [He is definitely still shivering a little.]