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apocalypsehowcomm2023-07-29 02:52 am
rainestorms) wrote in apocalypsehowcomm2023-07-29 02:52 am
LOG | July Catch-All | OTA/Closed Prompts
Who: Raine Whispers, Kate, Carter + OTA
When: Throughout July and the beginning of August
Where: Around Gloucester and the ADI
Summary: Raine pokes around the Christmas party, makes a bet about eating spicy food, looks and feels TERRIBLE, and does some light confrontation.
Warnings: supernaturally caused feelings of depression/isolation/loneliness, mental/physical health degradation, panic attacks, anxiety, drug abuse, more will be added if needed.
Holly Jolly
Raine didn't really understand the Christmas in July thing, but they were thankful it made Pam happy. She’d seemed so glum since their encounter in the park, and Raine did feel bad for stealing from her. Even if it was perhaps too easy.
Raine decided that they'd help Eda set up for the party when they're needed, as an unheard thank you. After things kick off, Raine can be found mingling around the restaurant, puzzling at the food (or decorations), or perhaps even trying to find the other half of their strange bauble. It looks a bit like a pig’s back end.. or maybe some sort of bird? Or maybe something holding maracas. The bard doesn't know.
Heating Up
Despite what the spookily dressed teenage workers claimed, Raine was not dead. In fact, they were doing fine. Maybe a little too fine. They'd loved spicy food since they were a kid, and having tasted some of the other spicy things, they had their eyes on the challenge: The Bowel Buster.
They contemplate it, alone, and will offer to do it with somebody if approached about it. To sweeten the deal, Raine might suggest that if they both successfully eat the chips, whoever finishes first gets both people’s prize money.
Lone Digger (Closed to bossyboiler/Kate)
“Kate,”
Raine sits down across from Kate, coffee cup of… whatever sounded good at the moment on the menu. They didn’t exactly understand what a latte, or cappuccino, or Americano was- Eda had explained all of them a while ago, but with everything going on Raine had only really retained the statement that they were “different ways to drink the same bean juice,” and that she was “banned from several coffee shops in Gravesfield” for trying to pay with raccoons.
“I’m glad we could sit down together, outside of the ADI.”
Raine flashed a polite smile. They didn't want to hit the ground running with asking Kate questions about the Glamours- it would seem too needy.
“It feels like as of late things have been.. Well. You know.”
Come Back Down To My Knees (closed to setthetone/Carter)
(tw: drug use)
Raine had spent some of their time using the medallion to spy on Carter- steal a few of his papers here, look through files and eavesdrop on conversations there. They'd been gathering information not just on him but on what he'd been hiding.
A stroke of boldness told the bard that they could confront him about it. Convince him to give over what they wanted if they could frame it the right way, as a safety thing. Because it definitely was.
Raine knew Carter was going to be at his clinic near Dogtown around this time. They'd followed him to it a few times, both to get a good sense of the clinic itself, and to keep tabs on who he was seeing.
So they strode into the clinic, as seriously as possible, violin on their side just in case, as they called out:
“Carter?” No sign of him yet. “I need to talk to you about, uh, what we discussed the other day.”
I Think I Could See The Beach, Just Don't Look Underneath Us
(tw: mental and physical health degradation, anxiety, depression, isolation.)
Things had changed around the ADI. Raine, unfortunately, is no stranger to being a part of this change.
Around mid-July, Raine begins to lose their normal cheery exterior. Dark circles under their eyes as if they've not slept, and a sort of sluggish energy that can be taken as them being tired from the recent attempt to stop the apocalypse, or one of the various other horrors they’ve dealt with.
But they become less responsive and more anxious. Their attempts to reach out to coworkers or friends dwindle, and texts go unanswered. Though they do come to work, or go shopping, they spend time doing what they're needed, and then go home. Small talk is unusually kept to a minimum. Questions of spending time together aremet with awkward admissions that they'll have to see if they're busy. Any attempt to ask if they're okay gets a gentle smile, a hand wave, a nervous laugh and a soft reply that they're just feeling a bit under the weather, or something vague.
i) I Can Admit, I Am Not Fireproof
(tw: prev+ perceived haphephobia)
Raine’s love language has always been physical touch to those whom they were close to. A pat on the shoulder here, a gentle hug there if both parties wanted it. But touch in the oncoming weeks is a sudden and new challenge for Raine.
They hesitate to take things from people’s hands. They try and keep distance in conversation. Any touch that they aren't expecting Raine will flinch from. They try to brush it off, but.. there's a sense of unease from the bard. That coming into contact with somebody is something to be afraid of.
ii) I Hope I Don’t Murder Me, I Hope I Don’t Burden You.
(tw: prev + descriptions of panic attacks.)
Raine tries to hide the way their anxiety has twisted into something severe. They disappear during work when they need to, In a bathroom, an office, behind bookshelves, in their room when they think they're alone.
The racing of thoughts and the pounding of their heart returns. The sound of heavy breathing and feeling numb fingers becomes normal for them again. At its worst, violent, ragged sobs that choked on desperate apologies with no recipient. The terror of being alone, of being unseen and unheard, but also of being seen, of being questioned for acting in a way that was off-script. It was so different here than in the Boiling Isles.
There, it was manageable.
There, Eda wasn't involved.
When: Throughout July and the beginning of August
Where: Around Gloucester and the ADI
Summary: Raine pokes around the Christmas party, makes a bet about eating spicy food, looks and feels TERRIBLE, and does some light confrontation.
Warnings: supernaturally caused feelings of depression/isolation/loneliness, mental/physical health degradation, panic attacks, anxiety, drug abuse, more will be added if needed.
Holly Jolly
Raine didn't really understand the Christmas in July thing, but they were thankful it made Pam happy. She’d seemed so glum since their encounter in the park, and Raine did feel bad for stealing from her. Even if it was perhaps too easy.
Raine decided that they'd help Eda set up for the party when they're needed, as an unheard thank you. After things kick off, Raine can be found mingling around the restaurant, puzzling at the food (or decorations), or perhaps even trying to find the other half of their strange bauble. It looks a bit like a pig’s back end.. or maybe some sort of bird? Or maybe something holding maracas. The bard doesn't know.
Heating Up
Despite what the spookily dressed teenage workers claimed, Raine was not dead. In fact, they were doing fine. Maybe a little too fine. They'd loved spicy food since they were a kid, and having tasted some of the other spicy things, they had their eyes on the challenge: The Bowel Buster.
They contemplate it, alone, and will offer to do it with somebody if approached about it. To sweeten the deal, Raine might suggest that if they both successfully eat the chips, whoever finishes first gets both people’s prize money.
Lone Digger (Closed to bossyboiler/Kate)
“Kate,”
Raine sits down across from Kate, coffee cup of… whatever sounded good at the moment on the menu. They didn’t exactly understand what a latte, or cappuccino, or Americano was- Eda had explained all of them a while ago, but with everything going on Raine had only really retained the statement that they were “different ways to drink the same bean juice,” and that she was “banned from several coffee shops in Gravesfield” for trying to pay with raccoons.
“I’m glad we could sit down together, outside of the ADI.”
Raine flashed a polite smile. They didn't want to hit the ground running with asking Kate questions about the Glamours- it would seem too needy.
“It feels like as of late things have been.. Well. You know.”
Come Back Down To My Knees (closed to setthetone/Carter)
(tw: drug use)
Raine had spent some of their time using the medallion to spy on Carter- steal a few of his papers here, look through files and eavesdrop on conversations there. They'd been gathering information not just on him but on what he'd been hiding.
A stroke of boldness told the bard that they could confront him about it. Convince him to give over what they wanted if they could frame it the right way, as a safety thing. Because it definitely was.
Raine knew Carter was going to be at his clinic near Dogtown around this time. They'd followed him to it a few times, both to get a good sense of the clinic itself, and to keep tabs on who he was seeing.
So they strode into the clinic, as seriously as possible, violin on their side just in case, as they called out:
“Carter?” No sign of him yet. “I need to talk to you about, uh, what we discussed the other day.”
I Think I Could See The Beach, Just Don't Look Underneath Us
(tw: mental and physical health degradation, anxiety, depression, isolation.)
Things had changed around the ADI. Raine, unfortunately, is no stranger to being a part of this change.
Around mid-July, Raine begins to lose their normal cheery exterior. Dark circles under their eyes as if they've not slept, and a sort of sluggish energy that can be taken as them being tired from the recent attempt to stop the apocalypse, or one of the various other horrors they’ve dealt with.
But they become less responsive and more anxious. Their attempts to reach out to coworkers or friends dwindle, and texts go unanswered. Though they do come to work, or go shopping, they spend time doing what they're needed, and then go home. Small talk is unusually kept to a minimum. Questions of spending time together aremet with awkward admissions that they'll have to see if they're busy. Any attempt to ask if they're okay gets a gentle smile, a hand wave, a nervous laugh and a soft reply that they're just feeling a bit under the weather, or something vague.
i) I Can Admit, I Am Not Fireproof
(tw: prev+ perceived haphephobia)
Raine’s love language has always been physical touch to those whom they were close to. A pat on the shoulder here, a gentle hug there if both parties wanted it. But touch in the oncoming weeks is a sudden and new challenge for Raine.
They hesitate to take things from people’s hands. They try and keep distance in conversation. Any touch that they aren't expecting Raine will flinch from. They try to brush it off, but.. there's a sense of unease from the bard. That coming into contact with somebody is something to be afraid of.
ii) I Hope I Don’t Murder Me, I Hope I Don’t Burden You.
(tw: prev + descriptions of panic attacks.)
Raine tries to hide the way their anxiety has twisted into something severe. They disappear during work when they need to, In a bathroom, an office, behind bookshelves, in their room when they think they're alone.
The racing of thoughts and the pounding of their heart returns. The sound of heavy breathing and feeling numb fingers becomes normal for them again. At its worst, violent, ragged sobs that choked on desperate apologies with no recipient. The terror of being alone, of being unseen and unheard, but also of being seen, of being questioned for acting in a way that was off-script. It was so different here than in the Boiling Isles.
There, it was manageable.
There, Eda wasn't involved.
no subject
Rue's expression immediately softens, concern pinching at their feather brow.
"Of course." They agree kindly, while not completely believing them at all. Rue has been around ADI long enough to know when something is up and this just reeks of something strange and terrible going on. The way Raine handles rubbing their eyes as their glasses clatter to the desk really solidifies that theory for Rue.
"Well, I'm sure you deserve a little break from all of the work, don't you think?"
no subject
Raine picked up their glasses, and put them back on. They slid the notebook a little off to the side, their hand over the top of it.
"I think a break might be a good idea," Raine smiled, though their attention was caught by the plate and mug their friend was holding. "What's that?"
no subject
"A drink and a snack. I thought you could use a pick me up after all of your hard work as of late. Would you mind if I joined you briefly?"
All the while setting the hot cocoa and cookies down for Raine to enjoy, careful to not disturb anything on their desk.
no subject
Raine had been caught in quite the predicament.
"Thank you, Rue. That was very kind of you," They smiled at their friend. "I don't mind. It's always nice to spend time with friends, anyways. I feel like I've been so busy lately."
no subject
Rue is just going to take a seat, carefully settling into a nearby chair, folding their hands over their lap.
"What is it that you have been up to, dear?"
no subject
"Well... Since Hunter moved to Bonnie's I've been trying to have a more active role in his time here. So has Eda," They took a bite of said cookie, pleasantly surprised by the taste. After a moment they respond- because eating and talking would also be rude- and it gave them time to think.
"And I've... Been doing some personal research. Eda and I have been interested in if there's some sort of realm similar to our Demon Realm here."
no subject
"Oh? And you've made progress on that endeavor?"
no subject
Raine took another, much slower bite of the cookie. It didn't taste as good the second time.
"...Well. It's complicated."
They pulled the notebook off the table, and into the bag that sat next to them.
"Nothing's been conclusive."
no subject
This time there is no hiding the way Rue's huge eyes follow the path of that notebook being slid into the bag beside them, before immediately flicking back up to Raine.
"That seems so strange to me, if you both are putting so many needless hours into it, but have nothing yet to show for it, why continue to pursue it?"
no subject
"Well it's. It's a lot of-"
Raine paused, and tried to think of something. But, the more they thought, the more the upset they'd become.
"Rue, I-"
Raine closed their eyes and inhaled, but the exhale came out as more of a shudder. They ended up with their hands over their face.
"I'm sorry. Please. Give me a minute."
no subject
But naturally, Rue relents the moment they are asked to. Their head bows in a slow nod. "Of course. Would you like me to step out and give you a moment alone?"
no subject
"What.. what all did Eda tell you?"
They looked much, much more tired than before. They realise how what they said could possibly come across like, and they add:
"It's nothing between her and I. We're fine."
no subject
"I should only like to know the truth of what ails you. Only as much as you would like to say. I will not push you for more."
no subject
Raine played with the mug, moving it around with their hands as they spoke.
"Eda's been helping me but the work has become exhausting. It's starting to hurt us both and I'm worried about her. I know she's strong but I.. I don't like what it's doing to her. I keep finding things that don't make sense or are clearly just pieces of the puzzle. And when I do discover something complete it's.."
Raine let out a tired sigh.
"It's never good. Nia can talk all she'd like about wanting to get us home but they don't know how."
no subject
"I do not understand. This means that you've discovered and are using is hurting Eda?" Look, self-flagellation Rue can understand, but the active, purposeful hurting of someone you love? Rue can not imagine there is much worthy of that kind of cruelty.
"And you are still going through it?"
And more than that, Eda has not said a word about this!
no subject
"Rue..."
Raine inhaled, and exhaled, and took their glasses off once more, cleaning them.
"It is much..much more complicated than that," Their glasses returned to their face, though they seem to be having trouble looking at rue directly.
"I didn't want to involve Eda. But when I told her about it we thought it was the best way to handle things since-"
Raine paused, and their spine straightened a little. They were going to continue to be vague. But this time. They're going to be calm. And collected.
"Eda asked to help me so I agreed. Otherwise there wasn't a good way to keep things... safe. It wasn't my decision, ultimately. That's something you'll need to discuss with Eda."
There's another pause, but they end with:
"It's not like I want to be doing it, Rue..."
no subject
The idea is revolting to them, the very idea of harming Hob simply for information or some sort, simply to get an advantage on the enemy. How does that make them any different than those they are trying to break free of?
But Raine is clearly distraught, exhausted, and all manner of everything else, clearly stretched thin by however long this has been going on. Rue does not reach for them, but rests a palm near them on the desk, just a reassuring presence nearby.
"Raine, you must tell me what you are up to. This can not simply live on your and Eda's shoulders alone."
no subject
"We're..watching the ADI. I've been investigating some...things... I found interesting. And, whether or not the ADI knew how to get us home."
Maybe they could get away with being just a little vague still. They felt bad, having kept and continuing to try and keep Rue out of the loop. But they'd agreed to try and maintain the secret to just themselves.
"Everything that we've been looking in to is to try and help prevent things from getting worse. The ADI is hiding things from us."
no subject
"I do not mean to be so blunt with you, Raine, but please, what have you done to prevent anything? Are you both putting yourself in danger for nothing? We all know very well that ADI is hiding things from us and that they do not know how to send us home, or at least, so they claim, so what have you found out that will change things?"
no subject
"I don't really know if I want to tell you. Or- should tell you."
Raine sat back in their chair.
"There was a reason Eda and I kept this quiet. You're my friend, but I'm..."
They quieted down.
"I have to protect us."
no subject
"Well, I find that most ironic considering that between the two of us, Eda most needs protection from you."
And that is that. Unless stopped, Rue sweeps right on out of Raine's office.