January Undercurrent: Growing Pains

[lifeaftr_mods]

JANUARY UNDERCURRENT

Who: Everyone!
What: Hey bud, how's it growing?
When: January 3rd to January 20th
Where: Everywhere!
Warnings: This event has a potential for body horror and character death; please mark anything as it comes up!

A Notion Growing Inside Me

Those of you who weren't with us the last time Umui entered the archipelago didn't have to contend with the lethal illness known as the Overgrowth personally, but anyone who remembers it probably doesn't remember it fondly. Fortunately, this isn't quite the same strain of the illness that you had to contend with the last time. It's not unrelentingly and uncompromisingly fatal, for one! That's always nice.

For those that need a primer on the Overgrowth, it is best described as a sickness that overcomes you with floral growth both inside and outside your body that can only be cured by expressions of emotional honesty. Expressions of truths, affections, and admissions of things that you have hidden from yourselves or from others were critical in dispensing of the illness. These could be as simple as admissions of past sins or the revealing of secrets, or as grandiose and overt as confessions of guilt or love. That general idea will remain more or less the key means of curing this strain as well, though the stakes fortunately aren't as high this go around! Which is to say, if you fail to have any grand emotional epiphanies by the time this event ends, you aren't doomed to suffer a character death; symptoms will simply dissipate come January 20th.

So what's this sickness going to be like in this particular instance, then? We're so glad you asked! You can go the standard route, of course. Adventurers' first brush with the illness saw the following afflicted upon them:

[ ♆ ] Stage One: Germination. Initial symptoms involve fever, coughing fits, numbness to nerves and extremities, and general joint stiffness. Difficulty breathing or performing other basic functions will often occur. Fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and intense weakness or dizzy spells are also liable to occur as the flowers begin to harvest nutrients from the body. This will also generate extreme thirst and periods of intense nausea. Tremors and the sensation of something "itching" from inside are also common. The end of Stage One is usually marked by the act of vomiting or coughing up flower petals or spores, along with a not-insignificant amount of blood.

[ ♆ ] Stage Two: Budding. The floral growths spread more completely inside the body, and begin to grow on the skin or exterior. Difficulty performing basic functions will increase as, for example, airways become obstructed and flowers grow around joints and pinch them still. The site of affliction also yields rashes, blisters, and blood sores as the flowers sprout from the skin. The rate of vomiting or coughing up floral growths will increase dramatically. Flowers often bloom quickly, and very painfully. Numbness in affected areas will increase, oftentimes rendering parts of the body completely inert - a pair of legs claimed completely by blooms, for example, will no longer work.

This was followed by Stage Three: Bloom, which resulted in character death. However, this strain will not advance to this style of Stage Three. All symptoms will disperse by the time Umui resurfaces.

This strain is also rather more erratic, which can make emotional repression more of an inconvenience than a horrifying circumstance. For those who would rather not play around with intense sickness (or who have already endured this once before), you have the option to go that route if you like! With this variant of the Overgrowth, one can become, for example, so embarrassed that they hiccup up a flower. A vicious denial of their feelings may cause them to spontaneously erupt into a rash of dandelion puffballs, seemingly immediately. You might end up walking around with a bouquet for an arm for a few hours. Perhaps mortifying, but certainly not fatal! Isn't that nice?

Unless, of course, you want it to be...

I Can't Fight It Much Longer

Now, while the Bloom Stage isn't present in this strain, it has mutated its progression into a rather nasty end stage. Those of you who succumb a little too readily to this illness, who don't fight off the emotional repression quickly, who don't admit those difficult truths to yourself or confess to whatever you're bottling up, you'll be faced with a potentially horrifying transformation. Potentially, because it is your choice whether or not you see fit to commit your character to that fate - as stated above, this option might simply skip over your character entirely, and the worst they'll have to deal with are cartoonishly over-the-top effects that disperse in due time.

But maybe not all of you will be so lucky. Some of you might discover for yourselves how this particular variant of the Overgrowth has mutated.

We call this mutation Stage Three: Outbreak. In this final Stage, those beautiful blooms wither and harden into a fungus-like carapace as the illness grows into the victim's brain and shuts down virtually all higher functions. This can sometimes render them almost wholly recognizable, but not always - oftentimes, it's very obvious who this person once was. The victim is reduced to a carrier of the virus, which causes them to act the way you'd expect most viruses to act: becoming intent on spreading. Advanced brain functions such as speech, rational thought, and so on tend to shut off and become wholly inaccessible.

Now that the victim's body is no longer fighting the Overgrowth, the illness lends them increased speed, strength, and durability, making them dangerous foes indeed. They will usually seek to infect others by whatever means necessary - usually via biting or exuding breathable spores - but in some cases, they will simply reduce to base instincts, and just outright attempt to attack and kill whoever is closest.

Unfortunately, at this point, there is no hope of a cure; it's hard to make someone be emotionally honest when they're capable of little more than blunt, animal instinct. At this point, you can either wait for the Stage Three symptoms to disperse come Umui's return, or take manners into your own hands. You can probably guess what that might entail.

If you decide to put your Overgrown friends out of their misery, this will count as a character death. If it comes to that, be sure to let us know on the Deaths page! Death penalties, however, will not be reduced for this event.

Try to Get Through It

Of course, there's a lot going on in the background as well. You're free to use this log as a catch-all for the duration of January's Undercurrent Event, as well as any of the other minor events listed on our Monthly Rundown post. And, of course, you are always free to create your own individual logs and posts as needed.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them over on the Questions header on our Rundown post!

January Timeline

[ ♆ ] January 1st: "This Sucks" begins and lasts until January 10th
[ ♆ ] January 3rd: "Growing Pains" begins and lasts until January 20th
[ ♆ ] January 11th: "No Water is Safe" begins and lasts until January 19th
[ ♆ ] January 20th: Umui returns to the archipelago
[ ♆ ] January 21st: "Impawsible Geometries" begins and lasts until January 31st

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

RUDE

[salutosinedelectat]

Little by little. Little by little since they stopped having to keep up appearances - for the most part, as there were still some roles to fill (as less than celestial, on Earth, and as more than that, to their former sides). Making up for time that was never really lost, but not fully available.

It’s...nice. This. Aziraphale feels himself quite unsure of what to do, how to proceed, how to feel. There’s so much. There’s too much. But he doesn’t pull away yet.


“Better. I think.” His voice is still quiet, soft. He swallows dryly and clears his throat, and it’s a roundabout relief to be doing so out of nerves instead of out of sickness. “I don’t ...feel them anymore.”

Re: RUDE

[agathokakological]

Aziraphale's response draws a relieved breath. It's not enough for Crowley to feel they're totally out of the woods yet, but a sense of impending doom that has loomed over him seems to be casting a much smaller shadow.

"Can I get you anything? Anything you'd like." he feels it's important to specify, the offer of course isn't just for things to aid in illness. 

It should be noted he hasn't tried to move yet. His voice remains soft, and his arms are loose enough around the angel that he could pull apart easily without effort, but their bodies close like this feels so nice; a luxury not often afforded.

[deathfindsaway]

You have gone out of your way to speak to me when I have been in bad situations. Somehow, despite certainly having enough clout on these islands to do so, you haven't banned me from talking to you despite once being set on fire. Kindness is not always going out of your way to be nice- it is also the choice not to be cruel.

[At least he's confident in this assessment, if nothing else. Tim may not believe it, but this Kravitz knows- it is always easier to do violence, when you are able. He knows Tim is able.]

You may have your own views of your own actions. I, in turn, have mine.

[deathfindsaway]

[He arches an eyebrow, in absence of other, more physical movements.]

That, frankly, sounds a bit exhausting. I didn't have much in the way of expressing personal identity until... fairly recently, and sometimes the weight of it all is hard to keep up with. Not that, that I don't like who I am, I'm just... content with that, I suppose. It is too complex to otherwise manage how other people feel about me.

[deathfindsaway]

[His eyes are equally focused on the petals, Kravitz' mind trying to sort through where he may have seen them, the classifications of Umui he only ever half-understood. He pulls himself away only when he knows it's not important, shaking his head a bit to clear that thought.]

I would strongly suggest you think about it, and-- well, the sooner you cure it the less unpleasant it will be. Trust me.

[Says Kravitz, who is gonna end up 20% bush regardless, because he's a damn hypocrite. He looks towards Aziraphale with serious but soft eyes, trying to read his motives with a look.]

Perhaps we-- I mean, if you need to talk, I am always here to listen, though I understand these situations may be sensitive.

[postictal]

That just means I've got low standards. I'm pals with people who've killed me.

[That probably shouldn't be an arguing point, but fuck it. If they're doing this, then they're doing this. Tim just plain doesn't have the energy for grudges most of the time, all right? That's the only reason he can be misconstrued as some kinda actual decent person.]

[He's not, though. He knows he's not.]

[deathfindsaway]

[From everything he's been told, Kravitz wouldn't imagine that to be something difficult for the other man. It's less of an emotional front and more of a physical; he knows well what it feels like to be stuck suddenly mortal, and he always feels the need to warn people before it gets bad.]

My concern was primarily in that you could have to handle more mortal effects as well. Such as getting... sick, which may not have happened to you before.

[deathfindsaway]

[It's not nearly as cruel as she imagines, in his mind. For as much as she worries over him and where he can go, the family he's missing, he doesn't want to leave if it means leaving her behind. She's family, and she deserves to come home with the rest of them. It's where she belongs.

Instead of protesting, he keeps her close, settling back down into the nest of pillows and blankets that make up the bed of this place.]

Come on-- tuck yourself in too, hm? We can... talk more in the morning. Once we have both slept.

[He feels tired and energized all at once, and maybe the best thing now will be to get some rest... if he has to.]

[deathfindsaway]

He's not sure that makes him feel better, but it is certainly something to consider. On one hand, it's totally possible the Storyteller isn't breaking a bunch of Death Laws, because the concept is completely foreign to him, and that's good. On the other hand, having a death system that he doesn't understand, know, or influence is... worrying at best. He doesn't like being so far removed from a system that's shaped him for so long, even if he has no reason to be influencing it in a space that isn't his.

Maybe he's just a control freak. It's hard to say.

"Mmmm. I suppose. But that brings the question of what dying here really means. We know the Storyteller can step between life and death, but-- where do the souls go if they don't intervene? What about the, the death of gods? What about Bliss?"

Kravitz knows Ginko was around before, long enough to know and understand the consequences of that action. He sighs, almost too heavy, trying to get his head back on track. "I just... I don't like adding another unknown to a situation so, so uncertain. Especially with something as important as death."

[lesbeau]

Well that just sounds like a mess. I mean, kickin' down dudes, don't get me wrong, but... 'ss discrimination if anyone's getting oppressed.

[Mostly she's imagining getting to beat down her dad, but that's largely neither here nor there. Beau shifts her weight between her feet, giving him another once over.]

So what, were you beaten down as a kid? I'm not gonna hit you, if that's what you're worried about.

[onegreeneye]

"Shade." Somehow. He doesn't really expect Jyushimatsu to be able to drag him to cover, but, you know. Maybe that could be something??

Ginko pulls in a shaky breath and drags his other arm under himself, pushing his hand against the ground with all the force he can muster - which isn't much. It feels like he's trying to lift a weight much greater than that of his own body. "Might-- take a while. Sorry."

[salutosinedelectat]

He almost answers impulsively, but then takes to actually thinking his answer over, just in case. It's working, right? They should take whatever chance they can get.

But, then, he shakes his head idly, palms still rested on Crowley's back. "No." It comes off too quiet, so he tries again. "No, I'm alright."

And he is, really. He doesn't feel perfectly fine, but, right now...this will most definitely do.

[philoxenia]

[ honestly yeah, good call kravitz ]

Oh--yes, I can see that. [ Because yikes. ] You-- have you been very, um... successful in your own endeavors?

[ As successful as anyone can be, anyway... ]

[agathokakological]

Crowley feels a bit overbearing, like how he had been when Warlock had a cold, which really, is probably useful knowledge when it comes to caring for their new forms. Still, Crowley can't help it. He worries.

"Do you want to lay down?" he asks with some hesitation, "I'll stay... I won't go anywhere." he feels he needs to specify this too, especially after running out on him earlier. Not something he plans to do again.

[agathokakological]

You can't manage how other people feel. They'll develop opinions whether you'd like them to or not.

[Which is why Crowley was so easily found out as a total fraud once there were actual stakes involved in his job. And why he had an insurance plan for that exact thing happening.]

Self-awareness is rare, I suppose.

[salutosinedelectat]

Being overbearing, in this case, seems to have worked. Apparently six thousand years of observing humans wasn't enough to even understand how something closer to a more mortal corporation works, much less when magical infections are involved. But, then again, the whole thing is such a much, they might as well use whatever references they can.

He trusts Crowley not to leave again. Not that Aziraphale, of all people, could really hold that against him.

He pulls back, carefully, so he can sit up straight again. "I suppose I should." He does still feel rather exhausted, but at least he can breathe a little easier, literally. He looks at Crowley. "You should too. You shouldn't keep running about like that either."

[agathokakological]

Crowley lets his arms fall from Aziraphale's waist, giving him a fond look as he makes the suggestion. He nods with a sigh, looking over their make-shift bed and all of the glorious comfort it offers. "If you insist." he says, but moves so that the angel can make himself comfortable first. Crowley himself doesn't mind the bed, but also doesn't much mind the floor, so it matters little.

"Make yourself comfortable, angel."

[suspecteverything]

Don't really know enough about Qill culture to know if they are or aren't, but gut feeling is it's not going that far. Chayden functions too well to have been oppressed, though that's... not saying much given I'm talking about Chayden.

[The other Tavali definitely fits his call sign of Pyscho Bunny. He's going to pointedly ignore that first question. There's really no good way to answer it other than to say he was heavily indoctrinated in the eton Anatole way, which would only invite more questions that he has no desire to answer.]

Well you could certainly try. Would be very Andarion for you to try actually. Doubt you'd be able to pull it off though.

[forwearemany]

(And they'll let him rest.)

[eudaimonikos]

...what, like a Dickensian orphan?

[who gets SICK? the PEASANTRY???]

[mockiri]

[Never has a little bird been so excited to listen. She scampers over to the nearest open seat available, tucks herself into a fluffy ball of feathers and cloak, and leans in, eager and waiting.

He'll have her full attention for as long as he's willing.]

[blindfoster]

This place really is the gift that keeps on giving.

[Quentin mutters a curse under his breath that is half fairly traditional fae oak and thorn mixed with a very modern millennial fuck me.]

Probably a good idea. I've gotten better at first aid since I started hanging around with Toby. [He adds, cheerfully.] She can heal from just about anything, but the rest of us still need band-aids sometimes. Or you know, a visit to Duke Torquil's healer when we get shot or stabbed or bitten or worse.

[demonpuppy]

[They're like, ten, okay. You show them a cool trick and they're gonna lose their shit.]

Who's your lady? Is she an alien? Can she teach me too?

[demonpuppy]

'S-nice-'t-meet-you. [The whole bit comes out in a rushed mumble, just barely understandable for the nervous attempt at manners it is.]

My dad was...half demon. He wasn't--he wasn't really around, I didn't...

[How exactly does one say 'I'm totally not affiliated with the Devil Mafia Of Evil despite my parentage' and sound legit about it? Chip would love to know, really.]

[demonpuppy]

Uh-huh. ...d'you wanna see?

[Actually, they're not even gonna wait for a response to that and plop down to start hucking their shoes off.]

I never heard of being blue...some people have eyes in their shoulders or stuff? But that's more if you're a half.