(no subject)

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

WHO: Caramia + Whoever wants to join this idiot.
WHERE: "Around town"??? // General store // Ruga
WHEN: 3/19, early morning // noon // 3/21
WHAT: Searching for the source of the hoofbeats // Guitar??? Jam Out??? Sure. // Sick lion dad is sick
WARNINGS: Eerie sounds and some dumbass playing his guitar. Also being Very Sick.

3/19 (Early morning) [Ruga house --> Exploring the town]

[ How many hours of sleep has it been today? It's hard to tell. Caramia can just confirm that he is, in fact, still tired. How fun. It has been hard to sleep through the dead silence, with only the sounds of the heartbeats and breaths of the people nearby, and if that sounded weirdly creepy, that's because it is. He'd have to fashion himself some earplugs sometime soon...

In the meantime, even though light is only just beginning to bathe the world, this tired lion still gets up for the day. He reaches over for the laptop (because that's what they're called! He's figured that out!!) and opens up the typing application to start jotting a few things down. Namely that it's a new day and he didn't get much sleep again. Nothing was labelled by dates, he simply kept things written as "Day 1", "Day 2", etc. It is a boring thing to read, as Caramia just seemed to have written what he did on the day, with the occasional question or theory about this town, but most of it stays bland.

He stops, however, when he realizes there's a peculiar tapping sound that rivals that of the ticking on his keys. It seems to have only been for a fleeting moment... no, there it is again. The sound is strange. Then again, any sound at this point is going to sound strange, since no sound is the standard here. Is this... the sound of horses?

Quickly, the laptop is pushed aside, and the curious lion makes his way out onto the streets of this dreadful town to follow the very out of place noise of hoofbeats. Dangerous? Probably. But he couldn't just ignore it now, could he? ]

3/19 (Noon) [General Store]

[ There are a lot of things to not like about this town. The fact the lack of color was so depressing, the food didn't taste good, the water felt worse than actual water, and the overall cold weather of the town... wasn't great. Oh, and of course, the fact they are stuck here with no clue what is going on and no idea of how to get home, but we'll just gloss over that little, tiny detail for now!! The worst of it, for Caramia, is definitely the fact that this town-- this horribly silent town, complete with no noise when one so much as steps on old leaves-- suddenly has what Caramia can only describe as "phantom horse trots" in the town.

It proves to be the most grating thing. Eerie, too, but fear is very rarely a problem for this reckless man. And, if he can't find the source of the issue, what better way than to just... drown it out? Taking his guitar case with him, Caramia strides much too stubbornly to the General Store, poking his head around to ensure he was alone. Not because he really didn't want company, but rather because he didn't want to think he might've been disturbing anyone.

Once there, he procures his acoustic guitar from its case and finds a place to take a seat that isn't falling apart under his weight. He adjusts it in his hands and gets situated.

...

He runs his fingers along the strings once, giving a little shudder at just how loud it sounds through the deadness of this town.

...

Regardless, he does it again, and his hands start to fall into practiced movements. ]

3/21 [A House Full of Nerds in Ruga...]

[ The weather outside is... not so bad, actually. It's cold, sure, and there's some flurries of snow, but it's certainly no winter wonderland. Nice weather to sit by the fireplace with a good book and some hot cocoa, though, right? Haha. Too bad there is none of that.

All yesterday, Caramia found himself with a bad case of the sniffles, though he was awful quick to brush aside any sort of concern. He took his medication, after all! He'd be fine! That is, until he wasn't. This morning, he stayed curled up in his usual dingy sleeping spot on the floor, using one of the rough blankets as a pillow, and his own coat as a cover, curled underneath with very prominent shaking. His breathing came out in short, quick gasps, face flushed and clearly the exact opposite of "being fine".

Oh well, it was only a matter of time before someone was going to get sick of this place, right? ]

Comments

3/19 (Early morning)

[drubbings]

[ Someone had heard it too, and was standing outside one of the bleak houses looking in the distance to where the noise could possibly be coming from. She looks extremely bedraggled, hair snarled around her horns and jeans crumpled like she had just fallen asleep in them. She glances in his direction absentmindedly when she notices she's not alone. ]

Musclebeasts, right? That's what it's got to be.

[ She taps a finger against her lips, frowning. ]

I didn't think anything lived here. You smell exhausted, by the way. Is that normal.

[ Weird and wild conversation, but she seems to be distracted and thinking. ]

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ There's a biting chill to the air this early, probably making Caramia a tad grumpier than his usual self, but it still wasn't enough to make him ignore... admittedly strange looking girl. He even gives him a bow of his head and everything as a silent good morning, unaware that wasn't much of anything to Terezi. ]

'Musclebeasts'. That's a new one.

[ For now, he stops his hunt for the strange creatures. At least until he's sure this girl, however weird she may be, is doing well. ]

Increasingly more normal as of late. [ There's a bitter laugh. We'll just ignore the fact she said "smell". Slip of the tongue, maybe...? It's early enough in the morning for Caramia to believe that. ] I'm surprised to find someone else awake, signorina. Did they wake you as well?

[drubbings]

[ She fishes around for the right word. 'Horses' sounds right. But he seems to understand so she doesn't bother to clarify. ]

Yes, it is a rather terrifying but apt term. Huge and gross. But it looks like they are huge and invisible.

[ She turns to look at him, eyes squinting a bit. ]

Yes. I would usually be going to bed at this time but I guess nature had different plans! What's 'signorina'?

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Fair enough. Though, the horses he knew of weren't necessarily "gross". To each their own? ]

Ah, you're nocturnal, too?

[ At least there was someone around here who would understand his complaints on the matter. ]

It means "Miss". Would you like to walk with me? I was going to see just what's exactly making these sounds.

[drubbings]

[ Her eyes light up at that comment and a grin spreads across her face showing off her sharky white teeth. ]

Someone who gets it! I'm not sure why any species decided day was a pleasant time to be up but it is wack.

[ Without any hesitation or tact: ]

What are you?

[ She nods and repeats the word, thoughtfully. ]

Yes, I would like that. I want to see what else is here.

3/19, noon

[messianic]

[It's probably not that surprising that in the end, Minato's drawn to music. It's a welcome, welcome sound compared to the eerie silence of the town; Minato would like to use his mp3 player, but in truth? It'll die if he uses it too much, and then what'll he do?

Better to not risk it yet.

Still, when he hears music, he automatically heads that way--and then he just tucks his hands into his pockets, head tilted and eyes shut, and is perfectly content for now to listen while Caramia is content to play.]

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Even if this town is horribly depressing and eerie, it's nice to have moments like this. It might have been a fairly unnecessary use of time, but... in Caramia's eyes, it was important to keep spirits high, especially now. Music would have to do the trick. Granted, it was a little selfish this time, but maybe at some point he could convince all the equally as concerned and confused forced-residents of this town for a musical get together? It wouldn't be as nice without some proper food and colorful atmosphere, but... certainly would've been better than nothing.

Something to think about later.

Though, the effort to drown out his surroundings isn't entirely plausible, as the occasional trots in the distance still catch his attention. So much for trying to think better of things. And-- oh? Wait, this wasn't a trotting phantom horse. Certainly smelled human, though not anyone he's met yet. He keeps his head down, not for a lack of disinterest, but because he seems very focused on playing. ]

Oi, signore.

[ Caramia doesn't stop playing, but it gets a little softer all the same. ]

Did you have a request?

[messianic]

[Oh... he wasn't expecting Caramia to address him even while he's playing; Minato blinks, but lifts his eyes as well, glancing over properly.

Requests...]

No, I don't have anything in particular.

[A shake of his head, and softly:]

I'm just happy to hear music again. [It's too quiet here.]

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ An appropriate and completely understandable response. He is honestly a little glad to hear that he wasn't the only one completely bothered by the silence. (That seems like it would've been a common thing to be bothered by, but...)

Picking up his head pulls slight hesitation from Caramia. This is... another child, isn't it? He sure looks young anyway. (Then again, they all do to him.) What's with all these unfortunate teenagers this place decided to spit out here? It's just... absolutely infuriating that they have to worry about something like this.

...He never once thought he would be so sad to hear the phrase "happy to hear music again" from someone. ]

In that case, I'm happy to provide. [ He gives a sympathetic smile. ] I was a little concerned when I found my guitar was just left around here. Felt like an invasion of privacy that someone took it to begin with [ and not to mention really goddamn weird and eerie it was here. ], but... I'm actually kind of glad.

[ He pauses for a moment, then starts the first couple cords to a new song. ]

I'm Caramia, by the way. Piacere di conoscerti.

[messianic]

[Pia... what? Minato's quiet for a moment, brow furrowing slightly as he processes that--and then he just clears his throat and does his best.]

Um... I'm Minato. It's...nice to meet you too...? [He's assuming that's what that meant, anyway! Italian is very far beyond him and his rather generic school life.

Besides, the guitar is way more important.]

Honestly, I'm glad you have it too. It's awfully quiet here, so... [Music. Music is always good, he loves music.] ...I feel like that brightened my day a lot.

3/19

[parodeity]

[ it's a brief outing, probably after his post and before he makes his way to the bonfire, but dave got told to "eat something" and that means finding something to eat. accordingly he's going to try to find a can of whatever the fuck to consume, or to see if there's anything to help with colds - a thing he finds doubtful.

he looks tired but more or less fine, but it's hard to read him with the poker face and shades...

although something lifts at the sound of music, because phones don't hold charges that long when you play your music on them for a few nights, and dave doesn't know any other source. he eventually comes to lean against the wall, hands in his pockets and eyes shut behind his shades as he listens for a bit.

it's not even been a week, but he already misses the simple ability to play music way too much. ]

What's this called? [ when there seems to be a lull he'll speak up, quiet. ]

I'm so sorry, Dave

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Bonfires are way better more towards nighttime, anyway. Granted, being out at nighttime in this town was abysmal, considering that it wasn't your usual darkness. But that's besides the point! Spending time with an idiot lion and his silly guitar was way better.

Drawing any attention is definitely unavoidable, but it certainly wasn't unwelcome. Company is always nice, and, hell, there's probably others around just as sick of the obnoxious horse trots as he is. Ghost horses are just the worst now, aren't they?

He gives a little nod as a greeting, but seems far too invested in his music to vocally acknowledge Dave's presence for now. That is, not until he speaks up, anyway. And it's at this point, he's given two options: 1) Don't be a piece of shit, or 2) Be a Shitlord.

After Very Careful consideration, Caramia decides to do the mature thing... and pick #2. ]

It's called a guitar. [ Look at that dumb grin. He's so proud of himself. What a moron. ]

[parodeity]

[ as a piece of shit himself, DAVE HAS NO PLACE TO JUDGE...but there's a snort of laughter that half turns into a cough, before he pretends that is definitely not a thing that is happening. ]

I meant the song, wiseass. Is it from back home?

[ and is it something he's heard, or something new? he's not entirely sure just yet. ]

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ He laughs, keeping his eyes down on his fingers. ]

I couldn't help myself. You set yourself up for that one.

[ Clearly, he is the adult here. Immature? Caramia? Never. He's just a simple man playing his guitar and being a considerate, Adult™ soul all around. ]

If it has a name, I'm not sure, but I've definitely heard it before. I usually play songs by ear.

[parodeity]

Yeah, maybe. So...Caramia, right?

[ because he said so, over text. ]

You didn't find that guitar lyin' around in a shop, did you? Because I didn't see a single damn thing that looked like a music shop. These people absolutely did not know how to live.

03/19, noon

[queenofminiskirts]

[Kaoru heads for the general store in hopes she can find some food and maybe some clothes too that wouldn't make her look like a cosplayer in period dress (bad enough the outfit she came in already made her look like a cosplayer, she didn't need to look like some kind of reject from a fantasy TV series too).

Then she hears the music and she's approaching to see where it was coming from. As quietly as she could, she sits down across from him when she finds where he was and just listens.

Coming from a big city like Tokyo, and having lived in a place with her two best friends and all the noise that entailed, it's weird to be somewhere so quiet. The sound wasn't anything familiar, but it was something far more human than the eerie silence all around them.

Kaoru will take what she can get. When he's done she's going to applaud.]

Wow. You're really good!

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ It seems he's not the only one wanting a little break from all this silence. He looks up only briefly when Kaoru approaches, acknowledging her with a small smile, but his attention is quickly drawn back to his instrument.

By the time he finishes his song, he looks (and feels) a lot more relaxed than he was before. Whoever was going to tell him this was a waste of time would promptly get an earful. However, he looks genuinely surprised when she begins clapping, looking up at her as if, for a moment, she may have grown a second head. It isn't until she vocally praises him does he give a bashful smile. It's been such a long time since someone legitimately complimented him. ]

Grazie, signorina. Glad to know I haven't gotten rusty. Had I known I was going to have an audience, I would've found somewhere better for you to have a seat at.

[queenofminiskirts]

You definitely haven't. I mean, I'm not an expert in music but I liked it.

[If anyone told him he was wasting his time, she'll gladly throw them into a wall.

They were in a difficult situation, everyone deserved to be able to relax and unwind in whatever way they chose.]

I'm not sure there's anywhere like that here.

[Everything's sort of broken down.]

I'm not even sure where you found a guitar like that.

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

I could probably find somewhere. Given time, that is.

[ If he had something to cut a tree down with, they could just sit on logs. Surprisingly, that may have even been more comfortable than anything else this town had to offer... ]

It's mine. I'm not sure how it ended up here, though, but... it was in one of the houses in the Ruga district.

[ He really didn't want to think how, as that was a major invasion of privacy, but... the more he didn't think about it, the better. ]

3/19 - morning

[lonered]

[Caramia isn't the only one drawn out into the streets by that downright creepy-as-hell sound. Keith, mind you, has had a bad morning. After the run in that he and Dave had with the shadows, he's been left drained in general and thoroughly chilled -- he's pretty sure he's even cold to the touch at this point.

But shivering in bed is a useless activity, so he's forced himself up and out.

Until he hears the hoofbeats. Because while he's seen some messed up animals on his trip to the forest, he hasn't seen any in town.

And.

Well. He still doesnt. Is he going crazy? Is he actually hallucinating or running that high a fever? Probably not but when he sees someone else in the street, he pipes up.]

Hey. [Super polite, right? But he means well.] Do you hear that too?

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Caramia walks like he's on a mission. Where that mission is taking him is literally beyond him, but he's going anyway. Is it dangerous? Yeah... probably. Does he care? No, not really.

He does manage to stop when he hears a voice, which honestly is for the best, since it's so hard to figure out just where the noise is stemming from. One moment it sounds like it's in the middle of town, next it sounds like it's coming from the forest outward of Ruga, then to the forward outward of Flavo. It was infuriating. ]

Oi... [ Sorry, Keith, he seems a little distracted. At least Caramia gives a nod in his direction, but otherwise his golden cat-like eyes are much too busy looking around for the source of the hoofbeats. ] Unfortunately, they're a tad hard for me to miss.

[lonered]

I can't tell where they're coming from. And I sure as heck haven't seen any horses around here. I mean... weird deer things in the wood. But they didn't... have hooves...

[Spider-deer. Keith is still residually unsettled by it at this point in time. Trying to contain the worst of his shivers, he looks around, frowning.]

What the quiznak is going on.

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Weird... deer things? Geez, Caramia, you should really actually go out into the forest to do some exploring. He feels so left in the dark... about a lot of things. It's his own fault, really. At least this time around, he is trying. ]

Well, I was on my way to follow it. You're welcome to come with me-- going in numbers is probably better anyway.

[ That said, he doesn't wait for an answer before he starts moving again. After all, if Keith decides he didn't want to come, it's not like Caramia would've blamed him. Chasing odd sounds wasn't exactly a pleasant thought. ]

3/21 - Idiots don't catch colds

[crowsigliere]

Despite the fact Kyrie felt perfectly confident living in the cottage he'd found himself in initially, at least for the time being, he still wondered if it was worth the trouble arguing Caramia into doing the same. It would make sense for the two of them to be housed together, as they had been originally. It would be safer, and easier for the two of them to communicate.

But, as it were, the consigliere found himself visiting the idiot more often than not, or vice versa. It's not as if there was much else to do in this town. There wasn't even a casino. What the hell kind of town didn't have a casino??

It was on one such trip that Kyrie found himself, despite the otherwise rational thought that going out in the snow wasn't the brightest idea. He hadn't heard from Caramia yet, and given his state right out of the well... it's not that he was worried, mind. He just couldn't let the idiot sleep in--especially when he'd probably complain about missing the sight of the flurries dusting the air with every brushstroke of wind.

He didn't bother knocking, because frankly with as much disrepair as the town had fallen into it wasn't worth the effort, but then it wasn't as if he was visiting a stranger. There was hardly even a pause as he crossed the threshold before he began searching out the other man.

"Caramia," he called in a lofty voice, pushing the door shut behind him and glancing around the room. It took only the span of a breath to catch sight of his huddled form in the corner, if only by recognition of the coat wrapped so snugly around him. "If you're still asleep, I'll have your hide for a rug." Kyrie, that's weird. He wasn't a lion anymore.

Unfortunately for Caramia, he didn't have a chance to respond before Kyrie reached out to tug the coat from around him--only to pause just before he did so, fingers curled in the soft of a sleeve but without the force to remove it.

"...I already told you, I don't feel like playing nurse, you selfish lion."

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

It was hard to tell who had entered the house at first. He definitely heard their footsteps, but it certainly didn't sound like Terra's or Henry's. He should know, considering he's heard them walk on these rickety floors a number of times by now. Strangely, though, the elegance in the guest's strides were familiar. Before he could put it together, he heard Kyrie calling his name.

He seemed to curl up a little tighter, burying most of his face under the coat. It was silly to think he'd leave, but... he really hoped he did. It wasn't exactly shameless to be seen like this. Granted, it wasn't nearly as bad as it could've been, but that didn't make it any less humiliating. Plus, the last thing Caramia wanted was to have Kyrie belittle him. Couldn't he just sleep? Why did he have to come check up on him now? Kyrie shouldn't even have been going outside to begin with, he hates the cold!

He gave a small huff (it might have been hard to tell, as his breathing was already so heavy), meeting his eyes with Kyrie's.

"I didn't mean to... You don't have to do anything, it's not-" He's cut short by a coughing fit, as if even his body was trying to say you liar. "--that... bad."