vestigenet | VIDEO | @nobodyspecial | Backdated to early February

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VIDEO | @nobodyspecial | Backdated to early February | CW: February event grossness

[ From the moment the feed clicks on, Naminé looks... uneasy. That's probably the word for the way her eyes flicker off to the side rather pointedly, as though she's got something in her sights that she's not exactly happy about. Then the shy uncertainty of having to address her fellows at large redirects her attention, and she focuses on the camera with what would have been an, 'um,' if she'd given it enough air. ]

Hello, everyone. [ That's greeting enough, right? ] There's... something that I thought I should share. [ A hesitation, then, ] But-- Vivi, if you're watching this, maybe it'd be better if you looked away for this part.

[ She waits just a moment - to facilitate said looking away, perhaps - before turning her camera around. What it was that was bothering her is immediately obvious, since the thing in question is a very dead, somewhat mutilated elk not far from where she's standing. A few hesitant, crunching footsteps bring the view closer to the carcass, but Naminé herself doesn't seem particularly eager to get any nearer. ]

This isn't the first one I've found in the past few days. The other looked like it was really sick, but this is...

[ Well. Perhaps the imagery is self-explanatory. ]

It seems like it was hurt by another animal, but I've never seen anything like this here before. Does-- anyone know what could have caused these sorts of injuries?

[ Because it's all well and good if it was those mountain lions, yet not so much if it was something else, something that's less of a known quantity - and at the moment Naminé's definitely leaning toward the latter. ]

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[LOOK HE KNOWS SHE SAID TO LOOK AWAY, BUT-]

Oh no...

[Don't mind him tugging the brim of his hat down to hide his face a little, but he peeks again a moment after.]

The poor thing... d-did you find them near your cabin, Namine? Be careful walking out there, what if the thing that did that is still around?

[She could get gobbled up!]

[ VIVI NO--

Well, the damage is already done. She won't scold him for it - doesn't even bother to look stern, since she did warn him - but Naminé seems that much more uncomfortable than she already did about the matter when the feed clicks on. ]

Vivi... I'm sorry you had to see that.

[ She knows he's seen plenty already, but that doesn't mean he needs to experience more. Shaking her head, ]

The other one was much closer to my cabin than this one is. [ Which isn't, you know, actually all that comforting. ] But I know it wasn't here yesterday - I walk by this way all the time.

[ Which means his concern is well-founded. She hesitates in place, though, casting a sidelong glance off-screen. (Most likely at the corpse, considering how her face indicates her stomach turning.) ]

You're probably right, but-- what if someone has questions about it?

[ Questions that require video evidence, or something? She's trying to do a solid for the team as a whole, here, even if she looks pretty disconcerted by it. ]

I-It's okay... you did tell me not to look.

[So it's not her fault!]

Just be careful, I don't want you to get hurt.

[It's not comforting at all that apparently there's ANOTHER one like this closer to her cabin.]

I guess you have a point... but, if you need some place to stay after the questions you can always stay in town with me!

It looks like necrosis. Poisoned, likely.

[ Despite his level tone, he's absolutely fascinated. ]

It might be a new type of monster? After that event with the things in the trees, it seems possible.

[ Mouth pursing, she agrees with his statement in the form of a soft hum. She still won't scold him, but she says gently, ]

You didn't have to, you know. I would have told you what had happened if you'd asked.

[ To save him the unpleasantness of the visual, and all that. She nods at the request, quick to offer an, ]

I'll play close attention so that nothing sneaks up on me.

[ Which is fine to say, but would maybe carry more weight if she were to admit to her awareness of memories as well as normal senses. (Not that that'd entirely save her either.) ]

Oh...! You're staying in town? [ She likes that thought, actually. More people around to help him out, rather than being as separated as they are amongst the cabins. She weighs the idea for a moment, then gives her head a slight shake as if to clear it. ]

I'll think about it. I can't say that it wouldn't make sense, but it'd be-- strange, not staying in my own cabin, and I wouldn't want to cause any trouble for you. Thank you, Vivi. It's very generous of you to offer.

[ As much as he could potentially make a guess over this device, his knowledge isn't necessarily enough here. But that's a problem, which means they better work out what's causing it.

And for that, he needs to go see in person, ]

Where are you?

[ There's a faint murmur of 'poisoned...' as Naminé frowns at the corpse, now off-screen. She doesn't have the same interest he might, necessarily, but certainly sees the necessity of figuring all of this out. ]

Whatever it is, it does seem new. I haven't seen any animals with marks like those or that look like they've been poisoned, and now there are two close together. It's probably not a coincidence.

[ Definitely not in a place like the Containment Zone. ]

But if the animals are being poisoned, then doesn't that mean we should be careful, too? It has to be coming from somewhere.

[ It should probably take elk off the menu for any would-be hunters, anyway. ]

[ She looks subtly relieved when the message starts; maybe she was hoping someone who specializes in this sort of thing would respond. She seems awfully prepared with her, ]

South of the lake, along the way to the gas station and the road that leads to town.

[ A beat, then, ]

I'll wait for you if you'd like to come and see it for yourself.

[ 'Cause, you know, then maybe she'll actually get to find out what he thinks instead of having to wait until he feels like sharing with the group. ]

[It's honestly not the worst thing he's seen and that's sad. Still it doesn't mean it's not hard to look at. Death never is. Vivi nods.]

Okay, next time.

[Even with magic and abilities it's still good to be aware. Who knows in a place like this, all sorts of scary and tricky things could nab you. Though there's a handful of people in the apartment building now, so it's not so lonely!]

Mhm! It wouldn't be trouble, I promise, but only if you want to.

[ He certainly appreciates how prepared she was. ]

Sure. That could help.

[ He'll probably smell the carcass easily enough, but it never hurts to have more to go off. ]

Edited 2021-02-24 17:33 (UTC)

[ Letting out a little sigh, ]

Thank you.

[ Which she seems to realize a moment later might have sounded strange because she perks slightly and then elects to elaborate, ]

That is, since we're friends, it's my job to make sure you don't have to look at things like that if I can do anything about it. I'd... rather not fail at it again so easily.

[ Among other ways of protecting him, but this is the one that's relevant now. She nods her acknowledgement, then seems to spend a moment thinking. ]

Say, Vivi... are the apartments a nice place to live?

[ At least, she assumes he means the apartments, since most of the other buildings didn't look quite as habitable. Not that she's planning on moving, but, you know, it's an excuse to see how he's doing there. And maybe in general. ]

Edited 2021-02-25 07:45 (UTC)

[ As little as she likes being around the corpse in the first place, she doesn't hesitate before she nods. ]

Then I'll be here.

[ Maybe responding to other messages and definitely trying not to let anything sneak up on her. ]

[ It's a longer walk from the farm than it would have been from the cabins, but he still gets there as quickly as he could have. Normally, he's not much for greetings, but he can tell she's on edge, so it's best to announce his arrival. ]

Hey.

[ He has an inkling, actually, that this might be due to his influence but is careful with anything that might give that impression. He doesn't know for sure, anyway, but since he recalls the DNA he was given to play with- Well, it's more likely than it isn't. ]

It does, yes. At least the signs of poisoning are obvious so it should be easy to avoid unwittingly consuming any.

[ He might though, for science's sake. It's fine. ]

Can you send me close-up pictures of the bites? If you'd rather not, sending me the location of the animal so I can examine it myself would also work.

[Naminé you didn't fail, Vivi just didn't listen!]

You're a good friend looking after me so much.

[And he means that! It's clearly important to both of them to take care of their friends.]

Yeah-! There's a few of us now, but it's really nice cause Foodland is close by. I've still got a lot of Ms. St. Loe's food that she gave me, but it's nice to go look around and see what's there.

And I get pet food to feed the strays in town too.

[He thinks with an "ummm" before continuing.]

The apartments are nice. Mine has a really big bed! Or it's really big for me.

[ Although Naminé isn't concerned about him deciding not to show up, it does cross her mind as the wait stretches on that he could have run into anything on the way. But he's better equipped to deal with that 'anything' than she is, so she elects to focus on the more probable idea that it only feels like a long time to her because of her nerves. The fact that she's paying close attention to any sign of life - the presence of memories included - serves her well; she doesn't seem startled to hear his greeting, which she almost surely otherwise might have. When she glances over her shoulder her mouth is pinched into a tiny frown, brows drawn slightly together, but she responds in as kind a voice as ever as she turns to face him. ]

Hello again, Geralt. It's good to see you.

[ The backward glance she casts at the body still strewn out on the ground where she found it suggests the, 'even considering the circumstances,' that she doesn't speak aloud. It needn't be said, but she nevertheless grimly states the obvious, ]

It's right over here.

[ As if some introduction need be made. ]

Edited 2021-02-27 08:19 (UTC)

[ Naminé, suspecting nothing about his involvement, does seem somewhat appeased by the notion that the poison might be avoidable, although her mouth keeps that preoccupied little purse. ]

I suppose that's true. Still... I wonder what it is they were eating, or if it was introduced that way at all.

[ Straightening slightly at his request, the way she blinks at the camera suggests she doesn't exactly like the idea of fulfilling it. Despite that (and a couple quick darts of her eyes between the screen and the dead animal), ]

... I can try. [ Her hesitation is palpable, yet after a beat, she turns the camera around, angling it toward the fallen creature. There's a little sway as her weight shifts before she convinces herself to take small steps forward toward the corpse. ] Just-- please tell me when I'm close enough.

[ And not a moment later, because this is far grosser than anything she's accustomed to dealing with. ]

[ Despite the situation, Naminé can't help but smile genuinely at the compliment, bashful though she might also feel. ]

I'm trying to be...! I don't have very many friends, so it's even more important to do my best.

[ In the interest of both figuring out how to do friendship properly and avoiding losing the ones she's got. Nodding along with his description, Naminé finds herself at first relieved, then slightly tentative. ]

I can see how that would make a big difference. Walking to Foodland takes such a long time from where I live now. But... those stray animals...

[ She opens her mouth to say that they didn't seem especially friendly, yet holds back a beat; he's clearly got some interest in them. Instead, ]

Have you been getting along with them? I'm sure they must be very hungry.

[ They certainly looked it before, anyway. Her smile flickers back for just a moment at that last part. ]

A lot of things are probably big for you, right...? [ He's always seemed small in comparison to... pretty much about everything human-sized. ]

Concerning.

[He frowns, his brow wrinkling with said concern.]

If something that can do that is out there, would you be willing to contact me if you see it, hear it, or even suspect its nearby?

[ Naminé appears to feel similarly about the matter, her pursed little frown evidence enough of the fact. ]

I'll try my best. Although - if I see something like that... I might not be able to let you know right away.

[ Because she'll probably be attempting either to escape or to hide, if she even lives that long. The way she regards the camera, though, suggests she's not only preoccupied with the idea of a creature itself; rather, ]

Are you asking me that because you're planning to fight it?

[ That certainly seems like a dangerous prospect, but considering his past actions where a hostile creature was involved, she does have to suspect as much. ]

Hard to say with the limited information that we have available.

[ If he recognizes her discomfort (he does), he doesn't acknowledge it. He'd offered to go himself but if she was willing to take the picture that would save him time and energy. ]

I appreciate it. [ He has the decency to say that much at least. As she hovers close to the corpse, he'll take a couple of snapshots on his end before saying- ] That's good, thank you.

[Vivi really likes it when Namine smiles, she looks so warm and pretty when she does. Honestly he just likes his friends happy.]

You are! I know you are at least.

[And oh, he does enjoy talking about animals so he perks at her asking about the strays he mentions.]

Usually I just leave food out and let them come eat when they want... I think they're really shy and scared to eat in front of people. Though a few of the stray cats have followed me around town now. They know I bring them food, but they still won't let me pet them.

[Which is too bad, but he's not gonna force it.]

It's okay though, maybe one day they'll be my friends too, but I'm just happy they're eating.

[And it's a tough life always being the size of a small child. Tiny child size mage boy. The world is forever huge.]

Mhm, I have to get a chair to reach the cupboards too, but that's okay. Ms. St. Loe helped me get everything put away cause she could reach stuff. Things we could just have on the counters I can reach okay if I stand on my tip toes.

[ A faint hum suggests her agreement; it really is hard to say with so little evidence. Nearly murmuring, she muses, ]

I guess if it were in the water we might have found about it before now.

[ Which would be one of her main concerns, honestly. Not accustomed to having her discomfort acknowledged (in any considerate way) in the first place, the girl doesn't notice the lack thereof. Her, ]

Sure.

[ in response to his appreciation is a little terse for a voice as soft as hers, but that's only because of the situation itself. She dutifully holds the camera with relatively steady hands until he indicates the objective's completion, and then spares no time withdrawing back to her initial position not next to the mutilated corpse. She looks just a tiny bit pale when the video refocuses on her face, but she still asks, ]

Is that everything you need?

Hm.

[ It's an amiable sound, a sort of 'good to see you to', before he makes to step around her before she even directs him that way. He gets down on one knee beside the carcass, resting one arm over his thigh, sweeping his gaze across the multitude of wounds. Most of them just seem like regular wounds from claws, and possibly teeth, but he can't see any actual bites. At least not where the predator has taken any bites off it. Instead, it seems to prefer tearing chunks out with its claws that it then ate. At least, he assumes so. None of the torn off pieces are strewn about.

Finally, he lifts his gaze to look at the ground around the elk, then stands to step over the carcass to crouch down again. ]

There are tracks here. Something with claws, moving in that direction.

[ He points further into the forest.

There's a furrow to his brow that gives away the fact that something isn't quite right, though. He could swear it looks like hands, not paws or talons. ]

[ Her features grow warm indeed at his reassurance, that smile rising again even as her chin tucks. There's so much gratitude in her chest that she can't quite manage to express it, and settles instead for a shy nod.

Pleasant though that feeling is, it's almost a relief to talk about the animals instead. Although she's not entirely convinced that the strays are shrinking violets, she gives a soft hum of slightly sobered understanding. ]

Maybe they don't believe in you just yet. Sometimes people who seem helpful at first only show their true colors later.

[ Which... is perhaps a more complicated human(oid) perspective on the same issue; strangers are potentially dangerous, and the ones that come bearing gifts are no less so. ]

I can't blame them for being careful, but whatever happens, I hope they'll at least get along with you. [ That is to say not harm poor Vivi, of course. ] I'm glad you're helping them, too.

[ And goodness, that small mage boy life sounds rough. Mouth pursing sympathetically, ]

What do you do in places where there aren't any chairs? Do you know how to climb, or... a spell, maybe?

[ Tilting her head at his greeting, she accepts it as such; she's had enough experience with Geralt by now to grasp that he doesn't waste words. Or time, for that matter, and though her eyebrows jump slightly when he moves past her, her efforts are directed toward stepping out of his way rather than taking exception to his directness. Falling silent, the girl regards him curiously as he examines the corpse, her eyes shifting between it and his back as she tries to discern what she can about what he might be discovering.

Straightening when he stands - she didn't even realize she was leaning in to get a better look - Naminé hesitates a moment before trailing a step or two after him. With the dead elk in the way once he crosses over it, though, she seems reluctant to follow past it. Mouth pursing into a concerned line at his verdict, she first thinks to ask one question, then notes the tension in his expression and adjusts her phrasing accordingly. ]

You don't recognize them?

[ The tracks, that is - otherwise he'd not have called whatever made them something or look so preoccupied about it, surely. ]

Even so, the request stands. A belated call would suit. [He quirks a smile at her.] Though—it depends on what it is, whether or not I would fight it. Most things here have proved to be somewhat dangerous. My concern is whatever is doing...this might escalate to human victims. I would like to make sure it does not, nor that it starts with you.

[ His smile seems to encourage a faint one of her own, which she offers concurrently with a small nod to confirm her understanding. From there, her expression sobers at the rest of his words, mouth pressing into a grim line that softens just a little in the wake of the last part. ]

I'm worried about that, too. [ Not being the first victim, but that there might be people hurt at all. ] If it can do this to an animal as big as this one, I don't think a normal human would be much of a challenge. It might only be luck that it hasn't gone after one of us already.

[ Either that or they're just not to the thing's taste. Frowning now, ]

But whatever it is, I'm sure you won't be the only one who wants to stop it. They do say there's safety in numbers. [ Of course, that doesn't negate the possibility of injury or death, and she spends a moment considering the likelihood of that with a knit in her brow. She's quick enough, however, to nudge the thoughts aside. Back to the matter at hand, ] Have you noticed anything strange around the forest lately?

Maybe, but it's okay if they never do. I'm just okay with them getting food and not being hungry.

[But that's not to say Vivi wouldn't be ecstatic if any of the strays started to let him pet them. He would be VERY happy! Best day ever!]

In the apartment the chairs help me reach anything I need to, buuut... sometimes it's hard to reach stuff in Foodland, but it's not so bad. Most things I want I can get and if not I just um, don't get to try that stuff.

[Which isn't so bad, he's been able to eat a lot of interesting stuff that he can reach! Sometimes there are others in Foodland too and they're nice and help him. It's really not so bad.]

Maybe I should try and find a ladder...

That's a good way to think about it. I'm proud that you're being so kind...!

[ So long as said petting doesn't involve being bitten or scratched or contracting any illnesses (or fleas) immediately thereafter, that's a wish of his she can certainly get behind. ]

Mm... [ The sound of her hum is a bit concerned. His plan is all well and good while the essentials are within reach for him, but... ] You know - if you need some help, I could always go with you. If we talk over our devices I'm sure we can organize a good time to meet up there.

[ Although actually-- ]

And a ladder might not be a bad idea. If you can't find one, you could always make one.

[ The kids on Destiny Islands were generally pretty resourceful about that sort of thing. ]

No. But that's not the first time.

[ There's a pause, as he considers whether to tell her more or not. But he might as well share, and then she can share with whoever else she wants. ]

It's probably not much bigger than a human. What I don't understand is why it hunts such a big animal, when it doesn't seem strong enough to bring the carcass with it. Is it really just for food?

[ The question is obviously him just thinking out loud, because she wouldn't know. ]

[Vivi bashfully hides his face and giggles. Namine is proud of him?! It feels good to hear that, especially from someone he considers a good friend.]

Thanks, Namine.

And if really like that! I don't mind doing stuff alone so much anymore, but doing stuff with friends is always better!

[And hmm, she's got a point!]

There's a lot of stuff here, I bet you're right. Making a ladder can't be that hard, right?

[ With a faint, thoughtful nod, ]

I suppose that makes sense. This is a very different world, after all.

[ So there are bound to be more things he's unfamiliar with. Sure, it would have comforted her somewhat if he had recognized him, but there's no helping it. Appearing to sense his pause, she draws her eyes up from where they'd fallen toward the tracks he pointed out just in time to catch the beginning of his description. ]

That small...? [ It's hard for her to imagine taking down an elk single-handedly, but she isn't quite as well-equipped with the physical tools of violence. For a second she falters, thinking of some of the more humanoid Heartless - but no, claws though they might have, she would have expected to see those in more populated areas by now if there were any around. As she discards that thought, another pops up. ]

If there's still more that it didn't eat, do you think it'll come back to finish? [ That's certainly a concerning thought if they're going to be here any length of time. Worse is, ] Unless there really was another reason it did this. Is it... common for creatures to hunt animals for reasons other than food?

[ His reaction is so sweet that Naminé finds her features warming into a smile despite the bleak scene she's standing next to. From the angle of the camera it looks like she's merely standing alongside the trees somewhere, and for a second it feels that way to her, too. ]

Sure.

[ Whether being proud of someone is cause for their gratitude or not, she's glad to have given him a feeling that would prompt him to thank her at all. Nodding at his agreement, ]

I think it's for the best, when you can do it...! Especially in a place like this.

[ Safety in numbers, and all that. Regarding the ladder, ]

Right. The materials for it are usually pretty simple. Although-- [ And here's where she has an inkling of concern, ] It's really important that you make sure it's strong enough before you try to use it to get anywhere up high. The last thing anyone would want is for you to fall.

Wouldn't say common, but it happens.

[ He stands up. ]

I'm going to follow the tracks. You should head back.

[ Although she makes a soft noise of understanding, Naminé looks a bit preoccupied with considering the possibilities. Picturing the creature as humanoid gives her the creeps for reasons she can't quite put into words, and she's only just told herself to leave that idea out of her thoughts when Geralt stands, attracting her attention. ]

By yourself?

[ That's her kneejerk response to his words, despite the fact that she can't exactly argue the second part. She should head back, especially if there's any chance whatever went after the elk might still be nearby - but she still frowns up at him all the same, looking more reluctant than she probably ought to considering how obvious her distaste for being around the corpse is. ]

I always work by myself.

[ More or less, anyway. Never mind the recent and increasingly frequent exception of Jaskier.

And Jaskier's not here right now. ]

Always...?

[ Her mouth twists up slightly, pursing as if she finds this idea unacceptable. The little knit in her brow suggests the same, although she's evidently reluctant to say as much. That's probably why her voice is hesitant as she observes, ]

But if something happens to you out there, there'll be no one to help. We might not even know if you go missing until it's too late.

[ Her obvious disapproval is a little strange, because no one's ever cared about it before. Of course, everyone back home knows that witchers work alone. And nobody cares if a witcher dies because of it.

They die on the path. That's how it works. ]

Yes. It's all right.

[ He says it's okay, yet Naminé does not look convinced. It's not hard to tell she's holding back from expressing some of what's on her mind, nor is it difficult to imagine that whatever it is, it probably involves some concern for his well-being. She's bursting at the seams with it in a way such a quiet girl rarely is, but perhaps her ability to restrain herself is commendable in spite of what she does let through.

(This is his profession, she reminds herself. It doesn't quite work.) ]

Because you'll be fine? Or... because you'll come back even if you aren't?

[ Perhaps the why of his 'all right' doesn't actually matter, but she finds she wants to know it all the same. ]

I'm not dead yet and I've been doing this for decades.

[ Any company at all is a recent addition. ]

I know what I'm doing.

[ That's no guarantee that nothing will go wrong, especially when he knows very little of the creature they're dealing with here. But the risk is smaller for him than anyone else. ]

[ Naminé bows her head slightly, almost apologetically. ]

Right. Of course.

[ Although her features are contrite and a trifle less fretful than before, she's no fool; she's quite well aware of the very same fact that this world's creatures are outside of his experience. Even so, it doesn't bear mentioning, especially because his years of practice are - hopefully - still worth something. Hands laced together, she pauses briefly, as if hesitating. Then, ]

When you make it back... [ It's a deliberate choice not to say if, ] I'd really like to hear about what you find, if you have the time to tell me about it.

[ Is that a ploy to make sure he at least checks in so as to be certain he isn't dead? Possibly, but that doesn't make any part of the request itself insincere. ]

All right.

[ Not like they lack time here.

And since this conversation is obviously over, he gives her a nod, and turns to follow the tracks. ]

[ The relief on her face at his agreement is subtle but notable. ]

Thank you.

[ She recognizes the intent of his nod only as he turns away, but still raises a hand to give what might almost count as a wave (yet is mostly just a
reserved lifting of her palm). By way of goodbye, ]

Be careful...!

[ And though he's taken his leave, she'll nevertheless wait where she is a few moments 'til he's out of sight. ]

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VIDEO | @nobodyspecial | Backdated to early February | CW: February event grossness

video | un: @vivi.ornitier

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video; @sadi

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