Somewhat Human

October 17, 2023

Spider, who is somewhat human, appears in the lighthouse. She glances around the lighthouse with an almost amused expression, "...At least this doesn't change."

The lighthouse has a metal spiral staircase going up. A few tables and boxes sit around a metal door. She can faintly hear the rain hitting the side of the structure outside. One of her canine ears twitch automatically at the sound of the rain as Spider absentmindedly runs a black malformed hand over the edge of a table. They wince slightly as her claws catch at the wood she sighs and starts to head up the stairs.

On heading up a small breeze pushes some of the rain onto her. She can see a red forest with pine trees and distant mountains. In the opposite direction she can see a small town. Spider groans and zips up her jacket. Her tail curls into her legs at the slightly unpleasant sensation of their face being wet. They look in the direction of the town and thanks to her long legs she easily clambers over the railing before dropping down. She makes it down and is now facing the woods. Some of the rain is blocked by the trees but it doesn't stop it completely. Spider heads in the direction of the town. One of their hands goes to the knife sheathe hanging from her belt. 

Eventually she enters the outskirts of Cherrywood. Some residential houses line a small road that leads further into town. A few nonferals are out and about either running through the rain to quickly check their mail, in a car on their way to work, or walking along the sidewalk with coats or umbrellas.

"...Right," They mutter tilting their head in thought, "Her... his house should be a good enough start," Spider starts to walk while looking around for any sign of Lover Lane. On walking onto the sidewalk she gets closer to a nonferal with a coat heading her direction.

"...Shit-" Spider keeps walking and ducks their head down in an attempt to hide their face.

The guy in the coat slows down near her and tries to talk to her, "Mam, do you need an umbrella out here?"

Spider slows down. She is still keeping her head down as she responds, mostly to get them off her back, "I'm alright, ta."

The stranger seems concerned, "...Are you ok?" They try to lean over slightly to look at her face.

Spider moves her head away from him. They silently curse, "I'm fine, look I'm new here, how do I get to Lover Lane?"

The nonferal speaks again, "Oh if you go through downtown and head to the walking tra-" He is suddenly interrupted by a scream from someone exiting their home who points at Spider.

"...Fuck-" Her ears flatten at the scream as she quickly looks back down at the floor and starts speed walking. She hears the commotion from amongst the houses and makes it to the trees safely.

Spider pauses and goes to lean against a tree. She listens to the commotion for a minute. It's muffled and distant yelling as she sees a few police cars driving into the neighborhood.

"...Shit," Spider groans and starts walking along the outskirts of the trees. She's still trying to get to Lover Lane while avoiding the chaos she just left behind. The town's geological foot print is rather large. Seems if she wants to go to that street she's going to need to be in town. She can see police patrolling half the town now.

Spider sighs in frustration and heads West into the woods to explore the surrounding area. After a while she finds the ground is starting to slope up before reaching a tree line. Ahead are fields of tall grass carpeting rolling hills with even higher mountain ranges in the distance hidden by clouds.

"This is new..." Spider mumbles as she continues onwards looking around the fields curiously. It's still raining some as she heads up a hill. The fields are dotted with red flowers and a large city rests partly in the fog far away. Spider eyes the city but eventually decides against heading there. She really doesn't want a repeat of Cherrywood. She turns around and heads East. Making her way back into the woods. She enjoys the walk.

They stop by the outskirts of Cherrywood to see if the town has calmed down. There's still police roaming the area. Spider's ear twitches in annoyance as they continue to head East. She heads deeper into the woods and bushes are getting thicker. Less and less rain can make it through the leaves.

Spider wipes at her face to dry it. She then sighs and decides to come back when everything's calmed down. She disappears.

Datr - [Begin Frequency]

Datr - [ It's slightly rainy as the carnival has been closed for the day due to weather. The clouds cover the sky but some sunlight is still able to get through. Gambit trots from one tent to the next to avoid getting too much water on his clothing. As he enters the tent he sees many of his co-workers re-sorting props, and getting their costumes ready to be cleaned. The tent itself is set up with a large open area in the middle and metal bleachers around it. Most of the props and materials being stored away are dragged out of the way and towards the bleachers. Gambit walks through the center and towards the far end of the tent. ]

Luna - Hello?

Datr - [ Gambit glances to his side a moment before resuming walking. He doesn't even bother speaking quietly, "Hello there." ]

Luna - Dang, rainy days. Surprised you're comfortable hearing loons in your head though.

Datr - [ "You're quick to assume I'm comfortable with it at all," Gambit goes to sit on the bleachers. A few coworkers give him a strange look for talking to seemingly no one. ]

Luna - Oh whoops, my apologies. Just thought that because you spoke at regular volume. Anyway, what's going on? Seems like y'all are busy

Datr - [ Gambit continues speaking out loud, "It's an off day so we're all just cleaning up and getting things ready. Backstage stuff and all." His coworkers whisper to each other. Gambit starts taking a wrapping off his tail that keeps his fur from snagging on anything. ]

Luna - You don't have to speak so loudly. DATRS apparently accepts speech under your breath. I wouldn't want public opinion of you to go south, if you catch my drift. Did something happen to your tail?

Datr - [ Gambit folds the wrappings, "Nothing, just all part of the costume." Gambit glances up at the entrance of the tent as he hears a vehicle park outside. ]

Luna - Ah I see, that's cool. Wait, who's here?

Datr - [ A police officer steps into the tent and begins to speak with a few of the workers in the front. Gambit sets the wrappings aside, "Well we are about to find out." ]

Luna - Police? Funny, we were in contact with the police yesterday.

Datr - [ Gambit nods, "Oh yeah? What did you tell them?" The workers point in Gambit's direction and the police officer begins to walk. Gambit gets up and straightens his hat. ]

Luna - That I was drowning in bitches? Oh and I believe I was there when Penelope got attacked by something in the woods.

Datr - [ Gambit nods quietly as he approaches the officer with a welcoming smile, "Greetings! What seems to be the issue sir?" The officer rests his hands on his hips as he speaks, "We had another loonism scare down in Bramble Street and wanted to make sure it wasn't anyone here breaking public loonism courtesy. If anyone here has been dressing up as a human or wearing makeup like one I would want to be informed immediately." The officer gets out a small paper card and hands it over to Gambit. Gambit accepts it happily, "Gladly, I would hate for anyone here to cause such harm." ]

Luna - Public loonism courtesy? Hey Gambit, can you read the card for us?

Datr - [ Gambit looks at the card, "Officer Oliver. Badge number 164 and a phone number. Very good." Gambit looks back up with a smile, "I will contact you immediately. Will that be all for today?" The officer nods, "Yes, thank you." ]

Luna - So what was that about? Dressing like... humans or makeup? Didn't realize that was such a big deal in your world.

Datr - [ The officer nods politely and turns as he heads out of the tent. Gambit begins walking back to the wrappings he left on the bleachers, "Wouldn't want people intentionally cuasing loon scares across the town. If it were Haze borough that could be different but this town is more accepting." ]

Luna - Makes sense, last thing y'all need is an eruption of loons trying to... actually I have no idea what that would cause. Haze Borough though? What's that?

Datr - [ Gambit sits back down and takes his hat off, "Some big fancy city up in the hills. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole though if I were you. It's worse than any city I've ever heard of." ]

Luna - That doesn't make sense Gambit. It's both a fancy city in the hills but also bad? What's wrong with it, snooty people or something?

Datr - [ "Pff. More like living trash. Everyone there is running from the law or exploiting it." ]

Luna - Ah I see. That's awful. Where did the whole Loonism thing start anyway? I guess I just don't get why nonferals are attracted to human clothing or living.

Datr - [ "I don't get it either, not a loon myself I don't think." Gambit shrugs as he Sets the rest of his costume aside and puts a coat over his normal clothing. ]

Luna - Nor am I honestly. Never understood how it's decided on.

Datr - [ "Decided on?" ]

Luna - Like how it's figured out who's a loon and who's not.

Datr - [ "Well it's not decided, its hereditary." ]

Luna - Hereditary??? So it's just genetics then. That sucks

Datr - [End Frequency]