A little AU taking place a bit after Desmond (temporarily) subdued The Shade and if Allen was the playable character. Thought I'd share some rough notes that I had!
🔥Characters
Main
Allen Shore + The Red Glow (takes Tonia's role)
Dave + The Heart (one of the scrapped Shadows 👀)
Elinor Cho + The Mimic (Another of the scrapped, but think should be another name)
Alice Nygaard + The Structeur (Can glide)
Desmond Wales + The White Star
Side
Jorge Avalos
Lucas Cole + The Flash
🪽 Entities
I don't really know what to collectively call them other than Entities lol
The Shade
The agony of Thanatos' sailors echo from within the pools, followed by the bellow of a … trumpet? They act as a stand-in for the puddles of agent rainbow. They may move in some parts.
Smoke
The stand-in for the Inkblots. Likewise, it comes in different forms:
Smoke stand in for the regular Inkblots. They're found in all levels.
Tsunamis are our Brutes. Though, calling it a tank would be more accurate. They're first encountered in Dave's level.
Still thinking of a name and mechanic, but one idea was having an enemy support in Elinor’s level.
Ashfall are a bit like the Spitters, but they can fly! Their first encounter is in Alice's level.
Thanatos
A behemoth in the dark ocean. Takes Agent Rainbow's role.
The Red Glow was considered as the main threat earlier on!
🔦 Items
Handheld Items
Oil lamp - Flashlight replacement. The Red Glow rests in there.
Flare gun - Pistol replacement. Received after doing his lighthouse keeper chores.
Spare flash camera - Mirror Shard replacement received after encountering Jorge.
When Thomas was still considered as a sort of stand-in for Lucas, thinking there could be an additional level, I temporarily added the Marmalade as the Lure Pill replacement. Quite silly!
Other Items
Phone Scrambler/Descrambler - Both for story and some small character interactions. Let Jorge know if you've seen an alien.
🗺️ Locations
Point Icarus Lighthouse
The safe space in the game... for now. You do lighthouse maintenance chores that introduce you to the game's main form of 'puzzle'. They're more akin to the chips in Minos Quarry. Likewise, they can be used against entities. I'm not sure how it'd make sense, but I imagined some sort of lighthouse maintenance minigame as a little break from the main gameplay for the player.
At one point I imagined that there'd be a reversal of the agent rainbow flood rising. It instead starts out already engulfing the area and then the dark ocean sinks over time. Another version was that certain areas would open up Moses-style.
NLH Hospital
A possible hub world in the Collective Unconscious. Having them interconnected instead is also possible, with NLH Hospital being the starting point. That'd probably require a fast travel system.
??? Library
Dave's level. A part of it extends into the Maintenance East Wing and the Entrance Area in HomaMart.
Pandora Hotel
Elinor's level.
Milton Square
Desmond's level. A part of it extends into a version of Elysium State Park. Had an idea the the park was pretty fragmented as Allen and Lucas' connection isn't that strong in this moment in time.
"Stop there and let me correct it. I wanna live a life from a new perspective"
(long intro post below)
☆ She/Her
☆ 29 yrs old
☆ Varya "Hope" Dubois
☆ Cis Femme
☆ Bisexual
☆ 5'7"
☆ Has a slender, athletic figure
☆ Has ear piercings
☆ Has a bold, bright, loud, loving, friendly, motherly personality
☆ Typically lashes out when upset
☆ Is Russian-French
☆ Can speak Russian, French, and English
☆ Has a thick Russian accent
☆ She's currently seeing someone
☆ She currently lives in Milton Haven
Likes, dislikes, skills, dream:
☆ Likes: Cooking, helping others, and dancing
☆ Dislikes: Loud spaces, velvet, and deep water
☆ Skills: Cooking, record keeping, analyze people
Health:
☆ Mental: Not good.
☆ Physical: Has phantom pain from her missing limbs
☆ Disorders: Anxiety, depression, dpd, ADHD
Extra:
☆ Fears: Death, abandonment
☆ Voice Claims: Anna Poliatova
☆ Character personalities: Ted Lasso, Elle Woods, Gloria Pritchett
☆ Songs: Abbey, i bet on losing dogs, new perspective, i will always love you, velvet ring, would you fall in love with me again, pool (stripped), the ballad of jane doe, earrings, wet
☆ Trustworthiness: High
Fun Facts:
☆ She's a huge nerd for fantasy novels
☆ She tends to hide her emotions
☆ She never went to Dr. Desmond Whales as she is shockingly emotionally and mentally stable
Picrew:
Backstory:
☆ Varya was a bright young girl who grew up in her home town of , Russia. She excelled in school and got perfect grades. When she was 11, her family moved to Paris where she completed middle and high school, graduating at the top of her class. When she finished high school, she moved to Milton Haven, America for college. She majored in Sociology and minored in History. She now works in HR at a big company (Mayer) and is happy with her job. Recently, she met a man (Miguel) with kids. He was widowed, but they met for coffee and instantly hit it off. They're dating now and are considering moving in together.
Summary: Max's life comes to an end, but he meets a new begining in the collective unconcious. And meets the ferryman himself to help him transit these terribly,scary but somewhat hopeful times.
A/N: Rick and Noa belong to @graceandtheidiotsquad . Title comes from William Blake's poem, Little Girl Found. Music for this: Song 1||Song2.
A shot rang out across the Quarry. Dry as dust and loud enough to scare the nearby birds in the boughs,even the carrion that hoped for a meal. The morning was just starting to crest over to midday,and the sun was seen painted red as blood splattered on the ground.
Max expected to hit the floor harshly, with gravel digging into his face and his nose cracking. He feels the momentum,lurching like vertigo as his vision went dark. The shattering pain in his head cutting clean in half through his senses,running him over into the penumbra.
His body feels heavy, like an anchor. Dragging him down into the shifting waters of death. He feels this awful smell in the air, like car oil mixed with chlorox or something more foul. His anger still simmers with the slight fear his mind had when he realized how this would end for him.
And he didnt even get to say goodbye.
With his heartbeat in his ears,he feels his pulse slow gradually. Each beat felt like he was inside a drum. And that tightness in his chest, the burning in his throat doesnt leave him despite it all. Its exhasperating, feeling himself flowing adrift like he was in a lazy river. It did nothing to calm him.
But he couldnt move, he was telling his body to flail or kick-Wondering absentmindedly if he'd drown- But nothing answers his call. Waves push him farther and farther away from wherever he was previously, the scent pushing into his conciousness until thats all he can think about.
Max couldnt tell well how long he had been floating there. At some point, he had tired himself out. Screaming into his own mind did nothing to fix this situation, but he wouldnt give up yet. Mayer still had to give him his job back. He just- He needed to get out of this place.
Wherever "this place" was,anyway.
Theres a soft sound after what feels like an eternity. Wet sand? some sort of shore?. Max blinks his eyes open -When had he closed them?-Double vision,nausea and blinding lights. Like he had the world's worst hang over.
Above him the night sky showed stars,beautiful and ever shinning. White,purple,yellow,red,green and light blue. He'd find it beautiful if he wasnt so out of it- "Maddie would love the sight of it" He thought, ever so painfully sits up, holding his head in one hand while the other grasps and squeezes the oily,wet dirt hes ontop of.
--What the hell --Even talking was an effort. --Goddamnit, everythin' hurts. --His murmurs felt low and rumbly, revving with a mechanical purr.
His head feels so heavy.
Uneasy movements lead him to stand up, wobbly and shaking. Its like hes getting used to walking again,like a newborn baby calf. He sighs and slowly cranes his head to lookup at what lays infront of him. He expected his clothes to be oily and dirty,but theyre somewhat clean- Just caked in mud mostly.
--There goes the paint job --He hissed out--Now, where the in the hell am i?
Before him there's just a messy,oilspill expanse. And behind him is the tunnel that leads to Elysium Park. He blinks at it slowly,finding it completely dark, and seeing as he had no clue on what to do he walks into it with the attitude of "this might as well happen"
He swore this tunnel was longer, he drove through it many times before. But the walk felt quite short, Especially once he saw an overgrown road before him. His heavy steps make the dirt under his feet crunch, leaving black little marks that had the imprint of a tire.
In the darkness of the night, the park looked beautiful. Moonlight wreathed tree tops and a gentle breeze that blew past him, his hair swaying just a little. Crickets sing a small little choir, followed by cicadas as he walks past the renfaire within. Maddie really wanted to go- She said theres a girl that dresses like a dragon with spiky armor.
Maybe thats why there's black markings all over the fake brick buildings, scorchmarks, fallen trees- "Really going all in with the ambience this year, huh? "Max thought.
Out of the faire he finds the trees growing a little denser,it made his heart pick up speed like a car changing gearshift. But he didnt feel like he was alone- He began to hear a few loud steps not too long ago. They were...Odd? like it was either a crowd of something huge in this park. Maybe it was Eliott- The firewatch guy- In his rover or something.
--Anyone out there? im kind of lost!--He called out as the path became to lush and overgrown. If he doesnt trip and fall, he'd surely get lost even worse.
Those steps grow louder and louder, He hears the tree tops rustle and metal creak horribly. And of course now that his eyes had grown used to the darkness, now is when a spotlight comes on. He hisses and cusses out loud, shielding his eyes for a moment as his vision adjusts.
Light came from some sort of old, overgrown lamp post. Huge- ridiculously oversized. But it did the job, he guessed. He did wish it would stop making so much noise, he hates the sound of radio static.
He makes it out of the thicket,thankfully. And he reaches this cobblestone bridge, Slightly overgrown. Red and blue candles along the curved handrails, burning with melting wax that reached the floor of the bridge. Theres a few red spider lillies scattered about. Was this part of the ren faire?
One step towards it, and Max felt the air grow unbearably cold. The change is so sudden it makes him inhale sharply, and then he began to cough. His eyes squeeze shut as he feels something stuck in his throat, saliva?
He lurches forward, hitting his chest as it burns like an oven. He feels something metallic and salty go up his throat. Heaving, dry and wheezy coughs fill the silence, and it must be a solid minute until he can vomit what was in his throat.
Bleary eyes watch as a small,penny-sized and shaped goop of whatever the river was made out of now rest on the cobblestone. He must've inhaled it while on the water. --Fucking nasty -- He murmured, and tried to walk it off. Always the macho man.
The end of the bridge brought him a weird sight. A bar. An actual,alcohol serving bar. He'd be delighted if he wasnt so confused.
It seems small,and huge in only one blink,it gives him mootion sickness.Tall,gothic and rustic architecture of pale yellow plaster and black iron support beams seems somewhat cozy in its imposing figure. The Windows, with curling bars of inky metal,let out a light blue light enter. Is that..jazz he hears?
"Hades Bar" reads the neon sign of crimson and cerulean with spider lillies and wine vine wreaths. The air feels less cold here, and it smells somewhat decent. More floral and sweet.
He pushes the medieval style doors open, seeing the bar before him. The layout feels familiar, the round tables and the stage-. But thats where it stops, and confusion returns. What was in that river? Should he be worried about getting poisoned or something?
Moving darkness, shaped like people, mingle and drink. He cant make out faces, or voices, but he hears chatter, he hears music. It smells of alcohol and good food. Its almost comforting. Maybe somebody can help him.
Beyond the main area theres a stage. Animal mask wearing people stand there, singing some jazz song that seems to be from any and none of the singers Max has heard about through other people Theres a woman in a white dress,wearing a hare mask that is the centerpiece to this macabre performance that is both uneasy to the new and comforting to the old costumers.
--Order coming up!-- Says a man with a slight southern accent- Kind of like the one that hippie, Cole, had. He turns to where the serving bar is.
Theres a man about his age, tall. A runnig across his chest up to the side of his face and ending by his forehead and hairline. Gentle brown eyes, military cut hair. Slightly unbuttoned shirt under a black overall. He's the only one that look normal. The only one that actually spoke like a real person.
Max walks to the bar, calling the attention of the man.
--Hey! Buddy. I need help.
The man turns around, he was leaving for the kitchen window. He spins rather quickly at the new voice, this wasnt one of the regulars. His gaze sets on the man, growing surprised at the sight. Not the weirdest hes seen- Not after Rosemary, or Virginia.
--Hey! What can I do to help?-- He quickly shuffles to this new man.
--I was at the Quarry- And i ended up here. I...--Max passes his hands through his eyes, trying to remember.-- Just remember a splitting head ache, and then- I mean they were supposed to give me my job back. One of the guys gripped me and-
The bar keep put a hand out, guiding the man to sit on the stool. He's seen it all before, but its never easy. Not to first timers. Lord knows him and his buddies were as lost as this guy was.
--Easy,easy. You're still getting used to all this-- His voice grew softer, a tone Max knew as a paternal one. Same one he used with Maddie-- Im Alphonso, you are?
--Max.
--Nice to meet you Max. I'll give you a drink while you get your story straight. What do you want?
--Beer.
--Any kind?
--Any will do.
--Ten-Four.
Max ran through the events in his mind,going so fast he might give himself a speeding ticket. Everything feels so chaotic and blurry. And theres a specific moment he cant concentrate on no matter how hard he tries- Like his mind is purpousely ignoring it.
On the meanwhile,Alphonso grabs the beer and pops it Open. He sets it on a coaster and leans on the bar as if waiting for something. He knew it was coming soon.
Picked up the hippie. Drove to the quarry. Demanded to speak with the boss. There was a fight- Nasty one. One of them got the jump on me and took me..somewhere. There was a loud bang and then-
--There It is,easy now-- Alphonso said putting a hand on the Man who slowly started to slump over.
--Cant be. Theres no way i-
--It is.
--Cant be dead! -- He yelled at the bar-- I have a family,a kid. I cant be dead-! They Killed me like a fucking dog-!
Alphonso breathed out and looked over at the kitchen through the Window. Yelling out a -- Rick! Go get the boss Will you?
--On it, Wheeler!.
The barkeep tried his best to calm down the bullish man. Hearing him as he explains in broken,angry sobs about how he couldnt be dead- trying to reason with himself. I have a kid,and a wife. He was trying to get his life together for Maddie.
Maddie,Maddie,Maddie.
--I cant leave my little girl without her dad!
--She'll be fine,Max. -- Alphonso cooed,rubbing his shoulder.
--The Hell she Will! I need to get back to her-! She cant-!
Max isnt a Man who cries. He isnt a Man of feelings, but right now hes either going to throw something or cry. The flurry of emotions are an overwhelming whirlwind.
It burns in his chest,clawing and razing theough his throat as his eyes Sting and something drags his heart to his stomach. The heat of his rage and the bitterness of his grief- It hurts and burns and drowns him.
--Max. Hey. -- Another voice comes from behind him. Soft,wheezy,dry. Cold breath that settles on his hot skin.
A hand on his back, freezing but welcoming.
The bullish Man looks up from his slumped position. Eyes reddening from the effort of not crying.
He knew that face staring back at him.
But he can see the Ice that make that gaunt, heart shaped face encasing a whole skeleton. Sunken eyes that shine a faint green even in their crystal make,dressed in a sparkling cloak made of frost. His arms are strong, parts of them stained to look like tattoos. Hair,or what looks like hair, is set to look like a tight bun.
If the layout reminded him of the Bar in town- Downtown Dyonysus as the locals called it, then this was-
--Laz? -- He asked in desbelief-- Are you dead-?!
--No. Im not. And I look like Lazaro,but im not him. -- The man hesitated for a moment, exhaling a breath of misty air-- In a matter of speaking.
The figure settles beside him, cold hands Grab the Mans and holds them so very gently. The lights go down,allowing them to have a closer chat. With a nodd of his head,the "owner" dismisses Alphonso who carefully pats Max on the back.
--My Name is Decay. But folks here call me Charon,Like the ferryman of the dead. And this bar is where lost souls like you come to rest when they have unfinished bussiness.
--Then...I'm- That means I.
Theres no good way of confronting your own death. The implications are too many and too contrived, and a man like Max -Act and ask questions later- wasnt ready for such an undertaking. He looks at Decay with confusion and overwhelming sadness. The ferryman only looks back with melancholic compassion, offering what little comfort he can.
Ill equipped to handle the predicament at hand, Max's eyes harden as his anger overwhelms his grief. He Gets up, looking at Decay with this feeling of unfocused noise and rage.
--You need to send me back. You're supposed to be the ferryman, right? then send. Me. Back.! --He demanded, his voice rising.
--It's just a nickname.-- Decay stuttered. -- I can only bring you here, to rest or wait. I cant-
--Yes you can! you have this whole bar! this fuckin'- This thing is possible and you cant send me back?! Bullshit!
The show that was starting came to a harsh halt as the lights turn on. In fact, the whole music just stops, dead it its tracks. The singer at the stage looks upon the sight, rabbit mask showing obvious worry and confusion.
--Everything okay, boss?-- She asked, her voice ringing out across the bar.
--It's fine, Sweetie. -- Decay takes a second too long to tear away his eyes from Max, worried that he'll break something in the seconds he's not looking at him-- All of you take five. I'll resolve this. Sorry, folks!
--Sorry?! My death is an inconvinience to you?! -- Max yelled to Decay's face.
The air goes still as a graveyard's. There is a heartbeat of a moment, maybe half a heartbeat, where the whole world comes to a sudden halt. The band members begin to hurry off stage in the split second Max finishes yelling. Sweetie all but rushes to hide behind the courtain.
All the shadows waver and shake, as if phasing out of existence. Even the kitchen goes still. Alphonso stops cleaning the glasses by the kitchen sink and his eyes dart to the window overlooking the bar like a guard dog hearing a noise.
Its like the air swells up, a bubbling tide thats about to crash over all of them.
--Now lets get something straight --Decay's voice loses its warmth, as his ice visage begins to crack. Chunks of crystal begin to fall to the ground and shattering like glass.
He grows in size, towering well over him and anyone in this bar. A proud crown of spiky month anntennae unfurls, adorned by skulls and red spider lillies. The cape opens to reveal the frost covered skeleton, jewelry spilling all over him.
--You won't come in here and yell at me in my own home. Is that clear?-- Theres this simmering anger in his tone. He looms over Max, his vacant eyes,endless darkness, glare at him with the sharpness of a knife-- You're not the only one who died here!. Everyone here is a degree of dead. Its not an inconvinience,im asking you to be considerate!. This is a place of rest.
So rarely do people yell at him back. Max stares dumbfoded at the creature infront of him. All semblance and guise of life gone as he stares at what laid beneath the kind spirit that tried to offer him comfort.
--You think i wouldnt send all of them back if i could?!-- Decay's voice is a mess. Wheezing of a half breathed air,like every word was a struggle. A raspyness of a bone dry throat that doesnt exist. Lungs that dont fill, as if half choked in a silent sob. -- You think I like to be reminded every day that everyone here, every single soul, is dead? One of the people here, she was my friend in the waking world. You think Lazaro- That i- Dont Miss her? I do, Max. Every. Fucking. Day.
Max feels a moment of clarity in his mind. All anger lowers to a mild boil.
--I- Sorry!. I didnt mean- Fuck. --He holds his head in his hand, angry with himself-- I do this every goddamn time.
Decay's expression softens. A mild annoyance replacing the red hot anger. Its like the whole bar exhales in relief,The shades regain their constitution and the band peeks from behind the courtain.
His cape wraps around his body and without losing his current form,he leans in and says.
--How about you grab your beer and go outside? breathe some fresh air and clear your mind. I'll go with you. --He offered-- If we're both going to yell at eachother, might as well do it outside.
Max nodded, and did as was suggested. Out there in the night, both shadows find that their feelings had calmed down. Decay tries his best to return to what he meant to do, offer some comfort or something. This was his job- He had let himself slip.
--God, im so sorry-- Max said, holding his beer a little too tight. But he is being honest-- I get so angry sometimes its all i can think about.
The skeleton shook his head, bringing him in for a small side hug. --No,it's alright. You're justified. Its not easy to accept you're dead, specially with everything you left behind-- His tone seems kinder now, much more like his human counterpart. Max steemed the young bartender back at Milton-Haven. Him and his sister were very near and dear to Maddie-- Im sorry i yelled at you.
--Kinda had it coming.
--Hah,a little bit.--Decay chuckled, a sound like the howling of the wind-- I get angry sometimes, and sometimes i dont watch my tongue- Metaphorically speaking i dont really have one- Nevermind. Point is, I get it. But i do want to help, thats what i do. So, if youre gonna let your feelings out, here's the best place for it.
--You're sounding like the Doc now- Desmond- You know him?
--I do, He's Jerico's therapist.
--he is?! Damn, small world.
--Small world indeed.
Max does relent, allowing all his anger and sadness to come out. Decay doesnt say anything as he kick a rock or a wall or stomps all over the cobblestone bridge. Whatever helps him,Charon is okay with it. If not a little entretained by the whole situation.
But when the bullish man calms, he approaches the ferryman and simply says:
--I think im good now. Not great- But good enough.
Charon laughed. Nails on a chalkboard.
--Thats something. I gotta admit, the horns fit you.
--The hell youre talking about?
--Oh you havent seen your reflection,have you?
--What?
--Hold on.
The skeletons cape wraps all around him. The frost giving way to a clear, perfect ice like surface. Max sees his reflection in it- Large exhaust pipe like horns curl towards the front, almost like a bull. His eyes are burning yellow like coals, His nose is flat and bovine like, his breath pours out into light smoke.
--What the hell? What-?! is this a trick?! Its not funny!
--It's not- Its a...whole thing. Okay- So!-- Even Decay struggles to explain this every time. Rose is better at it than he is, but he didnt want to bother her right now-- I cant tell you,exactly, where "Here" is. But you're like a ghost, with more symbolism. Stuff your mind has subconciously associated with yourself. You tend to be angry, you tend to see red, so...Bull! And since you like cars so much it kinda mixed all of it together- Does that make sense?
--Not one bit,man.
--Fair enough. --Charon sounded very resigned to this whole predicament-- One insane thing at a time, i suppose. Are you ready to go back in? Free drinks on the house.
--Will the alcohol help at all?
--Prolly not. --He admitted--We cant get really get drunk. But it helps if you want it, placebo style.
Max nodded with this expression of "well this is all weird but i'd rather not think about it" --Cant really do much else, can i?
--I mean, the park's full of insane shit. I dont think you can handle that.
Max didnt say anything he just turned towards the door and walked. The skeleton follows after him, having to duck down as he passes the threshold of the door. He hates being this huge.
By the time they were inside again, the bar returned to normal. Jazz pouring out from the stage, that unintelligeable murmur of conversation hanging low over the music. The bullish man settles at the bar, and so does his skeleton friend.
--All better now, Max?-- Alphonso asked, pouring a nice little drink to a girl with black long hair and a white satin dress. Face obscured by the locks that swayed like a jellyfish. --Oh- Here you go Virge. -- He pushed the glass towards the woman and she takes it without a word, leaving to her table at the far back.
--Yeah,guess so. I mean, not really, but-
--No i get it. I freaked out too the first time i got here-- He admitted-- I mean, D here is one of the newest shadows. I've been around since uh- Sixties was it?
--Huh? how is that possible?--Max asked.
--One insane thing at a time,you two-- Decay reminded-- You want another beer,Max?
--Sure. Not like thats gonna do much.
Alphonso snorted, as if he had that same opinion at some point. Drinks are shared among the three as Sweetie dazzled the audience with her voice. Now that Max can appreciate the beauty of this place, it does feel nice, Like despite it all he had a home or somewhere to go to if he wanted.
--So you said drinks on the house, do people pay for drinks every time?-- The bullish man asked, nursing a beer.
Decay shook his head, gripping a double whiskey in his skeletal hand--No its a one time thing. Everyone's a bit different on how they pay. Its- Lord, how to explain it. --His eye sockets narrow,deep in thought-- I want to preface by saying that i have no control over it. Its just something that happens -no dont ask how it works, i dont know- But as soon as you got here- You mustve puked something out, right?
--Think so? made me cough like hell. Tiny thing, like a nickel.
--Thats it, then. A ferryman coin-- He answered-- In the legends, Charon got paid by coins set underneath the deceased's tongue. Whatever you let out then, thats your pay.
--And what do you with those things? The puke coins.
A laugh left the skeleton. Again, Nails on a chalkboard.
--I dont get them. I told you, I dont know how this place works. But you shouldnt worry,everyone else that has done that seems fine. --Charon shrugged,taking a swig from his whiskey that somehow doesnt just fall across his spine and chest cavity-- I think its mainly for symbolism?
--Or dramatics --max teased-- You and your sister are...theatrical. Maddie loves it.-- He snickered, his chest warming up just a little-- Speaking of, is she here?
--Yeah, she's here somewhere. -- Decay looked over his shoulder and yelled-- Blaze! Come say hi!.
None of the shadows seem to hear him,nobody looks at him on instinct. Not even Sweetie seems to notice him talking.
Through the crowd of misty darkness,Theres this orange flame walking past them at a quick pace. Sound of naked feet against the wood. And when Max knew he had seen it all, oh how wrong he was.
Blaze was,effectively, a tall dragon lady. Spiky,studded leather armor with all manner of cloths wrapped around her. Like a knight and a punk mixed together. Her eyes were slim and completely white, horns curling towards her back, gold and brown hair messily tied. A strong form,like an acrobat, and a tail that swayed around.
--Max! holy shit!-- She exclaimed with glee, running at the man and giving him a big old hug-- So good to see you!
--Hey! Good to see you too--Max awkardly patted her back-- Shoulda' known you two would be attached at the hip!. How the hell are you here anyway?
She shrugged-- Dunno, Rose says theres something in the water, some chemical shit, that causes all of this-- She gestures around.
-- "Chemical shit?" Like that thing i was transporting for Mayer... --He thought out loud-- Shouldve known that was trouble, fuck.
--Yeah its in the water supply now. --She said, gaining a somewhat painful slap from her brother. The point of contact simmers into light vapor-- Not lethal! mind you! Rose says as much. Just kinda makes you trip balls --Another hit-- Ow! hey! theyre getting harder each time!
--What is she on about?-- He looked at Decay who was just having a bad day.
--I said one insane thing at a time, didnt i?--the skeleton gave a pointed look at his sister-- When you got here, you probably were in like,an oilspill river?
--Kinda.
--Well thats the chemical. You probably got affected by it. --He explained-- Now, im glossing over a bunch of technicalities so you dont just lose it like some did- But anyway, point is, as rose said its not deathly at low doses. But it does explain how I get new costumers almost every day.
Max sighed and held his face in his hands. His bull tail swaying like an annoyed cat. He breathes out a hefty dose of black smoke and tries to wrap his head around the whole concept.
--You said not everyone here is dead, Im guessing those shadow folk arent all dead?
--Not really no. --Decay answered-- I dont know why we dont look like shadows. Actual shadows,like them. I dont have all the answers.
--Thats worrying --Max grumbled-- well, thanks, i guess.
Blaze nervously scratched the back of her head and said--Sorry for dropping that on you.
Max shrugged-- Ive just accepted today was going to be a weird one, its fine.
--Still Sorry --She insisted-- Hey, at least we match now. --She pointed at her horns. It made the old truck driver laugh. just for a moment everything felt normal.
--Hm, that we do. At least we're not made of ice like your brother here.
Decay would have rolled his eyes if he could,taking a swig from his drink as he hears all the little jabs at him. Max and Blaza bully him for like, five minutes, before he just gets to his feet and says.
--I have work to do, excuse me--He wasnt particularly mad, just a little annoyed and embarassed. He walked away, at least knowing the newcomer was in good claws.
--Come back here you coward!--Max laughed--We're not done with you!
--Yeah! Only cowards run!! Come here calcium boy!
At the nickname, the pair errupts in laughter that mixes with the garbled murmur and the music. The ferryman pays them no mind, and goes to do his job and tend to his very precious bar.
Max took a while to settle into the place. There was a few lodgings on the second floor he could rest up if he wanted, food and drinks provided by the kitchen staff, either one of the nameless shadows or one of the guys he had met when he first arrived. Decay came and went, checking in every once in a while. When he wasnt at the bar, he walked around the ghost town and the park.
He met Flash and Virginia- He recognized the latter as that girl who died in the Homa Mart not too long ago. And wether it be some sort of camraderie or father instinct, he took to being protective over the quiet girl. She never complained or told him to go away, if anything she seemed quite comfortable.
Must've been a few weeks now. He was doing his usual, just sitting at the back corner waiting for Sweetie to start singing, It was an empty night. Virginia was off somewhere, and the kitchen staff were lazying about out of costumer view. Decay said he had some "Pressing Bussiness" to attend to something about a new shade emerging,and that it worried him to an extent, so he went to check with Rosemary.
Rose was a funny character, Max never really talked to her much other than passing courtesy. He felt like if he got her talking about all this, his head would explode.
So tonight hes all alone,just tapping on his beer. Quite bored out of his mind.
Its then the air shifts, grows warmer just a little bit. The bar was always deathly cold, and there was just one person that could warm it up. Blaze.
--Hey Max! Check out who Flash and I found in the forest! --Blaze called out, holding somebody in her arms. A small girl, maybe ten?. Curly,orange hair with a little bovine nose and a swaying tail. Her feet were hooves, and she was clad in the cutest,frilliest ballerina like dress in a pale pink.
--Dad!
Max couldnt believe his eyes. Was that-?
--Maddie? what are you doing here honey?-- He ran from his seat to where the woman was. He all but yanks his kid out of her arms and spins her around-- Dont you look just adorable!.
--Hi dad!! i miss you!--Said the little girl, excited like she had too much sugar.--Why do you have horns-? You look like me!
--You look like me --He laughed. His lips press a kiss to Madison's forehead and brings her close to him. Then,he turns around to Blaze who is smiling all endeared at the sight.-- How did she end up here?
--Water supply --Its all Blaze said-- Prolly thinks this is a dream or something, play along.
--Well, In that case...--Max hoisted his daughter up and said--Do you want anything to eat,kiddo? The kitchen staff are just sitting on their butts,doing nothing.
--Sure! Oh! Can i have ice cream?
--I think we can manage that, cant we?--He grinned-- Say bye to Blaze,maddie. For a little bit at least.
The little girl said goodbye to her Firey friend, and followed her dad to the bar. Max calls out to Alphonso and his friends, introducing them to Maddie.
--Well arent you just the cutest!-- Alphonso drawled, his eyes softening--You look just like your dad, Horns and all --He messed with the little horn like headband she was wearing-- He always talks about you, you know? hes so proud of his little girl. He loves you so much.
Maddie was beaming with joy at those words. She practically talked everyone's ears off. Even Sweetie decided to not perform tonight just to meet their new guest. By the end of the night, Maddie had curled up against her dad on a quiet booth, just about to doze off and probably wake up in the real world.
Max watched these final moments,for now, stroking his daughter's hair,murmuring how much he loves her and how proud he is of her. At least now, in this way, they can be together again. He can watch her grow.
He's never too far away from her, even if she cant see it.
- Dawn is very, very neurospicy. Cannot sit still without fidgeting, cannot draw without tapping her pencils and will go CRAZY if she can't find anything, despite having just seen it minutes ago-along with the sort of anxiety one gets when being repeatedly told 'Not now!' whenever she asks someone to pose for her or just look at what she's drawn. She gets it, people can be busy-but sometimes it just...hurts, y'know? Feeling like nobody listens to you…
- Going off the first thing-she has a mild obsession with body types. (Not THAT way, get your head out of the gutter.) She's a sketch artist, and loves challenging herself with different body types to expand what she can do! This is initially what caught her attention to one Mr. Allen Shore-though part of her felt so shy to even say anything that she was a bit too nervous to even talk to him. (It didn't help that she...did-find him kind of...cute-just. Just a little. Just a little bit. Totally not head over heels. That is a massive lie.)
- Often asks the local kids to pose for her in goofy ways, for fun. It's basically almost twister-and she doesn't blame them if they stumble or nearly fall over, it's more fun that way! (Asssssssss long as nobody gets hurt.) She makes it seem like some sort of modeling shoot, which is very fun for the kids-showing of their stuff!
- She isn't actually from Milton Haven, having moved here from out in California to get away from all the noise. It's very peaceful here, and she enjoys sticking around the Icarus point area-it's a gorgeous landscape and she enjoys finding new places, people, and things to sketch on her walks every day! But of course, her favorite subject is the Lighthouse And it's keeper.
- She also dabbles in photography-! It started as taking pictures of subjects in poses so they wouldn't, y'know, have to stand there all day-but she found she genuinely enjoys it and has a blast taking as many pictures as she can of the Town! She has an old Polaroid camera she inherited from her grandfather, and uses it frequently.
- She collects so, SO Many fairy lights. She's obsessed with them, she thinks they look very pretty and it just-has the sort of 'vibe' she's going for most of the time in her room.
- Secretly collects stuffies. She is very embarrassed about this, trying to excuse it as 'drawing subjects'-but she can't help it, they're cuddly and having something to hold helps her fall asleep at night.
- Actively opposes the corporate takeover happening in town right now-how can these 'Mayer' people push these fine folks around!? And it only got worse after the crash of USS Thanatos. Let's just say-...things got very personal.
- She is. Absolutely HORRIBLE with a fishing pole. As in, an active DANGER to anyone standing around her. She enjoys fishing, she really does-but everyone best get the hell back away from her when she's casting, she flails that thing around like no one's business!
- Avid Cat petter. It's pretty obvious, she adores cats and if she could take every single stray home in town-she probably would! And she's attempted to at least once. She will just sit there, realize there's a cat-and immediately drop whatever she's doing and try to get it to come over to her. At one point she sat down, and got swarmed by cats.
- Constantly moving her hands-if she doesn't, she will go CRAZY-and that's honestly part of why she picked up sketching in the first place. She always has to be moving them, have something in them, or be touching something-or she will mcfucking lose it.
- Protective/Angry girlfriend privileges'. Or any figure of your life, really. If she finds out you hurt somebody she cares about she WILL take away your kneecaps or whack you with a wooden plank. or chase you around with her sketchpad shouting profanities that would seem normally out of character for her.
- Says things COMPLETELY out of pocket at random times. She doesn't know why she does it, it seems to be just a reflex response to certain things-she'll just say whatever is on her mind, unless she's very anxious about it-
- frequent picker-upper of random trinkets. Shiny rocks, bottle caps, beach glass, you name it-she likes to make crafts with them!
They're a child actor who is now looking for purpose in their life.
They were in a seaseme street esc show that also had propaganda esc tones. They are half south American but very white looking (chosen for this so the show can claim interracial actoes) During the time of the game and when they'd be acting is when America was trying to take over south America a lot.
I'm working with @voidselfshipp ti make this accurate as obviously he knows more about jt then me.
