thebastion | Day 72

[The farmhouse is, for the most part, unremarkable. It is a small ranch-style home, with three bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. An outhouse can be found in the backyard. Entering the farmhouse is easy, as the door has been left open.

What part of the house will you explore?]

[The barn is quite large, containing a horse stall, several sheep stalls, and several cow stalls. There are many farm tools hanging in various locations, and there are several bales of hay and straw, though both are starting to go a bit ripe.

All of the animal stalls are currently empty, though the pasture connected to the farm contains two surprisingly healthy cows.]

[The chicken coop itself is missing part of a wall, which looks like it was ripped into by a rather large animal. While there are no dead chickens present, there are many feathers and strange dark brown splotches spread about.

Outside, there are three fully-grown chickens, a rooster, and about a dozen chicks running around. Next to the coop are also the materials necessary for caring for chickens, though the feed bags seem to have been already picked dry.]

[The fields have only just started to show a lack of care. Corn, beans, and peppers grow in each of three fields, and a fourth is partially tilled, with a large steam-powered tractor stopped right in the middle of it. There are also a couple scarecrows in the fields at various places, though they seem to have done little to keep the birds out.]

[Osahar's been trained to look for signs of habitation, and to focus on the people first, then the goods. So, the instant that he sees- of all things- a farmhouse on the Skyway, he immediately bends his path toward it, plasma pistol at the ready as he goes to investigate.

While supplies would be important, his first concern is securing the area and making sure it's safe. Then he can worry about the rest of it. So... he makes his way into the farmhouse, cautiously investigating it and planning to make his way to the bedrooms. If he makes it there, he'll start investigating there- see if he can find any clues about the inhabitants, former or otherwise, and who knows? Maybe there's something useful in there. Hard to say.]

[Crona doesn't have the same sense of caution that Osahar has. Crona's awkward, nervous motions are based more in Crona's general sense of awkwardness than in actual real worry about potentially being attacked.

This just results in Crona walking behind Osahar, peering into the rooms and looking around.]

[Fortunately for the two of them, whatever had attacked this farm is long gone by now. There's some obvious damage to the front door, and the floor has long gouges in it, but otherwise the house looks oddly undamaged. It's almost as if something came in here looking for something, but didn't find what it was looking for and left.

There are four bedrooms total. One has a larger bed than the rest, clearly meant for two people. Two of the others are full of toys and bright colors, obviously meant for small children. The last looks mostly unused, though it does contain a bed and an empty dresser.

In the largest room, with the big bed, there is a box hidden under the bed. If either Osahar or Crona looks in it, they will find some handwritten letters, all dated with dates that seem to run on an entirely unique calendar of its own. But if they compare the numbers, they're all within a relatively close range of numbers.

The contents of the letters are impossible to read without knowing the language, and they are partially water-damaged. But, most interestingly, there is a page with a diagram of some kind of machine on it.]

[Shion stepped into the large wooden structure, already in awe of that in and of itself. There was real wood here. Not just a bit, the entire building was made of it.

Shaking his head as he walked, eyes lifted upward and all around, he almost walked right into one of the lower slung stall walls, starting when he realized. Though it hadn't looked at all like this, Shion could guess from the smell what this place was for, having been one of the few residents of New Babylon who WORKED with such animals, even if only rarely.

As such, he realized what this could mean. Quickly he started checking the entire barn for supplies and more importantly any of its intended residents.]

[ He had seen the fields and been more inclined to search for viable things to plant until he'd heard chirping. Standing on the edge of the nearest row of corn, he stopped himself, turned on a soft-booted heel and headed in the direction of the coops instead, abandoning his interest in vegetation in favor of cute fluffy things.

He was not the least bit disappointed.

Here in the Skyway, he had not really expected to find such a thing - live animals? No one had suggested as much would occur. Then again there were live people and certainly other food sources in the Bastion so it stood to reason that there would be live animals waiting to be discovered.

The fox in him demands playtime but he refrains from anything violent and instead chases the chickens about, taking up the chicks first, scooping up the fluffy yellow and brown things delicately and tucking them safely into his sleeves. If nothing else, he would not go away empty handed. The adults would be more troublesome. He would have to tie their legs and hang them over his shoulders, so Seimei begins searching the destroyed coops for twine or jute string - anything good to lash chickens together.

It is a bit of a hassle, but definitely a relief to do something worthwhile, his laughter cheering himself up from a mild doldrum. ]

[Given the choice between a house potentially filled with people or a barn more likely filled with animals, the choice seemed obvious to Alucard. Animals don't usually ask questions he doesn't care to answer, after all. And by the smell of things, there should be either cows or horses somewhere nearby.

Alucard mostly leaves any supply gathering to the white haired boy; he clearly has more of an idea of what would be useful than the son of a healer and a nobleman, and is thus better suited to the task. Instead, the dhampire opts to follow the scent trail. It eventually leads to the rear door of the barn, and...

...That sure is a cow milling about just outside the door.]

[Under normal circumstances, Osahar might have been upset at Crona's awkwardness, but the boy's proven himself decently well, and he's not endangering them, so... he just keeps in the lead, staying alert for any possible dangers.

Doesn't seem like there's anything here, though. He notices the gouges and the damage to the door, and the obvious intelligence there worries him. Clearly, there's something out here that's more intelligent than the creatures that they normally encounter. He can only hope that they encounter it somewhere that they won't suffer the consequences.

The children's rooms get a good once-over, but eventually Osahar makes his way to the bedrooms, and while searching there...] Ah hah... there we are...

[He grins as he carefully examines the box and the bed for traps- one can never be too safe- and then puts it on the bed. The fact that he can't identify what's written down doesn't bother him at all- quite the contrary!] I think we've found something very interesting, Crona. I'll have to take this back to Nathaniel.

[Near by, some one else is laughing, a rare female-sounding laugh as Rin is one of the few women in the Bastion. The half demon toddles up with a squirming fluffy white hen in her arms, smiling brighter than she had smiled in a long, long time. Her tail is even swaying back and forth, clearly excited at this.]

Seiemi-san! Look! Isn't this amazin'?!

[After the chickens have been rounded up, Rin takes to the fields, chasing the birds off by swinging her sheathed sword around and making loud noises at them.

They've already been there a good length of time, and she wants to grab as much food as she possibly can before they really have to book out of there with their spoils.

The problem, though, is one - the birds, and two - getting it gathered in such a way that it's easy to carry.]

G'on! Get! Get lost, stupid birds!

[Kaoru is not the type to be completely at ease in this sort of environment. He's a city boy, not a farmer. Not that he's never seen farm animals before just... not usually in their home environment, so to speak. So in general the animals that he had encountered were a lot... cleaner.

He had stuck his head into the farmhouse (not much interest in venturing into a commoner dwelling, if he was honest...) swung by the barn (the smell had driven him away...) and had c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y edged away from the cows when he had seen them - since childhood he had never been a fan of animals that were bigger than he was.

The sound of laughter drew him around to the chicken coop, and he glances around for monsters before moving carefully forward, wary of the birds and trying not to step on a chicken]

Rin-san! And... Seimei-san, was it?

...Seimei-san, why are you cheeping?

Edited (I fail at English.) 2013-06-02 04:02 (UTC)

[The cow does not care about Alucard's inner turmoil and loner tendencies, for it is only a cow. Cows do not understand angst.

The cow just chews on some grass while staring unnervingly at Alucard.

Shion won't find any animals, since the cows are outside, but he will find several tools for taking care of animals! Shears, sheep blankets, milkers, pitchforks, reins, and so forth, they all can be found pretty easily. Most can be carried back to the Bastion, though Shion will have to choose wisely what to take, since most of the equipment is heavy and Shion won't be able to take all of it on his own.]

[The hens are not happy that you are picking up their babies, Seimei. They will be following after you, clucking loudly and flapping their wings at you. The rooster, on the other hand, is just sitting on a fence post watching the madness.

But with enough searching, Seimei will be able to find the materials necessary for moving the chickens. Instead of tying them up, though, he could just put them in one of the many small chicken crates and just carry them that way. The slots in them are even small enough that Seimei would be able to carry the chicks in there without them escaping.

Rin, your hen is screeching and trying to flap itself out of your arms. It does not like being held.

Kaoru is standing in just the right spot that, if he looks towards the chicken coop, he will be able to look inside. And if he looks inside, he'll find an egg. It's not any normal egg, though. The shell is all black with some splotches of purple on it, and it is about the size of a basketball.]

Edited 2013-06-02 12:50 (UTC)

[ Seimei was laughing gaily, delighted by the activity. Normally a very sedate individual, chasing the animals about appeased the animal nature in him, allowing him an outlet he hadn't realized he'd needed.

Seeing Rin and Kaoru approaching, the onmyoji ceases his play and squats in the coop, speaking in hushed tones to the hens. Using his ability to speak to all things, he explains to the hens what he's doing and holds up his sleeves, proving the chicks are perfectly safe.

Once the hens were calm enough to stop shrieking at him angrily about "eating" the chicks, they pointed out that carrying them in crates would be much less insulting. He agrees without hesitation, apologizing with a deep bow of his head for causing so much trouble, promising to get all of the chickens safely to the Bastion if they cooperate. ]

Rin! Would you bring the honorable mother here please? She is no doubt distressed over the children. I have them here.

Kaoru, would you kindly check all of the coops for stragglers? We would be best served not to leave anyone behind.

[ Seimei gestures to the damaged cages before pulling out a chicken crate and calling to the rooster, waving him over. ]

[ A loud crack fills the air from behind Rin, scaring some of the birds and resulting in one death, a puff of feathers fluttering to the ground where others rise into the air. Behind Rin, a man in a black leather coat and hat with a faceless mask stands, one arm outstretched holding an old German luger. He swivels his head slowly, staring impassively with black glass lenses at Rin while holstering the gun.

The food he ignores for the moment, instead going after the bird, turning it over slowly in his gloved hands, eventually stuffing it into one of his numerous large pockets. Finished with his gruesome task, he walks towards Rin, stopping a few feet away and staring at the half demon almost expectantly.

Kroenen had only recently been invited to Bastion, had met no one but Alucard, and when he saw so many people leaving the sanctuary, he had wanted to know for what purpose. Hunting and gathering, apparently. He had listened from around corners and behind closed doors throughout the last day or so and learned more than anyone might have told him on their own. Now he was intent on seeing things first hand, and along the way meeting those people he may very well be forced to endure for the rest of his likely very long days.

He says nothing, simply stares at Rin, curious about the child and its intentions.]

[Crona knows this sort of monster. Crona was this sort of monster. Come in, look for a target, don't waste time with anything else.

The children's rooms get most of Crona's attention. Toys and bright colors and small beds made for little children.

Crona has never seen rooms like that, and just stands in the middle and looks around while Osahar examines the room.

Osahar leaves and goes to the room with the largest bed, and Crona follows, still distracted by the idea of the children's rooms.]

Ah... [Crona jumps slightly when Osahar speaks.]

Research notes... [Crona doesn't know about letters or journals.]

Coming!

[Rin wanders over with the hen, having seen him speak quietly to the other animals and bow in apology to them. It was a little odd, until she realized that they probably were disturbing creatures that had been left alone long enough to be startled and upset by the approach of people they'd never known before.

It wasn't all that different from demons who had been cared for in shrines, left alone for centuries only to have humans come along and demolish things because they don't know any better. Like Kuro, and his home.

She handed the hen over to Seimei, and surprisingly bowed herself.]

I'm sorry I upset you, honorable mother. Your children will be safe with us.

[The crack startles her badly, so much so that she ducks instinctively with her tail puffed out like a frightened cat. That wasn't Bon's pistol that fired. But then who--

Turning around to look had her facing a pair of unfamiliar boots. Her heart was already racing from the gunshot that had come so close to her, but that just made her chest tighten in fear. They weren't in the Bastion, this wasn't a protected place, and the more she looked up the more she felt not just intimidated but threatened by this looming presence.

Swallowing hard, she rose slowly, blue eyes trained on her own reflection in those lenses. Her tail, still slightly bristled, twitched behind her back, and a small hand went for the recently crafted sword at her hip rather than the red silk-covered Kurikara on her back.]

[When Seimei opens his sleeves, Kaoru catches a glimpse of yellow-and-brownish fluff. That... would certainly account for all the adorable cheeping, peeping noises he could hear. It was one way to carry them, at least.

Kaoru steps towards the hen house to look for any others a little warily, not wanting to be attacked by angry hens. The others seems to be talking to the chickens, so he decides it can't hurt - he even throws in his most charming smile as well]

Hey, chicky-chickies~~!

[There is a small chick on the upper level of the hen house - it must have forgotten the run up from the lower to the upper level as it seems to be seriously considering taking the death drop to the ground below, from the way it's skirting the edge whilst cheeping frantically. Before the it can go through with it, Kaoru gently scoops it into up. Chicks, he can handle. Chicks are cute.

Holding the tiny animal cupped in both hands, he bends to check out the lower level - he had seen a dark shape inside from a distance and had figured it was just another hen, but now he's got closer and he realises it's distinctly ovoid. And distinctly huge. He has to adjust his hold on the chick, gathering the egg into the crook of his elbow as if worried it might explode, so he still has both hands free to hold it before moving out to join the others.]

Uh, guys? I found this in the hen house... [tilting one elbow up briefly so they can see the egg. He's a little reluctant to hand over the chick - there is a degree of, "I found it, it's mine" that makes him want to keep hold of it for now, thank you very much] But... hens don't make them this big, right?

[ Seimei stares at the massive egg for several moment before bursting into unrestrained laughter and shaking his head. ]

No, no I don't believe that chickens typically lay eggs like that, haha. Marvelous find, Kaoru. Provided the egg isn't damaged in some way, I hope you're prepared to be a parent! raising a baby is a huge responsibility.

[ He remarks with a smirk and nod, holding his sleeve up. ]

You can't carry the chick, too. I promise, when we make it back to the Bastion, if the Honorable Mother does not mind, you can have the chick back. Until then, it would be unkind to separate them.

[ Black leather boots, black leather pants, matching vest and long coat with thick gloves. Head to toe, Kroenen is the terrifying epitome of a Nazi SS officer. He bears every insignia announcing his status, and then some. For all intents and purposes, Kroenen is a physical representation of hate and fear.

And he is patiently awaiting Rin's next action.

When the half demon does little more than bristle and posture, the German gestures vaguely towards the field, then folds his hands behind his back in a standard 'at ease' position. He says nothing, does nothing, to indicate aggression. Merely watches and listens. ]

Whoa... that's a big egg. Congrats, Kaoru!

[Rin couldn't help but grin at the other teen. It was silly, yes, but sometimes they needed silly in a place like that.]

Think you two can get 'em back? I wanna check out the field.

Day 72 :: [OPEN]

FARMHOUSE

BARN

CHICKEN COOP

THE FIELDS

Re: FARMHOUSE

no subject

no subject

/sliiiides in here

Re: CHICKEN COOP

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject