TDM #8 - Harvest Havoc! [FINAL REPRINT]

[pumpkinhollow]

Pumpkin Hollow Gazette: October Issue

We ask that all toplevels include the age of the character (or at least a rough estimate) for TDM posts, to ensure that players both old and new can quickly make informed decisions about how to interact with a given character. We also ask that if someone lists a prompt as having an age preference, that it be respected. This is specifically for TDMs unless otherwise stated. Thank you! [Our Plain Text version is available here!]

Pumpkin Hollow Gazette

9/19/24 | TDM #9 - Harvest Havoc! [Reprint]
Weather Forecast: Detailed report within!

WELCOME TO PUMPKIN HOLLOW

By Yorick Aberdeen

The crop for which the town is named.

TOWNWIDE - Hello and welcome, one and all! As time marches on and the ferry continues bringing newcomers to our fair land, we start our newest edition of the Pumpkin Hollow Gazette with a warm welcome to anyone who has just made landfall in our accursed but cozy little town. It’s autumn, which means you’ll be just in time to join us for festive fall affairs such as Pumpkinfest and the Dance of Celestine! And we are predicting with 87% certainty that they will not go horrifically wrong in psychologically traumatic ways, per the recent numbers provided by the Pumpkin Hollow Board of Safety.

We invite you, as with all those who came before you, to enjoy your stay at the Oak & Iron tavern inn while you settle in. Please stop by Town Hall to discuss opportunities for work and more permanent housing! All newcomers get 100 Brass in their pocket upon arrival as well, so we encourage you to take advantage of this as well. Reach out to your neighbors for help if you need it, and don’t forget to pick up your copy of the Pumpkin Hollow Gazette whenever you need the local news!

WHO’S HUNGRY? AUTUMN HARVEST SEASON BEGINS!

By Timothy Stoker

A brief glimpse into the orchards of Starr Farms.

NORTHWEST HOLLOW (Farmlands) - Each season has its own unique charms, but few will argue the fact that fall is, without a doubt, the best season for food. And that’s never more true than when you’re living in a town with home-grown feasts finding their way from a local farm right to your table. Over the course of this year, Pumpkin Hollow’s farmers have been hard at work to provide for the town, and these next couple of months are when we’ll be seeing the payoff of their efforts here in town.

Due to high demand, it’s recommended you get your pumpkins early! They’re in no short supply, of course, being Pumpkin Hollow’s most iconic and abundant crop, but trust us when we say you’ll want to beat the rush for Pumpkinfest. There is a fantastic selection of pumpkins for carving and for cooking available at the market.

Last but not least, Pumpkin Hollow now has its very own u-pick apple orchard! The Mr. Mime of the former owners of Starr Farms, who were called back to the ferry some months prior, has turned their apple orchard into a lovely community feature with some help from friends and neighbors. For a small donation of wild berries for the little guy running the place, you can get yourself a hefty bag of fresh apples picked right from the tree by your own hands, including the first crop of “ghost apples” developed specially by the orchard. These pure white apples are said to be super sweet, great for eating raw or for juicing, and might even make you feel a little spooky.

Check the community bulletin or the information boards by the farm for apple schedules. Great as an outing with friends, as a date, or just as a way to get yourself some pie ingredients!

OCTOBER WEATHER FORECAST

By Phil Connors

A calm night after a long day's storm.

MARROW ISLE - We're finally getting a break from the heat waves, folks! The temperature is beginning to drop. Expect some chilly, foggy mornings, especially further into the season. That's when we could even start seeing frost on the ground. Don't put those umbrellas away just yet: the thunder might be done, but the rain isn't, and it can come on fast. Don't let it into your house. It just wants to sell you something.

SPECTRAL VISITORS RETURN WITH PLUS-ONES

By Cecil Gershwin Palmer

Strange, easily-befriendable creatures of all shapes and sizes!

LOCKWOOD FOREST - Making their repeat visit from their ghostly homelands, the spirits that visited us this time last year from Lockwood Forest--- the very same that have become near and dear friends to so many people in our town--- have returned! During this new stay in our forests, however, they've decided to bring along companions of their own. These new creatures, though distinctly more tangible, are not only just as mischievous as their counterparts, but are more emboldened to cause mild to moderate havoc in town, including thievery from our force of intrepid reporters. The little gem-eyed rascal that pilfered this reporter’s preferred pen remains at large.

The Gazette reminds residents that while these little guys are exceedingly cute, just so very cute, we do recommend an abundance of caution, an awareness of one's surroundings, and a keen eye on anything that you would like to have continued ownership of. They have also been known to cause collateral damage to their surroundings and to each other, via setting things on fire. Or crushing them under rocks. Or freezing them in ice. Or hurling shadowy orbs at them. Or shooting leaves at them. Or casting psychic spells.

RESIDENTS WARNED AGAINST WOODLAND TRAVEL AFTER REPORTS OF WOLF ATTACKS

By Yorick Aberdeen

A photograph of the animals taken in prior years.

LOCKWOOD FOREST - Though there are many delightful visitors in our midst during these fall months, the changing of the seasons hasn't come without the anticipated perils. This year, it seems as though the wolf population of Marrow Island has increased dramatically - not only that, but they've become quite aggressive, and have begun seeking out those who go deep enough into Lockwood Forest. First-hand reports have mentioned that the wolf population this year is not only larger in number, but also in size, and have a few somewhat-odd mannerisms, but seem to be otherwise entirely normal wolves.

For the time being, Town Hall has advised for most of our townsfolk to steer clear from any forest strolls beyond the edge of the woods, and for the farmers of Northwest Hollow to exercise caution on the forested edge of their land. Additionally, Town Hall would like to request the assistance of any adventurers to attempt to push back the wolves. Adventuring parties who are successful in doing so will be rewarded with free food and drink during this year's Pumpkinfest as thanks for their tireless work to keep our community safe!

DISCOUNT DRINKS FOR OPEN MIC NIGHT: NOW WITH REAL MICS!

By Timothy Stoker

The lovely interior of the Empty Pockets Music Lounge.

DOWNTOWN HOLLOW (Empty Pockets Music Lounge) - After a great deal of confusion between locals and newcomers about the use of the phrase “open mic” to describe their “volunteer performer nights” at the local music lounge, Empty Pockets is pleased to announce the addition of new equipment for their stage! Through a collaboration with offworlders to create drawings of what a “microphone” ought to look like and a commission project with local engineers, we have now officially reinvented the microphone for use in Pumpkin Hollow. The local music scene is a flurry of excitement about this development--- local luthier Juniper Sweetwater already has expressed an interest in electric guitars and amplifiers. Seems like music and electricity will be getting a big boom here in town!

In the meantime, owner Dottie Siward has announced that drinks will be 30% off during open mic nights in celebration for a limited time! Check out the Empty Pockets Music Lounge any Friday or Saturday evening during the fall to take advantage of a little liquid courage, and hey, maybe put yourself out there. Could you be Pumpkin Hollow’s next big thing? You never know!

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Further Details...

Pokémon

Befriendable Pokemon make their semi-annual return! For the fall season, we will be seeing Dark and Ghost type Pokemon (with the exception of legendary Pokemon) in the forest that can be befriended up until this TDM leaves circulation in early December. Any character can have up to six Pokemon friends, and pre-evolutions of Dark and Ghost types that don’t have the correct type yet are also obtainable. (ex. Sprigatito, who can later evolve into a Dark/Grass Meowscarada.) We do not have Pokeballs in Pumpkin Hollow, but enough snacks or attention should be enough to get one to follow you home! Any Pokemon that have not chosen a friend to stay with will leave the island at the end of November.

Wolves

The wolves mentioned by Yorick are, contrary to his assertions, not normal wolves. They are actually monstrous creatures from another world known as Balverines, who were once people. The Wiki entry for Balverines can be found here, but we'll summarize them down below as well! While werewolf-like in many respects, there are several key differences. Balverines can change at any time, night or day, regardless of the status of the moon. Commonly when first turned, a person will become a “lesser” Balverine who will transform by force every night after dark and lose all sense of self to the urge for bloodlust. However, with training and practice, that person can eventually become a “greater” Balverine, capable of controlling their transformations and retaining their faculties. This “greater” status can also be achieved automatically if the person is changed within the hour of midnight. Additionally, if the victim is infected at midnight during a full moon, they can become an exceptionally powerful White Balverine, marked by a pallid coat of wiry fur. Infection occurs when a person is bitten by a Balverine while still alive. Dying to a Balverine bite or being struck with claws, which are more likely to happen during an encounter, do not cause a transformation. Existing greater Balverines do not intend to make many conversions to their fold, and lesser Balverines will generally only do this by accident, so actually acquiring the infection is quite rare. However, if this does happen, it can be cured by having silver placed inside the body, either via insertion (like with a weapon) or ingestion (such as swallowing silver shavings). Doing so is exceptionally painful and may result in death, but dying to any other means will not rid you of the curse. However, you may wish to stay a Balverine once the greater status is achieved, as Balverines are exceptionally powerful creatures. Things to consider! As previously mentioned, Balverines primarily fight with their strong arms and long claws with the occasional bite or lunge. They are also capable of jumping so high in the air that they remain airborne for several seconds and often use this ability to travel quickly or get behind enemies. They have incredibly thick skin and are challenging to kill without silver. They also tend to hide until they can lure prey into an ambush unless pushed to defend themselves. On very infrequent occasions, they may come into town to terrorize folks, but they will largely be attempting to get the jump on people who have gone into the woods. They prefer to keep their presence subtle and are also not necessarily accosting everyone who gets near. Good luck if you plan to fight them!

Open Mic Night

Drinks at Empty Pockets can be handwaved for costs--- existing players can consider it part of their grocery budget, and test driving characters can just not worry about it. This prompt is just for funsies.

Comments

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/CONCERNS

[pumpkinhollow]

Jimmy | Mouthwashing | Age 32

[thishurts]

Arrival

Jimmy bids the ferryman farewell as he walks off the water and onto land. He's pointed towards the direction of the inn, and he suppose that's a good enough start as any. He ends up in downtown and as he walks he realizes that he looks very out of place with a blue jumpersuit on... which he'll have to fix at some point, he thinks to himself. Sure, it's made of a thicker material, nicer, and doesn't have the pony express logo on it... but still. Jimmy's fine with leaving that part of his life behind for good.

He's also taking in his surroundings, trying to make a note of where things are, like the grocery store, doctors, etc.

He wonders where Curly is. Where he's staying. Maybe a hospital? Maybe he should check the hospitals in Pumpkin Hollow to try to find him...

Or maybe he should just. Relax. Enjoy having his ground back on terra firma. Which, to be honest, he had enough of space for a lifetime after the past few months.

Fall's Promise Cemetery

After getting his room and board settled, Jimmy can't find it in him to stay in his room very long. He's antsy and the closed off spaces remind him too much of the Tulpar. So he goes on a walk. The walk becomes more of a hike, all the way back towards the pier, when he notices a Cemetery.

With nothing to lose, and not really ever having been scared of cemeteries and graveyards, he enters. Just to be able to walk around, get fresh air... It's nice. As he reads the names on the tombstones around him, walking down the cobble road... it sure as hell beats being stuck in a spaceship for years at a time.

(If you're unfamiliar w/ canon I do suggest you take a glance at Jimmy's journal before interacting!)

Anya | Mouthwashing | 29 || SEE OPT-OUT!

[cantstandthenoise]

[ Please see Anya's journal for opt-outs, which can include game spoilers! Arrival prompt will be the only one that contains references to these subjects, will be hidden behind a link or dropdown. Safe RP is happy RP! ]

- Arrival -

After a strange but enlightening conversation with Mortanne, Anya takes the ferry to the island, feeling... different. Out of place, but quietly optimistic all the same. It's a lovely, early morning when she arrives. The moon is still out, and it's only just becoming light enough to see. But what a beautiful thing it is, to still see the moon.

When she reaches the pier, it's not Yorick who greets her as with most, but a blonde woman who looks like she might be a shark. She's bundled in a shawl, and had been casting about as if she was expecting to be busted for a crime of some kind, but the moment Anya steps off the ferry, the woman's dark eyes lock on.

"...Are you the one Mortanne told me about?" Anya asks tentatively.

"Yes. My name is Dahlia. And I have something very important to give you."

cw: vague references to past SA.

"To... give me?" Anya's brows furrow. Mortanne had said something about... speaking to someone about keeping her safe. Is it a gun, maybe?

The blonde woman instead simply offers both her hands, which Anya skeptically takes. "You'll have to forgive me, I've never done this before. I know that I can, but it's... new," Dahlia confesses, looking her in the eyes. "I am offering you the Boon of Stinging Nettle, in exchange for the name of the one who hurt you. If you accept, your touch will become caustic to any man or masculine-presenting person who touches you with malice in his intentions. The contact will burn his skin like acid. Do you accept?"

Anya's eyes go wide. She's seen some pretty incredible things today already, and she has no doubt that magic is real, at least in whatever new world she's found herself. But the idea that she herself could do some kind of magic, especially something that specific, isn't something that occurred to her. Her feelings on it are mixed. Anya's never wanted to do harm to anyone. But if it would protect her...

Well, it's only people with intent to harm her, right? People who don't mean her harm have nothing to worry about.

"I---" A moment's more pause. This feels... big. But it's not the first big decision she's made today. "I accept. His--- his name is Jimmy. But, um, please don't share it around, I don't want to start anything---"

"No, I'll keep your confidence. I know how people like that can get. You share it when you're ready. You'll be safe until then," Dahlia assures her. She gives Anya's hands a squeeze, then lets go.

It's strange, Anya assumed something would feel different. But everything feels the same, aside from a sense of knowing that it's done. "...Thank you, um. Dahlia."

"Of course." Dahlia turns to leave, pointing up at a large mansion on the hill. "If you ever need anything, I live up there."

"Wait, uh, before you go," Anya stops her, "can you--- tell me where I'm supposed to go?"

Dahlia turns back, then softens a bit. "Of course I can. Follow me."

By the time Dahlia's short tour of the town concludes, things are beginning to open, and Anya can get her vouchers from Town Hall and then head to the Oak & Iron. She gets herself a nice, warm breakfast, relishing in the taste of properly cooked food for the first time in months and sits at one of the outdoor tables, watching the sunrise.

It's nice to see it for real.

-Apple Picking-

After going to the forest to check out the berry situation and ending up with a pair of friends of her own, Anya finds her way to the apple orchard with what she believes to be a sufficient donation. With her little cloth bag in tow, she fills up on the strange white-fleshed apples, trying to make conversation with any new neighbors she runs into. Gotta try and fit in, right? "I don't think I've been apple picking since I was a kid," she remarks. "It's a really nice day, isn't it?"

-Wildcard-
[ Come see Anya around town! She'll be poking around for jobs as a nurse, exploring the town & woods, and stargazing! ]

Arrival | Oak & Iron

[restingslasherface]

Jean is back from fishing, and as is their habit has chosen - after unloading the ship and taking care of their duties - to come in for coffee and breakfast at the Oak & Iron. A more terrestrial meal after a couple of weeks at sea is often welcome, and this way no one in the house, all of whom are just as exhausted, sore, and/or grouchy as Jean is, has to cook for them.

And there is a new arrival. A skittish person, by some estimates they think, a haunted look in their eyes. Reminds Jean a little of the Clerks, a ways into their employment at Lobotomy Corporation. There's always a moment, a few months in, when they realize they are not here to file. They are here to die unmourned, unloved, and forgotten.

...Maybe not quite forgotten.

So it is that, still in the Page of Kora's Avatar, Jean quietly begins writing out the contact information - including instructions on how to use the Sending Stones - in their notebook, in their neat-by-repetition handwriting, full of erased lines that thin the paper. This they tear carefully from the book before approaching Anya's table; they set it on the other side from her, and gently nudge it towards the middle.

"Welcome to your new home," Jean greets, trying to be warm and mostly managing 'calm' due to their usual manic energy. They flash a soft smile, that barely shows pointed teeth. "I don't know if you've seen the community board yet, comrade, but in case you haven't these are the people you can contact in case of emergency, danger, or ominous mystery. We'll do our best."

[cantstandthenoise]

Anya had been so lost in thought that she jumps a bit when the paper scoots toward her, but she offers a slight smile up at them. "Oh! Thank you." She takes it, glancing over it before tucking it into a pocket. "I did see it, Miss Leeds pointed it out to me. But it's always good to have a copy on hand, when it comes to emergencies."

Oh right, introductions. She offers a hand. "I'm Anya."

[restingslasherface]

Does every culture except Jean's shake hands?

Narrator's note: lots of people in the City shake hands, Jean is just the cyberpunk dystopia equivalent of a country bumpkin.

Still, they return the gesture, if a little awkwardly. "Agent Jean, combat team and fisherman. Nice to meet you, Comrade Anya! May I sit? My own meal is still cooking."

Arrival (Tim Stoker, age 33)

[statementofjoespooky]

Tim is on his way out for lunch when he sees a new face. He hasn't been here long, but the new, non-Magnussy environment has gotten him more or less back to his old self. And his old self was a beacon of charisma, so it's been easy to meet everyone, especially after the whole casino thing.

"Hey, new guy! You fresh off the boat?" He catches up to the guy easily at a jog. "Anybody give you the grand tour yet or is Yorick slacking off again?" A beat. "Oh wait, shit, that's right. I think he died again this morning. Poor bastard."

[cantstandthenoise]

"Yeah, go right ahead." Anya gestures to the seat. "The food here is amazing. I've been living off pre-packaged stuff for almost a year. We were actually kind of running out..."

She takes another bite of her omelet. It's absolutely heavenly.

Jean's interesting. They sure have an Energy(tm) to them, and the terms "Agent" and "Comrade" make her curious as to what kind of world they must come from. The lingo seems an odd match for the flashy pirate getup.

"A fisherman, huh? That explains the outfit."

Curly | Mouthwashing | Age 32

[awfulcake]

[ BE ADVISED: Mouthwashing is a psychological horror game that deals heavily in medical body horror and a handful of sensitive topics. Before tagging Curly, I advise you to take a look at his opt-in/opt-out page and use your discretion. Your safety comes first! ]

1. [arrival] I can hardly stand up right [ OTA ]

Of the many new arrivals the ferryman delivers today, one seems to be having a little more trouble than some of the others, at least when it comes to getting off the boat and onto the dock. A blond haired man with an eyepatch clings to a crutch awkwardly as he limps carefully down the gangway. Notably, he's holding the crutch under the wrong arm - on the same side as his apparently very new prosthetic leg - which is probably why he starts to stumble almost as soon as the wake from a passing boat sets the ferry rocking and destabilizes the walkway. It's a busy day at the docks, though. Hopefully someone's nearby enough to help catch him.

2. [outside the oak and iron] hit my head upon the light [ OTA ]

[ cw: burn trauma, emeto, vague discussion of autocannibalism]

Of all the things Curly expects to set him off, the smell of cooking meat sure isn't one of them. It makes sense, he thinks to himself once he comes around, having knocked over a chair and nearly fallen over again in his hurry to get the fuck away from it. He's half-panting as he leans against a low wall outside, trying to clear his lungs of the phantom sensation of smoke and fire filling them.

He rubs his gloved hands over his face, as much as a self-soothing gesture as to very specifically remind himself he has one again. His missing leg aches and he tastes iron, mouth watering with nausea.

It's fine. Everything's fine. He doesn't even know if that part really happened or if it was just some dream or hallucination he had. When he finds Jimmy, he'll… maybe ask him about it. Maybe.

3. [the library] I have faith but don't believe it [ OTA ]

Anyway. He has an easier time after that, once he's had a few days to literally get his feet under him. It's still difficult, staying in the Oak and Iron with its busy kitchen, but he figures out how not to make a scene about it, at least. Mostly that involves spending a lot of time at the library, since it's not like he sleeps much anyway.

It's nice. Pony Express allowed for a surprising number of books to be taken along with them aboard the Tulpar, for how heavy they were, but there's still only so many times you could read the same selection of about a dozen over and over in the course of a year. Being back on the ground and having a whole library at his disposal feels downright luxurious, small-town scale though it may be.

He can be found most days just reading quietly but intently, a growing stack of books at his side on subjects ranging from the history of the world or the nature of magic, to philosophy and faith, to the occasional sprinkling of fiction from seemingly random genres. Notably absent, however, is any crime or detective fiction, or survival stories. He's had about enough of that, for now.

4. [wildcard] It's not there enough to leave it

[ Need something else? Bother me over at quodvide on Discord or PM this journal to plot!! ]

hit my head (connects directly to Anya's breakfast prompt!)

[cantstandthenoise]

Lost in thought gazing up at the sky (the real sky! with a real sun!) that she nearly jumps out of her skin when she hears someone come clattering out of the restaurant. But as soon as the feeling passes, her first instinct is to run to the aid of the person whose face she doesn't quite see, but she can tell he's unwell.

Her hands hover a bit away from the person as she approaches, rather than going straight for a touch. No matter how reassuring it might be, the last thing she wants is to upset someone who's panicking.

"Hey, oh my god, are you oka---"

And then she registers the face. One she hasn't seen in months. But she'd know it anywhere. "Captain Curly?"

Apple Picking | Hank Callahan, OC, 16

[neverseeinside]

“Pfffffft—I’m from Detroit, yo, I don’t think you can grow shit there!”

The young woman says it with a grin, jumping up to pluck an apple off a branch about six inches above her head before plopping it in her own bag.

“Bam! Suck a dick, tall apple.” She cheers, flipping off the branch before facing the other woman.

“Weather is badass, though—loving the lack of snow. Hey, where’d you get your bird? He’s cool as fuck. Or’s it a she?”

Apple Picking

[configuration_birdwatcher]

One of Anya's new neighbours is a large mechanical being with stone armour and a white-feathered, winged creature that's probably some sort of bird perched on their shoulder.

// I've never picked apples from an orchard before. I wanted to try. Bastion can't consume the fruit, not even having a mouth to attempt it with, but their animal companions can.

It's partially cloudy and 11°C, slightly warmer than yesterday. They think that was a social overture, so the human probably wants a simple, friendly response. The one they come up with is // It would be harder to pick apples in the rain.

[thishurts]

Jimmy raises an eyebrow at the 'again' bit of Tim's sentence, but then remembers... this is the afterlife, or hell, or whatever the fuck. Dying and coming back to life must be part of the deal.

"I know I'm looking for an inn." He says, sounding kind of annoyed, "Place to put up my feet, thought I'd get that sorted first- It's Jimmy."

Not 'new guy' but he's trying not to be a complete asshole to the first person he talks to. Trying being the keyword here.

[statementofjoespooky]

"Makes sense, yeah. You're looking for the Oak & Iron. Bigass tavern up the way. I was already headed there for food."

Tim gestures with his thumb. He doesn't take the grouchiness too personally--- Tim himself literally punched someone his first day here. Mind you, it was his former boss who had been an insufferable asshole, but still.

"C'mon, I'll show you. Beer's on me today. Tim Stoker, by the way, I write for the paper."

arrival, oak & iron

[incomingchoppers]

Radar's gone back to picking up coffee for everybody at Town Hall in the mornings. Even if Dahlia isn't going to work anymore, and he doesn't have to help out with the general filing and other odd jobs around the office, he's missed his friends. Plus, he doesn't want to stick them with too much extra work if he can help it, despite most of his focus being on Leeds Manor this past month.

But that's a whole lot of coffee to juggle. (And a bagged pastry for himself that he's stuck in his mouth to keep both hands free.)

"'Scuse me, ma'am," he says around the bag in his teeth, "s'okay I borrow your table a second?" He nods to the empty side across from her.

[cantstandthenoise]

At the crass remark, Anya makes a rumpled face like a distressed Muppet and clenches her jaw. Swearing is fine, Anya doesn't usually do it but is used to people who do--- but vulgar expressions like that are uncomfortable.

She clears her throat awkwardly at the question. "Y-you know, I'm not really sure how to tell. I'd just been assuming it was a boy."

[cantstandthenoise]

A robot! That's neat. Even with space travel being advanced as it was in her world, robots are still pretty rare. At least advanced ones like this. The remark gives Anya a short laugh. "I bet it would be," she agrees, gesturing to the Togetic. "Does your friend there like them?"

[cantstandthenoise]

"Oh--- Yes absolutely!" Anya scoots away from the table as if to rise. "Do you need any help?"

Her mind is a rush of thoughts, but most of them bend towards helping, towards what she can do. Even though she is literally in the middle of eating, all thoughts of her own activity seem to vacate her mind.

[restingslasherface]

Jean takes their seat, beaming proudly. "In part! It was a gift from Manager Kora, and has the virtue of the waters. Also this sword!" The nugget turns to show the sheathed blade with its fancy hilt. "You'll see me around in many different styles! It's sort of what I do."

[cantstandthenoise]

"Oh, I see," Anya remarks, for lack of anything more meaningful to say on the matter. She's been in a uniform every day for the past almost-year. "...What kind of a place did you come from?"

[restingslasherface]

"A bad one!" Jean deflates a little. "...A very bad one. This has been better. I can give thanks to the world of my birth only in that it taught me skills that are helping these people. Even then..."

They shake their head.

"It's hardly a conversation for a new arrival, I...used to talk about things more freely and then...well, people didn't like it. I'm doing better." They kinda pause. Coffee is delivered to the table for them, and they flash the barmaid a smile and tip her a few Brass before mixing cream and sugar into their cup well before they start thinking about pouring coffee. "Usually when I greet new arrivals I ask about their own previous employment and skills, but it is! Strictly optional."

[cantstandthenoise]

Oh. That's where they get all that energy from. But hey, they tip the server! That's the most important thing.

"Mine was--- also bad. I mean, it wasn't... all bad? But the ending was. The last year was probably the worst one of my life, and then I died horribly." She stirs her own tea idly. "I was a nurse, though, aboard a space freighter. I mostly did basic first aid, checkups, and psych evals for most of it, but after our ship crashed, someone--- got really hurt, and I had to put a lot of theoretical knowledge into practice on the fly. So I guess I'm pretty flexible in a pinch?" Anya shrugs half-heartedly.

Wildcard | Menkhu Mends

[medekh]

Artemy happens to run one of the clinics in town, aptly named Menkhu Mends, and he's currently inside. The interior has one large machine with another table that has test tubes and some sort of beaker on it as well as a hospital stretcher/bed for seeing patients. Everything is sparely decorated and it looks more like the hideout of someone who does illegal surgeries rather than a nice established place.

Artemy was just outside with a basket gathering herbs hours before but has moved inside to sort through them and organize them by type on a large wooden table. Hearing the door open, he looks up from his work to meet Anya's eyes. He's tall, intimidating, and is wearing a butchers smock rather than a labcoat.

"Can I help you, Miss?" He asks calmly.

[thishurts]

"Jimmy." He stuffs one hand in his pocket and follows Tim on his way to the Oak & Iron. Hard to complain about a free beer, that's for damn sure. "You got a paper here, huh? Like the old black and white newspapers?"

The idea is almost comical to him. He thought he'd end up in hell. Instead he's in a period piece where people still 'write for the paper.' If anyone would have told him this is what the afterlife would be like Jimmy wouldn't have believed them for a damn second.

[cantstandthenoise]

The look of this man, and moreso his... clinic? Is this a clinic? Gives Anya pause. She spends a moment with the door half-open, just kind of balking in confusion.

"Uh, hi," she manages. "Is this--- a health clinic? I was just, um." She hands him a paper from a little stack she has. A few handwritten resumes, it seems. "I'm a nurse, and I'm looking for work. Um. I know this is a little barebones, and my education's a bit spotty... But I have about five months of experience taking care of an intensive care patient in a limited environment, so I hope that helps."