public channel | day 67

[dontpokethat]

((OOC: Since Ginko and Tanyuu are both going to be talking in here, Ginko’s voice is indicated in green and Tanyuu’s is purple for readability.

For more details on the plot, please look at the OOC post!))

Hey, guys. Sorry to interrupt the camping trip, but we’ve got something of a problem.

You might have noticed some odd-looking flowers popping up around our campsites; those aren’t native to this world. They’re a type of mushi that have found their way here.

[And now that Ginko has a semi-captive audience--] Specifically, they’re kaoriyoroboki; these mushi blur the lines between people’s minds while they sleep, allowing them to experience and share each other’s dreams. Their presence allows people to sleep more peacefully, as well, which some of you may have noticed.

Unfortunately, long-term exposure to kaoriyoroboki while you sleep will cause the borders between your minds to blur more and more, until your identities and memories start bleeding together irreparably. Tanyuu and I are working on keeping that from happening, but the mushi purge isn’t quite ready yet.

[No one can see it, but rest assured that Tanyuu is shaking her head fondly at GInko’s rambling. Her brother...] It shouldn’t take more than a few days to gather everything we need, but in the meantime try to avoid napping too much. Symptoms usually only start appearing after a week or so, but let us know if you start to feel confused or misremember things.

Comments

[flashover]

Man, this mushi thing again? Why are these things always so crazy, huh? .... there's not any like there was the last time, right? Just these dream ones?

[fourthscribe]

No other ones that will cause trouble, at least. There are always some around, but they're usually weaker types.

[flashover]

Oh, yeah. I can usually see 'em. They just sort of look like glowing shapes most of the time... But at least there's no real dangerous ones. What kind of stuff do you still need?

[fourthscribe]

Mmm, the common types tend to be more abstract in form. If you'd like, later you can look at some scrolls with some different types of mushi, so you know what you're looking at.

As for our ingredients, there's a certain herb that we...seem to have left behind when we were packing up. I saw some when I was looking around yesterday, though, so once we gather enough Ginko and I can prepare the mushi purge.

[flashover]

That would be cool! I probably won't remember, but it'd still be neat to know.

Do you have any of it that I can see? The Ringmaster gave me a guide on what's edible around here, so I'm usually out gathering berries and stuff during the day. If I know what I'm looking for, I can help you find more quicker, maybe?

[haides]

I look forward to the effect. (Hades.) I think I am overdue for a nap.

[dontpokethat]

No.

[Just... flat, straightforward. No. Not like he can actually do a lot to stop him, but...]

We're not going to tell people to force themselves to stay awake, but I have to discourage any unnecessary napping for the moment.

[haides]

How am I to know if a nap is unnecessary? (Slumber is healthy, isn't it? Hades is being difficult on purpose.) To share the dreams of mortals would be a rare opportunity. I do not think I can pass it by.

[dontpokethat]

Well, I’ll simplify that for you. If you can stay awake, please do so, to whatever extent is reasonable for your health.

[‘Mortals’, huh. Ginko pauses before speaking again, but only for a moment.] If we’re ‘mortals’, then may I ask what you are?

While I appreciate your curiosity, I need you to understand that indulging it could be dangerous for yourself and your coworkers.

[spaghettimonster]

Dangerous sleep again, huh...?

[That's been as much a repeating risk as mushi themselves. He knew it was a dangerous, addictive thing.]

Hey, what about those dreamcatchers! Would they help?

[fourthscribe]

I...am not sure, actually. I had made some of them with basic mushi wards...I can't see how hanging them up would hurt.

[Though, actually...]

Papyrus, would you mind coming to speak with myself and Ginko privately?

[spaghettimonster]

Uh... Sure! Just tell me the place, and I can meet you soon. I'll ask the Ringmaster about those later.

[She could probably throw the dreamcatchers at them, out of wherever she's taken the Carnival off to, right?]

[fourthscribe]

[Insert a quick guide to where Ginko and Tanyuu's tents are because I'm too lazy to bullshit that part, whoop whoop!]

You can come by anytime, Ginko and I will be around in case any unforseen trouble pops up. And please do--I know she's busy, but if she can spare the time to get those for us it could be useful.

[scientificist]

Iiii believe I've been affected. I can't say I...particularly minded the effects as they are currently but it does sound. Eventually inconvenient. The temporary medical tent is available if you need space to compile your, purge and I, myself would appreciate seeing the process.

[dontpokethat]

"Eventually inconvenient" is one way of putting it.

That would be appreciated - and you're certainly free to watch. Always good to have more people around who know how to make these remedies.

[scientificist]

Is it more of a 'hive mind' or simply a loss of self?

Now that we have this...free time, I'll have to finally have that talk about mushi--especially as it's become immediately relevant.

[dontpokethat]

Closer to the latter. Those severely affected won't end up with a single consciousness so much as their identities will become... muddled. Rather than becoming one entity, extreme cases can bring the afflicted to a point where they can't make enough sense of their memories and perceptions to form any sense of identity at all.

[...And then, because he realizes the whole carnival is still listening:] That won't be a concern here, though, since we can purge the mushi from around people's tents.

Absolutely. Come find me or Tanyuu any time; I'd say it was about time we got our Doctor caught up on the subject, anyway.

[mylastchance]

Can't we just... Dig them up?

[fourthscribe]

You could, but they would simply sprout again in the same place--even if they look like plants, they don't behave like them. It's easier to think of them as a spirit that happens to take the form of a plant.

[mylastchance]

... Ghost plants...

[fourthscribe]

[She can't help a small laugh--it is silly.]

Something like that. For such a simple form of life, mushi can be quite complicated to deal with.

[reflash]

[Yukio was... assuming they were demonic, the same way he's been assuming that the occasional mushi floating around the Carnival was a demon.]

I'm not familiar with the term 'mushi'. Would you be willing to explain it a bit more?

[dontpokethat]

Of course. They're a type of organism native to my and Tanyuu's world; they can resemble bacteria, animals, or plants, like these ones, but they're actually something else entirely. They're made up mostly of life force, more so than physical matter the way most living things are, so they can affect their surroundings in ways other living things can't.

[He can say so much more, but that's a start.]

[reflash]

Oh. I was wondering what those were, they've been around the carnival, haven't they? I assumed they were some form of demon. [And with that explanation, Yukio's still classing them as demonic.]

If you're in need of herbs to exorcise the mushi, I have a collection in the medical tent that might have some of what you need.

[dontpokethat]

They do show up around the grounds, yes. I can see why you'd assume them to be demons, but mushi are their own class of organism.

I'd appreciate that! I'll come by to check later. [And, even if they don't have what he needs for the mushi purge, he'd like to take a look at the assortment of herbs available, anyway.]