worldcleansing | deer country contact

Hey. Hi. I'm bad at things like this but... My name's Sharon. I went by Alessa when we met. I wanted to thank you for being so kind to me and not just, I dunno, leaving me there or being a total creep.

Like, really. Thank you.

[ Light can't see that 'Alessa' is now grown, or closer to it, but there's a definite change in her tone. Still, his immediate assumption isn't age regression. ]

I'm glad to hear from you. It's hard to trust the safety of kids in this kind of place, but you don't need to thank me. It should be the expectation.

How are you doing?

Should be but it isn't. [ She learned a lot of hard lessons as a child, lessons that have embittered her. ]

I'm not a nine-year-old anymore so... Not bad. That's pretty good for Trench given all the batshit crazy that happens here. What about you? You one of the lucky ones that avoided the shed?

[ De-aged or aged up? Light assumes the former since the child didn't remember anything about the Trench, and Sharon doesn't sound too shaken by suddenly gaining... how many years? ]

I'm glad to hear it. I feel a little better knowing you're not forced into this world so young. I hope you've become more fond of coats.

[ There's a little context lost in text, but Light assumes she can guess it's a form of gentle teasing. ]

I'm fine. Unless you're new to Trench, you probably know that we bounce back quickly. It was a busy month. I went on an exploratory mission after leaving here.

[ She does not have the heart to tell him that her life might have turned out better had she wound up here that young. In a lot of ways. ]

You wish. I'm a Coldblood, I have no need for such things as coats. ;) [ She wears a coat all the time. More to avoid corruption due to blood pollution exposure than cold, though. ]

Oh shit, I must've missed you. I headed out there, too. You visit the other reality?

Is that why you weren't cold that day? You were cold to the touch, but you kept insisting you didn't feel it. I thought it might have been shock.

As busy as I was there, no, I stayed in the one reality. I've heard of other people being pulled there. I assume you were one of them?

I don't think I'd have been as chatty if I were in shock. Still, glad you didn't assume. Appreciate it.

I can't see a weird, glowing hole in the wall and not test my luck. Seriously, though, it's just a mirrored version of this world. I documented a lot of it if you want to see the videos sometime. Were you working in the library?

Our bodies are different here in Trench. It's why shock was so unlikely, but I didn't have any other explanation for your lack of cold when your skin felt like it was freezing.
[ He should have thought of Coldbloods, but the environment seemed so dangerous for a child. ]

And, I had the extra rice soup.

I'd like that. I've heard stories but nothing that thorough. I could use the time to also explain why it would be a bad idea to investigate glowing holes, but something tells me you won't listen.

[ She's a friendly enough girl and seems to have grown a bit more comfortable in her skin. ]

I was doing research in hopes of finding information about the new town and what's going on here. The Pthumerians were already acting strangely when I came here, but I've learned enough to know it is strange instead of their normal behaviour.

Oh yeah, the soup. I'd like that recipe if you have one.

I'll have you know I did take precautions. Shot a few messages out to my mentor, gave him the location and the details, and made sure I had my weapons at the ready. Even had a buddy with me. I recognized the possibility of danger and acted accordingly. [ She might have been a little reckless but she wasn't going to admit that to Light. ]

Did you learn anything? I know Riteior had something to do with the new town, probably why it was empty, too. I encountered him briefly but he didn't stick around for a chat.

It's an easy one. I'll pass it along when we meet for your notes.

What kind of weapons does one take into a dangerous hole in the wall? I don't have a lot of experience.

I learned some things, but it doesn't seem to have managed much. I'll keep looking. Maybe your notes and my experience can connect some dots.

A gun with Coldblood bullets, an enchanted knife, a spear, and the ability to absolutely fuck up a beast with fire. Anything really works, though. I hope you carry a weapon on your person here. Never know when you might need it.

Maybe. Fingers crossed, Light.

I do, in addition to my own blood magic. I was well prepared by someone I met when I first came here.

[ She had so many knives... ]

I'll trust that you were prepared. I guess they really do grow up so fast.

[ Light doesn't actually know Sharon's age, but she's obviously not a complete fool. The preparations seem... dangerous for whatever she encountered. ]

Then, I'd be happy to meet for lunch. If you'd prefer some place public, I'll treat.

[ That's a relief. Light had given her the impression that he was capable when she was little but she couldn't be certain how much of that was influenced by the fact she was a child. ]

I know a nice, quiet little place in Willful Machine that sells the best mushroom hand pies, though they have other things if mushroom isn't your thing. Lots of little desserts and teas.

I'm Japanese. Mushrooms only lose to fish and tea.

[ It's slight hyperbole, but not by a terrible amount. ]

Send me the address, and I can meet you there.

[ Sharon will shoot him the directions to the bakery. They're detailed with clear instructions and descriptions of landmarks or shops that may help one find their way in such a busy district. It's a fair distance from the lantern, right on the edge of the district, closer to Gaze than it was Sleepy Town, and sits in a secluded alley away from the hustle and bustle of the main street. It's the kind of spot that can be easily missed, the only sign of its existence the scent of pastry that occasionally blows down the alley.

Sharon waits at the corner of said alley, leaning into one of the dark, looming buildings that make up chunks of Willful Machine. She's got her eyes peeled for him, well-aware that she's more likely to recognize him than vice versa, but she told him where she'd wait and that she's now much more blonde than her child-self. She's notably not wearing a coat but is in clean hunting leathers. There are weapons on her hips, a gun and a knife, next to an assortment of bottles and pouches. She's at ease while being aware of her surroundings. ]

[ Light's dressed in roughly the same manner as before: professional without looking stiff. There are men who wear suits and men who are worn by him, and Light manages to be the former by looking at home in such clothing.

She stands alone, she's blond, and he recognizes some vague facial similarities. It makes him feel comfortable with approaching. ]

Sharon? It's good to see you again.

Likewise. [ She pushes off from the wall as he approaches, her grin bold and easy-going. ]

It's like you haven't aged a day. [ She jokes as she leads him down the alley. The buildings on either side loom overhead but the deeper into the alley they go, the thicker the savory scent in the air becomes. It's not long before they're in front of a tiny, cozy little shop sandwiched between a pair of larger buildings. A handcarved sign hangs above the entrance: Crumbs & All. ]

My mom showed this place to me when I first arrived. I visit damn near weekly. [ She used to hate mushrooms before she tried this place out. ]

Your mom is here, too?

[ That's a bit of a surprise. Obviously, as a child, she wouldn't have had the same knowledge that she possesses as an adult, but she'd felt so alone. ]

I'm not sure if that's a relief or a burden. It sounds like you're close, but I'm thankful that none of my family came with me.

[ Light isn't familiar with the shop, but it's not difficult to find a sandwich that's edible. ]

I have a little sister. I hope she never knows a world where she has to be this armed.

Uh, she was here. She returned to the ocean back in... August, I think. [ Her world stopped for a time when she discovered Rose gone. It wasn't her first time losing her mother but it still hurt. She opens the door to the building and motions him through like the absolute gentleman she is. ]

How old's your sister? [ The little shop has a handwritten chalk sign that tells of the day's specials. Most of the items are hearty hand pies, great for getting warm during the cold winter. Sharon orders herself a mushroom pasty and the moment Light chooses his own order, she is quick to pay for them both, not even giving Light a second glance. ]

[ The door is a surprise, the payment even more so. Instead of an awkward argument, he chuckles. ]

I did offer to treat you so now, I'll have to take it back. My college-aged sister wouldn't turn down a free meal from her older brother.

[ Or any age she might be, really. Their parents are well off so it's not as if Sayu would struggle without being treated. ]

But I'm a few years old so I remember when she was that age. I'm not sure she knew books existed without pictures. Do you still read?

Oh? Did you? [ She mocks confusion ] It must have slipped my mind. [ She taps her temple with her index and middle finger, her grin childish & cheeky, as she leads him to a tiny, carved table in the back and slides into the seat opposite of him, placing their lunches in the center. ]

I do, though not quite as often as I used to back home. I have a lot less time on my hands here and I prefer to use my free time to paint. [ She takes a bite out of her pasty and then covers her mouth when she speaks next. ] It helps a lot with my corruption.

I'll keep the memory problem in mind for next time.

[ Just so that she knows he'll make sure to beat her to the counter next time. But he's smiling so as to show he isn't seriously bothered by the treat. Still, it's followed up with: ]

But for today, thanks.

[ Manners do still exist.

As Sharon talks, Light eats as well, but he waits until swallowing before giving his reply. ]

Mm. It's a shame. I was rooting for your reading passion, but I can understand why painting would help calm your mind against corruption. Did you paint any of the things you saw in the mirror world?

[ She waves off the gratitude with her free hand. ]

'fraid not but I did do a bunch of sketches of the buildings. [ She pulls a leather-bound book from the largest satchel on her hip and flips it open, sliding it across the table for him. both pages show off messy, unfinished works. ]

I don't study a lot of art, but if your sketches are this good, I'm curious to see your paintings.

[ The hand that hasn't been holding the sandwich reaches to pull the notebook a bit closer so he can study the work more closely. As he thinks over the page, he tries to find the mirror equivalent. ]

You said it was like our world? Did anything dangerous happen?

[ The compliment, observational or not, has her grin shyly. She prides herself on her art. It's one of the few things she feels she's good at and it's an outlet. She takes another bite but swallows before she speaks next. ]

I can show you sometime. [ It's not as if she didn't have an abundance of photos on her Omni. She gets rid of most of her paintings, usually through bartering but they make good gifts (the less horrifying ones, that is).

At the question, she shakes her head. ] I thought we'd find the source of the voices I kept hearing in the city. The cruel ones. [ Her face pinches at the memory. A ghost of a frown. She clears her throat. ] Or what made the gargoyles move. I dunno if you saw that, got videos of that shit, too. But we didn't encounter anything. No Riteior cultists. No beasts. Nothing.

But there was this feeling. Like even though we were alone, we weren't.

late january | text | un: sds

un: L.Yagami

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