action ; open base mingle

[octoroom]

It’s been about a month or so since people started arriving to this world and onto the base—a month of shenanigans, exploration, danger, angry sealife and other things. In this still-small base, there’s all kinds of things that characters can do so, therefore, consider this an all-purpose base mingle post.

prompts:

→ i. it’s a fixer upper
[In the wake of the Aurora explosion, there were quite a few things that needed repairing. Even then, the base itself is by no means complete, with limited room and not even rooms for each and every person. Luckily, there aren’t all that many living in the base! Yet.

But, there’s always something to do. Are you helping with repairs? Trying to decorate the base somehow? Building something new that can add to it? Perhaps you’re one of those in the laboratory, researching what species that this ocean has to offer. Hopefully nothing else is blowing up.

Or are you just standing around, staring wistfully out at the ocean and not contributing at all? I mean, that’s fine, but…]


→ ii. catch of the day
[How’s that seafood? What? You have no idea how to cook it? Well, then.

It’s probably like sushi, where you can eat it raw, right? Or maybe you’re one of those bringing back fresh supplies to the base. Possibly still wriggling around fresh supplies. Can you actually (miracle of miracles) cook some of the fish/other things that are probably fish so that they don’t taste half-bad?

If all else fails, just munch on some seaweed. I hear it’s nutritious.]


→ iii. it’s like a giant sleepover
[Surely there’s nothing awkward about cramming yourself into one of the ‘free’ rooms around the base with your air mattress and curling up there. Have you set out a space for yourself? Found a nice spot where you’re usually alone but uh-oh don't count on that for too long?

Perhaps you’d rather just sleep in the hallway to avoid drifting off near others.

Maybe you just don’t sleep at all or you prefer roaming the base when it gets dark. Nightmares about sea creatures can be a doozy.]


→ iv. choose your own/wildcard option
[What else has your character been doing? Go wild!]

(These prompts are loose so you can make your own prompts for people to tag out of them. Make headers, tag around, use this post for whatever you like!)

Comments

[octoroom]

[Congratulations, Shiro, you're going to get to find a tentacle! One of Fukami's is curled not far from where that encroaching hand has flopped.]

...Why has it been difficult?

[Nightmares? are his first thought. Well. Those were the reasons any of the others were never able to sleep, back home.]

[undyingly]

You know, I'm not sure. I suppose... I'm worried about back home.

[Shiro sighs, looking up at the ceiling. Though he hesitates and peeks over at that tentacle. Oh. Is he invading his space? Oh well Fukami hasn't yelled at him yet he's not moving. Instead he'll keep talking.]

A lot of strange and dangerous things happened just before I had to leave.

[octoroom]

[No yelling! Fukami's not the yelling type anyway. More like the silently staring and occasional whap with a tentacle type. Right now seems like hardly the time for either, however.]

And it's weighing on you still.

[...] Do you wish to speak about it? [Even if it's in vague or uncertain terms. It's not about Fukami asking to hear about this, after all, it's about giving Shiro an opportunity to talk.]

[undyingly]

[Shiro turns to lay on his side, facing Fukami, looking at him thoughtfully for a moment. Does he want to talk about it?

He thinks... mm. He sort of thinks he does. He frowns faintly, unsure of how to start or where to start, but the thing that weighs on him the most is,] ...my friends think I'm dead.

[Or well, actually, they should think he's head anyway.] But it's safer for them and for everyone if I am right now. So I promised I would stay out of the world again, for now. So even if I weren't here, I suppose I'd still be worried.

[octoroom]

[Fukami's expression freezes. It's subtle, but nevertheless it does. His eyes have widened slightly, very slightly, before he forces himself to blink slowly, to hear Shiro out.

There are many parts of this story that he's missing. However, he only has what information Shiro's offered.]

...Yes. You would. [...] Would you prefer to be by your friend's sides?

[undyingly]

[Shiro smiles at the questions, ducking his head again. Why does that question make him feel oddly sad? Wistful maybe.]

I think so. It's strange. I spent a really long time alone, and I think I meant to stay that way. But then I wound up back in the world again, and I met Neko and Kuroh and Kukuri. I think I forgot what it was like, to be close to people. so mm! I'd want to be by their sides. I don't want them to have to worry because of me.

And I want to make sure things get put right, too. [For the part he played in it, even if he never meant to to begin with.]

[octoroom]

...They're probably thinking something like you are.

[It's something he says after a long moment, and his tentacle laying close to Shiro's hand twists, curling to touch against his wrist. It's a light touch, mind, but a touch nevertheless from someone not prone to initiating them.]

Perhaps they don't even truly believe that you're gone.

[undyingly]

Mm.... maybe. They're stubborn enough to believe...

[He looks over when that tentacle curls around his wrist. Oh. That's nice actually, like support. There's a smile on his face, even if the expression is dimmer, sadder than his usual.]

Thank you for listening. [And now he scoots himself closer... right onto Fukami's mattress so he can hug him. He appreciates it, okay?]

[octoroom]

Your friends sound like you.

[Shiro strikes him as the stubborn type-- and the hugging type, he realises in a sharp jolt, several of his tentacles twitching. Fukami's stiffened now that he's being hugged, one of his hands lifted in the air, fingers hovering over his back. Don't look at his face he's making a stupid one.

Did he do anything worth hugging him for? After a moment, he places his hand on Shiro's head. He strokes several times, much like he's comforting someone much younger, like a child after they've woken from a nightmare.] ...I can always listen, if nothing else. [He knows he's not the most talkative, or probably the most comforting.]

[undyingly]

[Another laugh. Saying he's stubborn? Well, he can't really argue with that at all, can he? But he can lean into Fukami and kind of keep the hug going even if Fukami stiffens at first. Because that is a hand landing on his head, right?

He shuts his eyes and leans in further.]

It helps, being able to just say it. So I really appreciate it.

[A lot. And more than that.] I can listen too, if you ever want to talk.

[octoroom]

[Gradually, Fukami's tension eases completely, as he becomes used to the contact. Besides, Shiro's just going and leaning in, so it doesn't seem like he's dissuaded by a bit of stiffening. His hand grows more sure on Shiro's head, gently patting his hair, again and again.

He's probably done this a few times, for Memoca and Dolphi when they've had nightmares. Dolphi more so.]

Hm. I've nothing pressing on my mind, but... I'll remember that.

[...] I hope that you will be able to sleep.

[undyingly]

[Not even remotely dissuaded. It takes a lot more to discourage him. Besides, Fukami is petting his hair. It's nice. And comforting. And he can't remember the last time anyone did something like this. Maybe it makes him like a kid having nightmares, but... He can't help but appreciate Fukami listening and even just his presence.

He's a great octopal.]

Mm. Maybe you will sometime. But yeah... I hope so too.

[Actually he might sleep right here what is personal space anyway.]

[octoroom]

[He's not moving away at all, is he? Fukami's not dissuading it either but, after what Shiro told him, even he can appreciate wanting to be close to someone. It's altogether him treating Shiro like he might those close to him at home, whoops. He's not their older brother figure for nothing.]

...

[Fukami's quiet, not unusual for him, looking down at Shiro.] ...Did you wish to move back to your bed? [And try sleeping?]

[undyingly]

[Sorry, Fukami. Did you want an answer? Because one is not forthcoming. Instead what he gets is soft, slow, regular breathing. Shiro's tucked himself right here comfortably. And even if seeking out contact and company is still new to Shiro, he'd just started getting used to it back home.

And he's getting used to it again. Because he's totally drifted right off now. He hasn't really slept for nights and nights, okay?]

[octoroom]

[...He actually fell asleep. Fukami frowns down at the top of his head before he exhales a heavy sigh. Just. This. Once. This once is all he's going to allow, since Shiro hasn't been sleeping, and that's why he won't move him back. If he wakes up, who knows if he'll get back to sleep...

One tentacle stretches out, catxhing under the blankets on Shiro's mattress and bringing them over to put over him. Tucked in.

Honestly. Kids. Fukami closes his eyes, somehow doubting he's going to sleep that quickly tonight...]