That's right, actually. The whole town would just start to melt and fall apart at times into some ... nightmarish other world. Full of rust and blood and darkness.
[ It's a sensation through the Murmur to point to him; he got it. ]
But yeah, what can I say? I'm selfless like that, Vander.
[ He grumbles out something about him being hit 'cause he looked suspicious. Fucking assholes. Slithers through their connection, and he pauses at the question. My head. Murphy wants to cover that up but he knows the answer already came through. ]
Yeah, she shot me in the back of my head. I remember falling into the water... and waking up in that dream. [ He clicks his tongue. ] I don't think I was anything to her... whoever she thought I was, I wasn't him.
Not to be crass, but you weren't on some mind-altering substance at the time the melting started, were you? I experimented with some chemical combinations and had a similar effect. Yeah, I only did that once...
[It was sort of a joke, but he also was concerned for the type of place that Murphy described. It sounded like the kind of town no one actually wanted to visit or be apart of even for a walk through. His concern bled easily through the Murmur.]
That's why you're my best man here. Always willing to make a sacrifice play.
[Ah. Oh. Vander winced in sympathy, but there was also a stirring of warm anger on Murphy's behalf. He didn't know the guy that well, but he already found himself protective over him.]
I'm sorry... maybe it's lucky in its own way you ended up here. Head shots are not... generally survivable.
Wild man, huh? But no - I wish I was on something.
[ It would've been nice if he was. Just a bad trip instead of a bad trip. He breathes in and thinks he should share that bad joke with Vander, but it feels like the moment has passed - so he doesn't. ]
Glad to know we're best friends, then.
[ A soft laugh. ]
Yeah. I'm not sure if I survived... but that place was strange. The people there acted like death was out of their control. Like they'd only be allowed to go if the town said it was okay. [ And he knows how that sounds; he sits back, stretches his legs out. ]
I can't fully explain that place... it was just ... not right. Made others not right.
I like to say "experimental" in my youth. Don't know until you try it once, right? [He hummed.] So how did you end up in a town that melted and was filled with blood and rust?
[Murphy might have been jesting with him, but Vander was willing to go along with the joke with some serious. They could be best friends.]
Should we get matching jewelry or tattoos to commemorate the depth of our friendship?
[This town and the experiences that all sounded so strange. And yet, how many of them ended up here after death or a deadly incident? Three of them now, and surely more if one asked around further.]
And you weren't sprouting scales while you were in the town?
That's how people end up in trouble. [ But speaking of trouble -- ] There was a car accident. I survived it... but a lot others didn't. I stumbled into that town.
[ Heh. ]
Friendship bracelets, I think they're called. We can try to find those.
[ He wants to kick something, but he refrains. The rush of a desire for violence spikes and settles. ]
This creature of the black lagoon shit wasn't happening while I was there. But a lot of things just didn't really make sense... I remember falling from a great height... something that would kill someone for sure, but I woke up on a park bench later.
[ Another huff. ] So who knows? Maybe I did survive getting shot?
Always try something new with a friend. [Not that it mattered now, right?] Were you seriously injured in the accident?
[Oh Murphy, it's been awhile since he had a friend.]
We just need the materials, and we can make them for each other. Friendship building exercise.
[He felt the rush, and his concerns rose in response. Was Murphy under attack or need assistance? Vander could make his way to the other man's location for support.]
Does that mean you're actually immortal or something? [He recalled a friend talking about dying but it not sticking.] Let's not test that theory here, but it is curious that you've potentially survived two fatal incidences.
That's friendship for you. [ A beat. ] Surprisingly, no. I just was a little disoriented but otherwise, I was fine.
[ He lets out another laugh - fun to toss in these little jokes between a harrowing experience. ]
Why not? It's a big city covered in weird shit and monsters... we'll call it a side-quest.
[ Murphy shakes his head. ] I don't think I'm immortal. It's more like... what people in that town were saying... it seems like the town wouldn't let you die if it wasn't "your time." And it was the only thing that got to decide what was or wasn't your time, I guess. I don't fully understand it. I just wanted out of there.
That's fortunate for you. A shame about the others that were in the vehicle with you that were hurt.
[From the story, it didn't sound like there was much to be done about medical attention for them, since Murphy woke up in horror-town. He wondered what that meant; maybe it was some path of punishment or something, a trick of the mind? Or it was simply that Murphy survived, so there was nothing overly complicated about it.]
You know, I happen to run off on a lot of side quests for supplies anyway. I think this is a great idea in a place out to break us down and probably kill us. Boys day out?
[He hummed in consideration.] That makes it sound like you're being punished or something. You don't get to leave the mortal coil until you learn this lesson we are beating into you sort of thing.
[ It's not quite guilt what he feels about what happened. It's more quiet acceptance about the death of the bus driver. Maybe, he feels something about accidentally getting a man killed by trying to stop him from killing a monster - who he thought was a woman at the time. But as with everything, it's complicated.
But he draws away from those thoughts to repeat back: ]
Boys day out.
[ A soft noise. ] I know what I'd be punished for, but it doesn't have anything to do with her. [ A pause. ] I let someone down. Someone that really mattered to me. I can't even say that I'm sorry, but sometimes... an apology is only meant to make you feel better. You know?
[Vander laughed at the idea of a boys day out. When was the last time he had one of those? Years, he supposed.]
Be nice to have one of those. Nice booze, maybe some food, games and maybe paint each other's nails.
[He hummed in acknowledgement and condolences. He knew what that was like, so Murphy had his sympathy on that front.]
I do know, yeah. Maybe that's why most of us are here: we let someone or someone's down. I've been there too, so... [He trailed off, not about to delve into details for now.]
... you might be right. We might be here 'cause of that reason... but I don't think we're being given a chance to make up for that mistake. We're given the chance to not let someone else down.
[Look, they can be manly men and still walk around with painted toenails.]
No, I agree with you. It seems we're here to whim and pleasure of Sleep, yet she forces us to perform more than a fair share of self-reflection, doesn't she?
Yeah, need something that brings out the colour in your eyes.
[He hummed in agreement. He experienced his own frustration that he wasn't able to process on his own, but have to endure it being flagrantly brandied about.]
Worse when it might be public spectacle in dream form.
My eyes, huh. I'm gonna be honest... I'm not sure what color they are.
[ He never really took that much time to look in the mirror. One time, he knew, but that sort of information fell by the wayside. It wasn't important. It feels like a weird thing to say, but hey - at least he knows his hair is brown? ]
That's such a man answer. How do you not know what colour your eyes are? Are you allergic to mirrors?
[A man answer said from another man. He was more bemused about this information about Murphy than he was confused. He would make a point to lean in close to study the other man's eye colour the next time that they met face-to-face.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2026-03-02 08:46 pm (UTC)[ It's a sensation through the Murmur to point to him; he got it. ]
But yeah, what can I say? I'm selfless like that, Vander.
[ He grumbles out something about him being hit 'cause he looked suspicious. Fucking assholes. Slithers through their connection, and he pauses at the question. My head. Murphy wants to cover that up but he knows the answer already came through. ]
Yeah, she shot me in the back of my head. I remember falling into the water... and waking up in that dream. [ He clicks his tongue. ] I don't think I was anything to her... whoever she thought I was, I wasn't him.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-02 09:06 pm (UTC)[It was sort of a joke, but he also was concerned for the type of place that Murphy described. It sounded like the kind of town no one actually wanted to visit or be apart of even for a walk through. His concern bled easily through the Murmur.]
That's why you're my best man here. Always willing to make a sacrifice play.
[Ah. Oh. Vander winced in sympathy, but there was also a stirring of warm anger on Murphy's behalf. He didn't know the guy that well, but he already found himself protective over him.]
I'm sorry... maybe it's lucky in its own way you ended up here. Head shots are not... generally survivable.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-03 02:23 am (UTC)[ It would've been nice if he was. Just a bad trip instead of a bad trip. He breathes in and thinks he should share that bad joke with Vander, but it feels like the moment has passed - so he doesn't. ]
Glad to know we're best friends, then.
[ A soft laugh. ]
Yeah. I'm not sure if I survived... but that place was strange. The people there acted like death was out of their control. Like they'd only be allowed to go if the town said it was okay. [ And he knows how that sounds; he sits back, stretches his legs out. ]
I can't fully explain that place... it was just ... not right. Made others not right.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-03 05:34 am (UTC)[Murphy might have been jesting with him, but Vander was willing to go along with the joke with some serious. They could be best friends.]
Should we get matching jewelry or tattoos to commemorate the depth of our friendship?
[This town and the experiences that all sounded so strange. And yet, how many of them ended up here after death or a deadly incident? Three of them now, and surely more if one asked around further.]
And you weren't sprouting scales while you were in the town?
no subject
Date: 2026-03-03 05:38 am (UTC)[ Heh. ]
Friendship bracelets, I think they're called. We can try to find those.
[ He wants to kick something, but he refrains. The rush of a desire for violence spikes and settles. ]
This creature of the black lagoon shit wasn't happening while I was there. But a lot of things just didn't really make sense... I remember falling from a great height... something that would kill someone for sure, but I woke up on a park bench later.
[ Another huff. ] So who knows? Maybe I did survive getting shot?
no subject
Date: 2026-03-03 06:18 am (UTC)[Oh Murphy, it's been awhile since he had a friend.]
We just need the materials, and we can make them for each other. Friendship building exercise.
[He felt the rush, and his concerns rose in response. Was Murphy under attack or need assistance? Vander could make his way to the other man's location for support.]
Does that mean you're actually immortal or something? [He recalled a friend talking about dying but it not sticking.] Let's not test that theory here, but it is curious that you've potentially survived two fatal incidences.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-03 12:48 pm (UTC)[ He lets out another laugh - fun to toss in these little jokes between a harrowing experience. ]
Why not? It's a big city covered in weird shit and monsters... we'll call it a side-quest.
[ Murphy shakes his head. ] I don't think I'm immortal. It's more like... what people in that town were saying... it seems like the town wouldn't let you die if it wasn't "your time." And it was the only thing that got to decide what was or wasn't your time, I guess. I don't fully understand it. I just wanted out of there.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-03 05:18 pm (UTC)[From the story, it didn't sound like there was much to be done about medical attention for them, since Murphy woke up in horror-town. He wondered what that meant; maybe it was some path of punishment or something, a trick of the mind? Or it was simply that Murphy survived, so there was nothing overly complicated about it.]
You know, I happen to run off on a lot of side quests for supplies anyway. I think this is a great idea in a place out to break us down and probably kill us. Boys day out?
[He hummed in consideration.] That makes it sound like you're being punished or something. You don't get to leave the mortal coil until you learn this lesson we are beating into you sort of thing.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-08 05:32 am (UTC)[ It's not quite guilt what he feels about what happened. It's more quiet acceptance about the death of the bus driver. Maybe, he feels something about accidentally getting a man killed by trying to stop him from killing a monster - who he thought was a woman at the time. But as with everything, it's complicated.
But he draws away from those thoughts to repeat back: ]
Boys day out.
[ A soft noise. ] I know what I'd be punished for, but it doesn't have anything to do with her. [ A pause. ] I let someone down. Someone that really mattered to me. I can't even say that I'm sorry, but sometimes... an apology is only meant to make you feel better. You know?
no subject
Date: 2026-03-08 05:13 pm (UTC)Be nice to have one of those. Nice booze, maybe some food, games and maybe paint each other's nails.
[He hummed in acknowledgement and condolences. He knew what that was like, so Murphy had his sympathy on that front.]
I do know, yeah. Maybe that's why most of us are here: we let someone or someone's down. I've been there too, so... [He trailed off, not about to delve into details for now.]
no subject
Date: 2026-03-08 05:43 pm (UTC)[ But he does quiet down. ]
... you might be right. We might be here 'cause of that reason... but I don't think we're being given a chance to make up for that mistake. We're given the chance to not let someone else down.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-08 06:07 pm (UTC)[Look, they can be manly men and still walk around with painted toenails.]
No, I agree with you. It seems we're here to whim and pleasure of Sleep, yet she forces us to perform more than a fair share of self-reflection, doesn't she?
no subject
Date: 2026-03-08 06:43 pm (UTC)[ He hums, irritated but thoughtful. ]
Yeah. And I'd like to reflect on my own time and not because of someone else...
no subject
Date: 2026-03-08 07:25 pm (UTC)[He hummed in agreement. He experienced his own frustration that he wasn't able to process on his own, but have to endure it being flagrantly brandied about.]
Worse when it might be public spectacle in dream form.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-09 01:47 am (UTC)[ He never really took that much time to look in the mirror. One time, he knew, but that sort of information fell by the wayside. It wasn't important. It feels like a weird thing to say, but hey - at least he knows his hair is brown? ]
I'll find a way to kill her if she tries it.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-09 04:53 am (UTC)[A man answer said from another man. He was more bemused about this information about Murphy than he was confused. He would make a point to lean in close to study the other man's eye colour the next time that they met face-to-face.]
Pretty serious, and I don't blame you.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-09 03:08 pm (UTC)[ A soft hum. ]
And... think that's good for our therapy session?
no subject
Date: 2026-03-09 07:44 pm (UTC)[No, he won't. He's just joking and has no intention of making it weird.]
Yeah, thanks for the check in. Next time we'll get together. Take care of yourself.