merrows | social

[matthew mcdermott]

"There are people who have been in the same condition as you are in. I suggest you find them and learn what you can from them." He wanted to ignore the other woman - he wanted to close his eyes and erase her from this moment. The emotion and condolences she was attempting to convey were lost in the waves of his ocean of realization. There were some thing words, thoughts and actions that became ships in the storm and broke through. It was the weight that failed to keep hers afloat. She was too soft, and that understandable. Not everything can strike as hard and deep as one expected, but he still thanked her with just a simple inward and outward breath. She wouldn't understand what was happening to him now. Be it a dream or death, such was this new reality. He could be immortal, but the drops of blood were simply his body expelling those thoughts. In some aspect, he was still alive, and that wound would turn to scar and he'd feel the pain with every fist he'd make with it. Maybe the older woman didn't help either; in fact, she didn't. Where Roses were a dagger, this Crimson Lotus was a bastard sword. They cut, and she cut deeper. It felt like a feather. His hook - his self-inflicted wound - it made the difference. Matthew told himself the truth. "People commonly enter the Digital World though electronic malfunction, but if that's the case, you must have had your Digivice with you- something that looks like this, perhaps?" She removed an odd-looking device, shaped somewhat like a pager but with a proper hand grip. Shaking his head, he turned the ocean. "I don't really remember, but I did get a small box in the mail the other day. It was a rectangular phone with just a few buttons. I assumed it was mislabeled - I went to return it, but the electronics depot was closed. I think-" A sudden spike of pain shot through the right side of his stomach and he fell onto both knees, clutching his ribs. The sand, her shoes, his paws... They all vanished as a flashback began to replay in media res. The doors to the building were closed. There was no special notice; there was no holiday that week, nor did they have Sundays off. The sign simply said CLOSED and, strangely, the windows were empty of any posters. This past version of Matthew groaned and held his eyes above the box. He blinked and now he was driving his truck across the Narrows Bridge. The box was opened, and the device lit up. A screen of static noise distracted Matthew and he reached over to turn it off. The rear view mirror showed a larger vehicle, windows tinted, and moving to get over. In a single second, the larger truck slammed into the bed of Matthew's, and he fell into the water. The false phone's screen lit up again, and some kind of portal swallowed this poor man. White out. Fade to black. The pain suddenly stopped and Matthew slowly began to stand. "I hate when that fucking happens. Where's my damn bag?" i've seen better days i can't believe the truth

~ CLAIRE LYON Juliette Rhydderch MADE BY VEL OF GS

[CLAIRE LYON]

► oh it eats us alive Yes there's a scream inside That we all try to hide We hold on so tight But I don't wanna die

matthew mcdermott Claire watched the girl leave- apparently, she'd decided she either wasn't going to be of much help to the man before them, or that she no longer cared to assist him. She didn't blame her- from what she could tell, the girl had been doing her best but little of what she'd said seemed to have got through to Matthew. Claire's words too, seemed to have hardly an effect on him until now. A nod was given to her, and having no further business with the girl, Claire allowed her to leave without complaint. For now, she'd continue with Matthew until he became too much trouble. The woman had to sigh somewhat at the answer to her question, and placed the Digivice back into her coat. He was still quite disoriented, probably, but hadn't appeared to recognize the shape of the item all those who came to the Digital World had at all, although he did mention getting some sort of electronic in the mail. Her next words were somewhat dismissive, almost bored- the whole situation, minus the accident, of course, was typical of first-timers. "Sounds like that was probably-" He fell to his knees at that second, causing Claire to jerk backwards just slightly, her own pains acting up somewhat at the sudden movement. She frowned, more at her own pain than his. "Ah." Walter had more of a reaction, and the startled Lekismon's ears perked high as he stepped closer to the man, worry in his expression."Sir?" But before long, Matthew stood again- making it clear that his pains were something he'd experienced before. "You're alright, then?" Claire's only reply to his question was a glance to his bag. But she had a question of her own, one which held the intonation of mild amusement. "So, Mr. Matthew- you're ready to brave the Digital World, then?" Armed with only whatever was in his pack and his fish hooks, no partner that came out to greet him- this ought to be good. "Claire speech." "Walter speech."

Made by Siren of GS and THQ

[matthew mcdermott]

"I hate when that fucking happens. Where's my damn bag?" "You're alright, then?" A casual glare was cast to the rabbit man, a gentle wave of his hand the only positive response he could muster. Though he had recovered, he took a deep breath and turned his body away from the two, shrugging off his jacket and folding it up. Perhaps it was just him, but the air surrounding the area was beginning to cool down. "So, Mr. Matthew- you're ready to brave the Digital World, then?" The jacket was at his feet. His hands were hooked to the underside of his shirt and peeling it upwards. A quick turn of the head was given in response - he was focused on trying to find a bruise or some such on his stomach. "Unfortunately, I've no time to stay. I'm in quite a few businesses in the Real World; a vintage wooden toy shop as the... primary source of income- Did I really escape unharmed?" He turned towards the two, eyes locked and fingers perched just below his heart. His skin remained the same color was it was before, and there was no irritation. He bit his lower lip and fell back to his knees at his bag's side. "It's quite enjoyable really- using the earth itself to create a lasting impression on the buyer. Especially so if they're a child. Helps take the pain of loss and betrayal away; wipes up all those tears..." Tears he had never shed for years. Little droplets of saline that cascaded into a phantom river. Why did I let that slip? The main compartment of his bag was unzipped and the fishing rod was broken up into segments. Again, his gaze fixed itself onto something but, a quick shake of his head broke the trance and he closed it up. His thoughts lingered on her question again. There was no map given to him. This woman would've made a decent guide, but he could already tell she wished to leave upon a certain, unexpected event. In fact, she could've left long ago and left Matthew to the Leviathans in the sand and sea. Yet she didn't. She was lingering for just a little longer every second; probably devouring every word he spoke without a grind of salt; feasting on all the raw emotions exuding from his damaged husk. Matthew turned to her, eyes looking down. "How did you get here? How long have you been here?" take the veil, cerpin taxt

~ CLAIRE LYON MADE BY VEL OF GS

[CLAIRE LYON]

► oh it eats us alive Yes there's a scream inside That we all try to hide We hold on so tight But I don't wanna die

matthew mcdermott Well. He certainly wasn't all that polite of a man, was he? Though Walter was slightly disgruntled at Matthews rudeness, he had to remind himself with slight resignation that like Claire, he was only human, and was going through something quite unpleasant right now. If anything, the rabbit thought he should be scolding himself for the bit of irritation he felt- honestly, judging someone in a poor state? Unacceptable, really. The woman observed him- head tilted at his words. Planning on leaving already, though he had no idea what his digivice was, or how to use it? She didn't interject to inform him of how to do so, of course. Why bother, for the moment? He seemed to be ready to go, and whether or not he was prepared to do so, would almost certainly be starting his own journey soon... and ending it just as quickly, she suspected, unless he found some sort of defense. A wooden toy shop? The thought of it sounded so old-fashioned on first glance, but who was she to tell him that? Especially with what she wore to the Digital World on a day-to-day basis. His next words about 'loss and betrayal' surprised her, causing the woman's expression to change, just slightly- still pitiless, but now just a tad inquisitive. No question was asked, but Claire being Claire, she was always sniffing for a bit of a story, something that would tell her that the individual she spoke with was more than met the eye. "Oh, perhaps an hour or so now," she tittered, though Walter and probably Matthew would not find her funny. "But to properly answer- I got here by my own free will, many years ago- likely around four or five now. As I said, the Digivice is the key to free travel between this world and ours." "But," she breathed, eyes casting upward to the sky momentarily. "Should you manage to survive, you may eventually find your preference for which world you wish to return to shift, Mr. Matthew." She certainly did. Lips upturned, she continued. "This place is teeming with danger and beasts, to be sure, but... I suppose that's part of it's charm." With eyes that looked down on him, she advanced just two steps toward the man. "There is opportunity and beauty here, unlike anything the world we come from has to offer. Certainly plenty enough to... heal old wounds." Though her eyes glinted with just enough devilish mischief to notice, no lies left her mouth- with her own arrival in the Digital World, her own life had been set on another course entirely. "Claire speech." "Walter speech."

Made by Siren of GS and THQ

[matthew mcdermott]

Apart from picking up a handful of sand and crushed it into his wound, Matthew never moved an inch as she spoke. Her attempt at humor was only given a shot of a glare and toned down with his eyes peering at his bag. "I got here by my own free will, many years ago- likely around four or five now. As I said, the Digivice is the key to free travel between this world and ours." Time could have frozen for him right there. He could've been whisked away down Memory Lane and sat in front of the bank building. He'd be alone in the crude vintage automobile or whichever car his father and mother had bought, but he wasn't. There was no time for such a comforting memory, ignoring that aftermath and paying for the funeral services- burning that damned letter from his uncle. Perhaps that rabbit had noticed just how hard his left hand turned to a fist. The infernal contraption was crucial? The object Matthew couldn't seem to find could take him home? "Prove it. Let me see you vanish before my eyes." Over-the-top animosity hidden betwixt ivory venom. Oh, they stung at his lips and tongue. They stung like the blood his face drank upon the floor of Heimer's Bachelor Pad; the damn boy slipped while trying to clean up whatever carcass the self-proclaimed vampire choked on. They sunk into his flesh like the thorn bushes of which hid a dead- Head tilted away, Matthew bit his lip and shut his eyes, swallowing nothing as he purged the thought out instantly. The woman was talking, and he was bound to listen. "Should you manage to survive, you may eventually find your preference for which world you wish to return to shift, Mr. Matthew. This place is teeming with danger and beasts, to be sure, but... I suppose that's part of it's charm." This is where he'd shake his head whilst donning the pose of a soldier. His knees only sunk further into the ground. Any more and he'd be visiting a tailor right quick. Survival was a choice made when one decided to get out of bed and shower first. Suicide meant skipping to breakfast. What did he do after waking up? Did he use that Irish Spring, or was it perhaps the Spice? What did he eat? Why did it matter? None of it did. Ogres stalked the streets, devils hid in churches, and gremlins in the schoolyards. Mankind is a beast is a truth. Mankind is human is a farce. Blasphemy, fallacy, clemency in zealous steel from the heavens. Divine fucking retribution! None of it mattered one bit. "There is opportunity and beauty here, unlike anything the world we come from has to offer. Certainly plenty enough to... heal old wounds." He chuckled, rising to one knee as the bag was gripped and slung over his shoulder. He stood and held out his right hand. His fingers slowly opened up, draining sand with every second up until the fifth. His thumb fell. "Four Fingers. Four Nobles. Four Great Lands. Those were the last words my Uncle repeated to me before he died. Well, he sent a letter but... He was blackmailed. I was shown the Director's Cut of the video that accompanied it. Four different banks run by four different powerful figures of either the United States, England, China, and Australia- How fucking stupid is that? What's even more stupid is that I haven't given you any context or warning." He sighed, walking a few steps towards the woods beyond, stopping at the line separating sand from grass. "Old wounds don't heal. They cover themselves up until they broke open again. My Uncle killed my parents, though you probably don't care; I can read you like a book. I've stepped into many bodies before coming here and I don't miss it. My demeanor, my attitude? Blame my real fucking job. Nothing about survival comes from it- only death and realization." take the veil, cerpin taxt

~ CLAIRE LYON MADE BY VEL OF GS

[CLAIRE LYON]

► oh it eats us alive Yes there's a scream inside That we all try to hide We hold on so tight But I don't wanna die

matthew mcdermott Prove it? And why would she do that, so early in the day? It would be a pointless action, a waste of her time for the comfort of a complete stranger. She almost laughed at the request- it had come out as more of a demand, and a vehement one at that. She ignored it, continuing her words. Normally Claire was rather adept at reading human visitors to the Digital World. Typically it wasn't so hard- most came with the same story, spoke the same way, walked the same, with beliefs generally in the same ballpark. It had all become so normal, so everyday for Claire. Perhaps that was why she teased them so: to see something different, a new reaction when put under pressure. Or, perhaps she had just become a little bit cruel over time, and enjoyed watching others fret and squirm- that was more likely. But Matthew had... lost her, with those words. At first she didn't follow his words about the "Four Nobles", and eyed the nab with an expression of mild perplexity before some hints of information came worth, shedding just a minimal glimmer of light on his ramblings. A strange one, this McDermott. It was as he said though- there was no real explanation for his words, and so far they remained undecipherable. She didn't follow him as he walked away- let him go. Claire was not going to guard him or hover over his head- in her current condition, likely she couldn't even if she wanted to- and if he wanted to set out on his own, perhaps now was the time. His words were still vague, disorderly- there appeared to be much on the man's mind. Matthews story was hinted to, but left unsaid, and Claire hardly made a reply to him, answering at first only with an air of thought. Then, after a nod and slight bow, she turned, slowly beginning to walk away from him. "Whatever your past is, your fate is your decision now. If you do choose to live, perhaps we'll meet again someday. Adieu." It seemed they had no further business together, at least for the moment- it was time for Claire to walk away and leave him to his new life. Walter glanced back at the man, worry openly displayed in the rabbit's eyes. But he could do no more for Matthew- Claire was already leaving, and he had to attend to her, first and foremost. EXIT "Claire speech." "Walter speech."

Made by Siren of GS and THQ