probe | GRAVEYARD ✨

GRAVEYARD ✨

POPULATION: GHOST TOWN

You die - and then you wake up.

For a second, it feels as though you can't breathe, and then your head breaks the surface. You crawl out of a pool of blood and into a large, crystalline room. Moving images play across the crystal walls, and if you watch close enough, you'll realize that you're seeing the land of the living; a familiar space station with familiar faces. You can watch these images for as long as you'd like - there are several very large benches (as in, you have to climb them to sit on them) around the room for you to rest on while you do.

Regardless of how you died, it seems as though you're not quite gone completely. You're in one piece, at least. That's good news. However, your surroundings are not exactly what you remember.

When you exit the first room, a bleak, empty city sprawls out ahead of you.

The city itself is large. The framework of it seems to tower higher and higher than you can see, up into the black opal sky that shivers and curls every so often. A river entirely made of blood runs through the city, winding around buildings and ending at the crystal room. The most noticeable thing about the buildings themselves is the fact that thorny vines made of pure white steel dig into the walls and floor, cracking the foundations.

The residential building is worn down and old. It's two floors, and has a few small studio apartments built for one or two people to live in. The beds are extremely uncomfortable. It has a communal area downstairs, but the TV is broken, and the couches are torn apart. Sometimes, this building feels obscenely hot in temperature, and smells like rotten eggs.

The grocery store is your typical convenience store. There's a large selection of food in this area, but it all tastes the same - like chalk. On top of this, every so often there will be bloodstains on the walls, the floor, and the displays. They change in size and location, each time you enter the store.

The clothing store is thrifty in nature. All the clothes here are uncomfortable and scratchy, and don't fit quite right. While you're here, time feels... weird. Distorted, almost dreamy. As you're picking out clothes and trying them on (no money needed, just take what you want), you swear you can hear a gunshot in the distance.

Enjoy your time in this city, and remember...your story isn't quite over yet.

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[ He was literally talking about tracing the internet connection you fool, he was doing things. Or, attempting to do things, at any rate. ]

Well, the internet is censored in a lot of places in my Earth, since it's a global platform of sharing thoughts and opinions. The more conservative, slower countries don't like the idea of newer ideas becoming so accessible to the public through easy mediums. [ ISN'T LIFE AND GOVERNMENT FUN? While Law is just idly plinking away at the computer though, he just reaches up and fixes-slash-plays with the other's collar with an equal air of being laid back. It's PDA, bitch. ]

At the least, there's no more want for entertainment. The internet is basically endless, even if I can't pull up home-specific details. Food got a little better too, if you noticed.

[ again, slap his hand away wow????? ]

The government really doesn't change no matter where you go, does it? But controlling information is a way to oppress the masses. What they know; what they don't know... It's easy to influence them to do what you want.

[ which law is sure steven is likely going to be familiar with, and if steven wants to mess with his collar then law's just going equally take a hold of his hand and kiss the back of it before letting go.

pda is new to law but well. little things like this are fine. he's working on them and they're taken care of fairly quickly. ]

I noticed the food, but what's this about entertainment?

That's how it was in history, and how it is now. A good chunk of the roots of Catholicism relied on literacy and education being reserved for the highest ranks, while everyone else was expected to be hand-fed their information and not question the ways of clergy or of God. Nowadays, the separation of church and state is considered more standard, but in place of the church is the government and political propaganda. You'd think mankind would learn after its histories, but where there's a divide in power, those in the upper rungs are always going to be selfish and greedy.

[ He says all of this incredibly casually for their current setting, and it's not even like. The main focus of what they're talking about. His fingers pinch at Law's face a little bit when the other kisses the back of it, just a little but enough to make some kind of teasing point.

Steven finally drops his hands after that, though, looking up at the underside of Law's face with a contemplative hum. ]

Entertainment, yeah. You can find pretty much anything you want, probably. Here, shoo. [ He does finally smack Law's hands off the laptop. He's going to open up a browser tab and pull up something for Law to have fun with. ] There's videos, but there's also plenty of internet games.

[ finally! he slaps law's hands away, which he will remove his hands but not keep them to himself as he'll take the opportunity to lean (perch?) on steven's shoulder. it's better than just leaning over to look at the screen anyway. ... this is far too much pda than he would normally do but... well, there was purpose here.

law has no idea what "catholicism" is but he can figure it out from the context and well. he kind of finds it hilarious on some level. it's not that he hasn't thought of something like that being real or not but just how things really don't change. ]

Where you're from maybe. There's a period of time known as the "void century" for me and the government is extremely tight lipped about it. They would never confess to it, but they're involved with the destruction of an island of scholars who were studying it. [ why is the government just bad in one piece? ] And they consider me to be rotten. Imagine that.

Anyway, show me these videos and internet games.

[ will he get to see memes....... the Question. ]

[ STOP BEING HAPPY THAT STEVEN COMMITTED MICRO-VIOLENCE ON YOUR HANDS. ]

How funny is that? My history had something similar in a time called the "Dark Ages". Very similar, don't you think... not that these kinds of things aren't happening nowadays either.

[ Steven will pull up a game for Law on the screen! And he'll slip out of the chair, pushing Law into it instead, putting his arms loosely around him as he has them change places. ]

How about we test your steadiness of hand? Don't worry, it's nothing like that Surgeon Simulator game.

[ You know that infamous game in the early days, the jumpscare maze game? The one from this infamous SNL skit? Yeah, Steven's pulled that up and has told Law nothing. Have fun! ]

[ IT'S JUST A MICRO-AGGRESSION... it's fine. not like steven does this sort of thing because he's a rude uncaring binch. as clearly demonstrated by the way steven somewhat drapes himself over law a gesture that earns him a kiss to his jawline despite his suspicions of what he's being introduced to. ]

What's the catch with this one?

[ because law is no fool??? he doesn't know what he should be expecting when steven leaves him alone with the maze game. it seems ridiculous in terms of a game. it's...rather insulting, actually? nevertheless he will navigate himself through the maze.

and.

well? ]

[ if you think that law will freak out in the same fashion as that skit did then that's not going to be what happened. what will happen is that law will flinch and bump his head into steven if he's too close.

and just out of near pure instinct will immediately close the screen to the laptop and just. fucking slowly look back at steven with eyes.

not hateful eyes but definitely eyes reflecting his lack of amusement of the whole ordeal. BOY HE'S SURE HOPING THAT HE MANAGED TO GET STEVEN IN THE FACE WITH HIS HEAD. because if not he's just going to glare at him. his voice with a false murderous vibe to it.

though don't test him. ]

Very funny.

[ Oh it would've been absolutely ridiculous if Law had reacted as hard as the guy in the skit, and also would've been detrimental to Steven and everyone else if Law had destroyed the laptop..................... all Steven wanted to do was mess with him a little bit, and he had clearly succeeded.

Steven knew this was a stupid jumpscare, he made sure he kept some kind of distance on Law so that he wouldn't get absolutely socked in the face. He didn't put it past Law to not scream, but potentially sucker punching anything that would jump out at him was not something Steven would risk.

His amusement is showcased by the nefarious grin he looks back down at Law with when the other looks up at him. Like a horrible cat, maybe. And he just laughs at him. It's not a whole lot, but it's definitely laughing and not just a short half-one like he usually does. ]

For me, sure. It's my entertainment. [ AHOO HOO. ]

[ while it was nice to hear steven laughing like this, honestly laughing, he wasn't getting away with it without a swat. (he'd outright punch him but wow didn't steven get lucky with the weekly effect so it's just like the laziest slap ever to his person.) being the butt of a joke isn't something he finds particularly enjoyable and even the swat just makes things a touch more embarrassing to him.

(how to feel even more like a tsundere than before holy hell.)

but whatever, fine, steven got his laughs in and there was no fucking way that law was going to reward him for this. ]

How about something we could both enjoy?

[ Wow he'd deserve it please punch Steven. But he just grins anyway, taking the smack in good stride. He just pats Law, there there. Aren't we having a grand old time? How about another apologetic small kiss to the top of his head? ]

Yeah, what's that?

[ HE CAN'T THE LAWS OF THIS WEEKLY EFFECT MEANS HE CANNOT...... also wow the kiss feels almost patronizing. if only because there's patting too. don't pat him!!!

...

he will consider taking a hand to hold but then ultimately not because there should be a limit. ]

I don't know. I'm not sure what kind of things you can find here.

Well, there's still more to the laptop, unless you've already decided you've had enough. [ He kneads Law's shoulders a little bit as he looks around... ] Oh, there's actually a kitchen here. Could always try to see if the food can taste a little better if it's actually cooked proper.

[ law is far from going to complain about that. he has experienced only one other ""massage"" and that ended poorly as anyone could imagine. ]

Is there more to the laptop that I should know? Or even this "internet"?

[ because right now his impression of the internet is....lacking. it'll be fine, he supposes? (then again the internet is filled with meme so maybe it's actually better this way. ] ]

But sure, we can do that too, if you'd be interested in cooking for me. I'm not one to be particularly picky about how my food tastes. [ he just doesn't care for bread...though oh. give him a moment.

maybe not the best memory because of what the ending context would lead to but—there's always a chance to recover from all of that. ] I did miss your "brunch" you made with Omi that one week.

The internet is endless, you know. I should introduce you to WebMD and see how that goes. [ The meme... ] But you can pretty much look up whatever you feel like. And "whatever you feel like" is arguably bottomless.

[ Steven does hum a little, stepping away from Law. He wants to take a closer look at this kitchen. ] I don't really do a lot of cooking for others, but I could make the exception. Though, you shouldn't preface with "I don't care how my food tastes", that doesn't do well for my confidence, you know?

[ It's a tease, don't worry about it. He does snort a laugh about the brunch. ] So I mentioned! You looking to play some catch up on what kind of things you might've missed? [ He finds the kitchen knife. Decently sharp, it's alright. ]

[ law going through webmd sounds like a riot and he'll just raise an eyebrow at that. as tempting as it is to try to find out what that is on his own, he can wait. ]

What better what to make use of the time we have here? [ casually and without any hesitation. ] I'm not about to spend whatever time I have left in this place wasting around and being miserable.

[ he says with absolutely no concern that things might actually end badly for them. maybe they won't find a way out of this place and will be vored slowly by the station after everyone's left. ...then again, if that's what happens then law isn't too worried about that either. he made his peace and whatever he found here is...

well. he'll get up from his seat to lean against a nearby wall. come on steven, show off your skills. ]

If you're confident in your cooking then you shouldn't have any reason to worry.

[ While they were both here, why not? If they only had so many hours in a day, the least they could both do was make the most out of it all. ]

Alright, hot shot, but I'm going to need the ingredients. [ Snorts. ] I'll let you pick what it is you want to challenge me with, and then I will maybe feed you some stuff that hopefully maybe also doesn't taste as talc-like.

How about that?

[ there really were only so many hours in a day. ]

Isn't that kind of dangerous to leave it all up to me? What if I pick out all of the strangest ingredients?

[ does law even know what ingredients would work well together? what are flavors.... he just gets food make for him (probably). ]

But if you're going to stick to that, then I might as well do so.

[ WINKS IM GLAD YOU CAUGHT THAT because I'm still hung up on that ASW thanks.

Steven just shrugs, the knife still in his hand! ]

I'm counting on you to have some common sense! You're not stupid, unlike most people. [ Who the fuck is he railing on with this statement? ] If all else fails, just get straight up fruit. You can hardly go wrong with that.

And reminders that you're the one who's going to be eating it, anyway.

[ you're welcome...and if law is supposed to be concerned about the knife in steven's hand he is most certainly not. he trusts that steven won't randomly come out and stab him after everything. ]

Here I thought that a cook would try their dishes first before serving it. [ he teases before giving a shrug. who is steven referring to with that statement? dunno... seems like it could be a lot. ] Fine; I'll be back with whatever I think might be interesting together.

[ and cue law moseying it out of the office to the grocery store for a bit because obviously there wouldn't be food just randomly stocked in an office??? eventually, he'll come back with an armful of some basic ingredients: some fillets of fish, potatoes, carrots, an onion, a tomato, a sprig of rosemary, strawberries and....two apples. ]

This work?

[ It shouldn't, wow. He's good with a knife, he isn't going to accidentally throw it into Law. Though if he did you'd be fine, physically. Emotionally??? WHO KNOWS. ]

I said I can cook, not that I am a cook, even remotely. [ He says with a handwave, before Law goes off.

He just lounges around, maybe looks at the laptop some more until Law returns, and he looks up at what he brings. It's not a bad spread, to be honest, though he does pick up the strawberries with a bit of an amused look. This is definitely the most out there of the bunch... and the one sprig of rosemary? He holds it and looks at Law wryly. ]

Well, it's not bad, definitely workable for sure. What, were you thinking of fruit as desserts or something? [ Is this flirting? Here's me, as in Lowe, closing my eyes. ]

Feel free to sit your ass down then and see what happens.

[ dunno maybe law will think he deserved it......just pirate things? either way he'll make a face when steven questions his selection. he did okay, didn't he? nothing was that strange. ]

You mentioned fruit if it should fail, so here's some fruit.

[ i'm upset that law isn't going to pick up on that what so ever....what's wrong with strawberries!!! though he's amused when steven just tells him to sit down and watch. ]

Oh? You're not going to put me to work? That's fine with me, too.

[ and law will sit himself down in front of the laptop, though his attention is still on steven regardless. ]

You might be good with a scalpel but if you've got nothing to contribute to a kitchen, then stay out of it. That's the usual rule. I have a housekeeper back home. She's very kind and I like her immensely, but even she'll shoo me out if she's busy doing something in the kitchen and she doesn't need an extra hand.

[ He'll keep idly talking about that while he gets to peeling and chopping the vegetables, his fingers deft and well trained with the knife, it seems. Vegetables, in the pan, cooked. Fish fillet, sliced manageably and follows. Even using the rosemary in it all since Law bothered to bring it back, anyway. He sits back leaning on the counter, carving one of the apples in his hands as he looks back with dry amusement at Law now that his attention is a bit more free. ]

Do you really have nothing better to do?

[ law holds off on his commentary immediately as he lets steven cook in peace for the meantime being perfectly content to watch him work. seems like he did a decent job of picking out things that could work together. but housekeeper he said, right? hmm. ]

Self-conscious now that you have someone watching you? [ he'll tease now that steven's attention isn't completely focused on cooking. ] I guess someone like you would have a housekeeper. I don't have that kind of luxury with my Polar Tang.

[ is he going to make apple bunnies..... ]

As if, a lot of eyes are on me all the time these days. If I start underperformimg because of that, I'd be a failure as a support and subcommander.

[ WHO KNOWS WHAT HE'S CARVING YET. You'll find out. The fish, on the other hand, does still smell muted, but there is the hint of that nice vegetable and fish fillet steam slash fry scent underneath. Thank God the food got a little better again this week. ]

Now, pray tell exactly what is "someone like me"? And tell me what the hell is the Polar Tang, too, while you're at it.

Then you shouldn't mind a little bit of staring.

[ he jokes lightly. ]

Polar Tang is the name of my submarine; as if you couldn't tell, I'm not the typical kind of pirate. [ he says with a shrug. how many pirates double as a doctor nevertheless as a surgeon? ] As for someone like you...

[ law starts off in a teasing tone with his arms crossed against his chest. remember steven, you asked for this? ]

A perfectionist and a workaholic who is polite enough to people's faces and a side that not too many people get to see. A privilege for only a select few. [ law is careful not to sound too fond about that point. ] Perhaps someone who lives a that others might dream of on the surface.

I feel like I'd be taken care of if I ever get to visit Hellsalem's Lot if you wanted to show off.

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