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WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME:
nightmoves
text ❖ audio ❖ video
WELCOME TO THE SALTBURNT NETWORK
USERNAME:
nightmoves
text ❖ audio ❖ video
[There is a bar that apparently likes to jump around depending on the day; lucky for Sang-Wook, he doesn't have to go on a pilgrimage all over the place to find a moment of respite there. Call it 'finding comfort in the ordinary' — he's spent so much time in bars, tracking his targets or getting a drink to numb himself to do what he needs to, it only feels right to seek it out now, even after all of the chaos of home and of the manor. It's surprisingly full of people today — much to his asocial detriment — but seeks out the one free chair beside some American-looking guy.
Usually, he would just sit down and not give two shits to ask, but...
He has learned a few manners, since the Green home apartments.
A few.
The scarred man speaks up:]
Anyone sitting here?
Usually, he would just sit down and not give two shits to ask, but...
He has learned a few manners, since the Green home apartments.
A few.
The scarred man speaks up:]
Anyone sitting here?
[ Dean seeks out whatever bar he can daily; even one that jumps around like a jackrabbit and happens to be full. These days, he's a little more jumpy, he's fresh outta purgatory so he can't help but twitch when someone sits next to him. But, hey - gotta make friends, right? He has no idea how long he's gonna be stuck here. Wherever here really is. ]
You are. Have a seat, man.
[ Drink away your sorrows with Mr Winchester, here. ]
You are. Have a seat, man.
[ Drink away your sorrows with Mr Winchester, here. ]
[Oh, god, hopefully not a social butterfly he's sitting next to (though Sang-Wook could seriously use the practice, rusty as he is). He settles in the chair next to Dean with a grunt of approval, the burnt, scarred side of his face being Dean's primary view of him, with calloused knuckles that speak of someone used to punching. And he looks grumpy — looks like someone who would huffily fall into bar chairs often. Basically: a guy used to violence, not unlike a supernatural hunter.
The bartender is still helping someone else, so he asks:]
They got Cass? [... The name of that Korean beer is purely coincidence, buddy.] Or Hite?
The bartender is still helping someone else, so he asks:]
They got Cass? [... The name of that Korean beer is purely coincidence, buddy.] Or Hite?
[ Mmm not especially, though Dean will chat if he's prompted into it. His only friend as of not long ago was a vampire that he's still not sure he trusts.
He picks his drink up and takes a sip, his own hands scarred, fingers once healed by Cas now bent and crooked all over again. ]
Cas? You've run into him? [ Hite, though...he doesn't often drink anything beyond cheap ass domestic because it is, in fact, cheap, so he glances over at the bar, squinting. ]
They might. Seems a decent selection.
He picks his drink up and takes a sip, his own hands scarred, fingers once healed by Cas now bent and crooked all over again. ]
Cas? You've run into him? [ Hite, though...he doesn't often drink anything beyond cheap ass domestic because it is, in fact, cheap, so he glances over at the bar, squinting. ]
They might. Seems a decent selection.
[He furrows his brow, looking a little puzzled.]
Not a him. Never had that drink?
[A pause.]
Popular in Korea, so maybe not.
[Sounds like the guy is hoping to see someone, maybe? He's not sure. Either way, he can relate to being scarred up in traumatic ways, so he can only hope 'Cass' isn't some bad figure to avoid.]
Not a him. Never had that drink?
[A pause.]
Popular in Korea, so maybe not.
[Sounds like the guy is hoping to see someone, maybe? He's not sure. Either way, he can relate to being scarred up in traumatic ways, so he can only hope 'Cass' isn't some bad figure to avoid.]
I haven't, nope.
[ Hoping to see someone, maybe a little. Cas does as he pleases, but Dean's spent six months looking for him with a vampire, only to be yanked here, reunited, and he's barely seen him since. ]
I'm a fan of whiskey. Bourbon when I can get it, but I'll take whatever's on hand. [ he's easy. ]
[ Hoping to see someone, maybe a little. Cas does as he pleases, but Dean's spent six months looking for him with a vampire, only to be yanked here, reunited, and he's barely seen him since. ]
I'm a fan of whiskey. Bourbon when I can get it, but I'll take whatever's on hand. [ he's easy. ]
[ Matt considered apologizing to everyone he texted with slash video-called while high. But then he figured, eh, the house has done weirder and worse. He'll save his I'm sorrys for the people he sexually harassed. ]
Hey, it's Matt from the whole stab wound debacle. I've been released from custody and cleared to consume alcohol again, [ mainly because a vampire healed him with his vampire powers, but why complicate the narrative, ] so can I interest you in that drink?
[ He sends a picture from the previously mentioned piano bar, one that offers a view through the door into the hallway beyond. Nothing that resembles a portal to hell in sight. ]
Hey, it's Matt from the whole stab wound debacle. I've been released from custody and cleared to consume alcohol again, [ mainly because a vampire healed him with his vampire powers, but why complicate the narrative, ] so can I interest you in that drink?
[ He sends a picture from the previously mentioned piano bar, one that offers a view through the door into the hallway beyond. Nothing that resembles a portal to hell in sight. ]
Edited 2024-09-10 23:00 (UTC)
Hnn.
[He's clearly much a very chatty guy, but Dean at least might be used to that from the more overly serious hunters that run amuck across the States. As he gets a drink from the bartender, he does seem to take note of something in particular.]
Those from this place?
[He nods to Dean's scars.
Sang-Wook isn't really up to date on who has been here and how long, but it could be helpful to see just what kind of dangers might linger around here.]
[He's clearly much a very chatty guy, but Dean at least might be used to that from the more overly serious hunters that run amuck across the States. As he gets a drink from the bartender, he does seem to take note of something in particular.]
Those from this place?
[He nods to Dean's scars.
Sang-Wook isn't really up to date on who has been here and how long, but it could be helpful to see just what kind of dangers might linger around here.]
My schedule's clear and so is my blood drug level. =)
Come on over, I'll save you a seat.
[ Matt sends a second picture, this one containing a rough map that extends across several cocktail napkins. The manor being what it is, maps aren't always purely spatial; sometimes they look more like flowcharts. A lot of if-then statements.
Anyway, when Dean rolls up, Matt's messing around on his phone. He is clearly the guy from the woozy hospital network post--same twiggy frame, same nest of dark hair--but now he looks a lot more lucid and isn't wearing a paper gown. He's commandeered a plush velvet loveseat, which appears to be in conversation with a duo of equally plush armchairs and a small central table. A neat bourbon sits on it, largely untouched. ]
Come on over, I'll save you a seat.
[ Matt sends a second picture, this one containing a rough map that extends across several cocktail napkins. The manor being what it is, maps aren't always purely spatial; sometimes they look more like flowcharts. A lot of if-then statements.
Anyway, when Dean rolls up, Matt's messing around on his phone. He is clearly the guy from the woozy hospital network post--same twiggy frame, same nest of dark hair--but now he looks a lot more lucid and isn't wearing a paper gown. He's commandeered a plush velvet loveseat, which appears to be in conversation with a duo of equally plush armchairs and a small central table. A neat bourbon sits on it, largely untouched. ]
[ The map is INSANELY helpful even if it isn't even...all that accurate in the sense a map should be. A general idea is there at least, and he navigates the halls and massive home with more ease than normal, eventually appearing in the bar and looking fairly pleased with himself at his success. Fuck yeah.
Clad in jeans and his traditional flannel over a henley, he saunters over, hands in his pockets, a crooked grin on his face. ]
Matt, I'm guessing?
Clad in jeans and his traditional flannel over a henley, he saunters over, hands in his pockets, a crooked grin on his face. ]
Matt, I'm guessing?
[ Matt looks up, brightening. He is unironically thrilled that some combination of his navigational advice and Dean's natural capacity has successfully gotten him here. He's also a bit jealous of Dean's denim and flannel: Matt's closet in the manor seems to populate exclusively with costumes and the yuppiest nonsense imaginable. He's started stealing other people's clothes just to feel normal. ]
That's me, [ he says pleasantly. ] Dean? [ He gestures towards the empty chairs. ] Have a seat--or head to the bar first, I guess, I haven't had good luck getting anyone to come over here. I didn't want to start drinking without you.
That's me, [ he says pleasantly. ] Dean? [ He gestures towards the empty chairs. ] Have a seat--or head to the bar first, I guess, I haven't had good luck getting anyone to come over here. I didn't want to start drinking without you.
[Oh, that's a great way to make a usually stoic expression turn puzzled.]
Nonliterally?
[He'd seen someone muttering on the network about this place being purgatory; he doesn't really think he believes it, but he also can't say it sounds completely outlandish. All things considered.]
Nonliterally?
[He'd seen someone muttering on the network about this place being purgatory; he doesn't really think he believes it, but he also can't say it sounds completely outlandish. All things considered.]
In the flesh.
[ Can't blame him, if Dean's closet was full of dandy crap he'd be stealing other peoples shit, too. ]
Kind of you. Give me one second. [ He will in fact head to the bar, and reappear a few moments later with the entire bottle and his own glass. ] That's better.
[ Can't blame him, if Dean's closet was full of dandy crap he'd be stealing other peoples shit, too. ]
Kind of you. Give me one second. [ He will in fact head to the bar, and reappear a few moments later with the entire bottle and his own glass. ] That's better.
[ The appearance of a whole bottle surprises Matt into a laugh. ]
Shit, maybe I should've started after all, [ he says. Matt plucks up his own glass and clinks it against the bottle's side. ] Cheers.
[ He takes a small, savoring sip of bourbon. Considers the taste as he swallows, the warmth in his throat. ]
As long as we're stuck here and our options are limited, I do appreciate that the booze tastes good.
Shit, maybe I should've started after all, [ he says. Matt plucks up his own glass and clinks it against the bottle's side. ] Cheers.
[ He takes a small, savoring sip of bourbon. Considers the taste as he swallows, the warmth in his throat. ]
As long as we're stuck here and our options are limited, I do appreciate that the booze tastes good.
[ He flashes a little grin, sly as he pours it and holds it up, taking a nice long sip. Thank God for small favors, it's good. ]
Cheers. [ What a dopamine hit, that taste, the heat that blooms in his chest. Much much better. ] No kidding. Already kind of a hellhole and shitty booze would be one hell of a dealbreaker.
Cheers. [ What a dopamine hit, that taste, the heat that blooms in his chest. Much much better. ] No kidding. Already kind of a hellhole and shitty booze would be one hell of a dealbreaker.
[ Matt sighs. ]
Kind of a hellhole. Yeah. [ It's hard to be too depressed in the face of Dean's grin, at least. Matt takes another pull from his glass. ] So, I ... reread what I sent you from the hospital. [ His lips twitch. ] Thanks for bearing with me through all that. I can talk a little bit more about what I meant regarding energy harvesting, but honestly, I don't have a whole lot to show for how long I've been here, apart from theories.
Kind of a hellhole. Yeah. [ It's hard to be too depressed in the face of Dean's grin, at least. Matt takes another pull from his glass. ] So, I ... reread what I sent you from the hospital. [ His lips twitch. ] Thanks for bearing with me through all that. I can talk a little bit more about what I meant regarding energy harvesting, but honestly, I don't have a whole lot to show for how long I've been here, apart from theories.
Well, least that's familiar. There's a lot less screaming here than in hell, though.
[ And look, he has to laugh a little, because despite learning some shit it was kinda funny to talk to someone that high off pain meds. ]
No problem. I am curious about the harvesting thing. That's incredibly creepy.
[ And look, he has to laugh a little, because despite learning some shit it was kinda funny to talk to someone that high off pain meds. ]
No problem. I am curious about the harvesting thing. That's incredibly creepy.
Sounds impossible.
[Of course, they both know that impossibilities are very real here. What reason would he have to deny, deny, deny, when he knows that anything and everything will occur here? He shrugs.]
... Guess it doesn't matter what it sounds like here.
Almost fist-fought a werewolf here, recently.
[Of course, they both know that impossibilities are very real here. What reason would he have to deny, deny, deny, when he knows that anything and everything will occur here? He shrugs.]
... Guess it doesn't matter what it sounds like here.
Almost fist-fought a werewolf here, recently.
[ Matt's eyebrows arch for his hairline at the invocation of a more literal kind of hell. Though Dean's not the first person to demonstrate familiarity with the place. Matt's roommate, the Literal Christian Devil, has that honor. ]
It's absolutely creepy, [ Matt agrees. He glances off into the distance as he tries to organize his thoughts. ] Okay, how I got to the harvesting idea is ...
One of the first things that happened when I arrived here is they threw a party with cake shaped astonishingly like human people. If you ate it, it gave you pretty strange appetites. [ Matt shrugs. ] I should've died. I don't know why I didn't. And afterwards, analyzing the leftover cake showed it was actually transfigured human remains ... and one of the kitchen staff I managed to track down with this girl Betty said that kind of thing happened "all the time."
[ Matt takes another sip from his glass. ]
Since then, that hasn't been the only grisly transformation moment. There was a "wolfman" over the summer who was actually just a wolf and a person spliced together. I tried to help them, but it didn't work. [ Matt's quiet a moment, subdued, before he rouses himself from his downward dip. ] Um. More transfigured corpses popped up. And I've noticed a kind of commonality in some of the weird urges we get around here. They tend to be arousal, atypical kinks, violence, or activation of trauma. Basically, things that create a lot of emotional energy.
I guess it could just be straight-up torture, but I wonder if this isn't some kind of generative cycle.
[ All of their bodies and spirits hitched to the grinding gears of change: bones elongating and contracting, blood greasing the skids. Energy rising like steam from the wreckage. ]
It's absolutely creepy, [ Matt agrees. He glances off into the distance as he tries to organize his thoughts. ] Okay, how I got to the harvesting idea is ...
One of the first things that happened when I arrived here is they threw a party with cake shaped astonishingly like human people. If you ate it, it gave you pretty strange appetites. [ Matt shrugs. ] I should've died. I don't know why I didn't. And afterwards, analyzing the leftover cake showed it was actually transfigured human remains ... and one of the kitchen staff I managed to track down with this girl Betty said that kind of thing happened "all the time."
[ Matt takes another sip from his glass. ]
Since then, that hasn't been the only grisly transformation moment. There was a "wolfman" over the summer who was actually just a wolf and a person spliced together. I tried to help them, but it didn't work. [ Matt's quiet a moment, subdued, before he rouses himself from his downward dip. ] Um. More transfigured corpses popped up. And I've noticed a kind of commonality in some of the weird urges we get around here. They tend to be arousal, atypical kinks, violence, or activation of trauma. Basically, things that create a lot of emotional energy.
I guess it could just be straight-up torture, but I wonder if this isn't some kind of generative cycle.
[ All of their bodies and spirits hitched to the grinding gears of change: bones elongating and contracting, blood greasing the skids. Energy rising like steam from the wreckage. ]
I have the one that was around my neck last night, with your initials on it. You're the only 'DW' here.
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