The tour turned out to be fascinating. The guide showed them through the chilly building on elevated walkways, pointing out the names and jobs of the various machines below them. They watched ice cream get mixed, flavored, and packaged in colorful containers, going all the way through the process until they reached the freezers where the finished products waited to be shipped. The entire time, the guide was supplying interesting facts, skillfully cracking jokes, and answering questions, having clearly done this countless times. At the end of the tour, he left them in the care of two women who ran the taste-testing booth, and trotted off to collect his next group.
"That was so cool," Oscar said to Honor, unable to resist trying out every flavor at the booth. "I don't know who figured out how to build all those machines and stuff, but they were really smart. What's your favorite flavor? Mine's the chocolate-caramel, I think."
Honor was smiling as the tour ended, amazed and impressed by the entire thing. She had quite enjoyed listening to the guide answering questions and showing them about, but by the end, she was more than ready to sample ice cream. "That was really cool, I do have to agree. I don't think I could ever design those machines." She stayed by Oscar as he sampled everything, laughing gently, "I have to go with chocolate mint, or the raspberry…both are really good.
"Those are good too," Oscar agreed. It really was amazing to him how the sweeter, more sugary foods actually satisfied his hunger, even if he only ate a fraction of a normal meal's worth. He finished taste-testing everything and was about to follow the crowd away towards the exit, but paused to hover by the booth for a minute. "Do you want any more, Honor? We could always take some for the road."
She shook her head, finishing off the last of her sample. Honor smiled, "As much as I would love to bring some with us, I don't think we have a place to keep it while we travel, or until we get to a hotel." Bringing ice cream with would be a smart solution to Oscar's seeming unending appetite, but it would be extremely hard to keep, no matter how much would like to bring it with.
Oscar shrugged understandingly. "Okay. I'm ready to go then." Leading the way back outside, he looked around for their truck and started walking towards it. By now, it was past noon, and the sun was just starting to descend towards the tops of the trees and nearby buildings. "So, do we find a hotel first, or do you think we should drive around a little and see if we can figure out where the Level Five lives? I don't mind driving again."
"I say we should find a hotel, at least then we have somewhere that we know we can go to at the end of the day," She suggested, a new bounce in her step. A walk, and ice cream were both things she needed after sitting in her truck for so long. "If we stop at a hotel, we can take a few minutes of a break too." Honor headed towards her truck as well, looking to Oscar, "But since you're driving, you can decide. I would think you would know what would be better. Is a Level Five going to be more active right now, or is it ok to postpone our search for a little bit."
Oscar frowned. "I think it's okay if we find a hotel first," he replied. "I doubt the Level Five will go anywhere." In all honesty it was a total guess, but he was tired of constantly saying he didn't know. Getting into the driver's seat, he waited until Honor was in the truck safely, then started the engine and steered them out of the parking lot.
"I'll go back to the main street," he said distractedly. The ice cream had left his senses buzzing. "There should be a hotel close by–this town isn't very big."
The glaring afternoon sunlight was making him feel a bit strange. He rolled down his window and tried to get some air, wishing he could take the itchy bandages off his head.
(bump? :) No rush, just making sure you're doing good)
(all I have to say is sorry..my mental health is going to trash right now)
Honor nodded, settling back in her seat with a tiny smile. The ice cream was providing her with a small but much needed sugar rush, and she was reveling in all of it. "I'll keep an eye out for a hotel," She said, rolling her own window down as well. It was a warm day after all, and the fresh air felt good as they drove down the road.
True to her word, she kept looking for a hotel, finally spotting a tiny little motel tucked away. Her eyes almost passed over it before she noticed it, pointing towards it. "What about there? Unless you want to look for somewhere else?"
(Aw no I'm sorry, that sounds like a rough time :( You take good care of yourself fam, I can definitely wait if you need time off.)
"Um…."
Oscar barely heard her. He was driving with both hands on the wheel, leaning forward, wondering why he felt like something was about to happen. It wasn't just the sugar or the summer heat—a new irritation was demanding his attention, on a deeper level. It made him feel confused and urgent all at once.
"Honor," he mumbled, stepping on the brakes. "I think I need to switch places with y–"
And then he focused on it. Something was nearby, fuzzy and alien and maddeningly familiar at the edge of his senses. It made all other things seem very unimportant all of a sudden.
"Nevermind," he said, and took a sharp right turn down a side street. "The thing is back, Honor. From the hotel this morning. I can feel it, I have to go see what it is. We have to hurry. It could be the Level Five." He didn't care if it wasn't. He only wanted to see it right now.
(I'm back for now I think :) )
Honor glanced over at him, seeming hopeful about the hotel she had pointed out before she saw how focused he looked. Instantly, concern crossed her face and she looked around, wondering what had caught his attention.
"Uh…sure," She started, frowning while she went to unbuckle her seatbelt.
This definitely wasn't the usual Oscar, and she was growing more concerned as he continued driving. He seemed, distracted, like he was focusing on something other than the road as he drove. "What thing are you talking about?" She asked gently, looking around out the windows quickly, "What thing is back?"
(It's good to hear from ya fam :) Fair warning, cosmic horror imagery coming soon lol)
"The feeling….from this morning. I could feel it or hear it or something, I dunno." Oscar didn't want to spend time explaining. "I think I scared you then, but don't be scared—I just have to find out what's—what it is."
They reached a road that crossed some empty railroad tracks, then led to a gravel lot behind some large structures meant for processing grain. Ignoring the likelihood that this was private property, Oscar drove to the lot and parked the truck, then sprung out of it, looking around intently. The shadows were long and dusky by now, so he didn't see anything yet, but now that he was in the open air he realized he could smell something. It was like ice cream and cantaloupes and honey all at once.
"Can you smell that?" he asked, his eyes wide. Once again, his forehead was starting to bleed, but he hadn't noticed.
(Oooo I do enjoy some cosmic horror imagery)
Honor nodded slowly if only to make him think she wasn't as scared. In reality, though, she was getting more scared and nervous the longer Oscar started to talk about looking for the thing. She didn't let her worry keep her frozen in her seat though. Honor got out of the truck as it parked, walking to his side as she looked around. "I don't smell anything.." She started, taking a breath in. All she could smell was the summer air, mixed with a hint of sticky ice cream sweetness she figured came from the ice cream factory. Nothing out of the ordinary, and definitely not whatever Oscar could smell.
(Im glad ^^
Unfortunately, im gonna have to take a while before i reply to this. I just got some bad news and i think ill have to step away from stuff until i figure things out. Sorry fam, hope to talk again soon hugs)
(Totally ok bro, I understand completely. :) take all the time you need and don’t feel pressured to reply. Also, I’m always here to talk/vent if you need)
(Thank-you, I really appreciate that <3 )
(Heya, just letting you know I'm still alive. I'm not quite ready yet to start this up again, but I'm getting there and I hope you're doing well <3 )
(Ok! I'm glad to know that you're still around :) I'm not quite back to full capacity yet, but I'm slowly getting there <3 hope you're doing as good as you can!)
(Yeah, I'm hanging in there. I wish you luck getting back into the swing of things on your end as well :) )
(Okay. I think I'm ready to get back into this now. Thanks for your patience ^^ I hope you're doing well these days)
Honor nodded slowly if only to make him think she wasn't as scared. In reality, though, she was getting more scared and nervous the longer Oscar started to talk about looking for the thing. She didn't let her worry keep her frozen in her seat though. Honor got out of the truck as it parked, walking to his side as she looked around. "I don't smell anything.." She started, taking a breath in. All she could smell was the summer air, mixed with a hint of sticky ice cream sweetness she figured came from the ice cream factory. Nothing out of the ordinary, and definitely not whatever Oscar could smell.
Oscar took several deep breaths, trying to pinpoint the source of the aroma. He realized he was hungry again, as if he'd just laid eyes on a delicious banquet of food. Whatever was here, it was infinitely better than candy or fruit. He knew that without a doubt.
"This way," he said, striking off towards a large silo several yards away. It was surrounded by sheds and empty semi trucks, and a small door sat at its base with a yellow warning label on it. Oscar ignored the obvious risk of getting close, beelining straight for the door. "It's in there." As he went, he impatiently tugged off the bandages on his head–they'd felt unbearably tight and itchy all of a sudden. Blood flowed freely from his injury and dripped off the tip of his nose, but he didn't seem to notice. "I'll be right back, I have to go see what it is."
(Yay ok! I'm getting back into the swing of rping myself, I'm doing much better and I hope you are doing well too)
As Honor watched him start off, she almost decided going back to the truck, shaking her head and following him when she realized how stupid of an idea it was. She was worried about being caught by whoever was inevitably chasing them, but she couldn't just leave her friend to face whatever was inside the silo. "I'm coming with you Oscar," She said, hiding her concern about his bandages. They had just gotten his head stitched up not long ago, and already they were breaking, making him bleed again.
(Glad to hear! ^^)
(sorry for the long post lol)
Oscar didn't seem to hear her. Reaching out, he turned the handle on the silo's door and pulled it open.
It was dark and echoing inside the steel structure. The only light came from the doorway, and the only sound came from the soft whispering of the breeze outside. The concrete floor seemed to be covered in a layer of dry, gritty grain dust that kicked up in plumes at the slightest disturbance.
Oscar noticed almost none of this. As soon as he'd looked inside, that sweet smell had hit him like a tidal wave, demanding all his attention. The source was right here, perhaps in the shadows only a few feet away. He grinned, stepping forward eagerly.
As he did, there was a scuffle of movement from inside the silo. Oscar flinched in surprise, his eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness. When they did at last, he took in a breath and grabbed Honor's arm.
"Look," he whispered, his voice layered and strange. "There's something here."
It was hard to see, but tucked far back in the corner like a frightened mouse was a human. A middle-aged man, clothed in what looked like bright green nurse's scrubs, wearing slip-on shoes and a plastic hospital bracelet. He was gaunt and pale, his hair long and unkempt. He hugged himself, staring at the two of them and breathing in quick, shallow gasps.
Oscar's eyes turned pure black and his teeth turned sharp. "That's it. That's real food."
(Sorry for the long wait!)
Honor followed him inside carefully, coughing when she kicked up some of the dust from the floor. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim lighting, and with some squinting, she was able to follow her friend, using the silence to follow the sounds of his soft footsteps.
She jumped when she saw something move in the shadows, shying closer to him and releasing a soft breath when he grabbed her arm. It shocked her a little, as they had exchanged very little contact since she had first helped him, but it steadied her, and as she followed where he looked, she was able to make out the figure of a person in the far corner, tucked as far away from them as possible.
"Oscar…" She whispered, squinting to make out the shape, her eyes widening when she saw that it was a man, who frankly, looked insane. But it was a human. And Oscar was staring right at him with a ravenous face.
Her mind fought as she took the time to now grab onto his arm, quickly and quietly speaking, "Oscar, no. He's not food. He's human, like me. At least..I think he is. Either way, you can't do anything to him. He needs help. Look at how scared he is.."
Her eyes never left the other male as she spoke, and she hoped he could make out that she was trying to help him, even if the look on his face made her think he figured she was edging Oscar on to attack.
(No worries, hope you're doing well! ^^)
(another long one whew xD)
"It's not human," Oscar said, not even glancing at Honor. "It's like me but…..weaker. And that's why it's afraid, because it knows what I am." He leaned forward on the balls of his feet, but then hesitated, reconsidering his own words. "That's right….it knows what I am. But I don't. Maybe…..maybe it can tell me, before I eat it."
Shrugging Honor's hand off his arm, he nudged her back towards the door and advanced on the terrified man. As he did, he seemed to grow huge and shadowy, his form contorting in the poor light and the booming cavern of the silo's vaulted roof. A smell like hot metal stained the air, and there was a sinister buzz that rumbled the concrete floor and sent dust up in thunderheads.
Tell me what I am, Oscar growled at the poor man, bending down to corner him with great twisted limbs that dug into the walls. Tell me my name!
The man screamed like a wounded rabbit, and in the darkness, he seemed surrounded by a strange, ever-so-faint aura of color that trembled violently at Oscar's every word. He covered his face, apparently unable to respond or even understand Oscar's demands.
Oscar visibly seethed with frustration, making the silo groan as if there was pressure building from inside it. Fine. His jaw stretched wide, filling with teeth, preparing to strike.
And then…..there was a tiny flash of gold that lanced down from above, hitting Oscar's shoulder. He flinched, turned, and seemed to deflate. His form rapidly returned to normal, his movements became sluggish, and in moments he'd slumped to the floor. The glittering gold object was a slender tranquilizer dart.
From somewhere overhead came a new voice, sharp and commanding. "Miss, put your hands up and don't move, or I'll be forced to subdue you like your friend there. That's an order."
Honor seemed conflicted as he thought, worry and fear swimming in her mind. She wanted to help the other man, especially if he was like Oscar, scared and lost, but she didn’t want to get hurt, or watch either of them get hurt.
Once again, she attempted to make Oscar stop, “Dont do this, we can help him Oscar, he’ll talk to us if we help.”
Her words did nothing though, as he shook her off, and this time, she didn’t try to follow. She just took her steps back, watching with wide eyes as she took in what was happening. The darkness covered most of her view, but panic took over her mind as she watched.
This was Oscar’s true form, she knew that much, the twisting mass of darkness that sent fear through her limbs. It seemed more like Oscar, in some better way, but it was horrifying to hear, and see.
Honor clapped her hands over her ears, backing up until she hit one of the walls and freezing there. She wasn’t his target, and yet she could barely think, frozen in spot, even as his now massive jaws opened and he prepared to eat this other being.
As quickly as it started, she barely noticed it had stopped, though she was watching, she wasn’t really focusing on it. Not until Oscar’s form shrank and she realized he was him, with a strange golden…thing, stuck in his shoulder. Taking a hesitant step forward, she uncovered her ears, looking up at the top of the silo. She couldn’t see anyone in the dusty darkness, but she heard their words, and without thinking, she listened. Raising her arms above her head, she took a small step towards her friend, whispering in concern. “Oscar? Oscar, we need to go…please, answer me if you can hear me.”
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