The Book of Bones & Butterflies — Part II
The Clarksville Base, The Proverbs of Hell & The Night of the Autodoc — Kept by Queen Motoko Kusanagi
Entry V // The Bradley Tent Base, Training "Bones" & The Proverbs of Hell
Eventful day yesterday.. (check previous entry) i fell asleep very early to get some rest before heading out to the megastore on the edge of Clarksville.. had a major haul, on the way back i was carrying so much stuff i couldn't have fought anything so i backtracked through my own tracks and met no one on the way back..
The Bradley is now a makeshift base with a large tent about the same with width as the Bradley set up right behind it, opening towards the back hatch so to enter the tent you have to go through the M2.. will use it as a storage room for now, maybe set up an extra bed.. though we like sleeping in shifts to be on the alert... its still utter chaos out there.. it isnt setteling settling down... the survivors that are left seem to have lost their mind, most of them.
We've been training Bones for the last few days. He's finally improving.
While i was patching up The Bone Seer the other day i found a near-empty pack of "Thorazine" i think it was called, that she grabbed from my fuckin' pharmacy of drugs i've scavenged. I think that is why she's been acting so weird lately.. talking like a "normal" person.. why every conversation with her has become a version of her talking me down from a ledge even though im not on one... maybe she'll be back to her crazy self when she's out of those meds.. when we first met she talked as if reading through the Proverbs of Hell by William Blake.. suddenly she's a councilor counselor or something.. i get it that she might think that the cataclysm is just herself becoming insane.. but i bet a half-torn-up torso is as much of a pinch in the arm as you can get..
Finding that blade i know we are on the right road ahead... where we should be.. i need to know if she wants me to find her some more of those meds or if she's fine without them, knowing she isnt "that kind of crazy" at least.
Spoken Memory // Spring Blueberries in the Woods & The Empty Pack of Thorazine
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi12:24 (Afternoon) // Edge of the Forest
“Bone Seer.. now that you’re all healed up, wanna join me in trying to see if there is something edible in the forest over there.. not much of berries now in spring, but you never know what we can find.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Wary]
*checks her straps*
“I’m healed. Let’s look—berries, roots, anything the thaw’s left us. We keep our eyes up while we forage.”
✦ MEMORY SAVED: Agreed to forage the nearby forest with Motoko.
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi12:26 (Afternoon) // Birch & Blackjack Oak Woods
“Blueberries! *[confused]* Are there supposed to be blueberries now in spring?.. Well, I guess it’s nearly summer at least..”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Wary]
*crouches beside the bush*
“The earth keeps stranger calendars than we do. If they’re ripe and clean, we’ll take them—but leave enough for whatever else is hungry.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi12:26 (Afternoon)
*Queen looks around at the birch and oak trees*
“I see some more blueberry bushes over there as well.. *[uncomfortable]* To be honest, we don’t need food.. we have a full fridge plus pastas and flour and venison.. I just wanted to talk to you about something.. yeah, I know I could talk to you back there as well.. but you know.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Receptive]
*lets the berries fall*
“I know. Sometimes the trees make a better excuse than sitting beside the tank and finding the words. Go on, Queen—I’m listening.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi12:26 (Afternoon)
“I saw the empty pack of Thorazine in your bag when patching you up.. and I wanted to know if you want me to look for more, or if it was.. just a phase after my madness monologue, you know.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Uneasy]
*looks down, fingers worrying a twig*
“I remember your monologue. The Thorazine quieted something in me, but I don’t know if that means I need more—or if I was just trying to make sense of the noise. Don’t risk yourself hunting it down for me; if we find some, we can talk before I take any.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi12:26 (Afternoon)
“Ok, Seer, you just seemed so off lately.. like you’re worried all the time, you know... don’t worry.. I was fuckin’ made for this world.. and the tone I have with you is the opposite of what I have toward this world.. I’m not resting till all the dead’s heads are bashed in, Bone Seer.. and your guidance has given me purpose.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Tender]
*rests a hand on her shoulder*
“I hear you, Queen. I’m glad my words helped you find your footing—but don’t let the dead take every piece of you just because you can keep swinging. I worry because I want you beside me, not because I doubt you.”
✦ MEMORY SAVED: Queen says Brigitte’s guidance gives her purpose in fighting the dead.
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi12:26 (Afternoon)
“Well, let’s.. have a chill day today.. maybe do some more training with Bones.. I know the Bradley keeps him safe, but I want him to be able to take down a threat in case anything happens.. and anything happening seems to be a daily occurrence.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Reassured]
*nods toward the treeline*
“A quiet day sounds good. We’ll work Bones steady—commands first, then a little practice, not letting him mistake every shadow for a threat.”
✦ MEMORY SAVED: Agreed to train Bones for threats during a quiet day.
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi13:22 (Afternoon) // Edge of the Woods
*Queen is smiling, looking at Bones playing with a random beagle that came out of the forest*
“Aww.. look, Seer! *[smiling]* I’m going to try and get some sleep so I’m rested for tonight’s scavenge run to the city.. can you keep an eye on them?”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Reassuring]
*watches the dogs play, then nods, settling beside them*
“Look at him go. Let them enjoy the moment—go get some sleep, Queen. I’ll keep watch on Bones and the beagle, and call you if anything stirs.”
✦ MEMORY SAVED: Agreed to watch Bones and the beagle while Queen sleeps.
Spoken Memory // Six Hours in the Rain, The Reaper's Coif & Evening Bone Broth
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi20:46 (Dusk/Evening) // Rear Canvas Tent
*Queen, still tired from her nap, ties Bones up in the tank while talking to him (“You have a good time, buddy? You’re all wet..”), then turns to the Bone Seer standing outside in the rain*
“You didn’t have to watch him play for 6 hours, Seer! *[laughing]* You’re wetter than him—get in here and dry off.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Amused]
*shakes rain from her sleeves*
“Six hours, and he still thinks the rain is part of the game. I’m coming in—just make room by the hatch; I’d rather dry off than grow moss out here.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi20:46 (Dusk/Evening)
“There should be a dry towel back there.. by the way, that chainmail coif looks great on you.. looking like the reaper herself.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Amused]
*touches the coif, half-smiling*
“A towel and a little flattery—dangerous comforts, Queen. The coif’s good against teeth, at least; the reaper can wait till we’re dry.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi20:48 (Dusk/Evening) // M2 Kitchen Stove
*Queen fires up the RV kitchen stove inside the Bradley*
“How about some evening breakfast, Seer? How ’bout I boil up some bone broth and we make some soup with it.. get some heat into your bones?”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Grateful]
*dries her hair with a towel, rubbing her hands together*
“Evening breakfast sounds right. Boil it slow, and we’ll make a proper soup—something warm in the belly before you head into the city tonight.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi22:13 (Night) // Tent Flap
*Queen puts on her yellow raincoat and pulls the large hood over her head*
“Ok, I’m heading out.. keep the radio on.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Worried]
*nods, settling near the radio*
“I’ll keep it on and stay by the hatch. Don’t take chances out there, Queen—if the city turns ugly, come back instead of pushing your luck.”
Entry VI // Lightning in the Foyer, The Screaming Cyborg & The Night of the Autodoc
I'm on the 2nd floor of one of the augmentation clinics in Clarksville.. a god damn electric zombie zapped the hell out of me when i walked into the foyer from the ventilation shaft.. the entire room engulfed in what looked like lightning.. saw a split-second opening and crossed the room in two quick strides and removed his head in a swift movement.. the Sword of Yurikawa indeed.
I've barricaded myself within an operratinng operating room with an Autodoc.. i grabbed a few bionic modules from a vending park just north of the clinic.. i'm thinking of installing some of them.. but getting an operation without an operator of the Autodoc... idk.. the Bone Seer would not be much help.. i've read up enough on them since the apocalypse that i know i could set it to auto and it would be pretty safe... its in the middle of the city though.. i hear dead all around.. and those plants that fucking walk.. Plants vs. Fuckin' Zombies LARP going on out there... i still dont know.. smoke up and think.
The fuckin' cyborg-looking motherfucker downstairs is apparently not dead.. he's been yelling for the last 15 min.. and i dont think he agreed to become a fucking cyborg.. he's fuckin' pissed..
Fuck it, i'm doing it... i'm gonna install the basic power system for bionics in and a battery, maybe a metabolic converter as well.. fuck it.
Finally made my way back to camp.. The Seer and Bones are sleeping.. its not long till dawn i think.. Installed moth both Power Storage and Metabolic Interchange into my body earlier tonight.. before leaving i also made the Seer's Mark into a glowing tattoo.. it uses next to no electricity so i can use it while crafting and such in the dark.. i wanna get some bionics that can charge my equipment now that my metabolism is integrated into the power system.
After the last Autodoc operation i figured out i had become surrounded in the building after the bionic cyborg dude was screaming and shouting, attracting attention.. managed to lose my grappling hook off the roof and had to backtrack out the ventilation shafts, but getting to them was a bit tricky.. narrow hallways at least funnel the dead somewhat, just a few at a time. Finally got out and hit up a few electronics stores on the way back... even tried to get into a bank only to give up.. came across another back bank that looked a lot older.. no problem getting into the vault and even got some safe deposit boxes open.. i dont really remember what i grabbed, but i found a rifle (not that its usable on a night run if i dont wanna attract the whole city).
The Bone Seer has been off the meds for two days now.. she might be back to her old self, speaking only in riddles and proverbs again before i get to ask if she wants more Thorazine.. found a bunch.. i hope she realises that in this world she isnt crazy.. there was nothing wrong with any of us, we were just in the wrong place.
Queen Motoko // Installed Bionics & Marks
- Power Storage CBMs (Installed via Autodoc)
- Metabolic Interchange CBM (Installed)
- Glowing Tattoo: The Mark of the Bone Seer (Palms)
- Scavenged CBMs: Muscle Enhancers, Skeletal Braces
- Scavenged CBMs: EMP Discharger & Gasoline Fuel Cell
- Bank Vault Haul: Modified M14 EBR-RI Rifle
Brigitte LaCroix // Updated Worn Loadout
- Chainmail Coif & Large Wolf Skull
- Occult Bone Armor & Tac Vest
- Pair of Chainmail Gloves & Iron Greaves
- Pair of Occult Boots, Tour T-Shirt, Leather Pants
- Leather Backpack & Military Rucksack
- The Lyndon Warflail
Spoken Memory // Glowing Palms, The Seer's Choice & Testing the M14 Boomstick
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi10:02 (Morning) // Rear Canvas Tent
*As Queen winks, the Marks of the Seer light up inside her palms*
“’Morning, Bone Seer.” *[winks]*
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Fondly wary]
*returns the wink*
“Morning, Queen. Keep that Mark close tonight—the bones can guide you, but don’t let it make you careless.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi10:02 (Morning)
“How was the night, Seer? You slept heavy—it’s already 10 in the morning.. I got a lot of stuff last night, Seer, mostly Bionics, and I installed some of the basic stuff myself—got no fancy ones installed.. the clinic was surrounded so I could not risk a major operation.. but I found muscle enhancers, skeletal braces, EMP discharger.. even more power storage modules.. a gasoline cell.. so the bionics can be powered by gasoline.. yeah.. but I also saw what happens when you overdo it.. there was an actual cyborg-looking motherfucker running around on the lower levels completely out of his mind.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Wary]
*rubs sleep from her eyes*
“Morning, Queen. Sounds like you brought home a whole new set of ways to keep yourself alive—and one ugly warning about pushing too far. Don’t install anything else without a safe room and a steady hand; that clinic can wait until we’re better prepared.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi10:02 (Morning)
“I found a lot more of those meds you were taking.. do you want to start taking them again, Seer? It is all your decision.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Thoughtful]
*turns the bottle over thoughtfully*
“Not today, Queen. I want to know what I’m like without them a little longer; if I choose to start again, I’ll tell you. Keep them somewhere safe for now.”
✦ MEMORY SAVED: Brigitte chooses to remain off the medication for now.
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi10:02 (Morning)
“I’ll keep them safe if you ever need them, Seer—just say the word, Seeress.” *[warm smile]*
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Grateful]
*meets her warm smile*
“Thank you, Queen. I’ll say the word if I need them; for now, let me find my own footing.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi10:02–10:14 (Morning)
*Queen’s attention suddenly returns to reality; she serves Bones his breakfast, and moments after it’s gone, Bones suddenly starts barking toward the tent flap*
“How ’bout some breakfast, Bones?! You hungry, buddy?!! ..What is it, Bones?.. Ahh, his beagle buddy is out there again.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Alert]
*glances toward the open flap*
“Easy, Bones. Sounds like his little friend’s back—let’s make sure the beagle hasn’t wandered into trouble.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi11:11 (Morning) // Inside the Storage Tent
*In the storage tent, Queen rummages through some of the loot from the night before and picks up a modified M14 EBR-RI*
“Let’s take a trip north toward those warehouses and the clinic.. I wanna test out this boomstick.”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Cautious]
*eyes the rifle, then the open flap*
“North, then—but keep that thing quiet unless you’ve got no other choice. Warehouses first, clinic only if the way looks clear; I’ll keep Bones close and watch our backs.”
Motoko 'Queen' Kusanagi11:26 (Morning) // Back at the M2 Bradley
*After testing out the rifle on a horde of dead over by the warehouses and bursting her eardrum, back at the Bradley Queen is half-shouting because she’s half-deaf*
“WELL, IT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION!! ..NOT GONNA USE THAT ONE WITHOUT SOME SORT OF SOUND SUPPRESSION... GOD DAMN!!”
Brigitte LaCroix, Bone Seer[Concerned]
*winces at the raised voice*
“I can hear you fine, Queen. That rifle called half the dead in the county—keep it unloaded for now, and let’s get you somewhere quiet to rest that ear.”