nomans_land | [ a song from land and sky ]

[ a song from land and sky ]

[ it's like a song that few others can hear. ]
[ enthralling, ephemeral, infinite. there was no death, there's only me. ]
[ and there's only ever been ME for a very long time. ]

[ hello, Noman's Land, can you hear me? we've been together for a really long time, haven't we? this was our planet, our home, for centuries and millennia it's only ever been us, and then all of a sudden it WASN'T just us--it was them. Plants, humans. there was so much more noise, and everything got so, so exciting. different. there was more food, there was more to watch, to see. rather than just ME there was MORE, and while maybe a different species may be upset at being invaded, having parts of yourself hunted, eaten, locked in cages, it was a change for Zazie.
And Zazie loved change.

And it's happening again.
There's something changing in the sands of Noman's Land, and it feels like they've been asleep for a long time.

For any residents of Noman's Land, you may be greeted with a great rumble, a great tremor under the sands that haven't been felt in weeks since the sky split open and many were spit out here.
But there's something new, there's a voice, and there's something in the atmosphere that Zazie doesn't understand.

And Zazie wants to understand, so badly.

Wherever you are, in the cities, in the towns--there's suddenly going to be a boom of insect activity. Worms flying around in the air as if they're searching for something. Great sand worms coming up from their seemingly infinite depths in the sand.

Maybe you're even one of the lucky ones to Catch a white-haired kid dancing through the streets of whichever town pleases them best.
Maybe they'll even try to catch your eye on purpose, and wave--

After all, you're all old friends of theirs, aren't you? All of you interesting little creatures who crawl around on the skin and bones of THEIR planet.

Maybe you'll even be one of the lucky ones to have Zazie sitting in your window at night.
Sitting upon your car as it idles at a gas station during the day.

And maybe, once they understand how to use communicators, they'll even buzz their cryptic little messages over the network: ]

Something fun is coming.

I wonder how many people are gonna get in trouble this time.

Can't you feel it?
The air sings.

Like how I sing.

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[ nai is unfortunate enough that it's his window zazie appears on that night. he'd been asleep, but as a light sleeper, it's the muted flutter of insect wings that almost immediately jars him into waking. ]

Who are you?

[ his hand beneath the blanket curling into a fist. does he summon his blade? he can't wake rem, not if this is dangerous. ]

[ ...youre so much smaller than usual, Knives. they know you, though, theres a vibration to a plant's soul thats recognisable. this is one of those fun things that have been happening, right? multiple of the same person, differing in subtle ways...

a knives that is so small that he's not yet reached that peak madness that zazie likes watching.

fascinating.

fun. ]

Don't be nervous. We are the planet itself, you know?

I know you, and you know me.

[ theres a ... humming sound to this individual as they turn to face the little knives. their body shifting, moving in several directions as they almost fall apart into a cloud of glowing green insects.
A moment later, they reform, the worms all moving to assemble atop a chair somewhere in the room. that white-haired preteen reappearing with a chuckle. ]

We could be friends, if you want.

[ the vibrations ring in his ears. he imagines a dog, like the ones in the old movies he used to watch, shaking its head at the high-pitched sound. ]

The planet, hm?

[ his eyes widen a little when he watches zazie dematerialize and then reappear inside his room, the sound of worms beating their wings now the backdrop to their surprise conversation. nai moves to sit properly on the bed, his attention fully and properly on zazie. ]

Why should I be friends with you?

That's right, that's right.

[ the insect-like being sways a little where they're standing, moving to touch the side of that odd, many-eyed mask they wear over their face. ]

Mmm, because... I'm fun?
And you seem like you could use another friend.
Or, maybe I'm wrong?
Do you prefer just staying with one or two?

[ nai hums, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. he gives zazie a considering look, eyes following their swaying. ]

What kind of fun? [and then another question,] Is that really your face?

[ so far this person doesn't seem threatening and nai is so terribly curious. ]

Also, you didn't give me your name. I know you know mine already.

Depends on what kind of fun you like having. Me? I like people watching. Going around and seeing what people get up to, making a game of it, that sort of thing.

I like messing with them, too. Playing pranks, chasing them...

[ they giggle--reaching up to lift that mask up. Putting it atop their head, to reveal a young face--lines like makeup, or some sort of tattoos over their skin in some places. ]

I'm Zazie. Zazie the Beast.

I'm sure we're able to be some sort of friends, yeah? [ Knives always welcomed zazie as a guest. ]

What did you do before there were humans here?

[ nai moves off the bed to come closer, still with an arm's length between them. they're pretty close in height and there are so few people here he can see eye to eye with (literally). ]

Hm. Yeah, we can be friends. [ it's such a strange-tasting word, friend. he only ever had vash and rem, both of whom he loved but friend...

well, if he was going to pick his first friend, he'd prefer they weren't human. ]

Can you fly?

Mostly just kept to myself. The other worms, dug tunnels through the ground and just... existed. It was a boring life, but it was my life. We evolved so that death became secondary to us, so we've lived nearly as long as the planet has, by now.

[ Zazie bounces in place a little, rolling on their feet a bit as they tip their head a little to the side, raising their arms to emphasize their point.

They seem delighted that Kni agrees to be friends. Excellent.
Knives has always been an interesting person, but... a younger one, without so many of his steely ideals in place?
Maybe getting to know how that mind turns out one day would be a good way to spend time. ]

I can fly. I'm great at flying.
I could even bring you along, if you ever wanted to try it.

You had each other, at least. [ a world all to yourself with your family didn't sound so bad to nai. yet knowing he is the reason zazie lost their planet to humans is a little sobering. did zazie really not care?

his eyes widen a little at the offer. that would be pretty cool and a great story to tell vash, but... ]

Why should I trust you? [ he frowns, arms crossing. ]

[ the kid does have a point. who in their right mind would trust someone on first meeting about something dangerous like flying?

he can't blame knives for his uncertainty, even if it wasn't very fun. It's fine, good things come to those who wait, and all. ]

All I've ever had was myself.
But there's something fun about having more, now.

Aaaaaand that's your choice, of course.
All I can say is that while I might not go out of my way to be sweet, I don't go around hurting kids just for a laugh, either.

[ a worm might kill an old couple in a gas station to create a trap for vash the stampede, but they wouldn't just grab an interesting kid and drop them from a great height! ]

That's not really fun.

That depends on what you consider fun.

[ he certainly wouldn't mind seeing wolfwood dropped from way up high in the sky. ]

Are we friends when I'm older? [ something he doubts, when he thinks of the knives he'd met. ] But I guess it doesn't matter, not when I've already agreed to being friends now.

[ whatever that meant. he's still iffy on the concept of friends. ]

I'd like to learn more about you. Are you connected to every worm?

[squatting in an abandoned home, a radio is too much of a luxury for a guy like Livio. out in the middle of nowhere, anyway.

but the buzzing of insects, too much of it, now that's a luxury he can afford. but doesn't want to. the rumbling of worms, the flying of their little selves, keeps him awake all night. when one comes a little too close, he'll grab it between his fingers, but won't squish it]

That you, Zazie?

[ so rude, so rude, so rude.

maybe its nice that livio grabs part of their body but doesn't do the rude thing of squashing or biting them in half like other people, but, there are so many better ways to say hi, you big lug.

the insect struggles in Livio's grasp for a few moments before going still--big eyes twitching as long wings buzz uselessly against his fingers.

....theres a dozen more worms gathering, drifing around livio, as a whisper of voices echo around the man like the world's most unnerving breeze. ]

Did you miss us?
Having this party without us.
I couldn't stay sleeping forever.

[it's incredibly unnerving, this isn't like catching a lightning bug in your fingers and watching them glow-- something this time is staring back at you.

he lets the bug sit on his palm for now]

Hell no I didn't miss you. Figured you were dead or got a human for a pet. Why're you out here now?

[ the eyes on the little creature are far too intelligent for something as mindless and aimless as a bug--and yet here it is. twitching those many-lensed peepers as its little head jerks up and down--as if trying to get a better look at Livio's face. ]

Are you sure?
I feel you might have missed us, given you're the one who asked.~

You could have gone on ignoring us, but.... here we are!
And I'm here because something interesting is happening.
There's a sound in the air.

And there's... water, in the air. Can't you feel it?
Something's coming.

[he blinks, but keeps a stern look upon the little insect. it's creepy, and he can't say he hasn't eaten a couple in his desperation once upon a time.

does Zazie know that? Probably why they can be so nonchalant towards Livio. Or it's just Zazie.]

What do you mean? You're always trying to psych people out. What do you mean water?

[also ignoring!! he did not miss them]

[ zazie absolutely knows that people eat parts of them--it's not something that bothers them. It's a neural network, they are so beyond death as there's 'we' that makes up 'they' that makes up 'zazie'. One or two or a dozen getting eaten, shot, or what have you? It's like cutting off hair.

It grows back. ]

Look, I love messing with people, but this time I'm not.
I'm actually excited.

There's water in the air.

[ maybe Livio missed the broadcast, but... Zazie is too happy to pass on what they can feel. ]

They spoke of it, before. Humans from the ships that fell from the sky.
Water, that falls from clouds.

Look.

[ ...off in the distance, there, Livio.

Clouds.

Since when has Noman's land had clouds? ]

[he does turn to look at what Zazie's talking about, brow furrowed in confusion, and when he sees the clouds the look doesn't change.

water in the air...]

You can't mean what I think you mean. There's no way.

[they...that's impossible]

[ theres a twitch in the insect on livio's hand, as it opens its wings to flit up into the air.

joining in with a group of insects that have quietly gathered behind the doublefang, that small, echoing amalgamation of voices becomes more solid as Zazie takes form in that child-like avatar they sometimes appear in, tapping two hands against Livio's elbow with a jittery little laugh. ]

Why would I lie about something like that?

Of course I mean it, and I mean it.

[ they raise a hand, and they even point at those curling clouds in the distance, soon to roll their storm over the city Livio is currently taking shelter in. ]

We have never experienced anything like that.
Will it hurt? Will it be warm? Cold?

Won't know until it's overhead, right?

[ah, there they are. he rolls his eyes-- Zazie always speaks in winding words, in secrets, in holding the carrot in front of you but never quite letting you eat it]

Because you're you, and you think it's funny.

[but his gaze does lift to the clouds again]

I don't think it'll hurt, it's not supposed to. Might be cold. Will you go in the ground?

I think a lot of things are funny, to be fair to me. ~

[ because of all things, zazie enjoys Fun best of all. They do a little shift back and fourth where they're standing--hands behind their back as they circle Livio kind of like the most annoying satellite. ]

Hm.
Maybe I'll send some of my Grand Worms underground. I'm not sure how wet sand will effect their constant travel, after all.
But me?
I'll be staying up here.
I want to experience it.

[ they giggle. ]

Don't you?
Or are you going to run and hide from the skywater?

You've got a wicked sense of humor, right.

[a very irritating satelite]

I've got no choice but to stay up here-- not a worm, y'know. It'll be interesting.

[ The few people still around are probably being a little freaked out by bug invasions, but one Vash isn't. Instead he spreads those roots of his, a few flowers blooming to act as seats for the gathering insects.

Vash might be a shell of what he used to be, violently shaped to his brother's liking, but he has no problems with non-humans. ]

You seem excited, Zazie.

[ seats, and something nice to smell. And maybe eat, if Vash doesn't get too angry at a couple of those beautiful dark blooms being nibbled on by a half dozen glowing green insects.

it's almost sad, seeing vash like this. one of many, certainly, but... ah, Knives really did get what he wanted in some timeline beyond the dozens of gates.
Zazie's not sure how to feel about it! The growing flora had almost taken the planet before, after all. ]

I like new things.
Of course I'd be excited. Can't you feel it?
There's something other than air and sand in the winds.
Close your eyes.

[ He doesn't mind a few nibbles, but will close and withdraw the flower if it's chewed on too much. They have a lot of plant energy in them, no need to accidentally blow the bugs up like firecrackers after having a meal.

Dead-eyed and hollow, it's not the best kind of future for anyone - even Knives, if his brother is really honest with himself. Still, Vash is a force of nature and together the twins could have covered the whole planet in the mess of roots and flowers. It's probably good that this one didn't - he has to save his energy, after all. ]

Hm. I guess there's a new tinge of something. Moisture...?

[ He does close his eyes to sense things better. Can it rain in a desert like this? ]

[ aw, that's nice of you, hollow-vash. Zazie likes the idea of being un-exploded, after all!

Right now, though, their biggest attention is on the horizon. ]

You can see it.
Look, there.

The sky, it's usually only full of four things.
Infinite blue, the clouds of my worms, the suns, the moons...

[ but look
look there
out in the horizion
there's something moving ]

I think the humans have been calling them clouds.

Edited 2023-06-19 03:25 (UTC)

[ Vash narrows his eyes a bit, and then he does see something moving in the horizon. They are clouds. He's... not sure how he knows what clouds even are, but somehow he does. Maybe his brother taught him?

Rem being the one teaching him and Nai about it is long gone, but the knowledge itself remains. ]

Huh. If there's clouds, it might rain. Water falling from the air.

[ What a strange sight that would be, seeing this desert drink for the first time. He doubts any of it will stay long, but... that just means more clouds afterwards. ]

It might knock your worms to the ground.

[Knives had been watching the frenetic energy of the insects since that unexpected rumble in the ground that heralded the passage of grand worms. He'd thought he'd exterminated the central intelligence, when they tried to take him over. The lack of sightings since then had certainly reinforced that.

But now they're back, spouts in the sands. Wings in the air, big and small, glowing and not. He couldn't bring himself to be annoyed about it.

This was their world, after all.

But parked at a gas station, filling up his (likely stolen) vehicle, the back seat of which seems to be loaded up with items meant for children, it's hard to keep his gaze from turning south. There'd been an alert on the news. There's a strange scent in the air, and something else that sets his teeth on edge, like a sound he couldn't quite hear but felt all the same. Distant.

Knives never did bother to learn how to speak to worms in their own language. As wings whir through town, he pulls out one of the little gifts he'd intended to give to Tessla, unwrapping it and leaving it on the top of the gas pump, a lone peach. Sooner or later a worm would find it.

A new taste for a possible new collective mind.]

[ such things were difficult between zazie and this knives. A hivemind that shares memories certainly shares imagery of being pulled apart and almost made into dust by the very powerful plant--but when you've erased fear of death by the sheer ability to multiply and share your memories across the minds of thousands of insects...

There's no point holding onto a grudge.
Zazie persists more stubbornly than even the most powerful of plants.

The peach is absolutely found--Zazie's always got an eye for new things, for interesting things, and it's just sitting there, out in the open.
It doesn't take long before it's pulled apart by a myriad from his hive--and the sweet taste of peach is now one that Zazie decides they love.

Hm.
They could get used to eating things like that.

What if they just stow away on the top of Knives' car, to see where the dark-haired old plant is going?
If there's new tastes there too, certainly, there was no harm in following... ]

[Is there really escaping the worms, even if he wanted to swat them all away? They came in so many forms, and he wasn't attuned to sensing their presence the way he could a fellow plant. A spore here, a bird-lizard there, the biggest ones were the only ones that could be tracked with some ease. So as a few settle on his vehicle, Knives regards them for several long moments, and then.. does nothing about it.

For every one he sees there could be a dozen he doesn't.]

I don't know if you're the same or a new one, little bugs, but if you've kin in the ground you might want to leave the area.

[They're intelligent, or at least they are collectively, so the warning may get passed on. The flyers can find shelter easily enough in the eaves of buildings or in buildings themselves.

He glances towards the south again, frowning, then gets back in his vehicle. Should he pay for the gasoline? Yep. Is he going to?

Nope. And the shouting that follows him turning the car back on and driving away is completely ignored. The fee he paid is allowing them to keep breathing, that's good enough. And if there's worms attached still, oh well, they can go for a ride too.]

[The buzzing of the worms had been enough to catch his interest when it first started earlier in the day, but he'd let it go as he sat outside, brooding quietly, unseen, and contemplating whether or not it was worth it to try and fuck around with the radio that Rem seemed to have gotten up and running, send a message out in the hopes that his Vash would hear it, desire to go unknown be damned. He was beginning to get antsy and worried, needing to know where the man had gotten to but also worried about leaving the people here behind, worrying that he might show up after he'd gone, or that something would happen to them in his own absence. One Needle-noggin had been bad enough as it was. A veritable army of them? He felt pulled in a dozen different directions, and it was making him stir crazy.

But then, when the buzzing became even louder, the sound of wings fluttering over his head near the roof filling the air, he finally let himself be distracted, glancing up and staring at the little bug-amalgamation in mild interest.

They looked different than any of the Zazies he'd seen before, but there was no denying who they were, regardless. And that in and of itself was an interesting thing. He hadn't known what to make of them until well after his death, when he'd been able to watch them do their small part to try and help Vash in Octovern, and then later, much later, when they'd met again in Worm City, where the little weirdo had actually settled down with a human and another Independent, an unusual little family that nonetheless seemed to have good intentions, and whom Vash had taken to rather strongly. So, ok. Weird bug person wasn't so bad. Even if they liked to lurk like this on top of peoples' roofs. He wanted to be irritated about it, but he was mostly just amused.

But then, in the back of his mind, a tiny, niggling little thought occurred to him, and suddenly their presence at the station was much more appreciated. So long as they were from a time or a reality where they'd decided they wanted to work with the humans and the Plants, and not before.

Either way, it was worth a shot.]

Hey there, Zazie, long time no see! What brings you out here? Not much to see, 'cept for a buncha kids and their mom, most of the time.

[He was still invisible for a bit, wanting to feel them out before revealing too much. They had never seemed to view life and death with the same gravitas that humans did, so he wasn't necessarily worried about disturbing them. Something-something-hive-mind, he supposed it made sense, in a weird sort of way. But it was better to play things close to the chest until he could tell what their motivations were. So instead, his voice floated up to them from the porch edging the station, before he began to try and find a way to climb up to the roof so that he could be closer.

Weightless and bodiless he may be, he was still beholden to the laws of gravity. It was kind of shit, if you asked him. Whatever happened to the whole "floating ghost" misconception people had? That would have been fuckin' handy.]

[ Vash seems a little... worn, and his hair is a little darker than it used to be when last Zazie saw him, possibly. Though that might be a trick of the light, given what is coming.

He was taking a break from walking, and Zazie's motion and words catch his attention, so he raises his face to the sky, to see if he can feel it.

Then he blinks, eyebrows going up towards his hairline. ]

Is this... moisture in the air?

[ Other than some very contained places, he hasn't felt that in, well, a VERY long time. ]

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[ a song from land and sky ]

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Outside Rem's station

comes in late without starbucks