Newest part of my liminal series!

*insert sid the sloth's voice* mmmm, tastes a little *face shrivels like a raisin* S A L T Y

(Are dream and weirdcore ocs okay for this?)

(they are welcome, they can be from the realm itself or a visitor!)

(Yay! Ill start in a new comment)

*Colt, a curious visitor to the realm, stopped on the path, peering curiously down into the blue water*
Colt: Hm. Well isn't that a bit problematic...
*he glances back at the path he just came from, but decided water can't be that scary. He bent down and stuck a hand in the ocean out of curiosity*

*the water was unnaturally cold, yet not freezing. the street lamps from the path dip into the water, the path continues under the waves.*

*he took his hand out, drying it on his suit. He debated silently for a moment if submerging would be bad for him, but said to he'll with it and confidently continued walking down the path*

*the water seeps into him, but he's fine. the street lamps keep going along the path and he sees someone walking along it.*

*his hat starts floating away, so he grabs it back. He notices the person and waves to them*

???: *their back is turned to Colt as they walk.*

*he walked closer*
Colt: Hello?
*he didn't know if they could hear him, hence the were underwater*

???: *they turn around, it seems to be some sorta humaniod angler fish?* do you need something pal?

(*slams hand on table* SEBASTIAN SOLACE!? jk sorry 😅)

Colt: Could you tell me where this path leads? If you know, of course.

???: from what I've heard, labs. no clue what's in them, but they gotta have reliable lighting and food!

Colt: Hm! Thank you! Are you headed that way as well?

???: can't exactly leave the path. have you tried it? it doesn't go well. *they remove a glove from one of their hands to show it's nothing but bone.*

*his screen glitches*
Colt: Holy-! I haven't tried. Does that hurt...?
*he is probably gonna try it at some point cuz he's a bozo*

???: nope. feels like the flesh is still there. *they move their skeletal fingers around despite having no muscle.*

Colt: Huh. Well isn't that something. *he chuckles, his movements extra cartoony* I wish you good fortune my friend, but sadly I must cut our meeting short.

???: and where exactly do you plan to go? *they look around, the pitch black of the ocean only being cut by the street lamps.*

Colt: *trying not to seem gullible* Uh... Forward? I thought I'd just walk the path. No where else I've got to be.

???: well then we're on the same path, so our "meeting" isn't ending.

Colt: *awkwardly* Ah... Right....

???: of course you can always walk into the darkness and get flayed alive if you want.

Colt: *he made the cartoony 'gulp' sound and fidgeted with his sleeve cuffs* I think ill pass on that-

Iris: anyways, I'm Iris.

Colt: Its very nice to meet you, Iris! I'm Colt. *he pointed to himself*

Iris: so what do you do in the realm? just a traveler? an anomaly? scientist? or maybe you live in one of the few rare towns down here.

Colt: *waving a hand* Oh I'm just a traveler. I'm not familiar with the landscape

Iris: oh, well I work as a dredger down here.

Colt: Oh really? How's that going for you?

Iris: tons of junk to fish up, so rather well.

Colt: Oh good to hear!

Iris: so... what's it like being a machine?

Colt: *thinks for a moment* I would assume its basically the same as being human. Just I dont eat.

Iris: well I don't know what it's like to be human so...

*Velmorè stops and looks at the ocean water below* well that’s less than ideal, but a little water won’t hurt will it?

*the street lamps marking the road dip into the ocean water.*

Seems like logic doesn’t apply here. But then again where does it?

*the ocean water is still, no motion at all.*

Hmmm well it doesn’t seem dangerous

*i look around to see if anyone or anything is nearby worth my time*

(Sorry it took so long to respond but I'm finally locking in.)

Ink had been skipping along, chattering into the comms device Seven had given it. Always more to say. It was wonderful not being on its own to do all the talking.
It hadn't even noticed the water until it had nearly dove right in. Where the sidewalk ended, it stumbled back and tripped on the uneven ground, grazing its one palm that still had skin. It hissed, wiping pebbles off on its shirt and licking over the shallow wounds. Their blood tasted slightly sour.
"Heeeeeey guys?" It called. "Small problem."

seven: yeah? what is it?
*the street lamps dip into the ocean below, only one way forward.*

"Minor roadblock I found, it's the ocean." Could've at least put a wet floor sign. Someone, namely Ink itself, could've fallen in!

Seven: just walk through it, you can't drown after all.

"I guess. I'm just not the best swimmer. And what about the electronics? And my clothes? And how am I gonna see?" It went down the list of issues it had with water.
That and there was definitely going to be something down there, but that was arguably the least of Ink's issues.

Seven: well the electronics the lab made is waterproof and-
Trav: *he cuts off seven* the water won't stick to you in this realm, won't even clog your lungs.

"Oh. Weird. Okay." Without much further hesitation Ink marched casually into the sea.

*the water is unaturally cold, but it's not pitch black, so their skin is stripped the moment they enter the ocean water.*

Ink shudders. It buttons up its flannel as if that will defend from the cold. As if it were a windy day. At least it wasn't fully wet. At least it could still breathe the thin film of air around it.
"Where to?" Its words bubbled a bit.

Trav: just keep following the pat-
*Trav is cut off as the headset floats off of ink's head and floats forward, the water pulling it along the path.*

"Wh- Hey! Gimme that!" It reached out after the headset, chasing it.

isn't*

*as ink runs after the headset they grab it before running face first into another person, a tall angler fish humaniod.*
???: watch it!

Ink grips tight to the device and stumbles back, hitting the rough ground yet again. As if its palm hadn't been wrecked enough.
"Sorry!" It yelped, licking at its hand again.

???: *they sigh before helping ink up.* it's fine, not like you meant to do it...

"No, I didn't." It let itself be pulled up. "Something swiped my stuff. I got it though." It waved the device around a bit.

???: a comms device from one of the labs? Are you one of the bastards that experimented in this place? *they growl slightly*

Ink holds up their hands innocently. “I’m not. I ended up here a month ago and have just been walking. The guy who was in charge of the lab I got this from is currently a hundred individual pieces. I’ve got nothing to do with any experiments.”

???: and did you cause it?

"The hundred pieces? Not really, it was mostly my friend. I did knock his head off though!" It made a swinging motion with its felt hand. "Not that we plan to do it to anyone else. The lab guy was an ass and I prefer talking."

???: well you're good in my book then!

"Sick. My name is Ink." It offered it still-flesh hand.

Iris: nice to meet ya ink, I'm Iris. *they shake Ink's hand, their palm is slimy and cold.*

The slime stings against its scraped palm, but it shakes properly regardless. "You too, Iris."

Iris: so... what are you here for?

“I’m passing through. Trying to get to the next lab over to investigate it. I have a relatively good track record of keeping my skin and I’m not an entity marked for death yet, so.” It waved its unloved hand.

Iris: oh so you're not one of the locals, great!

“What do you mean by that?” It tilted its head.

Iris: you know, the "locals". as in the anomalies.

"Oh. Yeah, no. Just..." Not *human*, but "...A person. Anyway, do you know the way back outta the ocean? How big is it? Do I just follow the streetlamps?"

Iris: I mean yeah, I don't leave the ocean since I'm... you know.

“A fish?”

Iris: exactly!

“Soooo, street lamps it is then?” It took a few steps in the direction they were leading and looked back at Iris.

Iris: yeah, just follow the lamps.

It nodded. "You... wanna come with? Unless you got other places to be of course. But there's..." It looked up the path and back. "...kinda only two ways to go. It's more fun with more people to talk to! I could introduce you to my friends if you want!" It tapped the headset. It may sound just a liiiittle bit desperate. Who wouldn't be, though, around someone who looked like Iris?

Iris: eh sure, I could use someone to talk to. usually just speak to myself while I dredge.

"Dredge?" It tilted its whole body.

Iris: collecting junk at the bottom of the ocean, I'm able to wander into the dark thanks to a little talent.

“The lure?”

Iris: if I focus... *they close their eyes and suddenly the lure on their head brightens the area around them, acting as a powerful light* it's... a bit tiring though.

Ink's eyes widen in fascinated awe, then quickly squint at the brightness. "Woah..." It bubbles.

(You there?)

(yeah, just some stuff came up)

(All good! it happens)

Iris: *sweat forms on their blue skin* I know... pretty cool!

"You can stop, it's fine. We got the streetlamps." It held up its hands.

Iris: *the lure on their head goes back to a soft glow.* yeah, usually I'd be able to go for a lot longer but I haven't rested in a while...

Ink wandered backwards to lean back on a lamppost. "How long are you usually working?" More importantly, who are they working FOR? Its pawed shoes tap the wet ground.

Iris: all day usually...

"Yeesh! You can take a rest you know? Is anyone stopping you?"

Iris: mostly my boss...

"Same boss as the guy down the street? And... the other guy down the street? And probably several other guys down the street?" It rifled around in its pockets.

Iris: if you mean one of those weird eye things, nope.

Ink pulled out the little red eye pin. “So not like this?”

Iris: honestly working for some weird eyeball thing would be better then my boss...

“What’re they like? What are you dredging for them anyway?” It tucked the pin away again.

Iris: mostly random junk... but they say the stuff down here is special so...

"I guess if there's not much anywhere else everyone's gotta get their stuff from somewhere." It kicked a loose chunk of asphalt.

Iris: no clue how this stuff got down here though...

"Yeah, I guess that's the really question..." It tapped its foot. Its head jerked up suddenly. "D'you think... it might be coming from the same place I did?" It shoved off the lamp post. "Think about it. If stuff just- appears here- I appeared here. Maybe this place kinda.... brings stuff in and sometimes people are a byproduct of it? Like accidentally grabbing the wrong thing off the counter in a rush! But if that's the case why wouldn't I have popped up down here instead..." It had started pacing as it rambled on, wildly gesturing.

Iris: I mean I can let you look through my junk in case anything reminds you of something. *they pull a large sack off their back and toss it to the pavement.*

Ink dropped down to rummage through it, setting things down around them. Like a child opening a Christmas present. Of course they remembered that.

Iris: pfft... you look like a street orphan with how desperately fast you are... *they try not to snicker.*

"You got those here?" It looked up.

Iris: I'm not from "here", but yeah. we had those back at home.

"Where you're from, were you always like that?" It gestured to them. "Or did the fish features come free with the being here?"

Iris: excuse you! I am a completely natural person! do you want me to ask if you were always so fleshy!? *they seem offended.*

"Sorry! Sorry. I was just wondering if maybe you were from my world too. But if you were always like this then probably not. Unless there's fish people living in the ninety-five percent of the ocean we haven't explored."

Iris: well I surface every now and then, don't think I've seen land back where I'm from.

“Huh. Yeah, could either be the middle of the ocean or somewhere completely different.” It stared up at them. “That’s so freaking cool. Duuuude, if I get home I’m gonna break some science nerds’ brains!”

Iris: honestly, same.

"Either sentient deep-sea species or other planets have sentient life or other universes are real! I mean, that last one I kinda already gathered but..." Its hands flapped excitedly.

Iris: I mean is there a difference between a universe and a dimension? I'd say this is more so a dimension if there is a difference.

"No idea." It shrugged. "I mean. If we assume there's space and other places besides here. I'd qualify that as a universe. But if it's just here, the road forever, maybe not. I think a universe implies there's a rest of the world around it.

Iris: I've talken to explorers, locals, everyone I could meet. I always ask how far they've seen into this... hell. they always say the same thing, nothing but the road and the buildings alongside it. if you look out far enough you can see crashed planes and helicopters or cars... most likely the scientists. I've tried walking to them... but they never get any closer.

"So there's not really any leaving the road, only coming to it? Yeah, I'd call that a dimension." It nodded.

Iris: ... I hope so. because if I find out this place has entire planets like this hell hole... then I might have to quit my "job" and go jump into the darkness.

Ink stared up like the sky as though it would be visible through the water with how deep the sea was. "With how impossible it is to find other planets with potential life, let alone sentient, where I'm from, who knows. Maybe it's the same here. Or maybe this universe just works that differently. Guess I can't blame the scientists for being curious."

Iris: still, they exploited this place for their "science". does the end justify the means? I personally don't think so.

"I guess not." It looked away, ashamed it had even mentioned the scientists. Its abdomen felt a bit hollower than usual.

Iris: ... sorry for being so aggressive. it's not your fault that those guys were jerks.

"It's fine! Honest." It flapped a hand. "Do you... wanna get moving? Or would you rather rest a little longer?"

Iris: I mean do you want to rest or keep going?

"I want you to have had a decent enough break that you won't get tired while we walk."

Iris: listen I'll be fine... don't let me slow you down. okay? I'm sure you got stuff to do. *they tug on the collar of their shirt a bit.*

"Yeah, but I want you to come along for as far as you can. You deserve a little time off, don'cha think?"

Iris: you sure? I don't wanna burden ya or anything.

“You wouldn’t. I’ve had travel buddies before.” It paused for a second. “Okay technically only one but still. Wasn’t a problem for me.”

Iris: well... if you insist.

“I do. C’mon!” It shoved off the lamppost and headed on, backwards to still face Iris until they caught up.

Iris: *Iris follows closely behind ink*

Ink smiles brightly at them and turns to keep marching along.
“Soooo, how much do you remember about where you came from? I can really only remember a bit from my old life, and I’m guessing it’s similar for you, but I’m still curious.”

Iris: all I remember is being employed by me boss and then dropped into this place.

“Huh.” It nodded. “I remember liking fairies.”

my*

Iris: no clue what a fairy is... must be cool though.

“Yeah, they’re old folklore creatures. I particularly liked the fae that stole names and such. Thought a guy here was one of them honestly.”

Iris: . . . zarok? that prick and his creepy mansion can go f**king eat himself.

“The guy with the rotten food and the shaved off taste buds? You met them too?”

Iris: mhm, total prick..

“I knew them as Maro. They take names of people that go missing. And invite you to dine with them. And spazz out if they perceive you as disrespectful and refuse to let you leave. So you can see where I made the fae connection.” Iris absolutely didn’t but whatever.

Iris: . . . sure.

"See? You get it. Ooh, also apparently the same guy ate the skin off one of my buddies so I guess we all got issues with them." It added casually. "You hearin' this, Trav? We all relate!"

Trav: kinda busy with finding the asshole's body, but sure.
Iris: eh? you Talkin to someone or are you just that insane?

"Comms device. Not that crazy YET but I do talk to myself a bit sometimes. Keeps my head on straight." It announced. "But yeah no I was talking to an actual person that time."

Iris: . . . sure.

"Seriously! You wanna talk to him? He's finding the bits of that scientist we wrecked." It pulled off the comms device and held it out for Iris.

Iris: hello totally real person.
Trav: hello.
Iris: oh it wasn't lying! well uh....

"Told you! Trav, this is my buddy Iris!" It waved up at the comms device.

Iris: they said my name, not sure if you can hear due to the water.. I'm iris.
Trav: hello iris...

"They're a fish and they're from a whole different world than ours!" It was up on its tiptoes trying to get its noise to pick up.

Iris: pfff, nerd... *they roll their eyes*
Trav: eh?

"Not MY fault it's cool!" It rolled its eyes.

Iris: in a NERDY way!

"Trav am I a nerd?" It shouts at the comms device.

(Getting dad involved)

Trav: I am a nerd, so consider it a compliment.
Iris: sureeee...

“Ha!” It pointed at Iris triumphantly.

Iris: heh... dork.

"This is bullying." It frowned, arms crossed.

Iris: correct! I am a bully, a big mean one. *they playful punch ink in the arm.*

Ink yelps and swats back at them, if a little slowed by the water.

Iris: *they burst into laughter*

"You've got the advantage here! If this were on land I'd wreck you!"

Iris: I mean I'm not trying to fight you... but sure.

"Yeah, you should be afraid! Never lost a fight here yet." If you can count managing to barely worm away from Maro with both eyes intact a won fight.

Iris: neither have I. *they roll up the sleeve of one of their arms, showing it is coated in scars, holes, and even chunks of flesh entirely gone.*

It'd shit-eating grin falters. "Oh." It chuckles humorlessly and itched at the felt of the costume glove. "Well. I- I mean you've been here longer so *obviously* you'd be more bit up."

Iris: exactly. *they flex the damaged arm, it is rather toned, well it would be if chunks of it weren't gone.*

"Yeah." It let out another dry chuckle.
~They're so f**king cool this shit isn't fairrrrrr~
It shook its head. "Aaanyway! Moving on!" It picked up the pace of walking a bit.

Iris: eh? oh, yeah. *they walk alongside Ink, rolling their sleeve back down.*

Ink fiddles mindlessly with its skeletal fingertips. "What kinda... stuff you seen? That does that?"

Iris: machines. made by the scientists to go out and study the locals... of course I'm not one of you landies so they think I'm an anomaly...

"Oh." Well it tracks why they're so against that lab. "Yeah that'll getcha." It clearly wasn't quite sure what else to say.

Iris: you got any scars?

It looked up. "Oh." It grinned a little. "Boy do I!" Almost as if it were waiting for this it pulled off the glove to display its skinned hand, beaming like a child showing off a drawing.

Iris: hey we're matching! *they remove their glove again to show their skeletal hand.*

"Duuude!" Its hands flapped excitedly.

Iris: *they shook their hand around as well.*

"MAN I wish you could come with us back on land. I think you'd like the folks up there." It slipped Seven's hand back over its own

Iris: are they all dweebs like you?

"You talked to one of 'em and the other one can't talk but would probably LOVE to be a dweeb like me."

Iris: . . . is it the weird costume thing? *iris's voice is filled with clear disdain.*

“Yeah, why?” Its eyes narrowed. “It’s not a costume anymore though.”

Iris: so some moron forced into the shadows?

“It was dragged off.” It nodded solemnly. “But it’s not dead! It’s just. Kind of an entire building’s technological system or something now.” It stared up at her.

Iris: welp, no skin off my back if that freak is stuck in a building. *they shrug*

“Don’t talk about them like that.” It almost snapped. “They’re really not as bad as you think.”

Iris: eh, maybe. but it didn't really help with how creepy it is... *they shudder*

“Okay, I’ll give you that, it was a little creepy…” It flexed the felt of its gloved hand. “But if you can get past that, it just needed a friend who stayed. Who let it stay. If you could meet it I’m sure you’d understand. It’s saved my life at least a couple times.”

Iris: ... you sure it's not just trying to make you lower your guard?

"I wanna believe it means well." It looked away. "If it does end up betraying me there's not a lot I can do. But I don't think it will." And it looked back. "What benefit does a parasite get from a dead host? It either needs to find a new one, and trapped in that building that'll be a bit harder I'd bet, or it dies too."

Iris: it's not the first time it's killed... I don't know if you've read it's file but...

"I have." it shrugged. "And maybe I'm a idiot to hope. Maybe that's exactly what it wants. But it's not gonna stop me from at least hoping it'll be different. I mean, I've survived everyone else that was s'posed to kill me."

Iris: god you're stupid... it's kinda endearing. *they pat ink on the back*

"Am I stupid? Or just too smart for you to understand?" It grinned.

Iris: ... maybe a mix of both. *she crouched slightly to be able to look ink in the eyes*

Ink’s grin softened a little into a more genuine smile. It tried to stare her down back but it kept glancing away. It’s harder to look people in the eye when the other person is doing it back.

Iris: *she stands back up fully, and pats ink on the head.*

Ink snorts, waving her hand away, and bumps her playfully with its shoulder. "How about this! If Seven ever tries anything I'll dump all my shit in here and it's all yours!"

Iris: aw thanks dear. *she looks down at ink, as if seeing something in it.*

"To be fair i don't got a lot, but what i do have that Trav doesn't swipe first is for you to keep. Got this book, basically a diary, maybe you guys could share it or something." It stared up at her. "'Course, that requires it to actually happen and again, big doubts there." It winked.

Iris: ... *she just keeps staring.* you give me cuteness aggression.

“Well I should hope you don’t act on it cuz I’m pretty sure you could crush me to a fine red mist.” It smiled awkwardly.

Iris: . . . *she grabs inks by it's side and lifts it up to study it closer.*

It can’t help staring. It shrinks down a little as she picks it up. “Hi?” Is she gonna crush it for real? It glances around.
~Well, if this is it it’s a better way to go out than getting eaten maybe?~

(oh yeah, if you remember way back when I sent you those three songs that felt fitting for this rp? well i made a whole playlist for it and this time i transferred it to yt cuz I'm pretty sure you said way back you don't have spotify? Though i can send the spotify link to if its easier. either way take my slop)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc2zS8F-xh4s32qwYUQ100sgBzRhDbAfh&si=G4crJyxDVpU8_R7v

(ooo, I'll check it out!)

Iris: *she suddenly hugs ink* hm, squishy.

Ink yelped. Its legs kicked a bit in not the most urgent of protests. “I woulda thought I’m mostly bones.” It squeezed out.

Iris: nope, pretty fleshy. *she kept squeezing ink, but not too hard.*

"Huh." It had always thought it was pretty bony. Maybe its ribs are giving out first? At least it doesn't hurt but it might do a number on their lungs soon if that's the case.
It sort of clung to Iris to keep its stability.

Iris: ... *she slowly puts down ink*

It retracted its hands and brushed itself off. “So what’s the verdict, your honor? Just squishy?”

Iris: your clothes are fuzzy.

Iris: *she pokes ink's shirt.*

It blinks, reaches over, and pokes her back.

(Agshdhhcjc I didn’t realize you were like. Mid-type or I woulda just left it as is don’t mind it lol carry on.)

"Well, yeah. I like my clothes kinda soft. Plus they're probably still dry." It fiddled with the fabric of its flannel. “Eh- Yours are… very slick.” It glanced around. Was that weird to say. “Probably cuz they… aren’t?”

Iris: well you live in water all your life, and fuzzy clothing isn't really common...

“I guess so, yeah.”

Iris: it was nice though... wouldn't mind doing that again.

“Yeah.” It picked at its felt hand. It felt a bit less deathly cold, even despite Iris’ own damp frigidity.

Iris: so uh... can you swim? like do you have a swim bladder?

“I can swim. I don’t have a swim bladder and can’t breathe underwater, so I just paddle and flail and move by sheer force of will usually.”

Iris: really??? *she seems amazed*

"Yeah. Humans don't have those. I'm sure we did at some point back when we WERE fish, but we didn't need 'em and now we just have lungs." It poked its chest. "I might be missing one of those."