shellphones | re: Snaktooth Island (she returns)

Type: Video
Sender ID: standingonmyneck
To: Everyone
Subject: Unimaginable horrors beyond comprehension
Warnings: Mentions of body horror

[Daria always had the love of gaining knowledge. Of course, this never usually had to come with putting her life in danger. Not until recent years in all of her interdimensional travel. Which she just so happened to be forced to go into again. So now she was stuck with many mysteries, and only her own two feet and big brain usable to solve them. There was always a weird curiosity with the Bugsnax, and Daria had been eager to learn.

She won't admit to being somewhat glad to finish her research, if to say she didn't leave with any stones unturned.

Wendy had remained her loyal companion, seemingly drifting from the hivemind of the usual fauna of the island the longer she hang with Daria. Which she was thankful for, as the more she uncovered...the more cosmically horrorifying these googly eyed food monsters seemed. Not that it also didn't fit her dark sensibilities, she was able to stomach it all for that.

But she couldn't help it either.

The video would open to Daria in a dark cavern, the Undersnax. With a flashlight, donning gloves, goop all over her combat boots (which she would be seen collecting in sterile jars), she moved the camera up to the wet walls and with some hidden cave paintings of what looked like...]

What a warm welcome back here indeed. Cannibalism, ancient sacrifice, unnatural body horror, oh my.

[She turned the camera to her face, which was a little sweaty from the dampness of the air.]

Hate to say it, but I still prefer this over the moogles. The Bugsnax themselves don't seem dangerous still, even if they all seem to function in a community here. Just, again, don't eat them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

An ant queen is important to an ant hill community. It needs one to survive and keep growing.

[Basically agreeing. A hivemind. She knew it. Biting her lip she looked to the darker tunnels in before pausing to hear any noise.]

I don’t think I’m too far in, but I think I hear something.

Indeed, and this entire island may very well be that community- an then some.

[Since it appeared that underneath the surface that this island was Bugsnax all the way down.

Ah—]

I can try to hurry to your location if you feel it necessary, and certainly do not wait for me if you feel it is a danger to you.

[...Daria didn't want to have people coming to her rescue. Never did, and it won't start now. She was about to protest when the "noise" got louder, and louder. With a jolt of the camera, Daria said nothing except hide behind a pile of food bits. Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!]

Yeah, that's out of the picture.

[The noise was now absurdly loud, and a large imposing shadow was in the background. Which was only due to the small light of the camera and flashlight before it was turned off.

After a few concerning moments, Daria switched to text. Using the smallest of lights emitted from the shellphone, she was able to type.]

I found the Big Cheese, the ant queen, whatever you want to call it.

[There had been a held breath the moment the sound had grown so much louder, and had bitten back saying anything in worry of what that extra noise could bring.

With all of the time, as short as he allowed, spent in some parts of the tunnels it was one he was familiar with. The first sign to leave the area immediately- but some were certainly not as quick as he could be given his advantages.

Even further down as he was, that was noise he could keep track of- and there was so much relief.]

The earthquake some hours ago must have been it waking up. Do you need back-up? These things count on outnumbering those they target, and given that may very well be the Queen of these creatures-

Whatever needs to be done for you not to be spotted, I am sure you can do. I still offer a hand to heighten your odds of not finding out what might happen if it sees you.

Are you telling me you actually saw this thing?

[She couldn’t be stupid now. Daria didn’t know just how far her crewmate was in the cave or if this thing was going to come back her way. No mistakes can be make here.

But coming down here with nothing to show just felt asinine. All she had to show for was some goop to analyze. She never had anything to prove to anyone, ever. But in these strange days of trying to survive and not seem like the odd one out in a group of people genuinely trying to make, Daria had to make her sudden actions count.

There would be a picture sent to him from behind. It was a large imposing, grotesque figure with various foods attached. It was an absolute freak of nature. But it was its backside, which meant it was sure in view enough.]

[The answer didn't come until the picture was received- and glad he hadn't. That was... most certainly part of what he had seen before makin a hasty exist himself some time ago; only daring to come back... well. Because he knew what he could withstand- these things didn't see him the same was as they did people.

At least so long as he didn't make himself an active threat-]

Unfortunately, but from a similar angle. It shows signs of the various components of the large ones the past culture(s) worshipped as god-ly beings, and then some.

It is what made these tunnels.

Ancient amalgamations, sure let's add that to this mess.

[Though it makes sense.]

Judging from the murals, they worshipped this thing as a god itself, making sacrifices to it and everything. But with that civilization being gone, as in wiped out, it's probably waiting for the next saps to come in and feed it.

It's not gonna be me.

[Sigh.]

The captain is probably going to want to know about all of this too, so we should probably meet up and split.

Given this entire island is Bugsnax all the way down? May as well.

[It was a complete horror show once you really looked into things, from the ground up-]

Most certainly he will. I have things to add to what you have discovered as well, and likely best discussed once you are well out of dodge and we are both back on the surface.

I have made some other discoveries and theories.

Better guard our little guys. Just in case he hates this news more than us.

Don't die on the way up.

Indeed- but at least it seems there is evidence they have been broken from the hive mind and developed on their own. Precaution still for the best.

Hopefully you don't either- if you know where the waterfalls are, I can meet you there.

re: Snaktooth Island (she returns)

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Let me know if this isn’t okay!

All is good!

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