epidemiology | EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

THE BARRIER

As promised, Arthur has the means to unlock that first, crucial step to saving the ALASTAIR recruits: unveiling the runes maintaining the barrier. He has sequestered himself in a rented room in the inn down the road from the prison; he’s at a good enough distance to keep his concentration unbroken, but near enough that he can reach the runes in question. The recruits are told to be ready, to wait for his signal before they take action.

The signal comes just after the stroke of 5 on the town’s clocks, at what would be dawn in a world of less darkness. There’s a shimmer in the air around the brick building of the jail, like the surface of a bubble. Then suddenly the runes are there: glowing bright green, flaming into existence at various points along and within the barrier.

There are at least 30 of them along the outside. They’re etched on walls, scribed into doors, carved into the very ground. These have to be destroyed first to make any progress, in any way the recruits are able to. Once these all have been broken, erased, or scattered (and some of them are cleverly hidden or out of reach -- have you checked the topmost brick in the clock tower of the jailhouse?), the first defense of the barrier has fallen. Then the jailhouse itself can be rushed, but magic is still hampered until every rune is destroyed. From there the runes can be found every few feet in the walls, ceilings, and floors of the jail, and only once each one is broken will the spell be completely lifted, magic and abilities restored to the area, and the inmates considerably easier to break out.

The recruits aren’t the only ones that can see those runes, though. The jailers are quick to react, and some spring to the defense of the runes while others rush to sound the alarm, calling even more armed guards to the area. Even city guards start to show up in response to the alarm -- there’s definitely a time limit on this venture. Dispose of the runes, rescue your friends, and be out of the area quickly, or you might just be overrun with armed, angry opposition.

THE ESCAPE

By the time those in the cells are finally brought out, it’s pandemonium. The guards, jailers and city guards alike, might not have been able to stop ALASTAIR’s recruits from destroying the runes and bringing down the barrier, but they’re determined at least to stop dangerous criminals from escaping into the city. And these criminals were due to be hung, so they’re not looking to take anyone down peacefully. They’ll be going for the killing blows.

The best chance will be to rely on numbers and scatter. In ones and twos and threes, people should be taking to shadowy alleys, slipping around corners, even dropping down into the sewers, if they have to. Anything to thin out and disappear. The most capable and destructive fighters are asked to stay as long as they can, giving the bulk of the rest of the escapees time to disappear into that unending night.

THE COOLDOWN

Those that helped free their friends probably won’t run into too many problems in the following days, unless you run into a guard with a few injuries and a long memory. The ex-prisoners, though, are another story. They were in there long enough that the men and women who guarded them know most of their faces quite well, and since they’re out of prisoners to guard, what else do they have to do but take to the streets and search? Ex-prisoners should play it carefully, then, if they don’t want to end up right back where they started. Guards are more than happy to cause an immediate fracas should they spot anyone that belongs in jail.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t go out at all! Just, you know, take a disguise with you. As if anticipating the rising demand for them, all local merchant shops seem to be stocking up on scarves, shawls, and bulky clothing. Isn’t that nice? Most of them don’t really care what anyone did to end up in jail, they just want to share in on those ALASTAIR-paid wages.

If spotted, townsfolk have varied opinions of the escapees. Some are mistrustful and bitter, and will immediately alert guards upon realizing who they’re dealing with. Some of them really don’t care. They’re tired of the darkness, tired of the conflicts, they just want to get on with life. One old man in particular seems to inexplicably love all ALASTAIR recruits, the ex-prisoners in particular, and will insist on buying a drink and playing a game of chess with any of them he runs into. The goblins, of course, have pretty good opinions of anyone on the wrong side of the king, and will be your best bet for finding lodging and food. Some of them might even think of you as a hero, or at least a roguishly charming vigilante.

Spend your post-breakout time well, and try not to make any more enemies.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The actual escape itself meant far less to Sebastian than others. The reasoning was two-fold, since of course there was the core reason that Sebastian would kept quite hidden while he could, since it was difficult for a demon to care about rescusing anyone in the first place. Though much more reasonable and the one that he would cite would be that he's new to this process, and only a little green witch was familiar to him at all. So he leaves the actual rescues to others, and instead, he falls back to provide assistance where he sees opportunity.

For the most part, there isn't much to provide, for it seems that quite a lot of people are competent enough. It surprises him, but he's pleased for it. So as they make their way away, he's looking for people like Alice. To him, humans were quite fragile things, and so he does expect to see someone injured, and therefore someone that he can help and tend to. That is his mission, and so if it will return him to his master, he'll follow that to the letter.

He sees her as she tries to catch up, and the way that she clutches her side says more than enough to Sebastian. He trots up to meet her, and he looks almost out of place in the elegant butler's tailcoat, but his expression is one of concern. It's not quite real, but he does at least make an attempt... ]

Excuse me— Do you need assistance, madam?

[ At least he has good manners... ]

[ A tailcoat is more of a welcoming sight, versus the white, tarnished coat of a doctor. She would readily refused medical treatments of any sort, finding doctors to be even less trustworthy than before, after her experience with Dr. Bumby. It was easy for her to forget her physical state, being that Alice really did care so little for herself and the situation had, unfortunately, started to press her into extreme dissociative states. She considered psychosis to be more of a nuisance to be an annoyance than an actual concern, something more than what it should have been.

Voices were distant, they were practically fading in and out with auditory hallucinations. Meaning that, it was just another normal evening for her, aside from the jailbreak and the obvious wound on her side. Thankfully, the oddness of the tailcoat and the appearance of this man stuck out like such a sore thumb, it sucked Alice back into a much-needed reality check.

She's already assuming he was apart of the raid. She was more embarrassed than alarmed; eyes darting, Alice hesitated to speak. Well, she didn't really care for bleeding out there and she hated to think that she needed a doctor. It was a difficult spot to be in, and once again, thinking of Gin pressed her out of aversion to concern. ]

I need to-

[ Doctor? Maybe. Probably, most definitely. Catching her breath again, Alice decided to stay where she was before she tired to wander off, holding her side tightly. At least she knew from prior experience and injury was to apply pressure to a wound to slow bleeding. ]

I need to leave before they come back.

You need a healer, immediately.

[The sudden chime in comes from the small girl perched carefully on Sebastian's arm, rife with concern- and perhaps thankfully for Alice, dressed in a dark dress and not a medical coat, despite her expertise in that area.

The shocked expression Sieglinde wears was not because she was surprised to see a girl Alice's age out in the thick of this action- she herself was far too young by most people's standards to be involved.

She was more surprised that the girl was still standing. Glancing at Sebastian with a worried frown to communicate her desire for his assistance, she looked back at Alice, her grip on the butler's shoulder tightening.]

You should accompany us some place where I can take a look at that wound.

[Her own rooms would be best, where her more of her supplies were.]

[ It shouldn't come as a surprise she doesn't see the girl perched on this man. Her vision was blurring for multiple reasons and it didn't help that, yet again, Alice was so prone to questioning what she heard and saw around her. She wore that mask well that everything around her was normal. But with wide green eyes, she glanced up at her.

A child?

She could feel her heart sinking at the sight of her. Clutching herself, Alice did little to argue. She just hoped that wasn't another word for "doctor". Though, again, she couldn't avoid medical attention any longer. Nearly stammering, Alice sucks in a breath. ]

Well, that would be the idea, yes.

[ Sebastian's brow knits briefly as she speaks, since that was easier said than done. This was becoming a slight problem of logistics to him when she agrees (and when Sieglinde insists, though he's glad for her to speak a bit more directly). His eyes stay on Alice's, and though his gaze is intent, he tries to keep it from being intense. He's used to intensity with most, since he's at liberty to be able to do so, but that's not quite the case here as he's still figuring out what he can and should do.

He shifts Sieglinde in his arm slightly, and then bows his head to Alice lightly. His voice is polite, but firm. ]

Can you walk? If need be, I can carry you to make it quicker.

[ Which may seem like a bold claim with Sieglinde already in his arms, but he does think that he can manage. It's not the weight of two young women that's the problem, since he has plenty of strength to spare. It just might end up looking a bit comical if he does, really. ]

No.

[ The answer came quick enough for Alice, who hated being touched so much that she was willing to put herself through pain and walk the whole way. And she would she kept an uneasy pace, even started to move quicker, despite her head swimming and blood still blooming through her dress. All and all, Alice was stubborn, she would refuse having that easy way out. It was bad enough that she needed medical attention in the first place.

And for what? Underneath the cloak, she risked her well being over a book. With a breath and uneasy eyes darting up to the both of them, Alice tried not to be short. ]

I'll go with the both of you, but I do not need to be carried off, I'm fine.

[When Alice started to move, a strangled sound of protest immediately escaped from Sieglinde, accompanied by a futile reach of her arm to warn against the movement. If the bleeding was so bad it was already this visible through her garments, the last thing she needed to be doing was moving- !]

Do not be foolish, you will only lose more blood that way-

[But the look in the other girl's eyes, bright green just like her own, made it clear that she wasn't going to agree easily- and arguing would only waste even more time.]

- Sit down there, I will treat you here.

[Nevermind the general danger of such, or the relatively few supplies she had on her person. Sieglinde looked to Sebastian to ask to be put down, looking about with a darting cautiousness.]

Sebastian, please make sure no one disturbs us. I should only need a few minutes.

[After all... she was the Green Witch in this place in a way she had never been in her own home.]

[ The quick and dismissive answer at least doesn't ruffle Sebastian nearly as much as it does Sieglinde. Actually, there's something familiar about that stubborn refusal that's rather familiar, and that has Sebastian considering disregarding that "no." Though only very briefly, since Sieglinde comes up with a solution that's far better than Sebastian being the one to face down a stubborn personality, since really, he doesn't quite have the patience for that he seems to for that sort of thing.

He nods in agreement, and at Sieglinde's direction, he leans down to set Sieglinde down, though his attention does turn to her with a look of mild concern. He'll keep his hand in hers to help her keep her balance while she settles herself, at least. ]

I can do that, but I still advise that if this is what you wish to do, then you still hurry. If you can at least slow the bleeding, then we can walk a bit more easily to finish elsewhere.

[ Now he looks to Alice, and he nods in a way that's asking permission to her, though the question stands for them both. ]

Is that an acceptable solution for the time being?

[ Silence follows Alice as she looks up to this child. It's her natural inclination to act as the caretaker to a child, not the other way around. She should expect that nothing is as it should be, just as it was in Wonderland. Dizzy, Alice stops again, turning on a heal to face the both of them.

At that moment, Alice was more concerned of being touched rather than her wound. Slowly, Alice lowers herself, and with a free hand, she starts to pad her side to reassure herself the book was still there.

Good. ]

Fine. So be it, I don't care anymore.

[ Not really, she cared quite a bit. ]

[Sebastian's assistance is, as always, appreciated. Sieglinde's feet, unnaturally small, have been shaped precisely to prevent her from walking far on her own, and her grip on Sebastian's hand is tight until she can lock her knees and find her balance.]

Of course.

[She gave the butler a nod, already formulating her plan of action as she made her way to Alice in mincing steps, quickly going to her knees beside the other girl.]

- I'll need to take a look at your wound first.

[The other seemed stubborn enough that she actually warned her first before reaching to touch- quite a consideration considering her usual rush to action.]

[ It really is familiar with an answer like that, and it tugs a very small smile out of Sebastian despite himself. Once Sieglinde lets go of his hand, he continues to watch her, and it's only once she's crouched down and has taken the weight off her feet that he finally straightens and turns his attention away. With his back turned to them both, he gives the area a better "look," and his eyes briefly shift in quality to something that fits what he is much better. But it is only brief, and it tells him the information that he was hoping to discern, which gets his posture to shift slightly. ]

I believe there are some coming, so please do not mind me. Focus on your work, since I will manage.

[ He states gently, almost comically so considering it's casually admitting that there's definitely danger approaching... But Sebastian also has no doubts that he'll be able to handle it. ]

[ Alice shifted her upper body towards the pair, with her arms poised upwards so that the wound was visible and without obstruction. She found herself torn as to whether or not to look at the man or turn away. Alice never did feel comfortable around men, no thanks to her past. In paranoia, she stayed there frozen, aside from her body slightly trembling in exhaustion.

All the while, Alice couldn't help but wonder what a little girl like her could do to help her wound, outside of stitches. And, well, Alice was prepared for stitches, if needed. ]

[Sieginde had been considering magic already, what with how much blood it looked like the other girl had already lost and what she sees upon closer inspection, but Sebastian's words cement the decision.

The magic she had been taught by ALASTAIR was not enough to completely take care of it, but it would at least make it easier to actually get somewhere where she'd have time to stitch and bandage.

With a last nervous look over her shoulder to Sebastian, (not that she doubted he'd be able to handle the threat, but), Sieglinde instead turned to Alice, letting out a long breath before she tried to relax, carefully placing her palms at opposite ends of the gash.]

As I see thee weltering in thine blood, I call upon the goddess who governs, whom I beseech to aid thee now...

[Technically, the spells of this world didn't require words, but they did require focus, and she had learned (fake) verbal spells, not those purely willed into existence. The common tongue of their group interwove with Latin, but as Sieglinde's voice faded away so did Alice's wound.

It wasn't completely healed, still in danger of reopening if Alice were to fight again, but. It was a superficial patch good enough to get her somewhere safe.]

[ Unsurprisingly, Sebastian is ready for quite a different series of events here. He's unaware that Sieglinde has picked up some new skills in her time here, so he's expecting something along the lines of what had taken place on the train with Wolfram. Not quite as messy, of course, but still something involving blood and her (still surprising) skill as a doctor. It would take time, and so he was prepared to defend the position they were waiting in. He could manage endlessly, he assumes, but he'll give her ten minutes.

Though of course, there's no need. As soon as she speaks, he's surprised, since that was as odd habit for her to have kept, but once there's magic, he's quite acutely aware of what's really happening. It's the sort of thing that he feels out on a different level than most creatures, since it was magic and curses that could bind him, so the way it feels even in the air is distinct. He could ignore it from the runes, but when it comes so unexpectedly, his attention is broken, which is a rare thing.

Sebastian half-turns to look back, and his eyes widen in genuine surprise and shock at what he sees. ]

Master Sullivan—

[ Ah, no. She's focusing, and even in his surprise, he remembers that, and quickly holds back his questions so that he doesn't break it. ]

[ Now that Alice is sitting and not trying to flee, she's more exhausted than she realizes. She had been running, almost non-stop, until she freed whom she could out of the prison. Most of all, more importantly, Gintoki was free and with that small realization, Alice could finally let out a sigh of relief. It wasn't over yet; all of them were in danger of being taken again, labeled as traitors under whatever crown there was. Sighing to herself, Alice tried not to slump over as her wound was being patched, though, it was certainly tempting to do so, now that she was sitting.

Breathing, Alice was relieved that it wasn't a medical treatment and found it easier to relax herself with magic than medical treatment by a doctor. What a strange girl, she thought, having some sort of magical ability when all Alice could do was find a way to jump and move quicker than anyone normal. ]

What is it that you're doing?

[With a last, slightly quivering breath, Sieglinde's spell ended and she withdrew her now bloodied palms, heart beating hard in her chest at the combination of excitement and nervousness that came with the use of such things.]

It is a spell for healing.

[Magic. Real magic. Her pupils slightly dilated, breath slightly elevated, Sieglinde rocked back on to her knees for a moment, turning to Sebastian with a strange, almost too focused expression on her face.]

I am the Green Witch.

[An answer for them both.

But the high fades, and Sieglinde starts pulling herself into the present to check on Alice's wound again- good, good enough, holding out an arm for the butler to assist her with standing, since it seemed they might have time to get away before the sounds of approach reached them- or would they?]

I need to continue your treatment somewhere safer than this- can you stand?

[ Sebastian's gaze is sharp, though only briefly. He would like to ask her about this in full now, but there are many reasons that he can't, and he knows it. He doubts that she would be able to give him much of an answer anyways, looking like that, but the sound of heavy footsteps drawing closer was the more pressing one.

He quickly and smoothly dips again to offer both of his hands in this case. One is for Sieglinde, and he'll smoothly scoop her up as is rather natural at this point, but the other is offered to Alice. He has doubts that she would take it, but he'll still politely offer it to help her up all the same. ]

We should move quickly, in any case.

A witch. And here I thought witches were old women.

[ Alice is not one without her quips, despite her lethargy. Easily sliding off and with her book that she risked herself for, Alice starts to stand. At this point, it's safe to assume Alice has, unfortunately possibly lost too much blood and wobbles as she recollects herself.

This is nothing. She insists to herself, pressing her body forward despite herself, despite the urge to lie there and sleep. She was tired and wanted to keep going. What mattered most to Alice was finding a place to hide, finding Gintoki and sleeping.

She didn't care much about anything else. ]

Right, then.

[ She was the worst when it came to her own well-being. ]

[At the mention of old women, Sieglinde could only give a bitter, sad tug to the corners of her mouth. She had an exact image of a woman who would fit that description... And her mother wasn't someone she cared to remember. Not now- maybe not ever.

Instead she easily positions herself to be picked up as smoothly as possible, perhaps even more used to being toted around than the butler was to carrying, hands moving to shoulder to brace herself, tiny feet swinging with her long skirts as she took the chance to look over his shoulder-

Not good.

With a stubbornness that may potentially rival the other girls if they ever need duke it out, Sieglinde squeezed Sebastian's shoulder in signal, mouth set in a firm line. - she just patched that wound, she won't have you tearing it open again before they get somewhere safe.]

I truly must assist you allow Sebastian.

[Patients really could be so foolhardy at times.]

[ Ah, dear. This is the position that any man would fear being in, isn't it? He's caught between two young ladies... Though he certainly wishes it were something more lighthearted than this. He gives both of them questioning looks, but then ends up sighing very gently. Sieglinde is adjusting comfortably on one arm, and with a fluidity that really does speak to a familiarity with toting people around this way, he places his hand against his chest and bows his head quite deeply to Alice. ]

I realize that I am imposing quite a bit, and you have my apologies for that, Miss. But I hope you will realize that this is a bit of a case of "doctor's orders."

[ Well, so to speak. He'll get to that later. ]

I will be quite careful, and I will move as quickly as I can to minimize the time that I must inconvenience you so, I assure you.

[ In retrospect, at least he's warning her. A sour look crosses Alice's face as her eyes bounce between the two of them. A feeling of dread washes over her, as Alice starts to square up in her shoulders with the idea of touch. Not again, not the third time tonight .After what happened earlier and the fact Alice is very tempted to faint, she snaps- ]

Alright, fine, only this once and never again.

[ After that, Alice would have preferred to faint on the ground than to be carried. ]

Understood. Then, please, excuse me—

[ Sebastian response formally and politely, but with just as much ease as he had picked up Sieglinde, he carefully moves to scoop up Alice into his other arm. The way he carries her is at least slightly dignified, since his hand scoops up under her legs to create a sort of seat, and she can balance or lean against his torso. It definitely doesn't seem possible to carry one person this way, much less two, and yet Sebastian manages it easily as he lifts both Sieglinde and Alice up.

...This really does limit him, he realizes, but ah, well. He prefers kicks anyways, he supposes.

It's a good thing, since once he's collected them both into his arms, a guard rounds the corner, and Sebastian is quick to step back and away from the imposing figure. ]

Ah, dear— Would you both hold onto my shoulders, please?

[ Since even if he can hold you both, if you fall backwards, that's a little harder for him to stop... ]

[Good- Sieglinde couldn't smile in a situation like this, not really, but she was glad to see Alice aquiesce to be carried. Sebastian truly was the most capable man she knew (never mind that she didn't know... that many...), and as she'd thought he seemed to handle carrying them both with just as much aplomb as he did everything.

But the sound of pursuit was clamoring in her ears, and when the guard came into view Sieglinde shrank back, doing as she'd been asked, voice momentarily freezing up in her throat, though she tried to communicate with Alice on looks alone. Fingers gripped tightly on the butlers lapel, and she curled in tightly, looking over her own shoulder at the guard.

Surely he wouldn't attack them- but she had learned enough by now of the government in this place to not be able to have hope in that idea she'd arrived with.]

[ Oh, god.

Alice is soon off of her feet, her head spinning, hoping that her bag can stay on her as they're being shifted. There's nothing to describe the level of discomfort in Alice as she she hears those instructions.

Reluctantly, she does grip his shoulders. When they actually start to move, Alice is gripped with a slight sense of panic, clamping her eyes shut. It's hard to stay conscious, as Alice starts to waver between a state of conscious and sleep.

God, this is too awkward. He's very lucky he's so polite. ]

Edited 2015-12-09 05:19 (UTC)

[ Really, Sebastian doesn't find any particular problem with the current situation. Carrying them was easy enough, since he's more than strong enough to do it, and also, taking care of the guard wouldn't actually be that difficult. He had multiple options on how to do so, technically speaking. But, all of those would certainly expose him for what he was. That was something he was only willing to do if backed into a corner, and the pursuit of a guard? Hardly.

He would certainly like to stand his ground and deliver a kick with more than enough force to break the man's spine, but ah, that might be a bit too showy with two young ladies in tow. So instead, he retreats, and he's nothing if not fast. The guard seems to have expected the weight to slow Sebastian down, since as soon as Sebastian shifts and starts to run, the guard actually falters and stops, since he's so taken aback at how Sebastian could manage to move so swiftly with two people in tow. And really, that's all Sebastian needs.

That distance is enough of a start that Sebastian can take off, and though the guard starts to follow, it doesn't take long for him to realize that he won't be able to catch up. Sebastian turns a corner swiftly, and from there, they won't see their pursuers again. At least Sebastian will continue swiftly as promised, and he'll head towards Sieglinde's apothecary unless she directs him otherwise. His gait never really slows, yet he doesn't particularly show any signs of exertion that would be expected either. ]

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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