EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

[futurologists]

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.

Comments

b

[ninmu]

[ he's one of the last to leave, only deciding to remove himself from the battlefield once he'd determined that there wasn't much left to gain - or save - by staying there. As such, he's also acquired a fair amount of injuries. Considering his unusually-colored blood and the fact that they don't seem to be bothering him very much, though, it isn't exactly easy to tell.

The tall Monomakia glances down at her, seeming very faintly surprised. ]

Thank you. But there's no need for additional healing. No vital points have been injured.

[prayingone]

[It's been a long morning. Although the battle has moved quickly, Shirley's had her hands full keeping as many people as she can as healthy as possible. Still, she shakes her head.]

Even if they're small, you shouldn't ignore them. [She smiles up at him, tired but kind. If she's intimidated by his distance from humanity, it doesn't show on her face. Blood is blood, no matter what color it is.] They still hurt, don't they?

[ninmu]

They hurt. [ he confirms in the same flat voice as before, seeming unbothered by that fact. ] However, my body regenerates automatically. I only need some rest.

[ after a moment, he pauses, then continues. ]

... But I am hungry.

[prayingone]

Really? That's all? [Rather than frightened, she seems impressed.] That's amazing...

[There's another long pause. Somehow... she gets the feeling that this person's priorities are a little skewed.]

Um... well... [After a moment's thought, she reaches into a pocket of her long, white half-skirt and retrieves a paper packet. Inside, is a small collection of what looks like oversized gummi treats. She fishes out an orange one and offers it to him.] Do you think this well hold you over until we can get to a place with proper food?

[She's not sure where, yet, since she doubts the merchants will open their shops so soon after an attack.]

[ninmu]

It is a standard function for Gun-Swordsmen. [ plainly, as if she'd know what he's talking about... it's not that he's self-centered as much as he's clueless and still not very good at holding conversation.

The food clearly catches his attention, though. Both of his arms end in weapons, not hands; thus, in their place, two of the round nodes on his chest pop off, extending forward on veinlike tendrils. He picks up the gummy-type object in his "paws," observing it for a half-second - it looks like the food on Submaton Color, but he hopes that's where the similarities end - before chowing down and swallowing it without hesitation. ]

Thank you. It was delicious. [ so polite. ] ... Where is "proper food?"

[prayingone]

[Unsurprisingly, she has no idea what a "Gun Swordsman" is or what he's talking about. She watches, fascinated, as the tendrils accept the offered gel and he eats it. The color and shape is all wrong, but... is he like the automata?]

You're welcome. Um... it's called an Orange Gel. I'm not sure if you can find any more here, but I'm glad you liked it. [Probably not. If there aren't any eres, why would anyone need to make gels for erens?] Well... usually at the inn. Or you can pick some up from the marketplace, but-- [She hesitates.] ... they might not open for a while, because of the battle.

If you're hungry and need to rest, we should leave. If we can make it back to the inn, I have some food in my room that I can share with you.

[ninmu]

[ he thinks for a second or two, repeating: ] Marketplace.

[ he knows what that is... he thinks. Humans go there to trade for food. He's not sure how that works, though. It might have been a really good thing that she gave him an "orange gel," when he thinks of it that way; he doesn't know how he's going to procure food without an understanding of human bartering. Of any bartering, really.

But then she goes and solves the problem for him. ]

Ah. [ gears in his brain turning. ] Okay. Let's go back to the inn. If it's far, I can provide transportation.

[prayingone]

[Shirley thinks his offer over carefully. Although it would be good to get back quickly, she worries about drawing the attention of the remaining guards.]

Um. It's not far, so let's just stick to the back streets if we can. It would be best if we got there without being seen by anyone. [Wary of any pursuers, Shirley keeps a hold on her quill. After taking a moment to get her bearings, she begins to briskly walk in the direction of the inn.] Follow me, alright? It's this way.

[ninmu]

Understood.

[ either way is fine with him. His paws retract back to where they were, clicking into place next to his armor, and he turns to follow after her. It's not far, so he'll walk. Flying might draw more attention at this point, anyway. ]

If pursuers appear, I'll deal with them.

[prayingone]

I'll leave it to you, then. [Thankfully, by taking the back ways, they're able to avoid the notice of any guards. When they make it back to Abel Inn, where Shirley's been staying for the past few days, the streets are largely empty; due to the jailbreak, most civilians are taking refuge in their homes.]

If you wait here, I'll go inside and get you some food. [She smiles up at him.] I won't be long.

[ninmu]

[ Melan is largely silent during the walk, glancing to and fro periodically to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. But it seems like the only suspicious people skulking through the city are the two of them.

As they draw closer to the inn, Melan seems to hesitate; he's glad when she says she'll go inside while he waits. ]

Understood, [ he says again. ] I'll stay here.

[prayingone]

[In a way, they're very lucky: because everything is so confused from the break-in, it's much easier to sneak around. Thankfully, she doesn't have to sneak into the inn; it's just a quick trip through the front door to the room she's been renting. Once inside, she'll retrieve a modest meal from the food she keeps in her room: the last quarter of a loaf of bread, some cheese, and an apple. It's not much, but without a kitchen to work with her options are a little limited.

About ten minutes after parting ways with Melan, Shirley emerges from the inn with the food she gathered wrapped up in a handkerchief. Once she reaches him again, she holds it up for him to take.]

Here you go. Sorry to keep you waiting.

[ninmu]

[ though he considers hiding himself once she leaves - not to escape her, but to escape the eyes of less-than-friendly humans that might be on him in the inn - he decides that it's not worth the trouble in the current confusion. That said, he does make an effort to be smaller and less noticeable. When she comes out again, she'll find him sitting on the ground off towards the side against the building. Another pair of paws, identical to the ones he'd used to hold the gummy earlier, are coiled around his abdomen, emitting a soft light. His healing mechanism. ]

You don't need to apologize, [ he offers, but his eyes go straight to the food. His unused paws reach out to take the handkerchief. It's not a lot, for him, but it's something, and he's happy. Still, he pauses. ] I do not have money.