[closed] INTO THE WOODS.
At Ramir's request, Hellboy has accompanied her into the jungle, looking for clues as to this rising cult of Ryba. It's dangerous stuff, cults, particularly when those cults have a penchant for sacrificial mutilation: missing villagers can only spell disaster for the recruits themselves down the line, so it's best to nip this in the bud as quickly as possible.
Hellboy is worried about the missing half of their team, but until the storm dies down, there seems to be no better way to pass the time than walking around in creepy jungles looking for possible cannibals.
THE RESCUE.
After Hellboy's warning and the necessary preparations, it's time to rescue King and Ramir -- and as many captured Nalawi as you can. The camp is by one of the largest estuaries on Pu'ulai, camouflaged by native flora and hidden in the shadow of the volcano Nalalona. The cultists have removed King and Ramir's magitek jewellery, but the tracking beacons are still active, making it easier to find them than without.
The well-hidden camp is creepy, filled with ramshackle tents and poorly-made effigies. There's a pool in the middle of it all, filled with brackish, murky water. Ramir, King, and a small number of terrified-looking Nalawi are all bound, kept on the far side of the camp.
The cultists are all dressed in hooded black robes, doe and stag alike. They are all without their Gifts, but that does nothing to temper their ferocity at intruders into their camp. Despite their diminutive size, they know the forests better than any ALASTAIR recruit, and are suited to blitz attacks on any would-be rescuers; they may pop out of the underbrush in small, seemingly endless waves. They also have sharp hooves and the stags' horns are dangerous, capable of goring anyone who doesn't get out of the way of a charge.
The cult is surprisingly large, so it may take some time to defeat them all. Whether you want to spare them or destroy them is up to you -- but it's clear that the cult has no plans for mercy whatsoever.
EXPLORATION.
Now that the cultists have been dispatched (one way or another), the camp is free to explore.
If any cultists are captured for questioning, they'll speak in gibberish and violently lash out at anyone who comes too close. The only thing they'll say that makes any sense is that Ryba is hungry -- Ryba the devouring one has eaten all the lesser gods in the world long ago, and now she needs more.
All around the camp are various effigies (poorly crafted from dried kelp), shark's teeth, and other junk of the sea. There are tents scattered around that may be explored; they are filled with mundane paraphernalia such as books, combs, and other trinkets of sentimental value. If one didn't look at the horrors outside the tents, it might be confused for a refugee camp.
The pool in the middle of the camp is filled with black water and disembodied Nalawi eyes, its concentrated magical energy more potent than even the water out in the ocean. There is a single doe in it, floating face down, the latest sacrifice before the cultists were interrupted; not dressed in their black robes, she is one of the missing villagers who was not so lucky. If she is turned over, it can be seen that her eyes have been gouged out.
The surviving kidnapped villagers are badly shaken up but have no answers as to what happened other than they were captured by what they refer to as a "death cult." Apart from some slight hunger and dehydration, none of them are injured. They're just glad to be alive, and ask to be escorted back to the Pu'ulai temple.
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epidemiology2016-05-09 06:34 pm
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Th-Thank you, Law...
[ she can at least meet him in the eyes, her own wide with earnest. ]
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It's fine. This is literally the least I can do.
[Finally Law actually sits down next to her. Given the location of the injury, Olivia's organs are probably all fine. He'd still like to check, but figures bringing it up now would be unwise.]
When we get back to the town I want to re-bandage it so I can disinfect the wound. I'll walk you through the process properly then so you'll know how for the future.
[He did say he'd teach you things.]
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sure, she's glad he's here, taking care of her. but more than that, she wants to thank him for something else. ]
I was thanking you... for not attacking that young Nalawi.
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[Mild surprise before he looks away.]
It's... [He doesn't want to admit that it was because it was her that asked him... Then she'll know he has some manner of warm regard for her. Can't have that.]
I thought about what my... [mentor? father figure? friend?] What the man I owe my life to would have said. He'd have agreed with you, so I stopped.
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The man you owe your life to...?
[ could law have his own basilio? ]
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When I was young, I was very sick. If it wasn't for all he did to get the devil fruit for me, I would have died thirteen years ago.
[He pauses a moment, shifting a bit where he's siting, deciding what else is worth saying so that Olivia won't ask any further questions.]
He was called Corazón, the heart. I named my crew the Heart Pirates after him.
[The huge tribal tattoo on his chest is also very obviously a stylized heart. Of course the operative word here is "was."]
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she sniffs lightly, and while she may not be able to properly face law right now, she can at the very least work up the courage to reach over and gently lay her hand on top of his. ]
I'm sure he'd be very proud of you...
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Aah.
[A pause.]
I suppose I shouldn't have brought up such a somber topic at a time like this.
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It fits, don't you think?
[ not that she is in any fear of dying or anything like that... but she thinks it a silly thing to worry about now. ]
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I'm going to go see if anyone else is injured. You wait here until it's time to head back to camp.
[[Well that sure was sudden.]
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W-Wait — I'm sorry, I...
[ she almost reaches for him again, but in the last second she thinks better of it and lets her hand drop. ]
I-I mean, I won't ask you to stay... but please don't be mad? I'm sorry I laughed...
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I'm not mad, you didn't say anything wrong. Just wait here, I'll come back when it's time to go.
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[ she feels like apologizing again, but she gets the feeling any more talking on her part will just make things worse. so she relents, leaning back and pursing her lips.
she just nods. ]