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

[keystaff]

More? Oh, yes. I may have brought a bit much. I didn't want everyone to go hungry. I wasn't sure how much food or supplies I should bring. But I wanted to help somehow....

[So she will offer him a bit more, while trying and possibly failing in not staring a little with the mask and all. The costume reminding her of the battle outfits Tomoyo would make for her back home. But she isn't quite sure if she should ask or say anything about his clothing, so she sort of just shuffles a bit, holding to the rest of the food.]

[sanicspeed]

Trust me when I say that you're really helping.

[Mostly said between a handful of food or two. He even eats at super speed.]

Oh, right! I don't want to be too rude. What's your name so I can thank you properly.

[keystaff]

I hope so. None of you deserve to go hungry!

[Wow, what an appetite.....such a fast eater. It almost reminds her a little of watching Yukito eat. But she shakes her head a little before giving a sort of wave as best she can with still holding the rest of the food she has yet to give out.]

Ah, I'm Sakura! Sakura Kinomoto.

[sanicspeed]

That's true! Though not quite the case for me...

[He just needed energy like crazy. Still, polite is polite.][Wait a second. He's not used to casual conversations like this.] -er. The Flash. That's what people call me.

[keystaff]

The Flash? Oh, like the lightning on your shirt!

[Er. Sort of, Sakura. We'll go with that. Considering she is only vaguely familiar with comics and the like to immediately consider the connection with code names and costumes and such.]

[sanicspeed]

Yeah, sorta like that. At least one person would be happy to hear you say that.

[Namely Cisco. Since he's the one that made the emblem and everything.]

[keystaff]

What does the lightning mean though? Does it stand for something?

[It could just be there for decoration, perhaps. Though at least, with Tomoyo's outfits, she usually had some reasons for her motifs to link to the cards they suspected were going to be caught next. As some sort of homage to them in a way. So Sakura's just curious in spite of herself. Whether the same might be true for him and his costume.]

[sanicspeed]

[Oh right, not everyone knows the Flash.]

It's kind of a symbol. Two ways, really. First, when I run, I kind of create lightning along the way. Second, people say I'm as fast as lightning so it's, you know....it fits.

[keystaff]

You're....wow! Really? That's amazing!

[An actual hero with an actual costume and powers. Sakura just has the Cards, really. Nothing like this guy and what he's capable of himself! She can't help being impressed, all but clasping her hands together and staring in amazement.]

[sanicspeed]

It'd be a lie if I said it wasn't amazing. Pretty cool when I think about it...

[keystaff]

Even with my Jump or Fly card, I'm never that fast! I guess....would that mean you could just run anywhere? Even over water?

[As fast as lightning. The speed just might keep him sinking? She's not entirely sure on the details, any restrictions or the actual physics involved so much. She's just amazed and curious, obviously distracted as she lets him eat.]

[sanicspeed]

I've done over water and straight up buildings. Maybe a little bit of going so fast that I run back in time too.

[keystaff]

Straight....up buildings? I can't do that! Or...wait, so fast you go back in time? Like time travel?

[Okay, so there was that one time she got a glimpse to the past with Clow before his death. But it wasn't because of anything like her running speed. Simply magic, one of the Clow Cards activating and affecting things.]

[sanicspeed]

Sometimes...

...look, it sounds pretty amazing, right? But I wouldn't be able to do any of that if you didn't give me this food.

[keystaff]

Oh. I guess that would use a lot more energy. Is that why you eat a lot?

[It would make sense, in theory? Going so fast would consume more energy so he'd need to eat more to sustain that speed. Or something like that, she figures.]

I just figured, it might be more difficult for some of you to get food and supplies now. Until things calm down, so.....I wanted to help.

[sanicspeed]

Yeah that's it. I'd explain the science part but...you don't look like you've hit that part of school yet.

[Biology was never fun. Unless someone was Barry, and then it was.]

Thanks, really. If you need anything from me, let me know. I'll be there in a flash.

[keystaff]

Um, possibly not. But it still sounds pretty amazing!

[And of course she can't help the giggle at that. There in a flash. Really, Barry.]

Okay. I will! Of all my friends here, you're probably the one that could get to me first.

[For obvious reasons. Of course.]

[sanicspeed]

[REALLY.]

I'll certainly try to be there first. Well, there's one other person here who has a bit of an advantage over me but you'd be better off not relying on him.

[keystaff]

Eh? Who......?

[She's curious. Also wondering if she might not need to be wary. Of course, it's possible she probably would still like and trust them anyway, because this is Sakura. ]

[sanicspeed]

He's dressed a lot like I am right now, but in yellow instead of red. And he can do a lot of the same stuff.

[keystaff]

Oh....so he has the same powers? That's impressive too! That it isn't just you.

[Of course there are a large variety in potential powers, but such isn't really that common back home for Sakura. She's the only one with the Sealing Wand to capture the Clow Cards.]