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.

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[ Sebastian has been watching Melan, in truth. It's a bit hard not to, since as soon as he had seen someone flying through the air, it was a bit hard to miss in the first place. That's only compounded by Melan's strange appearance, since Sebastian hasn't exactly seen anything like him before. It's not enough to distract him terribly from the task at hand, but his attention and interest is certainly caught.

Perhaps because of that, Melan is met with a slightly more amused reception than he might have been otherwise. Sebastian has just finished dispatching some of those guards, though his appearance is still elegant and composed. It's easy for him, after all. This part of their odd little mission was almost similar enough to what Sebastian was used to working for Ciel. ]

Going well, I would say. There are quite a lot of those runes to take care of, but, well. We seem to be making quick work of them.

[ He pauses, then inclines his head towards one of those arrows. ]

I take it those do not bother you?

Edited 2015-12-05 19:33 (UTC)

They have no defenses outside of the guards stationed here, [ he replies, regarding the runes. ] They are easy targets.

[ he's neither reassuring nor bragging; it's merely a statement of his thoughts. The mission doesn't seem like it will be a difficult one. Humans don't pose much of a threat to a Monomakia, either. Compared to protecting Marin and the Creis, this is almost too easy.

Of course, he lacks the sort of questioning doubt necessary to really think something like that.

At the mention of his wounds, he looks down, lifting his rifle arm slightly. ]

They are painful, but minor. Functionality has not dropped below 80%.

Well, I can hardly disagree. Though you do have something of an advantage with being able to access them!

[ Sebastian responds cheerily, but really, he could probably do so rather easily if he were willing to unmask himself a bit. But he's absolutely not. He'll pretend to be human as long as he can, especially so long as Sieglinde remains ignorant of what he is. ]

80%, though? My, you really are specific about it... Though personally, that is still quite a large percentage. [ In the perfectionist's opinion. ] Would removing them help you at all?

[ he makes a small noise of agreement in response to Sebastian's assessment - that's exactly why he's going after the runes. It would be easy for him to fight back against the defenders, too, of course. They're only humans. Still, after having it drilled into his head that he shouldn't attack them by Marin, he finds himself shying away from the idea. ]

My combat performance isn't affected, [ Melan replies again, evidently clarifying why it's not a large percentage... he doesn't seem to care very much about his injuries. ] But...

[... this human in black has a point. Two of the round nodules on his abdomen pop out, connected by wiring, and begin to remove the two or three arrows poking out of him, pinching them between those "paws." Evidently, they do actually hurt, given the small noise of pain he makes. ]

[ It's absolutely fascinating to watch as Melan removes those arrows, since Sebastian is so used to dealing with humans and humans (very nearly) alone that the responses of pain that he hears interests him more than a little. He has no context to think of Melan as a robot, so the fact that he does feel pain isn't a surprise, but he certainly does look quite tough, doesn't he?

He'd like to know more, he thinks, though that's just an idle fancy.

He motions towards Melan, specifically at an arrow that's closer to his back and therefore a bit more difficult to reach. ]

Would you like for me to assist, sir?

[ he glances up at Sebastian, evidently calculating whether or not he should let him - it's pretty easy for him to reach basically anywhere on his body, since the limbs he uses to manipulate don't exactly have bones. Still, spending some time on Earth has taught him a thing or two. Maybe it would be good to make friends with some of his comrades. It's better to have friends than to be alone.

So he decides to let himself rely on someone else for a brief moment, turning slightly and moving his wings up so that it's easier to reach. ]

Thank you. [ beat. ] I am not sir. I'm called Melan. Melan Blue.

[ Sebastian nods once those wings are moved up and the thanks is given to gently accept it. He steps forward and starts to fiddle with those arrows to remove them as carefully as he would remove them from a person. Going with humans as a baseline of how to handle other creatures seems reasonable to him, since they are incredibly fragile. ]

Oh, pardon me for not introducing myself first. I did not mean to impose.

[ Overly polite as always... ]

My name is Sebastian Michaelis. It is a pleasure, Mr. Melan.

[ Mr. Melan. Well, that's okay... probably. He thinks Mike called him that once or twice, so it's probably something respectful or nice, actually. Not that he has enough pride to care even if Sebastian called him "hey jackass" or something.

The place where the arrows are embedded is human-like, at least; he has some sort of pliable skin-like outer covering that bleeds. Sebastian might notice the temperature of said blood is much lower than a human's would be, however. ]

Sebastian Michaelis, [ he repeats. Then: ] Should I call you "Michaelis?"

[ he's used to Japanese names. ]

It will do well enough. I have no preference, really, since it to be called by name is honor enough for a servant.

[ He's simply one hell of a butler, after all. Also don't make me type that again.

As he pulls out those arrows, he does let a bit of the blood stain his gloves, and he's intrigued by the coolness of it. It's strange for it to not be warm, but he wonders if he might be reading too deeply into things here. He's tempted to steal a "glance" to see whether there's a soul present here, but it would be a bit too obvious now. ]

[ he seems fairly oblivious to Sebastian's intrigue. As long as he doesn't try and attack him, Melan doesn't mind what he's thinking. He's aware that he's an oddity to most humans - and, as far as his biological scanners can tell, Sebastian is a human. ]

Servant? [ he knows the technical definition, but not its context in human culture. ] Do you mean ALASTAIR?

Oh, no. I do not serve them in the slightest, since I would hardly consider coercion quite the same.

[ He laughs gently, so he doesn't seem terribly bothered by that, but make no mistake. He does. He's very butthurt. ]

The way you say it, it sounds as if you are unfamiliar with servants as a concept, almost!

[ you're just mad because you were separated from your mcnuggets ]

Servants are people that serve others, [ replies Melan helpfully. In other words, Sebastian is right... kind of. ] That is not what you do?

[ 100% true though ]

[ The response is so simple that it gets Sebastian to laugh, but it's not malicious at all. It's actually rather warm still, and he just elaborates just as helpfully. ]

Well, that is true... But it is a bit more complex than that.

[ Out comes another arrow, and this one Sebastian waves back and forth almost playfully. ]

I am sworn to the service of a young man, so his will is my will. It is my duty to be certain that all his wishes are realized.

[ there's another small grunt as Sebastian pulls the offending object out of him, and the way he proceeds to waggle it actually gives Melan a small tugging feeling of something in his temples - but he doesn't know what irritation is, so it floats on by without action. The battlefield isn't the place to ask about things like that, especially not from a stranger.

His words ring familiar, though. ]

... Your duty... I understand. I have someone like that, too. [ but it's not a service he's sworn to perform - not anymore. ] I made a promise that I would protect her, and stay at her side. But...

[ perhaps surprisingly, some emotion actually seeps into his voice. He sounds sad. ]

[ Sebastian almost wants to laugh, since by the emotion in Melan's voice, he knows that he's absolutely misunderstood what Sebastian meant. Not that he's complaining, since that deception is absolutely Sebastian's intent with such soft, seemingly loyal words, but still. Every time he encounters people sympathsizing or even admiring him for his seemingly unwavering loyalty to Ciel, he finds it terribly amusing.

In part, he wants to know what it would be like if such people found out the truth.

Not that it would matter terribly, which is why he bows his head with a gentle smile. Without the young master at his side, the impact would surely be lessened, so what fun would that be? ]

But ALASTAIR has seen that we would not stand by those we are sworn to protect for the time being.

[ He finishes that trailed off sentence smoothly, but Sebastian at least gives a genuine seeming smile of sympathy. ]

So we will have to work hard, yes? It seems that is how we will return...

[ naturally, Melan doesn't have the slightest clue that there's anything amiss. He nods once with a small noise of assent. ]

Yes. That's why I must complete the mission they've given me. It's important that I return to Marin.

[ even if the immediate danger is gone - it's still important. He needs to be there. More than that, he wants to be there. With her. ]

I want to finish the current task soon.

And it is important that I return to my young master, so I do understand the concern.

[ He smiles at Melan once he pulls out that last arrow, and he smiles a bit more cheerfully. He gives the arrow a little wave before he tosses it away. ]

So since we are at least of the save mind, we may as well work together, yes? There is quite a lot to be said for an increase of efficiency when two people are focused on the same goal. We could be quite the team, I would guess!

[ he does feel a slight sense of camraderie. Here is someone else that's going through the same thing he is - that understands the importance of having someone that must be protected. Melan wonders if he feels the same strange feeling inside, this sort of dull, hollow ache that makes his arms feel heavy. But it's not the time to ask about it, and, strangely, Melan finds that he doesn't exactly want to talk about it with someone he doesn't know well. It feels important. ]

That would be more efficient, [ he agrees. ] I was focusing my efforts on destroying the runes. If two people search for them, we'll find them more quickly.

[ Well, he does feel a dull, hollow ache, but it's just not in his chest. It's definitely in his stomach... So it's probably a good thing Melan doesn't think to talk on it more, since he would have his illusions shattered about his new comrade... Though to the topic of the runes, Sebastian smiles as if he has an idea. ]

Well, if that is the problem, we may be able to be quite efficient. I can pinpoint their locations relatively easily, but accessing them and destroying them can be troublesome... But not for you.

[ He nods as he continues. ]

So, allow me to find them, and you can take care of the rest?

[ sebastian no... ]

Okay. [ that actually is a good plan; Melan can destroy them really easily, but has no way of finding them other than searching with blind luck. He nods. ] Let's do that. I do not think there can be many left.

[ with the arrows out of the way, he unfurls his wings again, floating up a few inches above the ground once more. Point the way, demon buddy. ]

Not too many, I do not think.

[ Sebastian watches with interest as Melan unfurls his wings, even smiling with some sort of fascinated delight, but he doesn't let it show quite as openly as he's feeling. It really is interesting! But. There's work to be done, so he'll stick to that. He starts to walk forward, but it turns into a sprint as he heads towards one of the high walls. It seems like he's looking to jump it, which would seem absurd, and yet with an easy bend of his knees, he makes an elegant leap to land right on that wall's ledge with ease. He glances around, then nods as he points to the left. ]

There is one just there, on the support of the stone.

[ He's pointing at some generic architectural detail, but the run is hidden on its underside. ]

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