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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[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. ]

[The last time something like this had happened is still too fresh in Sieglinde's mind to not scare her- let alone the fear of their current situation. When Ciel had first explained to her about his land, explained the concept of "police", she'd imagined them something like knights- but the ones of this world... Maybe they were just as afraid, maybe they really were just cruel... But she had seen nothing but pain from dealing with them.

She's glad when Sebastian runs, keeping her head down and making herself as small as she could, remembering the sound of tank fire exploding through the forest and bullets whizzing past her head, the dead drop from the cliff, the frantic escape by train, Wolfram's face when he was shot-

Sieglinde didn't realize she was breathing too fast, heart pounding in her chest, fingers desperation tight on Sebastian's shoulder until the apothecary came into view, until they were up the stairs to the second floor flat she called both "home" and "sick ward" in this world. With a shaky hand she gestured to be let down into the chair near her work desk, willing herself to relax, to calm down.

It was alright. They were safe now.]

Sebastian, if you could let her sit down-

[On the bed was best, but she turned first to take stock of her supplies, reaching out to begin plucking vials out, steadying her breath and her hands as she did so. Focus. She had a patient, now wasn't the time-]

What is your name?

[Patients felt more comfortable with names, so she latched on to that.]

[ It happens so quickly, suddenly they were moving and Alice had her eyes clamped shut, stuffing her fears and discomfort down below. Eventually, it was easier for Alice to disconnect altogether. Without as much of a fuss, she had gone still. A hitch in her breath and tears nearly brimming in the corner of her eyes, she decided to leave her body. She had gone silent the whole way, numb and distant, with awkward hands clinging to this man.

It was such a stupid idea. But as Alice started to retreat to the corners of her mind, her father's face came to mind. Again, she could hear his voice, she was being held in his arms as he read to her. The book was more than entertainment, it was the only thing she had of her father. The better days, back to her father reading to her, and explaining his photography to her. Alice was small again and was with her family, out of reality.

"Come now, Alice, it's only a dream."

She was down, seemingly falling back into reality with her ears ringing. Just like that, Alice was almost like any other asylum patient. It was like a switch, snapping out of her memories and back into reality. Her head was spinning and in the clouds.

Green eyes glazed over, Alice doesn't respond. The loss of blood and momentary dissociation creeping up on her, she slumps forward, just a bit. She heard a voice -- her name. It's not the voice of a doctor, it's of a little girl. Alice was starting to remember bits of what happened.

She snaps out of it rather quickly, her green eyes snapping open and taking in her surroundings. She was asking for her name, wasn't she? ]

Alice Liddell.

Of course.

[ Sieglinde is set down in the chair first, since it's easier to do so. He's more familiar with handling her, and Sieglinde is also the one to really take care of things in this situation anyways. Sebastian didn't actually know too much about doctoring other than what he had learned to tend to Ciel, so he easily defers to her expertise here. He had trusted her with Ciel, which was far more trust than she would know, so he had respect for her ability and confidence in them.

He moves to the bed as directed, and he sets Alice down to sit with care. He's still extremely careful with how he moves her, since he does know that being handled in such a way wasn't something any human seemed to like. Sieglinde had the most agreeable reaction, certainly, but she was well used to it long before she had met Sebastian. As he pulls back, his gaze flickers towards Alice's, and that faraway gaze doesn't escape his notice. He knows that sort of look. He had always known it, since the circumstances that would call a demon to the world of humans begets this look. But he had never seen it so much as in his young master, and though stubbornness and chilly receptions were something he could jokingly ascribe to his young master, this was a bit different.

But it's a detail that's tucked away and nothing more.

Sebastian pulls back respectfully with a bow of his head, and he retreats to help Sieglinde as she collects what she needs. He'll help her walk around, which is why he comes to her side to offer his hand for balance, but she might catch his reaction as Alice gives her name. His eyes widen in surprise, since he recognizes it, undoubtedly. That name was almost like a minor celebrity, after all. He doesn't actually say anything to it, but the light surprise and recognition is clear. ]

[This is familiar, it's grounding- it pulls her from the memories of the past and back to the present, to the task at hand. There is a young woman named Alice Liddell who needed medical attention. Her spell had sealed the deepest part of the wound and stopped the bleeding, but she should still cleanse and bandage what she could- perhaps even stitches for good measure...

With her return to work comes the return of steadiness, calm, and her fingers slowly stop shaking as she directs Sebastian to fetch this or bring those bandages, taking his skillfully made offers of aid to sway her way over to the bed, to be sat beside Alice- the reaction to the name noted but not brought up. (Yet.)]

Alice, I am Sieglinde Sullivan... I will finish treating your wound now that we are safe.

[There was something about the distant look in the other girl's eyes that made her concerned, keeping her voice slow and soothing, reaching to gently pull the fabric of Alice's dress away from the wound, moving to tuck the slit open fabric out of the way to let her see the damage unfettered.]

Sebastian, if you would boil some water, please-

[ Shifting a bit, Alice discards her cloak off of her shoulders, setting her satchel with her book peaking by her side. There is something ironic about it having flecks of her own blood on the surface of "Le Mort D'Arthur", now that she thinks about it. Centered again, Alice does what she can to straighten herself out, pulling her long hair out of her face.

As soon as she hears the comment about boiling water, she becomes nervous. Magic to tend to wounds was something that she was much more willing to accept than actual medical treatment. Eyes bouncing between Sieglinde and Sebastian, Alice starts to become visibly nervous. ]

Boil water? For what?

[ For his part, Sebastian just obediently tends to the work assigned to him. He hasn't been addressed, and since he's taken on the role of Sieglinde's butler for the time being, he certainly won't break a social etiquette by rudely introducing himself.

Though he notices that Alice hesitates, Sebastian doesn't stop preparing water to boil. Even if she ultimately refuses, he thinks that he'll probably use it for tea if nothing else. That's simply how he tends to think, since he's always prepared for every situation... Though he is interested to see just how Sieglinde will handle this, admittedly. When he had been in a similar situation, he had gotten frustrated enough to scare Ciel into losing some of that stubbornness, so.

She'll do a better job, certainly. ]

To purify the needle.

[Sieglinde answered the question as she'd been asked first, taking a moment after she'd moved the sliced clothing out of her way to observe Alice's behavior in silence. Despite how blunt and altogether socially inept the girl could be in other situations, her bedside manner was far more mature than her age belied- after all, she had been the Green Witch, and the Green Witch's duty was to heal others.

And there was definitely a nervousness in the older girl that she doubted came from simply this wound here. Something that put her on edge... So she would do what she could to soothe those concerns.]

I will apply this potion first to cleanse you, then apply an ointment to dull the pain.

[She pulled on the chatelaine wrapped around her waist, grabbing the end of the chain and the delicate glass vial at the end of it, holding it out in her hands if Alice wished to inspect it.]

Then I will seal your wound and apply a salve to speed the healing. You needn't worry.

[It really was medical in nature, though it was garbed in the terminology of magics. Sieglinde's voice held no hint of that being a conscious effort to decieve or patronize, however- she had learned her sciences as magic, and it was the only words she had for what she did.]

[ She isn't sure which is worse -- to have a child tend to her or to have a needle to her skin. Alice glances away, drawing a sigh to herself. She's thankful, at least, that this part of her body doesn't have any sort of burn scars. In any event, Alice doesn't want to explain her obvious discomfort with medical procedures. I rational part of her comes to the conclusion that it's nothing like leeches or shock therapy.

Alice had a strong tolerance to pain, not once complaining about the pain of her wound or fretting over the loss of blood. Ointment or not, Alice was more concerned about being treated by someone younger than her, uneasy green eyes still watching her.

She says not to worry, but Alice can't help but worry.

"Why not? Asylum doctors are no different."

It was true, it wasn't as if they knew what they were doing to begin with and Alice was sure they made it up as they went along. Thankfully, Sebastian is here, because without an adult, Alice may have kicked up more of a storm. ]

Very well, then.

[ Really, she wasn't in much of a position to turn her away. ]

[It was good enough for Sieglinde.

Despite her age, her experience would show through now that they were in the safety of her workshop, without the threat of discovery or violence that kept her nervous and scared. This was a simple matter- there was no danger any longer of bleeding out, but for the sake of infection, and recovery...

As she'd told Alice, the first thing she does is apply the "potion", a clear liquid that would sting slightly, froth a bit along the edges of the wound, but leave it clean. After dabbing gently at the skin to dry it, she then tugged on a glove and set about using the ointment, spreading it carefully along the edges of the wound- and then sitting back slightly to wait for it to take effect and the numbness to seep in, occasionally blotting at the injury to keep it from weeping, meanwhile.]

- Sebastian, please thread the needle.

[She waved over at where she kept her tools, then switching her gaze up towards Alice again. Keeping patients talking was always useful to gauge the state they were in... And the girls quietness was a bit suspect.]

You are very brave.

[Not... About the treatment, she wasn't trying to be condescending, but. Fighting in the prison break.]

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EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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