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

[darkbarrage]

[ er...

riku follows suit, bowing his head to her in turn. he tries to smile, but it's lackluster. ]

I'm... Riku. Three months and you're still not home?

[ ... what does this mean for sora? what does this mean for the rest of the worlds if they don't have their hero? he can't stay here for longer than a year, everything'll be messed up! he clears his throat and shakes his head, trying to release himself from internal panic. ]

Pearl--like the gemstone? [ his eyes flit up to her forehead and then back down to her eyes. ]

[beyourrock]

Yes, that's correct. I'm not sure how long we're stuck here for but, at least we're kept preoccupied.

[Pearl nods, and looks up at her gem, which glows gently.]

Yes, that's what I am. Basically.

[darkbarrage]

Basically?

[ his eyes widen a fraction when he notes the soft glow that shines off of the gem, and one of his hands comes to his mouth, a bent knuckle against his lips. ]

So that's why I couldn't sm--sense you.

[beyourrock]

[She's used to that kind of reaction by now. Back home, people were rather dismissive as to what they were, but here, people were more surprised.]

What you see here is a projection with mass. [Pearl gestures to herself before her gem dims.]

It helps me interact with others, obviously.

[darkbarrage]

Mm--is that the only form you can take, if you're a projec--

[ he freezes, the tang of metal and fire hitting his nose, sharp enough that he can almost taste it. ]

They're getting closer. I dunno if we can get out of here without running.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl perks right up, her eyes alert, renewing her hold on her sword. Swallowing thickly, she glances back to Riku and the old woman.]

Do you think you can carry her? I can try and hold them back as you run ahead.

[darkbarrage]

I can carry her.

[ he nods sharply ahead, before glancing to pearl. ]

I'll come back to help. How're you gonna hold up?

[beyourrock]

I'll be just fine. I'm more than just some rock.

[She offers him a reassuring smile over her shoulder as they come upon the guards he had spoken about earlier.]

You should get going.

[darkbarrage]

[ he chuckles, kneeling down and inviting the old woman into his arms, carefully settling her bridal style. it's really the only way he knows how to carry people. ]

I didn't think you were.

[ in a flash of darkness, riku closes his eyes, and then glances back to pearl with a sharp nod, darting forward.

he's quicker than the guards, darting past them as they shout and start after him. ]

[beyourrock]

[And the old woman easily obliges being carried off. Pearl rushes ahead, to get in between the guards and Riku, facing them head on.

Swords clash, and attacks are blocked. Pearl sweeps down low, knocking a few down with her foot, parrying blows with her sword, and dodging the guard's haphazard strikes. She even swings in a punch or two, sending a few of them flying back.

But soon one is left, built from head to toe in thicker armor than the rest. And in a few minutes, he has Pearl flat on her back, her sword having fallen away from her. She winces, trying to get back up to her knees and retrieve her sword as the man approaches.]

[darkbarrage]

[ it takes him a few minutes to set the woman down and get her with some ALASTAIR members to be safely escorted away (why is she giving him a kiss on the cheek??? ugh, old ladies are weird.)

he races back in to get back to pearl's side, and once he sees (smells, really) the man up ahead, he nearly disappears in his quickness, to bodycheck him so he lands a little bit away and flat on his back. he grips onto his shoulder with a bit of a haggard breath before he turns back to her, and extends his hand once she's got a grip on her sword. ]

You alright?

[beyourrock]

[Pearl looks up to see Riku, not having seen the attack Riku unleashed upon the man. She blinks a little, looking from the man, and back to the young boy. But she takes up his hand and smiles up at him, pulling herself up.]

Yes, I'm fine.

[She looks to the guard, flat on his back.]

Did... Did you do that?

[darkbarrage]

[ he blinks when she questions him, glances to the side at the guard who's still struggling to get up after the breath knocked out of him, and looks back to her. ]

Well... yeah. You had my back, I've got yours.

[ he just gives her a firm nod as he summons his blade. ]

[beyourrock]

[She smiles back at him. There was more to this young man than he seemed. And that blade of his... That could be discussed at another time. None the less, Pearl stands up tall, looking at the guard.]

Let's take this guy out together then, hm?

Well, at least, knock him out.

[darkbarrage]

[ rubbing his shoulder tenderly, riku gives her another nod before shifting into his solid stance. ]

Ready. He threw you down-- [ he shoots her a glance with a quirk of his mouth. ] You get the first strike.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl smiles a little wider before she narrows her gaze on the man, who is finally up on his feet.

When he looks up, he sees a sword swinging for his middle. In his hand, he has a rather large shield, which deflects her attack easily enough. Pearl tries to sneak in a good strike, but that shield is pretty imposing. From the front, anyways.]

[darkbarrage]

[ hmm, that shield is a problem. for a moment, he steadies himself, and then there's the sound of a rip through air. the guard looks up to see riku disappear into a swirling abyss of darkness...

--to emerge right behind the guard. he meets pearl's eye briefly with a quirked smile before he tilts his head to the side, silently gesturing for her to stay out of the immediate area. with a sharp burst of light, riku brings his blade in a sweeping arc, knocking the man forward with deliberate force. he's gotta drop something, he figures. if he doesn't, he's in a more open space so both of them can fight against him now. ]

[beyourrock]

[Pearl smiles as she takes a large step back. The man, surprised, does indeed drop his shield. His sights are then set on the young man, fingers flexing as he lashes out towards him, to snatch him up.

But he's soon on his back once more, thanks to Pearl's long sweeping leg, sending his ankles flying uselessly into the air, landing with a raspy grunt. Pearl stands straight, as she sees the man starting to gather his bearings and stand as well.]

Riku! Knock him out!

[The guy seemed to have a lot of stamina...]

[darkbarrage]

[ startled briefly when pearl calls for him, he ducks his head down with a sharp noise of agreement, rushing towards the man. the guard just gets to the feet when riku's a few inches away, raising the hilt of his blade.

he reaches out to grab hold of riku's throat and riku only barely manages to dodge with a gasp, twirling away on the tips of his feet like he's walking on air. he swerves sharply and slams the butt of his blade against the guard's temple, and he falls like a bag of bricks, riku slightly out of breath. ]

[beyourrock]

[Seeing that hand reach for his throat, Pearl rushes in, her heart pounding against her chest as she does so. But Riku dodges, and in the next instant, the man crumbles to the ground.

Pearl stops herself from stepping onto the large man and looks up at Riku, out of breath herself, hair haphazard. She does offer him a reassuring smile and a small chuckle.]

You're quick on your feet!

[She compliments as she leans against her sword a little.]

[darkbarrage]

[ his cheeks heat up a little and riku leafs a hand through his hair, embarrassed. he's worked so hard on his skills, it's kind of nice to have a little recognition... ]

Thanks. I-it's not that big of a deal.

[ he raises his eyes to hers and smiles. ]

You were pretty quick yourself. I haven't seen anyone move like that before.

[beyourrock]

Of course it's a big deal! That was incredible.

[She steps over the unconscious man to stand beside Riku, admiring his blade for a moment.]

Why thank you, Riku. That's sweet of you to say. Now, I believe we should head back into town while we still can. Wouldn't want to be caught up in any more of these battles. I've been fighting enough for one day.

[Plus, she wants to get Riku somewhere safe and sound.]

[darkbarrage]

[ her insistence that it is a big deal makes him a little redder, but he does laugh--it's shaky and still high on adrenaline, but it's one nonetheless.

her eyes cast to his blade, and he awkwardly dismisses it--soul eater vanishes in a mix of violets and blues. ]

Uh--yeah. That's right.

I don't think there's many people left, anyway. [ with that, he pulls his hood back up, stepping beside her. but then, he bows his head. ]

After you.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl laughs, covering her mouth to muffle it as her own blade disappears in a flurry of sparkles.]

Why thank you!

[She bows her head, but she knows he's doing it just to be nice. Plus, she'll lead the way to get him into town.]

We'll get you settled in, Riku, for the time being at least. Do you think you'll have enough coinage to last you a while?

[darkbarrage]

Coin... age?

[ eh? oh-- ]

Money? Uh--no, I just got here... I'll figure something out.