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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Earthbender? [ She's never heard of it before, but honestly, the word is pretty self explanatory. ] That's so fucking cool! Okay, so...

[ She scans the immediate area, then points to one particular guard who looks on his way to menace an escaping bunch of whatever that group was they were supposed to be rescuing. ]

Him! Can you get him from here?

[ He juts his chin out when she issues him the challenge, body language making it quite clear that he doesn't think much of it. Bolin had always been rather confident of his bending (issues with metalbending aside), and his ego had only received a boost with the activities back home: managing to hit P'li's third eye, and discovering that he could lavabend.

So he shows off a little; rolling his shoulder, one after the other and aiming a grin at her. ]

Well...

[ He trails off, looking rather please as his foot juts against the ground, a pebble coming up to hover in front of Bolin as he takes aim, one hand held out in the shape of an L to help his aim, and the other held back in a fist. Barely a beat passes before he punches his fist forward, the pebble rocketing outward toward the guard, clipping him right on the side of his head.

But Bolin's not quite done. The pebble does enough to get the guard stumbling to the side, but Bolin doesn't take his eyes off of him, watching the movement of his body as the guard starts to move, intending to whirl around and looking for his attacker. Just as the guard turns, Bolin raises a column of rock up with a quick swipe of his palm, surging to land a solid hit against the other man's chest, knocking the air right out of him and sending him to the ground.

He leans back, hands on his hips. ]

Yeah, I guess so.

[ Show off. ]

[ The thing with the pebble wasn't bad, but the second part of that has her actually do a delighted whoop. There's just something really appealing about summoning huge chunks of rock to knock people around with. She laughs and moves in to sling an arm around Bolin's neck and shoulders like they're already besties. ]

Score, you fuckin' got him! He had no idea what hit him! [ One more laugh which fades away, unlike that arm around him. That's for keeps. ] What's your range on that shit?

[ They're definitely already besties. Bolin's posture relaxes considerably, an easy going expression like they aren't in the middle of the brawl. And at least, because it doesn't seem like they're anything but a couple of friends just enjoying the chaos, it doesn't draw too much attention to them - the guards far more preoccupied with hunting their fugitives down. ]

Probably as far as I can see? [ Looking thoughtful now, rubbing a hand over his chin. ] Depending on whether or not I can concentrate.

[ And as much as he likes talking about how awesome his bending is, he gives her an amused look. ]

Y'know, you're not all that bothered for someone that had a sword coming at them. Do you have superpowers too?

[ That's so great. He's so great. She made a friend that can hit people with huge rocks, how awesome is today? She laughs at his question though, delighted to remember that now this kind of conversation can go two ways. ]

Oh, good question. [ Demonstrations are always the best kind of answer. So she shifts that arm around his neck, moving in and ducking for a second, looking up scoop him up entirely — and effortlessly. This guy, whoever he is, deserves a full-on princess carry, as easy as if she'd scooped up a large pillow. With a grin: ] What do you think?

Wha—

[ Well, this has never really happened before—though that's not entirely true, Mako had thrown Bolin over his shoulder a couple of times. But Bolin certainly hadn't been princess carried like this before. His immediate response is to just stare at her in wonder at first, because it doesn't look like it's causing Ramir any stress.

Wow?? ]

Youre... [ He's so impressed! ] You're seriously strong!

Yeah, I am, thanks for noticing.

[ And for a sarcastic answer, she actually looks pretty pleased by the praise. She gives him a twirl before setting him down again — mostly because a guy with a sword seems to have taken interest and is heading over. She was gonna point him out for a good rocking, but another opportunity to show off occurs to her. ]

And I'm insanely durable, too. Wanna see?

[ It takes Bolin a moment to settle back on his feet, only barely dizzy from the experience of being spun around. He notices the approaching guard however, and one of his fists goes up in battle stance when Ramir makes her offer.

Bolin's not normally the type of guy that would ask others to risk harm for his entertainment, but she does seem pretty confident. ]

Sure!

[ Besides, he's here for backup. ]

[ Alright, nice, full clearance to show off. She heads out to meet the guard, who after doubtless having seen some of the fighting the recruits are capable of, is understandably a little hesitant of a confident, unarmed kid. But Ramir makes no sudden moves and pulls out no weird magic, so he pulls back his sword and rushes forward. She reaches out a bare hand to catch the blade easily, and laughs at his startled face. ]

Look at this guy! [ That's back over her shoulder at Bolin, with a delighted grin. ] He kinda looks like he's gonna cry.

[ A fresh idea occurs to her and she squeezes her hand, twisting — the blade twists as easily as a paper prop version would, then snaps off. Nice, she hadn't actually been sure that would work. ]

Oh, shit, sorry. [ She offers the mangled blade out to the guy, who is hastily backing up a few paces. ] You want this back?

[ (is she cool yet, she hopes so) ]

[ That.

Is so cool.

Bolin's jaw nearly hits the ground, eyes almost as wide as the terrified guard now staring at the mangled remains of his sword.

Dismissing the threat of the now thoroughly trumped guard, Bolin almost hops a little as he starts approaching Ramir, excited and completely impressed. ]

Wow! Are you made of metal or something? That's so—

[ Except that sad, young city guard, miserable in the face of such power, apparently decides screw it all and rear up his anger for one more attack, this time his bare hands going for Ramir's neck. ]

[ She's all ready to soak up the praise and not even bother with the thoroughly intimidated guard, most of her attention back on Bolin again, so that one last attack actually goes pretty well. Both hands wrap around her throat, and as soon as her air cuts off, panic sets in.

It's not exactly a precise or impressive attack, mostly Ramir just throws out an arm and shoves. But it's a shove with strength behind it that even she hasn't quite fully realized yet, and the guard goes flying. He goes straight through the brick wall that had had the audacity to stand in the way, ending up out of sight in the dark of a shop interior. Ramir stares after him with wide eyes, culprit hand still up and the other one at her throat. ]

Oh, shit. Did I kill him? [ because that would be a really stupid first murder ]

[ Close combat isn't really Bolin's forte, so he's in the process of clumsily moving forward to assist, caught between using his bending and his hands to help her. It's probably a good thing that she didn't need him, in the end, because Bolin bodily tackling the pair wouldn't have ended things too neatly.

Though he does hope, as he stares in the direction that the guard flew off in, that things hadn't been "ended" permanently.

He gulps, his own feelings on killing others murky and generally unpleasant. ]

Uh, should we check?

[ She stares after the hole the guy made, hesitating. Her cool, competent image would totally not care if she accidentally snapped that guy's neck, it was totally his fault for trying anything in the first place. But Ramir's pretty sure she can't just not know. So after a quick and uncertain glance at Bolin, she starts forward. ]

Yeah, I guess. [ There's a million reasons not to give a shit, least among them that there's still other opponents around. But nothing trumps that she has to know. She makes a face as she draws nearer. No sign of movement yet, but it's still dark in there. Under her breath: ] Oh god, that asshole better stand up again with a killer headache.

[ The destruction of wall seems to be warning enough to keep most people from poking their noses in; they're smart enough not to want to have a tussle with whoever it was that could cause so much damage. If Bolin wasn't so focused on the status of Ramir's victim, he might've spared a moment to be impressed at her brutal strength.

Instead, he peers in after her, gingerly stepping inside, trying not to trip on any stray bricks, and frowning somewhat at the damaged wares and furniture.

But better things be scuffed than lives be lost, and he doesn't slow as he nears the body of the guard, further in but easy to find. It is dark, no candles or lanterns to light the shop, and barely any light following them in from the outside. It's a good thing then, that Bolin doesn't need light to hear the jagged breaths of the guard. ]

He's alive!

[ Said, a little too loudly, with enthusiasm that couldn't see the battered state the man's head and back were, blood still pooling from the gashes in his scalp. ]

[ Her breath out is an audible whoosh of relief, and she doesn't want to head in one step further to verify it for herself. Sure, she just met this guy, but it's already obvious she can trust him for this much, that he wouldn't arbitrarily lie. And she can probably trust his judgment too, right? Right. It's all fine. ]

That's all I need, he's on his own for the hospital bills.

[ Her smile is a little too bold and confident, but she's always been big on that fake it 'til you make it school of thought. This time when she goes to sling an arm around Bolin's neck and shoulders it's to move them back out again as soon as possible. ]

So anyway, looks like that's one down!

[ And then, Bolin's left somewhat conflicted. On one hand, he's been in fights before; his brother lashing forward with strokes of fire, and Bolin attacking with solid heaps of rock. Both were lethal, and dangerous. But Bolin had never killed anyone. Even if he had broken bones or rendered people unconscious, they'd never bled out.

And Ramir seems pretty confident and nonchalant about it, the kind of big personality that Bolin could follow around pretty easily. She's even taking the initiative to lead him, arm around his neck so that he can happily comply.

They are in the middle of a jailbreak after all, people are going to get hurt. ]

He might die if you leave him there. [ He says, like it's a casual fact, despite the uncertainty of concern in his voice. But once he's spoken, his resolve solidifies a little more. ] I think he's bleeding a lot.

[ His gaze keeps steady on her expression, wondering if she'll ignore him and leave. ]

[ She pauses, her exaggerated good cheer pausing along with her. She was really hoping he wouldn't say anything like that. She could totally just leave without a second thought and pretend everything was fine — after all, she doesn't even know that guy. It's not her business.

But he could die. ]

It'd be his fucking fault. He attacked me.

[ She straightens with a scowl, pulling her arm back from his shoulders, and turns to head back inside again. Goddammit, she couldn't just happily be on her way, he had to go and point it out. ]

[ Bolin tends to avoid disagreements and arguments, so when Ramir snaps back her response, he wonders how to cajole her into helping the guy out.

So when she walks back in, it's a relief. ]

This town's not that big, it'll be easy to drop him off somewhere.

[ It's a lucky thing that Bolin's seen enough brawls at this point to know where to find the medic. This particular brawl isn't townwide like the previous one had been as well, so it should be easier to slip away from the commotion.

He peers over at the body. ]

Maybe we'll make a friend on the inside.

Edited 2015-12-18 01:40 (UTC)

[ She'd taken a few seconds just to look down at the guy, trying to decide if there's any broken bones she'd make worse by picking him up. He seems more or less intact, just sort of... bloody and unconscious. ]

Yeah, maybe. [ That's a really good point, actually. She'll have to remember to check in on this guy later.

She scoops to pick the guard up, similar to how she'd scooped Bolin up, but much more carefully. Then with a glance over to Bolin: ] You seem like you've been here longer. Where am I taking him?

There's a scientist in the residential area. [ He starts explaining, picking up the pace and looking around them as they exit the building again. ] He's kind of zany, but he knows about patching up wounds, so he'll probably be able to take care of it.

[ Luckily the town isn't as big as Republic City, so they should be able to make good time on unloading the guard if they just hurry, and stay out of trouble. ]

I'll make sure no one bothers us, so just follow me.

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EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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