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

[bougy]

Andraste help me, I'd never consume something so atrocious, let alone keep it on my person. ( Which is true, and definitely tangentially related to the point. Another thing obliquely related is how, for a moment, she's impressed by how he managed to pronounce asterisks in the middle of words. ) Never heard of it. I'm from Kirkwall, though, where a friend of mine made these potions. Look, I'd take it show you it's safe, but I'm not harmed so it won't help. You don't have to take it if you won't want it. I'm not your mother.

( Who needs a bedside manner? She stares right back at him, her own eyes partially closed by how furrowed her brow is. Meanwhile, she turns back to his side and reaches out, almost as though she were going to put her palm on his wound, but she stops a centrimetre from contact and that's when her entire forearm flares with a light hazily hued blue.

It takes only an instant, and it won't properly remove an injury, but there's some restoration of his vitality and health. This isn't a painful experience but it might be a strange one--it feels like a rush of powerful pathos. Hawke can't say she knows how deep the wound really is nor that she'd be surprised if he can't account for it. Things and people tend to get broken and damaged in battle. )

There! Is walking at least any easier?

[naturallywavy]

_{[ Kirkwall? No idea. Maybe another planet for all he knows. Gintoki watches her arm as it glows a blue color— wow, great effects— but then he feels that sudden rush of vitality and it causes him to blink a few times. He's staring at her, lips parted in a bit of awe before he just points at her arm: ]}

Can something like that help me go Super Saiyan?
_{[ Oh. Right. Walking. Gintoki takes a few steps and he isn't staggering as much, so.. he keeps walking ahead until he looks over his shoulder at Hawke. ]}

You're from Dr*gon Qu*st. _{[ nope. Can't change his mind. Walking seems a bit easier now. ]}

[bougy]

( she's not expecting a thank you, or really much appreciation as healing-on-the-go is something she's used to, but she does pause a moment before walking to catch up with him. she has long legs so making up the difference only takes a step or two.

she holds up her arm, which is now normal. the only thing that remains active is her healing aura, which she maintains to help along his healing as long as there's no immediate danger.

in the meantime, she gives him a look. she is amused, and she's also sure he must be just a little touched. ) Not sure. No idea what that is. Usually healing doesn't make you go anything, maybe just a little faster.

You know...if that's another romance adventure novel about me, maybe, but I'd rather not hear about it. I can't believe people read those things, let alone publish them. Really.

[naturallywavy]

_{[ Thank yous are hard to get out of him, so don't take it personally. Gintoki doesn't question how she is doing this, but he isn't complaining either. Nice job being useful! ]}

Romance adventures..?
_{[ Gintoki purses his lips. ]}
All I get is XXX comics— usually with that guy I really hate. _{[ He is breaking the 4th wall and referencing doujinshi. ]}
Yeah, I can't believe it either, no matter how attractive people might think I am.

_{[ He glances over at Hawke again. Huh. Nice girl. He likes you, not like he'll open up to saying that so easily. ]}

Do you usually help people like this?

[bougy]

( Honestly, she's not bothered. It's her job to be useful, so it's good to be good at it. Presumably--hopefully--if she weren't she would be told and then be able to do it better.

She gives him a look, a little sympathetic, also a bit amused. Is she imagining what these comics might be like? She's trying not to, of course, personal dignity is a thing and she knows how awful it is to have your privacy violated, but who can completely overcome curiosity in the profane. At least some of the smut she's in has the illusion of literature. Or something. )

Do you just have hate sex, or a full on rivalmance? ( She's giving a bit of meta commentary of her own. ) Actually, maybe you shouldn't answer. I doubt you've read them.

( Then she smiles a bit, in a friendly way. She doesn't consider this helping, really, just being a good team player. She hasn't done anything out of the ordinary yet. ) I'm just doing my part. I think--there's something you need to do? Whatever it is that needs to be done before we can leave.

[naturallywavy]

You don't want to know what people draw us doing. People are weird and should just jam their ink pens up up their asses.

_{[ Apparently he has investigated it, as any self centered main character should.
Gintoki scoffs at the thought, but presses onward: ]}

They took something from me and I'm getting it back.

[bougy]

And the smutty authors can join them with their feathery quills. I'm sure that'd give them at least a little thrill, too.

( so everyone would win. in any case, she continues behind him, constantly on the lookout for any potential threats. )

I'll help you get it back. ( it comes out that easily: she's just that helpful, and anyway she's aiding him at this very moment now so why not. still, she quirks her brow a bit and can't help the quip that's coming. ) Assuming it's not your dessert they stole, of course.