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

[winces]

It's my fault, really, I'm so sorry to have confused you...
But essentially I just wanted to offer food and shelter for anyone of us that may need it.
Do you?

[ninmu]

There is nothing to apologize for.

I am hungry. [ which is... a yes? ]

[winces]

Is that a yes...

[ she'll take that as a yes. ]

Well I've made some stew, if you like!
You aren't allergic to anything, are you...?

[ninmu]

Yes. Thank you.

What is "allergic?"

[winces]

Oh! Um... Sometimes the body rejects certain things.
Food allergies are when you eat or drink something, but your body can't handle it, so you can sometimes break out into hives or worse be unable to breathe!
So it's really important I know about it, so we don't endanger you.

[ninmu]

I see. Then I have no allergies as long as the food contains no poison or toxins.

[winces]

I wouldn't, don't worry! I just want to help.

[ninmu]

Understood.

Where are you?

[winces]

I have a room on the third floor of the Abel Inn! Do you know where that is?

[ninmu]

Yes. However, it is run by humans. They will not be happy to see me in their building.

[winces]

Oh... I forgot to consider that, I'm sorry...
Um. Where are you staying, then? I can take some food out to you!

[ninmu]

I do not stay in one particular place. Currently, I am by the central temple in the goblin outskirts.

[ hm. there's a pause before his next line of text while he thinks. If she comes to him, she probably can't bring as much food ....... ]

The humans don't bother me. If necessary, I can defend myself.

[winces]

Oh no, don't to that!

[ the last thing she wants is more fighting... ]

Tell me where you are, and I'll come find you with a disguise!
That way I can bring you back with no problem!

[ninmu]

[ a disguise?? he doesn't think that will work... but what does he know. ]

Okay. Like I said, I am by the temple in the outskirts. It will be difficult to miss me.

[winces]

[ YOU KNOW NOTHING, JON SNOW ]

I'll see you soon!

[ and that'll be the last he'll hear of her for a while... at least until he sees a cloaked figure jogging up towards the temple, her presence announced by the light jingling of hanging metal coins around her hips. ]

[ninmu]

[ both of them cleverly manage to avoid giving each other any actual description of what they look like (nice job, team), so Melan actually doesn't quite notice her; there are a lot of people running around, though admittedly, most are goblins. The sound of her jewelry is all that gets his attention, and he looks up at her - but he doesn't recognize her as Olivia, exactly.

That said, the nearly-seven-foot-tall insect-like android sitting on the ground definitely sticks out a little bit in medieval goblin land. ]

[winces]

[ yeah, so olivia doesn't know what it is she's looking for... but given that melan is the only non-goblin milling about that the moment, she goes ahead and makes an Educated Guess. ]

...um?

[ she comes a bit closer, hands clasped over her chest in a nervous gesture. ]

Are you waiting for somebody...?

[ninmu]

[ as she approaches, he continues to stare at her with those unblinking red eyes of his, which probably don't help the nerves much. He's halfway anticipating an attack or a mean remark, but they don't come, thankfully. ]

Yes. [ a pause. ] Are you the one with the shells?

[winces]

[ her cheeks burn crimson at that, reminded of her failed attempt as espionage. ]

Um... yes, I'm Olivia. I really don't have shells, though...

[ sorry to disappoint?! ]

[ninmu]

I know. It was a code.

[ it's not clear if he's just restating a fact or being clever with her. Either way, with her identity confirmed, he gets back up to his feet with a sound of shifting hydraulics and metal. ]

My name is Melan. A living weapon Monomakia.

[winces]

[ she blinks a bit, unsure how to take his words either. they're spoken so matter-of-factly that the lack of any intonation throws her a little. but she isn't too terribly inclined to think badly of others, so she grants him the benefit of the doubt and responds, instead, with a weak little laugh.

she shrinks back a little when he rises to his full height, thrown once more. it's... still rather weird to be speaking to what looks to her like a machine, but clearly isn't only that. ]

Um. It's nice to meet you, Melan. I'm Olivia... [ a pause. ] A dancer?

[ "living weapon" though.... that doesn't sound very friendly. ]

[ninmu]

[ no need to worry, he's harmless unless you get in the way of The Mission(TM). ]

Olivia. [ a nod. He's obviously completly oblivious to the fact that she's a little bit scared of him. ] What's a dancer?

[ he's oblivious to a lot of things... ]

[winces]

[ sweats ]

Oh — do you not have dancers in your world?

[ well that's a good way to distract her, at least. her eyes are wide, a look of curiosity and — maybe even a bit of pity on her expression. do they even have music?! ]

A dancer is someone who moves to the rhythm of music, usually for a performance.

[ninmu]

Ah. [ he sounds like he remembered something. ] Okay. I understand now.

[ that's probably what Marin and Moe were doing that one time... ]

I don't know. I haven't seen them before. But my friends danced before, I think.

[winces]

Did they tell you about it?

[ but now olivia is curious. there are so many different worlds out there, and yet she had just assumed everyone had music and dancing... ]