epidemiology | EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Entry tags:

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( it's been a long time since he got to wander the wilds with his brother. in a way it is a welcome reprieve to everything else. if he stopped thinking and lived in the moment, the way a wolf did, he almost felt free from his past. almost. he was at least distant from it, traveling worn paths with no particular direction.

still, it's not surprising that having a wolf for company is very strange for most. the wolf hears Sakura before Graham does, ears perked upwards to spot her on the way down the trail. she's frightened of the wolf and the wolf shrinks backwards, ears flat, before he darts off back into the woods, seemingly disappearing; he's just a little skittish of strangers, especially after all the commotion of the jailbreak. )

It's all right, Sakura— you can come closer. It's safe, I promise. He won't hurt you. He's my friend, from home.

A friend? Oh.....

[If she actually stopped and thought about this for a moment she would figure it probably isn't so surprising to find wild animals in the woods. And after Kero, seeing his true form back home, a wolf isn't quite so intimidating. She just hadn't been expecting it and wondered for a second if it might be following. About to attack. Yet then he runs off, as Graham explains, or tries to.

Which is when she almost feels bad, biting her lip and looking to where the wolf ran off to.]

I didn't mean to scare him. I just hadn't expected.....I'm sorry. It's okay. You can come out, wolf-san.

( it's hard to hold it against her. wolves aren't particularly unexpected in the woods, there are worse sort of wildlife out here — why is she out here on her own, anyway? — and a wolf could be quite dangerous. his brother is not very, unless he needs to be. a little too tempered by human interaction, he always had been. it made him a weaker hunter in the end, but they had each other and that had been enough.

Graham moves to join her, and offers a hand. )

It's all right. He's just a little shy. ( it shouldn't take too terribly long of Graham being near Sakura for his brother to join them again. just a little patience. ) What's wrong? You're not out here by yourself, are you?

I guess. He doesn't know me. But I'm okay! I just wanted to check on you, after we helped free you from the prison.

[Well. He had mentioned he was staying out in the woods somewhere. She had had to wander and look for him, figuring especially if the guards were after him he could use some supplies, and would want to go somewhere where there were less people likely to mention seeing him at all.

She takes the offered hand though, easily accepting it and falling into reassuring him, wanting to assist him somehow the same way he and so many others have for her.]

( honestly, it reassures him a little that the wolf runs from strangers, at least ones that startle him. considering how he'd behaved in Storybrooke, it was hard to tell if he would behave as warily as he once did. and that's what he needs to do, to survive, if Graham can't be with him always. )

That's very nice of you. ( Graham manages a smile, even though things have not been the best for him, neither in the prison nor out of it. he doesn't like feeling contained, and there's little choice when he's a man on the run. he feels better here, in the woods, but he can't stay here any longer with the guards so frequently patrolling it. )

I'm all right. Glad to be out. ( that's an understatement. he doesn't intend to talk too much about his problems, especially not with Sakura. he can't tell if he's disappointed or not when he hears footsteps returning, the wolf curious why he hadn't run as well. )

See? I told you. Just a little shy. ( the wolf is keeping his distance and Graham isn't sure if he should call him closer. a wolf could be frightening to a girl. )

I'm sure everyone is. I'm just glad we were able to help!

[Regardless of the aftermath, getting everyone free was important, was the priority at the time, of course. She doesn't regret it. Of course their fellow ALASTAIR recruits deserve their freedom. Even now, she still wants to help those struggling as a result of being imprisoned.]

Ah! There you are, wolf-san. Hello.

[It's still a little intimidating, a wild animal approaching. But, well. It's a wolf. Not a ghost. So Sakura musters up her courage, bending down a little as if to beckon him over a bit closer. Trying to think of him as a larger dog of sorts.]

( Graham is still a little lost on the specifics on the jailbreak, having been trapped in a cell at the time. all he knows is someone with great magic had been recruited by fellow members to aide in the jailbreak. it had worked, the most important part, but surely being wanted by the guard was making it a great deal more difficult to manage his work for ALISTAIR.

the wolf clings to the trees, uncertain still. Graham is glad to see that he retains some of his instincts. he'll need those when he's on his own. the huntsman watches Sakura's face, trying to judge whether she is more afraid than curious, before he glances back to the wolf. even the silent approval is enough for the wolf to trot closer, ears still bent low in uncertainty. )

You don't have to be scared of him. ( Graham rubs a fond palm behind the wolf's ears, even as it tries to smell at the uncertain company from his side. ) We've been friends a long time, he and I. If you trust me, you can trust him.

[Sakura hasn't really had experience with pets. With animals, outside some wild ones like birds and some cats and dogs she sees around. She's never exactly afraid of them, but some part of her is cautious, aware she doesn't want to scare or anger them. Even as she is always eager to rush over and pet them when she does see them.]

I trust him. He just startled me, is all. I bet you're glad to have him back!

[She tentatively reaches, letting the wolf sniff at her hand before moving to pet him once he approaches closer.]

He's so soft!

I'm sure he did. You don't exactly see wolves roaming close to humans often.

( his brother is certainly unique, as wolves go. most wouldn't trust a human they'd never met to touch them, unless they had no ability to get away. as for this one, his brother just sniffs at Sakura's palm and sends a hesitant glance upwards for confirmation before quietly accepting the soft touches at his ears. )

I am glad. I'm not sure how he got here, but I'm very glad.

( as glad as he can be, without a heart. which one might argue isn't very much, yet any emotion at all is a welcome one for Graham. )

No. Not usually. And it isn't like wolves are like the giraffes where we can go see them in a zoo.

[At least, not at the zoo at home in Tomoeda, anyway. Wolves are rather wild creatures, after all. Which is partly why she seems to light up a little when Graham's companion allows her to get so close, to pet him almost as if he were a larger domestic dog.]

Of course. Anyone would be glad to have their friend. Whether it's a pet or a person. Even here....it's nice to have that...hm, familiar?

I don't think a wolf would be happy in a cage. ( he doesn't suppose any animal was content in a cage, honestly, he's not a fan of zoos... but that's not the point, not really.

he smiles a little at the awe on her face, and how pleased she seems to be to have met the wolf. even if it makes him nervous how bold his brother can be, Sakura is likely one of his favorite people he's met since becoming a part of ALISTAIR. he's glad that she likes the wolf. )

He's my brother, though I know that sounds strange. ( to a human, he might have said, if he were not both the huntsman and graham at once. it's not something he'd tell everyone but Sakura he trusts. he thinks she'll understand. it reminds him of the promise he made to her, and he tucks fingers into his jacket to pull out the whistle he made. )

Here. I've been meaning to give you this. I just couldn't, until... ( he was out of jail. he offers the whistle, fashioned in a charming shape seeing as he thinks Sakura might be fonder of it that way. ) If you ever need help, someone should hear it. Now that my brother is here, he might hear it better than anyone else. ( there's an innocence to Sakura that reminds him of Snow White. his brother had been willing to help the princess, he thinks that Sakura will merit the same. )

H-hoe? Your....brother?

[It can't be. Literal? Of course, some people call each other family even if they aren't related by blood. Because they are so close. Maybe that is what he means by saying the wolf is his brother?

Still, she's distracted at least a little from that with the reminder of the gift he had promised. The whistle. When he brings it out, she holds out her hands to accept it.]

Ah! Thank you! It's so cute....I will! Use it, if I'm in trouble.

( he means it as literally as one can. he was raised by wolves, the wolf is a part of his family. adoption is certainly something he believes in, and family doesn't need to involve blood. he and the wolf were family, the only family he had left.

he places it in her palms and offers a fleeting nod in agreement. )

Whenever you need someone, I'll listen for it. Even if I'm not the one to hear it, I'm sure someone will.

( it should help her out, at least he hopes it will. she may have magic but she's still a very small girl. if he can help see her safe, then he will. )

I'll use it. If not you, someone will hear and come help. I'm sure of it. Thank you. I'm sure it will come in useful. Though hopefully I won't need it.

[Still, better to be cautious and have it without needing something like this than being without when she is in trouble. So she accepts it, remembers him mentioning the idea and hadn't reminded him, hadn't rushed it. The whistle is clutched to her chest for a moment before she adds it around her neck with her key staff, the necklace used to communicate with everyone through ALASTAIR.]

You're welcome. I'm glad you like it.

( he had tried to make it charming for her, knowing who he was getting it for. it could be easily disregarded as a toy, but it'd play a long clear note if she ever tried to use it. someone would hear it, he had made sure of that.

he smiles a little, though it's small the fact it can be seen at all means something. he'll rest a little easier knowing she has something to help protect her. though she's right, he hopes she doesn't need it either. )

Now, have you ever played hide and seek? My brother loves hide and seek.

( at the mention of the game, the wolf even crouches into a position like he's ready to chase. he's much too like a dog for his own good. Graham should likely go back into hiding, but as he always seems to when he's around Sakura, he wants to make sure she's got a little bit of fun and good in the stress of being in Chantes as a part of ALISTAIR. )

I do!

[Even those small smiles are precious, especially with those who don't often smile, feel their lips curving upward in happiness. However small, however slight it might be in comparison to their neutral expression.

Which Sakura's own all but lights up as she giggles at the suggestion. Hide and Seek! She hasn't played that one in a while. She bends down in front of the wolf, turning to him.]

It's been a while since I played that game. But did you want to?

( the wolf wasn't quite as vocal as a dog. wolfs didn't really bark, but there was a rough rumble to mark his excitement. the wolf loved hide and seek, even though it was likely too easy for him to play with humans when he could smell them. the huntsman had played with him, a long time ago; his favorite game, and he hadn't played it in decades. suffice to say the wolf did look like he wanted to play. )

It's better to let him do the finding. He's not good at staying close when he hides. ( he got a bit excited and tended to run farther than a human could easily reach, and generally tired of the game before he could ever be found. ) Don't cheat, now, cover your eyes.

( the wolf obligingly settled down on his belly, covering his face with his paws. )

All right. He gets impatient fast, now, we'd better hide quickly.

[He does have a good point though. They probably shouldn't let the wolf go off too far. So it's probably better for her to hide with Graham in that regard, if only for the wolf's safety, as well as their own as they wouldn't thus need to tramp farther out looking for him. Merely needing to find a place to hide.]

Okay then! That's fine with me. Now we need to find somewhere to hide!

[After giggling a little as the wolf sits and covers his face as if he were counting, she takes Graham's hand and starts to hurry along, keeping an eye out for somewhere to hide. Hopefully in time before the wolf gets impatient and might start looking for them.]

( it's true that the wolf is not quite as patient, and also not exactly able to count like a human might. that meant it was hard to tell when he'd start looking, but Graham had always found that made the game a little more exciting. you never really knew when it was going to start, it made it all a bit more exciting.

Sakura's enthusiasm reminds him of himself, when he was younger. he'd used to love this game as a boy. he follows her and hints at a place they can duck for cover under a log. speaking will only give them away, whether she realizes that or not. )

[She's quiet, has enough experience with the game to know that actually speaking would give them away. So she follows, already excited and feeling the thrill of hiding, as she ambles after Graham to the log and crawls underneath with him.

Regardless, it might not really be enough to mask their scent, their tracks that the wolf might be able to follow. But even so, she can't help smiling and biting her lip as they wait to hear and see Graham's wolf find them.]

( playing hide and seek with a wolf is very much so a losing venture. the senses of a wolf completely outweigh those of a human. he'd always tried when he was a boy to hide from his family and sometimes they played along, circling around him as if they weren't sure where the boy could be hiding, and yet they always found him in the end with rumbly noises and soft licks.

it's nostalgic to be playing again, knowing full well that his brother hardly needs much to find them. he still keeps his hiding place and stays quiet, though, because Sakura seems delighted and that was the exact idea.

it's about five minutes before Graham himself starts to worry. did the wolf bore of the game? hear something treacherous? it's enough that he's tempted to tip his head out, concern overriding his desire to be playful. it's that exact moment that a white face and lolling tongue pop into view, before the wolf sits back with a pleased howl that he's won. )

It's not very fair, playing with a wolf. ( Graham still smiles, though, even though they've lost. )

[Sakura manages to wait, patient. After all there were times when she and Toya played and she had to hide for much longer. This isn't so bad. And yet, she can't help being relieved all the same once they do know everything is okay. That the wolf is fine. Letting a giggle escape when she sees him and hears that howl of his.]

He was pretty quick! I guess he could smell us? Or...can wolves track?

He can do both. You've got to be tricky to hide from a wolf.

( he could teach her how, if she wanted to learn... knowing about the woods is good for anyone, he thinks. still, for now she probably doesn't need to know the best way to cover her tracks. for now he's just happy to have had a happy moment with her. )

We should probably make our way back to town. I'll walk you back to wherever you're staying.

I guess you would. With tracks, or covering how you smell somehow.....

[But then, it isn't as if Sakura has really had to do any of this. Covering her tracks and the like, aside from attempting to keep her whole Cardcaptor thing a secret back home. Still, she gives a nod of agreement.]

Okay. I probably should get back.

[She's just assuming he probably has some things to pick up in town anyway. Or something like that, else he would really be going out of his way for taking her back.]

( actually, as of right now, he's staying in town. he's not going out of his way, he has to get back too. he can't stay in the woods easily now that he's on the guard's watch list. he doesn't want to end back in the jail cell again. he's staying in a hotel room, a little safer than the same place he'd been arrested.

he offers her a hand for the walk, and a slight smile too. )

We'll get you home safe.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

oh no poor Sakura! it's a nice wolf, promise!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

wrap prob?