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

[defenceless]

It wasn't what you saw, it was what you almost touched!

["you dolt". the insult could be obvious. rin does have the forethought to lower her voice now, though, hissing out an accusing (and nearly sullen) whisper as her arms drop to her sides and she continues to kneel. she fails to wait for bolin, really, in fact trying to speak right up over him, but it doesn't actually work, and he's putting on even more of a show—

it's at that moment rin definitely hears the scuff of nearby movement, and she spots something that appears like a large pack of guards advancing beside them. there isn't enough time. she can't think it through. faced with a defensive and flustered bolin, rin huffs in irritation and springs into action,

literally.

in the flash of a second, there's a girl crushed against bolin, pressing him back into the wall and clamping a firm hand over his mouth so he doesn't make a scene. one of them never forgets the urgency of the situation around them.]

Quiet. Don't make a peep, or I might be so mad I'll blind you with another spell. Got it?

[having said that, rin maintains a careful eye on their surroundings. she dares to pause all save the soft rush of her breathing as she tries to detect whether they'll have a fight coming to them soon, or not.]

[sediments]

[ Her actions seem a little excessive don't they?! (They're not, Bolin is exceptionally loud, and even as Rin hastily covers his mouth, he lets out a short-lived wh— in surprise.)

There is something distinct in the back of his head that feels some appreciation for Rin, and how she's opting to hide instead of fight. He wonders why, because she's concerned about his eyesight? It's entirely returned by now, though he might've been better off without it. Now he's got a very clear view of the beautiful girl shoved against him, a small hand pressed against his mouth while he tries to control his breathing.

He's still very startled by her accusation, unable to help wondering what she thought he was trying to grab, and whether or not their current predicament made her earlier anger moot.

Weren't they in the middle of a jailbreak operation? He should probably focus. Quietly, he shifts his gaze in the direction that Rin is looking, waiting, just like she is, for the threat of anyone turning their attention toward them to pass.

Eventually, he pulls his mouth away from her hand to say, rather unhelpfully, ] Aren't you the one that's being handsy?

[defenceless]

[it's several tense minutes of silence that pass between them, but to their credit, the approaching guards never notice them. they talk among themselves and discussing covering another area of the city, turning widely after that to disappear in a different direction. rin cranes up her neck as they depart, confirming they're gone for good.

bolin chooses the best time to ask a question. at least they're no longer in danger of being heard? rin's so motionless and focused she doesn't realize he's pulled away, and when he utters that, it's as if she suddenly remembered he was even with her. she glances at bolin, confused, then—watching her hand hovering close to his face, recognizing she's crowded up against him—her face turns red. very, very red. even redder than before.

is she going to be okay?

rin edges down the wall and sits curled up in a ball. an embarrassed pink tinges her ears and she pulls up her scarf over her lips, her nose.

muffled, in a second or two:]

... They're gone, now. You'll probably be safe if you want to leave and if you know how to escape safely. If you don't, I can escort you.

[oh. she's forgetting something. a big something, kind of.]

I'm sorry my magic blinded you. If you're still feeling the after-effects of that, too, let me know.

[sediments]

[ Watching Rin curl in on herself is an incredible thing, because all the flashes that Bolin had gotten of her had been of an exceptionally bold character, fierce and determined in the midst of battle, even when she'd hastily covered his mouth and shoved them both out of the eyesight of the approaching guards. It's the kind of fervour that Bolin found impressed, regardless of whatever accusations she was throwing his way.

So when she huddles behind him, suddenly so much smaller, he feels kind of bad. Girls can be easy to embarrass and shy, and maybe his teasing had gone too far...! (As genuinely as he'd meant it.)

Gaze shifting off to the side as he thinks for a moment, the earthbender purses his lips together contemplatively before swinging back toward her, leaning to the side to close the distance between them, so that he can easily reach over and give her shoulder a friendly pat. ]

It's okay. It wore off pretty fast anyway. [ Then, his voice perks up, abandoning the topic of him wandering away on his own. ] And it was really cool! Can you use magic too?

[defenceless]

[the pat is unexpected, but soft and comforting. she doesn't refuse it.]

"Too"...? [surprised, her head pops right out of her scarf.] Does that mean you use some sort of magic, yourself?

I'm a magus. Of course I can use magic—it's what we do.

[sediments]

[ She kind of strikes Bolin has cute when her head pops back up, and he grins at her, leaning forward with a shrug and a shake of his head. ]

There's other people here that can use magic. [ He clarifies. ] "Magus" is a cool term though. I'm an earthbender.

[ And he pulls a pebble up from the ground beneath them with a draw of his fingers, letting it hover over his hand in demonstration. ]

I guess it's similar to magic.

[defenceless]

[at first, rin watches in interest, blue eyes attracted by the path of the small pebble as he coaxes it upwards and it hangs in midair.

then, her eyebrows lower and she fixes him with a scrutinizing—but also not very angry, she's mostly adorably studying him—expression. it could almost seem like she doubts his abilities, and that's more than a little nonsensical with the display he's put on right in front of her. in reality, she's intrigued but she's struggling over how much of that to politely show.]

Yeah, that looks like magic, all right. [she mutters, and she's so curious she can't stop herself from piping up with more.] I bet there's more to it than just that, huh? I've never heard of earthbenders before.

[finally:]

I'm Rin Tohsaka.

[sediments]

[ He frowns when she fails to be appropriately impressed with this new information, but consoles himself with the reminder that to Rin, magic is probably a common occurrence, and his manipulation of a single element can't be that unusual. Maybe if she saw Korra's powers she'd be more impressed.

When she introduces herself, he remains upbeat. ]

I'm Bolin. [ He squirms a little closer now that they've established each other as friends. ] And yeah, there's history behind bending and stuff, but uh - [ a glance at their surroundings ] - now's probably not the best time to talk about it.

[defenceless]

[but she is impressed, bolin! she just can't appear too... something. desperate? eager? or it'll be really embarrassing. rin always has some appreciation for the magic of other worlds, regardless of the scale, because it's new and different compared to what she's used to.

who said they were friends, though? she softens up quite a bit with all of his smiles and how easily he endears himself.]

Bolin.

[rin nods her head. tentatively, she offers him a hand. no grabbing at other things, now.]

It's nice to meet you. Let's get out of here. I have people to save.

[sediments]

[ The gesture is unexpected, but Bolin happily takes the offered hand, glad that the misunderstanding is behind them now. He takes the opportunity to help her up as well, getting to his feet as he glances around them, brows coming together and jaw set with determination.

Rin's got a point, and they've got some hero business to get to. ]

All right, time to get back to business. [ He presses a fist into the palm of his hand, looking rather energetic for someone about to get into a fight. ] I'll be sure not to stare directly at any of your attacks too.

[ Because okay, some bad shit is going down, but that's not going to stop him from cracking a joke. Or playfully winking at Rin. ]

[defenceless]

[he's just nicer and nicer, and it's a pleasant surprise. carefully cupping her skirt underneath her, she rises to her full height. she's short and petite, but it suits her. as bolin's come to learn— it doesn't predict anything about her personality or her power, either.

once she's standing, rin busies herself with dusting off and straightening her outfit. a coat, scarf, skirt, and fancy tights and boots; it isn't typical for a violent jailbreak. she smiles at bolin, however, for the first time, unable to resist how goofy he looks. she crosses her arms and tilts her head, almost teasing him in return.

he's young, like her. she doesn't know if he's a new recruit, but it can't be fun, to be a part of alastair and leave all he's ever known behind in some rift.]

That would be the smart idea, yes. I'm glad to see you're learning.

[with that, she's ready to head off again, and she won't complain if bolin joins her this time.]