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

[counterattacked]

[That's one way to do it. They waste no more time in breaching the walls of the castle to welcome wide sky and fresh air. (And having paced the same few square feet in frustration for weeks, he breathes in, breathes out.) He tosses his stolen blade aside with a clatter, then huffs a breath out again while he considers his answer. It fogs out in front of him. By the time it vanishes, he's settled on something.]

I'll figure it out. [One way or another. Laying low is actually not something he's going to be very good at or naturally inclined to, if Rin hasn't gotten that sense of him already, his quick brush off might be a hint. But he continues.] I was staying in the outskirts before. I need to find the Captain before I go anywhere else.

[He was camping with Levi before his imprisonment, and he'd need to check in with him before making any more decisions, even if he doesn't keep it up.]

[defenceless]

[she waits for him patiently once he's finally able to enjoy his freedom, not hurrying him in the slightest. alastair has to be a new experience for all of them, but brutal imprisonment is never pleasant. she knows she's asking him to consider questions that might not be a priority of his, but she tries to focus on the most important points for him to be safe.]

Hm, your "Captain"... I see. Unless you want to tell me his name—I might know your Captain—I'll leave you to it. Are you cold?

[without prompting, she begins untying the fluffy scarf around her neck.]

[counterattacked]

[To be honest, it's not even the first time he's been jailed or threatened with execution. It was, however, quite a bit more on the brutal and unjust side, this time. Not to mention the first time he'd had to break out before they managed to make good on it. His whole life, freedom's always been too far out of reach, a set of walls and a world away. He's very aware of it, by now. The less you've had of it, the more precious it becomes. He seems to shake himself and look back at her.]

Captain Levi. He's here somewhere. [Leading some squad or another, he'd been told, and thus probably busy. Riza had given him a brief head's up before the jailbreak started, he's been in touch with Levi a little when they could spare the communication. Part superior officer, part keeper, (part mentor, maybe.)] I'll find him once we've got an all clear.

[Which might take a while, but things at least seem pretty calm over here when he gives the horizon a once over. She's unwrapping her scarf when he looks back at her. (A brief gnawing reminder pings to life in his hindbrain, Mikasa's been gone for weeks.) He waves her off in a way that doesn't exactly answer her question.]

You should keep that on.

[Yes, it's cold.]

[defenceless]

[so his commanding officer is levi. rin isn't surprised.]

Yeah, yeah. [she brushes it off when he turns to her, waving at her. seriously? nothing will keep her away once she's already decided on a course of action.]

I do know him. He made some big announcement about organizing everyone for the jailbreak itself. But I really have no better idea of where he's at than you would, at this point.

[she strides over to eren in the chilly, empty air of the morning. now that her scarf's been slid off of her shoulders, she wastes no time stretching it between her hands and approaching eren with it held out in front of her. as she steps close enough, she frowns and her hard eyes announce loud and clear what her voice does not, yet: hush.]

Now, then. For you? Don't deny the kindness of a woman. Hasn't anyone ever told you that? Take the scarf and stuff a sock in it if you're going to complain; really, I have a coat and everything else, and you've been in jail for who knows how long.

[yes, she will—uh, loop and tie that scarf right around eren's neck if he won't resist it, without another word, ensuring the knot is cozy but not too stifling. at least it's orange rather than pink, or something. (it might smell like girl, though.)]

[counterattacked]

[Two weeks, that's how long. Harder to keep track of that very well underground—though not much harder, since the sun never rises at all no matter where you are. Apparently two weeks was long enough for the city to slip from fall to winter. He's not too concerned with tracking Levi down—even if he can't get ahold of him through ALASTIAR's communications, he knows where he was camped in the outskirts. It's just getting through the city, first, while things settle down. Stealth has never really been his style.

Really, he's in no place to be refusing her kindness if he knows what's good for him. But he's shitty and rude by nature and not all that great on the self preservation front, so he's not going to be very graceful about it. She's stern and purposeful enough with it that she manages to catch him wrong-footed and loop the scarf around him without fending off a protest, but he does reach up reflexively to catch her wrists in his hands and stop her fussing before she can pull it too tight. (You're not his mother, lady. Hell, he doesn't even know her name.)]

Are you always this bossy?

[So much for "hush."]

[defenceless]

Hmph!

[rin pulls away with his hands circled around her wrists. it was easy to catch her; and maybe she's allowed herself to be caught. she certainly has the reflexes to wrap a scarf around an unruly boy's head, even if he makes a challenge out of it.

she raises her nose at him and turns her face away as if his behavior's disgraceful.]

For your sake, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. Hurry up and leave, already!

[... it is essential, after all, that eren gets some good food and rest in him.

oh, and:]

My name is Rin Tohsaka. You can contact me on your communication jewel at "Tohsaka Rin". Call me if you run into trouble.

[counterattacked]

[His behavior is always disgraceful.

He looks more confused than offended by her reaction, and even that's shortlived. For good reason—they're not far from the castle and he's still got most of his attention on the lingering danger, so he doesn't argue or hesitate any longer. Because she's not wrong—he really ought to just hurry up and leave. The longer he sticks around near the castle, the more time the guards have to regroup and look for him and the others, and he's overstayed his welcome already.

For all he was being dumb and difficult a few seconds before, he sobers up fast and listens, letting go of her wrists to look upward for a promising place to start moving. Taking the vertical route first seems like the best way to do it. Stay out of the streets by using the rooftops&Mdash;Chantes has proven to have an utterly grounded military, which is foreign to him, but good for escaping. He grabs a handhold on the stone wall they're sheltered under and starts to pull himself up the side. As he does—]

"Tohsaka Rin" or "Rin Tohsaka?"

[Make up your mind??? It can't be both. (He trips a little over the foreign pronunciation, but he'll get it eventually.) He pulls himself quickly up onto the top ledge of the wall, but he keeps low to the surface of it to better keep himself inconspicuous. Before he goes any further—]

Same to you, anyway. It's Eren Jaeger.

["Call me if you run into trouble." That sort of thing goes both ways.]

[defenceless]

[ditto for your weirdo name, eren. it sounds thick and like... alcohol, or something. she blinks up at him as he climbs, tense with caution at first, but then she relaxes noticeably.

it's a dangerous route, but if he has the skills, it's also the best one.]

Fine... Eren. [she is not going to take a shot at his last name now.]

Just call me Rin.

[that's, er, simple, isn't it? they both shouldn't have trouble with it if they stick to those two names. eren's very high up from her and harder to see once he scales the top of the wall. she's just hoping his legs don't give out or he faints from weakness as he's playing the parkour superhero across the chantes rooftops.

nothing else seems fitting, so she bids him goodbye with a stiff nod. for all she's bossy and confusing, her eyes speak to other emotions she doesn't voice: worry, hope, wishing him luck.

and she'll stand there until he leaves, so he'll have to be the first to go.]