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

[ninmu]

[ he makes a small noise of agreement. It is noble. The purpose of the Gun-Swordsmen is honorable and excellent - provided they follow it. He hopes he's never forced to turn blades against his brethren again. Even if he'd been in the right, it felt so very wrong.

The intricacies of tone and hesitation in conversation are lost on him, even after months of living with humans; he's like a child learning to speak in some ways. All he hears is an answer of uncertainty. Which, as it so happens, is what he would expect from a human. ]

Then you are more like a human than a Monomakia, even with your enhancements. You were not created for a purpose.

[ he assumes that, if he had an inborn duty, he would need to know it. but natural creatures are just born for no reason in particular. now that he thinks about it, it must be kind of scary and confusing to not know what you're meant to do... ]

want to wrap this one up? <:

[dearkafka]

[Perhaps not in the grand scheme of things, no. As a human being he had had no more purpose than anyone else, but... the surgery, what Kanou had seen fit to do to him after the accident. He knows that the man had some sort of purpose wrapped up in his jargon and dogma, but he didn't have the energy or the mindset to try to sift through it. And even if he knew what that purpose was, what difference would it make? It was obvious enough that, when he had spat on the man's offer to go with him to Aogiri, he would refuse whatever it had been. Regardless of what it was, it would most likely be something repulsive to him.

So perhaps Melan is right. No matter what the thought had been, it didn't really hold any relevance to him now. The thought is freeing, though he gets the feeling it was only temporary.]

Yeah. I think you're right. [It was the purposeless of creation that made his world as twisted as it was. It was another bitter thought, but anther he couldn't affect at all.]

Hey. [Catching the Monomakia's attention, squinting into the dark up ahead.] Do you see those lights?

[A ways off, and far below them, but they seemed like the lights of several fires. They'd left the jail and the town behind; he's hoping they've finally made it to the encampment.]

sure thing!

[ninmu]

[ for the moment, he doesn't intend his words to be comforting or to mean anything in particular. It's merely the result of his line of logic. He, too, is still coming to terms with the truth of his purpose - or whether his purpose was really something he couldn't decide by himself. Melan's probably come closer to free thought than most others of his kind. Closer to humanity, too.

When Kaneki redirects the conversation to the lights, he immediately flicks his head in that direction, muscles in his arms tensing; he assumes that an enemy has been sighted. However, it's obvious that his half-ghoul companion's guess is closer to the truth. The flames are stationary, not marching about, and they've flown quite far from the battle site at this point. ]

It appears to be an encampment. Our allies. he can't be sure, but based on where they are in town, it seems likely. There's a sound of pumping hydraulics as Melan's wings clip downwards, bringing them down towards the lights. His entry is slow at first as he confirms that they're not the enemy - but once he's certain, he hastens to the ground, though his landing is both gentle and vertical for Kaneki's sake. They get a few odd looks from their fellow rebels milling about as they land, Melan gently hovering to a stop a few centimeters above the earth before his tentacles extend once again, this time to place Kaneki safely on land. ]

We should be safer here. [ hopefully. ] The mission was completed. You should tend to your injuries.

[ ... a pause. He looks like he wants to say something else, but it takes him a second or two to get it out. These kinds of interactions are hardest for him. ]

... I am Melan Blue. Who are you?

[dearkafka]

[It was a weighty, ungainly topic—something best relegated to the thoughts pressed between wake and sleep, or at least pressed between the pages of philosophy books. Most people, as far as Kaneki has seen, don't deal with such issues: life exists for them merely as it has been given, though he feels as though it's much more a question when that was altered in some way outside of his own control. Very purposefully, in the control of another.

He's not even sure if he wants answers anymore. They would be nice, but they wouldn't change anything—they wouldn't change what he was now, or the fact that Kanou was seeking to make more like him. No, if he ever managed to return home (and in a state where he would be able to do anything at all), he'd have to find something to do against it. But, again. A thought for another time.

As they draw closer, Kaneki can tell that the lights are coming from the encampment they agreed to meet at; the vaguely familiar (or at least dissimilar from guards and townspeople) silhouettes of ALASTAIR recruits come into view as they approach. Kaneki remains still, allowing Melan to set him down, even as several look on confusedly. He doesn't really pay them any mind, looking back to the Monomakia.]

Yeah. [Brief pause, then, with a warmth of tone that belied sincerity,] Thank you for your help. You should do the same.

[Another pause... The robot is hovering there, looking at him, so Kaneki doesn't leave quite yet. He realizes belatedly after the introduction that it was the social grace that was giving him the trouble.]

I'm Kaneki Ken. It's nice to meet you, Melan. [A small smile, a polite dip of his head in greeting.] I hope we can work together again some time in the future.