Cometh the Big Crying Wheel

[initiates]

Date & Time: Sept 15th
Location: A refurbished castle on the outskirts of Exsilium.
Characters: Anyone at the party!
Summary: Vanadi hosts a party that goes very poorly.
Warnings: Violence, probably! Let a mod know if we should update this.


It’s a lovely night for a party!

The venue at the outskirts of town is, unfortunately, a bit drafty — and actually rather sparsely furnished, as well. In fact, party goers are encouraged to mingle, drink, and enjoy themselves in the courtyard, as the castle itself wasn’t able to be renovated in time, and has proven to be a little bit architecturally unsound. Any explorative guests might find a small hail of dust and pebbles on their heads if they venture too far in — and who knows what else, if they continue on.

But the drinks and snacks both are plentiful and delicious, and the large canvas set up from castle wall to castle wall keeps off the sprinkling rain. The weather could even be described as warmish and pleasant, if one were feeling generous. A group of Exiles plays classic instruments in one corner of the courtyard, having been paid enough to even smile at any Transports that wander near.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a good night. Until about 10 PM, that is. Come 10 PM, the Misery rolls into town, tearing down the canvas, nullifying powers, and crying corrosive blood everywhere. That’s the cue for all hell to break loose, as the final wave of mind-controlled characters snag their victims and make for the hills — or at least for the UE. The mind-controlled characters will also have the backup of a squadron of 20 of the Masked, the UE's special ops force. The Masked's main goal is to grab those on their list and get away, but they're certainly not above shooting to kill at anyone that gets in their way. They're also highly trained in hand-to-hand combat and physically enhanced by their suits, so they're a good bunch to try to avoid.

But do have a wonderful time until then, won’t you?

Comments

[controlledvariable]

[She was already turning at the sound of someone behind her, but in the end all she gets to do is watch as Sya pepper sprays someone and knocks them out with the canister.

That's actually pretty impressive, even if the question throws her.]

What? [really, what?] What would you even do with it?

[Not to besmirch the great work Sonya has done so far, but somehow Steph doubts she knows how to throw a batarang.]

[legal_eagle]

I don't know, poke some motherfuckers?

[Sonya hisses in frustration as she shakes the canister again and gets nothing out of it.]

I'm sort of out of ammo, and I could use something else -

[controlledvariable]

[The problem here is that she doesn't want anyone doing to much damage to the people who are controlled. It's not their fault, and she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she gave Sonya a batarang and the woman preceeded to put someone's eye out with it.

Steph casts a glance at her staff and sighs.]

Take this, instead. You can use it like a bat.

[She holds it out in offering; hopefully Sonya won't mind that it's a little bloody.]

[legal_eagle]

[Sonya does turn up her nose just a little bit, but - ]

Not gonna ask whose blood.

[And she takes it, a bit gingerly, then grips it with more certainty.]

Good. My back-up was my keys, and that's pretty short fucking range. So. What are you thinking. Are we all gonna fucking die, or just some of us?

[controlledvariable]

[Mostly the Masked, a little bit of hers, though at least she's managed to get a temporary patch on the gash in her thigh.]

No one's going to die. [Firmly, but she answers the question properly after a moment:] They're only focusing on some of us, I dunno what the pattern is yet, but it seems like they couldn't care less about the others.

[Which is... her, judging from the way Vanadi reacted to her.]

[legal_eagle]

[A quick narrowing of her eyes.]

Who's been ignored?

[controlledvariable]

It's hard to keep track of everyone, but no one's made an attempt to grab me. [She takes a second to a) think and b) throw a batarang at an approaching Masked; it curves up under the helmet and wedges in his throat, dropping him to the ground.] Haven't seen anyone go after Allison or her boys. [Steph pls] No one seemed interested in Peeta even though he was an easy target.

[She sighs, shaking her head.]

I don't know, I can't even tell who's on which side right now.

[Mind control is officially her least favourite thing.]

[legal_eagle]

[Sonya watches that metal thing go, sees the guy go down. She flinches slightly - she's got no problem seeing dead bodies, sure, but there's a difference between looking over a corpse and seeing someone die, and she's got no trouble inflicting a bit of bodily harm but that's a different sort of thing - but covers for it quick as she can with an arrogant snort.]

Stupid, then. They ought to be trying to neutralize threats.

[controlledvariable]

That's what Vanadi was doing before I shut him down.

[Her voice is tight there, too controlled, because she still feels awful about that.]

I'm guessing they're prioritizing the kidnapping and leaving the Masked to deal with resistence. And likely relying on that damn wheel to keep the rest of us busy.

[She hates that thing.]

[legal_eagle]

Yeah, and what the fuck is the deal with that, anyway?

[Rhetorical question.]

I don't know if you know about this, 'cause I think it's outside your realm of experience, but I've lost my gift. So don't expect back-up from anyone like me.

[controlledvariable]

Watch out for the blood, if you haven't already got the memo.

[Steph holds out her arm where the acid has started to eat through her armour; it hasn't reached the skin at any areas yet, thankfully.]

I know, my Weapon's down, too.