exsiliumlogs | Cometh the Big Crying Wheel

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Cometh the Big Crying Wheel

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?

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Oh Kili..! [No. No no no, that only makes it worse to think of each other as family and have to hold him in his last moments. She knew that it had to hurt, especially when her mother and Elrond had seen her lifeless body after the mission to Elmer's world but they hadn't been there during the act.

She's here now while Kili is dying. It's so much worse. A situation she never thought she'd really be placed in. Times were peaceful in Middle Earth, her family was intact and growing, immortal. They'd only ever be separated by distance.]

I will, of course.

[And she does, soft enough just for him. A gentle song meant to comfort, to give hope.]

[It's an eternity of shouts and frantic footsteps before Fili makes it through the chaos to find his brother. It took too long, and he knows it the moment he's met with a scene he's not prepared for. He doesn't hear the noise around them anymore; his own steps falter and he drops to his knees beside Kili and Celebrian.]

Kili... No--

[All of that blood is Kili's. Desperate eyes turn to Celebrian--

If there was something that she could do for Kili, she would have done it. As that realization sinks in, a choked sound catches in Fili's throat. He clutches Kili's free hand in both of his.]

[Kili has always enjoyed Celebrian's songs. She's sung him to sleep more times than he can count already, and it just seems fitting that she should sing to him now. He's so scared, terrified really, gasping for breath with his head in the elf's lap and waiting for it to end.

He's losing focus. Everything is blurring and all he can see is Celebrian. At least until there's a shout, a familiar voice, and Kili's heart wrenches as two hands take his and he recognizes Fili's face.

Kili wants to speak, but he doesn't have the breath. His fingers twitch in Fili's hands, eyes lighting on his brother's face.

He doesn't want to go. He has so much left to live for. But it's too late now.

Fresh blood stains his lips as he coughs and gasps, over and over until life fades from him completely. Kili's strained breaths slow and stop, brown eyes still focused on Fili and glazing over with death. His hands go limp, his body going utterly, finally still.]

[He song doesn't falter, not with the tears falling down her cheeks or as Fili joins them. She gives a sad shake of her head when Fili fixes his gaze to her before looking back to Kili. The elf keeps singing until Kili's last breath leaves him and even then, she finishes it. The closing of the song is gentle and only then does she let her sobs shake her, bowing her head to let silver hair hide her face.]

We will meet again soon.

[It's softly whispered and Fili may well be able to hear her words. Celebrian can hardly bear to let him go but she must now. Weeping over his body does nothing and she knows he'll return, just as she had, but she should also let his blood brother take him now.

And there's the matter of others who are injured, who will need her help. Those that she can still help.]

[Fili doesn't make a move to take Kili from Celebrian. His grip only tightens when he feels that slight twitch of his brother's fingers and their eyes meet. It's a pointless plea, willing Kili to hang on. This time, he has Kili's hand held firmly in his, but Kili is still slipping out of reach--

Kili is dying, and Fili doesn't know what that will mean, here. Kili is dying, and Fili came too late.

Even as he tries to wipe away the blood bubbling up on Kili's lips – as if that would help – he sees Kili's eyes lose their light. Kili is silent and still and it's wrong, but he's no longer in pain. He had a friend with him in his last moments, and she deserves their thanks for that, for her tears and for her song.

What happened? rushes through Fili's head. And what happens now?

All that comes out of him is a raw sob that clenched teeth can't seal in, an apology that Kili won't hear. Celebrian's whispered words make it to Fili's ears, but they don't go any further.]

[She brushes some of Kili's hair from his face, leaning down and pressing a light kiss to his forehead before reaching a hand out, lightly placing her hand on Fili's shoulder. His pain burns more fiercely than her own, his own brother lay here now.]

I am sorry. I am so sorry for this.

[It's my fault. It's all my fault.]

[Hunched over Kili, Fili struggles to contain his grief. They can't stay like this, but the same useless sounds swell inside his chest and tear themselves loose, though they're muffled when he buries his face in Kili's coat.

The light weight of the touch on his shoulder makes him glance up. Celebrian is a pale blur and Fili blinks several times, rapidly.]

What--... What happened?

[His voice, hoarse and wobbly, is unrecognizable to him.]

[What happened?

That question just... was not one she had hoped to answer so soon. She knew it would be coming but so soon, while they're both still crying over him and in danger.]

I fell and Kili saw me. He got me up and out of the way but...

[Put himself in the path of the doom wheel while doing so. Got himself killed for her sake.]

It's my fault...

[Out of the way of that... thing, Fili pieces together. He looks away, back down at Kili, who looks nothing like he would asleep, and screws his eyes shut. Only hours earlier, Kili had been busy filling his clothes with food to sneak out.

After a moment, Fili shakes his head, opening his eyes again.]

Kili... [He takes a breath, bites down on his lip for no more than a second. When he continues, he manages to get close to keeping this watery thickness out of his voice.] Kili wouldn't see it that way. Don't blame yourself.

[But Kili's own brother wasn't there when he should have been, even though they were both here now.

Fili arranges Kili's hand on his chest. His own stays on top of it, briefly, and then he lifts his gaze to Celebrian.]

You should get to safety. I'll take him. [Where to, he's not entirely sure.]

[No matter what Fili or Kili would say, she can't help it. If she hadn't fallen, Kili would have been alright. There would have been no reason for him to rush out to help her. Every way that she looks at it (now) leads her to blame herself.

To Fili though, she nods quietly. Now isn't the time to argue it. They need to survive this. She's not going to go easily either though. There's still danger, still the risk of it coming back this way and possibly hurting Fili as well.]

As should you, Kili would not want you to risk yourself for his body.

He wouldn't. [Nodding, Fili chips away at the returning lump that stubbornly closes up his throat.] But I'm his brother. I should have--

[His eyes travel to Kili's too-still form once more.]

I can't leave him behind.

Whether you take him or leave him will have the same results. We have not seen the last of Kili.

[She has to try, no matter how much it hurts to even consider leaving Kili, to get Fili away. Or to convince him to go and quickly.]

[Her words seem cryptic and he looks at her uncomprehendingly until he recalls what Kili told him the day he arrived. Despite their reluctance to trust the Initiative, now he wants it to be true. He wants--

But it wouldn't wipe away that this happened. Wordlessly, Fili sets out to gather up his brother's body, leaning him against himself and then heaving him onto his shoulder. He does his best to empty his thoughts of the injuries Kili must have suffered and concentrate on leaving this place before his legs can give out.]

Don't let us slow you down. [There's a brief pause.] Thank you – for everything you've done for him.

[There's not time for her to be anything but cryptic. The hurt is still there and so is the danger. If either of them were to get hurt, Kili's sacrifice would mean absolutely nothing. The thought alone makes her heart ache and fresh tears burn at her eyes.

For a moment, she feels like an elfling again and just wants her mother.

Instinctively, she reaches out to help Fili keep his balance as he lifts Kili but her arms quickly fall back to her sides. She has to let Fili do this, it's not her place.]

He's my friend, I would do no less for any friend of mine or his kin.

[Kili is heavier than he really is and Fili can smell blood that he knows is Kili's and feel bones shifting in ways that they shouldn't. His vision swims. He gives Celebrian a nod, but can't open his mouth again yet, or he might be sick.

A few shallow breaths later, he can croak something out.]

Where... where do I take him?

[Her answer is very slow because she knows that he doesn't have to take Kili anywhere. Her own body had been left behind on a mission when she had died, or so she assumes. Nobody would have really thought to chase after a Healer into a battlefield, after all.]

Anywhere. So long as you're safe there, it will do.

Anywhere? [A frown creases his brow.] How will they--... Isn't there anyone I'm supposed to go to? [To explain what has happened. To get help that seems impossible.]

They'll find out. Nobody could have found my body when I died but they found me and I woke up in the Infirmary.

[So. That was an option.]

It may be quicker to take him there.

[Fili's eyes widen.]

You-- [She has firsthand experience. There's nothing he can say, not now, so he nods once more and stops his staring.

Even with his brother's weight across his shoulder, he plans to see Celebrian make it to a safe place herself.]

[She just nods before glancing around.]

Go quickly.

[She has to find her mother yet. The thought of Galadriel getting hurt makes her heart ache and she wants to see her mother safe.]

[He will, straight to the Infirmary, but first--]

And you?

[She was important to Kili. Fili can't leave her behind, either.]

[His concern is touching.]

I'll be alright. I'm needed here still. I'll be careful.

[Can he convince a healer to save herself when there are people who need her? She's been urging him to go, and he wants to rush his brother to the Infirmary, but if she's warned him not to risk himself, she still faces the same danger.

He shakes his head.]

Then we'll stay with you.

[Fili. Fili no.

She knows there's risk to herself by staying but Fili has the weight of his brother on his shoulders. Literally. He has to go or he'll end up hurt. She has to keep people from that.]

No. No, I'll be alright. I swear it.

[This is a dilemma. He wavers; they can't afford to spend time being stubborn.

Slowly, he shakes his head again. If Kili hadn't stepped in, she wouldn't be able to swear that.]

So will I. [What does he have to lose?] Let me go with you. Kili wouldn't leave your side.

Cometh the Big Crying Wheel

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