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

[ladyofrivendell]

[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...

[walkingarsenal]

[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.]

[ladyofrivendell]

[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.

[walkingarsenal]

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.

[ladyofrivendell]

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.]

[walkingarsenal]

[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.

[ladyofrivendell]

[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.

[walkingarsenal]

[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?

[ladyofrivendell]

[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.

[walkingarsenal]

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.]

[ladyofrivendell]

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.

[walkingarsenal]

[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.]

[ladyofrivendell]

[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.]

[walkingarsenal]

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

And you?

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

[ladyofrivendell]

[His concern is touching.]

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

[walkingarsenal]

[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.

[ladyofrivendell]

[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.

[walkingarsenal]

[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.

[ladyofrivendell]

[No, they can't. And she knows this. Her duty as a Healer insists that she help those still in a panic but also to keep Fili safe. For Kili.]

We'll both go then.

[She'll still be able to find her mother after.]

[walkingarsenal]

[And for both Kili and Celebrian, Fili will hurry now and stay focused on nothing but the still present threat and keeping it from Celebrian and reaching the Infirmary.]

[ladyofrivendell]

[And she'll stick close to him, pausing occasionally if someone needs help getting moving but she's quick to catch back up to him.]