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

[senseandcecilbility]

[Yup, it is a true to God wing. It twitches and withdraws under Break's touch, the feathers smooth and beautiful.

Kevin gives him a puzzled look. Terrible and awful are not adjectives he ever sees applied to his angel form. Not by humans, at least. They do not offend him, but they confuse him quite a bit.]

You are a strange man, Xerxes Break.[He comments, with something close to fascination in his voice.]

I...I am an angel.

1/2

[maddeninghatter]

[ Break himself originates from a time that is a generation earlier than the (faux) Victorian, and he lapses into that vernacular from time to time. Terrible: inspiring terror. Awful: full of awe.

Thus he stands, sightlessly staring at this angel's light. It's complete madness, that he should be standing here, in the presence of an angel, but looking back on everything, it all makes a certain sort of sense... ]

[maddeninghatter]

[ .......except: ]

So you're The Angel... Kevin?

[ There's a hint of a suppressed snicker. ]

And why are you, erm, you know...

Why are you so useless~! ☆

[senseandcecilbility]

You know, Mister Break...

[He considers replying, or not replying. But he has a better idea, which consists in whacking Break's head with his enormous wing. Let's test the blind man's reflexes, shall we?]

[maddeninghatter]

[ His reflexes are excellent, but they're certainly not honed to avoid feathered appendages. ]

Ugh!

[ You'd think a wing would be nice and soft, but it really... isn't. ]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Good.

He reaches for Break's forearm and keeps moving forward, finally feeling the return of his powers. The wing disappears, and so does most of his aura.]

Naturally, there is not an angel called Kevin.

[maddeninghatter]

[ Wryly: ]

Of course. There wouldn't be an angel named--

Ah.

[ He stops short, tilting his head to one side. ]

Your light's gone out.

[senseandcecilbility]

[That "wouldn't", what is the meaning of it? Kevin lets out a short, self-depreciating chuckle.]

The real Kevin Cecil is a much better person than I will ever be. [He doesn't even like gambling, imagine that.

He stops with Break, and when he speaks, he sounds genuinely apologetic.]

The light is a little distracting, isn't it? Horrible and awful...[He adds with a smile.] We have left that thing's influence, Mister Break.

[maddeninghatter]

The real Kevin, hm? A better person?

[ He laughs. It's hollow. ]

I say, anybody whose claim to goodness is better than that of an angel-- Well! He's probably a crashing bore~!

[ He's curious if the wings are gone, too. He claps Kevin on the shoulder - the left one. ]

Do you see them anywhere?

[senseandcecilbility]

[He was about to jump in the other's Kevin defense even if, maybe, he might be a little of a bore, but the clasping hand on his shoulder erradicate any resemblance of rational thought.

Kevin startles with a loud shout and pulls away from the man's side, clutching his shoulder in a protective and yet sadly useless gesture.]

D-don't!

[maddeninghatter]

What--?

[ He hadn't noticed, but perhaps Kevin too had been hit by the burning acid--? His own burns are quite painful if he thinks about them, so he... doesn't. ]

I say, are you injured?

[senseandcecilbility]

O-old scar.[More like a missing limb and three thousand years of trauma.]

It is sensitive.

I can now... treat your injures. [] Which should include that kick he gave him.]

[maddeninghatter]

[ --how odd. He'd never have guessed that a divine being could possibly be injured, and surely not scarred. ]

Er...

[ Then, with a wave: ]

Never mind about that, we've got to look for Oz and Collette. And Gilbert too. He's with them, probably. Do you see anybody?

[senseandcecilbility]

[You can tell that to my almost sib and former coworker.]

I do not see them. Though you should reconsider my proposal. It will take no time and should make your search more efficient, I promise.

Besides, they would scold me if I do not do something about your state.

[maddeninghatter]

[ This news makes him doubly anxious, and he's about to refuse again, but--

Kevin (who isn't really) has a point. Collette would be distressed to see him hurt. Gilbert too, probably. Refusing is nothing but vanity, nothing but his own conviction that he ought to suffer for what's happened.

Punishment doesn't work that way, Kevin had said to him. An angel's words...

He considers all this in the blink of an eye. ]

--fine. Go ahead. Be quick about it!

[senseandcecilbility]

[Again, quite aware of the weight of Break's decision, he fishes the crystal ring from the silver collar around his neck and slides it on his left ring finger, since apparently Exsilium is keen on symbolism.]

It only works as much as you want it to.[He warns him with a wry smile.] It seems sentient weapons enjoy their irony.

[He gently touches Break's chest, and now that warm and bright aura is not only floating all over the place, but directed straight at him. Its healing properties, still unpolished, are not as powerful as they might become one day, but they touch all levels, physical and unphysical.]

[maddeninghatter]

As much as I...

[ The sensation is much stronger that what he'd felt that day at the pool. Surrounded by warmth and brightness, he feels as if the burden he has been carrying all these years has grown somehow lighter. Rays of light penetrating the shutters of his dark dungeon-- ]

S-stop!

[ He jerks away, breathing hard. ]

[senseandcecilbility]

[The healing light vanishes immediately, deterred by Break's will. Kevin removes the ring and tucks it carefully under his shirt. Honestly, what a frustrating man.]

You...You are doing that again, sir. [He chides gently, a sad smile on his face.] I fear this will have to suffice for the time being. Let's find your friends, shall we?

[He touches his elbow again, the gesture nothing but a shy invitation.]

[maddeninghatter]

[ We? There's no we. There's an angel and somebody who has no place consorting with an angel, and his body still feels light, the deep chronic pain of his contract is lessened, because somehow this bright creature has taken part of it onto himself, and that is just--

Wrong. It's wrong. He jerks his arm away. ]

We should split up. We'll cover more ground that way.

[ He turns away, dashing off into the night. He won't ever speak to you again, Kevin, if he can help it. ]