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

[retraced]

[He goes quiet as he considers it.]

It's true, it's strange given the circumstances of this world, but...after so much hardship, a day off to enjoy a gathering like this is good for morale. Maybe they're thinking something like that.

[Hesitation.]

Or it's a distraction.

[He's not so obtuse that he wouldn't consider that, given the number of people who have been simply walking out of the city lately.]

1/2

[anklets]

I feel a little bit paranoid, to be honest! [ laughing, embarrassment heavy in the sound ] Getting all suspicious of a party.

[anklets]

But.

[retraced]

N-no, there's perfectly good reasons to be suspicious of a party!

[First hand experience with that right here.]

Have you seen anything strange yet?

[anklets]

No. Not yet. [ maybe it's weird that she's still on edge for it. is that weird? ] But people are still arriving, aren't they?

[retraced]

[Too many people for his taste, but yes.]

Most people show up late for gatherings like this. [He answers, flashing back to overhearing a group of women at one of the many Nightray balls he'd been forced to attend explaining why 'fashionably late' was preferable to being early. Alas, Gilbert still doesn't understand why.]

We'll have to be on our guard the entire night.

[anklets]

Mm.

[How new and exciting. She could almost pretend she were at home.]

As luck would have it, I'm quite skilled at keeping guard.

[retraced]

[He turns to look down at her, curiously.]

Are you armed?

1/2

[anklets]

[And up flare her Boots, glittering darkly.]

[anklets]

I'd say "shoed", more like.

1/2

[retraced]

[WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE SUCH BIZARRE WEAPONRY HERE.]

2/2

[retraced]

[But as it's rude to look at a woman's legs, he's quick to look away, face going red as he tries to come up with something clever to say in return.]

Oh. Oh.

[Nailed it.]

[anklets]

[So completely baldfaced, she's not sure what the fuss is about. They're just talking weaponry, Gilbert.]

I always come prepared. [ heh ]

[retraced]

[Impure weaponry!!]

How...um. May I ask - how does it...work?

[His face is still on fire and he absolutely can't look her in the eye or the arm or the chin or basically anywhere that she is visible. But he's still curious.]

[anklets]

[The benevolent soul that she is, Lenalee takes pity on poor Gilbert Nightray and uninvokes, so that her boots become anklets once more. Blessings upon thee.]

It's called Innocence. A weapon granted to us by God.

[retraced]

By God?

[The way that people use that phrase here is much different than a person in his own world would. But it's easy to equate a 'god' giving a weapon to someone who has earned it in the same way that a world like the Abyss, where all time is written, is able to give birth to Chains.]

Is it painful to use?

[anklets]

It isn't.

["Not anymore."]

[retraced]

[His shoulders rise and then slump in relief. He'd hate to have to ask her to use any type of power that would hurt her for his sake, if it ever came down to it. Well, he'd hate to ask anyone to go out of their way for his sake in general, but her discomfort in any shape would make it that much worse.

He briefly glances back across the crowd. There's more people arriving, greeting friends and scowling at enemies.]

Is it the same for other people from your world?

[anklets]

[This is all very familiar to her, this sort of watch-keeping-- to such an end that she's quite aware of those coming and going without actually watching them; the crowd pressing in on her more and more clustered, more concentrated, each face one which might become an enemy if they only get close enough.

Busying herself with the refreshments table, straightening napkins, watching him solemnly with even more solemn eyes.]

Not all of them. Not always.

[retraced]

[He watches her straighten the table, and somehow that simple act helps him to feel a tiny bit less anxious. Cleaning, straightening; Gilbert has always found calmness in watching chaos become order in his daily surroundings. With so many things out of his control every day, keeping his living space tidy had always proven to be an excellent outlet for his terrible moods.]

Ah - sorry, if you don't want to talk about...I didn't mean to pry.

[anklets]

Pry? [ she waves a hand, just look at how wavey it is, pshaw on prying ] You weren't.

[retraced]

[He still feels like he may have asked too many questions, but he still nods at her answer.]

It's just that...people deserve their secrets.

[And a good number of people here decidedly enjoy keeping them as just that; secret and unsaid.]

[anklets]

You're a thoughtful man, Gilbert.

[retraced]

[He turns away a little, touches his hand to the top of his head in order to cover his face.]

No, not really...

[anklets]

I wouldn't say that.