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]

Shepherd - oh.

[He frowns a little.]

We have been able to shear them yet. Maybe this week.

[In between sugar embargoes and truth hats, there just hasn't been time.]

[lazyinlove]

Good luck with that.

[He says it in the same tone as anything else, but it does get a brow quirk to suggest that he might think it's a pretty crazy idea.]

haven't* you know what I meant

[retraced]

[He looks away, bites down on his bottom lip. Yeah, he knows it all sounds crazy, especially after the embarrassing video had made its way onto the network.]

It'll be worth it if everyone can get better scarves and gloves made as a result.

yep

[lazyinlove]

That's why?

[That's...oddly sweet for a big, constantly fretting guy in a long, dark badass coat. Stan has to bite back on a little grin.]

[retraced]

Why else would we risk it?

[The coat is just a cover, okay. In every sense of the word.]

[lazyinlove]

Well, that other guy is crazy.

[retraced]

That's true...

[He's not denying that part.]

But even a person like him gets cold.

[lazyinlove]

The weather is pretty shitty here.

[Jeez, is he really discussing the weather with a casual acquaintance? The future is terrible for his social life.]

[retraced]

[Stranger things in life, Stan.]

It's warmer in the Outlands. But there are also human-sized birds out there, too.

[lazyinlove]

What?

[No, seriously. What?]

[retraced]

The same place where the sheep came from.

[If that helps explain it.]

[lazyinlove]

...Radioactivity?

[Because what else makes giant freaky birds and evil carnivorous sheep?]

[retraced]

Is that what they call it? The...er, abnormalities...

[But at least so far it seems like everyone has agreed that birds aren't that large no matter what world you're from. And also that sheep don't eat your clothing and beat you up for no good reason.]

[lazyinlove]

On tv sometimes. I'm not really the guy to ask, you know?

[retraced]

[Shrug.]

Whatever it's called, it's warped the animals, the plants and the weather. I wouldn't recommend exploring that area without a companion or two with you.

[lazyinlove]

Dude, why the fuck would I go there? Trust me, you've got nothing to worry about.

[retraced]

[Well, at least now he's pretty sure that Stan isn't a part of the group of people who had randomly left town and gone off to the Outlands.]

You don't even want to see it for yourself?

[lazyinlove]

Giant murderous petting zoo? You know, it's tempting, but I'm good.

[retraced]

[He's about to interject and say 'not all of it was bad', but now that he thinks back on it, it really was a terrible sight to see. He'd never seen a world more ruined and barren than the Outlands; even the remains of Sablier were nowhere near as bad.

He turns his eyes back down to one of the nearby tables.]

Right, there's no point in seeing something like that...

[And as he's pretty sure the boy really isn't drunk, just clumsy, which can be a danger but not one that he can help but getting him sobered up, he turns away.]

Enjoy the rest of the party.

[lazyinlove]

[This guy is always so intense. Stan calls after him as he's leaving.]

Ever think about taking your own advice?

[retraced]

[Peering back over his shoulder.]

Huh? What do you mean?

[lazyinlove]

Enjoy the party. Couldn't you give it a shot too?

[retraced]

[...Damn it all.]

Mmh.

[He nods and turns away again. He's not here to enjoy any of it; he's only here to make sure that everyone is safe. And in an hour or so, he'll prove that he can't even manage that.]

[lazyinlove]

Raincheck?

[Because if anyone can use a party, it's clearly this guy.]

[retraced]

It's rainy enough here.

[The most depressing thing that anyone will say for the next hour or so in this room.]