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]

What are you -

[Wait. Why is he talking to a duck? He stops and actually takes a look at the tiny creature, and finally notices that pendant. It's familiar...very familiar...he's almost got it figured out.]

A necklace?

[quackery]

[She nods hurriedly, hoping he's almost there.]

Quack!

[retraced]

[Suddenly - a lightbulb goes off!]

This is Ahiru's...

[A very, very dim lightbulb.]

Did she drop it when she ran away? [Called over his shoulder:] Ahiru?!

[quackery]

Quack!

[Tugging on his pants leg some more! How does she even handle this.]

[retraced]

[She still doesn't answer, there's still a strange feeling in the air that he can't put his finger on and -

This duck is still quacking at him.

He turns his eyes back down to the tiny, adorable creature and it finally hits him like a ton of very dimwitted bricks.]

A...Ahiru...?

[There's no way. Right?]

[quackery]

[Nodding! So much nodding.]

Quack! Quack!

[retraced]

Huh?!

[He's seen a good number of strange things here, but nothing so far has really, truly prepared him for this. Even though all evidence points to this being the truth, there's still a suspension of reality as he stares down at her.]

How...how are you a...

[quackery]

[Normally she would definitely explain this, but it's different when she can't talk, and more different still when she hears the sounds of panic and destruction in the courtyard.

Wait, what?]

[retraced]

[The noise starts quietly enough that at first Gilbert only imagines that it's the noise of the party getting louder, maybe an argument breaking out between people. But then noise and panic turns to a dull roar just as the ground shakes beneath them. Gil braces is hands on the ground before he can fall back onto his rear.]

What - what's going on down there?!

[quackery]

[She takes to the air, flying next to him and pulling on the fabric covering his shoulder. She's trying to beckon him out; now seems like a very good time to leave.]

[retraced]

[She doesn't need to tell him twice. With her secured on his shoulder, he stands up and hurries for the staircase. Her dress, sadly, is left behind. Hopefully she wasn't too terribly fond of it.]

[quackery]

[She lets go of her spot on his shoulder in favor of flying beside him; it's quicker this way. She wonders where he's going and what he plans to do, though she hopes it's nothing dangerous. Knowing him, though...]

[retraced]

[His eyes dart between the tiny flying duck at his side and the staircase, making certain that he's not tripping and falling or that she isn't having trouble keeping up with him. It's still strange, to think that the girl he'd just been speaking to had become so tiny and feathery, but the sound of something crumbling keeps his mind more on the downstairs area of this castle. Maybe it couldn't take the weight of so many people, he thinks. It's been in terrible shape -

He's trapped in that thought as the staircase itself shakes and threatens to collapse. Gilbert holds onto the railing and tries to lean back so that he doesn't accidentally fall off of the side.]

[quackery]

[She hovers around him anxiously as the staircase begins to shake. It's nervewracking to watch, but there isn't much she can do while she's like this, either, besides try to remind him to keep moving. She moves into his line of vision, and though she can't speak, her expression is loud and clear: are you alright?]

[retraced]

[It's strange to see such an expressive face on a duck, but somehow he accepts it and simply nods, as though this has been an ongoing conversation all along. He shoves himself back up and continues down the stairs, taking them two at a time now. He also pulls his gun from its holster and attempts to summon Raven, just in case.

It's only then that he realizes what that strange, empty feeling from before had been. Raven isn't answering. The seal on his left hand isn't even itching let alone aching.]

Raven? [He mutters out loud.]