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

open

[keep_smiling]

Before 10

[Elmer's gonna Elmer. How can he resist a party? And it's been quite awhile since he's been inside a proper castle. Arming himself with some drinks and snacks, he's going sightseeing! If you're wandering around too, you're bound to find Elmer wandering around as well.]

Amazing! This is quiet nice! Why don't we have parties here more often?

After 10

[Oh, it's that thing! Elmer had talked and interacted with the Misery awhile back, so clearly now they were friends. Clearly all it need was to be talked down from this nonsense! Clearly.

The problem is that this thing is nullifying his immortality and it's dripping acid blood everywhere. Someone might want to try keeping him from approaching, but for now, he's one of the only people running towards it instead of away from it.]

Oi! It's me! You probably shouldn't come in here!

Before 10

[notpeterparker]

[They've talked over text, but this is the first time Carol's seen Elmer in person. So naturally, she doesn't recognize him, but that doesn't stop her from socializing.]

I was wondering that myself. This place is absolutely beautiful, it makes me wonder how old this place is.

[keep_smiling]

It is! I'm surprised it's still standing, considering, well, everything that's happened in history here. I wonder how old it really is? It's still being repaired, though, I think. [He shoves the last of his snacks into his mouth so he can wipes the dusts from his sleeves.]

[notpeterparker]

It's hard to imagine a place like this could still exist after everything that's happened here. It's really pretty, even if they're still fixing this place up.

[keep_smiling]

Have you found anything interesting yet? Secret passages, dumbwaiters, torture chambers?

[He starts walking over the the walls of the hallway, inspecting the details, going so far as to grab a wall sconce as if it was a lever. Damn, no secret passage here!]

[notpeterparker]

No, nothing like that - I sure hope there aren't any torture chambers! You don't think there is, do you?

[She'll trot after him as he inspects the walls, even holding her breath as he tests for secret passages. She's a little disappointed when nothing happens.]

I'd be surprised if there wasn't at least one secret hallway - maybe it's one of those secret hallways you open by pulling on a book or something like that.

[keep_smiling]

Right! And the whole bookcase spins around and you get dumped down a secret stairwell into the forbidden library! [Well he seems keen on this idea, and darts off into the nearest room he hasn't visited yet to see if it has a bookcase.]

[notpeterparker]

R-right, just like that!

[She'll follow behind him because dang it she wants to see a forbidden library too. She calls out to him right before poking her head into the room he just ran into.]

Do you see any secret-looking bookcases?

after 10

[candystar]

[Ally is going to stop running long enough to give Elmer a TOTALLY HORRIFIED look]

You know that thing?!

[keep_smiling]

Yeah! I've seen it in the outlands! It's very sad and rolls around getting stuck in things. Silly, since it's so big. I wonder why it's here doing this? Hey!! [He waves his arms at the Misery, still trying to get its attention.]

[candystar]

Sad? Is that why it's crying weird tears that... look like they're melting stuff?

[keep_smiling]

And those terrible mournful noises... I don't know what's wrong with it since it can't talk, but that doesn't mean I can't try. We need to get it out of here, so maybe I can get it to calm down and roll out!

After 10

[debtor]

[And Allen's screaming at him from a few yards away and rushing closer:]

Sir, get away from that thing!

[HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD and the moment it showed up, Allen could no longer feel or move his left arm entirely, and his left eye had gone dead, and anything that could cause that was bad news. Akuma, is his first thought - and he can't assume it's anything less. Not the sort of thing you should strike up a conversation with, at any rate, and he intends to remove Elmer as soon as he reaches him.]

[keep_smiling]

[Elmer hardly looks phased by this thing. He turns to Allen and shakes his head.] It can understand people! I might be able to convince it to leave.

[debtor]

[SSSstops short, boggling. This man's familiar with it!?] What is it, do you know?!

[keep_smiling]

[In a most chipper tone:] Not a bloody clue! But I met it in the outlands a few months back. I don't know where it came from, but the thing is sad and, if it's here, probably confused.

[debtor]

[Sad and confused and capable of understanding people or not, as far as Allen's concerned, they don't really have the luxury of trying to talk it down in the middle of this chaos.]

The United Earth brought it to attack us, it might be on their side! Please don't get close to it, its dripping some sort of acid. [He's reaching out to grab Elmer's shirt, to pull him back.]

[keep_smiling]

They did? Are we sure i-- [Oh oops. Allen pulls him out of the way mostly in time. Some of the corrosive blood hits his arm. He takes this remarkably well, mostly just wincing and gritting his teeth. He stumbles back out of the way as best he can.]

Ah. Yes, that. Don't worry, I'll be okay!

before;

[heartsink]

Too few resources, I'd wager.

[ The answer comes from a young woman, a few feet to Elmer's right. Though judging from her stance, leaning back against a wall and with her attention still fixed on the bulk of the party, rather than straying to Elmer in order to respond, it's the absent-minded retort. One hand cups her elbow, the other cupping a half-empty glass. ]

I can't imagine the damage this has done.

[keep_smiling]

[Elmer turns to her, smiling as usual.] I suppose so. But events like this really cheer everyone up. I should try to help the Initiative sponsor some more often.

What damage?

[heartsink]

[ It's then that she turns to look at him, her gaze—limited, what with the eye patch—flicking over him in assessment. It's not until after, and with her gaze returning to the further-off party-goers, that she answers. She doesn't return the smile. ]

Resource-wise, I mean. This place isn't exactly a land of plenty, where the streets are crimson with wine, and not everything here is going to be used. There'll be a shortage of something soon, I'm sure.

[keep_smiling]

Mm, true, but things like this are good for enriching the spirit! Which is quite important. Happy soldiers are productive soldiers. [He merrily munched on his party snacks, smile never leaving his face.]

[heartsink]

You really believe that?

[ What a sunny disposition. ]

[keep_smiling]

[THE SUNNIEST. The smile brightens.]

I do! It's true, you know. Treat your workers well, keep them happy and relaxed, and they're work better! It's very simple. But keeping smiles on the faces of those around here is difficult, so I've made it my job to get them there.

[heartsink]

Your job.

[ Ruka is beginning to wonder if she made a tactical error saying anything. ]

In theory, I suppose it has merit, but workers can quit.