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

[have_hat_will_travel]

[Before 10 PM]

*A certain oddly-dressed girl is traveling around, looking... More than anything, cautious. Between Zelos' disappearance after beating the hell out of her - thankfully she'd managed to get healed up enough to walk - and other disappearances, she's very certain something is going on.

Whoever's behind this is obviously aiming not just to capture people with abilities - they want the rest of Exsilium scared. And that means, as she goes around, she's looking to see if anything might happen during the party, only occasionally softening up enough to mingle.*

[10 PM, locked to Tori]

*So, Tori? You struck up a conversation with Pid and have possibly bonded with her a bit... When the Misery comes in, and suddenly Pidonus is screaming in pain. What Do?*

[scentofpink]

*It's the dress that attracts Rosy's attention first off. And when she looks closer, a feeling of oddness. So Pidonis's approached by a young woman wearing a casual dress consisting of red denim and covered with sewn-on shiny stars, moons, and hearts.*

Hello there, I rather like that dress.

*She really does. It reminds her more of home and her people's tendency toward outlandish fashions than what she'd seen here from most people.*

[have_hat_will_travel]

Nice to hear someone appreciating it for once. For me, it's a uniform, so...

[scentofpink]

Definitely an interesting uniform. What's it for?

[have_hat_will_travel]

It's my Queen's creation.

*Nope. Nothing more specific than that.*

[scentofpink]

I think I like this Queen of yours already.

[have_hat_will_travel]

She's nice, yes.

*Only not really... Not that Pid would say or even think as much.*

[scentofpink]

I wouldn't mind meeting her, then.

[have_hat_will_travel]

... Maybe someday.

[scentofpink]

But it sounds like that'd require traveling to another world and from what I've managed to learn about recent events, looks like that's a no-go right now.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Yeah. The UE tracked our attempt and attacked that world.

[scentofpink]

But perhaps someday.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Perhaps.

[skirtcladgunner]

[Tori decides to move closer and figure out what's going on, that's what she does.]

Pidonus?! [She looks extremely concerned. What's going on...?]

[have_hat_will_travel]

No... NO, IT CAN'T...

NOT HERE! NOT...

[As Pidonus audibly freaks out, her body seems to be... Shifting, somehow. Her boots seem to fade as her feet shift to goat-like cloven hooves, her gloves into brutal-looking claws...

But that's far less noticible than the gashes opening all over Pidonus' body, spewing out dark blood every which way. As if something were tearing at her from within.

Then there's her trying to run away.]

[skirtcladgunner]

[What just happened?! Is she oka--no, that's stupid. Pidonus looks the farthest thing from okay. But that form, why did she--?

When the blood spews, Tori moves to not be hit by it without even thinking. However, once Pidonus starts running Tori can't help but follow her. Call it concern.]

Pidonus!

[have_hat_will_travel]

G-get away! Don't...

[Pidonus isn't comfortable in this body, that much is obvious by her half-halting steps and constantly near-tripping over herself. Tori won't have a problem catching up.]

Don't look at me...

[skirtcladgunner]

[Tori does in fact catch up.]

Are you crazy?! I can't just leave while you're in so much pain! [She tries not to focus so much on Pidonus looks like, because while it's shocking it doesn't really matter right now. What matters right now is helping her.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

I... I'll be...

[Whoops, that is another gash right in one leg sending her tumbling to the ground.]

There's an antimagic field... No, something stronger than that. I need to get away or...

[skirtcladgunner]

Or... or what?! Pidonus, tell me what will happen! [Now she's closing the distance further, rushing to Pidonus' side.] Let me help you!

[But... an antimagic field? Something stronger? Does that mean her own magic is gone? Why couldn't she feel that...?]

[have_hat_will_travel]

I... I don't even know, but... It can't be...

[Pidonus keeps trying to move, hobbling on one cloven foot. It doesn't help that she's a good bit taller than usual...]

[skirtcladgunner]

[She sighs.]

Let me help you get away. With what happened a few months ago... after the way I screwed up... I owe it to you.

[have_hat_will_travel]

But... I...

I'm just...

[skirtcladgunner]

You just...?

[She sighs.]

Come on, Pidonus... it'll be okay. I'm not going to hurt you. [Out of everyone here, Pidonus has seen Tori at her most vulnerable. It's difficult for her to trust people, but she feels she owes Pidonus that much. Especially since now, it seems like she's seeing Pidonus at her most vulnerable.] I'll get you out of here... you just have to trust me, okay?

[have_hat_will_travel]

R... Right..

*Unsteadily, Pidonus raises a bloodied arm.*

This... It's worse than antimagic. It's...

Ow...