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]

The way this hall is shaped.

[He points one finger down the hall they're currently walking down and draws out the few left and right turns he had to take to get to where they are so far in the empty air in front of him.]

I feel like I can remember being in a place exactly like this once.

[quackery]

But you don't remember where it was or anything?

[retraced]

No -

[A sudden rush of pain sweeps over him, forcing him to grunt and rub at the side of his head.]

1/3

[quackery]

[She turns back towards him, concerned.]

What's wrong? Are you—

2/3

[quackery]

[But that thought gets interrupted because she's suddenly turning into a bird.]

done you're welcome

[quackery]

[Why do things like this always happen to her.

Once she figures out what's going on, she hurriedly crawls out of one of the sleeves of the dress, forgetting that Gilbert - this Gilbert, at least - doesn't know yet.]

wow

[retraced]

No, I'm -

[It passes quickly enough, but as soon as it does, the nervous feeling that accompanied it refuses to fade. Something isn't right, and this oppressive, anxious atmosphere only seems to cloud around him worse as he turns to face her.

To find that she's no longer there.]

A-Ahiru? [He calls out, voice echoing down the empty hall.]

you love me

[quackery]

[And she wonders why he hasn't realized what's happened to her, before - oh.

Trying to move quietly, she waddles until she's hiding behind his shoe.]

[retraced]

[Oh no, somehow he's lost a teenage girl in this (maybe) haunted hallway. Crap.]

Ahiru! [He calls out louder as he takes a step forward. Your hiding place is moving, ducky.] Where are you?!

[quackery]

[Dilemma! She doesn't want him to see her, but she also doesn't want him to get worried.

She thinks for a minute before moving forward as fast as she can and tugging on his pant leg with her bill.]

[retraced]

[HOLY CRAP SOMETHING IS GRABBING HIS LEG IT CAN'T REALLY BE--]

G-ghosts?!

[He twists himself around, but runs right into the remains of an old side table which forces him to trip and then tumble backwards.]

[quackery]

[...Of course.

She's just going to come over to where he's fallen over and tug on his sleeve this time.]

[retraced]

[Okay, so it's not ghosts. He knew that. He definitely, one hundred percent knew that! But as he sits up and rubs at his shoulder with an embarrassed groan, something tugs at his sleeve again, and rather than he startled into jumping up he turns to look at the 'ghost' with a sharp, nervous glare.

It's....................a duck.

Can ghosts be ducks? Or rather, can ducks be undead and/or ghosts? But it's so cute, there's no way......right?]

...A duck?

[Maybe this is some elaborate prank of Oz's.]

[quackery]

[She moves until the chain of her pendant is caught in her bill, holding up so he can see. It's the same one she always wears - she hopes he'll catch on somehow.]

Quack!

[retraced]

Quack?

[He stares down at the pendant, but it doesn't really hit him at first. Give it another second. He peers back up and down the hall as he climbs up to his knees.]

Did I fall asleep...?

[quackery]

[Hurriedly, she starts to tug on the leg of his pants again, not wanting him to wander off.]

[retraced]

[He pauses, hunched over on his knees with his hands just barely hovering over the top of the dusty, dirty floor.]

E-eh?

[He has a little girl to find, he doesn't have time for you duck!!]

[quackery]

[WOW

She tugs on his sleeve harder, insistent.]

Quack!

[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...