Player Plot: The Salvation of Geardagas, Part II

[faileas]

Event Log: February, The Salvation of Geardagas: Part II



CW: This plot has a general content warning for kidnapping, torture, experimentation, violence, drug use (incl. aphro), infection/disease and potential death. This is entirely opt-in.

Spirited Away, Part 2 i. Hypothesis One moment, you were free. The next, you wake up in a cold, dark room with eyes on you and the cloying smell of decay all around you. Characters who have been kidnapped are being kept in the lower floor of Alder's estate, which is a labyrinth of rooms and corridors. Without exception, the way out is always either locked or heavily guarded. All kidnapped characters have been infected with the Cwyld (sometimes by proximity to botanical materials, sometimes by being directly exposed to the violent Shades they already have imprisoned) and are being used to further the Evergreen Circle's research into the nature of the plague. The details of these tests is expanded on in the plotting post and, needless to say, their capturers have very little interest in their wellbeing. They're needlessly cruel, often pitting victims against each other and forcing them to infect newer arrivals as they turn up. Subjects are allowed a few hours of sleep at a time and a small meal- assuming that they're not being purposefully deprived of either- and are locked together in cramped cells. ii. Alternative Theory Some characters, however, escape this particular cruelty in favour of something else just as dehumanising. If a member of the inner circle has taken a liking to someone, they'll take them out of the pool of tests subjects and move them into their households. Servitude is ensured by a strong enchantment that scrambles memories and replaces them with the false knowledge that they've been working there all along. These brainwashed servants might also be forced to participate in the torture and testing of the others.

Initiation The night of the initiation party is here. If you've managed to ingratiate yourself with the cult- or at least a member of rank- you'll have already received an elegant envelope with an invitation and all the details. Or maybe you stole one or put together a convincing forgery. Alder's estate is handsome, with a small courtyard lit up with strings of lights and servants at the double doors to greet guests. Inside is just as grand. The hall and ballroom are impressive spaces with vaulted ceilings painted with elaborate star maps and broken up with marble columns that wouldn't look out of place in a palace. Drinks tables are lined up against the walls and there are several smaller drawing rooms off to the side, all of which are full of guests. Throughout the first hour or so, Alder himself flits from person to person, congratulating them and making smalltalk, but he seems different somehow. Excitable. Eager. Of course, there are other ways one might get in; while the front entrance is closely monitored, the side one leading through the kitchens isn’t. In the hustle and bustle, you might slip through unnoticed. i. Cavorting and Cruelty It isn't long before things take a turn. Alder takes to the head of the room and, with his signature voice amplifying enchantment, addresses his audience. He greets everyone and gives a fairly standard speech thanking guests and welcoming initiates to the Evergreen Circle proper- and then it happens. Servants begin to wheel in cages and tanks, all containing individuals infected with the Cwyld at various stages. Some look to have been drugged, others are wide awake, but the regulars seem delighted by their presence. They whisper and titter and applaud. Some of the more docile victims are even taken out to be showed off like animals at a fayre. "Tonight, let us enjoy the fruits of our labour! Witness the progress we've made and share our blessings among yourselves! Fear will only blind you to taking the next step. Indulge, open your minds and take the first step towards your salvation!" What he means by this quickly becomes apparent. While they're not discussing or mocking the imprisoned witches and monsters, the other guests are partaking of vice the party has to offer. The drinks flow freely and there's a manic energy in the air. Those with sharp senses might recognise that some of it has been artificially crafted by enchantments. Furthermore, if you're looking for missing loved ones, you'll no doubt spot them among the "test subjects" or servants. Good luck trying to snap the latter back to reality, though: their memories have been tightly sealed and it might take some work. One of the drawing rooms has been half curtained off and a woman at the door skittishly offers the curious an aphrodisiac-laden draught, though some might have accidentally had some already. Within, guests are draped over every surface in varying states of undress, though there are partitions up to allow for more privacy. What better way is there to spread the Cwyld and strengthen bonds than intimacy? ii. Midnight Show Things reach a fever pitch around midnight. Once more, Alder calls for everyone's attention. "There's one more thing. I know all of you are loyal, true believers- but everyone must be tested," he says, gesturing to several larger bodyguards, "and we have to protect ourselves. There are those who don't understand us and seek to undo our work. Therefore, we need to tie up loose ends." One by one, the least aggressive Cwyld-infected subjects are dragged from their cages and any remaining individuals are brought out, all restrained. One of the bodyguards is carrying a large ceremonial dagger, which he presses to the vampire at the front’s throat. "Rest assured, their deaths with not be in vain: we have learned much and they will make for the perfect offering to the beings who gave us the Cwyld's blessing!" The knife flashes, ready to cut already decaying flesh- - a blood-curdling scream echoes through the room and glass shatters as a Shade breaks free from its prison. It ploughs into the guests, howling with rage as it tears into anyone and everyone that stands in its way, and others soon follow. At some point during the chaos, Alder appears to realise that he’s been caught. He, along with his inner circle, set to work trying to cover up their actions, setting the basement floor alight and using magic to bring down supports to block doorways completely. If you want to gather evidence, it has to be now, else you can focus your efforts on a rescue mission or chasing the cult leader himself down.

[ ooc: More information about the event can be found on the plotting post along with comments for questions, and an IC vote concerning Alder's fate! ]

Comments

after midnight

[lightblooming]

( To say that the night had been full of chaos is putting it lightly. While the rescue had been a success, the emotional trauma is something that won't just disappear right away. Aqua is someone who's well aware of such a thing, and that's just one of the things that pushes her towards checking on Roxas. Not to mention... everything that was done to him - the infection, and who knows what other abuse that he went through. Regardless of Aqua's experiences, she can't help but want to see how he's doing. More than anything else, he needs people to be there for him.

When she starts to make his way to him, she doesn't miss how he jumps, and she stops -holding up a clawed hand to show that she means no harm. Her heart sinks -clenching painfully and she decides she won't approach him any further unless he's alright with it. )

Roxas - it's just me.

[twilightskey]

[Roxas's physical scars were healing well, and there wasn't a trace of Cwyld infection left on him after he was rescued and brought home. But the emotional scars, the weariness on his heart and mind? Those would take longer to heal.]

[He'd been sitting on the couch when Aqua had approached. Roxas doesn't mean to jump at Aqua's presence, but he can't help reacting so sharply. He's at least still on the couch, despite curled up against one side of it with his ears pinned to his head and his muscles tense. But when the initial shock subsides, he does let out a shaky breath, trying to will himself to relax.]

S-Sorry. I just...

[He frowns, glancing to the side. It's Aqua, and she's a friend. He shouldn't be getting so scared like this...]

[lightblooming]

( Immediately, Aqua shakes her head - finally stepping forward. She's a little relieved that Roxas hadn't pushed her away. Not that she would blame him if he had - he's been through so much. )

No, please don't worry. I don't blame you.

( She speaks gently. )

I wanted to see how you were doing, and... offer to listen, if you wanted to talk to someone.

[twilightskey]

[Roxas was working on that; on not pushing away people who were friends. It was hard, given some of the hallucinations and ways the Cwyld infection spiked his anxiety, but it's something that he's working on.]

I'm... I'm managing. I don't mean to get so nervous, but...

[He knows it's not his fault, but he still feels bad for reacting so sharply. Reacting based on tense instinct rather than on calm reason.]

[lightblooming]

You don't have to push yourself.

( It's definitely not something he's going to be able to get over right away. No one should expect for him to. )

.... Is it alright if I sit next to you?

[twilightskey]

[He looks at Aqua, and takes a moment before he nods.]

Yeah. It's okay.

[Truth be told, he'd been craving to just curl up somewhere or against someone just for that sense of security, that sense of grounding. But his trauma made his nerves go haywire if he got close to someone, leaving him in a perpetual state of missing contact but being terrified by it.]

[But Aqua was a friend. She had helped him out. It should be okay... It should be alright...]

[lightblooming]

( Aqua makes her way to the couch then, making herself comfortable next to Roxas - but still keeping her distance all the same. She doesn't want to make him uncomfortable. )

... Roxas, if there's anything you need to talk about, I'm happy to listen. But... if you aren't ready, then you don't need to talk about what happened, either.

[twilightskey]

[Roxas appreciates the little bit of distance; it's close enough that he can feel someone near him, but not close enough to set off his instincts. He moves to sit up in the chair, pulling his knees to his chest.]

I... just don't know how to talk about it. There was so much...

[His ears flatten down against his hair.]

I was... really worried I would become like those Shades...

[lightblooming]

( Aqua hesitates before reaching forward, placing a gentle hand on Roxas's shoulder. )

I don't know about everything that happened then, but... even after all of that, you never lost yourself Roxas. You're much stronger than you think. No matter what happened, I don't think you would have lost that.

[twilightskey]

[Roxas does tense a little when Aqua's hand rests on his shoulder, but he lets out a shaky breath and accepts the contact. He takes solace in her words, he truly does, but that anxious energy still gnaws at his heart.]

I... thought I was going to die.

[It's said in a small voice, muffled by his knees, but it's probably loud enough for Aqua to hear.]

[lightblooming]

( Aqua's heart clenches painfully at that for Roxas's sake. He's been through so much.... much more than any of them know. )

Sora, myself, Kor-- we'd never let that happen.

[twilightskey]

I know, but... I...

[Roxas takes a shuddering breath, pulling his arms tighter around himself. His ears flatten even further, and if Aqua were to look, she might catch a glimpse of wetness at the corner of Roxas's eyes.]

[lightblooming]

( There's little hesitance on Aqua's end before she moves to gently wrap her arms around Roxas, pulling him into a hug. It's okay if he pushes her away if he needs to - but... she can't help but think that what he needs right now is comfort. )

[twilightskey]

[Roxas does visibly tense when Aqua pulls him into a hug. He holds still for a moment, on the precipice of remaining still or fleeing due to his nerves. But then, slowly, he leans into the hug, letting out a small, shuddering breath.]

[He doesn't always engage in physical comfort, but right now? He really needs this.]

[lightblooming]

( It's then that Aqua reaches, beginning to run her hand through blonde-colored locks. She can't take his pain away - but this... this is the least she can do. )