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

[yesdoubt]

[Momo can't help but laugh quietly, though it's a nasty little thing, like he can't quite believe what he's hearing. Even with the distance Roxas is keeping, the Shade becomes more alert as he gets nearer, snarling and snapping once he crouches down, like it would love nothing more than to launch itself across the cage at him.]

Does it matter? It's not going to have any pity for you, so sparing any for it is a waste of time.

[Indeed, even as he says that, the Shade manages a lurching step forward, jaws practically slavering in its aggression towards another sign of life in the cage with it.] But that means you understand the condition it's in, right?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas looks to Momo, anger flashing across his face.]

They shouldn't have even been allowed to get this bad! Why are you okay with this?! This is just... just cruel!

[Even if they're little more than a Shade, keeping one in this condition... it's just cruel.]

[Roxas takes a step back when the Shade tries to lunge forward, and he briefly squeezes his eyes shut. It's... it's like what Vanitas said, out in the Wilde. He doesn't have a choice.]

[He grits his teeth, claws flexing. He'd prefer a weapon, but if he's fast enough... he'll dart forward, trying to get around and behind the Shade. If he can get behind it..!]

[yesdoubt]

[Momo's brows threaten to creep into his hairline at that, amusement tinging his expression that little bit more.]

You seem surprised. Everything that's going on down here for the excuse of "the greater good", and this is what makes you realise it's cruel?

[Momo's brainwashing had focused more on switching his loyalties to someone higher in the cult and twisting him to be more cruel in general, so it didn't quite nail loyalty to the broader cult and ideals or buying into the idea that it's a greater good. The nature of his loyalty means he'll do what he's asked of by the person his loyalties have been switched to, though.

The Shade tries to turn around towards Roxas when he moves behind it, but it can't turn very quickly with the state of its limbs, so there's definitely a wide open opportunity to attack it in the moment or two before it can get back to face him. Its jaws are massive and look like they've started to be mutated by the Shade change, though, so it's best to be very quick before those can get anywhere near pointing at him again.]

[twilightskey]

[Roxas is going to be as quick as he can, aiming for the back of the Shade's neck with his claws. He may not have his magic or Keyblades, but he's still a beast when it comes to combat.]

[His claws sink into the Shade's neck, tearing at whatever connective tissue is there. Hopefully he can give it a quick death. As he holds it down and digs his claws into it, his ears angle to the sides as he looks at Momo.]

Everything that's going on here is cruel. It's bad enough we're being tortured and have all these experiments done on us. But I thought the Circle just wanted to infect us all with the Cwyld and convert us into Shades for their own benefit. But even after putting us through all this and forcing us to go through all this torture, they don't even care about the Shades they create! This is... it's playing with lives, in the worst possible way. I've seen Heartless that were more merciful than this!

[He's letting his anger seep into his voice, but he's careful to not include Momo in his rant. Because it's not Momo's fault he's being controlled. It's all the Emerald Circle's doing.]

The Emerald Circle are worse than monsters. This is just... a breeding ground for darkness. Can't you see that??

[yesdoubt]

[The Shade struggles violently as its neck is torn at - it's not particularly thick in the neck, so it won't take too much to break it apart. Still, it continues squirming and twisting until the very end, trying to get purchase to rip at Roxas, so the death won't quite be a mercifully instantaneous one.

Momo almost appears to be only half-listening to Roxas' little speech, busy writing notes on the fight and how this particular Shade has ended up disposed of. But it's clear enough that he's heard all of it by the end, when he rests his clipboard at his front again and shows his pointed canines in a smile that speaks all too obviously that he thinks such concerns are hopelessly naive.]

Do you think I'm blind? I'm doing my job. I don't really care about anything else, honestly, but it's a little bit more fun than I'm used to having on duty, so I'll take it. After all, I have to show at least a little bit of mercy and restraint out in public.

[Just to drive it home that he does not even remotely care. That was the irony the cult turned back on Momo in their brainwashing - because what made him blow his cover was snapping at the first hint he got of what was going on down here, the deepest punishment would be to have him not just participate in it, but do so with relish.]

[twilightskey]

[He tried his best, digging his claws into the Shade until it stopped moving. Whoever this Shade was... he hopes they're able to pass on peacefully.]

[Momo's answer just makes Roxas stare for a moment, completely gobsmacked by the answer. How could he not even care? It makes Roxas grit his teeth, ichor-stained claws clenching into fists.]

You're awful.

[yesdoubt]

[Eventually, the Shade stills, when its head has basically been parted from the rest of it. It's all dry and clean, as Shades tend to be considering their state by the time the magic is keeping them alive, but it's still not a terribly pleasant addition to the cage.

He takes a deliberate moment to note something else down before bothering to look at Roxas, his smile light and on the edge of mocking.]

That's the nicest thing anyone's called me all day, but I'm sure you could come up with something more original if you tried. [He's been called a lot of the same handful of things by the people trapped, and unfortunately his normal state of finding it extremely easy to let insults roll off his back has carried over to this one.]

[twilightskey]

[The casual jeer just makes Roxas growl deeply; a rumbling, animalistic sound. In a flash he's off of the Shade and slams his hand against the bars, which let out a resounding clang! throughout the room.]

How about you come in here so I can knock some sense into you!

[yesdoubt]

[Since Momo had the forethought to stand more than an arm's length from the cage, the sudden attack doesn't even make him flinch. People don't throw aggressive kidnapped monsters and creatures in cages if they don't completely trust those cages are going to hold up to attack, and while he doesn't remember why in this condition, loud noises are far from unfamiliar to him.]

How energetic you are, all of a sudden. Should I bring you another playmate?

[There are plenty of other Shades to pit him against, though the others aren't going to be in nearly as bad shape.]

[twilightskey]

[Roxas lets out another growl at Momo.]

What does the Circle even hope to gain out of all of this?? There's no benefit to this infection! All they're doing is killing people!

[yesdoubt]

What's the saying? You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. There hasn't been particularly detailed study on the Cwyld besides the search for a cure, so there's some experimenting to catch up on.

[And any rules of humane experimentation aren't really going to apply within a cult. Either way, Momo doesn't seem to be bothered at all by the implications.]

[twilightskey]

What more is there to study? It kills people, we should be looking for a cure!

[Roxas growls, before shaking his head.]

You'll... I hope you can see how wrong this all is. How much the Circle is hurting people... I know you're not really like this. Your heart will remember, even if you can't right now.

[yesdoubt]

That's not very interesting, though, is it?

[Momo says it in an almost chiding tone, as if explaining something to a child, though that element of amusement remains in it the whole way through. His heart has been locked down hard, so no amount of appealing to his better nature is going to do much but get an unpleasant smile from him.]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Now, I have a few more playmates for you, since you were kind enough to offer yourself up.

We can probably wrap this here?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas growls again at Momo, but turns to look at the entrance where the Shade came in. He did offer himself up like this, but... he's just realizing how far gone Momo is under the Circle's magic. It's going to be hard... but he can endure, at least for a while.]

[So he shakes his head, ears angling down.]

Fine. But I'm not done with you, either.

sure!

[yesdoubt]

[That gets something like a laugh, though it's a vicious mockery even with how brief it is.]

How pitiful. Forgive me if I'm not really worried about how "done" you are with me.

[He'll likely have bigger things to worry about before long, as Momo heads back into the cages to select another "playmate". The others are going to be in much better condition than this one, and likely progressively more difficult to best until Momo sees where his limit might lie and how far he can stretch it.]