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

wow I did not get a notif, I'm sorry!

[gekijou]

[Well, when it comes to each other, they are the touchy types. It comforts Yuki to be touched by Momo, even if it's just a hand in his long hair. He'll soak it up for a moment and not worry about anything else, as best as he can.

Smiling, he closes his eyes and focuses on the points where they connect. There's a warmth back in the Bond that he'd been missing when Momo was kidnapped. A peacefulness he can't get anywhere else here. It feels to him like sitting in a sunlit window with a nice book, or sleeping in a sunbeam.]

I want to dance with you and sing with you. Write songs with you. Take over every world we're in. It feels... right. Like being with you always feels.

[Peeking one eye open to look at Momo.] Even if we have to fight sometimes to get anywhere. It's worth it.

dw still consuming notifs

[yesdoubt]

[Momo's fingers shift gently around Yuki's hair, from the side to the back, so it's almost like he's giving him a very high embrace. He wants to hold Yuki close, cradle him against his shoulder, but it's not the ideal time for it when they've got their hands everywhere like this, so he keeps the urge settled for the moment.

Momo's smile just keeps softening with how much praise is being laid on him, how much happiness is being passed on through those simple words, so when Yuki opens his eye, it's to Momo's smile having reached the point where he's showing a little fang out of biting his lip a tiny bit to try not to cry again.]

It's always been worth it. For Re:vale, and for you. There's thrones to make in whatever world we're in, for us to claim together.

[He manages to stop himself from saying I'll make thrones in whatever world we're in, because he doesn't want to derail by phrasing it like he'll do it himself again.]

I just want to be by your side forever. Anything I need to do for that, I'll do it.

i'm sick of it!

[gekijou]

[That look on Momo's face hits him in the heart, and he smiles back, honestly peaceful at last. This is his partner, his Momo, the best person he's ever been beside, the one who won't leave him no matter what. Maybe it was something like destiny that brought them together, that made sure Momo was there when Yuki was going through the worst parts of his life, failure after failure. Maybe it was fate that Momo has always been the strongest person Yuki's ever known, in every way that counts, when Yuki was nothing.

He lets his eyes slip closed, and presses the sweetest, most grateful kiss he's ever given the man right to Momo's lips. Maybe it's just because he's done with words, but he lingers there, deepening the kiss little by little, until Momo decides he's had enough.

Even if Momo is hurting, even if Momo might feel like he shouldn't be showered in Yuki's love because of the kidnapping and everything it entailed, Yuki disagrees. He can only help Momo by returning his sunshine with as much energy and devotion as he possibly can.

Forever.]

[yesdoubt]

[A soft sound of surprise comes from Momo's throat at the kiss, but after that initial moment, he just about melts into it. His head is a mess and fuzzy around the edges, he's still exhausted, and he's incredibly hungry now that he's had to sleep off the breaking of the spell, and something sweet and gradual that he can just let himself fall into is something the selfish part of him reaches out for with borderline desperation.

It takes Momo a while to have his fill, gently pressing back both with the kiss and his body, a visible and palpable desire to be near without being overbearing, as he can often be in situations like this. It's a reminder of where he belongs and what he'd somehow managed to have sealed away from him in those days, and so there's an element of something like clinging, the want to have something familiar and missed and not wanting to part with it. But finally, reluctantly, he draws back, resting his head in the curve of Yuki's neck for a moment.]

[gekijou]

[Maybe for once it's Yuki's turn to take care of Momo. He wants to cook him breakfast and let him rest, or curl up with him all day not caring about anything else. He knows they can't really escape from everything that's happened so easily, but what if he could convince Momo to go easy on himself, just this once?

The kiss energizes Yuki, soaking up all of Momo's obvious desire and need, reflecting it back at him as gently as he can so he doesn't do something rash and stupid that would make him forget, but probably not make Momo feel much better. After a whole discussion about talking about things, it's weird for him to keep something from Momo. Still, it's better than saying or doing the wrong thing when they both need so much right now.

Stroking Momo's hair, he turns his head toward him and presses another lingering kiss into the mess of black strands.]

I love you, Momo.

[And, summoning up every last bit of energy he has, he tries to sound a little brighter.]

Are you hungry? I'll make something for you.

[yesdoubt]

[It's comfortable like this, curled into each other and with Yuki drawing fingers through his hair, and while some part of Momo definitely wants to be the one to take responsibility for both of them here, it's...more difficult than he'd like. His brain is still trying to get things back in order, the jumble of fake memories tangled with his real ones and the things he did while he was out of his own control, and he's sure there are bits and pieces that haven't come back to him yet, both from the recent events and things that were blocked off and haven't resurfaced. Even trying to remember something he could feasibly make for them to eat besides toast is making his head hurt - though the kiss to his head helps with that a bit, and makes him smile.]

I love you too. [It's nice to be able to say it in a way that's clear and simple - they might've said "love" to each other plenty of times back home, but this, where they both know exactly where it's coming from, is something he appreciates. And while he could answer that question, his stomach beats him to it, letting out a low, but very audible growl that makes Momo look a bit self-conscious, but also a bit amused.]

...Well, I guess I don't really need to answer that now, do I? I can help you set things up.

[Because of course he's going to insist on at least helping, as always. Even if trying to help with the food part always stands a good chance of getting him kicked out of the kitchen.]

[gekijou]

[Hearing Momo say it always makes Yuki feel a little better. It's not like he ever forgets that they're a couple or anything, but it's nice to affirm it when things are rough. He doesn't hold any of what's happened against Momo, not really, and he'll find it in himself to forgive him for any other little things quicker than anyone else.

He can't help a little laugh at his stomach growling, though. How typical. The two of them have been a wreck for hours now, and who knows if those brutes were feeding Momo. He's an increasingly beefy guy! He needs nutrition. And Yuki always, always wants to deliver.]

I didn't get to shop much before, but I'll find something to make for us.

[Kissing Momo on the nose, because if he has to be deathly serious any more he'll turn into a damn turtle instead of an octopus.]

I'll even let you peel the carrots this time.

[yesdoubt]

[While Momo would be concerned if it was himself trying to cook from leftovers and whatever's remaining in the cupboard, with Yuki he simply gives an encouraging sort of grin.]

I trust my darling's cooking skills, I bet you could make an amazing meal with even the last dregs of our groceries. [In part because it's not as if he didn't have to do that plenty of times before when they were broke.

All these cute kisses are apparently making Momo self-conscious he's not returning them, so he takes his opportunity while Yuki is close to steal a messy kiss or two along his cheek and jawbone.]

What a big responsibility...I'll do my best to replicate Yuki's perfect vegetable-whisperer skills!