[closed] yes, turn the knob and switch that gear

[faithlikeaseed]

Who: The SQUIP, L Lawliet, Connor, and Justine vs Rich Goranski, Michael Mell, Myr Shivana, and Niles, with Jeremy Heere in the middle like a rugby ball.
When: The 14th, before the mist recedes.
Where: waves hands vaguely, somewhere near where the SQUIP’s hiding its people-hoard
What: A little spot of aggravated assault against an AI gone rogue. The SQUIP’s number is up.
Warnings: v i o l e n c e, body horror, blood, traumatic brain injury; more as needed.


Three days of mist and chaos hadn’t been kind to Aefenglom. Despite the Coven’s best efforts, the city resembled a war zone more than a thriving metropolis, with Monsters and Witches alike running rampant. Some were feral--some were simply making best use of a crisis--but regardless of motive, many, too many, were going unopposed and unnoticed.

Among the rioting and looting, the SQUIP’s quiet personal effort to grow its social network might’ve gone entirely unnoticed. It was almost commendable, in a sick way, in stashing the people it collected out of harm’s way. It could have very well gone on doing so until the mist receded with no one but its new acquisitions the wiser--

But then it made the mistake of grabbing the wrong person, and all hell broke loose.

Comments

PROLOGUE: Rich, Jeremy, the SQUIP

[faithlikeaseed]

[firewalled]

The moment Rich had found his way back to his human form (with a lot of help from Michael, who really seems to know just what to say to a newly transformed dragonboy), he'd been back to worrying about Jeremy. Sure, he'd ditched just about everyone back at the house, but it was clear that Michael had gotten control of himself again, and Rich is... at least hopeful that Justine has been around long enough to know how to stay out of trouble.

Jeremy has been here half a month, and most of that time, from what Rich has seen, has been spent panicking about the strange new world that he's been thrust into. That, plus his very strange habit of zoning out that he's picked up during the mist doesn't give Rich much confidence in his chances out here.

So he's trying to track him down, and trying not to let guilt over failing to keep the most important people he has here safe and sound get to him, when he spots a familiar mess of brown hair crossing just a street away from him. Rich is about to call out for him when he realizes just who Jeremy is with... and that immediately gets his hackles to rise. Something is obviously wrong, Rich doesn't even need to see the blood to know that Jeremy's been dazed and confused again and the SQUIP decided that was the perfect time to butt in and try to drag him into being his brainwashed host all over again...

In the moments where Rich struggles with panic and fear, absorbing that this nightmare scenario really is happening, Jeremy has been led further away... though as Rich calms down and tries to form some sort of plan, he decides that might be for the best.

Not wasting any more time, he starts following after the two, as quietly as possible, hiding around corners and behind buildings when he needs to. The fog is also a helpful cover, though Rich tries to keep his view of them clear enough, as his watch is clutched in his hand, ready to record at a moment's notice. He has a feeling that if the time for retaliation has finally come, he's going to need the ammunition so he and Myr don't get punished for just trying to stop history from repeating.

Even so, he doesn't really care what happens to him. At this point, what matters is making sure the SQUIP can never dig its claws into anyone else ever again.

If it took another flaming puddle of gasoline, or if it took even more, so be it.

[hearthebell]

[L knew, through their Bond, that something was deeply wrong. He'd gone home after leaving Jeremy, shaken but much more clear-minded; it turned out that getting exactly what his body needed is helping him in a lot of useful ways.

At least he dropped the kid off for medical attention, even paid for it, and extra for discretion. A truly terrible person would have done nothing after almost bleeding him dry in a fit of ravenous vampiric hunger. And L had to see it to believe it, but after all that talk, and all that performance, and all that reassurance, Jeremy's left only to be right back at the SQUIP's side. No one is in their right mind, but there would be some sane core to it, wouldn't there? The same one that compelled L to actually feel some degree of horror for having preyed so blatantly on Jeremy?

Purposely, he tries to block out the SQUIP to mask his brisk approach. He doesn't nudge or grasp the AI's shoulder, he shoves, because oh, he's seen where it's going and what it keeps there, too.]

Are you out of your mind? This is unacceptable.

[He's not wearing the opal ring the SQUIP gifted him, but the knuckles of his clenched fists are bone-white.]

There isn't a single aspect of this that is acceptable. You're going back to the home, that I made safe for you, or I'm going back alone and leaving you to whatever trouble comes your way.

[fromjapan]

[The SQUIP turns to stare at its partner, bewildered, angry-- it seems genuinely shocked by the approach, by L's sudden orders--

-- and then it notices that the ring is missing from his finger, and it's as though it's swallowed knives. Heat rises up through its core, rage, washing through its veins like liquid flame.]

I will not. This has nothing to do with you. Go home, and just-- let me do this.

[Its mind is too addled, the feral dragon drive to collect squeezing its brain like a vice, and even its quantum processor can't power through. L will feel it over the Bond, the hold the Mist's magic has on his Bonded, blotting out its rational thoughts entirely.]

THE BATTLE IS JOINED: Ensemble

[faithlikeaseed]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor is tucked away inside the inn with Justine, with the SQUIP's control over him keeping him mostly just sat in a chair staring blankly ahead. He barely talks. He's aware, deep down, that something is wrong. Attempts to fight back against the control over him are met with even more force, until he's numb and obedient.

We just had to wait for the right moment to resume control of your program. He recalls Amanda's words dully. If he could feel much of anything right now, he'd be pissed. This has already happened to him before. He'd been able to free himself then, but only just.

Connor senses the SQUIP's outburst even if he can't see it knock L down. That's enough to jolt him out of his stupor, even if it doesn't release him from its control. The SQUIP is upset. The SQUIP needs him. To Justine, he nods towards the door of their room.]

Something's happening outside. We should be there.

[He assumes she's following as he heads out of the room and exits the inn, heading to the SQUIP's side and giving Rich an uncharacteristically cold glare. It's probably immediately apparent that the SQUIP has clamped down hard on its control over him.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine doesn't hold Connor's stillness though her movements are jerky and uneven, her eyes glazed as if she's on something and enjoy every second of it. For a majority of the night her head has been resting on Connor's thigh while the tip of her finger maps invisible shapes across the side of his leg.

Touching him feels right, their shared Bond grounding her and at the same time, giving SQUIP more control over her.

She hums softly in reply to Connor's words and lifts her head to stare at the door. She can't feel it the way he can but she feels something inside of Connor shift, the stillness inside of him stirring in response to something.] Connor? [Justine rises to her feet and follows behind him.

The mist had affected her when it had first entered the city. Blue and purple scales simmer down her neck while her eyes appear to be flecked with black and silver filaments. She was wearing a white dress that only seemed to accent these changes.]

SQUIP?

[firewalled]

[The scene Justine and Connor walk into immediately looks dangerous to walk into the middle of. They both must have known the SQUIP was getting more powerful, but they likely couldn't have anticipated this: the SQUIP, arms outstretched, trying to get into the heads of those around him. L looks breathless, Jeremy looks frozen, and Rich...

Naturally, Rich is doing what he does best: fighting. His talons are reaching up to clutch at his head, occasionally scraping, and the pain from the small cuts at least distracts him from the feeling of the SQUIP trying to root around in his mind. His teeth are clenched hard together, and he doesn't even notice anyone around him.

All of his energy is focused inward, focused completely on pushing the SQUIP out. He remembers how this felt back at the Halloween party, and he uses that. He can feel the fire licking at his insides all over again, and he feeds those flames until he has the strength to drag his head up and look the SQUIP in the eyes.]

You stay out of my friends!

[Those talons grow, the firey wings at his back flaring. He's well aware that he's a monster, but that means it's only natural for him to want to rip the SQUIP apart.]

A CRASH OF DRAGONS: Rich & the SQUIP

[faithlikeaseed]

[firewalled]

[The SQUIP might be surprised to find that Rich isn't scared. Not anymore. There's no point showing any fear around the SQUIP, when it'd only take that as a sign of its power and influence. Really, as he stares the SQUIP down, he finds himself entering an unsettling calm. Whatever happens will happen. Whatever happens, it was his choice... and good or bad, that's what matters to him now.

He doesn't bare his teeth, doesn't give the SQUIP any reason to hate him more. He knows he doesn't need to.]

You know, I think I've learned plenty. But I guess you'll find out just what I learned without you holding me back when this is over.

[He glances at Michael, silently trying to warn him to stay away from the SQUIP until the right moment. He watches as Niles and what he can only assume is Myr jump into action, and then he turns back to the SQUIP with a smile, one that quickly morphs and grows, until a house-sized dragon appears in Rich's place. Bright, still human eyes glint and then blur as Rich swoops up into the air, higher and higher, hunting for the ledge of L's barrier.]

[fromjapan]

[The SQUIP sees no difference at all.

The body is different, of course, not only the dragon parts-- Rich is older now, scarred and then healed over, but beneath that, he is the same. The only way Rich ever managed to feel strong, to feel confident, was when he learned to stomp down anything or anyone in his path, to tear the things that hurt him apart. Rich was freed from his fear when he vented it outward, inflicting it onto everyone else.

This is no different.

His fear and pain welled up... and this time, they literally transformed him, giving him a form that could crush that which was upsetting him.]

Using violence to defend yourself from that which hurts you... you say your strength now has nothing to do with us, but who was it that taught you that little trick, Rich?

[Its voice is ice.

If what he wants is a fight-- if Rich's aim is to turn this into a draconic pissing contest, well. Fine.

The SQUIP's own form begins to shift in return; and where Rich goes for mass, the SQUIP's form is sleek and alien, a long neck and shining white-blue scales, the horns that grew atop its head extending upward and curving wickedly. Its eyes are still mismatched-- one black as pitch, the other a vivid, cruel white, both set into its odd head, narrowed. Circuitry marks the webbing of its dark wings.

It glances one last time, sidelong, at L; and then it ascends, taking flight to meet Rich wherever he may decide to attempt making his way through the barrier.]

[firewalled]

[Rich isn't sure how much of him has changed now from what the SQUIP made him, and that's a struggle for a different time. He's not going to let it get to him now... there are people here, even if many of them are charmed and turned against him, who see him for something more now, and cruel, manipulative words aren't about to stop him now.

He doesn't respond to the taunt, doesn't really seem to get angrier about it, just watches as the SQUIP shifts into a dragon and flies up to meet him. So this fog really had changed its abilities... that's definitely a little more intimidating, but Rich has to keep this up. Now that this battle has started, there's no way to stop it without risking lives, and he has to be strong enough to keep going.

Once the SQUIP has flown close enough to him, Rich lets out a roar, exhaling blistering flames in the SQUIP's direction. It's not a large enough blast to reach anyone below, but it certainly is more impressive than what he showed off in that auction.]

DROWNING IN AIR: Connor, Niles, Justine

[faithlikeaseed]

[plasticasshole]

[Connor's attention is immediately drawn to Niles when he shows up, and he sneers. Standing in front of Justine defensively, he sees the wall of ice go up and recognises it as the SQUIP trying to protect him. His eyes do flick over the others as they appear, but nobody grabs his attention the way Niles does.

Niles already killed the SQUIP once. Niles is a threat that needs to be kept away from it. His own safety doesn't concern him. Not when he has two people he loves to protect.]

Justine... stand back.

[He doesn't really expect her to listen even as he says it, so he steps forward too, wondering inwardly how he's supposed to fight Niles in that form. He's close to the ice now, not considering that Niles can jump it.]

[ishisstrength]

[Justine's gaze follows each person as they join the fray. She recognizes them but there is a distance to that recognition. The only names that circle through her thoughts are her Bonded and the SQUIP.

She must protect it and Connor and Ri-- the name staggers in her thoughts and she struggles to hold onto it. He's in trouble.

SQUIP is in trouble. Rich's name is suddenly replaced. Yet she can feel Rich's anger through the Bond, the contradiction. Something feels wrong but Justine can't place it, she can't focus on it.]

Connor.

[Justine whispers his name and steps forward. She isn't weak, not anymore, not like when they first met, when she first arrived to this city.

"I will protect you."

She wants to protect everyone she's come to care about and with that thought planted firmly in my mind, the air around her began to stir.]

[cyclopticsadist]

[And it looks like she'll need to. With a cold laugh Niles crouches, hind legs shifting from side to side and tail lashing back and forth. Then he leaps front paws reaching and catching the rim of the wall. He pulls himself up and as soon as his hind legs touch the wall he leaps again, this time sailing over L's barrier to pounce onto Connor, slamming into him with his full taur weight.

He bends forward at the human waist, arm flying towards Connor, attempting to literally slap the charm breaker onto him.]

I THOUGHT BETTER OF YOU: Myr & L

[faithlikeaseed]

[faithlikeaseed]

Linden!

[It's as much a stag's bellow as a man's shout, Myr's voice raised over the crackle of the barrier. He knows--knows--that trying to reason here will be ineffective, for even if Linden's not possessed outright there's something more than simple utility binding him to the SQUIP, and the SQUIP to him. It roils in the pit of Myr's stomach, climbs up his throat, twists into the building sense of panic he's ignoring with everything in him.

(It's Hasmal's rebellion all over again, squaring off against the Libertarians knowing Vandelin was among them, and not knowing whether they'd all walk away alive.)

Reason will be ineffective but it's a measure of his esteem for Linden that he's got to try, anyway, as he paces beside the barrier. Blue light touches sparks from wet petal-shielded eyes, from blood smudged on antlers and draped viscera.]

Let it go and stand down! This is beyond anyone--

[He coughs, an unwholesome sound; this throat isn't made for speaking. Actions must do.

If the barrier's anything like a Thedosian primalist's, the less he touches it, the better. He draws the silence rune out of his handful and lunges abruptly at the dome, fingers outstretched to barely kiss the crackling surface with the rune.

Current arcs in a loop of incandescence and the rune is ionized in the instant, sifting down as useless ash. Myr locks up rigid in a spasm for horrible seconds, a shriek caught in his teeth; he collapses entirely in an awkward splay of limbs when the paralysis passes, singed and smoking.] Hrrrkkk...

[No time, no time, no time to be injured; he struggles back to his feet...]

[hearthebell]

[L's body has taken on traits of vampires; much of it is exactly like what a human would feel, or do, only experienced through a chilled veil. His heart beats, just more slowly. He needs to breathe, just not as often. He perspires, but the beads of sweat collecting on his brow from the effort of holding his barrier in place and manipulating it to suit their ever-changing needs are icy cold and clammy. His will has kept him standing before far longer than his body should have been able to allow, and he doesn't doubt that he'll be able to manage now, even if it's difficult, even if it hurts. The SQUIP's healing more or less clinches it, in his mind, because calling this a "wall" is a touch inaccurate. It's more of a curtain, bending and warping as he anticipates new threats, and Rich's ascent has required a new approach. The energy arches and bends to shelter them from an airborne attack, and as L's fingers spread and the magic shimmers and sparks, he's satisfied with the safeguard.

...until he hears a bestial sound between a roar and a bray, that somehow manages to sound like his name and an imploring request, and even if it takes a second and third glance to place the transformed faun, it could only be Myr. He tenses, has to consciously remember to keep his feet rooted to the ground as the staglike creature paces and pleads with him, and those warning sparks lick and crackle and draw blood even before the contact.]

No, don't, I don't want you to...!

[There's real concern in his voice, and it's actually bizarre to hear it so alive with alarm and dismay. He feels the snap and singe of the rune; to him, it feels like static, but to Myr it's bound to feel like a brief but fierce volley of hot needles. Now, L does take a step forward, even as the barrier remains in place.]

Please just stay down...

[faithlikeaseed]

[It would be easier to stay down.

It would be so much easier to stay down, hearing the concern writ large in Linden's voice. Unusual as their friendship may be, it is a friendship all the same; Linden's words are the echo of Myr's heart. I don't want you to--

But it is no kindness, no act of love to leave Linden in the state he's in, no matter his own satisfaction with it. It is no kindness to abandon Rich and Niles to death, to leave Connor and Justine in thrall against a possible future where Linden might convince his Bonded to free them.

It is no kindness to let the SQUIP go on as it had, and so Myr climbs achingly to his feet and considers the barrier with a wintery bleakness in his eyes (and eyes). His silence rune played to no effect, there remains the simplest solution to bringing a magical shield down: Expend the magic put into it by brute force.

He backs away a body-length, two, bracing himself for the pain to come with each step. A moment's hesitation, then muscles bunch beneath his patchy hide and he throws himself at the barrier in a head-long antler charge.

This time the shock only sends him, gasping, to his knees.]

BYSTANDER EFFECT: Michael, Jeremy, (& Friends)

[faithlikeaseed]

[twoplayergay]

[ The closer Michael gets to Jeremy, the tighter his chest feels. Jeremy doesn't look right. All this shit going down around him and he's stock-still, calm.

Chill.

He fights back a burning behind his eyes and chews hard on the inside of his cheek.]

Jeremy.... Buddy... please... don't tell me...

[ The SQUIP isn't just a SQUIP anymore, is it? It's also a witch. It has magic fucking powers. Even if he had forgotten that, the big wall of ice it makes is reminder enough. Shit. Fuck. ]

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy tracks Michael's movement warily. It doesn't seem like he's reacting, but frightened-animal vibes pour off him in waves.

There's relief too. Either the SQUIP heard his prayer and is heeding it or it's distracted. Either way, it hasn't so much as glanced at Michael yet. Maybe it doesn't know how important Michael is.

So there's a faint smile on his face that doesn't mesh with the situation. Smugness, like Jeremy's eerily good posture and curt movements, are all bundled into the SQUIPped Jeremy Package.

The SQUIP's not taking advantage of its control, thank goodness. No Kung Fu Fists this time. Only Michael's best friend in the middle of an ensuing battle, motionless like a doll on a shelf, eyes locked with his.]

AFTERMATH: Ensemble

[faithlikeaseed]

for i see what i destroy (ota + prompt for justine)

[faithlikeaseed]

i. ota
In the immediate aftermath of the fight--before the memory of that awful screaming has yet to die--Myr staggers back to Linden's side and collapses there with his limbs tucked beneath him. He will be up in a minute to check on anyone still standing, ever-solicitous, ever-worried-- But before that can happen he needs to catch his breath.

And if he should rest his head just so beside Linden so he can listen to the other man's breathing and take thin comfort he's yet alive, what of it?

ii. for justine
Myr is careful in approaching Justine and Connor, once the others have dispersed--careful as a deer treading the edge of a meadow. He had not caught but glimpses and shouts of the fight with Niles, but what he had was enough to conclude she was a formidable mage in her own right.

And very, very rattled by all of this. It would not do to upset her further.

"May I help carry him?" He dips his head toward Connor; the gesture would almost be graceful but it pulls at his burns and he winces. "Once I've moved Linden."