☆ Event Log: Snatched, Part Two

[faileas]

Event Log: January, Snatched - Part Two

I. A Great Escape (20th, Evening) It's been a miserable six days for the Mirrorbound and refugees kept locked away in a basement cell block, subject to all kinds of torment and experimentation. They're a resilient sort, though, and their efforts to organize and bolster each other are not in vain. As the time passes with no sign of the City Guard drawing close to their operations, the Rathmore family grows overconfident, and characters can hear them talking to each other about another mass-kidnapping in the works. The best opening comes late on the night of the 20th. A few of the family's numbers are out - notably, Thomas Rathmore, his wife, and his mother are attending an emergency meeting of Parliament, and Constance is making an appearance at the Coven. This leaves the more inexperienced cousins in charge, the lesser known Rathmores with no particular skill outside of cruelty. Changing of the guard begins as usual, a handful of Rathmores delivering some sparse rations and taking their time to choose a few prisoners to remove from their cells, but this time, the Mirrorbound bite back. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Daenerys and Asura, along with the prisoners preparing an organized revolt, a fire started in the torture room provides chaos and cover - and one dead Rathmore cousin, whose body gives up some of the keys to a handful cells. Time to play the cards you've held close to your chest over days of torture, your held-back spells, your tricks, your items that weren't confiscated. A mass escape isn't likely, with so many people still present in the building and so many of the captives injured and tired, but with enough of a distraction in the form of a prison riot, which may be enough to overpower the three Rathmores initially left in the cell block, a handful of scrappy Mirrorbound may make it out to safety before reinforcements arrive. a. The Escape Attempt There is one door out of the cell block, the main, heavy, warded door that the Rathmores enter and exit from every few hours. It's locked down tight - but it's possible to power through it, pick the lock, or charm it open. On the other side of the door, in the greater basement area, they'll find themselves free of the Bond dampening. Witch magic make take some time to return, depending on whether they were drugged or only charmed, but it'll be important to move quickly. The Rathmores' basement area is large - the size of the mansion above and the grounds put together, and they'll find themselves on the lower of two levels. The cellblock turns out to be a room within an even bigger room, with the stairs at the opposite end. The dangers are numerous: magical and mechanical traps set in areas marked off-limits, illusions intended to confuse and turn people around. There is only one completely safe path from the cellblock door to the stairs, unless they take the time to disarm the traps and illusions with their returning magic and abilities. That safe path is faster but more exposed, with two or three Rathmores in pursuit, and also the other people that could occasionally be heard outside the door - young aristocrats in on the kidnapping, who thought the Mirrorbound would be sent home. They're just as surprised to see you as you are them. In fact, it's not difficult to overpower these non-Rathmore kidnappers; they're obviously shocked to see Mirrorbound still here, in such states, and some are quite angry, or scared to learn what they've inadvertently gotten themselves into. A good handful flee instead of fight, but some others follow through on the shouted orders to go after you. Use the chaos your appearance causes to your advantage. Once escapees reach the upper basement level, up the stairs and through a hidden door, a few more traps remain, but up here, it looks more like a normal basement; servants' quarters, empty for some time now, storage rooms full of antiques, and winding hallways connecting them. It's easier to hide in this dusty maze to escape any pursuers, and eventually, they find the servants' exit out onto the back grounds. From there, freedom is just a run and a decorative, wrought-iron fence away. b. The Chaos Back in the cells, everything descends into chaos. The Rathmores are furious; while two or three of the cousins go after the escapees, the rest begin to gather down in the cell block, put out the fire, and the interrogations begin. They don't bother taking prisoners out to torment them now - they can't, with their torture room charred and smokey. Their main focus is forcing prisoners back in, and locking everything down with magic and heavy chains, to ensure no one else gets out. They grow more vicious now, and they begin speaking directly to the captives - they want to know which ones got free, how they managed it, who helped them, where they're going, who they're going to tell. Those who refuse to talk will be gagged or muzzled or simply beaten without finesse, and they'll move on to the next captive. Preying on the Mirrorbound's camaraderie with each other is the tactic they quickly turn to, hurting one to try and make another talk. The talk outside the main door grows louder in these few hours, angrier. Occasionally one of the Rathmore cousins will go out to spin some lies, or simply shout down any protesting. Some of the enchantments were damaged in the riot, though - they can hear you, just as well as you can hear them, muffled but still mostly clear. The more they hear from within, the more the confusion outside grows; all the better for the escaped Mirrorbound. ..."What's going on? Those were Mirrorbound that got out-" "We thought you were sending them home!" "You told us there was no risk, that this would make them leave-" "You don't need to worry about that! Go back upstairs!" "Someone needs to get a message to our Uncle Thomas immediately-"... They're all panicking as their grand plans, flimsy as they may have been, start to crumble around them. It's just a matter of time, now. The OOC post for the escape plotting is here if anyone needs to refer back to it! Eight characters will be escaping first thanks to a joint effort. The rescue will be underway within two hours of their escape, but those two hours are likely to be unpleasant for characters who remain in captivity. Any NPC maimings or proposed deaths need to be reported on the City Tracker; please note that mass murder / killing NPCs will still have consequences and needs mod approval first, but we're happy to work with players however we can.

II. The Cavalry (21st, Very Early Morning) The City Guard is closer than the Rathmores think. Thanks to Mirrorbound investigative help, not always strictly legal but still appreciated nonetheless, they've all followed the clues back and determined a possible address. By the evening of the 20th, several members of the Guard and Witches from the Coven, along with any Mirrorbound who followed the trail, are camped out at a manse nearby, the home of a wealthy widow eager to see her nasty neighbors knocked down a peg. Without solid evidence, the Guard can't get a warrant cleared to search the property owned by a Mr. Barclay, assistant to Thomas Rathmore, but solid evidence comes as soon as eight Mirrorbound manage to fight their way out of captivity, returning to friends and Bonded. They are the last piece of the puzzle, and now legal action can be taken. Theodore Rosethorne, leading a small group from the Coven, sends out a magical message to just the Mirrorbound - they've been found. Anyone who wishes to help bring their missing fellows home, anyone who can help with much-needed healing, or anyone who wishes to bring their captors to justice needs to show up now, because time is of the essence. The Guard can't mobilize more men quickly enough in the middle of the night to be useful and they need all the hands they can get, without a floor plan of the mansion or solid ideas of the captors' numbers. They can barely wait an hour for more hands to arrive before it begins. a. The Rescue Sowilo, Theodore's Bonded Fae and a skilled hand at illusions (and seeing through such), leads the rescue efforts, along with some of Theodore's Witches from the Coven. With information from the escapees, they plan to go through the back, take the servants' exit, and make their way down to the basement levels, while Theodore's assault team will go through the front doors, making as much noise as possible. Sowilo's illusions will keep their presence masked at least until they get into the house. The aim is to get through as quietly as possible, find the cellblock, and secure a safe route to take the prisoners out without them getting hurt any worse than they are. It's easier said than done. Magical and mechanical traps of various types litter both basement floors, and heavy illusion work has been placed to obscure the way. Splitting into smaller groups to disarm the traps and deal with the illusions will be necessary, as the entire group will make its way down to the cellblock as quickly as possible. Sowilo hopes they face little to no resistance, with Theodore's group doing their job, but a few, Rathmores and otherwise, are bound to try and stop them; in that case, they will have to fight. "Make sure you can argue a case for self-defense, if you have to hurt them," Sowilo will tell the rescuers and later the freed prisoners on the way out, wings fluttering agitatedly. "Let them be arrested and publicly humiliated in court - ruin their whole family line for generations to come." He's not happy about it either, and will overlook some of the captors getting a taste of what they deserve, but deaths are not permitted on his or the Witches' watch: anyone who takes things too far will find that the person they're attacking has simply vanished - a convincing illusion - before they're handily knocked out with a spell. They face less resistance than the assault team, but less is not none; a few of the Rathmores are determined to salvage their efforts, and some of their unwitting aristocratic cronies have sided with them. Once they reach the cellblock, dismantling the enchantments that keep the prisoners restrained and addled is the first order of business for some. Others can start unlocking cells and helping people out of their restraints. Protection for the escapees on their way out will also be necessary, as well as medical attention back at the temporary base camp. The main focus has to be on those lost friends and loved ones, bringing them back out to freedom and making sure they're tended to - not on revenge. b. The Assault Theodore Rosethorne, along with some members of the City Guard and some Witches from the Coven, leads the assault. While the rescue team goes around the back, they plan to go through the front door, as loudly and conspicuously as possible. The mansion is large and needs to be swept from top to bottom for perpetrators and evidence that can be used in court. Those joining up with this team are warned that it needs to remain legal - the Mirrorbound and the refugees, all of them, have a very shaky, uncertain legal status within the city, and a mass murder could severely harm what good will they have from the locals as well as their status here. After all, many are still neutral to positive on the Mirrorbound, but that could change in an instant. The Coven will take as much responsibility as they can, but they cannot accept the blame for a senseless slaughter. Splitting into smaller groups will be necessary in order to cover more ground quickly. The aim is to locate, subdue, and arrest as many of the culprits inside as they can. The Guard provides magic-suppressing cuffs, and the Coven a basic knock-out spell, but since many will not go so willingly, some degree of force may be unavoidable. If there's one thing the rich fear, it's a legal black mark on their family name and reputation - the Rathmores will fight back harder than their underlings, but they're also the ones they need alive to face the justice system. Those outside the family, those who only knew about the kidnapping portion, are a mixed bag - some might fight back, siding with the Rathmores, but some might give themselves up once the realization of what happened in that basement sinks in. Once they make their entrance, things move quickly. Several wealthy aristocrats either flee or fight, but their attention is thankfully pulled away from the basement and toward the upper levels. There are dozens of rooms to search, and many are cluttered with an old hoarding family's antiques, furniture piled against doors and windows blocking access to some areas, hundreds of nooks and crannies among the sheer amount of stuff provide cover for culprits to hide in. It's going to be work to ferret them all out and bring them in. Worse still, the Rathmores have collected dozens of cursed or enchanted objects that may be used as weapons against the forces of justice. Some degree of force is expected, but still if anyone tries to take things too far, they might find themselves slapped into cuffs or knocked out with a spell themselves. Any NPC maimings or proposed deaths need to be reported on the City Tracker; please note that mass murder / killing NPCs will still have consequences and needs mod approval first, but we're happy to work with players however we can.

III. The After (21st On) Activity continues all through the night and late into the morning at the former Rathmore estate. All the Rathmores and a couple dozen other wealthy aristocrats are brought out in cuffs over the course of several hours, while all the prisoners are liberated to receive medical attention and reunite with their loved ones. The Guard take statements from everyone who will give one - what they witnessed, what happened to them, what they know - and all who were affected are told they will be invited to testify at trial. A gathering crowd forms at the end of the street, wealthy neighbors aghast at the horrors they're learning had occurred right in their District. Most are disgusted with the once-prominent family. On the steps of the Parliament building, Thomas Rathmore, his wife, and his mother, all sitting members of Parliament themselves, are publicly arrested in front of colleagues and on-lookers early in the morning. Constance Rathmore is taken out of the Coven roughly in magic-suppressing cuffs, surrounded by a small group of furious Witches, students of the Coven who spent the week trying to find the missing Mirrorbound and refugees with Divination. They escort her to the prison themselves. All who are arrested are transported to holding cells of their own within the City Guard - all except those requiring urgent medical attention, who will remain cuffed to their hospital beds until trial. Nessie and Mhairi make an appearance at one point to give the Mirrorbound their sincerest apologies for what happened, and Mhairi delivers the news that they're pushing for an expedited trial in Parliament, in order to keep Thomas Rathmore from bribing any contacts. They, along with Theodore and Sowilo, and the Guard, are all open and forthright with what will happen next: public trial and a certain conviction, followed by sentencing. They don't expect that the Rathmores will get away lightly; what they did is too public and too horrific for even the anti-Mirrorbound wealthy to stomach. Those others who were involved, who weren't aware of what was going on behind that metal door, they'll still face justice themselves, no doubt. In the meanwhile, those kept hostage will need all the help they can get to reach something resembling normal again. Hug your loved ones, nourish your Bonds with each other, and begin trying to heal together.

Welcome to Part Two of January's event log, Snatched! An aftermath summary of the trial and sentencing will go up on Feb. 4, the day after the City Tracker deadline, so get your submissions in if you have them! More politically-oriented characters may find an opening in the near future to enact change within Parliament and provide their own representation within the city...

And as a general reminder, please make sure to use content warnings where necessary in your headers!

Comments

Judar | Faun | OTA (General CW for injury mentions)

[kuroi_taiyo]

֍1. The Great Escape ֎
[ There honestly wasn't too much that Judar could do for the initial distractions that had gotten them out. Being anywhere near the fire would just cost the prisoners precious time, and he couldn't really help with knocking the guard with the keys out. With mangled hands, and legs that were just barely working, he was in no shape to fight. What he was, was a body to add to the chaos at that time.

A. As a faun, he also had a perfect sense of direction, and idea of where to go. He wasn't completely conscious during the initial grab, but it was just enough to be aware of the way that he'd been dragged. Damn whatever the illusions made them think they were seeing, as real as they were, he knew... The wall here wasn't really a wall. (What he couldn't account or predict, however, were traps.) ]

C'mon, right down the hall this way.

B. [ It's all to get the group of escapees out, and onto the grounds. There was still that run and the final group of people, though. They'd have to actually get moving... So, he looked around and gestured for the other(s) to keep going. He might not be able to fight, but there was finally a bit of nature. Enough to seem like he could really pull a good 'trick' off. ]

Gimme a bit, I've got an idea to slow them down.

֍2. The Chaos & Rescue ֎
[ In reality, and with a practical amount of logic, Judar knew he was in no condition to be getting too far. Even with help, his legs were reaching the end of what they could do. So, what was done was all an attempt to secure the escapees got out. That was a calculated choice that had been made, in hopes that it would lead to a prompt rescue after. However, Judar was no fool. He knew it'd come with severe consequences.

As the rest of the evening went on, the guards went even more brutally than they had in the past several days, in an attempt to get answers out of him. Who escaped, how did it get pulled off, who knocked the guard with the keys out, and even more. However, when you're aware and have been in the darkest places, it's easy to keep tight-lipped and non-responsive to those that think a lashing or beating would be the easiest extraction methods. Not even ripping the antlers off, full with the velvet, would be enough to scare him into it.

So from then, until the following day when the Rescue Team would arrive, there was an eerie silence and look in the faun's eyes. Even when it was just him and another prisoner in the cell, or while alone when someone got the doors open, there was a sharp look in those large, red eyes. Yet it wasn't necessarily focused on anyone, looking past, but seeing everything while on edge. With the condition he was in, between the mangling of teeth and various beatings and tortures by the Rathmores (compounded by the new punishments and interrogations,) it was hard to tell by an initial glance what was going on. Maybe it's because, with how swollen the cheeks and parts of the jaw looked, it was new pain being stamped down, but there was a bit of an odd feel to his presence. ]

֍3. The After ֎
[ Between legs and hands that had been broken for days, up to the new injuries, it's no surprise that Judar was one of the many Kidnapped held at the hospital. Some, or a good amount, may have been released for further care among others. Bonded, close friends, other people who were familiar with healing magic. There was a large portion that had to deal with descaling, having their feathers ripped out and any infections that had managed to set in from all of that. Judar was in the boat of people who needed to stay for more intensive treatments, ones that he'd respond wonderfully to, but he wasn't being the easiest patient.

Those that were essentially nurses had to deal with irritability and the way the patient would refuse to answer most questions. Where he was staying, if there was anyone to contact, if there was anything in particular needed... None of it. The only reason his name was anywhere was likely because someone else told them. Instead it was a paranoid and uncooperative response to their attempts to help.

They were strangers, and not just that, they were natives that he didn't know. For all he knew-

Well, the response to a familiar face, or someone who was clearly a Mirrorbound, was likely to get a better reception. He heard plenty, and knew some of what they were doing, so it's not as if he wouldn't respond or help with investigations. ]

rescue!

[usurpers]

[ the lock is defaced and the main door is swung open with the rescue team bursting in— they move quickly, calculated amongst themselves and focused, monsters and witches alike to free their kin while a red-headed witch with ice blue eyes keeps at the door on lookout. in the group was a statuesque, charcoal scaled dragon making his way brusquely over to the first mirrorbound he recognized, a tattered faun that stares right past his pin-slit eyes staring back as he works the lock of the cell he lays in.

eren couldn’t describe the glance better than “a deer in headlights”; the dragon’s expression is clean, no fangs show, no talons reach. he keeps them curved back harmlessly into his palm, with his voice low and every ounce of self control to keep his tongue in his mouth, even biting down to keep it there. it didn’t stop the smell of grime and dry blood invading the roof of his mouth, of fear and tension running finely along the chilling bars. ]

Judar, [ he calls out, firm, and looks for his reaction— but he’s cautious of it. ] can you hear me?

[ he knows what torture is, he knows what it does and he knows that every man and woman reacts differently to their own torment and durance. ]

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ Judar was all too aware of the sudden and extreme bursting into the dungeons. Even when Eren would reach this cell, those deer-like ears would be raised and in high alert. Yet, while there's paranoia and a brewing rage under the faun's skin, none of the fear that clung to the bars and would stain this land for years had been from him. The intense stare reserved for anyone that got near the cell, much less in, was a warning for the temper that was under the surface.

As well as frustration, for with his hands and legs the way they were, he didn't have much way of enacting that bottomless rage that was creeping back up on him. It was an icy rage that had no qualms striking out at a friendly face, even if conditions would keep him from effectively acting out at all.

The question earned the dragon nothing but a stare for a bit, before the lids lowered a little in a warned temper. This could be some kind of illusion, set up by the Rathmores. They were definitely starting to get into the crueler and weirder torments... ]

I'm not deaf.

[ He can hear you, even if you weren't real. Responding hurt somewhat, but like a lot of emotions, it was pulled into that black hole, what he called 'depravity,' to keep the pain from showing. ]

[usurpers]

[ at least eren doesn’t seem phased by the time of response given; it’s as angry and worn as any prisoner tormented with, or less, or worse— still leads to the same end, dependent on will to see them through. the lock is undone. the door shrieks open, the sound of metal hugging metal too close. an assessment of the faun’s legs are quick as eren derives a strategy to pick him up and get him out— it’d be an idiot question to ask if he could stand and walk. ]

Better question’s if you know what’s happening. [ if this was real or not; the others begin to pour out of their prisons, and so does eren, heeding not the warning. he knows the look in judar’s eyes are caused by far too many factors, he could kick at him and strike him, but nothing his scales couldn’t bide in favor of getting him out.

but he’s as real as the hematomas littering the faun’s face and bruising his lips. ] I’m going to shoulder you until we get outside. We’ll take you to the infirmary from there. [ but he’s quick in his gesture: ] But we need to make the assault team’s time count. Your time count.

[ come. ]

[kuroi_taiyo]

Could be a couple things.

[ Which meant that Judar couldn't be sure if this was some odd illusion set forth, or if the dragon was exactly who he seemed to be. He would test to see how solid the dragon seemed, but it'd just cause more pain and he wasn't entirely sure that the legs would lift and gear into a kick in the first place. ]

My time, right.

[ His time, his turn. Oh, he wanted to believe that Eren was actually real, though. It's not as if the Rathmores would specifically know that the two knew each other, but Eren's been around long enough to be a suspected known figure. ]

If you're gonna move me, then just go on and move me. It's obvious enough that I'm not in any place to fight or help along with any of that. At most, my hands and legs twitch.

[usurpers]

You can help by letting me do the rest. [ and he means it. hugging into judar’s torso was the first step, solid and true from the bust of his musculature to the scent of his hair. eren holds his breath, and with an exhale, lifts the faun chest to chest, hooves off the ground to remove any pressure as it all goes to eren’s arm sling beneath the other’s arms. there’s only a brief pause, and a glance into judar’s eyes before the dragon crouches, throws his head under the captive monster’s arm and hoists him into a fireman lift.

depending on eren, the rearrangement is smooth enough to maintain steadiness even in the face of urgency. making sure judar’s hanging arm is secured in his hold, with the faun’s belly to eren’s shoulders— he starts moving. with ease akin to lifting a toothpick. ] Let’s go.

[kuroi_taiyo]

What am I going to do, fight you?

[ It's not like he had the legs, hands or even antlers to fight with anymore. Though Judar wasn't expecting to be picked up this way, the faun kept everything he might have said in his head. After all, even if his ribs were sore, this was a lot better than those bridal/princess carrying methods that he'd seen others get taken out with.

At least pretend to struggle a little while picking him up, you damn dragon. ]

Guess when I'm better, I'll have to remember oils so you can have me however you want. Though I'm probably a distraction from whomever you really wanted to find and get out of here.

3. The After - hospital visit!

[towards_okeanos]

[It pays to know people even in most unusual places. Said people not necessarily must only include the wealthy and the connected. Sometimes a word that gets out from lowest rungs of society is worth its weight in gold. Through his past actions, Iskandar got himself acquainted with disproportionate number of members of the medical profession. How convenient when what he seeks, or rather who he seeks, most surely got to the hospital. Or at least so he hopes.

To the last moment, Iskandar did not fully comprehend the scale of horror or the number of the affected. Truly the hatred against the Mirrorbound must have been brewing for long.
Last time he saw Judar the young faun was entertaining the mesmerized crowds in Dorchacht. So a thought never crossed Iskandar's mind to look for him among the captives. But then a word got to him that he's gone missing too and quite early at that. So that was time to employ his connections among the healing folk and employ it he did to quite a good result. A good as to lead him finally to one especially obstinate patient.]

Oh, he's healin' alright. If only he'd eat. But he take nothin' from not any of ours. [The doctor that brought him to the room tells Iskandar in a hushed voice. He shudders and Iskandar wouldn't even try guessing if it's a reaction to the distrust or memory of the horror. Not that it matters.] No wonder. Awfully mutilated he was this one. Awfully I tell ya. Poor sod. [The doctor adds than leaves still shaking his head.]

[There's not much in a room. A bed, a bowl of soup on the bed-side table and a small chair. Iskandar drags the chair closer to the bed. He sits carefully hoping the frail thing won't break. He'd sit on the floor if he had. It doesn't so he takes it as a good omen.]

Judar. [Iskandar speaks up. Hoping that Judar will at least recognize his voice. That his luck holds just one more time.]

[How many times he spoke similar words sitting on the edge of similar beds? Or bedrolls. A mere handful of hay, or sometimes even bare ground. He cannot tell. He never kept count.]

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ Even with resting so that he faced away from the door, because it was the side of his face that hurt less, Iskander could see the slight tilt and swivel of the faun's ear from realizing someone had come in. It didn't matter if he was the type that preferred to sleep on his side. With the legs propped up a little higher so that they'd rest and heal with the right amount of support on the joints, he was stuck resting on his back. The obstinate facing away and avoiding people could only be managed neck-up.

But he really was healing well, given how much had to be done. His hands and wrists were bandaged tightly to make sure everything healed straight, to minimize the later recovery steps, and there was a healthy amount of gauze in the indents where new antlers seemed to have grown. Judar naturally shed his first pair very early, and he wasn't about to grow the next set for a little while, so this had to be a set that was forced in some magical way. The wells from the indent would've stayed full of blood that would scab over, but at this point it was a matter of them having made sure nothing was damaged, and to prevent any infections.

The voice does come with enough familiarity, however, that Judar turns his head to look to the big guy. It's not with any warmth right now, but a sharp wariness that had probably been sticking with the faun since before the rescue had come about. Post-Traumatic Ferality, of a sorts? It wasn't like he was fully feral, but there were enough similarities and signs... ]

Need something, big guy?

[ He recognizes who it is, but there was a small part in the back of Judar's head, whispering and feeding into the small ball of paranoia that had been growing lately. Paranoia that used to be towards letting people notice the pain in his legs, when they were still human-shaped. Now it kept him on edge for how anything could turn. ]

[towards_okeanos]

Me, no?

I just heard there's one particularly obstinate patient that refuses to eat and I came to check who that might be.

[Iskandar laughs at his own joke but turns serious quickly. He lifts hand to brush a rogue stray of hair from Judar's forehead. He can't blame the young faun for being so skittish. Not after everything he went through. And yet it seems as if there's something more causing it than even all the horrible memories he must have. Something that gives an additional edge to this nervousness.]

In truth, I came looking for you. I learned too late that you too were missing. I would have come earlier if only I knew.

[There's one thing he never ask that probably he should have. Who is Judar's Bonded? Or worse, if he even has one.]

[kuroi_taiyo]

Mm. Busted.

[ While dull, at least it's a returned joke. There is the slightest of flinches as the hair's brushed away; Not out of fear or pain, but still with the expectations that all of this was a mix of illusions and hypnosis. Logically he knows that's not the case, but there's that tiny whisper of 'what if' in the recesses of his mind. ]

No one knew that I was missing, big guy. I don't really live anywhere or have a set job, and most of the people I know and crossed paths with were also in there. Not like I had a bonded, like a bunch of the others, to suddenly be disconnected from either. How're you supposed to find out?

[ Which, at this point, was starting to spin itself into meaning other things. Like that it meant there was no one at all. ]

[towards_okeanos]

That so, hm?

[There was none who'd go looking for him? How sad. How wrong. How unthinkable. Iskandar takes Judar's hand in his own. Wrapped tightly in bandages it almost vanishes between Iskandar's large hands.]

I may not have a palace here but I do have a spare room. It can be yours if you'll ever need a place to stay. Or perhaps, a place to call home shall you ever want one.

[He would never force anyone to follow him. If Judar would wish to be left alone, Iskandar won't interfere. He'd still keep a watch and check on him. After what he's just heard, he simply could not do otherwise. But should Judar wish to come, Iskandar would be very happy to have him. To become a part of his ... household. He smiles. He almost thought his army but he doesn't have an army now, does he?
Yet.]

You may need to linger here longer than most. To fully recover you will need to keep your body strong and your mind unclouded. If I'll ask you to eat, will you?

[It may sound as if he was asking Judar to go to war for him. Yet, there is truth even in such an assumption. Recovering from wounds, fighting against sickness, what else is it other than a battle? Only the enemy is not external but rather internal. A small difference once one remembers that what really wins wars is not the strength of arms but will.]

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ This really wasn't the turn he was expecting. Not the heavily splinted and bandaged hand hidden between two giant hands, or the kind of offer Iskander was giving. Who would've thought that he'd get this kind of concern? It was an odd sensation, and...

Honestly, it felt kind of nice. Mind, the twisted side of his nature was tempted and ready to twist this all into a joke, which may or may not have been cruel to either of them. The original part of his nature, without even venturing to this whole Monster thing, wished that this was something he'd have so easily gotten back in his own world. ]

I guess I wouldn't turn down an offer to stay when it's said like that...

[ Though Iskander did say 'home,' and putting it with asking him to eat- Was this a case of having pity and not wanting to see someone waste away? Was it something else? ]

It's not that I won't eat, so much that I don't trust that.

[ To which he gestured at the soup. It certainly didn't look the most appetizing, but it may be the trust issues with the natives that seem to be running deeper, or was too fresh. ]

here's ur shit back bro (Hospital, later on the 23rd)

[hoboagogo]

[For all his shit talking and feigned apathy and bullshit, Shinjiro is at least able to keep his word (most of the time). And so later on after his network post he and Fie are at the hospital and asking about Judar's location from a healer who looks absolutely exhausted.

Probably hasn't been a great few days for them.

He doesn't know who to look for, so he has to follow the trail of exasperated healers who have to reign in their aggravated groans or sighs when his name is mentioned, finally getting directed to the other faun's bedside and given the clear to approach. Before entering, though, he nudges Fie with an elbow.]

Think this guy's been givin' them a hard time?

[His lips quirk up for just a moment as he speaks, before he schools his expression back into his typical neutral facade, adjusting the guitar strap on his shoulder and walking into the room. Hooves clack on the hardwood as he approaches, and he tilts his head slightly as he speaks out]

Judar, right? [Without waiting for a response, he shrugs the guitar from his shoulder and holds it up by the strap-- most of the pockets on the straps are full of those vials (all the ones he'd found, at least) and it (and its strings!) look wholly intact.]

I brought your shit.

[sylphid]

[Fie recognizes their haggard looks as much as Shinji does. Whether a nurse, a medic, or a healer, they've all got that "tired of the same shit" face when people are making their already tough jobs that much more difficult. Boy, she can't wait to see Elliot handle this one.

The nudge at her side has her looking over with a slight smirk of her own. Judging from their reactions, it's been a hard time and then some. She simply shrugs a shoulder in reply.]

One way to confirm. [She lets him take the lead, since he's the one who found the stuff and reached out. Her own footsteps are almost silent compared to his. They make for a fun pair. Standing next to him, she reaches over and plucks one of the strings curiously.]

I thought it was Judy. [Speaking of shit, she's here to give him more.] Another faun, huh? Looks like you've already got something in common. I smell a new friendship. And bleach.

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ The past few days have been an absolute nightmare for the entire staff at the hospital, given the various types of treatments being done lately. Some worse than others, then the protection staff to make sure the Rathmores (and their accomplices) got their due. Really, Judar hasn't made it any easier on them. It's just not an uncommon response, given what had put so many mirrorbound in the hospital in the first place.

Judar's easily seen in the bed, resting as he could, with pillows keeping his faun legs raised and supported properly while in the best bandages that could be managed. Given the set up, it was certainly both legs as well, which explained why there wasn't going to be much of an escape for a while. Even the hooves looked to be in a bad way, with splits along them, and pieces missing. ]

It's Judar, yeah. Ah, you could just leave it...

[ He wasn't really thinking about that. No room on the bed, not much here save for the bedside table and a chair... So he gently gestured over towards the window, with a hand that was heavily bandaged and splint, to keep it from moving in any particular way.

With a bit of rest, it seems he's used to people just giving shit sometimes. ]

By the sill, I guess.

[hoboagogo]

[Shinjiro's not subtle enough to mask the way his eyes dip over Judar-- and it's about what he expected, really. By the second day, those with minor wounds would have no reason to remain in the hospital, under watch and constant care. So seeing those ungulate legs splinted and wrapped, his hands in similar condition-- It isn't really surprising.

But there's no change in his expression, even as he looks at the other man's injuries, and no hint of sheepishness or shame for it when he glances back up when the guy talks.]

You sure you're good with it so far?

[It's a half-tease, but he's already shifting the guitar around, holding it by the neck as he goes and places it where Judar had indicated.

And at Fie's comment of fauns and friendship, he lets out a short laugh.]

Hey, just 'cause we both got hooves don't mean we wanna keep hanging out. I don't see you going around and makin' a pack with all the turnskins you see.

[To Judar:]

You need any of the potions right now?

[sylphid]

[Ignoring the guitar now, Fie separates from Shinjiro and just slowly makes her way around the lackluster room. She's not expecting much, but it's still more basic than she imagined.]

Because my sneaking is way better than yours. You don't always know what I'm doing. [Fie removes her gaze from boring looking books to look at him, then at Judar.] Besides, you both are the type that can use all the friends they can get.

[Whatever that means to either of them, she doesn't really care. Now she turns to fully focus on the faun laying in the bed. Walking over, Fie peers in close at him, giving him a once over.]

So how's the food here?

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ Yeah, yeah. He's gonna let that tease just go on through. Just as he'll watch the little bit of back-and-forth, because... Well, actually, mostly because he gets distracted. Look, he's got plenty of friends. If you count all the people who like listening to his music and sleeping with him. He may also not want to get caught into something that has him naming the people, because... The names he remembers is a short list. ]

All those potions are for while I'm out. Either they aren't relevant with me like this, or it's something already being handled by the hospital.

[ As for the food... Well, he'll just shift his back against the pillows a little. ]

And I wouldn't know how the food is here. I think they've got a kitchen if you wanna find out.

[ He's been stubborn, irritable and paranoid. Which led to him refusing food from the native staff here. ]

escape, A into B probably

[futhark]

[ The frenzy and noises, people running in every direction— hearing someone call out to him, about knowing the way, Cú follows. Especially since that, someone is a person he knows. ]

Not so fast— [ He warns, the hall looks too clean, and the traps are meant for those who could come in, but also to keep those held inside from getting away.

But there is one more thing. ] This time I'm not going to listen to you.

[ About spell, when he closes on Judar, he starts casting a spell. The connection to magic is still weak, but it's... like several thin strings, instead of just one weak thread. ]

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ Not going to listen- Oh, geeze. See, this is why Cú was a fae back during the mists; apparently he can get petty. ]

Yeah, you're welcome. If you did it earlier, you wouldn't be able to use magic now. If you even can. This is the kind of time I was meaning.

[ So hah, you're still listening to him. (Who's the petty one here?) Though now he's curious as to what the witch is trying to pull off, and if it'll actually work. Cú had probably gotten a look at the way Judar was walking, and figured that his legs were probably in a bad way so far. Not the best of changes since they'd last seen one another, but it seemed less painful than the slapdash and poor healing done on the mangled hands. ]

If whatever you're doing doesn't work, we need to move before you try anything again.

[futhark]

Don't worry, I should still be able to carry you if it doesn't work. [ He's... probably not. Not unless he manages a strengthening spell on top of that trick he's performing. But hey, they won't know until they get there.

With few more moves of his fingers and the final world to release the spell, he weaves enchantment onto Judar's senses. Aside for the endurance-boosting properties it is designed to temporarily turn off a feeling of pain. ]

No promises on how long that's going to last, so better put that time to good use.

[kuroi_taiyo]

Work on carrying yourself first.

[ Really, this is a spell that someone should be putting on themselves before trying anyone else. Especially in the case of a mass escape. Also, it was just too big an opening to sass at the witch.

Though really, the spell had quite an effect, making Judar realize what not being in pain felt like again. That'll definitely make all of this easier to do. Which is why he'll nudge at him to go back down the hall. ]

C'mon, you're still going to have to do any disabling, or door opening, but I know this is the way to go.

[futhark]

[ That spell has been carved on the palm of his hand, he pretty much had cast it on himself first. Makes escape all the easier, even if it might get you a little high.

He follows Judar, the path far more exposed than others and they are bound to catch attention, even amidst the chaos. But there are stairs, and atop of them, door. A door that must lead out of this wretched basement. ]

Looks like I will be carrying you— [ Even with pain turned off, the stairs might be a challenge for the faun. A shout behind them and two Rathmores are incoming— right on time. The choice seems to be only to turn back and fight, or— get up the stairs and use them to the advantage. ]

[kuroi_taiyo]

You're not.

[ He'll fight you on this. Except he needs to get out to have an idea of where to point Caster towards Haven. Then he could manage to- Well, Judar was never planning on escaping to begin with. He was just barely conscious enough to know the way out of here.

So he'll nudge and wrap an arm around the witch's shoulder, with another hand out towards the wall for other bracing. ]

This'll be enough.