☆ 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

[newtralize]

[He gives a wry little smile.] I can't really move much in the first place. [Maybe he's just so tired now that help has come or he has been chained down enough to limit how freely he can move. Either way, he watches as the other practically throws the door open to reunite with him.

He leans his face against one Hiccup's hand. Warm, comforting and safe. He lets his eyes flutter closed as tension seems to leave his body.]

Hullo. Sorry if I made you worry. [Because of course he'll apologize. Like the fool he is.]

[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup finally seems to breathe, releasing a bit of the tension he's been holding for days. Newt is alive and alright enough to talk to him, to apologize for worrying him. That's what matters. It's been harrowing, but safety, peace, is within reach now. The other team is handling the arrests, subduing the criminals, and his team has already cleared the way of traps and obstacles. All he has to do is get Newt out of this dungeon.

They're only minutes away from their Bond being restored. He's been aching for it.] Don't- gods, don't apologize. Not for this. I'm sorry, I should have stayed that night of the fires- [He cuts himself off, Aziraphale's voice in the back of his mind telling him he shouldn't blame himself.]

It doesn't matter. You're safe now, it's going to be okay. [Hiccup presses his forehead lightly against Newt's, the gesture feeling a little empty with their Bond still messed up from this room, but it means a lot all the same.] Let's get these chains off and get you out of here. Pickett?

[The little bowtruckle has been sheltered in Hiccup's armor, the way he hides in Newt's pocket, but he does clamber out to start unlocking Newt's restraints, no doubt happy to see him. Hiccup has had him since Caster delivered him, has looked after him the way he has all the creatures. Because they're important to Newt, but also because they're important to Hiccup these days. Just like Newt is.

They're all quickly becoming the center of his life here in Aefenglom.]

[newtralize]

[Hiccup presses their foreheads together and something in Newt just crumbles. A choked sob escapes one after the other and his body shakes as he tries not to cry too loudly. It has been a harrowing, long week.

He has to take a few deep breaths to control himself before shaking his head.] You may have just got captured too. I wouldn't- You don't deserve that. [Not that he probably deserved it either, but he would rather the other safe and sound than to be stuck here like he had been.] We were easily outnumbered.

[Pickett chitters angrily at Newt and Newt lets out a mix of laughter and sobs as his friend unlocks all the shackles before disappearing somewhere on his body as Pickett is prone to do. There's relief to know that Pickett was safe. It also meant Caster had gotten out successfully too.] I think I rather not see this place again. Never again would still be too soon.

[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup can only imagine how bad it's been, so when he starts to cry, he doesn't say a word, and has to hold back a few of his own tears. The relief is immense - like a massive weight on his chest suddenly being lifted. It must be ten times that for Newt, who has spent the whole week suffering more than just emotional pain and worry.] Maybe, but maybe not. I can't help but think- [If he hadn't been outside the walls, if he'd gotten here quicker, could he have done something to stop this? He'll never actually know and it's going to kill him inside, but he shakes his head, because he can't think about that right now.

He lets out a rough little laugh of his own at Pickett's angry chattering. Scolding maybe? The bowtruckle has always seemed like a funny little creature, like he and Newt are as close as Hiccup and Toothless are, and have their own kind of communication.] We are never coming back here. We're never coming back to this district. [Hiccup vows, shifting once the chains are removed to help Newt up, careful of any of his obvious injuries. Careful in general, actually. He's happy to take the bulk of his weight, and strong enough to do so, letting him lean against Hiccup's side and hold on around his neck.

As they make their way slowly out of the cell, Hiccup turns his head, delivers a brief, fleeting kiss to the side of his head, unthinking. It's the kind of thing that would be second-nature with Astrid, and maybe later he'll have to think about what that means, if he remembers it. Right now he's just overwhelmed.] Careful. Lean on me as much as you need. Toothless is up above guarding the exit, and then he can take you the rest of the way to the medics.

[newtralize]

Please. [It comes out almost in a whisper.] Please, don't do that to yourself. [He doesn't want Hiccup to feel guilt; to feel somehow responsible. Not for what these people had done. Hiccup doesn't deserve to shoulder the weight of atrocities done by cruel people. It wasn't Hiccup's fault and he wasn't going to sit here and let the other humour such thoughts.

His steps are uneven and sluggish. He staggers and stumbles a bit as he forces himself to walk with Hiccup. His body was screaming for rest, but they had to get out of here first. He can't even hold onto the other; hands useless in their current state.

And he nearly trips up a bit when he feels the other press a chaste kiss to the side of his head and suddenly he feels all too warm. It makes his heart hammer and he has to really remind himself not to read into something like that. It's just Hiccup being overtly friendly. He'll concentrate on his words instead.] Just- [Just him. Right. Hiccup had to probably go back to helping everyone else. He-

It made sense. He couldn't selfishly ask Hiccup to stay when there were so many others who needed assistance. Who were probably in worse condition than him.] Yes, of course.

[thisisamazing]

[That little whisper almost breaks him. Hiccup shakes his head.] I won't- I won't. I'm sorry. It's, it's been a long week without you. [A long, worry-filled week, but not nearly as long as Newt's has been. The last thing he wants is for him to be worrying about Hiccup right now. Hiccup's frazzled emotions can be put back together much more easily now that his Bonded is safe.

Hiccup moves slowly, patient, supporting him as much as possible with a strong arm around his waist. He's skinny, sure, and not what one would call 'ripped', but he's solid, from dragon-riding. He'll carry as much weight as he needs to.

The moment they leave that awful room into the greater second-level basement, the enchantments no longer affect them, and their Bond surges back to life; he forces himself not to buckle from the wave of empathetic pain and exhaustion, and on his end, pushes strength and reassurance, always tinged with relief, because gods, he's so glad they didn't mess with their Bond permanently. And he starts to pick up on that twinge of disappointment.] I only meant- Toothless can carry you more comfortably. You can sit in the saddle or lay over him, you don't even have to hold on. I'm not leaving you, Newt, I'm not- [His voice cracks, just a little.] I won't do that.

[Not right now, not with everything so raw. He's not conceited enough to think he's the only one who can save everybody else, but right now, until Theseus is done upstairs, he's the best Newt has.

And it makes him more determined, when they reach the stairs. Those could pose a problem.] Is it okay if I pick you up?

[newtralize]

[After a whole week without it and his days bleeding into each other with only pain and misery being his company, their Bond is overwhelming. He lets out some shaky breaths as he suddenly stops. He feels his eyes water a bit. It's overwhelming, but it was equally comforting. Like he had forgotten what warmth was and the other was a comforting weight. Physically and mentally. It takes him a moment before he can start moving again.

He's quiet for a moment before he presses his face against Hiccup's arm.] I missed you, Hiccup. [Even when they weren't together, he had the other with the Bond. Not having any of it had been...

It was like being away from home and finally returning.

As for the stairs...] What? [Oh. Right. Stairs.] No, I can. I can walk. [Was that believable? Is Hiccup going to actually believe Newt is going to climb those stairs?

Newt apparently believes he is going to climb those stairs.]

[thisisamazing]

[The quiet laugh he lets out when he hears that is frankly because he's a little overwhelmed too. Sort of a laugh or cry situation, and he doesn't want to break down crying, not right now when they still have a ways to go before they reach actual safety. He still sounds just a little choked up when he answers, briefly pressing his forehead to the top of Newt's head,] I missed you too, Newt. [The truth of it sings through their Bond. That aching loneliness of the last week is dissipated with their link back in place and strong as ever.

It's because of that link that he isn't so sure Newt can make it up the stairs on his own. At least, he's worried enough that he doesn't think he should, and his frown is dubious at best.] The upper basement's a mess, junk piled everywhere. It's going to be slow going. You need to save your strength for getting through that with me.

Just- let me do this much for you. If I let you fall down the stairs, I'd- [He'd hate himself.] Let's just not.

[newtralize]

[Learning how to rely on others is a work in progress. A work in progress that has not made much progress still.

And Newt was still too stubborn for his own good. A particular trait that both Scamanders had. A trait that frustrated both Scamanders when they were stubborn towards each other. Definitely a trait that has frustrated Theseus when trying to deal with Newt.]

You aren't going to let me fall down the stairs. I'll be fine, Hiccup. I can walk up a flight of stairs. [They're just stairs, right? He can walk them. Hiccup doesn't have to worry. Even if he looks absolutely (and feels) awful.]

[thisisamazing]

[Looking up at the stairs and then over at Newt, Hiccup breathes out a sigh. This isn't the time to argue, not when he can still hear a commotion a couple floors above, not when they aren't fully safe yet. And he can feel through the renewed Bond that Newt is in possibly worse shape than he even looks right now.

He makes an executive decision, hearing a loud crash two floors up that has his heart racing.] Okay, I'm- I'm sorry for this, I know you're very independent and stubborn and autonomy is important, but- we really don't have time. [And then, pausing just a moment to take stock of his current state, he slips one arm behind his back and leans down to hook one arm below his knees, and hoists him up bridal-style. Newt isn't too heavy for him, not really, even if it's slightly ungainly due to their similar sizes. It's fine, he can manage. He holds him carefully, paying attention to the Bond for anything that might be hurting him and then he starts up the stairs, ready to whistle for Toothless if they need any back up on the way.

Luckily it doesn't look like they'll run into any of the Rathmores or their ilk.]

[newtralize]

Hiccu- [It's more of a yelp of surprise than one out of pain. The pain is more like a dull ache, but it stings to have pressure applied to his back; the material of his shirt aggravating his injuries. Newt is more surprised than anything.

Newt has decided that the whole getting swept off your feet is far less glamorous than media makes it out to be. It's kind of chaotic and hectic and sweaty and grimy.

And, honestly, absolutely perfect in Newt's eyes.

Or would be if he had not been imprisoned for a week and suffering from multiple injuries amongst other things.] This- It really isn't necessary... [He isn't putting up much of a fight though. It seemed fruitless to do so and it would just aggravate his injuries.]

[thisisamazing]

[None of this is ideal, he can tell the position is going to hurt a little, but he isn't sure how else to do it. The thought of slinging Newt over his shoulder is even worse. He deserves more care than that. But the faster he gets him out to the healers, the better; they can help with any aches the position might be causing, along with everything else.

The smile he gives him a little sheepish, but also reassuring. He's got him, now. He's not going to be letting anything else happen to Newt.] Getting you out as soon as possible is. I've got you. [Hiccup starts up the stairs, quick but also as smoothly as he can; he's always been surprisingly graceful on his prosthetic leg and manages them without too much jostling or bumping. He's careful not to hit Newt's head as they move through the door at the top of the stairs into the upper basement. It's a cluttered mess, but the route's already been cleared, so it isn't long before he's kicking open the door at the top of a shorter set of stairs into the fresh, crisp night air.

It's far from peaceful - people are bustling around doing their jobs, evacuees are being taken for treatment, associates of the Rathmores are being arrested and charged. But it's the kind of chaos that is an honest relief. Toothless, guarding the door, abandons his post the moment Hiccup and Newt exit, bounding over and crooning at them both, leaning in close without touching as Hiccup sets Newt carefully, gently, back on his feet, ready to catch him if he stumbles.]

Yeah, I know, bud. You missed him too, huh?

[newtralize]

[Newt doesn't say much and keeps quiet as the other carries him out. He isn't in a position to argue and seeing the chaos around them is a lot to take in. The scale of everything just seemed grandiose. A bit silly though, given how many people were taken and the severity of the situation. He had seen how things had happened with the Ministry when such serious situations arose.

Seeing the sky again was, well, he tries not to get too choked up about it. Newt didn't like being confined. He was somewhat of a free spirit, so being confined into the cells with everyone else had been such a struggle. It was nice to smell fresh air and just be outside.

His mouth quirks into a crooked smile; hands uselessly held close to his chest and unable to pet the crooning dragon.] I- How long has it been? Sorry for worrying you.

[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup is glad it's being taken so seriously. That the city hasn't brushed them all aside and left them to rescue their own by themselves. Most of the chaos going on up top is easy for Hiccup to tune out; the only thing he's focusing on is getting Newt to a medic. He curls his arm gently around his middle, as support more than a real hold, as he starts scanning the yard for an obvious healer set-up. There are definitely some around, most busy with a patient already.

It's irrationally annoying to Hiccup, when Newt needs to be seen immediately.] It's- it's been almost a week. A full week? I'm not- it all kind of blended together. [He hasn't slept much, needless to say.

Toothless doesn't push for attention, able to tell that his rider's friend is in bad shape, but he does show his gratitude that he's safe with a big gummy 'grin' and a head-bob.]

Don't apologize for that. It's- none of it was your fault. Hey, look, there's someone from the infirmary, she can take a look at you-

[newtralize]

A week. [Newt feels like it had been longer than that. Maybe because there was no real way to sense time and everything felt longer between stuck in the cells and being at the mercy of whatever the family had felt like doing at the time.

Perhaps mercy was the wrong word to use in this situation.] It was hard to tell how much time has passed.

[Newt doesn't seem particularly receptive when he's sat down and immediately has one or two people doing a thorough check up on him to assess his well-being. Many times he jerks away or tries to somehow put distance between him and the stranger. He didn't want to be touched. Not again. Not by people he didn't know. It was irrational, but he was tired. Newt wanted it to be over with.

A helpless look at Hiccup despite them both knowing that some of Newt's injuries had to be healed.]

[thisisamazing]

I- I can imagine. [Down in those cells... It would have been impossible to keep track of time. It kills Hiccup, how long he was trapped, what was done to him. He has to push it down to deal with his own emotions later. Right now his priority is his Bonded.

Finally, someone can see to him, but he can tell how uncomfortable it makes Newt. Hiccup stays close, deftly sliding out of the way every time they need to get around him. After about the third or fourth jerk away from a set of hands that only want to heal, Hiccup touches his shoulder very gently, and presses the briefest of kisses to the top of his head, murmuring,] It's okay. No one is going to hurt you again. I promise. Toothless and I are right here, and you know we'd never let- [He can't even finish the sentence, choking up slightly on the words. He did let something happen to Newt. He let the Rathmores take him, lock him away down there.] But they- they need to tend to your injuries, so you don't wind up in worse shape later.

I'm not going anywhere. Can I do anything to- to make it easier for you?

[newtralize]

Sorry. [It comes out so quiet. A whisper. He didn't think they were going to hurt him, but it was unconscious. After a week of barely a kind touch; it's hard to not brace oneself for the worst.] I don't mean to be difficult. [Not over this at the very least.]

No, I'll- I'll be fine. [And he mostly is. Every so often he might stiffen up and Hiccup can feel a pang of panic from the other, but he sits still for the most part.

His bones are healed proper, but cuts, burns, or bruises are tended to in an old fashioned manner. With healing and Newt's health, they worried about pushing his body too much; tending to what seriously needed healing and letting lesser injuries naturally heal.

Newt's body surely did not lack injuries. They have Newt remove his tattered shirt to wrap his arms and torso. His back has countless lashings that will most likely leave scars. It isn't as though Newt wasn't already marred with scars and it's probably something he won't think much of once time has passed.

The sight is probably going to weigh more heavily on Hiccup than Newt if anything.]

[thisisamazing]

You have nothing to apologize for. [Hiccup says firmly, and then he casts a look at the healers as if to reiterate his point - that they won't say a word about however Newt is being at the time. He's earned the right to be difficult. Hiccup only wants to make it a little easier on him, if he can.

They wisely don't say a word, and are patient and kind. Maybe they can tell that the armored man with the dragon is no one to be angered at the moment, or maybe that's just how they'd be regardless, since their patients have gone through so much recently. Either way. Hiccup hovers anxiously during the whole process, occasionally reaching out to gently touch his shoulder or arm in hopes of transmitting comfort and reassurance through their Bond and to remind him that Hiccup is still here for him.

It takes a lot, to stay on his feet throughout. Every injury revealed is like a vice grip on his heart, squeezing painfully tight. The sort of nauseous anger builds in him with every lash he sees, with every broken finger, every burn and every bruise. Pain like this, inflicted only to cause pain, is sickening. Horrific. He closes his eyes momentarily, takes a breath, and tries to push it all down.

He has to be strong for Newt right now. To take his own mind off the horrors his Bonded experienced, he tries to consider what he needs right now instead, and eventually says, voice only barely shaky,] I'll bring you some clean clothes once you're settled in the infirmary, and your favorite tea. And- and Harry. He's going to want to see you.

[newtralize]

[It's some time before the healers settle him into a clean bed and gives him time to rest. There was a lot of Newt that has been covered in salves and balms and bandaged up. Newt's fingers had been healed proper, but his hands shook even as he kept them folded on his lap.

Newt is quiet the entire time. Hiccup can feel the pangs of discomfort or even pain, but Newt seems fairly leveled outwardly despite it all. Even after the healers have to shuffle off to assist more victims coming in, Newt seems to be fairly calm. There is another feeling though.

Guilt.

He can feel how the other tries not to let himself get angry. He can clearly feel how the other feels. Hears it in Hiccup's voice.] You don't have to stay. [Newt's mouth twitches in an awkward smile.] It's hard for you to see this, isn't it?

[thisisamazing]

[True to his word, Hiccup only leaves when they're moving him to the infirmary and getting him set up in a clean bed, and then only long enough to bring back clean, comfortable clothes for his Bonded and a tin of loose leaf tea to have while he's stuck here. It's better if he doesn't get in the healers' way for that portion as well, but he still hurries back, pulling up a chair next to the bed as soon as he's able.

The shadow of a frown that passes over his face is pained when he feels that trickle of guilt through the Bond - guilt that, this time, isn't his own. A pang of guilt on his end follows it up. He's not doing well enough to keep his feelings in check.]

Of course it's hard for me to see this. [He says quietly, taking off his gloves to reach out and lay a hand very softly, gently, over his arm - since his hands are in rough shape.] I hate that you went through that. I hate that you're in pain. I hate that I can't do anything for you.

But I'm not- I'm not going to leave. Not- not... unless you really want some space.

[newtralize]

[Newt's mouth quirks with just a hint of a smile.] I don't- It's not that I don't want you here, Hiccup. I would much prefer it than to be, well, alone. [Newt had always been rather fine being on his own. Without having company. It's strange on his tongue to admit that he wants, needs, Hiccup's company.]

Your company. It's really more than enough. Pain. It's really quite temporary. Bodies recover and I certainly have had my fair share of it. [From the war to just his everyday life in his profession. He wasn't a stranger to it.] Having you here is certainly something you could do and perhaps something that I need.

[thisisamazing]

[Something in Hiccup sort of... collapses in on itself with relief when he says that, says that he wants Hiccup there. That he needs him near. Part of him had been afraid, actually afraid, that Newt might send him away when all he wants to do is stay close, so that he can keep reassuring himself that this is real and his Bonded is alive.

He would have gone, but he's so, so glad to be able to stay. The smile he returns is a little watery, his green eyes rimmed with red, and he lets out a soft, quiet laugh.] I'm- I'm really glad you said that. I don't want to go. [He only wants to be right here.

He settles his hand on the bed, just touching his arm lightly, gently, anchoring himself with the contact.] I missed you so much. [He's already said it, but the truth of it is overwhelming. He has missed this man.]

[newtralize]

Even without the Bond, it was quite obvious. [Newt laughs. It's tired and fragile, but it's something. At least the other seems to be able to laugh even after everything.] You've always been quite honest.

[He places one of his hands over Hiccup's own.] I've missed you too.

[thisisamazing]

I could never lie to you. [He admits with a rueful laugh of his own, glad to hear at least a little laughter from Newt, even if it's tired, even if it's weak. It's still something, a good sign.

He exhales softly, just enjoying the warmth of Newt's battered hand resting lightly over his, and he smiles.]

You should try to get some rest. I won't go anywhere.

[newtralize]

You've never been one for lying. [And he likes that about Hiccup.

He tries to close his hands around Hiccup's and it's not particularly successful.] You're right. I'm quite tired, so I think I'll do just that.