☆ 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

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar was wandering the streets, haunting rather, cursing his stupidity in all the languages he knows.
Caster said they escaped together but got separated. So Iskandar does what he thinks most reasonable. Search in the ever expanding circle starting with the place he found the Celt. When he finally feels the Bond restored he directs Bucephalus where he feels it strongest. But how sure can he be if this is right? Has he wasted too much time? Is he even looking in the right direction?

How could he ever think that this place was safe?! How could he let him alone?! It's the second time that happens. Nothing, not even that tracking spell he's put so much hope into, prevent it from happening. Worse even, he was so slow to react. Too far away to really understand the danger.

And then he gets a text from Flat. May all the gods bless that kid! The horse flies as if it was wind herself and not much longer after Flat sends his message, Iskandar is there with them.]

Waver!

[Iskandar jumps of the horse, picks up Waver, wraps him in his arms and only then realizes the boy is injured. Again. He is too late. Again.]

I'm so sorry, my dearest boy. I'm so sorry. I should have stayed. I should have been here with you.

[His voice is breaking but he manages to look at Flat utter two words.]

Thank you.

[escardos]

We’ll go to the Coven. [ flat says this with an unnatural firmness, like this is something that he won’t budge on. he’s very sorry, waver, but your health comes before anything else. ] But I can’t carry or heal you—and you won’t be any good if you’re dead.

[ with that said, he hears the gallop of a horse—iskandar’s large form is hard to mistake, and flat can’t help but feel something akin to relief when the king of conquerors reaches them.

he lets the two of them have their moment, ignoring the slight feeling of being an outsider. however, he does grin when iskandar thanks him. ]

You’re welcome! Waver has information about the others, but he needs to be healed first—you can heal him, right?

[tryhard]

[ With their Bond restored to normal, that emptiness that had been muting it gone, Waver can feel him again. Even weakened, the sharpness of his senses suppressed, Waver catches the scent of Bucephalus before he sees her. And galloping in atop the familiar horse... ]

Rider!

[ It's practically a sob of relief, the sound ripping free of his chest as if all on its own. Waver reaches for him instantly, and the moment they touch, the invisible threads of their Bond seem to spark inside his chest, the feeling impossibly warm and reassuring. The pain doesn't matter. For a single, brilliant moment, he forgets everything but the feeling of Iskandar's arms so tight and secure around him, the scent of him, the feeling of his heartbeat, the heat of his breath.

Waver throws his arms around Iskandar's neck and presses his face against the side of his throat, breath hitching and shaking. The apologies roll over him, barely understood.

It isn't his fault. It isn't Iskandar's fault, of all people. The way the King's voice catches squeezes Waver's heart. ]

Shut up... [ he whispers, characteristically blunt. ] You're here now.

[ For the moment, he's completely distracted from his injuries. For a selfish, heart-stopping moment, he's happy. After everything, after so much pain and misery and terror, the simplicity of being held by the person he loves is an unspeakable joy. He's crying again, tears streaking the dried blood and dirt on his cheeks, cutting through the bruise starting to swell on his jaw and the blood drying down his chin. He's crying, but it's not because of the pain.

Waver buries himself close, uncaring of his injuries or how filthy he is beneath Flat's borrowed jacket. His lips pressed to Iskandar's throat, he breathes in, and for the first time in what seems like forever, he finally feels safe.

--but he can't forget why he's here.

Lifting his head suddenly, Waver tugs at the collar of Iskandar's shirt. He ignores what Flat is saying. ]

Get me to the Coven. Please. It can't wait.

[towards_okeanos]

My sweet boy.

[Iskandar doesn't mind the scolding. The relief he feels washes everything else away. Waver is injured, yes. Iskandar would need time, and little clearer head, to get a proper look before he can assess how bad it is. He can tend to anything requiring immediate attention right away. But he's safe from further harm and they are together and for a brief moment, nothing else matters. The world could cease to exist and Iskandar wouldn't even notice.
The moment passes, the world is still there, and there are matters that need attending. In order of importance.

Flat's grin warms his heart. There is darkness, a shadow hanging over this kid. Iskandar cannot grasp what it is. He only barely senses its presence. But, shadow or not, Flat cares for Waver deeply and that's what matters to Iskandar most. Let the kid keep his shadow. He doesn't mind. We all have our dark secrets. Some just have them darker than others. He smiles in response.]

I can and I will.

[He might as well say he's already started. The very nature of Bond helps. It's stabilizing. Especially one as strong as theirs. Now that they are together Waver can draw strength from his King. The bond makes it possible for his body's own healing factor to kick in when there's something to fuel it again.
It won't be enough, his injuries are far too serious for that, but at least he's no longer at risk of dying of them now.]

The word is already out, dearest. I met Cu Chulainn earlier. [Patched him as well as he could. As much as the crazy, and by the Gods, so damned bloody, Celt would let him.] That's why I was able to get to you so fast. I was already nearby.

But I'll take you there. They need to hear this from you.

[Iskandar leans down to kiss Waver on the top of the head.]

There were rumours already, suspicions. A lot of circumstantial evidence. Nothing that could warrant direct action against those metrokoites that organised it. May their unburied corpses forever rot devoured by birds and beasts. Nothing that could serve as evidence for true accusations and make them stick.

[For him, it was only a few days but it was a hell of both fury and worry. He can't, doesn't want to even imagine what it was for Waver. Yet Iskandar was aware, from the first moment he heard how well connected are the suspects, that it won't be an easy battle. Just storming their estate would just give the bastards more ammunition to use against their victims later. So he had to hold his ire. It needed to be done properly. Or all of it would be in vain.]

But because of what you did, my dearest, my sweet brave boy. Now they'll have plenty of evidence. More than enough. More than they need.

[Iskandar wanted the perpetrators dead at first. But then his less than admirable traits took over. Now he wants them destroyed, utterly crushed and disgraced. In full view of the whole city. For some crimes, death is too merciful a punishment. He'd never show those vultures mercy.]

[escardos]

[ flat watches from the sidelines as iskandar and waver reunite. and while it would be a touching moment for anyone else that might witness it...

such emotions don’t reach him.

he watches with almost clinical curiosity, like someone watching from the outside in. it doesn’t move him in anyway, neither happiness or jealousy. flat simply accepts what has happened and what is happening while removing himself from his own emotions. and that is a frighteningly simple thing to do for him.

he smiles, soft and serene—it does not reach his eyes. ]

I’ll find Cú on my own. Get lots of rest, alright? This will all be over soon.

[ even if he has to bring it down himself. ]

Bye, Mister Iskandar! Waver!

[ and with that, he leaves running. ]

[tryhard]

Flat--

[ Waver lifts his head, face tear-stained, wanting to thank him and to warn him not to run in on his own, but Flat is already leaving. He doesn't have the energy or the strength to split his attention, only hoping Flat doesn't do anything too stupid.

For now, Waver retains the single-minded fixation on getting to the authorities so he can tell them everything he knows while it's still fresh and the path is still clear in his mind. The heart-pounding rush of adrenaline and fear still coursing through him keep Waver on edge, and he clings to that in some way, knowing he needs it to stay awake and aware when his body and mind are so exhausted. It's why he can't rest yet. ]

Caster... he made it all the way out. Good. I'm glad. I saw him, but we got separated and...

[ Waver trails off, shaking his head agitatedly. ]

Rider. Please. Take me there. They know we managed to get out. What if they start locking down, cleaning up evidence? Moving people? Or worse?

[ He can't calm down yet. He can't relax into the feeling of Iskandar's arms safe around him or the warmth of their Bond, its frayed edges knitting slowly back together the longer Iskandar holds him. He can't, not yet. Not when he knows there are people he cares about and others at high risk of being tortured further or even killed the longer they stay there. ]

[towards_okeanos]

Flat you don’t have to...eh.

[Iskandar just shakes his head. It’s no use. Flat is already gone. As much as he likes the kid, sometimes he can’t understand him at all.]

They won’t. We don’t have to go all the way to the Coven. The investigators are stationed nearby. Hold on to me, we’d be right there.

[Iskandar hops on Bucephalus holding Waver close with one arm. The boy is in no shape to sit on his own and Iskandar trusts his horse to read his intentions without the need of him holding the reins. She will, she always did.

They arrive at the mansion that’s separated only by a decorative fence of wrought iron from that place of horror Waver just escaped from. It’s that close. There are people everywhere; City Guard armed to teeth, Coven Witches, other Mirrorbound.
All seem to be in the middle of frenetic preparations but when Iskandar arrives all talk and movement ceases.

He jumps from his horse and walks straight to the entrance. All eyes are on him and the tiny, bloodied figure in his arms. He doesn’t say a word as he walks. All who dare to look at them avert their gaze. There’s a silent accusation in his eyes.

“Look what your people have done to my boy. Look closely and remember. Don’t you dare to forget.”

Some of those present know him already, Iskandar moves around a lot and he’s hard to forget. Some know him, met him, during his numerous excursions into the poorest districts or the Wilde. Some from his work with sick and wounded. They are among the most horrified.

It could be called callous and cruel. That he has no heart choosing first to take Waver so he can testify. He should heal him first or at least let him wash himself so he can look presentable.
Iskandar would disagree. It would be more cruel to make Waver relive those terrible memories after he relaxed.
Waver not the first of the escapees to arrive but Iskandar is sure Waver has the most shocking entrance. That is fully intentional, at least on Iskandar’s part.
He wanted their arrival to be memorable. Human memory is fickle. People hate unpleasant things. They tend to erase them from memory as quickly as possible. Especially, ones that show them their uglier side. Iskandar cannot afford anyone forgetting this horror. Aefenglom is not exactly the type of democracy he knows from Athens or any other Greek city but people still have voice. He needs them to have this scene front and center on their minds when it will come to trial of the real monsters of this city. He needs them to be as angry and horrified as he is.

But all this is secondary. He wouldn’t have spared a thought about all those reasons, no matter how practical they are if there wasn’t one other reason. The one that overrides them all.

Waver wants to be here.

He wants to tell his story now that it’s still fresh. Iskandar can’t love his beautiful brave boy more. He’ll do everything in his power to help Waver achieve what he planned to.
Only then he’ll insist on healing. Because eventually he will. ]

[tryhard]

[ As smoothly as Iskandar can control his horse, it's still a bumpy ride if they want to go quickly, and horseback is horseback regardless-- so it's a good thing Iskandar holds him close and braces Waver's injured body against his chest. It's warmer, too, with Waver wearing only Flat's borrowed, bloody jacket. But what feels best is the skin-to-skin contact when Waver buries his face in the crook of Iskandar's neck and breathes in his familiar scent, the closeness radiating warmth from their Bond that feels so reassuring, even the pain seems to ease up. He'd needed this so much, missed this feeling so much when they'd been separated and the Bond dulled. It nearly makes him cry again.

But for now, Waver is able to hold his tears back. He has to focus. He has to stay awake and aware and sharp-minded, as much as he possibly can. He has to do something.

Though he doesn't lift his head until they arrive and Iskandar dismounts, Waver can sense that they're close. Very close, so close it makes him angry. How could this happen, right under everyone's noses?

He clings to that anger, as he has these past few harrowing hours, the words of the prisoner who had helped him out of his chains echoing a constant reminder, a mantra in the back of his consciousness that beats with his frantic heart: reserve your wrath.

Wrath is more effective than despair. Anger is actionable. And they need to take action-- now.

The next minutes are a blur, as most of this has been in one way or another: a flurry of questions, shocked reactions, more anger, horror and upset. Waver lets Iskandar hold him without trying to stand or even sit on his own. His voice is raw and shaky, and sometimes he rambles, sometimes he can't fill in the blanks for certain details he's asked, but the overall message is probably familiar by now as he explains what they did -- broadly, no personal details, not yet -- and how, as he tries to recall all names and locations mentioned, describing people and faces.

The most detailed part is how he got here. Waver tells them as much as he can about how he escapes and the route he took, the traps he saw and avoided or got through, the marks he left to try to guide other escapees or rescuers around the dangers. He doesn't have a complete picture, only what he was able to see in his frantic rush, but with the other escapees' combined efforts, it should be enough.

Waver does his best to answer as many questions as quickly as possible, and in the meantime other healers are showing up as well. Someone pesters Iskandar to let him go to be tended to, though nobody is quite foolish enough to try to pry his Bonded from his arms.

When he's finally done and feels that further questions can wait, Waver will agree to be seen to. With the adrenaline fading and the slow realization that he's finally safe finally settling in, the exhaustion hits him forcefully and all at once.

Waver turns his face away, feeling light headed and shocky, like everything is far and faded and verging on unreal. ]

...can't. Anymore.

[ This is all he can manage. He feels sick. ]

They'll go... soon?

that slow is on me :(

[towards_okeanos]

[It was a great plan in the making. It feels far worse in execution. He wanted Waver to get a chance to tell his tale in his own words while it's still fresh in his memory. But now he regrets it. It's not worth it. It is nigh impossible to listen to. There is no punishment in the realm of what mere mortals can deliver that will ever be enough in his eyes.

The more he listens, and listen he does even if it's unbearable, the more his heart sinks. He should have been there. He could have lost him. He could have lost his love again. There come people and they want something from him. Iskandar realizes too late that they are healers. Only after he growled angrily at them.]

Let him speak.

[Then there's the time when it's over and whatever questions the investigators might still have, can be asked later. What Iskandar really needs is a bottle of wine. Or two. Or ten. Funny that he stopped drinking that heavy as he's used to here.
Right now he really needs his booze. Otherwise, he may do something rash. On the other hand, he did rash things when he was drunk too so maybe that's a bad idea. It's irrelevant anyway.]

It's fine, dearest. It's over. You can rest now.

[Now he really feels like a world's worst liar. He told Waver the same thing once already. Almost in the same words. It almost felt true for some time.]

Yes, they are. Very soon.

[They go so that the healers do their job. Waver gets washed and they bring him fresh, clean clothes. They do all of this even if Iskandar is still unwilling to let go of his boy. Against the light-coloured linens all the bruises stand out even more. The healers and the nurses are quiet but swift and unrelenting. They seem to be people of infinite patience and understanding. So even if Iskandar is less help than a hindrance in the process, finally all is done.
Finally, they are left alone.]

nw!! :)

[tryhard]

[ The healers' pain relieving spells and emergency care help marginally, though with the pain gone, Waver's focus drifts too. The shock is a growing fog in his mind, and everything passes by in a blur once again as he's tended to and washed and dressed, sometimes with Iskandar needing to help as well. Exhausted and utterly drained and in disbelief over everything that has happened, Waver isn't very responsive for a while.

Not until, some time later, the healers and nurses finally leave them alone in a clean room at the Coven's hospital. He's in a single bed too small to comfortably share, superficial wounds healed and bandages around the more problematic ones that will take sessions of work. The nurses left water and food, but Waver hasn't touched either.

He reaches a hand out to Iskandar. ]

Are you... going...?

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar catches his hand. So small. So fragile. ]

I ...

[He starts but breaks before he even said anything. He should. He can't. No one should expect him to.]

No. I'm staying here. With you.

[He should. He gave his word. A king's promise should be worth something. But how can he... He can't leave Waver now. He can't. He... eh. The gods must have cursed him after all. They were too happy and the gods are jealous.]

[tryhard]

[ Waver squeezes his fingers, grip weak but determined. ]

...go.

[ He wants Iskandar to stay. He wants to crawl into bed together somehow and forget all of this happened. He wants so badly to just rest, to stop thinking and stop hurting and melt into the warmth of their Bond, his cheek against the heartbeat of the person he loves.

But he knows others do not have that luxury. Others, people he cares about and strangers alike, don't have guaranteed safety yet.

And what Waver admires about Iskandar is how much he cares about his people and his convictions as King. Maybe this is a time when those things have the potential to clash... but Waver can't ask him to put those convictions aside. ]

I'm safe now. They need you.

I'll wait for you here.

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar will not, he cannot, count how many times he did not the things he wanted but those that he had to. He doesn't want to go but he has to. He doesn't think it's safe and yet he must leave his love to go and fulfill his duty as king. It is not the first time. He fears it's not the last.]

Then they will have to wait first.

[He lifts Waver from his bed, blankets and all, wraps him in his arms and starts to sing. It's an old song. A lullaby, a wish, a protective spell, all that and more. He had it sung to him by people who loved and cared for him, and he had sung it himself to others who he loved. It's about time Waver finally heard it. They both need it.

So he sings of the wine-dark waves that rock the boats in the harbour, of stars that shine, tiny lights in the ink-black sky, that gentle breeze that rustles the curtains, warm and heavy with the sweet smell of the almonds and the apple trees, the heat of the hearth, sun shining on the white rocks and that salty smell that can only come from the sea.

Only when he's sure that Waver is asleep he stops. Only then he carefully puts him back to bed, covers him with another blanket, kisses his forehead.] I will be back, love. Sooner than the sun. Faster than the winds. [Only then does he leave.]