☆ 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

Newt Scamander | Witch | Kidnapped | OTA

[newtralize]

[CW: Detailed injuries; broken bones, burns, missing flesh, etc]

I. A Great Escape
A.
[It's hard to keep track of the time has passed, and it doesn't really matter. The length of time really meant nothing because any amount of time to keep them captive like this was much too long as is.

So it's no surprise that they would bite back when finally finding the opportunity to do so.] Come on Pickett. I need you to help out a bit. [A small creature had been hiding about with Newt for the entire duration. The stick bug-like creature is useful. He could pick locks after all. Newt hasn't found a lock that Pickett couldn't pick, so of course he has the creature go to task.

Perhaps a shackle or door needs to be unlocked. Pickett is happy to help with getting through locks.

Alone, Newt thought it too risky (especially because the last thing he wanted was them to take Pickett from him to either sell or kill), but with everyone in a frenzy and time of the essence, Newt wants to help as much as he can.

He'll swing open doors with some difficulty (at this point, his hands and fingers are broken and useless), but that does nothing to stop the Brit.] Come on, quickly. Let's go.

B.
[He has always had a high tolerance for pain, he thinks. Maybe the saving grace is that he does well to be quiet as possible even as he can taste his own blood in his mouth and every part of him aches and burns.

Taking whatever they give him as far as violence goes won't get him to speak a word. As if he was actually going to say who escaped (and if they were honest, it was impossible to know exactly who escaped and who didn't).

Though Newt might falter when they switch to more underhanded tactics. His expression distraught. He knew better than to talk, but watching someone else suffer and them saying it was his fault for not talking? It was a hard pill to swallow whether it was true or not.] I'm sorry...

[Eventually they either give up on torturing Newt or yourself and move onto the next captive.]

II. The Cavalry
[There's something so relieving when countless people suddenly come streaming into the basement and start freeing them all

He smiles weakly as he looks at whoever enters.] Hullo. [He'll need a bit of help. His hands and fingers are bent funny which makes it obvious they're broken. He has some nasty burns and areas where flesh seemed to have been removed and those might look like they're infected. The state of the cells aren't very healthy, so it really isn't surprising at all. His usual white dress-shirt is tattered and no longer white at all. If it isn't caked in blood, it's probably got dirt and grime too.]

Honestly, you're the best thing I've seen as of late.

III. The After
A.
[Newt has no qualms with giving a statement. Of course, he also was happy to detail everything. Observing things had always been something he was good at. Studying and the sort. It was painful to have to go over it all, but a necessary pain.

He's exhausted once the guard leaves him.

There's not a lot of Newt that isn't covered in bandages. While his hands and fingers are no longer broken, healing is a slow process. Healers only really healed what was necessary, not risking to push bodies with accelerated healing on injuries that could do with healing naturally for a bit.

Newt is quiet mostly. Perhaps its the exhaustion that settles deeply, but he often seems to be lost in his thoughts; eyes unfocused as he looks down at his shaking hands and how they struggle to do simple actions like clenching them into fists.

He'll only really snap out of it if he realizes he has company.] Ah, sorry. Did you need something of me?

B.
[Shouldn't Newt be resting? Well, yes. probably.

Still. Newt hated idling and he wanted to keep himself busy and away from his thoughts. While he'll not be allowed to expend any magic or do anything too strenuous, he seems to at least be allowed to do small, menial tasks. Newt might come by hand you water or supplies of some sort. Nothing too heavy.

Though if his actions seem sluggish, he probably should be sent off to rest some more.

Perhaps the other reason he was moving about though was to find familiar faces. In particular-] Sorry, have you seen Theseus? Uhm, Theseus Scamander. He's my brother. [He hasn't seen the other as of late...]

C.
[Returning to the barracks was nice. A little sad though to see just how much was lost during the fires. The amount of work that would need to be put into fixing everything and replacing everything that was lost. There was some silver linings where not every part of his place had been hit or damaged. It was still a lot of work and a lot of work he wasn't exactly well enough to quite tackle. How frustrating.

Newt tries not to think too much about it, but let his creatures out for fresh air as he seems to be figuring out a proper plan to tackle the work he has ahead of him.

If anyone were to visit him, they'll find a plethora of creatures running amok. From petalwolves to pantherhound to pygmy jacks to his swooping evil. They move about freely in the open area, though none never seem to run astray. Newt was sitting on the floor with the large zouwu curled up around him protectively. He seems at least content. After all, he hadn't seen his creatures in a week and this was possibly the most comforted he has felt in a long while.

One might find a creature or two coming over to them curiously to sniff at them.] They won't bite. They're well behaved. Usually.

IV. Wildcard
[Drop me a starter or hit me up via PM or plurl. I'm also happy to write up closed starters to anyone who might be interested! Just let me know.]

II

[integrous]

[ Honestly, this is probably what Asahi should have expected to see when she decided to join the people going in to rescue the kidnapped Mirrorbound.

And yet.. now she's actually seeing someone in this awful of a state, she feels terrible. It's like her blood instantly runs cold in her veins. Because of the state he's in, it takes her a moment to even realise that she's seen this man before - he was the one playing with those strange.. monsters, or animals, whatever they were, right? He had seemed so happy with them back then, but this..

Suddenly Asahi realises she's just gaping at him in horror, and she quickly shuts her mouth, although she's sure the damage has already been done. ]

I..

[ She almost says "are you okay?" But she knows that's a useless question. Of course he's not okay. Look at him. ]

I-I'll help you get out of here, okay?

[newtralize]

[Newt doesn't seem upset with her in anyway. The state that they were being found in were probably terrible to witness. Even the strongest person might waver a bit to see people treated so terribly.

He offers her a sympathetic smile instead. The bet he can muster given his current state. Newt doesn't think that someone her age should have to see this, but he was sure she decided on her own to join. He wasn't about to lecture someone for making choices for themselves nor is he in good enough health to really be reprimanding anyone at the moment.]

Yes, thank you. [It's said so genuinely. There's so much relief in those three words.] Take your time. [There were many of them to evacuate and getting everyone set free would take some time. He hoped that she might not fret too much is all.] I would have hoped our next meeting to be somewhat better than this.

[integrous]

Y.. Yeah. Same here.

[ She hoped to not ever have to see him like this, really. Or anyone. No one should ever have to be in this sort of state, let alone when it was done deliberately to them by other people.. no, you can't even call the culprits people anymore at this point. No person could ever think of this.

Asahi tries to get over herself enough to actually do what's necessary here - helping him. She sucks in a deep breath, and when some others seem to have gotten rid of the enchantments keeping the captives here (she has no idea how to do that, after all) she moves closer to him to take a look at his restraints. ]

Please don't move for a second, okay?

[ The reason why is probably obvious when she moves her hands towards the restraints.. except they're not really hands anymore. They're practically more bird talons at this point, hence the need for him to sit still. The last thing she wants to do is give him yet another injury.

But at least the sharp talons do prove to be much more useful than fleshy human fingers here as she starts working on getting rid of the restraints. ]

I-- If you have any pain, is it mangeable for now? We have healers, but I think they're pretty much all outside..

[newtralize]

Promise next time will be better.

[Despite his state and the depravity of the situation, he smiles at her. A promise with intent and the hope that something like this won't plague them again anytime soon. An optimism that the days after will be far better than what they are now.

Newt is still, though maybe it's because he's really too tired to be active in any capacity. He waits for her to rid him of his restraints; a quiet thank you from the Brit.]

I've had worse. [He probably hasn't, actually. It is an indication that he can make do with it though. After all, his hands had been broken for who knows how long. He doesn't know how much time has passed.] I wouldn't want them in this place anyways. Terribly dreary, I'm afraid.

[integrous]

[ Asahi lets out a slight breath after he says that. It's probably meant to be a laugh, trying to humor his attempt at making a joke, but it's just impossible for her to even try and laugh in this situation. She's not even a good liar since she hardly ever lies, how could she fake laughing?

So instead the girl grows quiet for a few moments as she works on the restrains until they're all gone. It's then that she raises her face to look at him again. ]

.. I really don't get how you can be strong to still act like that right now, honestly. It's.. amazing.

[ Kind of sad, since this situation sucks, but it's amazing. Asahi doesn't think she could say those things at all in his position. ]

wildcard based on I. A Great Escape A

[futhark]

[ The tiny creature is unknown to Cú, but it makes him think of lesser fairies, spirits of trees and forest— but whatever its nature is, it quickly becomes apparent what is it doing. Picking the lock. And if it succeeds a huge obstacle for all of the prisoners will be taken care of. ]

That's a neat trick you guys got there. [ He comments as he approaches almost too casually for someone covered in bandages, blood, and grime, but aren't they all like that here?

It's all crazy and frenzy, but it seems another guard is nearby. If he hasn't yet noticed Newt and his friend, it's better to keep it that way. ]

Keep going, I'll make a commotion for you elsewhere.

[ If there is a small saving grace, is that most guards are not out to kill. Hurt? Maim? Yes. But if they wanted to kill them for this, they would already. For whatever reason, they want them back in their cells, either due to direct order or what shreds of conscience they have left. ]

[newtralize]

[Newt holds his wrist out to Pickett and quickly moves to have Pickett get through another lock or shackle. Whatever is closest to him. This was about getting as many numbers out as possible because he doubts that all of them (or even most of them) were still going to manage given their current health.]

Come on Pickett. I know this is a lot, but we got to get as many unlocked as possible. I'll be sure to give you as many treats later when we're done.

[He gently encourages the creature to keep going before glancing at the other.] Please don't get hurt. [Newt's magic is far from returned and he wasn't even sure if he could manage any magic anyways. If he even had the energy to perform anything that would help.]

[futhark]

I'll try. [ No promises on that, but at least he will attempt not getting hurt more. At this point, he is focused on one thing. Getting out. And getting as many out as they can. For this is their only chance. Getting hurt would be detrimental for that.

He picks up a wooden plank and moves further into the corridor and hides behind the corner as the guard notices Newt fiddling with locks. "You—!" he says and rushes in.

The first step, second, third, getting closer— getting the timing right is crucial but with a strike of unusual luck (or just years honed on battlefield, really) Cú swings the plank right into the guard's face. His own running probably hurt him more than the swing, but it sends him on the floor, where he received a kick in the head that puts him out for time being.

Really, Caster knows that should he be in normal shape, this would probably break the guard's neck. He grabs the guard by his feet and starts dragging him into empty cell when a Sudden Idea™ strikes him and directs a question at Newt and his friend ]

Hey, do you think you could— lock him in? [ In case he wakes up and becomes a problem again ]

[newtralize]

[Newt glances at the other before looking at the unconscious guard. He then looks at the cell door while Pickett carefully crawls back onto his arm after picking another set of shackles.]

Yes- I mean, it should work. [He straightens up.] Bowtruckles are very good at picking locks, but that's all that he's doing. They're not being broken or anything, so the locks should work as intended if you wanted to make use of them.

[This is a very longwinded way of saying yes, but the answer is there.]

III-C

[thisisamazing]

[Hiccup is there with Newt when he's finally released from medical. He's barely left his side, honestly, only heading out to take care of different things when he thinks his Bonded needs some space away from Hiccup's constant presence. It's hard to make himself leave after nearly losing him - the reality is painful if he touches on it in his mind, and he tries to push that thought away every time it comes up. He could have lost his best friend here.

Back at the barracks, it's easier, if only by a little. Theseus still hasn't turned back up as far as he's aware, which makes him all the more reluctant to leave Newt on his own while he's still healing, while he might need someone around. There's nothing to go back to at his own house anyway, no reason to drop in other than to change clothes, and grab some tools from the forge.

Newt is settled with Greg, with the other creatures running around. Hiccup leans down to pet Doyle's head as the petalwolf trots up to him, tail wagging lazily, and then he keeps moving, surveying the damage done by the fires. It's not his first time back here, he's been here most of the week, but it's the first time he's taking a real, thorough look at the damages. Toothless follows him around a bit, but then eventually goes to find a place to lay, happy to be with the whole 'flock', and Sharpshot flutters over to try and settle on Newt's lap.]

It's not too bad, I don't think. A lot of cosmetic damage, I'll have to replace some of the roof tiles, a few of the ceiling beams, luckily none of the load-bearing beams took much damage. Some scrubbing and a fresh coat of paint will help those. Might have to replace a few wall panels, the door that they kicked in... I'll put things at the forge on hold and start sourcing some materials this afternoon.

[He's going for an optimistic tone here.] I'll have things fixed up in no time. A couple weeks, maybe.

[newtralize]

[Newt doesn't voice his thoughts about Theseus. He already has assumed his brother was gone. He knows Theseus would come to him as soon as he were able to. His brother was rather protective of him and he doesn't doubt there was anything pressing enough to stall his brother.

The only logical explanation would be that his brother was no longer in Aefenglom.

At the very least, it would be impossible to tell that Newt is upset about that because Newt probably has been nothing but chaotic emotions since they could feel each other through the bond again.

He could pretend he was alright, but Hiccup knew the other must be struggling.

Newt rests one of his hands on Sharpshot's back and looks at Hiccup.] Everything inside will have to be thrown out. [If it isn't damaged by the fire, it has been damaged by the amount of smoke everything must have absorbed. All the furniture and his potions and remedies and books...Mostly everything inside was gone. He can only be glad that it seemed the home part of his establishment had been spared.

Newt's shoulder sag a little and he drops his gaze.] I'm sorry for the trouble.

[thisisamazing]

[He definitely knows. He can read their Bond much better than that by now; there is no hiding that Newt isn't alright, and frankly, Hiccup doesn't expect him to be, not for a long time. That doesn't mean he's not going to try and lighten the mood a little whenever he might be able to. It's been a long several days, and Newt deserves... whatever attempt at normalcy they can manage, for the moment, hard as it will be with Theseus- most likely returned home, and with Newt still pretty badly injured.]

Not everything. Some of it could be fine after airing out. Trust me, I- I've rebuilt homes after fires more than a few times in my life. [Even friendly dragons have a way of setting things ablaze, as do one's enemies.] The potions, maybe, but- I think we can save the books, and maybe some of the furniture. It's at least worth a try, unless you want to throw it all out. [He wouldn't judge him for that, but he also doesn't want his friend to think it's a lost cause.]

What? No, no- Newt, you're no- [Hiccup breathes out, frowning, stepping over to sit down next to him for a moment. He rests a hand very gently on his arm, gazing at him, serious.] You don't need to apologize for anything. I'm- I'm here because I want to be.

Actually- I mean, I had a thought, but I don't know if you want- [He pauses to order his words, glancing away as if he's a little embarrassed.] I thought, maybe I should move in for a little while. Here. With you. I could work on the repairs better, help with the creatures, and be here if you needed anything. It- it wouldn't have to be permanent, but...

[newtralize]

[Newt glances back at his place. The smashed windows to the broken door to the obvious damage from the fires. He had no real attachment to physical things. Those can always be replaced. Perhaps he feels some amount of guilt. For anyone who had been in the building at the time they had been attacked.

It's silly to blame himself for it, but people had suffered tremendously.

His gaze drops back to his hands.] I don't want to think about it right now. [Maybe a bit irresponsible, but Newt was just still very tired.]

Hiccup. [Newt's mouth quirks in a bit of a smile.] You practically live with me. You spend much of your nights here already and much of your stuff is also here.

I do your laundry for you. [Hiccup...]

[thisisamazing]

Okay. When you feel up to it. [It is a lot, and he can feel some of those twinges of guilt coming through the Bond, so he doesn't push when Newt says he doesn't want to think about it right now. That's fine. He pushes back reassurance - that he doesn't have to, that Hiccup will take care of anything pressing. He should be focusing on resting up, healing, getting his strength back. Hiccup is... all too happy to focus on the other things, if it makes Newt's life easier. It's something to occupy himself with so he doesn't succumb to his own feelings of guilt and anger, or his fear that there may be more of those people out there, planning something awful just like what happened. His terror that one of them might come back for Newt.

Hiccup returns the smile, a little embarrassed but a little relieved too that he won't have to argue for why he should be around more.] Okay, that's- I guess that's- true, yeah. I wanted to give you a chance to say no, though! It's- it's your space. [And he did deserve the choice, rather than Hiccup just moving his stuff in and deciding for them both.]

You do a lot for me. [His smile softens just a little.] It's my turn to do some things for you. Including the laundry! And cooking. I make a mean yak noodle soup. I just have to find a substitute for yak...

[newtralize]

[Maybe one of the issues was Newt inability not to be active. It wasn't as though he was exactly a man of action, but more than he wasn't really one to keep idle. The things that he found therapeutic to do were well out of his ability given his current health and that left him feeling rather listless. A need to keep his hands busy.

He laughs a little.] Yes, well, you aren't doing a very good job about hiding your want to stay around. [It isn't said negatively nor did Newt seem bothered by Hiccup's presence. The more selfish part of him wants as much of Hiccup's time as possible. The more damaged part of him needs the company.]

You don't have to take over everything. [Newt slowly tries to clench his hands into fists; wincing.] I'd like to keep busy. [He doesn't know how to not.]

[thisisamazing]

I can't hide much of anything from you. [He says with a smile, full of warmth, settling an idle hand gently on Newt's knee. Hiccup glances back at the creatures getting some air, the petalwolves playing with each other and bumping into Toothless, who only nudges the fallen one back on his feet and sends him back into the game. It's peaceful, after the chaos and terror of the last week or so.] I'll go get the rest of my stuff after dinner, then. I can just fly back and forth to the forge from now on; there isn't much left in the house anyway. [Not since Keith and Cosmo went back home. The house stands mostly empty, a place for storage, not a home anymore.

He's home right now. Or as close as he gets in Aefenglom.

Glancing back over to Newt, he frowns a little, sliding his hand up to rest very gently over Newt's clenched fists, a light touch that says 'take it easy'.] Then I won't take over everything. But you've got to give yourself time to heal, too. Just- just let me do the heavier things that would make your injuries worse right now. Until you're better.

[newtralize]

Wouldn't that be cumbersome for you? To come back and forth from the forge? [It isn't something of an issue to Newt, who had focused on teleportation very early on. He just liked the convenience of it and Newt had always considered what would be more practical for him to focus on first. He doesn't know the exacts of what Hiccup had focused on outside of what they had studied together.

Even then, he wasn't thinking of that and just thinking about Hiccup having to come to and fro everyday because of him. As though he was inconveniencing the other somehow.

Newt doesn't look up at the other.] I don't want to trouble you this much.

[thisisamazing]

Not really. We'll just fly back and forth. [It doesn't take long to get there on Toothless' back, and they go for daily flights anyway - it's important for his dragon to be able to stretch his wings and get some exercise.] Toothless likes making the trip anyway. We go flying every day. [He can guess what might be going through his head, and he just wants to reassure him that it's no trouble at all. He pushes that feeling through the Bond - reassurance, comfort, the desire to be here rather than out there.

Hiccup leans down and in, trying to catch his gaze from another angle, smiling so sincerely.] You could never trouble me. We- we promised when we Bonded, remember? Through better or worse, I'm with you.

You know I haven't wanted to... to keep living out there anyway. I've been sleeping in the forge. [When he's slept at all, which is not much the last week or so.]

[newtralize]

I suppose you're right. [It's a learning experience, really.] I suppose I'm not used to it. Company. [Relying on others. He had spent much of his time before Aefenglom doing things on his own and perhaps he's still not gotten much better about it even after months of being here. He's still resisting letting others take care of him. To let himself rely on Hiccup.

He smiles a little though.] You're always free to live with me. You- You know that, right?

III A

[kuroi_taiyo]

To try and relax? Veg if you need to.

[ It's an easy enough joke as the people helping with getting the rescue sorted out finished setting him down and moved away again. Luckily, the worst of the broken parts were covered with a blanket. Fresh ungulate legs, after enough beatings, could look like overcooked string beans at this point. No one needed to see that. There's not much to hide the state of his own hands, which had been mangled and improperly healed before getting some of the prisoners out the other day, and now in further disrepair. Even out of pride, he couldn't exactly untuck the blanket enough to slip the hands under as well. ]

I think they're just putting people in areas based off of what's needed, or what had to be done.

[ Really though, Newt, you look like you could use a good bath and a long rest. Not that the bath part would be easy without help. With all those bandages... ]

You know enough people to help out with the animals and everything? I know that there'll be Hiccup. Obviously I can't, but I know some fauns...

[ Everett's shown to be very good at communing with animals. Not that he knows when he'll be able to contact people. Things need rebreaking and realigning to heal his hands properly. ]

[newtralize]

Judar!

[So much for resting. Newt quickly moves to sit by his bed. He doesn't dare try to grasp his hands in his own so he gently places them on Judar's arms. There's no smooth skin to skin contact, but Judar's skin against bandages.

Newt looks relieved to see the other and maybe he looks a little glassy-eyed.] You're alright... [Alright isn't quite the right word, is it. They're alive though and they're no longer captured though, so alright is really the only word to use. At least, other than saying he's alive.]

I'm sure my brother and Hiccup have been taking care of them. Hiccup usually helped me with them. [Newt missed them though. He really wanted to see them again, but he knew that he'd be stuck here for at least a bit longer. His state was far from good.] They're fine though. [There's so many other things to be worried about. All the Monsters he had been housing who got involved to, well, just about everyone.

Newt is the type to be more concerned about others than himself.] You'll have people to care for you when you get home, yes? [Judar was going to be alright, he hopes. They seemed fine after they had left.]

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ Or bandages against a winter coat, by this point. With the legs and a soft coat along enough of him, it's hard to get to skin alone. At least his arms were the thing that was in the best condition at this point. Which maybe had him feel a little dumb for welcoming all that. ]

Y-yeah. I saw Hiccup; He actually disenchanted and opened the shackles on my arms. I know he was getting to you- Though if there's more items like that, I imagine he's in high demand right now.

[ Does Newt try to focus and concern others because he didn't know how to be that way about himself? Judar usually tried to push people into doing that to redirect attentions away from himself. Even if it didn't always work, it's what he knew to do. Though right now, the faun didn't have the energy for that. He only had enough to keep Newt from knowing that he didn't really get a home, after leaving the clinic. Or that he didn't really have anyone. ]

I'm... Not going to be going anywhere for a while. The hospital's gonna have to rebreak my hands to get them healed right, and there's... Going to be a lot of recovery to go through.

[ Not so much with his hands that he'd have to stay in the hospital for a while, but while Judar can't say it, he glances at the blanket that covered the legs. Having barely just learned how to walk and get used to walking with ungulate legs, even if they sped his recovery speed, there's still relearning. ]

If you know Everett, he's a faun that's gotten real good at communicating with animals. If you need an extra hand, he seems to be the type that's ready to do so.

III-B

[judgementor]

I saw him some days ago, asking after you.

[He doesn't waste any time on niceties, though the way he moves to carefully support Newt while he's standing is perhaps a nicety in itself. Only a hand against his arm, a show of further support offered if it's needed.

Red Wine has been more than troubled since all of this began and it shows in the knit if his brow and the sharp steel in his dark eyes.]

But not since. If he's anything like you are, I'm sure he's busy helping everyone he can. Should you be up and walking around like this?

[newtralize]

Of course. That sounds like him, really.

[Newt's mouth twitches into a smile. Theseus had always worried about him thoroughly. Perhaps this time around, it would be warranted though. Still, the fact that he hasn't seen the other around has him a tad worried. Not because he wants to take up Theseus' time if he can be assisting others instead of seeing him. It's just the fact that he hasn't seen the other to be odd in itself.]

On both points. I'm sure the aftermath has been chaotic for everyone. I, uhm, I'm just helping out with menial tasks. We all need to help where we can, right? [Asks the guy who was a victim to it in the first place.]