☆ 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

[whomthebelltolls]

[For a moment, Maria basks in the soft warmth that cascades back; an echo, or a ripple rebounding off the side of a pool, back into her own mind. It's endearing to know that she has flustered Alex, but in a positive way. Gratifying, as well, though for the most part, Maria is simply relieved that she can even feel these things again. Reaching for Alex on the other side of the Bond and coming up with only what felt like a hole where she should be; a wide, painful hole that was cold with absence and a distinct sense of loss; had been one of the most jarring things Maria had experienced in recent memory. Oh, she could find Kaede, but Kaede wasn't a grounding, gentling presence in her mind: and they'd both been scared, and filled with a desperate furor that mirrored and amplified the worst of each others' darkest behaviors.

Maria's still not sure how she managed to hold them both back, but being able to do this, and to help Alex home, and to enjoy her Bonded's company without being in jail might have been the biggest unconscious motivator.

Maria doesn't try to rush Alex along. She doesn't try to prompt Alex into moving again, she gives the other woman a moment to process her words. It had been obvious since the moment they met that Alex's sense of self-esteem was crippled, but time had revealed just how battered and broken it actually was, and Maria was still sure she hadn't seen the extent of it.

She still means everything she says. Her voice goes very, very soft.] I mean it, Alex. [She pauses, briefly, chewing over what to say next, then decides on a quite honest:] I was terrified these last few days I was going to lose you. So please... know that you're... very important to at least one person.

[sing_for_me]

[ It's hard to doubt her words when Alex can feel them, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow. That someone would consider her important, someone like Maria even, was mind boggling. The feelings were so warm and tender that the tears she thought had dried out were threatening to come up again.

But she pushes them back, wanting to return the sentiment with a smile. ]

I'm..also really glad that I didn't lose you.

[ So many had disappeared already, Worrick, Nic, Nel, Chandra...And while Alex has come to accept that that was inevitable, a part of her still hoped to not lose anyone more. Especially not Maria. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

Perhaps my stubbornness has its uses. [It's a weak attempt at what might pass as a joke, and the corners of her lips turn up just slightly in return.] ... I... don't think I've ever said it aloud, but... I... have made a promise to myself not to leave you to be... lonely. Not as much, at least. That's... why this [she motions with her free hand around the room] feels like such a failure on my part. I have been meaning to say that if you ever feel it so badly, to simply look for me on the other side of the Bond but... the Rathmores robbed us of even that. I suppose, that's why I-

["Excuse me," a voice says from nearby - one of the medics, standing a respectful distance away, and holding a basket, slowly approaches, looking mostly at Alex, but giving an almost nervous glance toward the imposing Hunter standing at her side. "I don't mean to interrupt, but if you're leaving, please take these. There's salves and balms for the injuries you sustained."

Just like that, Maria's expression closes off again - not to a disdainful iciness, but simply like something of a defense mechanism. She's been caught being too Soft. She nods, and motions for Alex to take them so they can continue on.] Yes. We should... focus on getting back somewhere you can rest.

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex wants to cut her off, to reject the notion that Maria had done anything to fail her, but the medic cuts in first. She'd almost forgotten where they were, or that she was still hurting.

She takes the items for the medic, the only time she let's go of Maria, giving her thanks and a small nod. ]

I'm ready to go.

[ And back to Maria's sleeve one of her hands goes. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

Very well. [She nods at the the medic before they walk away.] Thank you. [Then turns toward the door, starting again. She allows Alex to set the pace, as she had before. Once they're through, and into the fresh, crisp air outside, Maria takes a moment to take a deep breath, reveling in the feeling of being out of there. Away from the scent of blood and the groans of the injured, and all those other little things that make it difficult to want to keep herself contained and not hunt the Rathmores down and slay them like Beasts, even if they're already incarcerated.

She turns toward Alex, holding her hand out.] Will it be less painful if you hold on to me, than the other way around for this? If so, I can carry the basket.

[Either way, get in close, Alex, it's teleporting time.]

[sing_for_me]

It's okay..I trust you.

[ Either way, she was still going to hold on to Maria.

When they do transport to her home, it's a bit dizzying. She's not sure that's something she could get used to. Even when they do it the second time, after she gathers some clothes to bring to Maria's.

She looks to Maria when they arrive at her place, concern on her face. ]

Are you alright...?

[whomthebelltolls]

[And Maria definitely looks drained, as she tries to catch her breath from that last little "jump".] Simply tired. It has been a very, very long day. But... you are safe now, so now I can start to relax. [She leads them further into the house, toward her room and one of the bathrooms.] Would you like me to run some water for a bath?

[sing_for_me]

[ Water. Alex perks up at the sound of that. Her first drink of water was when the medics gave her some. But a bath? God, she was ready to jump right in. ]

I'd like that...please..But um...not too hot.

[ She's a little cautious about that. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

Of course. The bathroom is... [They round to the main hallway with Maria's bedroom - one of the bathrooms is there, of course, a little down the hall, and she shows Alex it. Shortly enough, she's getting the water going.]

Leave the medicine here, we'll need to re-bind those wounds afterward. I'll take the clothes to one of the rooms in a moment... [She needs and excuse to not be too close to Alex and her tail, anyway.] --Do you need help undressing?

[sing_for_me]

Oh, it's okay. I can handle it.

[ Maria has always been a precise woman, not wasting time, but somehow...this felt particularly rushed. Not that Alex was going to question anything with how much Maria was already helping her out. ]

Are you sure you don't want to go first...?

[whomthebelltolls]

Bathing? [A pause.] I suppose I could, quickly, while you work on your clothes. [She won't pursue too hard on helping Alex with things like that - treating the woman like glass would probably make things worse. Or at least not help.] If you find you do need the help, though... just ask.

[Since she'll be there and all. And she can just drag all the clothes back - though that reminds her. She reaches up to the brooch over her cravat.] Did you have a preference for which room you would like? We have several extra.

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex turns to give Maria some kind of privacy and to start working on her own clothes, but she looks up at her question. ]

Room...? Ah..

[ It's true, it was a large house with several rooms....which...she wasn't sure how she felt about being by herself in. ]

Can...[ She hesitates. ]

Can I...stay with you tonight? Just tonight is fine..

[whomthebelltolls]

[Maria pauses, partway through sliding her cravat off her neck, when Alex speaks again, and takes a moment to slip it the rest of the way off before answering. That soft, gentle tone returns, just loud enough to be heard over the distance between them.] Of course.

[Maria's felt a bit... sensitive, protective of Alex since this whole ordeal started, and the emotion wells and surges behind her quiet words.] You can stay with me for as long as you wish. [A rustle, as the first of her coats comes off.] ... For as long as you need to feel safe again, and any time after that.

[Once she's down to just the frilled shirt she wears under all the other layers, she gathers her coats up to put them to the side to be cleaned. There's other people's blood on them; but there is also, curiously, blood on her undershirt, where it should not have been able to splash. She's injured, though not badly. Still, she hisses softly as she peels the shirt away from the injury, where the sticky blood has glued it to her wound.]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex hears that hiss, which is the only reason why she turns around. Her eyes immediately focus on the blood on Maria's side. ]

Wha--When did that-- Why didn't you say anything!

[ Immediately she grabs a towel and splashes some water onto it to clean up Maria's wound. ]

You need to see a doctor..!

[whomthebelltolls]

Hm? [What Maria should expect: Alex panicking about what she doesn't think is too bad of an injury. What Maria doesn't expect: Alex panicking about what she doesn't think is too bad of an injury.

She backs up a bit as Alex descends upon her with the wet cloth, her breath hitching as the rough fabric hits the sensitive flesh. It's not a very pretty wound, but it isn't that deep, like a bad graze, a bit of a burn - it'll scar, but not too hideously.] Alex-... Ah-! [That was sensitive. She reaches down to try to catch Alex's hands, ignoring the way the scales have surfaced across them as reaction to the water on the towel. If she doesn't focus on it, it won't bother her, theoretically.] ... Alex, I have healing magic. It is not as bad as it looks, it mostly scraped layers of skin off more than anything else. It is superficial, please, calm down before you aggravate your injuries.

[sing_for_me]

Then why didn't you heal it right away!

[ Yes, she's still upset, and no she's not going to mind her own injuries when Maria's bleeding out like this. ]

It doesn't look superficial! How long were you moving around with this? Why didn't you stop or say anything?

[ Alex might know the answer, but that only made her more upset. She didn't want Maria getting hurt because of her, again. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

I needed to conserve mana for the fights ahead - it wasn't bothering me much at the time. [Until now, but that's just a side-effect of adrenaline. Makes it easy to forget you're injured, and work through the pain.

Still, she's not used to feeling anger from Alex. She supposes she deserves it on some level, and, at the same time, she knows it's borne from the same place her own earlier furor was - worry. So instead of trying to deflect, she stands as calmly as an injured, shirtless woman can in the face of Alex's wrath, and tries not to feel like a berated child.] It happened near the end of Kaede and I clearing out the initial hallway we attacked, so it's been a couple hours. The blood stopped, and I stopped worrying about it - I had other things to concern myself with.

[She tilts her head back a little, to the side, and it stretches the scar across her throat, twists it slightly until it almost looks like a lopsided smile. She reaches up, and taps the stab scars on her chest, near her heart; awful, thick, pink-purple divots in her flesh they are.] I've survived much worse injuries than this in the past, Alex. I will survive this one. [She looks back down with a quiet sort of resolve. ] A bit of my blood is an easy price to pay to ensure your life.

[sing_for_me]

[ That's exactly what made it worse. She didn't want Maria getting any more injuries because of her... ]

So..you can heal it? It'll be fine?

[whomthebelltolls]

If such a small thing could kill me, I would not have survived the Hunt for as long as I did. And still, saving your life would have been worth it. [But, if it'll make Alex feel better... Maria gently guides her hand in small motions and circles to wipe up the smears of dried blood crusting her side. Her breath hitches a few times when the cloth drags even lightly across the wounds, the rough fabric scratchy.] Here. Help me clean this, then, and then I will attend to you.

[And as Alex gets a feel for that, Maria goes for the belt and fasteners of her pants.

It's much less sexual than it seems.]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex relents, only because Maria allows her to help. ]

Please don't say that.

[ Because what if it wasn't so small? What if it was so much worse? ]

I..don't want to be the reason you get hurt..or die.

[ She looks up at Maria this time, pleading. ]

Can you promise me that?

[whomthebelltolls]

[Maria presses her lips together, as she meets Alex's gaze. It's very easy for her to lie - she's done it a thousand times before. There's nothing for you here; you will not find your enemies here; the clocktower hides no other secrets; the experiment won't hurt; it'll be alright. It'll always be alright; No chance you'll die, the surgery will be over before you know it.

The fact she hesitates for so long is probably fairly telling, though. A comforting lie, or a harsh truth?

Maria opens her mouth once, and winces as the cloth pushes against her wound again, interrupting her speaking.]

... If I died, I wouldn't be able to see you again. And... you'd feel it across the Bond. I've been told it's a very unpleasant sensation - I wouldn't do that to you if I could help it.

[What she wants to do: Lie. What she ends up doing: Speaking way too much truth. Maybe it's because she feels exposed anyway; maybe it's just the exhaustion from the tension unwinding from the day, and the last week. Besides, it saves her from having to remind Alex (... has she ever told her?) that... she's already dead. Her life doesn't have any value anyway, there's nothing for her to return to through the mirror but a cold grave. Maria takes a deep breath, then shakes her head.]

But I've said before that your life is worth more than a bit of my blood. My family would not agree, but they are not here, and I'll not entertain an argument like one they would give. I try, Alex, not to coddle or stifle you. I try to let you be your own woman and make your own decisions, for you are grown and are capable of it - but I will not tolerate a grave threat to your life. No matter how much of whose blood must be spilled to remove it.

[Her hand flexes, a brief flare of anger shooting through her and probably across the Bond.] ... The only thing that saved the Rathmores from a gruesome, bloody fate this day was the fact that I would rather be here, with you, than staring at the wall of a jail cell awaiting sentencing for slaughtering the whole lot of them.

[Her hand relaxes.] Do you understand my position?

[sing_for_me]

[ Did she understand? Alex wasn't sure. It made no sense that Maria would be put herself in danger but also avoid such situations because of her. Maria was worth so much more than that. ]

I just...I don't..want to make things difficult for you.

[ Her hold on the towel lightens, no longer pushing in as hard as she was. ]

For once I'd..like to help make good things happen to you.

[whomthebelltolls]

Good things... [Maria mumbles quietly, thinking that statement over. Alex wants to make good things happen to her?

Happiness is a concept for people who didn't massacre innocent civilians. But, at the same time, Maria knows she can't just say something like that - not something so harshly and outright a rejection. Alex would take it too personally, she thinks. Not for what it actually is, which is self-loathing on Maria's part.

That she's mostly naked is about the only thing that stops her from taking Alex, and reaching forward, and drawing the smaller woman into her arms. It seems a bit inappropriate, and they're both still injured on top of it.

Instead, Maria reaches forward, and gently curls her fingers around Alex's jaw and chin, pulling up a bit on her head to keep their gazes leveled right at each other. Forcing eye contact, but not so heavy-handedly that Alex can't just withdraw if she wants to.] I know it may be hard to realize it, but you already have, Alex. You've reminded me of what things like kindness, and gentleness feel like. You've been patient with my cold, and my bitterness, and it has all helped to remind me that not everywhere is Yharnam, and Cainhurst, and all those other places where emotions are weakness, and weakness will get you killed.

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex doesn't resist--okay, maybe a little out of stubbornness-- but she does allow Maria to tilt her head like so. Her frown deepens, not because she as offended by Maria's words, rather...they were unfair. How was Alex supposed to stay upset when Maria said such things.

She finally does pull away, relieving the pressure on Maria's wound. ]

I...trust you'll handle it then....

[ Better she get to cleaning it now rather than Alex taking up the time arguing with her about something that already happened. ]

[whomthebelltolls]

[She misses the press of Alex's skin against hers, the brief exchange of mana, and more than that, the genuine physical comfort of touching her, as soon as it's gone.

... Oh she never realized how much she could miss a single person's presence until they were gone from her side. She doesn't try to do anything, though, as Alex pulls back, except take a deep breath, and let it out slowly.]

I'll be quick in the bath, so you can spend as much time as you like.

[She attends to the last few bits of clothing, unties her hair, ensures there are towels in easy reach of the tub, then steps over the edge and into it. Her side is sore as it is, and lowering into the water just makes it sting, but her face remains carefully neutral. No sense making Alex worry more about it.

She also hasn't realized how sore she is, otherwise. All that fighting was intense physical exertion, and now that she's in some nice, warm water, and relaxing, she can feel her muscles stiffening up. She tilts her head back and dips her head under the water, and when she comes up, the loose curls of hair flattened out and plastered to her neck and shoulders (and a strangely silver color when wet, rather than the gold-brown it seems it should darken to), she finally speaks to Alex again.]

I'm thinking of planting honeysuckle this coming spring. Are there any scents among flowers you prefer?