middaeg | [closed] Event Funtimes

[Enkidu is gazing at the floor. They hear noises outside their cell and briefly they wonder if any of them will find them. This cage is far too small after all. They've pulled their knees up, fully aware of the fact that this puts pressure on the wounds created by that man's knife but there is no other position possible.

Next to that, those beatings have been severe as well and they're quite sure that they've never really experienced having bruises. It hurts. Just like everything else.

They could try to raise their voice or use their strength to free themselves. They could tap into that hope they've always felt or that never ending curiosity that drove them to question and to discover. They could reach for that need to go outside, to be free. But all there is left is a certain numbness. Just nothing.]

[The sound of boots, heavy and metal, echoes in the corridor outside of Enkidu's chamber. Stone grinds beneath the rhythm of Edelgard's steps, a strange orange light illuminating the narrow passage with an unnatural orange light. Occasionally the click-clack of bone against bone is audible over the tromping motion of the Emperor's movements, and in little time at all the woman herself appears around a corner.

She looks from side to side, inspecting each portion of the Rathmore's chamber of horrors with a critical eye, and nearly moves on when she catches the sound of breathing. Raspy, ragged, but still alive. So forward she goes, stopping just short of the cage with a sharp intake of breath.]

Enkidu!

[Before heading for the cage, she settles Aymr against one wall, letting it illuminate the room and hopefully stir the clay being inside.]

[They keep on hearing sounds. Heavier footsteps this time. And briefly they hope to be found because really, a clay body could handle Gilgamesh's entire treasury, but whatever it was what they now had. Not so much.

The door opens this time and the first thing they feel is how they're tensing up. For all they know these Rathmore humans might be back and there's no way out at all. And they might die the most pitiful death ever. Sliced up in tiny parts to be sold on the Black Market.

And then they hear their name and the voice is familiar.]

...here...

[They stir a little and manage to touch the floor with one of their fingers.]

...will you get me out of this...? [When they speak their voice is barely a whisper.] Please...

[Anger at seeing a friend like this floods Edelgard, the light in her eyes beginning to shine brighter when rage fills her. This is beyond wrong. This is as bad as anything done to her, but for seemingly no reason save xenophobia. It's a thing she has fought a war to stop once, and the kind of thing that she will see these Rathmore creatures hanged for.

But that is a thought for the future. For now, there is only picking up the pieces.]

Of course.

[She stoops, holding out an armored hand.]

Are you able to walk? If not, I will carry you.

[To move again is extremely painful and Enkidu grits their teeth when they slowly start to sit up, forcing their muscles to make movements they haven't made for a while.

Finally they do take her hand, using it as a leverage.]

Hn...are they gone?

[Enkidu looks around themselves.]

These awful humans... [After that they make a sudden movement while trying to step out of the cage and a soft, painful sound escapes their mouth.] A...sorry...I have been better...

[Tearing free the lock, Edelgard pulls Enkidu out, letting them take their time about getting clear of it.]

Mostly. The guard are here, and other mirrorbound are here to assist with the arrests. I went on ahead, to find you.

[Marianne had thankfully already been recovered, so of Her People, Enkidu was the last. With a great deal of care, she draws a cloth from her belt and begins to dab at her friend's cheeks, cleaning away some blood.]

I will see you safe from this place. You will not be harmed again, my friend.

[Enkidu wobbles and does their very best to regain their balance.]

Others... [They blink slowly.] The guard...? The ones that work for the city?

[This entire damned place of a city...]

Truly...? [Since when does their voice sound like that? So broken.] Edelgard...I... [They can feel their knees buckle underneath them.] ...it hurts. I need to sit...

[So, eventually, that is what they do. Sit down.]

Yes. We brought them.

[Edelgard slips Aymr behind her back into it's leather strap and stoops to gather her fallen friend up. Gently, carefully, as though she's lifting a baby.]

We can't sit. But I'll get you out. Please, just hold on. I'll see that your injuries are treated. I...won't let you die.

They cannot... You cannot trust them...

[Enkidu frowns a little.

And for some reason when she mentions that she won't let them die they chuckle softly.]

Edelgard...I was never planning on doing that... [Not that they fear death or anything. The life of a Servant simply isn't long and never a true life to begin with. Once they served their purpose they disappeared.

But it hurts a lot to stand. It feels as if half of their body doesn't cooperate. Every limb feels swollen and sore and they're still very dizzy.]

Where will you take me? I don't... [They pause so they can squeeze their eyes shut.] ...not to them.

Edited (holy shit html fail) 2020-02-07 16:33 (UTC)

I will take you to a healer. That is where I need to get you.

[Edelgard cradles the slight form in her arms, looking down at the strange being that she's come to know and hold in high esteem.]

The guard will not have you. And I will kill anyone that tries to hurt you further this day.

[She starts walking then, armored feet crunching on worn stone, the metal shell surrounding her curling forward as she hunches to hold Enkidu closer.]

You've lost blood, and you need bandages and rest. I know a herbalist not far from here who will see you, if you won't go with the Coven's rescue team.

One from the Coven...?

[Enkidu slowly moves to curl their arms around her neck and allow themselves to relax a little.]

...I don't want that....I do not trust them... They let this go on...for so long...

[To be fair, they have no idea how to place this. What has happened.]

Humans are better than this...I know so... [They move to press their face against her neck.] ...I should remember that... [Finally they shake their head.] ...no, not them...

Not from the coven. An herbalist. A healer that works with plants, not magic.

[She's not going to take no for an answer, Enks. Don't even fucking try it.]

...And you are right. Humans are better than this.

The people that did this were more monstrous than any this world deigns to call monsters.

Herbalist...

[Enkidu repeats the words softly while they rest their face against her shoulder. Maybe Edelgard can feel how they're getting a little more heavy in her arms as they make it out together. They're tired and this seems like a perfect moment to fall asleep. And they trust Edelgard to bring them to a person who can properly heal them.]

...I have to sleep... It has been a while... [Still, they muster a small sort of smile.] Thank you...

[Enkidu stumbles out of their cell. For a moment they're disorientated and dizzy but it lightens up quite quickly. Something has changed. They take a deep breath and they hope it is something good.

After all, this hellscape had to end one time sooner or later.]

Cu? [For the first time they dare to raise their voice a little.] I remember that... [His cell had been close by.] Cu?

[They have no idea if they're able to feel a connection. And something is on fire as well.]

It is me... [Slowly they open the first door.] ...are you there?

[Archer glances up from where he's crouched next to his Bonded. Hearing his name spoken means it's one of the Mirrorbound and not the guards.]

You must be Enkidu. [he finishes bandaging Caster's arm and secures the ends. That's the last strip of fabric from the guard's tunic he's used to bandage the worst wounds.] Come in.

[Unfortunately the guard they managed to knock out had no water, only poor quality alcohol. Well, it's not like they have much choice, beggars can't be choosers.]

[ Alcohol can be used to disinfect wounds but as this frenzy begins, there isn't much use to that right now. Because right now, they have to get out. These "bandages" are far from clean, but they will protect the injuries from worsening them as he starts to move.

If not for Enkidu's voice before they started to open the door, Cú probably would jump on defense. No need to do that when it's a friend.

So he jumps to greet them. ] Enkidu!

[ Their temporary link buried under the dampening, but he could swear he could feel them at times. As horrifying as having everyone he cares about taken into this hellhole, Cú can push those feelings aside— it's now or never. They run, all of them no other option is to be accepted ]

They'll pay for what they have done to you... [ No one is coming unscathed from this place. No one is. So many beautiful things have been destroyed here. Trust. Safety. Hope. ] But first, we have to get out. [ He gestures at the dragon behind him, slight panic in his voice. ] I'm trying to get Archer out of his shackles— We'll be going in a moment.

[ He desperately clings to this belief ]

[Enkidu blinks a little.]

Chaldea's....cook? [And Archer of course. But they connect him with food. Food is important.] I have not known you...ah... to be here.

[Slowly they come in, trying their best to walk like a normal person does despite being dizzy and somewhat disorientated.]

Cu... [Enkidu smiles a little, It is good to see him. It is even better to see him in one piece.] ...good to see you...both... I am still a bit dizzy. And hungry.

[And oh, yes, the chains.]

...keys... They are locked.

[It's the Chaldea thing again. Sometimes Archer does wonder, thought, how is that possible to have so many Servants in one place doing most mundane chores. It sounds like something Rin could come up with. Nevermind that.]

Keys or something to cut the chain. [Archer straightens. He already got rid of shackles from his hands and the chain lashing his collar to the wall. Only shackles on his legs remain, their chain too short to let him walk.]

[ In response to Enkidu's wobbly walk, Cú immediately offers an arm to support them. Are their legs hurt, he wonders worriedly. ]

Once we get out, I'll treat you to the most lavish feast I can afford— [ The adrenaline coursing through his veins pushes him to escape, even if he's barely holding himself standing. But he sees those two precious faces, exhausted and disoriented— can he keep their morale up?

He can only try. ]

I could try to steal the key. [ It could work in the middle of this frenzy ]

[But Archer does make wonderful food. If this was another moment at another time Enkidu would've given him the advice to start his own restaurant.

Enkidu musters a smile when Cu offers an arm and takes it. The magic-binding spells and runes the Rathmores have used make them feel a little dizzy.]

Perhaps it can be...a joint effort. [If they survive this.] The food. Feast. [Finally Enkidu crouches down to inspect the chain that remains around Archer's leg. Such uncomfortable things. Really heavy as well.]

Is there...? [Their eyes flash from Archer to Cu.] Is there a guard nearby? [Slowly they get up again and do their very best to ignore the way their surroundings are spinning. Alone they would not make a chance, but now they're with more, maybe they could overpower one.]

[closed] Event Funtimes

closed to Edelgard - rescue

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closed to Cas!Cu (& Archer)

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