nysalogs | ❪ march event log: taken! ❫

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❪ march event log: taken! ❫

CW: This event log will contain descriptions and threads involving extreme violence, torture, and possible death. While we do not intend to push beyond any boundaries indicated in sign ups, players may opt out of any aspect of their group write-ups that they find uncomfortable.

Characters who have been assigned a role for this month's plot will find specific information about their groups and locations in headers below. We encourage that you thread among your groups within these headers, and as a reminder, only characters with plot roles may participate in rescue threads or hostage situations. All characters, however, are welcome to toplevel and tag in this log.

To receive special commendation and be recognized as heroes in a future post, hostages and rescuers must submit a short summary of their event participation HERE by March 24th.

OVERVIEW

While the riots and fanatic celebrating in Olympia and Wyver have subsided, neither city is naive enough to believe that life has yet returned to normal. There remains a tension among the citizens: not the slow simmer waiting to boil over that had preceded the aforementioned events, but an apprehension and fear that, despite the Royal Guard and Knightryder’s best efforts, the worst is yet to come.

In Olympia, as night falls on the 18th, their fears are proven true.

With their previous attempts at revolution through the riots having fallen short, the anti-Simwe radicals in Olympia carry out a more covert operation in their efforts to seize power. Having compiled a list of persons of interest, observed them, gathered intel and taken efforts to ensure that their movements will not be tracked, the radicals strike on the night of the 18th. The entire operation is discrete, and one by one people go missing from streets, homes, and businesses.

News that the kidnappings were a large scale operation doesn’t break in Olympia until the following day, but whispers have already travelled to a similar group of radicals in Wyver, who, fearing what a political coup in Olympia would mean for Wyver—or, more specifically how this could affect their chances to stage their own coup should Shanrian choose to step in—launch their own gambit for power with a similar scheme in the early hours of the 19th before dawn. Many are taken straight from their homes, or on their way to work.

For all their historical tension and division, Olympia and Wyver aren’t that different once the authorities become aware of what has happened. Both cities remain on the alert. In Olympia, Simwe orders immediate action from the Royal Guard, eager to win over the loyalty of her citizens by showing her commitment to freeing the hostages, while in Wyver, Shanrian is equally quick to take action with the Knightryders. The Altar of Volkkra is one of the most sacred institutions in Wyver, and the threat of the radicals drawing followers using its banner is too great to ignore.

ABDUCTIONS AND THE SEARCH

1. Radical groups in both cities have decided that certain citizens of their respective cities would prove to be valuable hostages. Perhaps you've been traveling between cities. Or maybe you've drawn their attention by being outspoken, excelling at your city job, or being an active citizen with a great reputation. What were you doing before you got snatched up? Did someone attempt to stop this terrible thing from happening, to no avail? Did you put up a valiant fight? Regardless of how it happened, you will be forcibly outfitted with an accessory that renders you completely powerless. The extremists are no strangers to magic, either.

2. Those that didn't sign up can still witness characters being abducted and attempt to stop it, though in the end they'll fail to stop the radicals. Characters who either witness these kidnappings or notice the absences can spread the word via missing persons posters, making calls to action, or embarking on searches. Characters that would ICly look for hostages but did not sign-up for the event can still go investigate, but will ultimately not find any kidnappers. All characters may also conduct investigations in locations not included in the clues.

3. With key figures around the cities abducted, several shops and organizations are left stressed and short-staffed. Characters may find themselves working long hours, and can volunteer to help the Guard/Nightryders as they're stretched thin, as well as other key locations such as the Institute, the Fields of the Exalted, etc. There are also children, elderly people, and pets who have been left without care, due to their guardians being kidnapped. Everyone is asked to lend a helping hand.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

1. As rescues take place, extremists will be fleeing the following locations: Simwe Institute, the Sanctuary, and the Royal Guard Academy for Olympia, and a cave high on Namarak Mountain, or an island tower off the coastline for Wyver. Characters that did not sign-up can still catch and round up fleeing radicals as hostages are rescued, with additional details on what the extremists in a particular region are capable of in the group details below.

2. Hostages, both NPC and PC, will be gradually found and recovered between March 18th to the 24th. With how harrowing the experience is, rescuers and abductees alike may require medical attention and a helping hand. Perhaps you hope to support them with a shoulder to lean on, or by being there on Natha Station when any dead awake. Either way, the extremists may be defeated, but morale across both cities has taken a hit.

3. Healing doesn't always mean taking care of just the physical harm. Affected people in the cities, both PCs and NPCs, may have significant emotional scars from their experience. These are much harder to heal, and may not be going away anytime soon, but the people are doing their best to provide happy distractions to those who were taken hostage. Acts of kindness are encouraged and appreciated. Perhaps you can cook a few meals to take a burden off their shoulders, organize a fundraiser to help with relief efforts, or read a book to someone in recovery. A little bit of your time may go a long way.

FINAL OOC NOTES

Once again, hostages and rescuers may find detailed info on their scenarios in subheaders below. These may also be used as top levels for each group! Additionally, all characters, including those that did not sign up, are welcome to toplevel in this log.

For characters that are dying, please be sure to review the FAQ on death! We've updated it to provide more details for everyone this event.

Don't forget to submit a summary of your event participation to guide our plot forward and earn influence with the NPCs!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He's already so damn cold it's unreal. Even through his jacket and jeans it's torturously cold, and there's only so much warmth to be derived through huddling with other, equally cold, people. The braided pilot instead tries to do what Wufei taught him when they'd been stuck in a room and faced with slowly suffocating thanks to a closed air lock -

Closing his eyes and focusing on anything other than his physical discomforts and issues. Which works, at least marginally, until he's hauled up by his restraints and led away with another, equally small, young man he doesn't even know. The torture routine Duo has been through before - some sort of tactic to make a person feel less human, something to embarrass or throw a mind off kilter. Check and check as he's stripped, skin immediately reacting with goosebumps and shivers. Duo, after all, has exactly zero body fat to insulate even in the slightest.

Their beginning question makes a great deal more sense for Duo - a boy who's frequently between one side and another. He swallows, trying to steady himself, which of course doesn't really work. ]

I'm tra-aveling for work. M-Mercenary work - [ Which he supposes is specific enough because he isn't immediately doused, and instead asked how he was given permissions to travel to do this work. ]

W-We just go and do-o it.. No perm-missions a-asked - [ Annnddd he's doused, a wheeze of a breath escaping at the shock, but he doesn't scream or react too violently otherwise. That seems to annoy their captor, or maybe it's the implication that he's held back by something that doesn't even really exist. Now there's a torch being brandish at them, and Duo looks up through wet and rapidly freezing bangs, pressing through how much his skin stings and the looming threat that he hasn't been told but is clear enough. ]

It's the tr-ruth!

[ Gods, while this interrogation is already dehumanizing and painful enough, it certainly doesn't get any easier having someone with him. And this is mostly because he can't stand hearing someone else suffering just next to him, being able to do nothing to help them. It's painful in its own, specific way.

Alphinaud can only use his words here, and while they've been slipping from him the colder he gets, he can still try. At the very least. ]

Y-You are searching for an answer wh-which is ... is not there. Y-You would gain naught if we merely lied to — save ourselves ...

[ The interrogator with the torch brings it in close to Alphinaud, causing a bit of a flinch from him, but pulls it back after a moment, before glaring at him, looking him up and down. And then he does the same to Duo, as if to check if he's lying. At least Alphinaud's words helped ... a little. Still very clearly a bad situation. ]

[ Duo is unfortunately used to so much worse - this isn't terrible other than the cold, but eventually his body begins to numb up, flexing his toes hurts but he keeps doing it, along with his fingers, every so often. It won't help his blood flow, not through hypothermia which he's heard about enough in his cautionary medical training to know it's probably what these shamans are trying to achieve.

In a way it's smart, but on another.. hypothermia made a mind confused and difficult, and any confessions they might received would probably be contrived to gain mercy for themselves.

Which.. they'd get their answers, just not ones that could actually be considered trustworthy.

A bit fool-hardy in his annoyance at being so damn cold that his physical shivering is obvious to the eye, Duo meets that threatening torch wave with a hard stare, resisting a smirk spreading across his face as those long bangs begin to freeze in place. That move, of course, does not sit well with a torturer who wants fear, and he presses the torch closer to Duo's bare arms, letting the flames lick and begin to burn. For a moment Duo barely feels it and thanks his lucky stars they tried to freeze them first, but eventually that comes to an end. Of course.

His jaw sets, a heavy breath sneaking through his nose, but he doesn't break just yet, watching the man in front of him just as intensely as he's being stared down.

- Which eventually earns him reprieve with a laugh and some declaration how he will be 'fun' to break. Duo moves to roll and press the burn to the ice, knowing it won't do much more than numb it for a short period of time. ]

Hard headed bu-unch of bastards, t-the lot of you.

[ Gods, Duo. Just with that short line from him, Alphinaud is able to pick up on what kind of person he must be in these situations — someone who speaks their mind, regardless of what it might mean for their safety. Only someone like that would have the gall to call their captors "hard headed bastards".

Not that Alphinaud disagrees with him — he believes this bunch to be hard-headed as hell. Their actions are only going to force them to tell lies to save their skin. But before Alphinaud can really work on working that part of the situation out, he needs to deal with the fact that Duo just insulted them at a time when he shouldn't be doing that.

So Alphinaud works through the bitter cold he's suffering in order to try to say whatever comes to his mind first in regards to that. ]

O-One's mind can e-easily become confused when in an environment l-like this for too long ... [ ... And he takes a small moment to take a breath. Speaking is hard right now. ] I-I would ask that you pardon his —

[ Ah, okay, here comes some more water onto Alphinaud now, as their captors yap about his poor attempt to cover for his foul-mouthed friend. Way to make them hate you more, Duo.

Alphinaud just gasps and whimpers through it, trying to curl in on himself more for whatever warmth that's worth, shaking a little harder from how unbearably cold he's beginning to feel. He tried ... He's going to need to find the words to use with these guys before they freeze his brain over too badly. ]

[ He's fine with being the one that they hate even more, to be honest. Duo would rather be the focus of this entire session than worrying about how the other boy is doing, considering he's been through this before. Sure, Alphinaud made be made of tougher stuff than he looks, but.. Duo has no way of knowing that, really. Once he's sure the injury is good and numb, water from the ice dripping down his arm and beginning to freeze, Duo sits back up with a sound of irritation. ]

Listen, your problem's with me, buddy. [ A dubious method, that's for damn sure, but Duo's not about to back down, even when he.. well probably really should.

Their captors turn to say some taunting words about protecting his friend and Duo gives a rueful little shake of his head, coughing as he breathes in the biting air again before he rights himself. These guys don't strike him as the type to stop because he says he doesn't know the other boy from Adam, so he won't, instead using the gambit, again, of what he does for silver every day - ]

I've been inside the Institute, too. [ How's that for peaking interest? ] Other than traveling for business.

[ And yes, that's a look shot to Alphinaud saying he's doing this on purpose. ]

[ Duo ... Duo, come on, please. He's very aware of what Duo's apparent plan is here — take their attention and provoke them. He's going to get himself killed. And Alphinaud just doesn't feel right allowing him to take the brunt of all this. Not in the least.

There's not much, if anything, that he can do, however, to stop the inevitable from happening. They're going to take interest in what Duo's saying, and Alphinaud is essentially powerless right now.

Though through a combination of his occasional slip-ups with speaking his mind too much, and his currently freezing brain, he ends up trying to speak, against any of his better logic. ]

Y-You cannot assume — [ That attempt lasts all of a second, because in the next, he's having a boot shoved in his face, as one of the shamans unceremoniously steps on his mouth to keep him quiet. It's not enough to break anything or cause any lasting damage, but it cuts his lip a little and causes a muffled sort of cry of pain.

The man keeps his foot there, as he leans in to hear whatever it is Duo has to say. ]

[ Duo turns to give Alphinaud a bit of a look - one that's clearly asking him to save himself the pain of it and just let him talk for a while. No need to try to do a noble thing and end up broken up past repair, after all. At this point between the cold and what they're willing to do to get information?

He's hoping to make it out in time to find a healer, period, at this rate. ]

Whatever they're doing there has to be .. covert, something.. [ He pauses, swallowing and trying to gather brain cells from every part of himself that he can that will let him keep speaking clearly. ]

They have guards everywhere, people protecting things that they probably don't even know all that much about. [ Their captors press Duo for something more specific, what they're hiding, even, and he debates for a moment lying and telling them something fantastical. But then.. if it starts something bigger? If it starts a more all encompassing battle between the two groups? He isn't sure he can stomach it. ]

I don't know what exactly they're doing. Never made it that far before I woke up here - [ And again, the truth gets him soaked, though this time they seem a bit.. infuriated he'd had them so caught up for so long and over power Duo's small, cold frame to push him to the floor on his front, leaving the expanse of his thin back facing up. A torch presses close as they ask him for more information, convinced he's either trying to distract them or weaving stories to buy himself more time. ]

I'm telling you the truth! There's something there they want to protect but I don't kn- [ Words turn in to grit teeth and an almost growl as he chokes down the pain of the intense burn of a torch tip on his back.

Hopefully the refusal to scream doesn't mean more on the way for Duo. ]

[ Regardless of what Duo wants, both of Alphinaud's options hurt him in their own ways. Speaking up has only caused him physical pain, while keeping quiet can only cause him emotional pain.

Alphinaud's entire life revolves around efforts to help people — to win battles, to drive people forward, to save the realm. He's had his own pride slashed before already — been forced to realize his faults and his limits, and that those faults can lead to the demise of others. Since then, he's tried so hard to prove himself worthy of those he surrounds himself with, those who trust in him. And what can he do in this moment? Nothing, he feels. He's so powerless.

His talent — his words. He's learning the hard way how far they'll go in the face of torture. In the face of people who do not listen. The boy who so happily and confidently engages in diplomatic affairs with those in power can't find his way through an interrogation. What a way to have one's dignity so unceremoniously torn down.

He almost zones out, the captor removing his boot from his face at some point during everything. Alphinaud is quiet for a few moments, as everything happens beside him, listening and thinking and trying all manner of things in his head. If only his thought process weren't so frozen over.

He flinches, a little, when he hears Duo drenched and turned onto his stomach, and the way his words cut off, likely from the pain of fire.

But before he can think of what to do, he feels himself being pulled up by his hair — long and white and just asking to be pulled by someone with malicious intent. He's forced onto his knees, held there as he grunts and tries to reposition his head so that it doesn't hurt so much.

It appears they're trying a new tactic — before they harm Duo too much to speak, they're going to see if he'll speak for his little friend's sake. They've noticed the looks he's given, and they announce all this. They really want that non-existent information out of him. ]

D-Do not — [ — If they weren't clamping a hand over his mouth, he would finish his thought. They are so very tired of his attempts to steer things in directions they don't want. These two just seem like brats who refuse to cooperate, to them.

And Alphinaud can feel the visceral sting of knowing he's being used. He's already acquainted with this feeling. ]

[ Duo breathes hard, for a moment well aware he doesn't feel the cold when instead his skin is already beginning to blister, black and burnt. It's a reprieve for a moment, and one he uses to refocus himself as best as possible. It's easy to rally away from pain, something he's been trained in doing from far too early on for it to be even remotely normal, but there's no going back now.

Thankfully the braided pilot also has the ability within him to be incredibly hard nosed, hard headed, just difficult in general -

It would seem that the trend of lifting via the hair is catching on, though when Duo catches wind that the man tasked with turning him back over is reaching for that good four feet of hair hanging from his head - he laughs, a savage look in his eye as he calmly informs : ]

I've snapped a guy's neck for grabbing my hair like that. Wouldn't recommend it, buddy.

[ It's not a lie, and the man seems to catch that in the intent in Duo's eyes and instead takes him by the shoulders - much worse because of the way it smashes his burnt back together as his shoulders give way, but soon he's on his knees too, begrudging the entire situation.

The intention to use Alphinaud is clear, and Duo wants to save him from harm as best he really can despite not knowing him - so he decides to go the callous route. ]

I might have information you want so why don't you stop wasting your time with the kid and focus on me?

Realistically you're wasting man power and time keeping two of us at a time anyway.

[ Alphinaud so desperately wishes he could speak right now, say something to help the situation along in a less ... terrible direction. Everyone's intents in this situation are so clear, but all of them are clashing in a very non-helpful way.

The captors have fully caught on to Duo's attempts at keeping the attention on himself, though, and they're quick to respond to his remarks by tugging Alphinaud's hair back at an angle that forces his face to be turned upward. They then remove their hand from his mouth, just in time for a fair amount of water to be poured over him. He doesn't even have time to react, or brace himself — it all happens so fast.

And immediately, he's hunching over, coughing up a fit from the water that made its way down his throat, his body shaking harder from the coldness and the pain wracking through it. He can't even have the mercy of having his hair let go — he dips his head downward as he coughs, but his head remains propped up as though he's a puppet on a string.

One of their captors then gets down into Duo's face, asserting that neither of them are off the hook, regardless of who's being asked the questions. They seem quite determined to keep the two of them from saving each other — and in fact have found opportunity in using it to their advantage. Therefore, he says, Duo would do well to give them the information they want.

Meanwhile, Alphinaud has never felt so close to death in his life. He's seen too much of it, but never has he been so convinced that this could be ... well, his end. He remembers back to what he'd been told before — that people are prepared to die for what they believe in. That he can't half-ass things — he would have to match that to keep up with those he's against. He's not sure how much comfort that thought really gives him, now. It does, however, fuel him enough to speak again, voice shaking ever harder, sounding slow and broken. ]

S-Such tactics w-would only — only serve to force h-him into a lie, wh-which would s—erve no one ...

[ Miraculously, he doesn't receive another punishment, and instead only receives glares — possibly out of annoyance of his logic. Alphinaud noticed the slightest falter from them before when he brought up this possibility, so it can't hurt to pick at it. And it's true — there is truly no way to know whether someone is lying to save their skin. They could very well end up killing someone for no reason, losing a bargaining chip or some such in the process. A problem they will have to deal with. Maybe Duo can take advantage of this split second of faltering. ]

So-so now we-e're waterb-boarding? [ It's incredulous, though Duo's brows have flown up faster only at the mention of something particularly potentially delicious for dinner. It's been a while since he's seen that one, but it doesn't make him any less irritated about all of them as a whole. The second he has a chance to take out one or all of them, they can bet it will happen.

The intent in his eyes seems clear to them, as much as his smirking in the face of their threats irritates every single shaman that attempts to lean in to his face. If this were another situation and on his own he'd definitely be spitting and kicking, but since this is a tag team situation and he's fairly sure this is a new experience for his new friend... He'll behave. A little. Minuscule bit. ]

So you want me to give you something for the propaganda machine is what you're saying? I have a pretty good imagination, but - [ There's a bucket of water over his head and in the next second a boot on his chest to knock him back, succeeding in knocking the breath of out Duo in two ways at once.

It's something they probably should've done sooner, as he spends a little while coughing and trying to haul air back in to his lungs with a grimace, hands balled in tight fists. If he had mobility in his hands and feet this would be a totally different ball game, but he's tried working them apart until he wrists were raw - they're not budging.

Duo gives one more barking cough before he's gathered himself back, snarling off his keeper as he hauls himself back up, a bit like one of those gag toys that raises a figure straight out of a coffin or something - ]

You start k-killing innocent people - - and no-no one is going to give you any credit.

I've done en-enough of it. [ They seem incredulous of such a small boy being capable of such a thing, even laughing, though Duo doesn't budge from it.

His non-reaction sobers them a little, and then the inevitable question of how he knew comes, and Duo for once answers with a brevity only brought on by how damn cold he is, how shitty this situation is, regardless of what Alphinaud would now know - ]

Terrorist. M-Mercenary.. whatever you wan-na call it. Gundam pilot.

That don't m-mean a lot to you all but that's fine.

[ Okay, Alphinaud was expecting none of that out of him. He agrees with the sentiment that killing innocent people will only hurt someone's cause — it makes them an enemy of the people very easily, and becoming an enemy of the people can be the nail in the coffin for anyone's goals. People are highly disinclined to trust groups that would kill innocents. That's just basics.

But the followup to that ... Alphinaud isn't quite sure how to deal with it. Not that he has any choice in the matter at the moment — he doesn't have the luxury to attempt a conversation about it with Duo. No ability to ask him for details, express his opinions, none of that. Because regardless of his ... occupation, they have a shared enemy right now — one that could easily kill the two of them if they so desired.

Regardless, Alphinaud can't help but have his shock written on his face, mixing in with his exhaustion. Working together with ... a terrorist. Huh ...

Much to Alphinaud's frustration, however, it seems their captors have found renewed interest in Duo — having a terrorist as a prisoner can mean all sorts of things. He was hoping to push their interest away from them. But he's still going to attempt to latch onto what he can from Duo's argument. It's all he can really do. ]

V-Violence will ever b-beget violence ... [ A lesson, for all of you who seem to think torture and terrorism are the way to solve problems. He has involved himself in many battles and wars as of late, but peaceful means have always been explored where possible. ]

T-Taking innocence l—lives will accomplish ... e-even less. [ So violent means on top of the killing of innocents — not a good look.

The captor still holding onto his hair looks down at him, a look of disgust, yet still hesitation, in his eyes, as he lets go and drops Alphinaud onto the ground. It's both a relief — for his hair — and an uncomfortable experience — for his face, as it falls into the rocky, cold ground. And he grimaces from the experience. At least, possibly, he's keeping this conversation ... vaguely on the path he had hoped to. Vaguely. ]

[ There'd be plenty of time to talk about it later if they survived. Plenty of time for Duo to explain how taking people out wasn't his job anymore so much as taking ships and mobile suits out of commission and generally... not staying in one place for too long. That's a move for most people's general safety that surrounded him instead of just his own, really, but he's sure Alphinaud would surmise as much once they had a chance to speak about it at length.

For now saying that he's 'reformed' or is a 'former' terrorist doesn't really suit their needs so he doesn't - that seems to be common enough sense, right?

With everything that's going on, and even despite it, Duo rolls his eyes at the quip of violence begetting violence. It sounds a lot like a pacifism speech he's heard Relena or Quatre give, ironic in the fact that Quatre piloted a mobile suit as well and wasn't, maybe, the best suited for that sort of thing. Duo's captor raises a brow at that change in expression, that formerly cold, icy expression on Duo's pale face momentarily more animated bfore he's back to watching him.

Staring contests have never been fun - this one even less so. ]

K-Killing us mi-ight not matter-r to the regular villa-agers, but... [ Duo stops as a particularly violent shudder rolls up his spine, taking a moment to shake it off. ]

Wo-on't earn you a-any kudos with ref-fugees.. [ Then, because it's Duo, he decides to appeal to what he hopes is a pretty vehement bit of Wyver pride that he's seen more intensely before all of this in the festivals - ]

If y-you want to t-take Olymp-pia? Mak-king allies out of ref-refugees may b-be th best st-start,,

[ Look, Alphinaud will always prefer the diplomatic approach to the war-torn one. He's been through more wars than anyone his age ever should, and he's consistently been smack dab in the center of them. He's not against participating in them and doing all he can for his side, but he'd also much rather use his talking skills to his fighting. Lives should never be lost, in war or otherwise, and diplomacy is the best way to go about it.

They seem to be avoiding torture for now, though, and that's a bit of a relief. If they keep talking in this direction, they should be able to make it out of this interrogation without any more pain. Not that either of them is in the best shape right now, but it wouldn't do them any good to add onto what they already have. ]

H-He speaks th—e truth ...

[ Duo's words seem to get to their captors a little, who look to be staring at him as they think on his words. And then one orders the others to dress the two of them and put them back with the others, noting that they have nothing useful to say right now and perhaps they'll have to take them in again once they're more broken down.

Well, at ... least they're being spared for now. Right, Duo? ]

[ Duo can recognize the beginnings of hypothermia sneaking in.. the way his mind can't seem to keep his thoughts straight, the lesser way he notices that he's shivering but it's more a side note than anything he actually cares about. He's no Chang Wufei, there's no blocking out the fact that he's fucking freezing right now, but the prospect of clothes?

Duo keeps a careful poker face even knowing what's in his jacket and boots... A careful silence as he's dressed back in his clothes, his turtle neck blessedly warmer than nothing, the leather jacket a buffer against some of the wind.

It isn't until they're back in the pit and well enough alone that he'll turn to Alphinaud, remarkably focused in the moment. ]

Listen, what I said back there, stays between me, you, and them, yeah? [ It's a question but not, and he's sure Alphinaud will realize that as he swings his hands up and over his head, the motion taking the appearance of a pose of relaxation..

But cold fingers start rooting in frozen over hair fairly quickly. ]

I'm gonna do what I can, here.

[ It certainly does feel better to be back in clothes. They were no doubt returned to them because these people aren't done with them yet — and if they were to leave them bare, they would no doubt die from the cold within the day. It's a small comfort to have his clothing back, but a comfort nonetheless. It certainly beats laying on the cold ground without a buffer between him and it.

He's trying to keep his mind straight through all this. And while it's deteriorated quite far, the cold and the torture leaving him with a slower thought process, he's still doing his best to think things through and pay attention. So when Duo speaks to him, he glances in his direction. ]

A-And if it does not?

[ Whatever he's doing, he can do it. He's most interested in this whole terrorist thing and how he apparently wants it to be a secret. Alphinaud may talk, or he may not, but he wants to know what this guy has in mind if he intends to keep him quiet. ]

Well, for oo-ne, I don't kn-now who might-t b-believe you. [ Other than Heero Yuy - but who knew if Alphinaud would ever meet his comrade in former crime. He wouldn't be totally unthinkable, but as Duo works to find a specific something in the depths of that braid, focusing on the who or what of it all.

There's no use in threatening him, hell, they might not even make it out, but as Duo finally makes a soft sound of victory and draws what looks to be a hair clip out of that nest of brown, he's lost all track of what the hell he was going to say before. Instead he moves decisively, pinning what looks to be a normal hair clip between the rubber soles of his boots, focusing on getting a certain side facing away from him. The why of that becomes clear quickly as Duo focuses on the ropes around his wrists -

They rapidly begin to fray as he runs it along that side of it, smirking his damn head off all the while. ]

This m-might get me in tr-rouble but it's b-better than nothin'.

[ He doesn't have the brainpower to continue to converse about the topic, especially since he knows some people would believe him. He knows for a fact his sister would listen to him, and he believes a few others would trust him on it. Not that he's sure what he'd do with the information that this boy is a terrorist anyway. He has nothing to gain, really, other than telling his friends of what happened to him here. Now, if Duo steps out of line and does something bad, Alphinaud will surely speak up on it. But until then ... not much point in going around talking about it. This is just one piece of information he's going to hold on to for the future.

And he doesn't think it a good idea to go out of his way and make enemies with this boy right now.

He just averts his gaze for a moment as his response to that first bit, but then he hears Duo doing ... something, and he's quick to look back at him and — oh.

Alphinaud agrees that it's likely to get him in trouble, especially considering how weak they are from the cold. What could he possibly do against the shamans? But he can't really ... protest it. He wants that hope that they'll get out of this. ]

I-I cannot fault you f-for ... for trying.

[ Aww come on Al, don't play snitch on him one day. For the moment Duo is focused, blue eyes darting to look around and make sure he won't be caught mid-escape attempt here. He feels the ropes give away before he sees it, rolling his wrists and eventually working his hands free. The extra rope he stores away in his jacket -

Possibly for later. They'll see. ]

Might as we-ell just-t hand me a w-weapon with this st-stuff.. [ Muttered, even though he's serious. A rope is a good defense, particularly if he can sneak it around a shaman's neck.

That done he starts hacking at the ropes at his feet next, turning to look over at Alphinaud. ]

I'd hack y-you free too but-t until I figure out i-if we've got a chance it's probably b-better if you just stay there. [ Yes he doesn't stand much chance fighting them but it's worth a shot. Duo starts at a squat, looking around the lip where he's occasionally seen a Shaman peer down at them for anyone who might spot him out. ]

Stay put.

[ As much as Alphinaud would like to be free and to help him with this, he can't find much fault in his plan. In this shape, Alphinaud might just slow him down right now. It's better to see if they have a chance before they start getting going. Doesn't mean he won't move his hands a little uncomfortably, realizing how much he really truly wants to be free of these ropes right now and how close he is to it. And how much he desperately wants to be useful here, because he's been able to do so little this whole time.

But he gives a nod in response, watching Duo intently. And with quite a bit of fear in his stomach, if he's being honest. This is the first true chance he's seen in a long time. ]

I-I shall take y-your word.

[ He's doing his best to trust him. For a terrorist, he's actually ... quite kind? In what he's seen so far. He's noticed how he repeatedly has tried to bring the attention on himself rather than Alphinaud, and he seems to be doing it again, putting this escape all on himself until it's safe to bring Alphinaud into it. Huh. ]

I'll b-be back. [ He says it with a certainty that says he isn't lying - if he can get them all out he's going to, really, no matter who or what he sells himself as. Duo is definitely a survivalist, but, well.. he's also a bit of a softy under all the black clothes and leather jackets and his former 'job' as a child soldier.

Duo creeps along a side wall, keeping a wary eye above him as much for Shamans as things to climb with. For the moment he's coming up blank, the walls smooth and no one really watching them and what they're doing for the moment. He's cold, and a little slow as a result, but if there's one thing that anyone who knew him came to know - Duo Maxwell doesn't give up easily. It's the kind of tenacity a kid learns sleeping on benches and stealing everything he needed to live, and now that those things come a little more easily he can focus on other things.

.. Like not being kidnapped anymore, apparently. ]

S-Shit. [ Muttered, lowly, taking a cursory look around. ]

Made it s-so we couldn-n't climb out.

[ Ah, he doesn't like how that sounds. Alphinaud gives a bit of a glance around the room, taking in their surroundings. They certainly made sure all avenues of escape were secure, that's for sure. But Alphinaud isn't about to let his pride continue to be knocked down. One of them is free, and he's not giving up this chance.

But since he's incapable of magic right now due to the bracers, a lot of possible plans won't work out. But he has ... one idea. If it'll even work. ]

R-Release me and ... m-mayhap I could b-boost you.

[ He's incredible levels of weak right now, but he thinks if he boosts him up, he might be able to get up there. And then it's a matter of finding something like a ladder or using rope to allow Alphinaud up. But of course, this is all dependent on if Alphinaud can get up the strength to boost him at all. It's the only thing he can think of right now, at least. ]

Mmmn.. [ Duo hums, thinking it over, mentally measuring what he thinks is Alphinaud's height plus his own, then gauging the walls around them. It might be worth it, but to deplete Alphinaud's strength even more when they're already in a bad way? ]

Honestly, I don't know if it's worth the energy expulsion to try that route. Your height plus mine still may not give me a good enough hand hold by the looks of it and then we've just tired you out for nothing. [ A little pause, and Duo's expression grows a bit more serious as he turns back to look at him - ]

And they'll definitely be back for us before this is all over. Whether it's together or separate.

[ He's ... a little frustrated by that. Being so blatantly denied the ability to help. And he tugs at the ropes on his wrists a little more — he knows he can't get out of them, but it's more an action of frustration and showing Duo that he wants them off. ]

Y-You expect me to ... t-to lie here whilst you take you take th-the bru—nt of things. [ That's how it's seemed from the beginning. That he's been trying to take all the attention off him and allow them to do what they will to him instead. And this time feels no different. It feels ... awful, to someone like Alphinaud. Someone so focused on helping others. ]

I-I ... W-We cannot pass up th-this opportunity. I-I must try ...

[ Who knows when they'll get another chance to escape? He'd rather try and fail than not try at all, especially when others' lives are at stake along with theirs. Their captors don't seem to have an interest in killing them right now, and mayhap their words reached them a bit when they spoke with them not long ago.

But Alphinaud is losing a bit of his logic and becoming a bit frustrated with his inability to do anything, and it's manifesting in this. ]

Yeah, I do. [ Well, he's keeping up on the 'runs and hides but never tells a lie' thing, even if Alphinaud may not like the answer totally. In a moment of frustration Duo grits his teeth and kicks the iced over wall, of course making no progress and sending a shock through his foot and leg that hurts a great deal more than it should, but it helps him vent for the moment. ]

T-This is a lo-ong game, n-not about pri-ide or what-ever.. [ A little pause, and then : ] Plus I-I'm willing to b-bet I can t-take more of a be-eating.

[ How many times now has he managed it? He doesn't actually want to quantify for fear of shocking himself for once. Duo takes a moment, chewing at his lip as he tries to think of his alternatives, muttering under his breath as he touches at something in his boot. ]

Don't t-think I have i-it in me to ma-ake it like that..

❪ march event log: taken! ❫

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