natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] nysalogs2018-03-18 09:32 pm

❪ 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!
eaudevamp: (ᴛᴇᴇᴛʜ ᴄʟᴇɴᴄʜ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-20 07:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ When Mephisto moved to try and stand, Reign quickly stood to help, wanting to offer his support if Mephisto so wished to accept. But when he heard the pained cry, panic quickly set in, more so when he saw the blood coughed up and those pouring from the wounds.

What was happening? Hadn't Mephisto healed most of the wounds? Shouldn't they at least close up, or at least to the point that he wouldn't bleed so much now? ]


What... what's happening? Why...

[ Then he smelled it, the sickly sweetness that was altogether different compared to Mephisto's usual delicious blood. This was the kind of stench that gradually smell worst that rot, and it turned Reign's stomach at the sight and scent. ]

Healer. We should get a healer.

[ But Reign was reluctant to leave Mephisto's side. Instead he removed the scarf tied around his neck, pressing it up against the side of Mephisto's face that was bleeding. ]
meinwaifu: (But demons run when they stand before ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-20 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Mephisto knows better than anyone possibly could about what was happening right now. He could feel it -- that unmistakable agony as the rot ate away at his insides, tainting his blood and turning it into sludge in his veins. Every breath, every blink, every second he remained alive was more painful than the next.]

[This isn't the first time it's happened this suddenly, either. Just how much time did he have left? Days? Hours? Minutes?]


R-Reign.

[He reaches out to grab Reign by the wrist, stopping him before he can start mopping up the blood on his face. He'll be able to see it now -- the skin on his fingertips bleeding and blistering, moving higher up along his wrist and arm.]

Don't do anything pointless. Even I'm not immortal. And at this rate... my human vessel isn't going to survive much longer.

[His voice is shaking, but he fights to keep it even and intelligible. The trembling from before was far stronger now, as the pain quickly started to overwhelm him.]

I don't want... to die down here. Take me somewhere else.
Edited 2018-03-20 07:31 (UTC)
eaudevamp: (ᴡʜɪɴᴇ ᴡʜɪɴᴇ)

1/2

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-20 07:50 am (UTC)(link)
[ Reign stopped when his wrist was gripped, finally seeing the extent of damage on Mephisto. These weren't normal injuries at all, it was as if Mephisto was... for lack of a better word, dying from the inside out, his human body wasting away. ]

What are you talking about? You're a demon. Demons don't die.

[ His own voice was trembling, not daring to believe what he was hearing. Mephisto was just delirious, right? Maybe it was the after effects of the mind control Mephisto had been under. However, he could hear the grain of truth in the demon's words. There was no point for Mephisto to lie to him. Even Reign knew how fragile a human's body was, and Mephisto currently living inside a human host. ]
eaudevamp: (sᴏʟɪᴛᴀʀʏ ᴛᴇᴀʀs)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-20 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hearing those words scared Reign more than anything, and he was quick to comply with Mephisto's request. He didn't care if Mephisto was going to complain, or point out how unsightly it may appear, but Reign slipped his arms under the demon's knees and body, carrying him out of the quarantine wing towards the main hall of the Sanctuary.

Some of the staffs tried to stop them, insisting that Mephisto not be moved elsewhere, but Reign was having none of it. Wherever Mephisto wanted to go, he'll take him there. He didn't even care if he was crying like some childish girl. ]


You're not going to die. You'll be —hic— fine.
meinwaifu: (Accepting reality ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-20 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
[There's no struggle nor protest as Mephisto is lifted -- he's far lighter than he looks, and perhaps even more so now after everything he's gone through. As if his body were wasting away in Reign's arms.]

[When he sees Reign's tears, he reaches up as if to wipe them away -- but catches sight of his own bloodied hand and pulls it back.]


Even when the truth is right in front of you... you still deny it. How charming... you vampires really aren't that different from humans... are you?

[And with those words, he falls slack in Reign's arms, passing out.]

[It's probably more terrifying than seeing the blood, to see him suddenly go so still. But his breathing is labored enough to be audible, and though it looks painful, he's still breathing.]

[Ultimately, Reign won't have much choice. At the insistence of several Sanctuary staff who recognize him as Mipha's friend, and some convincing that his death would only be painful anywhere else, he's forced to leave Mephisto in the care of the staff there.]

[His condition is well beyond anything they've done before. Nothing less than Mipha's miracle healing could even have the hope of saving him now. But Mipha was still missing, and so all they could do was make him comfortable. His wounds are bandaged, he's given IV fluids... but even a full day later, somehow, he's still alive.]

[When Reign goes in to see him, he's hardly recognizable, aside from that signature curl to his hair. He's wrapped from head to toe like a mummy with only his one eye and mouth uncovered, the bandages already bleeding through -- and his body already so much thinner and weaker. The IV at his side ensures he's not in nearly as much pain as he could be, but it's clear this is a pretty terrible way to go.]

[Maybe he should have just died down there.]
eaudevamp: (ᴛᴇᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-20 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The fact that Mephisto felt so much lighter was scary in itself, since Reign knew Mephisto was so much taller than him. Then again, he should have known that a taller height didn't equate a heavier weight. Nonetheless, the fact that Mephisto's weight seemed to be getting lighter frightened the heck out of Reign.

If Mephisto had wiped his tears with his bloody hand, Reign wouldn't have minded at all, though he couldn't help pouting through his tears at Mephisto's words. ]


What are you talking— Mephisto? Mephisto!

[ This time, Reign truly panicked, and even when the Sanctuary staffs came to help, insisting he let them treat him, Reign didn't let go until they convinced him otherwise. If he was going to be stubborn, Mephisto's death would have been on his hands. So Reign let go, allowing the staffs to take the demon away, not even allowed to be near until the treatment was done.

Reign knew he couldn't stay there and hamper the duties of the staffs. There was work to be done, other hostages to be seen to. It wasn't just Mephisto that needed tending to, but his friends as well. So despite his reluctance, Reign headed back to see what other help was required, as well as checking on his friends.

He barely slept the entire night, and the next day, one of the staffs led him to Mephisto's bed. The sight of Mephisto lying there all bandaged up, looking so weak and vulnerable, sent another tremor through Reign. Mephisto was going to be all right, yes? The worst was over, wasn't it? He pulled a nearby chair and sat down beside the bed, feeling tears stinging at the back of his eyes again.

If Mephisto woke up, he'll be greeted by Reign's watery smile. ]
meinwaifu: (You sadist ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-21 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
[There was something nice about seeing a smile, watery or not, first thing after waking up. He can't quite muster the strength to return it, but he at least looks over at Reign to acknowledge he can still see him.]

I must look rather dreadful to earn a smile like that.
eaudevamp: (ʟɪɢʜᴛ sʜᴀᴅᴇ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-21 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ Just the fact that Mephisto was still alive meant the world to Reign. They may have started off as acquaintances and mutual partners seeking carnal pleasures, but Reign had begun to consider the demon a true friend. Maybe he didn't know Mephisto well enough, but that didn't matter. Aside from the undeniable truth that Mephisto could provide what Reign sexually desire, the demon was also earning a place in Reign's heart. Friend-wise.

Mephisto's words earned a chuckle from Reign, and the vampire wiped a barely there tear from his eyes. ]


Perhaps so. Or maybe you're just so dreadfully handsome despite your current condition.

[ Welp, not the best comforting words, but sometimes a joke was better than anything. ]
meinwaifu: hand chin (Storytime ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-21 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Oh? So this is the sort of look you're into?

[He actually manages a smile. But when he tries to laugh, it just triggers a coughing fit -- with Mephisto turning his head to cough into a towel left there to soak up any blood that might come up, given he's too weak to turn or raise his hand.]

...it looks like... I didn't make it very far, did I?
eaudevamp: (sᴏʟɪᴛᴀʀʏ ᴛᴇᴀʀs)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-21 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ Reign grinned sheepishly, caught once again. ]

You could tie me up instead.

[ But when Mephisto started to cough, Reign panicked again, wincing when he noticed the towel beside the demon's head. He had half to mind to rub Mephisto's chest, hoping to sooth the cough, but realised that might aggravate the situation further.

He bit his lower lip, looking all the world like a kicked puppy whose owner got badly injured by someone and said puppy was unable to protect its master. ]


You'll get better! You just... need some time.

[ Reign had caught snippets of the staffs muttering about Mephisto's condition, that there wasn't much they could do. But Reign was holding onto whatever feeble hope there may be. ]
meinwaifu: (My tourniquet ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-21 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
...I don't have much of that left at this point.

[Would it be better to lie and pretend he would be okay? Or tell the truth to prepare Reign for what happens next?]

But this isn't the first time I've died... human bodies aren't designed to live forever, after all.Though I suppose the circumstances are rather different this time.
eaudevamp: (ʟᴏɴɢ ʙᴀɴɢꜱ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-23 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ While Reign knew that white lies may be better, he rather receive the truth and be prepared for it. Part of him had a feeling that Mephisto may not last long, but a small part of him still held onto that hope, feeble it might be.

Though hearing Mephisto talk about the times he'd died sent a pang through Reign. What number was it this time, he wondered. Tears fell freely this time as Mephisto continue to speak, Reign pressing his head on the bed beside the demon's arm, doing his best not to break down despite the sniffling sounds. ]


Can't the Orbiters do anything? Surely there must be something that can be done.

[ The worst thing was that they were not able to head to the Thesa Station, so there was no way Mephisto could receive better treatment, and that fact hurt even more, made Reign angry. ]
meinwaifu: (Recovery ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-23 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
They've already done plenty for me... ah, but I suppose I never told you very much about myself, did I?

[He's not sure whether this desire to talk about himself stems from the brainwashing and a strong desire to dispel it, or from a fear of being forgotten entirely once he dies. But he's not going to ignore it, even if it ends up with him rambling a little. At least, so long as he's still able to talk.]

I was once a demon who could command time itself. One of the eight demon kings who stood above all others. But after enduring the Storm... those powers of mine disappeared.

My power over time was the only thing keeping my body from falling apart. If I were still at full strength... I wonder if I would be in as much pain as I am now...
eaudevamp: (ᴡʜɪɴᴇ ᴡʜɪɴᴇ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-23 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ Reign raised his head when Mephisto began to talk about himself, and even if he wanted the demon to save his breath, rest his body, he couldn't find it in himself to stop Mephisto. Maybe talking would get Mephisto's mind off the pain, or whatever that was going to happen.

He listened intently, putting those information to memory so he wouldn't forget. Reign knew the worst thing about dying was to be forgotten, to have no one who remember you, as if you never existed. ]


Is that what's happening? Because the Storm took your powers?

[ There was an impudent whine in Reign's voice, frustrated that not only had the Storm swallowed their world and possible loved ones, but also stole Mephisto's powers. ]

You're not going to die. You can't die. What about me?

[ That may sound selfish, and Reign knew he was being selfish, but he didn't want Mephisto to die. Not the demon, not anyone he cared about. ]
meinwaifu: (B) ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-23 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
What about you? [He actually laughs at that, softly and weakly and punctuated with a cough.]

Well... I suppose without me around... you just might actually manage to get some work done for a change.

[You know, since he won't have the Walking Sexual-harassment Lawsuit calling him into his office to "play" anymore. Of course, he means it as a joke, but he can tell Reign is pretty broken up about this. It's... not really something he's used to.]
eaudevamp: (ᴀᴡᴋᴡᴀʀᴅ ʙʟᴜsʜ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-23 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ That still didn't stop Reign from blushing a nice shade of red at the teasing. How many hours had Reign lost to unsanctioned "visits" to a particular professor's room on the pretense of discussion and extra lessons?

He pouted, knowing Mephisto was pulling his legs, trying to lighten the somewhat dark mood. They both know where this was going, the inevitable end, of sorts. Didn't mean Reign had to like it. ]


And whose fault was that? Being a demon and all, tempting some poor vampire boy down the path of sin.
meinwaifu: hand chin (I don't dislike those human qualities ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-23 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
You make it sound as if I had to try. You were plenty sinful before I ever got my hands on you.

[Those kinks of his didn't just come out of nowhere?? Surely Reign had plenty of partners before him.]
eaudevamp: (ᴛɪɴʏ ᴍᴏᴜᴇ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-23 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ Full on pouting now, because Mephisto was right. Reign was plenty sinful and kinky even before meeting Mephisto. He had his fair share of partners back at Shades Darker. ]

...true.

[ He finally relented in a small voice, fingering a stray strand of loose bandage near Mephisto's hand. Small talk they may be making, but it was as if they were bidding their time, waiting for the gong to sound. ]
meinwaifu: (Oh no I am vanquished ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-23 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
[He doesn't laugh this time -- he just smiles. But it's the sort of smile that would almost certainly be followed by his usual snickering were he feeling up to it.]

I didn't think I would find the will to smile in the end... it's rather nice, having someone here.

[Generally, he always met his end alone -- not wishing to subject his familiars to the horror of his body breaking down, nor anyone he might trust enough to see him in such a vulnerable state. Arguably, he doesn't have much choice in the matter here anyway. But that didn't mean it wasn't nice.]
eaudevamp: (ʟɪɢʜᴛ sʜᴀᴅᴇ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-23 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ That had Reign falling silent. He didn't know how much time Mephisto had left. He could succumb when Reign decided to return home so he could rest, despite wanting to stay, or the demon could suddenly take a turn for the worst in the next five seconds.

He gritted his teeth, then took a deep shuddering breath, uncertain how he should feel about this kind of impending doom. ]


I'll stay if you want me to.

[ Though that meant leaving his pet giraffe at home, which didn't sit quite well with Reign. ]
meinwaifu: (Pain in the neck ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-23 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
Perhaps... for a little longer.

[At least until Shura comes back, seeing as he's asked her to stay to the end -- even if she might grumble about it, he knows she wouldn't leave him to die alone. She hates him, but she's not heartless.]

I'm familiar enough with the process... I should be lucid until tomorrow. But... after that, I imagine I won't last beyond sunset.

[He could probably tell him the exact hour he knows he'll pass on, but... that's not something he wants Reign counting down until. Even telling him until sunset feels a bit cruel.]
eaudevamp: (sᴏʟɪᴛᴀʀʏ ᴛᴇᴀʀs)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-23 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ Reign nodded silently, and would have reached out to squeeze Mephisto's hand were the demon not in such a fragile state. ]

Until you sleep, then.

[ Of course, knowing the rough estimate of Mephisto's death only made Reign tear up again. He bit his lower lip, doing his best to hold them back though not very successful, if the whimpering sniffling sounds were any indication. ]

You better not leave before I say my goodbye!

[ He knew he sounded petulant, but he didn't care. If Mephisto was going to go, he wanted to at least listen to the demon's last words, to do a proper parting. ]
meinwaifu: (Like trying to be hellish ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-23 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
I promise to be here so you can see me off properly tomorrow.

You know I always keep my--

[....]

...promises.

[Except he broke a rather important one recently, didn't he? Not that he's in the mood to talk about it. It might just be something he carries to the grave-- it's not like it matters anymore, after all.]

[He takes in a breath and closes his eye, relaxing until he's allowed Reign to think he's fallen asleep. Not because he wanted the other man to go -- but because he knew he wasn't going to sleep any time soon. He knows the moment he does, he'll never wake up again.]

[And he intends to keep the promise he just made to Reign.]
eaudevamp: (ʜᴏʟᴅɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴄᴋ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-23 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ Reign had no idea if Mephisto had other promises to keep, or had kept them before, but he always did with Reign, so he would take the demon's word to it. Mephisto may be a demon, but he'd never lied to Reign. At least not something that Reign didn't already had an inkling about.

Mephisto had promised, and so Reign will hold him to it. ]


Yes, you do.

[ And thus Reign waited until Mephisto closed his eye to sleep, and waited some more because he was reluctant to leave, until the staffs came and shooed him away. Not like there was a visitation hour, but Reign clearly looked like he needed just as much rest.

So Reign left to return back to his place, to collect his thoughts, reminding himself that he had other friends whom he should also be worried about. He finally slept with Scorch by his side, crying himself to sleep and making a promise to himself to wake early and visit Mephisto. ]
meinwaifu: (Gloomy Sunday ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-23 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Except Mephisto won't be keeping his promise.]

[At some point in the middle of the night, his condition takes an unexpected turn: he loses his sight far earlier than he should have. Was it because his other eye was gone, exacerbating his condition? No one can know for sure. But as the morning light shines into his hospital room, Mephisto closes his eye and drifts off to into a slumber from which he won't awaken.]

[By the time Reign arrives, it's clear to the nurses that he doesn't have much time left-- "But he's still holding on... do you think maybe he wanted to wait for you?"]

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