❪ march event log: taken! ❫

[natha]

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! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[america]

Nothing that really matters to us.

[ Steve's response could very well be in answer to the very thoughts rattling in Bucky's brain; he's got his own fair share of secrets that no one else but a very, very select few people would be interested in these days.

He shakes his head. ]

They assumed I knew the inner workings within the Guard.

[godwins]

[ He nods, slowly. Of course, neither of them did know the inner workings of the guard, and there was a whole swath of the guard that didn't trust any Refugee as far as he could throw 'em. But they all wore the same uniform. ]

That could be it.

Maybe they just wanted to hurt someone. S'what bullies do.

[america]

I wish I could believe that but ... something was up. [ And you can bet that as soon as Steve is back to his normal pace again, he's going to start digging into this. ] Whatever they were looking for in our answers, it's more than just getting their kicks through some very particular torture.

[godwins]

You don't have to tell me about it.

[ He looks at Steve, then at his own hands, rubbing together nervously. It's obvious Steve isn't all of himself, yet, and Bucky doesn't want to make his friend feel worse. And Steve is his friend. He may not be his Steve, but he's definitely a friend. ]

Back home— [ there's a lump in Bucky's throat, but he keeps talking ] we were chasing this drip named Zemo. And he... Well, I don't want to talk about that.

[america]

[ Steve shakes his head. ]

If you have questions, I don't mind answering them.

[ But, no. He's not going to share on his own accord. A lot had happened and a lot of it ... he's still trying to deal with on his own.

But then Bucky brings up a name he hasn't heard in some months. ]

Did you just say Zemo?

[godwins]

Sure. [ He blinks. Bucky hadn't thought much about that name. ]

Last mission before I got here, we were chasing his scummy ring of spies around London.

[ They caught a bunch of 'em on his birthday. Bucky had turned twenty. ]

[america]

[ Funny Bucky should say that because that'd been more or less Steve's last mission, too.

He shakes his head again - this time in disbelief. ]

Before I got here, we'd been after Zemo too. He was the catalyst to a lot of the fallout that might never see closure or resolution now.

[ Such as the tension between him and Tony Stark, the temperamental relations between Tony and Bucky, and the fact that Captain America is now (and likely forever will be) considered a war criminal. ]

[godwins]

[ Bucky leans back, then nods. Of course, if there was another Steve, there'd be another Zemo to go with him. Did that mean there was another Red Skull, too? What about Baron Strucker and the U-Man? ]

Sounds like you caught up to him, though. [ He says it like it oughta be satisfying, like handing in a brief at the end of a mission. ] Me and… [ Well, his Steve, but that's hard to say, still. ] Well, we hadn't quite managed it yet.

[ And they never would, not together. But Bucky doesn't know that. ]

[america]

We did.

[ Steve wasn't around when Zemo was arrested and he wasn't there when he'd been taken into custody. But he knows the story, more or less. T'Challa had filled him in.

Speaking of which: ]

Well, another friend of ours did anyway. We were a little occupied at the time, I'm afraid.

[godwins]

Who's we?

[ He thinks he knows, but he asks anyway, unsure of how the confirmation will make him feel. ]

Me and my partner, we hadn't caught up to him yet. Not that time, anyway. We've fought him loads of times before, though.

[america]

Actually, you. Or ... my world's version of you.

[ Did that confirm your guess, Bucky?

He'd just so happened to be here, awake, and then asleep, and then awake again, and now ... well.

Missing.

Steve won't let that sharp shard of worry hit him too hard between the ribs. ]

And it was the Black Panther who finally caught him.

[godwins]

[ Yeah, that's what he thought. It makes sense, even if it doesn't. ]

T'Chaka?

[ He squints— it's been a long time since he'd heard the name Black Panther. ]

I've never met him, just heard a story. And I haven't heard from… him, either. [ Meaning, the other Bucky, who seemed like a real slippery guy. Or maybe that was just his hair? ] But if he was… if they'd taken him, he'd be found by now.

[ He means that as a comfort— at least the other him didn't have to go through the fresh hell Steve had, but Bucky's not sure that it helps. Bucky could make jokes, sometimes, but Steve was always better with the hard things, the stuff you couldn't ignore.

But Steve needed him now, so he'd have to try his best. ]

[america]

His son, actually.

[ T'Challa. Good guy, and someone he's been keeping an eye on up in stasis too. It hardly matters what secrets the two of them share (mainly that Wakanda exists and Bucky is being kept safe there) because their world is gone anyway ... but he was a good man to have as an ally and he owes him a debt of gratitude he isn't sure he can ever repay.

Speaking of which ... ]

Yeah.

[ Steve isn't sure where Bucky is, and he hasn't had the strength yet to return to Thesa and confirm or correct his worst suspicions ... but he appreciates Bucky's attempts to reassure him.

In fact: ]

If you ever make it up to the Station before I do, could you do me a favour and check on him?

[ See if he's there at all? ]

[godwins]

[ He doesn't know what to make of that, or the twisting sensation that rises like a snake in his gut. But there's only one answer he can give. ]

Sure. I'll do that.

[ And he means it. ]

[america]

Thanks, Bucky. I know it's a lot to ask.

[ It's an awkward and strange request, he gets that. Steve isn't even sure what he'd do if he were in Bucky's shoes, but he wouldn't ask such a thing of him if he wasn't so worried about the fate of his best friend, the one from his own world.

He turns his gaze to the Bucky before him, expression sincere. ]

I'm glad you're okay though.

[godwins]

[ It's strange and awkward, but he'll do it. ]

I'm glad you're—

[ And then he realizes he's really not sure. Steve's alive, clearly, but that doesn't make a person whole. ]

Are you okay, Steve?

[america]

[ Steve nods.

It's very nearly automatic. ]

I'm fine. [ He assures his friend. ] Or I will be.

[godwins]

[ Right. That nod, that comes without needing to think, like standing up for an officer when he enters the room. But Bucky does try to think. ]

Y'know, I'm not sure if I believe you. [ Another pause. ] But there's nothing I can say to fix that.

[america]

[ Steve smiles.

Even if this Bucky might not be his Bucky, he still knows him pretty well. ]

You mean I haven't convinced you? [ He shakes his head. ] Don't worry, Buck. I'll bounce back.

[godwins]

Alright. That I do believe. [ He presses his face into his hands and runs them through his hair. On the one hand, it's a relief to be assured, but he still feels unsettled, not relieved. ]

Didja have to do this a lot? Sit by people in hospital beds, and try to pretend there's something there for you to do?

[ Good for morale, that kind of thing. They could take a picture and print it in the papers. ]

[america]

Not a lot. [ Steve admits. ] Most of the guys, well - I never saw them again when I went down with that plane.

[ It's said matter-of-factly. It was so long ago, he never expected to hear from the Howling Commandos or anyone else he'd worked with during the war. ]

And when I woke up, most of the guys I worked with were ... not your average soldier.

[ Superheroes don't tend to spend a lot of time in hospital beds, after all. ]

But feeling like there's nothing you can do? I know the feeling well enough. Being there helps though.

[godwins]

[ Bucky blinks. Hang on there, buddy— ]

What do you mean, after you went down with that plane? What plane?

[ He still hasn't put that story together, and something about the way Steve says it, like there's a before and after. After the war, maybe, but Bucky's never had an after the war. ]