( OPEN )

[competing]

Who: lance (competing) & anyone!
What: catch-all for the first part of the october event
When: oct 1 - 15
Where: around
Warning(s): none at the moment! will update if necessary

market district | day of attack

[ he was along the outskirts of the market district when the explosion occurs, sidelined in his usual patrol by an overenthusiastic child regaling lance with his exploits during playtime of the previous day. one second laughing to the young child's uncanny imitation of his nanny, and the next lurching forward reflexively, protectively, when suddenly the ground shuddered and screams erupted in the air. tehro is already crying from his confusion, rushing out of lance's hold to crash into his mother's, who stood terrified nearby, eyes turned towards the sky. lance's gaze soon follows, feeling dread pool at the sight of a thick cloud of an unnatural purple waft into the air. he takes a second to swallow down his fear, before shouting for everyone around him to vacate the premises as quickly and calmly as they can. (spoilers: they only manage to do one of these things.)

he runs the opposite way, pace slowed by the throng of people eager to escape. by the time he gets to the scene, all he sees is chaos. ( 1 ) he rushes towards the nearest person on the ground, reaching out to help them back onto their feet. ]

Hey — I got you, I got you, it's alright—

[ ( 2 ) if you are one of the able-bodied, he might try to flag you down with a shout. ]

Over here! [ he's in the process of trying to lift a wooden stall that had overturned on its vendor. given his noodle body, he could definitely use some help... ]

around | days after

[ the next couple of days are kind of a blur. ridden with guilt, burdened by his dwindling confidence, lance winds up throwing himself into doing as much as he can for the people who lost the most that day. at any time during the day, you can find him doing any number of the following:

( 3 ) pushing around a wooden street cart, its sign and his wares changing from day to day. one day he could be selling produce from a local farmer, another day he could be selling questionable, ah, toys from another local business person. some days he might be accompanied by an npc (the vendor's bored child along for the ride, their grandparent out to make sure lance is marketing right, etc), but every single time he'll be out there, running that motormouth of his dry, trying to get everybody, anybody to stop and consider a purchase.

( 4 ) getting chewed out by a local, far too upset to realize he has long since stopped saying anything, and instead just stands there with his head lowered, nodding mutely to their angry accusations. this is all your fault, where were you, you should have been there, you think you can try to make up for it now, etc... he stands and listens to it all without protest. ]

shooting range/training yard | days after

[ he's stopped wearing the royal guard insignia. he's still dressed in all-black, though, but only really because it had wound up encompassing most of his attire anyway, but he hasn't actually been back near the barracks or the yard in some time. hasn't felt right, in all honesty.

but today he wanders close to the training yard, which bustles now with activity. everyone working double-time to try and find the culprits, probably, doing just about everything lance isn't — can't — which explains why he keeps his head low, avoiding any eyes.

he's got his rifle in his hands, but he doesn't seem intent on training with it. rather, it looks like he's trying to subtly turn it back in... ]

cyoa/notes

( if none of these prompts work for you, please feel free to work something else out with me! you can reach me at ellipses, PM this journal, or my plotting comment!

also, please let me know if you'd like to know about the RUMOR that lance overhears, and i can work it into our thread somehow! c: )

Comments

days after, 4.

[atwo]

[ a2 has been minding her own business, mostly running around and gathering items in preparation for a possible move. whenever there was shouting or yelling, people crying or just letting out their frustrations one way or another, she ignored them. it was easy to do so by turning down her hearing.

until her eyes glanced over someone familiar. it looked as if lance is in trouble and while they're not friends, she doesn't like the way he's being treated. she supposes this is just how people are.

and to think she is supposed to protect them. with a crate in her arms, she wonders over to where lance and the local is and shoves the crate in his arms. ] I think it is time for you to come with me.

[competing]

[ he had been half-paying attention as it is, so to suddenly be approached and have a crate (which is way heavier than a2 had made it look omg) shoved into his arms has him rattling in his spot. he gapes at her, just as the local across him does. ]

Excuse me? [ the man looks both indignant and cautious. slight as a2 is, there is a certain... air about her that definitely implies it'd be a bad idea to mess with her.

lance, for his part, can only stare at her dumbly. ]

Huh?

[atwo]

[ humans can be so frustrating to deal with. sorry, lance, for the heavy create though. she's sure he can handle it just fine. he's a big boy after all! she hopes. he looks like it.

okay, so she can't tell age correctly. it isn't like she needs to worry about his age right now, anyway. her attention turns to the man and she can only give him a, well, deadpan look. ]

If you do not need his help then I'll take it. Some of here are grateful for it.

[competing]

[ both man and boy hesitate. ]

I.. I wasn't finished talking to him!

[ "talking"...

lance glances between them, then down at the crate in his hands. ] You need help?

[ that's really the only thing he's able to process right now. ]

[atwo]

That did not sound like talking to me. Instead, it's as if you were scolding a small child.

[ sorry, lance. she quickly turns her attention back to him and nods her head. ]

Yes, I do. You can come with me now.

omg i'm so sorry i lost the notif for this!! ;;

[competing]

H-Hang on, you can't just take him away!

[ the man moves to approach her, reaching out a hand as if to grab for a2 or maybe just lance in general. either way, he doesn't seem to think too much about it, his anger and indignation getting the better of him. ]

it's okay!

[atwo]

[ when she see's the movement of the man's hand, she grips onto it with an iron grip. being an android means that she can't always handle her own strength. it doesn't help that she's never had to manhandle a person before. ]

I would like it if you could stop bothering us. It would be a shame if I end up hurting you.

:*

[competing]

[ the man responds in kind, a sharp yelp of pain yanked from his mouth as he buckles, falling to a knee at her feet. lance jumps in surprise, moving forward to stand between them. ]

A2! [ just... gonna assume they exchanged names, weep. also, he isn't shouting at her, just shouting in general because he's spooked. ] You are hurting him, let go!

[atwo]

[ Lance's reaction confuses her because this guy had just been harassing him. She sighs, loosening her grip before releasing her fingers from around his wrist. ]

I don't see the problem with that.

[competing]

[ the man whimpers when he's released, staggering back up to his feet. lance attempts to help him out, but the moment he tries to reach for him (crate set down), the man is shouting out and jumping away. ]

Just leave me alone!

[ he turns tail and runs off, leaving lance sighing at his back. when he turns back to a2, there is a frown on his face but it — looks apologetic? ]

Sorry... about all of that.

[atwo]

[ she glances at lance and tilts her head to the side. ] Did I do something wrong?

[ the fault doesn't lie with him. a2 doesn't believe that in a second and finds it to be with the man and maybe herself. ]

[competing]

[ her question throws him off, obvious in the way he sort of gapes at her. ]

Huh? No, I— [ ... ] Well, I mean, kinda. You didn't have to hurt him like that but — I know why you did, and I'm sorry it got as out of hand as it did. [ unlike a2, he's fully ready to blame himself, as he has been for days now. ]

Are you okay?

[atwo]

Hurt him... [ her eyes move down to her hand when she clenches and unclenches. ] I did not mean to do that, I only wanted him to not touch you.

[ to hear him ask if she's okay is an odd question and it shows on her face. ]

I'm fine.

[competing]

[ lance follows her line of vision, wincing slightly. so she hadn't meant to in the first place... well that changes things. ]

Maybe the guy was overreacting, then. [ or just spooked, or a2 doesn't realize her own strength. whatever the reason, it doesn't seem quite so important now. ]

Don't worry about it... What's done is done. [ he offers her a small smile. ] You did that for me, though... Thanks.

[atwo]

[ one day she will understand to be more gentle with people and actually be careful with her strength. ]

Yeah. ... Don't mention it. Now, you just have to help me. [ she was totally serious about carrying that cargo for her. ]

[competing]

[ oh.

he glances back down at the crate, wisely keeping his mouth shut on the thought that she would definitely be way stronger than him and thus have an easier time to lift it...

and instead just stoops back down to take it back into his arms again. ]

Right, heh. Sorry. Where to, A2?

[ ...heheh he rhymed. ]

[atwo]

[ lance, pls. ]

My house, but I need to pick up a couple more items on the way. It shouldn't be too hard to do.

[ you're a big, strong boy after all.

she hopes. ]

[competing]

[ we all hope... ]

Oh, pfft, yeah no problem... [ because you won't catch lance admitting he can't do something, nope.

he peers over the edge of the crate in his hands to look at her. ]

What's all this for?

[atwo]

[ she would pat his head if she could. ]

I'll have to kill you if I told you. that is how someone makes a joke, right??

except, her tone of voice isn't one that's joking.

[competing]

[ lance just stares at her for a bit. ]

Uh... yeah... Just like that.

[ he opts not to offer too much criticism in case. you know. she suddenly feels like not joking. ]

[atwo]

I wouldn't want to drag you into trouble.

[ Because, y'know, she is sort of helping out Archer who is sort of wanted right now. ]

[competing]

Trouble...?

[ he glances down at the crate in his hands, starting to wonder a little less about what could be inside... ]

You're not in any trouble, are you?

[atwo]

I'm not, but someone I know is.

[ it's okay lance, the crate is safe.

just heavy. ]

[competing]

[ he lowers his voice then, inching just a little closer to her as they walk. ]

Are you helping out a wanted person too...?

[atwo]

Correct, and so we are unable to stay here.

[ it's a little dangerous for them. or, her friends at least. it's complicated. ]