spellbinders | [WORLD TWO | SHIT MEETS FAN]

Entry tags:

[WORLD TWO | SHIT MEETS FAN]

Who: The Chosen 12, Shehui Monitors
Where: Around Shehui, The Underground Holding Areas
When:
Open/Closed: OTA, but especially the Chosen 12

[ Something seems different about today...you feel it when you wake up if you're of the sorts who happen to have a good gut instinct. You don't have to wait around long for the news of the day to confirm this anxiety in your chest. In fact, it may only intensify if you happen to be looking at your ID card when the announcement comes in.

On your ID's text scroller, a message comes through with a loud, blaring beeping:

The following Shehui residents have been requested for an audience with officials. If you know of their location, please tell them as such and maintain their location as much as possible. (The list, though, contains last names OR the name they offered at their Shehui introductory meeting.)

Ruby
Haru
Geir
Madoka
Jade
Julius
Jusis
Shirley
Orga
Noctis
Akechi
Riza

If you're in your apartment and happen to be on that list, you'll find that your door is locked from the inside suddenly. You and your buddies aren't going in there until a monitor comes by. For those out and about, you may be able to hide for a while if you're in a crowd of folks who don't know who you are. However, any and all news or screens will begin offering photos of those on the list as the day continues. That might get you some interesting looks.

That being said, you have options -- giving in and surrendering is only one of the choices you can make.

pre- or just after the announcement: Want to react to this sudden discovery that you're quite possibly a wanted criminal? Go right ahead! Maybe this is where you begin to plot your life on the lam. Maybe, maybe you have a mental break down. Maybe, maybe, maybe you just need some advice about what to do. Who knows!

running: Life on the lam is entirely possible, and even though it might not last, you can definitely make a break for it. If you have magic that can help you...why not use it? What do you have to lose? However, know that monitors will be looking for you far and wide. You thought there were a lot of monitors hanging around the city before? Think again, now. There are some pretty good places to hide, like in the woods of the more rural areas, but be warned -- that doesn't mean the monitors won't come for you there, either.

fighting: Maybe you're more proactive in your denial. You don't want to go anywhere with these monitors, and they're closing in...instead of surrendering, it's time to battle! Magic will do you well in this scenario, but monitors do have weapons and tools they can use to try and combat your fighting spirit. These include stun guns, energized-batons and a gun-like device that shoots out magnetized clamps designed to grab at arms, legs...even your neck. Trying to cut through these is also very hard, and once the gun is attached to you? It's also electrical in nature. You'll get a pretty good zap if you don't comply.

capture: So that's it. You've been caught. What does that mean for your future in Shehui? It's hard to say -- but it is for certain that you aren't simply being interrogated in your apartment this time. The monitors lead you to their underground doorway, opening it and bringing you inside. What you find is a totally different building that looks very ornate yet official -- this is the home of the Shehui government. The hallway you're led through is long, and your restraints tighten before your feet are clasped together with a device that's similar to the clamps the monitor's gun spat out. There are hundreds of monitors looking to stun or even shoot you now that you're away from the public. Escape is seemingly impossible...at least for now.

From there, monitors will take you to a holding room that lies at the furthest end of the last hallway you're taken to. It's not that bad for being what is essentially a jail cell -- there's an enclosed restroom, sizable bed and mini fridge. A table, a television built into the side of the wall...and a sign on the wall that lists up to three different names. Even though there's one bed, that doesn't mean you'll be utilizing it on your own:

-- Geir (his own, larger cell -- though it's outfitted with larger amenities)
-- Riza, Jade, Ruby
-- Jusis, Noctis, Julius
-- Madoka, Shirley, Haru
-- Orga, Akechi

The first day, everything is quite quiet. A monitor brings you food, carefully making sure that you can't escape through the door...since they're sliding it through a tiny slit, it might be very hard to squeeze through. That's where you're at right now...Today is day one, and who knows what the next day will bring.

[SPECIFIC NOTE: For large creatures, i.e. Geir's big dragon ass, the monitors are going to be using helicopters and larger versions of their regular weapons. They'll be very cautious in trying not to injure Geir -- more than they would be when it comes to the average coven member -- because potentially felling him from the sky can lead to casualties. If he is captured, the underground door will grow to accommodate him, and there is a larger holding area for bigger creatures. Hallways, however, will be a tight squeeze.]

telepathy: Telepathy can be utilized at any time during your long, hard day, but it may be beneficial to attempt to use it while you're locked up underground. Those who hear your mental feed will find that whatever signal you're trying to send is very faint -- for instance, sending text, the letters will be less than opaque. Voices will be softer and potentially static-y, as well as video transmissions.

In general, citizens of Shehui will take a pretty standard approach to coven members who are on the circulated list. They won't get directly involved with the chase; there won't be many citizens who will put a coven member in a headlock and directly involve themselves. However, they will shout, point at and follow coven members who they know are on the list in an attempt to help the monitors. However, you do have the freedom to create non-standard reactions from Shehui residents. You can say they feel some sympathy, or maybe they're even more violent than the average person!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ if it were a stranger, there's a non-zero chance jusis would leave them to their devices in the corner, but he knows julius. more than that, he recognizes him as someone levelheaded, focused on moving forward in times of adversity, and that's a huge boon that jusis still struggles with at times.

it ... isn't exactly a position he'd expect from someone planning for the future, but even if julius' resolve has been broken by the situation, he wouldn't let that pass over without saying something either. after his initial assessment, he approaches, though he still keeps some distance between them when he stops. ]

I hadn't expected them to place a handful of magic users in shared cells. Are you well, Visconti?

[ ... circumstances being what they are, at least. for his part, jusis is in one piece. definitely upset, going by his scowl, but not obviously harmed. his dignity might be bruised from being arrested. ]

[ One might think Julius in a position of despair due to his position, but he had assumed it on the basis of keeping himself as far away from everyone else as possible. Perhaps they had been placed in the same cell out of luck, or out of the similarity in their appearance. There's a lot to comprehend, and then there's the issue of making an escape plan...

These thoughts are brushed away once he hears Jusis approach. Julius looks up - he's not much different from normal, still with his calm expression; though it is tempered by dark patches under his eyes and other signs of bad sleep. ]

I'm okay. Don't worry too much about me. [ he looks kind of dying but it's fine!! ] If anything, they may have given us a chance to plan our escape.

[ He tilts his head slightly, listening in to the network. ]

There are more than two holding cells, from what I can tell.

[ that's not reassuring. julius can look calm all he likes, but jusis isn't blind, and he's all but been conditioned to take "don't worry about me" as "please worry about me, because i'm not going to".

in their circumstances, there isn't much to do but talk at the moment—and listen, but julius seems to have that covered. once he's confirmed julius is at least receptive to conversation, he takes a sit in front of him. ]

You don't look okay. [ bluntly. then, without missing a beat: ]

If we assume all of us are three to a room, that doesn't surprise me. I ... had more pressing concerns than counting the names, but the list was long enough. [ then there's geir, but he doesn't even know how they got him in here, much less how they intend to keep him here. ]

Edited 2018-01-24 09:09 (UTC)

[ It's quite natural for Jusis to come rub the truth in his face; but then again it was what his friends had done for him back home. He doesn't have a very good read on how the younger youth feels, but at least it's reassurance that the concern is mutual.

Yet, there isn't much that anyone can do for his condition. ]

I didn't sleep well. It'll pass.

[ Jusis doesn't seem the type to believe in curses, so he'll have to shelve that excuse. Perhaps if the need arises, the truth can be brought to light... but it wasn't needed now. ]

Did they hurt you?

[ he avoids rolling his eyes at the deflection, but he can't stop himself from at least narrowing them. to the uninitiated, it might feel like a glare, but it's well-meaning and out of concern. he swears.

it doesn't last long; remembering being taken into custody drags his attention away from julius' nonchalance and towards his own frustration again. ]

No. With the odds stacked against me, I didn't put up a struggle. [ technically true. he made a scene about his rights and on what grounds, but a physical altercation didn't occur. ]

And yourself? [ is it him or does julius look a little ... paler ... ] You certainly appear worse for wear.

[ He has expected that; Jusis was too pragmatic to make a fuss on violent grounds. Though he wouldn't have expected him to simply come quietly either, but the fact remains that he was not injured and that was a good thing.

Julius is silent for a few moments, taking in the glare and questioning. A part of him wants to answer them, but a suitable method still escapes him. The truth is... sometimes, it's better for such horror-inducing things to be kept silent, especially if it didn't really matter in the greater context of things.

The monitors can find out the ugly way, then maybe they'll understand why taking him was a bad idea. ]

They didn't use violence. [ Said quietly, so that only the two of them would hear (sorry Noctis). And then, after a sigh: ] Unfortunately, I was afflicted with a chronic illness back home. It flares up now and then. I didn't tell you this not out of a lack of trust. It's only that I wish to deal with it at my own time.

[ 'worry about me because I sure as hell wouldn't', basically. ]

Edited 2018-01-25 03:10 (UTC)

[ the justification for not telling him gets him to raise an eyebrow. jusis probably wouldn't tell near-strangers about his hypothetical chronic illness, either. wishing to deal with it on his own time gets the other.

honestly, it's not a good excuse for three people locked in a cell with negligent keepers, because all that makes him do is worry more. his eyebrows drop into a more serious expression and he matches julius' quiet voice. ]

Do you need medication? I doubt the monitors would allow you to become too ill to cooperate.

[ if they're doing this, then jusis is doing it right. what do you need, julius. ]

[ While he can understand Jusis comes from a place of concern, it doesn't help ease the disappointment that he would inflict on the other with his answers.

It is what it is. A web of half-truths and concealments that he's woven to protect those around him from the truth of what he's become. Even if he's better at reducing the risk, it'll still be present nevertheless. If only there was a way he could end himself; his curse would not let him die even if he put a blade to his own neck. ]

There isn't much that can be done for me other than some rest, which I'm glad that we can at least have in this cell. It'll pass.

[ Because the only way he could will this pain away is to assert his dominance over that which seeks to consume him, albeit temporarily. ]

I appreciate your concern... I really do. And I'm sorry that I can't give a satisfactory answer. My illness is beyond the capability of this world. It won't kill me, I can promise you this.

[ Instead, it curses him to live. ]

[ jusis takes his time measuring those half-truths, but he's not in a position where he can call them out as such. it's not impossible that he's telling the truth, either, but he suspects julius is the kind of person who would ignore his own illness if he thought it would inconvenience his work. he doesn't think he would lie about something if it endangered his life, at least, so jusis relents. ]

Then I expect you to get some rest. [ not to be pushy, but to be pushy. ] You look like you haven't slept in a week.

[ There are many things that Julius would disregard in the pursuit of his duty, it's true. However, he's improved on that, after so many months. It's a hard habit to break, but he's been taught the wisdom of doing otherwise. ]

I'll try.

[ Hard to sleep when your dreams all turn into nightmares.

After a pause: ] I'm sorry.

[ better to sleep than get worse, though.

his brow furrows at the apology and, for probably the dozenth time that day, he crosses his arms. ]

What are you apologizing to me for? I hope you don't intend to insinuate your sickness is a burden on me.

[ Insinuate, such a dark word. It reminds him of something unpleasant. ]

... No, of course not.

[ He looks down into one hand, at the swirl of white that had manifested over his skin. ]

Forget I said that.

[ normally, jusis is relentless, but julius is clearly struggling here. his expression softens straight into concern. he doesn't usually let people get away with forget i said that, but he'll make an exception to say something more important. ]

Very well. But I'll remind you that I'm willing to aid you in whatever way you require. Being negligent of your own health would be far more offensive to me than any kind of request you could make.

[ welcome to noblesse oblige. jusis would turn in his noble card if he didn't offer to help an ailing man. ]

[ There is much that goes unsaid here. No one in this world knew of what transpired back on his own, of the reason he chooses to endure; thus they urge him to mind himself. Yet, being in another world did not erase the blood that had been left on his hands - somewhere in the clouded recesses of his mind is a belief that his suffering will somehow atone for what he has inflicted.

Theoretically, he has eternity to live. Thus he could receive his punishment for each of their deaths, one at a time. ]

I'll remember that.

[ Of course, he's not foolish enough to disregard correct advice. One thing at a time. ]

Speak with me, 'tis all I ask. It keeps both our spirits settled.

[ That and the hidden benefit of keeping him saner than he would have been alone. ]

[ he can't exactly turn around and tell him he'd rather julius rest than hold a conversation, so he obliges. he imagines formulating a plan is also high on julius' to-do list anyway, and people tend to struggle with properly resting with something of that importance on their minds. ]

Of course. You mentioned they've given us a chance to plan our escape. I'd hear your thoughts.

[ not the most relaxing conversation topic, but he thinks julius would rather be sleeping in his own bed than the cell one. ]

[ He'd rather not sleep at all if it spares him from nightmares that could potentially be broadcasted across the telepathic network. ]

It's makeshift. I don't have enough information to judge whether it would succeed the way it was intended to, especially due to the volume of hostiles we'll have to face against. [ There is, of course, always the option to use his own. But he's saving that for later. ] However, it's our best shot at leaving a future of interrogation..

[ Both are not good enough, but he'll take what he has. ]

We can conserve our energy until the time comes.

[ jusis is not going to take "i'd rather not sleep at all" for an answer. not kindly, at least.

he thinks, and he frowns. there were a lot of armed monitors out there, and he doubts everyone in here is capable of combat. ... without a sword, he's not even really technically capable of combat, but he has a better battle sense than a civilian. ]

In that case, tell me what you've come up with. This isn't a situation where we can risk failure. Even if it's makeshift, it can be refined.

[ Exceptional situations require exceptional things. ]

I've kept in touch with Roy. He will let us know when the time comes. [ A pause, while he tilts his head: ] I'll be coordinating with Geir, the dragon. He's our strongest combatant. If I combine what I have with him, then we can at least clear a path for escape.

[ THEY'RE DOING IT. THEY'RE MAKING IT HAPPEN! ]

We might be able to find weapons, but we can't bank on that right now. Can you fight barehanded?

[ julius being capable of handling himself in a fight without a weapon is news to him. there's a lot to digest in that explanation.

as much as it pains him to say it, with no sword and no arcus, he's not going to be much help against armed guards. he grumbles. ]

Not well. With a makeshift sword, maybe. [ they frown upon nobles punching people in the face where he comes from, tragically. ] Don't worry about me. There are others here who would be as good as dead if they were caught in a fight.

[ more to the point, he sets a serious, questioning gaze on julius again. ]

Geir, I understand, but what do you 'have'?

[ As they say, desperation begs necessity. Hopefully Jusis won't break any knuckles. ]

I am stronger than I look. [ And he realizes how... plain this sounds after a beat: ] The limits of my strength exceed that of an untrained human significantly. Should I choose to utilize the full extent of it, I should be able to assist him.

[ Geir is still the main force, he's just backup.

Sort of. Hopefully. ]

[ that's fair. a third of his classmates are more or less supernaturally powered, and one of them rightout is. he isn't sure whether to classify this as a laura case or a rean case, though, and he figures he shouldn't ask.

instead, he will offer the same advice he would offer to anyone who just revealed they were chronically ill and not at the top of their game. ]

I see. [ HMMM. he can't really turn down an asset to their escape, but. ] Do what you must, but don't push yourself. I don't think I need to tell you the disadvantages of fighting while exhausted. I'm sure Geir can provide you plenty of cover.

[ That's one check passed. ]

Yes. I will wait until the time comes.

[ Perhaps if he examines himself more, he may come up with another strategy - but he won't bank on it. ]

Were you given a skill when you came here?

You mean from Qri? I'm told that's the norm, yes.

[ even when she isn't around to explain, but it's something. he tilts his head at just the slightest angle; the concept of a magic that he doesn't produce with quartz is still so ... it would be easier to show julius, but he doesn't want to risk setting off a 'magic is being used' alarm, or something. ]

As far as I've tried, I can create ice. [ but he lacks anything with which to shatter it. he lifts a hand to his chin; if not an offensive ability, maybe a defensive one ... ] I'm most comfortable with using it as an attack, but using it to impede movement or as a temporary barrier could work.

[ he hasn't had much practice with it, but of all the magic he could be given, this is something he more or less already indulged in. ]

[ A thought occurs to him; though it isn't quite safe and it surprises him how it becomes his first idea.

But still: ]

Can you create it in a specific area? We can use it to freeze opponents' equipment.

[ honestly? jusis has no idea how ice interacts with something like a gun. if he thinks about it, he's not even sure how it would affect an orbal gun—there's always the possibility it could affect the dial and interfere with how it works. even outside of directly freezing components, though ... ]

As long as I focus on that area, I should be able to. [ he didn't exactly put in the hours to figure out the specifics in a city like this, though. ] I don't know what the limitations on it are yet, but if I can see their equipment, it should be doable.

[WORLD TWO | SHIT MEETS FAN]

hey roomie what's up

the ceiling

That's fair.

:^) i hope u like puns

jusis has canonically laughed at a pun, which shames me.

isn't that good though

it's EMBARRASSING ... it wasn't even a good pun!!

but all puns are good!!

i've been betrayed ...

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

i can't believe you just lenny'd me over puns

this is a meme zone

the mood whiplash between this conversation and the thread is killing me

isnt it great though, disaster boys

julius please don't eat a tube

EATS IT

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this one also looks done-ish? :'D