EVENT #5: SOVEREIGN CITIZENS (GODSBLOOD)

[aionmods]

Sovereign Citizens

GODSBLOOD

At the height of the Sovereign's moon, Vaeka Lovenskol's execution is announced. Outside of the City Hall, a dignitary of Achamoth is flanked by an entourage of Kenoma, reading the words of Regent from an unfurled letter: Vaeka stands accused to conspiring against the Regent and abetting the fugitive menace known as the Pleroma. Though the details are not made public, rumors spread quickly, some far more wild than the actual truth. The full truth, after all, is something only the Regent's agents and the Pleroma themselves know, and even to them the manner of her exposure is unclear.

Though losing a proud daughter of an influential family, there seems to be little that the people of Godsblood can do besides accept it. After all, they are still a city of the Regent's empire, and for all the freedom they've enjoyed, there are limits. If she was truly aiding the Pleroma, the sworn enemies of the Regent - and in an organized manner, if the rumors are to be believed - can they truly object? Or would challenging the Regent's claim simply invite more death?

As with many things, the families of Godsblood are torn. Tensions are thick for the five days leading up to Vaeka's appointed execution by hanging, with everyone having an opinion and few wanting to go on record talking about it too loudly. As such, the people's frustrations come out in other ways. Bloodites are uncharacteristically unfriendly to strangers in this time, keeping to their own and treating everyone else with overt skepticism.

Those that have arrived as part of the Regent's official envoy, or seen guarding Vaeka, will receive a particularly icy reception. No longer are the Kenoma curious wanderers on personal business. Now, they are here as the hands of the Regent; few of the Godsblood citizens are foolish enough to challenge them outright, but they are ever an honest people.

Early on, the Kenoma and the rest of the Achamite contingent sent with them will be able to take over a jail in downtown Godsblood to hold Vaeka until her execution, clearing out all other Bloodite prisoners and employees in the meantime. This means they have a relatively secure position to guard their prisoner from, which is a good thing; after all, the Regent did outright invite the Pleroma to stop them, and Pleroma are nothing if not stubborn.

EXECUTION DAY

After five agonizing days of waiting and several high visible conflicts between the Pleroma and Kenoma, finally the hour of Vaeka's execution arrives. A gallows is set outside of City Hall, ready to welcome its newest victim, and a massive crowd has gathered in an spirit of anxious anticipation. Some worry that violence may break out in the streets, even without the Pleroma's agitation, but gradually the minutes tick by and the gallows remain empty.

First one minutes passes. Then five. Then fifteen. Slowly, it becomes clear to the people of Godsblood that Vaeka will not be arriving. Are the rumors true? Has she been saved? Have the Pleroma been successful, despite all odds?

As the hours pass and the crowds disperse, Vaeka Lovenskol is not officially reported as either living or dead. Fortunately, Godsblood is a place where information has a way of getting around, whether those in charge like it or not. Some are saying that she was seen being whisked away as if by powerful magic, following a bloody fight at the jail in which she was being held. Where did she go? Maybe her supposed connections to the forest people did her good, some surmise.

The days following Vaeka's failed execution carry a strange and uncertain energy. Where before there was tension and distrust, Godsblood now finds itself in a surreal reality where the Regent's word is apparently not absolute. Then again, do they really want a repeat performance?

QUESTIONS

What is the best way for Aions to travel to Godsblood?
For Pleroma, this is very easy, as they are likely to either already live there or be able to easy take Greentruth's portal. For Kenoma, they may come directly from Achamoth by boat as part of the Regent's envoy or arrive via Eustace's portal which is set up in a shed a fairly long jaunt outside of town. Once there has been some time to get established, Misa will be setting up another portal leading straight to the prison where Vaeka is being stored.

Are the Kenoma permitted by the Regent to kill other Godsblood citizens?
Though the Kenoma are authorized to kill any Bloodites that try to physically fight them, they are expected to keep things clean. The Regent prefers to only punish the guilty, and having the lines be clear will create less of a hassle in the future. Generally, Godsblood is not in a state where physical resistance is likely to happen unprovoked.

Comments

cw for some suicide ideation

[dragonmount]

[ of course she brought a snack. of course she's settling herself down to sit more comfortably, intending to stay here. of course she can't even leave him in —

not peace. but some measure of solitude. or quiet. not that the quiet's much better, left to his own thoughts. misa doesn't say a damn thing he hasn't thought already, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still sting to hear. killing someone doesn't fit into his image of himself. but the problem is, he doesn't really know who himself is, and he hasn't for months. rand al'thor, shepherd from a minuscule town in the mountains, doesn't exist. in some ways, he never did. oh, tam and kari al'thor were and always will be his parents — who else raised him? who else showered him in love? but,

as he so recently told akua, he had been born in the snows of a distant mountain. to a woman he never met, of a strange and warlike people he's never known outside of stories. he had been born with this ability to channel, life foretold by prophecies spoken millennia ago. he'd very possibly been meant to die at the eye of the world. maybe if he had, the regent wouldn't have been able to destroy his world. and maybe if he had,

he wouldn't be in, wouldn't have dragged so many people into, this mess right now. ]

You're going to kill someone, [ he points out, toneless. it won't be misa's hand that does it, but neither will misa's hands be clean of vaeka's execution either. ] Is that so different?

[ he wouldn't have been here, trying to gather information, if not for the regent's order. the slain achamite guard wouldn't have even been in godsblood. fault is fault, and this murder is his, there's no denying. but he can't stop himself from pointing out misa's lack of high ground here, even as engaging in conversation is a mistake. ]

B. Let's say... day 2?

[goldendeceiver]

[ While Ernesto does know the city pretty well, that knowledge tends to be more general and less specific schematics on the inner and outer layouts of every building in the city. He knows where things like the prison happens to be, but it doesn't mean he's bothered to investigate all potential weaknesses the prison has.

It's why he's here now, trying to take a look at the place without outright picking fights with any of the Kenoma. It's hard to say how many of them are going to want to throw down, but it's his hope that they're not looking to cause any sort of ruckus.

Looks like that bet he took is paying off well, considering the Kenoma who speaks to him isn't acting actively hostile at least.

He holds up a placating hand, smiling widely at her. ]

Sorry, Señorita. I'll stay where I am then.

[ Well, no... he probably won't for long, but he'll treat the building like it has an invisible barrier, and not get any closer as he inspects it.

Though first... his gaze falls on the girl, smiling dropping away into a thoughtful frown. ]

You're pretty young for guard duty like this, aren't you?

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch.

[ He says it offhandedly as the usual correction. Not forceful, but still there. As he takes a seat across from her and carefully examines the food they are brought. It's not that which would be delivered from the kitchens in Achamoth, but it would do for now. He starts with the ration of bread. ]

And which bit of advice are you oh-so-worried that I may forget?

Later Days, as discussed.

[superbshot]

[Ernesto had warned her just how dangerous Misa could be, and it was quite evident that Howl was also a problem even without a warning, so she'd done her best to prepare with her friends. Anxiety over getting this right boiled inside her, the pressure of being the signal to begin the attack weighing heavily on her shoulders, but this was necessary. The Regent had been quite right...she would do what she would do...and that meant being the trigger-woman.

From her perch well away from the prison building, a position Ernesto had mapped out for her, she settled back to wait for the moment. She had no idea what the range was on her target's talent, so she'd made certain to stay as far back as possible, near the absolute limit of her own rifle's range. Any further and she'd have to take into account the wind, so this would have to do.

She wouldn't miss, she was certain of that, that doubtful notion swallowed. Her doubts were mostly on where to aim. Should she try and kill the girl, or should she disable her? Tactics dictated a killshot, but Misa was clearly young, a teenager by the description...and that clinched it for Caitlyn. For now, disabling. The priority was on keeping her busy and sowing confusion among the enemy. With a nod to Akua, Caitlyn inhaled, the barrel tracking the pacing girl to the perimeter of the roof...

A crack sounded, the shot ripping through the air, aimed right at Misa's left thigh. Not waiting for a response from her target, Cait was already moving, chambering a second round and slipping towards another spot of cover.]

A.

[goldendeceiver]

[ Johnny and Ernesto have never had the chance to really talk much before now, but despite setting up shop (literally) in Godsblood, Ernesto pays enough visits to Greentruth that he'd be a known Pleroma to any of those staying in the forest. Ernesto also has the benefit of that tiered up eyesight that lets him spot Aions with ease too, so even if he wasn't very good with faces, and even if he didn't recognize Johnny immediately, he'd still be able to tell this was an ally.

That's all to say the question makes perfect sense, even if the two of them didn't come here to scope out the jail together, and Johnny isn't expounding on what he means by that.

With a quick glance to the jail, Ernesto quickly makes his way over to Johnny so he can speak in a lower tone, slightly out of the immediate line of sight anyone with a rooftop vantage might have.

Now within a good speaking distance, he offers an exasperated looking smile. ]

I think they're being about as careful as anyone can expect them to be, and not leaving us a whole lot in the way of easy openings.

day 1

[wolof]

[ Akua's hesitant, at first, but she pulls her shard free from beneath the panel in her dress -- something she'd made custom today, and held it in her hand.

She's clearly been watching, and Akua does not hide. She hadn't even made the effort. ]

You're sweet.

[ She replied, her tone not mocking, but the sound of someone who isn't taking it too seriously. ]

So, [ she said, her shard still in hand, when she sat on the edge of a building, and looked down at the Kenoma compound. Catherine would be proud of her, for the casual way she sat. Too bad she didn't have a dragonbone pipe in hand, to complete the picture, ] They must hold you in high regard, to have you watching this without a partner.

[aquaveiled]

[ In more ways that one, isn't it? ]

You've been making yourself comfortable, then?

[ It seems fair enough to ask. Zenos has been less than impressed with the accommodations he was provided with but that is hardly surprising--he grew up in opulence and his focus is, erm, elsewhere most of the time. But Misa strikes her as the sort of person who would think it's pretty amazing to go from a dank cave to large fancy rooms, silk sheets, and the like.

Granted Himeka will take her old hammock in the forest over Achamoth any day... ]

Were our circumstances different, I'd say we should meet for lunch.

[deushexmachina]

[It feels like electricity biting at his skin.

He's at the waterfront when he sees her, his eyes habitually looking skyward. He suspects how she got aloft so easily, watching from the skyline, magic second nature to her. Jayce understands why she keeps a distance; he's been quiet about his affiliation for some time now. Neither did so out of fear.

He raises an arm, elbow jutting out. Full faith she'll see him.]

[inutilis]

--ah! Wh... what are you...

[ ...doing? petrifying his hand, apparently - an ability Abel had no idea she possessed (or that she possessed any abilities at all, for that matter). he takes a slightly jerky step backward, lifting his hand to observe the unnatural process with a widening of his eyes. his fingers won't move-- and soon, the effect has stretched up to halt somewhere short of his wrist. ]

M-Misa? [ it's both a croak of startlement and inquiry - she could do this?? has she ALWAYS been able to do this?! since when can Misa do this!??!?!! ]

[inutilis]

[ Godsblood is nothing if not enduring. there are those who continue their merriment and routine despite the hushed sense of tension that's befallen all, stubbornly determined to pay the Regent and theirs no mind. or maybe it's simply a convenient excuse to climb further in the bottle for some; the return of Aions, the hand of the Regent coming for their far and off city once again... it is an ill portent for sure.

...Abel's eyes narrow as he picks up the sound of commotion as they pass a flower shop whose doors have been shuttered for the evening, and he gently rests his hand on Rand's shoulder to slow his pace. does he hear that--? ]

That's coming from outside the gate, isn't it?

[ his voice is low, even if they're still too far away to be overheard -- but someone shouts with a bitter spite in their voice, slurred by drink: "Cowards. Coward little shite, you won't 'ave the balls! All of you Achamites're the same!" ]

[gravings]

[ He's right, of course. With the way the Regent set fire to any possible goodwill with the Pleroma, there's no way they in the prison will be able to enjoy a peaceful five days leading up to Vaeka's execution. It's about what they deserve, probably. She has no delusions about this particular task being a clean or righteous one, even if rules are rules.

Amos does seem especially relaxed about it, which she supposes is a good thing. She doesn't quite smile back at him, but she gives him a small nod in reply to his thanks. ]

It's been quiet on my end too... though I know some Pleroma have been trying to test the waters.

[ With a swan, among other things...?? It sounds silly, but any kind of animal can be a familiar, so it wouldn't pay to take things too lightly. ]

... Can I ask what you think about them, Mr. Amos?

[gravings]

[ He's right, of course, but she tactfully decides not to agree with his unspoken disapproval aloud. Since he's looking to chat, she slowly closes the door behind her without turning around. She doesn't want to fight or have him discovered, but neither does she completely trust that he's alone or that he isn't willing to attack while her back is turned. With his (presumed) inability to walk, it would make sense if he had a partner or some other way of getting around if he's venturing into enemy territory this deeply.

While he's arranging himself, Gray chooses her words carefully, standing neither aggressively nor completely at ease. Her cloak obscures her body language, her expression easing to neutral. ]

I can't say who's right or wrong... but I can't leave my companions to defend the prison alone. All of you are going to attack, aren't you?

[baltimores]

[ At least the autopilot makes sense. It's the one saving grace he's finding in the whole ordeal — at least Rand has accepted that something's going to happen to him. Pleading would just be annoying at this point, so it's nice the both of them don't have to go through that whole song and dance.

Where Rand is dulled, though, Amos is sharp edges, belied by the way he doesn't get up, makes no actual move on him. His body can't afford it right now, or at least he thinks it can't, so it's all in the voice. ]

If we wanted you dead, you'd be dead already. [ His eyes click over to the aura he can see coming from Rand's shard. Dead-dead, not temporarily. Give him a day or two, and he's pretty sure he could rip it out and crush it in his bare hand right in front of him.

He meets Rand's gaze again. ] Regent's gonna want you, though. Don't think you had to kill anyone to get their attention. Or even pull that little stunt you did a couple of days ago. But, [ a slight shrug of his shoulders, a shooting pain in his palms, where his fingers were, at the motion, and he takes a second to hiss through his teeth at the pain, ] maybe that just made you more interesting to them. Or not. Fuck if I know.

[ Fuck if he cares, really. But Rand's been a massive inconvenience to him from day one, and now he's finally — finally — getting a chance to rectify that.

Amos regards him coolly. ]

You're coming back to Achamoth when all this is over with. From there, it's out of my hands.

[ What an irritating phrase right now, actually. ]

[expiera]

[Whether his new watcher has missed his movement or simply doesn't care is difficult to tell, especially with the inability to discern their facial features. Thus the silence persists as his mobility gradually returns, but it does break the moment he makes a move towards the jail cell's bars.]

I would advise against acting rashly. It's what put you in this situation.

[The tone is flat and inflectionless. If he's good at recognizing voices he's heard of before, this one sounds starkly different even if there's something familiar about it.

...]

[dragonmount]

[ it's not like subtlety is his strong point, but after hours piling on hours of uncomfortable immobility, he can't help shaking out his arms as the spell recedes, balling his hands into fists and then opening them. there's a slash across his forearm from the now dead achamite guard, but even that bleeding pain feels better than the pins and needles of turning to stone.

of course his attention turns to the bars of his cell. why wouldn't it? if the kenoma are really going to underestimate him so far as to actually let him loose (as good as), then even a warning from

a barely familiar voice actually,

isn't enough to stop him from taking the chance as he sees it. what, is he supposed to just sit in this cell like a good boy until misa returns? just let these people cart him off to achamoth to be killed or tortured or used by their regent?

of course not.

so she suggests he not act rashly, and he doesn't answer. or, rather, his answer is this: the wisps of burning light and reeking darkness that swirl around him as he opens himself to the Power, visible to those who'd been able to use magic even before becoming aions. the Power swells around him before he throws out his arms, going to stand (going to run), and splits into three weaves: the ball of fire that appears between his palms and shoots out directly at his jailer, the one that gathers around the cell's lock to wrench it apart, and the battering force at the door to throw it open. if he can get her to dodge, be distracted; if he can get out of the cell and escape — ]

[recursive]

( it's different when it's someone else's life on the line. it's been quite a long time since yuuta really feared the ever-present reality of death, and it's an even more distant fear given the tenuous "immortality" that they had as Aions. but this woman, vaeka... she had no such supernatural security, and she was at risk to lose her life for the cause that she had been fighting for. if this were just a straight-up fight they were rushing into, he would be placid as still water, but with her life hanging in the balance... the young man is still outwardly calm (he'd learned that him at least appearing like he's confident helps keep everyone around him the same), but his stomach knots with apprehension.

the three of them wait under a cover of invisibility, close enough to the building that vaeka was kept captive in that the minutes were now winnowing down to the seconds. they couldn't waste time — not this close. syrlya's spell might have allowed them to approach, but it wouldn't allow them much closer than this; not without the risk of being seen through. they would split up here, and yuuta just had to hold in his heart that his companions would be alright without him. sending rika along with them gave him some peace of mind, but he would still try to bust through the front to back them up as quickly as possible. )

Yes. We're ready. ...Rika? ( a brief pause. ) I need you to look after and help Johnny and Syrlya, okay? Just for a little while.

( there's a lengthier pause, and then a voice ripples through the empty air, young and feminine beneath multiple layers of heavy distortion. ) If that's what you want me to do, Yuuta. ( she sounds plainly grudging, and yuuta knows it's not a perfect solution — he can give her orders up until her defensive programming takes effect, so... he'll just need to fend for himself for a while and not give her a reason to abandon her orders. he takes a deep breath to steady himself, and then he carefully shifts johnny off of his back, setting him down and for just a moment placing a firm, steadying hand on his shoulder. )

Stay aware of your surroundings, the people around you, and the situation. Communicate if you need help. ( he retrieves his hand and moves it to the hilt of his sword, shifting his posture so he's ready to move at a moment's notice. ) ...Let's go.

[dragonmount]

[ of course something is going to happen to him. if there is anything, anything at all he's learned in horos, it's that the kenoma have no mercy. it's that they would take him, hurt him, if they can. amos had tried in rand's first moments in horos, hadn't he? and that was before the recent provocations. why would rand expect anything else?

he only blinks at the first threat. (not a threat: fact.) the only reason to keep him alive, if they wanted him dead, was to make a spectacle of it. and that doesn't seem to him amos's style, but amos isn't the only person making that decision. there are clearly other aions here, even if rand didn't know that before, even if it isn't the rational assumption — the cold numbness where he should be able to feel his arms is proof enough of that.

but the cold numbness he feels seems to slide away at the mention of the regent. it's no surprise. he knew that exact answer was coming; all he did was make amos say it. but there's still a shiver of terror, and anger, that seems to go down his spine, grow in his chest until it pushes against his ribs. and the Power responds, if in a diffuse, unfocused way: the ground beneath them starts to tremble, first faintly, and then starts to grow... ]

[lifespanned]

[ There's a pause after he asks that. Not because she feels conflicted about her answer — it is different — but because she realizes she's never had to go toe to toe like this with the opposition before, not here, and more importantly, not at home. On Earth, passing judgment on evil and people who got in her way of passing judgment on evil were simply wrong, she never had to argue with them. She could erase them from the living world with little more effort than a flick of her wrist. So she finds herself at a loss of how to word her response, chewing thoughtfully for a few moments. Even his more pointed accusation receives no flicker of guilt or deep contemplation in her at the prospect of taking someone's life - whether he attributes that to experience, plain naivete, or something else altogether is up to him. ]

No. I'm doing what I believe is right for the world.

[ What is right, she wants to say, though she's smart enough to know that saying as much will get her nowhere, and will only serve to stoke the fires of his already burning resent for them. That doesn't bother her so much. He's free to feel that way— but in the end, her trust in her own belief is steadfast, armored, like a well-made ship. ]

What you did was for the same reason, wasn't it? So we're the same that way.

[ Willing to kill for their side to win, that is. Misa watches him carefully, wondering just what kind of reaction he'll have to being likened to her. While she can't say she agrees with what he's doing, she can understand why he fought with the tenacity he had; she'd do the same to a Pleroma guard, were she in his position, if it came down to it. ]

[gravings]

[ Poor Venera has had to go through a lot these past few months. As commotion after commotion breaks out, Gray has to feel a little sorry for the Venerans. But she stands guard in front of the prison nevertheless, the Kenoma failure to keep Vaeka captive in Godsblood still fresh in her mind.

As she hears footsteps quietly approaching, she keeps a hand tense under her cloak, but she realizes almost too late that it's Thoma; she manages to step out of the way before he can run into her, abandoning her attempt to reach for her weapon. ]

Mr. Thoma!

[ She says in a hushed whisper, halfway to scolding. ]

I don't know who's here... There's been a lot of activity.

[ So many people getting nabbed and breaking free, it gets hard to keep track. She's more concerned about Thoma here, whom she'd really like to see not get captured, injured, or carted off to Achamoth. ]

You really shouldn't be here. Everyone's a little on edge right now...

[gravings]

[ She hesitates for a moment, less because she feels she should be working and more because she can't imagine her presence making Misa's time up here more exciting, but she relents with a nod. ]

If anyone needs me, I can get down quickly.

[ She really isn't busy anyway, or else she wouldn't be leisurely bringing people tea. She obediently takes a seat in the space Misa clears for her. Looking out over their modest view, it strikes her that this is actually a very vulnerable spot. Though maybe she only feels that way because she herself would have no problem scaling the walls. ]

... Are you nervous at all, being alone up here? Someone could try to shoot you...

[gravings]

[ It's the the other dog-eared fellow she heard about...........

But she won't let his cute floppy ears cloud her judgment. Her expression remains steadfast as she watches him for any funny business, keeping her ears sharp for anyone else that might be sneaking around. It's true that she's one of the youngest-looking Aions, but even if he seems to be concerned, she's aware that her age could make her more of a target as well -- for physical attacks, but for persuasion and distraction as well. ]

... I wasn't forced into this, if that's what you're thinking. If anyone is hesitant to engage with me, then they don't have to.

[gravings]

[ Unexpectedly, she's reminded of Hiccup -- how he tried to offer her food once, but she initially refused it out of distrust. This is a twisted reversal of roles compared to then, wherein Rand is entirely founded in his suspicion, but she was touched by Hiccup's kindness then, and that feeling has stayed with her since.

Rand doesn't want food now, but there's a chance he'll change his mind... so she sets the food down for now, hovering a little awkwardly in place before speaking up. ]

My name is Gray... Could I have yours?

[lifespanned]

To rest if you're tired, silly. You've been at it for a long while...

[ She comments, idly, while she chews thoughtfully on her own share of food. Though she doesn't doubt he can handle the pressure and work... mostly everyone else is working in shifts, switching off with other Kenoma when necessary. But he alone carries the burden of trying to extract information from their captive. ]

[goldendeceiver]

Oh? Care to enlighten me about some of them?

[ His tone is light and teasing, but he doubts that Misa is going to actually give up vital information about herself. She's bubbly and friendly enough, but he's been pretty quickly getting the sense there is more to her than meets the eye.

Sure would be nice to have a full list of powers they're working against though, wouldn't it?

As for the question, his responding laugh is amused, like the two of them are just having a fun little conversation instead of standing on opposite sides while someone's life hangs in the balance. ]

I guess you could say that. They really rolled out the welcome carpet for my team, didn't they? It'd feel kind of rude to not at least stop by and say hi.

[ Ernesto was pretty directly invited to prove that the Pleroma weren't powerless here, though hiding behind a building and having a conversation from a distance while making little progress on his rescue attempt? He's not feeling particularly powerful right now. ]

Nice of them to send such welcoming company though. What made you decide to come to this fine city in particular?

[ Godsblood wasn't the only city on the Regent's chopping block, after all. ]

[lifespanned]

[ After days of relative silence, aside from the now-and-then scuffle, it's the sound the startles her more at first.

But before she can even process what's happening, she's on the ground, inhaling a deep and loud gasp - instinctively, her hands go to clutch at her leg, eyes going wide, nails digging deep into her own skin. Only belatedly does she feel the ripping, piercing, searing pain there, made more severe by the hot pulses of blood pouring from the wound. All things considered, it's as the enemy side has surmised— she's young, a teenager, a mostly normal person by all accounts. She's not used to the battlefield, much less any injuries much worse than a bruise one might get from tripping on the curb or standing up near a coffee table too quickly. Almost instantly, she's forcibly shoved far out of her element.

Perhaps that's why the sharp, guttural cry of pain from her is so loud, so pronounced, as she lays low on the roof - only managing to cast her sight in the direction the shot had come from several seconds after. The short debate she has with Howl about what to do is rushed, and he takes off, selflessly, before she can think up a better plan.

Her first thought is to get off the roof - to get to lower ground where there may be more places and angles to hide in, with the outlay of buildings around them. It's getting there that's a problem, one she truly feels the weight of as she tries to drag herself to the fire escape that leads down the side of the building, all the while assuming that each second is her last before she's hit with something else. In the end, she more limps and clangs down each flight than climbs down, hissing all the while, and no doubt making the bleeding in her leg more severe. But if there's one thing she has over her companions, it's a complete and utter willingness to take this mission to death. She'll push herself as far as she has to, through tears and sweat and blood all the same.

When she finally makes it down to ground level, she nestles herself first behind the corner of the jail itself, more out of necessity than any strategic need— she simply can't bear the strain to move anymore for a moment. But she takes this time to flick her eyes to where Howl has flown off, and then, to the general direction of where the shot had come from. It'd all happened so fast, she hadn't gotten a good look of the exact location. Even if she'd seen a glimpse of movement, she has no way of knowing from exactly where. Impulsively, and with no other way to detect where her enemy is, she shouts, into the silence from her makeshift barricade, her voice highly strained and shrill from the pain: ]

What the hell was that for?! I didn't do anything to you!!