aionmods: (Default)
Aion Mods ([personal profile] aionmods) wrote in [community profile] aionlogs2022-08-18 12:17 pm

EVENT #6: BY HEAVEN OR HELL

By Heaven or Hell
THE BURNING
Achamoth, as it turns out, is no stranger to public killings... the burning of two Pleroma, however? That's special. Abel and Himeka's upcoming execution date seems to be regarded by the city's populace as something akin to a holiday, with the upper crust of the social stratum fighting for positions of prominence in the festivities, including the best possible seats. It's been decades since any Pleroma have been brought to heel in Achamoth, and it would only be prudent to place yourself at the forefront of this exciting new trend. There's a sense of pageantry to it: ritualized ceremonies, public sermons, and strange religious 'décor' are all part of the process.

The city is in the throes of these preparations when the two Pleroma captives are finally brought to a central square not far from the Citadel's front gates. Two burning pyres have been set up for them, about ten feet apart. While Abel and Himeka's bodies are chained to their stakes, their shards will be handed off to Silco, Ciel, and Makoto to be brought along separately. The set up of the execution is thus: while their bodies are ravaged by flames, their shards will be bound to an altar in advance of the pyre. Via a kind of alchemical 'fuse', the pyre being lit will trigger a reaction that will gradually result in a explosion on the altar just large enough to destroy the shard in turn. The shards will be bound in position with a series of jewelry-like metal prongs that could be pried away, but would take some time to do carefully.

As the Pleroma make it to the city, the sun will be setting on the 17th of Firaseri, with the execution about to be underway. The pyres will not yet have been lit, but are fully prepared. All Kenoma will be called upon to guard the city, with the warning that the Pleroma are mounting a raid to rescue their imprisoned comrades. For Kenoma both new and old, it's a time to test your mettle. Those that defend Achamoth valiantly can expect to be rewarded.

INNOCENCE ON FIRE
The city of Achamoth looms ahead, a seat of power in Horos in every fashion. It sprawls outwards, claiming the lands around it in a lazy confidence. The spires of the city grow up and up like a mountain, dragging the eye towards the Citadel. The walls that surround it are modest in height as if offering a challenge to any foolish enough to attempt to climb them. Who would? The Regent's eye is ever-present and the guard towers that line it like beaded pearls on a string are reminders that nothing goes in or out of the city without notice. Openings in the towers and the walls threaten the use of projectiles while dark, shimmering crystals float above with the quiet hum of protective magics. Only a fool would breach these borders.

Initially, getting into the city unmolested will be a considerable struggle for the Pleroma. It's military is robust, its fortifications solid, and even without the Kenoma's added resistance, the sheer numbers could be considered insurmountable. Stealth could get them some of the way, but its sentries are watchful, and immigration is strictly controlled. With faith alone driving the Pleroma towards their goal it's fortunate, then, that something is there to answer their call.

Estinien will feel the presence of the Innocence Entity rise up in him again, and this time it is offering him a choice. He may utilize its power to save the ones he loves, while risking both the brutality of the Regent's defenses and the threat to his own soul by channeling such power. It will stand with him against the darkness, it says, if it is truly his will. Emboldened by the power of the Firebrand and his love for his comrades, it is no surprise that he accepts.

Light will flood the sky above Achamoth, an ethereal aura combatting the encroach of the night. From a great miasma of wings and flame, a colossal dragon emerges, coiling above the city skyline. Its luminescence rains down upon the city, and all Achamites exposed to it will be enchanted into finding the idea of committing acts of violence unthinkable, at least so long as no violence is brought against them in turn. With much of Achamoth's defenses having lost the will to fight, only the Kenoma will stand in the Pleroma's way as they penetrate the city, making their way to Abel and Himeka's pyres.

As the Pleroma forge ahead, this draconic being that was once Estinien Wyrmblood will guard from the skies, drawing the attention of the Kenoma towards it and it threatens to bear its might against the Citadel itself. Fortunately for the Kenoma guarding the city, they will know that the Regent has a plan. All they must do is hold off the beast long enough for the Regent to wield their own strength in turn. The battle against this creature will take place here, with combat rules being explain in this OOC post.

As the power of the Innocent washes over Achamoth, those of its Legacy, or those marked by its Promise or Touch, will hear it speak on the winds in a chorus of voices:

Aions of this new dawn... I have honored your choice... fight... if you will... and I will follow...

FIREBRAND RISING
Beneath the moon of Firaseri, however, the Innocent isn't the only force at play. Firebrands of both sects will find themselves spurred on by a rush of Legacy-based power, as if inspired by the tumultuous environment of an anti-authoritarian raid. How precisely this manifests will depend on which side they are fighting for.

PLEROMA
The Firebrands among the Pleroma raiders will feel a sense of vindication and rightness come over them, set as they are to challenge the Regent's rule. Their powers will be amplified during the battle, and those that witness them and are inspired may find their performance boosted. The nature of these enhancements is fairly flexible. For the Firebrands, the use of their regular skills and abilities may be amplified beyond normal boundaries, whereas those following in their wake may find themselves with usual endurance that allows them to push their their usual limits.

KENOMA
The Firebrands of the Kenoma's inspiration is more complicated in nature, given their roll in defending Achamoth's status quo. However, they will find themselves bolstered while facing the pacifying might of the Innocence Entity. Firebrands will experience a natural resistance against any Innocence based attacks that would stop them from fighting, and will be able to use this blessing to rally NPCs that would otherwise be rendered useless to their cause, in defiance of the entity's command for peace. In general, they will see a boost in strength while fighting the raid boss in particular, unable to be deterred from their goals.

In general, all Firebrands will feel untethered by their regular inhibitions, fighting for their desires at all costs. Abilities intended to bind them or control their will, will be largely ineffective, and they will find shields both physical and magical particularly easy to break through.

QUESTIONS
Q: What is the best way for Pleroma to travel to Achamoth?
A: Akua and Estinien are both setting up portals from Godsblood to the outskirts of Achamoth from which to begin mounting the assault. Caitlyn will be providing a back-up in the case either of those portals go down.

Q: Can my character make use of the chaos and try to raid the Citadel?
A: They can try but there will be mod rolls involved for any attempts. NPCs inside the Citadel will not be affected the same way the NPCs outside in main area will be. We do not want it to seem like the Citadel is defenseless otherwise.

Q: If Kenoma cause damage to the city during the raid, how will the Regent feel? Will there be consequences?
A: It should try to be avoided, but the Regent will understand if there is collateral damage in battle as long as they aren't being careless about it.

Q: Is the "no-combat aura" completely incapacitating NPCs?
A: No, it is only stopping them from aggressing the Pleroma. If they or their property are attacked they will defend themselves, and are otherwise operating with a normal level of cognizance. Kenoma Aions can order them out of the area to avoid being hurt if necessary.

BOSS BATTLE:
Q: I would like my character to take part in the battle but want to limit the outcomes in a way that isn't too devastating. Is that possible?
A: We think in that case we would basically only be acknowledging the possibilities between the "The attack either misses, is ineffective, or it triggers a counter attack from the boss." and "The attack hits with moderate effectiveness, as determined by the nature of their action." range. So, you can't get taken out, but you also can only deal moderate hits at best. You could still trigger a counter attack from the boss, but the damage taken from that is more flexible and free form than the 1-5% zone. If you make an attack with this restriction just add a little OOC note to your initial attack tag.

Q: How can a support character engage in the combat?
A: If your character is providing support, you may team up with an attacker to submit a "group attack". This means that your character is putting their effort towards supporting that attacker character that round, and will not be able to submit their own separate action. In exchange, that attack will receive two mod rolls instead of one, and the attack itself will be based on the more favorable of the two rolls. (Sort of like rolling with an advantage in modern D&D.) We will make as many rolls as there there are character combining their effort and select the best of them.

If any character rolls in the 1-5% zone they will still be taken out, however. Click the link above for more information.

Q: Can my character take a hit for another character after a mod roll?
A: We would be willing to accept this in the case of the defender taking the hit for the attacker, which would mean that if it's a 1-5%, they would be taken out in the attacker's stead.

sterngaze: (neutral: inquisitor)

Liem Talbott | Kenoma | Champion

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-19 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Closed starters below! Feel free to hit up my event plotting post to get something started, or message me on discord or plurk.]
sterngaze: (neutral: dry)

for Kaeya

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-19 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
[During the day preceding the prisoners’ public burning, Liem keeps busy with final preparations. Midmorning sees him going through inventory the Citadel’s quartermaster has prepared, scanning rows of weapons and ammunition, bottles of water, packaged salves and rolled bandages. Already the collection is somewhat depleted; some of it has already been delivered to various addresses in the city, stashed there by servants under aion direction in preparation for the expected assault. The rest is due to be shipped out before the morning is through, their destinations already marked on a map tacked to the wall, and assuming everything goes smoothly, everything should be ready long before the execution is set to begin.

Liem intends to make sure that everything that can go smoothly, does.

Though the sun is still only midway through its daily climb, painting the stone-black city outside in shades of glowing grey and shadow-drenched obsidian, already the attitude of the city is festive. Its citizens bustle about the streets in high spirits, rushing through morning chores or else foregoing them entirely in order to prepare for the coming event. Although the prisoners won’t even emerge from the Citadel for hours yet, when Liem last arrived back through the front gates, the square set to receive them was already beginning to fill with early arrivals determined to claim the best possible view. He imagines the crowd will be even thicker when they leave again.
]

The supplies destined for this district should have been delivered by now, [he says, pointing to a small collection of spots marked on the map before glancing up at his companion.] If we head down Ninth Street, we can check on them, head a few streets east, and inventory the rest on the way back.
subsist: (pic#15626309)

[personal profile] subsist 2022-08-20 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ helping out with the final preparations for the upcoming raid is more than familiar enough with kaeya. after all, he was the quartermaster for the knights of favonius, so taking stock of supplies, weaponry, and such comes as second nature to him. they've allotted the resources as well as they could, and while there's hope that most wouldn't see much use, he can only pray that what they have provided will be more than enough to withstand the pleroma's attack.

when the crowd has started to arrive, kaeya knows there isn't much more time left. he doubts the pleroma will wait until the pyres have been set ablaze before they come knocking on their doorstep so he stays close to liem, quietly observing the map as the man points out the specific spots where supplies have been delivered. ]


That shouldn't be a problem. You've already marked out the most efficient path, so let's head out now.

[ there's no time to waste, after all. kaeya gestures with his head that he's about to start walking before he does so, heading towards ninth street. ]

Are these the supplies that you've mentioned through communion?
sterngaze: (neutral: commish)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-21 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[With their route decided, Liem falls into step beside Kaeya as the other man begins walking, lengthening his stride slightly to match his longer gait. This close to the event itself, he's already dressed for combat, his usual attire traded for sturdier robes reinforced with black leather and chain mail, the traditional decorative Achamite mask traded for one of hardened leather, currently hanging on his belt. When the Pleroma finally make their appearance, he doesn't intend to be caught unprepared.]

They are, yes.

[How much use they'll see in the heat of an actual assault, he has no idea. This is his first time trying to defend an entire city—but his experience during prolonged engagements has always been that moments of rest are wasted without the equipment to make proper use of them.]

I appreciate the help in getting this all sorted. Endeavours of this scale are a bit beyond my realm of experience.
subsist: (pic#15626279)

[personal profile] subsist 2022-08-22 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ liem definitely looks well-prepared next to kaeya who looks like he's just ready for a nice (arduous) stroll, but that's what you get when someone chose to abandon the knights' official uniform once he received his vision from the gods. at least he's toned down the drama and flair in favour of practicality — sleek lines and all. ]

It's my pleasure. I did use to be the quartermaster of the city I once defended, so this is familiar territory to me.

[ while they head down ninth street, achamite soldiers and citizens by them, all headed towards the citadel. the soldiers are likely going to their designated posts while the citizens are preparing to watch the spectacle scheduled for later today. ]

That said, you've done well accounting for the scale of this event, despite this being your first time. I barely had to do anything.

[ if he could give liem a gold star, he would. ]
sterngaze: (neutral: pensive)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-22 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Back home, Liem was very rarely responsible for any kind of initiative that extended beyond him and perhaps a handful of hired helpers. His work cycle tended to follow a very specific pattern: Go where he's told, solve problems, report back. Sometimes he did quite a lot of going and solving before finally returning to his superiors, but the general idea was always the same. He wasn't someone who came up with ideas; he usually just implemented them.

Given his lack of experience, he's relieved to have the assistance of someone like Kaeya, even if it might not have been entirely necessary. Tackling something new always goes the most smoothly when one has experienced support to fall back on.
]

You're too modest, [Liem objects lightly, but he seems tickled by the praise. Even the hostile glare of the summer morning can't dim his determination to do a good and thorough job.]

Did you like your job? It seems like it would have kept you very busy.
subsist: (pic#15697825)

[personal profile] subsist 2022-08-24 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ it was definitely the collaborative effort between the two of them that made this entire affair go very smoothly. kaeya allowed liem to figure out the logistics while he supported with modifications wherever it was needed, but it's just like he said earlier: he barely had to do anything. it almost feels like he was just there for moral support, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

plus, it sounds like liem appreciated the praise, so he wants the man to feel good about his efforts. he knows that what liem orchestrated will help their allies should anything unexpected come up. (little did they know, it'll also help those who aren't looking to stay behind...) ]


It depends on your definition of busy.

[ when they reach the specific point that was marked on liem's map, he waits for the other to lead the way as he keeps talking. ]

I always left the paperwork until the very last minute, but I want to say that it did keep me occupied whenever the Knights of Favonius didn't have many missions to work through. However, Mondstadt was a very peaceful city, so making sure that our recruits were given their proper uniforms made up most of my duties.

[ there's a fondness in his tone that's difficult to miss, the smile on his face merely adding to it. ]
sterngaze: (neutral: dubious)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-24 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[Kaeya's mention of avoiding paperwork makes a smile tug at Liem's mouth; in all worlds, it seems, paperwork ends up being a chore. He happens to be someone who finds chores soothing, but he quite understands how Kaeya might not feel the same way.]

Ah… so it wasn't the most scintillating duty, is what you mean.

[Dull, peaceful work is always better than strife and hardship, but he can't deny that challenging work is more to his preference. The walls always start to close in on him when he spends too long at a stretch sifting through desk work; that's been true since he was young, but of late his restlessness at such times has become downright intolerable.

When they reach the first location on the map, a boxy-looking chapel built of all black stone, he heads around the side to an entrance that opens away from the street itself. Shouldering the heavy wooden door open, he pauses to hold it for his companion before going inside.
]

What kind of work did your order do, then?

(no subject)

[personal profile] subsist - 2022-08-26 05:39 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-26 17:31 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] subsist - 2022-08-28 17:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-30 00:44 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] subsist - 2022-08-31 04:26 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-31 16:48 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] subsist - 2022-09-02 01:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-09-03 16:30 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] subsist - 2022-09-04 03:49 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-09-05 00:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] subsist - 2022-09-05 04:13 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-09-05 19:04 (UTC) - Expand
sterngaze: (neutral: commish)

for Hiccup

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-19 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[At some point after the giant, flaming dragon breaches the city limits, everything starts getting real messy. Liem has to uproot himself several times, darting from perch to perch in order to keep pace with advancing Pleroma aions and their extraplanar guardian. The supply caches he’s dotted throughout the city keep his quivers full as he weathers hostile encounters with both the Sanctifier and other aions, but as the conflict penetrates deeper into the city and skirmishes break out in violent flurries on its stone-paved streets, it becomes impossible to stick to anything resembling an organized plan.

Liem’s current hiding spot sees him atop one of Achamoth’s many churches, lurking in the shadow of a bell tower as his sharp eyes scan the surrounding city for signs of movement. Clad in dark robes and leather over a fine mail mesh, he melts against the backdrop of stone and tile like a gargoyle, unmoving, until he spies what he’s looking for: a figure that doesn’t belong, black wings silhouetted against the bruise-dark sky. He recognizes the young man from his prosthetic leg, confirming him as one of the Pleroma’s aions, and that’s all he needs. Liem loads a quarrel into his crossbow in the same time it takes to draw a quick breath, sights along it for a moment as he tracks Hiccup’s momentum through the air, and then—he lets fly.
]
dragon_rider: (rurGO5)

[personal profile] dragon_rider 2022-08-22 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hiccup usually finds flying freeing - but never like this and not today. He's mostly played the defensive, and acted as an annoying fly than a real combatant. But then when most other Aions were superhuman you kind of had to roll with the punches and your strengths - He'd learned a long time ago he and his friends were just annoying enough for the people they faced in the past. If it could cause a distraction, that was enough.

But he can claim no senses better than others, barely hears the whizzing of an arrow in time to turn around. The shield half off his back when it hits - straight through the thin membrane of the middle of a wing. He loses altitude fast, but is able to recover last minute (although his flight will become more of a limp and too painful yet). It's just enough for him to catch sight of the building closest by, the man. And he lands on the rooftop with a stumble. Barely catches himself, but straightens a moment later. A punctured breath: ]


Nice shot.

[ With a click of the button on Inferno's side, the sword extends and ignites into flame - one of the first and only times it'll be able to do so in Horos. ]
sterngaze: (neutral: dry)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-22 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[A frown twitches across the steady mask of Liem's features when Hiccup dodges his bolt at the last moment, taking it through the wing instead of through the chest. It's a challenge to get a quick kill in the midst of chaos like this, but in this case he really hoped he'd manage it. It's such grim work to fight someone whose name and story he knows.

He crouches as the younger man lands, adjusting his stance on the sloped cathedral roof as he moves slightly out of the bell tower's shade. He doesn't like the look of that shield—and when the sword he produces ignites in a riot of glowing orange, he likes that even less. It's a poor match-up for a man equipped with a crossbow and a dagger, even considering the boon that the challenging terrain gives him.
]

Nice sword, [he responds, and loads another bolt in the same time it takes to speak the words.] Shall we?
dragon_rider: (httydiii_0044_Layer-42)

[personal profile] dragon_rider 2022-08-23 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
Well, if you're asking - I'd really prefer not to, actually.

[ Hiccup's response is mild, lightly humored. It's not the tone of someone who's given up or lacks a real will to fight if necessary - But as prepared as he is, it'll never be his first choice. If he can reason to someone, reach out to them, change their mind - those are all the things he would prefer to do. Even so, he knows a fight when he sees one.

The man loads his crossbow and Hiccup shifts the shield into position, the silver glinting in the light of Inferno as he pulls it out to his side. The flame whips and curls, as much an intimidation tactic as it is an actual offensive maneuver. ]
You know if you guys just let us take our own and go this would go much faster. No one has to be hurt or anything, you know?

[ He doesn't move further forward, not just yet. Clearly prepared for the moment to dodge or strike, assessing his own situation - not great, not a lot of cover, not a lot of tricky strategy - but he still had to Hiccup his way through the situation afterall. ]
sterngaze: (Default)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-24 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
[In all honesty, Liem would also prefer not to fight—right now, or ever. He would prefer to live in a world where no one ever needed to fight for anything, and where it was never necessary to do violence to anyone in order to live a peaceful and prosperous life.

But that isn't the world they live in. That better world is the one that Liem is fighting to create, and this world is the one that Hiccup is fighting to preserve. The two cannot coexist. So when Hiccup speaks from behind the shelter of his shield, Liem just frowns slightly, as if in disappointment.
]

Someone always has to be hurt, somewhere.

[He moves almost as soon as he's spoken; he's not here to spend time proselytizing. Liem's crossbow comes up, hefted to his shoulder and aimed straight at Hiccup as he takes a rapid step to the side. He'll only be able to use this trick once before the younger man knows what to expect, so he needs to make it count. As Liem moves, his feet leaving one patch of shingled roof—

He disappears. His next step lands not beside him, but on the roof a few paces behind the other man; and in the same moment he emerges from his dimensional jaunt, he shoots his weapon straight at his back.
]
sterngaze: (neutral: dubious)

for Havoc

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-19 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Liem has to be smart with his resources to stay an active threat throughout the hour-long blitz assault pushing into the city. As dusk fades into night, supply caches stashed throughout the city serve his needs for ammunition, hydration, and first-aid, but there’s nothing he can do about the aches compounding in his tired and battered body. He’s kept pace with the Sanctifier and its entourage for almost the entire time they’ve been pushing into the city, and this far into the conflict, he’s beginning to pay for it quite keenly.

A lull in the action sees Liem holed up on the roof of a three-storey tenement, a longbow draped across his lap as he drinks from a flask originally strapped to one thigh. At some point over the course of the assault, he’d eyeballed the dragon flying overhead and opted to swap out his crossbow for something with a bit more weight to its projectiles. The bow has been less convenient to use when shooting down into the street, but up until recently, flying targets were plentiful enough that the trade was worthwhile. It’s only recently that he’s been able to duck behind the tenement roof’s low walls to catch his breath and rest his aching arms.

Letting out a low sigh, he frowns at the woman next to him, who manages to look even more haggard than him despite being fully and properly alive. A couple weeks’ rest and physical conditioning clearly wasn’t enough to prepare someone in her state for this kind of activity. He offers the flask her way, clarifying after a moment:
]

It’s just water.
regressor: (WEAKENING)

[personal profile] regressor 2022-08-20 05:15 am (UTC)(link)
[Havoc's Contract wasn't designed for a long, drawn out fight. She was an undercover agent, someone sent in to assassinate and leave total devastation behind, only sometimes bothering to make it look like an accident or terrorist attack, whatever the client required. She's never bothered trying to be anything else-- not as a Contractor. Not in her "right" mind. And as invested as she was in proving her worth to the so-called Regent that seemed to want to function as her new "handler", in opening vacuum after vacuum over the gigantic dragon thing in the sky... She wasn't interested even slightly in the risk of death for something like glory or morals.

She definitely wasn't interested in "melting like butter". She'd heard that happened, to Contractors who didn't pay their obeisances... not that any wouldn't, that had to have been someone else's experiment. The CIA, perhaps... They certainly hadn't had a problem with supplying her with the blood of children by the liter when she'd first been recruited.

Here, though, there is no one to supply the blood to pay her obeisance. No matter how foul and immoral it seemed to most humans, she was used to having access to the best technology could provide, to being just supplied with sacrifices for her needs. She'd sometimes even traveled with vials and anticoagulants just in case she could store some innocent blood briefly enough to still count as "fresh"... But there is nothing like that here in Horos. It isn't like she has a sense of pride or dignity to prevent her from paying for her powers, but...

There is a sense of confusion, unfamiliarity, in the urges that wrack her body now. Like every Contractor, she had simply known what needed to be done once her powers had been used, and now she knows... She needs an aion.

And here one is.

Havoc doesn't pick herself off the ground where she slumps against a piece of wall, her narrow chest rising and falling unevenly, her skin pale and covered in a cold, clammy sweat. She looks... sick, for lack of a better word, beyond exhausted despite how literal she has physically done with her body. Strained. If she had to, she could just kill this man here and take what she needed...

But that wouldn't do much for her reputation on this "team", nor in favor to the Regent, now would it. If she has to, for her own life, she'll do it in a second, but for now...]


I don't need... water.

[She waves the flash away, though she swallows dry as if she was thirsty.

Just not for that.]
sterngaze: (neutral: dry)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-21 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[Liem frowns when Carmine waves away the offer of water, withdrawing the outstretched flask only slightly. In frank terms, she looks terribly unwell. Her weak, sweaty pallor reminds him of a drug addict going through withdrawal, body wound tight in desperate need through the chills and aches. But although ordinarily he might mistake her refusal for the familiar disinterest of the sick in putting anything in their stomachs, he doesn't miss the emphasis she puts on that final word.]

I think you do.

[His insistence is gentle, but firm. There's no way she could be in the state she's in right now and not need to rehydrate. But he recognizes the value of treating the cause first, so if she's in this state because of more than just strain and exertion, they'll deal with that before anything else if possible.]

What else do you need?
regressor: (GUIDANCE)

[personal profile] regressor 2022-08-22 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
[He might never know how accurate that comparison to an addict in withdrawal was. The need to pay her obeisance has been gradually building, and though she was still capable of fighting, of even just killing this man beside her if she needed to in an emergency and just using his blood to pay for her powers…

She won’t put it off any longer. A great deal of thought, silent and still, had gone into how she was going to handle her particular needs in this place. Yet unsure of every Kenoma’s allegiance and alignment, how her reputation might swell or suffer if it became known how she fueled her destructive abilities, she had decided to keep the information as carefully guarded as she could. Keeping it secret was impossible, not now when she couldn’t just drain it from children that no one would miss, not when the Regent was so particular about the safety of that one class of people for an unknown reason… so if it had to come out now, let it be controlled. Let as few people as possible know what weakness could be exploited.

This was a team effort, after all, not her freelance days. Broadcasting that she powered herself with the blood of the innocents wouldn’t add to her reputation in a way that was profitable and defensive at the same time. She had to be “Carmine” here for now, not the Contractor equivalent of a boogeyman, and so-]


… Blood.

[The word finally comes out, strained, as she draws a shaking hand over her pale brow, swallowing again with a pathetic pant for breath. (Thankfully, she didn’t have to try to act at this point, the pulsing call to pay, pay, pay is strong enough.

To not meet his eyes at first, then glance up, as if afraid of what he’d say instead of calculating based on whatever physical cue and response he provided. She’d set the groundwork for this ploy in that dining room where they’d met, she could use it-]


I need… blood.
sterngaze: (neutral: commish)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-22 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[When she says blood, Liem finally withdraws the flask fully, securing it back at his side as he regards Carmine with a concerned furrow between his brows. He sets his bow down next to him so he can rise into a crouch beside her. She doesn't look in any condition to be out here in the middle of an assault on the city, but he remembers her looking fine just a scant hour earlier. It's worrying that her condition could have deteriorated so quickly.]

You need… a transfusion?

[The unfamiliar word comes awkwardly to his tongue, overemphasized toward the end. Although he's grasped the point of the procedure without much difficulty, it's still clearly an alien concept to him, and he's not sure if the Citadel's healers even provide such a service. But he knows without question that she can't remain out here in her state. It isn't safe. And although she'd only be a liability if he tried to move through the city with her, he doesn't really have a choice.

He says quietly,
] I can take you back to the Citadel.
regressor: (URGE)

[personal profile] regressor 2022-08-23 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
[So he remembered. Havoc licks her lips, swallowing dry and seeming to struggle with something that needs to be said. Perhaps it's a good thing, that she's let her need to pay her obeisance go this far. It adds a bit of realism she thinks she may not have been capable of otherwise, when she says-]

I'm sorry...

[Crouched that close to her... there's a look in her eyes when she looks at him over the thin arms braced on bony knees. A look that can only be described as "hungry". He was right there...]

I didn't want you to think... I was a monster...

[Another swallow, another little part-lie that she just-]

So I lied...

[Her fingers, the two that had been splinted now looking more healed if not slightly crooked, tighten over the balls of her knees, bunching in the dark fabric of her trousers.]

I need... Drink it, I need to drink it...

[And so now the only question remaining... Is whether he would give it to her, or if she would have to take it.]

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-23 17:55 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] regressor - 2022-08-23 18:34 (UTC) - Expand

cw: self-harm, blood

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-24 18:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] regressor - 2022-08-27 15:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-28 14:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] regressor - 2022-08-29 18:11 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-31 01:38 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] regressor - 2022-09-02 16:59 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-09-03 18:10 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] regressor - 2022-09-04 18:45 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-09-05 04:00 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] regressor - 2022-09-05 21:46 (UTC) - Expand
sterngaze: (neutral: inquisitor)

for Anduin

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-19 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[As the Pleroma press their advance further into the city limits, nearing the execution square and the Citadel itself, Liem’s defence efforts grow more harried, but also more determined. He’s long-since burned through the magic he uses to enchant his weapon, he doesn’t have more than a few dimensional hops left in him, and his muscles are burning and exhausted from overuse. He hasn’t done this much fighting since the day he and his cohorts rescued Prince Carrius from the depths of that cult hideout back home, a few months and an entire lifetime ago.

But he has no choice except to keep going. The last time the Regent called upon his services, he didn’t just fail; he rejected the call entirely, and went out of his way to undermine those who obeyed. So this time, it isn’t enough for him to simply put in an effort to defend the Citadel, its prisoners, and the Regent’s will. He has to give every ounce of effort under his command to the task. He has to see it all the way to the end no matter what.

He ducks into an alley as he falls back toward the square, skirting a building to come out on a side-street further along—and spies a man moving through the dusk. Not an Achamite. Not one of their own. His presence here, armed and moving toward the heart of the city, can only mean one thing.

Liem doesn’t bother shouting at the man to stop. From the deep shadow of one of Achamite’s many churches, he fits an arrow to the string of his longbow, draws it, and looses right at him.
]
bythelight: (16)

[personal profile] bythelight 2022-08-20 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Anduin is on edge.

He's in a strange place, fighting a war that is -- in truth -- not his own war. He's moving with a team he doesn't know to rescue people he doesn't know.

Light, the whole thing is a mess, and he keeps losing track of everyone. If he keeps moving, surely he'll eventually find them again --

A sharp pain lances through him.

Danger -- well, obviously there's danger. The whole place is dangerous! If only it could be a little --

He turns to look around, and as he does an arrow slams into his upper arm. It would have hit his chest if he hadn't moved. He grunts in pain, snaps off the end of it to keep it from catching and gestures up a shield as he looks for who shot it. From the trajectory, his eyes land on a figure in the shadows. He lets out a frustrated sigh, tries to steel himself. ]


I'm not looking for a fight. We can both still walk away from this.
sterngaze: (neutral: dry)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-21 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[Something seems to warn the man. Maybe it was the scuff of a boot, the creak of leather or the jingle of metal, but he turns just as Liem releases his shot, and the arrow meant for his heart plunges into his arm instead. That's bad luck—worse luck when the man not only spots him in the shadows of the building, but conjures up a shield to defend himself—but rather than curse his misfortune, he moves mechanically to retrieve a pair of arrows from his quiver.]

Forgive me if I don't believe you.

[The man's words give him all the confirmation he needs to be sure he's here with the other Pleroma—and why would that be, if not to support them in their attack on the city? Whatever means of support this man intends to provide, Liem can't simply allow him on his way to offer it. Drawing his bow again, he looses his arrows in quick succession, a one–two strike attempting to crack that magic protection.]
bythelight: (7)

[personal profile] bythelight 2022-08-21 08:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Light, these people are so determined to fight. To what end? Do they believe in this Regent so much? He makes a soft sound of frustration as his shield wavers, the first arrow bouncing off and the second arrow dissipating it.

He can't cast it again immediately, which means he's immediately on guard. ]


We're just here to bring back our companions.

[ Shadows whisper around his fingertips, in his mind, coaxing him.

He's ready, if Liem goes to fire again, to launch a spell at him. Nothing damaging, just a wisp of shadow seeking to catch hold and disorientate him with a mental scream of terror, to encourage him to panic and run.

To buy a little time, if he can. ]
sterngaze: (neutral: commish)

[personal profile] sterngaze 2022-08-22 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[Unlike his posture, which, while straight and still, is tightly wound enough to seem ready to explode into motion at the slightest provocation, Liem's expression is flat and impassive in the face of Anduin's persuading words. He already witnessed the spectacle in the main square, already showed his face there and watched as the matches were struck, the pyres lit. He has already condemned the people held there as dead, and already accepted the weight of their execution onto his soul. He cannot be swayed by appeals to mercy.]

Then you should have stayed in Greentruth.

[It's only because they're here that this conflagration of violence has overtaken the city; now that it has, Liem can't permit him to continue uncontested. He slides another arrow to the string—

And wavers, twitching in a violent jerk as he fends off the encroach of that shadow-called spell. His eyes, blue ice on obsidian, narrow. He steps out of the shadows as he draws the arrow back to his lips.
]

Wrong choice, [he says, and lets the arrow fly.]
bythelight: (16)

[personal profile] bythelight 2022-08-22 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It certainly was.

Anduin ducks immediately as he watches Liem set the arrow fly, not quite sure where he's aiming, and falls into an awkward roll out of the way that turns into a scramble back to his feet. His arm is still bleeding, more heavily now he thinks as he throws up another shield quickly. ]


Would you leave people behind to die? Is that the sort of person the Regent recruits?

[ His leg now aches from the scramble, on top of his arm, and his fingers twitch as he considers his next move. Would a stun hold? Light, he doesn't know, but he needs to not be in the open if this person is going to fire arrows at him. He misses his armour, now. The plate had been heavy, but it would have made this all less of a problem!

He hesitates, but the next time Liem moves Anduin's hands lift again. ]


Enough!

[ A burst of bright, holy light erupts from his hands and Anduin makes a break for some sort of cover. Even if the spell doesn't incapacitate, it might shock him long enough to give Anduin a head start. He thinks he might need it, with the twinge in his leg. ]

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-23 17:17 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bythelight - 2022-08-26 12:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-26 19:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bythelight - 2022-08-28 12:43 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-08-29 17:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] bythelight - 2022-09-04 00:35 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

[personal profile] sterngaze - 2022-09-04 23:22 (UTC) - Expand