event: a gentle arrival

[thestewards]

I won't give up so don't give in
You've fallen down but you can rise again

► The OOC plotting post for this event can be found here.

► Direct all questions to the mods at this link.

SWEET DREAMS AREN'T MADE OF THIS
The dream isn't unpleasant, just strange. Mist curls around you long after the woman fades. You hold a Jewel in your hand, marveling at its multifaceted surface and feeling the thrill of new, untapped power. Anticipation surges in you: that feeling of wrongness that so often accompanies a nightmare you can't wake from. Anticipation becomes fear. You look up, certain that at any moment the mist will pull back and reveal something gruesome and terrible.

A scream. A piercing wail, that sound that accompanies a violent death. The sound doesn't come from your dream, and it jolts you awake. You…

i. Are alone in your room, and have a moment to gather yourself. Wherever you laid down to rest, you've woken up somewhere different. Somewhere strange. There's a comforting weight in the air—a feeling of welcome, of belonging. Then another scream pierces the night. In your dream, the woman asked for a hero. Maybe you already consider yourself a hero or maybe you don't, but now seems as good a time as any to either be one or start pretending.

ii. See a dark shape looming over you. You have no time to assess the place you've woken up, though you have a quick flash of insight that your dream must have been more than a dream and the woman to whom you spoke has brought you to her world and her home. There's no time to marvel at this. The shadow above you draws back, a pistol Breaker in their hand. Even if you've never seen a gun before, you can somehow taste their malice and hatred. They're pointing a weapon at you, and your scream might be the next to tear through the midnight darkness.

Landen Hunters have infiltrated the Queen's Residence. How stalwartly you choose to fight them off is up to you, but you'll quickly encounter members of Fayura's First Circle defending against the attackers. Allairavar rallies the people of the court, ensuring the most vulnerable are well guarded in the massive dining hall. Loren maintains a Green shield around the room, and only those of the court or the Strangers can enter. There, Healers tend to the wounded, and the children who live at the residence are kept safe.

Amidst the turmoil, you overhear snippets of conversation:

A Healer, quietly, to her patient: If the Lady isn't here, she and Prince Verim must be working some spell to protect us. Rest easy, Prince.

Lord August, speaking quickly to Prince Lachlan as they rush by: —monsters find out the Queen would be bringing help to us tonight? Who told the Hunters—

An injured footman, worried: —see the flames through the window. Landens live in Old Town. How unsurprising that the Guilds would come up with a distraction that hurts their own, too.

FLAME AND FURY
Beyond the Queen's Residence, the Old Town Bazaar burns. Horrified faces gather at the east-facing dining hall windows, and distraught whispers fill the air. Someone cries out that their sister lives in Old Town.

Loren reacts first. He calls for volunteers from the Strangers, and you have the distinct impression that he measures you by your response. "The Hunters—" He grimaces, realizing the Strangers probably don't know what he means. "—landen assassins came in the night to kill you. They've lit part of our city on fire to prevent us from following them. We don't know who, specifically, came for you, but we know where they've gone to ground, so we don't need to chase them down. What we do need to do is stop the fire from spreading. The First Circle will stay here and defend the residence. Who among you Strangers, those of you who came here tonight, will help with the fires?"

Those who agree to help are sent with Allairavar to put out the flames. As you travel with him, Allairavar provides a crash-course in creative application of Craft.

*You wear the Jewels, so you can shield. You should know how, if the Lady's spell worked. Shield yourselves to protect from the flames. Use Craft to shield the buildings and starve out the fires,* he says on a psychic thread so that everyone can hear him and he doesn't need to waste his breath by shouting. *Rescue anyone trapped in the buildings regardless of who they are. Be on the look out for Hunters—the assassins Loren mentioned. They're sneaky bastards, and they'll use our focus on helping the people to put knives in our backs if they can.*

Put out fires, use your powers or Craft to support buildings before they collapse, and rescue landens and Blood alike from the damage done by the Hunter Guild. Be wary and alert, and try not to damage the city more than the fires already have should you encounter Hunters. Blood families will go with the Strangers more easily than landen families, but Allairavar makes it clear that if you have to physically remove someone from a burning home or one that is about to collapse then that is exactly what you should do.


REST FOR THE WEARY
Dawn breaks on the horizon, painting the city of Draega a hazy red. With little wind, the smoke hovers around the city. In Old Town, even buildings that didn't burn begin to smell like the fire.

A somber weight falls on the Queen's Residence. In the aftermath of the night's events, Loren introduces himself to each of the Strangers individually if possible but to groups if he must: He is the Queen's Steward, and his Queen was the one who worked the spell to bring them to Draega. He apologizes for the circumstance of their arrival and that the Queen is currently indisposed. Everyone, he explains, can stay in the residence for as long as they would like, and he makes it clear that by no means are the Strangers required to remain in the residence nor will they be viewed with suspicion or distrust by the court if they decide to find their own homes.

Those with medical skills or healing powers are brought to the dining hall to help the Healers. The Healer in charge is a young, Yellow Jeweled woman who has exhausted her Craft and desperately needs assistance. Anyone who inquires about her position within the court, either to her or others, learns that she is highly skilled and spent her childhood in the landen Medico Guild before taking a chance on her half-Blood heritage and making an Offering. While she wears one of the lightest Jewels in the residence, even Allairavar submits silently to her attentions and he offers no excuse when she chastises him for getting injured.

Midway through the day, Allairavar and Loren make the mistake of having an unshielded conversation near the dining hall. Anyone nearby can overhear…

"I spoke briefly to Verim," Loren says, voice low and urgent. "They weren't caught in the fire, but Allairavar…"

A muscle in Allairavar's jaw ticks. His massive, membranous wings fan out to fill the hall before he pulls them tight to his back. "She's injured."

Loren nods. "Badly. The backlash of power struck her hard, and Verim couldn't help her absorb it." Tension lines Allairavar's body, and Loren quickly adds, "You can't kill them. She brought them here to help us—"

"Our Queen is vulnerable," Allairavar hisses. "There are strangers in our home." A dangerous, wild look fills his eyes. "Does she plan on doing this again? We're not letting her." He rocks back and forth on his feet with the nervous energy of a man contained and about to explode.

"So we'll strand these people here?" Gentle concern fills Loren's eyes. "She'll need to do this once more to send them home."

All that nervous energy abruptly vanishes, and Allairavar bends a sleepy-eyed, malevolent look on Loren. "Would you ask our Queen to destroy herself for these people?"

Violence cloaks both men, but the threat of action rests solely on Allairavar. Loren keeps his voice gentle. Soothing. "Do you really think she would have made the offer if she couldn't send them home? Do you think she would truly be so cruel as to demand they come here with no chance of ever returning home?"

Allairavar is quiet for a long moment. The tension slowly flows out of him, leaving him looking weary and exhausted. "Yes," he finally says, tone grim. "Because to her, the price is worth it to save the world. And she would accept it for any of them if they asked." He runs a hand over his head and sighs heavily. Without another word, he turns and walks away. Loren does not call after him.

AIR TIME
Whether you catch the news on a Far-caster in the city or you're spinning the dial on your own device, you'll hear…

etiquette with evandra and aren
[Evandra's voice is a little bit rough and a little bit husky, the kind of voice that gives bad ideas to young men and headaches to fathers.] Just because the Blood have no law against murder doesn't mean you can kill anyone on the street—or in their homes, isn't that right, Lord Aren?

[Aren's voice is chipper and bright. He sounds more like an eager boy than the full-grown man he is.] Quite true, Evandra! Unless someone has done something to merit execution, wanton murder is generally frowned upon. A Queen can demand a price for the death of someone in her Territory or court.

[A thoughtful hum from Evandra.] So, the Hunter Guild's attack on the Queen's Residence last night isn't illegal, but it was incredibly gauche. And now they face possible retaliation from her and her court. How ghastly!

[Aren agrees.] A dreadful affair. Remember: just because you can doesn't mean you should.

[Evandra:] Quite so. Something for us all to consider. As always, I'm Evandra.

[With solemn dignity, Lord Aren says:] I'm Aren, and you've been listening to…

[Together:] Etiquette with Evandra and Aren. [Jaunty outro music plays. Perhaps they should reconsider this particular tune on dark occassions.]

the weather
[A soft-spoken man's voice rumbles out of the Far-caster. He's pleasant to listen to, with a soothing cadence to his voice.] …overcast and snowy days with temperatures hovering around freezing during the day and dropping at night. Need to tune up your e-line heaters? The Elektriline Guild is offering a limited-time discount this week to ensure you stay warm around the clock.

the news
…distressed to hear of the incident at the Queen's Residence. [The man speaks in a slow, smooth voice. His words ring with heartfelt sincerity.] Though Lady Fayura and I don't often see eye-to-eye— [He chuckles at this, as though he's made a joke. Another man, presumably an interviewer, chuckles along with the air of someone who isn't sure this is a joke they should be laughing at.] —I condemn the actions taken by the Hunter Guild. Destroying people's homes is simply unacceptable.

But one wonders what that surge of power was just prior to midnight. Craft, surely, but to what end? Was that the spell the Queen used to summon these… Strangers from other Realms? Surely we can agree that such action, taken independently of the Guilds and the Ebon Council, much as we don't get along, is cause for concern. I believe the Lady has overstepped, and it is my firm hope that Lord Grejor issues an injunction against her for such flagrant disregard for the law.

[The interviewer speaks, and his voice is faintly strained.] Thank you, Grand Master Niall, for talking to us on this issue.

Comments

[thricefold]

Just these, I promise. I would try to carry them myself but..

[ she's obviously not a strong person. in fact, she looks a little paler than she should be. most likely having run herself haggard in her attempts to help the others in the makeshift field hospital they have here.

to try and make this easier, zita proposes something, ]

We can do these one at a time. To make it less of a hassle. [ and since there's only around four crates to haul, it should be a quickish job if they both worked together. ]

[unwieldy]

[ Four crates, two of them...

Haein would most definitely be That Guy who does groceries and then declares one trip only as he loops five plastic bags on each arm. He's a fan of getting things done as quickly as possible if he absolutely has to do them.

Not that this request is do or die, but he made the mistake of coming over, so might as well see this through. He does take notice of her haggard appearance, and he's feeling a bit apprehensive if she's up to the task. ]

You look like you'll drop one of these crates on yourself as soon as you pick it up.

[thricefold]

[ she looks a bit taken back by his (accurate) assessment, visibly pulling back as she blinks over and over like that will help her confirm that, yes, he indeed said that to her.

but then she smiles and raises her hands in front of her. the universal 'you got me there' gesture if there ever was one. ]

It's what I worried about when I thought of doing this myself, I admit. Last thing I want to do is break or damage the needed materials in them.

[ but... ] I do feel uncomfortable at the idea of making you do all the work when I can try to do something. It doesn't seem right.

[unwieldy]

[ Here's Haein for anyone and everyone's need to have blunt statements said about them. He doesn't know the meaning of holding back or having tact. It's one of those charming things about him.

If your definition of charming is completely wrong.

Still, with another long sigh, Haein stacks one of the crates on top of the other, then glances back to Zita. ]

You can lead the way. [ And then picks both crates up!! Two trips... he can do two trips because like hell if he'll do four, even if these are kind of heavy. ] Make sure I don't run into anyone.

[thricefold]

[ oh!

zit takes a step back so he has enough space, her eyes wide in surprise at his decision to carry two boxes at once.

well- he is helping, at the end of it, and she's going to trust him because of that. ]

It'll be the least I can do for you, no? I'll do my best. [ already she's motioning for others to move out of the way, healers and patients alike, while trying to lead him towards the direction of where to put the boxes down. ]

Watch out for this step here, the flooring is a bit loose since someone tripped earlier-

[unwieldy]

[ Everything seems to go okay for the most part. Haein hasn't bumped into anyone and they're well on their way to their destination. But unfortunately for everyone involved, there's a moment of distraction as he glares at someone who had been in the way before they'd stepped aside, coupled with him shifting the crates to keep them stable, that he doesn't hear Zita's warning until it's too late.

He trips. He doesn't fall, but he does stumble and the top crate goes falling to the ground, landing with loud crash.

The people around them quickly turn their heads to stare, and Haein turns his own away. He doesn't deal well with attention. ]

Shit.

[thricefold]

[ if a certain ward of hers was here, she'll most certainly be echoing that sentiment herself. this is reminding zita far too much of nikolai’s balloon incident back in the circus.

when the terrific crash echoes through the dining hall, those closest to it jump or stare at the source of the noise, their expressions varying from surprise to disapproval.

zita is quick to turn her attention to some of the nearest healers, trying her best to remedy the situation. if she can get them to stop staring, maybe the others will follow...? let's hope so. ]

Can you gather the spilled items from other there? Please focus on the tinctures and ampoules as they’re more fragile. If you could have Lady Jesiree give the greenlight to use the ones that look questionable, please do so but only if you're truly uncertain of the item's state. I'll handle the items here.

[ the other healers agree, more worried for their precious supplies at the moment to argue. they move to the sweep up the fallen items, quick to categorise what can be salvaged, what must be cleaned, and what must be looked at later.

the bustle and activity helps ease the awkwardness of the sudden noise. people - patients and healers and passerby - return to their own activities and allows zita to focus on haein again. ]

Are you okay? I’m so sorry- You're not hurt, are you?

[unwieldy]

[ This is definitely one of those moments where the person who fucked up wishes the ground would open up a hole and eat them up. Saying Haein feels embarrassed in this moment would be an understatement. He feels absolutely mortified, and he probably would have masked that mortification with anger by lashing out at anyone and everyone.

But it doesn't come to that. Zita is calling out instructions and the other healers are following along, and the attention is pulled off of Haein. It's... a relief, yes, but it also leaves him feeling weirdly dazed. He'd been so prepared to hide his humiliation with his temper, but now he has no direction for it.

So he stands there awkwardly, looking somewhat out of place as the people around them hurry to clean up the mess. When Zita focuses back on him, he can't meet her gaze. ]

I'm fine.

[ He doesn't want her concern, and he can't help but blame some of this on her for making him help move these stupid crates. But he bites his tongue, and without another word, continues over to where they'd been heading with just the one crate. ]

[thricefold]

[ for what it's worth- zita definitely feels bad for what happened here.

while she's trailing behind, making sure to give him space as to not bump him, she's semi-distracted. mostly on blaming herself for the fact haein fell and could have gotten hurt. she should have done something more- maybe insisted more in helping him carry the crates earlier, instead of leaving him to do all the (literal) heavy lifting. she's just relieved he doesn't seem to be hurt.

when the crates are placed down where they're supposed to be, zita begins to pull out the most vital items inside one of the crates and, after she looks them over, hands them out to some healers who are working there.

the healers, though haggard and tired, take them and thank haein and zita for delivering these things to them. seeing the brief smiles and nods aimed at the pair helps perk up zita's spirits. ]

Alright... I think I'm going to inspect the rest of the items here. Just in case. [ the ones that spilled out had to be inspected immediately, but there's always a chance some of the ones inside could have been damaged too.

she peers into the while she speaks, shifting through the supplies to check the ones at the bottom. ] If you want, you can rest here for a bit before getting the other two. The items we brought here should tide the current patients over.

[unwieldy]

[ Meanwhile, Haein is still stewing in his own embarrassment. Having so many eyes on him, even in that one quick instance, had made his skin crawl and there's now he's left with the irrational fear that he'll be burned into the minds of people he doesn't know, and that they'll recognize him as the person who had dropped the crate and made a mess everywhere.

It's stupid, he knows it is, but he can't help but dwell on this unreasonable nightmare.

He's lost in his own thoughts as Zita and the other healers get to work. It's when he's directly addressed with words of gratitude that his dazed expression becomes more closed off and uncomfortable. Just let him be the guy who fetches crates and then disappears into who knows where.

In fact, that sounds like a great idea. ]

I'll get them now.

[ So he can leave sooner.

Without waiting for a reply, he turns on his heel and heads for the other two crates. If he chooses a different path this time around to avoid anyone that might have seen his accident from earlier, well, that's his decision to make. ]

/pretends... i sent this on the 18th....

[thricefold]

[ zita wnces at the abrupt departure but she doesn't stop him from leaivng to get the rest of the supplies. the sooner they get this done, the sooner haein can rest and that's what's important.

when he returns with the boxes - hopefully without an incident occurring, zita hopes since she had been so absorbed in tending to a patient - zita makes sure to give him a smile full of gratitude as more healers step in to take the boxes to begin distributing the items for those who need it.

judging from how much has been given to this group, this should be enough to keep the patients comfortable and make them more likely to recover when healers can use their craft on them. ]

I think that'll be all for now. [ might as well get to the heart of the conversation. ] Thank you so much for your help. I owe you for this, I do.

in that case pretend i sent this promptly!!

[unwieldy]

[ Without incident is right! After that earlier accident, Haein is extra careful with his steps. Upon making it back safely, he lets the other healers take care of things.

Cross off helping people move boxes from his list forever, because once was enough.

He shrugs off Zita's thanks, looking very much like he'd prefer to leave rather than stick around any longer than he has to. ]

It was just moving boxes. [ And making a fool out of himself in the process. ] Since that's all, I'm leaving.

eyyyyy delayed response solidarity

[thricefold]

[ zita nods in agreement, thinking that it's only fair she let him go and rest somewhere quiet and free of stress.

after the events of tonight, everyone will need to get as much rest that they can get. better that he leave before someone else rope him into their needs. ]

Of course, I understand. [ she smiles, trying her best to stay positive. ] Please stay safe, Haein. If you ever need anything, feel free to come to me. It's the least I can do after all your help.

hi5s!

[unwieldy]

[ There's an extremely slim chance Haein will be going to Zita for anything. He's not really one to ask for help, which means his problems have a tendency of getting worse, and isn't that just fitting for his already messy life.

Still, he figures it's more of a formality than a genuine offer, and like the gentleman that he is, he makes a noise of something that sounds akin to acknowledgement before making his way out. ]