http://baedalites.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] baedalites.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] multiversallogs2011-07-16 09:37 pm

The City at Large & Mission Alpha

Who: OPEN to all residents.
What: The ant-situation is changing!
Where: Throughout the city.
When: NOW. This thread will likely cover a few days.
Warnings: To be updated.

Dear Mission Alpha,

It is your undeniable privilege to bring back as many of the so-called 'crow pearls' as possible to the Temple. Any temple. No one important cares how you do it, just get it done. Try to be substantial about it, let's say more than 50, hmm? The actual task here is to deprive our deranged ant-friends of as many pearls as possible, but no one is going to be rewarded for stories like 'oh we absolutely threw two tons of pearls down the whirlpool, we swear on our broodmother's grave', okay? Okay. Peachy. Bring me the pearls, chop chop.

Your totally sweet gods have decided to lend you some ...boons I guess, however that goes, to aid you in your quest. Useful objects. For you, my gifted pilferers and negotiators:

A Skeleton Key - it will open any unwarded lock. It will not open warded locks. That means magical locks. No magical locks will be opened with this key. Unless the magic is broken first. Good luck with that.

Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card - I realize no one has bothered to build proper jail cells in Our City yet so it's more of a Fend-off-The-Local-Authorities-Free Card but that's not as catchy. Think of it as An Official Voucher From the Gods that says you're on Official Twelve Point Business and can't be arrested right now. Keep it for the Sheriffs as it might not have the desired effect the Militia.

Privacy Ward or App For Your CiD - Well you don't want to get caught leaking signals and communication everywhere, do you.


It is a week and some change after the ants first noticeably began their labour and it seems they have finished rebuilding their houses. It's hard to see exactly what is going on from the ground, but the brave few who have ventured into and up the hives or climbed neighbouring buildings get a good enough view. The rooftops are now crowned with organic spires, much like malformed and undernourished termite nests reaching for the heavens. They are not the best constructs, some of them have broken off or imploded, but the majority of the spires stand.

Then one morning, individual ants are seen climbing to the very top of their towers. They then sit still, mandibles locked and antennae arched. It's hours before any change becomes noticeable, and by then it's too late. The ants have sprouted strange fleshy fungal tentacles, all filled to the bursting with spores.

Soon there after, reports come in from all across the city about people acting out of character; some have become catatonic or violent after brief a period of sickness. Individuals have been seen entering the ant-occupied buildings to help defend the ants against intruders, others have attempted to climb high points in the city or thrown themselves in the rivers.

Once again the City is under siege, but this time the enemy is invisible.

[identity profile] aintwoundright.livejournal.com 2011-07-22 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah."

Gabriel leans in, intrigued at once. Diagrams. Drawings. Plans and ideas, clearly laid out, ink on paper. He studies them, his intuitive aptitude kicking in at once, processing.

"These would work." Not the ones Eddie's already marked with his commentary--an astuteness that impresses Gabriel. "Seriously." He straightens up. "Have you showed them to anyone who could help?"

[identity profile] edsidlemirth.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
Eddie watches him go over the notes, not nervous that they won't be of interest, just wanting to see approval. Understanding the diagrams is pretty good, too. "Aw, shucks."

He glances around the area, then cants his head. "I'm sure I can gather up a few pairs of hands, once I have everything ready. I'm not looking forward to going out there, granted, but... hm. Any news from the outside?"

[identity profile] aintwoundright.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Gabriel shrugs. "It's... all right. As long as you stay away from the hives and out of the way of the ants and the people who are... doing whatever they're doing. Helping the ants, jumping in the river..."

That had been mildly disturbing. He was glad he wasn't touched by whatever had gotten to those people. He figured it was his healing ability protecting him, and he was grateful for it even if the conditions under which he'd gotten it now gave him pangs of guilt.

"I was one of the ones given an assignment. I've been out collecting pearls to bring back here for the cure."

[identity profile] edsidlemirth.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 01:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah," Eddie says, cringing, fingers curling in show, but his reaction is not entirely for dramatic effect. Playing it up should be good enough to mask how much this bothers him, yes? "Just need to avoid all that. I was poking around in one of the hives, before the ants went all loopy." He holds a hand behind his head then spreads his fingers. Poof, mushrooms!

"And, after that close call, I've determined I'm of best use here, and I'm not only saying that because I lack any defenses whatsoever from infection." He smirks. "Are you in Cohort Ceidary Blue 523?"

( location: outside the valhalla )

[identity profile] wealone.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
Bellatrix stays as she is for a long while, wand still burning into the mark at her arm. She doesn't actually move until Narcissa cries out - but she hadn't needed it, to know who'd answered her call. While her own sister had been too jarring, in her younger years, for her to acknowledge as such, Lucius Malfoy was one of those poor unfortunate souls that stuck out in Bellatrix's mind, that she'd never cease to recall for how very little she appreciated him.

That was putting it lightly. Wand lowered, she stays quiet for some time, simply regarding the two of them - silently hoping that someone else might show themselves - but they don't, and she'll just have to make do, won't she.

"This must be a joke."

...nobody said she'd be doing it politely.
truthsandlyres: (uncertain)

[personal profile] truthsandlyres 2011-07-23 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
He'd been by the docks when he'd received her incomprehensible message. Hurrying to her had been his immediate reaction, but hurrying had been difficult. The city was chaotic, no one knew what was going on and everyone had someone they were trying to get to, it seemed.

He heard talk as he pushed through the crowds, heard mentions of people who had suddenly stopped making sense. Heard talk of a sickness that was driving people insane.

Cassandra's mental health was under question enough as it was. Panic set in and he began calling her name. He'd entered the inn, knocked on her door and finally just opened it. No one there. When he ran back outside, there was a measure of desperation to the god as he continued yelling for her, grabbing several brunettes by the shoulders and turning them to face him.

He stopped, turning in a circle. Where was she going? A walk? She was going to get herself killed. "Swan!" he finally cried in a desperate attempt.
byrightsinhell: (dear to me)

[personal profile] byrightsinhell 2011-07-23 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm here." He takes one of her hands. "I'm right here. Do you want something for your head?"
byrightsinhell: (serious foot first)

( location: outside the valhalla )

[personal profile] byrightsinhell 2011-07-23 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
His reaction is to Narcissa first - something that looks like relief and fierce joy. He doesn't have to ask to know she's his, and she's safe, eyes clear. "Oh thank Merlin."

He looked at Bellatrix, without much more love lost than she had for him. (He hid it better.) "Your husband is here, somewhere." Instead of explaining why he might not have felt the Mark, he adds, "He might be incapacitated for the moment - we're in the middle of a bit of a crisis."

He would let Rodolphus field that himself.

[identity profile] pridegoesbefore.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
"...yes," she whispers, fingers clutching his hand instinctively. "I need to leave, and I can't while my head aches so."

That strange desire to head for the fog still grips her, and she speaks like one under compulsion - which she is, though she doesn't know it.
byrightsinhell: (that's no good)

[personal profile] byrightsinhell 2011-07-23 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
He squeezes her hand, and then leans over to press a light kiss to her forehead. "I'll make you something. Just lie quiet for a bit, now."
ironshodboots: (manners of a pirate princess)

[personal profile] ironshodboots 2011-07-23 05:15 am (UTC)(link)
She relaxed, very slightly, as it became clear it was a thing and not a person shooting magic.

"Sloppy," she points out, still slightly out of temper. "An alarm is an alarm, magic or not."

[identity profile] pridegoesbefore.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
"You have to hurry."

Her words are imploring as she relaxes back into the pillow. If he said he'll help, he'll help. Narcissa loosens her grip on his hand, knowing she'll soon be free of her aching head and able to make her way to the outskirts of the city with no obstacle.
byrightsinhell: (dear to me)

[personal profile] byrightsinhell 2011-07-23 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
He hates deceiving her, but it's the gentlest way he can think of to keep her in one place. His best hope now is that someone will find a cure, or a reliable way to reverse the effects, at least, and for that he needs to buy them time.

Le Mat's supplies are decent, and he manages to compose a suitable potion that will first take the edge off her headache but then send her into a deep sleep.
vanities: (betide ₪ to you i'm a symbol)

( location: outside the valhalla )

[personal profile] vanities 2011-07-23 05:29 am (UTC)(link)
Well. All things considered, given the pair of them, that's damned near to civil and Narcissa, philosophically, refrains from getting herself in the midst of that straight away. They've got more important things to do than get sidetracked into bickering that might result in someone getting hexed.

"I knew you couldn't be far away," she says to Lucius, instead, holding her hands out to him. "What the devil is going on in this city? I saw- I don't quite know precisely what I saw, Lucius."
cassie_of_troy: (Insane)

[personal profile] cassie_of_troy 2011-07-23 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
Cassandra heard someone shouting the word 'swan.' Her first instinct, immediately, was to look up in the sky for a magnificent white bird, soaring above her head. But there was nothing there. Well, there were things there. Smoke and clouds and the tops of buildings that were really taller than any building had any business being. But no swans. She felt vaguely disappointed as she lowered her eyes. Swans were important somehow. She seemed to remember a goddess driving a carriage drawn by swans. Which was really quite a ridiculous notion.

She giggled a little, shaking her head. It was full of similarly ridiculous thoughts. She remembered a swan coupling with a beautiful woman. That was absurd too. Was there a single, serious thought left in her addled brain?

A frown marred her face as she considered that question. The frown wasn't for the question. It was really the fact that she couldn't seem to come up with an answer. For an instant or two, that was devastating. But then that feeling faded away.

She started walking again. For some reason, she felt it would be interesting to walk into the fog.

[identity profile] pridegoesbefore.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
Struggling to a half-seated position, complete trust lights Narcissa's face as she reaches for the potion her spore-addled brain takes for assistance. The effects are felt quickly enough, her nose wrinkling in distaste as the liquid passes over her tongue, and it's mere moments for her brow to smooth as her headache recedes a little.

"Thank you."

Had it truly been a simple headache potion, she'd be sitting upright. As it is...

"I think-- I think I shall lie here... for a moment, before--"
byrightsinhell: (another day)

[personal profile] byrightsinhell 2011-07-23 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
He helps ease her back down. "Rest a moment. There's no great hurry." His tone is soothing, gentle.

[identity profile] pridegoesbefore.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, but there is!" Insistent, though punctuated with a yawn. "I simply must go, Lucius - it's imperative that I do... something..."
byrightsinhell: (well that's rather depressing)

[personal profile] byrightsinhell 2011-07-23 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
He smoothes her hair back from her face. "You'll do no one any good until your head hurts less. Don't fight the potion."

[identity profile] pridegoesbefore.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
Bleary-eyed and still looking more than a little vacant, she still turns her cheek to his hand.

"Alright," she mutters. "But only because--"

The reason is lost as she succumbs to induced slumber, her wand hand twitching in an unconscious move to free her wand from her sleeve - the final attempt of the spores to exert some control over her.
Edited 2011-07-23 05:47 (UTC)

[identity profile] aintwoundright.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
"The ants are still 'loopy'." He smiles, a faint turn of his lips to mask how unnerving it all was, being in their hives, taking pearls. "The people are getting that way. But I was asked to help; I can't say no."

He's a hero now, you see, and they never say no.

"And yes, I am. I'm Gabriel Gray."
byrightsinhell: (that's no good)

[personal profile] byrightsinhell 2011-07-23 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
He watches her sleep, helpless to do more for her and deeply worried.

[identity profile] pridegoesbefore.livejournal.com 2011-07-23 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
He should have faith in his brewing abilities. She'll be out for several hours.
truthsandlyres: (Default)

[personal profile] truthsandlyres 2011-07-23 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
Apollo was about to scream in frustration, when someone walked into his chest. He looked down, scowling. "Excuse me, please take the time to look at where you're--"

Cassandra.

He threw his arms around her, wrapping her up in a tight hug and pulling her against his chest.

"Cassandra!" He looked down at her, scowling all at once. "Damn you. Insufferable girl."
cassie_of_troy: (Weary)

[personal profile] cassie_of_troy 2011-07-23 06:12 am (UTC)(link)
She looked up, a puzzled, but slightly absent expression fogging her eyes. Now where had he come from? Could people just appear out of nowhere? It didn't make a lot of sense, and yet, Cassandra couldn't really argue otherwise. People did have a tendency to come and go, didn't they? At least, in her life.

How absurd.

"Not a girl," she said. That was important. She couldn't really remember why that was so important, but it was. "Not a girl," she said again, hoping that maybe saying it out loud would remind her of why it was so important. No such luck. But she was sort of getting used to that. And it felt nice to be free of frustration.

"Do you want to come with me?" she asked, nodding her head in the direction of the fog. "I don't think it'll take terribly long."

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