multiversallogs | The City at Large & Mission Alpha

Entry tags:

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.

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"If no one is out there working on the cure, yeah, we're all screwed." He slumps back into his corner and sighs, then gathers up all his notes, so he can feel proud of his work some more.

"Edward Nigma. Please excuse the lack of formality. My office is in such shambles, haha." He carefully sets down the notes. "So. Is there anything I might be able to cobble together that would help you on your heroic mission?"

"If he were here, he'd be here." There's an unspoken he knows better there, somewhere, but... it needn't really be said. She doesn't look particularly agitated by the news of his presence (or lack thereof, as it stands); it's what it is and nothing more.

Far from favouring the happy reunion that's at risk of playing out before her, Bellatrix keeps her eyes trained on Lucius. Her sister's put forth a valid query, after all, and she's just as curious as to the answer - and aware of the fact that she's the more likely of them to get an honest one.

It's fair to say that Sebastian does not react well to being surprised. As Deucalion appears and startles him, he drops to a crouch and there's a sudden, almost electric hum in the air that dissipates just as quickly as it formed. Despite the shock, he doesn't cry out.

"Hello. Sorry about that," he says, watching his tone very carefully, and staying low to the ground as Velcro comes over.

He takes one of Narcissa's hands and squeezes it. "We should get off the streets. One component is a contagion, and as there's no cure yet, it wouldn't do for any of us to be infected."

Most people don't. Deucalion has a habit of making unnecessarily startling entrances.

Though, that is certainly a new reaction. He lifts his gaze to the sky instinctively then examines his surroundings, looking for the source of the sound. Though, almost instantaneously, he realizes that it may have indeed been Sebastian who triggered it.

He's tempted to inquire, but instead settles for a more appropriate response.

"No, it is I who should apologize," he gently replies, contradicting his rather hulking appearance.

Sebastian skritches behind Velcro's ears, remaining quiet and still for a little while longer. He's more unsettled by his own reaction than Deucalion's appearance and feels the need to explain his own odd actions. "It's nothing. I'm just a little on edge. I came here from a strange place and, as you can see, I'm still used to needed to defend myself."

"But, to business: do you know much about horses? I'm sorely lacking in practical knowledge."

"I can sympathize," he responds, before also moving to the reason for his arrival.

"I have some knowledge," he replies, carefully approaching the horse and slowly extending his hand toward it in greeting. He then cautiously rest his hand on the animal's mane before gently stroking it. "I've mainly ridden solo but can assist you in the general commands and handling."

He pauses, tilting his head to examine the horse's face.

"They're very intelligent creatures and will learn quickly. Patience is a mutual thing between horse and rider. But I assume the basics for steering a cart are similar. We can at the very least, try."

"I'm used to horse-like animals more than horses themselves, but I've been told it should be similar enough." Thestrals and hippogryphs aren't quite the same as your average draft or nag, but so long as the horses know what needs to be done, they both ought to be fine.

"Hellsing has cut itself off from the city, so I believe we're left out here to ferry equipment and personnel to Dean, Harkness, and anyone else who needs it." There's a pause as he rubs at his forehead, feeling the beginning of a headache forming. "Is there anything new I ought to know before we head out?"

Deucalion's eyebrows slightly furrows when Sebastian rubs his forehead. There is an inkling of concern for the other man. Especially if he triggered any discomfort.

"Unless you've anything you wish to know, then no. We can be on our way." He checks the reins and general setup of the cart one more time, looking for any imbalances or weaknesses that could prove to be troublesome later. As he does so, he asks, "I however, am unfamiliar with the Hellsing organization itself. I've only met Princess Nuala, and yourself. I am otherwise, unaware of what it represents."

"Hello, Edward." His mouth twitches slightly--amusement, not quite a smile--at the office comment.

But the question about helping his quest... that he takes more seriously. He cants his head, thinking. "I'm not sure. I've been tasked with retrieving these pearls. They need them for the cure. They're all over the city. I've had to break into some places. I've even had to go into a few of the ants' nests for them."

Bellatrix is spared much in the way of demonstrative affection, partly because of the seriousness of everything else and partly because Narcissa simply isn't the type; she clasps her husband's hand, thumb against his knuckles, and leaves it at that. "I hope you've some idea of where, then," she says, a bit tartly, as she glances back behind her. "But what are the other components, if this is only one?"

Eddie wiggles his fingers, hi.

"Okay, and what sort of places are you breaking into? What's easy to break into, for you, versus what gives you problems? Do you know how to pick a lock?" He doesn't exactly become serious, but is eager to help, and is focused, at least.

Gabriel takes a moment to consider those questions. "All kinds of places," he offers. "I can pick a lock if I have time to get a good look at it and work with it. Simple locks are easy. Deadbolts give me a hard time."

A thoughtful pause. "Figuring out where to look when I'm inside is a problem too. Tiny objects to find in rooms or buildings I'm not familiar with."

Eddie isn't on any of the teams, and he doesn't know about the Skeleton Keys, but that's okay, because now he's been given an excuse to get started. He flips to a new page in his notebook, and starts anew.

"Well. Great. Let me see what you're using, thus far. Aaaaand, yes, that's not exactly a common occupational skill. It's a shame I'm staying here." Scribble scribble scribble. "So, you've had better luck going after the ants for these things, then? Do you have anything with you to repel them?"

"I'm just the handyman, but the organization itself is the Guild of Battling Preternatural Horrors. They work to maintain the peace when it's threatened by magical beings and creature -- either through enforcing the local laws or providing safe alternatives." Admittedly, if he didn't know Integra and the Princess as well as he did, Sebastian might've been a bit more leery about joining up. "The Princess is a good woman."

"Cassandra," he said gently, grasping her by the wrist and holding on firmly, "I don't think that either of us should be walking into the fog right now. There's a lot of bad business going on in this city and we would probably be smart to go back into the inn."

A pause. It would be best to push the curiosity down, walk back into the inn and pull her along. But--

A sigh. "What won't take long?"

Bellatrix is glad for the restraint, though it doesn't show in her expression. More than anything, she's beginning to look impatient. Lucius's response - however valid - doesn't address any of her personal concerns, which, as always, makes it irrelevant to her.

"There is much to discuss, beyond this chaos." Her free hand drifts across her robes, over the weight of the mask still hidden within them, and something else, something far more important. "Be quick with it, if you intend to lead us elsewhere."

There's a moment's paused silence, and then Gabriel reaches around to pull something out of the back of his jeans. It's a small fabric roll, which he unfurls to reveal a set of watchmaker's tools. They're implements meant to work in tiny spaces with tiny things; with time to play with a lock he can figure out how to prod it into opening, in a lot of cases.

"I've used these on doors. As far as the ants, no--nothing to repel them. I just try to slip by them and hope for the best."

Cassandra smiled at him, one of her more genuine smiles, frankly. She couldn't think of a reason to be angry with him. And she liked the curiosity. It was so very much her own reflection. A male, blond, tall, tan reflection, but the metaphor still stood. She thought. "To go," she said. "To leave. To disappear."

She put her hands on his chest, looking up into his eyes. "There's no reason to stay here," she told him. "None at all. So let's go. You and me. Together. There has to be somewhere better."

Suddenly, the prospect was amazingly exciting. "An adventure!" she declared, laughing giddily. "We can have an adventure!"

Eddie tilts his head as he examines the tools. He looks vaguely concerned for the well-being of such equipment, and taps his notebook a few times with a pen. "No wonder you're having trouble with deadbolts. That's easy to fix, though. I can put some stuff together for you. Moving on... vinegar screws up the scent trails of normal ants; they won't cross it. As for these guys, that would be up for some further experimentation. I wonder if we can get some Borax. Haha, that would probably make them a little angry."

"I've a flat," he says, "not far. It's barely acceptable, but it's warded, at least." What had done for him alone doubtless wouldn't do for Narcissa in time, but that could be dealt with later.

"Follow me." They couldn't risk apparating when neither woman knew where they were going, so he walked briskly, clearly not relishing being out on the street. "I'll explain more once we're there."

Habit makes falling in step with Lucius easy and so she does, keeping a hold of his hand as they go. The flat will have to suffice as far as getting out of the chaos long enough to get an explanation, if he's not going to cough it up immediately; at least it isn't going to be a long walk.

They're beginning to make a new habit of showing up weeks apart in these bizarre situations. Narcissa doesn't much care for it.

I fear I may be unwell.

I've a screaming headache unlike anything I've had in years.

I'll keep you up to date if anything changes.

Be watchful of your symptoms, and get yourself to safety if you fall ill.

"We can't leave, Cassandra." He placed his hands over hers, keeping them pinned against his own chest. Looked at her straight in the eyes, hoping to reason with her.

"People have been trying. We can't get out. If we go into the fog, all we'll be is lost. So we have to go back to your room."

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The City at Large & Mission Alpha

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