The City at Large & Mission Alpha

[baedalites.livejournal.com]

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.

Comments

[spawnofgod.livejournal.com]

"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."

[heardmermaids.livejournal.com]

"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?"

[spawnofgod.livejournal.com]

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."

[heardmermaids.livejournal.com]

"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."

[spawnofgod.livejournal.com]

Preternatural Horrors. The wording was curious, given his own past and the story which surrounded it. However, he had a good idea of what he would classify under that category and for now, would give Hellsing the benefit of the doubt. That was a risky bet, but given the current situation, he was willing to take a chance.

"And I would not doubt it," he replied, referring to Nuala. "She's shown me a kindness that not many have made the effort to try." There was an note of implication in his voice, but he didn't elaborate.

[heardmermaids.livejournal.com]

"And to me as well." Sebastian isn't going to get into his religious beliefs (best leave that and politics for a second date), but it's enough that he's an apostate, broken from the Church of England and a quiet pagan.

"She's terrifying, but in the best way."