hadriel_logs | Event Log: End of Arc 2

Entry tags:

Event Log: End of Arc 2

Who: All characters
What: The event log for the End of Arc 2
Where: All over the city
When: November 25th-December 12th
Warnings: A full-scale battle, including character death, NPC death, and various other ways to suffer

It was bound to happen. The Null warned you, after all, and this has been building for awhile - and now it's here. First comes the initial attack, the agents of the Null attacking Hope's temple. Then, an SOS, warning the city of what's happened: a betrayal, and Hope being injured. Luckily for everyone, thanks to the actions of his guards Hope survives the attack. Unluckily, his attacker, the goddess Delight, escapes and lets the Null in.

Flooding into the cave, the Null will attack anyone who they believe is resisting them. They'll destroy buildings and deploy dangerous crowd control weapons, in addition to their sheer strength and speed. Confusion empties the monsters in the tunnels into the city, to help distract the Null. Some gods fight, others provide safe havens, but everyone is in danger.

After about a week and a half of the attack, Fear summons enough power to teleport the city. This stops any new Null from arriving through the tunnels, but the remaining Null must be hunted down and destroyed, or else they'll signal their location to the rest of their species. The danger will lessen as Null are taken out, but things won't really be safe until Fear moves the city again, so don't get too comfortable.

What will you do? Run and hide? Fight? Help the fighters? Turn on the gods yourself? Whatever you do, it's time to make a decision.

► This log covers November 25th-December 12th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you get taken out by the Null, please let us know here.

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[It's not the most pleasant feeling in the world, especially when it gets stronger, but it could be a lot worse and is more than worth it as he feels the internal injuries begin to resolve. The combination of weakness and soreness in his muscles lessens, and his hands stop trembling and some of the mental fog--what was caused by the injuries rather than exhaustion and stress--begins to clear.

But he does feels the creep of magic toward his back and this time he does flinch a little from the sensation, and with Carlisle's quiet comment it's clear that particular secret is out. So he tries to offer a vague reassurance, both to get out of much explanation and so as not to make Carlisle worry.]

It's okay, they're not... It's been a long time. They're fine.

[Or not exactly fine, but it's been over twenty years and those marks, along with the assorted healed fractures--some from a similar time as the scars, others from later and due to more benign reasons--and other old injuries are things he's long since gotten used to. There's no need for Carlisle to waste energy on them.]

Are they.

[That wasn't exactly a question, but there's something in the way Lance says they're fine that resonates with Carlisle. He's insisted that about his own scars loads of times, despite their being anything but.

Older wounds tend to be harder to repair, but Carlisle is thankfully an adept healer. Some injuries, however, remain for a reason: the scars across his own abdomen can be healed with neither traditional nor magical means because of his affliction, but some individuals choose to keep theirs as reminders of a cause, of an event, or of times they'd rather not forget.

And which is it for Lance? Carlisle opens his eyes, their glow vibrant in the relative darkness of the stairwell as he maintains his aural connection, and he searches for Lance's gaze.]

Should I leave those, then? [His voice is softer, less matter-of-fact than his usual tone of composure.] Or would you rather I tend to them, as well?

[Lance's gaze is fixed on the far wall, mentally withdrawn to concentrate on how the healing is progressing--at least as much as he's able to--as well as to just distance himself in a way from the conversation. But when Carlisle tries to make eye contact he doesn't avoid it, even if it's probably very clear in his eyes just how conflicted he is.

Does he want Carlisle to heal them? He isn't sure, suddenly, mostly because it's something he's never thought about as a possibility before. Part of him immediately says yes; he doesn't need the physical reminder of what happened, because it's something that he rarely goes a day without thinking about at least once and he doubts that'll change. But at the same time it feels almost like cheating, and he thinks back to the conversation he had with Adam about how different things were in Pleasant Valley, when they'd both been without such reminders and the experiences that went with them.]

I don't know.

[He finally says it after several seconds of silence, before looking away at the wall again.]

I have to... I have to think about it. And I don't want you to waste your energy while the situation is as it is.

[He definitely doesn't want to exhaust Carlisle, especially not for decades-old scars, and it'll give him time to sort out his thoughts provided the offer stands after they handle the Null.]

[Carlisle would press further, insist that he has energy to spare on something so trifling -- certainly now with Glacius' blessing of the Mote -- but he knows better. He knows when someone needs time to find an answer within themselves, if there is an answer to be sought at all. He might struggle with the nuances of interaction with other people, but he can see the conflict in Lance's eyes.

And so he lowers his own before closing them once more.] As you wish. [Lance may feel one more surge through him, Carlisle checking for any additional injuries, before the searing wave recedes and he removes his hand. He rubs at his fingers, fighting that stiffness that seeps into them with his usual practice.]

Give it a minute, then tell me how you feel.

[It's a great relief that Carlisle just accepts that answer and doesn't argue or press, and Lance very much appreciates it. It makes the whole thing a lot less stressful to deal with, and he lets out a long breath when the magic withdraws.

He lets go of his sleeve, nodding a little as he smooths it out to show Carlisle that he heard him, and focuses on zipping back up his hoodie. That he can do so at all is a clear indication of how much of a difference the healing made already, his hands no longer shaking and the painful sense of heaviness in his chest gone, but he gives it a little more time as requested before speaking.]

I feel a lot better. It doesn't hurt anymore, and I'm not shaking.

[He still feels a little weak, but he imagines that's to be expected and more from exhaustion or needing to eat than before of the electrocution.]

Thank you, Carlisle.

It is my duty and my honor to [cough] help where I can.

[The clergyman recites that like he says it a lot. Probably part of his religious doctrine. He watches Lance's hands and arms, making sure he's not just feigning wellness for his sake.]

If you have any other injuries you need mended, you know how to reach me.

[That goes for the older ones, too.]

Are you okay?

[He doesn't miss the coughing, which might be a good indicator he's not faking anything; he's much sharper and more focused now than he was in the beginning of the conversation.

And he appreciates the offer, both in terms of the obvious meaning and the underlying one.]

I'll keep that in mind, and if there's anything I can do for you...

[Don't hesitate to ask.]

[Carlisle gives a vague wave of his hand meant to answer the question and the offer given to him. It does a poor job, and even he knows it, so he manages a few words after hacking into his hand. Nothing comes up just yet; though the energies of the Mote keep him from exhaustion, they do nothing for the expulsion of ink that comes with his curse.]

Of course, doctor. I, too, will keep that in mind. Actually—

[Nope, still coughing. This question is pressing, though:]

Have you been to the Clinic recently? Or seen anyone who was defending it?

[The coughing is getting more and more worrying, and Lance has the sudden fear that maybe it's his fault somehow; using magic is tiring, after all, even the very basic spells Lance has learned. Maybe it has an effect on Carlisle?

But it's clear he doesn't want to explain, and as much as Lance might still be tempted to press the issue, he'll show Carlisle the same respect Carlisle had shown him in not prying. He'll just continue to look concerned as he answers the questions, shaking his head.]

The main clinic location was destroyed, and there's no one at it. However, another location has been set up at the hot springs, and I think another at the fire house? I haven't been to either.

[So he doesn't know anything about them for sure.]

Ah.

[Lance would undoubtedly have more luck pressing the issue if there wasn't something far more worrying on Carlisle's mind.]

Did you... see Glacius, by any chance? Big fellow, covered in ice?

I saw him a few times, while I was still at the clinic, but not since.

[He'll run into him not long after this meeting though, even if he doesn't know that.]

Edited 2017-12-26 00:16 (UTC)

I see.

[He rubs at his chest, though whether it's because it's sore from coughing, or his heart is aching, he doesn't particularly know. They feel about the same. He takes some comfort in feeling his talisman tucked below the layers of his vestment. His goddess is with him. That should be enough, shouldn't it?]

I will let you get back to the others, then. I'm sure there are people out there who need you. Perhaps those who need me, as well.

[Something about that last part makes him distinctly uncomfortable; his hands find each other, his fingers lacing together with worry.]

[Lance watching Carlisle more than listens to him, the gestures and body language saying more than his words. So although he nods, to show he understands and will agree, he has to ask--]

Is there something wrong?

[It's not about the coughing this time, but how concerned and agitated he seems to be. If there's something Carlisle wants to talk about, if just to get it off his chest, then it's the least Lance can do to listen even if he weren't a psychologist.]

[This isn't the time for such things. There are murderous constructs running about the city, and people are getting wounded defending their homes, and he's sure the false gods have brought this upon themselves, but—]

I- I am merely worried for those who might be out there. [Some of them, at least. He's not that considerate.] I have not seen Glacius is nearly a day now, and he was very adamant about protecting Kate, who would be at the Clinic, and trouble seems so apt to find her in times like this, and—

[He takes a breath, trying to quiet his fears before they all spill from him.] Sorry, I... I am told I'd be better off staying as from from all this as I can. [It'd be one less thing for Glacius to worry about while battling the Null.]

[He's quiet, listening, and those all sound like reasonable fears. Waiting and worrying is just as difficult, if not more so, than being involved in the danger.]

As far as I know, Kate is alright, so hopefully Glacius is as well.

[It's about as much as he can offer in terms of reassurance, but maybe it'll help all the same. The way Carlisle puts his last statement, though, stands out to Lance a little.]

Do you want to stay out of everything?

[Carlisle's eyes hit the ground, his shoulders stiffening, fingers curling against his palms.]

I don't know. There are undoubtedly those who could use my expertise, but...

[He feels his own reservations about Glacius going out there turning against him; they conflict with his sworn duty to his goddess. How could he go out there and worry Glacius further? But how can he stay home and serve his deity? Given the inevitable brevity of his life, he should be doing all he can to appeal to her, but... he has a duty to his partner, as well.

And besides that, there are the Null. Carlisle finds it's easier to point the blame on them than to accept his internal struggle.]

The constructs wandering the streets. They- they terrify me. Both alive and not, unfeeling. They could rend us limb from limb, and never experience even a shred of remorse.

Edited 2017-12-26 01:41 (UTC)

[Lance watches him, shifting a little as he's beginning to feel the effects of sitting still now that he can notice anything besides the symptoms of the electrocution. But his attention is all on Carlisle, and it isn't difficult to tell that he's conflicted.]

You're right, and it's okay to be afraid of them, especially for those reasons.

[The bravado, and the claims--even if they might be true for some--people here make of the Null not scaring them are all well and good, but the illusion they create is not. Feeling fear is not a weakness, especially when it comes to the points Carlisle mentioned; knowing that a being not only could kill you, but would absolutely not care, is terrifying for a reason.

And that said--]

Unless you're helping them, I don't think there's a wrong choice here as to what you want to do. But whatever it is, it should be your decision.

[Usually, Carlisle is on the giving end of such advice, his head clear and temperament even as he sits on the other side of the confessional wall; he's said similar things time and time again to those who would bring him their troubles, hoping his insight would help ease their burdens and give them the needed perspective to find the answer they sought within themselves.

It's much harder for the clergyman to find that answer when he's the one under duress, when the problem is so close to his own heart. He prefers the distance -- misses it, even.]

Thank you, doctor.

[He means that.]

You're welcome.

[He offers a faint smile, trying to be encouraging.]

I'll leave you to think about it, but if you ever want to speak to anyone, you can always contact me.

[For this issue or any other.]

Of course.

[He gives Lance a polite bow, and with another cough, heads back upstairs so the doctor can get back to helping others... and so that he can consider doing the same, despite all his reservations.]

Edited 2017-12-27 04:27 (UTC)

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Event Log: End of Arc 2

cw for allusions to child abuse

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