Event Log: Assassin

[hadrielmods]

Who: Everyone!
What: The Assassin event
Where: Throughout the city
When: April 15th-23rd
Warnings: Inevitable character death, potential horror and gore and unpleasantness. Please remember to tag for warnings in the header if it things get too bad!

The morning of April 15th in Hadriel is cheerful, with artificial light streaming through your window. Your blankets are warm, jabberjays are shrieking, and you're probably going to experience a murder attempt today.

Maybe it'll be from a stranger, maybe it'll be from a friend, but the bottom line is that everybody is after somebody and nobody is safe (...okay, twelve people are safe, but that's beside the point). Time will only tell when you'll be overcome by that murderous rage and try to kill someone else. The best thing you can probably do at this point is stay calm, keep your head high, and try not to die for the next eight days.

Helpfully, Rage will have restocked her armory for the event, for those of you have yet to arm themselves. Additionally, for a limited time only, the armory will be stocked with bear traps, tripwire (in both 'general wire' and 'barbed wire' flavor), and voice recorders. Use all of them, use none of them, just get on out there and kill each other!

Oh, and one last thing...

► This log covers April 15th-23rd.
► 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!
► Did your assassin catch up to you? Please remember to hit up our death post!

Comments

[circumitus]

[That is not a very surprising reaction, even coming from Maketh. And it's all the more reason for her to come closer despite her objection.

[With her free hand, she grabs the rifle, removing it from within Maketh's reach. Not because Rey is concerned that she may turn her aim, but what the other woman might do to herself. But perhaps Rey is projecting a little, for being in such a place.

[She's done it before. Put a gun to her head, took herself out of the equation before she could harm anyone else. It isn't a moment she's proud of, even if part of her truly believes that it was for the best. But it was also a weak act. A selfish act. She struggles with this, even now.

[Focus.]

You, too? [Rey has already been plagued by the rage. Perhaps it'd be good to know that she isn't the only one. That she isn't crazy. That taking herself out wouldn't be the right thing to do, in the end.]

[mismanagement]

[No no no, there can't be another person here right now. Especially not someone that Maketh knows. It can't be Rey, who she patched up once and who she has expressly forbidden to die. No one is supposed to see this - it's a weakness, improper, hateful - and Maketh makes a choked sound, covering her eyes.

Rey isn't going away. That's just wonderful. But she's picked up the rifle and maybe - maybe that's better. If Maketh is a threat then that must be dealt with.] I told you to go away!

[circumitus]

[It's good that Maketh isn't protesting to Rey confiscating the weapon. She may be dealing with her own wild emotions at the moment, but she can compartmentalize. Bring herself to concentrate on the pain rather than her emotions. Lord knows she's had to do it on more than one occasion, sadly.

[What is absurd is the fact that Maketh seriously thinks that Rey would turn her back on the person who helped patch her up. It isn't like she would just walk away, were their roles reversed.]

No. [She stands firm by this decision.] Not going to leave you alone.

[As the anger boils, Rey realizes that it's not directed towards Maketh; she would notice if that were the case. Instead he mind keeps trying to veer back towards that girl she wanted to murder. There's no inclination to turn this gun and blow the other woman's brains out. Hopefully, it'll be the same the other way around.]

[mismanagement]

[This is not supposed to happen. Not again. There are rules, there are standards of conduct that must be met and above all a code that Maketh has followed for almost all her life. What is acceptable has been written and reviewed. It is very clear. She has done a bad thing. She's in trouble. She deserves to be in trouble.

Maketh closes her eyes, pressing her forehead against her knees. Don't look, don't make it worse.] Shoot me. Please.

[circumitus]

[Shocking as it would be to anyone else, Rey is once again not very surprised. It's exactly the sort of request she would have made at one point, but not anymore.

[She brings the rifle into both of her hands, her grip around it tightening. She is still, her feet rooted to the ground like a tree. Rey isn't going anywhere.]

Unnecessary. Whatever this is, you can fight it.

[mismanagement]

[For a moment it sounds like Rey is going to obey. Maketh holds her breath and listens to the sound the rifle makes when Rey grips it. Assessing the weapon. It's outdated, but adequate. Maketh tested it earlier. Didn't find it wanting.

Then Rey just--

Maketh makes a sort of hiccup-sob.] Hurt a civilian. Can't do that. Can't.

[circumitus]

[What are you supposed to do with someone who is crying and asking you to end their life? The humane thing would be to decline Maketh's request, as Rey had, and assure her that death isn't the answer. But Rey would be a hypocrite if she went that route. The harsh words of a man from home who she had attempted to console plays out in her mind: "That's rich, coming from the bitch who fucking offed herself in front of her own brother." And he wasn't wrong.

[But this? This is wrong.]

Wanted to hurt someone. A... teenager.

Blood is what they want. If you die, they win.

["They" being whichever asshole god started this one.]

[mismanagement]

[Oh. So this -- it must be one of the gods. Playing a trick, a nasty little game to sate their hunger. Of course. Of course. And it almost worked, didn't it? Maketh grits her teeth and tries to stop crying. Can't quite manage it. She shot at a civilian. Hurt him. Saw him bleed. Wanted to see his skull break open on the ground.] I don't--I just want it to stop.

[These thoughts aren't hers, but they're eating at her skull like rats. Maketh rocks back, still hugging her knees, and wonders if she couldn't just bang her head against the wall until it just went quiet. She thumps her cheek against the wall, not quite hard enough to really matter. Hard enough to leave a bruise, though.] Rey--what...what's wrong with me?

[circumitus]

[The same thoughts afflict Rey as well. Knowing that this has affected someone else just gives her hope that this isn't just her own madness taking over. She would be more concerned if she was becoming that person all over again -- the monster that killed and destroyed lives without remorse. The ghost that soldiers had come to call the Salamander.

[That isn't what's happening, though. And for a moment there is vindication, until the reality hits that they have to deal with what's happening now. Rey kneels down before Maketh, leaning against the rifle and ready to lunge forward in case she tries anything else against herself.]

Someone wants us to kill. Seems we have specific targets that they're shooting for. [She figures this out because she doesn't want to kill Maketh, or anyone else that she happened to cross. Just the one girl.]

[mismanagement]

Oh.

[Somehow, that doesn't help. The actions were still her own. It was Maketh who aimed the gun and pulled the trigger. Not -- Rage, it must have been Rage doing this. However they're doing this, infecting people with these thoughts, it's effective. In another place, Maketh could admire its effectiveness. If she were another person, perhaps a year back and still a proper Imperial. She presses her cheek against the wall again, just for the pressure.] I hurt someone. I'm not--I can't do that.

[circumitus]

You won't do it any more. Am not going to let you.

[There is some finality to that, not much different from Maketh not "allowing" Rey to die. Rey has experience of dealing with people who treated her like a bloodthirsty monster -- simply because she was a bloodthirsty monster at the time. Their words are ghosts in her mind, reminding her a very simple and important life lesson: "Don't kill."]

Again, you can fight this. It just... It takes a lot.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh just watches Rey for a moment, trying to control her breathing.] How?

[circumitus]

Can think of a couple options right now. We can either lock you up until all of this blows over, or until you've learned to maintain the anger.

[Rey herself seems like she's got a cap on it, but it's a constant struggle trying to keep it contained.]

[mismanagement]

[Practical. Of course. Rey is a soldier, she has to be practical. Maketh nods slowly.] That...that would be best.

[This can't happen. It can't be allowed to happen. Maketh breathes out through her nose.] You should probably hold onto the gun. For a bit.

[circumitus]

[It's much better than shooting Maketh, Rey would agree. That option isn't even on the table, as far as she is concerned.]

Was planning on it. [Like hell she's going to give a gun to someone who shot a kid and then suggested being taken out herself. Not until she's handling this better, anyway.] Are you, um... good now? We probably shouldn't be here.

[mismanagement]

Yeah. [This time, her voice is steady. Almost enough to pass for normal. Maketh rubs her face, then nods. It takes her a moment to get to her feet, hands trembling.] Where, uh, where are we going?

[circumitus]

[Rey adjusts the rifle over her shoulder, slinging the strap on so she can reach out in case Maketh needs a hand, but it looks like she's got this dealt with. Her shaky hands do not go beyond Rey's notice, as remains vigil.]

That's up to you. There aren't much in the ways of safehouses here, though we could probably secure one of the higher level rooms in a spire. Should give you enough space to figure this out.

[That way they wouldn't have to worry about Maketh breaking any windows to escape, so the only way out would be the one door.]

[mismanagement]

[The problem with this place - or at least one of them - is that there aren't any proper prison cells. No place to hold someone should it come to that. There probably aren't even binders or restraints. Maketh smooths her hands over her jacket, trying to straighten the lines. She's messed it up, she'll have to iron everything again.]

All right. Pick one, I can't...

[Maketh grimaces.] I'm having trouble focusing right now.

[circumitus]

[At least with the rifle in Rey's possession, Maketh isn't as much of a threat to anyone. She doesn't seem like she'd be particularly challenging to subdue if she went out of control, too. Yeah, she's got this.]

All right. Think there are plenty of empty rooms in the new spire. Can hold you there for a while.

[Keeping her there for a whole week might be the best course of action, being someone who had spent four years in near isolation. Rey isn't too wild about inflicting that on anyone else. But it may be their only option for now.

[She gestures for Maketh to follow, and starts heading out of the alley. After a few seconds, she adds:] The trick is to try and disassociate yourself from your emotions.

[Maketh may have noticed Rey sounding more robotic now than before, but there's more psychology to it than just simply flipping a switch. Rey is, after all, more like-human than a synthetic.]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh nods slowly, and does as she's told. And if she sounds tired and pressed flat, then perhaps Rey will just understand and forgive the lapse.] I can do that.

[She's just been trying not to lately, that's all. Lilith got so upset with her that one time, and there was that look on her face -- but this is different now, Maketh reminds herself. She's a threat and that cannot be allowed. It's not just a bad moment. This is a real, breathing threat that might end with bodies on the ground. And if Rey won't shoot her, then -- then it must be done properly. She'll need to slow her breathing, first. Then start reciting the mantras in her head, over and over again until they stick, her posture perfect, eyes straight ahead, looking at nothing.

Imagine a metal rod, her instructors said, stuck through your spine. Give it detail, give it life. Look how straight it is, how strong. Breathe around it. Stand up straight, put your eyes straight ahead. Focus on the rod. Do not stumble. You are an officer of the Imperial Court, you will do your duty with the utmost honor and discipline, you will do what you're told.

Maketh straightens her shoulders. Better.]

[circumitus]

[Considering what Rey knows about Maketh's background, she has faith in the other woman's abilities to keep her cool. She may be high strung, but she acts like a soldier, and more often than not soldiers are taught to become part of a collective. Don't think for yourself. Do as you're told. Follow orders and you won't be punished.

[All Rey has to do is slip back into those shoes without becoming that monster who enjoyed burning and hurting and killing again. That's the exact opposite of what she should be doing right now.

[She studies Maketh for a few seconds, judging her by her posture and visage.]

Anger is just one emotion, and you are more than that. Try and focus on something else or nothing at all. [Just like a good soldier.

[In Rey's case, she has pain to keep her mind busy. And for someone who has died several times before, pain is the one thing she can handle better than her own emotions. It's the norm for her.

[Yes, she can do this. They both can.]

[mismanagement]

I am an officer of the Imperial Court. I will do as I am told.

[And she will do it fucking perfectly, so there can't be any question. It's harder to just do it cold, without something to spark the mantras, but Maketh tries. She remembers what it felt like as a cadet, thirteen years old and in a uniform that didn't fit, staring at nothing so she wouldn't cry when her instructors screamed at her.

Do everything just right and you won't get in trouble. She'll do as she's ordered. Always and forever.

Right now, her objective is to follow Rey and do exactly as she says. Maketh squares her shoulders. She can do that. She'll do a good job.]

[circumitus]

[Rey is no stranger to phrases like those: Do what you're told. Aye sir. You are a worm, a maggot in the ground. This is your life, your purpose.

[Because that's what it was all about -- her purpose.

[As they continue walking, she glances over her shoulder from time to time to see how Maketh is fairing. She's marching forward with a disciplined posture. Normally Rey wouldn't encourage such a thing on anyone else, but these are very unique circumstances.]

Good. [And then, after a while, she adds:] We should be there soon. Try to keep your head on straight until then.

[mismanagement]

Yes, ma'am.

[The more she walks, the easier it becomes to slip back into that mentality. You are a cadet and you know nothing. You are nothing until we have remade you in our image. And there's something so simple about knowing that -- it's comforting, in a way. Always was. Your choices are not your own, you do not know how to think. We will show you what to think.

Rey has a low, smooth voice. Comforting. Easy to follow. The orders she gives are clear and direct. She'll do what Rey says for now. It's much easier just to do that. Maketh knows she won't hurt anyone that way. Rey won't let her.]

[circumitus]

[It becomes more obvious that Maketh is taking Rey's advice, and doing well on that. She doesn't want to break the other woman's focus, just like how Rey has kept her own, so she holds her silence for now.

[She's quiet up until the very moment they reach the spire, where Rey opens the door and ascends the stairwell. The higher up they go, the better.] Almost there.

[Then she stops in front of the second to the highest room. When she turns the knob, the door pushes open, revealing an empty room inside. Good.]

This should work.