Event Log: The Stampede

[hadrielmods]

Who: All characters participating in the event
What: The event log for Stampede event
Where: All over the city
When: December 26th-December 28th
Warnings: None

There's a rumbling sound in the air early in the afternoon on December 26th. Whether you're new in town or you've seen it all, something like this hasn't happened before. Is it an earthquake? It feels kind of like a small one, and that might be endurable if not for the sudden snarling and gnashing of teeth!

As it turns out, these yet-unnamed apex predators are overrunning the city, ignoring their previous apprehension to barrel right through anything- or anyone- that stands in their way. Seemingly spooked by something, they are aggressive and violent and won't hesitate to tear anyone they meet to pieces... after trampling them underfoot, of course. They're so large and muscular that they may even take a few portions of buildings with them- how would you like to see one of these monsters crashing through your living room?

At least it's only these weird mammoths, though... right?

► This log covers December 26th-December 28th.
► 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 squished, please let us know here.

Comments

Washington | OTA

[hardwearing]

[ Wash is not terribly well equipped for fighting a stampede, but hey, he's had worse odds. He actually dons his armor for a change and starts out on ground level, trying to block them from paths deeper into the city, thinking maybe he can startle them into turning back out with a warning shot or maybe even an electric zap. Usually he winds up dodging to keep from getting trampled, but sometimes it works. And sometimes he's just trying to save others from being trampled, when his trackers pick up the mammoths coming that way. Hopefully you hear him shouting out for you to move, because if he has to run and scoop you up to move you out of the way it's not a fun ride with him in full armor. He means well, though, you just might be a little banged up. He heads home at the end of the first day covered in blood, which is making him far less charitable towards the scared creatures.

By the end of things he's had enough of this shit for sure, of wasting ammo and energy on tactics that aren't working. So he moves to the rooftops and takes careful aim, trying to snipe the front of the herds to just take them out. Hopefully somebody knows how to make jerky because otherwise there's gonna be an awful lot of meat to eat before it goes bad, even in this climate. And in the aftermath, he could use some help skinning and butchering what he killed, because honestly he only has the faintest idea of what he's doing. Somebody help. ]

[bloodbathing]

[ These creatures are a hell of a lot bigger than the animals Maine has skinned and butchered in the past. However, the fundamentals remain the same. While Maine's no expert, he knows how to get the job done and is anything but shy about bloodying his hands.

So, when he sees that Wash needs help, Maine's happy to lend a hand. Hopefully, Wash has a decent knife for the job. Otherwise, Maine's going to have to try using the blade of the Brute Shot, and that's bound to lead to frustration. ]

[hardwearing]

[ Oh, Wash has a knife for every job. He glances up at Maine's approach and nods once, offering the blade he was attempting to use -- it's a machete-looking thing, from the armory. He pulls out Connie's combat knife for himself, if he can still help somehow. ]

Wanna give me instructions? I'be only got an idea of what needs to happen, not how to do it.

lmk if any of this doesn't work!

[bloodbathing]

[ The machete gets a quick once-over as Maine accepts it. It would probably be too large for most people to use effectively, but Maine doubts he'll have a problem. Won't be the cleanest job, but it'll get done.

After nodding in agreement, Maine circles around to the belly of the beast and starts pointing out where to cut and how deep. Starts showing Wash how to remove the skin — which, considering the size of the creature, is no quick feat. But it's easy to explain. Wash knows how to wield a knife, and Maine doesn't have to stop to communicate.

It's easy, instructing Wash in this. Makes Maine forget some of the shit that keeps churning in the back of his mind. It's a good feeling.

Eviscerating the creature is a bit of trial and error. Maine doesn't have a fucking clue what organs it has or how its insides are put together. But, again, he's not shy about bloodying his hands. By the time they're actually carving off meat, Maine's white armor is a mess. When he glances down at it (as well as his helmet will allow), he snorts out a laugh.

"Apron."

Grunted as he gestures with amusement to his bloodied front. ]

looks great!

[hardwearing]

[ Yeah they sure are messy. And Wash doesn't know how to tan a hide or make jerky, but he figures someone will if he hauls it to the center of town. This is more than they can feasibly eat before it starts to spoil, even in the cold, and he knows there are other animals around.

He huffs a laugh inside his helmet at Maine's comment, nodding. ]

We needed full biohazard suits. It's okay, we can rinse our armor down before taking it off.

[ Which brings attention to the fact that he's in armor too, after saying it was only for emergencies. Fighting sharp-toothed mammoths counted, to him, because he was taking on the stampede itself. He needed the speed and strength boosts as well as the protection. Normal door monsters didn't merit it. ]

I wonder how these things taste.

[bloodbathing]

[ "Taking it off," Wash says, and Maine's amusement fades. Eclipsed by the reminder of someone he met while these creatures were still running rampant. Like Wash, Maine donned his armor to deal with the stampede. Unlike Wash, Maine's not removing it now that the beasts are dead.

Seeing no reason to hide his decision, Maine shrugs and grunts out,

"Not removing."

Not until he feels safe doing so. Which, considering the open threat to his safety, probably won't be for a long fucking time.

Choosing to leave it at that, Maine cocks his head and offers his assessment of the meat:

"Gamey."

Aside from that, who knows? ]

[hardwearing]

[ Wash lays out another slab of meat on top of the skin, which he intends to roll up to use to carry it all. It might take both of them to do so, but like hell is he wasting an entire mammoth. ]

Heh, yeah, probab--

[ Hold up. He's circling back to the bit about the armor because what. ]

Wait, what do you mean you're not removing it? Like ever? Why not?

[ They've been through this! Right? ]

[bloodbathing]

[ They have indeed been through this. Maine agreed to stop wearing his armor before, albeit hesitantly. But, after meeting that man whose name he didn't catch?

"I bet it hurts when you swallow. I bet it really fucking hurt where he shot you."

He's not allowing himself to be vulnerable. Not for a fucking second.

Maine grunts and hacks off another slab of meat with more force than necessary. The blade hits bone; he makes a face as he tugs it free, then growls:

"Insurrectionist."

If Wash doesn't know who he's talking about, Maine knows that he'll have a bigger problem on his hands. As it stands, he's reasonably confident that he can handle it on his own. That he's the one that the stranger wants to hurt. ]

[hardwearing]

Oh. That's-- he's not an Insurrectionist anymore, that's Ephemera. He's... [ Different. Trying. Didn't attack Maine, which sure is something big for him, but Wash doesn't know how to explain any of that. ] ...not our enemy. Old habits just die hard, try not to take it personally. He hated all of us but one at a time we've been getting along.

[ He knows Maine trusts him, but this is a huge ask. ]

I know it's hard to accept, like basically everything here, but he's been an ally. If you want to stay in your armor until he proves himself I understand. You just need the firewall. We can install it after we clean up?

[bloodbathing]

[ Ephemera. Now he has a name to go with the armor and the voice. No face, yet. Shouldn't be a problem.

As Wash continues speaking, Maine pauses in his work. Turns to look at his friend, incredulous. Body tense, head cocked, hands flexed into fists. It's not the sort of body language he directs Wash's way often; it's the kind that reads, "Are you fucking serious?"

Ephemera mentioned having an "understanding" with Wash. This serves as confirmation. The Insurrectionist (or ex-Insurrectionist, whatever) isn't a threat to Wash. But he sure as hell wants to hurt Maine. And so the massive man snaps:

"Enemy."

A low, angry snarl. One that barely taps the surface of the rage he felt as that fucker gloated over the pain in his throat.

(Sorry, Wash. It's a little late for Maine to not take it personally.)

He turns back to the dead creature. Swings the blade again. There's no satisfaction in the spray of blood, but it's better than standing still.

That he didn't respond to Wash's question about the firewall escapes Maine's notice, for the moment. He's a bit preoccupied. ]

[hardwearing]

[ It takes a second for it to sink in for Wash that Maine isn't taking his word. He shouldn't be surprised considering the situation, but he's glad he's in armor right now because it's so strange and it hurts in a way that he doesn't know how to describe. It isn't the same as when Tucker or the others don't trust him, when they lash out. It's more like if Carolina didn't believe him about something now, after all they've been through to repair their relationship. For Maine, Wash is someone else. To Wash, Maine is his old friend, and he feels like he's stepping into the past rather than acknowledging the greater difficulty on the other side of this. Maine trying to reconcile the future. ]

Maine... he's trying. We killed his whole team but he didn't attack you, right? Please don't start anything, at least.

[ He doesn't know how to balance Maine's wishes not to know the future with the fact that he's confronted by it constantly here. So just a little. Just enough he might understand. So it can settle.

The subject of the firewall isn't dropped, but they can circle back. Not falling into an endless murder cycle is more important. ]

[bloodbathing]

[ The team. Again with the fucking team.

He remembers Ephemera's words, threatening to cook him in his armor if he thought their names. He remembers the red dot of a laser sight on the back of Carolina's head. Remembers the muzzle flashing again and again — one two three four five six seven eight — as he lay on his back, completely fucking helpless.

Freelancer killed them all. They got revenge. But Wash... Fuck, Wash sounds like he thinks it's a bad thing.

Maine turns away from the carcass. Stares down at his teammate. His friend, who, from some inexplicable reason, trusts his "understanding" with that Innie fuck over what Maine's telling him.

He ignores the sting of pain. Grabs hold of his anger instead. Wraps it around himself, warm and tight, as he flips the machete around and points the bloody blade at his own ruined throat.

"Good."

Hissed with the hated he feels every time he thinks of that moment. Every time he tries to speak and hears nothing but noise.

His fellow Freelancers killed Ephemera's team. They killed the ones who did this to him. It might be the best news Maine's heard since he woke up in that coliseum.

Maine's not sorry for a thing. ]

[hardwearing]

[ Oh boy. He doesn't just hear it -- Wash can feel the anger radiating off Maine, the rage. How he burrows down in it like a toad in the mud, holds on to it despite Wash's best efforts. He can't keep pushing, he knows. Not that he thinks Maine would hurt him, he trusts his friend implicitly, but he could get angrier. More resentful. Storm off and then Wash can't approach him again about this, can't try to warm him up to the idea that Ephemera isn't an enemy anymore. Hmm.

The way Maine growls "good" just makes Wash feel like he and Ephemera have more in common than either of them will ever admit to. He presses his lips together inside his helmet and tries to pick a direction to proceed in. Whichever path he takes, it'll have to be cautiously. ]

I get it.

[ He just breathes for a moment, the mammoth carcass forgotten beside them, then asks, because it's important and Ephemera acted like he didn't but... ]

Did he threaten you?

[lovernotafighter]

[The stampede caught Tucker's - and everyone's - attention, forcing him to run around and make sure everyone in Blue Haus was fine and there. No going out, no braving that front, don't be stupid, and oh my god where is Wash?!

So much for waiting inside where it was safe.

Tucker wanted to run out there, to hunt him down, but Epsilon had talked some sense into him, however slight. Tucker couldn't help anyone if he was trampled, too; it only made sense. So he waited, waited, waited, and when Wash came in covered in blood--]

What the fuck!? Are you okay?!

[Seems the Freelancer wasn't the only one who could motherhen.]

[hardwearing]

[ Wash was trying to stealth in, but it's difficult with so many people in the house and being. Covered in blood. Well, covered is a strong word, it's over his arms and chest, a little bit on one thigh. But it's a good amount, and it's unclear whether or not it's coming from the suit, so he expected some alarm if anyone saw him.

Of course it's Tucker. The one who'd worry the most. Wash nods his helmeted head, closing the door behind him. ]

It's not mine, Kyna got bit. She's okay, though, I dragged her to get fixed up.

[ All he'd managed to do was stop the bleeding which. Was no small thing but she still had wounds, and a broken arm. Sloppy, he should've been faster getting her out of the way, but there's no way he could have anticipated -- no, going back and forth won't help. He just wants to clean up a little. ]

Is there enough water in the kitchen for now that I can get this off?

[lovernotafighter]

J-Fucking-C, Wash, you can't just say shit like that. [If it wasn't drama, then it was lack of anything. Hell. The urge to hit Wash was there, was all over him, and if he hadn't just seen his girlfriend bit, Tucker probably would have.] Is she okay?? You just left her somewhere? Why the hell are you here and she's not?

[Not that he wanted Wash gone; he was sure as shit glad to see him, glad to default to his expertise in...what? Runaway animals? Whatever stressful situations or somethingsomething, point was, Wash not being with Kyna made him second guess what was going on.]

Um, yeah. [He thought so, anyway; he hadn't been in the kitchen for awhile now. He looked that way for a second, before back at Wash.] Want help?

[hardwearing]

Tucker, for fuck's sake--

[ Wash pulls off his helmet, revealing that he's more upset than his calm explanation made it sound. And not just about Kyna. ]

No, I didn't just leave her. She's back in one piece, yes, but I brought her to Michael's because her best friend and one of mine was murdered this morning and she needed to look after his boyfriend. They didn't want me there. Don't act like I don't care, because I fucking care a lot, I'll pick her up later.

[ He relents a little, looking like he wants to scrub his hand over his face except he's bloody. Sigh. ]

...help would be great.

[lovernotafighter]

[Well, now he felt like shit, but just a little. It wasn't his fault that Wash was as tightly controlled as he was (even if Tucker should have been well aware of it by this point). But losing a friend...he knew what that was like.

He made a face, his eyes flickering off to the side, before reaching out to grab that bloodied helmet.]

I'm...sorry, man.

[Choice words that Tucker didn't use often. Apologies didn't exactly run in his blood.

He turned and started towards the kitchen, head down. Fuck. Way to fuck up.]

Come on.

[hardwearing]

[ Tucker takes his helmet and apologizes, and Wash feels worse. His shoulders slump and he lets Tucker take it, sounding more miserable than angry now. Deflated. ]

No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped. I just-- she got hurt because she was upset about Harlan and tried to protect me instead of sticking to the plan, and I should have known better. Predicted that.

[ He follows after Tucker to clean up, which is going to be a careful and water-conserving affair... he wishes he could just hop in the shower in armor but that's not an option right now. The gods had better come back soon, that's all he's saying. ]

You guys are all okay? I didn't see Carolina out there, is she home?

[lovernotafighter]

Face it, Wash: we'd all deviate from the plan if your life is on the line. It's what people like us do.

[People like us.

People that care about you.

Face it, they exist and there's a lot of them.]

I haven't seen her, but it's Carolina. I'm sure she's fine.

[He hoped. Fuck, he hoped. Losing her would be like losing family, and Church would handle it...well, like shit.

Tucker looked at the armor, then the bucket of water, then back at the armor. Well, shit, this wasn't going to go well, was it?]

Is there a lake I can shove you into?

[hardwearing]

[ Wash sighs, like he knows but he doesn't like it -- the plan was safer and Kyna getting hurt in place of neither of them getting hurt is upsetting to say the least. But he keeps quiet, nods instead of elaborating and at the comment about Carolina, and eyes the bucket. ]

I don't want to taint the only drinking water the city has, so in theory yes but in practice no.

[ He grabs a sponge and the bucket and heads for the door again. ]

This'll have to be good enough.

[lovernotafighter]

Stop having good ideas.

[Yeah, he probably should have thought of that, too, but eh. He'll let Wash have this one, even as he followed after him. This...this was going to take awhile, especially where it was already drying.

Was it the beasts blood? Or their friends'?]

Seriously, are you okay?

[hardwearing]

...not yet. Maybe when Harlan's back, when I can talk to him, I will be. But that's a waiting game.

[ But in case that wasn't what Tucker was getting at, Wash clarifies. ]

I'm not hurt, though. None of this is mine, and Kyna's okay physically now too. So I'm about as okay as I'm going to get for now.

[lovernotafighter]

[Emotionally. Mentally. Watching your friend get killed - even if he was coming back - couldn't be good for the psyche. And a psyche like Wash...? That had to be worse.

But that was the best answer he was getting, especially from Wash, and he knew he had to be okay with it. At least for awhile. He stared at him for a moment, before sighing and letting is shoulders drop. It'd do. For now.]

This place just sucks. If it wasn't for Epsilon, I'd ask if we could go home already.

[hardwearing]

You don't need to ask, we already know the answer -- either no, or they can't. I'm inclined to believe they actually can't. Not yet.

[ He hesitates, then figures he might as well say it. ]

When they figure out the Door, I bet he'll be able to go back as he is here.