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
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► If you get squished, please let us know here.

Comments

[closerift]

Good shot! [ Cecily laughs, relieved, and moves in to take a few quick strikes before the predator starts rampaging properly. It's half-blinded, which is a major advantage. If Laura can take out the other eye at any point, they'll be set. ]

If it loses its sight, it may just run for the city without meaning to. If we're going to fully blind it, we'll have to be ready to take it down soon after.

[ Nothing worse than thinking you've won the battle only to have the thing stomp all over a bunch of people, right? ]

[outofthefire]

Thanks! [she calls back, but Cecily looks awfully small compared to that rampaging creature]

I'll go for the other eye, then! [and she lines up another Long Shot as best as she can, taking the creature's movements into account and fires. she holds her breath.

long enough to see that her arrow strikes true] Okay, go for it! It shouldn't be able to see shit now!

[closerift]

[ It's true that the predator can't see anything, based on the way it's stumbling around and wailing. Cecily nods and hurries toward it, using her dagger to cut away at the parts she knows will damage it the most, and leaving Pup to make the wounds worse.

This accomplishes its purpose, and the predator eventually collapses in a bloody mess. The Inquisitor straightens up, catching her breath and shooting a tired grin in Laura's direction. ]

I see you've been practicing.

[outofthefire]

[it's a messy, bloody thing, finishing the mammoth off. it's more than a little gross, but she tries to not visibly react. she's got to get used to such things.

Laura smiles back and nods]

Yeah, I have. And I had a great teacher.

[closerift]

You had a decent teacher who was very good at shooting arrows. [ "Was" being the optimal word there. ] I'm happy to see it's serving you, at least.

[ There don't seem to be any more predators on the horizon, and so Cecily breathes deep and rolls her neck. ]

You do have a bit of gore on your-...everywhere, though.

[outofthefire]

Sure seems to be! Though, this is the first time I actually shot at a real moving target.

[fortunately. one hit, two, maybe she got lucky. but she's not willing to stretch her luck just yet]

Yeah. [she sighs] Any tips for getting blood out of fabric?

[closerift]

Well, you did the job well enough that it's dead. Cheers.

[ At the question, she chuckles. ]

Not so much. I had people to do that for me - both during the Inquisition and before - and if I didn't have people, then the clothes stayed bloody. Sorry, mate.

[outofthefire]

It sure is. [she nudges it with one pennyloafered foot] It's not even twitching. And, thanks. Wanna hit the Speakeasy for a congratulations drink?

[and at that answer, she chuckles ruefully and holds out her pleated wool skirt. which is now all nice and bloody]

Well, shit. I guess I could try soaking my clothes with some soap overnight?

[closerift]

I'll go with you, yes. [ But she won't drink, and hasn't been, since she came back without an arm. ]

You may as well. Someone else may be able to help. [ Cecily isn't sure that she knows anyone to direct Laura too, though. All her friends are hot messes. ] We can ask at the Speakeasy. See if anyone is adept at laundry.

[outofthefire]

Sounds good. [a fact that Laura will eventually ask about, but not today]

Yeah, you'd think eveyone'd be old pros at this. [considering what they had to deal with on a regular basis] But maybe not?

[closerift]

Maybe they just throw their bloodied clothes away and get new ones. Who knows, with these people.

[ That's the beauty of Hadriel: the great variability in its population. ]

[outofthefire]

I guess they have to? Lucky for me no one else is interested in sweater sets or plaid wool anything.

[eighties clothes. no one else is interested in eighties clothes]

[closerift]

You might go to the sewing shop, see if they can whip you up something new?

[ Even sweater sets and plaid wool? ]

[outofthefire]

Too much of a hassle. I've heard she makes you make a deal with Tranquility to get extra fabric before she'll make you something.

[closerift]

Ah. Well, if that's how she gets the materials, I suppose someone has to put in the legwork...

[ Cecily's made her own deals with the gods before (though, admittedly, never for fabric). ]

[outofthefire]

Uh-huh. And I'm actually pretty lucky, I can usually find something to wear at the shops. [she laughs] Probably because it's so out of fashion, no one else wants it.

[closerift]

I'm surprised absolutely everything there hasn't been picked clean. ...And I'll remind you, Laura, that not everyone has the same sense of style.

[ Says the Inquisitor of Ye Olde Fantasy Land. ]

[outofthefire]

Most everything has. I found a tshirt with four arm holes the other day. Can you think of anyone here who might have a need for four arm holes? [and she tosses her hair with a smile] Nope, not everyone. Just the really stylin' people.

[it's actually not a bad outfit?]

[closerift]

No, but that doesn't mean there won't be a four-armed person here someday. [ She's only got the one now, after all!! ]

Well, maybe more of your clothes will come through the Door with the newcomers. Just once, it'd be nice to get something from it that is both useful and not trying to kill us.

[outofthefire]

[she laughs cheerfully] All right, all right, point taken. After all, how many impossible things have I seen here?

I hope so. [a pause] I think I'm ready. To start helping when the new people come. [and she gives her a naughty smile] Something that's both useful and not trying to kill us? Never.

[closerift]

At least a thousand, I'm sure.

[ Or more? How long has Laura been here? ]

Well, do promise you'll be careful if you do that. The thing about helping the newcomers is that the Door provides a new and terrible threat each month, and it's likely not anything you've come across before.

[outofthefire]

That sounds like a nice, round number. Let's go with that.

[nearly a year and a half]

I'll be careful. And I'm smart enough to know when I'm outmatched. So I'd either get help or get out. It'll be cool.

[closerift]

Good to know. [ She sighs, long and thorough, glancing again to the corpse of the beast they'd taken down. ] And you know that you can always call if you need a bit of help.

[ For now, though... ]

Shall we head back?

[outofthefire]

[she glances at it, too, wondering if anyone would be willing to butcher it and if it's tasty. having a source of fresh meat would be nice] Of course I do. [she gives a little nudge]

Sounds good. It's cold.