hadriel_logs | Event Log: Predator vs. Prey

Who: All characters participating in the event
What: The event log for the Predator vs Prey event
Where: All over the city
When: March 13th-March 21st
Warnings: None

It all starts with an explosion, because Rage is excellent at managing her anger. But an explosion isn't enough - she hasn't worked out all her feeling yet. Not until the city itself has gotten caught up in her anger at Fear for being unable to save Delight. And yeah, that means you.

So now you're a predator (Rage) or prey (Fear). You want to hunt, or you're being hunted. Maybe you were defenseless before, or maybe you're the sort who no one could be afraid of... but it's different now, because the gods are passing on their blessings to you. All the better to catch and kill, or run and hide.

What will you do? Try to resist the urge? Good luck with that. Who would want to resist, anyway, when it feels so right to give in? Hunt someone down like a cat after a mouse, or flee like a deer before wolves. Maybe you can find someone to help you, whether that means hunting in packs or looking for safety in numbers. Who knows, maybe you'll even make a few new friends while trying to kill your old ones.

► This log covers March 13th-March 21st.
► 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 caught by a predator or have things turned on you by your prey, please let us know here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No! I... I've done all I can to honor the dragons... and the dragoons... I've failed many times, but then, I... I've always done all I can to repent...

[But maybe she's right. Kain feels his heart sinking deeper into despair with each and every one of her words. He'd done terrible things. He's the only one of them who'd acted so disgracefully. His father would be so ashamed. He's brought dishonor to his family, the dragoons, and Baron.]

Is this how you've always felt about me? All along...? Do... the others feel that way too?

[Kain is wearing down fast. He'd usually have more stamina for this, but her spells are taking a toll on him. Plus, he's throwing in so much extra effort than normal to flee, to keep moving. Unfortunately, he ends up stumbling, falling over to the ground. He rolls around so he's at least facing her, panting heavily.]

Each time you try to repent for your sins you fail and only hurt more people. Why do you think Cecil went on the mountain and changed while you already spent so much there and nothing changed? Where has been the guiding voice for you? There's none because you deserve no salvation!

[There's no voice because Cecil was guided by his father, he had companions, he had someone he loved waiting for his help, he had more than Kain ever did. And deep down the summoner knows that, she just wants to make him feel miserable.]

Why do you think we all celebrated Cecil and Rosa's wedding without even trying to find you? [It certainly wasn't because no one knew where the dragoon went or because the half lunarian knew his friend would return once ready...] And I was on my way to anoher party in Damcyan, wasn't I? Why? Because everyone is feeling better without you.

[She falls on her knees as soon as she reaches him, her whole body feels sore after running for so long and consuming all her energies but she's still finding the strenght to crawl toward him.] Are you finally giving up?

[So there it is. The thing he's always dreaded facing, the awful truth of the matter. Cecil is better than him, after all, it had taken him barely any time at all to achieve redemption. Whereas he, Kain, had struggled up there on that mountain, seeking answers that were hard to come by. It's because he's unworthy, isn't it? Rydia is confirming his worst thoughts.]

I never... I never presumed to be worthy of salvation, but I... I had to try anyway... but I failed. I know that.

[He coughs a bit, struggling to stand. He manages to just barely get up, only to fall back down again.]

I'm not one to ever give up... I tried, you know. I tried to be a better person than I am, to be a better friend... But I guess now I know the truth. They don't miss me, and they are better off if I'm not there...

[Cecil just had more luck, best friends, an happier life... it's so unfair to even compare them yet Rydia knows no mercy as she keeps moving toward him. Oh, her body isn't pleased with all the movement she forced it to do but at this point she just... keeps going.]

Then why even trying?

[That's so unlike her, Rydia has always been so proud of her friends and even if sometimes they made mistakes she always knew they would someday suceed with their goals...but none of that matters as she finally reaches for him, sitting on the floor next to the dragoon and places a hand on his shoulder. She wants to savour this.]

Right? Sometimes people make so many mistakes they're unforgivable. Don't worry, the world will be a better place without you, I promise. Any last word, dragoon?

[All he wants is to flee, to run and keep going. But his body just won't cooperate, as he's spent his last bit of energy. He's trembling like a cornered animal, hating the feeling of this overpowering fear. It's clouding all of his thoughts and common sense. He ought to consider that Rydia was never like this before... but all he can think about is the present moment.]

Am I truly beyond forgiveness?

[Kain stares up at her, eyes showing nothing but the terror that he feels all throughout him.]

Yes. Yes you are but don't worry, dragoon, I will make sure your demise is at least one to remember.

[There's no way out for both of them: one is destined to fall, the other to stain her hands with the blood of someone she may even feelings for. She looks even pleased as she wraps one lock of his hair around her fingers, pulling it slightly.]

You know what both my mothers always told me? Always keep a good ether around, just in case.- And they were right.

[She takes one small bottle from her pockets, playing with it for a moment as she admires the blue liquid inside. Rydia pops it open with her thumb and after one quick gulp at least a little portion of her magical energies are restored. The summoner smiles widely as she climbs over him as she did before when they were intimate, too bad there's no kindness as she looks down at him and presses her hands against his chest. It will not take long before the armor gets unplesantly warm and her intentions are clear.]

Fear not, Kain, I will cleanse you with fire.

Rydia, please...

[There really is no way out. Kain is too exhausted and hurt to move, even if he wasn't so paralyzed by fear. He can't fight back, can't do anything in his own defense. The worst part is, he fears she's right. He's always been afraid of this whole matter erupting one day, of Rydia rightfully taking the revenge she deserves. He and Cecil had taken everything from her. She might still have a mother and her entire village were it not for their actions. Not to mention all the ways he'd betrayed them all later...]

[So he can only watch in horror as she drinks that ether and replenishes her magic. He doesn't have anything on him to help himself, not that it matters at this point. She's got him right where she needs him. There's no chance to escape now.]

Please, don't do this...

[But it's a pathetic plea, both helpless and hopeless. Kain's eyes widen in fear as his armor starts getting warmer. He struggles, trying to pull it off, but only ends up shouting in pain, as it's too hot to even touch. HIs face reddens a bit with the growing warmth. The current effect on him mentally only makes this worse: He's never been so afraid in his life.]

You don't... you don't want to do this...

Event Log: Predator vs. Prey

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asdfghj I finally managed to reply here

OHHH!!! awesome, yay, let's make it memorable indeed!