event #3

[automated]

[ It's taken the city officials a couple of weeks to clean up since the witch's mess. Most of the wreckage and bodies have been disposed of as humanely as possible but unfortunately, that doesn't really amount to much. The scent of flesh has attracted a whole host of carrion eaters—and, worse, their predators. Mutated buzzards swoop down from the sky and are stalked by larger, more formidable twisted canines and the odd bear. Arks are also present, sniffing from the sidelines and turning up at night when the defenses are down. Monsters are swarming around the barriers, picking at the garbage and digging up the graves and anyone foolish enough to step outside to chase them off is likely a meal themselves.

To deal with the outbreak they are, of course, calling upon their imported mercenaries for assistance.

First thing in the morning, everyone's communicators will be receiving an incoming voice message. Some of you might recognize the sneering female voice from a previous broadcast. Regardless, she starts the call the same way—by clearing her throat sharply, to make sure she has your attention. ]

All outsiders are to be posted at the gates to prevent the local wildlife from breaching the borders. Orsans, report to the city hall for a temporary pass into and out of the barrier. This pass will only let you back in once, so don't waste it. There is some additional ammunition available in both towns at their respective posts; speak to an official if you need some. [ A pause. ] But don't hoard it.

This is a mandatory call to arms. Participants will be compensated with supplies. Deserters... will starve. Take your pick.

[ The message ends on that riveting note.

As the outsiders gather at the posts, they'll notice a sparse amount of guards in both towns. The monsters have thinned out closest to town but, as the scouts will point out, they're thick as thieves out on the perimeter and it's only a matter of time before they rush in and overtake everything. Weapons are pushed into the hands of those that don't have any, women and children included, and they're hustled outside to do the dirty work. ]

Comments

[glowsferatu]

[ kanaya turns slowly to face the voice, trying to wipe off whatever it is that keeps dripping in her eyes. she only manages to smug it, unfortunately, and her palm comes back green.

she closes her eyes for a second, trying to focus. something doesn't seem right. ]

Madoka? Be careful out here, I'm not sure it's safe. [ she pauses for a second, her head feels so light it's hard to think. she just needs to lie down for a minute, maybe. ] You aren't...you aren't hurt, are you?

[embodies]

[ It's been a rough night. Madoka's once again covered in other people's blood... and quite a bit of her own. She spent all night on the battlefield, doing what she can for the injured. There's no where else to go. They were refused entry and left on their own until everything is gone. ]

Thank goodness...

[ She smiles a little, worn and barely on her feet. ] You're bleeding!

[glowsferatu]

[ kanaya hadn't even noticed, she never tried to return. only now has the thought even crossed her mind, and once her vision focuses enough to make out how much red madoka's covered with. she reaches over to place a hand on her cheek, absent-mindedly smearing jade all over as she does. ]

Don't you worry about me. I've come through worse. [ it's not as easy to say convincingly when there's your covered in blood that's obviously yours. that's the trouble with having a rare hemochroma. there's a few spots of splatter that aren't hers, especially on the arms, but the torso is all green, enough that her sign is obscured. ] You didn't answer my question. Are you hurt?

[embodies]

No, no... I'm fine. [ Pale, shaking and bleeding is not fine but it's better than being dead. Madoka takes in a shaky breath and tries to stand straight and true, though her legs are threatening to give out from under her already. ] Let's get that looked at...

[glowsferatu]

You...are not! [ with a groan, kanaya pulls herself to her feet, but it takes far more effort than she expected. she holds her fist out to the side to steady herself, her knuckles turning...whiter from the pressure she's tightening it with. her equilibrium is shot, and she has to hold back the urge to vomit. by now the deep, sickening gash in her side is all the more apparent. ]

D-don't lie to me, Madoka. You...you need help. It'll will do you more good than me.

[embodies]

It's okay. [ This is a familiar feeling. The coldness, the imminent sense of failure and the sense of accomplishment weighting her down. She managed to do it. She helped some people.

That makes her worthless life worth a little something. Madoka smiles, taking a few shaky steps before she falls to her knees. ]

Don't worry about me. I'm just tired...

[glowsferatu]

Stop it! [ kanaya doesn't manage even the first step before her legs fall out from under her, but at least it puts her in reach of madoka. she tries to help her up--no, it's actually desperately pulling her to her feet that she's really trying to do. the adrenaline's started to kick in, clearing the fog on her mind as the tears start welling up in her eyes.

stupid. worthless. you were supposed to protect her. ] You can still make it! J-just...just get back to your feet!

[embodies]

[ Standing hurts, but she doesn't want to cause Kanaya any strain by resisting. Except she goes right back down, coughing and clutching her side with her hand. ]

It's okay. [ She's still smiling. ] Ha... You need blood, don't you?

[glowsferatu]

[ kanaya drags herself closer, agitating her own wounds all the more. she puts her arms around madoka's back, pressing her head against her belly, horns pointed out to the side. ]

Please... Please! You...you have to make it.

[embodies]

[ She strokes Kanaya's hair.

Dying isn't unfamiliar at all. It feels like this has happened before... Like this isn't then first time. The feeling is only getting stronger as her consciousness starts to fade at the edges. ] Take some of my blood... You need that, right?

[glowsferatu]

Not as much as you do. [ her moment of strength seems to have passed, the adrenaline all used up. her chest wracks with a sob, but her breath is too shallow to let it through properly, and she can feel it catch in her throat. if this is dying, it isn't like the last time at all. at least it was instant then. ] I don't...think it would do me any good at this point.

[embodies]

No... [ Her voice finally cracks a little. ] Please... You can take it. I don't need it like this! You... you can have it all. Just... please... Don't give up.

[glowsferatu]

[ she tries a bitter laugh, but all that comes out is a bloody cough instead. there are shadows cropping up along the edge of her vision, and keeping her eyes open is difficult. it's too late for desperation, she just can't muster it anymore. ]

I shouldn't...give up. So that, what? [ her voice grows more hoarse, like a cough she isn't letting out. ] You can? Doesn't seem like a fair trade.

I couldn't take your blood now even if i wanted to.

[embodies]

Everyone needs you! You can't just... [ She tightens her grip, bending over like she can somehow shield her. ] I'm sorry... I can't do anything. I'd gladly give up... if it meant that I could help you... I was supposed to be helping you...

[glowsferatu]

[ kanaya says nothing in response, her shallow breathing having slowed to the point where it's indiscernible. maybe it's stopped altogether. her weight leaning against madoka has nothing holding it up any longer, not by its own power, at least. ]

[embodies]

[ She cries. Long and hard, weeping openly until her voice starts to die and her body grows colder.

By the time Dave gets back, there's only two corpses waiting for him. ]