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

[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. ]