[0] WEEKS WITHOUT MURDER

[maladied]

BONJOUR.

Another morning greets you in [ setting ], and it greets you loudly. A commotion erupts somewhere ahead: voices raised, someone screaming, another shouting for help. If you're unlucky enough to be passing near the infirmary, you have a front-row seat to the chaos.

Fran and Y'shtola are flung from the infirmary like ragdolls, hitting the ground in a tangle of limbs and dust. Something inside is on a rampage— something feral, unbound, and unwilling to be tamed.

The speakers crackle to life, Lobelia's voice far too cheerful for the circumstances.

❝ Bonjour, mes amis. If you happen to be wandering near the infirmary this fine morning, do take care... there appears to be a rather spirited beast expressing its displeasure. Fran and Y'shtola have already demonstrated the consequences of getting too close... quite spectacularly, I might add.

So, unless you wish to go flying before breakfast, I suggest maintaining a respectful distance. C'est simple.

Thank you for your attention, and do enjoy the rest of your morning... preferably from afar. ❞

OOC NOTE: A temporary barrier formed around the battlefield during the fight. Only characters already inside the epicenter were able to participate. Anyone who attempts to cross the boundary will be met with a sharp electric shock and forcibly bounced back several feet.

Comments

[siriuspuns]

Hahaha yeah, that’s what Hansa told me, too. “We can’t attack her now, Siffrin.”, “I won’t want us to lose anyone”, but you know what just happened?

[ They gesture towards the scene, and spread their arms out. ]

Three people just died. By the time that we find a solution, there won’t be any of us left. We’re all going to die here.

[heartofcorundum]

[...

Silently, he abandons his post and slowly advances on Siffrin.

Gonna keep yelling, kid?]

[divineth]

[Urianger watches this happen, and...doesn't stop him.

He just lowers his head sorrowfully as he keeps tending to Y'shtola.]

1/2

[siriuspuns]

[ Siffrin sees Thancred approaching and they

finally fall silent. ]

2/2 cw derealization hours real babeyy

[siriuspuns]

[ And instead

pull out their knife.

Come at him, monster. ]

[heartofcorundum]

[He doesn't pull out his own knife until there is little room between them. Blade held defensive, not offensive, as he immediately jerks forward in an attempt to disarm them with a blow to the wrist. [7] ]

[siriuspuns]

[ The knife is knocked out with ease (4), but they don’t even wince. Hundreds of loops have taught them how to fight to the point that they can smoothly reach back and pull out another knife— the one that they woke up with, and try to disarm Thancred in return. (16)

They smile. ]

Come on, is this all you’ve got? Or do you think going easy on me will save you?

[0202]

[Hmm.

He suddenly walks off towards whichever restaurant is closest. Any will have the secret tool he will need for this.]

[robopriest]

[...]

[He watches him with a widened eye, but he's not moving.]

[physalia]

[While she is rather certain of Thancred's intentions, she's not sure of their effectiveness.

Seemingly impervious (or is she?) to the barrage she's receiving, she repositions herself between them again. It's fine.]

[anaxagoreia]

[ Why are you all like this? ]

[physalia]

[Because she can take it.]

[anaxagoreia]

[ That's nice, but people being like that is also why Anaxagoras is watching closely to make sure no one else feels like waltzing into the path of danger.

(not that he can do anything himself rn but it's the thought that counts) ]

[heartofcorundum]

[Sorry, Cantarella, he can and will be shouldering you aside. He has to do something.]

[physalia]

...

[avocations]

[ She simply watches Cantarella. ]

[physalia]

[She's cutscene locked for the second time today, so there's not much to see, but Cantarella keeps her back turned, her one empty hand flexing open and closed though the rest of her body is as straight as ever.]

[avocations]

[ She can see the motion, combined with the way Cantarella stays still, and she closes her eyes. ]

As full of resolve as ever.

[avocations]

[ She was going to stay silent as her head aches a bit right now, even though Siffrin looked at her before engaging with Thancred, but— ]

Siffrin.

[ A warning. ]

[divineth]

[So was Urianger, but gods.

He trusts in Thancred to be able to deal with this. That doesn't stop him from going tense as he rises to feet to act at a moment's notice.]

[avocations]

[ She stays where she is right now, arm and back aching too much for her to do much of anything at all. Being powerless in this moment is painful.

(and also amb wants to let the players go wild unless intervention is requested) ]

[heartofcorundum]

[Back he comes and ow his hand, but Siffrin is out cold for now and Thancred only looks sullen and tired for the effort.]

...Shall we take a quick stop into the infirmary, before anything else goes awry?

[avocations]

A proper plan.

[ OFF TO THE INFIRMARY THEY GO..... ]

[heartofcorundum]

[As soon as Siffrin has been dealt with and his single knife has been regained and shoved back onto his belt, Thancred returns to his fellow Scions, a freshly cut hand and roughened knuckles his only prize.]

...An overreaction, perhaps. But something had to be done.

[divineth]

[The whole scene was rough to watch, but at least it's over now. He reaches out to put a hand against Thancred's back when he returns.]

Aye. Thou wilt find no disagreement with me.

[He feels terribly for Siffrin, but that outburst was helping no one- especially not themself.]