EVENT | ZUGZWANG | SEPTEMBER 21-28

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: September 21-28, 2014
Location: Keeliai
Situation: Something in the city has caused the Foreigner's powers to go off the charts, affecting even those who wouldn't possess any. Things pretty much go downhill from there...
Warnings/Rating: Add warnings as needed.

The state of affairs in Keeliai has been tense since the incident at the Midnight Hotel with Evandau, and the aftereffects have put a touch of pall on the city. Kedan look at each other distrustfully, wondering who among their number might be possessed by Malicant's essence and that suspicion carries to the Foreigners as well. How can they fight for us? they seem to be asking. They can't even stop fighting amongst themselves and the Emperor. Of course, the kedan's opinion of Evandau is likewise not exactly stellar any longer, as whether through inevitability or design, his cold actions of killing those who cross him has come to light. While there's no open dissent in the ranks (and likely, it seems, more due to fear of repercussion than loyalty) there are certainly looks and whispers.

The turtle hatchlings have also picked up on it, and they've become quieter than normal. Especially those who are suffering under shedding the remainders of Malicant's taint if they were injured by the poisoned weapons, they'll seem hesitant to bother their parents for minor things, or if possible will ask a parent who isn't afflicted first.

It feels like the calm before a storm.

---

LINKS
Powers Going Haywire (Sept 21-25) | Powers Nullified (Sept 26-27) | PART 2 TBA (Sept 28) | OOC Plot Post

OOC NOTE
Reactions to the Part 2 plot reveal will also be threaded on this post and the comment will be unfrozen when the other posts are made. Event questions can be directed to this comment. Have fun!

Comments

[gistful]

"But, as you said, it is still possible for you to slip," Anton pointed out. "It cannot be truly conquered, in that case, and even still the perception that it can be conquered opens you to disappointment." He would have shaken his head, but the precursor to doing so jarred his back and he thought better of it. "I have found that acceptance is a more powerful position--though perhaps that is not the same for you. Ours magics may be too different."

Anton mulled over her words and nodded once, and slowly. "The enemy seems to revel in darkness ... chaos. Anything broken would serve him. Possibly emotions more than most. It would explain why he sought to taint and poison so many, given what powerful persons are here. Yet it seems odd ..."

He murmured the last, gazing out past the turtle's head. "It seems odd that, if Evandau were tainted, he would work on such a minuscule scale, one by one, instead of in a greater whole."

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis shook her head, "As far as I know, the only magic I possess is the magic holding my soul together and protecting it from the void, and that magic isn't even mine."

She paused, taking in his words. She didn't particularly want to bring the fight up again, so she chose her words carefully, "The enemy's taint has been purged from my system and this...event...has taught me much about my darkness."

"As for Evandau...It only takes one pulled string to compromise the integrity of a tapestry. One pulled string to unravel all the hard work of the weaver." She sighed, "But I fear it is only a matter of time until the enemy loses patience and tries something more drastic than just pulling on strings."

[gistful]

"That depends on the string, and the weaver," Anton murmured, "and whether this pulled string isn't the herald of something greater. He seems to enjoy needling the people here. I wonder why he waits, unless to play with us."

He considered the view past Asti's head, and then said, "I realise this is somewhat unsatisfactory given the circumstance, but I apologise for killing you."

That was the thing that had burdened him the most. He wasn't dwelling on it, because he tried hard not to give his sins that much control of him; but it warranted at the very least the apology, paltry though the gesture was in comparison to what he'd done.

[redlightgreenlight]

She followed his gaze, settling it upon the water. If this was him just playing with them, she wondered what he was really capable of.

"I came back," she said in response to his apology, this place was too peaceful to dwell on past pain, "And if I hadn't jumped in, then you might have killed someone who does not have that ability." She shrugged, "And with the Emperor possibly against us, whomever died may have stayed dead."

[gistful]

"And for that, I thank you," said Anton, "as I will have to thank Master Wan, more explicitly." Once he was able to walk that far, perhaps. Anton wasn't the sort to dwell on shame, but the thought of going to Wan directly nevertheless made him feel uncomfortable.

[redlightgreenlight]

"Wan is kind." She said, "I do not believe that he will blame you for what happened."

Though the words were aimed at Anton, they were also a comfort to her. She knew that at some point she would have to go and see him. He had missed most of the battle, so he did not know of her dark power, yet another comfort.

[gistful]

"Perhaps not," Anton acknowledged, "but he still deserves the thanks." It seemed like an end to the conversation, but Anton still sat quietly. It was peaceful, here, and he didn't mind the company, even in silence.

[redlightgreenlight]

"Indeed."

She gazed out at the ocean, happy to just bask in the serenity. There seemed to be no more need for words, they had reached an understanding, and that was all that mattered.