Event Twelve

[awashmods]

I am a reaper whose muscles set at sundown. All my oats are cradled.  But I am too chilled, and too fatigued to bind them.  And I hunger.

ou know what's probably amazing? Waking up to your previously normal front door suddenly being covered by a huge, autumn-themed wreath. Or perhaps you're close enough to the center of the Town to look out your window and get an eyeful of that effigy, staring soullessly at you? The point is, there's a festival going on! The Town's been decorated accordingly (don't trip over sudden bales of hay), and towards the center of the Town, there are all sorts of fun games, tables of food, and other amazing things set up. Go prance onto the stage, sample some of the amazing food, convince one of your friends to play one of those bobbing for apples games... Enjoy it! There doesn't seem to be much of a catch this time. (At least, not until you eat the food, and then you'll figure out just what that "catch" is.) Welcome to Awash's twelfth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to start your own posts or logs for this event as well. If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

Comments

A - Cider

[troubadamsel]

[Maribelle had been about to grab a cup of her own when he speaks, and she pauses.]

I think we can allow ourselves a little bit of rest and relaxation now and then, don't you think?

[hydrokinetics]

[Hello Maribelle. Percy just gives her a half-smile since at least she's someone familiar and someone he likes well enough, but he's not sure if he fully agrees.]

Yes and no. [There's another sip before he explains though.] I think it's nice that this showed up. Better than the stuff that's been happening month after month. But are we losing time in figuring stuff out here?

[troubadamsel]

What could we do today we haven't been doing every other day? If you spend all your time worrying, you'll wear yourself out. Even our captors know that, apparently.

[mari says relax, bro.]

[hydrokinetics]

[Okay, fair.] Well when you put it that way... [There's a hint of a smile because yeah, alright, he sounds a little too uptight about things. That's not his style, and he knows that, but it's hard to shake off.]

Is that why things are different from month to month? So we don't burn out here. Our captors or whoever are the ones in charge of what happens every couple of weeks aren't they?

[troubadamsel]

It's possible. We have to think of what their end-goal is, and us being wiped out physically and emotionally wouldn't do them any good for whatever their purpose is.

[hydrokinetics]

And they think taking away people would? [Is he annoyed? You bet he is.] I get that they keep bringing in new people but do they really have to swap them out for someone else?

[troubadamsel]

[She sighs, definitely understanding that frustration.]

Believe me, I'd love to understand their way of thinking... after I beat them senseless.

[hydrokinetics]

You usually solve everything by introducing people to the end of your staff, don't you? [This is 100% not a bad thing, he actually thinks it's hilarious.]

[troubadamsel]

Of course not. I am a lady. If I can try to end a situation with proper dialogue, obviously I'm going to.

... But our captors have clearly shown that not to be an option.

[hydrokinetics]

[Maribelle, as far as he's concerned, reminds him of both Annabeth and Piper simultaneously and that's a combination he was never sure he would see. It makes sense though.]

Our captors haven't really shown much of anything else either, but that's unsurprising. Most higher beings don't. [Which is still obnoxious.] It's been months. When are we going to get a chance to talk to these guys?

[troubadamsel]

Not anytime soon, if I had to guess. So if we ever find the chance to do it... we must seize it with our own two hands.

[But, after a pause.]

It won't happen today, at least.

[hydrokinetics]

Unless they're hiding in the effigy somehow. [Is that a possibility? No, not really. He takes another drink from his cider and seems to be concentrating on something else.]

If we're celebrating fall, that's gotta mean winter's coming soon right? We might not get the chance for a while.

[troubadamsel]

We can't accurately predict the future.

... Did something happen today, to make you more concerned than usual?

[hydrokinetics]

I've been concerned for a while. [He hasn't caught on that the cider makes things a little easier to say and that he's spilling his thoughts.] Maribelle, let me ask you something. How long have you been here?

[troubadamsel]

[She frowns.]

... About eight months, I believe.

[hydrokinetics]

Eight months is on the later side of a whole year. And we're still not any closer to really understanding how this place works? [It's frustrating.] I already lost six months of my life being stuck somewhere I didn't understand. I'm not ready to do it again without getting some answers, even if things have slowed down for us.

[A pause.] I just have to know if we really do go home when we leave this place. That's it.

[troubadamsel]

...

Do you want a hug?

[It's not something she offers EVERYBODY, so be grateful, boy!!!]

[hydrokinetics]

[He looks surprised, but...]

...if you're offering, sure. [Look, sometimes hugs are nice even if he's usually not one to ask and ends up being the one to give them.]

[troubadamsel]

[Sometimes the caretakers need to be taken care of. So she comes forward and gently holds him, even patting his back.]

We'll make it through this. I promise you.

[hydrokinetics]

[Thanks for that. He's kind of letting his arms dangle for a minute because he's not sure if hugging back is an acceptable thing, but here we are.]

I've never put a lot of stock into promises. [Just saying.] But I know. I have a lot that I need to get back to. Mostly my mom and my friends and making sure Apollo doesn't mess things up. The longer we're stuck here the more annoying it gets.

[troubadamsel]

Ah, but that is exactly why I will keep my word, for I also have much to return to. My army was about to do battle to save good people from a bloodthirsty tyrant. If I were to let them down, why kind of woman would I be? I will not allow myself to be stuck here forever. Simple as that.

[hydrokinetics]

It sort of feels like all of us were pulled here and away from something way more important. I haven't figured out why yet, but maybe there isn't a why.

[There's a curious look though.] Your army? [Does he think she's leading this army? Maybe.]

[troubadamsel]

[She pulls back, ready to explain.]

My homeland Ylisse's royal army, the Shepherds. I have been a loyal member for many years.

[hydrokinetics]

[The gesture helped, and he'll have to thank her later. For now though his interest is on something else.]

I had no idea. [Why would you, Percy?] ...you mentioned a tyrant. How long has that guy been around?

[troubadamsel]

He's been conquering lands for a few years now... the resistance against him was dying before we came along. Many innocents had died for his beliefs that only the strong should survive.