isleofavalon | The Terrible, Horrible, Not-So-Good Morning

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The Terrible, Horrible, Not-So-Good Morning | OPEN LOG

WHO: Emet-Selch + anyone
WHAT: A series of public and very gruesome murders, culminating in a flashy fight between Emet and a generic boss NPC that destroys much of a street
WHEN: From the start of August to mid-August
WHERE: Camelot City
WARNINGS: Violence, death, gore, mutilation of corpses etc. I will not write graphic descriptions of these for threads unless you opt-in to these details.

BASIC BYSTANDER INFO:

The bodies of the dead appear mysteriously during the night and are taken down by Camelot's law enforcement before next sunrise. Those who manage to see the display/s before they're taken down will note they are hung up as a deliberate, increasingly gruesome spectacle [think the 'art' in the TV show Hannibal] as the days go on. It is not a sight for the faint-hearted. If you smell the result, you will in all likelihood throw up the contents of your stomach.

The FIRST WEEK simply involves a single body hung up on a lamp post or some similar, convenient archway/overhang, with one or two more dead bodies below it. None of them are particularly special and all are eventually ID'd as lower tier thugs with shifty reputations.

On the SECOND WEEK, the bodies turn into more...artful displays. Prompt no.2 contains a very basic description of each one. DO NOT click on the links below if you are sensitive to descriptions of corpse mutilation and gore.

1st. "The Puppet"
2nd. "The Blood Eagle"
3rd. "Long-neck"
4th. "The Keyholder"

For those who have underworld/crime connections, you may hear whispers of a local smuggling ring being thrown into chaos. Members are disappearing without warning. Some attempt to go into hiding and turn up again during the first week of murders, dead. Others are simply never heard from after they disappear. Witnesses babble of some dark-cloaked figure who bursts in to places believed to be safe hideouts and slaughters anyone who attempts to escape. Those who DID escape swear up and down they had the luck of the fae on their side.

Emet-Selch finally locates the ringleader in the middle of August and launches into a very public, very destructive pursuit whilst fused with his familiar. Other characters can try and interfere with the chase but he will ultimately kill the ringleader with the help of reanimated corpses of their own subordinates, possessed by some of the spirits of their past victims. After about half an hour when the Soul Catcher he is using expires, he will collapse from his cumulative injuries and be taken into custody by Camelot law enforcement.

For any other questions, please send me a PM to this account or leave a comment here!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hythlodaeus smiles as he squeezes his friend's hand back - but that last addition actually makes him colour. Among the busyness, tension and dissonance of the last few weeks words of love (from Hades, most of all), feel utterly unexpected. For a few moments he's flustered, but then Hythlodaeus smiles again, bringing Hades's hand up to press a kiss to his fingers before the guard has to shorten the chains again.

"[And I, you. Pray remember that, Agesandros.]"

He stays near his friend for as long as he can, and it's with a strangely light heart that Hythlodaeus leaves when the guard gently ushers him out. Though there are still many things to overcome, it feels like the two of them are no longer alone - and that sense of unity makes all the difference.

Even after the chains force him to retreat back into his cell, he watches Hythlodaeus until he can no longer see his friend. Their absence leaves a pressing silence behind, but unlike before, he feels buoyed by their brief interaction. He has something to look forward to now, although guilt continues to eat at him in the back of his thoughts.

The next few days feel brighter. He starts eating again, gradually. Sometimes he waits for Hythlodaeus to arrive just so he can have his friend feed him. And soon enough, he starts looking a little more alive and a little less like a man waiting for the executioner. The situation does not allow him to truly forget that he is a prisoner, but his friend's presence reminds him that he does still have something to live for.

The day of his sentencing arrives. He is led out of his cell, heart thudding anxiously against his ribcage, to face a recently-recovered Arthur's judgement. He expects the worst. Yet, to his surprise, the king grants him some mercy for his part in Celliwig's defence. He is given a choice: assist the old man in the forest through his final days or be banished from Camelot upon pain of death.

It is an easy decision.

He is released after a curse is carefully laid upon him to ensure he does as bid and that he behaves throughout. Hades rubs his wrists absently, hardly able to believe that he is still alive. His eyes immediately attempt to seek out Hythlodaeus.

He's still somewhat emaciated and looks as though a good push would topple him. But he is at least standing upright.

"Hades!"

It's not exactly a push, but Hades does have to deal with Hythlodaeus, who throws himself at his friend, laughing and crying at the same time. It's probably unseemly, and some of those present give them odd looks - after all, how can this man be so happy about a murderer walking free? - but right now Hythlodaeus does not care.

"Heavens, what a relief..."

From the start this day has felt like slow torture for Hythlodaeus - awaiting the hearing, the tedious ceremony of Hades being brought before the king, because of course such things can't be done quickly, long readings of the case details... but it's finally over, and Hades is free. Hythlodaeus holds his friend tightly, as though afraid that if he were to let go he would disappear.

He rocks back on his heels, kept upright by virtue of how tightly Hythlodaeus clings to him. Awkwardly, he wraps his own arms around his friend and gently pats them on the back. What an odd feeling to be judged yet still freed...

"...People are staring, 'Daeus," he eventually says quietly. Although in saying that, he does not move to be the first to part from his friend.

"Let them." Hythlodaeus chuckles, but after a few more moments does let go, though he doesn't pull away far, taking Hades's hand instead. "But 'tis true we should return home. You could do with proper rest."

With that, he gently tugs on Hades's hand to start leading him away. It's not such a long distance to their shop, but he does wonder about how Hades would take even a short journey. It might be better to find a carriage.

He keeps his head down as they walk, gripping Hythlodaeus' hand tightly. For the most part, people give them a wide berth. Even if most accept the king's judgement, there is no shortage of curious eyes watching them go by. It's not every day someone executes a string of people in such brutal and public fashion.

Whether or not they end up taking a carriage, Hades immediately relaxes as soon as they're back at the shop. Home - or at least, what passes for home here in this strange land. He pauses on the threshold and takes a moment to breathe in the incense he had begun to burn to cover the cloying smell of death which clings to him. It has grown faint in his absence.

Now hidden from prying eyes, he finally lets his guard drop. He turns to Hythlodaeus and buries his face against his friend's shirt.

"Thank you..."

Hythlodaeus wraps his arms around Hades with a quiet, somewhat shaky sigh. It still feels so surreal to think that his friend is back, safe and sound, that the nightmares that have haunted him for the past month are not going to come true.

"I thought I was going to lose you, you old fool..." He whispers softly, bringing up a hand to stroke Hades's hair. "I'm so glad you are yet here..."

He closes his eyes, squeezing just that little bit more tightly. How to describe how he had felt standing before the king? He has had little cause to truly fear anything but the past four weeks have shown how dreadfully wrong that is. At some point, he had lost any regard for his own life. With nothing to truly live for, the worth of it had diminished steadily over the centuries until every step forward felt weighed down by the burden of his past.

But when he had finally been brought before the king, the realisation that this may be it, that he would be parted for good from someone he has only just been able to reunite with, had shredded the façade like rice paper. He had stood there silently as his king made his proclamation, knuckles all but white fists by his sides.

(I don't want to die...)

His eyelids flutter open. He leans back just enough to peer up at Hythlodaeus.

"I will stay with you this time, 'Daeus," he whispers. "I promise."

Hythlodaeus is about to answer when suddenly, the combined worries of the past weeks wash over him, and it becomes so terribly hard to speak.

I thought I was going to lose you. I thought you were going to die - because of me.

There's a lump in his throat, and it's hard to tell if it's from relief or fear and anguish. Hythlodaeus only manages to make a small affirmative noise, nodding tearfully before pulling Hades closer again, hiding his face against his friend's shoulder this time.

"Hades--"

He holds Hythlodaeus close, saying nothing for a long time. He has shed all the tears he will when he had still been in his cell. Right now there is only relief.

Rubbing his friend's back as one might a young child, he waits until Hythlodaeus' tears have mostly eased before speaking.

"Sentenced to fulfil the old man's requests until the time of his passing," he says quietly. "That was my calling from the very beginning. To lay souls to rest. Will you...will you accompany me? I would rather not be alone."

It's embarrassing, really, how easily he cries, and particularly in the face of the fact that Hythlodaeus had wanted to take care of his friend first instead of giving in to his emotions. But it's true that the thought of Hades's death has been hanging over him this whole time, sapping all his strength. How good it is to be rid of it...

He smiles in response to Hades's question, though, both out of a desire to show that his tears are not those of sorrow and out of genuine happiness.

"... Of course. In truth, when the king rendered his judgement... I wondered if he knew, somehow. To not only grant you life, but a task that you found meaning in, too..."

A quiet snort. "I doubt it. He likely only meant to teach me to respect life."

It isn't a lesson he needs coaching on. He knows its intricacies very well. Too well...

Wiping the wetness of Hythlodaeus' cheek with his thumb, he grips his friend and lover's hand. "But I must also make up for the hurt I caused you," he says quietly. "How would you have me atone?"

The question seems to take him aback - a little soon, perhaps; after all, to dwell on a way for Hades to atone Hythlodaeus would first need to know if his friend would be allowed to live at all. He looks aside briefly, expression thoughtful, then returns his gaze to Hades's face.

"I have not yet given it thought, to tell you the truth. But right now... I simply want you to stay with me. Mayhap to reassure me that I needn't fear losing you again."

He nods and rises on the tips of his toes to kiss the corner of his partner's mouth. Without further ado, he gently starts to tug Hythlodaeus towards the stairs leading up to their living quarters.

"I need a nap... And a shower." At this, he tosses a wan smile over his shoulder. "You could join me if you wish."

Hythlodaeus smiles softly - and skips ahead a little so that he is the one leading Hades rather than the other way around. After all, he's supposed to be the caretaker here now.

"If I wish, hm?" His voice is a little mischievous, but only for a moment before he turns to Hades, a gentle smile on his face. "Yes... I believe I do. Besides, I never got to pay you back for taking care of me back then."

His smile falters - but only a little. It quickly returns.

"I'm not an invalid, 'Daeus. But I would like it all the same if you could join me."

How long had he been in prison? How long had Hythlodaeus had to practically fend for himself? Hades feels a surge of guilt that he ruthlessly suppresses.

He dutifully follows his friend up the stairs, taking the time to drink in the sight of their home once he reaches the top. He never thought he would miss it so.

It doesn't escape Hythlodaeus, the way his friend looks around the lodgings. He smiles again, squeezing Hades's hand lightly.

"I did my best to keep it tidy, but I fear I haven't quite got your talent for organizing. And I may have sorted some of your tools incorrectly."

He shakes his head ruefully, fingers curling around Hythlodaeus' hand in return. "I should be thankful that you did not toss them away."

Taking a step forward, he kisses his partner on the cheek. "I'll fix your mess later. For now, I want to get out of these clothes."

He laughs softly, leaning in to return the kiss.

"'Tis true, they are not quite your style. Shall I help you off with them?"

He nods, smiling faintly. His heart feels like it's skipping on air.

"Please. Else I may fall over whilst trying to remove my trousers."

"Heavens, I hope not. But I must needs say I was glad to see that you've started eating again."

He lifts a hand to gently stroke Hades's cheek, giving him another smile.

"Raise your arms, now."

With that he takes the bottom edge of Hades's shirt to help him pull it off.

He obliges without complaint, shaking his hair out of his face after the shirt comes off.

"That reminds me: I hope you didn't ruin the kitchen whilst I wasn't here," he says. He pulls over a chair so he can sit as he unlaces his boots. He'd probably topple over trying to bend down right now.

"Well, fortunately, 'twas Felih who handled most of the cooking," Hythlodaeus replies with a laugh as he crouches down and gently pushes Hades's hands out of the way to unlace his boots himself - he's quite determined to spoil his friend for the day. "Ah, but that reminds me - shall I prepare some long bread for you afterwards? You seemed to miss it quite a bit."

"You and your ridiculous 'long bread'..." He shakes his head as he straightens, allowing Hythlodaeus to take over. "Fine. But I want it toasted or buttered at least. I don't want it plain."

It isn't the bread he misses but his friend's antics - but he's sure they both know that.

Oh, Hythlodaeus certainly knows that. Hence his next remark as he finishes unlacing Hades's boots and helps pull them off.

"And you would trust me to choose the butter? There are quite interesting varieties out there, particularly those made using magic."

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