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

Entry tags:

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

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."

"I'm hardly in a position to stop you right now, am I."

He says it with a sigh, resigning himself to the fact that Hythlodaeus may very well buy unusual, magicked butter purely for the novelty of the experience - and that he's going to be their guinea pig.

"...Are you planning to go out and buy it? Do we not have any in the coolbox?"

He glances up at his friend, then gives him a smile, leaning his head against Hades's knee from his seated position.

"We do. And I confess, I would much rather conduct my experiments when you've got more energy to get indignant with me. So, I suppose... This one time I can make you some regular toast."

A light flush creeps up his neck. He gently nudges Hythlodaeus with his foot in retaliation - not enough to disturb his friend's position.

"Hmph. So you freely admit to seeking out my ire. You silly fool."

Reaching down, he caresses Hythlodaeus' cheek. Yes, how lucky he is to have them back with him. Words can hardly express how he feels to have the other man back. Even if he had to take a life for it, it is a deed he won't ever regret.

Edited 2021-09-10 06:47 (UTC)

Hythlodaeus only chuckles to himself at Hades's attempt at a scolding, closing his eyes and resting a hand over Hades's on his cheek. He stays like that for a little while, feeling the warmth of his friend's skin against his.

"...I missed you, Hades."

His eyes start to burn, tears welling in them against his will. Is it right that he should feel happy now? Is he allowed to? Or will it all come crashing down again, as their world did long ago?

"I'm sorry," he whispers. "I'm sorry..."

Tears slid down his cheek and drip on to his lap. Wiping them away roughly with his bare arm, he sucks in an unsteady breath and exhales.

"Would you hold me for a moment, 'Daeus...?"

He hates how vulnerable he sounds.

"Of course," Hythlodaeus replies quietly, breath catching in his throat. He rises up on his knees a little awkwardly, reaching out to draw Hades into a hug. He can at least tell that his friend likely thinks it shameful to show weakness, and so he does his best to be soothing with it, wrapping his arms around Hades and stroking his back.

"I am here, Hades... I am here."

He buries his face against Hythlodaeus' shoulder, clutching his friend tightly. His sobbing is quiet even though there is no-one else to hear him. It's difficult to let go of certain habits - not least of which is concealing how he truly feels before the mortal masses.

Their lives are so fragile here. In truth, he knows their bodies were just as vulnerable back then to sickness and disaster as they are now, but danger had never stalked the streets of Amaurot. He had thought he wouldn't care if they died here, knowing that bringing a life back is as simple as taking another's. But it hurts, still. It hurts.

Eventually he manages to regain some composure. He's sure he must look a mess with his nose running and his eyes red. Even now, he tries not to let Hythlodaeus see it.

"...Thank you," he mutters.

Hythlodaeus's own eyes brim with tears and his breath comes shorter as he listens to his friend cry, but at least these are tears of empathy - and perhaps relief that they are reunited once more. He hums softly and whispers soothing nothings as Hades cries, and takes no notice at all of the mess he's making on his clothes - those can always be laundered or replaced, after all.

"'Tis naught to thank me for," he murmurs, turning his head to press a kiss to Hades's temple. "You would do the same for me. You have done the same for me."

"You always knew how to cheer us up," he mumbles, sitting a little straighter in his seat as he tries to clean his face. Difficult to do when he no longer has a sleeve to dry his eyes (or nose) on. That shower sounds like a very good idea right now. "I would never wish those long aeons on you. I don't want you to ever know the curse of loneliness, 'Daeus."

He starts tugging on Hythlodaeus' collar. Half-hearted motions to remove his friend's shirt. "Let us clean ourselves up. It has been a tiring day for the both of us."

He chuckles softly, fishing out a handkerchief out of his own pocket and handing it to Hades. Somehow, his friend moving to help him out of his clothes as well makes Hythlodaeus's heart fill with warmth - it's a kind of confirmation of their care for each other, the mutual desire for peace and comfort.

"That is true enough. Worry not, I have kept the bed aired. I know you must be looking forward to one of your naps," he says, tone gently playful - yet another effort to keep Hades's mood up. After all, it has been a trying time, and they will have more than enough opportunity to dwell on and process everything that has happened. For now, let them bask in the simple comfort of each other's presence.

Hythlodaeus lets his friend undo his shirt, then shrugs it off onto the back of the other chair, sitting up to remove his trousers. Keeping the rooms tidy can wait, too.

"I'm not a child," he protests mulishly as he takes the handkerchief and dabs at his face. It gives him a few moments to hide and recover.

As Hythlodaeus starts to undress, he drops the damp handkerchief amongst the rest of their clothes and stands to remove his own pants as well - although it would be more accurate to say he loosens them and then lets them slide off. The weather is growing chilly again and he can't help but shiver as they fall and bare his legs. He steps out and makes his way to the bathroom.

"I had nothing to do but sleep in that cell. I want to help you with our meal," he says.

Edited 2021-09-10 15:47 (UTC)

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