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Post by indeath on Oct 17, 2022 0:19:29 GMT -6
((August brings Vince the murder weapons.))
August grinned from ear to ear when Ash showed he was in fact alive! It was a huge relief but when the manticore went down he did a little dance. Until he remembered what that meant. It filled him with sadness but it had to be done. He gathered up the weapons left around and brought them over solemnly to Vince.
“Ermm Just make it quick, yeah? Like straight to the ol’ brain. Put him outta his misery.”
He stood to the side awkwardly.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 17, 2022 1:31:39 GMT -6
((OOC: Una recruits Saint Leopold to find medical supplies in the village.))
Una took a deep, relieved breath when the manticore settled down to sleep. Unfortunately, their mission wasn't yet complete; somebody had to kill the beast, after all. And what about the injured? In particular, Ash was in a terrible state, although Saint Leopold had stopped his bleeding.
"You're safe now," Una promised Ash. "We'll fix you up, don't worry!"
She eyed the mummy with a new sense of respect. All of Una's earlier suspicions were gone. He wouldn't betray them.
"Saint Leopold," she said, putting her firebrand aside (propped up where it could safely burn). Then, Una clasped her hands behind her back. "I don't know how to mend his wing or his chest." She gestured to Ash and Vincent. "In my home, our healers sing, and their voices are medicine."
Delicately, she extended her hand, reaching for Leopold. Her grip was gentle.
"Will you help me? We need to gather first aid supplies."
Briefly, she glanced over her shoulder and through the gate, where the manticore would die. It had to. But she couldn't bear to witness the moment, so Una looked away, instead gently pulling Leo toward the wine maker. "Somebody once told me that my voice can break a heart," she whispered to Leo, almost solemnly, "but I think that was an exaggeration."
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Post by kilnarak on Oct 17, 2022 2:36:06 GMT -6
[ Ash accepts the mummy's help and thanks him. Then he decides to rest and let the others deal with killing the beast. ]
Ash allowed the mummy to guide him past the fire and into the village. He moved a safe distance inside, continuing past the entryway to one of the nearer buildings. Once he felt he was far enough, he slumped down to sit by the winemaker's hut, wrapping his arms and his one remaining wing around himself.
The others were still bustling about, planning how to kill the manticore. He couldn't bring himself to help, the thought of going near that creature again, even sedated, made his blood run cold and his scales clatter together with shivers. Or maybe that was blood loss. His eyes drifted closed, the adrenaline that had kept him going beginning to wear off. Something touched him and he jerked awake, looking uncertainly at the mummy. It was a moment before he realized that it was trying to bind his wounds. He hissed softly but moved himself to try to make it easier.
Once wrapped, the bleeding slowed to a stop, but it didn't hurt any less. He slumped back down, wrapping his arms around himself again. "Thank you," he rasped to the mummy, then closed his eyes. He would just rest a little while, the others would be able to deal with the manticore wouldn't they?
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Post by beastly on Oct 17, 2022 2:45:16 GMT -6
((Vincent is hurt, he sits up. He takes the weapon from August and gives an almost apology. He then stabs the monster through the eye with a long knife and tries to scramble the brains.)) ((Items: shovel, knife))
Vincent hissed in pain, clutching his side and feeling the venom burn and throb in his chest. It was terrible, brought tears unwillingly to his eyes, but he tried to push it aside. You've had worse, Hudson. He grit his teeth, looking up from his pain. The monster could have been right upon him- but it wasn't. Squinting, he could see the monster devour the ham. He watched the beast move on, and fear filled him, what if it didn't take- but then the monster went down.
He had to finish the hunt. He'd left his knife, and unless he wanted to try and finish it off with a shovel like a rabbit that had been hit by a car he'd need a weapons.
The scruffy man groaned quietly as he got to his knees, and half jumped when August came up beside him. He swallowed a noise of pain as he got himself to his feet, taking the knife.
"I want it to be quick. We don't know how long the wine will last."
The vampire stood aside, waiting for Vince to do the killing- and Vincent sighed.
"I really was wrong about thinking you a killer. I don't understand. I might need you to help, though. Stand by."
Vincent took the knife, and approached the beast's human-like face. He grimaced, prepared himself, and plunged the knife into the animal's eye, putting weight into it to send it into the animal's brain. For good measure, he stirred. The movement hurt his chest, but it needed done.
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Post by tsukikoko on Oct 17, 2022 11:42:03 GMT -6
[OOC: John acquires one of the leftover sharp implements and assists Vincent in dispatching the Manticore.]
Well, it seemed the winged one had survived. A pity. It would have saved John the trouble later and he probably didn't need all of the group for whatever else lay ahead. Still, he supposed if it hadn't been for the creature's distraction, handling the Manticore would have been markedly more difficult. It deserved a swift and painless death later.
The fox turned his head towards the winemaker, sighing wistfully that there were too many potential witnesses and too much at stake to indulge in her flesh. Nor could be finish off Ash in his weakened state. Still, with the Manticore having devoured the ham, there was something else to at least... temper his desires.
With a quick pace, John trotted over to a sharp implement the winged one had delivered earlier, not yet taken up by any others in the group. Using his jaws, he gripped the handle so the blade was held out at a right angle, then continued his way out of the gate and towards both Vincent and the Manticore. The Kumiho flickered an appraising gaze over the Hunter, noting his injury with mild interest, before turning his attention on the sleeping beast.
As Vincent stabbed the Manticore through the eye, John plunged his own blade into the beast's neck, his aim uncannily accurate to where a carotid artery should run. While the fox couldn't be certain this beast would follow standard anatomy, it seemed a fair chance to take. He jerked his head to slice and contribute more damage, before leaping back to avoid any spasms the creature might have. After all, it was still far larger than he, even a death spasm could injure him.
The idea of the beautiful red of blood arcing into the air sent his heart all a-flutter.
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Post by indeath on Oct 17, 2022 15:33:17 GMT -6
(( August reassesses his view on the fox.))
August heart dropped to where his stomach used to be but he nodded solemnly. It brought back memories of his grandfather’s hunting trips and what a disappointment he’d been then. At least this animal deserved it on some level. He looked away as Vince stuck the blade in, but the sudden flash if red brought it back. His eyes widened like saucers as the fox plunged the blade in; in a very non-fox way.
“Crikey! That’s somethin’… I’m guessin’ ya don’t need my help no more.”
He took a step backwards from the scene. Hopefully it had been already dead before the fox plunged its knife in. Still he felt sick at the sight of its gorey death.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 17, 2022 19:42:51 GMT -6
The blow are lethal, and the creature takes slower and slower breaths, until that and any movement ceases with a final shudder. Bright red blood flows out to pool around the body, then stops. The body is now an immobile mound. While Vincent and John continue to attack the corpse, it seems to have no further effect.
However, upon the beast’s last breath, there is a discernible change in air pressure.
The mummy nodded at Una, following her as she moved towards the Winemaker’s hut, though it paused, as if it could hear something that the others could not, and looked around.
The heavy fog blanketing the ground around them begins to dissipate in a circular wave, creating clarity in the true darkness that spreads from the walled village and outwards towards the manticore in a rolling rush. The pitch line of fire gutters and dies, as if a candle blown out by someone’s breath. The torches in Una and the mummy’s hands also flutter and go out for a moment.
Vincent attains the Manticore's Fang
When the torches, and only the torches relight, the town is oddly silent and still. Where the guard had been standing now lays a slumped, very obviously dead body, head folded into its chest. It looks as if it has been deceased for at least a week or more. Its tattered clothing appeared to have been further torn by what seems to have been the feeding habits of the Beast.
The rest of the town is still, the door remain closed where the villagers had drawn them, but the party notes that the area is significantly more derelict than it had appeared when they laid eyes on it moments before. No lights shined from within the animal hide windows. Roofs showed signs of water damage, plaster was cracked, and the earth was dry, bare, and devoid of any footprints besides their own.
The grapes still hung, growing wild on the vineyard where they had been neatly pruned before. The case of wine they had previously collected from appeared to be filled with only empty bottles. The two in the broken barrel were the only ones that were untouched, and now they were gone.
Scattered in the walled town were the skeletal remains of the swine, and a new discovery: Five mounds of dirt in the center of the town with piles of stones on top. Each one had a single, gently burning candle(x5), and on one was a single small bottle.
The mummy guides Una towards the bottle on top of the grave, and picks it up in its thin fingers. If it was surprised or concerned by any of these events that have taken place, it is impossibly to tell. It holds the bottle in its palm, and gestures, first at Ash, and then at Vincent, as if asking her to choose.
Una now has a Mysterious Bottle.
Despite the haunted look of this place, there is an aura of peace about this change, and you feel drawn towards the gate at the far end of this compound (G).
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Post by indeath on Oct 17, 2022 20:10:39 GMT -6
(( August is saddened by the big reveal, he goes to the mummy to find out if the balm can help his friends. He pats Una on the shoulder to give her some comfort.))
August face was a dramatic mask of shock and grief as the truth was displayed before them. Another tear welled as he walked sadly into the dead village. It had all been for nothing. The villagers had been so nice, he hoped at least now they were at rest.
He went to the mummy’s side and took out the holy balm that he had kept close. Then he pointed to Ash then Vince.
“Can it help one of em? Do ya know what it does?”
He gave Una a comforting pat on the shoulder as he waited for the mummy’s response. She looked like she needed it.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 17, 2022 21:52:56 GMT -6
The mummy reaches out to August, and takes the container of Holy Balm from him. It removes the cork, and carefully dips a single finger in the sparkling, luminescent fluid. It then held said index finger out to August. The mummy then leaned over, and took one of the candles from the grave, before holding it to the balm on its finger.
The balm on its finger immediately catches fire, and burns, with a scent rather like frankincense and myrrh. The flame burns low, and the mummy uses its now smoking finger to make symbols in the air, before folding both hands towards its forehead in prayer, and bowing its head in front of the graves, paying respect. Its flaming finger goes out as it does so.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 17, 2022 23:40:00 GMT -6
((OOC: Una hugs August and then tells him about the healing bottle.
ITEMS: mysterious bottle))
Confronted by the village's disintegration, Una could no longer hope for a happy ending. She felt her eyes moisten, a human response to sadness. A couple tears streaked the mud down her cheeks. At least the dead were at peace now. It was a bittersweet consolation. She took the bottle from Leo. Thoughtfully, she gazed at the candles that burned upon the graves, remembering her conversation with a ghost. Had Fedlimid made them before she died? Had she shaped the wax with her hands?
"This will heal them?" she asked Leo, looking at the bottle. And when he nodded, she asked aloud, "How am I meant to choose?"
Then, August approached with the balm, giving Una a moment to think. Ash was in a critical state; his wing was broken, and he was clearly injured, although Leo had stopped the bleeding. And John/Victor had been stung by the barbed tail and thrown through the air. Humans were small and delicate.
"Oh, August," Una sighed. "It isn't fair." She turned and wrapped her arms around him in a hug, leaning into his chest like a cat. Flakes of dry mud fell off her stringy hair. "We were too late to save them."
Then, in a soft voice, "Leo gave me a vial ... it's enough to heal one person."
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Post by tsukikoko on Oct 18, 2022 1:40:02 GMT -6
[OOC: John investigates whatever is on the other side of the gate at the far end of the compound (G).]
Ahh, what a wondrous colour - fresh blood. It always looked so beautiful in his fur, deep and dark and so like his yeowoo guseul. Alas, it couldn't remain forever and he set about washing himself of the stains before they dried, ensuring his was turned from the group so they would not see the nature of his tongue.
It was about then that the Kumiho turned his attention back towards the village, noting its far more derelict state. A small hiss of irritation passed his lips that the woman he'd wanted had been dead long before, but at least he hadn't wasted time preying upon her, only to find out she were some trapped spirit.
With one last lick of his overlong tongue, John trotted through the village, taking idle note of the group's activities, before deciding there was nothing in particular of note for him to do. One of them was prattling on about the unfairness of choosing who to heal. Well if he were being sentimental, the fox would have chosen the Hunter; given he had been apparently stung by the Manticore tail and was likely dying a slow death, the other one was stable, even if he couldn't fly anymore. Plus, the man seemed more useful still and maybe if someone made a decision they'd stop crying about it.
As he passed by Vincent, the fox gave a flick of his tail and used the tip to point the Hunter's way, at least vaguely giving his opinion on the matter, before he set about investigating the far gate (G).
John sniffed the air and just above the ground near to the structure, his ears flickering as he listened to what might be on the other side, before (if it was closed) searching to see if there was a handle or latch he needed to lift with his muzzle, or work free with his teeth. Assuming he could get it open, or it already was, the fox pushed opened the gate and poked his head out, peering at what might be on the other side.
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Post by indeath on Oct 18, 2022 1:42:54 GMT -6
((August gives Una advice and a hug.))
August wrapped his arms around Una and gave her a friendly hug back. It was exactly what he had needed.
“It’s pretty crummy… Ugh it ain’t fair alright. Well, I know if I found out that someone had chosen me to live over someone else, I’d feel pretty rotten about it. I reckon we should put it to them so they can make an informed decision themselves so no one feels bad. What do ya think?”
He let Una gently from the hug to see what she thought. She had been very taken with the candlemaker.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 18, 2022 2:56:34 GMT -6
((OOC: Una tells August a weirdass ocean fable, and then takes the bottle to Vincent, Ash, and John to explain the situation ITEMS: mysterious bottle))
A weight seemed to lift from her conscience. She didn't have to choose! Let the injured decide: they knew their needs better than anyone.
And now, she could live free of guilt from the consequences of a life or death choice.
"I have a story for you, Auggie," she hummed.
Una's story:
There was a little ship of merchants. Twelve men and one child. The captain was old and wise; he'd sailed every sea at least twice. The cabin boy was only nine; he was the captain's beloved grandson. A sweet, brave child, but still learning the ropes. And knots.
You ... we ... are not meant to live upon the ocean. It's a harsh environment. Yet ... the little merchant vessel wasn't overturned by a rogue wave or damaged by a reef. It was attacked by pirates. They killed five men and stabbed two people: the captain and the cabin boy.
Rapidly, their wounds showed signs a terrible infection called the green bruise. The pirates had stollen all the ship's valuables, including its medical supplies, but the surgeon possessed a hidden stash of antibiotics he'd acquired from healers in the rainforests of a distant land. However, there was only enough medicine to heal one person.
'Save my grandson,' ordered the captain. With regret, the medic reminded him: half the crew was dead, including the first mate. Rations and equipment had been stollen. Without the captain's expertise, they'd likely perish before reaching land. So would one child die from an infection? Or would everyone die from exposure?
And the wizened, experienced captain--who'd survived fifty years at sea because he'd previously had no sentimental notions about life and death--told the surgeon, 'You can find a way home without me; have faith,' and then threw himself into the ocean.
At least, that's what he wished he'd done.
Every day, for the rest of his long life.
Satisfied that she'd imparted great wisdom upon her human friend, Una smiled sadly and then joined Ash, John, and John/Vincent near the gate. She held up the bottle.
"According to Saint Leopold, this bottle will heal one person." She looked back at August, as if for reassurance, and then continued. "Whose need is the greatest?"
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Post by indeath on Oct 18, 2022 3:10:39 GMT -6
((August compliments Una and gives his support in thumbs.))
“That was beautiful Dr. Una! Ya have the heart of a poet! Ya got this.”
He gave her a warm smile before she departed and when she looked back he gave her two thumbs up.
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Post by beastly on Oct 18, 2022 9:10:54 GMT -6
((Vincent takes the tooth from the Manticore and heads back to the others. He is distraught to learn the town was ghosts. He talks to Una and Ash, and suggests they heal Ash.)) ((Items: knife, tooth, shovel))
Vincent drew his knife from the manticore's eye, and after a moment of thought, reached into the beast's mouth, ripping a tooth free. Why, he wasn't sure, but he now held it in his grasp. He groaned as he stood, coughing as his ribs protested. The tone around him shifted, and he felt it. Something in the air. He eyed the violent fox, and started to make his way back to the little village, hand on his chest.
He looked around, and found that this all had been... for ghosts. His already dour face fell farther. They had saved no one. Freed spirits, perhaps, but there was no life saved. His eyes fell on the candles, and he reflected upon his interactions with the boy and his pigs. Then, he headed for the gate, still clutching his chest.
Una, August, and the mummy were discussing something, but Vincent didn't attempt to eavesdrop. Instead, he looked the dragon man over with a frown.
When Una joined them by the gates, Vincent grimaced at her words, giving a nod of understanding. He started talking, quiet voice short and rough.
"The venom will kill me. Not within the time we have," he wasn't sure why he said that, but felt it true, "but, I will become progressively less useful to you. Ash doesn't look like he can walk. Unless we want to leave him here or carry him, I see no other way but to heal him. The reason I went out there was to save him and you. Heal Ash."
Vincent left out that he was in agony. Una, Ash, and August seemed soft and sentimental. He didn't want their pity, or to turn this into anything emotional. He would either find help when they were done, whatever that meant, or fix things with some other lethal means.
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