logsinthenight | EVENT LOG: ENTER MR SANDMAN (DEFENDERS)

Entry tags:

EVENT LOG: ENTER MR SANDMAN (DEFENDERS)

EVENT LOG:
ENTER MR. SANDMAN (DEFENDERS)

characters: those who signed up as defenders for the event
location: all around Beacon
date/time: november 16-29
content: the defenders attempt to drive off a spirit invasion
warnings: lots of horror! body horror, psychological horror, gore, violence, etc.. please cw all threads where appropriate! mods will do the same

in your closet, in your head.

It all happens in a matter of moments. Your friends, your companions, and even some people you aren't all that fond of; everyone who took so much as a bite of the spirits' feast suddenly collapses into a comatose heap. Which is bad enough already, but the worst, by far, is yet to come.

Before anyone can really figure out what's happened to the sleepers, the woods surrounding the town come alive with sound. Rustling, screeching, clicking, howling, and under it all, the characteristic hoots and whistles of the forest spirit tongue. But these aren't the friendly creatures that set up the banquet in the first place, and they aren't the familiar faces (or masks) from around Beacon. As they begin to emerge, bursting forth from the trees, these spirits reveal themselves as a horrifying army of terrors. And sprinkled among them, distinguishable by the emerald glint in their sockets, are the infamous "green eyes", the dangerous spirits that appeared once before.

Attempting to talk to these spirits is a moot point, made obvious by their immediate assault on anyone they get close to. They attack with claws and teeth, with limbs far stronger than they have any right to be, and the green eyes, as they are wont to do, will try to get into your head. Somehow, they seem to know what it is that scares you most, and they don't seem too hesitant to use it. It's not clear what they want— are they here to eradicate you? To frighten you? To send a message?

Whatever the case, one thing is very clear: you and everyone else, sleeping or waking, are in serious danger. Are you ready to defend Beacon?

QUICKNAV
comms	\|	network • logs • memes • ooc
pages	\|	rules • faq • taken • mod contact • player contact • calendar • setting • exploration • item requests • full nav

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( Javert doesn't harbor any sort of sentimentalizes. There's no one here he wishes to protect, to go out of his way to search for, to cry their name in desperation because that isn't who he is. He is stone. Despite the numerous acquaintanceships that he's made, he doesn't value anyone's life more than another.

That isn't to say he isn't going to throw himself into danger to save people. He is a police officer, after all, and though he may not be proud of it, he knows it's his duty to protect others. When he's out on patrols, he's hyper-vigilant, keeping one hand gripped to his sword while the other remains on his lantern. He doesn't draw his blade when he notices the Soldier, but it is a very near thing. He doesn't speak to him, not at first. Instead, he simply move closer, mouthing the word, )

Spirits?

( Because if they're nearby, he doesn't wish to be careless and draw their attention. )

[When you've never been allowed to make personal connections, the first ones you ever make do kinda tend to feel more significant. It's hard not to put them ahead of regular people. Thankfully, by now, most of them are either safely tucked into the Invincible, or else verified awake and looking after themselves all right.

The Soldier stops at the sight of another body out in the night, adding up the height and shape and long coat and the tip of the sword, even in the dim light, to a total that means "Inspector Javert". They unclench the metal arm, shifting into an attentive parade rest at the approach, gaze going into the diffuse alert-but-not-looking-it stare that makes it easier to avoid eye contact without picking a specific place to stare.

They shake their head at the word, rather than answering aloud. Nothing obvious. Not yet, anyway.]

( It's only a matter of time, he's sure. But since the Soldier hasn't seen anything, Javert concludes that that must be true. He would not trust anyone else's instincts, not like he trusts the Soldier's. They may not yet be friends, and Javert may still have some reservations about him, but him wouldn't rather have anyone else to watch his back. The man may be an assassin, but he is capable, he follows orders. That is more than Javert can say for most of the people here.

He relaxes a bit, giving a little nod of acknowledgement to the other man before asking, quietly, )

What is it you're doing?

[A handler, even a good one, is a long way from a friend. But Javert is a good one. The Soldier might not trust Javert personally, not exactly, but they do trust him to know what he's doing and have smart orders. And probably not to hurt them. Probably. Like 62% sure.]

Looking for others asleep in the village that we missed on the first past. Others barricaded in cabins. Not everyone wants to come to the Invincible.

[And the Soldier isn't going to argue with most of those people. They have their reasons. That doesn't mean they don't want to check on those people, though, make sure they're still safe.]

( It's a sensible reason. The Invincible is a far cry from being impenetrable, and the more people they have there, the more likely it is for the building to be attacked. Javert wishes they could have come up with a better emergency plan — it was mentioned briefly at the town hall, but never acted upon. Perhaps the others will realize now how tuly important it is. )

I shall accompany you, then.

( It's better for them to go in pairs, so they don't get overwhelmed. )

Which buildings have you checked thus far?

[There really isn't a better emergency plan, if they all aren't going to congregate in the same place and fortify together... maybe having designated places for each smaller group? But the Soldier has pretty much determined where everyone is, at this point, so it's close enough to that end.

They had thought to travel alone so as not to risk anyone else, but one, Javert is a handler and not to be put off; and two, maybe companionship isn't a terrible idea. It's relatively comforting, anyway, having someone competent to give orders if necessary.]

The general store. The church. I am heading for the bridge into the village, now.

( A better emergency plan would be to have caches of weapons around town, as well as supplies and other such things. Perhaps that is something they can assist in together, later, if they find a way to survive this. )

Well, then. ( He raises his sword, taking in their surroundings one more time. )

Lead the way. I will make certain nothing attempts to sneak up on us.

Yes, sir.

[Of course, the Soldier's hearing is probably a lot better than Javert's... they'll just pay attention to both directions, to keep him safe, too.

They won't say much as they prowl past the bonfire, eyes mostly shut and face turned away so as not to completely ruin their night vision, and towards the bridge. They pause before setting foot on it, to listen again.]

( That's probably true. Javert can see better in the dark than most, so he doesn't so much listen as he does keep his wits about him. He keeps a vigilant eye on what may be following them, stopping only when they've come to the foot of the bridge. )

It's clear.

( He mutters. For now. Javert peers back at the darkness for only a moment longer, searchin for any tell-tale signs of green, glowing eyes before stepping onto the bridge and following the Soldier toward the cabins. )

[The Soldier nods, and stalks out across the bridge, keeping special attention on the shadows around the distant houses. The circle they're aiming for first is Bridalveil Falls. Misty's house is there, and they're planning to make sure it's secure-- and Handler Eve's house is there, and they're checking to see if she's asleep there, since if she wasn't asleep, she'd probably be causing trouble.

First house, though, is one of the newcomers' homes, which the Soldier prowls around to check the various exits.]

( While he takes one cabin, Javert takes the next, walking around the perimeter with his lantern peering into the windows. It doesn't seem as if it's been broken into, and there isn't any movement inside, so it's possible the owner isn't there. Or perhaps they are, and they have simply fallen asleep. Javert doesn't see evidence of the latter, and so, once he finished walking around to the front door, he waits for the Soldier to walk in his line of sight.

He shakes his head, telling him there's nothing there. )

[The Soldier nods, starts to hold up a hand, and belatedly realizes that, given the state of his clothes and his French, Javert pretty clearly comes from a time before the "OK" signal or even the thumbs up. So it turns into a point towards the two houses across the communal lawn, instead. Handler Eve (Villanelle, though nobody here knows that name yet) has her house over there, and they really should check on her.

So that's the way they go, holding their lantern up to the windows. No barricades, no boards... and that sure does look like their newest handler, sprawled out on the floor of the living room. Sigh.]

( Javert follows him in stride, holding his lantern up to examine the other house. Just as the last, there's no one there. When Javert turns to say as much to the Soldier, he stops himself when he notices the other man looking into the window. )

What is it?

( He asks, in an undertone, striding up to him with only a soft crunch of his boots. )

[The Soldier steps aside a little to show Javert the glimpse of the sleeper inside, then shrugs their lantern back up onto their shoulder and moves around to the door to try it. Locked. She must have taken food back home, locked the door, and eaten there. The Soldier sighs again, and crouches down to pick the lock.

Not gonna go full property damage on a handler's house.]

( If this were another time, Javert would have scolded him for attempting to pick the lock. It makes him uneasy, but he realizes the necessity of it. It's not as if the other man is breaking in to burglarize the place — they are here to help, and that eases his mind somewhat.

He stands near the Soldier at the door, his gaze wary. Still in an undertone, he stares out into the cul-de-sac, into the darkness and silence that permeates it, and wonders, )

Do you know that woman?

Eve.

[They debate a moment, but as the lock clicks open-- these locks aren't particularly difficult, for the most part-- they add, almsot wearily,]

Another handler. Not as good as you are, though.

[Then they push the door open and creep in, looking and listening around for signs of danger.]

( He feels an emotion swelling up in his chest again — not pride, exactly, but something else. It only lasts for a moment, though, as he watches the Soldier creep inside and follows him, sword drawn. The cabins are not spacious, so there would not be many places for something to hide. As the other man looks around, Javert goes to the woman's side and checks her pulse, just to be certain. )

Alive.

( He breathes, looking around the room carefully for anything that may be out of place. )

[Is your soldier giving you feelings, Javert? Just as well, they have feelings back, a lot of the time.

And Eve-slash-Villanelle is kind of awful, anyway. She played keep-away with a box and intentionally ran into them and yelled "boo" at them and then laughed her fool head off. She's a brat. The Soldier finishes a quick sweep of the downstairs, then returns to gently scoop Eve's body up, first into a bridal carry, then up over the metal shoulder.]

She's asleep like the others. We should take her back to the inn.

( He is, and he hates it! He's never had friends before, and it's not as if the feeling is unwanted, it's just that Javert doesn't know what to do about it. Regardless of what his competition is, it's nice to know there's at least one person here who doesn't think Javert is a terrible person.

He nods, allowing the Soldier to take the lead as he did before, with the inspector providing support. Before they step out of the house, though, he asks in an undertone, )

Do you not find it curious that the spirits seem less interested in them?

Yes. It makes me think the goal. Isn't to kill us. Or not just to kill us.

[But whatever else the goal might be, the Soldier is only guessing at. They have a lot of guesses, none of which are as paranoid as Crowley's, but also none of which can be proved as better than another.

They pause to let Javert close the door behind them. No harm in keeping random spirits out, while no one's home.]

( He hums in contemplation. Javert has his own thoughts about it, but this is perhaps not the time to voice them. Once they return to the Invincible, they may speak on it further, but now, it is best that he keep quiet and stay on the lookout for spirits. )

Let us go.

( He mutters, closing the door behind him and securing his blade in his hand. )

[Getting a second opinion on the idea-- that isn't Crowley's paranoid, stressed-out delusions, anyway-- sounds like a great idea. The Soldier keeps the desire quiet, though, for similar reasons to Javert.

The trek back to the Invincible isn't a short one, when you're very carefully walking both slowly and silently, your lantern is dark, and you're carrying a sleeping woman who you would really rather not be touching right now. They let Javert cover their rear, focusing on threats potentially between them and their goal.

For now, it's quiet, at least, and they're getting there slowly but surely, over the bridge and towards the bonfire.]

( Perhaps it is sheer luck that has kept the spirits away from them, or perhaps it is skill. Either way, it doesn't seem likely that they would traverse such distance without going unnoticed. Once they pass by the bonfire, moving briskly toward the Invincible, he notices a spirit standing at the edge of the light. It watches them, and Javert is certain that the Soldier sees it, too, and he whispers harshly, )

Go! Get that woman to the inn.

[Oh, they see it. They were hoping to just quietly keep walking by, or at least get closer to the Invincible before inviting the attack. They heft Eve's body a little more securely with the metal arm curled around her protectively, ease a gun out of the hip holster just in case, and waits for Javert's decision or the spirit's, either one-- and there's Javert's decision.

Even if they might like to stay behind and protect Javert, it's an order from a handler, and those are for obeying. They leap into a half-crouched sprint for the Invincible-- impressively fast, for a guy carrying a limp body and making themselves as small a target as possible.]

( If anyone's going to stay behind and be the self-sacrificing fool, Javert would rather it be him. The Soldier may be a good fighter, but it is cumbersome to carry a sleeping body on one's back. It puts Eve at an unnecessary risk, and so Javert orders him to go. The sight of the man's retreating back relieves him.

He stays behind only long enough to cripple the spirit, slashing at its waist after a bit of a back and forth struggle. His arm is bleeding, but that is of little consequence. If the creature follows him back to the inn, at least he will be able to call for backup. )

iii

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject