video | un: username & un: finn (dated a few hours after the battle)

[skelepun]

[ Surprise, everyone! Shortly after the fighting has finished and some of the dust has settled, there’s suddenly a video being presented to you. Finn and Sans are sitting side by side in one of the provided palace quarters; while Sans wears the same expression he always does, Finn appears a little jumpy and a lot nervous. He’s eager to jump into his spiel so they can get to work, but there’s a lot of information to convey so--

He opens his mouth, closes it, then his eyes flick to Sans for guidance. Where the hell do we start? Taking the cue, Sans begins. ]

So, uh, hey. I know the guard's tucked everybody in safe and sound, but try to keep your heads on... Some of you can get a little, uh, screamy when there's big news. And spoiler alert: we've got pretty big news.

It pertains to the powers that be around here, so yeah. [ He mimes dragging a zipper across his teeth. ] Zip 'em if you got 'em.

[ Another shared glance between the two and, welp, time to dive in. ]

I'll cut to the chase: Finn and I both met with the Ghost Girl. Me, about a week ago. Him... about an hour ago, heh. So if the kid's a little rattled, don't be too hard on him. He's one of the screamy ones I was talkin' about.

[ Finn’s brow immediately furrows. ] I’m not screamy. This is important, and we’re constantly being watched, and the palace separated us, and we need to act fast or--

Anyway. The monsters, the ones we just fought and... killed. They weren't always monsters. They were human, like the rest of the citizens around town. The quarantine zone, the "outer ones," all of them were infected by some sort of plague that turned them into what they are now. And it's not like they're animals now or anything, they aren't feral, they're just... people. People who've been forced into exile by the Lord and Lady. Hell, according to So-Yeon, they're the ones that did this to them in the first place. Suffice to say, they're pissed.

Uh, that's the Ghost Girl, by the way. So-Yeon.

To hear her tell it, all of this is just for the Lord and Lady. She wants the monsters to reintegrate into the city, to live side by side with their families and friends here, but she knows the palace won't allow it. They seem like they'd do pretty much anything to keep whatever they did under wraps. So-Yeon told me she tried bringing it to them directly, appealing to their sense of decency, but uh... she showed me this mark on her neck, and uh...

[ Sans pauses, fully internalizing in that moment that the scar she'd shown him may be the cause of her death. It's not a pleasant realization. ]

I don't think it worked out for her too good. [ He squeezes his eye sockets shut, pinching at his nasal bone with one hand and jutting a thumb at Finn with the other. ] Finn, I think this is your cue to tell 'em the rest.

[ Finn jumps a little, preoccupied as he was with Sans’ story and the reaction he gave. But, uh, right. ]

She said that the Lord and Lady used a power called the Golden Eye out of greed that turned their own people into the monsters we’ve seen. She snuck into the palace, stole the Golden Eye, and now she’s trying to find a cure. But the best she can do so far is give them their minds back for a little while.

She shared that power with me, but I have limited uses for it. What I know for sure is that everyone in the palace knows exactly what’s happening to our friends, and I don’t know what they’ll do to them once the change is done. So-Yeon offered all of us sanctuary, and I know the way. We just have to get them out of the palace.

[ He shrugs. ]

Considering she has the orb, whether or not we fully trust her, we have to go.

[ Slouching a little deeper, Sans huffs a completely unnecessary breath before flashing a quick wink at their fellow Orbers across the feed.]

Any ideas?

(( ooc: please feel free to tag around, threadjack, what have you!! finn and sans will be replying at random, you could even get both of them (lucky you) -- if you have one of them in mind specifically, call it out in your header! ))

Comments

text; un: astral

[soulbonder]

How do you know she has the Orb?

[hatejakku]

It's the Golden Eye.

She said that she snuck into the palace after her family was changed and stole it. But it's not really an orb, it's some sort of power. It's something that glows from within her.

I'm not totally sure, of course, but it's something that was stolen, is a sphere, and has weird magical properties going on. It's a hunch.

But if that is the Orb, I don't know how we'll get it or if she'll even give it up.

video; un: kitsuragi

[kimballin]

Why they turned their subjects into creatures would be a good thing to know. It will not excuse it, but it may help us understand how they might retaliate.

But more importantly: what did she mean by sanctuary? I'm more inclined to trust her over the Lord and Lady, but that does not mean she has our best interests in mind.

[bindsthedead]

Especially since without the orb, she may lose her ability to keep their minds from degrading.

And we're trying to take it for our own purposes.

[hatejakku]

According to her, they did it out of greed. She said the Golden Eye can give so long as something is given up in exchange. I'm not sure if they chose to give up their citizens or if the Orb did. She made it sound like it's not really possible to fully control it.

As far as this sanctuary, I think she has the best interest of the people who have... been infected. It's clear that she wants to help them. She also wants revenge, though. I didn't really imply that we'd help with that part, but I told her that we could maybe offer different ideas for resolving things...

She has her own agenda, don't get me wrong. She'd turn on us if we got in her way. That's why she attacked us in the first place.

video, un: username

[skelepun]

[Don't mind him, he's just gonna cut in too.]

Listen, I'm not gonna claim to be her best friend but we talked for kind of a while. She struck me as a kid way over her head, not some mastermind.

audio; un: Sabriel.Abhorsen

[bindsthedead]

I've spoken with the Dead- both those who died in the palace before our arrival, and the monsters who fell in the recent battle.

Death... isn't the same here as what I'm used to, and it was a bit like trying to listen to a radio station but not being to tune into the right frequency- but what I did manage to learn from them matches up with what you've said. The monsters were working with this- So-Yeon of their own free will, and retained their minds as much as any of the Dead do.

[hatejakku]

The-... You can talk to ghosts? [ That's actually not totally unbelievable to him. But it's useful to know! ]

Wait, so, what was different about the dead here? Do you think the... frequency was off for a reason?

audio; un: username

[skelepun]

[ Finn had the planning side of this covered, but there was another question nagging at Sans he couldn't just ignore. ]

I gotta ask. The monsters were killed by our people, how the hell did you get them to tell you anything?

[ He didn't doubt her claim, but... ]

video; un: newt

[groupiedrifter]

Uh. Okay. That's bad.

[Hi, it's me, the weird guy with the skull pinky ring.

Newton's looking a bit disheveled, what with the big bandage on his forehead and the splint on his wrist, but judging from the microscope and various papers scattered around him, he's just started in on what's going to be a very intensive study session with his newly... 'acquired' monster pieces.]

I'm gonna bet the tissue samples me and my pals managed to steal from the guards will match up with what you're saying right now — Guards who were trying to get rid of the bodies around the palace as quickly as possible, I might add. So this all tracks.

[A long pause, like he's trying to figure out the best way to ask. But, well...]

Hey, Finn, don't suppose you'd be willing to give me some blood?

[hatejakku]

[ Finn... stares at the screen blankly for a moment. ]

I-...

Why?

video; un: username

[skelepun]

I'm pretty positive you can't just ask people for their blood.

un: fullmetal

[chrysology]

They......were people? Their own citizens? Did they know what would happen to them? How are we supposed to get the orb? Is that what's helping her bring them back to themselves? At least for a little?

[Or is it something to do with that Golden Eye? Ed isn't sure. But he really. Really doesn't like the sound of this. It almost reminds him of what happened with Ling back home. And how awful that helpless feeling was that he couldn't bring himself to shoot to stop it from happening. Those fleeting moments where Ling managed to break through in gaining control to take action or say something instead of it being Greed. That desire to try help and do something for him, knowing he still had others waiting for him. Just like these people would, their families and all.

Ed might be locked away with the others, separated, but that doesn't mean he's going to ignore this. Even if he is obviously also still dealing with this, the transformation and pain and all. Which might mean he may or may not respond to this immediately. But somebody is. Not gonna be taking this well. At all. Not that he hasn't fought humans before, but knowing this happened because of something the rulers did was definitely messed up and reminding him way too much of home.]

[hatejakku]

[ That's a lot of questions, Ed. Hold on. ]

It's unclear if they knew this would happen. So-Yeon said that the Golden Eye did this because they used it for their own greed. According to her, something had to be given for it to work, but she made it sound like it had limits and wasn't possible to completely control.

All the same, even if they didn't meant to at first, they found out. They tried to cover it up and kept using the Orb for whatever they were using it for.

As for getting it... I don't know. If I'm right, and the Orb is the Golden Eye, it's what's helping her restore the pieces of these people's minds. She said she can't completely restore them with it, though. Either way, we need to fix this first.

Voice | UN: Syrlya

[chronosynthesis]

So the plague is a corruption wrought by their use of the Golden Eye, and their people don't know because they are trying to hide its origins. [That does explain the strange whispers from the ones he stabbed! Amazing that he can be yet more disgusted by the royal's neglect.]

Finn says that The Gh--that So-Yeon can only give them their minds back for a while. Does that not mean this is far more than some physical transformation? What kind of cure does she seek?

[hatejakku]

I don't know what cure they need, and she definitely doesn't know. So-Yeon's determined to retake the city, though. She thinks that with the medicine here, she could really heal them.

I... doubt it'll be that easy. And the Golden Eye doesn't heal them completely either.

But, yes. From what she said, anyone left untreated by the Golden Eye's power will lose themselves pretty quickly. It's why she gave me some of it.

un: WHEATLEY

[testgasm]

Right, so. Quick question. How do we know this is not a trap? I mean, if I'm understanding all this correctly, somebody is turning people into monsters around here, and, uh. I just want to make sure we've got the right one.

[hatejakku]

[ Excellent question. ]

I don't think it is but I've been wrong before. Honestly, she's our best bet, in my opinion. Doesn't mean I'm not preparing for the worst.

audio; un: ratchet

[neveroutwrenched]

Listen, are we...sure this girl is telling us the truth? Or that she has the whole story? I found letters from the lady that made it seem like she felt pretty terrible about the whole thing. Offering help, even.

[Ratchet takes a breath, not sounding very certain about any of it.]

I dunno. I just think...maybe this is more complicated than it seems.

[No minor feat considering how complicated it already was. But the answer just...seemed so neat.]

[hatejakku]

I think she's telling her version of the truth, but she's so angry about what's happened, I'm not sure she has the whole story.

But you said you found letters from the Lady? Who were these addressed to?

[ But yeah, this has just gotten a lot more complicated. And in Finn's world, it was already pretty complicated. ]

audio; un: laozu

[flauntist]

Limited uses for the Golden Eye? What do you mean by uses?

[hatejakku]

I wish I knew. Not really sure if the power is fading over time or if I can only help a certain number of us.

I would have asked, but we were getting shot at at the time. [ Still should have asked, Finn. ]

But she said it should help those infected come back to themselves mentally. I don't think it'll help the physical side of this.

text, un: silent

[callada]

Glad you both were able to talk to her, and that you're both safe after what went down.

I'm on board with whatever folks here decide to do, and you're right, we need to understand what So-Yeon's up to if we're going to get this orb. I know we only have limited info here but it sure seems like she's closer to being on the right side of this than the lord and lady are.

That said, it might be helpful to keep some of us on the lord and lady's good side, too. I haven't spoken to them much myself but if anyone's had time to make nice with them, they might be more open to listening to that person's arguments later on if we need to negotiate a truce between these two groups.

[hatejakku]

Someone else raised the same idea and I agree. Maybe we can figure out what's going on better if we approached both sides of this separately. We'll be able to communicate the whole time, too.

video; un: oswin

[bossily]

[A very tiny and exhausted someone looks about ready to kill.]

I knew it. And I'm going to -

[No, she can't outright say she's going to kill anyone. That'll end badly. She takes in a shaky breath and releases it slowly as her eyes brim with tears. This is the worst.]

We have to go with her. No matter what the cost, we have to save our friends.

[She's not about to let the Doctor suffer any more than he already has.]

But we'll likely have to fight to free them.

[hatejakku]

[ Oh wow, she's literally the personification of everything he's feeling right now. ]

We might. If it comes to that, we'll do it. One step at a time.

[ Never mind that Finn's about ready to claw at the walls for wanting to get on with this. ]

audio;

[winscenario]

I can try to find a way to get us out of here, if you want.

[ He's not going to make this overly emotional, especially given the way they were separated, and how distraught Finn was about it. Best to approach this practically, instead of panicking about what kind of creature he's turning into. ]

She's reached out to us in our sleep, too. She showed us where to go. Where she is. [ He pauses. ] I just... don't know how'd she feel about everyone else joining us. I don't know if she trusts those of us who aren't infected.

[ But she must trust Finn, right? If she lent him some of her powers... ]

[hatejakku]

[ Oh, Jim thought this wasn't going to get emotional? Oh, that's cute.

But there are things to address here that he should do in his General-Voice(TM) first. ]

We're already putting together some recon teams to search the palace for the infirmary. [ So far comprising of one guy but you gotta start somewhere. ] If they think you're causing trouble, they might move you. But if you have directions or noticed weaknesses in their rotation, it'd be really helpful.

As for So-Yeon, she... sort of invited us? She said she'll give sanctuary to anyone that's infected or wants to help. She showed me how to get there, too. I doubt she'll trust all of us, though.

[ And now he's slamming whatever the mental equivalent of the private button is. ]

I'm sorry I didn't make it there. [ lol you were stopped by armed guards like three times, Finn, shut up ] How are you doing?

video; un: trashmouth

[longoverdue]

Hey, if anybody wants to take a crack at talking to her, ask her if the names Ji-Hoon and Soo-Min mean anything to her. There was a guy in a bar who said he used to babysit her, and I, uh, found those names out through him. [Through following him, actually, and peeking into his house like a fucking creep.]

I don't know what they mean, personally, but if somebody's got any clue how they're linked I'd love to hear it.

un: Finn

[hatejakku]

Used to babysit So-Yeon? Seriously?

And he didn't say who they were?

[ Finn would have less questions if you just admitted to be sneaky, bud. ]

audio; un: ellie

[thevalley]

...It's like that in my world. People get infected, lose their minds, go fucking crazy. And there's no coming back from it. Your mind is gone.

[A pause.]

We have to save who we can.

audio; un: username

[skelepun]

[ It's a grim reality, to be sure. One that Sans is a little uncomfortable thinking too closely about -- then again, what the hell were they here for but that. ]

Hits close to home for you too, huh? [ In extremely different ways, sure, but Sans' voice is sympathetic nevertheless. ] Almost makes you wonder if this conflict was designed especially for this crew, huh?

un: zee | voice

[directrix]

Are we really surprised they lied to us?

[ Someone tends to expect the worst from people. ]

So we're all going?

[skelepun]

Heh, well, when you put it like that... guess not. [ He seems to sigh laugh all at once. ] And I dunno about all? Are you one of the wounded?

un: song | voice

[spoilers]

[ There's a faint snort at 'screamy.' River is not at all the type, but she's well familiar. ]

I wish I could say any of this was surprising.

If the Golden Eye did indeed create the illness, it seems plausible it could hold the key to finding a cure. What is this power it possesses?

[ And just a brief pause before she adds, ]

I can't help with the magical? reinforcement, but I always have been rather good at getting into and out of places I shouldn't.

[skelepun]

Oh? And what kinda places would those be?

[ The GoldenEye conversations were better left to Finn, but Sans couldn't help himself. ]

voice; un: clarke

[romancekiller]

I had a feeling there was something they weren't telling us but this is just terrible. [she hates this and learning that this was something done by the lord and the lady, she can't say she is all that surprised between everything she has been hearing and the minimal amount of information they seemed to know about these "monsters" as well. ]

We definitely have to save them though and figure out something for a cure, we can't just leave them like this. [it might also remind her of her experiences with mount weather back home because of course for all that this mission seemed simple, it is turning out to be far more complicated than any of them expected]

voice; un: username

[skelepun]

[ Sans wasn't necessarily an expert when it came to diagnosing pain in the voices of strangers -- who was? -- but there was something about her tone that gave him pause.

He was gonna let Finn take this one, he really was, but finds himself chiming in through the neural net before he can stop himself. ]

Hey, it's gonna be alright. Messes like these, they always sort themselves out.

[ As bold a statement as it was a lying one. ]

Anything you particularly good at, kiddo? People are organizing for next steps on all this, I could put in a good word for ya.