Storm of Storms

[Alric Wilmot]

1st of Spring, 512 Alric awoke with an uneasy feeling. Granted, he had been feeling uneasy ever since the whole Drysalla incident, but this felt...different somehow. It felt much like the night before the Drysalla incident. Only, only it felt much worse. It felt as if the life was being sucked out of him. It felt like, like Dira herself was breathing down his neck. He removed himself from his bed and folded the simple blanket he owned. He decided to dress, and go take a walk. He knew he wasn't going to be sleeping anytime soon. He quickly dressed, growing increasingly uneasy. Something bad was about to happen. He didn't know how he knew, but he was quite sure of it. He decided to take his Mizas with him, there had been looting going on for quite some time after the Winter Crisis and although it had died down, he didn't want to take any chances. He also grabbed his rapier and Winterbane Cloak. It was Spring, but the Winter was lingering. The chill might be slight, but it was still present. He did not know how to wield his blade, but he felt as if it was a good enough deterrent for the lowliest of society. As he hustled across the squeaky floors of the Wilmot guest house, he was greeted by an unnerving silence. It was never silent, in Alvadas. Quiet, maybe, but not silent. He passed out into the night, hoping it was all in his mind. Perhaps he was suffering some sort of malady of the mind? Much like those he treated in the bizarre? He hoped that was the case, because if it wasn't he felt like Alvadas was about to experience something far worse than a vengeful hypnotist.

[Bob Barton]

Jinsen. The dog was Bob's best investment ever! Ok, gift but it was still the same. While everyone was sleeping soundly in their bed completely oblivious to the wild and chaotic destruction that is to some, the dog was different. Ever alert, ever loyal the silent sounds of death and stinging smell of blood woke up the sensitive animal that went on to wake up its master so that they could make their escape but did Bob understand? Nope, so "give me a few more minutes unc..." Jinsen would not understand what Bob wanted even if it could hear him and continued to try and wake him up growing more desperate up to the point that it slobbered all over his feet.

The feeling of the cold, wet liquid making its way all over Bob's feet and eventually into the cracks down to the innermost got him to react first by immediately lifting his feet and almost hitting Jinsen. If only it was the same with the end of the bed because they crashed into the wood above with a noise only second to the dog's barking. Should the pain be inflicted on another Bob would have had a good laugh but he only came out crying in pain lifting up his body only to have his head crashing into the bed's other end. Pain, lots of pain. There was no way he was going to sleep when Jinsen was all free without a leash if he lives through the djed storms today.

A lot of vulgar profanities to the dog that was shrinking away, Bob was finally able to ask, actually dictate with a lot of frustration that "doing this won't get food from me" because he would just withhold the food out of spite and as everyone knew, for disciplinary action. "It doesn't help for walkies" either he sleepily said in reply to seeing the dog scraping at the window. What the heck got it so excited? Out of curiosity Bob went towards the window because he knew that the dog would normally do it at the door if a walk was all it ever wanted. It was there that he saw something that would make him move faster than he ever had in his life.

Crumbling! Exploding! Falling buildings of DOOM! And it was headed his way! "Why didn't you wake me earlier!" he yelled at the dog fully alert and for the first time realizing that there was no sound escaping from his mouth. Grasping at his throat in confusion that he may be choking or something, he finally remembered that there was more important things than being able to talk and that was not being crushed by the building he was in. Quickly he grabbed his bag and put in whatever was not already in it before rushing out the door. Even if the Wager allocated him a room, Bob was not as stupid as to trust such an establishment with HIS belongings especially when he was reminded of the nature of his employment.

"Gogogo" he yelled as he ushered the dog out in a manner it would understand more than unspoken words while futilely crying "don't stop!" with a gesture to hurry up each time Jinsen stopped right until they were out the streets. While he did make a few quick raps on the doors when he passed by which would not work, hopefully when they meet Lhex they would remember that it is the thought that counts. Since they might be affiliated with the Wager they might get lucky. That did not mean that the lucky Bob was safe yet because like he saw out the window, there were people dropping like bricks from the buildings that were falling on top of there out here.

But where could Bob go? Before he had time to think, he saw another building breaking up a lot more closer than the last. Anywhere else would be better and relying on Jinsen's instincts which has helped him on more than one occasion, he told it to just "go!" and there they went running off into the night where there was more to worry about than ghosts and crooks.

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric walked along briskly, clutching his coat to his body to fight off both the slight chill of Winter's last days and the increasing worry. He had hypnotized himself several times, and knew when djed touched his mind. And it was doing so now. Nothing had happened yet. Which was a good sign, he supposed. In fact, as he walked along the abandoned street, he noticed nothing but a serene silence. It helped to calm him, certainly. He thought, maybe, that he was just imagining things. Spooking himself for no good reason. He decided to take a deep breath, and calm himself. He looked up at the moon, a beautiful stationary masterpiece to Alvadas's constantly changing artistry. He let out a breath he was unaware he was holding and beheld the moon's beauty. That is, until a very large obstruction flew right in front of it. Alric quickly turned his head in the direction it had come from, and found what he was dreading most. A wall of wind and rain was heading straight for him, and behind it was a light show i]of lightning and fire. He was stunned, he couldn't hear anything. Then, he realized, the night was not serenely silent. It had been gagged. He tore after the street in front of him, noticing for the first time, several other do the same. He saw them trying to raise the alarm, warn people of what was coming... all to no avail. They had been silenced, and suddenly Alric knew, this was going to be far worse than the Winter Crisis.

[Bob Barton]

Bob was running, running for his life and Jinsen was looking so carefree. If only he had a tiny brain like an animal so that he can just continue on oblivious because right now the only thing on his mind was worry. The longer he ran the more he could feel that the tumbling buildings were catching up with him but throughout that time he could not work up the courage to just look back. He did not need to look back if he wanted to worry actually because right in front of him, what he was running into was like Caiyha's own fury. Unlike Jinsen he was not stupid enough to go there. Taking a dive, Bob grabbed on to his dog's leash slowing it down into a halt when his own body because an anchor full of pain.

He got up, looked around while keeping Jinsen close to him thinking of what to do next and he had to do it fast. While he knew that running kept him living longer than if he did taking his time walking the destructive force was still catching up to him. Then he saw the group of people. Since Bob did not know much about Alvadas he figured that they would know a safe place to run to and dragged Jinsen behind him as he ran after them because whether it wanted to or not, Bob was its master and he wanted the both of them to live. By the looks of it Jinsen did too since it did not need much persuading.

When he finally reached them Bob tried to find the leader but it seemed that they were all in as big of a loss as he was. Moving from person to person there was no one to fit that description. No one in official clothes that Bob might recognize and no one that everyone was looking at. He was about to give up and then he saw someone that he did not expect to find in the streets since he had such a nice house to hide out in and that one was nowhere in this neighbourhood, if that made sense in Alvadas.

Bob grabbed on to Alric's shoulder firmly to get his attention as he does with Jinsen's leash. "Just what is.." oh wait, no one would hear anything would they? Bob pointed back at the oncoming collapsing buildings and then flicked his fingers to give a running motion before shrugging at Alric. Hopefully the man would know what he meant by that.

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric had run headlong into a group of fellow runners. He had hoped that he might find someone who knew where a safe haven might be. Because at this rate, it was extremely likely that the storm would be on them at any moment. Unfortunately, as he tried to communicate, it became obvious that it was futile. No one understood him. Suddenly, someone grabbed onto Alric's shoulder. Alric was surprised to find that it was none other than Bob Barton, along with his dog. Bob tried to say something, but it was no use. The gag that had been placed over Alvadas had been placed on him too. Yet, Alric felt he got the gist of what he was saying. He was just as curious as to what this thing was as Alric. Alric suddenly got an idea, but he didn't know if it would work. However, he did not really have much time to ponder about that. He quickly began to write letters in the air with his finger, backwards. If Bob could read, and Alric had no idea if he could, then he should be able to make out what Alric was saying. By writing backwards, for himself, it should appear normal for Bob. Alric had to think rather hard while doing this, and it slowed him more than he would have liked, but he got his message out as quickly as he could. "Do you know a place where we can wait out the Storm?" He flicked his eyes at the monstrous cloud of destruction as he waited for Bob's answer. He had never been more nervous in his life, even when facing Drysalla.

[Bob Barton]

No answer. It was expected that not everyone can be as composed and quick witted as Bob was in times of crisis. His wobbly knees and weak bladder was all the proof that no one needed to know especially the sheltered Alric who had that nice manor all to himself. The man must be really addled with the recent turn of events because he started playing around with his finger. Like so many gamblers who put in their last miza it did not make sense to him at all.

What did circling around have anything to do with the dust wave which concealed imminent doom behind them? As far as Bob could see it was spread from side to side. Then the circles spelled out D...o...oh, that Bob's mistake but where can they wait out the storm? The places he frequented were all the types of buildings which would be destroyed like all the others unless they went to the Colosseum? But that was full of animals and those might be loose and then...nope...

The only other place was not good either in his opinion which was why it never occurred to him right until he looked down the nearby alley. He did not want to but alternative of following the other runners might turn out bad. Too many complications. Pointing towards the street so that Alric would know their destination, Bob ran forward pulling Jinsen to follow since the dog always had better luck in finding the things he wanted. Alric he hoped was a lot more smarter than the dog since he did not want to burden himself with another heavy load which would force him to use more energy that he needed.

"Find the entrance Jinsen, find the entrance" he kept urging the dog in unspoken urgency as he turned Jinsen's head around the alley and taking off in a run again towards the next one only giving Alric a gesture to follow him if he wanted to. The next one was just the same with all the strange graffiti and tossed away junk, to someone who has not been to the underground anyway but Bob and Jinsen saw it right away. An out of place opening to nowhere that only they could see.

Smiling at their success, Bob pointed to the spot which should be hidden to Alric by the illusions of Alvadas. He looked at Alric and then to the spot before remembering the first time he "found" an entryway too. There was no time for this! After giving Jinsen a quick shove he worked on bringing Alric towards it too .Right in front of it with both, Bob gave the motions of pushing on a "wall" before losing his balance and falling right through it.

Did it go bump! Bump! Bump! or clink! Clink! Clink! before Bob had the big crash! when he was finally done with the flight of glass stairs? Thanks to the pain and rollie feeling he would not even know the magnificent way he defied gravity. More importantly was that when he reached the end there would be the long lost yell of pain reaching his ears before the more missed profanities which left his lips.

Of course Bob would be more concerned with the pain instead of the curse of silence now broken.

[Alric Wilmot]

This was hopeless! The Storm was closing in, Bob couldn't understand him, and he was fairly sure his legs were going to give in at any moment. Maybe he could still make it back to his home? Surely the Wilmot Manor could survive this. It had stood for centuries. In all that time, a Storm of this magnitude would have struck at least once, right? And the Manor wasn't destroyed. Just As Alric was about to turn and lead Bob to what he assumed was a safe haven, Bob gestured down a street. Alric shook his head, just running wouldn't work. He needed to get them somewhere safe. The Storm would overcome them sooner or later. However, Bob wouldn't budge. He dashed after the alley as Alric tried to tell him it was futile. Finally, Alric decided to give up. He wasn't going to let a friend weather the storm alone. Oddly, it seemed Bob was following his dog. The dog wasn't just going anywhere it fancied either. It was seeking something. After the first alley seemed to be barren, the dog found another, and then another. It was most definitely looking for something, now. Bob was deliberately seeking something. Could it be some sort of shelter he had procured since his last visit? Alric could not hear the thunder, or the wind. But he could see the lightning grow more frequent, and feel the wind across his face as it picked up. The Storm was nearly upon them. He knew it. And yet they had still not found shelter! Could they survive it without shelter? Alric had seen the debris, this Storm was deadly. Braving it out would not be an option. Bob grabbed Alric again. This time he was ecstatic and pointing to a blank spot on the floor. Alric looked hard, but couldn't see anything. Bob grew frustrated quickly, however and pushed Alric toward it. For a split second, Alric though he saw Bob's dog fall through solid rock. That thought was quickly confirmed when he and Bob came tumbling after it. Alric rolled to a stop at the end of the stairs with a significant bump on his head. "Ow! what on earth?" "..." "I can speak again! I-I can speak!" Alric quickly turned to Bob, questions burning in his mind. "Bob, do you have any idea what's going on!?"

[Bob Barton]

"Of course you can speak" Bob remarked as he rubbed his head a little bit annoyed. Unless something had happened the last time he met Alric, the man was quite an educated and eloquent person as he knew unlike Jinsen the stupid mutt just barking excitedly over there. Bob was not happy one bit because that dog led him into something very strange yet again. "What happened was..." as Bob tried to explain while getting back on his feet "...we fell up a stairs?" The words which came was as unbelievable even if it was his own but like everyone else would say, "this is Alvadas" where there were stranger.

Oh Alric wanted to know what was with them running around in terror? Based on what Bob knew about Alvadas ever since the first few days he has been here "I thought this is normal?" whatever qualifies as normal for the Alvads. Talking statues, crazed automatons, the storm and "the Underground's the only place I can think of bringing you to." Alric did ask for a safe place...well maybe not a safe place but somewhere that they can wait out the storm. There is not a better place than where there is not even clouds to be seen.

"You're lucky you ran into me because no one else would've been able to lead you here." Bob knew, he tried but of all people, the Alvads thought he was crazy when he asked about the glass stairs especially when it was right by them. Maybe Alric would know now that he was not crazy and trust him a little bit more here. Nothing changed about this place. Still dark, gloomy and as unwelcoming as ever but with all the death and destruction above it was a lot better than it used to be.

The only question now was what they were going to do. They were carrying a lot of things which made it as dangerous as being caught by the storm. "I think we should find a place to stay?" Bob asked quite uncertain. If there was someone it might be good and if there was no-one, even better. "Let's go that way..." which was nowhere in particular "unless you know somewhere else?"

[Alric Wilmot]

"Of course you can speak" Alric felt a confusion at those words. Had Bob not been silenced as he had? Yet, if that were the case, why would he not speak? Alric shook his head to try and clear it, but all that greeted him was a headache. Alric stood up, or at least, the direction he assumed was up. He was a little confused in that matter. "I thought this is normal?" said Bob, answering Alric's former question. Alric shook his head, heedless of the headache it caused. "No. Alvadas shifts its buildings, it doesn't destroy them. Whatever this is, it is far from normal." Bob continued,"the Underground's the only place I can think of bringing you to. You're lucky you ran into me because no one else would've been able to lead you here." Lucky indeed. Despite living his whole life in Alvadas, Alric had never chanced upon anything like this. It was extremely unlikely that he would have discovered this on his own. "I think we should find a place to stay?" Bob asked quite uncertain. If there was someone it might be good and if there was no-one, even better. "Let's go that way..." which was nowhere in particular "unless you know somewhere else?" Alric did not shake his head a third time, but he responded in the negative. "No, I have no idea. Its best if we follow you. I never even knew this place existed. And I'd rather not brave the Storm. It feels different. It looks different. No, I'd rather stay here. Going down that way is as safe a place as any."

[Fallacy]

XP Award! Name: Alric Wilmot XP Award: Observation- 3 Running- 3 Intelligence- 2 Lore: Alvadas Underground The Calm Before the Storm The Storm of Storms Writing Backwards Notes: Name: Bob Barton XP Award: Animal Husbandry- 3 Observation- 3 Running- 3 Intelligence- 2 Lore: The Storm of Storms Reading words written in air Jinsen Saves the Day Notes: Falling up stairs Very entertaining thread. I liked the way the characters played out their motions in order to try to communicate. Misunderstandings and ‘getting it’, fun for all. I also think this thread could have gone on just a bit longer, perhaps a misadventure in the Underground? I dunno. Any questions or concerns about the rewards gained please send a PM