Society is a Fuck [6/1]

[21:44] Walter's head is hit by the full force of Leni's swing. She's deceptively strong and capable, and can be easily seen as the initial thud roars across the chapel. A second strike connects, causing Walter to audibly grunt in pain upon it connecting. For as long as she continues to mercilessly whack him, the kitsune voices no opposition to the tortuous beating.

His mask is displaced from the momentum of Leni's swings, which results in the lower side of the councilman's real countenance to be revealed. Explicably, his lip bleeds. Shabby locks of silver hair become exposed at the side of his neck.

No commentary. He does, however, ask one thing of Leni.

"My face, fix my face." A plead to the druidess, as he heaves dolently. "Please..."
(Walter Docro)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:49] Armondt's eye follows over to Malia. While it didn't feel right to intercede on an intercession as a man was beating up, the circumstances of this particular commotion were different. Strange and different and not something that he ultimately wanted to deal with. It was by definition a Whole Thing, but he had to step in on the stepping in.

The courer walks up to the Rhoyn girl, and... doesn't actually manage to fill the distance between her and Leni, because this whole deal was getting a little packed up. "I know it ain't feel right to watch, but..." He looks back to the dog-masked Kitsune as he was getting bashed in left and right. "This is somethin' between the two of 'em."

The more it went along, the more confused he was starting to get. The more hesitation was starting to build up in his brain. Should he actually be trying to stay her hand from staying the other hand?
(Armondt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:56] Hades seemed a bit surprised that the bitterness had actually worked, truth be told. It was a running theory of his that bitter things like LEMONS and the root of LUMINITE would sober a person up to some degree, but seeing it in effect is worthy of documentation for future studies.

Although, Leni's thwap to the rat-man's head probably had a lot to do with it, too.

The alchemist whips out his notepad and jots down a few observations, still squatting beside Yersin and leaning in closer than he probably should. Malia's intervention is noted, but he quickly raises a hand up to tug at Leni's pantleg.

"It's fine, Malie. She's just helping me run a few tests to see how extensive the withdrawals are on the subjects." While the heavy hitters deal with the combative issues and declare open season on witchcraft, Hades works on perfecting his craft and drafting up the item that will eventually save lives.

Starting with Yersin and Walter.

His free hand moves to take another luminite stalk and press it to Walter's lips. "Let him chew on that. It should tide him over until the commotion dies down. Now..." And his voice grows silent again as he resumes his observations, two fingers still latched onto Leni's pants for no particular reason.
(Hades Task)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:08] Yersin gets a couple bonks too. Leni has not forgotten that he technically lied to her too. Walter gets the worst of it. His grievances were far worse. The rat bastard at least hadn't promised her to be better. The Kitsune had.

She gets in a few licks, bristling. It's cathartic. And new. Enacting violence out of anger is not typical of her in the slightest. Nothing stops her from continuing.

Until Malia steps into her periphery. For a moment it looks like she's about to get beaned too. But this person hasn't wronged her. The nearest thing to that she's done is threaten to get in her way. That's not quite enough.

The few licks she's given the Kitsune are, apparently, enough. Leni lowers her staff and stares up at his beaten silhouette, his 'face' askew. She's seen what he looked like beneath once or twice. Never again.

"Not because you told me to. 'Cuz I want to."

The druid makes this abundantly clear as, after Hades feeds him the Luminite, she pulls the mask back into place. A small mercy as, all around, Hel rains down. It's a busy night in Osrona.
(Leni)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:09] The Rhoynish teen's eyes twitch over to Armondt.

"She's assaulting a restrained member of the Osronan council. Assault on a Leader. Capital crime. If he wasn't a leader? Assault, still. Major crime. Both have consequences. I don't care if she thinks she has a good reason, its breaking the law."

She was a member of Osrona's law enforcement, of course she'd been involving herself to stop the assault of Walter. The idea that she'd not was frankly ridiculous.

"It's not fine, its assault."

Apparently she'd not be swayed by casual acquaintances either.

In the background the witch was...escaping? Eh, as long as they were leaving Osrona it wasn't her problem, at least not while this was happening. Finally her attention properly turned to Leni.

"Thank you for stopping."

Was that going to be it? Oh, nope, she was talking again.

"In accordance with the current Law of the city of Osrona, I charge you with Assault. It would be appreciated if you'd peacefully submit yourself to arrest."
(Malia Arsali)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:10] Leni says, "..."
[22:10] Leni asks, "Huh?"

[22:15] Armondt looks back over to Tieru and nods. His assent goes this far: "If you got anythin' to write on, give it here. I'll be sure a copy goes out to the major cities an' settlements of Esshar." As was a courier's duty. The obligation to the higher call of mail was a sacrosanct thing indeed.

As it were, however, the courier found himself occupied by a different matter. He looks down over at the watchwoman, and shakes his head. "It's all well and good to act in good faith with the law, but let the victim over here decide whether or not he's gonna let that charge fly. If he's a Leader and of higher station thah ya, then it's only right that he decide whether or not this goes down."

Regardless of his relations to Leni, he figured that much was law here in Osrona, too. Armondt looks over at the beaten and battered Walter, and only manages to look at his bemasked face for so long when he hears Ophelia's fervor just off to his right. Everything was happening a whole lot right now.
(Armondt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:15] Still with buckled knees, Yersin can only look on through his half-delirium as Blyze and Noriko make their escape. Were they truly so far gone? Had he never seen it before?

No. No he had seen it. He should have actually tried to set the pair down another path. Give them an alternative. But he had thought they'd use those cravings for violence for a noble cause. The blind fortune telling joining the Vigilant was... A very proud moment for the adoptive father.

His internal musings are interrupted by a bonk from the druidess, and those words from Silvia. A torrent of black-stained spittle falls out from Yersin's mouth as he spits the luminite onto the floor. Stumbling back up to his feet, he gives a small nod towards the Teraphim woman, familiarity in his tone.

"Yeah. Nox."

He had really hoped to be killing royalists and nothing else. Now things seem to have gotten much, much more complicated.

What a time to be forced to go cold turkey.
(Yersin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[22:24] Hades Task whispers: I'll keep working on the antidote. But for now... I should go.

[22:25] Leni looks at Malia like she's speaking tongues, baffled and confused.

"He broke a promise. So I hit him. Are you only gonna punish me because he's some bigshot? Is that worse, cuz he's important or something?"

She stares right at the guard and begins her line of questions. Her eyes flicker blue. On and off again.

"So why is it worse cuz he's important? Is he better just cuz he's got a title? Are you better than me because you have a title? A fancy coat? Is that how stuff works here now?"
(Leni)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:34] The woman glances at Armondt first.

"Stay out of this place."

A curt refutation of what he was saying before her attention fully shifted back to Leni, a frown marring her expression.

"You attacked a person within Osrona. That is assault. Assault has consequences, and as a member of the Vigilant Watch I'm obligated to make sure you face those consequences. Frankly, given that Walter is restrained and already quite beaten I think its a little worse, but I'm sticking to the book regardless."

Malia actually appeared a little confused. The law was the law, how had it worked any different before?

"Assaulting someone of high rank within the city is worse because its usually an indication against the city itself, but regardless, you attacked him. So now you face arrest. A punishment will be decided, you'll serve it, and then you'll be released. Or perhaps when he comes to he'll decide not to press charges; in his current state however he's not fit to make such a judgement. Its the law, no more, no less. Please submit yourself to it peacefully, or I'll have to subdue you by force, which may result in an additional charge of resisting arrest. This is your last warning."

Her hand fell to her whip, and her frame seemed to become somewhat more tense.


(Malia Arsali)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:37] "Malia."

Languidly, Walter calls her out. An arm finally pokes out from the crystal imprisonment, with it? Half of the colossal Kitsune's silhouette is freed from it's containment. Naturally, he half-collapses at first. Four beatings, a brainwash and two heartbreaks in a row were little more than what he'd deem appropriate for atonement. Not only that, but his bigger fight was just about to make it's start.

"It's fine." He coughs, twirling his neck from side to side spastically. He had pulled a muscle or two, at the very least. "She needed her alleviation. I won't press charges, let it slide."

A few additional heaves, as he finally recomposes from the invasive lethargy that being hexed had shot into his system. Then eventually, Walter's entire outline escapes Finley's mineral imprisonment with a heavy tug of his arm. Walter's stare befalls over Leni's more composedly.

"... it wasn't me. I wouldn't have." It's not an apology. He did not want her forgiveness any longer, it's palpable enough to be read from both his tone and body language.

"It's worse because I'm healing the wounds of war, Leni." He confesses. "I've put my body, soul, pocket and heart into it. Every day. Every hour. It's not a benefit, it's a responsibility - and they're all counting on me to see their interests represented by my actions. If I die to some whack over the head, it'll make their lives harder again."

Another interval of quietude, as Walter reevaluates.

"I'm important to them because of what I do, not because of what I wear. I'm no better than you - just more of a liability."
(Walter Docro)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:42] He's asked to stay out of it, and he seems about ready to comply for a fraction of a second. But the doubling-down impels him to say something more. Before he can open his mouth however, the Kitsune speaks, and argues a case of his own. Armondt shuts his eyes, considers this, and decides to say one last bit.

"If you ain't think he's sound enough of mine to have made that statement with clarity, go ahead and press that charge. But only once you've really considered whether or not this man-- clocked in the head several times and still speakin' like an orator --is in his right mind." He looks over Walter again. For whatever troubles the beefier man causes, goes through, and tries to resolve, he's owned up to this one. ...Or, at least, owned up to the fact that he wasn't himself when all came to pot.

He looks back over to Tieru, and folds his arms across his chest. "If ya still want those missives sent out, we gotta furnish ya with some paper."
(Armondt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:49] "I didn't need alleviation. I needed a friend."

Leni's sharp chirp, for a chirp it still is, cuts through the air metaphorically towards Walter. Not literally. He already took his licks. There'll be no more physical thrashing at him any longer.

"I needed a friend and you lied. Twice. And acted like you were going to hit me. You said I was a problem. Am I a problem, Walt? Am I? Why? I wanted to be your friend. I tried to be your friend, and to be good to the Family. What happened to that, Walt?"

He might have gotten thumped, but he's not out of the woods just yet. There's interrogation. In the druid's stare there's not an ounce of fear. She knows full well that he's bigger and meaner than her, even not at his prime. Leni just absolutely does not care.

"Or are you gonna say that wasn't you too?"

Leni's eyes turn to Malia with that same clear cut disregard for authority of any shape or form.

"Yeah. Yep. I did that. He's not doing charges or whatever. And your law kinda' sucks."
(Leni)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:54] She fights to avoid an eye twitch, not quite appreciating her first actual proper use of authority being undermined, but nods to Walter regardless.

"Very well, sir, but assault is a very serious crime. I expect it not to be repeated."

Her eyes drifted back to Leni as she said it, making it clear the statement was intended for her as well.

"Law is the law. If you would prefer to be in a place we people are allowed to freely assault you, and vice versa, I believe Osrona is not the city for you."

Malia's attention returns to Walter, briefly.

"Well, if you're content here sir, and certain you wish to waive charges, I'll move along."
(Malia Arsali)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:02] The (frankly reasonable) law altercation happening over to his right seemed to be resolving. Thank goodness for that; there was plenty to ruminate over as a rseult of tonight's events. Had it gone worse, Armondt would have had much more than that. "Your last job..." Still now the deputy courier couldn't quite believe it.

Arch was prolific, and furthermore a man that Armondt didn't feel he'd interacted withe nough. There were shoes to fill, and they were at least just about the same size as his own. "...Yeah. I can hold the fort for ya. Can't shy away from deliverin' political messages forever." He looks down at the missive that Tieru's handed him already.

This one would be his first.

"If you're goin', then go with my blessin'. Keep yourself safe, and come back soon. Hel, write to us when ya can." He reaches forward, and holds his arm, hand open, for Arch to clench. Predator style.

Meanwhile, Armondt nods over at Tieru. "I ain't welchin' on a commitment like that. Y'got my word."
(Armondt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:06] "That was me." Idly, Walter replies. There's nothing but transparence from him at this point. Walter spits remnants of Luminite off to the side - he had promised to sweep the church regardless, so it wouldn't prove to be a nuisance to anyone other than himself.

"... Hit you?" He's actually offended at that part. Though his temper was tormenting, and at points overtly intimidating, it had never been his intent or wish. In defeat, the dog man heaves once more. "You had a friend. You had several."

His jaw tightens up once more before he musters the strength to come clean.

"But I couldn't be one of them. I'm selfish; I'm violent; I'm choleric. But worst of all, I'm the sorest of losers. The closer I'd remain to you after that day, the worse my temper would get. I couldn't have remained idle on the same terms with you, it was simply impossible."

Walter swallows hard. Once more, he's avoiding eye contact. Inexplicably, his monotone finally cracks.

"I'm the problem, not you. So - just stay away from me, please. I can't take it anymore. I'll try to be better for as long as I live, but if you're expecting immediate change, or fail to acknowledge where my attention and frustration lay and stem from? You're better off being no friend of mine."

A final huff.

"We did our best to reform our legal system. Spent countless sleepless nights reviewing and reorganizing our amendments and policies. So, if you don't like them, you're better off leaving this place, too. My heart's been poured out here, and all you think about is our terms of friendship..." The mask's snout shakes from side to side languidly. The kitsune's voice becomes truly dismal. "It's over, Leni. I'm trying my best - if that does not suit your interests, then begone from my sight."
(Walter Docro)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:07] Malia assumed that was indeed a dismissal, and makes to depart. Might as well make sure the prisoner was settling in alright and what not.
(Malia Arsali)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:15] "I didn't expect anything immediate. Dummy. I didn't expect you to just ignore me and go BONKERS on Sylvanum either!" she huffs and balks.

"You're doing good stuff here. And no. I don't stay in the cities anymore. I haven't, like, for a long time. I didn't tell you to idle or whatever either. If I didn't think you were doing good stuff, I wouldn't have kept bringing you all those rocks I found. I could've sold 'em. I could've done literally anything else with 'em."

It hurts. It stings, certainly. There's no denying that. Leni doesn't care for the rocks, for material wealth, for none of it, but she knows the sort of importance others place on them.

"You were the one that went bonkers. I'm not going to stop you or Yers from doing that stuff. I already told him. I'll tell you too. Do what you want. We can still be friends. I wanna be friends. Not if you're gonna break your promises and backslide to worse."

Leni offers a compromise and holds out a hand for a shake. It's the best she can do. Walter's chosen his life in the city. She's elected to anything and everything but.
(Leni)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:17] "...Yeah. I think you're leavin' at the right time. Seems like any time is right around here, though." Armondt repeats that brief glance around - for all the virtue these people had, there was no shortage of trouble stemming from each and all. "Any time seems right, but might as well leave all that stress and obligation to the wayside while ya can."

Because at any point in time, you can easily look down and suddenly find there's a manacle slipped on your ankle.

"Hel, I ain't mind concedin' that." Armondt, for his part, was a man with virtually no ego. Or at least, not a very strong one. It fettered him more than anything else. What he took great joy in, however, was seeing Arch's contentment. Greener pastures indeed, and certainly deservedly so.

"...Happy trails, Arch. Hope to see ya soon." He converts that clench while it happens to a cousin-slash-brotherly pat on teh shoulder, before seeing him off.

As he sees his cowpoke companion off, he turns back to Walter and Leni. Though he was poised to open his mouth and speak, it seemed she was going to meet that end herself. So, with respect, he keeps his mouth shut and lets the conversation hash out.
(Armondt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:28] "Then you've deceived yourself, Leni. You knew me, I came clean."

There's a long, ominous pause. Walter's stare finally starts to bounce between Armondt and the druidess in a more livid way however. His sore hands shake in an attempt to regain sensitivity and neural response, they'd gone sore long earlier.

"I already committed to cleaning that stuff out of my body. There's no remedy to contest it further with, I needed that substance to fight the crown - but that necessity has been somewhat quelled. All I have to deal with now are my own demons."

A gloomy nod is cast her way.

"And I appreciate your contributions thoroughly, they do too. You're an angel, I keep saying it. But your donations don't help how I feel about you, nor do they lighten the encumbering weight of defeat I live with. You'll have to excuse me from staying close, or hate my guts until I find a way around my temper."

He doesn't dwell on it any longer, even if he does seek some semblance of solace in Armondt's stare again, almost apologetically.

"Do yourself a favor, and walk away. I'll be able to concentrate, and you'll avoid broken heartedness. We both win."
(Walter Docro)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:40] The outstretched hand is left untouched. A last overture, turned away.

Outwardly it's such a simple gesture, but it's symbolic of a greater undercurrent. Another tether to society is trimmed away. All of her efforts ultimately didn't matter.

She stares ahead to the spot vacated by the titanic Kitsune. There's no movement from her nor her wreath of flowers. Really it only affirms what she already knew. There was no point to any of it.

The druid inhales, exhales, and hitches up her pack. The druid starts out of the devastated church. This isn't where she belongs.
(Leni)