melodiesoflife | Event || Cluedo [Conclusion]

[The sudden pain in his leg causes the Barkeep to collapse and let go of Rialynn, but the screams from the crowd drown it out for a few seconds. He sees the horrified look on Rialynn, Twilight abandoning the scene, the other Heroes moving again.

And Rialynn is screaming.

He can't even move from the spot, but she's clearly in pain. If his magic can't heal the natives, he at least has to do something. Someone needs to do something.]

Rialynn, hang on!

[With as much strength as he can muster, he raises his hand and casts Curaga on her before his leg gives out and he falls flat on his back on the ground.

He always has to get injured whenever he tries something heroic, doesn't he?]

[All Cloud could do was watch the chaos unfold around him, and pinned as he was, railing against everything, screaming inwardly and outwardly as he struggled against the Ponies' magical pressure. He wanted to act. With everyone being hurt and dying and all because of the Heroes he couldn't bear to just lay there and be forced to watch. This had to be ended, for everyone's sakes.

When the pressure did break he almost didn't notice at first, but by the time he pushed himself back to his knees the effect was dropped on Rialynn as well. Her cry cuts through the din, sending a cold shiver through him. He'd been used as a puppet before. His friends had been used as puppets. He knew what she was feeling, maybe not the physical pain, but that horrific bloom of horror in her gut at everything she'd been forced to do.

They had to get back at whoever did this, and they had to make amends to the people of the city. They had to do...something for Zelda. But he couldn't let anyone continue to hurt her any more than they had. This couldn't break out into them murdering themselves. Not any more than whoever was behind this had forced them. The moment they started doing it to themselves that was it.

Stumbling, he ran forward, trying to put himself between Rialynn and the others.]

Everyone stop! It's let her go!

[It was foolish. He knew it was foolish. Here he was protecting a 'murderer' and getting in everyone's way. But it was the right thing to do, wasn't it. Gritting his teeth, he raised his shield. If someone was still going to loose an attack it'd have to go through him first.]

[Once Twilight's spell drops completely the first thing Sephiroth does is freshen his grip around the handle of his sword which was still limp on the concrete beside him. The movement shot spikes of fresh pain all the way up his arm-

But Rialynn's unbearable cries of anguish and pain are impossible not to pay attention to, especially as he spots Barkeep casting a heal spell and then Cloud-

Hopefully Cloud would make a better show of all this than he'd managed to. Gritting teeth through the pain he scraped his sword back up from off the floor where it had fallen.]

Dammit.

[As he pulls himself back to his feet, the din still going on behind him, the chaos ensuing from the injury and death of more than a handful of civilians makes the chill to his blood that Rialynn started near enough plunge into a deep freeze. His men, law enforcement officers too, are still back there-

He's still got a job to do. Sephiroth's injury is minuscule in comparison, even if it had bled a lot to start with; it wasn't fatal and it certainly wasn't going to get in his way now. Switching his sword to his right hand since his left couldn't take the weight currently he folded the great blade back along the outside of his arm and turned back towards the crowds.

They'd better get to restoring some order, cleaning up and repairing again.]

The spell -- it was gone! Albel could feel himself released, like a taut bowstring snapping straight. He almost stumbled when the counter-force was gone. Surging forward, he strengthened his grip on his katana, heading straight for Rialynn despite her screams -- !

Of all people, Cloud should stand in his way. "Move, worm!" he roared, baring his teeth. "I'm taking that ring, whether or not one of her fingers comes with it!"

[Jade stares back at the crowd that got hit with the last beam. He made a mistake.

Then he exhales deeply and turns away. Now is not the time to be racked with guilt. The complete change in Rialynn's demeanor is an obvious sign that she has been released from the mind-control. Approaching should be safe now...]

Put away your sword, Albel. It's over.

[Jade moves past Cloud, briefly clasping the young man's shoulder to indicate he's not planning to attack, and kneels by Rialynn. It really would have been better to kill her before the situation escalated, but it's too late to think that now. He reaches down to remove the ring, this time with considerably more care -- partly for the sake of her emotional state, but mostly to make sure the thing is not pointed at anyone in case it's triggered again by accident.]

[ Dazed, Sheena also stares at the crowd and those who had been injured.

If only she hadn't opened her big mouth. If only she had knocked Rialynn unconscious. If only...then none of this would have happened.

She can tell people not to blame themselves, but when it comes to her? Sheena's words fall on dear ears. Hearing Cloud behind her taking up a guard position sends relief through the ninja, and for a moment, she fights her instinct to join him. She's done enough damage; she has no right...

Albel...

That makes up her mind and turning, she approaches, arriving a second or two behind Jade. She nods to Cloud to show peaceful intent before facing Albel. Placing her hand over the one holding his sword she echoes Jade's words. ]

Albel, you don't need to do this. It's over. Put the sword away. Please.

[ Her voice is tired and her eyes laden with guilt. No more people should have to suffer today. ]

[She can't move to surrender the ring, but she certainly would if she could. She wants that abomination off of her, the heavy weight making her skin crawl. There's a shuddering gasp of relief as Jade carefully works the wretched jewelry off of her.]

[There's a warm wash of energy flowing over her, temporarily chasing off the magicburn that threatens to tear her mind and soul apart. Her eyes shift to the side where she sees Barkeep collapse. She tries to shake her head, but the strain is painful.]

No...no...

[Rialynn's voice cracks and squeaks as she tries to protest. Her gaze drops back to the crumpled man in armor near her feet.]

Ramza...first...please...

[She doesn't try to move out of the way as Albel steps up, brimming over with anger. He can't be blamed for that. They all knew what she'd just done, and it might even be a kindness to end her here and now than to try healing all of the internal damage. It doesn't really matter either way. She just doesn't want to see Ramza die for her sake too, not if there's still a chance he can be saved.]

[If Albel's smoldering glare had the power, it would ignite Rialynn. But he couldn't. He stayed his hand, only because Sheena asked, but he did not sheathe his blade until Jade finally removed the ring. Then, and only then, did he finally replace his katana.]

[Ramza was in bad shape. With the ring safely off, and her apparently genuine concerns for her fellow hero, Rialynn was no longer a threat. Albel looked over his shoulder and with a word, a large, pink rabbit appeared. It wasn't ideal -- wasn't even fully grown yet -- but Ramza was on the smaller side, he supposed. Perhaps it would be alright.]

Bunny, use Cura on the freelancer and then take him to the hospital.

[The animal chirruped cheerfully before casting the healing spell.]

[ Sheena continues to hold his glare with her own tired gaze--only releasing it once his sword is sheathed again. Squeezing his hand in thanks, Sheena then turns to Rialynn and kneeling behind her, places a comforting hand on her head. ]

Ramza's being taken care of, okay? So just relax. [ What she wouldn't give to have a gel or two right now for everyone.

And while she knows it's important, she can't bring herself to ask the suffering woman if she knows who had done this to her. And to the others.

Perhaps someone else can. ]

[Jade quietly puts away the ring to have a look at it later. It should be fine now that it's not being worn.

But now they have the fallout to deal with... Unfortunately, Rialynn is not in the shape to be interrogated. Jade considers demanding she talk nevertheless, but pushing her further isn't likely to get them any coherent answers.

Besides, if he's right about what the ring is made of, that might limit the pool of suspects.]

Get her to the hospital. She's not in danger of being controlled now.

[Meanwhile, Jade's going to do what he can to patch up Barkeep's leg. He has no white magic available, so the Alchemist's healing items will have to do.]

[Rialynn slumps, the tension leaving her in a shaky sigh once she sees the healing magic being used on Ramza. Her breath is short and quick as she closes her eyes. Her consciousness is fading, as is the rest of her strength now that she knows her friend is being attended to. So she needs to tell them, while she still can.]

N...Nar...

[Her expression winces as she wets her lips and tries again.]

Narasimha...it was...it was him.

[She wishes she knew more, but only that name sticks to her memories. He'd been the one using her as his personal puppet. Unfortunately, or at least fortunately for her, the stress toll is too much, and she goes limp as she finally passes out on the street.]

[There's not much more Barkeep can do to help her. Ramza is being cared for, but there's still the bystanders that were injured. He holds onto her shoulder, waiting for her to calm down before he gets up, but that name catches his attention.]

Narasimha?! That guy from the letter?

[He recognizes the name on that piece of paper signed months ago. Someone who appeared to appreciate the Heroes. Someone that abused that trust.]

Look after here, I'm checkin' the crowd.

[No time to waste. His robes flutter with a heavy noise as he turns to the people still standing by the scene of the crime and waves his staff around, ordering them to clear a path to the wounded.]

Event || Cluedo [Conclusion]

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