sticksandbones | beiwe said help those kids so buddy that's what we're doing

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beiwe said help those kids so buddy that's what we're doing

Who: Clive, Joshua, Mizuki, Elsword vibrating in a t-pose
What: Beiwe gave Clive Ominous Words and now they're trying to do something about it
When: The day after the Town Meeting
Where: McMansion
Warnings: Oh lordy. It's the Mansion. The Kids Are Dying. There's prolly gonna be monsters and gore and etc it's a horror show in there

[ As promised, Clive and Joshua will make their way to the Mansion to meet with Mizuki and Elsword early in the morning. After breakfast, because Clive will insist upon it and Mizuki was right, it's just a good idea. They have no idea how long this will take - or what they will discover - and they're going to need the energy.

And speaking of, Clive will pause at the fencing around the Mansion to eye it, then turn towards Joshua and hand him the small bag of potions that came with him. There's a few of his medicine vials stuck in there as well. ]

You already know what I'm going to say.

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[ Admittedly, Joshua spent a large part of the night unable to sleep simply because plans were flitting through his mind a mile a minute. And, of course, none of them could even be set in stone, because he has no idea what they will find in the mansion. They're going in blind, and planning will lead nowhere, but his mind couldn't stop with possibilities and what-ifs.

At least he has his sword back now. Both it and his knife sit at his hip, and he's as ready as he could ever be. Except for Clive's last minute addition of the bag, which he takes and opens with curiosity.

And wrinkles his nose. Ah. ]

Must I?

Joshua...

[ In a tone that says I will pour it down your throat... ]

[ ... ugh, fine. He fishes one of the vials out of the bag and pulls the cork from it. Looks at it for a moment like he's being asked to drink poison, and then tips it into his mouth and shudders as he swallows it down. ]

This place has medicine in tablets, you know. In tablets, Clive.

[ He could have tablets! What a dream that would be. ]

And if they figure out how to make this into a tablet, we shall both be glad to switch it up.

[ Because then Clive won't have to have the daily Did You Take Your Meds with Joshua... even if he would miss it anyways. He ruffles Joshua's hair after he takes it, nodding at the bag. ]

Carry them for me, please?

[ He would take them! He truly would. Tablets taste like nothing. Much more appealing. ]

Of course.

[ While they wait, Joshua will tie the bag to his belt. That way, his hands are free when he needs them. ]

Thank you.

[ And while they wait, Clive will draw his sword - HIS sword, that Joshua went back for before Clive turned the place into burnt rock - and swing it with his left. Get the feel of it and warm up in case they encounter anything inside.

It's all wrong but what can you do. ]

[Luckily they won't be waiting very long. Elsword arrives quickly after, eyes bandaged as always since they're missing. Per Rubie, Mizuki is holding his hand to be his seeing-eye jellyfish.]

Sorry that you guys had to wait so long. [Elsword it's been five minutes—] I'll warn you now that last time I was in there, there were monsters inside... and the youngest kid was dead by the time I got there. I don't know what'll happen this time. It'll probably be dangerous.

I'll be acting as Elsword's eyes, so I'll probably stay close to him. Have you both eaten? I brought extra bowls of soup if you hadn't.

[ Lifting up two tupperware bowls and spoons up with his tentacles. ]

Otherwise, I'm all ready.

Not long at all.

[ The idea of Monsters makes him sigh a little - of course there will be - and he frowns to the idea one was already dead, nodding. ]

That lines up with what we were told. Hopefully we get in - and get them out - before the next one dies.

[ You know, he did say he long stopped asking questions about what he sees, but tentacles holding tupperwares of soup is right up there in the huh category of things that makes him pause briefly, before shaking his head. ]

We ate, but thank you, Mizuki. Once inside, Elsword, you've been in before so you should take point with Mizuki, if just to guide us. I know you can fight [ he saw you at the Temple after all ] but if it comes down to it, I'd rather you two get out with the children. If... that's all right? They know you, they'll probably feel far more comfortable with you. Joshua, would you stay near them?

[ Joshua frowns also, both to the thought of monsters roaming the mansion and to one of the children already being dead before. That must be the one that Beiwe mentioned, that made the portal possible. But monsters freely roaming in there... are they to protect the children, or are the children in danger, too? ]

I can. I'll also light the way, if we need it.

[ Don't look at him, Clive. You know that his light barely requires energy at all. ]

Are the children in danger from the monsters inside?

I can do that, yeah. My memory isn't entirely clear, I think it's been almost two years since I've gone in — but I'm good with general layouts. There's a point where I didn't go past, though, because I couldn't.

[To Joshua's question, he shakes his head.]

I don't know. They kept telling me to leave, and I was attacked, but when I saw Audrey's body, it didn't look like monsters got her. I wouldn't assume they're safe from the monsters, though. There's a good chance they're holed up doing the ritual, right? And the monsters can't come in, wherever they are.

And remember that they'll be extremely wary of us. The forest led their father to madness with visions of his late son - they may assume us to be the same if we don't play our cards right.

But, alright, if you're sure. This one won't be keen on leaving you behind at all, though, so...

[ He nudges Elsword. ]

[ He WILL look at you, Joshua, thank you but he won't argue. He's frowning softly, thinking, planning for upcoming battles in his head. He nods to Elsword gently. ]

We were told it was the bloodletting that took her. And whether the monsters are there to protect them or attack them, they more than likely wont simply stand aside.

[ So prepare for a fight. And Mizuki's words make him smile a little. ]

As I'm not keen to leave any of you behind, so lets try to get out of this together, all right? Now, other than simply blasting the wards off and the door down, any suggestions for how to get in?

It may not hurt to eliminate some of the monsters, if we can and if we have the time. As a precaution.

[ The idea that the children might think they are nothing but visions is one that concerns him. How to prove themselves... He remains silent otherwise, listening for any information or ideas that Elsword and Mizuki might have. ]

[Mizuki elbows him and says that and Elsword smiles like :)]

My skills are brute force and hitting things really hard.

[Thanks.]

That worked last time.

I’m pretty strong too. And I’m good at slipping into tight spaces. But since it’s magic, that might be harder for me.

Oh, I also have some magic from Ourania? I don’t know if that’ll help, but I can try.

[ Elsword's admission makes him chuckle, cause yeah he gets it. ]

All right, if we can't do it nicely, we'll just kick down the door.

[ He ponders Mizuki thoughtfully, then turns to look at the Mansion. ]

Would you be able to use it to get us all in? Or just yourself?

And how much brute force is required, exactly?

[ He knows that Elsword has previously broken in. However much it was then, they'll likely have to double it. ]

Surely it cannot withstand all of us.

Fel and I required what I'm pretty sure was the full strength of both our magics, but once the door was open, she was able to hold it for me while I went inside. I guess that means only the initial breaking in is difficult, right? Heh.

[He motions to the door, tapping into the Mizuki Braincell to do so because otherwise he'd be gesturing in the opposite direction.]

We got electrocuted and passed out when we left though. So, uh: A lot of brute force, but if me and Fel got through, you and me and him and Mizuki can probably do it fine.

I can promise I’m a lot stronger than I look, too. Just tell me where you need me.

[ Brute force it is. He frowns a little and shakes his head. ]

Magic-wise, it's going to be you three. The curse is acting oddly in me, it's erratic and spreads as it wills. I won't risk petrification and putting us all at a disadvantage. But I'm still a swordsman.

[ Left hand or not. The dragon blessing helps his strength, and he will use it. He turns to Elsword and Mizuki, apologetic. ]

I will differ this to you.

[ Joshua nods. ]

My brother is a very accomplished swordsman. I can vouch for his skill.

[ He's been watching him since he was little, after all. ]

I can use my magic as well, though I'm going to try to reserve my strength in case healing is needed. But I will do what I can.

[Elsword hears "the petrification" and Clive will watch in real time as this boy's head swivels around to Look at him, even though there are bandages over where his eyes would be if he had them. Just. Perceiving right now.

(Mizuki will definitely get MGS "!" pings in his brain.)]

Petrification, [he says, in what he thinks is shock but comes across just as a flat, toneless repetition of the word.] Okay. We'll talk about that later.

[DANGER]

I think I can carry the brunt of the magic damage. Mizuki and Mister... Clive? If you guys could brute force the fence itself open, [because it's uh. shut-shut.] that would allow us all to slip in. I'll focus on that long enough to get us into the yard, and then blast toward the door. I think we're going to have to run.

Mizuki, I need you to be my eyes there, too. [Pauses.] Sorry, heh, I know it's not much of a plan, but does that work?

Of course, you don't need to tell me as much. I'll stick by you as much as I can.

Inside, it'll be a little harder for me to communicate with everyone on the fly, so... just give me the orders when you need me somewhere, I'll come running. Promise.

[ Well, that's something, as Elwords head turns eerily towards him. He knows Mizuki is being his eyes but he ... he didn't expect literally. Can he actually see him? He gently raises his hand in hello? Hello. ]

It sounds like a plan to me, and worry not. I'm good at improvising if things go south.

[ Cid would be proud. ]

And I'm also good at opening locked doors.

[ If it's not magically held together? My man is going to kick it down... ]

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cw: dead children mention

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blanket apologies here too-

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