OPEN LOG; EVERGLADE, GENESSIA - do not reply until you read the ooc post

[genpcs]

The first sign that something was going on that day hadn't been at the crack. It hadn't even been in Genessia, as a matter of fact. The first sign had been a sound not unlike a window shuddering in a heavy storm. It perforated the atmosphere within Everglade first.

Only a few moments later, Fayren would hear the same shudder echo through its forests, forcing birds to flee the cover of the trees. In the populated areas of the kingdom itself, it would be much quieter, as if it were miles away.

Then it would return to Genessia. The crack in the sky was rapidly saturated, thousands more than before forcing their whole shapeless bodies against the barrier. Some of the strange aurora-tinted color seems to press into their ranks, a few of the strange creatures being forced back, but quickly being replaced by another of its kind.

And a sickening crack could be heard in all archways near and far, but it was loudest in Everglade, where a new crack had formed. Two humongous cracks appeared in Everglade's barrier like a sinister grin as if it were laughing at the town just above the clocktower. The two cracks took only a couple of seconds more before the strange monstrous creatures burst small holes into that crack, not big enough to fit their bodies through at once.

The leaked through, dripping like poison from an apple out of that sneering mouth in the sky until the first of these creatures fell to the ground. The eager, hungry soul from before, whose abyss of a stomach had been shared with the whole of Genessia when he'd opened his misshapen jaw the first time a few days ago now looked from side to side in the streets of Everglade.

The first face he saw was that of an NPC, and he only saw it for a moment before launching himself at the man and pinning him to the ground. Some would recognize him as the grizzled owner of The Rabbit's Foot. A loud scream was put out from the man as the creature opened its jaw wide, but did not eat him. Nothing seemed to happen when his jaw was opened, as a matter of fact.

The creature closed its mouth slowly before standing upright on what seemed to be a two-legged form, though if it had arms they didn't take shape. It made a gesture as if it were cracking its neck as the man escaped quickly, locking the door to his shop behind him.

More of the creatures were piling into Everglade slowly but surely, but this one in particular caught sight of a local werewolf, someone with a pendant, a soul, and repeated his mauling, but this time- this time something happened. This time a strange, glowing mist seemed to pull out of the Everglade resident's body, a faint glimmer of aurora with it, and in a short time this person stopped screaming. They were still alive, but it didn't seem like there was anything... inside, really.

A hissing, victorious laughter left the creature and he moved on, heading toward Genessia's gate along with his oversized mouth pulled up into an eerie grin that reflected the crack in the sky. Those that had made it in through Everglade's crack followed suit.

They had to let the rest of their friends in through Genessia; it was only the polite thing to do.

{{ READ THE OOC POST FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS ON THIS EVENT! }}

Comments

[lookprofessor]

I th-think it'll be okay...

[Even as he says it, Luke presses his hand against his side and shudders at the feeling of blood between his fingers. Weiss is still talking, and he blinks several times to clear his head before loosening his grip on her hand.

At the first sound though his clean hand grabs at the extra but if fabric at the side of her jacket, sniffling. At least she has birth hands free despite his attempt to cling as closely to her as possible while staying out of her way.] O-okay.

[whiteas]

[ Weiss narrows her eyes about halfway when he grabs her sleeve. That isn't exactly helping her have her arms free, but she lets it go after a moment. Now's hardly the time to argue about it. ]

If I need to fight, you need to let go and take cover. But as long as you don't get your blood on my clothing, I think we'll be okay.

[ It would be a bitch and a half to get blood out of a white jacket. With that, Weiss starts heading out of the alley, making sure to keep Myrtenaster at the ready with her left hand. ]

[lookprofessor]

[Luke swallows, shivering, before letting go of her coat entirely. He doesn't want to upset the person who's saving him, after all--but not being able to feel that she's right next to him adds a layer of anxiety for him that he can't explain.

But he follows her just the same, shuddering as they make their way through Genessia. He's doing a good job of belong blood off of her too, even though the combination of fear and blood loss is making him dizzy. Nervously he occasionally whispers "thank you, thank you" as they progress through the city.

Someone's a teensy bit fried.]

APPARENTLY i am missing notifications lmfao. sorry i missed this one.

[whiteas]

[ Weiss rolls her eyes. She can tell that he's scared. That's why she didn't say that he had to let go entirely- just if she had to fight. She didn't argue against it though- honestly, it was a lot better. Weiss gave him a reluctantly sympathetic look though, like she probably understood how frightening it was to be alone when you're in danger. She remembered having to be that way when she was younger, long ago when she was the helpless girl whose family was being targeted by terrorists.

Weiss can't exactly do the whole 'kneel down to talk on eye level with children' thing- she's not tall enough for that, but she does turn to face Luke for a moment. ]

Look, the reason I need both of my hands open is because while I fight with my left, my right can do this.

[ She backs up a brief moment, making a gesture and a glyph appears between Luke and herself. She holds it for a moment- even though it takes her energy to keep it there, she wants to show Luke that she only needs them free so she can better protect both of them. ]

This can stop anything coming at us that isn't stronger than I am, but I need to be able to move fast if it sneaks up on us. The blood is a pain, but it's not something I can't afford to get out, but the important part is that I can protect you better, so you don't need to be afraid not to be holding my hands.

Noooo big deal =D

[lookprofessor]

I k-know...I'm t-tryin'--

[Imagine then, Weiss, always being the helpless child. That's what Luke often feels like here, after all. Trapped in an unfamiliar world, not strong enough to defend himself and constantly forced to rely on others.

He feels dizzy. His head spins at the appearance of the glyph and the arc of movement Weiss makes as she summons it, and summarily does so when it vanishes. Is she saying it's okay?]

M...m'kay, Miss Weiss. M'sorry.

[And tired. Dizzy, and tired. Luke takes a larger step then, closing what remained of the gap between them, and shakily reached for her again. He could keep her hands totally free, he could--his fingers loosely loop around the fabric of the ribbon-like belt at her waist. This isn't right--he's supposed to help protect a lady, but he knows that there's nothing he can do to help her. She's the stronger one here, she can fight, she can defend them, she can--]

S'this okay?[Should she turn to meet his gaze, she'll catch him rubbing his eyes on his moderately bloody sleeve, leaving a fingerprint of bright red blood on his cheek. The fingers around her belt tighten more, now pulling slightly though he doesn't mean to. Not just for comfort, but balance too. He's not that dizzy though, right? Just a little bit. He's quiet for a few moments, before finally mumbling:]

H-how far'r we g-going?

[whiteas]

Don't mumble, speak clearly. If you're scared, pretending to be brave goes a long way in making you feel a little braver. Just don't do anything outside of your capabilities to go with the attitude. You might just help someone else you come across who's afraid feel a little braver themselves if they feel that you're confident.

[ Maybe advice wasn't what Luke needed right now, but she needed him to be strong so that they could get through this. She would fight for him and make sure they got through this alive, but it'd be easier on both of them if he could hold his head up high whether he was a helpless child or not. ]

That's fine. We're going to Nova City. I had my company's branch there set up a safe area to help people evacuating Genessia. There's security, medical care, food and drink, and a place to rest until this is over.

[ Weiss starts walking again once she's sure that Luke is firmly secured on her belt. As long as he doesn't tug it, it's fine, and she's sure that Luke's gentleman enough that she doesn't have to even worry about that. The blood.. they can worry about cleaning him up later, even if the image strikes a particular nerve that a child like this is forced to be put through something like this. Especially a child she knows and gets along with. She even considers him a friend. This isn't right, but this is part of being a huntress. Seeing things like this and forcing through them to continue protecting people. ]

Keep close. This is part of what Team RWBY is training for, so you should know that we will make it through this.

[lookprofessor]

[Luke nods slowly.]

Okay. S...sorry, Miss Weiss. I'm...I'll b-be b-brave.

[Sorry, Weiss. Luke really is making an effort, but his speech is getting increasingly jumbled as they make their way along. Blood loss is winning, even though he's putting more pressure on the wound on his side. He's moved close enough that the brim of his hat occasionally brushes against her shoulder as he wobbles behind her. Don't worry--no blood transfers.]

Th...thank you.

[And he follows otherwise without complaint or question, still watching carefully, eyes watching their surroundings.] W..what else can I d-do?

[whiteas]

[ She gives him a briefly concerned look, but he got the message. It's a step. She just wants to make sure that he'll be able to handle this. Not everything is happy all the time.. maybe after this, she might try to help at least teach him a few things like how to use your environment to protect yourself, or what to do in an emergency. She turns her eyes forward and increases their speed a little bit. ]

You're welcome.