The Demon Plot: DEATH OF GRINDING MADNESS [July Player Event]

[pillz]

Who: Ensemble production, all individuals who opted in to the plot
When: July 9-21
Where: Two inhabited planets around the Ingress
What: The demon plot kicks off, in which malevolent shadow beings, copies of existing characters, begin to materialize and harass the PCs across the worlds. Plotting post is here, and a network post will go up within the next 2 days from several PCs advising on how to end the plot.
Warnings: Violence, psychological themes, possibly past trauma, etc.

Death of Grinding Madness
The Demon Plot
(mild spoilers for The Raven Cycle)

On July 9, a demon begins to make its way through the Ingress, summoned through by a shitty teenager.

July 9-12
Harrying

It's innocuous in the beginning. A movement in the corner of your eye, a shadow through a curtain-- merely a tree. But then the shadow figures begin to emerge into full being. Black-eyed wraiths that look like enemies, friends with whom you've had past conflict, or even you yourself. At first, it's merely harrying, minor harassment. Threatening gestures, broken gestures, jump scares.

Pursue them, and they disappear-- you might even catch a glimpse of how. They melt down into black slime, racing away across floors, through sewer grates, up walls, impossible to follow. By now, the worst of the climate freeze is over, but residual ice does pose a needles extra obstacle.

July 12-15
The Violence Escalates

In the days that follow, the situation only gets worse.

Sporadic harassment turns into outright attacks. The targeting is unmistakable. The shadow beings who can speak tell cruel tales of animosity, spite, even hatred. They are as deadly with their hands or strange powers as their doppelgangers are, and worse, they're functionally indestructible. Rip off one's head and it merely reforms out of sticky black ink. Limbs regenerate just as easily. The being might dispell for a few hours, but no doubt— it'll be back, if not to hurt you then someone you know.

The Savrii begin to notice. It's hard not to. While there is hardly an epidemic of panic, the disruptions are hard to miss-- broken windows, screams, random violence. Soon, the authorities begin to open safehouse facilities at which characters can seek shelter.

July 15-18
The Golem

On July 17, something horrific begins to happen— several shadow beings merge to form a massive golem in Kauto R1. It is a grotesque, horrifying spectacle, of limbs and eyes and pulsating flesh. It reaches almost sixty feet in height. Combined together, this shadow creature is considerably less intelligent than the individual beings were. However, it is also immensely strong and regenerates just like the smaller ones did.

Within the mall, hundreds of daytime shoppers are trapped within. Luckily, they have food and climate control. Perhaps you're one of them-- or perhaps you're trying to get in to provide medical care.

In the meantime, the attacks from the individual shadow beings don't stop. Despite the intelligence exhibited by some, all of them seem mindlessly bent on tormenting their targets until they are killed.

July 18-21
The Sacrifice

On the 9th day, a network post goes up (link pending, will be OOCly forward-dated to July 10th latest) revealing how to remove the invincibility of the attackers.

And by the 21st, the remaining beings utterly vanish without explanation— unless you happen to bear witness to the events that take place at St. Monmouth.

Comments

[nyxus]

Miller, I—

[Nyx doesn't know how to apologize for stabbing him not once, but twice, and while Kaz looks very well considering that fact the fact isn't changed. Nor is it no less a possibility that he could bleed out and it's Nyx's fault. In his mind his sister repeats over and over again

Nyx, where's Mom? Nyx! Nyx! Save us!

It takes him a few good moments to get the image and voice of her out of his vision and Nyx looks lost as he stares down at Kazuhira. Finally, he manages to shake the flashback and takes a hesitating few steps away from the downed man. He looks tormented, but somehow determined at the same time.]

I'll be right back. Hold on. I'll get us out of here. I'll get us all out of here.

[Nyx turns with some reluctance before he sprints up the stairs taking them two at a time until he's at the top. His hand slides blood along the banister as he mounts the landing and the sound of Dorian's (blessedly normal, if dry as dirt) voice leads him into the room where he and Ahab are. Nyx doesn't know what's going on, and he doesn't understand the importance of what Dorian is trying to say. Right now he wants to get them out.]

Let's go.

[alterplex]

[ His hand's removed itself from Dorian's face by the time Nyx's footsteps ring behind him, and Venom turns his head to fix gray-blue on the outline of his other teammate, his focus sharply discerning before it softens with recognition and understanding. The registered request is sound, and it's Nyx.

But it's the bionic that goes up in a gesture for 'wait', red joints clicking unnaturally from slight impact damage. ]

Not yet. Gotta hear him out first. [ He knows they don't have time, but all the better, then, to move things along.

Relaxing his shoulders, he looks up from his crouched position at the young man with peril written on his face. Flashback: small kids behind rusted bars, holding out diamonds as recompense for their lives. ] ...I'm trusting you with my back.

[ That's all the time he has right now for the grief in Nyx's expression before his attention turns back to Dorian, flesh-and-blood fingers framing the set of Dorian's tense jaw. He nods, as an answer to a previous question. ]

...Go on. I'm listening.

[liberaltus]

[Dorian felt like he was in a chantry confessional with an ever increasing audience (not that they don't deserve to be here, they certainly do) and a limited amount of time to disclose his most humiliating regret. Of course it might not seem like some shocking, terrible, story to some people... there were probably worse stories, but everyone had their own lowest points...Dorian had several-rock bottom moments, but this was the most defining one for him.

He almost wished he had a love confession, but he didn't for this very reason, it was also for this very reason that he wasn't ready to forgive his father, so he couldn't do that either...well, not with his heart in it. Such limited choices here, fortunately his spell would hold a little while longer -- that didn't stop a little, resigned sigh from escaping his lungs.]

All we're missing is a Revered Mother. [Dorian laughed dryly before shaking his head a little in Venom's palm.]

You already know I haven't been proper all my life. [He's barely proper now, but he's certain that he's mentioned the promiscuity of his younger days to both Venom and Kazuhira, at least on some level.] I once had such an awful weakness for love...I never said or did anything about Relinus, he had the prettiest smile, I understand he would have said yes, but at the time I was playing the well-heeled scion...talk about ships sailing. Then there was Lucan Abrexis...

[Upon approaching this topic, Dorian's voice took on the same inflection it would if he were seasick. He wanted to keep this as concise and vague as possible, still a man of propriety and all that.] I had a falling out with my mentor, spent some time drinking in the slums, and I...somehow managed to stumble into an affair with this man, I was so enamored with him, I don't think I could have adored him more and we were able to keep up the affair for quite some weeks [an indication of how easily Dorian fell in love with people when he was younger, it was genuine affection he lacked. It wasn't the same as the kind his parents tried to buy for him] longest meaningful relationship I've had with anyone.

[And he knows how that sounds.]

It made me forget that I was trying to be evasive of my family, they were hunting me so that they could contain me and put an end to my...excesses. They caught up with me at his estate, sent mercenaries after me, in fact...they stormed the place...slaughtering people just to get to me. Good men and women just doing their jobs, you know? [Whatever physical pain he was feeling seemed monetarily numbed by this story.] Lucan and I, we were too caught up in our own efforts to care or even realize that people were dying right outside the bedroom door.

[Dorian's tears weren't one of pain this time, he was actually very ashamed of that moment and angry, and there was no Antivan wine or Orlesian brandy to chase away how very bitter he felt. What was so difficult about this, for Dorian anyway, was the fact that such a meaningful experience was associated with the blood of others. It cemented the idea that love was a foolish notion even though he cared a great deal about people in general.] I don't even know what happened to Lucan after that, son of a lord so he's alright I suspect, small comforts.

[Maker let that be enough, let that bloody shadow return to whatever miserable void it came from, because he didn't have the emotional strength to keep it sealed any longer.]

[warandpeace]

[Kaz only catches a beat or two of the story. In a way, he regrets sharing some of his own feelings on love, then. Being the awkward romantic that he is, with this notion that love can exist anywhere, even surrounded by blood and death. It's enough to build some regret.]

[What he pays keen attention to is that shadow, watching it carefully, working out ways in which he would have to defend himself if it came near to him. Nyx is out of the way, and they'd be safe if he had to do it, so he keeps his hand clutched around a the "lighter" in his pocket. One of the gifts Harry left him.]

[But then, during the span of a bleary blink, it's gone. And he lets his fingers loosen.]

[He coughs up more blood, takes a ragged, desperate breath, and stands with his back pressed against the wall for leverage.] It's gone. [He manages to say loud enough to carry. He wants to add "or it hid", but he's hit with another violent coughing fit.]

[For a ludicrous moment, in the midst of all this emotional turmoil and tension, of heartache and pain and blood and tiny pocketed destruction, Kaz is really glad he didn't wear his nice stuff. It's not too terrible a consideration, though, considering who the rescue mission was for.]

[nyxus]

[It's a heart breaking story, all the more so for two facts: firstly that Dorian is so affected by it, and secondly that he's forced to tell it to them. At first, Nyx forces himself to be quiet and attentive despite the guilt and anxiousness writhing within him to get everybody out of this building whose red walls he helped to decorate.

As the story continues he's rapt in it, eyes unblinking and wavering as he watches Dorian tell it. He thinks of Ardyn, sleeping with the enemy, what would Lunafreya say, what would Regis think... but they aren't here. They aren't here and Ardyn is and Nyx wonders if his own selfishness will decorate someone's walls red in his own story.

It's gone, Kaz calls up to them and Nyx immediately shakes himself of his introspection and moves forward with long-legged strides and begins gathering Dorian up in his arms. The mage is heavier than he looks but Nyx doesn't spend hours each day training and weight-lifting just to have a beautiful six-pack.]

Ahab, stay here. Don't move yet.

[Nyx has no idea if he'll follow any such orders especially from himself of all people but Nyx doesn't stick around to find out.

Due to Dorian's injuries, Nyx doesn't slump him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Instead he has the mage in his arms princess-style, gentle and secure and mindful of all those injuries. Nyx doesn't go to the stairs but instead to one of the upstairs windows overlooking the street below.]

It's alright. It's over. I need you to try and hold onto me for just a second longer.

[Words of reassurance before he takes a glance out the window and judges where best to land. Hopefully the mage doesn't get motion sickness too easily. The next second they are gone in a sparkling cloud of electric ash, and reappearing down on the street.

He immediately walks Dorian across the street and sets him down on the ground with the utmost care so that he can lean against the building. Nyx gives him a reassuring smile before turning and pulling his bloodied blade from its sheath. He throws the blade with great precision up to the window they just came out of and warps up to it with all the grace and effortlessness of a fit feline.

Nyx crawls through the window and is relieved to see Ahab there, although he suspects the man was trying to move despite any orders given to him. Nyx moves to him next and stares down at the huge soldier. There was going to be no princess-style for this one. As large a man as Dorian is, Ahab is like a thick water-buffalo in comparison.]

Up we go. This is probably going to hurt.

[An apology is almost on his lips but all the apologies will come later. Nyx crouches, and works Ahab up onto his shoulder with both arms looped around those ridiculously thick thighs he was complimenting not all too long ago. He grunts as he pushes himself up to stand. Water-buffalo, he thinks to himself, as he moves back towards the window. Nyx still remembers how they met, with their roles reversed and he thinks Ahab got the luckier side of that coin.

Struggle as it is, Nyx makes his way to the window and moments later they are warping through the space between building and street, and Nyx is setting Ahab down next to Dorian. It's nowhere near as neat and graceful as Dorian's descent, but Nyx is careful not to dump the poor man on his ass. As gently as he can (and sorry Ahab but that also means getting a handful of your ass) Nyx lowers the Snake man onto the ground next to Dorian.]

I'm getting Miller. You two rest here. I'll get you all some healing potions.

[alterplex]

[ There's not much time for Venom to react to Dorian's words before the option of escape hits all of them at once, cascading in a wave of relief for the worst being over and done with. Still, Venom finds a breath between the tail end of the confession and the lifting of weight off of his knee to reach down and thumb some moisture away from the corner of his companion's eye.

He appreciates that this probably wasn't the way Dorian would've wanted any of them to find out about the half-open wound still festering on his conscience; it's something that he should've been able to tell on his own terms, on his own time, of his own volition. A possible point to be made in favor of these events may be catharsis, but that's still a paltry consolation in light of everything else.

The air in the apothecary clears visibly, and for the first time since arriving, Venom tips his chin to the ceiling and takes note of how beautiful the place really is. His ribs feel like hell and his lungs protest the shifting of bone, but there's a serenity in following the trajectory of the molding along the walls, taking note of how everything comes together in a neat, cohesive whole.

He'll have to help Dorian clean up sometime, he thinks.

The rest of the events are a blur: his vision doubles, and as he's about to get up on his feet on screaming legs, he feels his gravity shift and his face swerve just past the jut of Nyx's hip. Whatever protest he's about to level is cut short by the searing pain that digs from his chest to the back of his throat, so Venom clamps down on it and waits until he's back on ground to cough into his open palm, blood flecking the rise and fall of his callused palm.

Once he's done righting his breathing, he turns towards Dorian and raises one brow almost imperceptibly towards his hairline. ]

...You've spent enough time punishing yourself. Breathe.

[ He knows Dorian is sore; he won't try to jostle him too much, but he will reach out and let Dorian lean in the same way he did months ago, back when the Midway Hub was a vague destination in vast wilderness. ]

Your family can't find you here.

[liberaltus]

[Dorian vaguely heard the words it's gone and processed it with a bit of mild relief, at least that much meant his humiliation was complete. Now he just had to deal with the aftermath...what sort of shape was he physically in? What kind of damage did his unrestrained magic really do and how many people had died? What had his own recklessness wrought? Saying this wasn't his fault would be pretty and kind, but that did not absolve him of the fact that he tried to take on something he didn't understand and, apparently, couldn't be killed by a standard issue fire ball. It took him over and used his magic against him and everyone around him, that was the equivalent to an Abomination in his world and the penalty for a mage who'd lost control of their magic and their senses over a demon was death.

Even in the Imperium Abominations were still dealt with in the classical sense, destroyed, and that's what Dorian felt like. That's what he couldn't help feeling like, but he didn't have much time to feel anything as he slowly started coming back to himself...and that numbness had felt very safe, now he just felt vulnerable with Venom drying his eyes and Nyx lifting his prone form off of the ground, carefully as you please, to remove him from the building. His grip wasn't the strongest at the moment, but he made an effort to swing an arm around Nyx's shoulders and flex his hold into something secure, in spite of the lancet of pain that shot it's way from the center of his back to the tips of his fingers. Still all this effort, he was going to attempt to bite down his pain...attempt meaning that he would only groan a few times and mutter a single "ow."

Pain is not for the faint of heart, clearly.

And he can't promise not to feel motion sickness from the sudden dive out of the window onto the ground, the only upside is that Dorian was starved and dehydrated, stasis only keeping his body from wasting during his captivity. The positive side was that he had nothing in him to vomit up, didn't stop him from dry-heaving for a moment, but he couldn't let Nyx go without a gesture of his gratitude so he dropped a kiss on the man's temple before he was eased to the ground...was he sorry, was he thankful...it was hard to tell...a little bit of both maybe?

In the next moment he was joined by Venom and for the first time he got a really good look at the man and his insides knotted worse than they already were, especially when confronted with the sight of the man coughing up blood. He really did need to be reminded to breathe, because right now he wasn't doing a very good job of it, and with that he tried to laugh a bit as well...sad clown and all.]

Yes, I suppose being outside in nothing but my smalls and a tacky linen robe in this weather is punishment enough.

[And Dorian doesn't even want to know where the robe came from, because it wasn't his, it was plain and rough on his skin. His humor was a cover to satisfy, however, and he hesitates to lean on Venom, but he does, gingerly, because it's better than the wall...but he's also very aware of Venom's own pain. His own body is still humming in pain, complaining at him every time he moved, he could sympathize. It was as much a physical kind of pain as a magical one and tended to be quite annoying on both fronts.]

They...don't really have to try, it seems I've a way of finding them even if I don't really fancy it. [A brief pause.] I must be as comfortable to you as a bag of stones? Are you...alright? Kazuhira?

[Kazuhira was another concern completely, he was paralyzed with dread at the though of the other man being hurt, one of the first people he'd met here, Dorian had a special affinity for him...but it was also the arm and the leg. The shadow might be gone, but the magic he used was real...and Dorian couldn't fix that.]

[warandpeace]

[Kazuhira was much better at pain than most, so by the time Nyx got to him, he was already half-heading for the door all on his own. A practiced effort by someone that had gotten used to letting his pain drive him, to carry him through the worst trials. He's made to handle pain, and although he barks out a quick cry when he's picked up (thanks to his artificial limbs, he's likely lighter than both of the other men), he handles the trip fairly well.]

[For someone that got stabbed in the back at least.]

[When he's settled again, outside in the chill in his now bloody fatigues, no longer pouring blood but still very damaged, he just sits there for a moment and listens. Slowly blinks behind his glasses as he gathers himself, his words, what little breath he can manage as he wipes his red-stained lips.]

[Then says-]

See. I helped save you- [coughing] -without a real arm and leg.

[Kaz smiles loosely after the choked words, in as good a humor as he can manage, just because it's nice knowing he proved the damn thing wrong. He might be stuck with his phantom limbs, but it's fine. He wouldn't become whole again at the expense of anyone else, especially not after having seen that. He shed his own blood to save his friend (not for the first time), he won't take the blood of his friends to save himself.]

[Where as Dorian can't handle physical pain, Kaz has had two years in which people have been fairly kind to him. The emotional callouses that he built up to protect himself from Ocelot, full of self-hate and a redirected bitterness, have smoothed to fragile skin. The hollow place inside his chest he used to hide in had warmed and filled nearly back up. Time to build those callouses back up, he supposes.]

[He also knows now what Dorian meant before when he told him that in his homeland the concept of love was foolish where he came from. He told him of the brief affair that had ended in his father sending out mercenaries, but in no great detail. That there had been the death of good men, but not civilians. About the imprisonment. Clinical and short, without the emotional implication, the weight of the loss Kaz had referred to. Love is realizing that if someone is removed from your life that would leave a hole. A hell of a hole Dorian had been left, scarred and the size of a crater from the sound of it. Kaz'll be cautious about the subject again.]

It wasn't going to be easy. [he breathes in harshly, raggedly, with a rattle. A matter of fact statement that meant Kaz had known when he set out to help Dorian that he was going up against someone that could use magic and could concoct his own army of sorts. He didn't walk in expecting simplicity- maybe he didn't expect Nyx to be puppeteered, but he'd been ready for it to hurt, and knew to some extent that injury was an inevitability.]

I messed up, Boss. Forgot the [choke] stealth camo. [That last part is for Venom. A genuine apology as he'd been so concerned and so overcome with emotion that he forgot a crucial item for this loudout against what they were facing. A misstep.]

[nyxus]

[Everyone was out. Did Dorian have any pets? Nyx can't remember. After settling Kaz gently down he's gone in a flash again and he does a quick check around the apothecary. It's such a wreck, and Nyx knows he'll be taking some extra time away from the diner in order to get this place cleaned up as quickly as possible. There are some items that likely can't be replaced but when he looks into the nursery all the plant babies are well and he's glad for that.

Nyx searches around and finds three phials of healing potions, along with three blankets. A second later he warps directly in front of the three and hands them each a potion first and then goes about the task of wrapping them each in a blanket.

He isn't satisfied with just this. He wants to do more and he wishes suddenly he had Prince Noctis' car. They should all be going to a clinic. Nyx frowns softly. He's no field medic, nor does he know any healing spells. The higher forms of magic had always been Crowe's thing.]

I can take you one at a time to the nearest clinic? Do they have taxis here? Ambulances?

[alterplex]

[ God, all of this is distinctly alien. The soft-handed treatment, the blanket, the open volley of consideration; it's better spent on people who need it, which would be Kaz and Dorian.

He hums a soft response to Dorian's question of whether or not he's fine, in lieu of the obvious answer of 'yes'. It's going to sound trite no matter how he phrases it, but everyone's energy is better served for more pressing matters instead of worrying about him.

So Venom wastes no time in downing his potion, in breathing through the uncomfortable process of mending. He turns to his XO once he feels that he's ridden out the last of his bruising pains, and leans to press his lips to fight-mussed blond hair. ]

Concentrate on getting your wounds looked at. The rest can wait.

[ Concerns about the stealth camo can come later. He pulls Kaz inwards and lets his chin rest on his shoulder for a few fleeting seconds, makes sure that their breathing matches in an even pace before drawing away and getting up on his feet. ]

...Don't know about the ambulances. Gonna have to count on them having one. [ Because really, it's the least this place can offer. There's the slightest hint of apology in how he raises his brow for Nyx's scrutiny, how he seems to speak with the faint pooling of gratitude in his single eye. ] —Take Kaz and Dorian.

[ Part of Venom is still trying to fly under the radar, in light of some recent events; he'd rather be a ghost than not. ]

[liberaltus]

[Kazuhira's appearance was a welcome sight as is his poor attempt at humor, almost as bad as Dorian's own. His relief was evident in the way he was quick to hug the man in spite of his own aches and pains, but he was just as quick to withdraw knowing that he had his own celebrations with Venom to take care of. Dorian wasn't so obtuse as to be ignorant of the subtleties of their relationship so he was quick to disengage himself in favor of focusing on the potion Nyx had brought them. It kept him uncharacteristically quiet, but then again what could he possibly say right now that would matter even remotely? He could apologize or he could say "thank you," but he knew he'd be saying that for a while to come, so for now he just turned his focus inward and drank his potion in silence.

It did the trick in that Dorian could feel his injuries seamlessly close up, small relief that brought him, there wouldn't be any scars...ah vanity and it's priority. It also took care of anything internal, which was less on his part, probably more on Kazuhira and Venom's part, but they would still need to seek medical attention given that their injuries were not all surface injuries. Dorian wasn't coughing up blood after all...but he wasn't tender to the touch any more, it was just his magical circuitry causing him pain now which was why he flapped a hand dismissively when talks about ambulances and medics came up, not that these things weren't important...and he didn't want to really get into a conversation about who's injuries were worse at the moment, but Dorian was finally able to stand on his own two feet...and that was something.]

Not much they can really do for me except feed me and give me water...I can get that at home. [He'd be well alone at home too now that Bull was gone.] What I really need to stabilize myself is lyrium, that's something I'll have to make...so...not to put to fine a point on it, but Kazuhira and Venom would benefit more from immediate treatment. I wasn't stabbed in the back...or slammed into a wall...none of my injuries are internal...not in that way at least.

[Yes, Dorian knew what was going on even if he wasn't there physically to watch it, his shadow made certain of it, not that he was going to contemplate it too hard. What he was going to do was sort out his robe, fold the blanket around him, and contemplate the apothecary with a sigh. The deep mushrooms were he only source of lyrium at the moment and he would have to harvest it himself. He figured he'd have to do that much for himself, such a fuss had been made over him already and...he wasn't exactly certain what to do with it or if he wanted to do anything with it.

He was awful at this. Debts. Gratitude. Altruism. Friends. This was as unnatural as it got for the mage...but work awaits and he was the only one who could make lyrium so he was the only one who could help himself right now. That was something he could do anyway.]

[warandpeace]

[It's better to hug the real thing, even if it's weaker now, more careful due to his perforations. He takes the healing potion and at one point sputters on it, coughs and has to make an effort not to lose it.]

[Were Dorian to ask, he'd say he owed him nothing. If anything, all of this was a repayment. He'd done much more for him. And as he's treated gently, tipped in and held by Snake, he closes his eyes tiredly. Kaz sways with the shared breath, and nearly tips over when his sturdy prop is gone. He has to right himself and struggle with those internal aches.]

Snake had... a little bit of trouble recently. He might not want to go to Savrii hospital yet. But I can go and get something to bring back.

[He's not worried about intermediaries this time for himself. There's no one to cast blame towards (the pot refuses to listen to the forgiveness he gives the kettle). He's just worried about being fixed. One beat more. Two beats more. Enough to control his ragged breaths, but with lungs considerably more empty than five minutes ago.] How is this for a game plan. I'll call some sort of transportation. Go to the hospital with Snake and he can wait around for me to leave. It shouldn't take long, it's not like [cough] some Earth hospital. Better than two trips and it'll let me get something out to him quicker.

[He places his fist to his lips.]

Dorian, do you have someone that can stay with you?

[Because he doesn't want him to stay alone. Not after all of that. It's crude to torture a man physically and emotionally and abandon him to his worries. And Nyx is the one here that knows anything about Dorian's work. He's thinking perhaps he can aid him. If he can't, it's not as if it would be a terrible inconvenience for either Kaz or Venom to give him some company.]

[He turns his right hand, removes his glove, and finally looks at the fingers there. Real fingers, flesh and blood. The first time he has time to consider.]

[They still feel dirty somehow. But it's not something he'll mention aloud, contribute even further to the man's guilt. Instead, he just puts his glove back on and tucks his hand against his chest where his lung pangs.]

sorry you're always waiting on me :(

[nyxus]

[...'Kazuhira and Venom would benefit more from immediate treatment...I wasn't stabbed in the back...or slammed into a wall'... Nyx sets his jaw and looks away, guilt roiling around like spoiled food in his stomach. Dorian's right of course and Nyx can say nothing in defense of himself but it hurts all the same and for a moment he can't look any of them in the eye. Thankfully Kaz drops a hint, and Nyx is quick to pick up on it.]

I'll stay and help. I know where most things go in the shop. I'll catch up to you guys later; go take care of yourselves.

[Nyx turns to Dorian and nods, moving closer and if he's allowed, he'll put a supportive arm around him to help him inside.]

Maybe you can teach me how to make the lyrium? I'm a decent hand at basic healing potions now, huh?

[He's joking: his potions are mediocre at best, with as little time as he's been able to put in at the apothecary. Something as important as Dorian's lyrium is far beyond his capability most likely. Nyx manages to crack a joke and talk about more mundane things: this is his attempt at helping those internal injuries which aren't physical in nature. He also manages to still not meet Ahab or Kaz's eyes during this and is keen to get inside and start cleaning up. It's the least he can do.]

wings is banned from apologizing on grounds that shes a cutie

[alterplex]

[ Venom's said it to Dorian before: casual murder attempts as a bonding exercise is nothing new in his line of work, so he doesn't take the broken ribs or bruised organs as anything other than a routine struggle between people capable of violence. Still, he can appreciate that that's not the norm for others, so he doesn't press when Nyx turns away and casts his gaze at everything aside from Venom and his XO.

He'll need some time to work things out. It's only natural.

They all do, between the chaos and the heartache and the guilt, but hammering that in is like driving rusted nails into an already-sealed coffin. Venom doesn't doubt that they'll all come together in the near future for something far less somber than this, so he lets his faith do the talking for him.

Which is to say that he's silent in his acquiescence. He nods, makes sure that Nyx has a solid hold on Dorian, before crouching down to heft Kaz gently up in his arms. Sideways, across his chest.

That's enough of a let's go for him. ]

and I'm always the last one to the party...usually so no worries lol

[liberaltus]

[Dorian, practical as he is, is well aware than they can spend all of their time blaming themselves, the mage in particular feels a great deal of personal responsibility. Anything that happened was the result of his own magic, Nyx couldn't control his body and wouldn't have been able to even if he tried, it was his magic that was the mouth piece of everything that happened. It wouldn't have been if the mage had not foolishly tried taking the thing on by himself, underestimating powers that he wasn't familiar with and didn't understand? Rookie mistake, he should be sent back to the Circles immediately.

As a practical man he knows that the true blame doesn't really lie with anyone, not anyone standing here anyway, it will just take him time and several bottle of wine to come to terms with that. Of course the drinking will probably come from the fact that he has to cope with that ridiculous confession...and Kazuhira's limbs...he couldn't possibly undo any of the magic he has inflicted upon his friend. Not without hurting him, which is why he hoped the man didn't ask, it would be difficult enough to look at him without thinking about it.

For now, however, he'll accept that they need to split up for the time being in order to tend to their own injuries individually. Dorian can't be fixed by any means of medicine, he needed a Lyrium boost to set himself straight again. So when Nyx offers to stay with him while Venom tends to Kazuhira, Dorian resigns himself to the plan. He's aware that Kazuhira doesn't want him to be alone, which is something Dorian isn't used to when he's trying to mask his hurt, he typically drinks alone or opts to be left with his thoughts for a while.

So he's not surprised to find Nyx's arm around him, but that doesn't stop him from tipping his head back at his two friends and adding.]

I'll see you both soon.

[Maybe he'll be able to push down this embarrassment by then, for now he'll turn to Nyx as the man attempts light hearted humor.]

Well...I suppose you're decent, but you've still a lot of work to put in...perhaps you can watch and make certain I stay upright. If you contract darkspawn taint from those mushrooms that would just be the cherry on top of this perfect day.

[Last thing he needed was for Nyx to fall ill, but he does acknowledge his earnest desire to help with a feeble pat on the back.]

Thank you.