agogelogs | GROUP 3: SO I OPEN MY DOOR TO MY ENEMIES

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GROUP 3: SO I OPEN MY DOOR TO MY ENEMIES—

WHO? group three, see below links.
WHAT? hrhr: retreat missions.
WHEN? february 9th, you're here forever.
ANYTHING ELSE? planning and submissions.

CHARACTERS WILL ENCOUNTER THESE OBSTACLES:

—Locating the base and arriving without interference by the Turks or the Regency.
—Getting at least one person past the soldiers and into the base.
—Scouting the base and locating Atatürk without causing an incident.
—Handling soldiers who might interfere with attempts to reach Atatürk.
—Combating any Regency soldiers assigned undercover to the Turkish side.
—If anyone is captured by Turkish or Regency soldiers, you'll have to stage a rescue.
—Successfully gaining an audience with Atatürk and acquiring amnesty.
—Returning to Lone Pine in one piece.

RAISING THE DEAD AND SCOUTING, 18/30
yoshitsugu otani, dorian pavus, jon snow, jeyne westerling, sebastian michaelis, ashitaka, hei, noctis lucis caelum, chiron
"Raising the dead and scouting goes well, if not smoothly. You have to dodge enemy combatants the whole way, and it's a little hard to get the intel and supplies you need when you're also trying not to get shot. Somehow, you manage it! Probably through the power of positive thinking. And murder."

—chiron and hei do an initial scout to map out the turkish base and find entry points
—hei stresses that everyone stays with at least one other person so as to not get separated/held hostage
—yoshitsugu uses his spell to raise the dead for an hour to gather information about the turkish base/plans
—yoshitsugu experiences convulsions as a result of using the spell and dorian will use his revival spell on him to help him recover
—entire group stops to plan out specific teams and what they’ll been doing, team a and b are born
—sebastian recounts the letters he found in the tunnels verbatim to the group, mostly sharing the atatürk part
—entire group decides that non-lethal action is to be taken, so they can easily discuss terms with atatürk without killing his men
—noctis and jeyne act as contacts between their separate teams to keep information fresh and to relay important updates
—jon provides the bottom halves of turkish uniforms so their disguises can be put together; they steal the top halves from the dead soldiers yoshitsugu has raised because we're here to demean literally everybody
COMBAT WITH THE REGENCY, 13/30
hei, noctis lucis caelum, chiron, sebastian michaelis, ashitaka
"Combat is where things get difficult. While nobody dies, a few characters are seriously injured. You can decide who and how. Likewise, if you have anybody due for a kidnapping, now would be a good time. But, essentially, this is a close call. You lose ground to the enemy, some ANZAC soldiers might get caught in the crossfire, some precious resources may be lost! Your choice, but something goes to shit."

—chiron using magical detection to weed out the regency agents and the entirety of team b engages the three regency soldiers in combat
—hei uses his ability to shock memory out of the people who may have spotted them using their powers, with the exception of regency soldiers
—noctis will be using warp-strike takedowns to reduce their chances of detection, as they're near-silent and an instantaneous skill
—ashitaka gets kidnapped by the first of the undercover regency agents somewhere in the middle of this because he's literally and figuratively cursed, leaving them down a group member
—sebastian leaves team b and joins team a to fill ashitaka’s empty diplomat position, because he can do anything and likes to show off
—yoshitsugu avoids his kidnapping somewhere in the middle of this, with chiron on rescue duty to facedown the second undercover regency agent
—dorian will use blood magic in a desperate attempt to save himself from capture from the third undercover regency agent
ACTUAL DIPLOMACY, 16/30
yoshitsugu otani, dorian pavus, jon snow, jeyne westerling, sebastian michaelis
"Actual diplomacy is terse, if only because it feels difficult to get a foothold. Atatürk gives little away, and is very quiet and cautious in his delegations. He doesn't fill you with confidence. But in the end, he does come around, admitting to seeing your point. He'll do what he can to call a cease fire."

—team b attempts to come to an agreement and work things out with atatürk
—yoshitsugu attempts to talk atatürk down from a strategical point of view, "there's no sense in attacking when your enemy is already retreating"
—jeyne uses the locket to take the stance of women missing their husbands and lovers, as well as their children having no fathers; she's especially good at calming people when tempers run hot, as well as appealing on more personal levels
—jon speaks with atatürk on a personal level: "no more men have to die - i know you've watched your countrymen fall, i know everyone values bravery, we do too, but these deaths mean less and less when no one is fighting anymore”
—dorian has a gift for politics and has sat in on war counsels and engaged in political debates, making him approach this from a political angle
—if things start going badly, yoshitsugu will use his guilt spell to sway atatürk to their side of the discussion

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[ Making their plans were easy enough, but now comes the part that's far more difficult: actually doing it. Technically speaking, it's not unreasonable as far as plans go, but the terrain and the other limitations they're facing make the trek much more troublesome than it might otherwise be. And really, it's only one of those limitations that bothers Sebastian. He can't complain about it, since it's perfectly logical to take a non-lethal approach when you're trying to sway someone to your side, but... It does make this part much more difficult. ]

a. en route
[ But at least so far, so good. With the uniforms they have, they're able to make a stealthier approach. Sometimes they only get passing glances, and that's enough for them to be accepted as belonging there. It's what they need, considering even with the uniforms, they largely stand out among the Turkish soldiers. They're traveling in smaller groups to not draw as much attention, but it's inevitable that it'll come. As they walk by a soldier, he pauses, then looks back at the pair as they pass. ]

Wait, you there—

[ From the suspicion in his tone, it's clear that he recognizes that they don't really belong here. At this point, Sebastian looks to his companion and nods lightly. It goes unspoken, but the intention of the gesture is clear enough:

Shall we? ]

b. ruh roh
[ But once there's one difficulty, the others become much more frequent. It seems like a small group of the soldiers are aware that there might be people here that don't belong, though how they've figured that out isn't clear just yet. There's a murmur of concerned voices around a bend in the trench, and Sebastian stops with a look of concern. ]

Ah... It seems they may know.

[ He speaks quietly, almost enough so that it could be missed. It's clear from how he had recounted the letter that he can understand Turkish, though now that might seem like a more valuable asset. The voices draw closer, and Sebastian looks to his current partner with a more serious expression. His tone stays hushed, but still serious. ]

This may be more difficult.

[ ooc ; just in case you're trying to decide which one to pick, prompt a is more stealth-oriented and one-on-one confrontations, and prompt b is a group and much more likely for sebastian to demonstrate his superhuman abilities if that's your jam. also if you prefer prose, I'm happy to match! ]

[ Once Chiron has pointed out those Regency soldiers, the pace of the fight drastically changes. It's one thing to be careful because there's an advantage to doing so, but it's another entirely when faced with the real enemy that they're supposed to be fighting. It's clear that these are people not to be trifled with, and that's what makes the prospect of chasing one of them down immediately exciting to Sebastian. This, as far as he's concerned, is what he's well-suited to do. Since they've all come together, he nods to Hei and Noctis, since (presumably) he's seen both of them holding their own by now. ]

Well, we should take care of them first, yes? We can clear the way for those of us proceeding on to Atatürk.

[ He nods in the direction of one of the soldiers that had been indicated. They have at least a little ground in between, but not for long. That closest soldier seems to be heading their way, but Sebastian doesn't seem too alarmed about that fact. He's confident, since what could really hurt a demon? Even if they're using a miasma to dull those powers, it's not nearly as marked as in their own trenches.

And that's exactly why he's going to get wrecked for being arrogant tbh ]

[ Back in the tunnels Noctis had felt like he was running on fumes and what a difference it is now, fueled by the same disgusting food and plagued with the same lack of sleep but now there's the powerful addition of combat adrenaline. The muscle memory associated with fighting with an end goal in mind offers him renewed energy.

Even still, hearing that? Well, Noctis is overly confident in his own skills possibly to a fault but he's also critically aware of not only their most recent briefing, but also of his limitations and the magic dampening they'd encountered before. ]

No other way out of this but to fight? Fine with me if we have to, just wanna' exhaust the other options first...

(hei shakes the cold out of his hands and offers a tactiturn nod. violence is, of course, a very large part of their mission. gentle takedowns or not, people are bound to die — but that's what they're here for as soldiers in a war. they're here to incapacitate or kill. he can manage both and the group's decided on a no-kill run. so that's how he'll operate.)

Non-lethal only. (and the bayonet he stripped from a dead soldier's gun joins the one he's held onto for this long month, preserving his bullets for later.) If any of us makes Regency contact, we let the team know and coordinate. Understood?

(it's crucial they stick together. for reasons beyond his team's knowledge, which makes the paranoia claw at the back of his neck.)

Of course. By what we have heard, I would imagine the Regency would very much like for our progress to be hindered, if not stopped all together.

[ So it's little surprise to him that they're present and wishing to block the way forward. Technically, he's surprised that there aren't more, but that's at least something to their benefit. Relatively speaking, at least. Though it would be much easier to be more deadly, in his opinion. It's more difficult to hold back, especially when it's sometimes hard to judge just how fragile humans can be. At least in that respect, it serves as a reminder to temper his own enthusiasm. ]

Recommendations for how to approach? It would be wise to use whatever surprise we have left, and personally, I can move in rather quickly. [ A pause, and after a moment's thought on how practical it would be to be more honest, he decides to add: ] It cannot guarantee it, as I have not faced them myself, but they may find it more difficult to seriously injure me. Conventionally, human weapons cannot harm me.

[ Noctis narrows his eyes at the soldier in the distance, trying to ascertain how long they have before they're spotted. He can only hope the slow turn of his head towards Sebastian gets at least one tacit point across, however -- aren't they more likely to get noticed if they spend more time talking than they need to?

Wait. "Human" weapons? ]

Ah-- [ No, no, that needs to wait. ] Contacting the team now if we're about to engage. [ Since it seems unavoidable and that Regency soldier is holding his ground. ]

I can warp in close too.

(hei notices the "human" distinction, but there's no sense in worrying about that. fighting so closely with so many monsters for so long and you get used to it. he's inhuman as well, after all.

a sharp motion with his hand.) If you can move quickly, fine. Take point, provide a distraction, and Noctis can warp in while they're preoccupied. I will make sure they can't run.

(there's absolutely no honour in this, but the three of them... well, they aren't liable to give a fuck.)

Fine? If so, we'll leave on Sebastian's mark.

[Chiron had been quite fine with the suggestion of splitting off with Sebastian for a time. The man was intriguing to say the least, and he had demonstrated to Chiron to have a cool head. That was as good a reason as any to begin this phase of the assignment with him.

When he stops, Chiron does as well. There's no look of particular concern on his face. It is, in fact, unreadable.]

What do you advise then?

Well, we are further away from that mist, so...

[ At least at this point between conversations with Hei and seeing what others can do, he's not quite as reluctant to show what he can do. The fact that he has to keep his existence hidden is rather deeply ingrained, so while he's not completely forthcoming, at least he can see that revealing what he is in parts may not be as much of an issue. ]

I can move in quickly to knock them out, but... It may need to be accompanied with a brief distraction. It is better if they do not have the time to process it, so to speak.

That mist is a plague.

[Chiron has no problem showing his scorn for the stuff. He is composed entirely of magic, the stuff ate at his very being. At the word distraction, Chiron nods.]

I can provide that. Do you have anything in particular, or am I to improvise?

So indeed.

[ His agreement is brief and terse, but it's clear that he has similar feelings on the matter. His own situation isn't as pressing as Chiron's, but it still rubs against his being in a way that he finds unpleasant and also concerning. He's not used to anything being able to actually effect him.

The voices draw closer, and Sebastian tenses slightly as he readies to round the corner. If Chiron happens to be looking, he'll see that Sebastian's eyes have changed. The quite normal amber has shifted to a bright, blood red, and his pupils have narrowed into slits. There's no transition for it at all, and they simple change as if they had been that way the entire time. ]

Improvising should be perfectly fine. Though as a suggestion, they may believe that you are one of them briefly enough to direct them down the trenches. But it does not matter too much.

[ He presses against the wall, then nods ]

If you are ready.

Go.

[Chiron doesn't wait to see where Sebastian goes or what else he might attempt to do. He simply focuses on his own role, and continues to walk towards the oncoming Turkish soldiers. His eyes remain dead ahead, almost looking past them, his movements suggesting that of course he belongs there, why would anyone question it?

But he is stopped, and asked who he is and why he's there. Chiron's response is in Greek rather than Turkish, and apparently that's all the distraction that's needed to kick off an argument.

It's...a weird distraction. But still a distraction.]

[ Considering their earlier conversation, he smiles slightly to hear the Greek. He was familiar indeed, wasn't he? But of course that's only a passing amusement, since there's work to be done. He stays where he is, but it becomes apparent why he requested a distraction.

Where he's standing, it's as if shadow sloughs off of him, and sharp whorls of black slither down to the ground. He immediately grits his teeth, since even though they're far from the mist, its effects aren't completely gone. It's a strange sensation, and if he were to try and compare it to something, he could only imagine that this is what it would feel like to be smothered. It's more difficult to do this, and it should be as natural to him as it is for a human to breathe. But at least it's doable.

Those pieces of shadow stick to the ground, but the movement isn't exactly subtle, even in the dark mud under their feet. It's clearly unnatural, but between the conversation and how quickly it moves, it at least passes the soldiers unnoticed. The conversation quickly starts to turn to sharp suspicion, but when it's getting heated enough that they might be getting reinforcements, those shadows appear on their neck, having risen up in some way. They tighten, and just like that, their breath is cut off. The soldiers start to claw at their necks, but whatever it is, it doesn't seem like it can be removed. It's only a few seconds before they start to black out, and at that point, Sebastian steps around from his cover, looking displeased. ]

Really... That mist is quite troubling.

[ He comments idly, but as he brushes his hand away, the shadows around their necks dissipate. They're definitely still alive, but it's clear those shadows could have definitely caused more damage than that. He nods to Chiron, then starts to hoist one of the soldiers up to prop their body against the wall as if they were sleeping. ]

If we run into any more, we may have to be more direct than that... It is still strangely tiring to do even that much. My apologies.

[The Greek is indeed an allusion to their earlier discussion, but also a useful little bit of relying on recent history. Chiron had pursued the history books available for any additional information on the conflict, and the Greek-Ottoman relations had caught his attention. That none of the soldiers picked up that he was speaking a much more arachaic form of the language was well. That was on them.

Regardless, as Sebastian does his work, Chiron watches in quiet fascination. The shadows, their movement, it's all unearthly. That they suddenly are tangiable things, capable of doing genuine harm, it is both terrifying and impressive, speaking to well...whatever Sebastian is, he's a powerful version of it. There's no appropriate vocabulary that Chiron has to elaborate any further.

Once all is said and done, Chiron only hums in agreement regarding the mist.]

Ideally, we won't run into any additional issues. Should it be so, I might ask how stealthily you can move around in order to avoid any confrontation at all.

[ He's grateful for the lack of questions, since of course at the moment they have other things to tend to, but it also lets him keep his secrets a bit longer. He huffs, and it almost sounds like a noise of exertion, but it's more Sebastian trying to shake off the odd, unpleasant feeling of whatever that mist is doing. It may be less pronounced here, but he would prefer it not be there at all. ]

Quite. I can move more quickly then humans can see, but I have been trying to reserve that for emergencies. I worry about hitting some kind of "wall" against this fog, to be honest.

[ It's hard for him to tell if it even exists, since he's never been hindered in this way before. Being tired or unable to tap into his abilities is a completely new sensation, which gets him to sigh. ]

We can at least take the paths of least resistance too. It is... Not as much as I would like, but I can at least direct us down the least populated paths.

I understand the concern entirely. I've only just begun to regain my own energy, as prior to that, my other form demanded much less magic and was far easier to maintain.

[That same form is why Chiron's querry is about movement and avoiding additiona conflict, but unless Sebastian asks for clarification, he'll wait to do a demonstration.]

My only worry with paths of least resistance is when they lead to dead ends, and then we've wasted time and energy with them. So far as I'm guessing with this one though, we're likely to avoid those.

Ah, so it is magic?

[ There's a light curiosity in his tone, but it's not quite a question that's prying. It's more a statement of interest, like it's confirming something that Sebastian had been wondering. In any case, he makes it fairly clear that he's not prying since he continues with the conversation smoothly. ]

...True. Perhaps the more crowded option is more efficient overall. What about your stealth, then?

Both questions are connected.

[It's pointless to explain. So instead, Chiron slips into his spirit form. It's a not very dramatic thing, at least in his mind. His form, from the outer edge in, begins to dissolve, golden specks of light taking the place of arms, limbs, and the rest of his body.

And then moments later and several feet ahead, Chiron reappears, looking back at Sebastian.]

Does that offer some insight?

[ As Chiron disappears, Sebastian's expression changes to one of surprise and interest. It's magic, clearly so, and seeing it almost sparks something like nostalgia for him. Magic is a practice long gone, so it's been many, many centuries since he's seen something like this. Objectively, he knows that this is certainly because COST has the ability to grab people from many other worlds where magic may not have been stomped out so thoroughly, but still... What a strange thing.

He turns as Chiron reappears, and he nods with a more confident smile. ]

At least in part, yes. Perhaps when we have this matter settled, I hope you would permit me a few questions. However—

[ He turns those sharp eyes to the side down the trenches ]

We had best move on. Will you be able to keep up if I dash through?

Of course. But I expect a fair exchange.

[Whatever those shadows were, they have Chiron's attention. They spoke of servitude in their own ways, and upon reflection, Chiron realizes that he was not the only one with hidden meanings in his words.]

I believe I can keep pace, so long as we can agree upon a general path.

[ He nods, though his smile quirks a bit more in a quiet amusement. It's almost strange to have the liberty to be able to do and say as he wishes, but he's glad for it, he suddenly realizes. So often things like this have to be hidden in veiled words, so the idea of a fair exchange (though he may not be completely fair...) is a welcome one. ]

Straight down the way, the second to last right, then left for a bit, at least... That is about as far as I can tell with certainty.

[ Though he doesn't say just what he's "telling." That could be a question for later. ]

Should I go too quickly, simply say so and I will slow my pace.

--I can't communicate if I don't have form. Let's continue down the path you've chosen, and if you come to a stop and I am not there, simply wait and I will find you.

[Truly, it is the only disadvantage of spirit form. Hard to talk when your mouth and vocal chords aren't manifest.]

Ah... Then instead, I hope you can catch up if so.

[ It's a wry comment, but good-natured. He gives Chiron a nod as if to say that he'll be going, though as soon as he turns down the trench, he's nearly gone. He clearly wasn't kidding about being fast, though he probably could have explained what he meant better. It's fast enough that the most that really happens is soldiers that he races by looking at each other in confusion, and some of them ready weapons that they had been holding in a more relaxed position. But as he'd said, they don't quite react quick enough to really see that it was someone going by rather than a strange breeze.

So it might be a good thing that Sebastian had said where he was stopping, depending on how fast Chiron is... ]

Lead on.

[It is, in fact, a challenge to keep up. That fact alone isn't too much of a change of pace for Chiron, given that other Heroic Spirits can move faster than he can, but the visibility or near lack thereof is a new element he is yet to experience.

Regardless, Chiron at least tries to keep pace, and when Sebastian does come to a stop, he lags behind by only a few moments. It's a delay to be sure, but a small one considering how fast he was moving.]

That was absolutely stunning.

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GROUP 3: SO I OPEN MY DOOR TO MY ENEMIES—

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closed to hei + noctis

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B is for Butler!

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